#good to finally be free after being shackled by the pirate show

[earth-bee]

i finished watching all one piece episodes 1-1119. Now I can finally watch actually anything else.

[myonepiece]

Law, Luffy, Zoro headcanon- he is at your execution, but you react to the situation like Gol D. Roger then escape yourself

•~•~•~•~

Warnings: slight angst, mentions of death, EMO

Also feel free to change any of the “last words” quotes

Ztgsfdkzjdb this was so fun to imagine

Also I’ll make this with other characters too!

Law

•The salty smell of the sea was carried through Loguetown and whipped your hair around as you turned the corner

•You started walking down the isle with your hands in shackles, surrounded by marines

•You heald your head high as you strutted through the parted crowd

•You had no regrets of taking their lives, you felt pride knowing that you were such a threat that you were to be executed the same way Gol D. Roger had been

•One foot in front of the other, you smirked as your eyes scanned the crowds’ faces- finding fear, anger, amazement, and sorrow as they watched you being walked to your “death”

•As you stood on top of the platform, you looked into distance with a contempt look that only made the marines and citizens angrier yet fearful that you showed no sign of terror- it was as if you didn’t know you were being executed

“Any last words” the marine next to you asked

•You glanced at him then back at the crowd smiling your infamous grin as you said,

“It’s a fine day for bloodshed”

•You watched the look of fear wash over the faces of those watching, then you jumped and kicked the marines off of the platform

•You kicked up one of their swords and broke your shackles, then into the crowd you jumped slicing as many throats as you could get to as you sprinted towards the docks

Law’s Reaction~~

•He was watching from the docks

•He was watching the love of his life being led to their death, hoping that some miracle would happen that landed you safely back in his arms

•He knew he couldn’t take all of the thousands of marines that were there making sure your execution was carried out

•As much as Law had argued with his crew to save you, they explained there was nothing they could do

•Law felt part of his heart begin to die as another person he cared about approaching their death

•The one thing he couldn’t get out of his mind, was the resemblance you showed to the Pirate King

•You had no fear on your face, only pride

•You had always showed in incredible resemblance to Roger, so much that Law thought you to be his kid at first

•Law listened to your last words and let the tears escape, even in your last moments you were a violent pirate, that he had somehow come to admire and love with all his broken heart

•But as he watched you take down the marines and free yourself, he realized that was why he loved you- your unwavering pride and bloodlust that drove you to your success and constant return to him

•The crowd thrown into panick and he lost sight of you as dust and gunpowder filled the air that was now laced with screams

•As you emerged from the smoke with blood smeared across your face and dripping from your swords, Law realized that he didn’t deserve you, you deserved a king with as much strength as you, but what he didn’t know was that he was the only king you saw fit to hold your heart

Luffy

•It was a spring morning, it couldn’t have been better weather for your execution day

•You took a deep breath and inhaled the familiar smell of sea air mixed with flowers, then you were led into the sunlight and the sound of boos mixed with cheers filled the air

•You grinned at the parted crowd as the marines walked you forward closer to the execution platform that your idol had died on

•You looked at the different types of flowers that littered the shop fronts and ground

•You felt pride in your chest as you thought of the victories that had gotten you to this moment

•All the deaths were worth it and you felt no remorse

•The crowd was varied- some had looks of disgust, some had sorrow, terror, anger, awe, excitement

•You smiled at the kids peeking from behind their parents, it was a smile the world knew all too well, one that always ended in blood

•The closer you got to the platform the more your heart beat with excitement, you would finally see the view that the pirate king had, you had to remember it so you could tell Luffy about it once you were back to him

•You looked out at the crowd with your eyes full of pride and joy, with a hidden layer of violence

“Last words” the marine said

“You should really stop asking for last words, I could’ve killed 10 men while you asked that. But now I’ll kill 100”

•And with that you knocked your head into the marine’s and kicked the other one off the platform

•The crowd erupted into screams as you leaped down, breaking your shackles on the way, and snatched the swords from the dead marines

•You counted down 100 lives as you ran through the crowd dodging bullets towards the docks

Luffy’s Reaction

•Luffy felt like his heart was being ripped apart as he watched the woman he loves being walked to her death

•The whole strawhat crew had to hold him back and explain to him that they would all die if they ran in to save you

•Tears were streaming down his cheeks while Chopper, Sanji, Usopp, and Nami sobbed into each other’s shirts with Robin in background quietly crying as her friend neared the end

•Zoro stood by Luffy holding the back of his shirt in case he tried something- although Zoro knew he wouldn’t completely stop Luffy if he did

•Luffy had planned for you to be his queen, in every dream he had of his victory, you were right by his side

•Mixed with the harrowing sadness and guilt that he felt, there was a hint of pride that you were meeting the same fate that his idol, Gol D. Roger, had met

•What especially intrigued Luffy, was the pride and unwavering grin that you wore across your face- the resemblance to Roger was uncanny

•As you stood on the platform, Luffy’s tears quickened- he would give anything to have you back with him and his arms wrapped multiple times around you

•But the whole crew froze as you proudly said your “last words” then leaped into the battle

•Luffy watched as splashes of blood flew into the air and screams rang throughout Loguetown, the dust covered you from sight and the crew leaned over railing trying to see you

•As you emerged from the smoke with your clothes soaked with blood and the terrifying grin that Luffy loves so much, they cheered

•And as Luffy watched you run towards them, he knew he had made the right choice to make you his queen, he realized that becoming pirate king wasn’t his only dream anymore, he now dreamed of spending the rest of his life with you

Zoro

•The winter wind nipped at your nose as you watched the sun begin to set

•You stepped out into the pathway separating the crowd, with your hands shackled and a group of marines leading you forward to the execution platform

•You held your head high with pride, having such a big execution gave your ego a boost

•You had no regrets, only pride, and you weren’t going to fake sympathy or guilt for the families of your victims

•Walked with pne foot in front of the other and smirked down at the kids who watched you in awe

•The crowd wore expressiones of fear, sadness, joy, disgust, and confusion- most likely wondering why you showed no sign of terror

•Your hair whipped around you as you climbed the the platform and looked out at the same view the Pirate King had seen

•The pride you felt just grew as the marines took their place beside you

“Any last words”

You kept your eyes on the crowd as you smirked and replied “I won’t be killed by a mere marine, enjoy the show”

•You kicked the marines off the platform easily and ran down into the crowd taking a sword with you

•After freeing your hands, you unleashed the force of your violence that had earned you your name

Zoro’s Reaction

•Zoro’s tough exterior cracked when he saw the marines walk you down the isle

•He let the tears slowly fall down his cheeks while the rest of the crew sobbed into his clothes

•He had fought with them because he, Luffy, and Sanji wanted to go in and save you- but deep down they all knew it wouldn’t do any good

•He thought back to all of the times you and sparred with him, watched him train, cheered him on during battles, and napped with him

•Oh how he would miss your naps, the moments he thought of spending every moment of every day with you for the rest of his life

•But now he couldn’t, you wouldn’t be there the day he became the greatest swordsman like the two of you had always planned, even though with you at his side he already felt like he was the greatest

•He would show no mercy in his future fights against the marines

•Zoro snapped back to reality and noticed the resemblance between you.. and the first Pirate King

•Your face showed no fear, you held your head up with pride, the pride he admired so much

•He was proud of you for showing no fear, and proud of the resemblance you held to the greatest pirate

•He watched as you climbed the platform, his heart breaking with every step

•But as you stood on the platform awaiting your execution, he realized that you had no plan of dying

•That gave him hope that maybe, just maybe, your pride and thirst for blood would safely return you to his arms- and that wish came true

•The second he heard your “last words” he knew you would be napping on his chest in just a few moments

•The strawhat crew watched in awe as you tore threw the crowd with astounding skills and grace

•As Zoro saw you emerge from the smoke and gunpowder filled cloud that blocked the sight of the Loguetown town square, he knew that you wouldn’t be leaving him, that you be there to see him become the greatest swordsman and be there at every victory after that- and he’d be dead before he let you get taken away from him again

[wafflesandkruge]

have your way with me until you go (zoyalai)

Nikolai and Zoya's morning routines are like clockwork. She wakes him with a drop of stimulant. He makes a witty quip. Neither of them acknowledge what's between them.

So when Zoya shows up late, it's reasonable to assume that nothing else will go as planned.

@grishaverseonline mission 06: free for all

a/n: it’s literally just 2k of pining, pls take it, it’s all i have to offer. meant to be a parallel to the carriage scene at the beginning of kos but it got a bit out of hand 😔 big thanks to @storm-dog-pirate and @mareshes for helping me beta!

ao3

---

When Nikolai woke, it was less surfacing gently from the sea of sleep than being abruptly spat out onto dry land by a monster. He inhaled sharply, his mind instantly assaulted with his surroundings. He was on his bed at the Grand Palace. Chains were once again fastened around his wrists. And an unfairly lovely face was hovering above his, her dark curls brushing his bare chest.

“Zoya,” he greeted with a groan, “how kind of you to grace me with your delightful presence this fine morning. I feel healthier already.”

She barely spared him a glance as she leaned over him to unlock the shackle on his right wrist. He caught a whiff of her hair, the same strangely familiar wildflower scent as always.

“Getting a head start on the flattery, are we?” Her voice was rough, strained. He could see a near imperceptible tremor in her hands as she fitted her key into the lock. It took her multiple tries to get the stubborn thing to turn. Odd, when she’d practically perfected the technique of unchaining a king from his bed months ago. 

He shifted to get a closer look at her. Dark shadows bloomed under her eyes, her brows furrowed as she attempted to unlock the last shackle. Her hair was in sore need of brushing. Saints, had she really emerged from her rooms looking like that? Perhaps she was human like the rest of them after all.

“Late night?” he attempted. “Fun night?”

“Only you would think of fun while facing war on six fronts, my king.” She moved away as soon as the shackle sprang open as if she didn’t want to be near him for any longer than necessary.

He sat up and watched her retreat into the sitting room, rubbing at his sore wrists. Had he done something to offend her recently? Besides daring to breathe the same air as her, naturally. He pondered the question as he washed and dressed mechanically.

When he emerged from his room, he found Zoya hovering in front of a gilded mirror with a ribbon in her hands. As he watched, she attempted to pull her hair into something more manageable than its current frazzled state, but each time she’d miss a strand or the knot would become undone as soon as she dropped her hands. His eyes met hers in the mirror. The dark smudges under her eyes only seemed to make them bluer than ever. An untold secret seemed to lurk behind their depths, but she’d probably sooner jump out the window than confide in him.

“You’re a mess, Zoya.”

“Says the man who was just chained to his bed.” There wasn’t nearly enough venom in her voice to reassure him of his general’s wellbeing. He crossed the room and plucked the ribbon from her hands. She made no move to stop him.

“You know, I once had a promising future as a hairdresser,” he remarked idly as he took a strand of her hair in his hands after a moment’s hesitation. It was impossibly silky, and if he’d been wearing his gloves, he was sure it would have slipped right out of his hands. The dark scars on his fingers were hidden among the loose curls, and for just a moment, he could pretend he was just another man. But Zoya would never be just another woman to him, would she? He used his fingers to carefully comb out the worst of the tangles. 

“Is that so?” The words were a challenge, or perhaps an invitation. He could never quite tell with her.

“Girls would line up at the door when they heard I was in town just to get the newest styles done by me,” he boasted. It was true, to an extent. By “girls,” he’d meant Dominik’s two little sisters, Faina and Polina who had adored their brother’s mysterious friend. They’d forced him to arrange their hair just like the ladies at court, and because he never did anything only halfway, he’d bribed one of his mother’s servants to teach him just so he’d have something to delight them with. For a moment, he could hear Dominik’s warm laughter as his sisters eagerly showed off their pretty braids. 

Some prince you are, he’d said with a grin as the two of them tore into his mother’s sweet pastries. All you’re good for is making the ladies happy.

Not just the ladies, Nikolai had wanted to say, but Dominik had already turned to yell at his sisters for playing too close to the river.

But now Dominik was gone, and all he had left was the broken country that had failed him. And Zoya, always Zoya. 

His fingers skimmed the warm skin at her neck as he pulled back another strand of hair. Zoya was barely moving, only letting out the occasional hiss when he accidentally pulled too hard. As he plaited her hair, his eyes wandered down to the collar of her kefta. It was slung unusually low this morning, and from his vantage point, he could see the tip of one of her scars, the paler strip of skin just visible beneath the fur collar. He couldn’t help thinking about how easy it’d be to lean forward and press a kiss to the back of her neck. Would she pull away? He swallowed and averted his eyes. Saints, this had to be some game of hers, didn’t it? Sometimes he wondered if the little things she did- sending looks his way that from anyone else, would have been a reason for scandal, or letting her fingers linger on his as she handed him something- were on purpose. But he'd heard the stories of the people she’d toyed with when she was younger and crueler. She played for the sake of the game, not the prize, and if the stories were true, she had yet to lose. He was never quite sure if she was playing the same game with him, but if she was, her winning streak wasn't going to be broken. He blinked and focused on Zoya’s reflection again.

“Zoya.”

“What?”

“What’s wrong?”

As expected, she crossed her arms and scowled into the mirror. “Nothing. Hurry up so we can be on our way, or people will talk.”

“People already talk. Why do you look like you stayed out drinking with Genya and didn’t get a wink of sleep?” He pressed the issue, not sure if she would tell him anything at all. Even after three years of rebuilding a country together, there were still some lines Zoya refused to cross. 

“Maybe I did go out drinking with Genya.” Her voice was curt, clipped. He didn’t believe her for an instant.

“Without inviting me? How treasonous.” 

“You were unwanted.” 

At least her poisonous tongue was back. He supposed it was better than nothing. His braid finished, he tied it off with a neat bow. “There,” he said softly, admiring his handiwork. He let his hands linger in her hair for a moment longer before pulling them back. “Now you look a fraction more presentable.”

In the mirror, Zoya’s lips quirked upwards. “What an excellent valet you make.”

He was instantly reminded of that night in the carriage, Zoya snug in his arms as they played the role of sated lovers. She’d seen him at his worst, and yet she was still here every morning to wake him and face the country together. He supposed he ought to have returned the favor somehow, but what did he have left to give? Somehow, Zoya didn’t seem like someone who’d have use for his eternal gratitude or respect. 

“Your buttons are done wrong,” he muttered as he caught sight of her kefta in the mirror. Either she’d had a very good night, or a very bad night, but he couldn’t decide which was worse. He spun her by the shoulders and hesitated for a moment before kneeling. Vasily’s voice echoed in his head as he refastened the first of the pearl buttons. A king never kneels, brother. But his brother had never met Zoya Nazyalensky.

He glanced up at her, but her gaze was faraway, her arms crossed over her chest as she worried at her bottom lip. 

“A king’s kneeling in front of you, shouldn’t you be a bit more excited?” he quipped, somewhat desperate to get a normal reaction from her. 

She raised a brow. “I’ve had plenty of men kneel before me in the past. Why would a king be any different unless he offers me a country as well?”

He moved on to the buttons over her stomach. “If I recall correctly, I already did. You weren’t thrilled.”

She stiffened. He rose to his feet again as he finished the buttons over her chest. The pearls gleamed in a neat line down the front of her kefta, nestled in the whorls of silver embroidery. He could spend hours tracing the patterns with his eyes, and he often did during particularly trying Triumvirate meetings. He resisted the urge to trace one of the spirals with a finger. Finally, he got to the buttons at her neck.

"Do take care next time to not look like..." His voice trailed off as his eyes left the saints forsaken buttons for a moment to find Zoya's exquisite face entirely too close to his. Even exhausted, her features still spoke of regality and poise, her blue eyes bright and defiant as they stared right back at him. Nikolai's eyes tried to return to the task at hand, but they met a distraction on the way, namely, her lips. Saints, her lips. He swallowed hard and tried to force his fingers to move. 

"Like what?" she demanded. 

"Like..." 

A girl in need of kissing. 

"...a toddler who tried to dress herself," he finished weakly. Then, as if his hand had a mind of its own, it drifted upwards and swept an errant lock of Zoya’s hair back behind her ear. His palm brushed her cheek and hovered there. He could scarcely breathe as if her closeness had sucked all the air from the room.

Zoya peered up at him from under her lashes, her gaze inscrutable. Then she sighed and let her cheek rest against his palm for the briefest heartbeat. Her warmth had barely registered before she was stepping back again, her general’s mask firmly back in place as if nothing had happened. Nikolai tried not to let it sting too much as he tucked his hands into his coat pockets. 

“Anything else for me to fix? A broken shoe? A lonely heart?”

The last one was a jest, but Zoya’s lips pursed as if he’d caused a problem she’d have to fix later. “No. Let’s go. The Triumvirate has been waiting long enough.”

She turned to go, then paused halfway to the door. A foolish seed of hope took root in Nikolai’s heart, only to be trampled with her next words.

“Don’t forget your gloves.”

She swept out of the room without another backwards glance, the scent of wildflowers and thunderstorms left in her wake. 

He would play her game, he decided as he found his gloves and slipped them on. Having his heart broken by Zoya Nazyalensky was still preferable to the impossibility of staying away from her. 

[brutal-nemesis]

Saltwater Day 2021: Dinner Date with an Eel 💕

Feel that ocean breeze, baby! Cries in lives in a very landlocked area I hope y’all are having some fun in the salty spray ✨Today we finally get to see a Castys misadventure that I’ve talked about in the tags before: the big boy drowning incident! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the agony <3

Castys Masterlist

Ingredients: drowning, animal attack, self harm to escape danger, sort of self amputation, gore, broken bones, suicide for convenience (immortal)

Castys had jumped off of higher cliffs before. Granted, he had done it because he was too lazy to walk to the bottom, and he’d landed on solid rock, and it had been very painful for all of two seconds, so this didn’t make him any less terrified of being shoved off of this one. And yes, that’s right, he was going to be shoved off of this one, into the crashing waves below, which was certainly how he’d planned on spending the morning. Nothing better to start the day than a pointless execution!

Oh, but why are you being executed, Castys, you’re so good and noble and also immortal so this isn’t going to work is it. No, no it’s not going to work. And Castys was being “executed” because, well...turns out people don’t take too kindly to finding out you’re the dreaded Pirate King Ragnarok. As usual, he’d fought and tried to get away, and as usual he’d failed miserably. So here he was, wrists chained together behind his back, ankles chained to a stupidly large rock, and a cloth tied tightly around his mouth.

He tried not to think about having to deal with this arrangement once he was underwater, which was something he was less than excited for. There was already quite a large crowd gathered so, hey, at least he was popular. Actually, scratch that, based on the looks he was getting, he was definitely unpopular. He shifted a bit, causing the men gripping his arms to tighten their grasp. He huffed, wishing he had the ability to tell them to chill the fuck out.

“People of Meruna, we are gathered her today for the execution of the notorious-“ oh my FUCK nevermind just push him off already this whole thing was already bad enough without a speech about all his crimes and whatever. Not that he didn’t love hearing about his exploits, because fuck if he regretted any of it, but the sun was hot and he was tired of standing. That water was going to feel so good...until it was filling his lungs ugh nope don’t think about it like that he was just going for a nice swim that’s all. He was going to be in the nice, cool water without any of these assholes glaring at him, and he’d get out of these chains somehow and come back in ten years and release all their goats and that would show them.

All of a sudden, the hands on him started to push him towards the edge of the cliff, a third guard rolling the rock he was chained to along using her foot. Fuck, fuck the speech was over they were doing it he was going over the edge he’d just been joking earlier he really didn’t want to even if the water would feel good he’d rather stand out here all day because that sure as hell was better than drowning over and over and over the edge the air was rushing by the top of the cliff was getting farther and farther away any second now he-

Castys screamed into the gag as he slammed into the cold water, wasting his last breath of air like an idiot before he started to sink beneath the crashing waves, pulled down by the boulder attached to his ankles. He could only squirm uselessly as he sank deeper and deeper, the soaked-through gag filling his mouth with the taste of saltwater, just to make things even more unpleasant. His arms were killing him, and, you know what, they took the brunt of the impact with the water, so they were probably fucking broken, weren’t they? At least they would heal after...after he drowned for the first time. Already his lungs were starting to burn, but thankfully the rock had finally hit the bottom, so he wouldn’t sink any further and therefore the painful pressure on his ears wasn’t going to get any worse, at the very least. 

Positives, positives, since he was probably going to be here for a while...it wasn’t so stupidly hot anymore, instead it was stupidly cold, and already his fingers were starting to go numb-nope, nope, not a positive, let’s try again. It was rather pretty down here, despite the fact that black spots were starting to cloud his vision, and also things were starting to get kinda...woozy, a little bit, a little, hell-o and goodbye, wasn’t it time now? Yeah, yes, the burning was too much it hurt hurt hurt everything was black and black was good bec-

He didn’t bother counting how many times he drowned. Maybe it would have helped pass the time or something, but, let’s be real, there were better things to focus on than how many times he’d experienced the horrible burning in his lungs and that awful lightheadedness. His broken arms had healed up, so that was something, but they were still very much shackled behind his back. If they were free he could at least get that stupid gag out of his mouth and try to fuck with the chain connecting his ankles to that dumb rock. He settled for looking around the underwater landscape surrounding him, glad that sunset was still a ways off. As far as he could tell.

When he could see and think clearly, it was kind of cool to be down here, circumstances aside. All sorts of fish, many of them varieties that he knew what they tasted like, swam around between the wavy water plants. There was even a really big lookin’ boy off in the distance that he’d seen out of the corner of his eye a few times, though it was coming closer now, and he was just starting to be able to make out...wait-was that a-great. Absolutely fantastic, just what he needed. A fucking shreilian eel. How dare he drown over and over in peace, no, no let’s add a vicious man-eating monster to the mix! At least he wasn’t bleeding, so the creature wouldn’t be immediately drawn to him. He’d get to keep his limbs intact for a little longer-wait wait wait. Okay that was absolutely crazy and sounds entirely unfun, but...it might just work.

Castys mustered as much strength as he could, ignoring the ever-present burning of his lungs, and began to clumsily bash himself against the nearby wall of stone. It was coated in barnacles and the like, but their sharp edges were just what he was looking for. Soon enough, he felt the awful sting of saltwater in the many small cuts that were now littering his arm. Fuck, that was nowhere near enough blood to get that eel over here, and his vision was starting to go dark. If he didn’t get that damn thing over here now he’d die and heal and have to do this bullshit all over again no no no get over here you stupid thing fuck yeah that feels like a nice gash it burns to high hell but so does everything and look at all that bloody water or maybe it’s just getting too dark because it is dark and...so...hurt…

When he came back to life, there was a small cloud of blood swirling in the water around him, but it was dissipating more and more by the second. He couldn’t see the eel anywhere, and if that bastard disappeared on him after all that...Instinctively, he tried to take a deep breath and ended up sucking a bunch of water up his nose like an absolute idiot, his nostrils now burning just as much as his even more waterlogged lungs. His body tried to cough, but it was just painful and useless like everything else he’d done while stuck down here, and he just ended up thrashing around like an injured fish.

Just what the eel had been waiting for.

It felt like he’d suddenly been hit by a mace, slamming him into the rocks, his arm lighting up with the pain of a thousand hot spikes, almost too intense for him to even process, the salty water magnifying every little agony tenfold. Castys was certain he would have been screaming if he had the air, and as much as this was absolutely fucking terrible, he hoped the eel would do it again. It had bitten off a good chunk of his arm as far as he could tell, but not enough to completely sever it and free him from the restraints. And for once, his horrid luck regarding avoiding pain paid off. The eel rammed into him again, ripping off more of his arm with its razor-sharp teeth and causing the bones of his forearm to crack. 

Sensing his chance, Castys grabbed the manacled wrist of his shredded arm with his good hand, bit down on the gag, and pulled. He couldn’t give up, couldn’t stop, not after enduring this much, he could feel his flesh tearing, sending out sparks of agony unlike anything he’d ever known, and he had to keep pulling, pulling and jerking and tearing and twisting and praying, praying that he could rip it off before he drowned again, which, hey, kind of a weird thing to want, not that he hadn’t had to amputate his own limbs before, but weird that it was happening again, and honestly, this hurt way more than the other times, but wasn’t that always the case-and fuck there was no way he was going to be able to just snap his bones like this, and he needed it to be completely severed, and there was no time, wedge it against the rocks and pull pull pull until there was a snap and a burst of unholy agony, so intense it almost smothered the relief, so fierce it made him forget he was drowning up until the moment his oxygen-starved brain lost consciousness. 

Castys’s arms were free. Well, one was free, and the other one was still manacled, attached to...what was left over after all that. He ripped the gag out of his mouth, resisting the urge to suck in mouthfuls of air that were absolutely not there. Looking down at his ankles, he wasn’t sure if-his body exploded with pain as the eel rammed into him again, taking a chunk of flesh from his side, which was definitely not where he wanted to be bitten. Gritting his teeth against the anguish that almost consumed him, he grabbed the wrist of his severed arm and clumsily smeared blood around his ankles, hoping it would entice the monster to attack them and help set him free. 

It worked, and it didn’t. The eel attacked him again and again, no longer pausing in between bites to circle him. Castys wasn’t even sure where it was biting him anymore, he just knew that everything hurt, the saltwater in his wounds magnifying the pain so much that there was no discernible source. He didn’t try to fight the eel off, hoping it would just do enough damage to his legs that he could get free, but he wasn’t sure if he could have even tried to get it away from him if he wanted to. Things were getting so dizzy so fast, all of a sudden, there was nothing to do but wait and die and hurt…

When he came back to life, Castys was disappointed to find that he was not floating to the surface. In fact, one of his ankles felt kind of weird, like it wasn’t shackled anymore, but still...for fuck’s sake. One of his ankles had been freed, torn enough to shreds before he’d died that the manacle had come off, but the other one was...well the manacle wasn’t around his ankle so much as it was…in his ankle. How the fuck that had happened, he had no clue. He just knew he had to deal with it. Looking around, the eel wasn’t anywhere to be seen, probably full to bursting after its meal, and though his heart sank a little at the thought that he couldn’t rely on it anymore, he was also slightly relieved, because that thing had been vicious. It had, however, left a parting gift. He swam downwards and grabbed the smooth fang off of the sandy ocean bottom, gripping it tightly. Just a little bit more. 

He had endured so much already, felt pain more intense, experienced sensations more gruesome, but this...this was more active than everything else that had happened down here. More visible. He had to make every stab and slice deliberately, had to watch the tooth do its damage, it wasn’t mindless bashing or praying he’d get bitten in the right places, but an active choice to cut his flesh away, inviting burning seawater into a wound once again, and it was difficult. Part of him wanted to stop, take a break, please, I don’t want to have to do this anymore, I want to let go, just for a little bit, please, but he knew he couldn’t, because he had to get this done before he drowned again or he’d have to start the whole damn thing over. 

Relief like he’d never known washed over him as he finally managed to worm the manacle out of his shredded ankle and he felt himself start to rise. The lightheadedness was getting worse, and he wasn’t sure if he’d make it in time, so he wormed his finger into the pouch around his neck and let the death stone’s magic take him before the lack of air could. He was still rising when he came back to, and he propelled himself towards the surface with renewed strength, despite the pain of his ears popping and the odd ache in his joints. 

Finally, blessedly, he made it to the surface, and air had never tasted so fucking good. Not that it wasn’t salty, but it wasn’t as salty as saltwater, and he sucked as much of it as he could into his waterlogged lungs. He looked up at the cliff towering over him, now painted with the orange of sunset instead of the gold of sunrise. He...he had been down there all day just...downing. And getting eaten. Kinda fucked. Seeing a nearby rock, he swam over to it and scampered on top, collapsing on its damp surface as he coughed up far too much fucking seawater. Fuck, his head was spinning and his joints hurt, like they probably would have if he could grow old. Well, nothing that one last death can’t fix, now that he was finally on land again.

Castys opened his eyes and sat up, feeling perfectly fine besides the awful, salty taste in his mouth. He looked over at the cliff smugly. Those bastards had tried to get rid of him for good, and they’d failed miserably. He folded down his middle fingers and placed his thumbs over them, a rude gesture in this part of the world. Seeing the remnant of his arm dangling from the manacle still attached to his left wrist, he had a devilishly gruesome idea. 

The next morning, the whole town was awoken by the screams of a young couple who had gone out for a stroll.

Right there, in the middle of the town square, was part of a crudely severed arm, its fingers frozen in an obscene gesture, its skin slimy and already starting to slip off. A manacle was clamped around its wrist, attached by a short chain to the other one, which had been broken open. 

The execution had failed, and that heinous pirate had escaped.

Castys Cult: @as-a-matter-of-whump​ @blackrosesandwhump​ @fanmanga1357-blog​​ @thehopelessopus​ @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi​ @hearse-song​ @muddy-swamp-bitch @whumpasaurus101 @yet-another-heathen​​ @galaxywhump​ @starnight-whump​ @his-unspoken-words

[moxtoons]

If you don’t mind... What is Noiren and Kenaas story? (Also... A torguta Sith Lord?)

I don't mind at all! I love my boys and am always very happy to answer questions about them!

So first of all, this is basically their relationship:

Now onto the details below the cut ⬇️

You can find more about Noiren here: link

As for Kenaas, he's a Nautolan that was the son of a very powerful Jedi Master and always had high expectations thrown on him because of this. During his training on Tython they learned he was a very expressive boy, he was emotional and excitable, which was deemed as dangerous and needed to be kept under control (especially considering as a child, when his mother died, he destroyed a meditation room in grief and anger).

His father became very strict with him and supervised his training. He helped his son follow the Jedi code and bury his feelings under serenity and calm, though Kenaas felt it was wrong.

After completing his training and becoming a full Jedi, he heard his father getting praise for "training the untrainable" and quickly left the planet, angry and dejected. His master and father continuously demanded he return and told him he was walking a dangerous path. He ignored them, his mind was racing. Being a Jedi felt wrong. He felt he didnt belong. He knew what his peers thought of him, and how much his father wanted to bury the real him.

Kenaas jumped from planet to planet trying to find his place until eventually he landed on Tatooine. Boy oh boy did he hate it there. Too dry and too hot for the poor Nautolan.

And on that horrible desert planet he met Noiren.

Their meeting wasn't as one would expect from a Jedi and Sith pair. There was no big epic battle. Noiren was standing guard at one of the Tatooine Imperial bases and spotted a figure in the distance. As it approached he noticed it was a Nautolan, just walking, in the desert all alone. That was certainly odd. Then as the alien passed him he spotted the light saber and realized this was a Jedi walking through Imperial territory casually.

He approached the foolish Jedi with an intention to fight if needed, his brother Aidesan was behind him and ready to go as well. But the Jedi didn't pay them any mind, he just kept walking in his dazed state. The brothers looked at each other in confusion and decided to just knock him out and take him back to their ship, as a prisoner.

Kenaas was so lost in thought he hadn't realized where he was, and it ended up getting him captured. When he woke up he found himself in a cage in the Siths ship, Aidesan was sitting in a chair watching over him and called out for his brother to alert him of their new prisoners awakening.

Noiren stepped in and started to ask questions. Who he was working for, why he was in Imperial territory, what he wanted, all of the basics.

He wasn't expecting the response he got. Kenaas hadn’t even realized where he ended up. He was too deep in thought. He was a rogue Jedi rethinking his life and tired of being expected to be a perfect jedi when he had to hide so much of who he truly was. He was tired of living in his fathers shadow and considered the failure that graduated. Inner peace and serenity may work for most Jedi, but he wasn’t one of them.

Aidesan took pity on him and pulled his brother aside, he suggested they teach this Jedi the ways of the dark side. Maybe they could save him from his misery if he found his place with them. Noiren thought on this and decided that it was actually a rather good idea. This Jedi was passionate and could harness all of that emotion and energy and be very powerful.

The suggestion was denied at first by the Jedi, but the idea of learning about both sides of the force and being allowed to feel and use his bottled emotions started to grow on him and he agreed to learn.

From there Noiren took him to Dromund Kaas for some training. He was shocked by the Nautolans power and how quickly he could learn. He was a bit of an airheaded bleeding heart, but he was a nice it of light to have around and during the months of training they started to become friends.

He was very excited to shoot lightning for the first time.

After a full time of training, Kenaas joined them as a permanent crewmate and friend. He wasn't quite Sith, and wasn't quite Jedi, but he definitely became Noiren's impulse control. He even brought the soft side of the Sith Lord, a side Aidesan hadn't seen in a long time.

After a little over a year of traveling and fighting together, Noiren sat down with Kenaas and opened up to him about his past and his reasons for doing what he does. He didn't care about the war, or the emperor, or even being a Sith. He just wanted to find his brother and sister that were taken from him at a young age. Kenaas swore he would help him find them, and he would be free from his Imperial shackles once they found them.

And this was when they had their moment and confessed. Noiren had fallen in love with Kenaas.

The two ended up starting their relationship that day and their bond only continued to get stronger. Even in the rare times they were separated they could feel eachothers presence through the force.

The small group worked together to continue to try and find Noirens siblings. They found his twin sister when they were sent out on a mission from the Imperial military. They heard about a pirate who had stolen a ship from them years ago that had been doing way too much digging into where the Sith training grounds were. She was a threat that needed to be eliminated. (This was also in my explanation about the siblings)

Long story short, they ended up fighting, Kenaas helped Noiren realize it was his sister and they reunited, then with some troubles and a big battle with other sith they end up getting their other brother back as well.

Noirens siblings all adore Kenaas and he won the hearts of Arianness's crew as well.

Kenaas and Noiren get married as the years go by and when Arianness has her children, Kenaas is the best uncle they could ask for, though his struggles continue through those years as the Jedi still track him and have him branded a traitor. His father swears revenge on the Sith that brainwashed his son and they end up having to fight off both Sith and Jedi alike.

Until his father personally found them. Noiren is ready to strike the old Nautolan down before he gets stopped by Kenaas, who pleads for him to show mercy because this was his father. This leads to a talk between the Jedi and his son, demanding he come home and leave this foolishness behind. Kenaas denies him, explaining that he felt more at home using both light and dark sides of the force with his Sith husband on a stolen starship than he ever did on Tython as a Jedi. He explains that their little group were heros to small villiages now and what they were trying to accomplish.

His father remains straight faced, but is clearly upset and he tells Kenaas he is no longer his son, and that he will no longer be welcome on Tython or in any Jedi temples.

In a moment where he expected to feel the most broken hearted, he finally felt free. He finally had a life of his own with no heavy expectations from superiors and he had a family/peers that loved him. 

So that’s kind of the spark notes of his story, sorry if they were incoherent rambles!! I’m just so excited people are actually interested in my OCS!!!! Thank you for validating my love for my OCs lol 

ALSO YES! My Torguta Sith Lord, Mavasha-Scorn! I am gay for my own OC and I will not apologize for that

If you wanna ask about more of my OCs or just see more doodles of them I’m always happy to do so, just receiving asks like these makes my day just that much brighter! Thank you!!!!

[lunnamars]

prompt for luffy/nami: maps

Am I super late? Yes, of course. I think I received this ask in...June? May? I don't remember, so I apologize from the bottom of my heart, dear anon, but I was going mad with deadlines and I'm still going through a writing block, so I really hope you like it! I swear I did my best. <3 

You can read this on AO3 too!

map of the problematique

The day was almost ending, the sky burning with the sunset, and Nami still had a pencil in her hand, scribbling lines and forms on a once empty paper. Other supplies scattered across the table, along with the quietness of the library, helped her finish another map successfully.

Being able to see the piece of work coming to life filled Nami's chest with pride and joy; there wasn't a clear explanation to what she felt every time.

She took a deep breath and tried to rest her sight — looking intently at one thing for an extended period always gave her a headache, even if it was her beloved maps or tangerines. Robin was there with her too, but her silence was welcoming and contrasted so much with the usual ruckus of the ship. Nami rested her face on her right hand, admiring the neatly drawn shapes and lines, how her scale was correctly measured, she double-checked, and the vivid colors on the paper. She ran her free hand over the map with fondness, a soft smile on her face while thanking the heavens for being free to do what she liked; what she was meant to do.

Sometimes, Nami wondered how her life would have been like if she had never met Luffy. Where would she be now? Still with shackles on her feet, bound to Arlong? Stealing, risking her life, suffocating more and more?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door and the voice of her captain, "Oi, Nami, are you there? Can I come in?"

Robin chuckled and stood up, walking in the direction of the door to let the firecracker of a man get in. She opened the door and smiled at him, saying with the calm voice of usual, "Hello, Luffy. Can we help you with anything?"

"Hey, Robin, didn't know you were here. Can I stay here with you two?" he asked with his never-ending energy. 

Hmph, always brighter than the sun, Nami thought.

"Why, of course. But I was already on my way out. Nami is still staying for a while. Want to keep her company?" Robin asked and looked over her shoulder to the navigator, winking at her.. Nami narrowed her eyes and pouted, catching on the implicit invitation behind her words. 

Why must Robin be so damn smart? For fuck's sake. 

Luffy had no idea of what had just transpired between the girls and happily added, "Sure! Bye, Robin!"

The archeologist softly grinned and sprouted two hands, patting their heads and bidding them goodbye. Nami heard Luffy's chuckle before the door clicking shut and right after, the sound of his flip-flops across the floor. She felt his breathing on her neck and couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine, her heart starting to beat at an alarming pace in the blink of an eye.

He rested his head on hers and asked, cheerful and beaming as a goddamn sunflower, "Hey Nami! Can I see your maps?"

She knew she couldn't be the sun like him, especially not after the trick he played on her the day before so she grunted, "No."

"C'mon, Nami! Lemme!" Luffy whined like a spoiled brat, entangling his rubber arms around her neck. Took a shower and smelling nice, aren't you?

Nami sighed and crossed her arms, fighting the urge to look in his direction and forcing her heartbeat to stabilize. Damn him and his damned carefree laugh. She snorted, "Luffy, what are you doing here? Don't you have anything else to do?"

"Sheesh, Nami! You're mean! If you don't want me here then just tell me." He let a deep breath and she could feel him pouting. Luffy was still holding her when he spoke again, voice low, "You have been away for almost the whole day, Nami. I was just worried."

"Of course I was, you moron! Have you forgotten what you did yesterday? You almost fucked up the maps that took me almost two weeks to finish!" How easy it was for him to stir her up and make her angry. Luffy was amazing but sometimes he acted like a child, something that always drove her mad.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry!" He held her tight so she wouldn't escape but careful enough to not strangle her. A great show of controlled strength. She tried to disentangle herself from his embrace, but that only made him encircle his legs around her torso now. Acting like a child again, wanting the adult to forgive him at all costs. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to! I swear I'll… I swear I'll… I swear I'll eat vegetables for a week, and I won't complain!"

His plea seemed sincere, but the idea that he was bargaining a thing that should be on his menu on a daily basis, instead of the huge chunks of meat he thinks is the only necessary thing to make him survive, baffled her. Then, it came in fits and bursts. One snort, then a second, the third was already mixed with laughter, and in the end, Nami was laughing at her heart's content.

He followed her, chuckling slowly and grinning warmly, then his candy-coated laugh that always melted her heart finally reached her ears. They laughed until their ribs hurt. Luffy's occasional child behavior would always provoke two reactions in her: complete anger or complete amusement. Sometimes both.

"Okay, okay. I'm fine, you silly goose. Thanks for apologizing." Nami patted his head, finally having the courage to look into his owlish eyes. His grin became bashful when their eyes met, but he stayed wrapped around her. She pinched his nose lightly and said in a loving voice, "C'mon, let me go. You must be feeling uncomfortable holding me like that, with the chair between us."

Luffy instantly released her, the characteristic sound of his arms and legs retracting echoing in her ears before grabbing another chair and sitting beside her. Her anger towards him long forgotten Nami decided to get back to work. Sometimes it was complicated to get things done when the captain was around but there were times where Luffy would seek her for silence.

The boy from two years ago wasn't like that. But the man he was now valued quiet and peaceful times as well. He was often watching the sunset, humming some song sitting on top of the Sunny's figurehead. Sometimes he was even lost in thought.

He rested his head on her shoulder, watching her pencil carefully slide across a new blank paper, firm and precise black lines appearing. Luffy's silence and steady breathing allowed Nami to enter her focused mode once again.

“Whaddya wanna do after you finish the map of the world?” Her captain spoke again after a while, voice a bit rough from disuse and a bit husky, something she hasn’t gotten used to yet and still has no idea how to deal with. It made her hand falter, the perfect line broken now, and a vein popped on her forehead. 

Nami took a deep breath, picking up the pencil and sharpening it before answering him, "I… Don't know?"

"Wanna go back to your village?" Luffy asked, apparently not paying attention to the way her concentration was interrupted. 

She looked down at his face resting on her shoulder, meeting his eyes and responding warily, "I still haven’t thought about it, Luffy. We still have a long way to go before all of our goals are achieved."

Nami heard his agreement in the form of an "Mm-hmm,” and they both fell silent again. It was completely dark outside now, and the lights of the library had turned on automatically. The navigator decided to call it a day and give some attention to her friend, waiting patiently for her. Waiting was not precisely the right word since she could hear soft snores, but he stayed there, by her side trying not to bother her, but wanting a bit of her presence.

She put away the new map with the others, organized her drawing supplies and putting them away in the drawer below her dedicated desk in the library. Nami rested her hand on her now empty desk, drumming her fingers following the rhythm of the happy-go-lucky songs coming to life through Brook’s violin and thinking about what she could do right now with the moron glued to her side. 

A stolen glance at his peaceful face was all she needed to make her forget any of her worries. The face of someone who's half  boy and half  man, who has kindness in every movement and was able to see right through people. A beautiful soul able to connect with anyone's soul. Her best friend and the boyish man she loves, a person who lived his life to its fullest. Always wanting people around to do the same.

Nami scooped him in her arms — he always became a bit lighter when sleeping — and nestled him to her chest when she settled them down on the couch next to the window. The motion woke him up, but he only curled more against her. The red head rested her chin on his head and mumbled softly, "And you? What do you wanna do after becoming the Pirate King, Luffy?"

"Keep traveling, I guess." He answered and shrugged, voice still hoarse, now from sleeping. 

Nami knew that was an answer that suited him. The freest man in the world would like to keep traveling, learning new things, and meeting new people. She just nodded as he started to play with a thread of her hair before asking, absentminded, "Do you think you'll finish the map of the world before I become Pirate King, Nami?"

"Honestly, I don't think so. The world is huge, and the sea is vast. It will take me a long while, I guess."

It was true. Nami would probably be one of the last to achieve her dream. Not that she minded, no. If the Pirate King wanted to keep traveling then she would continue being his navigator for however long he needed. Eventually she'd finish her map, and his promises to her would be fulfilled.

"Good. That means you'll stay," Luffy replied quietly.

She chuckled and watched him wrap a thread of her hair around his finger, "Are you still so dependent on your navigator, Captain? I can make you a copy of my maps."

"It's not that!" Luffy turned around fast, almost headbutting her, his face closer than before. She meant to scold him, she really did. But the way he was looking at her, with pleading eyes and some emotion behind it she couldn't quite put her finger on it forced her to shut up. Was he truly afraid of being left alone? Did he think they'd separate again?

But there it was once more, the fuzzy feeling every time she was the focus of his undivided attention. The mysterious warmth that enveloped her when he was that close, when she was caught off guard. Although she knew there was no mystery there, she knew the reason behind the phenomenon, definitely knew how to spell the word that explained it all. 

It had been easy falling for that mess of a man, there was no one in the word that was immune to Luffy's charm. The man had the whole world in his hands, always captivating people everywhere he went with his simplicity. But admitting that… Admitting that had been hard.

And there wasn't a time where Nami didn't have to fight the urge of finally reaching, of finally closing the gap. Maybe I can do it today?

"Then what is it, Captain?" she leaned in, her lips almost brushing against his and let herself hope he wouldn't push her away.

Luffy stared at her lips, her eyes, and then her lips again. 

She wondered if Luffy had ever kissed anyone. And if he did, how would he kiss? How would it feel— her lips on his? Would it be like kissing a rubber? That’d definitely be weird. Would she find out today? Why couldn’t she close the gap? 

Afraid. You’re afraid this would change everything.

And losing Luffy would be like a nightmare. It would be suffocating the same way she felt when working on her maps for Arlong in that lonely room.

But Luffy had another idea in mind. There was almost no one as straightforward as him and he made the decision for her. 

Oh.

It felt like rubber and she finally satiated her curiosity, but for some reason it wasn’t weird. It was a simple peck on her lips, gentle and chaste. Maybe that answered her question, maybe he hasn’t kissed anyone yet and her heart soared as she thought she might be the first one, feeling like a little girl again. 

He indeed had the world and her heart in his hands.

Luffy moved away a bit, his owlish eyes piercing hers, studying her reaction. It had been so quick, so fleeting, but her lips tingled. And that was so unfair because she wanted more but had no idea if she could ask for it. She was a greedy witch, but this was way more dangerous than money and bets. 

But then he dived in again, this time with a hand on her neck and the other on her hip, squeezing and making her open her mouth in protest. She felt the tip of his tongue and felt his hesitation. He was unsure of what to do despite his initiative. It was sweet and endearing, but she remembered how greedy she was. And Luffy was her treasure much like her gold and maps.

Hands tangling in the hair on the back of his neck, the growl he let out making her pull him closer, as much closer they could be. Her tongue brushed against his and it’s really all downhill from there. 

When she broke the kiss, who knows how much time later, she looked at him, trying to make him see that she wanted to know the answer to her question.

His big toothy smile told her he was about to assure her everything was okay, but he actually didn’t need to. Everything was always okay when he was around, even with his shenanigans, even after he almost destroyed two weeks’ worth of work.

""It's not about the maps! I just don't wanna sail without you, Nami!"

[purplehairedwonder]

Inside a Broken Dream Chapter 2

Fandom: One Piece Rating: PG-13 Pairings: Gen Words: 3200 Characters: Trafalgar Law, Shachi, Bepo, Penguin, Ikkaku, Heart Pirates, Donquixote Doflamingo, Monkey D. Luffy, Nami, Chopper, Robin, Usopp, Zoro Note: Story title comes from the Vertical Horizon song “Shackled.” Character and relationship tags reflect the current chapter. Obviously this is canon-divergent ;)

Summary: Two years after Wano, peace on the Grand Line is fragile. Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates are doing their best to help maintain the peace, but the return of a figure from Law’s past might shatter the balance of power entirely.

Previous chapters: 1

Read also at AO3 / FF.N

“I’m here to take back what’s mine.”

Law barely had time to register the words before the Marines behind Doflamingo drew their guns and started shooting. Penguin cursed loudly as Law drew Kikoku and sliced at the incoming spray of bullets, his Fruit effortlessly cutting them in half. They clattered harmlessly to the Tang’s deck.

Before the soldiers could let off another hail of bullets, Law reached out for Penguin and Jean Bart, gripping them tightly. They’d all fought together long enough to know what was coming, so Penguin and Jean Bart braced themselves as Law shambled them from the deck of Polar Tang to the deck of the Marine ship, swapping places with three soldiers. The remaining Hearts on the Tang would be more than enough to take care of those Marines.

They’d barely landed when a loud bang rang out. Law’s eyes flew wide in shock as pain erupted in his shoulder and his entire body lost its strength. Kikoku dropped from his grasp and his knees buckled, the strength it took to hold himself upright gone. His Room collapsed around them.

Not good.

His breath caught in his throat as he looked down at his right shoulder to see a round hole with blood soaking into his shirt. He reached with his left hand to the back of his shoulder and it came back dry—no exit wound. The bullet was still inside.

“Captain!” he heard someone cry as Bepo growled dangerously from what sounded like miles away.

Law forced his gaze up to see Doflamingo watching him with a smirk on his lips and that damned pistol outstretched in his hand.

Law was fucking sick of getting shot by that man.

“Seastone bullet,” Doflamingo said, gesturing with his pistol.

The one he’d shot Law with in Dressrosa.

The one he’d shot Cora-san with on Minion Island.

Law had hated guns since Minion Island—especially that gun.

“The Marines have all kinds of fun toys these days.”

If there was a bullet of unadulterated Seastone lodged in his shoulder, it was no wonder Law could barely see straight. He could only hope the bullet had stayed whole and hadn’t fractured. The last thing he needed was fragments of what was essentially poison to a Devil Fruit user scattering through his system.

Law hissed in protest as big arms grabbed him roughly from behind, pulling him to his feet and immobilizing him. Not that he was moving much on his own at the moment.

“I’m sorry, Captain,” Jean Bart ground out behind him. Law could hear the struggle in his voice, but it was no use if Doflamingo had gotten his strings on the man. “I-I can’t control myself.”

“S’not your fault,” Law murmured in reply as he watched Doflamingo’s fingers twitch as he controlled Law’s nakama. “It’s him.” A surge of anger threatened to rise in his chest at the man doing this to his people, but the numbing effects of the Seastone suppressed it just as quickly.

“Captain!”

Law blearily glanced to his right to see an immobilized Penguin watching on helplessly, his arms and legs wrapped in strings and several Marines covering him with their weapons.

Fuck. He’d shambled them right into Doflamingo’s trap.

The sounds of fighting echoed from the direction of the other ships, and Law willed his first mate and the others to stay away. This was why he’d gone on his revenge mission alone those years before—he couldn’t bear to see his nakama being used like this.

“What? No witty comebacks, Law?”

Law blinked. Somehow Doflamingo had bridged the gap between them without him noticing. Fuck, he was out of it.

“Bite me,” Law muttered with the little energy and hatred he could muster.

“Maybe later,” Doflamingo chuckled before raising the gun again.

“Law!” Penguin yelled desperately.

“No!” Jean Bart struggled behind him but couldn’t free himself of Doflamingo’s influence to let Law go.

Doflamingo swung his arm. Law’s head burst into blinding agony—and then nothing.

-----

Bepo howled furiously as Law crumpled, his hat falling from his head as he went limp in Jean Bart’s shaking arms. The larger man was clearly trying to fight the hold Doflamingo had over him and failing. Bepo could barely hear the worried and angry cries from his crewmates over the blood pounding in his ears. He wanted nothing more than to rush the ship, to protect his captain—his best friend—but the Marines that had boarded his ship once the shooting had started kept the Hearts from bolting to their captain’s aid. A quick glance at the Tang showed a similar situation.

“Let’s go.”

Bepo started as Doflamingo’s booming order rang out across the ships. The Marines jerkily started to retreat, keeping their weapons hefted and firing if any of the Hearts tried to follow. On the Marine ship, Doflamingo forced Jean Bart to carry Law’s unconscious form while Penguin was escorted by two armed Marines into the bowels of the ship. The former Warlord turned to follow but paused; he bent over to pick up Kikoku and Law’s hat from the deck.

For some reason, Doflamingo’s hands on Law’s hat made Bepo’s blood boil more intensely than the sarcastic salute he gave with Law’s sword before he disappeared into the ship, a wall of Marine rifles protecting his exit.

Bepo’s head spun as the ship made its getaway, their captain and two crewmates aboard as prisoners. Law was… He was in the hands of the man he hated most in the world, wounded and undoubtedly restrained somehow with Seastone.

The two Hearts ships were silent for a long moment before chaos broke out, curses ringing through the air.

“What do we do now?”

“We have to go after them!”

“Against him? Without the captain?”

“We have to get the captain back!”

“Obviously, but how?!”

“Bepo, what should we do?”

“Yeah, Bepo, what do you think?”

Bepo started once he started hearing his name. “Huh?”

Ikkaku stepped up to him and put a gentle hand on his arm, an anchor in the hurricane of emotion around and within him. “You’re the first mate. Without Law here, you’re acting captain.”

Bepo blinked. That… that was true. He swallowed as the eyes of the Hearts turned toward him. Bepo couldn’t afford to let his emotions control him right now; he needed to think. What would Law do in this situation?

He’d take a step back and come up with a plan that best utilized the assets available to him. He wouldn’t play by the rules of the enemy.

Assets.          

He had an idea.

“We’re going to get the captain, Penguin, and Jean Bart back,” Bepo said. “But we’re going to be smart about it, just like Law would. Doflamingo took him alive for a reason, so we have to assume he’ll keep him alive.” For now, anyway. Bepo tried not to think about what that reason for taking Law alive might be, considering their history. “And we have his vivre card, so we won’t lose him.”

The Hearts started nodding around him.

Bepo gestured to a few of the men he’d brought on his search for Shachi’s attacker, recruits who’d joined after Law became an Emperor and had needed more men as he’d taken territory under his protection. “Bring this ship back to headquarters and treat the wreck survivors.”

The men saluted. “What about you, Bepo-san?”

“We’re going after the captain,” Bepo said, turning toward the Polar Tang. “But first, I have to make a call.”

------

The Hearts gathered in the mess, one of the few spaces in the Tang big enough for all—or almost all—of them at once. Even Shachi had come up from the infirmary. He hadn’t let them keep Law’s, Penguin’s, and Jean Bart’s abductions secret, considering he’d heard the shooting and yelling. Bepo had tried to convince him to rest, but he knew in Shachi’s place, he wouldn’t rest either so had simply helped his friend out of bed and to the mess.

Once they were all present, Bepo explained what he was thinking and waited for the others to tell him what they thought.

“I don’t like it,” Clione said finally. “We should be able to get our captain back ourselves. We’re an Emperor’s crew!”

There were some murmurs of agreement, and even Bepo didn’t totally disagree, but he preferred to hedge his bets when the lives of his nakama were on the line.

“And the one Devil Fruit user on our crew isn’t here,” Shachi retorted, wincing when he raised his voice.

The Heart Pirates had never been a crew of brawlers. They were a crew who, led by a surgeon, planned every detail carefully and executed with precision. And they were damn good at what they did. Everyone on the crew was a capable fighter—some were even haki users—but Law was usually the one to handle other Devil Fruit users. Now they were looking at taking on an extremely talented Fruit user who also happened to be a former Warlord and had Marine backing.

“Why have allies if we can’t call on them for help?” Ikkaku pointed out. “They’ll come.”

“That’s what worries me,” Clione replied. “Do you think we can afford for this to get out to the public? That an Emperor was kidnapped by a suddenly-free Warlord? We’ve been working for the last two years to keep things stable. Half the time we’re smoothing over their messes! This could lead to chaos!”

“Can we afford to try this without help?” Ikkaku countered. “Maybe we can do it ourselves, maybe not. But why try if we don’t have to? Their lives are on the line.”

Clione sighed but didn’t disagree. He looked at Bepo. “I’ll follow your lead, Captain.”

Bepo started at the title. It didn’t sit right on his shoulders, like an ill-fitting coat. But he’d wear it until he could give it back to Law. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Bepo,” Shachi said quietly, and Bepo turned back to his friend. “Do whatever it takes to get them back.”

Bepo nodded. He glanced around the mess at each of his crewmates, and they all nodded back. There would be no risks taken when the stakes were so high. “Okay.” He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed the familiar number.

After a few rings, the snail connected. “Hello?”

Bepo recognized the voice immediately. “Nami, it’s Bepo.”

The snail perked up. “Oh, Bepo! It’s good to hear from you. We haven’t seen you guys in a while.”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized habitually. Shachi cleared his throat and Bepo winced. “About that, we were callin—”

Bepo was cut off as another familiar voice came over the line. “Oy, Nami! Who is it?” Luffy asked, apparently wandering into the room.

“It’s Bepo,” she told him.

“Oh, Bepo!” Luffy greeted. “Long time no see! How’s Torao?”

Bepo shut his eyes and forced himself to push through. “That’s actually why we’re calling. Captain’s in trouble.”

Though they were talking by snail, Bepo could still feel the atmosphere on the other end change. “What happened?” All traces of humor were gone from Luffy’s voice. Somewhere in the background, Bepo could hear Nami calling for the others to join the call.

“We had a… surprise visitor in our territory today,” Bepo said. “Blew up Shachi’s ship.”

“Is he okay?” Nami asked, alarmed.

“I’m fine,” Shachi said, shrugging at Bepo’s look. Mostly, he mouthed in reply.

“That’s good,” Nami replied. “What happened to Torao?”

“What’s going on with Torao?” That was Chopper.

“Is Torao-kun all right?” Robin.

“That’s what we’re waiting to find out,” Nami said impatiently. “Bepo?”

Bepo suppressed the urge to pinch his snout. It was easy to forget the comfortable chaos of the Straw Hats after being away from them for a while. Bepo opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out. Images of Doflamingo and Law staring at each other, of Marines shooting, of Law falling flashed before his eyes. He felt himself tearing up and almost jumped when he felt an arm slip through his. Ikkaku again.

“Just tell them, Bepo,” she said quietly.

Bepo swallowed and nodded.

“Tell us what?” That was Usopp.

“Doflamingo,” Bepo said around the lump in his throat. Ikkaku squeezed his arm. “Somehow he got out of Impel Down in a Marine ship.”

“WHAT?!” the Straw Hats exploded collectively.

“He showed up in our territory, demanded to see Law, then blew up my ship,” Shachi summarized.

“And Torao went,” Zoro supplied.

“Yeah,” Bepo nodded, though they couldn’t see him.

“What happened with Mingo?” Luffy demanded, voice colder than Bepo had ever heard it.

Bepo was once more thankful Luffy was an ally and not an enemy. “H-he took Law. And Penguin and Jean Bart. He, uh, shot Law, probably with Seastone, and took him.”

There were sounds of fury on the other end of the line, confirming what Bepo had expected to happen. Law might be the captain of his own crew, but somewhere between Punk Hazard and Dressrosa, the Straw Hats had taken to Law as one of their own and would fight for him—already had fought for him—as such. Law would always belong to the Hearts first, but Bepo supposed he could share when the others cared so much for him. Yes, this was the right call.

“We’re coming,” Luffy said.

-----

The first thing Law became aware of was pain. His shoulder was on fire and his head throbbed. He tried to reach for his shoulder to assess whatever damage was causing so much pain, but his body wouldn’t respond. Everything felt heavy—so heavy. Law groaned.

“Captain? Are you with us?”

Even though his eyelids felt as heavy as the rest of his body, Law managed to force them open. He blinked a few times before his surroundings came into focus. He was lying on the floor of… somewhere. He was on his back, looking up at the nondescript ceiling. He tried to lift his hands to rub his eyes, but the sound of chains clanking startled him. He tilted his head down to see Seastone cuffs around his wrists.

“Captain?”

He recognized Jean Bart’s voice. And the first voice had been Penguin.

And the memories flooded back in. Shachi’s shipwreck. Doflamingo. The Seastone bullet. Strings everywhere.

“Yeah,” he croaked. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“Thank god,” Penguin murmured.

Law swallowed. “How long have I been out?”

“Few hours?” Jean Bart guessed. “Hard to tell down here.”

Law huffed in response. “Brig?”

“Yeah.”

“You both okay?”

“We’re not hurt,” Penguin said, not quite answering the question. But Law knew what he meant; there was something demeaning and violating about those strings taking away your agency. He knew that feeling well.

“Captain, I’m sorry.” That was Jean Bart. “I couldn’t…” he trailed off.

Law wished he could see the larger man’s face, but at the moment it was taking all Law had just to stare at the ceiling. “I told you before, it’s not your fault. He made you grab me.”

“I know, but…”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Law cut in sharply, “got it?”

A pause. “Yes, Captain.”

Law sighed. They would probably need to address this again later, but it would have to wait. Law turned his head and had to wait for his vision to stop spinning before he could see the bars locking him in. He could feel the oppressive energy of Seastone emitting from them. Between the bullet in Law’s shoulder, the shackles on his wrists, and the bars of the cell, Doflamingo was really taking no chances with Law’s powers. Smart. The last time he’d seen Law’s abilities was Dressrosa, and a lot of time had passed since then.

He still needed to get a better sense of the space he was in, to see where Penguin and Jean Bart were, but the prospect of sitting up seemed like a herculean task. The trio lapsed into silence for several minutes as Law worked himself up to move. Finally, he took in a deep breath and slowly started to sit up. He felt unsteady and, without thinking, put his right hand on the floor for balance but hissed as pain jolted from his wounded shoulder down to his fingertips.

“Captain?”

Law grunted but didn’t otherwise reply, his teeth clenched against the pain. He listed to the side, but he’d sat up far enough that he could collapse his left shoulder against the wall. After a moment, he shifted until his back was flush against the wall. He dropped his head back and shut his eyes, sweat rolling down his neck.

He really needed to get the bullet out of his shoulder.

Once he’d caught his breath, Law opened his eyes and let his vision adjust to the dim lighting. Now he could see the space; it was more open than he’d expected. There were several cells, each enclosed by Seastone bars, likely in case the Marines had to transport multiple Devil Fruit users at once. Jean Bart sat in the cell across from Law, and he nodded when he saw Law’s eyes on him.

“Captain.”

Law nodded tiredly back then continued to inspect the room. There was an empty cell next to Jean Bart, and Penguin was in the cell next to Law.

“Hey,” Penguin greeted when Law met his eyes.

“Hey.”

“With all due respect, you look like shit, Captain.”

Law snorted. “I can imagine. I can’t exactly use my Fruit to get this Seastone bullet out of my shoulder. Cuffs and bars are one thing,” he said, lightly shaking his shackles. “The bullet is the real problem.”

“What can we do?” Penguin asked.

Law considered. He might be the Heart Pirates’ doctor, but he made sure each member of his crew had working medical knowledge so they could assist him and wouldn’t be completely reliant on him in case he was out of commission. Penguin had been with him longer than anyone other than Bepo and Shachi, so he’d been helping Law in the infirmary for years. If he could guide Penguin in removing the bullet, that would be an element of surprise they could use against Doflamingo. Law always carried a small surgical kit with him in case he needed to perform field medicine, so if he hadn’t been stripped of that…

Law’s thoughts were interrupted as the brig door slammed open and light flooded in. Law squinted against the sudden onslaught of brightness, expecting to see Doflamingo outlined in the light, but the figure that stumbled through the door was too small. A Marine, moving jerkily—still being controlled, Law noted—shoved the figure forward toward the empty cell. By the time Law’s eyes adjusted again, the guard’s back was blocking Law’s view of the figure that was shoved into the cell.

As the soldier walked back toward the door, he threw a pained look in Law’s direction. “Help,” he mouthed before the strings pulled him out of the door and shut the door behind him.

Law raised an eyebrow before turning toward the newest prisoner… and his eyes widened as the man straightened.

“White Chase-ya?”

[starscheme]

Change My World

Chapter Twenty-Four: A Spectacular Stage Show Fiasco  Steven and Spinel had stood in the alleyway for several minutes now. Making sure to stay quiet, Steven held Spinel close as she steadied her breathing with her face still buried in his shirt.

“...you....haven’t said anything in a while...” Spinel mumbled into his chest.

Chuckling lightly, Steven had a bashful smile as he sighed, “I...was a little worried I’d say something stupid...”

Spinel took a deep breath, allowing herself to focus a bit more on the beat of Stevens heart before she decided to pull away. Both seemed quite nervous to face one another at the moment, but their nerves were rattle by something else when a delighted scream from the nearby crowd reached their ears.

“A MERMAID!” Shouted what sounded like an amazed little girl.

Steven and Spinel both jerked, waiting in anxious silence to make sure no one was looking or pointing at them. With a cautious sigh of relief, Steven stepped forward to peek out of the alley and back towards the festival.

“...looks like they’re setting up something on stage...” he whispered as Spinel tried to peek over his shoulder on her tip toes.

“Is it a real Mermaid? Or some weird show?”

Steven shook his head, “I’m not sure. ...usually the only way to actually see a mermaid would be at the Zoo in the Capital, but even then I heard it’s hard to get tickets. That’s why it was such a big event when you showed up on our shores.”

Spinel watched as the crowd bustled towards the large stage. It seemed as if the whole festival had stopped just to see the show. She decided that she couldn’t just sit back and wait. If there really was another Mermaid there, Spinel had to see for herself. She pushed her way past Steven and would have vanished in the crowd if Steven hadn’t caught her by the wrist.

“What are you doing?” Asked Steven in an urgent whisper.

“We have to go and see!” Insisted Spinel, matching his tone. “I can’t see the stage from here.”

“You can’t be serious, if there IS an actual Mermaid on stage, what if she spots you and recognizes you?!”

“Not all Mermaids know each other, Steven,” huffed Spinel as she attempted to wriggle her wrist free.

“Spinel, seriously, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Even if it’s a real Mermaid, we won’t be able to help without exposing you to danger. In a city like this, we will definitely be put on a wanted list.”

Though she knew Steven was right, she needed to know for sure. How could they just turn their backs to it and pretend nothing was going on. “You’re hurting me,” whined Spinel, prompting Steven to quickly release her wrist.

Spinel stuck out her tongue and dashed off into the crowd. “Seriously?!” Exclaimed Steven when he realized she’d tricked him. He tried his best to follow her pink/strawberry hair as she pushed her way through the crowd, but since he had a bigger build, Steven found it much harder to get through to her.

“—and I tell ya, folks,” continued the young man on stage as Spinel finally shoved her way within earshot. “You’ve all heard the Mermaid tales, but this one has by far exceeded anything I ever heard. I was told nearly ten ships went down in pursuit of the creature. Though the beast has been deprived of water for many days now, we ask that you keep small children out of arms reach of the stage. You never know if a Mermaid will still be able to attack on sheer force of will.”

Spinel felt her heart beat begin to speed up rapidly. This didn’t sound like some fake show for entertainment. They must have had an actual mermaid.

The crowd murmured in excitement, some children complained that they couldn’t stand closer while other kids cried, thinking the Mermaid was going to eat them. As the curtains began to draw back, the sound of the chattering crowd slowly started to die out when the opened curtains revealed a large, gray skinned Mermaid with rainbow colored strands of dreadlocks. Her tail resembled that of a shark and her body was covered in scars from old wounds, but they weren’t as alarming to see as the new wounds that had been afflicted on her. Her powerful arms were bound by the wrists with thick iron shackles that connected to a large steel ball to keep her from moving. Though the shackles were clear unnecessary as the Mermaid looked as if she would drop dead any moment.

Her breathing was heavy and ragged,  and several lashes from an apparent whipping were still bleeding along her torso and back.

Just looking at the scene made Spinel feel dizzy. She nearly swayed back as her knees grew weak, but she did her best to rally and regain her composure. This mermaid was indeed someone that Spinel knew. It would be difficult to forget someone like her.

“Bismuth...” whispered Spinel under her breath.

“A friend of yours?” Murmured a young woman from behind Spinel.

It was then that the disguised Mermaid felt something sharp press against her back. A knife? Even if it was, the weapons sudden appearance didn’t alarm her as much as the voice of her assailant.

“Elaine?!” She gasped, turning her head to peek back over her shoulder.

“Don’t turn around,” Elaine demanded, easing the knife forward, poking through Spinels dress and now penetrating her skin slightly, causing Spinel to jerk in response.

“H-how...? What are you doing here?!” Asked Spinel in a confused panic. Before her was an old friend we who was being cruelly put on Display and at her back was a knife, wielded by a former annoyance that she thought was left behind.

“After you tried to hurt me, a few people found me that actually believed me. Turns out, they’ve been looking for you. They confirmed everything I suspected.” Whispered Elaine. “Now, I’m going to take you to them. If you try anything funny, I’ll expose you in this crowd.”

Spinel wasn’t sure what to do. Glancing from side to side, Steven was no where to be seen and Bismuth was still barely conscious on stage. “...who is looking for me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. Get moving...” hissed Elaine quietly.

Spinel tried desperately to think of anything that might get her out of this. She had to find Steven. Did Elaine already do something to him? Was he caught by whomever Elaine was working with?

As Spinel hesitated to move, trying to stall for time, an explosion seemed to go off somewhere in the distance and a voice rang out, “THE MERMAID IS USING IT’S MAGIC!”

Just like that, the crowd began to scatter in a panic. Mothers grabbed their children and ran, others stampeded was from the stage in fear, while some ‘brave’ tried to rush the stage in an attempt to stop the mermaid.

“Pl-please, ladies and gentlemen,” shouted the man on stage as he and some workers tried to stop the crowd from panicking and getting on stage. “Mermaids can’t use magic in this state! There’s no need to—“

Spinel didn’t waste any time. As soon as the panic started, she took advantage of the chaos and joined the crowd, jabbing back at Elaine with her elbow before running off with the flow of the frenzied citizens. Now, she had to find Steven. If only she hadn’t tricked him. Surely he never would have left her side if she didn’t insist on ditching him to see the stage.

People were shoving and slamming others down in an attempt to get as far from the stage as possible, it only got worse when another explosion went off. Everyone was scared and didn’t know which direction they should take, worried that they could get attacked from anywhere at this point.

“Steven! STEVEN!” Shouted Spinel as she did her best to maneuver her way through the crowd. If only she had more experience with these legs of hers. She wasn’t very good at dodging the others that bumped into her sides or the hands that were attempting to shove her out of the way. This made it even more difficult to find Steven amongst the madness.

Spinels desperate search for Steven was starting to seem hopeless amongst the entropy that ensued. Not to mention all the dust that had been riled up from the rushing crowd and nearby explosions. However, even through the mob of humans kicking up dirt, Spinel could see a distinct, bright pink color cutting through the crowd and prompting more screams from the humans as they darted out of its path.

Though shocked at first, Spinel was relieved to see Steven riding the pink Lion straight towards her with an extended hand. “I thought you said it wasn’t safe to bring him into the city,” shouted Spinel over the frantic cries around them as Steven grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her up into his lap, the Pink beast never breaking his stride.

“Kinda late for that now,” Steven replied, “he showed up when the explosions started! Was that the Mermaid?”

Spinel shook her head, “there’s no way! Bismuth can’t do anything like that!”

Steven wanted to point out that clearly Spinel did know the Mermaid on stage, but he’d wait until they got out of here. The biggest problem was the soldiers were now trying to quell the panic and of course a large Pink Lion with two passengers had caught their eye. Still, there was no turning back. They were already drawing attention. Why not take it a little further?

“Get to the stage!” Steven ordered, holding onto the Spinel to make sure she didn’t fall off as the Lion roared and made a quick turn to follow Stevens command.

Responding to the frenzy, soldiers were already up on stage, blocking several rioting humans from getting to the Mermaid while a few of them did their best to try and move the large creature. Steven’s eyes turned a bright pink as they approached the stage. He was going to try and push the soldiers back with this new power he had, but as it turned out, there was no need for it.

Just as Steven and Spinel reached the stage, Lars appeared behind one the soldiers handling the tired Mermaid and quickly dropped down to sweep under his feet, knocking the armored man off balance.

“It’s a pirate!” One of the soldiers called out before drawing his sword. A weapon that was quickly knocked out of his hand by a pink shockwave formed from the Lions roar, forcing the rest of the soldiers to fall backward.

“Thanks for the assist,” Lars greeted, quite pleased to see Steven and Spinel once again. Though a bit surprised by the Lion.

“Were you the one causing those explosions?!” Asked Steven while his Lion chomped through the iron chains that weighed Bismuth down and tied her to the stage.

“Bingo Bongo,” Lars replied with a snap of his fingers. “We had to create a distraction, didn’t we?”

“Steven!” Cried out a young woman as she shoved her way through some panicked humans.

Steven froze up when he saw her face. It was Elaine. So he hadn’t imagined it before. She really was here. But how? More importantly; why?

“You have to come with me,” Elaine pleaded, stepping over a guard that had been knocked out by Lions roar. “That Mermaid, she’s just using you! I heard it all from the others! You’ll die if you stay with her! I know there’s a powerful spell over you, but I can help you now!”

Lars wasn’t sure what this exchange had to do with the task at hand, but he couldn’t waste his time wondering. He took in a great deal of air to puff up his chest before shouting out, “let’s GO!” His booming voice formed a large, bright portal beside him, one which several of the Off Colors stepped out of and hurried to pull Bismuth inside.

While the Off Colors rescued Bismuth, Steven kept his focus on the brunette that pleaded with him. Was that really why she had followed them? Because she still thought he was under Spinels spell somehow? Steven tightened his grip on Spinel with one hand and with the other, he pat the Lions head, “don’t let her get any closer, boy.”

Elaine seemed shocked by Stevens reaction to her sincere bid for his safety. “St-Steven, there are people who want to help you!”

“You guys coming this time?” Lars asked suddenly, waiting to step into the portal, but pointing out the soldiers that were regaining consciousness.

Steven wasn’t sure where that portal was going to lead, but staying here was out of the question and at least he knew the Off Colors weren’t a threat to them. With a nod, Steven pat the Beasts head once more and it seemed to understand his request. The Lion leapt forward, rushing into the portal to escape the chaotic scene at the festival now.

“W-Wait!” Elaine screamed, trying to follow after them before Lars stepped through and the portal disappeared.

Once the portal faded into a wisp, a young man in golden yellow armor stepped out from backstage, accompanied by several soldiers in standard silver. Removing his helmet, the golden soldier was revealed to be Caden, the man Spinel had met just hours before.

“Sir, why did you let them go? They took the Mermaid...and they had a summoned Beast...” one of the soldiers pointed out in frustration. “This trap would have succeeded if you let us go after them...”

Caden smiled rubbing his chin as he stared in amusement at where the portal had been. He didn’t seem to be listening to his subordinate at all. “...Things are certainly getting more interesting than I thought they would...” he mumbled to himself.

[cienie-isengardu]

The development of Law’s relationship with Zoro - Part 4: Dressrosa, The Breaking Point (Protecting Law)

<<Part I: Before Meeting>> <<Part II: Sabaody Archipelago, The First Meeting>> <<Part III: Punk Hazard, The Alliance (A)>> <<Part III: Punk Hazard, The Alliance (B)>>  <<Part IV: Dressrosa, The Breaking Point (The Plan Failed)__ (Saving Law)__(Protecting Law)__ (Birdcage, Pica and Doflamingo)__ (Aftermath)>>

While Doflamingo was addressing people of Dressrosa and explaining the rules of “game” to punish 12 enemies of his (chapter 746), Luffy was talking with Zoro, most likely explaining what happened in Throne Room. We can only wonder what exactly Luffy told him, did he mention anything related to Law. At the same time, Zoro held Law’s sword that he had to find somewhere around. Interestingly, according to SBS vol. 71, Trafalgar’s nodachi - Kikoku (Demon’s Cry) is in fact a cursed blade and Zoro is sensitive to such “evil” nature of swords what was seen with his own Sandai Kitetsu. As a swordsman himself, of course he took care of the sword while Law couldn’t do it personally. At the same time, we don’t see Zoro returning Kikoku to the owner, just that he had it while talking with Luffy. Another worth to mention detail is the cover of volume 75 (in which the discussed panel comes from) that adds to the impression that Zoro passed Kikoku to Luffy instead of Law. What supports the feeling of keeping distance between those two.

Using Den Den Mushi, Zoro contacted Robin to check in the situation:

For the upcoming chapters, the visual setting of three Supernovas shown together in the same panels will reflect this scene - Luffy as the central figure in this trio…. except a specific kind of situation but about that in a moment.

Like always, Luffy wasn’t bothered much by the whole enemy’s game, while Zoro did not show emotions at all. Law simply watched the whole situation (while his sword lied close to him). At least until Luffy declared to Rebecca he is going to kick Doflamingo’s ass because that went against the main goal of Law’s plan.

Zoro did not take part in the argument between two captains. Yet his reaction (holding and squeezing tighter his katana) seems to be quite ambiguous. For sure it was a sign of support for his captain’s decision - as in, ready to fight everyone and everything, no doubts about what should be done (read: kicking Doffy’s ass regardless of Law's objection). But at the same time it looks as, well, threatening Law is too big a word, because Zoro wouldn’t cut a defenseless man, but there is something (passive) aggressive about such a gesture. Law’s silent reaction (to Luffy’s words? To Zoro’s lack of reasoning with Luffy?) makes me think there was more going on in this scene than just Law’s angry(?) surprise/shock. This probably was another moment for Law to see who the fellow Supernovas were at the core.

Whatever Law’s impression was at that moment about Luffy and Zoro’s determination to save Dressrosa instead of thinking just of their own survival, the next few hours(?) gave him a better understanding of the dynamic between Zoro and his captain. In all fairness, the experience was gained by his own misery thanks to dealing with the insanity of Straw Hat with only Pirate Hunter for some sort of mental support. Starting with such treatment in chapter 746:

Without asking for permission or any warning, Luffy simply grabbed Zoro and  Law and straight up jumped from a high place… only to land into the middle of an enemy group.

Law wasn’t happy about that - even threatened (again) Luffy that once he is free from handcuffs, he’ll kill Luffy. Usually Zoro reacts strongly to threats against his nakama, yet here he totally ignored Law’s words. Maybe he knew there was no time to worry about that or maybe he simply understood Law’s fury because really, that was a natural response to Luffy’s impatience. Unlike Law, Zoro had a lot of experiences with Luffy’s crazy ideas of “fast transport” and even many Straw Hats well familiar with their captain’s antics still weren’t comfy with it. The whole situation was even worse for the Heart captain due to seastone shackles that were A) weakening him and B) blocking his devil fruit’s powers so it was a freestyle “falling” he couldn’t in any way control or prevent if something went wrong. And Law seems like the type of person who likes to have control over things. So the resentment toward Luffy was an understable reaction.

One more important note about the landing scene - like was previously mentioned, Luffy for the majority of upcoming interaction between the three Supernovas was presented as a central figure, a “connection” between Zoro and Law. Both on the contextual level on which the analysis is based and in the visibility; in the sense how the layout of the panel has been planned. The biggest, most oblivious exception to the usual dynamic of Zoro-Luffy-Law were moments in which Zoro switched his position to put Law in the (safest) middle. Whatever he did that solely for Law’s safety or just Luffy’s (who by carrying all the time Trafalgar on his right arm couldn’t fight at 100% of his abilities and thus the right side was less guarded), the change was beneficial to Heart captain.

Since Luffy carried powerless Trafalgar, Zoro was the only one mobile to actually adapt his position to the needs of the situation. Like right now, cornered by the enemy, Zoro stood a bit ahead of two captains, with a katana already in hand, ready to fight.

Let’s just think about Law’s situation for a moment. Defenseless and surrounded on all sides by enemies, absolutely dependent on protection of fellow Supernovas he barely knew - including one chaotic dumbass responsible for his misery in the first place. Zoro, on another hand, was the only one person from Straw Hats crew that did not irritate or confuse Trafalgar in the last days of stress. But then the build impression of stoic, straight-thinking Zoro slowly started crackling. Like in the landing scene: Luffy thought he landed in a bad place to which Zoro noted there wasn’t any good place for them on Dressrosa right now and it was time to run away… just to run in the wrong direction. Which Luffy corrected the swordsman only to run in the wrong way too.

Law seriously didn’t need more stress at this point of life, yet not only Luffy but Zoro too, were challenging his self-control and patience.

Not much time has passed and Luffy already was caught by enemy’s attack:

Straw Hat managed to dodge “Super weight man” but get stuck for good. Both captains were saved from the powerful/deadly kick of Dellinger thanks to Zoro. Roronoa didn’t even cut the enemy, just kicked Dellinger in the ass and used his attack to push heavy Visa off from Luffy, freeing him for good (and once again, the frame presents Law in the middle).

The same like on Punk Hazard, Roronoa reminded Luffy to be careful.

This moment has an ambiguous feeling about it. On one hand, Zoro once again seemed to ignore Law's presence and focused on Luffy. On another, I think there is something diplomatic about the way Zoro addressed the situation. Because Luffy would be more or less fine, even if stamped by Visa. He was, in the end, a rubber-man and it wouldn't be the first time when something heavy crashed into him with high speed. Going Merry did that on a few occasions, when Luffy was using gomu gomu no balloon to save the ship from crashing into mountains / rocks. Unlike Law, who would be crushed to death.

The biggest problem during the run of Three Supernovas was how defenseless - thus useless in fight - Law was at that moment. He was totally dependent on Straw Hats and Zoro couldn't be not aware of that. On Sabaody Archipelago, when Eustass Kid decided to deal with marines alone, both Luffy and Law got so pissed off at the mere suggestion they needed to be saved. But there, Law was in need of save because seastone cuffs took all his powers, all his control over the situation. It was so easy to make fun of Heart captain, point out how powerless he was, complain about that. And some people would abuse the situation to laugh at Law. Zoro could say something along the line “be careful because Law can't fight”, yet he reprimanded Luffy without dragging Law into discussion. Without a fuss or making Trafalgar feel like a burden. Warning Luffy to be careful is similar to Punk Hazard's scene in the regard of demanding from the captain to not fool around and get the grip of himself. But unlike the previous arc, Zoro's demand was kept short, to the point. No speech how one mistake can cost them life - what was true in Dressrosa too.

Law didn't betray any reaction to Roronoa's words but I think there was a part of him that could feel glad for not humiliating him any more. He already had a hard time being carried like a sack of potatoes and forced to trust Straw Hats to not kill him in the process. He didn't need to be reminded how powerless he currently was.

Soon after that the Three Supernovas run into a crowd of citizens trying to capture Doflamingo's enemies. Zoro showed concern about them, not feeling right to cut desperate common people which Luffy agreed. Once again, Straw Hats proved how different they were from the majority of pirates. Law alone was okay to set Kaido after Doffy's head which in the long run would put the people of Dressrosa in harm's way.

Finally, the admiral Issho showed up - Zoro, due to previous movement of dodging an attack, didn't have time to change his position thus came at Luffy's left side. In that formation, Law was the least protected one which put Luffy at disadvantage as well.

Though Zoro was the character of lower status (the only non-captain Supernova and two stars on Doffy’s list in contrast to Luffy & Law’s three), it was Roronoa who actually fought the marine officer. What makes sense; he already had a chance to test Issho’s strength and was capable of freeing himself with a flying slash from gravity trap / attack while Law and Luffy couldn’t fight at full capability. Of course, manga only gave a small insight into their fight and the skirmish with the admiral was ultimately stopped by Pica's giant presence.

Of course, once Luffy heard the high pitched voice of a colossal enemy, he laughed like a maniac, despite Zoro’s (and enemy foot soldiers) warning.

Straw Hat’s reaction hit Pica’s berserk button to the point the man didn’t care if he killed members of his own Family or subordinates with his destructive attack (“It’s not even a punch anymore!! The town is falling on us”). Everyone could only run away as far as possible. While on the run, Zoro once again reprimanded his own captain. Or, at least, tried. Until he started laughing himself (chapter 748).

(Once again, the translation varies from one site to another; in some versions, Law told Luffy and Zoro “knock it off, you two…!!” or outright called them “you dipshits…!!”. Still, all three translations made it clear how unhappy Law was about the whole situation)

That moment is another breaking point of Law's impression about Zoro as the stoic, reasonable counter-balance to Luffy's madness. Because Roronoa wasn't any better than Monkey D. Luffy and that was the biggest "betrayal" to Trafalgar’s idea of what Pirate Hunter should be so far. Law was so, so disappointed in the angry way and he did not try to hide it.

Frankly, Law’s stoicism was put to the test the whole time and it was cracking under pressure more and more. Zoro and Luffy’s lack of self-preservation instinct definitely didn’t help at all.

Pica’s attack sent Supernova Trio flying far away from the palace, what allowed them to (sort of) catch a break. Zoro’s main focus was of course at the gigantic enemy, wondering how they could defeat him. His words weren’t directed at anyone in particular, but gave an opening for Law to join the discussion.  In the past, Law shared his knowledge about powers of enemies and how they worked yet this time he had no advice to give. It may suggest that Trafalgar wasn’t that familiar with the true nature and weakness of Ishi Ishi no Mi (what makes sense, since Pica’s powers are strictly related to rock and his attacks too destructive to use them recklessly, so young Law may never truly see the true potential of Pica in fight. Also, Doflamingo did not mention Pica when he named those of Family Law learned fighting skills from nor Law’s flashback showed any closer interaction with the man).

Or maybe Law didn’t have enough time to recover to talk about strategy against Pica and once Candevish showed up, there were other matters to worry about right then. Especially since the man tried to kill Law on the spot who was saved only by Luffy’s quick reaction (though Zoro already had a sword in hand, once he noticed the non familiar face, so maybe all of them felt the ill intention coming off Cavendish?).

Through the whole discussion with the man, Zoro stayed silent, while Law was furious at both Luffy and Cavendish. Including Luffy’s declaration of them being friends.

Law denied it and frankly, after the whole “adventure” of almost dying time after time because of Monkey D. Luffy’s lack of common sense, no one can blame him for such rage and lost composure. Still, whatever Law said about his relationship with Straw Hat, Zoro was guarding him more than his own captain. What makes sense - right now Luffy didn’t have to carry Heart captain (thus in case of attack wasn’t burdened in any way) while Law was still powerless by seastone. Zoro didn’t sheathe the sword and stood behind Luffy, the same as Law. At least until Luffy’s former rival (enemy) didn’t declare to be sort of on the same side as them. Law once again was faced with Luffy’s insanity, when rubber-man admitted that food given to him by Rebecca was the main motivation for his actions. Through the whole meeting with Candevish, Zoro was the only one person in the group that did not piss off Law even a bit.

Luffy and Candevish had another argument (who is gonna beat Doflamingo), but this time Luffy decided to run away and leave the man to his delusional talk about popularity. The Supernovas Trio soon met another Luffy’s rivals from Colosseum: Happo Navy Gang, the giant Hajrudin, king Elizabello II & Dogma, Abdullah & Jet, admiral Olombus, Ideo, Slayman, Blue Gilly. All powerful in their own right, all feeling indebted to Usopp (Straw Hats) for breaking Sugar’s curse to the point every one of them decided to take Doffy’s head.

Luffy was not really happy to see his rivals showing up one after another, even less when none cared that he decided to personally kick Doflamingo’s ass. Zoro’s initial reaction was commenting “you know lots of weird people” but beyond that did not show any distress (unlike Luffy) while Law did not talk at all.

In the group of so many self-assured fighters arguing who will take down the enemy, only Roronoa seemed to not be affected by emotions and approached the matter with cold pragmatism. He proposed a compromise: all fighters backing them up but the proposition was shut down. Mainly because all had too big egos and were too stubborn. Including Luffy, to Law’s utter shock.

Here some interesting details:

↪ Zoro once again held a sword in a hand. What suggests he didn’t consider the meeting between pirate alliance and the colosseum fighters as the “safest”. At the same time, the sword stayed unsheathed so it wasn’t totally “hazardous” feeling either. Though the situation could quickly get out of control and turn into a fight no one really needed, Zoro gave the fighters a benefit of doubt.

↪ Despite the benefit of doubt, Zoro still changed the usual position from Luffy’s left side to his right. Once again, Law was put in the (safest) middle. The change happened quickly, with the (second rival) giant Hajrudin showing up. After meeting with the Happo Gang, Luffy already was ready to run away while Zoro did not betray any sign of worry. The framing makes it look like he went ahead to face the gigantic man just in case, thus putting himself between two captains and the possible enemy.

↪ Once again Zoro acted protective of other Supernovas without making a fuss about it.

↪ There is a visible difference between how Luffy and Zoro approached the subject of the argument. Through the few pages, from meeting Candevish to arguing with all colosseum fighters, Luffy kept saying he will kick Doflamingo’s ass - in contrast, Zoro said to other men “back up us” what sounds like he actually remembered about Trafalgar. Considering how personal taking down Doflamingo was to Law, being included despite the current state of powerlessness most likely alone made (again) a good impression. On other hand, Luffy from the start to the end was selfish in the sense he decided to kick Doffy’s ass on his own and outright dismissed the very thought that anyone else should do it. Surprisingly, somehow along the way, Straw Hat switched from “we will go to the palace to kick Doflamingo’s ass” (said to the crew at the beginning of battle) to “I’m gonna do that” without including even Zoro.

↪ There is something interesting in the fact that the bigger group around them, then Zoro and Law spoke less. Even more, when one spoke the other usually stayed silent through the conversation with the strangers. What could be seen with Cavendish (Law was screaming talking) and the bunch of colosseum fighters (Zoro’s solution to join the forces). In the case of Roronoa, it seems like a normal thing for him; the more unfamiliar people the bigger chance he will keep quiet and simply observe what is going on around. That of course does not mean he is shy or anything like that, just acts like an introvert. Law seems here to operate in a similar way. Though in contrast to Zoro (who occasionally was commenting on people's idiocy), to Trafalgar the whole situation was as much as ridiculous as overwhelming judging by his shocked face.

↪ Even if Law’s impression of Zoro cracked a bit due to his bad sense of direction and  laughing with Luffy at dangerous enemy, when it mattered Roronoa A) didn’t lost his composure and was not influenced by emotions or personal pride and B) was reliable. In contrast, Law’s tolerance for all the chaos and absurdity (and one chaotic dumbass) was barely maintained the whole time.Trafalgar screamed in powerless(?) furypowerless fury(?) a lot and in general showed emotions in unusual manners. On Sabaody Archipelago and Punk Hazard, Zoro rarely couldhad a chance see Law so stressed and out of his depth. Dressrosa for the first time allowed him to see a different side of Law. In a way, Zoro finally had a chance to see (judge) what kind of man Trafalgar was once the control and devil fruit powers were taken away from him. He saw Law when he was vulnerable and it seems this shared experience builtin the long run built a solid ground between those two characters.

The argument between Luffy and gladiators was temporarily stopped by enemy attack. After that all of them rushed after Doffy’s head. Luffy met a befriended in colosseum bull and on his back rode alongside Zoro and Law. Since the situation became more dangerous, Law permanently ended between the Straw Hats, with Luffy defending the front while Zoro secured the rear.

During the run to the palace, King Elizabello and Chinjao stopped Pica’s attack and destroyed his stone arm but no true damage was done to the enemy. Zoro then advised the men to not waste energy until they figure out how Pica’s powers work and for now, just run (chapter 749).

Surprisingly, the fighters that not so long ago were all about their pride and ego listened to Luffy’s subordinate while still arguing with Straw Hat himself who should defeat Doflamingo and calling him the “stupid savior”. Through their journey, Law didn’t say any useful information about Pica nor shared any observations that might help in the fight, despite being to some degree familiar with Pica and pretty smart to analyze other people’s fighting styles.

Frankly, Zoro was the only one sharing aloud his observations with his captain (and Law?) after Luffy hit the enemy with a powerful, yet fruitless attack. Because of that, it seems like Pirate Hunter so far had the best understanding of stone giant’s powers.

Soon after that Pica finally showed up his true body. Up to this moment, Roronoa was more or less neutral about the whole chaos around him and now had his killer smile (that Law most likely couldn't see but could pick up the predatory tone from Zoro’s voice) due to upcoming fight with a strong opponent.

Law’s reaction was not shown at all, but once again he experienced Zoro’s insanity; the thrill of deadly fight, instead of worry about danger. Dressrosa, like Sabaody Archipelago and Punk Hazard arcs, confirm Pirate Hunter’s lust for battle. Another thing is the complete trust between Straw Hat Supernovas - Luffy avoided Pica’s attack (saving everyone in the process) and was just like “I’ll keep going ahead” while Zoro took on himself stopping Pica for good.

Like fighting a tricky devil fruit user is no big deal. Even insulted Pica by calling him “a pebble” and “Soprano singer” while knowing full well how sensitive the man was to such words - what Law may or may not heard before he and Luffy get too far away.

The next part: Birdcage, Pica & Doflamingo

[neoatiny]

Ateez!pirate au (Horizon)

Chapter 2: ??? (2)

Plot summary: Obedience has been the very core of who she is. Cursed with not being able to identify faces and haunted by dreams of a monstrous woman, she spends her days serving under the feet of others with no hope of freedom. Later proving herself on a slave ship, she's recruited into the ranks of the Horizon and meets the infamous Pirate King, Kim Hongjoong. The pirate life is uncertain, but at least she's free.

Warnings: mentions of death, mentions of violence

Word count: 1854

Synopsis: Welcome on board.

Masterlist / Next chapter / Previous chapter

She had collapsed the moment she stepped on board.

In her dreams, various colors of green swirl around her vision. A green liquid drips down from above her, creating a small puddle. It unnaturally grows bigger in size and a menacing hand rises from the water. She steps back in fear.

To her horror, it was not the violet woman who has been haunting her dreams. From the green water emerges a man. He steps forward in a forced motion and he opens his mouth to speak. “Eun..” He gasps loudly,  his body freezes in an unnatural position and she forces herself awake.

Her eyes quickly flutter open and she finds herself in an unfamiliar room. A man moves around carrying various medicinal herbs towards a wooden desk.

“Where the hell is the mortar and pestle?” He angrily mutters. “I told Seonghwa not to take it anymore, but no, of course not. He doesn’t understand the health concerns in using a mortar and pestle for toxic plants and using it to crush nuts.”

She shifts around on the bed to sit and her head throbs with a dull pain. She can still feel the hands of the man from the Serpent around her throat. She follows with tired eyes the black-haired man digging through the medicine cabinet.

“Aha!” The man pulls out a smooth marble bowl. He stops for a moment to acknowledge her.

“You’re awake!” Closing the cabinet, he heads towards a desk, pushing stacked books and papers aside. “Now I get that you’re probably not used to this,” He starts, busily crushing the herbs, his back turned against her. “But you’re in good hands. I know my medicine, so you’re not going to die while you’re here.”

She is not the very least assured.

She had encountered the Serpent’s healer once after scrapping her knees and elbows when she was forced to beg on the floor for forgiveness after spilling water on the boatswain’s shoes. The healer was a very thin man and flinched when spoken to. He didn’t even seem to know what he was doing, having rubbed the wrong herbs against her wounds, leaving them itchy for a week.

The man in front of her, however, was the complete opposite of the Serpent’s healer. Though he gives off a friendly aura, she notices the long scars around his muscled arms. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought he was a fighting pirate. She suddenly remembers the silver-haired captain.

What are they going to do to me?

The healer turns around, dramatically waving a small bottle with a green substance inside. He shakes the bottle towards her. “Here.” He offers. “Yeosang brought you here and told me you hit your head hard on the Serpent’s deck and almost got chocked to death, so this will help soothe the pain.”

She stares at the mixture, outstretching her hand hesitantly to accept it. “You’re not going to die.” He jokes. Their hands touch for a brief moment, sparking something in her, before she quickly drinks it, realizing now how thirsty she was.

She coughs at the bitter taste, trying her best to keep it all down. He passes her a glass of water, which this time she accepts gratefully.

Taking back the empty glass, he continues to be friendly. “You’ve been asleep for about three days now, which is normal in my experience, don’t worry. You made a scene collapsing on the deck and you had to get carried here bridal style.”

Her ears burn in embarrassment.

“You should be grateful that you didn’t have any serious injuries. Wouldn’t want you getting an amputation on your first day.” He laughs. She doesn’t respond and he lets awkwardly clears his throat, wiping his hands with the towel slung over his shoulder. “I’m the healer here on the Horizon, but I think you’ve guessed that already. My name’s San, what’s yours?”

An uncomfortable silence fills the room before there’s a knock on the door.

“Captain!” She freezes in fear as San greets him quickly. “I was just making conversation with the girl here. She has a few bruises, but other than that there’s nothing that could lead to her death.”

The captain pats him on the back. “Thank you, San.” The healer leans against the door, crossing his arms as his captain turns to face her, pulling the desk’s chair forward and sitting down.

“I would appreciate it if you would look at me when I talk to you.” She raises her head to finally look at him in the eye, but all she’s met with is his blurry facade. Her eyes wander throughout his face, the only thing visible is his silver hair.

A strange color for anyone, she thinks to herself.

The captain perches his arm on the back of the chair, resting his head on his hand. “So you really can’t see faces. I thought the pathetic excuse for a pirate probably had too much to drink before we came aboard, but it seems he wasn’t lying.”

Even with the curse, she can feel his intimidating gaze on her. “How did you get it?”

“Captain, I don’t think she understands you.” San mentions. “Slaves on pirate ships usually spend most of their days there, usually their entire life, without any proper education. For all we know she doesn’t even know to speak-”

A sound resonates from her. An intake of air as she opens her mouth to speak in what feels like forever. “I can talk.” Her voice comes out hoarse.

San whistles impressed. “Sorry. Please continue.”

The captain moves back slightly, taking in the state of the girl in front of him. Her clothes were worn out and dirty. Multiple holes were visible on the bottom of her shirt and there was a large tear, visibly showing a faint bruise. “So you do understand us. You haven’t been a slave for long, then.”

She nods, swallowing nervously.

“Where did you learn how to shoot?” He moves closer towards her, the chair creaking. “You remind me of my head gunner.” He adds as an afterthought.

“I can’t remember.”

He scoffs. “Are you trying to fool me? You lose everything you practice when you lose your memory, but you obviously haven’t. I’m not a fool.”

“It’s not like that, I swear.” She weakly defends. “I remember how I grew up, but after that, I can’t remember the rest.” Her voice continues to crack as she speaks.

“Retaining habits isn’t uncommon in memory loss.” The healer helpfully adds. “Handwriting is the most common, but I’ve never read anything before about shooting.”

The captain hums thoughtfully. “That’s stupid.” San only laughs at his captain’s childish comment.

The captain repeats his question. “How did you get the curse?” Curse?  She’s spent nights alone in the hole trying to remember the encounter.

She remembers the rain falling harshly that night. She had stumbled inside a cave, drenched from head to toe. “I’m here to make a wish.” She had announced. From the darkness of the cave, a pair of glowing green eyes followed her around. Everything else was a haze and she only remembers waking up by the shore, dazed and confused.

“I made a deal with a witch.” She decided to say.

The captain says nothing more, but she does not fail to notice the way he balled his hands into fists at the mention of the word ‘witch’. “You saved my life back on the Serpent. So in return, you’ll get to join my crew.”

“Why?” She asks without thinking. The captain stays silent for a moment before responding, taken aback from her quick response. “It’ll be better for you to stay on our ship Horizon than on a slave ship.”

She touches her wrists instinctively, still feeling the shackles the Serpent crew took off after they assigned her to scrub the deck. Anger swells in her heart at the memories. She’s not going back. “What would I do?”

“You’ll be working on the deck mostly. I informed everyone about your curse so there won’t be any future misunderstanding. I’m going to assign you as the apprentice of my head gunner. He’s a quick shot, so you’ll be able to learn well from him.”

The healer makes a surprised sound, slightly annoying his captain. “Captain, really? Wooyoung isn’t going to like this. You how he’s like.”

He dismisses the healer’s worries with a wave, not even turning his head to look at him. “He’ll get over it.”

“The captain called you Hex.” She sucks in a breath sharply at the name. “Was the name given to you by them or is it just a really sad coincidence?”

“It’s Eunsung.”

He hums acceptingly, beginning to stand up. “San, make sure to get her new clothes, some of the crew here are about her size, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Then bring her to the kitchen and eat.”

San nods. “Sure thing, captain.”

She looks down at her fingernails, dirty from sleepless nights of scrubbing and scratching the dirty walls of her poor excuse of home. The sounds of struggling slaves, their cries for salvation-

“What happened to the slaves?” She suddenly recalls, sounding almost too desperate. “The slaves I was with, what happened to them?” Her voice grows the tiniest bit louder in worry.

He answers simply. “They’re back at the ship. We let them go.”

“Some of them were injured. The boy I was with, he needed medical attention.”

The captain sighs, shaking his head. “I don’t know about any boy, but after the sad display the captain showed, the rest of the crew are probably going to demote him.” He makes a slicing motion to his neck, leaving her silent.

“Then it’ll take a day for them to pick a new captain, so they will probably not have moved the ship that far. The Honor Guard makes their daily rounds there, so they’ll capture them and save the slaves.”

She’s still unsatisfied with his answer. “How can you be so sure?”

“I’m the Pirate King. I know.”

San moves to make way for his captain. Before he leaves out the door, he turns back one last time to face the new addition to the crew. “For a slave, you don’t back down. You’re part of the crew now; act like it. Call me captain.”

With that, he turns the doorknob and leaves. San claps his hands together, getting Eunsung’s attention.

“Welcome to the crew.” He says happily. “You can’t see it right now, but I’m smiling.”

A sinking feeling lays at the pit of her stomach. Even with the detailed reassurance from the captain, Eunsung can’t help but feel like she’s abandoned the slaves.

It wouldn’t be the first time. “I hope you die!” he yells.

Her heart aches at the memory of her brothers. Even with the missing pieces of her memories, she still longs for them. Eunsung feels that leaving the slaves won’t be her last mistake.

[tea-cake-and-melancholy]

Skull and Shackles-part one

Hello everyone! Stuck here in quarantine after finishing college (graduation, woot!) and decided to practice my heavily rusting fictional writing skills. Skull and Shackles is an Adventure Path from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game® owned by Paizo. The only thing I own is the original characters. Any writing advice would be welcomed. Hope you enjoy.

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This adventure does not start with the busy chatter of a tavern, no heroic call to arms against some great evil, not even with being arrested by a government that didn’t appreciate this group for sticking their noses where they don’t belong. This adventure starts with a dark room. The sensation of swaying and an incredible headache that may have either been accompanied by the taste that numbs the tongue or a whack. Impressment wasn’t just restricted to the Cheliax Navy, it extended to pirates as well. It’s been known that Press Gangs are known to skulk about inns, taverns, the streets at night and even pluck unsuspecting men and women from their very beds after a short chat concerning their sailing ability. That was the situation for this group of adventurers. 

The first to awaken was a catfolk thief named Gumqu, a lanky feline looking humanoid creature with the head, paws, and tail of a cat. With grey peach fuzz and mismatched blue and gold eyes, she looked about to try and remember how she had gotten there. Ah, yes. She had just returned from her latest voyage on the “Old Renegade”, a ship that she had served for 5 years working on the rigging. Coming across a rather fat merchant ship, she decided rather foolishly to spend her earnings alone at the Formidably Maid a rather popular pirate tavern. Gumqu absent-mindedly rasped her tongue against her sleeve to take away the numbing and bitter taste off her tongue, feeling rather embarrassed to having fallen for such an old press-gang tactic. At least she can feel the outline of her thieves’ tools in her hidden pocket. Another from the pile stirred with a curse and a spit, human looking and irate to boot.

Anne Salis angrily looked about with dark eyes, cursing her luck and possibly fate for not being careful. Her husband always did warn her against drinking at the Formidably Maid with all those wayward pirates. Being the resident shaman for the Besmara, there was a priest though he took a 12-year fishing trip and had not returned yet, it wasn’t uncommon to getting free drinks from old salts who appreciated fair weather charms. She shook her headful of honey curls and clutched her unprotected scalp when the throbbing headache was aggravated by her swift movements. They took her hat but not her dagger in her belt, typical. She gnashed her sharp teeth and tried to stand but was prevented by the moving room and tangled bodied. Nevertheless, with that she inadvertently kicked a rather large half-orc in the ribs, shocking him to consciousness.

Ausk Oddfellow never failed to live up to his name. A shocking giant that can easily take up the length of the room. He slowly sat up while rubbing his now smarting side, looking like a picture out of those risqué nobles’ romance novels. Tall and muscular with a tiny waist, the symbol of Cayden Cailean (a flagon) hung around his neck and slightly messy black hair caused by the welt in the back of the head. He was tavern hopping, singing about various pirates and legends with his bestest best mate in all the world, Skender, who always works in his dark little alchemy shop. So, as any best friend would do, he dragged with away for a good time and maybe show him the meaning of fun. Well, on the way from Suffering Tiger Pub, The Boot and Helm, The Forest and Shield, Hovering Drake and The Clam and Whale Tavern, and the Formidably Maid, there was a scuffle in a dark alley between 2 blokes and a lady. Being the dashing bard that he is, of course he rushed to the rescue. Right before being knocked on the back of the head. Hard. He quickly looked around in panic! Where’s Skender?! As he is reaching over, his hulking green mass squished the figure next to him, causing an indignant shout.

Now Mordren Paella was typical for a pit-born tiefling; some had one or two minor imperfections that can be easily hidden or explained away, some are more…drastic. The only normal features she possessed was her height, black hair usually tied back and olive skin. Unfortunately, her abnormalities were drastic enough to detract from those features. From golden cat eyes, exposed fang-like teeth that frame her entire jaw, a left arm that resembled a blue dragon’s claw, bird’s legs to the barbed snake’s tail. Many had expressed that she was most likely the product of a god after a very heavy night of drinking. She was a witch that worked on various pirate ships as a cook. Never had a bad reference and no complaints with her small book of recipes that she can feel she still had on her person. She had left her hometown of Ilizmagorti, due to the heightened Red Mantis activity, to Port Peril. To celebrate, she went for a small meal and drink for the smooth trip. Seeing some sketchy characters at the corner of the tavern she and decided to leave, until the world started spinning and the floor was incoming fast. Nearby her was a rather angry “Must you be such a bumbling bugbear? Move over, you green lummox” a thwack barely missing her head and swatting the half-orc’s back.

The person in question was Skender Korzha; a half elf with mocha skin and high contrasting white tattoos on his arms that appeared arcane in origin. His black hair was halfway taken out of his ponytail and he feels a crick in his lower back after hours in an odd position. He knew that he should not have gone out with Ausk. Nothing ever goes well when he goes out with him. Granted, he is a flamboyant, needlessly boisterous, optimistic glass ¾’s full kind of bard but really he’s not a bad friend. However, based on the pounding headache and possible concussion, he’s gotten them into trouble again. He needed that brain, damn it. He checks himself to find what he had left, only to find a health kit. Wonderful. Trying to pull himself to sit up, he felt his sleeping leg being weighed down by someone who may just have beaten his friend in height.

The last in this room was a peculiar species of troll called the Va’al, hailing from the islands closer to Freeport. Though not nearly as muscular as Ausk, Hau'ri’s musculature was overshadowed by the sheer height. This was hidden by him being currently curled on the floor of this room. He slowly sits up and rubs his sore jaw, luckily his tusks were still intact for they were a pain to regrow, almost as bad as a leg or the inconvenience of a missing finger when you only have a max of 3 to start with. The only hair was the short light blue fur covering him from head to toe, bat like ears ringing from the beating he received just the other…time? Honestly, he doesn’t know what time it, not that it matters. His amber eyes scanning the room, satisfied that there’s more than him in this situation. He clenches his fist and quickly hides the brass knuckles that he always kept on him, chuckling at his luck.

 It was at that time; a series of heavy footsteps came from above to then slam the door open violently. Bright light pouring from the handheld lantern blinds everyone inside, causing some to curse and some to hiss in discomfort.

             ““Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap’n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!” roared the stranger. He stands tall in typical pirate garb, this human male had probably has seen salt water more often than clear water used for more than cooking or drinking. Skin cracked from long days in the sun and gold teeth gleaming in a cruel smile as he used his whip to motivate everyone onto their feet. This took a bit of time before the group proceeded to follow him up the stairs of the ship.

 As they were walking, Anne spat on the ground to her right, finally deciphering the taste in her mouth as taggit oil. A favorite of press gangs if they think they can get away with it. Put it in spicy food or particularly strong grog and you have between 1 to 3 hours with a dead to the world body. Cheap, easy to obtain and hard to overcome when ingested. Both Hau’ri and Ausk must bend down to clear their heads from hitting the beams above.

Once they’ve reached the top they were once again blinded, this time by the tropical sun hanging high in the sky. Looking about, they find themselves surrounded, 10 pirates not including the one that guided them there and ocean as far as the eye can see. Some were up in the rigging while others were scattered about on deck, all stopped to gawk at the new arrivals. Skender looks at the ship and can tell that it’s a three-masted sailing ship, 100 feet long from stem to stern, and 30 feet wide amidships. Decent but just one person short of manning it effectively without hardship. At the ship’s mainmast, on a high platform than the confused party in question, there stood two individuals. One was a broad, muscular human man with Garundi descent; a shaven head, long beard bound with braids and gold rings, and an eye patch. Based on his standing and finery, this was the captain in charge. The other to his right was a younger, balding man with a long black ponytail, wearing a long coat and carrying a well-used cat-o’-nine-tails.

The group was corralled towards the middle with 4 other recruits, a red headed human woman with a lovely tricornered hat, a muscular halfling brunette that could possibly bench-press Ausk, a human male with a blue varisian scarf wrapped around his head to protect his scalp and a rather fabulous male gnome bedecked in dandy purple attire. While the group was placed in a row, the captain smirked and finally addressed them.

           “Glad you could join us at last!” his rasping voice bellowed over the crashing waves “Welcome to the Wormwood! My thanks for ‘volunteering’ to join my crew. I’m Barnabas Harrigan. That’s Captain Barnabas Harrigan to you, not that you’ll ever need to address me. I have only one rule—don’t speak to me. I like talk, but I don’t like your talk. Follow that rule and we’ll all get along fine.” He made his way to walk away, paused and spoke over his shoulder, “Oh, and one more thing. Even with you new recruits, we’re still short-handed, and I aim to keep what crew I have. There’ll be a keelhaulin’ for anyone caught killin’ anyone. Mr. Plugg!” addressing the man with the ponytail “If you’d be so kind as to make pirates out of these landlubbers, it’ll save me having to put them in the sweatbox for a year and a day before I make pies out of ’em.” Before walking away from sight. The new overseer, Mr. Plugg, descends to the Amidships where they stood.

           “Now” he unhooked the cat-o’-nine-tails from his belt as he surveys the crew-to-be. “Time to see where you lot belong.”

Next

[yorukamiko]

Vampire AU

I’ve been toying with this idea for a while, so here it is in writing.  Julian, somewhere between the fateful Masquerade and the beginning of our story. On the run. We more or less know his route: getting away from Vesuvia with Mazelinka, getting on a ship to Macawi port in the South, then going back to Vesuvia. But the Masquerade was three years ago, and Portia started working at the Palace a year ago, probably shortly after she got to Vesuvia, which leaves us with two years of Julian’s journey. What has he been up to, then?

EDIT: I started writing this 3h ago and just wanted to get stuff out of my head. I guess stories live their own lives, so it became WAY longer than I expected. Oops. It’s 3:30am and starts getting NSFW. Part two will happen when I get sleep. Alas, beware of typos and other mishaps.

Also TW: human trade 

Here an idea:

The ship Julian’s on is attacked by the pirates. Not Mazelinka’s crew, but a more nasty type. Julian tries to make his way out of the situation by telling them he’s a doctor, but they don’t need one on their ship - instead, they decide to make a pretty penny selling him to someone on the coast.

As they arrive to a small port, Julian is escorted straight to the market. There, a young lady dressed in finest lace buys him and a few others. She seems very well educated and rich, but not very kind. She haggles well, not about the money, though, but about additional people for the same price. The handler seems to be cautious with his words, as if afraid of her, and finally agrees. When she’s done, she drives away in a carriage, while Julian and the others make their way to the estate on foot, with a few guards.

The residence is a beautiful place by a river, with a garden smaller, but no less amazing than the Vesuvian one. They pass the fields and the meadows on their way there, and Julian takes a good look at the people working in the fields - there are no guards, and some people are resting in shade, drinking and laughing. They seem.. relaxed.

Upon their arrival to the house, the ropes are taken away and they are offered a bath and a fresh change of clothes. Julian’s clothes are simple and plain, but kind of nice. He washes up in a small tub of warm water, and heads to the dining area.

The lady who sits at the head of the table is the same lady who was there in the market. She’s way nicer now, welcoming them in her house and asking them to enjoy the meal. Everyone is a bit reluctant, but she takes the first few bites and that gains her enough trust among the newcomers. Even if this is all extremely odd, they are hungry.

After the dinner is cleaned out from the table, she announces that they are by no means obliged to stay, and they are all free to go the next morning. However, if they would like to stay, she offers her employment. A roof over their heads, food they will grow with their own hands, freedom to come and go, a fair wage, and her protection - under two conditions. There will be a small donation of blood required every now and then, and there will be her reputation to upkeep. There is a murmur among the guests, but she cuts it off, saying she would like them to go meet the servants who decided to stay, before they make the final decision. 

The lady of the house takes time to chat with those who stayed in the room, and finally makes it to Julian. Unsure what to do, but utterly intrigued, he decides to accept the invitation and stay for some time as a physician. If nothing else, playing by their rules can make an easier escape later on.

The next morning he is asked to move to a long building closer to the servants quarters, where he is given an office and an adjacent room in which he can live. All of it is rather simple, but sufficient. There are no decorations, but there view out the window is pleasant. Way better than his office in the Palace dungeons. He shivers at the thought, but pushes it far away. He is safe now. Everyone dear to him is safe and away from Vesuvia. Mazelinka has reached Portia by now and passed the news of his escape. All he has to do is to lay low for a while.

There is a knock on the door and a young boy with a little girl attached to his leg walks in. Julian smiles and puts on a “kind doctor” face, then throws himself into work.

Weeks pass by and Julian is well-known and liked among the people of this weird place. His initial distrust slowly vanishes. He can see that the people are indeed free to come and go, they are paid, fed, and happy. They work for themselves, mostly. Some work in the fields, some with the animals, others sew clothes or build furniture. There’s a carpenter, a blacksmith, and now him - a doctor. It’s a self-sufficient little town, all under the protection of this young mysterious lady with a bad reputation on the outside. Whatever they have in abundance, they trade away in the port. Julian goes with them once, and plays along when he is told to put on shackles and look miserable. He knows a reputation can save one from the fight altogether, and he is well aware that if those pirates knew the place wasn’t cursed, haunted, and controlled by a powerful witch, it would get raided in no time. 

As they return back to the estate, they joke and laugh about all the silly stuff they saw pirates do - spitting over their shoulders, sprinkling salt, or murmuring anti-hexes while avoiding their gaze. Julian loves it, mischief and drama is something he lives for, and he offers a few new scenarios and tricks to play on the pirates the next time they go to town.

But even before they reach their houses, someone stops them, visibly shaken. They say that there has been an accident and the doctor is needed immediately. Julian rushes back to the estate, where the injured is being taken care of. 

A child is laid on a cleared table in the main hall of the house, pale and motionless. There is a family gathered round them, sobbing and comforting each other. Julian is afraid he’s too late, but the child is still alive. Their breath is rugged and bubbly. A close examination shows there’s a lung pierced and some external bleeding. As much as Julian wishes, he’s way under-equipped to perform a surgery. Instead, he removes his gloves.

The room falls silent as his mark glows. With his head tilted backwards, he sees a movement at the top of the staircase. Then, he folds in half as his own ribs crack and bend inwards, piercing his lung. He gasps for air, but he’s drowning, yet he does not move his hands away until he sees the child gaining back consciousness. He collapses to his knees. Last thing he sees is blood on the floor and his hands as he coughs it up. 

He wakes up sore, in a strange room. It’s dark, with curtains drawn. The door opens and a servant comes in with a tray full of deliciously smelling food and a lit candle. She smiles at him, sets the tray and begins to light the candles. She seems like she wants to say something, but she only utters “thank you, thank you so much” when she’s about to leave. 

Only now Julian realises there’s someone else in the room, sitting in an armchair. The stranger walks towards his bed and Julian can now see a tall, lean figure with a storm of dark hair surrounding her perfectly beautiful face. She looks like a living sculpture, her skin dark, eyes golden. Her entire shape screams elegance. She sits at the foot of his bed and smiles an all-knowing smile.

Julian is too hazy to ask the right questions, and he is starving, so he lets the stranger speak as he ravishes his dinner. The woman seems completely comfortable in his presence, as well as fascinated. She introduces herself as Mistress Zoe, the real lady of the house, and tells Julian she is impressed with his magic, but also a bit hurt he haven’t mentioned being a magician earlier. Julian explains between bites that he is not, in fact, a magician, thank you very much, but he has been cursed by one. She laughs, and asks how possessing an ability to perform miracles and save lives is a curse, to which Julian mumbles something in response, blushing at the compliment.

Zoe asks him to be completely honest with her from then on, and offers the same in exchange. In fact, she would like to start.

She created this whole place, because she dislikes how violent the world has become. There’s no joy for her in hurting and killing, and hurt she must - to feed herself. Now here lies the real curse. She cannot step in the sun, she cannot eat or drink what the others can, she needs to feed on blood. For years she tried to cope with her situation, on her own, with no one to guide her. She did horrible things in her youth, hurt many, just to stay alive. Killed some, yes. But seeing she lived longer than any man she has ever met, she decided to make a difference. That’s why with all her accumulated wealth she bought the estate and surrounding grounds, and created this safe haven. Julian nods and asks about the reputation and Zoe smiles. Well, yes, it’s a repellent for those who would want to attack her, but some of it is true and had the need arise, she would be able to protect her people.

“And the blood donations?” Julian asks. Ever since he took on the physician’s job, he had been tasked with drawing blood from the volunteers. She looks away with poorly hidden disgust. She knows she can draw a little blood from a lot of people to sustain herself and not harm them, but honestly, it’s like taking a bite of every possible dish at the same time. Feeds you, but it’s awful. It’s the closest she’s ever been to being fair with her people, so that’s her way now.

Julian furrows his brows. If she’d let him, he would very much like to examine her. She laughs and it takes a moment until he realises how he sounded. He flusters and tries to explain himself, but she’s having none of it. She teases him and makes him blush even more. Eventually, she lets go and tells him that yes, that is possible, but now she wants to hear his story. Julian obeys, and tells her the most dramatic and entertaining tales of his adventures.

They stay up all night and when the sky behind the drapes starts getting lighter, Zoe decides to bid her goodbyes. She thanks him again for saving the child, and for their time together.

Over the next few days Julian goes back to his routine. He is now treated like a hero, but there’s a bit of distance in how people interact with him. Rumours of magic is what they were laughing at together just a few days ago, not knowing he possessed any abilities. What if he didn’t like their jokes back then? They know he can keep a secret, so maybe he holds a grudge now? Better not get too close with him, better leave him a small gift at the windowsill, just in case. Julian is a bit frustrated by this behaviour, but he can’t blame them - he himself is distrustful towards magic. 

His thoughts, however, go back to Zoe and their night together. He felt so good in her presence. She’s bold, and funny, and she seems to like him, too. And gods, creating all this? That takes some guts.. and kindness. He’s sure she could put a lot less effort into it if she hunted.

The next time volunteers come over to donate blood, one of the house servants informs him that he has to deliver the blood himself. After he closes the clinic for the night, he gathers his journal, and a small basket of vials, and goes to a room upstairs. Zoe is already there, behind a room divider, taking a bath. She invites him to sit in a chair next to her tub, completely unashamed. He passes her the vials and she downs a few of them right away, her irises dilating as she drinks. She rests the back of her head on the edge of the tub and he can see her fangs. He opens the notebook and writes down his observations. 

It takes her a while to come back to her senses. Her throat bobs up and down and she sits upright. “It’s a very vulnerable moment for me,” she says, “when I feed. It’s even worse when I was feeding off of a living human. You know how lone predators drag their prey into hiding before they start to eat? I had to go to hiding, too. I usually lured them into a safe place, and only then fed. When I quench that thirst, I’m completely helpless. I can control myself, but as for anything going on outside - I’m done. So much for a great predator” she laughs. 

Julian sits there, taking notes, asking questions, and trying not to stare. The way she moves, the way she talks, the way her lips curl, her brows furl, her nose wrinkles.. Everything about her is perfect. He is enchanted by her voice and her scent. He blushes, when she catches him drifting away. “Guilty as charged, I was not listening, sorry, you’re just too beautiful” slips his lips and his eyes widen, while his cheeks burn. He did not mean to say it out loud. 

She just smiles, a wide predatory grin. Well, of course she is beautiful, but it’s nice of him to notice. Perhaps he would like to put the notebook aside and pass her the towel?

Julian blinks rapidly, then reaches for the soft cloth hanging on a hook and hands it over to her. He wants to turn around but she stops him. He’s welcome to look, in fact, she would very much enjoy it. He doesn’t need another word. He sits there, transfixed, biting his lip, as she puts on a bit of a show for him, slowly drying herself down, giving him all the right angles. 

He hasn’t been close with anyone since... since that damned witch. He enjoys Zoe’s company, and she apparently enjoys his. She seems dangerous and alluring, a sweet combination he always had a soft spot for.

She steps out of the bath and bends over, putting her hands on armrests, so their faces almost meet. “What’s your poison, then?” She asks. Julian smiles, eyes full of mischief. “I love pain and servitude, Mistress. Bind me, use me, deny me, hurt me - I’ll take it all. I heal well” he teases. Zoe’s eyes light up at that, she licks her lips, slowly. “May I feed on you?” She asks. Julian swallows, hard. “Yes, please.”

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

LGBTQIA+ May/December Historical Romances - Updated May 30, 2019

The Station by Keira Andrews

- Ever since Cambridge-bound Colin Lancaster spied on stable master Patrick Callahan mastering another man, he’s longed for Patrick to do the same to him. When Patrick is caught with his pants down and threatened with death for his crime, Colin speaks up in his defense and confesses his own sinful nature. They’re soon banished to the faraway prison colony of Australia.

Patrick never asked for Colin’s help, and now he’s stuck with the pampered fool. While it’s true that being transported to Australia is a far cry from the luxury Colin is accustomed to, he’s determined to make the best of it and prove himself. Patrick learned long ago that love is a fairy tale, but he’s inexorably drawn to sweet, optimistic Colin despite himself.

From the miserable depths of a prison ship to the vast, untamed Australian outback, Colin and Patrick must rely on each other. Danger lurks everywhere, and when they unexpectedly get the chance to escape to a new life as cowboys, they’ll need each other more than ever.

This historical gay romance from Keira Andrews features an age difference, an eager virgin, hurt/comfort, and of course a happy ending.

Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews

- Will a virgin captive surrender to this pirate’s sinful touch? Nathaniel Bainbridge is used to hiding, whether it’s concealing his struggles with reading or his forbidden desire for men. Under the thumb of his controlling father, the governor of Primrose Isle, he’s sailing to the fledging colony, where he’ll surrender to a respectable marriage for his family’s financial gain. Then pirates strike and he’s kidnapped for ransom by the Sea Hawk, a legendary villain of the New World. Bitter and jaded, Hawk harbors futile dreams of leaving the sea for a quiet life, but men like him don’t deserve peace. He has a score to settle with Nathaniel’s father—the very man whose treachery forced him into piracy—and he’s sure Nathaniel is just as contemptible. Yet as days pass in close quarters, Nathaniel’s feisty spirit and alluring innocence beguile and bewitch. Although Hawk knows he must keep his distance, the desire to teach Nathaniel the pleasure men can share grows uncontrollable. It’s not as though Hawk would ever feel anything for him besides lust… Nathaniel realizes the fearsome Sea Hawk’s reputation is largely invented, and he sees the lonely man beneath the myth, willingly surrendering to his captor body and soul. As a pirate’s prisoner, he is finally free to be his true self. The crew has been promised the ransom Nathaniel will bring, yet as danger mounts and the time nears to give him up, Hawk’s biggest battle could be with his own heart. This May-December gay romance from Keira Andrews features classic tropes including: a tough alpha pirate too afraid to love, a plucky virgin captive half his age, enemies to lovers, first-time sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending.

A Lord to Love by Sara Dobie Bauer

- During negotiations for a truce between the feuding Price and Morgan families, Lord John Morgan makes a shocking offer: he will give the Price family their land, in exchange for Harrison Price's hand in marriage. John has long been enamored with Harrison, the beautiful son of his late rival. Harrison is nineteen, inexperienced, and known for being cold and bitingly brilliant. The union seems impossible, and is met with disapproval from all sides, but John is determined to win the affections of the young man he has admired from afar. Will the frigid Harrison accept the other Lord's proposal, or will the object of John's adoration leave him alone at the altar? Find out in this sweetly sexy, romantic tale readers are calling "deliciously carnal" and full of "swoon-worthy moments"!

The Labyrinth by Alex Beecroft (Non-binary MC!)

- Kikeru, the child of a priestess at the sacred temple of Knossos in ancient Crete, believes that the goddesses are laughing at him. They expect him to choose whether he is a man or a woman, when he’s both. They expect him to choose whether to be a husband to a wife, or a celibate priestess in the temple, when all he wants to do is invent things and be with the person he loves.

Unfortunately, that person is Rusa, the handsome ship owner who is most decidedly a man and therefore off-limits no matter what he chooses. And did he mention that the goddesses also expect him to avert war with the Greeks?

The Greeks have an army. Kikeru has his mother, Maja, who is pressuring him to give her grandchildren; Jadikira, Rusa’s pregnant daughter; and superstitious Rusa, who is terrified of what the goddesses will think of him being in love with one of their chosen ones.

It’s a tall order to save Crete from conquest, win his love, and keep both halves of himself. Luckily, at least the daemons are on his side.

Astray by Elvira Bell

- Nick Andrews has grown up in poverty in a tiny village. All his life he’s been told that he’s useless. After getting one scolding too many he decides to go far away, off to sea. But his experience as a farmhand has done little to prepare him for the hardships of a sailor’s life.

When his ship is attacked by pirates, Nick’s life is miraculously spared by the notorious pirate captain, Christopher Hart—a man in charge of a crew feared for their brutality. Nick is forced to join the pirates, and he dreads finding out for what reason the captain has saved him.

But Hart is nothing like his reputation suggests, and Nick soon finds himself entangled in a relationship that could endanger both their lives. Unless Nick can help Hart on his quest to find a long lost treasure, their forbidden love may tear his new life apart.

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

- When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips. After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.

More under the cut, including three F/F romances...

A Charm of Magpie Series by KJ Charles

- A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell. Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual. Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

The Henchmen of Zenda by KJ Charles

- Swordfights, lust, betrayal, murder: just another day for a henchman. Jasper Detchard is a disgraced British officer, now selling his blade to the highest bidder. Currently that's Michael Elphberg, half-brother to the King of Ruritania. Michael wants the throne for himself, and Jasper is one of the scoundrels he hires to help him take it. But when Michael makes his move, things don’t go entirely to plan—and the penalty for treason is death. Rupert of Hentzau is Michael's newest addition to his sinister band of henchmen. Charming, lethal, and intolerably handsome, Rupert is out for his own ends—which seem to include getting Jasper into bed. But Jasper needs to work out what Rupert’s really up to amid a maelstrom of plots, swordfights, scheming, impersonation, desire, betrayal, and murder. Nobody can be trusted. Everyone has a secret. And love is the worst mistake you can make.

Merrick by Claire Cray

- New York, 1799: the future looks bright for the charming young book dealer William Lacy, until a raucous night of drinking lands him in shackles. He narrowly avoids the brutal prison system thanks to his mother, who negotiates with the judge to secure him a five year apprenticeship in lieu of a prison sentence. And so William finds himself in a carriage bound for the remote woods upstate, where he'll spend the next years of his life learning a new trade under some old master. When he first sees Merrick, William thinks he's been dropped into a medieval horror story. Tall and gruff, dressed in a hooded robe that completely conceals his features, and riding a black mare, Merrick might as well be the Grim Reaper. But appearances are deceiving. A skilled apothecary and healer, Merrick proves to be a generous host and a gentle teacher, and William soon finds himself surprisingly comfortable in his new surroundings. And yet troubling mysteries abound: Why does Merrick never show his face or hands? Why do his movements seem so young and sure beneath his robes? What lies within the cave behind the stone cottage? Something unnatural is afoot. But most alarming by far is William's own reaction to his new keeper. For Merrick's strange charms are bewitching enough by day; but by night, in the darkness of the room and the bed they share, William finds himself entirely overwhelmed by desires he never imagined...

Her Hardest Choice by Jesalin Creswell (f/f!!!)

- Vivian Hollingsworth is disillusioned about love. After losing her husband at just twenty-five, she grieved for almost two years, unable to let go of her sorrow. She knows she needs to become a part of the London's social scene once again, but she’s lost all hope of finding true love. Nineteen-year-old Millie O’Connor is not as simple as she may first appear. She might be a lady’s maid, but her past is not without its secrets. Plus, she knows that what she wants is forbidden: she’s never desired a man - her private dreams have always been about women. And the woman she meets now, Lady Hollingsworth, incites her powerful desires so deeply, Millie is no longer sure she can stop herself. The two women cannot deny the attraction they feel. As much as her newfound feelings surprise Vivian, she can't push Millie away. Instead, she needs to make her hardest choice: to throw away the glamorous world of London’s elite for the life with her beloved, or to deny her own desires and dreams…

Seducing Stephen by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon

- What does a jaded earl see in a studious young man? Everything he never knew he was missing. The dark, alluring Peter, Lord Northrup, is Stephen’s every nighttime fantasy made flesh and he’s in Stephen’s bed, ready for passion. When Peter discovers the bedroom mix-up, he’s ready to leave, until Stephen begs him to teach him all the things he’s only imagined. The two men, visitors at a country house, begin a delirious, passionate affair with Northrup as teacher and Stephen his eager student. Peter knows their liaison is about hot sessions of sexual exploration, not love--and backs away when he sees shy Stephen’s heart is involved. Passion and commitment can’t coexist for men like them. But Peter is haunted by memories of the summer fling and the quiet young man he spurned. He may have taught Stephen too well the lessons of a cynical roué.

The Lion and The Crow by Eli Easton

- In medieval England, duty is everything, personal honor is more valued than life itself, and homosexuality is not tolerated by the church or society. Sir Christian Brandon was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers, he learned to survive by using his wits and his gift for strategy, earning him the nickname the Crow. Sir William Corbett, a large and fierce warrior known as the Lion, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. When he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to enlist the help of Sir Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.

The Bibliophile by Drew Marvin Frayne (Sir/Boy dynamic)

- Nathanial Goldsmith is the only son of the richest man in the Idaho territory, Jessum Goldsmith, the Silver Baron of the Western Lands, as he is called in all the newspapers. But life in the late nineteenth-century American West weaves no magic spell for Nathanial, who longs for the academic worlds his father has forced him to leave behind. To toughen him up, Nathanial’s father has indentured him to a ranchman, Cayuse Jem, a large, raw-boned, taciturn man Nathanial’s father believes will help teach his son to “become a man.” Cut off from his books and the life he has always known, Nathanial is not only forced to co-exist with Cayuse Jem, but to truly get to know him. In doing so, Nathanial discovers there is more to this silent horseman than meets the eye. And, in the process, Nathanial also learns a few things about life, about human nature, and about the differences in being a man and a boy…

The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson

- Goddess-blessed Owen Honeyfield is destined to enjoy perfect good fortune. The arrival of handsome and eligible Tom Drake in his country town appears to be the latest manifestation, and Tom’s whirlwind proposal is the fulfillment of Owen’s desires. When his betrothal takes a disastrous turn, Owen is left heartbroken and at the mercy of Arthur, Tom’s disapproving elder brother. His reputation ruined and his bright future shattered, Owen must choose between loneliness and a marriage of convenience, with love no longer in reach. Arthur Drake has always taken responsibility for Tom’s scandalous behavior, but this time is worse — it isn’t just the family name at stake, but his own happiness. When Tom’s impulsive selfishness threatens to ruin the lives of everyone involved, Arthur has only one honorable choice. He'll need to repair the damage Tom has done and fight for his chance at love, knowing all the while he may never be able to take Tom’s place in Owen’s heart.

The Mystic Marriage by Heather Rose Jones (Alpennia Book Two)(f/f!!)

- Antuniet Chazillen lost everything the night her brother was executed. In exile, she swore that treason would not be the final chapter of the Chazillen legacy in Alpennia’s history. A long-hidden book of alchemical secrets provides the first hope of success, but her return to the capital is haunted by an enemy who wants those secrets for himself. Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac is bored. The Rotenek season is flat, her latest lover has grown tediously jealous and her usual crowd of friends fails to amuse. When Antuniet turns up on her doorstep seeking patronage for her alchemy experiments, what begins as amusement turns to interest, then something deeper. But Antuniet’s work draws danger that threatens even the crown of Alpennia. The alchemy of precious gems throws two women into a crucible of adversity, but it is the alchemy of the human heart that transforms them both in this breathtaking follow-up to the widely acclaimed Daughter of Mystery.

A Margin of Promise by Emma Lanner (This is a fave. I wish the author had written more novels after this one.)

- Packed off to London with orders to obtain a wife, Isaac arrives at the home of his benefactor, Lord Edmund, with whom he has corresponded for several years. Upon his arrival, however, Edmund proves to be less warm and welcoming than Isaac had expected, and is eager to see him married off. Distraction comes first by way of Gideon, beautiful and charming and eager to show Isaac a different sort of society, then Patience, smart and marriageable and a talented matchmaker, who decides to help Isaac woo Edmund and bring out the passionate man Isaac knows from their years of correspondence. But Edmund seems bent on ignoring him, and Gideon determined to draw him closer...

Ever Moore: A Gay Fairy Tale by Christina Lee and Riley Hart (Forbidden Love Book Two)

- With his raven hair and snow-white skin, Lord Ansil Eirwin draws unwanted attention wherever he goes. After his father’s untimely death, Ansil is set to become Duke of Ravenswood on his next birthday. The gallant and timid lord would never dream of shirking responsibility, so he subverts his desires in order to please his mother and new stepfather, Reginald. Orien Moore, known as the Huntsman, lives on the fringes and has forsaken close bonds with anyone, even the misfits he has taken in. When Orien is called upon by his brother, Reginald, to kill the pampered future duke, it is the perfect opportunity to seek revenge against his power-hungry brother. Orien formulates a plan to use Reginald’s vicious request to his advantage by kidnapping Ansil and holding him hostage until he can fulfill his birthright. Soon Orien realizes that Ansil is nothing like he’d expected. Kind and joyful, Ansil enchants Orien and his ragtag group. And Ansil, in turn, cannot help but be curious about the gruff huntsman as Orien’s vulnerabilities are exposed. Their mutual interest transforms into affection, followed by overwhelming desire. But they are living on borrowed time. With Reginald seeking power in Ravenswood, they have no way of knowing what will transpire once Orien returns Ansil to his proper place in society. The only certainty is that the odds are stacked against them. Will the young lord and his huntsman ever have the chance to experience the happily ever after they’ve found in each other’s arms?

Deviant Desire by Jackson Marsh (The Clearwater Mysteries Book One)

- The Victorian East End lives in fear of the Ripper and his mission to kill rent boys. Silas Hawkins, nineteen and forging a life on the streets could well be the next victim, but when he meets Archer, his life changes forever. Young, attractive and rich, Archer is The Viscount Clearwater, a philanthropist, adventurer and homosexual. When Archer suspects the Ripper is killing to lure him to a confrontation, he risks his reputation and his life to stop the madman's murders. Every man must play his part, including Silas. A mashup of mystery, romance and adventure, Deviant Desire is set in an imaginary London of 1888. The first in an on-going series, it takes the theme of loyalty and friendship in a world where homosexuality is a crime. Secrets must be kept, lovers must be protected, and for Archer and Silas, it marks the start of their biggest adventure - love.

The Mistletoe Kiss by Ruby Moone (Fave. MC with a disability.)

- Widowed bookseller Lawrence Fenton has spent a lonely lifetime hiding who he is. He has convinced himself his feelings for his far too young, gorgeous, but troubled assistant Christy Shaw are nothing more than pride in his protégé and concern for his plight. Christy’s life involves walking fine lines: one between his mother and his abusive stepfather, one where he must keep his needs hidden, and hardest of all, one where he must keep his feelings for his serious employer to himself. Lame since birth, Lawrence cannot imagine anyone wanting him, least of all Christy. But when Christy’s life threatens to spiral out of control, Lawrence steps in. Then Christy’s emotions spill over into a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas. Will Lawrence be able to face the long-buried truth about himself and keep Christy by his side?

Madcap Masquerade by Persephone Roth

- The Randwick family is as noble as any but lives in greatly reduced circumstances. When Loel Woodbine, Duke of Marche and heir to three fortunes, makes an offer for Miss Valeria Randwick's hand, it seems like a godsend, but the young lady has already promised her heart to another-and a commoner, at that. Desperate to avoid the marriage, Valeria concocts a wild scheme that depends upon the good graces of her monastery-raised brother, Valentine. When the prospective groom sees through the ruse, he surprises Valentine by agreeing to cooperate. But can Marche and Valentine fool London society while dealing with an accusation of murder and the distracting fascination between them?

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian

- An earl hiding from his future . . . Lawrence Browne, the Earl of Radnor, is mad. At least, that’s what he and most of the village believes. A brilliant scientist, he hides himself away in his family’s crumbling estate, unwilling to venture into the outside world. When an annoyingly handsome man arrives at Penkellis, claiming to be Lawrence’s new secretary, his carefully planned world is turned upside down. A swindler haunted by his past . . . Georgie Turner has made his life pretending to be anyone but himself. A swindler and con man, he can slip into an identity faster than he can change clothes. But when his long-dead conscience resurrects and a dangerous associate is out for blood, Georgie escapes to the wilds of Cornwall. Pretending to be a secretary should be easy, but he doesn’t expect that the only madness he finds is the one he has for the gorgeous earl. Can they find forever in the wreckage of their lives? Challenging each other at every turn, the two men soon give into the desire that threatens to overwhelm them. But with one man convinced he is at the very brink of madness and the other hiding his real identity, only true love can make this an affair to remember.

Summit Avenue by Mary Sharratt (f/f!)

- How can you weave a life from fairy tales? Set in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the First World War, Mary Sharratt's debut novel is the story of a young German immigrant experiencing her spiritual and sexual awakening. When Kathrin's mother dies, Kathrin immigrates to America where she is reunited with her cousin Lotte and begins work at a mill sewing flour bags. Soon Kathrin meets the Jeliniks, the owners of a small bookstore. While Jan, a compassionate, elderly man, loves his bookstore, his nephew John would rather see it reopened as something more profitable, a testament to the American dream of prosperity for which he so desperately hungers. Jan introduces Kathrin to Violet Waverly, who offers Kathrin a job typing and translating a book of fairy tales that her husband was compiling before he died. Violet invites Kathrin to live with her in her mansion on Summit Avenue, the richest neighborhood in Saint Paul. Both women, left wounded and alone in different circumstances, find increasing solace and warmth in each other. Although Violet can offer Kathrin love, compassion, and a glimpse of the dizzying heights of wealthy upper-class grandeur, she cannot fully disguise the painful secrets hiding behind the glitter. As Kathrin comes closer to the heart of Violet's mysterious past, she discovers that life, like a fairy tale, is often based on illusion.

A Husband for Steel and Blood Hollis Shiloh (Marrying Men Book Three)

- When a young girl implores Edgar Finch to marry her older brother because "Charlie is unhappy," Edgar is at first amused.  But Charlie is nephew to the horribly abusive Lord Fitzhannon, whom Edgar has set himself against, and the lad is suffering under Fitzhannon's cruelty.   Marriage is not in Edgar's plans, but he'll save the lad if he can—and marriage may be his one shot.  Charlie is nineteen, wild and wounded, and extraordinarily beautiful.  The marriage of convenience to Edgar is just what he needs to get free of his awful uncle, and to protect his innocent little sisters.   A rocky alliance between Edgar and Charlie grows into something more companionable, from reluctantly relying on one another to trusting and warm.  But Edgar's heart is set on revenge against Fitzhannon, who is responsible for the death of the only man he ever loved.  Nothing must get in his way.   He would rather not drag his young husband down with him, much less develop feelings for the brat.  Now, if only Charlie would have the good sense not to fall in love with him...

The Mystery of Brackenwell Hall: A Gothic Paranormal Romance by Gillian St. Kevern (Read by Candlelight Book 2)

- Stephen Mereweather, a young invalid, doubts that gloomy Brackenwell Hall can cure him. What chance does country air, no matter how fresh, have against a disease that has baffled the greatest medical mind in London—his own father? Resigned to a long recovery, Stephen encounters instead a cheeky trespasser who takes Stephen’s bad mood as an invitation to be even more obnoxiously cheerful. It’s enough to make anyone reach for the nearest bottle of laudanum... But Charlie’s inflated self-regard is not the only inexplicable occurrence at Brackenwell. Stephen’s family is plagued by a series of disappearances and deaths. If Stephen wants to avoid a premature death, he’ll need Charlie’s help... But Charlie may prove an even bigger mystery.

The Innocent Auction by Victoria Sue (Innocents Book One)

- London 1810. Their love was a death sentence. Deacon, Viscount Carlisle, was aware of the slums and gin-lanes of London. Just as he was aware of the underground traffic that furnished the brothels and bath houses with human innocents. He was also aware that the so-called justice system would hang the accused without much of an attempt at a defense, unless the unfortunate had deep pockets to pay for it. He just hadn’t expected to be directly involved in any of it. It started with a plea for help and ended with forbidden love, the love between a Viscount and a stable-boy. An impossible love and a guarantee of the hangman's noose. Will Deacon fight for Tom? Will he risk the death sentence and take that fight from the stately halls of his English mansion to the horrors of Newgate Prison and the slums of London? Or will he realize that if he doesn't, death will be a welcome end to the loneliness of the sentence he is already living?

Nightingail by Aleksandr Voinov

- In Nazi-occupied Paris, most Frenchmen tread warily, but gay nightclub singer Yves Lacroix puts himself in the spotlight with every performance. As a veteran of France’s doomed defense, a survivor of a prison camp, and a “degenerate,” he knows he’s a target. His comic stage persona disguises a shamed, angry heart and gut-wrenching fear for a sister embedded in the Resistance. Yet Yves ascends the hierarchy of Parisian nightlife to become a star, attracting the attention—and the protection—of the Nazi Oberst Heinrich von Starck. To complicate matters further, young foot soldier Falk Harfner’s naïve adoration of Yves threatens everything he’s worked for. So does Aryan ideologue von Grimmstein, rival to von Starck, who sees something “a bit like a Jew” in Yves. When an ill-chosen quip can mean torture at the hands of the Gestapo, being the acclaimed Nightingale of Paris might cost Yves his music and his life.

The Lion of Kent and Deliverance (sequel) by Aleksandr Voinov

- Squire William Raven has only one goal—to finally receive his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns from a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him. After Sir Robert’s return, noble guests arrive from France, bringing intrigue to the castle. William is oblivious to the politics, as he’s distracted by nightly visits from a faceless lover—a man who pleasures him in the dark and then leaves—a man he soon discovers is none other than his master, Sir Robert. But William can’t ignore the scheming around him when he overhears a plot to murder Robert. He becomes intent on saving his lord and lover from those who would see him killed…

- Once a renowned tournament fighter known as the "Lion of Kent," William Raven joined the Templars in the Holy Land to escape his past and the political machinations of his enemies. Called to protect travelling pilgrims bound for Jerusalem, William comes face to face with Guy de Metz, his lover from the past. But Guy is no longer the foppish young noble William knew. Guy de Metz once tamed the famous Lion, but failed to hold onto the man. Rumours and intrigue tore them apart, and William left seemingly without a thought. Now as they meet again, William claims he has sworn himself to God and God alone, but Guy believes that somewhere inside William’s chest, the proud, fierce man he used to love is still alive, and he will prove it.

[mesothulass]

96 + 22

96 - Scars & 22 - Space AU I’m! Defaulting to Cywhirlgate! Since you didn’t specify the ship! (it was originally gonna be cygate but yikes)

Cyclonus the swash buckling space pirate! (this got long)

Ok no, he’s got an inflated sense of honor. But let’s twist that on its head - what if Cyclonus was pushed to piracy due to Scourge and Galvatron getting held hostage. I’d like to imagine Cyclonus was the most reasonable of the three of them, and that’s why it was him who was bargained with. So he’s still got his sense of honor, a set of rules he’s not allowed to break, and he’s a pirate.

What are these rules? First and foremost, he will not kill unnecessarily. He has to do one good thing, no matter how big or small, for each bad thing he does. No getting overcharged, no taking part in what he plunders, no rescue attempts rescue Scourge and Galvatron until he has everything he needs.

The Intergalactic Council has been after him for millions of years - as has Cybertron’s equivalent of Interpol. There haven’t been enough actual sightings of him to figure out where it is he refuels or who he works for (if he works for anyone). So Cyclonus just floats around and does what he has to to keep Galvatron and Scourge alive.

Enter a blue and white mech, a minibot  that makes Cyclonus want to - well, he doesn’t really know. Stop his unending mission to keep his oldest friend and lord alive? Abandon his rules? Not particularly. But he keeps showing up, first at that one robbery of Cybertron’s national bank, then as a cleaning bot when he stole an outrageously expensive painting, then as one of the mechs who see Cyclonus clean the slums of Kaon, then as one of the travelers on the spaceship he held hostage to barter a good sum of money from a politician nobody liked.

Whom the fuck? This is a minibot who definitely should not be showing up as many places as he is. Admittedly, Cyclonus has been seeing him on and off for a good couple million years, but he’s an old design. Has he been in Cyclonus’ vicinity this whole time?

Then comes their meeting - official meeting, with an introduction. Hot shot cop Rodimus Prime has finally caught the famous outlaw. He sets Cyclonus in a cell and stands off to the side to make a couple calls. Cyclonus is originally indifferent but the white and blue minibot is in the cell with him. Cyclonus is dying, just a bit. But the minibot lights up when he sees Cyclonus and bounces as close to him as his shackles allow.

“I’m Tailgate! Last time I saw you, you were helping rebuild Velocitron’s titan!” Is what he says and, despite hot shot cop Rodimus Prime’s continued pretense, what can Cyclonus do but introduce himself in kind? So they talk, and by that I mean Tailgate talks and Cyclonus listens with a mixture of confusion and utter horror at some of the stuff Tailgate says. The reason Tailgate is around so much? He has bad luck and bad taste in mechs. The people he hangs out with are the very same people Galvatron and Scourge’s captors want dead. 

Tailgate, after centuries of being abused by the Senate (“The would perform empurata on people who went against them so I never dared try - I don’t want to thank Primus for a revolution that killed millions, but… anyway, we’re free now.”), was a philanthropist of sorts. He might not have much money, but he was always down to travel somewhere for an outreach or goodwill mission, or maybe just to help other civilizations rebuild after natural disasters or to teach people to read and write. This has lead to many uncomfortable situations for him.

That aft backwards politician Cyclonus was sent to murder? Tailgate was one of his guards. The bounty hunter Cyclonus had to go ten rounds with in order to obtain some round trinket? Tailgate had saved his life and was cashing in a favor at the time. The reason he was in the cell? His friend, Nutjob (”That’s not his name, but he calls me shorty.”), had gotten into trouble with the law (”He’s always in trouble! Poor thing doesn’t know how to be a descent person like the rest of us. He’s really cute though.”) and Tailgate was just a case of wrong place wrong time.

It was intriguing.

Scourge’s and Galvatron’s captors had never said anything about companions, so Cyclonus breaks Tailgate and Nutjob (“I’m Whirl and if you think I can’t beat the crap out of you because you’ve got a big fancy sword, you’re mistaken.”) out of jail and takes them with him. Hot shot cop Rodimus Prime watches them go - he doesn’t try to stop them. Cyclonus is careful never to mention Tailgate and Whirl, paranoid for forever and a day. They grow closer during all the lawbreaking Cyclonus has to do and - and it’s nice.

Yes, they break his rules (“Haven’t you listened to a thing Shorty has said?! I’m made for violence! How can I not kill everyone here??”). Yes, they eat him out of spaceship and storage (“I’m sorry, Cyclonus, but no sane minibot can eat this little fuel and not go into permanent stasis-lock? How are you not dead? Do you have special internals? Are you undead?”). But it was nice to have them with him after his millions of years of loneliness.

And, in time, they become a sort of home. Somewhere safe to end the day. A pair of bots who want his time just to have it, to talk and relax, not to go out and pillage and destroy. They helped him win out against his fury and in turn he put his attention to helping them with what they needed. They made him a person again and he, because what else was he good at, made himself a wall against their fears and insecurities and self deprecation. They share their scars and help each other learn to move on, to learn from them, to become better people despite the trauma they’ve all been through.

And, when the time came to rescue Scourge and Galvatron, they were a big help. Whirl was just the kind of distraction Cyclonus and Tailgate needed to break in (“Come on you little freaks, it’s time to fucking party!”). While he exploded the front of the building, Tailgate hacked into the system (“I just have to plug in right into this terminal and… ooh! It’s so nice and organized! I used to have a friend who’d feel just like this during interface.”). He’d learned a lot through his many, many run-ins with Cyclonus and his travels and had picked up a few tricks. What he didn’t know, he generally knew how to bullshit.

Once they’d located Galvatron and Scourage, Cyclonus went on alone. Whirl pulled back, attacked a different part of the building, Tailgate was busy sending self destruct codes to every and any computer linked up to the system, and Cyclonus tore down whatever got in his way. And even now, Cyclonus doesn’t give up on his rules.

In the end, Galvatron hadn’t survived. He was hotheaded, uncontrollable, uncontainable (“You’re not so much a bodyguard as the mech who has to keep me in line. I’m going to try to murder the world. You’re going to have to stop me.”) . He’d tried to escape and they’d put him down as a result. Cyclonus could recognize, through the shock and the pain, that Galvatron had died like a warrior - fighting for freedom. But Scourge… Scourge had… his best friend…

(“I bid you stand in the glow of my spark so that you may feel the heat of my words and know them to be true. I invite you to receive my light and in so doing become my amica endura - from now until forever. Cyclonus, for your loyalty, your laughter, and your soul. As you are to me, may I be to you - today, tomorrow, and always.”

“Today, tomorrow, and always.”)

It was here that Cyclonus lost the carefully crafted control he’d worked so hard on. It was here that his rules lost meaning. It was here that he tore apart the entire building, it was here that he murdered every single person inside it, it was here that he fought and fought and fought until there was no one left to fight, until it was just Whirl carrying him to the ship (“You’re heavy, Little One. See, I can call you that too! Now, wake up and tell me off!”), just Tailgate standing watch (“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”), just Cyclonus’ memories looping through his mind (“Promise me no harm comes to them. Promise me they will be safe and well-fed. Promise me that, and I will do whatever you ask.”).

Hot shot cop Rodimus makes a reappearance, aboard the bulkiest ship Cyclonus has ever seen (“The Lost Light is a little beaten up, but she’s got quantum engines and the best damn crew an ex cop can ask for.”). He was making a safe haven, he said, for the wronged people society would never protect. For the lost. For the ones with nothing left. 

Tailgate is the one who said they would join (“You won’t regret taking us on, I promise.”) and Whirl is the one to ward off those who tried to pry (“I’ve got titty guns! Do you really think going up against me is a good idea? I’m unvincible!”). Cyclonus is the one who relearned his rules, born from love and acceptance instead of hate and fear.

(“You were by my side when I needed you. You have been beside me since we first met. You brought me back when I thought… when I thought the Afterspark would be better than suffering life. I owe you my life. But when I look at you, at either of you, my thoughts don’t go to that. They go to waking up together. To scaring some poor fool. To the two of you getting overcharged and getting called to pick you up. To seeing you happy and carefree. You’ve seen my scars and yet you still accept me for what I am; more than that, you care about and protect me despite them. What I’m trying to say - what I’m - I wanted to ask.

“Will you, both of you, be my conjunx endurae?”)

[icecubelotr44]

Clear and Present Danger (1/16)

Summary:  Homicide detective Killian Jones has been searching for a way to bring Milah's murderer to justice. There's only one small problem: Robert Gold is the captain of the same homicide division. Enter Emma Swan, Internal Affairs investigator, looking into Gold's shady dealings. Between the two of them, can they unravel the web of deals and lies that have gotten Gold to where he is?

Rated:  T, for violence, some dark themes, angst, and whump (you expected different?

TW: character death, mention of past self-harm, fatal car accident, school hostage situation

Other ships: mentions past Millian in a good light, Outlaw Queen, Snowing

Art credit/link: The totally awesome @cocohook38 made the cover you can see above and on her blog here.  Later in the story, she’s illustrated some key points to the fic and I can’t thank her enough for her work!  Go show her some love!

Beta reader: @gusenitsaa took on this monster without probably knowing exactly what she was getting into (what do you mean 100,000 words?!) and any mistakes that you find are probably me being stubborn and ignoring her advice!  Thank you!

A/N:  Written as part of the 2018 Captain Swan Big Bang Challenge.  You can catch up with all the other fics that are complete by following @captainswanbigbang and/or subscribing to the Group Collection on AO3 and/or the C2 on FFN. This is complete in 16 parts and will be posted every Sunday from now until its completion.

Take it away, It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Word count:  ~ 6,250 (100k Total in 16 chapters)

From the beginning: AO3 / FFN

CHAPTER ONE: Aggravated Assault and Battery

He bloody well should have known better.

Also, Swan was going to kill him - if she managed to figure out where the bastard was hiding him in time.

But mostly that first one.

Killian should have waited for her.  They were supposed to be working together.  He didn’t like her sticking her neck out while he hid on the sidelines biding his time, but she was the Internal Affairs Investigator, not him.  And, she’d assured him while he scoffed his dislike at sitting on his hands, they’d get better results - better evidence - if he could fly under the radar.  With all of the bad history between him and her suspect, Emma had wanted him to remain as anonymous as possible.

Not quite so anonymous, after all.  You’re a bloody idiot, Jones.

He didn’t even know when it had all gone so wrong.  He’d thought they were careful to keep him out of it, leaving him as Swan’s eyes and ears in the department.  Then, he’d gotten a lead on a deal with the man behind the curtain, the bastard orchestrating this whole thing.  It was a lead that, looking back, he should have realized was being handed to him on a golden platter.

He should have waited for Swan.

But while patience was a virtue that Killian took pride in, it had been nearly two years of false trails and dead ends and he hadn’t wanted to waste any more of Swan’s time until he knew for sure.  Not to mention, he didn’t want to risk her if he didn’t have to.

So of course it had been a bloody trap.  He could see now that it was designed to lure Emma and whomever she was working with (assuming that they didn’t know it was him already) into making just this mistake.

And he’d leapt in with both feet like a goddamned rookie.

Liam would have his head.

Killian roughly shoved away any thoughts of his brother when he heard the creak of the warehouse door being lifted again.  He prayed to anyone, anything who would listen that it was Swan or Locksley or even some teenagers breaking into the old building to do who-knew-what.

It wasn’t.

Four Months Earlier…

“Jones!” Gold bellowed from his office, the summons echoing across the bullpen.

Killian Jones rolled his eyes at his partner before closing out of the file on his computer and shoving away from his desk.  “The Dark One calls,” he muttered, earning a smirk from Locksley and from Nolan at the next desk.

Nolan’s rookie, Henry Mills, barely looked up.  Mills was a good kid - eager to please and absorbing everything the three of them tried to teach him like a sponge.  But once he got his head wrapped around something - whether it was research for a case or plotlines for the books he tried to get published in his free time - they tended to lose him to the information written down in front of his nose.

Killian almost envied him the naiveté that came with being a rookie.  It felt like it had been centuries since he’d been that young and green.  When he’d gone home at night to Liam’s flat, nearly bursting with stories about all the good he’d done that day.  Liam had smiled at him every time and let him have his moment, the same way Killian and David now did for Henry.  Too many cases and too many unhappy endings had knocked that right out of Killian, and he dreaded the day that the same would happen to the kid.

“Jones!” Gold bellowed again, and Killian huffed out a breath in exasperation.

“Coming, you old crocodile,” he murmured under his breath - this time earning a reaction from Mills.

The rookie’s eyes went wide and his head whipped around to Gold’s office as if he were afraid that their captain could hear him across the bustling bullpen.  When Henry didn’t find the man storming across the room after Jones, however, he bit his lip and started scribbling something madly in one of his notebooks.  Killian had a feeling that, somehow, his insult would make into Mills’s next book.

Sighing in resignation, Killian finally made his way through the bullpen with all the enthusiasm of a pirate walking to the gallows.  He could feel eyes on him, other cops - some who knew of his less than stellar relationship with their captain and others who were just glad it wasn’t them - watching his death march.

“You bellowed, Your Majesty?” Killian snarked, leaning against the door jamb with his thumbs in his belt loops.

Gold sneered.  “Come in and close the door.”

Killian didn’t move, crossing one ankle over the other in a show of nonchalance.  

“Jones,” Gold ordered with a hint of anger coloring his tone.

Killian smirked.  Perfect.  

“I’m comfortable here.  What can I do for you?”  He paused, waiting for Gold’s face to turn red before adding a disdainful, “Sir.”

Even from across the office, Killian could see the muscles of Gold’s jaw twitching as he clenched his teeth.  He sighed inwardly.  Liam had told him time and again to tread carefully - first with the foster parents who had grudgingly taken them in and then with their commanding officer.

Killian never learned.

With Gold, it was almost too easy.  To say they hated each other was a gross understatement.  Gold knew that his wife Milah would rather find love and freedom with Killian than to be shackled to him; had done so for years under his nose.  And Killian knew that Gold was responsible for her death, though he still couldn’t prove it.

But not for a bloody lack of trying.

And then, as if he wanted to watch Killian suffer day after day with the knowledge that  the one who murdered the woman he loved was on the loose and no leads, Gold had him transferred into his unit.  On paper, the transfer was a gold star - a promotion from Patrol to Homicide on the personal request of the unit’s supervisor - and came with a jump in rank.  Then “Officer” - now “Lieutenant” - Killian Jones knew better.  Gold just wanted to torture him with the ability and means to hunt futilely for Milah’s murderer when there was nothing to find.

Speaking of…

“Have you found anything on Milah’s murderer, Lieutenant?” Gold asked as if he was actually concerned with the results.

It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did to be asked.  Not by him.  Killian had enough trouble getting through his days without being accosted by Milah’s absence from his life without being tormented by his failure to turn up any solid evidence.

That, he supposed, was what the Jolly Roger was for.

Inwardly, he seethed.  Gold should be running scared.  He should be worried about what Killian was going to find and when he was going to find it.  Because he wasn’t going to stop looking.  Not until the day someone put a bullet in Killian’s chest and ended what passed for his miserable existence.  And even then.

Instead, Gold just sat at his desk like the smug little imp he was, ruling over their department like some kind of despotic king.  He didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

“Nothing yet,” Killian answered, jaw clenched and muscles twitching in his cheek before he once again added a curt yet insolent, “Sir.”

“Pity,” Gold’s oily voice slithered over the word.  “You came so highly recommended.  I guess you’re just another disappointment.  Milah really should have picked a better champion, shouldn’t she?”

The room turned a startling shade of red.  Killian couldn’t see anything other than the bloody color filling his vision, his imagination helpfully vaulting himself over the desk and throttling Gold for his callousness.

David’s hand on his shoulder was, perhaps, the only thing that kept him from a suspension and another black mark on his record.

“Was planning on taking the rookie out to an old scene, Cap.”  David didn’t let go of Killian as he spoke to Gold.  “Thought I’d see what he could find on the Hatter case.  If that’s all right?”

“Yes, yes, dearie,” Gold muttered, waving him off.  “Take Jones with you; looks like he’s been in the office too long.”

Killian spun on his heel without being formally dismissed, moving through the bullpen and right past Locksley without a word.  His hands were shaking as he shoved them in his pockets, an icy chill working its way down his spine as he kept moving.  He needed to get out of there, needed just a minute to…

He didn’t even know what he needed.  Milah had always known, but she was gone and unavenged and there was apparently nothing that he could manage to do about that.

God, he just wanted her back.

Killian found himself on the roof, hands wrapped around the wrought iron railing and still trembling.  It was loud out here - the wind howling through the buildings and the ever-present din of traffic far below - but Killian loved it even more for the noise.

It silenced the self-recriminations, if only for a moment.

Given the chance, he’d have flown across the city - using lights and sirens if traffic was moving too slow - and sailed away from it all.  The soothing cadence of ocean waves against his boat’s hull was far more relaxing than the sounds of the city, but he’d have to take what he could get while he was still on duty.

Maybe he and Liam could take her out this Saturday, if he could entice his brother to come back from the cabin for the weekend - or maybe a little bit longer.  Liam had been spending more and more time out there, the seclusion and the work that the place required enough to distract him from the bustle of the city.  From what he’d lost, himself.  

The State had given Liam a generous settlement package - full disability and his complete pension package along with a medal accompanied by their very sincere thanks for nearly giving his life in service to the community - but it couldn’t account for everything.  Liam had lost the means to protect Killian, not to mention the people of the city - people that Liam had built his career around keeping safe.  It weighed on him far more than any financial stability could ever overcome.

But that was neither here nor there and Killian couldn’t focus on Liam right now.  Not when he needed to get his head back in the game and stop replaying the needling jabs Gold was always throwing his way.

“All right, Jones?” Locksley’s voice drifted across the roof, light on the wind but not casual enough to mask his concern.

Killian nodded, the lie tasting too much like ash to make it past his lips.  “I’ll be down in a minute, aye?”  He threw over his shoulder, still staring at the traffic far below them.

He didn’t hear the sound of the access door closing, so he knew his partner was still standing there, silent and supportive.  Killian dropped his head, letting the tension radiate through his shoulders before he finally pushed away from the railing.

“We’ll get him, mate.  You know that right?” Locksley asked, clapping a hand on Killian’s shoulder and shaking him a little.

It didn’t help.

“Aye, of course,” he replied anyway, but he wasn’t certain he believed it.  Not any more.  Not when he had to watch Gold thrive in the spotlight every day, smug and full of such hubris that even Killian was starting to believe that he’d gotten away with it.

Milah would be furious.

Killian shook off Robin’s hand and made his way back downstairs, bypassing the bullpen entirely and heading for one of the unmarked cars.  Nolan waved to him from the driver’s seat of his own car before they pulled out.

Maybe a couple hours combing over a cold case with the rookie wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.  It was almost nice to see the world through Mills’ eyes for a little while, where the cases were still black and white and a missing girl was still just that (if the rookie was ignoring the fact that a missing child case was being handled by Homicide, Killian wasn’t going to burst his bubble just yet).

They’d been over the abandoned warehouse with a fine-toothed comb more than once.  The only real evidence they had that the girl had even been here was a ratty stuffed animal that might have been a rabbit once upon a time.  Jefferson Hatter, her father, swore that he’d given the toy to his daughter for her birthday and routinely called the precinct asking when it could be returned to him from the evidence locker.

His daughter would need it, he reminded them each time, when she came home.

Killian didn’t know what it was about the case that got to him; he’d handled plenty of cases with kids and they didn’t gnaw at him like this one did.  By rights, they should have kicked the file to the cold case division months ago.  There was no real evidence that the girl had been killed, she was just gone.

Vanished into thin air, like magic.

And yet, here they were.

Killian could hear David explaining something to Henry down the hall but the words were muffled.  It didn’t matter; not really.  He knew the case backwards and forwards and while there was a hint of optimism that his cynicism hadn’t quite extinguished yet, it was dwindling.  They weren’t going to find anything.  They weren’t going to find her.  Not the way that any of them wanted to find Grace Hatter.

Trying to silence the morose path his thoughts were taking, Killian scrubbed some of the grime off a window pane and looked out.  The alley below was full of trash and abandoned boxes - he had a feeling that there was a tent city of sorts there in nicer weather.  He expected to see the bum at one end of the alley, picking through a dumpster with a stolen shopping cart nearly full of cans behind him.

He didn’t expect to see two men, dressed in suits and overcoats, hunched against the wind and gesticulating wildly at one another just under his window.  It was curious enough on its own, but when the taller man looked up, Killian took off at a run.  He practically leapt down the stairs, stumbling on the landing and blowing past Mills and Nolan at a full sprint, shouting for backup.  He pulled his weapon, flicking off the safety as he held it securely in his right hand.  The barrel of the gun led his pursuit, wavering only slightly with each step he took.

He heard the pounding of feet behind him, heard Mills calling into a radio, but couldn’t concentrate on that.  He knew that Locksley was somewhere in the building, likely on his way to their location, but he needed to focus on getting out the door and into the alley before-

The alley was empty.

“Bloody hell!” Killian shouted in frustration, legs still pumping as he bypassed the area where the two men had been meeting and burst out onto the street, nearly tripping over the homeless man’s treasure on his way past.

There.

The tail of an overcoat billowed in the wind as one of the men rounded a corner and out of sight again.  Killian pushed himself further - pushed himself harder, faster, beyond his limits - following his mark between buildings and down another alley.  He rounded a third corner, the sounds of the city muffling the footsteps of his partners, thinking only of-

He was lying on the ground.  How did he get on the ground?

“Killian!” Locksley’s voice startled him.    “Jones, wake up!  Are you- Mills, where’s the ambulance?”

Wake up?  Was he sleeping?

The world spun sickeningly around him, like a carousel careening wildly out of control, and Killian couldn’t do anything more than squeeze his eyes further shut and try to scrabble for any type of handhold to keep from sliding off the ground into the abyss that was surely waiting for him.  His stomach rolled and he tried to bite back the nausea that was creeping in on him, to no avail.  He only had a moment’s warning before the acrid taste of bile and… it hurt too much to do more than heave, thinking was out of the question.

Hands on his head helped to keep him steady as he lost his lunch onto the pavement, shaking slightly with the effort when he was rolled to his back again.

“Jones?  You with us?”  One of his partners - he wasn’t quite sure who, what with all the ringing in his ears.

White hot pain lanced through his forehead when he tried to nod in the affirmative, making him think twice about opening his eyes.  It was safer in the dark, far less painful.

“Wha’ happen’?” he slurred, surprised at how wrong the letters sounded.

Locksley’s voice finally filtered through the ringing in his ears.  “We were hoping you could tell us.  Looks like whoever you were chasing took you out with a metal pipe.”

There was the clang of metal against asphalt and it sent shivers down Killian’s spine as the sound assaulted his ears and made them ring.  The wail of sirens nearly made him sick again, and if he were less stubborn, Killian may have allowed himself to pass out.  But there were too many people around him and no one chasing-

“Hades,” he bit out, a little startled by the sound of his own voice.  “It was Hades in the alley.  Did you-?”

Everyone around him was murmuring now, and he could hear the rustle of movement.

“No one saw who you were chasing, Jones.  Are you sure?”  That was David, the accompanying hand on his shoulder squeezing in gentle support.

“Aye,” Killian managed, well aware that he shouldn’t try nodding his head again.  “It was him.  Did no one-”

He was cut off by the arrival of the paramedics and there was no more time for questions.  Plenty of time for that later since Hades was clearly long gone.

There was a blood pressure cuff on his arm and a mask over his face and Killian wanted nothing more than to bat both of them away.  He didn’t recognize the voices of the medics, didn’t want to think too hard about who they were anyway, and tried not to lose what little composure he had as he was lifted from the ground onto a gurney that rolled too quickly for his liking.  Trembling in spite of himself as he was jostled and lifted yet again, Killian latched onto the hard plastic beneath him and held on for dear life.

“It’s all right, Jones, we’ve got you,” Locksley soothed from somewhere to Killian’s left, the doors to the ambulance closing and muffling the sounds of traffic.  He thought he might have made some sound of acknowledgement, but the world slipped away from him as the ambulance began to move.

Liam Jones glared down at the mess of shingles littering the ground around the cabin and cursed.  The late summer storm a few days before had wreaked havoc on the roof that he and Killian had been putting off replacing and Liam didn’t even want to know what damage had been done inside.  He’d gotten out of the truck and just climbed up on the roof.

Still, glaring at the mess wasn’t going to fix it and with another storm predicted before the weekend, he couldn’t wait any longer for Killian to come out and help him.  His little brother would probably have a fit when he realized Liam had been climbing ladders and up on the roof, but Killian had to realize that he was getting better every day.

He hadn’t had an attack in months.

As if his nerves were determined to betray him, Liam’s hands shook minutely.  He glared at them, wrapping his fingers more tightly around the hammer and began to pull up the damaged shingles.  It took awhile, but Liam lost himself in the repetitive task, the echo of the hammer through the woods the only thing to distract him from the pure, blessed silence.

It had been just over a year since the day he’d nearly lost everything, only just managing to step in front of an adrenaline-and-hate fueled teenager intent on stabbing Killian in the back.  The fire that had raced along Liam’s side and settled deep inside him had frightened him, but not nearly so much as the sound of his brother’s confused and increasingly panicked screams.

Killian had sounded so damned frightened and the blood he’d been rapidly losing had stolen Liam’s ability to comfort his little brother as consciousness fled quickly.

There had been poison coating the teenager’s blade.  Dreamshade, the doctor had called it.  A bloody neurotoxin that reacted poorly with adrenaline and caused violent muscle tremors.  A goddamned nuisance if the job required you to shoot a weapon accurately under pressure.

He wouldn’t change a thing.  Killian was safe - as safe as one could be as a detective with Boston Police anyway - and able to do his job.  It was all that mattered, as long as he was-

The phone ringing through the trees startled Liam and made his hands start to shake.  Grumbling at himself, Liam breathed out slowly through his nose and allowed the muscles to calm before answering the phone.  His former partner’s face was on the screen, a dumb picture from Killian’s last birthday that David grumbled about every chance he got.

“Jones,” Liam answered by rote, already reaching for the next shingle, plotting out how best to finish this project.

David’s voice came over the line, the muffled voices around him letting Liam know that he was on shift.  He thought he heard Killian’s voice, but something seemed a little off.  “Liam?  It’s Nolan.  Where are you right now?”

Liam blinked.  David knew he was at the cabin.

Something was wrong.

Sandwiching his phone between his shoulder and his ear, Liam started climbing down the ladder, sure that if he didn’t now, he wouldn’t be able to by the time he hung up the phone.  

“You know where I am.  What-” Sirens.  Ambulance sirens. “-David?”

Nolan sighed over the phone.  “How long will it take you to get back here?”

“What happened?”  He didn’t tell David that it would take him a lot less time than it should.  Nolan already knew that.

“We don’t know exactly.  We were down at the old Hatter scene, showing the kid around.  Killian took off like a bat out of Hell and when we caught up to him… yes, Mills stay on the phone until they’re here… sorry, Liam.  It looks like someone tried to take him out with a pipe.”

Liam grabbed his keys off the porch rail, already sprinting up the hill towards where he’d left the truck.  “Is he all right?”

David didn’t answer him right away and by the suddenly muffled sounds it sounded like his hand was over the phone.

“Nolan!  Is my brother all right?”

More mumbled conversation that Liam couldn’t make out.  He scratched the key through the paint around the door lock before he managed to get it inserted correctly, doing his best to tear the door from its hinges when he wrenched it open.

“Liam?  Still there?”

There were a choice number of disbelieving curses on the tip of Liam’s tongue.  As if he’d hang up the bloody phone when he still didn’t know anything.  “I swear to God, Nolan…”

“He’s not really with it, but he’s been in and out since we found him.  The ambulance is almost here, but… hold on, he’s coming around.”

“David!  Don’t you dare hang up!” Liam shouted into dead air, the tires of the truck digging into the mud before catching and sending him hurtling forward along the dirt road towards Killian.

Towards home.

“No one saw who you were chasing, Jones.  Are you sure?” David’s voice, further away this time, but blessedly still on the line.  And talking to his-

“Aye, it was him.” God, that was his brother.  Killian, conscious and sounding like he’d been on a bender, but awake.  “Did no one-”

There was a squeal of brakes and the deafening scream of sirens interrupting his brother.  Liam stomped on the gas as soon as he was on pavement again, his own tires squealing as he pushed the old truck to its limit.

He had to get back to the city.  He had to be there now.  God, why had he thought it was such a bloody good idea to go out to the cabin today?  He should have just waited for Killian, gone with him this weekend.  Would the damage from a second storm really have been worse than the hours it was going to take him to get back to the city now?

He didn’t even know what goddamned hospital they were taking him to yet.  Didn’t know what he’d find when he got there.  Didn’t know what had happened.

“David!” he shouted into the phone again, his fingers nearly shaking too violently to stab the speakerphone button and smash the device into the car mount when Nolan still didn’t answer.  There was a control to the chaos on the other end of the line, one that he knew all too well, but it didn’t make him any more calm, didn’t do anything to quell the rise in adrenaline as he laid on the horn to get the too-slow grandmother out of his path to the highway.

His fingers shook harder, his arms trembling with the strain of holding the wheel in a near-vice grip to try and keep the truck steady.  He could feel the tremors all over his body, sure he looked like a strung-out addict jonesing for his next fix.

He didn’t care a bloody whit.  

“Liam?”  David’s voice finally came back over the line.  “The paramedics have him and Locksley is riding along.”

“Locksley?  Why aren’t you in there?”

David sighed.  “Robin is his partner, Jones.  Just like I’m yours.  It’s his right to be in there and you know it.  Where are you?”

“On my way.”

“Whatever speed you’re doing right now, slow down by at least twenty.”

Liam didn’t answer.

“I mean it, Jones.  However fast you’re going, that truck can’t handle it and I refuse to get to the hospital and tell Killian that his brother isn’t coming because he’s in a car wreck on the side of the road.”

“Sod off.”

“Liam!”

Liam sighed, but he eased off the accelerator a fraction, glaring at the speedometer as it crept down a few miles an hour.  He was still going far faster than Nolan intended, but at least the only shaking now was coming from his afflicted muscles and not the engine.

“Where are they taking him?”  Liam swerved onto the on-ramp, ignoring the blaring horns and sparing a glance over his shoulder to make sure he hadn’t actually caused an accident.

There was mumbling from the phone and Liam nearly shouted again before David came back.  “MGH.  They’re taking him to MGH.”

Massachusetts General Hospital.  They were taking him to a level one trauma cen-

“It’s just because it’s closest, Liam.  Stop freaking out.”

Liam’s breath heaved out of him in a whoosh, but that did nothing to calm the tremors.  “I hear you,” he responded anyway, eyes narrowing at the brake lights ahead of him.  God, he missed having lights and sirens.

“I mean it, Liam.  Be careful, all right?  I don’t want to be responsible for investigating your fatal accident.”  He paused and Liam didn’t have time to hope that the lecture was done before- “I don’t want to have to keep Killian away from that scene.”

Finally, Liam slowed down.  It was a low blow and it took everything he had to stay in the present and not delve back into those memories.  God, Killian couldn’t manage another car accident scene.

“It’ll take me some time to get back to the city.  You’ll call…” he paused, taking a deep breath and trying to calm himself down.  “You’ll call if you hear anything?”

“You know I will,” David assured him before hanging up.

The silence in the truck was deafening.  He didn’t really mean for the speed to creep up, but the longer he drove, the more scenarios popped into his head.  Killian was injured badly enough that they’d called an ambulance.  Killian was injured badly enough that David hadn’t called him first.  Killian was injured badly enough that he hadn’t been able to deny the need for an ambulance.

He was still conjuring up nightmare scenarios when he finally noticed the flashing lights behind him.  Liam rolled his eyes but kept going.  If it happened to be an officer that he didn’t know, he’d deal with it once he got to the hospital.  Surely, there would be enough cops there who could vouch for him.

The sirens came next and Liam resisted the urge to step on the gas even harder.  He was coming into the city proper and it wouldn’t do to actually lose control of the truck trying not to crash into the inevitable traffic.

Then his phone started to ring - the idiot must have run his plates.

“Tell whoever it is that I’ll stop when I get to-”

“It’s me, you stubborn sonuvabitch!” David started shouting over him.  “Pull over!”

Oh.

Liam smacked the signaler, ignoring David’s strained laughter at the unlikelihood of Liam Jones having manners while driving at breakneck speed down a Boston street of all places, and pulled off to the shoulder.  He was already out of the truck before David pulled in behind him and he sprinted towards the car.

The rookie was sitting in the passenger’s seat.

He didn’t have time to worry about it, but as the cruiser pulled back onto the highway and Liam had nothing to distract him any longer, it rankled.  That was supposed to be his seat.  If he had been there instead of Mills, maybe Killian wouldn’t be…

Well, he wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed somewhere without his brother at his side, that was for damn sure.

But that was neither here nor there.  He couldn’t take his place at David’s side again any more than he could have prevented Killian from getting hurt - though he bloody well would have tried.  The tremors had torn away his ability to look out for Killian every day on the job and had stolen his career from him, but he’d do it again and again.

Every damn time.

Even if  he was now relegated to a two-bit private investigator just praying every day that he’d hear from his brother after his shift.

He was so caught up in self-recriminations that he didn’t realize how close they were to MGH until the flashing lights of ambulances made him wince.  He pulled on the handle out of habit, nearly snarling when he couldn’t open the door.

“Mills is coming, Jones, relax,” David tried to placate him, but the lad was clearly trudging through molasses for how fast he was moving.

Liam nearly stumbled when his legs didn’t want to hold him up from the tremors, but he brushed off Henry’s concerned hand and forced himself to walk (jog, sprint) through the open door.

“Where is he?”

In a bloody hallway, as it turned out.  His brother had been remanded to wait in a hallway with no one but his partner monitoring him.  Liam was going to have someone’s head.

Locksley clearly thought it was going to be his if the way he rushed to diffuse Liam’s poorly disguised wrath was any indication.  “It’s been an absolute zoo in here.  Some idiot on 93 decided to get on the off-ramp and caused a huge pile-up.  They’ve been checking on him, but there’s just no better place for him right now.”

Liam wanted to stalk off and rail at the nurses.  He wanted to make a scene until someone was paying proper attention to his brother.  As if Killian sensed his rising adrenaline, he chose that moment to whimper and tense.

Liam was sitting by his hip, hand on Killian’s forearm, almost before he’d registered the change.  “Killian?  Can you hear me, little brother?”

Killian bobbed his head wildly and it was clear he immediately regretted it, if the alarming change in the color of his skin was any indication.

Liam rolled his eyes - his little brother could never try anything in moderation first - but squeezed Killian’s arm in sympathy.  “Slowly, Killian.  Do you know where you are?”

He didn’t.

“Get his doctor,” Liam hissed behind him, not knowing - nor caring - who obeyed the order.

Someone did - he’d bet on Mills from the sound of footsteps scurrying down the hall.

“Killian,” he waited until his brother’s head angled towards his voice, his eyes still stubbornly shut.  “What’s my name?”

One eye - the one not swollen shut and half-covered in hastily applied bandages - slitted open and searched for him.  “D’nno.  D’n know you,” he slurred before relaxing back into unconsciousness.

Liam was sure his heart stopped.

“Where’s his bloody doctor?!”

Be-beep. Be-beep. Be-beep.

Killian turned his head automatically towards the insistent beeping, groaning when his hand got trapped under the blankets and he couldn’t mash the snooze button on the alarm.

Why isn’t the radio playing?

“You can keep trying, little brother, but you’re not going to turn off that machine.”

Machine?

And then, Liam?

He tried reaching for the sound again, only to be stopped by his brother’s fingers wrapping around his own, the sharp tug of something stinging the back of his hand.  “Oww,” Killian mumbled, trying to pull away from his brother’s grasp if Liam was going to make his hand hurt like that.

“Leave it, Killian,” Liam ordered, and Killian could feel the petulant pout crawling across his face as he huffed in annoyance.  “You can’t reach the monitor anyway.”

He hurt.  His head was pounding, the right side of his face strangely warm and tight.  He hadn’t yet risked opening his eyes, but if Liam was there, then he didn’t need to.  He was safe.

“Stay awake, little brother,” Liam continued, his tone still carried the familiar weight of an order.  It should annoy him.  

“Y’mean younger, Li’m,” he slurred, surprised at how drunk he sounded.  He hadn’t had a drop of alcohol since Milah.

Liam sighed next to him, and it sounded almost like relief - which didn’t make much sense.  Intrigued, Killian slitted his eyes open just enough to make out Liam in the dim light.

And the familiar makings of a hospital room around him.

Oh.

Memories started to flutter through the headache: the chase through the alley and then the disjointed images of the emergency room, Liam’s concerned voice echoing around him.

Hades.

Goddamnit, the man was on their Most Wanted wall for a reason.  He was slippery as an eel and wanted for a dozen crimes.  If Killian could have chased him down, if he could have apprehended Hades of all people, he wouldn’t have to work under Gold any longer.

Hell, if the hints of rumors he’d heard third-hand were true, catching Hades might bring down Gold entirely.

“You with me, Killian?” Liam’s concern had ratcheted up a notch while Killian’s mind drifted.  The worried tone of voice was enough to convince Killian to open his eyes - well, eye - so he could meet his brother’s gaze.

“Sort of,” he mumbled in answer, but it was enough for Liam to sit back down at his bedside instead of hovering.  “M’ face hurts.”

Liam laughed, a strained little thing, but he tried to smile anyway.  “Aye, I imagine it does.  It doesn’t look too pretty right now.”

“‘M always handsome,” he snarked back, then groaned when the half-smile that had threatened to turn into a smirk made his head pound.  “Oww.”

That made Liam laugh for real, which was mostly what Killian intended.

“If you wanted me to come back from the cabin for a few days, little brother, you could’ve just asked.”

“Younger, Liam.  Younger brother,” Killian replied crankily, the nickname rankling him though he wasn’t entirely sure why.  He couldn’t remember a time when it wasn’t a source of minor annoyance between them, but it hadn’t made him mad in a long time.  Not like this.  The beeping from the machine increased and Killian could feel his face getting red, his chest getting tight, his-

“Aye, Killian.  Younger.  You’re my brother, that’s all that matters.”

Well, then.

Just like that, the anger faded, replaced by an exhaustion that nearly had his eyes closing in sleep.  He’d felt like this before - the irrational mood swings, the headache and nausea, it all told him what the doctor inevitably would when he made his rounds: Killian had another concussion.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, shifting on the uncomfortable mattress and sliding his hand around until he found Liam’s again.  He squeezed lightly, smiling when Liam returned the gesture.

“It’s all right, Killian, just sleep,” Liam accepted the apology easily - their roles had been reversed more than once.

Killian’s brow furrowed - he hadn’t even noticed when he’d closed his eyes - and he muttered in annoyance, “Was trying to.  You said-”

“Sleep, little brother.”

He never heard the doctor come in to check on him.

tagging: @killian-whump, @gilliangrissom, @nothingimpossibleonlyimprobable

[darth-salem-emperor-of-earth]

Forgot to write this yesterday while @plushchimera and I were talking about WTNC and theorizing the plot while I also getting a flash of inspiration regarding my hunter’s, Chloe Vass, backstory. Mainly her history and relationships with her family, which was a rough and rocky road. So here goes nothing!

Chloe Vass’s real surname is Chloe Antall and I’ll get into the reason why changed her last name later. She’s a middle child, having an older and younger sister while growing up. Her older sister, Jie, was the rising star in the family the obvious favorite of their parents. After agreeing to become a Hunter, Jie ended up having a successful career as one, breaking many killing records in their hometown. Chloe’s parents were immensely prideful of Jie’s accomplishments, for the mother was an Enforcer who wanted at least one of her children to become a renowned Hunter (mainly to stick it to her magically talented father who did not approve her marrying a person with no magic in their bloodline and wanted her to marry a Witch). The father was a highly sought after and popular doctor who carried out some impressive surgeries and innovations during his career. So they expected a lot from their three daughters (they’re the type of people who are not pleased unless you give at least 100% or more. “You got a 94% on your test? What happened to the other 6%?”).

Chloe was inspired by Jie to become a Hunter too so she made sure to work hard in order to be considered for Hunter training at age 12. At this point in time, Jie is 17 and nearing the end of her Hunter education. The younger sister, Gulrukh, is closer to Chloe’s age--she was 10. Due to the wide gap in age, Chloe and Jie didn’t interact much or have a chance at a close relationship but they were cordial and helpful enough to each other. However, the parents tried to keep Chloe and Gulrukh away from Jie so they wouldn’t distract her from achieving perfection.

It soon became apparent to Chloe that nothing she ever did to impress her parents would ever be enough--all their praise went to Jie, and eventually, Gulrukh as well when she revealed to be a late blooming Witch and exhibited magic at age 11. 

Chloe got along most with her pirate aunt (sister of her father) and her aunt’s son, Kallias. Her aunt is one who ended giving her a pet parrot when she finished her Hunter training as a gift for all her hard work and achievements. Her parrot, Vayu, and Kallias were the only friends really had during her childhood and leading up to her adult life. 

When Chloe was 23, she received word that Jie was killed in action. Her parents were utterly distraught that their golden girl was gone for good and there was much fanfare at her funeral. Then abruptly, her parents pretended Jie was a thing of the past and focused solely on furthering Gulrukh’s career as a Witch, determining their youngest would be the best fit to fill in the void Jie left behind. However, Gulrukh already was known for starting jobs or projects and giving up out of boredom so she no focus or drive to her future. However, while she chaffed under the rules her parents placed on her to succeed, Chloe’s little sister absorbed all the attention and praise with avarice, letting it go to her head. Chloe started to notice how Gulrukh would slip off into the dead of the night after claiming “she was going to bed earlier” or “study for the rest of the night and didn’t want to be disturbed” and disappear for hours. Eventually, Chloe learned her sister was part of a cult that worshiped nonhumans. She tried to get her sister away from that life but she refused, saying she truly believed humans are the inferior race and threatened to ruin Chloe’s hunting career if she told their parents what she saw. Or at least, get their own parents to disown her because they would believe Gulrukh’s word over Chloe’s. 

While Chloe tried to figure out how to deal with Gulrukh’s insane ignorance that she knew would get her sister and others killed, she thought she saw her older sister Jie during a nightly patrol in the nearby woods. Turns out after doing digging about her sister’s body never being found (there were only traces of her blood and Hunter sash as evidence of her demise), Chloe suspected Jie was actually alive and her mother, an Enforcer, covered something up. Her suspicions were confirmed to be true when Jie approached her dead in the night, revealing herself to be a vampire. She was burnout and under such immense pressure by their parents and her superiors, feeling lost and adrift with no real raison d'etat. She completed committing suicide after her last hunt and nearly succeed if a nearby vampire, her sire, prevented her from completely dying and decided to turn her into a vampire so her life would not go waste. He sensed the loneliness in her soul, how much she burned and screamed to have say in her life and be completely free from the shackles her parents placed on her. Jie explained to Chloe she had to fake her death to prevent being hunted down by her fellow Hunters and spare her family the grief and pain of having a vampire for daughter and sister. Their mother first expected the worst and soon after, the same idea occurred to the father so they both decided to play along and pretend Jie was truly dead and move on with their lives. While she was happy to witness her perfect older sister finally beaming and feeling free, she did warn her that if her coven misbehaves, she will fulfill her duty as a Hunter. Jie nodded, smiling both sadly and proudly while replying, “I know you will. Deep down, you were the true Hunter, not me.” The two sisters parted ways amicably, albeit Chloe warned Jie about Gulrukh’s spiraling behavior in case the youngest sister learned the truth. 

And this where everything hits rock bottom for Chloe and her parents. Eventually, word gets out of Gulrukh’s anti human deeds because twice she had to be saved from a fey nest and there were rumors she was sheltering dangerous vampires who had an increasing body count of drained victims. Chloe’s parents tried to deny these accusations and claimed someone was slandering their precious darling but Chloe knew the truth: her younger sister was spoiled rotten and after learning what her parents craved from her, Gulrukh feigned the role of a dutiful daughter and promising Witch to cover up her true nature. She was thankless, thoughtless, refused to take responsibility for her actions, and after all these years, still acted like a child instead of the adult she was. She became addicted to the power and prestige magic brought and kept pushing the boundaries of what’s allowed, drawn to the allure of the forbidden. When Chloe and another hunter was sent to round up the cult members, they ended up bearing witness to an demon summoning ritual and Gulrukh was one of the ring leaders running the show. The ritual was interrupted and the cultists, some of them corrupt Witches like Gulrukh while others were brainwashed humans, retaliated. So many were either killed or captured, very little of them escaped--unfortunately, Chloe’s sister was one of those lucky few and since then, Chloe hasn’t forgiven herself for that mistake. Chloe’s mother wanted to suppress the knowledge that Gulrukh was part of a cult and try to keep her involvement under wraps but Chloe refused to let her sister get away from another punishment. Her mother made an ultimatum: either she’ll help her preserve what remains of their family image and legacy or Chloe would cease to be an Antall. Chloe choose the latter and never looked back. Vayu did fly over to take a shit on her mother’s head (he tends to do that a lot to people he doesn’t like or wrong Chloe in some way). 

Once she was disowned, Chloe ended up being taken in by her understanding pirate aunt and her cousin, Kallias and taking on their surname of “Vass”. She continued her Hunter training and thanked the world for small favors when she didn’t have to worry about working with her mom or anyone in her circle. She covertly writes letters to her sister, Jie, to make sure she’s all right and her coven is still being a bunch of hermits who want to chill, sip drinks, bicker about books, and be left alone. She will also occasionally get letters from her grandpa on her mother’s side of the family, who regretted all the time he missed to get know his granddaughters when he and Chloe’s mother became estranged after her marriage to Chloe’s father. They have a slow but gradual comfortable bond where he’ll tell her funny jokes or anecdotes or give her some good life advice while she sends him pressed flowers and rocks from all her travels (he likes collecting those two things) and offers him security advice when it comes to protecting his home from nonhumans. 

When she is given the assignment to travel to the small, sleepy but terrorized town of Lunaris, Chloe is 28. She and Vayu are eager for a change of scenery but wonder what sort of danger they wittingly walking themselves into.