#is there something other than 'papa' that they would rather her call them???

[zorosangell]

⛥ﾟ・。 vice admiral

synopsis: after receiving some terrible news by news coo, you're left completely devastated. the crew does their best to console you, to no avail... and zoro realizes that, for once, his actions won't speak louder than his words... and makes a promise he's willing to die to keep.

cw: fluff with a decent dash of angst, parental death if that's triggering for you, reader calls her dad papa, comfort, zoro is once again down bad for reader, their relationship is super cute, zoro hates romance books.

a/n: listened to a lot of sad music for this

"They clashed, blades sparking and bodies twirling in an epic dance of death," you read aloud, completely enraptured by the book. "Their love was strong, but the hatred that kept them apart was stronger... It seemed that violence would once again be the driving force of their separation... as well as their rejuvenation."

Zoro gagged, keeping up the cadence of his push-ups as he rolled his eyes, glancing at you on his back with a raised brow.

Seriously...?

"You told me this book was about swordsmanship..." he grunted out, turning his gaze back to the grassy deck. "For the past three chapters... they haven't shut up about their rival families... or their... love for each other."

You let out a small snicker at his annoyed tone, a cheeky grin stretching across your lips as you turned the page.

"Well, if I told you about the romance part, you wouldn't have let me read it," you stated, simply.

"Gee, I wonder why..." he scoffed, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey!"

You flicked him in the back of the head, donning a small pout as he sighed, grumbling to himself something along the lines of:

"Always with the pout... she knows I hate the damn pout..."

It was Calisthenics Day, and with such beautiful weather, Zoro had decided to take his training outside, which meant dragging you out of your room to join him.

Even though he always deflected when asked about it, everyone knew that incorporating you into his workouts was one of his many guilty pleasures.

Wearing you like backpack during his pull-ups...

Having you take a nap on his barbell as he bench-pressed...

Plopping you down on his back for push-ups as you read...

He loved it.

He loved being in your presence because, to him, it felt oddly intimate—having you so close as he worked hard to get stronger, honing his body with the goal of protecting you in mind.

Not to mention it fluffed up his ego, being able to lift up and toss around his woman with such ease.

He was only a man... and couldn't help the renewed confidence he gained after every workout.

"Well, I didn't completely lie. The book's got sword-fights in it," you defended, flipping back through the last few chapters.

"Yeah, one every fifty pages," he scoffed once again. "And they're not even good. Who the hell dances in the middle of a fight?"

Your brows flattened, incredulously.

'Jeez...'

"Zo', it's figurative language. They're not actually dancing."

"Figurative... what?"

"Figurative language. Writers use it to make descriptions more interesting."

"Why don't they just say what they mean and be done with it?"

"'Cause that's boring."

"It would make this crap less confusing. Too many blinding smiles and sparkling eyes. Just say the girl looks nice and move on."

You sighed, not at all surprised by his response.

'He's so backwards...'

Zoro was a man who found it hard to say I love you, yet had no problem throwing himself in front of a bullet for you.

Really.

Most girls got bouquets and chocolates from their lovers after their one month anniversary, but you got to patch him up after he was hit in the chest by a fucking cannonball, all because you were in its line of fire.

A rather heart-warming yet terrifying problem to have.

The memory brought a small smile to your face, your lips letting out tiny chuckle as you recalled the scene.

"Gods, Zoro, why the hell did you do that?!" you sniffled, a few tears rolling down your cheeks as he coughed up another round of blood. "I could've dodged!"

He chuckled, painfully, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

"With your reaction time?" he weakly teased, raising a brow as he sat up, "I don't think so."

Clutching his side, he let out a wince, pulling away his hand to see his blood was soaking through the bandages you'd applied.

"This is serious! Stop moving or you're gonna tear it open again!" you scolded, glassy eyed and wobbly lipped as you pressed your hand against his chest, forcing him to lay back down. "Gods, you're so stupid... why did you do that?"

After working tirelessly for a whole hour, Chopper was able to stabilize him, the cannonball having nearly tore off the whole of his side, and the organs along with it.

The doctor said it was a miracle, and medically improbable, that the man was still alive.

Zoro paused a moment, breathing slightly shallow as his eyes bore intensely into yours.

He knew exactly why...

"'Cause it was you..."

"Guys! News Coo's here!" Nami called, exiting her office and snapping you out of your thoughts.

Instantly, your mind pushed away the doom and gloom, making room for the wide grin that broke out on your face.

"Yes!" you cheered, jumping off Zoro's back, the man cracking a small smile at your excitement.

'Must be her dad...'

"Ooo, I wanna see!" Luffy exclaimed, swinging over from the figurehead. "I hope my bounty went up!"

"Me, too!" Chopper agreed, bursting from the med bay.

"Wait for me~!" Brook sang, jumping down from the balcony of the crow's nest.

"I call dibs on the funny papers!" Usopp perked up from his spot on the higher deck, tinkering with a new gadget of his.

"Let's see what's new in the world today," Robin mused with a smile, crossing her arms as she walked over to join the rest.

"It's been so long! I wonder how my father's doing!" you squealed, brimming with joy. "I bet he's captured a ton of other pirates!"

"Wait, (y/n), isn't your dad a marine?" Chopper asked, tugging at your arm.

"Yup!" you nodded, proudly. "One of the best there is! Back when he was in his prime, he was one of the strongest in the Navy! He even fought Gold Roger!"

"GOLD ROGER?!" Chopper and Brook exclaimed, shocked.

With a grin, Luffy threw a stretchy arm over your shoulder, literally pulling himself into the conversation.

"Yuh-huh! He and my grandpa are good friends!" your captain confirmed. "They go way back!"

Like Garp, your father was less than pleased to find out that you'd run away from home to become a pirate, much less a pirate with his best friend's grandson.

But, after some time, he learned to accept your decision, and even went as far as saying so in person, reuniting with you on Dressrosa and assuring that he still loved you with all his heart—you had feared he hated you for your decision.

He promised you both would meet again someday, and probably have to fight, given your luck.

So you promised to get even stronger, that way you'd be able to kick his ass back to the Red Line.

Let's just say your head got a good bonking for that one...

"Here, (y/n)," Nami smiled, tossing you the rolled up newspaper. "Take first look."

Giddily, you caught it, giving her a quick nod of thanks before flipping through the pages, searching for your father's name.

Until you found it.

"I found him!" you grinned, skimming through the article. "It is with a heavy heart that the Navy mourns the loss of one of its finest. Vice Admiral (d/n)..."

Your voice trailed off at the end, nearly dying completely as the words rang in the air, sounding foreign, despite it being you that said them.

Zoro froze mid-push up, eyes wide.

'Oh, no...'

Nami quietly gasped, hands rising to cover her mouth in shock, the others sharing similar expressions.

"After failing to return from a routine patrol of the sea surrounding Dunga, the vice admiral was reported missing. Naturally, the Navy sent out a search party, and discovered his ship floating aimlessly a few miles away from the island, battered beyond repair," you continued, frantically searching for some sort of catch. "According to Vice Admiral Momonga's report, upon boarding, the party found his body, along with the bodies of his entire squadron, on deck, each of them dead by varying causes."

No...

It wasn't true...

It couldn't be...

'Papa...'

You chest felt like it was going to cave in on itself, but you couldn't keep yourself from reading, still hoping for a twist.

"Of course, given the ship's close proximity to Pirate Island, it is safe to assume that the Blackbeard Pirates were the perpetrators of this deed. But, nonetheless, we are still left to grieve over this monumental loss..."

Shaking, your legs finally gave out, dropping you to your knees and your hands tightly gripped the newspaper, crumpling the pages.

"Oh, (y/n)..." Nami dropped to join you, a sorry expression on her face as she rested a comforting hand on your shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

You stayed stiff as a board, still in a state of shock.

Your father loved you with every bone in his body.

He was the man that taught you how to fight after finding out you were being picked on.

The man that kissed away your boo-boos after your daily adventures in the woods.

The man that held you during a thunderstorm after finding you hiding under his covers.

The man that paraded you around the house whenever you were sad, just to see you smile.

And despite the fact you ran away from home, despite the fact you joined the side he'd been fighting for over half his life... that reality never changed.

You were still the same, old (n/n) to him, and he was still your papa.

The papa... that you would never see again.

Your throat let out a wail of sorrow as you crumpled into Nami, clutching the paper tightly in your hands.

Everyone froze, hearts breaking at your sadness, expressions falling at the sight.

Your shoulders rocked with sobs, tears rolling down your hot cheeks like rivulets, your brows cinched in a look nothing short of agony.

You couldn't breathe, your chest heaving with effort as it attempted to retain the air you pushed out with your bawling.

"It can't—! I won't—!" you sputtered, coughing and gasping in an attempt to form the words. "He promised me! H-He promised me I'd see him again!"

"Don't start slackin' on me, kiddo. The next time we meet, it won't be as friendly," your dad smiled, ruffling your hair. "You may be tough now, but you better be a hell of a lot tougher if you wanna stand a chance."

"Psh! The next time we meet I'll be a hell of a lot stronger than you," you scoffed, proudly. "And then I'll kick your ass all the way back to the Red Line!"

"Like hell you will!" he exclaimed, hitting you upside the head with a haki-coated fist.

"OW! Papa, that hurt!" you loudly winced, rubbing the spot

"I love ya, (n/n)!"

"Love you, too, you old jerk!"

A new wave of tears erupted, your sobs becoming even more uncontrollable.

Your mind was completely gone with grief, only one word sticking out among the chaos.

"PAPA!"

Setting himself down on one of the mats in the crow's nest, Zoro's chest tightened, the sound of your wails on a permanent loop within his head.

After hours of consoling, Nami and Robin had finally calmed you to sleep, your body utterly exhausted from all the crying.

Sanji had made a banquet of your favorite foods for dinner, but you didn't eat a single bite.

Brook tried to serenade you with happy songs, but they all seemed to go in one ear and out the other.

Even Luffy tried to make you laugh, but it only made you even sadder, reminded of the times your father tried to cheer you up.

Safe to say, the entire crew was worried sick.

But, in a last ditch attempt to lift your spirits, Usopp and Franky banded together to build an altar in the crow's nest, using one of your father's old newspaper clippings as a photo.

It was beautifully ornate, yet simple, clearly demonstrating the skill and care it took to make it.

They hoped to surprise you with it when you woke up.

But before that... Zoro had to do something.

Using a match, he lit the incense that sat in front of your father's image—the picture of him standing at attention, arms crossed over his chest and expression pulled taut.

He looked strong, like a hero in a comic book, and twice as mean.

Though, if your stories were anything to go off of, he was apparently nothing but a big, old teddy bear.

Clapping his hands together, Zoro shut his eyes, paying his respects.

Without this man, he would've never met you.

Never seen your smile...

Never heard your laughter...

Never held your hand in his...

You were among the most important people in his life, and you wouldn't be the strong, kind, and compassionate woman he knew without your father.

That alone made him deserving of thanks.

But that wasn't the only thing the swordsman was there for...

Opening his eyes, Zoro's hand moved to grab the handle of his Wado Ichimonji, pulling the blade out of its sheath and holding it upright.

"Vice Admiral (d/n)... my name is Roronoa Zoro, and I am the man who will be the World's Greatest Swordsman," he started, deadly serious, looking straight into the eyes of your father's picture. "You don't know me, and I've never had the privilege of meeting you in person. But if there's one thing we have in common... it's (y/n)."

He tensed slightly, as if bracing himself for some harsh attack, letting out a smooth, deep stream of breath to calm his nerves.

"I love her... a lot."

He paused a little awkwardly, but cleared his throat to cover it up, pressing forward.

"Okay... maybe more than a lot," he corrected, glancing down at himself. "But it's because of that I put my life on the line for her every day... and it's because of that I'm worried about her safety."

His gaze sharpened, grip tightening on his sword.

'Bastards...'

"The newspaper revealed (y/n) as your daughter," he stated, jaw set tight. "She told me you tried to hide that, in case any of the pirates you put away managed to escape and seek revenge... but now that the secret's out... and you're dead... it's open season on her head."

He felt anger claw at the back of his throat, threatening to spring loose.

The Navy was fucking useless...

In their lousy attempt to honor the vice admiral's memory, they had inadvertently outed you to the world, completely destroying the years upon years of secrecy your father had worked so hard to protect.

Did they forget about his notoriety?

Forget about the thousands of pirates he'd jailed?

Forget about the countless enemies he'd made?

Forget about the hundreds of dangerous Impel Down escapees?

In your state of mourning, you were incredibly vulnerable, and if a blood-thirsty, revenge-seeking pirate came around wanting to settle a score, he wouldn't give two shits about how you were feeling.

Intentional or not, the Navy had thrown you into the proverbial lion's den.

But it would be a cold day in hell before Zoro let anything happen.

"While she's strong as hell on her own, with you gone, someone's gotta step up to support... be a figure or a name attached to her... strong enough to ward off any unwanted attention..."

He tensed, glancing back up at the picture.

"Which is why I'm here."

Taking another deep breath, he turned his gaze to his sword, now more prepared than ever.

"Vice Admiral (d/n)... I am in love with your daughter. And I solemnly swear from this moment forward... that I will never let her know pain."

His brows furrowed, expression cinched tight in earnest.

"That any weapon, plan, or plot made against her will fall at my blade... that any who come with the intent to harm her will be struck down without a second thought."

What Zoro saw that day scarred his heart for the rest of his life.

To see you so distraught... so crushed... broke a piece of him as well, and it was clear based off the others that gestures would not be able to break through to you.

So, for once, he would have to let his words speak louder than his actions.

"That I will stay by her side until she no longer needs me... that I will protect her with my every breath... that I will be a friend, a guard, a partner, or none at all at if she wants me to be..."

He paused, taking a second to make sure he was ready for the next part.

"But most importantly... that I will love and care for her just the same," he finished, before firmly tucking his sword back in its sheath. "She'll be protected... so don't worry."

A smirk rose to his lips, his eyes finding their way back to the man's picture.

"Soon enough, she'll have the World's Greatest Swordsman as her bodyguard."

[i-cant-sing]

Okay okay, I have another idea-

Yandere dad Nanami x Nanami reader

I've made yall see the menace Fushiguro reader who we all love and adore, but let's talk about Nanami's daughter who is an absolute angel and polar opposite to Fushiguro reader.

Child reader is just the most well behaved kid, listens to her father always, and since Nanami is raising her, she's also going to be very good in her studies because papa Nanami is a very good teacher. I mean, reader is definitely on top of her class and has a whole wall dedicated to her awards and medals. She just has to show off her math skills when she plays cafe (because obv she's gonna be a baker who bakes fresh bread daily for Nanami to buy and make sandwiches) and uses Monopoly money.

And when I say reader is polite, that is the understatement of the history. She just cannot bear to offend anyone! She has to put "-san" with everyone's name and has to address them correctly. "Yuji-san! Megumi-San!" And "pervert-San!" Which is Gojo, because of course Nanami has told her to beware of him and only address him as "pervert-san".

"But my name's Gojo!" He tells you, but you're so distressed because dad told you to call the white haired man wearing a blindfold/glasses "pervert-san" and it'd be rude to address him as anything else!

And Nanami adores his kid so much. She's such a perfect child, never breaks rules (don't talk to strangers or Pervert san.) and is such a goody-goody. He is a present father, he makes time for you. The Jujutsu sorcerers can wait, the world can be saved by someone else, but he needs to attend your school play at all costs. And even when hes not around for the day, he has raised you to be a very responsible child- like you even go get the groceries on your own when dad is late! (Like that Japanese show in which they send kids to shop on their own)

But of course, there are times when he needs to be away for longer periods, so he needs to hire a babysitter. His top choices: Shoko(although hes a little hesitant since you have a morbid curiosity learning and Shoko would happily let you accompany her to the morgue), Yuta, Maki, Megumi + Yuji + Nobara.

Who is NEVER allowed to babysit you? Gojo.

Gojo babysits anyway. (He fr steals you from Megumi trio)

And Nanami just comes home to Gojo and reader eating takeout and he's just like "Y/n, how could you let Pervert san in your home and eat with him?" And reader's just on the brink of tears and is trying to defend herself "b-but you said to be polite to guests! And Pervert-san bought food for me. Wouldn't it be rude to not share it with him?" *reader's teary eyes* and then Gojo is like "you'd rather let your child starve? Can't you see how tiny she already is?!" *Gojo's teary eyes* and Nanami pops a vein "it's not cute when you do it!"And then kicks Gojo out of the house.

Even though reader can dress herself up appropriately, she still has to have her hair done by Nanami, no matter what age. At some point, reader probably realises that it's something Nanami needs more than she does. It's a tradition, you think, but it's actually a coping mechanism for Nanami to deal with the fact that you're "growing up" and don't ask him to watch cartoons with you or read you bedtime stories anymore🥺

And Sukuna??? He takes one look at you and he's already decided he's gonna be mean to you, but then the more time you spend with him and Yuji, the more he realises.... its just not worth being mean to the only person who is so sweet to him and actually greets and talks to him like he's an individual person and not just a parasite inside Yuji's skin. Like reader just goes "Sukuna-san! I'm painting Yuji-san's nails but he can't pick a color. Will you help?" And he's like "Alright, fuck it I'm taking this brat with me when I comit mass murder. She's safe."

I feel like Nanami will allow reader to have a fairly normal childhood, so he keeps his yandere tendencies at a bay. It's when you start growing up and as he says "the others try to taint you with momentary pleasures" that his yandereness begins to show. Honestly, it's just more of his protective tendencies coming to light than anything else. He thinks people don't have your best interests in and sometimes he's right, but how else will you learn if you don't experience it?

Also, if you do end up having cursed energy and the ability to see curses, I think that's when Nanami starts spiralling down. He does not want you to become a Jujutsu sorcerer, he wants you far far away from the Jujutsu world completely. He can't- he can't allow what happened to Haibrara happen to you. He can't allow your innocence and naivety to be tainted by the horrendous world of curses. He'd rather risk you hating him forever as he locks you away than allow you to put your life at risk for others.

You are his priority. Your safety is his priority. You'll understand in due time why he did what he did, so while his heart does break hearing you cry and beg to be let out of your room, he doesn't regret putting you in there one bit.

Nanami sighs as he continues prepping your dinner. Guess he'll have to add some crushed sleeping pills so that you don't get sick from crying your bodyweight out (or more like he can't bear to see you in such a pitiful state.)

God save the poor souls who do end up kidnapping you.

[kiame-sama]

You stated in previous chapters / answered asks that some monsters are open to sharing the Human darling with their comrades. How would the dynamic of those harem / poly pairings work in the future where their mated / married / bonded to her with children? Is there a primary significant other among them? Are they all referred to as some variation of dad, or are non bio-dad(s) called uncle / something else? How hands on / affectionate are they with children they aren't related to biologically? If their Human specified an amount of kids, as well as the order she'd want them to get her pregnant (like having a pup with Sebek first since he's the only one that can knock her up with needing a c-section) would they respect or would there be coercion / guilt trips to change her mind?

🌻 anon

Warnings; talk of hybrids, poly relationships, poly yanderes, mention of eggs, oviposition, mention of c-sections, multiple fathers,

~~~~~~~~

In terms of Malleus and his Hoard, he is the one who is the primary mate to the Human, everyone in the hoard knows this and respects it. As far as having a hybrid from the different Hoard members go, Lilia will fight to the death to be the primary caretaker and few are willing to challenge him on that. Fae are notorious for stealing and obsessing over Human children and Lilia is no exception with these Hybrids as many share the Human traits considered to be so cute. Of course, he wouldn't encourage any child other than those officially his own to call him 'Father' or some variant of, he still won't discourage it either.

Malleus is insistent that he be given the right to actually breed the Human first as Dragons take quite some time to grow and develop and Briar Valley does need an heir to the throne once he takes over for his Grandmother. He will try to ensure the egg is safely delivered with very minimal damage and hopefully without the Human needing a c-section. After that, other Hoard members are welcome to mate the Human so long as the Human is willing to bear more children for the Hoard. Lilia will likely be next due to general ranking in the Hoard and Lilia wants a whole hoard of children to raise. Provided the infant isn't too large to damage their wings, they can be delivered without a c-section. It's only when the infant is too large that they need to be removed for the safety of the mother and the infant. Silver and Sebek would be next provided the Human is alright with bearing them young as well. It is less of a need for them as it is for Malleus- for his own sake and the sake of Briar Valley- and Lilia- who is obsessed with having his own hybrid child. They would happily take up the mantle of father if given the opportunity though.

Silver and Sebek are perpetually stressed parent figures who are honestly glad Malleus and Lilia are stepping into the fathering roles. They will show affection and act as co-parents to the herd of children, but they are nowhere near Lilia's level of parenting. Lilia is taking over a parental role regardless of whose child it is ultimately. Malleus will immediately add all children born to his Hoard to his Hoard officially. They are all his treasures and though he doesn't know for sure how to be the parent he wants to be, he will try to do it for his new Hoard members.

The group of some half and some full siblings would actually get along rather well. You can certainly tell who takes after who most but the children are siblings on their mother's side so they would actually play nicely together. Lilia will make sure there is harmony among the children and does a good job at keeping them peaceful with one another. Any conflict is resolved quickly.

~~~~~~~~

Vil and Rook would be able to share the responsibilities of parents so well they both are Dad (Vil) and Papa (Rook) respectively. Each chick and hatchling will just be convinced they have three parents. Rook has a large family himself, so he will be happy to raise Vil's chicks with his own hatchlings. Vil will ensure the entire family is supported through his acting and will be vicious to any paparazzi looking to harass his mates or his children.

Rook is as much Vil's mate as the Human's mate and the Drider will fight to protect his mates. It doesn't really matter to them who the Human chooses first, so long as they both get an equal shot. Vil is the stricter parent where the Human is the more lenient one. Rook often plays mediator to try and placate the different parenting styles and keep peace among his beloveds. Both men would share duty as parents and lovers with grace and equity.

The Harpy chicks actually prefer their Drider half-siblings over one another as they will be in conflict and direct competition with one another first and foremost by instinct alone. The Drider babies are usually competing with one another as well, so it would be ideal to have one Harpy chick per Drider hatchling. Not every egg hatches but it more likely there will be more drider babies than harpy babies based on egg number alone.

~~~~~~~~

Azul, Floyd, and Jade would have a very unbalanced sharing of parental duties. Most of the infancy tasks would likely fall to Jade and the Human as Floyd would flake out when he doesn't feel like it and Azul won't really get what to do at first. Eventually Azul's many tentacles will come in handy to keep the infants calm while he works and give the main two parents a break.

Jade and the Human will likely have the closest bond out of the four as they cook together and rear the young together, but Floyd makes it clear he needs his time with the Human as well. Azul is more the sugar-daddy of the group, but he is still happy to spend an extended time with the Human and the many infants. Floyd is fun-dad as decreed by the shoal, or as he calls himself Daddy. Jade is Father to the shoal and is the one the kids go to when they need help. Azul is either Boss Azul or Octo-papa. The Human is the one and only Mama of the group and is the main comfort and support of the family for all three fathers and children. Basically the keystone that keeps Jade and Floyd from trying to kick Azul out of the family or eat him as both eels are fond of eating octopus. The group is in harmony with the Human among them.

The Eel children will easily forget they don't share the same fathers and odds are both Floyd and Jade will be putting their eggs in the Human around the same time, so even the parents don't know who belongs to who. They just assume the more mild-mannered ones belong to Jade and the lackadaisical ones are Floyd's. The octo-babies will put themselves in octopus pots to avoid the teasing of their Eel siblings as they are far less rough and tumble than the Eels. Azul will show favoritism to the ones that are too afraid to leave their pots early on in life as he was also quite fond of hiding in his own octopus pot as a child.

[see-arcane]

During the latest Carmilla chapter Descending, post-cat bite Laura says while describing her weeks of dreams and melancholia:

The first change I experienced was rather agreeable. It was very near the turning point from which began the descent of Avernus.

I had no idea what that meant because my English is not advanced, but according to wiki

Avernus

The entrance to Hell or the underworld, or the underworld itself.

So, her descent is (metaphorically) down to Hell/the Underworld. But what strikes me is that her extensive descriptions from then on (before the bloody Carmilla jumpscare) sound not painful or horrific or other hellish imagery. She even likes it? Feels a melancholia and gets paler after each dream, but she keeps seeking those dreams. For example:

("thoughts of death began to open, and an idea that I was slowly sinking took gentle, and, somehow, not unwelcome, possession of me... Whatever it might be, my soul acquiesced in it. I would not admit that I was ill, I would not consent to tell my papa, or to have the doctor sent for. Carmilla became more devoted to me than ever,")

The most torturous imagery is the "dreadful convulsion" from getting kissed too much... So, my question finally, does it make sense to describe something as sinking and possessing you down to Hell/the underworld, and not have it be pure horror?

It absolutely makes sense.

Descent. Death. Damnation.

Things we are meant to fear, to recoil from, and so are painted with the brush of paradoxical temptation. Would the metaphorical Forbidden Fruit be so tantalizing if it weren't forbidden? Is it even forbidden for good reason? Can it be a logical stamp of denial when it delivers so much of knowledge and desire and acceptance of the wants we bury for the sake of presentation and others' mandates?

Descent (capture), Death (the end of what we were), Damnation (deliverance into what is called sin, with or without good reason).

There are bones here of a common theme in stories where some seductive monster comes along to tempt or steal the virtuous protagonist. It's at the core of bodice rippers, of fiction that intertwines pleasure--uninvited! unwanted!--with being assaulted, cornered, or spirited away.

Here is the indulgence and embrace of sin, having a desired bliss or departure from the status quo thrust upon us, but still keeping our hands clean because it poses us as the abducted Persephone to the implacable Hades, who wants and loves so ardently that he must snatch his object of desire to the Underworld and trick her into eternal imprisonment as his queen.

What Laura is experiencing with Carmilla's attacks--for we have to acknowledge them as attacks, pleasurable though they are at the start--is something of the sensation an audience experiences secondhand when dipping into fiction like this. To her, they are only dreams (fictions, fantasies), and so she is safe to indulge in the sensual high. It is only make-believe and there is no shame or danger in the game of it. Only pleasure.

But that's Laura at the point of Avernus. The sweet beginning.

Laura's perspective breaks off from the audience's (this is all indulgence) to the Virtuous Protagonist (something is wrong. afraid. afraid! I don't want to play anymore!) to preserve her role as a pitiable victim; she's past the entrance and treading towards Hell's heart and if nothing is done, she will drop wholly into the Pit and never return. Which, again, is all thrill for us! We're the audience!

Laura is left in the balance--terror of that final unknown threshold and a simultaneous unspoken want to have it all done with. To go past the point of no return is to no longer have to worry about it. The descent finished, the death behind her, the damnation assured. A bloodstained butterfly slipped from its chrysalis, dragged through metamorphosis by Carmilla whether she is willing or not.

It braids fear of that forced intimacy and entrapment with the exhilaration of being so wanted and possessed by a figure of one's desire, who has so far been a mere murderer, teasing with the charm of being the beloved special exception to a proven monster. There's no prying one from the other.

So, yes.

It is not pure horror. It is not pure bliss. To go without the horror is to leave the story toothless and make Laura a willingly callous advocate of Carmilla's deadly evils and her trail of corpses. To go without the bliss is to remove Carmilla's romantic allure and Laura's role as our audience-surrogate.

(This is wrong! Forbidden! Frightening! But it feels so nice...)

[hunters-vigil]

The Archon's Baby - Chapter 18 - Evacuate, now!

First Chapter Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Warnings: pregnant!reader, mentions of casualities of war, panic, fighting, guns and bullets (Chasca), mentions of death, death of non-playable characters, loss of a limb due to injury, mentions of blood.

Fic under the cut, don't repost my stuff on other platforms, i have ao3. Reader is not the traveller. Reader's adoptive sisters are Chasca and Chuychu.

The attacks were slowly getting worse over the course of the week. More and more casualities were flooding in from the wilderness. It had been week since you had last seen Mavuika, and tensions within your tribe were rising. The arrival of the Fatui had disturbed the elders, and your parents. Chasca was out fighting, coming back whenever there was a lull, if only to check on you all. Chuychu was working herself too hard again, keeping you as her assistant in helping the injured at the tribe, with the demand that you be careful.

"Chasca, take your sisters to the stadium! We'll see you there!" your father shouted, alarming you and Chuychu as you both spotted the influx of abyssal creatures swarming in, overwhelming the tribe's warriors.

"They're flooding in from Ochkanatlan…" you realised, hesitating for a moment that led Chuychu to grab your hand, pulling you towards Chasca. The baby iktomisaur squeaked before you picked her up, holding her in your arms.

"Mama and papa are hanging back to help, but we have to go, now." Your eldest sister stated, brandishing her bow as multiple warriors from your tribe fought around you, holding back the abyss.

"There's a lull, now!" The three of you began to hurry towards the lift, feeling the wood begin to break under your feet.

"What are the Fatui-"

"This way!" A Fatui skirmisher geochanter bracer gestured to you all, "the Pyro Archon sent forces to help evacuate you and your family to the stadium. Our Captain believes it's only going to get worse."

"I'll watch out from above." Chasca stated, summoning her giant gun to fly on, holding back how it would give her a perfect view to watch the Fatui be anywhere near her little sisters. She held back a chuckle at your iktomisaur almost freezing the face of a fatui skirmisher cryogunner legionnare the moment that she was taken from your arms.

"Chasca, be careful. The abyss can take the form of a qucusaurus!" you called out, your older sister nodding at you, while Chuychu fiddled with her bag, "I have something better than your stink bombs."

"How did you find that? I thought I hid it well enough. You never used to think to look behind the bookcases-" Chuychu's eyes widened, realising you'd found your weapon.

"Because child-me couldn't move them from the wall to see where you had stashed everything." You deadpanned, brandishing your weapon in your hands. The weight was familiar, even if you had been without it for so long.

"You cheeky little…" Chuychu grumbled, ducking to avoid an arrow soaring overhead.

"How wide is the scale, which areas are under attack?" You began to question the Fatui, who only glanced at you for a moment longer than necessary… and they thought the Pyro Archon was intense. Maybe that was why Mavuika favoured you…

"All of Natlan is under attack."

"So Mavuika sent you now? Shouldn't you all be helping save the people already in the wilderness, rather than taking us through them?"

"The Archon's orders were to bring you to her side as safely as possible. She wants no risks, since your tribe is so far from the stadium. Other warriors have been dispatched to assist anyone trapped or under attack." The skirmisher explained, directing some warriors into a formation to keep you and Chuychu safe. Looking up at the sky, he spotted Chasca flying overhead, firing elemental bullets at incoming abyssal creatures.

"Bring me? You said me and my family before." You frowned, eyeing the fatui formation carefully.

"The Archon said she knew you would not leave them behind."

"And she knows better to fight me on that one…" you muttered, looking down at the ground before looking at Chuychu inquisitively, "what are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything. What are you hiding?" Chuychu struggled to hold your gaze as you felt yourself begin to crack. Shaking your head, you reminded yourself you were surrounded by Fatui.

"I am not hiding anything either. Even if I was, which I'm not, I would not say when we have Fatui all around us, and Chasca eavesdropping on her flying gun above us." You kept quiet, scared that being too loud would draw the abyss near.

The sounds of bullets from Chasca's gun didn't scare you anymore, but it still irked you as she began to ward off attacks, working with the Fatui nearer to the incoming attacks.

"Are we sure we can't pick up the pace?" another Fatui member asked, but was shushed immediately by the Skirmisher from before.

"Unless you want to exhaust her, or cause her feet and ankles to swell so walking is harder, I suggest you stay quiet-" the Skirmisher only nodded to you, keeping his voice down, "my wife had the same issue with our firstborn."

You didn't respond to him, instead nervously tugging at your clothes until Chuychu ended up offering the piece of clothing she'd grabbed on the hurry from the tribe, watching you slip it on and take a breath of it.

"Slowly losing Mavuika's scent." You pouted, fighting back watery eyes as you all kept moving. This large group may work defensively, but the abyss adapts. It always does.

///

The abyss' final chance was here, attacking all the tribes and around the stadium for over a week now. Warriors were being worn down, trying to protect the travelling caravans, trying to protect the tribes.

Mavuika planned each of her warriors moves, but she had no intel about the Fatui convoy set to transport and protect you. Maybe she should have sent warriors sooner, but the abyss flooding in from Ochkanatlan had her on edge.

She had to think of all of Natlan, she had to think of her plan… just like Hine reminded her all those years ago.

///

"Can't we just carry her?" A Fatui member whispered to his superior, but he was only shushed with a look.

"Enough, have some respect." His superior warned him, the new recruit having not entirely adapted to the nature that Capitano instilled on his warriors. His comrades. Harming someone who was pregnant was taboo enough, but harming you, who carries the baby of an Archon? Unheard of, but enough tension politically to cause a war. Mavuika had a good head on her shoulders, and the respect and love of her nation… pissing her off was not a good idea.

The death toll was rising according to the battle report that the messenger from the Scions of the Canopy brought. The messenger lingered, looking up at Chasca in the sky, before looking at you and Chuychu with an unreadable expression.

"Why does everyone keep giving me looks? It's not obvious-"

"Remember when mama and papa came to the stadium, and everyone was arguing outside?" Chuychu approached the topic carefully, her hand on your shoulder as you frowned, processing it all.

"Fuck. People heard? But nobody said anything back at the tribe?" You whispered back, continuing to walk with your older sister, ignoring the Fatui all around you.

"Uncle-Chief Mutota probably said something to shut everyone up."

"That didn't stop Allpa from trying to snoop though, papa talked her away…" you looked down, fighting back resting your hands on your belly and instead holding your weapon carefully, "Chasca's eavesdropping again…"

"I know, she's an annoying older sister like that." Chuychu looked up knowingly, meeting Chasca's gaze as the eldest sister looked away, embarrassed. Instead, she looked at the horizon… the stadium was so far away.

"You doing okay?" Chasca quietly enquired, flying down to talk to you both, staring at you as you avoided her eyes, "you're in pain, aren't you?"

"You little- what hurts?" Chuychu's head whipped around to look over you carefully.

"My stomach. Feels like I'm being stabbed in the sides…" you rubbed at your sides to try relieve the pain, but Chuychu only frowned.

"It's your ligaments trying to account for the baby growing. You need to rest."

"And be sitting ducks? The abyss wants to kill me to break Mavuika." You stated, letting out a squeak that you quickly shoved your hand over your mouth for as your sisters looped their arms around you. The iktomisaur in the cryogunner's arms chirped, looking over at the three of you.

"I'm too heavy-"

"You're fifteen weeks pregnant you goof, you need to rest so the pains will calm down…" Chuychu argued before hearing you mutter something, "what was that?"

"The size of an apple." You looked at Chasca, as her eyebrows furrowed, nodding slightly in thanks for your explanation.

///

Meanwhile, the Traveller and Paimon were heading across the areas near the Stadium, the People of the Springs, Scions of the Canopy, and Children of Echoes, via hot air balloon, to lend their support wherever they could.

"We need to find a safe zone… latest intel says it's not safe to be in the wilds any longer." The Fatui Skirmisher informed you and your sisters, who nodded, while you sighed in relief, looking up at how the sunset was clouding over… was she watching the sunset too?

///

"Little one, wake up!"

Your eyes fluttered open, barely opening your eyes when the yells around you woke you up, the baby iktomisaur jumping near your head, trying to wake you up.

"We have to go, now! Get up, as quick as you can!"

"What's happening? How long was I asleep?"

"Too long, but you needed the rest. There are too many abyssal pylons, the Fatui are overrun, it was a trap. We have to get away from here." Chasca took your hand, pulling you towards Chuychu, who had been trying to heal someone, but it was no use. The baby iktomisaur's waddles weren't fast enough, picking her up to perch on your shoulder, so your hands were free to wield your weapon.

The ode of resurrection didn't work on those not from Natlan, and Chuychu can't heal the dead.

"Chasca, the sky! The abyss!" You shouted, spotting the sky darken with abyssal power, and something blast upwards into it, from the stadium. It looked like a huge abyssal eye, staring down at you all.

"Mavuika… whoah!" You yelled, brandishing your weapon as an abyssal creature charged out of a newly opened portal, directly at the three of you.

Meanwhile, Mavuika stood in the stadium of the sacred flame, holding the gnosis in her hand, as her warriors and the Fatui joined forces to keep the people safe.

"Chaos and emptiness… so that's the abyss."

"And it knows that now, is its best chance…" Capitano confirmed Ororon's statement, after saving Xilonen from what would have been a fatal hit.

"The sacred flame!" Ororon gasped, but Xilonen huffed, barging his shoulder as she ran past him.

"Archon's on the case!"

///

The gnosis glowed golden in her hand, Mavuika humming to herself as she focussed the energy in repelling the abyss from snuffing out the sacred flame.

The abyssal eye in the sky shrank considerably, but the darkness remained.

"This way!" Chuychu shouted, tugging you by hand to follow her, while Chasca fought from the skies, clearing a path for you both. Saurian abyss monsters wouldn't stop coming, but it was the rifthounds that scared you. Their corrosive attacks could harm you, and in turn, your babies, so you were trying your best to dodge their claws and fangs.

You had no idea that the Scions of the Canopy had fallen already, Vichama was one of the victims, having stayed behind after scouting ahead for safe routes to evaculate. If it were so easy, he would be joining Atea in the afterlife as 'Hot Spring Buddies', hopefully reuniting with Mallko soon too.

"Did any of the Fatui make it out?" You asked, but Chasca's face glazed over with darkness, landing next to the two of you to conserve phlogiston. Meanwhile, Chuychu started fiddling with something in her pocket instead of answering, "I'll take that as a no then-"

The three of you didn't see the abyssal crystal tumour coming from the sky until it landed too close. Chuychu reacted first, pulling you out of the way, but neither of you saw how close the edge of the cliff was, until you were both going over it. A rush of coldness ran over Chuychu, her leg screaming at her as she felt you wrap your arms around her, trying to shield her from the fall. The iktomisaur screeched in distress, unable to jump to safety as she fell with you and Chuychu.

Chasca screamed, abyssal energy surging through her veins as she hurried over to the edge, but what she found twisted her stomach. A torn piece of your clothing and Chuychu's bloodied boot.

[captain039]

PART 2 The Meaning of Flowers

Viktor x reader

Bridgerton AU

Warnings: olden times, sexism, light swearing, plus size reader, older Viktor, age gap, fat shaming, sexual, smut, oral F and M receiving, innocent reader, light corruption kink, reader in her 20s, long-haired Viktor, possessive Viktor, obsessive Viktor, angst

Previous part <-

Dearest Reader, if you missed last night's first soirée of the season, then you indeed missed a few exciting first dances in our great city. Our lord and ladies mingle with one another to find their hopeful match for this year’s social season. Though hidden amongst the mingling and squabble of our fair city you may have missed a rather intriguing encounter, a new lady was seen talking to our great men of progress, you heard right not man, men, both our Duke Viktor and Councilman Talis were seen with an unknown lady though by my eyes she seemed to run off without further conversation.

You groan as the sun shines brightly on your closed lids once more. A break is all you ask for, being able to wake up on your own than someone blinding you by the great sun in the sky. You don’t blame Mercy, she’s doing her job and an excellent job she does, however sometimes you wish to strangle the poor woman. Another ball another lavish dress and eager mamas introducing their daughters to the wealthier side of the city and once again you find yourself awkwardly at your father’s side thankful your mother was ill enough to not come, but alas listening to your father ramble about mines in the south is rather boring, after your first embarrassing clumsy act with the Duke and Councilman you seek to go nowhere that will end up in a scene. You should really speak with the other ladies but half of them can hardly have a conversation outside stitching and piano playing, not that you judge them for such upbringing that is all a lady is permitted to do while she doesn’t flaunt herself on the marriage mart. Your father moves and you hurry along with him your eyes on the ground careful of your feet.

“Duke Viktor” Your father greets heartily and you feel your stomach drop.

“Lord Y/l/n” The duke greets back as you lift your gaze to his. Recognition flickers in them and a small smile graces his lips.

“Come to knock over my cane again?” You know he’s joking but you feel yourself flush with embarrassment and feel the urge to hit him with said cane.

“You’ve met my daughter?” Your father quizzes.

“Briefly, hardly an introduction” you cut off the duke… again.

“Your daughter was eagerly in search of a hiding place in doing so she knocked my cane” he chuckled his honey eyes studying you with a sparkle.

“Is this true?” Your father stares at you like you stole something rather than accidentally knocked into him.

“It was an accident papa!” You exclaim quietly.

“Truly she is correct no harm done” The duke de-escalates the situation smiling gently.

“Why were you hiding?” Your father hisses and your mouth opens and closes as you frown at his brazen act.

“Papa-“ the duke cuts you off this time.

“Truly my lord, she did nothing wrong, seeking to move away from a rowdy crowd and have a drink in quiet” Something about his defensive tone makes you stare at him. A shiver goes down your spine at the look he glances at you.

“I apologise on my daughter’s behalf she is- unbecoming sometimes” your papa sighs and you look to the floor instead of speaking your mind knowing such a thing would be frowned upon.

“The young lady already apologised,” The duke says firmly.

“Of course my duke” your papa nods, your father gets called away by the Council Kirammans husband and you sigh a bit.

“May I know the lady’s name?” The duke doesn’t leave, simply turns his attention to you. Your eyes rake over his high cheekbones and honeyed eyes, thick brows and the moles dotted on his face. You notice his hair, long, tied back neatly despite the waviness of it.

“Your name?” He asks again and you stutter before telling him.

“I’m sorry my Duke” you say nodding your head a bit.

“It’s alright, I imagine your nerves” he says his gaze casting out to look over the many lords and ladies mingling, dancing, laughing and bickering.

“You do not seem nervous,” you say, then again why would he be, a man of his stature would have nothing to be nervous about and he’s very much declared himself in no search of a Duchess.

“From what you see no” he smiles and you look at him, really look at him in a studying gaze, your eyes flick down his well-pressed and cleaned burgundy suit, too spotless almost, you notice the light shake of his hand that rests on his cane that he hides behind his hip.

“What do your eyes see?” He asks and you realise you may be studying him a bit too intensely for a young lady as yourself.

“I’m sorry my Duke, nothing” you cover up. He smiles shaking his head before he steps closer.

“I can see a liar a mile away my lady, tell me,” he says.

“Your suit is too clean like it’s never been used, hardly any wrinkles, no dust, no spots, your hand that you rest on your cane shakes slightly whether from nerves or holding yourself up, you hide it behind your hip with how your leaning so nobody can see it,” you say. You expect him to be offended, tell you off for ever diminishing his gentlemen stature, but he looks pleased, surprised even.

“A rarity indeed” he mumbles to himself something you don’t recognise flicking in his gaze and that you don’t comment on. He goes to speak again before his name is called a sigh escaping his mouth as he looks over. Your eyes linger on the strong jawbone sliding down the little bit of neck he has revealed within his suit and an unnatural thought occurs of how you wish your lips to be there.

“It seems I’m being summoned. Excuse me my lady” he nods to you and you give a small bow your mind reeling at whatever thought you just had as you quickly busy yourself with finding your father.

“Talis” Viktor greets a little annoyed as the man smiles brightly.

“Viktor, I couldn’t find you anywhere” Jayce laughs easily easing up Viktor’s tense posture. You’d seen right through him so easily and it intrigued him. The way your eyes danced over his suit, his body, to his cane and hand, a small frown on your face as you studied. His mind went to other places instantly hardly appropriate for such a young lady and an aged gentleman such as himself. He wondered if that little frown would be there while focusing on your pleasure, he felt his body tense again barely listening to whatever Jayce was saying to the other gentlemen around him. He wondered how you’d sound, would you gasp? Whimper? Moan or scream? Would it be too much or too little? Did you prefer fingers inside or rubbing reverently at your bundles of nerves? Both? Would you grip his hair so tightly as you came undone on his-

“Viktor?” He jolts a small breath leaving him as he finally focuses on Jayce again.

“Yes, sorry, continue” he nods pushing those thoughts deep down. He’s declared himself not looking for marriage or any form of attachment, sure he’s had his share of women, mainly from Talis’s outgoing personality, but he doesn’t crave the companionship of a wife, a duchess on his arm, bound to one person when life holds a boundless amount of people and discoveries within his work. His eyes drift over the city’s wealthy lords and ladies a slight sneer on his lips before he finds you. His sneer falls, his pupils dilating his heart jumping ever so slightly. He’s met you twice for god's sake. You were a beautiful dress, sure the dresses on the other ladies are beautiful, but you, the pale pink with lace on the bodice, those white gloves hiding your delicate hands and arms. His eyes roam over your plush curves, the swell of your breasts and hips, the curves of your cheeks and those innocent eyes. Bright, wide and unsure of everything around you, like a scared bird shaking its wings in nervousness. He notices you don’t talk to the other ladies or gentlemen, standing by yourself with a tiny glass of over-sweetened lemonade in your hands. Your dance card hanging from your wrist, he wonders if any lords have put their names down, the thought sends a surge of something through his body and suddenly every gentleman in here is a threat to you and your innocence. None of them could handle you, you’re not like the other ladies with simple upbringings from their mamas, no you, you were allowed to explore even just a little, able to have a witted conversation that would throw any gentlemen off and sneer at your lack of polite submissiveness. His teeth grind at the thought, of you dancing away trying to have a nice engaging conversation and a simple-minded gentleman frowning at your attempts and knowledge getting offended that you may in fact no more than the gentlemen, them leaving halfway through the dance leaving you embarrassed and undesirable. Every gentleman in here was a threat indeed.

Next part ->

[whoseafraidofliloleme]

~2.5~ 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 1

Summary: A push from her friends leads to Kwon YN trying to reconnect with her ex something Jeon Jungkook. Or the So Long Hogwarts Spin Off that took a life of its own.

Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x F!Reader.

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍. @allisonleannn 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐒𝐊/𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @honeyhuii @chirokookie @nyxtwixx @clar-iii @centheodd @prdxinvade @hiqhkey @junnniiieee07 @acciomylove @kpoplover718 @anotherimaginesaccount @ashxxgyu @bubblytaetae @xiaoderrrr @shinkenprincess-oh @hoondiors

So this covers Jungkooks version of events in YNs first year.

It was known in the Jeon family, that the Jeons met their soulmates young.

Generally at Hogwarts, all it took was one proper glance or conversation and the Jeon in question was in for the long haul.

Jeon Jungkook had grown up on the story of his parents and other family members.

His dad saw his mum on the train station after first year and knew she was the one.

The fact it took Papa Jeon a good few years before he managed to talk to her is another story.

Similarly, Jungkooks uncle knew who his future wife was the minute the locked eyes with each other.

Granted it also took years for them to get together but that was more on Jeon Jungho being a bit of an asshole than anything else.

Jungkooks aunt Jeon Junhee was the only one who didn't find her soulmate during her Hogwarts years but all it took was a trip to Muggle London for her to find her one.

A few dates later Jeon Junhee was bringing her muggle husband into the family and everyone was overjoyed for them.

His Bangtan hyungs loved teasing Jungkook about this weird family magic of finding your soulmate.

TaeMin hyungs in particular were interested when after his first year Jungkook hadn't found his one.

Joking about how his might be a story like his aunts and they should start looking in the muggle world.

That all changed when during the sorting of his second year. Jungkook wasn't paying much attention, passively clapping but eagerly awaiting the feast.

Kwon YN was called by McGonagall and Jungkook turned to pay attention.

His whole family had been invited to the funeral of Kwon Hyungsik.

He was a respected member of wizarding society and his parents had told him that if he could to keep an eye on Kwon YN, who was joining Hogwarts this year.

All it took was one glance at Kwon YN and Jungkook knew. She was the one.

This adorable 11 year old was his soulmate, he knew it in his bones.

Even though the sorting was months ago. Jungkook didn't manage to actually have a conversation with Kwon YN until months later.

His hyungs found it hilarious that for all his bravado, he couldn't even talk to the love of his life.

His dilemma was real and he didn't appreciate his hyungs making fun of him.

He was one more windshield wiper laugh away from hexing Jin hyung.

It's not like he can just walk up to her and say hi, I'm your soulmate let's get to know each other.

However lucky for Jungkook, the chance to make himself known to Kwon YN came.

When he overheard her being quite the grump towards Harry Potter who was extoling praises about how wonderful he was.

Grumpy Kwon YN was quite amusing, the fact she didnt know he was there when she replied to Harry

Made the encounter all that much more funnier.

If she hadnt been dragged away by her Ravenclaw friend then Jungkook wouldve taken the chance and talked to her more.

Which did remind him that he needed to get all the information on her best friends.

Kwon YN was already making waves at Hogwarts for choosing to have friends outside of her house.

The fact her best friends were people from each house was practically unheard of.

Jungkook needed to get the info, on her friends from his hyungs, if he was close to them or atleast friendly.

Then that would give him more chance to talk to YN or atleast find out things about her.

Sure he would rather she tell him but hes not going to turn down information on his soulmate.

From what Namjoon hyung told him, Sunghoon was YNs best friend. The closest to a platonic soulmate.

If there was blood magic that wasn't dark, they'd have done the ritual and made each other siblings.

Sunghoon, for all that he was an 11 year old, was in Ravenclaw for a reason and had clocked the reason Namjoon hyung helped him in about a few days of watching Jungkook watch YN.

All he told Namjoon hyung was that he reserved judgement on Jungkook but as long as his best friend was happy, he's not going to object or be an obstacle.

When it came to YNs other best friends Giselle in Slytherin and Winter in Hufflepuff.

Jungkook didn't have a plan so much as he wanted info from his hyungs to figure out the most natural way to approach them.

Turns out he didn't need Yoongi hyung cause he came up on Giselle being surrounded by some 2nd year Slytherins.

They were making fun of Giselle for having friends outside the house and how they wouldn't stick with her.

In a show of stubbornness that Jungkook would remember. Giselle turned her nose up at them without saying anything.

Jungkook seeing his way in, loudly announced himself and let the Slytherins know that he could easily report them to Prof McGonagall.

"You didn't have to do that Jeon-sshi, but I appreciate the help" Giselle said to him when they'd left.

"I know I didn't have to do anything but I wanted to. Take it from someone who has friends in other houses, these idiots dont know how important they can be" Jungkook said to her with a smile.

Happily Giselle returned the smile and gestured for Jungkook to join her.

"Not that I have an issue joining you but where are we going exactly?" Jungkook asked.

"Oh sorry sunbae, we're going to Prof Sprout, she's got a few Herbology books I'd like to borrow." Giselle explained. Hoping Jeon Jungkook wouldn't take offence to her calling him sunbae.

Jungkook was overjoyed at being called sunbae. He smiled at Giselle letting her know it was okay and carried on following her.

After meeting with Prof Sprout, he even helped her bring the textbooks back to the Slytherin common room.

Getting to know Winter happened by chance. Jungkook was returning from Quidditch practice when both Hobi hyung and Jimin hyung practically ran past him in anger.

Confused but intrigued at what was going on, Jungkook followed them to the Infirmary where Winter sat next to Hwang Yerin a hufflepuff in his year, who by the looks of it was drying her tears.

Still without information on what happened, Jungkook went to Winter to ask her what happened.

He expected her to not want to tell him but she happily told him and that explained his hyungs anger.

Bullying was something none of his hyungs tolerated. For it to be happening in Hufflepuff, the house was in for it from Hobi hyung and Jimin hyung.

Unlike how it took Giselle a few meetings to get comfortable with him and Sunghoon who still looked at Jungkook with suspicion.

Winter was always happy to see him and to talk about YN.

Which was great but now he had to figure out how to get involved in YNs day to day.

Unlike his dad who didn't have the courage to talk to his mum until they were in their 6th year.

Jungkook wasn't wasting time to atleast be a friend to YN.

One morning at breakfast, he took the chance and dragged his friends to where YN sat.

"Good morning, how's the morning going for you kiddos?" Jungkook asked as he sat opposite YN.

Winter giving him a wink as she made the space for him to sit next to YN.

"There is literally nothing good about this morning Jeon. I've got Snape first thing." YN grumbled, turning to put her head on Sunghoons shoulder as he patted her head in commiseration.

Jungkook had to remind himself that he had no right to be jealous of Sunghoon right now.

He was YNs best friend, ofcourse she'd go to him for comfort.

Keeping a straight face, Jungkook replied to her.

"Look at this way, with Potions out of the way first thing, then you can enjoy the rest of the day."

YN lifter her head to look at Jungkook, she took in what he said before nodding her head.

"Fair point Jeon, I've got my essay for Snape done and he's going to be giving back our last essays. I do very much enjoy his pissed off face when telling me that I've got an O" YN said happily, going back to eat her breakfast.

"Wait what essay?! Mione!! Why didn't you tell me we had an essay due" Ron Weasley shouted from a little further down the Hogwarts table.

"I reminded you Ron, don't blame me for not doing it and I swear to Merlin if you don't learn table manners, I'm going to make sure you miss all your meals Ronald Billius Weasley!" Hermione shouted back at him.

This had everyone at the table burst out laughing.

"Can always count on Ron adding some entertainment to our meals" Giselle commented.

"The difference in reaction is what gets me, my house is over there glaring about how loud we just were."

"The puffs are laughing with us, meanwhile the snakes are glaring either at Ron's table manners or just cause it's the gryffindor table" Sunghoon said as he looked at the reactions of the other houses to what just conspired.

"Its a mix of both, from what Yoongi hyung tells me. The snakes only need a reason to glare at us lions and unfortunately for us Ron tends to give them all the reasons to glare first thing in the morning" Jungkook said.

Sunghoon looked at him before glancing at the Slytherin table and agreeing.

After that breakfast, Jungkook made it a point to sit with YN and friends at every meal.

He hadn't realised how much it had become part of his routine until the day he was running late and told his friends to go to breakfast without him.

Rather than sit with the other second years, his friends sat with YN and had even saved a spot next to her for him.

YN even handed him a breakfast sandwich.

"Eun Woo sunbae made it sound like you were going to miss breakfast so I put this together so you'd atleast have something before facing Snape" YN whispered shyly to Jungkook.

She looked so adorable, Jungkook had to resist the urge to squeeze her cheeks.

He looked at Eun Woo and gave him a smile, if his friend hadn't exaggerated, YN wouldn't have made him a breakfast sandwich.

Jungkook spent the rest of the day on a high. Not even Snape could bring him down.

After that day, his hyungs wouldn't leave him alone about introducing them to Kwon YN.

It really was chance that Jungkook saw her outside flying and manged to get the hyungs to follow him outside.

Though awkward, once introductions were done.

His hyungs made it a point to help YN and her friends out when they could.

Once he was actually talking to YN, Jungkook made it a goal of his to get her to call him Sunbae.

His plan was start small and then by the time they're dating she'd hopefully be comfortable calling him oppa.

He wasn't expecting her to call him sunbae at 3am in the morning after she'd come back from visiting home for her dad's first death anniversary.

The day itself had been chaotic to begin with. Harry Potter was stressed out, going crazy over what couldve happened to his sister.

Those outside of their circle and not in Gryffindor were so confused at Harry Potter losing it over Kwon YN.

Bangtan, had to give it up to YN and Harry for managing to keep the sibling bond they'd formed from getting out to the wider Hogwarts population.

However with Harry's freak out at breakfast that subsequently lead to Hermione, Ron and Sunghoon dragging him away from going to the head table and attacking Snape.

Since no one would tell Harry, he'd assumed that Snape in a fit of anger had decided to get rid of YN.

Thankfully Sunghoon explained where YN was to Harry and everyone assumed that Harry would calm down after that.

Unfortunately, Harry did not calm down. No one could understand what was going on in his brain. Hermione and Ron true best friends did stick by him.

However by the end of the day, they were ready to murder him. Jungkook didn't blame them, from the stories he'd heard of their day.

Jungkook would contemplate getting rid of the Boy Who Lived too. Knowing that YN would never forgive anyone if something happened to Harry while she was away.

After classes, Jungkook took Harry out flying and they had a chat about his behaviour, how it affected everyone around him, why he reacted in this way to YN being gone for the day.

All in all, it was a productive chat, Harry and Jungkook got closer and it kept Harry away from being killed by his best friends.

The fact Harry clung onto YN the minute she stepped into the Great Hall at dinner time, every single Gryffindor let out a sigh of relief.

Jungkook is pretty sure Hermione thanked some Hindu God while Ron was muttering about how much YN owes him for not unaliving the boy who lives.

It took the Weasley twins, Ron and Dean to pick Harry up to drag him away from YN and to bed. With Neville and Seamus making sure there was enough room for them to carry him up the stairs.

Finding YN, in the common room at 3am after he'd gone for a early morning snack run with V hyung and Jimin hyung wasn't expected.

Seeing her so upset, didn't sit right with Jungkook, the sparkle in her eyes was dim and that hurt him.

Getting her to laugh had been the aim, he wasn't even thinking about her calling him sunbae when she did.

Jungkook as expected, was on cloud 9. He was telling Jimin and Taehyung the story for the nth time in a few weeks when YN joined their table.

"Sorry there's no space anywhere else but I can totally move if you want me to" YN said as she put down her load of study materials and saw who was on the table.

Jimin and Taehyung shared a look between each other before smirking at YN.

"So little Lion, we hear that a certain someone has FINALLY been upgraded to sunbae..." Taehyung started to say.

"Any thoughts on that little Lion?" Jimin asked her.

Without missing a beat, YN turned to Jungkook.

"Jeon, what lies have you been spreading about me to our sunbaes? This is outrageous behaviour" YN said with a faux hurt voice.

Jungkook looked at her in shock. Sputtering he tried to defend himself but didn't get far as the 3 others on the table burst out laughing.

"Sorry Jungkook sunbae, it's too easy to make fun of you sometimes" YN said calming down from her laughter.

"I'll let it go this once but you really shouldn't make it a habit to make fun of your sunbaes Speedy" Jungkook said.

Deciding to be bold, he ruffled her hair after he finished talking. Laughing when YN huffed about having to fix her hair.

It was at the end of the year that Park Sunghoon took Jungkook by surprise.

Sunghoon still looked at Jungkook with suspicion even thought Jungkook had spent the year trying to be friends with him but nothing worked.

A day before the train back to London was meant to depart, Jungkook is dragged into an empty classroom by Sunghoon.

"Look sunbae, I don't care about whatever soulmate bs you think you have going on with YN. She's my lil sister and I will burn hell for her. So be prepared if she's ever hurt because of you. I will ruin your life, heir to an ancient and noble house won't save you." Sunghoon told Jungkook.

Jungkook thought about pointing out that Sunghoon and YN were the same age but with the glare he was getting from the younger man, he thought better.

"Look Sunghoon, I don't think YN is my soulmate, I know she is. And I'm going to do everything to be with her so while I appreciate the threats, I'm here for the long haul so you might as well get used to me brother dearest." Jungkook said with a smile, patting Sunghoons shoulder and walking out of the classroom.

"What in the name of Merlin do you mean by brother dearest!?" Sunghoon shouted as Jungkook left.

"When I marry your sister, you'll be my brother in law. And I obviously care about you so much brother dearest" Jungkook told Sunghoon.

[darkangel11122]

So, in my perusing of various tags and my shameless love of Zeff and Sora, I present to you an idea I’ve expressed before, but different this time. 

Imagine you're a well respected Pirate with a love for cooking. Dying on a rock in the middle of the ocean wasn’t on our bingo card for this year, was it how did you expect to die, either? Not really, honestly, starving to death was not how you’d thought you’d go out. Apparently, it should have been. Being alone on a rock if starving doesn’t get you being isolated for so long will. Now apparently that isolation has gotten to you already because you're currently face to face with five little kids. No way the kids are real because well shit okay maybe the kids are real… that woman probably isn’t though. 

Okay, so all of them were in fact very real and just as starving as you, the kid's mom was way worse off than you or them. You were able to help the poor woman out at least a bit with how injured she was, and well, you couldn’t very well let all of them starve to death. All of them were obviously escaping something, given how skiddish the kids are around you. A pirate you may be, but your parents did at least raise a decent man, at least you like to think so. Which is how you lose a leg, not a full leg, granted, just like the knee and below. 

The relief you feel when you're rescued is short-lived when you're left with the kids so the ship's doc can help their mom. Who receives more attention from the ship's doc than you, who lost a leg. The smallest boy clings to you openly, while the rest seem to be trying to use you as a sort of shield, hiding behind you or under the bed you're in, since you know you lost a leg. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out they’re worried you’ll send them back where they came from, which you are not; you're not that heartless. 

When the ship's doctor deems you well enough to question, the kid's mom is out like a light; the poor woman must have pushed herself well past exhaustion and has probably been having the best sleep she’s had in a while. 

“So, how’d you end up on that rock? “

“Bad storm, shipwrecked.” 

“And these kids are all yours?” 

“Yup,” 

These seem to make the kids all let out a sigh of relief, probably have to explain to their mom how, apparently, you're their dad now, luckily, you're both blondes, and so are all the kids, which makes it believable. Seems the kids are committed to the bit types and call you papa a lot to get the point across and sell it when people are around. The five of them seem alright, the girls are the most talkative and Likely the eldest of them, rather protective of the others. Though a lot of them are extremely protective of the one who's stuck to you like glue, also the smallest of the five of them. You called her dragon fruit cause she seems to like pink, and kept not telling you her name, felt like you were talking to some kind of riddle master. 

Once you're finally back on the mainland, and their mom was awake, still not in the best shape, granted, but much better than before you got a more coherent story, and you know the non-riddle answer. Long story of the establishment of your restaurant, short, you basically show up with a family and over a few months. Which you just answered ‘got stranded on a rock’, more than a few times, the men would ask where said rock is because your ‘wife’, full air quotes around that because you're not married and weren’t really in a relationship for the better parts of the kid’s childhood.  Not that anyone listened when you said she’s not technically your wife, saying the kids weren’t yours felt like sacrilege, weirdly. Thus starting the belief that while you are not married, you two had kids out of wedlock, so why are you just acting like you are? The hoops people jump through to make sense of things when given a cryptic answer, so honestly kinda funny. 

Your relationship aside, you two raise the kids in relative peace, relieved because of who your clientele is. You teach them all to fight, of course, some taking to your style more than others. It’s in this that you learned of the face, the kids basically have the abilities of devil fruits, almost, but can swim. That surprise revelation caused quite a bit of turmoil, and the youngest two hiding from you for about a day, the middle one misdirecting you away from them more the a few times, and the oldest two seeming to take your anger. You weren’t angry, so much a surprise, and scared the kid would hurt themselves. If you weren’t sure the kids came from a bed place, this would have been the right lighthouse on the foggy day of that revolution. Anyway, the kids grew up and settled into this life well. The eldest and only girl (Reiju), dragonfruit, is the thinker of your little group, good with people and smart as all get out. Not the menchon a crack negotiator when it comes to people trying to change you extra for some bullshit reason. The eldest of the quadruplets, ginger root (Ichiji), was probably the angriest of them at the time as well as the most protective. He is the best with money of the three of them, leaving a love for reading and finding out new things, definitely the most plan-oriented child. The second oldest boy, pineapple (niji), loved to play blouncer and moonlight as a Mr Fix-It when it comes to anything with an Electric current and some things without, in all honesty. The number of times you had to shell out money for him messing with something, log pose, or navigational equipment when he was little can’t even be counted if you had all for limbs. Then, of course, there is the little eggplant (sanji), mouthy and mischievous, but what one of them isn’t really? Of course, he’s the cook of the three, having a love for it long before you got him. He’s one of those who really had a dream he needs to chase, they all do, but not in the day he does at the very least. If you had a favorite, it would be him; at least he’s the one who's closest to you and seems to think he has a debt to pay you. Never mind the kid would feed a rat if it looked like it was starving; his soft-heartedness made you worry at times. Finally, last but not least, the baby of the family pea pod (yonji) is the jack of all trades of them, the only thing he can’t really manage to do at least mildly well is make a rasatto. His drinks tend to be a bit on the stronger side, but he likes being out front in case of a fight. Also is the one most likely to start something aside from eggplant that is.  You were all comfortable, and while you’d like to tell them to go do what they want, all but one could say they are and have you believe them. 

Thankfully, however, the outlier is picked up by a ragtag group of pirates looking for a cook. With how big the appetite of captain is, you're glad he didn’t ask you. This, of course, is after some green-haired idiot almost dies on your front porch. Said green-haired idiot is later adopted by the man who almost killed him, ie, a regular who just so happened to be the world's greatest swordsman. For a while, he was in denial about that, but you kinda went through something similar when the kids were little, so you can’t really blame him. Anyway, eggplant leaves with them to follow his dreams, which seemed to kick off the others to sort of slowly test out leaving for longer and longer periods to do different things. You and their mom are very proud of them, and mildly worry about their bio-dad finding them, but you trust them to be able to handle it. 

Of course, of all the things you had expected to happen, your little eggplant getting romantically involved with the swordsman who just about bled out on your front porch was not on the list. He didn’t pick the long-nosed one who does lie a lot but seems rather sweet, or one of his captain’s older brothers, the fiery one, or the blonde one who seems a little feral. No, he picked the swordsman with no sense of direction and an adopted father who’s a regular. Thought perhaps the second part is a good thing because at least you can get to the kid that way, should he break your son's heart. 

His brothers were similarly outraged in a way at his choice, having to be stopped from heading out there to deal with the adopted son of a regular. Mostly by Sora as she seems the only voice of reason, with dragon fruit trying to get them to be more of a lay in wait kind of plan of action. It’s over a few bottles and a lot of consoling that you begrudgingly let sleepy dogs lie. Though not without groaning with ginger root whenever the mood strikes you both, or something comes up in the news. Pea pod is more excited about it than he perhaps should be, though it’s more he wants to fight the guy and his adopted father, for fun’zs’. Apparently. Dragonfruit and pineapple are likely making plans and scenarios for each contingency. 

Besides all of that, and giving occasional glares to the father of to man your sons are in love with. Things are peaceful in their own way, at least as far as you're concerned. Until what you’ve been worried about happens, the news coo’s announcement of the wedding of all five of your kids to members of the big mom pirates. Now were you and Cooks all stopped by the adopted father of the man your second youngest son is romantically entangled with not less, not to mention going to help them, not of course, without Sora yelling her head off at the man. Which he takes with no complaints, so that means that perhaps his son won’t be a complete waste of time for your second youngest son. 

You don’t hear much for far to long from any of your kids. Even Sora is getting anxious, and she’s calm in the worst storms, so naturally, the whole of your dive bar is very on edge. The only good news you hear comes from the news coo, that being the defeat of Kido and Big Mom by the Strawhats and a couple of other crews, but it’s the Strawhats you care more about. Now, this doesn’t say much, but it does mean that it is very likely that your kids are safe. The lack of call could just mean that the pineapple did something to the transporter snail again. Which seems to be right as you get a call finally, a few days later, only from the kids, not from the Starwhats shop. Pea pod is the one to give you a play-by-play, ginger root gives the more technical things, and keeps his baby brother on track in his storytelling. It’s amusing in all honesty, though they do voice how the boyfriend wasn’t there to help the second youngest of them, much to the brother's annoyance and distaste. Something to ask him later, when he finally calls, though it could be a whole given how easy he goes MIA for so long. 

It’s another few days before you hear from your second youngest, little eggplant, calling after a surprisingly quiet dinner service. Meaning you were able to patch in this still on the sea siblings for a little family call. The talk is rather nice until you bring up the boyfriend. 

“So how’s the green-haired swordsmen of yours, pea pod said he didn’t come to break up the wedding. Surprised he wasn’t there to object.” You half-joke, mostly to test the waters to see if you needed to kill the kid or not. “Can't imagine he was too happy either that you went to marry someone who isn’t him either.” 

The long pause was your little eggplant gaping like a fish out of water. “What? Why would he care?” 

His response is not silence but quiet, the kind you get before a violent storm. It’s not you but your eldest boy who talks first, ever so careful with his words. “Because you're together.” 

“We’re not together.” Now if any of you were listening to how his spoke you would have Hurd his confused. As well as how is voice picked up pitch to something close to yelling bearly held back because of the dangerous intent linger on the other end of the phone. 

You would like to say that you and your brothers reacted calmly. You would like to, but you didn’t, actually, the word calm wasn’t even in the same blue and any of you after that, bearly a sentence. “I’ll kill'im!”  You yell in unison with Ginger Root, who is your ranting buddy. The way you too okay off eachother is really amazing in honesty and you would feel pride if you weren’t so pissed off. You were about to hang up the call, grab your best knives, and head out there and teach that kid a thing or two about messing with one of your kids. As well as banning that dumbass regular who adopted him form ever coming back for daring to take in such an awful kid who doesn’t know the good he has when he has it. Ginger root is really just helping you plan this out whole voice his out anger, pea pod is shouting “finally! There can be only one! There can be only one! “ in the background, far too happy, but that’s not really a problem you're focus on at the moment. Pineapple was shouting at dragon fruit to turn the ship around, and saying they had a swordsman to kill.  You only stopped by the look Sora is giving you, which is amusement. 

“Hey, quiet all of you!” You shout, feeling your anger start to simmer down like the lid being moved a skew on a boiling pot of water. With the chaos quiled, even your second youngest, who you think was trying to get a word in, but honestly, you weren’t too focused on it in the moment. “What do they look for?” The question was obviously for your kids and prompted them to further listen, given the knowledge that their beloved mom is in the room. 

“Ask them if they’re together.” Is all she says while looking like this is the most hilarious thing in the world to watch.

“Eggplant, you and that waking patch of seaweed are a couple, aren’t you?” You're careful not to break eye contact with Sora, whose goggling like she knows something you don’t. 

“What ! No!” He shouts that mix of angry and frustrated that makes is face turn red when he yells like that. A trait he shares with his mother actually. 

“What do you mean no?” Ginger root should be back likely the same shade of red. 

“What’s going on ?” Dragon fruit says in the background. 

“Sanji and the idiot with the 3 swords were never together, apparently.” Pea pod means to whisper, but in that childish way that makes it easy to hear. 

“You're lying right, Sanji, say sike right now,” Pineapple says, taking over the receiver for a moment as he grouses. 

“Moss-head and I aren’t together now, nor have we ever been! Where are you all getting this idea ?!” 

“You're kidding, right?” Dragon fruit interjects with an almost laugh. 

“Have you two met you two?” Peapod adds 

“If you aren’t dating the guy then why are you two so touchy?”  Pineapple asks, though in a farther off distance than before. 

“Why are you all convinced we’re dating?!? I can’t stand him; we fight all the time!  It’s a brainless, boorish Neanderthal! “ 

“You insult and fight with him like you do your brothers and me, you're always near each other. “You are flabbergasted by this news, now as confused as a squirrel in the middle of the ocean. 

“You also look like you're gonna kiss a lot… like your faces are so close in some pictures.” Ginger root adds a similar tone to you at all this. 

“What does that have to do with anything?” 

“Figures insults were your love language or something.”  You shrug, sighing though your noise at this all while looking at a vary amused sora whose soundly staying silent at the moment and enjoining the chaos of her baby’s. 

“Doesn’t mean he’s included in it!” 

The exasperated sigh that comes from everyone besides him really should have been studied; even Sora pitched the bridge of her nose between two of her fingers as she let out an exasperated sigh. Thus begins the barrage of reasons why you all thought that. You included the adopted father of the swordsmen, as last you knew, he was also soundly convinced of the same. His denials and explanations are good and make sense, for a while at least. Then, of course, they get weaker and weaker until he’s just really saying ‘just cuz’.  You all drop the subject for the time being, as Sora wanted to have a more productive conversation with the kids, you know about all that happened and all the emotional stuff around the sperm donor before calling it a night and letting everyone get back to what they were doing before.

This little conversation kicks off a month of back to back calls at least one a day sometimes multiple with new defense on why he’s not in love with the son of a regular. Not just to you but to everyone, which while you and his mother enjoy hearing form him more often this is getting a little ridiculous at this point and no amount of gental words is stopping this tirade. 

It takes you telling him to get his head out of his ass and if he really didn’t care he wouldn’t feel the need to keep coming up with new defense in a not so nice tone and His mother saying basically the same thing but a lot nicer, after a day we’re some dumbass desided to try to dam near put a hole in your floor to get though to him. Then came the tears and the heartfelt conversation for it all to finally come out. Your little eggplant is head over heels for the guy and thought he didn’t have a chance, let alone know what to do with himself in this situation. Flirting wasn’t working, and with all that happened on the whole cake, it didn’t seem likely that it would ever happen, and he wasn’t sure he could handle the heartbreak. You offer to kill the kid, mostly as a joke, this time to lighten the mood a bit, as you offer some more fatherly advice to him. You can never know if you don’t try, and would he rather live in the abject heartache or actively do something about it, when he says the first one, you say no, no you don’t, which brings more mirth the the situation. Talking is the best way to handle this, and worst comes to worst, you’ll ban the boy's dad from the restaurant and send his siblings after the poor bastard for thinking he shouldn’t jump at the opportunity to pinch above his mediforcal dating weight class. After this conversation, you go back to bearly hearing from your second youngest again, and your other kids hearing the news of your little conversation, after back to plotting how to get rid of unwanted patches of grass. 

As for the regular, you both commiserate on the fact that you were both wrong, apparently, and had similar troubles when a would-be couple. Though apparently his adopted kid was more aggressive when the topic came up. You share a bottle of wine, much to Sora’s amusement as she watches you two bemoan your obviously stubborn children. You’d say you're on friendly terms, but that completely depends on whether his kid messes up or not, so you think it a bit, but never vocalize it. 

You all at least get the courtesy of a heads up before a picture of them is in the news, coo. So, dating now, but apparently when you get the paper world says that they're engaged, which you know they’re not. They got engaged because of the rather cryptic answer one of their crewmates gave as they tried to further escape the marines. Once again, it proves the hoops people jump through to make sense of things when given a cryptic answer is still funny to you.

[littlest-w01f]

Papillon

Eris x Lesser Fae!OC (Celastrina)

ERIS MASTERLIST

MAIN MASTERLIST

Summary: During one of his hunts, Eris comes across a mythical lesser fae, he keeps coming back for her as she is way too happy to befriend the lonely high fae.

Cw: Hunting for leisure

A/N: This is a pure fluff series cause this got too angsty

part one

The forest was silent, not an insect in sight, it was the time when most of them hid, the time of hunting for the High Fae, the creatures of the forest were in tune with the hunting, knowing where to hide to not be found, what most of them had hoped would bore the High Fae the death only urged them to go deeper into the forest to hunt them down.

Eris drew his bow sharp, hands and eyes trained on a doe a few meters away, he kept himself steady, exhaling softly to not startle the creature. He'd been hunting for hours, following a trail that led to the majestic doe, the doe's skin looked like it was made of gold, humming with magic, its eyes black and a grace with which it ran that couldn't be found in many others. Eris had shot an arrow at it earlier, but the doe had managed to evade it with a jump unnatural for an ordinary deer.

He was drawing closer to the Spring Court border, he'd have to keep away from that place if he didn't want the High Lord to write a rather angry letter to his father to make sure he was kept in check, Eris rolled his eyes at the thought, yes, he was young but it didn't mean a High Lord could just rat him out to his father.

He tilted his head to the side as he watched a butterfly land on the doe's snout, with a little more focus, he saw the fairy, eyes wide at the creature. Fairies were harder to find than most creatures, even if they lived in a hive like the winged insects they could turn themselves into, the little things even harder to shoot with an arrow.

A few hunters had seen fairies, but even fewer had seen them in their full size. They were known to camouflage with the insects, the one Eris was looking at would be invisible with a few butterflies by her side. None of those hunters were believed, after all, fairies were what children's storybooks had, a sad little fae could find himself being befriended by a fairy, and everyone else would be jealous of that fae for their ability to draw out a fairy, to have a heart pure enough that one would be willing to befriend them. Eris had nearly rolled his eyes at that while his mother read him the tales.

Not many had believed that there were fairies in the Autumn woods, most of them were known to wander in Spring, till one of the hunters that now Beron held to a high respect, a hard thing to earn of Eris' father, had brought to their court wings that couldn't have belonged to a normal lesser fae.

The doe soon began to run, taking Eris' focus, but it was drawn back to the fairy almost instantly, the butterfly scenting of magic as she hid the tracks of the doe that Eris had followed. Eris looked back to where he had come from, without the tracks or trail, it would take him hours to figure out how to return to the forest house.

"You know, it's a horrible thing to hunt for fun."

A soft voice called to him, he spun on his heel to come across the fairy, now grown, still shorter than him but more of a High Fae's height, supporting large butterfly wings on her back, wings both of them knew people would die to have, to hunt down.

Eris did a double take, then another one, before he earned his footing back, there was something about her he hadn't seen anywhere else, "Ah, so you're one of these fairies that go around ruining people's hunts?" He'd meant to say the phrase as an insult but the way she smiled he wasn't sure he had.

"Yeah, I am." She was smiling like he was throwing the best of compliments at her. "Mama and Papa said a couple High Fae would be out for us..." She trailed off, marvelling at the sight of Eris, taking in his face, how it was different from hers, where Eris had sharp features, hers were soft, her ears were rounding, his pointed, his hair was burning red like a bright fire while hers matched the multicolours of her wings. "I've never seen a High Fae before."

Eris caught her eye, giving her one of his warmest smiles, or trying to, his thoughts should've been on her wings and how much they would earn him glory if they were the product of his hunt, but somehow they weren't. "Well, I've never met a fairy such as yourself, and may I say, you are exquisite." He took a step towards her and like clockwork, she took one back, "Not the trusting kind are you?" He chuckles.

"Your smile isn't pure." The fairy in front of him tucked her wings behind her tight, her warm expression turning into a frown.

Eris held in a scoff, of course, she could feel the 'purity' of his emotions. "You wound me, darling," Eris placed his hand over his heart, faking a grimace.

The fairy giggled at his grimace, "That didn't actually hurt you, did it?"

"Clearly," Eris cracked a real smile at the sound of her laugh.

"See, that's a proper smile," She mirrored his look.

"Fine, you have me." Eris leaned against a tree bark, "I've never seen a fairy before, I'm... Mesmerised." Eris was honest, there was something about her that pulled him to her.

"Most people are," The fairy smiled. "It's a natural reaction."

"I'm Eris Vanserra, heir of Autumn," The male dipped his chin in the form of a formal bow, "I'm a pleasure to make your aquantance."

"Celastina, my lord." Celastrina gave him a curt bow, one leg crossed behind the other.

"Quite a pretty name, butterfly." Eris hummed, taking in her bow, "And quite a perfect form for a bow from someone who lives in the deep woods."

"I'm a lesser fae, my lord." Celastrine stood up, smiling, "Not a savage."

"Of course, forgive me for asuming-" Eris paused, picking up the sound of footsteps and the growls of hounds approaching them. "Hunters are approaching us, you should hide."

Celastrina's eyes snapped to the rustling from deeper into the woods, "Are those smoke hounds I hear?" Eris was sure he had hit his head somewhere because the fairy smiled as she spoke, her doe eyes wide from excitement.

"Yes, butterfly, hounds, not damn puppies." Eris scoffed at her reaction, "They are used to hunt your kind. Run." He didn't know why he wanted her to escape, he could've taken her himself, but instead he stressed, "Run." If she would found with him he would have hell to pay with Beron for making conversation with a lesser fae of all things.

Celastrina in an instant turned small, her form nearly the size of his pinky and shot up into the tree, in a second Eris couldn't place where she had gone and he exhaled a deep breath to calm himself before the hunters found him.

{General Taglist- @nox-ceur @lilah-asteria @paleidiot @dee-writes-smut @adalia-jaycee @anarchiii @alwayshave}

{Eris Taglist- @fxckmiup @slut4acotar @secret-third-thing @shadowsingers-mate}

[tgmsunmontue]

Saga of Solitude 19/21

Nepo!Baby Bradley and his life at USNA and afterwards. DADT fully in force. IceMav AU. (Begun prior to 'It's not who you know' - the non-angsty version). (Side Hangster, which is ALSO angsty).

PROLOGUE (He remembers)

HANGSTER FIRST MEETING (Lonely Nights - set 2009)

PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

ONE (2000) TWO (2001) THREE (2002) FOUR (2003) FIVE (2004) SIX (2005) SEVEN (2006) EIGHT (2007) NINE (2008) TEN (2009) ELEVEN (2010) TWELVE (2011) THIRTEEN (2012) FOURTEEN (2013) FIFTEEN (2014) SIXTEEN (2015) SEVENTEEN (2016) EIGHTEEN (2017)

CHAPTER NINETEEN – 2018

            Pete makes sure he’s home for it, wants to watch SpaceX launch its Falcon Heavy rocket with Ice, because while he loves flying he’s always been fascinated with space. Not that he ever wants to go there, but he definitely still wants to watch. Tamsin makes the trek home as well, is spouting off something about the coding and he exchanges a look with Ice, that moment of shared understanding that they’ve managed to raise three amazing people into adulthood. He knows Melissa and Sarah did most of the work, but he can’t help feeling honored just to have been included in the support network. To have his girls call him Papa and give him shit, for them both and Bradley join him in teasing Ice.

            Tamsin passes up sitting with them on the sofa, instead insisting on the large single chair that Ducati and Ceccato tend to favor curling up on. Pete snorts, because sure enough they’re being passed over in favor of a couple of cats, one of whom curls up on Tamsin’s lap and the other which drapes itself over her shoulder like a type of scarf. He takes a picture and sends it to Petra, knows it will wind her up because her and Tamsin bicker over being the cats’ favorite human like it isn’t him. They all know it.

            He knows Tom has been feeling more settled, the acquiring of the dog last year along with the kittens is something he’s taken in stride happily, rather than with a look of pinched resignation or tired acceptance. Pete’s also noticed that somedays his wedding ring is missing from the bowl, like Ice has either forgotten to take it off, which is unlikely, or he’s deliberately left it on and worn his wedding ring to the office for everyone to see. It sends a thrill of possessiveness through him at the idea, but it’s mixed with a healthy dose of anxiety over potential reprisals. Not for him, but for Ice and his career.

            However, he’s certain Tom knows what he’s doing.

…         …         …

            He ends up deployed and in the same squad as Jake. Makes a vow to himself to treat him like… well. He’s not quite sure. But between a skittish kitten and a friend. He keeps a tight rein on his temper and tongue, careful that any teasing words are purely superficial and don’t cut too deep or imply anything that could be taken the wrong way. He forces himself to not react when Jake is an asshole, makes cutting comments at his expense. The others in their squad raise eyebrows and Bradley simply shrugs. Water off a ducks back. They don’t ruffle his feathers. Of course it makes Jake look like even more of an asshole, but he can’t help that.

            One liberty leave, a period so short there’s less than a day, the squad decide to stick together. Despite the uneasy truce that Bradley has declared in his own mind Jake watches him exactly like a wary cat would and Bradley can’t blame him. He continues trying his best to be friendly and polite. Like Jake is simply another squad member and someone he gets along with. Or a stranger he’s just met. Of course it’s not that simple, not with their history but still, he tries his best and the others can tell that the animosity is on Jake’s side, which also isn’t fair, but again, he can’t help that.

            They all end up going to see Infinity War and he grabs an extra packet of peanut MnMs, presses them into Jake’s hand and then steps away. Doesn’t want to give him the wrong idea. He’d like them to at least be friendly with one another.

            “What the fuck Bradshaw?”

            “Just… know they’re your favorite,” Bradley shrugs.

            “Keep your fucking candy to yourself Bradshaw…”

            As Jake shoves the bag of MnMs against his chest with far more force than necessary he gets more than one what the fuck look aimed his way and he just shakes his head minutely. Doesn’t want to cause drama, despite the fact that he seems to be doing that without even trying.

            He’s thirty-five.

            He feels like he should have more of his shit sorted out by now.

…         …         …

            He hears about the U.S. fighter jets intercepting Russian TU-95 bombers in Alaskan airspace and rubs at his temples, knows that is where Bradley currently is. The political climate causes him ongoing tension headaches and Melissa orders him in for a full medical, which show he’s developed stomach ulcers of all things. He’s given strict orders to reduce stress and he laughs without humor, because it’s part of the job. Then he finds out he’s being promoted and while his voice is cool and calm as he expresses his thanks for the honor his hands are shaking. He’s pretty sure this is going to be the opposite of reducing stress. He doesn’t particularly want to move to Pearl Harbor either.

            As he watches the world political climate change, and news about the planet’s actual climate he wonders how other people cope. He’s glad he can talk aloud to Harley and pretend he’s simply talking to the dog as he expresses his concerns about his husband and his kids, Sarah and Melissa, the world in general because it’s fucking depressing and he’s not even allowed a drink because it’ll make his stomach ulcer flare up.

            Great.

…         …         …

            When he gets the call that Petra is in hospital his world comes to a standstill. Ice has already organized transport for him, because as much as he would like to just get on his bike and drive it’s a bit far to fucking Daytona from North Island.

            A roller coaster.

            Of all things he imagined getting called about, a roller coaster never made the list. She’s in Daytona for a fucking driving course and racing experience and instead she’s a victim in a rogue roller coaster derailment. She wasn’t even on the damned thing, simply a bystander and as Pete sits on the plane, leg jiggling with nerves, he tries to tell himself that she’s fine. Ice, Melissa and Sarah wouldn’t have let him come alone if she wasn’t. That’s what he repeats to himself while he waits for a ride to the hospital. He hasn’t even stopped to pack a bag.

            He asks for directions and finds her room easily enough, pauses on the threshold as he takes her in, looking beaten up and a little pale, but otherwise whole. He lets out the breath he wasn’t even aware he was holding, thinks about the other times she’s hurt herself and fuck, he really needs to tell Ice how much he loves him. Knows he causes Ice this type of worry and stress too often and he should really try and cut back on that. He steps into the room and Petra’s eyes open to meet his and she gives him a weak smile.

            “Hi sweetheart…”

            “Hi Papa… thanks for coming.”

            “Nothing could keep me away. Your mom is coming as well, but I don’t think Melissa has quite the same pull as Ice does when it comes to booking tickets.”

            It’s not a funny joke, but it makes Petra laugh, although she immediately winces in pain and he flits from one side of the bed to the other, wonders if she should have more painkillers, or fluffed up pillows or… fuck. Melissa should be here. She’s the fucking doctor.

            “How is everyone else?”

            “What?”

            “There were others there. Is everyone okay?”

            “I… I don’t know. I’ll find out though okay. You just… worry about yourself right now okay?”

            “Papa, I’m fine. Stop… stop worrying.”

            “I… Petra. It’s literally in the job description.”

            “Captain Mitchell?”

            “Yes?”

            “I… I’m sorry Captain. You don’t have authority to be in here. It’s next of kin only.”

            “He’s my father…”

            “I’m… your father is listed as being Tom Kazansky.”

            “Yeah. My dad. But this is my papa.”

            “Tom Kazansky is my husband,” Pete offers.

            “Oh,” the nurse says, lips twisting and Pete isn’t sure how to take it, is used to years of homophobia, of hiding his relationship. The fact that he’s not even wearing his wedding ring even now makes him feel vulnerable in a weird way, that he’s somehow lying.

            “I’m over eighteen and can decide on my own visitors and care. And he’s my papa, he’s allowed to know everything,” Petra says, and Pete ducks his head at the jut of her jaw, the stubborn flare of anger in her eyes and her immediate defense of where he stands in her life. The nurse leaves and Pete guesses he’ll never know quite what they were thinking. Instead, he settles in the chair beside Petra to listen to her complain about hospital food and he guesses she must be feeling okay if that’s the worst thing she wants to complain about. He goes looking for news about the Sand Blaster roller coaster accident and is incredibly glad that he isn’t going to have to tell Petra that any of her friends have died. There are injuries, some bad, but no fatalities and he’s grateful for the fact.

            “Love you kid.”

            “Love you too Papa.”

…         …         …

            Tom hates that his thoughts jump immediately to Maverick when he’s alerted to the Horizon Air Bombardier being stolen from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. He quickly dismisses the thought, knows Pete is in China Lake so it can’t be him. There are no passengers on board, so he makes the call to have some F15 fighter jets intercept. When the plane crashes and kills the 29-year-old male pilot he really wishes he could have a drink.

…         …         …

            Tamsin has an internship at NASA and her lips only twitch a little when she talks about the ICESAT-2. Bradley is the one to ask, because there’s clearly something funny she’s holding back. She’s announcing it with glee, that ICESAT-2 is the agency's most technologically advanced ice-monitoring spacecraft to date, and of course it makes the others laugh. Ice is less amused;

            “Tell me when they develop one to monitor Maverick…”

            Pete kicks him under the table.

…         …         …

            “You’re wearing your wedding ring…” Bradley blurts out, noticing it as Ice reaches into the box of popcorn.

            “Mmm,” Ice hums, staring at the ring on his finger and Bradley chews on his bottom lip, wants to ask why now because after thirty years surely it’s just a symbol.

            Oh fuck.

            Of course it is and symbols are powerful and have meaning and not being able to wear it must have been… difficult. Painful. It’s never just been anything.

            “Figured with my promotion there’s no reason to not wear it. I used to worry about making others uncomfortable. Now my rank makes people uncomfortable so I might as well give them another reason. It’s not my job to make people comfortable.”

            Bradley snorts, because he’s seen the impact Ice has on a room full of people, even when he’s in civvies and going to the movies he walks as if he’s in command.

            “Yeah, you scare most people shitless.”

            “So does Maverick,” Ice offers.

            “For different reasons,” Bradley says with a laugh and Ice laughs with him. They quieten down as the trailers start playing and he knows Ice has already seen it with Mav when it came out a couple of weeks ago, but when he’d said he was going to the movies to watch it, happy to go alone, Ice had offered to come with him. He knows Ice prefers company, the house too quiet when they’re all away even with the cats and dog. He doesn’t stay with them anymore unless he’s drunk. His own place, his parents’ old house, is all set up to his liking, with two guest bedrooms that both Tamsin and Petra use regularly enough for him to bitch about their hair and toiletries clogging up the bathroom. Natasha also uses it frequently, and Bradley likes them all treating it as theirs.

            The exit the movie and Bradley can understand why Ice was happy to go and see it again, he was already a fan of Queen, and knows creative licenses have probably been taken, but it was still damned entertaining, which he feels like is a good legacy of a movie.

            “Bradley… you’re being careful right?”

            “What?”

            “You’re being careful?”

            “Yeah, I heard you. I just don’t know what you mean…”

            “With sex. You aren’t… taking risks.”

            “Oh. Fuck. No. Hell no. I mean… if I was in a committed relationship, but no, I’m careful. Also I don’t know if you missed it, but I’m thirty-five, I’m not exactly out every night getting my dick wet even when I’m not deployed.”

            Ice looks a little pained, but he knows why Ice is asking, the movie didn’t shy away from the topic of AIDS or HIV but also he wonders if Ice is aware just how many sex talks he’s had to endure growing up with four parents. Melissa’s go-to has always been scare tactics.

            “Ice… you know Melissa has given me the safe sex talk right? And Sarah?”

            “Oh. Good. I know you’re sensible, but it’s easy to get complacent…”

            “You don’t want to know about Mav’s sex talk?”

            “I… do I?”

            “He shoved a bag filled with condoms and lube at me and told me he expected me to use them.”

            “Oh god…”

            “Yep. Between you, Melissa and Natasha’s cousin I got all my answers and then some. I’m good. You guys did good.”

            “We tried.”

(Next chapter - actual events of TGM! FINALLY!)

PART TWENTY (2019)

[ashes-writing-corner]

An update on a week day?! Say it ain't so! Well it is! It's a short chapter but a good one I think. A little treat for you guys ^^ enjoy!

Taglist: @exactlyelegantwizard , @xenoanamorph , @hoeia-strigoi , @arwenkenobi48 , @xanth420 , @serpentdeath , @landlockedmermaid77, @uncensored-aj, @mypackpride, @whisperingwillowe, @sasksdemorg, @emimuart, @fern-and-bone, and @enchantedchocolatebars

If you're interested in being added to the tag list let me know ^^

Exile: A Nosferatu Fanfic

Chapter 11

I think I’ve seen this film before, so I’m leaving out the side door…

A sort of peace reigned between them, if it could even be called that. Ellen was giving him space, some time to process everything he had told her. Things were going to be tense for a while, and they both understood that. They needed time to process, time to think things over. And there was plenty of that to go around.

She was patient. Ellen would be out on the castle grounds with the hounds, playing in the snow, or reading aloud to them as they followed her around. All the while, Orlok would watch from a distance. He didn’t feel like he was allowed to join, though the thought was an enticing one. Even if it was to be close, he felt the need to be…

But he held back. He still feared that his grief, his anger, could disrupt her peace. And the gods knew Ellend deserved some kind of peace. Him not so much. Or at least that was what he thought…

Pain existed in a cycle. There were many ways to deal with grief, with the pain that came with it. One could learn to cope with it, talk with someone and let themselves feel it. Grow around it, because that was inevitable anyway no matter what path was taken. Or, one could let that pain consume them, destroy them, fester from the inside out. This was probably the most self destructive way to deal with loss, with pain. This was when one allowed themselves to drown in the depths of their despair and feel like there wasn’t a way out. Ultimately it led to one's own destruction, either by their own hand or a foolish decision made with the intent to stop the pain rather than grow around it. The last was what Orlok felt he did. He weaponized that pain. He turned it into something he could use to protect himself so he wouldn’t have to feel it. But that pain was a serpent’s fang in that case, a two way sword. The pain he felt, he inflicted it on to others, on to the world, to make them all feel as he did. In essence, when one did this, they passed a tiny fraction of that pain on to someone, everyone else.

And he had passed that pain on to Ellen, and not even a small fraction of it. But rather most of it. Hell, she died because of it. Because he couldn’t handle it. Perhaps he was indeed drowning in his own despair over his lost family. In that case his grief was destructive all around. It hurt everyone, including her.

The only solution was to let go…

“Liev…Liev darling…”.

Orlok growled. “Nu esti aici…”.

“Love…come to us. We’re waiting…Join us…”.

He shook his head. “No…no…”

“Orlok?” Ellen’s voice pulled him back.

He knew then it was Chaos that was calling him. Now he was becoming more susceptible to its call. Damn it, he was supposed to be stronger than this. He shook his head, coming back to himself.

“Did you…need something?” he asked.

“Are you alright? You seemed…off?”.

He couldn’t lie to her. He sat down at the table, across from her. Orlok took a breath. “I keep hearing her. She calls from Chaos to me”.

Ellen frowned softly. “I hear it too. Only sometimes, it’s with the voices of my family. Sometimes it’s my mother, other times papa…sometimes I even hear Thomas or Anna…”.

“Chaos uses every voice you’ve ever heard, favoring those one is closest to, in order to lure them into its waters”.

“Is that where we’re meant to go?” Ellen asked.

“Someday. But not now. And I will before you I’d imagine”.

“What?! No!” Ellen reached over and put her hand over his, “I’m not going without you! If you go then so do I! I won’t be alone here!” she declared.

Orlok looked surprised at that. She wanted to go into the waters of Chaos…with him? When he went? He blinked in surprise.

“Ellen…Micul Suflet…”.

Her eyes found his. “Promise me…Don’t leave me alone again? Please…please don’t abandon me again”.

“You’d rather be with me than…be alone?” he asked.

“I don’t know if I could bear it if I was” Ellen admitted, her tone sad but honest, “I would be truly alone here without you. I feel like…like I would be incomplete”.

Orlok frowned and looked at her soft pale hand over his clawed one. He closed his eyes, let out a breath from his nose, and looked at her again. She had the same expression, but a little more tender.

“Promise me…promise me you’ll fight it? You’ll stay with me?”.

He hesitated, turning his hand over and holding it gently, his long fingers wrapping around hers. “I will stay…I will do my damndest to fight it. That at least I can do”.

Ellen smiled kindly. “Thank you…And I’ll stay as long as I can for you”.

“Thank you, little one. Give us both something to resist the call for”.

“Why would you go before me?” Ellen asked.

“Because it’s been so long. Soon I will be forgotten by all…and my presence no longer felt in the world of the living…”.

“Is that how it works? We submit to Chaos and the living world forgets us?”.

“Other way around. When the world forgets us, the call will be too strong to ignore. But I do promise…I will keep fighting it for you, through everything. You won’t be alone again. And neither will I”.

She held his hand and brought it to her lips softly. “Never again. I promise”.

A comfortable silence reigned around them. For a short while, the world felt warmer instead of colder for once…

If you guys enjoyed please consider liking, reblogging and commenting! If you wanna see more consider following me please! I got another fic in the works after this and I'd hate for yall to miss out ^^ have an awesome day, and please know you're loved <3

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hello!~

Can you do a whitebeard x fem reader?

Basically the reader is whitebeard biological daughter and she's the stagetist of the whitebeard pirates

She's only a year younger than ace who has this HUGEEEE crush on her and is willing to do anything (kinda found this ironic considering that ace is Roger son and the reader is the whitebeard bio daughter)

The reader is often referred as the " Gem of pirates", "The of Lady of whitebeard pirates", and " Lady name"

The reader is often baby by others but knows how to fuck up someone

How would ace and her first interact? How he courts her? Maybe the crew getting protective once they learned her and ace dates

(Maybe set in where thatch, whiteboard, and ace lived pls)

Can you also based reader outfit out of this? Oh~ and maybe her weapon can be like a gun hidden within the umbrella

-It had taken so many attempts, so many failures, for Ace to join Whitebeard’s crew, and while initially annoyed, Whitebeard grew fond of the hotheaded young man who never seemed to give up, and he fit in with all his other brats.

-Your papa knew that you could handle yourself, you wouldn’t have been on the ship otherwise if you couldn’t, and everyone knew that you could and will put anyone in their place, papa included.

-You were known throughout the world as Whitebeard’s Daughter, but you were also referred to as Gem of Pirates, as you were like a gem, closely guarded by your papa and your ‘big brothers’, and nobody was allowed to get close to you.

-However… Whitebeard could only stare across the deck of the ship, seeing you, his biological child and only daughter, smiling and laughing with many of the others, while Ace looked at you like he was a lovesick pup.

-During Ace’s journey of joining, you had been watching from afar, so he had never met you until he officially joined when you came out during his welcome party, as your dad used anything as an excuse to drink.

-When Ace first saw you, all his previous confidence drained out of him instantly as he turned bright red and could only speak gibberish to you, which quickly had the whole ship laughing at him and they had never let him live it down on how shy he was with you.

-You thought it was rather cute to be honest, to see him so flustered, he wasn’t like the normal pigs who would go after you, treating you with no respect, Ace was a gentleman, calling you Lady Y/N, something that quickly went through the crew and soon everyone was calling you that, something you thought was annoying at first, but it grew on you.

-Papa trusted you, he knew that you could handle Ace, if he were to ever try something, but something, in his gut, told him that Ace wasn’t that type of man, but still, papa must worry, as having such a pretty daughter comes with big responsibilities!

-Plus, you also had a crew full of brothers who wouldn’t hesitate to throw hands for you, if you were to ask them too, so you were completely safe!

-This was something Ace learned early on, when he tried getting closer to you, as many took him to a secluded area on the ship and threatened him that if he were to try anything, they wouldn’t hesitate.

-As he learned, spending time with the crew and the ship, Ace soon was another of your protectors, not hesitating to leap first if he felt like you were being disrespected, which caused more problems for you.

-You already had to play babysitter with a lot of these impulsive idiots, you didn’t need another, especially one who was a hot head and had a flame Devil Fruit ability!!

-Ace was so soft on you, to him, you hung the stars in the skies just for him, and he is unworthy of your attention, but he wants it all for himself.

-However, he still gets shy if you look directly at him, unable to maintain eye contact with you, something you thought was really cute, poking his cheek as you teased him playfully while all the others picked on him.

-Whitebeard could only watch with a grin on his face, seeing Ace leaping up at Marco and Thatch, looking like a demon, “You bastards!!” as you leapt, grabbing the back of his pants to keep him from killing the other two commanders, “Knock it off, you idiots!!”

-Whitebeard enjoyed seeing his brats so lively, all of them.

[mochegato]

Devil of the Narrows

Marinette burst through the door, pulling a bubbling Adrien behind her.  “So smart.  So sexy.  That dress…” he paused to picture it and got lost for a few seconds.  “My heart can’t handle it.”

“Go on,” Marinette purred, “tell me more.”

Out of the fog filled abyss, a deep voice floated toward them.  “I would very much appreciate if you didn’t.”

Marinette let out a small scream and jumped away from the ledge just a bit further than Adrien who jumped then immediately lowered into a defensive position and glared at the edge, prepared for whatever came over the side.  When nothing happened for a few long seconds, they looked at each other apprehensively and back to the edge, not wanting to take their eyes off the threat for too long.

Finally, Adrien bobbed his head toward the door back to the building and safety, but Marinette scrunched her nose and removed her shoe, wielding it like a bat as she inched toward the edge of the building.  Adrien groaned quietly, dropping his head back in annoyance, but followed her grudgingly.  If she was going to try to threaten someone with a shoe, the least she could do was have a stiletto on, at the very least a platform shoe, something with a bit of weight or a sharp heel, not a flat.

When they got to the ledge, he held up three fingers, slowly lowering them one at a time until they were all dropped and they poked their heads over the edge, freezing at the sight.  Whatever they were expecting to see on the other side of the ledge, a man, clearly one of the vigilantes, sitting back against a rather macabre looking gargoyle and eating a burger was not it.

Alya would never forgive Marinette for not knowing which of the vigilantes it was.  He was obviously one of the bats, because there was a rather large red bat splayed across his broad, armored chest.  She just couldn’t tell which one it was. There were like twenty of them.  It was hard to keep track.

What she could tell was he was easily as large as her papa, which meant he would absolutely tower over her if he stood and could knock her out with one punch if he decided to get violent.  He was probably an amazing vigilante.  She couldn’t imagine anyone seeing him and wanting to continue whatever felonious activity they were committing rather than running away as quickly and cowardly as possible.

“What the f…” Adrien muttered.

“Who are you?  What are you doing up here?” Marinette called out before she could stop herself.

“How did you get up here?” Adrien added, more rhetorically than actually expecting an answer.

He gave them a flat look and held up a grappling gun in one hand and his burger in the other.  “Saving the day makes you hungry.”  He motioned toward her with his burger.  “Is that a shoe?  What were you planning on doing?  Cobbling me to death?”

Marinette slowly turned to her arm, seemingly as surprised as them to see it still upraised and ready to throw.  She looked away as she lowered her arm, refusing to make eye contact with anyone as she lowered it and put it back on her foot.  “I used what I had.  It’s not like we were expecting to have to defend ourselves while on top of a skyscraper,” she grumbled.  “We were expecting it to be creepy but deserted like it usually is.  We were not expecting any cryptids skulking on top of buildings.”

He ran his tongue over his canine and clicked it as he studied her.  “Didn't mean to disturb your make out session.  But please... do not ignore me and continue.  In fact, feel free to go somewhere else for that.  I’d prefer you not besmirch my favorite spot and desecrate my friend to your depraved behavior.”

“We were not coming up to make out!” Marinette exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch and volume.

“Besmirch?” Adrien asked.

The man gave her an exceptionally unimpressed look and kept eye contact as he took another bite.  “We weren't!” she insisted in utter affront.  “We were coming up to discuss the best approach to him asking out his crush, if you must know.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked between the two of them.  “I did not.”

"Interesting that you thought he did," Adrien noted, his mouth quirked up in an amused smirk.

Marinette gave him a wide-eyed, pointed look.  “Shut.  Up,” she hissed.

“But, just do it.”  The vigilante leaned forward, bringing his face into a sliver of light cast by the roof lights.  “You’re probably overthinking it.  It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or choreographed.  The result is almost definitely going to be the same whether you do something over the top or simple and simple is almost always from the heart, which is usually appreciated.”

“Yes!” Marinette exclaimed.  She motioned toward the vigilante.  “See?  I tol…”  She turned back to him instantly, trying to make sure she was seeing what she thought she saw.  “Are you… are you wearing a scarf as a mask?”

He leaned back into the shadows.  “…Yeah.  Gotta protect the identity, sweetheart.”

She continued to stare at him incredulously for a few more moments.  “Who are you supposed to be?  Daredevil?”

He scrunched his nose and bobbed back in surprise.  “Who?”

Adrien leaned over the ledge and quirked his head to the side to check him out from a better angle.  “Charlie Cox was hotter.”

She quirked her head to the side in exact imitation of Adrien to study the vigilante.  After a moment she shook her head and glanced back at Adrien.  “That is objectively false… but very funny.”

The vigilante leaned forward again; face scrunched in annoyance.  “Who the f…”  He jumped up instantly when the skyline was rocked with an explosion.  “Get home,” he ordered firmly as he pulled out his grappling hook.  “And ask them out.  Life is short,” he added just before he jumped into the void.

><><><><><><><><>< 

The aftermath of the explosion kept the entire team busy for the next few days; chasing down leads, tracking henchmen, finally capturing the Penguin, returning him to Arkham again, and keeping a heavy watch on other criminals trying to take advantage of the distraction.  So it was a while before he was able to return to his spot, but as soon as he settled in, full meal in hand, a voice floated over to him.

“Daredevil!  You're back.”

He let out a long sigh and shook his head as though his lips weren’t already quirking up in amusement.  “This is my spot.”

There were a few moments of silence during which he was able to take his first bite before he looked up to meet her arched eyebrow.  “I've been coming up here every night for the past few weeks.  You’ve only been here once. This is not your spot.”

“I've been coming up here since I was 13,” he scoffed, cheeks puffed out from his bites of hotdog.  “This is my spot.”

“That seems like you abandoned it,” she shrugged.  “I found it, nurtured it.  So now it's my spot.”

He narrowed his eyes and pointed his hotdog at her.  “I was on a mission.  And I didn't abandon it.”  He motioned behind himself.  “It was being watched over until I returned.”

She hummed and examined him closely, eyes skimming him over from mask to boot before returning to meet his eyes with an accepting nod.  “Glad it turned out well...I guess.  It was a good thing, right?  Your mission helped not the jerks?”

He snorted a laugh, almost spitting out half his hotdog.  “Yes.  The mission was to stop some very bad guys.”  He leaned toward her with a smirk.  “And we succeeded.”

She smiled back but then let her gaze drift to the skyline, allowing them to sit with each other in silence, only the wind whispering between them for a while before she returned her attention to him.  When he’d finished with his first hotdog, a self-satisfied grin spread across his lips.  “You just going to keep staring at me?  I mean if you do, I understand.”

Instead of scoffing or stuttering like he had expected, she cocked her head to the side.  “I don’t understand,” she stated, motioning toward him.

He looked down at his armor and especially the bat emblem on his chest and nodded in understanding.  “Not everyone understands becoming a vigilante.”

“Oh no, that I understand,” she waved him off like the assumption was ridiculous.  “I mean,” she motioned toward him again, or more specifically, motioned toward his head, “it doesn’t make sense.  It’s contradictory vibes.  You have,” she motioned toward his suit.  “And then you have,” she motioned more pointedly toward his head.

“Like,” she indicated his suit, “high tech,” she indicated his scarf, “low tech.”  She pointed to his suit, “impeccably made,” his scarf, “I think the person was drunk,” his suit, “thoroughly thought out,” his scarf, “I honestly think you might have just grabbed that as you ran past some tourist.”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times until he finally huffed out a breath through his nose.  “I have a mask, you know.”

“You do?  Where is it?  Can I see it?” she demanded more than asked.  She was almost jumping in excitement as she looked all around him to try to catch a glimpse of it, only settling when he held it up for her to see.

“But as you can see, it doesn’t allow for things like eating or drinking.”  He looked at her from the side.  “Doesn’t really facilitate conversations either.”

She couldn’t stop the eyeroll she gave him.  “You’d hardly come up here if you wanted conversation.”

“Maybe I came up to converse with you.”  His smile was just on the right side of teasing, infectiously so.

Marinette shook her head with a brilliant grin.  “You said you’ve been coming here for years and a week ago was the only time you’ve seen me.”

“I’m an optimist,” he shrugged.

“You’re certainly something,” she chuckled as she looked away to collect herself.  When she looked back at him, her gaze was curious.  “I know why I come up here.  I work here and the roof is the only place to get away from people.  But why do you come here?  Why this spot, I mean.”

His grin shone even in the dim evening.  “Best gargoyle in the city right here,” he crowed, patting the gargoyle behind him.  “He kept me company many a night when I was a teen.  One of the best conversationalists I’ve ever met.”

She looked at him, amused by how proud he was of his gargoyle friend.  “So you did come up here for a conversation after all.  Should I leave so you two can get to it?”

He snickered and took a bite of his second hotdog.  “He is a marvelous conversation partner and listener,” he acknowledged.  “It might be hard for you to compete.”

“Not to ruin a friendship, but technically, that's a grotesque,” she corrected.  Her eyes were narrowed, but her voice teasing.   His eyes shot to her, lips pinched and brow scrunched in disapproval.  "Gargoyles have waterspouts.  That's where they got their name," she elucidated, adding in a gurgling sound to solidify her point.  "No waterspout means it's a grotesque.  Just a statue meant to look creepy."

He turned to look at the grotesque like it had personally betrayed him before returning attention to her.  “Expert huh?  That what you do?  Architecture?”  His voice was slightly grousey but still polite.

“No,” she acknowledged, “not an architect.”

He harumphed and finished the rest of his second hotdog in one bite.  “Not an expert then.  I’ll keep my faith in my friend.”

“Kind of an expert,” she shrugged as she tried to cover her snort at his boyish pout.  “From Paris so I know a thing or two about gargoyles and grotesques.”

He took a large bite of fries, chewing it noisily while shooting her a heatless glare.  “What do you do then?” he asked when he’d finally swallowed.  “You said you work here, yeah?”

“Graphic design.  I just started at an office on the 40th floor a few months ago,” she answered with a smile.

“Ahh, a tortured artist,” he nodded knowingly.

She gasped dramatically.  “I'm not tortured.”

“Pixie Pop, you chose to live in Gotham,” he pointed out, his voice and look both equally flat.  “You're tortured.”

“You run around in a poorly tied scarf and an attitude,” she groused.  “You're tortured.”

“Never said I wasn't,” he shrugged completely unbothered as he took a long drink of his soda.

They stayed in a comfortable silence for a while, the wind whistling quietly between them until Marinette finally broke the silence.  “You lied.  He’s a terrible conversationalist.  Hasn’t contributed at all.”

His snicker at her comment quickly become a full blown laugh, head thrown back, eyes closed and all making him miss her amused, contented smile at his reaction.  When he finally looked back at her, the portion of his face that was visible was bright.  “With all your criticisms of my mask, I almost expected you to say fashion designer.”

Her smile strained slightly and her eyes slid from his to the horizon.  “Once upon a time, another lifetime ago,” she answered flippantly.

He watched her, wanting desperately to get the story that was hiding there, but held himself back.  He was just going to have to keep visiting her until he felt like they knew each other well enough to ask her.  But until then, he needed a distraction.  “How's it going with blondie?  He man up and ask his crush out?”

All the light returned to her face.  Her lips eased into an excited smile.  “He did!  They're going on a date tonight!  You should have seen it.  He was freaking out after she said yes.  It's adorable.  But he took your advice, well, our advice because I told him the same thing, but he actually listened when you said it, to just ask her out and not overthink it.  Overthinking is my job.  His job is to look cute.  He keeps forgetting that.”

“Does he ever get upset you’re trying to take his job?” he asked before his brain caught up with his mouth.

“Huh?”

“Nothing,” he answered quickly, now wishing he still had one of his hotdogs he could shove in his mouth.

She scrunched her nose and shook her head.  “I couldn’t do his job, any of the jobs he’s done.  I love kids but I don’t think I could handle an entire classroom of them, and I definitely wouldn’t have been a good model.”

“Ohhh.  He was actually a…” he stopped mid-word and his hand flew to his ear.  “Copy.  I’ll get on it.  I’m only a few blocks away.”  He stood and shot her a two-finger salute, “Have a good night, Pixie Pop.”

She nodded.  “Be safe, Daredevil.”

He glared back at her over his shoulder, lips pursed into a thin line and maintained eye contact as he put his full face mask on with a harumph.  “You too, Pixie Pop.”

><><><><><><><><>< 

It didn’t take her long to do the exact opposite.  Less than two hours, in fact.  But it wasn’t her fault.  It was just Gotham.  It was bound to happen eventually.  And for Marinette, the inevitable happened on her walk home from work that night.

And, okay, maybe it was her fault a little bit, because she should have known better than to walk home so late at night, especially all alone.  But the time with Red Hood had pushed back her work until she had to stay late to get to where she needed to be on the project.  But in her defense, most muggers could see she didn’t have any money and left her alone.  This one clearly wasn’t as bright as the others.

“We’re going to do this quick and easy, right, darling,” the man jeered.  His knife glinted in the streetlight.

It wasn’t nearly as scary as he thought it was and she didn’t have any money on her anyway, so this was really a wasted effort on all sides.  “It would have been quicker if you hadn’t started,” she droned.  “Do I look like I have money?”

Her skin crawled at the leering, lingering looks he was giving her.  “I can take it out in other ways.”

She wrinkled her nose and stepped back.  “Ew.  No.”

“It wasn’t a question.”  There was a menacing curve to his lips as he slowly stalked toward her.

“And yet you got your answer,” a deep, chilling voice crept from the shadows.

The man whipped around; knife poised to attack right up until he saw who stepped out.  As soon as the light hit Red Hood’s mask, the mugger held his hands up and backed away slowly.  “Hey man, nothing happened.  No need to…”

He tried to dart away mid-word but ended up running head first into Nightwing’s chest.  “There’s definitely a need to,” Nightwing responded smugly.  He grabbed the mugger by the jacket and tied him up quickly, stepping purposefully between Red Hood and the mugger.  “I’ll take him in,” he said pointedly, mistaking Hood’s anger for his general hatred toward anyone who preyed on women rather than fury over the mugger having threatened this particular woman.

“You make sure the civilian gets home safe.”  He didn’t bother to wait for Hood’s acknowledgement before he nodded toward Marinette and shoved the mugger toward the other end of the street.  “Have a good night, ma’am.”

“Thank you!” she called after him, but she kept her eyes on Red Hood as she spoke.  She continued to watch him as he examined her intently, his eyes running over her, lifting her arms to verify she wasn’t hiding anything.  “I’m okay,” she promised quietly.

After a few more moments of examination, he finally released her arms and motioned for her to lead, only moving when she started walking.  She snuck a peek at him from the corner of her eye until she couldn’t take the silence anymore.  It wasn’t a comfortable silence.  He was walking far too stiffly.  “Thank you, Daredevil.”

She could hear him let out a long, tortured breath before shaking his head.  But her comment had the desired effect.  His whole body relaxed and eased into a lighter gait.  “Not daredevil.”  He might have been trying for stern but didn’t make it.

“Debatable,” she shrugged, shooting him an easy smile.

He stopped walking to turn towards her and cross his arms over his chest, almost obscuring his red bat.  “It is not.  And you can thank me by calling me by my name.”

“Oh, please don’t give me your real name,” she sighed in mock exasperation.

“I meant ‘Red Hood’.”

“Red Hood…” she repeated slowly like she was feeling how the name sounded on her tongue.

“Red Hood,” he confirmed.

She quirked her head back and forth a few times examining his upper body.  “You call that a hood?  Shouldn’t it be like Red Mask or Red Scarf?”

“No, not like…” he flustered.  “Like Robin Hood.”

A dangerously excited smile spread on her lips.  “Please tell me you also have one of those hats, the,” she motioned vaguely around her head, “bycocket hats he supposedly wore.  He wouldn’t have, by the way.  That was just a Hollywood costume designer’s idea.”

He snorted and started walking again, almost chuckling as she fell into step beside him but only coming up to his shoulder.  “Sorry to break your heart but no.”

She pouted and slumped down.  “That’s unfortunate.”

“But,” he leaned toward her and she could feel the smile hidden beneath his mask, “my best friend did.”

She gasped and perked back up, eyes wide in excitement.  “No!”

“Yep.”

She was almost bouncing.  “Show me!”

He chuckled and shook his head.  “Let’s get you home and you can look it up yourself.  His name is Arsenal, but at the time he was called Speedy.”  They walked next to each other quietly for a full block, Marinette happily swinging her arms and shooting him covert looks every few seconds, Hood, unable to see her in his periphery due to the mask, looking over at her almost as frequently, before Marinette looked a bit too hard and ended up tripping.  Hood snorted at the show of clumsiness but instantly reached out to keep her from falling, not letting go until he could verify her shoes were firmly on the ground.  “So, what happened back there?”

She looked up at him, confusion clear on her face.  He was a vigilante in Gotham, surely an attempted mugging wasn’t an unfamiliar sight.  And his tone was far too teasing for it to be a straightforward question.  “Hmm?”

He nodded toward her feet.  “The guy came at you and yet both of your shoes are firmly on your feet.  What?  Are sneakers not as good weapons as flats?”

She barked out a laugh so loud the sound echoed off the buildings around them.  “You’ve seen Gotham streets.”  She gave a dramatic shiver.  “Rather be mugged than take off my shoes.”

Hood chuckled and shook his head.  “Fair.”

They continued walking again, the comfortable silence descending upon them for a few more steps until her racing heart demanded she speak.  “You know, usually, I get a date before someone walks me home.”

“Usually, you aren’t getting walked home by a vigilante,” he pointed out smugly but all his confidence dropped when Marinette snorted.  “What was that for?”

“Happens more often than you would think,” she snarked back.  His steps faltered slightly, and he whipped his questioning eyes to her.  “Heroes though,” she added as though lost in thought and turning to face him, though she gazed into space as she spoke, “not vigilantes, and back in Paris when Paris had heroes. They at least knew my name though.”

He scoffed.  “I know your name.”  She could feel his grin under his mask.  “Pixie Pop.”

She groaned and swung ahead of him.  “That’s what you’re sticking with, huh?”

“Unless you can give me something better,” he shrugged.

“Marinette.  My name is Marinette,” she replied.

“Marinette,” he repeated, almost reverently.  “Nice to meet you, Marinette.”

She had to stop walking before her knees gave out on her.  She somehow managed to turn to face him, eyes wide at that one word and the devotion he was able to convey even through the voice changer.  It took quite a few moments before she was able to recover enough to note where she was.  “Oh, this is me.”

She walked up the first few steps to her apartment building, knees still shaking slightly, but suddenly turned back toward Red Hood before he could step up, leaving them on the same level, which she took advantage of to lean forward and kiss him on the cheek of his mask.  “I can’t believe I miss the scarf,” she grumbled playfully as she looked up at him through her lashes.  “Thank you for walking me home.”

He nodded a bit dazed.  “Right, of course,” he agreed breathlessly.  He cleared his throat lightly and shook out his shoulders, continuing on with a lot more confidence.  “Wouldn’t be much of a vigilante if I let the fair citizens of Gotham get hurt.”

She hummed and rolled her eyes.  “Just business, huh?”

She was clearly being playful, but she was now leaning away from him like she was unsure, and he couldn’t have that.  He leaned into her space to whisper, “Maybe a bit more.”

She grinned.  “See you tomorrow at the grotesque?”

“I will never call him that…” he groused playfully for just a moment before brushing a strand of hair behind her shoulder, fingers brushing along her shoulder and upper arm before falling back by his side. “But yes.  It’s a date.  I’ll bring something to eat.”

“I’ll bring dessert and some wine,” she rasped, only able to form the words after swallowing thickly.

“Can’t wait,” he nodded and forced himself to take a step back.  “Have a good night, Marinette.”  He kept looking at her for another few moments before taking another step back and grappling away.

“Have a good night, Red Hood,” she whispered into the empty night.  She then twirled around with a squeal.  She had a dessert to overthink.  She was definitely going to have to have a group conversation to plan the perfect dessert and wine combination for a date with a vigilante.

Inspired by this image. Not even sure where the person got it from

[lightlycareless]

i was re-reading the naomi meets toji fic and i'm just imagining naomi seeing toji and calling him toji-sama but she is with naoya instead or toji sees naoya interacting with naomi

Heya!!

Awww I'm glad you liked it!! And yes, I think I was due writing their interactions :> Naoya could not have a child and not introduce them to Toji, the #1 person he admires in the whole world. Though I think someone here would not appreciate it as much...

Anyways, here are the warnings: none. it's nothing but silly domestic stuff. Though I kind of feel bad for Toji. Also, he might be ooc; I don't really write them but I hope it's still good!! You and Naoya have a baby girl named Naomi. Also, please read this first if you want to get context behind the Toji-sama thing.

Happy reading!!!

The moment Toji sees Naoya and Naomi interact is when everything just makes sense to him. Where he realizes that not only she really is his daughter, but that she actually takes a lot from him.

From their physical appearance to everyday habits, there is no doubt in his mind that Naomi, indeed, is Naoya’s child.

Specifically with that endless yammering the two seem so fond of partaking in.

Toji was conflicted. In one hand, he knew what to expect from kids. They were naturally irritating, so for him to demand otherwise would only gather him with the likes of his ignorant family (and he’d rather die than to do so).

But another part of him hoped that she would take more after you, you know? He’s seen you interact with others, heard the rumors too, how everyone once thought it impossible for someone like you to be with someone like Naoya. You were just too… different. Nice, even.

Yet, here you were, married to an arrogant brat and having kids with him—children that were on route of being chibi Naoya’s, bringing in more havoc than there already was.

And there would be no one to know better than him, after all, since he got a prime example of that after being caught in the middle of their antics one unsuspecting afternoon.

“Toji-kun!” A bright-faced Naoya exclaims while bringing along his equally excited daughter to greet the mysterious, brooding man who just had his plans of passing undetected effectively ruined. “When did you return? You should’ve let me know; we could’ve gotten something to eat together!”

“It’s not like I’m you to be announcing my arrivals and departures…” He murmurs under his breath, yet Naoya still manages to hear it, enough to laugh along.

“I can change that, if you like. Give you the treatment you deserve.”

Toji’s left eye twitches; looks like even after settling down, the ungrateful kid he saw grow up continued to be as ridiculous as ever.

Though it seems your husband now faced competition, and from his own daughter no less.

“Hi, Toji-sama!!” Naomi cheerfully greets, waving her chubby little hand at the man and making both her father gasp, amused by her unforeseen reverence, and Toji chuckle, glad to see that the antics he fueled many days ago still stood strong.

"Hey, kid."

“Toji-sama?” Naoya repeated, genuinely surprised. “How come I never thought of that?”

“That wasn’t an invitation to call me so.” Toji warns.

“Hmm, I guess so. Toji-kun seems to be more fitting anywa—”

“No, papa! It’s Toji-sama, Toji-sama. He wanted to be called that!” Naomi protests with a pout, tugging at her father’s hand to further highlight her words. “Papa…”

“Alright, alright.” Naoya chuckles. “Toji-sama it is—"

“What? No, only she can call me that.”

Because it would be nothing less than obnoxious to hear such words coming from a grown-ass man, specially one as Naoya who was already too much by his own merit.

A type of inner-joke where only Naomi was participant; Naoya could try his luck somewhere else.

“Papa, papa, can I play with Toji-sama?” Naomi would suddenly suggest, making Toji’s heart sink.

Thankfully, your husband wasn’t the jealous type. No, wait, let’s rephrase that. He wasn’t the jealous type with his daughter. Willing to let her go if it meant getting something even better in return!

“Of course you can!” Naoya encourages, enthusiastic at the prospect of two of his favorite people spending quality time together! More so if he was there to see it. “What would you like to play, mochi? Hide and seek?”

“No, papa always wins…” Through cheating, that is. Using his cursed technique to quickly catch up to her, barely giving her any time to hide—it’s safe to say that he’s effectively ruined the enjoyment out of it.

Unless…

“Toji-sama, you seek, we hide!” She offers instead. “But no peeking! No cheating like papa…”

“Now, why would I even agree to—"

An important thing to remember is that for all of his life, Toji considered Naoya to be, deep beneath his arrogance, a coward. The type of man that would throw a rock then hide his hand just to see the chaos he could evoke. But always free of accountability, of course. Doing so countless times just for the laughs of it, careless of who he affects with his actions.

A threat to never take seriously, just a wimpy kid he had the misfortune of sharing blood with.

But that seemed to change with his daughter. In fact, what transpired succeeded even his own expectations. When he once believed him a devoted follower of Naobito’s footsteps, he now presented a certain… overprotectiveness towards little Naomi, subtly growing frustrated at the prospect of upsetting her—and thus, willing to do anything to keep her happy.

Now, isn’t that interesting?

Consider him… not intimidated, never. But rather… intrigued. Enough to indulge your daughter, letting her grab him by the hand and guiding him to whatever garden she concurred to play in, coincidentally, your personal favorite—where you’d often rest after a long day of tending to duties, or simply wanting to bask in its tranquility.

Though as of lately there appeared be a unusual heaviness looming over your body, making everything far more difficult that it really was. A part of you wanted to blame it on the universe, accept that sometimes things happens because they do! Nothing more to it.

But another side of you wants to consider what your staff has been playfully teasing you about: Hinting that your sudden change doesn’t come from fate, but rather… another bundle of joy on its way to you.

And it made sense if you thought about it too! You were presenting the exact same symptoms of your first pregnancy!

Yet, that wasn’t possible. Because you and Naoya had been very careful when intimate, having long planned to have a second child once Naomi was a bit older.

…

…

But you wouldn’t mind hearing another set of footsteps following you everywhere. Another baby for you to cherish, Naoya to spoil, Naomi to play, and Toji to—

Wait, Toji?!

“What in the—” you breathe, eyes wide as you observe the unusual image of your family playing with the man that often kept to himself unfolding before you. And apparently willingly as well! … Kind of, you were still able to perceive a slight annoyance coming from him, undoubtedly overwhelmed by your chattery daughter and pleased husband—the habit of showing off what he’s proud of is something that followed him since he was a child, and always, Toji had to be in the receiving end.

Good to see that some behaviors are never truly gone.

“You found me, Toji-sama! You found me!” She giggled, the opposite reaction of what one would expect.

“You weren’t that hard to find…” He raises an eyebrow.

“It’s my time to look for you now!” Naomi cheers, this is certainly turning out to be much better than she expected! For her, at least.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Naoya boasts. “Nothing seems to stop her!”

“She reminds me of you when you were young.” Toji quietly perceives, Naoya’s eyes glisten.

“Really, Toji-kun?” After being given the greatest compliment yet, there’s no way he wouldn’t be over the moon. “Well, she is my daughter, aren’t you, little mochi? Naturally, you have to be as talented as me.”

“Yes!” She nods, blushing when Naoya gently patted her head. “But let’s play, papa! I wanna play!”

“Only after giving Toji-san a small break.” You eventually interject, walking over to the group and standing by Naoya’s side, who immediately wrapped his arm around your waist, as usual. “I hope my husband and daughter haven’t exhausted you much.”

“Ah, we could never, right Toji-kun? We were just having fun!”

“Mama, are you gonna play with us?” Naomi asks. “Come on, mama, Toji-sama said he’s going to seek us this time!”

“Really? I thought I heard him say he wanted to eat…” You tease, Naomi pouts. “Also, don’t call him that, pumpkin.

“No, he didn’t.” Naoya responded in defense of his daughter. “He just—”

But you quiet him by gently elbowing him, letting know he was overextending his cousin’s tolerance, much to his dismay.

“I mean—he did mention he was tired” Toji raises an eyebrow, confused by the words that were randomly put in his mouth, though he won’t deny he thought them. “We’ve been at it for a while now, pumpkin. Aren’t you tired… or hungry?”

“No.” Naomi frowns. “I wanna play!”

“Really? Not even for your favorite? Mariya-san said she was going to make it for you…” You insist, forcing Naomi into a predicament you knew she wouldn’t be able to deny. “And we wouldn’t want to keep her waiting, right?”

Naomi’s eyes widen, licking her lips at the thought of her favorite meal.

“Ok mama!” Naomi chirps before looking over to Toji. “Goodbye Toji-sama!! Let’s play later!”

“Naoya, take her please, I gotta do something first and then I’ll join you.”

“Alright.” Naoya kisses you before leaning close to your ear to whisper… “We’re not really eating, are we?”

“We’ll talk about it later.” You smile, kissing him back.

“Bye bye, Toji-sama!!” Naomi says once more, taking a hold of her father’s hand soon after and disappearing into the hallways.

Once alone, Toji takes this moment to sigh, take a breather from doing things that weren’t really on his itinerary, and probably head back into whatever isolation he had planned for the day—right after dealing with you, that is.

“I’m sorry about that.” You say, taking a step closer to him. “Believe me, I know all too well what it is to be overwhelmed by them.”

“As if one Naoya weren’t enough… They’re exact carbon copies.”

“I’ve been told.” You laugh. “Sometimes I wish Naomi looked a bit more like me. If just a tiny bit, you know? I did carry her for 9 months!”

“Well, she’s likable compared to Naoya, I’ll give you that.”

“Hey, Naoya can be likeable too!” You jest back. “He has his charms.”

“I’m sure he does.” Toji responds, suddenly reflecting on Naoya’s overprotectiveness towards his daughter—a trait that no person would expect from him after seeing him grow up.

Yet, he was proved wrong. And not only in the realms of parenthood, but those of marriage as well. Naoya showing that people can change, even when coming from a hideous background as his, if given the right motivation.

A small hope for the Zen’in clan, he supposes, all thanks to you.

And perhaps… a purpose for himself, too?

“You have a good kid; you should be proud.”

“Oh, I… Thanks.” You blush, taken aback by his compliment. “We try our best.”

“For my sake, don’t tell Naoya I said that.”

“Never. My lips are sealed.” You smile. “But…  only if you promise to do something for me.”

Toji raises an eyebrow.

“Don’t encourage my daughter to call you by that honorific.” You ask. “I fear someone of the family has begun to feel… offended by it.” Though jealous would be the most appropriate word.

“Why? It’s only deserving.” He laughs.

“Well, maybe you can try it out when you have kids of your own.” You chuckle. “See if you like it.”

“I don’t think I’ll—”

“You’d be a good father, Toji-san. I now have no doubt about it in my mind.”

Toji blinks, speechless and confused by your words, but most importantly, unable to demand an explanation for you’d begin to retreat soon after, leaving him behind to deal with his doubts by himself.

“Well, I gotta go now, I’ve accidentally burdened Mariya with my daughter and I can only imagine the reaction she’ll have upon learning we’re not having her favorite good!” You say, waving him goodbye as you walk away. “See you around Toji-san!”

Maybe he should’ve run after you, stopped you and demanded justification behind your outrageous accusation. Or maybe he should’ve refuted your ideas without consideration in the first place, catalog them as silly, for there is no way in hell he’d enjoy entertaining a child, and all that it took to get there…

… Though an exception could always be made if it was his child. He’d definitely like to do things to tease them, annoy them; get them to pout and whine, just like brats often do, and get a laugh out of it.

But most importantly, give them a life worth living. One vastly, greatly different from his, like the one he deserved at one point, and save them from all the suffering in the world.

Toji laughs, shaking the idea out of his mind as he heads somewhere, far away from the estate, it doesn’t really matter as long as he’s alone…

To eventually admit that perhaps… he would like to have a bit of that happiness you shared with Naoya—

If there even was someone for him out there.

Imagine being the reason Toji has baby fever hahahahahaha omg that is so sad. But hey, he deserves to be happy too :')

Also, my favorite thing here is that as much as Naoya simps Toji, he'll always put his daughter first. Not sure if someone was questioning this, but here is my answer. I mean... I would hope his family goes first... 🤨🤨 if not, we're going to have a problem lol.

Anyways, thank you so much for sending in this ask!! It was such a joy to write Naoya boasting about Naomi, and Naomi following Toji like her papa did when he was young hahahahaha really, they're identical twins; what a nightmare for him 🤣🤣🤣 owww I wan't to write more about them 🥺❤️

Now, take care, and hope to see you soon!!

[raynehmms]

Being a cheerleader comes with many perks rather they be good or bad. The worst was the unwanted attention it drew from random people.

Before the game you met up with Ony! In your cheer skirt that went just past your ass, sleeveless short cheer shirt with matching red and black bow on her high ponytail. “Mama you look so good.” He looks you up and down as you come around the corner. You give him a twirl showing off your frilly cheer skirt. “Well thank you. You look handsome yourself.” You smile walking up to him and putting your hands and his lower stomach admiring how he looks in his basketball jersey. He smiles down at you and kisses your glossy lips it smearing on his lips. You push his face away playfully agitated at him for messing up your lipgloss that you just applied. “Why would you do that I just fixed it.” “I’m sorry mama they just look so juicy. You know how I feel about your lips.” He holds your waist getting ready to lean in for another one but before that one of his team mates call for him. Them getting ready to go onto the court for warm-ups. Hearing this your hurriedly kiss his cheeks and run away to get to your team yelling back to him “I’ll see you after the game!! Good luck!!”.

After brining them out with you being the first in line and Pom Pom’s raised in the air you take the sidelines starting to cheer not noticing a certain person in the stands looking you up. A certain basketball player takes notice quickly feeling something agitating him in the back of his mind forcing him to look into that direction and follow the dudes eyes landing on you. It didn’t affect him that much until he heard somebody calling you out your name from the stands. “At yo ma shake that shit fo me” That same nigga that was staring you up and down says while pointing at you and dapping up his friends sitting next to him. Him being very loud you herd this and looked at him briefly before blushing out of embarrassment and annoyance.

Now Ony didn’t take this well his teammates seeing his anger cross his face and his start pulling up his shorts the grab him his coach pulling him out the game temporarily. You glance at him using your eyes to tell him to calm down. He meets your eyes nodding your way as his coach lectures him on staying in the game. Eventually they put him back in, his team winning the game after him shooting straight 3’s for the rest of the game.

After the game you rush over to him after you coach talks to your team hugging him and kissing him. “Congrats!! I’m so proud of you papa!!” He wraps his arms around your waist hugging you. “I see you was doing yo shit over there.” “I try.” He looks over your shoulder while you’re talking seeing the nigga that cat called you walking towards y’all. He pushes you behind him standing tall and looking him up and down. “What’s up wit chu bro?” He mean mugs him holding your hand as you stand behind him wondering what going on you step from behind him still holding his hand. “Nun I was looking for shorty next to you.” That random nigga says looking you up and down and licking his lips. “Nigga you ain’t see me just kiss her? She my girl. So imma ask you again. Whatchu want nigga?” “I just said yo girl. I’m way better than you bum ass nigga.” At this Ony gets mad taking his hind out of yours and pushing you behind him and clenching his fist and stepping up to him “who you callin a bum? Don’t get fucked up over here lil nigga.” The other dude stepped up to “the fuck you gon do?” Next thing you know Ony punches him dead in his face knocking him dead off his feet. Him not stopping he continues until some of his teammates and a few coaches come over separating them both.

During this whole ordeal you were shocked, he has never acted physically agonist somebody in front of you so naturally you didn’t know what to do but back away and try to to get hit while they were fighting. Snapping out of your face you drag Ony away from everyone back near the locker rooms. “Chill out! Relax!” He ignores you walking back and forth still mad as hell and punching his hand. “He lucky they were there or on my momma I would’ve killed that nigga for real.” “Yo relax he not even in here no mo.” You walk up to him not touching him but standing in his line of view, him finally meeting you eyes and his tense body relaxing at seeing your worried expression. “I’m sorry I just could let him keep talking. He know exactly what he was doin I can’t let shit like that slide ma.” “I understand that but this ain’t the place, you know this so your career. What if the coaches kick you off Ony?” “They won’t. They need me don’t worry about that. Are you okay.” He grabs your face crying for any marks or to see if you got hit because you were so close to the fight. “I should be asking you that question.” You push his hands away grabbing his face and inspecting it only seeing a busted lip from one good hit, you touch it gently and he winces. “I’m sorry.” “You good.” “We need to go see the athletic trainer for this. It’s bleeding.” “I’m fine ma really I swear.” You take his hand. “Hell no. Let’s go or imma tell yo momma.” “Ight ight you got it let’s go.”

[thelampisaflashlight]

Waiting

[A ficlet based on this chat post from this morning. Rain reaps what he sowed.] Below the cut.

Rain will admit that he probably should have told Frater Imperator that he was busy when the man approached him about his contract renewal, that he had a time sensitive matter to attend to; Dew laying in his bed, naked, wanting, and desperately needing him to get back sooner rather than later, but he'd foolishly thought, "I just need to sign my name and then I can head back in no time at all!"

Wrong.

He had been incredibly wrong.

As it would turn out, with Sister Imperator gone, all of her contracts needed to be transferred to Copia, which meant he needed to redo both his ministry contract, his band contract, and go over two piles of other miscellaneous paperwork -TWICE- before he was released from the man's office.

In total, between trying to wheedle his way out of doing his contracts then and there, trying to speedrun them and then having reread and revise the errors he made whilst doing that, and then actually compiling and handing them back over to Copia, Rain had been gone...

An hour and a half.

Give or take.

An hour and a half.

Now, under normal circumstances, if he'd run into this situation, he would have messaged Dew and apologized right away, knowing that while he'd be disappointed, the other would have understood what happened and would have cursed Copia for dragging him away, but he'd left his phone behind thinking he'd only be gone a couple minutes...

As Rain enters his bedroom cautiously, expecting to be met with a very justifiably upset Dewdrop, he is instead met by a rather cozy looking ghoul watching something on his laptop, whose only acknowledgement of his existence is a cold, distant side eye followed by the telltale thwap of his tail against the mattress.

"Ohh, this is somehow worse..." Rain thinks, moving closer to the bed, "Hi, baby, so-"

Dew cuts him off by raising the volume on the video he is watching.

"-She cut his penis off and flushed it down the toilet." a voice says through the speakers, "Although a horrific crime to be sure, many have spoken out about the case saying the perpetrator was justified due to-"

"-Copia called me into his office and I-"

Dew closes his laptop, shifting in the bed to look at him, arms folded, which is when Rain noticed the strategically built wall of pillows lain on top of his side of the bed.

Yeah, he's fucked.

"I tried to tell him I had somewhere to be, but he was really insistent that we get my contracts done as soon as possible, because he's got to have everything ready for when the new Papa arrives, ya know, and..." Rain pauses, watching Dew's face go from neutral, to angry, to...

"You left me here alone for two hours...!" Dew shouts, red in the face and clearly on the verge of tears based on the sharp escalation of his voice at the end, "I waited for you, and you didn't come back, and we talked about how I don't like when the 'you don't get to cum until I'm back or tell you so' stuff goes on for longer than a couple minutes, because- And you- YOU'RE A JERK! GET OUT!"

Rain manages to dodge exactly two pillows on his way out the door before the third comes for his knees and nearly takes him out.

Dew throws a fourth, heavier sounding object -which Rain is about ninety percent sure is his weighted shark pillow- at the door, slamming it shut.

Taking a moment to steady himself, Rain reflects on the situation, sinking down onto the ground in order to think about what just happened, only to notice Cumulus sitting across the hallway doing the exact same thing.

"...Coffee and we talk about how we fucked up?" Rain suggests, and the ghoulette looks at the door behind her, and then to Rain.

"Coffee and we talk about how we fucked up."