#handmade paper carry bag

[marscardigan]

what is this feeling?

roomate!ellie x fem!reader

main masterlist

summary: college au. you and ellie disliked each other since the beginning. the director has to do something about it when your mutual hatred goes too far.

word count: 5k

cw: based off of the song what is this feeling? from the musical wicked. no use of y/n. reader is kind of a bitch.

The semester was almost over when Ellie arrived at Jackson University. She stood at the doorway of her new dorm room, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder, eyes wide as she took in the scene before her. It looked like a tornado had hit—if tornados were made of textbooks, potted plants, and tons of clothes. Every available surface was covered in something, from open notebooks stacked on the desk to an overflowing laundry basket by the bed.

Correction: by her bed.

Posters of pop stars she’d never heard of were plastered on the walls. A lumpy quilt, clearly handmade, was tangled on the left mattress. The right side was a mountain of stuff: books, hats, and bags.

"Uh, hello?" she called out, knocking on the open door frame.

From behind the closet door, a voice called her out, "Just a sec!"

Ellie waited, impatient. She already didn’t want to be here—new school, new roommate, new everything. And now this.

The closet door swung open, and you stepped out, flicking your hair over your shoulder. Your eyes scanned Ellie from head to toe, lingering on her wrinkled flannel and scuffed pair of Converse. One perfectly shaped eyebrow arched. "You���re the new roommate?"

Ellie crossed her arms. "Yeah. Ellie."

You turned on your heel, stepping over a pile of textbooks as you moved toward your bed—Ellie’s bed, technically. You looked over your shoulder, eyes gleaming. "I would’ve made room for you, but they told me you weren’t coming until next semester."

Ellie glanced around at the chaos. "Looks like you decided to spread out anyway."

You shrugged, not a hint of apology in your tone. "Well, I had the place to myself. Can you blame me?" You waved a manicured hand at the pile of clothes on her mattress. "I suppose I could clear some of that. Eventually."

Ellie’s jaw clenched. "Or, you could do it now."

You blinked, clearly not used to being spoken to like that. But then your smile widened, dazzling and sharp. "Wow. Someone’s feisty." You leaned against the shared desk, eyes never leaving Ellie’s. "Tell you what—since you’re here early and all, why don’t you help me? After all, it’s your stuff in the way."

Ellie’s eyes darkened. "My stuff?"

"It’s your bed, isn’t it?"

Ellie opened her mouth to retort, but you were already moving, "There. Now you’ve got space."

This was going to be a long semester.

Ellie quickly learned that living with you was like being in the middle of a hurricane—one with nice hair and a perfectly sharp tongue.

It started with the little things. Like the way you always seemed to be on the phone, laughing with friends Ellie hadn’t met and probably wouldn’t like.

But then it got personal.

"Are you sure you’re a sophomore?" you asked one morning, leaning against the closet door as she tied her converse. "Because I could’ve sworn they stopped letting high schoolers in here."

Ellie didn’t look up, "Funny. I was just wondering if you were majoring in Fashion Police."

You tilted your head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Nope. But if I were, you’d be failing." You gave her a once-over, taking in the faded band tee and worn jeans. "Like, spectacularly."

Ellie’s jaw tightened, but she kept her tone flat. "Yeah, well, not all of us have trust funds to blow on overpriced rags."

Your smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something in your eyes. Annoyance, maybe. Ellie counted that as a win.

At lunch the next week, Ellie trudged into the cafeteria, exhausted after her back-to-back lectures. She grabbed a tray, mind already on the paper she needed to finish, when she heard a voice carry across the room.

"I really don't know how you do it, like, genuinely. How do you stand her? I don't think I could."

That was another thing. You had everyone wrapped around your finger. Everywhere you went, you were surrounded by people—laughing, smiling, clinging to your every word. It didn’t matter that you were the most infuriating person Ellie had ever met. You were popular. And you were aware of it.

"Well, at least she doesn’t occupy much storage in the closet," you replied, your voice light and casual, but loud enough for Ellie to hear. "It’s an advantage of having only two jeans and three shirts, right?"

Your friends laughed, their voices echoing off the cafeteria walls. Another girl added, "Well, we are on your side!"

Ellie’s grip tightened on her tray. Two could play at this game.

She crossed the room without hesitation, sliding into the seat across from you. Your eyes widened in surprise, just for a second, before you composed yourself, flashing that perfect smile of yours.

"Aw, don’t stop on my account," Ellie said, setting her tray down with a thud. "I was just wondering how you manage to talk so much without actually saying anything."

Your smile didn’t falter, but your eyes sharpened. "Just making conversation. Sorry if that’s new for you."

"Right. Must be exhausting, carrying that much air in your head all day."

You blinked, clearly not expecting her to bite back that hard. But you recovered quickly, tilting your head. "Oh, that’s cute. I didn’t know sarcasm was a personality trait now."

Ellie’s smirk widened. "I didn’t know lip gloss was either, but here we are."

Your jaw tightened, but your voice remained sugar-sweet. "Wow, it must be nice to not care about how you look. I mean, it really shows."

Ellie shrugged. "At least when people look at me, they don’t get blinded by glitter."

You huffed, tossing your hair over your shoulder. "It’s called style. You should try it sometime."

Ellie leaned in, her eyes locked on yours. "Thanks, but I don’t need to dress like a Barbie to have people listen to me."

Your cheeks flushed, and for a moment, Ellie saw the crack in your perfect facade. But then you plastered on that brilliant smile, leaning forward as well with an infuriatingly calm expression. "You know, it’s really brave of you to act this tough when everyone knows you’re just some charity case they let in out of pity."

Time froze. Ellie’s face went blank, her hands tightening around her fork.

You tilted your head, voice dripping with faux sweetness. "Oh, did I strike a nerve? Sorry, I just assumed you knew. You do stick out like a sore thumb."

Ellie didn’t think. She didn’t hesitate. She picked up her tray, mashed potatoes and all, and flung it at you.

Your gasp was drowned out by the collective 'Oh!' from your friends. Mashed potatoes splattered across your top, dripping down your perfectly styled hair.

For a moment, you sat there, frozen, eyes wide with shock. But then fury flashed across your face, and you grabbed your own tray. Without a word, you hurled it at Ellie.

She barely dodged as spaghetti sauce splattered across her shirt, a noodle dangling from her hair. Her eyes widened before narrowing dangerously. "Oh, it’s so on."

The cafeteria erupted into chaos as food started flying. You launched a cup of pudding, and Ellie retaliated with a handful of peas. Someone screamed as a slice of pizza soared through the air, narrowly missing them. Laughter and shouts echoed off the walls as tables were overturned, students ducking for cover.

You lunged for a bowl of salad, but Ellie was faster, smearing dressing down your arm. "You’re gonna pay for that!" you shouted, grabbing a carton of milk and pouring it over her head.

Ellie sputtered, wiping it from her eyes. "You’re dead." She grabbed a roll and chucked it at you, hitting you square in the forehead.

Before either of you could escalate further, a voice boomed through the cafeteria. "ENOUGH!"

The room fell silent, heads whipping around to see Director Miller standing at the entrance, arms crossed, jaw clenched. His eyes were blazing as he took in the scene—the overturned tables, food-splattered walls, and you and Ellie, standing in the middle of the carnage, covered head to toe in cafeteria slop.

His gaze locked on you, then shifted to Ellie. "My office. Now."

Ellie swallowed, her anger giving way to a sinking feeling in her stomach. You looked just as stunned, mouth slightly open as you tried to brush mashed potatoes off your jeans.

"Move it," Director Miller barked, turning on his heel and marching out of the cafeteria.

Ellie shot you a glare. "This is your fault."

You scowled back, cheeks flushed. "Excuse me? You started it!"

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Yeah? Well, I’m gonna finish it."

You opened your mouth to retort, but Director Miller’s voice echoed from the hallway. "Now!"

With one last death glare, you turned on your heel, marching out of the cafeteria with your head held high, even with spaghetti sauce dripping down your back.

Ellie followed, grumbling under her breath as she flicked a noodle off her sleeve. This was not how she’d planned on spending her afternoon.

But as she watched you try to wipe pudding off your designer handbag, she couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. Maybe this wasn’t that bad after all.

Director Miller’s office was colder than Ellie expected. The walls were bare except for a single clock ticking ominously above his desk, and a picture of him and her daughter. It felt like a judge’s chamber—appropriate, considering the scowl on his face as he stood behind his chair, arms crossed.

You sat rigidly in the chair beside Ellie, arms crossed so tightly over your chest that mashed potatoes were flaking off your sleeve. Your hair was a tangled, sticky mess, strands stiff with gravy and milk. Ellie didn’t look much better, her shirt stained with spaghetti sauce, some noodles still clinging to her shoulder.

Director Miller let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. "You two care to explain why my cafeteria looks like a war zone?"

Neither of you spoke. Ellie’s jaw was clenched so tightly her teeth ached. She wasn’t about to give you the satisfaction of seeing her squirm.

When neither of you answered, he shook his head. "Unbelievable. You’re supposed to be adults. College students. Yet you acted like a couple of toddlers throwing a tantrum." His eyes flicked between you two, the intensity of his glare enough to make you look down.

"I don’t care who started it," he continued, his voice dangerously calm. "What I care about is the fact that half the student body had to duck for cover because you two decided to turn lunch into a food fight."

Ellie’s fingers dug into the armrest, her eyes fixed on the floor. She could feel your presence beside her, a tense ball of anger and humiliation. She refused to look at you. Not after what you said.

Director Miller’s eyes narrowed. "Clearly, you two have issues to work out. And since you obviously can’t do that like adults, we’re going to try something else."

You finally looked up, eyes widening in suspicion. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Director Miller started, leaning on his desk, "you’re going to sit here and say three nice things about each other."

Ellie’s head snapped up. "You can’t be serious."

Your mouth fell open, eyes flashing with indignation. "That’s… that’s ridiculous!"

Director Miller’s lips twitched, but he kept his composure. "Oh, I’m dead serious. You’re not leaving this office until I hear three sincere compliments from each of you." He straightened, brushing off his jacket. "I’ll give you ten minutes to figure it out."

You sat up straighter, eyes narrowing. "And if we don’t?"

Director Miller’s gaze was steely. "Then you’ll spend the rest of the day cleaning every inch of that cafeteria. Floors, tables, walls—every last drop of food you threw."

Ellie felt her stomach drop. She remembered the chaos, the mess splattered across every surface. It would take hours to clean up.

Director Miller looked at his watch. "I’ll be back in ten minutes. If I don’t hear six sincere compliments, you better be ready to scrub."

He turned on his heel, leaving the office without another word. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving you and Ellie in heavy, awkward silence.

Ellie’s fists tightened, her eyes fixed on the clock. Ten minutes. Ten minutes to find something—anything—nice to say about you. Her mouth twisted in distaste. She’d rather swallow glass.

You sighed loudly, leaning back in your chair with a dramatic huff. "This is so stupid."

Ellie shot you a glare. "Yeah? Well, it’s your fault we’re here in the first place."

Your head whipped around, eyes blazing. "My fault? You threw food first!"

"You insulted me first!" Ellie snapped, turning to fully face you for the first time. "You think I didn’t hear what you said? Calling me a charity case? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Your face fell for a fraction of a second before you recovered, scoffing. "Oh, get over it. I was just stating facts."

Ellie’s eyes narrowed. "You don’t know anything about me."

"I know you’re infuriating," you shot back, "you act like you’re better than everyone just because you don’t care about fitting in."

Ellie let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, because fitting in with you and your pack of clones sounds like so much fun."

You bristled, your eyes flashing. "You’re impossible. No wonder you don’t have any friends."

Ellie’s chest tightened, the words hitting harder than she wanted to admit. But she kept her face neutral, her voice cold. "I’d rather have no friends than fake ones, honestly."

Your mouth opened, then snapped shut, eyes dropping to your lap. For a moment, neither of you said anything. The clock ticked loudly above, each second a heavy reminder of your shrinking time limit.

Ellie let out a slow breath, running a hand through her hair—then grimacing as her fingers got stuck in the sticky mess. "Okay," she muttered. "Three nice things. Let’s just get this over with."

She glanced at the clock again, heart sinking. Eight minutes left.

Before she could speak, you let out a dramatic sigh, slumping back in your chair. "Alright, I’ll go first. I don’t want to be here all day."

Ellie looked at you, "Fine. Let’s hear it, then."

You opened your mouth, then closed it, eyes narrowing. It was clear you were struggling. Ellie almost smirked. Good. At least she wasn’t the only one who found this torture.

Finally, you looked away, your voice lower than usual. "I… I think you’re really good at drawing."

Ellie’s eyes widened. "What?"

You rolled your eyes. "You heard me. You’re… great, okay? I saw your sketchbook the other day." You shifted in your seat, clearly uncomfortable. "The way you draw people is… impressive."

Ellie stared at you, suspicion flaring in her chest. "Are you being serious right now?"

Your head snapped toward her, eyes blazing. "Yes, I’m serious! God, this is exactly why I didn’t want to go first. You can’t even take a compliment without making it weird."

Ellie’s mouth opened, then shut. She blinked at you, still processing the fact that you—you, of all people—had just complimented her art. Her sketchbook was one of the few things she actually cared about, something she kept private, hidden from judgmental eyes. The fact that you saw it, and didn’t make fun of it… It threw her off balance.

Her fingers drummed on the armrest, nerves prickling under her skin. "I didn’t know you… noticed."

You shrugged, suddenly fascinated with a stain on your jeans. "Well, I did. You’re talented. It’s annoying."

Ellie let out a short laugh. "Right. Sorry for being good at something."

You huffed, but there was no real anger behind it. "Yeah, well… don’t let it get to your head."

A small smile tugged at Ellie’s lips, and for a moment, the tension between you seemed to ease. She shifted in her chair, her heart beating just a little faster. This was weird. But… not terrible.

She took a breath, forcing herself to speak before she could chicken out. "You’re… actually pretty smart."

Your head whipped around, eyes wide. "Huh?"

Ellie looked away, her cheeks warming. "I mean, you act all superficial and, like, too cool to care. But I’ve seen you in class. You’re always taking notes, and you actually get the material. Like, that essay you wrote for English? It was… good." She cleared her throat, refusing to meet your eyes. "I mean, for someone who spends so much time gossiping, you actually have a brain. Who knew?"

You gaped at her, clearly taken off guard. "You… read my essay?"

Ellie shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "Yeah. The professor used it as an example, remember? I figured it’d be stupid, but it wasn’t."

Your cheeks flushed, and for a moment, you looked… shy. "Oh. I didn’t think you paid attention."

Ellie rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, well… I did."

Silence settled again, but this time, it felt different. Lighter. Like the air wasn’t as thick with resentment.

You cleared your throat, fidgeting with your hair. "I, um… I saw you playing guitar the other day. Outside the dorm."

Ellie’s eyebrows shot up. "You were spying on me?"

Your eyes narrowed. "No! No, I was just… passing by. You weren’t exactly being quiet." You hesitated, voice softening. "You’re good at that too. I didn’t know you could sing."

Ellie’s face warmed. "Oh. Uh… thanks." She shifted in her chair. "I’ve been playing since I was a kid."

You nodded, your gaze dropping to your lap. "I always wanted to learn. I-uh… my ex was supposed to teach me, but it never happened."

Ellie’s chest tightened. "Your… ex?"

You nodded, your voice oddly quiet. "Yeah. She had a guitar, but she never got around to showing me how to play."

Ellie’s mouth went dry. She opened her mouth, then closed it, her cheeks heating up. She. You dated girls. You had an ex-girlfriend.

She was suddenly aware of how fast her heart was beating, her mind racing with a million questions she couldn’t ask. Her gaze flicked to you, noticing how your shoulders were slightly hunched, your fingers nervously twisting in your lap.

You looked… vulnerable. Sad, even. It was weird, seeing you like this—seeing you as a person, not just the stuck-up princess who made her life hell.

Ellie swallowed, her voice coming out softer than she intended. "I… I could teach you. If you want."

Your head snapped up, eyes wide. "What?"

Ellie looked away, scratching the back of her neck. "I mean, I’m not, like, a pro or anything. But I could show you the basics. If… you’re serious about learning."

You stared at her, mouth slightly open. "You… you’d do that?"

Ellie shrugged, fighting to keep her voice casual. "Yeah. I mean, it’s not a big deal. Better than you bugging me about my closet space all the time."

Your lips twitched, a small smile breaking through. "I don’t bug you about your closet space that much."

Ellie snorted. "Yeah, right.”"She risked a glance at you, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the genuine smile on your face. "So… is that compliment number two?"

You rolled your eyes, but there was no malice in it. "Fine. I like that you can play guitar. And… that you offered to teach me." You hesitated, voice softening. "That was… nice of you."

She looked down, trying to hide her smile. "Yeah, well… don’t get used to it."

You laughed—a real laugh. It was the first time Ellie had heard it, and it did something weird to her stomach.

She looked at the clock, realizing only three minutes had passed. But for the first time since she’d met you, she didn’t mind the thought of being stuck here a little longer.

Before you two knew it, you were back at the hall. Your friends were lounging in the common area, laughing loudly. You looked at them, your expression faltering for just a second before you turned to Ellie. "I… guess I’ll see you around?"

Ellie’s stomach did a weird flip, and she nodded. "Yeah. Sure." She hesitated, then added, "You know… if you still want to learn guitar, I… I meant what I said, too. I could show you sometime."

Your eyes widened, a flash of surprise crossing your face. "Oh. Um… yeah. I’d like that." You gave her another small smile, then turned, heading toward your friends. But you didn’t go to them right away. You hesitated, glancing back at Ellie before finally joining them, your posture just a little stiffer than usual.

Ellie watched you go, her heart doing that stupid flip again. She shook her head, heading up the stairs to your room. Her room. Your shared room.

She was halfway up the stairs when she heard your friends’ voices.

"Oh my God, did you seriously got detention for fighting with her?"

"What were you thinking? She’s such a loser."

Ellie’s fists clenched, her shoulders tensing. But before she could storm back down, she heard your voice—quiet, but firm. "Yeah, well… maybe she’s not as bad as you think."

A stunned silence followed, then one of your friends scoffed. "Ugh, you’re joking, right?" You didn’t answer.

Ellie felt her chest tighten, her grip on the railing loosening. She turned, heading up the stairs, her mind spinning.

Maybe… maybe you weren’t as bad as she thought either.

Days passed, and the tension in the dorm room slowly began to fade. It wasn’t like you and Ellie were suddenly best friends or anything, but the insults were less sharp, the glares less frequent. Sometimes, you even managed to have a conversation without throwing a shoe to her direction.

It started small. Polite nods when you crossed paths in the hallway. A quiet 'bless you' when Ellie sneezed. A muttered 'thanks' when she held the door open for you. Little things that weren’t a big deal on their own, but together, they started to chip away at the wall between you.

And then, there was the guitar.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and the sun was spilling through the dorm window, casting lazy patterns on the floor. Ellie was sprawled on her bed, strumming absentmindedly, lost in the music. You were at your desk, pretending to study, but your eyes kept flicking to her, watching her fingers dance over the strings.

You chewed your lip, debating with yourself before finally blurting out, "Can you show me?"

Ellie looked up, blinking. "Huh?"

You nodded toward the guitar. "You… you said you’d teach me. If you’re not too busy."

Ellie’s eyebrows shot up. "Oh. Uh… yeah, sure." She sat up, scooting over to make room on the bed. "C’mere."

You hesitated, glancing at her bed like it was dangerous territory. Then you shook off the nerves and sat down, careful to leave a few inches of space between you.

Ellie handed you the guitar, her fingers brushing yours for half a second. You both froze, the air suddenly feeling warmer. Then she cleared her throat, leaning back. "Okay, so… this is a G chord. You put your fingers here… and here…"

You tried to mimic her, your fingers fumbling on the strings. It was awkward, and the sound that came out was more of a croak than a chord. You winced. "Wow. I’m terrible at this."

Ellie laughed, and that itself made something flutter in your chest. "Nah, that’s normal. It’s weird at first." She reached over, her fingers adjusting yours on the frets. "Here, like this."

Her hand was warm, her touch gentle. You swallowed, trying to ignore how close she was. "Oh. That’s… better."

Ellie’s voice was softer now. "Yeah. Try strumming it again."

You did, and this time, the sound was smoother, less jarring. A real chord. You looked up, grinning. "I did it!"

Ellie’s eyes sparkled, a smile breaking across her face. "Yeah, you sure did." She looked proud, and you felt a warm glow in your chest.

After that, the lessons became more frequent. Sometimes in the afternoon, when your friends were busy gossiping without you. Sometimes late at night, when the campus was quiet, and the only sound was Ellie’s guitar and your whispered laughter.

You started spending less time in the cafeteria, less time listening to your friends’ endless chatter about the latest parties and shallow drama. You still dressed the same—perfectly styled hair, cute skirts, flawless makeup—but now, it felt more like a choice and less like a costume. You wore what you wanted, not what your friends expected.

And somehow, even though you were seeing your so-called friends less and less, you didn’t feel lonely. Not when you had Ellie strumming her guitar beside you, laughing at your jokes, teasing you when your fingers fumbled.

One afternoon, as you were practicing chords, Ellie looked at you, her gaze lingering. "You’re getting better, you know."

You smiled, glancing down at your fingers. "You think so?"

Ellie’s voice was soft. "Yeah. I do."

Your heart did that stupid fluttering thing, and you looked away, pretending to adjust the guitar strap. "Well, I’ve got a good teacher."

Ellie’s cheeks tinged pink, and she looked down, a smile playing at her lips. "Yeah, well… don’t get used to the compliments."

You laughed, your shoulder brushing hers. You didn’t pull away. She didn't, either.

It happened slowly at first. Missed texts, unanswered calls. You would walk up to your usual table in the cafeteria, only to find your friends turning away, their laughter falling silent. It was subtle, but it was there—a cold shoulder, a whisper behind your back.

At first, you tried to brush it off. Maybe they were just busy. Maybe you were imagining it. But then the rumors started.

"She’s changed. Thinks she’s too good for us now."

"Have you seen her with that new girl? What’s her name? Ella? Freaks, both of them."

"Ugh, she’s so desperate. No wonder she hangs out with her."

You tried to ignore it, to pretend it didn’t bother you. But it did. It hurt. Especially because it was coming from people who were supposed to be your friends.

One afternoon, you walked into the cafeteria, tray in hand, heading to your usual spot. But when you got there, the table was full—every seat taken. You stood there, feeling exposed, your face heating up as they all looked at you with blank, uninterested stares.

"Oh," you said, forcing a smile. "I… didn’t realize the table was full."

One of the girls looked you up and down, her nose wrinkling. "Yeah, funny how that happens. Maybe there’s a seat somewhere else?"

Your heart sank, but you kept the fake smile plastered on your face. "Right. Of course. I’ll… see you later." You turned, your vision blurring. You could feel their eyes on you, hear the giggles as you walked away.

You didn’t know where else to go, so you went back to the dorm, your footsteps echoing down the empty hallway. You unlocked the door, shoulders slumping as you stepped inside.

Ellie was there, sitting cross-legged on her bed, a book resting on her knees. She looked up, surprised. "Hey. You’re back early."

You froze, your hand still on the doorknob. For a moment, you wanted to turn around and leave, to go anywhere else. But then Ellie’s expression softened, concern flickering in her eyes. "You okay?"

You swallowed, "Yeah. I just… wasn’t hungry."

Ellie frowned, closing her book and setting it aside. "You sure?" Her voice was gentle. "Because… you look like you’re about to cry."

"I’m fine." But your voice wavered, and you looked away, fighting to keep the tears at bay.

Ellie stood up, crossing the room to stand in front of you. "No you're not," she said softly. "what happened?"

You shook your head. "They… they laughed at me. My friends. Or-uh… I guess they’re not my friends anymore." Your voice cracked, and a tear slipped down your cheek before you could stop it.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I… I know it’s because of me. They don’t like me, and now they’re taking it out on you. I didn’t want that to happen."

Your vision was blurry with tears. "It’s not your fault. They were never real friends. They only liked me when I was pretending to be someone I’'m not." You took a shaky breath, your hands trembling. "I just… I didn’t think it would hurt this much."

Ellie’s jaw clenched, "They’re idiots. They don’t know you. Not the real you."

Your heart skipped, and you looked at her, vulnerable and raw. "Who does, huh?"

Ellie’s voice dropped to a whisper. "I do."

She hesitated, her eyes searching yours. "I… I see you. The real you. And… I like who you are. Even when you’re bossy and mean." She cracked a small smile. "Maybe especially then."

You let out a shaky laugh, wiping at your tears. "You’re an idiot, you know that?"

"Yeah. I’ve been told." Her voice turned serious. "I’m… glad I met you. Even if we wanted to kill each other at first."

Your pulse was racing. "Yeah. Me too." You took a shaky breath, your eyes dropping to her lips before flicking back up to her eyes. "Ellie…"

She went still, her eyes widening as she realized how close you were standing. "Yeah?"

You took a step closer, your breath catching as your faces were just inches apart. "Can I…?"

Ellie’s eyes were wide, her lips parted. "Yeah," she breathed. "please."

You didn’t need any more encouragement. You leaned in, your eyes fluttering shut as your lips met hers.

It was soft, tentative, your heart racing as you kissed her. Her lips were warm, her hand coming up to cup your cheek, her fingers gentle against your skin. You let out a shaky breath, melting into her, your hands gripping her grey hoodie as you pulled her closer.

Ellie made a small noise of surprise, then she was kissing you back, her lips moving against yours, soft and sweet and perfect. Your heart was soaring, your chest tight with emotion. You had never felt like this before—so vulnerable and exposed, but also safe and alive.

When you finally pulled back, you were both breathless, your foreheads touching, your eyes still closed. Ellie let out a soft laugh, her breath warm against your lips. "Wow."

You laughed, "Yeah. Wow." You opened your eyes, looking at her. "Ellie… I…"

Ellie smiled, "I know. Me too."

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding, "So… what now?"

Ellie grinned, her fingers still brushing your cheek. "Well… You haven’t eaten, right? Want to get takeout and… I don’t know… hang out?"

Your chest fluttered, "Yeah. I’d love that."

Ellie’s smile widened, her eyes softening. "Good. Because… I’m not done getting to know the real you."

You leaned in, pressing another kiss to her lips. "I’m not done getting to know you, either."

This was just the beginning. And for the first time in a long time, you were excited to see where it would go.

[the-californicationist]

Happy Holidays Cali, hope the holidays are treating you well.

I'm curious though, how do you think the 141 would treat you for the holidays? :)

Four Calling Birds

Gaz would be the classic Christmas romantic. The house has lights, the hedge has lights, the bins have lights. There’s a big Santa in the garden, and you’ve got three trees - all real and hand cut. The whole house smells like oranges and clove and balsam and cinnamon. You come home one evening, exhausted from work, and there he is, standing in your way, pointing straight up at the mistletoe, smiling like a fiend.

“Is that real?” You ask, reaching up to the hanging leaves in wonder, your fingers coming back coated in glitter.

“Yep,” he said smugly, wrapping you up in his arms, “Cut it myself.”

“Kyle,” you tried to protest, eager to set your bag down and get out of your clothes.

But, he took your head in his hands, lifting your mouth to kiss him, letting his full, soft lips take your breath away. Then, you felt your bag fall off of your shoulder, and you were dragged into the hallway, stumbling but weightless, lifted and carried in his huge arms. You were dizzy from his kisses, drunk on him, weak from the weight of the day. You opened your eyes and watched him shove his way into the bedroom, and you pulled your mouth away from his to gasp.

“Kyle!”

“What?” He stared down at you, playing innocent with his sweet smile.

“The ceiling! Have you lost your mind?”

All over the ceiling of your bedroom, boughs and boughs of mistletoe hung glittering from a series of carefully strung lattice, covering the whole room in its emerald green canopy.

“Mmm,” he sighed, dragging his hot mouth down your neck, “Looks like you owe me a few more kisses, babes. Some here,” he kissed your cheek, “Some here,” he kissed your mouth, “Some here,” he tugged down the neck of your top, suckling on an exposed nipple, “…and definitely some here.” His free hand writhed its way into your trousers and cupped the warm flesh of your crotch, that naughty mouth grinning as you sighed into him.

It took six months to get the glitter out of the rug.

🎄🩷🎄🩷🎄

Johnny wasn’t much of a decorator, but the tree you did have was full of handmade ornaments from all of his many nieces and nephews. For him, it was all about spending time with family.

Christmas was the only reason you had bought this farmhouse out in the middle of nowhere. Six bedrooms lay empty for 358 days out of the year, but when the week of Christmas came around, you had MacTavishes up to your eyeballs. His oldest sister, her husband, her three kids, and their ancient sheltie all piled into your home in a laughing, screaming, tumbling bunch. His second sister, her wife, their two sets of twins, and their entire collection of foster children, a growing lot each year, all spilled in after them, well-mannered and armed with gifts and toys galore. His ma and da, each with their own fat corgi and hunched over their canes, made their way straight to the kitchen to start cooking meals like they were fighting some sort of battle with your pots and pans. Your whole home smelled like spice and savory meats within minutes, and when they left, it always seemed cleaner than when it had started.

And there was Johnny, right in the middle of them, shining like a star, tugging you around the house with him, singing and playing and dancing and celebrating every delightful bite. He always had a baby in his arms, and sometimes he was balancing two in his lap, covered in torn paper crowns and smeared with shortbread flour from messy little hands.

But, in the night, when all was quiet, he would move himself over you, pulling at your clothes like you were wrapped in paper, his very own gift. He shushed your protests, not willing to worry with you about whether someone might hear.

“Dinnae fash yersel’, bonnie. They all ken how bairns are made. Wouldnae it be grand to give the wee’uns another cousin to play with? C’mon, lass, lemme give you a wee MacTavish for Christmas.”

You were going to need a bigger house.

🎄🩷🎄🩷🎄

Simon never really grew up with much of a Christmas, so your home lacked the glittering splendor of that of his sergeants. But, there were some things that were absolutely non-negotiable.

You had to drag out his scrawny, leaf bare tree from the attic. It was barely three feet tall, but he wouldn’t hear of buying another one. The star looked rusted, and half the lights didn’t work, but he made sure the bottom of it was always covered in thoughtful presents for you to open.

There had to be a Yule log. He wouldn’t hear of buying another gas fireplace, and he insisted on burning it right in the hearth, always good to sweep the ashes away when he was done.

And, above all else, there had to be The Pudding. It wasn’t homemade like the MacTavishes’. It wasn’t fancy like the Garricks’. It had to be the cheap one from the local Lidl for 80p. The Favorina six-month matured Christmas pudding was the star of the show, and your cupboards were full of them. You’d never seen a man take down so many individually packaged cakes before. He was like a machine. He’d come home, pull you into his lap, flip on the telly, and give you a needy look.

For once, it wasn’t your warm cunt he was begging for. No. Simon Riley was begging for another cheap pudding that you “shared” between you. You’d take the first polite bite, and he’d house down the rest like a starving dog, his mouth sticky from the sweet fruits and his breath hot from the bottom-shelf brandy.

Then, he would kiss you, groaning into your mouth, pulling you the rest of the way onto his lap, tasting like sultanas and cigarettes, choking you with his invading tongue.

“Si…” You panted, trying to escape, “Let me brush my teeth. I taste like figgy pudding, you nutter.”

“Don’t you fuckin’ dare.”

You set a trap this year, and when you pulled a spare pudding out of the freezer one random day in July, you thought he’d never take his hands off of you.

🎄🩷🎄🩷🎄

John Price never once asked for presents for Christmas. He didn’t want gifts, and he would get so cross when you bought things for him even though he showered you with trinkets throughout the season. But, his apartment was never decorated. You wondered if he was a bit of a Scrooge. But then, you overheard him talking with his sergeant, telling him the only thing he wanted for the holiday was a beach with the missus, and you decided it was your turn to be Santa Claus.

One night, when John dragged himself through the doorway past quitting time, he noticed a big red arrow, cut out from craft paper, pasted on the floor. Then, a few feet in front of him, there was another. He frowned, setting down his bag and following the arrows cautiously through the house. It led him straight to the bedroom, and there you were, wrapped in nothing but a ribbon, tied up with bows, sitting on the middle of the bed with a box in your hands.

“Wha’s all this, then?” He smiled at your lack of attire, toying with the end of the ribbon and threatening to pull it away.

“Open your present, John,” you smiled, handing him the box.

“I told you, love, I don’t wa—“

“Open it,” you cut him off, pushing the box forward.

He twisted his mouth into a disgruntled grimace, but you knew he couldn’t stay mad at you for long. When he pulled the box apart, his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in confusion.

“What…”

He pulled out the plane tickets and inspected them further, trying to make sense of what you had done. You shrugged, rubbing his shoulders,

“I told Kate you needed some leave. So, we’re off to Fiji.”

“Fiji…” He breathed in disbelief, his blue eyes pinning you in place.

“Fiji,” you smiled, pulling the bow that covered your heavy tits off the rest of the way, “Private beach, palm trees, no cell service…”

He let the box fall to the floor and climbed over you, forcing you onto your back as his huge body bullied you beneath him. John’s voice was gravelly and low when he said,

“I don’t know what’s got me harder, love. Seein’ you all wrapped up like this, or the fact that I thought I just heard you say: no cell service.”

You gave him a wicked grin and leaned your mouth up to graze across the shell of his ear, whispering,

“No cell service.”

His hips thrust against you, spreading your legs apart from the force, making your soft skin scrape against the harsh canvas of his pants, burying his mouth against your neck, threatening you,

“Say it again, baby.”

“No… cell… service.”

By the end of your holiday, you were sunburnt, and you could barely walk straight, but you couldn’t remember having a better Christmas.

[romerona]

All Y/N ever wanted to do was sing her songs and be free. Yet somehow, after offering to pay for the meal of a certain boy in a straw hat she finds herself causing havoc through the East Blue.

Masterlist - Next.

Trigger warning: canon violence. Word count: 7.4K

A/N: The only thing I will be describing about Y/N is her hair colour. Everything else you can imagine her as you wish.

Disclaimer: The songs I will be using in this fic aren't mine bc I have 0 creativity. I'm sorry.

Syrup Village, Gecko Islands.

It's been a few days since Buggy's mishap. The days dragged on tediously, with Y/N's head throbbing every time Nami and Zoro argued or Luffy experimented with potential names for their non-existent crew. Therefore, when it was revealed that Nami's boat was gradually sinking, Y/N felt a surge of relief because it meant they needed to navigate towards the nearest island, which they did.

Currently, they found themselves at Syrup Village on Gecko Islands…

The village exuded a quaint charm, with its small, closely-knit community and rustic architecture. Cobbled streets wound through clusters of thatched-roof cottages, each adorned with colourful window boxes brimming with vibrant flowers. The air was filled with the scent of salt from the nearby sea, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread from the village bakery.

Children laughed and played along the streets, their cheerful voices carrying on the gentle breeze. Merchants peddled their goods from wooden stalls, offering everything from fresh produce to handmade trinkets. The villagers moved with a relaxed, unhurried pace, greeting one another warmly as they went about their daily routines.

Y/N flashed a charming smile at the baker as she accepted the paper bag of biscuits. "Much appreciated, kind sir."

The baker, a portly man with flour-dusted hands and a warm, ruddy face, beamed back at her. "You're most welcome, young lady. Freshly baked this morning. I hope you enjoy them!"

Y/N's eyes twinkled with mischief. "With a scent this heavenly, I'm sure they'll taste like a slice of paradise. You have a true gift for making hearts flutter."

The baker's cheeks turned a deep magenta, and he chuckled sheepishly.

"You are too kind," he stammered, clearly flustered by Y/N's charm.

Y/N leaned in slightly, her tone conspiratorial. "Oh, but you deserve the recognition, especially when delectable treats are involved."

The baker's eyes widened with surprise, and a shy grin played on his lips. "Well, in that case, I'll have to make sure to bake extra special goodies for you next time."

Y/N gave him a playful wink. “I’ll hold you to that promise. Thank you again, and may your ovens always stay warm and your dough always rise perfectly.”

With a final charming smile, Y/N bid the chuckling baker farewell and sauntered off.

As Y/N walked through the cobbled streets, savoring the sweet treat, the corner of her eye caught a flash of orange. She turned her head slightly and saw Nami approaching, her hair unmistakable in the bright sunlight. Without missing a beat, Nami fell into step beside Y/N, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced precision.

“Found something useful about this town?” Y/N asked, offering the open paper bag of biscuits.

Nami reached into the bag, taking a biscuit as she continued to survey the street. “We’re in luck. This is a ship-building town,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of satisfaction.

Y/N hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze softening as a group of children darted past them, their laughter echoing through the air. An older woman, likely their grandmother, scolded them gently from a nearby doorstep. Y/N smiled at the scene, thinking that if she weren’t caught up in the whirlwind of adventures with Luffy and the crew, she might have enjoyed staying in a place like this for a while.

“How about you? Found something?” Nami asked, her tone casual but with an undercurrent of curiosity.

Y/N smirked, holding up the half-eaten biscuit. “Apart from these divine biscuits, not much yet. But the villagers are friendly.”

Nami scoffed lightly as she took a bite of her biscuit. “More like naive,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “But that works in our favor since we need to take one of their ships.”

Y/N nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Let’s just hope they don’t notice it missing too soon. This place seems peaceful—I’d rather not bring trouble here.”

Nami glanced at her, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Don’t go soft on me, Y/N.”

Y/N chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not going soft. Just enjoying the calm before the storm.”

The two continued down the street, their conversation drifting to lighter topics as they made their way through the village until they reached the straw hat Luffy and three swords Zoro.

“Hey! You got us a ship?” Luffy called out as soon as he spotted them, his eyes lighting up with excitement. Then, his gaze zeroed in on the bag of biscuits in Y/N’s hands, practically sparkling with anticipation.

“Working on it. Did you push the sloop out to sea like I told you?” Nami asked, her tone brisk as she kept her focus on their mission.

“Yeah.” Luffy nodded, already diving into the bag and pulling out the last three biscuits. “No Marines are gonna be following us here.”

Y/N’s scowl was immediate, and with a swift hand, she snatched one of the biscuits back from him. “Leave me one.”

“Well, we’re not gonna be here very long. Turns out Syrup Village is known for their shipbuilding. Lots of options,” Nami explained, glancing between them.

“What are we waiting for then?” Luffy asked, already chomping down on his biscuit as he began striding off in the direction both girls had just come from.

Nami sighed, her expression a mix of confusion, frustration and acceptance as she followed after him.

Y/N chuckled softly at their captain’s predictability, but just as she was about to move, the sound of paper tearing made her pause. She turned to see Zoro ripping Buggy’s wanted poster, crumpling it in his hand with a scowl.

“Stupid clown,” Zoro muttered, his tone laced with annoyance.

"Stupid clown indeed," Y/N’s lips twitched into a grin as she gave him a playful pat on the back. “But we did get to wipe that smirk off his painted face. Worth it, don’t you think?”

Zoro’s expression darkened further. “Should’ve cut his dick off,” he grumbled, tossing the crumpled paper to the ground.

Y/N laughed, a light, melodic sound that seemed to ease some of the tension in the air. “Ah, but then what would he have left to make a fool of himself with? Besides, something tells me your swords will have plenty of other targets soon enough, so don't dwell on it, hot shot.”

"For now, how about a little sugar to sweeten that sour mood?” She held up the last biscuit with a teasing wink. “Consider it a token of my endless admiration for your swordsmanship.”

Zoro eyed the biscuit, then Y/N, who continued to grin up at him with that infectious charm. After a moment of regarding her, he sighed and took the treat. “Let’s go then, stupid.”

Y/N gasped in mock offence, placing a hand over her heart. “You wound me, Zoro. But I’ll forgive you since you’re sharing this last biscuit with me.” She snapped off a piece of the treat and popped it into her mouth before Zoro could protest. Shaking her head with a smirk, she quickly caught up with the rest.

The four of them walked through the bustling shipyard, their eyes scanning the area for a suitable vessel. The shipyard was a hive of activity, each corner alive with the sounds and sights of shipbuilding.

Y/N’s gaze roamed over the scene with a mixture of fascination and appreciation. Workers moved with practiced efficiency, their hands expertly crafting the vessels from the ground up. Carpenters were hard at work, sanding wooden planks with smooth, rhythmic strokes, each swipe transforming rough wood into sleek, polished surfaces. Nearby, blacksmiths wielded hammers with precision, shaping red-hot iron into nails and screws. The clanging of metal against metal rang out in a steady rhythm, a stark contrast to the otherwise serene surroundings.

“Look at ’em all,” Luffy said, his eyes wide with fascination as he took in the busy scene.

“How much do these cost?” Zoro wondered aloud, his gaze drifting over the impressive array of vessels.

Y/N let out a scoff, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Oh, a pittance. Just your firstborn, an eye, half a leg, and if we're feeling generous a pint of your finest blood— bargain prices, really.”

Luffy’s excitement seemed to shift into high gear. “Okay, so we need one with a very, very impressive figurehead. At least two… no, three masts! And a really high crow’s nest!”

Nami shot him a look, “We’re not gonna be able to sail a ship anywhere near that size. There’s only four of us.”

Luffy’s enthusiasm remained undeterred. “Four of us right now.”

Y/N chimed in, a playful smirk on her face. "Unless you manage to recruit another weird, desperate soul to help us, that is."

Zoro grunted. “Speak for yourself.”

Both Nami and Y/N rolled their eyes in unison.

Listen, we’re going to need something a little less flashy if we want to sneak out of here,” Nami said firmly, catching Luffy off guard.

The straw hat boy came to a sudden halt, causing the others to stop with him. He turned to Nami, his frown deepening with confusion. “You want to steal a ship?”

“How else did you expect us to get one?” Nami asked her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“I don’t know. But we can’t steal one,” Luffy said with determined finality.

Y/N shrugged her tone a blend of resignation and sympathy. She didn't enjoy the idea of stealing the hard, arduous work of someone but she also understands what it takes to survive. “It’s less about ‘wrong’ and more about ‘what works' because either we get practical or get used to swimming. It’s your call, stud.”

“A ship isn’t just a ship,” Luffy said, determination in his eyes. “It’s part of our crew. We need the perfect one. And we’re going to get it the right way.”

Y/N felt a twinge of sympathy. It was as if he hadn’t quite grasped the harsh realities of the world—or maybe he simply refused to. His optimism was endearing, even if it was a little misguided

“Okay, pitch that to the salesman. I’m sure that’ll win him over,” Nami said, her sarcasm barely masked.

Luffy’s smile widened. “Exactly.” He then started walking off in a random direction, leaving the others to watch him go.

The remaining trio sighed in unison.

“Right over his head, as usual.” Y/N huffs, shaking her head with a wry smile.

“So what are we actually going to do?” Zoro asks

“I’m guessing plan A, right?” Y/N said with a shrug.

With a resigned sigh, Nami nodded. “Find a ship and see how lax the security is around here.”

“Got it,” Zoro replied, his tone reflecting a mix of determination and acceptance.

The three of them set off in the direction Luffy had wandered. After a bit of searching, they finally found him admiring a ship with unrestrained enthusiasm.

“There you are,” Nami said, catching up with the eager boy.

“Guys!” Luffy called out, “I found it. I found our ship!”

Y/N looked up at the vessel he was so enthusiastic about. The first thing that caught her eye was the large figurehead—a jovial ram’s head perched proudly at the prow, its carved eyes gleaming with a friendly, mischievous glint. The ship, though modest in size, radiated a warm, inviting aura. The polished wooden hull, adorned with intricate patterns, was both elegant and whimsical. Y/N couldn’t help but smile; the ship was certainly unique, if a bit quirky. Just like Luffy.

“And this guy will sell it to us,” Luffy said, pointing at a boy with a bandana and a cleaning cloth in his hands.

The trio turned to the so-called salesman. The boy’s expression oscillated between confusion and alarm.

“Uh, wait. What? Uh…” the boy stammered.

“Yeah! The ship, we’ll take it,” Luffy declared with confidence.

“Technically, she’s not for sale,” the boy said slowly, earning a confused “huh?” from Luffy. “And technically, I’m not a salesman.”

“Then what are you doing around here?” Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow.

The boy’s face lit up as he noticed Y/N. He puffed out his chest. “Well, you see, I’m the Chief Technician in charge of encrustation removal and aviary waste eradication.”

Y/N stifled a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Ah, I see. A very prestigious title.”

“Encru what?” Luffy asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

“He scrubs barnacles and cleans bird shit,” Zoro explained flatly.

Nami sighed, looking to Luffy. “He can’t help us.”

As they turned to leave, the boy’s voice rang out.

“Wait! Wait! Wait! I can help you,” he called, a hopeful smile spreading across his face. “The owner of this ship is my closest friend in the world.”

“Your friend owns this ship?” Nami asked, clearly skeptical.

“Not just this one. She owns the whole shipyard,” the boy said, his grin widening with a touch of arrogance. “She’s rich, rich.”

“Oh!” Luffy exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

“I’m sure you could strike a deal with her,” the boy said confidently.

Luffy turned to the group with a hopeful grin. “See?”

Y/N pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on, Y/N,” Nami said with an unusually sly smile. “It couldn’t hurt to say hello.”

Y/N glanced at Nami for a second, at her grin, definitely planning something. With a resigned sigh, Y/N nodded with a tight smile. “Alright, let’s go meet this friend of yours and see if we can charm her into giving us a ship.”

The boy beamed, clearly delighted by their willingness to meet his friend. “Great! Follow me. You’re going to love her.”

Usopp, as they had come to learn the boy’s name was, led them to the edge of the village. There, towering above the town, stood a massive mansion that seemed almost out of place amidst the quaint charm of Syrup Village. The elegant structure loomed with an air of grandeur, its pristine walls and manicured gardens hinting at the wealth of its owner.

"I’ve never seen a house this big before," Luffy said gazing at the mansion.

"Impressive, right?" Usopp grins, and he walks backwards to talk to them a skip on his step as he continues, "Kaya’s given me an open invitation to drop by anytime I want."

"All of this just for one person?" Luffy asked, puzzled.

Usopp leans against the well, "Well, she lives here with her butler and a few other staff."

Y/N whistled as she peered down the dry well, a playful smirk on her lips. "When I’m famous, I’ll need a place like this—no, scratch that. Bigger, with a well so deep you could drop your problems in it and never hear them hit the bottom."

Y/N started to head toward the front door but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder, gently guiding her away. "Errr—not that way," Usopp said, releasing her as he led them toward a lush garden and… a pond?

Luffy, ever curious and clueless, asked, "So if you have an invitation, why are we going around the back way?"

"I never use the front entrance." Y/N frowns as she watched the boy leap across the large, floating plants. "This is more of a VIP entrance reserved for special guests."

In the short time of knowing Usopp, Y/N knew he had a knack for stretching the truth, but she hoped that at least this time, there was some truth to it. If he knew another way into the manor, he must've been here before. Plus, the way he talked about Kaya, the girl who lived there, made it seem like he knew her personally.

Against her better judgment, Y/N hopped onto one of the large plants. It was surprisingly fun.

Just as she landed on another plant, Usopp suddenly halted. "Oops. You know, there’s actually a more exclusive entrance this way."

Y/N looked up just in time to see a burly butler throw something with pinpoint precision, landing between Usopp’s feet, causing him to gasp.

"What the hell are you doing here, Usopp?" the butler growled, advancing toward them. Behind him was a blue-haired woman—another maid, Y/N assumed—expertly swinging a broom like a weapon.

Y/N couldn’t help but think, That’s... odd. These butlers seem way too familiar with weapons.

"Buchi, buddy, uh, Kaya’s expecting me," Usopp said, voice urgent.

The butler, Buchi, hissed, echoing Y/N’s thoughts. "Another one of your lies."

The butler grabbed hold of Usopp's shirt, pulling him closer as he hissed, "You ain't welcome here, and you know it."

Usopp, despite being in a tight spot, kept his carefree demeanour. "I know nothing of the sort," he said, unfazed, if a little nervous. "I’m here to give Kaya an extra-special gift."

Y/N couldn’t help but feel a flicker of amusement at Usopp’s audacity, even in such a tense situation.

Suddenly, like a beam of light cutting through the tension, a girl's voice rang out. "Usopp!"

From deeper in the garden, a young girl—no older than the group—emerged, leaning on another butler for support. Y/N could tell he was likely the head butler, judging by how the other two straightened up immediately. Luffy, Y/N, Nami, and Zoro exchanged glances filled with curiosity and confusion, particularly at the realization that Kaya, the girl of the house, actually knew Usopp.

With ash-blonde hair and wearing a soft pink dress, Kaya beamed at Usopp with pure happiness. "What a wonderful surprise!"

"Hmm!" Usopp grinned victoriously, brushing off Buchi's hands as he confidently walked toward her. "Kaya!"

"Happy birthday," he said once he was close enough.

Kaya’s smile was shy but full of admiration. "You remembered."

"Of course I did."

The head butler, wearing glasses and white gloves, cleared his throat sharply. "Usopp, we've discussed this. You musn't show up unannounced."

"Nonsense, Klahadore," Kaya quickly interjected, giving Usopp an encouraging smile. "Have you come to tell me another story? I do love hearing about your adventures."

"I'll do you one better," Usopp replied, turning toward Y/N, Luffy, Nami, and Zoro, and dramatically gesturing toward them. "I brought some of my crew."

Y/N’s eyebrow twitched in confusion.

Luffy glanced at Zoro, Nami, and Y/N, all wearing the same bewildered expression. "Is he talking about us?"

Kaya, however, does not seem to notice it and smiles at the four. "It’s so nice to meet you. You all must stay for dinner."

Klahadore’s eyes darted to Kaya, his tone instantly concerned, if a little anoyed. "Miss Kaya, it is a bit last minute. I’m afraid the kitchen hasn’t prepared for any extra guests."

From beides her, Luffy deflated.

"Please, Klahadore," Kaya pleaded, her voice sweet as she gave him a pout. "It’s my birthday. Can’t be too much trouble, can it?"

"Of course, Miss Kaya," Seems that the girl's pout did its work the butler didn't even hesitate this time around. "Anything for you."

Luffy perked right back up. "All right! So, when do we eat?"

Without missing a beat, Klahadore replied, "You don’t. Not dressed like that."

Y/N’s expression soured slightly as she glanced down at her outfit. It wasn’t the fanciest, sure, but she certainly didn’t think she looked bad. She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Rude."

"Sham, please show Usopp and his… friends to the guest suites," Klahadore instructed. The blue-haired woman stepped forward at his command. "You will all bathe and change before dinner," he added, looking back at the group.

Sham gave a curt nod and led the way inside the mansion, the others following.

"A bath does sound nice," Nami said, smiling as she followed Luffy, who skipped along behind Sham.

Usopp followed next, but Zoro and Y/N lingered—each for different reasons. Zoro’s gaze lingered on Klahadore with a hint of suspicion, while Y/N hesitated for a different motive. She wanted to charm the birthday girl. After all, as Usopp had demonstrated, having powerful friends never hurt.

With a dazzling smile, Y/N sauntered over to Kaya and the ever-watchful Klahadore, their gazes snapping to her in unison. Undeterred, she tilted her head slightly, letting a playful glint appear in her eyes as she spoke.

"Well, I figured after such a warm welcome," Y/N said with a subtle wink, glancing at the butlers before focusing on Kaya, "it’d be rude of me not to introduce myself properly." She extended her hand gracefully. "Y/N, at your service. And a very happy birthday to you! If I’d known, I’d have brought a gift—or at least a balloon or two."

Kaya blinked, caught off guard for a moment before a giggle escaped her. "Oh, thank you! That’s very kind of you."

Y/N flashed a grin. "Kindness comes naturally when I’m around people as lovely as you." Her eyes darted toward Klahadore, her voice dropping playfully.

"Though, if I’d known we were in for such a grand entrance, I might’ve brought a sword too. Seems like that’s part of the dress code around here." She smirked at the butler’s stiff posture, her words teasing but never crossing the line into disrespect.

Kaya blushed slightly, clearly charmed. "I’m so glad you could all join. Please, don’t worry about a gift—your company is enough."

Y/N placed a hand on her chest, feigning relief. "Thank the stars. I’m a terrible shopper, anyway. Though, if we ever need to sneak into a party again, Usopp and I will make a fabulous team."

Even Klahadore seemed momentarily at a loss for words, while Kaya laughed brightly. It was a small victory, but one Y/N could savor as she followed the rest of the group, already making mental notes on how to further charm the household.

But suddenly, Kaya began to cough, causing Y/N's grin to fade into a look of concern. It was then that she noticed just how pale and sickly the girl appeared—gnarly, in fact. Kaya’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes looked a bit too bright, as if she were fighting something beneath the surface.

"Miss Kaya, we should head inside so I can get you some tea," Klahadore said, still holding into the girl.

Y/N stepped closer, her tone gentle but firm. "Is there anything I can do to help? I’m no healer, but I’ve seen a thing or two when it comes to health."

Kaya shook her head, trying to muster a reassuring smile, but it fell flat. "I’ll be fine. Just... need some tea."

"That you do,” Klahadore remarked, his voice neutral but laced with a hint of reluctant acknowledgment as he gently guided Kaya back toward the mansion. “Let us take our leave then.”

As they moved, Klahadore glanced back at Y/N, his voice cold professionalism. “Please, Miss Y/N, follow your friends to the guest suites and make yourself presentable for dinner.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow at his words but kept her composure, offering a charming smile. “Of course, wouldn’t want to miss the chance to freshen up. After all, first impressions are everything.”

She gave a playful wink before turning on her heel, but not before throwing a quick glance at Kaya, silently promising to check on her later.

After a thorough, very refreshing, and much-needed wash, Y/N made her way to the closet, expecting a modest room with a few spare garments and maybe some accessories to choose from. But as soon as she opened the door, her jaw nearly hit the floor.

The ‘closet’ was an entire room—no, a boutique—bursting at the seams with every kind of clothing imaginable. Silks, satins, velvets, lace, and fabrics she couldn’t even name filled the racks. Gowns, tunics, trousers, and dresses in every color she could dream of. There were shelves dedicated to shoes, from the dainty to the daring, and accessories sparkling like stars under soft light. It was basically the heaven of clothing, and Y/N was living for it.

Her eyes gleamed as she stepped inside, fingers grazing the fabrics, a giddy smile creeping onto her face.

“Oh, I could get used to this…” she muttered, practically vibrating with excitement. She didn’t know where to begin—was it the shoes, the gowns, or that ridiculously luxurious-looking coat hanging in the corner?

However, as the rest of her group entered the ‘closet,’ it became clear that Y/N was the only one genuinely enjoying the experience.

“Why would anyone even need this many clothes?” Luffy asked, his voice echoing off the lavishly adorned walls as Y/N held up yet another dress to inspect.

Nami, behind a divider, was quick to respond. “It’s not about need with these people; it’s about want.”

“What are we even supposed to wear?” Luffy asked, looking utterly baffled as he peered at the colorful array of garments.

Y/N grinned, feeling a spark of mischief. “Literally anything you want, stud. And I say we should take advantage of it because I hardly think you’ll wear wear things this nice in the future.”

She held up a black vest, similar to the ones he usually wears, playfully placing it over his chest and winked. “This one might bring out those dreamy eyes of yours.”

Luffy blinked, momentarily processing, before breaking into a wide, goofy grin. “You really think so?”

“Absolutely!“ Y/N chuckled, giving him a playful nudge. “You could be the life of the party.”

Nami stepped out from behind the divider, her figure adorned in a classic dark blue dress. She struck a pose, looking expectantly at Luffy and Y/N. “Well? What do you think?”

“You look like Nami,” Luffy shrugged, offering a response that did little to boost her confidence.

Nami’s lips pursed in irritation, and she turned to Y/N for a second opinion. Y/N shook her head. “Not your style, pumpkin. We need something that really pops!”

“Hey, Zoro!” Luffy called out, causing Y/N to glance toward the entrance.

Zoro entered, his usual indifference etched on his face. Clad in a bathrobe and holding his three swords, he scanned the room with a nonchalant air.

“What are you gonna wear?” Luffy asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

“Something black,” Zoro replied flatly as he moved deeper into the room.

“How edgy,” Nami muttered sarcastically from behind the divider.

“I don’t know, I reckon I quite like black on him,” Y/N said, slipping into a pretty yellow dress that shimmered in the light.

“Hey, does that butler seem familiar to you guys?” Zoro asked, his gaze drifting toward the door.

Nami shot back, “Yeah, I think he was at the last dinner party I attended.”

“I swear I’ve seen him somewhere,” Zoro continued, taking a seat and placing his swords on the ground beside him.

Nami emerged again, now in another lackluster dress. “How’s this?”

Luffy shrugged, “Still Nami.”

“I said I’m wearing black,” Zoro reiterated, his expression unchanged.

“I hate you guys,” Nami deadpanned.

“Y’know, Zoro, now that you mention it, he does seem oddly familiar,” Y/N chimed in, stepping out from another divider in her eye-catching yellow dress. She looked at Nami and shook her head. “No, baby. That just won’t do. We need something that’ll make a statement —not blend into the wallpaper!”

“You’re all annoying,” Nami huffs as she started to look through the racks of clothes.

With newfound energy, Y/N began rifling through the dresses again, determined to find the perfect outfit for Nami. “Let’s find you something that’ll turn heads!”

"Sadly, Y/N, we're not all you," Nami muttered, half-joking as she skimmed through the rows of clothes.

Y/N gave a playful smirk, flicking through the garments with ease. "Well, darling, not everyone can have my impeccable taste."

As they continued to browse, Luffy wandered aimlessly around the room, his eyes darting from the towering shelves to the endless racks of extravagant outfits. “I kind of feel bad for Kaya,” he said, almost absentmindedly. “All this stuff. All this space. It’s gotta make a person feel… lonely.”

Y/N paused, her hand hovering over a dress. Luffy's innocent observation hung in the air, tugging at a thread of empathy that she hadn’t quite expected to feel in that moment.

"He's got a point," she said softly, glancing around at the grandeur that suddenly felt a bit... empty. "Having all these nice things doesn’t mean much if you don’t have anyone to share it with."

Nami crossed her arms, her tone dry. "Rich people don’t have the same emotions we do. This stuff doesn’t make her feel lonely. It makes her feel important."

Y/N pursed her lips thoughtfully, still not quite buying Nami’s take. Kaya hadn’t struck her as the type to relish in wealth or power, but then again, she’d only just met the girl. “Hmm,” she hummed noncommittally, pulling a sleek red dress off the rack. "Maybe… but she didn’t seem like the ‘money equals importance’ type."

"Well, Usopp likes her," Luffy chimed in, ever the optimist. "And she invited us to dinner!" His eyes sparkled at the mention of food, an unmistakable grin spreading across his face. "I’m sure we can work out a way to get that ship."

Nami didn’t even glance up, still rifling through the endless garments. "No way. Rich people don’t stay rich by giving things away."

Y/N shrugged, holding the dress up to regard it. "She might."

Nami mumbled under her breath, “Hardly.”

But Luffy’s grin only widened as he turned to Nami with a glint in his eyes. "You want to bet?"

That caught Nami’s attention. She stopped mid-search and eyed him with interest. "What are the terms?"

Luffy stepped forward, confident as ever. "I bet I can convince Kaya to give us that ship."

Nami raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And when you can’t?"

Luffy paused for just a second before answering, "We go with your plan. Steal one and move on."

Nami grinned, extending her hand. "You’re on."

Y/N rolled her eyes dramatically, draping the red dress over her arm. "Oh, goodie. A gentleman’s wager. How refined." She glanced between them with a playful smirk. "I’d start polishing my silver tongue if I were you, Stud."

Nami pulled out another shirt, giving it a brief glance before casually tossing it at Zoro. He caught it effortlessly and looked it over with his usual deadpan expression.

"Nice," Zoro muttered, as if mildly impressed, but not overly excited.

Nami barely had time to react before Y/N swept in like a whirlwind, red dress in hand and that signature mischievous grin plastered across her face. With a teasing flourish, Y/N wiggled the dress toward her like it was the Holy Grail.

"Found something for ya, pumpkin," she teased, voice dripping with playful charm.

Nami raised an eyebrow, eyeing the dress skeptically. "Red? Really?"

"Trust me," Y/N winked, grabbing Nami’s hand and practically dragging her behind the room divider. She positioned her in front of the mirror, standing behind her and holding the dress up to Nami’s frame. The contrast of the vibrant red against Nami’s skin made Y/N’s grin widen.

"See?" Y/N purred, her voice dipping into a whisper as she met Nami's gaze in the reflection. "This dress is the perfect blend of sultry and sophisticated—just like you, Nami. It’ll hug your curves in all the right places and make you look utterly irresistible." She flashed a knowing smile, adding, "Trust me, It’ll make you look like a million Berri."

Nami’s lips twitched, trying and failing to hide a smile. "You're dangerous."

Y/N grinned wider, giving Nami a playful nudge. "Dangerously right, you mean."

Nami, after a moment of staring at Y/N in the reflection, looked away, her gaze darting as if she’d just been caught in a secret. An uncharacteristic hint of pink dusted her cheeks as she took the dress from Y/N. "Fine, whatever. I’ll wear it,"

“Great!” Y/N exclaimed, her grin blooming into a triumphant beam, practically radiating delight. With Nami set, she turned back to the closet, her eyes dancing over the racks like a kid in a candy store. ‘Now, it’s time for me to find something…’

At long last, the four were dressed to the nines, gathered in the grand foyer, waiting for Kaya. Usopp and Luffy were thoroughly enjoying the appetizers, both looking like kids in a candy store as they devoured the tiny, fancy bites with gusto.

Nami, ever the strategist, was busy chatting up Merry, the man who handled Kaya’s finances. He had a peculiar appearance—his hair resembling a lamb’s fleece with two small horns poking through, making him look as though he’d just wandered off a pastoral scene. Despite the odd look,

Zoro, in true Zoro fashion, had found the comfiest spot in the room—a plush sofa—and settled in with a glass of fruity cocktail, his face unreadable as always. He gave off the impression of someone who had no interest in the opulence around him.

Y/N, with her cocktail in hand, decided to join the swordsman, her emerald dress flowing elegantly as she took a seat beside him.

"So, you look... almost civilized," she teased with a playful smirk, swirling her drink as she settled in. "I think that fruity cocktail’s working wonders for your edge."

Zoro scoffed, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Don’t get used to it."

Y/N chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. "Wouldn’t dream of it, hotshot. Though I gotta say, you look unsurprisingly handsome. You might even be mistaken for a gentleman if you stay quiet long enough."

Zoro raised an eyebrow, leaning back into the sofa with an amused grunt. "I’ll take that as an insult." He watched her out of the corner of his eye before adding, "You’re not so bad yourself. That dress looks... expensive."

"Why, thank you, Zoro." Y/N winked at him. "It’s called ‘style'. I wouldn’t expect you to understand, but you wear black with enough attitude that I suppose it evens out."

He gave a small chuckle, which was about the closest to a compliment she'd expect from him. The two sat there in a comfortable silence for a moment, watching the others.

"Think this dinner’s going to be as fancy as all this?" Y/N asked, glancing around the opulent surroundings.

Zoro shrugged, taking another sip. "Doesn’t matter to me as long as the food’s good. Fancy or not, it all goes down the same way."

Y/N laughed, raising her glass in agreement. "I’ll drink to that."

A moment later, the soft clearing of a throat at the top of the stairs made the room fall silent. Klahadore, ever the picture of formality, stood tall as he announced, "May I present... Miss Kaya."

All eyes turned upward as Kaya appeared, gracefully descending the stairs with Klahadore’s arm for support. She was dressed in a delicate yellow gown adorned with subtle dots, her face glowing with a wide, genuine smile—one that made Y/N smile as well, though she wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe it was the warmth of the moment or the way Kaya's joy seemed to radiate outwards.

At the bottom of the stairs, Merry stepped forward to meet her. Offering his arm with a soft smile, he said, "Kaya, you look absolutely radiant."

Kaya's smile brightened as she took his arm with familiarity. "Merry, I’m so glad you could make it."

"This is a milestone I wouldn’t miss for the world," Merry replied warmly as they made their way down the last few steps. "Your parents would be so proud."

Kaya’s gaze softened at the mention of her parents, but her expression didn’t falter. She turned toward Nami, who stood somewhat awkwardly nearby. "Nami, I love that dress on you."

"Thanks," Nami responded, though her tone was a bit stiffer than usual.

Kaya gently touched the fabric of the dress, her voice soft with nostalgia."It belonged to my mother. It was one of her favourites."

Nami's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard by the sentiment. She started to stumble over an apology, "Oh, I’m sorry. I —"

Kaya interrupted with a kind smile, shaking her head. "Not at all. I’m sure she would agree it suits you splendidly."

Y/N stepped in at that moment, smoothly saving Nami from the awkward tension. With a bright smile, she looked at Kaya. "That she does! And as for you, Kaya—you look absolutely wonderful. Like you just stepped out of a fairytale."

Kaya’s cheeks flushed lightly at the compliment, and she gave a shy smile. "Thank you, Y/N. You’re too kind."

"Nonsense," Y/N waved her hand, "just calling it like I see it. A beautiful dress for a beautiful girl and a beautiful evening, wouldn’t you agree?"

Kaya’s smile softened, clearly touched by Y/N's warmth, as Merry turned to tell Kaya something about the transfer of ownership of the shipyard. Meanwhile, Nami shot Y/N a grateful look, while Y/N simply gave a little playful shrug, as if to say, What can I say? It’s a gift.

"Merry, dear friend, it's always business with you," Klahadore cut in, his voice smooth but firm. Merry nodded, somewhat reluctantly, as if he'd been caught in the middle of a moment. Klahadore’s arm swept elegantly toward the dining room. "Tonight is about celebration. Shall we all move to the dining room?"

"Yes!" Luffy’s voice boomed across the room, his face lighting up with pure excitement. "Oh! Oh, I’m so ready for this!"

Y/N chuckled under her breath at Luffy’s enthusiasm, glancing sideways at Nami. "You’d think he’s never had a meal before."

As the group began to file into the elegantly decorated dining room, Y/N couldn't help but admire the lavish setup. The long table was adorned with pristine white linens and flickering candles, casting a warm glow over the room.

Soon, they were indulging in the delicious spread laid out before them. The table was a feast for the eyes, adorned with an array of vibrant dishes that seemed to dance with colour. Y/N couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh as she took her first bite of a creamy pasta dish, the flavours bursting on her palate.

"I’d love to try the fish tonight," Kaya said, glancing at Sham, the maid, who was holding a platter of food.

But before she could reach for it, Klahadore interjected, "I’m sorry, Miss Kaya, but that is not possible."

Kaya’s smile faltered, and Y/N couldn’t help but frown at the butler’s sharp tone as she took a slow sip of her wine, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Maybe just a small piece?" Kaya asked, her voice tinged with hope.

The butler remained unyielding, unlike earlier in the day. "Now, you know that certain foods can affect your constitution," he replied, gesturing for the plump butler to step forward. "Here, Buchi has prepared your special soup."

Kaya’s face fell, despite her attempts to hide her disappointment as the bland soup was placed in front of her.

"Kaya, it’s your birthday," Nami chimed in with a hint of irritation. "You should be able to enjoy whatever you like."

"Miss Kaya’s medical condition necessitates that I closely monitor her dietary needs," Klahadore responded curtly, addressing Nami as if she were overstepping.

Y/N’s brow furrowed as she leaned back in her chair, wine glass poised. Her tone was laced with mild sarcasm. "Ah, I see. So you manage her plate… and her voice now, too?"

Luffy, blissfully unaware of the awkwardness building at the table, raised his hand enthusiastically. "I’ll take her fish!"

"Luffy…" Y/N mumbled under her breath, shaking her head softly as if to reign in his bluntness.

Usopp, sensing the awkwardness, piped up nervously while shooting a wary glance at Klahadore. "Luffy, isn’t there something that you wanted to talk to Kaya about?"

"Oh, yes!" Luffy’s face lit up as he turned back to Kaya. "Usopp told me you own the whole shipyard!"

Kaya smiled warmly, correcting him gently. "Well, actually, my parents founded the shipyard. Merry’s been running the business since… well, since they passed," She gestured towards Merry, who lifted his glass in quiet acknowledgement.

"But all of that is about to change," Kaya added, her eyes flicking to Usopp with a soft, meaningful glance. "Tonight, at midnight, I’ll officially become the sole owner."

"Ah. Well, that’s great, because we want to buy a ship from you," Luffy announced, his grin wide and infectious.

Kaya raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I see," she replied, her smile growing. "Usopp mentioned that you’re sailors."

"Nope, not sailors," Luffy corrected quickly, his grin widening. And before Y/N could stop him, he dropped the bombshell. "We’re pirates."

The room seemed to freeze. The air became thick with tension as Usopp nearly choked on his drink, sputtering. Every guest at the table turned to look at Luffy in stunned silence—none more exasperated than Nami, who shot him a look that screamed, Seriously?

Y/N let out a long, resigned sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is going to be a disaster," she muttered, feeling the weight of impending chaos.

Zoro, unfazed, took a slow sip from his cup and muttered under his breath, "This ought to be good."

"Pirates?" Kaya echoed, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and intrigue.

"Yep!" Luffy replied with unrestrained enthusiasm, oblivious to the looks of Nami, Y/N, and Zoro. "We haven’t sailed together for long, but we’ve already defeated an evil clown, raided a Marine base, and taken down a captain with an axe for a hand."

Kaya’s smile widened as she turned to Usopp. "These sound a lot like your adventures, Usopp."

"Yeah, that’s…" Usopp chuckled nervously, stealing a glance at Luffy. "That’s crazy."

"Oh yeah. And we’re just getting started!" Luffy declared, suddenly seizing his wine glass. In an impulsive burst of enthusiasm, he hopped up onto the dining table, eliciting gasps of shock from the guests.

Klahadore’s face darkened with disapproval as he bristled at Luffy’s antics. "What on earth are you doing? Get down from there at once!"

But Luffy, undeterred and brimming with enthusiasm, continued to hold his glass high. "Being a pirate has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and now I’m finally making it a reality!" He stepped closer to Kaya, completely ignoring the bewildered looks from the guests. "We’re heading out to the Grand Line, where even more adventures await us. And at the end of the journey, I’m gonna find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and become King of the Pirates!" With a triumphant grin, he took a hearty sip of his wine, completely unfazed by the chaos he was stirring.

He stepped closer to Kaya, completely ignoring the bewildered looks from the rest. "We’re heading out to the Grand Line, where even more adventures await us. And at the end of the journey, I’m gonna find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and become King of the Pirates!" With a triumphant grin, he took a hearty sip of his wine, completely unfazed by the chaos he was stirring.

Y/N couldn’t help but chuckle softly, shaking her head as she watched Luffy’s unyielding spirit shine through. "Well, at least he’s got ambition,"

Kaya gazed up at Luffy, wide-eyed. "You're serious?"

Luffy slammed back the remainder of his wine, then held out the empty glass to Klahadore, who sneered but reluctantly took it. Leaning closer to Kaya, Luffy gripped her shoulders with earnest enthusiasm. "Kaya, you have a beautiful ship out there—a caravel with a sheep figurehead. It spoke to me." Zoro and Nami exchanged exasperated glances, while Y/N couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the sheer audacity of it all.

"That’s the ship we need to follow our dreams," Luffy continued, his eyes shining with determination. "I promise you, we’ll take care of it. We’ll maintain it and treat it like any other member of our crew, because a ship is also a home."

"That will be quite enough!" Klahadore snapped, stepping in beside Kaya with an air of authority. "I should’ve known Usopp would bring riffraff to our doorstep."

"Klahadore, it’s okay. I..." Kaya began, trying to defuse the tension, but a sudden coughing fit interrupted her.

"Now look what you’ve done. You’ve upset Miss Kaya!" Klahadore accused, his irritation palpable. "All of you, out of this house at once!"

Kaya, ever the kind-hearted soul, shook her head weakly, managing to breathe out, "No. It’s late. Let them stay the night."

"As you wish, Miss Kaya," Klahadore relented, though his tone was less than pleased. He assisted her out of the chair and led her from the room, adding, "But they are out first thing in the morning."

"That went pretty well," Luffy remarked as the door clicked shut behind Klahadore, leaving the five of them in the cosy dimness of the room. "Don’t you think?"

Y/N hums before gulping down the rest of her wine. "sure"

Hours later, Y/N lay wide awake, her bladder full and demanding release. She couldn’t help but scoff at the absurdity of it all—a mansion this grand and yet no loo in her room?

Finally deciding to venture out, she crept down the hallway, but instead of finding a bathroom, she stumbled upon a certain orange-haired girl in a curious sight: Nami was stuffing shiny treasures into a pillowcase.

"What are you, the reverse Father Christmas?" Y/N quipped, leaning against the doorframe with a playful smirk.

Nami, startled by the sudden voice, whipped her head around, eyes wide. "Shit, Y/N! You scared me! What are you doing up?"

Y/N shrugged, crossing her arms casually. "You know, just on a midnight quest for a loo. But clearly, I found something far more interesting."

Nami huffed, returning to her task with quick hands. "I’m just borrowing. Besides, they’re not going to notice a few missing trinkets."

"Oh, so you’re playing the long game, huh? Borrow now, return... never?" Y/N raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "If you get caught, I’m not covering for you."

Nami shrugged, a cheeky grin spreading across her face as she continued to stuff the shiny trinkets into her pillowcase. "Who says I’ll get caught? I'm a master of stealth."

"Right, because sneaking around in the middle of the night with a pillowcase full of stolen goods is such a subtle move," Y/N teased, closing her door and following Nami.

Nami paused for a moment, glancing around to ensure they were still alone. "These are just sitting here collecting dust. No one will miss them."

Y/N chuckled, shaking her head in mock disbelief. "You do realize you’re robbing from a girl who just wanted to celebrate her birthday, right?"

"Details, details," Nami waved dismissively, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Besides, it’s not like I’m taking anything valuable… yet."

Y/N smirked, her curiosity piqued. "Okay, but you--"

They suddenly heard footsteps approaching, echoing through the vast halls of the house.

Nami’s eyes widened in panic as she quickly shut the cabinet door "Crap!"

“Quick, come on!” Y/N urged, pulling Nami toward the nearest door. She flung it open and they slipped inside a dark room.

Just as they were about to catch their breath and survey their surroundings, Kaya’s voice startled them.

“Y/N?… Nami?” The lights flicked on, illuminating the room.

Both girls gasped in surprise, and Nami hurriedly concealed the pillowcase behind her back.

“What are you two doing? Is everything okay?” Kaya asked, still unaware of their antics.

"Oh, Kaya!" Y/N exclaimed, feigning a chuckle. "Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep! This house is like a maze, and I couldn't find the loo. So naturally, I enlisted Nami's expert navigating skills, right, Nami?"

"Yeah, we just got a bit turned around," Nami added, trying to sound casual.

Kaya’s gaze drifted behind Nami, landing on the clearly bulging pillowcase. She raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "With a pillowcase?"

Feeling her cheeks heat up, Y/N pursed her lips in embarrassment.

"So… you really are pirates after all," Kaya said, rising from her bed. Her demeanour was calm, not angry or frightened.

"No," Y/N quickly denied.

"I hate pirates," Nami chimed in, her tone dripping with disdain. "But I am who I am," She declared, setting the pillowcase down defiantly. "And I won’t apologize for it."

Y/N pursed her lips and sighed, taking a seat on the window sofa. "Can’t put it much better than that."

Kaya let out a light chuckle as she settled beside Y/N. "To be honest, I find some of the decor to be a bit gaudy. I’d prefer to donate it to charity."

Nami bristled at that. "We’re not charity."

/N waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, Pumpkin. I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way, right?"

Kaya quickly shook her head. "No, of course not. I just think, what’s the point of having so much if you can’t share it with others? Like those in need—family... friends."

"So we’re friends now?" Nami asked, raising an eyebrow.

Y/N scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Of course we are."

Nami turned to Y/N, motioning toward Kaya. "But she doesn't even know me!"

Kaya shrugs thoughtfully. "Usopp and Y/N do, and that’s a start.

Nami frowned slightly, but Y/N patted the space beside her with a playful grin. "Come on, Pumpkin, let's bond."

Nami rolled her eyes at Y/N's antics but eventually settled down next to her. "So what do we do now? Have a sleepover? Do each other’s makeup?"

Y/N smirked, leaning closer. "Only if you promise to let me go wild with the glitter. We can start with—" Y/N began, but was interrupted by Kaya's coughing.

"Kaya, are you okay?" Nami asked, concern etching her features.

Y/N placed a hand on Kaya's back. "Should I get you some water or something?"

Kaya stopped coughing and looked at the girls, shaking her head. "Not you too."

"What?" Y/N frowned in confusion, sharing a puzzled glance with Nami.

Kaya sighed. "Everyone’s so careful around me. Like one wrong move and I’ll break." She looked between the girls. "I don’t want your pity."

"Well, you won’t get it then," Nami said, with a small grin.

"No pity here, just friendship," Y/N shrugged, a teasing smile creeping onto her face. "And as friends, you ought to tell us what is going on between you and Usoppppp."

"Is he your boyfriend?" Nami grins.

"Oh. Um…" Kaya chuckled, glancing between the girls. "Usopp and I? No, no. We’ve known each other for years. Ever since his mother passed away, he didn’t have anyone, so my parents gave him a job at the shipyard." Her smile grew a little wider as she continued, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "He likes to come around and tell me all about his brave exploits and grand adventures. And the truth is, they make me feel better."

Y/N leaned in, a teasing grin on her face. "So, it’s like Usopp is your personal bard, spinning tales to lift your spirits? I can see how that’d be comforting."

Kaya chuckles, "After my parents... he was able to make me smile again."

"Your parents, what happened to them?" Nami asked, her voice softening.

Kaya’s eyes instantly glistened with unshed tears, and Y/N could see this was a sensitive subject. "They, um… They died at sea. After all these years, it still takes my breath away. I couldn’t even go through their belongings. Just… locked up the memories in the East Wing, where their bedroom was."

"I’m so sorry," Nami said softly, echoing Y/N's thoughts. She understood the weight of loss, grief, and the pain that lingered.

"Have you ever lost anyone close to you?" Kaya inquired, her gaze searching.

"No," Nami replied, her voice steady but filled with empathy.

Y/N paused for a moment, her heart heavy. "Yes," she said softly.

Y/N and Kaya shared a look of understanding, a silent acknowledgement of their shared pain. The bond of loss wove them closer together in that quiet moment, as they realized they were not alone in their experiences.

Kaya, after a moment of quiet, turned to Nami with a small smile. "Well, I’m jealous of you, Nami."

Nami scoffed, her eyebrow raised. "Said the rich girl."

Kaya chuckled at the response, shaking her head before looking directly at her. "You’re not very good at this friends thing, are you?"

Y/N grinned at the exchange, nudging Nami playfully. "She’s a tough nut to crack, but trust me, she’s definitely worth it."

The three of them shared a laugh, the tension lifting as they bonded in their own quirky way.

Kaya let out a soft yawn, clearly indicating how late it had gotten. Y/N smirked, her eyes glinting with playful amusement. "Need your beauty sleep, princess?"

Kaya chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "I suppose I do," she admitted, rubbing her eyes. "Though I’m not sure how much help it’ll be."

"Trust me," Y/N grinned, "you're already glowing."

Nami rolled her eyes, but even she smiled a little at Y/N’s cheeky comment. "We should get going though,"

Y/N stood up, stretching a bit before nodding. "That we should. I still need a loo."

Kaya chuckled, pointing down the hall. "Down the hall on the left."

As she made her way to her bed, Kaya added, "Why don’t you two join me for breakfast tomorrow? Your friends too. We can discuss a deal for the caravel."

"Yeah, that’ll be great." Y/N smiled, starting to walk away, but she paused when Nami spoke again.

"This may not be my place," Nami said, glancing back at Kaya, "but don’t let Klahadore or anyone run your life. You’re stronger than you think."

Kaya smiled softly at the sentiment. "I appreciate that."

"Good night, Nami, Y/N," she called out as she settled under her blankets.

"Good night," Nami replied with a small smile.

"Night, Kaya," Y/N added with a wink.

As they reached the door, Kaya called after them with a grin, "Don’t forget your pillow."

Nami took the pillowcase as she, Kaya and Y/N chuckled softly. Once they were outside the room, Nami halted and pulled something out of the pillowcase—a small box of some sort—and placed it on a nearby table. Y/N grinned at her, clearly amused.

Nami noticed the grin and rolled her eyes. "What?" she asked, her tone exasperated.

Y/N shrugged, still smiling. “Funny how a little girl talk can literally change people.”

“Shut up,” Nami muttered, giving Y/N a playful push. “Besides, Kaya’s just an exception.”

Y/N laughed, her teasing grin only growing wider. "Sure, pumpkin, whatever you say. How about you and I go for a midnight snack?"

"I could eat," Nami shrugs aimlessly.

"Right, you go find the kitchen while I find the loo because I'm about to explode," Y/N told the girls she was already on her way to the bathroom.

Nami shook her head with a smirk. “Alright, see you in the kitchen—if I don’t get lost first.”

"Shut up,"

After using the fancy loo, Y/N strolled into the kitchen, her usual playful grin in place. "Can you believe they have hyacinth-scented soap here? I mean, if you're going to steal something, might as well go for—"

Her words came to an abrupt halt when she noticed it wasn’t Nami in the kitchen. No, standing there were the butlers—Klahadore, Buchi, and the maid, Sham. And on the table, laid out unconscious, was Luffy.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene. Klahadore turned slowly toward her, his expression cold and calculating.

“Well, it seems we have an unexpected guest,” Klahadore said with a chilling smile, the air growing tense.

"Shit," Y/N muttered under her breath, instinctively taking a step back. Her heart raced as she quickly realized she had walked straight into something dangerous. It didn’t take a genius to know the butlers were up to no good.

"Now, now," Klahadore cooed, "there’s no need to make a fuss."

"Too late for that," Y/N shot him a defiant look before bolting for the door.

However, Y/N didn’t make it far. Just as she turned to run, Klahadore seemed to teleport, appearing in front of her in an instant.

She gasped, heart pounding as she spun back around, desperate to escape. But before she could even take a step, a sharp blow struck the side of her head. Pain exploded behind her eyes, and everything went dark as her body crumpled to the floor.

The next time Y/N opened her eyes, the first thing she saw wasn’t Zoro’s concerned face but the dark, starry sky above. The cool night air hit her skin, and the faint sound of crickets chirping filled the quiet. She blinked, disoriented, before realizing she was lying on the cold, hard ground outside, near an old stone well.

"Oi, wake up," Zoro’s familiar gruff voice cut through the haze, accompanied by another tap, harder this time.

Y/N blinked and squinted, barely making out his face against the moonlit sky. “Zoro?” she muttered, trying to sit up.

“Yeah, it’s me. You good, or you need another nap?” he asked, crossing his arms, his expression unbothered but with a hint of concern in his eyes.

Y/N groaned as she sat up, feeling the cold stone of the well against her back. “Where are we?”

“Outside. Near the well behind the mansion. I found you knocked out cold.”

“Gee, thanks for stating the obvious,” she muttered, rubbing her temple. “What the hell happened?”

Zoro knelt down beside her, his tone growing more serious. “Klahadore isn’t just some butler. He’s Kuro—Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates. That bastard’s been hiding out here, playing the good servant. That psycho’s got some plan involving Kaya-"

Y/N's heart raced as she shot up to her feet, ignoring the dizziness that washed over her. "Luffy—he was passed out! And Nami—she was supposed to be in the kitchen. They’re in there with those psychos. We have to go back!"

Zoro’s expression darkened as he drew one of his swords, the steely glint catching the moonlight. "Then let's go. No time to waste."

Despite the pounding in her head, Y/N steadied herself, determination fueling her. She nodded, and the two of them sprinted toward the mansion. The eerie quiet of the night only heightened the sense of urgency, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone path.

As they neared the mansion, Y/N and Zoro began to hear voices, the two exchanged a glance as they crept closer, the voices becoming unmistakably clearer.

"Father always said, 'Dead pirate weighs the same as a live one,'" came the cocky, irritating voice that Y/N instantly recognized. Helmeppo.

"Garp gave us strict orders," a softer, more hesitant voice responded, trying to reason with him.

"He gave you strict orders," Helmeppo sneered as Y/N and Zoro finally reached the scene. Helmeppo stood there, holding a gun to Luffy, "Start walking, pirate, or die."

Zoro wasted no time. He was a blur of movement, taking out the two marines flanking Helmeppo with effortless precision. They hit the ground before they could even register what had happened.

As groans filled the air, Helmeppo and the kind boy Kobi she had met before turned to face Y/N and Zoro. The smug look on Helmeppo's face faded quickly when he saw them approach.

Y/N crossed her arms, a dangerous smirk tugging at her lips. "Gotta say, you picked the wrong night to be an idiot, Helmeppo. But then again, that's just who you are."

"Zoro! Y/N!" Luffy called out excitedly, as though he hadn’t been held at gunpoint just seconds earlier.

Zoro strode forward with his usual calm, while Y/N rushed to Luffy's side, giving Helmeppo a quick but satisfying punch that knocked him out cold.

"How’d you two know where to find me?" Luffy asked, a huge grin on his face.

"We didn’t, stud," Y/N replied, helping him up. "We thought we were headed to the house." Her nose scrunched up as she noticed the blue barf near Luffy and and instinctively wiped some goo from his face with her sleeve, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now," Luffy smiled, his usual carefree attitude shining through as he began to make his way back to the house. "Come on!"

Y/N and Zoro exchanged a glance before following Luffy, but their steps were halted by Koby.

"Hold it right there!" he called, his voice firm. "By order of the Marines, I’m placing you under arrest."

"Koby…" Luffy took a step forward, a small grin creeping onto his face, but it quickly transformed into a more serious demeanor. "I know you’ve got a job to do… but I’m gonna go back and help my friends. So don’t try to stop me."

Koby hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face as he looked at Luffy. It was clear he was torn between duty and friendship but he remained rooted to the spot, conflicted, as the three of them dashed into the shadows of the mansion, hearts racing and adrenaline pumping. They needed to save their friends, and nothing was going to stop them now.

When the trio reached the house, they quickly noticed the heavy metal covering the door, effectively barricading them from entering. Y/N felt a surge of frustration, but before she could voice it, Zoro stepped forward with a determined look in his eyes.

“Step aside,” he said. Zoro squared his stance, gripping the edge of the metal barrier. With a powerful grunt, he heaved against it with all his might.

To her astonishment, the metal slid upwards with a loud screech, revealing the entrance. Without hesitating, she quickly shoved a nearby statue beneath the opening to keep it in place and with a swift kick, she propelled the wooden door open, and it swung inward with a thud, revealing the interior of the mansion.

Luffy stepped inside, followed closely by Y/N and Zoro. The three of them paused in the foyer, taking in the surroundings. The air was thick with tension, shadows stretching across the walls as the faint light flickered from the ornate chandelier above.

“I need to grab my fans from my room,” Y/N said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Luffy nodded, his determination unwavering. “Let’s split up.”

Zoro and Y/N exchanged glances before also nodding in agreement. Without wasting another moment, the trio took off in different directions. Luffy headed upstairs, while Zoro moved toward the kitchens, every step echoing with purpose. Y/N made her way to the guest wing, her heart racing as she recalled the location of her weapons.

As she dashed down the corridor, the silence of the mansion felt oppressive, every creak of the floorboards amplifying her anxiety. She finally reached her room and pushed the door open, relief flooding through her as she spotted her fans resting on the dresser.

“Got you!” she whispered to herself, snatching them up and flipping them open, the familiar weight comforting in her hands. With her weapons secured, she turned to leave, but a noise from the hallway caught her attention.

Holding her breath, Y/N peered out into the corridor, her war fans gripped tightly in her hands, poised defensively. The dim hallway stretched before her,

Holding her breath, Y/N peered out into the corridor, her war fans gripped tightly in her hands, poised defensively. The dim hallway stretched before her, shadows danced along the walls.

She scanned the area, her senses heightened, every creak echoing ominously in her ears. The silence felt almost tangible, pressing against her as she waited for any sign of movement. Just as she was about to step out, a creak from behind made her whip around.

Standing there was Bushi, the plump butler from earlier, draped in an absurd cat-like costume complete with a cape. His beady eyes gleamed in the low light, and a smirk spread across his face, giving him an almost sinister air.

"Of all designs, that's the one you chose?" Y/N scoffed, laughter bubbling up despite the tension.

Bushi smirked, revealing sharp canine-like teeth as he brandished two blades from behind his back. "It comes with perks,"

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a playful grin still on her face, but her stance was ready. “Perks, huh? I guess you must feel pretty fancy in that ugly getup." With a swift motion, she opened her war fan, the edges glinting ominously. “Shift it, mongrel.”

The butler lunged forward, and Y/N expertly sidestepped, feeling the rush of air as his blade sliced through the space she had just occupied. In one fluid motion, she spun around, bringing her war fan down with precision aimed at his wrist.

Bushi barely raised his other blade in time, the metallic clash ringing out as sparks flew from the impact. He grinned, lunging again, but Y/N ducked low, her fan cutting through the air as she aimed for his legs.

He jumped back, narrowly escaping. With a swift kick, Y/N drove him against the wall, the force of her strike causing him to grunt.

“You’ll pay for that!” he snarled, lunging at her with renewed ferocity. Y/N raised her fan just in time to block the incoming strike, their blades clashing once more.

Using the momentum, she pushed off his blade and leaped into the air, executing a graceful flip. As she landed, she swung the fan down toward him like a blade.

Bushi rolled out of the way, regaining his balance as Y/N charged again. He swung at her, but she ducked and sidestepped, moving with agility. She slashed at him, the fan cutting through the air, forcing him to backpedal.

As they danced around each other, the sound of metal on metal echoed through the hallway, tension thickening the air. Y/N felt the adrenaline surge, her instincts kicking in as she prepared for the next move.

Bushi lunged, but she pivoted, dodging and countering with a swift strike aimed at his midsection. He barely blocked it, gritting his teeth as they continued to clash, each movement fluid and aggressive.

Finally, Y/N saw an opening. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent her fan spiraling toward his face, momentarily stunning him. In that split second, she charged forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent him crashing to the ground.

As Y/N caught her breath, she glanced around the dimly lit hallway, scanning for any additional threats. But before she could take a step, Bushi sprang back to his feet, eyes narrowed with determination.

“Not done yet!” he growled.

The butler lunged again, and Y/N met his charge with a swift deflection of her fan. The two danced around the narrow space of the staircase, trading blows as they fought against the railing.

Bushi swung his blades, forcing Y/N to duck and weave, her instincts sharp. She retaliated with a swift jab of her fan, catching him in the side. He stumbled, growling in frustration, but quickly regained his footing, the glint of his sharp canines reflecting the dim light.

Y/N could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she adjusted her stance, her fan poised for the next move. Bushi lunged again, blades slicing through the air, and she narrowly avoided the attack by pivoting to the side, the tips of his weapons barely grazing her. The narrowness of the staircase forced them into a tight rhythm, each movement calculated and precise.

Bushi spun low, attempting a sweeping strike at her legs. Y/N leapt back, her heart pounding, and then retaliated with a powerful jab of her fan into his shoulder. The impact sent him reeling against the railing, his balance faltering for just a moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Y/N launched forward, her movements fluid and fierce. With a well-aimed kick to his midsection, she sent him crashing through the railing. The sound of splintering wood echoed in the hallway as he plummeted down into the foyer below.

Y/N glanced down at the foyer, her eyes locking with Zoro, who had just dispatched the maid, Sham.

"Impressive finishing move," Zoro remarked, sheathing his swords with a casual air.

Y/N grinned, tilting her head in playful acknowledgment."What can I say? It’s hard not to show off when I’m surrounded by such unimpressive company. Now, let’s find something to restrain them with—preferably something more effective than their fashion choices."

Sooner rather than later, to Y/N's relief, Kaya, Nami, Usopp, and Luffy emerged from the upper levels, sporting only a few scratches but no serious injuries.

"Oh, thank the stars," Y/N exclaimed, her heart settling at the sight of them. "Looks like you all survived the thrilling experience of fighting off shit butlers and overly dramatic maids."

Zoro swung open the main door, allowing the bright morning light to flood into the dim foyer.

Nami rolled her eyes but there was a shinning in her eyes of relief and amusment. "You missed all the fun, Y/N."

"Fun?" Y/N raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her lips. "You mean the kind of fun that comes with questionable service choices and bad manners?"

Both girls exchanged grins, a shared understanding passing between them.

“I’m sorry about the mess,” Zoro remarked to Kaya, his tone devoid of any regret. “You probably need some new staff.”

“I think I’m done with staff for a bit,” Kaya replied, her gaze lingering on her former cook and maid, now tied on the floor.

“Too bad we can’t collect their bounty,” Zoro sighed, arms crossed.

Nami jumped in, her frustration bubbling over. “No. No. The Marines already know where we are. We have to get out of here.”

Y/N pursed her lips, glancing around the room. “We don't have nowhere to go,"

"Nor a ship," Luffy added.

"Yes, you do." Kaya said, catching them all off guard.

The atmosphere shifted as the realization sank in, and grins spread across their faces. They knew she was about to gift them the very ship they had set out for—the one that had led them into this chaotic mess.

Y/N smirked at Luffy, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Congratulations, stud. Looks like you won the bet."

Luffy returned her smirk, his playful spirit shining through, before glancing at Nami, who rolled her eyes.

After everything that had transpired, the six of them stood before the ship, its elegant lamb bow glimmering in the sunlight.

"Wow," Luffy exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe. "That looks just like your lawyer friend."

Kaya smiled softly, nostalgia washing over her. "Merry ran the shipyard after my parents passed. He was their dearest colleague and my oldest companion."

"Then his memory will live on, "Luffy declared, "I hereby name this ship the Going Merry!"

Kaya smiled warmly, her eyes shining with pride. “It’s yours now. Your new home.”

“Thank you, Kaya,” Luffy replied, his voice full of genuine gratitude. Then, with a burst of energy, he thrust his fist into the air. “Whoo! Yeah! We did it!”

Without warning, Luffy leaped at Y/N, Nami, and Zoro, pulling them into a bone-crushing hug.

Y/N laughed, feeling the warmth of Luffy’s infectious happiness wash over her. “That we did!”

As they broke apart, no matter how hard she tried not to, Y/N couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning of something truly extraordinary or horrifying.

"Usopp!" Luffy suddenly called, causing everyone to turn their heads toward the boy.

Luffy approached him with that signature grin. "What are you waiting for? Get your stuff."

"What stuff?" Usopp asked, clearly confused.

"You’re coming with us. Right?" Luffy said with a grin that suggested he already knew the answer.

"What?" Usopp stammered. "Uh… uh… No. I… I couldn’t."

"Don't make him beg, champ," Y/N teased with a playful wink.

“I’m gonna need a great sharpshooter,” Luffy added, leaning in confidently. “Just like Yasopp. And I saw what you did back there--sticking up for your friends. That’s exactly the kind of guy I need on my crew.”

Usopp hesitated, his gaze flicking to Kaya. "But… I couldn’t leave Syrup Village. What… what about Kaya?" His voice wavered as he looked at her. "She needs me to take care of her."

Kaya stepped forward, her expression gentle. "Usopp, you’ve been a great friend," she said, taking his hand. "But I think it’s time I start taking care of myself."

"But I said I’d never leave you," Usopp protested, his frown deepening. "And don’t you need help with the shipyard?"

Nami, Y/N, and Zoro quietly made their way to stand beside Luffy, content to watch the moment unfold between Usopp and Kaya.

"The shipyard was my parents’ dream," Kaya said softly, her eyes warm as they met Usopp's. "I think I might do something different. Like study to become a doctor."

"So… I guess this is goodbye," Usopp said slowly, his voice tinged with sadness.

Kaya squeezed his hands, offering him a soft, encouraging smile. "I’ll see you again someday. And when I do, I expect to hear all about the real adventures of Captain Usopp."

Much to Usopp's surprise—and to no one else's—Kaya leaned in and kissed him. It was a tender moment, prompting the spectators to avert their eyes… except for Luffy, who frowned in confusion.

"They… they do know I’m the captain, right?"

Nami patted Luffy on the shoulder. "Let them have this one,"

Y/N grinned, nudging Luffy playfully. "Besides, you’ll get your moment, stud. Maybe with less kissing though, but who knows." she winks at him.

And just like that, they were out at sea again—this time, however, with a new friend and a real ship beneath their feet. The Going Merry cut through the waves with ease, her elegant lamb figurehead gleaming in the sunlight.

And then, they were out on the open sea again, this time with a new crewmate and a real ship beneath their feet. The Going Merry glided effortlessly over the waves, its lamb figurehead leading the way toward new adventures.

Y/N leaned against the railing, gazing out at the endless blue ocean. The sun warmed her skin while the salty breeze danced through her white hair, tousling it playfully. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, letting the serenity of the sea wash over her, giving her a sense of freedom she hadn’t felt in a long time.

A sudden shout nearly made Y/N jump out of her skin, snapping her attention to the bow of the ship. She couldn’t help but snicker as she spotted Luffy, perched at the top of the lamb’s head, waving his straw hat with pure joy. His wide grin was infectious, and the sight of him celebrating like a carefree kid brought a warmth to her chest.

He was so ridiculously happy, as if he’d just discovered the greatest treasure in the world, and for a second, Y/N envied his simplicity—his ability to find joy in the smallest things, no matter the chaos surrounding them.

Looking back at the ocean, a quiet hope took root inside her. This might actually work. The thought of reuniting with her sister felt closer than ever, and the mere possibility made her smile.

A lively melody echoed around the ship's gallery, and Y/N ran her fingers over the guitar strings, crafting an upbeat tune that danced with the rhythm of the waves.

In Syrup Village, where dreams took flight, Lived young Kaya, shining so bright. But Kuro the Cat, with a sinister crew, Plotted to take her, oh, what would they do?

Then we arrived, with laughter and cheer, “Don’t worry, dear Kaya! Your heroes are here!--”

"We did not arrive with laughter and cheer," Nami scoffs from beside Y/N, interrupting the ballad.

Y/N rolls her eyes, a playful grin on her face. "Shush, it rhymes! Besides, artistic license!"

Nami crossed her arms. "More like a disaster in the making."

"Focus on the song, not the flaws," Zoro mutters from her other side, his voice low yet steady.

Y/N scoffs at him, "Excuse me, but my ballad doesn't have any flaws."

Luffy, grinned wide as he ate some fruit. "I like it! Keep going!"

With a theatrical sigh, Y/N continued, her fingers dancing over the guitar strings.

“Thank you, brave souls!” Kaya smiled wide, “I’ve got a surprise—come take a ride!” With joy in her heart, she gave them the key, To the Going Merry, as grand as could be!

"And that’s the end of my masterpiece," Y/N said with a playful shrug, her grin wide.

Nami shook her head, unable to suppress her smile. "You're utterly ridiculous, you know that?"

“Ridiculously talented, you mean!” Luffy exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. He turned to Y/N, beaming. "Can you whip up one about each of us?"

"Only if the muse strikes me just right," Y/N replied.

“Guys! You’ve got to see this!” Usopp burst into the room, proudly draping a black mantle over his shoulders. “Behold my unparalleled artistic genius!” He positioned Luffy to hold the flag aloft. “Ta-da!” The flag showcased a cartoonish skull with exaggerated features reminiscent of Usopp himself.

Usopp chuckled at his creation, but the room fell into silence, the others unsure how to react.

“I know, I know,” he said, breaking the quiet. “My flair for design often leaves people speechless.”

Luffy, unfazed, closed the flag and handed it back to Usopp with a cheeky grin. "I already drew our flag."

"Okay, but this one is way cooler!" Usopp insisted, trying again.

Zoro interjected, his tone deadpan, "Neither of those flags are gonna scare anyone off."

"Well, the Jolly Roger is supposed to reflect the captain," Usopp argued, wrapping the flag around himself like a cape.

Luffy leaned in closer, a playful spark in his eyes. "I am the captain. We are the Straw Hat crew."

"They call me Captain Usopp!" Usopp declared dramatically.

"I’m the captain. Me, captain. Captain, me."

"The captain is the one who gets the ship and knows the most about sailing," Usopp countered, trying to hold his ground.

"I am…"

Their ridiculous bickering over who truly held the title of captain was so absurd that even Nami couldn’t help but chuckle. Y/N exchanged amused glances with her, and soon the whole crew was laughing along.

Luffy beamed as he patted Usopp on the back, his excitement radiating through the room. "You see? This is what it’s all about!" He leaned in closer, confidence oozing from him. "From now on, it’s all gonna be smooth sailing."

Just as his words hung in the air, a thunderous boom erupted from outside, causing everyone to exchange puzzled glances. Before they could react, another explosion shook the ship, this time sending a tremor beneath their feet.

"What was that?" Usopp asks as he holds into Luffy.

Y/N cursed under her breath, instinctively reaching for her weapons. "Cannonballs!

Nami set her drink down with a frustrated sigh, rising to her feet. "You had to open your mouth," she shot at Luffy, just as the sound of cannon fire rattled the ship again.

The crew scrambled outside, eyes widening as they took in the sight before them. A Marine ship just behind them, cannons poised and ready for another strike.

"Marines! We’re under attack!" Nami shouted, her voice laced with urgency as another cannonball soared perilously close.

Y/N felt a sense of dread wash over her, but what came next was entirely unexpected. Luffy, the boy who prided himself on being a pirate, who declared his dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates with fervor, said;

“Grandpa?”

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Lots of love. Be safe.

Also, tell me if you want to get tagged.

Divider by @cafekitsune

[butchreg]

cg ! vander headcanons !!

requested by anon. struggling atm but i feel worse not being productive at all so thought i'd try my hand at these. i won't be making a lot of vander content as i'm just not as familiar with him and feel less comfortable writing about men but he's so dad so just this once let me cook ! apologies if he's ooc i did my best.. not proofread ヾ(_ _*) any mistakes are on me. my posts will definitely be slower during this time , please be patient with me i'm doing my best but motivations and energy are both low and i have some personal things going on keeping me busy. arcane masterlist here , upcoming list here

vander's favorite nickname from you is "papa" or "papa bear" but he's not picky. whatever his little one wants to call him is cool with him. he prefers masculine titles but is not opposed to being called "mama" if it would make you happy.

vander is always mixing you up delicious milk concoctions. you never know what flavor you're going to get , he likes to surprise you , but they're always so yummy !

vander always makes you your lunches , leaving you notes like the one in the picture in the brown paper bag. he always makes you a special sandwich and is sure to add both a fruit and a treat in your lunch.

vander loves cooking for you ! he's always making you good hearty meals , whistling as he does so. if you show interest he's happy to include you , letting you stir a sauce or giving you the honors of being the taste tester. "hmm.. whaddaya think it needs , kiddo?" he wears silly aprons which make you giggle but he takes his cooking very seriously.

vander tries to make you handmade little stuffed animals. i imagine him making silly ones with button eyes like the ones in the photo. they tend to be fairly crude but are made with the utmost care and love ! he'll sheepishly scratch the back of his neck , a bit embarrassed when he gives them to you , fingers covered in bandages due to him continuously poking himself with the sewing needles. "they're not much but..." "I LOVE IT PAPA !" you interrupt , thanking him over and over. he chuckles , patting your head. "you're very welcome."

vander always knows how to deal with your big feelings even when you don't. he's really good at getting you calmed down and is a great listener , always knowing when you need to talk. "i'm here, kid." he assures you , wrapping you up in one of his signature bear hugs. "i'm right here." he'll stay with you , patting your back in his typical gentle but firm manner.

papa vander who loves to tell you stories. whether it's about his life or made up he tells amazing ones , you refuse to go to sleep without one. he likes to read to you as well , using an impressive array of voices for each character.

vander being so big and buff can be used to your advantage. he's always carrying you around on his shoulders , making you clap with delight as you survey the world from up high. he can scoop you up with ease - if you're ever to doze off or are feeling too small to walk by yourself he picks you up as though you weigh nothing, cradling you in his big arms.

the kind of papa who is always teaching you new things. he's constantly cheering you on , so proud when you get the hang of something new. clapping you on the shoulder , beaming down at you. "that's my boy/girl/kid."

papa vander who tells EVERYONE at the last drop about you. he's so proud to be your papa , showing everyone the pictures of you he keeps in his wallet , telling them stories about your adventures together.

[onlyhereforthestories]

Markets, Memories and Mistletoe (Ashley Sanchez x Reader)

Day 3! I'm in Prague woooo Christmas markets here I come, so it's only fitting this is the fic out today! Enjoy!

The festive lights of the Christmas market sparkled above as Ashley guided you through the bustling stalls, her eyes alight with excitement. She’d insisted you bundle up for the cold evening and surprised you with a trip to this holiday wonderland after training. Even with the chilly air and your glove covered fingers, she held your hand tightly, swinging it between you as you wandered into the heart of the market. There was something about being surrounded by the scents of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon, and pine that was utterly enchanting. The air was crisp, carrying the whispers of laughter from families bundled in scarves and mittens, their breath visible in the frosty glow of the lights. It was a symphony of winter's delights, a scene that painted the quiet joy of the season on every passerby's face.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she grinned, nudging you toward the food stands. Ashley’s excitement was contagious, and she led you straight to a vendor selling caramelized nuts. She bought a small paper cone of them, handing you the warm treat and leaning in to steal a few for herself.

“Good, right?” she asked, her mouth full as she looked at you with sparkling eyes.

“Delicious,” you agreed, popping a few into your mouth. She watched your reaction with a grin, looking a little too pleased with herself.

The two of you drifted from one stall to another, Ashley pointing out everything from handmade ornaments to cozy scarves, stopping at almost every stand to admire the unique holiday trinkets. At one booth, a display of delicate, glass-blown ornaments caught her eye, and she insisted on getting one shaped like a tiny soccer ball to remember your night together. “It’s going on our tree,” she declared proudly, tucking it carefully into her bag.

As you strolled around the busy market, you came upon an outdoor ice-skating rink set up in the middle of the festivities. People of all ages glided across, bundled up and laughing as holiday music played in the background. Ashley looked at you with a raised brow, her hand tightening around yours. “What do you say? Up for a few spins?”

You both rented skates and made your way onto the rink. Ashley, naturally competitive, started off with a flourish, attempting to show off her skating skills by gliding backward with ease. But just a few seconds later, she lost her balance and wobbled, her arms flailing as she tried to stay upright.

“Need a little help?” you teased, reaching out to steady her.

“Who, me?” she grinned, pretending to regain her composure. “I’ve totally got this.” But her footing was far from steady, and as you held onto her hands, she finally admitted, “Okay, maybe just a little help.”

You spent the next few minutes holding hands as you made slow laps around the rink. Every time one of you wobbled, the other was there to stabilise and offer support, both of you laughing so hard that even the chilly air couldn’t keep you from the warm feeling it created. After a while, Ashley seemed to forget all about showing off and just focused on keeping up with you, her smile never fading.

When you finally made your way off the ice, cheeks flushed and out of breath, you both collapsed onto a nearby bench, catching your breath while you shared a cup of hot cocoa piled high with whipped cream. She handed you the cup to take the first sip, watching you with that soft, adoring look she always got when she thought you weren’t paying attention.

“Thanks for coming with me,” she said quietly, bumping your shoulder. “I don’t know… Christmas markets always seemed more fun with someone else.”

“Same,” you replied, bumping her back, feeling a warmth in your chest that had nothing to do with the hot cocoa. “This is perfect, Ash.”

After a few more sips of cocoa, she led you back into the heart of the market, where you spotted a sprig of mistletoe hanging from one of the vendor stalls. Without missing a beat, Ashley glanced up at it, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she leaned closer to you.

“So… there’s some mistletoe right here,” she said, as if it were the most natural observation in the world.

“Oh, really? Didn’t notice,” you teased, feigning obliviousness.

She let out a playful groan, her hands on your shoulders as she guided you directly beneath the mistletoe. “Come on! It’s tradition!” She was laughing but blushing, her nose red from the cold and her cheeks from the teasing. Then, her voice softened, her hand brushing a lock of hair back from your face. “And besides, I want to kiss you.”

Without waiting for a response, she closed the space between you, her lips soft and warm against yours, making the bustling market fade into the background. It was a sweet, lingering kiss that left you both smiling like lovesick teens, right there under the holiday lights. Ashley pulled back slightly, her fingers still brushing against your cheek. Her eyes sparkled with more than just the reflection of the lights, they held a kind of quiet contentment that made your heart flutter. The sounds of the market seemed distant now, as if they were nothing more than background music to your own little world.

"See? That wasn’t so bad," she said, her voice teasing but soft.

You smiled, still feeling the warmth of her lips against yours. "You were right. Plus, I wanted to kiss you too."

Ashley grinned mischievously and nudged you with her shoulder. “Yeah, you’re welcome.”

Before either of you could say anything else, a group of children ran by, their laughter contagious. They were bundled up in bright scarves and mittens, their energy spilling over into the crisp evening air. Ashley’s gaze followed them for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

“I used to come here every year when I was little,” she said softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “My parents would bring me, and we’d go ice skating and drink hot cocoa like we just did. It was always my favourite part of Christmas. It always feels like time slows down a little, like everything is a little bit brighter. I think that’s the magic of it all, you know, making those memories that last a lifetime. That you can look back on years later and be filled with that warmth that only happy memories can provide. Its why I wanted to do this, I wanted those memories to look back on with you too.”

You squeezed her hand, the simple gesture speaking volumes. “I get it. I feel the same way when I’m with you. Making memories wasn’t something I really had growing up but, I’m so glad I get to make them with you now. Thank you for always showing the light in life.”

Ashley’s eyes met yours, and for a moment, everything around you seemed to fade away. The market, the cold, the holiday hustle, they were all just a quite murmur now. It was just you two, here making this, as perfect as can be, memory.

Her smile softened, and she leaned her head against your shoulder. “I’m really happy you’re here with me, you know? This feels like one of those memories I’m going to hold on to forever.”

Your heart swelled, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. “I’m glad I’m here too, Ash. This is one of my favourite nights.”

There was a brief silence, comfortable and filled with the warmth only shared moments like this could create. Then, with a playful nudge, Ashley straightened up, her eyes twinkling once more.

“Alright, enough of the sappy shit," she said, grinning. "We still have a whole market to explore. And I haven’t even shown you the best part.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Best part?”

“Oh, yeah.” She pointed toward a stall in the distance, where twinkling fairy lights framed a giant gingerbread house. "You haven’t had the gingerbread cookies yet. Trust me, they’re legendary. You’ll be dreaming about them for weeks.”

Laughing, you followed her toward the stall, both of you slipping into the festive crowd. The cold wind still whipped at your face, but it felt far less biting now, with Ashley’s presence keeping you warm and the evenings possibilities stretched out before you.

As you approached the gingerbread stand, Ashley reached out, her hand brushing against yours once more. "Let’s make this night unforgettable,” she said, and her grin was the only invitation you needed.

[mylovesstuffs]

OT13 reacting to their s/o being very artistic

Request: can i request an ot13 reaction when the reader is a very artistic person ? maybe like she has a sketchbook just for drawing them or always make them a handcraft present like paper flower ykyk. thank youuu sm <3 !

A/N: I HOPE YOU LIKE THISSS!!! 😭💖 THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE!!! Thank you for the ADORABLE request, and I hope it made you giggle and kick your feet!! 🎨✨💛

Seungcheol: Blown away by your skills. If he ever walks in on you sketching, he’d just watch you for a while before softly saying, “That’s amazing.” If you made him a little painting of the two of you together, he’d keep it in his wallet or frame it in his room. He’s so proud of you and always hypes you up. “I can’t believe I have such a talented S/O.”

Jeonghan: He tries to act chill about it but the truth is, he loves it so much. If he ever catches you sketching him, he’d be like, “I know I’m handsome, but is drawing me that fun?” (he's melting inside). If you made him a cute little craft, he’d display it in his room and pretend it’s not a big deal, but if someone even tries to touch it, he’d be like, “DON’T TOUCH THAT…!!”

Joshua: He finds it incredibly sweet and would cherish every little thing you make. He loves watching you while you’re drawing and would even try to learn from you. He’d treasure all the sketches you made of him, keeping them in a box to look at whenever he misses you. “I can’t believe you put so much effort into this for me…” 🥺💖

Jun: Super supportive but also competitive. If he sees you sketching, he’d be like, “Let’s see who can draw better.” (spoiler: you win). If you gifted him a DIY card, he’d try to make one for you too, but it’d be a funny disaster (but it’s the thought that counts). He’d constantly tell you, “You're so talented! Don’t ever stop creating.”

Hoshi: The first time he sees a sketch of him, he immediately asks if he can keep it forever. He’ll brag about it to everyone, carrying it around like a proud boyfriend. If you give him more handcrafted gifts, he’ll display it in his room like a treasure. “YOU MADE THIS WITH YOUR OWN HANDS?! IT’S AMAZING!” 🥺

Wonwoo: Obsessed. He won’t react dramatically like others, but he’ll carefully flip through your sketchbook, admiring all the drawings you made of him. If you made him an origami flower, he’d keep it on his desk forever. He’s so touched by the fact that you express your love this way. “You always put so much effort into your gifts…”

Woozi: The first time he sees your artwork, he’d actually be like, “Wait. You’re actually amazing at this.” If you gave him a little hand-painted keychain, he’d keep it in his bag forever. He might even try drawing with you, but if he’s bad at it (I don't remember how good or bad he's at drawing 😭), he’ll act all nonchalant like “I should just stick to music.” 😂

Dokyeom: SO GIDDY ABOUT IT. He’d constantly ask to see your sketchbook and react so dramatically to every drawing you show him, “I LOOK SO HANDSOME!”. If you made him something like a paper flower, he’d never throw it away, keeping it in a safe spot forever.

Mingyu: LOVES being your muse. The moment he finds out you draw him a lot, he’ll start posing weirdly just to mess with you. “You need more references? Here, look at my perfect face.” 😂 But deep down, he treasures every single thing you make. If you crafted something for him, he’d show it off to everyone like, “LOOK WHAT MY S/O MADE ME!!”

Minghao: LOVES your artistic side. He’d be so impressed by your skills and might even start sketching with you. If you made him a little DIY bracelet, he’d wear it every day. He’d always encourage you to explore different art styles, and if you painted a portrait of him, he’d be so flattered. “You captured my beauty so well.” 😆

Seungkwan: He’d be so overwhelmed with happiness every time you gifted him something handmade. Very vocal about how much he loves it. If you gave him a handwritten and illustrated letter, he’d tear up and read it over and over again. “YOU LOVE ME SO MUCH???” Also, yes, he will tease you but he’s secretly so soft about it too.

Vernon: He’d have a very chill reaction but internally, he’s so touched. If you gifted him a handmade keychain, he’d actually use it all the time. He’d really admire your sketches of him, probably taking pictures of them because he loves them so much. If you catch him zoning out while looking at your gifts, he’d be like, “What? They’re cool!”

Dino: SUPER touched by every little thing you make him. He’d probably be too shy at first to react dramatically, but you’d catch him staring at the gifts/sketches. If you made him a cute doodle of him dancing, he’d frame it in his room. “You put so much love into this… I love it.” 😭💖

[milesaerach]

You're Way Too Much

Let’s pretend 15x18 and 15x20 didn’t happen

Dean frowned when he opened the door to the bunker, carrying a bunch of reusable shopping bags with their weekly groceries. It was dark and he couldn’t hear any rustling of paper or Cas’ gravelly voice murmuring to his son. His hunter-senses went off in alarm, making him slowly descend the steel stairs.

The books that usually cluttered their war room and library were moved out of the way, spare one cut out arrow which said “check kitchen” in Castiel’s blocky handwriting.

He followed the small trail, curiously worried, until he came to the closed kitchen door. He set down the bag in such a way that it wouldn’t make too much noise, prepared for anything. Dean reached for the doorknob, his heart thumping, not knowing what would lie behind it until he heard an honest to god giggle.

He relaxed, his shoulder muscles unclenching and straightening out, recognising who made the sound.

“Suprise!”

Dean blushed as his family sang happy birthday to him, and Jack carried over a birthday pie with five candles pricked into the top.

They all looked… happy.

They sat him down, leaving him to blow out said candles as the blond young man threw confetti and streamers in the air.

The sight of all this warmed Dean’s insides, an honest grin coming out as Sam snapped a picture with a polaroid camera.

For a while, they forgot about all their problems and enjoyed the spiced cherry filling - Cas had a hand in this, Dean suspected - to celebrate the older hunter’s birthday.

Sam handed him a neatly wrapped present, square and thin. It was an original pressing of Led Zeppelin’s debut album. Dean grinned widely, thanking his big moose of a brother with sparkling eyes. Next up was their new god, Jack. With a boyish smile he presented him with a slightly crumpled package, which had a collar in it for Miracle.

And the last one was Castiel. The ex-angel gave him a little bag, which contained a handwritten card and two square packages. As Dean opened one of them up, his eyes glittered with emotion. It was a photo album, handmade and decorated by Cas himself. It contained little snapshots of their time together, with notes from different important people in their lives.

He stood up to hug the angel, squeezing him tight. “Thanks, Cas,” he brought out, feeling one of the man’s hands trailing from his shoulder to his hip, the big hand a featherlight touch. Dean felt like crying, if he were less himself he probably would.

He looked the other man in the eyes, the blue ocean of them filled with promise.

“Any time, Dean.”

[rainintheevening]

They all three left books behind.

Susan fished them out of the bundle of detritus returned to her from the police, from the morgue.

There was a small, thin hardback, just the right size for a pocket, almost seeming handmade, The Hound of Heaven painted across the cover in old English lettering. Its red and brown fabric was bent and smeared with something black. Inside the cover, in neat curving print: Lucy Pevensie. There was a ribbon marking a place, but Susan did not look further.

Ed's bag held three books.

His Bible, leather cover worn and cracked, inscribed inside on the thin page in slanting, quick cursive: June 1943 To Edmund, my brother, my friend, my king. Psalm 89:14-15

A well-worn copy of the Book of Common Prayer, with their father's name written above Ed’s in the back.

And a fresh, new book, though already cracked in the spine, carrying the title The Return of the King. A fantasy novel, with Peter's name written inside the cover. The last in a trilogy it seemed, and she vaguely recognized the author's name. They must have been sharing it, she thought. Sitting on the train, reading, probably excited for the end of a long story.

This one she opened to the place marked, found a paper with a list on it, Peter's handwriting again: bread, milk, cherry jam, 2 shirts, 3 socks, boots to cobblers, Augustine for Lucy... and several long titles that must have been medical texts.

She closed the book with shaking hands.

Lucy and Ed's books went in the box she never opened. Peter's went on the shelf with the other two, and the rest of his library that she kept.

She wasn't even thinking about it, when she read The Lord of the Rings aloud years later, little Helen stretched on the hearth-rug, the twins huddled close at her feet all eyes and ears, and Fred at his easel, his brush following the rhythm of her voice.

But then the chapter ended and she turned the page, and a paper fluttered to the floor, Peter's list, his last list, the things he needed to buy for his next term at medical school, which he had never finished.

She managed not to cry, though Pete and Tom wondered aloud over the scrap of paper, even as they handed it back. Her hands shook, but this time... she did not close the book.

Peter and Edmund had been reading this book in the train. They hadn’t finished it. They hadn’t read the ending. But she would.

She thought later, that that might have been when it began. That might have been when the path turned in a direction she had avoided for so long.

Ed's Bible eventually ended up on the table by her chair in the living room. The Prayer book came into Helen's possession. She put her name under her uncle's and her grandfather's in the back.

Susan read Lucy's book last, all beat up, and still smelling faintly smoky.

And in that Hound, Susan Pevensie found a Lion.

[kalpanahandmadepaper]

https://kalpanapapers.com/collections/handmade-paper-bag

Kalpana Handmade Co.

[curiositydooropened]

Christmas Eve

Some soft holiday moments with family.

This fic runs in the same Universe as My Whole Life, Too and Better Off

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Wordcount: 1393

Warnings: tooth rotting fluff, Steve is baby crazy, no plot to speak of, Merry Christmas, everyone! xoxo

Navigation • Masterlist

---

The house smelled warm, like the logs burning in the stove and the caramel melted into cocoa and cognac. You felt warm too, that heat that licked at your throat and itched the collar of your pale pink sweater, but not an unkind warmth. You were full, a handmade meal well-earned and welcomed, with spiced wassail and topped with all of the pie and cookies you’d spent the week painstakingly preparing. 

Dad left after dessert and before the liquor cabinet had been opened and the cocktails had been poured. He bid you adieu with a kiss to your temple, and you tucked a paper bag full of tin foiled leftovers into his hand. You’d bring him more in the morning.

Argyle was called an hour into drinks. He was on his way to Mass, and you all laughed as the kids screamed and argued to say hello first. 

Nancy was first to crash. Her sweet little face, normally wound in some form of tension or another, was soft and smiling as she tucked herself into your warm throw pillows. Her hands were draped in her lap, a lavender baby blanket slung over one shoulder, just in case. As soon as Robin noticed, you’d all hushed your giggles and tiptoed back to the kitchen to make cocoa and steal from the cookie tins. 

Nancy needn’t worry about her baby though, because Bea hadn’t left Steve’s arms since the little family of three walked over your threshold. Your fiancé (the term gave you butterflies even now, months later) carted the little angel all over your cottage, her soft cheek pressed to the breadth of his chest. He did let Nancy feed her twice, and he gave the other guests five minutes each with her before promptly taking her back. 

You’d handed her over at three and a half minutes, unable to contain the tingling warmth that spread through you at the glossy sheen over Steve’s eyes to see you holding the little bundle of joy.

Jonathan didn’t seem to mind the possessiveness over his daughter, dark circles and loopy smile indicative of two months with a needy newborn and her stubborn mother. He seemed more than grateful for the break and for the Scotch you’d slipped between his fingers as you leaned on his shoulders and breathed in the smell of city on your best friend.

Robin crashed second, still jet-lagged, back from France. She fell asleep on the kitchen counter, arms tucked beneath her, butt straight in the air. You and Jonathan carried her, through protestations, down the hall to the guest room, and before you left, she grasped your wrist and told you, blearily, how much she loves you, in French.

Jonathan and Nancy left soon after. He’d lifted her gently from the couch with soft mutters and kisses. She roused and the wrinkle creased between her brow again as she forced Steve to unhand her little baby, stirring up a mess of cries and hiccups as Bea was strapped into her carseat. The three of them left with hugs and plans for New Years. 

They backed down the driveway, and you waved, your breath fogging under soft porch light. 

“C’mere, you,” Steve grumbled, tucking you into his chest. 

“You smell like another girl,” you chuckled, accepting the dip of his lips to capture yours in a kiss. 

He groaned, nuzzling your nose with his, and sighed. “What if we tell them they forgot something so they have to bring her back?” 

You snorted and swatted at his chest. “You can wait one week to get your baby fix.” 

“I wouldn’t have to wait a week if…” He growled into your ear, hands pulling your waist close, one broad palm grabbing at your ass. 

You yelped and shoved him away, running back into the warmth of your little cottage.

You could hear the weight of him behind you, the familiar thrill of a chase catching in your chest, and you cackled and squirmed as his hands caught you and pulled you off your feet to spin around. 

“Come on,” he smiled, tossing you onto the couch, still warm from Nancy’s rest. 

You tried to catch your breath, but he knelt at your feet and wedged himself between your legs. 

“I saw the way you were looking at me.” He leaned in to press a wet kiss to the shell of your throat.

“I saw the way you were looking at me,” you argued, grabbing the collar of his shirt beneath his sweater. You weren’t sure if you wanted to hold him at bay or pull him closer. “Besides, you don’t love the kids we have.”

“They’re all grown,” he argued, warm fingers finding their way up your sweater along your ribcage.

“Jesus Christ, you two,” the clear of a throat startled the two of you apart, and you warmed at the sight of Eddie smirking in the threshold. “I was talking to Wayne for what? Fifteen minutes?”

“How was Wayne?” You adjusted your sweater and pulled yourself upright. 

Steve, still on his knees, trailed his fingertips up the inside of your thigh, tracing a ladder in your tights, and you returned his smirk with a warning look before you stepped around him to start clearing mugs and saucers from the coffee table. 

“Wayne’s good. He’s got a friend from the plant who invited him for Christmas dinner tomorrow, so he won’t be alone. His name’s Dale.” Eddie explained, crossing to help you clean up. He held a hand out for Steve, and the other man took it, and the two rough-housed for a moment until Steve ended up beneath his former roommate’s arm in a headlock. 

You rolled your eyes. “I hope for Wayne’s sake, Dale doesn’t have any kids. Your uncle deserves a holiday off.” 

The two men protested your claims, but you couldn’t hear them as you swung back into the kitchen to dump your haul carefully into a surprisingly empty sink. You glanced sideways at the dishwasher to find it full from your dinner, and you tutted as you rinsed the caramel from the bottom of mugs and tipped them upside down onto the top rack.

“Eddie, did you do the dishes?”

“Can’t sit still when I’m on the phone,” he grinned, beating Steve to the tile. 

“Kiss ass,” Steve flicked his forehead.

“Steve,” you failed to suppress a yawn, the sleeves of your sweater slumping back down your forearms, and you felt a soft pair of lips to your forehead. 

“Yes, dear?” 

“Make Eddie’s bed up for me?” 

“Yes, dear. Come on, dickhead.” Steve smacked Eddie’s chest, and the two of them trailed back to the living room to pull the couch out into a functioning bed for your second houseguest. 

You made about consolidating cookies into one tin and sweeping crumbs from the countertop and floors, warmth from the house bringing the heaviness of exhaustion to your shoulders, your eyelids. 

You smiled as you thought of your friends, the little family you’d grown over the years, those of you that came together to celebrate and cheers and regale your months apart. You thought of Bea, of her sweet little face squished into your fiancé’s chest, the spitting image of her father, and this amazing support system she’s going to grow up into. That thought sprung a well of emotion to your eyes. 

“You okay?” Steve toed into sight, worry creased on his brow. 

You nodded and sniffled, burying your face into the warmth of his chest.

His hands trailed up and down your spine, warm, welcome. “You know you’re enough, right?” 

You hummed into his chest and pulled your face away to catch the glint of gold in his eyes. 

“All of this,” he gestured around to the little kitchen. “Our friends, their babies, your dad. I don’t need anything else to be happy. Christmas came early for me.” He flashed a grin, and you noticed the Scotch on his breath, the loopy smile, the slow sway of both of you on your feet. 

“Alright, you two! I’m putting earplugs in now!” Eddie called from the living room. “Goodnight. I love you. Don’t make a mess!” 

You snorted, and yelped again as Steve hauled you over one shoulder and stumbled out of the kitchen and down the hall to your bedroom, flicking off the lights as he went. 

---

[A/N: Just got the urge, you know? Can't stop imagining Steve with a little baby pressed to his chest. I'm in love, damnit. In love. Thank you all for a magical year. Looking forward to posting chapter one of Late Checkout soon. But until then, happy holidays! xoxo]

[mysticstarlightduck]

OC Bag Game!

Thanks for the tag, @kaylinalexanderbooks (here)!

Rules: Name five things your OC would have in a backpack or any bag at school.

I'll go with some of the cast from Supernova Initiative and Enchanted Illusions.

(Since my characters live in a either fantasy or sci-fi world and are not school-aged, Imma just go with the contents of their regular bags to make this easier)

(Supernova Initiative)

Jack Tithus

Mint bubblegum

Ammo and chargers for his guns

A miniature first aid pack/painkillers

A holo-picture of him and Cassie

Sweet and crunchy energy bars

A to-go bottle of chocolate milk

Cassie Tithus

Extra parts for her projects and robots

Scrunchies for her hair + hair dye packets

A pocket knife/box cutter

An old, skrunkly plushie

An extra tablet

Inflatable neck pillow

Aleks Keldora

The "face-changer" (his high tech mask that can turn him into anyone's lookalike)

Dozens of stolen IDs, documents and government papers

A handmade drawing of his mothers

Tiny explosives and big explosives

A bottle of nail polish

Vesper Foxx

Self-repair kit for her cyborg implants

A bunch of extra parts in case she needs to replace something

The bracelet her little sister gave her for her birthday

Knives. So many knives. And guns. Don't forget the guns, and poison gas grenades.

A list of the names of each member of the mercenary crew she is hunting down

Artemis Zreeth

Leather gloves and old goggles

Cheesy snacks

His father's old scarf

Star-dust cigarettes

Eyeliner

A foldable speeder bike that becomes a tiny disk when deactivated

Pax Stellaryn

Void Program study material

Crumpled notes, messy journals and glitter pens

His diary

A picture of his cat riding a floating skateboard (don't ask lol)

Sour candy, and lollipops

Ethean Mirannir

Extra uniform

Pilot gear and an emergency kit for his spaceship

A holo-picture of his whole family and him during his graduation day seven year ago

Neon markers and a drawing sketchbook

Fidget toy for anxiety relief

(Enchanted Illusions)

Augustus Grimmure

Bloodstained handkerchief

A small dagger

Necromancy tome of spells and his journal

Recipe for instant magical coffee

An engagement ring he has yet to give Harriet

A bag of cookies from his grandma

Harriet Sharppe

Dainty silk gloves

Extra painkillers in case her cousin forgets

Pocket knife

The latest book she is reading

Lip balm

Chocolate bar

Agatha Greenwoods

Her overflowing journal, containing clues of the case she's trying to solve

A crumpled but well loved picture of her father

Sleep medicine

Switchblade

An extra change of clothes

Cailean Telkerly

His late brother's broken pocketwatch

Worn out brass knuckles and a pocket pistol

Multiple kinds of currency, all stolen

A bottle of cologne

Crumpled candy papers

Falsified documents for any given occasion

Sam Delaways

Snacks and extra food

A dusty old jacket

Very little spare change/copper coins, on good days

A bunch of useless knickknacks he proudly collects

His brothers' plushies when they don't want to carry them

Evangeline Daemitya

Her drawing sketchbook and a travel case for her pens and pencils

A locket with a picture of her and her father

Her intricate coinpurse

An enchanted rapier that becomes a tiny ring when not being used

Poison bottles and a botany guide

Tagging: @kaylinalexanderbooks, @smol-feralgremlin, @oh-no-another-idea, @littleladymab, @little-peril-stories

@the-ellia-west, @winterandwords, @cowboybrunch, @eccaiia, @sarahlizziewrites

@leave-her-a-tome, @writernopal, @anyablackwood, @unstablewifiaccess, @forthesanityofstorytellers

@lassiesandiego, @thepeculiarbird, @clairelsonao3, @memento-morri-writes, @starlit-hopes-and-dreams and OPEN TAG

[monty-glasses-roxy]

For the new year's gift animatronic ask game, since I have two characters in my profile can I have them give a gift each to Sunny and to Moon? For Sunny, it's a handmade crochet plush of himself with a solar system themed removable covid mask, and for Moon it's a music box that plays "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera! Happy Holidays!! :D :D

You set your backpack down on the nearest set of stairs and stick your paw into the colourful mess within. It takes a moment of rooting around before you find something like ribbon to grasp. You pull it from the bag and as you hold it up to the light for a better look at it’s shiny red wrapping and it’s glittery yellow bow, another present topples over the rim of the backpack and lightly thuds onto the floor.

Huh. That doesn’t happen very often… They must be for the same place.

You pick the second one up from the floor and set it beside the first on the steps to check who they’re for. You were right, they are both for the same place! Though, you would never have thought it from looking at them. While the first one was red and yellow, the second was almost the exact opposite, with shimmering, dark blue paper and an elegant silver ribbon. The Sunny and Moon they’re addressed to must be quite the interesting duo, you suspect… not that you’ll ever find out if you don’t get back to it, of course.

Without further delay, you throw your backpack back onto your back, scoop the presents up, and start to make your way up the stairs towards the lifts. You reach up to press the brightly lit button to call it when your eye catches the sign above the door to your right. Looks like you found the Superstar Daycare faster than you’d thought you would!

Abandoning the lifts, you change course for the daycare. The large, industrial doors lift themselves out of the way for you without any hesitation, your security clearance far beyond what anyone else in the building should have. Speaking of security, you wonder what the night guard here is like. Do they do they do their job or has some higher up somewhere gotten an animatronic to do it for them instead? You can never be sure with Fazbear Entertainment. You’re sure you’ll run into whoever it is sooner or later.

Entering the halls to the daycare, you discover they’re as bright and colourful as the lobby is. The walls are lined with posters, and you can’t help but take a moment to flip an arcade token into the fountain and make a wish. You smile to yourself as the token plops into the water and carry on, past the bathrooms and through the next security door. A golden statue towers above you the moment you pass through it. You’re a little intimidated for a moment until you recognise the shapes of the cheerful characters from the posters you passed mere moments ago. Hopefully, they’re both as happy to see you as they’ve been made to look here.

Passing it by, you’re able to look down through the high roped barriers into what must be the daycare itself. Bright blues and reds and greens as far as you can see, with ball pits and structures to climb everywhere. Well, it certainly looked the part! And amongst it all, a lone animatronic pranced about with tingling bells announcing every step, tidying toys and cleaning up after a long day of play. You hold the red present in your paw up to view it side by side with the animatronic and are delighted at the similarities. This must be Sunny!

Glancing around, you find yourself with two options. You could walk around the daycare to what looked to be the rather large front entrance, or you could jump into the slide in front of you and see where you end up. You consider these options for a moment or two before deciding there wasn’t much point in that. Obviously you were going to take the slide. Who wouldn’t?

And with that, you quickly take your place at the top of the slide, the two presents held protectively against your chest, and slide.

Colours whoosh past you as you slide around and around and around and splash right into the ball pit below. You take a moment to reorient yourself before you pop up above the surface with only the biggest of smiles on your face.

“Hohoho! And who do we have here?” A loud, sing-song voice called out from a ways off. You turn towards the jingling of bells to see the bright animatronic dancing towards you, as merry as merry can be. You stand up straight, or at least, you stand up as straight as you can in a ball pit, and as they draw closer you present the little red package, holding it up with pride.

“Ohhh, is that for me?” They swooshed themself down low enough to get a good look at it, turning this way and that, almost orbiting it to see every detail at every angle. The spikes on their head spun and bounced with a bubbling excitement as they read the name on the little tag. “Oh, it is for me! Wowie!” They swipe it from you with such enthusiasm they almost knock you off balance.

“What is it! What is it! What is it?!” They chanted, hopping from foot to foot while their hands remained steady and even. With a pull of the ribbon and a tug on the paper, the gift inside was swiftly revealed. “Oh wow! Superstar, you shouldn’t have!”

You hurry to pull yourself over the walls of the ball pit to get a good look at the mystery gift. Sunny spins on the spot with a gleeful giggle, making it all the harder for you to see.

“Did you make this all by yourself?” They ask, their face now at almost the same level as yours. You shake your head and puff out your chest as you pat the badge you wear with pride. Sunny squints at it for a moment before gasping and recoiling so far you can’t help but wonder how stretchy their spine is.

“Oh my stars! It is so good to meet you!” They grab your paw and shake it so vigorously you really do lose your balance this time. Not that they seem to notice. “I’ve always wondered what our friendly neighbourhood delivery friend would be like! You are just the cutest, new friend!” They sweep you off your feet in an instant and spin you around. You clutch the blue present to your chest, curling around it as much as you can to try and make sure you don’t drop it again.

“Oh!” You’re dropped right onto your backside. “Is that for Moon?” You take a second to recover, nodding once you do. “Hohoho! Just you wait right there, new friend!” In the blink of an eye, you found yourself alone… with the present you just delivered on the floor in front of you. Huh.

A beautiful, handmade plushie of Sunny themself. You guess it’s made from crocheted wool. It’s so soft in your paws and so very loveable with it’s pretty face mask of the solar system. No wonder they’d been so excited by this gift, it was amazing!

Just as you put the plushie back on the remains of the wrapping paper, you hear a loud clunk. You jump, head on a swivel as the daycare is plunged into darkness. You hold onto the blue present a little bit tighter, even as you relax, never having been bothered much by the dark before. It was just the lights going off, it’s no big deal. This wouldn’t be the first location you’d visited to have their lights on a timer, this was nothing new. Just another one of Fazbear’s quirks.

A skitter sounds behind you. When you look, you see nothing. You find yourself huffing a little. Another one of Fazbear’s quirks.

You get ready to run anyway. You can never be too safe with Fazbear and their quirks.

Metal grabbing metal draws your attention. You spin towards the nearest play structure a good few feet away. Red eyes glimmer in the shadows like rusty stars in the sky. Their face spins slowly, this way and that, the tingling of bells accompanying every move. They crawl over the top of the structure, clambering front first down its side, with slow, deliberate motions.

You narrow your eyes as they descend. They return the favour, limbs beginning to glow brighter in the darkness. You stand your ground as they loom at the base of the structure.

“Who are you?” A sizzling voice asks as their head tilts, body twitching a little here and there. You take a step towards them, looking them up and down just to be sure. They stay put, hissing in warning, low and gravelly. You glance at the present in your paws, squinting in the gloom. They tilt their head the other way, their teeth seeming sharper than you thought from further away. With another look at them, you feel your confidence grow.

You stand up straighter, chest puffed out as you hold the blue present up with just as much pride as before. They recoil just a bit, red eyes narrowing on you and the gift in your open paws.

“What.” They say flatly rather than asking. You try to raise it a little higher to insist they take it, having to stand on the tips of your toes to do so. “For me?” They ask after a long silence. You nod with a smile, undaunted by how they loom over you. You’ve seen much scarier than this guy, that’s for sure, and you try to make sure they can tell how unafraid you are. They study you for a moment longer before gingerly plucking the colourful box out of your paws. They read the tag with apparent curiosity and tilt their head at you again. You pat your badge again. They seem to understand, but their face falls suddenly into annoyance.

“Shut up.” They grumble, attention clearly not on you. You tilt your head at them this time while they shake theirs. “Sunny.” They say as if that answers everything. “We share.” They gestured to their body when they realised you didn’t understand. You mouth an ‘oh’ and nod along with a soft smile. That makes sense!

The both of you turn your attention back to the freshly delivered gift. You gesture towards it a few times, urging them to open it before they gently pinch the sparkly ribbon between their fingers and pull. The ribbon and the paper falls away and they squat down to hold it where you can both see it.

A box?

You share a glance of curiosity. They turn it around in their hands, quickly finding the lid to open it. The dark wood box had a plush blue interior and a little character you don’t recognise on a pedestal at the back. Moon’s eyes narrow on it and you wonder how much jewellery they could possibly have as an animatronic to warrant getting what you’re guessing is a jewellery box. They move their hand to the underside of the box and their eyes widen. Moments later, you hear the sound of a mechanical crank turning, much like the many wind-up toys you’d delivered before. By the time you realise what you’re looking at, Moon releases the crank and soft music begins to play. You don’t recognise the song, but Moon clearly does, and it’s beautiful all the same.

A serenity falls over you both as you watch the little character in the box spin and the listen to the pretty tinkling notes of the melody.

“Thank you, friend.” Moon asks as the song slows and eventually comes to a close. You turn to them and they snigger a little. “Sunny would like to thank you as well. He got carried away, didn’t he?” Despite the question, they seemed to know the answer already, and they obviously weren’t surprised when you nodded a little awkwardly. “Typical.” The amusement was unmissable, just like the smirk on their face. “Thank you from us both, friend.”

You stand up straight again, clasp your paws together and give a single, meaningful nod, a proud smile across your face. They gaze softly at you and ruffle the fluff between your ears. You bat at their hand playfully and they pinch your cheek and bop your nose. Shaking yourself out a little indignantly, they snigger at you.

“Many more deliveries?” They ask, gesturing towards your backpack. You step back with a nod that they return. “We will not keep you. Good luck, friend.” When Moon waves, you wave back with enthusiasm. You hope to see the both of them again soon… but for now, as you stand outside the daycare’s doors and pull the next present from your backpack, you have deliveries to make.

Where will you be going next?

[thepen-dragon]

A snippet of Ch.1 of my Voltron Fic.

At the rate i'm going to get the chapter finished and in a readable state sooner than I though. Suggestions or critiques are appreciated. Thankfully no need for warnings (yet). Enjoy!

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In the sky far above the jungle planet of Irkalla, a sizable chunk of burning metallic debris from a starship screamed through the atmosphere. A fiery ball plummeting from the sky until it crashed through the canopy, scorching the foliage with its searing heat. With a sudden thrashing of leaves, a massive white wolf-like creature burst from the jungle's shadows right into a defensive yet agile stance. Its white fur contrasts with the dark green of the undergrowth. Two layers of fur shielded it from the elements: a snow-white topcoat, smudged with dirt, and a barely visible, pale grey undercoat.

"Easy, Fenrir," a gentle, youthful, yet exhausted voice cautioned the wolf, "if anyone was still on that ship, they may have survived and may not take kindly to a large canine's gaze."

A tall young man, no older than 17, stepped out of the brush, pushing aside low-hanging leaves as he went. His long black jacket only caught on a stray bit of foliage once and only briefly. This young man was Alexander PenDragon, though he prefers Alex, and he has been investigating the sudden surge in ships crashing on the planet for the past few weeks since it all started. On one hand, it was nice as the salvageable tech from the crashes helped Alex work towards a way to leave the planet he has been stuck on for most of his life. On another hand, an eerie trend had emerged, every crash was only a small fragment of a ship that appeared to never have been inhabited to begin with.

"Please be a full ship or escape pod, not just a piece of one," Alex prayed as he approached the wreckage. The scorched earth crunched under his black and grey boots. Fenrir was close behind, but upon getting close, the teen gave a disappointed sigh. The wreck was nothing more than a small fragment of a scout ship that was primarily white, aside from golden markings that may have formed a pattern on the full ship. The wrecks often belong to a race Alex has yet to find any meaningful information on. He salvaged anything that could be repairable for parts until he came across a set of harshly scribbled numbers on a torn and partially burnt fragment of paper. Carefully and cautiously, Alex put the paper in the pocket of his dark blue jeans, not wanting to risk it falling out of his jacket pocket on the journey home. Even though the odds were very much against him, Alex hoped these numbers were the key to not only why so many fragments of abandoned ships were crashing onto the planet's surface but also led to a way off the planet altogether. After a couple of hours scavenging the wreck Alex Wiped the sweat from his brow, and let out an exhausted sigh, "For such a small fragment of a ship, there sure is a lot of worthwhile scrap."

He joggled the light brown, handmade satchel he had brought with him to store the salvage to fit as much as he could. Alex tied his jacket around his waist and straightened his sweat-stained white shirt as best he could before throwing the bag over his shoulders. Brushing his metallic golden hair from his ruby and sapphire eyes, Alex whistled for Fenrir, who came bounding to his friend's side with similar handmade bags hanging from his sides. The young man double checked the bags to make sure they weren't too heavy for either of them to carry before the two loyal companions started the long trek home. Through thick foliage, dark jungle, across streams, and past various fauna the pair covered an enormous distance before needing to stop at a stream for a brief break. Before long the boy and his hound set out again for the last stretch of the trip.

Upon coming to a large cave opening Alex and Fenrir headed inside following a small stream coming from inside. Climbing over various rock formations and stalagmites the pair eventually came to another segment of the cave that opened up to a massive underground oasis. Trees, brushes, and other foliage and some small animals lived around a waterfall that poured in from a large opening in the cave's ceiling that led out into the jungle above. A natural formation protected from the elements and a haven from predators, undisturbed for as long as Alex could remember, except for one thing. In the center of the cave was a large black and silver mechanical beast shaped like a feline with golden plating on its ears, chest, and tip of the tail. The large robotic cat was on its side with its limbs outstretched as though it had laid down rather than crashed, and is covered in various moss, vines, and other foliage while also being surrounded by various wild flowers. Its head was tilted in such a way that the massive jaw was open enough to allow someone to climb inside.

Alex’s uncle Rusty had told him it was based on a lion, though no lion Alex had ever learned of had large red and silver wings on its back.