#blades an agent of chaos

[sables-shitpost-dumpster]

Long awaited next round

[inzaynety]

➢ summary: there weren’t many people on the defense force that chose to use blades instead of guns. maybe that’s how you got so close in the first place. (little snippets of life as a defense force commander fighting kaiju and dating hoshina)

➢ content: hoshina x fem!reader, sfw & nsfw/suggestive

➢ notes: inspired by @narumi-gens agents of chaos series love that; i have a lot of hoshina and commander reader ideas in my notes app and thot why not put them all here 🫡

last updated: 7/7/2024

chapters (can be read as stand-alones or in the order below):

he’s a biter! (beginning)

investigation: start!

When visiting the Third Division, there’s never a shortage of questions and confusion about you. A few take it upon themselves to get to the bottom of it. (fluff, suggestive)

a little, jealousy

Too much staring and too many comments tick him off. He makes sure he’s the only one you look at. (smut)

part of the job

After using No. 10, Hoshina realizes one of the reasons behind his drive to fight. After listening, you realize the limits to your everything. (slight angst, hurt/comfort)

i’m the only 10 i see

Kaiju no. 10 doesn’t know what love is. (crack, fluff)

short lived

Even professionals aren’t immune. Even they fail to notice. (angst)

the woes of a father

Ogata Jugo never thought he’d be this kind of dad, giving life advice and trying to help meddle in someone’s love life. The thing is, he didn’t even have kids. (fluff, slight angst, pre-relationship)

warning: asshole!

Gen tried telling you to avoid this man at all costs–you didn’t listen. (crack, fluff, pre-relationship)

blades before grenades

Kaiju suck but using guns to kill them is suckier. (fluff, pre-relationship)

long memories

Back at your building behind closed doors, you miss each other more than you thought. (angst, hurt/comfort)

Have any questions about the relationship, other characters' reactions, etc.? Feel free to drop them in the inbox!

©inzaynety 2024

[demonic0angel]

The Guys in White start poking around Gotham and discover the army of zombie ninjas the Court of Owls use for nefarious purposes. Chaos ensues.

Danny stared at the mess that were government agents and zombie killing machines fighting each other and then said to himself, “Y’know, I wasn’t sure what I expected to happen.”

Dan clicked his tongue in amusement. “You would think they would all kill each other faster, tsk tsk.”

Jazz slapped him on the arm. “Dan!”

“I’m just saying!”

Tim stared, looking baffled. “How could the GIW actually be doing really well? The Talons are a highly trained force.”

All of them were on top of a roof, watching the chaos below on the street where Talons and GIW agents were attacking each other fiercely with blades and guns. Surprisingly, both sides were well matched.

Danny patted him on the shoulder. “Think of it like this. Fighting ghosts as a human with the appropriate weapons is like fighting Godzilla with nukes. Sure, you could take him down, but not without some mutual destruction and him coming back to kill you. Fighting humans, even undead ones with ninja abilities, is like fighting Komodo dragons with guns. You have less of a hitbox, but you have a better chance of killing it, right? We’re lucky that the GIW’s guns also work on them.”

Tim stared at him, as if to say, ‘Are you seriously comparing yourself to Godzilla?’ but then he thought about it and shuddered to himself. He had forgotten just how crazy and powerful ghosts were. Mostly crazy, though.

“At least they can destroy each other,” he muttered.

Dan snickered and took a few pictures. “I’m sending these to Dick.”

“Dan!”

“What?! He’d enjoy this!”

[thighguys]

Phan Fic Recs!!

here's a bunch of my absolute favorites for anyone who needs a distraction from the election <3 i will make a second post with shorter ones as well, this post will just be fics that are over 10k

Inheriting Love by Fictropes (22k)- Dan is a lawyer who executes wills in a small town in the English countryside, and Phil's aunt leaves him a house. One of the cutest fics I've read recently tbh, lots of banter and cows<3

Silver Arrows to the Heart by @evermorepeyton (137k, WIP)- How could i POSSIBLY make a rec list without including this masterpiece??? Dan and Phil are Formula 1 drivers, chaos ensues<3 sooooo much fun (and there are some really beautiful cool women in there too, just as a treat)

dancing on the blades (you set my heart on fire) by kishere (123k)- Dan is an amateur figure skater who scores a spot at the famous Lester training gym, where he meets the legendary Phil Lester and of course they fall in love... this one has sooo many cute fetus moments and wonderful cameos from Kath<3 absolutely love it

Like a Bowl of Oranges by cloej88 (@bitchslapblastoids) (47k)- Phil is a filmmaker looking to amplify queer stories in the media, Dan is a ghostwriter who's been writing a memoir on the side, you can guess what happens next. very VERY fun fic, lots of drama and lovely reflection, as well as the softest scenes between them. love this one (and the author :3)

The Odd Uneven Time by @yikesola (20k)- A 2009 fic from Phil's perspective, falling in love with a boy over the Internet. Absolutely WONDERFUL vibes, so so so cute (and it probably happened in real life ahaha)

Live Incidentally by yikesola (37k)- Phil makes novelty t-shirts and Dan buys them :) really funny, also some great Lester family moments

The Pianist Everyone Is Talking About... Is My Husband by @natigail (25k)- Dan is a famous pianist, Phil plays his songs on the radio, but nobody knows that they're actually married. Lots of chaos ensues, crazy fangirls can feel super represented, and Dan laughs at Phil about it all<3 this fic is so funny lol, highly HIGHLY recommend

Kick Me While I'm Down by jerserker (14k)- Dan and Phil join an adult kickball league! Phil just wants to make friends, and Dan... kicks everyone's asses <3 Really funny competitive Dan, fun times honestly :)

missing the obvious by Fictropes (14k)- Dan plays videogames in an anonymous Discord server at night, and during the day he goes to his boring office job and hooks up with his coworker Phil in bathroom stalls... I wonder how these two things could possibly be connected...

Our House by sierradeux (50k)- Dan is a real estate agent, Phil is a Youtube house flipper, they team up to cohost an HGTV renovation special and fall in love. With the house, obviously. But also with each other <3 this is one of my favorites guys I think it should be required reading for everyone on phannie tumblr

maybe this christmas by blackbirddan (13k)- it's November, im allowed to rec christmas fics now, right??? anyway, this one is HUGE for fans of the Lester and Howell families, just so so so soft and sweet and awesome<3

Strictly Come Dancing but make it GAY by natigail (176k)- i mean this one has a pretty self explanatory title... read for super hot dancer Phil, awkward celebrity Dan, and so so so many beautiful outfit and dance descriptions :3 seriously, I wish I could watch this season irl :( this is for sure in my top 3 fics of all time to be so honest

they grew up so nicely, didn't they? by natigail (15k)- Cornelia pov on meeting the boy Phil brought home, and then throughout the years. SO CUTE!!!!! really big for fans of outsider pov (me)

okie dokie<3 i will be making an under 10k rec list as well, so be on the lookout for that one!

[hhghgt]

undercover agents Buck & Eddie

Buck and Eddie were undercover agents on a high-stakes mission, tasked with infiltrating a covert arms deal. Forced to work together despite their clashing personalities, they spent most of their time snapping at each other. The mission had been a disaster, a whirlwind of close calls and chaos, leaving them both battered and bruised but somehow alive. Back at the safe house, the adrenaline still coursed through their veins, making the air between them feel volatile, ready to ignite.

Buck leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath, while Eddie paced across the room like a restless predator, his jaw tight, fists clenching and unclenching as if trying to contain the storm inside him.

“You think you’re some kind of hero, don’t you?” Eddie snapped, his voice razor-sharp, slicing through the tension like a blade.

Buck straightened, his eyes narrowing as he met Eddie’s glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Eddie stopped pacing abruptly, pivoting to face him, his expression a mix of anger and exasperation. “do you even think! You just dive in headfirst. You treat every mission like a damn game of chicken.”

Buck bristled, crossing his arms defensively. “I didn’t hear you complaining when it worked,” he shot back, his tone defiant.

Eddie took a step closer, his movements deliberate and charged. “Worked? You made yourself a target! You nearly got yourself killed! You don’t get to gamble with your life like that—not when other people are counting on you.”

The accusation hit Buck like a punch to the gut, but he refused to show it. Instead, he pushed off the wall, his voice rising to match Eddie’s. “What’s your problem, huh? You were fine. I made sure of it. You think I don’t know what I’m doing?”

He added with a forced smirk. “You think you know me, Eddie? You don’t.”

Eddie’s eyes darkened, and in a flash, he grabbed Buck by the front of his shirt, slamming him back against the wall with a force that rattled the room. The air left Buck’s lungs in a grunt, and for a moment, he was too stunned to respond.

“This isn’t a joke, Buck!” Eddie shouted, his voice raw with emotion. His face was inches from Buck’s, his eyes blazing with fury, but beneath the anger was something deeper—fear. “Do you even care that you almost died tonight? Or are you so damn selfish you don’t think about the people who’d have to live without you?”

The words hit harder than Buck expected, cutting through his defenses. He froze, his gaze dropping. “As if there’s anyone who would care,” he muttered, his voice quieter now, almost broken. “But I couldn’t let you get hurt. You’ve got Christopher. You’ve got people who love you. I don’t have that.”

Eddie’s grip on Buck’s shirt loosened, his anger giving way to shock. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Buck’s confession hanging between them like a storm cloud.

“You’re not invincible, Buck,” Eddie said at last, his voice trembling as he lifted Buck’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. “And I can’t—I won’t—keep watching you destroy yourself like this.”

Buck swallowed hard, his throat tightening with unspoken words. “Eddie…” he started, his voice softer now, hesitant. “It’s fine. You don’t have to act like you care. I know you hate my guts.”

Eddie let out a bitter, humorless laugh, stepping back as if burned. “Hate you?” he repeated, running a hand through his hair. “If I hated you, I wouldn’t be standing here, yelling at you for almost getting yourself killed. You think I enjoy this? That I don’t care?”

Buck stayed against the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. There was something raw and unguarded in Eddie’s voice that left him speechless.

“Just… stop being so reckless,” Eddie muttered, his tone strained and quiet now. He turned away, his shoulders tense, refusing to look at Buck. “Because I can’t—” His voice cracked, and he exhaled sharply. “I can’t lose you.”

The vulnerability in Eddie’s words left Buck reeling. He stayed where he was, his breath shallow, the weight of everything sinking in. For the first time in a long time, Buck didn’t have a clever retort, didn’t have the words to fill the silence.

And for once, the silence didn’t feel like something he needed to fix. It felt like something they both needed to understand.

[brainrotcharacters]

Wade and Logan are about to be the Problem Pair™️ to both their allies and their enemies alike?????

Picture it, nerds. Deadpool: weirdo who talks to someone you can't see, Special Forces training, dual adamantium katanas, dual guns, punch daggers, extra knives extra blades extra guns and yet the actual arsenal is how the motherfucker never shuts up.

And actual Wolverine: shadowing him like a guard dog. Except Deadpool doesn't necessarily need it? He'll gloat about it from morning, long after the sun comes down, not to mention it defaults Wolverine to being his first target to annoy (because he's physically the nearest). But necessity? Wade will do that anime thing where his katana is barely out of the sheath and he already cut down their enemies.

Logan? I'll reiterate what I said in a previous post: that senior citizen will cut down all the enemies Wade missed. And Wade misses a lot, agent of chaos as he is. Deadpool's regeneration notwithstanding, listen to the snick of Wolverine's claws when you incapacitate his partner, he's irrationally protective. And it works vice versa! If Wolverine is down, look for something red. (There's no guarantee seeing Deadpool lunge at you with a sword in one hand, a gun in the other, scowling through his mask, will make a difference to your survivability as their enemy.)

They're a special brand of disorienting, these two. Logan will probably learn to lighten up and joke around again depending on how long he's been with Wade, and Wade will certainly settle in as an adamantium katanas user when the OG adamantium user is, not to be Pride and Prejudice, warming his bed. It'll catch you so off guard as an opponent to these two that they can deal damage so great that it echoes to your ancestors, and then say something so out of pocket to depress you so bad you never get up from where you're bleeding on the floor.

[reixtsu]

Chapter 1: Unexpected Encounter

Next Masterlist

The city was alive with activity. Neon lights painting the skies in hues of blue and violet. The hum of airships overhead blended with the cacophony of voices in the crowded market square below. For a Stellaron Hunter, such chaos was both a blessing and a curse-it offered cover but also countless opportunities for things to go wrong. Very wrong.

You stood near a vendor stall, your eyes constantly scanning the crowd. Elio's script had been vague, as always, leaving you to fill in the gaps. The mission was to retrieve the data drive, avoid detection, and regroup. Sounded easy enough, but you wished that there were more details within the instructions.

Behind you, Kafka leaned lazily against a lamppost, her lilac eyes glinting with nonchalant amusement. "You're too tense, y/n," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "Relax. Everything's going according to the script."

You shook your head. "I know, but you're not the one with a five-year-old son to look after," you muttered, keeping your voice low.

She chuckled softly, her gaze flickering to where your son, Hajime, stood beside Silverwolf. The boy was wide-eyed, captivated by the holographic displays at a nearby stall.

"Silverwolf's got him," Kafka assured you. "Blade and I will cover the east quadrant. Focus on the task at hand, alright cutie?"

You nodded, though the unease of a mother twisted in your chest. Hajime was your world, the one part of your life that isn't dictated by Elio's vision. You'd do anything to protect him-even if it meant walking away from the man who shared the same magenta and cyan eyes.

The mission began smoothly enough. You slipped through the crowd, your every move calculated like a ninja's. Blade and Kafka disappeared into the east quadrant, starting their part of the script. Silverwolf stayed behind, her fingers flying across her hacking device as she worked to intercept the rogue agent's signal.

"Hajime," you said, placing your finger into the little speaking device that was well hidden in your ear. "Stay close to Silverwolf. No wandering off."

"I know, mom," He replied, his tone both obedient and slightly exasperated as he sat next to Silverwolf, watching as she continued her job.

For a while, everything seemed fine. Hajime stayed within sight, his curiosity tempered by your warning. But then the stall selling glowing crystals caught his attention.

"Silverwolf, can I look?" he asked, his voice tingled with excitement as he stared at her, practically begging.

She hesitated, glancing at her device then back at him while her fingers kept typing. "Just stay where I can see you," she finally said.

Hajime eagerly nodded then darted off.

Minutes passed, and you felt a flicker of unease. After infiltrating the building and finishing your part of the mission, you went back to Silverwolf. She was sitting, legs crossed as she was preoccupied with whatever she was doing. Stretching, you walked up to her, patting her back until you realized something. 

"Where's Hajime?" You asked, your voice sharp enough to have Silverwolf look at you.

"He went exploring," she said blankly, her gaze scanning the crowd to look for the boy's fluffy blond hair.

Panic surged through you. With a sharp glare, you turned and pushed your way through the market, your heart hammering in your chest and making its way up your head, causing you to have a pulsing headache.

Aventurine had no particular reason to be in the fun part of the city other than the fact that he was bored. His work often brought him to places like this-a bustling, neon-soaked market in some distant planet. But tonight the atmosphere intrigued him. Surely the higher ups wouldn't mind if he lingered in the area for a bit.

He strolled through the square with a calm, almost lazy grace, his sharp, neon and magenta eyes taking in the sights. Vendors called out to passersby, hawking everything from the rare spices to glowing trinkets. Children darted between stalls, their laughter cutting through the noise like a sharp melody.

Then that's when he saw him.

A boy, no older than five, weaving through the crowd with the confidence of someone much older. Aventurine paused, his gaze narrowing. There was someone about that child, something oddly familiar that he couldn't place a finger on. Then that's when he saw it. The boy's eyes.

Avgin eyes.

Ones that looked a little too identical to his own.

Realization hit him like a bolt of lightning, but he pushed the thought aside, approaching the boy cautiously.

"Hey there," he said, crouching to the boy's level. "You seem a little far from home."

Hajime looked up at him, his expression wide from curiosity. "I'm not far. Mom's around here somewhere."

Aventurine raised an eyebrow. Why wasn't the boy at least accompanied by his mom then? Was his mom off drinking at a nearby bar or something? "Does your mom know where you are?"

The boy shrugged. "Probably. She's busy. Silverwolf's supposed to be watching me, but she got distracted. Sooo I walked away!"

The name Silverwolf sent a jolt through Aventurine. he knew that name, who didn't? Silverwolf, one of the Stellaron Hunters, a bounty with so many credits for her head. He studied Hajime more carefully, giving him a smile.

"What's your name?" Aventurine asked, keeping his tone light.

"Hajime," the boy said proudly. "Who are you, sir?"

Sir? Aventurine smiled, charmed despite himself. "Just someone passing through. How about we find your mom together?"

Hajime considered for a moment, humming dramatically before giving Aventurine a huge grin. "Okay."

Aventurine couldn't help but genuinely smile as Hajime peppered him with questions. The boy was sharp, his curiosity knowing no bounds.

"Do you live here?" Hajime asked as they walked through the busy market.

"No," Aventurine replied, his eyes wandering off but his peripheral vision on Hajime. "I'm just visiting for a while. How about you?"

"I don't live anywhere," Hajime said matter-of-factly. "Mom says we're always on the move because of her work. But she always makes sure I'm safe."

Aventurine hummed nonchalantly, feeling a pang of something he couldn't quite name. Pity? "She sounds like a good mom."

Hajime nodded enthusiastically. "She's the best! She's really strong, and she knows everything. But she gets grumpy sometimes."

The older male chuckled. "I see. And what about you? What do you like to do?"

the boy tilted his head, thinking. "I really like learning about stars and planets. They's so cool! Mom tells me stories about them all the time. Do you have any good stories, sir?"

Aventurine smiled. "Many, Hajime, like-" He began to ramble on about a star that burned so brightly that it burned the planets around it. Hajime listened intently, his eyes only growing wider with wonder.

You found Hajime just as Aventurine was finishing his story. Relief crashed onto you like a tsunami, but it was quickly replaced by dread as you saw just who he was with.

Aventurine.

He looked up, his gaze locking onto yours. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the market fading into the background. His expression shifted-first surprise, then it morphed into something deeper, something more intense.

You forced yourself to move, your steps graceful despite the chaos inside of you. "Hajime," you said, voice calm but firm. "I told you not to wander off."

Hajime ran to you, his small arms wrapping around your leg. "Sorry mama. But look!" He looked up at you, grinning as he pointed at Aventurine. "He helped me look for you."

Aventurine just stood there, his charm seeming to radiate off him. His gaze never left yours, a slow smile spreading across his face. "It's been a while, hasn't?" He said, his tone laced with something unreadable, making your heart jump a little.

You met his gaze evenly despite the pounding of your heart. "Indeed. Thank you for watching him."

Hajime tugged on your sleeve, momentarily bringing you back into the present away from Aventurine. "Mom, he told me a story about a star! Can I hear more? Please?"

You smiled faintly, your mask firmly in place. "Maybe another time."

Aventurine chuckled, his usual charm sliding into place as he slipped his hands in his pocket. "I'd be happy to. But first, I think your mom and I need to have.. a little chat."

Author’s notes: Here you all go! Your rich sugar daddy baby daddy! I love his gay ass so much… I might do those poll votes on how the story progresses in the future, but let me know if you’re interested so far! I’d love to hear from you!

ALSO!!! If you wanna join the Taglist then comment down below!

Likes, shares, and reboots much appreciated!

Taglist: @godoffuckedupcats, @sweetistic

[sandboxwritings]

you know what its late and im too tired to think of words anymore so im just gonna post this wip here and go to bed

enjoy!

If there was one thing that was not on Grian's New Years' bingo card it would be growing wings. In fact, if anyone had so much as suggested it as a possibility to him he would have laughed them off, assuming it was the prelude to some strange prank. And yet, here he was two weeks into the new year with what were undoubtedly wings sprouting to either side of his spine, connecting to his shoulder blades in a way that they should not be able to.

That wasn't the only strange thing happening to him either. For one, he's lighter. Not in a diet-culture-fad or hitting the gym to meet that New Year's resolution that'll fade out in a month or so, he is just literally lighter. Less dense? Like the amount of physical space he takes up is the same but his mass is…less? Now, Grian is far from an ornithologist but he was able to quickly learn that bird bones are hollow and he does not like the implications that has for him and his new feathered existence. It does, however, mean he can jump higher, which is kind of fun to test out whenever he's taking the lift to and from his apartment unit.

It also means he's a bit more fragile than he's used to being.

Now, one might be asking, shouldn't a person who has strange growths go see a doctor immediately? And the answer is yes! Of course, and in Grian's defense, he did do that! It's not his fault that the hospital was overflowing with people at the time, most of which were in much more dire straits than he himself was and so he elected to turn around and go home. He would just go back. . . later. Eventually. He swore he would. Maybe.

Surely it would resolve itself.

That was ten days ago, before Grian's new wings had become more distinct and feathered and had only barely been strange misshapen lumps on his back. And in those ten days the entire world had changed.

An emergency notice had been sent out across the city, played on every news broadcast in the district, an alert sent to every cell phone registered to the local area code. Some strange bacteria had been discovered in the water ducts that fed into every reservoir across Hermitopia and it should be avoided at all costs. Citizens were instructed to limit skin exposure and refrain from drinking any sources of unsealed water. Stations were set up across the city to provide clean, filtered water in the meantime while the contamination was dealt with.

It was too little, far too late.

While Hermitopia was effectively put on mass lockdown, Grian's wings continued to fill out. He was almost glad for the shelter in place orders as it meant no one saw the process of his strange, wrinkly-skinned chicken wings double in size day after day. No one saw him nearly scratching the things bloody while the pin feathers grew in. No one was there to see him standing in the middle of his living room and struggling to activate muscles that hadn't existed days ago. No one else was there to look on in awe as he finally stretched both fully feathered wings out for the first time, touching wingtips to diagonal corners of the room.

Just over three weeks into the New Year, Hermitopia holds a press conference. It plays on every device from the heart of downtown to three cities over. As many have already come to realize, the contamination was more than simple bacteria in the water. It was a chemical agent, a biohazard, that was capable of adapting to and changing different forms of matter. Particularly, it changed living matter down to the DNA. Irrevocably.

The city weeps. There is fear and panic. Questions fly about what this means, what comes next, what do we do? Social media forums explode with speculation and rumors. Friends and family hold one another close amidst the chaos of a changing world.

Grian turns off his phone, sits outside on his tiny balcony, and looks at the stars. He feels the wind ruffle his feathers, feels the way it tugs at his skin, pulls him toward the edge. He flexes new muscles that support new, fragile bones.

Spreads his wings.

They say there's no better way to learn to fly. . . right?

And he jumps.

[emperordinozenmon]

Apex of Ferocity

Y'all lucked out Dinozen was gonna scrap this idea but its soo good. you can thank @leafostuff for helping Dinozen solidify the idea and concepts, and thank you to @faebled-stories for Tsuki fic sparking the idea. expect a smutty sequel from me later.

I walked into the IBPA (Investigative Bureau of Paranormal Activity) to a surprisingly calm and relaxed morning. Usually, the IBPA office was a hive of chaos—agents scrambling to respond to a new supernatural threat, researchers shouting over each other in the labs, or some unfortunate soul rushing a monster to containment. For the office to be this quiet was a rare and almost unsettling occurrence.

I headed straight to dispatch and saw my good friend Douglas working behind the counter. His usual bored expression shifted into a grin the moment he spotted me.

“Well, Agent Dino, it’s good to see you,” he said, far too pleasantly for my liking.

My eyes narrowed. Douglas was never this kind unless he wanted something. “Nope. Not happening,” I said preemptively, shaking my head. “I’m not taking on another case. I’m cashing in my vacation time before I lose it.”

Douglas sighed dramatically and leaned on the counter. “But you’re already heading in the direction, and it would be easy for you to hunt—”

I raised a hand to cut him off. “Not listening.”

He chuckled and changed tactics. “Okay, fine. Why are you here then?”

“Meeting with Retsu. She’s prepping me for the final Witch Hunter trial,” I explained.

His eyes lit up with amusement. “Oh, that’s today? Don’t you have to beat her in combat to pass?”

“Unfortunately,” I muttered, and his laughter burst out immediately.

“Dude, she’s what, 9 feet tall? She’s beaten you how many times again?”

“776,” I replied flatly.

Douglas wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. “Good luck. You’ll need it.”

With a thumbs-up, I walked off to the section of the building reserved for Witch Hunters. It was tucked away in a quiet wing, separate from the bustling main office. The long walk left me feeling slightly winded, but I eventually reached the familiar doors.

Retsu greeted me with a warm smile, towering over me as usual. She placed a massive hand on my head, giving it a gentle pat, which made me feel about five years old.

“Dinovaldo,” she said warmly. “On time for once.”

“Gotta keep you guessing,” I replied with a faint grin.

She chuckled, leading me into the training chamber. Her long black hair was braided neatly down her back, the sharpness of her features softened by her ever-present smile. Retsu had been my mentor since I joined the Witch Hunters, and even though we weren’t related, her presence felt maternal. She was fierce in combat and relentless in training, but she’d always been there for me when I needed guidance—or, more often, a reality check.

“You ready?” she asked, glancing down at me as we entered the arena.

“Not really,” I admitted.

Her laugh was deep and full of affection. “You’ve said that the last 776 times, too. I’m still proud of you, though.”

“Proud of what? Losing?” I asked wryly.

“Of getting back up,” she said simply, her voice gentle. “That’s the part that matters.”

Her words hit me harder than I’d like to admit, but I just nodded, not wanting to dwell on it. As we took our places in the arena, I summoned my weapon, Incursio: Tyrannolegend, its form shifting into a sleek, polished gun.

Retsu unsheathed her own weapon, Muramasa, the blood-red blade glinting ominously in the light. As always, she performed her ritual, slicing her palm along the edge of the sword. I winced as the blood dripped down the blade, activating its ominous aura.

“Are you ready, Dinovaldo?” she asked again, her smile still disarmingly calm.

I nodded and fired off a few shots to test the waters. She dodged with ease, her speed as overwhelming as ever. We fell into a familiar rhythm—me scrambling to keep my distance, her closing the gap faster than I could counter. This time, though, I had a trick up my sleeve.

When her blade came down toward me, I switched Tyrannolegend into its sword form and blocked the attack. Retsu blinked in surprise, the briefest flicker of pride crossing her face.

“Since when could you do that?” she asked.

“Defeat 215,” I replied. “Been saving it.”

“Oh, so you’ve been holding out on me in our sparring sessions?” she teased. “Guess I’ll have to beat the rest of your tricks out of you.”

I switched Tyrannolegend into massive Cestus with T-rex visages and slammed one toward her. She dodged, but the force created enough space for me to reposition.

“You’ve been holding out,” she said with a mock sigh.

“This is an actual test,” I shot back.

Her smile widened. “Fair point. A witch won’t hold back in a real fight. Neither will I.”

I saw her shift into a stance I knew all too well. Before she could execute her move, I transformed Tyrannolegend into a spear and hurled it at her. The weapon lit with energy as it flew, and her eyes widened slightly as it pierced her shoulder, pinning her to the wall.

I approached cautiously, trying not to let my guard down. “Do you yield?” I asked.

She nodded, clapping as I released her. “Well done, Dinovaldo. You’ve earned this.”

The relief hit me all at once, and I gave her a shaky thumbs-up before my legs buckled.

I woke up two hours later in the medbay, bandaged but alive. A note sat beside me in Retsu’s sharp handwriting:

“Have fun on the trip! Also, I finished Tyrannolegend’s Incursio ritual. You are now a Master Witch Hunter.”

The words brought a grin to my face despite the aches in my body. Retsu always had a way of showing she cared, even if she’d never admit it out loud.

The flight to Seoul was exciting but stressful. The home I’d be “renting” for the next three months was a bit out of the way and not in a high English-speaking neighborhood, but I made it despite my worries. Entering the apartment building felt strange. There was a pleasant aura that enveloped the place, something almost like magic but faint, subtle, like a lingering memory. It put me a little on edge, but I told myself to let it go. Not wanting to think about work, I climbed the stairs to the cozy one-bedroom apartment, collapsed onto the bed, and let sleep claim me for several hours.

The next morning—or midday, I guess, since jet lag still had me in a headlock—I ventured out to find food. A nearby café seemed like a good spot, so I made my way there.

Stepping in, I instinctively scanned the room. I didn’t mean to, but old habits die hard. Back home, walking into a place as a “darker-skinned foreigner” usually came with stares, awkward curiosity, or worse. But here, no one batted an eye. It was almost disorienting how normal it felt. My guard loosened, just a little.

That was when I saw her.

By the window, sitting in the corner by herself, was Tsuki—the Tsuki, from Billlie. I nearly froze in place. Out of all the faces in the café, hers seemed to glow like a beacon. Without thinking, I found my feet moving toward her.

“Excuse me,” I said as I reached her table. “Is this seat taken?”

She glanced up, startled, her eyes darting to the other open seats around the café. Her wary gaze lingered on me for a moment, sizing me up. For a brief second, I wondered if I’d made a mistake.

“No,” she said finally, her voice quiet but steady.

Taking her answer as permission, I ordered a breakfast platter and settled into the chair across from her. She was surprisingly quiet, her focus shifting back to the notebook in front of her. The silence between us felt thick, almost charged. I could tell she was aware of me, but she seemed content to let it sit there, unbroken.

Clearing my throat, I decided to take a chance. “Sorry about the abrupt circumstances,” I began. “My name’s Dinovaldo. Most people just call me Dino.”

She looked up from her notebook, her expression guarded but curious. “Are you American?” she asked.

I nodded, and she smiled faintly before laughing—a soft, musical sound that eased some of the tension between us.

“I can tell,” she said, teasingly. “You have the accent.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? And what does an ‘American accent’ sound like to you?” I challenged, my tone light but playfully defensive.

She grinned, leaning forward slightly. In charmingly accented English, she said, “Don’t worry. I like it, though.”

The unexpected compliment caught me off guard. For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. It wasn’t often that someone disarmed me like that, but she had.

Her gaze shifted to my shirt, and her eyebrows raised in recognition. “Oh, you like Love Before World Domination?” she asked, closing her notebook.

I glanced down, realizing the logo on my shirt was a dead giveaway. “Yeah,” I said with a small laugh. “Hopeless toku fan right here.”

She tilted her head, her smile turning sly. “Oh, so the big scary man likes henshin heroes? Cute.”

Her teasing tone had a sharpness to it, but the glimmer in her eyes softened the words. I chuckled, scratching the back of my neck. “What can I say? They’re timeless.”

She studied me for a moment, her smile lingering. There was something feline about the way she carried herself—subtle, graceful, with an air of mischief. It wasn’t the bubbly energy she projected on stage. No, this was different. Her gaze was keen, appraising, like she was trying to figure out what made me tick.

At first, I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

“You’re not like I expected,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice had a slight edge to it, almost like she was testing the waters. “Most people who come up to me either want something or act like they’re trying to win a prize.”

I blinked at her, caught off guard by her bluntness. “And what do you think I want?” I asked, keeping my tone even.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt the weight of her scrutiny again. But before I could overthink it, her expression softened. “I’m still figuring that out,” she admitted with a small shrug.

“Well,” I said, leaning back in my chair, “for what it’s worth, I’m just here for breakfast. Everything else is a bonus.”

That earned me a surprised laugh. It wasn’t the kind of polished, public laugh you’d expect from an idol—it was real, unfiltered. “You’re a weird one,” she said, shaking her head. “But… I guess that’s not a bad thing.”

I smiled, my guard dropping a little more. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Her shoulders relaxed as she sat back, her wariness fading. I could see the shift in her now—the cautious cheetah turning into something more playful, almost trusting.

Here’s an expanded version of the scene, adding more lighthearted banter, subtle flirting, and cute dynamics between Dino and Tsuki:

“Alright, Dino,” she said, her tone lighter now, her smile growing playful. “Tell me—what’s your favorite henshin hero?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Kamen Rider Fourze.”

Tsuki’s lips curled into a sly, almost mischievous smile. She laughed, the sound warm but carrying a teasing edge. “Oh, that explains the friendliness,” she said, leaning forward slightly, her body language shifting. It wasn’t a retreat, though—it was more like she’d decided to test the waters, and suddenly I felt like the one being assessed.

Her gaze sharpened, turning predatory in the most disarming way possible. It wasn’t threatening; it was more like I’d unknowingly stepped into her game, and now she was setting the rules. For the first time in a while, I felt something strange welling up in my chest—a mixture of excitement and unease, like I was bracing for something I wasn’t sure I wanted to dodge. It was fleeting but enough to throw me off balance for just a moment.

“By the way, I’m Tsuki,” she said, as if her identity needed any introduction.

“I kind of knew that,” I replied with a small grin, trying to sound casual.

Her eyes narrowed as her smile turned sharper. “Oh, a bit of a fanboy, huh?” she teased, tilting her head.

I hesitated, unsure if denying it would make me seem disingenuous. Before I could respond, she reached over without warning and plucked a bite from my plate, popping it into her mouth with an air of triumph. “Thanks,” she said smugly, her gaze daring me to object.

“Hey!” I protested, laughing despite myself.

“What?” she asked innocently, her expression anything but. She chewed slowly, savoring the food like it tasted better just because it was mine. Then, with a glimmer in her eye, she asked, “So, who’s your bias?”

Her question caught me off guard, but I saw the trap for what it was. She expected me to name someone, probably her, and then she’d have the upper hand. I decided to flip the script.

Raising my hands in mock surrender, I shrugged dramatically. “Honestly? I don’t have one.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, the confident mask slipping for just a second. “Oh,” she said, blinking. “Well… fair, I guess.” She quickly recovered, whipping her hair back as if to reclaim the upper hand. “Still, not even a favorite member?”

“Nope,” I said, leaning back in my chair, trying not to smirk. “I think the whole group is great.”

Her smile twitched, a mix of amusement and challenge lighting up her expression. “Huh. Nice save,” she said, arching an eyebrow. “But you can’t fool me. I bet you secretly have a favorite. You’re just too chicken to say it.”

“Or maybe,” I said, leaning forward slightly, “I just appreciate talent where I see it.”

Her eyes narrowed again, but this time, there was no wariness left—just intrigue. She was about to retort when I decided to go for broke.

“You know,” I said softly, “you’re much prettier in real life.”

For a moment, her teasing confidence faltered, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of pink. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a mock-sweet tone. “Aww, you’re so sweet,” she cooed, fluttering her lashes exaggeratedly.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Okay, okay, I walked into that one.”

Tsuki leaned back, a triumphant smile on her face. “You did,” she said, crossing her arms smugly. “But I’ll give you points for trying. Flattery works about half the time.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, crossing my arms in return. “What about the other half?”

“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully, her gaze drifting over me. “That depends on how good the food is. Which reminds me…” She reached for another bite from my plate, this time without asking.

I grabbed my fork just in time, blocking her. “Nope. Not again.”

She pouted, her lower lip sticking out in a way that was probably illegal in several countries. “Aw, come on! Sharing is caring, Dino.”

“Yeah, but this is breakfast, and breakfast is sacred,” I countered, holding firm.

She tilted her head, pretending to consider this. “Okay, fine,” she said, leaning back with a mock-sigh of defeat. “But only because you called me pretty earlier.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Glad to know it’s not entirely wasted effort.”

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with something between mischief and genuine warmth. For all her teasing, there was a softness to her now, like she’d let me peek behind the curtain just a little.

“Alright, Dino,” she said after a pause, resting her chin on her hand. “You’ve got my attention. Let’s see if you can keep it.”

And just like that, I realized I was in deeper than I thought—and I didn’t mind one bit.

“Alright, Dino,” she said, her chin resting on her hand as she grinned. “You’ve got my attention. Let’s see if you can keep it.”

Before I could respond, she glanced at the time on her phone and let out a small gasp. “Ah, shoot,” she muttered, more to herself than me. “I’ve got schedules.”

She started gathering her things, her notebook sliding into her bag with practiced ease. I felt a pang of disappointment—our conversation was far too short for my liking, and her leaving left an unexpected void.

“So,” I said, leaning back in my chair, feigning nonchalance, “you’re just gonna leave after stealing my food and winning all the banter?”

Tsuki paused, her gaze flicking back to me, and for a moment, her smile widened like she had just remembered one last play to make. “Stealing?” she said, stepping closer to the table. “You make it sound so dramatic.”

Then, without hesitation, she swooped in and snagged another bite off my plate, the fork disappearing into her mouth before I could react. She chewed slowly, her expression making it seem like this was the best meal she’d had all week. “Mmm,” she hummed, her voice playful. “Good taste, Dino. Very… refined.”

I shook my head, laughing. “You’re shameless.”

“Absolutely,” she said unapologetically, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “It’s part of my charm.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

As she turned to leave, she paused by my chair, pulling out her phone. She tapped the screen a few times before handing it to me. “Here,” she said, holding it out. “Put your number in.”

Surprised, I looked up at her. “Oh, so now you want my number? What for, stealing more of my breakfast?”

“Maybe,” she teased, her grin turning sly. “Or maybe I’ll just text you to remind you how cute you looked, trying to keep up with me.”

I chuckled, shaking my head as I punched in my number and handed her phone back. “You’re something else, you know that?”

She winked, slipping the phone into her bag. “I’ve been told.”

As she started toward the door, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. “Don’t forget to save my number. And, Dino?”

“Yeah?” I called after her.

“Next time, order extra food. You’ll need it,” she said, her voice full of teasing warmth. Then, with a final flash of that mischievous smile, she was gone, leaving me sitting there with an empty plate and a number saved in my phone.

I stared at the door long after she left, a grin creeping across my face. Yeah, she was definitely something else.

After Tsuki left, the haze in my head finally cleared, and the world seemed to snap back into regular time. It was like my body had been frozen in her presence, every movement slowed and deliberate, and now everything moved forward again, albeit with a lingering buzz of warmth from her smile. I shook my head, chuckling softly to myself as I finished the last bite of breakfast—what was left of it after Tsuki’s little theft, anyway—and headed back “home” for the day, determined to rest up and shake off the remnants of jet lag.

The next morning, my phone buzzed, pulling me from a half-dream where I was flying through space like Kamen Rider Fourze. I rubbed my eyes, grabbed my phone, and blinked at the screen: a message from Tsuki.

Hey, so what are you doing today?

A small smile crept onto my face as I quickly typed back, Um, get groceries, then probably going to the N Seoul Tower.

There was a pause, the kind that made me second-guess my decision to respond so quickly. Then, I saw the little “…” appear as she typed, and I could almost hear her thinking on the other end. Finally, her reply popped up.

That sounds fun. I have a bunch of dance training and recording for our new comeback. Make sure to take pictures for me, babe.

I stared at the last line, my eyes widening. Babe? Did she just call me babe? Was it intentional? A typo? Some kind of casual thing I was overthinking? My mind raced as I re-read the message a dozen times, trying to decipher the meaning. For a split second, I wondered if I was still dreaming. But I took a deep breath and grounded myself, the weight of my phone in my hand reminding me this was very real.

“Alright,” I muttered to myself, “let’s just take it slow.”

I went about my morning, showering and making plans to hit the local market before heading to N Seoul Tower. I was halfway through scribbling a shopping list when my phone rang. The name “Douglas” flashed on the screen, and I groaned. Douglas never called without a reason, and it was rarely a good one.

Reluctantly, I picked up. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Dino!” Douglas’ voice came through, loud and enthusiastic. “How’s Korea? You settling in alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s good. Just enjoying the vacation. Taking it easy,” I replied, leaning back on the couch.

“Well,” he started, his tone shifting into the familiar, persuasive pitch he used when he wanted something, “how would you feel about shaking things up a bit? There’s a new witch popping up, and it’s close enough that—”

“Nope,” I cut him off.

“C’mon, man, hear me out—”

“Nope.”

“Look, I know you’re technically on vacation,” Douglas said, his voice heavy with exaggerated patience, “but this is a perfect opportunity. Fresh witch, untrained, probably not even a real challenge for you. In and out. Easy.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Douglas, I’m on vacation. You know what that word means, right? No witch hunting. No chasing down supernatural drama. Just me, some sightseeing, and…” My mind flicked briefly to Tsuki’s text, and I hesitated before adding, “…meeting people.”

Douglas snorted. “Meeting people, huh? Sounds like there’s a story there.”

“There’s not,” I said quickly, too quickly.

“Oh, there definitely is,” he shot back, amused. “Fine, fine. Have your little break, but don’t come crying to me when this witch gets out of control and you’re stuck dealing with the fallout. Just saying.”

“Thanks for the concern,” I said dryly. “I’ll keep that in mind while I’m not chasing witches halfway across the globe. Talk later.” I hung up before he could argue further and tossed my phone onto the couch with a groan.

Why couldn’t Douglas just leave it alone? I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep hunting witches at all anymore, but that was a conversation for another time. Right now, I had a day to enjoy.

A ping from my phone pulled my attention, and I glanced at the screen. Another message from Tsuki:

Don’t forget those pictures, okay?

A small laugh escaped me as I grabbed my shopping list and headed out the door. Whatever was going on with her—and with me—was a whole lot more interesting than chasing witches.

After picking up my groceries, I make my way back home. Just as I round the corner to the stairwell, I nearly bump straight into Tsuki. She startles slightly, her wide eyes locking with mine for a brief moment before her expression shifts. Slowly, her lips curve into that signature predatory smile that had already burned itself into my memory.

“You just couldn’t stay away, huh?” she teases, her voice a silken drawl as her fingers trail a slow line down my chest, brushing lightly between the bags of groceries I’m carrying.

I blink at her, caught off guard by the sudden closeness, and then stammer, “Uh, I think this is just a coincidence. I’m renting an apartment on the fifth floor.”

For a second, Tsuki looks genuinely surprised. Her brow lifts, her mouth parts slightly, and then her smile returns—only this time it’s sharper, almost mischievous. She tilts her head, her gaze narrowing as if she’s sizing me up all over again. “Oh, so you’re right under us,” she says, her voice laced with playful implication.

Before I can respond, another voice cuts through the charged air between us.

“Come on, lovebirds,” Moon Sua, Tsuki’s group mate and leader, calls out, her tone half-teasing, half-impatient. “I want to take a shower and nap before we all turn into pumpkins.”

Tsuki doesn’t pull back immediately, though. Instead, she lingers close, her eyes flicking from Sua back to me, her earlier boldness softening just slightly. “Guess I’ll see you around, neighbor,” she says, her tone still flirtatious but no longer as biting.

I lead the way up the stairs, Tsuki and Sua following closely behind. When I pause in front of my door to unlock it, they stop as well. Tsuki leans casually against the railing, her gaze roaming the hallway like she’s trying to memorize it.

“You really live here, huh?” she says, her voice quieter now, almost contemplative.

“I didn’t plan any of this,” I blurt out, gesturing vaguely between us, the groceries, and the building as if I need to defend myself.

Sua laughs softly, crossing her arms. “We believe you,” she says, though there’s a teasing edge in her voice. “But don’t think this means we’ll go easy on you if you cause trouble.”

Tsuki doesn’t join in on the teasing this time. Instead, she just looks at me. Her predatory edge has dulled entirely, replaced by something gentler. Her eyes are softer now, searching mine as if she’s trying to read me. Then, with a small smile, she turns and follows Sua upstairs without another word.

As I watch them disappear, two distinct feelings settle over me. The first is that odd, almost magical sensation I’d felt when I first arrived at the apartment. The second is a warmth in my chest, one that lingers even after I close the door behind me.

Later, after I’ve unpacked my groceries and am about to settle in, there’s a knock at my door.

When I open it, Tsuki is standing there, dressed down in grey sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. The shift in her demeanor is immediate and striking—gone is the teasing vixen from earlier. Now she looks almost shy, her hands tucked into the front pocket of her hoodie as she glances up at me.

“Hey,” she says softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Before I can ask why she’s here, she leans in and wraps her arms around me in a loose but warm hug. The gesture is so unexpected, so different from the confident, sharp-edged girl I met yesterday, that I freeze for a moment.

Her voice is muffled slightly against my shoulder as she says, “I know you wanted to see the N Seoul Tower today… but can we just hang out for a bit instead?”

I pull back enough to look at her, and the vulnerability in her expression catches me off guard. This isn’t the same Tsuki who teased me relentlessly or appraised me with that piercing gaze. This is someone softer, someone who—at least for now—seems content to just be.

“Sure,” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips.

She lights up at my response, her earlier hesitation melting away into something more familiar, though still calmer. “Great! I brought snacks, but… oh, wait—did you already eat? Or can I just steal some of your food again?” she asks, her voice light and teasing as she peeks toward my kitchen.

I chuckle and shake my head. “You might as well, since you’re here.”

We settle onto the couch, and before long, we’re watching Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Tsuki leans against me, her head resting lightly on my shoulder as we laugh at the antics of the characters on screen. There’s a warmth to her presence now, something that feels less like a game and more like genuine comfort.

For the first time since I arrived in Seoul, I don’t feel like a stranger in a new place. And as Tsuki’s soft laughter fills the room, I can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Later that evening, as we’re halfway through an episode of Kaguya-sama: Love is War, I notice Tsuki’s gaze drifting. At first, I think she’s losing interest in the show, but then I realize her eyes are locked on my arm.

“What’s this?” she asks softly, her fingers brushing over the faint, jagged scar that runs along my forearm. Her touch is light but curious, and she looks up at me with wide eyes, waiting for an explanation.

I glance at the scar, then at her, hesitating for a moment. “It’s… kind of a long story,” I say, my voice careful.

Tsuki smiles, her expression warm and encouraging. “I’ve got time,” she says, settling in closer to me. “Besides, I’m great at listening—and judging, if needed.”

I chuckle at that, shaking my head. “Okay, okay,” I start, leaning back against the couch. “So, a while back, I was volunteering on a paleontology dig. It was this remote site where they’d found some pretty rare dinosaur fossils. I was mostly there to help with grunt work—hauling dirt, reinforcing trenches, stuff like that—but I’ve always loved dinosaurs, so it felt like a dream come true.”

Tsuki perks up at the mention of dinosaurs, her eyes sparkling with interest. “Wait, wait—you’re a dinosaur nerd?” she asks, cutting in. “That’s… honestly adorable.”

“Hey, I’m telling a story here!” I protest, though I can’t help but smile.

“Fine, fine,” she says, biting her lip to stifle a grin. “Go on, dino boy.”

I roll my eyes but continue. “Anyway, one day, we were working in this trench, and it was pretty deep—like ten or twelve feet. The lead paleontologist, Dr. Patel, was down there with me, and we were trying to excavate this massive femur. But then… the walls started to collapse. There wasn’t much time to react. I saw Dr. Patel freeze, and without thinking, I pushed her out of the way. She made it, but I… didn’t exactly get out unscathed.”

Tsuki gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my god,” she says, her voice hushed.

I nod. “Yeah. The trench caved in on me, and a lot of my bones were either crushed or fractured. It was bad. They got me out pretty quickly, but when I woke up in the hospital, the doctors were saying things like ‘limited mobility’ and ‘permanent damage.’ Dr. Patel, though—she was different. She was this genius paleontologist and a bit of a mad scientist on the side. She didn’t want to lose me or see me stuck like that after I saved her.”

Tsuki leans in closer, completely captivated. “What did she do?”

“Well,” I say, letting the suspense hang for a moment, “she had this idea. A crazy one. Some of the fossils we’d found were in pristine condition, and apparently, some of the material had regenerative properties when bonded with human bone. So, she asked if I’d let her… experiment.”

Tsuki’s jaw drops, and she smacks my arm. “Wait—you’re telling me you’ve got dinosaur bones in you?!”

“Pretty much,” I admit with a sheepish smile. “She grafted parts of the fossils to my damaged bones, and it actually worked. My body healed. I’m not saying I’m part dinosaur or anything—”

“But you are part dinosaur,” Tsuki cuts in, her grin wide. “Oh my god, you’re like some kind of dino cyborg!”

“Okay, now you’re just making it weird,” I say, laughing despite myself.

“No, no, this is amazing,” Tsuki says, her excitement bubbling over. She sits up, crossing her legs and turning to face me fully. “So, what—you’ve got, like, super strength or dino instincts now? Do you randomly crave raw meat?”

I groan. “It’s not like that. I’m still just a guy. The only real difference is that my bones are a little stronger, and sometimes they ache when the weather changes.”

Tsuki pouts, clearly disappointed. “You’re telling me you don’t even roar or anything? What’s the point?”

“You’re impossible,” I say, shaking my head.

She giggles, leaning back into me, her earlier teasing softening into something more affectionate. “Seriously, though, that’s incredible. And… kind of heroic, saving Dr. Patel like that. I mean, you sacrificed yourself for her.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“It was, though,” she insists, her voice quieter now. “And it just makes me like you even more.”

The way she says it—so simple, so earnest—makes my chest tighten. Before I can respond, though, she’s back to teasing.

“So, tell me,” she says, her grin returning. “Was this whole dinosaur thing fate, or were you just born to love dinos? Like, did baby Dino collect T-Rex toys?”

I laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Maybe a little bit of both. I mean, I did go through a phase where I tried to convince my parents I was a velociraptor.”

Tsuki gasps dramatically. “Oh my god, that’s adorable. You’re like a walking dino encyclopedia, aren’t you?”

“Guilty,” I admit, grinning.

She sighs happily, leaning her head on my shoulder again. “Well, dino boy,” she says softly, her voice tinged with affection, “you’re officially the coolest guy I’ve ever met. Literally.”

For the rest of the night, we don’t watch much of the show. Instead, she peppers me with questions about dinosaurs and the dig, her fascination turning what could have been an embarrassing story into something that feels… special.

It was late, and the quiet hum of the city filtered in through my open window. Tsuki had just left after another evening of teasing, laughter, and watching anime. I was tidying up when my phone buzzed.

“Forgot something. Coming back down,” her text read.

A knock came moments later. When I opened the door, Tsuki stood there with an apologetic smile, her hand tucked behind her back. “I left my bracelet,” she said, brushing past me and scanning the room.

“Uh, I don’t remember seeing one,” I said, following her.

She made a beeline for the couch, crouching down and checking underneath. “Ah, found it,” she said, holding up a delicate silver chain with a small charm—a crescent moon.

“I’m pretty sure that wasn’t there five minutes ago,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

Tsuki shrugged, but there was a flicker of something mischievous in her expression. “You must’ve missed it,” she said lightly, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

I wasn’t convinced, but before I could press further, the light above us flickered. Once, then twice, before going out completely.

“Great,” I muttered, fumbling for my phone flashlight.

“Wait,” Tsuki said quickly, her voice unusually firm. “Don’t.”

I paused, looking over at her in the dim light. Her expression was… different. Serious. Focused.

“What are you—”

She raised her hand, palm up, and for a split second, I thought I saw a faint glow—a soft, silvery light that danced along her fingertips. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, and before I could even process it, the overhead light flickered back to life, steady and bright.

Tsuki straightened, her usual playful smile sliding back into place as if nothing had happened. “See? Problem solved,” she said, brushing her hands together.

I blinked at her. “What… was that?”

“What was what?” she asked innocently, tilting her head.

“The lights,” I said, gesturing vaguely at the ceiling. “They just… fixed themselves?”

“Maybe the wiring just needed a second to chill,” she said, casually brushing past me toward the door. “Anyway, thanks for letting me grab my bracelet. I’ll see you tomorrow, dino boy.”

Before I could respond, she slipped out, leaving me standing there, more confused than ever. I glanced at the couch where she’d “found” her bracelet, then at the door she’d just closed.

For a moment, I thought back to the way the air had seemed to shift when the lights went out—heavy, electric, and charged with something I couldn’t quite name.

I shook my head. “Must be the jet lag,” I muttered to myself, turning off the lights and heading to bed.

Still, as I lay there, I couldn’t shake the image of her hand, glowing faintly in the darkness.

After that I finished unpacking my groceries.After unpacking the groceries and settling onto the couch, I let out a long sigh. My phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with Retsu’s name. I debated letting it ring, but guilt pushed me to pick up.

“Hey, Retsu,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

“Dino,” she said softly, her voice immediately grounding me like it always did. “I’ve been worried about you. How are you holding up?”

I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. “I’m fine. Just… tired, I guess.”

Her sigh on the other end was subtle but heavy with understanding. “It’s no surprise. You’ve been running yourself ragged these past few years. You’ve never really let yourself rest.”

“Yeah, well, that’s kind of the job, isn’t it?” I said, trying to downplay the weight in my chest.

“Maybe,” she admitted, her voice warm and gentle, “but you’re not a machine, Dino. You’re still human, even with everything you’ve been through. You deserve a break.”

Her kindness made my throat tighten. Retsu had always been like a second mother to me—always looking out for me, even when I didn’t think I needed it.

“I’m trying to take one now,” I said, my voice quieter.

“I know, and I’m glad you are,” she said, her tone softening even more. “But I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t think it was important. There’s something stirring in Seoul, Dino. Something we haven’t seen before. I wouldn’t ask you to get involved unless I thought you could handle it. But… I also won’t push you. If you’re not ready, I understand.”

Her words caught me off guard. I had been expecting her usual insistence, but instead, she sounded… careful. Like she was trying not to hurt me.

“I don’t know, Retsu,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “I came here to clear my head. I don’t even know if this is who I am anymore.”

“You don’t have to decide that today,” she said gently. “Take your time. But promise me something?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t shut yourself off from the world. Let yourself feel things, experience things. If you let your heart lead you, I think you’ll find your way.”

I closed my eyes, the weight of her words settling over me. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask,” she said, her voice warm with approval. “And Dino?”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for. Whatever path you choose, I’ll always be here for you. Don’t forget that, okay?”

A lump formed in my throat, and I had to swallow hard before responding. “Thanks, Retsu.”

“You’re welcome, my boy,” she said, a faint smile in her voice. “Take care of yourself. And… be careful out there.”

Before I could hang up, her voice softened even further. “Wait, Dino. One more thing. You’ve seemed… different lately. Lighter, almost. Is there something—someone—making you smile?”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard. Then, without thinking, I said, “There’s this girl.”

Retsu chuckled on the other end, a sound full of warmth and encouragement. “Oh? Tell me about her.”

I hesitated, a smile creeping onto my face despite myself. “Her name’s Tsuki. She’s… different. Confident, funny, kind of overwhelming at first, but in a good way. And she’s so full of life, like she’s daring the world to keep up with her.”

Retsu hummed thoughtfully, her tone teasing. “Sounds like she’s made quite the impression on you.”

“She has,” I admitted, my voice softening. “She’s not just… some random person. There’s something about her. When I’m with her, I feel like… I don’t know. Like I can just be myself, without everything else hanging over me.”

Retsu was quiet for a moment before speaking again, her voice full of tenderness. “It sounds like she’s good for you, Dino. And I can tell she means a lot to you already.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “She does. But… I’m worried, too.”

“Why?”

“Because of who I am. What I’ve done. What if she finds out and…” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

“Dino,” Retsu said firmly but gently, “you deserve happiness, just like anyone else. If this girl is as special as you say she is, then give her the chance to see the real you. You might be surprised at how strong she is.”

Her words settled in my chest, warm and reassuring. “Thanks, Retsu.”

“Always,” she said softly. “Now, go on and enjoy your time with her. The rest will figure itself out.”

I was running late, the result of spending far too much time debating whether my outfit was too casual or trying too hard. When I finally arrived at the park, Tsuki was already there, perched on a bench under the shade of a cherry blossom tree. She wore a simple sundress, white with small floral patterns, and her hair was loose, flowing like a soft curtain around her shoulders.

She didn’t notice me at first, her focus on the sky above. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. She looked peaceful, almost otherworldly, like she belonged to this quiet corner of the world more than anyone else.

“Are you just going to stare, or are you going to join me?” she called, turning her head with a smirk.

I laughed, walking up to her. “How’d you know I was here?”

She tapped her temple. “Intuition. I’m good at sensing things.”

We started walking along the park trail, the sunlight filtering through the leaves above. She was full of energy, asking me questions about my time in Korea so far, teasing me whenever I gave a hesitant answer. But as we reached a quieter part of the trail, her demeanor shifted slightly, becoming softer, more introspective.

“You know,” she said, brushing her hand against the petals of a low-hanging branch, “this spot is one of my favorites. It feels… alive. Like it has its own rhythm.”

“I can see that,” I said, glancing around. The air did feel different here—lighter, warmer.

She stopped and turned to face me, her eyes searching mine. “Do you ever feel like there’s more to the world than what we see?”

It was an odd question, but there was something in the way she asked it that made me pause. “I guess so,” I said carefully. “Like… there’s stuff out there we can’t explain?”

Tsuki smiled faintly, her fingers trailing along the bark of a nearby tree. “Exactly. Sometimes I think people get too caught up in what’s ‘normal.’ They don’t notice the small, magical things happening all around them.”

She looked at me then, her gaze intense but kind. “You seem different, though. Like you might actually notice.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I just shrugged. “I guess I’ve always been a little curious about things. Or maybe just weird.”

She laughed, the sound light and musical. “Weird is good. Weird is… charming.”

We kept walking, eventually settling on a grassy hill overlooking a pond. We sat close together, and I noticed her playing with her bracelet—the same crescent moon charm I’d seen before.

“Is that special to you?” I asked, nodding toward it.

She hesitated, her fingers pausing. “Yeah. It was a gift.”

“From someone important?”

Tsuki tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “You could say that. It’s kind of like… a reminder. Of who I am. Or maybe who I’m supposed to be.”

Before I could ask more, a sudden gust of wind blew through the park, scattering petals into the air. They swirled around us, catching the light in a way that felt almost deliberate, like the wind had chosen that moment just for us.

“Wow,” I said, watching the petals dance. “That’s… beautiful.”

Tsuki smiled, her eyes following the petals. “It is, isn’t it?”

There was something in her tone, like she knew more about what was happening than she let on. She reached out, catching a petal in her hand and holding it out to me. “Here. A little souvenir.”

I took it, my fingers brushing against hers. The touch lingered longer than it should have, but neither of us pulled away.

“You’re full of surprises,” I said, looking at her.

“You have no idea,” she replied, her smile playful but her eyes holding a depth that made my chest feel tight.

As we walked back toward the entrance of the park, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something extraordinary about her—something just out of reach. And yet, I didn’t care. Whatever it was, I wanted to know her more.

Over the next few days, Tsuki and I bonded over music, anime, and video games. She had this infectious enthusiasm that pulled me into her world effortlessly. When we weren’t geeking out over the latest Demon Slayer episode or arguing over who had the better K-pop playlists, we were out exploring Seoul—Hongdae, Gwangjang Market, Myeongdong. Every street seemed brighter with her beside me.

By the end of my first week, something shifted between us. Tsuki… well, she kinda asked me out. Let me explain: as we spent more time together, her emotional state changed. The flirtatious, dizzying vixen I first met gave way to someone softer, clingier, and—dare I say—sweeter. She became an affectionate, lovesick bunny, and I finally understood how she’d earned that nickname.

If we could be together, we were. Always. She was constantly reaching out, whether it was grabbing my hand, looping her arm through mine, or wrapping me in spontaneous hugs. She craved physical affection in a way that made it impossible not to reciprocate. Her energy, which was already high when we met, seemed to triple whenever I was around. We were always doing something—or on our way to do something else—whenever she “borrowed me,” as she put it.

Part of me loved it. Part of me found it exhausting. It was like being swept up in a whirlwind I didn’t know I’d stepped into.

By the time my third week in Seoul ended, I realized I’d done nearly everything I’d planned for this trip—except visit the N Seoul Tower. The one thing I’d wanted to do solo had slipped through the cracks, buried under a mountain of late-night game marathons, impromptu karaoke sessions, and hours spent wandering the city with Tsuki.

We were sitting in a cozy corner booth at her favorite café that day, the soft hum of chatter and clinking mugs offering a much-needed reprieve from the chaos of the streets. Tsuki, of course, was the opposite of calm.

“You’re so wrong about that!” she exclaimed, waving a forkful of cheesecake at me. “How can you think the opening to Attack on Titan is better than Demon Slayer? Like, no contest!”

“It’s objectively better,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. “The vocals? The composition? It’s iconic.”

She groaned dramatically, collapsing against the booth. “You’re hopeless, Dinovaldo. Completely hopeless.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “And yet here you are, stuck with me.”

“Stuck? Please,” she said, sitting upright again with a teasing grin. “I chose this. You’re like my favorite toy. I don’t just toss you aside.”

The comment caught me off guard, but before I could respond, she reached across the table to steal a bite of my sandwich.

“Hey!” I protested, though I didn’t really care.

She grinned, chewing triumphantly. “You shouldn’t leave it unattended. Rookie mistake.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my seat. Watching her bask in her small victory, I felt that warm, confusing pull in my chest again. She had this way of making me feel like I was the only person in the world, even when she was teasing me to no end.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, her tone softening as she looked at me. “You’re quiet. What’s up?”

“Just… thinking,” I said, glancing out the window. “I’ve been here almost a month now. Time’s flying by.”

Her face fell slightly, and for the first time in days, she seemed to sit still. “Oh. Right. You’re leaving soon.”

There was a pause, the kind that made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

“You know,” she began, her voice quieter now, “I’ve really liked having you around. You make everything feel… I don’t know. Better?”

Her honesty caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to hearing her so vulnerable, and it made me feel guilty for ever thinking she was too much.

“I’ve liked being around you too,” I admitted, scratching the back of my neck. “It’s been… different, in a good way.”

She smiled, a softer one than her usual cheeky grin, and it made my chest tighten all over again.

“Then let’s keep making memories while we can,” she said, suddenly back to her high-energy self. “Starting with me absolutely crushing you in Mario Kart later.”

I laughed, the tension easing. “You’re on, bunny.”

Later, as we strolled back to my apartment, she suddenly stopped in front of a street vendor selling handmade bracelets.

“Wait, wait!” she said, tugging my sleeve. “Look at these!”

Before I could respond, she was already chatting with the vendor, her eyes sparkling as she held up a delicate bracelet with tiny charms shaped like stars and moons.

“This one’s cute,” she said, holding it up to me. “What do you think?”

“It’s nice,” I said, smiling at her enthusiasm.

She handed it to the vendor, along with another bracelet—this one with little dinosaur charms.

“For you,” she said, slipping it onto my wrist before I could protest. “Now you can’t forget me, even when you go back home.”

I looked at the bracelet, then at her, feeling that now-familiar warmth in my chest. “Thanks, Tsuki.”

“Don’t mention it,” she said, looping her arm through mine as we walked.

And for the first time, I realized I didn’t want this whirlwind to end.

“So, what are you planning to do today?” Tsuki asked, practically bouncing in her seat, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she stared at me with that eager look she always had. “You better be planning something fun! I mean, you’re in the city, you can’t just sit around!”

I laughed, trying to keep up with her rapid-fire thoughts. “I was thinking of seeing some of the sights, maybe going to the N Seoul Tower.”

Her eyes widened with excitement, and before I could say anything else, she nearly hopped out of her seat. “Oh my god, yes! That sounds amazing! We should totally go together, I’ve always wanted to check it out with someone fun!” She leaned across the table, suddenly much closer than I expected, her grin wide and full of energy.

I blinked in surprise, not quite prepared for how enthusiastic she was. “Uh, sure, if you want,” I said, unsure whether it was just the coffee or Tsuki’s presence making my heart race a little faster.

“Of course I want! I want to see everything! I love exploring, and I’m gonna make sure you have the best time ever!” Tsuki’s energy was contagious, and for a moment, I found myself caught up in it. She reached over, ruffling my hair playfully. “You’re just too cute, you know that?”

I laughed, trying to play it cool, though I was clearly flustered. “Thanks, I guess? You really know how to make someone feel… special.”

“Of course I do!” Tsuki’s grin grew wider, and she leaned even closer, her face inches from mine now. “You’re one of my favorite people already. It’s like we’ve known each other forever!” She placed her hand on mine, squeezing it tightly. “I’m serious, Dino. I’ve got this feeling, and I know it’s gonna be amazing. You’re gonna love spending time with me!”

Her words were filled with such affection, and her smile was practically glowing. It was hard not to feel the warmth of her presence, as if her energy was completely infectious.

“Well, if you’re that excited about it, how can I say no?” I replied, half-laughing, half-lost in her enthusiasm.

Tsuki leaned back slightly, eyes twinkling. “Exactly! You’ll thank me later, I promise.” She suddenly looked at me with a playful smirk. “But first, are you gonna finish that pastry or do I need to help you out?”

I blinked at her, confused for a moment, but before I could answer, she grabbed the last piece of my pastry and took a big bite, all while laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. “Mmm, you really have good taste, Dino,” she teased, licking her lips.

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. “That’s… that’s my food, Tsuki.”

She just shrugged with a grin. “I know. But I’m your friend, right? Friends share everything!” She leaned in closer, eyes sparkling mischievously. “And I’m totally gonna make sure you’re happy on this little adventure of ours. I just know you’re gonna fall for this city once we’re done.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head at how carefree and affectionate she was. It was almost as if she couldn’t help herself, her excitement and energy just spilling over. But the thing was—there was something about it that felt… nice. Warm. Comfortable. Like a constant, reassuring presence.

She rested her head on my shoulder for a moment, still holding my hand, completely unbothered by the affectionate gesture. “I’m serious, though,” she said, her voice much softer now, “I’m really glad we’re hanging out. I like being around you, Dino.” Her tone had shifted from playful to something sweeter, more genuine. “You’re one of the easiest people to talk to, and I can’t wait to make more memories with you.”

I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest, her words wrapping around me in a way that made me feel like I was part of something bigger than just a random meeting.

Before I could respond, Tsuki was already back to her high-energy self, her eyes wide with excitement again. “So, are we going to the tower now or what?”

I smiled, completely charmed by her infectious energy. “Yeah, let’s go.”

She grinned ear to ear, squeezing my hand once more before practically dragging me out of my seat. “Yesss! I knew you’d be the best! This is gonna be SO much fun!”

The date started with the golden hues of twilight painting the sky as Tsuki grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the base of N Seoul Tower. She was practically vibrating with excitement, her energy spilling over into hurried footsteps and constant chatter.

“Finally, the tower!” she exclaimed, bouncing slightly as we reached the cable car station. “Can you believe we almost didn’t do this? I mean, this is like the iconic Seoul date spot. You’re lucky to have me planning things.”

“Planning?” I teased, raising an eyebrow. “Didn’t I bring this up like three weeks ago?”

Tsuki stopped mid-step, turning to pout at me. “Okay, fine, maybe it was your idea. But who actually made it happen?” She jabbed a finger into my chest, her eyes narrowing in mock accusation.

“Point taken,” I said, chuckling. “You’re definitely the brains of this operation.”

“And don’t forget it,” she said, her pout melting into a triumphant grin as she pulled me into the cable car.

The ride up was breathtaking. The city stretched out below us in an endless sea of lights, twinkling like stars on Earth. But even with that view, I couldn’t take my eyes off Tsuki. Her face was pressed against the glass, her eyes wide with wonder, and her excitement was contagious.

“Look at that!” she said, pointing at the illuminated tower as we approached. “Isn’t it magical?”

“It’s pretty amazing,” I admitted, though I wasn’t sure if I was talking about the view or her.

When we finally reached the top, Tsuki immediately dragged me to the observation deck. She was practically bouncing on her toes as we walked around, taking in the panoramic view of Seoul.

“This is it,” she said, stopping at the railing and leaning over slightly. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

I nodded, standing beside her. “Yeah, it is.”

She glanced at me, her usual energy dimming for a moment as a shy smile crept across her face. “Thanks for coming here with me, Dino. This… this means a lot.”

Before I could respond, she tugged on my arm. “Come on, let’s do the locks!”

She pulled me over to the section of the deck filled with colorful padlocks, each one a promise of love left by couples from all over the world. Tsuki rummaged in her bag and pulled out a small, heart-shaped lock and a marker.

“I got this earlier,” she said, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “I thought it’d be fun, you know?”

I watched as she scribbled her name on one half of the lock, then handed the marker to me. My heart pounded in my chest as I wrote my name beside hers.

“Perfect,” she said, grinning as she clipped the lock onto the railing. “Now we’re officially part of the tower’s history.”

There was a pause, the kind that felt charged with something unspoken. Tsuki turned to face me, her usual high energy replaced with something softer, more vulnerable.

“You know,” she began, her voice quieter now, “I’ve been thinking a lot about… us.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. “Yeah?”

She nodded, biting her lip. “You make me feel… different. Like I’m more myself when I’m with you. I know I’m all over the place and maybe too much sometimes, but—”

“Tsuki,” I interrupted, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “You’re not too much. You’re perfect the way you are.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and for once, she seemed at a loss for words. Then, as if some invisible wall had broken, she stepped closer, her hands reaching for mine.

“I really like you, Dinovaldo,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I really like you too,” I replied, the words coming out before I could even think.

Her smile lit up the night, and in that moment, it felt like the entire city disappeared. But as we stood there, something strange happened.

The air around her seemed to shimmer faintly, like heat waves rising from the pavement on a summer day. It was subtle at first, but then I felt it—a warmth spreading through my chest, a gentle, all-encompassing comfort that felt like a hug for my soul.

I blinked, looking at her in confusion. “Tsuki… what is that?”

She froze, her eyes widening as if she’d been caught. “What’s what?”

“That… feeling,” I said, struggling to put it into words. “It’s like… warmth. But not physical. It’s coming from you.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she stepped back slightly, breaking eye contact. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Tsuki,” I said, my voice firm but gentle. “I felt it. Don’t lie to me.”

She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Okay, fine. But… can we talk about it later? Tonight’s supposed to be special.”

I wanted to press her, to demand answers, but the look in her eyes stopped me. Instead, I nodded. “Okay. Later.”

Her smile returned, though it was a little shaky. She reached out, intertwining her fingers with mine. “Thank you, Dino. For everything.”

As we stood there, gazing out at the city lights, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was the start of something much bigger than either of us could have imagined. Something magical.

The subtle shimmer around Tsuki intensified as we stood on the observation deck. The warmth I’d felt earlier was no longer faint—it wrapped around me like a cocoon, seeping into every corner of my being. The feeling wasn’t just comforting; it was electric, powerful, and alive.

And it was coming from Tsuki.

I stared at her, my breath catching in my throat. Her usual high-energy glow had transformed into something otherworldly. The air around her seemed to ripple, faint tendrils of soft pink light swirling around her like an aurora. It was mesmerizing, but also terrifying.

“Tsuki…” My voice came out as a whisper, barely audible over the hum of the city below. “What’s happening?”

She froze, her fingers still entwined with mine. Her wide eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw fear flicker across her face. “Dino,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

“Find out what?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

Tsuki took a deep breath, her hands clutching mine as if grounding herself. The swirling light around her grew stronger, more defined, taking on the shape of tiny hearts that floated upward before dissolving into the night. “I… I’m a witch, Dino. A love witch.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. A witch. She was a witch.

I’d spent years hunting her kind, carrying out the mission that Retsu had entrusted to me. Witches were dangerous, deceitful, and destructive. They weren’t supposed to be… Tsuki.

My mind raced, piecing together all the moments that hadn’t made sense—the way I felt so inexplicably drawn to her, the way her presence could shift my emotions, the warmth that seemed to radiate from her. It was all her magic.

“You’re a witch,” I said, more to myself than to her. My head screamed at me to pull away, to remember my training, to see her as the enemy. But my heart refused to let go.

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice barely audible. “But I’m still me, Dino. I’m still the same girl who loves anime, video games, and exploring Seoul with you. I didn’t want to use my magic on you, but sometimes… sometimes it’s hard to control.”

Her confession was raw, vulnerable, and it shattered something inside me. Despite everything I knew—or thought I knew—I couldn’t bring myself to see her as a threat. She wasn’t dangerous. She wasn’t deceitful. She was just Tsuki.

As I stood there, torn between my duty and my feelings, she stepped closer, her gaze searching mine. “Dino, I understand if you hate me now,” she said, her voice trembling. “But please believe me when I say I didn’t mean to make you feel anything you didn’t already feel.”

I stared at her, my mind spinning. Did I feel this way because of her magic? Or was it real? The questions swirled in my head, but one thing was clear: whatever this was, it wasn’t something I could fight.

“I don’t hate you,” I said finally, my voice hoarse.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, the shimmering light around her stilled. “You don’t?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel, but I know I can’t hate you. You’re… you’re too important to me.”

Her lips parted, and the light around her flared again, brighter this time. It pulsed, synchronizing with the pounding of my heart. “Dino,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Before I could think, before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in. Her breath hitched, and then our lips met.

The moment we kissed, the magic surged, enveloping us in a burst of energy. I felt it wrap around us, binding us together in a way that went beyond the physical. It wasn’t just warmth anymore—it was a blazing fire, a connection so deep and overwhelming that it left me breathless.

Images flashed through my mind, memories of every moment we’d shared: her laughter, her touch, the way she looked at me like I was the only person in the world. And then there were glimpses of her—a younger Tsuki, alone and scared, her magic blooming for the first time, the joy and pain that had shaped her into the woman she was now.

When we finally broke apart, I was trembling. She was too, her hands clutching my arms as if afraid to let go. “Dino,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “our souls… they’re connected now.”

I didn’t fully understand what she meant, but I could feel it—this invisible thread that tied us together, stronger than anything I’d ever known. It wasn’t just her magic. It was us.

“I don’t know what this means,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “But I know I don’t want to lose you.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she smiled—a smile so radiant it outshone the city lights. “You won’t,” she said softly. “I promise.”

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I realized that everything had changed. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain: I couldn’t imagine it without her.

[lanaroff]

Unwanted- Part 10

Paring: Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: Y/N is an enhanced SHIELD agent who is forced to work with the Avengers. What happens when they discover that she’s not alone?

The night was still, but in the depths of the city, the tension hung thick in the air. The faint hum of electricity buzzed beneath the ground, a constant reminder of the many hidden layers of technology that thrived in the dark. You stood in the shadows, your breath steady as you surveyed the building in front of you. The flickering neon lights from the street reflected off the broken glass windows, casting eerie shapes across the walls. It was a forgotten warehouse, tucked away in the industrial district. It was a place where deals were made and secrets were buried.

And it was exactly the kind of place Venom thrived.

Your eyes gleamed with quiet fury as you scanned the building. The plan was simple: get in, get the intel, and leave no witnesses. The people inside wouldn’t matter. No one mattered anymore.

As you stepped closer, your fingers twitched in anticipation. Venom stirred beneath your skin, sensing the violence to come. A dark laugh echoed in the back of your mind, a strange mix of hunger and satisfaction.

*Let me out, let me play,* Venom purred, voice thick with malice. *We’ll make them pay.*

"No," you growled, teeth clenched. "This is mine. I’ve got a plan."

But deep down, you knew the alien inside you wanted destruction. It was all it had ever known. The monster inside you craved the chaos, the carnage. You had learned to control it once—had learned to keep it locked away—but tonight, the control was slipping. Too much had happened. Too many lies. Too much pain.

You had trusted Wanda. *Had* trusted her. Now, that trust was gone. Torn to shreds like the file you had found detailing her past as a Hydra volunteer. She had been there, had worked with Hydra, had been part of the team that had twisted you into the monster you had become. And Wanda... Wanda had known. Wanda had lied.

You clenched your fists as you entered the warehouse. No witnesses. No mercy.

---

Inside the building, men in black suits were gathered around a table, discussing shipments and coded messages. They didn’t hear the footsteps, didn’t notice the shadows creeping closer until it was too late.

The first man fell without a sound, his throat slashed open with a blade so clean it was like he’d simply ceased to exist. The others scrambled, but it was no use. You moved with brutal precision, eyes cold, voice silenced by the rage coursing through you.

One by one, they fell.

Each life snuffed out with no more thought than stepping on a bug. Each death a reminder of the helplessness you had felt for so long. Every scream that echoed in the distance was drowned out by the relentless pounding in your chest.

---

Back at the Avengers' compound, Wanda sat alone in the small library. She had heard the reports—how you had disappeared. How you had gone dark, cut off all contact. She hadn’t wanted to believe it, but deep down, she knew. She knew what her betrayal had cost.

The file she had kept hidden from them all, the one with her past in Hydra, had been the last straw. She had known, from the moment you had met, that you were haunted by your past. The alien inside you, the control you fought to maintain. She had seen it, understood it in a way few could. But she had never been honest with you, and now...

Wanda buried her face in her hands. The guilt was suffocating. The silence in her mind was deafening without your presence.

---

Steve paced in the war room, frustration written all over his face. They had been trying to track you down for weeks, but every lead had been a dead end. Every piece of information they gathered only seemed to push them further away from the truth.

"They’ve been killing everyone who gets in their way," Bucky said grimly, looking over a map of the city. "No witnesses, no loose ends. They're moving fast."

Natasha’s eyes flickered to the screen, where footage of your most recent carnage played. "They’ve been working alone. No contact with us, no contact with anyone. It's like they’ve completely erased themselves from the world."

Sam leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "But why? Why go this far? What could be so important that they’d shut everyone out?"

Natasha sighed, her gaze distant. "It’s not just about the mission," she said softly. "It’s about their mother."

At the mention of your mother, the room fell silent. Steve and Bucky exchanged looks, confused. They had never heard Natasha mention this before.

"You don’t know the full story," Natasha continued, her voice tight. "Their mother... was the scientist who worked for Hydra. She was the one who experimented on them, who fused Venom to their body. She’s the reason they’re like this. And she did it because she was trying to get her hands on Venom’s power—trying to harness it for Hydra."

A cold shiver ran through the room. Sam blinked in disbelief. "Wait—are you telling me their mother *created* them?"

Natasha nodded slowly. "Yes. She was one of Hydra’s lead scientists. She betrayed her own child, experimented on them, turned them into a weapon. They were supposed to be a failure, an accident. But they survived—survived the way only someone who was already broken could."

Steve looked down at his hands, the weight of Natasha’s words sinking in. "No wonder they’re angry. No wonder they want revenge."

"They’re not just looking for answers," Natasha said, her voice hardening. "They’re looking for her. They want to find their mother. And when they do... no one will be safe."

---

You stood over the last body, your breath heavy, your body drenched in the cold sweat of battle. You didn’t feel alive. You didn’t feel anything.

The only thing that mattered was getting closer. Closer to finding your mother. Closer to the answers that had been denied you for so long.

But in the back of your mind, a flicker of something else lingered. Wanda’s face, her expression when she had turned away from you. The way her voice had trembled when you’d last spoken. You tried to push it away. It didn’t matter.

You couldn’t afford to care anymore.

—-

Meanwhile, in a quiet room far from the chaos, Wanda stood by the window, staring at the horizon. Her heart ached with every passing day. Every second without you felt like a wound that would never heal.

"I should have told you," she whispered to the empty room, her voice barely a breath. "I should have never kept my past from you. I never meant to hurt you."

The thought of you, out there alone, twisted in the grip of your anger, nearly broke her.

And then, the silence shattered with the sound of the phone ringing.

"Wanda," Steve’s voice came through the line. "We found a lead. A hint about where they might be."

Wanda’s heart skipped. "Where?"

"Somewhere they wouldn’t expect us to go. Somewhere that ties to their past."

Wanda’s eyes darkened. "I’m coming."

And as she prepared to leave, she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was about to come to a head—one way or another.

[innorogers]

Labyrinth

Steve Rogers x Reader (You / OFC)

Summary: "Babe, please..." His neck was at your mercy, the blade was cutting a thin bloodline on his skin. 

Warning: Yeah Idk, big huge action scene?

Characters: OC, John Walker, Sam Wilson, Tony Stark, Maria Hill, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton.

Also: Thanks in advance for repost or any feedback ❤️ Let me know if you want to be included in the taglist (DM, comment, repost and tag, whatever works)❤️

1: Insomnia | 2: Lucid | 3: Reverie | 4: Nightmare | 5: Awakening | 6: Dusk | 7: Hypnagogia | 8: Lull | 9: Vigil | 10: Eclipse | 11: Veil

Time stood still the moment Steve made eye contact with you—or whoever it was standing before him. An indescribable fear shot through his spine like a bucket of icy water, freezing him to his core. 

He could remember so vividly the night you met: the spark in your eyes when he first looked at you, your bright smile that could light up the whole sky, and the butterflies in his stomach as your gaze shone like the farthest northern star—quiet and endless as the ocean. But that light, that spark, wasn’t in the person holding the blade before him now. And he panicked. What if he never saw that light again? What if he never saw you again?

The battlefield continued as you and Steve stood face to face, a storm of chaos and destruction. Explosions echoed in the distance, shouts and commands lost beneath the crackle of energy weapons, the clang of metal against metal, sharp cracks of gunfire, and the low roars of the Hulk. Smoke billowed into the air, a thick, choking veil that obscured the figures moving within it.

"Circle formation around the Cap!" Commanded Natasha as she moved with precision through the swarm of attackers and spotted that both of you stood still. 

The unit moved swiftly and smoothly like changing pieces on a chessboard, forming a human shield that left you and Steve in the middle, unperturbed by the rage of the battlefield.

“We’ve got this. Get her back!” Black Widow shouted as her batons sparked with each strike. Above, Sam darted through the air, his wings slashing through enemies while his mounted guns provided cover fire for Clint, who rained down arrow after arrow to try to open a road through to the source point.

But nothing else existed for Steve. The rest of the world had been muted. Chaos blurred at the edges, sharpening the tension between the two of you. Each second felt like a lifetime as he hesitated, his shield trembling in his hand, and in front of him, it was just you, the blade, and the hollow shadow of who you used to be.

You made the first strike, so fast it happened in the blink of an eye. The next thing Steve knew, your blade clashed against his shield with such force that it echoed loudly, the sound so sharp and powerful that the agents and soldiers around you groaned in pain from the noise and impact.

Steve took a step forward, his shield raised defensively, but his movements were slower than usual, weighted down by hesitation. “Babe…” he said behind his shield, his voice trembling with both fear and hope. “I know you’re in there. You’ve got to fight this.”

But your response was nothing more than a sharp, deadly swing of your blade, aimed directly at him. He barely managed to block it again, the force of the impact reverberating up his arm. The sheer precision and strength in your strike stunned him. This wasn’t something you could do; he’d only known caresses and gentle pats from you. Yet this was you, fighting to kill.

“Fuck!” Steve groaned under his breath as he sidestepped your next attack, your blade slicing through the air with an elegant yet terrifying efficiency. 

He was still panicking, something that never happened to Captain America, not since his first day on the battlefield. He faltered as he caught glimpses of your face: those eyes he knew so well, now devoid of recognition, your expression cold and mechanical. Every strike you launched was calculated, every part of you he loved seemed to have been replaced by a weaponized ghost of yourself: fierce, deadly, and emotionless.

“Stand down!” He yelled, his voice thick with desperation. “This is not you!”

But you didn’t stop. You spun with lethal grace, your blade flashing toward his side. Steve dodged just in time, swinging his shield in a defensive arc to force you back.

“Fight it! Wake up!” Steve growled as he launched a counterattack, swinging his shield toward your blade in an attempt to disarm you. And your weapons clashed, sparks flying as his vibranium shield met the steel of your blade.

The impact sent both of you skidding back, but you recovered with terrifying speed, lunging forward without hesitation. Steve’s breath hitched. He couldn’t focus. His body moved to fight, but his heart couldn’t follow.

“Yeah, that’s not gonna do, Steve…” John shouted from the other side of the battlefield as he fought off attackers. “You keep doing that boyfriend thing of yours, and the next thing you know is a cut on your throat!”

“Maybe you wanna stop talking and actually reach the source point?” Tony said, his fingers moving with incredible speed across the keyboard, just as Robert Lin stumbled through the door in striped pajamas.

“I’m here, I’m here! Mr. Stark…” Dr. Lin said, adjusting his glasses and attempting to fix his disheveled hair. “W-what’s going on?!” His eyes widened as he took in the combat displayed across all the screens and the command room bustling with agents and the entire team in action.

“How are we, Sam?” asked Iron Man, while commanding the Iron Army drones that had just arrived at the scene. “Close enough? Need a hand?” His voice was calm, but his eyes flicked toward the screen showing Steve and you, worry etched into his expression.

“We’re pinned but holding!” Sam replied, his voice strained but steady. “But we’re outnumbered. If you’ve got a hand, Stark, now’s the time to lend it.”

“Copy that.” Tony’s tone sharpened. “Split formation: five in Sam's position, the rest sweep the perimeter. Let’s clear some breathing room.”

The Iron Army descended, metallic forms glowing as they fired precision blasts, forcing the attackers back. “Now we’re talking!” Sam said, his voice steadier. “Heading to the source point. Steve’s still engaged! It looks bad.” There was no way Steve was going to be able to make a move, hurt you, or hurt himself in the process of it.

Tony’s gaze flicked to the screen, where Steve was locked in combat with you, each clash of blade and shield sending shockwaves rippling through the area. His jaw tightened. “Not this time. Just go. I’ve got visuals. Sam, you focus on the source. I’ll keep an eye on Cap.”

“Got it!” Sam confirmed, taking to the air again, his wings cutting through the haze as he led his team closer to their objective.

Tony exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening on the controls as his focus shifted back to the battle raging between Steve and you. “Come on Cap…” He muttered under his breath. “Let’s bring her home.”

In the background, Dr. Lin fumbled with the equipment, his hands shaking as he tried to synchronize the frequency Stark had ordered. “I need more time!” Lin shouted, glancing nervously at the chaotic displays around him.

“We don’t have that! Work faster!” Tony snapped, his gaze never leaving the screen. “If this fails, we’re screwed.”

“The sound that commanded the neural waves is different from last time…” Robert muttered, feeling like he was working against a ticking time bomb. He was a lab scientist, for god’s sake—why did he always end up working under this kind of pressure? He wanted to cry, but instead, he kept typing furiously.

“Which makes sense because last time, the command brainwashed our people and not an army of freaking… Well, I don’t know what these things are! Their brains are configured on an entirely different level…”

“I just need to isolate the neuro-wave oscillation patterns and realign them with the inverse frequency modulation… ok, ok, OK! Got it! Got it! GOT IT! Mr. Stark! I’ve got it! We have the connection, and the file is transmitting right now!” Robert screamed, sounding like a fangirl in a frenetic state.

“Ok, Sam, everything’s ready. Just reach the source. Analyzing compound—run all the scans NOW, Jarvis. Open it up for the Falcon.” Stark ordered, and Hill followed his commands.

“Team Beta, assist the Falcon to get to the destination. Alpha, keep guarding the Cap!”

The team roared under the command, fighting harder, deadlier, to keep Steve and you enclosed within the formation.

This was the toughest, hardest, most difficult fight Steve had ever faced in his entire life. It was worse than fighting Tony in a freezing cave in Siberia, harder than fighting his younger self in the Avengers tower, and so much worse than fighting Thanos when the future of the planet depended on it. This was a battle against his will, his heart, and everything he loved.

“Stop it!” He shouted, more to himself than to you. He had to keep you down, but every swing, every block, every dodge tore at him like an open wound. He couldn’t bear to hurt you, but he couldn’t let you win—not over him, and not over anyone on the team.

In that moment, a flicker of emotion passed across your face—something brief, almost imperceptible. A hesitation. But he caught it. He knew you so well; he knew every cell of your body, every spark of life that made up your soul.

You were there. You were still there. 

“Babe, It's me. It’s Steve.” He said, his pleading voice breaking as he lowered his shield slightly, taking a dangerous gamble. “Come back to me, please.”

For a split second, your blade faltered mid-swing, but then the hollow look returned, and the fight resumed, even fiercer than before.

Steve clenched his teeth, his resolve hardening. He couldn’t give up—not on you. Not ever.

He needed to immobilize you, that’s all it takes, he needs to take you back home, you were still there, he needs you back. That's the only idea that’s on his mind right now. Steve clenched his teeth and moved, he lunged forward, as Captain America does with his enemies, and his shield blocked you so hard, it numbed your arm. 

But you didn’t care, because you didn’t feel anything. He swung his shield and its strength and speed even opened a break in the ground, the sound was mute when you stopped with your bare hands, threw it back to his face and when he blocked, the fight reached its breaking point, and then, at the height of the combat, it happened. 

You were there a blink after the shield, and you swung your arm with the cold blade.

“NO!!” John watched the whole scene unfold and he shouted.

But before he did, you halted mid-motion.

The cold blade in your hand hovering a hair’s breadth from Steve’s throat. 

The edge gleamed dangerously close to his skin, a thin barrier between life and death.

Steve froze, his chest heaving, the rhythm of his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He didn’t dare move, his shield limp at his side. His eyes locked onto yours, and for the briefest moment, he saw it: the flicker of the real you behind the cold, hollow exterior. 

There was a struggle, visible in your trembling hand, as if your true self was clawing its way through the darkness.

Your breathing grew ragged, and tears began to stream down your face, your lips parting as if to speak.

You were fighting.

You were fighting so hard. 

Just like back then when you closed everyone out and plunged a tranquilizer on your neck to avoid hurting anyone. You were struggling to break free. 

You were fighting, to come back to him.

Your soul, your heart, every glitter spark of your life thread, was fighting the hell out of you, to get back to him.

Tears welled in your eyes, trailing down your cheeks as the blade inched closer. 

Steve's voice caught in his throat. “Babe…It’s me…” 

His plea was raw, desperate, as if willing you back to him by sheer force of will.

“Fight this, you are stronger than this. Please …” His neck was at your mercy, the blade was cutting a thin bloodline on his skin. 

But he wasn’t going to move. 

He was gambling with his life, he bet his entire existence to yours, that you’d fight, you’d come back to him. 

“I know you are there…” He begged, looking at your eyes. He could see the tears falling down, the struggle within those unrecognizable eyes and the coldness of the machine that took power over you, but there was you, too. 

“You are not this.” He whispered: “Remember? You are not this.” You are not the monster Hydra tried to create, you are everything your siblings hoped and protected, you are his precious treasure, his midsummer night, and everything he dreamed, cherished and longed for in his life. 

“Come back to me…” He said in a soft voice, feeling already that the blade was burning in his skin.

And then for less than a second, he saw it. 

He saw you.

The blade faltered.

Your grip tightened.

The knife edged closer, brushing against his skin, and in one swift motion, you turned the blade, pointing it toward yourself, and anyone could react, you plunged it into your chest.

“NO!” Steve’s voice ripped through the air, raw and desperate. The sound of steel piercing flesh echoed in the silence, followed by a soft, strangled gasp escaping your lips.

Steve’s breath hitched as he watched, unable to process what was happening. 

Time slowed to an unbearable crawl. 

Steve’s gaze locked on yours, and in your eyes, he saw it—the flicker of the real you, breaking through the haze, fragile and fleeting.

You collapsed to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut.

Steve’s heart stopped. He should’ve moved, should’ve caught you, but his feet were rooted to the ground, frozen in a mix of panic and horror. His shield slipped from his grasp, clattering uselessly to the floor.

Everything around him blurred, the shouts of the team muted as if underwater.

He could see John diving forward, his arms outstretched in a desperate attempt to catch you. Natasha was already sprinting toward you, their faces etched with shock and urgency.

But Steve couldn’t move. His chest felt hollow, his legs like lead, as if the very life had been drained from him. He could only watch as your body hit the ground, limp, the blood from your chest spreading in a crimson pool beneath you.

“STEVE!” John’s voice pierced through the fog like a thunderclap, raw and commanding, cutting through the paralysis gripping him. 

“CAP, MOVE!”

The shout jolted him like a bolt of electricity, snapping him out of his frozen state. He stumbled forward and tripped over his own feet in his desperate haste to reach you, dropping to his knees beside you, but his hands were shaking so violently that he hesitated, unable to bring himself to touch you. His breaths came in short, shallow gasps, his heart hammering against his ribs as if it might break free.

This couldn’t be true. 

He must be dreaming. 

He must be so tired looking for you back in HQ that he passed out at his desk.

“No… no, no, no…please, please…” He whispered, his voice breaking as his eyes frantically scanned your face, your chest, the knife protruding from it. And it paralyzed him.

“This can’t… not you. Not now. Not like this…” His voice cracked, he could see it, the blade in your chest, blood blossomed around the wound, strength and life draining from you like water slipping through his fingers, 

Your head lolled slightly to the side, and Steve saw the faint rise and fall of your chest as you opened your eyes.

“Steve…?” Your voice was weak.

And shit… he started to sob. Cause it was you, it was you. 

“You okay…?” You frowned and as you spoke, and you started to cough, blood all over your mouth. “Did I…hurt you…?”

“No, no, no, no…” His voice was barely audible, his fingers trembling and caressing your face, so softly and so fearful, he was scared to death that you could disappear at his mere touch. 

“Babe…you didn’t…you didn’t hurt me…please don’t speak…you are ok, you are safe…”

“John…Is he ok…?” Your voice whispers, each word a struggle. Blood trickled from the corner of your mouth as you forced the words out. 

“Hey princess…” John smiled at Steve’s side: “You kicked my ass pretty hard…but stay still ok? Don’t move…” His face was pale but resolute. “Steve, she’s alive, but we need to move. Now.”

You closed your eyes, and lingered in Steve’s touch in your face. His fingers soaked with blood and dust, yet there was the warmth you missed so much, every cell in your existence missed him, and you could feel his pain, and you knew he missed you too, but you were safe now, you were with him, you were home.

“Shit!” Tony was pale as he drove the iron unit beside you and injected you with a cryogenic wound-sealing mist, the freezing fog hissing as it rapidly hardened over the gash, staunching the bleeding in seconds, but still he couldn’t see the injuries inflicted inside you. “Ok, get her back to the quinjet, now!”

“We gotta move…” John looked at Steve and shouted back to the rest of the still fighting team: “Open a way for us!”

“Go! We’ve got this!” Natasha’s sharp command finally cut through the storm of the battle, she pressed her comms: “Sam, are you in position?!”

“15 seconds!” Sam waved through the air scanning the source building: “Do we have everything ready!?”

“Robert!” With the gaze fixed on the screen but mainly focusing on your wounds, Tony didn’t even turn around: “You ready?!”

“Ready!” Dr. Lin was in between panicking and crying and ready in front of his computer. 

“Medics bay to be ready in the quinjet, beta team, open a way for Captain Rogers and Walker.” Commanded Hill seeing the map: “Jet 1, prepare to fly, as soon they arrive you take off and take’em home, alright?”

“Come on Steve, we gotta move…!” John and Natasha transferred you onto a portable medic bed, the  wound-sealing mist Tony had applied bought precious moments, but the blood loss was staggering. Your breaths were shallow, each one weaker than the last.

“Steve!” John’s voice was sharp, cutting through the haze clouding Steve’s mind. He grabbed Steve by the shoulders and gave him a rough shake. “We need to move! Now! She’s not gone! Do you hear me? We’re getting her out of here!”

Steve blinked, his breath hitching as reality crashed back in. His hands, still trembling, hovered over your bloodied form. “She… she—” he stammered, unable to finish the sentence.

��Focus, Cap!” John barked: “Wake the fuck up!”

With a firm grip on Steve’s arm, John pulled him to his feet. “Walk!” 

Steve’s body moved on autopilot, his mind screaming in anguish as he took his place. Together, they lifted you and began navigating through the chaos, the Beta team clearing a path back to the quinjet.

Steve’s eyes never left your face. 

“Stay with me.” He whispered, his voice cracking. “Babe, please, just stay with me. We’re almost there.”

Your head tilted slightly, and your lips moved as if you were trying to speak, but no sound came out. Steve leaned closer, his heart pounding. “I’m here. I’m right here. Don’t try to talk, just hold on.”

As they reached the quinjet ramp, the medics were already waiting, springing into action the moment the team arrived, hooking up monitors and stabilizing you as best they could. Steve refused to let go of your hand, his grip firm but gentle, his other hand brushing stray strands of hair from your face.

“Don’t close your eyes.” He begged, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re going to be okay. You’re safe now. We’re going home. Babe…look at me, please.”

But your body trembled, a coldness spreading through you that even the advanced medtech couldn’t stop. “Steve…” Your voice was faint, broken. “I’m… so… cold…”

“No.” He pleaded, his throat tight, tears welling in his eyes. “No, no, no. Don’t do this. Don’t shut down. Keep your eyes on me, okay? Just stay with me!”

But your fingers twitched weakly in his hand, a fleeting response that tore at his heart, and your eyes grew heavier, your breathing slower, your body was giving out, slipping further away despite his desperate words. 

“NO!” Steve’s cry of anguish echoed through the quinjet, raw and piercing. “No, no…please…Don’t… don’t…”

The medics worked furiously, but the room felt still, silent save for the beep of monitors and the hum of the engines. Steve knelt by your side, his hands clutching yours, his forehead pressed to your cold fingers. Desperation consumed him, but he refused to let go.

“You’re coming back to me.”

He whispered, his voice hoarse. “I won’t lose you. Not like this. Not now.”

TBC.

OMG I'm so sorry I didn't post last friday and left you in such a cliff hanger, but life is kicking my ass in the worst possible way, I'm actually writing this to escape TT_TT But hey, I loved writing every word of this chapter, specially the interaction of the group (I love writing fight scenes!), Dr Lin is always so fun to write, and mwaah to my John! He has turned out to be SO FUN to write! So I hope you enjoyed it reading it as I did! 🥰

See you next week! (hopefully, I promise I'll do my best!)

Love., Moon.࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Tag list: @vioplay19 / @jamneuromain / @steviebbboi / @heletsmelovehim / @otterlycanadian / hisredheadedgoddess28

let me know if you want to be added! 🥰

[sables-shitpost-dumpster]

Another day, another shitpost

[jokeringcutio]

would you ever write for TDK joker? craving something reader/ledger joker - would you ever write for him? maybe she asks to see him without his makeup and she’s totally dazzled by him, tells him how beautiful he is, touches his scars gently (I mean, he is heath ledger with some scars without it, so it tracks😍😅) and he softens

Yes. (Short Drabble follows below:)

Rating: Mature? No Explicit Smut (yet). Just some loveliness. ~*~

You watched from the shadowed corner of the hide-out, the dim light flickering across the Joker's slouched silhouette as he shuffled in. Exhaustion hung on him like one of his tailored jackets, shoulders sagging, his chaotic day etched into every line of his body.

"Rough day?" Your voice cut through the stillness, a blade wrapped in velvet.

He grunted, a non-committal sound that vibrated against the peeling walls. He faced away from you, hands reaching up to smear away the clownish facade with a stained cloth, movements slow and deliberate. The smeared white gave way to tired skin beneath, the green paint-streaked water darkening the basin.

"Chaos reigns," he murmured, the words almost lost as he wiped the last vestige of makeup from around those sleep-deprived eyes, revealing the man beneath the monster.

You stepped closer, the space between you charged with an electric current. The air felt thicker as your gaze traced the contours of his face – yellow teeth, the sallow skin, the embodiment of neglect. No wonder he had never dared to show you his face before, how he kept himself hidden from both you and the rest of the world.

A shame, really. The rest of the world was missing out.

Seeing his unmasked visage, there was something painfully human about him that took your breath away.

"Joker..." It wasn't just a name; it was a revelation, whispered with a reverence that surprised even yourself. "You're beautiful."

The word clung to the damp air, a truth laid bare. You saw him, truly saw him beyond the chaos. Not just the demon that the world portrayed him as, but someone who touched upon the divine. There was beauty in his darkness, a captivating allure in the raw edges of his insanity.

And for a moment, just a fleeting moment, the agent of chaos stood still under your gaze, the world outside the decrepit walls of the hide-out fading into nothingness.

Your hand reached out, tentative as a whisper. Fingertips grazed the jagged landscape of his scars, grotesque and tender all at once. The touch was featherlight, tracing the history written in his flesh, the story of a smile carved by brutality.

He softened.

“Why hide this from me?” The words came out in a breathless whisper.

The wordless exhale of breath, a silent surrender. There, in the dim light, the Joker's eyes flickered with something unnamable. Not joy, not peace. A flicker of humanity amidst the turmoil.

"Liar,” he breathed, the sound a caress against the stillness.

"Beautiful," came the echo of your own voice from moments before, now reflected at you in his voice. His hand lifted, the gesture slow, purposeful. Cold fingertips danced across your cheek, a stark contrast to the warmth blooming within you.

Laughter bubbled up, nervous, shy. Your heart a staccato against ribs. You let him draw you nearer, his grip ghostly on your hand.

He was touching your face with such reverence, studying you with his darkening gaze. It made you feel like jelly under his touch. He had called you beautiful before, but this time, to hear it as an echo of your own words, felt wrong. You were no liar. You’d spoken the truth.

Joker was, without anything to hide behind, beautiful. The most beautiful man you ever saw.

His lips met your palm. Scar tissue, rough and uneven, pressed into your skin. A delicious shiver coiled down your spine, your core pulsing with desire.

"Beautiful," he murmured again, his gaze holding yours captive. And in that look, the world tilted, madness and sanity blurring into a heady mix.

"Joker..." Your voice faltered, drowned in the intensity of his eyes.

"Shh," he silenced you, the sound soft as the brush of moth wings. "Just feel."

And you did. You felt everything.

You trembled, the room's chill a stark contrast to the fever in your veins. "Make love to me," you whispered, the words a loaded gun.

He didn't speak, actions speaking volumes as he moved with a predator's grace. Clothes discarded, whispers of fabric falling to the floor. A hush before the storm.

Your bodies collided, a crash of thunder in the silence. His hands, commanding, insistent, mapped every inch of you, claiming territory. You arched into him, a willing conquest, the world reduced to the space where skin met skin.

Passion flared, raw, and unbridled. Each movement was a sentence in the story you wrote together, punctuated by gasps and moans. The Joker – no longer a specter of chaos but a man ablaze with desire - moved with a singular purpose.

You clawed at the sheets, each breath a plea, each touch a promise. He complied, a give and take that danced on the knife-edge of madness and euphoria.

And then, stillness.

Afterward, you lay entwined, a tangle of limbs and labored breaths. The silence was delicate, a gossamer thread weaving through the aftermath.

"Did you ever imagine..." your voice drifted, a feather on the wind.

"Imagine?" he echoed, his chest rumbling with a low chuckle.

"Us. Like this." Your fingers traced idle patterns on his chest, daring to explore the man beneath the monster.

"Never," he admitted, the word almost lost between you. "Chaos doesn't plan."

"Yet here we are," you mused, the irony not lost on you.

"Here we are," he agreed, his eyes searching yours for a truth you hadn't spoken.

"Will you show me your face more often?" you asked tentatively, seeking his eyes.

"Why would you want that?" The question hung in the air, a thin veneer over deeper inquiries.

"Like I said,"  you whispered. “Beautiful.”

A grin curled his lips, the scars uncurling like the petals of a flower. Gorgeous, your mind provided.

“If your reaction will always be as intense as this, I just might.”

"Good." A simple affirmation, yet it carried the weight of worlds colliding.

"Good," he repeated, tucking you closer to him.

The kiss he placed on top of your head felt like heaven. ~ AN: I haven't been well enough, but once I am, I definitely want to write more for this man. I love his little insane ticks, the licking of his lips, all his mannerisms. Definitely would love to write more about him. But to everyone who didn't get the memo, I am ill (it isn't a flu or a broken leg or something that will go away on its own, it won't go away in a few days, it needs treatment and possibly surgery and time, so keep your fingers crossed that everything will end well so I can write more for all of you lovelies out there.) ♡

[the-heros-sidekick]

❝ went looking for a creation myth, ended up with a pair of cracked lips. ❞

He feels it first at the back of his neck. A buzzing, like the crackling of electricity underneath his skin, reverberating against the hollow of his skull. Something is knocking, making its presence known: A particular kind of evil that had snuck into Stiles’ mind once already, stealing away control over his body. Condemning him to sit back, trapped in his own mind, rendering him powerless. Doomed to watch in horror as his  blood-stained hands wielded sharpened blades against those he loved. They’d gotten him out, though nearly at the cost of his own life—a sacrifice Stiles had been more than willing to make, so long as no one else would get hurt because of him. And yet something must have stayed behind, lodged into the membrane of his skull like a shard of glass. For the longest time he’d managed to keep the horrors contained to only haunt him in the dead of night, leaving him sleep deprived and wrung out, every nerve ending scraped thin. But now, even the light of day no longer offers refuge for Stiles to feel safe. Long gone is the once obnoxiously loud, carefree kid—left in its stead is a man carrying himself with caution, treading quietly across the space between other people’s reality and what lies beyond. He knows there are demons out there listening, waiting for an opportunity to exploit any sign of weakness—a door left slightly ajar, perhaps, much like the door to Stiles’ mind they’d never managed to close. The feeling of impending doom crescendos and Stiles, feeling sick to his stomach with fear, clings desperately to the words he repeats to himself like a mantra. "Nothing gets in unless you let it.” But the words turn to ash in his mouth, memories of past experiences proving him a liar. 

an exploration of Teen Wolf's 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐊𝐈—𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄 who, after leaving Beacon Hills behind, settled down in New York where he's now considered the FBIs golden boy ― crafted for @fakevz. following canon events of the show with additional headcanons. low activity & very crossover friendly. minors dni. this blog operates in english only. est. 2014 ♗ ©

𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘 𝐈𝐍: loss of innocence ⊹ comedic sidekick ⊹ overcoming demonic possession ⊹ a morally gray world ⊹ undying loyalty ⊹ survivor's guilt ⊹ agent of chaos ⊹ deflecting with humor

✧  𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 ✧ 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 ✧ 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒

I think I've loved you since I met you. I just mistook it for curiosity.

Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I felt this unquenchable need to know you. I blamed it on ulterior motives, justified it because I needed something from you, because you held the answers I was looking for, because no one else was able to help but you. Looking back on it now though, I'm starting to think that maybe some part of me knew right from the start, that first night I stumbled upon you in the woods, what took me years to see: Maybe my heart recognized that it was going to love you right away, and I spent the years to come catching up with what it knew right from the start. That it was always going to be you. How could it ever have been anyone else? Through mayhem and bloodshed, through fear and loss, through grief and sleepless nights, you were the one constant that remained. When I lost sight of everything—first myself, then reality, then hope—you were the one guiding my way like a beacon, or a north star. If I've ever known peace, it's in all the moments that your hand has touched mine and that your arms have held me tirelessly, putting your body like a shield between me and every inkling of danger. Of all the late-night wonderings of trying to make sense of the last decade (and failing), what remains is this singular thought: At least it was you. At least it was me. At least it was us, together. I'd bear it all a million times over if it meant I got to hold your hand at the end of it all. You are the moment of quiet at the end of a long day, you are breathless laughter, you're the patch of sunlight filtering in through the window that I stand in to warm myself. You are everything good in this world and living proof that there is hope despite it all, and I love you beyond measure.

[littlefireball]

Can you make a Werewolf Yeosang too?

Yah of course 😎 sub yeosang is here btw 😗

ʏꜱ|ꜱᴇx ꜱʟᴀᴠᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴡɪɴɴɪɴɢ ʀᴇᴡᴀʀᴅ (ᴍ)

ʙᴇᴛᴀ ᴡᴇʀᴇᴡᴏʟꜰ ꜱᴜʙ ʏᴇᴏꜱᴀɴɢ x ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛ ꜱᴏꜰᴛ ᴅᴏᴍ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ: ʟᴏɴɢ ꜱᴍᴜᴛ|ᴏʀᴀʟ| ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ,ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ, ꜰɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴇ| ᴜꜱɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴀꜰᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅ|ᴜɴᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴇx|ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴘᴏɪꜱᴏɴᴇᴅ|ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜱɪɢʜᴛ

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 3.5ᴋ

Masterlist

Had it not been for the poisoning incident, you would have never found yourself caught up in this questionable contest. Now, standing toe to toe with your rival, you pace anxiously, battling the discontent bubbling inside you and the "toxins" wreaking havoc on your system.

A wave of regret washes over you as you think back to your adventurous spirit that led you to sample such strange concoctions—a glass of wine laced with aphrodisiacs. With no known cure for these powerful agents, the only path back to normalcy lies in having sex with others.

A searing heat envelops your body, your heart pounds wildly in your chest, and every breath feels like a struggle. At first, you tried to withstand the agony, but the toll on your body becomes too much to bear, drastically affecting your everyday existence. In a fit of desperation, you find yourself wandering into the grim world of the slave market.

Whether it's the intoxicating haze clouding your mind or amplifying your cravings, the sight of the prized "championship trophy" stirs a fire within you that demands to be unleashed.

Yeosang—renowned as the finest sex slave in the shadowy underbelly of the black market. To be more specific, he is a werewolf slave. How unfortunate for him, as he was forsaken by his own kind. The tale is straightforward. The mate of the wolf pack's leader became infatuated with him, yet he refused to yield to her advances, leading to her slandering him. Naturally, he stood no chance against the alpha; after all, he is merely a beta.

Clad in a sleek black silk suit, he kneels within the confines of a cage, his hands and feet ensnared by heavy chains, reminiscent of a peacock deprived of its liberty. His striking beauty feels utterly misplaced in this grim reality, with his youthful visage starkly contrasting the violent chaos that surrounds him.

Yet, he remains indifferent to the impending clash, for he is merely a "trophy," and the value he offers will remain unchanged, no matter who emerges victorious.

"Oh damn, what's wrong with me…" Your gaze is irresistibly drawn to him. Yeosang bows his head, his eyes fixating on the handcuffs encircling his wrists, a look of sorrow washing over his face as he gently traces the angry red marks left by the bindings. You take in this poignant scene, but soon redirect your attention to the looming battle.

Ho, you must be crazy because of that fucking alcohol. Why do you feel pity when you kill people for a living? Why do you have to compete in person when you can obviously solve the problem with money?

Just fuck it.

You inhale deeply, centering your thoughts back on the game. Both of you stand poised, hearts racing, waiting for your foes to make the first move.

Your eyes lock in a fierce stare, each of you radiating intensity. In your mind, you strategize, plotting the perfect moment to strike and finish the duel with a single, decisive blow.

Yet, the crowd's restlessness grows, their thirst for blood palpable.

"Just fight already! Quit stalling! You two idiots!"

A voice cuts through the tension, a man shouting in frustration at the drawn-out standoff. The knights halt their fidgeting, turning their fierce gazes toward the impatient onlookers.

Seizing the moment while your adversary is momentarily distracted, you launch yourself forward, driving your sword with all your strength!

He attempts to defend himself with crossed arms, but your blow is too powerful, sending him crashing to the ground, his trident skittering away.

You stride over him, looking down at the defeated figure, and raise your gleaming blade.

In a heartbeat, his head tumbles away like a ball kicked across the field, blood erupting like a geyser, splattering your armor and weapon.

Thus, the clash concludes—an outcome devoid of tension or buildup. The audience stands in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how this "epic battle" could be resolved in mere moments.

Even Yeosang stands in shock, having never encountered such raw power in any battle he has witnessed before. A wave of terror washes over him. Panic surges in his chest, gripping his nerves and rendering him motionless. His eyes, wide with fear, lock onto yours, as if he might crumble at any moment.

You step closer to Yeosang, your face devoid of expression, unlock the cage, and reach out your hand to him. "You belong to me now," you deliberately lower your voice, ensuring that your words remain unheard by others. After a tense pause, he finally responds, trembling as he takes hold of your hand.

You draw him out of the cage, your hand resting firmly on the back of his neck, and once more you lower your voice, whispering, "You understand what you need to do, don't you?" "Yes, Sir."

You both step into the room, the door clicking shut behind you. He reaches for your armor, but you halt his hand. Confused, he tilts his head, yet you ignore his puzzled expression and pull him onto the bed.

"Listen, I'm poisoned. I just need your help to detox, and I promise I don't have any strange habits."

"But… how can I assist you?"

"You're amusing. Did you forget your role?" Leaning down, you gently lift his chin with one finger while your other hand rests on his thigh.

"What's your safe word? I don't want to cause you any harm." He blinks in surprise, having never been posed such a question, but quickly gathers himself and replies, "Gr… Green."

"Good," you say with a smile, removing your mask and letting your hair cascade down. It's then he realizes you are a woman.

Taken aback, he stares in disbelief, struggling to grasp the reality. In all the slave competitions he's been part of, it's predominantly men who compete, with only a handful of women.

"You are staring."

"You are stunning"

He can't hold back any longer, his words spilling out in a rush as his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Your heart swells with affection at his charming confession, and you can't help but chuckle. You gently cradle his face in your hands, leaning in to press your lips against his.

This kiss is unlike any he has known; it's soft and tender, wrapping him in a blissful haze. There's no urgency, no nibbles—just the delicate dance of your lips, occasionally brushing against each other in sweet little pecks. You soon break the kiss, tracing your finger over his lips and softly ask, "Wanna feel good?" Confused, he nods his head.

"Words." you remind him. "Yes, sir… master." You stand up and remove your armor, leaving only your bra and underwear, then kneel in front of him.

Your hands caress his thighs as you kiss his sensuous lips again. With a hint of aggression, your tongue slides into his mouth while dancing with his and taking control. He can't help but moan shyly. The vibrations from each moan he releases gradually pushes you over the edge that makes you desire more.

"Oh fuck, your voice is so beautiful." You say between the kisses. The heat within your body burns like a flame, urging you to have sex with him. "Damn it…"

Your lips part once more as you settle onto his lap, rhythmically swaying your body back and forth, intentionally pressing against his member. The friction between your thighs sends shivers through you both, igniting a warmth that spreads rapidly. You wrap your arms around his shoulders, drawing nearer, occasionally brushing against his growing arousal.

Even through the fabric, the friction sends waves of excitement coursing through Yeosang. He can feel himself growing harder as the tip of his cock brushes against your lower core. A rush of heat envelops him, concentrating on his manhood, while the pre-cum seeps out, dampening his underwear, leaving him with a chill from the wetness.

With a firm grip, you pin him down, and he submits willingly to the bed, your lips locked together, creating an embarrassingly wet sound with each kiss. Breaking away from his lips, you begin to suck and lick at his neck, expertly targeting his sensitive spots. Your playful teasing elicits deep, satisfied moans from him.

"I have never used the word beautiful to describe a man." You whisper in his ears before planting a kiss on his lips. "Oh… gosh…" Yeosang has never experienced such pleasure before. For him, sex is always about service rather than enjoyment.

"Sounds good" Smiling, your hand trails down to the hem of his panties, pulling down enough to free his cock. You hold his member, feeling his hardness beneath your palm. Moving up and down slowly, you make sure he feels every move of your fingers. "Goodness…" The itchy feeling sends shivers down his spine, especially your finger rubs against his tip while giving it a hard press.

He never thought he could be so eager to have sex with anyone. Even you can say, he hates it. But you are different. Each of your movements sends a thrill through him, his desire rising like a tide of ecstasy. He craves you deeply, yearning to feel your warmth wrap around him, guiding him to the ultimate climax.

"Hmmm… I wanna enter you. Please." His beg makes you let out a low chuckle. "You're more impatient than me. Are you the one who was poisoned?" You release his handcuffs and pull him towards the headboard, where he clasps his hands onto it. Taking off all his clothes, his semi-hardened cock is revealed with precum covered on it.

"So horny, aren't you?" "Yes, yes. Please let me have you, master." You are hesitant from his words, wondering if it is education in the black market. He is supposed to be strong, brave, but not beg from others. 'What they did for him.' You think, an inexplicable anger ignites in your heart.

You will kill for him after this encounter ends. You promise.

"Be patient, little wolf." You kneel down before sinking down your face between his thighs. "Let me have a taste first." Gripping his cock, you guide it to your mouth and lick it from the bottom to the top. "Oh god." He arches his back as the numbness and the pleasure crush within his body, a long-throaty moan leaving his lips as you continue to please him with your tongue.

"Open your legs wide or I will stop," you command. "Yes, master. I am sorry." His legs wide open again as you prop against his thigh as support, moving up and down quickly while teasing his ball. Your tongue circled the head of his shaft, sucking hard, leaving a reddish mark. He rolls his hip to thrust deeper; his cock twitches each time the tip reaches your throat, and you know he is about to reach his peak. But you pull out before he comes undone in your mouth.

"Why…master…I want to cum." He cries out, tears dripping down because of delightful. "Only a good boy can cum. Will you promise? Little wolf." "Yes! I will! I promise." His begging satisfies your ego and makes it grow. Maybe the beast called desire inside you is finally breaking out of its cage.

"Then help me." Removing your panties, you throw it away before aiming at his erection, sinking down slowly. You can feel every vein of his cock as your wall tightens around it, making you carve for more. "Master, it feels so good!" "Yah, fuck!" His sperm keeps flowing out, wetting your velvet wall.

"Tell me if you can't bear it." He remains in disbelief at the words that reached his ears. You actually care for him? Is that true? What could possibly motivate that? Even if he's merely a means for your own cleansing, there's no obligation for you to feel anything for him. Yet, before he can delve deeper into his thoughts, you begin to bounce, rhythmically rising and falling after adjusting his size and the sensation of being enveloped.

Your hands press firmly on his shoulders, your nails piercing his skin just a touch too deeply, drawing blood and inflicting a sting. But he feels excited instead of painful. Your breasts bounce up and down from your movements, making him lost in this alluring sight. God, he can just watch how you bounce on him for an hour.

"Ahhh…master…gosh!!" Each time you descend, his tip brushes against your tender skin, eliciting a symphony of moans from both of you. Your rhythm accelerates, and the power behind your thrusts grows stronger. It feels as though you've drained every ounce of energy, leaving a hollow sensation in your lower body that is increasingly uncomfortable.

He yearns to explore your body, to savor every curve and contour of your skin. However, he remains immobilized, his hands bound at the head of the bed. The relentless tugging creates faint red lines on his wrists, while his palms grow slick with sweat from the tension of his clenched fists, leaving crescent-shaped marks.

Your right hand finds its way to his throat, applying pressure that steals his breath and brings dark spots to his vision. He attempts to lift his head for a gasp of air, but you have no intention of granting him a moment's relief. Your rapid up-and-down movements force him to hold his breath. The overwhelming stimulation leaves him dizzy and pushes him to the limit.

"Ahh! Ahh!! Green!!" The moment he speaks the safe word, you instantly cease all movement, loosening your hold on his throat. "Are you alright? Is there any pain?" you inquire gently, a trace of worry lacing your tone. He hesitates, words escaping him as he simply gazes into your caring eyes. You tuck a strand of hair behind his ear, your fingers gliding over his delicate skin until they rest on the vivid red birthmark.

Throughout his life as a slave, comfort has been a foreign concept, with no one ever caring for his well-being. In stark contrast to your indifference towards life in the heat of battle, you show genuine concern for him, striving to bring him joy. How could he possibly resist falling for you? Perhaps he's been ensnared by a different kind of poison, one known as "love at first sight." You lean closer, brushing your lips against his, captivated by the magic in his eyes.

"I can stop if you want." You remark. "No, please. I want you, master. I want my cock deep inside you again. I want to touch you. And has your poison been cured?"

Responding to his beg, you pull out from his body and free him from his bindings. Your gaze falls upon the bruises encircling his wrists, and you gently stroke them with your thumb.

"It appears my poison still lingers. Come and help me."

In an instant, he straightens up, his hands finding their way to your shoulders as he leans over you, pinning you down. Shock flickers in your eyes at his abrupt action, but you swiftly gather your calmness and align yourself with his intentions.

"Let me serve you, my lord." His face falls into your neck, sucking and biting your skin to leave a crystal clear red mark. He is really skilled at turning others on harder;the wet muscle trails down to your breast, licking your left nipple while squeezing another with his hand. His thumb circles it along the curve, giving a hard press to make you moan and throw your head at the back.

Guiding his cock to rub against your clit, he thrusts your cunt once again, hitting your sweet dead on. "Here, right?" He smirks with a sense of pride. "Ye..yah!" Not waiting for you to finish your words, his tip hits the same place once again. The waves of numbness make you squirm, and your screams are not as high-pitched as before, but with a shy feeling.

"I love your moaning, master." You let out an exasperated sigh, feeling a surge of warmth envelop you completely. Yeosang leans in, planting soft kisses along your neck while maintaining a steady rhythm. His shaft glides against your slick walls, creating a sound reminiscent of flowing water. With each thrust, he quickens his pace, closing the gaps between each tantalizing connection to your G-spot.

Your breath becomes shallow, and your heart pounds wildly as he maps out every curve of your body with his lips and hands, as if he were intimately familiar with every secret you hold. You wrap your arms around him, your nails digging into his back, leaving a trail of marks on his skin.

Yeosang buries his head in your chest, groaning against it. You are so perfect for him, from head to toes. Just everything. Although he doesn't even know your name, your personality, he ensures you are the one he is looking for. Someone who cares about him, someone with whom he can enjoy sex.

He loathes the idea of sex, viewing it as a repugnant transaction. He has grown weary of the way others have treated him, often rough and unkind. Each encounter left him battered to some extent, reduced to nothing more than a plaything. Yet, when he sees you, everything changes. You bring him joy and tenderness, showering him with genuine care.

It may seem almost humorous, but deep down, he realizes that you are the only one he desires, and his body confirms the truth of his feelings.

He places your leg on his shoulder and thrusts as fast as possible. "Ah!Fuck!" "Please say my name, my lord. I want to hear you say it." "Oh…yeosang ar…" Shit! He is unable to control himself anymore. He withdraws a bit and pushes into your cunt in a powerful motion over and over again.

"I'm cumming, master." He feels his cock twitches as you keep sucking him in. "Cum…cum inside me." Yeosang's thrusts become rushed and lose his rhythm; you grab his shoulders, making an "O" shape with your mouth, panting as if you are about to run out of oxygen.

"Oh! Oh! God!" After a few more thrusts, you both reach climax; your hot juices cover his cock and his sperm creams your wall. He thrusts forward twice before pulling out, lying down beside you. After a short rest, the hot feeling in your body has finally dissipated, you get up and put your clothes back on, ready to leave.

"My body is already healed, thanks." You say without noticing his sadness.

"Aren't you staying?" Yeosang asks with confusion.

"Staying? Why? Didn't I tell you that I'm just here to detoxify? Also, I have work." Yes, you have to 'deal with' those people who treated Yeosang badly.

"Will you come back then?"

"Nope." You observe him bow his head, gently stroking his wrist before hesitantly reaching to the nape of his neck. Even in his silence, you can sense the thoughts swirling in his mind. "No worries. I'm gonna kill those people who treated you badly and you can be free."

"What? No…I…"

"Isn't this what you wanted? To leave the cage and no longer be bound by anyone."

"But I don't know where to go or what to do…I'm just a reward…"

"Then go find out, go explore what you want to do."

He lowers his head in silence, deep in thought. Suddenly, he tightens his embrace around you.

He bows his head, enveloped in his thoughts, and then suddenly tightens his hold around you, as if fearing you might slip away.

"Will you stay…? That's all I want. Please… don't leave me alone. You're the only one who cares for me. I'm yours, and I'd do anything for you. Just don't go."

You can't help but giggle at his endearing gesture, stroking his hair softly as you respond, "Are you really sure? I'm a knight, and my profession is to take lives."

"Yah!I'm yours! Just let me stay with you. I'll even give you a written promise, if that's what you want!""

Maybe he sees you as a lifeline. Although you have never thought about buying a slave, it seems that if you reject him, he may feel sad. Also, you don't want him to serve anyone else.

"Umm…fine."

"Really?" A radiant smile spreads across his face, his eyes sparkling with excitement. You give a nod in response.

"Can I cuddle you?" It's the first time he's asked this as a servant, and he can hardly believe he's free to follow his heart's desire. You nod again, and he gently pulls you down onto the bed, nestling his face against your chest.

"Just like a little puppy."

"Perhaps I know your name? My lord."

"Y/N."

"It sounds like a name for a genuinely good person."

"You're being overly dramatic." You chuckle softly, allowing him to wrap his arms around you as you both drift into a peaceful slumber.

Well, maybe this aphrodisiac isn't so terrible after all. And of course, you make your promise ─ kill others for him, only.

[starclancy]

soulmate au! maybe imagine she works alongside the marines and the newspaper. she takes the bounty pictures! (I heard someone say this idea before, it sounds so good!) she hears about the chaos happening in Alabasta and she’s dispatched to go see what’s up (collect info for the paper, maybe snap a photo or two). That’s when she meets the strawhats, and in turn, zoro! she’s in shock. Zoro is in shock. The strawhats are in shock! Now imagine that she’s deeply loyal to the marines (maybe comes from a marine family like luffys). Not loyal that she’s mean and hostile as soon as she meets the pirates (I can imagine that it would make her job more difficult if so), but wary enough to everyone knows where her loyalties lie. I cant figure out what more to add to this, so I’d like to hear your thoughts!

Tysm for this ask I love it!!

~ Calming Melody ~

PAIRING: Reader/Zoro

CONTENTS: tbh idk

WORDCOUNT: 1578

Request status: Open (PLS)

The midday sun blazed mercilessly over the desert city of Alubarna, its golden sands shimmering like molten glass. Y/N adjusted the brim of her hat, squinting as she scanned the chaos through the lens of her camera. The reports had been right: Alabasta was a powder keg ready to explode. Crocodile and his Baroque Works agents were playing puppet masters, and the city was their stage. The Marines had sent her to document the unfolding events, but Y/N could already tell this was no ordinary mission.

From her perch on a crumbling rooftop, she watched as a group of figures dashed through the narrow streets below. Even without the distinctive hat, the rubbery limbs of the one in the lead gave him away: Monkey D. Luffy. The Straw Hat Pirates. Her orders were clear—document, don't engage—but curiosity tugged at her. Raising her camera, she adjusted the focus and began snapping shots.

The Straw Hats were nothing like she had expected. Their movements were coordinated, their resolve palpable. They weren't here for plunder; they were fighting for something bigger. But it wasn’t until her lens caught a glimpse of green that her hands faltered. A swordsman stood at the center of the action, his twin blades glinting in the sunlight as he struck down one of Crocodile’s lackeys. His focus was unshakable, his presence commanding—and when he glanced upward, their eyes locked.

It hit her like a thunderclap. Time seemed to slow as a surge of heat bloomed in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. Her hands trembled, the camera lowering slightly as she tried to process the wave of emotion washing over her. Zoro’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing in confusion as he stared back at her. She wasn’t sure how long they remained like that, caught in an invisible thread neither of them could untangle, before reality snapped back into focus.

“Zoro, what are you doing?” Luffy’s voice jolted him. The swordsman broke eye contact, his gaze darting to his captain.

“Nothing,” Zoro muttered, though his grip on his swords tightened. His gaze flickered back to the rooftop, but Y/N had already ducked behind cover, heart pounding in her chest.

“No way,” she whispered to herself, clutching her camera. Her rational mind tried to dismiss the moment as a fluke, but deep down, she knew better. The stories of soulmates—the unexplainable bond, the undeniable pull—weren't just tales for the superstitious. What just happened couldn’t be anything else.

She peeked over the edge again, watching as the crew regrouped. They were speaking hurriedly, though their words were lost in the cacophony of the battle around them. Her focus lingered on Zoro. He looked unsettled, his movements less fluid than before, as though something was weighing on his mind.

Her radio crackled to life. “Y/N, report. Do you have eyes on the Straw Hats?”

She hesitated. “Yes,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “They’re… engaged with Baroque Works operatives. No sign of Crocodile yet.”

“Good. Keep your distance and continue to observe. HQ wants detailed intel on their movements.”

“Understood.”

She clipped the radio back to her belt, her mind racing. Her loyalty to the Marines had never wavered before. She came from a family steeped in service; her parents had devoted their lives to the cause of justice. Yet, as she watched the Straw Hats fight not for themselves but for the people of Alabasta, doubt began to creep in. These were not the bloodthirsty criminals her superiors painted them to be.

A sudden shout drew her attention. A group of Baroque Works agents had cornered the Straw Hats. Y/N’s fingers moved instinctively, snapping photos as the crew sprang into action. Zoro stepped forward, his swords gleaming as he prepared to take on the largest of the attackers. Despite herself, she couldn’t look away.

The fight was over in moments, Zoro emerging victorious. As the dust settled, he turned sharply, his eyes scanning the rooftops. When they landed on her, her heart skipped a beat. He didn’t say anything, but his expression spoke volumes: he’d seen her, and he wasn’t going to forget it.

“Hey, Zoro,” Luffy called, “who’s that?”

“No idea,” Zoro replied, though the look on his face betrayed him.

“She’s taking pictures,” Nami observed, her tone wary. “Could be a Marine.”

“She doesn’t look hostile,” Sanji chimed in, a flirtatious grin already forming. “Maybe she’s a fan of mine.”

“Idiot,” Zoro muttered, sheathing his swords. But he didn’t argue further. Instead, he kept his eyes on the rooftop where she stood, an unspoken challenge in his gaze.

Y/N’s grip tightened on her camera. She knew she should leave, retreat to a safe distance and radio in her findings. Yet something rooted her to the spot. For the first time in her career, her duty to the Marines felt at odds with something deeper, something she didn’t fully understand yet. One thing was certain: this was far from over.

The Straw Hats moved quickly, disappearing into the labyrinth of Alubarna’s streets. Y/N let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She needed to get back to her base of operations and figure out her next steps.

But the connection lingered. The way Zoro had looked at her, the way her heart had seemed to recognize him—it all felt too real. Too personal.

By the time she descended from the rooftop, the streets had quieted somewhat, though tension still hung heavy in the air. Her camera bag bounced against her hip as she made her way through the alleys, careful to avoid drawing attention. She needed to think, to process everything that had just happened.

Her radio crackled again. “Y/N, update. What’s your position?”

“Heading back to base,” she replied. “The Straw Hats are moving through the city. I’ll upload photos and notes shortly.”

“Roger that. Keep an eye out for Crocodile’s movements. We’ll need your intel to plan our next move.”

“Understood,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions beneath the surface.

As she rounded a corner, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

“Hey, you.”

She froze, her hand instinctively going to her camera. Turning slowly, she found herself face-to-face with none other than Zoro. He stood a few paces away, his swords still at his sides but his presence no less imposing.

“You’ve been following us,” he said, his tone low and even. “Why?”

Y/N’s mind raced. She couldn’t reveal her ties to the Marines, not yet. “I’m a photographer,” she said carefully. “I document stories. And you… you’re part of one.”

He didn’t look convinced. “That so?”

“Yes,” she said, meeting his gaze despite the nervous flutter in her chest. “You’re fighting against Crocodile, aren’t you?”

Zoro’s eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you?”

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I want to know the truth. And I think you do too.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the moment hung between them, the unspoken connection thrumming like a heartbeat.

Finally, Zoro sighed. “Stay out of the way,” he said, turning to leave. “And don’t do anything stupid.”

The final confrontation with Crocodile was a maelstrom of chaos. Y/N had tried to keep her distance, sticking to the outskirts of the battle to capture the truth on film. But when the Straw Hats engaged Baroque Works’ forces with unrelenting determination, she found herself drawn closer, her camera forgotten as the fight reached its peak.

The palace was in shambles. Crocodile stood in the center of the destruction, his confidence unshaken even as Luffy challenged him with fiery resolve. Y/N could only watch, torn between her Marine training and the undeniable bravery of the Straw Hats.

When Crocodile unleashed a devastating sandstorm toward the group, Y/N’s body moved on instinct. She sprinted forward, throwing herself into the fray to pull a wounded civilian out of harm’s way. She didn’t even register the danger she was in until she felt a strong grip on her arm, yanking her back to safety.

It was Zoro.

“Are you insane?” he barked, his face inches from hers. “You’re going to get yourself killed!”

“I couldn’t just stand there,” she shot back, her voice trembling.

He stared at her, his expression a mix of exasperation and something she couldn’t quite place. “You’re either the bravest Marine I’ve met or the dumbest. Maybe both.”

Before she could respond, Luffy let out a triumphant yell. The battle had shifted. With one final, earth-shaking blow, Crocodile was defeated, and the nightmare that had gripped Alabasta came to an end.

The Straw Hats departed Alabasta quietly, slipping away before the Marines could arrive in full force. Y/N stood on the docks, watching their ship fade into the horizon. Her camera hung around her neck, but she hadn’t taken a single photo of their departure.

She felt a presence beside her and turned to see Tashigi, her superior officer. “You didn’t report everything you saw, did you?” Tashigi asked, her tone neutral.

Y/N hesitated, then shook her head. “No. Not everything.”

Tashigi’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before she nodded. “Sometimes justice isn’t as black and white as we’re taught.”

As the Marine ships arrived to restore order, Y/N’s thoughts remained with the Straw Hats, particularly Zoro. The connection they’d felt—brief but undeniable—left her questioning everything she’d believed.

She didnt know what to do next.