#no hate to the pairing or anything of course. you can ship whatever you want!

[harrowscore]

................. not to rain down on anyone's parade but barely characterized 14 year old lucerys could never have the swag eleanor or henry had

[froggiewrites]

i read every single one of your works in one sitting and oh my god. your mind. your words. you're easily one of the best writers on this hellsite. it should be a crime you don't have more followers because your writing is criminally underrated

i saw you were taking requests and i don't want anything too specific but there isn't that much ace content and i really miss my man. a bit of hurt/comfort bc i love pain and then kissing it better

i was thinking something along the line of your Follow Through work (sorry if it feels repetitive but i live for this type ace content) but really I'll be happy with whatever you put out just have fun and go to town with it <3

Ahhh thank you so much this is so sweet 😭😭 I only started posting really recently so receiving sweet messages like this feels so unreal honestly, it just makes my heart so full. I loved writing this, I always love writing sweet stuff for Ace, so thank you for giving me an excuse to write something in this vein again! I hope you like it 💙

Blinders On

Pairing: Ace x Reader

SFW

Summary: You're in love with Ace. Everybody seems to know this but him. Warnings: Fluff, Miscommunication, A Little Self Loathing, Very Little Hurt/Lots of Comfort Word Count: 2.2k

You really can’t tell if Ace is politely rejecting you, or if he simply doesn’t understand your advances. You’re being terribly obvious, enough so that the rest of the ship (and probably the entire rest of the fleet) are well aware, teasing you for it at any given opportunity. If you have to hear one more man making obnoxious smooching noises whenever you two walk past you’re going to throttle someone.

“It’s honestly getting pathetic at this point.”

“Yeah, it hurts to see someone put their pride on the line like this with no reward in sight. Bring a tear to my eye, really.”

Their voices are teasing, not cruel, but your shoulders tense anyway. You hate feeling pathetic. If he just turned you down, you would be more than willing to just lick your wounds and move on, no matter how hard it hurt. But he never did. He never pulled away, or pushed you further from him. He just never pulled you closer, either. You were left in limbo, treading the line between friend and lover, never crossing to either side.

“What’s got you frowning like that?” You jump when you feel two fingers at the edges of your lips, gently forcing them into a smile. Ace is in front of you, nearly nose to nose, and you can see the candlelight dancing in his eyes and painting his cheeks a gentle orange. He looks beautiful, as always, as he grins at you. “That’s better. Now you try again without my help.”

You force your mouth into a smile despite yourself.

“There we go.” He laughs quietly, and you can feel his warm breath on your face. He’s horribly, unbearably close, close enough that you would barely have to move to feel his lips against yours. The urge is overwhelming, but you can’t let yourself, so you scoot back slightly, smile growing a bit shakier.

He frowns a bit, something unnamed flashing in his eyes, before he leans a little further back as well. “Care to share what made you so upset? You were glaring a hole into the table.”

“Oh it’s…it’s nothing big. Don’t worry about it.” You frankly would rather throw yourself overboard than look Ace in the eye that you were sitting here pathetically pining over him.

He frowns deeper. “You know you can always share with me, right? I’m a good listener, I swear.” A mocking laugh explodes behind him from a nearby eavesdropper, and he leans forward before muttering, “I’m good at listening to you, at least.”

Your cheeks heat. You don’t want to embarrass yourself like this, but he’s looking at you with those sweet puppy dog eyes, and maybe this could be a chance for you to finally figure out how he feels about you. “Well…it’s just…” your eyes slide to the several crewmates visibly listening in. “Can we talk in private?”

“Of course!” He’s on his feet instantly, offering you his hand to help you up. He pulls you up as though you weigh nothing, and while that makes your stomach flutter a bit, it’s nothing compared to the way he keeps a hold on your hand while leading you away. You can feel the heat radiating from him, every callus on his hand, the way his fingers lightly rub against the back of your hand. It takes all of your self control not to melt.

He leads you to his room, leading to wolf whistles from some passersby, and you internally groan at all of the comments you’re going to get after this. But he gently sets you on his bed before kicking off his boots and sitting next to you, on his knees, looking at you expectantly. “Is this good?”

“Yeah, thanks, Ace.” He gives a blinding smile at that, terribly pleased to have helped. “So I’ve been dealing with…an issue, lately.”

He nods, urging you onward.

“So there’s this guy…”

He winces, the expression so quick you almost miss it. 

“And I’ve been trying to figure out how he feels about me.” You curl in on yourself a little tighter. “But I genuinely can’t tell if he’s noticed how I feel and he just doesn’t…feel the same, or if he somehow doesn’t know.” This is terrifying, laying it all bare, but if it leaves a chance for something else, something better, isn’t it worth it to be brave?

But Ace remains silent. His face is frozen halfway between shock and despair, staring at you with wide eyes. You blink at him, confused, and gently reach forward to take his hand. “Ace?”

He flinches when you touch him. “Ah! Um, sorry. Advice. You wanted advice.”

“If you’re willing? You don’t have to.”

“No, I–I can.” He seems flustered, but you can’t really tell which part of this shook him. You try to brace yourself for oncoming rejection, just in case. “...You really don’t know if he feels the same?”

“I have absolutely no idea. And nobody else I’ve asked does, either.”

Another flash of hurt, the frown of a kicked puppy. “You went to other people before me?”

You rush to correct. “They came to me. I think they felt bad for me, honestly. The entire ship has noticed and they can’t tell if he likes me either, and a lot of people have been making fun of me about it. So a few people asked me if I was alright.”

He furrows his brow. “People have been making fun of you? Who?”

“Almost everyone, really. You didn’t notice?”

“No, I didn’t.” His expression shifts to something close to guilt. “How long has this been going on?”

“About…a year or so?”

“You only joined the crew a little more than a year ago.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” You can’t keep the exhaustion from your tone. You want to say it hasn’t taken a toll on you, that you let it roll off your back, but the weight has been resting on your shoulders, dragging you further and further down. It’s only a matter of time before you snap entirely. “It’s…it’s a bit much, sometimes. But the only way to get them to stop is to stop trying to get him to notice me, and if I stop that he never will. And I think he’s worth all of it, really.”

“Hm. I’m…sure he is.” You can hear the sting in his voice, like cold water on an open wound. “He has to be, for you to want him so badly.”

“He’s the best man I’ve ever met.” You can’t keep the affection from your voice, or the warmth from your cheeks as you shyly peer at Ace through your lashes. You can’t place the faraway look in his eyes, hazy and unfocused.

“He better be.” He clenches his jaw briefly before relaxing it, closing his eyes and shutting you out. You see his fingers digging into his thighs as he turns away from you and takes a deep breath. “You should just tell him, I’m sure he’ll reciprocate. He’d be an idiot if he didn’t.” His voice is strained, sounding like there’s an unshakable weight on his chest.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry about it. You should tell that bastard how you feel.”

“Bastard?”

You can see every muscle in his back tense as he continues to face away from you. “Did I say bastard? I meant lucky bastard.”

“It…doesn’t sound like you did.”

“How could he be anything less than lucky, to have someone like you?”

He really isn’t getting it. Even now, he just doesn’t fucking get it. “Are you mad at me, Ace? Or him, I guess?”

“I’m not mad,” he snaps, unconvincingly. “I’m not…I’m not upset. It would be ridiculous for me to be upset, I have no reason to be. Not with you, or with whoever it is. That would be silly. And I’m not. Silly.”

“...Right.”

Are you going to have to spell this out for him?

“And since I’m so definitely not-at-all mad, can I know who it is? So I know who to congratulate later.”

You sigh. “You really have no idea?”

“...I think I might have one.”

You lean forward a bit, trying to angle around him to look him in the eye, but you accidentally brush your chest with his back and he jumps, scrambling away before turning around to face you. “Who do you think it is, Ace?”

“Is it Marco?”

What?

“What?”

“Is it…is it not Marco?” He furrows his brow.

“I–no. It’s not Marco.”

“Thatch then?”

“No! Oh my god.”

“Izou? Or–”

“It’s you, Ace!”

His eyes go wide and he freezes. “It’s…me?”

“Yes.”

He absolutely lights up like a firework with the biggest, most sincere grin you’ve ever seen. “It’s me?” He leans forward, close enough that you can see every fleck of color in his dark eyes. “It’s me? Really? You mean it?”

“Who else could it possibly be?” You can’t keep the hint of laughter out of your voice at the idea you could love anybody but Ace, as though any man you had ever met could beat him for best. 

Before you know it, his arms are around you, his comforting weight pressing you into the bed beneath you. “I didn’t think it could ever be me.”

Your arms wrap around him in turn, pulling his head into your neck as he presses his nose into you. “Why couldn’t it be you? You’re amazing, Ace.”

“I can’t believe you believe that.” His voice is soft as he pulls himself apart for a second, allows himself to fall into your embrace and forget the world. “I didn’t think you could want me. I already didn’t get how you could like me, let alone more. You’re so…everything and I’m so…me.”

“I don’t think there’s anything in the world better to be than you.”

There’s a wetness pressing into your neck, but you don’t comment. “No one has ever said that to me before. I don’t…I don’t understand how I tricked you, but–”

“Portgas D Ace. You didn’t trick me. I just saw you for who you were, and I loved you because of it. Not in spite of it, not because I somehow didn’t see it. Because you’re you, and I don’t know what could be better than that.”

“Almost anything else?” He mutters it weakly. “I really hoped you would…would think about me like I think about you. I just didn’t think it was possible. Was it really that obvious?”

“Every single person on this ship knew before you did. Someone was making fun of me for it at breakfast, directly in front of you, and you still didn’t notice. It was really just because you didn’t think I could like you?”

“It genuinely didn’t seem like a possibility to me. I figured I was just going to be pining after you for the rest of my life, y’know? Have to see you find someone else as wonderful as you are and run off together, and pretend I was happy for you. Which I sort of would be, I guess. I want you to be happy. And I didn’t think I could do that for you.” He pulls out of your neck, and you can see his eyes are glistening, a few stray tears making their way down his freckled cheeks. He looks you in the eye, while his own filled with a strange mix of affection and self loathing. “Still don’t, really. But I’ll try.”

You cup his cheeks in your hands, gently brushing away his tears. “No one else could make me happier than you, Ace. I know that for sure. You are the kindest, brightest, most wonderful man I know. You have no idea how amazing you are, how you inspire the people around you. You’re so loved, and it’s not because you managed to pull the wool over everybody’s eyes, or anything silly like that. It’s because you deserve it.” You lean up, lips brushing softly against his before you pull back again to speak. His lips chase yours, making you giggle. “You deserve every bit of it, Ace. And if you don’t believe me I’ll just have to show you. Every day, until it sticks.”

“And if it does?” His voice is nothing but a whisper as he stares at you like you’re the greatest treasure on the seas. “Will you stop if it sticks?”

“No way in hell. I’ll double down. Triple down, even.”

He gives you a shy grin. “Guess I’ll have to figure out the truth pretty fast, then. I’d like to see what double this looks like.

“I guess you will.”

The next kiss takes your breath away. It makes the teasing you and Ace are sure to receive when you leave the cabin worth it a million times over. But right now there isn’t a crew jeering at you. The only thing in the world right now is Ace, on top of you, his warmth enveloping you as he kisses you like he’s been waiting a thousand years to do it.

[houserautha]

These Destined Ends

Part Twenty

Summary: Jessica fulfilled the wishes of the Bene Gesserits to produce a daughter. You’re now burdened with the task of not only marrying the na-Baron, but also bearing his child — the Kwisatz Haderach. Will you take your fate into your own hands? Or will it always belong to those who control you?

Pairings: Feyd-Rautha x f!Reader

Word Count: 5.3k

Warnings: MDNI, 18+, lots of violence, some of it graphic, blood, p n v, some dirty talk

A/N: Here it is, folks. The big one.

Perhaps it was fate, or some divine coincidence, that the worst sandstorm in recent memory happened to transpire on the wedding day of the Emperor's eldest daughter. You couldn't help but consider it as approval from the universe, that the fabrics of your world were convening to grant you success. And so, with thinly veiled delight, you watch the wedding guests descend from the sky in their lavish ships, framed by the whorls of sand and storm beyond the Shield Wall.

The storm was a perfect cover for your attack. You had planned it all down to the most finite detail -- the moment the storm arrived, Fremen soldiers would take out the noses of the Emperor's defense convoy, rendering them useless, and then Gurney would shortly after deploy the Atreides family explosives to break open the Wall like an overcooked egg.

"It's not truly an act of nuclear warfare against one of the Houses," Feyd pointed out in the midst of battle strategy, sensing your hesitance. The last thing you wanted was to incite a universe-wide war.

Nerves tremor just beneath your skin. Using your oil lens binoculars, you observe the last of the wedding guests filtering into the Emperor's Hutment, an impressive, pyramid-shape structure that contains legion of Sardaukar. You hoped to interrupt the whole affair before the marriage could be made official, for Irulan's sake. Although she had been the leading force behind the disruption of your failed coup, you still wanted to spare the golden-haired princess from your brother-in-law's beastliness.

Beside you, your husband remains perfectly still. You know from the small flicker of muscle under his eye that he's less than pleased about the next part of your plan -- at your signal, the Fremen would summon the sandworms and lead you into battle. "They're too large and unpredictable," he tried to argue before. You suspected that he just hated relinquishing control to them. Glancing at Feyd from the corner of your eye, you needle your elbow into his side.

"Remember our wedding?"

Truthfully, it hadn't been that long ago, though it felt like centuries had since passed.

"Of course," he replies, dark gaze sliding to you.

"A lot has changed."

"I disagree."

You let your amusement color your voice. "How so?"

"We're still together, still exacting revenge against our enemies." Feyd's attention returns towards the distance, but his fingers brush over yours. "Only the circumstances have changed. But never my devotion to you."

"A comforting thought," you sigh.

"Whatever happens today, you do not face it alone. You'll never face anything alone again."

Proper etiquette be damned, you capture his hand and give it a squeeze. If the Fremen wanted to complain about the affection between their commanding officers, then you would answer. They still didn't trust you anyway, so what did it matter? The ghost of a smile forms on Feyd's lips.

Just then, a voice crackles in your earpiece. "Storm is predicated to arrive in approximately five minutes." Stilgar. He was part of your forces laying in the sand. Waiting.

Above the howling wind, you swear you hear the notes of a wedding march. There's not much you can make sense of, however, especially when the storm finally does encroach upon you. You're decked in protective gear and safety goggles, but they do little to deter the whirl of sand and tiny pebbles scraping over the exposed skin of your face not covered by fabric. The storm consumes you, envelops you completely. You signal to the Fremen and moments later, in your earpiece, you hear them confirm that they've taken out the noses of the Starship Lighter and it's convoy.

"Gurney," you say, raising your voice.

At the Shield Wall there's a fleeting, pregnant pause as you wait for the explosives to ignore and, when they do, you're in awe at the display of power, blowing a hole in the Wall wide enough for your forces but not large enough to immediately garner attention. And certainly not with the storm raging, masking your efforts.

Overwhelmed by the sight and sheer weight of your intentions, the cry that leaves your throat is not any word but rather a rallying scream. It gets your point across all the same. Dum. Dum. Dum. Around you the Fremen summon the sandworms with carefully spaced thumpers, a heartbeat beneath the sand.

And then a thunderous rumbling joins the sand and the storm, and the sandworms crest over the dunes, answering the calls of the thumpers. Like the fins of shark slicing through rough waves, the sandworms announce their approach, and soon you're rising unsteadily to your feet and squashing the alarm in your head. You've never ridden a sandworm before, but you were thoroughly vetted by the others. Disbelief spirals in you as you burst into a sprint, arms pumping. You might as well have been running into the abyss. You can't see anything in the pummeling storm but you sense Feyd nearby. Without warning, the rumbling grows louder and the ground disappears beneath your feet and you've crossed the point of no return. You're flying, weightless, until the sandworm's segmented body rushes beneath you and you crash into it.

Distantly, you know that you need to grab hold of it before you fall. Gloved fingers scramble for purchase, but the rough skin slides away from you. You panic. You should've insisted upon practicing, you should've listened to Feyd --

A strong arm wraps around your middle, tucks you closer. Filled with relief, you manage to tilt your head up and catch Feyd's profile amidst the howling storm. He holds you tight.

The sandworm forges ahead, carries you over the shattered Wall. You manage to your feet as you pass the barrier, and notice several things all at once -- the Starship Lighter stalling, then the flight tiny black specks in the sky, Sardaukar transport ships.

"There's so many," you breathe. It looks like a swarm of flies over a corpse, attracted to the promise of violence and death.

On the ground, expertly dodging the path of the sandworms, Feyadkin slash through the Emperor's defenses. There's only a handful of his soldiers, a predecessor to Sardaukar ships, but you're proud to see the Fremen holding their own. It was clear from your time during field missions that they fought extremely well, but you had never seen it unfold at such a grand scale. Even with the surge of Sardaukar landing they never falter, pushing closer and closer to the Hutment.

"There's fights for us yet," Feyd yells over the cacophony of sound. You're both holding on for dear life as you're catapulted over the outskirts of Arrakeen.

You yell back, "I want to be down there with them!"

He nods but doesn't respond. Feyd is in rare form -- completely focused on the task at hand, every fiber of his being concentrated, tense, waiting to strike. It emboldens you. A jolt of adrenaline pulses through you, heady with the knowledge of your flawless execution. You would not fail this time. You had no other option.

The army of sandworms arc for the Hutment. Lasgun blasts ricochet off their tough outer shell. You brace yourself for the impact of the Hutment's flank, the rapid-fire sound of battle joining the terrible crunching of the worms through metal. Squeezing your eyes shut, you flinch as debris scatters, the soldiers within crying out in surprise. But you're unharmed. You exchange a glance with Feyd as you both disembark, weapons bared, sliding off the massive sides of the creatures and landing with a thud on the ground.

There's something sickeningly sweet about the release of energy, of months and months of pent-up anger. You waste no time launching towards the closest Sardaukar. It's a dance, really. You lead, aiming for his leg, then dancing back when he tries to overpower you. The feel of your blade slicing through his armor and into his abdomen shouldn't delight you as it does. Mind singing, thrilled, you remove the blade and whirl it on the next soldier. Bodies moving, pushing and pulling, the coppery smell of blood heavy in the air, all underscored by a symphony of blades and flesh. Despite yourself, you grin.

The plan is to forge a path to the main ceremony. You and the Fremen carve through the Sardaukar, artists in your own right, cutting through stone, through bone, years of injustice the instrument of your work, the brush in the hand of the master.

And at the center of it all, Feyd-Rautha.

The former na-Baron fends off his opponents with a preternatural grace, enacting his violence with deliberation. Blood splatters his alabaster skin. There's not one footstep that he misplaces, not a trace of hesitation, as if he anticipates each move of the Sardaukar before then can even decide it for themselves. Your chest swells with affection as you catch glimpses of him in the frenzy. You've never been more grateful to have him by your side, at your command.

Your blade finds the throat of an enemy, retracts, finds the heart of another. There's a faint protest in your muscles -- it's been too long since you've fought this intensely. If you ever had. No amount of training could prepare you for this slaughter.

As if sensing this, Feyd draws closer until you're back to back, his twin daggers slicing. His presence is like the warmth of the sun. There's no need for words. If he lunges, you feign; he cuts, and you thrust. It's quite romantic, how he handles this, not a lapse in faith but rather a reinforcement of your combined strength.

You strike out with your boot to the closest soldier, connecting with their solar plexus. He crumples and you've just reached out to slam the handle of your dagger into the back of his head when his companion snatches your wrists and twists viciously. You cry out. The dagger clatters to the ground. Without missing a beat, Feyd sweeps closer, bending nearly into a curtsey. You grab his thigh to steady yourself and lean back into him, lifting up your foot and kicking it into the soldier that unarmed you. He stumbles, surprised. Feyd dispatches his current opponent in a series of well-placed jabs, then spins you around to give you enough time to recover. You reclaim one of the fallen soldiers' weapons. While he takes care of that soldier, you attack the others flooding towards you.

You fight with everything in you. You're not only fighting for the Fremen but for yourself, your family.

When there's finally a lull, you catch Feyd snarling into the face of a Sardaukar before stabbing his blade into its eye. The man spits out a splash of blood, the collapses into his arms. Feyd, cradling the man like a sleeping child, murmurs something in his ear. He lays him down and once he's back to his normal height, flicks out a tongue to wipe away most of the blood from around his mouth. Noticing you watching, he flashes you a rare grin.

"Red is your color," you tell him. The Fremen fighters pick over the bodies, waiting for your command.

"It's a nice change." His are bright against the carnage on his face. "Are you ready to ruin a wedding, my jewel?"

The upper levels of the Hutment are mostly vacant. A team of Fremen clear the area and eliminate any lurking Sardaukar. Music swells as you climb. When you reach the enormous double doors at the topmost floor, there's a line of soldiers waiting for you.

You bristle. The soldiers aim their weapons. "Turn away now," one of them command, "and we won't kill you all."

"We didn't come all this way just to be frightened by you," a Fremen hisses in reply. The soldier fires a blast that strikes the Fremen in the shoulder. Anger flushes you. The rest of your army charges the soldiers at the door.

While they exuded confidence, it hardly took any time at all to have them all on the ground, either dead or moaning in pain.

Surely the ceremony had heard the fighting outside. The doors are fortified, but it only takes a few carefully placed shots from one of the soldiers' lasguns to blast it open. Metal creaks and slides across the floor, heralding your entrance. You step through the rubble.

As expected, it's a beautiful ceremony, dripping with elegance. There's swaths of white lace around the hall and candles flickering in the golden braziers. The guests are dressed in their finest, suits and expensive dresses rustling as they whirl around. And, at the far end of the hall, stand Rabban and Irulan. The sight of Irulan stuns you -- she looks ethereal in her white gown and intricate veil and headdress. Rabban, on the other hand, looks like a monster stuffed into a suit.

His face morphs into one of pure rage. "WHAT?"

You can't imagine how you all look, bloodied and sandy, tanned by months in the sun. Feyd steps to your side.

"Hello, brother. Uncle. I'm afraid that you forgot our invitations. We didn't want to miss out on such a...joyous occasion." Feyd dips his chin to Irulan like this is all incredibly normal. "You look beautiful."

Irulan stifles what you imagine is a smirk.

"What is this? What are you doing here?" From near the front of the guests, the Baron floats into the air, a menacing image in all black.

"We've come to take back what's rightfully ours," you reply.

"Guards --" the Baron begins to order, but he's interrupted by the man at his feet.

"Stand down."

The Emperor doesn't look at all like the oil paintings you've seen of him. He's surprisingly small, hunched over like he's trying to fold in on himself. White hair sparsely covers his head. But it's his eyes -- deep-set and fiercely intelligent that startle you.

"You must be Leto's daughter. I've heard many things about you," he says, voice measured. "You're very brave, coming here today."

You hiss. "What do you know about bravery?"

You didn't need to explain yourself. He had been the one, after all, to orchestrate the fall of your House. Your father. In your chest your heart pangs, but you don't let the emotion translate onto your face.

"It's flattering, that you've done all of this just to speak to me." The Emperor sweeps out his arm, cloaked in a sleeve that drags on the floor. The silence in the hall is suffocating.

"It's not like I had any other opportunities," you say, "you were strangely absent at my wedding and any other function. You prefer to control everything from the shadows, don't you?"

"Why haven't you had them arrested for treason?" The Baron cries, huge form quivering with anger.

"We just want to talk," Feyd speaks up.

"Talk," the Baron spits, "you could've sent a message."

The Emperor turns his gaze to his daughter, who's staring at him expectantly. She drops Rabban's hands. He motions for her. "Irulan, my darling, come here. The ceremony will be...postponed."

Rabban storms down the altar's stairs after Irulan. "You can't ruin this wedding! I was going to be next in line for the Emperorship!"

"Don't put me in the ground yet, Rabban," the Emperor growls.

Rabban doesn't even have the decency to look ashamed.

"If you want to talk, then," the Emperor says, "talk."

You don't see any reason to mince your words. You thrust your chin into the air as you demand, "Step down from the throne."

Silence follows. A thin, brittle laugh leaves the Emperor, who's regarding you with a newfound interest. The guests chuckle nervously in return.

"And why would I do that, child?"

"We've dismantled your ship. You can't leave until you agree to our terms."

The Emperor's smile is lethal. "If you haven't noticed, we have an entire armada pointed at our ship. Unless you want to risk the lives of your men and everyone on Arrakeen, then you will stand down."

"I wouldn't do that if I was you," Feyd growls.

Your secret weapon.

"We've seized control of the spice mills. Of your spice sources. If anything happens to us, I'll give the signal to destroy them all."

This time, an uneasy rumble descends over the crowd. Not only would you deplete an export of spice, but the Guild Navigators wouldn't be able to pilot the ships without sufficient spice. The entire armada, including the Emperor and his Hutment, would be stuck permanently on Arrakis.

The Baron glares at you. "You wouldn't."

"I would." You shrug. "I do not obsess over it such as you."

"And what do you propose? That I just hand my crown over to you?"

The Emperor stands calmly besides his daughter, whose facial expression you can't quite read. You regard him thoughtfully. "Yes."

"This is absurd," he seethes.

"Just say the word, and I'll destroy the spice mills. All of them."

A moment passes, the few seconds before your world tilts on its axis. You don't see the poison dart, or hear it. It buries into your shoulder with surprisingly subtlety, cementing it's existence with a rush of heat in your bloodstream. You look at it, shocked. You waver.

Chaos explodes in the hall. The Emperor whips around to the Baron, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

It's been too long. You haven't dosed on poisons since your accident, not the kind embedded in the dart's needle-like tip.

You have just enough clarity to see Feyd transform in an instant, the image of a dignified soldier ripped away into the face of a beast. His face crumples. He roars, the sound tearing through the ruckus. Darkness floods the edges of your vision. As you stumble back, one of the Fremen catch you in her arms. Chani's voice washes over you, your name, over and over. "Stay awake!"

You have a feeble hold on reality, teetering in and out of your grasp. The hall erupts with screams. Flashes of Feyd dominate your fading vision. He's slashing through the wedding guests, snarling, effortlessly working his way towards the front of the hall. You squeeze your eyes shut. You try to focus on the poison, swimming in your veins with an unrelenting ferocity, and imagine yourself directing it out of your body. It can't end. Not like this.

All of your anger, you desperation, bubbles to the surface. In an effort to rid yourself of it, you push all of these feelings towards the poison, a defensive measure that feels too absurd to work.

The Fremen have joined Feyd in his rampage, shouting about Muad'dib -- about you. Violence swirls all around.

You can feel the poison retreating, shrinking in on itself like a cowering animal. A terrified shriek rings out and your attention wavers slightly, redirected towards the front of the hall, where Feyd is locked in combat with his brother, who is trying to defend the Baron. The Emperor and Irulan have been seized by two Fedaykin, the former who thrashes angrily. Irulan's eyes are on you.

Her fingers twitch and, even in your drugged state, you understand what she's telling you. You mean to bring peace.

Let me, you sign back, please.

She nods, delicate chin dipping. Irulan shrugs off the Fedaykin, suggesting that she had just been letting them restrain her, then raises both of her hands. "CEASE!"

The Voice reverberates through the hall. Such a powerful display -- you had never seen anyone command so many at once. But the weapons all clatter to the ground, the movements stilling. Everyone but one, it seems.

Feyd steps around Rabban, who has frozen in place. He leaps onto a pew and pushes off the back, launching himself upward onto the Baron. The Gom Jabbar glints in his fist. The sound of the needle jabbing into his fat neck echoes, the subsequent fall of the patriarch, crashing onto the floor and twitching with great enthusiasm until he finally lays still. Feyd steps away from the mass of his uncle.

"Irulan!" The Emperor yells, horrified. "What are you doing?"

"He sent the call for the poison dart. There didn't need to be more violence," Irulan hisses in reply.

The Emperor growls at the Fedaykin. "Unhand me!"

"Father, stop." She's not using The Voice, but her tone is powerful enough without. "No more fighting. No more betrayal. Whatever she has to say, you will listen."

Residue of poison still lurking in your veins, you do your best to pull yourself into a respectable position. Feyd relaxes slightly. You fix a stare at the Emperor. "You will revoke your claim on the crown."

Irulan glares at her father. He sags, defeated. "I...I relinquish my control to you."

"Not to me," you say, "but your daughter." The golden-haired princess startles, blinking at you. You continue, "She is deserving of the title. And my husband and I will work in tandem with her as the Duke and Duchess of both Arrakis and Giedi Prime. I appoint Stilgar as the Governor to rule in our place when we are away."

It's not something you've talked about before, but you know in that moment that it's the right decision. You find his face in the gathered crowd and he nods his agreement.

This proposal surprises the Emperor, but he softens as he looks at his daughter. She nearly shines in her white dress, a celestial being, a slant of light falling over her. "Fine," he says. His shoulders shake slightly. "And what will you do with me? My supporters?"

"They will either swear their fealty to Emperess Irulan or die. As for you," you say, anger flaring, "you will be taken prisoner to answer for your crimes against the House Atreides. Against Arrakis and it's people and everyone else you have ever impacted."

“Prisoner.” The Emperor’s upper lip curls.

“Unless you want to die with the others who won’t swear their fealty?” You ask.

“Just go with them,” Irulan tells her father. The words for now go unspoken. You ignore this. Unlike the Baron, whose body lays at the altar, he won’t get such an easy escape.

The Fremen start collecting the wedding guests, herding them through the hall and back into the Hutment. You informed them earlier to lead any resisters to the palace — you looked forward to reclaiming it again. The last few people are escorted from the hall when the chanting starts.

“Muad’dib! Akrab! Muad’dib! Akrab!”

Hope buoys inside you. The Emperor brushes past you, and you shout, “Empress Irulan!”

The chant shifts to her name, until all three of your names are lifted to the sky like an offering.

Feyd eventually orders them to leave, to prepare the palace for your arrival. They don’t question him, which leaves you both alone in the hall. It’s the first time that you’ve really looked at him since this morning. He’s soaked in blood, and there’s a bruise forming on his cheek, but you’ve never seen him look so beautiful before.

He’s a physical manifestation of everything you’ve done, what you’ve done for each other.

“Jewel —”

You run to him.

Feyd crashes into you, arm coiling around your middle and pulling you into him, his mouth bruising yours. He’s damp with blood, the smell of copper flooding your senses. Despite it all, you groan, clambering to get as close to him as you can. His hand moves to cup the back of your head as his tongue drives past your lips, hungrily seeking you out. Desire pulses through you. When he crumbles to his knees, he takes you with him, lowering you onto him.

You straddle him. Beneath you, he is a righteous angel, the smears of blood on the floor like crimson wings.

“Take these off,” he rasps, tugging at your clothes, “now.”

It’s not easy, but you manage, hovering over him as you peel off your armor and underclothes, then finally your underwear. Feyd watches intently as you pull the material down your hips and over your thighs, his calloused hands grabbing at you, gaze roaming over every new inch of exposed flesh. Impatient, a growl rumbles in his chest, and he pulls you down onto him. He smears streaks of crimson on your breasts as he works his thumb over your stiff nipples, taking the other in his mouth and sucking, teeth grazing.

You inhale sharply. With fervor, you grind your hips into him, desperate for friction. Feyd pushes up into you. His cock, straining at his pants, rubs against your center. Eager, you roll with him, his pupils blown as he watches you, fingers digging into your hips and guiding your movement.

There’s something wild about him in this moment. Feyd is laid bare, bloodied and violent, plush lips parted. And you somehow love him more like this than you ever have, stripped of any pretenses or expectations, just dangerous and ugly and raw — and he’s seen every corner of your own darkness and never flinched away.

Suddenly aware that he’s overly dressed, you begin tugging at his armor until he gets the hint and helps the process, muscles flexing as he pulls it over his head and discards it nearby. You can’t help it, you slide your hands over his chest and down his stomach. When you reach the waistband of his pants, he inhales through his teeth, cock twitching and sending a pulse to your cunt. “Such a dirty whore,” he teases you, “so eager for my cock, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” you breathe, fumbling for the latch.

“You want it inside you?”

You squirm in anticipation. “Yes.”

Feyd pushes your hands away. He manages to shed his pants in a single movement and kick them to the side, revealing his long, thick cock to your gaze. Your cunt clenches. Feyd rocks you forward slightly then fists his cock, giving it a few languid strokes before guiding it into you. You sink into him, shivering with the pleasure of him, warm and filling, and crying out when he drives impossibly deep inside you, splitting you open.

You rock deeper, pain erupting in your knees from the hard floor as you spread your legs to take him. And he fucks into you with blinding intensity, slamming into you up to the hilt, drawing out an embarrassing amount of gasps and squeaks from you. You feel as if you might be on fire, seared by his passion, body aching with every thrust, trembling with the force of him. He hisses and a look of pure lust, pure concentration, crosses his handsome face, brows furrowed, breath sawing from chest with the effort. Feyd snarls — actually snarls — and pumps into you harder, faster, hips snapping at a speed that dizzies you.

“Fuck, Feyd,” you hiss, “you feel so good.”

“Shut up,” he growls. As if in punishment, he throws you off him and now you’re beneath him and he’s looming over you, burning fiercely with passion. Feyd grabs each of your ankles and lifts your lower body so that you’re exposed to him, then spears into you fully. You cry out.

Pleasure shoots through you with each jolt. Overcome with it all, with him, your head rolls to the side. Only a few feet away, the body of Vladimir Harkonnen lays in a heap. You stiffen in shock — how had you forgotten?

A rough hand grabs your face, forces you to look straight into the eyes of Feyd-Rautha. “Keep your fucking eyes on me.”

He’s adjusted your position to do this, to keep you staring at him even as your emotions surge and tears spring to your eyes, propping one of your legs onto his shoulder. Feyd applies pressure to your clit, smearing more blood on your lower belly, massaging and rolling your most sensitive spot as he ruts into you over and over, building with his own desire.

You lose all sense of time, of yourself. You might as well have been spiraling out of control, stuck in weightless suspension. All you focus on is him. Feyd-Rautha. Former na-Baron. Your husband. He’s the center of your world. And when you come you wail his name like a prayer, Feyd follows shortly after, pumping his seed inside you.

You lay like that for some time, entwined, panting and trying to catch your breath. Once you’ve mustered enough clarity, you ask, “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” There’s no trace of turmoil or regret in his dark eyes. “Are you?”

“Fine,” you repeat back to him. You touch the spot at your shoulder where the flip dart had been embedded. “I don’t know what happened.”

“Perhaps it was leftover tolerance.”

“Perhaps.” Admittedly, you don’t want to think about how you had practically willed the poison away. You don’t want to think about anything. Frankly, you just want a hot shower.

As if reading your mind, Feyd says, “There’s a celebration waiting for us at the palace.”

“I know,” you sigh. Both of you collect your clothes, leaving your armor where it is. There’s a strange calm that’s settled itself around your shoulders. When you finish dressing, you catch Feyd glaring at the Baron. You touch his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He tears his gaze away. “It happened so…easily.”

“I can’t say that I’m sorry you did it.”

“He hurt you.” Feyd’s face closes like a fist. “After all this time, I thought — nevermind what I thought. He can’t hurt anyone again.” He starts towards the door, leaving you to scurry after him. You know he’s more anguished about the situation than he’s willing to share, but you’ll wait to wrest the truth from him.

For now, you just want to be with him.

As he expected, the celebration is raging at the palace, Fremen and other Arrakeen residents brimming out in the heat-scorched courtyard and within the corridors. They congratulate you and pat you on the back as you pass by, their previous animosity forgotten in the post-battle victory.

You smile warily at them and do your best to appear as ecstatic as they are. You can’t believe that you’ve done it, that you’ve found an unlikely ally in Princess Irulan. Without her, you’re not sure that you would’ve achieved what you did — taking control of the Known Universe, seating its positions of power with those that you trust. The first thing you do is seek out the golden-haired princess who, despite having just been crowned Empress, is found by herself nursing a drink.

“It’s about time,” Irulan says with an inkling of amusement. She takes in your disheveled state, smeared with blood, but thankfully doesn’t comment on it. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was the right choice,” you say, sidling beside her.

“My Father won’t go down without a fight.”

“So we’ll fight.” You lift a shoulder. “Thank you. For what you did.”

“I owe you, from before. I’m sorry —”

You reach out and squeeze her hand. “Don’t be. We’re allies now. Friends.”

Irulan smiles. “Friends.”

Speaking of friends. You hear a familiar voice call your name, prompting you to whirl around in surprise. “Asha?”

“You’re here! You’re alive!” Your old friend sweeps you into her arms. She looks thin, thinner than you’ve seen her, but her eyes are glowing.

“What happened to you?” You ask. You can’t properly parse out all of the emotions that are crashing into you. When you left her behind —

Asha withdraws, holding you at arms length. “I was taken by the Baron. They kept me prisoner here. They released us, though, once they found us. The Fremen.” She smiles. “I can’t believe it. I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again.”

You hug her again. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’m glad that you’re okay, Asha.”

And, for the first time in a very long time, everything seemed to be perfect. At least, as perfect as they could be. Asha joined you at the table beside Irulan, who you promptly introduced; across the room Feyd kept his gaze trained on you, winking when you catch his eye.

You wanted to preserve that moment, contain it to later be marveled. You had done so much to get here — if only you knew how much more you would have to endure.

A/N 2.0: Did anyone catch my TLJ reference?👀 Also, Jewel's brief happiness before her life falls apart

Taglist:

@moonsoulk @heartarianagran @torchbearerkyle @taleah @mamawiggers1980 @jovialeggsbailiffsoul @avidreader73 @unicorntrooper @beebeechaos @kamcrazy123 @wo-ming-bai @m-indkiller @sp4ceboo @dacreshoney @stopeatread @therealslimshady-1 @aoi-targaryen @psychoffin @lauratang @austinswhitewolf @bloodyziggy @aleemendoza2425-blog @forgedfromthestars @lovemyselfyay

[zaebeecee]

“Your ship will never be canon.”

Yeah, you’re right, and I’m well aware of that. And I hate to be the one to tell you this, but neither will yours. The canonicity of ships is a garbage metric by which to measure the validity of said ships, because if your ship isn’t canon, it will probably always be non-canon.

Unless your ship is already currently canon, or unless the characters were expressly created to be a romantic ship, it is incredibly unlikely that they will ever be made canon. Are there exceptions? Sure, but these are incredibly rare, and they generally only happen in media that have low to zero corporate oversight where the authors can change direction based on fan opinion with little to no hassle.

Have these characters been stated to be best friends? Then, canonically speaking, they will always be best friends.

Have these characters been stated to be rivals? Then, canonically speaking, they will always be rivals (and if the rivalry peters out, they will become friends who snipe at each other, or they will never speak to each other again).

Have these characters been stated to hate each other? Then, canonically speaking, they will always hate each other (see above).

This is, of course, not to say you shouldn’t ship them. Ship whoever you want! But canon should play a role in absolutely nothing except characterization when it comes to your fanfics, fanart, AUs, and anything else you decide to make.

“But the team said they would be canon!” Did they, though? Or did they make a statement that contained words that could be used to imply they would be canon? Because that second one is a combination of wishful thinking and putting words in the team’s mouths.

“But everyone ships them!” I guarantee you they don’t and not everyone in your fandom would be happy to see your ship become canon, no matter how big the shipping base is. And everyone in the fandom, from people who ship the biggest non-canon pairing to people who ship a rarepair that literally only they ship, deserve the freedom to ship whatever they want.

“But the actors ship them!” That’s nice; it tells you that you have the same opinion as the people with the most intimate understanding of those characters. It’s also not relevant to the writing of the story.

“But I can’t ship them if they’re not canon!” That kinda sounds like a personal problem, buddy.

If you can’t enjoy something in a fandom until it’s been declared canon, you’re not going to enjoy being in any fandom. And you definitely aren’t doing yourself or anyone else any favors by bullying other people who like different things from you.

[layla4567]

Valentine's day is for fools

Pairing: Sanji x Fem!reader

Warnings: Cigarette and smoke mention, y/n use, not proof read

Summary: You hate Valentine's Day, you think it's stupid and a waste of time. For you it is just another day and you have never celebrated it. Will it be different this time?

Valentine's Day, pfft, what absurdity. Always the same, a couple of caresses, words of love and then you end up with a broken heart. It's been a long time since you went out with guys because you were afraid of another disappointment. Of course it was something difficult, being part of the going merry you inevitably had to run into the cook Sanji, the flirtatious Sanji, the handsome and irritably sweet Sanji.

Nope, it wasn't going to be easy with those around you. Always flirting shamelessly but sweet at the same time. You didn't want to fall in love, not again. Furthermore, you knew that the blonde's compliments were not sincere since he did the same thing to every woman he came across. The last straw is that today was Valentine's Day so Sanji would be clingier than usual and what you feared most was that he would ask you out.

Sitting on a barrel you drummed angrily against the wood of the ship's railing. Luffy, who was sitting on the big sheep, jumped down and asked you what was wrong.

"Nnothing, I'm perfectly fine"-you said, clearly irritated.

Luffy would not give up, he did not like to see his crew discouraged. Without thinking twice, he sat next to you, smiling, ready to know what had you like this, or at least make you laugh.

"Come on! You know you can tell me anything"

Yes, you knew that very well. Captain Luffy was a great friend and confidant, you could always trust him but you still preferred to keep your secrets and emotions to yourself. As you seemed hesitant to respond he spoke.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it but I promise to do whatever I can to cheer you up, okay?"

Oh of course I would. He was the best at doing that. You looked at him moved and smiling animatedly.

"Hey! Also today is Valentine's Day, isn't that exciting?"

Enough. It only took mentioning that for your smile to magically disappear and your frown to return. You rolled your eyes and got up snorting to leave there.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"-Luffy exclaimed with his arms open, visibly confused.

You stomped towards the kitchen just as Sanji left to smoke a while. You accidentally bumped your shoulder and he turned his head to look at you. He was going to ask you why you were so angry but you left so quickly that he didn't have time. Sanji approached Luffy leaning on the railing.

"Do you know what's wrong with (y/n)?"-Sanji said taking a drag on his cigarette.

The straw hat captain shrugged his shoulders and moved closer to the cook.

"I have no idea, he got like that when I mentioned that today was Valentine's Day."

"Today is Valentine's Day?"

Luffy was surprised, it was strange that the most flirtatious crew member didn't know when it was precisely the day when he should flirt more.

"You really didn't know?"

"I should have forgotten…I have so many things to cook"-He just shrugged his shoulders.

Obviously Sanji knew that today was Valentine's Day, he just feigned ignorance because he was preparing something for (y/n) but he wanted it to be a surprise. Although now with your bad mood he wasn't so sure if it would be a good idea, it seemed like you didn't like Valentine's Day very much and he didn't know why.

୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧

Later at lunch everyone was sitting at the table while the blonde boy served the food and drinks. Your frustration had not calmed down, it had even gotten worse since the other members had no better topic of conversation than Valentine's Day.

"Hey, did you know that today is Valentine's Day?"-Ussop said, raising his eyebrows, smiling.

"For me it's just another day…"-Zoro said.

Thanks Zoro, finally someone who thinks like me

"It doesn't matter, we have never celebrated it"-Nami said

"Why not celebrate now? It would be fun. What do you think (y/n), do you have a lover in mind?"-Luffy asked happily with the intention of joining the conversation.

In astonishment you spit out the drink you were drinking, splashing the table. God, Luffy didn't know how to be subtle. Sanji came to the rescue with a kitchen rag and wiped the table while he filled your glass.

"Actually today is the day of love and friendship. Love can be shown in many ways not only for lovers"-Sanji said as he winked at you.

You thanked him stuttering and with a red face avoiding his gaze. Everyone noticed that you had become uncomfortable and an awkward silence settled at the table. Luffy felt a little guilty but soon everyone changed the topic of conversation. After eating you sighed towards the upper deck looking at the sky and the sails fluttering, Zoro, silent as a mouse, slowly approached you.

"Are you ok?"

You jumped a little on the spot, you hadn't heard him approach.

"Geez Zoro! You scared me.."

He smiled sideways and stood next to you. Zoro was the quietest and most reserved of the crew, he was almost always alone so it seemed strange to you that he was with you now. He didn't say anything, he was simply content to look at the sea like me. I appreciated his presence and his silence, without wanting to impose anything, just accompanying me. Suddenly in a burst of confidence you said

"Love sucks"

He looked at you "Is that why you were like this today?"

You nodded. "Let's just say my love life isn't very successful."

"I hate to agree with Sanji but he's right. Love isn't just for lovers. There are people here who love you and not in a romantic way."

You looked at him amazed. You didn't know Zoro could be so…philosophical. Despite his beautiful words, you decided to tease him affectionately.

"Are you meaning that you love me?"

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever, you know what i mean"

"Yes I know"

You smiled and gave him a small hug, he didn't return it and you expected that. But when you walked away he smiled a little and kicked the ground playfully. You walked away heading to your room reflecting on his words. You also loved that crew and not in a romantic way.

୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧

That night in your room you were resting in your hammock reading a fantasy book when you heard knocking on your door, you got up to open it and found a smiling face with blue eyes.

"Hello love, sorry for interrupting you, I just wanted to show you something."

Oh no, you had a feeling that he would ask you something you would regret. You shook your head in fear.

"Sanji, if it has anything to do with this stupid day, I-"

The blonde-haired man, still smiling, delicately took you by the hands.

"(y/n) I don't know why you hate Valentine's Day so much and I won't ask you because I know it's none of my business, but I'm asking you to please give me a chance to tell you something. When I said that Valentine's Day was Valentine's Day, love and friendship, I meant it. I love you more than anything, more than the sun and the stars themselves, but I understand that you are not ready to receive all this love and I understand it, that's why I tell you that I love you like a friend. But if at some point you give me the opportunity to love you as it really should be, you would be more to me than All Blue."

Your eyes began to water and your throat closed with emotion. His words moved you to the deepest part of your being and you gave him the warmest of smiles.

"Now, will you let me show you what I have for you?"

You nodded and he guided you by the hand towards the door of his room. He went in for a few seconds and then came back out with something in his hand. When you gave it to you you saw that it was a beautiful moonstone ring.

"I remember that you said that you liked minerals and precious stones and that your favorite was moonstone. And since I know that you don't like extravagant gifts or surprises, I decided to buy you this"

You covered your mouth with your hand, admiring the white stone that seemed to shine with its own light. If Sanji could remember little details like that maybe all was not lost. The cook grabbed your hand and slid the ring onto your index finger. You raised your hand happily looking at your new gift. Then you looked at him and saw his ocean eyes shine with love. You decided that maybe you could give it a try.

"Thank you Sanji, you have made me very happy today"

You gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, then you whispered in his ear.

"I don't feel ready to love you any other way and it may take time but in the meantime, will you wait for me?"

He smiled understandingly "I'll wait a lifetime for you if I have to and when you're ready I'll be here, I promise."

୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧

Happy valentine's day smooch

[mandos-mind-trick]

The Video - Part 2

Summary: You and Cody race to do damage control after his mistake.

Pairing: Commander Cody x reader

Warnings: Lots of mentions of a sex tape, excessive use of the word ass, men being gross (not clones though they're gentlemen...well...most of them), may give you secondhand embarrassment, fluff, a tiny bit of angst, feelings, okay it's mostly a crackfic more than anything else

A/N: Whatever aligned in the universe that allowed me to pump out 4k words today after a week of nothing, bless you. The long awaited sequel. I decided not to add in smut since it didn't really feel right. It's kinda serious with lots of jokes thrown in to lighten it up. Also a few hints at some...things, so...if you can figure those out then cookies for you!!

< Previous | MASTERLIST

You hit him with surprising strength. Maybe it was the anger burning through you, or perhaps it was the shock he had to be feeling that left him so vulnerable and allowed for you to force him into the supply closet rather easily. 

“What the fuck did you do?” You hiss at him under your breath as soon as the door closes. 

He’s standing there, wide eyed and lips parted as he tries to process what he had just seen. You’re angry. Beyond angry. It burns through you red hot, heating your entire body so much you feel like you’re standing next to an open fire. Shame also burns through you, fueling the fire. The entire GAR has seen parts of you that were meant to be kept private. Though it would be impossible for anyone to figure out it was you, the knowledge that likely even GAR command and the Generals have seen you naked by this point is enough to send you spiraling. 

“How the fuck did this happen, Cody?” You breathe, trying to calm yourself enough that you don’t punch the Marshal Commander standing in front of you. 

“I-I don’t know.” He says, running a hand through his hair, brows furrowing in stress. “I swear I dropped it into my private files.” 

“Well, you obviously didn’t!” You snap, not even feeling guilty when he flinches. “Now my bare ass is all over the GAR network.” 

“It’s a nice ass.” He shrugs. 

He nearly folds under your glare. You could probably scare the General with a look like that. 

“Fix this.” You grit out from between your teeth. 

He nods slowly, brain trying to get over the shock of what had happened and formulate a plan at the same time. “Right. I can access the GAR servers and delete the video. That will prevent anyone from accessing it and downloading it. Of course, if it’s already been downloaded, then that’s going to pose an issue.” 

“Yeah? Figure that out too.” You take a deep breath, holding it for a moment before you let it out. “I’m going to go do my job and when I’m done, that video better be history.” You command. 

He has half a mind to salute you, but you might actually hit him. 

***

You hate it. Every person you pass, clone or civilian, on the way from the barracks to the hangar is a reminder of what happened. They’ve likely all seen the video. You wouldn’t be surprised if it made it past the confines of the GAR and onto the holoweb for anyone in the galaxy to see.

You can just imagine the title it’s been bestowed with. 

“Hot chick bangs clone trooper.” 

“Human girl takes huge clone dick.” 

“Barrack bunny commands clone trooper in bed.” 

“Sexy civilian fucks the brain right out of a Marshal Commander causing him to accidentally upload their sex tape onto the GAR server.” 

You want to scream. You had screamed into your pillow before exiting the barracks. You could scream again. You could scream until you have no voice left. 

You curse hyperspace as you make your way into the hangar. If the ship had still been docked on Coruscant, you might have just packed your bag and deserted the army. Hidden out in the underworld until it was safe for you to emerge. If you emerged at all. Instead you’re stuck on this floating prison hurtling at light speed through hyperspace to its next battle with all of its inhabitants replaying your sex tape over and over. 

You really want to scream as you spot your fellow civilian mechanics all huddled around a datapad. You don’t have to approach to know what they’re watching. Everyone was watching it.

“Hey, have you seen the video?” One of your coworkers asks as you grab a different datapad. 

You fight the inner panic rising. You have to play this cool. Any strange behavior or answer might make them suspicious. “Yeah.” You answer, not looking up. “Who hasn’t?” 

“Kriff, I wish that were me.” Another one says. “She’s so hot!” 

Your hands tighten just a little around the datapad. Being forced into a room of people watching the video was hard enough. The commentary is going to make you snap. 

“Who do you think it is?” Your coworker asks as he leans his arm on your shoulder. 

“Don’t know.” You duck out from under him, nearly making him fall over. “All I’ve heard is it’s probably some barrack bunny.” Saying it nearly has your cheeks burning again. 

“Whoever she is, I’d like to know so I can hit her up, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows, the others all laughing. 

“We have work to do.” You snap, holding up the datapad in your hand. “We have inspections to do and not a lot of time to do them.” 

They all grumble, but they know you’re right. If you can’t get the inspection report to the Admiral in time, you’ll all have hell to pay. 

“You’re awful tense this morning.” Your coworker says as he follows you to the nearest gunship. 

“We have a lot to do before the boys can ship out.” You say. “And you’re sitting around watching porn.” 

“We’re just having fun.” He shrugs. 

“Have fun on shore leave.” You push the datapad into his chest a little too hard. “You’re on duty as soon as you step on this ship.” 

“Obviously not everyone agrees with that.” Another coworker says as he passes by, making everyone laugh. 

You’re fuming. You had thought you could play it cool, but you should have known better. You’re one of the few women on this ship, the others all being medics. Of course they wouldn’t care about some poor girl being broadcast across the GAR for anyone to see, regardless of who it was. 

You should have gone to medical school. 

“Aww man. It’s gone.” Someone complains. 

You step around a gunship out of sight, leaning against the side. You let out a quiet sigh of relief, the tenseness of your shoulders easing. At least Cody had managed that bit. 

“Don’t worry, I downloaded it.” 

The relief is gone.

***

“I know the food’s bad, but I don’t think glaring at it is going to change anything.” 

You nearly jump as a tray is placed next to yours. You look stressed, you know you do. You had barely managed to get through half of the day between your coworkers comments and the video constantly being replayed around you despite it being removed from the server. 

Waxer and Boil seat themselves on either side of you. Two clone troopers you were hoping to avoid. It wasn’t that you didn’t like them. You love Waxer and Boil. They never cease to make you laugh and you consider them your friends. But you know they’re going to want to talk about the video. The last thing you want to do right now is talk about the video. You’re at your limit, and you might do something stupid. 

“The General is calling a meeting later.” Waxer says. “I bet it’s about the video.” 

“I overheard Cody saying all the Legions are holding meetings to talk about it.” Boil says. “Probably gonna come up with some kind of punishment for watching it on duty.” 

Good. You think. At least that way you could avoid it during the work day. Of course, you’ll have to avoid common areas for a while.

“We’ve got a plan, though.” Boil continues. 

Your breath catches in your lungs. Your hand tightens around your fork, the lumps of “food” on your tray looking even less appetizing than they had moments ago. 

“We’re going to figure out who it is.” Waxer says, leaning in close. “We’ve already got some headway in our quest.” 

You take a sip of your drink, wishing it was something much stronger. “Like what?” You ask, cursing the way your voice shakes. 

Boil pulls out a datapad, setting it up right in front of you so all three of you can see. You wish you could be anywhere but here right now he pulls up screenshots of the video. Thankfully they’re zoomed in, any shots of your body, or Cody’s are unrecognizable and blurry. 

Boil flips through screenshot after screenshot. “It’s definitely a commander, whoever it was.” He says. “These are commander's quarters on a starship. And it’s definitely a clone.” He says, flipping through very zoomed in shots of Cody’s lower body. 

“Too bad she’s human. Would have been really easy to figure out who it was if she wasn’t.” Waxer says, wiggling his brows. 

You know what they’re implying. They probably deserve a reprimand for even suggesting it, for speaking about a General and a commander in that way, but you don’t have it in you to scold them. Besides, it’s not exactly a secret that rumors float around about the 327th. 

You can’t say much, you’re fucking a Marshal Commander of the GAR. Well, you were. 

Cody will be lucky if you let him within breathing distance of you ever again. 

“We’re looking at any possible identifying marks on either of them.” Waxer says. “We may be clones, but we do have subtle differences.” 

“Besides, I’m not likely to forget a body like that.” Boil says, whistling lowly as he flips to a screenshot of you on your stomach, the curves of your body very visible from the angle.

You wore your loosest fitting uniform today for that very reason. One less chance of someone staring at you just a little too hard, in the video and in person. 

You just hope Waxer and Boil don’t have that kind of intimate knowledge of Cody’s anatomy. 

“So, what do you say?” Boil asks, pulling you from your thoughts. “You in?” 

You blink at him for a moment. “Oh, uh, I’m kind of busy right now. Inspections and stuff, you know.” You stand, not having touched your food but you haven’t had much of an appetite all day. “But, uh, let me know if you do figure it out?” 

You’d know if they did really figure it out regardless. 

***

You want to cry. You feel like you might as you enter your barracks. The medics are on break, their last moment to get some rest before the guys ship out tomorrow and they begin a long stretch of treating injuries. 

Naturally, they’re all discussing the video. 

Sitting through the meeting with the entirety of the population on The Negotiator had almost been unbearable. You had been squished between Waxer and Boil and their quiet discussion of their investigation hadn’t helped any. They weren’t much closer to figuring out who it was in the video, but they were determined. 

You’re not sure you’ve seen them so determined about anything since the last prank they pulled on Cody. 

You had been able to see Cody from where you were sitting. He had been cool and collected as always, nothing to give any hint at his involvement in the situation. Nothing to hint he was the reason they were having it in the first place. 

You wished you could have that much composure. 

Listening to the General and the Admiral discuss the situation and the video had felt almost demeaning. The shame that had coursed through you was enough to send your head spinning. You had feigned exhaustion, glad it was Boil next to you as you leaned against him for support. 

At least they had banned it from being played on duty or in any common areas. 

The GAR was calling for all datapads to be wiped as well, to remove any downloads or copies of the video that might slip through the cracks. That would have to wait until after the campaign, though. 

You silently thank Cody. As mad as you were at him, he was at least trying to rectify this. You’re not sure you’ll be able to forgive him, or trust him with something like this again, but he was trying. 

“It’s demeaning, just standing around watching things like that.” One of the medics says as you sink down on your thin mattress. It’s far from comfortable, but right now, you’d take anything. 

You’re exhausted from the stress of the day. It feels like it’s been a week, not a few hours since Cody’s mistake. It almost feels surreal now that your homemade sex tape found its way onto the GAR server for anyone to see. For all of the GAR to see. They had seen, even the higher ups. Even the Jedi. 

You lay yourself out, covering your face with the pillow. You wish you could disappear, that some portal might open under your bed and swallow you whole. 

“I can only imagine how your day went.” Your bunk mate says, squeezing your leg. “Alone with all those men in the hangar.” 

“It was nonstop.” You say, lifting the pillow just enough that your words are audible. “All day. Playing it, talking about it.” 

“At least they’re banning it from work spaces.” She says, climbing onto the bunk. “If I have to hear it one more time I’m going to smash all the datapads on this ship.” 

“Whoever she is, she’s one lucky girl.” Someone else says. 

Calls of agreement ring out around the barracks. 

“What I wouldn’t give to bag just one of them, and there’s some lucky lady out there with a commander totally in love with her.” She sighs, dropping dramatically on her bed. 

“How do you know they’re in love?” You ask, removing the pillow from your face. 

“Just by the way they interact.” The girl on the bunk beside yours says. “The way he touches her, the way he moves. He’s down bad for her.” 

You try to keep your cheeks from warming once again. Is Cody in love with you? You had never teased the idea. What you two had was purely physical, good fun and stress release. Nothing more. Or...was it? Even in your roughest, most desperate moments there was a tenderness to Cody when it came to you. You should feel at least a little proud that you made the pinnacle of control that was Marshal Commander Cody so pussy drunk he messed up in the worst way possible, but was there more to it? 

Is Cody in love with you? 

***

You’re half asleep at breakfast. The campaign will begin in a matter of hours. It will be quiet for a while for you at the start before the calls start coming in. Ships coming back for emergency servicing, requests for more ammo, more supplies, more ships, more troops. You’d be in the heat of it in the hangar, and the chances you’d get to rest over the next few weeks were going to be few and far between. 

So were your chances to see Cody. 

You jump as trays hit the table next to you, blinking away the bleariness as you glance between Waxer and Boil. They’re both grinning, mischievous glints in your eyes. You’ve gone the whole two hours you’ve been up without thinking about the video, too tired to put much thought into it, but now...now you’re worried. 

Had they figured it out somehow? 

Waxer sets a datapad in a familiar spot in front of you at the table. He pulls up a screenshot from the video, obviously not deterred by the new rules about having the video in common areas. 

“Look.” Waxer says, pointing to a very blurry, zoomed in screenshot of the side of Cody’s ass. “There’s a mark right there.” 

You squint at the blurry dark spot. You wipe the screen to make sure it’s not something stuck, but it’s not. There is, in fact, a small dark spot on Cody’s ass. You’ve never noticed it before. 

“Okay?” You say, staring at the screen still. 

“I don’t have one of those.” Waxer says. 

“Neither do I. We checked.” Boil continues. “We checked with a few others too. So whoever this is, has a unique spot right on his ass.” 

“And...what do you plan to do with this information?” You ask, looking between them. “Ask every clone commander in the GAR to pull down his pants so you can check for a spot on his ass cheek?” 

Waxer rests his chin on his hand, brows furrowing. “That is going to be a complication.” 

“Besides, how can you be sure it was a commander?” You continue, desperate to get them off the case before either they figured it out, or got in trouble for still having the video and many, many screenshots of it. “How do you know it’s not someone else using the commander’s quarters for more privacy. I wouldn’t want to film in the barracks if it were me.” 

They share a look over your head. “You’re right. This is going to be harder than we thought.” 

You pat their shoulders as you stand, an idea beginning to form in your mind. “Worry about the battle right now. You can do this when you get back.” 

You give them both a smile before you head towards the hangar, your stomach fluttering nervously. You hadn't slept much last night, your thoughts racing, replaying and analyzing every interaction you’ve had with Cody, both private and public. Things you might have overlooked, hidden signs that he harbors more for you than just lust.

You had also come up with a plan, a plan you were determined to enact before he shipped off to the planet where he’d spend what was going to likely be weeks in the heat of battle. He’d be planetside the entire fight, doing his job as commander. 

You nervously rock on your toes as you wait for Cody. You hadn’t warned him you were waiting, hadn’t told him you were going to confront him. He probably had so much to think about, so much to worry about the last thing he needs is an ambush by you, but you have to know. You have to know before you’re stuck worrying for weeks whether or not you’ll ever get to know. 

You all but ram into him, sending him stumbling into a closet as he walks by. It’s nothing but fate that you were alone in the hallway, that no one was walking by or walking with him to prevent this from happening. 

He rights himself as the closet door closes, staring at you with wide eyes. His gaze softens, an almost guilty look crossing his face as he recognizes you. He says your name quietly, the guilt prevalent in his tone. 

“I’m so sorry.” He says, avoiding looking at you. “I should have been more careful. I put us both at risk and then everyone was talking about it all day and I can’t imagine how horrible it was for you to have to listen to that nonstop.” 

“Yeah, it was pretty awful.” You say, swallowing the lump in your throat. 

“I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgive me. I wouldn’t blame you if you said you never wanted to see me again. You didn’t deserve this and it’s not fair to you. I know my apologies don’t mean anything, and it can never totally be undone, but I’ve been trying hard to rectify this and-” 

“Shut up.” You cut him off. You kind of liked him groveling a bit and it was reassuring he at least feels bad for it. You knew it wasn’t intentional. You knew he didn’t mean to do it. You know he feels bad, he’ll likely always feel bad about it. He can save the apologies for later. You need to ask him before you lose your nerve. “Shut up and listen.”

He blinks at you in surprise, but he stays quiet. You’d get one hell of a reprimanding if you ever spoke like that to him outside private spaces. 

You take a breath, staring into those dark eyes. “Do you love me?”

His eyes widen just a bit, lips parting as he takes in your words. It’s bold, asking so directly, but you don’t have a lot of time. He’s shipping out in less than an hour. You could save the fluffy words for when he comes back. 

“Some of the girls in the barracks last night were talking about the video and they said they could tell they love each other just by the way they move. The way you touch me.” You step up closer to him, close enough to touch. “I never noticed it, I never really bothered to. I didn’t think...it was just supposed to be for pleasure, right? But...someone who’s supposed to be just a casual fling isn’t supposed to look at me like that.” 

He gulps, his hand slowly lifting to your arm. His gloved fingers are warm, even through the thick material of your uniform. You know what they feel like against your bare skin. You know how dangerous those hands can be, but you also know how soft they can be. How gentle. 

How loving. 

“It’s a risk.” He finally says, breaking eye contact. “Fraternization of any kind could lead to decommission, even a court-martial. If anyone found out...both of us would get in trouble. It would be an abuse of authority, we could both face consequences...” 

Your stomach starts to sink. He’d never voiced his concerns to you. You knew it was a risk getting involved with him, you knew what would happen if anyone found out. He had never shown any concern for the rules. Perhaps, though, with his mistake, his mind had changed.

“I never cared.” He continues, his fingers trailing up to your shoulder. “It was worth the risk, you were worth the risk. It was supposed to be casual. Nothing more than some stress release. Plenty of others do it.” His hand continues to your neck, cupping the back of it. “It wasn’t supposed to become love.” 

His words take a moment to process in your mind. He loves you. He loves you. It is true. It wasn’t just your mind playing tricks on you, hoping for something more in those glances, in those touches. 

Cody loves you. 

“Cody,” You whisper as he leans down, pressing his forehead against yours. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“I didn’t know how. I wasn’t sure it was what you wanted.” His breath is warm across your face. You’ve been this close before, you’ve been closer before, but none of it had felt like this. “I would happily suffer in silence if it meant I got to keep you forever.” 

You laugh, lifting your hands to cup his face. “You idiot.” Your thumbs rub his cheeks. “I love you too.” 

He closes the distance between you two, kissing you softly. It’s different from the other kisses you’ve shared. The passionate ones, the heated ones in the throes of lust. This one is soft, emotional, full of the unspoken love you both share. 

You hate having to pull away from him as his comm beeps. You hate that you’ve waited this long to notice, this long to say anything. He’s going away to war where the chances of him dying are high, and you’ll be stuck here, helpless to listen to the comms and hope his name doesn’t come up, or his body isn’t delivered on a gunship. 

“Say it.” You whisper, holding him close to you just for a moment longer. 

“I love you.” He says it with such conviction it almost knocks you off your feet. 

A smile tugs at your lips as you release him, letting him adjust himself before you sneak out of the closet. The halls are thankfully empty as everyone is gathering to prepare for shipping out. You wish you could hold his hand as you walk, but it’s too risky. Even if you managed to brush it off as nothing but emotional support for the rapidly approaching campaign, there’s too much going on right now. 

The last thing you need is someone else investigating you two and finding out Cody does, in fact, have a mark on his ass cheek that matches the one in the video. 

“Commander Cody.” 

A voice at the other end of the hall has you both freezing. Your heart drops into your stomach, and your stomach drops through the floors under you and out the bottom of the ship. You both turn, your face probably a painting of guilt and terror as you face General Kenobi. 

“Sir.” Cody salutes him.

You manage a stiff salute as well. 

“We’re deploying in ten minutes.” General Kenobi says. “It’s time for a final gear check.” 

“Yes, sir.” Cody nods, gripping his helmet just a little tighter. 

“Also,” Your hope for a quick retreat is squashed as the General eyes you both. “I would suggest a little more care is used when saving your...personal files.” 

You think you might die on the spot, a nervous sweat breaking out across your entire body. He knows. He knows and you’re about to get fired, or worse, court-martialed. It’s over. It’s over before it even got a chance to start. 

“I will see you in the hangar in eight minutes.” He says before walking past you to the lifts. 

You stare after him in shock. The General knew. He knew it was at least Cody in the video. He hadn’t seemed like he was going to report you, in fact he hadn’t seemed bothered at all. 

You turn to look at Cody wide eyed. “He knows.” 

Cody nods. “Yes. He does.” 

Your gaze moves back to the lifts, your heart pounding rapidly in your chest. You’re not sure you’re going to last with all the stress, and there’s still an entire campaign to get through. 

“Wait-” You hold your hand out before Cody can walk away. “How exactly did he know it was you?” 

Cody’s lips lift in a smirk, his shoulder lifting in a shrug. “No idea. Must be a Jedi thing.” 

You squint your eyes at his back as he makes his way to the lifts. “Yeah, a ‘Jedi thing.’” 

***

Everyone is exhausted. You can feel it in the air without even having to look at anyone. Even those of you that hadn’t seen any combat were feeling it, your own feet dragging as you move through the mess line. You need a long sleep and a few stiff drinks before you’ll even begin to feel back to normal. Everyone is moving slowly, bodies slumped over trays at tables, some having even fallen asleep sitting up. 

You drag yourself to the table Cody is sitting at, taking the seat across from him. You stare down at the “food” on your tray, none of it appetizing but you are hungry. 

You also haven’t heard mention of the video in weeks. 

It’s been a nice break, everyone too focused on staying alive and keeping others alive to make any mention of it. Things have settled and before long some other controversy will start and most of them will forget it ever happened. 

Two trays hit the table on either side of you, making you jump. You glance to both sides as Waxer and Boil take their seats next to you. They both look tired, but they also look disappointed. 

“What happened to you two?” You ask, looking between the two pouting clones. 

“Someone deleted all our research.” Boil says. “Every last screenshot and file is gone.” 

You pout in sympathy, patting his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you put a lot of work into that.” 

He nods. “We were so close. Now it was all for nothing.” 

You glance across at Cody’s raised eyebrow, giving him a sly wink before you go back to comforting the two dejected clones. 

Taglist:

@kaminocasey, @rosechi @mxkyrie @bobaprint @star-trekker-0013 @padawancat97 @bamfahsoka @rain-on-kamino @thrawnspetgoose @lune-de-miel-au-paradis @wolffegirlsunite @dukeoftheblackstar @starrylothcat @blueink-bluesoul @freesia-writes @anxiouspineapple99 @wings-and-beskar @dystopicjumpsuit @littlemissmanga @madameminor @eris-k @clio3kantarella @moonlightwarriorqueen @sleepingsun501 @originalcollectionartistry @maddiedrmr @idontgetanysleep @clonemedickix @523rdrebel @deejadabbles @starqueensthings @multi-fan-dom-madness @sinfulsalutations

[pastelwhile-art]

Why you should succumb to Makokuu

If youve seen this post before no you havent (I reuploaded it because I realise no one saw the essay under the cut since the ship chart blocked it BYE)

A silly essay about a Makoto X Kusuke dynamic (with some actual analysis.) Feel free to (plz) talk to me about this in the replies and correct anything I got wrong/missing.

This was suppose to be a google presentation I did for the funsies inspired from the presentations made for #Saiki ppt party but I got uh. carried away with explaining the characters and realised I didn't know how to make it funny so instead I'm putting this as a whole essay yipee

The Ship Basis

Makoto and Kusuke are paired together notably because they parallel each other, being the older brother to a main character with an unhealthy dynamic to their younger sibling. They also happen to despise the other's sibling, yet both competing with Kusuo to some degree. Although with no canon interactions, you're pretty much able to put whatever dynamic you want into this ship.

Makoto and Kusuke are also at similar ages and life stages. By the end of the manga, Makoto is 18 and has a rising acting career, and Kusuke is 19 and graduated from Cambridge (and works on... who knows what.)

The rest under the cut!1!

Personality Summary

But, what will really make or break this relationship is their personality and the dynamic that comes from it. I tried to keep this short lmao but feel free to skip it if you feel like you know their character well enough.

Makoto Makoto is a creepy guy, and that's all because his entire personality is centered around the sis-con incest trope. While I won't get into how the manga handles it, it makes Makoto a really unlikeable character.

From what we can see, to most people Makoto is very polite and friendly, much of what his fans expect from him. It's really just a lack of care though, as his inner voice constantly tells us he'd rather get back to Kokomi. When faced with someone he sees as competition to his dream life with his sister, he shows off his real side - he's arrogant, short-tempered and vulgar. Makoto becomes agreeable to Kusuo though when it means helping Kokomi (he takes credit, of course.)

Kusuke In the way Makoto's life obsesses around Kokomi as romantic figure, Kusuke instead centers his life around Kusuo as the ultimate person to defeat.

Kusuke was born a genius, but despite them, has constantly felt defeated by his psychic brother. He lands himself into the 'average' category, an inferiority complex he blames his brother for.

Yet Kusuke is fully aware of his intellect over other people. He will conceitedly toy with people's feelings, or be extremely bored by them. He sees Kusuo as the only person who can defeat him, so he sometimes underestimates people as seen in Kokomi's chapter.

So, how could a dynamic with Makoto and Kusuke work out?

Given the Kusuke-Kokomi chapter, and every single interaction with Makoto and Kusuo, both of them look down on the other's siblings. Makoto would absolutely immediately hate Kusuke, and Kusuke would find it enjoyable to mess with Makoto back. It would could create a very comedic rivalry dynamic, an enemies to lovers if you will. (Fun fact, they both compare their sibling as heaven compared to the other.)

Although both of them compete with Kusuo, so a way for them to bond would be their shared investement in destroying Kusuo. (Possibly, working together?)

Kusuke is canonically immune to Kokomi, so he wouldn't immediately fall for Makoto's charms. Would he later if he developed a relationship with Makoto?

Makoto is very easily provoked and Kusuke loves messing with people. Makoto would be VERY easy to get a reaction out of, without much of a consequence.

Kusuke wouldn't care for Makoto, given that he acts more imprudent and predictable than most. But it gives possibility create depth within Makoto, if he defies those expectations.

Within official sources, neither of them have genuine interactions outside of their family. Given we don't know how they would act either, you could make them as toxic or wholesome when they finally develop a relationship outside of their obsessive interest.

Both of them are very obsessed in their relationships, so it's possibly just redirects their obsession to each other (which solves the big problem with Makoto and Kusuke, fantastic), or just somehow cancels it out completely. Can also make exceedingly toxic or wholesome.

Kusuke is a famous scientist and Makoto is a famous actor, which creates fun scenarios depending on how public their relationship is. Also makes them very powerful people, which is fun to mess with.

Further development (personal headcanons...)

These are all wholesome lmao

Makoto finally meeting someone else who doesn't treat him like an untouchable idol who is immune to consequences. Kusuke meeting someone else who doesn't treat him like an unfeeling genius devoid of needing care.

Makoto falling fast because he's prone to falling for anyone who'll give him the time of day. Kusuke falling almost just as fast but being in denial.

Also Makoto caring over Kusuke just as much as he is to his sister, but he doesn't want to admit it. Kusuke loving Makoto back just as fervently as his parents love each other, but he'll die before he shows it.

Makoto's arrogance taking a step back the longer he is with Kusuke, and finally forced be more self-aware or Kusuke will catch him out for it.

Being an actor, Makoto canonically can catch people spying on him, but what if it extended to being good at reading people too. Makoto can tell when Kusuke is being fake vs genuine.

Kusuke seeing himself as beyond human emotion, suddenly given the possibly of feeling something more for someone. Also, he would be very afraid of being second place in his lover's eyes to another person, just like he was second place in his family (especially given Makoto's obsession...)

Makoto who has been straight his entire life, suddenly feeling... for a man. One that isn't perfect beautiful amazing stunning greatest person alive? Maybe, Makoto would have to decide between a perfect fantasy or a love in reality.

They're wholesome and they learn to love eachother and themselves but also if Kusuke told Makoto he's going to set a blow up a house Makoto doesn't reallllyy have the heart to stop him anymore.

What about in Kusuo and Kokomi's case

One thing I really like about this ship is how much it would fit into canon if you slipped it in. Saiki K is filled with love tropes, but one dynamic I'm surprised wasn't gone for (probably because it would take up too much time) was a proper developing relationship. All the wacky things that can be seen through the honey moon phase and so on. Now imagine the chaos it would be if it was Makokuu...

No matter how, Kusuo would be horrified if Kusuke and Makoto got together. It's two of some of the worst people in his life, now paired together, it would be disastrous.

Would Kusuo hear Makoto's mind? If so, it's probably worse for him.

Kokomi would be equally horrified, although it solves the problem of his brother being weirdly obsessed with her, so maybe she's not that upset.

Kusuo and Kokomi can bond over how terrifying this relationship is to witness in general.

Makoto and Kusuke forced to speak to the siblings with some respect, and actually realise they're not as unworthy as they imagined. Kusuo and Kokomi are forced to be their safety net whenever they end up fighting with each other or setting the neighborhood on fire.

Official Sources

Sorry gang, there's only two official sources situations where Makoto and Kusuke 'interact.' Neither of these can really be considered 'canon', but they're pretty much nothing burgers of content anyways. But hey, they're there.

(A bonus image at the end of ch268)

An off-screen interaction in the 3ds game where Makoto vaguely mentions working with a scientist (that Kusuo recognizes as his brother.)

Yay you read it

I am surprised if you read this far but if you have and enjoy Makokuu you might notice that some of my headcanons are mildly familiar. I can't really end off a makokuu post without mentioning everyone's favorite fic - I'll Be Yours and You'll Be Mine. As a warning it is pretty explicit, but it's interesting how the fic explores their dynamic.

Okay thank you for reading i hope as a community we can write more Makokuu fics yipeeei

[spotforme]

i am actually in love with Cat and Lister's friendship or whatever the hell it is they've got because they're so different in style and philosophy but together they belong. i am thinking about btl spesifically, that's a place where they can have anything and they choose to fuck around together, drive places on Lister's motorcycle and judge eachothers' eating habbits. it is so much fun.

like of course there is the way the present themselves, Lister with his often sloppy, dirty, worn out clothes and biker rolling through a ditch austethic and Cat with his never-wearing-the-same-thing-twise, outfit colours and styles fluxuate through the seasons' trends and often to multiple a day. like i can't believe they really get what the other's going for but they don't really say much on the subject

then there are their views on dramatic topics like death, crippling injury and the like. it's hard for me to describe them exactly, but the Cat has an attetude adjasent to 'if you can't do anything about it without getting your hair messy, then dont' like i feel he'd much rather spend time sewing a new dashing outfit than mourn because what good is feeling bad gonna do now really. whereas Lister very much needs to get his emotions out there, be it crying at a romantic movie, missing a friend or displacing an arm amd wanting some reassurance. like Lister is emotionally intelligent as fuck sometimes, and lonely when he doesn't have anything to pour his affection to, and it feels a bit cruel sometimes that he was placed on that ship with only emotional garbage (sorry to Rimmer and Cat. i love them both but they have their moments of absolute dogwater insensitivity) and maschines.

so they don't always mix well, Lister and Cat, but they still do because there's enough mutual likes and mutual hates. there is that they're the only people left who they can still touch that isn't just cold old metal or plastic, i'm just saying an arm to grip every once in a while goes a long way to keeping oneself sane. they are nice to eachother, they are scoundrals together, they share schemes they share crimes, sometimes they even share a braincell. they're like the only thing in the universe they have to a normal friendship and i am so not normal about them.

like when Cat steals a shampagme bottle and shares it with Lister, like when Lister lets Cat take naps in his bed, how they share snide and embarrasing remarks at Rimmer's expence, the way they pair together on missions and (barring Guarantine) they don't hate eachother after decades of occupying the same space, they're still being dumb and bitchy together. everyone else has left, been changed into another version, or both but these two have both been through all of it. they're such unlikely friends but they're the best. sence the first moment they met and Lister decided he's keeping the Cat and Cat somewhere along decided that it's fun to hang around and that he's keeping Lister too, they've got such a bond i don't know what is going on with them. they make an odd couple of weirdos that i'm obsessed with

[shakingparadigm]

For the ask game: Hyuna!!🔥

HI TOON THANK YOU!!

favorite thing about them:

Man, what's not to like... she's just a fantastic character all around, probably the most likeable character in my personal opinion! I love her perserverance and her incredibly strong sense of self. Her character design is also just so incredible, probably the most unique and distinct character in the cast (shades?? almost 6ft?? abs??? a prosthetic leg???)

She's just so badass.... save me noona......

least favorite thing about them:

I don't really have anything that I dislike about Hyuna honestly. Maybe a cause of concern would be her habits of drinking and smoking but hey she's grown and reclaiming her freedom so really she can do whatever she wants with her life!

favorite line:

This might be a weird one but "A bird is set free​" from All-In has always stood out to me. It carries a certain feeling and just perfectly encapsulates Hyuna. The shot that's presented during this line is one of my favorite Hyuna frames too.

(Honorable Mention: "c-cheers!" man I love Hyuna.)

brOTP:

MIZI AND TILL!!! I love the idea of Till acting as an adopted little brother to Hyuna (is this a Hyunwoo coping mechanism? Who knows). Of course her fellow rebels Dewey and Isaac as well! I also think Hyuna and Ivan would get along (suprisingly enough). She'd have a hard time figuring him out at first, but eventually they'd warm up to each other and probably be gym buddies or something.

OTP:

Hyuluka is the given of course since they're paired together.... while I don't have any particularly strong feelings about it in a romantic sense I find their relationship incredibly interesting to analyze and think about. Hyuluka and Ivantill are really in the same boat of obssessive perfect guy x rebel who does not like them back 😭

A ship that I genuinely do find adorable (and super underrated) is offrec/actor Hyuluka!! Offrec Luka seems much more chill and down-to-earth but also kinda jaded because he had to go through the whole idol thing which he hated. Offrec Hyuna is bright, innocent and the youngest of the cast which I find really cute.... there's this one offrec fancomic I like where Luka gets flustered because Hyuna approached him and then immediately deflating when he finds out she just wanted an autograph 😭 cute

nOTP:

Honestly haven't seen many other Hyuna ships besides Hyuluka.

random headcanon:

Hyuna has accidentally seriously fucked people over with her voice mimicry talent. At one point she was begged to stop doing it because she kept freaking people out.

unpopular opinion:

Okay, this one is a bit long and kind of less an opinion and more of a story, but I will admit that at first I really did not like All-In. LISTEN TO ME OKAY SAVE THE GUILLOTINE FOR LATER.

I fell off of Alien Stage after ROUND 5. I saw ROUND 1 and ROUND 2 and while I found them interesting, I didn't really think about them that much. ROUND 5 was the only one that caught my attention enough for me to come back to the video maybe 4 or 5 times after my first watch, even searching about Alien Stage on social media and stuff. Still, I wasn't too invested yet.

When I saw All-In freshly released on my Youtube page I was like "oh hey it's this thing again. there's a new one? okay" and out of curiosity I watched it.

I don't know what it was, but something about All-In just did not click with me at first 😭 I remember feeling as though it sounded kind of dissonant? Like something was a bit off with the instrumental, maybe it sounded a little low in volume or something. The rhythm of the song threw me off a little and I could not for the life of me explain why. This is purely personal by the way, I'm no professional music analyst or anything, it just seemed weird to me personally at first.

But that's the thing. Because I found it so strangely off, I kept coming back to the video (it helped that the visuals were absolutely banging). Everytime it showed up on my homepage I would just sit there and watch it entranced like a zombie and I couldn't even explain why. At one point I woke up at 1AM, opened my phone, and watched All-In completely unmoving expressionless unblinking in the dark of my room, then shut the phone off and immediately knocked out again. Once again I cannot explain this. That video had me in an absolute chokehold no joke. Eventually I started to understand it more and it really grew on me, to the point where I played it in the shower on loop and then proceeded to start the rest of my days with the damn thing. I began to get curious about the deeper aspects of Alien Stage, took the plunge, and now we're here.

Anyways, that's the story of how my opinion on All-In went from "this sounds kinda off" to "this is the best thing to ever be created by human hands". All-In is now one of my most favorite ALNST songs and Hyuna absolutely killed it in her debut video. Sorry I couldn't understand the true extent of your genius back then queen, but at least I do now.

song i associate with them:

Eight by Sleeping At Last

When I see fragile things, helpless things, broken things,

I see the familiar

I was little, I was weak, I was perfect, too

Now I'm a broken mirror

But I can't let you see all that I have to lose

All I've lost in the fight to protect it

I can't let you in, I swore never again

I can't afford to let myself be blindsided

favorite picture of them:

It's come to my attention that Hyuna was being taken away by the guards. I didn't notice because she just looked so cool in this shot 😭

[allastoredeer]

Can I ask your opinion on radiobelle/charlastor and radiodust? I'm just curious because, other than chaggie, they were like THE ships pre-show while radioapple was pretty rare, and now it's kinda the other way around, and huskerdust shippers finally getting fed

I don't really favour any Alastor ship over the other (huge multishipper over here) and I haven't found a problem that can't be solved or made worse with a polycule, actually (with Alastor centre stage <3)

AYYYE! Hello my fellow Alastor multishipper! And yes, of course! I'd love to share my opinions and thoughts :3

When I first saw radiobelle/charlastor I felt kind of weird about it - this was before the show even dropped. While I wasn't active in the fandom after watching the pilot, I still saw things here and there, and radiobelle never really did it for me.

Recently though, I've been coming across some super cute radiobelle fan-art, and honestly? The ship doesn't really bother me. In fact, it's kind of growing on me.

I know people like to rave about how Alastor is like a "father figure," or Charlie "saw" him as a father figure, especially during the "Dad Beat Dad" episode. But, like, it's really not that big of a deal. They are, in no way, actually related. There is no familial ties to them aside from words and perceived feelings. And even if she does truly see him as a father figure, fandom is THE place to go to change canon and do whatever you want with the characters. That's what it's always been and that's what it's always going to be.

Besides, the ship has a lot of cute potential and I'm so here for it. I think one of the reasons people hate on it so much is this weird, perceived power-difference/imbalance between them. What with Charlie being this wide-eyed, hopelessly optimistic, and sometimes very naive women, and Alastor being this darker, manipulative, seemingly "older" man. I can see how that would squick people out, especially with the idea of Alastor manipulating/using Charlie.

However, I'd like to argue that Charlie is a grown-ass adult. Considering how the aging process works in Hell (particularly with Hellborn. Particularly with hellborn royalty, considering Lucifer is a fallen angel who's older than time itself and yet looks like he could be the same age or younger than Alastor), Charlie could be leagues older than Alastor. Maybe she's actually a couple hundred years old in Earth years, but she's considered in her mid twenties in Hell years.

As for the manipulation thing, we've been shown several times in the show that Charlie won't put up with Alastor's bullshit, and that she'll even call him out on it. I don't think she's as naive to Alastor's manipulation or schemes as everyone thinks she is.

I'm not a die-hard radiobelle shipper or anything, but I think its a pairing that has a lot of cute and wholesome potential. I think it gets WAY more hate than it deserves. (Besides, has no one considered the absolute hilarity of Lucifer meeting up with his daughter for the first time in years, and getting introduced to her creepy, dark, sadistically weird boyfriend with an obsession with 20th century radio? Does no one else find that fucking hilarious?? Just me??)

As for radiodust, I wasn't weirded out by it like I was with radiobelle. Originally, I was just kind of meh about the ship. But also like radiobelle, I've been seeing more content of it and its starting to grow on me. An Alastor/Husk/Angel Dust polycule actually sounds kind of cute, and has the potential for a very interesting dynamic to play around with.

My general consensus: While I'm not a die-hard shipper of radiobelle or radiodust, I like the pairings and I can see why other people would like them too.

Additional, to those who do dislike these two ships, that's okay. Some pairings just aren't to your taste, and there is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a pairing just squicks you out. That's fine. Just don't harrass other people who do like it. If you do not like these pairings, then move on and read/watch/look at something you do like. It's that simple.

I have mad respect for both of these ships because, like you said, dear Anon, they were what kept the Hazbin fandom going for years. Let's show some respect for our elders, people. Honor those who came before 🫡

[duckiemimi]

i really don't wanna be that person but what is your thoughts on gojou with utahime as a pairing? like no hate to anyone that likes to ship them but i just don't see the significance in this relationship, especially since it feels like a reach when they try to compare utahime with geto for example, saying they have similarities supposedly, which?? utahime in general is like a typical girl from a manga that people seem to project onto because she has this tsukkomi vibes or something? like the whole dislike towards gojo is disregarded and treated as a joke despite adults in jjk are obviously capable of putting aside their distaste of one another to work for the greater good if goals aling. i honestly think these two work better as allies because they have rather sibling like type of dynamic. and i didn't mean for this to get so long and overboard but i needed to share and i hope you'll have some thoughts along the way because i really enjoy your theories and metas. have a good one :)

before i start, disclaimer: if you like gojohime, by all means, ship it! there’s nothing wrong with shipping two characters you think go together, so as long as you don’t pick unnecessary fights about it!

now let’s start.

i think i don’t see the appeal in gojohime because i see no chemistry between them. they’re professional coworkers who might even be acquaintances once in a while to me.

i think what i truly dislike, though, is how utahime is portrayed in the ship. if a woman says she doesn’t like a man, then she doesn’t like a man! but even through a reader’s standpoint, while these are fictional characters in a story we can find wholly knowable because they are readable (unlike in-real-life humans), there is no evidence to suggest that utahime even likes gojo. they work well together and that’s it.

i think because we don’t see much of utahime in the story, it becomes easy to see what isn’t there. most of her on-screen interactions with gojo, if not in tepid professional manner, are fiery, with her becoming defensive and quick to anger. i think many shippers read this as utahime becoming flustered and perhaps they see her as the quintessential “tsundere” who shows affection through irritability. if anything, though, i think we should consider the fact that teenage gojo used to blatantly call her weak and it’s definitely affected their dynamic as adults. utahime could still be a little resentful, and i don’t think gojo realizes this.

you also have to remember that gojo isn’t the most likable person (not character) in the series. nanami is not entirely fond of him, and neither are most of his students. they care for him, and they might love him, but he’s not an easy guy to get along with. it isn’t just utahime who finds him “annoying.”

as for the geto and utahime comparisons, they make me giggle a little. is it because geto is objectively the closest person to gojo, and that’s how shippers wished it was for utahime, or is it because they both have dark hair? besides the fact that pre-defection geto and utahime have a sense of duty as sorcerers (which also differ, by the way; their motivations were completely different), they have absolutely no similarities. where did this argument even come from?

i think it’s important to realize that you can ship characters without grasping at barely-there evidence. you don’t owe anyone your ship’s canonicity. you’re allowed to like a ship even if two characters have never even interacted with each other. of course, different people are bound to perceive the story differently, so i guess as long as you don’t pick fights, do whatever you want!

[xxkitty13]

Vampire AU pt. 4

Vampire Law x Human Luffy

Law gets more ticked off ;)

Previous -> Part 3 Next-> Part 5

Luffy sat alone at the large dining table. The food was enough to fill him up, but it was not quite enough to satisfy his appetite. Something was missing. . . Sanji’s cooking. That’s what he’s been craving. There was nothing like his sweet and spicy glazed ham or his savory grilled lamb chops. Luffy picked at the peas on his plate, he had of course eaten all the meat, except for the sides. It’s strange, usually he devours everything.

Sanji would hate to see him play with his food, so he managed up the strength to eat all the peas. He gulped hard, feeling the hard little beans go down his esophagus. Luffy groans from the pain and slumps on the chair. He’s bored.

Hanging with the Heart Pirates was fun and all, but there’s nothing like his own crew. He wonders where they are. That wild storm caused him to go overboard, but luckily, he was able to hold onto a slab of wood from his ship.

He hastily gets up from the chair and lingers out to the halls of the castle. The place is vacant, Law told him to stay put as he had private matters with his crew. For the first time in a while, he feels homesick. Yes, sharing the place with the vampire was nice, but it doesn’t “scream” home. The Sunny, that’s his home, he wishes he could be on it.

“Okay, I don’t care what Torao says. I’m going outside.”

Luffy changed the course of his direction and goes through the back doors of the castle. He scans his surroundings before taking a step outside. He takes a deep breath in, enjoying the fresh air. This was better, it’s nothing like the warm sun hitting your skin.

It was time for an adventure, he had enough of that dark and gloomy place. Today's mission is to find that beast from the day he arrived. That weird looking creature chased him all around the island and it was time for payback. Maybe it will be worthy meal, something to makeup the unsatisfying lunch he had earlier. So, he embarks, entering the forest that Law specifically told him not to go in.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖౨ৎ.𖥔 ݁ ˖-`♡´-.𖥔 ݁ ˖౨ৎ.𖥔 ݁

An hour or two goes by, and Luffy has not found anything exciting. Vast lush vegetation is the only thing that surrounds him, it is beautiful of course, but it is not the excitement he is looking for. He sighs deeply and slumps over the grassy floor. His eyes trail the sky above him, the clouds move in a steady pace, crossing the never-ending blue field. Sky watching is not fun at ground level, his arm stretches to a tree branch, and he pulls himself up.

"Oh, you can see everything from up here," he says looking over the treetops. His eyes scan across the open view and spots a small mountain. "Perfect, maybe I can locate the beast from there."

In a jiffy, he swings from tree to tree to make it to the mountain. It didn't take long before he reached his destination. He escalates the rocky terrain and hears voices coming from the top. Luffy proceeds carefully, not wanting to be found. Using the bushes, he hides inside of them and peaks out to see the owners of the voices. To his surprise, it's Law's crewmates.

Penguin and Shachi are at the highest point of the island. Each held a pair of binoculars, watching the island at all angles.

“I wonder what gotten into the captain. He’s on high alert," Shachi says, removing the binoculars from his eyes.

Penguin does the same and sits down to take a small break. "I don't know either. Do you think Doflamingo might be on his ass?"

"I doubt it. He doesn't seem to be scared, it's something else. . ."

"Where is he anyway? I wonder what's he's up to with Bepo," Penguin groans, going back to watch duty.

"I dunno, he said something about loading the missiles on the submarine. Whatever he's doing, he is definitely going to demolish the ship he's awaiting."

Luffy sits quietly, he's an idiot, but the word ship caught his attention. He continues to listen to the conversation.

Shachi proceeds to take a 360 view of the island's coast. "Oh, incoming from the northeast," — he points in the direction of the object— “is that a ship?"

Penguin squints through his binoculars and tries to locate the possible vessel. Using the knob, he focuses in on the black dot, and he is able to distinguish a weird looking ship coming their way. "Well, looks like our duty is over. Call cap."

"On it." Shachi takes out his transponder snail and dials Law. "Captain, we have spotted ship coming fast from the northeast direction. We have not identified the vessel."

Luffy's ears perk up at the vampire's voice.

"Head to the sea. You know what to do."

"Roger that."

The two leave their spots and run down the mountain, leaving the binoculars behind. Luffy is intrigued by the so-called ship. He picks on of the binoculars and looks out to the location of where they spotted it. At first, he sees nothing, but with a bit of focus, he's able to distinguish the ship. He suddenly drops the instrument and sweat forms on his forehead. It has to be a mistake, he wouldn't dare. . . it's the wrong ship. It has to be.

Without a second thought, he runs down the mountain, following behind Penguin and Shachi.

“Hey!”

“Huh? What’s he doing here-"

Luffy tackled them both, rolling down the hard rocks that cover the slope. The three men crash by an old tree stump, with Luffy breaking their fall with his inflated body.

“Ugh, what’s the big idea Luffy?!” Penguin groans from pain.

“What are you guys planning to do with that ship?” Luffy's tone stern as he holds onto the collar of his suit.

“Woah, calm down buddy,” Shachi says, trying to pull the younger off.

“Answer my question.”

“Chill out Luffy, we’re just following cap’s orders. I’ll tell you if you let him go.”

“Fine," Luffy grumbles, hastily letting go.

“Look, cap wants us to sink any ship that comes in contact with the island. I don’t know what’s the threat is, but he’s serious about it.”

“Sink?!” He yells out.

“Hey, calm down.”

“How can I calm down if he’s planning to sink my ship! My crew is onboard!”

Penguin and Shachi look at each other in shock. That’s the reason why their captain wants to sink it, to leave Luffy without a crew. As cruel as it seems, Law can be rash about things. Finding love is something he doesn’t want to lose, but he’s losing it already.

“Shit.”

The two are not heartless like Law. Penguin nods at his crew mate, knowing what they have to do.

“Look we didn’t know that was he’s aiming for your ship. Maybe if we can talk to him, we can knock some sense into him.”

“So that was his plan along. . . I see now. . .” Luffy felt his heart sting a little. That’s the reason he didn’t want him going outside. He was going to kill his crew and wipe his shit under the rug. Now he’s angry. He won’t forgive him for this. “I’ll stop him myself.”

“Luffy, wait!” They call out for him, but it’s too late. He’s gone.

“This won’t end well. . .”

.𖥔 ݁ ˖౨ৎ.𖥔 ݁ ˖-`♡´-.𖥔 ݁ ˖౨ৎ.𖥔 ݁

“Bepo get the missiles ready for departure.”

“Law!”

He turns around. “Luffy? What are you doing here-" Then a cold hard punch to face knocks him to the sandy beach.

“Captain!” Bepo screams in shock. The rest of the Heart Pirates stop to observe the commotion. The polar bear was about to barge in, but Jean Bart stopped him. "Hold on Bepo, let them settle this."

The stunned vampire rolled to his side and wiped the blood off his lips. He looks at his bloody hand and back at Luffy. The straw hat’s eyes glare at him in fury.

“Why?” Luffy coldly states.

“Tsk. You didn’t have to hit me you know.”

“Why?”

Law glares at him before standing back on his feet. He grabs his sword and places it over his shoulder. His leopard hat covers his eyes as he stares at sand he stands on.

“Answer me Law. I know everything.”

“I won’t let you leave,” he mumbles.

“Well, I made up my mind.” He pivots away, marching off to find a raft to depart from the island.

Law grits his teeth and clutches onto the base of the sword. “Where are you going?” he voices out.

“Away from you.”

“No. I command you to stay put.”

Luffy stopped his tracks and turned around. “Over my dead body.” Stomping his foot on his ground, he hints for a challenge.

“Tsk. You really don’t know what I’m capable of Luffy.”

“Okay, show me what you got," he asserts, walking towards him.

His red eyes shift to Luffy. He smiles at him. “Well, if it’s a fight you want. . . I’ll give you one.” In a swift movement he takes out his blade and prepares for an attack.

As he goes to swing, a blade intercepts, throwing it off to the side.

“Why you.” The vampire growls, snapping his neck to face the person.

“Zoro!” Luffy jolts in joy and runs to his first mate, embracing him. “When did you get here?”

“It reeked of bloodlust. What mess have you gotten yourself into?” He says, his eyes not leaving the attacker.

The vampire clutched his hat in annoyance, watching his mate throw himself on the unknown man left a sour taste in his mouth.

“How dare you interject in our matter,” He spat out, throwing his hat on the ground.

“Uh, Luffy. . . who is that?” Zoro questioned, lifting his swords up for battle.

Luffy let’s go of Zoro. “Oh, that’s-“

But before he could answer Law created a room.

“Shambles.”

A boulder is thrown at Zoro, who easily dodges it.

“Oh, this is getting exciting. Hey slanky branch, pick up your sword and fight like a real swordsman!”

The two smirk, riled up from a strong opponent.

“Wait, guys-" Luffy tried to get their attention, but nothing is getting through them.

“I’ll slaughter you into pieces,” Law hissed out.

Zoro’s eye widened at the sharp fangs. “Vampire. . ?” He grins. “Perfect.”

Law used telekinesis to levitate his sword at him. He picks up a small rock, throwing up in the air and he grabs it firmly in his palm. “Get ready, I won’t hold back.” Then he throws it at Zoro and before he could blink, the vampire was right in front of him.

“Holy sh-“

He swings the long blade at him. Zoro easily counters it with his two swords. He blocks it with great force, being slightly pushed back. The two are repelled backwards, analyzing each other’s strength.

“Huh, I guess I will be needing Wado Ichimonji after all.”

“Zoro wait!”

“What?!”

With Zoro looking away for a second, Law takes his chance to strike him. He barely dodges the attack.

“Law stop it! Zoro stay back!”

Zoro grunts, hesitant to pull back from the fight. “Fine,” he huffs, putting his swords in the sheath.

Luffy stands before the vampire, who is clearly enraged. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Captain!” Bepo wraps his arms around Law, picking him up from the ground. “Control yourself. You don’t want to hurt your mate, do you?”

Law snaps out of his bloodlust and turns his gaze at Luffy. “Fuck, what have I done.” His mate’s eyes are sharp, but soften. He turns away and heads towards Zoro.

“Bepo what happened?” Shachi exclaimed.

The Heart Pirates surround their captain, confused at the chaos at the coast. Bepo continues to squeeze Law, holding him in place. That’s when they notice Zoro and immediately up their guard.

“Luffy do you know this guy?” Penguin says, holding a long sharp rod.

“Hm? Oh, he’s my first mate.”

“Wait like mate or crewmate?”

Luffy bursts out in laughter. “You guys are funny.”

Law gave a nasty glare at Zoro and on the other hand, the swordsman yawns, unsatisfied with the fight. The vampire tries to wiggle out of Bepo’s arms, but the bear continues to put up a fight. He could easily break out of his hold; however, he would lose self-control. Law forced himself to resist his violent instincts.

“Hey, Luffy!”

“Huh?” The straw hat whips his head to the sea. It’s his ship, docked near the Polar Tang. Usopp waves alongside side Chopper from the rails of the deck.

Sanji jumps out of the ship and runs towards his captain. “Luffy you’re alive! Zoro jumped into the ocean without warning as we approached this island.”

Zoro scoffed. “Unlike you I’m always prepared for a fight.”

“What did you say? At least I didn’t recklessly jump overboard without knowing the situation!”

The two bickered as another voice caught his attention. “Luffy!” The red head girl uppercuts him on the jaw and banged his head to the ground. “Where have you been?! Did you know how much trouble we went to find you?!”

“Oh Nami. . .it’s nice to see you too,” he whimpered out, dropping his face onto the hot sand.

Law felt himself twitch. How dare this woman abuse his mate. “Don’t lay your filthy hands on him,” he growled. His red eyes appear once again, the struggle to contain him collapsed.

“Um guys, help!” Bepo said anxiously.

“Luffy who is that?” Nami said jolting back.

Penguin dropped his weapon and ran to help the bear. “Restrain him!” he yelled. Shachi and the rest of the crew circle around him and try to hold the angered vampire.

Usopp and Chopper hide behind Robin on the deck of the ship. Franky, Brook, and Jinbe approach the scene, lost at the chaos unfolding on the beach.

“Woah, what did I miss?” Franky said, taking his sunglasses off.

Jinbe walked next to Robin. “If I’m not mistaken. . .we’re in deep trouble if they set him loose.”

“Yes. We must stay alert,” Robin says, squinting her eyes at Law.

The Heart Pirates do their best to restrain their feral captain. He snarls at them, his fangs drawing dangerously close at them. Zoro watches the scene and turns to Luffy, waiting for a command.

“Say, what’s the deal with all of this? I thought he wanted to kill you? Now he’s gone mad after Nami smacked the shit out of you.”

Luffy only sighs. “It’s a long story, but we’re mates.”

“Mates? We have a new crewmember?”

“Uh, not exactly. . .”

“Well what do you mean Luffy? I don’t understand anything, why is he coming after me? You better do something!” Nami yells at him.

Law finally managed to free himself and lunged towards Nami. Luffy quickly interferes and punches him the gut. He then proceeds to pin him down on the ground. “Get a grip Torao!” He grits his teeth, as Law grunts in pain.

The vampire breaks out of trance and calms down.

“Fuck. I forget how strong you are.”

Luffy continues to hold him down and sits on him. “Why did you attack Nami?”

“Nami? Oh, her. . . she was hurting you.”

“I’m fine. That’s just how she is.”

He only gives him an apologetic nod and turns his gaze away. Luffy sighed deeply. “Why?” There goes that question again.

“Huh?”

“Why would you sink my ship with my crew aboard?”

“Tsk, I knew you would leave if they came back for you.”

“That’s no reason to kill my crew!” he raised his voice. “We could have figured something out, but now. . . I’m not so sure. . .”

Luffy releases him from his pinned state and proceeds to get off of him. Law sits up and grabs his wrist, pulling him towards him. “Mugi. . . don’t go. . .” he whispers out. “I can’t lose you. I’ve lost too many people in my life. I-I’m sorry. . .”

“Torao. . ?”

The vampire doesn’t look at him, his face points down. His hand trembles around his wrist. Luffy can feel the shift in his aura, it’s dark. The feeling of sadness fills his heart. It’s grieving, the human knows the feeling too well.

Law feels a cold breeze brush against his exposed hair. Before he could lift his head up, something covered the top of his head. “Huh?” He feels for it and the rough texture catches him off guard.

Law looks up at Luffy, he no longer wears his hat. “You look good in my straw hat.” That smile, that kind gentle smile. It captivates him. Without realizing, his cheeks glow bright pink.

"Pssst, Penguin, Shachi. . . is he. . . ya know, blushing?" Bepo teases, pointing at their captain. The two men look closely and are taken aback at the scene. They giggle, "Oh my, he is!"

On the other side of the beach, the rest of the Straw Hats join their crew, puzzled by the captains' quarrel and make-up.

"Uh, you guys. . . did you see that?" Usopp said.

Sanji starred in disbelief. "Don't tell me he's with that man. . ." He takes a puff of his cigarette and blows the pungent smoke out his mouth. "Well, I'll be damned."

"Not only that, but he also gave him his hat. He must be someone special," Franky commented. The rest nod in agreement.

Jinbe inspected Law and turned to Robin. "He's a vampire, correct?"

"It seems so. Sharp fangs and violent bursts of anger accompanied by red-shot eyes. . . all describes a vampire."

Chopper and Usopp scream in fear and hide behind them. "V-vampire?! Will he eat us?!" Usopp says, shaking in fear.

"I don't know. . . vampires can have an insatiable appetite, depleting you dry," she says coldly. Usopp's face turns pale.

Zoro only cackles out loud. "I knew it," he grins, almost excitedly.

"Is he dead too? It would be nice not to be the only one," Brook laughs.

It didn't take long for Law to realize that they were being watched by both parties. "What are you looking at?" he growls at Penguin and Shachi, who were fangirling. He hides his face from embarrassment with the straw hat. Luffy only laughs and stretches his arm to grab Law's leopard hat. He places it on his head and turns around to face his crew.

"Oh, sorry for worrying you all this time. No need to be alarmed, Torao won't bite," he flashes a toothy grin.

The Straw Hats look at each other, having little trust with that statement. Their captain jumps on the vampire's back and comfortably sits over his shoulder. "We'll talk later Torao; can you just be nice to my crew for now?" Luffy whispers in his ear. Law grumbles but complies to his mate's request.

"Okay you guys, meet Torao!"

"It's Trafalgar Law," he mumbles under his breath.

Robin gasps, her eyes widen at the revelation. "Are you that Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death, the newest warlord?"

Everyone turns their gaze at Law, who only rolls his eyes.

"Warlord?!" Most of the crew yells out.

Luffy looks down at Law. "What? I didn't know that, that's so cool."

Nami facepalms. "What's wrong with you Luffy? You were hanging out with this man and didn't know this important piece of information. What if he turned you in?"

"Torao wouldn't do that, he's my mate," he grins, wrapping his arms around his neck, almost suffocating him.

Everyone's mouth hangs open at the sight. No way would their captain, the Monkey D. Luffy, would ever date someone, especially someone like Law.

"Oh yeah, meet Law's crew. The Heart Pirates were very nice to me," he says getting off of Law's shoulder and attaching himself over Bepo's back.

Zoro slowly approached the vampire. Law noticed and glared at him. "What do you want?" he mutters with a monotone voice.

"Do you perhaps know Dracule Mihawk, you are a warlord after all."

"No, I do not. Is it because we're both vampires? That's ridiculous." Law intended to be smart about it.

The swordsman didn't take that lightly, but only gave him a grin in return. "Well then, you wouldn't mind finishing our fight. I am curious to see your swordsmanship. It would be good practice, you're vampire and a swordsman like Mihawk."

"Heh, you think I would be light work for you? Think again."

The two men sized each other, but before they could escalate things, Luffy got in-between them. "Torao, didn't I say to be nice?" Law huffed in annoyance and backed away. Zoro did the same.

"Come on Zoro, you can fight him another time, but only if I could join in."

"Fine."

Luffy hugged him and picked him up off the ground. "I'll give him the last blow, he's pretty strong ya know."

Law locked his jaw, not only were they planning on ganging up on him, Luffy seems very fond of that man.

"I'm pretty strong too Luffy,” Zoro snapped at him.

"I know," he grins.

Sanji, feeling left out, joins in. “Hey, I can take on that vampire too!”

“Shut it cook, I called dibs first.”

“Hey! Don’t talk about our captain like he’s inferior to Mihawk, in fact, you guys are not match for him,” Bepo exclaimed.

Zoro could only laugh at that statement. "As if, your captain is the bootleg version of Mihawk. You could say he's practically copying him."

The Heart Pirates become visibly angry. Penguin picks up the rod from the ground and points it at Zoro. "I would be quiet if I were you. Don't forget you're on territory."

The swordsman's face darkened.

“Yeah, you’re on our turf, so why don’t you back off,” Shachi said, throwing a rock at Sanji.

Sanji angrily kicks the rock back at him. “You’re telling us of back off?! Well, we’re not!"

The tension rises between both parties and Luffy feels uneasy at the situation. Law noticed how uncomfortable his mate looked and immediately turned down the bickering from both of their crews.

“All of you shut the fuck up! You’re upsetting my mate.”

Both crews face the angered captain and at Luffy.

"Sorry captain," the Heart Pirates say.

Zoro and Sanji only back away, returning to their crew. "Luffy, are you really okay being with this man?" Jinbe asks as the Straw Hat's eagerly await his response.

"I am," he says firmly.

Usopp and Nami were about to protest but were cut off from Zoro. "He said he is okay with it,"—he proceeds to head back to the ship— “I'll be taking a nap if you need me."

Luffy watched as his first mate departed to the Sunny and sighs, "Look, I know we all started on the wrong foot, but me and Law are together now. We have to find a way to get along."

The vampire furrowed his eyebrows. "Pirates do not get along."

"But Torao," Luffy whines, giving him puppy eyes.

There he goes again, enchanting him with those brown doe eyes, he knows his weakness. Law could only grunt, "Fine, but I don't promise you anything."

Luffy hugs him. "Thank you."

"So, what now?" Bepo stands besides Law and tilted his head for a response. The vampire looked at his crew and back at the Straw Hats. Great, more people. This was supposed to be his solitary paradise.

"Let's head to the castle. We'll figure something out."

"What, a castle?!" Chopper stoked in excitement.

Luffy cackled at this reaction. "Wait till see you what's inside. Come on, follow me."

The Straw Hats follow their captain, their eyes not leaving the vampire as they walked by. Law could care less about what they thought of him, he only cared about Luffy. Still, his mate will not be fond of him being rude.

"Tsk."

Law follows after them, with this crew already ahead of him. He takes one last look at Zoro, who watched him like a hawk. It would not be easy for avoid further confrontation, but something about the swordsman ticked his nerves. He put aside the thought and prepared to interact with the rest of the Straw Hats. His hell was about to commence.

[deltaruminations]

the recent FRIEND-related thinking has raised a question that i think is kind of interesting. and i don't know how to get into details about it without launching into a lot of wild speculation. but the question is maybe something like, what does it mean to believe in love, however unlikely it seems?

imagine that you came to love someone, and you felt this love was true, and you spent much of your life making difficult choices as a result of that love and in service to it. and then, one day, you came to realize that you had far less agency in that love, or those choices, than you believed you had. something outside of you had orchestrated the whole thing. it "paired" you up unnaturally with someone you might have otherwise never met or become close to. it connected you when you were both vulnerable and manufactured a scenario for your meeting that would naturally bring out strong emotions in you. it manipulated those emotions and manufactured problems to push you to make choices you wouldn't otherwise make, choices that might have been bad for you, to generate tension and drama. it crack-shipped you. it made doomed yuri out of you, and you didn't even know it. and it did all of this just for its own entertainment.

at this point you might wonder whether any of it meant anything at all. did you ever really love them, or were you just conned into thinking you did? would you have ever fought this hard for your love if not for these false premises? if the very foundation of your love is fiction, then does that make the love itself fictional by extension? the entire basis of the "narrative," the thing that's entertaining and feeding the thing that exploits you, IS that love. if you want to escape that narrative, then is the only choice here to give up on it entirely?

or... can the love be reclaimed? can you now, with agency, reimagine the love outside the boundaries of that "narrative"? can you continue to make choices in service of your love, for your own reasons, while consciously rejecting the narrative that was made for you? can you still believe in love, despite it all?

and this is a question that could reach pretty far beyond this hypothetical FRIEND-centered conflict. "constructing" scenarios and problems to push relationships and choices is, of course, what storytelling IS. you have any number of relationships being fostered in "constructed" scenarios. dark worlds themselves are a focal point for this. when susie entered the closet with kris, she hated their guts. after being literally "locked in" with them for a while, they came out of it as best friends. what does it mean for their friendship if they didn't have the agency they thought they had in it? whatever the circumstances were, kris did make the choice on their own to protect her. and we could talk about the ferris wheel ride, or the boat ride, or the upcoming festival.

and even beyond this, we have the relationship between a "real" audience and a "fictional" story. for a story to thrive in an audience's mind, it needs to be compelling. it needs to "manipulate" them a bit to get them invested in the characters and world, and it needs to serve problems and dangle solutions to keep them engaged until the end. is our love for these characters not "real" just because the stories themselves aren't?

lancer is susie's best friend and little brother. but on a doylist level, he was specifically created to "teach her" something about herself and give her a reason to change. what happens if she learns he isn't "real"? will she still be able to believe in her love for him?

if we become conscious of this process ourselves, if a story makes us confront its artifice and its manipulation, if we learn that it's even exploiting us with it, can we hold on to our love for the characters and world despite it?

[skatiet]

ok so. lost shipping. this is mainly just going to focus on the quadrangle (jack, kate, sawyer, & juliet). the thing is, i don't hate a love triangle polygon. i think it can lead to interesting character dynamics. but lost somehow missed the entire point of a love polygon, which is choice.

i personally believe that a person can be in love with more than one person, at the same time or at different times, whether that's in a polyamorous way or in a "i'm monogamous, but i just haven't decided which of these people i want to be with" way. i’m going to ignore the polyamorous way for now, because in lost canon that's never mentioned as a possibility, so it's implied that all the characters are seeking monogamous romantic relationships.

so, it's pretty clearly shown to us that kate loves both jack and sawyer and that sawyer loves both kate and juliet, at some point throughout the series. (i've seen people disagree with this, but i'm taking the character's words and actions as they are presented, so if you disagree, i don't know what to tell you.) the writers lean very heavily into kate's "choice" specifically. the concept that she could simply be interested in/dating/whatever two people at once when she hasn't committed or promised anything to either one of them being seen a problem is an entire other rant's worth of nonsense, but if we just take it as the show presents it to us, she has to choose between jack and sawyer. the problem is, she is never actually given a choice. three seasons worth of build up is never paid off because... sawyer jumps out of the chopper. and in being separated from kate, he is never given a real choice either, because by the time he is in the position to make that choice, one of the "options" is gone.

now, one could argue that sawyer made the choice not to be with kate by jumping out of the chopper, or that kate made the choice not to be with sawyer by not following him, but neither one of them knew that those decisions would result in them being separated for three years. so yes, kate ends up with jack because sawyer is no longer an option, and we never get to see what her decision-making process would've looked like had they both been there long enough for her to make that choice. and sawyer ends up with juliet in the same way. we never get to see what he would've done had kate still been around as he was falling more in love with juliet.

the entire interesting part of this entire situation was taken away because the choice was made for them by their circumstances. the show leans into the idea that whatever happens would always have happened, and the universe "course corrects," so maybe these pairings always would've happened, but the fact that we don't get to see a reason why they happen other than "the other person i was considering is now completely inaccessible to me" is so incredibly anticlimactic and disappointing. not to mention (and perhaps this is possibly partly a result of the strike shortening season 4), we barely get to see the actual relationships play out. we have 3 seasons of jack and kate's dynamic to work with, at least, but sawyer and juliet literally get "so we started to get along, then we were in love, the end." there is such little payoff.

and maybe that's part of why people in the lost fandom still to this day get incredibly defensive about their favorite pairings, because they as fans have created more of those couples’ stories than the writers of the show did. so, there are plenty of reasons people like different combinations of these four characters together, whether it's "these two have the most interesting bond to me," "these two are the characters i like the most as individuals so i want to see them together," "i like the chemistry between the actors who play these two the most," "these two are the hottest to me," or any number of other things. but it's never because we see a character make a fully-informed free choice.

and this isn't the only case of the writers doing this. we see potential relationships between jack and ana lucia, as well as sawyer and ana lucia, but she dies before either of them can ever fully decide if that's something they want to pursue. shannon dies before sayid is ever faced with a decision between her and nadia. and of course, juliet and jack die before any potential further quadrangle situations could be explored (not that they would've, given that sawyer and juliet are in a committed, presumably monogamous relationship at that point, but by the point of the finale, there's no room for the possibility at all.)

and again, this is another rant all on it's own, but we end this show, which was called time and time again an ensemble show, with an afterlife that is completely from jack's point of view. we see every character paired up with the person that jack saw them with during his lifetime, with no regard for other potential important relationships in their lives. and i get it, obviously. it would make no sense for the characters who lived beyond the finale to suddenly have other significant others, or to have more established relationships with each other, when we never see any of that play out. but it just feels reductive to only see them reunite in the circumstances that existed at the time of jack's death. but like i said, that's another issue altogether.

tl;dr the lost writers did a really bad job with their romantic relationships and everyone’s favorite ships are good and correct and we should all be nice to each other and love each other forever <3

[ninjakk]

I don’t know your opinion on bottom lwj (maybe you like it or have no problem with it) I personally hate it with a burning passion, not even from fetishized point of view. But because it literally goes against how the character is in canon. Regardless, I usually just block that tag in ao3, but now i come back to tumblr after not logging in like almost a year and one of the first things i see is a freaking fan art of JC supposedly doing LWJ (is not shown explicitly) and WWX looking and being supportive and i just wanted to throw up. Literally felt like someone hit me with a pokemon psychic attack, i of course blocked the account and the bottom lwj tag here (something I didn’t even think i had to do) but i still can’t erase that image out of my brain so i had to rant to someone. Since you seem like someone really nice and you’re always amazing when answering asks here i am. If this ask makes you uncomfortable please feel completely free to delete it and forget it.

Hello Anon!

Aww, well thank you 😙 that's very sweet of you to say.

So firstly, before I tell you my opinion - I actually know the image you are referring to and I did the exact same thing when the post assaulted my eyes. I mean, everyone has their ships but come on! WX and JC?! No thanks.

As for your question, I have no majorly strong opinion on bottomji. I have read a few fanfics that have worked out alright. Mostly YLLZ era WWX meets extremely horny and willing 'self-sacrificing' virgin LWJ 'taking one for the team' - which were quite funny. But overall I do find it a little strange, because by making LWJ 'bottomji' people tend to make WX somewhat out of character one way or the other.

The reason I do not have a particularly strong opinion on LWJ being the bottom, is because it's kind of implied in the extras that they may well have done such things during their very active and passionate sex life already.

Seeing that he’d nearly hit his limit, Wei Wuxian laughed heartily and kissed his lips. “Er-gege, what haven’t we done? Why are you still so shy?”

7S translations - From Dawn Till Dusk extra

To me, the above certainly implies they've done a lot more than we have witnessed and switching would certainly come into that.

Also, I actually think LWJ would do anything for WWX, if he should ask. Including switching things up every now and then if his dear husband wished.

Overall, I don't think LWJ switching positions on occasion is necessarily out of character, if done properly and the fanfic authors stay true to how the characters actually are and would react during such acts. For example, LWJ still being the more dominant one out of the pair. Just because he's bottoming doesn't mean he's suddenly going to be submissive.

That being said, the image you and I saw is of course just completely out of character! JC is homophobic for a start! It just wouldn't happen. Ever. Even if JC was interested in some strange alternative universe. WX just wouldn't! I'm also convinced that WX would not want to, nor be willing to engage in sex with anyone else, even a threesome or some voyeuristic partner swap - or whatever the hell that image was?!

Wangxian are too wrapped up in each other, too completely obsessed with each other for anything else. Not to mention LWJ would drink so much vinegar he would pickle! And I don't think WWX would fare much better, LWJ is his and I don't think he'd be willing to share either!

I can understand why you might find it a bit odd seeing the roles switched around, but I do think it's something that could possibly be an occasional occurrence in canon because of the lines I mentioned above. Though I do love their dynamic in the novel and that is definitely what I prefer. Overall, we all have different preferences and opinions I guess ☺️

Finally, my dear anon...please go and read your favourite fanfic or browse through some gorgeous Wangxian art to cleanse yourself of the image which assaulted your senses. It's what I did and I feel much better now lol!

Hope you have a lovely day 🥰

[mandos-mind-trick]

Experiment

Summary: Tech’s working on something new. Midnight gets to help in more ways than one. 

Pairing: Tech x reader, also implied poly bad batch x reader

Warnings: Very NSFW, very filthy. Tech is a bit of a freak, but so is Midnight, smut, p in v smut, my glove kink shining through, use of toys, language. 

**A/N: **I decided to make it part of the series since it does require reading the part with Echo to make sense as to _why _it’s happening. Also will require reading this one for the next one to make sense as well, so enjoy another part!

< Previous | Next > | MASTERLIST

“I need you.” 

Tech doesn’t give her much of an option as his hand wraps around her arm, tugging her away from a baffled Hunter and down the hall. They had landed in Tipoca City just a few hours ago. Midnight had gone straight to the barracks as she normally did, wanting to avoid the stares of the regs as much as possible. Half of them hated her presence, hating that a simple civilian had imposed in their space. The other half looked like they were picturing her naked. That doesn’t bother her much, she’s used to those kinds of looks, but it has her worrying. Like somehow they knew she was doing something very forbidden and fucking her squad. 

They hid it very well. Even in the barracks, they kept all affection to a minimum. Of course they had their moments, and she’d slept in their bunks a handful of times, but they were careful. It wouldn’t be hard for someone to walk in on them, and the last thing they needed was a controversy. 

She’s not sure she can handle being separated from them now. The thought of something happening to them because of her haunted her thoughts in the dead of night. It wasn’t something they’d talked about. The whole point was to not get caught so they wouldn’t have to worry about it. 

Of course, being led hastily by Tech back to the barracks probably wasn’t doing anything to help. 

He’s got that determined walk he gets when his mind is on whatever he was working on still. He had been tinkering since the end of the last mission. He’d been paired off with Echo, as was becoming the usual, and he had returned to the ship and instantly jumped into a project. It wasn’t that unusual, except this time he’s being very secretive. Usually he was willing to talk your ear off about his tinkering, but this time, he’d not even murmured to himself about it. 

Midnight had been a bit curious, but the others had just shrugged it off as Tech being Tech. They’d probably all find out eventually anyway. 

Looks like Midnight was about to get her curiosity satisfied. 

“I need you to tell me which you prefer.” Tech says as they enter the barracks. He heads straight for the table, several items laid out. 

“Okay?” Midnight asks, standing across the table from him. 

He pushes several kinds of metal towards her. “I’m working on an upgrade for Echo. I need to know which one of these feels the best to you in terms of touch.” 

Midnight looks down at the hunks of metal, picking one up. “Why?” 

“He wants to make sure it’s...comfortable for you.” 

Midnight glances up at Tech before picking up another piece of the metal. She tests all of them, running her fingers along them, feeling the weight of each. “This one’s the smoothest.” She says, picking up the first she’d tested. “It’s also the lightest.” 

Tech adjusts his goggles with one hand, taking the metal from her. “Yes, that’s the one I thought of initially. I’m glad you agree.” 

Midnight stays there for a moment, watching him. He’s already back to work, clearing the other metals away. She’s grown used to Tech’s direct communication, but this was almost cryptic. 

She can’t help but wonder what exactly he’s upgrading for Echo as she makes her way towards the mess hall where she’d been headed with Hunter. It made sense to her, that Echo would want things to be as comfortable as possible for her since they had grown closer recently. He was always concerned about her comfort, but she didn’t care. She was used to discomfort anyway, and she never felt any when she was with him. 

Sweet, sweet Echo, always worrying about her.  

*****

Midnight wakes when her door slides open. She’d been fast asleep after another exhausting mission. Every mission seemed to be getting harder, or she was just growing more and more tired of the constant stress, the constant adrenaline, the constant worry. It didn’t look like the war would be ending any time soon. While it meant her worries about being separated from her boys were still far away, it meant they were still having to fight and the constant worry of losing one of them or worse, herself, is still high. 

She sits up in bed, rubbing her eyes. It couldn’t have been that long since she’d dragged herself back to the Marauder and passed out in her bunk. “Tech?” She murmurs, eyeing the clone in her doorway. “Is it time to switch already?” 

“Technically yes, but I need your help again.” He says. 

Midnight hums, eyes trying to close again. “Gimme minute.” She murmurs, moving so she’s sitting on the edge of her bunk, bare feet on the cold metal to try and wake her up. 

Tech leaves without a response, her door sliding shut once more. She sits on the edge of her bed for a long moment, trying to force herself awake. Usually she could be up and ready in a flash, but this time it seems she’s far more exhausted than normal. 

She pushes herself to her feet, changing into clean clothes before she slips out the door. She makes her way down the hallway, stepping over piles of armor left in the walkway. It seemed she wasn’t the only one exhausted after this mission. Hunter would have things to say when he got up, but it seemed they all needed their rest. 

She makes her way to the cockpit, stepping inside. Tech is nowhere to be seen. She steps up to the console anyway, checking the chronometer. Eight hours? Tech let her sleep eight hours? No wonder she feels so tired. 

“Tech!” She quietly protests as the clone steps into the cockpit. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep that long!” 

“You needed it.” He shrugs. “Besides, I was too busy working on things.” 

“Still, Tech, you need rest.” Midnight says, approaching the clone. 

“I’m fine.” He insists. “And so is the ship. Come on, I need your help again.” 

He doesn’t give her much of a choice, taking her hand as he leads her back towards the hull. He leads her into the makeshift medbay, releasing her hand as he goes over towards a crate. 

“Take off your pants.” 

“I-what?” Midnight stares at his back with wide eyes. 

“Take off your pants.” He repeats himself, turning around. It’s said with the strictness of a command. He did technically outrank her, they all outranked her when it came down to it, but very rarely did they use their rank against her. 

Midnight’s eyes widen as she spots what’s in his hand. She swallows the lump forming in her throat, hands undoing the laces of her pants. She pushes them down, letting them fall to the floor around her ankles. She can feel wetness pooling between her legs, dampening her underwear. 

Tech approaches her slowly, eyes concentrated behind his goggles. Midnight shivers under his glance, stepping out of her pants, kicking them to the side. She stands still, her head tilting back as Tech comes to tower over her. He bends down, hand gripping one of her inner thighs. He pulls her legs further apart, his fingers sliding up until they’re between her legs. He’s still wearing his gloves, the fabric rough even through her panties. 

Tech watches her face as he rubs her through her underwear. His eyes are still focused, calculating. Oh how she wished sometimes she could hear his thoughts, get inside his brain. He was the most enigmatic of the group. She had, at one point, thought it was Crosshair, but Cross wasn’t hard to understand once you realized he wasn’t pretending to be an asshole to hide his true self. He just is an asshole. Tech, though, was harder to decipher. He was constantly surprising her, every time she thought she had him figured out. 

Tech’s hand slips under her panties, tugging them down. “On the table.” He says, voice still stern. She wonders if he’s doing it on purpose, or if he even realized he was doing it at all. The Tech she’s used to in these situations is still buried under the mechanic and engineer. The softness he usually held in his gaze when he was with her is missing. 

Because this isn’t like those times, she thinks as she lets him maneuver her on the table. Midnight swallows thickly, staring up at him. She’s on her back on the table, as close to the end as she can get. Her legs are bent, toes hanging off the edge. It felt a bit like the exam she’d had to go through when she’d joined the GAR, but staring up at Tech has warmth flooding through her. 

This is an experiment. 

Midnight’s breathing picks up as she watches Tech pop open the bottle of lube, her bottle of lube from her room. He slathers some on the device, before his gaze turns back to her. He looks her in the eyes, holding her gaze as his free hand comes to rest on her stomach. His thumb rubs her skin gently for a moment, and the intimacy of the touch has her head spinning. He’s still Tech. He’s still the sweet man under all that genius. 

“So this is why-” Midnight’s breath catches as he runs the tip along her slit. “Why you wanted my opinion.” 

Tech hums, gaze breaking hers as he lines it up. “Echo asked me on the mission before this last one if I could invent something that would allow him to experience what we do.” He slowly pushes the device into her, working her open slowly. “He said you gave him the idea.” 

Of course. She remembers that conversation just a few weeks ago. 

“Sometimes I wish I could give you what they can.” 

“I’m sure Tech could come up with something. He’d probably be thrilled with the challenge.” 

She had been half-joking when she’d said it, but it seemed Echo had taken it to heart. Of course, she wouldn’t complain. If it was what he wanted, then she would gladly accommodate. 

She moans quietly as Tech bottoms out the device. She grabs his hand that’s still on her abdomen, the other gripping the edge of the table. 

“How does it feel?” He asks, keeping it still. 

“Good.” She moans, clenching around it. “A little cold, though.” 

Tech nods. “I plan on figuring out a way to keep it warm. Of course your body heat will warm it quickly once it’s inside you. I modeled it after mine, since our discussion about our anatomical similarities with regs.” 

Tech keeps talking but his words are lost as he slowly pulls it from her, almost all the way, before sliding it back in. Midnight grips his hand tighter as he keeps the slow pace, drawing it from her slowly before pressing it all the way back in. Her back arches a bit, hips trying to press closer, trying to get him to move faster. The hand on her abdomen gets just slightly heavier, trying to pin her down and keep her still. 

“How does it feel?” He asks, watching the device. “I can use softer metal, but I worry about it breaking down over time. I used the same coating they put on internal cybernetics to help protect it. I could explore using some kind of padding to make it feel more realistic.” 

"Tech," She says, squeezing his hand. "Hurry up and fuck me."

His gaze hardens just a bit, sending a shiver down her spine. "You can't hurry science." He says, pulling the device nearly all the way from her. "I need to know how it feels, what needs to be changed. This is only the first model." 

Midnight's eyes roll back as he thrusts the toy harder into her, shifting the angle just a bit. Her hips rise from the table, trying to keep the feeling going. 

Tech tsks, pressing harder on her abdomen to hold her still. "You move too much. Don't make me restrain you."

Midnight's eyes snap open, gaze meeting Tech's. "What?"

"These tables have restraints." He says simply, but his eyes are dark, pupils blown. "I could tie you down." 

Midnight's head falls back with a thump as he thrusts the device into her once more. She lets out a loud moan, not caring that the others could probably hear. "Kriff, Tech!" 

He continues the slow pace, watching the device disappear into her body. She's dripping, the lewd squelch loud in his ears. He had worked almost non stop wanting to get the first model device created just for this moment. His own dick is pressing hard against his codpiece. He’s been hard more times since he started this project than he ever remembers. He’s completely whipped. His hand was nothing compared to Midnight now. 

“Tech!” Her voice has pitched higher, meaning she’s close. Her legs are shaking, trying to close around his hand but he holds them open. He had mostly been kidding about restraining her, but after seeing her reaction...he stores that away in his brain for later. “I’m gonna...I’m gonna cum!” She cries. 

He slides the hand on her abdomen down, thumb circling her clit. He can feel it as she cums, her body pulsing around the device. He can practically feel it on his own dick, shifting his weight to try and relieve some of the pressure. 

He gives her a moment before sliding the device from her. She groans quietly, chest heaving as she breathes. He sets the device aside, moving to stand by her head. She’s covered in a sheen of sweat, glistening under the harsh light of their medbay. She looks beautiful, he thinks, like this. 

“Was that satisfactory?” He asks. “I can make any changes to it that you think might help.” 

Midnight reaches up, pulling him down closer to her. She presses her lips against his, hand cupping the back of his head. She kisses him hard, arousal already beginning to pool between her thighs once more. Her other hand slips down his stomach, fingers pulling at his codpiece. 

“Tech,” She whines. 

Kriff, he loves when she says his name like that. 

He tugs himself away from her, letting his codpiece hit the floor with a clang. He moves back down to the end of the table, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her. She sometimes forgets just how strong they are. 

Tech turns her, bending her over the table. He’s still in his gloves, the fabric rough on her sensitive skin as he teases her clit. She can hear him wrestling himself free from his blacks. He’s still in his armor, the plastoid pressing against her as he slips into her. 

She lets out a keening whine, pressing up onto her toes. Tech traces the delicate curve of her spine before closing his hands around her waist. She’s so warm and wet, he knows he won’t last very long. 

He sets a brutal pace from the start, rutting into her so hard the metal table creaks. Hunter has to be awake by now, and he wouldn’t be surprised if the others were as well. He doesn’t care, though. He’d woken up many times hearing the others with her, why not let them have a bit of a show. The last mission had been a rough one, and he knows they all need some relief. 

“Yes!” She cries out, back arching as he wraps his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. He knows it can’t be comfortable with his armor digging into her, but she offers no protest. “Yes, Tech!” 

Her legs are shaking as she cums, head falling back against his shoulder. He grunts into her ear, his cheek pressing against the side of her head as he chases his own orgasm. 

“Tech...Tech...” She moans, hands gripping the table. “I love you.” 

The three words come out as he spills into her, panting into her ear. She hadn’t meant to say it, but she was so lost in the pleasure and raw emotion of the last couple hours. It had just slipped out. 

She’d never said it directly to him. It had always just been implied. Of course she loved all of them. She loved them so much it hurt sometimes. She knows they love her too, in their own ways, even if they didn’t directly say it. 

“Tech,” She starts, trying to wiggle out of his arms. 

He gently pushes her so she’s flat against the table again, his hand pressing against her back. It’s not heavy, she could slip out of his hold if she wanted to, but it’s enough to keep her still. 

“I don’t know what that means.” He says. She can feel his eyes on the back of her head. “I mean, I know the technical definition of love: ‘An intense feeling of deep affection.’ But it’s...it’s not something that can be calculated or quantified. It’s hard to...to find examples.” 

Midnight pushes back against Tech’s hand, and he lets her stand. She turns to face him, looking up at him. It feels a bit crude, having this conversation while his cum is sliding down her thighs, while he’s still in his armor and she’s bare from the waist down. “I know love is hard.” She says. “It’s...it’s so variable, unique, independent to every individual. You think you know what it feels like, then someone else comes along and it feels entirely different. It’s just...something you know, not exactly something you can quantify and I know that’s hard for you.” She removes his goggles, gently kissing the indents in his cheeks from them. “I know you love me, even if you’re still figuring it out.” 

He leans down, pressing his forehead against hers. “Thank you, cyare.” He says, nose bumping hers as he leans down to kiss her. 

“I need a shower.” She murmurs against his lips. 

“First tell me what you thought.” He says, immediately back to his normal self. 

Midnight smirks, taking Tech’s hand. “I’ll tell you in the shower.” 

Tech stares at her for a moment before realization crosses his face. “Oh.” 

Midnight giggles, tugging him towards the fresher. “Come on, genius.” 

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