#reg writes

[dream-of-the-bitchless]

@deromanuscoven's Halloween event Day 5 - Lovecraftian Horror

"As a man of science, I had always rejected such notions, casting them aside as a product of susceptible minds and magical thinking. However, at present I find myself turning back to those wretched manuscripts, desperate for the answers medicine cannot provide. And there's promise in them. They recount instances of reanimation, of reclaiming souls from beyond. Oh, can I trust such foolish ramblings or is my reason irredeemably blinded by my sorrow? To think that I could bring him back. My sweet boy, my Amadeo. There isn't a deity to which I wouldn't pray to have him return to me..."

Moodboard for an AU with reluctant necromancer Marius delving into eldritch knowledge to bring back his beloved Amadeo from the dead. But all bargains have a price

[eurydicesflower]

my heart says 'yes,' but my lips say 'no' (zoro/robin)

Pairings: Zoro/Robin Tags: Canon Divergence (Post-Wano Arc), Idiots In Love, Mutual Pining Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Word Count: 2.7k words Summary: Even the most logical person in the Straw Hat Pirates have a hard time finding how to untangle the ways of love.

A/N: It's been a while since I have posted something zorobin related here haha Also posted on: Archive of Our Own

Robin was smiling to herself when she was heading all the way back to their quarters in the palace of Wano. Since she knew someone would very much like this sake she had bought and would drink this in one go. She knew him too well, and she couldn't wait to see his reaction. When she arrived, she passed by Nami in the hallways.

“Have you seen Zoro, Nami?” 

“Isn't he with Momo's younger sister? Why are you looking for him, though?”

Oh. 

“Right, right. How can I not know it?” Robin smiled as she hid the sake behind her back. 

Of course, how can she forget that? He was getting closer with Hiyori after all, and it's not like she should disturb them. She had seen how close Hiyori was with Zoro the past few days and there was not a day she would hear her crewmates tease Zoro and Hiyori that they should be together. There was a throbbing ache inside her chest, she couldn't quite place this feeling, so instead, she could only smile at them like she was so happy.

Meanwhile, Nami stared at her suspiciously and it was starting to make Robin uneasy since Nami wasn’t like this unless she sensed something .

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re too obvious, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

Nami rolled her eyes in amusement. 

“When you’re annoyed, your brows are visibly frowning and your mouth pouts and then.” 

“I don’t do that—”

“And, the sake was so obvious that it was for him, so no need to deny it now, Robin. I know.” Nami patted Robin's shoulder. “And not to mention, he’s an idiot, Robin...” 

“He’s not stupid, Nami. I mean, he’s not book-smart but he’s well-versed with his swords, and he is actually kind… and handsome, I guess?” She trailed off her words before snapping herself back to reality, realizing what she had said. “Why am I even saying this to you, well, it’s not actually for Zoro. I just happened to have this in my hand when I was looking for him! And I don't know what you are talking about so if you may excuse me, I’m heading out, see you around.”

“Why are we losing a promising woman to a dumbass like Zoro?” Nami sighed deeply, massaging her temples, as she watched Robin scurry away from the palace.

She was not supposed to leave Nami like that, and now the navigator might be thinking that she has hidden feelings for the swordsman. She was only friends with him, so why did Nami have to come up with such a ludicrous theory? She only has sake with her since she bought it from one of the shops downtown. And it was on sale! So, obviously she didn’t pass up that opportunity to buy the sake for him.

“Robin-chwan~!” Robin heard the cook’s scream of adoration. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be with the others at the plaza?” He asked as soon as he was standing in front of Robin.

“Oh, I forgot something in my room.” 

Sanji then looked at the sake, then looked at Robin with a knowing look but he didn’t say anything. 

“Well, let’s go to the plaza, shall we?” 

“I can manage, you go on ahead, Sanji.” She smiled at him.

“Well, see you there, I guess?” 

Robin craned her neck as she looked for a specific swordsman in the sea of people in the plaza. Holding the sake in her hand, she just hoped she would see him here. No, she was not looking for him. There was a difference between wanting to see him and giving him a gift, and also to do both. Robin didn’t want to admit to herself but it was actually the latter. To her dismay, she hasn’t found him yet. 

“Nico-ya, are you looking for someone?”

Robin almost dropped the sake in her hand, startled to hear the Heart Pirates’ Captain behind her back. 

“No, I wasn’t.” She gave him a quick smile before she kept on tiptoeing to search for the swordsman.

“I know where he is.”

“I think you’re mistaken, Torao. I’m not looking for Zoro.”

“Sure, but I didn't even mention a name.”

That struck a nerve on Robin. Nevertheless, she ignored him and moved a few steps away from him, yet the doctor never left her side.

“Why are you looking for him?”

“For someone like you, I didn’t peg you to snoop around other’s business, Torao. It doesn’t seem like you.” She smirked, deflecting the topic on her.

“Okay, sure, but next time don’t ask me where he is when I saw him standing there by the stalls with Momonosuke's sister.” Before Law could finish his sentence, Robin was already nowhere to be found.

So, they're together. Why was she even denying it? There are already hints that Hiyori was interested in Zoro, and he might feel the same as well so… Oh well, there is no point in giving this to him after all. The sake would go to waste if she didn't consume it right away. She did buy it with her own money after all.

“You're one of the Straw Hats, right? You look beautiful in person!” A man, reeking in alcohol, showed up to sit in front of Robin's seat. “Why are you all alone, pretty lady? Do you want some company?”

“That's kind of you but I don't need any company as of the moment.” 

“But you might need one since you're drinking the finest sake in Wano! That sake is much better served for two people.”

“It's okay, really.” Robin was starting to get unsettled, so she grabbed the sake with her and left the man alone. But the man seemed not to get her point and followed her.

“Don't you want to have some fun—?!”

Robin was about to cross her arms to silence him, without hurting him in the process, when all of a sudden, someone interrupted her stance.

“The woman said she didn't want any company right now, asshole.” 

“And who are you—?” The man stood frightened and gulped. “Never mind, I'm outta here.” The man whimpered before he ran as fast as he could.

Robin didn't need to turn back whoever had pushed away the creepy man, she already knew who it was. And it was starting to make her hands feel jittery all of a sudden. What's going on with her?!

“I already handled it myself, Zoro, aren’t you with Hiyori? Why are you here?” She asked him.

“And I thought you were with Torao?”

Robin looked at him, as confused as she was. 

“Huh? But I wasn't with him, didn't you see I was alone?” She didn't have time for petty arguments, she was getting tired just by sitting here all alone, she wanted to take a rest instead.

“What about the other day? I saw you with him going somewhere so I didn't disturb you.”

“You mean the— I was with him because he wanted me to see the poneglyphs under Wano… But you're with Hiyori? Aren't you two already together?”

“We're not—!”

“Zoro, I need you here, look at this.” Hiyori showed up beside the swordsman with a lucky couple bracelets in her hand. “Oh, the archeologist of the Straw Hats, it is nice to meet you in person.” The woman smiled at her as she took Zoro's hand in hers.

Robin didn't even need any further explanation about their situation right now. Zoro and Hiyori together right in front of her just proves it already. Robin already got the idea where she should not interfere between their alone time. 

“I think you two will enjoy this sake I bought for you.” Robin handed the sake to Zoro before excusing herself to leave them alone. “Enjoy yourselves tonight.” Robin smiled before she left them alone, ignoring the recurring pain in her chest.

She shouldn't have bought that sake in the first place.

Instead of heading back to the palace, Robin decided to go back to Sunny instead. Leaning her body towards the railing, she basks herself under the moonlight, knowing no one will find her here since almost all of them were busy in the festivities in the streets of the city. It was much better to stay here out alone with her thoughts, away from a specific swordsman that runs inside her mind. 

Hiyori complements Zoro's aloof and cool attitude. Although she knew that even then, Zoro can match Hiyori's kindness and doting personality. Even some of the people who had seen them say that they both look good together. Some of their friends even think they are better together except Sanji, of course.

“Are you really going to be alone here for the rest of the night?” 

Robin looked below the ship and saw the swordsman, standing on the seashore. 

“Robin, why are you ignoring me?” The swordsman then asked.

“I'm not ignoring you. I was only giving you space with Hiyori, that's all.” She quipped. 

“I honestly don't understand you, Robin.” Zoro sighed deeply. 

'So am I,' she thought. Why all of a sudden, she was having this ache inside her heart when she has always been healthy courtesy of Chopper's readings on her vital signs? Had she contracted any diseases without knowing what it is? Maybe she needed to consult again with another doctor. Maybe Marco or Torao would know what was happening to her. 

“But can I go up there with you?”

Robin was about to leave the railing, and yet, when she stared at Zoro's eyes. How come her heart says, 'Yes, please,' but her lip says: “No, Zoro. Go back to Hiyori, good night.”

They haven't left Wano yet so she was glad that she could wander around the town except for one thing: Zoro was preoccupying her mind for the rest of the day. There was no other reason that she should be thinking about him lately, but alas, he was just there. She tried doing her daily routine like reading books, watering her plants, playing with Chopper and Luffy but nothing could distract her away from the thought of the swordsman. 

It was not even this hard like the past few years. She can just make him magically disappear inside her mind but right now, how come it was so impossible?!

Later that day, she decided to ask Law for assistance. She knew that Law might have known what's going on with her. What if it is a disease that could potentially damage her brain?

“I always get this pain inside my chest and I get nervous whenever I was with him recently, and sometimes I get frustrated towards something like I feel itchy on some parts of my hands when he is with someone. Though I still like him.” She gave an expectant look at the doctor once she finished her rambling.

“I've never seen you this frantic, Nico-ya.”

“Do you think there's any chance I might die because of this?”

Law rolled his eyes and scoffed. 

“Gods, no. It's not that serious. But I do warn you that something’s wrong, though you just need to sort out what is going on between you two.” Law was already packing up his things before he was leaving Chopper's infirmary.

“So, what should I do next?”

“I'm a surgeon, Nico-ya, not Straw Hats' personal therapist, go talk with him, I know you can do it without my help,” he said before he and Robin left the room.

“ROBIN, WHERE ARE YOU?!”

The archeologist and the doctor heard the loud scream of their resident doctor outside the infirmary. Concerned, Robin quickly went to Chopper and checked what was going on before everything turned into chaos. The little reindeer wailed inaudibly, clinging on Robin’s legs.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“ItwaSHZHORO. PLISHLOOKFOHRZORO!” Chopper was still clinging tightly into Robin’s legs, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Say it slowly, Chopper. What happened?” Robin leveled herself for Chopper.

“Zoro is…” He sniffed. “Is going to leave…” He wiped away his snot with his little arms. “Convince him not to leave, Robin.” He whimpered with teary eyes.

“What? You know Zoro wouldn’t do that.” Robin assured him with a smile. “Maybe he was just joking?”

“Then why isn't he here yet?" He sniffed once more. "Can you talk to him?"

Robin let out a deep sigh. One thing about Chopper is that she wouldn't want to see the little reindeer sad, let alone cry. 

"I will go talk to him then. But where did you last see him? Is he not in the crow's nest?" Robin caressed Chopper's chubby cheeks.

Chopper shook his head. 

"Maybe he was at the palace, he was enjoying his stay here, Robin, what if he doesn't want to sail with us anymore?"

"Zoro wouldn't do that, I'll go talk to him for you, and if he doesn't want anymore, I'll convince him for you. I promise that." Robin smiled when Chopper tightly embraced her. 

Just when she was about to leave Sunny, the swordsman she was looking for had arrived just in time.

"Zoro." She said firmly.

"What?"

The tension felt tight which made Chopper scurried away from them and went behind the barrels on deck with a little smile in his face that Robin didn't notice.

"Are you really leaving?"

Zoro gave her a puzzled look. 

"Huh? Why would I? Who said that? That stupid cook?"

Robin looked as confused as he was. When she turned around to ask Chopper, it seemed the reindeer was no longer on Sunny. 

"I actually have no idea." She sighed and rested her body against the railings. 

"Are you already together with Hiyori?" She asked him out of the blue. She already kind of expected Zoro would deflect the question, yet surprisingly, the swordsman seemed to have readied himself for this question, or was that just her?

"To tell you the truth, if you'll actually believe me, there's nothing between us. How about you and Torao?"

"If you'll actually believe me, too, then, I am only friends with him."

They both stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do nor talk about. And there goes Robin's jittery hands, and faster heartbeat. She swears Zoro can hear her heart beating fast if he stands closer by her, which she kinda wished he would actually do. Then all of a sudden, she chuckled to herself until she burst out laughing which was followed by a baffled laugh from Zoro. 

"Why are you laughing?" Although he, too, was laughing along with her.

She hadn't said anything yet, but in her mind, she just realized that maybe the reason why Chopper had bawled in front of her, was to reel her in to talk with Zoro. She could be wrong but if she was actually correct then the little reindeer is so convincing, she thinks he can be qualified as one of the Grand Line Theater Actors for his outstanding performance. 

"It's nothing, don't worry. By the way, sorry to bother you earlier," Robin said, stepping ahead of him back to Wano. Before she could step on the sands of Wano, Zoro called out her name.

"Robin?"

Robin had never turned around so fast to face him.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry, too and…Thank you for the sake…" Zoro gazed down on his feet, avoiding her gaze. "Let's drink it together? If that would be okay with you." Zoro mumbled softly. Robin could see the hint of pink forming in Zoro's ears and cheeks, but if she spoke of it, she knew it would just further make the swordsman flush in embarrassment. 'It's kinda cute, though,' she thought.

"Only if I can bring my books up in the crow's nest just like always." She grinned at him.

"You're always welcome to do that." Zoro said before he climbed up. Zoro then stopped for a moment right before he was close to the hatch. "I'll wait for you up there, see you later, Robin." 

Behind their backs, Nami would probably shaking her head in disappointment and tell herself, 'How long will they even realize?' and she would just be as frustrated as the Heart Pirates' Captain like he had always knew the secret affair between the archeologist and the swordsman except, of course, for Zoro and Robin.

hello! if you enjoyed this story please consider leaving me a tip on ko-fi, so i can keep on writing. thank you so much!

copyright 2021 - 2023 © eurydicesflower! all rights reserved do not copy or translate without my permission!

[dream-of-the-bitchless]

It's not Wednesday but I wanted to celebrate that I survived another dreadful week. So, please make me write! My mountain of WIPs and I will thank you.

Here are the file names of what I'm working on:

Corintheus Il Gattopardo/Arranged Marriage AU

Corintheus "Human"!Corinthian AU

Corintheus A Story of Sacrifice

Corinthiel Clothes sharing drabble

Here's the snippet to kick-start the game:

Dream follows his older brother’s advice and heads to their library. Nostalgia overcomes him the moment he crosses the threshold, and pessimism washes over him. How could he miss this place so much when it was merely yesterday when he admitted to his sister that his new study was comfortable and his life not miserable? And yet, it all had changed in a matter of hours.

No pressure tags for @rriavian @aisalynn @windsweptinred @bobbole @eldritchdemonfox

And if anybody else wants to join, you're more than welcome! Just let me know and I'll send you an ask (:

WIP Wednesday Game

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog of this post (so people can find you in the notes) or new thread (w/ rules attached) if you want to play on your own, post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to play!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from (for example, an event or gift fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. I’ll be searching the reblogs to find people to send asks to!

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

Requested/Friend event mentions under the cut! If you'd like to be pinged next week, let me know!

Friends @fiore-della-valle @redbirdblogs @greenbergsays @idkfandomwhatever @luckyspike

@obaewankenope @mad-madam-m @anonymousdandelion @geometricfractal @prettybirdy979

@eriquin | Requests @aparticularbandit @madnessfromthemountains @makeroftherunes @1attheedge

@whimsicalmeerkat @kidsomeday @lizhly-writes @skyderman @adhdavinci

@owlbearwrites @anachronismstellar @anyctibius @rilannon @lazinesswrites

@zyrafowe-sny @dreaminghour @blue-eyedbeta @candyskiez @dreamerking27

@kalira @virgulesmith @i-want-delfeur @selkies-world @exceedinglygayotter

[ultravioletbrit]

“Italy” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 333 words

 

Regulus has his suitcase packed and he’s almost out the door when Sirius stops him.

“Where are you going?” Sirius asks him.

“Italy.” Regulus almost growls.

“Why are you going to Italy?” Sirius asks ignoring Regulus’ tone.

“He asked me to marry him, Sirius!” Regulus says through gritted teeth.

“Yes. I know.” Sirius tells him.

“YOU KNOW?” Regulus is yelling now.

“Yes, of course I know. That still doesn’t explain why you’re going to Italy.” Sirius questions again.

“HE ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM, SIRIUS!?” Still yelling and getting louder.

“Reggie, I still don’t see the connection here.” Sirius says, but before Regulus can answer, James walks out of their bedroom.

“James, Reg is going---” Sirius starts.

“To Italy. I heard… He’ll be back.” James says casually.

“No, I will not!” Regulus says firmly at the same time Sirius asks “What?!” as he looks at James confused.

“He just needs a bit of time to process.” James shrugs, still very calm about the entire situation.

“Why are you not freaking out?” Sirius asks a bit frantically.

“I freaked out when he went to France when I asked him to be my boyfriend, but then he came back a week later and said yes. So, I didn’t freak out when he went to Greece when I told him I loved him. And then he went to… Spain?” He questions and looks at Regulus.

“Yes.” Regulus grits out.

“Spain, when I asked him to move in with me. Italy sounds like it will be nice. Have a good time.” James tells Regulus and gives him a kiss.

“I am not coming back this time, James.” Regulus says very definitively.

“Okay, love. I’ll see you in a week.” James says as he starts to walk towards the kitchen. He pauses and looks over his shoulder, “You have the ring, right?” He asks Regulus.

“Yes.” Regulus says as he walks out and slams the door. 

---------

Regulus is back in a week with the ring on his finger.

[emlovessid]

@jegulus-microfic april 25, headlights, 217 words, nsfw

“Ow,” James whines.

“Stop being a baby,” Regulus teases, continuing to try to untangle James’ glasses from his hair, which has worked itself into a knot around one of the nose pads.

James sighs, stepping closer into the gap between Regulus’ legs where he’s sitting on the edge of the bathroom counter, hands settling on Regulus’ hips. He presses a kiss to James’ forehead before continuing, humming under his breath.

“What are you doing?”

Regulus looks up over James’ shoulder to find Sirius leant against the bathroom door, smirk on his lips.

“James’ glasses are tangled in his hair.”

“How the hell did you manage that, mate?” Sirius says with a laugh, and James’ head immediately snaps up and meets Regulus’ eyes like a deer caught in headlights.

He can feel the heat in cheeks but struggles to hold back his smile as he thinks back to the sight of James between his thighs, glasses pushed up onto his head as he licked through his folds. So maybe Regulus had something to do with this predicament they’re in now, with the way his hands grasped desperately at James’ hair as he fell over the edge.

His face must give something away because Regulus is brought back to reality by Sirius groaning, “Oh god, please forget I asked.”

[ecstarry]

regulus and james meet cute at a coffee shop at like 6:30am and reg is there to start his day while james is still up from the night before. james who never pulls an all nighter and wants to flirt with reg but reg is like “mmm i dont think our lifestyles match well im not interested” and james is like “noo this isnt my usual self, u have to believe me” so reg is like “okay then, tomorrow at dinner tell me all about who u actually are” and gives james his number. and james is just like stumbling on his words now because damn that was smooth

[lexithwrites]

the fact that i know for sure regulus would write fanfiction is so fucking funny, he's just as weird as we are

[bloodbruise]

@jegulus-microfic | april 26: aimless | 1,276 words | trans! regulus

james does regulus' tape binding aftercare <3

James lingers in the doorway, quietly observing Regulus in their softly lit bathroom.

He's perched on the ledge of the bathtub, seemingly lost in thought, his head bowed and fingers idle and aimless where they trace the rim of it. He's shirtless, clad in only boxers and socks. His bare thighs press against the cool porcelain, causing goosebumps to rise there. Soft, late evening light leaks from the window, casting gentle shadows against his frame. 

Outside, the rhythmic passing of cars punctuates the stillness, their headlights casting golden beams that dance across the wet asphalt. The nearby stoplight's red glow mingles with them, creating a surreal mix of colors on the shimmering pavement.

There's a soft rustle of movement as James enters the room behind Regulus, moving to the sink. He sifts through the contents of their vanity, hands passing over their shared face wash and the cup holding their toothbrushes to retrieve the items needed for Regulus' tape aftercare. Deft hands gather oil, washcloths, cotton swabs, and salve before placing them on the bathtub ledge. He approaches Regulus with a tenderness reserved only for moments like these, for him. 

"Ready, love?" James' voice breaks the silence with a mellow murmur. He settles his weight behind him. 

Regulus turns his head, giving a small nod against his own shoulder. "Yeah," he says, voice crackling from disuse. 

James leans in to press a kiss between Regulus' shoulder blades. He lingers there for a moment. This close, he can see the faint dusting of freckles that mark his back. They're spattered across the skin like spray from a wave on sand. Speckles in shades of russet, sepia, and chocolate dance across his pale skin, shifting as Regulus shivers lightly. As James' lips leave his back, the muscles beneath those pretty dots tremble.

James reaches for the oil, uncaps it, and warms it between his hands. He presses both his palms to Regulus, carefully smoothing the oil over the edges of the tape. His touch follows the span of the tape from Regulus' back, under his arms, to the front of his chest. His movements are slow and practiced, designed as much to reassure as to treat. The oil glistens slightly on Regulus' skin, catching the dim light as it begins to soften the adhesive.

As they wait for the tape to loosen, a comfortable silence settles over them, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the city and their own quiet breathing. James doesn't stop his ministrations; his fingers continue to trace gentle paths along Regulus' shoulders, the back of his neck, following the delicate contours of his shoulder blades. These moments are so special to him; he wants Regulus to feel loved through his actions, to experience the same palpable surge of affection with each pass of his hands that James feels. There is so much trust that Reg offers him in these moments—it's intimate. James is the only person Regulus allows to see the most vulnerable parts of himself, and that knowledge alone makes James' heart swell with fondness and love. He has never loved someone as he does Regulus.

Regulus, Regulus, Regulus. 

Sometimes, James thinks Regulus was crafted specifically for him; as if the cosmos themselves conspired to mold him to perfectly complement the contours of James' own body, his own soul. Looking back, it's almost silly to him now—he thought he knew what love was like before him. His heart was already overflowing with it for Sirius, his mum, his dad, his friends. He's always had big emotions, brimming with affection and fierce protectiveness for the people around him. He's always cared deeply and felt profoundly, but nothing could have prepared him for the depth of feeling that Regulus brought into his life.

James knows nothing, nobody else could ever make him feel like this.

He settles his hands on the edges of the tape on Regulus' left side. "Gonna take it off now, okay?"

"Yeah, okay James. Go ahead"

James pulls at the tape gently, easing it from the skin. He's careful not to pull too hard or move too fast, patient as he works. He grabs Regulus' bicep, thumb pressing into the underside, fingers curling over. "Lift your arm up, Reg," he instructs softly.

Regulus raises his arm, holding it aloft as James' hand moves back down to steady the skin being separated from the tape. He can't resist pausing to press a kiss to the underside of his bicep before continuing to peel off the tape there. When he encounters a tough spot, where the tape still clings to his skin, James reaches for more oil. He warms it between his fingers once again before lightly holding the piece back, rubbing it into the seam between Regulus' skin and the tape until it loosens enough for him to continue. He carefully removes the first piece, then works at a second, a third, before repeating the process on Regulus' right side.

There's still a faint trace of leftover adhesive where the edges of the tape once were. So, James takes a cotton swab, dips it in oil, and meticulously traces the outlines left by the pieces. He moves slowly, with deliberate delicacy, mindful of the soreness of his skin.

Once he's satisfied, James fetches the washcloth. He soaks it in warm, soapy water and carefully cleans the area, wiping away excess oil and any lingering traces of the day. Then he reaches for the salve—the last physical part of their routine, though James knows the comfort it brings goes beyond just the skin. Two of his fingers dip into the container, scooping up the soothing balm. James is so careful with him, his fingers so gentle as they spread the salve, taking extra care with the tender skin under his arms and over his ribs. He traces the rungs of them, then the dip of his chest, making sure no skin is left uncared for.

James then grabs what's technically his own shirt—a worn, soft thing that Regulus has claimed as his own, his favorite pajama top—from the ledge of the sink. He helps Regulus slip it over his head, taking advantage of every second he allows him to be so close, to take care of him.

"Feeling okay?" James asks once Regulus is settled.

He trails his hand at the hem of his shirt, slipping it underneath to rest gently on his stomach, careful not to brush the newly cared-for skin or his chest. 

Regulus hums an affirmative, "mhmm." Eyes closing and head tipping back as he nods.

"I'm not just asking about your skin, love," James whispers. It's tough for Regulus sometimes, taking the tape off, sitting with his chest. It's a necessity though, for his well-being, despite the discomfort it brings. And James always does everything within his power to make it easier for him. He knows he can't fix everything, but he'd be damned if he didn't at least try to.

Regulus reaches back, his palm sliding from James' elbow to his hand beneath his shirt, their fingers intertwining at his stomach. Their faces are so close that Regulus' cheek drags against James' as he turns his head, planting a soft kiss on James' cheek. "I do, I feel okay. I promise," he murmurs, giving James a warm smile.

Leaning back into James' frame, Regulus lets his weight settle comfortably against him. "You make it easier," he breathes out, words floating into the space between them. Another kiss, "Thank you. I love you."

James holds him a moment, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath, heart swelling just a little bit more. "I love you too."

[leenathegreengirl]

Jesse back in his 501st days, trying to charm a special someone with a photo!

(It took Fives and Hardcase 40 takes to get a "good one" 😂)

Hardcase: Smile more!

Fives: No smile less, women like the smolder

Hardcase: Don't listen to him, she's a sweet girl

Fives: Wait, your eyes were closed try again…

Jesse: Can we hurry up?? I don't want anyone else walking in!

Fives: Then stop talking, Di'kut!

(A very special thank you to my buddy @legacygirlingreen for providing the concept and writing!💚💕)

💚Tag List💚

@legacygirlingreen @thora-sniper @sukithebean @thecoffeelorian @neyswxrld @somewhere-on-kamino @clonethirstingisreal @royallykt @morerandombullshit @burningfieldof-clover @tbnrpotato @keantha @returnofthepineapple @justanotherdikutsimp @antisocial-mariposa @techs-stitches @resistantecho @kimiheartblade @dezgate

[sicknessinmotion]

THE WOLVES BIT THEIR WAY OUT; ON NATURE

@gnawgag // william cronon // william shakespeare // @gnawgag // jack london // reg saner // sunlightafterdark (instagram)

[the-bi-space-ace]

For the first month after Echo joins the batch he’s lowkey convinced Crosshair is trying to kill him. Mainly bc Crosshair follows him everywhere and glares in his general direction, pops up anywhere he is, chews on toothpicks at him, and is generally a bit overbearing. It’s only after he overhears Wrecker tease Crosshair about ‘imprinting on Echo’ that he even realizes that this man is a protective oversized cat who can’t vocalize anything but will instead trot after him to every room, sit quietly next to him, and bring him cool rocks he found as if they’re the product of a successful hunt.

Echo brings Crosshair the next pack of novelty toothpicks he finds.

[dream-of-the-bitchless]

A Viennese Daydream - A Loumand Fic

Sometimes, Armand allows himself to indulge, to imagine a past in which his decisions needed not be as rushed, where so much blood needed not be spilt. In such instances, he wonders, what if he had not followed through with the trial? What if he had spared Claudia and Madeleine? What if he had peacefully stepped down from his position as coven leader? What if Louis still loved him?

My first attempt at writing for this pairing. Mostly a character study of Armand and his expectations, as well as a love letter to my city. Please heed the warnings and enjoy! <3

[eurydicesflower]

From the Start (zoro/robin)

Pairing: Nico Robin/Roronoa Zoro Tags: Modern Setting, Light Angst Warnings: None Word Count: 2.4 k Summary: A flight to Logue Town that will reconnect two long-time friends, and a song that will rekindle the old flame. A/N: light angst for angstober 2023 (no particular prompt, but this draft has been up since last year so i decided to finish this one) Also posted on: Archive of Our Own

“This is an announcement for passengers on flight N1127 to LogueTown. The flight has been delayed due to bad weather conditions… We are sorry for the inconvenience.”

The flight announcement has been repeated so many times now. Of course, it will be so tiring to hear it when you were supposed to be arriving the next day to visit your close friend in Cocoyashi.

Robin: im sorry, nami might arrive a day late : ((

Nami: don’t worry, it’s fine!!! at least we know that you’re going to make it :D loveyewww &lt;3

Honestly, this delayed flight should have been making her insane right now, but when she received the text from Nami, her mood shifted. Her reassuring text had earned a small smile on Robin’s face. Taking a deep breath, she whipped out her phone and read the manuscript Koala sent to her. Just a little peak. There shouldn’t be any work-related things hindering her vacation, but it wouldn’t hurt to check some edits here and there.

“Is this seat taken?”

Robin didn’t mind looking up, “No, no, it’s fine,” before she started reading one of the lines from the manuscript. A minute later, she just realized who that was. She recognized who that voice belonged to.

“Zoro?” She never meant to mumble it out loud, and it seems the man had heard her.

“Oh. I didn’t recognize that it was you.”

It was a lie. She knew he was lying.

“Yeah, me, too! Are you also going to Nami—? Wait, you don’t have to tell me. Of course, you’ll be going there, too. How long has it been, two years?” She joked, which made Zoro chuckle for a bit. She still likes hearing him chuckle. 

“Hey, it might feel like two years, but it’s only been a year since you left. By the way, how are you? Nami told me that you’re already working at the National Archive Museum in Ohara like you always wanted. Is it true?”

He remembered. Of course, why would he not know that? They had been friends for so long. Besides, Zoro has always been a supportive friend, and Robin always appreciates what he has done for her even the smallest things.

She smirked at him lightly. “I’ve been well… And yes; it’s also been a year since…”

“The day you left.” He completed her sentence before an awkward silence filled in the gap of their conversation. Robin didn’t know what to say, andso did he.

“Well, surprise, I’m back.” She chuckled, breaking the silence. “Did you miss me?” She teased.

“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t miss you.”

“Hah. Stop it…” He was a madman.

There goes him, giving her mixed signals and that signature smirk of his. That’s one of the worst things about having Zoro as one of your close friends. She hates it when he is unpredictable. And most probably, that's one of the reasons she likes him, thinking that their dynamic fits the same wavelength, which eventually causes her to fall for him for about four years.

“How’s your girlfriend?” She changed her subject.

“Oh… We ended our relationship before our first anniversary six months ago…”

“Oh. Oh… Sorry about that.” Robin didn’t know that bit of his relationship. How come she does not know—? ‘Oh, never mind,’ she thought. Once again, their conversation came to halt, and Robin went on reading the manuscript on her phone before she switched on another app on her phone to scroll mindlessly and watch silly contents.

“Did you really mean it?” Zoro broke the silence.

“What?”

“That night.”

“Zoro, I didn’t remember—”

He then showed a video of her singing at the karaoke during her despedida party. At first, she didn’t know what he meant, but slowly, the realization sank in when she sang the last words of the song, extending her hand, and pointing vaguely at someone in the audience.

“I think I was drunk that time.” She lied.

He scoffed, not actually believing her word.

“What?”

“You had a flight the next day but I know you’re not a lightweight drinker—”

“And so? I am just singing a silly little song about unrequited love, so?”

 He was about to counter what she said. “Never mind, forget about it.”

“So, why are you bringing this up right now after a year?” Robin questioned him. 

Not that she was bitter last year (she was); she blocked him from all of her social media accounts that she could think of. She hadn’t heard him for so long, and then he just shows up like nothing happened? Wow, that was just so uncool of Zoro, to be honest.

“Maybe it just took me so long to realize..." He stared at his feet, avoiding Robin’s gaze.

“Why now?” she asked before he could even complete his sentence. 

Despite the loudness sinking in, another silence wraps them away from the noise of the airport. Robin didn’t want to hear what he was about to say next. She wanted to cover her ears. Not that she was waiting to hear him say those words out loud, but… why now?

///

Every moment in our lives comes into bits and pieces, whether you want to keep them or not. For Robin, seeing her friends for the last time at Baratie’s before her flight the next day would be one of her best and saddest decisions in life. Spending every moment to the fullest, she never knows when she will experience this once again.  

“Robin!!! We’re going to miss you.” Nami pulled Robin into the tightest hug. “Who’s going to come with me when I go shopping?”

“You can take Sanji with you during your shopping sprees," Robin joked, and Nami glared at her playfully. “Okay. Okay, and maybe next time when I get back.”

“And what if that will take more than two years? Or worse, ten years…”  

“Don’t worry, I promise I will be back next year.”

“You promise that. I believe your word, Robin.”

“And so Mosshead decided to show up late when Robin-chwan is already here! Why are you fucking late—?" Sanji shouted at the back when someone had arrived.

“Sorry, we’re late.”

“Who’s we?” Sanji quipped before he was visibly stunned along with his friends when Zoro was with a turquoise-haired woman.

“Everyone, this is Hiyori, my girlfriend.”

Half of his friends were surprised, and half of them were bewildered, when Zoro just nonchalantly announced having a girlfriend. Robin, on the other hand, didn’t know what to feel. She should have been happy for him. She was his friend, of course. But the more that she stares at their happy couple faces, Robin would rather get drunk than stay miserable.

“Wow, I never thought," Sanji murmured. “How long have you been together?”

“A month.”  

“A month? And you kept this from us?”

“I just wanted to introduce her to you guys and to Robin as well.” Zoro smiled and introduced his ‘girlfriend’ to all of their friends. The woman smiled sheepishly at them while holding Zoro’s hand.

 “Girl, are you okay?” Nami shared a concerning look at Robin.

“Don’t you just think I should have scheduled my flight a little bit earlier, so I couldn’t see this?”

Robin would be lying to herself if she said there was no jealousy bubbling up inside her guts. She couldn’t even handle looking at the couple. Nami was the only one who knew of her secret. It’s been more than one year— no, three years— she concealed what she felt for Zoro. And the moment when she wanted to tell him,  maybe she should just forget it. She’ll be living away from them anyway,so it wouldn’t even matter in the end.

“Robin, it’s not your fault.” Nami held her hand and squeezed it. “We didn’t even know that he would be hard-launching his ‘girlfriend’ tonight. And this is also the first time he mentioned this to us? Like, why now?”

"Just... let’s just don’t think about that. And just enjoy the night.”

And so they did. 

Her friends had prepared a night to remember, not a night to resent. She wouldn’t let her friends’ efforts go to waste just because of one minor inconvenience; she would make this night hers. The night went on, and everything was smooth sailing. Robin almost forgot what had made her mood shift for a little bit. Thanks to her friends, Robin never felt the sinking feeling—or, that’s what she thought—until Brook asked who was next in line for the karaoke machine, which was Robin’s song. 

“Whose song is this? From the Start by Laufey?”

Robin stood up and grabbed the mic from Brook. 

The modern bossa nova song opened with a summery guitar strum, and Robin danced with a cute sway of her hips to match the beat of the song's intro, which earned cheers from her friends. 

“Don't you notice how I get quiet when there's no one else around?” Robin spared a glance at the man she had fallen for.

She couldn’t quite imagine that she would actually relate to this song after listening to it for, like, weeks now. As she sang the first lines of the lyrics, she imagined that she was the person in the song. When her gaze landed on them, she could see the crease in Zoro’s eyes when he looked at her. The burning pain that she wanted to erase just by seeing Zoro and his girlfriend doing the lovey-dovey gestures that couples do. 

“Oh, how I wish you'll wake up one day, run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say…”

For some reason, Cupid shot an arrow into her heart for someone who would never feel the same way as hers. And of course, Robin had a high sense of pride; she would never confess what she really felt towards him. She’d rather let whatever she was feeling wither and wilt rather than actually say what she really feels— except there was a screaming little voice from the back of her head that she wanted to confess tonight, and confess, ‘I loved you from the start.’

She had been thinking about confessing ever since, but for some reason, there was an invisible force that held her lips and mind, reeling her not to. And to think that it has been going on for about two years now— how could she even bottle all this up? Direct and honest Robin was being held back from confessing to her long-time friend. 

How could she not say it directly when she was one of the most outspoken people among their friends? 

Even the smartest people had a hard time predicting love because, at the end of the day, it was not as easy as analyzing them. Be surprised at the unexpected, and that’s what Robin felt.

“Have to get this off my chest; I'm telling you today…”

When Nami first introduced her to her friends, she was intrigued by him rather than falling in love with him at first sight. Aside from Luffy, who was the most enthusiastic to befriend her during her college years, Zoro was the next one who caught her attention. She thought this was just admiration, but the next thing she knew, this once petty feeling building up inside her chest had built up into the history of genuinely liking someone. She tried to erase him from her mind, but the more she tried, the harder it was for her to move on. However, that night, she found a solution: vaguely confess with a song, then pretend and forget like nothing happened.

“I know I’ve loved you from the start.” She ended her mini-performance by extending her hand, vaguely pointed at the audience. ///

“I talked through Nami about this a month ago, and I really wanted to see you, so...”

“Zoro, just tell me already and—”

“I actually liked you before, Robin.”

Robin stared at him for a moment, so speechless that she couldn’t move her lips to respond with a witty reply.

Between her and Zoro, Robin was the most direct between them. She was brutally honest, and she was flawlessly fluent in any spoken word. But as soon as she heard what Zoro had said that evening, she knew that night was full of surprises. First, her flight to Cocoyashi was delayed; second, Zoro showed up beside her, boarding the same delayed flight; and third, his confession? What is happening? She even pinched herself to make sure tonight was real. Any moment now, she should be waking up. But she didn’t. This was real. It was happening in real time.

“What did you just say?” Deep breaths— inhaling and exhaling thoroughly, processing through what Zoro had just said. Even if she wanted to hear this for a long time, the crippling doubt creeped in. “Did you just mean to tell me this? Wait— Ah, ah.” She raised her pointing finger mid-air, stopping him for what he was about to say. “What do you mean before?”

“I liked you, Robin.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” She laughed airily and couldn’t believe what she was hearing at that moment. “How come you didn’t tell me?”

“I thought you didn’t like me before, but not until I rewatched the vid Nami sent the other day.”

That’s it? Robin belted out the loudest laugh that night. Some people beside them started to look at her as if she were crazy. All this time, when she thought he was the one who didn’t like her, she learned this almost the same day she confessed to him. Was the universe playing a joke on her?

“Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?” He stared at her; brows furrowed in confusion.

“I hate you,” she quipped teasingly with a small smirk on her lips. “And now, you’re meeting me here at the airport, so you could tell that?”

“That’s not what I meant to say…”

“Just tell me already, Zoro so I know—”

“Do you think if we’ve been together, we would make everything work out?”

Once again, Robin was left speechless. 

"Zoro, I don’t really know what to say, but… if I say that, let’s talk about this when we get to East Blue. Will you wait?”

“I’ll be waiting.” He smiled at her, never leaving her side. 

Robin knew to herself that Zoro was not the romantic type. Yet, there were moments that she would be blown away, and if their friends heard what he had just said, all of them would not believe that the Roronoa Zoro possesses at least a bit of a romantic side in his veins. 

And will Robin say ‘yes’ to Zoro’s question? That’s for her future self in three days to decide, even though she already knew the answer.

[courfee]

Regulus finds a label maker. That’s useful.

Reg with a label maker from early morning, coffee cups by @alarainai stuck with me for some reason...

[ultravioletbrit]

“candle” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 338 words

 

Regulus just got home and he walks through the living room to the kitchen looking for James.

“James?” He calls when he doesn’t find him.

“Out back.” James answers. 

Regulus walks out the back door and his breath hitches and his eyes fill with tears when he sees James standing on their patio with his hands behind his back. He’s wearing a full suit and tie, there are twinkle light hanging above him and he’s surrounded by candles.

“James?” Regulus whispers, he doesn’t trust his voice to speak any louder.

“Hi, love.” James smiles. Regulus slowly walks over to him and he feels a tear roll down his cheek. James brings one hand out from behind his back to cup Regulus’ cheek and brush the tear away with his thumb. “No tears.” He says softly.

“Can’t help it.” Regulus’ voice cracks. He’s overwhelmed with emotions and he can’t help it when words start tumbling from his lips. “Because you… and you look… and the lights… and all the candles…”

“One candle for every year I’ve loved you.” James smiles and Regulus quickly scans the candles surrounding James.

“We’ve only been together 3 years. There are 7 candles?”

“Regulus, I have loved you since the day I met you. And if you’ll let me, I’ll love you every day for the rest of our lives and then some.” Regulus lets out a sob as James drops to one knee and brings his other hand out from behind his back holding a small box. James opens the box to reveal a silver ring, and Regulus drops to his knees along with James.

“Yes.” He says and leans in to kiss James.

“Regulus…” James pulls back slightly with the biggest grin.

“Yes!” Regulus wraps his arms around James’ neck bringing him back for another kiss.

“Reg… I had a whole speech written.” James says, chuckling against Regulus’ lips.

“Read it to me later. Yes!” Regulus says again and James takes his hand and slides the ring on his finger and pulls him in for more kisses.

[emlovessid]

@jegulus-microfic december 18, message, 220 words

Regulus knows better than most just how attractive James is.

He wouldn’t say he’s a jealous man generally, but he has been known to not so subtly slip a hand in James’ back pocket when he catches someone eyeing him at the supermarket. Or curl a hand around James’ arm as they’re waiting to be seated at a restaurant, the seater barely even noticing Regulus is there.

So perhaps it’s this jealous streak that has him feeling a little too possessive when he’s passing by James’ office and decides to pop in.

“Hi, is James about?”

The receptionist looks him up and down, fake smile plastered on her lips as she says, “Do you have an appointment?”

Oh, he hates her already.

“No, I don’t,” Regulus says, smiling back; though he’s positive his fake smile is much more convincing than hers.

She laughs, like the idea of visiting someone without an appointment is preposterous. Get over yourself; James is a lawyer, not a doctor. “I’m sorry, Mr Potter is fully booked today.”

“Can you leave a message for him? Tell him I dropped by?”

The fake smile is back, her nose scrunched a bit as she nods, “Of course. And who are you?”

Regulus probably enjoys it far too much when her mouth drops open as he says, “His husband.”