#he’s so excited that the cactus is dancing with him

[cazluvsu]

oh gg how u have captivated me

[yawnderu]

Lorelei — Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader | Part V

1 2 3 4 5 6

Synopsis: Aware of the way his lifestyle doesn't align with your dream life and unwilling to quit his life as a soldier, Simon breaks things off with you. It isn't until a year later that he sees you again, a tiny carbon copy of him held in your arms.

This chapter can be read as a one-shot without having to read the whole story! :)

"Are you staying for Christmas?" You ask casually, decorating the cookies you baked with Simon's help. Your daughter is sleeping peacefully in her crib, a small Santa Claus onesie on her, preparing her for the celebration even when there's still a few hours left.

"You want me to?" He asks with a raised eyebrow, brown eyes fully focused on decorating the head of one of the cookie figures, steady hand drawing a skull pattern with ease.

"It's her first Christmas, I think she'd like having her father around." I want you around as well. He's lucky you're focused on decorating your cookies, missing the way his face lights up with a proud smile. It's a lot of progress.

''Right. I got you both some presents in the car.'' He washes his hands on the sink, giving his daughter one last look before leaving the house, trying to gather as many of the gifts he bought as possible. ''Some presents'' was clearly an understatement— he has been building a pile of gifts for months, his car full of boxes and bags for both you and your little girl.

''Jesus Christ.'' You wash your hands and go help him as you see him struggling to carry the pile, taking some from him and putting them under the Christmas tree.

''There's more in the car.'' He seems almost sheepish as he confesses, giving him a small pat on the arm as you go outside to help him. You almost laugh as you look inside, the entire backseat full of presents. It's almost ridiculous, yet so charming how much he wants to make both of you happy, knowing how much it the holidays mean to you, especially now that you have a daughter.

''Isn't this... a bit overkill?'' You joke, earning you a playful pat on the ass now that your arms are busy. You miss the kick thrown his way, jogging after him with a smile when he playfully gets on the other side of the couch to avoid you getting revenge.

''I still got one more present coming, but that's for later.'' He walks back to the kitchen once he made sure you weren't going to kill him for patting your ass.

''I swear to God, Simon, if it's another d—'' He interrupts you by smearing frosting on your cheek, shooting you a cheeky smile that gets erased the moment you do it back— smearing way more than you should have all over his cheek.

''Bastard.''

Your baby was up by the time it was midnight, excited to see her mum and dad opening up presents and even joining in, tiny hands clearly struggling with the wrapping paper, yet somehow managing without help.

''Strong girl, like her mum.'' You smile softly at his words, looking at the way your daughter stares curiously at one of her last presents; a cactus activated by sound.

''Say 'hello'.'' Simon says, getting closer to the toy until it activates, dancing around and lighting up. Astrid looks confused as she looks at it, brown eyes looking up at you before looking back at the toy.

''Hello.'' He repeats, a warm smile on his lips when the toy starts dancing again, much to your daughter's confusion. She babbles at it, tiny hands reaching out to touch it once it starts moving and playing back her sounds, giggles escaping her lips as the toy imitates her laugh.

Simon's phone vibrates in his pocket, getting up from the couch before looking down at his phone with twinkling eyes.

''My mate's here, I'll be right back.'' He doesn't wait for you to reply, already out of the house before you can even say anything. Your focus is back to your daughter, happy that she enjoys playing with the toy rather than being scared of it like you've seen in videos online. Brave girl she is, not a single lick of fear in her.

Simon comes back a minute later, holding a big German Shepherd that can definitely walk on its own. You give him a questioning look as he sets it on the floor, holding his collar just in case.

''Absolutely not.'' You try to protest, yet your gaze softens when you see Astrid crawl to the dog.

''Wa-wa!'' She points out, tiny hands reaching up to pet the dog the same way you've taught her, gentle. The dog doesn't react much besides laying down on the floor for your daughter to pet it, making it much easier for her.

''His name's Riley, he's a retired K-9. Look, I'll pay for his food and even for someone to come take care of him when I'm not here, I just... want you to be safe.'' There's hints of pleading on his tone, eyebrows slightly furrowed as he looks at you.

''... I'll take care of him.'' You say with a small sigh, knowing Simon wants nothing else than for both of his girls to be safe, especially when he's deployed.

''We gave him extra training to deal with kids and emergencies. Big geezer's patient and good.'' He keeps trying to sell it as if you didn't say yes already, a small giggle escaping your lips before giving him a reassuring smile.

''We'll keep him, don't worry.'' You crouch down to pet the dog, who is clearly enjoying the attention from your daughter, allowing her to rest on his side while petting his head.

There's a smile on his face as he looks down at his family, hands fumbling with the small box in his pocket.

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[chilling-seavey]

Winter Warmers: Day 16 — Secret Santa

↳ Summary: George receives his F1 Grid Secret Santa gift. Technically, it's partially for his son and entirely supposed to annoy the hell out of George.

↳ Word Count: 748

↳ Winter Warmers Prompt List | The Way It Goes Masterlist

George felt utterly ridiculous wearing a Santa hat in the hot temperature of Abu Dhabi, sat on top of the Mercedes motorhome with a camera and microphone in his face. He wasn’t the biggest fan of media duties but he was a good sport about it nonetheless. Plus, he was now officially the world champion so a goofy little game of F1 Grid Secret Santa would certainly not damper his long-lasting good mood. 

In all honesty, he was a little excited to see what ridiculous gift he got this year, knowing he had the title of ‘World Champion’ ahead of his name so maybe that would equal a better gift. Was that egotistical to assume? Oh, well. 

Clearly he wasn’t entirely correct because as soon as he ripped off the wrapping paper, he was face to face with the most ridiculous looking cactus plush toy printed on the size of the box. 

“What in the world-” George mumbled with an amused smile into the microphone, turning the box over in his hand to read the back, “‘Dancing Cactus — Kids Toy Talk-Back Mimicker’.” 

He slid his fingers into the box and opened the top, peering inside to see the plush cactus in a plastic bag. The camera crew was patient as he opened the entire thing—undoubtedly wanting a good reaction for the content—and soon the smiling plush cactus was in his hand, batteries already in, and power on. 

“What do I do with it?” George asked no one in particular, glancing at the interviewer. 

Suddenly, the cactus in his hand wiggled and threw his words right back at him in a pitchy almost mocking reply, “What do I do with it?”

His eyes went wide as he looked back at the cactus, “Oh my…goodness. That’s…”

The cactus wiggled again, with another mimicked, “Oh my…goodness. That’s…”

George laughed a little and the cactus mimicked him right back.

“Who do you think it’s from?” the interviewer prompted, holding the microphone back out to him. 

“Well,” George thought aloud, “someone who enjoys giving annoying gifts…”

The cactus mocked him, “Well, someone who enjoys giving annoying gifts…”

George stared at the goofy smiling plush toy for a second before answering, “Charles?”

“Charles?” the caucus mocked. 

The interviewer laughed, “That’s it!” 

“Ah, I knew it.” George smiled politely, “Yeah, the kid is gonna have a field day with this one.”

And right back at him came the unflattering pitchy version of his voice, “Ah, I knew it. Yeah, the kid is gonna have a field day with this one.”

Well, he certainly wasn't wrong because your two-and-a-half-year-old son was entirely entertained by this ridiculous cactus toy. For the first while since George returned home, it was amusing to watch your son’s innocent reaction to the way the toy would mimic his every babble and every word. The expressions he made in response had you and George thoroughly entertained. 

But then the kid got far too into this toy to the point where you couldn’t escape the pitchy robotic echo of every word, every sound, within its microphone’s radius. You and George shared the responsibility of making dinner and your son sat on the kitchen floor with the cactus in his lap, just screaming at it just to hear the sound be echoed back to him, causing him to burst into giggles. 

George crouched down in front of your son, “Alright, mate, let’s put Mister Cactus away for supper.”

“Alright, mate, let’s put Mister Cactus away for supper.”

“No!” your son wrapped his little arms around the plush pot the goofy cactus was sitting in. 

“No!” the cactus joined in, just as whiny and pleading.

“Yes, come on,” George slipped a hand under the cactus and blindly flipped the power switch with ease so the toy wouldn’t make a sound, “Mister Cactus is tired. Let’s tuck him into bed and then we can wash up for supper.”

The silence from the toy had your son looking at it expectantly. When there was nothing, the little boy looked up at his father with a confused pout.

“He’s tired.” George reiterated, “You tired him out.”

“Aww.” your little boy frowned but then relented and stood up, cradling the goofy looking plush cactus in his arms.

As you stood at the stove, mixing the content of the simmering pot, George stepped past you to take your son to wash up, drifting past with a hand on your lower back, muttering into your ear, “I’m going to kill Charles.”

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[mint-yooxgi]

Paradise Gardens - Yandere!Demonic Entities!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Demon AU - Book Two to Hotel California

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst, Fluff, Slight Humor

Pairing: Ateez X Reader (Slight focus on Seonghwa, San, & Hongjoong)

Words: 7,205

Warnings: Car accident, mentions of past trauma. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Here it is! The moment you’ve all been patiently waiting for and greatly anticipating!! I know the chapter is a little shorter than the usual ones, but I feel it sets the tone for the series nicely, and frames the coming parts well. I’m super excited to show you all what I have planned, and to really dive back into the world of HC and everyone’s favourite Demon Boys hehehe As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy!~

Welcome to the Paradise Gardens~

Also, gentle reminder that I don’t do tag lists.

Mini Masterlist

The sky is clear, the night stretching out around you outside of the comfort of the vehicle you currently find yourself resting in. The muted sound of the car stereo reaches your ears. Softly, the familiar hum of your favourite songs drift through the speakers, relaxing you into this moment. Stars twinkle overhead like lanterns, illuminating the earth below.

Turning your head slightly, you watch as the desert stretches on before you. That familiar little cactus in the distance gets closer and closer, letting you know that you’re almost home. Right now, it is nothing more than a spec on the horizon, but you’d recognize it anywhere. A plant of which that they’ve told you marks the barrier of this realm with their own domain.

Beside you, Seonghwa sits. His one hand rests on the steering wheel, while the other holds yours over the console between the two of you. You can feel the metal of his ring - your ring - pressing against your fingers. A piece of jewellery you have yet to see him without since you gave it to him all those weeks ago. Almost absentmindedly, his thumb strokes over your skin, squeezing your hand softly every few minutes with his own.

“Thanks for coming with me today,” your voice is gentle, making sure to keep your tone low so as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere within the sleek black vehicle.

A smile pulls onto his features, eyes shining with nothing but love as he spares a glance at you for the briefest of moments.

“Of course, My Divine,” he hums, gently lifting your intertwined hands to his lips in order to place a tender kiss onto the back of your skin. “I am always happy to spend time with you.”

“My sister absolutely adores you,” you chuckle, grin tugging at your features. “Don’t tell Mingi or Hongjoong, but I think you’re her favourite.”

Seonghwa’s one brow quirks, a teasing quirk tugging at his lips in the next second. “You’re telling me not to rub such a satisfying fact in my brother’s faces? My Divine, do you know us?”

“Oh, believe me,” you mirror his look, a knowing gleam in your eyes. “I do.”

In the back of your mind, a faint memory of Wooyoung bragging about bonding with your sister over the fact that she danced competitively throughout her teen years surfaces. Though, nothing could have prepared you for how smug Hongjoong had been after that very first dinner with your family. The way your mother kept complimenting him in front of the others was a keen topic of interest. One which he still hasn’t let the others forget.

You smile.

“She’s due any week now,” he informs you. “The baby is completely healthy, too. At least, from what we can sense.”

Your heart swells, and you squeeze his hand. A warmth immediately floods your veins from his words, tears threatening to line your vision. Ever since you made that promise to protect your little nephew in front of your family, the eight of them have sworn to help you keep it at any costs. You didn’t even need to ask them, or tell them to. It was already a given.

After all, they would do anything for you.

Already, one month has passed since you introduced them all to your family. The days have been slowly getting better, and all of the guys have been nothing but supportive and understanding with you. Not to mention patient. They’ve even slowly started helping you get into a small routine to prepare you for the start of your combat training with them. A fact of which you’re looking forward to every day, just as you know they are as well.

You cannot wait until tomorrow.

Already, Mingi and San have gone over some of the basic forms of self-defence with you. Both Seonghwa and Hongjoong have let you practice with them more times than you can count. Though, you will still never forget accidentally knocking the wind right out of Jongho’s lungs the one day when he snuck up behind you. All he had wanted to do was wrap his arms around you, but you jumped, immediately elbowing him in the chest as a shriek left your lips.

Countless apologies had fallen from your lips as he stood there rubbing at his chest with a pout on his face. The laughter from both Mingi and Wooyoung didn’t help at all, either, considering both males appeared as soon as they had heard you scream. Though, they were all glad to know that you were okay.

Thinking back on it now, a tender smile graces your features. Especially since you can recall a very amused Seonghwa appearing in the foyer with a belled collar a few minutes later. A fact of which made Jongho grumble about it as you laughed wholeheartedly, watching the elder male jingle that thin piece of black fabric in the air.

“All that’s left is to put him in a maid costume, and tell him to give himself cat ears and a tail!” Wooyoung’s boisterous laughter could be heard throughout the whole house. 

Kuroo had walked in after that, cooing loudly for all to hear.

“See, even Kuroo has offered to give you some tips!” Wooyoung had cackled, soon to be followed by his shrieks of terror as Jongho chased him throughout the hallways shortly after that with murderous intent.

“Something tells me Wooyoung is projecting,” you had mumbled to San, leaning in slightly to his side at the time after bending down to lift Kuroo into your arms.

San had laughed at that, a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Don’t we all?”

Focussing back in on the present moment, you squeeze Seonghwa’s hand once more. “Thank you, Hwa. You don’t know how much I appreciate it. How much I appreciate you.”

“We know how much both your sister and her child mean to you,” he smiles softly, turning once more to look at you for the briefest of moments. “Of course we would care, too.”

The way your eyes shine with such earnest affection has his heart racing in his chest. Seonghwa cannot even help the way his cheeks begin to turn the faintest bit of red as he absolutely revels in your tender gaze. He swallows the sudden dryness in his throat, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“Get some rest,” he squeezes your hand once more, shifting slightly as his eyes scan the desert highway spread out before you. That little cactus creeps closer by the second. “We’ll be home soon.”

You hum, allowing your eyes to flutter shut as you settle into your spot. “I’m sure the others will be glad once we’re back.”

A gentle hum in agreement is all you hear in response, echoing alongside the soft purr of the engine as you continue to travel down the road. Seonghwa absolutely adores the way you angle your body towards him, even if only slightly. The fact that he could be the one to take you to see your sister today, and spend some quality time with you alone makes him happy beyond belief.

Slowly, things are getting better. You may never return to your old self, but that’s okay. They wouldn’t want, nor expect you to. Everything that has happened to you is still becoming a part of you in some way. You wouldn’t be who you are without it, and for that, they are grateful. 

Every day, you are growing, and so are they. The best part is: you’re growing together, and from now on, you always will be.

The interior of the car is cool, comfortable as you rest further into the leather seat beneath you. Black, just like the sudden darkness that surrounds you as your eyes fling open.

It’s as if someone has thrown you into a cloud of black smoke, blocking out the entirety of the moon and stars. Your sudden vision loss makes you panic, and were it not for the way you feel Seonghwa’s hand still tightly wrapped around your own, you’d think you’d have left this physical plane of existence already.

Fear begins to seize you, your heart leaping into your throat.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of weightlessness you experience as the car  flips off of the side of the road. One minute, your breath is hitching in your throat while the world moves in slow motion. The next, you’re standing safely on the side of the highway, cracks of dried earth beneath your feet.

Seonghwa’s grip around you is deadly, the male holding you tightly to his chest. One hand rests on the back of your head, while the other wraps itself around your waist, his breathing heavy.

The sound of the car crashing as it hits the ground finally draws you back to reality, your heart beginning to beat once more inside of your chest. Out of the corner of your eyes, you see the wreckage smouldering right beside that little cactus. It’s almost as if the front end had smashed into something to cause it to flip so suddenly. Yet, you never even felt the impact.

“My Divine, are you okay?” His voice is frantic, worry shining in his eyes as he pulls away to glance over your figure. Carefully, his hands grip the sides of your face, looking you over for any injuries you might have gotten as the car rolled off of the side of the road.

“I’m fine,” your whole body visibly trembles, eyes attempting to blink away your shock.

“I-“ Seonghwa’s words immediately die out in his throat as a low growl escapes him in warning. Instantly, he’s turned around, blocking your body with his own as he stands protectively in front of you. 

There’s no way in hell he’s going to let anyone near you. Especially not this fucker.

“Well, well, well,” a rough voice chuckles out through the darkness. The dust from the wreckage finally settles enough for you to see a male standing on the opposite side of the highway. A male whom you’ve never seen before in your life. “If it isn’t my old King.”

Seonghwa’s eyes flash, a threatening snarl escaping his curled lips, “Malik.”

Your breath hitches, worry seizing your entire body. In an instant, you’re reaching out to both Hongjoong and Yunho in your mind, followed shortly by the rest of them in respective order.

A blink, and you’re surrounded by several more familiar males, snarls pulling on their features as they turn towards their shunned general.

The male across the way isn’t very tall, but neither is he short. He stands about average height, a malicious grin tugging at his tanned features. His shoulder length black hair gets flicked out of his eyes with a jerk of his head, arms crossed proudly over his chest. Faintly, you can see the handle of a blade resting over the back of his one shoulder.

“So,” he quirks a brow, “this is the bitch you think is fit to be Queen?”

Before you can stop yourself, you blink, a disappointed sigh escaping you shortly after. Just from the way Malik shoots you an incredulous look, you can tell your reaction surprises even him.

“Seriously? Is bitch the best you can come up with?” You shake you head, swallowing your fear for the moment. “Thousands of years, and that’s the insult you choose to go with? Abhorrent imbecile.”

Wooyoung immediately bursts out laughing, grins pulling subtly onto Jongho’s, San’s, and Mingi’s faces. Even Seonghwa cannot deny the way the corner of his lips twitch upwards in response.

“Dearest,” Yeosang’s somewhat worried tone reaches your ears, but you can hear the hints of a sigh bleeding through.

“I’m just saying!” You reply, a bit exasperatedly. “He made his entrance, but it wasn’t anything to write home about. If he’s going to insult me, he best do it properly. I’ve literally been called worse by angry customers while working retail, and believe me. That was a lot scarier than this.”

With every word you speak, you manage to calm yourself more and more. It gets even better for you when you can see Malik physically shaking in rage across the way. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say that steam is coming out of his ears.

You lean in a bit towards San’s who currently stands just a step behind you to your right. You cross your arms over your chest. “Are you sure that this is the most feared general you’ve ever had?”

“I don’t need your approval, woman,” Malik seethes, words but a hiss on his tongue.

Eight threatening growls answer him in response.

“Woah,” you snort, clearly amused. “Someone get all butthurt over some trash talking? Should I call for your mother to come pick you up from daycare?”

“You leave my mother out of this!” He yells, drawing the blade form his back as frustration lines his features.

“Oh, touchy subject,” you feign concern, a pout pulling mockingly onto your lips.

My Love, as much as we all enjoy seeing this side of you, Hongjoong spares a glance towards you out of the corner of his eyes. Where is this coming from?

They’re all just lucky you haven’t closed off your void yet since you called out for them.

I’ve got some pent up resentment for his life choices, you reply, rolling your shoulders as Malik yells about tearing you limb from limb across the way. Besides, Mingi told me that this fucker’s always had trouble controlling his anger. Makes him unstable in a fight. Looks like the ex-general could use some verbal cues that might make him show his hand.

You little minx, Yunho chuckles, a fond look shining in his eyes as he brushes against your mind tenderly. I think we have more than just a Beautiful Queen on our hands.

Cunning, Wooyoung grins, eyes flashing as he watches Malik’s every move.

Intelligent. Hongjoong hums lowly in agreement, the hints of a pleased growl echoing throughout his tone.

Deadly. Seonghwa agrees, a sword of his own appearing in his right hand, glinting dangerously beneath the moonlight.

Strong. Jongho adds, sparing another look at you out of the corners of his eyes as he clutches the handle of his axe tighter in his grip.

I can’t wait for the day where you’re able to join us in battle, Baby. San takes a small step forward, properly coming to stand beside you for the moment as he grins maliciously. The bottom end of his spear hits the ground, arm lax as he holds it at his side.

For now, let us take care of things here. Yeosang summons a bow to his hands, a quiver of arrows appearing immediately strapped to his back. Alright, Dearest?

We would never forgive ourselves if you got hurt again. Wooyoung’s eyes briefly flash with that same fear you saw from all of them those few weeks ago as he spares another glance towards your figure. 

Which is why you’ll be safer at home with me. 

Before you have a chance to protest, Mingi places a gentle hand on the back of your lower spine. Instantly, he’s transported the both of you back to the foyer of the mansion, Wooyoung appearing not even a second later.

Your lips part in protest, only for Wooyoung to immediately press a gentle finger against them.

“They’ll be fine, Gorgeous,” Wooyoung smiles reassuringly at you. “Nothing we haven’t handled before.”

“You are our number one priority right now.” Mingi adds, gently brushing the tips of his fingers along the side of your face, and checking you over once more for any injuries.

You melt into his touch, eyes fluttering closed as you breathe out a small sigh in relief. “I’ll feel better when I know the others are safe, too.”

“They will be,” Mingi promises. “In fact, they might be back sooner than you think.”

Almost as soon as he gets those words out, the other six are appearing in the foyer.

“Damn bastard turned tail, and ran.” San grumbles, eyes flashing black in annoyance.

“He came to make a statement,” Yunho voices, frown tugging at his features as he stares down at the ground for the moment. “He did his recon, then left.”

“He only wanted to get a visual on his target,” Seonghwa’s hands are shaking, and you’re quick to step over to him and take his into your own. The moment he lifts his head to meet your eyes, relief washes over him. “I’m sorry I even let him anywhere near you, My Divine.”

You tilt your head slightly. “What have I said about apologizing for things that are out of your control?”

“That’s the thing, Gorgeous,” Wooyoung draws your attention back to him. “This is something we should be able to control. Given that this happened so close to the boarder of our domain, we should have been able to sense him coming.”

“Perhaps he has help from Dimitri,” you offer, blinking once. “It’s clear that that warlock can cast very powerful cloaking spells.”

“Please don’t remind us,” Jongho looks physically pained as he says this, worry tugging at his brow.

“She’s right, though,” Hongjoong frowns, lips pursing into a thin line. “We cannot ignore the fact that they could already be working together. We don’t know if they’ve met  yet or not, but Miyeon was thorough in making sure we would be attacked from every possible angle. Even after her death.”

You move to lean against the desk, arms crossed over your chest as your gaze falls to the floor. Your whole body deflates, and you can feel that familiar tightness building in your throat.

A gentle hand on your arm catches your attention.

“This isn’t your fault. You know that, right, Petal?” Yunho’s gaze holds nothing but worry as he meets your gaze. A moment later, and he’s stepped in directly beside you.

“Dearest,” Yeosang is the next to move to your opposite side, hand coming up to cup your cheek gently. “Whether you are with us or not, she had been planning this for years to come.”

Cradling your elbows in your hands, Yeosang drops his hand as you look towards the floor. The way you can see the lights reflecting off of the tiles draws your attention, eyes zeroing in on that faint shine in order to keep yourself grounded for the moment.

“I just can’t help but think that I was the catalyst that set everything in motion.” Your voice is barely above a whisper as tears threaten to gather in the corners of your vision once more. “It’s the perfect excuse, isn’t it? What better time to instil an uprising than when a human threatens to stand on equal ground as gods?”

“Dearest,” Yeosang’s expression falls, quickly stepping in front of you and cupping both cheeks in his hands. “You know we don’t think like that.”

“It is our choice, our decision to crown you as Our Queen.” Yunho says, his hand gently finding purchase on your lower back. 

Softly, his thumb begins rubbing over your skin in comfort and you find yourself leaning into his touch more than you realize.

“Anyone who has a problem with that will find that we are not so merciful.” San’s voice rumbles out, low growls of agreement echoing around the room.

“We chose you, Darling.” Jongho adds, somewhat softly. “We only want you.”

“The entire Realm could burn to ash for all we care,” Seonghwa manages to get you to meet his gaze. “As long as we have you, that’s all we truly care about.”

“It’s just as Yeosang said before, My Love,” Hongjoong steps forward, drawing your attention to him for the moment. “This revolution has been in the works for over twenty years. The coup Malik and Miyeon staged was the catalyst, not you. They have used you as the perfect piece of propaganda to win more over to their side. The only hope they have to win is in numbers, otherwise their strength is a lost cause. Especially against us and all of our allies.”

Slowly, you nod your head, bringing the back of your hand up to wipe at your eyes. Luckily, Yeosang drops his hold on you just as you do so in favour of stepping in beside you once more. That’s when you notice that none of them are holding onto any of their weapons any longer.

You swallow, offering them a tight, weak smile.

“You said the harpies are on your side?” You lift your head, and though each male can still see that uncertainty swirling within your eyes, they also see that determination they have become so used to from you.

“We have a meeting with them in a few days to confirm their alliance, but yes.” Mingi nods. “They personally requested Hwa be there to solidify it.”

Jongho snorts. “Of course The Three Sisters want Hwa to be there for it.”

At the way Seonghwa smiles tightly, shooting warning looks at his brothers, your brow quirks.

“Exes of yours?” You quirk a teasing brow.

“If only,” he sighs, his cheeks dusting a light red.

“Hwa just enjoyed flocking together,” Wooyoung wiggles his brows suggestively, and you notice how both San and Mingi grin right along with him.

“Oh, they were flocking, alright.” Yeosang mumbles, eyes wide in mock exasperation.

A snort of laughter escapes you, a grin tugging at the corner of your lips as you turn to look at Seonghwa once more. “Should I be worried?”

“No!” Comes his immediate response, shouting a little louder than he probably intends. He clears his throat. “It’s been years since I last saw them, and it was never anything more than just sex,” he’s rambling at this point, but the further your eyebrows raise, the less he seems to be able to stop. “They roughed up my back pretty badly the one time, I couldn’t stop bleeding for an hour-“

“Okay,” you chuckle, raising a hand in the air to prevent him from speaking any longer. “I really don’t need to hear all about any of your previous kinky sexcapades right now.”

A loud mewl greets your ears in agreement as a black cat struts into the foyer from the direction of your room. You chuckle, watching as Kuroo walks right over to you and begins brushing himself tenderly against your one leg.

“Oh,” San quirks a brow slightly, “are you, perhaps, jealous that our eldest here fucked the harpy sisters?”

Seonghwa not-so-subtly darts his gaze over towards you to gage your reaction. It’s small, but there’s a spark of hope shining within his eyes. Finally, you might get jealous over him, just as he’s always wanted you to do.

“Undecided,” you shrug, and you see both Wooyoung and Mingi nearly trip over their own feet. “What? I haven’t seen what the harpies look like yet.”

Yunho chuckles, leaning back onto the desk you’re still currently resting on. “I don’t think she’s going to get jealous in a way that we want her to.”

You raise a finger in acknowledgement, a knowing gleam in your eyes. “Now, if any of you tell me you’ve fucked Wyno… that might be a different story.”

Suddenly, both Hongjoong, San, and Wooyoung avoid your gaze.

Your mouth falls open, scandalized at this revelation.

“And you didn’t tell me?” Your overdramatic gasp as you place a hand over your heart has a few of them chuckling in response.

In the next second, you’re jokingly stomping down the hallway and to your room, Kuroo in tow. Mutters escape you all the while as all eight of them can only watch you disappear around the corner in amusement.

“Damn demons and their damn kinks. Can’t even tell me they’ve fucked the most beautiful dragon I’ve ever seen in my damn life. Lucky bastards…”

“Do you think she wants to fuck a dragon?” Wooyoung leans slightly towards his brothers, an eager gleam shining within his eyes.

“I would love to fuck a dragon!” Your voice calls out from your room, freezing each male to their spots. “Especially Wyno, if she ever allowed me the honour!”

A harsh clearing of Yunho’s throat manages to draw them all back to the reality before them. Though, a few, like Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Mingi, San, and Jongho, cannot help the way their lips curl in jealousy.

On the other hand, Wooyoung’s shoulders begin to shake with pleased laughter.

Almost immediately, Jongho smacks the elder quite pointedly upside his head. “Do you ever not think about sex?”

“When I’m thinking about poisons and dance.” Wooyoung replies, rubbing at the back of his head. Then, a loving smile is pulling at his lips, the hint of a mischievous glint in his eyes, “or, My Angel.”

The way their gazes all flash as a specific thought crosses Wooyoung’s mind has them all turning towards him with pointed glares.

“Have you no shame?” Yeosang’s lips curl back over his teeth, bared in a snarl.

“Oh, like you are any different.” Wooyoung rolls his eyes.

“At least some of us have subtlety,” Jongho crosses his arms over his chest, still glaring at the male beside him.

“Let him be,” Hongjoong chuckles, already beginning to follow the same path you took down the hallway towards your room with San in tow. “We all have our own fantasies we enjoy indulging in. Especially when it comes to her.”

“Yeah, and you’re the worse one.” Mingi snorts, a teasing grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I never said I wasn’t,” Hongjoong shoots a knowing grin over his shoulder, eyes dark as he looks them all over. “We have some busy days ahead of us. Get some rest, her real training starts tomorrow.”

Despite no longer being in the foyer, Hongjoong can just tell that all the males have nodded their understanding. He can still sense San following right behind him as they both step into your room, already seeing Kuroo curled up on your bed. They both wait patiently for you to finish your nightly routine, seeing you walk out of the bathroom soon after in a fresh pair of pyjamas.

“Are you alright, My Love?” Hongjoong sits on the end of your bed, head briefly looking up from the way his hand gently strokes over Kuroo’s fur.

“Malik didn’t hurt you, did he, Baby?” San rests casually against one of the pillars of your room, arms crossed in front of his chest. Worry is clear in both his tone and on his features, but he makes no move to join you yet. He simply does not want to overwhelm you.

“Not at all,” you shake your head, moving over to pull your sheets back so you can slip into bed. “Hwa made sure nothing happened to me. Like he always does.”

The way you smile softly as you tuck yourself beneath the covers has their hearts warming.

“How are you feeling?” San pushes himself off of your pillar to come sit beside you on the bed, watching as you rest yourself against your pillows.

It’s become almost routine for one of them to ask you this, once when you get up in the morning, and once when you settle into bed for the evening. A fact that comforts you more than you ever realized that it would. The fact that they care, and they continue to not only prove, but demonstrate how they care for you, has helped you in more ways than you could have ever imagined. You seriously do not know what you would do without them.

“Every day it’s always a little bit better,” you reply, nothing but honesty in your tone as you meet his gaze. You reach out to take his hand in yours, of which he gladly obliges. “I have you all to thank for that.”

Hongjoong shifts slightly, angling his body more towards you as he smiles. “We’re glad to hear that, My Love.”

“We will always be here for you,” San adds, gently brushing his one hand over your own.

Your heart swells, warmth flooding your veins.

“I fear to imagine what the state of my mind would have been like were you all unable to pull me out of that darkness once more.” Tenderly, you brush against that yellow string inside of your mind, sending your thoughts and feelings of both love and gratitude his way. Yunho immediately brushes back.

“We would never leave you to suffer such thoughts alone.” San squeezes your hand.

You squeeze back, smiling sleepily before a small yawn is escaping you.

“We’ll let you sleep,” Hongjoong briefly locks gazes with San before they’re both standing back to their feet. “Goodnight, My Love.”

A soft whine escapes you, and you tug San’s arm slightly back towards you. “You both don’t have to leave, you know.”

“We know,” Hongjoong smiles softly down at you as he moves in beside you. Carefully, he leans in to place a kiss upon your forehead. “San can stay with you tonight, My Love. I’ve got a few things I need to attend to.”

“Alright,” you hum, noticing how San’s eyes being to shine at the prospect of being the only one to stay with you overnight. “Be safe, Joongie.”

The way you reach out to quickly snatch his hand and place a kiss onto the back of it has his smile stretching wider across his features.

He hums lowly, heart swelling with warmth in his chest. “I always am, My Love.”

Giving his hand a light squeeze, you let go. Your eyes follow Hongjoong as he slowly walks out of your room, shutting the door until it rests open only by a crack as he does so.

“Give me a second, Baby, and I’ll be right back,” this time, it’s San who leans in to place a tender kiss upon your forehead before disappearing into thin air. A few seconds later, he reappears in some sweats, ready for bed. “Miss me?”

“Always.” You grin, sliding down beneath the covers before opening them up for him to join you. 

He mirrors your grin, crawling in beside you and immediately wrapping you in his arms. The blissful sigh he lets out as he feels you curl into him is nothing new. His grip tightens around your waist as your head settles over his chest, resting directly over his beating heart. The way he knows that you can hear his heart racing, just like it always does whenever he holds you, has a content rumble building within.

“I love you, Baby,” he breathes, eyes fluttering shut as he places a tender kiss onto the top of your head.

“I love you, Sannie,” your eyelids flutter shut, absolutely revelling in this moment here with him.

You feel comforted, and safe. You are loved. Nothing will hurt you anymore, not with your Kings around to protect you. Not with how they’re also teaching you how to defend yourself. A fact of which still warms your very soul the more you think about it. 

They will be with you every step of the way, supporting and encouraging you in ways in which you’ve only ever dreamed someone would. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

A muffled, albeit pointed mewl reaches your ears, and you cannot help but chuckle.

“Yes, yes,” you shift slightly to look at that little black ball of fluff curled up near the end of your bed. “I love you, too, my Little Doritos.”

A happy chirp is all your get in response, San chuckling right along with you as you all finally settle down to sleep.

It only takes you about ten minutes to be succumbing to the realm of unconsciousness for the evening. Yet, as soon as you do, San cannot help but to marvel at the peaceful way you rest against him like always.

Every night feels like a new adventure, even if all he does is hold you in his arms. Each time is like the first, the tingling that creeps into his body setting his soul alight with the flames of his passion once more. He cannot help the way love floods his veins as he gaze upon your sleeping form within his arms, your hearts beating as one just as they’re always meant to be.

Your love is like a blessing he never knew he could ever be granted, surrounding him in a warmth unlike anything he’s ever felt before. The best part is, you’ve only just begun. There are still plenty of years to come, and your bonds with them will only become that much more stronger. A fact which could not make him any happier than he is in this very moment here in time.

“I love you so fucking much, My Queen,” he whispers, grip tightening ever so slightly around you once again as a content rumble escapes his chest. “Always and forever.”

Allowing his own eyes to flutter shut, San relaxes further into the comfort of your embrace. A moment later, and he succumbs to his own darkness, chest rising and falling in time with your own.

Meanwhile, both Hongjoong and Seonghwa observe the wreckage of the car crash from just inside their domain. The barrier still stands strong, nothing out of the ordinary that they can sense either attempting to alter the wards, or break past them. A fact which only offers them the slightest bit of relief given the circumstances of the evening.

“He came out of nowhere,” Seonghwa recounts. “Didn’t even sense him until he was already standing across from us.”

“He’s gotten stronger, that much is for sure.” Hongjoong frowns, crouching down in front of that little cactus for the moment.

“So have we,” Yunho appears beside the two other males, taking in the scene of the crash once more.

“That’s for sure,” Seonghwa huffs in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It’s only been a month, yet, so has she.” Hongjoong adds, much to the other two’s delight.

“Jongho and San will begin her physical combat training tomorrow.” Yunho says, watching as both Hongjoong and Seonghwa inspect the smashed vehicle before them. With a wave of the eldest’s hand, the wreckage disappears, leaving nothing but the cracked earth beneath their feet. “She knows basic self-defence right now, but she’ll finally be able to stand on her own in a fight.”

“Once she has a handle on hand-to-hand combat, we can start training her on weapons.” Seonghwa replies, an eager gleam in his eyes as he pictures you holding any one of his swords like he’s so often dreamed.

“Wooyoung’s still upset we wouldn’t let him start her training on poisons right away.” Yunho grins, amusement dancing in his eyes as the three of them work on adding more range to their sensory wards.

If Malik so much as gets near their domain again, they’ll know.

“We all agreed to begin her training at the same time.” Hongjoong hums, eyes scanning the horizon for anything out of the ordinary. Once he finds none, he stands back to his feet. “Poison is another type of weapon. It’s no different than ours.”

“She hasn’t said much, but I can just tell she’s been strengthening her mind on her own.” Yunho’s voice draws the two other’s attention to him once more.

“How so?” Seonghwa inquires, a quirk to his brow.

“Remember how I was able to still catch glimpses of her thoughts through her void before?” His tone is level, shoving his hands casually into his pockets as both males nod in acknowledgement. “I can’t get through anymore.”

“She’s able to block you out completely?” Seonghwa asks, incredulously.

“I doubt she would be able to stop any one of us if we truly tried to break in right now,” Yunho goes on to say. “But, yes. Her void may not be complete, but it’s a lot stronger than it was. She’s getting to a point where she can begin keeping it up while she sleeps. With a bit more training, she should never incur the same mental devastations again.”

Two low growls sound from both Hongjoong and Seonghwa in response.

“We will never let anything like that happen to her again.” Seonghwa’s eyes flash, mirrored by his two other brothers standing before him.

“Never.” Hongjoong agrees, voice low and deadly. “Malik has another thing coming to him if he or Dimitri think that they have any chance at taking one of us down. Her included.”

“Our beloved is strong.” Yunho nods. “Perhaps stronger than anyone, even herself, realizes.”

Again, two low growls, this time of agreement, reach his ears.

“We should get back soon,” Hongjoong says, wiping off the front of his jeans. “Inform the others of what’s going on.”

“We also should talk to Wyno again,” Seonghwa agrees. “We need a definitive answer on whether or not the dragons will support us in a fight. If it comes down to it.”

“We also need to confirm the gorgons, but I have a feeling once The Three Sisters agree, they should follow behind shortly.” Hongjoong states, the three of them transporting themselves back home and immediately into the dining room where the rest of their brothers wait. All, except for San.

“I’m not flirting with them just to get them in our good graces.” Seonghwa crosses his arms over his chest.

“What? Don’t want a chance to make Our Beloved jealous?” Mingi quirks a brow teasingly.

“I don’t think blatantly flirting with people she knows has had sex with him multiple times before is going to make her jealous.” Yeosang replies, somewhat bluntly. “Given everything she’s told us about her past relationships, and how unstable hers and Hwa’s can be, it might have the complete opposite of the desired effect.”

“At least someone understands- hey!” Seonghwa protests, pursing his lips as he notices Yeosang simply shrug his shoulders in response.

“You won’t be able to prevent them from flirting with you, but I think it would mean more to her if you shut that shit down from the start.” Jongho mentions casually, sitting in one of the chairs after pulling it out from the table. “She spoke to us about loyalty, it’s time we proved to her ours. Especially now when it really counts.”

“Took the words right out of my mouth,” Yunho grins, leaning against one of the side walls.

“It’s what I planned to do, anyways,” Seonghwa nods in confirmation. “Besides, we won’t be the only two there.”

“Yeah, if they get too flirty, I can just annoy them like always,” Wooyoung grins, a spark lighting behind his eyes.

“You annoy them by simply being in their presence,” Mingi laughs, the corner of his lips tugging upwards in amusement.

“Exactly,” Wooyoung tilts his head in response, that knowing gleam still shining behind his eyes.

If they try anything, you can always remind them about my threat to pluck their feathers out of their wings one by one. San chimes in, earning him laughs from both Mingi and Wooyoung.

“I will never forget their faces when you told them that for the first time,” Yunho shakes his head.

What? They kept ‘accidentally’ brushing me with their plumage. I got fed up. Even though they cannot see him, they can hear the shrug in San’s voice.

“Well, I was planning to send only Hwa, Yeosang, and Yunho to deal with them.” Hongjoong replies. “Along with Our Love. If she’s to be Our Queen, she needs to acquaint herself with as many of our allies as she can.”

“So, I can’t annoy them just by showing face?” Wooyoung pouts dramatically, pulling out a chair rather loudly and plopping himself into it in the next second.

“Just because you won’t be there to start, doesn’t mean you can’t still just show up.” Jongho hums, shooting his brother a knowing look.

Wooyoung grins back.

“You, San, and Mingi will deal with the gorgons when the time is right.” Hongjoong continues. “We don’t need another incident of Jongho scalping their leader again.”

“They stayed in line after I did.” He raises a hand as if to say ‘what about it?’. “Also, caused them to instate a much better, and more cooperative leader.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Mingi nods, recalling the first, and only assassination attempt that the previous gorgon leader had ever tried to pull against them.

“Our main problem is the sirens, the witches and warlocks under Dimitri’s control, and those fucking hunters of his.” Seonghwa sighs, rather exasperatedly.

“Perhaps we should take another attempt at seeing what Mina knows.” Hongjoong turns towards Yunho, noticing his brothers all do the same.

“It might be possible to untangle more of that jumbled mess in her mind now that Miyeon is dead.” Yunho nods, bringing a hand up to his chin as he mulls everything over. “It’s still a bit too early to tell, though.”

“There’s always a loophole to everything,” Yeosang comments, picking at his nails on his right hand.

You don’t think that we might be able to help you untangle those locked memories, do you? San asks, his question directed towards Yunho.

“You can try, but I’m not too sure,” Yunho frowns slightly. “If too many of us get involved, it might make it worse. I don’t know what other sorts of precautions were put in place, and the last thing we need is to accidentally shred right through her mind.”

“We’ll help in any ways that we can,” Hongjoong confirms. “Even if that means we let you handle this by yourself.”

“We’ll figure it out eventually,” Mingi hums his agreement. “Right now, let’s focus on training our girl, and the meeting we have scheduled with the harpies at the end of the week.”

Sounds of agreement echo around the room from all of them as both Jongho and Wooyoung stand back to their feet. A moment later, and they’ve all either transported themselves out of the room, or simply exited through the door. It is quite late, and many of them have had a long day.

Still, they cannot help the slight worry that tugs at their minds at knowing that Malik has finally decided to begin making his move. It only took a month after Miyeon’s death to do so, but the fact that he’s decided to show his face now does not bring any of them comfort. He wasn’t their head general for nothing, and whatever he has planned will not easily be foiled.

Yet, tomorrow is a new day. Malik may have a plan, but they have many countermeasures and strategies of their own. This bastard will not take them down so easily, nor will they simply just give up the fight. Not when it concerns you. Not when your safety is at risk.

You are far too important for that; they cannot, they will not lose you.

Not now. Not ever.

With everything that they are, no matter the outcome, they will protect you. They will not hesitate to lay down their lives for you, even if it’s the last thing that they ever do.

[ooffmlsorry]

First of all Congratulations on 100 followers!!It's been an absolute pleasure reading your stuff! I love the way you write law, so I'd like to request for the prompt "Step away from the tree and put the present down" It sounds so hilarious, I can't wait to see what you come up with!! xx

OMG that’s so sweet! Thank you!! I’ve been having a great time doing this actually. I’m so glad I do a decent enough job of writing Law ‘cause I’m obsessed with him. This is gonna be fun!! I kind of ran away with this one soo....I hope you enjoy <3 :)!!

“You’re a mean one, Trafalgar Law.” You struggle to keep a straight face while singing and twirl just out of your captain’s reach. “You reeeaaally aaare a heeeeel,” you sing, all the while watching Law’s face grow increasingly stern. “You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Trafalgar La-aw.” 

You twirl around the kitchen until you’re back to the counter where you left your bowl of cookie batter.  The kitchen smells sickly sweet already, a tray of sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies cool on a rack. You suspect your captain has come to inquire why the Polar Tang’s kitchen has become a bakery. 

“Sing that again and I’ll consider it mutiny, y/n-ya,” Law says cooly. 

By no means do you think he’s joking, all the annoyance in his eyes and tension in his shoulders are real, but his threat rings hollow. Maybe because the only thing you’ve done is poke fun at him, you both know you’d never truly betray him. The fact that you were allowed to tease him at all was the real sign of how strong your bond was. 

“Stop being such a grinch and I won’t,” you say. You begin pressing a person shaped mold into a sheet of gingerbread cookie dough.

You hear Law grumble something under his breath, but you don’t ask. The captain is welcome to grumble to himself as much as he likes, but it won’t stop you from bringing a little holiday cheer to the Heart Pirates. After all they’ve been through they need it, especially Law. 

There’s a beat of silence before Law speaks. “Why are you doing this?” He asks. “There are much more important things to b–” 

“Cookie?” You say. “I made one shaped like a polar bear just for you.” You turn around with a sugar cookie shaped like a bear’s face covered lightly with white icing for the fur and black for eyes, nose and mouth. 

Law pauses to look at it, looks at you, and then to your surprise, begrudgingly takes it in his hand but doesn’t bite into it. “There are more important things to do than bake cookies,” he says. 

You don’t dare comment on the fact that he just took one. You know well enough he’d hand it back to you if you did.“You're trying to come up with something else for me to do, aren't you?” 

“There's always cleaning to do,” Law says. His eyes sweep around the kitchen littered with pans, bowls of icing, food coloring, wax paper, and cookie dough, “and you've made a mess. The cook will need it soon for dinner.” 

“I know,” you say lightly. “We’re having a holiday dinner, remember? Decorate cookies, drink a little, dance? Bepo told you we’re opening presents before breakfast tomorrow.” 

Law steadfastly ignored any invitation to join the fun. As the captain he was aware of all of your plans. He couldn’t help noticing the way the air in the Polar Tang was humming with excitement. The crew seems happier too, he wouldn’t yet say it, but Law knew you were good for their morale.  

“I’ll be in my office,” Law says. 

You knew it was coming but your shoulder’s still slumped a small fraction. Of course Law would stay in his office while everyone else was having fun. At first you thought your captain’s definition of fun was different from the crew’s but the longer you’ve stayed aboard the more you’re unsure. Every attempt you made to bring him out of his shell was met with resistance at best and outright rejection at worst. 

“You won’t stay for a little?” You ask, no longer trying to hide your disappointment. “I was kind of hoping you would.” 

Something passes across Law’s face, and then it’s gone and replaced with the cool, well-placed wall. Whatever it was, Law had decided to keep it from you. “No, I don’t have time for games, y/n-ya.” 

“Will you be there tomorrow? We all put presents under the tree,” you say. “It’ll be short, we’re just going to open them in the morning after breakfast and then get back to work.” Not to mention you knew your present from him was sitting under the tree, earnestly wrapped with a bow. 

“I doubt it,” he says. 

Just once you wanted him to stick around the ones who love him, yourself included. You’ve always tried to keep your feelings hidden, buried deep under a warm concern for Law’s well-being and an admiration of his skills. 

“I knew you’d say that, Grinch.” You have trouble keeping the bitterness out of your voice. 

You watch Law’s eye twitch. “Am I supposed to know what a Grinch is or are you making up words now?” Law sighs. 

Law’s not known to joke with you like this. The humor you two share consists of knowing looks, whispered barbs, and playful teasing,  but you still stare at him for a moment expecting some kind of punchline.

 “The Grinch?” You repeat.“You know the children’s story about a green monster guy that hated the holidays because he thought they were too loud and annoying so he tried to rob the neighboring town of all its trees, presents, and decorations? They didn’t have that story in the North Blue?” 

“No, I guess not,” Law says. “I’ve never heard that story before.” 

“Well,” you pull a sheet of cookies from the oven and replace them with another batch. “Does it not sound like a certain someone?” You ask playfully. 

He scoffs, “he’s not wrong. The holidays are loud and annoying. They’re a distraction.” Law finally bites into his cookie and pauses to stare at it for a moment, a flash of enjoyment shines in his eyes. He quickly covers it, lowering his head to hide his eyes below the brim of his hat. “Remind the others to keep it down tonight,” he says, then turns and leaves.  

You set aside some of the cookies cooling on the rack to decorate for him later. You chuckle to yourself a little; there were crumbs on your captain’s face. 

You couldn’t lie to yourself anymore. The party is fun, the crew has split themselves into three factions: the ones stuffing their face with cookies, honeyed meats, and thick spiced drinks,  the ones dancing to holiday music, and the ones still sitting around the table raucous with laughter as they play games. The only thing missing…the only person missing is Law. 

At some point he made an appearance to grab a plate of food (much later than he should have, you noted) and then disappeared back to his office. Thoughts of your captain kept lingering, until you couldn’t ignore them anymore.

Which is how you ended up standing outside of his office, with your hand hovering before his door—too hesitant to knock. Why shouldn’t he stop for just one night? Part of you knows it’s your own selfish desire to see him that brings you here, but you know you’re right. After all he’s been through, you want to see him happy. 

There’s a pause after you knock before he lets you in. Law’s seated at his desk, his gray eyes focused on a book in front of him. They slide up to look at you as you enter. 

“Hi,” you say. To give yourself an excuse you take the empty plate sitting on his desk. “Things aren’t too loud are they?”  

“No, thank you,” he says. 

His eyes don’t leave you as you had expected them to. He’s not so absorbed by his work that he looks away immediately. You don’t go into Law’s office often, but you’re one of the few crew members that can without an emergency. The small room is an eclectic collection of all the things Law keeps in his head. Shelves of books, maps, and scrolls line the walls along with a desk, safe, and a couch which you’ve occasionally found him sleeping on. You also pretend you don’t know about the collection of Sora comics hidden behind said couch.   

Law observes you, his hands folded in front of his face keep you from truly reading his expression. The air feels charged as neither of you can look away from each other. Are the tips of his ears red? You wonder.

“What?” You finally ask. 

“Nothing,” Law says. He coughs slightly and looks away from you, “actually, I…” You watch Law think the better of whatever he was going to say. It’s not just his ears that are slightly red, his cheeks dust pink as well. Suddenly your heart is hammering in your chest, butterflies make themselves known fluttering around in your abdomen and below. You’re on the edge of something, you just don’t know what yet. “Thank you for checking on me,” he says. “I’m fine. That’s all.” 

“Oh…okay.” For the second time, disappointment folds over your enthusiasm. “Don’t forget to give your eyes a break, Law,” you say. “Maybe come out and join us for a little bit? The holidays are all about being with the ones you love.” 

Law’s grimace doesn’t quite reach his eyes, “good night, y/n.” 

You’re pleased to know Law isn’t working himself to death in his office, perhaps he was taking a night off in his own way. Regardless, enough of your worry vanished to allow you to enjoy more of the party. You dance and drink late into the night, and even find that a holiday story is being broadcasted on a transponder snail. The crew, equally as exhausted and drowsy, pile together almost like kids sitting around a fire to hear a story. You flop down onto the couch beside them and drift off to sleep. The last thing you remember is the warm glow of the tree lights and the scent of pine.

You wake up to the sound of rustling pine and ornaments knocking against each other. Immediately you’re on high alert, heart bounding. All the sleep that would normally fog your brain and muscles evaporated. Someone was here, in the low light you could see a tall, thin figure crouched under the tree. At first you start to alert the crew, but as your eyes adjust you realize you know that frame, the shape and bend of that body. 

“Step away from the tree and put the present down,” you say, using the most authoritative voice you have. 

Having been caught red handed, Law stops what he’s doing and allows you to flick the common room’s light on. The clock on the wall reads some time just before four in the morning. Of course it could only be your captain. 

Law straightens from underneath the tree. He scowls down at you, holding a present in his tattooed hand. He quickly hid it behind his back. 

Tension slowly leaves your body and is replaced with annoyance and confusion. So many questions swirl in your head, but only one makes it out of your mouth: “I thought you said you’d never heard of the Grinch?” 

Law nearly chokes. “What?” 

“Sneaking in at night,” you say. “Stealing presents. That’s kind of what the Grinch does.” 

“I’m not stealing it,” Law says between clenched teeth. His eyes are hidden under the brim of his hat. Is he…is he embarrassed? “I’m placing it for tomorrow,” he mumbles. 

You look between Law’s blushing face and the tree.“Oh…” you mutter quietly. “I—well, that makes more sense, but…I thought you said you weren’t going to join us tomorrow?” You rub the back of your neck and look away from him. 

“I wasn’t,” he says. “But I—” You’re surprised when he brings forward his hand holding the gift. Law’s blush deepens and his determination to avoid looking at you grows. To spare you both, you stare at the gift neatly wrapped in his hand. It’s no bigger than his palm, a matte gray box tied with a golden bow. “It’s yours. I wanted to say thank you for…for your kindness.” 

You take the gift gingerly in your hands. “You were concerned about finding your place. I doubted you at first,” Law says as you unravel the bow around the box and lift the lid. “But I think your place is here.” 

Inside, a gleaming gold locket sits delicately on a white cushion. A gasp escapes you.

When did he do this? Why did he do this? Your heart beats wildly in your chest as your thoughts race. “I can't believe you….” The metal is cold and smooth against your fingers. It shines just enough to look thoughtful, but discrete enough that few would think of thieving it. That would be Law, you think to yourself, always practical. Still, the gesture touches you beyond words.

“Open it,” he says quietly.

The pendant opens with a small click and inside is a folded piece of white paper. 

A vivere card.  

You don't think you quite understand until the paper flutters away from you slightly. It moves in Law’s direction centimeter by centimeter.

You move the vivere card back into place and shut the locket. For Law to trust you with something so special and dangerous as his location stuns you. No matter what you’ll be able to find your way back to him. “I trust you, y’n... I trust you with the people most important to me and I want you to always be able to find me.”

“Thank you Law,” you say once you find your voice. “I…I can’t believe you did this for me.”

Law’s hand is warm and firm against yours, the feeling of him finally touching you melts every bone in your body. Your heart hammers in your chest. Your eyes slip from the softness reflected in Law’s gray eyes to his lips. “I’m attached to you in a way I’m not with most.” 

That’s all he needs to say for you to pull him close enough to kiss. A surprised sound escapes his mouth before he begins to react. His hand leaves yours to slide around your waist and pull you closer to deepen the kiss. 

You pull away when you're both breathless. A giddy smile pulls so wide your cheeks begin to hurt. Law pulls the necklace from the box and places it around your neck, still blushing as if this was more intimate than locking lips moments ago. 

“Do you know how the Grinch ends?”

Law rolls his eyes but, clearly, decides to humor you. “How does it end?” 

“He learns to love and his heart grows three sizes,” you say. 

[okkalo]

nagi x reader

genre(s): fluff

cw: choki prefers lady cacti idk?

cacti lovers fr

ps. kinda sudden ending oops

“how about this one? i think she’s super cute!” you pointed to a cactus sitting in a small and curvy pot. surely choki would like her as a friend.

“that’s obviously a guy cactus,” nagi remarked as if you had just said the worst thing on the planet.

“huh? but look how slim they are,” you quickly replied, not interested in losing this small fight.

“yeah but it has no flower,” he lazily replied, so uninterested in the task at hand that he slowly start to lean his weight on you.

it was a tuesday night. you had gone over to nagi’s place and noticed him tending to choki, his small cactus. you immediately had the bright idea of getting choki a friend.

so now, here you were at some small flower shop next to a convenience store both you and nagi were regulars at, trying to pick out a cactus choki would like.

“okay but i still think choki would like him,” you try to reason as you rub his back, hoping he doesn’t push anymore of his heavy weight on you.

“choki is only into girls.” nagi declares, his head finding its way into the crook of your neck.

“we’re looking for a girlfriend now?” you slither your hand up to his mess of hair, scratching lightly at his scalp.

“duh.” he breathed, causing you to shiver as his hot breath danced on your neck. he turned his head, his hair tickling you as he moved, peeking at the cacti options. “choki would like her.” his eyes landed on one, with a flower you noticed, lazily lifting his arm to point at it.

you made an excited hum in approval. nagi whined as you pushed him off of you, moving to go pick the cactus up. this one was in a pink pot, much smoother than the other. choki would probably appreciate the minimalist aspect to her.

“you sure this is what choki wants? the absolute love of his life?” you question giving a small smile once you see nagi struggling to stay up by himself.

“yeah, yeah. let’s go home already and cuddle,” he groans, hand meeting your back to push you to the checkout.

he secretly enjoyed this late night tuesday trip to get choki a girlfriend.

[stardust948]

Urzai adopts the Gaang AU - The Headband

@urzaiweekblog

Day 3: Unplanned

Day 6: Dance

Day 7: Tradition

Ozai couldn’t believe he let the children talk him and Ursa into this. Aang attending a Fire Nation school was a bad enough idea. Now this?! Ozai swore he was going to go grey early with as many stressed grey hairs the young Avatar has given him.

“This is such a terrible idea.”

“Agreed. But you know they were going to go behind our back and do it anyway.” Ursa said. “At least this way we can keep an eye on them.”

Ozai grunted. He already caught Azula and Toph trying to spike the punch with cactus juice they got from Agni knows where. But judging from the slightly dazed looks and wobbly swaying, they managed to sneak some in after all.

“Besides,” Ursa continued. “Look at how much fun they’re having.”

Ozai hummed. Aang was showing off some “traditional” Fire Nation dance moves to the students as Toph and Azula laughed from the side while passing back and forth a cup. Katara even managed to cox Zuko onto the dancefloor. Ozai smiled to himself. It has been a while since he’d seen them this happy especially after Ba Sing Se fell.

Ursa grinned. “Careful Ozai. I have you know dancing is illegal in the Fire Nation.”

Ozai stilled. “The music is livelier than I expected.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t want to ruin your pristine reputation.”

Ozai smirked and held out his hand. “Considered it ruined, my dear.”

Ursa accepted with an amused expression. “You know how to dance?”

Ozai led her to the dancefloor. “Can’t be much different from sparing.”

“Well then.” Ursa pulled him close. “I’ll lead.”

They circle each other in slow careful steps like the beginning of a duel before dissolving into sharp twists and turns; the natural synergy was similar to covering each other in battle. Aang led the others into some sort of circle dance around them, whooping and cheering.

The feeling was incredible. Exciting. Fun.

It was actually… fun.

“WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!”

The music stopped abruptly. At the entrance of the cave was the headmaster and a couple of Fire Nation soldiers.

“Where is the student with the headband? Bring him to me now!”

“Ash.” Ozai and Ursa both swore under their breaths.  

It was fine though. They’ve planned for this. While the students distracted the headmaster and soldiers with their own headbands, the rest of Team Avatar slipped through the escaped tunnels. They had to be quick. The soldiers won’t hesitate to arrest everyone here by force if needed. Ozai glanced around to make sure everyone got out. He suddenly had formed a deep pit in his stomach.

“Wait.” Ursa whispered alarmed, echoing Ozai’s thoughts. “Where’s-“

“What’s all this now?” A stern looking man with a bushy beard demanded.

The soldiers straighten up immediately. “Captain Wang Fire! We-“

“I don’t want to hear it! You two are needed at the Eastern Gate now. There are some unauthorized benders lurking by there.” He looked directly at them. “You all should leave. Now!”

“That’s where he’s been this whole-“

Ursa shushed him as she led him out. Ozai sighed.

They were all so grounded.

[thesconesyard]

Yeehaw!

When the Cactus Blooms

30. Do-si-do

Scotty moved with lightness as he finished hanging the last lamp. He smiled as he turned and looked at the wide open space of the yard. Tables were set up on one side of the rough square, and on another there was room for the musicians. Further off, a pit had been built for a cook fire, and was crackling nicely.

“It’s looking good Scotty,” a voice behind him said.

He turned to see Jim walking up, his arm hanging loosely against his torso in a sling McCoy and Dr. M’Benga from town had insisted he wear while his shoulder healed from Khan’s bullet.

“Aye lad, it’s going to be a wonderful night.”

“Everyone deserves it,” Jim smiled. “Three dangerous men and their gangs taken out in the past months, Herndorff’s good luck, we need some celebrating.” Jim looked around. “Can I help with anything?”

“No, no Jim, you’re not going to get me on the doctor’s bad side for letting you do things you shouldn’t yet.” Scotty shook his head, but his eyes twinkled.

“But I’m so bored with nothing to do,” Jim whined. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Scotty laughed. “Len would know; he always knows.”

A scowl crossed Jim’s face quickly. “He always does,” he agreed ruefully. “Well, it looks great out here. Guess I should go back in and see what help I can give in the kitchen.”

“Have fun,” Scotty said to Jim’s retreating back.

He gathered up the last of his tools and walked towards the stables.

Fresh hay was falling into the stalls from the loft above.

“Oi!” Scotty called, wondering who was upstairs. He had thought the others were helping in the north pasture getting the fence moved so wagons could be parked there.

“It’s me Monty,” a very familiar voice called down.

“Want some help?”

“Sure.”

In the late afternoon the sound of hooves and wagons could be heard drawing closer. Scotty’s heart was dancing in his chest at the excitement of a large party. People were coming from the town and all the nearby ranches. The air was still warm, but just beginning to have a hint of evening to it.

Scotty stood with McCoy and Sulu looking at the pig cooking over the fire pit. Sulu and Chekov had been taking turns since the morning to turn the spit.

“That’s going to be so good,” Scotty said, his mouth already watering at the thought of that good cooked meat.

In the distance they could hear Jim calling out hello to whomever had arrived. Scotty moved closer to McCoy’s side. He had a feeling the doctor wouldn’t be as willing to be seen together in front of lots of people, but Scotty didn’t mind that. So he moved closer and slid an arm around the doctor’s waist, to enjoy at least a moment of closeness. Scotty gave a squeeze then made to move back, but McCoy caught him and leaned in for a kiss.

“Come on lassie! I’ll teach ye the steps!” Scotty caught Jaylah’s hand and led her out amongst the other couples dancing. The music was lively and a good din was coming up from the people.

Jaylah laughed wildly as she followed Scotty, trying very slightly to resist.

“Shouldn’t you dance with Leonard?” she asked as Scotty wrapped an arm behind her.

“Maybe later,” Scotty said, trying to sound confident. He looked around and saw McCoy and Dr. M’Benga talking with Jim. A flash of red went by and Scotty grinned.

“Glad ye made Gaila!” he called.

“Glad to be here!” the woman called, slightly breathless from dancing.

“Ready?” Scotty asked Jaylah.

“Not at all!” she laughed.

Out of breath from dancing and laughing, Scotty let Chekov cut in and went to find a drink and McCoy. To his surprise once he had a drink in hand, he found McCoy dancing with Christine. Scotty looked on in surprise, before beaming with pride at how well McCoy and Christine moved. Yet, something deep in his heart wished it was him being held by McCoy out there. But he knew McCoy was more nervous about showing they were together to such a large group.

McCoy saw Scotty watching and smiled broadly at him. Christine’s skirt swished around both their legs as she twirled out and back in close to the doctor. When the song finished they both released each other and clapped for the band. Scotty watched as Christine leaned in and said something right in McCoy’s ear. His face colored, but he gave a slight nod.

The next song began, but McCoy and Christine made their way out between the dancing couples.

“Ye looked great!” Scotty told them as they closed in.

“Thanks,” Christine told him.

“Come on,” McCoy said, holding out a hand.

“What?” Scotty looked at him in surprise.

“I want to dance with you.”

“Ye do?”

“Of course I do,” McCoy chuckled. “I love you don’t I? Why shouldn’t I dance with the person I love?”

“Ok,” Scotty said, still in surprise. He looked for somewhere to set his glass, but Christine grabbed it for him and gave him a small push towards McCoy.

“Thanks,” he mumbled over his shoulder as McCoy began to lead him.

“I- I didn’t think ye’d want to be so public,” Scotty got out.

“I’ll admit, I was nervous,” McCoy said, “but I’ve got you to help me not be.” His fingers tightened on Scotty’s. “And Chris pointed out that no one’s paying any attention to anyone else. But even if they were, I’d still be proud to be out here with you.”

Scotty’s face heated at the words, he leaned his head in towards McCoy’s shoulder.

“Thank you mo ghràdh,” he said, muffled against the doctor.

[fumikomiyasaki]

 i hate everyone. but not you. with Pagkala and Yasuno  you're my favorite veggie. a cute-cumber! with Media and Churro or i wish you were here with me. with Tenera and Baliin

You got a message

He leaned against his chair finishing his homework hoping to soon be out and get to the things he wanted to do... suddenly he felt a buzz in his pocket of his phone.

Pagkala: I can't believe these sore loser I beat up today. They tried to get back at me with a petty Prank.😒

Yasuno: Want me to work something poisons in them?

Pagkala: Nah I can't stand them but that be too obvious.

Yasuno: What can you even stand is the question, Cactus... 😏

Pagkala: I hate everyone... but not you.

A response that was surprising to Yasuno... somewhat comforting yet he didn't want to admit that.

Yasuno: Wonder if you still say that when I pinned you to the floor tomorrow and leave my initials on your chest, maybe even choke you down.

Pagkala: Hot~ I would like to see you try... and if the wrestling turns into more even better

It was just the motivation he needed to finish his homework.

Yasuno: How about tonight instead? It be more fun that way~

Pagkala: Fine by me, reaper

And so Yasuno powered through his work looking forward to the meeting with his boyfriend.

Media was excited after class... after all he was getting into town to buy groceries for cooking with Churro later. However cause of that he was chatting with her a lot.

Churro: What else is missing?

Media: I got eggs, Vegan nuggets, carrots...

Churro: Could you get some Jam too?

Media: Sure.. oh-

He walked to a pair of cucumbera that was almost heart shaped and made a photo.

Media: You're my favourite Veggie. A cute-cumber!

Churro: Media... 😳

Media: I couldn't resist it you really are. Don't you worry once I get to you later you will get a smooch first and then we will start cooking

Churro: okay ❤

He smiled to himself picking up more ingredients with a pep in his step. He really was happy about Churros reaction and hoped he could impress her with what he makes.

Over Summer break Tenera had to visit her fathers while Baliin joined his brother back to their homeland for now... yet given not wanting to go back to that solitude feeling she had in the temble she kept in touch with him over text... one ritual her two fathers did... the Dance of darkness she recorded and send over to him.

Baliin: It's... stunning to look at.

Tenera: Before the incident... I did hope I could have done this ritual with them... now I can't but... its still nice to see.

Baliin: You are strong and even if you won't be able to... I will pick you up and be your legs.

Tenera: Bal... thank you.💜

I wish you were here with me...so I could at least give you a kiss.

Baliin: If it helps, I can send you pictures of our journey too.

Tenera: Please do. It would make me happy.

She clinged onto her phone with a warm smile... as her fathers looked to her.

"You really must value your partner... when do we get to meet him?"

"I promise eventually. But...he really is a great man. One I would consider a keeper."

She didn't know she accidentally recorded herself saying that.. without Aiden using a phone was still hard but at least that message was something Baliin was happy about.

[thebrownssociety]

Coyote VS Acme - Chapter One

Hey! So this idea is based off the now-cancelled film Coyote VS Acme, but it's not going to have any humans in it. I don't know where they were going with the eternally-unlucky lawyer Wile.E originally hired, but that's out the window.

I do not own Warner Bros or any Looney Tunes character in any way shape or form.

The coyote was hungry. No change there then - he'd spent all of his life one step away from starvation. As it was he was licking his lips and massaging his stomach as it protested in anger. What he wouldn't give for just one roadrunner...

*Zoom!*

...Well. Talk of the devil. The coyote reached out a hand longingly as the bird shot past him. He just managed to graze his feathers. The coyote looked down at his hand imagining having a whole bird to feast on. A whole bird...

With renewed vigour he took out his ACME Catalogue [Good for all your household needs!] and studied it intently. 40 pages and he was already a quarter through! But now he needed something special in order to finally catch his prey.

Ah! His finger landed on number 39. ACME Sticky-Net (Catch what you need with one swift throw!) ah! That was perfect. He wrote his details on the slip, popped it into a post-box and waited. Approximately 30 seconds later a large parcel fell from the sky. The coyote reached his hands out for it expectantly, only for it to land on his head and squash him flat. He didn't care however as he was to excited, practically salivating at the mouth at the mere thought of finally getting to eat!

He quickly got the net out of its packaging and found it instantly stuck to his hands. With frustration the coyote pulled and pulled but couldn't get himself free. Finally in desperation he stuck his foot on it, hoping to get enough downward force to pry it away from his hands. Of course that didn't work either and he ended up hopping around in one leg while silently cursing his life.

It was then that the roadrunner appeared and went "Beep, beep!" next to him. The coyote shot about a mile into the air, landing literally on his head. The roadrunner smiled, beeped again and legged it. The coyote glared. At least he was out of the net now, but still, that Roadrunner was a pain. Never mind - today was the day that the coyote would win! With an evil smile he rubbed his hands together and pictured a roast roadrunner. He looked round for the net and found it covering a nearby cactus.

After smacking his hand against his head, the coyote hurried over and pulled the net off. Well, he tried, but it refused to let go of the cactus. The coyote let go and had a small temper-tantrum, jumping up and down and nearly pulling his fur out, but then he had an idea. He grinned and rubbed his hands together.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[A short time later]

If the mountain wouldn't go to Mohammed, then Mohammed would go to the mountain. Or in this case if the roadrunner wouldn't come to the cactus...

The coyote grinned devilishly and did a little dance of joy. This was bound to work! In the distance he saw the roadrunners tell-tail lines of smoke, and hurried to position behind a couple of rocks. This was where the net - now stretched between the rocks like a make-shift catapult - was waiting for him. Wile.E took the other end of the cactus and with careful precision - it was very sharp after all - and waited...and waited...and waited. After about thirty seconds he frowned and peered round the rock. Where was...?

"Beep beep!"

The coyote jumped a mile in the air, releasing the cactus in the process. It propelled forward and impaled itself [somehow] in a rock. Wile E by now was on his way back down again and he looked down to where the bird was inquisitively looking up at him. With a sudden rush of anger he paddled himself through the air so that the roadrunner wouldn't either catch him or laugh at him when he fell. When he was a suitable distance away he allowed himself to carry on falling, sticking his tongue at the bird so that he knew the coyote had outsmarted him again-

*crunch*

The coyote stopped dead. His eyes welled up and he let of a squeak of discomfort. He leapt of the cactus as if his bum was on fire [which to be fair, it pretty much was] and ran around in a circle before remembering he had brought at paddling pool not to long ago. He reached into his hammerspace, removed the pool, blew it up quickly and then started searching through his hammerspace for the water...where was the blasted water!?

"Meap, meap!"

The coyote turned to see the roadrunner holding a hose that had water coming out of it and gesturing for him to step aside. The coyote did so, and the roadrunner started to fill the pool up.

As soon as it was deep enough to get his ankles in, the coyote leapt into it and allowed the water to cool his burning backside. When the pain subsided he set about removing the cactus spines. After a short while he felt better and looked up to thank the roadrunner, only to see he had already gone.

The coyote sighed and relaxed back in the pool. Fair enough, after all the roadrunner had helped him, so he deserved a break. As he was relaxing he caught sight of the net - still stuck to the rocks. He glared at it, what was that thing made of!? Glue, paste and rubber!?

As he simmered silently, he thought over the inventions from ACME that had failed. As well as the net there was the cement shoes meant to attach to the roadrunner and slow him down. Great - except they didn't come in roadrunner's size. The coyote had been getting water out his snout for a week following that.

The car that broke down almost immediately after starting, the fly-trap paper that was to sticky, the paint that was meant to paint roadrunner heaven and instead painted cooked roadrunner. The coyote almost broke his jaw. The batman suit, the multiple rockets, the catapult that broke as soon as you put a rock onto it and finally the snow machine that created water because the desert was to hot. Ok, in the final case that might not actually be ACME's fault - but the rest were!

Where was their product tester? Their inventors? Wile.E seethed, practically turning red with rage as the water started boiling around him. WHAT WERE THEY DOING WITH HIS MONEY!?

He banged his fist against the pool, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself down. Did they not realise he could have been seriously injured with their malfunctioning products!? If he was a human - a real human, not a toon one - he'd be dead by now and that was a fact.

The coyote growled slightly as he got out the pool. Someone should hold those ACME fools to account! A few foot away he stopped as a lightbulb flicked on above his head. After all, why not? Why shouldn't it be him? He knew ACME products better than anyone else after all. If they couldn't get it right for their most loyal customer, then what were they doing to their worst? He grinned, liking the idea.

Now it was just how to go about it...

[offrozenmemoirs]

The crimson sands of Seboko had ever proven to be the perfect location for all manner of celebrations and festivals in Nihiran - with the Throat of the Abyss and the stirring unknown within it as the backdrop, no more theatrical a backdrop could possibly be conceived. The whole scene was made even more radiant without the eyesore of a city floating above that sacred ground - though seeing a thousand fists raised in defiance towards it some years prior certainly painted a different picture of striking beauty.

Today, though, the sands are stirred not with the scatter of revolution or the heated dance of flinging fire poi - which, notably, had been making its own renaissance within the country - but with the cries and footfalls of combat. Fists, chains, staves, blades - and among the combatants seeking to prove their worth, hooves dragging across the sand.

Each combatant she faces is fiercer than the last - and though there comes a time where she at last meets her limit, when a masked contender of smaller stature is simply too fast for her to follow and too strong for her to resist, there comes no shame in Creed's defeat at the tournament. The time that remains is simply lost in the haze of recovering with a bulging waterskin, refreshing cactus fruits, and a nourishing cut of elephant steak.

That is, until the voice of the one who claimed victory over the cloven-hooved contender reaches out to her. And, deprived of her mask, Creed is greeted only with the strangely familiar face of an umber-skinned dwarf, lit by the flickering torchlight within the cavernous dining hall, hair contained in a cap to protect it from the sands - and the biggest, proudest smile on her face.

"Did you miss me?" // Ramona to Creed, post-GTE days

The tiefling had heard of the tournament, and figured that it would be a nice way to pass the time. Plus, the prize pool was pretty good too. If for no other reason, she liked having tests of strength, and it was a good way to keep herself on her hooves so to speak. It had been some time since she'd been back to Seboko, and she never quite gets used to the sight of the throat of the abyss. Seeing her fellow competitors and hearing the sounds of talk and smells of the various foods being made...It filled her with an excitement that she had longed for over the past year or so.

She's practically brimming with energy, as she stares at her fellow competitors. She pounds a fist against a flat palm, bowing in respect as she was taught by Ramona, before she readies herself. It doesn't take long for things to get started in full force. The roar of the crowd filling her ears.

Creed practically goes into a trance, letting the flow of combat guide her. She rushes the person nearest to her, and had it been anyone else or she were just starting as a fighter...She might just be a little intimidated by the man in front of her, scarred and rippling with muscle...Though she towers over him and she can see from his expression he's caught off guard. Enabling her to simply take him down with a quick combo, dropping him on his back and once she mounts him, a few blows to the face knock him out.

[If this wasn't just a straight up brawl, I might've actually taken the time to enjoy the cheers.]

She and a smaller woman are soon back to back with one another, Creed looks down at her, and is met with a nod, and the two work together to take down the group, a combination of redirecting charging opponents into each other to knock them out, or catching them between each other.

Creed is visibly panting with exertion, she can last in fights for a while, but her strategy with fights was overwhelming her opponent with pure force so she didn't have to waste too much energy in a fight. Still, she wears a grin as she stares at the last woman standing.

"Hah. Well, no matter which of us is left standin'...I've had a lotta fun getting to go all out like this."

At the end of it all, though she puts in a valiant effort...Creed's the one who falls at the end, and by the time she's recovering, she's too focused on food and drink, until a voice reaches her ears.

"Ramona?! Aw, I shoulda known it was you! Nobody else fights quite like you do. Plus, the way we worked together like that...At first I figured you were just someone who was trained in the same stuff as me but...You didn't waste a single movement."

[You still have a ways to go to catch up to Ramona. The woman had been much like a mother to you, though she could be a stern teacher, when training was over, she was quick to treat you to food and drink, and give you pointers.]

"Come now Creed, don't be gettin' down on yerself! Yer doin' me proud, th'way ya ran through the crowd. Plus, yer still young, so remember what I always told ya."

Creed lets a smile come to her face as she picks up her mug.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

The master and student clink their drinks together, before excitedly chattering about their adventures.

[gamerbearmira]

Dog Anon. Happy Holidays!!! Here's my gift for everyone! Please know I don't know much about Colombian traditions, I tried my best, if I got anything wrong, I'm sorry (thank you Google and Google Translate)

"Feliz Navidad!!" Mirabel shouted as she ran through the streets, her dog Milagro close behind, she danced and waved to everyone she saw, spreading her endless Christmas cheer with her accordion as she played every Christmas Carol she knew. She loved going through town and seeing all the beautiful decorations, each one lit up with thousands of colored candles creating a lovely display. "Feliz Navidad Mira!" One of the kids said, giving her a buñuelo, "muchas gracias Cecilia" Mira said, popping the doughy treat in her mouth before continuing on her merry way.

As Mirabel and Milagro made their way home after celebrating in the streets, Dolores poked her head out of Casita's door "thank goodness your back" Dolores said, sounding worried "Isabella and Camilo are in the middle of an Aguinaldo, it's getting pretty intense, even Strelitzia and Nico are involved" Mirabel giggled and made her way inside, "what are they playing?" She asked, "three feet" Dolores replied, "they're at a standstill"

Mirabel stepped into the courtyard, where Isabella and Camilo were standing, glaring at each other, their dogs right beside them, they watched each other intently, neither one moving an inch. Mirabel smiled mischievously as she silently crept up behind her sister and slowly slipped her foot between her sister's feet, Dolores watching intently, "I finally win Isa" Mirabel whispered so only her sister could hear, Isabella immediately looked down and saw her sister's foot between hers "what?! You're not part of this game! No fair!" Isabella yelled, summoning a cactus while Camilo howled in laughter. Mirabel immediately ran as Isa summoned vines to try and catch her, Mirabel ducking behind Camilo, "wait, what are you doing?" Camilo asked, "you did this to yourself, don't get me involved!" but Mirabel just smiled smugly at him, which caused Camilo to look down and realize her foot was also between his, sending Isabella into her own fit of giggles,"I beat you both AND stopped your standstill, now you two can get ready for Novena and I can finally get one of mamá's special Aguinaldo arepas"

Isabella and Camilo left to get ready as Antonio raced downstairs with his dog Deigo, "Dolores, I'm ready!" He said excitedly, "now can you tell me when El Niño Dios will get here?" Dolores smiled and nodded, "he will come on the 24th Antonio, just like always" "will I be able to see him this year?" He asked, Dolores giggled at his excitement but shook her head, "no Antonio, remember, El Niño Dios has magic, he's invisible and he doesn't let anyone see him" Antonio pouted, but Mirabel laughed, he asked these questions every year, but his eyes widened again as he looked as his dog, "Deigo! This will be our first Navidad together!" The dog barked in excitement.

Abuela Alma came downstairs with Ophelia, holding the Miracle candle in her hands, "is everyone ready? It's almost time for today's Novena" Dolores held her hand up to her ear and listened, "Camilo and Isabella are still getting ready, they had an Aguinaldo, everyone else is ready to go" Abuela smiled, "I'm glad they're having fun, who won?" Mirabel smiled proudly, "they were at a standstill and neither would back down, so I beat them both!" Abuela laughed, "of course you did, Mira, congratulations" "where are we having Novena tonight?" Julieta asked, coming in from the kitchen with a basket of food, "at the Guzman's" Abuela replied, and Dolores smiled, causing Mirabel to roll her eyes.

Ophelia barked up at Abuela and gestured towards the candle, Alma's eyes widened, "oh yes, Mirabel I have a request" "what is it Abuela?" Mirabel asked, Abuela looked at the candle, "since you are the next candle holder, and to make up for what I put you through, I want you to hold the candle and lead us in our Novena prayers tonight." Mirabel's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped, "are... Are you sure Abuela?" Alma nodded, "if you don't want to do it, I understand, but I wanted to offer you the chance to lead in something small, I know realizing you were the next candle holder was a big shock to you, so I'm hoping this could help you get used to it and make the idea of leading the Encanto someday less daunting." Mirabel smiled wide and let a few tears of joy slip down her face, "thank you Abuela" she said, delicately taking the candle into her own hands, "I won't let you down."

Colombian traditions:

Colombians celebrate on the 24th instead of the 25th

El Niño Dios is who delivers presents in Colombia instead of Santa

Novena is a Christmas tradition where for the nine days leading up to Christmas, families and friends pray, eat, and sing together each day at a different home

Aguinaldos are games and challenges Colombians play at Christmas time, where they receive prizes on Christmas Eve if they win, three feet is a game where to win you put your foot in between your opponent's feet without them noticing

Happy Holidays!!!

This is super cool <33 didn't know there was so many traditions, these are all so cool! The only one I knew was the 24th instead of 25th, but even then I only learned it from a friend. ANYWAY. Isabela and Camilo being so intense. That's so real of them <33 Mirabel winning is such a W though. Girlboss 🗣🗣

Also??? Alma letting Mirabel lead the prayer??? I'm gonna cry that's so sweet. THEY'RE MY FAVORITES...RAHHHHH 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

Peak writing les be real

[gloryride]

U want more? u get more!

Motion, road and canvas for the Italiano racer boy. 😎❤️

Of course you asked for him ! 💕💕 Be prepared for long answers, baby drivers inspired me ^^

[OC ASKS : CHARACTER DESIGN EDITION] ask if you want, love this one

ENZO

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

Like his brother, he has a quick walk but keeps his back straight, his chin up, often with a little smile at the corner of his lips. He's proud, and he shows it. His movements are fluid and light, and he's agile despite his height (1.89m) and muscular build. In fact, he dances very well and knows how to move his body in rhythm!

His movements are precise when he's driving, he knows his cars by heart, he knows how to handle them, and even if he's going fast, he's in control. It's the same at the camp when he's repairing the cars, focusing, his hands waving, but he knows what he's doing. It gets more chaotic when he talks. Hey, he's Italian, and 75% of his language is non-verbal. His hands dance in front of him, distracting the person facing him. And the more his emotions are exacerbated (joy, anger, excitement), the more it becomes a mess. But he's also a nervous, impatient boy. He betrays himself with a restless leg, tapping his finger on any surface, nodding his head. So he smokes to calm himself down, keep his hands busy and try to relax.

Before his accident, Enzo was into colourful clothes, in shades of yellow/orange, sometimes just a jacket and shirtless. Today, his clothes are more of a barrier, betraying his nervousness and the distance he puts up with people. Always gloved, often in a jacket or, if he doesn't have one, never in a tank top, it's all long sleeves or T-shirts. The colours are darker, primarily black and green. Only at camp has he kept his style, living in a crop top or shirtless. His style is a mix of streetkid and nomad, influenced by his many trips to town. And now that he's stealing his bratty boyfriend's clothes, the lines are blurring! He also likes to wear sunglasses, as driving in the desert can be dazzling. And he loves that little effect of taking them off when he gets out of the car, the big poser!

road: What does your OC wear while traveling? Do they have high-quality equipment, or are they making do? What does their gear look like?

I will divide the answer into two parts, between the trip and the races.

When he races, Enzo has excellent equipment. Thick gloves, a jacket often with fire protection, well-fitted so as not to get in his way but loose enough not to restrict his movements. He wears his racing jackets mainly in the desert and short jackets in town. He even has a customised jacket for the Vegas Race, with his name and three stars (the number of times he's won) on the back. The same goes for the trousers, and solid, closed-toe shoes that support his ankles if possible. The colours don't change much: black, green, sometimes a little yellow like before, but that's rare!

On the road, he can be more chill. He sometimes takes off his jacket when riding during the day. The gloves depend on what he has in his glove compartment: t-shirt, jeans, trainers, and sunglasses. He feels like the master of the road. He keeps his jacket on at night, and his shoes are more like boots. You never know what might happen on the roads and who you might meet, so you'd better be ready to run if you need to… even if you never need to. (Makes me want to do a shoot on the road …)

canvas: Does your OC have any scars, piercings, tattoos, or other markings? Do they display or cover them up at all?

He has 4 piercings in his right ear, two at the top, and two at the bottom, just for style. He also sometimes wears a cross as an earring.

4 tattoos, too: his first is a scorpion with a cactus on his left arm (because he's a scorpion, also a nomad, the desert and all that, but also because he can sting if you get close to him); the second is the Orion constellation on his left shoulder blade (Orion was a mighty hunter killed by a scorpion, and the symbolism of travellers finding their bearings by the stars); The 3rd was done in several stages, first with the quote "guida veloce, prega bene" (drive fast, pray well) and a sort of mandala drawn around it on the right forearm; the last is a quote on the right pectoral "Volere e potere" (will and power).

Enzo has a whole volley of freckles, with moles all over his body, including his face, shoulders and back.

But what really distinguishes him are his scars. The ones on his face, with a cut on his forehead after an accident when he was 18, and two on his cheeks from trying to act stupid. But above all, the burns on his body. They're all from a car accident when he was 20, when he lost control and crashed into a rock, causing a fire. He wasn't wearing gloves at the time, had his hands burnt, threw his burning jacket to the ground, and then rescued his co-pilot, causing multiple burns to his body. The most visible are on the torso, at the edge of the left flank, and on the left shoulder and thigh. But the most impressive is on his back, taking in the whole of his right shoulder blade, cutting into the left and going up to his shoulder.

And he hides these burns fiercely. Initially self-conscious, Enzo became afraid to show it to others, fuelling rumours to the point where he developed a kind of dysmorphophobia and refused to reveal himself. He's learned to relax at camp and stop hiding, but that's out of the question when he's away. That's why he always wears gloves, always hides his torso, and doesn't want to undress in front of anyone. You might ask, what does he do in private? He doesn't undress, either. He often has intercourse after the races, in a corner, without taking anything off and preferably without too much light. If he lets others touch his chest, he tenses up when a hand grazes his back. Jay's going to have to be patient before Enzo gets undressed :P

[bewitchingbaker]

'Trick or Treat'

The hustle and bustle of halloween could be heard outside of Luna's Moonlight Delights. As always, all of the local business filled their windows with spooky time decorations and every business owner was dressed up for the occasion. Mr. Pace of the Cactus Flower handed out full size snickers to all the excited kiddos, while Mr. and Mrs. Boyce of Star Cleaners are dressed as the Munsters while handing out skittles.

Even some of the local teens were in on the festivities.

Except for one.

An 15 year old Chris Luna sits at the counter with dropped shoulders. Even with the skull face paint, one could see a scowl. Those soft brown hues look up at the schedule barring both his and Jess's name. While he abided by the schedule, she did not. As always.

"Sure...I'll cover for you...it's not like I wasn't looking forward to watching movies with you..." he mumbles as he stares out the window.

At least the Prince costume clad Angela was there with him while the Lunas made deliveries. Those deep brown eyes stare at her pouting sobrino, offering him a hand on his shoulder. While the other Lunas had no idea where Jess was, these two knew. Or at least Chris did...Angela saw too many possibilities for her mind to comprehend. Damn the beings that plagued her mind with madness.

But that was a story for another time.

Her focus was on the sad little teen that was working on this wonderful Samhain. How could she see that warm smile that blessed their mornings?

"...Someone nice will come along," Angela finally spoke, a proud smile resting on her face.

Nailed it!

Or...so she thought.

Chris stared at his aunt for an eternal moment. On one hand, he appreicates the sentiment. Angela was often the one who went out of her way to turn a frown upside down, though her words sometimes...came at the wrong time. On the other hand, he's so mad at his sibling he can't completely fake his attempt at a smile. But he mutters a thanks, though he always makes sure to rest his hand on hers.

"...Gracias..." Chris replies with a small nod.

At least there was someone in his corner...unlike his sister.

Plus, it was nice to have some of their favorite spooky tunes playing. As if the speaker knew which song to play, Brains began to play. The hypnotizing violin and dulcet tones of Voltaie were enough to earn a small tap of his feet. Perhaps the night could be saved.

Just as Angela managed to pull Chris into one of their small dance parties, a familiar figure made their way into the lobby of Luna's. A teen who knew Chris better than anyone, though he would always find himself blushign around her. It was none other than Beth Riley in costume, watching her friend and his aunt dance like zombies for a moment.

The second those brown hues saw the apple of his eye, he stopped dead in his tracks. Face slowly turning as red as the cherry pies they served. Not helped by Angela's excited wave to his friend.

"Told you someone nice would come along!! I knew your cute friend would stop by!"

As if this moment couldn't get any more emberrasing....

"TIA ANGELA," he exclaimed before covering his skull painted face, "Please don't make this worse..."

He peeks at Beth before covering his face.

"....Happy Halloween...Beth..." he mumbles, "...We have candy...but I can give you a cupcake..."

[ @brooklynislandgirl ]

[02chois]

i did indeed missed that you answered me, so thanks for reblogging that again uwu fnfn

good luck on your finals! you can do it!!

we’re not that good honestly at dancing, but it is lots of fun, even if it’s exhausting af (like. cactus especially holy fuck) yeah i had been so excited for opening sequence but same scent has been nice so far uwu

oohh yay i’m glad you found some that you like 🥺🥺 they’re rlly great guys, and they’ve done some incredible covers too

omg that would get so messy with hyuka, but something sweet plus you, how could he say no to that jfjfjg

Yeah jfnfnfnf he makes sure to thank you Thoroughly 👀 -hyuka anon

Oh! Good thing I rbg it then <33 and thank you bfbncjs our finals sched is so messy but knowing that both baking and culinary takes so much time it's understandable 🧍🏻‍♀️ culinary will kick my ass cus we have to make a full course meal lmao rip (I'll serve soobin then)

Ayo still that's impressive being able to learn the choreo and stuff!! Mostly when the choreos are difficult and y'all still did it? That's amazing. I'm glad to hear that the practice for same scent has been great <33 how far are you guys into learning the choreo?

They seem like a bunch of lovely guys 🩷🩷 I might get into them if ever hAHAHAH thanks for introducing them to me cus I really might look into them more as I listen to their songs!!

In a much softer route I have a feeling that hyuka might like planting lil flowers or fruits and grow them with you </33 I think it's just cute to see him gardening and when there's a fully bloomed batch of flowers he'll be so excited to show them to you and he's very smiley 😭😭🩷🩷

[beiq2y]

BLUE LOCK BF HEADCANONS¡! ❞

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❅———————————❅———————————❅ ✎ includes : Barou, kunigami, nagi, reo, yukki/yukimiya, gagamaru!

✎ warnings : mentions of gagamaru shirtless LOL, bad attempts at humour once again! Kunigami might be ooc! I made him stutter LOL (I’m a horrible person), crack headcanons at the start and they are all JOKES. You can choose whether to take them seriously or not.

✎ Part 1

❅———————————❅———————————❅ CRACK HEADCANONS FIRST!

KUNIGAMI and BAROU are literal malewifes - like I’m talking cooking, cleaning, breakfast in bed, and defo taking care of u when u’re sick it’s so cute ( my type of man 😪)

i have strong reason to believe that the majority of ur dates with NAGI are js naps or sleepovers! Like pookie probably plays some video games in bed while you js rest ur head on his shoulder watching before you eventually fall asleep on his shoulder, and when he’s done he tucks u in and sleeps hugging u tight <33

REO SPOILS U SO BAD NO JOKE. Like bro is literally ur sugar bf.. but i feel like he is absolutely trash at gift giving. Like for someone who has had everyhting given to him, bro doesnt know the first thing abt giving other people stuff. Once gave you a human sized dancing cactus bc he said it reminded him of you.. what even

YUKKI drags you along to his modelling gigs - he tries his best to give u a roll in his shoots and these can range from a tree (yea, you just stood there in a tree suit while bro looked absolutely majestic) to his partner in shoots!

GAGAMARU once told you that he “knew a place” and while you were expecting a cute date at the park, bro pulled up with THE FOREST. Yall alm got killed by a bear twice but it was worth it to see hair down gagamaru catching fish in the lake with water dripping down from his hair to his abdomen and limbs🤭

❅———————————❅———————————❅ NOW LET’S BE FR..

KUNIGAMI wants to be a hero. But it’s never very hero-like ; the way he tries to look anywhere but your eyes when you’re near him, the way he hides behind the nearest object when you’re around “ if I can’t see them neither can they” being the only thing on his mind. And it definitely isn’t very hero-like when he stumbles over his words, voice trailing off as he begins to speak. “Well you see, I um.. i actuallly really uh, really well, like, you?..”  (I HOPE THIS ISNT OOC I FEEL LIKE IT IS)

BAROU, even with all his talk about everyone else just being a mere supporting character, gives you a lead role in the play of his life, where you can be the queen, sitting on his throne where he gives you all the love and support you need.

NAGI thinks everything is a bore, well, everything but you. For some reason, the mere thought of you excites him ; more than games, more than soccer, more than anything. And maybe just this time, as he sees you walking down the hallway, he might be willing to actually work hard for something.

REO who has had everything handed to him on a silver platter, having everything he “liked” but never anything he “loved”. So when he meets you, he treats you like a goddess, placing you on a pedestal - one that he will always ensure rises above the rest. And he has so so so much love to give, his heart will literally be in ur hands :(

YUKKI is horrified to lose his eyesight permanently. Not because of soccer(tho it does play a major part in it) but because of you. The thought of never seeing you again - you who lights up his day with just a smile, you who looks like the sun as a human, and you who gives him life- it terrifies him. And on days when his eyesight gets a bit blurrier, expect him to pull you closer, inspecting every inch of your face, trying his best to engrave every minor detail into his memory.

GAGAMARU tries. he tries to change for you - tried to be more “human-like”, tried eating with his hands, and tried to improve his handwriting. but what he doesnt know is that you try too. try to make him realise, to make him see that he’s perfect just the way he is, every single so called “flaw” making him even more endearing, enticing you further.

❅———————————❅———————————❅ a/n : THE LONG AWAITED PART 2 IS HERE YAYAYAYYA omg I finally got back frm my holiday but here u go guys!! Also tysm for 55 (even tho 3 of u are sienna and her 5million blogs) followers I love all of u sm 🫶 as usual, hope I enjoy <3

©beiq2y 2k22 on tumblr, pls do not steal or repost my works!

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taggies ! (Ik yall didn’t ask to be tagged but deal with it xx)

@noheartsfromsie

@enraa-ged

@geeerage

@qinnru

@jiafeimagic (ur gagamaru🤭)