#rated t for mildly suggestive content

[steddieas-shegoes]

lost an edge

rated t | 509 words for @steddiemicrofic prompt 'edge' cw: implied sexual content, mildly suggestive language | tags: hockey au, defenseman steve harrington, goalie eddie munson, enemies to lovers (mostly just implied babes this is only 509 words), chirps

⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️

Steve's left skate had felt wrong all night. It wasn't the ice, he'd already asked everyone else if they felt like it was rough and they said no. The equipment manager checked the blade and it was sharp, not loose at all.

Whatever was causing it was a mystery and he'd just have to adapt.

But it was quite possibly the worst night to have to adapt.

The Bruins were facing their toughest competition this season: the Florida Panthers.

It was stupid; They weren't even that good! They just found a way to always get in their heads and-

"Harrington, wake the hell up!" Hagan, his D partner, yelled right before the whistle blew.

The game started rough for all of them. They just got back from a ten day road trip, four wins but two in overtime, and they were all still struggling with jet lag. They just had to get through this game and they'd have four days off, but-

The horn blared and Steve let his head fall where he sat on the bench.

A goal in the first two minutes of the game was embarrassing, especially at home. He was still catching his breath from his shift when his coach tapped him to go back out.

He'd do it because that's what first liners did sometimes, but he wasn't thrilled.

He managed to keep the puck out of their zone for most of the shift, but he was giving 120%. He couldn't do that the entire game.

Plus his skate still felt weird, almost unstable.

Florida scored again right before the end of the first period and Steve tried not to feel defeated this early.

He took his last shift of the period, hopping over the wall to rush towards the blue line.

He felt his ankle shake, then twist, and he was down, sliding across the ice on his knees like a damn amateur. He looked down and saw everything was normal.

"Looks like you lost an edge, sweetheart," the Panthers goalie, Eddie Munson, said right behind him. "Might need to head to the local learn to skate before you play next game."

"Is that where you were earlier?" Steve barked back as he got up and skated back towards the play.

The second period went about the same, and every time he managed to get close to Munson, they chirped each other.

It happened every time they played, chirping turned to banter turned to outright flirting on the ice.

It was worse today because Steve always managed to lose an edge right near Eddie's crease. He caught himself most of the time, but Eddie always noticed.

"You want a private lesson after the game? Might be able to show you a few ways to stay on your feet?" Eddie said after a whistle for a trip.

"On ice or off?" Steve asked.

Eddie stared back at him, mouth open in shock at his comeback.

"Now look who lost an edge."

The Bruins didn't pull off the win that night, but Steve sure did.

[steddiemicrofic]

Steddie Microfic February 1st-8th Masterlist

The first week of submissions has us on the edge of our seats. Check below for all of the amazing posts so far:

Untitled by @wearing-tearing | Rated M | cw: a/b/o dynamics

on edge by @sourw0lfs | Rated G | no cw

oh lord it really brings me down about the devil town by @doublecherrypiediscosuperfly | Rated M | cw: suicidal ideation, language, light angst, recreation drug use (weed)

lost an edge by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: implied sexual content, mildly suggestive language | tags: hockey au, defenseman steve harrington, goalie eddie munson, enemies to lovers (implied), chirps

Untitled by @stevesbipanic | Rated T | no cw

Untitled by @onirislanding | Rated E | cw: undernegotiated sex, lack of communication

I'll make you proud by @medusapelagia | Rated T | no cw

So Here Is Us by @thisapplepielife | Rated T | cw: post-apocalyptic, pre-existing injury | tags: canon divergence post s4, hurt/comfort, end of the world, survival, just the two of us, the world is bleak, but we're together

My arms belong around you by @sidekick-hero | Rated M | cw: mild smut

Lie for me by @katyawriteswhump | Rated T | no cw

The Edge of Insanity by @mrsjellymunson | Rated E | cw: drinking, drug use (weed), swearing, smut, oral

Blade by @lady-lostmind | Rated M | cw: very mild knife play

Untitled by @estrellami-1 | Rated G | no cw

Falling: Who Will Catch Me? by @berenwrites | Rated T | cw: PTSD, mentions of torture

Ice Bath by @oh-stars | Rated G | no cw

Eddie is kinda… by @wormdebut | Rated T | cw: internalized homophobia, anxious steve

eyes like the moon by @sailing-through-hawkins | Rated T | cw: mentions of scarring | tags: implied werewolf!steve

Sleep with one eye open by @just-my-latest-hyperfixation | Rated M | cw: body horror, blood and gore, canon character death, sleep paralysis, nightmares, monsters | tags: post s4, monster eddie munson, kas eddie munson, biting, open ending

Fireside by @hellfireloserclub | Rated G | no cw

come bail me out of this godforsaken precipice by @ao3usermelancholyhues | Rated T | cw: suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts | tags: happy ending

[frankthesnek]

Stevetony as #9 for the soft kissing prompts 💖 maybe right before they go out for a mission????

Thank you for the prompt!

(A Not so) Long Kiss Goodbye

Rated T

Prompt: a kiss before work

650 words

Steve read over the mission brief again on his tablet before abandoning it on the empty seat next to him. Looking out the back of the jet, he saw Tony. He wished the other man was seated next to him instead of flying solo. Tactically, it made more sense for Iron Man to head out alone. It provided them better intel and more ground cover—still he would prefer his partner at his side. 

It was this over protective nature that kept them from running missions together very often. It had been laid out in more subtle terms to them both but had been made clear enough by the directors at SHIELD. It was only big, full Avengers protocol level, missions that had them working together in the field nowaday. Those missions were few and far between, thankfully. A new potential lead on Loki's missing scepter was what had them called together now. Not a global disaster but a branch of one that involved them all.

“You gonna strap in or keep giving him puppy dog eyes?” Natasha questioned as she ran through the final flight check for the jet.

“I can do both,” Steve countered and stood, making his way off the loading ramp back to the hanger.

“Make it quick!” Her words floated after him.

“Room for you on the Quinjet, Tony,” Steve opened as he approached the other man.

“Well aware, I did design it,” came Tony's mildly sarcastic response. “And thanks to certain people, I have gotten very well acquainted with the different seating and space options in the back compartment.” 

Steve's lips twitched up at the comment, a soft glaze of honey glow touching his cheeks at the call back to some of their spicier,  semi-public encounters. “You don’t say?”

“Hmmmm, need a refresher?”

The sound of Tony's low tone and hum distorted by the touch of metallic echo form being suited up made Steve's gut clench. He liked Tony in the suit. He only wished it didn't mean they were heading into danger.

“You two wanna get a room or what?” 

Both men turned to see Clint grinning at them from the back of the jet, an amused looking Bruce elbowing him lightly.

“If we didn't have a mission to run, I would gladly take that suggestion, so don't tempt me,” Tony drawled back, not phased by the heckling of their friends. 

Steve grinned at the exchange, more happy over their friends' acceptance of them than bothered by the occasional teasing. It was a far deal better than the level of tolerance he had grown up around—which had been exactly zero. The ability to openly show how much he cared for Tony meant a great deal to him.

“Not even time for a quicky,” Steve gave a put upon sigh, playing up his disappointment for the sake of their onlookers. He tapped lightly at Tony's face plate, the pad of his finger running along the slit of its pseudo-mouth. The piece of armor slid up out of the way instantly. 

“Oooh nothing with you is ever quick Mr. Marathon,” Tony chuckled and smirked playfully. 

Grinning, Steve leaned in and kissed the other man, lingering and slow—the motion of their lips as meaningful as words. Tony cupped a hand around Steve's hip, the touch far more gentle than the cold, hard metal of his suit should have allowed for. It made Steve hum and press harder, the tip of his tongue lightly grazing Tony's lip.

A cat call and sharp whistle from their friends was what forced them apart. Without missing a beat, Tony flipped them off and replaced the face plate all in one motion. A split second later, he was moving a half step back and taking off, leaving only the soft hum on the repulsors in his wake. 

Steve ignored the good natured teasing from his teammates, content to stand and watch until Tony was out of sight. 

[elvisabutler]

Hey, baby! Love your work!

Can I ask for a Austin x reader where he’s dating a doctor during the wrap of Elvis and she is just tending to him when he gets hospitalised?

physician heal thy boyfriend

summary: your boyfriend is austin butler, star of the hopefully soon to be smash hit elvis. your boyfriend has a habit of pushing himself too far for this role. your boyfriend finds himself in your care while being completely and utterly out of it and sick as a dog. you are- mildly not impressed, but mostly a little worried. fandom: austin butler | elvis ( 2022 ) pairing: austin butler x doctor! reader rating: t word count: 1952 warnings: hospital setting. talk of austin's hospitalization post elvis. talk of austin's injury to his head with the guitar. talk of medication and hallucinations. austin being sick as hell. reader is a doctor. mild implications of a panic attack. imagery of austin being very sick. brief mention of COVID as well. author's note: thank you for this request and the compliment, anon! it always delights me to have people enjoy my writing especially when i know it's not always everyone's cup of tea re: pairings or content. i didn't go super into detail re: the details of austin's hospitalization since- we don't know the exact exact details and i'm not a doctor myself. i hope you enjoy! and apologies for this taking a hot minute, i was trying to focus on kinktober stuff during october and things like this got opened and noticed and worked on- but not posted. also consider this a thanksgiving gift for all the americans who celebrate it. can't bring y'all food from my sil ( who will not let me cook for the family just yet ) but i can provide you fic food. and know that i'm super thankful for all of you.

It's not as if you didn't think this would be a possibility, you had gotten lucky the last time he injured himself- the time with the guitar that you still give him a good ribbing for- and you had been off and not at the hospital and thankfully stitches weren't necessarily your forte, you saved them for the surgeons. However, nothing in the universe, no amount of logic could have prepared you for seeing your boyfriend groaning on a gurney, looking at you with glassy eyes that mean he's not all there. He's physically there, yes, but his mind is either in a haze of a fever or completely given over to whatever pain is inflicting itself on him in the present moment. There's a part of your heart that stutters at the image, a part of your brain that is overwhelmed with sheer panic at seeing him like this. An actor is supposed to be a safe-ish profession, one where you don't have to worry about your significant other being hurt and showing up in an emergency room or at a hospital unexpectedly. Yet here you were, looking at him being struck down by an illness that came out of nowhere- at least- you're pretty sure it did.

Everyone downstairs had gotten him mostly stable from what you've heard and what you see in front of you. You try and not let your mind wander to what he looked like when he was brought in if this is stable, but the thought pops up nonetheless, making you stop in your tracks for just a moment as you took deep breaths. He was alright, you knew how to do your job, you could help him and stay with him. He could use his- he could use the fact that he has just wrapped Elvis- or something they'd make an exception for you just this once.

His current predicament was more your specialty than his guitar injury. Dealing with what would have been a normal case of appendicitis was easy even despite the now present extra complications. Austin- despite your strong suggestions that he maybe should take better care of himself- didn't take better care of himself, turning what could have been something simple into a much rougher infection and gave him lymph nodes you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. If you weren't so worried you're pretty sure you'd make a joke about how he really is trying to become Elvis with the hospital stay despite the fact that you know the movie has wrapped. After all you and him had both are gone to the wrap part at Baz's house. There's a part of you that wonders if that party and the sheer amount of people that were at that party might have been what led to this. But you have learned in your few years as a doctor that it's better to not necessarily speculate like that unless you want to drive yourself up the wall. Besides if that was the cause of Austin's predicament right now you're not a hundred percent sure you wouldn't be a bit peeved at Baz. As it stands, you do end up shooting off a text to him asking him what on Earth happened and if he knew Austin wasn't feeling well that morning when they had met up for breakfast.

A groan from Austin's bed knocks you out of your head and reminds you that you have a job to do and you get yourself into gear, making sure he's got the correct tests ordered, the right medication ordered and everything you can think of that will make sure he will be comfortable even as his body tries to fully rebel against him. It's a bit touch and go for the first two days and the few times you think Austin is coherent and realizes that you are there he mutters 'Cilla and Satnin and you try to not take it personally, instead reminding yourself that his medicine has a tendency to have a side effect of at least mild hallucinations and he did just get done pretending to be Elvis for the greater part of almost two years. After that second day and heading into the third, you realize he's seeming more normal, his eyes look a little clearer when you see them open and you chance a proper visit, one where you stay there until he wakes up just to actually check on him properly.

A proper visit where the exhaustion of taking care of all your other patients and him might end up catching up to you and has you passing out with your head in his lap in what is the- most comfortable chair you could use to sleep in- if you had used it normally and not pulled it up next to his bed. The first thing you're aware of as you wake up is a hand on your head and a very rough sounding southern drawl coming from above you.

"What- Y/N, what- why are ya in m'lap, baby?" The confusion is evident in his voice but as you groggily lift your head up and look into his eyes, you can see it written all over there as well.

It takes you a minute or so to wake up, your eyes adjusting to the light and to the movement of Austin shifting in the bed, trying to make himself more comfortable. When you finally do you blink at him and purse your lips. "What's the last thing you remember, Aus?"

You very rarely use that specific nickname with him, saving it only for occasions when you feel he needs to honestly pay attention to you. That alone causes him to sit up as straight as he can and just look at you with an intensity you know he couldn't have managed either of the previous days.

"I was with Baz and-" He pauses, biting his lower lip before wincing. "Pain. A lot of pain and feeling like I was on fire."

The description earns a grim smile from you before you exhale, shaking your head. "That is a pretty good description of what you looked like when I got called down to make sure you weren't going to die or be left permanently incapacitated. Now I know my boyfriend didn't specifically ignore my orders as his doctor girlfriend to actually take care of himself especially now that filming was winding down. And I know he didn't act like a teenager who when I wasn't around to maybe check or was too busy at work just took advantage of that and didn't take care of himself. Because he's a smart guy, isn't he?"

Austin looks like he's about to say the first thing that comes to mind, the first- you imagine- pretty idiotic thing that comes to mind before he sees the look on your face and realizes this is a battle he will not win. "I-" He stops and moves to grab your hand. "I might have continued to push myself because I'm a bit of an idiot who definitely was taking advantage of my long hours and your long hours to hide that. Is that what I need to admit? Or do I need to keep going?"

You can't help but laugh at the question, biting your lip to prevent a full fit of laughter from escaping. "I mean, you can keep going, I'm actually a little curious to see how big of a hole you can dig yourself into, by all means." Your eyes slide up to his IV bag and you frown, grabbing his remote to call a nurse, the alarm hasn't sounded that it's empty and due for a change but- you know how busy it's been lately and you're not in the mood to have Austin wait for too long.

Austin's quiet for a moment as he looks at you, noting how he swears you have some lines on your forehead that you didn't have before. He put those there- he made you worry so much you got new worry lines. It doesn't distract from your beauty, far from it, but still it sens a rush of guilt through him that has him placing his hand on your cheek. Before you realize what you're doing, you nuzzle your cheek against his hand, letting out a breath you didn't realize you were holding. Letting out tension in your shoulders that haven't left since he first was brought in. "I'm- Nothing is going to change what happened, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry baby."

A shaky sort of breath leaves your body before you grab Austin's hand and move to kiss it before you touch his cheek. "I know you are. Because you scared the shit out of me. And Baz, but he wasn't the one taking care of you, who didn't know what exactly was wrong and how you could-" You shut your eyes and rub at them. "You're not allowed to do this to me again, Mr. Butler. I started dating you because you're supposed to be the safe bet, no silly injuries or COVID or sickness like this. And look at you, a guitar to the head, this, you better not make it a trifecta."

He shakes his head, moving his hand that you still have held to brush away tears you have falling. "I wouldn't dream of it." He pauses. "How long am I in here for?"

"A week." You answer quicker than you should. "Might be overkill but you've got your antibiotics via IV and while you live with me and I can change it, I also have to be at work half the time so hospital it is."

Austin flushes and you think for a moment he's going to be sick before you see how he's looking at you- it's a look you know well, one that usually leads to things in the bedroom and you just narrow your eyes as he starts to speak. "So, you're my doctor then. And I'm your patient."

You take a moment to just look up at the ceiling and purse your lips, wondering not for the first time why you ever started dating Austin when he says dumb things like that. It shouldn't be something that's funny, and it really isn't but you've been so worried about him for the past two days that hearing that stupid joke as much as it makes you roll your eyes just makes you laugh. "I am and you are. But as your doctor I cannot in good conscience condone any shenanigans of a sexual sort just yet. Maybe in a few days."

He nods solemnly as he sees a nurse entering a room. He leans over for a moment, knowing fully well you can't stop laughing and won't just yet. "Just show up in only the your coat and we'll know if I'm feeling better. You know I can't resist your sexy doctor look."

If you have to tell the nurse about changing his IV bag through broken off bits of laughter, that's his fault. If you can't help but slap his arm lightly when he tries to grab at your butt- seriously, you really should have remembered the side effects of his medicine and his inhibitions- then that's also his fault. If later on that day you find yourself curled up against him watching some Australian soap opera? Well, despite not being on duty this particular day, you are still his doctor, and a little rest and a lot of cuddles might have been your additional recommendation for the start of an optimal recovery.

And really, who was he to argue?

[strangerthingsocweek]

Stranger Things OC Week Masterlist

Thank you to everyone who participated and/or encouraged the first ever Stranger Things Original Character Week! It's been fine getting to know these characters and I hope you continue to develop them and include them in your writing and art!

INTRODUCTION

she runs a tight ship by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: mentions of illness (just a cold), mildly suggestive language | tags: future fic, corroded coffin, robin gets to have a girlfriend because i said so

Doc: An Introduction by @tboygareth | Rated G/T | cw: mention of unsafe binding practices | tags: nonbinary character, transmasculine gareth emerson, canon typical monsters

Tania Dyer and Johnny Wallace by @cxwzkeys

one scoop, two scoop, girl scoop, boy scoop by @dartlekey | Rated T | cw: implied sexual harassment, misgendering, period-typical homophobia

freaks to the front by @patchworkgargoyle | Rated T | cw: language | tags: canon setting, post-season 4, kali prasad and her crew, dustin henderson, jeff, gareth

ALTERNATE UNIVERSES

play a melody for me by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated M | cw: suggestive language, implied sexual content | tags: modern au, college au, awkward flirting, first kiss, getting together, disaster lesbian robin buckley

entangle to one by @starryeyedjanai | Rated M | cw: prostitute steve, transmasc steve, werewolf omc

i wanna be adored by @patchworkgargoyle | Rated E | cw: under-negotiated kink, some emotional self-harm behaviors, unprotected sex | tags: modern au, rough sex, penetrative sex, cunnilingus, dom/sub undertones, impact play, aftercare, first kiss

down on your knees (to save your soul) by @gerrystamour | Rated T | no cw

LOVE IN EVERY FORM

how lovely to love them by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: mention of alcohol/being drunk | tags: side steddie, side platonic stobin, meg needs a break, meg gets a break, established relationship

Let me in your ocean, swim by @dartlekey | Rated M | cw: implied parental abuse, internalized homophobia, cursing, brief sexual content

SONGS

you're gonna go far by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated E | cw: semi-public sex | tags: getting together, vaginal fingering, dirty talk, falling in love

date night by @patchworkgargoyle | Rated M | cw: vague mentions of non-sexual nudity | tags: so much fluff, song lyrics in fic

80S, 90S, TODAY

new in town by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: mention of alcohol abuse/dui | tags: hellfire club, 80s era, high school

FAVORITE TROPES

just the king by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | no cw | tags: only one bed with a twist, steve and meg are so bitchy, high school sleepover vibes except they're both grown ass adults

PARTY TIME

meet your new best friend by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: mild language | tags: modern au, future fic, dustin/erica getting married, marriage proposal

Art by @llamalpaca

[serenpedac]

What you do to me

Pairing: Female Detective/Nate Sewell

Words: ~900

Rating: Mature - for mature themes

Warnings: Book 3 demo spoilers, mildly suggestive content

Here’s a Yael/Nate fic with a little bit of spiciness to close the year. Hope you enjoy!

Read on Ao3

*** *** *** ***

Yael pulls her damp hair to one side, then the other. The water at the Warehouse is different from that at her apartment, harder or perhaps softer. Either way, her curls have been behaving very nicely ever since she moved here. At least there are some advantages to the collapse of her apartment’s ceiling.

A knock sounds, the deliberate but patient pattern familiar by now.

“Come in,” she says, just loud enough so that he will hear her from her place in the bathroom, her lips curving into a smile in expectation.

“I was hoping to see you.” Nate closes the door behind him, rocking back on his heels to watch her as she dots her face with day cream.

That’s another advantage, although it’s one that had been better in her daydreams than in reality, where work and other duties still keep them apart far too often.

“Give me one sec, okay?” She quickly tidies the bathroom, putting the towel away and tossing her sport leggings and T-shirt in the laundry basket. Even this simple task feels too heavy after the training Morgan put her through this morning, her arms and shoulders heavy and tired.

By the time she’s done, Nate is looking over the books she’d managed to rescue from her apartment, his head tilted to the side. As soon as she steps into the room, he turns to her, however.

“Have I already told you how happy it makes me that you are here?”

He has, several times in fact, but it doesn’t stop the flutter in her chest, a reaction that doesn’t go unnoticed if his widening smile is any indication.

She closes the distance between them in a few steps. “Because it means you can have more books here without Adam complaining you have limited space?”

At his low chuckle, her hand finds its way to his chest to feel the sound and the steady beat of his heart underneath it.

“That as well, but…” He touches her cheek, knuckles brushing over her jaw. Her heart skips a beat when his hand curls at the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair. “What I meant was that we could spend more time,” his voice dips lower, sending shivers down her spine, “together.”

Together. Yael swallows hard, all too aware of his presence here, in her bedroom, her bed mere steps away. Her thumb follows the line of his collarbone underneath his shirt, the fabric crinkling. The thought is tempting and has her tense in expectation, but they only have such a short time. Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Nate loosens his grasp, but before he can let go completely, she leans into him. A short time, yes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy that.  

Tiptoeing, she tilts her head upwards and he meets her halfway. Her lips brush his, tentative, charting. Sweet kisses, one for each day she’s missed him and a second for each time she’s thought about him. He smiles into her kiss and she traces the seam of his lips with her tongue until they part. More, she wants more.

Cruelly, he breaks the kiss, leaving her out of breath and swaying on her feet.

Farah’s muffled voice reaches them from somewhere in the Warehouse, her words indistinguishable for Yael, but Nate tilts his head in the direction of the sound and sighs.

“I should go.” The light touch of his fingertips down her throat leaves her burning and shivering at the same time. “Will I see you later?”

Perhaps it’s the way he lingers, perhaps the weight of his hand on her hip, firm and warm, she doesn’t know. What she does know is that, for once, he should feel what he’s doing to her, how even his slightest touch affects her. He should be the one to walk away with words and feelings and sensations all tangled together in a wonderful mess.

She presses her body flush against his, buries her hand in his hair to pull his head down. No soft, sweet kisses this time, but her mouth firmly on his, lips parted, wanting. Eager movements, swallowed moans and kisses turned sloppy. The sharp edge of teeth scraping lips, followed by the swipe of a tongue. Her hips rock into him, his thigh between her legs and she’s glowing all over. He is too, the warmth of his body radiating against hers.

With self-control she didn’t know she had, she pulls away from him. “Now.”

Dazed and confused, he blinks at her.

“Now you can go.” She tries to go for a sultry smile but ends up with a foolish grin instead.

Nate laughs softly. “You are,” he sucks in his bottom lip and that spark of heat inside her curls, coils, blazes, “incredibly distracting. I’ll be thinking…”

Voice hushed, she asks, “Tell me? Tell me what you’ll be thinking?”

He hooks his fingers through the belt loops of her jeans, one on each side. Gauging her reaction, he moves closer, the slight tug at her hips as much a question as it is the promise of an answer.

Her arms around his neck, she arches into him, grinds against him ever so slowly. His eyes widen, darken, reflect her own want.

And if this leaves her flustered and longing, at least she knows she’s not the only one.

[giantroboticplatypusbutt218]

Oversight

This is Part 3 of the Magnetic Attraction series. 

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Content Warnings: Fantastic Racism, Internalized Homophobia, Suggestive Content, Mild Language, Canon-Typical Violence.

Summary: Rev receives some friendly advice from Tech after a mistake of his is brought to attention. Desperate to prove that he took Tech's words to heart, he seeks the aid of his other friends to improve himself before the evening is over.

Unfortunately, he missed the most crucial piece of advice that Tech tried to convey.

Word Count: 27,277

Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (Link to Chapter on Ao3)

~

Chapter 1

Word Count: 3598

Notes: This is part 3 of the Magnetic Attraction series. If you haven’t read the previous parts you will probably be confused. Feel free to skip the rest of these notes if you don’t care about the content warnings. 

(Continued under the cut)

Content warnings are similar to the previous fics, with the same themes of racism and internalized homophobia. As for new warnings: 

You might have noticed this fic is rated “T” rather than “G”. That’s mostly due to some suggestive humor, and 90% of it is contained in chapter 2. Basically, I joke about the sexualized nature of modern pop music. A character also says a mild swear and there are allusions to blood (that’s not actual blood) in chapter 4. 

There is a comment in the third chapter that is mildly transphobic. Honestly, I don’t even know if “transphobic” is entirely the right word. A well meaning character (you can guess who) voices some bad assumptions. I’m trans myself and I’ve dealt with well meaning people saying worse. Compared to literally everything else in the fic it feels pretty minor. 

Lastly… I don’t know if this deserves a warning, but I hope you’re prepared for various characters to make some dumb decisions. 

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy, and feel free to give me comments and/or criticisms.

~

“Oh wow! Three apples! Can all of you count to three? Let’s do it together!”

Tap.

“Tengo que confesar. ¡Estoy enamorado de tu prima! Eres maravilloso, pero él puede correr tan rápido…”

Tap.

“Are those lions, tigers, and bears you see? Of course they are! Because this is channel 4 news, and this is our annual conservation special!” 

Tap.

“That’s right folks; This entire evening is dedicated to the zoos of Blanc and all the wonderful creatures contained within.”

Tap. Tap. 

“So get cozy, because you won’t want to miss all the amazing animals and the stories behind bringing them back from the brink!” 

Tap. Tap. Tap. Taptaptap. “UGH! What the heck?!” 

Duck mashed the channel up button a few more times before tossing the remote onto the coffee table. 

Ace glanced over his book, otherwise not moving from his casual position on the opposite lounge sofa. “The batteries probably died.” 

“I know that the batteries probably died. I’m not an idiot.” Duck crossed his arms. “But now what?! I don’t wanna be stuck watching some stupid news channel.”

“You wouldn’t mind if we were still in Acmetropolis.” 

“Will you ever stop bringing that up!?” 

Ace shrugged. “If you don’t wanna watch the news then just get up and change the channel on the TV.” 

“Absolutely not! I’m not walking all the way over there!” 

“It’s like ten feet. Also, you can teleport.” 

“The buttons on the TV have a delay.” 

“So does the remote.” 

“I’m not going to get up and use the TV buttons like a loser.” 

“Well, there are plenty of other TVs in HQ. Just go find one with a working remote and watch TV there.” 

“But-! Uh…” Duck hummed, looking away. “The uh… lighting is better here. Yeah. I don’t want to go where there’s not… good lighting.” 

“I guess the sunset does look pretty nice with all the big fancy windows. That still means you’re out of luck, though.”

“Don’t remind me.” 

Ace went back to reading his book while Duck sat cross armed and frowned petulantly at the TV. 

“What you see here is the Tiger Terrace Zoo, home of the best captive breeding program in all of Blanc. Thanks to the efforts of all the wonderful staff, the incredible Blanc tiger climbed from extinct in the wild, all the way up to endangered!”

“Bor-ing. Who cares about the stupid tigers? They just chase things half the day and sleep the rest! What are they even useful for? Nothing. That’s what.” 

Duck looked over to Ace, who wasn’t paying attention.

“Ughhhh.” 

“…”

“Ughhhhhhhhhhh!” 

“…”

“UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

“…”

“Fine! I’ll just get Tech to give me some new batteries!” 

Ace poked his head up. “Actually, I think I remember Lexi buying some the-” 

But Duck warped away before he could finish. 

“Oh, well, nevermind I guess.” 

Duck appeared near instantly in front of the lab door and began pounding on it. 

“Tech! You in there? Open up and give me some batteries!” He continued pounding on the door for a few moments. “Hello?!” 

A few seconds later, he crossed his arms.

“I’m coming in!” he announced, deciding to warp inside. “YEEEOUCH!!!” And immediately he warped back in front of the door.

“What the-! Oh right. The security thingamajig. Ugh. How am I supposed to find Tech?” 

The sound of metallic equipment clanking against itself toward the entrance got his attention.

“Bingo,” he said, teleporting over. 

Suddenly he was in front of the main elevator, pointing triumphantly and shouting, “aha!” However, his celebration was a little premature. 

“Uhhh, hi Duck,” Lexi greeted with mild confusion. 

“Hello,” Slam greeted as well. 

“Dang it!” he exclaimed. Then, his eyes trailed down to the things they were carrying. “Uh, what’s that?”

“Hurdles, balance bars… Just some gymnastic equipment to get our blood pumping!” 

Slam nodded enthusiastically. 

“Eugh. Isn’t it too hot outside for exercise?”

“Oh, we actually set everything up inside. The 2B storage room has loads of space. Nothing in there but an old refrigerator and a few floor fans. As a nice bonus, it’s a little harder to hear the rest of HQ while I’m in there too.”

“But isn’t the door busted?” 

“Just the opening mechanism,” she explained. “Slam’s strong enough to pull it open himself, even if the steel is a little slippery for him to grab onto.” 

Slam shrugged.

“Hm.” Then Duck jolted, his mind getting back on track. “Wait, have you seen Tech around?” 

“Not recently. I think he hasn’t left the lab much since last week. Probably caught up in a project or something.” 

“Just great. His security system stops me from quacking in and he won’t answer the door.” 

“Why do you need to see him?”

“The TV remote died and I need new batteries, and with Tech being a nerd he’s bound to have some.” 

Lexi perked up. “Oh, actually I-” 

“Wait! I bet he’d open the door for Rev! I just gotta find him, and he’ll get Tech to lend me some batteries.” 

“If you would-!” 

And Duck teleported away. 

Lexi and Slam looked at each other and shrugged, before continuing on. 

At Rev’s bedroom door, Duck began pounding on it similarly to how he did in front of the lab. 

“Rev?! You in there?!” 

“Oh! Yeah. The security is off and the door is open but give me a sec to-”

Upon opening the door anyway, “AHH!” a mountain of papers fell out and completely buried Duck. 

In a flash Rev was by the door. “…clean up.” 

Duck popped his head out of the pile and glared at him. 

Rev chuckled sheepishly. “Honestly I tried to warn you and considering how fast I talk I’m surprised you didn’t manage to hear my entire warning before opening the door.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Whatever.” Duck wrestled his arms free of what was apparently a post-it note pile and picked one up. “What were you even doing? You’ve hardly been around for the past week.”

“Oh uh, just some research.”

Duck squinted at the chicken scratch covering the note. “Public opponents of the 1989 ICZN Opinion 1567 ruling regarding Case 2607,” he squinted harder, “-the moving of Canis latrans sapiens to Latrans sapiens under family… can-did-ay,” he tilted his head concernedly, “rudely wore shirts depicting a coyote with stink lines in protest.” Duck looked up and grimaced at Rev. “…What the heck kind of research is this?” 

“Um, well, you know…” Rev quickly swooped over and gathered the pile of post-its in a big bunch before shoving them in a corner of his room. 

Duck got up and brushed himself off, then followed Rev inside. “I really don’t. That paper was covered in weird nerd stuff.” 

Rev chuckled nervously. “You see, I recently realized that some of my views and behaviors regarding Tech were… not fair, so I made a small effort to remedy that.” 

The incredulous frown on Duck’s face grew as he failed to find a single space in Rev’s room that wasn’t plastered with colorful notes. Actually, no. Duck quickly spied a framed photo on Rev’s nightstand with Tech not so subtly left visible in it. But besides that, there was a nauseating amount of colorful papers absolutely everywhere. “‘Small’?”  

“I… wanted to be thorough.” 

When his eyes returned to Rev, he noticed a few dozen notes covering him as well. “Have you tried not being stupid?” 

Rev huffed. “This is me trying not to be stupid.” 

“Well, hopefully you’ve at least figured out that Tech didn’t want to eat you, then.” 

Coughing awkwardly, Rev looked away. “How… do you know about that?” 

“Lexi told me you came flying past her screaming about it.” 

“Oh… I… guess I should’ve asked her not to say anything…” he cleared his throat. “But uh, yes. I do know that Tech wasn’t trying to eat me.” 

“Great. And since we’re already talking about Tech, can you get me into the lab so I can talk to him?” 

“I can see if he’ll let us in. But what do you need to see him for?” 

“I need some new batteries.”

“Oh! I have some batteries!” Rev ran to his desk and pulled open a drawer, inadvertently flinging some post-its into the air. “I’ve got Double A, Quadruple A, A Twenty-Three, C Cell, D Cell, Nine Volt-”

“REV!”

He stopped his rummaging. “Yeah?” 

“Any Triple A?” 

Rev glanced back into the drawer for a moment. “Oh, uh, no.” 

“Then can you open the lab already?!” 

“Sure. I’ll meet you there.” 

In an instant, Rev was gone. Duck soon followed. 

When he appeared directly in front of the door, Rev was off to the side speaking through the intercom. 

“Are you sure, Tech? You kinda sound like you don’t want me or especially Duck to come in.”

“It’s… fine. Just open the door.” 

Rev inputted some kind of overly elaborate code onto the keypad and the door slid open. 

“WAH!” And Duck was buried in papers again. He warped upward and landed on top of the paper pile. “Geez Tech!” came Duck’s scolding as Tech walked closer. “Have you ever heard of a folder?” 

“Yes. But I’ve also heard of staples.” And like that, Tech used his power to yank all of the papers out from under him, landing Duck straight onto his butt.

“OOF!” Getting back onto his feet and brushing himself off, Duck scowled. “Any reason you had a pile of paper precariously placed right at the door?”

“Genuine mistake,” Tech stated through a smirk before walking his paper tower further into the lab.

“Whatever,” Duck huffed, following him inside with Rev shortly behind. “The TV remote’s dead. I need Triple A batteries for it.”

“Alright. Hand me the ones in the remote.”

“Okay.” Duck teleported.

…

“YEEOUCH!” 

And immediately he was right back where he teleported from. 

“You didn’t turn off the security thingy?!”

“It takes a while to shut off, so I didn’t bother. Sorry that I forgot to mention it,” Tech said with faux innocence. 

“You’re despicable.” Duck sharply turned and walked out of the lab’s door, before teleporting away properly this time. 

Rev brought his attention to Tech. 

“Something happen between you two?” 

“Not really. I’m still mad about something he said last week… even though I probably shouldn’t be by now.”

“What’d he say?”

“Eh, it’d take too long to explain. Long story short, he gave me some dumb advice I’d never use in my right mind.”

“Well that definitely sounds like something he’d do.”

Duck appeared at the doorway again and stomped inside. “Here’s the batteries,” he said, practically shoving them into Tech’s hands. “Now, give me some new ones.”

“I don’t have any.” 

“WHAT?!” 

“I used the last of the ones I had a while ago. You’ll just have to wait for these ones to recharge.” With that, Tech walked over and set them into the battery charger on his desk. 

“How long will that take?!” 

“A few hours, at least.” 

“You can’t be serious?! How am I supposed to go without the remote for that long?!” 

Rev stuck up his pointer finger triumphantly. “Actually! You know what? I just remembered; While I was grabbing a quick snack the other day I think I overheard Lexi talking about-” 

“Would you quit yackin? Some people have real problems to deal with.” Duck groaned, stomping back to the door. “I guess I’ll have to find some batteries myself! You literal and not-literal love birds enjoy your freaky nerd nests; I’ve got some battery hunting to do.” 

“We’re not-!” And Duck was gone before Rev could finish. 

Tech crossed his arms. “You know, he’s just trying to get under your skin.” 

“But-! He can’t just… keep saying stuff like that!” 

“Just ignore him. Don’t give him the satisfaction of thinking you’re actually listening.” 

“I… Yeah. You’re right…”

Tech looked around his lab, papers in towers all around. “I guess this would qualify as a ‘nerd nest’,” he said. “Duck made it sound like you had one too?” 

“Yeah. I’ve been doing some research on-” Rev’s words got caught in his throat. “Uh, stuff.” 

“‘Stuff’?”

“Y-Yeah. Just… nothing weird or… I don’t know.” 

“Mmm.” 

Tech took a few steps closer, and Rev held his breath. 

Then Tech snagged a post-it caught up Rev’s crest and brought it into his vision. 

“H-Hey!” 

“You said it was nothing weird, right?” 

“I-I did, but-” 

“Then why can’t I see what you’ve been up to?” 

“I… well… I don’t know. Something doesn’t feel entirely right… but as far as I can figure out it’s okay…” 

Tech raised the note into his view, reading it aloud. “In a 2165 speech, the governor of New New Jersey was quoted saying that coyotes were cunning and untrustworthy, contributing to the spread of these stereotypes.” His gaze returned to Rev, giving him an expression of mild concern. “This is what you’ve been doing for the past week?” 

“Well not entirely. I mean I did spend a bit of time on it as I wanted to be thorough but I did have to eat and sleep and…” Rev cowered. “Did I screw up?” 

Tech handed Rev back the note. “Doing some research is a good idea, but if your room is looking anything like it does in here, you might’ve gone overboard.” 

“Um…” Rev looked around, avoiding eye contact. “Anyway, what have you been up to? You said you were working on something but you’ve been pretty quiet about it all week.”

Tech sighed, deciding to ignore Rev’s sidestep for now. “Well…” His ears drooped. “I wanted it to be a surprise, but nothing's come of it so far. When you asked to come in I figured that… I couldn’t keep you out forever…”

Rev stepped over to one of the stacks of paper and took a stapled group off the top, scanning through. “Oh!” Rev perked up with a bright smile. “You’re experimenting with your potential electromagnetic abilities!” Slowly, his smile dropped. “But… you said nothing’s come of it?” 

“Yeah… I haven’t managed to generate a single watt, let alone a circuit frying EMP.” Tech turned away, sighing wearily. “It should have been so easy. Magnetism and electricity are intrinsically linked, and I used both so effortlessly just last week. Yet… stacks documentation and experiments later… and I think I’ve lost all hope of figuring it out…” 

“Aw, I’m sure you can do it eventually! Maybe you just need to come at it from a different angle.” 

“Different angle?” 

“Sure! How’ve you been trying to create electromagnetic energy so far?” 

“Well…” Tech motioned Rev to his main work table, which had a few stacks of paper and a simple energy monitor attached to some loose wires on it. “I know that, mechanically, all that I should have to do is rapidly oscillate my magnetic fields near some conductive material to generate electricity, so I hooked up some wires to an energy monitor and tried to do just that. If I managed to generate even a single watt, I’d be able to see it. So far though… no luck.” 

“Hmm…” Rev leaned down and tilted his head, looking at the simplistic set up. “This kinda seems like a cold and mechanical way of figuring things out.” He straightened up and turned back to Tech. “What about the emotional part? Didn’t you say you’d figure out what you were feeling when you produced the EMPs and try to replicate the circumstances?” 

“I’m… still not entirely sure what specific emotion correlated to producing the EMPs, or if that correlation even exists or matters at all.” Sighing, he wiped his face. “Nevertheless… I have tried inducing various emotions through different means, but the longer I continued, the more the utter failure of these experiments got to me and possibly influenced the results…” 

“Maybe you should try something else like- Oh!” Rev rushed out of sight, then came back with a simple LED lightbulb. “It’ll take very little energy to get this to light up, and when it does, you’ll have a quick and easy indicator that you’re on the right track!”

Taking the lightbulb offered to him, Tech turned it in his hands with an unsure expression. “Even if LEDs are more efficient than other bulbs, it’ll still take more energy to produce results than creating a current through the energy monitor.”

“That’s true, but a lightbulb is easier to carry around, and getting out of the lab might help things feel a little less stagnate.” Rev stepped around and started ushering Tech to the door. “And I don’t know about you, but I would have never learned about the full potential of my powers if nothing changed. Running faster, sure; I already run everywhere. But flying? That was entirely different territory. I looked into the sky and wondered if I could, and after many failed jumps, it wasn’t until I stopped thinking about the ground that I finally took off.” 

After a moment to hum in thought, Tech shrugged. “I did only discover my powers when I wasn’t thinking about them. Mostly because I had no idea I even had them. Maybe a short break will help me clear my mind a bit.” 

“That’s a great idea!” They stepped out of the lab and the door automatically locked behind them. “Once you’ve cleared your head a little I just know you’ll figure everything out! Maybe I can even throw you a party once you do! Complete with nice clothes and everything. But, since it’s been like a week since you’ve left the lab, before all that you could probably use a good meal and-” Rev sniffed the air and gagged, “uh, maybe a shower.” 

Nodding with a shrug, Tech continued forward a few steps before noticing that Rev had gone entirely still. He turned to him in curiosity and was met with a mortified expression. 

“Uh-”

“I’m really sorry if that was mean or uncalled for! I wasn’t even really thinking about what I said and then it came out and I don’t know why it even did because I’d never mean to-”

“Rev-”

“-hurt you even a little because I’m supposed to be your best friend but I should’ve known better and-”

“Rev!” Tech shot his hand out toward Rev’s beak, but stopped himself before actually grabbing it. Thankfully, the movement was enough to get Rev’s attention, cutting his rant short. 

“I’m… sorry…” Rev summarized quietly.

Tech crossed his arms. “Well, I’d like to know what for, because I’m entirely lost.”

“Wait you don’t even-” Rev paused. “Uh, maybe it’d be better if I didn’t elaborate…”

“After how much you just freaked out? No. I really think you should explain yourself.” 

“Oh…” Rev rubbed his arm, his eyes locked on the floor. “Well, there were quite a few records of people assuming that coyotes smelled and I don’t want to be one of those people…” 

Tech rolled his eyes, sighing with a neutral expression. “Okay… It’s great that you did some research, and also great that you’re making an effort to be more considerate,” 

Rev froze with dread of what was coming next.

“but,” 

And there it was. That sharp stab to the gut.

“I’d really like it if you didn’t make things awkward, alright? Like I already said; If you say something uncalled for, I’ll let you know. And when I let you know, then you can say sorry, and then we can move on. Got it?” 

“Got it…” 

“There’s no need to overreact if you say the wrong thing to me. I can handle it, I promise. So, unless I make a big deal of whatever you say, just treat the situation like you would any mistake you’d make. Alright?” 

“Alright…” 

Tech smiled warmly, stepping forward and giving Rev a few pats on the shoulder. 

“You’re on the right track, so just relax and have some confidence in yourself already. Everything is going to be fine. Okay?”

“Okay…” 

Finally, he pulled away. “I do need to take a shower though. Afterward, maybe a nice walk around HQ will help me figure out my powers. So, I’ll talk to you later, Rev.” 

He started walking away. 

“Later, Tech. I promise I’ll take your advice to heart.” 

With a thumbs up, Tech stepped around the corner and out of sight. 

Finally alone, Rev sighed, rubbing his arm. 

“Dang it… All that research… and it still wasn’t enough to stop me from screwing up…” A warbled breath left his beak, and Rev immediately straightened up and cleared his throat. 

“No. Tech wouldn’t want me to cry. I just… need to never make another mistake, and then I’ll never hurt his feelings again, and then I’ll never feel the need to cry. Everything will be fine. Just… think… Where did I go wrong…” 

He started pacing back and forth, though, at a characteristically fast speed. A few post-its jostled off and fluttered to the floor. 

Abruptly, his feet came to a halt. 

“Confidence! Tech said I needed to have some confidence in myself! I’m not quite sure how confidence will help me avoid hurting his feelings, but Tech knows what he’s talking about so getting some confidence will definitely work. Now… how to get some confidence…” 

Another brief bout of pacing later and he triumphantly raised a finger into the air. 

“Lexi’s got confidence in spades! I’ll just go ask her how to get some confidence and then I’ll be the most perfect best friend that Tech could ever hope to have!” 

And with that, Rev dashed across HQ to find her, more post-its fluttering to the ground in his wake. 

~

Link to Oversight Chapter 2 ->

[n3on-graveston3s-calling]

Morning Routines.

Word Count: 1,062

Rating: T

Warnings: Mildly suggestive content.

Characters: Sanji, Zoro. Suma ( OC ), mentions of Brook,

Author's Note: Sanji's waist drives me crazy. And the concept of Sanji in a corset?? Even better.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

It was early; the sounds of waves hitting against the hull of the Thousand Sunny the only sound to greet him as he rose. He reaches blindly, patting the bedside table for his pack of cigarettes before grasping it. Not yet tapping one out; no. Coffee first.

Slipping from the bedroom, he wanders down the hall to the bathroom. A perk of waking early was having the bathroom to himself. Hair freshly cleaned from the night before, he takes a few minutes to carefully brush out any tangles that occurred in the night. He'd need to trim it, soon; getting too long again. Perhaps he could have Suma trim it. She did clean up Robin's hair a few days ago- even fixed Luffy's mess of curls. The thought prompted a smile to curve his lips as he fixed his toothbrush. Oral hygiene was key- especially with his admittedly awful habit.

Teeth cleaned, hair fixed- his next step was to dress. First came the black dress slacks he preferred- tailored for him, specifically. Extra give along the inseam to allow movement without the fear of ripping. The fabric itself was special- nor to catch flame when using his Diable Jambe. They had cost a pretty penny, but working at the Baratie had given him more than enough to be able to afford them. And now, being with his beloved crew- it was worth very berry. Nimble fingers pulled the belt through the loops, only to leave it unclasped. Instead, he turned- pausing at the sound of Brook humming as he walked past.

The ship was beginning to wake, slowly.

Fingers grasped fabric, pulling his shirt up to hang on the back of the door- and returned to grasp the additional piece of clothing. Standing before the mirror, he watched as the corset settled around his waist. Underbust with a flexible boning to allow movement. Black, so as to not draw attention. It was a comfort, so to speak; the feeling of the soft fabric settling against his skin as he adjusted it to sit just so. A breath in- before slowly exhaling as his fingers wove through the lacing, pulling it taught as the air left his lungs, as his rib cage collapsed inwards. Tighter, tighter- a soft, pleased sound escaped his lips as he tied the back. There.

He took a moment to study his appearance; he'd grown more tanned in his travels with the Straw Hats. More color in his face, in his arms. Yet his chest was still pale, contrasting sharply with the onyx tone of the corset. He smoothed his palms over the curve that had been created with the corset- waist pulled in, trim. Small.

It had been a habit formed when he began waiting tables. Comments on how pretty he was. How smooth his skin was. Hands on his waist, big hands- shaking his head to clear the fog that had begun, he tugged on his shirt, quickly buttoning it. He tucked the ends into the waistband of his pants before buttoning them, as well. Belt followed, before the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows in a quick movement of one, two, three. Perfect.

Slipping out of the bathroom, he slid his shoes on before making his way to the kitchen, finding Brook slipping out with a cup of tea. How a skeleton could eat and drink? He wasn't sure. Hadn't figured that out just yet. Humming to himself, he began to sing under his breath as breakfast prep began, though his mind continued to wander.

Hands- smooth or soft? Big or large? Body pressed to his back, hands smoothing down his waist, a comment murmured of "I knew you had a secret," against the shell of his ear-

( Bacon, where had he put the bacon? Ah, there it was. Eggs, too. Scrambled, fried, boiled? All three. Boiled would take longest, start them first. A gravy could be made from the fat of the bacon- )

-of hands tugging his shirt up, smoothing across his stomach and up, settling just beneath his chest to trace the line of the corset. "Black's a good color on you," they'd whisper. Would they be awed? Would they want to see him in just the corset? Or the shirt stays, as well? Settled about his thighs, gripping the flesh there.

( Did Luffy eat all of the sausage again? Fucker. They'll need to restock next time they make port. He could eat them out of house and home- or ship and… ship? Oven began to heat up. Where was his cast iron? Oh, there, of course. Wake up, Sanji. Wake up. )

A shake of the head. He couldn't think of such things while cooking. Even if his heart hammered against his ribcage, even if his mind whispered that he could spare ten minutes alone. No- no.

The crew would be waking. They needed food.

"Good morning," Suma yawned as she slipped in, followed by… Marimo.

( He ignored the way his heart raced harder at the sight of them both, of Suma's tired smile and Zoro's not yet awake gaze. )

"Morning!" He chirped back as Suma reached beside him, grabbing hold of a mug from the rack.

"'Cuse me," Zoro murmured, a hand smoothing across his back as he slipped behind him and past Suma, grabbing a tangerine to eat before breakfast.

Sanji bit his lip hard enough to taste iron at the touch. Too real. Too close. Would he notice? He doesn't. Suma slips out with her cup of tea to visit with Brook.

"... You hurt?"

"What?"

"Bandages around your waist. Did you get hurt?"

Shit. Shit. "Oh- uh. Yeah. Compression for ribs from the last fight. Chopper said to wear them."

"Huh." A pause. Zoro peels the tangerine. Sanji counts down the minutes until the stove would be hot enough. "Stop getting fucking injured so easily, shirt cook."

"Get out of my fucking kitchen, mossball."

A bark of laughter as Zoro slips out. The sun was beginning to rise.

Breathe.

"Vous pourrez vous attarder sur vos fantasmes plus tard, Sanji."

Breakfast.

[gendervapor14]

OP Rarepair Month 2023: Week One ~ Only One Bed

hey hey!! taking a crack at OP Rarepair Month 2023 for my first writing event!! starting off strong for week one with one of my favorites ships AND tropes.

title: how to bed your captain rating: T content warnings: none relationship: bell-mère/donquixote "corazon" rosinante additional tags: fluff, humor, pining, sharing a bed, canon universe, but in terms of canon compliant i'd say it's just slightly to the left, marine rosinante, marine bell-mère, light angst, because this is me we're talking about, romance

sample below!! :D

From what Rosinante observed in his many years with the navy, there were two kinds of people. Those who took charge, and those who followed. There was just some sort of natural aura a person had, some sort of drive to lead, or to obey. Try as he might, Rosinante usually fell towards the latter, despite all those inspiring speeches he had attempted to gulp down with questionable success.

There was nothing wrong with being a follower. A leader was nothing without people to support them, after all. Although sometimes, like right now, Rosinante wondered whether he should’ve taken some of those tiresome lectures closer to heart.

“So, so, lemme get this straight…” His captain leaned over the counter of this cozy, family-run inn, probably giving that poor old man the shock of his life from the way she was toying with the top button of her blouse. “You only have four rooms available. You can’t…bump that up to five, by any chance?”

“I-I’m so sorry, miss, but if you want us to board all eight officers, the most we can allow is two people per room. They’re not very large rooms either, usually we only offer one person to stay at a time…”

“Right, but we’re only staying one night. And we’re all coworkers. All, one big happy family.” She patted the chipped countertop, “You stand for family values here, right?”

“Captain.” Rosinante felt the urge to intervene quietly when the frightened older gentleman looked his way for a rescue. “Let’s just, cut our losses and look elsewhere.” He suggested mildly.

And then she straightened up. Faced him square on. Rosinante raised his chin because if he was going to go undercover in the upcoming years, he needed to learn to stand up for himself sometimes, or something along those lines. Maybe challenging his own captain wasn’t a great start at that philosophy.

“Well, what do you suggest, Lieutenant?” She flexed that title on him as his eyes wandered away with annoyance. “That big grand imaginary inn over the hill?”

“Weather’s not that bad.” He shrugged, still avoiding eye contact. “We could just camp outside for the night.”

“It’s almost freezing.”

“Yeah, exactly. Almost.” When he glanced down at her, Bell-mère looked less than impressed. “Could be worse.”

With a wiry sigh, the old man behind the counter rubbed at his balding head. “I suppose if your officers are okay with it, they could arrange themselves within three rooms and…you could stay in the fourth?”

Bell-mère had a beautiful grin. She used it well to convince the man this could’ve been one of the best ideas of his life. “That sounds like a perfect plan, sir. Thank you for being so accommodating.”

A nervous little chuckle, “Of, of course, Captain. Just be sure you get the room key for, whichever room you decide to borrow.”

“Sure thing.” Bell-mère cast him a half-assed salute before she departed towards the stairs. Rosinante belatedly trudged after her. “What’s the matter, bud?” The captain eyed over her shoulder, “Look, if you’d rather go out there and sleep in frozen dirt, be my guest.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” He disregarded, head down as she made her grand selection of which officers were getting the boot. “Just feel bad about giving that guy a hard time.” 

“Please. I’m sure he’s dealt with shittier customers.”

“Well, that doesn’t really give us an excuse to be difficult.”

For the second time that night, Bell-mère fixed him with a tough stare. With the way that cigarette was perched between her teeth, and the stern glare in her eye, he often wondered what kinds of hell she saw before they were assigned to work together.

“Sometimes, life forces your hand. And you don’t have the luxury to be nice.”

“I get that.” He said lowly, both to preserve the privacy of this little talk, and to remain mindful of any nearby, sleeping clients. “But this…I dunno, didn’t seem like one of those moments to me. But maybe I’m wrong. What do I know, right?”

A tired sigh. She turned away, tugging on the root of her ponytail. “We’ll have this talk another day. I’ll toughen you up yet. Let’s just get some sleep, I’m fucking exhausted.”

“Yeah, agreed.” He nodded along as Bell-mère pushed forth, kicking out two of their once-comfortable officers into different rooms. She stepped into the bedroom afterwards, arms folded as she took in the sights of the place, while Rosinante had to bow his head to pass the threshold of the door.

“Guess he wasn’t kidding when he said the rooms were tight, huh?” She smothered her cigarette out on the corner of the dresser.

“Yeah…” The lieutenant noted quietly, staring at the scarce amenities available. A queen-sized bed. A wooden dresser. Burgundy curtains over the windows.

“Well.” Bell-mère shrugged and let her justice coat glide from her shoulders into her arms. “It’s better than camping out for the night, so, whatever. Let’s just be thankful for what we’ve got.”

“Right.” Who would’ve thought he’d be so spoiled to the barracks at HQ? “I’ll uh, I’ll sleep on the floor, I guess.”

Bell-mère crossed the room, draping her coat over the wardrobe as she kicked a boot up to the polished edge and began to untie her laces. “Yeah, no. I don’t feel like listening to you bitch about a sore back all day tomorrow.”

“I won’t complain.” He raised his hands in defeat, “You’re the captain, you get the bed.”

“I’m not letting my lieutenant sleep on the floor.” Bell-mère persisted. “We’re not animals, we can just share the bed.”

He should’ve expected such a casual suggestion from her. Still, it had him jamming his hands in his pockets awkwardly, craving a cigarette just so he’d have something to bite down on. This was every officer’s dream, really. Every officer who had the privilege of meeting Bell-mère, at least. The pretty spitfire who could drink half the navy under the table and take down half a pirate crew with a rifle alone. And, if he was being honest, he held onto some fluttery attraction for her too, although he kept it repressed deep, deep in the bowels of his mind.

thanks for hosting this, @oprarepairmonth!!

[writer-and-artist27]

...This is definitely one way to start off a new month in the year. On April Fool's Day too. The bond levels at this rate are gonna have my head swirl. More so with Big Robin being so close to max bond level period. It's a bit scary.

So, since all of these happened in the exact same day, why not write for all three? :> Was inspired by this old favorite of a song from my childhood too.

Here we go with the usual short story then! Unedited and all.

Content warning for slightly suggestive content at the end? I think.

-----------------------

"Gotta say, this is an interesting crowd to be with."

"Oh? Do you have a problem with that, Robin?" Mata Hari was giving him a look caught between a smile and a smirk past Caster Arturia's shoulder as they all walked through one of Novum Chaldea's many hallways together, and Robin ignored the urge to roll his eyes.

"Nothing like that, Sis," Robin waved off with a hand, smiling back once he caught Arturia's eye. "Just the first time in a while that the little sparrow's called more than one Servant to the Enhancement Center. Would've expected Rider and Saber to be here too."

"I-I'm sure Vy has her reasons," Caster Arturia said mildly, giving Mata Hari a shy smile once the Assassin put her hands on Caster's shoulders in a show of support. "I definitely wasn't expecting her to ask for all three of us."

"Hm," Mata Hari hums, her gray eyes darting to what was approaching them from up ahead, and Robin follows her line of sight to find the door of the Enhancement Center. "Then let's all go in together?"

Robin hid another smile into the bundle of his mantle while raising his hand to press a palm against the panel that operated the door.

-----------------------

Rainbow, Arturia thought first.

That's a lot of coins, Mata Hari thought next. Can it be—

Robin's the only one who's not surprised in the end, unable to do anything but level the only human in the room with a warm look.

Because of course Vy would come up with this kind of honest thing.

Behind the two bright Bond Chalices and one strangely placed chocolate-made Grail filled to the brim with silver coins in her arms, Vy's smile was shy as she raised the gifts in their shared direction. "Congrats on the new bond levels," she murmurs softly, tilting her head with an equally shy giggle as she gestured with her hands for them to come closer. "I wanted to call you all here just to give you gifts for that."

"Vy..." Caster Arturia whispered softly.

"I-I was expecting the Bond Chalices for Arturia and Robin, but dear—" Mata Hari covered her mouth with one hand, the rose veil on top of her head tipping to the side from shock as her gray eyes started to blur from reflecting the coin-holding chocolate Grail in Vy's arms. "That chocolate's for me?"

"Aye." Another shy giggle left Vy's lips as she gestured with her arms for them to come closer, the light in her bespectacled brown eyes warm and loving in return. "T-To make up for the Holy Grail shortage we're in at the moment," she replied, raising her hands again as the gifts in her hands shifted from her adjusting her grip. "Because back when we rescued Bunyan, I still remember what that other Mata Hari said, about wanting to see a her that's loved. And..." Vy ducked her head, hiding her mouth behind the gifts. "You're the closest I have to a big sister or a mom outside of Raikou, Medea, Marie, and Skadi-san, Mata Hari. So even if I can't give you a Holy Grail or a Bond Chalice yet—" Vy smiles again. "You're still just as important to me as Arturia-san and Big Robin, Margaretha, Bond Chalice or not. So why not show it with the coins that can unlock your Append Skills and a chocolate Grail?"

Mata Hari closes her eyes to inhale deeply just as Caster Arturia and Robin gave Vy matching warm smiles in turn. "What an answer," Robin fills in for Mata Hari teasingly, reaching over to take one Bond Chalice from Vy's arms before leaning down to press an affectionate kiss to Vy's head. "Still eating lots of cheese to spout off those lines, huh?"

"Hey! I-I don't see you complaining, Big Robin!" Vy pouted through her growing blush, but still offered the other Bond Chalice to Arturia as the Caster approached. "Besides, I meant all of it!"

"Of course you did..." Caster still wrapped her arms around Vy's neck without hesitation, pressing her cheek to Vy's own as the young woman blinked. "Thank you, Master."

Robin moved in almost immediately to join the embrace, and Mata Hari allowed herself one tear before doing the same. It leaves Vy blinking in confusion once the three surround her in the now apparent group hug, but she giggles past the rainbow flames and silver coins all three hold together. "Aye! Love you all lots too!"

Robin, Arturia, and Mata Hari share a look over Vy's head before tightening their grip. Of course you do, they all think. Of course you do.

-----------------------

It's only when Mata Hari and Caster Arturia leave the room to go to the party that's inevitably going to start in the Dining Hall later that Robin notices Vy fidget more. "So," he starts mildly, giving her a fond look through the fringe of his hair, "what did you want me to stay back for, little sparrow? It's not another Bond Chalice, is it?"

"N-No," and this time, Vy's blush on her face grows darker. And is it just his eyes playing with him, or is she tugging at her Winter Chaldean Mystic Code sleeves? "It's just... the next time your bond level goes up, I can't give you any more Bond Chalices, Big Robin."

Ah. Robin takes a few steps closer to press a gentle palm to the top of Vy's head. "There's nothing wrong with that, little sparrow. At this point, with how long you've had me around, we were going to hit the ceiling somewhere."

"Yeah, but... Th-The thing is..." Now Vy's drawing lines in the Enhancement Center floor with the tip of her boot as she refuses to meet his eyes. "I-I still want to give you something."

Robin blinked. "Something else? What is—"

The last thing he expected was for Vy to blurt out in a hurry, "I-Iwantotgiveyou, um, m-myfirsttimeforreal, okay?!"

Oh. Oh.

Heat was starting to climb up the back of his neck. "Vy," he murmured carefully, gently, "you don't have to give me that if you're still scared. I said I was willing to wait before."

"I-I know that, it's just..." Vy hugs herself, wrapping her arms around her middle as she continues to fidget. "A-After talking about it with Mata Hari and Da Vinci-chan and Art-san, I've just been thinking about it more and... and I want to give it to you. Right n-now, or maybe even a little later. A-As long as it's before the next Lostbelt. Just because my brain keeps thinking of you, I want you to feel good, and..." When Vy raises her head to meet his eyes, the look on her blushing red face is shy but determined and willing as she smiles. "I-I'd at least like to know what it's like making love with someone I truly want to be with for the rest of my life in the face of all the death we've seen."

Something inside of Robin snaps and it takes all of his remaining control to reach over and gently take her left hand in both of his, squeezing her fingers. Because of course his little sparrow would choose a moment like this to be vulnerable, when there was no guarantee of what the next Lostbelt would bring. Of course she wanted someone at her side, even if it was a former bandit-turned hero like him. "Vy..." he gulps the lump down in his throat, closing the distance between them with a few more steps. "You've gotta tell me you're absolutely sure you want this. Because if you say something so earnestly cute again, I might not be able to take you to your daily nap today."

I might not be able to let you go ever again.

Vy's glasses slid down the bridge of her nose from the heat between them, but she still nods. "That's okay. I-I do want this," she whispers, voice dripping sheer sincerity and love as she meets his eyes shyly. "You helped me face my fears with people when I was little, Big Robin. I-I'd like to face this one with you, when I know how strong love can be thanks to you."

This brave little sparrow of mine...

Robin shuts his eyes and pulls on Vy's hand, the incoming haze in his brain barely letting him hear her squeal of shock once her figure melded into his through another hug. "...Then I'll do my best, little sparrow," he promises, the words binding him as much as they could through the growing lust as he cradles her in his arms. "Let's take this to my room, okay?"

The little, "A-Aye..." that brushes his ear is the best confirmation he can get aside from Vy shakily raising her arms to pat his back through the hug.

[blutopaz15]

Flufftober Oct. 2

Sneaking Out Together

Yay, day two! This has been REALLY good for my writer's block so far! Hope you enjoy more sweet, dorky rayllum fluff! <3

NOTES: rated t for mildly suggestive content, 1.1k

ao3 link

It was weird going to bed without Rayla.

Callum snapped his sketchbook shut. Even drawing felt strange to do alone.

He missed having Rayla beside him, peering down at the page. Her hair, so shiny and white, always fell across his shoulder when she tucked her forehead into the crook of his neck and her lips were always so sweet and soft when she interrupted to kiss him first...

He sighed.

They’d seldom spent a night alone since coming back to Katolis, and Callum could tell from the way Rayla had crossed her arms as they went their separate ways—without so much as a kiss in front of all the dinner guests—that she was definitely just as unhappy about being apart as he was.

The clear view of the nearly full moon through the windows that led to the balcony attached to the room didn’t help.

Swinging his legs out of bed, Callum tried to come up with a reasonable excuse to traipse across the Neolandian palace they were visiting, but came up short. He settled for stepping out onto the balcony instead.

It was complicated here.

Not like it was in Katolis, where it was just a fact that their room was theirs. The worst thing they needed to worry about back home was the morning housekeeping crew catching them in a compromising position if they slept too late, and that only resulted in—at worst—another embarrassing conversation with Opeli or Aunt Amaya. The threats to separate them had grown less and less convincing the older they got, especially as it became more and more obvious that Rayla was there to stay.

Here, though…

At first, Callum had thought it was some convoluted show of prejudice when their things had very clearly been taken in separate directions as they arrived. After all, he was certainly in tune enough with the sideways looks from palace staff—even without her hand tightened around his—to realize that Rayla being an elf was definitely still noteworthy here, like it’d been those first couple weeks in Katolis after the Spire.

But...he’d gotten the feeling that it was the sharing-a-room part that would have really stirred the pot, regardless of Rayla being an elf. Opeli had reminded both of them with a shake of her head: a few nights apart wouldn’t be worth the risk of an even rockier relationship with Neolandia.

Callum huffed grumpily, resting his elbows on the banister.

Did Rayla really have to be all the way on the other side of the palace, though?

Apparently—he brightened, seeing her slip out onto the balcony directly across from his—exactly on the other side of the courtyard.

It was too far across to call out, but...not too far to be able to tell that she was grinning at him. He waved, and her lips didn’t need to move for him to hear her voice calling him a dork. Rayla waved back, though...and then the look in her eyes shifted to a familiar, calculating brightness. She glanced all around his balcony then peered down hers, eyes narrowed and judging distances. Rayla ended up frowning, though. She hesitated for a moment and then clumsily signed a few words that she’d learned early on in talking with Aunt Amaya.

No blades. She pointed behind her then, back to the room where she seemed to have left them along with her day-clothes, and Callum understood that it was a little far of a jump to make without her hooks to catch herself with.

You, she started, then paused to think before settling on a gesture that got across that he was supposed to fly over, whether it was actual Katolis Sign Language or not.

Callum watched her roll her eyes when he licked a finger and pointed it up in the air like he was testing the breeze, as if it was even a question that he was heading over there to kiss his beautiful, adorable pajama-clad sweetheart goodnight.

“Manus—” Callum paused, realizing that midnight flight practice might not be an adequate explanation for a shredded pajama top, especially if Opeli caught wind of it. He tossed the shirt back towards the door to his room.

The goal was not to get caught anyway…

He held his arms out, and struggled to get the words out around the grin that Rayla’s smirking at him from across the way had brought on.

“Manus, pluma, volantis.”

He’d barely touched down before Rayla’s arms were looped around his neck.

“Nice flying, mage,” she teased, fingers in his hair sending a tingle down his spine. Brushing her lips against his temple, she let his wings folding around her draw her in even closer, and whispered: “I missed you.”

“Just a few more nights, okay?” Callum reassured her, nosing a piece of hair away from her cheek so he could pass the kiss back to her. “We’ll ride home together and everything.”

Rayla’s hands slipped to his chest, ghosting over his ribs. “Won’t be too weird for you?” she giggled when he gasped.

“Not...not weirder than this,” he stammered, acutely aware of how her hands had slid further down to pull his hips against hers and how they were now trailing up his back. “That...tickles.” He tried to ignore how her hands actually felt on his skin.

“Oh, please. She stilled her hands but kissed his neck. “You love it. You’re the one who decided to strip down, half naked, to come kiss me goodnight.”

“Had to,” he shrugged, getting his bearings without her fingers wandering. “Sleeves, you know.”

The moonlight sparkled in her eyes before they went half lidded as her palm pressed flat against his ass.

“Hmm, well, tomorrow night—”

“Good night, Rayla,” he scolded gently, only slightly tempted to risk political ruin and slip back into her room with her. He sought out his goodnight kiss instead, looking at her lips meaningfully, unable to catch her jaw in his hands the way he wanted to without all the trouble of dispelling the wings.

“I’m just saying! The moon! It’ll be full!” Rayla squirmed around in his wings, gesturing dramatically to the brightness looming overhead. “I can’t believe you’d willingly waste a full moon!”

Callum wrapped the wings as tight as he could around her and angled closer. “I love you.”

Saucy grin softening, Rayla finally let him close the distance between them, her lips pushing back against his with searing heat and her hands pulling him in with fervor enough for the both of them. She let their foreheads meet and lingered, eyes huge and bright and lilac and refusing to leave his.

“Night, Callum,” she said at last, her reluctance matching his own as she slipped away, leaving him longing and lonely…

...and looking forward to tomorrow night.

[darkorderaf]

hi!! can i request number 14; kissing under the stars with matt jackson? thank you love!

Oooooh yes. I'm soft for, well, soft!Matt. Thank you for your patience and please enjoy! <3

Pairing: Matt Jackson x OFC. Prompt: Kissing under the stars. Rating: T. Warnings/Content: Mildly suggestive but mostly fluff! Word Count: 693.

Tag List (send an ask to be added/removed): @alyhull @beingthelite @simoneinside @sillynilly27

(I don’t own gif; credit to superkickparty!)

“Are you moonbathing right now?”

Matt dragged one of the pool lounge chairs over then sat down beside her. She turned her head and opened one eye to watch him, her temple pressed against her folded arms. They were so busy during the week that actually getting around to using the pool seemed an impossible task most, if not every day. Until she said screw it and started to go at night.

“Maybe,” she said with mirth. “What are you doing?”

He made a show of settling his hands behind his head and lifting his face to the sky. The sunglasses and board shorts he wore solidified his commitment. The stars glittered up above the two of them but her eyes were only on him.

“I’m moon-bathing too, babe. Obviously,” he said. He lifted his sunglasses when he looked at her. “Do you want lotion? For these intense rays we’re getting.”

She rolled her eyes as her body shook with laughter. This man and the way he could make her laugh with just a few words or even a look. Get her heart to skip a beat with one of his bright smiles. She took in a deep breath and lifted her head, shifted up to prop herself up on her forearms.

“Sure, yeah, I could use some,” she said. “You know, to be safe.”

The chair creaked as Matt quickly lifted himself out of it and crossed over to hers. He pantomimed opening a bottle of sunscreen and spreading it across his hands. Matt wiggled his fingers and started at her calves, his deft fingers smoothing along her skin. His fingers tickled behind her knees and she hid her squeals in her arm. He laughed behind her, then skimmed his hands along the backs of her thighs. His fingers teased along the thick seams of her bikini bottoms and gave her butt a playful squeeze. Her muscles tightened and she looked back at him with a brow raised, a smirk on her lips.

“Bold of you, Mr. Jackson.”

He shrugged his shoulders with a cheeky smile and continued the path of his hands up her back, her neck. His hand framed her chin and he leaned in to kiss her. His tongue gently prodded her lips and she opened up for him, a content rumble in his chest as her hands slid into his long hair. She pulled away from him and spoke quietly.

“Help me up?”

His hand in hers, Matt pulled her up to him. He held her like that for a moment, their palms pressed together and one of his arms wrapped around her lower back. She kissed him again and he could feel her carefully guiding them. He was just too lost in the warmth of her kiss, the playful nip of her teeth against his bottom lip. Momentarily, their footing was lost and they crashed into the cold of the pool.

Her laughter peeled out of her before she smothered it with her hand, the look on his face and how his hair matted against it almost too much for her.

“Wow,” he said. He swept his hair out of his eyes and fixed her with a devious look. “I thought Sour Boy was the worst but you might be up there, sweetheart.”

She tried to get away but the water slowed her down. His fingers tickled up and down her sides as he pressed her back into the wall of the pool. Her laughter went quiet under his lips and then his hands went still around her waist, his fingertips a comfortable pressure as the moment passed. His arms wrapped around her and she turned her head to settle against his chest as the water gently lapped at them.

“Thank you,” she muttered against Matt’s chest, his heartbeat under her ear and the rush of her own in her chest. “For moonbathing with me. Really.”

He smiled into her hair and traced the shape of her shoulder blades with his thumb. She lifted her head to look at Matt and he kissed her forehead.

“Of course,” he muttered back. “I’ll moonbathe with you anytime, babe.”

[naturepointstheway]

2022 Fanfiction So Far:

Apparently when I get into a fanfiction writing mood, it tends to all pile up at the other end of the year, so thought I’d do a masterpost of sorts of all the fanfics I’ve written this year so far (as of October 5/6)! I’m gonna pin this and add to it when I remember. Pretty much all from Cats the Musical so far, unless otherwise noted. Putting the list under a “read more” as something tells me this is gonna get pretty long (must be muses making up for being so absent all year.)

First Snow - a very smol Mistoffelees experiences his first snow as a kitten. Zurich production, mute Mistoffelees inspired by Lindsay Chambers’ interpretation in aforementioned production from the early nineties. Rating: G.

In Profound Meditation of His Name - Once again, hi Zurich Misto. Features Tugger and Misto as kittens, with the former wondering if the always-silent Misto has a second name. Rating: G.

The Mute and the Maine - Tuggoffelees, inspired by Lindsay Chambers’ mute Mistoffelees from the early ‘90s Zurich production of Cats. Rating: T, with trigger warning for implied suicide ideation.

Of Bushy Tails and Quiet Mischief - As with previous, inspired by the Zurich production of Cats with Lindsay Chambers’ Mistoffelees. Tuggoffelees, with some Plato/Tugger/Misto that can be read as either shippy or platonic. Rating: G. Not my personal fave but it deserves a spot just as much as the others.

“Pretending to be a celeb” prompt - Modern day, anthropomorphic cats, with Tugger pretending to be a celeb while laid up in hospital. Misto does not fall for it at all. Mix of Zurich and 1998 Mistos (not mute--so leans more towards Jacob Brent’s Misto than to Zurich). Trigger Warning for Hospital Setting (but nothing serious.) Rating: G.

“Sharks in the water? Awesome!” prompt - Cryptid Mistoffelees (for once, not Zurich!) and Tugger, the latter discovering the former can feel how warm/cold a rock is for him. Rating: G.

Vibrancy of Magic and Hope - A “prequel” of sorts to “The Mute and the Maine”, set right before and very early into “Magical Mr Mistoffelees”. Zurich production, with mute Mistoffelees. Trigger warning for implied suicide ideation. Rating: T.

“Would you please just kiss me?” prompt - Tuggoffelees, set in Zurich-inspired mute!Mistoffelees universe. Rating: T, for mildly suggestive content.

Flufftober 2022

From this list of fluff prompts for October 2022.

Day 1: “Wearing Each Other’s Clothes” - Beauty and the Beast - Belle and Adam try on each other’s ballroom clothes because they can and want to. Rating: G.

Day 2 [alternate used: “Falling Asleep Together”] - Cats the musical - Jemima and Mistoffelees (Lindsay Chambers’ mute Misto from 1991/92) fall asleep looking at the stars. Ficlet, friendship fic. Rating: G.

Day 3 [alternate used: “Kiss Up Against A Wall”] - Cats the musical - Zurich!Misto as always - Tuggoffelees - A bit of catnip ends up with a kiss against a wall. Rating: T.

Day 4: “Supporting Silly Quirks/Hobbies” - Cats the Musical - Tugger challenges Mistoffelees to a spinning contest, knowing full well he won’t win. Rating: G.

Day 6 [alternate used: “Winning a teddy for the other”] - Beauty and the Beast - Belle and Adam are at a carnival when the latter spots a stall where he can try to win a teddy for his beloved. Rating: G.

Day 7: Movie Marathon - Cats the Musical - Tuggoffelees - University AU - Tugger wants to cheer Misto up with a movie marathon at the weekend. Rating: G.

Day 8: Shooting Star - Cats the Musical - Tuggoffelees - University AU - Mistoffelees texts Tugger at 1 am asking if he is also watching the meteor shower tonight.

[dramioneasks]

HP FESTS: Microfic May Fest

Microfic May 2022:

Thirty One Ruminations by RegretfulPrince - T, 31 chapters - [ One-Sided POV Dramione ] A collection of prompt based 50 word microfics, with some additional challenges, for MicroFic May 2022.Thirty one ruminations about Hermione Granger, from the mind of Draco Malfoy, from various points throughout their time in Hogwarts and after the War.

Arctic Passion Inflamed by mcxi1 (mcxi) - G, one-shot -  What happens when fire and ice are combined?

Symphony of the Heart by mcxi1 (mcxi) - G, one-shot -  They are the orchestra, their love is the symphony.

For Love by Herochick007 - G, one-shot -  For Microfic May, prompt survive

here, there, nowhere by ln4747 - T, WIP - My take on Microfic May! 31 fics, 31 days, 50 words max.Expect some Dramione, Drarry, general character study, and whatever else I manage to come up with this month.Please note tags will be updated with each new work, and any content warnings/tags will be listed in the chapter notes.

Prompt 3: Heartbeat by RavenclawGreen28 - not rated, one-shot -  Day 3: Heartbeat

Microfic May 2023:

37 Snapshots of Dramione (for Microfic May 2023) by damsel_in_mistress - E, 37 chapters - A collection of 37 unrelated, mostly NSFW Dramione in their thirties microfics.

Microfic May 2024:

Microfic May 2024 Micro-drabbles by ViridianRynn - T, 31 chapters - I'm working on brevity by forcing myself to do Microfics~! These will likely remain Dramione focused, but ratings, pairings, and content may change as I go along.I'll be adding to the tags as I go!Weeee~!!*EDIT* Now that the month is completed and I only have 2 fics to go, I can confidently say this is ALL Dramione. Some darker, some fluffy, but nothing too horrific. I have increased the rating to "T" for one or two microfics with mildly suggestive content. <3

Both Sides, Now by EllieByrrdWrites (CSKasem) - not rated, 32 chapters -A collections of moments that follow Draco and Hermione's love affair. 

Microfic May 2024 by blue_string_pudding - E, 31 chapters - A collect of fifty word microfics, all about our favourite enemies in love.

A Different Track by RegretfulPrince - not rated, 32 chapters - [ A collection of 50 word microfic prompts that tell an overarching story. ]First years Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy accidentally befriend one another on the Hogwarts Express, when Draco mistakes her for the relative of a famous Potioneer who shares her last name.

Microfic: The Annual Love Letter From Hermione by mindi - G, one-shot - When Hermione first asked Malfoy out on a date she did so in a letter. Now on the anniversary of that day she gives him another letter. This is sometime after they're married.

Microfic: The Antics of a House Husband (dramione) by mindi - T, one-shot - vexatious adjective vek-sā-shus1.) causing vexation, DISTRESS; "vexatious delays"2.) intended to harass; "a vexatious lawsuit"3.) full of disorder or stress, TROUBLED; "a vexatious period in her life"synonyms include: exasperating, irksome, and Hermione Granger."Draco resisted the urge to look at her. If she saw him smiling now he'd lose out on the opportunity to rile her up a little more before the joke is up. Hermione had been taking her shoes, coat, and scarf off when he finished reading the definition. With one shoe still on and only her coat actually properly hung up, she slowly stalked towards him. "Draco. Lucius. Malfoy. That cover looks VERY familiar. It wouldn't happen to be a dictionary from MY bookshelf, would it?"

Microfic: Challenge Accepted! Hermione vs. Draco in Bed by mindi - E, one-shot - In the game of NOT cumming first, who will win? Draco plays to win! Will he find a way to wear Hermione down?

Granger Things Have Happened (Microfic May 2024) by damsel_in_mistress - E, 36 chapters -  A fresh collection of 36 unrelated, mostly NSFW Dramione in their thirties microfics. Enjoy!

Microfic: How to Redefine One’s Worth by mindi - G, one-shot - The beginning of a Dramione love story I think! Harry and Draco are chatting late into the evening.

Microfic: Malfoy Men Protect Their Women by mindi - G, one-shot - “Ok…. Granger, look at me please? You said ‘children’ as in, more than one. How many kids do you want exactly?” It takes every ounce of control Draco possesses to not laugh at his fiancée in this moment. Silly woman, doesn’t she know that I’ll give her anything?

Microfic: The Subtle Art of Humility, by Draco's inner self by mindi  - G, one-shot -  Draco's a prat and he's driven Hermione to her whits end. This is his inner monologue after she's walked out on him.

Microfic May 2024 by Absumoaevum - not rated, one-shot - This is just a bunch o' microfics I wrote for Microfic May 2024. They are on a variety of topics ranging from sad Dramione to sweet Dramione and even some (hopefully) witty Dramione. They are not cohesive in the slightest. I am unapologetic. 

Microfic Is It Agony or Is It Love by mindi - G, one-shot - Draco may not survive the elementary school choir concert. Hermione is not surprised.

Microfic: This Had Better Not Be Quidditch Related by mindi - G, one-shot - “Where are you taking us?” Hermione asked through a yawn. “If this has anything to do with Quidditch I swear I will avada you on the spot.”

This fest is ongoing.

[insane-control-room]

Abstitution

Chapter 1/2: Substitution

next

Norman's working when he hears a shout- and it's very obvious whose it is. He decides to investigate the matter.

rated: T for suggestive themes

warnings: none

ao3 link

Norman’s head raised from where it was bent as he reviewed the panels of the film. His eyebrow had also gone up, and he listened to the frustrated and mildly hysterical cry slowly ebb away from the pipes that carried it. It was, judging by the nonsensical content and indignant stutter, Joey’s shout. Norman sighed and got up from his work bench, stretching out his shoulders as he made his way down to the man’s office. 

He stood in the open doorway and looked at the studio head silently, who was sitting and shaking in his wheelchair as he gripped his pen with his right hand, a bottle of ink knocked over on the desk that he was cleaning with his dominant left hand. He had not noticed the other man, and swore under his breath repeatedly, brow furrowed and eyes glossy. 

Due to how exceedingly rare it was for Joey to have trouble with animating, Norman had taken quite a few moments to realize what was going on. While his art was never particularly clean, he had an exceptional idea of motion and fluidity that made for great storyboards, and when necessary, could on his own produce fully done animations. Being that he always had the image of what he wanted to convey in his mind, much of his issues with the art would be slower scenes. 

“Can I help you, Mr. Drew?” Norman asked as calmly as he could muster, trying not to smirk too wide. The artist jolted, dropping his pen as his other hand pressed to his heart, leaving a black stain. “Ah, didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” Norman lied, “You seem to be having some trouble over there. Mind if I come in?”

“Oh, er, n-not at all, come in,” Joey answered, throwing away the ruined papers and emptied ink bottle, as well as the stained paper towels. “But, um… I’m not quite sure what you could do. Perhaps go home, being that it’s eight thirty.”

“It’s two.”

“... two?” Joey seemed utterly baffled by the number, as though he had never heard it before, and looked at the clock, which did indeed point at the second hour. “In the afternoon, r-right?”

“No.” Norman honestly answered. “I came in because I couldn’t sleep. It’s two AM.”

“Well,” Johan seemed at a loss for words for a moment. “Fuck.” 

“Seems about right,” Norman chuckled, and then came to the thin man’s side, propping himself to sit on the edge of the desk. “Now, let’s see… you know, I used to do a bit of, well, some kind of animation. Before I worked here, when I was at that theater. I was fired for splicing film, you see. Substituting motions with other scenes and the such.”

“That’s fascinating,” Joey remarked wholeheartedly, then blushed as he realized how enraptured he was by the man’s quick tale. “What s-sort of movements?”

“All kinds,” Norman shrugged, aware of the slightly younger man’s devoted gaze. That was a good adjective for Joey, Henry had told him, and he could see what he meant by that now. Typically he never had much of a reason to stick around the animator, and he was finding him a lot more pleasant than he was expecting him to be. “But let’s first get this all back on track. Draw the first pose.”

Johan nodded, obediently doing as the projectionist dictated. Norman watched him carefully etch out the cartoon’s positioning. Once it was complete, Norman treated the paper beneath it in the classified manner to transfer the background, and passed it to Joey. The man frowned, pen hovering over the page and about to confer his doubts when Norman pressed his hand over Joey’s wrist. 

“Now, don’t draw the next frame,” Norman instructed. “Draw the last.”

Realization dawned on the animator and he gave another brisk nod, returning to the paper to draw. Norman’s gaze followed the careful ink strokes appreciatively, humming in approval. 

“Where was I… ah, right,” Norman looked up in memory, eye coming down to see Joey looking at him intently for a moment. The other immediately looked away when Norman saw him, as if realizing how encompassing his observation of the cameraman was. “Would you like me to continue as you draw? Talking about my own excursions into animation, if you will.”

“Certainly,” Joey replied, flicking on the light table built into his desk and pushing back the panel that typically hid it from view. With great concentration, he began to draw the center panels to begin filling in the rest of the motion. “I’d love to h-hear about them.”

“You wanted to know about what I would mesh together,” Norman recalled, thinking through to that point and wondering how much he should divulge. He decided to prod a bit in jest, in a sly little way. “Dancing always was a fun one to jot together. So were conversations, you could make them absolutely hilarious. Then,” he let his smirk peek out a little more, landing on the idea that honesty would make for the best route in this situation. “There were those rare flicks that got sent in by anonymous film makers or under fake names. You know the type, where they’re not quite advertised about but hushed around, where most folk try to come in inconspicuously.” 

Norman thought that Joey’s much darker than usual face was rather cute, unwittingly pointed out by the way his pen suddenly stopped moving. 

“You mean, er…” Joey waved a hand as he tried to get Norman to fill in the blank, which he did not, only grinning wider. “‘Blue’ films, so to s-speak?” 

“Exactly,” Norman nodded, eye twinkling. Joey had no idea that one could tell when an eyepatch wearing man winked, but he certainly could see that now. The blush he was sporting intensified. Part of him worried that Norman could feel it from where he was standing. “I was very lucky that I was only fired when I was caught.”

“Why’s that?” Johan asked, acutely aware that Norman was leaning towards him, still grinning. He did not answer, instead looking all the way up Joey’s seated form. Joey thought he might have an aneurysm and slash or a stroke from both the proximity and teasing of an incredibly handsome and clever man. He swallowed harshly, and Norman’s sharp eye followed the motion. “... Norman?” 

“Come on, Jo,” Norman goaded, grin curling a bit more as he leaned closer. “You’re a smart man. I’m sure you could figure out why.”

“I’d rather you tell me,” Joey whispered, knowing the answer but unsure of himself in this situation. If he was reading it correctly, he was far out of his depth. “And if it’s what I think it is, you’re very lucky you w-weren’t murdered.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t kill me for ‘deviated’ pornography,” Norman confirmed, leaning back a bit so Joey could get a better look at him. The old animator averted his gaze instead, from a mixture of respect, fluster, and worry. Norman put a finger to Joey’s jaw, gently running his touch through his beard to get him to meet his eye. “I was only making it more enjoyable for people like us.”

Joey’s red eyes blinked, glancing down at his own chest where his pin resided. 

“I understand,” Joey softly remarked. “I’m very glad th-that they fired you. For many reasons.”

“So I can take you to bed now?” Norman teased. Joey gasped, though he was cut off by Norman leaning down from where he sat to kiss him, earning a surprised inhale. The projectionist kept it very short, only a quick feel (softer than expected, a strong smell of roses), watching with a gentle gaze as Joey licked his lips, shifting in his seat, and gave a brisk, scared, but hopeful nod. Norman grinned broadly, rewarding him with another small kiss, and moved behind him to wheel him. “May I?”

“Yes,” Joey quietly replied, and Norman brought them up to the animator’s apartment. Joey took over the wheelchair from there, guiding Norman to his bedroom. “Th-this way.”

It was much cleaner than the somewhat older man was anticipating, impressing him slightly. Going off the state of Joey’s office, one would have assumed his personal quarters to be just as scattered. The bed was carefully made and sparse, everything clearly in a specific place. Joey grasped his cane and pushed himself to his feet, a little wobbly, but Norman caught him. 

“Where were we…” Norman purred, loving the way Joey’s entire body reacted to his words, right down to his pupils. “Ah, right… mind if I substitute your air with mine?”

“I- please,” Joey murmured, the soft brown lines of his aged face accentuating his various gold scars. Norman followed the one that originated in the roots of his hair (as combed back as the waviness could allow him) the visual path going over that martian eye, down an angular cheek, through a neat little mustache, and over his surprisingly soft lips. Norman slowly leaned him to kiss him once more, Joey giving a little whimper, Norman holding him tighter. Joey hesitantly wrapped his arms around him in return, the pair rocking gently together, one afraid, the other confident. “Norman, I r-really don’t say it enough, you’re so wonderful, you’re always so clever and always know what to do, you’re like a bright l-light bulb in the studio, illuminating but hard to see, and if you try to grasp, you’ll get burned, but Norman, Norman, I’m on f-fire and I don’t want to be doused.”

“You’re too much of a romantic sappy artist,” Norman chuckled, stroking his side, making Joey shiver and press closer to him. “You feel real nice, though. Mighty soft for an old gentleman.”

“Who are you calling old, carob tree?” Joey rebuffed, wordlessly hinting at the decade or so that the other had over him. Norman only chuckled, a soft puff of air, and returned to nuzzling his affection onto the younger. Gradually, he maneuvered them to the bed, settling Joey on it and looking over him with satisfaction already. Norman had not expected to feel any true companionship to the man, but something in his genteel and innocuous nature warmed him to the willowy studio head. As Norman was about to return to the man’s more gentle features that were so enticing, that innocent part of his boss reared up, Johan pushing himself upright on the bed and looking discomfited. “Wait, Norm, c-can we not…?”

“Not what?” 

“Well, um, can w-we simply sleep together?”

“I was under the impression that ‘sleeping together’ was the plan.”

“I- I… I mean in the n-non euphemistic way.”

“I know. I was ribbing you.”

“Please don’t th-think I was leading you on, I was, and am, t-tired and unthinking,” Joey beseeched him, a thin and criss cross scarred hand coming to Norman’s cheek. “I- I would be honored and delighted to pursue a relationship with you, Norman, b-but I fear that this encounter i-is a little inappropriately hasty.”

“Hm? You mean you’re not simply acquiescing to itch a craving?” Norman teased, feigning surprise, and he dropped the advancement in favor of remaining in place above the artist. “Why, Mr. Drew, I thought you to be bawdier.”

“Really.” Joey scoffed, but he had clearly relaxed at Norman’s simple acceptance. “As if my lack of experience wasn’t b-blindingly apparent.”

“It’s sweet,” Norman softly informed him, laying beside him. “Not a lot of people’re like you. No one, in fact. I mean that in the best way possible.”

“Thank you,” Joey whispered, in a way that let you know he meant it. “It means a l-lot.”

Norman, being a large man of his own right, had never experienced being completely held, but Joey, much taller than he, was able to envelop him in his embrace. It was shockingly soft and reverent, admittedly soothing and wonderful. 

He was smiling as he drifted off to sleep, comfortable in the careful hands of the animator. 

[moonofiron]

Shikatema are always going to be my OTP. I think Shikamaru has truckloads of smooth beast™ potential/energy. And, Temari is a raging goddess who will only let Shikamaru tame her.

Set in post-Shippuden and pre-Boruto-verse.

Clearly, I really really dig intimacy, small underrated gestures, and a lot of eye contact during sex and that's kinda what made me write this one.

Anime: Naruto Shippuden

Characters: Nara Shikamaru x Temari

Genre: angst, fluff, flirting, smut, fingering, raw sex, explicit sexual content 🥵

Rating: M

Word Count: 3,013

Synopsis: Temari wants to learn Shogi.

Minors, dni, otherwise 10 years of bad luck.

Temari and Shikamaru had their backs against the wall of the Hokage's compound. They'd just come out of a meeting and Shikamaru wanted to smoke before they went out for lunch.

Who was he kidding. It wasn't so much about itching for a cigarette than it was about calming himself down. When it came to Temari, he could hardly think straight. He wanted to pull her into a kiss every time she said a simple hi. Her lips were hypnotising, like two soft clouds that were finally in his reach. Even the way she moved made his breath falter. The conviction with which she spoke made him want to slide his fingers inside her till she was babbling nonsense, till the only thing she said with that much conviction was his name. The bravery with which she fought made him want to kiss her toes, calves, knees; the devotee in him on full display under her. He wanted to feel the flesh of her hips in his palms. He wanted to feel her breath on his chest. He wanted -

"Ne, Shikamaru, why do you like Shogi so much?"

Shikamaru snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Temari dumbly before answering.

"Uh.. yeah..no, I just enjoy it a lot."

"You're always making reference to Shogi pieces and moves in strategy meetings."

"Hmm." He flicked his cigarette. "Let's go."

"What are you doing after lunch?"

"Nothing, just going to go back home and rest."

"Will you teach me Shogi?"

Shikamaru looked at Temari and sucked in air through his teeth. His mind was back to picturing her on his bed. It was back to undressing her, licking the smooth flesh of her neck, biting her cherry-seed nipples.

"Oi? I'm asking you something, Shikamaru? Where's your mind today?"

"Oh, we can play, sure." Shikamaru had an absolutely unreadable expression on his face. Temari looked at him funny and then pulled out the board game.

"Let's play now."

"Uhh.. you've been carrying this around? Tsk, mendukse."

"Please, I really want to learn how to play."

After a pause, she mumbled, "I think the kids at the orphanage will enjoy the game."

"What orphanage?" Shikamaru frowned.

"Nothing, I spend time with the kids at the orphanage back home. I play with them and teach them basic taijutsu and ninjutsu for self-defence. But, we're quickly running out of things to do. So, I thought Shogi would be a nice addition."

"Hmm. Let's go eat first."

They rounded up to a local teppenyaki. Shikamaru was eerily quiet at lunch. Temari felt uncomfortable but the food was so delicious that she let the discomfort go. She ate up quickly and waited for Shikamaru to finish, eager to learn Shogi. Every now and then she noticed him looking at her intently. She wiped her face frequently, thinking she may have something on her face.

She noticed how meticulously Shikamaru ate. He wrapped his long and lean fingers around the food delicately, almost as if he was making love to each and every bite. Temari felt a warmth spreading in her belly when Shikamaru lightly licked his fore-finger, middle-finger, and thumb once he was done. His thin, moist tongue darted out and his lips made the soft sound of a kiss as he took his fingers out of his mouth. His eyes didn't leave hers.

Temari realised a bit too late, her lips parted and eyes glistening, that he was aware of her gaze following his fingers. He had a lopsided grin plastered on his face and it infuriated Temari. She got up abruptly and excused herself to go the washroom.

Shikamaru wasn't blind to the affect he had on Temari. His lack of action was more about him not being able to figure out his feelings for her. He'd seen the way an apricot-blush rose to her cheeks whenever he did or said anything mildly suggestive.

He'd heard her low gasps and breathy sighs everytime he brushed against her accidentally. The way her body tensed against his sent him into a frenzy. He loved the way she softened around him when they were alone but hardened when they were with others. And honestly, he'd caught her looking at his lips way too many times. He knew she hated the smile he gave her in such moments. She fumed and her ears moved from the stress in her jaw as she clenched her teeth.

When Temari returned, the bill had been paid and Shikamaru was waiting for her outside.

"Let's go and teach you Shogi, hmm?"

"Umm, yeah. Thank you," she beamed. Shikamaru felt as if something had kicked him in his guts when she smiled like that. Oh, to have her smile like that always. To wake up to that smile. To be able to kiss the edges of that smile. To be -

"How far is your home?"

"What?"

"How far is it?"

"It's a quick 15-minute walk, love." Shikamaru knew he had faltered and felt a hammering in the back of his head.

"-What?"

"What?"

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing! I just said it's a 15-minute walk...lovely in this weather."

"Hmm." Temari was too flustered to pay attention to Shikamaru lightly patting his shoulder for the excellent recovery.

They walked in silence till Shikamaru suddenly slowed down his pace. Temari stopped and turned around, already a few steps ahead of him. Her eyes widened. Shikamaru looked absolutely stunning in the soft sunlight. He was running his hands through his loose hair as he held hair-tie between his teeth. When he caught her looking at him, he held his hair in place and looked right back at her.

"Keep walking straight... unless you want to help?" He winked at her and smiled.

Almost as if she'd lost control of her body, Temari found herself holding the other end of his hair-tie between her teeth. Shikamaru's eyes widened and he grabbed her waist, his hair fell around his face like a glorious mane. His mouth pulled back the hair-tie from hers and spat it out. He immediately crashed his lips on hers, his hands dug into her plump waist as he kissed her hard. Temari, eager and equally enthusiastic, licked and bit his lower lip, making him groan softly. He shuddered as he felt her hands running through his hair and then as suddenly as Temari had caught his hair-tie between her teeth, she let go of him.

She covered her face with her hands as she came to her senses.

"Shikamaru, sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm so so so sorry. I didn't mean..."

"Hey...hey hey... it's alright, hey, look at me." He held her shoulders.

"I'm so embarrassed, I'm really really sorry."

Shikamaru moved closer but she flinched away.

He sighed heavily.

"Temari, stay still. And, move your hands away from your face."

When she didn't budge, Shikamaru spoke in a whisper.

"Please."

When she did, Shikamaru held her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips.

"It's okay. I'd do it again," he murmured against her chin and he sweetly pecked her lips. "And again." He briefly sucked on her lower lip. "And, again."

Temari's heart beat loudly against the quiet of the evening. He moved back, held her hand, and slowly started walking back to his house. A small smile played on his lips the entire time. His grip on her hand was hard and Temari felt as if a million baby sparrows had taken flight inside of her.

When they reached his place, Shikamaru didn't waste a single second. He closed the door, put the shogi board on the shelf, and pushed Temari against the door all in one move. He pressed his body against hers and kissed her deeply, hungrily.

Temari's shallow moans came alive as she felt his hands running all over her body. He had already undone her kimono and unhooked her bra. He'd thrown it somewhere behind him, almost as if he were angry at it. She felt the waistband of her panties dig into the right side of her waist as he pulled the other side, tearing them off. They snapped right off in his grip and she was stark naked in a matter of seconds. She gasped at the slight pain and at his urgency. She panted and struggled to speak, too aware of everywhere his hands touched her.

"Shika...Shikamaru...but, the...shogi.. please."

"Fuck shogi," Shikamaru growled in her ear as he felt her hands deftly removing his pants. He rubbed her slightly moist and throbbing clit. He pushed two of his fingers inside of her to pull out the slick he wanted to smear all over her pussy and his cock. She whimpered softly and bit his neck, bruises quickly blooming on his pale skin.

He fingered her relentlessly and when he felt her clenching around his fingers, he pulled his hand back. The loss of his palm's warmth made her shudder. He removed his jacket and t-shirt. His warm cock rubbed against her as he hitched her up on his arms and she wrapped her legs around his slender waist. He dug his hands in her ass and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Fuck."

Shikamaru breathed hard and he thrust into Temari in one quick motion, eliciting an obscenely loud moan from her.

She threw her head back and hit it hard on the door. "Ouch," she giggled.

"Shit, are you alright, Temari?" a pained expression crossed his face.

"Hmm," she couldn't stop giggling.

He was still throbbing inside her and she was still giggling, making Shikamaru's heart flutter. He kissed her lips again. He giggled with her, against her mouth, until their child-like giggles morphed into moans and pants as Shikamaru fucked Temari in a steady pace. Her tensed and tight body started loosening up slowly and then all at once as she gushed around him silently. He pulled his face back from the crook of her neck without breaking his stride too look at her in her most vulnerable moments. She looked gorgeous than ever before, and Shikamaru felt his balls tighten at the way Temari's lips repeated his name in a whisper and in quick successions, like a chant.

"Fuck Temari, you're... making... me.. lose it," Shikamaru grunted in between thrusts. That earned him a sweet coo from Temari; it made him want to go faster and harder but his hands pained. He carried her inside to his room, and sat on the edge of his bed.

Still impaled on his cock, Temari saw Shikamaru's face in the dim light. He looked like a hungry beast, his hair a lovely mess and stuck to his neck and his face. His forehead glinted with a thin layer of sweat and his lips were parted as he inhaled her. His cheeks were decorated with a rose hue she'd never seen on him before. Temari took a strand of his hair stuck to his lip and tucked it behind his ear. Her fingers lightly circled his nipples, making the hair on his arms and neck stand.

He looked so stunning that she felt herself shrinking in front of him. Before she could turn her face away from his gaze, Shikamaru started moving inside her with such gentle and slow strokes that she felt another wave of an orgasm building steadily.

"You're so gorgeous on me, Temari." She blushed at the soft but obscene remark.

"Still shy, are we?" Shikamaru smirked as moved inside her. He didn't let her eyes go as he licked her nipples and then softly bit them. When he pulled his face back to kiss her lips, Temari's face changed to an expression that he couldn't decipher. She looked forlorn.

He cocked his head at her in confusion.

"Please..." Temari mumbled.

"Please what, babe?"

"Please, don't stop."

"Oh, you like that, huhn?" he spoke against her breasts. His lips on her soft and plump flesh made her arch her back and thrust her breasts into his face.

"Sugoi kirei, Temari," he whispered, making her nipples harden against his tongue again. She could feel him smiling against her flesh and her face felt hot. She clenched around his cock.

"Are you going to cum around me again, baby?" he mumbled against her breasts, as if his voice dictated their rise and dip.

She noticed Shikamaru was warming up with his usage of endearments, too. To hear him address her like this was unbearable. It sounded so sweet and so intimate, she felt like his voice would tear her apart.

She moved her hips with him, matching his rhythm.

"Such a good girl, moving on me like that, hmm?" he asked her tenderly.

At this, she gasped and breathed out in a rush, "Shikamaru I'm cumming."

"Yeah, love?" he increased his pace as she pressed her thighs around him.

He felt her loosening up and felt her cum coating his inner thighs. He never ceased to move in and out of her as she spasmed around him. She buried her face in his neck and grunted his name in his ear as she came around him.

His balls, now moist with sweat and her cum, slightly tightened against her ass. He felt himself losing control and he quickly pulled out and laid Temari on her back.

Shikamaru stroked his cock lightly as he eyed Temari spread out on the bed. He couldn't help himself and he dove right in. He kissed her face and neck. He nibbled at her slender shoulders and plump breasts. He licked her tight waist and bit the baby-flesh around her navel. His calloused hands never left her body and Temari's hands never left his hair. He kissed her thighs and calves and knees till he was sure he hadn't missed a single spot on her.

When Temari pulled his face close to hers to take him in a kiss, he propped himself on his elbow, spooning her.

"Let me look at you." He turned her face towards his and hitched her leg on his arm. He slowly started entering her, stretching her out and letting her ease around him, too. When Temari closed her eyes, he stopped, making her frown and gasp. Her eyes flew open.

"Look at me, Temari."

Temari swallowed as she looked deep into Shikamaru's eyes. She felt his cock moving all the way inside her and the burning intensity with which he looked at her made her buck. She held his eyes, too.

"This is unbearable. Please," she whispered.

Shikamaru was now moving inside her with hard thrusts, punctuated by their conversation. They were both whispering raspily to each other.

"What's unbearable?"

"The way you're making me look at you."

"Why?"

"I don't know, it's too much."

"Don't you dare look away, Temari."

Temari bit her lip and nodded.

"You'll look at me, and only me, when I fuck you."

"Hai."

"You'll look at me when I make love to you."

"Hmm."

"You'll look at me when you cum around me."

"Hai."

"You'll look at me when I fill you up."

Her eyes widened and she involuntarily arched her back.

"Ha...hai," she said

Shikamaru bit his lip and smiled at her as he increased his pace.

He held her jaw with the same hand Temari's leg was hitched on, spreading her legs as much as possible. She felt full and stretched and Shikamaru couldn't take how tight she felt.

Her green eyes, slightly teared up because of the pleasure she felt as he fucked her, started rolling back. The moment that happened, he hardened his grip on her jaw and increased his pace. He wanted her to gush around him. He wanted her to make a mess of his clean sheets. He wanted her to coat his cock with her orgasm. When she opened her mouth to make up for not being able to throw her head or roll her eyes back, Shikamaru let her suck and bite on his fingers until she came. Her orgasm stayed with her like a thunderstorm that refuses to leave in time. She bucked against Shikamaru violently as he held her down, fucking her in small and quick thrusts, observing her every move and reaction to him overstimulating her. It was getting unbearable for him to control himself, too. He couldn't believe how goddess-like she looked in her most private moments. God, he could get used to a sight like that.

"Gaman dekinai, Temari," he spoke hoarsely and started to pull out only to feel Temari's hand on his wrist. The intense focus that painted his face morphed into mild confusion. Temari clenched around his twitching and strained cock.

"Let me look at you when you fill me up."

"Fuck, you're going to be the death of me, baby."

He thrust back inside her and pulled her hair hard. He started fucking her again. He frowned in focus but his eyes were soft as they looked into Temari's. A drop of sweat made its way from the tip of his nose to her cheek. The loud slaps of his balls against her clit drowned out everything else for both of them. It only took him a few thrusts before he came inside her, bucking wildly but maintaining his gaze with hers nonethless. The way he groaned, the way his eyebrows moved, the way his earrings shivered with him, everything about him as he filled her up made Temari's heart take flight to her mouth. He collapsed beside her and she felt the soreness in her thighs rising up slowly. His short breaths against her back were ticklish and when she laughed, he joined her.

She tackled and rolled above him the moment he calmed down. As his limp and spent cock rested against her ass, she traced his face with a finger.

"Come here." He made her lie down on him so her face was buried in his neck.

"So, the first thing about Shogi is that it's played on a 9x9 board, that is, 81 squares," he spoke with a smile in his voice while tracing mindless circles on Temari's back.