#another thing I thought of that I didn't feel like writing above is how strength played a factor in human dynamics

[sunshineneedsaplacetokeephernsfw]

Once upon a time I found vampires as a boring option as a monster fucker/lover. Mainly because I just saw them as pale humans who drink blood and had yet to see a piece of media take full advantage of the differences between humans and vampires and all the interesting things a vampire/human relationship could offer.

Mainly because I hadn't seen a lot and only exposure was a few posts in the teratophilia tag that didn’t sell me. But having recently consumed a piece of media that sold me on just how interesting a vampire/human relationship could be and all of the fun things that could be done with it. (If you've seen my blog at all recently, you know exactly what I'm talking about)

So since my adhd brain won't shut up about all the things that could be done with it, I will ran about the things that can be done with it here.

Sorry that it's probably disorganized and certain words might be repeated a lot. This is just me writing down all of my thoughts.

First of all there's all of the different features of vampires that different tellings of them offer. There's the obvious stuff like fangs and drinking blood to survive, sunlight being harmful to them, being able to turn into a bat, them being immortal. And there's also some things someone might forget at first like not being able to see them in mirrors, or even garlic being harmful to them. Maybe these things wouldn't be that useful to consider when writing a smut oneshot, but they are small details that would effect their life and interactions they might have with a human.

Like, maybe the human is inspecting themselves in the mirror and the vampire sneaks up behind them and whispers "Boo". The human jumps before laughing and playfully shoving the vampire away but leans into their touch after they snake their arms around the human's waist. Or maybe vampires can't be seen in pictures, much to the human's dismay because they want to remember what the vampire looks like, so they teach themselves to draw so they can draw what the vampire looks like and can always look back at that picture.

Or them trying to figure out what to do when they realize the vampire will outlive the human by a lot.

Or since vampires are stereotyped to live in gothic mansions (at least from what I can tell), lean into that gothic aesthetic. Or have them live somewhere else and lean into the aspects or aesthetic that would come with that.

But my favorite thing of all about vampire/human relationships is the dynamic and potential power dynamic or imbalance that could present.

Of course, if someone wants to write a healthy romance, they might not want to lean into that. But it could still be done in an interesting way of the characters doing their best to figure out how to have a healthy relationship and communicate with each other if they see something that could potentially become an issue and come up with a solution.

The fact that they rely on blood to survive and are much stronger and faster than humans immediately introduces a predator aspect to them which could create an interesting dynamic between the vampire and what they would usually consider food.

And even then, the abilities that make vampires so much more stronger and dangerous to humans could lead to a feeling of superiority over humans in vampire society and make it even more difficult for a vampire to interact with a human without treating them as food or a pet, or simple amusement. But humans and vampires still have the same mental capacity and ability to make connections, and potentially long for someone to be with. And how those two sides could mix or collide or be at war with each other.

It would be interesting to see how the relationship starts off like with the vampire only seeing them as a future snack or amusement, and how it slowly changes as they interact and then the journey of how it blossoms into a legitimate romance. Or it could be an exploration of the toxic elements and power imbalance in the relationship and how it effects the characters (like in Castlevania how Lenore legitimately cares about and is attracted to Hector, but still treats him like a pet in some cases).

Of course, you don't have to write vampires like this. Your world building and the ways vampires see or interact with humans could be completely different and that's okay, just make sure to explore it.

And obviously not all vampires will act the same, each will have their own personalities, ways they decide to feed, and how they decide to interact with humans. You could have a world where most vampires despise humans, but have a vampire that's never interact with much other vampires and tries to live in hiding amongst humans instead and does their best to gain their blood through methods that won't hurt others. Or maybe if there's a vampire that doesn’t realize they’re treating their human friend like a pet. Or a vampire that plans on keeping the human around until their bored or hungry, but end up developing actual feelings along the way and can't imagine a life without them (which could either develop into a sweet love confession or them becoming even more possessive).

Overall, I just really like it when vampire/human stories really explore aspects like these. And stories when it would be impossible to switch out the vampire with a human without the story not making sense.

And while the main dynamic I talked about is very good for dark romances, it's also really sweet if it's about a love so strong that it overcomes all of these obstacles any vampire/human interaction would come across

[creedslove]

BETRAYED - PART SIX

Pedro Pascal x f!reader

Summary: Pedro invites you to be his plus one for the night but his attention is caught by another woman and leaves you with a broken heart

Warnings: angst, age gap, established friendship, unrequited love/one sided feelings, fluff, glimpse of Pedro being a great (silly) dad, and more angst of course

A/N: I have no idea how you guys are gonna react. I hope you guys like it, because I was very invested and loved writing every single part of this chapter. Don't forget that all ideas and suggestions are more than welcome ❤️

I still can't manually tag people on the works because I use the app and it won't let me do it, that's why I don't have a tag list at all! 

3k words

PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE | PART FOUR | PART FIVE

"You did WHAT?" Kate raised her voice without really meaning to, at the shocking news you'd told her. She couldn't believe just a few feet away from where everyone stood, hidden by a couple of trees Pedro had declared his love for you and kissed you.

And the most shocking to her: you had told him to walk away. She was shocked and expressive at first and then she went silent as you finished your account of what had happened. You told her about Pedro's apologies, about how he confessed his feelings and kissed you. And above all, how it took every ounce of strength and self-control to break that kiss.

"And then, what happened next?" She asked with fire in her eyes, anticipation making her anxious and excited to know, which caused you to roll your eyes

"What do you think happened, Kate? You think we just had a quickie in the middle of the bushes?" You groaned and sighed "he walked away, he came back inside, probably went home, I don't know, I came straight to the kitchen to help you" you shrugged. Your heart was still pounding and it felt like it would burst out of your chest at any moment. But that was not the only thing Pedro messed up in your body, you hated yourself to know your lower belly burned in need at the mere memory of his touch, of how warm his body was against yours, how his lips fell perfectly against yours. You hated the fact your arousal pooled in your underwear, every step you took you could feel it and it was a reminder of how he still had power over you, like no other man ever had and you doubted any other man ever would.

Pedro, on the other hand, should've been home at least an hour prior. He was so ashamed of himself for locking himself in the bathroom after what happened, he felt as if he was back in junior high, hiding away after being dumped by the girl he liked.

He stared into his own eyes in the mirror and sighed again, he just couldn't wrap his head around the fact you didn't love him anymore. Maybe you still did, he wasn't sure, but he'd screwed things up so bad you just wouldn't take the chance. And worse, you didn't even believe him. He never thought any of that could happen. He felt so disappointed in himself and didn't understand why he couldn't have been a better man to you, if he had, maybe right now you'd be together. It was no use wondering things now, he knew he'd lost you and he had nothing else to do there, he only wanted to get a glass of water and get the fuck out of that place. He walked silently through the hallway feeling so thankful to see the guests had already left and he didn't have to socialize with anyone, his social battery was drained at that point and he didn't have to pretend to be happy at all.

"But did you even tell him you were dating?" Kate's voice came from the kitchen, making Pedro stop dead in his tracks. He took a deep breath, his gut churning really hoping it would be someone else to reply to the question but you.

"When was I supposed to tell him? When he got his tongue down my throat?" You replied with a hint of annoyance as Kate seemed to be carrying out an interview with you, while you were tired and emotionally exhausted and all you wanted to do was go home.

"Plus, I'm not dating anyone, I'm just seeing Liev, it's not serious, just a few dates here and there…"

"And some fucking too, Y/N, or you really think I haven't noticed how you and him simply disappeared in the middle of dinner the other night and returned to the table all flushed and giggly?" She raised her eyebrow in a playfully way and saw how you blushed

"Kate!!!" You censored her "that's embarrassing, yeah, it happened a few times, so what? I'm single, he is single, or do you really think Pedro doesn't sleep around? I mean, he did when we were friends and close all the time, even if he knew it hurt my feelings, would he stop it now?" You asked "besides, I don't really buy this sudden gust of feelings he's got for me, I mean, the apologies were really important and I felt they were honest, and I really appreciate that, but don't you think it's too much of a coincidence that he suddenly discovers he loves me right when I'm about to walk out his life? You know he loves being loved. There's nothing wrong with that, we all want affection and love, but not when it comes at the cost of someone's happiness" you shrugged and got ready to leave.

Pedro was speechless and unable to move as too much bombarded him at the same time. First of all, you were dating? He couldn't believe his ears at first and it didn't make it any easier when you explained to Kate you weren't dating, you were just fucking the guy. If anything, it made it all worse. He couldn't believe that damn ape got to have access to your gorgeous body, a body that should be his, touched, kissed and worshiped by him and no one but him.

But the moment he heard your suspicions on his feelings, he felt like disappearing. He couldn't even describe how painful it felt, the pang in his chest was intense and he couldn't help but feel his eyes filled with tears. He didn't care if he looked pathetic, childish even, he was broken-hearted and done with that situation.

"Fuck this" he mumbled under his breath and finally exited the house, he was definitely getting you out of his mind.

•••

You hadn't seen Pedro many times after Flora's party. There had been other dinner parties you attended and some you even took Liev along with you, but Pedro was never present. He always came up with excuses saying he was busy doing photoshoots, studying his script or he was just out of town, little did everyone know, he felt left out and offended to know he hadn't been invited to the gatherings right after you two had fallen out. He didn't want to take out on any of your mutual friends, but it did seem to him it was pretty clear they preferred you over him. Not to mention no one wanted to have a simple friend get together turned into an awkward show by you and your boyfriend and Pedro there, lingering and watching you from afar.

But sometimes you two ran into each other at the gym. He usually kept to himself, always greeting you and asking how you were doing, but as soon as he saw Liev approaching, he'd put on his headphones, turn his back to both of you and focus on his training. He hated every single minute of those gym sessions, they were torture, he hated seeing you with that man, and no matter how much he tried not looking at the two of you, he couldn't help doing it. It was like a morbid curiosity that struck him every time and ripped his chest open. So he just decided to change schedules and avoid that sight once for all.

After his training he just shyly waved goodbye to you and headed home, he stepped into the shower in order to clear his mind, hoping he would forget about you and the unresolved feelings that haunted him. Every time he felt his heart ache, he thought of how much you suffered because of him and had to admit to himself that yeah, maybe he did deserve what he was going through. It pained him to think of everything he made you go through, but now you were happy, and as much as he tried being happy for you, he couldn't. It hurt him, but he was an actor after all and he would have no problem pretending for you. If you let him in, he would put on a happy face and support you as much as you helped him.

He got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, walking to the closet and finding something fresh to wear. Pedro knelt down to look for his pair of sneakers when he came across a box. He frowned softly as he didn't recognize it at first, it took him some time to finally acknowledge the object. It was the box you had handed him his birthday present. You'd always been really good at giving presents and the last birthday you spent together wasn't anything different.

He opened the box and smiled sadly, it somehow still held your perfume inside, making his heart flutter in his chest. He chuckled at the happy memory and frowned as he spotted something under the bow. He hadn't seen that when he got it nor the months that followed it, but now it had caught his attention and he was curious to find what the heck that was. He pulled it carefully, seeing it was a small card and thought maybe it was just something extra that came in with the box and you hadn't noticed it as well.

He still opened and held his breath at the words he found beautifully written. That handwriting he would recognize anywhere.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to find this card… I'm not that great with words, but here it is:

Feliz cumple mi amor. Te deseo toda la felicidad del mundo y quiero que sepas que siempre estaré a tú lado. ¡Te quiero hoy y siempre! **

- Y/N"

Pedro had lost track of how many times he'd read that message over and over, but by the time he was able to put it down, he had made up his mind: he wasn't going to let you go that easily.

•••

You were almost finished preparing dinner, placing the last potatoes in the baking pan and waiting for the oven to reach the right temperature when you heard the doorbell ring. You frowned and checked the clock, it was still early for Liev to show up, so you sighed, feeling a little annoyed at the uninvited guest. You went silent once you opened the door and saw Pedro standing there, he didn't say anything at first either, just scanned you with soft eyes, admiring you, taking in every single beautiful feature he came to love over time.

"Hey mariposa, can we talk?" He asked in his sweet voice, wanting to come inside desperately, you noticed his hands fidgeted with something nervously.

"Sure, Pedro. Come in, let's go to the kitchen, I'm cooking and can't leave stuff unattended" you said giving him space to walk in and saw him following you, you had no idea what that visit was about.

You asked him to make himself at home, offering him something to drink which he politely declined, and observed you put the baking pan into the oven. Only then, he realized how much he missed your cook, how you'd spend the weekends at his home, baking all the things you enjoyed eating, and he would always end up with the dishes as he was not skilled with his cooking at all.

"Listen, princesa, I came here because we need to talk…"

"Pedro please, don't call me that…" you said in a low voice and bit your lips, finally turning to him. You saw him frown and shake his head softly.

"Call you what, hermosa?" He questioned you, seeing a soft flush spreading across your face.

"Calling me those pet names, Pedro… I know I used to like them, but it's not appropriate anymore, I mean, we're not that close and-"

You were interrupted by his hands gripping your hips, squeezing them gently and gluing his body to yours, your faces inches away from each other's, he closed his eyes, leaning towards you, his short beard scratching against your chin, your skin so sensitive to his touch, it sent goosebumps all over it.

"So you don't wanna be my mariposa anymore? You're not mi cariño? Mi hermosa, mi muñequita, mi amor?" He asked in a whisper against your ear. Even if you tried to break free from his touch, which you straight up didn't, it would be impossible. Your body felt on fire at that teasing, at that taunting moment, you hated how Pedro ruined you. But you also loved.

"Answer me, Y/N… I know you don't believe in me, you don't believe in my feelings for you, but guess what, I think you are a lying little shit as well" he kept the same tone, but this time it was followed by soft kisses spread all over your neck, ghosting it softly. "You are a fucking liar Y/N, because you told me you didn't love me anymore" Pedro continued, his lips on your throat, making you squirm as he added his teeth, leaving soft bites all over it, before finally getting to your lips.

He stopped and stared into your eyes, stroking your cheek gently and pecking your lips and chuckling.

"If you don't love me anymore, care to explain this?" He showed you the card you had written for his birthday, seeing your widened eyes and your disbelief. You hadn't forgotten about the card, but you just hoped really hard he would never find it.

You gasped and moved your body against his, so he would stop holding you so close, but Pedro used his weight to prevent you from escaping.

"Cat got your tongue, princesa? I guess it means you still fucking love me, don't you?" He chuckled "that means you are not only a fucking liar, but also one little stubborn muñequita, because you love me, you know I love you and you don't want to be together" he shook his head.

"Pedro, we can't, please, I already told yo-" you squealed the moment you felt his heavy hands on your ass lifting you up and placing you on the kitchen counter. He only took his time to settle you down before attacking your lips with his. The kiss was urgent and deep, his tongue brushing against yours as his hands roamed around your body, at the same time you tugged his hair, not helping yourself but moaning at how heated you were making out.

Pedro broke the kiss and smirked at you "Eres tan linda, mi amor" he whispered and stroked your cheek, sinking his hand down your lap and getting under your shirt, his thick, rough fingertips brushing softly against your skin like he'd never done it before.

"We can't…" you whimpered in need and only earned a scoff from him.

"Mi amor, mira…" he said patiently and let go of your body, though he was locked in your embrace as your legs snaked against his waist "if you want us to stop, we will, but does it really seem you do?" He tilted his head and gave you one of his sweet innocent smile, waiting for you to let go of your body, which you just didn't.

He pulled you back for another kiss, his hand tight on your hair, dragging sweet moans from your mouth. You couldn't resist any longer, you know you should, you had to, but it felt impossible to break free from his spell. You were tired of lying to yourself, you ached for Pedro and you would go all the way with him.

Suddenly the sound of a door slamming shut interrupted you both, you immediately broke the kiss and saw an enraged Liev staring at you both.

"What the fuck, Y/N?" Your boyfriend shouted in pure anger. You can see jaw tightening and the way his veins were more visible.

He took a step closer to you both "what the fuck is this piece of shit doing here? I thought you were done with him?" He yelled "I guess you couldn't keep in your panties anymore, you really got that hungry of a cunt to want two cocks at once? I didn't know you were such a filthy whore" he said taking another step closer to you.

Pedro closed his hand in a fist "shut the fuck up, don't you fucking dare talk to her like that, asshole" He immediately placed himself between you and Liev, shielding your body with his own.

"You shut up, asshole. I'll deal with this bitch first and then I'll fucking kill you!" Liev yelled and aimed his punch at you, but hitting Pedro instead, as he stood there to protect you.

You were so nervous you didn't even know what to do, you just screamed, so terrified and scared at how angry Liev punched Pedro. You had no other reaction than grab a knife nearby and point it at Liev

"G-get out Liev, get out now!!!" You threatened though your voice and your hand was shaking.

The man laughed at your attempt to scare him away, but was distracted enough to receive Pedro's punches on his face as payback for the first attack. Liev wasn't expecting and lost balance for a moment, falling down.

Pedro groaned in pain, but turned to you, taking the knife from your hand "calm down cariño, things will be fine" he said trying to soothe you as he turned to the man "get the fuck outta here and don't come back, I'll fucking kill you if you ever get anywhere near Y/N" Pedro threatened with cold anger in his eyes, anyone could see he was deadly serious, and Liev got up slowly, walking towards the door knowing if he gave in to his revenge thoughts, the cops would be on him at any minute.

He shot you one last glare "and you, little bitch, enjoy your moment with this dick, I hope he treats you like shit, exactly like a filthy whore like you deserves it"

Liev exited and left you shaking in nervousness at everything that went on. Pedro held your face gently, his own bleeding at the wounds he got. You whimpered and began crying.

"Shh it's okay cariño, I'm here for you, you're safe now" Pedro wrapped his arms around you, holding you close, only caring about your well-being and nothing else.

-----

** translation: "Happy Birthday my love. I wish you all the happiness in the world and I want you to know I'll always be by your side. I love you today and forever"

A/N: I hope you guys have enjoyed it!!! Again, I picked Liev with Liev Schreiber in mind but it was a just because situation so you guys can picture whoever you want. If you have any other ideas for the next chapters, let me know ❤️

[moonydustx]

Hello, this my first request for you so here we go.

(Ace and Sabo are 10 and Luffy is 7)

So young ASL trio with sick f!reader. So reader fakes not being sick so she can still hang out with them because she dosen't want to be left out(plsss angst) But they find out when they were fighting training with each other and she falls to the ground and has a immense fever. Then when she gets some rest ect. they comfort her.

Double Thank you (also fluff at the end)

omggg I think your idea is so cute! So, there ended up being some changes, some little things that maybe I thought made more sense (or maybe I got excited about writing them). Maybe I focused too much on Ace and F!Reader's crush? Maybe... I hope you still like it

warnings: injury reader, two childs and their first crush. Worried Ace. Fluff.

It should have been another afternoon hunting some animals, planning your big escape or just laughing at the boys not being able to decide who would be captain, but you had to be stubborn, didn't you?

You were a year and a few months younger than Ace, but he insisted that you were too weak, too sensitive and you wanted to change that. Change the way Ace saw you. You had already invested in new dresses - perhaps stolen from the city, but he wouldn't need to know about that - in makeup, in trying to appear more friendly, but everything seemed in vain. Perhaps his strength would help win over the boy.

The idea that he might just want to protect you didn't cross your mind. Or the simple idea that he thought you were so beautiful that he didn't want to see you covered in mud or the blood of strange forest animals didn't seem plausible. Ace dreamed that one day he would be able to understand that.

On that sunny afternoon, you had decided that you would ride the huge serpent in the lake, something you had already seen the boys do, because it would be difficult for you?

"You have to be able to get the rope on him." Sabo shouted as he saw you climb the highest rock.

"There's still time to give up." Luffy warned and you just smiled, waving from above.

When the huge serpent appeared, you did as the blonde had taught you. He threw the rope and tried to climb onto what you suspected was her neck - I mean, do snakes have necks?

Laughing at your own thought, you supported your feet and contrary to what you could imagine or what Sabo had taught, you found no firmness. Just a slippery goo stew. You felt the rope release from your hand and it only took seconds for you to feel your body fall against the edge of the lake and your name was shouted in chorus.

"Are you okay? I tried to catch you, but I couldn't." Luffy shook you, being the first to reach you.

"Let me see!" Ace pushed the brothers away and touched your face, seeing you look at him. "How are you feeling?"

"A little sore, but it's no big deal." You tried to sit up, using his help. "It was a silly fall."

"Look how high you fell, it wasn't stupid at all." Sabo commented and pointed to your back. "I think a little thorn got in here."

"Can you take it off, please?" you asked and groaned as soon as you felt him pulling. "Thanks."

"Why did you go up there? Do you want to get hurt?" Ace said in an angry tone, watching you stand. "You could have died."

"I just wanted to show that I'm strong too." you said almost as emphatically as he did. "And I am strong!"

"You don't need to climb on giant animals to do this." Ace continued, while the other two just watched. "Don't ever do that again."

"Okay." you gave up, just nodding. "Can we go get something to eat now?"

"Of course, I managed to separate some fruit, come." He reached out to you and supported you for a few steps until you felt confident walking alone.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly for everyone. Almost everyone except you.

Little by little you felt your body being dominated by a strange sensation. A tingling and tiredness took over every inch of your being, in addition to excruciating pain. But you didn't want to have to give in and show Ace that you were feeling weak.

Just as the sun set that afternoon, you could feel your last remnants of strength also disappear, slowly fading away like the sun's rays.

"Hey!" you walked further behind, panting. "Go ahead, I'll meet you soon."

"What happened?" Ace noticed your strange behavior and tried to get closer, seeing you take a few steps back.

"Is nothing." your legs gave way and you fell backwards, face down on the ground.

"Something is wrong." Sabo muttered to Luffy. "Could it be those girl problems?"

"I don't think so." the youngest murmured back.

Meanwhile, Ace could feel a bad feeling washing over him. Seeing that you no longer had the strength to push him away, he approached, kneeling beside you.

"You're sweating." He touched your wet forehead and then moved his hand away. "And with fever."

"I-I'm oka-y…"

"Don't tell me everything's okay." Ace placed his hand on your back and saw you grunt in pain. He tried to repeat the gesture and the grumble came again. Without warning you, he lifted the back of your shirt, finding a red wound that was definitely starting to get infected. "Shit!"

"What's wrong Ace?" Sabo asked and the two tried to get closer.

"Go ahead, tell Dadan she's injured." he shouted and the two ran towards the shack. "Why didn't you say anything? This must hurt!"

"I d-don't w... d-dont w-ant to be weak. I can't be weak." You insisted, letting the pain wash over you. "But it hurts a lot Ace, it hurts a lot."

"Silly girl, you're not weak. Come on!" He knelt down and as best he could, he placed you on his back. "You are strong, very strong."

"Do not... lie." Your voice sounded sleepy, which worried the boy. He needed to keep your eyes open until an adult could take care of you.

"I'm not lying. You're strong, you're beautiful. I hope you choose to travel the seas with me." focusing on getting you home, Ace didn't seem worried about focusing on holding back his words. "I can be king of the pirates and you my queen."

"Ace…"

"Please stay awake, okay?" he asked, already spotting the hut.

As soon as Dadan caught up with Ace, everything became a blur for him. You being carried inside, the older woman's desperate screams, your small body lying there. He barely felt it when he was carried away.

"Boys…" Dadan's voice caught the three's attention. "You guys should have come sooner." and oddly enough, she wasn't mad.

"She is fine?" Luffy was the first to ask.

"No… I mean, it was probably some poison, some thorn. We have a lot of infection and it's going to be long days ahead." she explained, seeing the three of them look crestfallen. "I need you to cooperate during this period. No fights, no getting into trouble."

The next few days were like winding torture for Ace.

He knew he thought you were amazing and everything else that a boy so young could see in his first crush. But what was this agony in his chest? The need to keep peeking through the crack to see you there, breathing. The sudden idea of ​​getting a gift for yourself. The worry that plagued him. Ace needed you to be okay. He had few reasons and meanings for his life, seeing you again had been the main one.

When Dadan said that you had woken up for a brief moment, he didn't rest until she let him come in and see you up close. Your pale face, your dry mouth, deep circles under your eyes. You needed to get out of that. But seeing your eyes blink and turn towards him. Oh, that was like a breath of life.

"Hey…" Ace tried to get your attention and saw your eyes close in front of him, once again. "You'll be fine."

"It's okay, you'll be fine, I promise. Dadan said you need to rest." he pointed out and let the jewel dance on his fingers before he placed it in your hand. "Here, for you."

"Ace?" even with your eyes closed, you were still awake and that was enough to awaken a small flame of hope within the boy. "I'll... die?"

"What is it?"

"A gift. A promise." he bent down, whispering even more quietly. "We'll always be together, okay? And next time, I promise to take better care of you."

"Thanks Ace." as soon as you felt him move away, you tried to hold on to what you could, realizing you had only grabbed a piece of cloth. "Please…Stay here."

"Of course, how foolish of me to leave without warning." He pretended to settle down next to you, sitting on the floor and taking your hand. "I promise not to leave your side."

He tried to keep his promise, he even tried to defy Dadan and remain there while the woman tried to drag him out of the room. Outside, Luffy and Sabo were as worried as he was, except they both didn't want to interrupt their brother with his concerns.

At great cost and with the excuse that he needed to help you bathe, Dadan managed to push Ace away. Forcing him to eat decently, to see sunlight, to interact, even if the boy did it with a frown.

It was two afternoons like this until Ace started to lose his patience. His furious footsteps approached the door and when he was about to open it, he was met with an unexpected sight. You there, standing, smiling in front of him.

"Hey, where are you going?" your voice - still not as excited and firm as before - asked and you barely had time to continue asking as Ace's arms circled you in a strong hug, so strong that your feet stopped finding the ground for a moment.

"You came back." he murmured and had your brief moment stolen by the two other brothers, who hugged each other next to you two.

"We thought you had died." Luffy found himself crying for a change, this time he didn't make a point of hiding it.

"Who said she died?" Sabo grumbled.

"You." the youngest retorted and they continued exchanging barbs.

You just enjoyed the comfort of being back with your group, your friends and Ace, who made you feel anxious being so close to you.

"You brats." Dadan arrived separating you, taking some care when pulling you from the boys' arms. "She's still fragile."

"Sorry." the three asked in unison.

"But she needs to sunbathe, take a walk to start regaining her energy." the eldest explained, part of her wanting to laugh when she saw the three pairs of attentive and worried eyes directed towards you and her. "You can't go far without getting into trouble."

"Yes ma'am." the three offered in unison again. "We promise not to let her almost die anymore." Sabo swore, striking the best pose possible.

Leaving you alone, Ace reached his hand towards you and as you moved closer to him, he could see the small golden ring on a pendant around your neck.

"Oh, that!" you started as soon as you saw his gaze towards the necklace. "The ring kept falling off my finger, so I found this chain in Dadan's things and decided to hang it up. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Looks good on you." Ace insisted on giving you his hand to take and this time, you did so without hesitation. "I promise to keep an eye on you."

"I promise to pick you up. It's just until I have a decent boat and then it'll be you and me against the world." Ace said goodbye with watery eyes, just like you. Feeling that maybe this was the right moment, even after years of searching for such a moment, he moved closer to kiss you and saw you look away.

So the two of you walked together, little fingers intertwined.

-

"No." you punctuated with a brief sob, trying to wipe the tears from your own face. "I promise to wait for you and to be yours forever, as we already agreed. But that's only when you keep your promise and come back for me."

Feeling your feet freeze you in place and your mouth dry in anxiety, you saw him approach with almost slow steps, analyzing you from top to bottom. Waiting for a reaction.

The memory was the first thing that crossed your mind as soon as you saw a familiar face in that bar. He was bigger, stronger, and surrounded by people, but he was still as familiar as the last time you saw him.

Before you took the lead and went to him, you were noticed by someone who was with him, who pointed out the fact that a woman had been staring at him for so long.

"Is it really you?"

"I'm sorry, I broke my promise to wait for you." was the first thing you said as you felt his hands gently cup your face.

"You're here..." the voice came out like a small secret between the two of you. "Dadan said you left right after Luffy."

"I needed to find you, I mean, I broke a promise about waiting for you…" you raised your hand to your face and only then did Ace notice the ring he had given you. "If you want to give up…"

The taste on Ace's lips was mixed with alcohol and pure surprise, after all you would give him the chance to give up on his promise, to choose a life free of you.

"I will never give up on us." he pointed out, the two of you just ignored the screams of what you suspected were his crewmates. "I love you my pretty girl."

[icallhimjoey]

To Have And To Scold

♥ ♥  Joseph Quinn x Fem!Reader

Summary: Your best friends are getting married, and who else can they ask to be their best man and maid of honour but you and Joe? It’s just that… you don’t really get along all that well, do you? At least, that’s what you think.

CW / disclaimer: sort of enemies to sort of lovers, slooow burn, language, drinking, hangovers, rpf, fem!reader, eventual smut

Author’s note: this took me a good minute, and listen, i promise there'll be smut!!!!!! just, give joey a minute, all right?

Wordcount: 4.7K

part one - part two - part three - part four - part five - part six - part seven - part eight - part nine - part ten - epilogue

Joe didn't sleep a wink. How could he? He was in his bed, in his clothes still, and your behind was pressed up against his front.

All night he'd laid awake. Listened to you. Smelt you. Felt you. Around the 4AM mark, he'd built up enough courage to let his fingertips stroke the skin he could see in front of him, drawing shapes and writing words he was too scared to vocalise.

Pretty.

Sweet.

Hot.

Across your shoulders, down your arms, the back of your neck. He got to freely feel and gently caress, hidden in the dark of night. He only stopped when you hummed too loudly, made a noise that said, yes, more. Joe retracted, silently said, I'm sorry, I shouldn't, and held his breath in fear of you waking up from his touch.

It took everything inside him not to move forward just an inch and let his cupid's bow, that little sensitive ridge above his top lip, rub the soft skin at the base of your neck.

The last time he checked the time, it was close to 5:30. He didn't remember falling asleep - do people ever? - but he couldn't have been asleep for much more than an hour when you rudely awoke him by throwing your body sideways over his. Soft stomach to soft stomach.

Bread.

Joe had to pull strength up from his toes to pretend to be asleep still, as you stayed like that, draped across his torso, slowly eating the bread he'd left out on his bedside table for you.

It was one thing to hear you chew and swallow. It was a whole other thing to feel it in his own gut.

The glass of water followed, and thank the fucking lord, soon after you crawled back to what had now become your side of his bed.

Shit.

That side would now forever be your side of Joe's bed. It didn't matter who else was ever going to be sleeping in it, his bed was now divided in your side and his side.

The hangover was a real one, and after taking a dazed second to yourself, sat up in Joe's bed and looking around the room, you decided you couldn't be in bed any longer.

You needed to sit under a cold shower. Or lay with your cheek on a cool toilet seat. Spray your face with ice water and then go exist in front of an aircon unit for a minute.

Joe felt you move towards the foot of the bed before the mattress leveled out, signaling you'd gotten out completely. Soft footsteps left his bedroom. Joe heard a door open, then shut immediately. Then another. More footsteps, but now coming back, and Joe lifted his head, squinting through an eye to gather what was going on. You were stood in front of Joe's bedroom door, out on the landing, and seemed... lost. Clearly out of it, still. Purely surviving.

"Where's your-" it came out all hoarse, so you cleared your throat, got rid of the raspiness and looked at Joe. "Where's your bathroom?" voice still just as croaky.

Joe let his head fall back into the pillow and just pointed.

You spent far too long in the bathroom for Joe's liking. It gave him way too much time to think about how this morning was going to go. Too much time to go back and forth between what he thought he should do. For now, he was still very tired, wanted to remain in bed in desperate need of more sleep, but he was also very aware that the polite thing to do was to at least offer you breakfast. To go downstairs with you once you were done doing... whatever you were doing in there. The tap of his sink had been going for a while.

It was because you were busy with the very necessary task of letting cool water run over your face sideways, sometimes sucking in enough water to swallow a good moutful. You know, total normal people behaviour.

It had gotten to the point where Joe thought he should at least get out of bed and get into a pair of joggers and a T-shirt. To appear a little more presentable, even though he desperately wanted to get into a shower first. However, his thoughts were interrupted when your phone started ringing. Joe looked, and saw your opened bag still on the floor next to him. He could see how your phone lit up the inside of it.

You'd heard it too, and came rushing in.

"Morning," you smiled through squinty eyes, all self-deprecatingly, holding a towel that you used to dry your face and how the fuck were you still this wildly gorgeous?

"Nice bedhead," you pointed out from your crouched position next to the bed, finding your phone and turning on your heel and making your way back over to Joe's bathroom as you answered.

It made Joe raise an insecure hand into his loose curls, doing his best to push them back into place, where they'd usually sit.

You left the towel there, on the floor, and Joe saw how your make-up had left behind the same coloured stains as were on the sleeve of his shirt, still. Not as prominent, but definitely there. It felt like you were leaving your mark to advertise your presence, claiming your territory and Joe thought, yea that's right, you might as well, though no need, because it was already all yours anyway, wasn't it?

"Hey,"

You answered, and spoke so flatly, Joe guessed it was Mark calling.

"Yea, big one,"

You'd left the bathroom door open this time, and using context clues, Joe thought you'd just been asked if you had a hangover.

"Not much– I think I remember enough to know I'm an awful person,"

Joe eavesdropped.

"Except, I am an awful person,"

The tap turned on again, and Joe heard you take sips. Good, he thought. Rehydrate.

"Okay, thanks, but I kind of still am, though,"

"Let's agree to disagree, then. Is Poppy mad at me?"

"Oh, that's good."

"Yea, lunch is fine, can we go and get burgers or something?"

Joe couldn't help but grin to himself. This was exactly how apologies worked with him and Poppy as well. They were always strange sort of non-apologies, where you both vaguely acknowledged something and quickly moved on. Sometimes Poppy and Joe could be livid with each other, and not speak for a few days besides passive aggressive texts back and forth, and then, suddenly, skies would clear up and Joe'd ask if Poppy wanted to come with to some event, and she'd reply, asking what the dress code was and everything would be forgotten and forgiven.

"Noon's a little soon, gotta give me some time to pull myself together,"

"No,"

"Yea, that should be fine,"

"All right,"

You were rounding off your chat, and Joe realised you hadn't mentioned you were over at his place. Not once. Not even slightly hinted towards it a little.

Maybe you didn't want Mark to know.

Oh fuck, Joe'd done the wrong thing by bringing you over to his house, hadn't he?

Of course you didn't want Mark to know.

The sudden rush of panic made Joe finally get up and out of bed.

Quick. Get out of these clothes.

No, wait. Apologise first.

Fuck.

God, you'd woken up in a bed with Joe, probably not even properly remembering how you'd gotten there and obviously, Joe was an awful person. A terrible friend. What the fuck must you be thinking of him right now?! Joe should at least–

"Sorry,"

Joe was stood in front of his wardrobe, both hands on the doorknobs, internally screaming at himself, when suddenly you interrupted the silence from the doorway.

"No, it's–... no worries," Joe shook his head, frowning a little.

"For the mess," you gestured at your own forearm, making Joe look at his own. "I would offer to pay for the dry cleaning, but it'll come out fine in a regular wash, I promise,"

Joe gave a small, crooked smile. The careful kind.

"And, sorry for ruining the wedding shower too, I got way too–"

"I said, no worries,"

He tried. He tried so hard not to make this moment awkward for you. To have it be somewhat normal. Casual. Like he didn't currently actively hate himself for the choices he had made on your behalf.

"Well," you stepped inside, got closer and then picked up your bag from the floor, along with your shoes. "At least let me say sorry for hogging your bathroom for ages then,"

With both hands on the doorknobs of his wardrobe still, Joe's eyes followed you moving around his bedroom like a hawk.

You grinned at his silence.

Deep breaths, Joe.

"All right, I'll get out of your hair," you said, stopping in his doorway and turning back to look at him, jokingly adding, "Because it clearly needs a wash."

Oh. So, you weren't going to mention it, Joe thought.

"Do you want some– I could make you some breakf–" Joe started, but you winced at the mention of food, clearly nauseous still.

"That's all right, I'll find my way out,"

You really weren't going to mention it at all, were you? Waking up in Joe's house. In his bed. Laying on top of him for a second there... it just... it hung in the air between the two of you. It got no acknowledgement from you whatsoever. Well... Joe wasn't going to be the one to mention it either, so who was he to talk, really.

"I'll see you, um," you squeezed your eyes tightly shut for a second, "When's the stag do?"

"In two weeks,"

"I'll see you in two weeks,"

And with a little wave from the top steps of the stairs as you made your way down, you disappeared completely from Joe's view.

Joe forced himself not to wait and listen til you'd close his front door behind you, and instead took insisting steps into his bathroom where he hoped he could wash all this nervous energy down the drain. Scrub himself free of the embarrassment of you not telling Mark you'd slept in his bed. With him, no less.

Now there was a secret between the two of you.

Another secret Joe was going to have to keep from Poppy.

Awful. He was an awful friend.

But if you wanted this to stay between the two of you, Joe was going to respect that, and he would absolutely keep this a secret. Joe could hate himself for what he did and not talk about it to anyone, sure. No problem.

And that was that. Decided. Done.

About thirty minutes later, Joe stepped into his own kitchen, freshly showered, and hungry, and he found an empty yoghurt carton along with a dirty spoon on the side.

Grinning to himself, he traced your steps, found more evidence of you in the empty glass that had been placed in the sink, and, looking back into his hallway, the doormat that had slid out of place.

As Joe went to move it back into its correct spot, perfectly centered in front of the threshold, he was hit with a realisation that knocked the breath right out of him.

On your way out, you must have seen it. Can't have not noticed it. You had noticed it before, and had had it on your mind enough to mention it days after having seen it. There was no way that you hadn't seen that Joe's hallway no longer held the framed cropped photograph of himself and Poppy.

It hadn't even been replaced, he'd just... taken it down the night you had mentioned it and hadn't known what to put in its place.

Joe sighed, realising it was yet another thing he hadn't told Poppy about.

So, three secrets, then. Fine.

The weekend of the stag do came around quickly. The hen do happened simultaneously, and because Poppy had been sad over the fact that she hadn't been able to have you as one of her guests, you'd all decided to finish the night at the same bar. To meet up and 'round off together.

You'd have all of your separate fun, make Mark and Poppy dress up at least a little stupid - Mark was forced into a foam costume of a beer bottle, Poppy just got given a tiara that read Bride To Be - and would make them take belly shots off of strangers before eventually meeting up and having them do a belly shot off of each other.

Maybe not exclusively belly shots. You were sure you'd come up with more creative ways of drinking hard liquor. But shots, none the less. And whoever got most in, would win, and Poppy was hell-bent on winning.

"I'm going to get so drunk," she'd almost said it like it was a threat when Joe came to pick her up that afternoon.

"Oh yea?" Mark had been far too cool about it for Poppy's liking.

"There's not a chance you'll do more shots than me,"

"We'll see,"

And you did see.

It was just past 11 when your group of drunk men followed you into a basement bar after a long pub treasure hunt. You were met with shrieking girls, a very drunk Poppy, and a fairly sober looking Joe.

"Twenty-one!" Poppy shouted, her tiara all tangled up in her hair whilst she held up a bunch fingers that didn't mean anything.

"Shut up," you laughed, reached up to fix her hair a little, "You did not have twenty-one shots,"

"Twenty-seven if you count all the ones I dropped or spat out, too,"

You looked at Joe who smiled at you and shrugged as if to say, she did it. Mark had gotten maybe nine in, you'd lost count if you were honest, and his brain could barely remember his body had two feet down at the end of his legs.

Mark was drunk drunk. The beer bottle costume had been torn to shreds, and was now just a brown weird cropped vest over his clothes. Like an odd lifejacket created by a fashion student.

"Congratulations then," you squeezed Poppy's cheeks as she smiled, but got quickly pushed to the side by Mark who attached himself to Poppy's face, diving in tongue first.

"Yea, all right, that's fine," you scrunched your nose up at the sight and made your way over to the bar to get beers for the lads. Joe joined you.

"Half of those were water, but don't tell her," Joe said over the music. "She'll be devastated."

"Still more than Mark," you laughed. "She's a fair winner."

You both looked back at them as they ate each other's faces.

"What a couple," you jokingly said.

"Very romantic, this," Joe agreed, and you both laughed a little.

You'd just had enough alcohol to be sort of all right and normal around each other. Not drunk enough for Joe to not be hyper aware of the fact that when he'd last seen you, you'd slept over at his place. But, he could pretend not to think it was a big deal.

It was a secret, after all. Had to keep it that way.

You got an order in with a bartender for nine pints, and you took a moment to yourself to feel satisfied with the evening. To feel proud of yourself. Everything had gone exactly according to plan; all the guys that had been invited had shown up on time, Mark's brother was gracious and didn't make any spiteful jokes about him not being the best man, and everyone was having actual fun? And that on a stag do thrown by a woman? What a wild concept.

You started passing out lager, calling names over the music and handing over pints, when suddenly a random dude pretended to be part of your group and jokingly reached for a beer you were about to give to someone else. It made you laugh, give him a face as you avoided his hand, and before you knew it, you had him slurring unintelligible things into your ear.

Drunk men were like this. Predictable like toddlers. The antics of a child.

You kind of let him talk, and tried to decipher whatever he was saying. Tried to find an excuse or joke hidden in his slurred words about him getting one of those drinks from you, as you held a glass out to Mark.

Mark shot you one look and didn't even really see the drink.

Instead, what Mark saw was you being bothered by a drunk stranger that needed to back the fuck off if he knew what was good for him.

He was beside you in an instant, and used an arm to snake in between the two of you, wedging himself in between, his back turned to you, fully staring this guy down. The alcohol in his veins made him feel dangerously immortal, and his face gave nothing away, but the lack of humour displayed said plenty.

"Sorry mate," the stranger held up both palms and stepped back.

"Here," you tried to distract Mark by holding his drink out in front of him, which he took from you, but he kept his eyes on the guy who made his way back to his own friends.

"Mark, it's fine, he was only joking," you smiled, finding it both a little endearing and a little annoying that even in this state, Mark would make sure you were okay. He completely misread the signs, but still. It was kind of him.

When Mark turned around and let his exterior soften a little, you both had your attention directed to a furious Poppy who looked like she was just about ready to smash her glass on the bar and slit someone's throat.

Whose throat, though? you wondered.

"Why do you always do that?!"

Ah. Mark's throat.

"Do what?" Mark seemed unfazed by Poppy's outburst.

"Stop cock-blocking her all the time! She doesn't need you to always be all up in her business!"

Oh no, Poppy was going to go to war for you. An undeclared one, too – you hadn't called for troops. Especially not drunk, emotionally unstable ones.

But Mark retaliated with his own ammunition.

"Um, clearly she does. I take my eyes off her for a second and she ends up in Joe's bed,"

You heard an audible gasp come from the other side, and saw Joe, mouth agape, brows in a deep frown. Shocked, offended, dismayed, and not being funny about it.

"Excuse me?!"

For a second, you saw Poppy question herself as her eyes shot to you, asking, "Didn't you?"

"She did." Mark answered, giving you accusatory eyes.

"Mark!" you scolded.

"You told them?!" Joe couldn't quite believe it.

What was happening right now?

"And so what if she did?" Poppy got back to her war, aiming the barrels of her guns right back on Mark. "She can decide for herself if she–"

"She was drunk!" Mark said it like he was sober himself, which, you know, he very much wasn't.

"Nothing happened!" You looked at Joe, needed him to confirm that nothing had happened, just to settle this whole ordeal. But Joe was trying to follow whatever Mark and Poppy were even talking about with confused eyes, puzzling things together.

"Wait, you didn't tell them?" Why wouldn't Joe tell his best friend about it? That made everything so much weirder.

"Of course I didn't!"

Oh. Wow. Cool way to let you know Joe didn't want people knowing you'd seen the inside of his bedroom. Very subtle. Not at all hurtful in any way. You ignored the misplaced sparkle you felt in your lower stomach when you made direct eye-contact with Joe's wild eyes.

Jesus.

That was probably just the drink. Had to be the drink.

"I'm only making sure that she's okay!" Mark defended himself to his fiancé.

It was a wild crossfire. A whole big cluster-fuck of raised voices and slurred words. Poppy and Mark opposite each other, you and Joe in between on either side.

Poppy was saying all sorts of things on your behalf that you didn't need her saying aloud. Things like, "She's fine! She's an adult woman with a sex life!" and "She doesn't need you to act like a jealous boyfriend!", getting things out that had been festering within her for what seemed ages.

Mark defended himself, and mocked facial expressions the whole time, shouting things like, "I'm sorry for being a great friend," all passive aggressive, which only angered Poppy more.

In the meantime, you and Joe had your own fight going.

And Joe had heard what Poppy had just said, had just implied, and get the fuck out, you were so fucking cute when you got all feisty.

You accused Joe of always being so weird, and fucking rude, whilst he accused you of making him lie to Poppy, causing him to be weird. Like it was your fault that he hadn't been honest, that he had pretended he'd dropped you off at your flat that night, and it offended you to no end.

You were not going to take any blame for this – you'd obviously immediately told Mark that afternoon, when you'd gone to have burgers with him for lunch. The whole conversation had been about the wedding shower. Staying over at Joe's was hardly something you could've left out. And why should you have? You'd both fallen asleep in your clothes. Nothing had happened! And Mark had reacted very calmly to it as well. You'd mentioned it, Mark had gone, "Huh," and that was that. You'd carried on talking about the gifts they'd gotten, and the insane amount Poppy's family had spent on them.

It hadn't been a big deal. At all. So, the fact that Mark brought it up now as if it was a big deal kind of stung.

You were about to direct some anger towards your best friend, but it was difficult to get in between whatever Mark and Poppy had going.

"You always do this!" Poppy pointed an angry finger at Mark, who immediately grabbed onto it with a fist, making Poppy flail her arm to break free from it.

"I've taken shots from mouths of random men tonight and you've not once–" Poppy started, but got interrupted.

"You've done what?!" This was news to Mark and so definitely the wrong thing for one drunk person to say to another drunk person.

"You could've at least let me know," Joe got your attention again, and made you scoff.

"The fact that you even thought it was something to keep secret is fucking weird, Joe!"

No, not cute. Scratch that.

It was hot.

You got hotter when you turned pissy and spat Joe's name into his face. He kind of wanted to keep this going just for the off-chance of you saying his name like that again.

But before Joe could say anything back to rile you up any further, Poppy and Mark both lurched forward and channeled all of their pent up anger into filthy kissing. They just started grossly tongue fucking each other and fuck, wasn't that the right idea?

When Joe took a step to the side to continue whatever conversation he was having with you, he saw that you'd turned around and were moving towards the exit.

Escaping.

Just, walking out. Leaving.

Like you always did.

"Fuck you, I love you so much," Joe heard Mark groan into Poppy's mouth, and Poppy moaned so loudly, Joe could hear it over the music and, yea, all right, maybe leaving was the right idea.

You were fast. Already outside, walking backwards along the edge of the pavement as you eyed the street for an available cab.

Joe stumbled out of the bar and called your name when he spotted you.

You sighed, grumbled some swearwords to yourself as Joe jogged up.

"Listen, it's clear that you fucking hate me," you started when Joe got into ear shot. "And I'm sorry that I told Mark about staying over, I wasn't aware that you didn't want anyone to know,"

What?

"I'm sure it's all very embarrassing for you, but don't accuse me of making you lie – I didn't make you do shit,"

Oh no.

You got it all wrong.

"No, I–"

"You lied on your own fucking accord, don't rope me into shit like that, that's not cool,"

You raised an arm when you saw a cab pull up a little down the road after people had just gotten out.

"But no worries, Joe," you got all sarcastic, and the deranged combination of your frown, tight jaw and the mention of his name again made Joe have to close is eyes for a second.

Deep breaths.

Always and forever, deep, deep, deep breaths.

"I'll make sure to never mention to anyone ever again that I sometimes spend time in the same room as you,"

The cab stopped next to you, and you were quick to duck down and speak to the cabby. Gave him your address before moving to get inside. You saw Joe step closer then, and you immediately raised a finger.

"Don't," you warned, and Joe froze.

You didn't need Joe accompanying you home. You'd be just fine by yourself. Had he not just listened to Poppy going off inside, saying you were fine?

"I don't hate you," Joe blurted out quickly before you'd get into the cab and would disappear into the night.

He couldn't quite let you leave yet.

Not when Joe felt like this.

You just pressed your lips into a polite smile, clearly not buying it and just looked at him a second, then, by ways of saying goodbye, said, "I won't be a burden to you any longer."

You were leaving.

Climbed into the cab and were actually leaving.

No.

Absolutely not.

Joe saw you get into a seatbelt, attention diverted, and decided, fuck it, before he swung the door open again and climbed right over you.

"Joe, what the fuck,"

Joe ignored you, loudly gave his own address to the cab driver too, then instructed to drop you off first as he buckled up.

You stared at him with wild eyes, not quite believing that Joe couldn't just let you go home by yourself.

"I don't hate you," Joe said again, calmer now. "I never said you were a burden to me - you're not a burden to me." Much, much softer.

You, not so much.

"I don't need you to take me home, I can take care of myself!"

"I know you can," Joe's voice was low. "And you have done. Still do."

All fight seemed to have left him completely, and it took you off guard a little. Your breath hitched on an inhale, and you were unsure of why you felt the muscles in your stomach work when you looked at Joe.

But you were stubborn.

"I don't need people looking out for me, I know Poppy's plastered, but she was right – it's so unnecessary," you were genuinely annoyed that Joe couldn't have just let you get a taxi to your flat by yourself. You were tough, God damn it.

"It's just..." Joe trailed, and let eye-contact linger.

"No, it's not just. I don't need you to take care of me!"

You weren't just going to give in. You were going to get Joe to agree with you and then apologise.

"I know you don't!" Joe raised his voice slightly to match yours a little, before he brought it back down again, and said, "But what people need is hardly ever what they want,"

Oh.

Oh shit.

That shut you right up. You felt that sparkle again and it made you clench your thighs.

"And what people want..."

Joe moved in closer a little bit, and fuck all the way off. You wanted to kiss Joe.

"...is hardly ever what they need."

Needed that mouth on yours, and when Joe inched closer, you didn't move back. Did the opposite, actually and looked at his lips.

It was all Joe needed from you.

"Did you know that when you blush," Joe said, voice just above a whisper now, and his nose nearly touching yours, "It goes all the way down your neck?"

---

The Taglisted: 

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(taglist currently full, sorry)

[slayfics]

Okay, a sudden idea just popped up in my head. You can write this anytime you want or you can just ignore it but if your interested in writing, how about reader who is on the verge of death, gets saved by muichiro ? How would he react ? Or what would he do in a situation like that ? Your fanfics are what motivates me as a writer !! I literally became on because I wanted to be like you 😭❤️

Muichiro saves you.

Warnings: blood

This was by far the most challenging demon you had ever fought. You were struggling to keep up with its moves, and multiple times you had brought your blade down on its neck only to be unable to slash it.

Think- You thought to yourself. What would Muichiro do?

You suddenly had an idea come to mind. The final Mist Breathing form Seventh Form: Obscuring Clouds. It was a dangerous idea, you had only managed to use it properly once. The move focused on confusing the demon on your position then when you finally do go in for the strike you are extremely slow.

It was risky- if you didn't do it right you'd for sure be dead. But you had to try something you were losing stamina fast and wouldn't be able to do anything else soon.

On a whim, you attempted the Seven Form giving it everything you got. You spun around the demon which worked to confuse it. Seeing your opening you finally went in for the strike. The demon being taken off guard had barely any time to react, but still, it was not enough.

As your blade finally came down slicing the demon's head off, the demon at the same time went to strike you, hitting a vital organ. The demon's head fell to the floor disintegrating at once, and you fell down next to it.

Shit- I'm going to die, you realized. It wouldn't be long before you'd bleed out from your injury. Using the strength you had left you focused your breathing on slowing the bleeding. If you could hold out long enough, maybe just maybe another corps member would find you.

It didn't take long before in the distance you heard someone approaching. You felt your heart skip a beat at your good fortune. Much longer and you would have not made it. I hope this is an experienced corps member you thought, just as you were met with the sight of Muichiro looking down at you.

His eyes instantly widened in alarm at the state you were in and he dropped to the floor next to you.

"Keep focusing on your breathing," He instructed as he ripped off one of his sleeves and tied it around your injury to put pressure.

As grateful as you were that Muichiro had found you, you couldn't help but feel embarrassed that you had been so badly injured by not even an upper-rank demon.

"I'm sorry tok-," You began to say but Muichiro brought a finger to your lips shushing you.

"Do not apologize, you risked your life to slay a demon. That is what any Hashira would have done."

You felt a smile spread on your lips at his praises but slowly your vision began to blur.

"Keep focusing on your breathing, and I'll get you to the butterfly mansion as soon as possible," he said, gently grabbing you into his arms. Upon picking you up in his arms Muichiro realized how bad off you were. You didn't even have the strength to hold your head up or wrap your arms around him for support.

Muichiro carefully placed the weight of your head against his chest and his arm, keeping your head upright to avoid any choking. Once he felt comfortable with how secure you were, he took off in the direction of the butterfly mansion.

"Alert Miss Kocho we are coming," He said to his crow who swiftly flew ahead.

Muichiro continued to make his way as fast as he could without disturbing you in your arms. Even with his swift pace you were beginning to lose consciousness and started to come to terms with possibly dying.

"Tokito-" You called in barely above a whisper.

"Hm?" He glanced at you then back up, continuing to run.

"I- I'm glad it's you here with me- if this is my last-"

"No!" He yelled. "We still have so much to do together, do not even begin to say such things!" Tears swelled up in his eyes. "Just keep focusing on your breathing, save all your strength for that! We're almost there!" He looked down at you once more seeing the sleeve he had tied around you was now soaked through as was his own uniform where he was holding you. Yet your soft breathing continued, you followed his orders and did not give up just yet.

Finally passing through the gates of the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu was ready and waiting. Instantly taking you to bed and getting to work attending to your wound.

"She'll be alright?" Muichiro asked, voice shaking.

"I'm going to try my best, it's a wonder she survived this long," Shinobu answered.

Thank you for the request Kye! You’re too sweet ahhh! You’re doing amazing with your own fics keep it up! For anyone that hasn’t check out @sleepykye fics! Her work is so unique and adorable~

Tags~

@aeolia18 @yandere-kou @sakurasunkiss @hashiroses @plvuii @snowmist-hashira

[recreationalfanfics]

Yandere RoR Loki x Fem! Reader: Love Potion

How does the God of Mischief react when he falls in love with one of the human contestants in Ragnarok? How does he take it when he sees that they love another God?

Not very well to both.

A/N: Sorry if this seems too OOC, I did try to do my best since I'm still trying to get a feel for writing these characters! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Being the god of trickery and deceit, Loki was never afraid to use unsavory methods to get what he wanted, and this situation was no different. He stood next to Aphrodite, watching with careful eyes and an unreadable smile on his lips as he watched the pink liquid in the cauldron stir. Apbrodite did not share that smile, in fact, she looked rather digusted as she held her head low with shame as she threw in the final ingredients.

"...Her love for you will be false." Aphrodite warned, her voice low. Loki let out a low chuckle and looked at the goddess, "Love? Is that what you think this is about?"

Aphrodite only frowned and furrowed her brows as he continued to condescend

"No, no, I'm way too above that sort of thing," the God continued to mock, "This is about control."

He wasn't wrong, Aphrodite noted, but there was something else she could sense about this. The fear of being controlled. It appears the God of Mischief has had something happen to him, something that shook him to his core and that nothing, not even his quick wit and sly cunning, could stop it from happening.

He had fallen in love with someone who was in love with someone else, a God nonetheless.

Until now, he thinks with a smirk as Aphrodite hands him the pink liquid colored potion. She looks ashamed of herself as she sees Loki's twisted grin grow on his face as the pink glow from the potion reflects in his greedy purple eyes. Even though she didn't look kindly onto mortals, she couldn't help but pity you as she thinks about what Gods could have been cruel enough to have given you the misfortune of catching Loki's eye.

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

Loki pours the pink liquid into one chalice in his room, his face uncharacteristically stoic and his mind too deep into thought. He wasn't sure if he was embarrassed, angry, or upset by the predicament he was in.

Embarrassed because he was doing all of this for a mortal whose beauty was somewhat abnormal by mortals standards but still below a God's, angry because this all could have been avoided if he had acted faster and hadn't pushed you away, and upset because...well...because he remembered Aphrodite's words.

"Her love for you will be false."

At the time, he was so convinced that as long as he had her love that he would be happy, false or not, but now as he had this time to himself to really think; would he really be happy if your love for him was false? Could he accept the fact that whatever relationship you built with him, would just be all because of a single potion?

Then he thinks about the events that lead up to this, about why he HAD to do this. About how this was your fault.

From the very start of Ragnarok you had caught his eye. A great warrior originating from (your country), you were known as cunning, sly, and unpredictable. You fought with brute strength and unbeatable strategy on the battlefields, while most Gods detested against the wars humans had (except for war gods obviously), Loki liked seeing your fights. He wouldn't say that he "adored" you, you were still a mortal after all, but you lived fast and as a result, died young. In fact, he forgot about you for a long while after you had died and didn't really mourn you like your battalion of soldiers had done but then the start of Ragnarok began.

Seeing your name on the roster kinda made him go, "Huh, okay." but seeing you in person was a different experience entirely. After the battle of Jack the Ripper, Brunhilde still needed time to find a champion to go against Shiva and while you volunteered for the challenge, you went against a different God.

And won. Giving humanity it's 3rd win and 1 step away from the God's. Yet, Loki didn't feel the same rage he felt towards you like he had with the previous two champions, because he was too amazed at the fight. The trickery, the smoke and mirrors, unlike Jack who was gambling his life: you made it appear effortless as you toyed with the God. Tearing up not only their mind but their body for the arena to see before you landed the killing strike. Maybe you hid your fear well or maybe you had none at all, and that's what made him like watching you again even more. Except this time, it had surpassed more than a simple like.

"I don't think you're supposed to be here.~" You sang, your tone as sadistic as it had been in the battlefield. Loki revealed himself floating in the air per usual, his legs crossed and his back hunched over as he smiled down at you with his chin in his hands. You raise an eyebrow at him as your small smirk widened, "Looking for a fight, God?"

"Oooh, how confident. I'm not sure if that intruiges me or pisses me off!" He chuckles. You shrug at his response, "As long as you and your friends know that I'm gonna make sure Humanity survives against your wishes, that's all I really care about."

"Big talk from someone who died young." He shoots back teasingly.

"Died young and was a high commanding general who was a queen on countless battlefields with many suitors. All of which weren't able to beat me in battle at my true strength." You reminded, not so gently. Loki tilts his head at your words, "Huh, odd way to mention you're single."

"Odd way of saying you're interested."

He started sneaking into the human part of the arena more, to talk to you, and to continue your little conversations which were more or less passive aggressive insults towards one another. He had learned a few specifics from your life back when you were alive: About your childhood and some struggles you had to overcome, how you had to fight hard for your spot in your military in order to became the renowned warrior you were, and how many suitors tried and died trying to fight you for your hand. No one could beat you when you used your full strength...well, no mortal could beat you.

"So tell me, little mortal, if I were to fight you and beat you for your hand...does that mean you'd marry me?" He asked, mostly out of genuine curiosity and to see if he could fluster you. He did not by the way you side eyed him with that same confident grin, "Maybe. Why? You want me to be yours, puny god?"

Only you could get away with calling him that.

Only you could make his heart skip a beat when you asked if he wanted you as his.

But he had ignored it, his arrogance making him shrug it off and telling him that he could never have a mortal as his lover, not when you and your kind were so beneath him. Which he told you, straight to your face, and you only laughed it off before returning to your quarters.

If he hadn't been so blinded from his ego, maybe he wouldn't feel like a fool, having to resort to methods found in fairytales to claim you. The least he could have done was fought you then and there and win, so even if he didn't want your heart in the moment, he could have it later when he realized that he truly did want you. But no, Loki had rejected the idea entirely believing it foolish to take a human lover.

In fact, he found it so foolish that it kept him awake that night. Thinking about what it'd be like if he challenged you to a fight and won your hand, the idea of having you submit yourself to him gave him a thrill, and whether he'd spare you from the shared fate of humanity after the Gods had won (for there was no doubt in his mind they would).

These thoughts took so much of his time that it started to frustrate him, he shouldn't be letting a human take over so much of his mind, especially when he knew that there fate- though they put up a good fight- was sealed with doom. So he started to avoid you and give you the cold shoulder, which was entertaining for a while to him.

The look of hurt you gave when he stared at you with indifferent eyes, the longing way you'd gave at him like a lost puppy waiting for for its master to return home only for you to try and keep up your tough facade. Everything like that brought joy to Loki because he felt like he was getting even with you for invading his thoughts all day, knowing you were thinking of him as much as he was thinking of you.

You even chased him around, asking him why he was avoiding you and even asking: "What? You think you're too good for me now?"

Until he came.

To which he responded with: "I don't think I am. I know I am. And I always have been."

You then started to distance yourself from him. Though he assumed you just wanted him to chase you, and he would, but not now. After all, no God or human sought to court you so Loki wasn't really worried.

Buddha's betrayal was a shock to many, but overall, a huge win for humanity. Loki wished he had killed Buddha when he had the chance, not just because this means the God's chances of winning were jeopardized but because he had noticed that you and him seemed to be getting along. He told himself that it didn't bother him, not in the slightest yet he could not stop looking your way when he heard you laugh with Buddha and how something about you seemed different with him. Only him. You were only that way with Buddha.

You weren't like that with Loki.

You also seemed a bit more...relaxed? Calm? Almost as if hanging around the Buddha gave you a sense of peace, not even just when he was talking to you but when you were around him with general. Hell, you'd even sneak glances at him when you knew the God wasn't looking. Your eyes no longer cocky or hardened, but softened and tender. You were looking at him with an emotion that Loki couldn't describe but he knew you had never looked at him in that way when he talked with you.

He wasn't able to tell exactly what it was until the one day he decided to sneak into the area where your kind's miserable little champions resided. He had gone to look for you and while he did find you, he did not like what he found at all in the slightest.

You were breathing heavily, using your weapon to help your balance as you knelt down on one knee. You were tired out but you had a smile on your face as you stared at the God before you, his eyes staring down at you through his rose colored shades and a victorious expression on his face, but it wasn't one of arrogance or possession, but one of love. An expression that conveyed pride in not just the result of the fight but the way you fought him as well, as if he was silently praising you for it.

"So, I guess this means we'll be together. If you like the results of this battle, of course." He hums, holding out his hand to help you up. You take it with a serene smile.

Not a cocky smirk. Not a teasing grin. A smile. A genuine smile.

"What's not to like?" You respond, allowing the taller God to pull you into his chest and laughing when he brings a kiss to your forehead.

No...

No!

NO!

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO-

YOU WERE LOKI'S TO CLAIM. YES, HE MAY HAVE MADE YOU THINK OTHERWISE, BUT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HIM. NOT BUDDHA, NOT ANY OTHER MAN, WOMAN, OR GOD- H I M.

But it wasn't him. Loki realizes that when he hears a small crack and looks at the potion he forced Aphrodite to make him, and he sees his pink reflection looking back at him. His expression was bitter at the recall of events that cost him to lose you. It was not him that challenged you to a fight first, it was not him that got to beat you, and it was not him that got to have you in his arms. Then he hears his door knock and he smiles, twisted and obsessive, as he hears your voice from the otherside.

Hiding the love potion and steadying your chalice to make sure nothing looked too out of the ordinary, he went to the door when he confirmed that this would go smoothly.

So what if he didn't fight you and win like you wanted too? He wanted you and he will have you. That is all that mattered to him.

He invites you in with a warm smile, you're hesitant to enter his room and tell him you wish for him too keep his apology short because you had somewhere to be- with someone waiting on you, he reminds himself indignantly- and he assures you all he wished was to make amends and have a toast. After all, he considered you a friend (which was funny because he failed to treat you like one) and was happy for you finally discovering that your love was not a man, but a God. You declined the drink at first, which worried him at first, but with his powers of persuasion-which is really just another way of saying he annoyed you into having one sip-you brought the cup to your lips.

His eyes watched you like a hawk as you drank the liquid and when you had finished with your small sip, you smacked your lips, not having ever tasted anything like it before. Loki wasn't sure when the potion was to take effect but he panicked when two minutes had gone by and you awkwardly excuses yourself to leave.

"Aw, c'mon! Just stay a little longer!" He urged, using his typical childish voice. You respond coldly, "Loki, I no longer have time for your games, I must...-"

Then you stopped in the middle of your sentence suddenly, your once stiff posture relaxing and you shook your head as if shaking off a bad hit to the noggin. Loki could not fight the hopeful smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.

"(Y/n)? Didn't you have anywhere to be?" He asked, testing the waters.

You turn around, a dreamish look in your eyes. It may not be the same look that you gave Buddha, a poor copy of it, but it was directed and focused at Loki which was all he cared about.

"Why would I want to be anywhere else when I could be with you?" You sigh, running to him and grabbing both sides of his face to bring your lips to his.

He smiles into the kiss as his arms around your waist and deepens it. Perhaps if he had let down his pride for once, you would be kissing him out of your own volition, but he wasn't exactly upset as he thought he'd be.

It's a good thing he was more selfish than emotional, otherwise he might have felt guilty instead and that certainly would've ruined the moment as you pull away from the kiss and look at him again, his image reflecting in your eyes like those of a doll's glass eyes.

[small-sinclair]

Saint Daisy

A story based off a poll I did. The story takes place after a battle and and Gambit is part of the cleanup crew. Might make it into a series on here and on AO3! This is my first time writing for him, so be nice.

Requests for him are open.

Tw: Character death, blood, angst

The battle didn't last long in the little town. If anyone had to be honest with each other, it didn't seem to last more than an hour, but that doesn't mean that it didn't leave behind wreckage. Builds in the small street strip were either gone or had holes in them. The road had a creator in the center where Cyclops used his powers at full strength, making the traffic light hang on for dear life. Luckily, the library where children were hidden did not get touched. Storm and Wolverine put up that line and kept everything and anything away from that area. It was a team effort to keep people safe from this mutant, and they did the best they could to keep the town safe. The smell of burnt car metal and rubber filled the air along with the sounds of people working together to help each other out.

There is always unity whenever tragic things happen, and it's sad to see. There should be unity everywhere, no matter if they are mutant or not. There's a book Remy read somewhere, or a story someone told him, about how a sailor and the sea made a pack, a team, to get the sailor home to save his village from a flood. Someone told him that story, but he couldn't see their face anymore; just the voice remained. He wished he could remember that person and light a candle for them on All Saints Day in New Orleans. He would retell it every now and then, but he couldn't say who told him. They needed to be remembered...that's all he knows.

The X-Men were split into two teams: One medical and help, one clean-up. As much as Gambit wanted to be with the medical team, he knew he was needed with the clean-up. He helped move rubble up and blew a bus door open for the passengers to be free and get help. He checked his cards every now and then, knowing he would have to get another pack soon, but he would worry about that later. With a charged 7 of Clubs, he cut the bus driver's seat belt off and helped him out of the driver's seat, handing him off to a group of helpers. He was gentle with some as he moved them off the bus, helping them to the side and sorting them based off injury. Some hugged him tight, thanking him, while some shoved him off, grumbling something unpleasant as they limped away.

"Has anyone checked the seamstress shop?" An officer asked, helping an elderly woman towards the medical tent.

Gambit shook his head and answered, "No, Gambit'll check." His accent was thicker than normal today, rolling off his lips like a waterfall during a calm day. "Won't be long, promise."

The officer nods as he led the small group the library, leaving Gambit alone. The turns and began to make his way to the shop on the corner. The bricks were painted a dark forest green while the door was painted a sunflower yellow. The window was broken and the sign above the door was hanging by two screws and a wire. Even though this part of town wasn't affected by the battle, it still looked like it was part of a bomb blast by the way the window was blown in and glass scattered around the shop.

Gambit had to push his shoulder into the wooden door to get it open and walked carefully over the glass. His eyes flickered over each corner, looking for anything, then landed on the hole in the floor behind the counter. He felt an uneasy pit form in his stomach as he stood close to it and his chest tightened at the thought of looking down into the darkness. He took a deep breath as he looked forward towards a door. He didn't know what he was feeling scared or anxious; something didn't feel right.

The door opened easily for Gambit and the steps under his feet creaked under his boots. He held a card in his hand and held it up, charging it to make it glow a soft pink and red light.

"Hello?" He shouts into the darkness. "If ya need help, call out!"

He didn't like how silent the basement sounded, and he didn't like that the only somewhat light source was his playing card and the evening light from the hole from above. Gambit took a shaky breath as he walked over the stoned floor. As much as he wasn't to turn and leave, thinking there was no one, something screamed at him to stay and look by the rubble and dust. His steps were careful as he went to the pile under the hole from the floor above and felt his breath taken from his body.

Under the rubble was the back of a person, protecting something small underneath. Without think, Gambit moved the rubble, lifting the broken wood and shattered glass off the person. A large piece of wood, a beam, crushed their legs, but he was able to lift it off and toss it to the side. He looked back at the person and felt his heart ache as he saw her dark red hair and light pink dress being stained with blood. He could smell the iron and rich copper--even as he looked down at his boot, he felt sick as he stood in the woman's blood.

Kicking the glass and rubble aside, he knelt next to her. He took off his jacket and placed it over her then turned her over slowly until he was holding her in his arms. She was breathing, but it was shallow and too slow. She was going to be dead soon; all he can do is make her comfortable in the meantime. He couldn't count the times he held someone dying in his arms. He couldn't say the number that fell to his powers and how many lives he took before the X-Men, before he became a man.

But his heart began to break as the world began to cave. "Mon Dieu..."

His eyes widened as he saw the small child in her arms, a baby who looked no older than 10 days, laid silently breathing in her arms. His red on black eyes glowed in the darkness as his blood began to freeze then boil once more. He carefully held the mother close and rested his chin in her head, closing his eyes. He felt her flinching slightly, knowing that these would be her last moments, and it pained Gambit beyond words.

"Tout va bien, mon ami," he whispers, his voice cracking. "It'll be right."

"My-my daughter--"

"Shh, she sleeps fine," he answers, pulling his jacket around her tighter. "Her name, tell me."

The mother swallowed hard as tears threatened to fall. "Daisy," she whispered, holding her child closer. "I-I'm all she has."

He sits her up slightly so she could rest comfortably in his arms, her head on his shoulder and arm around her side. Gambit wanted to promise her the next sunrise, but that wasn't enough. That would never be enough. "Dat's a beautiful name, ma'am," he said, his voice soft enough. "She's jus' as pretty as you." He earned a gentle smile from her before she shuddered and tensed in pain. He held her closely, protecting her from the unseen, and closed his eyes.

"Daisy doesn't have anyone," she said, her voice beginning to fade. "She'll be alone."

Gambit shook his head as his eyes softens. "She'll live wit' me," he didn't what he was saying; he had no clue, "she'll want for nothin'."

Tears rolled down her cheek as her strength began to leave her. "...your name...?"

"Gam-- Remy," he said, seeing his red eyes reflect in hers. "Remy LeBeau." His hand slipped from her side and held her cheek. "An' you hav' my word she'll want nothin' from dis world, chérie. Gambit promises ya." He felt himself beginning to chock up as he watched her eyes grow dim and fade with the sunset. "Rest now, ma chérie. Ya did so much t'day...so much..."

She took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh of relief, her light green eyes lulling to the side and closing for the last time. He felt her go limp in his arms, her warm blood burning into his skin, and felt a lump rising to his throat. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, letting his tears stream down her cheek. You're never the same after seeing someone die, but you'll never recover whenever a mother dies with their child in their arms. A chocked sob escaped as he lowered his head, crying into her neck, and held her tighter. He felt as if he lost his own mother, his own family, all over again.

What path would he take after this will be a long one.

He takes a staggering breath as he lowers the mother gently to the ground. He'll bury her in his jacket; he can get a new one. With shaking hands, he reached down where the sleeping child was and lifted them carefully into his arms. The little girl was wrapped in cloth after cloth, blanket after blanket, as a shield from the glass and dust. His hand trembled as he held the little head closer to his chest, letting it be close to his heart. Gambit takes a shaky breath as his finger caressed the sleeping baby's cheek and let out a staggering breath as a quick cry escaped. He brought the child closer to him and cried in her blankets.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice low and strain. "I"m so sorry, cherie." Gambit felt as if something around him built up as he heard the baby coo then sleep in his arms once more. He looked down at her mother, speaking boldly and confidently, "I swear it--I promise I'll do everythin' so she could live a life worth yours." Something began to burn in his soul and it started to eat him alive. "I promise...I promise."

******************

Gambit felt like a fawn who just found their legs as he made his way back to the library. He tucked the baby close to him as each step felt like the rocks in his boots. His arms didn't grow tire as he carried the baby. His eyes would look down every now and then, whispering something low and Cajun. He thought about the person who read him that sailor and the ocean story, sparing a thought for them, and continue his walk. He tucked the little blanket closer over the child, his eyes watering once more. She wouldn't be alone in this world, Gambit promised and he's a man of his word.

He would give her the world that his own parents couldn't even think of doing. Remy's mind already made up a little fantasy of Daisy getting ready for a basketball game, ready to go with him with a bright smile on her face. He already thought about calling her "Spades", calling her as his own. The late nights doing homework, long drives through the swamp lands, the arguments and the door slams, the laughter and jokes--it's something he found himself craving. They type of normalcy he wanted ever since he was a boy. He saw others in the Gilde start families and settle, and that type of life style wasn't meant for him, not given. He's a mutant, a danger to some...he can't have this life.

But those thoughts faded as he heard her coo once more and yawn. He'll give it all, his powers and life, to make sure she finds the love his own family didn't even want to give him when he was born.

The first one who noticed his tired face and strained eyes was Rogue. Normally, he would call out to her and say something sweet, but he felt he would wake Daisy. He only offered a sad smile and soften eyes as she met him half-way.

He could see she was trying to form words to ask, but she closed when he nodded down at the babe in the pink and yellow blankets. She stayed silent as she looked down at Daisy then at Gambit.

"Mama died," he whispers, feeling the lump rise again. "Dis is Daisy...she ain't got anyone." He leaned into Rogue's yellow glove, closing his eyes, as tears began to fall again. "She was in so much pain, cherie. I couldn't save 'er. Gambit couldn't...he couldn't save her." He then looked down at Daisy then at Rogue. "I can't leave the belle behind."

"You sure, Remy?" Her voice was gentle as her touch. Everything about her look made him feel like he was breaking like ice under his boots. "She's just a baby--"

"I don't wanna abandoned her like my own did," he answers. "I gave my word. Ya know Gambit can't break 'is word."

"I know, but," there was a glimmer in her eyes that he wanted to capture like fireflies in a jar, "are you sure?"

He nods. "If there ain't family here, I'll take her." Gambit smiles down at the sleeping baby. "Besides, you always said you wanted a family. It's worth it, no? Starting wit' her?"

Rogue found herself smiling with him as her gloved hand brushed Daisy's forehead. "You're crazy."

"We're crazy, Mon Cherie."

"Does she have a name?"

"Daisy."

"Well," she met Gambit's eyes and said warmly, "I guess we should get the little thing checked out and go from there."

Gambit's eyes softened as he began to move, taking steps towards the library and the medical area. From then on, he knew his life would change, both his and the X-Men. Come hell or high water, nothing will go after Daisy. Even if he has to die as he hunts down that mutant that did this, he owes it to Daisy and her mother. In the rough draft of life and it starting all over again... he would gladly take the pen and write it again. If the professor tells him to give up the child, he would tell him to go to hell and fight him. This was his right and a way to give something his own blood couldn't.

"Gambit's gotcha," he whispers as they came closer to nurses and worried voices. "I'll always have you."

[moonlightazriel]

More than friends /// Azriel X F!Reader

Summary: “Hi. I wanted to request an Az fic where he and reader are friends with benefits and reader get’s jealous of his “friendship” with Elain and thinks Az is using her. But everything ends happily.”

Warnings: Some mentions of smut, some angst and of course, some fluff

Word Count: 1,9K

Notes: I was dealing with some writing block, i wasn't able to write a single line, but now things are feeling a little better. Thank you anon for this amazing request!! 🖤🖤

Main Masterlist

"You are sooo funny." My ears perked up, the words followed by the sound of Elain's airy laughter, my eyes instinctively turned to their direction, the sight of her hand perfectly placed on his shoulder, her slim body inclined towards him, she blinked innocently at him, her brown hair falling on her back, she smelled like fresh grass.

He was standing in the corner, near the weapon station, his muscular chest pressed up against his leathers, his wings resting comfortably behind his back, his black inky hair a little above his eyes and a beautiful smile plastered on his face.

I couldn't help the pang in my chest as jealousy washed over me, my hand gripping harder on the wooden handle of the morning star, the anger building up quickly as the way he smiled at her kept replaying on my mind. I shifted my feet, gaining more stability, the weapon spinning in the air, hitting Gwyn's shield with more strength than i intended.

The redhead looked at me, and i whispered an apology at her, the embarrassment tainting my cheeks red, she turned her head, looking behind her and watching the same scene and turning back to me, giving me and apologetic look, i shrugged, it didn't matter anyway.

I was in love with him, way before he started looking at me differently, seeing me as a real female and not just another one in the inner circle, he was the one approaching me at Rita's one night, saying that he couldn't stop thinking about me, the way he touched me that night got me addicted to him, wishing to be with him every second, and that's why i decided to accept the whole friends with benefits thing.

But things between us were just sex, he was excellent at it, i wasn't able to remember how many times he made me see stars with his tongue, his touch burned my skin in the bests of the ways, his cock fit me just right, every curve of our bodies fit so perfectly right against each other that looked like the Mother herself sculpted us, a perfect match made by the Mother and the Cauldron.

I spent countless nights on my bed, holding his pillow, feeling his scent and wishing that he for once, would stay with me, cried myself to sleep on an empty apartment feeling hollow inside, wishing that something changed inside him, i didn't needed to be his mate, i just wanted to be the one he loved.

But i wasn't the one he would look at with an stare filled with love, i wasn't the one he would seek comfort with, the one he would run to whenever he got back from a mission, it was never me, he only had eyes for her and that broke my heart little by little everyday.

I have been always aware of how close they were, but that didn't matter late at night when he held me in his arms, telling me how beautiful i was, my heart didn't paid any mind to anything when i was with him, intoxicated by his scent and his presence, my mind filled with him every damn moment.

Things were starting to reach a breaking point when the intrusive thoughts creeped up on my mind, spreading like poison and ruining every good moment i ever shared with him, late at night when i would sit by my window and watch him leave they would tell me that he was just using me, it was easier to him, having me as some sort of pity prize when he couldn't have Elain.

I screamed in surprise, the throbbing pain on my forehead and the warmth of the blood running down the side of my face, i have been too distracted to see Gwyn's sword flying in my direction, it was a folly mistake, a blow i could've easily dodged, i cursed feeling even more angry.

"Y/N i'm so sorry, i didn't mean to hit you." Gwyn sounded desperate, her voice felt distant as i tried to focus again, everything seemed blurry and dizzy as i struggled to get up.

"It's fine, i'm okay." I tried to reassure her, my voice sounding a little muffled by the buzz on my ears, the commotion brought the attention to us, everyone was gathered around us, it was hard to breath with them so close, my emotions getting the best of me as i tried to get out of there. My eyes were finally able to focus on something, and it was on Azriel's figure finally turning to see what was happening as he was too distracted talking to Elain to notice. "I just need some air."

The wave of anxiety made me push everyone out of the way as i rushed towards the ten thousand steps from the House of wind. I ran and kept running until my legs protested and i fell on the steps, i didn't know how many i have walked and i just stayed there, with my knees against my chest, trying to breath and to stop the fucking tears.

I was trying to focus on the words Gwyn have taughed us all those months ago. "I am the rock against which the surf crashes, nothing can break me." I repeated the words to myself again and again until my head felt lighter and the tears had dried out.

"Six thousand steps on a frenzy, that's really impressive." Azriel's voice sounded somewhere behind me but i didn't even bother to turn, his boots hit the stone floor as he moved to sit by my side, a first aid kit slowly placed on the floor. "Can you at least look at me?" He plead and i sighed, my eyes glued on the floor as i turned to him.

His soft hand caressed my cheek, his thumb and index holding my chin as he lifted my head and forced me to look at him, as we locked eyes, i could see something deep in there, the same pained look i was obligated to stare at as i looked in the mirror every morning, it was like seeing my own reflection. I felt like i could breath again when he turned my face to the side, examining the injure on my forehead.

He was quick to prepare the things to clean it, his hands rubbing the spot with a piece of cotton soaked in alcohol, i hissed at the contact, the stinging pain forcing me to shut my eyes, squeezing them shut as he worked on me.

"It's funny how every time you get hurt it feels like it's my fault." He laughed humorlessly and my heart clenched, i suppressed the urge to close myself, we needed to talk, i couldn't keep letting him break my heart.

"You can't be blamed for my feelings." I shrugged as he cleaned the dried blood from my face.

"And what feelings are we talking about?" I focused on the stairs, trying to avoid looking directly at him.

"The jealousy and the self pity consuming my mind every time i think about the fact that i fell in love with someone who's in love with another female. " I simply said, i was too tired to pretend everything was fine. Azriel went still, his hand stopped rubbing the cotton on my face, i turned to him, he was looking at me intensely, like i had just stabbed him or something. "I would appreciate if you stopped looking at me like you didn't know i was in fucking love with you."

"Do you think that if i had any idea that you felt this way we would be in this situation right now?" I felt genuinely confused at this point.

"Well, it felt obvious to me that you did know, i just assumed that you didn't care." I tried brushing it off and look away but Azriel stopped me, his long fingers holding my head in place.

"Why i wouldn't care that the female i love is also in love with me?"

"Azriel, don't do this." I plead and he rose an eyebrow. "It's clearly that you have feeling for Elain, don't pretend that you have been in love with me all along, i don't need this kind of pity, you know this better than anyone."

"I'm not pretending anything, yes, i admit, I've been closer to Elain but it's just because i was asking for her help on how to tell you that i'm truly, madly, deeply in love with you. I just didn't know how to tell you that you are all i can think about, that i want to stay with you, i want to go to your apartment and cook for you, help you fix that damn broken door, fill your wardrobe with my things and make myself at home in your couch. I didn't know how to tell you that i want to scream at the top of Ramiel for the whole world to hear that you have my heart, it belongs to you ever since you first spared a glance in my direction."

My breath was caught in my throat and my mind was racing with so many thoughts at once, i squeezed my eyes shut once more, feeling the hot tears falling on my face. I waited for this moment for so long, pictured that it would be a late at night conversation after sex, everything would be perfect but this couldn't be any far from what i have envisioned but it didn't make it any less perfect. My heart slammed violently against my sternum, so loud that i bet he could hear it too.

"She's my friend, and that's all she will ever be, i never saw her more than this and never will because i only have eyes for you." I opened my eyes, unable to speak i throwed myself at him, my lips slamming against his, the kiss was messy, i could taste the salty tears, the mint in his breath and the slightly iron taste of the blood but it was the most passionate kiss i ever shared with someone.

"I'm sorry for acting like this, i should've just talked to you instead of acting like a jealous freak." He giggled a little, his hand brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "What do you think about us finishing those steps and going home?"

"I would like that very much." He inclined his head on my direction, kissing me again, more gently this time. "Are you already calling your apartment my house?" He said while helped me getting up, the sound of our feet hitting the stone floor was loud as we walked towards the exit.

"Of course, you will be moving right now since i don't want to be apart anytime soon." He laughed, whispering that he didn't want that either. As we walked, my head started to hurt again. "At least this damn wound helped us get together, cuz this hurts like hell."

"Oh baby, don't worry about that, i will take a very good care of you once we get home." He said, kissing my head and my heart squeezed at his words, a small smile making itself on my lips as all the negative thoughts got shut down, suppressed by all the love pouring out of my heart for the male in front of me.

[qetalos]

It feels cool with you | park jongseong

p: idol!jay x non idol!fem reader g: angst (only in the beginning), fluff

warnings! crying, insecurities, reader is insecure of herself, short writing!!

note: more fluff for y'all 😁 hope you like it 🫶🏻

now back to the enha x nwjns songs mlist

You know me like no other 다 표현하지 않아도

Looking at my own reflection in the mirror, not recognizing the person who stood after me. Was it me? How could I look like this... How could someone like Jay, put his eye on someone... Like me? I wasn't an idol like him, full of charms, skills and beautiful visuals that could make everyone put their eye on me... Like Jay did, and I don't even understand why he did.

Suddenly a tear escaped my eye, followed by another, and another one; creating a slow but hurtful waterfall running on my cheeks. I couldn't keep my sobs in either, I just let my tears fall freely on my cheeks as they stained them and left them wet. I tried to stop them, my attempts failed as I couldn't stop the insecurity from spilling out of my eyes. I stopped trying to stop my tears and just stared at my own reflection, insecure thoughts filling my mind once again. The flowing of my tears, along with my thoughts made me think again, if I was so unstable with my own self-esteem; How come Jay hasn't left me yet? I'd have been tired of this if I was him...

The sound of a door opening and then closing made me jump as I had got startled, it was Jay the one who had made those sounds. Then I remembered my state, quickly trying to clean my tears and to try to hide the bright red that coloured my face; the result of my crying. I didn't want Jay to look at me like this, but it was inevitable when I heard him calling me from outside of our shared bedroom.

"Love?" Jay called me "Are you home?" He asked again, entering the room I heard him sigh out of relief by seeing me "Ah there you- what? Were you crying? Did something happen?" And soon, I was bombarded with questions as Jay got closer to me and held me by my arms examining my face closely. I saw him looking behind me, only finding the mirror. He knew what had happened, they were my insecurities again who had made me cry. Jay sighed softly and embraced me, careful as if I was some kind of fragile crystal that could break if you put a hard strength on it. "What happened?" Jay asked me, knowing very well what the answer was but still trying to make sure it was what he thought "are they back?" He asked in a soft tone close to my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I could only nod at his question, feeling him kiss my cheek and start whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

And I think I like your point of view 다시 돌아와도 돼

Ever since I told Jay about my insecurities, he has always been here for me and reminding me how much I matter to everyone; specially to him.

In his eyes I was like a diamond on display, everyone could come and see me but no one could get me. Due to my importance and value, I had to be kept away from everyone. Not everyone could have me or see me. And for him, I should be kept away from everyone and their comments. Maybe his way of seeing me was a bit uncommon, but he made it look as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Because for him, I was on a pedestal above everyone.

I couldn't get why he thought of me so highly but Jay made me know the reason why. The only reason why he has me up there, it's because he loves me. I still couldn't get why, and I thought of it as something silly. For Jay, I wasn't just his girlfriend but the love of his life. He is the love of my life too. But something in the way Jay acts, makes it look different. The way he loves is simply beautiful, putting everyone first.

Thanks to his encouraging, and loving, words I could sink in the idea of how good I am. I am a good person, and I deserve him. He showed me how to love, but most how to love myself first. Jay showed me how important I am and how much he appreciates me.

One of the many things I admired from Jay was his sincerity and the easiness he'd have when I feel insecure and he has to help me go through it. Jay always had the right words for the right moment, he knew what to say and what not. And the best part of it all was that he knew how to make those words come out of my mouth, such as "I'm enough" or "I deserve all, and more, of the good things", even when I couldn't fully believe them. But he also made sure of making me believe those words.

I don't care what other people say

"You're my favorite person, y/n" Jay whispered as we laid down, he had me wrapped up in his arms and whispered sweet and loving words in my ears. "I love you so much and I'll never get tired of saying it" he whispered again and I felt him kissing my forehead softly "Thank you, Jay" I said, my voice barely audible but he managed to hear my words "You know you don't have to thank me, everything I'm saying is just the truth" Jay said and started to pat my head softly, his actions lulling me slowly to sleep "I love you so much, thank you for everything" I finally said, the tiredness taking over me as my eyes slowly started to close. "I love you more, my love" Jay whispered and left a kiss on y/n's head, closing his own eyes too.

dear reader, you're enough and loved<3 thank you for existing...♡

♡゜・。。

thank you for reading!

do not copy, repost on other socials or translate. all rights reserved to @/stqrlite.

-🏷️

[ninetqs]

fic writer interview

tagged by bella swan @foggieststars

How many works do you have on AO3? 60 😳 but just 4 for f1 (actually 7 because 3 are on anon but you don't get to know what they are)

What's your total AO3 word count? 879,483! Top 5 fics by kudos? this is so embarrassing i don't even want to answer this. i'm only going to include fics i think are decent because there's one fic that would make this list that i see as legitimately bad and i refuse to link it

crossroads (klance), 109kw 9.2k kudos -> i wrote this when i was 18 years old and still in high school 😭 i don't even like this ship anymore not even a little 🫣 the fic is pretty good though

roommates (klance), 6.3kw 5.6k kudos -> see above...

route to reality (wriolette), 11.4kw 5.4k kudos -> not my fav ship but i think this fic is pretty good as a pwp. especially since i wrote it before they were even released the characterization has held up surprisingly well

to whom it may concern: i’m in love with zhang hao (haobin), 20.4kw 3.8k kudos -> i love this fic so much!!!!

below the collar (beomjun), 93kw [incomplete] 3.3k kudos -> literally my mortal enemy but not that bad imho... just i have personal beef with it

bonus: my beomjun social media au (350kw+) had tens of thousands of likes before i accidentally deleted it. definitely one of the best things i've ever written if not the best ever

my most kudosed f1 fic is the lestappen social media au which. yeah. we can still get the sebchal fic up there guys just 900 more kudos

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? i usually didn't in other fandoms but for f1 i've been trying to!! i just feel so awkward saying the same thing over and over even if my "thank you sm for reading!! <3" are genuine. like i get worried someone will be like "why has she not had an original thought in any of these replies"

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending? definitely crossroads because you don't even find out if they end up together lmao 18 year old me was a bitch for that one... other than that maybe we're all eating each other (lestappen) because it's kind of bittersweet? it's not exactly angsty but it is supposed to make you feel like shit

What's the fic you've written with the happiest ending? almost all of them because i like happy endings... :)

Do you write crossovers? no zzz

Have you ever received hate on a fic? literally all the time 😭 especially when i wrote for txt like 50% of the messages i got would be hate. for the fic or sometimes just for me lmao

Do you write smut? If so what kind? i do BUT i hate writing it so i rarely write pwp anymore... and if i do it's because i've scammed myself into thinking there's a plot somewhere even if that's debatable (example: chalex fic) i also think i'm really bad at it so it makes me shy 😞

Have you ever had a fic stolen? i've had fics reposted on other sites without permission but idk if they claimed them as their own. afaik i've never had a fic stolen and rewritten for another fandom

Have you ever co-written a fic? i think once... but i'm really horrible at finishing things so i'm probably the worst person on earth to try this with

What's your all-time favourite ship? iwaoi from haikyuu and junnana from revue starlight

What's a WIP you don't think you'll finish? you mean ALL OF THEM...

What are your writing strengths? i think i write interesting fics? like idk they may not be the best written but i think the concepts i make up are always unique and well-executed if that makes sense

What are your writing weaknesses? my actual writing is pretty bland imho, straightforward and not poetic. but i guess this isn't always a bad thing

What was the first fandom you wrote for? i think... the first ship i ever wrote was narusasu when i was 9 or 10? and i posted it to ff.net. but if you mean "first fandom i wrote for seriously" it was dangan ronpa and i wrote a lot of hinakoma

What's a fandom/ship you want to write for but haven't yet? i really really want to write galex and i have many ideas for them but it's so hard for me to focus my brain on something that isn't charles for an extended period of time

What's your favourite fic you've ever written? real love story (soogyu) -> 50kw

i wrote this as a pinch hitter in an exchange for one of my bestest friends in the entire world. i was told 4 days before the deadline they needed someone to write a fic as my bff's original writer had dropped out, i remember seeing the recipient and being like ffs 😭 fine i'll do it but at what cost... i proceeded to write 50k words in 78 hours which was levels of mental illness i don't think i'll ever reach again. and SOMEHOW the fic turned out good? i reread this every few months to remind myself i can actually write lol

i tag anybody who hasn't done this already idk i can't keep track of who has been tagged already and i'm embarrassed what if i tag someone that's been tagged 500 times...

[weidli]

trying to write anything in new orleans era is such a mess because like. What the hell do you base lestat characterization on. of course what we see of louis in that era isn't entirely accurate but you can reverse-engineer it a little because we have present day louis in front of us and we see at least BITS of things he tried to forget about and we know how he feels about it all or at the very least how he's trying to convince daniel he feels. for claudia we have the diaries where we can be pretty sure that those are her words. yeah she wrote at least some of them knowing that it might be read by the people she at the time thought of as parents and another solid chunk of it she was a child for and yet another chunk is missing but at least it Exists. what do we have for lestat. the s1 dubai retelling? performance by a guy who was in love with him for years and then spent a couple more decades trying to hate him and pretend he didn't matter (and who has also had his head messed with, extent of which is unknown). s2 dubai retelling? partially told by louis (see previous statement), partially by armand (ANOTHER guy who used to be in love with him and now has complicated feelings and oh yeah REALLY STRONG MOTIVATIONS to not tell the truth about him). the trial's version of new orleans happenings, as well as the version of lestat we see there, in script and retelling? see above for the reliability of the retelling and multiply the strength of armand's motivation to 1. lie about it 2. muddy louis' memory of it by x1000000. the script we never fully see, and it's A Script, it's not lestat's words (plus if they're gonna pull anything like tvl he was uuuuhhhhh having a bit of a time there). and that leaves what to extrapolate from? the only time in two seasons we Actually see lestat (i.e. end of 2x08) where he is in a Very different place emotionally than he was in 1910-1940?? tvl the book, when we don't know what exactly they're going to keep for the show and what they're not (how much lying was armand doing when he told daniel about the eighteenth century i Need to Know!!!)?? okay we DO have some bits from Louis that i feel safe trusting in completely, the ones where he revised something he said previously in dubai - i.e. how louis reacted to lestat's death, how claudia was turned, what happened in the coffin room in the 1x05 big fight. but besides that what is there!! A business card, gilt-edged. A song, but only as an inferior re-recording. A letter that he MUST have written before February 1940 but we have no idea exactly when - if he already knew louis and claudia might be the death of him and wanted to fuck them up a little with it in the event that they succeeded, or if it was written solely out of genuine love? we don't know SHIT!!!

[cellsshapedlikestars]

20 questions for fic writers

tagged by @hilarychuff

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

honestly, I'm sometimes embarrassed by how much I've written in the 3 1/2 years since I started posting. Currently 66

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

1,350,298. yikes.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

at this point, Jonsa. we do not talk about The Prior Fandom

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

a fairytale ending (by a WIDE margin)

the mating game

take me out

moth's wings

ever fallen in love (on national TV)

(shocker, it's all my romcoms lmao. also, let's not talk about how the top 4 are all fake dating fics. I can't help myself)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to. I used to do it on all fics, but as discussed above, I'm a wordy bitch and at points responding to all comments on, for example, one shot event fics that I would post back-to-back got overwhelming. So I allowed myself to stop responding to comments on one shots. Recently I had quite the mental health dip and didn't respond to any for a while, but I think I'm back.

Part of the reason I like fandom is the sense of community. I started responding to comments on my first fic because I hadn't resurrected my tumblr from the grave yet, so it was the only way to interact with the fandom. Then I continued to because I appreciated the comments, even if they were simple and I had nothing else to say except thank you. I still try to on chaptered fics because, let's face it, without comments and without community, I wouldn't be posting my stories.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

probably my WWI one-shot

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I try to write at least *hopeful* endings for all my fics. I don't know if I can quantify "happiest", because I think that's different for everyone.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

of course. I feel like it's a rite of passage on ao3 to get some shitty hate comments

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

*through clenched teeth* I sure do

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I'm not really a fan of crossovers tbh

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not that I'm aware of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

not that I'm aware of

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

nope! I don't think I could tbh. I'm sort of a control freak and I even have problems letting people pre-read things, I have no idea why. I think the only people I've let pre-read anything are @hilarychuff (who is my brainstorm buddy) and @greenhikingboots (who is the reason the last chapter of the ghost inside made any coherent sense)

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

I mean, Jonsa. I honestly don't ship that often

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

sigh. white knuckles.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I'm very fast at it lmao. Like, seriously. I type very fast. I'm also somehow really good at starting a fic off with only an inciting incident, no other real plans, and somehow coming up with a full plot/ending that I'm satisfied with, while posting it as I develop the story

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

outlines. smut.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I can barely handle English my guy

19. First fandom you wrote for?

hmmm that depends on what the criteria is. First fandom I wrote for was Sailor Moon, I just never posted it anywhere. Harry Potter was technically the first fandom I posted for, but it was one chapter and I never continued it and I genuinely can't even remember what it was called, all I remember is Harry melted Voldemort with a bucket of soapy water like in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

The first fandom I was actually active in and wrote more than just a chapter was... A secret. I'm actually a little embarrassed about it and my fics are still floating around out there and some of them make me cringe sooooo hard. I don't think I've ever admitted to it here on tumblr dot com and I don't think I will now

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

help me out of the shape I'm in

I'm always so anxious about tagging people and leaving people out and making them feel bad, but I'll try to do it anyway. @greenhikingboots @sibyldisobedience @thewolvescalledmehome @esther-dot @periwinkle39 @eruherdiriel and anyone else who wants to do this! (also, no pressure to anyone I did tag lol)

[wisteriadaydreams]

Can you make a part 2 of party crasher it was so good!!!

THREE'S NOT A CROWD

pairing: Kamado Tanjirō x fem!reader

genre: fluff

words: 2.1k

Part 1

You didn't think any of it when Tanjirō first interrupted your alone time with Nezuko, nor did anything cross your mind the second or third time.

After all, it wouldn't be strange for a brother to want to spend time with his sister, would it? And this is Tanjirō you're talking about, too. Dedicated, determined Tanjirō who would sacrifice a life of simple pleasures and coal-streaked hands for a life wreathed in shadows and the smell of acrid blood to turn his sister back into a human. Tanjirō who would sacrifice anything for Nezuko.

Their bond is one that you often find yourself be envious of. It's one built on years of mutual trust and support, and now even with Nezuko's inability to speak, they're still able to communicate as easily as ever before. One of the things that always bring a smile to your face is seeing the siblings interact — Nezuko making muffled sounds and gesturing animatedly in an effort to convey her thoughts, and Tanjirō nodding along and even asking follow-up questions as if they're having a normal conversation. There's no doubt in your mind that they understand each other, theirs is a bond that surpasses verbal words.

And perhaps another reason why it doesn't bother you is because you enjoy his company too much.

You're convinced that it would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't want to spend more time with Tanjirō once they got to know him. (You know Inosuke does as well, even if he tries to deny it indignantly and loudly.) He goes above and beyond in helping others, and he spends time with people because he genuinely wants to get to know them. You can say something flippantly once and he'll somehow magically be able to remember it. You'll never forget that time when he brings you your favorite late night snack even though you've only mentioned it in passing once.

He's sweet and too kind for his own good and deserves everything good that this world cannot offer to him, so it's only right that you like to be around him so much, wouldn't it? Is it that unusual that even though you're already spending time with him during the day, you hesitate to tell him to leave the room because it never feels enough?

Though you think nothing of it, Nezuko seems to believe otherwise.

You like to say that you've become more attuned to your friend's thoughts and feelings, so you didn't miss the looks that would constantly flit between Tanjirō and you — pensive, with a knowing glint that makes her rosy eyes shimmer for a moment. On one particular evening, when the aforementioned boy has yet to barge through those shoji doors, Nezuko pulled you aside, her face knitted in determination.

Your senses tingled as you watched her write rapidly on your palm as if she has no time to lose.

"What do you think of my brother?"

You registered the question and thought about its motive for a moment, but the answer is already bursting onto your tongue before you can stop it. "I think he's a great friend. He never hesitates to lend a hand and he's always gentle with others. He's considerate and compassionate, and his strength always inspire me every day. I think you of all people know how wonderful your brother is, why are you asking me this?"

"Do you only think of him as a friend?"

You stared at the words even as the touch of her fingers have left your hand, something crackling under your skin like electricity.

"What do you mean? Should I be thinking of him as anything else?"

Nezuko gazed at you with that same knowing look as if she already knew the answer. You didn't understand why, but your heart started beating faster as you turn over her question in your mind. There's no doubt that you care about him. You would do anything to ensure his safety, from having his back in battle to tearing a piece of fabric from your clothes to put pressure on his wound. You drag his limp body inside after training and make hot drinks when both of you are in the kitchen, the moon high and the hallways quiet. You do all these things and more, and you know that he would do the same for you.

Isn't that what friends do when they care about each other?

But then there are the inexplicables. The light tremors that send your heart bouncing around like it's actively trying to escape from your chest. The way your stomach would flip and the hairs on your arm would stand up when he happens to move a little closer to you. The sense of belonging and comfort that turns your mind into a bed of clouds, something that you've only felt when you're with him. There are times when you feel like being around him is like standing too close to the sun — resplendent and blinding, burning down all of your defenses and filling you with light.

(You think you understand why a moth is so tempted by the flame.)

Nezuko's fingers moved to construct the beginning of another sentence, but the sound of the shoji door opening interrupted her. Tanjirō walked through and the wisps of her words is a thought unfinished, but you're able to fill in the gaps nonetheless.

Despite what you believed, those questions may be buried somewhere deep in your thoughts, but they never truly escaped. You still care deeply for Tanjiro, but those inexplicables have become more noticeable, more nagging and pulling at the strings of your mind. You like to think that you still acted the same around him, but perhaps the implication that your actions haven't changed is even more telling.

(And perhaps you're just afraid to give a name to what you can already explain.)

You knew you needed to talk to Nezuko and for once, as you walk towards her room in the middle of the night, you hope that Tanjirō won't be there. The noises of the peaceful night is lost on you as you focus on one destination in mind, but even as your ears seem to tune out the world, you're still able to notice the thump of very familiar footsteps.

"(Y/N)!" His voice is not loud enough to bounce off the walls, but enough to kick your heart into overdrive.

"Tanjirō?" Though you were hoping to not run into him, a traitorous part of you can't help but feel happy. "What's wrong? You looked like you ran here." It's barely noticeable, but you hear him panting a little, his chest rising up and down more than usual.

"There's...something I need to talk to you about. Can–can we go somewhere else?"

You silently debate on what to do in your mind. Although you really really want to talk to Nezuko right now, it's hard to deny him. So, after an arduous mental battle with yourself, you finally find yourself nodding. He takes you to a secluded spot in the garden that you showed him, where you know no one would interrupt you. It makes you wonder what is so important that he wants no one to walk in on you.

The moon is a beacon of light, and even the butterflies seem to have ceased their flight to make way for the silence. Even then, no one said a word.

You couldn't recall the last time you felt this jittery around him. He has always been able to make you feel comfortable, no matter the time or situation. So it's almost strange to see him like this, his feet rooted to the ground, him wringing his hands together, his eyes darting all over the place but never on you.

You think you should say something, but your tongue felt like it just turned into dead weight in your mouth. Inevitably, your eyes land on each other, but it manages to make both of you almost jump out of your skins and immediately look away.

"So...uh—" The act of talking somehow become an entirely foreign concept to you. "You wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Right! Right...umm..." Tanjirō is just as tongue-tied as you are, his bottom lip being gnawed between his teeth. Finally, you see him take in several deep breaths, and after what seems like an internal battle, he gains back some of his confidence. He looks at you with that familiar, resolute spark, the one that always make you unable to tear your eyes away.

"I want you to know that I care about you, and not in the way you think. Well, no, actually, maybe yes like the way you think. I do care about you that way, as a friend and companion." His previous confidence slowly dissipates as he rambles, but you patiently listen to him. "But the thing is my care for you runs deeper than that. Whenever you get injured, I feel like I'm also the one that got hurt. All I wanted is for you to be safe, happy, and smiling. But then I realized...that I want you to always smile at me like that." His words make your breath hitch, but you're barely able to recover as he continues. "Your smile makes my day better no matter what, and I find myself wanting to talk to you, want to be with you even if it's too late to be awake. I admire how strong you are, admire how you're able to stand up no matter how many times you fall. I like how you would hum a little song under your breath while you're doing something. I like how you would close your eyes in satisfaction whenever you eat. I like how you would deny that you're sleepy even when tears form in your eyes from yawning. I like how you would grumble when it's too early in the morning and Inosuke's already causing a ruckus. I like them all...and I realized that it's because I like you...I like everything about you."

He stops for breath, his entire body shaking and his knees going weak as if he just went through the hardest training in his life. You, on the other hand, while your brain is desperately gobbling up everything that he said and examining them over and over again in disbelief and shock, your heart finally gains the courage to give the inexplicables the name that has been right there all along.

"...(Y/N)? D-do you want to say something? You don't have to answer anything right now if you don't want to! I-I just want to know what you're thinking."

"Oh. Oh." The word is soft as it spills from your lips. Raw, unbridled waves of emotions too rapid for you to place buzzes to the very tips of your toes, making your hands fly to your mouth when tears begin to form in the corner of your eyes. "I can't believe it."

"(Y/N?! What's wrong?" Tanjirō immediately panics at the sight of them. "Was it something I said?"

"No, no, it isn't that." You wave your hands around and let out a bewildered chuckle. "Do you want to know why I was walking through the estate this late at night? I wanted to talk to Nezuko about you, about how I've been feeling different around you. But now, I don't need to do that anymore. Because I realize that I like you. I like you so much, Tanjiro."

"Oh my gods." His eyes are wide like the moon. "I was just with Nezuko. She was the one who got me to acknowledge my feelings for you. She told me I kept interrupting your time with her because I wanted to spend time with you, and she's...not wrong about that." He avoids your eyes as a blush overtakes his cheeks.

"Oh, I see. Well, I like spending time with you too." Now it's your turn to feel butterflies in your stomach. All those moments run through your mind, and you seem to see them in a new light. "So, where do we go from here?"

"I know that being a Demon Slayer throws us into situations that we can't anticipate. There's no telling what will happen in the future, what may happen to us. But even with such uncertainty, there's no doubt in my heart that I want to be by your side. I want to hold your hand and watch the stars with you. I want to eat meals with you and hear you talk. I want to lay on the grass and watch the clouds go by with you." There are many more things that Tanjirō wants and wants, but they can reveal themselves another day. "If that's alright with you."

His eyes burn like smoldering cinders, and you know that there's nothing he can ask of you that you would deny him of.

"Of course." You step closer to him, in search of that warmth that radiates like the sun, enough to finally understand what it's like to be set ablaze. "Of course."

(You're getting Nezuko whatever she wants the next time you see her.)

©️ wisteriadaydreams

➺ All of the following works belong to me. Please don’t repost, copy, or steal my content off of Tumblr. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

[hotwaterandmilk]

I started writing this last week, then my tonsillitis floored me so @bunnymajo beat me with her own post on the topic (it's v. good, check it out!!), but I still wanted to share a few of my thoughts about why y'all should consider picking up the Discotek release of the Kaitou Saint Tail anime series on blu-ray.

I'll be honest, Kaitou Saint Tail wasn't my favourite magical girl series growing up in the mid-90s, I found myself far more drawn to Sailor Moon, Wedding Peach, and Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne (in that order). However, as I've grown older and re-watched the anime series a couple of times, I've grown to appreciate a lot about it that perhaps I didn't so much when I was young and had a million anime series vying for my attention.

The anime

If you've never seen the Kaitou Saint Tail anime, Haneoka Meimi is regular teenage student by day who rights wrongs by night as the thief Saint Tail. How does she know about what bad things have gone down in the local community? Why her BFF (Mimori Seira) is a nun-in-training, of course! So when Seira hears about things being stolen etc. she relays this information to Meimi so she can set things right.

Complicating the situation is Asuka Daiki, the son of a local detective who notably failed to catch a previous phantom thief (hmm!). Asuka Jr. wants to stop Saint Tail no matter what and luckily the local mayor is cool with giving him the status required to do so. Meimi slowly finds herself torn between how she feels about Asuka Jr. (whom she bickers with but ultimately cares about) and how Asuka Jr. feels about the thief Saint Tail.

So obviously if you like magical girl-type series and you're keen on a cute lil tween romance with some wacky kids' show thieving then you're going to be keen to watch (or read, the manga is adorable) the series no matter what. If you're on the fence, here are a couple of things I found to be stand-outs in Kaitou Saint Tail that you might like about it too.

Saint Tail = Seira & Meimi

Saint Tail the thief is really a team of two people. You've got Seira who gathers all the intel & helps plan, then you've got Meimi who acts as the muscle and executes the scheme. If you removed either of them you wouldn't have the legendary phantom thief everyone talks about in the series. Seira is never magical herself, she goes between God/Meimi/the community to help save "lost lambs" but her role is vital and Meimi's feats as Saint Tail are truly part of a team effort.

I've honestly always loved this about the series, that Seira isn't some friend kept in the dark nor is she another magical thief to team up with, she's got her own unique role to play that utilises her skills just as much as Meimi's role relies on her talents too. Together they are a phantom bigger than any one tween girl could ever be.

Meimi is physically adept

There's room for all types of magical girls in the genre imho and these days we've seen lots of magical girls who can land a solid punch as well as those better suited to intellectual challenges. However, in the mid-90s at a time when Tsukino Usagi and Hanasaki Momoko said it was OK to be clumsy and not great at athletics, Meimi said it was just as OK to be athletic and have excellent fine motor skills.

One thing I didn't note in my above summary of the series is that while Meimi does a whole lot of VISUALLY magical girl things like transform in the anime, she doesn't actually have any supernatural abilities. Meimi is instead adept at stage magic thanks to her father's profession and she plays a lot of tricks to get the job done (while following in her mother's footsteps as well). Meimi can't punch a bad guy through a wall like a Precure, but her strength allows her to frequently save other characters or pull herself out of tricky situations.

Asuka Jr. provides a great contrast

While Asuka Jr. can ride a bike pretty fast he's not that physically strong, which is a contrast to a lot of love interests in the genre who are tough enough to give the heroine enough time to finish the job (Tuxedo Kamen and Limone, for example). Asuka Jr. is more of an intellectual who despite managing to figure out a lot of what's going on with Saint Tail's capers, can never seem to get pin her down (and yeah yeah we know Meimi looks like Saint Tail but this is a cartoon for kids, being in on that while Asuka Jr. goes mad trying to find Saint Tail is part of the overall charm of the thing imho).

I think a decent chunk of what I like about Asuka Jr. as a male lead in Kaitou Saint Tail is that he's not some older, mysterious guy who helps solve problems; Asuka Jr. is a brat who causes most of Meimi's problems and because of his clueless youth he's also quite oblivious to her burgeoning romantic feelings for him. But I love that? They both feel like they're young kids challenging each other on an equal playing field.

While Asuka. Jr doesn't necessarily disagree with Saint Tail's objectives (to right wrongs), he doesn't support her methods (stealing is baaaaaad) and he's following his own moral code which is perhaps a little more conventional than hers. Meimi and Asuka jr. certainly bicker, but they have a lot in common that becomes apparent over time and their differences do indeed prove to be complementary to each other's in the long run.

The stakes are fairly low

Wait, isn't this a bad thing? Shouldn't the stakes be super high in order for us to care about the series? No, I don't think every magical girl series needs to have high stakes to leave an impact or be meaningful. I love that Kaitou Saint Tail isn't about a potentially world-ending event or magical abilities that could change reality as we know it. Heck, there's an episode where the entire goal of Saint Tail's elaborate scheme is to get back a notebook that a classmate gave to her crush accidentally before he can read it.

In that sense, it harkens back to a lot of older majokko shows that, while having some supernatural gifts for the heroine that Meimi doesn't technically have, still chose to focus on the lead solving personal problems or issues in the local community rather than fighting to save the planet.

This isn't to say there are no stakes at all or anything. Meimi's greatest problem lies in her diverging identities and the fact that, as ostensibly a criminal to those not helped by her talents, Saint Tail being unmasked would ruin her life. I know they're not huge stakes compared to galactic evils, but Saint Tail being an outlaw and the way the persona is both a blessing & curse to Meimi certainly is present throughout the series.

Kaitou Saint Tail's stakes might not be as high as those in Nurse Angel Ririka SOS, Tokyo Mew Mew, or any number of Precure seasons, but there's definitely a place for that in the genre and if you'd like something a little more laid back (that's still plenty of fun & with twists and turns a plenty, mind you) then this series might be worth checking out.

The anime doesn't overstay its welcome

The Kaitou Saint Tail anime is a fairly tight production that deftly balances fun filler (remember when we were allowed to have filler eps???) with more emotional story touch points and doesn't feel at all drawn out, which was certainly an issue even for some of my favourite series of the period. While I wouldn't say the anime is perfect or anything, it really doesn't have any majorly weak arcs or huge dips in quality overall.

Kaitou Saint Tail has lovely music (I'm partial to the first OP/ED combo myself), some great 90s animators at work (Abe Junko, Ishino Satoshi, Kadonosono Megumi & Gotou Keiji, Watanabe Nobuhiro, Ochi Kazuhiro, Motohashi Hideyuki, etc.), and a cast of talented seiyuu (Sakurai Tomo as Meimi and Inoue Kikuko as Seira being the stand outs).

While there are some changes to the source material and a lot of the cute, whispy beauty of Tachikawa Megumi's original artwork is lost on screen, the animated version of Kaitou Saint Tail is worth picking up not just to support the release of magical girl titles in the US market, but because it is a solid little series that I know I always appreciate spending some time with.

Anyway those are my rambling thoughts on the series. It won't be for everyone, but if you're interested in magical girl classics then you might want to check out the upcoming US release from Discotek on blu-ray.

[stars-and-darkness]

20 questions for fic writers!

many many thanks to @garglyswoof for tagging m

How many works do you have on ao3? 63. i need to calm down.

What's your total ao3 word count? 747 502. i need to calm down.

What fandoms do you write for? the vampire diaries, shadow & bone, avatar: the last airbender, star wars, marvel. also, that one suez canal x ever given fic, and that one goncharov fic.

Top five fics by kudos: A Queen's Gamble (you know it's an old one if the title is capitalised lmao), make them bow., the fate makes for a lousy poet., where the heart moves the stones, nyctophilia.

Do you respond to comments? i try. i am not very good at it, but every now and then i sit down, crack my knuckles, and go about emptying my poor inbox.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? the end. is like ... the only fic i ever wrote that ended unhappily.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? see above, lol, literally everything else. i'm a wuss.

Do you get hate on fics? i mean ... not really? i would mostly classify the rude things i got as entitlement rather than hate. the impression i usually got was that those people liked my writing style, or the plot, or characterisation, or whatever--there was just one thing or several that they wanted to happen differently, and they felt the need to tell me that.

Do you write smut? looooooo, no, my ace ass would probably spontaneously combust.

Craziest crossover: i don't suppose i've ever written an actual crossover, but today i put dracula-the-historical-figure into the vampire diaries universe, so ....

Have you ever had a fic stolen? ... maybe? okay, strap yourselves: a few years ago someone asked if they could translate a fic of mine into spanish and post it on wattpad, and i said yes. (THIS is one of the reasons why i don't allow translations anywhere but ao3 anymore). they did, and they sent me the link. i linked the translation to my fic, the usual. then, a lot later, i actually went to check their post, and i realised that i wasn't credited though the person said they would. yaaaaay.

Have you ever had a fic translated? well, other than the fiasco up there, the incredible @winterandmistletoe, who made the edit that graces the beginning of make them bow., has two chapters of the russian translation of that fic up on ao3. there's also been an offer to translate The Manifesto of a Last Love into russian, but that one hasn't been posted yet.

Have you ever co-written a fic before? i have not! and honestly, i don't think i'd be very good at it. i'm a bit of a tyrant, so in an effort NOT to be perceived as such i'd probably be super lenient of whatever the other people came up with even if i didn't necessarily like it. i'm pretty particular in my tastes, and one of the things i love about writing fic is that i have nobody but myself to answer to.

All time favorite ship? ehhhhh, nooo, i can't choose between my children!

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? considering that tvd has had me in its claws for two years now, it feels unlikely i'll ever go back to my wips in other fandoms. you never know of course, but it feels that way. i mean. those unfinished wips don't exactly haunt me, but sometimes i remember them and feel awful about it, lmao.

What are your writing strengths? i'm told i do dialogue and humour well!

What are your writing weaknesses? ughhhhh probably action? it's so hard. oh! and my tendency to describe how a character's eyes look in every other sentence.

Thoughts on dialogue in another language? SO fun fact that dracula fic that i posted today? the one where half the dialogue is in french? i had originally written it all IN FRENCH, and then decided to take mercy on my readers and just put the english translation into italics. yeah. anyway, rule of thumb, ig: if the pov character understands what's being said, then english in italics (or if it's just a sentence or two the spoken language with a footnote). if they can hear individual words, then the language that's being spoken, without translation. if they hear only gibberish--maybe they're super unfamiliar with the language, maybe it's being spoken very fast or with an accent--then just 'character x says something in z'.

First fandom you wrote in? marvel, for my own peace of mind. star wars is the first one i actually posted for.

Favorite fic you've written? again, you can't ask me to pick between my children.

tagging: @morningstargirl666 @kirythestitchwitch @helpless-in-sleep @marxandangels @purplesigebert @darkestgrays @averseunhinged

[anosrepasi]

Tagged by @aeide and @ainulindaelynn, thank you two!

1) How many works do you have on AO3? 22, so far.

2) What’s your total AO3 word count? 140,852

3) What fandoms do you write for? Quite a couple now! And amazingly I have even more unposted. The Hobbit, Fallout 4, The Old Guard, Supernatural, The Legend of Zelda, Full Metal Alchemist, Greedfall, BG3, Horizon: zero dawn, uhhhhh.

4) What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1 - Lingua Franca (by a landslide)

2 - Soil and Ashes

3 - Kitsukuroi

4 - what you call a thing is seldom what it is

5 - Prima Lingua (I was surprised this wasn't higher up given that its connected to Lingua Franca)

5) Do you respond to comments? I try really hard but usually end up responding very late in bursts. If you've commented on my work and haven't received a reply... i'm working on it. I will get there eventually. This is a turtle vs hare situation.

6) What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?...This is hard cause most of my fics are unfinished as of right now but.... I think Lacuna for posted but unfinished fics and uh. two of my so far unposted BG3 fics will take the running once they get posted.

7) What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? A lot of them could probably be considered the "happiest" mostly cause i usually make the characters go through the worst of it right before the resolution so comparatively they're happy. >.>

8) Do you get hate on fics? So far no, maybe the occasional pedantic comment that i just... ignore. I think LF was the only fic where I had to deal with that. Perks of being relatively small in fandoms.

9) Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Nah, not my cup of tea.

10) Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? The only one I've written I think is the Hob Gadling meets Sebastian Le Livre and become immortal drinking buddies. That's only been posted here on tumblr though.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not to my knowledge!

12) Have you ever had a fic translated? Not to my knowledge :)

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before? Nope, I'd be open to the idea of any of my writer buds want to try something low stakes for fun and giggles.

14) What’s your all time favorite ship? I'm not sure I could answer this one cause I'll immediately think of another ship the moment I try and define a favorite ship for 'all time'. Which is great cause there's so many good fandoms and ships out there, what a cool thing to never run out of.

15) What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I also am not a super big fan of this question cause sometime a fic needs years to crystalize into what its supposed to be and we're all doing this for fun/for free... sooooooo you get what you get, and WIPs aren't worth less to the fandom just because they're incomplete.

16) What are your writing strengths? Making people cry (hopefully)

17) What are your writing weaknesses? Anything resembling a consistent writing or posting schedule.

18) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? You ask this as if I didn't do a ton of research and base my own knowledge of linguistics to write semi-coherent lingurian in Lingua Franca. If I feel I can pull it off to some degree and it adds to the story? oh hell yes. It's also one of my favorite literary devices in fic and in shows (I'm looking at you Shogun 2024, you beautiful beautiful tv show on the intrigue of translation)

19) First fandom you wrote for? uhhhh. Naruto on like, fanfic.net for the super old stuff. The hobbit for my modern era lmao.

20) Favorite fic you’ve written? I don't have a favorite, I think? My brain just kind of demands I make up stories and like, I am a happier person having made up stories so I do that. Each story has something I absolutely adore about it that I needed to explore but none of them are my absolute favorite above the others.

And that's all folks. I'd love to tag @ongreenergrasses, @lobstermatriarch, @green-nbean, @findusinaweek, @aevallare, @avelera, @tirsynni, @nagia-pronounced-neijia , @poppypopp and with any other writers who'd like to play :) No pressure though!!