#good read

[iamnot-crazy]

A Pirates Choice Part 2

Part 1

a/n: I wanted to say I do have plans for this part two to have two options maybe 3. But I really wanted to get this part out now that the recent One Piece episode was released so yes this chapter does contain spoilers for that episode. Anyway please enjoy I did cry while writing this which means that this chapter has to be one of my good ones.

This chapter is not all sad though there are a few sweet moments.

Trafalgar Law x f!reader

TW: This story contains mentions of sexual assault, unwanted pregnancy, and loss.

****

Your thoughts swarm as you ponder Law's words while he hovers above you awaiting your response.

“What I want?” your voice cracks as you tear up looking up at your captain.

Law nodded, “I promise we can work out whatever you choose.” He encourages you wiping away the stray tear off your cheek.

You nodded and in that moment Law knew your answer and pulled your head into his chest gripping you tightly.

Law kept his promise and when you finally calmed down the two of you went over options. You decided that you were going to find your new home in Dressrosa. You both figured that it would be far enough removed from the government without the dangers of a lawless island and you could help the country regrow itself.

Law informed Hakugan that they would be temporarily changing course. It would take a bit longer than expected but Law assured to see your safe landing on Dressrosa was worth pausing his expedition to the one piece.

However, your trip was cut short.

The Polar Tang bucked and groaned beneath you as cannonballs slammed into its hull. Chaos reigned on the bridge. Crew members scrambled, faces etched with fear, while Law's voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the din. "Make for the nearest island!"

You stumbled your way onto the bridge, “What is going on?” You shouted over the ruckus.

Law’s eyes darted up to meet yours, a storm of worry and determination reflected in their depths. “Blackbeard,” He gritted out, bracing himself against the lurching vessel.

Adrenaline surged through you as the sub tilted dangerously. Water began seeping in through cracks in the hull. You joined the frantic struggle to cover the cracks. The sub swiftly steered towards the nearest island and the water pouring in slowed as the sub surface.

Everyone dashed to the door to ready their fight on the island. You followed suit, but a strong hand clamped down on your shoulder, halting you in your tracks. Law’s stern gaze met yours. "You're staying here," he growled.

Shock and defiance warred within you. "What?!" you exclaimed, wrenching your shoulder free. "It's Blackbeard!” You paused quickly hiding your fear behind a reassuring smile, “I'm not missing out on the fun." A forced laugh escaped your lips as you tried to mask the fear creeping up your spine. But as you turned your back toward your captain your fear quickly resurfaced and etched itself on your face.

The blinding sunlight forced you to shield your eyes as you stumbled onto the beach, Law's figure a blur behind you. Blackbeard, a monstrous silhouette, soared above on a grotesque, winged beast. Before he could land, Law met him with a barrage of room-based attacks.

Your attention snapped to Jesus, the user of the Strong Strong Fruit. Mountains were yanked from the ground and hurtling towards your allies. With a fierce cry, you coated your sword in Haki and leaped into the air, cleaving the oncoming disaster in half. A triumphant grin spread across your face as you landed, meeting Law's approving gaze. Pregnancy hadn't dulled your edge, it seemed.

Law's orders echoed through the chaos as he dispatched Penguin and Shachi to the sea, and Hakugan to the Polar Tang. Then, the earth convulsed beneath you. Blackbeard's Tremor Tremor Fruit was unleashing its fury. You were pinned to the ground, the world a jarring, chaotic blur. Fear gnawed at you as you struggled to breathe, the full extent of Blackbeard's power a terrifying reality.

Desperation fueled your attempt to rise, your instincts to protect your stomach and child from damage distracted you from the monstrous boulder hurtled towards you. Law's anguished cry was a distant echo as your world shattered. The impact was a cataclysmic force, ripping you from the earth. Your body was a helpless puppet, tossed and turned by an unseen hand. The ground itself seemed to revolt, rising in jagged walls that met you with unforgiving brutality.

Your body finally came to a jarring halt, and the extent of your injuries became painfully clear. The worst was concentrated on your abdomen. The fabric of your shirt was shredded, revealing a gaping wound that stretched across your slightly risen belly. Law’s face contorted in horror as he took in the sight. He knew, with a cold dread, that your child’s fate was grim. You weren't wearing the protective gear the crew usually donned, but one of Law's oversized hoodies. Now, the once comfortable fabric was tattered and useless, fluttering in the wind.

Law’s mind drifted back to the day you’d claimed the hoodie. Exhausted from a day at the helm, he’d retreated to his quarters, only to find you rummaging through his closet. A smirk tugged at his lips as he approached, amused by the sight. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice laced with playful curiosity.

You jumped, startled by his presence. Your face flushed as you stammered out an explanation, a nervous smile playing on your lips. “Ah! Uh, Captain... I thought you’d be out a little longer.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Law replied, a playful smirk gracing his lips as he perched on the edge of his bed.

You groaned, turning back to his closet and rummaging through the clothes. "My suits are getting harder to hide this bump, and Shachi's starting to catch on to my suit-borrowing habit," you explained, pulling out a hoodie. You slipped it over your undershirt and turned to your captain for approval.

Law chuckled, “You know if you go out wearing my hoodie, everyone is just going to think that we are in a relationship.” he teased, raising an eyebrow.

You roll your eyes and scrunch your nose at the comment slipping the hoodie off and throwing it into a pile on his bed before turning back to the closet, “As awful as that sounds, it's better than them finding out I’m pregnant.”

Law sighed, grabbed the hoodie, and began folding it neatly. “Why are you so concerned about them finding out?” he asks with a gentle tone.

You paused your search, a thoughtful expression crossing your face “Because then they will see me as weak.” you replied, your voice soft. Resuming your search, you pulled out one of his long coats. A playful smirk spread across your lips as you turned to face him. The coat nearly touched the floor, engulfing you.

Law shook his head in amusement, but his expression turned disapproving. You removed the coat and playfully tossed it at him, covering his face. He pulled the coat off his face, “You are one of the strongest fighters of the crew no one is going to think you are weak even for a second.”

“They will when they find out how it happened.” You spoke coldly gripping the next item tightly.

Law noticed the action and stood up to grab your arm. “Y/n what happened does not make you weak,” he spoke softly in your ear as your back pressed against his chest.

You frowned gently releasing the fabric and placing your hand over his. A sigh escaped your lips as you relaxed into his touch. “The only two people who know about the… event. is you and Ikkaku. And both of you already look at me differently. I don’t think I can handle it when the rest of the crew starts looking at me like that.” You admitted, avoiding his gaze.

Law looks down at you in surprise, “I don’t look at you differently.” he defended. You shook your head, and his frown deepened. He grabbed your shoulders, gently spinning you to face you, “Okay, maybe I do look at you differently, but it’s not because I think you're weak.”

Your gaze met his, and you absorbed his words. “I know that what happened was awful, but it showed that you are much braver than I could ever imagine. You saved those other women, and you protected Ikkaku. I’m worried you’re bottling things up is unhealthy, but I think it shows how much you care about everyone around you.” Law pauses as he looks into your eyes, “If I am looking at you differently it's because you've been amazing me.” a blush crept on his face as he watched your eyes search his face.

Law’s eyes widened in horror as he watched your body convulse on the ground. A low groan escaped your lips as your hand instinctively moved towards your stomach, a look of pure terror etched on your face. His heart pounded in his chest as he lunged towards you, the desperate need to protect both you and your child consuming him.

His path was disrupted when Blackbeard landed on the island, his arrival a jarring interruption. Law's attention was torn between your desperate state and the looming threat. A growl erupted from his throat as he glared at the pirate, his mind racing with a thousand different plans. Blackbeard, sensing an opportunity, swung his fist, forcing Law to defend himself. The pirate’s blow sent him crashing across the beach, his body slamming into the unforgiving sand.

A blood-curdling scream tore from your throat, your focus solely on your injured abdomen. Then, with a feral snarl, your head snapped up, and your eyes locked on the monstrous pirate. Adrenaline coursed through your veins as you launched yourself at Blackbeard, your Haki-coated sword a blur. You connected with his chest, the impact sending a thrill of satisfaction through you.

Blackbeard vain throbbed in his forehead as he looked down at you with surprise and irritation as you seemingly disappeared into the next attack. He swung his arm toward you but you easily dodged his attack and appeared beside him slashing at his open side. He hissed as his hand instinctively reached for his injured side, granting you a guttural growl from the pirate.

You took no moment to relish in his anger but allowed another feral scream to roar out of your chest as you dive into another attack. This time the pirate captain stopped you in your tracks by grabbing your throat and lifting you to his eye level. You dropped your sword as you clawed at his massive arm terror and desperation warred within you as you gasped for air.

A twisted smile crept across Blackbeard’s face as he looked down at you, your face soaked in tears and contorted in fear. “Wow, you are a spiteful one!” He sneered but his mockery was cut short by the blue-coated end of Law’s sword pierced through his chest. A look of shock and disbelief flashed across his face as he dropped you to the ground.

Law’s voice echoed through the air as he unleashed his attack, his blade now crackling with yellow electricity. Blackbeard faltered to the ground, his gaze now fixed on the enraged bloodied doctor. With a swift motion, Law pulled up the ground beneath him, transforming it into a deadly threat that spun around him as he launched himself at his opponent.

You groaned in agony, clutching your injured abdomen. You tried to look up towards the fight but were only met with the pitch darkness of Blackbeard's Black vortex. When the darkness that enveloped the battlefield dissipated your eyes quickly searched for your captain.

Law was on the ground covered in blood. His usual snarky demeanor was replaced with one of raw fear as Blackbeard hovered above him tauntingly. Ignoring the pain you pushed yourself off the ground. Your vision blurred, and your legs trembled, but you refused to give in. You raised your sword and shouted for the pirate gaining his attention. He turned to look over at you but laughed seeing your state. “Do you really want to keep fighting me? When you look like that!”

You straightened yourself as you held your sword up confidently, “For my captain. I will do anything. Even die.” You declare, your voice filled with a fierce resolve.

Blackbeard's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise and perhaps even respect crossing his face as his eyes drifted down toward your slightly raised belly. "Y/n... don't," Law coughed, his voice weak but filled with a desperate plea for you to stay out of the fight. Blackbeard smirked, relishing in Law's vulnerability.

But before either of you could react, a shockwave erupted from the Heart Pirates' side. The ground trembled as a monstrous figure emerged - Bepo transformed into a colossal, enraged beast. Twice his normal size, his fur was pure white, and his eyes glowed an ominous red. With a thunderous roar, he charged towards Blackbeard's crew, his voice echoing across the island. "Don't touch my captain!”

"Y/n," Law coughed, his voice barely a whisper. You fell to your knees beside him, taking his hand in yours. "Save yourself," he begged, his eyes filled with a desperation you'd never seen before.

You shook your head, bringing his hand to your lips and pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles. "Thank you, Law," you whispered, tears streaming down your face. "For everything." A bitter smile tugged at your lips. "I'm sorry," you managed to say before pushing yourself to your feet. Bepo was already returning to his normal size, his exhausted breaths a stark contrast to his previous ferocity.

Bepo collapsed to the ground, his knees buckling beneath him. Tears streamed down his face as he looked at his Brother. You rushed to his side, helping him to his feet. "You need to get him away from here," you urged, your voice trembling. Bepo nodded, his determination unwavering.

You turned to face Blackbeard as he pushed himself up from the ground Bepo pounded him into, your heart pounding in your chest as you swallowed a painful lump in your throat "And don't let him see what happens next," you whispered, a single tear escaping your eye as you come to terms with your fate.

Bepo's breath hitched in his chest as he realized the gravity of your words. Fear gripped him, but he couldn't find his voice. "GO NOW!" you screamed, your voice filled with desperation. Bepo nodded, tears streaming down his face. Scooping Law into his arms, he turned and ran towards the sea. You took one last look at the two before shifting your attention back to the pirate crew and jumping into your attack.

"Bepo, please!" Law cried out, his voice filled with anguish as they fled. "I can't leave them! I can't let y/n!" His sobs echoed in the air. Blackbeard's cruel laughter filled the silence as he held your lifeless body aloft. Bepo's heart shattered as he dived into the water, blocking the horrifying sight from Law's view.

Law finally was consumed by the darkness allowing Bepo to take him far away from the island and out of Blackbeard's clutches.

[charlotte-queen-owl]

Bro just spawned... 💀

[caleism-1]

Being the Ghost King is surprisingly boring when you're good at the job and therefore your people are at peace. In an attempt to escape his mind numbing boredom (and do a favor for Lady Gotham) Danny begins his ten step plan to help the city without donning the Phantom 'cape' once more.

Too bad the Waynes and Gotham's vigilantes seem to be taking such an interest in the strange man who willingly moved TO Gotham to open a daycare in the Bowery. It's fine, this is all fine, what could go wrong?

Turns out- a lot.

[deadrayg2mf]

The Gargoyle's Captive (A Deal with a Demon #3) by Katee Robert

Honestly, like, what do I even say at this point that ya'll haven't heard from me about how much I freakin' love Katee Robert and this series. I will keep this one brief for real because if I don't it'll just be like "Oh my god, Ray, shut the fuck up we get it - this book came out three months ago you're late to the party!"

Okay, so aside from it being Katee freakin' Robert, this book is full of enemies to lovers, femdom, grief-consumed protags, and - my favorite, of course - angst. Yeah, did I see the plot twist coming from a mile away? One thousand percent. Did I care? Frick no. Okay, so we're following the same story - deal with a demon, seven years basically married to leader of demon territory, maybe a baby... But this time, it's Grace the monster hunter and Bram the Gargoyle.

Grace is another enjoyable female lead who is a headstrong take-no-shit kinda gal, probably what you would expect from someone who makes a living out of hunting monsters. She's the last of her family and she's really only here for answers because Azazel happens to be the same demon her mother, who disappeared, made a bargain with, and by golly, she is going to get those answers even if it means selling seven years of her life. Bram is traumatized, grief-stricken, lonely, and at this point has the most sad-boy, giving up on life, fuck it energy I've ever seen in a protagonist - and I am so here for it. I eat that shit up. I love the tragics - stories and characters. He's also the last of his family after his entire family was murdered by an outsider his father brought in. He doesn't actually really want to be there but the opportunity and benefits it brings are too good to pass up, especially when you're in the leadership position he is...

I loved the story clearly, and really liked how handling grief was portrayed, no two people will be able to handle it the same even when they are in the same situation. Grace dug her heels in and became even more stalwart and determined while Bram gave in to the grief of loss and resigned himself to an empty life... and even potentially having it purposely ended at the hands of a scrappy little monster hunter in the bath... They are two people coming to terms with events of the past, the shadow of their parents, and suddenly dealing with someone new who they bought at an auction/got auctioned to for the next seven years that they don't necessarily get along with. That's right, they're totally toxic for each other. Don't worry, we're always promising happy endings here :) It's fast paced, there's a lot to get through in 186 pages, but I really think it was done to the best of its ability. Do I wish this was 500 pages? Uh, YEAH, but it is what it is and what it is, is really good. I will admit... it took me a hot minute to slug through obviously. I actually feel a little bad about this review because I was kind of forcing myself to read this. I wasn't in the right headspace and so while objectively I knew I was enjoying it I was also aware that I was, like, not locked in. I am very much intending to reread it when I'm not begrudgingly reading while rotting in bed just because nothing sounds enjoyable.

With that, I swear I am not just pulling shit out of my ass with everything I've told you. I really did enjoy the book, I love the way it's written, I liked the characters, the cover art is amazing, and it's just another great addition to the Deal with a Demon series. I think I'll give it a solid.... 7.9/10 with subject to change in the future :)

Would I read again? Yes, I plan to. Once the pesky ole depression and imminent demise anxiety wear off.

Would I recommend? Of cousre, I'm always recommending Katee Robert... I'm not sure what happens on the day I don't...? Does the world end?

[sisaloofafump]

"Most fans agree that not only could Batman ride a shark while wielding a lightsaber if he felt like it, but it is almost inevitable that he do so"

... is such a banger line. Thank you Jennifer Dondero

From "Dark Hero Rising: How Online Batman Fandom Helped Create A Cultural Archetype " in the book Fan Phenomena: Batman edited by Liam Burke

[shakerofthebutt9000]

How i feel when my progress on a drawing doesn't save

I'm working on a crappy comic for school and it got deleted at some point so that was fun

[alexbkrieger13]

https://bolztribuene.de/2024/12/15/tuerchen-15-ann-katrin-bergers-realitaet-schlaegt-alle-maerchen/?fbclid=PAY2xjawHL4uVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABplCEo0fArmgw2lri_yDNrFTMR2dXLD7zN7K3FwoYpeB4Wce-WnHvbphdbg_aem_7rOJPJD97GwQcyEJLTxByQ

I think thats one of the Best articles i read about ann this year.

[thehutpoint]

Madness, scurvy, dark polar night and Froald Cookmundsen. "Madhouse at the end of the world" is all a girl needs for a long November evening.

[illusoryfem]

Who the hell are 2girls1bottl3?

[hummussexual]

Excerpt:

What does it mean to decolonize gender?

First, let’s break down the idea of decolonization, or the process by which colonized people take back power from colonizers. Decolonization at its core is about breaking down power structures imposed by colonizers onto colonized folks, and reclaiming land, knowledge, and cultural values lost to colonization.

From the movement for a free Palestine to the Puerto Rican crusade for independence to the push for Hawaiian sovereignty, taking back land and ancestral knowledge lies at the root of decolonial struggle. For Land Back, the decentralized movement for the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, decolonization means “the reclamation of everything stolen from the original peoples: land, language, ceremony, food, education, housing, healthcare, governance, medicines, kinship.”

In order to decolonize gender, it’s crucial to understand the history of how gender was colonized in the first place. Prior to European colonization of what we now know as the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, gender variant people existed all over the world. Indigenous nations across Turtle Island (North America) and Abya Yala (South America) often revered the gender variant people in their communities, as they held sacred titles and performed important duties such as healing and governing. When European colonizers took the land, they brought their own narrow ideas of gender to the continent and attempted to eradicate Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people. In addition to outright brutality and genocide, these colonizers also attempted to “civilize” Native people through institutions like the Indian boarding school system, which sought to destroy traditional ways of Indigenous life by forcing Christian values on them, including by demonizing any gender variance or queerness.

Decolonizing gender means undoing centuries of teachings that asserted Indigenous thinking of gender and sexuality were “savage” or “wrong,” and understanding that the binary of “man” and “woman” is rooted in European colonization.

...

[hiraeth-blr]

ー Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

[wishful-seeker]

Cute book i got

[sirswooshnoodles]

Spoilers below the cut

Oh my god

Oh my fucking god

They destroyed the bulb

How fucking dare

Putting that on hold for a moment, this is great, this was a fun ride. Touched on some cool philosophical stuff. Wild. I fucking love the crazy football games. And J.U.I.C.E. Love them.

But whoever killed the bulb, fuck em. I hope they got locked away for 5,000 years at least, with nothing but water and granola bars.

At first I thought the bulb was some building, but once the video zoomed in to a normal building I realized. It’s The Bulb. The Bulb. I miss the bulb even though the real one is still going and I’ve never seen it. I love the bulb.

How fucking dare.

[deadrayg2mf]

The Dragon’s Bride (Deal with a Demon #1) by Katee Robert

I really can’t praise Katee Robert enough. She is by far one of my favorite authors in the genre. I know I’m going to get a female lead I can relate to, or at least actually like, right off the bat. A male lead who is going to be the perfect match for her. And some quality plot with just enough snippets of the characters backgrounds for me to beg and plead for more books about them.

The Dragon’s Bride is the kick starter to the Deal with a Demon series, the precursor (though not required read) to The Kraken’s Sacrifice (check out the post on that). It follows Briar, a charming survivor of domestic abuse who has one wish: her husband’s death. Luckily, she is also one of the five women to make a deal, seven years of partnership to a monstrous leader for anything they could possibly want in the world. That’s how she ends up in the Bargainer Demon’s castle, with her last memories of the human realm being her late husband's blood on a demon's hands, and her hand in marriage to a dragon. 

Briar is fragile but strong, cautious but daring, curious, blunt, and a little bit of a hellcat, and while this all may sound super contradictory, Katee weaves her in such a way that makes her a darling in my eyes. Briar also has a breeding kink, so there’s that sort of dirty talk coming out of her mouth. 

Sol is a dragon. He swims a little like a crocodile, he wears pants, and he is so totally smitten with Briar it’s adorable. He is patient, gentle, and kind. He doesn’t let Briar skirt around her issues but holds her when the nightmares come during the night. He doesn’t push her but makes sure she knows she is safe from whatever she may fear will come back to haunt her. Oh, and he is all too willing to play into that breeding kink fantasy. (And he’s got double the trouble to do so)

Now while some may be disappointed to hear there is no DP (double penetration) in The Dragon’s Bride (that’s what the second book is for) the spice is seriously insane, and there sure is plenty of it within the 180 pages. Now I may never be one to utter the phrase “fill me up,” I sure do enjoy reading it being used to provoke a giant dragon man. 

Another must read from Katee Robert. If you’re looking for a soft romance between a survivor who thinks she’s broken and a dragon who’s determined to show her she isn’t in 180 pages, with a bunch of sex too, then The Dragon’s Bride is your book for the night. 9/10

Would I read again? I did for this! I would still!

Would I recommend? Absolutely!