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characters: Gruff

source: Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast

requested by: anon

pls like or reblog if you use!!!

[natsaffection]

Dont play with me, i got another idea!!! While I was listening to another song😭 Birds of a feather, by my baby billie.

Reader had always had a crush on G!P Natasha, but Natasha only viewed them as bestfriends, yet they constantly flirted. Tony was the only one who knew of reader’s crush due to “the look in her eyes” and he tried giving reader advice but they both were too late, Natasha had gotten with Bruce. Reader distances herself from Natasha as a way to get over her, but Natasha notices and an argument breaks out between , leading towards Readers confession, not knowing that Bruce and Natasha didn’t work out. Smutty n fluffy ending🥹

The lyrics that inspired me😇 “I knew you in another life, you have the same look in your eyes, i love you ,don't act so surprised”

-💋

Never letting you go. | N.R

Warnings: 18+! MINORS DNI!, G!P Natasha, unprecedented Sex, veeeery soft sex

Word count: 4,7k

A/n: My lovely 💋 I'm thankful for your service as always. I dont know where you always get your Ideas, but keep going, please.

You had fallen in love with Natasha.

It began as a fleeting thought, which you dismissed as mere admiration. But over time, that thought grew into something bigger. You felt drawn to Natasha in a way you couldn't explain. Every time Natasha entered the room, your heart skipped a beat. Every smile, every laugh, every touch, even the most casual felt like electric sparks igniting a fire in your chest.

But Natasha seemed unaware of your feelings. She treated you with the same friendly warmth she extended to everyone, but nothing more. To Natasha, you were a friend and teammate, someone she could trust in battle and share a drink with after a long mission. Nothing more.

You tried to push your feelings aside, convincing yourself that Natasha could never see you that way. But no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't stop the longing glances, the sting in your heart whenever you saw Natasha and Bruce together. The two had a connection that was obvious to everyone. Bruce, with his brilliant mind and kind heart, was the one Natasha had chosen.

Tony always had a knack for seeing through people. That was one of the reasons why, despite his often gruff demeanor, he was such an effective leader. He noticed how you looked at Natasha when you thought no one was watching. How your gaze lingered a little too long, your smile was a little too soft. Tony, being Tony, couldn't resist meddling.

One evening, after an especially exhausting mission, the team was sitting in the common room of the tower. You were sitting on the couch, sipping a drink and watching Natasha, who was quietly talking with Bruce. The sight made your heart ache with familiar pain.

"You're not exactly subtle, you know." Tony's voice broke through your thoughts. He sat down next to you, his sharp eyes sparkling with amusement and you almost choked on your drink. "What are you talking about?"

Tony grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Come on. I've seen the way you look at Romanoff. It's written all over your face." You felt your cheecks flush with heat. You looked away, unable to meet Tony's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about.." you mumbled, though the lie sounded hollow even to you.

Tony leaned back, his expression softening slightly. "Listen, there's nothing wrong with having feelings for someone. But if you're serious about Natasha, you should tell her. You never know, she might surprise you."

You bit your lip and let your gaze drift back to Natasha and Bruce. They were laughing together, and Natasha's hand rested lightly on Bruce's arm. The sight made your heart sink. "I think it's too late for that.." you said quietly. Tony followed your gaze, and understanding dawned in his eyes. "Banner, huh?" You nodded, your throat tight. "They make a good pair. I could never compete with that."

Tony was silent for a moment, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Y/n, listen. Love isn't a competition. It's not about being better or worse than someone else. It's about being honest with yourself and the person you love. If Natasha really means something to you, then tell her. Even if she doesn't feel the same, at least you'll know you tried."

You wanted to believe him, but the fear of rejection, of losing Natasha even as a friend, was too strong. You shook your head and forced a smile. "Thanks, Tony. But I think I'll just leave it as it is. I don't want things to get awkward between us." He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he sighed and patted your shoulder. "Alright, kiddo. But if you change your mind, I'm here." You nodded, grateful for his support, but the decision weighed heavily on you. Deep down, you knew you couldn't bear to risk the little you had with Natasha, even if it meant never knowing what could have been.

The days passed, and you continued to hide your feelings. You watched as Natasha and Bruce grew closer, their bond strengthening with each passing day. Every smile, every touch was a reminder that Natasha's heart belonged to someone else. That realization was like a knife twisting in your chest, but you buried your pain deep inside and masked it with a smile whenever Natasha was around.

One evening, after a long day of training, you found yourself alone in the training room. The rhythmic thudding of your fists against the punching bag was the only sound in the otherwise silent room. You were so focused on your movements that you didn't hear Natasha enter the room.

"Hey." Natasha's voice broke the silence, and you flinched and froze, your hands still against the punching bag. You turned around to see Natasha standing at the entrance, her expression unreadable. "Hey.." you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. Natasha stepped closer, her gaze locking onto yours. "Is everything okay? You seem distant lately."

You forced a smile, hoping it would convince Natasha. "Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just tired, I guess." Natasha studied you for a moment, her sharp eyes seeing more than you wished. "Are you sure?" You nodded, trying to ignore the pounding of your heart in your chest. "Yeah, really. I've just got a lot on my mind."

Natasha didn't seem convinced, but she didn't push further. Instead, she gave you a small smile. "You know, if you ever want to talk..I'm here." The sincerity in Natasha's voice made your resolve waver, but you quickly pushed the feeling aside. "Thanks, Natasha. I appreciate that."

For a moment, the two of you stood in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between you. You desperately wanted to tell Natasha how you felt, to let out everything you had been holding back for so long. But the fear of losing her, of ruining your friendship, held you back.

Butt Natasha seemed to sense the tension in the air. She took a step closer, her expression softening. "Y/n..if there's something you need to say, you can say it. Whatever it is, I promise it won't change anything between us."

You felt your heart clench at Natasha's words, the temptation to finally confess almost overwhelming. But before you could say anything, the door to the training room opened again, and Bruce walked in. "Hey, I've been looking for you."

Natasha turned to Bruce, a smile lighting up her face. "Hey, Bruce. Sorry, I was just talking to Y/n for a minute." Bruce smiled, but his gaze shifted to you, and you saw the understanding in his eyes. "Hey, Y/n." he greeted you kindly. You forced yourself to return the smile, even though it felt hollow. "Hi, Bruce." As Natasha and Bruce exchanged a few words, an overwhelming sense of inevitability washed over you. This was the reality you had to accept. Natasha was with Bruce, and there was no place for you in that picture.

When Natasha turned back to you, you had already made your decision. You took a deep breath and forced a smile, one that you hoped would hide the pain you were feeling. "I should go. I'm pretty exhausted." Natasha frowned slightly, as if she could sense something was wrong, but she nodded. "Get some rest, okay?"

You nodded, unable to trust your voice. Quickly, you gathered your things and left the training room, your heart heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. As you walked down the hallway, Tony's words echoed in your head: If Natasha really means something to you, then tell her. But now it was too late. Natasha had chosen Bruce, and you had to find a way to move on.

The following weeks were some of the hardest you'd ever experienced. You threw yourself into missions and training, anything to drown out the pain in your heart. But no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't escape the longing for Natasha. Every time you saw her with Bruce, the pain flared up again, sharper and more intense than before. You knew you had to find a way to let go, but it felt impossible. Natasha was everything you had ever wanted, and now that you knew you could never have her, the loss was unbearable.

Tony noticed the change in your behavior and tried to reach out to you again, but you brushed him off. You didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to admit how much it hurt. You just wanted to forget, even if it meant burying your feelings deep inside where they couldn't hurt you anymore. But no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't escape the truth. You loved her, and nothing could change that.

In the days that followed, it became increasingly difficult to be around her. The pain became too much to bear, and you decided to distance yourself. It started subtly. You found excuses not to be in the same room as Natasha. If you were assigned to the same mission, you requested to be reassigned, or, if that wasn't possible, you interacted with her as little as necessary. You stopped going for drinks with the others after missions because you knew Natasha would be there, laughing and talking with Bruce.

But Natasha noticed. She noticed how you no longer stayed in the training room to train with her, how you avoided eye contact during team meetings, how you left the room whenever Natasha entered. Natasha felt a nagging sense of loss in your absence, an emptiness that grew with each passing day as you pulled away.

One evening, Natasha finally confronted you in the hallway as you tried to sneak back to your room unnoticed. "Y/n, we need to talk." You froze, your heart racing in your chest. You had dreaded this moment, knew it was inevitable, but hoped it wouldn't come so soon. "There's nothing to talk about.." you replied, trying to keep your voice calm as you turned to face her.

Natasha's eyes narrowed in determination. "Don't give me that. You've been avoiding me for weeks now. What's going on?"

"I told you, it's nothing!" you replied, your voice tense. You tried to move past Natasha, but she blocked your way, refusing to let you leave. "You're lying!" Natasha countered, her voice growing sharper. "And this time, you're not getting away.."

Before you could react, Natasha grabbed your arm and pulled you into a nearby room, closing the door behind you. The sudden movement caught you off guard, and you found yourself trapped, with the door and Natasha both standing between you and the exit. "Let me go, Natasha." you said, your voice trembling slightly. "I don't want to go through this right now, please.."

Natasha crossed her arms and stood her ground. "You've been running from me for weeks. I'm not letting you run anymore. Talk to me, Y/n. Tell me what's going on." You felt the walls closing in around you, panic rising in your chest. You knew that if you started talking, everything would come out, and you weren't ready for that. "There's nothing to say." you insisted, avoiding Natasha's piercing gaze. "Just let it go."

"That's bullshit, and you know it!" Natasha snapped, her frustration evident. "This isn't you, Y/n. You're pushing everyone away, and I want to know why. I want to help you."

"Help?" you scoffed, the word igniting the anger you had tried so hard to suppress. "The only way you can help me is by leaving me alone, Natasha!" She flinched at the harshness in your voice, but she didn't back down. "I'm not leaving you alone. Not until you tell me what's really going on."

You felt yourself reaching your breaking point, the pressure of keeping everything inside finally becoming too much. You turned away from Natasha, your hands balling into fists as you struggled to hold yourself together. "Just stop, Natasha. Please, stop."

But Natasha didn't stop. She stepped closer, her voice softer but no less insistent. "Y/n..whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here."

"And that's the problem!" you exploded, turning to face Natasha, your eyes blazing with a mix of anger and pain. "You care about me, but not the way I care about you! And it's tearing me apart!"

Natasha's eyes widened, but instead of recoiling, she looked at you with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Wait...are you saying..you're in love with me?" she asked, her voice softening, almost teasing.

"Yes, Fuck, Natasha! I've been in love with you for so long, and it's killing me to be around you, knowing that you'll never feel the same way!" you shouted, your voice breaking under the weight of your emotions. Natasha blinked, and then, to your complete astonishment, she began to smile, a small, almost relieved smile. "Wow...you really just let it all out, didn't you?" Natasha said, her voice taking on a playful tone.

You stared at her in disbelief. The raw vulnerability of your confession seemed to be brushed aside, as if it was something trivial. "What..what the hell, Natasha? Is this a joke to you?" you asked, your heart twisting in pain. "I just told you I'm in love with you, and you're making jokes?"

Natasha's smile softened, a mix of affection and regret in her eyes. "No, Y/n, it's not a joke. It's just..kind of sweet, you know? I mean, here I was, trying to figure out how to tell you, and you go and beat me to it by just blurting it out. I should have expected that from you."

"Wait, tell me...what?" you asked, still off-balance and more than a little hurt. Natasha stepped closer, her hand gently lifting to touch your cheek. "That I'm glad you love me. Because I love you too." Your breath caught in your throat. You searched Natasha's eyes, looking for any hint of insincerity, but all you saw was warmth and something deeper, something that made your heart ache even more. "No, please don't..." you whispered, shaking your head as you tried to pull away. "Don't say things like that just to make me feel better."

"I'm not just saying it." Natasha insisted, her hands holding your face gently but firmly. "I mean it. I broke up with Bruce because it wasn't working, and honestly? It was because I couldn't stop thinking about you." Your eyes widened, disbelief battling with the hope that began to bloom in your chest. "You..what?"

"Yes." Natasha said, smiling a little as she moved even closer. "I realized I was lying to myself. I tried to make things work with Bruce because I thought it would be safer, less complicated. But the truth is, I've been in love with you for a long time, Y/n. I was just too scared to admit it."

You stared at Natasha, still unable to fully grasp what you were hearing. "But...you, you were with Bruce...?" Natasha nodded, her expression growing more serious. "I was. But it didn't feel right. Not when my heart was somewhere else. I couldn't keep lying to him, and I couldn't keep lying to myself. So I ended it. And then you started avoiding me, and I thought maybe I had missed my chance...until now."

Your head spun as you tried to process everything. The anger, the pain, the love..it all swirled together until you felt like you might explode. "Natasha, I..I don't know what to say.."

"You don't have to say anything." Natasha whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned in and silenced you with a kiss. It was electrifying, filled with all the unspoken emotions that had built up between you for so long. As your lips moved together, you felt the tension and fear that had haunted you for weeks slowly melt away, replaced by a deep, overwhelming desire for the woman you had loved for so long.

Natasha's hands moved from your face to your waist, pulling you closer as the kiss deepened. You could feel the warmth of Natasha's body against yours, and it sent a shiver of anticipation down your spine. You had dreamed of this moment for so long, but nothing could have prepared you for the reality of Natasha's touch, the taste of her lips, the softness of her skin.

When Natasha finally pulled back slightly, you were breathless, your face flushed, and your heart pounding wildly. You looked up at Natasha, your eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was really happening. The moment you had only dared to experience in your dreams was unfolding right before you, and it was almost too much to believe.

Natasha smiled gently down at you, her gaze soft and full of affection. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly, her thumb gently stroking your cheek. You nodded, but the truth was that you were more than okay, you were overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the reality of Natasha being so close to you, by her touch, her kiss. It was everything you had ever wanted, and it made you feel both euphoric and scared.

As Natasha's hands moved to the hem of your shirt, her fingers gently brushing the fabric, you felt your breath catch. The anticipation of what was to come made your pulse quicken, and you could feel your cheeks growing hotter, your heart beating faster. "Is this okay?" Natasha asked, her voice deep and filled with concern. You nodded again, your voice caught in your throat. "Y-Yeah.." you whispered.

Natasha's smile widened, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You're so cute when you're shy, you know that?" she teased, her tone playful but loving. Your face grew even hotter, your embarrassment increasing. You had always imagined this moment with Natasha, but you had never thought you would feel so vulnerable, so exposed. A tear slipped from the corner of your eye, surprising even yourself.

Natasha noticed immediately and froze, her smile fading as concern filled her face. "Hey, hey..what's wrong?" she asked, her voice full of worry. "We can stop. Did I go too far?" You quickly shook your head, raising your hands to cover your face as you tried to hide your embarrassment. "No, no, it's not that.." you murmured through your hands, your voice trembling. "It's just..I can't believe this is real. I've wanted this for so long, and now that it's happening, I'm..I'm just so overwhelmed."

Natasha's expression softened, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she realized what you were feeling. "Oh, Y/n." she murmured, her voice warm and soothing. "There's nothing for you to be ashamed of." But you were too overwhelmed to look at her. You kept your hands over your face, your cheeks burning with the intensity of your emotions. "I'm sorry.." you whispered, your voice barely audible. "I'm just..I don't know how to handle this."

Natasha chuckled softly, finding your shyness endearing. "You don't have to apologize for anything." Gently, she took your hands and pulled them away from your face. "Come on, let me see you." You resisted at first, your face still burning with embarrassment, but Natasha was persistent. She held your hands gently but firmly, raising them above your head and keeping them there.

"Natasha, please..no.." you murmured, your voice filled with embarrassment as you squeezed your eyes shut, your cheeks glowing bright red. But Natasha only laughed softly, clearly finding the whole situation incredibly sweet. "You're even cuter when you're shy and embarrassed."

Your face grew even hotter, your heart racing as Natasha held your hands above your head, your bodies pressed close together. The gentle, playful way Natasha handled the situation made you feel both exposed and loved, a combination that left you breathless.

"Please.." you whispered, your voice trembling, though you weren't entirely sure what you were asking for, relief from your embarrassment or more of the sweet torment that Natasha was so skillfully creating.

Natasha's eyes softened, and she leaned down to place a tender kiss on your forehead, then on your cheeks, and finally on your lips. "You're so precious to me." she murmured against your lips. "And I'm going to make sure you feel so good."

Your heart swelled with love, and you found yourself slowly relaxing into Natasha's touches, your nervousness fading as Natasha continued to kiss and caress you gently. Her hands began to explore your body again, her touch slow and deliberate as she moved with a tenderness that took your breath away. You felt the warmth of Natasha's body against yours, her weight comforting, grounding you in the moment.

"You're doing so well." Natasha whispered as she moved lower, her lips leaving a trail of kisses on your neck that made you shiver with anticipation. "Just relax and let me take care of you."

You nodded, your hands trembling slightly as Natasha's lips continued their journey across your body. Her hands moved to gently caress your inner thighs, her touch light and teasing, sending sparks of desire coursing through your body. You gasped, your hips lifting slightly in response to the sensations Natasha was stirring.

"Slowly.." Natasha whispered, her voice full of warmth as she leaned down to press a gentle kiss on your thigh. "We have all the time in the world." You nodded, your breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as Natasha continued her gentle exploration. You could feel the heat pooling in your core, your body aching for more of Natasha's touch.

When Natasha finally moved her hand to your center, a soft moan escaped your lips, your body trembling with the intensity of the pleasure Natasha was giving you. Natasha's fingers were gentle, exploring you with a tenderness that made your heart swell with love.

"Does that feel good?" Natasha asked softly as she continued to caress you, her fingers moving in a slow, deliberate rhythm. "Yes.." you gasped, your body arching into Natasha's touch. "It feels..so good."

Hearing your confirmation, Natasha guided you both to a bed, and it was only then that you realized you had been in Natasha's room all along. Natasha moved slowly over you, her touch gentle, every movement filled with a kind of reverence that filled your heart with emotion. Natasha was deeply connected with you, but there was no rush, no haste in her movements, just a slow, deliberate rhythm that allowed you both to savor every moment.

Your breath hitched slightly, your eyes closing as you focused on the sensations flowing through your body. You could feel every touch from Natasha, the warmth of her skin, the steady beat of her heart. It was a moment that felt almost sacred, and you lost yourself in the intimacy of it all.

Natasha watched you closely, her green eyes soft and full of affection. She could see how your body responded to her touch, how your breath quickened and your cheeks flushed with desire. "You look so beautiful.." Natasha whispered, and your eyes opened briefly, meeting Natasha's gaze with a shy but loving smile. She leaned down to capture your lips in a soft, lingering kiss, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she wanted to imprint this moment in her memory. You responded eagerly, your hands tangling in Natasha's hair as you pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

When you finally broke the kiss, Natasha rested her forehead against yours, your breaths mingling in the small space between you. "Are you ready?" Your heart skipped a beat at Natasha's words, a warm blush spreading across your cheeks. "Yes." you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. Natasha smiled gently, her heart swelling with love as she closed her eyes and surrendered to the moment. She moved slowly, savoring the warmth of your body, the softness of your skin, the way your bodies fit together perfectly. It was a moment that felt almost otherworldly, a moment Natasha wanted to last forever.

As she moved within you, Natasha focused on the sensations, on the way your body responded to her, the soft moans that escaped your lips, the way your fingers dug into her back and pulled her closer. Every movement, every sound was a testament to the connection you shared, and it filled Natasha with a love she hadn't known she was capable of. "You feel so good.." Natasha whispered, as she gently rocked her hips, drawing out the pleasure for both of you. "So perfect for me."

You could barely speak, your body trembling with the intensity of the sensations flowing through you. "Natasha...this feels...it feels so..."

"I know," Natasha murmured, her voice full of understanding as she leaned down to kiss your neck, her lips soft and tender on your skin. "It's perfect. You're perfect." As the pleasure between you slowly built, Natasha allowed herself to get lost in the moment, her eyes closing as she savored the sensations. She moved with care, but also with tenderness, determined that you feel every ounce of the love and affection Natasha had for you.

Your breath came in soft, shallow gasps, your body arching into Natasha's touch as the pleasure grew more intense. You could feel Natasha's steady rhythm, the warmth of her skin, the gentle pressure within you, and it made you feel more connected to Natasha than you had ever felt to anyone. Natasha's breath also grew heavier, but she kept the pace slow, determined to draw out the moment as long as possible. She could feel your body trembling beneath her, the way your muscles tensed and relaxed with each thrust, and it filled Natasha with a deep sense of satisfaction and love.

"Are you close?" Natasha whispered, her voice full of affection as she looked into your eyes. You nodded, your breath hitching as the pleasure reached its peak, your body trembling with anticipation. "Y-Yes..please.."

Natasha smiled gently, her own pleasure rising as she continued to move in slow, deliberate motions. "Let go, Detka." she whispered, her voice full of love. "I'm right here with you." With those words, you finally let go, the pleasure washing over you in a gentle, rolling wave that left you trembling in Natasha's arms. It was a soft, sweet release, one that filled you with warmth and contentment, and you clung to Natasha as the sensations overwhelmed you.

Natasha followed shortly after, her own climax building and reaching its peak as she moved deeply within you, her body tensing as the pleasure overwhelmed her. She held you close, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she savored every moment of your shared release. When it was over, Natasha didn't pull away. Instead, she stayed close to you, her body still connected with yours as she pressed gentle kisses to your lips, your cheeks, and your forehead.

"You did so well.." Natasha murmured, her voice full of love as she stroked your hair. "You're so incredible, Y/n. I'm so proud of you." You smiled, your heart full of love and contentment as you snuggled into Natasha's embrace. You felt safe, secure, and completely loved as you cuddled into Natasha's arms. It was a feeling you never wanted to let go of, a moment of complete fulfillment that you would carry in your heart forever.

Natasha held you close, her hands gently stroking your back, her touch soothing and tender. She could feel your body finally relaxing completely in her arms, and it filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction and love. "You belong to me." Natasha whispered softly, her voice full of affection as she pressed a final kiss to your forehead. "And I'm never letting you go."

You nodded, your heart swelling with happiness as you slowly drifted off to sleep in Natasha's arms, knowing that you were loved, cherished, and completely safe. As you finally fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, Natasha stayed with you, her arms wrapped tightly around you, her warmth and love flowing into every fiber of your being. She held you throughout the night, guarding your sleep and ensuring that you found the rest you had been longing for in her embrace.

[alisscared]

Something Wretched, Something Beautiful (and everything in between) - Chapter One

Familiar Faces | ao3

Chapter tags: Silco/Reader, Silco, Alternate universe Silco, Reader-insert, reader works for Silco in original universe, Vander, Jinx, Powder, Mylo, Claggor, slowburn, friends to lover, but also don’t really like each other to lovers, depends on the universe, eventual romance, alternate universe (s02e07), reader is transported to the alternate universe and is really confused, flashbacks, dubious hexcore usage, writer has a poor grasp on the science and magic system, just go along with it, no use of y/n, implied older man/younger reader, gender-neutral pronouns Cw: canon-typical violence, eventual smut (maybe??) bugs (kind of, reader uses the descriptor of something feeling like maggots in their skin)

Rating: Mature, possibly explicit in the future, 18+ minors dni

Chapter word count: 5.6k

Banner from cafekitsune

You weren’t exactly sure how you ended up here. One minute you were walking into Jinx’s workshop while she was working on a weapon with the Hex crystal she procured, and then next, you were here. You’re not quite sure what went wrong, maybe you scared her and she connected a wrong wire or she dropped something, but whatever happened caused a loud, blinding flash and you landed here. Wherever here was. You thought at first, you had passed out from the explosion. Your head tucked into your arms that rested on a cool, sturdy surface.

“You know,” a gruff voice spoke your name. “If I was really boring you that much you could’ve just told me.” You felt the vibration of a deep, hearty chuckle.

You slowly and cautiously lifted your head. It took a moment for your eyes to focus in on the large figure in front of you, your brain throbbing in your skull, but then as if a cold bucket of ice water was dumped upon you, your spine straightened and your eyes widened. A shock ran through you, leaving your mouth to go dry.

“Vander?” you managed out a quiet rasp that almost came out entirely cracked.

You watched the man in front of you chuckle once again as he finished cleaning a glass before whipping a towel over his shoulder. “The one and only.”

‘Alright,’ you thought as you looked at the man, completely dumbfounded ‘this is the most real feeling dream I’ve ever had.’ Promptly, you brought a hand up to painfully connect it to your cheek in a loud smack.

This earned another chuckle from Vander, though it was paired with a concerned look this time. “Doing alright there?”

You moved your head around slowly to take in your surroundings. Illuminated by the warm lighting you found yourself sitting on a stool at a bar. Around you was cheerful hustle and bustle. In one corner, there was a group of friends drinking merrily as they all participated in a card game, in another, there’s a couple on what looks to be a date. Your bleary eyes then roamed to the next table and you felt a shudder like no other crawl up your spine. Jinx and three other boys sat at a table, happily conversing with each other. You couldn’t place the feeling that crept through you like maggots in your skin when you realized that the two boys strongly resembled the handmade dolls Jinx had kept in her workshop. The ones she had never explained to you who they were but left you assuming the worst.

The Jinx you observed in front of you was vastly different from the one you knew, yet still very clearly her. She looked younger, softer. Her two long, wild braids were traded for choppy short hair that was put into two buns on the top of her head. Her face wasn’t long and hallowed, cheeks filled out, proof of eating fulfilling meals. Yet, the most striking difference you noticed was her eyes. Her eyes were still a dusty blue, but what caught you off guard was the joy you saw behind them, the contentment. It was a look you had only truly seen a handful of times from her but even then, it was never this pure. ‘That isn’t Jinx’ you thought, at least not the one you knew. You overheard one of the boys call her ‘Powder’. You furrowed your eyebrows as you thought back to the few times you’d witnessed Jinx talk to herself. There were 4 names you often heard: ‘Violet’, ‘Mylo’, ‘Claggor’ and ‘Powder’. That must’ve been who she was before Jinx. The revelation hit you like a brick to the face, your mind scrambling for any explanation as the original thought that this was just a dream started to become more distant because this just felt too real.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, you heard yet another voice, it was deep and silken, one you would recognize anywhere as it called your name in an attempt to pull you out of whatever trance you were in. “What’s going on with her?” the voice spoke again.

Your blood turned to ice, fighting to push through your very veins as you slowly turned your head back to look at the person who had joined Vander behind the bar. You couldn’t hide the look of horror etched onto your face.

Silco.

He called your name out once again, waving a hand in front of your face causing you to squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head, shedding off your trance-like state. “Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything?” His tone was concerned, caring. His eyebrows were furrowed as he examined your face with worry.

Your eyes darted all over his face, taking in every detail. The differences weren’t as overt as Jinx’s but they were there. The scar was still there, creased into his face but his eye wasn’t widened and red. Unpoked and un-prodded by Shimmer-filled syringes. Instead, there was a hazy grey that covered over his iris like a thin veil. His usual slicked-back hair was traded for a more casual, loose look that let it fall naturally.

“Yeah,” you took in a deep breath before stumbling out of your seat, using the bar to support your arms as you stood up. “I just-“ your eyes moved from Silco to Vander, then to Jinx, and finally landed on the door “I just need to get some air.” You stagger over to the door, your head dizzying from the bizarre environment. As your hand pressed the cool surface of the door to push it open, you hoped to find some odd solace and normality in the smoky, neon light filled undercity.

Solace and normality were not what you felt as you took in the outside surroundings. Instead of neon lights, the night was illuminated by soft, colorful lanterns. Instead of the smoky air, there was the smell of freshly made food coming from multiple vendor stands. It was beautiful, but it was not what you knew, not even close. For a minute, you just stood there, taking in the beauty of this unfamiliar Zaun. The sun had set, yet children were running around, innocently playing. People strolled about in Piltover-like garb. The sounds of children’s laughter and adults joyously chatting filled your ears. You stumbled over to the nearest bench to plop yourself onto before you toppled over from the sheer shock and confusion. As a gentle breeze washed over you, you heard the faint rustling of some papers. You turned your attention to the space next to you, occupied by a newspaper. You reached out to grab it, your eyes immediately landing on the date. It was 2 years in the future. Your eyes frantically looked up to survey the area around you once again. No, no, it was just too different. There’s no way you were only transported to the future, this had to be an alternate timeline as well.

You were so focused on the city in front of you that you didn’t notice a figure coming to sit next to you. You’re snapped out of it when you hear the sound of ice clinking as a cup is held out in front of you. Your eyes land on the drink and trail the arm handing it out to you up to meet the face of Silco.

He let out a small chuckle “It’s only water. I figured you’re not much in the drinking mood.”

Your eyes moved back to the cup being held in front of you as you slowly reached for it, your fingertips lightly brushing his as you took the water. You brought the cool, refreshing liquid to your lips before speaking again. “Do you ever feel like you woke up in the wrong universe?” You could feel his eyes on you, but you didn’t meet them as you continued to look over the city around you.

It’s silent for a moment as his eyes finally leave the profile of your face to look in the same direction as you. “All the time.” he spoke deeply, quietly. “Every time I wake up I wonder how I was so blessed to be in a universe where everything worked out.” he let out a breath. “I think of all the ways this all could’ve turned out and I can’t help but shudder at the thought of what could’ve been, what I could’ve been.”

You responded only with a nod. The way he spoke sent shivers down your spine. He said he shuddered at the thought of what could’ve been, without knowing you’ve shuddered at the thought of what has been, what he has been.

You were there at the fall of Vander. Well, you weren’t actually there where it happened, but you witnessed the aftermath all around you. You weren’t close with him, sure you knew him, everyone in the lanes did, but he was more of an acquaintance. You visited The Last Drop a few times, had some fun nights, exchanged a few drunken words, but that was the extent of your relationship with him. Compared to now, you were such a kid back then. Sure, you were technically an adult but you were still so green, so hopeful for the future. Everything fell apart when he died. It wasn’t until Silco had risen from the shadows when everything was pieced back together again. Sort of. He took control of the lanes. Took control of The Last Drop. Maintained some kind of order amidst the chaos. Downtrodden, dying Zaunites clawed their way for just a drop of Shimmer. It was disgusting. What he did was disgusting. Sure, he was fighting for the independence of Zaun, but in doing so he had used and discarded the very people he was fighting for.

That’s why you didn’t necessarily want to work for him. You didn’t respect him. But you did, however, respect the cause. The end goal. And as far as you were concerned, no one was as close to achieving it as he was.

You never approached him at first, though, and neither was it vice versa. It was Jinx who discovered you.

You see, living in Zaun wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. You had to fight and occasionally… okay very regularly steal. You didn’t enjoy it per se, but you were very good at it and it was very satisfying at times, especially when you had nicked something off from some good-for-nothing bozo. You never took from anyone in a less fortunate position than you, it just wasn’t in your morals. But pricks, specifically drunken ones that hung around The Last Drop, that was more your style.

One night, during a particularly bountiful harvest, as you slunk around the club pickpocketing from every poor soul around you as you blended in with the dancing and flashing neon lights, little did you know that a certain blue-haired teenager was watching you with excited curiosity from the bar. It happened all at once, this little blur of blue forced herself into your life and convinced you to work for The Eye of Zaun himself. Of course, he didn’t agree to it immediately.

“Look at them!” Jinx presented you in front of Silco, gesturing her arms out over you. “They probably stole everything those poor suckers down there are worth without them even noticing!”

You remember as you stood there in his office for the first time as he sat at his desk, his cold eyes, one a pale blue and the other a dark red surrounded by a void of black, looked over you with scrutiny. It seemed his face had a permanent grimace etched into it. He wasn’t a very physically imposing man, he didn’t appear to have the musculature of the usual Zaunite man, though it was hard to tell because of the elegant, collared coat he wore that appeared as if it were to swallow him whole. He dressed almost as if he were from Piltover but his face clearly indicated he was a Zaunite, through and through. It wasn’t just the scar that made it apparent. It was the crookedness of his front teeth, the weary lines creased upon his face, and the sharpness of his features. No, he was a child born from Zaun and no amount of fancy clothing or slicked-back hair could hide it.

“So,” his silken, indifferent voice began as his eyes continued to relentlessly scan over you. “You stole from my patrons? Most of whom work for me?”

“Well,” you drew out guiltily as you felt the pace of your heartbeat pick up. Unable to think of an excuse you press your lips into a thin line before opening them with a small click of your tongue. “Yes, pretty much.”

His face remained indifferent. He could’ve killed you right then and there, and most likely, was going to. But, maybe, you thought, he was refreshed with your blatant honesty.

After much convincing from Jinx he eventually relented into what you could’ve only described as an interview. You sat there in his dimly lit office, the only light in the room emanating off the small warm-toned lamp on his desk, and the neon lights of the night from outside the large circular window behind him. He had dismissed Jinx so it was just the two of you. You sat in a plain, hard wooden chair, your head having to tilt slightly up to meet his face as he sat cross-legged in his plush, maroon, button-tufted one. He sat high, his eyes narrowing down to look at you. Like a king on his throne looking down at a subject. You try not to be obvious about the indignant scrunch of your nose.

It felt like eons of silent scrutiny, his eyes hovering over you before he finally spoke, swirling a short glass of whisky in his hand. “Family?”

“Dead” you answered, your face and tone dispassionate. It wasn’t the most uncommon answer for a Zaunite, in fact, it was probably more common to have your whole family dead than alive. You were just lucky you were old enough to take care of yourself by the time your parents died. You didn’t have any siblings to worry about. It was just you. Of course, you were sorrowful over the loss of your parent, they will forever be a scar scorched upon your weary heart. But Zaunites didn’t have time to grieve. It had been years since you lost them during the failed uprising. You didn’t allow yourself to get choked up about it anymore. Only allowing it to pass through your thoughts during late hours when you couldn’t sleep.

“Lover?”

The blunt questioning caught you off guard for a split second before you let out a breathy, sardonic chuckle, amused at the idea “No,” you answer “It’s just me if that’s where this line of questioning is going.” You looked down in thought “I imagine whatever I am will die with me.” The words came out more candidly than you intended, more despondent than humorous.

He regarded you coldly, his eyes slowly scanning over your face. He remained emotionless but you could see the cogs in his head turning, looking over you as if you were a puzzle to solve “No” he spoke, his voice low and honeyed “I believe, in joining me, you would die with having much more purpose” His eyes met yours in a cool gaze, the eyebrow on his good side raising a little while the other, drawn on one, stayed frozen “Or, if you’re lucky, perhaps live with that purpose”

You let out a short chuckle through your nose “Well, at least you’re honest about my prospects,” Feeling a little bold, you raised a subtle, inquisitive brow “And what about you? Do you plan to live or die for the cause?”

You swear you saw the smallest, amused smirk on his face before he took a sip of his whiskey, placing the glass down on the wooden desk with a soft thud. “I do not have plans on sacrificing myself anytime soon if that is what you’re asking. I plan to see the great Nation of Zaun come to fruition,” his finger played around the rim of his glass “I would however, still die for the cause if need be.” he trained his eyes back on you “Would you?”

There was a palpable tension in the air as you sat with the question, but it didn’t take you long to produce your answer “No.” Sure you could’ve lied, cried out with bleeding heart passion ‘Yes, of course, I would give my life for Zaun!’ But what would the point be? Whether he hired you or not was relatively inconsequential to you. “I would do a lot to help make Zaun a better place for people, but I am no saint and I don’t want to be mistaken for one. If you’re looking for a martyr, that’s not me”

He offered you no emotion as he considered your response. It was frustrating. The only expressions he’s shown you being a quirk of his brow or a tilt of the corner of his lips. If you had half a mind you would grasp the man by his shoulders and shake him until he made a different expression. “No,” he finally spoke “I wouldn’t say ‘martyr’ is exactly what I’m looking for.” he took in a breath through his nose, leaning back into his chair “You can start tomorrow. Your honesty has a… refreshing quality to it” he admitted “Do try not to get too comfortable, though. Honesty is a fickle thing. In this line of work, it can often get you killed.” His cold voice came out as a warning. You knew this wasn’t just advice in regards to interacting with other people in this work but for him. He was telling you he would value honesty but only to an extent, and you’d be wise to heed his warning.

You felt a shiver run down your spine before giving a firm nod of understanding.

“Good,” he spoke lowly before looking down at the paperwork on his desk, picking up his pencil, indicating that the discussion was over. “You may leave.”

It wasn’t long before you had learned what his relationship with Jinx was. He trusted her and she was something of a daughter to him. She didn’t talk about it much to you, the whole story seemingly too traumatic to retell, clearly not having fully processed whatever had happened. But, what you were able to piece together from vague, sometimes crazed comments and context clues, you understood that she was abandoned by her sister at a young age and Silco took her in. You knew it wasn’t the full story, maybe not even the true one, but you didn’t have a death wish so you weren’t going to ask either one of them.

Despite Silco’s reluctance to hire you at first, you proved yourself to be useful. Part of it was out of spite towards him. You wanted to prove his lack of faith in you wrong. Some may have viewed your hard work as seeking his approval, but no, you and he both understood the true purpose behind your industriousness and grit. He saw it in your eyes every time you would go up to report a completed task to him, your eyes didn’t search his face like a puppy waiting to be called a ‘good boy’ like most of his other workers. You stood there reserved and indifferent, your eyes never moving from the same spot on his face. Of course, he would never say it, but you could tell he formed some sort of begrudging respect for you, or at least for the way you carried yourself.

Now, there you sat on a bench in what you can only assume was an alternate universe, side by side with your boss or apparently in this universe, your friend.

You took another sip of your water as you gave him an acknowledging hum. You brought the cup down holding it with both hands to rest it atop your thighs. You didn’t dare to look at him, to meet the hauntingly familiar face of this Silco. You’re not sure what you’d find there. You’re not sure what you’d feel. Your body felt tense, your muscles so stiff you feared if you moved they might creak.

You chose to train your eyes on the drink in your lap even as you felt him turning his head to look at you. “Remind me,” you start as the question creeps into your head, making its way to your tongue “How long have we been friends again?”

He let out a small, breathy chuckle as he turned his head back out to look at Zaun “Almost 6 months,” he answered with no hesitation. Your eyes dared to flicker up to look at his side profile and you noticed the small, content smile on his face. “Almost 6 months since Powder brought you in, insisting Vander hire you”

It was your turn to smile now, you couldn’t help it as it crept onto your face. Of course, even in this universe, it was her who got you a job. Your mind wandered as you thought about your life here. How did you meet Powder in this universe? Did she find you like she did in your universe? What were you doing before? And most importantly, were you a bartender now?

You let out a soft chuckle “She’s a force to be reckoned with.” Which earned a small laugh from him as well. Your ears perked up. You’d never heard him laugh or chuckle, or make any joyous noise before. It was breathy, deep, and reserved. You found yourself enjoying the unfamiliar sound.

After a beat of silence, he let out a sigh and put a hand on top of your thigh. You suppressed the surprised breath that wanted to leave your lips. You expected the touch to make your blood run cold but instead, you were greeted with a strange warmth. His touch was hesitant and gentle. He didn’t squeeze or let the weight of his hand press down on you. He was trying to comfort you. “Truly though, are you well?” He turned his head once more and this time instead of seeing your head turned down to look at your glass, he met you face to face. His eyes searched yours. “I don’t recall ever seeing you so.. distant”

For a few seconds, you could only look into his eyes as well.

You recalled the handful of times you had looked into his eyes. It was a rare occurrence. Sure, he had no problem looking at you, either scrutinizing you with his gaze or showing a silent, almost pleased regard to a job well done. Though, every time you strained your eyes up to look back at him he would only allow the contact for a fleeting moment before directing his eyes elsewhere and dismissing you. The last time he had ever looked you in the eyes was the last time you saw him before being transported to this strange, blissful universe. His eyes had been full of rage, a streak of purple dribbling out of his scarred eye exhibiting that he had just gotten his shot. You had just gotten back from a particularly dangerous assignment, one that did not go according to plan in the slightest.

You were tasked with sneaking into a rival chem barons warehouse and extracting some valuable equipment. In a move that was entirely unlike you, you had accidentally kicked a glass vial as you crept, immediately alerting warehouse guards of your presence. It was a nasty scuffle, as you booked it for the nearest exit, bullets whizzing past you, one grazing your shoulder. You let out a yelp of pain as a large warehouse guard pinned you against the wall, your torn shoulder hitting the cold metal behind you. You wriggled under his grasp, one hand pressing your shoulder back and the other reaching up to grasp your neck. Your fingertips wiggled as they grazed against the knife in your holster. Your hands finally tightened around the blade and you brought it up to stab the man in the neck. He collapsed before you, your vision was blurry as you looked down at your bloodied hands. Before you were able to process anything, you heard the sound of gunshots once again. Clumsily you found your footing and started running again. You’re not sure how you escaped, your vision hazy and your ears ringing, but you found yourself leaning on a wall in an alleyway, clutching your shoulder as you took in a ragged breath.

By the time you had gotten back, he had already heard what had happened. His worker had started a scene at a warehouse, and now his name was plastered all over the event.

The moment you walked in he had flung out of his seat, loudly hissing “How could you be so brainless?”

You had stood there as still as a soldier, your back straightened and you kept your eyes trained in front of you, not moving, not following his figure as he walked around his desk. “I made a mistake.” You felt the blood from your wound trickle down your arm, pooling at your fingertips, mixing with the blood of the man you killed, and dripping on the floor. “It won’t happen again.”

He let out a singular breathy, irate laugh “You’re certainly right it won’t happen again.” He crept toward you, as a predator would to its prey “I should have you killed for this.”

Your neck tensed at the words, the tendons slightly stretching out, still, you stood there stoically, your eyes refusing to look at him. “Are you not?” You inquired through a breath. “Or am I to be fired? Banished from the lanes perhaps?” Against your better judgment, the words came out as a slight scoff.

You failed to keep in a small gasp as he reached his hand up to you, his fingertips lightly pressing into the sides of your cheeks as he guided your head up to look at him. His gaze was wild and intense. You couldn’t decipher what it was if it was intense anger, judgment, or maybe even concern. You didn’t know and you didn’t want to know. You imagine you probably looked like a scared, wide-eyed creature, caught under blinding lights.

“Banish you from the lanes?” He let out a low, sardonic chuckle as his face inched ever so closer, stopping just before your noses could touch. You swear, that for a split second his eyes flickered down to your lips before his low, velvety voice spoke. “No, I don’t imagine there is any dark corner of Zaun you could flee to that would relieve me of the knowledge of your existence” He released your face to slowly trail his hand down to your shoulder, letting his thumb graze over the wound. It wasn’t a hard touch, but it was enough to make you wince and hiss slightly in pain. “This should be lesson enough”

There you were now, sitting on a bench looking into those very same eyes, but this time they were attached to someone who was almost completely different. Your mouth slightly parted as you analyzed the Silco in front of you. There was such tenderness and care in the eyes you had grown to know as cold and callous. You let out a breath and softly shook your head as you collected your thoughts. “I think I just need to get some sleep.” You paused as you looked up to the sky “It’s been a.. weird day for me.”

“Right,” his hand abruptly left your thigh, as if he just then realized what he had been doing. “Of course.” He stood up and gave you a faint, sweet smile, offering his hand to help you up.

You didn’t fail to notice the light blush dusting over his cheeks. You found it embarrassing how you internally reveled at the sight. When working for him, the thought had passed by you sometimes, that he was a beautiful, wretched thing. The thought was always fleeting but left destruction in its wake. When reporting back to him, you would sometimes find your eyes trailing the lines of his scars, your fingers tingling at the thought of what it would be like to feel them, rough and rigid in all of their wicked glory. You wondered how he would respond to the touch. Would he flinch? Would his eyes flutter shut as he leaned into your touch? Would he too revel in your soft flesh meeting his timeworn face? You knew the story of how the river toxins ate through his face and corroded his nerves. You wondered if he couldn’t feel anything there at all now, or if perhaps instead, he was extra sensitive there, the nerves not completely wasted away, just there under a thin layer of skin waiting to be touched. You always had to shake the thought from your head. Snuff it out before the flame grew. You knew it would only leave you as nothing but a charred pile of bones in the end. He was not a man to be loved. He was not a man that wanted it. You were so sure of it. But as you looked up at the man in front of you, offering his hand in support as a light pink painted over his pale cheeks, you wondered if you were perhaps wrong. You knew you were staring at that point. Taking in the details of his face. He was entirely different yet somehow, wholly the same. The Silco before you seemed to be entirely made for love and you were afraid you were starting to believe that the Silco you knew had a part of him that was made for it too.

You see him start to shrink under your prolonged gaze, his hand faltering. But before you let him drop it to his side you offered him a soft smile before placing your hand on top of his palm. You wondered if he too felt the subtle spark emanating off of the touch. You wondered how often he touched you like this in this universe. Was it a common occurrence? Simple, genial touches exchanged between two friends? Were they ever perhaps something more? You were only left to wonder as he helped you to your feet, his hand releasing yours as soon as you found your footing.

He pulled open the doors of the bar, holding them open and allowing you to go in before following. The kind gesture almost seemed to be second nature for him. He looked a little confused when you sputtered out a “Thanks,” as you walked past him as if he didn’t know why he was being thanked.

“Ah, there she is.” You hear Vander’s hearty voice exclaim as he propped his elbows on the counter. “How are you feelin’, lass?”

You gave a weak smile as you approached. Your eyes darting to Powder who was now at the bar as well, two elbows leaning on to it to prop herself up as she stood cool and casually. “I’m uh… I’m doing alright.” you sputter out “I think I just need to go home, get some rest.” you then immediately realized that you were not quite sure where ‘home’ here was. Was it the same place as your original universe or somewhere entirely different? “Home…” you muttered the word to yourself “Speaking of, can somebody walk me home? I just don’t think I’m in any state to get there by myself.” you let out a weak and breathy chuckle, hoping that excuse was believable enough.

You noticed a small, mischievous smirk play on Powder's lips as she looked between you and Silco, her face quickly dropping to appear casual as she pushed herself off the bar “Well, I have to meet up with Ekko to discuss what we’re doing for the innovator's competition” she then leaned slightly over the bar to put a hand on Vander’s shoulder “And Dad here has to close up the bar, so that leaves…” her eyes trailed to the man standing next to you as she donned a cheerful face “Uncle Silco! Be a gentleman and walk the girl home, would ya?”

All eyes fell onto him. His own eyes propped open a bit in a silent surprise before he cleared his throat and answered “Oh uh yes, of course.”

“You gonna be good to come in tomorrow?” Vander chimed in with the question.

You nodded, your eyebrows and the corners of your mouth downturned in a determined expression “Yes,” the answer came out weakly so you cleared your throat before speaking again “Yes, I’ll be fine. What time am I coming in?” your eyebrow raised slightly as you asked.

Vander let out a deep chuckle as he ran a rag over the surface of the bar “Jeez, you must be really out of it. 4 o’clock as always”

You awkwardly chuckled “Ah right, of course,” you spoke as if you were suddenly remembering, tapping the side of your head to indicate being a ditz “Silly me.” They all looked at you silently, one of Powder’s eyebrows raised in amusement and confusion. You just blinked and cleared your throat again before turning around “Right then, let’s go.”

Silco walked slightly ahead of you, pushing the door open for you yet again. As you walked out of the bar you heard the faint voice of Vander as he talked to Powder, the low rumble of a chuckle coming out of him “You’re gonna give that poor man a heart attack one day.”

a/n: Hiiiiii, this is my first time really writing a fanfiction and posting it anywhere. I originally intended this to be a one-shot but 6000 words in and I'm not even close to being done. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on if I should just post it as a multi-chapter fic! I'm not sure how long I'm planning for this to be so just bear with me. Anyways, any feedback is appreciated! Is the shift between flashback and present clear? Lmk! Also, let me know if there are any warnings or tags that I missed! I'm also not familiar with how to format fanfics on here but i tried my best, anyways, kiss mwuah

[ellethespaceunicorn]

An Angel Without Wings

Title: An Angel Without Wings

Rating: Explicit, 18+, Minors - DNI

Pairing: Frank Castle x Unnamed!Black!OFC

Fandom: The Punisher

Word Count: 1.8K

Summary: When she needs him to take control, he’s there for her.

Warnings: pet name (Angel), Sir kink, male!Dom/fem!Sub, slight hair pulling, spanking, vaginal fingering, unprotected p-in-v sex, creampie, mention of bodily fluids, aftercare

A/N: I’ve never written for Frank Castle. But I had a dream about him out of nowhere. And now you get fic loosely based on that dream. So, yeah. Unbeta’d, we die like people who tried their best. 

Dividers by: @firefly-graphics

Support/Reblog banner by me

Cover Art by me

My Masterlist

The jingle of keys in the front door alerts her to his arrival. Her knees ache from where she kneels on the hardwood flooring. Gooseflesh appears everywhere her leather and mesh lingerie set doesn’t cover. In her outstretched hands is her collar, a thin piece of black leather with a dangling tag that reads Angel. She keeps her eyes downcast until she has permission to look upon him. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he notices her in the dimly lit apartment. He doesn’t acknowledge her at first. He sets his keys down on the table by the door, toes off his boots, and hangs his jacket on the coat rack. Turning around slowly, he pushes up the sleeves of his henley and walks towards her.

Studying her face, he can tell she longs for this. She wants to relinquish control, but more importantly, she needs him to take it from her. 

Coming to a standstill in front of her, he looks over her body as her eyes stay on the space between them. He picks up the collar and bends forward to secure it around her neck before walking around and placing his hands on her shoulders. Her smooth brown skin under his calloused tan hands is a stark contrast.

“Who are you?” His gruff voice fills the empty room.

“Angel,” she says, placing the backs of her hands on her thighs. She stares at her palms.

“That’s right. Who am I?” He asks, hooking a finger under one bra strap and sliding it across her skin.

“Sir,” she replies.

“Good girl. Now, do you remember our system?” He challenges, the pad of one thumb pressing into the side of her neck as his fingers move to wrap around.

“Green for go. Yellow for slow down. Red for stop, Sir,” she breathes, lifting her chin slightly as his hand closes around her throat.

Leaning forward, he whispers in her ear, “That’s my sweet Angel. I wanna see this pretty little thing you’re wearing for me. Stand up.”

“Yes, Sir,” she answers, raising her body to her full height while Frank mirrors her movement. She stands in front of him, close enough to feel his body heat on her back. Close enough that his breath on her neck makes her shiver.

With his left hand still around her throat, his right hand is left to explore her body. He can feel her pulse quickening under his thumb, relishing his effect on her. 

He closes the small gap between them and toys with the waistband of her thong. His fingers follow from her thong to the garter belt she is wearing, the thick mesh straps connecting to a strip of leather sitting perfectly around her curvy thighs. He switches directions, his hand ghosting over her fabric-covered mound on its way past her tummy to her pendulous breasts that are accentuated by the mesh bra with cutouts. Groping each breast, he gives them both ample attention. Sliding his thumb back and forth against the nipples, he grows harder at the sound of her whimpers. 

Loosening his grip on her throat even further, he nudges her shoulder to turn around. Once turned, he tangles a hand in her curls. Tightening his hand, he forces her to finally look at him by tilting her head. Her big brown eyes display her vulnerability, her desire, and her willingness to submit to him.

He runs the back of his knuckles softly against her face from cheek to jawline, grabbing her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Lowering his head a centimeter, he brushes his lips against hers before taking the lead in a heart-stopping kiss. He licks inside her mouth and massages her tongue with his. Feeling her knees start to buckle, he slows the kiss and steps away from her.

She follows his movement as he steps up to the couch and sits dead center. He pats his thighs, and she knows to assume “the position”. Climbing on top of him, she lays across his lap with her ass up in the air.

Running a hand over her exposed globes, he speaks lowly to her. “My sweet Angel has the smoothest skin. And the sound it makes when I-,” He raises his hand, and it lands with a SMACK, “-hit it just right? Perfection.”

“Thank you, Sir,” she breathes, panting just slightly.

Frank adjusts himself so that she feels his growing length against her abdomen. When he feels her pushing her ass into his hand again, he lands a healthy SMACK on both cheeks. With both hands, he parts her ass and runs a thumb over the dampening gusset of her thong.

“Mmmm, gettin’ wet already for me, huh? Let’s see what happens when I lay down a few more spanks then,” he hums, putting one hand on her back while the other begins a rhythm of SMACK after SMACK after SMACK. From one cheek to the other, he delivers blow after blow until she pipes up.

“Yellow, Sir!” She sniffles, her hands grabbing onto the couch cushion.

“Good girl, Angel,” Frank says, lightly soothing her ass with slow strokes of his hand. He runs his fingers over the now-soaked center of her mesh panties. Frank groans and moves her underwear to the side, so he has access to her wet little pussy. 

With two fingers, he slides into her core, stretching her out. She moans and grinds her hips, he scissors her open. Wet, squelching noises fill the room as he adds another finger, massaging her swollen clit with his thumb. He picks up speed as her walls start to twitch around his digits.

“That’s it, Angel. Cum for me, baby,” he urges, his gravelly voice rumbling through his chest. “You can do it, Angel. Soak my fingers, girl.”

Within seconds, her heat clamps down on his fingers as she reaches her peak. Shuddering as she cums, she whimpers as he works her through her orgasm. Mumbled nonsense spills from her mouth as she tries her hardest to thank Frank for the earth-shattering climax.

Once she is calmed down from her intense high, Frank picks her up as he stands and walks to their bedroom. Laying her down softly, he steps back and unzips his pants, and pulls out his cock and balls. His uncut hard-on stands proudly as his heavy sac hangs under it. 

She licks her lips and moves to the edge of the bed on her hands and knees. Before she can reach out a hand to his dick, he shakes his head and chuckles. 

“Nah. Not tonight, baby. I’m already close to blowin’. If you get that perfect little mouth on me, it’s over. Now, turn around and get that ass over here,” he directs, watching as a sly smile appears on her face.

As soon as she is turned around, Frank grabs her hips and pulls her to him. Using one hand to press her face-down into the mattress, he uses the other to line himself up to her slick center. He slides into her warmth and lets out a grunt as he settles inside her.

Retracting his hips slowly, he leaves just the tip in for a second until he slams back in. Thrusting once, twice, three times; he sets an unremitting pace. Her moans are music to his ears as he plunges over and over into her tight slit. 

Her womanhood drools over his shaft as he reaches a hand down to play with her puffy pearl. Overcome with her impending fall over the edge, she tightens her fists into the bedsheets and lets out a wail as her depths flutter around his thick girth.

“Ohhhh fuuuuuuck, Angel. That’s it! Just like that, gimme that good shit, baby,” he rambles on, chasing his release as he fucks her through hers. “Argh, fuck! I’m gonna fill you up, Angel. Beg me for it.”

“Please, Sir! Please fill me up! I need you; I need you so bad,” she gushes, so blissfully fucked out that she would do anything for Frank at this moment.

“That’s my Angel. Ugh fuck!” Frank fucks into her one last time, his cockhead poking at her sensitive cervix. As he spills inside her, he huffs every time his dick spasms.

She sighs as her body accepts his load, a hazy smile on her face. 

Frank pulls out, watching as his jizz tries to escape. He uses a finger to catch his spend and push it back inside her. Tucking himself away, he helps her lay down with her head against the pillows before lying next to her. He wraps an arm around her shoulders, and she cuddles into his side. Kissing the top of her head, he also gives her a quick squeeze.

They are quiet for a moment until she speaks, “Thank you, Frankie. Fuck, I needed that.”

“Anytime, baby. You know I’m here for you. Anything you need. All you gotta do is ask, and I’ll come running,” he confesses, smiling down at her when she looks up at him. “Now, don’t get too comfy. We’re gonna take a bath together so I can soothe those sore muscles.”

“Frankie, how did I get so lucky to have a man like you?” Her big brown eyes focus on him while her hand cradles his face.

He chuckles before replying, “Nah, I’m the lucky one. You love me with your whole heart, you lift me on my hardest days, and the way you look at me like I hung the damn moon? You’re a saint, my Angel.”

She leans up on one elbow, looking at Frank with unshed tears. “You think you don’t do the same? Please, baby. You are my heart, my love, my everything. You came home from what I assume was most likely a hard day, and you dropped everything to give me what I needed. You, Frank Castle, are the real angel here. One of those cool, brooding angels without wings.”

“An angel without wings, huh? Sounds kinda badass, honestly,” he jokes, leaning up to place a chaste kiss on her lips before getting out of bed. He walks around to where she sits on the edge with her legs dangling. She smiles at him and swats his hands away when he tries to pick her up again.

He raises his hands in defeat and follows her as she walks into the bathroom. They get undressed as the clawfoot tub fills with warm water and lavender-scented bubbles. Frank helps her step in and then slides in behind her.

Washing her body, he massages her favorite body wash into her flesh. She returns the favor, and they exit the tub. Frank wraps a towel around his hips and uses another to pat her skin lightly from head to toe. 

Once they are in pajamas and back in bed, he pulls her back into his arms. Ghosting a hand up and down her arm until her breathing settles and soft snores escape her, he can finally rest now that she is safe and sound.

A/N: Ok, this was loosely based on a dream I had about Frank Castle. It was a little bit more *insert whip sound here* in my dream, but maybe I will include that in another tale someday.

[333creolelady]

Lady Of The Blue Bakunawa Ch.4

Black Afab!OC x Roman Reigns (pirate au)

Banner by @joannasteez

Chapter Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Murder, Violence, Gore, explicit language. Minors DNI.

Songs this chapter: love remembered, the hunt builds, I love you. And

Alternative playlist songs: Unthinkable, Slow Burn, Why knock for you, Paper thin.

Story playlist link here <-

Alternative playlist link <-

Next -> chapter 5

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All reblogs will receive a sneak peak to next weeks chapter

Jane

Calloused fingers rubbed circles into the tops of her soft hands. His scent filled the library and mixed with the smell of the old books she adored. A single candle light flickered and danced along the walls of the room. Ironically those flickers seemed to illustrate the butterflies in her stomach. Still, even in the poor light she could see every feature on his face.

Her head is swimming. They drank so much wine tonight but she didn’t regret her decision. This was their new routine. During the day she barely saw him and when she did they were only glimpses. She’d usually spend her day reading in her cabin or with Caden for a few minutes. However, she could surely hear Roman with all his yelling. He was always near… commanding something from his crew. When the night came she’d sneak off to the library for dinner. Most of the time she was the first to arrive but dinner would be waiting for her with two plates and a bottle of wine.

She’d smooth out her dress and place her hair just right over her shoulder. He’d come in, ducking just under the door frame and locking the door behind him. She’d stand to greet him and he’d rest his hat against his chest before sitting down. His voice was always raspy at the end of the day from all his yelling. It was gruff and gravely but when he’d greet her at the end of each day, he would try his best to smooth out his jagged edges. The last thing he wanted was any part of himself to be abrasive towards her and she was thankful for it.

They’d usually eat in silence and then save the wine for last. He’d pour her a cup and she’d take it gladly. Then after the first glass the conversation would start flowing. He’d ask her about her day and she’d ask him about his. She’d pull items from his clothes like feathered pins and swords and he’d tell her about how he obtained each one. She’d try on his hat and would proudly let her wear it for the duration of their evening. She’d ask him bolder questions like if he’s ever killed and how long it had last been since he’d fancied a lady. He answered each question honestly.

As the night grew darker their proximity became closer. His collar loosened and his jacket came off. She followed suit, kicking off her shoes and untying her hair. Then somehow they’d inch closer and closer to one another until the sides of their thighs were touching.

He’d find any excuse he could to touch her. Be it swiping an eyelash from her cheek or reaching across her for a book. Then one evening she looked down to see their pinkies were practically brushing against one another. She slid her hand into his palm and he sighed as if he’d been waiting for her to do it. They chuckled at the exchange and he held it tighter.

In early stages of their meetings he had requests. He wanted her to wear the dresses he bought her. She would oblige him. Little by little his requests got more specific. One particular evening he was so close she could smell his hair soap. He was in the middle of telling a silly story from his childhood. He stopped abruptly and that alerted her to look in his direction. He was already staring intently at her. Her hand rested in his and he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her directly beside him, the side of their knees touched. He leaned into her ear, his mouth was so close she swore that for a moment they brushed against the fold of her flesh.

“ Tomorrow night I want to see you in the blue dress with the jewelry I bought for you. Do you think you can do that for me Dove ?”, he whispers quietly to her. He’s holding her wrist in the most domineering and dizzying fashion. She has to stop her eyes from rolling into the back of her head from the heat of his breath brushing against her neck. It takes her a moment to gather herself.

“ Y-yes…of course”, she gasps. She bites her lip to hide the whimper begging to bleed from her.

He pulled away and leaned back into his seat, sliding his hand back into her palm. She grabbed her wine glass and chugged the rest of what was in her cup before sitting back as well. A shaky breath left her lips. He went back to telling his story as if nothing happened. Her head swirled in desire.

That was two weeks ago and now he’s put in special requests every meeting. Something about it felt almost intimate and even slightly provocative. The crew knew where she was headed when they saw her leave her cabin every night. She started to wonder if that was the satisfaction Roman got from it.

She cherished these late nights with Roman. As timid as she was.. she could let loose. They spoke whatever came to mind and most times it was about nonsensical things. When the wine was right he’d bring out his clay pipe and fill it with tobacco. She didn’t mind the smoke or the smell. It relaxed her and the fog of the room seemed to sink into her skin and warm up her bones.

“ Can I try it?”, she asks. He raises a brow at her and huffs out a hefty chuckle. The smoke came out of his nose like a bull and she found that comical. He takes the pipe from between his lips and carefully places it into her mouth. “ Deep breaths. It’s going to feel warm inside and you may cough.”

She followed as instructed. The sensation felt a bit alarming at first but then it dissipated. She coughed maybe twice but went back for another hit which earned her another chuckle from Roman.

“ Do I look as mysterious and dangerous as you when I do it captain ?,” She teased blowing the smoke away from him.

“ Not in the slightest. It’s like seeing a kitten holding a pocket knife”, he chuckled taking the pipe from her and wrapping his lips around it despite it being in her mouth moments before. After a few puffs of smoke she swears she can see his tongue dart out quickly to lip his lips as if he was savoring the taste of her mouth on it. She looked away as a funny feeling manifested in her gut, causing flips and butterflies. She gained her might momentarily.

“ I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment. Either I’m very adorable or very weak in your eyes”, she laughed.

Romans smile drops a bit as he blows out another gust of smoke. “ Never weak….never”.

Jane smiles at that and pats his knee before leaning forward to refill her wine glass again. He fills it for her. She concluded that smoking wasn’t her fortay but she had no problem inhaling whatever seeped from his mouth. Deep in her mind she might have thought of it as a kiss. Inhaling his exhale….provocative.

It was getting hot but Jane didn’t want to leave. In fact, if she were to melt into the couch she was sitting on she’d probably let it happen.

“ You know it’s said that drinks such of these contain spirits. Spirits that take over your soul for a time when you ingest them.”

Jane took another swig before giggling. She plucked an ice cube from the icebox and sucked on it to cool her heated frame. The smoke was getting heavier by the minute and she could see it whirl around her skin and pass over the candle light. It seemed to almost becon her closer to him.“ Hm. Sounds believable to me. Consider me possessed by the spirit of libation and sloth”.

Roman grinned lazily and leaned back into his seat finishing his pipe before placing it down on the table. Even he was a bit light headed. “ Are you in need of an exorcism, M'lady?”

“ No. but I do suffer from hysteria from time to time.”

“ The treatment would be an orgasm not an exorcism but very close”, Roman snorted. Jane followed suit in a laugh that shot out in bursts. Her eyes lulled to the ceiling to look at the intricate carvings.

Before she knew it another piece of ice had found her lips but this time it lingered. Her eyes closed in relief.

“ You’re warm.”

“ Ay’ ay’ Captain”, she nearly slurred as the cube melted against her heated skin. She could hear a smile on his lips.

“ Ready for bed?” He asked as he slid the piece of ice down her jaw and onto her neck.

“ No I don’t believe so”, she stifled a moan but instead it just spilled out. She stirred as the cold smooth texture slid over to the side of her neck and then the front.

“ Ugh what is this …feeling in my head”, she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead.

“ It’s called being drunk darling”, Roman chuckled bringing the piece back to her jaw.

“ Oh stop… you’ll drive me mad .” Jane sighed lazily, swatting at his hand. He took the now small cube and placed it in his mouth to melt. Jane watched his mouth through hooded eyes and she sat up straight once more seemingly sobering up.

“ Back to life ?” Roman asked handing her a cup of water instead. She took a sip then set it down on the coffee table.

“ Nearly ”, she grinned, reaching for a fresh berry to occupy her mouth.

“Since you’ll be staying with us do you think you’ll be ready to introduce yourself to the crew ? There is no rush but it might make your time here less rigid”.

Jane pauses. “ I suppose..”.

“ I want you to be comfortable here. I want you to be able to move around the ship with ease. You don’t need me or Caden around to do what you want to do. Once you meet some of my crew you’ll understand that you have nothing to be afraid of. Other pirates…not so much”, he chuckled.

Jane thought hard for a moment. Perhaps it really was time for her to warm up. Caden and Roman were the only two men on the ship who really knew her. She didn’t even talk to Earl much. If this would be her home for the time being then she should make it into one. She tilts her head in thought,“ Tomorrow at dinner then?”

Roman smiled, “tomorrow at dinner”, he confirmed witn a nod.

“ I have some conditions too”, said Jane lazily.

“ Let’s hear it”, he leans forward.

“ I want to help out. It hurts me seeing Caden take on so much on his own. I want to help him with some of his tasks. I can pick up some slack in the kitchen too. I want to be of use. Something to take my mind off of everything sometimes.”

Roman raised a brow, “ You are of use, you keep me company and you look beautiful while doing it”

“ You know what I meant Roman”, she groaned.

“ Caden is earning his keep. He’s also in training to become a pirate but first comes humility. It’s the natural order of this profession… if you can call it that.”

“ Please..”, a slight pout to her voice. She already won him over but she didn’t know that.

“ Alright fine… but it will not impede our evenings.”

“ No it won’t.”

“ And you will still take my requests?”

“ Yes.”

“ And if I buy you something you will not complain?”

“ I will not.”

He returns to his clay pipe. “ settled”, says Roman.

Jane huffs out a sigh of relief and sits back with him. She notices just how shiny his hair is, reaching just past his pectorals. She reached out to grab a strand of his tousled locks in between her fingers. She then took her hand and ran her fingers through his thick strands. He suddenly stiffened for a moment and she pulled her hand from him like his hair was made of fire.

“ I’m so sorry—I had too much wine. I don’t know why I did that, I know what it’s like to—”, she scolded herself, putting her hand against her forehead, noticing the heat in the room. She goes to stand but Roman takes her hand into his, pulling her back down softly. He continues to pull her closer once again, closing the space between them. The two stare at each other's mouths for what feels like eternity. She barely notices how their noses were nearly touching. Just the slightest nudge and she’d know what his mouth tasted like. Smoke and alcohol she bets. Somehow that entices her more. His finger draws lazy shapes against her wrist.

“ If I were to kiss you without your permission would it unravel everything I said on the dock ?” He whispers softly. His voice is strained like he was tugging against the confinement of his seat.

Jane audibly swallows, “not quite but I would be furious with you”, she whispers back in an equally starved tone.

“ Why do I not believe you Miss Ramlal ?”

Jane fails to answer but instead lets out a shaky trembling breath. Since when has this room gotten even smaller ?

“ I am a man of my word. Though I must warn you that my hair is a weakness of mine …”, the tip of Romans nose pressed against the side of her face. Jane’s eyes closed and so do her thighs.

“ It’s why I tie it up in battle. It’s the first thing people go for. Nevertheless, I’m not really used to people touching it. It’s very …sensitive…you see ?”, His nose trails towards her ear that was covered by her hair.

“ Now you know my weakness…”, his voice is strained and tight as he nudges his nose under her jaw. He pauses for a moment watching the way her chest heavily rises and falls from his proximity. He takes the hair covering her neck and lightly pushes it behind her shoulder exposing warm naked skin smelling of fresh vanilla. Jane stiffens knowing where he’s going but she doesn’t seem to want to protest. Then… the lightest touch of his mouth and nose grazes the hot flesh that connects her shoulder and neck.

A large whimper swallowed by a gasp slips from her mouth and she jumps causing her foot to kick the coffee table.“ And it seems I’ve found yours”, he chuckled into her skin. She pulls away cursing when she notices her wine dripping onto the floor. She jumps to soak it up with napkins.

“ No let me”, Roman pulls more napkins from the table and Jane stands behind him watching his back flex as he cleans up the mess. Her heart was still pounding and that pounding spread all over her entire body. She’d only felt this way a handful of times in the privacy of her bed. For a long while she didn’t even try to relieve herself because she shared a room with other people. Now that same feeling was sinking into her gut and swirling deep inside of a place she’d usually ignore.

“ I—It’s best I get to bed”, she muttered. Her high was blown and suddenly she was sober. What replaced her relaxation was jitter and something foreign…arousing.

He stood to his full height, “ Of course. It’s getting late anyway”. He grabs her hand and pressed his mouth to the back of it. He seems to come to his senses as she does, yet Jane notices that same hunger in his eyes. She looked away from the burn of his gaze leaving her body feeling singed and sensitive. She leaves with a quick bow scurrying back to her room.

Roman

There had been a major shift between Roman and Jane the moment she agreed to sail with him. Longing glances were shared and no longer avoided. When he looked her in the eye he said more than he’d ever express. The moment she uttered the word yes, he decided that she would be his somehow.

He paid off the remaining payments for the house and land; it could wait for his return. He refunded the livestock and tipped Alice for her troubles. She looked at the two knowingly—figuring that Roman wouldn’t have left her there with the way he gazed at her.

Then their nightly meetings started to happen and what could he call them? She was not his but yet they stood so close to a desire they both felt. He could lose himself in her eyes over candlelight dinner. When she spoke he lost track of time. And then the dresses—christ, the dresses. The ones where he could see every inch of her delicate neck. Every inch of her looked soft from her gaze, to her lips, to the skin behind her ear. He’d given up trying to hide the thoughts of his desire. What was this unspoken thing between them?

Roman woke with a slight headache after their dinner together last night. Liquid courage did him many favors with Jane. The scent of her bare skin put a spark in his step as he bathed off a sheen of sweat covering his body. The occasional night terror would grab him every now and then—usually about the moment he realized he was being stolen. Or perhaps it was the harshness of Katharina at the palace. His nightly routine with Jane usually eased the dreams. Not last night unfortunately.

He toweled off his wet hair and pulled it up and away from his face in a bun. Marching outside of his cabin he can see the sun is high and hot today. The wind is just right. “Give my order to hoist the sails”, Roman says to his Helmsman. He heads to the kitchen and there he sees his Jane in the same pirate wear she used to wear. She had a habit of trying to dull herself during the day, saving her beautiful clothes for their private evenings.

Caden is the first to notice him and pays him his respect. “ Morning captain”, the boy nods in acknowledgment working on a batch of eggs. The rest of the crew work quietly, nodding their respect to him. Roman returns the nods not really caring for the pleasantries as he watches Jane. She’s using a rolling pin against a thick wad of dough. She turns around and smiles softly at him. Her apron is covered in flour and so is her cute round button nose. He walks up to her and flicks it off softly. She touches it and wipes at it herself.

“ So I see you’ve already met the chefs. I presume you’re ready to meet the rest of the crew?”

Jane’s gaze flickered from the Roman to the dough in a flustered manner. “ Yes c—Roman. I’m making biscuits. I figured it would be a nice gesture since I’ve been avoiding them for so long. A way to break the ice.”

“ Oy’ Since when did SHE get to call you JUST Roman. You didn’t even allow me to call you that when I was like I don’t know…ELEVEN”, Caden teased the two of them while side eyeing the eggs to prevent their burning.

Roman chuckled, “Since I made the rules on this ship. Back to work ya’ scallywag”, he says with a head shake turning to Jane again. “Well you know the way to a man’s heart. I’m sure it will all be forgiven since I instructed them not to engage with you unless approached.”

Jane frowned, “Why?”

“ You were frightened enough as is. I wanted you to be comfortable.”

“ You are mos— “

“ Oh don’t say it. You’ll ruin my reputation”, Roman grimaces playfully. Jane giggled at that and returned to her biscuits.

He can see his two lead chefs eyeing him with intrigue. They’d never seen him this way before. Roman was good to his men but he wasn’t smiley—maybe with Caden who he cared deeply for. Outside of his close mentorship with Caden, they often got a quiet authoritative figure. Sometimes he was loud or grumpy but they weren’t terrified of him. He prided himself on being a Captain who weighed the opinions of others—it kept his crew loyal and saved his ass many times. As he heads into the dining hall the room is bustling with banter. A sense of order had to be restored lest Jane became overwhelmed.

“ Quiet”, Roman commands. The room quiets to a whisper. He stands at the front of the room eyeing each of his men.

“ Lady Jane is going to serve breakfast. May you present her with the same respect you give me . Introduce yourselves to her. She’s going to be joining us for the duration of our journey so consider her part of the crew. Be kind or walk the plank—no better yet. Disrespect her or become a maroon. Ay?”

“ Ay Cap’n” the crew said in unison.

Jane

Jane enters the room rolling a cart filled with plates loaded with scrapple, biscuits, pan fried potatoes and roasted tomatoes. The men carefully line up in a single file to receive breakfast. The first man to approach her is peculiar in demeanor.

“Hello M’lady—names Thomas”

“ Nice to meet you Thomas, I’m Jane. Would you like milk, orange juice or water ?”

“ You know people were convinced you were a S-siren?”

“ Pardon”, she raised a brow at him.

“ Oh yes. They said you were from the sea”. Thomas looks at Jane suspiciously. He has a very mousy look to him but he’s tall—at least 6’2. He’s only a few inches shorter than Roman who’s about 6ft5. He’s also pale with dark brown hair, big green eyes, a A long hooked nose, and dark circles. He looks as if he's been up for days. His clothes draped across his rail thin body like a clothing line. For a moment it worried Jane. She generously added more scrapple to his plate.

Jane smiled kindly at him hoping to ease his mind the best she could. “ I can assure you I’m no siren. Just ship wrecked. Besides there’s no such thing”, Jane chuckled, handing him his plate.

“ Oh trust me M’lady. They are very much real. They don’t need shiny long tails either. They shift their form. They could look just like you—pretty and normal. Human. Then they lure you to your icy watery grave”, he said with a warning. For a moment she questioned if he’d encountered one himself.

“ Well …I trust the captain will be able to navigate such a tragedy should it arise. Don’t stress yourself. Drink?”

“ Milk…M’lady”, his eyes nervously dart back to the food and Jane carefully places a glass in his hand. She takes her hand and places it on his shoulder reassuringly. He throws her a nod in departure and returns to his seat.

Another man approaches Jane, this one slightly shorter than Thomas. He has a swimmers build and he’s undoubtedly of South Asian descent. His hair is shoulder length with large puffy ringlets and he sports a full beard. There were many South Asian people in London, often herded in with the African and Caribbean people. If she had to guess, he probably worked for the British East India company at some point. East Asians were usually pitted against blacks by their superiors, which caused tensions between the groups at times. It was just another ploy to destroy any comradery amongst the disadvantaged. Jane relaxes when she sees him because he looks familiar. East Asians were no strangers to her homeland, often coming to work the sugar plantations in indentured servitude. A good amount of them had families with the locals. She could name a few cousins who looked like the man before her. If she thought about it too long it would make her miss her home.

“ London?”, He points to her.

She nods, “London”, she chuckles.

“ You had that look to ya.”

“ And that is ?”

“ Like it smells bad in here but you’ve smelt worse”, he smirks.

That earns a hardy chuckle from Jane because England was a smelly place. The very sound catches Roman’s attention at the end of the room. She has to cover her mouth to contain it.

He holds his hand out to shake hers. “ Adhar m’lady”.

She takes it willingly, “ Jane. Would you like milk, water or orange juice?”

“ Orange juice. And make it fast before the captain murders me. I’m already getting the death glare”, Adharjokes. Jane glanced over to the end of the room and sure enough Roman was STILL looking at the interaction. She would laugh at his expression if she didn’t think he was close to making Adhar walk the plank.

“ I’ll put in a good work for you. Here you go”, she handed him a tall glass of orange juice and he gratefully accepted his breakfast, turning away quickly to go sit down.

A man with a stocky build, eye patch, black hair, a bright blue eye, and a unibrow walked heavily up to the cart. He was around medium height.

“ William Wright at your service miss. If there’s anything I can do for you, just say the word?” He says in a heavy Russian accent.

“ Military ?” She asked.

“ Yes, what gave it away ?”, he smiled to reveal sharp white teeth. It almost looked like he had them filed on purpose.

“ The walk I suppose. Why did you leave ?”

“ I plucked out my generals eyeballs and fed them to him”, William picked up a tiny roasted tomato from the plate and plopped them in his mouth. She could hear the squelch as her eyes widened. He took the plate from her and picked up a glass of milk, walking away unaffected.

Next, a tall man with deep red hair, a round belly and a thick red mustache approached. He was had extremely larger muscles everywhere except his stomach.

“ Rory Hayes M’lady. Do you mind if I have a bit more scrapple and an extra biscuit…aaanddd another tomato? Actually, allow me miss”, he grabs the plate from her and doubles his portions. She notices a twinge of an Irish accent.

“ Jane. Take as much as you like”, she chuckled.

Rory bit into one of her biscuits and his eyes crossed as he sighed.

“ These biscuits— “

“ Go on ya’ Scrooge. We’re waiting ta’ eat!”, an old man snapped from behind him with no teeth.

“ Sorry sorry. Just making myself comfortable with the missus”, Rory sneaks another biscuit. Thankfully there’s plenty.

“ Misses ?”, Jane raised a brow.

“ Oh it’s just a joke. We call you the captain's wife—behind his back of course. He’s so busy drooling over ya’ he dun’t even realize what a lovesick puppy he is. Just light hearted fun.”

“ Juice water or milk ?” She smiled politely, stealing glances at Roman who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since Adhar.

Rory chuckled “Just water, I’m watching me figure”, he hisses out a raspy, smoky, larger than life laugh that causes him to turn red. It tickles Jane too as she laughs with him.

After serving breakfast she helped Caleb wash dishes and clean the kitchen. After their chores, her and the other chefs ate breakfast in the mess hall before ultimately having to clean that too.

“ Taking a 30 minute break Caleb. I’ll be in the— “

“ Miss Ramlal. Come with me ?” Roman appeared behind her. She threw a towel over her shoulder. She was covered in a light sheen of sweat.

“ Of course”, she smiled tiredly at him and followed him to his office.

She sits across from him at his desk. Since their nightly meetups, he’s been far more relaxed in her presence. Now that there’s been an obvious and reciprocated attraction, things were less tense.

“ So, who do I make walk the plank ?”

“ Everybody was perfectly fine”, she chuckled.

“ Adhar?”

“ He made me laugh. Another man isn’t allowed to tell me a joke now?”, she teased.

“ My answer would not please you so I’ll go with the more appropriate answer. I’ll maroon him instead”

“ Oh stop!”

“ He’s a ladies man”, he warned

“He’s from London like me. He cracked a joke. It was fine. Made me a little more comfortable. I’m not particularly fond of being surrounded by men. It’s very…unnerving sometimes.”

“ I’m sorry…”

“ It’s not your fault. I’m alive because of you. I can get over this. I just need time”, Jane nervously rubbed the back of her hand. Something he noticed she did when she was nervous. He at her hands and walks over to her, kneeling in front while her taking her hand into his own.

“ If I achieve nothing else I will protect you to the best of my abilities. You know this.”

She nodded quietly and smiled tightly at him. His hand rubbed the side of her cheek.

“ This is okay?”

“ Yes but just with you," she whispered quietly.

“ Just with me?,” he whispered back intimately. Something in his tone turned mushy and fragile. It struck something deep inside of her causing her stomach to flutter again.

“ Yes…. I don’t usually like being touched.”

Roman chuckles quietly,“ So I have tamed you in this way?”

Jane playfully rolled her eyes and kicked his leg lightly. He wheezed out a hearty chuckle.

“ Thankfully your crew did their best to make me feel at ease. Especially Rory. He’s…warm. That’s the best way I could describe him. Good energy about him.”

“ Oh yeah he’s a bit of a jester. Good man. He’s so nice you wouldn’t think that he’s an ogre in battle. I’ve seen him bite someone tongue out in interrogation. Not pretty.”

Jane blinked in shock. Another sobering reminder that every man on this ship could be dangerous if pushed to be. She swallowed down the doubt and moved on.

“ William is uh….”,Jane raised a brow not knowing how to describe him.

“ Intense…and a war criminal ”, Said Roman.

“ ….War….criminal ?”, she gulps.

“ Oh yes. He’s been my guard before. My assassin in a way. And an incredible painter, strangely enough.”

“ How charming”, Jane squinted sarcastically. That earned a laugh from Roman.

“ I don’t want you working past—

“ Roman…”

“Jaaaneee”, he mimicked.

“This is far better than my work back in London. Just let me have something to take my mind off of— “

“ What's bothering you?”

“ N-nothing.”

“ Tell me what’s wrong I’ll fix it.”

“ Everything is fineeee Roman. I’m okay. My life back in London and on that ship wasn’t pretty. It’s good to have a task to think about during the day. And by the time night time comes you inebriate me so badly I have no time to think about anything”, she joked. He grinned but the smile dropped quickly.

“ You know you can tell me more about yourself…you can talk to me. I’m amazing at keeping secrets.”

“ Oh… you look it ”, she teased.

Romans grinned at her playfulness. He leaned in, grabbing her head and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It stuns her but he does it like he’s done it a million times. There’s a strange intimacy between the two of them despite them only being friends. His undying need to take care of her puzzles her. Why does he feel so responsible for her if he has not claimed her ? He’s shown the effort of the husband yet had only known her for about a month.

Roman straightens his clothes and returns to his standing position. He holds out his hand to her and she takes it. He walks her to the door and they return to the positions they performed in front of the crew. Friendly but cordial…formal. Professional in a way.

She walks back to Caleb flustered.

“ Everything alright ?”

“ Of course. Let’s get the clothes hung up”, she smiles.

Weeks passed and Jane did not heed Roman’s warning. She wasn’t interested in Adhar romantically. Adhar’s flirting was actually just him being nice and light hearted. His goofiness helped with her dark thoughts at times which is why she liked being around him.

Adhar had offered to help her dry off the drinking glasses she’d just washed. The two of them talked about the weather and their plans for the week. It was just meaningless small talk. However, more interactions with the men on the ship bought fearful memories. The ship taking her to Jamestown was hell on earth. She’d barely slept in fear of someone attacking her in the night. The thought sobered her up and a silence fell between the two. Any of them could easily hurt her. Every man on this ship had the power to tear her apart if they wanted to. Adhar included. The thought left a shiver down her spine.

“ You alright ?,” Adhar pressed a hand to her back and she jumped back, bumping against the wooden interior of the ship. His breath hitched in confusion.

“ S-sorry. I’ve always been quick to startle. I wanted to ask you something.”

“ Sure, what is it ?”

“Do you know how to fight?”

“….fight…? I mean when needed. I’ve been told I pack a mean punch in bar fights.”

“ no…I mean. Can you fight with a sword ?”

“ Of course M’lady. Every man on this ship learns how to wield a sword. It’s what’s kept us the second largest vessel on this side of the ocean.”

“ Could you teach me…? I could pay in extra food. I’m in the kitchen at all times. I could make you whatever you like in exchange for your services.”

Adhar looked at her strangely.

“ You… don’t have to pay me in anything Jane ..” he looked at her puzzled.

“ Are you sure ?”

“ Why do you want to fight ? We can protect you. Roman especially. A lady isn’t meant to— “

“ Be honest you— know the city we left behind sees me as no lady. Closer to an animal with manners maybe. Ladies are protected and I was not ”, she snapped bitterly. Adhar's eyes softened at her words and she flinched from her own tone. Guilt washed over her. Adhar was becoming her friend. He didn’t deserve the nastiness she spewed.

“ I’m so—“

“ No….no you’re right. I can only imagine. Europe was never kind to me either. But you’re protected here. I’ve never seen Roman care so deeply about a lady before. He’ll always find a way to ensure you’re victory. Not saying the man isn’t a brute like the lot of us ….but he’s more calculated than he seems. He provides for all of us. You included.”

“ I understand that. I appreciate it but I need to know how to fight. How to defend myself should the worst happen. I can just tell from the look in his eyes he would never put a sword in my hand. He thinks I’m wounded—that I’m not like Alice.”

“ He just cares more.”

“ Then he can tell me that. Please do this for me Adhar.. I don’t want to be helpless if I’m captured again.”

“ Ok. We start next week then. I’ve got cannon cleaning duty and we dock in two days. Then I’m all yours.” he promised.

“ Thankyou Adhar. You don’t know how much this means to me. Thankyou”, she smiled. He smiled back and in that moment she saw glimpses of her distant relatives in his face.

“ You remind me a lot of my cousin's wife Aditi. You have her mannerisms'', his head tilted at her in thought.

“ And you of my second cousin raaj”, she smiled faintly.

Later on after dinner she prepared for another night with Roman. Tonight she wore a dark green dress with a matching emerald necklace. She didn’t do much with her hair, deciding it best to let it flow freely. During one of their docking trips she found a small canister of lip rouge. It was a sheer light red and matched her skin fairly well. She decided to put it on her lips, at the tip of her nose and her nipples to enhance the appearance. This was common for the women in Europe to do which was passed down by the French. She heard her roommate talk about it many times. She didn’t know why she did it. She didn’t plan on anything happening this evening but somewhere far in her mind she acknowledged the idea. Perhaps a rush of desire would rush through them both and she’d decide she had to have him. Perhaps she’d let him see her naked just to see his reaction. Heat swelled in her core, something so foreign and forgotten to her. It had been so long since she enjoyed the thought of another man but then a tug of fear, pain and dread shot through her from distant memories. It was just a silly thought… she knew her limits. Still it was nice to want someone and to be clearly wanted by another. It was a simple pleasure she’d never known before Roman.

She slowly made her way up to the library in an attempt to calm her heart. He was there before her which surprised her and dinner was already served. He stood briefly, pulling her by her hand and guiding her inside. His eyes darken when he gazed upon her neck.

“ You look absolutely stunning”, he’s so close she can feel the heat radiating from his shirt.

“ Well you have good taste. Greens my favorite color how did you know?”, her voice was slightly breathier and silkier than normal. She barely recognized the voice that came out of her mouth. She cautiously took his hand and slid her palm up to his bicep, squeezing it. She inched closer. She wanted him to kiss her but she had no idea on how to initiate. If she stared at him long enough would he just do it ? Everytime he tried she would find some way to avoid it or her nerves would get to her.

“Please do it now…I’m finally ready” she thought to herself.

Romans eyes trailed down to her lips and he slowly closed what was left of the space between them until he was pressed up against her. He bent down by her ear

Asking her once more, “If I kissed you right now would it unravel everything I said on the dock”. He always had creative ways to ask her permission. She adored it.

“ Try it and find out sir ”, she whispered back. Roman eyes darkened as he leaned forward and she closed her eyes in acceptance, awaiting his mouth. Just when she felt the brush of his soft lips a scrambling clatter rocked the library. Jane screamed at the top of her lungs diving for the floor. Roman blanketed her with his body, keeping her pinned to the floor.

“ FUCK!” He roared as another harsh clatter rocked the ship.

Jane was trembling with fear. A moment of silence passed and they both could hear screaming on the ship, men shouting orders to each other followed by loud stomps.

“ Captain!!!”

“where’s the bloody Captain?!”

“Roman?!”

She slowly lifted her head to Roman. Her lip trembled as she held in a cry, “ Are-are we being atta—

“ A large cannon ball shoots through the small reading room just over their heads. Jane’s scream as Roman covers her from the falling debris. The library was obliterated.

“ Up “ Roman hauled her on her feet with a hurried tone. Jane looked around at all the splintered wood, feathers and glass littering the room. Their sanctuary. The place they claimed as their own was gone. The wooden panels of the room barely stood. There was a giant hole in the wall she had previously stood behind. In that hole she could see the ship that had snuck up on them in the dead of night. Somehow undetected. There were men screaming at the pair of them from the ginormous vessel This had to have been one of the largest ship’s she’d ever seen in her life. The only thing that came close were military vessels which she saw around the ports in London.

“ Jane listen to me…”, Roman whispered to her. The cannon was being reloaded. She could hear it click and rattle into place.

“ When I say go… I want you to run as fast as you can and go hide in the bottom deck. Hide in one of the closets and don’t come out until I come to get you. Do you understand?”

Jane was trembling. Her ears were ringing. Something in her told her if he left her sight she’d never see him again. That she’d never know what this could have been. That couldn't happen. She shook her head,“ I don’t want to leave you here.”

“ LISTEN to me Jane. If they board this ship they will come for you. You need to hide. You can’t be near me. They’ll use you as leverage. On my mark you dart downstairs do you hear me”, Roman’s eyes searched hers in desperation.

Jane nodded through tears. In the distance she heard howling and hooting from the enemy vessel.

“ We’re coming to get you pretty!”

“I’d have a fun time with that one.”

“Death to the black jewel !!”

Jane shivered, turning to face him. Her eyes were stained with tears as she clutched his collar for dear life. Roman pressed a kiss to her head looking past her periodically.

“ I’m not going to let them take you away ok?”

“ Okay”, she cried.

“ Go. Go now Jane”, Roman whispered as he watched her sprint from what was left of the room and into the darkness of the lower deck.

“CRACK ON!! Give wide berth!!”

A black flag with a skull and crossed bones waved in the air in the distance as the oppposing vessel readied their cannons.

“Ready the cannons now!!”

Jane pushed past rushing bodies in the dark. She shouted for Caleb but he was nowhere to be found. She continued to claw her way through the dark. Flesh scraped past her own, some muddled with sweat, blood, or water. She cracked onwards, traveling as low as she possibly could. She reached the final level, Artillery. No wonder he told her to go here, if they came storming through they would be met with resistance here.

Men loaded the cannons and sharpened knives. A few others loaded small guns and muskets. Jane rushed looking for somewhere to hide. At the very bottom of the ship there was a storage unit that had to be lifted up and climbed into. This was the pantry for the dried meats and also the icebox. Jane climbed inside and shut the lid, trapping herself in complete pitch black darkness. She could feel water rushing under her feet but the boom of the cannon is what really left her shaken. Each blow of the cannon from the black jewel scrambled her insides leaving her frazzled and disoriented. She tried her best to keep her ears covered but it was no use.

She didn’t know how much time had passed until the fighting seemed to quiet. She could barely hear what was happening four stories up but she assumed they were winning. She hoped they were winning.

Somewhere in all the panic, darkness and fear—her body found rest. Maybe it was from emotional exhaustion. She cried herself to sleep. Perhaps her brain needed a break to make sense of it all.

She was startled awake by the sound of metal opening and hands reaching for her. She stilled for a moment thinking it was Roman but the face revealed to her was that of a stranger. She stifled a scream when a knife was set in place of the finger pressed to his lips threatening her to stay silent. The man reached for her and pulled her up by her arms out of the pantry. She tried crawling away but two other men grabbed her and hauled her up on her feet. She was put into handcuffs.

Two of them were twins, blonde hair, blue eyes, hooked noses and stocky builds. The man in front of her was the Captain. She could tell by his attire. A large feathered hat, coat with pants and boots. He was the most put together with a long brown wiry beard and yellow teeth. He was seemingly bald under his hat and he wore an eye patch. The captain smoked from a pipe and blew it in her face as he assessed her.

“ This must be the black jewel”, the captain grunted. The two men laughed as the captain squeezed Jane’s cheeks together. She snatched her face from his grip and her cuffs were tightened in consequence.

“ Oh she’d be the perfect little pet”, said the taller twin.

“ Exotic for my taste but tempting all the same. You’ll be a nice addition to my ship”, said the rotten mouth Captain.

She sneered kicking her legs out towards his groin but he stepped back in time. She would have spat on him had her mouth not gone dry with fear. The captain stepped forward until they were chest to chest and pulled her hair back with the grip of his fist, exposing her neck to him. His breath smelled like ale and death.

“ Act like an animal… and get treated like an animal missy. I think you’ll find it best not to fight me, it will only make it worse for yourself”, he taunted. Jane would sooner die.

“ Bring her up to the top deck. We’ll see if he has a change of tune then”, The captain begins for the stairs.

Roman

There was a place in Roman’s mind that took over when he fought. He thinks about every problem he's ever had when he fights. The other part of his mind simply takes a seat and enjoys the show. So when he hears a piercing scream coming from his left, it jolts him out of the rhythm of his fight. Jane knelt to the ground, restrained by two of Captain Night’s crew members.

Something visceral jolts out of Roman as he watches Jane thrash against her restraints. Roman had been fighting through bodies for hours now. The deck was covered in blood and body parts—thanks to Rory. The sky seemed to rain blood because his eyes stung the more he fought. Or maybe it was a cut on his forehead. Not to mention he was covered in it. He sheathed his sword out of the torso of two men and stalked towards his rival ready to take aim at his skull.

“ I wouldn’t do that”,Night warned. Jane was tossed on her torso, head pushed into the bloody wet floor deck next to a man who had bled out from a gunshot wound —courtesy of the black jewel. Her head was painfully pulled back to look up at Roman. One of the twins pressed a sharp knife against her throat. Something falters in Roman as he searches his brain for a solution. He was going… to quarter and butcher this man. Roman finds a part of himself to cling to. Not this violent man but something more civilized and calculated. A man more covert.

“ Who exactly do you think she is to me?,” Roman raises a brow and clenches his fists to stop them from trembling in rage.

“ Your prized whore. That’s why you had enough sense to hide her in the bottom of the ship thinking nobody would find her. I saw the two of you in your study having a heart to heart after I blew it to bits. I know a man in love when see it. If you kill anymore of my men. I will make her death slow.”

“ I’ve always been a bit of a romantic even with the whores. Everybody on this ship had a heart to heart with the girl. That’s what she’s paid for.”

“ So if I slit her throat now …”

“ I would go and buy another. I never took you as the type to bother yourself with the likes of ship winches for the sake of getting to me? Jealous?”

“ So why did she cry for you ? And why is she crying for you now ?”Roman looks at Jane. She had been crying but not anymore. Now she just looked angry. It begins pouring rain.

“ I don’t know why women do the things they do and quite frankly I don’t care. Leave this between men. She has no business here”, Roman inched closer and closer to Captain night. Suddenly a howl from one of the twins sparks a distraction. Jane had bit down to the bone on the finger of the man with the knife. He held his severed fingers up to his face and roared in pain. Bone could be seen from feet away. It bought just enough time for Roman’s sword to slash down between the neck and shoulder of Captain night.

“ ADHAR, GET HER!!”, Roman bellowed. He painfully took his eyes off Jane and back to the captain gurgling and holding his neck.

Night's swords slashed towards Roman’s stomach, not making the impact he was hoping for. His stomach was cut but nothing that wouldn’t heal. Roman trucked onward and kicked Night’s knee inward, causing it to hyper extend. Night fell with a screech.

Without hesitation Roman’s swords pierced through the captain's eye in one swift push, the eyeball exploding and squelching around the tip of the metal like berries. He didn’t stop until he felt the crunch of bone. Night laid dead and his crew seemed to bellow in loss. Adhar pulled Jane to his chest and ran her to the infirmary which thankfully was still intact.

Roman finished the job thanks to the gun William tossed to him. He’d done unspeakable things. When he finally came back to himself the aftermath of violence confused him. He never would have thought that this was how his day would end. Mutilated bodies littered the deck. Some men laid skewered on swords and others gasped their last dying breaths.

The ship was beyond repair and they would likely have to take the other boat. With both ships under control they found deserted land to intermission at. The night star was the largest pirate vessel to ever sail the seas. This wasn’t the first time that Captain Night and Captain Roman had dueled. Roman started out on Captain Nights ship as a young man, working as a cabin boy. The work was hard and many times he considered jumping off and making his own way. Through the years they found each other and fought. His men killed Roman’s men. Romans men killed his men. It seemed that Night was on a mission to put Roman “back in his place”,and he stated over a decade ago.

Now the battle had finally come to the end. The rest of the opposing soldiers were picked off. Strangely, Night only had about half of the soldiers that Roman did. Roman’s casualties were around ten. The few remaining soldiers that survived were captured and tied to palm trees.

What could be salvaged from the Black Jewel was placed on the wind deck. The bottom of Roman’s vessel was flooded with water and wouldn’t survive another sail. It gutted him.

The items in the infirmary, his cabin and most of the medical books were salvageable. It didn’t erase the immense guilt he felt over the entire situation. Jane’s personal items were gone. Many of the crew's belongings were drenched. Just a few weeks ago he swore to protect her. Sure he’d won, but Night’s sailors shouldn’t have gotten near her. He’d lost a few men from the cannon as well. While winning the bigger ship was an upgrade, the loss of life was never worth it.

Jane

The side of her face was bruised from being pushed into the wooden floor. Her wrists burned from the cuffs and there was a persistent throbbing at the base of her skull. The Night star was decadent in every sense of the world. She suspected that it used to be some sort of royal vessel or perhaps a former military ship because it had so many enmities —even compared to the Black Jewel. Thankfully whatever the Black Jewel lost, they had regained times 10. The outside of the ship was practically cannon resistant due to thick wooden panels. What split the jewel in half, only slightly cracked the side of the new ship. They would likely dock for repairs soon and repurchased whatever was lost

It reminded her of a wealthy townhouse in a strange way. Yet here she was festering in the singe of guilt burning through her gut. Being captured by two men and roughed up wasn’t the worst of what she’d gone through. It was Roman’s words that hurt her. She knew they weren’t true and it was nonsensical to revisit their meaningless nature. Still, a small part of her brain couldn’t help but to investigate if it was true. It was such a stark difference from the man she knew. Cold, angry, uncaring, apathetic. The way his lips formed around wench. It gutted her.

Adhar pressed a rag filled with ice against her cheek. She kept the ice there for awhile. She found some astringent to rinse her mouth and a rag to clean the blood off her hands. He moved on to assist the other crew mates. Jane walked to the highest point of the ship, watching as Roman stabbed a knife through the last two surviving members of the original crew. She supposed he decided against allowing them a slow death. Jane didn’t flinch from the murder that took place in front of her. She was numbed out by the violence. Roman meticulously cleaned the end of his knife on the side of his pants and sheathed it back into his pocket. When he turned to her, her gaze averted to the distant trees.

Later in the night the ship set sail for the next port with supplies. Jane stayed on the wind deck watching the water fly underneath her. Only a few crew members walked around tidying up loose ends. She was lost in thought. The brush of their lips, the cannon, running, hiding, hard calloused hands grabbing her, the taste of another’s blood in her mouth. How she wished she could somehow restart the day and make things different.

She turned around to see Roman standing in the doorway of the Captain Quarters holding a lantern. She could see him mustering up the courage to say something to her. She surprised even herself when she slowly walked over to face him.

Roman clears his throat, “ Can we speak privately ?”

She answers with a single tired nod as he steps aside to let her into the cabin. He closed the door behind them and pushed down the curtains hanging in front of the windows.

The room was opulent. Large Bed, dining table, counter space, a bathroom with a tub. All the appliances went to a shoot that emptied itself into the water. The bedroom rug was soft and large. Some of Roman’s things were stacked on the counters yet to be sorted and organized.

Then Jane’s face turned to his solemn one. She searched his eyes before diverting them back to the floor.

“ Did they hurt you?”

“ Not in any way I haven’t been before.”

Romans eyes crinkled in worry. “ Jane…”

“ What”, she bit. He tensed.

“ I’m sorry…”

“ You’ve always been romantic with the whores ?”, She spat. Her eyes rimmed with tears.

Romans eyes widened in fear as he watched them spill over onto her cheeks. He stepped forward and she stepped back.

“ Jane…you must know that it was an act. Hasn’t it been obvious that I'm mad for you?”

“ It was so natural. Your eyes became distant in a way that I’ve never seen. You truly are a good Roman actor. You’ve nearly convinced me,” she whispered with a watery unstable voice.

Roman reached for her cheek to wipe her face. She was shaking and it shamed her to feel so deeply already for this man. But when those words slipped past his lips she realized she cared more for him than she had for any man in her life. It’s why it cut her so deeply.

“ Believe me… it came as a shock to me too..how much it hurt. What scares me even more is how easily you could destroy me if you wanted to. Not just physically no….today proved that,” she chuckled bitterly.

“ I will play whatever man I need to play in order to protect you. I do not believe you to be a whore or anything of the sort. But if it comes down between life and death I will always choose you Jane” he took a step closer. She was too weakened to step away now.

Another step and they were nearly chest to chest. Jane was too weak with emotion to leave his side. His arms wrapped around her waist and he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. He wiped more tears, shushing her quietly.

Then ever so slowly, Roman inched his face closer and closer to hers until his lips slotted gently over her own. Jane gasped against the impact, pushing into the softness of his lips. It stunned her. She knew that this kiss would happen eventually but not while she was so…vulnerable. He ate her cries and turned them into wine along her tongue. Or maybe that’s always what he tasted like. It sated her.

His tongue gently licked into her mouth asking to go deeper. She grants it to him. He’s bitter but slightly sweet with a smoky after taste from his pipe . Jane raises her hand and sinks her fingers into the base of his skull slightly pulling his hair. A wounded noise seeps from his throat nudging him closer to her body which inevitably forces her into a corner of the room.

The kiss becomes more frantic and desperate, lips pulling, teeth grazing, breaths panting. She squeezes his arms and shoulders, grazing the rock hard abs she felt for the first time. He keeps his hands above her waist, pressing into her sides and ribs with a gentle firmness that drives her mad.

It takes awhile before either one of them is ready to pull away. Everytime they stopped someone would go back for more. Finally after what felt like forever, she had to catch her breath. She pulled away and gently rubbed her lips. He’d kissed them swollen. She can see her slight tinge of rouge on his mouth.

“ Well…. It’s best I get you to bed. You need rest you’ve had a long day”, said Roman.

“ You need rest too. I’m sorry about your ship.”

“ We gained something better. We no longer have to worry about any other pirates sneak attacking us. We’re the big fish now.”, Roman sighed.

“ But I know you loved the Black Jewel.”

“ I love the boat that will keep you safest.”

“ I guess with time everyone will add their flair to this place….”, she murmured. He closed the space between them again, pulling her torso to him.

“ Am I forgiven…?”, he raised a brow at her pecking her lips softly again. Jane sighs resting her forehead against his shoulder.

“ I need time….”

She could see Roman’s face flood with disappoint but he didn’t let her waist go. “Okay”, he says. His tone was flat but his eyes filled with worry.

“ Just a little while. Your reaction caught me off guard is all…and it brought me back to a bad place. Sometimes things happen and it’s takes me a little bit to feel…normal again. I don’t know why. But if I’m…distant then you know the reason. I just need to resettle after today. Will you hold it against me?”, she frowned at him. His grip on her waist tightened.

“The only thing I’ll ever hold against you are my lips if you’ll have me. Speaking of…may I have one more kiss before my inevitable punishment? ”, he smirked.

That earned a small tug on her lips. She obliged. This one was more scandalous than the first. He’d purposely dragged it out making her feel every bit of the butterflies in her stomach. And more..

“ Goodnight Captain”, she pulled away slowly sliding her hand from his own as she walked away.

[dame-zoom-a-lot]

Banner art by the fantastic @runraerun

This is multi-fandom side blog. I write, draw, and code (like this Ao3 text snippet generator)

Here's my Ao3.

My writing tag is Zooms Writes

My art tag is Zooms Draws

I write: Steddie, Harringrove, and Metalsandwich (for now). A lot of it is explicit. Minors DNI please

I'm happy to help brainstorm or beta :)

Anyway, the good part, here are the authors that have me in a chokehold (as of Dec 17, 2024) in no particular order. Links are to their Ao3 works pages (always check your links before you click and yadayada)

runraerun (for a good Eddie ramble and some top-tier Billy gruffness to sandwich the angst)

Stervrucht (incredible prose, such dreamy poetry vibes, and she does art!)

Thei (stellar metalsandwich. Every three-way conversations are gold)

Pinkiequinn (so many fun twists on the Steddie dynamic)

Oralmystery (the best crack fics I've ever read, and the visuals, every paragraph is a painting)

AidaRonan (monsterfucking with all the feels and all the creative designs)

alwaysurvalentine (so much cozy fluff <3)

talanashta (if you want to read some intense platonic friendships on top of a good romance)

FkinKindaGauche (if you want some weird, detailed biology to go with your smut, and trust me, you do)

I love doing WIP games and tag games in general. I'll pull tags from this list

[miraculous-icons]

hello! can i get a dni banner set with gruff from tinkerbell neverbeast movie with a green color

omg I'm so sorry I didn't see this until now! Tumblr hates giving me notifications I swearrr

anywhooo,, here you go! link :3