#bucketfullofocs ; marianne

[xamassed]

｢ @bucketfullofocs​ — Christmas 2021 ｣

[Marianne @ Danse] It had taken some doing, finding a half-decent fake tree among the city's warehouses, but found one she had. And now they sat beside it in their home, decorated with old and new world baubles. It wasn't flashy, it wasn't fancy, and it definitely wasn't expensive, but it was theirs and no one elses.

Sitting beside him, Marianne pulled a small box out, previously hidden among the branches of the tree. "Merry Christmas, mo ghrá." Gently, she handed it off to him, an almost nervous look in her eyes.

Inside would be a ring. Simple steel carefully polished and shined, and the words "semper amandus" etched into the metal. The writing style matched his dog tags - her handiwork. "It translates to 'always loved'," she explains softly to him, reaching over to fold her hands over where his lay on the box. "I love you, Danse. More than anything in the world - you're a brilliant light among all the bullshit this place tries to throw at us. And I know we've thrown the idea around a few times before but never went anywhere with it, but... will you marry me?"

Before her, he hadn’t cared for holidays. They were a boost to morale for some of his comrades back when he had been a paladin, but he had never seen the significance in them. The merriment, the drinking, the holiday wishes — he would force a half-smile, half-grimace through it all before the spirit died away and it was time for them to return to their daily grind.

Now it had meaning, and he realized with a start that he preferred Christmas decorations to the Halloween decor that most households had tacked up prior to the fall of the bombs. They were brighter, prettier and ( odder still ) inspired a hope in him that he didn’t think possible.

Only her voice was able to pull him away from his child-like awe as he sat with her, dark eyes wide and unblinking as she set in his hands a small box.

“Merry Christmas, but.  .  .I thought we agreed on no gifts.” He felt guilt pinch at his stomach, knowing he hadn’t come up with a gift thoughtful enough to break their little rule. It shouldn’t have surprised him that she would. She had always been thoughtful, right from the start. He hadn’t deserved her kindness then, but he cherished it now, held it as closer to his chest than even the motto of his old brotherhood.

The ring, for as simple was it was, took his breath away. Then he noticed the words etched in, and he worried for a flicker of a moment that he might malfunction. His mind stilled, and he was left gaping at the words like they were new and amazing and more important than the rest because they were.

His awestruck express moved from the ring to her, the corners of his eyes damp but too stubborn to release a single tear. His voice, usually strong and thick and confident, was softer and shattered, and he didn’t care. She was the only one meant to hear him this vulnerable, so she would see every speck of emotion he had in his heart for her. “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather marry.”

He snapped the box closed and set it in his lap, larger hands taking hers. Danse pulled her in, lips crashing into hers a second before he let out a deep, relieved sigh. Part of him had wanted to be the one to ask, as he was still stuck in old habits of being the one to take charge, but he quite liked how bold and forward Marianne could be. It was part of her charm and part of what had won him over to begin with.

“I love you, and I want to be your husband if you’ll have me.”

[xmenageriie]

VALENTINE’S DAY APPLICATION - Danse

[Written as if they’re in Vegas still/have reached Vegas~]

Name: Marianne McConnell

Age: 33

Do you like to cuddle?: “Mo ghrá, you should know by now that I cuddle any chance I get.”

Can we make-out?: Marianne’s just put a bunch of 💋💋💋💋💋 all over the paper

A night in or dinner out?: “Dinner out! I’d love to try The Tops.”

Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries?: Chocolate covered strawberries~ “Or whatever fruit we can find.”

What makes you a good Valentine?: “Hun, you just rode across the entire wasteland of this country with me. Pretty sure that means you’re stuck with me forever, now.”

Would you cook for me?: Of course~

Would you let me cook for you?: Yes~

— valentine’s day application / @bucketfullofocs​

Throughout his read, there was nothing less than a smile on his face. The kisses were a lovely touch and flustered him a great deal, since his one and only thought when he spotted them was that he wished they’d been laid on his skin rather than the paper.

He would have to repay her in kind while dining with her at The Tops. Because for as worried as he had been during the trip, their destination had been well worth it. And her reaction to arriving — worth far more than even the trip itself. Although, he would gladly pass on cooking for her. He could heat up cans of beans and cold, processed meats, but he couldn’t cook the way she did.

That was the least of his concerns, however. There was only one thought on his mind now, and he needed to find her quickly, before the desire to kiss her frustrated him too deeply.

[xamassed]

｢ meme / @bucketfullofocs​​ ｣

[Marianne @ Danse] 131.“oh don’t mind me I’m just enjoying the view”

Being a tease wasn’t his intent, but it seemed many of his actions were twisted and made to seem that way. Stepping out of the shower with a towel barely wrapped around his waste, he couldn’t blame her this time around. Nearly every time she came out of the shower herself, Danse found himself staring.

That wasn’t to say he purposely tempted her, but he wouldn’t fault her for wanting a glance or two at his bare chest and the few water droplets that dripped from his pectorals to the solid v-shape that rested just above his towel.

And while he wasn’t a natural tease, he was learning from a master.

“You could enjoy it over here,” grumbled the ex-paladin, “wouldn’t it be easier to see once you’re closer?”

[xamassed]

｢ meme / @bucketfullofocs​ ｣

[Marianne @ Danse] “I’m crawling under the covers with you, alright? Just rest.”

“You took too long,” grumbled the sleepy man, “where were you?”

No matter how annoyed he might be, nothing would prevent him from bundling Marianne in his arms once she was tucked under the covers. He had been told to sleep earlier that evening, but he couldn’t bring himself to close his eyes until now. Knowing she was safe helped put his mind at ease, making sleep all the more possible.

Head on her shoulder, fingers rubbing small circles along the length of her spine, Danse let drowsiness creep in. “Next time, I’m taking you to bed with me. If it means I have to pick you up and drag you here, I will do it.”

[xamassed]

[Marianne & Danse] ❛ 20 . a kiss out of desperation .

— kisses / @bucketfullofocs

It was hard to remember what had happened.

He recalled reaching the end of their usual patrol when.  .  . something happened. An explosion? No, it had felt like that. A sudden bag and the force to knock him clear off his feet — while that described the effect of a grenade, it could also be the result of debris tossed by a deathclaw. Or, in their unfortunate case, a small barrage of boulders thrown by several deathclaws.

That explained why he was sprawled out on his back and tucked behind a sizable rock, out of sight and ( hopefully ) out of smelling range. Although, given the amount of pain he was in, it wouldn’t surprise him to learn that his groans had drawn them in.

Fortunately, an intoxicating set of lips crashed into his once he sat himself up. The world spun, mostly from the blow to his head and partially because Marianne always had that effect on him. Danse wanted to give in and kiss her a little longer, give that lower lip a little tug after she nipped at his, but she pulled away too quickly and too soon. He leaned forward to chase her, but she insisted on looking him over.

“I’m fine.” He muttered. “I’ll live. Kiss me again.  .  .”

[xamassed]

[Marianne and Danse~] 🌟

— headcanons / @bucketfullofocs

He feels incredibly silly over it, but while out with Marianne, Danse found a lost ring and kept it. He’s never shown it to her, never mentioned it. After they returned home, he spent time repairing it, polishing it, making it look nice and pretty because he planned to give it to her one day.

That day still hasn’t come because as big and strong as he is, he’s too soft and too scared inside. What if it’s too much? What if she hates the idea of marriage? Would they even be able to get married? How does this work??

[xamassed]

Seven Minutes For Danse @ Marianne~!

｢ meme / @bucketfullofocs ｣       give a hickey

Danse didn’t normally feel this way. Possessiveness was unfamiliar to him, but it burned a hole in his chest and made rational thought harder to grasp. But even then, he was subtle about it. He didn’t let the emotion play across his face, but she might catch the way his jaw stiffened and his eyebrow twitched. She would recognize the heated glares he threw those that made advances at her.

He didn’t loath casinos the way he thought he would, but he did hold a strong dislike for the drunkards inside them.

Without explaining himself, he pulled Marianne away from the game she had invested herself in. Head fuzzy, Danse blindly lead her through a hall, found a door marked ‘employees only’ and shoved past it. He was met with a closet and just enough space for the two of them. Huddling inside with her, Danse succumbed to the feeling balled up in his chest.

“I saw the way those people were looking at you.  .  .” He didn’t sound unhappy with her, but was rather displeased with the brazenness of the strangers in the casino.

Maybe.  .  . he needed to be that forward?

Danse thought it over for all of one second before he moved in, lips attaching themselves to her neck. He nibbled at the spot under her ear, knowing it would be easy to miss if someone were only to glance at her. But for those that let their gaze linger too long, they would find a large, purple-and-red mark encircled by deep divots where his teeth had been.

[xamassed]

｢ @bucketfullofocs​ / meme  ｣

📜 Marianne and Danse

Danse: WHAT’S YOUR TYPE Marianne: Anything, honestly, but nerds especially Danse, desperately, as Marianne bleeds out: YOUR BLOOD TYPE Marianne: Oh! B positive. Danse: DONT TRY TO CHEER ME UP JUST TELL ME YOUR BLOOD TYPE Marianne:

[xamassed]

[Marianne @ Danse] “ no don’t move, it’s too cold outside the covers. ”

— morning after / @bucketfullofocs

He was no longer one of them, but old habits were hard to break. Every morning, he woke up at the same time, letting his body rise with the sun so as not to waste a single moment. No matter how hot and humid or cold and nippy it might be, he always made sure to promptly leave the bed before it became too tempting to stay there.

But when he’d felt the cold on his bare leg and heard Marianne mutter to him, he loosened his hold on whatever willpower he had that morning — which was nearly none at all after spotting her curled up and reaching out for him across the mattress.

“Did you know that for as long as I can remember, I have never once slept in or stayed in bed.” He was quick to wrap himself around her, letting her leech his warmth as much as she liked. But while she did, he laid kiss after kiss upon her face, her shoulders and any other part of her that he could reach. “You’ve changed me so much.  .  . You’ve made me see the value in slowing down and enjoying the moment. If there’s anyone I’ll stay in bed with forever, it’s you.”

[xamassed]

｢ @bucketfullofocs​  ｣

[Marianne @ Danse] "So, what do you think of exploring the desert around New Vegas? Supposedly the old Sunset Sarsaparilla hq is still standing! I went there once on a family vacation as a kid." She's looking out over the balcony of their hotel room, a bottle of the mentioned drink in her hands. "They used to have this creepy robot cowboy mascot. Thing gave me nightmares as a kid."

It slipped his mind sometimes that she was a woman out of time, that most of what she saw hadn’t always been in a state of utter ruin. Danse often wondered what it would have been like to live before everything had gone to hell, but he never let the thoughts linger for long. He couldn’t feel nostalgic for something he had never loved in the first place.

But.  .  . she loved it, and it made him feel something to see her reminisce.

“This is as much your vacation as it is mine.” He reminded as he embraced her from behind. His chin rested on her shoulder, lips pressing to her ear and the side of her neck. “Let’s go visit it. We’ll need to be careful — I have a feeling a place like that won’t be empty.”

Another nuzzle, and he momentarily lost himself in her warmth before his thoughts returned to him intact.

“You get dressed. I’ll make sure our equipment is in working order.”

[xamassed]

hey lets play how hot is that character // Aya for Sanji or Marianne for Danse ÓuÓ

— how hot / @postmortemlullabies & @bucketfullofocs​

[ not my type | alright | cute | adorable | pretty | gorgeous | LORD MERCY ]

“There’s a reason why I call her a jewel! She’s bright and gorgeous and worth treasuring! And that’s just her heart. Don’t get me started on the rest of her, or we’ll be here all day~”

[ not my type | alright | cute | adorable | pretty | gorgeous | LORD MERCY ]

“I’m not sure if she would appreciate being called cute, but there are moments when when makes a face or she’s fast asleep and it’s.  .  . endearing.” But he’ll kindly leave out that she’s drop-dead sexy when she wants to be.

[xmenageriie]

↕+ Aya (5'1") & Sanji and/or Marianne (5'9") & Danse and/or Jessica (5'6) & Sanji! Any one or combo.

— height comparison / @bucketfullofocs

“Aya-chan~! Sometimes, you’re so cute I just want to pick you up and never, ever let you go!”

He has no one to say it to, but he sorely misses being able to give her one-armed hugs and rest his head in her hair.

He’s so used to being in his suit and adding a few extra inches to his height that when he’s out of it, he forgets she’s not that much shorter than himself.

[xmenageriie]

“When you laugh like that, it just — you’re so beautiful, you know that?” [Marianne @ Danse]

— soft sentences / @bucketfullofocs

“I — I’m not——” Said laughter died in a heartbeat, leaving him flushed and wide-eyed. No one in his memory had ever called him beautiful, especially after a wide and open laughing fit. But had to admit to himself after a moment of awkward stammering that no one had made him laugh that way since Cutler. No one had made him feel safe and happy since his best friend, and the fact that she did had only just dawned on him.

She gave him a reason to laugh, to smile, to feel like there was something worth waking up for after losing his family and purpose. If there was any chance that someone could think he was beautiful, it was because she had helped him reach that point.

Taking her hand and pulling her in close, Danse kissed her square in the center of her forehead.

“You’re the one that made me laugh. If I’d had a drink in the middle of that, I doubt it would have been as beautiful.” He chuckled and pulled back, a brow raised. “Where did you get your sense of humor from?”

[xmenageriie]

[Marianne @ Danse] "Happy Halloween, Danse! You ready for the party tonight?" Marianne grins, leaning against a wall. She's dressed as a rather scantily clad devil, complete with horns and a tail she was holding in one hand.

— @bucketfullofocs

“Uh.  .  .” He had an answer, but it died in his throat the moment he spotted Marianne in her costume. Hers was vastly more revealing than his, and there was no hiding that he appreciated it. Red cheeks, wide eyes and a complete lack for words — he couldn’t even formulate the compliments she deserved. His brain had short-circuited, but they were both fortunate that it repaired itself quickly enough.

His nod was quick and short, giving him the opportunity to turn his eyes back to the grime-crusted mirror he had been using to perfect his own costume. It wasn’t elaborate, but he liked to think that this was quite a leap for a guy like himself. The whole ensemble, complete with an eye patch, bellowing shirt and sash around the waist, gave him the vague appearance of a pirate.

“I think I am.” He turned away from the mirror and came to embrace her despite the growing heat in his gut. Marianne knew how to toy with him, and it seemed that no amount of discipline and training could quell the feelings that she brought out in him. “Pirates were known for stealing priceless treasures, right? Does that mean I have to steal you away before the party is over?”

It was a lame attempt at flirtations, but she was worth the embarrassment.

[xmenageriie]

[Marianne @ Danse] “I’m thinking of hosting a Halloween party this year.”

— halloween & autumn / @bucketfullofocs

“You are?” Danse didn’t hide his surprise, but neither did he voice any doubts he might have — mostly because he didn’t have them to begin with. A year or so ago, he would have scolded her for wanting to waste time and supplies. Holidays had been pointless, even when the Brotherhood allowed for light celebration. He had never partook in Halloween despite the allure of sweets, always remaining responsible for those that were too sick on candies or drunk on booze to be responsible for themselves.

He had no reason to be responsible now. Maybe, for the first time in a long while, he could relax and let the spirit of the holiday take him.

“Some of the younger recruits used to throw little parties during Halloween, but I never joined in. I’m not sure I’ll be of any use or fun.” He raised both eyebrows at her, not appearing the least bit dissuaded. “Why do I have a feeling your parties are more extravagant?”

[xmenageriie]

[Marianne @ Danse] "So wait if Danse isn't your first name what am I suppose to yell in bed? Danse or you first name?" A pause. "I could always just call you Sir~."

— @bucketfullofocs

Before Danse could answer the rather blunt question, he first needed to get over the violent bout of coughing it had brought him. Her timing was atrocious, a sudden and surprised intake of breath causing him to gulp down more Nuka-Cola than he intended. Sputtering and hacking, it almost sounded as if he were dying.

Considering how embarrassing the question was, Danse almost wished he was.

“I don’t — uh — know.” His mind had shorted out, and he was positive she’d smell the smoke soon. Awkwardly, he turned his attention away from her, mind wandering despite him trying his best to keep it away from bedroom thoughts.

After a one-shoulder shrug, he stood and moved to embrace Marianne from behind, face hidden in her shoulder and voice quiet. “Isn’t that your choice? I think as long as it’s my name, I don’t care which you use. Although.  .  .”

He paused, and his face became so hot and red that she might feel it through her clothes.

“You’ve never called me sir with that voice before.”