#like just imagining meeting his eyes and there's the signature serious yet mischievous glint in them? I—

[silentgravesdontexist]

⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆  STORMY NIGHTS AND LILACS  ⋆ ☁︎⋆₊⁺⋆

“look at me,” Soshiro coaxes, tilting your face so you’re forced to look into his eyes. his gaze is piercing but warm, a smile curling at his lips when he sees your own eyes, dark and loving. you squirm a little in his hold. he can tell the longer he silently studies you, admiring the way the black silk clings to your form, the more flustered you become. how cute. he finally gives in when your lips pillow in a slight pout, hands coming up to rest on his chest. he’s quick to grab your wrists, pinning your arms against the wall behind you. his lips connect with yours, moving against you in hungry kisses. you pull away when you need to catch your breath, chest rising and falling in a way that is oh so distracting to him. he smiles down at you yet again. you’re perfect.

ZEBRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU— I— WHAT??? THIS...I CAN'T...WHAT??? HOW DO I— HUH???

[atsro-slut]

The Prankster's Heart

James Potter x female! reader!

Y/N finds herself caught in an unexpected moment with none other than James Potter—the charming troublemaker whose pranks and teasing always leave her heart racing. But when their playful banter takes a sudden, more serious turn, Y/N is left questioning whether there’s more to their friendship than meets the eye. With the Marauders in tow, and her heart in a bit of chaos, Y/N is about to discover that James Potter might be the most impossible Gryffindor to resist.

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The sun was setting over Hogwarts, casting a warm glow on the castle’s stone walls. Y/N was making her way down the corridor to the Gryffindor common room, her steps light as she hummed a soft tune. She’d just finished a long day of classes, and all she wanted was a moment to unwind with her friends. But as she rounded the corner, a loud burst of laughter echoed through the halls, followed by an unmistakable voice.

“Did you see the look on her face?” James Potter’s voice rang out, teasing and full of mischief.

Y/N froze, leaning against the wall just out of sight. She knew that voice well — it was the one that always made her stomach do somersaults. James Potter, the charming Gryffindor with a knack for causing trouble, was always in the middle of some prank or joke, whether it was on teachers or fellow students. And today was no exception.

Suddenly, James appeared around the corner, his messy black hair falling over his forehead as he laughed with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. His hazel eyes twinkled with excitement, his lips curling into that signature grin that always made Y/N's heart flutter. As if sensing her presence, his gaze shifted to her, and for a split second, everything else faded away.

“Well, well, well,” James said, his grin widening. “If it isn’t Y/N, the most beautiful Gryffindor in the castle.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but there was a soft blush on her cheeks. She wasn’t immune to his charm, no matter how hard she tried. “What’s the latest mischief you’ve been up to, Potter?” she asked, crossing her arms.

James's grin only grew wider, and his friends exchanged knowing glances. “Oh, you know,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye, “just a little something to spice up Charms class.”

“You mean the ‘accidental’ feather dusters that started throwing themselves around?” Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Hey, I can’t help it if I’ve got a knack for stirring up chaos,” James said, shrugging dramatically. “It’s a gift, really.”

Y/N shook her head, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, though she couldn’t deny the way her heart skipped a beat when she looked at him.

Sirius, ever the troublemaker, grinned. “You’re not fooling anyone, Y/N. You like him. We all see it.”

Y/N’s face turned redder than a Gryffindor scarf. “I do not!” she protested, but her voice lacked conviction.

“Sure you don’t,” Remus said with a smirk, clearly amused by the exchange.

James stepped closer, his expression softening. “You know, Y/N,” he said, his tone much less teasing than usual, “I’d never prank you. Not unless you wanted me to.”

Y/N blinked, her heart racing. “You wouldn’t?”

“Not for the world,” James replied, his hazel eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach flutter. “I don’t play tricks on people I care about.”

There was a brief silence, and for a moment, Y/N thought she might have imagined the way his words seemed to hang in the air between them, full of unspoken meaning.

Before she could respond, Peter interrupted with a loud laugh. “Oi, are we going to stand here all day, or are we going to dinner?”

James laughed too, but his eyes never left Y/N’s. “Dinner sounds good,” he said, winking. “But I’ll be waiting for your answer, Y/N.”

Y/N’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched him turn to follow his friends. She didn’t have an answer, not yet. But one thing was for sure—James Potter was impossible to ignore. And maybe, just maybe, she didn’t want to.

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:☆

Yayyyy Astro's first fic! Feel free to send in requests!

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:☆

See more James here!

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[helloalycia]

I hate you [one] // kate (tanner hall)

summary: kate flirts with you nonstop, but never actually comes clean about what she thinks of you, until finally, you ask her.

warning/s: none.

author's note: so a Kate x reader imagine was requested and since it's brie i thought why not. hope y'all like it and i recommend watching the film (Tanner Hall) because it's pretty funny but also has it's serious moments. Plus Brie playing a confident and cocky teen is all anyone could ask for tbh

two | masterlist

          "Find your partners, quickly, ladies!"

         I suppressed my smile as I watched our dance teacher take this way too seriously. I turned to ask the nearest girl if they wanted to be partners, but before I could approach anybody, none other than Kate stepped before me with her signature smirk.

         "Hey, partner," she said, holding out her hand.

         I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I looked at her with a questioning look. Though I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to smile at how cute she was acting.

         "I never said we were partners, Kate," I said matter-of-factly.

         She motioned around us. "Well, it looks like everyone else is taken, so you're stuck with me."

         I looked around and realised she was right. Everybody already had a partner now, and they were beginning to line up in pairs so we could begin our lesson.

         I sighed, narrowing my eyes at her playfully. "Fine. But only because you're literally the only choice I have."

         "Hm, only choice you have, I like the sound of that," she said as I put my hand in hers.

         I gave her a knowing look as she grinned, leading me to the line that had formed.

         "I hope your practice has paid off, ladies," the teacher said proudly, since it was him who had practiced with us. "Pick a lead and begin!"

         I looked to Kate with a raised eyebrow, watching as she already had a hand outstretched for me to take and an innocent yet devious smile on her lips.

         I sighed, failing to hide my smile as I placed my hand in hers. She pulled me forward suddenly, our bodies pressing together, and grinned down at me, mischievousness playing in her eyes. One hand was resting on my waist as the other held mine up high.

         "I take it you're the lead," I said, hoping my cheeks weren't heating up because of how close we were.

         "Don't act like you don't love it," she teased, before leading me off as we began to dance.

         I had no choice but to rest my other hand on her shoulder as she danced around, grinning as I tried to keep up.

         "Kate, slow down!" I got out between laughter, trying to make sure I didn't trip and bring us both down on the gymnasium floor.

         "No slowing down! This is perfect, ladies, keep it up!" our teacher said, only making Kate laugh louder.

         "You heard the man," she said, beginning to twirl me around.

         I had no choice but to follow as she pulled me close to her again, moving around in circles along with everyone else.

         "You're enjoying this way too much," I said, trying to sound annoyed, but the smile on my face said otherwise.

         "That I am," she said in agreement. "Am I right to assume you're enjoying this, too?"

         I tried to glare at her, but she was smiling beautifully at me, all of her attention stuck on me as she kept a strong hold on my waist and danced us around the gym like idiots.

         "I hate you."

         She laughed, shaking her head. "No you don't."

         I suppressed my smile, meeting her hazel eyes.

         No, I don't.

***

         I was writing down notes from the book we were studying in class, still listening to Mr. Middlewood as he spoke, when I heard my name being mentioned.

         "Kate, is there something particularly interesting about Y/N that you would rather stare at her than listen to me teach?"

         I widened my eyes and looked up as the class snickered quietly. I saw Mr. Middlewood looking pissed as he stared down at Kate, who was sat beside me in the front row. I followed his glare and felt my face growing warm when I saw Kate staring at me with a playful smile on her lips.

         "Can you blame me? She's quite the distraction," Kate responded confidently, making me look down at my book with embarrassment.

         "Eyes on me please, Kate," Mr. Middlewood said sternly.

         I saw Kate look back to him with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her full attention on him now.

         "If you wanted me all to yourself, Mr. Middlewood, you could have just said so," she said innocently.

         I pursed my lips to hold in my laughter, as the rest of the class laughed at Mr. Middlewood's awkward expression. He avoided Kate's eyes and cleared his throat.

         "Just pay attention, Kate," he mumbled, before walking to the other end of the class. "As I was saying..."

         Kate leaned back into her seat with satisfaction as Mr. Middlewood continued to teach. She glanced my way, winking at me, making me look away shyly. She always did that. Flirted with me, made every effort to make me feel embarrassed and flustered. It wasn't fair.

         After class ended, I was trying to head to my room when of course, Kate followed closely behind and jumped in front of me before I could go further.

         "Hey," she said breathlessly, a smile on her face. "You walk fast."

         I raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't expecting someone to follow."

         She chuckled. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I missed your face."

         "You literally saw me a few minutes ago," I pointed out, hoping it would distract from my probably-red cheeks.

         She grinned knowingly, her eyes meeting mine as if to let me know she noticed. Thankfully, she chose not to comment on it, instead opting to lean against wall beside us as she smirked at me.

         "What can I say? It's a pretty face."

         I sighed, shaking my head as I couldn't think what to say. This seemed to make her laugh, and she stood up straight again, watching as a pair of girls walked past us before leaving us alone in the hall again.

         "Did you want something, Kate? I kind of want to go to my room," I finally spoke, finding my words again.

         She shook her head, hugging her books to her chest as she watched me with a cheeky smile. "As I said, I just wanted to see you again. But yeah, I guess I'm done admiring. You can go now."

         I pursed my lips, growing frustrated because she always managed to leave me stumped for words.

         "I'll see you tomorrow, Kate," I mumbled, before walking around her to get to my room.

         "Can't wait!" she called back, and as I opened my door, I glanced at her to see her watching me with a flirtatious smile.

         I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and headed into my room, glad that she wasn't there to see me stumble my way to my bed as I tried to forget what just happened and the way she made me feel.

***

         "Having fun?"

         I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a voice from behind me. I was in the library, doing some last minute homework, but it was ten 'o clock at night, so who else would come here?

         I turned around in my chair, seeing none other than Kate walking towards me, except she was soaking wet and dressed up, as if she'd just gone out. But that couldn't be possible because it was a school night and nobody was allowed out on school nights.

         "Kate? What are you doing here?" I asked, genuinely curious. "And why are you wet?"

         Kate giggled like the immature teen she was and I rolled my eyes when I realised why. She took a seat on the desk I was sat at, leaving a wet mess on the wood and the carpet.

         "I just had the most amazing night ever," she said dreamily, but she seemed a little out of it. Her eyes met mine as she grinned down at me. "I wish you were there. It would have been perfect then."

         I rolled my eyes, but once again, my face started to grow warm. "Kate, what are you talking about?"

         She laughed to herself as she leaned closer to me. She motioned for me to come closer, and reluctantly, I did.

         "It's raining a lot outside," she whispered ever so loudly, before pulling back and laughing again.

         "Kate, are you... are you high?"

         It made sense now, why she was acting like that. Plus, I was sure I could smell the faint scent of weed, tobacco and alcohol combined on her clothes.

         She was quick to press her forefinger to her lips. "Ssshhh! You can't say that loud or I'll get in trouble!"

         She laughed to herself again and I suppressed the urge to chuckle at her.

         "C'mon, Kate, I'll take you to your room," I said, standing up and grabbing her hand.

          “But I wanted to tell you something," she complained as I pulled her off the desk and led her out of the library.

         "You can still tell me," I said, holding in my laughter. "But tell me quietly or one of the teachers might hear you."

         She giggled to herself. "You're really pretty."

         "And you're really drunk," I said, hoping to take the attention off me.

         "You're still pretty," she countered cheekily.

         "Come on, we're here now," I said, ignoring her compliment.

         "There you are!" Fern, one of Kate's friends, whisper-shouted from their doorway, before looking to me gratefully. "Thanks, Y/N, she just disappeared when we came back."

         "Yeah, well she found me in the library," I said, passing Kate over to her. "Where did you guys go anyway? How did you get out?"

         Fern kept ahold of Kate as she said, "It's a long story. I'll explain tomorrow. I gotta get this one to sleep somehow."

         "I'm stood right here," Kate interrupted childishly.

         "Yeah, yeah," Fern mumbled, before looking to me with a tired smile. "Thanks again, Y/N. I'll see you in class tomorrow?"

         I chuckled because Kate was growing agitated now. "Yeah. See you tomorrow. Good luck."

         "Thanks," she said, before leading Kate away from the door so she could close it.

         I smiled to myself as I headed back to the library to finish up my work.

         The next day, I found myself back in class, noticing Kate wasn't staring at me like she usually was. It was definitely a lot less awkward for me, but I did notice she was quiet also, probably because she was still tired from last night. Something told me that Fern and the others hadn't gotten her to sleep for a long time, since going to bed at ten wasn't exactly late.

         I was still curious as to what they had all been up to last night, and how on Earth they had managed to leave without getting caught.

         "You have until the end of the day to get this paper on my desk," Mr. Middlewood said as the bell rang. "If you're late, you lose marks."

         Everybody got up to go and I packed away my things before heading straight to the library to finish off my paper. It was just some last minute additions and touch ups before I was finished and could hand it in, and thankfully I had no more classes for the day, so I could focus on that.

         The library had a few other girls in it, some from my class who I assumed were finishing off their papers, too. I spotted my best friend, Y/BF/N, sat at a desk in the corner and joined her.

         "Hey, how was class?" she asked, standing up and packing her stuff into her bag.

         I pouted. "It was good, but have you got class now?"

         She smiled apologetically. "Yep. I'll see you at lunch though? I know you have your paper to write."

         "Yeah, I'll see you at lunch," I said, a little disheartened that she was leaving me. We had conflicting timetables today, which I guess I should have appreciated because at least I wouldn't get distracted by talking to her. Still...

         "Good luck, Y/N," she sang playfully as she left.

         I sighed and pulled my laptop from my bag, deciding to just focus on this so I could finish it already.

         I was there for about fifteen minutes, surprisingly not procrastinating, when I felt a presence beside me. I looked up just in time to see Kate taking a seat next to me, a bright smile on her lips.

         "Hey," she said, as if this was completely normal of her. She set a cup on the table, pushing it near me. "That's for you. Mint chocolate hot chocolate. Your favourite, right?"

         I raised an eyebrow, an amused smile on my lips. "How do you even-"

         "I have my ways," she stated, shaking her head adorably. "Anyway, it was just to say thanks for putting up with me last night."

         I leaned back in my seat now, watching her curiously. She was smiling at me sweetly, her brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight that was shining through the window.

         "You don't need to thank me," I finally said, before giving her a knowing look, "but since we're on the topic... I didn't know you smoked."

         She waved her hand dismissively, avoiding my eyes. "It's not a big deal."

         "Kate, it is – you should be careful," I said a little more seriously now. "It's bad for you."

         "Thanks, mom, I'll keep that in mind," she teased, giving me a playful smirk.

         I breathed out, knowing she definitely wouldn't listen to me of all people. "Never mind. Anyway, thanks for the hot chocolate, but I should do my work now."

         "The paper?" she asked, leaning on her arms which were resting on the desk beside me.

         I nodded, clearing my throat as if that would stop me from feeling flustered at how close she was. "Yeah. I've almost finished it. You done yours?"

         "Finished it two days ago," she said, making me look at her with raised eyebrows. She laughed. "What? Just because I piss off the teachers I can't also do my work?"

         "I didn't say anything," I said, chuckling, before looking back to my screen. "I should focus now anyway."

         "Am I distracting you?"

         I glanced at her and she was leaning in the palm of her hand, smirking at me.

         "Kind of, yeah," I said with a suppressed smile.

         "Okay, I won't talk then," she said, nodding to my computer screen. "Go on."

         I was confused but looked back to my laptop, presuming she was going to leave, but after thirty seconds of feeling her eyes on me, I looked back to her with a questioning expression.

         "Er..."

         "What? I've not said anything," she said innocently, grinning at me.

         "Can I help you with something?" I asked.

         "No, why?"

         I looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You're staying?"

         "If that's cool with you," she said, still grinning at me. "Unless there's some reason why you don't want me here?"

         I ignored her flirtatious tone and peering eyes, instead deciding to shake my head, somewhat confidently, and sit up straight.

         "No, you can stay, I guess," I said dismissively, looking back to my laptop with flaming cheeks.

         It took about ten minutes for me to get used to her presence. She said nothing, as promised, but it didn't change the fact that I felt her eyes boring into the side of my head, watching my every movement with her obnoxiously beautiful smile on her lips. Eventually, I stopped feeling rigid and actually focused on my work. She even helped, once again surprising me with how much she'd been listening in class.

         "This is perfect, you're definitely getting an A," Kate said encouragingly, looking up to me after reading my paper.

         "You think?" I asked, smiling hopefully.

         She laughed. "Are you seriously doubting yourself? This is awesome. Well, as awesome as a paper about 18th century literature can be."

         "Thanks," I said appreciatively, feeling a blush forming on my face, as usual.

         "C'mon, let's print it," she said, hitting print before standing up.

         I followed her through the empty bookshelves, tossing the empty hot chocolate cup in the bin on the way, and stopped by the printer to collect the print-out. When it finished printing, I pulled out the several sheets of paper and stapled it together before holding it proudly in my hands.

         "Looks like you're done," Kate said, and I looked up to see her leaning her back against the printer, smiling beside me.

         "Yes I am," I said, smiling to myself. I met her eyes and added, "Thanks for the help, even if you kinda left me no choice but to accept it." She laughed as I continued. "And thanks for the hot chocolate."

         "Anything to make a pretty girl smile," she replied confidently, staring down at me.

         I breathed out, pursing my lips as I tried to remember how to speak English. She found this amusing as she laughed at my dismay, making me roll my eyes before giving her a knowing look.

         "Look, I think we both know the effect your... compliments, let's say, have on me," I finally got out. "Can't you just be straightforward and say what you're thinking?"

         She stood up straight, taking a step closer to me. "You want me to tell you what I'm thinking?"

         I suddenly grew nervous and took a little step back, but she just kept moving forward, eventually making my back hit the bookshelf behind me, leaving me nowhere to go.

         "I can tell you," she said, her eyes staring into mine, making my stomach do somersaults. "Or I can show you, if you'd prefer."

         I didn't know what to say as she blew a strand of hair out of her eyes and watched me with a teasing smile. She knew what she was doing as she stayed a few inches from me, eyes flickering down to my lips.

         "Kate..."

         Her smile faded as she met my eyes again, breathing out quietly and tickling my skin as she did.

         "I've wanted to kiss you for a long time," she said in a dangerously low voice.

         "Then do it," I said, searching her eyes. "I'm not stopping you."

         She seemed surprised and I was, too. But I didn't really dwell on it because she had moved forward now, pressing her lips to mine as a hand rested on my waist. I closed my eyes, raising my hand to rest on her neck, and held her, whilst moving my lips against hers. I felt like fireworks were going off in my stomach as she moved closer to me, if possible, kissing me like it was all she had wanted to do.

         Eventually, we had to pull away for air and I found myself submerged in her eyes as I caught my breath.

         "Was that okay?" she asked, the first to speak.

         I was surprised at how considerate she was, any hint of obnoxiousness or cockiness gone, instead replaced by uncertainty.

         I nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yeah."

         She mirrored my smile and I felt her hands lace in mine.

         "Was that straightforward enough for you?" she asked, and her cocky self returned as she smirked at me.

         I couldn't help but laugh as I breathed out, looking down at our intertwined fingers.

         "Yes, thank you."

         "We should submit your paper," she said, letting go of one of my hands to reach down and pick up the fallen paper. I didn't even realise I'd dropped it.

         "Yeah," I said, still a little dazed from our kiss. It was the first kiss I'd had with anyone, let alone a girl. It was perfect.

         "Hey, Y/N?"

         I looked up, seeing Kate watching me with a confident smile but nervous eyes.

         "Yeah?"

         She licked her lips before saying, "Do you maybe want to go out with me? We could go out for dinner or something, on the weekend."

         I smiled. "I'd like that."

         She breathed out in relief, which, once again, surprised me because she was usually so sure of herself.

         "Awesome."

         "The paper," I reminded her, letting go of her hand and taking it from hers.

         "Right. Paper."

         I began to walk back to my desk, but I felt her pull me back quickly. As I was about to ask what she wanted, she kissed me, leaving me no room to speak. It was quick but left me dazed once again.

         "What was that for?" I asked, feeling my face go warm.

         She grinned. "I missed you."

         I rolled my eyes playfully, at a loss for words because if she was annoyingly clingy when we weren't 'together', how would she be now?

         "I hate you," I mumbled, trying to fight the urge to smile.

         Her melodious laughter echoed around us as she joined my side, intertwining our fingers again. "No, you don't."

         My smile broke out against my own will as she continued to laugh.

         No, I don't.

[zacekova]

A Good Knight

Fandom: Akagami no Shirayukihime Pairing: Obi/Shirayuki Word Count: 1,649

Obiyuki Fite Nite Team: Shift  Trope: Arranged Marriage AU  An AU in which Mukaze is still an established Lord in Tanbarun, Shirayuki still became friends with Prince Raj, and Obi still became a knight under Zen's service. 

Next

“We’ve just received word from Prince Raj,” Mukaze was saying. “It seems that he and the Princes of Clarines have reached an agreement on how to solidify the bonds between our two kingdoms. He wants to meet with us to discuss the terms.”

Shirayuki’s fingers tighten in the folds of her dress, her stomach twisting to match. She looks at him knowingly, her words far more statement than question. “You know what he’s going to ask.”

Mukaze only sighs.

~~~

“Obviously you have the right to turn down the offer, no one can deny you that!” Prince Raj said, voice twittering the way it always did when he was nervous. For nearly five minutes he had rambled on in a lengthy explanation of his meeting with the Princes of Clarines and the deal they had agreed upon. All three princes, of course, were too high of station, but nobles and knights were low enough to be suitable to the responsibility, though not high enough to be bound by it, apparently, which was little comfort.

In other words, refusal was within rights but inadvisable; for peace between the nations to be assured an agreement had to be made and this was the best option they had been given in all the years of negotiations and shaky relations. How could she say no?

Shirayuki smiled at her friend gently. “You know I can’t do that, Raj, otherwise you would never have asked me in the first place.”

~~~

The week long journey to Clarines alone in a carriage left far too much time for stewing. Mukaze had duties; he could only hold her tightly in his arms until their muscles began to ache, stepping back to tuck her hair behind her ear and say how proud he was of her for caring so much for their people. He didn’t say that her mother had chosen differently, would have told her to choose differently.

The edges of the letter crinkled in her grip, the parchment folding easily. The knight, the Princes promised, was a good man, kind and protective and hardworking, if a little odd. He was noble for his character and service to the Second Prince, not his birth. Shirayuki knew enough about the Princes of Clarines from the tales of Prince Raj to trust their judgment, but being of good character did not guarantee her heart anything, only her safety.

The landscape rolled by.

~~~

Knight Obi had golden eyes.

Shirayuki barely noticed anything else when she was greeted at the castle, an entire host of introductions made in the span of a few moments before she was whisked away by the Second Prince to her temporary quarters, the feeling of being watched making her neck tingle until they were around the next corner. There would be a banquet that night, and a more private affair to follow during which the two could talk with one another properly, but in the meantime she would rest and prepare.

The maids were chatty, scrubbing her down, brushing her hair, tailoring her dress, all in a flurry of giggles and exaggerated winks.

“He’s quite a handsome man,” one said.

“Aye, and those eyes. Like a cat who’s caught its prey, when he’s pleased,” another smirked.

“He certainly gets the Second Prince quite riled; I never saw that boy blush so fiercely till the day that man came round,” a third laughed and the rest joined in. 

“Aye, he’s mischievous,” the second grinned again, then sobered. “But kind, too. Carries the injured men all the way to the pharmacy on his back, sits right there with ‘em through treatment. My boy, Ichiru, says he jokes around and distracts them from the pain, goes to see them when they’re on sick leave. He brought Tenjou’s little brother supper when the elder was on evening watch for a week.”

The others chimed in their agreement, telling their own tales of similar acts.

“Even after he was knighted, he never thought himself too good for any kind of work,” one of them said fondly.

Shirayuki listened and wondered what it would take to build a man so kind. Or so good at lying.

~~~

“Mistress,” he said, bowing his lips to her hand.

Shirayuki acknowledged him with a tilt of her head before allowing him to draw her palm to his own. They joined the dancers on the floor with practised ease, sliding into an empty slot accompanying the count of the instruments. She felt his eyes on her and turned her attention to him fully, for the first time. The scar on his brow and the strange color of his skin made him exotic, intriguing. Dangerous. It was hard to tell if the smirk lingering on his lips and the glint in his eyes said otherwise.

“The maids say you are known to sit with injured soldiers for hours in the infirmary,” she said and received a quirked brow in reply, encouragement to continue. “I did not realize that knights of Clarines and personal guards of the Second Prince were aware of the circumstances of foot soldiers,” she went on.

Of all the reactions Shirayuki expected, a blush was not one. His gaze darted away uncomfortably though his steps remained sure and agile. “I, uh… Help train the recruits with Kiki and Mitsuhide pretty often, and sometimes I volunteer for watch duty.”

“Why?” Shirayuki asked immediately.

He stumbled over his words for a moment. “Um… Zen spends a lot of time doing paperwork. He doesn’t exactly need three guards for that,” he said, finally looking back at her with a tentative grin. “It gets a little boring so I started guarding the rest of the castle too.”

Shirayuki’s eyes narrowed.

“What?” he asked.

“You’re not going to try and spout off some grand rhetoric about doing your duty to protect the kingdom and the royal family? You’re just bored?” she asked, a little incredulous.

“Yep,” he said with a grin. “And guard duty can be pretty entertaining, in it’s own way, far more than staring at the ceiling all day in Zen’s office would be.”

Shirayuki stopped dancing.

The knight stumbled a step, hands twisting to keep from tugging at hers, before he stopped and turned to look at her questioningly.

Shirayuki’s hands fell to her sides as she looked at him searchingly for a long moment, taking in his clear eyes, his cheerful smile. Various utterances of “he’s a good man” floated through her head, ringing in her ears, and Shirayuki finally gave him a smile of her own. “I am Shirayuki, daughter of Lord Mukaze of Tanbarun. It’s nice to meet you.”

The knight smiled.

~~~

“Lord Haruka hired me for a job the Master has forbidden me from speaking of ever again, I’m afraid. But he took a liking to me, I guess, and conned me into staying,” he said with a shrug.

“And yet, somehow, Obi, you seem to be rather pleased about being brought to heel,” Shirayuki said, looking at him sidelong and noting the shimmer in his eyes.

He shot her one of his signature smirks but remained silent.

Shirayuki smiled too, before glancing around the table and heaving out a quiet sigh. She leaned closer to him and muttered softly. “Please tell me they’re going to provide something more filling than broth and salad? I will literally die of exhaustion before midnight if I don’t get any meat.”

Obi tipped his head back and laughed.

~~~

“You’re cheating, aren’t you?” Zen shouted, glaring across the table.

Obi had a broad grin plastered over his face as he shrugged casually, leaning back in his chair.

Shirayuki stifled a snort behind her hand, realizing that the knight’s seeming penchant for mischief would provide her cover for quite a bit longer and shifted another game piece while everyone was distracted. She glanced around at the others a moment later and found Miss Kiki staring straight at her, brow raised. Shirayuki wrestled up an innocent smile and shot her a questioning look. The older woman shook her head and looked away but Shirayuki thought she could see a curl of amusement on her lips.

~~~

She stood just inside the doorway to her chambers, hand resting on the knob, as he looked down at her searchingly.

“You’re not so bad, Mistress,” he said a long moment later.

“You’re not so bad, yourself,” she said with a shrug and closed the door with a quiet “goodnight” a moment later.

She was pretty sure the dim lamplight had hidden the flush on her cheeks.

~~~

“The cloth symbolizes binding, an unbreakable bond between one and the other. Two come together as one to protect and honor, to provide for and cherish, to be bound together for eternity. For you two, here today, represent not just the coming together of two individuals, but of two families, two nations, and the start of a blessed friendship. Shirayuki of Tanbarun, Obi of Clarines…”

Her heart was pounding in her chest, palms clammy, but she could see the beads of sweat at his temple, feel the minute tremor in his fingertips. Her voice was steady with her vows but she knew he saw, knew he understood. He squeezed her hand in his, briefly, and she could breathe again. She squeezed his back just before they turned to face the crowd. His smile was blinding.

~~~

Mukaze looked across the lawn to where the man lay on his back in the grass, a baby with golden eyes gurgling down at him happily. “He’s been good to you?” Mukaze asked.

Shirayuki nodded. “Yeah, Dad, he’s a good man.”

He turned to look at her, eyes serious. “And is that all? You deserve love, Shirayuki,” he said and for a long moment she could only feel grateful for all the men in her life.

“I have it, Dad,” she eventually said, smiling. “More than I could have imagined.”

[veryscaredenby]

The Frying Pan Colon D, A Gay Pirate Story

Chapter 1

Black combat boots scraped the pavement, the wind howling by the harbor. Ray’s hands remained in their pockets as they made their way past all the ships and docks, humming a song of the sea to themselves. They passed many vessels, but none were the object of destination. No, they were walking to the very end, where there would be a sand-less, rocky beach. One can’t exactly dock a pirate ship in a public harbor.

A loud horn blare ripped through the seaside, assuring the pirate that their ride had arrived before they had even reached the rocks. Their grin grew wider and they sped up, now at a running pace. When they reached the rocks, they saw the silhouette of a young man leaned against the other side of the rocks, facing away from them, playing soft horn music. Beaming, Ray turned around and leaned against the rocks, their backs facing each other while they waited for the end of the song. Soft melodies filled the air as the man continued to ignore the presence of another. When the song reached its conclusion, they sat in silence for a bit longer, eyes closed and faces calm, till he let out a deep breath of content. Ray peeked open an eye but still didn’t turn around.

“Learned a new song while you were gone.” He said proudly. Shaking with excitement now, Ray turned around and catapulted themselves over the rocks to land next to their friend, and proceeded to tackle him in a bear hug.

“LUNO! I MISSED YOU!” Ray screamed, squeezing the unsuspecting friend tightly. He hugged back, with just as much fervor, and screamed “I MISSED YOU TOO!” Ray giggled and let go. “I miiisssseed youuuu,” they repeated, but more drawn out, patting his head of fluffy indigo hair.

“You’ve only been here a week, were you that bored?” He asked, leaning back against the rocks. Ray sighed, leaning back next to him, in matching positions: right leg kicked over the other and arms crossed.

“I wish, but that reminds me, we’re staying in town a bit longer,” they huffed, blowing the hair out of their face.

“What for?”

“Got a pretty big job we need to talk about at the ship.”

“What kinda big we talking about?” He inquired, a single eyebrow arched. Ray usually took care of small jobs every now and then, ranging from helping a friend move into their new apartment to dismantling a corporation. They had a reputation of helping those they wanted to, with little regard for the law.

“Oh you know, kidnapping royalty big. Not huge.”

“Oh damn, what did you get us into?”

“I’m not completely sure myself, we’re meeting again tomorrow. I just know I’ll need the crew for this one.”

Luno sighed, before continuing. “Guess we had better head back then.” He stepped away from the rocks a good distance after throwing the horn to Ray, who barely caught it and fumbled a bit, before giving a thumbs up with a big, goofy smile.

The wind picked up, throwing pebbles and small chunks of rock around, kicking dust up. Ray coughed a bit, hacking up particles of rock. Gross. Once the dust settled, and they had finished hacking up a lung, a large, dark blue dragon with golden accents across his body stood where the man previously had. He trotted back over, and motioned his head, signaling for them to get on his back.

“I think I just died from rock up my nose,” Ray grumbled while climbing up on top of him. The dragon jostled the leg they were climbing up, forcing them to grab on tighter. “I was just messing with you, meanie.”

Once the pirate was atop their dragon friend, they patted his neck and yelled into the wind as they took off. Luno was a normal-sized dragon, but still dwarfed measly humans like Ray, a singular claw was the size of their whole face, and his wingspan was wider than a house.

The pair flew over the water, nothing but another world of blue beneath them. When Ray had been younger, the idea of flying had seemed mystically impossible, a simple dream. Then again, they hadn’t imagined being a pirate who lived on the seas, but life takes funny turns sometimes.

In the distance, a large ship with bright sails of varying colors was on the water, bright with light, magical or just from candles, and loud. The ship was alive, and Ray could feel it from so far away. Luno sensed their excitement at coming back to the sea and snorted.

“Oh hush you, I’ve missed you guys,” Ray laughed, nudging him with their boot. When they arrived at The Frying Pan :D, as was written on the side, Luno hovered over for a sec while Ray jumped down, attempting to make a sick landing, but unfortunately, they happened to be very uncoordinated and fell in an empty barrel.

Music on the ship ceased and the SHING of swords being drawn could be heard. Ray heard a familiar beat of footsteps approach, which halted when the person was right next to the only thing that could truly contain Ray. There was a pause, but Ray gave in and looked upwards, and saw a bright cyan head of hair glaring down at them before they recognized the barrel person’s face.

“Ray!” the demi-girl cheered, which spurred on the cheering of the rest of the crew. Ray lifted their arms, their signature huge grin etched on their face and made grabby hands at the first mate. They sighed and reached down towards Ray and pulled them out of the offending barrel, while another person fell from the sky on his behind. “Oh, there you are Luno.”

“Yeah yeah I’m fine thanks for asking.” he sighed dramatically. Meanwhile, another strode through, barreling towards the purple-haired menace.

“Captain! We missed you!” Celine squealed, bouncing a bit, and earned a “NO WE DIDN’T” followed by laughter from some of the crew.

“For the love of hell please don’t call me that, if you won’t say my name at least say Sting or something.”

“You’ve got it Captain!”

“You know what maybe I didn’t miss y’all-“

“Ahem!” Luno coughed, demanding Ray’s attention. They turned to him, questioningly. “The job?” He elaborated, exacerbated.

“Oh yeah!” Ray exclaimed, remembering the topic of importance. With a loud scream, the crew’s attention was caught. “So, we’ve got a job.” An uproar went about the crew. Usually Ray did jobs by themself, it was only the super big ones that demanded the crew’s help. “Ah cheeses, SHUT UP YOU FART BAGS!”

They shut up.

“Let me rephrase that. We might have a job. It’s extremely risky, and dangerous, and almost certainly very, very fun.”

“Who in their right mind came to you for that?” The first mate jeered, earning a playful whack across the head.

“Shut up Ryn, some rich tailor boy. Says he wants us to kidnap the princess.” Ray told, rather nonchalantly. The crew ceased chatter.

“You didn’t say yes did you?” Ryn demanded, serious now. Ray shifted uncomfortably.

“Well no-“

“Because even you understand that’s stupid right?”

“Well hey now-“

“Ray!”

“Look I didn’t say yes! I said I’d come here and talk it over with you guys!” Ray defended, nervously sweating. They didn’t exactly want to face the wrath of Ryn at the moment.

“There is a line! There is a line between doing what’s right, and doing what’s stupid!”

“You haven’t even heard the reason!” The captain protested. Sure they were in charge, but they were nothing without the support of all the crew. It needed to be unanimous.

“What’s the reason then?!” Ryn inquired, crossing her arms.

“Love! It’s an epic romance, he’ll have to tell me again tomorrow because I truly don’t remember all the details...” Ray explained, a mischievous glint in their eyes as they trailed off, looking at both Ryn and Luno. The look that said, ‘I have more to say but not yet.’ Sighing, Ryn nodded and dropped it for now. “Anyways! My first night back in a week, tell me everything!” They yelled to the crew, walking amongst them.

“How do you think this one will turn out?” Luno asked Ryn, the pair still at the front of the ship, watching their eccentric friend catch-up.

“Horribly.”

———————————

“Tell me you have a plan and it's going to be fabulously perfect, or I’ll just die.”

“Oh Ryn you think so little of me,” Ray laughed, following Luno and Ryn into their chamber. The Captain’s Chamber on The Frying Pan :D was nothing elaborate, simply a few chests here and there, a bed, and a desk that had papers, pens, and markers strewn all across it. That’s what the three were currently standing around. “I have a plan, but I wouldn’t say it's fabulously prefect.”

“Well then oh what are we to do, to solve this lack of fabulousness?” Luno sighed dramatically. 

“Well our guy, Nate, wants his princess to not marry this nobody she’s about to marry. He wants us to kidnap her, sail around a bit, and then bring her to him. Now I think this is a pretty stupid plan, but also I think kidnaping a princess would be pretty fuckin fun,” Ray laughed, falling into a chair that was behind them at the desk.

“Oh yeah lets go kidnap a princess and die, that sounds like so much fun,” Ryn replied dryly, unimpressed.

“I agree with your words, but you make it seem like you don’t agree,” Ray was exaggeratedly frowning, trying to make puppy dog eyes but instead ended up looking more like a depressed donkey. 

“You have a strange idea of fun.”

“Luno, we’re pirates, what else are we supposed to do? Go hug some old ladies?”

“The whole reason you left for a week was because you wanted to comfort a friend who had a rough break up. Very pirate-y.”

“Irrelevant!”

“Why do you even want to kidnap her?” Ryn interrupted, continuing the conversation.

“Well, Nate gave me some pretty weird vibes. Not a fan of his whole, “she’s mine and only mine” deal. So after going to talk with him tomorrow, I’m going to judge his character a little harsher, see what I think, and then we move on from there. If he’s a total weirdo, we kidnap the princess, and betray him, and ask her about how she feels about this whole marriage situation. If she wants to stay she can stay. If he’s not a weirdo we still kidnap her, ask her if their love is requited, and then we continue from there.”

“That’s your whole plan? Why do you want to kidnap her so bad anyways? Ransom money?” Luno asked, genuinely curious this time. Ryn’s face perked up at that.

“I like the way you think, but I just think it’d be fun.” 

“Alright, I’m in, but only on the possible promise of ransom money.” Ryn negotiated, giving in.

“What do you want the ransom money for anyways?” Luno asked, drumming some pencils against the desk. Ray smiled, grabbing some pencils and happily drumming along.

“Wanna get more comics for the island.”

The island was referred to as Rainbow Rule. Yeah, the people there weren’t great with names, they knew that. It was where the pirates of The Frying Pan :D would most often dock for longer periods of time. It was hidden from the normal eye through a fog controlled by the magical inhabitants of the island, who mostly consisted of merpeople and magically inclined humans, with the occasional fairy or dragon. It wasn’t exactly wealthy, so it’s where a lot of the crew’s treasure went, and they appreciated things from the mainland. 

“Oh yeah, Luno,” Ray got up and bowed down and spoke in a mock-fancy accent, “would you be so kind as to accompany me tomorrow? I might need a second opinion. Ryn, you’ll be in charge of the ship again.” 

“Yeah yeah Lord Fancy Pants,” Luno sighed at Ray’s oddness, while Ryn gave a half-assed salute before turning on their heel and leaving the cabin. The remaining two smiled at the action, before turning to each other.

“You’re gonna get us into a big mess huh?”

“Possibly...”

_______________

0. Prologue

1. Chapter 1

An: WOO HOOOOO I GOT THE FIRST REAL CHAPTER OUT! Anyways this took me a lot longer then i thought it would considering the prologue was written in literally one night- ANYWAYS

So i’ve got two, three-ish of our crew mates in the story! So just for reference,

Luno: He/they

Ryn: She/ They

Ray: They/Them

Celene: She/her

anyways i thought that was important. I really hope you guys enjoyed my awful writing lol

also don’t worry this isn’t gonna be a “poor defenseless princess story”