#and i was correct about that from my end; but hopefully it was a fun post for you to read as well :)

[accirax]

Revisiting My Original DRDT Death Predictions

If you haven't been following what's going on over at @av-multifangan, Venus and I have been posting one of our fangans, Danganronpa: One Shot. Hooray! But, more relevantly to this post, we also posted the rules to a game that we've been playing for a long time-- a game through which you can score your performance at guessing how a fangan's kill order will go after viewing only its prologue.

Said old game was also invoked when we began watching DRDT, so I thought it would be a fun trip down memory lane to see what my genuine initial predictions for the entire killing game were after viewing just a little over an hour of Despair Time content.

While all of us non-cast-and-crew members obviously don't know the entire kill order at this point, I can rest assured that these predictions, well... ain't it. But, that's part of the point! To prove that even the creators of this predictions game can be terrible at it, and that there's no shame in making a guess and then changing your mind!

... Oh boy.

SPOILERS for DRDT through the end of Chapter 2, and IMPLIED SPOILERS for SDR2 and v3!

Well, no use in dilly-dallying. Here's my predictions sheet:

(god damn why is the quality so bad--)

If you haven't read the rules of our game, I'll quickly summarize them here. You have to predict the killing game using the most standard formula: one Chapter 1 victim and killer, one Chapter 2 victim and killer, double kill in Chapter 3 with one killer, one Chapter 4 victim and killer, one Chapter 5 victim and killer, and four survivors with a "surviving" (until Chapter 6) mastermind. These roles are listed out in rainbow order (Chapter 1 death = red, Chapter 6 = purple), and victims are marked with an X while killers are circled. The survivors are circled in purple, with a cyan star on the suspected mastermind.

At the end of the game, you gain points based on how far off you were, such that a low score is good. It's +2 points for getting the role wrong (victim vs killer/mastermind vs survivor), with an additional +1 point per chapter for how far you are off from the characters' last.

Although the quality is low, hopefully you can figure out what I predicted using those instructions-- or the image ID, if it's still too tricky. And, of course, I'm going to go through all of my choices below, starting with

XANDER in the role of CHAPTER 1 VICTIM

"Accirax," you may ask. "Why are you acting so doomed about your predictions when you literally got 1/4 of the confirmed deaths correct?" Unfortunately, my friend, I was already spoiled about Xander's death before I started watching DRDT. I'm very grateful that I had no idea about the circumstances of Xander's death (AKA, him stabbing Teruko) going in. But, I think I'd seen some thumbnail somewhere of Xander's BDA and knew he was a goner.

Hence, this was a free 0 pointer for me. I'm not that cool.

ARTURO in the role of CHAPTER 1 KILLER

Now, why I thought Arturo of all people would be the one to kill Xander is beyond me. I think my rationale was that, at the time, Arturo was giving me early death vibes, and this was the only spot I could put him in?*

This is one of the predictions that I know is wrong, because the Chapter 1 killer spot has already elapsed. The best I could do now points-wise is if Arturo is the Chapter 3 killer (I'd get +2 points for being two chapters off), which is definitely still feasible! Still, I wonder now if Arturo's vibe is too obvious for being a killer, and if he would ever be willing to put ~Julia Rosales'~ life in jeopardy by attempting to escape. J certainly isn't doing herself any favors with that Felicity reveal, at least.

ROSE in the role of CHAPTER 2 VICTIM

*This is where things get... a little complicated. As I already said, I had been spoiled to the fact that Xander was the Chapter 1 victim. However... I also thought I had been spoiled to the "fact" that Rose was the Chapter 2 victim?

I really don't know how this happened. I have a distinct memory of seeing a Tumblr post containing something that sort of looked like what I imagine an Ultimate Art Forger Lab could look like(?) talking about how the characters needed to investigate to figure out who killed the Ultimate it belonged to. I thought I remembered seeing Rose's face, but this was before I had ever watched any DRDT content. So, it's possible I had the wrong fangan, or accidentally stumbled into someone's AU.

It was pretty funny looking back on my Chapter 2 viewing experience, though. When Teruko got Rose's secret, I was like, "oh, it totally makes sense that DRDTdev would give Teruko Rose's secret as a natural way to hear about Rose's backstory before she dies. Clever." And then we got to the day of the motive reveal, and Rose is there, and David says that Arei of all people is missing, and my jaw dropped. "Spoilers," indeed.

It sucked for me at the time of making this sheet, though, because Rose was, like, the only woman I got survivor vibes from (other than Teruko). But, I thought I couldn't mark her as such! Of course, Rose could be a Chapter 3 victim for all I know, meaning that being "forced" to put her in this spot could actually be good for my predictions. However, scoring 0 points on Rose is fully off the table now, which is a bummer.

DAVID in the role of CHAPTER 2 KILLER

"Why couldn't you have put Arturo as Chapter 2 killer--" I also thought I had been spoiled that David was the Chapter 2 killer. If I didn't make Arturo the first killer, the earliest I could have put him would be Chapter 3 victim, which is hardly early at all. And yes, I thought I'd been spoiled on three out of "four" of the canonical deaths when I originally watched the series. That's just my life (/lh).

At least this one is obvious to figure out why I thought it was the case. I started watching DRDT in May of 2023, about a month and a half after 2-11 dropped. Hence, I knew DRDT was on hiatus, but I was under the impression that it was a hiatus after Chapter 2 had finished. I'd also seen 2-11's thumbnail, recognized it as David, and (along with having spoilers about David's "true personality") concluded that David must be the Chapter 2 killer.

Live footage of me watching 2-11 for the first time:

"Ah, there he goes... Man, we're gonna have to wrap this murder up quick, huh? I guess that's why he's admitting to it... Haha, 'Teruko, we fucked up'... WAIT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S A HIATUS ON AN UNSOLVED MURDER?!"

I decided quickly afterwards that I no longer believed that David would be the Chapter 2 killer.

Finally, we're done with roles that already happened/that I had "spoilers" for! You'd think that would automatically make them better (because most of them, at least, have not been disproven), but there are still plenty of things that contradict what I believe will happen now, at least.

LEVI and HU in the role of CHAPTER 3 VICTIMS

Relatively, though, this one isn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, these two aren't my leading candidates for Chapter 3 victims, but I'm not actively opposed to this happening.

The idea of Levi nearly evading dying at the end of Chapter 2 only to actually become a victim in Chapter 3 is a little puzzling, but still narratively on the table, imo. So much happens in a DRDT Chapter's worth of daily life that Levi could definitely still serve enough of a narrative purpose to justify his continued survival/eventual victimhood in that Chapter. Especially if that purpose had something to do with the fact that he was injured-- for instance, if it's important for an Arturo arc of learning that he actually enjoys taking care of others, or if the killer has to exploit Levi's injuries in order to have the strength necessary to take him out.

Meanwhile, I've long held the opinion that Hu will be a big character in the Chapter 3 Daily Life by virtue of not having done a whole lot in the Chapter 1 or 2 Daily Lives-- she definitely has content, but the majority of the important stuff occurs in the Chapter 2 Trial. Currently, I'm of the opinion that that spike of content wouldn't result in a same-Chapter death, but following in the footsteps of Xander and Arei, it definitely could. Same with Levi if he's a Chapter 3 focus, honestly.

J in the role of CHAPTER 3 KILLER

I really still want to believe that J will be a killer. Why? It's because, in my opinion, Ultimate Effects Artist is a talent that is totally optimized for being a blackened, whether it actually happens or not. You know why the idea of J and Arei swapping places was so popular? Because Ultimate Effects Artist is the kind of talent you give someone if you want to pull a trick like that off!

However, all of that "murder is despicable" talk is really cramping my style. Why would J ever become a blackened after opposing the idea of murder so openly?

(It'd be pretty funny if it was all an act so that people would use that as an argument to her credit down the road.)

It's possible she could have a crisis of faith/breaking point that would change her mind, but I doubt that would occur as quickly as Chapter 3. Or result in her killing two people. Sigh.

AREI in the role of CHAPTER 4 VICTIM and EDEN in the role of CHAPTER 4 KILLER

OKAY HEAR ME OUT BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME OF CALLING EDEN EVIL--

Chapter 4 is, oftentimes, the sacrifice chapter, right? It's a killer that makes everybody cry, because they'd never normally do something like this, but ultimately decided to kill in order to spare their friends and take the bullet themselves. I'm, like, 99% sure that's what I was imagining for Eden. Whatever the motive may be, Eden would be the small and scrawny sacrifice killer in sort of a reversal of the buff curse...

... taking out the mean bully girl that everybody hated as the victim, if she had to choose someone.

I'M SORRY I'M SORRY STOP HITTING ME WITH ROCKS-- (/j)

But yeah, I definitely remember predicting that part of the surprise of the case was that the small nerdy girl was able to take out the Ultimate athlete mean girl. I don't know how I managed to deduce that Eden and Arei would have an important relationship with one another after the prologue (in which they don't really talk at all, to my memory), yet managed to get it so horribly wrong. Predicting that Eden would kill Arei was just in my DNA, I guess, even if I originally envisioned it for a different chapter.

In the light of Ace being declared the Chapter 2 killer, this one is just embarrassingly wrong. Evidently, Eden would never stoop as low as to kill Arei. The good news for me, I suppose, is that Arei will only net me +2 points, as the role was correct (V=V) while the chapter was 2 off (4->2).

As for Eden being the Chapter 4 killer, that's not one of my top spots for her. If I had to pick, I'd probably guess either Chapter 3 victim (especially if paired with Charles Ch3 Victim, this could really knock the wind out of Teruko's sails if needed), Chapter 5 victim (allows her a long period in the story that isn't a survivor nor a killer), or just a survivor (and/or mastermind). If she were to be a killer, then maybe I'd predict Chapter 4 along the sacrifice angle? Not with Arei, though.

MIN in the role of CHAPTER 5 VICTIM

+6 points (5->1) (V->K) on Min is... not the greatest score. In fact, it's only one fewer than the general max possible character score of 7, reserved for Chapter 1 deaths mistaken as Survivors and vice versa.

I think my original prediction for Min was that she would not necessarily be Teruko's support character emotionally, but that she would be a useful aide when it came to solving the mysteries of the Class Trial. Then in Chapter 5, to force Teruko/the other innocent students to solve the high-stakes Trial on their own, she would have to disappear.

Looking back on it, I really enjoy how Teruko is far and away the best at solving the Class Trials in DRDT-- she would have already earned the title through her connections to, like, literally every character and theme in the story, but making her the principal mystery solver really hammers the idea that she should be the protagonist home. Having Min be on Team Spotless for even one Trial might have diminished that effect, so it makes sense that she became the first blackened. Girl was too powerful to live, smh.

WHIT in the role of CHAPTER 5 KILLER

Personally, I've always gotten the vibe that Whit is one of DRDTdev's Special Little Guys. Perhaps it was the way that he showed up in three character introductions-- Charles', Hu's, and his own-- that made me think he had Favorite Character Privileges. As such, even when (get ready for a truth bomb) I didn't really like Whit after watching the Prologue for the first time, I always thought he had late game energy.

(I don't know how much it really comes across from my blog, but I'm actually fairly critical of new series when I pick them up for the first time, unless I've heard many positive recommendations from friends/online personalities I admire. Other than the spoilers, I hadn't heard too much about DRDT before I started watching it, so, unaware of DRDTdev's writing skills, I was worried that Whit would essentially be a poor man's Kokichi. As someone who really likes Kokichi, that biased me against Whit. Then, of course, I actually watched the series and Whit won me over very quickly. And the rest is history :) )

I’m not really sure why I went killer over victim, other than the possible “I’m making Min the victim and therefore Whit has to be the killer.” Maybe it was that Kokichi-ness that made me think that he'd be the man behind the slaughter? ... Even if Kokichi wasn't actually the blackened in that case? It might've also been an effect of wanting him to be just that much closer to surviving, to fully break the hearts of everyone who was rooting for this Special Little Guy to survive.

Like, uh... me. Um. Well, I do genuinely currently think Whit will survive right now, so... I'm willing to take a +3 if that's true!

TERUKO in the role of MASTERMIND

Yeah, I predicted that Teruko would be the mastermind because I'm a basic bitch (/aff). Uh, I'm not being affectionate towards myself, to be clear. I'm only being affectionate to those who still hold the (fairly, I think) popular opinion that Teruko will be the mastermind of DRDT. She's a popular choice because there's a lot going for her! I still ranked her as third most likely back in my mastermind analysis!

Everyone who plays Venus' and my game is forced into the same default formula (to make comparative scoring easier), and that formula locks in the protagonist as a Chapter 6-er, because of how frequently that is the case. Even so, I feel fairly confident now that Teruko will survive until Chapter 6 anyways. The more times she says "I'm the Ultimate Lucky Student and I can't die" and then doesn't die, the weirder it would be if she suddenly did drop dead in, like, Chapter 4.

As for whether she actually is the mastermind... dude, I have no idea. Back at the time I wrote that post, I named J and Rose as my most likely candidates, but now J has gone on a whole anti-murder bend and I'm growing increasingly worried that Rose is going to be the Chapter 3 killer (probably unfounded, but still). That would leave Teruko as the most likely option, but Teruko's behavior at the end of Chapter 2 felt anti-mastermind coded to me, too, even if she forgot about it...!

We are not reviewing my mastermind theories here and now. Next!

CHARLES in the role of SURVIVOR

If you're a giant fucking nerd (/j), you might have noticed that I said I made my DRDT predictions after viewing "just a little bit over an hour of Despair Time content." However, the Prologue is under an hour. What gives?

Well, I... broke the rules of our game, actually. You're supposed to make your predictions sheet after viewing the Prologue only, but I went straight from watching the Prologue into Chapter 1 on the same day, and I forgot to make my sheet until watching Chapter 1 Episode 1. Sue me.

At any rate, I'm sure you can figure out how watching 1-1 would make me think that Charles would survive. Obviously, I knew that other characters beyond Charles would get focus in later episodes, but that still doesn't change the fact that DRDTdev chose to highlight Charles and Teruko's relationship as the first thing we saw in the first chapter of their story. Even without that extra content, though, he's also very reminiscent of Danganronpa's "Jerk" archetype, which survived in every canon DR game.

All that said... obviously, I don't think he's going to survive anymore.

I've been saying that Charles is a Chapter 3 victim-- at least since that analysis I just linked, even-- and I will probably continue to say it until proven false by the story itself. He is simply arcing too fast, and Whit needs to be confronted with that grief he prefers to ignore, no matter what his eventual placement is. We got one real Trial with Charles to prove what a smarty-pants he is, but now that he's pulled that "out of your element" card, he's off to break down into two or more simpler substances. AKA, decompose.

If he's not a Chapter 3 victim, though, Survivor is at least back on the table.

ACE in the role of SURVIVOR

Here we have it! Proof positive that I (falsely) believed that Ace would be a survivor all on my own, without taking into account anyone else's opinions! My incorrectness is mine and mine alone!!! (/j)

So, yeah. Funny coward man go brrrr and character arc into survival, except then he didn't. I have to imagine that's the basic premise behind why so many people believed that Ace would survive. I don't really have much to say about this choice beyond that.

I don't like that I'm already tanking another +6 points (S->K) (6->2) from Ace, though. Save me Xander-zero-point spoilers, you're my only hope.

VERONIKA in the role of SURVIVOR

Whaaaaaaaat was I cooking here?

I guess I kind of remember. I think I was imagining Veronika along the lines of a poor man's Sonia (like I said, critical) due to her more apologetic attitude towards rambling and presenting others with horror concepts in the Prologue. With my prediction that Whit would die in Chapter 5, I guess I might've also been thinking that Veronika could then fill in that "comic relief" void in his absence? I also had Ace there, though. Moot point; every DRDT character has the capacity to be hilarious.

There are a lot of places I could see Veronika landing in this killing game, but survivor really isn't one of them. I could see Veronika as a Chapter 3 victim or killer for The Vibes, Chapter 5 victim or killer if she takes on more of a main antagonist role, or Mastermind also for The Vibes. But survivor is just... odd. At least from this point in the story, what business does the "fangirling over acevi dying" girl have taking up one of those coveted survivor slots? Surely either someone would think to kill her or she would decide to kill before four more chapters elapse!

That being said, locking in Veronika as a late game character isn't terrible in my eyes. Being "barred" from making Rose a survivor, I remember that Veronika was the girl who I initially got the second most late game energy from. Those Chapter 5 or Mastermind scenarios won't score terribly here if they come to pass.

NICO in the role of SURVIVOR

I want to mention here that, despite my other spoilers, I did not know that Nico was nonbinary going into Despair Time. Therefore, I didn't make Nico a survivor under the premise of "I'll have two girls, two boys, and one enby survive!" I don't really remember why I did make Nico a survivor, though.

My best guess is that I put them there for cast composition purposes. From the Prologue, all of Charles, Ace, and Veronika are pretty over-the-top in their own ways: Charles is overly condescending, Ace is really loud, and Veronika is an exaggerated fangirl. Adding in a quieter character like Nico would have been a nice way balance to the others... or at least, so I thought with only the Prologue to go off of. Now I know that Ace and Nico surviving together was incredibly unlikely to be the case.

Speaking of Ace, now that he's dead (and therefore can't be a survivor), my opinions of whether Nico could survive have definitely gone up. However, I still don't think that Nico surviving is particularly likely.

There's definitely potential for redemptive survivors in DRDT with the "fighting your fate" theme they seem to be setting up. But, I think that's more likely to play out with someone who might have committed murder before the killing game (like Levi) or someone who did terrible things, but never went so far as to physically attempt another student's murder (like David), than someone who actually attacked someone else and nearly succeeded. For media in general, I think it's much easier for audiences to forgive something that happened off-screen and/or to characters that barely exist than something that we saw visible evidence of on a character who many people adore. Nico's attempted murder just seems like a big hurdle to overcome on their path to survival, dude.

That being said, I've written before that for both in-universe and meta reasons, I don't think we'll ever see Nico as a blackened, which already eliminates, like, half of my options moving forward. Logically, that would conclude that if I don't think that Nico will become a victim, then they're likely to survive. I do (currently) think that Nico will probably be a victim sometime in the future, even if I'm not certain in which chapter. For the sake of my score on Nico specifically, I guess I'm rooting for Chapter 5. I already know that they wouldn't be robbing Min of a perfect zero, at least.

And that's my tally so far, a total of 14 points out of a possible... well, I actually don't know what the highest possible score is, both because math is hard and because I don't know what bonus rules, if any, will come into play in DRDT's future. It's 14 points across 4 characters, which comes out to an average of 3.5 points per character.

Comparatively, most of our game sheets have come out somewhere in the high-30 to mid-40 points range (predicting is hard). Across 16 characters, means that it's usually an average of, like, 3 points per character. So, I'm doing worse than usual, but not by a whole lot...!

But, how well I do isn't what matters. The important thing is that I had fun while making it, and got to think about what patterns and possibilities can arise when you look at the basic facts of a character's simplified personality and talent in time with their role in the story!

So if you want to have fun making a predictions sheet like this of your own, you should totally go read Danganronpa: One Shot's Prologue (before Chapter 1 starts airing on Friday) over at @av-multifangan and fill out that game's prediction sheet. That would mean that this shameful shameless attempt at cross-promotion would have succeeded at one of its desired effects! Or, if that's not your cup of tea, you could also fill out a predictions sheet for DRDT moving forward, and just acknowledge that Xander, Min, Arei, and Ace were placed after the fact. Who knows, maybe I'll make a sheet like that too, so we can compare.

Thanks for walking down memory lane with me, and I hope to be back with more DRDT content soon!

[artistmarchalius]

Innit VS In’t - a PSA

I’ve seen some confusion in Hobie fics around the word “innit” and I think I’ve figured out why: aside from general confusion about the use of the word, I believe some people are occasionally mixing it up with “in’t”.

So let’s dive into it!

Innit - isn’t it

Can be used at the end of a sentence to make it a question or for emphasis.

E.g. “That’s a load of rubbish, innit?” Or “I’m Spider-Man, innit.” (The latter is an example of emphasis. It’s not grammatically correct but using slang isn’t always about being grammatically correct).

“Innit” can also be used in the middle and at the beginning of sentences (in place of “isn’t it”).

E.g. “Innit lovely out here?” Or “You told me that a Vulture variant was loose in Holborn, but innit true you’ve been tellin’ porkies?”

In’t - contraction of “isn’t”

You can use “in’t” in place of “isn’t”.

E.g. “In’t that the guy who was in here earlier?” Or “That’s a metaphor for capitalism, in’t it?” (You could also use “innit” in the second example).

It can be a bit confusing to a non-English ear to distinguish between “innit” and “in’t”, especially when they’re spoken quickly. For example: if you think you’re hearing someone say something like “Innit that right?” (which would be saying “Isn’t it that right?”, then you’re probably actually hearing them say “In’t that right?”

But wait!

Couldn’t you just use “ain’t” instead of “in’t”?

Sure!

“Ain’t” is a very versatile contraction. It can mean: am not, are not, is not, have not, has not, do not, does not and did not.

E.g. “I ain’t a liar!” Or “He ain’t done his homework.” Or “Ain’t that the truth.” Or “It ain’t right.”

Fun facts:

The earliest records of “ain’t” are from the 1700’s but it was popularised by Dickens’ representation of Cockney dialect.

“In’t” originates from Northern England.

So why use “in’t” instead of “ain’t”?

Personal preference, innit?

And there you have it, a dive into the world of “innit”, “in’t” and “ain’t”!

As always, I’m not an expert, I just wanted to share the knowledge that I do have. There may be other ways to use these words, depending on what part of the country you come from, but this should cover the vast majority of them (if not maybe all of them)! Hopefully someone will find this helpful, informative or entertaining at the very least. I know a lot of this seems basic, but there are a lot of non-native English speakers in the fandom so I wanted to cover all my bases.

Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like me to cover and I’ll see what I can do! If you’re using “innit” or “in’t” in your writing but aren’t sure if you’re using it right, I’m happy to look over any sentences you’d like me to!

Happy writing!

[novemberheart]

{overview} John tightens his control. You get a reality check

{warnings} a/b/o dynamics, fem reader, cursing, this is a John-heavy chapter

Chapter 6 <- Chapter 7 -> Chapter 8

You were thoroughly exhausted by the time you got back home. Johnny watched your sluggish form, half tempted to throw you over his shoulder.

“There you three are.” John greeted as soon as Kyle opened the door. John's eyes widened as Kyle came in with two large shopping bags. “I see you enjoyed your day out.” He raised a brow, his eyes roaming over your sleepy state.

“I had a very good day,” you spoke, beginning to take the bags from Kyle to bring them to your room.

“I got it,” he assured softly. “Dinners in a few,” he reminded. The thought of eating anything else today made your stomach hurt.

“I don't think I can eat anything else. I'd like to just stay here if it's alright with you?” you questioned as he set the bag down by your door. One of your hands came up to rub at your eyes. He smiled knowingly, nodding his head in agreement.

“I’ll bring you back a dessert.” he winked.

You had begun to curl yourself up in bed when your phone went off.

“Hey, honey.” Kate greeted, almost hesitantly.

“Hi.” you chirped back. You could practically see her shoulders relax. “Guess who had a great day today.” you sang, pulling your covers over your head.

“Please God, be you,” she smirked on the other end.

“Ding. Ding. That would be correct.” you cheered. “Kyle and Johnny took me to the aquarium today, then out to lunch and then shopping.”

“Those are the boys I know.” she sighed- relieved. “Actually better than the boys I know. How'd you swing that?” she questioned.

“I didn't do anything. At first, I thought you said some”-

“I wouldn't do that,” she interjected.

“I know.” you soothed back. “I think maybe they felt bad about yesterday.” you reasoned.

“Well, hopefully, they keep it up. The good part, not the guilt part.”

“Fingers crossed.” you sighed. “Thanks for checking in Kate.”

“Of course, Honey. Oh and by the way you and John are going to have to stop by my office tomorrow. Paperwork and key cards. Nothing fun.” she huffed.

“Alright. See you then. Tell wifey I said ‘hi.’” you smiled, pressing the big red button.

You awoke especially chipper that morning. Only for that to be squashed the second you realized you were the only one in the house. John had left a note on the fridge.

Morning,

Out for a morning meeting, we’ll pick you back up for breakfast. Have fun with Simon.

-John

Simon?

“Don’t scream.” a voice echoed from behind you causing you to shriek. “Fucking hell,” Simon muttered under his breath.

“What are you doing on the couch?” you gasped, wondering how you missed his imposing frame spread out.

“You need to work on your awareness.” he chided, adjusting so he was sitting up. A pained groan escaped him and you rushed over to help. He held up a hand to stop you. “Don't need babying pup.” he groaned.

“Help isn't babying Simon.” you ignored the flutter in your stomach at his nickname for you. You plopped down on the couch next to him.

“How was your date yesterday?” he questioned, his blank eyes boring into yours.

“I had fun.” you smiled widely, cuddling into the plush cushion.

“Good.” he sighed. He turned back to the TV that was on mute.

“Why are you on the couch?” you repeated. “Shouldn't you be in bed?”

“Beds shite.” he huffed. He flicked the mute button off, deciding it was the end of the conversation.

“Are you happy to be home?” you piqued up.

“Happy to be in a quiet home,” he answered.

“Message received.” you snorted, turning to watch whatever prank show he had on.

“Honey, I'm home,” Johnny called bounding into view. He was carrying two takeout bags, handing one to Simon who eagerly began digging into it. Johnny pushed Simon's feet aside to make room for himself on the couch.

“How'd you sleep, Bon?” Johnny questioned.

“I slept good,” you replied, a little too focused on the food.

John rested a hand on the back of the couch, his other hand resting on your shoulder.

“Ready?” he hummed, nodding his head towards the door. You blushed as your stomach growled. “I'll take that as a yes,” John smirked. His large hand found a familiar spot on your back. High enough to be respectful, but low enough to send a message to those who passed.

“How was your day out?” John asked. He chose to eat next to you at the table. Considering it was just you and him, he wanted to be within arms reach of you. It was the second time you had been asked the question, but at least they cared.

“It was wonderful.” you declared, turning back to your breakfast.

“Glad to hear,” he spoke softly. John had a very natural and comforting purr to his voice. It was commanding- yet playful. Raspy - yet smooth. The baritone lull in his voice shot from your ears all the way down to your toes. You curled them in your shoes. He was a complicated man. You wondered if he would let you close enough to figure him out.

“Everything alright?” he said slowly. You had been staring at him. You shut your eyes tightly, tilting your head down towards the table.

“Yeah, sorry,” you assured quickly.

“S’alright, Sweetheart. If I've got something on my face please tell me.” he half joked.

“No. I just like the way your voice sounds.” you complimented. You know it didn't have anything to do with the way he looked, but it was an explanation- and the truth.

“That right?” the satisfaction in voice making you preen. “Well I got it from years of yelling and chain-smoking,” he explained, causing your shoulders to relax and a giggle to escape you.

“Well it suits you,” you added. The corners of his lips began to curl before his face fell. You didn't take it personally. You doubted it was professional to show a variety of emotions in the cafeteria.

“Kate has some things for us,” he spoke up after a while.

“Sounds good,” you already knew, but you were worried he would wonder why you didn't say anything.

As soon as Kate opened the door to her office you nearly flung yourself at her, desperate to catch even the slightest hint of a familiar scent. She huffed and patted you on the back before pushing you away. You snickered and plopped down in one of the cold leather seats. John bit back a smile at your excitement and sat down next to you.

Kate's office was nice. There was almost no effort put into it since it was just a temporary one for when she needed to be in the area.

“How have you two been?” she hummed, opening one of the filing cabinets, and fishing out two hefty manila envelopes.

“Good.”

“Fine.” John and you spoke at the same time.

“Heard Simon was able to go back home.” Kate smiled, plopping down in her desk chair.

“He’s recovering quicker. Thanks to this one.” he praised, nodding his head in your direction. You still doubted your part in the process. You had spent half a day with him and you two weren't yet bonded. But the belly-up omega in your head didn't care.

“Glad to hear, keep me posted please.” she requested. “Honey, this is for you.” she handed you the thicker of the two. “Think of it like a diary. It's going to have daily and weekly questions or surveys. There's a month's worth there. After you complete it the Omega Standards Bureau will send you another one and you'll turn that one into the representative on base.” she explained.

“Okay.” you agreed. “Do all omegas have to do this?” you questioned, taking a peek inside the envelope.

“They pick and choose who they give them to. I think they chose you because you're in a smaller SAS pack. With an equal number of alphas to betas all of which are male. Also, you were picked to be in the pack by an outside member, me.” she explained.

“I’m quite the experiment aren't I.” you chuckled, glancing over at John. His eyes were trained on the envelope and you knew he was just itching to dive in there himself.

“Can I ask what type of questions.” he finally spoke up.

“From what I understand it's going to be based more on how she feels throughout the adjustment period of the pack.” Kate clarified.

“Don't worry, I won't be overly specific,” you swore. You could sense his hesitation, which you assumed could be boiled down to having things about his pack exposed. He offered you a reassuring smile.

“This one is for you John.” she passed over the envelope to him. “Hard copies of her records, medical history, and that sort of thing. Also has the Omega Committee calendar with events and things.”

The Omega Committee. You remember Kyle talking to you about that at the aquarium. It was advertised as a club that rounded up all the omegas to do activities, but in reality, it just looked like a daycare.

“There was something else I wanted to discuss with you.” John cleared his throat. Your brows furrowed your mind automatically jumping to the deep end of the paranoid pool. “How would you feel about getting chipped, honey?” John inquired.

You had heard about that before. It was usually done in large packs so alphas knew which omegas belonged to who.

“You can say no of course and I don't want to scare you but I think it would be safer given our line of work,” John explained carefully. He spent half the night discussing with Simon how to bring this topic up to you.

“What would that entail?” you asked softly.

“It’s a small incision behind your ear- wouldn’t even leave a scar. It'll have mine and Simon’s name, and phone number,” he explained. He debated on whether or not he should tell you he wants one with a tracking ability. “How would you feel about one with tracking?”

“Tracking?” you gasped a bit taken aback. “Is that really necessary?” you were beginning to grow worried. You either had very paranoid alphas or you were in more danger than you imagined.

“Not necessary,” he assured quickly. “But I strongly feel it would be a good idea. Kyle has one. We kept getting separated from him on a mission. It’s also easy to take out, should you ever want to.”

The ending made you wince. While he didn't specify you knew the implications.

“I also think it's a good idea.” Kate agreed. “Not that anything will happen, honey. But even something small like getting separated while shopping, just knowing they already know where you are would make you feel better right?”

You weren't sure if Kate had a point or not. You weren't sure if you were ready for that type of control. Then again you have been controlled your whole life. An omega’s ‘purpose’.

“Can I think about it a bit more?” you reasoned gently. John sighed not so much in anger but in disappointment.

“Course.” He responded.

“There’s one more thing.” Kate spoke, her eyes drifting over towards you. It seemed to be time for you to go swimming again. “Tomorrow’s my last day, before heading back to the states.” Your heart dropped into your stomach. What if something happened? What if you needed to leave? Who would be here to help you? She was leaving you here completely and utterly alone. “John, can we have a moment?” She asked, her eyes beginning to water from the sudden tang in the air.

“Course.” He moved quickly, his own mouth watering (not in a pleasant way) at the sourness burning his senses. At least now he knew you had a strong defense mechanism.

“I know”-

“You’re abandoning me!” You cried out cutting her off. “How could you? You said you would be on base.” You sputtered, your fingers digging into the desk.

“For your first few days, honey.” The nickname just rubbed salt in your wounds. “I’ll still be able to help you if you need it. But I believe this will be better for you.” She half- snapped.

“Better for me? How is leaving me with strangers better?” You gawked. A sudden gust of Jasmine and peppermint hit you in the face, followed by the known smell of angry alpha. It was a difficult scent to describe. It was smokey, not in a soothing way, but in an all-consuming hard to breathe way.

“You are relying on me too much. You aren't giving this your best shot because, in the back of your mind you already believe you are going to leave. Do you know what the truth is, honey? You are lucky to be here. You have been paired with a very well-established pack- who, yes, have had a few reservations about you joining, but have made no effort to get rid of you- and they aren't going to. They are just a bunch of stubborn men who don't always know what they need. You are going from the safety of an omega house to the safety of one of the most vital packs in the world. You don't have to bargain for a place to live while you wait for a hopefully kind alpha to choose you. I love you like you are a part of my pack, honey, but I really need you to see how fortunate you are.” She was pleading with you now. The smoke from the air was gone, as were the bitter lemons. You slumped in your seat, your head resting in your hands.

“I’m sorry Kate.” you apologized softly. “I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I guess I just didn't realize”- you trailed off. There were a lot of things you hadn't realized. How important this pack truly was. How highly Kate thought of them. How significant your role in this pack would be. Along with even more respect for Kate, a feeling began to arise in your chest. A tangled web of stress, relief, and most importantly a nauseating wave of hope. You had the chance most omegas could only dream about.

Be the backbone of a strong pack.

And you finally felt ready for the challenge.

Another chapter is done and gone! The next chapter will be posted tomorrow because it's a short one! See you then! 🧡

[teamatsumu]

kinktober 2023 -> day 27

hate sex - kuroo tetsuro x reader

word count: 2100

warnings: swearing, nsfw, reader is yaku’s sister, both of them are kinda assholes but not really lol

kinktober masterlist

Kuroo Tetsuro was a very talented individual. Because no one had the capacity to piss you off quite like he did.

You should’ve known the minute you walked into your biochem class that he would become the bane of your existence. You wished you had gotten some sort of warning when you chose your major. A sign. A whisper from the gods. Anything at all to stop you in your tracks. But no, you were here now, and you were stuck seeing him in class every time.

If only that was where it stopped. But then you discovered that he was on the college volleyball team with your brother Morisuke and apparently, they were thick as thieves. The nightmare just kept getting worse.

It’s not even that he was a jerk to you or he bullied you. You just thought he was too cocky and loud and the smirk he supported was stupid. Unfortunately, the moment he found out that you didn't like him, he made it his mission to annoy the crap out of you any chance he got.

He would make jokes about your height, or how uptight you were. He would call you dumb under his breath if you got something wrong in class, or would snicker when the teacher corrected you. He had a taunting lilt to his voice when he talked to you, like his mere words were making fun of you. It was embarrassing, and it stung a bit, but mostly it served to make you angry. Morisuke would always tell you to let it go. That Kuroo was a provocative and inflammatory person by nature, but at this point even his voice annoyed you.

“What kind of pleasure does this bring you?” You gritted out, refusing to look up at his stupid grin.

“It tingles me just right, sweets.” He replied.

“Ugh.” You made a disgusted face, giving him a look that hopefully communicated that.

“You are gross.” You responded, turning back to your book. “Now can you please leave? I have a quiz I need to study for.”

Kuroo hummed, as if contemplating your request. He leaned back in his chair, balancing it precariously on its two back legs. They squeaked in the silence of the library, making your cheek twitch.

“Nope.” He popped the ‘p’, running a hand through his already messy hair. “I’m waiting for Yaku, remember?”

“And he told you to meet him here?” You didn’t look up at him.

“No, I told him to meet me here.”

You glared at him. “To purposely annoy me? Is that it? Why can’t you just stay away from me?”

He scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself, sweets.”

You turn to him completely this time. “Then what is it, Kuroo? Why the hell are you obsessed with me? How pathetic are you?”

Kuroo stared at you incredulously. “Obsessed with you?”

He leaned forward until his face was inches from yours, eyes narrowed in anger. You nearly reeled back but held yourself in place.

“You’ve got some nerve. Thinking everything is about you. You think I give a single fuck about you? You’re just Yaku’s whiny little sister who thinks the world revolves around her. You’re not worth my time, or anyone else’s. Get your head out of the clouds or you’re going to end up taking a fall you won’t survive.”

You stared at him in shock, watching him gather his bag and water bottle before he stood up and hastily left. You stared at his retreating back, and felt anger burn through you as his words registered in your head.

You ignored the hot tears that stung your eyes.

…………………

The knock on your dorm room door startled you, and you stared at it warily. You contemplated whether you should open it or not. Maybe you could stay quiet and pretend no one was home. You weren't really in any mood to talk to people.

“I know you’re in there. The light is on.”

You nearly groaned, eyes squeezing shut. Anger boiled up in you again, and in a moment of impulse, you rushed to the door, opening it with more force than necessary.

“You've got some nerve.” Your voice shook in anger when you met his golden eyes. “Coming here after the shit you said to me today.”

Kuroo sighed, shoulders slumping. “I came to apologize for that.”

You laughed in disbelief. “What part, Kuroo? Me being whiny or me being pathetic?”

He scowled. “I didn't call you pathetic.”

“You’re getting hung up on the semantics now?!” You shrieked, stepping back to slam the door shut. Kuroo shot his foot out, blocking you from doing so.

“Excuse me? I’m not going to apologize for something I didn't even say!” He stepped inside the room, shutting it behind him so your voices didn't carry into the halls. “In fact, I specifically remember you were the one who called me pathetic. Which you still haven’t apologised for, by the way.”

“Oh my god, I hate you!” You screamed, feeling your face get hot because of how angry you were.

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual!” Kuroo screamed back, stepping forward until he was right in your face. You stiffened at how he was towering over you, his chest heaving and breaths coming heavy and quick. His teeth were clenched, making his jaw tick. Your eyes tracked the movement. You watched a small droplet of sweat run down the side of his face.

You stepped forward until your lips met his.

Kuroo jerked back, looking at you with wide eyes, mouth dropped open in shock. You stared at each other for a few moments, completely silent. Then, the dam broke.

Kuroo grabbed the sides of your face, sealing your lips together in a searing kiss. You moaned into his mouth, giving him the opening to slide his tongue over yours. You backed up until your legs hit your bed, falling back and Kuroo following you down, not breaking the kiss. Your limbs tangled together in a flurry, attempting to rip each other’s clothes off as quickly as you could.

“Can you hurry?” You broke the kiss, glaring at him as you tugged his shirt off.

“Can you shut the fuck up?” He bit back, pulling your sweatpants off your legs.

His lips met yours in the next moment, effectively silencing you except the little moans leaving your lips. His bare body felt heavenly against yours, and for the first time you thanked the lords that he was an athlete.

He broke the kiss again, making his way down your body with his lips. He bit at your right breast, making your breath stutter.

“Of course you would like that.” He chuckled.

“Shut the fuck up, Kuroo. Don’t ruin this-” You dissolved into a moan when he licked over your nipple, biting at it slightly before sucking. You sighed at the feeling.

His hand groped at your other breast, hips grinding down. His crotch pressed between your legs, and the pressure made you whine.

“Hurry up.” You pushed at his boxers, trying to tug them down.

“Say please~” Kuroo smirked up at you. You nearly slapped him.

“Over my dead body.”

Kuroo sighed and lifted himself off your body. He slid off you slightly, making to stand up. “Well, in that case-”

“No!” You sat up, biting your lip, staring at him. You groaned. “God, I hate you.”

Kuroo chuckled. You gasped when his fingers brushed over your clothed core, before hooking a finger into your panties and pulling them off you. His fingertips dipped into your slit. Your breath stuttered.

“Kuroo.” You stared at him, his eyes dark and pupils dilated. His lips parted, tongue peaking out just a little to run over them. His fingers continued their feather-light touch.

“Please,” you gave in.

“Please what, baby?” You whined at the nickname, feeling your core pulse. God, his voice was so husky. You stared at his lips, eyes wandering to his shoulders, his pecs, his abs, to the bulge in his underwear that was hinting at how big he probably was.

“Touch me, Tetsuro.” You whispered. “Please. Touch me, fuck me. You want me to shut the fuck up? Make it happen, then.”

He was on you the next moment, teeth digging into your skin and fingers burying themselves deep in your pussy. You yelped and moaned, spreading your legs more so he could hit deeper. His fingers were so long and delicious, reaching your spot and rubbing against it just right. Within seconds, he had you seeing stars.

“You’re such a brat.” Kuroo bit out, fingers picking up speed instantly. You could barely breathe. Your body jolted under his movements. He was being so rough. “A spoiled little princess. Greedy girl. You’re even letting me fuck you just so you can get off.”

You cried at Kuroo’s words. Fuck. Why was this turning you on so much? You clenched around his fingers, and were met with the sight of his infamous smirk, except this time, it was so much hotter than any time you had seen it before. Kuroo looked like he was enjoying the crap out of this.

“Oh, you love this, don’t you?” He goaded you, curling his fingers until your back was arching off the bed. “Such a slut. What, you got a humiliation kink or something?”

“I’m gonna cum.” You choked out, tears swimming in your vision as your toes curled.

You should've known. This was Kuroo Tetsuro you were with. There’s no way he would let you have anything good. You nearly wailed when he pulled his fingers out, soaking wet with your juices.

“Kuroo!” You cried, tears spilling down your cheeks. “Don’t- why?!”

You didn’t even care that he was witnessing you break down over this. You were just about to have what could have been the most intense orgasm of your life and he denied you it.

“You fucking asshole-”

He shushed you, leaning over and shifting slightly. Something hard prodded at your entrance, before sinking into you in one fluid motion. Your mouth dropped open at the feeling, jaw going slack. He was big, long and oh so hard, and he grazed all the right spots as he slid into you.

Kuroo wiped the tears that soaked your cheeks, brushing his nose against yours in a manner that was almost affectionate. You stared up at him, still dizzy from your almost orgasm a few moments ago. His eyes held a glint that told you tonight was going to be brutal in the best way possible.

And you were right. Kuroo fucked you through three orgasms before he even slowed his pace. You were left a blabbering, bumbling mess by the time his hips stuttered and he emptied himself inside you, warm cum washing over your walls, pushing you through one more orgasm as his unrelenting fingers rubbed at your abused, swollen clit. He didn’t care when you whined at him to stop. He was merciless throughout. It was rough and hot and it made you see stars.

You didn’t even register when his body left yours, or when he came back and ran a washcloth over the mess between your legs. You turned on your side, back sore from all the arching. You were still out of breath as he tugged on his clothes, watching him fix his hair. Well, as fixed as his messy hair could get. Aside from the sweat on his face and his slightly heavy breathing, he seemed unfazed. You would think he was out for a run, not rearranging your guts.

You didn’t realize he was staring at you until a few moments later, when he leaned over to brush your hair off your face. His signature smirk spread over his lips.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’re the best sex I’ve ever had too.”

You scowled as he straightened up, making his way to the door. “What the hell do you mean ‘too’?

He didn’t answer, humming happily to himself as he tugged his shoes on.

“You aren’t the best sex I’ve ever had.” You sat up, feeling your face turn red. He gave you a look that was so smug it made you stiffen in embarrassment. You knew he didn’t believe a word you just said. You also knew that Kuroo’s already humongous ego was about to shoot through the fucking roof.

“You’re not.” You mumbled. Kuroo pulled the door open, still supporting the insufferable smirk on his face, giving you a teasing wink.

“You’re not, Kuroo!” You called behind him as the door clicked shut. Sighing, you flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling and ruminating on everything that had just happened.

Fuck.

Taglist:

@bxbyyyjocelyn @thisbicc @lazuliquartz @dreamayy @kuroosluthoe @true-form-hoe @akumakitsune21 @cham0mil3-and-h0n3y @samisfunky @universal-s1ut @msbyomimi @dohwaesu @leothesquishy @n0tmykays @tsukiran @reyofsunshinelol @bleach-your-panties @galaneiaeris @leyra-giovanni @erenspersonalwh0re @peachesncats @soapsoftheworld @iwannabecamiloshovel @vintagevict0ria @smithieandy @moonlit-mizukage @snazzyturtles @argwein

A/N: For those whose tags arent working, im sorry! I tried and for some reason, your names wont show up in the mentions :( another way of being notified is to turn on my blog notifs for @teamatsumufics . I only reblog my fics there so it serves almost like being in a taglist!

[bonbonly]

Retired scriptwriter!Nico would definitely always give the reader a script for a movie as a favor…unless he finds out that movie was being produced by Lewis…then you’re in trouble.

i lowkeyyy had way too much fun writing this

bon's thoughts (18+)

"mr. rosberggggg" you cry out in a sing-song voice, twirling your hair. you stomp your foot a couple times on his front porch, before harshly kicking at his door. with a huff, you bunch up the ends of your dress, adjusting your fur coat as you move to the side of the house. as expected, the window's open and you sigh, crawling in like a rat scouring for food.

nico exits his bathroom, a towel around his shoulders as he dries his hair and at the sight of you seated so haughtily on his couch, he groans out loud and rolls his eyes, "ms. (l/n), this does count as breaking into my house, you are aware of that right?"

"doesn't matter, mr. rosberg! i've come to ask about the script you were working on? remember, i said i can bring you back to the oscars!" you gaze over at the shelf right above his TV, all his awards on display. a hint of cobwebs was present, and you clear your throat to bring his attention back onto you, "mr. rosberg, i trust you have it finished, correct?"

he lets out a low chuckle, rubbing his jaw as he walks over to the dining table where all his papers lay askew. he shifts through some, crinkling the edges as he tosses them around and brings back a large binder, "for you, ms. (l/n). hopefully, this'll put you in contention for the oscars this year... and maybe if it's successful i'll come back to the industry again, does that sound-"

but his words mean nothing to you once you grab hold of the script, you're flipping through with vigor, excitement bubbling inside you as you squeal out loud, "oh, lewis will never refuse me with this!"

nico's lips form into a thin line, his hand still in the air from when he was gesturing his words and he tilts his head, "i... i beg your pardon? l-lewis? what does he have to do with this?"

"oh my dear, mr. rosberg!" you coo, pinching his cheek which makes him snap his neck away from you in disgust, his eyes hooded with rage at the way you're babying him, "producer lewis told me that if i had a good script, he'll let me sign onto his production house! of course, i'll have to work with legalities to get out of carlos' contract but i can handle it! now you being the sweet gem you are have just given me the opportunity to finally impress him!"

nico's jaw goes taut at your words, and he yanks the binder from your hands and tosses it to the wall, thereby knocking over one of his oscars. you shriek as it crashes onto the ground, crumbling into a million pieces. your worries about the material award is put on hold when he digs his fingers in your hair, yanking your head back to get a clear look of him, "how fucking dare you...gör," he emphasizes the last word with a harsh shake of your head, which causes you to yelp in surprise. your eyes go wide, staring at him with that oblivious look you always gave him when you crossed a line.

"w-what'd i do wrong?" you ask, and he laughs right at your face, his hand traveling down to grab your jaw, his fingers digging into your cheeks,

"too many things you've done wrong. and i've been quiet about all of them, but this? going to the man that nearly ruined my career? with my script? that i generously spent weeks working on for you?" he tosses you onto his couch, his knee pushing your legs apart for him to settle between them, "just the nerve, the fucking audacity of you to come here begging like a cheap whore for me to write you a script, and i do it every time because i keep thinking you're a star, and then you remind me time and time again that whores like you will never learn!"

he hikes your dress up, noticing your thin lace underwear and he glares at you, "im not surprised, just disappointed really," and he hooks a finger into the waistband and pulls it back, letting the fabric slap onto your mound with a firm snap! that has you whimpering. "no, no noises from you, you keep your mouth shut. i don't want to hear any of your bullshit."

he grabs your panties and slides them down your legs, all the time berating you as he stuffs the underwear into your mouth. the fur coat slips down from your shoulders and he rips your dress off, using the fabric to tie your hands behind your back as he flips you onto your stomach.

"every fucking time... when will I ever learn?" he mutters, trailing his finger down your back, "this is how you get roles right? how you get awards? your cunt's just too good to pass up on, that's why they keep making you win hoping you'll spread your legs again next year, hm?"

his touch is torturous, his movements slow and it's hours before he finally slides his cock into your weeping pussy, finally giving you the pleasure you were craving for. he ignores your strangled moans as he buries himself to the hilt, sliding out until his tip kisses your folds before slamming right back into you. a few more harsh thrusts that sends you to heaven before he grabs a hold of your hips and sets a relentless pace. he leans down to pin his weight on top of you, loving the way your moans flood his empty house. he snakes his hand around to circle your clit, your moans now screams that momentarily distract nico from the fact that lewis was calling you. you pathetically try to wriggle away but nico holds you down, letting his cock root into the gummy walls of your creamy cunt and he grabs the phone,

"had an appointment didn't you? you were gonna tell him about my script?" he scoffs. he smacks your ass hard, and you jolt forwards as your face burrows into your coat, tears streaming down from your face, "should let him know you won't make it right?"

nico answers the call, tossing it right in front of your face and he finally yanks the panties from your mouth, yanking your head back as his fingers find your hair. he picks up your pace, "i want to hear you scream, slut, be as loud as you can be."

that's more than enough for you to be babbling, sobbing and screaming at how good you feel, how you'll never make a mistake like this again! "mr. rosberg, oh rosberg!" you punctuate with each moan, and nico laughs behind you. there's silence from lewis's side, exactly what nico wanted. his thrusts become erratic, and when he's close to cumming, he pulls you up flush against his chest as he rubs your clit hard, determined to make you milk his cock. your guttural scream floods lewis's ears through the phone, combined with nico laughing out loud at the mess you've made,

"you slut! look at you!" he chuckles, "i have to get my couch cleaned now! there's some on the table... be a good little girl and lick it off for me, hm?" he lets you go, untying your wrists and kissing your forehead gently before grabbing the phone right above your head.

"you stay away from her, hamilton," nico growls into the phone, "i better not see that contract signed by her." and then he hangs up, tossing the phone back onto the couch before heading back to his pile of scripts waiting for him at the dining table.

[safination]

Mother Of Mine

|Masterlist|

Pairings: Alastor x Reader, Velvette & Mom!Reader CW: Alastor, foul language, talks of murder, (Hopefully not, but possibly) OOC

Requested by: @thill20712 My inbox is still currently open. Feel free to keep requesting.So I just did a headcanon format for this. It was pretty fun. Listen, is this my best work? No, but that’s fine because it was actually very entertaining for me, and that’s all that matters. Tbh, I would actually like to turn this into a series but undergrad studies are killing me rn, so maybe in the future. I can like already see so much fun shit around this concept. Imagine the family dinners, or like Alastor going to an Overlord meeting and just unknowingly being slightly less of a chaotic shitlord to Velvette because there’s something faintly familiar or like Vel and Al just both doting on you.

Your husband died.

Everyone found out what Alastor had been doing. The city had no compassion for a monster’s grieving widow. Ha! Alastor would have a kick of your current situation, that’s for sure. It should have been you and him running for your life as the city chases you out of his mother’s home.

That’s how it should have been.

There wasn’t even time to gather all your belongings before those who wanted revenge go to fulfill their goal. Just a measly change of clothes, some emergency money, and documents. Photos never made it to the list. It’s funny how a single piece of film could pack the most weight.

As your ran for your life, cold and frightened, you heard muffled wailings.

And they called Alastor cruel. Who would leave a baby inside a dumpster? You thought about it . . . . Just for a second. The baby’s shrill cries were getting on your nerves, and there’s no way it will survive the night. And an orphanage is no place for a child to grow—you know that much.

So . . . why not? You could just end it’s suffering—Right here, right now.

Compassion isn’t your strongest trait. It’s why you never said anything about all those people who fell under Alastor’s pursuit of self-righteous justice. Who were you to care for someone you don’t know?

You don’t hate children, far from it, actually. Children are the light of this world, and they were the path to bring a better future into this world.  Such pure creature shouldn’t be stained by you. Especially, because you’re not sure if you could ever fully love a child the way it needs to love. Children deserved care, and you refused to bring a child into this world without the assurance that it would be loved.

It was an easy decision that Alastor wholeheartedly supported.

The world took away the very few things you truly loved. Maybe, you could return it ten-fold. . . but you’ve been cold and frightened before, just like this baby. Actually, you’re cold and frightened, right now. Also, just like this baby. Two cold and frightened souls.

So, with the clothes on your back, and no home to call, maybe¸ you’ll find warmth and safety together.

There’s always the option to give it—no, the child, just for a night. Drop the baby off on a porch of some nice couple’s home.

Tomorrow, you’ll give this baby girl away.

• Tomorrow never came

People keep assuming this baby girl is your daughter. You don’t bother correction them. Why should you? It’s not like you’re eager to say that you skipped state lines because of your dead, murderous husband, and basically kidnapped her.

It’s easier to let people assume.

And you can’t keep calling the baby, ‘that baby’. She needs a name eventually, and Alastor always spoke fondly about his mother.

Tomorrow never did come, and tomorrow never will come. Despite this, the sands of time trickled down.

The baby turned into a girl and the girl also grew. Part of your misses the days when she would raid your closet, and dress you up like a doll with a sharp tongue and a demanding attitude. Gone are the days when you’d be sleeping on the same bed, and gone are the days when you would tell her about Alastor.

You would tell her about the flowers, and how Alastor drove around the city, with you right next to him. The sun went down, the moon rose high into the night, and that sun eventually appeared once more. Yet, neither of you were ready to leave each other’s presence.

That girl grew, and took up a weird hobby of wanting to be called, ‘Vel’:

Vel walks into the room, her nose high in the air as she sharpens her tongue against you. “Mother, you cannot walk around looking like this!” she tells you. “The colors look absolutely atrocious. I will burn that shoes the next time I see it on your feet.”

Daughters can be quite judgmental. Maybe, you really should have left her in that dumpster.

“I’ll change my shoes if you stop calling yourself, ‘Vel’,” you tell her, smiling. “I gave you such a nice name, and it makes me sad that you aren’t using it!”

“It’s a stage name,” she says, rolling her eyes at you. So judgmental, that girl. “It’s what I’m going to be called when I finally get out of here, and such a drabby, old name like mine won’t get men anywhere.”

“Well, Vel, I got a call.” You tap your fingers across your knee, staring her down. “Apparently, Mister Joseph doesn’t appreciate being called a, ‘Pathetic and blind fool who goes to work looking like dog poop’.”

“I did not say fool or poop,” she says. “And that old fucker knows it.”

“What I want to know now is—Why?” You stroke your forehead. “What was he wearing too much brown?”

“No.” Vel crosses her arms. “Because my mother was called, ‘an unmarried whore, and who knows where that child come from?’”

“I am married!” You press a kiss on her forehead, chuckling. “It’s just not my fault my husband died not was it my fault your parents didn’t want you.”

Vel rolls he eyes, and sticks out her tongue.

You flicker her nose, and stick out your own tongue.

But time goes on, and as they do. All came to dust and all return to dust.

Of course, you’d end up in hell. It would be a shame that Alastor would never get to meet your daughter. It eventually all blurred into one. And if you didn’t give a flying fuck about others on Earth, why would you give any more fucks to care in Hell of all places?

Building kept growing higher and higher. Bright lights and television shaped morons came into picture. If you could find Alastor, surely, you would have a laughed together. Radio will always be superior. So, you kept your distance from that part of town.

More years kept passing. Alastor was nowhere to be found.

When enough time passes, things tend to loop. Like how you’re hearing cold and scared cries from an alley way. Something posses you to step into the alley. Piss and death and a sweet perfume all assault your nose. You keep walking and . . . somehow, your daughter ended up with you in hell.

Daughter really can be so cruel to their mothers.

Maybe, you actually should have left her in that dumpster. You were destined for Hell, and it seems you dragged your daughter down with you. If you did leave her, surely, Heaven wouldn’t turn away such a new soul.

You squat next to your sobbing daughter in this random corner in hell, and watch her tears with a small smile. “This is exactly how I found you all those years ago,” you tell her. “Although, you were much cuter.”

Her head snaps up, and through her tears, she glares at you. “Mother.”

“Yes, dear?

“Mother,” she says again, and fat tears streams out of her face. “What the fuck are you wearing? It’s soooo ugly!”

“I’m going to leave you here.” You blow a strand off your face, and lean against the wall, next to her.

It’s a lie and you both know it. If you cold leave her, cold and frightened next to a dumpster . . . Well, you would have done it a long time ago.

“Why are you even in Hell? Actually—Don’t answer that,” she says, that same sharp tongue somehow even sharper. “You were a nasty bitch in life. It’s no wonder you’re here.”

“Language.”

“Oh, fuck you!” Vel slumps on you, curling around your shoulder. There’s a scowl on her face even as she settles her body next to you. “You really are nasty. How come I’m only seeing you now! I’m sure even a recluse like you should have heard of me.”

“What am I doing here?” you parrot, matching her scowl. Actually, she got that scowl on you. That’s your scowl on her face. “What are you doing here? I raised you to be a good person worthy of Heaven!”

You pat her hair a bit, glad that she couldn’t see your face. Did you really drag her down to hell with you? Was it a mistake to love when your very love condemned her?

“That’s bullshit,” Vel says. “The decisions I made are my own. I’m here because it’s what I decided to do.”

You flicker her nose and laugh when her scowl deepens. “Please, please! Tell me you’re still not going by ‘Vel’.”

“It’s ‘Velvette’ now, actually.”

“That sounds like a stripper name,” you say, barking out a laugh. “I gave you a nice and proper name! Your name came from—”

“Mother! No one goes by their real names here!”

So that’s how you, sadly, found your daughter in Hell. Daughter, yes. Husband, no.

Oh, where is your Alastor?

Clothes are thrown everywhere. Your daughter has an eye for fashion and surely, you’re capable of remembering anything she’s tried to tell you. And granted, Velvette did tell you quite a lot of things about clothes . . . a bit too much.

Maybe you should call her, but you wouldn’t want to inconvenience her, especially since she has that show coming up. She’s worked so hard, and you’ve learned to accept that she works in such a noisy and bright place. And you have thought about those co-workers of hers, but that’s not important right now.

The door bangs open and Velvette stands there irked. “I’ve been knocking.”

You grab her and ask her about the clothes. “What do you think?”

“You know what I think about your clothes,” she says. “You haven’t been answering my calls.”

“Is that the thing that keeps ringing?”

“Mother!” Velvette says, irked. “Answer my calls, and put that down! Neon is never a good color on you.”

“Then help me then!”

“I can’t help you if I don’t know where you’re going.”

You pause to think, dropping the clothe around your arms. “I . . . I found my husband,” you say. “We’re going on a date.”

 “Are you sure about this?” she says, slowly . . . carefully. “It’s been so long. What if he’s just trying to get your soul? If you finally tell me his name, I can take a look at him. I mean, there could be other –”

“No, there’s no one else,” you say with a small giggle. It’s like you’re back to being a love sick-teenager. “There will be no one else. I’ll chain him to my basement if I have to.”

 “You keep that shit to yourself.” Velvette sinks on the couch. “I don’t want to hear about this.”

“Oh sure, but when it comes to those little co-workers of yours, suddenly, every detail –”

“Mother!”

Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t leave her in the dumpster because with a snap of her fingers, you look beautiful.

Velvette crosses her legs. “I’ve never seen you this happy.”

“That’s not true.” You approach her, and press a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve had my happiest moments because of you. Maybe, you just weren’t watching.”

Apparently, Alastor and Velvette are familiar with each other. Unfortunately, they aren’t on very friendly terms. Actually, your house would say that they were on very hostile terms. It would be a drag to have to find a new house, but luckily, your daughter is an Overlord, and it seems your husband is also an Overlord.

Those two things overlapped, and when Velvette opened the door to see Alastor at your door. Well, the house couldn’t withstand their argument. Thing settle down, eventually.

Velvette is off showing her frustration on your poor neighbors.

Alastor stands proudly next to you, a constant and intimidating smile on his face despite the dirt and tears on his clothes. He watches Velvette curse and shout into the air. “Ours?”

“No, not at all,” you say, smiling as you watch your daughter. “Mine.”

Velvette stomps back, clothes also as dirty and torn. “I would rather skin myself than share the same blood with this tacky, old joke,” she says, hissing at him. “You’re not wanted here. It takes another level of pathetic to be shot while trying to hide a dead body.”

Alastor’s eyes twitch, and there’s that long, tried look on his face.

Maybe, hell isn’t so bad. You’ve got your daughter, and you’ve got your husband. A happy, little, chaotic family.

[queenariesofnarnia]

late night confessions

tech x f!reader

gif not mine! creds to the owner

wc: 1,800

warnings: 18+ content! MDNI!, piv unprotected sex! (wrap your willy and don't be silly), consensual recording of sex, truth or dare, slightly dom! tech, porn with minimal plot in my opinion :) ENJOYYYYY

Shore leave on Coruscant was rare, however it never stopped the batch from having a bit of drunken fun. Tonight, they even got you to tag along, and their plan to see you drunk for the first time was successful to say the least. They had a decent time at 79’s but brought the fun back to the ship. Wrecker suggested a game of truth or dare, as childish as this would have seemed among the batch when sober, how could they say no right now? You always encourage them to have some fun on leave, and that’s what lead to your dare.

“I dare you to share what I overheard you sharing with Commander Tano the other night.” Crosshair and Hunter smirked. You had a feeling someone heard you, all that mattered to you was that it wasn’t the person it involved.

“I tell her a lot of things gents be more specific” you tried playing it off by crossing your arms over your chest leaning back into your chair.

“You know exactly what we mean” Cross said pointing his toothpick towards his goggle wearing brother. It was now or never, the worse that can happen is that he doesn’t want that, and you can hopefully move on or just throw yourself out the ship while in hyperspace.

“Tech my darling” you called, his attention turning towards you with a slightly confused look on his face. “How would you feel about recording me like you record everything else?” your tone sultrier than the boys have ever heard it. Feeling his face heat up as you lean towards him giving him a better view of your cleavage that’s been on display all night. While his brothers got a good view of your rear, hoping their brother gave the right response.

“In front of my brothers cyar’ika?” he asked hopefully hiding the tremor in his voice due to your closeness. The sweet nickname in Mando’a sending tingles straight to your core.

“Wherever you want me Tech” you whispered in his ear kissing his jawline before settling  back in your chair, a smile gracing your lips. Taking a moment to compose himself, Tech stood up taking your hand marching off the ship.

“I was hoping for a show!” Crosshair called after you two followed by laughter.

“Where are we going Tech?” you asked as he began to weave through the busy street to a small hotel. The twi’lek at the front desk offering you a smile and a room. You spaced out as Tech began to talk to him.

“Let’s go cyar’ika” Tech said guiding you to the lift, you wished the twi’lek a goodnight and his response was “have a good one for the both of us hon!”  Once in the lift Tech’s hands were at your waist pulling you close to him before his lips crashed into yours. The doors opened to your floor; he led you to a room at the end of the hall. Soon as the lock clicked his hands were back on your waist, your arms around his neck. Pulling each other close until there was no room left between your bodies. Whatever you awakened in Tech tonight you did not regret. He pulled away from the kiss causing you to whine.

“No need to whine cyar’ika. I’m going to make sure you get precisely what you requested from me. Go sit on the bed” he commands directing you towards the bed in the center of the room. You crawl onto the bed sitting in the middle of the bed, sitting with your back against the headboard.

“For a moment I thought you were pulling my leg when you asked me. However, the way your pupils dilated once you were in close proximity to me. I also notice each time your thighs clench when you’re given an order by any of us. Though you are in a position to give orders you much rather them be given to you. Am I correct?” he asked as he got closer to the edge of the bed you nod in response. “Use your words cyar’ika or you won’t be receiving the night of pleasure I promised you.” The tone in his voice is one you’ve never heard him use, your arousal increasing by the second.

“Yes, you’re correct” your confident voice left behind on the ship. A chuckle escaped his lips at the sight of you, thighs clenched and pleading eyes for him to touch you. The way your confidence left you once you had his full attention made his cock twitch. Stripping out the top of his blacks discarding it on the floor. Bottom lip between your teeth as you admire how well built he is. He removes his shoes and his bottoms before sitting on the edge of the bed. He motions you towards him with the skillful fingers that you were hoping he was going to use on you tonight. Before you could fully reach the edge of the bed, he grabbed you pulling you into his lap. Your hands finding themselves on his shoulders. For a moment you sat and took in each other’s features. You knew he was handsome; the definition of his facial features made him even more stunning to you. His hand slid up your arm before cupping the back of your neck pulling you down for a searing kiss. The hand he placed on your waist pulled you closer to him.

“Strip for me cyar’ika” giving the command just above a whisper as he pulled away from your lips. Your fingers reach for the hem of your dress pulling it over your head tossing it somewhere in the small room. Stealing a quick kiss before sliding off his lap to pull your panties off.

Before they touched the floor he pulled you back into bed, quickly maneuvers himself above you. You can’t fight the urge to smile at him, even during this intimate moment your smile was still smitten. He gave a little smile back dipping down to kiss your lips, before moving down to your neck. He nipped and sucked your sweet spots leaving marks that you’ll have to cover once you’re back in the field. His hands cupped your breasts in rolling your nipples between his fingers deepening the kiss, tongue slipping in your mouth exploring it. His hands began to explore your body, his callouses against your smooth skin sent tingles through your body. Once he got to your thighs he groaned into the kiss. You’ve seen him stare at your thighs on numerous occasions, but you didn’t expect him to enjoy the feel of them this much. He begins to massage your thighs purposely going close to touching your soaked cunt before moving his hands away. Placing kisses and bites down your body, taking his time to elicit each sound from you. Sounds that he will listen to later in a case you aren’t in his reach. Finally reaching your clit, flicking it with his tongue causing a whimper to slip past your lips.

“Judging by that noise, you’re a little sensitive. Aren’t you cyar’ika?” he questions teasingly, before licking up your juices before sucking your clit in between his lips sucking on it gently while increasing his speed. Without breaking eye contact, two of his fingers enter your cunt going to work on your g-spot. The way his skilled fingers brushed against the spongy spot causes your legs to shake around his head instinctively trying to clamp shut. “Don’t” he growls pulling away from your clit for a split second before getting back to work. Your fingers find his light brown curls making a mess out of them as you reached your orgasm. You were barely forming words, coming out as broken babbles and breathy moans. Your orgasm came quickly, yelling out a stream of curses mixed with his name. Pulling out his fingers slowly he brings them to your lips for you to taste yourself and you do so without hesitation. He groans at the sight of you with his fingers in your mouth, pulling you into a dominating kiss once he removes them. “I want a taste for myself, but that will have to wait. I fear that I am far too impatient to wait to be inside you” he kneels between your legs easily wrapping them around his trim waist. He lines himself up with your entrance, before slowly entering you. Eyes fluttering shut at the feel of your velvety walls hugging his shaft. Head tossed back in pure bliss you barely believe that this is happening.

“Kriff Tech” you moan attempting to pull him closer with your legs. He pulls out of you slightly before thrusting back in, adjusting himself if need be. Finding a comfortable position his picks up the pace of his thrusting. Pinning your hands above your head with one hand as the other toys with your clit.

“You’re doing so well cyar’ika. Look at how pretty you look taking me” his praise makes you whine his name in a begging tone. “Imagine how pretty you’ll look once your full of my cum” His voice deeper than you’ve heard before. Your back arches, the thrusts hitting you in a more pleasurable way. The sound of skin slapping together echoed through the room, mixed with the moaning, whimpering, and groaning coming from the both of you.

“Tech I don’t think I’m going to last much longer” your sentence broken between moans.

“I’m not either cyar’ika” he grits out as the pace of his thrusts slow down. His cock twitching in you, “Where do you want me?” he asks finally letting go of your hands giving you the chance to wrap your arms around your neck.

“Inside please” you beg, nails digging into his upper back. One more thrust and he orgasm hits him, releasing in you but his thrusts don’t stop. He continues to lazily thrust in you rubbing your clit when you hit your second orgasm of the night. Screaming Tech’s name, not caring who heard the name of the beautiful man that brought you pleasure. You pull him down for a kiss as his cock begins to soften in you. “We’re doing this again sometime” a tired laugh escapes you.

“I agree. As well as I was correct about how pretty you look with my cum dripping out of you” he says pulling away, making sure this moment was in the recording, before ending it. He gets up going to the fresher, you hear running water, and a smile makes its way to your face. He walks back out picking you up with ease, carrying you to the shower. Let’s just say the neighboring rooms probably didn’t get much sleep tonight. This was the best confession ever made.

[morgana-larkin]

Hello, Idk if u're still taking prompts bc it's seems like you're working on a lot of it, but here's a rather, crazy prompt I have in mind (again) afkajdksjsj.

There's a teacher at Abbott for over a year who's somewhat a little private about her life. Particularly her love life which the Abbott staff seemed to have taken an interest of specially Melissa, who's being defensive when she's called out for being too nosey about the teacher, saying she barely knows a thing about her and it's suspicious that maybe she's actually a cop or secret agent lol. Talks of where's the next venue of game night been going around and the group decided [without the teacher even knowing] that the game night would be held at her rather, fancy house to the surprise of the staff, thinking they would see a glimpse of her priv life and finally meet her partner which is apparently non-existent and later on revealed she never had any relationship in the years of her existence, which also, surprised the group yet Melissa unintentionally let a rather loud sigh of relief and the staff and the teacher gave her a questioning look which she became defensive,again, and a stammering flustered mess under the teacher's gaze.

This was so fun to write. I think I steered a little off a bit but still stuck to what you wanted…(hopefully). I tried to make it light, fun and as cute as possible. As always not edited at all and I hope you like it!

On another note: I know I spelled Chessy’s name wrong, my phone autocorrected me and didn’t notice until I posted it. I thought no one would notice until someone messaged me anonymously about it. So I went back and corrected it. I got one more Melissa prompt and two Chessy ones, and I have started on chapter 8 of ‘Worth It’.

The Game of Love

Warnings: reader has a nightmare(small part near the end), I think that’s all…

Words: 3.3k

You walked into the break room after bringing your students to the cafeteria and headed straight for the coffee machine. You’re exhausted after the morning with your kindergarteners.

“Dear, you don’t look good. Rough morning?” Barb asks you and you chuckle.

“Ya I guess you could say that. I don’t know how you do it Barb. Keep them in line all the time, mine were acting like they had sugar all morning.” You tell her with a huff.

“You’re still quite new dear. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. You just became a teacher 5 years ago and it’s your second year here.” She says calmly, and always the voice of reason.

“I suppose.” You tell her. You grab your coffee and your lunch from the fridge and then go to sit on the couch.

“Y/n, why don’t you sit with us today?” Janine pipes up and you look at her. You know that she wants to ask questions about your life to get to know you since you don’t tell them much. All you’ve mentioned is that you’ve been living in Philly since you were born, your parents are both lawyers, you have a girlfriend, and you got your teaching certificate 5 years ago. In reality you don’t actually have a girlfriend, you just tell people that since you’ve had many friends try to set you up with a woman and it never goes well.

“Um, ok I guess I could today.” You tell her and head over to sit with the trio. You want to open up a bit more to them. With both of your parents being lawyers, you learned to keep a lot to yourself.

“So how have you been? How’s Amelia?” Janine asks as soon as you sat down. Amelia is the name of your made up girlfriend and said you’ve been with her for 2 years.

“I’ve been good, Amelia as well.” You tell her. “How have you guys been?” You ask her and Janine and Jacob both go and rattle on about their day. While looking at Janine talk, you catch Melissa giving you a look. When Janine stops talking, that’s when Melissa chimes in.

“Hey kid, you never say anything about yourself, why’s that?” Melissa questions you.

“I just don’t talk about myself much, that’s all.” You respond back.

“Why? Why are you so secretive?” She pushes.

“I’m not secretive, there’s just nothing interesting about me.” You tell her and she rolls her eyes at you. “Why are you being nosy?” You ask her and she lefts out a huff.

“I’m not being nosy. It’s just, tell us something, like what do you and your girlfriend do on the weekend or something.” She tells you and you quirk an eyebrow at her. “If you don’t say anything, how do we know you’re not a cop or a secret agent or something like that.” She says to defend herself.

“Well I’m not either one, if you want I can show you my certificate and you can see it’s not forged. But you know both my parents are lawyers so I guess I learned to keep stuff to myself.” You say with a shrug.

“Alright.” She says.

“But to answer your question, Amelia and I don’t do much on the weekends. We’re more home bodies.” You tell her and she smiles at you and you blush a bit.

You excuse yourself early, stating you have to get your classroom ready for crafts, and the trio is talking about where game night is gonna be tomorrow night and Ava comes in to get a coffee.

“Why don’t we have it at y/n’s place?” Melissa says and they look at her.

“Wait, are you coming to game night? Cause you didn’t say either way.” Janine asks her and she shrugs.

“I never know what my plans are on Saturday nights.” She says.

“Did you just voluntold y/n’s place?” Jacob asks and Melissa smirks.

“Yep. We can surprise her.” Melissa says slyly.

“We have no idea where she lives.” Janine says.

“I do!” Ava pipes up and everyone looks at her. “What? It was on her application.” Ava says and pours a bunch of sugar in her coffee. Ava says your address and they all have their mouth open in shock.

“She lives there? That’s a fancy neighbourhood! How does she afford that?” Janine gasps.

“I bet her parents bought it for her.” Melissa says and crosses her arms.

“That would explain it.” Gregory says. “We can’t just show up at her place unexpectedly. We don’t even know if she’ll be home or let us in.” He adds.

“She just said she doesn’t go out on the weekends. And she might let us in, and if she does then we can learn more about her. You can tell a lot about a person from seeing their house. Why do you think I never let youse people over to mine?” Melissa says and they all nod in agreement.

“I’m sure she’ll let us in if Melissa was there.” Barb says with a knowing smile. Melissa whips her head around to face Barb

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She questions, confused.

“Barb you’re coming too?” Jacob asks. And Barb nods.

“My Saturday night is free.” She says, Jacob and Janine grinning. Both of them have never showed up to game night before, so the fact that they are now is exciting to the younger teachers.

“OMG, I don’t even know what game I should bring over now. Ava are you coming?” Janine says with a smile.

“Of course not, unlike you nerds, I actually have plans on Saturday night.” Ava says and walks out.

“So there’ll be 6 of us then.” Janine says.

“Oh we can always have a game that requires teams since it’s an even number.” Jacob states.

“Do you guys have a preference for a game?” Janine asks Melissa and Barb.

“A family friendly game. I don’t want to play one of those games with a bunch of sex questions and sex jokes.” Barb says.

“But those are the best ones.” Melissa says. “The less PG the better.”

“Oh how about the game of life?” Janine says. “But we can play as teams. So like you still have your own car and career, but combine income and losses.” They all agree on that and then they all leave to get their students to finish the day.

You are outside of your classroom helping your kindergarteners zip up sweaters and tie shoelaces. One of your students gives you a hug goodbye and you hug them back and tell them to have a good weekend. Unknown to you, Melissa is watching you from her door frame with a smile and soft eyes. Her class is across the hall and one classroom over so it’s pretty close and she has a perfect view to watch without getting caught. Or so she thought at least, she did get caught but not by you, but by everyone else.

The next day, you’re on your couch and wondering what to watch when the doorbell rings. You get to your door and open it and see Janine, Jacob, Gregory and Barb there there with a smile.

“Hello???” You ask them.

“Hi! We thought it would be fun to have game night at your place.” Janine says excitedly. “I brought the game of life.” And you look to see the game in her hands.

You were about to question them more as to why they chose your place without telling or asking you, you open your mouth to speak but then you see Melissa coming up to your door.

“Melissa, you’re here too?” You ask her and she smiles.

“Yep, can we come in?” She asks you and of course you can’t deny her.

“Ya come on in guys.” You say and step to the side to let them all in.

They all walk in and look around your place in awe. “How do you live in a place this big?” Jacob says and you shrug.

“My parents offered to buy me a place when I told them I wanted to be a teacher.” You say with a chuckle. “I declined at first but then the roommate I had drove me to almost wanting to stab him, so I accepted their offer so I don’t commit a murder.” You say and Melissa giggles at that. In reality everyone laughed, but the one you only really notice is Melissa.

“So where’s this girlfriend of yours?” Jacob says and you got so entranced by Melissa that your brain wasn’t processing properly.

“Girlfriend?” You ask him and they all give you a weird look.

“Ya, Amelia?” He says confused. And you suddenly remembered, although with the look they all have, you doubt they’ll believe you with whatever you say.

“I don’t see any pictures of you with another girl around here.” Melissa points out, looking at all your pictures on the wall.

“Alright, I don’t actually have one. I made her up, my friends kept trying to set me up with women and they kept not really going well so I made up a lie.” You say and Melissa lets out a loud sigh of relief and everyone turns to look at her. Melissa’s cheeks turn pink at being heard and put on the spot. “Something you want to say Melissa?” You ask her with a quirked brow.

“Um uh…n-no not really.” She stuttered out and everyone gives a confused look to each other. Barb decides to save Melissa in that moment as Melissa is unable to speak properly.

“Why don’t we go and set up the game?” She says and everyone agrees. You go to your living room and they set it up on the coffee table.

“I have some food I can put out for snacks, I’ll just go get it. Melissa, do you mind helping me?” You ask her and she turns to look at you.

“Uh , ya sure of course!” Melissa says and scrambles to her feet.

There was 2 reasons you asked her for help, you could have asked anyone but you wanted to be closer to her and show her your kitchen. You know from being in an Italian family, she loves cooking and would probably be in awe of your kitchen. And she was, as soon as you both entered, her eyes went wide and mouth open.

“You have an amazing kitchen.” She says and you smile at her.

“Thanks.”

“You must love cooking in it.” She says and you chuckle.

“I actually don’t cook much. I don’t always like doing it.” You tell her and she looks almost offended.

“What? But this kitchen looks like it’s made to be used a lot, to be used to do so much cooking and baking. I mean I would if I lived here.” She says and she set up a perfect opportunity for you.

You get a bunch of chip bags and some dips and place them on the counter. “Well you could always come over and use it as much as you like.” You tell her and her eyes go wide.

“Really?”

“Ya, if you want. I don’t mind.” You say and she smiles.

“I might take you up on that.” She says and you smile at her. “I think you just want to have some of my cooking.” She teases you and you giggle. You have had some of her cooking a couple times over the 14 months you’ve been at Abbott.

“Well I will admit that I love your cooking but you could come and use the kitchen and I don’t need anything in return.” You tell her and she laughs.

She helps you carry all the chips and dips out into the living room.

“Alright, here’s a variety of chips and dips.” You tell them and they all smile.

You then get into teams of two. You expect for Melissa to pair with Barb and for you to end up with Janine or Jacob. Unexpectedly, Barb asks Jacob to team up, and Janine asks Gregory. Melissa gives a look to Barb and Barb just grins at her. Melissa then looks to you.

“Wanna partner up with me.” She asks and you laugh.

“Well thank you for asking, even if there wasn’t any other choice.” You joke with her and she smiles. “I would love to team up with you.” You add and she grins and blushes a bit.

Unknown to both of you, everyone planned this, for you two to team up together and so they all picked someone to team up with before you guys got a chance.

You all pick out a car to use and whether to go straight to a career or college. Jacob and Barb both pick career right away and everyone else picks college and gets debt.

“Oh look at that, I can be either a teacher or a Doctor.” You say and everyone laughs. “I feel I might be a hypocrite if I don’t pick a teacher.” You say and pick teacher and then a salary. Melissa gets super excited and is able to pick firefighter.

“OH HELL YES!” She says as she picks firefighter immediately.

“What was your other choice?” You ask and she looks.

“Uh, accountant.” She says and looks confused at that and you laugh.

Everyone is having fun playing, there’s laughs, cheering and eating. The more the night goes on, the more touchy Melissa gets with you. Now she knows that you’re actually single, she takes the opportunity to flirt with you. She side hugs you when she’s happy with a victory, and sometimes she leaves her arm there for a bit, even after her turn is done. She’s placed a hand on your leg a few times, and everytime she does that, you blush. She rubs your arm when you experience a loss, like paying for the kids for something. “Damn demanding kids. How do we have 4 of them” You say with a pout and she laughs at that. You guys got the most kids and you picked 2 girls and 2 boys, the boys being twins.

You all end up playing again with the same teams but the rule being you can’t pick the same career. Everyone that picked college last time ends up picking career path just to switch it up a bit, while Barb and Jacob pick college.

This time while playing, Melissa has her arm around your waist for half the game and the other half on your thigh. You swear that life is testing you tonight. You and Melissa end up winning both times and Melissa grins at that. After the second time, you all end up watching a movie. The group ends up picking a horror movie, despite your reluctance since you get scared easily.

Everyone is sitting on either your couch or your 2 love seats. Barb and Jacob are spread out on your couch, while Janine and Gregory are on one of the love seats. So you and Melissa take the other seat. Barb and Jacob each use a blanket, Janine and Gregory share one, while you and Melissa also share a blanket.

Since your kids were so hyper today, you were more tired than usual and you were comfy leaning on Melissa a bit. Melissa has the one arm that’s closest to you, propped up on the back of the seat, with the other one on your thigh and her body is turned to you a bit. You end up getting scared pretty early on and accidentally go to hug Melissa during a jump scare. Melissa stops breathing for a second before she puts an arm around you protectively. “It’s alright, you’re safe, I got you.” She tells you and she smiles. Everyone pretends to not notice what happened and hide a grin.

Everyone then decides to leave but since Melissa had a few glasses of wine, so you offer to let her sleep in your spare room so she doesn’t drive home drunk.

Melissa ends up hearing you scream when you awake from a nightmare and she goes over and knocks on your door.

“Y/n, it’s Melissa. I heard you screaming so I thought I’d come to check if you were ok.”

You get out of bed and go and open your bedroom door. “I’m alright, I just had a nightmare. I knew I shouldn’t have watched the movie with you guys. I’ll be too afraid to sleep now, I guess it’s good that tomorrow is Sunday.” You tell her with a small chuckle.

“Oh I’m sorry hun.” She tells you as she leans against the door frame.

“It’s alright, maybe I’ll just watch something on my phone, maybe some stand up and fall asleep again.” You tell her and she looks at you then an idea pops up in her head.

“What if I slept with you?” She says and you look at her with wide eyes and her face mirrors that when she realises how that sounds. “I-I meant in the same bed and sleep… actual sleep not sex.” She defends and you giggle. In your tired state and full of adrenaline from the nightmare, you blurt out something before your brain has time to stop you.

“I wouldn’t say no to either one of those.” You say and she looks at you surprised.

“Really?” She tells you and that’s when it hits you what you said and a huge and noticeable blush makes it on your cheeks.

“Umm, I mean , I… I-I have no idea what I mean actually.” You say and put your hand over your eyes in embarrassment. Melissa takes the hand off your face then looks at you.

“Do you like me? As in a crush.” She asks and you nod, too embarrassed to speak. As soon as you nod, she has a big smile. “Really?” And you nod again. Melissa gets really excited and kisses you. You kiss her back and you both think that it’s wonderful, you both enjoy the kiss but then Melissa pulls back when she realises she didn’t admit her own feelings, verbally anyway. “I like you too.” She says with a huge smile and a sparkle in her eyes.

You giggle at that. “I figured by the kiss.” You tell her and she smiles warmly at you. “I would love the company in my bed to try and sleep, if you’re still offering.” You tell her and she nods.

“Of course. If you want we could cuddle. I was rather enjoying that on the couch.” She tells you and you agree. You cuddle in your bed and you manage to fall asleep wrapped in her arms and a smile on your face, and your nightmares didn’t come back that night.

On Monday morning you come into the break room and get a coffee as usual. You go and sit on the couch next to Melissa to watch the news. She looks at you and smiles and you smile back at her. Everyone is looking at you guys curiously then you see Melissa looking at you with a mischievous expression. She wraps a hand behind your head and pulls you in for a kiss, you kiss her back and hear gasps from everyone. Melissa pulls back after a few seconds and you see everyone grinning.

“Well it’s about time you two.” Barb says. “I’m glad our plan to make you team up worked.” And you both look over at her with a quirked eyebrow.

“You guys planned that?” Melissa says and you smile and lean on her shoulder while she wraps an arm around your waist, still questioning everyone.

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[aureatchi]

⋆·˚ ༘* A NIGHT @ A JAZZ BAR! ft. dazai, chuuya, & ranpo!

a/n. i've never been to a jazz clb myself (hopefully in the future <('o'<3) !) but i keep seeing videos of them on my tiktok fyp ‘n i could vividly visualize the snug, intimate atmosphere...i was immediately reminded of these bsd men,, imo the vibe fits them v well !!

info. fem!reader. fluff as chambré as the ambiance. mentions of lots of drinking ‘n reader gets tipsy. to have the full experience i recc. listenening to jazz music while reading! \(^_<)\ wc. 6k (total)

DAZAI :

You needed a break. You had been working yourself morning to evening this past week for extra money—you wanted to make sure you still had a decent amount of savings in your bank account after all the shopping you had done with your friends the previous weekend. Thankfully, your final shift had ended earlier today, so you went home, indulged a nice, hot shower, and decided you should treat yourself for getting through the long week.

You had never been to a jazz bar before, but you thought it would be a fun twist in comparison to a regular bar—which is what you needed anyway. You wanted something to wind yourself down, and some drinks along with incredible music would certainly satisfy the interest.

So here you were, sitting on one of the tall, cushioned barstools as a bartender prepared your first drink. The atmosphere in the bar was cushy and cozy, already relaxing your mind.

“I’ll take what the miss ordered over here,” you heard from the handsome man who sat on the stool next to you, brunette hair covering his eyes.

He noticed your gaze and then turned towards you. “I haven’t seen you before; this your first time?” he asked, a friendly smile on his face.

“Yeah,” you replied, a shy smile in return. “My first time at a jazz club in general.”

“Ooh, how exciting!” he responded in delight. “I hope you’ll like it here.”

The bartender handed your identical drinks.

“What’s your name?” the dark-haired asked. You responded with yours, asking for his in return.

“Osamu Dazai,” Dazai replied with a wink. “Nice to meet you, bella.”

You were initially confused because you had just told him your name, and it wasn’t Bella (unless it was, ignore this!)—maybe he misheard? But he gave you no time to correct him when he raised his glass towards you.

“What brings you here?” he asked. “To try this out for the first time?”

“To celebrate still being alive after working my ass off this entire week,” you replied with a half-hearted laugh.

Dazai chuckled with you. “I could say the same for myself,” he replied, a hint of thoughtfulness in his voice. “Well then! Let’s toast…to being alive!” He raised his glass higher, and you did as well, meeting his in the middle.

Clank!

“And to a new friendship! Or possibly even more…” his grin turned smug as your expression contorted in confusion, and you felt your cheeks warm up.

“…Hey Osamu, we just met,” you responded with your own smirk, playing it off after your initial reaction.

“Just a possibility,” he giggled. “Because your response helped me figure out you were single, anyway! If you weren’t, you would’ve been like, ‘Oh Osamu~ I regret to inform you that I have a boyfriend…'”

“How sly.” You shook your head in amusement.

He simply laughed as you both took a drink of your cocktails.

...

You were on your fourth drink now. You and Dazai had conversed a lot throughout the evening—you had learned his occupation was a detective agent of sorts, and on that topic, he babbled on about how one of his coworkers would always complain about him being lazy and obnoxious.

“Kunikida’s always pissed at me,” Dazai giggled. “But he plays right into my entertainment—I get on his nerves on purpose! Actually, I was supposed to be investigating something this evening…wait ‘till he finds out I was at a bar all night gossiping about him with a fanciable lady!”

You laughed in response, cheeks tinted, while your eyes admired how the ambiance of the balmy-toned light in the room complimented his features. His gaze was soft and his eyes rosed in honey. Meanwhile, brown bangs rested gracefully on his face, while a strand of hair was tucked behind his ear. To further add to the dreamy atmosphere that surrounded you two, the smoothness of the melody in the background—especially with the use of piano, could be compared to a romantic candlelit dinner in itself.

“You’ll be fine slacking off, though, right?” you asked. “Your job seems important, so I wouldn’t want you skipping someth-”

“Don’t worry, bella, I’m more capable than you think,” he replied. “Or at least, you can have my word that I won’t get fired.” He gave you a playful smile.

“You’re so cute, though! Caring for my well-being. Awh, and now you’re smiling. Wait—don’t turn away; you don’t need to be shy!”

You also observed this man was a huge tease, quite literally pointing out your reactions to his flatter out loud the entire night. It was all Dazai’s doing though—how could you not fluster whenever he called you adorable? Especially when he looked as pretty as he was—there was no doubt your new friend was very attractive.

Your face was still turned away from him when you noticed other people in the room start to get up from their seats and move towards an area not crowded with tables and chairs, in front of the band playing the music live.

A new song had begun, and people started to dance with each other.

You turned back to Dazai and were greeted with an outstretched hand toward you as he stood up.

“Mind if I do?” he asked. “You need to experience the dancing too.”

You took his hand with a smile, and then he led you across the floor. “I’ll need help, though, Osamu. I'm not familiar with dancing here.”

“Don’t worry bella! I got you.” He dragged you into the center of the crowd and started guiding your movements—the dance was a fashion of stepping back and forth to the rhythm. His hands clasped around both of yours.

“The most important part is footwork,” Dazai whispered. You turned your head to see other couples and their movements, and you did your best to replicate them. You then focused your gaze to admire the band—seeing instruments such as the saxophone, piano, drums, and clarinet being played. You looked back at Dazai, both of you happy you had gotten the hang of the swing.

He suddenly stepped back at the same time you did, stretching both pairs of arms. He pulled you back in, and with it he let go of one hand and spun you around.

“Here’s one move,” he chuckled as he spun you once more, in the opposite direction. "Let's see how long it takes for you to get dizzy!"

...

The rest of the night was lovely. You danced with Dazai until the songs ended, and then you two had a few more drinks until he realized you had drunk too much.

“Are you fine?” Dazai asked, noticing your flushed cheeks and unfocused gaze.

“Hm? Yes,” you replied, though it was evident you were very tipsy.

“I think that’s enough drinks, hm?”

“Aw,” you replied, swishing around an ice sphere in your glass. In this state of intoxication, you had taken to stop looking at Dazai while he looked at you, because whenever you made eye contact with him now, you couldn’t control hiding being smitten by his charm anymore.

You stole a glance at him this time though, seeing through your peripheral that he wasn’t looking.

“Oh!”

Dazai had noticed your little solitaire’s rules and decided to join in your game too. He immediately caught your look and stared back.

Unconsciously, your chairs had gotten closer throughout the night, and at this point they were touching. Your personal bubbles had eloped, and Dazai was now very close to your face.

Your lips slightly parted, your heart racing in anticipation of what would happen next, a stark contrast to the flow of the slow music. Dazai’s breath on your neck, his eyes on yours, and his attention completely focused on you. The tension was unmistakable, especially when his pupils darted to your mouth—it truly seemed like he was going to kiss you right then.

But then, he pulled back, calling the server, leaving you stupefied.

“I’m paying for Miss too,” Dazai said to the bartender, handing him his card before looking back at you. “You should go home before midnight at least,” he looked at his watch. He then noticed your dismayed expression, and simply laughed.

“I want to get to know you to where I’ll know for certain I can do something like that while you’re in this state first. And you’ll be fine with it when you’re sober again—you’ll even let me do it when you’re sober,” he joked whilst giving you a reassuring smile.

He was so considerate. You were glad and thankful that he was a polite man—you would’ve definitely freaked out once you were sober if you let someone you just met at a bar kiss you.

Because you would’ve definitely let him.

“Okay, Mr. Gentleman,” you replied lightheartedly, but you too smiled to show you were seriously grateful for his self-control when he had an advantage.

After paying, he stood you up and put his beige coat that he hadn’t been using around you. You both walked—or you rather stumbled out into the cool evening air, and you immediately sobered up at the breeze.

“Thank you for keeping me company. My first experience was amazing thanks to you,” you said, merry.

“I thank you as well,” Dazai smiled too. “It was a pleasant night.

“Keep the coat for now. It’s an excuse for us to meet again.” He winked, and you chuckled, nodding your head in agreement.

Dazai then signaled for a taxi to come over to take you home.

He outstretched his arms a bit, an invitation to hug.

“May I?”

Your lips curled upwards, and you wrapped your arms around him too as he embraced you warmly. He gently kissed your forehead.

“Have a lovely night, belladona,” Dazai said as you both pulled back, the taxi vehicle stopping close by you. You realized then that he wasn’t calling you by the name, Bella—just the abbreviation for the romantic endearment he had called you by the entire time.

“You too, goodnight Osamu!” you responded.

…

At home, you went through the pockets of Dazai’s coat to see if he had left anything by accident. You found a small piece of folded paper, and opening it, he had left his phone number for you.

“Give me a call, bella!~”

CHUUYA :

“Almost done, doll?” Chuuya asked as you looked at yourself in the full-body mirror, seeing what your outfit looked like from all angles. You were dressed up—classy black corset top with a frilly skirt, under a matching blazer that belonged to your lover. 

“Yeah,” you replied, smiling when you saw the ginger appear behind you through the reflection, who gently lifted your hair and clasped a ruby-jeweled necklace around you. 

“We look s’good,” he said, looking into the mirror as well after putting on your necklace, both of you posing in your attire. You couldn’t have agreed any more. Chuuya was equally dressed as flamboyantly as you—designer branded black suit and tie with a matching fedora to tie it all together. 

“We’re like fashion icons,” you added, earning a smirk from him. It was always like this whenever you two went out—you and Chuuya would always subliminally earn the title of best dressed in the room, no matter the occasion, no matter how casual or formal the event was. 

“You’re right,” he agreed, planting a kiss on your cheek.

“Well, shall w’go now, mon amour?” Chuuya stepped back, holding out his palm for yours to take. 

You giggled at the extra-ness of the ginger-haired. 

“Lead the way, Chuu. Or what was it…oh! Monsieur Chuuya.” You took his hand as he led you out of your elegant hotel suite. 

Chuuya Nakahara had brought you all the way to Paris. He had gotten a week off from his work—this was seldom; he barely got any breaks from the Port Mafia, so he knew he had to do something special with you while he had more time on his hands. And what better to do than take you to the City of Love? 

Tonight’s evening plans included dinner at an elaborate restaurant—very lavish (usually, a table would have to be reserved about a month in advance, but Chuuya used his PM connections and money to buy you two a spot—you didn’t know this of course). 

Your dinner was delectable. You knew you would be dreaming of the delicious flavors of all seven French courses for days after finishing eating. 

Though, you and Chuuya weren’t tired yet, and it was still pretty early in the night, so you two decided to go to one of the underground jazz bars in the city. The warm, sultry air immediately filled your senses as you ran your fingertips through the texture of the auburn brick walls; the atmosphere of the place complimenting you and Chuuya’s aura perfectly. 

Some people even turned to you both as you made your way across the room, admiring how attractive you two looked together—the way your outfits highlighted your best features and coupled each other’s from the head accessories to the shoes you wore. Chuuya guided you from behind with one of his hands on your waist and wore a smug smile on his face as he noticed the glances. 

“Baby, they’re looking at us,” Chuuya whispered close to your ear, chuckling. “I know they all think we’re hot.” 

“Shh, Chuuya!” you responded in embarrassment, playfully swatting him away, but you too observed the other people in the bar gazing at you. 

You two sat at down at a booth, crimson red velvet cushions decorating the wooden sofa. 

“I’ma get drinks, alright?” he asked and you nodded before Chuuya made his way towards the bar. Meanwhile, you sat and watched the band on stage play. 

You and Chuuya were no strangers to jazz bars. It was an activity that became a statement in your relationship—back in Yokohama, whenever any of you needed destressing or just wanted to go out an evening without any plan, he would take you to one. So it was nice you could finally visit one in Paris, too. This one in particular was less known than others—usually, only a local would be able to find this jewel of a place. All knowledge credited to the expert Chuuya!

You also thought he enamored the vibe so perfectly. The setting of the place radiated of the top mafia executive so well—alluring nature; soulful, captivating music; the sophisticated selection of home-specialty cocktails on the menu—or even better, just the wine. 

Which is of course what Chuuya came back with, in red.

“Now what is this?” you asked, amused. You knew the ginger’s upscale taste in wine—after all, you’ve walked through his entire cellar worth multiple banks at home. You were awestruck, to say the least. 

Chuuya set the bottle down on the table. 

“This is a Pinot Noir. Domaine Georges and Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru 1990,” he pronounced while you stared at what you bet on the Eiffel Tower cost thousands in front of you. “I love this place. Didn’t think they’d have such a good bouquet here.”

“Chuuya! That’s such a long name?!” you responded, jaw-dropped. “Why the hell are these titles so long?”

He simply smirked. “Well, I think this is perfect for the occasion, doll. Do ya know why?”

“Hm…because we’re in France?” you guessed, knowing how most of Chuuya’s favorite wines were imported from the country. Since coming here, he’s tried a lot. 

“Not wrong, but there’s something else,” he continued. 

“You remember Musigny, right?” You nodded, recalling the previous three times Chuuya mentioned a wine from the Le Musigny vineyards while educating you about what he was drinking. 

“The story b’hind this wine involves a Musigny girl who marries a lad in 1924. As a dowry, he receives parts of the Chambolle Musigny vineyards. Then, Domaine Georges and Christophe Roumier were born, and this wine was produced. Kinda romantic, huh?” 

“Awh! Yes, it is,” you replied, smiling. You found it adorable that Chuuya had chosen a wine with some sort of lovey story behind it for this event. 

He smiled back and then opened the bottle, pouring you about a third of the glass of burgundy liquid. 

“Here, nana.”

He sat down beside you after pouring his own glass. You took yours and clanked his glass, seeing a smug smile on his face. 

You sniffed the wine first, a sous-bois—earthy aroma filling your senses, redberries and spices akin. Then you tasted it, intense, grapey flavor on your tongue. 

“Miam!”

…

You and Chuuya had finished the bottle and moved on to other cocktails. And though Chuuya did like liquor on special occasions, he also could not hold it very well. Tipsy yourself, you didn’t realize he too was intoxicated until he randomly jerked you up from the seat. 

“Let’s dance pretty girl,” he said, dragging you across the floor. 

“Wait, hang on Chuu!” you stumbled, trying to find your balance. 

You made it to the middle of the floor where many other people were and joined in with the vitalizing, fast-paced song. You and Chuuya swung around, dancing to your heart’s content. Though your mind was hazy, you made an effort to step in the right places, so you wouldn’t topple Chuuya and both go down. 

Except, it seemed that he was too drunk to focus as well. He had accidentally lingered his foot on the floor too long, causing you to slip when you accidentally moved yours to the same spot. You gasped and fell backward.

An arm swiftly wrapped around your back, though, saving you from hitting the ground. 

“Sorry baby!” Chuuya had snapped out of his fuzziness the moment you tripped, acting fast to stop your fall. Your eyes widened as you looked into his concerned face above.

You realized a few moments later that everyone in the crowd had parted, leaving you and Chuuya in the middle, still in the same position. Unintentionally, he had disguised your slip-up as a dip in dance, and everyone there was impressed! They started clapping as you both remained there, confused looks on your faces. 

But then, Chuuya smiled and pulled you back up into a kiss. He started chuckling as his lips lingered on yours, finding the entire ordeal funny that it had worked out so pleasantly. You smiled too, wrapping your hands around his neck while you heard shouts of “Ouah!” and “Comme c’est romantique!” from spectators. 

Chuuya wasn’t done yet, though. Even the band had stopped playing music to acknowledge this interlude, so Chuuya jumped up on stage headlong without hesitation and took the microphone. 

“This princess right here deserves everything,” Chuuya spoke, eyeing you with a grin, causing you to heat up in embarrassment. “I brought her to Paris ‘cause why shouldn’t someone as lovely as her experience the city of romance? I say I’m one damn lucky man to have her.” 

There was another applaud while you melted in your lover’s broad proclamation of endearment towards you. You almost couldn’t believe it—surely you were just drunk and imagining things; there was no way Chuuya had gotten on stage with the band and started speaking. But the reality of it proved when he jumped back off, and embraced you again. 

“Love you,” he whispered in your ear. 

“Or, the French say ‘Je t’aime.’”

“I love you too,” you giggled back, enjoying the warmth of his hug. 

… 

You were both exhausted by the end of the night, yet Chuuya still carried you bridal-style back to the hotel room. You scrambled to get ready for bed, showering and changing into your pajamas, and in no time, you were both tucked in under the covers. 

“That was fun,” you sleepily said as you wrapped an arm across him. 

“I’m glad it was,” he replied. “You deserve to enjoy every day.”

“I do enjoy everyday because I’m with you, Chuuya. What you said earlier…

“I’m one lucky girl to have you.”

RANPO :

“Ranpo-ohh, c’mon!” you exclaimed as you practically dragged your lover out of the kitchen. 

“Why do we gotta go!?” he whined back, trying to grab another cookie out of the glass jar on the counter. 

“It’s—literally a mission from the President?” you used all your force and pulled Ranpo away before he could latch his hands on the sweets. 

“Why does he gotta send us?” he continued to complain, but fortunately, no longer trying to escape from you. “He always gives me such boring missions…I should be getting much more important cases as the world’s best detective!” 

He ended his exclamation with a hmph! and crossed his arms. You sighed as you looked at his stubborn state, but couldn’t help but smile when you realized he looked kind of…adorable like this.

“Ranpo, your missions are probably so trivial because you’re just that smart! You can figure out the answers and solutions to people’s questions and problems right away, so of course, everything that isn’t some huge, world-threatening issue would be mundane to you!” 

“Yeah, ‘cause humans are stupid,” he responded, but it was evident in his eyes he appreciated your words. You’ve grown to learn this over time—Ranpo absolutely loved praise, tripling in significance when it came from you, but he was too prideful to admit it. You’ve seldom seen him thank other people when they complimented him, but he always made sure you saw it, even if it was in an indirect way…She’s brilliant anyway. She’ll know I cherish it. 

“But! Seriously? A jazz concert? Why couldn’t the President send someone more suitable for that setting? I have no interest in somewhere like that!” 

“Why not?” you asked. “It seems fun! There will be music and dancing and stuff.” 

“I’d rather stay here! There won’t be snacks—probably just drinks! And I don’t like drinking; nothing is sweet enough for me!” He pouted once again.

“Well, the point of the mission won’t be to entertain ourselves anyway. We’re going to find a suspected murderer and possibly stop another murder caused by this one from happening. Therefore, drinking isn’t even important—it should be out of the question. For tonight, anyway.” 

“Fine. Let’s go!” 

“Wait—just a minute! We need to be dressed for the occasion! So we blend in?” 

You found it ironic that the world’s best detective could easily solve any case with a snap of a finger, yet he couldn’t even use the train. His ignorance of things was quite amusing; something such as an event’s dress code had slipped his mind.

“Why, what’s wrong with my outfit?” Ranpo asked. 

“Or do you just want a reason to dress me up?” You could see a slight smirk forming on his lips. 

“Well, I wasn’t lying with what I just said, but yes, picking out an outfit for you would be quite fun…” 

…

You and Ranpo were dressed and ready to go to the event. You had styled him in a cocoa-brown button-up paired with some slacks and yourself in your favorite little black dress. 

“Earth tones fit you the best,” you commented as you admired him in the outfit you put him in. “They compliment your eyes really well.” 

“Really?” he asked as he strode over to a mirror and shoved his face directly in front of it. He opened his viridian eyes, wide, and tried to examine why you thought that by holding up a piece of the fabric to his face.

You giggled as he felt you wrap your hands around his waist, hugging him from behind. 

…

“The murderer is going to be in this large crowd,” you repeated facts that the both of you already knew. “They’ll be unsuspecting—they’ll blend in with everyone else like us.”

You walked through a slim door but were greeted by a vast, lively room of vibes and music. The concert hadn’t started yet, but there was already a sea of people inside conversing with each other and ordering drinks. 

“The murderer may not have bought a ticket,” you said just loud enough for Ranpo to hear after you showed your entry tickets. You scanned the guest list and saw that everyone currently in the room did buy one, casting aside the staff, so you ruled out that everyone there right now could be a suspect. “So that their name wouldn’t be documented here. We should keep watch to see who tries to sneak in.” 

Ranpo nodded. “There are definitely other entrance doors in here, though. There’s probably an emergency exit in another corner of the room, and there is the backstage door.” 

“So they can sneak in through here, bribe the doorman, or sneak in through the other door,” you clarified. “And if not…they would hide among the band performers and enter with them.” 

“Or! They could be one of the band players.” 

“Hm, really?” you asked. “I looked into this band when we first got assigned the mission. It doesn’t seem like any of the members have any dirt or sketchy controversy surrounding them.” 

“Just a possibility! But yeah, any of those three ways would be how the murderer will get in.”  

You nodded in agreement. “I’ll go around to find the other entrance then. We’ll text each other if we see anything; otherwise, we’ll meet back when the concert starts. 

“Okie dokie!” 

… 

Thirty minutes had passed. You had found the back entrance and idled by it to see if anyone would enter, but noone came. You waited for a text from Ranpo, but it didn’t seem like anything suspicious happened on his end either. 

You heard a smooth voice through a microphone that sounded the entire room as the lights dimmed. 

“Welcome. The concert will begin on stage shortly.” 

Taking one last look at the door, you left and made your way to the stage where many other people started to gather. You sifted through the congregation, trying to find the pretty brunette among them. 

“Boo!” 

“Hu-uh?!” You slightly jolted, immediately turning around. You were undoubtedly greeted with a brunette. But instead of Ranpo, you were met with… 

“Dazai?!” 

“Hey-y!”

“What are you doing here? And why are you dressed as a bartender?” 

“Oh!” he replied, taking your hand. “Well, Ranpo was trying to find you, so come with me first.” He led you through the group until you were at the bar area. 

“There you are!” Ranpo shouted, seeing you appear with Dazai. 

Dazai brought you to Ranpo and then went behind the counter. 

“Well, to answer your question, long story short, I got punished. For ‘being lazy’. Kunikida caught me trying to catch a nap on the couch and went and complained to the President. He came in, saw me still there, and decided to punish me by leaving Kunikida to punish me.” You lifted an eyebrow in amusement. 

“So, Kunikida said I’d have to work here for the night. To prove I’m worthwhile doing a job.

“But anyways, drinks?” He glanced at you and Ranpo. 

“No thank you,” you replied. “We’re on a mission right now. There’s a murderer we have to catch tonight.” 

“Oh yes, Ranpo already told me,” he replied, looking at Ranpo. 

“Dazai helped us a little,” Ranpo said. 

He explained that when Ranpo discovered he was here too, he helped by counting everyone in the room after one of the band members announced the concert was about to start. Then, all left was to ask the doorman a question that would tell them how many tickets were sold. If more people were in the room than tickets sold, they would’ve already entered. 

“And since you and I didn’t see them trying to enter through the two doors, that must mean that the murderer came in the third way,” you contemplated. “They would sneak in with the band.” 

“Or again! Be part of the band!” Ranpo exclaimed. 

You sighed while Dazai chuckled in amusement. 

“You don’t believe so?” Dazai asked. 

“I just don’t see how. I mean, there’s no way all the members would have such clean slates if one of them turned out to be the killer.” 

“Or you’re just biased,” Ranpo sparred. “I know you’re really fond of jazz. That’s why you were so excited to go on this mission. You probably don’t want to think one of the jazz musicians could turn out to be a criminal.” 

You frowned. “Ranpo, that’s not the only reason-” 

“Whatever! We need to see how many people bought tickets for here.” He cut you off.

“Alright, I’ll go,” you replied and walked over to the security man at the door you came in from. 

“Hi, I run a blog and I was interested in making an article about my experience here, would you mind if you could answer a question about something?” 

“Of course, I don’t mind,” he replied. 

“I was wondering how many people are here tonight,” you said. “This place seems popular. I was curious to see if the atmosphere makes it seem like there are more people than there are, haha.” 

“If everyone shows up, then there should be one hundred and seven people here,” he replied. 

“Cool, thank you!” 

You walked back over to Ranpo. 

“He said one-hundred-seven,” you told him. 

He and Dazai looked at each other. 

“I counted one-hundred-eight people here,” Dazai said. “Ranpo double-checked, by the way.” 

“Oh,” you said. “So, they did show up with the band.” 

“Let’s go check backstage,” Ranpo said.

…

You two snuck behind the stage with ease, no one paying attention to your trespassing when the band was already playing the third song. Dazai stayed behind; he had been greeted by a pretty woman who wanted a drink and seemed eager to serve her. 

“I don’t see anything odd here,” you said, scanning the room. Luckily it was empty, so you didn’t have to knock out anyone there. 

“Here’s the entrance,” Ranpo pointed to the door. 

“Yeah, so can’t you use ultra-deduction to figure it out now?” you asked, out of leads. There was an extra person in the concert, and they entered through the backstage, but you didn’t know anything else.  

“I told you! They are part of the band! Look, there’s a fingerprint scanner for security,” Ranpo said, pointing to a screen. “If you open the door, the scanner is on the outside. That means only they can enter.” 

“We can’t assume!” you argued back, running to a computer. “I don’t believe it! There’s no way one of them could be the murderer…I—I’ve been a fan of this band for years…” You turned on the computer to see the live recording of the security cameras in the room, one of the screens peering at your back. 

“Are you saying you’re doubting my ability!?” Ranpo clamored childishly.

You ignored him, rewinding the footage to earlier that evening when the jazz members arrived. And to your disappointment, no one else entered throughout the whole timeline until you and Ranpo. 

Is the murderer…really among them? 

“The final song will now begin.” The instruments had lowered in volume, and the same voice spoke in the microphone again, announcing the concert was almost over. 

“Found any other suspect, sweetheart?” Ranpo mocked immaturely. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” 

“What are you going to do? Jump up on stage and tell everyone one of them is a murderer?” 

“Mhm,” he replied, looking up at their backs. “They’ll all be interrogated, the murders will match up with one of them, and-” 

“There just has to be another explanation! I know we found one thing, but we should at least have more proof than just who entered this room to convict someone! I just think you usually have more reason for your conclusions, Ranpo!” 

He stared at you. It was obvious you and Ranpo were frustrated at each other, but you both fought to not cause a scene or verbally displease one another. 

“…I actually can’t figure it out. I tried but…it’s not giving me an answer. I don’t know why. It’s like, in reality, there’s no murderer here at all!” 

He looked disdained, and you immediately felt concerned. But before you could respond, Dazai walked in the room.

“What are you guys doing?” He pulled you with one arm and Ranpo on his other. “There hasn’t been a murder yet, so shouldn’t you be keeping an eye out for it in the crowd?” You three entered the show again, and you eyed the musicians on stage. 

Which one looks most like a murderer. And how will they murder? Will they bring someone on stage and do it there? Or after the concert ends? Or will they abduct the victim and then kill them?

And then the last song ended. The band thanked everyone for coming, and the audience started to either file out or go to the bar for some final drinks. 

It’s going to happen sometime now! 

You immediately tracked down the musicians, keeping them in your sight, even following them as they went backstage. You hid behind the doorframe so they wouldn’t see you watching them. 

But it seems that one of the members noticed. 

“Hey!” he spoke out, the one who played the saxophone. 

Shoot! Now I’m going to be their victim! 

He walked up towards you, and now you couldn’t escape. 

You didn’t even bother to tell Ranpo what you were doing before you ran off. 

“Hm, are you looking for a signature?” he asked, a friendly smile on his face. Fake friendly, possibly. Inviting and warm. So that you’d fall into his trap. It has to be him. 

“Y-yes!” you replied, trying to conceal your fear. “I’ve been a fan of your group’s music for a few years. I am glad I was able to hear it tonight.” 

“Wow, thank you!” he replied, humbly. ���That really means a lot. Here, you can come in and I’ll sign wherever you want.” 

And this is where it happens, huh. You debated stepping inside when suddenly, Ranpo appeared in front of you. 

“Back away from my girlfriend!” 

Hu-uh? 

The musician immediately stepped back, seeing the livid face of your lover as he outstretched an arm in front of you for protection. 

“You’re not murdering [Y/N] next! I won’t let you touch her-” 

“Woah-woah!” A new face popped up in the room as the entire jazz band group looked terrified—“Dazai?”

Dazai ran in between Ranpo and the saxophone player, pulling Ranpo and you back. 

“I sincerely apologize for this matter,” Dazai groveled frantically, almost dramatic. “It seems our friend here has gotten very drunk and is acting impulsively! I’m responsible for both of them, so I’ll be taking them now…” 

…

Dazai dragged you and Ranpo out by the collars to the bar counter. 

“Now what was that about?!” you both asked simultaneously, dumbfounded that Dazai had stopped your confrontation with the murderer and even made up a whole excuse for the suspicion. 

“The fact is there is no murderer here,” Dazai calmly said. “The entire case was a setup.” 

“WHAT?!” 

“The President just wanted you two to relax a little because of how diligently you worked; you solved about two cases a day this week, after all. He thought maybe you’d catch on quickly how this was just a scheme, but-” 

“That’s why I couldn’t figure it out! Because you planned this, Dazai!” Ranpo was pouting with his eyes sealed shut and arms crossed, but you could tell he was also a bit relieved that it was only a silly prank by Dazai instead of it being a case he couldn’t find the true answer to. 

Dazai was one of Ranpo’s countable competitors, after all. His intelligence was almost if not as equal to your lover’s. 

“But the extra person in the room?” you asked. “That was still true unless you also hired the doorman to lie about the number.”

“Oh! Well—oddly, the security hasn’t noticed me yet. I’m not even a worker here. I snuck in!”

“So you’re telling me YOU were the extra person at this concert?!” you and Ranpo screamed. 

“Shh! So loud, you two! So now that this case is solved…drinks?” 

…

“I’m sorry for getting frustrated over you,” you apologized to Ranpo as you two sat on the bar stools. “You weren’t wrong; I was being biased whether this was a true mission or not. I really like this jazz band.” 

“Duh, I know,” Ranpo replied, having one of the sweeter cocktails. Of course he did—you had a massive poster of them on your wall.

“…We can come to their concert the next time they perform. Dazai was mean for watching us get worked up over nothing. The music was pretty cool anyway.” 

He gave you a wide grin. You smiled back, shoving a cookie in his mouth. 

“Saved it. Because I knew the best detective in the world would prevail in the end.” 

“Usually you say ‘solve the case in the end’.” 

“Okay well, technically, this wasn’t a case at all—y’know what, forget it.” 

“I’m just kidding. Thanks. For the cookie.” 

You smiled once more. You knew Ranpo meant more than just the sweets by how his cheeks blushed a soft pink. 

reblogs are cherished. <3

reverie is back and in her bsd era i fear...daz’s hair tucked behind his ear>>. ugh he was so polite here. chuuya ‘n his expensive tastes ‘n his expensive dates mwah! lit researched wine lists ‘n wine etiquette for this. v much got carried away on ranpo...it’s okay he’s the cutest and intelligence bows before him! thoo, he’s so so stubborn.

© AUREATCHI 2023 — no reposts or translations. do not steal.

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

A Big Misunderstanding

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2.6k

Warnings: mentions of being tortured, your partner is killed because of it, your coworkers blaming you for their death, migraines, deaf in one ear, feeling less than by hotch, fluff at the end

Request by anon: Read the request here!

Summary: You're a new transfer to the team without Hotch knowing about it You needed to escape harassment and tragedy from your other job, so Strauss places you as the new techy girl alongside Penelope. Everyone welcomes you with open arms but Hotch, and it's starting to affect your physical health.

Square Filled: guilty conscience for @badthingshappenbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

This is it. This is the first day of your new career, new life, and hopefully with a new family to call your own. The last one didn’t end up so well for you. You’re hoping to start something new with all new people and a brand-new attitude. You walk into work with your purse slung over your shoulder and enter the bullpen. There are so many people busting their asses, moving about the large area, and doing work at their computers. A black man walks past you with coffee in his hand, and you quickly stop him.

“Hi, where can I find Agent Hotchner?”

“Up the stairs. His office is right in front of it.”

“Thank you,” you smile and walk past him.

Agent Hotchner is sitting in his office looking over one of the files Spencer sent over to him when you knock on the door.

“Come in.” You knock again when you don’t hear anything. “Come in.”

This time you do. Hotch is floored by your beauty when you walk in but he remains stoic. He doesn't want to give away just how beautiful he thinks you are.

“Hi. My name is Y/N. I am here about the technical analyst position available.”

“There is no position available. I’m sorry, you must have the wrong department.”

“You’re Agent Hotchner with the BAU, correct? I was sent here to start with Penelope Garcia.”

“Who sent you?”

“I’m sorry?” you ask when you didn’t hear him speak. You move your right ear closer to him so you can hear better. “Can you repeat that?”

“Who sent you?” he asks more sternly.

“Cheif Strauss.”

Hotch doesn’t say a word and picks up his desk phone to call the Chief. She never told him she would be sending anyone over, and he never requested for a new person to join the team.

“Hello, Agent Hotchner.”

“Chief Strauss. I have Agent Y/N here saying she’s going to be working with our technical analyst. Am I hearing this correctly?”

“Yes, I sent her over there to be transferred.”

“Without talking to me about it?”

“I don’t feel like I have to tell you everything I do. She will be joining your team. I assume you’re perfectly capable of training her?”

“Yes ma’am.” Hotch hangs up and looks at you with a sigh. “The team and I are meeting right now to go over a case. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

You bite your lower lip nervously. You hate coming across as dumb but you really can’t hear what he’s saying when he speaks in a low tone or mumbles.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”

“I said you can join us. We’re about to be briefed.”

He gets up and walks out of his office with a hard look on his face. He hates himself for thinking you’re so beautiful when he’s going to be your boss. Dating you or even thinking about dating you is inappropriate, so he’ll try to keep this as professional as possible. You haven’t even started your first day and you’re already off to a bad start. Still, you chalk this up to a rough start and follow him into the briefing room where the rest of the team is at.

“Team, this is Agent Y/N. She will be starting today as a technical analyst that will be working side-by-side with Garica. Y/N, these are Agents Prentiss, Reid, Morgan, Rossi, Jareau, and our technical analyst Penelope Garcia.”

“What’s your name again?” you ask the blonde and sit next to her.

“Penelope Garcia. You’ll have so much fun working with me. I like to keep it cool in the office,” she smiles.

You can tell you’re gonna get along with her easily.

“Let’s begin,” Hotch says and looks at JJ.

JJ places crime scene pictures on the screen for everyone to see. Some are of a crushed vehicle and others are of victims who have been crushed by a vehicle. Penelope gasps and looks away so she can keep some decency while you look on in curiosity.

“An unsub that kills with his car? I haven’t seen that before,” Emily says.

“Neither have the police in Bend, Oregon which is why they need our help. There have been two victims in the last twelve days. The first victim is Maria Delgado, twenty-three. She was hit on a morning jog. The second victim is Shannon Makely, forty-three. She was stranded on the side of the road when her car broke down.”

“What makes the locals think that they were connected?” you ask, trying to be part of the conversation.

“For one thing, they were both backed over after the initial impact. This wasn’t an accident. Plus, they matched treads in both scenes. They were large wheels for all terrain. Their wounds also indicated a raised bumper, so they’re thinking a large SUV to a truck. When we land, I want a list of everyone who owns a vehicle for all-terrain.”

“What?” you ask and look at his lips to read what he’s saying.

He shoots you an annoyed look which makes you sink into your chair in embarrassment. 

“Garcia, get me the list.”

“Sure,” she nods and looks at you.

“Do they know the make or model?” Derek asks, moving the conversation along.

“No. The tires are made for multiple kinds of vehicles.”

“Were there any witnesses to either incident?”

“No, both victims were attacked in secluded areas.”

“Two tons of metal make a hell of a weapon,” Derek says.

“Serial killers have been known to become rather attached to their vehicles. Bittaker and Norris even gave theirs a nickname. Murder Mac,” Spencer explains.

“Bittaker and Norris were sexual sadists. There's no sign of torture here. This sounds like thrill kills for easy targets randomly selected. We need to think about if they’re not random. We need to see if there is a connection between the two victims.”

“With this type of impact, the vehicle shouldn't be hard to pick out of a lineup. There should be significant front-end damage.”

“Somehow I don't think it's gonna be that easy,” Rossi shrugs.

“Well, I think it's safe to assume our unsub is male,” Emily states. “A big car is phallic like he’s overcompensating for something. Maybe he’s impotent. If the unsub sees himself as physically defective, the car not only gives him the power and control he otherwise lacks, but it also serves as a shield.”

“Maybe a way to avoid physical contact?” Hotch asks.

“Now we’re going in a different direction. Power, control, and female victims equal up to a rape profile.”

“Rape and thrill kills are two very different profiles. What does victimology tell us?”

“Nothing, yet. Shannon Makely was a white, married, commodities trader. Maria Delgado was a Hispanic grad student and a competitive tri-athlete.”

“So far, gender's our only link. Hopefully, the crime scenes will tell us more. Garcia, Y/N, I want you with us on this one. Y/N, do you have a go-bag?”

“No.”

Hotch sighs in annoyance but Penelope saves the day.

“Come on, I’ll show you where I keep my go bag.”

You don’t mean to be a pain in the ass especially on your first day, but you’re really trying to fit in here. You used to be an active agent that was really good out in the field. You passed every test with flying colors and were up for a promotion within your field.

Until one day when you and your partner went undercover.

You two were captured by a well-known drug lord who was known for torture and gang violence. He knew one of you was FBI but didn’t know exactly which one. He tortured both of you until one of you confessed, but it’s not like you two were going to give the other one up. If only you had told him you were the FBI agent then he wouldn't have killed your partner. Your partner died because of you, and when your team busted in to try and save you two, the explosion from the blast they used shot your hearing so bad you became deaf in your left ear. If you get stressed too much then you start to get migraines and Strauss knows this.

Seeing Hotch behave this way starts a small headache you know won’t go away if he continues. You would have recovered and stayed with your original team if they didn’t harass you every day and blamed you for your partner’s death. Strauss knew it was a problem when you came into her office crying because of them.

You hope this team isn’t going to be like your last otherwise, you’ll have to find a new line of work.

“Are you sure I should come along?”

“You’ll do great,” Penelope encourages.

You and Penelope meet everyone on the plane. They discuss the case some more but you only listen this time. You want to see how each person is just by observing instead of butting in and trying to be like one of them. Plus, you’re not a profiler so you’ll leave this one to the team.

Your only focus is the computers and the technical world. When you were recovering from your accident, you taught yourself how to code and hack since you were bedridden for months. You got to the point where you impressed Strauss with your skills which is why she put you on this team. They don’t necessarily need you but this is the only team she can put you on without having to fire you altogether.

When the plane landed, you and Pen elope set up shop in the police station surrounded by laptops. One of the crime scenes happened near a security camera which is what Penelope is working on. You’re getting that list for Hotch of everyone who owns an all-terrain vehicle and cross-referencing if they still live in the state or not. This is what you like to do post-kidnapping. This gives you a different kind of comfort than being out on the field.

“Garcia, anything?” Derek asks.

“Not yet, sugar. Give me a few more minutes.”

“Y/N, I have a list of suspects PD already has in mind. Cross-reference those who are already on your list,” Hotch orders.

“I’m ready when you are.”

Hotch starts listing off names from your left side so it’s kind of hard to hear him. You don’t want to make a scene and ask him to move so you try your best to put in the right name. Hotch watches as you type in the names and sees you’re typing in the wrong names.

“No, I didn’t say Millie Bael, I said Lily Ball. Are you not listening to me?”

You’re trying really hard not to cry right now and your head hurts so much. Derek sees the look of despair and pain on your face and puts a hand on his shoulder.

“Hotch, take it easy. It’s her first day.”

“Sorry, Lily Ball,” you mutter and type in the name.

After twenty minutes of almost wanting to cry, you narrow down your list to ten suspects. Penelope didn’t find good coverage on the security footage so she is looking into half of the men on the list while you get the other half.

“Look into the history of each suspect. I don’t want any stone unturned, understand?” You’re staring at Hotch’s mouth to read what he’s saying. Ever since becoming deaf, you’ve gotten good at reading lips. “Do you understand?” 

You jump at the sudden change in tone.

“Yes, sir. I will look into the history of each ma and cross-reference them with accidents they might have been in.”

“That’s not at all what I said. I don’t even know why you’re on this team. We never had an issue with having just one technical analyst.”

Tears brim the surface of your eyes but you won’t let them fall. It’s only the first day. I’ll get better. Hotch walks away with a scoff and a shake of his head, and you fall onto your chair with a sigh.

“I don’t know why he’s being so hard on you. He’s never like this,” Spencer says.

Emily, Derek, and Rossi are out right now leaving you, Spencer, Penelope, and JJ alone in the conference room.

“I don’t mean to be this way. I was never like this.” You explain your past to them--the drug lord, getting kidnapped, tortured, injured, and harassed every single day. “I needed out of that job. I was so excited to be put here but Hotch is only reminding me of my coworkers. Hopefully, he’ll ease up on me.”

He didn’t.

For the rest of the case, Hotch continued to be hard on you even when the team defended you. Every little thing you did Hotch criticized, even if what you did was completely right. He always had something to say about something, and by the end of the case, your headache is at an all-time high.

While on the plane ride home, you tried to get some sleep. The migraine plus the stress Hotch is putting on you is enough to send your mind into a nightmare. A nightmare about what you could have done differently to save your partner. Hotch sits in his chair and watches you without anyone noticing him. He knows he’s been hard on you but he hates anyone new coming in and ruining the dynamic between the teammates that are already here.

You gasp awake and scare everyone from the sudden noise, and Hotch’s eyes narrow.

“Are you okay?” JJ asks.

“Yeah. I’m sorry,” you whisper.

“Y/N. When we land, you and I need to have a conversation with Chief Strauss about your future here.”

“I’m sorry,” you say as a tear rolls down your cheek.

“Hotch,” JJ says to defend you. However, you’re already getting out of your seat and going into the bathroom to have some time alone to yourself. “Why are you being so hard on her?”

“Have you not been with her the entire time? She always asks me to repeat myself and she can’t follow instructions.”

“She was in an accident. She used to be a really good agent. I looked her up,” Spencer says.

“Her former team blamed her for the death of her partner, and she became deaf in her left ear after being tortured for information,” JJ finishes.

Now Hotch feels like shit. His face doesn’t give away how he’s feeling but deep down, he’s feeling like the worse piece of shit ever. He tries to talk to you when the plane lands but you escaped to grab your things to get the hell out of there. You’re almost at the elevator when Hotch stands in your way.

“Sir?”

“I want to apologize for how I’ve been treating you. I’ve been completely unfair to you without understanding who you are as a person and as an agent. I’ve always been reserved with new people on this team which is something I know I need to work on.”

“I don’t mean to do this on purpose. I’m assuming JJ and Spencer told you what happened to me?”

“Yes. If you’ll accept my apology, I’ll work on making you part of this team as if you started here on day one.”

“That’ll take months, I’m afraid, but apology accepted,” you smile.

Yup, you’re going to be the death of him. Your smile is too damn beautiful not to see in his office every day, and he’s gonna do everything he can to keep it there.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[sleepytwilight]

It's me again! I'll be your daily requestor here, sending asks for only twice a week so you can rest. I highly appreciate the Guitarist!MC headcanons, thank you!

So here's my second one. Hopefully, you'll be okay of writing it. How about the ArTw men with a MC who calls them "mahal"? "Mahal" means "love" in Filipino (because I am Filipino myself) and I want to see their reactions. That's all, thanks again!

Lmao I am Malay and for me 'Mahal' mean expensive xD. We're calling the boys love and expensive.

𝔸𝕣𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕦𝕤

He doesn't understand why you called him mahal. It feels like a positive vibe so he don't mind it.

Then Vega told him what 'Mahal' means. Oh poor our orange boy, he didn't expected it from you and was very flustered!

He will calls you 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) which mean cute <3 (correct me if I'm wrong-)

𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕒

Spica is too smart for this world, he figured out you speak one of the mid eartheim language and immediately studied it.

When he found out, he was a bit flustered but doesn't mind it. He actually likes it a lot.

If you call him Mahal, he'll call you Maganda. (which mean beautiful/pretty[also correct me if I'm wrong])

ℙ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕩

Ngl, he thought you're making fun of him until you come clean and told him what's the meaning of mahal.

Boy became red as roses and his soul left his body.

He got embarrassed everytime he remembers you called him that and he was completely oblivious.

Just saying he'll call you sweetie, it doesn't sound like him but he looks so adorable saying it.

𝔸𝕝𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕫

He doesn't really mind for it and just thought it was mid eartheim thing. Then later he realized only you call him 'mahal'.

Curiosity got best of him, he asked Vega what does it mean since Vega is from mid eartheim.

Boy, he didn't sleep for a whole week.

Since then he started to cling to you and call you love too <3

𝕊𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕦𝕤

He really doesn't know what it mean but he still tease you about it and pretended to understand.

He had to asked Vega what does it mean, Vega lied and told him Mahal means expensive. Technically it's not a lie but Vega just want to mess with Sirius.

At least for Sirius who misunderstood, he learned bahasa melayu and he calls you 'sayang' which mean love/sweetie/darling.

At the end, he finally found out you were calling him 'love' this whole time. He honestly should've see it coming, he's happy that you call him that.

𝕍𝕖𝕘𝕒

He's your childhood friend, of course he'll know what does it mean.

He got the 3 stage of love, denial, acceptance and loving you. He's really happy.

Whenever you call him Mahal, his cheeks turn red as peach fruit. He couldn't help but smiles when you call him that.

You and him are so adorable istg-

[okaystoptellingmetomakeanaccount]

I feel like saying this again but having it in an actual like proper post written down messily for now, so that’s what I’m doing, with confusing hopefully still grammatically correct somehow sentences included.

Scrooge’s treasure hunts are about adventure btw. Not about the treasure. Adventure is the real treasure in the end.

But Scrooge is still greedy. He shouldn’t go on adventure for the sake of it. There needs to be a treasure incentive for him to go. Look. Wait.

(I’m gonna say all a lot, and such superlative things, but I’m talking about the stories from authors that today are seen as most important)

When you look at the older treasure hunts, the thing that most people remember is awesome Scrooge goes to far away place to get rare stuff that’s worth lots. But like what many people seem to forget about a large majority of the classic stories, is that Scrooge doesn’t get the treasure. People think back and remember a successful and fun adventure, so one might assume that the treasure was also gotten, but that’s almost never the case. The classic (think around to before 70s) Donald Duck comics operate very very heavily on a continuing thread of irony and satire, arguably more so than later. The point in every adventure is that it’s never what you expect. You go looking for a cheap magical defense, and find yourself paying your nephew a proper salary. You go looking for a great medicine, and end up with thousands of dollars spend, and all the medicine spilled (and in the Scarpa twist, also accidentally smuggled jewelry). Or of course, you go looking for paradise, and end up inventing capitalism.

People seem to have kinda forgotten that this was once the norm. Nowadays you get stories where writers think they’re clever by saying: “Oh, no, Scrooge can’t take this treasure. It belongs to the government of the country he is in.” And like that’s nice, but also, that’s not a thing that should be worth pointing out.

The most famous offender of this crime is Rightful Owners, which, to be fair to Rightful Owners, is a DuckTales (look i capitalized ducktales right for once) comic, where I think this does happen, but also, to be fair to my wumblr post, it’s trying really hard to be a Barks sequel as well because Warren Spector (yeah the Epic Mickey guy) was a big fan of Barks. So you’ll get Webby telling everyone how bad Scrooge is, and it feels kinda redundant. And then the ending of that story is pretty weird as well.

But if I think about it again, what Rightful Owners does do is portray Scrooge as very unwilling to agree with Webby. He doesn’t think that the times that he did steal stuff, he was in the wrong. Because that’s the other part. Even when he gets the treasure and is basically stealing from the local population, that’s fine, because Scrooge isn’t a good person. I guess the closest you can get in tropey terms for such a situation is that specific scene makes him a villainous protagonist, but that’s not really the point. There are no hero’s or villains in ba sing se, with which I mean Duckburg, is the point.

Scrooge’s treasure hunts are about adventure, but only for us. The treasure being gained isn’t the point of the story. The story hasn’t ‘succeeded’ when the Ducks find the chest with golden coins. But it is the point for the character. The treasure hunts work because Scrooge is a greedy guy who is fine with doing that kind of stuff. The story has succeeded for him when the chest with golden coins is found.

And of course, this all comes together in the end when I say the new Ducktales does this wrong. Sorry, I did it again, this is where it all leads to in the end huh. I was in the mood okay. Ducktales bad again.

Scrooge in DT17 doesn’t find the treasure that important. He does it for the adventure. It’s to show that he’s actually not that much of a greedy bad person. But he also doesn’t mind taking stuff that’s not his. So, like, uhm.

DT17!Scrooge does often succeed, because that’s how Ducktales is. It has satire, but it’s not drenched in irony, it’s not Guido Martina writing the show. That’s not a critique of course, in case someone would think that for some reason. But DuckTales doesn’t do downer endings (last crash isn’t a downer ending it’s setup for the next episode), so you’re missing the whole part where Scrooge’s treasure hunts fail. The adventure is important, and so the adventure is what Scrooge finds important, and so if he never fails, then the adventure never fails. It’s looking at it from a completely Watsonian perspective. Adventure should only ever be the real treasure from a Doylist perspective. The comics don’t treat succeeding in the character’s goal as succeeding in having written a good story. And i had set up some other points to cycle back to in this part, but i forgot what they were because I’m stupid, so this is just kinda the point you’ll have to live with for now. I might finish this if I remember again.

[blueishspace]

Hero, Villain God 32

(Prev) (Next) (First)

*Grian's pov*

You "wake up" extremely late the next day ... You didn't really, you took the night to work on things in your plan and you just lost track of time, but nobody has to know that...

Normally this wouldn't be worth mentioning considering It's Saturday and most mortals oversleep in the weekend but from the number of notifications on your phone you can guess this isn't the case... You just have to wonder what in the world has been going on.

[Pearl created a new chat.] [Pearl added you.] [Pearl added Scott.] [Pearl added Cleo.] [Pearl added Martyn.] Scott: Ohh Nice! Scott: ... Scott: Why? Cleo: Yeah. Cleo: What's this for? Pearl: After yesterday thought it would be a good idea. [Pearl changed the chat(s) name to Winners] Scott: Ohhh!love that. Scott: What did we win? Pearl: Nothing. Martyn: Maybe the real win was the friends we made along the way. Cleo: Why that name then? Pearl: It's a bit of a joke, It's a reference to the traffic. Cleo: ... Cleo: So, hope you know that doesn't make any sense. Martyn:Say. Martyn: Talking about friendship, where's my funny man Scar at? Pearl: I don't have his number. Martyn: Aww. Pearl: Ask Grian about it. Martyn: @/Grian. Scott: I don't think he's awake yet. Martyn: @/Grian. Martyn: @/Grian. Cleo: This is fun. @/Grian. Martyn: @/Grian. Cleo: @/Grian. Scott: I can do that too @/Grian.

. . . You are going to have to respond or they might actually keep doing this, well, finding Scar's number shouldn't be too hard... hopefully.

Grian: I'm here. Martyn: Finally. Martyn: So? Grian: I'm on it.

Scar looks more lively today, the eyebags are still there but much less prominent. He looks excited about something.

"What has gotten you so happy Scar? Did you enjoy my gift that much?"

"No! I mean yes! I mean I loved it! But I am excited about something else!"

"Something else?"

"Yes! Guess!"

"Uh... We got a raise?"

Why did you even ask that, you don't even need money...

"... No?"

"I have no clue...is it like...hero stuff?"

"Yes! The hero association said that you can start actually going out as my sidekick soon!"

Ah right, yeah, you were wondering about that actually... It's been a few days since the inauguration thing abd you haven't actually done any hero stuff yet.

". . .Aren't you excited?"

You are, definitely, just probably for different reasons then his.

"Yeah, just shocked about it, didn't meant to leave you hanging like that."

"Oh right, I shouldn't have told you like this... Kinda sprung it on you randomly"

"It's ...fine Scar."

Then he seems to remember that you wanted to talk to him.

"Well, did you need something G?"

"... Yeah, do you have a civilian phone number?"

"Oh yeah! I should have told you ages ago! It's xxxxxxxxxx"

"Great, Pearl made a group chat, do you want in?"

"Oh! Sure! That sounds fun"

-Winners- Martyn: So? Martyn: Any news. Scott: I'm pretty sure he just went back to sleep. Grian: Done. Scott: I stand corrected. [Grian added Scar]

*End of chapter 7*

[vvanillavveins]

On the WTNV finale:

Look, i like Brinknor. They helped me fall back in love with Night Vale when i was feeling particularly uninspired. It's hard to put it into words; i have adhd & i struggle to remember big intricate plots unless something reoccurring has really grabbed hold of my attention, and before Brinknor, i was struggling to sink my teeth into anything attention-holding, so to speak. I guess i was becoming less enthusiastic in Night Vale's storyline as time went on, even though i couldn't really work out why. I just couldn't stop tuning out. But, with Brinknor, there came a bunch of shiny new plotpoints- at a faster pace. The show could actually hold my focus properly, and my wtnv fixation was suddenly up & running again.

All this is to say that i know it's just my impatience talking when i say that i wish that the loose ends of those new, interesting plotpoints had been tied up a little more by episode 250. I adore the way they write about Cecil's childhood and his family, and i want Kevin & The Boy's arc to be given the same amount of love, and attention, and time that the Palmer siblings' arc got. The same goes for Tamika. And Carlos. And Lauren, actually. Yes, i know she was a central figure in the last 2 episodes, and i loved that because she's one of my favourite characters. I fucking adore eldritch Mother Lauren. But still, it was all too vague to really learn anything new about her or the desert otherworld. And, above all else, i can't help but think of how wonderful it would've been if Charles and Donovan were included in the finale- especially Donovan.

When Kevin first came back in 2023, one of my silly little hcs as to why he was apparently in the Smiling God's bad books (and why he didn't mention Charles or Donovan) was that because Charles & Donovan aren't from Desert Bluffs they haven't devoted themselves to the Smiling God like the rest of the townsfolk. They wouldn't "smile" properly. One of my darker ideas at the time was the possibility of Kevin having to choose between making them part of his faith, i.e., making them "smile" like the rest of Desert Bluffs (which i doubt he'd go through with after his mudstone abyss arc), or having Charles & Donovan leave town (which i doubt they'd go through with), or, doing neither & keeping quiet about his life with them to avoid drawing attention. If he chose the latter and then got found out, it would make sense that he'd stop being the Smiling God's favourite. Obviously, i never thought any of that was correct- i was just having fun- and i was excited to find out the real story further down the line.

But that didn't happen, and we still don't really have many answers. Everything to do with Kevin, and Lauren, and The Boy got wrapped up in about 10 minutes flat. We've already had an emotional Fatherhood themed episode with Cecil & Abby; we didn't need another one just for the sake of it.

With the context of what we already know about Kevin's father, the ending of episode 250 was just uncomfortable. Sure, Kevin's talked about his father positively before, but that's always been in contrast with the actual content of his memories. It's always been made clear that the script/the writers disagree with Kevin's sunny outlook, and therefore the listeners should too. Those moments are there to demonstrate just how fucked up Kevin really is, and that his positivity is just a coping mechanism. But this time Cecil spoke for him, so we didn't get Kevin's usual sing-song rambling. It was calm, and collected, and matter-of-factly. And this time there were no sugar-coated descriptions of abuse, only genuine praise. We were actually supposed to agree with him this time, and it made the whole speech (and ending) sound hollow and forced.

I really didn't like this episode. It felt rushed. It tried to cover far too much far too quickly, and it failed. But, despite all that, i am hoping that future episodes will bring some sort of clarity about what happened. And hopefully some closure about Kevin and his family, too. I want loose ends to get tied up properly and i believe that maybe, with time, the important ones will be. Slow burning subplots are kinda quintessential to Night Vale's writing at this point anyway. Brinknor definitely missed the mark with this one, but they're still incredibly talented writers and i'm not ready to give up on them like some of the other fans on here.

Besides, i think that some of Night Vale's worst episodes are still incredible pieces of writing in their own right. The bad episodes are only bad in comparison to the dozens upon dozens of absolutely phenomenal episodes that make up the rest of a show that is, for the most part, a joy to listen to. So, here's to some hopefully better episodes in the future, i guess.

[differentpostrebel]

Lost and Found: A Pirates Promise

Chapter 56: War Games

A/N: HAPPY NEW YEARS!! I hope everyone is enjoying their days! I wanted to reach out and which everyone a happy new years! and we also have a new chapter today! We have alot of POVs going on as well as some revelations that will add to the whole story as we get closer to the end... Thank you to everyone for following along, liking, resharing, etc... Now with out further a do, let the adventure begin!

I cant seem to find the gif of this, but here is the video! We finally get Sanji putting Judge in his place.

Y/N POV…

As we finally made it inside Bege's castle, I slightly stumbled and fell to the floor. I quickly pulled out the earplugs, panting as I tried to catch my breath. “Y/N!” four different voices called out in unison. I looked up to see Luffy, worry etched on his face, alongside King, Sanji, and Ichiji.

Chopper soon came into view, his expression focused and determined. “Let’s get your wounds tended to,” he said, kneeling beside me. “Can someone carry her?” he yelled, glancing at the others.

Immediately, Sanji and Ichiji began to argue over who should take me. “I got her!” Sanji insisted, stepping forward, but Ichiji shot back, “No way, I’ll do it!”

Before they could escalate the argument further, King pushed them both aside effortlessly and scooped me up into his arms, heading toward the sofa. I could hear Sanji and Ichiji grumbling behind us, both looking annoyed at being outmaneuvered.

Once we settled on the sofa, Chopper carefully removed Zoro’s bandana from my head, revealing the wound I had sustained from Perospero. “What possessed you to taunt him like that, princess?” King asked, a mix of concern and frustration in his voice.

I turned to him and smirked. “Because it was fun,” I replied, and Luffy burst into laughter, the sound a welcome relief amidst the tension.

“By any chance, do you have those medications you used to give me when I was injured and had to train the next day?” I asked King, raising an eyebrow hopefully.

He nodded and pulled out a tiny box from his pocket. “I always carry some just in case,” he said, smirking back at me.

“Mhmm,” Nami chimed in, giving King and me a knowing look.

I tried to sit up straighter, but a sharp pain shot through my head. “Right, where are my—ow, ow!” I exclaimed, gripping my head as the throbbing intensified.

“Easy there,” Chopper soothed, looking worried as he prepared the medication. “Let’s just get you patched up first.” His hooves moved quickly, expertly tending to my wound.

“You must be the ship’s doctor, Chopper, correct?” King asked, his voice steady and respectful as he watched Chopper work.

Chopper nodded proudly. “That’s right!”

“He's the best doctor there is,” I added, and Chopper’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.

“Flattery won’t get you nowhere, you big dummy,” he retorted, but the smile on his face betrayed his happiness. His gaze then shifted to Nami. “And you must be the ship’s navigator, correct?”

“That’s right,” Nami replied, grinning at him.

Chopper’s eyes sparkled with excitement. King continued, “I met you already, the skeleton named Brook.”

“Yohooho! It’s an honor to meet you!” Brook exclaimed, bowing dramatically, his skeletal frame making it even more amusing.

“And I also met you, Monkey D. Luffy,” Chopper said, turning his attention to Luffy. “The princess talks a lot about you, as you are very special to her.”

Luffy beamed, scratching the back of his head. “Of course! Y/N’s part of our crew! I’d do anything to protect her!” His words sent a warm rush through me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the camaraderie around us.

Chopper finished patching my wound, ensuring everything was secure. “All done! Just take it easy for a bit, okay?” he instructed, looking relieved.

“Now we just need my right ankle,” I said, about to get up when King stopped me.

“Allow me,” he said, gently gripping my ankle. As he touched my skin, a white hue began to glow from my thigh halter, connecting to his rings. I felt a soothing warmth spread through my ankle, and the pain quickly faded.

“How did you…” I began, my voice laced with curiosity.

King glanced at me, his expression a mix of seriousness and warmth. “My family has a unique ability to channel energy through our gear. The white glow comes from my connection to my powers. It allows me to heal injuries by transferring energy.”

“So, does that mean when my blades turn white and I touch an injury, I can heal it?” I asked, intrigued.

He nodded, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes. “Exactly. You have the potential to harness that ability. With practice, you can learn to use it effectively, just like I do.”

“Wow, that’s incredible!” I exclaimed, a smile spreading across my face. “I never imagined my blades could do something like that. It feels good to know I can help others even more in battle.”

King chuckled softly. "I told you once you understand your blade's potential, it'll all come to you."

"You never told me these things?!" I exclaimed.

"And you never told me my rings also have that trick if someone else were to use them," I added, now standing up.

"I may have forgotten to mention that slight detail when we departed back in Sabaody," he said with a hint of amusement.

I rolled my eyes playfully at his teasing, but my attention shifted as King’s gaze turned to Sanji, who stood nearby. King stepped closer to him, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "And you must be the ship's cook, Sanji," he said.

"Yes," Sanji replied, his tone cautious.

"I’ve heard a lot about you as well," King continued, pulling something from his coat pocket. "Take this… read it when you are alone," he said, handing over a small envelope before turning away.

“Right, sorry guys! This man—this incredible human being—happens to be…” I began, feeling the tension in the air shift slightly as I prepared to reveal more, but my words were abruptly cut off by a booming voice from behind.

"King… just what the hell are you doing here?" Judge’s voice echoed through the room, sharp and demanding. He strode in with a commanding presence, his expression a mix of surprise and anger. Instinctively, I stepped in front of King, my body moving before my mind caught up. A protective urge surged through me. 

I narrowed my eyes at Judge, feeling the weight of his gaze. "How do you know him?" I asked, suspicion lacing my tone. This wasn’t the first time I had sensed a deeper connection between the Vinsmokes and King, but now it was clear something more was at play.

King crossed his arms, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp. "Let’s just say my father and Judge knew each other quite well," he said, his voice steady, though I could detect a hint of disdain.

Judge’s face twisted in frustration, his voice rising as if trying to assert dominance in the room. “Your father was a fool, King! He didn’t understand the potential we could have unlocked together! He was too idealistic!”

I could see King’s jaw tighten, his sharp features hardening. His eyes burned with anger, a fire that made the room feel even more tense.

“You mean he didn’t fall in line with your twisted experiments,” King shot back, his voice dangerously calm, but every word was laced with venom. “He refused to sacrifice lives for your so-called ‘progress.’ That’s not idealism; that’s being a decent human being—something you wouldn’t understand.”

Judge sneered, stepping forward, his towering figure casting a shadow. “Your father squandered an opportunity to create perfection! And look at you now—wasting the legacy of your race on petty morality and weak alliances.”

The tension in Kings frame became palpable. “My father chose peace over power, Judge. That’s a legacy I’ll defend until my dying breath. Unlike you, I don’t measure worth in numbers or strength.”

I glanced between the two of them, feeling the weight of their history collide in the room. Judge’s arrogance met King’s unwavering resolve like a storm meeting an unyielding mountain.

“Your defiance cost you your kingdom, your people,” Judge spat, his words like poison.

King took a step closer, his deep voice reverberating through the air. “And your greed has cost you your humanity.”

The words hung heavy, and I felt a pang of pride in King’s stance. He was unapologetic, fearless in the face of Judge’s attempts to belittle him.

I couldn’t help but step closer to King, standing by his side as I glared at Judge. “For someone so obsessed with perfection,” I said, my tone sharp, “you sure make a mess of everything you touch.”

Judge’s eyes flicked to me, narrowing with contempt. “And who are you to speak here? A stray under his wing?”

Before King could respond, I tilted my head, letting a sly smile cross my face. “A stray? Maybe. But even a stray knows loyalty—something you seem to have no grasp of.”

Judge’s face contorted in fury, but King placed a firm hand on my shoulder, pulling me gently back. His eyes met mine briefly, a silent message of gratitude, before turning his focus back to the man who dared to insult his family’s name. “You, along with those in MADS, created that stupid clone which cost my father his marriage to my mother!” King’s voice echoed, each word sharp and unwavering. “And let’s not forget Vegapunk’s twisted idea to create a clone of my mother!”

Judge’s expression flickered for a brief moment, but King pressed on, his anger barely contained.

“I’m glad she put all of you to shame,” King continued, his golden eyes blazing with conviction. “She stood up to countless threats—your experiments, your ambitions—and she never faltered. I may have been a child, but even then, I saw her strength, her fearlessness. She was strong beyond her years, stronger than any of you could ever hope to be.”

The room fell silent, Judge’s bravado momentarily stifled by King’s raw honesty.

I glanced at King, feeling a deep admiration for the way he defended his family, his mother’s memory. It wasn’t just anger—it was respect, love, and a refusal to let her legacy be tarnished by the likes of Judge.

Judge finally scoffed, trying to regain his composure. “You speak of strength, but where is she now, King? All that ‘fearlessness’ led her to what? An early grave?”

My fists clenched at his callous words, the blatant disrespect igniting something fiery inside me. Before King could respond, I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the tense air like a blade. “And who the hell are you to speak of her like that?” I yelled, my tone sharp with indignation.

Judge’s eyes snapped toward me, but I didn’t back down. “From what I know, King’s father sacrificed his life for her, and she did the same for her people! It wasn’t her fault some bozo killed her!” I continued, my voice rising as I let the anger flow freely.

Judge’s lips curled into a sneer. “You watch your tongue,” he said coldly, his tone full of disdain. “You may be legally married to my son, Ichiji, but I will not stand for your petty outbursts.”

I stepped even closer, standing tall and unwavering. “And I won’t stand for your blatant disrespect!” I shot back, my voice filled with righteous anger. “You think a legacy is built on cruelty and manipulation? Let me tell you something: her legacy is worth more than all of the cold, soulless experiments you’ve ever conducted combined!”

Judge’s sneer deepened, but I wasn’t done. I narrowed my eyes at him, my tone dropping to something sharp and dangerous. “And another thing, Judge—cut the crap with the whole ‘legally married’ bullshit. If I wanted to, I’d burn Germa to the ground without breaking a sweat. Let’s not forget something—you needed me more than I ever needed you.”

His face twisted in a mixture of frustration and disbelief, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. The room felt charged with tension, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air.

King smirked faintly beside me, as he crossed his arms, clearly enjoying seeing Judge thrown off his high horse. “She’s got a point,” King said coolly, his voice laced with approval.

Judge’s composure cracked further, his fists clenching at his sides. “You think you can speak to me like that?” he spat, his voice rising with indignation. Judge’s face twisted even further, his frustration mounting as I delivered my words with unyielding confidence. The tension in the room was palpable, and for a moment, it seemed like he might explode.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly with a smirk of my own. “Cry me a river, will ya. Besides, your son knew exactly who I was. I’m a pirate, Judge. I’ve always been a pirate, and I still am a pirate. Just because someone throws a title into the mix doesn’t mean I can’t kick your ass again.”

Ichiji, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward, his tone measured but laced with irritation. “Father, I told you not to antagonize her. She’s proven herself more than capable of holding her ground.” He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “And as much as I dislike this situation, I respect her strength.”

From the side, Yonji piped up, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. “I knew I should have asked her to marry me first! She’d look way better standing next to me than that stuck-up Ichiji.”

I shot Yonji a pointed look, my patience with him wearing thin. Before I could retort, Judge interrupted, his voice taking on an almost reflective tone. “You look just like her...”

My brow furrowed, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “Like who?” I asked, my tone cautious.

“Like King’s mother, Red,” Judge said, his gaze scrutinizing. “Same fire and stubbornness.”

A smirk crept onto my face. “Well, then it looks like I’m doing a fine job putting you in your place, huh?” I said, smiling confidently.

Judge’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, I turned my attention to King. “Now, King, back to the matter at hand. Do any of my weapons and jewelry have Germa tech in them?”

King met my gaze, his expression softening slightly, a rare moment of warmth from him. “Yes and no,” he said. “The technology you wield is advanced, sure, but it’s not like Germa’s cold, emotionless modifications. You weren’t engineered; you were trained. The power you hold comes from within. Even without your weapons, you’d still be a force to be reckoned with.”

Judge scoffed, clearly unimpressed by King’s words. “Sentimentality has no place in battle. Power is power, regardless of where it comes from,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

I raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to Judge once again. “And that’s why you’ll never truly understand strength,” I said coldly. “Because real power isn’t just about force; it’s about will, conviction, and knowing what you’re fighting for. That’s something no Germa tech can replicate.”

King nodded, his smirk returning. “Exactly. Machines and clones might be powerful, but they’ll never have what we do: heart and a purpose.”

Judge’s scowl deepened, his frustration palpable. For once, he seemed to realize he was outnumbered—not just in numbers but in spirit.

The tension between the two men was thick, but King’s focus shifted back to me. His voice was steady, yet commanding. “Watch and observe,” he said as he took a step toward me. “Princess, remove your weapons and rings for a moment.”

I hesitated, my fingers instinctively reaching for the blades hidden beneath my clothing. The idea of being without them, even for a moment, made me uneasy. They weren’t just weapons—they were an extension of myself. But King’s gaze was firm, and I trusted him.

Slowly, I removed my hidden blades, my right ring, and the bracelet that connected them. The absence of their weight felt strange, almost foreign, like a part of me was missing. I handed them to King, feeling exposed without my usual arsenal.

“Wait!” Luffy’s voice broke through the room, full of concern. “Y/N, he’s going to—”

“Nothing will happen,” King said, cutting Luffy off with a calm but authoritative tone. “I crafted these weapons myself. I know their capabilities inside and out. They won’t harm me.”

Luffy frowned but didn’t argue, still watching carefully.

King then glanced around the room, his eyes locking onto a nearby table. “Pass me that table,” he instructed.

Luffy, though still wary, handed him the table. King set it in front of me, and the room seemed to hold its breath, everyone watching closely.

“Princess,” King said, his voice low but commanding, “I want you to harness all your energy and punch an electric hole straight through this table.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious?” I asked, wondering if he really expected me to generate that much power without any enhancements.

King’s eyes bore into mine, his voice unwavering. “Just do it,” he urged, his confidence in me clear.

The weight of his words settled over me, and despite my nerves, I nodded. My body tensed, ready to channel all the energy I had into my fist. I could feel the usual surge of power rising within me, a dangerous force I had learned to control.

With a deep breath, I focused, narrowing my thoughts to the table in front of me. My muscles strained as I drew the energy from the core of my being, directing it into my arm.

The room grew silent, and in that brief moment, I felt an unspoken challenge from King, a test of my true potential.

And then, with all the force I could muster, I struck.

A crackling surge of energy erupted from my fist as I punched the table with everything I had. The air seemed to hum with the power I unleashed, and I could hear the wood splinter and crack beneath my strike.

The table shuddered and split open, an electric crackle running through it as the punch left a visible hole in its center.

I stepped back, panting, as the room erupted in gasps of surprise.

King stood unfazed, a small but approving smirk on his face. “There it is,” he said quietly. “The power within you has always been there. No enhancements, no tech, just you.”

I glanced at the table, still reeling from the intensity of what I had just done. The absence of my weapons felt less strange now, as though my strength was no longer defined by the tools I carried, but by the power I possessed in myself.

Luffy’s eyes were wide with awe. “Y/N… that was insane!”

King nodded approvingly. "Now, show them your punches and kicks without the enhancements," he said, his tone serious once more. "I want them to see what you’re capable of, purely on your own strength."

I hesitated, the vulnerability of being without my enhancements weighing on me. Slowly, I removed the remaining pieces of jewelry, even my wedding ring and band. I handed them over to King, feeling an odd sense of exposure without the items that had become so much a part of me.

King took a step back, getting into a fighting stance. "Now, I want you to come at me."

I blinked, my body tensing in surprise. "Wait a—"

"No exceptions," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Come at me with everything you’ve got."

I swallowed, feeling the challenge hang in the air. Without my enhancements, I would have to rely on pure skill and instinct once more. But that’s what King wanted—to prove that even without the crutches of technology, I was a warrior in my own right.

Taking a deep breath, I charged at him, launching myself forward with a burst of speed. My fist aimed for his chest, but he sidestepped effortlessly, forcing me to pivot quickly. I threw a roundhouse kick, and again, he blocked it with precision.

"Faster," he urged, his eyes locked onto mine. "Don’t hold back."

My heart pounded in my chest as I unleashed a series of punches and kicks, each one faster, sharper, more calculated. King dodged and blocked each one, his movements fluid and controlled, but I could feel myself getting closer, each strike more difficult for him to evade.

Finally, I landed a punch on King’s arm, the impact sending a satisfying shudder through him. His smirk widened, eyes gleaming with newfound respect.

"Not bad, Princess. Not bad at all." I grinned, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through me as I flexed my fist. King wore a proud smile tugging at his lips. 

Excitement bubbled up in me. "Ahh! This is so cool!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down before throwing my arms around King in an impulsive hug.

King chuckled, returning the embrace without hesitation. "You’ve come a long way, Y/N."

"Y/N, you never told us King was this handsome and talented," Nami teased, her grin playful as she watched the exchange.

I laughed, pulling back from King. "He’s alright…" I glanced up at him with a mix of fondness and gratitude. "But I owe him a lot. He and the guys on that island pushed me harder than I thought I could handle. They trained me day and night, kicked my ass so many times I lost count. I was knocked out cold more days than I care to admit."

King nodded, his expression softening as he handed me back my jewelry along with my anklet and my thigh halter with the hidden blades. I strapped them onto my leg with practiced ease, feeling a sense of comfort as the familiar weight settled against my skin.

"But without that training, I wouldn’t be the person I am today." I glanced at King, then bowed my head slightly in respect. "Thank you."

"You earned every bit of it," King replied, his voice steady with pride.

With my weapons back in place, I straightened and smiled. "Much better." The weight of the blades against my leg was a comfort I hadn’t realized I missed.

“So… it looks like our sister-in-law is a badass on and off the court,” Yonji commented, a smirk on his face. “Ichiji, your wife is one hell of a woman.”

“Yonji, stop flirting with my wife,” Ichiji shot back as he made his way towards me.

Suddenly, Sanji stepped in front of me, placing a protective hand over my shoulder. “She’s not your wife! Last time I checked, someone objected to the wedding,” he said, anger lacing his voice.

“Stay out of this, Sanji. It doesn’t concern you,” Ichiji replied, standing face-to-face with him, tension crackling in the air.

I opened my mouth to intervene, but before I could say anything, Bege interrupted, his voice cutting through the rising tension. “I got an announcement. We are changing gears on this operation; the assassination has failed.”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” I muttered, shock washing over me.

“The Big Father is trapped in candy, and even worse, we are surrounded by Big Mom’s whole family. We’ve got no other choice but to wait for the inevitable,” Bege explained, his tone grim.

“Well, that’s optimistic,” I replied dryly, rolling my eyes as I placed a hand over my head, feeling Zoro’s bandana firmly in place. Its familiar weight and comfort settled over me, grounding me in the moment.

"Hey, you're back!" Luffy exclaimed, seeing as Bege now appeared. “I’m so jealous! I wish I could turn into a giant castle!” Luffy chimed in, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Your Devil Fruit is so cool!” Chopper added, bouncing on his hooves.

Bege shot them a glare. “Wipe that grin off your face! We’re in a tight spot now.” His voice was low and serious. “We’ve been planning that assassination for a whole stickin' year, and now that plan blew up in our faces!”

“Y’all didn’t have a backup plan… just curious is all,” I said, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow at him.

“Listen, princess… I’ve never failed a hit job in my life!” Bege shot back, his frustration palpable.

“Well, there’s always a first for everything,” I replied with a smirk, earning a hard glare from him.

Brook approached, a gentle smile on his face as he handed cups of tea to both King and me. “Thank you, Brook,” I said gratefully, sipping the warm beverage.

“Thank you, Brook,” King echoed, his tone softening a bit.

“It would appear an emperor is out of our league,” Brook said thoughtfully, glancing around the room. “What should we do now?”

“What we need to do is act fast,” Jinbei interjected. “Whatever it is, we better do it quick because we won’t be safe for long.”

“Alright, listen up, and get your heads on straight. This castle is still me; it’s strong but not unbreakable,” Bege warned, his voice steady. “In other words, if I die, then we are going to be dinner for all those sharks out there.”

“Dinner?!” Nami and Chopper exclaimed, their faces paling at the thought.

I continued to sip the tea Brook had given me, feeling the warmth seep into my bones as Sanji stood protectively to my left and King to my right. “Alright, so what’s Plan B again?” I asked, trying to maintain a sense of calm amid the chaos.

“Don’t blame it on me! That launcher was state-of-the-art—” Caesar started, but Bege cut him off, falling into an exasperated scream.

“Bege…” I whispered, sensing the tension building in the air.

“Outside!” Bege commanded suddenly.

As we noticed Big Mom had stopped screaming, dread washed over me. “Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. “Where is Bege, Strawhat, and that rotten princess?” Big Mom’s voice boomed through the castle, sending shivers down my spine.

“Hmm, looks like I have a fan,” I said with a nervous chuckle as I placed my tea cup down on the broken table. Grabbing my sword once more, I debated which gemstone to press for the best effect.

“What the hell! I need the exercise anyway,” I said, slowly making my way toward the window.

“Like hell you do!” Sanji shouted, reaching out to grab my arm, his expression a mix of anger and concern.

“That filthy monster…” Bege muttered as Big Mom continued to pummel the Big Father, causing Bege to tumble across the floor.

“Honeyyy!” Chiffon cried, worry etched across her face as she watched her husband.

“Bege!” Luffy yelled, his voice echoing in the chaos. Chiffon ran toward the window, desperate to talk some sense into Big Mom.

“Chiffon, get back!” I shouted, but Luffy managed to leap in and save her just in time from Big Mom’s swinging fist.

“That was a close one,” he said, grinning at her.

“Are you okay?” Nami asked, concern lacing her voice.

“Come out now! Face me for ruining my tea party!” Big Mom bellowed, her frustration evident.

“That tea party was already ruined when you added that musical number,” I rolled my eyes, earning a chuckle from King beside me.

“I’m going to go out there and kick her ass! There’s no other way! Y/N, you ready?” Luffy declared, his excitement palpable.

“Hell yeah!” I responded, adrenaline coursing through my veins. But as I prepared to dash forward, I felt Sanji’s grip tighten on my arm.

“What did I say about reckless plans?” he scolded, his eyes fierce.

I broke free from his grasp, meeting his worried gaze. “I still have a duty, and that means protecting my captain too, Sanji,” I replied firmly.

Just as I was about to sprint toward Luffy, I felt a sudden force catch me and pull me away. “What the…?” I exclaimed, realizing it was Ichiji.

“You’re not going anywhere, princess,” he said in a low, threatening tone.

“Luffy!” Nami shouted, as I turned to see that Luffy had also been caught, this time by Chopper.

“Y/N! No!” he cried. “We don’t have to risk our lives for this! We did exactly what we came here for: save Sanji and get you back! That’s what we accomplished!”

Ichiji growled, and I turned my focus back to him. “Not only that, we also got a copy of the Poneglyph and rescued Sanji’s family like he asked us to! Don’t throw away everything we accomplished! If you still have energy to fight back, then think of a way we can escape out of here,” Nami urged, her voice steady.

“You’re right, Nami,” I said slowly, feeling the tension ease a bit as I made my way back toward the group, putting my sword behind me.

I turned to Sanji, who was still looking concerned. “Sorry I snapped at you,” I said, my tone softer now.

Sanji's cheeks flushed pink as he began to swoon, his usual charm shining through even in the midst of the chaos. “It’s… it’s okay, Y/N,” he stammered, trying to regain his composure.

“Princess, what did I say about rage?” King’s voice was calm but firm as he stepped closer to me, his eyes steady on mine.

I sighed, repeating his words from countless training sessions. “Rage isn’t good because it clouds your judgment… but it’s good when fighting,” I said, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

King nodded but didn’t smile back. “That’s right. But right now, you need to stay sharp, keep your head clear. You can channel that rage into your strength, but don’t let it take over.”

I let out a slow breath, absorbing his words. He was right, as always. Fighting with blind anger would only lead to mistakes, and we couldn’t afford any of those right now.

“I’ll keep it in check,” I said, nodding firmly.

“Spoken like a true king,” Brook remarked, his voice filled with admiration. "I must say, it’s quite impressive how you handle yourself, Your Highness!"

King glanced at Brook, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Thank you. I’ve had to learn a lot quickly.”

Curious, Brook tilted his head. “If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you, by chance?”

“I’m 30,” King responded calmly, his eyes briefly flickering with the weight of responsibility. “I took the throne when I was 20, after my father and mother passed, they both died when I was 3 years old”

Brook’s bony jaw dropped in surprise. “That’s quite young to ascend the throne. I can’t imagine the pressure you must’ve been under!”

King shrugged slightly, his usual composed demeanor in place. “It wasn’t easy. But someone had to do it.”

I looked at King, admiration swelling in my chest. “Well, you’ve handled it better than anyone could have.”

King’s eyes softened as they met mine, and he gave me a small nod. “Thanks. But leading comes with its challenges, as you know well.”

“I guess we’re both still learning,” I said with a light smile, feeling the depth of King’s experience and understanding despite his calm exterior.

Nami nodded, her arms crossed as she scanned the chaotic surroundings. "Exactly. If we were here to fight Big Mom directly, we would've brought Franky, Zoro, and everyone else. This wasn’t supposed to be an all-out battle."

“I miss my partner,” I said softly, the mention of Zoro bringing a fond smile to my face. The thought of him cutting through enemies beside me gave me a bit of comfort in the tension.

At the mention of Zoro, I noticed Sanji stiffen beside me. His flare of anger was almost palpable. He clenched his fists, a vein pulsing at his temple as he fought to keep his cool. "Partner, huh?" he muttered through gritted teeth, the jealousy clear in his voice.

I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. "Sanji, don't tell me you're getting all worked up over that."

His eyes met mine, a mix of frustration and protectiveness swirling within them. "I’m not worked up," Sanji muttered, clearly trying to convince himself more than anyone else. "Just... reminding you that I’m here now, and I’m not letting anyone hurt you." His gaze shifted to King, a silent assertion of his place by my side. I sighed, shaking my head softly, the tension between the two palpable as they sized each other up.

Meanwhile, Luffy struggled against Chopper’s hold. "Chopper, let me go!" he yelled, determination etched on his face.

Brook stepped forward, his voice calm and rational in the chaos. "Luffy... as Nami said, we were fortunate to make it this far. Our small numbers allowed us to slip through. The others are waiting for us. We must make it to Wano safely." His words carried a quiet wisdom, urging restraint.

Bege, still in his massive castle form, was being battered relentlessly by Big Mom. Every hit shook him to his core, but he stood firm. "Chopper, let me go!" Luffy shouted again, his voice more desperate. "We can’t just leave him! Bege’s taking all this pain for us!"

Bege grunted, his voice hoarse as he pushed through the pain. "We’re all in this together. I care about my men... my wife and child... too much to let them die here!"

The relentless barrage from Big Mom forced another painful groan from Bege. "If we want everyone to survive... there’s only one way out..." he muttered, breathless but determined.

"You’ve got a plan, right?!" Nami said, hope sparking in her eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, eager for a way out.

"I’ll change back into my original form... then Caesar will fly us out of here. That’s the only way."

The group erupted in relieved cheers, but Caesar’s voice cut through the noise. "Why the hell me?! This is a suicide mission!" His fear was palpable, and I could almost hear the panic in his words.

"Quit complaining!" I snapped, frustration creeping into my voice. Caesar's whining had long since grated on my nerves.

"You should’ve been dead a long time ago, princess," Caesar sneered. "And once I get my heart back, I’ll make sure of it myself!"

My anger flared, and I was about to send him a shock when King stepped forward, his eyes burning with intensity. "Allow me," King said darkly, his presence commanding.

But before King could act, Ichiji stepped forward, blocking his path with an air of unshakable confidence. "Actually... let me," Ichiji said, his right fist crackling with red electricity, a vivid sign of his power. The energy surged around his knuckles, the raw intensity of it making the air around us feel charged. "Hey, idiot!" he called out to Caesar, who turned just in time to meet Ichiji’s furious eyes.

"You threatened my wife," Ichiji continued, his voice low and dangerous, the words heavy with authority. "Now, you deal with me!"

Without hesitation, Ichiji launched himself forward, the power in his punch unmistakable. His fist collided with Caesar’s cheek with an explosive crack, sending the scientist crashing to the ground with a heavy thud that reverberated through the air. For a moment, the world seemed to still in the aftermath of the impact, the sound of Caesar’s body hitting the ground echoing like a warning.

I stood there, stunned, my jaw dropping in shock at Ichiji’s sudden and explosive move. The force of it left me momentarily speechless. I had never seen him so fiercely protective before. Turning to Nami, I saw her smirking, her eyes gleaming with something between amusement and approval at the second declaration of Ichiji’s protectiveness.

"I guess he really does care," Nami murmured, the look in her eyes almost playful. But I couldn’t respond, my mind still trying to process the scene that had just unfolded before me.

Ichiji, however, seemed completely unfazed by the chaos he’d just caused. He walked back toward me with his usual confident stride, his presence commanding, as if he had every right to act on his emotions. When he reached me, he stopped in front of me, his gaze softening ever so slightly.

With a smirk playing on his lips, Ichiji reached out, gently closing my mouth with his hand as if to say ‘enough with the surprise.’ "You’re just so cute," he teased, his voice surprisingly soft, almost affectionate in the way he spoke. His words were both lighthearted and tender, and it was the kind of attention I wasn’t used to from him. Before I could react, his lips brushed my forehead in a kiss, soft and unexpected, lingering for just a moment before he pulled back.

My heart skipped a beat, heat flooding my cheeks as I felt my face burn with a blush. The sudden tenderness of his touch caught me off guard. "Ichiji..." I whispered, barely able to hold his gaze. Embarrassed but also strangely touched by his gesture, my emotions were in a whirlwind. The kiss had been a reminder of how far his protectiveness went, how deep his feelings were beneath the surface.

But not everyone was as pleased with the situation. Sanji, who had been watching the scene unfold with a simmering intensity, finally snapped. His eyes blazed with fury, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Every muscle in his body was taut with anger, and I could practically hear the grinding of his teeth as he stepped forward.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!" Sanji growled, his voice thick with tension, the heat of his rage radiating from him like an uncontrollable fire. He was ready to explode, and I could see it in the way his body shook, each step closer to Ichiji a promise of a confrontation.

Ichiji didn’t even flinch. His gaze met Sanji’s fiery one with an almost casual indifference, as if he had no fear of whatever fury Sanji could unleash. In fact, he seemed rather entertained by it. "Just keeping her safe," Ichiji replied coolly, his voice unwavering and almost too calm in the face of Sanji’s outburst. The nonchalance in his tone was infuriating to Sanji, who took another step forward, his fists tightening even more.

Nami leaned in close to me, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she watched the exchange. “Looks like you’re attracting a bit of attention,” she whispered, her tone playful as she gave me a wink.

I let out a soft laugh, still blushing as the tension between the brothers simmered.

Sanji POV… 

"What does this bastard think he’s doing?!" I thought, rage boiling inside me as I watched Ichiji pull that stunt with Y/N. My princess. It wasn’t just the kiss on the forehead or the cocky way he closed her jaw, but the smugness, the way he acted like he had some right over her. It was bad enough that we were both forced into these marriages, but now this? This was him rubbing it in my face.

“I already have enough competition with Law... and moss head…” I grumbled internally, feeling the sharp sting of jealousy clawing at me. But Ichiji? This scumbag? He didn’t deserve someone like Y/N. He didn’t deserve even to look at her, much less act like he could protect her better than I could.

"Answer me this, Sanji..." Judge's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. His eyes bore into me, full of contempt. "Why did you save us?" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration and confusion. "We fell into that trap on our own. We’re hardly your allies!" Judge’s words were sharp, but I barely paid attention. I was still fuming, my mind stuck on Ichiji’s smug face.

Then Judge turned his attention to Y/N, and my body tensed instinctively. I couldn’t help but feel a spike of anger surge through me. The way he barked at her—like she was nothing more than a child in need of discipline—it sent my blood boiling.

"As for you, princess, why did you continue to taunt Perospero?!" Judge demanded, his voice full of contempt.

I clenched my fists, the urge to step in growing stronger by the second. But before I could, Y/N’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and carefree. "I swear you must be going deaf, Judge," she said with a smirk, her tone mocking. "Can’t blame you, you’re reaching your prime old age. But if I must repeat it, I did it for funsies."

That damn spark of mischief in her eyes, the playful way she tossed her words at him—it made her so damn irresistible. Even in the face of Judge's anger, she remained unphased. She always had this ability to make the situation feel light, to act as though nothing could touch her.

But I knew better. "She was buying us time," I thought, feeling a pang of admiration for her quick thinking. Y/N was always thinking ahead, always trying to protect us, even when she made it seem like she was just playing around.

"That’s enough, Father!" Ichiji’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and my eyes snapped to him. "I won’t have you disrespecting my wife in front of me," he said, his tone firm and commanding.

I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they’d crack. His wife? The words echoed in my head, making my blood boil. My fists tightened, nails digging into my palms as I fought the urge to just lunge at him and wipe that arrogant smirk off his face. He didn’t get to claim her like that. Not in front of me.

Y/N glanced between us, probably sensing the tension. I could feel my anger surging again, but beneath it, there was something else—something raw. I wasn’t just angry. I was afraid. Afraid that she might start looking at him differently. Afraid that with all this chaos, I might lose her.

But no. I wasn’t going to let that happen.

Ichiji may have been legally tied to her, but that didn’t mean a damn thing to me. She was my princess. And I was going to protect her—no matter what.

I then turned to Judge, looking at him with disdain “Because… my father would be disappointed in me, that’s why,” I said, my voice steady despite the tempest of emotions swirling inside me. I used to hold onto all the resentment from so many years ago. From the corner of my eye, I caught Y/N looking at me with sorrow, and it tugged at my heartstrings. I’m not worthy yet to even be graced by your sorrows, princess… not after what I’ve done...

“If I’d been such a small-minded man that I’d laugh at my own flesh and blood, I couldn’t face him,” I continued, my gaze never leaving Judge. “If I can’t stand tall and look my father in the eye, then I’ve failed him.” With that, I stepped toward Judge, grabbing him by the collar. “Thirteen years ago, Vinsmoke Sanji escaped from the Germa Kingdom and died at sea. You got exactly what you wanted! After this, we’re done! You’re not my father, Vinsmoke Judge! After this, I don’t ever want to see your face again!” I shouted, my rage bubbling over.

Judge looked taken aback but slowly regained his composure. “I understand… you have my word. This is the last you’ll see of me, and I’ll stay away from the East Blue as well.”

As he spoke, I felt a weight lifting. “And as for you, princess,” he added, his eyes narrowing slightly, “I’ll stay away from King and everyone from that island.” I saw Y/N let out a breath of relief, and it felt like a small victory.

“So… does that mean the Vinsmoke last name will be removed from my wanted poster?” Y/N asked, teasing but genuinely curious.

Ichiji stepped closer, a smug grin spreading across his face as he leaned in, invading her space. “Maybe we could negotiate those terms, princess. Just you and me.” His playful tone grated on my nerves, and I clenched my fists at my sides, my heart racing with jealousy. What does that bastard think he’s doing?

“You are so lucky you’re in uniform; it’s distracting me,” Y/N replied, a teasing lilt in her voice as she tried to keep her composure. But the smile tugging at her lips was impossible to miss.

"Am I distracting you that much, love?" Ichiji smirked, and I could feel my blood boiling as Y/N laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Like I told you in that candy bind, there’s something about a man in uniform,” she smiled, and the way she said it made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

Ichiji leaned back, raising an eyebrow as if he was enjoying this too much. “But… I might be able to pull a few strings,” he said, his voice low and charming, oozing confidence.

Before I could process the surge of jealousy bubbling within me, Y/N jumped into Ichiji’s arms, wrapping her legs around him, crushing him with a hug. "Yay!" she exclaimed, her laughter ringing out as she peppered kisses on his cheek. Ichiji chuckled, his arms tightening around her waist, pulling her even closer. The sight made my chest tighten with frustration and anger.

Y/N’s smile lit up the room, and I felt like a bystander to my own feelings of inadequacy. How could she look so radiant, so happy, in his arms? My heart raced as I watched Ichiji's smug expression, knowing that he was relishing every moment of this.

“We are back in business, boys!” she yelled, her excitement infectious as she turned to rally the group, causing everyone to cheer. As she dropped back down onto the floor, I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain a calm facade.

“Look at that, Ichiji, you made your wife happy,” Yonji teased, his tone dripping with mischief.

Ichiji, still holding Y/N possessively, grinned. “What can I say? Happy wife, happy life.” He leaned down, showering her with kisses on the cheek, causing her to laugh even more, her happiness radiating off her like sunlight.

“Okay, okay!” she said, playfully pushing him away, but her cheeks were flushed with delight. I could see the joy in her eyes, and it twisted something deep within me. I wanted to be the one making her laugh like that, the one she looked at with such affection.

Glancing at King, who was watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk, I felt a surge of determination. He knew exactly what was going on, and I could almost hear his thoughts: You need to step up, Sanji.

Just then, Caesar’s voice broke through the moment. “Would you stop relying on me for help? I fulfilled my part of the bargain!” he said, clearly annoyed.

“And you still failed,” Y/N shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“When I get my hands on you, I’m going to—” Caesar started, but he was cut off as King stepped in front of him, his presence imposing.

“You’ll do what?” King said, blue electricity crackling ominously around him, sharp enough to cut through anything in its path.

"Pathetic! I’ll have you know, I’m a genius!" Caesar retorted, his pride clearly bruised, but it only made me scoff. I wasn’t the only one who noticed how pathetic he sounded.

"Is the genius in the room with us?" Y/N shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm as she raised an eyebrow at Caesar, who seemed almost taken aback by her sharpness.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, despite everything. Y/N had this way of turning any situation into something she could control, even with the likes of Caesar. It was almost like she didn’t even have to try; her words cut deep enough to make anyone second-guess themselves.

“Y/N,” I muttered under my breath, admiring the way she handled herself. Even in the face of these idiots, she remained unshaken, confident in her own strength. But I could see the subtle shift in her—her eyes flashing with something more. It wasn’t just her usual teasing; there was a fire there, one that burned deeper than any of them realized.

“It seems you haven’t learned your lesson about disrespecting my wife,” Ichiji interjected, his voice low and threatening. With a swift motion, he landed another sharp punch, infused with red electricity, straight into Caesar’s gut. The impact sent him stumbling back, and I felt a surge of satisfaction at seeing him taken down a peg.

Y/N looked at Ichiji with a look I hadn’t seen before, something between admiration and amusement, and it made my heart tighten. King leaned in closer to her, and she whispered something in his ear.

“Really?” King asked, a smirk spreading across his face as he turned to look at me, clearly intrigued.

She nodded her head, and King chuckled lightly. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of irritation and confusion at their exchange.

As they shared that moment, my thoughts raced. What the hell did she just tell him? Ichiji then made his way to Y/N once more, his hand caressing her cheek. “My wife, you look even better with short hair,” he said, causing her to blush even more, and I felt a sick twist in my stomach at the sight.

“Open the castle gate!” Judge commanded, drawing our attention. “Hear my word, Bege, until Caesar gets you to safety, Germa 66 will be your guards.”

I could see Bege’s body taking a huge toll as he gasped for breath. “I forgot… you Germa people can fly too, huh?” he said, his exhaustion evident.

“So we can leave without you?” Bege asked, hopeful.

“Certainly,” Judge replied.

“Good! If we’re buying time, Y/N and I will help too!” yelled Luffy, his enthusiasm unwavering.

“You got that right, Captain!” I chimed in, my protective instincts flaring. But as I lifted my hand to stop them, Y/N spoke up.

“I’ll... be right back, you guys... I have something I want to give back…” she said, glancing at the ring Ichiji had given her.

Before I could protest, she was already heading out the door. My heart raced, and I was about to chase after her when King stopped me, his calm demeanor infuriating in the moment.

“Sanji… let her,” he said, his voice steady.

“He’s right, you know. Y/N spent time with Ichiji…” Brook added, his tone more measured.

“And he even protected her,” he continued, trying to reason with me.

“Sanji, you must trust the princess. This is her decision,” King stated firmly, blocking my path once more.

Trust? How could I trust the man who had just been flaunting his affection for her? The jealousy bubbled within me, but I knew I couldn’t let my emotions cloud my judgment. I had to trust Y/N to make the right choice.

Y/N POV…

My heels clicked sharply against the floor as I made my way toward the Vinsmokes. “Ichiji!” I called out, and he turned around, a smile spreading across his face.

“Princess,” he replied, and as I reached him, I noticed both Yonji and Niji smirking, along with Reiju’s knowing smile. My heart raced, and I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. “I just... wanted to tell you thank you for protecting me from Caesar and Daifuku,” I said, my gaze dropping to the floor. What the hell is wrong with me? I thought, anxiety gnawing at me.

Ichiji’s expression softened, and before I could remove the ring he had given me, he stopped me, his hand closing around mine. “Keep it, princess. Besides, I added a few touches to the ring,” he said, a smirk dancing on his lips.

“What do you mean?” I asked, curiosity piquing my interest.

"Why don’t you try it out for yourself?" Ichiji suggested, guiding my hand toward the ruby at the center of the ring. His touch was warm against my skin, and I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what I was about to experience. But his confidence in the matter was enough to push me forward. I pressed the ruby, and instantly, I felt a familiar surge of energy as the glow enveloped me.

Within seconds, my attire shifted. The transformation was quick and smooth, and I gasped as I looked at myself in the reflection of a nearby surface. I was now wearing a striking red raid suit—long sleeves, white gloves, and a red ascot that complemented the bold plunging neckline. The dress hugged my form perfectly, and I could feel the power radiating from it. It was sleek, practical, and elegant all at once. To top it off, I wore a pair of red-tinted shades that were unmistakably iconic. "Wow!" I exclaimed, spinning slightly to admire the new outfit. "This is incredible!"

Ichiji’s grin was full of pride as he watched me. "The best part is that it won’t hinder your other rings or your weapons," he added, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "And the ruby won’t break or get destroyed. You’ll also have some of my powers as well."

"Really?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. Pressing the ruby again, the suit reverted back to my white pearl dress and bandana. The change was as seamless as before, leaving me giddy with excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh. "You hear that, Judge? I know you're getting older and might have trouble hearing, so suck on that!" I yelled, shaking my head in amusement. "And I still end up with a modified wedding ring and engagement ring!" I added, the playful tone dripping from my voice.

Ichiji stepped closer with a teasing smirk. "Seems like you’ve got more than just a wedding ring on your hands now," he said, his voice lowering just slightly, but enough to make me feel the shift in the atmosphere. His smile was charming, full of mischief. "You know, I can’t help but think it suits you. The power, the elegance... I suppose I should be flattered you chose my ring over the others."

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. "You’re impossible," I teased, though there was a warmth in my voice. "But I have to admit, this is a pretty nice bonus."

Ichiji chuckled, his hand lingering slightly too close to mine. "I’m full of surprises," he replied smoothly, winking at me. "Just like the ring." Ichiji stepped closer, his gaze intense, locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. “Say you’ll share with me. One love, one lifetime. Say you want me with you here, beside you,” he murmured, his voice low and inviting, dripping with charm and promise.

Before I could think it through, I cut him off with a kiss. The moment our lips met, it felt both passionate and filled with a whirlwind of emotions—something deeper than I had anticipated. A connection surged between us, electric and undeniable, igniting a fire I hadn’t expected. I felt the heat of the moment enveloping us, and the world around us faded into the background.

From behind us, I could hear Yonji and Niji whistling and teasing, their playful jeers punctuating the air like a soundtrack to our unexpected encounter.

“What was that for?” Ichiji muttered against my lips, surprise etched across his face as he pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine.

“Just a little good luck kiss,” I replied, a teasing smile spreading across my face as I pecked his lips once more, my heart racing from the thrill of it all. The soft touch felt sweet and mischievous, leaving a lingering taste of something new and exhilarating.

“Take care of yourself, will you?” Ichiji said, his voice tinged with a mix of seriousness and affection.

I nodded, feeling his warmth radiate as he held me closer, not wanting to let me go. But then, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

“Y/N!” Luffy yelled, his voice cutting through the moment.

“Looks like I gotta go back to my crew,” I said reluctantly, slowly letting go of Ichiji and sending him a warm smile. As I turned to make my way back, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty about what had just happened.

Ichiji POV… 

After that kiss, I honestly could have died and been happy. Watching my wife leave to join her crew stirred a mix of emotions within me—pride, longing, and an undeniable sense of ownership. I felt a pang of sadness at her departure, but I also knew that with the ring on her finger, she’d carry the Germa name with her. And with the number attached to her, everyone would know she’s my other half.

“Wow, Ichiji, you really gonna let her go?” Yonji teased, breaking my reverie.

I turned to him, a smirk playing on my lips. “The ring also has a tracking device installed,” I said, reveling in the shocked expressions on their faces.

“I knew it!” Niji laughed, clearly impressed. “Always one step ahead, huh?”

“Don’t underestimate me,” I replied, a hint of pride slipping through.

“She’s with her crew now,” Reiju chimed in, her tone a mix of concern and support.

“I know,” I said, glancing back in the direction Y/N had gone. “But I also know that I’ll be with her every step of the way. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll be paying my wife a little visit.” I let the smirk grow wider, feeling a rush of anticipation at the thought.

“Damn, that kiss made me want to get her again,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. I could still feel the warmth of her lips, and the connection we shared was undeniable. As much as I enjoyed teasing my brothers, deep down, I was already planning my next move to ensure she always felt my presence, no matter the distance between us.

"We're about to go, Caesar. Are you ready?" Father’s voice echoed through the dimly lit corridor as we moved with purpose, our footsteps a steady rhythm against the stone floor. A palpable tension filled the air, each of us aware of the stakes ahead.

"I am not ready!" Caesar whined, his voice dripping with frustration. His usual bravado had vanished, replaced by a hint of fear that only added to my irritation.

"Quit your whining," I snapped, shooting him a pointed glare. The time for hesitation was over; we had a mission to accomplish.

"Alright, it's time to cut loose!" Yonji declared, the enthusiasm in his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. He cracked his neck, and I could see the adrenaline pulsing through him, ready to unleash his abilities.

Niji flexed his hands, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let’s show them what we’re made of," he said, his usual cockiness flaring to life.

"You two have the wrong idea," I interjected firmly, shaking my head. "Our mission is to help Caesar and Bege escape, not to eliminate the enemy, tempting as that may be."

"Maybe you need an extra 'good luck' kiss from your wife, Ichiji," Yonji teased, laughter bubbling in his throat, but I couldn’t let myself get distracted by thoughts of Y/N.

"I know defense isn't your favorite, but this isn't a fight we can win in the first place," Reiju added, smirking at her brothers as if she could see the thoughts racing through their minds.

"Rubbing it in, huh?" Yonji shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

"I understand the mission," Niji said, his tone turning serious as we began to get ready, all playful banter set aside. Each of us understood the weight of the situation.

"Are you prepared for combat?" Father asked, his tone sharp, commanding us to focus.

"Armed and ready to go!" we all replied in unison, the unity of our voices echoing against the stone walls.

"Very well, it's your turn, Bege! Start the mission!" Father commanded, a sense of authority radiating from him as he stepped back, allowing Bege to take the lead.

As Bege began to deactivate the castle, the heavy gates creaked open, revealing the chaos outside. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, tension crackling in the air like static electricity.

"It's go time!" Father shouted, igniting a spark of determination within each of us.

I felt a rush of adrenaline surge through my veins as we prepared to step into the unknown. This was more than just a mission; it was a chance to reclaim our honor, to prove ourselves as the Vinsmoke brothers. I exchanged glances with my siblings, a silent promise passing between us. We would protect each other, and I’d ensure Y/N was safe. 

Y/N POV…

I began to make my way back to the crew, a smile forming on my lips as I approached them. King stepped in front of me, a smirk playing on his face. “You took a while, Princess,” he remarked, his tone teasing.

“I just wanted to give him back the ring, but instead, he told me to keep it,” I said, raising my ring finger proudly.

“Y/N! That ring is beautiful!” Nami exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like berri signs as she took in the diamonds and the red ruby. I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head.

“This was the same ring I tried on back in Chocolatown. The shopkeeper did say it was one of a kind and that the ruby was rare also” I added, a mix of pride and nostalgia filling me.

“That bastard!” Sanji exclaimed, storming over to me and grabbing my hand.

“Hey!” I protested, ripping my hand away. “He said it had features in it and wouldn’t hinder my weapons or the jewelry given to me.” I looked at Sanji, hoping he’d understand.

“Sanji, the princess made her choice. Now respect it,” King interjected, his tone calm but firm.

“Listen, King, you don’t—” Sanji began, pointing an accusatory finger at King, but I stepped forward.

“That’s enough, Sanji,” I said, my voice steady.

Sanji's expression softened, and he began to swoon. “Ohh, my angel!” he exclaimed, clearly taken by the moment.

“You were right, Princess; he is lovesick,” King quipped, a chuckle escaping him as he looked at Sanji, causing me to laugh despite the tension.

“I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the crew,” I said, and King smiled in response.

“Alright, are we ready?” Luffy called out, his excitement infectious.

“You bet, Captain!” I replied, feeling the reassuring weight of my sword at my side, the blades illuminating with a white hue. Bege was now deactivating the castle, and we all looked toward the window to see what was happening outside.

Suddenly, gunshots echoed inside the castle, and my heart dropped as Big Mom grabbed Prometheus and unleashed Heavenly Fire, causing Reiju to fall. “Reiju!” I cried out, panic rising in my chest.

Luffy and I moved toward the window, but Brook grabbed Luffy, and King held me back. “Let go!” we both shouted, struggling against their hold.

“Stick to the plan for once in your life,” Nami urged, her voice firm.

“But… nobody is helping her!” Luffy insisted, desperation creeping into his tone.

“It’s fine, stay here,” Sanji added, his gaze unwavering as he focused on the chaos outside.

We continued to watch helplessly as Luffy and Sanji slipped out of the castle, determined to protect Reiju and confront Big Mom. “Damn it!” I exclaimed, trying to break free again, but King held me firmly in place.

“Luffy, no!” Chopper cried, his voice trembling with fear.

“Please come back!” Brook added, tears welling in his eyes.

“They slipped past us…” Nami murmured, her expression one of dread.

“No, no, no…” Nami, Brook, and Chopper echoed, their voices filled with despair.

“King, I have to go help!” I said urgently, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

“Warm up first…” he whispered, his tone surprisingly calm.

“What?!” I whispered back, confused.

“Go warm up first…” he repeated, a smirk creeping onto his face.

“I know that look…” I said, realization dawning on me. King wanted me to channel my energy, to prepare myself for what lay ahead.

“Trust me, Y/N. You’ll need it,” he urged, still holding me back with an unwavering grip.

I took a deep breath, realizing he was right. I needed to gather my strength, to harness the energy within me if I was going to join the fight. As I began to focus, I could feel the tension in my muscles and the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I could already envision the power I would unleash when the time came.

“Just give me a moment,” I said, my resolve strengthening.

I then began to use the wall to stretch my legs and back, feeling the tension release with each movement. “Keep stretching,” King said, his eyes still fixed on the window, watching the unfolding chaos outside.

As I finished, I made my way back to the group, my gaze locked on the scene beyond the glass. Big Mom was taunting Luffy, and a surge of frustration bubbled inside me. “This bitch is trying to provoke him…” I muttered, shaking my head.

“I know that trick all too well. It’s the same one I used on Perospero,” I said, instinctively touching the wound on my head from Zoro’s bandana.

We continued to watch as Luffy transformed into Bounce Man, his form bursting with energy. “Damn, Luffy is using Bounce Man now,” I remarked, a mix of awe and concern in my voice.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Nami yelled, annoyance dripping from her tone as she watched Luffy’s antics unfold.

“Please, get back here already!” Brook added, his voice tinged with worry.

“I’m kind of starting to doubt that Sanji’s family can protect us!” Chopper exclaimed, fear creeping into his expression.

“Have some faith, Lelo! Germa 66 are the mightiest heroes of evil, Lelo!” Vito chimed in, still fanboying over the situation. “With them on our side, we are invincible, Lelo!” He continued, his enthusiasm a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

“Hey, Princess!” Ichiji called from outside, causing all of us to turn. “I hope you have a front-row seat to watch your husband kiss some ass,” he said, smirking.

I couldn’t help but shake my head at his arrogance. Nami nudged me playfully. “Oh, we are so having a girls' night once we head back to the ship and get away from here,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Deal! As long as wine is involved, we’re spilling everything,” I replied, laughter bubbling up despite the chaos outside. We turned back to the window, eager to see how the fight was unfolding.

Niji was in the midst of it, taking down two of Big Mom's children with impressive speed and finesse. “What did I just tell you?!” Vito exclaimed, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.

Then Yonji jumped into the fray, showcasing his strength as he knocked down three of Big Mom's children effortlessly. “Did you see that? Look at him go, lelo!” Vito cheered, our mouths hanging open at the display of power.

Next came Ichiji, who managed to take down three more of Big Mom's kids with an electrifying punch. “That power…” I breathed, watching him connect solidly with one of Big Mom’s children. “Well, I’ll be damned,” I muttered, feeling heat begin to envelop my body as adrenaline surged through me.

“This is a dream come true, lelo!” Vito exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with admiration as he eyed Germa 66.

I glanced up at the ceiling, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “Dear ocean… this man is really making it hard to stay focused,” I murmured, overwhelmed by the chaotic mix of emotions I was feeling.

As more of Big Mom's children charged in, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and concern. “Damn it, Caesar needs to learn how to navigate better! I can barely see the action!” I yelled, frustrated.

“That’s not the point!” Nami shot back, her eyes glued to the fight outside.

Suddenly, everyone inside began to praise Germa for their prowess, celebrating how they managed to dismantle Perospero’s candy wall. “Yay!” we all cheered, caught up in the moment.

“But then, almost in unison, Nami, Chopper, Brook, and I frowned, adding, ‘Still scum, though,’” as we thought about Caesar’s past transgressions. Suddenly, Luffy's Bounce Man form faltered, signaling he was out of Haki. “Damn it!” I exclaimed, my heart racing as I watched Sanji carrying both Luffy, with Reiju trailing behind, desperately trying to escape Big Mom's grasp.

Just then, Big Mom appears closer, a menacing grin plastered on her face. “Damn it! I’m go—” I started, but my words caught in my throat as I saw Judge now fighting Big Mom. My heart sank as I realized the danger he was in.

Big Mom managed to grab Judge, her hands clasping Zeus tightly. “Crap, not good!” I yelled, panic rising within me. I turned to King, my resolve firming as I looked into his determined eyes. He gave me a nod. “It’s time,” he said, stepping closer.

“Use an Electric Tremor Strike,” he instructed, and I nodded, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I clenched my left hand, readying myself. “Nami… we’ll be right back,” I said, glancing back at her.

“What are you—” Nami began, but before she could finish, King and I dashed toward the scene, bursting out of Bege’s castle.

“Thanks to all the scientific research, I’ll be taking from you!” Big Mom taunted as she prepared to deliver a powerful shock to Judge.

From the air, both King and I raised our right legs, feeling the violet energy coursing through us as we began to spin. “Electric Tremor Strike!” we shouted in unison, our voices echoing as we landed a solid hit to Big Mom’s head. The impact sent her face-first into the ground, creating shockwaves that rippled through the earth.

We leaped away and landed next to Sanji, Luffy, and Reiju. Big Mom’s grip on Judge slowly loosened, allowing him a moment to breathe.

“We haven’t done that one together in a minute,” I said, catching my breath as I pressed my ring once more. The transformation of my raid suit commenced, the familiar rush of power igniting within me. I grabbed my sword from my side, pressing the red gemstone, feeling a new surge of energy flow through me, mixed with electricity.

King followed suit, pressing the red gemstone on his weapon, magma-like flames dancing around him. “Y/N! What are you doing?! And why are you wearing that?” Sanji asked, though I could tell he enjoyed seeing me in this uniform a bit too much.

“I couldn’t stand by any longer. Besides, King and I enjoy a little danger every once in a while,” I said, flashing him a grin. “And we needed the exercise, right, King?” I turned to him, my playful tone lightening the tension for a moment.

“Don’t lose focus, Princess,” he warned, his golden eyes sharp and serious. I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle over us once more.

Suddenly, Big Mom began to stand up, still clutching Judge in her massive grip. “Who the hell did that?!” she bellowed, her fury palpable. She pointed directly at me. “You! You’re that rotten princess who ruined my tea party! You even managed to shake me to prevent hitting Strawhat!”

“Like I’ve stated before, hag,” I shot back defiantly, “I have a duty to protect my captain. And if I need to punch the elderly, then so be it.”

The fury in her eyes deepened, turning almost volcanic. “You rotten brat! I’m going to teach you a thing or two about manners!”

Big Mom's fury erupted as she grabbed Prometheus, launching her "Heavenly Bonbon" attack at me. Fire bolts rained down, but I swiftly dodged each one with graceful back handsprings, my movements fluid and sharp. As the last bolt closed in, I planted my feet firmly, raising my sword to meet the fire head-on.

With a clenched left hand, I felt a familiar heat rush through me, the flames of Prometheus bending to my will. My thigh halter glowed a vivid violet, amplifying the energy surging within me. The flames shifted and twisted under my control, merging with the electric charge in my sword.

I smirked as I gripped the hilt tighter and, with a powerful swing, I sent the blazing attack right back at Big Mom, shouting, "Violet Inferno!"

The fiery bolt missed its mark as Big Mom narrowly dodged, her massive figure moving with surprising speed. I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling inside me. "Damn..." I muttered under my breath, watching as the violet flames exploded behind her, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. 

The battlefield was chaotic, filled with smoke, debris, and the ever-looming presence of Big Mom. As I made my way back to the group, the force of her thunderbolt attack nearly sent us flying. My breath hitched for a moment, but I quickly steadied myself. "Princess, you okay?" King’s voice broke through, his golden eyes scanning me with concern.

“She didn’t even land a scratch on me,” I replied with a smirk, catching my breath, but the adrenaline still surged through my veins.

"Y/N, why do you always gotta put yourself in more danger?" Sanji asked, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and worry. His gaze lingered, and for a second, his usual composure faltered.

I chuckled softly, "Cause it’s what I’m good at," I responded, shooting him a playful grin before looking at the battlefield once more. "How's Luffy?" I asked, my eyes darting to Sanji.

"Still recovering," he replied, his voice low. I nodded in understanding, knowing that meant we’d need to buy more time.

As Judge lay on the ground, his body unmoving, Reiju’s frantic cry echoed, "Father!" Yonji and Niji weren’t far behind, rushing in from where they had been protecting Caesar and Bege. "Dad, no!" they yelled, the panic clear in their voices.

My mind raced, trying to piece together something that could turn the tide. But every plan that surfaced felt reckless, desperate. "Okay, do we have another plan? Because all mine are right now pretty reckless," I admitted, the wind beginning to whip through my short hair as the tension mounted.

Ichiji POV…

I stood watch as Big Mom prepared to launch a thunderbolt at Father, a surge of dread pooling in my stomach. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, two familiar voices rang out, piercing through the tension. “Electric Tremor Strike!” they yelled in unison, and I watched in awe as beams of energy shot past Niji, Yonji, and me, landing a direct hit on Big Mom that sent her crashing to the ground, face-first. The force was strong enough to shake the rooftop, sending debris flying.

“What was that?” I exclaimed, still trying to process what I had just witnessed.

From the dust, two figures emerged, standing resolutely next to Sanji, Reiju, and Straw Hat Luffy. “We haven’t done that one together in a minute,” one of the voices said, and I squinted to see through the haze.

Then, my breath caught in my throat as the debris settled. Y/N stood there, pressing her ring, and in an instant, her Raid Suit materialized around her. The red long-sleeved dress hugged her body perfectly, stopping mid-thigh, accentuating her figure in a way that made my heart race. The deep plunge of her front revealed just enough of her chest and stomach, while her thigh halter peeked out enticingly. She wore white gloves, and her ascot added an elegant flair that complemented the fierce look in her eyes, as her shades hung low to the bridge of her nose.

And there it was—my number emblazoned on the back of her dress, a bold statement that made it clear she was mine. I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride, even as my jaw dropped at the sheer power radiating from her.

“Dude, your wife looks amazing!” Yonji exclaimed, his mouth hanging open in shock.

"Ichiji, that's your wife!" Niji added, equally stunned.

Y/N moved with an agility that left us all in awe. When Big Mom retaliated with her Heavenly Bon Bon attack, fire bolts rained down like wrathful meteors. But Y/N danced through them, executing perfect back handsprings, her dress swirling around her as her short hair flowed like a banner in the wind. I could feel my heart thundering in my chest as I watched her dodge with an effortless grace that was mesmerizing.

Then, as if to further showcase her strength, she raised her sword on the final fire bolt. I was breathless as I saw her channel the flames, transforming them into a vibrant violet before launching it back toward Big Mom. The sight was intoxicating—her confidence, her skill, everything about her was fierce and beautiful.

“Damn…” I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away.

Niji, Yonji, and I exchanged glances, all of us equally stunned. I could see the admiration in their eyes, and it mirrored what I felt. “She’s incredible,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. 

Suddenly, Big Mom’s attention snapped back to Father, and she unleashed a thunderbolt using Zeus, sending him crashing to the ground. “Dad!” Niji and Yonji yelled, rushing toward him, panic evident on their faces. “Father!” Reiju’s voice broke through the chaos, full of fear.

I felt my heart race, but I forced myself to concentrate. I watched as Y/N dashed toward Sanji, Luffy, Reiju, and King, a fierce determination radiating from her. Just then, Katakuri stepped in front of Caesar and Bege, blocking their path. The mission! I thought, casting one last glance at Y/N before heading toward Caesar.

As Katakuri prepared to launch an attack, I knew I had to intervene. “Sparking Figure!” I yelled, landing a punch on Katakuri. His mochi defenses absorbed the blow, but I was undeterred. “Don’t worry, I haven’t abandoned my duty. You better get moving!” I commanded Caesar, my voice sharp and unwavering.

“Do you think you’ll get the upper hand that easily?” Katakuri taunted, his smirk growing. “Or is it... that you don’t value your life?”

My blood boiled at his words. “If you’re trying to intimidate me, don’t waste your breath,” I shot back, my voice low and seething. “I don’t fear anything—especially not scum like you.”

Katakuri leaned in, his voice dripping with malice. “You don’t? What if I told you I plan to destroy your wife?”

A rush of rage surged through me like a tidal wave, igniting every nerve in my body. “You think you can threaten her and walk away unscathed?” I snarled, fists clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white. “You don’t have the slightest idea of the lengths I’ll go to protect Y/N. I’d tear you apart before I let you lay a finger on her!”

He chuckled darkly, the sound cutting through the air like a knife. “We’ll see how tough you are when I’m done with you.”

“Come at me, then!” I shouted, my voice a fierce battle cry. “You think you can intimidate me? I will obliterate you for even thinking of touching her!”

Fueled by rage and determination, I prepared to strike again, ready to unleash everything I had to defend my family. I wouldn’t let him threaten Y/N without facing the consequences.

Y/N POV… 

“Okay, so do we have a backup plan?” I asked again, scanning the battlefield as I felt the tension rising. Big Mom grabbed Zeus once more, her massive form looming ominously over us. Judge lay on the ground, his breathing ragged and clearly injured.

Niji and Yonji launched an attack, but Big Mom effortlessly blocked it. “Quick, Y/N, let’s go!” Sanji shouted, his urgency palpable as he hoisted Luffy over his shoulder. Reiju was ready to depart, and I nodded at King as we all began to run alongside Sanji.

Just then, a sharp sword whizzed past me, nearly grazing my arm. “That was too close!” I gasped, adrenaline pumping as I dodged it with Sanji and Luffy. King and Reiju managed to evade it as well, our instincts kicking in.

We turned to see Daifuku, Smoothie, and Oven standing menacingly in our path. “Did you forget about us?” Daifuku sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice.

“Honestly, I don’t remember you. You’re more of a background character,” I shot back, earning a sharp glare from King. I couldn’t help but smile at my own bravado.

“We won’t rest until you are all dead, especially you, princess, and that man next to you, for hurting Mama!” Oven growled, his fists clenching tightly.

King and I exchanged knowing glances, smirks creeping onto our faces. “Empty threats is all I hear,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“There’s no escape!” Oven yelled, his tone filled with malice.

I glanced over at Sanji, still holding Luffy’s limp body. “You go; I will hold them off!” Reiju declared, her determination unwavering.

“Doubt it’s going to be that easy,” Sanji replied, lowering Luffy gently. “Chill for a sec,” he added, clearly worried but trying to keep the atmosphere light.

I turned to King, my heart racing. “Princess, sit this one out,” he urged, concern flickering in his golden eyes.

I looked back at Sanji and Reiju, weighing my options. I couldn’t let them face this alone. “Give that Oven guy hell for me, King,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Of course, Princess! Just don’t get hurt while I’m taking care of business!” King replied, a smirk dancing on his lips.

“You too, Sanji,” I said, managing a small smile despite the tension.

Sanji’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he replied, “You know I always fight harder when you’re in the picture, Y/N. Just… promise you’ll be safe, okay? I’d be lost without you.” His earnest gaze held mine for a moment, making my heart flutter despite the chaos around us.

“Don’t worry about me,” I assured him, my voice steady. “Just focus on kicking their butts.”

With a nod, Sanji turned his attention back to the incoming threat, and I took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.

I watched as King skillfully blocked Oven's attacks with his sword, a fierce determination radiating from him. "You hurt our princess; you'll have to go through me!" he declared, his voice steady and resolute.

With that, King unleashed a new technique, “Flame Eruption,” a fiery slash that sent a wave of intense heat crashing towards Oven. The attack caused Oven to falter, eyes wide with surprise.

"That's a new one!" I exclaimed, impressed by King’s growth.

“You know me; training doesn’t stop,” he replied, a confident smirk on his face as he continued to fend off Oven’s relentless onslaught.

Sanji shifted his focus to Daifuko, ready to engage. I could see Reiju battling Smoothie nearby, her determination unwavering. But then, disaster struck. Smoothie landed a devastating blow, sending Reiju crashing into a pile of rocks.

“Reiju!” I yelled, my heart racing as I rushed to her side. But just as I feared the worst, I saw Reiju’s smirk as she released a stream of poison onto Smoothie’s thigh, causing her to stumble and collapse.

“Nice shot!” I called out, but my attention quickly shifted back to Luffy, who lay motionless on the ground. I knelt beside him, my heart pounding.

“Don’t worry, Luffy; everything is going to be okay,” I whispered, brushing a hand through his hair. “We’re going to get you back up on your feet.” I felt the weight of the battle pressing down on me, but I was determined to hold on to hope.

Nami POV… 

As I watched the chaos unfold before us, my heart raced with a mix of admiration and anxiety. Y/N and King had executed that striking move against Big Mom flawlessly, her agility and skill on full display as she dodged attacks and turned her own flames into a violet blaze. The way she fought was mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride for her.

Ichiji was locked in a fierce battle with Katakuri, his fury palpable. Yonji and Niji were also holding their ground against Big Mom, and it was clear the Germa siblings were a force to be reckoned with.

“You know, Germa is kind of neat,” Gotti remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice.

“I tried to tell you from the get-go, lelo! And now that the princess is married to Ichiji and is wearing her own raid suit, that just adds an extra point to their already awesome beings!” Vito exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

“All they care about is the mission; they don’t fear death in the least,” Jinbei added, his tone serious as he assessed the battlefield.

“Ichiji over here, however, is in full rage... Katakuri must have threatened him with something,” Jinbei continued, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

“Not something... someone,” I interjected, already aware of the real reason behind Ichiji's fury. Katakuri had threatened Y/N’s life for what she and King had done to Big Mom, and I could see how that was driving Ichiji to fight even harder.

“Damn that mochi bastard,” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists. “He won’t lay a finger on her.” I could feel the protective instincts surge within me, a fierce determination to ensure Y/N’s safety as the battle raged on around us.

“Regardless... they are badly outnumbered, and the Big Mom Pirates are quite fierce,” Brook noted, his usual calm demeanor contrasting with the tension of the situation.

“Germa is awesome, but let’s cheer for Caesar too!” Carrot piped up, her energy infectious despite the chaos around us.

“Hard pass,” I replied, shaking my head. The thought of cheering for Caesar felt like a betrayal to everything we’d fought against.

“Yeah! You can make it!” Vito encouraged, his voice full of optimism. “We’re counting on you!” Chopper chimed in, his tiny fists pumping in support.

“You got this, Caesar... you scumbag!” I yelled, my sarcasm laced with reluctant encouragement.

“What was that last part again?!” Caesar exclaimed, confusion flashing across his face as he glanced back at us. But just as we thought we might see a spark of determination from him, we noticed Brulee stepping forward, her eyes locked onto him.

“Uh-oh,” I muttered, feeling the air grow heavy with tension. Brulee’s presence meant trouble, and Caesar’s hesitation wouldn’t bode well for him in a fight. “This isn’t good...”

“Looks like he’s about to get distracted,” Jinbei said, watching the scene unfold with a knowing expression. I could feel the anxiety in the pit of my stomach; if he didn’t focus, Brulee would take advantage of it.

“Caesar, focus!” I shouted, hoping to snap him out of it. “You’re not off the hook just yet!” I could see the clock ticking down for him, and I hoped he could gather his wits before it was too late.

Y/N POV… 

Smoothie had successfully squeezed the poison from her thigh, and now she was turning her attention to Reiju, who was bound by some mysterious force. “Reiju, what’s wrong?!” I yelled, my concern echoing through the chaos.

Before I could make a move to help her, I felt something wrap tightly around my legs, arms, and mouth, binding me to the ground. “Mhmhmhm!” I muttered, panic rising as I was knocked flat. I glanced over to see Luffy struggling beside me, also ensnared.

“Worry about yourself first,” said one of the Charlotte siblings taunted, a sinister smirk crossing her face as she launched a similar binding attack at Sanji.

“Mhmmm!” I shouted through the gag, helplessly thrashing against the restraints.

“Princess!” King yelled, his concern palpable as he tried to reach us, but Oven intercepted him with a brutal punch to the face, sending him crashing to the ground beside me.

“Mhmmm!” I cried out again, feeling the pressure of the bindings tightening around my body.

“Y/N!” Sanji’s voice was laced with worry as Daifuko approached me, the gleam of his sword catching my eye. With a swift motion, he hit me in the head with the back of his weapon, reopening the wound Perspero had inflicted earlier. “Mmm!” I groaned, pain flaring through my skull as I fought against the gunk that restrained me. 

“Mhmmm!” I cried out again, feeling the pressure of the bindings tightening around my body. My gaze shifted to Ichiji, who was being choked mercilessly by Katakuri. “Y…/N,” he muttered, and I felt a pang of helplessness.

“Mhmmm!” I responded, trying to convey my determination through my muffled voice. Just then, I caught sight of Yonji and Niji, both incapacitated, with Big Mom holding them effortlessly, stepping on Judge as if he were nothing more than a bug beneath her heel.

“Well, the party’s over… but the execution is next,” she declared ominously, her voice sending chills down my spine. “I think I’ll start with you, princess.” The threat lingered in the air as she began to slowly stalk toward me.

“Princess!” King yelled, struggling against his own binds. I could feel my sword clenched tightly in my hand, but it was useless against the restraints. Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted, shaking the rooftop violently beneath us. We all felt the ground tilting, the chaotic distraction throwing the Charlotte family off their game.

In that moment, Reiju managed to break free from her binds, then swiftly moved to free Sanji, Luffy, and finally, me. “Fuck,” I groaned as I clutched my wound, the pain flaring as I took a deep breath.

“Princess, you’re bleeding again,” King noted, concern etched on his face. Sanji held Luffy, who looked back at me with worry in his eyes. “Once we make it back to the Sunny, Chopper will patch that up for you,” he assured, and I simply nodded, my chest heaving with each breath.

As I fell back, feeling dizzy, King caught me. “I’m gonna need a moment,” I admitted, my vision blurring slightly.

“Hang in there,” he urged, and together, we managed to retreat for a few moments.

“Did one of your allies do this?” Reiju asked, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding us.

“I’m not sure,” I replied, trying to focus. “All I know is that if this didn’t happen, we’d all be dead for sure.”

I slowly tried to lift my sword, but King quickly grabbed it from my hand and pressed the three gemstones, tucking both his and mine into the pocket of his suit coat. “I’ll hold on to these,” he said firmly.

“Stupid head injury,” I muttered, grateful yet frustrated.

As we soared through the air, adrenaline surged through my veins, mingling with the pain still throbbing in my head. King held me securely, maneuvering through the chaos around us as we made our way toward safety. “King, this way!” Sanji shouted, and I struggled to keep my eyes open, fatigue washing over me like a heavy tide.

“Hey!” Sanji’s voice pierced the haze as he spotted Bege and Caesar in the distance. “Y/N!” Nami’s voice rang out, filled with urgency. “Come up here, hurry!” Chopper’s worried tone followed, making me push through the exhaustion to meet their gaze.

I managed a small smile, trying to reassure them, but King’s grip was the only thing keeping me steady. “Shhh, take it easy, princess,” he murmured, his voice calm despite the chaos.

Suddenly, Reiju and Ichiji burst onto the scene, creating an opening in the melee. “Let me…” Ichiji began, but King tightened his hold, refusing to let go. “This way, hurry!” Nami urged, and I could feel the urgency in her voice.

“I think you better hurry!” Brook chimed in, his usual cheeriness dimmed by the seriousness of our situation. I winced at the pain in my head, a sharp reminder of the earlier chaos. “Why does it feel like I’m being hit with battering rams again?” I muttered, my vision blurring as I fought to stay focused.

Finally, we reached the entrance of Bege’s body. With a swift motion, he opened up, allowing us to slip inside, a sanctuary amidst the chaos. “I figured you four were toast,” Bege smirked as we entered, his humor a welcome relief.

“Fuck off,” I muttered, wincing as another wave of pain surged in my head. The moment the entrance closed behind us, I felt a wave of relief wash over me, though my body still protested.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Sanji said, the relief evident in his voice as we regrouped. “You four are crazy!” Chopper exclaimed, his eyes wide with concern. “I hope that was worth it, Y/N!” Nami yelled, and I turned to her, sending a soft smile her way.

“Always,” I replied, the word barely escaping my lips.

“Come on! Let’s get you back to the sofa, princess,” King said gently, and I felt Chopper move to help as well. As I settled down, a soft hand brushed against my head, and I couldn’t help but let out a small moan at the contact. My vision slowly began to clear, and I glanced around at my friends.

Hey, guys,” I said, my voice still weak but filled with gratitude.

“We're glad that you're back,” Brook said, his usual lightheartedness returning, and I couldn’t help but smile, thankful for this moment of respite amidst the storm. Reiju then looked out the window. “Ichiji, I think the coast is clear.”

I turned next to me and saw Ichiji brushing my hair back. His touch was soft and gentle, and I leaned into it, grateful for the comfort. However, when he inadvertently grazed my wound, I winced. “Sorry, Y/N,” he murmured, concern flickering in his eyes as Chopper hurried to examine the injury once more.

Ichiji grabbed his transponder snail, his expression turning serious. “Mission complete. Let’s withdraw,” he said, relaying the message with a calm authority.

Niji’s voice crackled through the device. “We’re on our way,” he responded, and I could sense the tension in the air starting to lift.

Ichiji turned to me, his hand gently cupping my cheek. “Princess, you need to take care of yourself,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine.

“Here, drink this,” King interrupted, handing me a glass filled with water and medicine. I raised an eyebrow, confused.

“Wait a second, what…?” Chopper began, his brow furrowing in concern.

“It’s the same one we used during training. You need to let it take effect after ten minutes,” King explained, his tone definitive. “Once the medicine takes effect, you'll be knocked out, but when ten minutes pass, you’ll be good as new.” He then pulled out something from his bag. “Chopper, I want to give these to you,” he said, revealing various medicines, antidotes, and essentials I had used during training.

Chopper’s eyes widened with gratitude. “Thank you, King! This will help so much!” he exclaimed, and before anyone could react, he wrapped his arms around King in a tight hug. “I’ll make sure to take good care of Y/N!”

As Chopper began to organize the supplies, I caught Sanji glaring at Ichiji, his protective instincts flaring. “You better watch yourself, Ichiji,” he warned, his tone low but filled with tension. “You’re not the only one who cares about Y/N.”

Ichiji merely smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Sanji. I’m just here to make sure she’s okay.” He leaned closer to me, his demeanor softening. Before I could react, he placed a tender kiss on my forehead. “Get better soon, Y/N,” he whispered, and my heart fluttered despite the situation.

The warmth of Ichiji’s gesture lingered, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos surrounding us. I swallowed the medicine, the bitter taste making me grimace, but I chased it down with water, handing the empty glass back to King as I sank back against the sofa.

Sanji continued to argue with Ichiji, their banter an almost familiar backdrop to the tense atmosphere. Chopper hovered nearby, his eyes darting between me and the clock, watching intently for any signs that the medicine was taking effect.

“Just hold on, Y/N! It’s supposed to work quickly,” Chopper said, his voice laced with worry.

I nodded, though my eyelids felt heavy, the pull of sleep becoming more insistent. As I fought to stay awake, I caught glimpses of the others in their frantic preparations—Reiju and Ichiji strategizing, Sanji glaring daggers at Ichiji, and Brook pacing with anxious energy.

Soon enough, my eyelids began to droop, and I felt a warm sense of darkness consume me, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. My thoughts began to blur as I drifted into unconsciousness, the sound of my friends’ voices fading into the background.

Ichiji POV…

I watched as Y/N lay down on the sofa, resting. She still had the Germa uniform on, and the hem of her dress skirt had ridden up a little, revealing a peek of her toned thighs and halter. My hand instinctively went to her dress, and I lowered it as much as I could, ensuring she was comfortable.

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” spat Sanji, his voice sharp and protective.

“Making sure my wife is comfortable,” I replied, keeping my tone steady, meeting his glare head-on.

Chopper, still checking Y/N’s vitals, looked up, a mix of concern and irritation on his face. “Guys, can we focus on Y/N? She needs to rest, not have you two arguing!”

Brook chimed in, his usual jovial tone subdued but still playful. “Well, it’s not every day we see princes fussing over a princess. But maybe we should let her sleep without the melodrama?” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension.

King remained silent, his expression unreadable as he observed everything nearby. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and I knew he was assessing the situation just as much as Sanji was.

“Just remember, Ichiji,” Sanji warned, stepping a bit closer, “she’s been through hell. The last thing she needs is you making it worse.”

I nodded, my focus shifting back to Y/N. “I know. But I’ll be here for her, no matter what. She needs someone she can rely on.” I glanced at Sanji, the unspoken tension between us hanging thick in the air.

“Right now, all she needs is to heal,” Chopper insisted, pushing the conversation back to where it mattered most. “So let’s give her that chance.”

As they continued their heated back-and-forth, my attention remained solely on Y/N, hoping that she could find some peace amid the chaos.

I continued to softly brush my wife's hair back, as gently as I could, savoring the fleeting moments of calm amidst the chaos. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Reiju watching me, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. 

Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on Y/N's lips, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. “Ichiji! Leave her al—” Sanji started, but I stood up, refusing to let the anger and frustration in his voice affect me. I intertwined my fingers with Y/N’s, even though her hand felt limp in mine. The connection was still there, and it bolstered my resolve.

I turned to Chopper, who was busy checking her vitals. “Raccoon, I leave my wife in your hands,” I said, my voice steady as I pecked her hand gently before reluctantly letting it go.

“I’m a reindeer!” Chopper yelled, his frustration evident, but I could see the determination in his eyes.

Brook’s skeletal face turned towards me, a grin on his bony features. “I know that look… you love her, don’t you?” he asked, his voice light yet penetrating.

I turned to him, smirking in return. “What do you think?” I shot back, feeling the weight of my feelings pressed against my chest.

With a nod to Brook, I made my way back to Reiju, who was still observing me with a knowing look. “Let’s meet with Niji and Yonji,” I said, my mind already racing ahead, strategizing our next move.

With one final glance back at Y/N, I took a deep breath and made my way out the window, ready to face whatever awaited us outside. Big Mom's children and subordinates wouldn’t know what hit them; they dared to take our technology and provoke our family. It was time to remind them who they were dealing with.

.

..

[carnal-lnstinct]

Are you still doing requests for your Halloween event? If so, could I request either (nsfw)Perfect Cell as a vicious and obsessive yandere hunting down a female/nonbinary reader because he’s decided he wants to keep them for himself or (sfw)Frieza bringing/dragging along a reader for trick or treating with his son Kuriza and to explain this weird Earth holiday to him (can be done with or w/o reader having a kid of their own)

Hopefully these requests are within the rules and they’re something you’re interested in writing. Thank you!

FRIEZA X READER

✦✦Content: au. trick-or-treating, master and servant dynamic but only Frieza and Kuriza knows it ✦✦Warning: frieza, that's the warning. ✦✦A/N: I know very little about Kuriza so I hope this is still enjoyable!

“You’re blending in nicely.”

 You commented with a little chuckle. In an instance of mellow and fun exchanges, the formalities were lost and the difference in power seemed so trivial. Yet, the intense red stare alone quickly corrected you, reminding you who you were speaking to. You straightened up, “–Er, M-My Lord. By that I mean, you seem to be enjoying yourself more than Kuriza.”

Frieza answered with a chuckle of his own, black lips spreading into a soft, indulgent grin. “Oh yes, I suppose. These festivities aren’t entirely as demeaning as I presumed. Naturally, I would be lavished and provided tribute for my presence, even if it is something as unelegant as your earthling confectionery. Tribute is tribute…” He quickly enunciated as he ran his fingers through the pile of candy filling the small pail you were ordered to carry. As underwhelmed as he tried to seem, there was a sense of joy at the way he admired the many colorfully wrapped rewards for him simply existing in the presence of those truly beneath him. 

“I should suffer nothing less than what is rightfully owed to me from this...” He pauses for a moment, turning his head to you. “What is it you call this festival again?”

“Halloween.” You nodded, pursing your lips for a moment as you mulled over your thoughts and continued to speak. “Your tribute, though… is because…well, actually, it doesn’t matter.” You dismissed the thought with a sheepish shrug and brief laugh. “Nothing important, Lord Frieza.” You certainly wouldn’t be the one to ruin a perfectly nice outing by telling him he got so much candy because of his height and fancy “costume”. No need to get the Earth destroyed. “But can I ask why you’re so interested in an Earth holiday?”

It was then a smaller being hijacked your shoulders in a surprise attack, almost knocking you off balance and into the Galactic Emperor, stopped by his tail angled out as a painful “safety net” in your sternum. “Hiyah, mule! To the next set of village homes!” Kuriza excitedly commanded with a hand on your head and his smaller tail beating at the back of your shoulder. Candy fell out of his trick-or-treat bucket at the slightest movement from being filled to capacity. And still, more was desired. Perhaps more than a neighborhood’s worth.

“Yes, let us move on. I’d very much like to hasten this time among the earthlings towards its end before they become too friendly..” Frieza slowly began to walk forward, poised with his hands behind his back, leaving you to nurse the ache in your chest and try to keep up at Kuriza’s demanding tug of your hair. “We shall grace the earthlings for their Halloween offerings a tad longer and then be on our way, Kuriza.” Lest the infestation of saiyans catch wind and seek to become an obstacle to their treat gathering.

“Exactly…how much longer?” You muttered through your teeth, fighting to keep composure and patience.

“Until Uncle Cooler arrives!” The excited little one proclaimed.

“What?!” Both you and Frieza react in shock, Frieza whipping around to face the two of you with wide eyes. 

“You told my brother to come here?!” He quickly spat out, a bitter tremble shaking in the wave of his tail. “For what purpose?”

“So he can Trick-or-Treat with us, Papa! I sent him our coordinates before we landed.” Kuriza smiled. He leaps from your shoulder landing in front of his father. “Shouldn’t the Earth honor our entire family with their offerings of treats? We can always turn the whole planet to ashes if they disrespect us again. We could do it together!”

“As enjoyable as it would be to see this planet turned to dust in the void of space, even I know it wouldn’t be a simple task with the saiyans and their spawns here. There’s also the fact Lord Beerus frequents this particular planet. If it suddenly disappeared and he discovered it was because of us, his wrath would know no bounds! Is that what you want?” The scolding in Frieza’s tone cleared the smile away from Kuriza who started to shrink away from him, backing up into your leg. You didn’t react right away, you yourself froze at being caught in the path of his raised tone.

Frieza’s eyes glanced between the two of you and your frightful stares. He recomposed himself, an audible huff before he cleared his throat and turned his back to you both.

“Shall we proceed?” He calmly brushed off the tension and started walking again. You hear a small sound leave Kuriza as a soft visible tremble in his shoulders sends you into action without thought. You lift him under his arms and hold him on your hip, the small bead of tears in his eyes quickly wiped away by his hands as he fixed his face into a fussy pout, but it only made you smile at him reassuringly.

“At least Frieza and Cooler will play nice as long as Beerus is around, right? More candy for you!” You pointed out to him, lightly nudging his cheek with your fist and giving him a knowing wink. Kuriza gives your words thought and his smile returns, giving you a nod.

Is not the darkness sweet ?