#and given us the fight we were promised in mom

[starliteonearth]

Hands down the biggest fumble of What If season 2 was not letting it be Wanda who teamed with Kahhori to fight Supreme Strange instead. Not only would it have been a cool twisted reversal of Multiverse of Madness, we could've also gotten the magic showdown of the century between two of the most powerful beings in the multiverse. Like they would've ate so bad.

[luveline]

kbd steve and r dealing with two of the girls holding a grudge/fighting and helping them make up 🥹🥹🥹

kbd —mom!reader and dad!steve attempt to get their girls to forgive each other

“I thought they’d just forget,” you whisper. 

Steve looks over your shoulder, hand on your waist, the smell of hot butter bubbling on the stove like an itch in his nose. “Right? Like, they’d sleep and forget. Especially ‘cos they like sharing the bed.” 

Avery and Beth sit as far away from one another as is humanly possible. Beth sits with Dove toward the head of the table, frowning as her little sister climbs onto her legs and tries to comb her hair, while Avery sits by the open kitchen door. She’s pretending to poke at the snail that lives under the stoop, but she’s really on the edge of tears. 

They’re fighting because Avery took one of Beth’s fruit slices yesterday at lunch (warm pastries that all the kids can’t get enough of). When Steve asked her about it, she lied and said Beth actually ate one of her fruit slices, and Beth had been so betrayed she actually got mad. Beth never gets mad. 

Avery couldn’t take the guilt, confessing in tears the night before that she’d lied, and so you and Avery knocked Beth’s door together to apologise. Only Beth didn’t forgive her. 

It’s weird to see them not getting along. Avery and Beth are so sweet to each other usually. It’s odd that they aren’t sharing their breakfast, that they aren’t trying to feed the baby her mushy eggs. You and Steve are used to a more lovey-dovey feeling in the mornings. 

You dip down to sit with Avery when she does eventually start crying. “What’s the matter?” you whisper. 

Steve knows you’ve got the reins on that one, taking a seat by the other disgruntled party. 

“Is she crying?” Beth asks him softly. 

“Yeah, baby.” 

“‘Cos of me?” 

“It’s not like that.” He pulls Dove off of Beth’s lap before the toddler can trample her. Dove frowns at him but decides to allow it, resting in a lump against his chest. He pats her back. “She feels bad that she upset you, and she lied, and she wishes you were feeling better.” 

It must be strange to be young and be terrified that nobody will believe you, even over something as small as a fruit slice. Steve can’t imagine what he’d feel like now having to justify things to his parents. Or maybe it was that Avery’s never done something like that, at least not that Beth could remember. 

“She lied,” Beth stresses. 

“I know. But she did say sorry, honey, and she promised you two of her fruit slices today to make up for it. Maybe we can be friends again?” Steve says. 

If Beth wants to be mad a little while longer, that’s okay, but from the looks of her where she’s looking back and forth between Steve and the open kitchen door, she’s ready to forgive, or make her sister feel better at the very least. 

“It’s nice to forgive someone,” Steve says. “It’s kind. Avery didn’t wanna get in trouble, but she got you in trouble instead, so it’s cool if you’re still grumpy.” 

“I’m not grumpy.” 

Steve gives her an encouraging smile. “I know. It’s up to you, baby. Between you and me though, I think Avery’s super duper sorry.” 

In your lap, Avery sniffles. Dove climbs down off of Steve as Beth slips from her chair, then looks back for Steve. “Will you tell her I’m not mad?” Beth asks him. 

He wriggles his fingers. She takes his hand. 

It’s an unusually cold morning for the season, Steve can see your arms have wrinkled with goosebumps where they’re wrapped tight behind Avery’s back. You’d already given her a scolding for lying last night, and you and Steve are one and done with parenting; you don’t comfort her reluctantly, you just comfort. “It’s okay,” you say under your bread, swaying her from one side to the other. 

“Hey,” Steve says, crouching down to catch your attention. 

“Hello.” You see Beth, and you smile with relief. “Hi.” 

“Beth has something she wants me to tell you, Ave,” he says, nudging her arm gently with his knuckles to catch her attention. She peers up tearily from your arm. “She said she’s not mad anymore, okay? She wants to be friends again.” 

Avery looks at Beth cautiously. “Really?” she asks. It’s hard not to hear how hopeful she sounds. Steve feels extremely sympathetic, and he can’t help thinking she’s cute. She’s such a sweetheart, just like Beth, and Dove, and baby Wren he’s sure will end up the same. Like you. He can’t count how many times you and him have argued over the years, but every time it ends with you being more sorry than you need to be, and usually some of Steve’s guilty tears. 

“Yes,” Beth says, “so please don’t cry anymore.” 

Avery pouts. “You wanna give your sister a hug?” you prompt. 

Avery jumps up and throws herself at Bethie, almost knocking her younger sister down. Steve puts his hand behind them to stop a calamity. “I’m sorry, Bethie,” Avery squeaks, her voice high with upset and scratchy as she squeezes Beth tightly. 

“It’s okay! I’m not mad!” 

“I know!” Avery sniffles. “I’m still sorry. I told dad you ate my slice but you didn’t, I’m sorry.” 

“She’s forgiven you, baby,” you say, patting Avery’s shoulder. “It’s all water under the bridge. Yeah?” 

Beth holds Avery by the arm as they pull away. “Yeah. Water un’ the bridge.” 

“Thank you,” Avery says. “I don’t like when you’re mad.”

You and Steve make similar expressions of love and empathy over their small heads.  

[scribefindegil]

Lorraine Baines McFly and Female Autonomy

Hello. I have spent the past month slowly losing my mind about Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty's mom in Back to the Future, so I am finally trying to articulate some of the reasons I'm so feral about her.

There's a quote from Lea Thompson, the actress who played Lorraine, that goes, "The three parts that women usually get to play are virgins, whores, and mothers, and in Back to the Future Part II, I got to play all three." While this is commentary on Hollywood and the limited roles that fictional women get forced into, I think it's also interesting to think about it in terms of how these roles are reflected onto actual women and used to limit their personhood and confine them to a very narrow range of acceptable behaviors . . . and then in turn to think about how the character interacts with these roles on a Watsonian level. They're affecting not just Lorraine the character as she was written, but Lorraine from an in-universe perspective trying to navigate life as a woman in a patriarchal world. Some of the sexism she faces is a deliberate narrative choice and some of it is a result of the writers' blind spots, but for the purpose of this essay I'm less interested in teasing out which threads are which and more in looking at it holistically.

Because the thing about Lorraine is that she's aware of what the acceptable roles and behaviors for women are, and the versions that we see of her across the various timelines alternately fight against and capitulate to these constraints. What is a woman allowed to be? How much is Lorraine willing to break from those restrictions? How much does she allow other women to break from them? Does she resent her role or embrace it? I have a lot of thoughts specifically about how the different iterations of her interact with concepts of female agency and autonomy.

(Putting this under a cut because it is. Long.)

I started thinking about this when I was talking with my partner about 50's Lorraine. She's extremely active and driven and planning to Get What She Wants (in a way that is very scary, if you are Marty) . . . but at the same time she's clearly aware that she isn't supposed to be. A Good Fifties Girl is demure and passive. Lorraine isn't--but she's still trying to toe the line. I think constantly about the scene where she shows up at Doc's garage to be like "I followed you home . . . so that I can ask you to ask me to the dance." The girl can embrace borderline stalking but she draws the line at directly asking a boy out! She's exercising a lot of agency but views doing so as rebellious and subversive--and risky.

And I also want to talk about the whole "boy crazy" thing because like . . . society (especially in the fifties) tells women that the most important thing they can possibly do is find a good man and become wives and mothers, that this will define the success or failure of their entire lives (and given how many things were unavailable to single women at the time this is in many ways true) . . . and then relentlessly mocks and punishes anyone who actually takes an interest in pursuing this instead of just sitting back passively and waiting. She is trying to do what society says will make her happy! And even her desire for a white knight is very much based in the reality of her situation! She's getting sexually harassed at school and around town and she's doing exactly what she's supposed to and standing up for herself and saying no and fighting back--and this is not enough. She does need backup! Biff harasses her in the middle of a crowded cafeteria and Marty is the ONLY person who does anything! No fucking wonder she latches onto him as hard as she does! (There's. I promise this is related but there's a BttF parody musical on YouTube where when Strickland comes to break up the lunchroom fight he says, "Now, I can excuse sexual harassment, but LIGHT SHOVING?" and like it's a haha funny joke but also?? Yeah?? That IS how it works. The way Lorraine's being treated is so overlooked and normalized that the authority figure isn't going to step up the way he will when it's a physical altercation between two guys. Screams.) I wonder if part of the reason she stuck with George in the original timeline even though they didn't have a lot in common is that "I have a boyfriend" is a boundary that some people might actually take seriously whereas "I'm not interested" is not.

But. In general 50's Lorraine is very much about grabbing as much agency as she feels she's allowed to . . . and then Twin Pines Lorraine is what happens when she regrets the result of those choices (because while we don't see it, it's pretty obvious that in the original timeline she pursued George as aggressively as she pursues Marty in the new one), and so she decides to deny, not just her own agency, but female agency as a general concept. She leans so heavily on the idea that her relationship was "meant to be" because it absolves her of any culpability in creating a life she's unhappy with. She's rewritten her own past to view herself as a passive participant in something inevitable. (Exactly the view of womanhood that she was fighting so hard against in the 50's!) And she extends this idea of female passivity to the women around her: telling Linda that she should sit back and wait and a relationship will "just happen," actively resenting Jennifer for doing something as simple as calling Marty on the phone. It's a really interesting form of internalized misogyny, perpetuating these sexist ideas as almost a misguided form of self-defense.

And then for Lone Pine Lorraine this is completely flipped! She loves Jennifer for the same reason she disliked her in Twin Pines: because she reminds Lorraine of her younger self. And like . . . this is something of an extrapolation, but while obviously her husband and kids are still very important to her, it also feels like she has interests and friends and other things going on in her life, whereas part of the isolation of Twin Pines is that her life has shrunk down to the point where she's ONLY a wife and mother with nothing else to define herself by. And it also matters that in this timeline she has a partner that supports her, not just in the big dramatic moments (although also that), but you can easily see the dance as a catalyst for George actually learning to listen to her and stand up for her about smaller things as well. George McFly feminism arc. (I'm being slightly facetious but like. George starts off kind of shitty. The spying is actively Bad and I hope Marty chewed him out for it offscreen, but also his reaction to the harassment scene being "I think there's someone else she'd rather go with," implying that he sees what Biff is doing as like. Normal flirting that he expects to work. He doesn't GET it. Unsurprising because he is. A teenage boy in the fifties. But I do believe that saving Lorraine was something of a wakeup call and after that he listened to her about things that make her uncomfortable and gave her the support that she needed. Which would also give her a lot more freedom in this timeline because she has someone with more societal power who has her back!)

And then. Hell Valley.

If Lone Pine is the version of Lorraine who has the most freedom, the most opportunities to make decisions based on what she wants instead of What Is Expected Of A Woman, Hell Valley is the opposite. The things denying her agency in Twin Pines is largely societal forces (and herself); in Hell Valley she is actively being denied autonomy by her evil husband who functions as the personification of a bunch of sexist ideas.

She's been objectified to the point that she doesn't maintain control over her own body; Biff pressures her to get cosmetic surgeries so she can continue to look attractive to him because that's the only value he sees in her. Her physical appearance is entirely tailored to his preferences.

Biff's view of Lorraine is wife-as-possession. He treats her like a prize he's won and her kids like parasites. And he is NOT subtle about this. But Lorraine is still desperately clinging to the idea that she's wife-as-family. She calls Biff "your father" to Marty when he arrives, and talks about "our children" because she wants so so badly for this to be something different than what it is. It's especially terrible because this is a timeline where she got seventeen years of being happy with George, she knows what she's missing, and she keeps trying to force this new relationship into a similar mold even though Biff is openly contemptuous of her and especially her kids. It's been twelve years and she's still trying to pretend. To call back to that Lea Thompson quote: it's obvious where Biff thinks Lorraine fits on the virgin-mother-whore axis, while Lorraine is actively trying to centralize her motherhood partially because the kids really are that important to her and partially as a defense mechanism.

(And it's also such a bleak cautionary tale about how fragile women's stability can be when they're dependent on their husbands; Lorraine was happy with George and had a fair amount of freedom, but he was the only one with an income so when he died she was suddenly forced into a truly horrific situation because she had no other means to support herself and her three young children. Especially given that the Hell Valley universe is also worse in some broader political ways that mean there were probably even fewer social supports available than in real life 1973)

And god. It kills me the way that we see her lash out, the way she's clawing for autonomy when she threatens to leave . . . and then exactly how Biff levels all his axes of control against her. It's very interesting that his first tactic is consumerist (Who will pay for all your things? Who will take care of you?) and that doesn't work even though not being able to support herself is a very real concern. It's only when he threatens her kids that she folds. And then she immediately crumples and pivots to rationalizing Biff's behavior and blaming herself for her own abuse (in a way that is both HEARTBREAKING and also? surprisingly sympathetic and realistic for an 80's movie?). It's similar to the passivity we see in Twin Pines, but here we see exactly where it comes from. She doesn't have any way out so she has to pretend. It's the only way she can keep going. She has these flashes of rage but they're immediately snuffed out by despair and denial.

There's not a lot of talk about Lorraine and what there is tends to reduce her to "well she's Marty's mom" as if she's a boring character who doesn't have a lot going on. But even though most of her role in the movies has to do with her relationships with the various men in her life, those relationships are really interesting if you actually pay attention to them! She's not just (in the 80's) a wife and mother--she's someone who has a complex relationship with marriage and motherhood and the societal expectations surrounding them. She's not just (in the 50's) a vapid boy-crazy girl--she's doing her best to go after what she wants in a world that doesn't want her to (the fact that one of the things she wants turns out to be her time-traveling son from the future is unfortunate but not something she has any way of knowing!). She's stuck in a society that doesn't want women to be people, and she knows this, and because we see her across two different time periods and three different timelines you can watch how sometimes society grinds her down until she gives in and tries not to be a person. And also how, sometimes, she fights back.

[sgiandubh]

News from Birmingham: 'Caitriona is a goddess'

I have two of my best friends in attendance, Marple. Getting decent photos and fighting a grumpy wi-fi/lackadaisical roaming connection is never easy, but our girls are bravely there and sending everything they can.

Our people in Birmingham are seated just in the back, but here is a good layout pic, serves us well as proof of life and more:

These are from this afternoon [I had to edit, sorry: I have a life, too], featuring John Bell...

... Vandervaart (*faints in Romanian*) and David Berry (#silly me, I had to ask):

The girls confirmed C arrived and was monitored at all times by none else than Steve Himber, S's official minder/handler. They had no pic, because they were told that they couldn't take any 📸during the autograph sessions. I was later tipped (thank you, love you!) and found that on @bella_outlander_fan's IG account (she is very well informed and posts everything, including the bad and the ugly):

General impression tidbits follow:

✔️'she is a Goddess'- our friend is a C mainly, just like Shipper Mom. In the same sense I am an S mainly, nothing more, but also a prominent & very active shipper, on top. Also, one of our absolute BEST sleuths. A wonderful, caring and sensitive soul I love to bits, too.

✔️Added impressions on C: 'Wonderful. Smiling. Friendly. Touchy-feely. A hugger. Grateful. Thin like a rail. Very little makeup/no makeup look, if any. Jeans and grey Tshirt, with sneakers. Absolutely beautiful and affectionate during each person's minute with her.'

✔️ Our friend could talk to her during the autograph session. Note to self for Paris: presents were not allowed to be given in person, had to be presented separately (I am planning to order a limited edition, old as time spirits bottle, stupid me, LOOOOOOOL - more on this at the end of the post). Our friend described her lovely, thoughtful gift and C promised to retrieve it (will she wear it? are we allowed to dream?). She thanked her warmly, she loved the idea and she 'loved [the place where they came from]' (not for me to say, but TELLING as FUCK).

Her panel is scheduled at 5:00 PM, GMT, which is to say in nine minutes. Will keep you posted.

Thank you, girls! LOVE YOU!

[Later Edit]: forgot to mention one of my recent breakfast chats with Shipper Mom, during which I mentioned I did not plan to have my pic taken w/S, in Paris.

'And why not, are you stupid or just vain, like that?' (my mother is exactly like me, because well - she is my mom: I sense a theme, here)

'You know why. Because of the Dubai Whore Thing.'

'Oh, puh-lease, Baby Bear. If I were you, I would go right there and thank the guy. If anything, for all those wonderful people you have met through OL.'

She got me. I am going. I know exactly how I want that pic to look and will post it. Na, as the French, the Romanian and the Greeks say, in defiance. Must be a Southern thing, LOL.

IMPORTANT: a pox on your house for 2400 years if you post these without permission.

[theangelcatalogue]

୨ৎ BELOW THE SURFACE ᝰ.ᐟ

୨୧┇ Platonic/Romantic! ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ

୨୧┇Yanderes: Zatanna, Artemis, Connor, Megan, Wally, Robin and Aqualad! (First season team!) ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ

୨୧┇Female Reader! ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ

୨୧┇Pov characters: Y/N and Megan!

୨୧┇TW: FIGHTS(VERBAL), MOM ISSUES, SWEAR, OBSSESIVE BEHAVIOR, PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR, ANGST(?), MANIPULATION, BAD GRAMMAR, BAD ENGLISH AND MADE BY A MINOR! NOT SURE FOR MOST OF THEM! TELL ME IF I MISSED ANYTHING

ˏˋ⋆ SUMMARY ⋮.. !?

୨୧┇ You are the sidekick and kid of a famous hero, he was/is one of the founders of the Justice League! So it didn't take long for you to join the team

୨୧┇ You felt under pressure, but everyone just ignored or said everything is going to be alright! It's normal! Everyone feels like that!

୨୧┇But you were almost going crazy! You were tired of everything, just one more thing and BOOM! You would go crazy! Maybe even give up

୨୧┇And that happend.

ˏˋ⋆ Y/N ⋮.. !?

" I am...what? "

" You heard me Y/N, you are out of the team. "

Okay, hearing it from my own mother hurts, a lot, the words just run through my head.

Out of the team, am I really out of the team?

" But why? I thought I was being useful! I was efficient in the missions I took part in! I- "

" It's more about your behavior, but it's also about your efficiency, you're not being so efficient, and I heard you weren't doing so well, you're almost freaking out, so you're going to leave the team. You're lucky I'm talking about this with you here at home! Not in front of everyone! "

Leave, wait so I have to leave the team, or am I being removed? I don't understand that

" What...? "

I can feel the impatient look in his eyes

"I said you're leaving or I'll have to remove you! You almost fucked up the missions and I know it, I was told, all because you were tired? Really? You promised me you'd make it better! "

I tried, I really fucking tried, but I can't! I wanted to ask for help, I really did! But I can't, I want to but I can't

I wish I could explain this feeling to you, but I don't think you'd understand, Mom

"I really tried! I tried!"

The words came out louder than I imagined, I didn't want to shout, but I do!

"If you'd really tried, we wouldn't be here!

" I- "

" I don't want to hear a word! "

"That can't be the only reason for this! "

Okay, I think I've made her mad, she looks at me angrily, but with a mixture of shock and disgust, perhaps weariness.

"Look, you always wanted to be a hero! So I trained you, I made you my sidekick! And it was all right, I suggested you join that team! I always noticed that you were maybe a bit.... I can't explain it, but now they're complaining to me about your behavior! They want me to help you improve, but I don't want to risk it So I decided it was better for you to leave the team, so here we are! "

Hearing that is shocking, she'd rather I left than help me and spend time with me?

"You want me to leave so YOU don't get into trouble! But as I understand it, you're doing it to protect your reputation? Because if I do something wrong, it could end up being your fault?"

I answered her angrily, maybe I'm going crazy

"I'm going through difficult things! I've already tried to talk to you about it and you act like it's nothing!"

I continued, anger burning in me, she's doing this to me, why? It's not fair!

"I'm under pressure Y/N! I feel like I'm under the surface desperate to get out! Do you understand that? "

She answers me with a tearful tone, but I sense her manipulative tone, I understand her game

"Did you ignore everything I said? I'm going through the same thing! I- "

" You treat me like I'm the villain! It's not fair to me! I'm your mother and I only want to do what's best for you! For us! "

I stay silent, not because I've given up, but because I'm shocked by what she said

"Now you understand, right? Well, I'll tell you what, you'll leave the team and after that we'll do something together! After all, you'll deserve it, I know you don't want that, but understand Mom's side!"

I don't know how I feel right now

"Now I have to leave! Batman and I have to discuss the missions of your team - I mean, your ex-team! I'll be right back! "

Is she acting as if this hasn't happened?

I want to cry, maybe scream, but I don't know what to feel, but there's something burning inside me

She goes out the door and I'm left alone in the living room, I go upstairs to my room, open the door and look around

I go in and...and I

I feel tears coming down my face, I lose my balance and fall, why am I feeling like this? I stay on the floor crouched down crying, the tears fall to the floor like falling rain or a waterfall

I get up awkwardly and remember everything, my training, my friends, everything I've been through to be able to fulfill my dream, and now I'm crying like a whiny, humiliated baby.

I don't know what I am anymore, I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that about me, thinks that I didn't try hard enough, do others think that too?

I've put up with it for years, long years it's been

I've been through it all, nobody cared or cares, do they?

And I'm the idiot with the painted face

I'm getting out of here! I can't take it anymore, dramatic? Yes, but I've sacrificed years of my life for nothing! What can I be now?

My thoughts jumble and I look in the mirror, scars, dark circles and red eyes, this is who I am now

All for an impossible dream

Everything I've planned for years and my mother's words get mixed up, everything's a mess that I can't understand.

I can't cry anymore, and then I start laughing out of nowhere

I laugh of despair and anger

I think I've reached my limit

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

ˏˋ⋆ MEGAN/MISS MARTIAN ⋮.. !?

"Nothing?" Connor asked me impatiently for I don't know how long.

"No! Maybe they are out of my reach! I can't find her! " I answered him, we've been looking for Y/N for days.

Nothing yet

"I told you we should have put trackers on her! " Connor said to Robin, getting impatient.

" Stay calm Superboy, we'll find Y/N, no matter where she is! " Aqualad replied calmly

"I still don't understand what happened! Maybe she was kidnapped? " Zatanna asked

"There was no sign of it, maybe she ran away! " Robin replied thoughtfully

"Let's ask M/N! Maybe she has an idea of what happened!" Kid Flash confidently suggested

"It's a good idea Kid, but there's something wrong with Miss M/N! Maybe she's hiding something... " I said thinking, I'm not lying, Miss M/N was acting peculiar, she looked guilty, very guilty.

"I'll look at the cameras in Y/N's house! Come on " Robin took out his device and started trying to get into the cameras

" I've done it! Now we have a clue in our hands! "

We decided to watch the recording, we saw everything with audio, from the argument to the moment Y/N left the room through the window

Oh no.

୨ৎ NOTES ୨ৎ

୨୧┇Worst thing i have wrote in the story of this blog! :3

୨୧┇Azula themed cause go girlfailure!

୨୧┇I know this is bad as fuck hsuiw8w8widjdjjssjakkan help

୨୧┇THANKS FOR READING SORRY IF THIS DON'T MAKE SENSE!!! 😿

୨୧┇Also M/N means Mother/Mom name's! Your mom name!

୨୧┇Idk what to say i just ily you all

୨୧┇*Sends virtual hugs for you*

[ahgasegotarmy116]

He Doesn't Deserve You | A Jeon Jungkook Series | Chapter One

Summary: Life didn't turn out the way you wanted. You got the guy, and the job but everything else you had ever wanted has been crumbling around you. Pairing: Noona reader x Jeon Jungkook (She's 28 and he's 22) Word Count: 2.1k~ Warnings: yändere, manipulation, domestic violence, self harm, cheating, explicit language, hints at smut, angst, idk what else lol a/n: Ahh thank you so much for all of the love so far on the intro and even all the notes on the masterlist hehe. I'm really loving the direction this story is going in so I hope you guys will too! And thanks again to @kkusadmirer for the request!

Opening my laptop I pull up the most recent edit I had done on the next chapter I was working on. 

I'm a writer, not an incredibly famous one but a writer nonetheless. I make enough to get by and I'm able to work from home so that's all I ever really wanted. Just a silly girl, writing her silly stories, living her silly life. 

But unfortunately things don't always turn out the way you want them to. 

I thought I had it all, perfect grades and a perfect boyfriend with a loving family and a bright bright future. Now looking back at it all and seeing all of the stuff in the background that I somehow missed just makes me feel foolish.

How could I not notice Taehyung wondering eye? Why did I not listen to what my friends used to say about him? Why did I leave all of my friends behind for him? 

Being so wrapped up and so in love with him I didn't even notice the fact that my family was falling apart. My mom cheated on my dad and I never knew until they told me they were getting a divorce.

While my brother was struggling in high school while being around all of their screaming and fighting and finally got committed to a mental institution when he had a psychotic break.

I never knew anything about that. It's not like I didn't care, but I just never really reached out or gave them enough time to reach out to me. 

I was always like 'Oh Tae just got home I have to go' or 'Tae is expecting me so I need to get going'. My world has revolved around him for so long that my family and friends feel like strangers. 

How could I have been so stupid and neglected them, all for one guy?

The one that I wanted to build a future with and promised to do the same with me. Now here I am, 24 with student loans up to my neck and a sorry excuse for a marriage with a husband that is never home. 

I don't know what I managed to do in my past life that ended up royally fucking me up in this one but I'm sorry. Why couldn't I have done better so I would be saved from having my spirit broken and my heart ripped to shreds. 

The only positive thing is that this has given me is the inspiration to come up with an even more fucked up series of books that has been my only source of income for the past few years. 

Years, wow. 

Thinking about how much time has passed and how things went to shit so quickly helped me continue down this downward spiral and I don't know how to make it stop. Although the sound of keys jingling outside the front door is my rude awakening, my brain knowing I need to be conscious of what may happen next.

 I quickly wipe off the tears that I didn't even realized had started to fall and clear my throat. Moments later I'm met with the sight of Taehyung walking in wearing the same shirt I had seen him in yesterday but sports a brand new hickey near the collar, just barely noticeable but he makes no effort to hide it. 

"Y/n" I hear him call out, breaking me out of my train of thought. "Yes?" I question, hating that I've been caught off guard even though I was staring right at him. "I asked if we have anything to eat" he says, making his way over to the refrigerator, now going to see if he can answer his own question before I'm even given another second to speak up. 

"Um yeah I think there's some left over pizza from last night" I say and get up to walk towards him. "So how was work yesterday?" I ask tentatively, still not sure what kind of mood he's in. "Exhausting but it is what it is I guess" he says while stuffing his face full of a cold slice of pepperoni pizza. 

I turn to walk away while nodding my head, not bothering to ask anything else since it seems from his vague answers that he's not in the mood to talk. 

"Hey" he says, gently grabbing my wrist with the hand that wasn't occupied with the pizza, leaving me frozen in place. I know better than to walk away from him. Even if he's not mad at the moment doesn't mean that he won't be in the next. 

"Where are you running off to?" he asks pulling me close by that same wrist. Still doing so carefully but pressing on the bruises that he had left there from the last fight we had. 

He sees my slight look of discomfort and how my vision is trained on the wrist he's still holding and rolls up my sleeve, taking a quick look and seeing the evidence of his past transgressions.

"It left a mark huh?" he says examining the spot further and then bringing it up to his face where he places a few featherlight kisses on it, making a flash of heat run through my system when he looks back up at me with those eyes.

Those bedroom eyes that never fail to put me in a trance. He lifts his hand up towards my face and I flinch not knowing what to expect and see him stopping for a second, surprised by my reaction.

"Don't be afraid baby, it's just me" he says and keeps going, hooking his finger on the collar of my turtleneck to pull it to the side, no doubt searching for other marks. 

"There's marks here too. I guess it's a good thing you stay home. Don't want to have to make up excuses for those now would you?" he says tapping under my chin twice, a slight lilt in his tone, enjoying my clear discomfort in showing them to someone, even if it's the person that's caused them.

"What did you do today baby?" he asks, letting go of me and going back to grab a few other things out of the fridge to complete his meal. "Oh you know, just some writing" I say, trailing off and giving him the same answer that I've given him time and time again. 

"You almost done with it?" he questions, only really asking so he knows when my next big payday will be. 

I shake my head "No, not yet. I think I'm only about halfway though" I say, giving simple answers to his simple questions. "Well you better get it out soon. I bet your readers are dying to know what happens next" he says giving me a quick wink before taking everything he has in his hands and carrying it over to the couch. 

"Do you think you could grab me a beer?" he asks, but I know it's more of a courtesy than anything phrasing it like I actually had an option. I respond with a quiet yeah and bring it over to him, placing it on the coffee table. 

"Thanks babe" he says and grabs a ahold of my hand and angles his head up, clearly asking for a kiss to which I oblige. Again something I don't really have an option in doing. "I missed you" he says and rubs his nose against mine cutely, or at least it used to be cute. Now it just makes me sad thinking of all of those times when we were happy.

"Are you gonna watch the game with me?" this time giving me something that I actually have a choice in. "I think I've got some more writing I'd like to do" I say and he nods his head not even bothering to look at me or give me a verbal sign of acknowledgment before turning on said game and slumping back into the couch to watch. 

I walk over to my desk that happens to unfortunately be in the living room so I'm forced to grab my headphones to drown out the sound so I can hopefully get another chapter or two in before I call it a night. 

~~~~~~

"Baby" I hear him call for me through my headphones after some time, that's something that I've had to fine tune. Making sure I can hear him when he talks to me no matter what so it's one less thing I have to worry about him getting upset about. 

I pull out my headphones and turn my attention towards him, half expecting him to ask me to get him a beer. "Yes?" I reply, waiting to see what he needs. "Come here" he says holding his hand out to me and spreading his legs, showing me where he wants me. 

I get up and walk towards him, straddling him once I get close enough and putting my arms around his neck. "Hi" he says in a deep voice sending a shockwave through my nervous system. "Hi" I respond quietly, intimidated at the thought of what he might do next. "How was the game?" I ask tentatively, hoping for my own sake that there was a favorable result. 

"We won" he says, mindlessly tracing his hands up and down my curves. "How's your book?" he asks leaning into my neck, placing kisses over the bruises he had noticed from before. "

It's going" I whisper, starting to feel breathless from his warm breath fanning the sensitive parts of my skin. "Ready for a break?" he asks, question laced with a mischievous tone. I hum in acknowledgment, tilting my head to the side so he can have his fun.

~~~~~~

"I'm gonna head out but I'll be back later" Taehyung says while getting dressed with me still laying there with only a sheet to cover my body. "You're leaving?" I question, knowing he just said that but hoping he'll give me some sort of explanation.

"The guys wanted to meet up for a couple of drinks to talk about the game. Get some rest okay? I'll be back in a few hours" he says planting a soft kiss on my lips and one on my forehead. 

I nod as he pulls the comforter over me as well, starting to already to drift off to sleep. "Stay safe" I mumble and flip over to the other side to try and get more comfortable.

He looks down at me for a second and chuckles at my fucked out and sleepy state before walking out of our bedroom and soon I'm left with the sound of him closing and locking the door behind him. 

Although this night was bittersweet I'm thankful that it ended up like this. He's not a selfish lover when it comes to sex so I'm always left sleepy and satisfied except for the times that he's more rough, rough is putting it lightly so I guess I should say when he's more violent. 

I hate thinking about those nights and I refuse to let those dark thoughts cloud this physical euphoric feeling I have but I can't help but worry about what he might actually be going out to do.

 Would having a drink with the guys really make him want to leave his naked and freshly fucked wife alone in his bed? I just don't get it. If he's already been with me tonight could there be a possibility that he would wake up in another woman's bed and leave me waking up alone again tomorrow?

There's no use worrying about it though. It's not like it hasn't happened before, but why do I always let it get to me? Yes he's my husband but our marriage isn't like other ones in anyway shape or form. I'm here when he wants or needs me and that's it. I'm not allowed to want or need him because I'm just left disappointed every single time.

He doesn't love me, he just loves what I can give him and I need to come to terms with that. But it's nights like these where he's gentle and whispers sweet nothings in my ear that make me second guess things. 

Maybe he's changed? Maybe he's realized what actually matters? And maybe I'm just getting my hopes up. I can't keep lying to myself but I don't know what else to do. I feel alone most days but these little glimmers of hope are what keep me holding on and unfortunately that's all I have left. 

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[marymary-diva17]

He your son you idiot (modern au)

Jake x reader x neytiri

When you and your spouse had agreed on having kids there were many things that were discussed, and one of them was what parenting will be like. It was agreed on that the children will be given love and support, and there will be no favoritism show in the family and house. The was something you had been trying to avoid as you knew favoritism can be bad for everyone. What happens when that promise had been broken,how much can these acts of favoritism happen until it boil overs.

Y/n “ ………” the sully home was very quite was quite as everyone was off at school and work today, but soon your phone had rang getting your attention.

y/n " hello ... oh yes this is her how may I help you ... I will be there right away" you had hang up the phone call and soon collected your things and soon rush to the kids school, there was incident at school that involved loak.

y/n " please don't let it be that bad please" you soon entered the school and made your way towards the headmaster office. You soon reach it to see lo'ak sitting on a bench, you soon looked at him and gasped.

y/n " sweetie what happened"

lo'ak " I got into a fight mom with these boys"

y/n " don't worry when we get home we will make sure you get cleaned up and healed, tell me what happened"

lo'ak " I know I promised to stay out of fights mom and I have been doing good in school, but today it seems like lucky was not on my side"

y/n " I understand but please tell me what lead to this fight"

lo'ak " it all started when ...." soon the office door had opened and you soon looked up to see Jake and neytiri standing there.

Jake " dad and mom"

neytiri " lo'ak what happened"

lo'ak " a fight I can explain myself"

Jake " I hope you can young man"

headmaster " lo'ak sully parents I will love to have some words with you three"

y/n " it will be okay once we are done talking we will come get you"

Jake " come on lets go and see what this boy had done now"

You had given Lo’ak one last look of love and support before you entered the office with your spouse and sat with the headmaster. 

Headmaster “ as you all can see and have been told you son Lo’ak sully has been in a fight” 

Jake “ yes we are sorry for his behavior and I will make sure it doesn’t happen again” 

Y/n “ Jake” 

Jake “ no that boy has gotten into so many fights already why cant he calm his anger” 

Neytiri “ oh Lo’ak what are we going to do about him” 

Y/n “ excuse me sir can you please explain more of the situation to us” 

Headmaster “ well there as some conflict in the hallways today after some words were said, and soon enough the fight had started between all of the boys and Lo’ak … lucky enough neteyam and aonung were able to break it up with the help of Rotxo and spider but there are some people to blame for his fight and another matters” 

Jake “ Lo’ak sir we are sorry about his lately he hasn’t been the same” 

Headmaster “ yes I will like to address that was well as this fight is connected to other matters, Lo’ak hasn’t been doing well in school for the past couple months as you all know and after some investigation we found out why …” 

JAke “ we know why he a trouble maker that why he never does anything right like his siblings and now he gotten his friends and cousins involved” 

Neytiri “ did anyone else get hurt in the fight” 

Headmaster “ well not that much but there are some to be some matters we need to discuss with the others boys families and your sons friends families as well” 

Jake “ yes sir let that happened” 

Y/n “ Jake please clam down” 

Jake “ ……” soon the other families had came into the room and they all looked disappointed. 

Ronal “ it seems like Lo’ak keeps on getting in trouble” 

Norm “ Jake what happened I get a call telling my son was involved in fight, that included loak” 

Jake “ yes I’m sorry everyone as it seem like my son as done something completely stupid” 

Y/n “ Jake we haven’t heard the whole story yet” 

Mother “ back here once again you playing the same tune over and over, always standing up for the punk child you have” 

Y/n “ leave my son out of this matter right now” 

Tonowari “ what going to happen” 

Jake “ I and neytiri have made a plan” 

Y/n “ a plan without speaking with me his mom your guys wife” 

Neytiri “ because you baby him to much that why we are here, if you have done a better job then our family will be perfect and our marriage will be perfect as well” 

Y/n “ what are you talking about” 

Jake “ we can deal with this later as today onwards Lo’ak will no longer be a problem for anyone here as I’m having him sent to boarding school” 

Y/n “ Jake he our son why send him away” 

Jake “ I’m doing what best for everyone that boy need discipline and the school, can deal with him and there nothing else you can do” 

Y/n “ no you are not sending him away like that”

Neytiri “ it to late it has already been decided he going that all, we will pay for any damage at had been caused because of loak”

Headmaster “ which school will be sending him”

Jake “ this school I had been told about it before and decided enough was enough, in doing what best for my family and everyone else” some of the adults agreed on this decision while you and headmaster along with Norm felt worried. Jake soon gave the flyer to the headmaster who looked over it. 

Headmaster “ I have some friends who work there I will give them a call, and send over Loak information”

Jake “ thank you once again I’m sorry for my son actions everyone, I will make sure it never happens again in the future” soon the meeting had ended and everyone gather up their kids and left for home. It was easy to tell nothing good was going to come out of these decisions made. Once the sully family arrived home there was a family meeting.

Jake “ after this week you will be going to you new school loak”

Loak “ new school”

Neytiri “ I and your father have decided you need to attend boarding school, this school is highly recommended and will help deal with your delinquent behavior”

Loak “ no you can’t send me away”

Jake “ it always done you are leaving within a week”

Look “ mama did you know”

Jake “ no you mama didn’t know we did this behind her back, as we knew she will stop us you have disappointed us all expected your mama but needs to happen loak” 

Loak “ but dad hear me out if you will just…”

Jake “ no you have done enough look at what happened to your brother snd spider, along with Ao’nung and Rotox they were hurt because of you … it all because of you never thinking about anyone else but yourself”

Y/n “ Jake stop it he still our son your son”

Jake “…….”

Loak “ when I leave can I stay in contact with all my siblings and cousin, along with my friends as well I still wish to speak with tsireya as well like we do all the time” loak was looking at Jake hoping for some good news.

Jake “ after today your contact with your cousins and friends will be limited, and that means mostly tsireya as well their parents had asked for this after the trouble that had been caused today”

Loak “ dad please no”

Jake “ I’m sorry son but these are the consequences of your actions, maybe in time you can be in contact with everyone else but for now it limited or will be no contact at all”

Loak “ ……….”

Y/n “ Jake don’t you think that to harsh”

Jake “ no and the same thing goes for you siblings as well, we will all need time to adjust to the situation your mama will be different situation”

Loak “ yes dad I’m sorry”

Jake “ you can leave now and make sure to apologize to everyone, I will not have you leave here without saying sorry” Loak had nodded his head and soon walked off, to his room upstairs. 

Y/n “ you thinking sending him away will be a good solution”

Jake “ yes we can no longer deal with him like this, and this has affected our family enough it might start effecting us more as well”

Neytiri “ think about Tuk she so young she will soon pick his behavior we don’t need that, and we need to think about neteyam and Kiri as well wasting their time fixing his mistakes” 

Y/n “ he just a teen and maybe there more to story”

Jake “ well you can believe that all you want but he leaving if like it or not” you didn’t say anything else as you soon left to go make dinner, tonight dinner was not that happy as the rest of the kids were told of news of loak leaving. 

That night 

Y/n “ hey buddy”

Loak “ hey mama”

Y/n “ I’m sorry loak I was not able to protect you from all that was happening in school”

Loak “ that headmaster told you didn’t he”

Y/n “ yes he called me after dinner and the teacher left messages as well, I’m sorry my son”

Loak “it okay mama hey maybe when I leave everyone will throw a party, yes in honor of me being gone for good and everyone being rid of bad child”

Y/n “ oh loak” you soon hugged your son as he cried a bit he was leaving everyone and everything he loved behind. There was no stopping it now it was go to this school or what else he dad thought up. True to Jake words contact with his friends and others were limited or didn’t happen. 

The day of Loak leaving

Speaker “ flight 26789 will be departing soon at gate 23B”

Loak “ that my flight”

Jake “ yes it this someone at the school will be waiting to pick you up there, and take you there”

Loak “ yes sir”

Neytiri “ it will be some time until we can see you again for a visit” 

Loak “ yes ma’am” 

Y/n “ come on I will walk you to the gate” 

Jake “ y/n we can …..”

Y/n “ in taking my son to gate as it will be a long time until I see him again” you soon walked off with Loak and his backpack, and his suitcase were being loaded onto the plane. 

Y/n “ it going to be a long flight you own”

Loak “ yes mama I know”

Y/n “ all on your own”

Loak “ I will be fine mama no need to cry or worry”

Y/n “I’m going to miss you honey but I know you will do great that this school, even your old headmaster and teachers said that as well”

Loak “ yes”

Y/n “ there will be some forms you will need to drop off once you get there, but once there you get to make some decisions as well”

Loak “ I know mama I have decided on something already, I texted everyone and try to start a FaceTime call but got nothing”

Y/n “ I’m sorry you didn’t get to a proper send off”

Loak “ well I love this send off mama”

Y/n “ good I pack some snacks and stuff you like along with money as well, if you need help on anything call me and family”

Loak “ yes mama hey I might come back a changed boy”

Y/n “ don’t change that much” 

Loak “ what about them how are you going to be”

Y/n “ I will be okay and hey maybe it time I take some of advice we were given by him” loak laughed a bit at what you had said. 

Loak “ you are going to be great mom”

Y/n “ you are going to be great as well now go along, I love you”

Loak “ I love you as well” mother and son hugged one more time, before you watched loak walk onto the plane and wave goodbye. You saw his plane take off and soon head back towards the entrance you knew your son will do well but nothing will ever be the same again around here.

[serialadoptersbracket]

Round 5, Match 2: Gintoki Sakata vs. Kim Dokja

Submitted kids:

Gintoki Sakata: Kagura and Shinpachi Shimura, his own de aged mentor Shouyou, Hashida Kanshichirou, and Seita

Kim Dokja: Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung are the commonly accepted ones but you can also make a case for Lee Jihye and Biyoo

Propaganda under the cut!

Gintoki Sakata:

1. “Gintoki is introduced to us as a depressed twenty seven year old dealing with ptsd who first adopts Shinpachi after protecting him from Amanto (aliens, who have somewhat taken over earth) who were harassing him, which led to Shinpachi losing his job, and Gintoki having to help him rescue his sister Otae from the family’s debtors. Shinpachi comes to work for Gintoki as Odd Jobs, soon joined by Kagura (an amanto herself with super strength who was working as part of gang prior to Shinpachi and Gintoki helping her leave) Kagura leaves in his house and later Gintoki allows her to get a pet dog. It’s made clear that these three are a family and more than a few episodes make it clear that Kagura seems Gintoki as her earth father (her bio dad, the strongest man in the universe, goes around the galaxy fighting monsters) and Shinpachi feels a familial connection to him as well. There’s also Hashida, a baby who looks a lot like Gintoki, whom Gintoki takes care of when the custody battle over Hashida becomes an actual battle. This includes drinking together, tying the baby to his back while fighting his way to Hashida’s mom, and Hashida crying when Gintoki leaves, after promising they’ll share a drink when Hashida is older. In a similar vein is Seita, a street kid who tries to pickpocket Gintoki but gets robbed in return and ends up working for Gintoki’s landlady (Gintoki’s own adoptive mother) and being taken care of by her and the odd jobs family as a whole, before Gintoki discovers Seita’s mother is Hinowa, the Sun of Yoshiwara and its highest ranking courtesan, and fights Housen, a crime lord who fought Kagura’s father for three days and nights until they considered it a draw, and kills him, just so Seita and Hinowa can reunite. During the timeskip late in the series, we discover after seemingly defeating the Big Bad Utsuro (an immortal who formerly was Gintoki’s adoptive father and teacher Shouyou) Gintoki spent two years raising the reincarnated Shouyou as a baby, before being given his heart to prevent Utsuro’s followers from taking it. These are just the most notable examples, pretty much any character younger than Gintoki gets taken care of or helped by him in a way, including Kagura’s older brother, temporary member of Odd Jobs Pirako, and even to an extent youngest Shinsengumi member Okita Sougo. Gintoki is positioned as acting as the same adoptive parent role as his own adopters (Shouyou and his landlady Otose) are, taking on similar burdens and making, or trying to make) similar sacrifices as well. He can be really soft with kids at times, and has at least once carried Kagura and Shinpachi away from a fight on his back.”

2. “#hell adopt your unorphaned kid hell adopt your dad hell adopt his own deaged mentor!!!”

Kim Dokja:

1. “In the first scenario (where you have to murder something alive) his first priority is to make sure Gilyoung makes it out alive (by giving him the grasshopper before letting others know about it), and when the future version of Yoosung (41st round) is going to cause havoc his first plan is to basically the past (his present) version of her so they would have her on her side (he takes her in as his incarnation- if that isn’t an adoption idk what is); Biyoo is literally the soul of 41st Yoosung that he WENT THROUGH AN UNDERWORLD TRIAL to get her back and she is legally his child. Lee Jihye is more like the older sister-teenager of the group be she’s still adopted by association and Han Donghoon is a kid who was hypnotized and exploited by the ‘prophets’ and Kim Dokja saved him and became someone he trusts in- which is basically adopting. Mia is YJH’s little sister but with the family dynamic all of KimCom has she’s basically adopted too. This man is someone who believes the worst in himself but gives all these kids someone they need and in return they are the family he’s never had.”

2. “He saved Lee Gilyoung on the subway when he was orphaned at the time the apocalypse started even when he didn't need to and kept him by his side and fed him at his own expense and believed in him and taught him to be strong when no one else had really done that for Lee Gilyoung before.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD (pretty vague):

Shin Yoosung was a character in the world of the apocalypse that occured (long story, won't explain here lol) and she was supposed to be destined to become a monster that would destroy Seoul and the two people other than Kim Dokja who knew this wanted to kill her when they found her to prevent her from becoming that but Kim Dokja refused to kill her and physically stood to protect her and then he later became her sponsor (uhhh it's a whole thing in-universe but basically pledged to back her and help her ig) and the stigma (a special power thing that can be gained through a sponsor) he gave her was based in him protecting everyone in their group and his love for all of them.

Both Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung are extremely attached to Kim Dokja and have on at least one canon occasion slept clinging to either side of him.

LESS MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD (though not terrible ig and still mostly vague at least):

Biyoo is. well she's Shin Yoosung actually but also not. So basically y'know that monster future Shin Yoosung was destined to become? so that monster version of her from a different timeline was sent backwards and sideways in time (idk how else to describe it jskdfs) and nearly did destroy Seoul as prophesied but Kim Dokja tried to save her—and he nearly did but then a shitty dokkaebi (they're like admin streamer people. idk would take a while to explain) did a shitty thing and forced her to be 'evil' and then she had to be killed ;-; but Kim Dokja promised to get revenge for her and after that he went and beat up the asshole dokkaebi who did that so badly that he gained a legendary Story. And then he traveled to the Underworld at risk of his own life to retrieve her soul and put that into a dokkaebi egg that he personally hatched. And she lost her memories for the most part but could still sense a bit what he'd done for her :') and so yeah she became Biyoo and is somehow both adopted and originally parented(?? idk saying biologically is. doesn't feel quite right lol) by him.”

3. “Bro is THE DAD of the group”

4. “Adopted his kids so hard that they’d do like anything for him they love him so much”

[lost-girl-2021]

Adopted Spider Part 3 (Final Part)

I think Spider would be really confused when the truth comes out. Because, he doesn’t know who to believe anymore. His dad— his real dad, Jake —always told him that Paz was a good woman, was someone he should be proud to be the son of. But, Quaritch told him that his mom died because of Jake, that she (and Quaritch) died in the Great Battle, leaving Spider an orphan. I think the boat scene would go differently too, because Quaritch and Jake would both be trying to get Spider to come to them and Spider just doesn’t know what to do.

“Spider, baby, it’s okay. It’s okay, just take a breath.” Dad soothed, reaching towards him. Spider had missed his dad so much, had missed his voice and his hugs and—

“He said you lied.” Spider cried. “He— he said Paz was a part of the RDA. That you killed her! He . . . he said he’s my real dad.”

“I’m your dad. I’m the one who taught you to walk and hunt and fish— “

“Because I never got the chance!” Quaritch shouted from Spider’s other side. “Your mother never got the chance.”

“Spider, we can talk about everything tomorrow, I promise. But, ‘Teyam’s hurt and your Mama needs you— I need you. You need to come home.”

“You left me.” He whimpered. “You left the forest.”

“We were always going to come for you— “

“They didn’t.” Quaritch snapped. “I was the one who protected you from the general. I was the one who took care of you— “

“He stole you. Tuk and your mama haven’t stopped crying since that day.”

I do think Spider would go with Jake and I imagine one of his siblings waiting off the edge of the boat and zipping away with his brother as soon as they have him. They don’t stay to watch the fight, but Older Sibling drops Spider off with their family and then Lo’ak and Kiri head back to the shipwreck, worried about their dad. Neytiri is with Neteyam, who is asleep but stable (Neteyam lives in everything I write at this point, lol). And Tuk, who was pressed against her mother’s side, launches herself at Spider as soon as she sees him. Neytiri does the same, fawning over him and holding him and— well, I don’t think anyone would let him out of their sight for a while after reuniting.

I think that no matter how Spider and Quaritch’s relationship was, he’d feel bittersweet when the man dies. Especially since it was Jake who killed him. I also feel like after they were reunited, there would be an adjustment period for everyone.

For Spider, he’s grown and changed in his time away from his family. He learned how to sharpen his own knives and knows a lot of English swear words now. His hair is worse for wear, but when he lets his mom take him to wash it, he ends up crying. Because, he missed her so much. And he had almost forgotten how nice it felt to have his mom hold him.

He can keep up with his siblings a bit better out of the water and excels under the water, since he doesn’t need to take breaks to breathe. He tires out faster, given his smaller body and how unused his muscles are to so much time underwater. But, he can stay under a lot longer and he learns how to use their weapons fairly quickly.

His siblings probably try to go back into their old dynamics, but some of the jokes just aren’t funny anymore and none of them know how to talk about Spider’s time with the RDA. He has nightmares now, more than he ever had before.

This ended up being a whole ass fanfic idea, but IDK how it would end. With angst, probably. Might make into a fic eventually, I never know where I’m going when I start having ideas, lol.

[alouiadina]

Prompt: Bucky meeting Buck's dad

I know you probably wanted a fight, but I went a different route.

Title: Nursing Home

Word Count: 707

--

The man slouched in the wheelchair was a far cry from what Bucky had imagined. His face was gaunt and sunken, with deep furrows etched into his skin. His eyes lacked any glimmer of awareness as they stared off into space.

Bucky couldn't help but recall the stories Gale had shared about his father. The constant drinking, the reckless gambling that left them with nothing, the times he raised his hand a little too harshly to Bucky and his mother, and the broken promises that kept piling up. It made Bucky's blood boil to think someone could treat their own child that way.

The man in the wheelchair slowly looked up at Bucky, his vacant gaze meeting his own. His mouth hung open slightly, as if struggling to form words. Despite all the anger and resentment he held towards this man, Bucky couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for the frail creature before him. The remnants of what used to be a strong and proud man now reduced to a mere shell of his former self.

Gale's voice trembles as he speaks, barely audible in the quiet room. "Dad? It's me, Gale," he says softly.

The man looks over to Gale, the same blank expression on his face. Bucky watches as the frail looking hand of Mr. Cleven reaches out to grasp the sleeve of Gale's jacket.

"I brought someone with me today," Gale says again, gesturing towards Bucky. "This is Bucky." He introduces him with a sense of pride and eagerness, hoping for some kind of reaction from his father.

Mr. Cleven looks up at Bucky with a blank expression, his eyes struggling to focus. For a moment, Bucky sees a glimmer of something in those clouded eyes before they return to their vacant state.

"Hello, sir," Bucky greets politely, unsure if he is even being heard.

The older man simply stares back at him, his expression unchanged, then turns his attention back to Gale.

"You look just like my wife," he rasps hoarsely. "So beautiful, just like her."

Gale's expression falters for a moment and Bucky can see the pain in his eyes.

Bucky stands by helplessly as Gale leans down to embrace his father in a hug, but Mr. Cleven seems unsure of how to respond. His weathered hands awkwardly pat Gale on the back while murmuring something unintelligible.

"Come on, Buck."

Gale pulls away from his father and takes Bucky's hand, leading him out of the room.

"Don't pretend you didn't want to fight him." He says with a sad smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I saw that look in your eyes."

Bucky can only shrug sheepishly and squeeze Gale's hand.

"I'm sorry. I had no idea..." Bucky's voice trailed off as he struggled to find the right words.

"Neither did I," Gale sighed heavily, running a trembling hand over his tired face. "My mom didn't tell me about his condition until a few months ago."

Gale's gaze drifts away for a moment, lost in memories before he adds in a quiet tone, almost to himself, "At least he still recognizes me sometimes."

They walk in silence for a while, their hands still intertwined.

"I wish you could've met him before he got sick," Gale says wistfully. "Woulda loved to see you take a swing at him."

Bucky couldn't help but smile sadly at that thought. "Yeah, maybe," he replied. "I would have definitely given him a piece of my mind."

Gale let out a small chuckle and shook his head in fond amusement.

"I have no doubt about that," he replied, his eyes warm as they continued walking towards the exit.

They emerged from the nursing home and were greeted by a crisp autumn breeze, carrying the faint scent of woodfire and fallen leaves, their hands still clasped together. The vibrant colors of fall danced around them, a stark contrast to the dull walls they had just left behind.

"What do you say we go get some ice cream?" Bucky suggested, breaking the silence. "My treat."

Gale gave him a gentle smile, his eyes conveying gratitude and sorrow.

"I'd like that," he replied softly.

And so they went off together, leaving the frail memory of Mr. Cleven behind them.

[otdiaftg]

The Raven King - Chapter Nine

Day: Saturday, October 14th Time: 3:10 PM EST

"Dad liked partying it up with the other rich shits of New York," Matt said, "but his party favors were drugs. He let me—encouraged me, even—to try whatever I wanted so I would fit in. When Mom realized what was going on she took time off from the circuit to get me clean. We thought I was okay until I started here. The juniors we had back then were into some pretty heavy things, and I was tempted. The only way I stayed sober was by hiding from them. Last year the monsters joined our team. It took Andrew all of two weeks to figure out something wasn't right with me, and he took it upon himself to fix things. They invited me out with them to Columbia. When we got there Andrew gave me speedballs." Neil's stomach bottomed out. "He what?" "He didn't make me take them," Matt was quick to say. "He just offered them, and I was drunk and stupid and desperate enough to say yes." "Coach should have kicked him off the team." "He should have, except Andrew cleared it with Matt's mother first," Dan said, jaw tightening a little in old anger. "She knew Matt was having a hell of a time here and she wanted him to kick the habit for good. Andrew promised he could help, so she gave him her blessing. She flew in for the summer to help walk Matt through withdrawal and asked Coach not to punish Andrew. She even offered to pay Coach for the trouble." "But—" "No harm, no foul," Allison said carelessly. When Neil stared at her, she gestured at Matt. "You can't really have an opinion on this because you weren't here then. You didn't see what Matt was like. It was pathetic. He couldn't even look any of us in the face. Look at him now. The monster's methods might have been a little extreme but they worked." "You're not really okay with this," Neil said to Matt. "What if it backfired? What if you hadn't gotten back up again?" "Andrew had too much invested in Matt's success to let him fail," Renee said, speaking slowly like she was choosing her words with great care. Neil guessed she knew Andrew's reasons better than anyone else did, given herfriendship with him. "I don't know if they've talked to you about Aaron's history, but you understand Andrew's, don't you? He's not allowed to fight his addiction. Watching Matt struggle was very hard on them both." Her reference to Aaron didn't make sense at first, but then Neil remembered. On his second trip out to Eden's Twilight he asked Andrew why he bothered with cracker dust. Andrew said they'd picked the habit up for Aaron's sake. Just the other week Nicky mentioned that Aaron used his mother's drugs, though he hadn't specified what all she'd been into. Chances were cracker dust was a paltry substitute. Watching Matt crumble under temptation would have wrecked hell on Aaron's own sobriety. Neil was starting to rethink how apathetic Andrew was about Aaron's life. Matt misinterpreted Neil's silence. "You're a year too late to get mad on my behalf, Neil. Trust me: I'm okay. I'm more than okay, really. I thought rehab was bad the first time through. The second time almost killed me. It definitely killed any chance of me being tempted ever again. I'm clean for good and I feel better than ever." Neil needed more time to figure out how to feel about this, but it wasn't his life, so he said only, "It's your fight."

Art used with permission by rainbowd00dles. Thank you @rainbowd00dles

[differentpostrebel]

Lost and Found: A Pirates Promise

Chapter 49 Part 2: A Touch Too Far

A/N: We are back at it again, with a new chapter! As an added bonus I will be uploading a teaser for the next chapter, and when I tell you shit will hit the fan… Will y/n fall into temptation, and her defiance be broken, has she finally met her match, will Sanji give into temptation, and sucumb to weakness. Thank you guys for liking and following, along with reblogging my posts! In this chapter we have Sanji POV… Y/N POV… a flashback memory, sparring match between Judge and y/n, Nami POV… Reiju moments and more! This chapter I went back and forth originally. This is also one of my longest word counts, and there is some teasing and light smut. And with out further ado, let the adventure begin!

Word Count: 24.6K

Judge's footsteps echoed through the grand hall, his back stiff and rigid with irritation, as if my defiance had rubbed him the wrong way—though I couldn’t deny the slight hint of curiosity in his eyes. His authority was clearly shaken, even if he refused to show it. Big Mom’s laughter still reverberated in my mind, but her amused gaze shifted to Judge, as if silently enjoying the unfolding drama. She didn’t make a move to stop me; rather, she seemed content to watch the spectacle.

As we moved through the palace, the air felt charged with a certain electricity, the space around us thick with anticipation. My steps were light but purposeful, my heels clicking sharply on the stone floor as I followed behind him. I wasn’t afraid—far from it. If anything, I was eager, ready to finally release the pent-up frustration that had been building within me.

Judge led me outside, into a large training yard surrounded by high stone walls. It was deserted, save for the occasional breeze rustling through the trees, the stillness only adding to the tension in the air. The yard was perfect for what I had in mind—a place where I could finally test my limits, both physically and mentally. The stone ground beneath our feet was firm, offering a steady foundation for a fight, and the walls, imposing and high, held the noise in, amplifying every movement, every sound.

Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji stood off to the side, watching the unfolding scene. Their eyes were intense, but I could see the intrigue in their gazes, each one reacting to the tension that was rapidly building. Reiju, however, was nowhere to be seen—likely busy elsewhere or keeping her distance from the confrontation. But I didn’t mind. This was about me and Judge, and I had no intention of letting anyone else dictate how this would go.

Big Mom, standing off to the side, was grinning widely, her sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. She didn’t speak, but I could tell from her posture that she was more than enjoying the spectacle. It was rare for her to watch a fight so closely, but something told me she saw potential in this sparring match—or perhaps she was simply curious to see how it would unfold.

I grabbed the sword I had chosen for this fight—nothing like the hidden blades or my own sword King had given me, but it would have to do. The weight was slightly off, the hilt not quite as comfortable as my usual weapons, but it would serve its purpose. With a quick flick of my wrist, I inspected the blade, watching the sunlight glint off of it. My heart raced with anticipation, the thrill of the fight already coursing through me.

"Before we start," I said, my voice sharp and focused. "Let me do one final test on the blade."

I turned towards a couple of nearby trees and walked a few steps ahead. I raised the sword, testing its sharpness by slicing through the air in a clean arc, the blade effortlessly cutting into the bark of the tree in front of me. A soft shhk rang out as the bark was sliced through, the precision of my movement satisfying. The sword was ready.

Judge’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of approval passing through them despite the cold exterior. He knew this would be no easy fight, especially when I wasn’t holding back.

"Very well, Y/N," Judge said, his voice low, almost mocking. "Let’s see if your swordplay matches your attitude."

Without warning, he charged forward, his powerful form moving with controlled speed. I could feel the intensity of his presence, the force of his strikes before he even reached me. His first swing was fast and direct, a powerful slash aimed straight at my midsection.

I barely avoided it, ducking under the blow and sidestepping just in time. The momentum of his attack carried him forward, and I quickly darted in, spinning low to the ground and cutting through the air with my blade. I aimed for his shoulder, but Judge reacted faster than I anticipated, his body twisting with surprising agility for someone of his size.

He countered with a swift roundhouse kick, aiming for my head. I narrowly blocked it, the force behind his leg rattling through my core. I stepped back, raising my sword defensively. But Judge wasn’t giving me any time to recover. His strikes came one after another, relentless and fierce—he was testing my limits, trying to break through my defenses.

I managed to dodge another strike, but the force of his swing created a shockwave, pushing me back a few steps. It was then I decided to show him just what I was made of. I performed a quick back handspring, flipping backwards and landing smoothly into a low slide, my feet skimming across the stone. The momentum of the move carried me into a perfect position to strike again.

Judge lunged toward me with another vicious strike, his strike aimed straight at my arm. But I anticipated it. With fluid motion, I pivoted on my back foot, my blade flashing as I swiped it across his clothes. The cut was clean, and I could see the fabric of his shirt tear from the force of my strike. It wasn’t deep, but the message was clear—I wasn’t holding back anymore.

Judge growled, his eyes now burning with frustration. The soft rip of his clothes only fueled his anger, but he didn’t pause for a second. He swung again, even faster this time, trying to land a decisive blow. Strike after strike came, and each time I dodged or blocked, using my agility to stay just out of his range.

I executed a back handspring again, this time landing in a crouch before I pushed off the ground and slid across the yard with a burst of speed. The sharp click of my heels echoed in the air as I closed the distance between us.

"Not bad," Judge sneered, sweat now dotting his forehead. "But you’re not fast enough."

"I’m fast enough to keep you on your toes," I shot back, my grin widening as I felt the fight heating up.

Judge’s frustration only seemed to drive him harder, each movement sharper, more brutal. He came at me once more, but I was already anticipating his next move. I could feel the rhythm of the fight now, every movement flowing into the next, my body moving with instinct and precision.

The yard was alive with the sound of clashing blows, my blade flashing as I parried, blocked, and attacked, Judge’s powerful strikes coming at me like a storm. But I wasn’t just defending—I was finding my openings, striking with calculated precision, just enough to keep him on edge, to make him doubt his own control.

Big Mom’s laughter echoed in the background as the fight grew more intense, but she remained silent, clearly enjoying every moment. "Looks like you're giving him a challenge, Y/N," she chuckled.

The force of Judge's strike landed with a thundering crash, his fist slamming into the ground so hard that it created a visible dent in the stone. The shockwave from the impact rippled through the air, and I felt the ground tremble beneath my feet. But instead of stumbling back, I clenched my left fist, the surge of adrenaline making my body react before my mind had even processed the next move.

I wasn’t about to let him have the upper hand.

In one fluid motion, I spun into the air, my body twisting with practiced grace as I propelled myself off the ground. The wind rushed past me, and I could hear the faint whistle of air as my body flipped, my feet tracing an arc toward Judge’s exposed back. I landed silently behind him, crouched low to the ground, my feet firmly planted.

Without hesitation, I swept my sword forward in a precise arc, aiming for his side. The sharp sound of metal cutting through the air rang out as the blade made contact with Judge’s clothing. The strike was clean and swift—his shirt ripped, and a small gash appeared along his side.

Judge’s eyes widened for a brief second, the realization of my speed dawning on him. His body tensed, his muscles shifting as he immediately spun around, aiming to retaliate. But I was already a step ahead. I could see the anger building in his eyes, his hands clenching into fists. His movements were faster now, more unpredictable.

He launched forward again, his strikes faster and more powerful, each one aimed at my head, my chest, my legs, trying to break my rhythm. But I danced around each blow, my movements fluid and instinctive, reacting faster than I thought I could.

"I can do this all day, Judge," I taunted, narrowly dodging another strike, spinning out of the way with a backflip that sent me skimming across the stone. I landed smoothly, turning to face him once more, my sword raised and ready.

Judge’s frustration was now palpable. His attacks were becoming more desperate, more forceful. I could see the veins in his neck pulsing, his jaw clenched as he let out a roar of frustration. His next strike was wild, an overhead swing that came down like a hammer.

I didn’t flinch. I sidestepped just in time, spinning on my heel, my sword coming up to strike. The blade cut through the air, landing another shallow but deliberate cut along Judge's arm.

“You’re getting sloppy,” I smirked, stepping back to avoid another retaliatory strike. Judge’s anger was fueling him now, but his focus was starting to fray.

Big Mom’s laughter rang out from the sidelines, her gleaming eyes following every move. She clearly enjoyed watching this, her monstrous grin never fading. “Ha! Judge, you might want to take a page from Y/N’s book—speed’s your weakness!” she chuckled, her voice carrying across the yard.

Judge, barely holding onto his composure, let out a sharp breath, his glare burning into me. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Y/N,” he growled, but his voice was starting to lose its edge, the tension in it shifting.

I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. Every movement felt sharper now, more focused. I was pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. This wasn’t just a sparring match anymore—it was a test of wills, and I wasn’t going to let Judge’s pride crush mine.

I darted in again, striking with my sword at a quick pace, landing another series of hits that made him flinch. With every blow, I could feel the balance of the fight tipping in my favor. Judge’s movements were slowing, his breathing more labored. He was tiring, and I could tell it was only a matter of time before I would land the final blow.

As the fight raged on, the intensity in the air only grew. The sharp sound of metal clashing against metal echoed in the yard, a testament to the raw power of our movements. Judge’s attacks were relentless, and as I continued to dodge and strike, I could feel the strain in my muscles, my body pushing itself to its limits. Every move was calculated, every attack I made aimed at testing the boundaries of both our skills.

But it wasn’t just the clash of our bodies and weapons that filled the space; the voices of Judge’s sons rang out from the sidelines, cutting through the tension.

“Go, Dad! Show her what you’re made of!” Niji yelled, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and confidence. His gaze was sharp, watching every movement, ready to cheer on his father at every opportunity.

“Yeah, pop! Don’t let her get the best of you!” Yonji added, his voice high with enthusiasm. It was clear that despite their earlier teasing and rivalry, they had their father’s back in this moment. Their cheers echoed through the yard, urging Judge to push even harder.

I gritted my teeth, knowing I couldn’t let these distractions break my focus. With a swift step back, I spun to avoid another strike from Judge, but his speed had picked up once more, and I felt the sharp sting of his blade catch me across my left thigh. The cut was shallow, but it was enough to make me pause for just a split second, the pain of it burning through my leg.

“Damn…” I muttered, gritting my teeth and clenching my fist in frustration. My sword tightened in my grip as I steadied myself, but just as I was about to move again, something caught my eye.

From the corner of the yard, I noticed a familiar figure—Reiju, her signature cool demeanor as composed as ever. But it wasn’t just her I saw behind her; there, stepping into the training yard, was Sanji.

“Sanji?” I muttered under my breath, the surprise making my heart skip a beat. There he was, standing beside Reiju, his eyes locked on mine. A mix of emotions flickered across his face—concern, confusion, and maybe… relief? It was hard to tell from this distance, but his presence in the midst of this tension felt like a stark contrast.

I barely had time to process the sight of him before Judge’s next strike came crashing down, a brutal swipe aimed directly at my arm. I quickly ducked and spun away, narrowly avoiding the blow. But as I did, I couldn’t shake the thought of Sanji, standing there with Reiju.

“What the hell are you doing here, Sanji?” I muttered to myself, focusing on the fight once more. My mind raced—his sudden appearance was no coincidence. Had he been watching the fight the entire time? Or was he here for something else?

Judge, seeing my distraction, seized the opportunity. He launched a flurry of attacks, his eyes gleaming with determination, trying to catch me off guard.

“You should be paying attention to the fight, Y/N,” Judge spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You’re losing focus."

I barely dodged the next strike, hearing the whoosh of air as his strike grazed my cheek, the force of it just missing.

“I’m not losing focus, Judge,” I shot back, my voice steady despite the burn in my muscles. “I’ve just got more on my mind than you think.”

But before I could retaliate, Sanji’s voice, clear and full of concern, broke through the tension, reaching me from the sidelines.

“Y/N, be careful!” he called, his tone not like the usual teasing but something more genuine. "Don't push yourself too hard!" His eyes were filled with worry, and for a moment, I found myself distracted once again.

Judge, sensing the opening, took another strike at me, this time landing a deeper cut along my side. I gasped, stumbling back just a step, the wound throbbing.

“Damn it!” I cursed, holding my side, the pain intensifying as the blood began to seep through my clothes. But even as I staggered back, I knew I couldn’t let this stop me. Not now.

“Get out of my head, Sanji…” I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath and stepping forward once again, determined not to let the distraction cost me.

The fight had reached its breaking point. Judge, seeing his chance to end it, tried to land a final, devastating blow with his sword, his expression one of pure focus and intensity. His attack came down with a deadly precision, the blade slicing through the air toward me.

But I was ready. In an instant, I flipped backward into a handstand, using my arms to push myself up just enough to avoid the sword’s deadly arc. As I twisted my body in the air, my legs shot out, and with a swift move, I grabbed the hilt of Judge’s sword with my feet. The momentum from the spin allowed me to whip the blade out of his grip and send it hurtling to the side.

Judge stumbled, his feet unable to catch up with the unexpected move, and he crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, creating a small dent in the stone yard beneath him.

In that moment, I seized my opportunity. With fluid grace, I dropped down on top of him, landing lightly on his chest, my sword now pointed directly at his throat. The silence that followed was almost deafening, the tension in the air thick enough to cut through.

I smirked down at him, my breath steady despite the adrenaline rushing through me. “I win,” I said with a calm confidence, not giving him the chance to retaliate. The finality of the words hung in the air, a sharp contrast to the flurry of motions we’d just gone through.

Ichiji, who had been standing off to the side, watching the fight intently, couldn't contain himself any longer. He let out a loud cheer, his voice ringing with pride and something else—satisfaction, perhaps. “That's my girl!” he shouted, clapping his hands in admiration.

I turned my gaze to Judge, still on the ground beneath me, his eyes burning with frustration and something darker. “Next time, don’t call me a distraction,” I said coldly, my tone sharp as I dropped my sword to the side. I clenched my left fist, the force of it sending a small shiver through my arm, before I gracefully leaped off him, landing beside him with perfect balance.

I took a step away, ready to walk off with the fight over, but just as I was about to turn, I heard the distinct sound of Judge’s movement behind me. He was up again, grabbing his sword in a swift, angry motion, his intentions clear. He was going to try to attack me from behind.

I didn’t even need to look. With a quick, practiced movement, I spun on my right leg and executed a roundhouse kick, the impact sharp and clean. My foot connected with Judge’s chest with a force that sent him flying past me, his body skidding along the ground before crashing into a stone pillar.

The force of the kick left Judge sprawled on the ground, panting heavily. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with fury and disbelief, but he said nothing.

I watched as he struggled to stand, but I didn’t give him a chance to recover. Instead, I casually brushed my hands off and walked toward the sidelines, ignoring the heavy stares from his sons.

“Don’t come after me again,” I muttered, turning just enough to make my voice heard by him, though my back was turned. “You’re not my equal.” Judge growled in frustration, his fists clenching at his sides as he slowly stood, still nursing the wound to his pride. "How did you know..." His voice was thick with disbelief and irritation.

I paused, turning just enough to meet his gaze, my expression cool and calculated. "I trained for two years, day and night, pushing myself past normal limits," I said, my tone sharp. I felt a subtle hum in the air, a faint glow emanating from my hidden blade—a reminder of the power I carried, hidden but always present. "Sneak attacks? They're my forte. The man who trained me taught me everything I know in the game of battle. And I don’t just fight with strength—I fight with strategy."

Judge's eyes flickered with a mix of resentment and understanding. He knew all too well the value of training, the cost of pushing oneself beyond what was expected. But what he didn’t know was the level I had reached, nor the tools I had learned to use in the heat of battle.

As I turned to walk away, ready to leave the yard and the confrontation behind, I noticed something unsettling: Sanji was gone. My heart skipped a beat, confusion and concern mingling as I scanned the area.

Reiju, ever the enigmatic presence, stood off to the side, a playful gleam in her eyes as she watched me. Her gaze was teasing, but there was something more beneath it—perhaps a hint of amusement or perhaps something deeper, a quiet understanding.

Before I could respond, a guard rushed in, interrupting the moment. “Big Mom! One of the guards has been knocked out, and the prisoners have arrived!” His voice was breathless, and panic flickered in his eyes.

“How was he knocked out?!” Big Mom demanded, her tone sharp and dangerous.

“I—I don’t know, but there’s cream everywhere!” the guard stammered, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.

"Hmm, so they finally found him," I thought to myself, my gaze flicking over to Big Mom in the courtyard as she observed the commotion. I tilted my head, allowing my curiosity to build as I turned toward her.

"Oh my, is everything alright?" I asked sweetly, my voice dripping with feigned concern. It was a game I played well, using my charm to disarm and deceive those around me.

Big Mom gave me a measured glance, but her expression softened as she responded. "It is, my dear. Why don’t you all make yourselves at home, and I’ll deal with this matter personally." With a nod, she followed the guard toward the source of the disturbance.

Just as the guard turned to lead Big Mom out, his eyes briefly landed on me, suspicion flashing across his face. The tension in the air was palpable, but before he could act on his instincts, I quickly clenched my right hand. I pointed discreetly at him, sending a small burst of electricity crackling from my fingers. It hit him just hard enough to make him stumble, throwing him off balance.

“Are you alright?” Big Mom asked, raising an eyebrow at the guard, her tone still calm but sharp.

“Y-Yes, just slipped!” he muttered, shaking his head to rid himself of the disorientation. His unease was obvious, but he quickly masked it, moving to follow Big Mom without a second glance in my direction. I smirked to myself, feeling a small thrill run through me. The guard wouldn't remember what had really happened, and I had left my mark—if only subtly.

Niji, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t contain his amusement. He let out a low whistle as he made his way toward me, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "My, my dear sister-in-law, who knew you had it in you..." He smirked, clearly entertained. "I gotta say, watching that sparring match up close was a real treat."

I raised an eyebrow at him, my tone playful yet teasing. "Glad you enjoyed the show," I replied, letting the words hang between us. I clenched my fists and gave them a quick roll, feeling the satisfying release of tension in my muscles. "Man, I needed that... Thanks for the sparring match, Judge!" I called out with a smirk, I turned my gaze to see Yonji helping Judge to his feet. The older man's pride was clearly bruised, but his posture remained as stiff and regal as ever. They made their way toward us, though I could tell Judge’s thoughts were simmering with frustration.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to get patched up, maybe grab some breakfast from outside, take a shower, and rest once all that’s done,” I said, my voice softening as I felt the exhaustion finally start to settle in. The adrenaline was quickly wearing off, and the fight had taken its toll. My body was sore, my mind a little fuzzy from the intensity of everything. It wasn’t often I pushed myself like that, but the feeling of victory was worth the aches that were now setting in.

Before I could take another step, Ichiji grabbed my wrist, his grip firm, but his expression was a mix of amusement and something more possessive. He held me in place, his smirk never faltering. “Going somewhere, darling?” he asked, his voice low and teasing, the playful undertone carrying just enough command to make me hesitate.

I tilted my head back and forced a tired yawn, trying to play it off. “Just getting patched up,” I replied nonchalantly. “Then I’ll grab something to eat, shower, and probably take a rest. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.” I made sure my words were casual, but there was an underlying truth in them. Kicking ass sure can tire a girl out, I thought to myself.

Ichiji’s eyes glinted with something deeper, a hunger that didn’t have anything to do with food. “Let’s go to my room, then,” he suggested, his voice dropping a few octaves as he moved in closer. “I’ll help you patch that up. Then you can shower, and afterward, we can grab breakfast together. How does that sound?” His tone was suggestive, the kind of offer that made me pause, knowing exactly what he was implying.

Before I could protest, Yonji and Niji appeared out of nowhere, both of them smirking and clearly eager to make a comment on the situation.

“Oh? Playing nurse now, Ichiji?” Yonji teased, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

“Didn’t know you had it in you,” Niji added, his grin widening with every word.

Ichiji shot them both a venomous look, his jaw tightening as he glared at his younger brothers. “Shut up, both of you,” he snapped, but the edge in his voice only made their grins widen even more. There was something amusing about seeing Ichiji, usually so composed, visibly rattled by his brothers' playful jabs. But I wasn’t sure if he was more annoyed with them or with the fact that he hadn’t gotten his way yet.

As if on cue, Reiju stepped in smoothly, her calm voice cutting through the tension. “I’ll be helping her patch up her wounds, so don’t worry,” she said, her eyes flicking between me and Ichiji. Her calm, no-nonsense demeanor seemed to settle the atmosphere, and I felt a small sense of relief wash over me. She didn’t need to say more; the reassurance was in the way she spoke. I could tell Ichiji didn’t mind her stepping in, but it definitely ruined his plans for a one-on-one session.

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, turning toward Reiju with a small smile. “Thanks, Reiju,” I said, grateful for her timely intervention. Ichiji loosened his grip on my wrist, though his gaze remained on me, intense and lingering. He looked like he was about to say something, but I beat him to it.

With a casual glance, I leaned forward and planted a kiss on Ichiji’s cheek. The gesture was brief but intentional, just enough to leave a lingering warmth that made his eyes go wide behind his shades. For a split second, he looked stunned, and I couldn’t help but find it amusing. A small, playful smile tugged at my lips as I watched the effect I had on him.

Judge, who had been standing off to the side, clearly observing everything, stood stock-still as he witnessed the scene. His eyes narrowed, and I could practically feel the annoyance rolling off him in waves. “Really?” he muttered under his breath, his voice tight with disdain. “This childish display is unnecessary.” 

I raised an eyebrow, feeling the intensity of Judge’s glare behind me as his frustration simmered. I didn’t let his words faze me. Instead, I turned back toward him, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Don’t worry, Judge,” I said in a cool, mocking tone, my voice dripping with sweet sarcasm. “I’m just showing some affection to my soon-to-be husband. Is that ever so wrong?”

The words hung in the air, a teasing challenge, as I made sure to get under his skin as much as possible. I could feel the shift in the atmosphere as his face contorted with distaste, and the tension between us tightened.

Judge’s nostrils flared, his grip tightening on the sword at his side, but he didn’t move. He simply stood there, fuming. “You’re playing with fire, girl,” he growled, his voice low and seething with anger.

“Well, it’s a good thing,” I said with a wicked smirk, clenching my left hand, a flame flickering to life in my palm. “I enjoy the heat,” I added, casually uncurling my fingers and letting the flame die down. My eyes locked onto Ichiji’s. “And besides, Ichiji doesn’t seem to mind... do you?” I teased, my voice carrying a playful yet daring edge.

Ichiji blinked, a brief flicker of surprise in his eyes before a smirk tugged at his lips. “Not at all, darling,” he replied smoothly, his voice laced with amusement, though there was a possessive edge there as well. "You're... full of surprises."

Reiju, still standing beside me, gave a small nod of reassurance. I appreciated her steady presence, especially when dealing with the chaos that seemed to surround Ichiji and his brothers. Her calm demeanor helped keep me grounded, even in the midst of Judge’s frustration.

Without another word, I turned to leave, feeling the weight of Judge’s lingering stare at my back. I could almost feel the heat of his anger radiating toward me, but I was too satisfied with the moment to care. The small, victorious grin that pulled at my lips only grew wider as I stepped outside the training yard. One more victory under my belt.

But as I walked away, I could hear Judge’s voice rise behind me, sharp and full of frustration. “This isn’t over.”

I smirked without looking back, raising my hand and making an ‘OK’ gesture in the air with my fingers. “We’ll see about that,” I muttered under my breath, my tone light and dismissive, before turning back to Reiju and continuing on my way.

The sound of Judge’s frustrated growls faded as I walked with Reiju toward the medical ward of Big Mom’s château.

Nami's POV...

“At least Y/N finally has her blade back,” I muttered, looking around at our situation, "Now all we need to do is bust out of here!" Before I could catch my breath, more enemies began pouring in— the same ones who had defeated us earlier.

"What happened here? And where’s the blade you kept for Mama?" Mondour’s voice boomed as he surveyed the scene.

"I... I..." the Cream guy stammered, clearly shaken.

"Never mind that," Mondour snapped, his focus shifting back to us.

With defiance in my voice, I spoke up. "How long are you going to keep us like this? Let me take a shower at least! I'm covered in syrup—it's disgusting!"

Perospero smirked, licking his lips in that eerie way of his. "That sounds lickety sweet, candy girl. But you can complain to Mama."

He set a transponder snail down in front of us, and soon enough, Big Mom’s voice crackled through. "Well, hello there, Strawhat. It’s been a little while, but I commend you for making it this far."

I could see Luffy's expression shift, anger boiling over. "Is this Big Mom?! Let me out now! I have to save Y/N! And wait for Sanji! I will wreck this whole damn island if I have to!"

"Ma-ma-Ma-ma," Big Mom’s laughter rang in our ears, chilling us to the core. "My, my, such spirit. I was disappointed you didn’t bring your whole crew, Strawhat. You had some bold choice of words back on Fishman Island."

"Yeah, I’m still going to kick your ass someday, but right now, I’m only here to stop Y/N’s wedding and get Sanji back!" Luffy’s voice was sharp with determination.

Big Mom didn’t miss a beat. "I’ve heard enough of your bluff. You’re trapped in my book, and that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your meaningless life. Don’t you get it, Strawhat? The battle is over—you lost."

"I’ll fight you right here, right now!" Luffy’s voice roared through the snail, filled with rage. "Hey, are you scared? Come face me! I’m ready for a fight!"

Big Mom's laughter echoed again, a low, mocking sound. "Don’t press your luck. You’re just a rookie, Strawhat. Besides, my officers are more than capable of killing you. But let's make a deal. I’m willing to let you walk out of here with your life—but you have to forget both Sanji and that princess."

"Go to hell!" Luffy yelled, struggling against his restraints, every ounce of fury directed toward her.

Big Mom's tone grew even darker. "Sanji and Pudding’s wedding must run smoothly—they’re important to me. As for that princess, and the Vinsmokes, well... they’re important to me too. I will not have you ruin this. Once we’re having fun, I’ll see what happens then." Her voice dripped with malice.

Luffy's determination never wavered as he shouted back, "You won't have fun at all! I’m taking Sanji and Y/N back!"

"Better yet," Luffy added, his voice growing more intense, "I want to talk to Pudding! She’s my friend, and she helped my crew!"

Before Luffy could get another word in, Perospero struck him, sending him crashing back with a cruel laugh. "You don’t get to make demands here, Strawhat."

And then, Big Mom’s voice cut through the air like a knife, laced with accusation. "Speaking of which, young lady," her attention shifted toward me, "I heard you killed my daughter, Lola."

My heart dropped. "What are you talking about? Lola and I were friends! Lola told me if I was ever in trouble, you would help me!"

Big Mom’s laughter echoed through the transponder snail, but this time it was cold, heartless. "I would do no such damn thing! I want her dead!" Her voice thundered with hatred, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

"What…?" I gasped in shock, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.

"She’ll pay!" Big Mom continued, her voice filled with wrath. "Mark my words, I want her dead for disobeying me!"

Luffy, still struggling to his feet, shouted back, "You’re making stupid excuses, Big Mom! Lola didn’t get married, and that’s on her! You haven’t become King of the Pirates, and that’s on you! Nothing else to it! Now, get over here and fight me! I’m taking my crew back, and I’ll make you sorry!"

Luffy's resolve was unwavering, his words hitting harder than any attack. The tension in the air was thick, and I could feel the weight of Big Mom’s fury mounting. 

Sanji POV… 

I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me, the walls rattling from the force. My blood was boiling, my mind racing. I couldn’t believe she’d been out there sparring with that bastard Judge, willingly stepping into his twisted game. The second I saw her getting distracted, struggling to dodge him as well as I knew she could, and that slight wound on her thigh… I knew I had to leave. If I stayed, I might’ve done something reckless. But it gnawed at me—she wouldn’t have gotten injured like that if I’d been there. My chest felt tight as the frustration surged, and I felt like punching a hole through the wall.

I took another drag, letting the smoke settle in my lungs, but it did nothing to steady the turmoil raging inside me. My mind was spinning with images of her fighting Judge, enduring wounds she never should have taken. The sound of her voice echoed in my mind, clear as day, and the thought of her struggling out there alone—it drove me mad. She’d always been strong, fierce enough to face anything head-on, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d let her down.

“Damn it!” I growled, kicking a chair across the room with a force that splintered the wood. The room was quiet, save for the crackling of the burning cigarette and my own rapid breaths. How did it come to this? How had I let things slip so far out of control? All my efforts to protect her, to keep her out of this Vinsmoke mess, had led her right into the eye of it. And now, she was paying for my failures.

The biting thought cut through, dark and unrelenting: Why do you care so much? You walked away, remember? I clenched my jaw, hating the truth of it. You left her, I repeated to myself. You left her to deal with all of this alone. My chest felt tight as I whispered, “I’ll always care about her… doesn’t matter what happens.”

It wasn’t just guilt—it ran deeper than that. She had always meant more to me than anyone else. More than I’d ever admitted. She was more than a friend, more than just another person I wanted to protect. She’d been the one person who saw past all the armor I put up, the only one who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. And now, I wasn’t there to protect her. Not like I should’ve been.

My mind drifted back to the day we first met. It felt like a lifetime ago, in a world that seemed simpler. 

Flashback:

Luffy was practically bouncing on his feet with excitement, oblivious to anything but his mission to get Y/N on the crew. The way he offered an invitation was as if we’d all known each other for years. And Y/N—she was standing there, clearly amused by his enthusiasm but holding her own, not so easily swayed.

“Are you sure?” she asked, tilting her head with a grin as she gave us all a once-over. The look in her eyes was sharp, assessing, like she was measuring us up, one by one. But there was something else too, something softer, like she was considering that maybe, just maybe, we were worth her time.

“Of course!” Luffy replied, that unstoppable grin stretching across his face. “If I’m going to be King of the Pirates, I need the best crew out there! And you’re one of them! Besides, you saved me back there in Alabasta, remember?”

She laughed a little at that, crossing her arms. “I wasn’t going to let a marine like Smoker lay a hand on you or anyone else for that matter. Vice Admiral or not.” Her voice held a fierce determination, a quiet strength that I found myself admiring.

When her gaze swept across the deck and landed on me, my heart did a somersault. Her eyes were captivating—sharp, confident, but playful. In that split second, I felt my breath catch, my pulse speeding up in a way I couldn’t control.

“Sure, why not,” she said finally, stepping onto the ship with that teasing smirk that I was already beginning to love.

Zoro was there in a flash, extending a hand in welcome. “Guess I’m the first to greet you officially. Zoro,” he said with a cocky grin.

Y/N raised an eyebrow at him, clearly amused. “I know you—Pirate Hunter Zoro,” she replied, a hint of mischief in her voice. “I must say, you look better in person than on your wanted poster.”

Zoro chuckled, taking the compliment with a bit more swagger than usual. She noticed the swords strapped to his side and gave an appreciative nod, her eyes sparkling. “Three swords—that’s a unique style. Impressive.”

Zoro seemed to bask in the attention, nodding. “I don’t mind showing you a few moves sometime,” he said, flashing her a rare smile.

She laughed again, and this time, I caught myself just watching, drawn in. That laugh was something else—light and genuine, like she was already starting to feel at home here.

“Well, then,” she turned to Zoro, still grinning, “you’ll be the first I call on when I need a sparring partner.”

“Don’t get too close to him; he’s not the best with directions,” Nami chimed in, making her way over to greet Y/N. "Hi, my name is Nami."

Y/N smiled warmly at Nami as she extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Nami. I’ll make sure to keep Zoro on track,” she said with a wink. “If I get lost too, I’ll just follow the mapmaker.”

Nami laughed, patting Y/N’s shoulder. “Good luck with that. Keeping this crew on course is a full-time job.”

Y/N chuckled before looking down at Chopper, who was practically glowing with excitement. She scooped him up, hugging him close. “Well, aren’t you the cutest reindeer I’ve ever met?” she said, causing Chopper to squirm and blush, his little hooves waving in the air.

“I-I’m not cute! You’re just flattering me!” he stammered, but his eyes sparkled, betraying his delight.

Then Usopp stepped forward, looking a bit uneasy. “Uh, hi! I’m Usopp!” He fidgeted, glancing between Y/N and the rest of the crew. “I’m…uh…the legendary sniper of this crew!” he added, trying to sound impressive despite the tremor in his voice.

Y/N grinned, crossing her arms. “A legendary sniper, huh?” she echoed with a playful smirk. “I guess I better stay on your good side then, huh?”

Usopp straightened, his confidence bolstered by her reaction. “Exactly! With me around, you’ll be safe from anything!” he said proudly, puffing out his chest. “I mean, I’ve faced giant sea monsters and taken down entire armies!” He hesitated, realizing he might be overdoing it, but Y/N’s encouraging nod kept him going.

“That sounds amazing, Usopp!” she said, her eyes wide with mock awe. “With skills like that, I’m lucky to be joining such a strong crew.”

Luffy laughed, patting Usopp on the back. “See, Usopp? She knows greatness when she sees it!”

As she continued to explore the ship, taking in every detail with keen interest, Luffy couldn’t help but beam with pride. "So, what do you think?" he asked, grinning widely.

"I like it," she said, glancing around, clearly impressed. 

But before I could bask in her approval any longer, she turned to Ace, flashing him a grin that made my stomach twist. "Now who might you be?" she asked, clearly intrigued. "Love the hat, by the way. Are you always this shirtless?"

Ace stepped forward with his usual swagger, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'm not in the crew. I'm part of a different crew, pretty sure you may have heard of them—Whitebeard Pirates."

The moment he spoke those words, my blood ran cold. But I forced myself to keep it together. I had no right to be jealous—right?

Y/N tilted her head, her grin growing wider. "Oh, I’ve heard of them. And I know you guys call Whitebeard 'pops.'"

My jaw tightened, and my eyes narrowed as I watched the exchange. There she was, completely at ease, teasing him, her playful tone ringing in my ears.

“How do you know my captain?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Ace’s grin turned a little cocky. "I'm his older brother," he said, flexing his arms like he was trying to show off. "I'm also the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."

I couldn't help it. My hand clenched into a fist, and I scowled.

That damn swagger of his…

There was no doubt in my mind that Ace was enjoying every moment of Y/N’s attention, and I couldn't stand it. My gaze shifted between them, and I felt a deep, burning frustration that I wasn’t getting her undivided attention. She was so captivating, and now Ace was getting a taste of it too.

I had to keep my cool. After all, I was Sanji—the cook, the ladies’ man. But it didn't stop the annoying knot in my stomach.

"Second division commander, huh?" Y/N said, her voice teasing yet full of admiration. "Impressive, Ace. Looks like you’ve got some stories to tell."

He flexed again, clearly basking in her attention. "I’ve got plenty," he said with a wink, before giving a mock bow.

Luffy burst out laughing, slapping Usopp on the back. "See, I told you she'd be perfect!"

Y/N laughed along with him, clearly enjoying herself. "Well, I do owe Ace here a bit of thanks," she said, turning to face him. "When I was fighting those marines, saving Luffy, Ace helped me out as well."

To my horror—and Ace’s surprise—she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, a soft, genuine gesture of gratitude. "And for that, I'm thankful," she said, her smile warm and sincere.

Ace’s face instantly turned red, and I couldn’t stop the annoyance from bubbling up inside me.

"Ace! You're blushing!" teased Luffy, who was practically rolling on the ground laughing. "I knew it! She’s got you!"

I seethed quietly, my fists clenched at my sides. This was too much. Was I really going to let this happen?

That’s when I decided it was time for my grand entrance.

I strutted into the room dramatically, carrying a small slice of dessert on a delicate plate and a cup of tea in my hand.

"Ohhh, my sweet, thank you, dear ocean, for bestowing this beauty upon us," I declared, my voice dripping with flair as I approached Y/N.

She looked pleasantly surprised, her eyes lighting up as she took in my theatrics. "Why, that’s very kind of you. Thank you!" she replied, her smile brightening the atmosphere around us like the sun breaking through clouds.

"Actually," she continued, her voice a little hesitant, "I was wondering if you might have a different choice of drink—perhaps wine or sake?" she asked, almost apologetically, as though she feared she was asking too much.

Before I could respond, ready to swoop in with my own offer, Zoro stepped forward, a smirk on his face.

"I could show you where we keep the good stuff," he said, his usual gruffness tinged with an unexpected hint of charm.

My eye twitched. Was this guy really trying to put the moves on her? Of course, I couldn’t just stand there and let him steal my moment. Not happening.

"Not bad, Zoro," I thought, suppressing a chuckle as I watched him try to outshine me. But deep down, I felt a flicker of annoyance. Why did he think he could impress her just by offering her drinks?

Y/N glanced at Zoro, an amused expression tugging at her lips. "I appreciate that, but I might need a guide who won’t get lost on the way," she teased, raising an eyebrow. I couldn’t help but admire her sharp wit—that’s my girl.

Zoro shrugged, unfazed, but I could tell his confidence had taken a small hit. "I won’t get lost. Just follow me," he said, crossing his arms like he was still in control.

"All right, lead the way, swordsman," she said with a smile, her playful attitude sparking a competitive fire between us.

As they walked off, I stood there for a moment, trying to push the annoyance down. What was it about her that made everyone want to impress her? She had this magnetic pull, this undeniable charm that made even the toughest of us—Zoro included—act like fools.

But then, just as Y/N was about to follow Zoro, she paused. My heart skipped a beat when she glanced back at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I didn’t know what she was up to, but the playful grin on her face sent a rush of warmth through me.

Without warning, she leaned in, and before I could even react, her lips brushed against my cheek in the softest kiss. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart skipped several beats. The touch of her lips was a fleeting moment, but it felt like an eternity in the best way.

"Thanks for the dessert," she said, her voice light and sweet, her smile radiant as she pulled away and continued after Zoro.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, still feeling the tingling warmth where her lips had touched my skin. Did she just—?

“Anytime, my beloved!” I yelled, swooning dramatically as I placed a hand to my chest. My voice cracked slightly with excitement, but I didn’t care. She kissed me. She kissed me!

My heart soared as I watched her walk away, her eyes glancing back at me one more time, the sparkle of mischief still dancing in them. It was all I needed to see.

Flashback Over… 

That was just one of many memories I had with Y/N. The more I paced back and forth, the more my mind kept racing. “It’s fine, it’s fine, damn it," I muttered, trying to reassure myself. "Luffy and the others won’t get hurt, and the Baratie will be saved too." I clenched my fists, knowing full well that there was one thing still gnawing at me. Y/N’s wedding.

“I can’t let that bastard do something to her,” I gritted my teeth, picturing Ichiji standing next to Y/N, having his moment with her soon. The thought alone made my blood boil.

"I shouldn’t keep thinking about Y/N,” I thought, trying to push her out of my head. “I’m getting married tomorrow, and so is she." The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "Why can’t I be grateful? Pudding’s all I got, and who could hurt a sweet girl like her? I must be some kind of monster…”

Suddenly, a soft knock at my door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?” I called out, but there was no answer. Confused, I opened the door to find Pudding standing there, looking hesitant.

“Pudding? Is everything alright…?” I asked, concern lacing my voice.

Without a word, she stepped inside and pulled me into a tight embrace, catching me completely off guard.

“Sanji… is it alright if I stay with you tonight?” she asked, her voice soft, almost vulnerable.

“Pudding… but why would you—" Before I could finish, she silenced me with a kiss. My entire body froze, not expecting it, but soon after, I felt her warmth, and instinctively, I kissed her back. Was it like Y/N? No. But I wasn’t going to push Pudding away now.

After a few moments, she pulled back, her eyes wide and unsure. "Oh my… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

This time, it was me who cut her off with a kiss. I was lost in the moment. Maybe it was the pressure of tomorrow’s wedding, or maybe I was trying to distract myself from the chaos in my heart, but for now, I let myself get lost in the comfort of the moment. "I won’t let you down, Pudding... I’ll shower you with love,” I said, trying to sound as genuine as I could, swooning at the thought. But no matter how hard I tried, that nagging feeling in the back of my head wouldn’t go away.

Y/N.

Her image flashed across my mind, even as I held Pudding close. I pulled back slightly, gazing down at her, and smiled, trying to shake off the unease. “Let’s take a nap,” I suggested softly, “it’s been a long day for both of us.”

Pudding nodded with a small, content smile and cuddled up against me, resting her head on my chest. I could feel her breath, steady and warm, as she relaxed into me. My heart started racing, but not just because of her.

As I laid there, staring up at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressed down on me. Y/N’s wedding tomorrow. Mine too. My mind was a whirlwind, filled with conflicting emotions. I was about to marry a sweet girl who loved me, but why did it feel so wrong? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Y/N?

I let out a sigh, careful not to disturb Pudding, but I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at me. No matter what happens tomorrow… things will never be the same. 

Y/N POV… 

"I don't know, Reiju... I have doubts about Pudding," I muttered as she carefully bandaged up my wounds, making sure it was tight but not too constricting.

Reiju’s eyebrow lifted, her curiosity piqued. "What makes you say that?"

I sighed, trying to put my thoughts into words. "Call it a woman’s intuition, but I think she’s hiding something. I don’t know, I just... feel weird about her. No one’s that sweet and nice all the time."

Reiju hummed thoughtfully as she continued tending to my injuries. "And?"

"Well," I continued, "it’s not just that. She gets on my nerves too, but that’s more of a personal issue than anything. Still, something about her doesn't sit right with me."

Reiju nodded as if she understood more than she let on, her voice lowering to a near-whisper. “You’re not the only one…”

I was about to press her for more details when a sudden knock on the door interrupted the moment. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting anyone—and I really wasn’t in the mood for interruptions.

The door swung open, and Ichiji stepped inside, his usual confident smirk plastered on his face. He closed the door behind him with a soft click, a gesture that somehow felt more like a trap than a mere action.

"Ichiji, what are you doing here?" Reiju asked, her voice laced with a mixture of suspicion and annoyance. She didn’t seem thrilled by his sudden appearance, and frankly, neither was I.

Ichiji didn’t flinch, his gaze turning to me, where my injuries—bandaged fist, left thigh wrapped, side wrapped, and the corset with a small hole—were plainly visible. His smirk grew wider as he made his way toward me.

"I came to see how my fiancée is doing," he said, his tone almost mocking, as though I were just another trophy he was trying to showcase. I could feel the tension rising, but I kept my gaze steady, not allowing him to get under my skin.

"Reiju, can you please leave my fiancée and I alone?" Ichiji's words were firm, the command unmistakable. His tone brooked no argument, as if my personal space and privacy meant nothing.

Reiju, caught in her own internal conflict, sighed deeply before reluctantly nodding. She glanced at me, her eyes betraying her concern, but she didn’t say a word. The click of the door locking behind her seemed to echo in the silence that followed. I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, knowing Reiju was still nearby, and that she didn’t like this arrangement any more than I did.

Ichiji’s eyes locked onto mine, and I immediately noticed the way he moved closer. The space between us felt too small, too suffocating.

"Let’s go to Germa, for breakfast," he said casually, as though the suggestion were the most normal thing in the world.

I froze, blinking in disbelief. "That’s as far ass ride?!" I blurted out, taken aback. I didn’t want to go to Germa. I didn’t want to leave here, especially not with Luffy and Nami still being held captive. The thought of being so far from them was unbearable.

Ichiji’s smile didn’t waver as he leaned in slightly, his words cutting through the air. "Too bad, the Calicoat is outside waiting."

I couldn’t hide my confusion. "The Calicoat?" I repeated, my voice laced with uncertainty.

Without another word, Ichiji placed his head on my chest, his action so intimate, so invasive, that I couldn’t help but recoil slightly. "Let’s not waste any more time, my dear," he said, his voice lower now, almost as if he were trying to soften his words to draw me in.

Before I could respond, his lips brushed against my skin, planting soft, open-mouthed kisses along the curve of my chest. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't stop the soft whimper that escaped my lips. I immediately regretted it, but his smirk grew even wider as he felt the reaction. He seemed to savor it, his lips trailing down further, as if he were marking his territory.

Ichiji pulled away just as I was about to protest, his eyes dark with satisfaction. "Let’s get some breakfast," he said with an amused tone, clearly enjoying the way my body had responded, even if I was not thrilled about it.

Before I could react, he yanked my arm with surprising force, pulling me to my feet. I stumbled, but he didn’t let go, his grip unyielding. "Can I at least shower and change...?" I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper, but full of frustration. The idea of facing the day in these clothes was unbearable.

"Nope," Ichiji replied smoothly, his smirk never faltering. "You can do that when we’re in Germa."

"Damn it, Ichiji!" I growled under my breath, frustration building inside me. With all my strength, I tried to yank my hand free, but his grip was ironclad. I tried to punch him, aiming for his side, but it was useless. He was faster, and before I knew it, he effortlessly lifted me up and placed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down!" I shouted, kicking and hitting him with everything I had, but he didn’t budge. His shoulder felt like a stone, his movements calm as he adjusted me slightly, clearly unaffected by my struggles.

I continued to squirm, but my attempts to break free only seemed to amuse him more. "You’re not going anywhere until I say so," he said, his voice almost smug.

Every inch of my body screamed in defiance, but Ichiji was too strong, and I was left helpless against his grip. Despite my best efforts to break free, all I could do was watch as we exited the medical wing of Big Mom’s chateau and headed for the unknown, my heart pounding with frustration and anger. I hated feeling this powerless.

.

.

.

After a few minutes of struggling, we reached the Calicoat, a grand, horse-drawn carriage with intricate designs etched into the wood. The horses stood patiently, their reins held by a soldier who was clearly waiting for us to board. Ichiji gave the soldier a brief order to head toward Germa, and the vehicle started rolling as we climbed inside.

I crossed my arms tightly in front of me, glaring at Ichiji from the other side of the carriage. My mind raced with thoughts of escape. If I didn’t have these damn bracelets, I thought bitterly, eyeing the cuffs on my wrists. Ichiji had locked them on, ensuring I couldn’t slip away. Another damn claim on me.

Ichiji seemed unfazed by my anger. He leaned back in his seat, his expression smug as always, and casually called over to me, "Come on, fiancée."

The word felt like a slap across my face, mocking me, a reminder of how helpless I was in this situation.

I shot him a venomous look from across the carriage but kept my mouth shut. Ichiji wasn’t bothered by my silence. In fact, his smirk only widened as he leaned forward, the same cocky gleam in his eyes that I had come to hate.

"I still have that hostage of yours," he said, his voice low, filled with that familiar arrogance. "So, I suggest you do as I say."

His words were meant to remind me of the leverage he held over me. Another thought came to mind as I sat there, fuming yet trapped in this situation. I have to play along, I reminded myself. King’s life is in jeopardy, which meant I couldn’t afford to make any wrong moves. I needed to act dumb, feign submission, and keep Ichiji from suspecting anything while I figured out my next move.

With a heavy sigh, I turned toward Ichiji. I knew it would make me feel sick to do it, but it was the only option for now. Slowly, I shifted and laid my head down on his lap, forcing a smile onto my face.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice dripping with false sweetness, barely able to hold back the bile rising in my throat. "I guess with this whole wedding fiasco, me not eating, and the sparring match, it made me a bit cranky. I’m sorry, tiger."

The words felt like poison slipping off my tongue, but I pushed through the act, pretending to be docile and apologetic. The sheer sweetness of my apology was enough to make me want to gag, but it was the only way to keep Ichiji distracted and off guard. His smug grin only grew wider, seemingly pleased by my so-called "change of heart."

Ichiji ran a hand through my hair, his voice softer, almost satisfied. "It’s alright, fiancée. You’ve had a lot on your plate lately. Just relax, and I’ll take care of everything."

As I forced myself to lie there, pretending to be the dutiful fiancée, my mind raced. I knew I couldn’t let my guard down completely, not with King’s life hanging in the balance, but for now, I had to keep up the charade. I had to bide my time, play the part, and wait for an opening.

We finally arrived in Germa, and as the Calicoat came to a stop, the Germa soldiers began to cheer for Ichiji’s arrival. Their voices echoed with excitement and anticipation as they recognized his arrival.

"Master Ichiji is here!" one of them yelled, his voice full of reverence.

"His wife as well, it looks like she may have been injured," another soldier commented, his tone laced with concern.

"Ohhh no, I hope she is doing alright? Get better soon, Mrs. Vinsmoke!" one soldier yelled, causing me to falter for a brief moment. The idea of being called that sent a sickening wave through my chest, but I pushed it down and maintained my composure.

Ichiji stepped out of the Calicoat, his usual smug grin plastered across his face. He extended his hand toward me, and reluctantly, I took it. With my other hand clutching my side, I made my way down the steps, walking hand in hand with him, my every movement calculated to keep up the facade.

"Princess! I hope you feel better!" one soldier shouted, his voice full of exaggerated sympathy.

"Just look at the young master, he is being so careful with his fiancée," another soldier said, shedding a small tear. What the hell... I thought, gritting my teeth. I had to smile and play along, my stomach twisting at the sight of these people idolizing this twisted arrangement.

"Thank you all for your well wishes, I just had a small accident," I said, offering them a forced, pained smile. The crowd cheered louder, their adoration growing with every word I spoke.

"Thank you all for your concerns, we will be heading to get breakfast and then be back to the château for our wedding," Ichiji said with a smirk, his hand still holding mine as we moved through the crowd. The soldiers cheered even louder, their enthusiasm infectious, but I couldn’t let it fool me. This is all part of the show. Just keep playing along, I thought.

Ichiji, suddenly full of theatrics, scooped me up bridal style, his grip firm and possessive. I felt my body tense, but I didn't fight it. My heart raced, both from frustration and from something I couldn't quite pinpoint yet. 

"Look at that! They’re so in love!" one soldier yelled, his voice filled with excitement.

The cheering and whistling grew louder, and I could feel the eyes of the entire Germa army on us. As Ichiji carried me in his arms, I rested my head on his shoulder, my eyes scanning the crowd. If I have to endure this, I’ll be sure to get Ichiji to crack, I thought, my mind beginning to hatch a plan.

At that moment, I leaned up and kissed Ichiji’s neck, my lips pressing lightly against his skin. He stiffened for a second, but quickly relaxed into my touch, a pleased smirk crossing his face. The soldiers erupted into whistles and cheers, louder than before. I could feel the heat of their gaze, but it didn’t matter. I had a plan, and I was playing my part to perfection.

We finally reached the steps of the kingdom, and the grand doors opened before us. The servants and maids inside began to bustle, a few of them immediately noticing Ichiji and me. One maid caught my eye—her look lingering on Ichiji was unmistakable, almost hungry. Wouldn’t be surprised if they hooked up, I thought, rolling my eyes internally.

One of the maids I recognized approached. "Anne!" I called out, making my way toward her. As soon as she saw me, she smiled widely and then, to my surprise, her eyes widened in recognition, and she quickly bowed.

"My lady, it’s so wonderful to see you," she said with a soft voice.

I reached down and gently raised her head. "You will not bow for me. I won’t allow it," I said firmly. Her eyes flickered in surprise but she didn’t resist.

As I turned to face the rest of the room, I looked at all the other maids, standing there awkwardly. "Whatever my fiancé’s rules are, that’s on him, but no one will bow. Understood?" I added, my voice unwavering. There was a moment of hesitation in the room, the air thick with uncertainty.

One of the maids, who seemed to be trying too hard to win Ichiji’s favor, spoke up. "As if we would listen to you when Master Ichiji is standing there," she said with an air of bravado. Her eyes kept darting to Ichiji, practically fawning over him.

I turned my gaze to her, arching an eyebrow. "You must be..." I began, but the maid quickly interjected.

"My name is—"

"Irrelevant," I cut her off, my tone sharp. "As I suspected, you must have slept with my fiancé, haven’t you? You carry yourself like you’ve earned that bravado of yours." I smirked, my words dripping with disdain as I saw the color drain from her face.

The maid’s face flushed bright red. "I would do no such thing!" she stammered, her words defensive but her body language betrayed her. The way her hands shook slightly, her stance faltering—it was all too clear.

"Why so nervous?" I asked, a mocking smile pulling at my lips. "If what you say is the truth, then you shouldn’t falter at all, should you?" I leaned in slightly, making sure my gaze was locked with hers.

She stuttered again, trying to regain her composure, but I saw it—her guilt, her discomfort. Gotcha. I knew I had her rattled now.

I turned to Anne, forcing a smile that was as sweet as poison. "Anne, would you be a dear and take me to my shared quarters? I’d like to take a bath before breakfast," I said, my tone deliberately polite. "Better yet," I added with a sudden mischievous grin, turning back to Ichiji, "Tiger, would you like to share a bath with me?"

For a split second, Ichiji’s eyes flickered with something dangerous. He stiffened, and the hand he had resting on my shoulder tightened slightly, almost possessively. "Watch yourself, Y/N," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and threatening, but his words were laced with a possessiveness I couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just a warning—it was a reminder of who he thought I belonged to. "I’m not going to let you embarrass me."

I raised an eyebrow, my smile not faltering. "I’m just asking if my fiancé would like to partake," I said sweetly, letting my words linger with a teasing edge. "But if he doesn’t want to join me, then don’t be surprised when the door is locked and I entertain myself."

The tension between us thickened, and I could feel his grip on my shoulder tightening even more as if he were holding me back from doing something he didn’t like. But I wasn’t about to let his jealousy control me.

With that, I turned toward Anne and took a step away from Ichiji, deliberately leaving a small but noticeable distance between us. "Please lead the way, my dear," I said, my voice dripping with sweet but venomous politeness.

As I walked past the other soldiers and maids, I threw a final glance over my shoulder at Ichiji. "Oh, and as for the rest of you," I said, my tone still cheerful, "great meeting you all. I’m sure my fiancé would like to spend time with you all as well." I couldn’t help but add a final touch of sarcasm, "Wouldn’t want to keep anyone waiting, now, would we?"

My platform heels clicked sharply on the stone floor, each step punctuating my words and solidifying my authority in this little game we were playing. I could almost feel Ichiji’s eyes on my back, burning with a mixture of frustration and possessiveness. It was a look I had seen too many times before—he didn’t like losing control, and he certainly didn’t like when I had the upper hand.

As Anne led me to my shared quarters, I could feel Ichiji’s eyes burning into my back, though I didn’t acknowledge him directly. His presence was a constant weight, a reminder of the power he thought he had over me. But I wasn’t going to break that easily.

"My lady, are you alright?" Anne asked with a concerned tone, making me laugh softly in response.

"Oh, I'm more than alright, Anne. I won't back down that easy," I said, my smile feigning confidence, though my mind was still racing.

Anne led me to the room I was assigned to when Ichiji first brought me here—his room. It wasn’t lost on me that it was also where he expected me to stay now that our “wedding” was drawing near. We walked inside, and as Anne shut the door behind us, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was in a gilded cage.

"Would you like me to run your bath, my lady?" Anne asked, a soft offer that I gratefully accepted.

"Yes, please," I replied, my voice softer now, though my mind was still sharp, calculating. Anne moved swiftly, preparing the bath in the large marble tub. It was the kind of bath you’d expect in a palace—luxurious, with gleaming marble walls and a tub large enough for someone to lose themselves in. There were large windows, tinted just enough to shield me from the outside world but still letting the sun’s light filter in, casting a soft glow over the room.

As Anne prepared the bath, I started to undo the layers of my attire. My corset came first, followed by my heels. The last pieces were my skirt, thigh halter, and hidden blades. As I slid the thigh halter off, my hidden blades remained firmly tucked in, ready for whatever came next.

"Your bath is ready, my lady," Anne said, turning toward me.

I smiled, a little relieved by the chance to unwind, even if just for a moment. "Thank you, Anne."

I then turned to her with a smile, catching her gaze. "Anne, what did I tell you when we first met?"

Anne blushed, her face turning a shade of pink. "Call me Y/N," she said softly, smiling in return.

"Exactly," I replied, a playful tone in my voice. "You can call me Y/N, no need for formalities."

"Yes, my... Y/N," she said, smiling warmly as she exited the room, leaving me alone to reflect in the stillness.

With the door now shut, I took a deep breath, letting the tension slip away, if only for a moment. The sun was high, casting light on the bathroom through the tinted windows. I made my way toward the tub, dipping one hand into the water, testing its warmth. It was perfect—comfortable, soothing. I moved slowly, a hand covering my chest as I lowered myself into the tub, feeling the heat of the water seep into my muscles. The tension of the day began to melt away as I relaxed, even if just slightly.

Once I was comfortable, I removed the last of my garments—the skirt, the thigh halter with the hidden blade—placing them carefully beside the tub.The warm water eased the tension in my muscles, and I began to relax, letting the day’s stress melt away. But just as I was about to truly unwind, the door slammed open with force.

And here he comes, I thought, my eyes flicking to the entrance.

Ichiji stormed in, his boots making a heavy sound against the floor as he quickly locked the door behind him. His eyes were dark, narrowed, and something unreadable flickered in them, his posture rigid and controlled. The air between us thickened immediately.

"Finally decided to join me, tiger?" I teased, shifting slightly in the tub to move closer to the bubbles that covered my body. I gave him a playful smile, my voice light and confident, as if this was nothing more than a casual exchange.

Ichiji didn’t respond right away. His eyes scanned me—no doubt taking in the sight of my exposed form, though I made sure the bubbles hid enough to keep him on edge. But even as I moved closer, the tension between us was palpable. His jaw clenched, his body taut with something dangerous.

"The water’s nice and warm…" I said, my voice deliberately slow and teasing, watching his every move as he stood there, unmoving. I could feel his gaze lingering on me, burning through the air between us.

His lips parted for a brief moment, a flicker of frustration crossing his features, but it was quickly replaced by a hardened resolve. He stepped closer, the energy shifting with every step, as if he were trying to tame the storm inside himself. The possessiveness was there—raw, intense—but so was something darker, something like control slipping away.

"Do you think you can get away with this?" Ichiji growled, his voice low and laced with both warning and desire. His eyes narrowed, still glaring at me like a predator stalking its prey. "You think you can tease me, make me wait while you’re in here, like some prize I can’t have?"

I smirked, leaning back into the warmth of the water. "I’m just enjoying myself, Ichiji," I said, making sure my tone sounded innocent, even though my body was clearly pushing all his buttons. "Isn’t that what you wanted me to do? Be good for you?" I moved my hand under the water, letting the bubbles swirl around it in a slow motion.

"Stop playing games with me, Y/N," he snapped, stepping forward so that his body was just inches from the edge of the tub. His fingers flexed at his sides, the air thick with his possessiveness. "You know I could take you right here. But you want to play this little game, don’t you? Keep me hanging on, testing my patience."

I moaned softly, closing my eyes as I let his words settle in my mind. "I just had a vision of how that would look, tiger," I whispered, as I let the image linger in the air. A low hum escaped Ichiji’s lips as I moved toward the middle of the tub, my fingers trailing through the water and stirring up small waves that rippled outward. I leaned back, resting my head on the edge of the tub, allowing my eyes to close as I painted the image with my words, letting the scene unfold in both our minds.

“Picture this,” I murmured, voice thick with a tempting softness, “you in here with me… the water splashing, the sound filling the room… echoes of breaths, teasing touches that linger just long enough to make you wonder what’s coming next…”

The tension in the room grew heavier, almost tangible. I could hear the slight hitch in his breathing, the way his gaze darkened as he watched me, captivated by the picture I was painting. His usual icy control was starting to melt away under the heat of my words.

“Just imagine,” I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur, “your hands on me, tracing over every curve… the water amplifying every movement, every touch…”

Ichiji's eyes glinted with a dangerous fire as he took a step closer to the tub, drawn in by the vivid scene I was crafting. His lips twisted into a smirk, but I could tell he was affected, his calm composure slipping just a little. "Ichiji, I’m bored. Come play with me."

My voice was laced with an innocent tease, but I knew it was pushing him farther. I could feel his eyes burning into me, his restraint slipping by the second.

"In fact..." I said, the challenge clear in my voice, as I slowly stood up from the water, letting it cascade off my body in a slow, sensual flow. "I’ll start."

I began to unbutton his shirt, my fingers grazing his chest with a teasing slowness, keeping my gaze locked on his, savoring every moment. But before I could reach the final button, Ichiji’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with a firm, almost bruising grip, stopping me in my tracks.

His eyes were dark with a dangerous intensity, his breath ragged as he looked down at me. His body was so close now I could feel the heat radiating off him. "You don’t get to make the rules here, Y/N," he growled low, his voice heavy with possessiveness and frustration. His grip on my wrist tightened slightly, sending a wave of heat through me.

"Not this time." His voice was almost a warning now. His eyes searched mine, weighing his next move carefully. "You want to keep playing? Then play by my rules."

The intensity in Ichiji's eyes made my breath catch in my throat. His hand held my wrist with such authority, as if he were marking me, staking his claim. His lips were just inches from my ear as he leaned in closer, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're testing me, Y/N," he murmured, his grip tightening ever so slightly, just enough to make sure I felt every inch of his control. "And I don’t like being tested."

I raised my eyes to meet his, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips. "I didn’t think you’d be so easily distracted, Ichiji," I teased, pushing against his grip just enough to remind him that, for a moment, I still held some power here.

But Ichiji wasn’t about to let me get away with it. With a swift movement, he pulled me forward, his other hand gripping my chin to force me to look up at him. His expression was dark, unreadable, yet there was an undeniable hunger in his eyes. "You don’t get to play this game, Y/N. Not when you’re the one who’s always pushing my buttons."

He let go of my wrist, but only to bring his hand to my cheek, gently caressing the skin with his thumb before his fingers trailed down to my neck, applying the faintest pressure as if to remind me of the power he wielded over me. My heart raced, and I could feel my body betraying me, reacting to his every move despite my attempts to maintain control. His grip on my neck tightened just enough to send a surge of heat rushing through me, making my breath catch. "You’ll find out soon enough." His lips hovered above mine, teasing me with the proximity, yet pulling away just as quickly, leaving me hanging. 

I leaned in slightly, my lips brushing his, but he was quicker, capturing my mouth in a heated kiss. It was raw, desperate, with a need that mirrored my own, but even in the intensity of the kiss, I could feel the underlying control he had over me, his every move reminding me who was really in charge.

The water rippled as I sank back deeper into the marble tub, the remnants of our kiss still lingering on my lips, leaving me breathless. The air between us crackled with an electric tension, and Ichiji’s smirk only fueled the heat building inside me.

His gaze was dark and calculated as he crouched beside the tub, his eyes never leaving mine. Slowly, he rolled up his sleeve, his arm muscles flexing with the movement as he tested the temperature of the water, but it was clear he wasn’t focused on the bath at all. The subtle shift of his body, the way his gaze flickered to my exposed skin, told me everything I needed to know.

“I won’t join you for a bath,” he said, his voice low and controlled, laced with something dangerously possessive. “There will be a time for that after. But I will, however, wait for you in my bed, while you finish getting changed, so we may eat breakfast.”

I couldn’t help but feel a surge of both frustration and excitement. His words were deliberate, a clear reminder that while I was playing my game, he had already set the rules for the next round.

Before I could respond, Ichiji’s fingers brushed lightly against my thigh beneath the water. The touch was teasing, a mere graze of his hand, but it sent a shock of heat straight to my core. I couldn’t move—couldn’t tear my eyes away from his—each second stretching on as if the world had stopped, leaving just the two of us, locked in this power struggle.

“You like that, don’t you?” Ichiji murmured, his voice taking on a more dangerous edge. His hand lingered, his fingers lightly tracing the outline of my thigh, making it impossible to ignore the effect he was having on me.

I swallowed hard, my body betraying me even as I tried to maintain my composure. “You’re bold,” I said, forcing the words out through clenched teeth, even as my breath hitched at his touch.

He leaned closer, his face now mere inches from mine, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “You haven’t seen bold yet.”

I inhaled sharply, his words sending a shiver down my spine. I knew exactly what he meant, and the thought of it made my pulse race.

“Enjoy your bath,” Ichiji continued, pulling away slowly, his hand reluctantly leaving my thigh. “I’ll be waiting.”

As he turned to leave, I could feel the weight of his presence still pressing down on me, a lingering reminder that no matter how much I tried to push his buttons, Ichiji was always one step ahead, controlling every move I made.

I watched him walk toward the door, my body still aching for more, the room feeling colder without him so close. The tension, thick and palpable, was only just beginning, and I knew there was no going back from this game we were playing.

With a final glance over his shoulder, Ichiji smirked, “Don’t take too long, Y/N.”

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone in the bath, the quiet sound of the water lapping against the sides of the tub the only noise. I leaned back, sinking deeper into the water, the heat from earlier still lingering in my body. My mind was racing—what had just happened? I had tested him, but I knew I was in dangerous territory now.

I couldn’t help but scream into the water, frustration and heat building inside me. "Bastard really knows his stuff," I muttered, a mix of irritation and admiration in my voice. He had me tangled up in his games, and I was beginning to wonder if I was going to lose this round.

Stepping out of the tub, I wrapped myself in a towel, feeling the sharp chill of the air on my skin—a striking contrast to the warmth that lingered from the bath. The room felt different now, quieter somehow, as if absorbing the echoes of what had just happened. I let the water drain, the sound filling the silence and grounding me.

I caught sight of myself in the mirror, and my attention fell on the faint marks from recent battles. The injuries from my sparring session with Judge had nearly vanished, and I couldn't help but marvel. My left thigh, which had taken a harsh hit, was smooth again, and the bruise along my side had faded completely. The scrape on my right hand, my last reminder of a skirmish with one of Big Mom’s children to retrieve my weapon, had also disappeared.

"Reiju’s work, no doubt," I mused to myself, impressed by her medical skills. Whatever she’d used had sped up my recovery dramatically. It was strange to see myself so healed, but I could already feel my strength returning—a welcome relief.  I took a deep breath, trying to gather myself before I stepped out of the bathroom.

I opened the door, stepping into the room, only to see Ichiji lying casually on the bed, his arms crossed behind his head, a smirk already plastered across his face.

"How was the bath?" he teased, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker.

I flicked him off, not bothering to hide the playfulness in my actions. "You’re unbelievable," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, though the tension between us was far from gone.

Ichiji just laughed, a sound that felt like a challenge. "You’re one to talk," he replied, his smirk widening as he sat up on the bed, clearly enjoying this little back-and-forth. "But we both know you’re not really mad at me."

I didn’t respond right away, simply letting the silence hang in the air as I slowly made my way over to the dresser to find something to wear. The game was far from over, and now, more than ever, I couldn’t wait for what would come next. I moved towards the closet, my fingers lightly grazing over the fabric of the outfits hanging neatly inside.

Ichiji’s eyes never left me as I sorted through the clothes, his smirk still evident on his face. I could feel his gaze, heavy and possessive, following every movement I made. It was both infuriating and thrilling, knowing that he was waiting for me to make my next move, knowing that I had a certain power over him now, but still unsure of what he might do next.

As I flicked through the outfits, I could feel a heat rise within me again. Every choice I picked up felt like part of a new round in our game. I was testing boundaries, pushing buttons, seeing how far I could go before one of us cracked. And right now, it seemed like we were both dancing along that thin line.

Finally, I picked out an outfit—a tight, short, dark red dress that hugged my figure in all the right places. I didn’t give him any indication of how I was feeling. Instead, I just turned towards him, my eyes meeting his as I slipped the dress from the hanger.

“You’ve been watching me long enough, Ichiji,” I said, my tone just as teasing as his had been. “Don’t you have anything to say? Or are you just going to stare?”

Ichiji’s lips curled into a grin, the air around us charged with anticipation. "You know," he said, his voice low, "I don’t think I’ve had enough of this little game yet."

I smirked in response, knowing he was just as drawn to this as I was. The tension between us was palpable, and neither of us was willing to back down. I grabbed my heels and secured my thigh halter and hidden blade onto my right thigh, then swept my hair into a messy bun, leaving a few pieces out to frame my face.

Just then, the door flew open, and in strutted the maid from before, acting as if she owned the place. “Ichi!” she whined, her voice dripping with familiarity. I raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Ichiji, who still lounged on the bed with his arms behind his head. "Yeah, they definitely slept together," I thought, moving toward the large mirror Ichiji had positioned across from his bed.

"When are you coming?” she whined, her gaze fixed on him, seemingly oblivious to my presence. Ichiji only smirked, not moving an inch.

I turned to face her, crossing my arms. “You are quite audacious to barge into shared quarters that belong to my fiancé and me,” I said, my tone icy. I took a step closer, making sure she understood the message. “Now answer me this: why did you just barge right in?”

She gave a smug smirk, unphased. “Ichiji asked me to come...” She leaned in, eyes narrowing. “If you ask me, my lady, it seems you’re not satisfying him enough.” Her gaze flicked over me dismissively, clearly trying to provoke a reaction.

I glanced back at Ichiji, who was watching this unfold with a faint smirk. I narrowed my eyes, but decided to keep my composure. “I will deal with my fiancé later,” I replied, not sparing him another glance. I let a knowing smile slip as I turned back to her. “And as for satisfying him…” I said, running my gaze over Ichiji. “He’s all yours.”

Ichiji’s expression faltered slightly as he took his hands down from behind his head, his smirk disappearing. “You’re really going to just leave like that?” he challenged, his tone almost demanding.

“Enjoy your company,” I replied coolly, brushing past the maid as I made my way to the door. I swayed my hips, knowing Ichiji’s eyes would be fixed on me, my red dress moving with calculated seduction.

The moment I stepped out, I saw Anne walking by. “Anne,” I smiled, “I’m ready for some breakfast.”

“Yes, Y/N. Our head chef prepares an excellent meal,” she replied, returning my smile.

“Wonderful. I would love to have a bite.” I said, linking arms with her as we started down the hallway.

Just then, I heard Ichiji’s frustrated voice from within the room. “Y/N!” His tone was sharp, as if not expecting me to brush him off so easily.

I couldn’t help but smile, keeping my head held high as I ignored his call. The game wasn’t over, and I’d made my next move.

Anne led me to a grand dining hall with ornate décor, high ceilings, and an air of strict order. “Here we are, Y/N. Your meal will be brought out by our head chef.”

“Thank you, Anne. So this is where Germa dines?” I asked, taking in the layout. There was a large throne in one corner and several numbered seats around the table.

“Yes, ma’am,” Anne replied. “The numbers represent each of Master Judge’s children.”

I scanned the seats, each one meticulously positioned, the order so precise it felt stifling. “Well, I’ll be sure to sit far away from one,” I said with a sly smile, which earned a small chuckle from Anne. She gave a polite nod. "Your meal will be right out," she said, before turning and heading to the kitchen.

As I made my way to the table, the air in the room felt almost chilling, a rigid, imposing atmosphere that screamed of Judge’s ironclad rule. Every corner of the room was adorned with Germa 66 emblems, as if the family’s legacy was something one could never escape from. Even the polished marble floor, reflective and cold, seemed to reinforce that this place wasn’t designed for comfort or warmth. It was built for power, for status—like Judge himself.

I let my fingers drift over the table's surface as I walked, tracing patterns in the smooth, dark wood before taking my seat in the number 3 chair. Sitting there, I felt the weight of the room’s history bearing down on me. It was the same chair Ichiji would sit in, which seemed to carry an air of restrained violence, just like him. Even in his absence, I could feel his presence here—the domineering energy he wielded, the cool command that seemed ingrained in everything Germa.

Suddenly, the door swung open with a sharp creak, and in he strode, his expression dark and thunderous. Ichiji’s eyes landed on me immediately, a glint of barely-restrained anger simmering beneath his gaze. He crossed the room with quick, purposeful steps, each one landing heavily on the marble floor.

“You really thought it was a good idea to just walk out?” he demanded, his voice low but tense, as if each word was laced with the bite he was holding back. He barely glanced at the maid who’d followed him, looking flustered and red-faced as she tried to keep up with his stride.

I leaned back in my seat, meeting his glare with a slight smirk. “Didn’t realize I needed permission, tiger,” I replied coolly, emphasizing the nickname just to see the reaction flicker in his eyes. "Besides, it seemed you were otherwise... preoccupied."

His jaw tightened, his hands flexing at his sides as if he was barely resisting the urge to do something about my tone. “You left me in there with her on purpose, didn’t you?” he growled, his gaze narrowing as he took another step toward me, ignoring the maid entirely now.

I shrugged, letting the silence hang between us for a moment before answering, “Can’t help it if I got bored.” I flicked a glance over at the maid, who was practically vibrating with suppressed anger as she stood a few paces behind him, her expression a blend of shock and frustration.

Suddenly, Anne walked in, followed by the head chef. “Y/N, this is Cossette,” Anne introduced as Cossette bowed low. “It’s an honor to meet you, Princess,” she said, her voice respectful.

I gently grabbed her head and raised her gaze, smiling softly. “Please don’t bow. Like I told the handmaids when I arrived, my fiancé’s rules are his, but mine are mine,” I said, my tone warm but firm. “I don’t want anyone bowing to me. Skip the formalities.”

Cossette’s eyes softened, and I could see a glimmer of appreciation in her expression. “Of course, Princess,” she said, her voice slightly warmer now.

“So, I heard your breakfasts are the best,” I continued, a playful grin tugging at my lips. “I can’t wait to try it.”

Before Cossette could respond, Ichiji’s voice cut through the air from behind me. “Cossette, don’t forget my plate either,” he said, his voice smooth but commanding.

Cossette nodded feverishly. “Of course, Master Ichiji. Princess, your meals will be here soon,” she said, bowing again, but I raised a hand.

“What did I say about bowing?” I reminded her, my tone light but carrying a touch of authority. “Please, take your time. Once breakfast is done, I’ll be heading back to prepare for my wedding tomorrow. So, a little extra strength will be needed,” I teased, winking at her. Cossette smiled in response, clearly warming to my manner.

“Keep that smile,” I added, watching as Cossette’s face lit up even more. She and Anne left the room quietly, closing the door behind them.

Turning back to Ichiji, I caught sight of his expression—arms crossed, a subtle scowl creasing his brows, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. Ignoring his silent scrutiny for the moment, I shifted my attention to the other maid, the one from earlier.

“You are excused,” I said coolly, expecting her to finally leave.

“As if I would listen to you…” she muttered defiantly, casting me a challenging glare.

Before I could respond, Ichiji’s voice cut through the tension. “You do as you’re told. Leave, now,” he commanded, his tone cold and final. The maid faltered under his gaze, then quickly turned and scurried out, the door shutting behind her. With a quiet laugh, I returned to the table, slipping gracefully into the number 3 chair. The weight of the room’s rigid formality seemed to settle back around us, but I allowed myself a moment of ease, running a finger idly along the polished wood of the table. 

Ichiji’s eyes followed my every movement as I returned to my seat, his expression simmering with a possessive intensity. He strode over to the chair labeled "1," sitting down across from me. Though the distance between us was only a few feet, it might as well have been miles for the way he regarded me, his frustration barely masked by his usually stoic facade.

His jaw was tight, and his gaze bore into me, a storm of anger and longing swirling behind his eyes. It was clear he hated the gap between us, the formality of the space, as if every inch of distance chipped away at the control he fought to maintain. "Tiger, you mentioned you could take me right here, when we were in the bathroom, have you ever thought about taking me here on this table." I smirked, "Why dont I make it easier for you." I said as I stood up, A flicker of raw intensity passed over Ichiji’s face as I approached, his gaze darkening with each step I took. The smirk I wore only seemed to fuel the frustration in his eyes, that possessive glint growing sharper. I let my fingers trail along the polished wood as I moved, savoring each small reaction from him until I stood behind his chair. Gently, I placed my hands on his shoulders, massaging the tension out of his muscles. He stiffened at first but gradually softened under my touch, his head tilting slightly as he closed his eyes, caught in the sensations I was creating.

“You’re so tense,” I murmured, my tone playful and laced with challenge. My fingers kneaded into his shoulders, coaxing the last of his restraint to the surface.

Without warning, Ichiji’s hand shot up, grasping my wrist tightly as he pulled me around to face him, his gaze burning with an unfiltered, dangerous edge. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he spoke, his composure hanging by a thread.

“You think I’m tense?” he challenged, his grip firm as he pulled me closer, his eyes blazing into mine. “You don’t understand, do you? The only thing keeping me from taking what I want right here and now is your damn teasing.” His hand slid down, capturing my waist and drawing me onto his lap, his control slipping just enough for his true desire to flash in his eyes.

With a sly smile, I leaned back, letting my lower back press into the edge of the table as Ichiji's breathing grew heavier, his eyes dark with barely restrained desire. "I just think you seem a bit on edge," I teased, settling onto the table’s edge and letting my legs part slightly, just enough to draw his attention. I placed my hands between them, my fingers tracing slow, languid circles on the wood.

I saw his gaze flicker between my movements and my face, his composure visibly fraying. With a light tug, I grabbed his loosened tie, pulling him down until his face was inches from mine. His breath came in warm waves against my skin as I spoke, each word laced with intent. "I want to hear all the fantasies that are running through my soon-to-be husband’s mind," I murmured, my tone playful yet daring. I released his tie, letting him stand there as I slipped off the table, walking back to my chair with a deliberate sway in my step, fully aware of his eyes following me.

But he didn’t let the space stay between us for long. In a flash, he closed the distance, his hands finding the back of my chair as he leaned over me, his voice low and dangerous. “You want to know what I’ve been thinking?” he rasped, his gaze searing. "I've been imagining what it would feel like to break down every last bit of that defiance… right here. To see you without those teasing little games, giving in to me completely."

His fingers brushed against my jaw, tilting my face up to meet his as he continued, his voice heavy with raw confession. “I’ve thought about you in my arms, pinned under my weight, your voice breaking as you finally stop pushing and just let go. I want to see you let me take control, to feel you against me, watching you come undone.” His breath was hot, his restraint hanging by a thread.

"And as for this table," he continued, his voice even lower now, his hand trailing down to graze my thigh. “I've thought about clearing everything off of it, pulling you onto it, and making you mine right here, without the faintest care about who could walk in. Just you and me, exactly as we should be.” His hand pressed into my thigh, his gaze intense. 

Just as I was about to speak, a knock on the door interrupted the moment. “It’s me, Cossette. I have your meals,” she called softly from the other side.

I cleared my throat, straightening up and pulling my composure back into place. “Come in!” I called out, my voice slightly firmer than before.

Cossette stepped inside, accompanied by a few sous-chefs, each carrying an array of beautifully plated dishes. The scent that hit my senses was enough to make my stomach growl with anticipation.

“I didn’t know what you would like, so I made a bit of everything,” Cossette explained, her voice soft as she glanced nervously down at the floor.

I smiled warmly at her, gesturing to the spread. “Cossette, you shouldn’t have,” I said, my tone appreciative, but playful.

The table was soon laden with a lavish assortment of dishes, each more decadent than the last. There were delicate croissants, freshly baked and golden brown, their buttery scent filling the room. Plump, juicy berries—strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries—arranged artfully alongside a bowl of whipped cream for dipping. There were perfectly scrambled eggs, a side of crispy bacon, and tender sausage links, all laid out to perfection. The pièce de résistance was a beautifully cooked salmon fillet, flaky and tender, with a side of creamy hollandaise sauce. A selection of assorted cheeses, olives, and a fresh baguette completed the spread, and on the far side of the table was a large, sparkling bottle of champagne and crystal flutes, ready to be poured.

“Everything looks wonderful, Cossette,” I said, glancing over the spread and nodding in approval. My eyes lingered on the champagne. “And the champagne, a perfect touch.”

Cossette smiled shyly, still avoiding my gaze. “I’m glad you like it, Princess. I hope it’s to your liking.”

Ichiji, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up, his voice laced with a hint of approval, but his eyes never left me. “Looks like you’ve done well, Cossette. I’ll take some of that salmon.”

Cossette nodded quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she began to arrange the food in front of us. “Of course, Master Ichiji. I’ll make sure everything is to your satisfaction.”

As the sous-chefs stepped back, leaving us to our meal, I felt a brief moment of satisfaction settle over me. The atmosphere in the room was still thick with tension, but the food—luxurious and perfectly prepared—offered a temporary distraction.

Once Cossette had prepared my plate, I grabbed the champagne flute and the bottle, popping it open with a satisfying pop, the fizzy liquid spraying onto my chest. I let out a laugh, my eyes twinkling. "Oh no, Princess... I'm so sorry," Cossette stammered, her face flushed.

I waved her off, still laughing, "It's alright." As I grabbed a napkin to dab at the champagne on my chest, I let out another chuckle. Cossette, looking relieved, poured champagne into my flute. I then grabbed the orange juice, adding a splash to the bubbly drink, watching the two liquids swirl together.

“Well, that's what I call a fine good mimosas," I joked with a playful smirk, lifting the glass to admire my creation. Cossette smiled, a little more relaxed now.

I took a sip, the fizzy sweetness dancing on my tongue, and immediately took a bite of the breakfast in front of me. I closed my eyes in delight, unable to contain the satisfaction. "Cossette, this is exquisite!" I exclaimed, taking another bite. "You’ve outdone yourself."

Cossette seemed to blush at my praise, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Do you mean it?" she hesitated, as if unsure whether my words were genuine.

"Of course!" I nodded emphatically. "It’s truly incredible."

Ichiji, who had been silent, finally spoke up, his tone flat but carrying an unmistakable edge. "Don't get too soft, Princess," he said, his voice cutting through the pleasant moment. "This is no time for compliments and praise."

I could feel the tension rise once again, but I didn't let it deter me. "In fact..." I said, a mischievous grin creeping across my face as I stood up from the table, plate in hand. "I’ll make sure you enjoy it too."

Ichiji looked up sharply, eyes narrowing as I made my way around the table, carefully selecting a perfectly cooked piece of the salmon. I leaned over and fed it to him, my eyes locked onto his with a challenge in my gaze. "Here, try some," I said softly, the words almost playful but edged with something deeper.

Ichiji paused, staring at the piece of food in my hand for a moment before taking it into his mouth. His eyes never left mine as he chewed thoughtfully. After a moment, he spoke, his voice low, almost reluctant. "It’s good. Better than I expected."

I couldn't help but smile, savoring the rare moment of him lowering his guard, even if just a little. "See? There’s more where that came from," I teased, sitting back down in my seat, ready to continue the meal. The tension remained, but for now, it was a little easier to ignore. After a few minutes, I finished my breakfast, savoring the last bite, while Ichiji, after allowing me to feed him a few bites, also finished his meal. The mimosa's light fizz was starting to kick in, a gentle warmth spreading through me.

Ichiji’s gaze flickered over me briefly, but the words that followed were as firm as ever. "We’re done here," he said as he stood up, extending his hand for me to take. His hand was firm, his fingers brushing mine with a possessive intent.

I raised an eyebrow, glancing up at him with playful defiance. "Where are we going?" I asked, my voice smooth, curiosity mixed with a hint of teasing.

"Back to our shared suite, for you to change," he replied with that authoritative tone that only seemed to make my heart race faster. Before I could respond, his grip tightened, pulling me up from my seat.

"But I wasn’t finished with my mimosas!" I protested with a pout, making grabby hands at the half-full glass, unwilling to leave it behind.

Ichiji didn't even flinch at my theatrics. With a smirk, he stepped closer, bending down with surprising speed and lifting me over his shoulder in one swift motion. My breath caught as I found myself dangling in his arms, my legs swaying in the air.

"Not today," he murmured, his voice low and almost dangerously calm. "You’ve had enough for now."

I huffed, trying to wriggle free, but his hold was firm. "Ichiji, put me down! You can’t just take my drink!"

But the amusement in his tone only deepened as he walked toward the door, ignoring my protest. "You can drink all you want later. Right now, we have more important things to attend to."

His steps were confident, echoing in the silent room as I continued to hang over his shoulder, barely able to do anything but let him carry me as he pleased. My heart was still racing, but it wasn’t from the alcohol anymore. It was something else entirely. Something much more complicated.

"You're impossible," I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Ichiji’s laugh was low and mocking as he turned to head down the hallway, unbothered by the struggles I put up. "You’ll get used to it." I grumbled under my breath, unable to help the smile that tugged at my lips despite my protest. "You're really something, you know that?"

Finally, after what felt like a small eternity of me hanging there like a ragdoll in his arms, we made it to the shared suite. Without hesitation, Ichiji kicked the door open with a swift motion, his expression unreadable as he effortlessly navigated through the doorway.

"What did the door ever do to you?" I remarked dryly, raising an eyebrow at his sudden display of force. My voice was teasing, but there was a touch of genuine amusement there.

Ichiji didn’t even spare me a glance as he slammed the door shut behind him, the sound sharp in the otherwise silent room. Without missing a beat, he locked it, his gaze darkening as his attention shifted back to me. He didn’t give me a chance to react before he dropped me onto the bed, the soft sheets swallowing me up in an unexpected tumble.

I let out a small giggle, the playful feeling of being tossed around catching me off guard. "That was fun," I said, breathless but clearly enjoying the chaos he’d stirred up. My heart was still pounding, but now it was because of the raw energy that hung between us, the tension that neither of us seemed willing to address.

Ichiji stood over me for a moment, his eyes scanning me with a certain intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. He didn’t speak, but the unspoken words were clear in the way he looked at me—dangerous, possessive, and yet… something else.

I pushed myself up onto my elbows, my grin widening despite the heat that was building up in the room. "What now, Ichiji?" I asked, my voice daring, though a hint of uncertainty lingered beneath the surface. "Are you going to keep me here all day?"

The air between us thickened, and I could see him fighting with his own restraint, though whether it was for me or for himself, I couldn’t say.

Ichiji's eyes softened for a moment, but the intensity quickly returned. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in the quiet room. "You’re not going anywhere until you’ve learned your first lesson," he said, his voice low but commanding. His words sent a shiver down my spine, anticipation curling in my stomach.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to act unfazed despite the heat simmering beneath my skin. "Lesson? What kind of lesson?" I asked, half teasing, half intrigued.

Ichiji’s lips curled into a smirk as he stood directly over me, his hand reaching down to brush a strand of hair from my face. The warmth of his fingers lingering against my skin sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I instinctively leaned into the touch. "A lesson on control, princess," he said, his voice barely above a whisper as he looked down at me. His gaze was unwavering, his lips parting as if he were savoring the moment.

Without another word, Ichiji grabbed my hand, his grip firm and possessive as he pulled me to my feet. The room seemed to shrink around us, the air thick with tension. "Dinner," he said, his tone brokering no argument. "Back at the Château."

I couldn’t help but smirk, my playful side coming to the forefront despite the charged atmosphere. "Wow, two meals in one day? You sure know how to show a girl a good time," I said, letting out a light laugh. The sound of it filled the room, a welcome break from the intensity that had been building between us.

Ichiji’s eyes darkened for a split second, the flicker of something dangerous flashing before he masked it again with that signature smirk of his. "You’ll get used to it," he said, his grip on my hand tightening just a little as he guided me towards the door.

As we walked down the stairs, Ichiji and I were met with the familiar bustling of the château. Anne and Cosette waved us off, their faces bright with friendly smiles, but my attention was soon pulled back to Ichiji as he guided me through the hall, the sounds of our footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet space.

"By ladies, take care!" I called out with a smile, waving goodbye as we exited the suite. Ichiji, ever composed, didn’t waste a second in turning his attention back to me, guiding me toward the grand door. The sunlight greeted us like an old friend, casting its warm rays over the castle grounds. The day was still bright, and I couldn’t help but think it must have been somewhere near the afternoon.

We stepped outside, the warmth of the sun on our faces, but before I could fully take in the fresh air, a loud cheer broke through the air. "Look, it’s Master Ichiji and his fiancée, seems well!" a soldier yelled, his voice carrying through the air. Suddenly, whistles and cheers erupted from the nearby soldiers, their admiration and energy clear as they looked upon us. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but Ichiji’s expression remained calm, his smirk still ever-present as he turned to face the soldiers.

Without a second thought, he cupped my chin and pulled me in for a soft, deliberate kiss on my forehead. The soldiers around us gasped, and the sound of "Awww!" rang through the crowd. It was like they’d seen a moment of something precious, something only a select few could witness.

"She is so good to him," a soldier said, wiping away a tear. His voice had a deep, almost reverent tone to it. It was a little overwhelming, but at the same time, it felt... strange to be in the center of all of this attention. It was like a strange dance that Ichiji and I had been pulled into.

"Long live Master Ichiji and his bride!" another soldier shouted in the distance, raising his hand in a salute.

The chorus of voices continued, growing louder with each passing second.

"Master Ichiji, how much do you love your bride?" another soldier called out, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. At that, a shower of rose petals suddenly began to fall from above, as if summoned by the sheer energy in the air. The petals fluttered around us, floating like a soft, colorful storm as the soldiers cheered even louder.

Ichiji’s arm tightened around me for a moment, drawing me closer to his side. His smirk was still in place, but I could see a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—pride, perhaps, or maybe something darker. His voice was steady, but there was an underlying intensity that made my heart race. "As much as anyone could, and more," he answered coolly, his words causing a stir among the soldiers, who cheered even more fervently at his declaration.

As the calicoat rolled smoothly along the pathway, the rhythmic motion seemed to make everything around me blur just a little. I turned my gaze toward the scenery, trying to force my mind to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the heated moments between Ichiji and me.

Ichiji, who had been unusually quiet, leaned back against the seat, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on me. "You're distracted," he said, his voice smooth, yet there was a hint of amusement in it. "What’s on your mind?" He tilted his head slightly, his piercing eyes studying me with an intensity that almost made it harder to think straight.

I hesitated for a moment before letting out a breath, trying to regain some composure. "I... just need to focus," I muttered, though my words didn't quite align with the tension I could feel in the air.

Ichiji chuckled softly, a quiet, almost predatory sound. "You’ve been distracted all day, Y/N. Is it that hard to focus, or is there something more?" His voice dropped to a near whisper, the weight of his question hanging heavily between us.

I bit my lip, trying to regain my thoughts. But somehow, the pressure of his gaze only seemed to pull me further into distraction. "It’s nothing," I said quickly, but my heart was racing, the air between us charged with a palpable energy. Ichiji’s smirk deepened as he moved closer, his gaze never leaving mine. There was something in his eyes—an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "It’s never nothing with you, Y/N," he said, his voice lower now, almost a whisper against the soft hum of the calicoat. He leaned in, and before I could respond, his lips brushed against my neck, the sensation sending an electric jolt through me. My breath caught in my throat as I involuntarily closed my eyes.

"I’ve been trying to focus too," he confessed softly, his lips still grazing my skin. "But it's hard to concentrate when every part of me wants you. I can’t deny it anymore." His voice was thick with longing, his hand reaching up to rest gently on my side, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of my waist.

I couldn’t find the words to reply as the warmth of his kiss spread through me, leaving me both stunned and breathless. 

Ichiji’s lips brushed against my collarbone, his kiss lingering there for a moment before he pulled back slightly, his breath warm against my skin. The soft strands of his hair brushed against my neck, tickling me and making me giggle involuntarily. The sound seemed to amuse him, and a small, satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You're laughing now, but just wait," he murmured, his voice low and teasing as his hand gently cupped my cheek. "I’m not done yet." Ichiji's hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer as the calicoat continued its steady movement. For a moment, everything else faded—just the warmth of his body against mine and the heat of his lips consumed me. I took the lead, my fingers trailing over his jaw, deepening the kiss as I felt him stiffen for a second before he regained his composure. His grip tightened on me, pulling me further into his lap.

He broke away with a harsh exhale, his forehead resting against mine as he tried to steady his breath. “Fuck, princess,” he muttered under his breath, his hands running through my hair as if he was trying to ground himself.

I couldn’t resist, my lips finding his cheek, brushing softly against his skin as I kissed his jaw, his neck, and back to his lips. Each kiss was an unspoken confession, each touch a promise that we were both too caught up to deny.

His breath hitched as I kissed his face, his hands gripping me tighter as if trying to contain the growing storm between us. The tension was unbearable, but neither of us pulled away. Instead, we clung to each other, the intensity of the moment echoing between the soft thrum of the calicoat’s ride and the rhythm of our hearts racing in unison.

Just then, the calicoat halted abruptly, throwing both of us off balance. I gasped as we fell forward, landing with a soft thud on the cushioned seat. Ichiji caught me instinctively, his arms wrapping around me as I tumbled on top of him, both of us momentarily stunned by the sudden stop.

For a second, there was a brief silence, before the heat of the moment returned. I found myself pressed against him, our faces only inches apart. His chest heaved beneath me, the rush of our earlier closeness still lingering in the air. I couldn’t help but smile slightly, the situation adding an unexpected thrill to everything that had just happened.

Ichiji’s lips curled into a smirk, though there was a certain sharpness to his eyes. "Clumsy, aren't we?" he teased, his voice low and filled with that familiar possessiveness.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, feeling the playful tension between us once again. “Maybe just a little,” I replied, feeling my heart still racing as his hands gently slid down to my waist, the touch sending a wave of heat through me.

He leaned up slightly, brushing his lips over mine, a soft, lingering kiss that made everything feel even more electric. "This isn’t over," he murmured, his breath warm against my lips. "We’re just getting started."

Before I could respond, the voice of a soldier broke through the moment. "Master Ichiji, we have arrived."

Ichiji’s grip tightened around my hips for a split second, and then with a small, frustrated sigh, he pulled away, but not without giving me one last heated glance. He stood up, straightening himself, before opening the door and extending his hand to me. "Come on," he said, his voice low, still tinged with the intensity of the moment. "Let me drop you off at your room."

I took his hand, allowing him to guide me out of the calicoat. As we made our way toward the entrance, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness, the air still thick with everything that had just passed between us. We walked side by side, the ground beneath our feet seeming to echo our unspoken tension.

Once we reached my room, Ichiji paused at the door, turning to me with a smirk. “I’ll see you at six o'clock, princess,” he said smoothly, starting to turn away.

But before he could leave, something surged within me—a need, an undeniable hunger. I reached out, grabbing his wrist and pulling him back toward me, the suddenness of it catching him off guard.

“Why don’t we get ready in my room?” I enticed, my voice softer now, the desire clear in my words. I could see the spark in his eyes, the way his gaze flickered with hunger as I leaned in, pressing a teasing kiss to his lips.

Ichiji’s breath hitched, his composure cracking just slightly under the weight of the moment. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he asked, but his voice had a rough edge to it, betraying his own restraint, making it clear how much he wanted to give in.

I nodded, biting my lip as I met his gaze, feeling my heart race. “Bring your clothes, and let’s get ready here,” I whispered, my hand lingering on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my palm. The tension between us was palpable, the space around us charged with unspoken promises and a thrill that made my pulse quicken.

Ichiji’s eyes darkened further, and for a moment, it felt as if the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us suspended in that electrifying moment. But then, with a deep breath that seemed to ground him, he stepped back, breaking the spell. “Alright,” he said, the fire in his gaze unwavering as he turned to head out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind him, and I could hear the sound of his footsteps echoing in the hall, a reminder of the tension that still lingered in the air. I took a moment to collect myself, feeling a rush of excitement and anticipation build within me. This wasn’t just playful banter anymore; it felt like we were on the brink of something far more intense.

I shook my head, trying to make sense of everything. “What the hell are you thinking, Y/N?” I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of exhilaration and confusion swirling within me. Was I really flirting with danger? Did I want to push Ichiji, to challenge him? The thrill of the unknown tugged at me, but there was also a flicker of uncertainty.

I paced the room, my heart racing as I replayed our interaction in my mind. Ichiji's possessive nature was both intoxicating and intimidating. Did I really want to walk that line, to dive deeper into this chaotic dance we were doing? I couldn’t help but wonder how far I could take this, and if he would rise to the challenge or pull back, frustrated by my defiance.

I made my way to the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body, the warmth sinking into my skin and washing away the tension from the day. As I stood under the stream, my mind wandered back to Luffy, Nami, and the rest of my crew. "Don’t worry, you guys... I’ll find a way to help," I promised in the silence, the heat soothing my muscles as the fruit-scented body wash foamed in my hands. The scent of peaches and berries filled the air as I lathered, scrubbing away the lingering traces of the afternoon.

I washed my hair, massaging the conditioner into every strand, the smooth sensation reminding me to stay grounded, stay focused. I carefully wiped away the makeup from today, the water clearing my skin until I felt like myself again—strong, determined, and unburdened. With one last rinse, I turned off the shower, feeling refreshed as I stepped out and wrapped myself in a soft towel.

As I moved into the room, I noticed a small note left on the table. My curiosity piqued, I picked it up and read it aloud to myself.

"Princess... Let’s meet at dinner instead. I want to make sure everything is perfect for us. —Ichiji"

I smirked, shaking my head. “So, he actually decided against it.”

There was a brief moment of amusement at his decision to keep a little distance—for now, at least. But I knew better than to underestimate him.

With a sense of anticipation, I turned toward the closet, scanning through the various gowns until one dress caught my eye. A stunning long gold gown, its neckline plunging daringly low while hugging my curves with a perfect fit. The back was completely open, the shimmering fabric catching the light as I held it up to my body. Perfect.

I slipped into the dress, feeling the luxurious fabric glide against my skin. The transformation was instant—where I had been casual, now I felt like royalty, the dress emphasizing every dip and curve, accentuating my confidence. I spritzed a light vanilla-scented perfume, the sweet aroma swirling around me as I took one last look in the mirror.

My gaze flickered to the thigh halter tucked discreetly in the drawer. I reached for it, strapping it once more around my thigh, hidden beneath the layers of golden fabric. The small blade tucked inside shimmered with a faint white hue, barely visible, but there—waiting. A quiet promise of the power I carried with me, no matter where I went.

I returned to the bathroom, carefully applying my makeup. A soft touch of blush to highlight my cheeks, a few strokes of mascara to lift my lashes, and bold black eyeliner that framed my eyes with a sharp, sultry edge. I finished with a mauve lipstick, the color deepening my lips into a tempting shade. My hair, left wavy, cascaded effortlessly down my back, complementing the boldness of the dress.

Finally, I stepped into my black strappy heels, their height adding just enough to my presence. I glanced once more in the mirror, feeling the power that surged within me—not just from the dress or the blade, but from the certainty of who I was.

As I opened the door, I noticed a soldier standing outside, stiff and formal, his armor gleaming under the hallway lights. He looked like one of the chess piece soldiers from earlier, his expression unreadable beneath the visor.

“I am to escort you to the dining hall, Princess,” he said, his tone respectful yet robotic.

I gave him a nod, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips. "Lead the way."

With each step, the anticipation built within me, my heart racing as I prepared to face whatever awaited in that dining hall. After a few minutes, a soldier pointed toward the entrance, and I took a sharp left turn.

There stood Ichiji, clad in a tailored black suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and fit physique. A vibrant red tie hung perfectly against the crisp white of his shirt, and he held a bouquet of deep red roses in one hand. His red-tinted shades glimmered in the candlelight, casting a soft glow over his sharp features.

As I stepped into the room, my gold dress shimmered with each movement, the fabric hugging my curves and accentuating my figure. The moment Ichiji spotted me, the roses fell from his grasp, petals scattering like forgotten promises on the polished floor. His mouth hung open, his eyes wide with awe and an unmistakable lust that sent a thrill coursing through me.

“Y/N,” he breathed, the name escaping his lips like a prayer. There was a raw intensity in his gaze, a possessiveness that made my heart flutter with excitement and a hint of nervousness. I took a step closer, my body practically magnetized to his, as I enjoyed the way his expression shifted, filled with a mix of surprise and hunger.

Ichiji then stepped closer, drawing my body to his, and a small gasp escaped my lips. He smirked, his eyes darkening with mischief. “You have no idea what I want to do right now,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling my skin as he kissed my neck, sending waves of heat through me.

“W-Well,” I stammered, trying to keep my composure despite the thrill of his touch. “Maybe we should save that for after dinner, don’t you think?” I offered, my voice teasing but my heart racing.

“Dinner?” Ichiji echoed, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze unwavering. “You think I can focus on food when you’re standing there looking like that?”

“Come on, Ichiji! I’m sure the food is delicious, and we can’t let it go to waste,” I said playfully, tilting my head as I tried to gauge his reaction. I then began to walk toward the table, eyeing everything in place, from the elegantly folded napkins to the glimmering silverware. Ichiji followed closely behind, his presence a steady warmth at my back.

He escorted me to where we would be sitting, pulling my chair back with a flourish. I glided myself into the seat, feeling the soft fabric of the cushion beneath me. Ichiji settled into the chair next to me, a piece of furniture fit for a king, emphasizing his commanding presence.

A bottle of champagne was brought to the table, the cork popping with a satisfying sound, and our glasses were filled. “A toast… to a wonderful evening,” Ichiji said, raising his glass. I clinked mine against his and took a sip, savoring the crisp bubbles that danced on my tongue.

“You know, Ichiji, I was thinking…” I said, slowly trailing my hand toward his, allowing my fingers to linger against his skin. There was a possessive spark in his gaze as he watched me, a mix of hunger and want that sent shivers down my spine.

“What would it be like if it was just the two of us… with no interruptions?” I let that idea linger in the air between us, watching as his breath hitched at the suggestion.

“Suddenly, I don’t want dinner,” Ichiji replied, rising to his feet and stepping closer to me, the space between us evaporating. Our bodies were nearly touching, and I could feel the heat radiating off him. He pulled me closer, his lips brushing against mine as he lowered his voice, thick with desire. “I want dessert,” he said, before pressing his lips against mine.

With a playful glint in my eye, I subtly bit his lip, eliciting a low groan from him as he gripped me tighter. The shift in power was intoxicating—this time, I was the one in control. I pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes, relishing the mix of desire and confusion swirling within them.

“I think we should save that for after the wedding, don’t you?” I said, my voice dripping with mischief as I toyed with the collar of his shirt. “After all, you’ve gone through all this trouble for dinner. Why not enjoy it first and see how things unfold?”

His brow furrowed, trying to process my words while desire flickered in his gaze, making my heart race. “You can’t just dangle that in front of me and expect me to focus on food,” he replied, a playful challenge lacing his voice.

“Why not?” I shrugged, leaning back against the table, my demeanor relaxed and teasing. “A little anticipation never hurt anyone. Besides, think of it as an appetizer to the real feast we could have later.” I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “What’s life without a little bit of fun?”

Ichiji’s frustration was evident, but I could see him weighing my words. “You're impossible,” he said, though a smirk tugged at his lips, hinting at the thrill of the chase. I let go and began to make my way toward my chair, but Ichiji had other plans.

Before I could fully settle back, he swiftly pulled me to my feet, his hand finding its way to the small of my back. “You’re not getting away that easily,” he murmured, his voice low and tantalizing, almost a warning.

“Maybe I don’t want to get away,” I teased, gazing up at him with feigned innocence. “What are you going to do about it?”

Ichiji leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. “If you keep this up, I might just take you right here, right now. Think about how much fun we could have under this table instead of dining,” he whispered, his possessiveness unmistakable, and the promise of his words sent a thrill down my spine.

“Well, doesn’t that sound tempting?” I replied, smirking as I was about to sit in my chair, but before I could settle, Ichiji pulled me toward his seat. My legs sprawled on each side of him, and he held me, keeping me from falling.

“A chair fit for a king,” I teased, my body pressed against his as I tried to wiggle a little. Ichiji groaned softly, the sound sending a rush of heat through me. I wiggled again, and his response was another low groan, almost desperate.

“Princess… please,” he said, his voice thick with restraint.

“What’s wrong, Ichiji?” I teased, my hand going to grip his shoulder before trailing towards the back of his head, scratching gently. I loved how he reacted, the way his breath hitched at my touch.

In a sudden move, Ichiji gripped me with one arm, lifting me as he stood, and with a swift motion, he scattered the plates and glasses from the table, the sound of shattering glass echoing around us. He laid me down on the table, the cool surface contrasting with the heat radiating from his body. 

“Now, let’s see who’s in control here,” he said, his voice low and hungry as he leaned over me, his eyes darkening with desire. I could feel the power radiating from him, a magnetic force that drew me in even further. Ichiji pulled my legs closer to his waist, his warmth igniting a fire within me.

With a swift motion, he discarded his suit jacket and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing toned skin beneath. I couldn’t help but admire the sight, my heart racing with anticipation. In a teasing move, I pulled on his red tie, bringing him close to me as I captured his lips in a passionate kiss.

Our mouths moved in perfect harmony, the taste of him intoxicating as I continued to discard his dress shirt, tossing it aside without a second thought. I moaned into the kiss, the sensation heightening as his hands roamed my body, igniting every nerve ending with his touch. Despite the overwhelming pleasure, a small voice in the back of my mind screamed to get a hold of myself, but the heat of the moment was too intoxicating to resist.

Ichiji suddenly pulled away for a moment, his breath heavy and labored, as he deftly undid his tie. My heart raced with curiosity, watching as he expertly tied my wrists together with it, the fabric warm against my skin, adding an unexpected thrill to the moment.

“What are you planning?” I asked, my voice a mix of eagerness and challenge, my pulse quickening as he held my wrists firmly.

Ichiji smirked, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “Just a little fun, princess. Let’s see how you handle being at my mercy,” he replied, his voice smooth as silk, sending a shiver down my spine. 

Before I could respond, Ichiji silenced me with a kiss, capturing my lips with a fervor that left me breathless. His grip was possessive as he held my hands above my head, the tie he had used a tangible reminder of his control over me. I felt his other hand slip down, gripping one of my legs and pulling it toward his waist, the heat of his body igniting a fire within me as he began to trail kisses down my neck.

Each soft touch sent sparks racing through my veins, building an intensity that made my heart race. Once he found my sweet spot, I couldn’t help but moan loudly, the sound escaping my lips before I could stop it. “Fuck, Ichiji,” I gasped, arching my back, surrendering to the sensations flooding my body. His hand tightened around my thigh, anchoring me in place as he continued to worship my neck with his lips, his breath hot against my skin.

“Just like that, princess,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with a primal hunger. “Let me hear you.” The way he spoke, so full of confidence and desire, only fueled my arousal further, making me crave more of him.

Suddenly, he pulled back slightly, his gaze mischievous as he reached for a tray sitting nearby. His fingers wrapped around an ice cube, and I watched, intrigued, as he brought it close. The cold glimmering against the dim light only heightened my anticipation. He traced the ice cube along my collarbone, the chill contrasting sharply with the heat radiating from his body.

I shivered at the sensation, the icy touch sending a jolt through me that was both thrilling and tantalizing. “What are you doing?” I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as the ice moved down my skin, leaving a trail of cold that made me ache for his warmth.

Ichiji smirked, his eyes darkening with intent as he continued to glide the ice cube across my skin. “Just making sure you remember who you belong to,” he replied, his voice smooth and dripping with desire. My hands were still tied, one of Ichiji’s hands holding me in place, the other tracing a path down my body.

Then, with a teasing flick of his wrist, he slid the ice cube inside my dress, resting it directly on my breast. The shock of the cold against my skin made me gasp as the cold began to seep through the fabric of my gold dress, a stark contrast to the warmth of his body so close to mine.

Ichiji’s eyes locked onto mine, a playful challenge glimmering in their depths. “Let’s see how long you can handle this,” he murmured, lowering his head to lick a trail along my collarbone, his tongue warm and inviting against the chill of the ice. Each sweep sent waves of sensation rippling through me, contrasting with the cold, igniting a fire that made me squirm against him.

His mouth moved lower, trailing kisses down the side of my breast where the ice rested, and the sensation was exquisite, pushing me closer to the edge of my desire. I arched my back, chasing the feeling as his lips met the damp fabric of my dress, teasingly pressing against me.

“Are you enjoying this, princess?” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin, a stark contrast to the ice. I could barely form a response, lost in the sensations flooding my body. My heart raced as the combination of heat and cold heightened my every nerve.

“Yes, Ichiji,” I finally managed to gasp, my voice breathless. “More… please.”

He chuckled, a low, deep sound that vibrated through me, and I could see the pleasure in his eyes at my surrender. With a wicked grin, he took the ice cube from my dress, his fingers brushing against my skin, and brought it back to my lips, his gaze daring me to take it. I opened my mouth instinctively, and he pressed the ice against my tongue, a rush of cold flooding my senses as he leaned in closer, claiming my lips once again.

Ichiji darkly laughed, his lips brushing against mine once more. “Now, about dessert…” he murmured, his body pinning me down on the table, creating an intoxicating mix of heat and urgency. I felt the weight of his body pressing against me, my leg hoisted around his waist, and the undeniable pressure of him against me sent my heart racing.

Just as I was losing myself in the moment, a familiar voice cut through the air like a knife. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Yonji’s teasing tone echoed in the dining hall as he strolled in, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.Ichiji's expression darkened immediately, his body tensing as he turned to face Yonji, his posture protective, yet filled with a simmering anger. "Get out," Ichiji snapped, his voice low and firm, but his eyes were cold with a warning.

Yonji raised an eyebrow, the mischievous glint in his eyes only growing brighter as he took in the sight before him. "Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, "Seems like my brother's been busy. I never thought I'd see the day when Ichiji gets so cozy with his bride-to-be." He paused, his grin widening as he took a slow step forward. "This certainly changes the dynamics, doesn’t it?"

My heart raced, the realization of the position we were in hitting me all at once. Ichiji’s tie still loosely held my wrist, my leg wrapped around him in an undeniably intimate way. I could feel the heat in my cheeks, mortified at being caught in such a vulnerable moment.

I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly, trying to ease the tension, though it only seemed to add fuel to the fire. "Well, this is something," I muttered, glancing up at Ichiji, who was already glaring at his younger brother. I could practically feel the waves of frustration radiating from him.

Ichiji’s grip on me tightened, and he stood up, lifting me gently, his eyes locked onto Yonji’s. "This isn’t your concern," Ichiji growled, his voice sharp as he moved to put space between us, trying to shield me from Yonji's relentless teasing.

“Aw, come on,” Yonji continued, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Can’t a brother just check in on his sibling? I thought you were supposed to be charming her with your romantic dinner, not getting all handsy.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension dissipating as Ichiji shot Yonji a warning look, his possessiveness bubbling beneath the surface. “Why don’t you mind your own business?” he retorted, but I could see the flush creeping up his cheeks, a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment.

“Fine, fine,” Yonji said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Just remember, you’re both still on the clock. The wedding’s tomorrow, after all.”

His words hung in the air, reminding me of the very reason we were in this elaborate chateau in the first place. This was my perfect excuse to make my exit. I smiled sweetly at Ichiji, relishing the way his expression shifted from desire to annoyance. “Well, it seems I should head back to my room before I cause too much trouble. I’m sure I’ll see you later tonight… or should we switch roles, and I meet you in your room?” I teased, knowing full well I planned to snoop around this chateau later.

Ichiji’s eyes darkened with possessiveness at the suggestion, a hint of frustration in his voice as he replied, “You don’t have to leave just because he showed up. I—”

“Don’t worry, Ichiji,” I interrupted, biting my lip to suppress a smile. “I’ll come back. I’m just… ensuring that I’m not caught causing any more scandal.”

“Oh, I see how it is,” Yonji chimed in, his grin widening. “You’re just going to leave him hanging like this? How cruel, Y/N. I’d say you’re breaking his poor little heart.”

“Shut up, Yonji!” Ichiji growled, his grip tightening on my waist, the possessiveness radiating from him as if he were silently claiming me all over again.

“Maybe I’ll tell the whole family about this little rendezvous,” Yonji teased, clearly enjoying his brother's discomfort. “Imagine the scandal at the wedding if they found out their charming groom couldn’t keep his hands to himself!”

“Try it, and I’ll make sure you regret it,” Ichiji shot back, but there was a playful glint in his eyes that suggested he wasn’t truly angry.

I stood up, the tension in the air shifting as I adjusted my dress and let the tie fall from my wrists, relishing the lingering sensation of Ichiji’s touch. “Guess I’ll see you both later,” I said, throwing a wink at Ichiji that promised more to come.

As I turned to leave, I heard Ichiji’s voice behind me, low and intense. “Don’t think for a second that I’ll forget this, Y/N.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied, a thrill racing through me as I walked away, the anticipation of what was to come leaving me breathless. But I was already gliding past Yonji, a playful smirk on my lips as I exited the dining hall, leaving the brothers to their bickering. The night was still young, and I had my own plans set in motion.

[skullsgrowontrees]

ARCANE SEASON 2 SPOILERS!!

.

I have a lot to say.

1) Oh my gosh, I did NOT expect Sky to hahnt the narrative like this. I'm so happy they're using her for this, I was getting bored of people saying she was a wasted character when it was obvious they were setting up something. I also wanna add (which is a little bit of a tangent but wtv) that this, to me does not confirm that Viktor had a romantic interest for Sky necessarily, but to me it shows that he did CARE about her a lot. I was getting a little upset at discussions saying that Viktor simply never cared for Sky and she only mattered when she died, since it made Viktor realize his effects on other people. She had way more of an impact on him than this (obviously, they've known each other since childhood). I don't believe he ever saw her romantically tho. Probably just go a lot more attached upon reading the confession she had written for him. Nevertheless, I am sooooo enjoying this sort of messiah persona their giving him (it lines up well with what we know of him in the games).

2) A part of me is a little sad that a Mel wasn't the one who died. Not because I hate her character, in fact, I find her to be very interesting (The stuff with her mom is ALWAYS so visceral to me???). I just think that it would have had a lot more of an impact on Jayce and probably given her mom more of a reason to be here. It also would have given the start of the season more emotional weight. Sure, I'm sad that Caitlin's mom died and I'm happy this is being used as a drive for her, but it just didn't hit me as hard as it could have. I have some thoughts on it is all.

3) Does anybody else find it kind of jarring how many musical moments there are? It's not that I dislike them or anything, but I liked that there were less of them in the first season so it felt fresh and unique to the scenes when there were. In the first episodes, I can already count like a good 3-4 of them. Just thought it was a strange decision.

4) Gosh, I am loving some of the new character's and their designs. I hope we see more of them. They look really good. In general, the show is just as, if not MORE aesthetically pleasing than in season 1. Everybody and everything just looks really nice and I'm happy that's something that wasn't slept on.

5) I really like the Sevika/Jinx alliance! OH, THAT AND THE LITTLE KID! I love the idea of putting Jinx in a sort of protector role after having every older figure in her life promise to keep her safe just to fail at it. At first, I thought it might not fit her, but I think it's a good decision.

6) Jayce and Viktor breakup part 2... Omfg, these two. THE HUG SCENE. IT'S SO... INTIMATE. The way Viktor was caressing Jayce's back, it's like the other was precious. I felt like I was interrupting something like HELLO??? "It was affection that held us together."

...IT WAS AFFECTION THAT HELD US TOGETHER. SAY FUCKING SIKE RN. I DID NOT WAIT THIS LONG FOR YOU TOO TO TENDERLY EMBRACE AGAIN JUST FOR YOU TO THROW THIS SHIT AT ME. OML. They make me sick. They make me ILL.

7) Vi is having the police effect rn (The oppressed becomes the oppressor). It was to be expected since yk, the games, but like I hate seeing it in real time. I hate seeing how little fights for it not to happen.

8) The Vi x Caitlyn stuff is real cute, but I'd be lying if I said I found the Caitlyn stuff to be very interesting at the start... I'm sorry, but we have so many things to deal with rn, how are we spending this much time over the poor girl's dead mother. It was just uninteresting to me, but it was a vehicle for the fun stuff to start, so I can't really be mad.

9) Seeing how the underground functions now that Silko is dead has been a lingering question of mine for a while and I'm happy that it was answered!

10) I was so worried the second intro wouldn't be as good and was even kinda wondering if they would just go for the same one, but I LOVE the vibes and tones set for the second! It doesn't beat the first, since that's almost an impossible task, but it's a fun treat and I am also not skipping that one when I watch an episode from now on.

11) And of course, the most important thing; EKKO LOOKS SO FUCKING FINE UGHHHHH HE FINALLY GETS MORE SCREEN TIMEEEEE!!!

LORD, HAVE MERCY.

Oh, and the Heimerdinger stuff with him is also cool ig.

[underground-secret]

The Hunter and the Witch ~ Dean Winchester x fem! reader

Description: It’s a prologue of our girl Y/N, you’re six at the time of this prologue.

Content warning: arguing

word count: 817 (it’s short cause it’s a prologue and also i didn’t want the next part be to long)

18 years ago…

“We can’t keep moving them around! They can’t live like this!” I heard mom argue as me and my older brother watched through the cracked door.

“Well there’s something wrong with your daughter. If she hadn’t killed half of the town's corn field we wouldn’t be in this mess” My dad yelled, venom sharp on his tongue. I shrunk into myself, ashamed of what he brought up even though it was an accident and I didn’t mean to do anything.

“You know it was an accident! Neither of us thought she would be this strong at a young age, she doesn't know how to control her abilities yet. And she’s your daughter too!” mom snapped back.

“Well because of her accident we have to leave! Now go I'm tired of this arguing you have to start teaching her she can’t do this again” dad responded huffing. Me and my brother ran off back to our bedrooms where we were supposed to be in the first place.

I jump into bed, the covers whooshing as I scurry underneath them, my moms footsteps sounding just outside my door. She enters my room, the wooden floor creaking beneath her, a warm smile on her face despite the fact she was arguing just moments ago.

“My restless girl” she spoke sweetly, seeing me still awake and sitting up in bed. She sat on the edge of my bed running a soothing hand in my hair as she asked “How ‘bout I tell you a story?”

I nodded my head vigorously in response.

She laughed softly, everything with her was always soft. When I grow up I want to be like her.

She motioned for me to lay down, I complied as she began her story.

“Once upon a time there was a young witch, she was pretty and kind. But her family was mean and everything that people believed witches to be, wicked. She knew she never wanted to be like them for she was good and never did a single wicked thing. And one day, many years later, her family decided to do something that was so horrible that it would hurt everyone in town.

So when she met this charming man called a hunter who came to stop her family she agreed to help. She loved her family of course but she couldn’t allow them to do anything bad to the town she loved. Her and this hunter didn’t get along at first, for hunters took down monsters and they never figured that a witch of all things could be good. But even through their fighting they knew they had to trust each other, but once the job was completed they found they didn’t want to leave each other.

So they went on the road together and eventually settled down and had two kids of their own who they promised would always remain good.”

When my mom finished the story I knew it was about her and dad and I was already given the story of hunters and monsters, I knew monsters were real and I knew I was one of them. But even so I still asked her “Do people still hate us?, do they hate me?”

I knew my mom was a witch, that I'm a witch, that we had to be careful around hunters, and that other hunters didn’t like dad much because he fell in love with a witch.

“Oh sweetheart…hunte- people have a hard time seeing things differently when they’ve only known it to be one way. So they don’t understand that we’re good, but that’s okay! because that just means we have to be extra nice!” she explained.

“I didn’t mean to hurt the corn” I responded with my lip quivering, feeling bad for what I did.

“I know baby, me and you are gonna do some learning. How does that sound?” she asked before scrunching her nose and leaning down to tickle me.

My laughs danced around the room and I knew that everything would be okay.

I believed that notion even when I heard dad say the following day, “I know someone in Kansas he’ll help.”

I continued to believe it when everything we owned was placed in a truck headed to somewhere foreign, when we arrived and unpacked, when we met the guy my dad was talking about. And even when he looked at my mom and I with little trust.

But mom was right.

Everything was okay, because after a couple of months of worrying about the Winchesters, our ‘neighbors’ who lived on the other side of town, aka the guy my dad knew, they finally trusted us and I had become good friends with his two sons Sam and Dean.

As I grew older I learned how to hone my abilities and on my moms death bed I promised her I'd be a good witch just like her.

[silverynight]

Malewife

Tanjirou finds himself in the swordsmith village with Kanroji at his side again; they're having dinner and the love hashira hasn't stopped staring at him for a while. Her scent is very sweet so Tanjirou knows she's happy, but he's not sure why she keeps looking at him. Then he wonders if it's because Tanjirou is eating; maybe she's still hungry.

He's about to offer some of his food when she sighs dreamily and her smile becomes even wider when she notices Nezuko asleep over Tanjirou's lap.

"You're very good with kids."

"Well, I had a lot of siblings and I used to take care of them," he mumbles, trying not to think about it too much otherwise he knows he'll start missing them again.

Kanroji gets closer to him and, being careful not to wake Nezuko up, she puts her arms around Tanjirou's waist, surprising him for a moment. Then she starts speaking again with her head over Tanjirou's shoulder.

"You know what?" She whispers with a very pleased smile on her face; she has a slight blush on her cheeks. "I've changed my mind."

"About what?" Tanjirou asks, feeling himself blush as Kanroji nuzzles against his cheek.

"It doesn't matter if my husband is not stronger than me," she begins, giggling shyly. "I can be strong for the both of us!"

"What matters is that you love each other," Tanjirou agrees, thinking about his own parents and how happy they were together.

"Exactly!" She says, looking very pleased with his response, nuzzling against him again.

She sure is a very affectionate person.

"And listen... Let's say he's a slayer, but he's not a hashira. If he wanted, he could stay at home taking care of his lovely little sister and I'd keep fighting demons for the both of us. But only if he wants to; we can also go on missions together."

That's very specific... But Tanjirou is just happy for her, she looks very excited about it, even though she's just imagining the whole thing. He really hopes she finds someone like that soon.

"You should discuss it together in order to do whatever makes you two the happiest," Tanjirou adds, making her squeal in delight.

"Yes! Maybe he can make dinner for me..." The love hashira grins, pressing a shy kiss against Tanjirou's cheek, prompting him to turn red in seconds. "Do you know how to cook, Tanjirou?"

He's honestly getting confused about where the conversation is heading.

"Yes, I used to help my mom. She had a lot of things to do in the house so I volunteered to make dinner and breakfast quite often because we were a lot of kids," Tanjirou smiles fondly at all the memories that suddenly fill his head.

"Would you like to have kids?"

"Yes," Tanjirou says immediately. "But only if my partner also wants to. What about you, Kanroji-san?"

"Absolutely," she giggles, giving him another kiss on the cheek. "Would you like to get married?"

"Of course... Eventually, I mean."

Kanroji pouts for a moment before she shakes her head and smiles again.

"Well, I suppose you're right. Having a couple of dates before choosing a perfect day for the wedding is important... Although given our job sometimes we need to rush certain things."

Tanjirou is confused again, but at least he understands the need to enjoy life because they don't know if their next mission is going to be their last.

"Listen, once you're done here," she says, turning completely red but looking very excited. "Why don't you come to my estate? I'll send you my crow to guide you."

"Sure!" Tanjirou nods immediately, earning another kiss on the cheek.

"Great! And we can have dinner!" She says, finally getting up. "You'll love it, I promise!"

"I'm sure I will." He smiles back, wondering if she's planning to help him train.

Although he suddenly has the feeling that there's something he's missing.

***

Patreon

[marymary-diva17]

Our family

Tsu'tey x Jake x neytiri x daughter reader + sully kids

Jake and his mates had found some happiness in their lives after the war, but they soon found more happiness when they added children into their lives. Once they become parents everything had changed for them as they were not responsible for children of their own, and now they will be dealing with a whole new world. The children will represent two worlds one of navi and the other of human, more others then the rest. There was something that all three parents could agree that their family is a fortress, and they will do anything to keep their kids safe from harm. There were some stuff that couldn't keep their kids safe form in life.

y/n " morning everyone" you soon walked into the common area of the family home.

neytiri " my beautiful daughter"

y/n " hey mom"

kiri " hey sis I was able to fix the rest of your bracelet for you" you soon sat near your sister and smile towards her.

y/n " thank you so much sis" kiri soon place the bracelet bakc on your wrist making you smile.

y/n " it so beautiful"

neytiri " it good to see you kids getting alone at time verse fighting"

tuk " hello" tuk soon came into the room with a bright smile on her face and holding her toruk makto wood craven toy.

y/n " hello tuk tuk"

tuk " where are daddies mommy"

neytiri " your dads will be home soon they had gone out for a bit"

????? " good morning mother and sisters" soon neteyam had come into to the room, soon to be followed by lo'ak as well.

neytiri " good morning my sons now come sit down and eat some breakfast" all the children were soon sitting down for breakfast as neytiri was not handing out bowls of breakfast.

y/n " thank you for the meal mom it smells delicious and tastes wonderful"

neytiri " you are welcome my daughter"

???? " good morning my children" soon Jake had stepped into the house placing his bow away, as he was soon followed by tsu'tey who did the same as him.

y/n " good morning dad and father"

tsu'tey " good morning my wonderful family"

neteyam " good morning fathers"

tuk " daddies and mama can you come with us to the river today it will be fun"

Jake sorry sweetie we can't we are busy with our responsibilities that we most attend to"

tuk " oww"

y/n " it will be okay tuk we can go get spider and soon we all can head to the river or elsewhere for some fun"

neytiri " stay within the clan territories we don't need anyone wonder off and getting hurt"

the kids " yes mom"

tsu'tey " be home before night fall or eclipse we don't need any of you and spider being out there alone, as it not safe"

neteyam " but father I can keep everyone safe I'm a warrior like all three of you"

Jake " yes are still a kid my son you will be given more responsibility when you are older"

lo'ak " haha you are still a baby mode like us bro"

neteyam " oh hus and stop acting like a child"

neytiri " no fighting during meal times" the boys soon stopped their fighting but you and kiri were shaking your heads, at your brothers behavior they could act mature at times but act very immature as well.

tuk " come one let go"

kiri " slow down tuk we have to wait for spider to come"

???? " someone say my name"

y/n " hey spider"

spider " hey girls and bros"

lo'ak " dude you ar getting a hang of the avatar body right" spider was given his own avatar body a few days ago, and was enjoying everything right now"

spider " yeah it amazing"

norm " going out kids"

neteyam " yes we are"

norm " well have fun kids and remember to be home before night fall spider"

spider " yes dad I promise"

tsu'tey " same goes for all of you home before night and on time for dinner"

sully kids " yes dad"

neytiri " all of you can go now have fun" the children soon smiled as they took off running together soon leaving the village, at the same time as other kids and teens were leaving as well.

Jake " they are growing up fast"

norm " yes they are growing up fast one day they were small and ow they are leaving on their own"

tsu'tey " they are becoming their own navi or person as they are, becoming older"

neytiri " they are growing up to fast"

Jake " they will always be our kids even when they are older and adults that will never change" soon enough the kids were out of view of their parents, even due the children were growing up it still hurt their parents to see their kids growing up.

Tuk " guys wait up you are all to fast for me"

y/n " come on tuk take my hand" tuk soon smiled towards you and grabbed you hands as you two ran together, jumping or skipping over stuff.

kiri " go monkey boy" spider was racing lo'ak and neteyam it had become a competition between the three boys. You are laughing at the whole situation it a wonderful day out.

tuk " big brothers and spider are so amazing" The group was enjoying their day, as they were walking the the forest they soon came by an old helicopter.

spider " wow these were ones that were used in the great battle"

lo'ak " wow"

y/n " I don't think it stable for any of us to go near"

neteyam " many of these things went down during the battle, and some of them are still laying around"

tuk " wow they are so scary looking"

spider " don't worry tuk we will keep you safe from any harm"

kiri " it seems like the forest has stated to cover up what has happen here"

y/n " it beautiful but ever sad" your siblings were gather under the the helicopter looking at it, as you stood in the same spot. it seems like it has been here for years and had been getting old over the years.

tuk " I wonder if anything in there"

lo'ak " don't be a fool tuk there nothing in there"

tuk " how can you tell lo'ak you are down here with us you can't see all the way up there"

y/n " well maybe you both are right there can be something in there or not" everyone was looking trying to see if there was something left in the helicopter.

spider " I wish to we could climb up there and see more"

lo'ak " yes that will be amazing" soon the sound of something snapping had gotten everyone attention, soon everyone could see the vines and branch holding the helicopter giving away.

y/n " run" soon everyone had start taking off into opposite directions away from the helicopter.

tuk " ahhh my foot stuck" tuk had her foot stuck you were the only one close to her, you soon ran to your baby sister aid.

y/n " there you go now we have ... oh no tuk" the helicopter came crashing down on your and tuk landing and it side, sliding a bit close to end edge.

lo'ak " y/n and tuk are you two okay"

y/n " we are fine tuk you need to climb out now"

tuk " no what about you"

y/n " I will follow after we need to leave there is to much weight here, and it will not be safe climb over this now and I will follow" you soon pushed tuk up and lo'ak and spider grabbed her.

kiri " sister now your turn"

y/n " okay" you were trying to move when all the weight had fallen towards the side over the edge, before you could even clim out the whole helicopter soon had tipped over the edge.

everyone " y/n" your scream had been heard as you had fallen down with the helicopter, lucky enough or by the blessing of yew you had grabbed onto a vine. it was not that much lucky as your body had slammed into the stone wall, and you soon fall the rest way down landing on cliff that caught you.

lo'ak " y/n ... y/n answer me"

neteyam " I don't think she can hear us brother she might be knocked out cold"

tuk " no y/n"

kiri " we have tp get down there for her we can't leave her like that"

neteyam " we have to call dad and tell him what happened"

lo'ak " what do you do about y/n"

kiri " we have to make sure nothing moves her until the grown up gets here"

neteyam " income devil dog we have a issues"

Jake " what the issue"

neteyam " y/n fall off a cliff and landed horrible we were looking at... an helicopter and it came crashing down she race to protect tuk ... but ended up getting hurt" dead silence had been heard as no one was speaking over the link.

Jake " we will be there shortly keep an eye on your sister, and make sure nothing else bad happens" the convention was soon ended as the kids kept on close eye on you, as you laid there not moving at all.

kiri " we can tie these vines together so someone can lower themselves, down to where y/n is and we can use the others to bring her back up"

lo'ak " I will find some long enough wood so she can lay down on, dad taught me this one day it will be good to help if she badly hurt"

tuk " what can I do"

lo'ak " you can watch out for our parents and the others"

spider " I will stay with neyteyam over here and make sure nothing comes near y/n, along with helping kiri" the kids soon spilt up and went to their own way of helping.

tuk " i see them I see mama and dadas" the kids soon looked up to see their parents coming towards them followed by a helicopter as well. Neytiri was the first one to land she didnt wait for her mates ot anyone as she rushes towards the screen.

neytiri " y/n" she screamed out her daughter name looking for her but only see her kids and spider.

tuk " she over there mama" tuk pointed to where neteyam was standing, neytiri raced there to look down and see her daughter laying there.

neytiri " no please no"

neteyam " mom wait it not safe yet that win broke for y/n when, she tied to use it"

tsu'tey " has she moved at all"

neteyam " no I think she she broke her fall on the cliff or when she crashed into this wall she, might of knocked herself out"

Jake " are any of your kids hurt"

tuk " no dada is y/n okay I need her to be okay"

norm " we have to get down there and check on her"

lo'ak " we made these will this help" the adults were looking at makeshift rescue equipment the kids had made.

Jake " yes it will"

max "these ropes can be used to lower yourself down, and we can placed her on this wood to stabilize her"

Jake " I and tsu'tey will go"

neytiri " no I will go she mu daughter"

tsu'tey " neytiri we need you to stay her and make sure nothing hurt her, you are the best shot if any harm comes we will need you to take it down"

neytiri " yes" the two fathers had soon used the ropes to lower themselves onto the cliff where you are laying, with the help of the three boys.

Jake " sweetie" Jake and tsu'tey soon raced to your aid as you are laying on the

y/n " d...dad..."

tsu'tey " it okay daughter we are here"

y/n " f....father"

Jake " we are here and your mom is with your siblings waiting, it going to be okay"

y/n " o.... okay"

tsu'tey " can you feel your toes and legs"

y/n " y... yes my head hurts" Jake and tsu'tey sighed with relief knowing you are okay, soon Jake had picked you up looking at you.

tsu'tey " we are going to get you home so your grandmother and the others can look over you"

y/n " o...okay"

max " Jake tie there to her and we will left her up" Jake had tied the rope around you and soon pulled your back up, you couldn't even touch the ground when neytiri had taken you into her arms. soon laying you down the ground.

neytiri " mu daughter my sweet daughter"

lo'ak " m..mom"

norm " we have to get her home" nothing else was said as you were soon take home, and once the family reached home tree mo'at and the healers had came with the scientists. They soon took you and attend to your injuries, soon taking you home and laying you down to rest.

mo'at " she will need to rest after what she had been through"

healer " she is very lucky"

neytiri " my sweet daughter you did something brave today"

tuk " grandma when will she wake up"

mo'at " when she has gotten her rest my child she will be okay but need rest"

lo'ak " I'm sorry dads and mom I should of not taken us there"

Jake " son listen it not your fault"

tsu'tey " none of you are the blame it was bad lucky"

????? " next time we have a day off I say we should go somewhere, we been before and no where near helicopters" everyone soon looked to see you are awake and talking. You didn't given get a chance to say anything before your sibling and spider hugged you.

tuk " we are sorry happy you are okay"

y/n " happy to be okay" Neytiri held you close to her and was so happy to see that you are fine.

Neytiri “ don’t ever scare me like that again”

y/n “ yes mom I promise”

moat “ you will need to rest and take of days for a couple days my granddaughter until, you are fully healed”

y/n “ yes ma'am” moat and everyone else soo left only the family to have time together, your guys parents made sure you are okay and were taking it easy. After they day all children were forbidden from going near the areas of the helicopters, that were left from the war. It will take you a couple days until you were fully healed and were able to go back to your normal life, but it will take a longer time until neytiri allowed any of children to go that far from home tree after what happened. Soon the parents had let their children to go back to their lives, knowing that their family will always be their family no matter what happens.