#sea beach line incident

[mrsstarkey1]

could be different - rafe cameron

a/n: new obx season ik thats righttt

// for the sake of story, sophia does not exist ! love her tho xo

// also so rusty guys if this is dogshit just tell me

summary: after the turtle incident at the beach, you have an unexpected conversation with rafe cameron

word count: 1.9k

obx masterlist

••

you stared out at the ocean, the waves rolling in steady and perfect. today felt different—like everything was lined up just right, the surf calling you louder than usual.

“yo, grab your board, let’s go,” jj said, practically bouncing with excitement.

you smiled and grabbed your hot pink surfboard from the sand, ready to join them in the water. just as you were about to run in, the low rumble of trucks caught your attention. three of them pulled onto the beach, kicking up sand. you already knew who it was.

being a former kook, you had a low tolerance for topper and kelce. rafe was another story—complicated—but you wouldn’t exactly call him your favorite person either.

the trucks drove by obnoxiously, the engines roaring louder than they needed to. you silently hoped they’d keep going. “please don’t stop, please don’t stop,” kie muttered beside you.

of course, topper’s truck swerved back around, kicking up more sand as it came to a stop. you sighed, hanging your head. this wasn’t going to end well.

topper strutted over to john b like he owned the beach, and the inevitable showdown started. you stayed back, sitting on the sand with your sunglasses on, doing your best to act like you didn’t care. you’d stopped getting involved in this pogue vs kook mess a long time ago. it only ever led to frustration.

your gaze drifted across the beach, settling—unintentionally—on rafe cameron. arguably the most annoying guy in north carolina. arrogant, reckless, always looking for a fight.

but hot damn was he fine.

you hoped your sunglasses hid your staring, but rafe’s eyes found yours anyway. for a moment, your gazes locked, tension hanging in the air. you forced yourself to look away, heart picking up its pace despite your best efforts.

rafe was bad news nowadays and you knew it. but no matter how hard you tried to ignore him, something always pulled you in.

jj’s voice pulled you from your thoughts. “what are we all still standing around for? lets fucking surf!”

you catch a few waves, wiping out on the last one—not a bad fall, but enough to call it a day. you lug your board up to shore, tossing it down by your towel.

for a while, you lie back, soaking up the sun, drifting off in your own thoughts, completely unaware that rafe’s been watching you from across the beach.

later, as everyone’s packing the boards into the twinkie, the day feels like a huge success. kie slips the last board into place, and you all start piling into the van.

“guys,” kie suddenly exclaims, her voice high with excitement, “there’s a turtle hatch!”

you gasp and jump out of the van immediately, your eyes wide with excitement. together, you watch as dozens of baby turtles start their journey toward the sea, crawling through the sand.

“they’re so cute,” you smile, watching them with an almost childlike awe.

“so tiny,” sarah whispers, a grin spreading across her face.

“we gotta make a path for them,” john b says, already moving toward the turtles, clearing a way.

“yeah, turtle highway,” jj jokes, making you laugh as the group works together to make sure the turtles have a safe journey to the water.

but just as things feel perfect, you hear the distant rumble of an engine. your head whips around, spotting a truck tearing down the beach—straight toward you and the turtles.

“hey!” you scream, waving your arms wildly, trying to get their attention.

panic flashes through your group, everyone shouting and waving their arms, trying to make the truck stop.

“stop! there’s a hatch!” kie yells, her voice desperate.

the truck doesn’t slow down. if anything, it speeds up. your heart leaps into your throat as it barrels toward kie, who jumps out of the way at the last possible second.

“what the fuck?” you shout, your pulse racing.

the truck spins in the sand, kicking up dust and revving its engine. then, as if mocking you, someone throws a drink out the window, the liquid drenching you and kie.

“are you guys okay?” sarah rushes over, her face pale.

you nod, too angry to form words. kie runs to check on the turtles, kneeling down in the sand. her voice cracks as she picks up one of the tiny creatures, now lifeless. “no…”

you’re sick to your stomach. they think they own this place, think they can do whatever they want. but almost hitting kie? killing a defenseless baby turtle?

you take the turtle from kie, your hands practically trembling with rage. “what are you doing?” sarah asks, concern lacing her voice.

“enough is enough,” you mutter, storming across the beach.

jj trails behind loosely, always ready for confrontation.

“really, top?” you shout when you’re close enough, making the kooks turn toward you. “you almost killed kie. you feel good about that? still got that dumbass grin on your face?”

they all look at each other, unsure of how to react. topper shifts uncomfortably, trying to play it cool. “look, y/n, i get it—”

“no, you don’t,” you cut him off, holding up the tiny turtle for all of them to see. “look what you did.”

the group looks away, unable to face the damage they’ve caused.

“no, look at it,” you snap. “there was a turtle hatch, and you ran right over it. do you seriously think this is okay?”

no one answers.

ruthie speaks up, an obnoxious smile on her face. “it’s just one turtle. there’s like, a hundred of them.”

you whip your head toward her, fighting the urge to slap her, “yeah? why don’t i run you over with a truck then? there’s like a thousand bitchy kooks, right?”

topper scoffs, looking you up and down. “i don’t know why you’re acting all high and mighty, y/n. you’re just a wannabe pogue now, but deep down? you’ll always be one of us. a spoiled kook pretending to fit in.”

his words hit harder than you’d care to admit. you open your mouth to fire back, but before you can, rafe steps forward, jaw clenched.

“top, shut up.”

topper looks at rafe, surprised. “what, man? i’m just telling the truth.”

“let’s just go. not worth it,” rafe mutters, his voice low, turning away from the group.

you lock eyes with rafe for a brief second, your anger still simmering, but his quiet apology lingers in your mind. “just stay the fuck away from us,” you snap before turning on your heel, heading back to your friends.

even as you leave the scene behind, the interaction stays with you. topper’s words. rafe stepping in. it all plays on a loop in your mind, like an itch you can’t quite scratch.

the rest of the pogues decide to head back to meet pope, but you tell them you need some space, some time alone. the beach feels quieter now, just the waves and a few stragglers as the sun begins to set on the water.

you’re watching the water intently when a voice comes from behind you, “hey.”

you nearly jump, your heart pounding as you turn around. it’s rafe, standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets, a cautious look on his face.

“sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, his voice softer than usual. he glances at the ground for a second before looking back at you, something unreadable in his eyes. “look, um, about earlier…”

you cross your arms, your guard still up, but the way he’s standing there, almost unsure of himself, catches you off guard. rafe never looks unsure.

“the turtles, that was fucked,” he continues, his voice low. “i should’ve stopped it.”

you raise an eyebrow. “but you didn’t.”

“yeah.” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “i’m sorry.”

you don’t respond right away, the tension between you thick in the air. you can tell he’s waiting for something—for you to lash out, or maybe just get up and walk away. but for some reason, you stay. “you can sit, if you want,” you say.

he hesitates, and you think for a moment that he’ll just walk away. but no, he plops himself down right next to you.

you sit in silence for a few minutes, and to your surprise it’s not awkward silence. it’s comfortable. it reminds you of years ago when you considered rafe a friend.

what you say next shocks yourself, “i’m sorry about your dad, rafe. we haven’t really um- talked, since then.”

his eyes shoot over to you, clearly also surprised by your words. he clears his throat, “thanks,” he says softly, looking back out into the ocean.

you stare at him, taking in his features now that he’s sitting so close. the hard edge in his expression is gone, replaced by something softer. his eyes, normally sharp and guarded, are distant as they reflect the fading sunlight, a mix of blue and gray that you hadn’t noticed before. his jaw clenches, then relaxes, as if he’s holding back words he doesn’t quite know how to say.

“i didn’t really expect you to say that,” he admits, his voice low, almost lost in the sound of the waves.

“i didn’t expect to say it,” you reply, offering a small, unsure smile.

rafe turns his head slightly, looking at you now with an intensity that makes your heart skip. the cool, cocky demeanor you’re used to isn’t there. instead, he looks… real. vulnerable, even.

“you always were different from the rest of them,” he murmurs, as if to himself, his gaze lingering on your face. the compliment catches you off guard, and for a moment, you forget the mess of emotions surrounding everything that’s happened.

the air between you shifts, heavy with something unspoken, but it doesn’t feel suffocating. it feels like a thread connecting you both to a time before everything got complicated.

without really thinking, you reach over, your hand brushing against his. it’s subtle, just a light touch, but it’s enough. his hand turns over, palm up, and for the briefest second, you let your fingers rest there, feeling the warmth of his skin.

he doesn’t pull away, and neither do you. “thanks for letting me sit,” he says quietly, his voice softer than you’ve ever heard it. you nod, words failing you for once.

you stare at him again; the sun catches in his eyes, a flicker of vulnerability that feels out of place, and you realize how easy it would be to fall into this moment, to let the history between you blur everything else.

but you know you can’t.

“you know,” you say, your voice quiet but steady, “my loyalty is always gonna be with the pogues.” you meet his gaze, making sure he knows you mean it. “that’s never gonna change.”

rafe looks at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. then he nods, like he expected it but still needed to hear it. “yeah, i know,” he mutters, glancing down at where your fingers are still lightly brushing his hand. he doesn’t pull away, though. “doesn’t mean we can’t sit here and talk, right?”

you smile faintly, appreciating the honesty, the way he didn’t try to change your mind or make you feel like you had to choose between him and the people you care about. “no, it doesn’t.”

for a second, his face softens even more, like the weight of the world has been lifted, just for this fleeting moment between the two of you. and despite everything—despite the kooks and pogues, the drama and the history—sitting here next to him, watching the waves in comfortable silence, feels right in a way you can’t quite explain.

you can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, rafe could be changing for the better.

••

requests are open 📩

[crimsonrubie]

A Quiet Night

Part 2

Biker!Bakugou would have one of the fastest motorcycles in the gang because he's a freak for speed and power. His bike would probably be a Suzuki GSX-R750, black and orange, with 750cc. He would be speeding with this baby everywhere. It's perfect for him because of its aerodynamic design and sharp and aggressive lines.

I imagine he loves taking his bike out on late-night rides. Especially when his mind is running a mile a second, what better way to cool off than speeding through the streets with his bike?

Warnings: Teeny tiny bit of angst then fluff! Also this is the first fic I've written in years so my writing is floppy at best and English isn't my first language so please excuse any mistakes!!

~~~

The cool night wind of Musutafu swept by and ruffled his blonde spikes as the roar of the engine purred in the background.

It was one of those nights. The silence at his home was eating him alive like an infection and without thinking, Katsuki grabbed his keys, forgoing his helmet and headed to his sleek dark and orange bike. He threw on a leather jacket over his top and sped off from his garage.

His mind hadn't calmed down since the incident this morning when he was on patrol. Heroes are known for doing their best to save everyone, but it's no secret that not everyone can be saved. The thought alone urged him to twist the throttle, revving the engine and letting it drown out his loud thoughts.

At his action, he heard a cheer similar to a kid's and turned his head to the side for only a second. The little kid's bright smile from the car beside him on the highway silenced his thoughts as he focused on him now. The car was keeping up with his bike, due to the empty road this time of night and the kid extended his hand out of the window and mimicked the motion of revving an engine.

Katsuki, to entertain the little boy, did as he wished and twisted the throttle, letting it last for a little longer and the bright smile from the boy brightened a small spot inside Katsuki's heart. The car then took a turn and the boy waved to him, Katsuki giving him one last rev before they separated.

He drove along the road, the streetlights blurring past him as the night remained quiet and peaceful except for a few cars. His emotions were still in chaos, but the low hum of the engine and the distraction of driving provided him with only some sense of satisfaction.

After half an hour, a park became visible in the distance. Katsuki noticed it was deserted for the most part and was situated a good distance away from the busy streets of the city so he decided it was a good place to stop. He parked his bike in the empty parking lot belonging to the park overlooking the beach. He killed the engine and got off of the seat, fixing his leather jacket and zipping it up as the cool air arriving from the sea sent a shiver down his body.

His lungs expanded to take in as much of the salty air as he could, letting it out in a deep sigh. Though looking out into the night sky, far from the blinding lights of the bustling city did little to distract his mind from his thoughts as they came rushing back. Now nothing around him could distract him from his swirling dark thoughts.

He hated it most when he failed in a mission, despised it and loathed it really. Whether he was bleeding all over or even had one of his arms rendered useless because of the damage, he refused to give up. Always pushing forward to save the day and kick some villain's ass. This passion was with him since he was a little boy and never left but only grew when the seed was sowed at the awakening of his quirk.

His quirk was supposed to be used for good, to save and win. What happened today was a complete contrast to that. He hated himself for letting the villain get him in such a vulnerable state. One little mistake lead to a chaotic and traumatizing ending for everyone on the scene.

Just remembering the anguished faces of the boy's parents after he utterly failed to get to him in time shattered another piece of his already broken soul. Now breathing didn't come to him as easily. His breathing was ragged and uneven, and his chest felt like it was being restricted by a boulder. His hands sought out his throat, gripping it as if his life depended on it and he gritted his teeth.

"D-damn it- Damn it all to hell!" His hand heated up without his knowledge, the nitroglycerin sweat on his palms reacting to his quirk. At his yell, a cat jumped up on a stone seat beside him and meowed. His breathing hitched and his eyes scanned the cat. Under the dim lightening of the lamp post beside the stone bench, he could decipher beautiful black fur and slit eyes that rounded out just a little at him. It wasn't a kitten, but didn't appear to be old but maybe a few years old perhaps.

The cat was looking at him, as if interested in what made him yell out into the night but he left it and plopped down on the stone seat, just a few feet away from the cat on the other side and buried his face in his hands. A minute passed which felt like an eternity before the tiniest of sobs escaped his lips. His hands now in his hair, he pulled harshly at the roots, needing anything to distract him from the searing pain in his chest if even for a second.

Gradually, the sobs left him like a dam with a crack, starting out slow and only deepening the crack and breaking it even more to allow more to flood out. His aching chest hurt, and one of his hands left his hair and grabbed at his jacket, right above the scar shielded underneath all the clothing. His fingers clutched tightly at the leather, crinkling it up as tears ran freely down his face, quiet sobs escaping without his permission.

It hurt. Everything hurt. His heart, his mind, his chest, even his hand from how tightly he was holding onto his jacket as if it was his lifeline and he was hanging on by a thread. His head was ducked as he suffered mentally and physically under the dim lightening when a weight was pressed against his thigh.

At first, he didn't notice but another thing landed on his thigh and he then pulled his head back and noticed the cat with its front paws now on his thigh, meowing up at him so softly. It was as if the little being knew he was in a vulnerable state and was offering comfort.

He sniffed, his arm rubbing over his red face and cold nose from the cold air. "You're weird, you know that?" His voice was gruff when he spoke, raspy from all the crying but the cat only climbed further into his lap, curling up as if getting ready to sleep and loafing on his lap.

The added weight of the feline and its warmth chased away some of the demons tormenting his mind. He looked down at the cat and scoffed with a sniff afterwards, realising that the cat in some way, knew to comfort him.

Katsuki wasn't a cat or dog person. His best friend Eijirou Kirishima, owned a Staffordshire bull terrier, the little guy both energetic and affectionate, a carbon copy of his owner but Katsuki never knew the appeal of owning a live animal and taking care of their needs, training them, and just sharing space with a living being he can't directly communicate with.

The cat was snuggled up on his lap and his mind now momentarily forgetting the pain in his chest, urged his hand to pet the soft fur of the black cat and he let out a breath when the soft sound of purring reached his ears. The side of his lip quirked up just slightly at seeing the little creature happily snuggled into his lap and purring like nobody's business.

While he was petting it, he then noticed a thin pink collar hidden under its fur and his eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You lost or something?" He mumbled under his breath and reached under the cat's chin to look at the tag and saw a phone number. He hummed then seeing the pink collar again, noted the cat must be female.

No wonder the cat wasn't sceptical of him. She was a house cat and well cared for from the looks of it so she didn't carry the same hesitance to humans like other street cats and approached him right away. The cat must have been emotionally intelligent, maybe a service animal?

Pushing those thoughts to the side for now, he got out his phone and texted the number a picture of the cat on his lap and his location.

Found her at the park in front of the parking lot.

He clicked send and not a second later, his phone dinged with a response and he opened it up again, the bright screen illuminating his face in the darkness.

I'm on my way! Thank you so much!!

He left it at that and put his phone down. He continued petting the cat, the notion calming him down as he soaked up the last few minutes he had with his unusual companion before she had to go back to her owner.

He gave a quick glance at the number's profile picture before he put his phone down and knew it was a girl but didn't look clearly to know any more details.

A few minutes passed by of him silently petting the feline and admiring her soft dark fur, letting the time run as he distracted himself with the continuous motion of petting the cute animal. The cat then pressed her paws on his lap then stretched making him chuckle under his breath at the cat comfortably doing whatever she desired on his lap.

"Ohh big stretch! She loves you." At the new voice, his head lifted instinctively and his breath was knocked out of his lungs. His back straightened like a board. This time it was a nice feeling, not choking him up but instead providing him with a sense of calmness and the smell of fresh air. Why, he had no idea but he welcomed the feeling in this dark time.

You looked pretty. With no makeup on and wearing a light colored hoodie and comfortable pants, you looked like you were on a leisurely walk before you lost sight of your feline friend. He found it endearing the moment his eyes skimmed briefly over your figure and back to your eyes.

Your figure closed the distance between you and you sat beside him on the stone bench, your cat upon recognising you, lazily switching from Katsuki's lap and snuggling up on yours instead. You provided her with scratches under the chin and ears as she purred. "You seriously need to be on a leash sometimes." You spoke out to the cat but he didn't detect any malice in your voice. "You always escape right under my nose but come crawling back for food huh?" The cat meowed in response, as if sassily replying to you and he watched the interaction with curiosity.

You suddenly sat up straight with a start and acknowledged the man beside you. Your reaction was similar to his if not the same. Your back straightened up and your lips formed a small rounded shape in surprise when your eyes scanned his naturally pale face. Red piercing eyes stared into yours as if to hypnotize you but you cleared your throat and offered up your hand in greeting, thankful this specimen of a man hadn't made you forget your manners.

"Katsuki bakugou." He greeted you in return, accepting your hand and nodding towards the cat in your lap. "She yours then?" He internally slapped himself for the stupid question.

You didn't seem to mind his gruff exterior and nodded with a smile, "Yes, her name's Aiko." At the familiar word, he remembers its meaning and hums.

"Little loved one."

Your eyes widened a fraction at the fact he knew the meaning and you let out a small laugh. "Yes, I love her so much and after a week of having her, I decided Aiko was perfect for her. She wouldn't hurt a fly and is so sweet with everyone, even little kids who aren't sure how to treat her. Everyone falls in love with her cuteness too, she's charming that way." You purse your lips and a blush blooms on your cheeks when you notice you rambled. "Sorry, I tend to ramble about her." You scratch at the back of your neck and he grunts in response, his shoulders relaxed as he sits back against the backrest.

"It's fine."

With his lack of words, you go ahead and ask a question in return. "You were out on a nightly stroll I'm guessing?" You tilt your head, Aiko now purring in your lap as you tuck her in your hoodie pocket so she won't get cold. It became a habit for the cat since she was a few months old and always crawled into the spacious pocket of your hoodie to warm up and surprisingly still fits.

He hums, fidgeting with his hands in his lap as he looks forward. "Just came here for some fresh air. I needed space and quiet, and found it here."

You hum and he blinks when a second later, you have your hand outstretched towards him, palm up with a snack in hand. "Take this, it's a homemade cookie, I made it. Don't worry I'm actually a good baker and you can take it as a sign of my gratitude for finding Aiko." You nudge your hand in his direction, encouraging him to take it and after a second of confusion, he accepts the cookie.

"Thanks. Do you carry cookies everywhere with you?" He raises an eyebrow at you, his attention now diverted from the beach. You noticed a small smirk appearing on his lips and rolled your eyes playfully.

"Well on occasion, yes. I always go out on walks with snacks and treats for Aiko too. Sometimes I can be out here for hours so I get hungry and speaking of that I also get my books a lot of the time too, I love reading in this park." He watched you talk with a gentle smile while your hands were busy petting Aiko's head that was peeking out of your pocket.

"Oh and I never saw you here before, you aren't from around here?" At your question, he nods in reply.

"I live in the city. I found this place by coincidence and parked here to get some fresh air." You hum and a minute later, he opens the packet you stored the cookie in and takes it out. "Chocolate chip." He comments and you nod with a smile.

"Yes, tell me how it tastes and hopefully you don't completely hate it." You giggle and watch as he takes a bite and chews.

Those few seconds felt like one of those cooking shows where the judge is eating antagonizingly slow as the crowd waits for their reaction. That's how you felt when you watched him chew down on the cookie and swallow. He licked his lips to get rid of the crumbs left and your stomach fluttered at the action but you cleared your throat and looked back into his eyes.

To your utter shame, he was smirking knowingly at you and you knew you were caught ogling at his lips but quickly asked him a question to avoid the embarrassment. "So? How is it?"

He hums and eats another bite, this one bigger than the last and you smile. "I'm guessing it's nice?" He nods, wiping his mouth with his thumb after he swallows.

"Send me the recipe." You blink. Well, that was straightforward.

"Uh, sure-" Your reply gets cut off by your laughter. He had his own unique ways of expressing his liking to something but you took it, sensing that he was just like that. "I'll make sure to send it to you now that I have your number don't worry. Right when I get back home!" He grunts and continues eating till the cookie is finished.

Conversation flowed from there for another hour at least. Talking with Katsuki felt like reuniting with a dear old friend as if you had known each other for years. Unfortunately, it was becoming late making you realise that you would have to part ways with this handsome stranger who helped you find your cat.

"Well, I'll have to head back home sadly. I have a shift tomorrow afternoon so I need to get back if I don't want to go looking like a zombie." You got up with Aiko in your hoodie's pocket, Katsuki standing up with you and burying his hands in his pockets.

"I'll give you a ride home."

"Oh! It's fine you don't need to! My apartment is only a few minutes away."

"I'm giving you a ride home. Whether you come or refuse and get kidnapped out on the street. Your choice." He raises an expectant eyebrow and you hate that he's right at the possibility of you getting kidnapped.

You sigh in defeat and nod. "Fine okay, I didn't want to be a bother that's all!" He grunts and starts walking. You quickly zip up your bag, sling it over your shoulder and jog after him until you're walking by his side.

"You are a man of few words?" He side-eyes you and shrugs.

"Don't feel like talking. Don't mistake it for me not giving a shit about our time together though. It wasn't half bad I guess." You conclude you can't get better than that from him and a smile creeps on your lips. He was being nice in his own way and even though only meeting him tonight, you felt comfortable with him.

He reaches a sleek motorcycle and your eyes bulge out of their sockets at the expensive-looking vehicle. "You gonna keep staring like a creep or what?" He snarks out but you notice a proud smirk on his lips at having his baby be marvelled at. It was apparent that he took pride in his motorcycle.

You then snap out of it and pout. "Hey, I'm not a creep! Your bike is just so cool and I'm not really used to seeing them so up close."

At your compliment, his cheeks redden just slightly and he ducks his head with the cover of taking out his keys. "Anyway get on." He nudges his head towards the bike and you walk over, swinging your leg around it, being mindful of the feline in your pocket and shuffle back on the seat as he gets on in front of you. He swings his leg over the bike with practised ease and his boots find secure footings on the foot pegs.

He inserts the key, twists it and the low purr of the engine roared to life in the silence of the night. "Hold on to me and make sure your little friend doesn't get ideas." You laugh and hold on to Aiko with one arm, wrapping your other free arm around his waist. The moment your arm makes contact with his front a blush explodes on your face at being so close to this stranger.

He had an air of kindness to him that you think isn't seen or noticed by many but when you do see it, you see a part he keeps reserved for only a handful of people in his life. You're glad the stranger who ended up finding your cat wasn't a creep or weirdo but instead turned out to be this handsome man who accepted your cookie and demanded the recipe be sent to him.

"Where do you live?" He asks from behind his shoulder as he kicks off the stand and pulls out of the parking spot, then makes a turn and gets on the road.

You relay your address to him and he scoffs. "A few minutes away? That's at least half an hour's walk away you shitty woman!" He exclaims, the wind from the ride making it come out a little muffled and you mockingly gasp. You guess he's more comfortable with you now with how his words left his mouth so smoothly and with no reluctance.

"Well sorry for declining your gentlemanly offer! I didn't want you going out of your way to get me there because you could be going in the opposite direction!"

"This is nothing. As long as you're fine I don't care how much further it is from my own home, next time you better not be as stupid with me or anyone else!" You open your mouth to retort but find yourself unable to think of anything so instead you grumble under your breath.

He chuckles at your grumbling and you feel your face heat up once again as his body vibrates with his deep laugh. The air is cold this time of night and you instinctively snuggle closer to his back, unknowingly making the blonde flush to his ears but he doesn't complain and the ride is spent in comfortable silence till you arrive at your apartment.

You dejectedly unwrap your arm from his waist and he gets up to help you out of the bike. You're swinging your leg to get off when it suddenly catches on something on the bike and you yelp as you lose balance but before you can fall any further, firm arms are wrapped around you and you're enveloped in the deep musky scent of Katsuki.

"Hey, easy. You okay?" His deep voice reverberates throughout your body and you shiver at the welcoming sound of his voice and nod, your arms braced on his chest while you're still in an awkward position on his bike. You were flustered behind belief because you felt his hard and defined chest underneath and all of it along with his voice will make you combust.

He moves to pick you up from your waist and plop you down safely on the ground and you blink at his strength. No wonder he owns such a powerful bike, it basically represents its owner. Sharp and striking just like his red eyes. Powerful and loud like him but in an endearing way, leading you to realise that you like it.

"T-Thank you, I'm not usually clumsy." You mumble, suddenly shy and he shrugs as he gets back on his bike and nods.

"Stay safe."

"Yeah, you too, Bakugou." You give him an appreciative smile and he nods in acknowledgement, a small smile making its way to his lips and you catch it before he turns his bike and speeds off into the night.

You hear an annoyed meow from your pocket and shiver at the cold air, "Whoops, sorry Aiko, let's go get warmed up in bed yeah?"

[violet-butterflies]

❥︎ yandere! Merman

❥︎ Warnings ! ☞︎︎︎ sexual harassment, kidnapping ( male yandere! oc x gn reader ) Click to see part 2 and a nsfw spin-off !

It was a dark and stormy night when you first met the merman. You were a lighthouse keeper on a tiny island that was not densely populated. The people that did live on the island were mostly fishermen that lead a peaceful and simple life. However, this night was not peaceful. The storm was roaring and the tides were filled with rage.

You simply went to town to buy a few things and maybe grab a drink with the friendly residents when the storm picked up, forcing you to retreat inside a cave near the sea. You thought it was dangerous since the cave could be flooded when the tides were high but the thunder and lightning seemed even more dangerous since you were walking around the beach with no trees in sight.

You expected to be bored inside a moist and salty-smelling cave but what happened was far from what you had expected.

Inside was a beautiful and ethereal merman who stared at you with wide and scared eyes. He had long white hair that was decorated with seaweed and pearls. He had nothing on, showing off his well-toned body. The most unbelievable part was the fact that instead of legs, there was a long and shimmering silver tail that was covered in scars and a fin that looked like it had a hole in it.

You awkwardly tried to approach it, trying to not scare the merman but failing since he started to thrash in the small pool of water in the cave.

"Shh, shh, shh... I'm not gonna hurt you," you said quietly and gently. The merman must've sensed that you meant no harm as he let you come closer.

The trust only grew when you spent the night, trying to help treat his injuries with the very minimal supplies that you had.

The next few weeks, you'd come and accompany the merman inside the cave. Not only that, you'd come and bring him food and books to show him. Your days mostly consisted of nothing before sunset when your job actually starts anyways so you had plenty of time to spare. Of course, you kept his existence a secret since you didn't want to bring any harm to your new friend.

It was odd though, his wounds have long healed but he kept lingering in the cave. You were on your wits end as you didn't know what he wanted and he can't speak English. You tried teaching him but, you weren't sure if it was because he was half fish, but he was not the smartest being.

You were about to stand and leave the cave to do your job before the merman snatched your hand and pulled you into the water with him. Startled, your body froze as the merman smiled when he looked at you. He hugged you and began to kiss your neck. Not only that, he began clawing at your clothes as he gave you a passionate kiss. You eventually snapped out of it before biting the merman's tongue hard to surprise him into letting you go. You quickly swam back to land and looked at the water with wide eyes. The merman looked at you with a look of surprise and desperation as he tried to go on land to take you back into his hands.

That obviously didn't work though since you ran out before he could even begin to get his whole body out of the water.

You didn't bother coming back to the cave since you felt scared and confused at the incident.

The merman basically forced himself on you but on the other hand, he was a mermaid that probably didn't know anything about human knowledge or consent. Still, though, you felt uncomfortable and it was probably better to leave him alone so he can go back into the ocean.

You didn't expect to ever see him again until you saw a familiar figure flopping on the beach just in front of your secluded lighthouse. In an instant, your eyes went wide as you rushed out to the merman before anyone sees him.

As soon as you came into the merman's line of sight, his eyes lights up and began trying to flop faster towards you.

"What are you doing here?! You can be here!"

"I... I sorryyyy" the merman attempted to say with a slow and dragged accent. You can't help but feel surprised since you didn't expect him to remember anything you tried to teach him.

You somehow got him back into the ocean and as you turned around to go back to shore, he pulled you down into the ocean with him. Deeper and deeper until the ocean covers your senses.

[babymetaldoll]

"Embarrassed" (Spencer Reid x fem!bau reader)

Category: hardcore fluff, friends to lovers. Warnings: Cursing, Spencer being a little asshole, the BAU being nosy as usual. Summary: Spencer embarrassed himself in front of reader, and the annual FBI beach trip could be the perfect place to make things even more awkward between them.  Requested: Nop A/N: I wrote this for @imagining-in-the-margins Summer Challenge, hope you guys enjoy it. Prompts used: - He has a degree in engineering. How can he be defeated by a sandcastle? - I don't really like the beach... Sandy food, pink skin, limited and unengaging topography, but mostly drug-resistant bacteria spread by seagull feces. - It's like Hotch at the beach- - Next summer we are doing the Alaskan cruise. Masterlist

- “Explain to me again why I have to spend time with you during the weekend when we just spent eleven days working on a case in Oakland?”- Rossi asked as the entire BAU Team walked into a beautiful cabin by the sea, prepared especially for them.

- “Because we have to do the team training, along with all the paperwork it includes. But at least we have a nice view.”- Hotch explained, opening a window, staring at the deep blue ocean in front of them.

- “For once, I’m glad we have to do this stupid program.”- Morgan commented and took off his shirt. - “Sand, sun, and babes, that’s all I need to enjoy my weekend.”

- “We have to get ready for Strauss lecture.”- (Y/N) pointed out and tossed his shirt back- “Please, put this back on. I don’t wanna see your tits around the house.”

Spencer chuckled at those words and Morgan turned to him immediately.

- “What are you laughing about, pretty Ricky? Are there other tits you wanna see around the house?”- Morgan teased his friends, who turned blood red in a minute, coughed, and walked away, to hide in a room, slamming the door behind his back. (Y/N) raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms on her chest.

- “You love making him feel uncomfortable, don’t you?”

- “Come on! We all know he has the hots for you, little Mama. When are you going to do something about it?”

- “He is my friend, with a capital F.”

- “You could be doing the capital F if you stopped being so stubborn.”- Morgan replied and turned around. He knew he had crossed the line and didn’t want to give (Y/N) the chance to smack him for being nosy.

Yes, everybody knew Spencer was in love with (Y/N). It wasn’t really a secret after he blurted it out by accident on a supermarket mic during a case investigation in front of the whole team. The entire incident was way too embarrassing to even recall, and the BAU had pretended it never happened. Everybody except Morgan, of course. He loved teasing Spencer every chance he got. The whole episode had been messy, and though it had been a few weeks already, (Y/N) still didn’t have a chance to talk with Spencer about it, and he kept acting like it never happened. That weekend’s Team Training Program at the beach was the perfect chance to fix things between them.

If only Spencer dared talk to her first.

Around half an hour later, a very unhappy team walked out of their cabin, ready to deal with whichever activities Strauss and headquarters had planned for them. The FBI had rented an entire villa for the weekend, to host their annual team training program. Rossi hated the idea, Spencer hated the beach. Hotch hated the fact he was wasting time he could be spending with Jake. JJ hated missing Henry’s soccer game, Garcia hated having to work out so much, and Prentiss hated the fact she couldn’t just lay on a chair at the beach with a drink and just tan a little.

(Y/N) and Morgan were the only ones excited to be there. Morgan still thought he could get a girl, and (Y/N) just wanted to spend a little time with Spencer, and maybe ask him out on a date. After all, a weekend at the beach was the perfect scenario to finally talk about what happened and maybe do something about it.

- “Beach activities are a great way to bring a team together.”- Strauss announced as she walked in front of at least 50 FBI agents. All of them, BAU included, wore dark blue short sleeve shirts with the FBI logo, and grey shorts. Everybody except Rossi, of course. He stood among them smoking a cigar and wearing his everyday outfit.

- “All the team-building games you are about to go through, were designed to promote communication, cooperation, and creativity. They will help our agents build trust, learn to delegate tasks, and enhance problem-solving skills.”

- “Sounds like a boy scout’s speech”- Rossi whispered to Prentiss and she did her best not to chuckle. But of course, Strauss noticed and immediately raised an eyebrow in disapproval.

- “You’ve all been designated with a number, that’s your team. Please form your teams so we can start the first activity.”

(Y/N) sighed, already annoyed. She understood the idea of having to go through a team seminar to improve one’s relationship with their team, but having to know other agents and talk with strangers… wasn’t really into her plans.

- “Hey….”- Spencer whispered as he stood next to her in the middle of the beach, right next to a bunch of agents neither of them had met before.- “I… I think we are on the… same team.”- Reid managed to say, and continued staring at his feet in the sand.

- “That’s great!!”- (Y/N) replied, maybe a little bit too enthusiastically. - “We haven’t… it’s been… well, we haven’t had the chance to talk much lately.”- she knew why they hadn’t talked. It was weird. Still, neither of them had addressed the pink elephant in the room, he just nodded and didn’t say another word for a few minutes.

- “Did you put on sunscreen?”- she asked and Spencer turned to look at her with wide-opened eyes.

- “Ye... yes, yes, I did. I always do”- he stuttered and started rambling right away- “Did you know daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent? and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent.”

- “Yes, I try to put on sunscreen daily as well, but I usually forget.”- (Y/N) added ‘cos she needed to make that conversation last at least longer than a minute. It was ridiculous, Spencer not even being able to look her in the eyes only because he had accidentally said he loved her in front of a whole crime scene, Nebraska’s police force, and the whole BAU team. Even Garcia.

- “Anyway”- (Y/N) said when she noticed Spencer wasn’t saying anything - “Are you enjoying the trip?”

He stared at her and licked his lips - nearly giving her a heart attack - as he tried his best to find actual words to reply to that question.

- "I don't really like the beach…”- he finally mumbled- “Sandy food, pink skin, limited and unengaging topography, but mostly drug-resistant bacteria spread by seagull feces.”

- “Oh…”- (Y/N) sounded disappointed, and neither of them said another word. Their new team gathered around them, and the instructions for the first activity were delivered.

The first team training activity was a beach scavenger hunt. Hotch’s team won ‘cos he was the team leader and… well, he is the best leader in the FBI. Spencer and (Y/N) tried their best, but their group was having serious trouble focusing. Apparently, no one wanted to spend the day at the beach working.

The second team training activity was a beach obstacle course. Morgan’s team won, basically ‘cos most of the agents in his team were pure muscle. Spencer was incredibly embarrassed to even do the circuit, ‘cos he felt self-aware of every one of his moments and that everybody was looking at him. And he ended up tripping on his own feet. Just when he thought he couldn’t embarrass himself more, there he was, face into the sand, hearing the entire FBI laughing at him.

Rossi looked at Morgan and shook his head. The kid needed help. But how?

- “Are you ok?” (Y/N) whispered when Spencer reached her side and he just nodded. - “Your ankle, does it hurt?”- she was honestly worried, but he felt so humiliated he wanted to disappear. So he did, he didn’t even answer her question and walked away. Rossi looked at the scene from a distance and headed to (Y/N)’s side in a few minutes.

- “How is the beach treating you, bella?”

- “I’m hating every minute here so far”- she replied and followed Spencer with her eyes until he got lost between all the people. Rossi noticed, he knew what was torturing her and though they hadn’t ever talked about it, it was clear he had to help those kids.

- “Come on, ragazza. You know he is crazy for you. We all do. You just have to tell him how you feel.”

- “I’m trying, Coronel Cannelloni! but he doesn’t even talk to me. The few things he has mumbled today are the only things he has said to me since “the incident,” and I don’t know what to do!”

- “He is embarrassed.”- Rossi pointed out the obvious and completely ignored the nickname (Y/N) had called him. She usually called him different nicknames just for the fun of it.

- “Well I understand that, but if I already know he loves me…”

- “Embarrass yourself now.”- Rossi suggested and the young woman just stared at him in silence. - “I mean it. Meet him in the middle. You already know he loves you, what’s the worst that could happen?”

- “You know, something bad happens every time someone asks that, right?”- Rossi chuckled at those words and shook his head.

- “It can’t get worse than him stuttering every time he sees you.”

- “I’m sure it can.”

Morgan found Spencer standing against a wall, on the other side of the main building of the complex. His eyes were closed as well as his fists, that he kept hitting against the bricks, over and over again.

- “Hey kid.”

- “Please, not now.”- Derek didn’t say another word for a few minutes. He just stood next to his friends and waited for his tantrum to pass.

- “You know Reid, that woman there loves you. Why don’t…”- and at those words, Spencer just snapped and started yelling.

- “She doesn’t! I don’t know if you remember but I had a little incident the other day with a fucking mic in the middle of a supermarket and everybody heard me telling Garcia how in love I am with (Y/N) and she has acted like nothing happened ever since!”

- “Kid”- Morgan frowned and stood in front of Spencer, holding his arms, trying to calm him down and talk some sense into him. - “You’ve been giving her the cold shoulder every time she tries to talk to you. Don’t blame this on her!”

- “Cold shoulder?! Me? To her? When?”- Spencer chuckled sarcastically

- “Dude, a minute ago she was talking to you and you left her alone in the sand.”

Morgan was right, and Spencer knew it, but he wasn’t going to give him the pleasure of saying it. However, Morgan didn’t sugarcoat things either.

- “And let me tell you one more thing, I saw how the guys from National Security in your team were eying her, and you just left her alone with those assholes after being a jerk. It doesn’t look good. How are you gonna fix it, pretty Ricky?”

Spencer opened his mouth, followed by a long awkward silence.

- “Thought so.”- Morgan sighed, and tapped on his friend’s shoulder - “Come on, let’s go back, and try to talk to her like you did before the incident.”

- “Awkwardly and clueless?”- Spencer whispered, and Derek just chuckled.

- “Just be yourself.”

- “That’s lousy advice, I don’t know how to be anyone else.”- Reid frowned and looked at his friend, who was nearly losing his patience.

- “Just don’t be your asshole self.”

The third and last activity of the day was a sandcastle-building contest. And doing his best to overcome his embarrassment and nervousness, Spencer grabbed a plastic shovel and asked (Y/N) if she wanted to help him with a part of their team construction. His hands were nearly shaking as she kneeled next to him on the sand and started working on their team’s design.

- “How did it go with the kid?”- Rossi asked Morgan, as neither of them even tried to pretend to be into the activity.

- “He is in denial. He swears she doesn’t even like him. What did she say?”

- “The kid is ignoring her and she doesn’t know what to do. So I told her to embarrass herself as much as he embarrassed himself.”- Morgan turned to Rossi and raised an eyebrow behind his sunglasses - “What?”

- “Rossi, that's shitty advice. Next time try something like: “Kiss the goddamn fool!” or something like that! I mean, the kid is hopeless and if (Y/N) doesn’t do anything, they are never going to get together.”

- “Give them some credit, Morgan.”- Rossi regretted his words as soon as they left his lips. Spencer was so nervous as he tried to talk with (Y/N) he gesticulated too much and hit part of his castle, causing half of it to crumble down.

- “He has a degree in engineering. How can he be defeated by a sandcastle?”- Rossi whispered and Derek shook his head. The whole scene was embarrassing to watch.

- “And your great advice was “embarrass yourself.” Jesus! I’m gonna have to ask Garcia to hack the system and move them into the same room. This is painful to watch!”

- “Like Hotch at the beach”- Ross pointed out - “He is so sunburned and he keeps getting redder, no matter how much sunscreen he puts on.”

If you asked anyone at the FBI about how the first day of their annual Team Training Program went, they would say it had been a mess. Most agents were sunburned and exhausted after Strauss’ program. Only Morgan and Garcia still felt like going out for dinner and maybe hitting the club, hoping to have some fun that weekend.

Spencer was alone, sitting on the sand in front of the sea. The sun was setting and he just sat there, on his own, doing his best to clear his mind and come up with a plan. But instead, he had nothing but regret. He kept remembering his worst and most embarrassing moments of the day in front of (Y/N) over and over again. It was a bad movie he’d pay not to watch ever again.

- “There you are!” - Prentiss sat next to Spencer and sighed, staring at the scene in front of them.

- “This is beautiful.”- she whispered and Spencer merely nodded. - “Why aren’t you watching this with (Y/N)?”- instead of an answer, Reid just groaned and rested his forehead on his knees, closing his eyes.

- “I’m guessing you didn’t have a chance to talk today.”- Prentiss whispered, knowing very well what had happened. Not like Morgan and Rossi could keep a secret. - “Come on, Reid, you are a fucking genius! Grow a pair and get your shit together”

- “What am I supposed to do? Honestly, ‘cos I’ve tried, but I just… can’t fucking think when she is next to me.”

- “Then don’t think, just act!”- Prentiss nearly smacked Reid as she spoke.- “I don’t think I have to tell you again, she fucking loves you! Do something.”

- “She doesn’t…”- but before Reid could finish that sentence, he felt Emily’s hand against his head, hitting him.

- “Don’t! She loves you! Now stand up, move your skinny ass, and kiss her!”

Reid turned to his friend, still rubbing the spot she had hit, ‘cos it had been incredibly painful.

- “Are you… drunk?”

- “Come on! There is no way I’m surviving sober a weekend with all these agents.”- Prentiss answered and grabbed a tiny gin bottle from her pocket- “Need one?”

- “No, thanks.”

- “Fine… now go! She was having some dinner at our cabin.”

(Y/N) was about to start eating when Spencer got to the cabin. She sat on the terrace with a grilled sandwich and a glass of wine, holding a book. Reid looked at her from the other side of the house and took a deep breath before he continued walking.

- “You’ve got this.”- he whispered to himself - “You can do this.”

- “Hey Spencer!”- (Y/N) watched him approach and smiled so wide he even stopped breathing as he stared at her.

- “You are not doing this.” - he admitted as he sat down on the chair across from (Y/N) and cut her a little smile.

- “Did you eat?”- she asked and offered half her sandwich, but Spencer shook his head and smiled.

- “Thanks, I’m not hungry.”

- “Sure? It’s your favorite. Lots of cheese and zero veggies.”- (Y/N) teased and smiled at Spencer. He blushed and looked at his hands on the table, trying to find the words to finally say what he had to.

But he never found them, instead, they fell into a comfortable silence. (Y/N) finished her sandwich and Spencer read half of her book. The one he had gotten for her a few months earlier. Neither of them said a word, just looked at each other from time to time and smiled awkwardly.

- “So… I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”- (Y/N) finally said as she folded her paper napkin a million times, in a sad and pathetic attempt at making origami.

- “Wh… wha... what about?”- Spencer stuttered immediately. Not a good sign. (Y/N) looked at him and felt bad about how nervous he was. But he had to tell him, he deserved to know.

- “I have to tell you something, but I can’t tell you here. Can you come with me, please?”- the young agent stood up and offered Spencer her hand. He hesitated, not knowing what was happening. But she just smiled and he reached out and held her hand.

(Y/N) drove in silence for a few minutes. They didn’t go too far, Spencer asked a few times where they were going and what was so important that she couldn’t just tell him in the car, but she refused to say a word. Instead, she just smiled and shook her head.

- “Just wait a second.”

Spencer didn’t get it when she parked outside a small supermarket, he just followed her in silence and watched her walk straight to an aisle and then to customer service. Reid didn’t register anything, he just followed her with honest curiosity. Until he saw her grabbing the mic and locking eyes with him.

- “Spencer Walter Reid. I am so fucking in love with you.”- the few people that were shopping at the hour turned to look at her and the young agent simply giggled.

- “Wh… what?”- Spencer stuttered, feeling his red burning red.

- “I love you. I’ve been in love with you for so long.”- (Y/N) kept talking to the mic, until one of the girls in the staff walked up to her and nearly yelled she couldn’t do that. But she (Y/N) didn’t care if she got kicked out of the store. She just cared about Spencer, who kept staring at her in disbelief.

- “Come on dude! Kiss the girl”- some random guy said and slapped his arm, forcing him to react. But before he could do anything, (Y/N) grabbed his face and planted a kiss on his lips. Spencer wide opened his eyes as it happened, and watched her winking as she slipped her tongue between his lips, deepening the kiss.

- “You… do?”- Reid whispered as he gasped for hair when the kiss was over.

- “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you but you kept running away from me.”

- “I was so embarrassed after that happened I…”- but Spencer couldn’t continue speaking, (Y/N) started kissing him again, and some of the customers watching the scene even clapped.

- “What the hell is going on here?”- a sunburned Erin Strauss asked in shock, shoving a small cart with twenty bottles of aloe vera gel, but David Rossi just chuckled and stood next to her, staring at the scene.

- “Let the kids have tonight. You can make their life under the sun miserable tomorrow.”

- “By the way, next Summer, we're doing the Alaskan cruise.”- she added and started walking away- “Agents, tomorrow we’ll have a serious conversation.”- both Spencer and (Y/N) nearly jumped as they heard her voice when she passed by their side, but Rossi just winked at them.

- “Ok, now I’m embarrassed”- (Y/N) whispered and felt Spencer holding her hand. But she didn't really care if Strauss had seen them. It was all worth it when she stared at Spencer’s sweet smile as they walked out of that supermarket. 

[short-honey-badger]

Peppermint Tea 9

Hey guys! On to part 9! I've been doing a lot of thinking on this fic and I think it's evolved into something bigger. Let me know what you guys think!

Warnings! Violence in a dream

Masterlist

Dracule leaves two days later. You send him off with a kiss and a pouch of your peppermint tea leaves and watch him sail away until he is nothing but a speck on the horizon. You shake your head, the forlorn feeling present, but you are quick to shove it down. You had things to do, so you didn't need to be standing around wondering when you would see Dracule again. 

After the incident at the cliff, Mihawk had acted as if nothing had happened, and you were content to let the promise slide. The next two days had been spent quietly reading and getting to know one another. Sweet kisses and wandering hands had invaded each one of those moments until Dracule rose this morning and deemed that he had to go. Business to attend to once again. 

You frown thinking about those words. You want to know what he means by business. You want to know what islands he goes to and who he's met. You have poured over your books and sea stained papers for years, and every single map you have come across never has your island. 

You know the shape and length and every plant and animal that shares this island with you. You and Hank have explored every nook and cranny your home has to offer, down to the sandy beach and up to the small mountain on the western side of the tropical island. And not once have you seen it labeled or drawn on any of the scrolls that wash up on the shore. 

Dracule offered you so little knowledge about himself. However, he could go on for hours about the books he's read, reciting poetry from memory as the two of you sit by the fireplace late at night. Later, he would say that he would bring you more books, either to add to your collection or to replace the old ones. 

Maybe you can convince him to bring some maps so that you can try and find out more about your home. Did you live in any of the Blues? Or was your home in the more dangerous parts of the ocean such as the Grand line and the New World? You had no idea. 

The shaggy body of Hank barreling into you sends the melancholy thoughts from your mind as the big dog pulls your focus on him. He has his stick again, and the two of you play until both of you are exhausted and in need of a good nap. 

The two of you would wake up later than you had intended in the evening and examine the seeds and other goodies that Dracule had brought with him. You had been far too distracted with the man in question to even think about going out and planting any, but now was a good time as ever. You find some empty pots and carefully press the delicate seeds into the soil that you'd gathered from your garden. Once covered, you add enough water to properly dampen the spoil and then place each of your pots on the tall barrels that sit behind your home. You smile down at your hard word, excited for when the saplings break through the soil, though that wouldn't be for a week or two at the least. 

The rest of the day was spent harvesting your other herbs, cutting and drying out the roots and leaves for brewing and leaving the rest to replant. It's satisfying work, and soon, your kitchen is full of drying herbs that make your home smell delightful. Chores done for now: You make yourself a cup of tea from the ones that Mihawk had gifted you and settle on the couch by the fireplace with one of his books. You read until you dozed off, Hank curled up on the floor snoozing away with you. 

~~~~~~~~

“Oh boy, look who decided to grace us with their presence,” Shanks crowed, a grin stretching across his face as he raised his mug of ale up in greeting. It isn't often that Mihawk would show up in a good enough mood for a drink, especially since the warlord didn't want to fight him anymore. 

Dracule rolls his eyes, a sneer on his lips as he casts his ringed eyes over the Red-Haired Pirates and their Captain. He'd seen the Red Force by chance and had decided on a whim to investigate what they were up to. In a way, it was his job to do so, so it wasn't like it was out of his way, “Only to see what you and your lot are doing here.” 

It didn't help that the Yonko had docked on an island only a four day sail away from your home. Shanks didn't hang around the first half of the Grand Line often, so it made him antsy to know that someone so powerful, even with a single arm, was so close to his safe haven. 

“The usual, partying, exploring, having a good time. Something you should definitely do more often,” Shanks tells him, vague and annoying like always. 

Dracule keeps his expression neutral. Shanks was like a shark in the water when it came to finding out things about his once close friend. It would be catastrophic if the redhead found out about you. 

“I have my own way of enjoying my time. One that doesn't involve drinking myself into a stupor every evening,” Dracule quips, but still takes the offered drink despite his words. 

Shanks slaps him on the back, laughing jovially, and Mihawk grimaces when the unexpected contact makes his drink slosh over the edge of his mug. Dracule shrugs off the offending hand with a roll of his eyes. 

“I'm sure you do, Hawkeye. Brooding away in that castle if yours. When's the last time you even spoke to a woman?” Shanks teases and knocks back the rest of his ale then signals the bar keep for a new one with a cheeky wink. 

“A couple of days ago, if you must know,” Dracule admits without thinking about it, and immediately curses himself when Shanks gasps dramatically and crowds his space. 

“What? Tell me about her! What's she like? What's her name? She must be someone special to catch your eye, Mihawk.” 

Dracule shoves the redhead back, regret coiling hot at his mishap. He takes his time by sipping his ale and ignores the manchild whining in his ear and asking questions after question that Dracule would not be answering. His patience soon wears thin, however, and he slams his mug down on the counter with a snarl.

“It is none of your business, Shanks. I never meant to say anything to you about her,” Dracule states, tone tinged in an unfamiliar rage. He doesn't get angry very often, but the thought of playboy, beachbum, Shanks even knowing your name sets his teeth on edge. 

The other pirate captain shows some tack for once in his life and raises his hand in surrender, “Alright. I won't ask anymore,” he says, but a shit eating grin is curling his lips and he leans in close to the warlord, “Ya gotta at least tell me she's a catch though, right?” 

Mihawk huffs and pinches the bridge of his nose. Shanks just couldn't stop could he? 

“As beautiful a fresh blanket of snow, but with a smile that could melt it all away,” Dracule murmurs quietly and Shanks eyes the swordsman in a new light. He had never heard the man wax poetry about someone before. 

“Huh, you must really like her then, huh?” Shanks presses and is rewarded with the sight of Dracule dipping his head in a nod. he sips his ale, thoughts swirling about this mystery woman. 

“Well. I'm glad you've finally found someone that'll put up with your broody ass,” Shanks snickers and slaps Mihawk on the back once more with a big grin. Truly, he was happy that his friend had someone to escape to, especially when their world grew more dangerous every day. 

Mihawk is quiet for a long time, long enough that he has finished his ale and stands from his stool. He tosses enough berri on the counter to cover his drink, and then turns away from Shanks, “Thank you, Red Hair,” he begins and sends the Yonko a look over his shoulder, eyes holding The threat of a fight, “Don't make me regret telling you.” 

Shanks laughs with a shake of his head and waves at Dracule, “I'll try not to, Hawkeye,” he snickers again at the glare that receives for that, but it was definitely worth it. 

Mihawk leaves the island without bothering to learn its name and sets sail for Gloom. He filled the boring trip with thoughts of you, recalling how nicely your cool skin felt upon his heated body. How much he enjoyed listening to you read from the books he's already devoured countless times. How sweet your lips taste when you kiss him so innocently. 

Dracule is not sure when he will go back, but his hands already itch to feel your soft skin, and he is parched for the sweet peppermint tea you grow. The warlord sighs, a great expel of air from his lungs, and looks north to the calm belt, where your island stays protected at its edge. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

The screams of the men and children of your home island echo in your ears as you are dragged through the crowds of people. Your older brother holds you tight by the wrist, pulling you through the throngs of citizens. Your short legs can hardly keep up, but you power through the fatigue to keep up with your brother. 

Your island, your home is being attacked, and you are terrified. You don't understand why it's happening, only know that your oldest brother had woken you up in the middle of the night and packed your largest bag with the essentials. He had instructed you to be silent as the two of you snuck through the castle, away from your mother and father and other siblings that still slept in peace. 

You yelped when you suddenly tripped over a loose brick in the road, sending you to your knees and snow exploded around you and your brother, causing screams to erupt all around. You wince and push yourself up, desperately scrambling for your older brother. 

Gods, you wish you could remember his name. 

“Come on, princess,” He is suddenly there, swinging you up and over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, “We're almost to the port.” 

You watch from your perch as the people of your island run for the castle, panic and fear all around as the town burns and the fields are decimated by someone with an earth devil fruit. Your brother runs as fast as he can to the port, trying to shield his baby sister from the harsh realities of a treaty gone wrong and a dark secret revealed. 

The two of you make it to Port just in time to witness the biggest ship you have ever seen crash into the main docks. The pirates don't seem to care about the destruction they have caused, and you watch in horror, eyes latching onto the symbol that the barbarians proudly wear. It's a bright pink cloud, a skull with bug red lips and with a sun and a tree on opposite corners. 

The sight is broken when your brother rounds a corner, and you grunt when he slides to a sudden stop. You try to turn around and are able to catch sight of a wide brimmed hat with a massive white feather falling from the back. A giant sword rests on the man's back, the hilt oddly shaped like a cross.

“Don't look, Sunshine,” your brother orders, but you don't listen. You can't listen to him. Not when that hat and sword look so familiar. But from where? 

You are still thinking about the strange looking man when the two of you finally make it to the escape ship. Your brother loads you up, and with one last forlorn look at your dying island, he sets sail for Paradise, away from the New World, where his precious little sister would be safe. 

You wake slowly, the dream trickling away like grains of sand in an hourglass. It felt familiar, and your heart ached at the sight of the man who had saved you. With a sigh, you pull yourself up from the couch and give Hank a smile. It was time to start the day. 

@writingmysanity @kenkenmaaa @foggyturtleknightangel @browneyedhufflepuff @djbumblebee @goth-mami-writer @myradiaz

[neyswxrld]

brighter than a shooting star

Wrecker x fem!reader

summary: While period cramps almost destroy a wonderful evening, Wrecker has a great idea to make it perfect instead.

warnings/vibe: period & cramps, reader has hair (it's mentioned that it's brushed in a sentence), softness, sweetness and some kisses on the cheek for wrecker!

words: ~1410

a/n: hello everyone! i was like, preparing myself for having my period. at the same time i was super sad that no one went to watch the perseids with me. sooo this is the outcome of that situation. also, this of course fits perfectly with the stargazing and the "you really think you're going without me? not going to happen." prompts of @summer-of-bad-batch. i hope you enjoy!

MASTERLIST

Tonight is a special night.

You've heard it all over the news: There will be shooting stars all over the night sky!

The last time you've seen some of them was several years ago, but you remember it as clearly as it was just yesterday: You and your best friend at that time, sitting in your garden. Blankets around you, keeping you warm from the cold night. You're joking around and talking, while looking up into the sky. And then, here and there, you see some bright lines across the sky.

It was such a beautiful event, and every time you think back to it, you just think about how lovely it was.

It was the first and last time you saw any shooting stars.

Until today.

Tonight is a community night on Pabu, and a few villagers and you decided to settle down at the beach and look at the sky.

Of course, the Batch, and especially Wrecker, are with you.

Since the execution of Order 66 you are practically inseparable. You went through thick and thin: lost Crosshair, met Cid, fought against Cross, made friends, thought you lost Tech, lost Omega, got Tech back, got Crosshair and Omega back, lost Omega another time, and then, finally, got her back for the final last time. And then you settled down on Pabu. Together.

In that time, you also grew closer with Wrecker. Much closer.

So close, that you finally confessed your feelings to him, and he returned them. Still does.

So close, that you indeed are together now, even some years after the fall of Tantiss.

And you love each other like it's the first day.

Surrounded by your loved ones, under the sea of stars, in Wrecker's warm and loving arms, waiting for the shooting stars, it should be the perfect evening.

You've been excited about this day for weeks.

But it just isn't.

You can't believe that a small incident like your period seems to ruin this whole, lovely evening. But it does.

You are uncomfortable, your stomach is aching, you actually feel kind of nauseous and you could run to the toilet every few minutes. Except there isn't a toilet nearby.

In short - you feel horrible and could start crying just at this moment.

"Hey, what's up?" Wrecker asks in this second. Oh, your sweet, attentive boyfriend. Always there when you needed him.

"I don't feel good," you say to him, leaning in a little closer.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asks, but you just shake your head.

"No, it's just my period. I think I need to go home, take a hot shower and just sleep until tomorrow. I think it'll be better then," you whisper, and Wrecker nods.

"Just let me say goodbye to anyone, then we can go, alright?"

"What? No, no worries. I want you to have fun with your brothers tonight," you say, not wanting him to pass out on that.

"You really think you're going without me? Not going to happen," he says playfully and grins at you.

"But I know you were excited about this evening, so you should enjoy it as planned," you try to convince him, but at the same time you're quite relieved that he doesn't want to leave you alone.

"Well, yes! But I was just so excited because you made me excited. I wanted to spend this evening with you, and I still want to," he explains and gets up, taking you with him. You feel like your heart just melts away at his sweet words.

The two of you say goodbye to his brothers and his sister, he packs your small picnic blanket and together you start your slow walk to your shared home.

You put your hand in Wrecker's, start to lean into his side, and put your head onto his shoulder, cumbersome.

"Do you really want to take a nap or would you still like to spend the evening together?" Wrecker asks after some minutes.

There's just the sound of the waves, some animals that are rustling in the bushes, your breathing, and the sound of your steps that echo through the quiet night. You already feel better. It's a lot less input for your exhausted body, and the walking does some good for your abdominal pain.

"If you want to, we can cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie," you suggest and the smile that appears on his face instantly makes you beam back.

"I think I know something better!"

He doesn't elaborate his idea further, but the smug grin that paints his face makes an anticipating, happy shiver run down your spine.

When you finally arrive at home, Wrecker ushers you into the bathroom, and on the way he grabs your pajama, stuffing it into your arms. "I'll come get you, yeah? Don't peek!" he calls after you before stepping out of the room, already making his way downstairs again.

You shake your head and try to make yourself feel better and more comfortable in the bathroom, cleaning your face, brushing your hair and putting on your sleeping clothes.

It takes some time in which you hear him stumbling and rumbling around downstairs. Oh dear, you hoped he wouldn't organize a big chaos down there. But then he finally comes back and knocks on the door.

"Are you ready?" he asks and you can hear his smile through the door.

"Yes!" you say and push down the door handle, revealing Wrecker, also just in his pajama.

"Come with me!" he says and gently takes your hand again, to pull you towards him. 

He guides you through the halls and down the stairs. You expect him to have prepared something in the living room, but it's completely dark inside when you cross it.

But then you take a look outside and you feel how your mouth falls open.

In the trees are small fairy lights, which illuminate the hammock hanging beneath them.

There's a small table pulled up next to said hammock, with bowls with fresh fruit and some not as healthy snacks, and some mugs. You know Wrecker very well, so you're very sure it's hot chocolate.

"Wrecker- What?" you ask, a little overwhelmed by the little cozy corner he created within minutes.

"I know you've been excited about that event. And I hope you're comfortable enough for to still enjoy it like this. Just executed a little... differently," he says, scratching his head a little.

"Oh, Wrecker!" you finally gasp and lay your arms around him, pulling him down to you.

"You're so sweet, Wrecker. You have no idea how much this means to me, thank you so much!" you whisper and kiss his cheek a few times. His scars are a little uneven under your lips, but so, so familiar.

Wrecker laughs and puts his arms around your hips, pulling you against him. "Aww, Mesh'la. Of course!" he exclaims and you feel like loving him just a little more.

The leads you over to the hammock and takes place. There are some soft pillows and even softer blankets, and he wraps one around himself. Then he pulls you onto him and wraps you up just like himself.

He reaches over and carefully grabs one mug to give it to you. You're honestly amazed he doesn't spill anything. When he safely holds his own mug, too, you clink them together, looking into each other's eyes that shine just like the stars above you.

You finally lay down together, his warm body a unique comfort for you. Wrecker turns off the fairy lights, and the stars above you that aren't hid behind the leaves of the tree start to appear in your field of vision.

And suddenly, everything is fine again.

You're here with Wrecker, the love of your life. He's comforting you because sometimes your own body seems to hate you. The stars above you are so pretty, the warm hands around you so loving and assuring, and sometimes that is everything you need to make you feel better.

When you see the first shooting star on this evening, you make a wish for the two of you.

That you will never lose each other.

That you will always be there for each other.

That you will always love each other.

At that moment you feel like it doesn't matter how wonderful the shooting stars are, when the love between you and Wrecker shines even brighter.

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

@isthereanechoinhere96 @trixie2023 @freesia-writes

[hannahssimblr]

As hangovers go, it’s about a nine out of ten. I waste the morning drifting in and out of sweaty snoozes, my duvet coiled around my legs like cotton vines that want to bind me to the sheets, gritty with the sand I dragged in on my shoes. At some point I am startled briefly awake by my phone buzzing with such fury that it hops along the surface of the mattress. 

It's Michelle. I switch it off and roll over. 

Around midday when the sun is at the perfect angle to sear through the glass and scorch my sweat bathed body like a helpless insect under a magnifying glass, I finally roll out of bed and shuffle into the living room. 

The guys are playing something that’s wall to wall machine guns on the PlayStation. They invite me to join, but I tell them no. The percussive sounds of the bullets is enough to make my brain throb. I let myself outside in yesterday's clothes to escape the noise, grabbing my sunglasses on the way. 

I think a walk will be good, I think it’ll make me feel better. I avoid the beach, which is obnoxiously busy on sunny days like this one, in favour of a walk through the village in the vague direction of the boat club. I don’t intend to go that far. I spent the whole summer last year avoiding a certain waitress, and I have yet to decide if I’m going to do the same this year. Today is not a day for decisions, so I will just loop around the caravan park and come back. 

The walk is not a success. First I am confronted by the dead seagull and then it’s the bin overflowing with half eaten fish and chips in the beach car park. I make it about ten metres before my body takes over and I throw up neon green behind a family station wagon. I knew it was coming, but I would have rather it had happened in a more confidential place. 

“Oh God, foul.” A very pretty girl in a bikini says to her equally pretty friend as I wipe my chin with the back of my hand, and all I can hope is that either these sunglasses provide adequate disguise, or that I will never see them again. 

But once I’ve thrown up I feel better. Though a headache persists, I've heard the sea air holds some sort of magic. I suck it in in lungfuls hoping it can heal my stomach, my head, and whatever it is that is specifically wrong with boys like me who call their ex-girlfriends at two in the morning and say a whole host of things that are wholly unhelpful to both of you. 

After this walk I will go home and force myself to eat something. I'll just force myself around the caravan park one time. The moment I slip through the gates, I have to leap aside to allow a group of boys to pass on their bicycles. They shout something at me for being slow and in their way, and I laugh, even though it makes my skull throb. 

I’ve always quite liked this part of the village, it’s rough and ready. There is nothing fancy about the old concrete shower block, dropped smack bang in the middle of the place, the big sun bleached plastic bins and the sporadic blocks of concrete with weeds bursting from the cracks. I enjoy its chaos, the mismatched lawn furniture, thin summer clothes pegged to lines, the children running wild in unsupervised chaos. 

The management tried to ban me from this park when I was twelve over some incident with a tennis ball and an ice cream truck. They took my photo and all, and stuck it up in the office, but the next summer when I got my growth spurt they didn’t recognise me anymore. So I made my triumphant return, hung around, threw things out of trees to see what sounds they’d make, and kissed all the girls I could get my braces-filled mouth on. 

I peer over the rim of my glasses toward where three girls are hanging out on the tennis courts, two popping the ball over the net while the third lolls on the sideline. I try to figure out if I ever kissed any of them in my heyday. I don’t remember, but if they were here in 2005 then it's most likely. 

Except if that girl is Kelly Healy, which, I realise, as I get closer to the court that it is. She’s unmissable, really, red faced, her sweaty curls spring free of her ponytail as she swipes at the ball and misses. She lets out a cry of frustration, flings her racket onto the ground and whines loudly about how unfair it is that she should have to lose every single set. 

I think it’s fine to think about how much I never wanted to kiss Kelly Healy. It’s not offensive, because it’s not as though she would have wanted to either, in fact, the idea of it has to disgust her as much as it does me. I hope she doesn’t see me as I pass, but I doubt she will, she’s too busy laying into her friend, but the girl sitting on the ground does. 

She smiles at me. Does she come here every summer? Is she one of the girls I’ve kissed? I doubt it. I think I’d remember. 

I smile back tentatively and she shyly tucks a strand of silky blonde hair behind her ear. 

She’s pretty, but I look away, racked with guilt for thinking it. Amn’t I supposed to be heartbroken and devastated? Surely I owe at least three months of penance, languishing in misery, unable to even look another girl in the eye as punishment for my selfish crimes. I’ve only given it a measly six weeks. 

I think this walk was a bad idea. I wasn’t ready for it. I swerve down a path away from the court and turn back toward home.

Jen is hanging out on the outdoor furniture when I return. I don’t really want to talk. It seems somehow as though breathing the fresh air has made my headache worse, but she speaks to me anyway despite my attempts to non-verbally communicate a desire to be left alone. 

“You should delete her number,” she tells me, voice flat, and I just grunt something non committal.

“I’m serious, you really just can’t be trusted. You should just save yourself the angst and minimise the risk of any contact.”

“You spoke to her?”

“Yeah she called me,” then, incredulously, “why did you say all of that to her?”

“I don’t remember what I said.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Well, don’t then. I don’t care.”

“Okay, grumpy.”

“Don’t talk to me right now.” I stalk up the stairs and into the house, then burst into my room while ignoring the boys who are still offering me a game of whatever they are playing. I kick the door shut and snatch my phone off the tangled mess that is my bed. I switch it on. 

It comes to life in my hand like a sentient being, buzzing and chiming with all of the messages and calls I missed, but I delete every single one of them without looking. Then I go straight to my phonebook.

SHELL <3 

Her name is stark, black text against white. She changed her own name on my phone a long time ago, adding that little heart onto the end of it as though I would ever forget exactly which Michelle this was, as though we didn’t text each other every second we spent apart. I swear, through the aura of my headache, now throbbing furiously behind one eye, it seems like those two little symbols are mocking me. 

DELETE?

My thumb twitches. 

YES SHELL<3 HAS BEEN DELETED

Beginning // Prev // Next

[idrellegames]

To the Sea, to the Sky

This is a little gift I wrote for @sunshinemage, featuring Oya and Aeran. Happy holidays, Rory! 💙💛

Aeran sits on a rock, bare feet scraping idly against the sand.

It has been half an hour or so since they picked their way down the hills from the little cottage to the coast. Oya woke early and all but pushed him out of bed, eager to catch the sunrise. Though they have been here for a week, today is the first opportunity they’ve had to explore. Still sore from the incident with a harpies a month ago, he was happy to sit and take in the view. He insisted that Oya not wait for him—how could he not? The delight in their eyes when they slid down the grassy knolls to the sands below was too endearing to ignore.

The ocean calls to them.

He lets out a long breath. Forcing his aching body to move, he rises to his feet and picks his way across the beach. Oya went straight to the water and headed east, leaving a trail of footprints in the flattened wet sand.

It doesn’t take long to catch up. Oya wanders across the beach at a steady pace, sandals carried in one hand. Their trousers are rolled up to their knees, the hems damp with water. They’ve left their turquoise tunic untucked and now it flutters about them, tugged by the breeze, and their hair is faded against the blue-grey light of the early morning. To an outside observer, they are simply one of the hundreds of villagers who wander their hometown’s coast. There is no hint of the warrior, no trace of the Wayfarer—not buried or hidden, but released. Here, they can set aside their weapons and alassar. Here, they can relinquish the burden of their order’s history and simply be.

A deep ache pangs in his heart at the thought. It’s a good ache, bittersweet yet hopeful. Though there are a thousand things he would have done differently, he cannot change the past. He may have a multitude of regrets, but turning a blind eye to them is not the same as acceptance. But regardless, there is hope for the future. Oya is a reminder of that.

Aeran blinks, shielding his face with a hand as he stares up the beach. Oya has come to a stop and waded further out into the water. They dig their feet into the white sand with childlike joy, shaking with quiet laughter a wave crashes against the shore, spraying them with mist as foamy water surges across the beach. It pools around their legs and retreats back to where it came.

Oya tilts their head and closes their eyes, the wind ruffling their hair. They’ve turned instinctively towards the south—to the strait and the mountains beyond it, and Tol Covere beyond that. Compared to Covera, Vordue is a small pastoral island, its villages isolated and slow-paced and simple. It was the reason they suggested coming here after fleeing Velantis. Even so, he knows their home calls to them. So close, yet so far.

If they wish to return they have not said, and he does not know how to ask. But perhaps he does understand the calling, the magnetic pull towards the place of one’s birth. Though he has sworn never to set foot in Tyridia again, there is a part of him that yearns for it.

“Find anything interesting?” he calls.

Oya turns, a small smile tugging at their lips. A private smile. “No,” they call back, pushing hair off their forehead. Their crest glimmers in the first rays of the dawning sun. “I certainly hope not to.”

He chuckles, hearing the unspoken between them. There’s been too many ‘interesting’ things happening of late, huh. Could use a break from them. Uninteresting things only from now on.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Aeran makes his way over to them. The coast is lined with the white-barked driftwood that calls this beach their final home. Waves beat down, the rush pulsing in his ears, and he tries not to flinch as salty water rushes over his bare feet. He is not fond of the sea—the cold and the brine unearths memories better left untouched—but Oya is. Through them he can see the peace and comfort it offers. A promise of freedom. A promise of tomorrow.

Oya crouches as he approaches, investigating something at their feet. They place it in their palm, staring intently at it as another wave surges up and around them. A stone, one of many softened and shaped by the sea and deposited here by the tides. It is different from the others, flat and round, its surface an off-white swirled with emerald green.

“Have you seen the cats?” they ask, falling easily into Artanisian. They’ve been favouring it more and more since they left Velantis, something shared just between the two of them. Out here on the rural Coveran coast it might as well be a private language.  

Aeran shakes his head. Their little cottage has attracted a number of strays since their arrival. Though he’s seen a few different ones at this point, it’s always the same three gathered on the porch, content to bathe in the sun. On their first night here, the white one crawled into Oya’s lap and fell asleep, purring happily. The cats scampered off when they clattered out the door, darting into the tall grasses. He’s spotted their paw prints up and down the trail to the beach, but hasn’t seen any sign of them since.

“No,” he replies. “But I’m sure they’ll be at the house when we get back.”

Their brows draw together, forming a worried crease. They flip the stone over in their hand, inspecting the patterns. “Do you think so?”

“They might not like me much—”

Oya snorts, struggling to keep their laughter contained, and glances pointedly at the scratches on his arms.

“—but they’ve taken a shine to you. They’ll be back.”  

They nod. “Is it too much to give them names? Perhaps we should name them.”

“I’m game to start a list if you are.”

“Good. The longer the list, the better.”   

“Why’s that? Keeping options open?”

Oya rises to their feet and loops a lock of hair behind their ear. “The white one will have kittens soon.”

He blinks. He hadn’t noticed.

They laugh and nudge him gently with an elbow. “We should return soon. The day is ahead of us.”

Aeran places an arm around their shoulders and draws them into him. “I could stay a little longer,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of their head.

Though he cannot see their face, he can sense their smile. The way they radiate a quiet happiness makes his heart ache with a deep affection he cannot put into words. There’s a steadiness to them that he has always admired. They have kept him grounded throughout everything—even in those years spent apart, long before their reunion in Karth. It is difficult some days to know the difference between what is real and what is not, but they are a reminder.

Oya doesn’t answer. Instead, they fold the stone into their palm and lean into him, wrapping an arm around his waist. Steady eyes fixate to the far sea, watching as sunlight creeps over the horizon. The last stars twinkle in the depths of morning’s blush, Apokarys’ silver-violet trail glimmering faintly below. It’s unusually warm for storm season this year, no hint of the oncoming winter in the air.

“I’m glad we came,” Oya says finally, their voice no more than a gentle hum on the wind.

He nods. “Me, too.”

They exhale a breath. The waves crash against the shore, water rushing about them, higher this time. The tide is coming in. They hold out their hand and pause, waiting for the next surge. As the water pulls around them, they drop the stone back into the ocean, relinquishing it to the waves.

With one final look to the horizon, Oya wraps their arms around his neck, their smile as bright as the rising sun, and pulls him into a kiss. He falls into it, boundless joy thrumming in his heart, and holds them close. They remain there for some time, lost in each other, the ocean sparkling in dawn’s light.

Hand-in-hand, they head back up the coast to their cottage.

To home.

[axkirak]

Renegada♱

Taglist: @707otto @juxt4p0siti0n @arcticversed (If you want to be added in this fic, just tell me in reply )

Pairings:  Amado Carrillo Fuentes x f!reader(Latina Reader) x Walt Breslin  [From Narcos: Mexico TV Series]

Content Rating : Mature 18+  Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warning (AT YOUR OWN RISK)

Synopsis : Everything that was happening on Aruba Island wasn't right at all. You know damn well when Amado kissed you. And when you heard the sound of the gunshots behind you

AN : I was almost giving up on updating this fic until I found new comments. Thank you to those who still enjoy my work. I will try to update as long as there are people waiting to read.

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

𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙙𝙖♱ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

➡  Previous : Next

[5]ᅳ 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢́𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐨 ✟

"Amado Carrillo Fuentes is more like a businessman than a drug lord. His background is clean compared to others in the same industry. This man is cautious and stays under the radar all the time. We need to know everything about him. Every detail matters.

That's a summary given by Bill Carter in the last meeting before you leave Mexico tonight.

And when the time comes, you have to leave everything about yourself behind. From now on, you'll have to breathe under the name of Camilla, a musician from Cuba. And it will be like this until you can safely return to Mexico again, if there are no mistakes during that time.

Amado's fascination with airplanes is more than what you imagined. You realize this when you're brought to his private airport. Lined up are all types and sizes of planes, totaling no less than a hundred. Every plane here belongs to Amado. Also, it's the same plane used to secretly smuggle tons of cocaine into America every year.

El Señor de los Cielos is the nickname drug dealers use to refer to Amado, the most powerful man both on land and in the sky. The man on top of the food chain

And this same man is waiting for you in front of a private jet. It's not difficult to notice him, with his flowing hair and the same old black shirt you first met him in, now covered with a bomber jacket. A satisfied smile passes through his sunglasses when you step out of the car. You briefly catch Amado's eye before flashing a smile back at him.

Starting the drama with a beautiful face and a survival instinct, just follow a few simple rules: just hold hands, just smile, and just turn a blind eye and pretend to fuck him a few times. Just run away before getting caught.

Throughout the time you step straight into him, you never know what you're really getting into.

Life can change suddenly and easily. One day you're still a CIA officer, and the next you become the partner of a criminal. And what will happen next? How many bombs will explode in front of you? How many people will die in your life? And when will death finally become yours?

You can't find answers to these questions.

Lately, you've often imagined the end of yourself, from the moment you closed your eyes to the moment you woke up—every pain you've ever experienced in the past, which still remains and continues to haunt you. It will never disappear until the end comes for you, just like it did for others before.

The end must come one day. And for the law enforcer who fights against the dark power all the time, there's no way this story will end well. Either with you or with Amado.

You know. You're prepared, unwaveringly. But it still turns out worse than expected.

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

Aruba Island, Kingdom of the Netherlands

1600 (Military Time) *Three Hours Before the Incident*

Although it's approaching evening, the sunlight on Aruba Island is still bright and clear, no different from the afternoon. The scene in the travel magazine doesn't seem exaggerated at all when seen with your own eyes. The clean white sandy beaches, lush green coconut trees, and crystal-clear blue sea reflect the shimmering sun. It's breathtakingly beautiful here, and the atmosphere is just right—neither too quiet nor too bustling like the seas in Miami or Thailand.

This place is suitable for tourism, you think, and also suitable for opening a cocaine market for these tourists.

But Amado's purpose for coming to Aruba Island remains unclear, something you must urgently investigate while there's still a chance.

For you, every second is crucial and calculated, tension infiltrating every action.

But for Amado, it's the opposite. He seems completely at ease. You can tell from the relaxed smile on his face all the time.

You glance at Amado thoughtfully, not hiding your slight surprise as you see him change into a blue Hawaiian shirt, yellow shorts, and slip on sunglasses with a smile. He blends seamlessly with the other tourists. For you, this is quite a surprising and unexpected look compared to his usual all-black attire.

"What wrong, Mija?[1] You're staring at me too much, I'm starting to blush," he said, raising his eyebrows with a playful smile after handing you the Esquites[2] he bought from the nearby store. "Or am I so handsome that I'm stunning you?"

You chuckled and took the Esquites from his hand, then pretended to glance at him with a half-serious look. "It's not that much," you shrugged. "Just... average."

"Average? No, Mija. You should say, You look so handsome, Amado!"

You burst into laughter again, genuinely amused by this man's incredible sense of humor.

The dark stories you've heard about the drug wars in Mexico seem like distant memories here. There's no violence, no gunfire or explosions, and no cocaine. 

And your date, who was enjoying Esquites by the seaside with you at this moment, was hardly anything like a world-class drug dealer.

But beneath the seemingly ordinary and charming nature of Amado Carrillo Fuentes, you know what he's capable of and how dangerous he is.

Honey trapping [3] is another important method to access intelligence for secret agents worldwide. It's not your expertise compared to other spies, but you're confident that you can do it just as well. You intentionally charm him without going too far, being both a good speaker and listener, creating an atmosphere that's relaxed and friendly. Every conversation you have leads him to tell you what you want to know.

However, Amado's responses barely provide any significant information for the mission. It seems more like casual chit-chat. If it weren't for the fact that he is exceptionally clever and cautious, it would mean that he must be a very inane person.

Of course, you're damn sure he's not stupid. Amado is a true master of deception. What you can do is make him like you enough to let his guard down a bit, and that's the ultimate challenge of this mission.

There's still plenty of time. You think. And maybe...that was the first mistake that led to bad things in ways you never expected.

"I want you to answer truthfully, Mija."

That sounds like just another normal question from Amado, but not for you. You blinked slightly as you caught a hint of seriousness in his tone. Yet, you still pretended to smile as if everything were normal. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I do, right?"

For a moment, you hesitated. But you managed to maintain your composure, even though your heart was pounding with excitement and anxiety.

You couldn't predict why he asked you this question. You weren't sure if it was just one of Amado's tests, or worse, if he was starting to suspect you. But regardless, your answer would undoubtedly affect the entire mission, one way or another.

Because Amado was clear about wanting the truth. Ultimately, you chose to take the risk and answer as he desired. You softly reply, "i think I can figured as much."

"And aren't you afraid of me? Even when you know what I do?"

It could be either a threat or a challenge from the drug lord. You could feel Amado's piercing gaze, scrutinizing. However, this time, you handled it better than before. You turned to face him, inching closer without a hint of fear, even if just a little.

"Should I be afraid then?"

"Of course, you should be terrified, Mija," Amado's arms wrapped around your waist slowly, pulling your body closer until there was no space between you. The mingling sensation of his breath tickling your face, combined with the scent of cologne and cigarettes, made your heart race in a way different from before, clear and distinct.

It was too close—much closer than you thought. A slight flutter of nervousness crossed your mind, but you couldn't retreat, especially when you were under his tight arms.

Amado was too smart. He deliberately blocked off every escape route for you.

"My life has encountered many terrifying things,There's nothing left in this world that can make me scared anymore."

That was another truth you decided to reveal to him.

Certainly, you were afraid of the mission failing. But that didn't mean you were afraid of Amado. Years of CIA work exposed you to countless horrors. You had killed many and lost many. So, what reason did you have to fear someone like him?

It wasn't just Amado who tried to test or challenge you. You chose to do the same. It was a slight defiance and a steady gaze that showed your refusal to submit. That was enough to create even more surprise for the man known as the biggest in the drug trade, a man whom everyone else bowed to out of fear.

The sun had disappeared from the sky, gradually dimming Amado's face with shadows. However, his eyes still sparkled, no different from the streetlights. You tried hard to read his thoughts from his expression, but it was too difficult. You didn't know what he was thinking or what he would do next.

But his decision in the end surprised you.

His lips pressed against yours, catching you off guard. It was a brief  kiss, yet long enough to make you feel and remember every detail. the stubble of his beard, the bitter taste of cigarettes lingering on his tongue, the warm and humid heat in his mouth, intense with desire until your body trembled.

It felt as though your lips were being burned by an invisible flame, and the fire still smoldered deep within even after he pulled away. His hand lingered on your cheek, trailing slowly down to your chin, before using his thumb to touch your lower lip. Amado's eyes never left yours, and beneath those intense gazes, there was something dangerous and alluring hidden within.

"Will you dance with me?"

Even though you knew how dangerous he was, Amado was undeniably romantic. That was something you had to admit.

Nothing could be more romantic than dancing on the beach at night. And Amado knew it well. The moonlight shining brightly in the sky, the breeze blowing through your hair and skin, and the sweet melody of Latin music floating in the air. His large hand rested on the small of your back, and his arm wrapped comfortably around your waist, gently guiding your body to sway to the rhythm.

This time, there were no tests or challenge like before. "Just dancing with me" Amado said before pulling you back into his embrace. 

The dance proceeded quietly and calmly. The word 'calm' felt strangely out of place for a CIA like you. It was like a phrase that didn't exist in your life, But what was happening now might be the closest thing you could think of—a feeling of relaxation and comfort as you laid your head on his chest, and his thumb to massage your back.

This wasn't right at all.

Standing in a country where you hardly knew, in a street where you had forgotten the name, you felt safe next to a man you knew was dangerous. It wasn't something you should feel at a time like this with someone like him. You should say something, focus on the mission as you should, but at the same time, you didn't want to ruin what was happening. And Amado probably felt the same. He was silent, saying nothing, Everything between you and him was so quiet that you could hear the music, the laughter of other dancing couples nearby, the sound of the waves, and the sound of his breath blowing on your neck.

...Before the sound of the gunshots rang out.

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

[1] Mija in Spanish means "daughter." However, in a slang context, it can mean "dear” or “honey"

[2]Esquites Another name for it is "elote en vaso" or "elote" (specifically in America). It's a well-known Mexican street food made with grilled corn, mayonnaise, spices, and cheese.

[3] Honey trapping is a method of investigation or espionage that has been used since World War II. It involves deception through the use of romantic or sexual relationships with a target individual who possesses important information or resources.

[distant-velleity]

(un)sweet dreams

Summary: Once Malleus Overblots, Yu doesn't exactly dream. Silver does. Word count: 3.5k+ Warnings: my unbeta'd writing A/N: So!!! Yesterday I played through Book 7 Part 3 since that dropped on TWST EN, and it inspired me~ In regards to Yu's story, I haven't actually considered Book 7 a whole lot, so I felt like writing this would be fun and solidify his plotline some more at least before his own Overblot. Haha. Um. This is meant to replace the MC-centric chapters of 7-40 through 7-51; where it ends is roughly where in-game 7-52 starts. Please enjoy my Silver and Yu acquaintance content bc I sure don't write enough of it (<- it has an entire relationship section on Yu's wiki) <3 Also, contains reference to this oneshot.

~

In the distance, thunder—the herald of dignity and danger—rumbled. Of an unimaginably deep weight, it rolled through the clouds and over the seas.

…

In the drearily elegant throne room, static zipped through the air, the buildup to a temper at the end of its wick.

“It’s incredible! 16 years, and not a trace of her! Are you sure you searched everywhere?”

“Uhhh, we searched mountains, forests, houses… and all the cradles.”

“FOOLS! Search for a maid of 16. Go… and do not fail me.”

…

In the depths of the forest, pretty voices rose, unaware of the unwanted guest listening in.

“You’re already betrothed! To Prince Philip, dear!”

“But that’s impossible. How could I marry a prince? I’d have to be…”

“...A princess.”

“And you are, dear!”

…

In the winding tower, a spindle glistened in the light.

“Touch the spindle. Touch it, I say.”

As delicate as a petal, a hand was drawn to the spindle.

“You poor, simple fools, thinking you could defeat me! ME! The mistress of all evil!”

…

To call it ‘waking up’ would be a lovely description, but an ultimately unearned one. To Yu, it feels more like dragging his consciousness out of a haze after fainting; his thoughts are blurred around the edges and his memories blurrier still.

He blinks once, twice, and slowly raises himself to sit up. Beneath his hands, placed to support the dead weight of his body, the ground ripples outwards in the image of water.

Yu stares at it.

He feels no dampness through his clothes, no chill, so the reasonable assumption is that the ground isn’t any sort of liquid; and yet it behaves like one. There’s certainly a surface beneath him, but how real is it? As far as he can see, the world is purely black, with no horizon line in sight. 

Strange.

…Strange, but not unfamiliar. After all, Yu has been here a number of times before. 

(More vividly than any other memory, he recalls Riddle crushed by a flurry of books; Leona discarded from an unending chessboard. Azul left beached without the safety of his pot; Jamil weighed into submission with chains. Vil smothered with distorted veils; Idia dragged deeper and deeper into the darkness. 

All these incidents which should have caused splashes, yet—each time—caused the ground to do little more than ripple.)

Only, this time, there’s no one but Yu here. He’s all alone in the expansive darkness for some unknown reason. 

Why?

As he racks his brain for the answer, a screen pops up before him. And then another, and then another after that…

[ CURRENT DEBUFF — Fae Maleficence: USER’s physical body is deeply asleep and frozen in time. ]

[ MAIN MISSION — “Perpetuation by Briar Thorns” Continued. ]

[ NEW OBJECTIVE: Figure out your situation. ]

[ Setting tracker to target object… ]

[ USER is 500m away from exit. ]

Yu sits there, allowing the messages to sink in. For a moment, he’d forgotten that this would always be the work of the System. 

He shakes his head to rid himself of any lingering grogginess and carefully brings himself to his feet. In the distance, as promised, is the only other source of light aside from his locket—a glowing white rectangle vaguely resembling a door, waiting upright as it does every time he is sent to this strange mindscape.

Slowly, limbs fatigued, Yu walks over to the exit as the ground ripples beneath his feet. Floating beside him, the tracker’s number of meters steadily decreases. 

It feels like an eternity before he finally reaches the light.

[ USER is 0m away from exit. ]

What lies beyond the door is totally uncertain; Yu would like to hold onto the hope that he'll simply wake up as per usual, but something tells him that won’t be the case. Still, there’s nowhere else for him to go. Not unless he enjoys the loneliness of a solitary forever—and even if so, he has the nagging feeling that people need him.

Inhale, exhale.

There really is no getting around it. Yu steps out of the darkness and into the light of the exit.

…

Weightlessness strikes him before his senses are muted.

[ Entering new dream. ]

“A new dream?”

Like an epiphany, just as he’s being transported from one mindscape to another, Yu remembers the disaster that occurred before his bout of unconsciousness. The lounge had been filled with fire, then embraced with thorns, and most importantly—

[ USER has entered Spectating Mode. ]

“—Yue’er—!”

Yu blinks and stops mid-shout, regaining his senses in the middle of a fairytale-like landscape. 

Frozen in an eternal sunrise, the sleepy forest of his surroundings is painted in a warm pink wash. Even the towering trees and steep, rising cliffs appear rosy under the light. A little ways from the stone path beneath Yu’s feet is a babbling creek, crystal-clear and so brilliantly lavender under the dawn sky that it glimmers. 

However, it too is halted in its tracks by the absence of time—so, rather than follow its futile downstream flow, Yu’s gaze traces the creek’s edge until he finally looks at the quaint cottage before him.

It’s odd; just looking at it makes him feel at home. The thatched roof, the brick base and chimney, the curved shuttered windows, the waterwheel—perhaps it’s because the sight seems right out of a storybook that it feels so comforting. 

Yu takes a step forward. So does someone else, right through him.

Barely able to stifle his scream in time, Yu stumbles backwards, watching as none other than Silver proceeds on the stone path. Unaware of the wide eyes trained on his back, he continues on ahead with a relaxed posture. At this moment, something he said during an interview comes to mind—

…‘I lived deep in a Briar Valley forest before coming to this school’...

“Is this what he meant?” wonders Yu aloud, hesitantly following Silver to the cottage. When it becomes apparent that he truly cannot be perceived, he breaks into a jog to outpace the sophomore’s naturally longer strides. “It’s… definitely not what I imagined…”

Although Silver’s resting stern look is unparalleled, there’s something blissful about it that Yu just can’t quite place. The look of someone returning home, ready to rest and bask in familiar comfort after a long day.

“But…” Yu hesitates as he realizes something, the two of them approaching the door. “This is just a dream, isn’t it? What are you expecting to see when you enter that house?”

Obviously, he receives no answer. It doesn’t stop him from holding his breath as Silver opens the door.

Consequently, Yu realizes a second earlier that there is nothing but a despairingly hollow void on the inside of the cottage.

“Silver, wait!” he shouts to no avail.

Silver naturally steps inside, only for his foot to find no purchase and no floor. His eyes widen helplessly as he stumbles forward, plummeting into the darkness. Yu scrambles to stand on the edge of the doorstep while clinging to either side of the door frame with both hands. 

When he looks down into the void after Silver, he sees just a flash of that iridescent hair of his before it’s gone.

“Dammit—!”

[ Ending Spectating Mode. Termination in 3… 2… 1… ]

“—what?”

Suddenly, Yu’s grip slackens against his will, and everything starts disappearing around him. As the step beneath his feet and the frame underneath his hands fade from existence, he finds himself weightless again but intimately aware that he’s falling this time. 

His descent is a terrifyingly long one. Various scenes and flashes of light zip by, until he passes two halves of a stone wall that shut like gates and meld together above him. The light disappears. Gravity chooses then to reorient itself entirely—meaning Yu is suspended in air for a moment before crashing down face-first onto the cold, hard stone of what is now the ground. The force knocks the air right out of his lungs, sending him into a fit of violent hacking and coughing as he tries to regain it.

“What just—” He gasps, balling his hands into weak fists. Although he’s still on the floor, he shakily props his upper body up on his elbows. “What just—happened—”

“Yu? You’re in this dream, too?”

Under the dim lighting, Yu looks up to see Silver on the floor nearby, appearing equally disoriented but at least more conscious than he was before. Strangely, a glowing specter of what seems to be a bird flutters around him for a moment, but it’s gone as soon as it appears.

“Oh, Silver!” Yu exclaims, relieved. He hurries to sit up properly. “You remember what’s going on now, right?”

Silver visibly hesitates, considering something, and then nods slowly. “Yes. Not only that, but I also remembered—a few months ago I had a foreboding dream with Lord Malleus in it, almost identical to this one.” He swivels his head to look around the room they’re in. “...it seems that we’ve fallen into a different room this time.”

Yu takes the time to also observe their surroundings. Dark stone walls, eaten away by age; hardly lit by a few sparse torches, flickering with an ominously familiar green fire. 

Had Silver experienced that same thing in his initial dream? Stepping into the cottage only to be betrayed and sent into the abyss? If so, then…

“It must be the same castle,” Silver murmurs to himself without any prompting. “In that case, perhaps I can still find…”

He trails off, brows furrowing, and meets Yu’s eyes. 

“What is it?” asks Yu. 

“I’m sorry to ask this of you,” says Silver with earnest remorse, “but would you mind accompanying me in exploring this castle? There is something from last time that I feel I need to find, and it may assist in understanding our current situation.”

“Well…” Regardless of any possible misgivings about this situation, Yu mostly trusts Silver. Mostly. But, better to be around a knight with a comforting presence than anyone else in a dreary place like this. “...okay. Why not?”

“There are some risks. I don’t know what to expect once we exit…” Silver trails off, realizing it was just a figure of speech, and stands up. His movements quickly lose their dizzy sluggishness. Once he’s on his feet, he offers a hand to help Yu up, which is gratefully taken. 

“Let’s go, then.”

…

The interior of the castle is ancient and almost abandoned, its walls a powerfully deep slate grey. There are only a few torches here and there to light the way, forming small spheres of cold light amidst the shadows. The arched ceilings are high up, causing the sound of their footsteps to echo back at them. Even the air is stiff and chilly, masking any signs of life. 

“Just like Diasomnia,” Silver whispers. 

The comparison is eerily accurate. Yu thinks about the lounge, where their physical bodies should still be, and a shiver runs down his spine. 

“It… feels like we’re getting involved in something we shouldn’t,” he murmurs. “Do you feel that?”

“…yes,” admits Silver, a hand resting on his baton for reassurance. His eyes narrow slightly. “But at the same time, that’s a sign that we’re on the right path… I hope.”

He continues down the dim hallway with cautious confidence, leaving Yu quietly in awe of his ability to push forward despite his doubts.

It takes what feels like several minutes of walking before the bird specter from earlier flits by, catching non-existent wind beneath its wings and zipping ahead of them. 

Silver’s eyes light up, stopping mid-walk. “That was—!”

“Wait, you saw it, too?”

“Yes. It normally marks the owner of a dream.” Before Yu can ask how he knows that, Silver continues. “Since this is my dream… I think it’s leading us to where we need to be. We should follow it.”

Again with that need to find and need to be—it only stirs skepticism in Yu, especially considering what happened the last time Silver simply followed the logic of the dream, but at the same time his hands are tied. “If that’s what you want, then. We don’t have a lot of time to deliberate.”

There’s only a curt dip of Silver’s chin in acknowledgement before he starts running after the bird, forcing Yu to sprint in order to keep up with him. It takes them down another long hallway before slipping into the entry arch of a winding staircase. Silver doesn’t even hesitate before racing up the stairs. 

“Silver, hold on a—seriously?!”

Yu can do nothing but chase after them. 

They seem to be ascending a tower, given the excessive length of the circular staircase that extends upwards for what may as well be an eternity. Yu wouldn’t find it difficult to believe if it were the tallest in the whole castle. 

Finally, the bird gives one last weak flutter of its wings before dissipating. At that point, they’ve already reached the top, stopping right before the entrance to the room that crowns the tower.

The door shudders and creaks, swinging open on its weak hinges with barely any force; as if inviting them inside. 

With Yu close behind, Silver enters, only to abruptly freeze in his tracks. 

“This is it,” murmurs Silver breathlessly, sounding absolutely certain.

His gaze is trained on the sight right before him: the room empty aside from a sole spinning wheel, placed in front of floor-to-ceiling frosted windows. Its spindle is so sharp that, even with the limited illumination from the torches, it gleams in the light. Uncovered as it is, the intrusive temptation to touch it is strong even to Yu. 

Outside, lightning flashes and thunder roars, momentarily turning the spinning wheel into a menacing light-lined silhouette. The rain only intensifies after, drumming against the window in violent torrents.

Silver suddenly takes off one of his gloves and steps towards the spinning wheel.

“Uh… Silver?”

Yu finds it difficult to hide his concern, and even more so when there comes no indication that he was heard at all. Silver continues to walk at a slow but resolute pace and reaches for the spindle with his ungloved hand. It’s perhaps the exact opposite of what he should reasonably be doing.

( ‘Touch the spindle.’ )

Oh. Yu’s eyes widen.

“Silver—Silver!” Yu raises his voice a notch, going so far as to grab Silver by the arm; only to be easily shrugged off. It’s surprisingly rude coming from the normally-composed boy, but it doesn’t seem intentional. “What are you doing?”

He receives no response—Silver continues on as if in a trance, eyes wide in an uncharacteristically morbid fascination. It’s not unlike watching a trainwreck in slow motion, the way his pale finger draws closer and closer to the spindle while Yu is helpless to stop him again. 

Closer, and closer…

( ‘Touch it, I say.’ )

“Silver, don’t touch that—”

The spindle breaks skin. 

Instead of blood, something dark and inky comes out of Silver’s finger. It is scarily reminiscent of blot. Silver stares at it as if he has no recollection of what he just did to himself.

“SILVER!” 

Yu operates purely on instinct, clamping his hands around Silver’s to stop the ‘bleeding.’ He examines the other boy’s expression, shifting from confused to dawning horror. “Are you okay? Do you feel weird?”

“N…no,” Silver forces out, furrowing his brows. His skin has gone pale, sweat beading on his face, although it could just be from the shock of snapping out of his stupor. “I don’t think so—”

Around them, the room shakes violently; he and Yu both stumble as a result. An inky darkness seeps in from the cracks in the walls, rapidly covering the floor and filling the air.

“I—Is that blot?” Yu wonders in a terrified sort of way, stepping back as it approaches. He shoots a quick glance at Silver—being in a dream together is bizarre enough, but being alone in a dream with a possible Overblotter…!

Thankfully, Silver doesn’t seem to be going mad. No blot drips from his forehead or anything of the sort, but his lips set into a thin, stressed line. “It isn’t. We still have to get out of here, though. Hold onto me, tightly!”

He offers his arm, and Yu doesn’t think twice before grabbing onto it as if his life depends on the strength of his grip. In a way, it does. Then rationality clears his mind for a moment; he blinks and opens his mouth to ask what purpose this serves.

Silver, eyes narrowed with concentration, is just a second faster to speak.

“Those I’ve met and will someday…”

Sparkles of magic coalesce around them, little flashes of birds and flowers, as Silver recites his incantation. Yu draws in a sharp breath, surprised—this must be his signature spell.

“… 「 Meet in a Dream. 」”

The world fades as they warp away.

…

Yu hadn’t realized he was squeezing his eyes shut on instinct, but he opens them once he feels ‘wind’ ruffling his hair. He immediately regrets it.

The scenery around them is gorgeous, no doubt—a warm sky packed flush with cotton candy clouds, kite-like birds cutting a path through the air. It is, however, impossible to appreciate when one is plummeting directly towards the ground and there is less ‘wind’ as it is just your body obeying the laws of physics.

“Why are we so high up?!” Yu screams. For maybe the third time now, his deathly fear of heights is being weaponized against him. 

Silver’s jaw is clenched tightly, focused on the rapidly-approaching ground. “I’m losing control… Hold on tight!”

He then grabs and holds Yu close to him, reassuring but also incredibly tight to the point of squeezing.

“Crap!” Yu gasps, the air being forced out of his lungs. Silver is strong, just as sturdy as the Leeches, but Yu’s hands still try to find purchase on the Diasomnia uniform’s various belts and armor sections.

“Sorry, but please bear with me!” Silver insists. “If we’re separated here—well, let’s just say I don’t think I’ll be able to find you again…!”

Yu promptly shuts his mouth, even though he still holds extreme misgivings towards their decreasing altitude. It’s then that they break through the clouds, and their surroundings change in an instant. 

Gone is the dreamy sky—they find themselves falling towards another bleak-looking castle, raised among rocky mountains and an endless pit filled with briar thorns. The sky and landscape alike are a somber greenish-grey. Diasomnia, Yu’s mind provides helpfully.

Regardless, the walkway leading up to the dorm grows less and less distant. 

Silver uses one arm to pull Yu even closer to him, muscles straining with the effort, as he releases the other to grab his magical pen. He draws it from its holster and yells at the top of his lungs, “WINDS!”

They are showered in sparkles before the world becomes blurry, spinning as their bodies reorient to be straight up. Yu vaguely registers his feet gently touching the ground and the arm around him loosening, but he still opts to lean on the infinitely more solid Silver.

“Are you okay?”

“Ughhh…” Yu closes his eyes, hoping his dizziness will die down. “Sorry. I don’t think I can stand on my own.”

“Take your time. I admit that spell was a bit abrupt.” Silver exhales in relief. “At least we’re both unharmed.”

Yu frowns. He stands up straight as soon as he can, dusting off his clothes. “I know I am for sure. How’s your finger?”

At some point, Silver must have somehow gotten his glove replaced. He peels it off to reveal his index finger back to perfectly normal. There is no scarring, no dried blood, nothing—just unmarred skin.

Some of the tension leaves Yu’s shoulders. “Thank God.” He looks away as Silver puts his glove back on. “So… from one castle to another, huh? This is a scarily accurate recreation of Diasomnia.”

“Right… it’s just a dream,” Silver remarks. “If nothing else, it’s proof that we managed to shake off the darkness…” He closes his eyes. “Good. That’s good.”

“Darkness? You mean that black stuff coming after us?” asks Yu. Just thinking about it again fills him with a sense of dread.

Silver nods. “If it catches you, it drags you into an even deeper slumber—I’ve encountered it a few times before. I’m… not sure why it showed up as soon as I pricked my finger, though.”

He pauses and stares quite intently at his own hand, lost in thought.

“How did I let that happen again? I thought I’d learned my lesson after last time, but as soon as I heard Lord Malleus’ voice…”

“Silver,” Yu interrupts. “Um, I don’t really get what happened, but we need to figure out where to go from here…” He gestures vaguely at the pathway before them and the grand exterior of Diasomnia.

“Ah—! Right.” Silver lets his hand fall back to his side, looking towards the dream version of his dormitory. “Let’s assess the situation first. I believe the owner of this dream will be inside.”

“Lead the way, then.”

Before they head into the main building, Yu hesitates and turns to look back. Where the winding cobblestone bridge towards the exit mirror normally would be is an opaque, all-consuming fog. Amidst that fog are wisps of green; magical fireflies flitting back and forth, shining like emeralds. 

So this was made possible by…

“Yu?” Silver calls, already a few meters away.

Shaking his head to rid himself of any irrelevant thoughts, Yu turns back around. “Coming, sorry!”

He hurries down the path, trying not to look back again.

[neomikayla]

Sonic 3 JP Manual

Prologue

As we speak, Dr. Eggman's fortress "The Death Egg", which had been totally destroyed by Sonic, is on a collision course with the Earth. And it just so happens that right in the Death Egg's line of descent floats a single giant mass of clouds. Quietly hidden in those clouds is a shadow...

A rise of mountains, a spread of forests. That shadow is an island. It's the great "Floating Island" that drifts through the sky. Like a falling star, the Death Egg crashed smack into the Floating Island. Mountains crumbled and trees toppled. The incredible impact tilted the whole island, and gradually forced it to drop in elevation. Finally, it plunged into the ocean. The Floating Island sent out what looked like a tidal wave, but it didn't sink in the water. Cradling the Death Egg, the island went on floating in the sea as though nothing had happened.

A few days later...

On an island far away from where the Death Egg and the Floating Island crashed down, a two-tailed fox named Tails suddenly detected a strong Chaos Emerald reaction on the Jewel Radar he had invented.

"I wonder if this has anything to do with that huge tidal wave we just had..."

With that on his mind, Tails turned toward the beach where Sonic was. Sonic, who had been taking a nap, found a small ring washed up on the shore around that same moment. The ring had what appeared to be ancient letters carved into it. As he held this ring, Sonic remembered an old legend he had heard about an island. A long time ago, when this island had still been a part of the continent, people of a great civilization lived there. This civilization had created a society of peace and abundance with the energy of the "Stone of Power". However, one day a sect of wise men attempting to take the energy of the "Stone of Power" for themselves accidentally let the energy run out of control. The civilization collapsed in an instant, and it disappeared from history altogether. After the incident, the gods, descending from the sky, rebuilt the civilization's land as an island and released the "Stone of Power" into the sky... or so they say.

The ring and this legend... If only for the sake of nostalgia, Sonic decided to set off an another journey right then and there.

Dr. Eggman, who had escaped from his fallen Death Egg, noticed that there is a Chaos Emerald on the Floating Island. From a fissure that the Death Egg had opened up in the ground, he could pick up the reactions of a huge Chaos Emerald. If he uses that energy, it may be possible for him to launch his Death Egg into outer space once more. To get hold of the Emerald, Dr. Eggman started building a base on the Floating Island. He also kidnapped animals and remodeled them into robots, and made the nature of Floating Island more severe with his environment-changing machines.

"Dahhh-ha-ha-ha! Sonic, even if you come to this island, you'll be too late! This time, both the world and the Chaos Emeralds will be mine!

"The stage is set once again. From here, Sonic the Hedgehog begins his new adventure.

Guardian of the Floating Island

That day, as he always seemed to, he was making his patrol around the altar on the island. Protecting the 7 Chaos Emeralds who sleep and control the power of the "Pillar" is the mission he has been charged with.

His name, Knuckles the Echidna. But to inhabitants of the island, he is an echidna called "Knuckle." Born and raised on the island, all of nature and the animals who live in it are his friends. And that which protects his friends is none other than the Chaos Emerald's crystaline "Pillar."

Suddenly something awoke.

Just as he was verifying that that not one Chaos Emerald was out of place, the Chaos Emerald right before his eyes rose and a strange vibration started.

Knuckles was confused by this phenomenon, which had never occurred before. In the blink of an eye, violent shaking occurred within the Chaos Emeralds. Then, as the shaking reached its climax, a "kiiiin" sound was heard along with a brilliant flash. The next thing Knuckles remembered was his own body, seeming to be lightly floating, and at that moment he was interrupted.

When Knuckles regained consciousness, he found his body thrown outside of the altar. He slowly go up, and what entered his eyes as he looked around was the Chaos Emerald altar—partially destroyed. In a flurry, Knuckles flew into the altar. However, in place of the emerald that should have been there, were fragments left of what had dissappeared...

In a daze, Knuckles left the altar. He gazed off into the distance, powerless... it seemed like a peculiar thing had appeared around the lake. The sight of the giant, round, egg-like body that Knuckles beheld sent a shiver down his spine.

"That big egg is the dragon in the legend's..."

That egg appeared in the legend depicted in the Chaos Emerald altar—there was no doubt that it was the egg which would bring disaster to the island.

Some days later, Knuckles was patrolling the altar of the island's seven Chaos Emeralds, but all traces of the Emeralds had vanished. While in his relentless investigation of the island, Knuckles encountered an unfamiliar man in the woods.

The man called himself Dr. Eggman, and already knew Knuckles was the guardian of the Chaos Emeralds. He said to Knuckles:

"I am a scientist who came here to stop (?) that egg. Uumu, since you are the Chaos Emeralds' guardian I knew I had to inform you. The truth is, there is an evil hedgehog named Sonic that has been interfering in my research, he is the one who has stolen this island's Chaos Emeralds."

"The Chaos Emeralds were stolen...!"

With Dr. Eggman's ingenous lies, Knuckles was very easily tricked. That is how Knuckles' challenge to Sonic was started.

[pan-flute-skeleton]

Vivi Skarsgård in the Yugo Nora universe

I saw the call by @cruisingheightswithdragons and @yugonora-comic and decided to recycle my baby girl, Vivi, for this world. She is repurposed from the Metalocalypse Siren!AU in which she was a siren hiding among humans as a land barmaid. I'll be taking some parts of her lore in that AU and bring it over to the world of Milo. The above pictures are some references for Vivi's human form because I got zero art skills. Anyways, let's go!

Vivi is a human who runs a tavern on the coast of Tailwind and also makes their own wine. Specializing in dry wines, both red and white, she is a motivated business woman determined to celebrate the fruits of her hometown's labor. Her tavern, The Siren's Song, is an odd establishment being that most of the grapes that come in from Lough are meant to be processed and exported to Yellow City. Thanks to some personal investments and proper saving, Vivi was able to secure a supply line from an independent vineyard. The citizens of Tailwind enjoy her products, but they still treat her as a bit of an outlaw.

Along with a lorekeeper, Tailwind has other forms of bookkeeping. This is to keep record of imports, exports, wine manufacturing and overall inventory. Not only does Vivi maintain her own records, she has also been appointed to monitor and document the incoming grapes. Making sure they get to their right locations, the correct amount has been shipped and quality control before manufacturing begins. Her attention to detail has kept that part of Tailwind's business fluid and functional.

In the past, Vivi would be more hands on with the process. There was an incident on the beach where a sea monster breached the surface and attacked her. She survived, but injured her leg badly. Because of the nerve damage and muscle atrophy, Vivi requires the use of a cane to keep stable. She will have days where her leg causes too much pain and she wouldn't be able to get much done. Although her life has been altered, she does not have any hate toward monsters. Instead choosing to focus on her work and her community.

That's what I got so far. More might come later on, but this seems like a good base.

[liveglory]

𝙰𝚂  𝚃𝙷𝙴  𝚃𝙸𝙳𝙴  𝚁𝙾𝙻𝙻𝚂  𝙸𝙽     .  .  .     the  waves  lap  gently  against  the  muddied  sand  along  the  coast    ,    a  cool  sea breeze  stretching  over  the  horizon  with  the  soft  lull  of  fizzing  sea foam  and  birds  chirping  adding  to  a  notably  picturesque  day    (    the  first  one  gallowmere  could  call  it's  own  in  quite  some  time    ,   some  would  say    ).    the  beach  is  particularly  busy    ,    with  fishermen  claiming  the  dock  to  haul  in  the  latest  catch    ,    families  crowding  the  boardwalk  for  a  saturday  afternoon  outing    ,    kids  and  teens  lining  the  area  making  subpar  sandcastles  and  splashing  in  the  water    .    no  one  could've  imagined  that  things  could  turn  so  grim  so  fast    ,    as  if  in  the  blink  of  an  eye  all  hell  broke  loose  and  there  was  no  longer  a  way  to  contain  those  demons.

a  family  spotted  it  first   ,    the  boat  coming  dangerously  close  to  the  cliff's  edge    ,    headed  straight  toward  the  rocks    .    if  only  there  were  a  new  lighthouse  keeper    ,    then  perhaps  such  a  tragedy  could've  been  avoided    .    alas    ,    the  boat  continued  on    ,    despite  the  dozens  of  onlookers  doing  everything  in  their  power  to  deter  the  collision    .    their  efforts  were  in  vein    ,    however    ,    as  the  boat  crashed  head  on  into  the  cliffside    ,    sinking  steadily  upon  impact    .

emergency  personnel  acted  swiftly    ,    working  to  save  as  many  of  the  boat's  passengers  as  they  could    .    no  one  quite  knows  what  caused  the  incident    ,    and  it's  hard  to  say  that  much  of  anything  will  be  revealed    ,    as  of  the  three  casualties  of  the  event  who  tragically  lost  their  lives    ,    one  was  the  captain  himself    ,    andrew  mitchell    .    along  with  him  was  the  mayor's  personal  secretary    ,    diane  christofferson  and  the  sheriff's  deputy    ,    tyler  léandre    ,    who  perished  while  saving  another  life    .    a  few  dozen  of  the  boat's  passengers  were  rushed  to  hospital  with  minor  injuries    ,    leaving  both  onlookers  and  those  involved  in  shock    .

at  first  glance    ,    the  incident  is  attributed  to  negligence    .    something  muddled  the  judgement  of  the  seasoned  captain  and  it  was  only  a  matter  of  time  before  authorities  would  find  out  what  exactly  caused  the  crash    .    but  those  on  the  founder's  council    (    and  the  local  folklore  enthusiasts    )    think  something  much  more  sinister  is  at  play  here    ,    and  this  may  just  be  the  beginning.

happy  opening  day    ,    everyone    !    this  will  be  our  very  first    (    i'm  gonna  cry  just  writing  this    ,    how  exciting    )    plot  drop    !    characters  will  now  be  able  to  weave  this  event  into  conversation  or  their  storylines  as  you  see  fit    .    this  plot  drop  will  remain  relevant  ic  for  the  next  week    ,    and  from  there  we  ask  that  you  start  to  wrap  up  any  threads  based  around  this  event    .    after  the  one  week  period  you're  welcome  to  continue  referencing  the  event    ,    we  just  ask  that  no  new  threads  are  released    .    thank  you  all  for  joining  us    ,    i  cannot  wait  to  reveal  everything  i  have  planned  for  the  future!

[glitterslag]

Ok what does everybody think about this

Syd is a selkie 🦭

while travelling across the Atlantic with her pod, a huge sea storm blows her off course, and she ends up washed up on some beach near a small fishing town in remote northern Scotland.

she's lost, disoriented, afraid, and alone. But worse than all that? Her seal coat is missing.

luckily, there's a pub nearby that Syd can run to for help. It's staffed by a few of our familiar faces, including the kind owner, Natalie, who helps her get some emergency accomodation and might be able to offer her a job in the kitchen!

unbeknownst to Syd, her seal coat washed up only a little way down the beach, getting tangled in some fishing net on the strand line. However, before she can find it and get back to her life in the sea, a certain local coke dealer/chip shop fry cook/general all-round loiterer & menace finds and steals it!!

Knowing exactly what it is (and more importantly, how much he can sell it for) Richie takes the coat back to his flat and stashes it away.

without her seal coat, Syd has no choice but to live amongst the local human community. If she wants to avoid being exposed for what she truly is, she'll need to stay under the radar, but since she's unable to explain where she comes from and how she got to be here, it's not going to be an easy task.

meanwhile, the crew of local fishing vessel The Bear are still reeling from the tragic death of their skipper, Mikey, who died only a year ago in a similar freak weather incident. Luckily, no-one's been hurt since, but the ship got nearly got wrecked on some nearby rocks in the recent storm.

One morning, new crewmate Carmy stops by the pub to deliver a shipment of fresh fish. He and Syd encounter one another for the first time, only Carmy's certain he's met Syd before.

Syd's trapped in this strange new world until she can get her seal coat back, but locating it is only the first worry. In order to get home free, she needs to succeed in stealing it back from Richie, all while keeping her true nature a secret. Sounds impossible, but Carmy might just be the one to help her...

[asexual-spongebob]

The waves that lap the shore - Chapter 20 - and then there were four. (Season finale)

Notes:

Wow? I made a mostly Kwazii and Paani chapter? Yes. With some shellso and twashi on the side. Wow? I made a chapter with more than 1000 words? Yes. I’ve been in a Kwazini mood lately so that definitely influenced this chapter- I also got Mellon Collie on CD for my birthday and I’ve been listening to it so that’s why Paani was listening to the smashing pumpkins. I wish I had gotten into the smashing pumpkins sooner cuz I love everything that I’ve heard <3 Stumbleine my beloved <3

Kwazii and Paani laid in Kwazii’s bed. 

Kwazii was showing Paani some of his sketches. 

However, he stopped when he got to a specific one. 

Kwazii remembered when he drew that. 

Kwazii sat on his bed with his sketch book as Gilmore Girls played in the background. He was going to draw sea monsters.

Kwazii made messy sketches as he watched. 

It’d been a bit later. Kwazii had paused the show to use the bathroom. But they noticed something. 

All of his doodles were of Paani. They had drawn a heart with Paani’s name in it. With little hearts  and flowers all over them. 

Kwazii dropped their pencil when they saw that. A embarrassed look appeared on their face.  Had it seriously drawn that?! Kwazii couldn’t believe its eyes. 

Kwazii felt a gasp escape his mouth is this what being in  love is like? Kwazii asked himself. 

••• 

“I drew this one night while watching Gilmore Girls” Kwazii said, pointing to the sketches. Paani admired each little line in the sketches, they looked like him. “that’s supposed to be me, right?” Paani asked, feeling a slight grin appear on his face, Kwazii nodded in response. 

Paani looked at the date. 

It had been the day before the “Kwazii lit Mako on fire” incident.

The day before everything went down. The day before they told each other everything. 

Paani then remembered what they were doing that day.

Paani was stretched out on his bed like a starfish, listening to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

And i don’t even care

To shake these zipper blues

And we don’t know

Just where our bones will rest

To dust I guess

Forgotten and absorbed into the earth. 

Paani was thinking of someone in particular while listening to that song. Kwazii.

Paani was holding Kwazii’s paw as they walked along the beach. He was wearing a fancy suit and loafers, Kwazii was just wearing his typical pirate clothes.

“Wanna go hang out at my place, Kwazii?”

“Yeah Matey. I’ve never been to your place before.”

“Maybe I could… sing you a song?” 

“Sure… I’d like that. I’ve never heard you sing before.” 

“Well. You will now.”

The world is a vampire. 

Paani then came back to reality. He jolted up.

Paani ripped his earbuds out of his ears. She rummaged through her closet, looking for her guitar.

It’s got to be here somewhere! Paani thought as she let out a grunt. Soon she found it. 

Paani placed it on his bed, opening the case and pulling it out. Realizing how dusty the case was. 

Paani started playing power chords. 

He had tuned it to “mayonnaise tuning” for a reason. 

“Oh Kwazii. Can I can I come to your house. We can dance to The Spice Girls in your room.” Paani sang softly, as he strummed his guitar.

Paani put it down for a moment, scribbling down lyrics on a piece of paper and the strum pattern. 

Paani then got back on track, singing lyrics and strumming.

••• 

“I wrote a song about you that day.” Paani admitted “you did?” Kwazii gasped “yeah.” Paani replied, getting off the bed to fetch his guitar. 

Paani came back, his guitar in his hands. They sat on the bed, and started playing.

Kwazii was impressed. They started blushing as Paani sang. They felt so lucky to have someone like Paani. 

Kwazii started to tear up a little. Surprisingly, he allowed himself. Not to many people had ever treated him this way. Let alone wrote a song about him. 

“I-I’m sorry- I’m just a bit emotional-“ Kwazii apologized, wiping a tear from its face “not many people have ever treated me this way..” Kwazii added “It’s okay. Don’t apologize.” Paani said softly, understanding how Kwazii felt right now. 

Paani knew that Kwazii wasn’t used to being treated this way.

Paani put the guitar down on the floor, on top of its dusty ass case. “Wanna go down stairs and eat something?” Kwazii asked “sure” Paani replied, getting off the bed.

•••

Peso had just gotten back from a mission, it went straight to Shellington’s lab. “Hey Shellie!” Peso greeted “PESO!” Shellington jumped out of his chair and ran up to Peso, scooping him up in his arms, hugging him tightly and showering it in kisses.

“I missed you so much!” Shellington beamed “I was only gone for a few hours- Peso mumbled “I know.. I just really missed you..” Shellington replied, putting Peso down. 

“Wanna go get some hot cocoa?” Shellington asked “ sure” Peso smiled. 

•••

Peso and Shellington were drinking hot cocoa in the kitchen. Peso was wearing a weezer shirt that he had stolen from Shellington (which was, way too big for him.) and Shellington was wearing his middle aged man sliders and his pajamas.

“Wow look at those nerds!” Kwazii teased, Shellington rolled his eyes and let out a giggle “Me and Peso are gonna go somewhere” Shellington said “Yeah. And I’m driving.” Peso added, Peso and Shellington then went downstairs to the Launch Bay to go on there date.

•••

It’d been a few days since Paani played that beautiful song. 

Kwazii, Peso and Shellington were near the beach. 

The song still rung in Kwazii’s head. He could still hear the sound of Paani’s soft singing against the beautiful mayonnaise tuning. 

“Hey. Maybe we should go stop by that juice place.” Peso suggested, interrupting Kwazii’s train of thought. 

The trio were walking down the boardwalk. “Yarrr what place?” Kwazii questioned “Palm & Citrus I’m assuming?” Shellington guessed “Yeah!” Peso clarified “come on mateys.” Kwazii guided as they walked to the cafe.

The three walked inside, that place looked like it was straight out of 2006, complete with old 2000s computers.

The interior was reminiscent of tropical bars, a cute box tv was on a little table. People some reruns of some old tv show that was playing. 

The group took a seat, Shellington ordered a mango smoothie, Peso ordered an orange slushy made with fresh orange juice and Kwazii ordered a black current juice and salted seaweed.

Soon the drinks arrived, Shellington glanced affectionately at Peso, Peso exchanged the same glance.

“There’s a full moon tonight..” Peso mentioned “I’m kind of worried…” Shellington sighed, Peso nodded in agreement “yarr we’ll be fine mateys!” Kwazii disagreed, Peso and Shellington gave him looks of uncertainty.

Kwazii, Peso Shellington sat in awkward silence, until Peso started rambling about some sad romantic movie him and Shellington had watched. 

“Their last kiss was so sad! She then died in her arms!” Shellington sniffled, on the verge of tears “they were so cute together!” Shellington added “why don’t we write a fix it fic where she doesn’t die!” Peso suggested “Yeah! Absolutely!” Shellington agreed, him and Peso began writing out concepts. 

Kwazii rolled their eyes ah yes, Peso and Shellie and their sad fantasy romance movies. 

Kwazii sat there bored for awhile. “Don’t you think we should get back home soon?” Kwazii mentioned “yeah true.” Shellington said, him and Peso putting away some notepads.

The three ran to the beach and dove into the water, it felt nice.

They glanced around the coral reefs, Peso and Shellington were talking about sea creatures, while Kwazii floated there alone. Until he heard a splash from behind him. Kwazii turned around, It was Paani.

He looked like he was straight out of Mean Girls. She even had the “A Little Bit Dramatic” shirt on.

“Hi Kwaz. Sorry. I was feeling a bit… uh. Girly today.” Paani said awkwardly “Ahoy Matey! That’s fine.” Kwazii greeted, warping his paws around Paani.

“Um… what are they doing?” Paani questioned,  pointing to Shellington and Peso “arrg! being nerds.” Kwazii laughed “wanna go do something?” Paani asked “yeah sure why not.” Kwazii agreed. 

•••

The full moon rose up, Shellington and Peso were in Shellington’s lab, which was moon proofed, they were reading some books together. Shellington had gotten sleepy though “hey I think I’m gonna take a nap..” Shellington yawned “I’ll join you.” Peso smiled, getting up and putting the books away and joining Shellington.

The vegimals soon climbed in bed as well. Shellington and Peso said goodnight to them,  and to each other before drifting off to sleep, the soft sound of Shellington’s fan in the background.

•••

It was late in the afternoon. 

Paani grabbed her paddle board. 

She was going to Mako Island again. 

I need to find out more about that place . Paani thought.

Paani took one last good look around his house, making sure he had everything.

He shoved it all into his backpack.

Paani surfed the way there. He’d wanted to find out more ever since he found Kwazii on the island when It was almost brunt to a crisp, like burning piece of toast that had been in the toaster for far too long.

The waves weren’t to bad right now. Soon they made it to the shores of the mysterious island.

The sunset was on the horizon. Paani could sense it, they glanced over their shoulder. The setting sun was looming close.

I can’t be here to long. Paani told himself. 

Paani wandered around, taking photos of anything he saw that he found interesting, like some snakes. She even offered the snakes some of her Paani patties, which the snakes  ate up. Paani continued on his journey.

He stopped though. He’d reached the spot where he found Kwazii.

He noticed that a thin blanket of ash still lingered on the ground. The faint stench of smoke still in the air as well.

He kept walking. Until he fell down into a hole that is.

“WHOOOOA!!!!” Paani exclaimed, her pants now covered in sand, she took a rest for a moment. Her ankle was aching. 

Damn it. I was a stupid idea to wear my fancy 2000s cargo pants! Paani thought to themself.

“Hello!!” They echoed. No response.

Damn it. If only Ryla was here. Paani thought defeated, he attempted to contact them from his Octo-Watch but there wasn’t a signal.

Paani needed to figure out how to get out of here.

Paani walked up a stair like structure that was made of rocks. He peered his head inside. There was a pool of water.

It was sapphire blue in color. Paani was captivated by it. 

The sky was now filled shimmering stars. 

Paani noticed it began to bubble as the moon’s light shined through the opening at the top of the dormant volcano.

Paani dashed over there at the sight of that. He hanged over the ledge of the Moon Pool. 

“Hello H2O! What secrets do you hold for me today!” Paani said as they grasped their test tube, and took a dive.

Oooo… pretty… Was Paani’s only thought as they glanced around the pool, she felt a funny sensation come over her as he swam around in the pool. Admiring the shimmering bubbles above.

He’d never seen anything like this before in his hydrology career. 

Paani swam back up to the surface, putting a cap on his test tube and spitting some salt water out of his mouth and laying on his back. 

This is relaxing Paani thought calmly. 

•••

Kwazii was frantically looking for Paani. They were worried sick. Paani hadn’t answered it’s

phone calls or texts. 

Kwazii had looked everywhere for him. 

What if he’s at Mako. Kwazii realized. He rushed down the Octo-Chute. Kwazii rushed down to the Launch Bay “TWEAK! OPEN THE OCTO HATCH!!!” Kwazii urged “But it’s a full moon tonight, Kwaz! What if you burn down Mako again!” Tweak lectured, clearly unsure. 

“ITS A EMERGENCY! I THINK PAANI IS THERE.” Kwazii yelled “Alright! Be careful!” Tweak warned, feeling knots form in her stomach.

“Tweak, what happened? I heard yelling.” Dashi asked 

Tweak went silent for a moment, she was shaking. Dashi could feel the tension in the air. 

“Oh uh- hi Dashi- Kwazii went to Mako. They think that Paani is there.” Tweak sighed, Dashi let out a gasp “why did you let him go?” Dashi asked “Well… I felt bad… i didn’t want anything bad happening to Paani i guess… if he is actually there that is.” Tweak answered “hopefully nothing bad happens-“ Dashi hoped “These full moons can get a bit… you know… cray cray.” Dashi mentioned “yeah definitely-“ Tweak agreed.

The two of them stood awkwardly in the Launch Bay for awhile, both hoping that Kwazii and Paani were okay. 

“What are Peso and Shellington doing?” Tweak finally said, breaking the awkward silence “they’re in the lab sleeping. I’m just glad Shellington didn’t moonstruck-“ Dashi answered.

“What about Cap and Inkling?” Tweak continued “Captain is upstairs- he’s taking his online therapy sessions. And Inkling is in the library.” Dashi concluded. 

“What should we do right now? I mean it’s just us.” Tweak questioned, turning to face Dashi. “Maybe we can watch something? Down here?” Dashi suggested “yeah.. I’d like that.” Tweak blushed. 

Dashi and Tweak got cozy in Tweak’s bed, Dashi’s head on Tweak’s shoulder as they watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It felt nice to relax, after all of the chaotic events of recent times. Though, Tweak was still on edge, however she didn’t feel as uneasy with Dashi around. 

•••

Kwazii had made it to Mako Island. 

“PAANI?! PAANI!?” Kwazii called out in a panic, looking for them She can’t be at the Moonpool… could he?Kwazii thought to itself 

Kwazii rushed down into the Moon Pool’s land entrance.

Kwazii ran in there faster then Tweak could say “buncha, munchy crunchy carrots”. 

Kwazii was panting. He was fucking exhausted. He looked like he had ran a marathon across the entire continent. 

To its horror, it saw Paani, floating around the Moon Pool without a care in the world. 

“Oh hi Kwazii! The water is nice!” Paani smiled. 

Kwazii’s stomach dropped.

Oh. OH SHIT! 

[zyuu-fusil]

One Piece OC: Lune Gretchen

(Commissions by Dorothy, 一车奶黄包, 蒙其·D·路飛, 小狗巧克棒, ArticleFish)

Here is the complete canon story of my One Piece OC / Self-insert, Lune Gretchen, including her relationship with Benn Beckman.

It is recorded in the Sea Circle Calendar system. The reference point is 1522 Age of the Sea Circle, after the timeskip.

I'm not a native English speaker, so feel free to point out my mistakes here ; )

1486 / 36 yrs ago / Born

A newborn girl was abandoned in a monastery on the Saint Lune Island, North Blue. She was adopted by Sister Margo there, named "Lune Gretchen".

1492 / 30 yrs ago / 6 y.o.

Young Gretchen was born lively and playful, unwilling to bury herself in the scriptures of the monastery. She often snuck out to play on the beach.

One day, Gretchen, on the beach alone, was abducted by a human trafficker. Beckman, at the age of 20, passed by and saved her out. Yet Gretchen caught a severe disease due to the fright, and couldn't remember the incident after recovery.

1502 / 20 yrs ago / 16 y.o.

After the Golden Age of Pirates started, the Marines built up branch offices around the world against pirates.

Frost, a marine captain, led the 32nd Branch to settle on the Saint Lune Island. Bored of the simple life here, he targeted Gretchen who worked in the Marine cafeteria, and seduced her into a relationship with him.

1504 / 18 yrs ago / 18 y.o.

Frost decided to marry the daughter of a Vice Admiral, in exchange for promotion back to the Marine Headquarters. He planned to leave at night without telling Gretchen. However, Gretchen found herself pregnant, snuck aboard and informed her lover of it. Frost, in panic, stabbed her in the back and pushed her into the sea.

The dying girl drifted to the Twin Cape, where Crocus, the overseer of lighthouse, saved her life. Faced with the betrayal, Gretchen put herself together. She disguised as a man to learn medicine and combat skills from Crocus, waiting for another opportunity to sail off.

1508 / 14 yrs ago / 22 y.o.

Shanks led the Red Hair Pirates to the Twin Cape and asked Crocus for help, because a crew member of his got severely injured. Here they met the elder doctor's apprentice Gretchen, under the pseudonym "Grey".

With the help of the Red Hair Pirates, Gretchen rescued a girl on a nearby island, who had a similar experience with herself. It made Gretchen kind of get over her past. Invited by Shanks, she joined his crew and left the Twin Cape.

1509 / 13 yrs ago / 23 y.o.

The Red Hair Pirates obtained the Gomu Gomu no Mi from the CP9, before they anchored in the Foosha Village.

As the First mate, Beckman was aware that their new crewmate was sensitive and nervous, as if hiding something from them. However, he didn't force her to tell the truth, only caring about her more on the board.

1510 / 12 yrs ago / 24 y.o.

In the Grand Line, Gretchen gained a bounty of 10,000,000 berries as a man. Her old love, Frost, recognized her from her wanted poster. He came to the island where the Red Hair Pirates anchored to look for Gretchen.

Although Frost was promoted as a Commodore, he was despised by his colleagues and subordinates, with his marriage only a name. Without a courage to suicide, Frost wanted Gretchen to end his life. Gretchen intended to kill him at first, but his miserableness changed her mind. She was about to leave his Marine warship when Frost, in rage of her pity, shot at Gretchen from behind. The injured girl fell into Beckman's arms, who was worried and snuck into the warship with her.

The furious Commodore threw insulting words at Gretchen, making Beckman aware of the truth. He shot Frost to death brought his injured crewmate back to the Red Force. Gretchen, delirious with fever, remembered their first encounter in her childhood, and told Beckman she was that little girl saved by him.

After putting an end to her past, Gretchen restored her identity as a woman. Meanwhile, the Marines believed she murdered the Commodore, increasing her bounty to 30,000,000 berries.

In the same year, the Red Hair Pirates arrived to the Skypiea, when they were attacked by the Shandia. During it Beckman was severely wounded to protect Gretchen, and he realized she had been more than a crewmate to him. However, Beckman was worried that he couldn't take responsibility for her as a pirate, and he didn't express it immediately.

Later on, a series of adventures promoted their connections, which couldn't be ignored anymore. Eventually, Gretchen spoke her feelings out to Beckman, allaying his concern. That was when they started their relationship.

1514 / 8 yrs ago / 28 y.o.

Shanks became one of the Four Emperors in the New World, and Gretchen's bounty rose to 130,000,000 berries.

1515 / 7 yrs ago / 29 y.o.

The Red Hair Pirates kept growing, with multiple territories in the New World.

Gretchen found herself accidentally pregnant. She wanted to keep the baby, without burdening her lover. As a result, she left the crew for a territorial island under the Red Hair's name with the secret.

Nine months later, Gretchen gave birth to a boy, naming him Ian (which meant "God is gracious"). On the island she opened a clinic, and brought her son up alone.

1520 / 2 yrs ago / 34 y.o.

The Red Hair Pirates returned to their territory. Beckman learnt the existence of Ian, and held a wedding for Gretchen.

Shortly after their wedding, the Summit War broke out. The Red Hair Pirates had to sail off again. Gretchen and Ian watched them leave at the port, when the boy said that he wanted to be a pirate like his father.

1522 / Now / 36 y.o.

Gretchen ran her clinic on the territorial island, when raising their son. From time to time, the family could reunite. She was still waiting for her lover at home.

And her story goes on...