#and then smiling at him with blood in his teeth because 'we're even - no debts between us'

[beauregardlionett]

been thinking about the orym and zeru conversation from 105 and sitting in a puddle of angsty thoughts about the uncertain future because orym saying "your son saved my life a day ago" and zeru saying "maybe you'll get the chance to return the favor" and orym saying "your son has already carved a very impressive verse in the pages of history and if my friends and i have anything to do with it he'll pen many more" and thinking ALLLLL the way back to the beginning of the campaign when dorian said "no debts between us" and how that could be taken one of two ways and remain true

something something fathers and sons and the inevitable dance of fate and pride and loss something something

[mlmxreader]

Maybe, Just Maybe | Maximus x gn!reader

『••✎••』

↳ ❝ okay, so "I can tell you like me because you keep staring" and “we’re gonna die here” with maximus pretty please 👀 ❞

: ̗̀➛ You and Maximus have a certain understanding of one another, and maybe that's why you're so fond of each other - or maybe it's because he's wonderful and he thinks you're amazing.

trigger warnings: ̗̀➛ swearing, violence, torture, trauma

•───────────────★•♛•★──────────────•

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I'm gonna fuckin' die!"

The words were still ringing in your ear even as you sprawled out on the roof of what was once a petrol station; you almost smiled when the words just bounced around. Poor Maximus had never dealt with a hoard of ferals before and had panicked; but you helped each other through it to get where you were now.

Taking a break for a while to recuperate and get your bearings before carrying on. You could feel his gaze on you, and finally allowed yourself to grin as you hummed lazily.

"I can tell you like me because you keep staring, Max," you told him. "You can just say it, y'know."

Maximus swallowed thickly, as although the Brotherhood had instilled certain views on him, being able to freely express his affection for others - especially those who used to be raiders - wasn't exactly something he was entirely used to being able to do.

He still worried that the words would come out wrong and he would accidentally sound like a dick, but then he thought about how you told him that you went through the same. Raiders weren't allowed to freely express affection, either, and it was always treated as a weakness to be fond of anybody; but you learned, just as Maximus was starting to do so.

"I do like you," he agreed with a nod. "I just... I'm still a little shaken up, I thought... I thought we're gonna die here..."

You shook your head, reaching out and gently patting his knee as you offered a reassuring smile. "We'll be alright, don't worry. We'll learn together, and, y'know... maybe eventually we'll find a little island or something where we can settle down properly... just us two - and a fuck tonne of turrets."

He laughed at that, already feeling more than at ease; you always had that effect on him, being able to just radiate peace and easiness as if it came completely naturally. As if nothing could affect you or break you. But just like him, you had been broken once before.

When you first met Maximus, you were a radier, and even worse, you had a blood contract; between your testimony and the terminal he had hacked after being locked out six times - bloody things were so fiddly and would always lock him out - he had found out about what they did to you.

Beatings, starvation, pulling teeth and nails, breaking bones; constant, around the clock, torture. Maximus had saved you, and you wanted to pay your debt however you could.

You just didn't quite count on growing incredibly fond of him. He was funny, he wasn't a goody two shoes but he wasn't a cunt either, he was... he was so gorgeous when you saw how the setting sun danced across his features and glittered in his dark brown eyes. And his smile?

Oh, fuck.

His smile was prettier than anything you could have ever thought about. It immediately made you feel relaxed and peaceful, immediately made you feel like not only were you safe, but you were home too. How someone like him ever looked twice at you, you weren't sure. You knew that you didn't deserve him. That much was painfully obvious.

"Maybe a dog, too," Maximus said with a smile. "I heard stories, y'know - a super mutant who trains and sells dogs. Apparently, he lives on a downed plane on an island somewhere."

You nodded in agreement. "A dog would be nice... normal."

Maximus sucked in a harsh breath, letting you get closer to him; your head fell to his lap as you closed your eyes and smiled.

He swallowed thickly when he looked down at you, his heart pounding in his chest; you were the most wonderful looking person he had ever set eyes on, and he knew that he didn't deserve you.

You were smart and funny and good looking, your skills with a sniper rifle were all but unmatched and... and fuck, the way you made his heart pound and his hands shake was something he could hardly fathom.

For all it was worth, Maximus really did feel something for you.

"You ever think that maybe there's a chance of it?" He asked quietly. "Being... normal?"

You shrugged as you sought for his hand, holding it gently as you brought it to your chest. "Maybe not in the sense of going back to how things were before the war... but maybe there's a chance we can be normal in a different way."

He nodded, relaxing a little as he thought about how much fucking better it would be. "I'd like to be normal with you, if that's alright?"

You opened your eyes, staring up at him for a moment as you smiled so brilliantly. "I'd love that."

Maximus didn't even know what to say as he gave your hand a small squeeze, swallowing thickly and doing his best not to laugh and jump up; he was so glad that he had found you, and he was so glad that you had found him.

Even though he knew he would never deserve you, he would fight every day to remain at your side because he knew, he knew it like he knew the colour of the sky, that you would always do the same for him.

Maybe that was all that mattered anyway - not deserving or anything like that. But being willing to fight for one another when the cards were down; being willing to do anything to keep each other safe.

He liked the sound of that, and he knew that if he said it, you would have, too; but with the sun starting to set and the tiredness starting to creep in, Maximus knew that such words would have to wait for another day.

But for now, he could take comfort in knowing that you were there with him; you were there to give him understanding, comfort and support when he needed it the most.

if you made it to the end of this fic and you enjoyed it, then please, if you have any cash to spare, even if it's just a few pounds, then please consider sharing whatever you can to help Mahmoud to rebuild his home.

[lilysparda]

Didn't wanna draw or use picrew to put costumes on my Yakuza OCs so they get rewarded the Hallowed Ween fic

Syphas was too old for Halloween. Like, seriously, he saw no damn reason to celebrate a holiday typically meant for little kids or stupid young punks who decided to dress in very little and make too much of a fuss at the bars, disturbing everyone's peace. Shuri called him a sore old man over it as they dragged him out to go to Poppo to buy candy for the kids that circled around the neighbourhood. "I just think ya shouldn't bother ta make a fuss over it. Hand out candy ta the little brats, yeah, but why'd ya gotta dress up fer it?" Syphas grumbled as he skulked behind Shuri on their way to the Poppo nearby. "Because it's fun, Sy-San. Halloween is for everyone, not just kids. C'mon, did you seriously never dress up as a kid and feel the joy of being your favourite monster or character?" Shuri sighed at his complaining, a soft smile on their lips. Syphas gave them a deadpan look, tucking his hands in the pockets of his slacks, "Ya think the Yakuza lets their brats go 'round askin' fer candy? Nah. My old man was too busy kickin' drunk bastards asses over debts and Okāsan was too sickly ta leave the house." Shuri frowned, brows furrowing. Their expression was sympathetic and if Syphas were the same man he was 20 years ago, he probably would've gotten pissed at them over what he'd view as pity. He knew better now and he wasn't the same person, but it didn't mean he didn't occasionally have that voice in the back of his head that got upset over the wrong perception. "Well, why don't we make this your first Halloween? We can't trick or treat now, we're too old for that, but we can still dress up and spoil ourselves on candy." Shuri suggested, grabbing his hand and squeezing it gently. Syphas hummed, unsure how to answer that. It didn't sound too bad of an idea, but he was 43 now, he was too old for playing dress up. Another squeeze of his hand brought him out of his thoughts, and he looked back to Shuri, their gaze searching his. "I'm 28 and still dressing up for Halloween. C'mon, just try? We can whip up a costume from your messy closet and see what we can conjure up with convenience store brand makeup." Sy just sighed, rolled his eyes and shrugged, following behind his roommate as they bought too much candy than anyone needed and a pack of terrible halloween makeup, even grabbed some beers which he cheered over, before they headed home. Shuri had planned their outfit weeks in advance so their costume was more detailed than this impromptu costume they wanted to help make for him.

In the end, they used an old suit and made him look like a vampire, fake blood and pointy teeth added in to finish the details. Despite initially thinking he looked ridiculous, a part of him felt... happy. He didn't look too bad actually! "Ya know, I think I make a handsome vampire." he smirked, turning this way and that as he looked in the mirror. "You look great, brother," Shuri chuckled, patting his shoulder as they passed. "Ya look great too, Shuri. Yer gonna scare the shit outta those kids." Shuri had dressed as Kuchisake-Onna, the slit-mouthed woman, and had used latex and fake blood to make it look a little too realistic... "That's another great thing about Halloween, Syphas. You call it childish, but what is Halloween if not a night for both tricks and treats?" they wiggled their fingers at him with a creepy, wide-eyed look and he cackled at them, shaking his head. "Well, guess there is a benefit ta all this silly shit then."

[petri808]

Bakudeku AU/canon divergent. Vampire quirk

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

As Bakugou stood on the train platform with just a duffle bag and a borrowed sleeping bag, he crushed the letter he was given by Aizawa in his hand and shoved it into his pocket. His instructions were to go to police headquarters to be briefed and paired up with the heroes in the search party. ‘Fuck that,’ he gritted his teeth and lowered his head to passersby. There was no way he was going to be railroaded or shackled by their rules. He didn’t care what the consequences might be for not following protocol. Not this time. Not when his friend was somewhere out there and needed….

What?

It was a question he’d been asking himself since it all happened. Midoriya better have a damn good reason for deserting him, that was for sure. But why he was so angry about it all was still unclear to the blonde. Was it a feeling of betrayal? Was he angry that his best friend just left him unconscious? Or was it something else? All he knew for certain, was he could barely get any sleep. Nightmares of the event plagued his dreams, and he swore at himself for not knowing fact from fiction. Maybe it was the guilt eating away, of being knocked out when his friend had needed him most. If he’d been awake, could he have prevented— whatever it is that caused Midoriya to leave?

Bakugou closed his eyes the moment he took a seat in the semi-filled train car as flash backs of a bright light and images of green lightning streaking away haunted his vision. A scream so blood curdling pinged in his ears… Those screams were worse than the visions. If Midoriya had been injured, why would he leave? It made no sense. There had to be another reason.

Yeah, fuck the authorities! They’d had a month with no leads and Bakugou had grown impatient in waiting for results. One of the final straws that pushed him into action was the day Izuku’s mom came to the school to talk to All Might. He’d seen the pain in the woman’s face, and it broke him. ‘Tch!’ The boys didn’t always get along, but… ‘aunty Inko deserved answers…’ He wanted some fucking answers! ‘There’s no way that stupid nerd would do anything to break his mother’s heart!’ Frankly, a part of him agreed with her, when she’d beat on All Might’s chest in anger that it was warranted. True, the man had made her sons dreams come true, but at what cost? Even a pro’s mother struggles with the loss of a child regardless of if it were for a good reason.

So, as he stood in front of the woman’s door, his hand stayed for a moment, hovering above the wood unable to knock. Bakugou didn’t prepare a speech, and most of his actions were being formulated along the way. He groaned and rapped a knuckle on the woman’s door. It took a few seconds, but he could hear the small shuffling sounds moving closer that he’d come to recognize from the woman.

“Oh, Bakugou, what bring you here?”

It was clear the woman had been crying based on the pinprick hemorrhages in her eyes and the puffy skin surrounding them. She offered him a weakened smile and if that didn’t pain him further, but also steeled his resolve to keep his promise. Bakugou averted his eyes to the ground. “I just wanted to tell you aunty Inko… I’m gonna find him— I promise to bring him home somehow.” Whether he believed in his own words or not, he made sure she did.

After a split second, tears exploded from the woman as she flew out of her door and wrapped her arms around Bakugou in a tight hug. “Thank you…” the same two muffled words pouring out over and over again. She didn’t know why, but she believed him, she had to.

Bakugou wasn’t one for physical contact, but he stiffly hugged the poor woman, patting her back as sobs racked her body. “Can you do me a favor,” he asked when she finally releases him. The woman nodded her head as she wiped the trails of liquid from her skin. “Give this to my mom,” he handed her a folded piece of paper.

“Okay…”

“Thanks aunty.” He quickly picked up his belongings and walked away without another word, leaving the woman a little confused but with hope to hang onto. That was surely a test of strength and patience completely foreign to the blonde. Just a few years ago he probably could have never pulled it off, but thanks to Midoriya he’d learned to control some of it. How ironic it was that he was now the one doing the chasing too.

Once Bakugou rounded the corner and was out of view, Inko Midoriya clutched the message to her chest. This letter must be extremely important, but strange that he wouldn’t have deliver it himself. No matter the reasoning, he was taking on a great burden in her eyes and it so she should treat this letter, whatever it is as important too. So, she immediately locked up her apartment and headed over to the Bakugou’s residence.

“Oh, hello Inko, please,” Masaru Bakugou answered and gestured for the woman to come in. “Is everything okay?”

Inko moved to the living room and took a seat as Masaru went to the kitchen to grab some customary refreshments. His wife Mitsuki, hearing the voices came out from another room and joined the other woman on the couch to keep her company.

“How are you holding up,” Mitsuki hugged her friend Inko. “What bring you here today?”

“I’m doing my best to stay strong,” Inko reciprocated the hug. She was grateful for all their friendship and support through this whole ordeal and over the years. Mitsuki had been a source of strength in keeping herself together through everything that happened with their children. “But I am here because your son showed up unexpectedly at my doorstep.” She pulled the letter from her purse and handed it to the woman. “Katsuki told me that he would find my Izuku, and handed me that,” she gestured to the paper, “asking me to give it to you.”

“Why the hell wouldn’t that brat just give it to me himself!” Mitsuki complained but took the paper. “Probably didn’t want to be yelled at for something,” she mumbled.

Inko shrugged, “I didn’t read it and he left before I could ask.”

Mitsuki proceeded to open the letter and read it. Her eyes flaring with a mixture of emotions the longer she continued. Inko sat quietly but nervously along with Masaru watching the woman slowly unravel before their eyes, unsure of what to say or do.

“That idiot!” Mitsuki jumped to her feet in a seeming rage. “But I’m so fucking proud of him!”

“What is it?!” The other two asked, leaning forward in anticipation. “What does it say?!”

“He’s gonna find Izuku.” She handed the letter to Inko, then sat back down beside the woman so she could read it too.

“Mom don’t go flying off the handle, but I left school to find Midoriya. I already got permission from the Principal and I’m supposed to check in with the police and stuff but screw that cause they’re morons! They had a month damn it and haven’t found shit! So, tell ‘em for me you know I’m fine and that I ain’t gon’ missing too, but I’m gonna find him myself. I got my cell, but I might not answer. I’ll contact you guys when I find him. And tell aunty Inko don’t worry. -Katsuki”

Tears brimmed in Inko’s eyes for the second time in less than an hour. “Oh, my that boy…” She handed her friend back the letter. “It makes me so happy Izuku has a friend like him.”

“We better call the school and authorities,” Masaru piped up. “Protect them as best we can.”

Mitsuki nodded in agreement, “I should be pissed that he’s messing with graduation, but a friend is more important.”

“Thank you,” Inko patted then squeezed her friend’s knee. “I am much in debt to you and your son.”

“Aww!” Mitsuki grinned and pulled her friend into another hug. “We’re more like family already!” Masaru smiled too and nodded. “Those two boys have been through so much together,” she laughed, “fight like brothers too.”

“I’m glad Katsuki always had someone around to balance him out,” Masaru chuckled.

“And Izuku had someone to pull him out of his shell,” Inko smiled.

Mitsuki gave her friend one more squeezing hug. "Hang in there Inko, we're gonna get through this. If I know my boy, he doesn’t know the meaning of give up.”

[sergeant-donny-donowitz]

Home for the Holidays

The Traitor & The Bear Jew Sequel: Requested by @svonschroeder​

I'm not Jewish, and know pretty much nothing about Hanukkah, I am so sorry if I fuck anything up, please let me know, educate me! :D <3

@owba-chan @inglourious-imagines @war-obsessed

Let me know if you wanna be tagged in these!

It was early afternoon. The pale winter sunlight drifted through the bare tree branches, over the glistening white snow beneath your feet as you marched toward the hideout.

When you, Hugo, and Omar left on your mission, the ground was covered in a blood red and golden carpet of leaves.

Each of the basterds had been divided among the whims of the wind that day, on separate missions.

You didn't know who, if anyone, would be back at the hideout in the middle of the forest by then. You really hoped everyone came home.

That was was made you most uneasy...

The idea of someone not coming home...

You couldn't wait to see him again.

You were dying to see Donny. You never wanted anything more in your life, other than to end the war with your own hands.

After what seemed like an eternity between Hugo's blaring silence, and Omar's goodnatured rambling, you made it back. Hugo may have been one of your oldest friends, but...that didn’t make him any less a basterd.

But, after that eternity, you made it. Your hideout in the middle of the freezing forest seemed almost like an oasis...

The only reason you knew it wasn't a dream was because, as usual, you could hear the boys arguing from a mile away.

You let your pack fall with a thud, stood with Hugo and Omar by Aldo, and raised your eyebrow in confusion.

"So, uh...what's going on?"

Aldo turned back, grinning, happy to see the last of his basterds had returned. "Wellll, from what I picked up," He took a sniff of tobacco, "Tonight's the last night of Hanukkah."

Omar gasped, "ALREADY?! I MISSED IT?!"

Before anyone had a chance to respond, he stuffed a handful of scalps into Aldo's hands, repaying his debts little by little like everyone else, and trudged to the rest of the basterds.

Hugo watched in silent, stoic amusement, while you turned to your lieutenant, "And they're arguing because...?"

Aldo shrugged, and commented, "Because they’re basterds, darlin’."

You smiled a little, "Good point."

Hugo smiled briefly. If you blinked, you missed it.

He would no doubt be annoyed with their ranting in a minute or so, but aside from you, the basterds were the closest thing to family he had. It had been well over a month...and it was nice to be 'home.'

"WE'RE USING MATCHES. WHY WOULD WE USE LIGHTERS?!"

Simon shrugged, "I DON'T KNOW! THEY’RE JUST EASIER TO FIND!"

Donny rolled his eyes, "HOW do you light a LIGHTER, with ANOTHER LIGHTER?!""

"Look, " Wicki sighed, rubbing the inner corners of his eyes, completely tired of the boys being...well...boys. "Use a lighter as shamash, and then-"

Donny sighed, "Genius, old man! I said that fifteen fucking minutes ago."

Michael scrunched up his face, "No you didn't!"

"Yeah, I fucken did,” Donny crossed his arms, and turned to Omar, “tell him, Omar!" Donny did a double take, "Omar?!"

Omar grinned, "Hey, boss!"

If Omar was home, that meant Hugo was home... because Hugo promised Aldo he’d take care of the youngest basterds if anything happened to him...

And Hugo wouldn’t come home without his best friend.

So you were definitely back.

"Y/n?!" Donny ran to you.

He wrapped his arms around your waist, lifted you up, and swung you around, burrying his face between your shoulder and neck.

He'd never quite held you like that before, never so desparately, and lovingly...

He would never admit it, but for a few hours he was genuinely terrified.

 You, Hugo, and Omar were the only ones that weren't back yet, and until he saw your face, he was able to breathe again.

You, on the other hand, were literally being smothered with  his love. You also had a recent run in with some nazis, in which you bruised a rib or two... (It was the same reason Aldo stared in awe at the sheer amount of scalps that Omar had thrown into his hands moments before...It was also why Hugo was so pleased with himself at the moment...)

You wheezed, "Donny, let go! I can’t breathe!"

He set you down, smiling, not having caught on.

You clenched your teeth through your pain until it subsided. You would never let him know he hurt you, even unintentionally... He didn't know. It was ok. 

His first encounter with you, he almost killed you, and you knew he still hadn’t forgiven himself for it. It was a misunderstanding, nothing more and nothing less... But Donny would never forgive himself if he ever really hurt you, and you knew it.

Besides, you were so happy to see him, the pain seemed to be drowend out by your happiness...

The basterds often teased him for being soft around you, but he didn't care. You were home, and that was all he could ask for...

Now that everyone was home, the real fun began.

So much so, that Aldo had to tell everyone to quiet down some, or else "all 'em nazi's over the goddamn Alps gon' know where we are!"

You...were still somewhat clueless.

"So...what's...what's all the fighting about, Donny?"

"Well, uh..." He sighed a little, embarassed that that had been the reason he didn't notice you were back earlier, "We haven't seen each other in weeks, what do you expect, doll?

You nodded, "Uh-huh, and you called Wicki 'old man' because...."

Donny pouted his lip a little in frustration, knowing that unlike the boys, you had some respect for your officers.... Still, he tried to argue, "He wasn't listening! And Mikey over there-"

Michael perked up, stepping away from the ongoing argument, and attempted to defend himself, "

"Look, in the heat of the moment, lighters just sounded like_"

Hirschberg rolled his eyes,  "Question..."

Simon crossed his arms, "Yeah, do you even have a lighter?"

Aldo sighed, "Oh boy..."

You were visibly confused... Donny noticed that, and took you in his arms as everyone else was busy either arguing or laughing. "It's the last night of Hanukkah, doll."

"Oh..." You nodded, as you witnessed the pending battle of wits unfolding before you, “Cause that explains everything...???” 

Smitty was laughing, and then realized you really didn't know a thing.

Aldo was amused, having witnessed the same exact argument a year before.

Hugo was....Hugo...

You were clueless. 

Donny smiled a little. It wasn't often that he knew something you didn't....

Moments like this were ones he waited for.

"You know what it’s about, right?"

You nodded tentatively...

All the basterds started to shut each other up, about to be more amused by you than each other's insults and rants.

Hirschberg glared at Omar, who was just starting to get into the argument, "Do you ever shut up?!"

"But I-"

"The goy's gonna some somethin' shut up!"

Omar huffed and rolled his eyes, "Fuck you, Hirschberg."

The basterds looked to you for an answer, and you murmnured "....Oil???" That was all you really knew.

You knew it had something to do with candles...which the basterds didn't have on hand...

Your one word answered seemed to fuel the basterds' argument like the oil itself.

Wicki, Omar, and Hirschberg started going back and forth...

Omar nodded, defending your answer. "Yes."

"...no.."

"yeah!"

"no."

"nope."

"Yeah?!"

Hirschberg smirked, holding up his gun, "It's about war!"

Smitty stopped playing with his lighter, and stepped in for a moment, "It's....it's both..."

All three basterds looked to the youngest basterd, "Shut up, Uti!"

He looked down, pressing his lips together, forcing back an entertained smirk, "Ok..."

Andy emerged from the pit where the basterds often carelessly chucked supplies into... He seemed to have missed the entire thing.

He smiled when he saw you, then looked back at the seemingly annual argument. He distinctly remembered that after the last year's...spat....Wicki bought candles for this exact reason....and forgot.

There was a reason Donny called him ‘old man.’

Being too amused by the distant squabbling, Andy went off on his own to find them. A quieter, but strategic basterd, he stood by you, watching in awe at how long the squabble had gone on at that point.

"Hey Andy." 

"Hiya, kid." He smiled and waved,  a bundle of candels in each of his hands.

Wicki caught sight of it out of the corner of his eye, cursing himself for not remembering earlier.

The debate died out into laughter just in time, as the sun began to fall beyond the bare trees and grey clouds.

You stood with Hugo and Aldo, arms around each other's shoulders, in solidarity with your Jewish brothers. The three of you weren't Jewish, but you were all in this war together. Being caught celebrating Hanukkah that night was a death sentence thousands of miles around...

It was more than just a war then.

Hugo normally never would touch anyone until you seemed to come back from the dead. And...yet, it was unlike him. But there, you were all soldiers. Basterds. 

Brothers.

The rest of the basterds each lit a candle, oldest to youngest....

Almost without any incidents.

But of course, you were the basterds...

And somehow at the very end...Omar’s hair almost caught on fire.

As the laughs faded, and the prayers ended, the candles burned down, and the campfire started, you all sat around, eating together as the basterdized family you were...

As every other night, canned, processed meat and stale bread was passed around. It was the usual food you had together, bland, barely edible. But somehow that night was special.

It was nice to be home...

Even if it was cold, and the middle of war, somehow it all felt warm and safe.

You were huddled together around the fire, the burning alcohol, smooth with the sounds of laughter and crude but funny soldier’s stories.

Donny sat by you. His cool hand slipped under your coat, wrapped around your waist without any of the basterds seeing...

Or so he thought.

As everyone else carried on with the jokes, and told stories of the past few weeks, he explained what "Real Hanukkah would be like, back home...Back in Boston..."

You smiled, not understanding everything completely, but still hoping that some day every one of them would see their homes again...

It made you happy when he mentioned people, neighbors and old friends, clubs and shops from his hometown. He told you so much about them before, it was almost as if you could picture it.

After losing the land you once knew, it was almost like his home was yours...

And Donny knew that.

He hoped telling you all about it would bring you some kind of hope for a future...and maybe a future with him, "Usually we have stuff like latkes and sufganiyot." Donny was amused with your kind but helpless smile.

He knew that shy, slight purse in your lips and almost unnoticeable arch in your eyebrow: You had no idea what he was talking about.

And he loved it.

Usually, it was the other way around. Especially when you said something to Hugo and inexplicably made the man with stone cold eyes laugh...

Anyway, Donny was absolutely melting at how confused you seemed.

He smiled a little, leaning slightly into your side, "They're kind of like donuts, they’re fried-"

Omar noticed that softness in Donny's eyes.

No one ever saw it before you came along...

And they loved jabbing him about it, "Get it, y/n? Cause oil..." And Omar, arguably loved inciting arguments more than anyone else in the camp.

Aldo knew him, and knew what that basterd was up to. He narrowed his eyes as he took a bite from his sandwhich, and turned to him,  "Omar...Keep your fuckin' mouth shut."

"But-"

Aldo smirked a little, leaning a bit closer to Omar so you and Donny wouldn't hear. He'd noticed that look in Donny's eyes. It was subtle, but he knew his men well enough to know Donny was in love.

They may have been in the middle of nowhere, in the dead, blistering cold of winter, but when he was with you, Donny was home.

Aldo knew that.

He smiled warmly as he glanced at you and Donny, then back at Omar as he warned him, "Let 'em kids have their moment."

He took another bite, still smiling fondly.

There was no telling how long the war would go on.

But for that night, Aldo felt like they were all somehow home...

And in that moment, Donny's eyes fell upon the dimming light of the candles. He looked around at his brothers in arms. There was a stack of scalps carelessly strewn on the snow. Everyone was still a bit grimey, bruised and bloody from the long, divided missions.

But that was war...

And sometimes, the war made Donny wonder if miracles really existed...

By chance, a few months before, you happened to fall right into his arms.

"By chance..."

Donny looked at you.

He smiled, his grip around your waist tightened a little, clinging onto the brightest light in his life.

"Yeah," He nodded slightly to himself, thinking, "miracles do exist..."