#she’s our cabbage man

[foldingfittedsheets]

I’m remarkably bad at food in general. I didn’t come from a household of cooks and my family doesn’t do food in a wholesome way. Food ends up being fuel that’s tiresome but necessary for the most part.

There’s also not like easily accessible classes or ways to really learn about food. So I really feel like I can’t be blamed for this one instance when I was living in Arizona.

I had moved there to be with my then-girlfriend. I ended up doing more of the shopping because she was working 11pm-4am shifts at the radio station and her sleep schedule was disastrously not conducive to daily tasks.

She requested lettuce for her lunch sandwiches. The morning after shopping I awoke to her standing over me in bed.

I sleepily greeted her and she said, “I’m not mad, but did you buy cabbage?”

My tired brain processed this. What was the difference between cabbage and lettuce? Lettuce was round. Was cabbage? I didn’t think cabbage was round. Wasn’t it purple? “No,” I said decisively.

“Come look at this.”

I dutifully got up to follow her to the kitchen. She pulled out the vegetable I’d bought. It still looked vaguely lettucey but I was starting to feel a tingle of uncertainty.

“It’s lettuce,” I stated, proving once again that just saying something doesn’t make it so.

“I ate a whole sandwich with it. It didn’t taste like lettuce.” Folks. It was cabbage. She’d eaten several leaves of raw cabbage. But in my defense why didn’t she know better?

“No, it’s definitely lettuce.” An undercurrent was forming between us. She knew I no longer believed this was lettuce. She’d eaten raw cabbage leaves rather than question me sooner about the purchase. But I was clearly willing to die on this hill.

“Where the receipt?”

What followed was an instantaneous mad dash across the kitchen to secure the receipt first. We flailed and squabbled at each other, both desperate to have our way with the truth of the matter.

My grubby little hands found it first and we wrestled down to the ground over the unassuming slip of paper. I was wily and quick, but she was stronger, and we tussled with our whole hearts over the inconsequential thing.

When it was clear she was moments away from overpowering me I shoved the whole receipt into my mouth like a frantic little Pac-Man, undeterred by the toxic bitterness of the receipt paper.

We ended up in stitches on the ground as I laughed and choked on the wretched thing. I spat it into the garbage and thus won the right to my fiction. It was lettuce.

[catindabag]

Since I had a good drink with my THG buddies again, I’m just gonna drop my personal TOP 10 favorite TBOSAS fanfics of the month. My previous list is [this] if anyone wants to read. Cheers!

So here they are:

1. With Age Comes Love by morelikediscordinated

It’s that Snowjanus story that surprisingly pulled all of my heartstrings in one sitting. It includes a lot of kissing and some misunderstandings here and there. However, it gave us delulu folks the happy ending that we secretly want from our two walking disasters.😘

2. Arrangements by helloimdeadinside

It’s a greatly written ongoing Snowjanus story that features two awkward teenagers who were arranged to be married by a scheming Strabo Plinth because of political reasons. To be fair, Grandma’am was the one who agreed to the match. So enjoy~.😏

3. Hear it call to me, constantly by ColorMeHappy

It’s a great Snowjanus story within an ongoing series that features a lot of crying from Sejanus and a world changing breakdown from Coryo. 10/10. Would read again.

4. Hate is a strong word by KatcadeCascade

This is one of my personal favorite Snowjanus oneshots ever. That’s it. That’s all I can say. So just start reading this masterpiece while I’ll start eating some Gouda cheese.

5. To Where She Flew by madzdolin

It’s a greatly written ongoing SnowBaird story that explores a lot of different “What Ifs” to make a compelling narrative. Also, we got your usual amnesia trope, redemption arcs, well written side characters, and Capitol conspiracies.

6. Blood of my blood by loveshazel

This is the SnowBaird story where Coryo’s parents are still alive and kicking along with their irreversible war traumas. Also, our poor cabbage boy’s little sister is there too.

7. A Bird in the Hand by horrormoviebarbie

This is that ongoing SnowBaird story where crazy Coryo is trying his best to fight off his destined redemption arc until he gives up and joins the good side unwillingly.😭🤣

8. Nothing Burns Like The Snow by evilweasel

This ongoing SnowBaird story features our favorite Crazy Peepaw Snow living his best life with Sweet Meemaw Baird. Meanwhile, Katniss and fam are starving and the only thing she wants in order for Prim to survive is by adopting the old crazy couple whether they like it or not. And Crazy Peepaw Plinth is also alive, I guess?

9. i deserve it, don’t i by ColorMeHappy

This greatly written Snowjanus oneshot is really sweet and is filled with sweets. I mean, it literally features a starving Coryo wanting to eat chocolates and cookies. So Sejanus bakes and provides for his poor cabbage boy.

10. Cyanide Dipped Roses by Angelsbite_demonkiss

It’s that ongoing Snowjanus Omegaverse that features a desperate Coryo who was forced to change his dreams and future plans because of his omega status. And because freaking Dean Highbottom bent the rules again out of spite. So the only way to secure the House of Snow’s future is to marry a rich man who is willing to provide everything for our poor cabbage boy. #SugarBabyCoryoSnowisonthemove

SPECIAL MENTION: These TBOSAS stories are also great to read on the weekend.😉

1. The Capitol’s Dilemma by way_too_many_fandoms

2. Red skirt by Blue_green_purple

3. Hand in hand (me on my knees) by DevHasIssues

4. Like Melting Snow by egg_thief

5. the line between hoping and hurting by asbealthgn

6. I’d Like To Go Home Now. Please. by Aabbott91206

7. The Peacekeeper by killmymindlarry

8. The cost of Honey by aquietcloud

9. this private war of mine by liteacademeia

10. Somewhere Along the way our Lives Entertwined by DevHasIssues

[staytinyville]

OUTLAW (30)

ATEEZ poly!ot8 x Reader

Cowboy AU / Wild West

Series Masterlist

Warning: none

A/N BETA READ (@mariana-mmtz). UPDATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED. Due to me having ADHD and not being able to stick to one story until I finish (lol) Updates will now be on Monday and Thursday. It gives me time to catch up with the writings as well.

You hummed quietly to yourself as your eyes glanced over the produce that were on display. Wooyoung skipped at your side, picking up things himself to view them. You had gone out to the market with some of the boys to get supplies for the camp. Hongjoong had given you some coins that you would gladly use. You wanted to cook tonight–it was the least you could do for them. You wanted to feel useful, even if Seonghwa or Wooyoung would shove you out of the way. 

“Do we have cabbage for kimchi?” Wooyoung asked you as he looked over the vegetable. “We need to make more.”

“Not that I remember.” You answered him. “I'll get the other ingredients.” You told him, moving along the stalls. 

Wooyoung was quick to turn up at your side, humming at each food available. As you smiled in thanks at the merchant, you heard someone call out your name from behind you.

“(Y/N)?” Your sister called.

“(S/N).” You smiled at your littlest siblings as they made their way towards you. Your eldest brother was trying to break through the crowd, trying to keep up with your younger siblings. 

“(Y/N)!” Your 6-year-old brother screamed, running into your legs. 

It had been two days since you last saw them. You had spoken with your parents at the hotel the day before, who only told you that if the marriage was what you wanted, they would respect your choice. You hadn’t gotten the chance to speak with your siblings again, though. 

“Hi, (B/N).” You giggled, softly petting the boy’s head. “How are you, hm?” You asked. 

“I'm doing good!” The boy smiled up at you, a gap in his teeth on full show. “Where's Yeosang?” He asked, looking around. When his eyes landed on Wooyoung, who was wiggling his fingers in greeting, he tilted his head. “Who's that?”

“This is Wooyoung.” You smiled. “He's one of Yeosang's friends.”

“Hello.” Wooyoung greeted, crouching down to see your brother. “Aren't you just the handsomest.” He complimented him. 

Your brother giggled, hiding behind your skirts from how shy he had gotten. You grinned, patting his head. “Wooyoung, these are my siblings.” You told him.

“Hello.” Your sister shyly greeted, nodding her head at the handsome boy.

“It's nice to meet all of you.” Wooyoung smiled. “(Y/N) talks about you all the time.” He added. 

“What are you doing out?” Your 20-year-old brother only gave Wooyoung a glance, frowning when he noticed it was just the two of you. “Where's Yeosang?” He asked. 

You took a deep breath, feeling annoyed with how your brother was talking with you. He was thinking like a man who needed to own their wife. “I'm just grocery shopping.” You rolled your eyes. “Wooyoung and San are accompanying me while Yeosang gets something done in our home.”

“Who's San?” Your brother frowned. 

“That's me.” Your brother and sister’s eyes went wide when the wide shouldered man came from behind them, holding some bags full of groceries. “I got your things, Darling.” He spoke to you.

“Darling?” Your sister whispered to herself, looking at the two men suspiciously. 

Her eyes squinted at how close they were standing near you. Wooyoung’s shoulder was touching yours and San’s chest was practically glued to your side. She pursed her lips to keep her brother from noticing it as well. He was a man, he didn’t see things the same way. 

“You're living with Yeosang now?” Your brother asked. 

“I guess so.” You shrugged. “He is going to be my husband.”

Your sister looked at you skeptically. The way you spoke so nonchalantly made her worried about why you were doing what you were doing. With how the two boys looked at you only made things worse. 

“(B/N) can you take these home?” Your sister told your older brother, giving him the groceries she had. “I'll meet you all later.” 

“What about you?” He asked your sister. 

“We'll take care of her.” Wooyoung smiled at him. “She's Sweetheart's family, so she shall be under our protection.”

“Not to worry.” (S/N) smiled at your brother, hoping he would give up. 

“I'll stay with her, (B/N)!” Your 6-year-old brother exclaimed, pulling on his older brother’s pants. 

“Big man's got the right idea.” Wooyoung grinned, poking into (B/N)’s side. The boy giggled, starting a small poke fight with the older man. 

“Alright.” Your brother sighed deeply. “Please be careful.” He looked at your sister, giving her a pointed look. 

She nodded her head, giving a smile before moving to link her arm with your own. As your brother walked away from you all, Wooyoung took your other brother into his arms. 

“Come on, (B/N). Let's go check out the river and see if we can get fish.” He pulled San along, allowing you and your sister to walk alone. 

You smiled, thinking about how Wooyoung was able to see that your sister clearly wanted to speak to you. The two boys would have left you alone, but you found it nice to see how they were all for it to take care of (B/N).

“Be honest with me, (Y/N).” Your sister started. “Do you love Yeosang?”

“Of course. I wouldn't be marrying him-” You answered. 

“(Y/N), I'm your sister.” She stopped you. “We might bribe and blackmail each other, but I've been with you longer than anyone else. We've shared rooms for my entire life.” 

You watched as her eyebrows pulled together, her eyes full of worry as they looked at you. “Please be honest with me.” She stopped you both from walking forward. “Does he make you happy at least?”

Her question caught you off guard, but a smile was quick to make its way onto your lips. Yeosang was someone who didn’t enjoy partaking in violence unless threatened. He was someone who knew how to take care of himself as well as others. Even if he wasn’t at his best. 

They would all go to the extreme if it meant protecting each other. It was what you admired about them. There was so much to look forward to with them, but the passion they put into everything was what made you notice them. They made you feel much more than happy.  

“More than I would ever be able to find in Cromer.” You spoke absent mindlessly, smiling over at Wooyoung and San playing with your brother. 

(S/N) took a glance at where you were looking, finding San holding your brother upside down as he laughed loudly. She felt a smile slip onto her face as she watched them. Looking back over at you, she was quick to see the sparkle in your eye. 

She knew for a long while you were involved somehow with the cops. And when Seonghwa and Yeosang started working at the hotel, it was clear they had taken a fancy to you. She wasn’t going to judge you–you were her sister. She would trust everything you say and know that you didn’t do anything that went against your morals. 

Your sister knew you and found something within those boys, and seeing you with Wooyoung and San, it was clear you found something more. 

“I want to meet them.” Your sister said. 

“Yeosang?” You tilted your head. 

“The boys who make you happy.” She smiled. “You don't think I haven't noticed how happy you are when you talk to those boys who came into town months ago?” 

“I know you aren't marrying Yeosang because you love him. You just want a way out from all this. If you trust them enough to do that, I want to meet them.”

Tears welled in your eyes at her announcement. You had always been close with her, even if she was years younger than you. But you took care of her when your mother couldn’t. You were there for all her firsts and watched as she grew up. It meant so much to hear that some of your family believed you. 

“Okay.” You smiled softly at her. 

So you took your sister and brother back to meet the rest of the boys. Wooyoung and San were more than willing to go along with you. Your brother rode with Wooyoung as San had let you and your sister ride on his horse. It wasn’t that long of a walk to get to the camp, seeing as the boys were back in town. 

As you all came up to the camp, your brother gasped from seeing everything. 

“Pretty girl!” Seonghwa exclaimed, skipping over to you. He gave your sister a greeting when he noticed her, bringing her into a side hug. 

“Hello.” Yunho spoke up. “It's nice to meet you.” He told your sister. 

Wooyoung brought your brother down from his horse, laughing as the boy quickly ran around the camp. 

“You guys live in tents!” He exclaimed, eyes wide as they took in everything. He began to snoop, which made you frown, about to tell him something. However, San told you it was alright, Wooyoung watching over him. 

“Look at what they have!” Your brother yelled, holding up some hourglass he found in a chest. 

“Okay, let's put that down.” Hongjoong walked out quickly, taking the object from your brother's hand and setting it back down. 

“You guys are super cool!” (B/N) yelled, running around once more. 

“Who's this?” Hongjoong asked, giving your sister a polite smile. 

“Captain, these are some of my siblings.” You spoke up. “Guys, this is Hongjoong–the captain.”

“Hello, it's nice to meet you.” Your sister spoke up, holding her hand out. 

Hongjoong gave a bow of his head, shaking her hand. 

“I'm Yunho.” The tall man took to introducing themselves. 

“Jongho.”

“You guys are the cops at the hotel.” Your sister shook their hands, making the observation. 

“Hello, I'm Mingi.” The boy spoke from behind your sister. 

She quickly turned around, nodding up at him. Your brother ran up to the little group, bumping into Mingi’s legs. Mingi held onto the boy’s back to keep him from falling over. As your brother stared up at Mingi, he tilted his head. 

“Hey, you look like that one guy on those wanted posters.” He pointed at Mingi. 

Your eyes went wide as you looked at the others. They, too, had worried expressions, hoping your sister wouldn’t say anything. But you already knew her–she was just as observant as you. So when you saw her look at you with raised eyebrows, you cleared your throat to avoid her stare. 

“How unfortunate for me.” Mingi told your brother. 

“It's a pleasure to meet you guys.” You were thankful your sister hadn’t asked more about Mingi. 

The boys seemed to get along with your siblings just fine. You were happy to see them interact with each other. Your sister had laughed so hard, it was amazing she didn’t have an asthma attack. And your brother had so much fun playing with Wooyoung and San, who kept him entertained. 

You had a smile on your face the whole time, laughing along with the boys and giggling when they would poke fun at you. It was clear how different you were when you were around them. You allowed yourself to feel emotions you hadn’t before. Your sister could see that as she watched you. 

“Come on, we better get them home, (Y/N).” San told you, rubbing your lower back. 

You hummed, moving along with him to get your siblings back home. They both said goodbye to the boys–your brother even giving them hugs. On the way home, though, you could see your sister had a thoughtful expression on her face. 

“Everything okay?” You asked her. 

“They all make you so happy.” She started. “I've never seen you smile so much. (Y/N), maybe you haven't thought about it yet, but I really believe you'll love one of them someday.”

Your lips pulled together as you thought about her words. It was clear she still only thought about you ending up with one of them. But at least she wasn’t going to say something about you marrying Yeosang but falling in love with one of the other boys. 

You couldn’t think about choosing just one of them, and they knew that too. You were excited to go with them and find where you would turn up. They weren’t going to let you down if you were a part of their group. You were going to be someone they cared for, and you were happy about it. 

“I can only hope to have that.” She added. 

“You're still young, (S/N).” You told her. “You're a wonderful person and I'm sure you'll find a boy who will love you.”

“You found yours. And I'm so happy for you.”

Series Masterlist

@thefrog3223 , @iarayara , @0rangemilk , @explorewithd , @detectivedoodle , @bangtanxberm , @a1i33a , @loveforred , @drunken-deitence , @0325tiny , @the-ghostest-with-the-mostest , @atinyreads , @atinytinaa , @lexiigom , @smilingtokki , @mismatchfluffysocks , @brain-empty-only-draken , @sousydive , @alex-tinyyy , @h3arteyes4mingi , @onedumbho3 , @popcatx0 , @blue1amory , @mommahwa1117 , @sunnyhokyu , @cloudieclair , @araknoid , @starjoongi1117 , @chel-awingcherry , @puppyminnnie ,

[differentpostrebel]

Lost and Found: A Pirate's Promise

Chapter 33: The Unseen Battle: Allies, Rivals, and the Quest for Justice

A/N; We are back with another chapter! I promise you guys I wasnt holding these chapters hostage, Its my birthday today! I officially turn 27!. And we are getting two new chapters!. I cant wait for you guys to read these.We starting off with that Sanji POV. As always thank you guys so much for everything! As without further a do let the adventure begin! 

Word Count: 7.3K

Sanji X Reader, Sanji X Y/N, One Piece X Reader 

Sanji POV.. 

I must have dozed off in Y/N’s room, because suddenly the ship’s motion changed and we had arrived at Zou. The familiar sound of Brook’s voice roused me from sleep. “Sanji? Where are you?”

I stretched my arms and got up from the comfort of your bed. The room still smelled faintly of you, and I took a moment to tidy up your bed, leaving it just as you had it. Sighing, I glanced around one last time before heading out to the deck.

“There you are,” Brook greeted me, still holding his tea. “Get changed. We’re heading out to explore.”

I nodded and made my way back to my quarters, my thoughts consumed with worries and hope for you. As I changed into my usual attire, I muttered to myself, “Mosshead, I can only hope for your sake, I get Y/N back.”

After getting dressed, I joined the others on the deck, ready to explore Zou alongside Caesar. 

Y/N POV… 

As we dashed through the chaos, Zoro glanced at me. “Luffy, is that squawking peacock guy a friend of yours?”

“Oh, you mean Cabbage?” Luffy answered, clearly unbothered.

“Yeah, Cabbage. What an odd name for someone too!” I said, trying to catch my breath.

“He’s a real weirdo, huh? I met a whole bunch of people at the Colosseum,” Luffy said.

“Well, at least we aren’t being chased—that’s a relief,” I said. But just as I finished my sentence, our path was blocked by a swarm of citizens and pirates hunting us down.

“Damn, spoke too soon,” I muttered.

“There they are! Make sure the princess is caught too!” one of the men shouted.

“Don’t let them get away!” another yelled.

Grabbing one of my blades, I activated its power, the electrical current mixing with the bright yellow light. Luffy used his Gomu Gomu Whip to kick attackers away, while Zoro employed his Two-Sword Style Rhino Cycle to blow his opponents back. I focused on my attackers, and with a determined smirk, I drew on my blade’s power. “What’s she going to do? She’s surrounded!” one of the men said.

I grinned, clenching my left hand to activate its power and forming a circle. “Now, Rush!” I commanded. A surge of electricity shot through the crowd, causing them to fall one by one.

“We’re still dealing with more!” we shouted in unison.

“What’s the plan, Luffy?” I asked.

“If we handle this mob, we’ll be here all day,” Zoro said, knocking down another opponent.

“He’s got a point,” I agreed, taking down another attacker.

“There you are, Strawhat!” a voice called out from the debris.

“Luffy, do you know him?” I asked.

“Uhh, thought so! We need to go!” Luffy said urgently.

As we fled, I struggled to catch my breath. “We’ve got more company!” I yelled.

Looking at Zoro, I tried to lighten the mood. “If we get out of this one, I’ll work out with you and spar for a week,” I said with a smile.

Zoro smirked. “Looking forward to that!”

Just then, Luffy turned around. “Just go away already!”

“Hey, stop all three of you!” the man shouted as he lunged toward us. “Y/N, look out!” Zoro yelled, pulling me out of harm’s way to avoid being crushed.

The man began to laugh. “Just hear this old man out for a moment. I wanted to let you know I have forgiven the grudge I held against your family,” he said.

“Luffy, I didn’t know you and him go way back,” I said.

“We are here for one thing: to eliminate Doflamingo’s immoral business. We don’t care about the money. A puny bounty like that is mere change for us,” said the man next to the old man.

I let out a breath of relief, placing my hands on my knees. “Well, that’s a relief.”

The old man placed his hands on Luffy’s shoulders. “I must thank you and your friend God Usopp, who rescued me in my darkest hour.”

I turned to Zoro. “Looks like Usopp really outdid himself.”

“That’s why I’ve decided to repay my debt to the Straw Hat crew by obliterating Doflamingo and his monarchy,” the old man said.

“Huh, you too? The only guy kicking his ass is me!” Luffy retorted.

The old man’s expression darkened. “Speak up. What did you say?!”

“You heard me. I said don’t bother!” Luffy shot back.

Just then, the floor rumbled beneath us. “Strawhat! I was searching for you,” a giant’s voice boomed.

“Oh, the giant guy,” Luffy said.

“I say we bury the hatchet between us. As a proud warrior of Elbaf, I’ll slay Doflamingo for God Usopp,” the giant declared.

“Huh! Get lost, I said I got this!” Luffy insisted.

“Now, boys,” I said, as Zoro grabbed my wrist, halting me. “Just wait one moment. I’m here from the Providence Kingdom. We long owed King Riku an enormous debt. I’ll bring down Doflamingo with my own two fists!” he vowed.

More people began to approach us, eager to take down Doflamingo thanks to God Usopp.

“You really attract some oddballs, huh Luffy?” Zoro and I said in unison.

“You’d be a fool to forget about me!” Cabbage said, riding in on his horse.

“Ehh, not this guy again?!” I said, moving closer to Zoro.

“Hey, are you all serious about helping?” I asked, stepping forward.

“Ah, Princess, might I say you look dashing in red,” the old man said.

I raised an eyebrow. “Uh, thanks?”

“Alright, now this is getting annoying,” Zoro said, scratching his head. “What if we do it this way!” he yelled. “Us three will handle taking down Doflamingo, while you guys watch our backs. Sound okay?”

“Absolutely not!” they all yelled in unison.

“This might be a tough negotiation, Zo,” I said, giving him a playful nickname.

“Forget it, there are way too many egos involved,” Zoro said, clearly frustrated.

I agreed with him. “Alright, everyone, listen up! I’m making the call here!” Luffy said, raising his voice. “If anyone’s going to kick Doflamingo’s ass the way it needs to be kicked, it’s going to be me!”

“What did you say?!” one of the men barked, grabbing Luffy roughly.

As I moved to intervene, a spear flew through the air and stopped me mid-step. “What the... a spear?!” I exclaimed, looking in the direction it came from.

“That’s where they were!” one of the voices said. “Splitting up all those bounties could be quite the haul!” said another.

“And the princess is looking rather good for someone with that high of a bounty,” another man added, making me step back uneasily.

“Let’s get that bounty!” one of them shouted.

“Weren’t they the toys from the factory?!” another man exclaimed. “Bastards, how dare they!” said another.

“You ungrateful swines, I’ll see you in hell!” roared the giant as he dealt with the hunters.

“Let’s go, guys!” I urged, turning to Zoro and Luffy.

“Yeah,” Zoro agreed. Just then, a bull charged out of the alley.

“It’s Ucy!” Luffy shouted. “I’ve got an idea!” With determination, Luffy led us to climb onto the bull’s back, and we started racing through the streets.

I clutched the tiara tightly as it began to slip. Zoro noticed and moved closer, his hands finding their way to my legs to secure me on the bull. His touch was firm and reassuring, and I could feel his warmth. “Hold on tight,” he said with a teasing grin. “Wouldn’t want you falling off now, would we?”

“Thanks, Zoro,” I said, trying to suppress the blush on my cheeks. “I appreciate the support.”

Law, still in sea prism stone handcuffs, glared at Zoro from a distance. His eyes were filled with frustration and jealousy. “I should be the one protecting her,” he grumbled under his breath, unable to hide his irritation at seeing Zoro so close to me.

"Master Pika! I spotted the Strawhats! They came right to us! Don’t let them get away!" one of Pika’s subordinates shouted as they began firing at us.

“What, Strawhat!” the old man’s voice boomed.

I turned slightly, still gripping my tiara, Zoro's arms tightening around me for security. “Looks like they followed us here, huh?” I said with a sigh.

“Huh, I told ya, I got this! Get lost!” Luffy shouted, as more and more of the group caught up, trying to attach themselves to the bull.

I shook my head, placing a hand on my forehead. “Well, this is... eventful,” I muttered.

“Luffy, what should we do with all this extra weight?” Zoro asked, his grip still firm on me.

“You bonehead, stop talking trash!” came Pika’s high-pitched voice, which caused all of us to burst out laughing in unison.

“Why is he so squeaky?!” we chorused, unable to hold back our laughter.

Pika’s face twisted with rage, launching a massive attack toward us. “Hope it was worth it! You’ll be laughing in your graves!”

Just then, two of our new allies sprang into action, managing to shatter Pika’s arm with their attacks. Zoro and I exchanged impressed glances.

“Way to go, guys!” I cheered, a smile spreading across my face.

But the celebration didn’t last long, as the bickering resumed almost immediately. The arguing over who would kill Doflamingo first started again, their voices rising over the sound of the crumbling debris.

“Why does it always come back to this?” I said, rolling my eyes as I looked at Zoro, who shared the same exasperated expression.

“Yeah, well, at least they managed to break something useful,” Zoro added with a smirk, still holding onto me as if it was second nature.

As the debris began to fall, Lucy (the bull) managed to dodge them with ease. "That was close. Yeah, giddy up!" Luffy shouted, excited to be riding the bull.

"Easy, boy, we’re all counting on you!" said one of the men on Luffy's side.

"Ah!" I yelped as I suddenly noticed a few more of the men clinging onto the bull. "When did they get here?!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my balance while still holding onto my tiara.

"Ah!" I gasped again, feeling Zoro’s grip on my leg tighten, his hand moving slightly higher.

"Zoro!" I whispered sharply, my face heating up.

"Relax," he said with that familiar, lazy grin. "Just making sure you stay on the bull."

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "Yeah, right."

Luffy, completely oblivious to the tension, was laughing as usual. "Zoro, hold on tighter! This ride’s getting crazy!" he shouted, clearly enjoying the bull ride and trying to get the men clinging to us off.

"Oh, don’t worry, Captain, I’m holding on real tight," Zoro said with a smirk, causing me to blush at his comment. His hand on my leg felt both reassuring and heated.

"Don’t worry, Y/N, I’ve got you. Wouldn’t want you to fall off now," Zoro said, his eyes taking in my figure with a lingering gaze. The way he looked at me made my cheeks flush even more.

"You sure it’s not because of something else?" I teased, though I couldn’t help but smile faintly at his possessiveness.

Law, clearly frustrated and feeling a pang of jealousy, shot a glare at Zoro. "Roronoa, can you stop gripping her like that?"

Zoro’s smirk didn’t falter. "Hey, I’m just making sure she’s nice and secured. Wouldn’t want her to fall off with all this chaos going on."

Law, still handcuffed and unable to join the fray, grumbled under his breath. "Yeah, well, try not to enjoy it too much."

Despite the chaos, I found some comfort in Zoro’s presence. His confident grip and protective stance provided a sense of stability amidst the turmoil.

As we continued the wild ride, I leaned closer to Zoro, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. "Thanks, Zoro. I really do appreciate it."

Zoro’s eyes softened slightly as he looked down at me. "Just doing my job. And keeping you safe is part of that."

As the allies continued their fierce battle against the subordinates, we dodged bullets and struggled with the chaos around us. The argument over who would take down Doflamingo escalated, and tensions were high.

"He’s mine! Go away!" Luffy shouted, his frustration evident. Suddenly, rose petals began to drift down around us, settling on the bull and us.

"When did these get here?!" I exclaimed, brushing one off my hand.

"Haha," came a familiar, infuriating voice. "There’s no way…" I muttered, recognizing it immediately.

Cabbage appeared, landing gracefully on the bull’s back. "Cabbage!" Luffy said, clearly irritated.

"Ah, not this guy again?!" I said, trying to distance myself from Cabbage.

"Destiny, conquested its melody, bringing me back," Cabbage declared dramatically, holding a rose aloft. His gaze shifted to me, and he reached for my hand, pressing a theatrical kiss to my knuckles. "Princess, have you reconsidered my offer?"

"What part of ‘I’m not interested’ wasn’t clear?!" I said, exasperated.

Cabbage completely ignored me, leaning closer with a smirk. "Ahhh, such a feisty young princess. I could get used to that."

Before I could react, I felt a sudden jolt and found myself seated firmly on Zoro’s lap. His strong arms wrapped around me, his grip tight and commanding.

Zoro’s eyes narrowed, and he glared at Cabbage with a fierce intensity. "What the hell do you think you’re doing, Cabbage?"

Cabbage, undeterred, attempted to pry me away from Zoro. "Princess…" he cooed, reaching for my hand.

Zoro’s grip on my waist tightened even more, his hold almost possessive. "Don’t you dare touch her," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "She’s not going anywhere with you."

Cabbage’s persistent kisses on my hand only intensified Zoro’s protective stance. His hands remained firmly on my waist, making sure I was securely held against him.

"Get off me!" I demanded, trying to wrench my hand free from Cabbage’s ironclad grip. Despite my efforts, his hold remained unyielding.

Cabbage’s gaze was unwavering, his smirk persistent. “Ah, such a spirited princess. You’re even more captivating when you’re resisting.”

Zoro’s eyes flared with anger. “I said don’t touch her. Let go of her now!” His voice was a growl, filled with authority and frustration.

Cabbage’s grip didn’t waver as he leaned in, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that bordered on obsession. “Princess, you and I are destined to be together. Why resist such a fate?” His tone was both fervent and invasive.

I struggled to keep my balance on Zoro’s lap while desperately trying to shake off Cabbage’s unrelenting hold. “Are you out of your mind?!” I snapped, my voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Law, glaring at Cabbage with palpable anger, tried to intervene. “Cabbage, get your hands off her!”

Despite Law’s threat, Cabbage remained undeterred, his focus solely on me. Zoro, his protective instincts fully activated, tightened his grip around my waist, his expression a blend of concern and possessiveness.

Seeing the situation escalate, Luffy acted swiftly. With a powerful kick, he sent Cabbage flying off the bull. “Get lost!” he shouted, his irritation clear as he watched Cabbage hit the ground.

Cabbage landed roughly, his face contorted in frustration as he glared up at us.

“Thanks, Luffy,” I said, relief evident in my voice as I tried to steady myself.

“Don’t mention it,” Luffy replied, his eyes still fixed on Cabbage. “The guy was being a creep.”

Zoro, still holding me securely on his lap, looked at me with a protective concern. “Are you okay, Y/N?” His voice was soft but edged with a possessiveness that was hard to ignore.

I nodded, managing a small smile despite the chaos. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

Zoro’s gaze remained focused on me, his hand still firmly around my waist, ensuring that no one else could get close.

I took a moment to check my belongings, my mind racing with the need to ensure everything was still in place. “Rings, check. Bracelet, check. Anklet, check. Swords, check,” I muttered to myself, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I confirmed that everything was secure.

Cabbage’s grip had been surprisingly strong, and with the tug-of-war between him and Zoro, I needed to make sure my rings and other items hadn’t fallen or been misplaced. Satisfied that everything was still intact, I took a deep breath and looked around, grateful for Zoro’s unwavering support and Luffy’s timely intervention.

As we continued to ride the bull, the allies and Cabbage remained hot on our tails, their bickering with Luffy about who would take down Doflamingo only escalating. The commotion around us seemed endless.

Feeling a mix of exhaustion and frustration, I laid my head on Zoro’s shoulder. "This constant bickering is getting out of hand," I sighed, closing my eyes briefly to collect my thoughts.

Zoro’s grip on me tightened slightly, his presence offering a comforting sense of stability amidst the chaos. "Tell me about it," he replied, his voice steady and calm. Just then, our unexpected guests froze, their bickering cut short. "What is it now?" I said, clearly annoyed. We all turned to see Pika towering before us, his massive form looming over. "I won't let you get near Doffy!" Pika growled, his arm regenerating and growing back to full size again.

I sighed, glancing at Zoro. "What a pain," I said, watching Pika’s arm slowly piece itself back together. The bull, Ucy, charged faster up Pika's arm as Luffy jumped off, ready for a fight.

"Mr. Strawhat!" one of the stowaways shouted in panic.

I smirked. "Don’t worry, he's got it!" I turned my attention to Luffy, who was already in full battle mode. "Third Gear! Armament Hardening!" Luffy shouted as his fist, now enormous and hardened, landed a clean hit on Pika's head. The impact was tremendous, and Luffy laughed triumphantly as Pika reeled back.

Zoro, meanwhile, carefully released me from his grip, his eyes narrowing with that sharp intensity he always had before a fight. He rolled his shoulders, getting ready.

"You sense something, Zo?" I asked, my gaze softening as I watched him. There was something captivating about him in moments like this, the way he stood so confidently, always prepared to face whatever came next. 

"Hey, Luffy!" Zoro suddenly shouted, drawing my attention back. Luffy was running alongside Ucy, laughing as usual. "Don’t celebrate just yet, the head you shattered was a stone decoy!"

“What?" I whispered in surprise. "So, does that mean squeaky got away?"

Zoro smirked as a massive figure emerged from the stone. "Well, well, looks like somebody’s pissed off. His real body’s up ahead!"

"You mean to tell me that huge guy is Pika—and he’s got that squeaky voice?!" I said in disbelief.

"He's got a huge katana! It’s not too late to turn around!" the unwanted guests on the bull screamed, clearly terrified.

Luffy grabbed Ucy—and us—leaping into the air just in time to dodge Pika’s colossal strike. "Hahaha, that voice gets me every time!" Luffy laughed, despite the danger.

"He's going to hit again!" someone yelled. Instinctively, I reached for my blades, preparing to defend us. But Zoro’s hand was already on mine, stopping me.

"Zoro, what are you—" I began, but he cut me off.

"I got this," Zoro said, his voice steady, never taking his eyes off Pika. His grip on his swords tightened, his entire body exuding confidence.

"Zoro..." I said quietly, concerned but trusting him completely.

"Y/N, stay with Luffy and Law!" Zoro ordered, his tone firm yet protective. "I’ll handle it from here!"

I nodded reluctantly as Luffy and I settled back on Ucy, the bull charging forward. "Be careful, Zoro!" I shouted after him as his figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

The guests, tears streaming down their faces, looked on in awe. "God, you have such badass friends," one of them cried.

Zoro smirked, glancing back one last time. "You go get him, Captain!" he yelled toward Luffy, before turning his full focus back to Pika.

"I'm gonna give Mingo the beating he deserves!" Luffy declared with fire in his eyes.

Minutes passed, and Ucy was gliding gracefully downward, inching closer to the palace. "Woohoo! Go, Ucy!" Luffy cheered, clearly exhilarated by the ride.

Taking advantage of the moment, I clenched my left hand, activating its power. With a burst of energy, I adjusted my balance on Ucy and leaped into the air, gracefully shifting to sit beside Luffy and Law. The unexpected guests below stared in awe, unable to hide their amazement. "How did she—" one of them exclaimed, while the other murmured, "She really is lethal!"

Ignoring their stunned reactions, I focused on Law, who was still in his cuffs, lying on the bull. I gently took a seat next to him, placing a hand on his forearm with a flirtatious smile. "You don’t mind if I sit next to you, do you, Law?" I asked, my fingers lightly tracing his arm. "I thought I'd offer a bit of company."

Law’s initial surprise was quickly replaced by a soft blush as he felt my touch. He flexed his forearm slightly, trying to appear nonchalant despite the rosy tint on his cheeks. "Comfort is always welcome, even in these circumstances," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of flustered amusement. "Especially when it comes with your company."

"Just you wait, Mingo," Luffy declared, his fist clenched in determination. "I don’t want anybody kicking your ass but me."

"Hey, Strawhat," Law said, grabbing Luffy's attention. "I realize we have no choice but to kill Doflamingo now." I reached for one of my blades from the thigh halter, feeling its familiar energy channel within me.

"I know that’s not the plan we had earlier," Law continued, his voice filled with resolve, "but to be completely honest with you, I want to make him suffer with my own hands. I won’t let him defeat me again."

Law hesitated for a brief moment, and I gave him a reassuring nod with my other hand. "Thirteen years ago, there was a person I cared for deeply, and Doflamingo killed him," Law said, his voice filled with pain.

"Law..." I whispered, my heart aching for him. I couldn’t imagine the suffering he must have endured.

"His name was Corazon. He was a top executive for the Donquixote Family."

I was stunned. Glancing at Luffy, I saw he was also processing this new information. "Mingo killed his own friend?" Luffy asked, incredulity in his voice.

"Corazon was the man who saved my life," Law continued, his gaze unwavering. "Corazon was more than just a member of the Donquixote Family. He was... his younger brother."

My hand went to my mouth in shock. "He... killed his own flesh and blood?" I whispered, unable to fully grasp the magnitude of Law's revelation.

Before I could say anything more, one of the unwanted guests interjected, "This is it, Strawhat! We are about to reach the bottom, and we have unexpected guests too!"

As Ucy glided down, I slowly rolled my shoulders, wincing slightly from the bullet wound on my left. I clutched my blade tightly, ready for action. "Yeah, we are the first ones to make it!" Luffy said, his excitement palpable. "That means we get first dibs on Mingo!"

"That’s what I’m talking about, Captain!" I said with a smile.

"Fire!" Luffy commanded as another round of bullets rained down on us.

"Allow me, Luffy," I said, smirking. Clenching the blade with my left hand, I felt the familiar fire blaze around it. With a swift motion, I leaped into the air, heading straight toward the subordinates. As I swung my blade, the bullets transformed into blazing fire, redirecting their trajectory back toward the enemies.

With precise control, I guided the fiery projectiles to impact the subordinates, sending them scattering in retreat. The flames danced around me as I landed gracefully back onto Ucy, “You made it look easy!” Luffy grinned, clearly impressed.

I chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “It’s all about confidence and control.”

Law, his cheeks slightly flushed, watched me with admiration. His eyes were wide with awe as he took in the display of power. He couldn’t help but smile, though his face betrayed a noticeable blush. “That was... incredible,” he managed, his voice tinged with genuine admiration. “The way you control the flames... it’s something else.”

I glanced at him, noticing his reaction. “Thanks, Law. I’m glad you think so.” 

His blush deepened as he spoke, making it clear that he was both impressed and somewhat flustered by what he had witnessed. “You really have a way of standing out,” he added, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide his admiration.

One of the unwanted guests, still trying to process the spectacle, stammered, “Did she really just turn those bullets into fire? That was incredible!”

We finally made it to the palace, still riding Ucy with the wind rushing past us. "Only an idiot would mess with the Strawhats!" exclaimed one of the unwanted guests behind us. I turned around, glancing at them in disbelief. “And why are they still here?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head slightly.

Luffy, clearly fed up, chimed in. "The idiots behind me can hit the road too!" He shot a look over his shoulder, causing them to nervously chuckle.

“Come on, Strawhat, you don’t mean that! We’re your buddies!” they said, laughing nervously.

I sighed, turning toward Luffy. "Looks like we’re stuck with them, huh?" I said, shaking my head in exasperation.

Before Luffy could respond, a voice shouted from the front, "Die, Strawhat!"

“Gomu Gomu no Stamp Gatling!” Luffy called out as he launched into a series of rapid-fire kicks, each one landing squarely on the faces of the subordinates ahead of us.

Amid the chaos, a sudden crackle on the transponder snail grabbed my attention. "Strawhat Luffy, Law, and the princess are all at the front part of the palace!" a subordinate yelled, trying to alert the others.

Without hesitation, I clenched my left hand, the fire still blazing within me, and fired a burst of flame straight at the transponder snail, hitting it dead-on. The subordinate yelped in fear as the device burst into flames.

“We won’t be needing any of that now, will we?” I said, turning my gaze back with a smirk.

The unwanted guests stared at me, wide-eyed and stunned. “She really is lethal!” they said in unison, admiration mixed with fear.

I just rolled my eyes, clearly unimpressed by their reaction. “Alright, let’s go!” Luffy shouted, full of energy. Ucy picked up speed as we continued toward the palace. 

Sabo POV… 

The heat of the flames surrounded both me and Fujitora, the air thick with tension and embers. He stood there, calm as ever, but I wasn’t backing down. "I don’t suppose if I asked nicely you’d move out of my way?" Fujitora asked, as if this were some casual conversation.

I grinned, flames flickering around me. "I suppose not. I stand with the Strawhat Pirates and those who’ve risen up to join them. So, if you or anybody else gets in their way... you won’t be taking another step." I wasn’t just speaking for them—I meant every word. I’d be damned if I let anything happen to them. The groans of fallen soldiers echoed in the background, a reminder of the destruction my previous attacks had caused.

"Is that the Revolutionary Army’s job?" Fujitora inquired, still maintaining his calm demeanor.

"It is now," I responded with a cocky smirk, standing tall. "And I think I can say that, seeing as I’m the Chief of Staff." My voice held firm, but there was something deeper in my words. "More so, I say that as a brother."

The marines were stunned, whispers circulating through their ranks. Fujitora remained unphased, but I could tell he was curious. "I see, that begs the question of who your sibling might be," he mused, still calm, even as chaos surrounded us.

The marines began cocking their guns, preparing for another pointless assault. "Don’t bother," Fujitora interrupted. "I know he’s our enemy, but you'd only be wasting ammunition."

"But Vice Admiral—!" one of the marines protested, looking between me and Fujitora.

"You’re leaders, right?" I said, flames swirling around me. "None of you stand a chance."

Just then, a marine, not heeding the warning, fired a shot at me. The bullet was no match for the Flame-Flame Fruit’s power; my flames absorbed it effortlessly. I smirked, relishing the surprise on their faces. "Told ya," I said, glancing at them. "I ate the Flame-Flame Fruit."

The marines stood there, stunned by the revelation. A few more bullets followed, but they all met the same fate—burnt to ash before they even touched me.

"What the hell, man!? Nobody’s fingers should be that strong!" a marine shouted, his voice shaky with disbelief.

I chuckled, feeling the power surge within me. "These aren’t fingers—they’re claws." With a swift motion, I grabbed one of their weapons and crushed it like it was made of paper. Then, with a flick of my wrist, I sent a Fire Fist crashing into the marines, flames erupting and engulfing the area. Some fell immediately, unable to withstand the heat.

"Physical attacks don’t work on him!" one of the vice admirals shouted as he launched his own attack, swinging a sharp cleaver in my direction. I caught it mid-strike, stopping the blow with ease before breaking the cleaver in half with a single motion.

I smirked again. "By the way, once these claws grab a human skull, they can shatter it like an egg."

Before I could follow through with another attack, I felt something—a sudden shift in the air. A meteor. Fujitora’s doing, no doubt. The Birdcage sliced it into pieces before it could fully descend.

"Ah, man, should’ve thought that one through," Fujitora said, his tone almost amused.

I emerged from the smoke, holding onto the vice admiral’s mask. "I know admirals are nothing to scoff at, but that’s one hell of a trick." I wasn’t hiding my admiration, though I made it clear I wasn’t backing down. "I’m still getting used to my new powers," I said, flashing a confident grin.

"You’ve really caused quite the mess," Fujitora commented, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely blaming me.

"Not half as much as you," I shot back, incredulous at the destruction around us.

Fujitora’s eyes softened, as if recalling something. "You mentioned your duty as a brother. It reminds me of Fire Fist Ace. He said that Strawhat Luffy was his brother, though not by blood. Are you his brother?"

His question hit me harder than expected. Memories of Ace, Luffy, and I flashed through my mind—the day we exchanged sake cups, the bond we swore to never break. "The three of us… exchanged a cup of sake. Even in death, our bond will never break," I said, my voice steady though the weight of the memory pressed down on me.

Fujitora remained silent, listening.

I clenched my fists, feeling the familiar pain of not being there for Ace when he needed me most. But this time, I swore things would be different. "Mark my words," I continued, my eyes locked with Fujitora’s, "no matter where I am, or what I’m doing, even if I have to abandon my duties, I won’t let him down. I’ll be there for Luffy."

Fujitora seemed to understand the depth of my promise. But this wasn’t over yet. His next move was coming. I could feel it.

As his first attack launched, I readied myself, gripping the metal pipe tightly in my hands. The flames engulfed me once more, power surging through me.

"Luffy, I swear… I’ll protect you," I thought, as the battle began again.

Y/N POV… 

"Go! Go! Go!" Luffy’s excitement radiated as Ucy barreled forward, knocking down subordinates like they were nothing more than mere obstacles. I tightened my grip, not wanting to be thrown from the bull with all the chaos unfolding around us.

"Luffy? What’s that ahead?" I squinted as the debris began to clear, trying to make sense of the figure coming into view.

Suddenly, Ucy halted abruptly, throwing me forward into Luffy, while Law—ever quick—caught me from behind, softening the impact before the two unwanted guests behind us could knock me over entirely.

"Oww!" I groaned, rubbing my head, feeling the weight of my tiara, making sure it was still secure.

"Cabbage!" Luffy shouted.

I stared, completely stunned. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me!"

Before I could fully comprehend the absurdity of the situation, I felt a hand settle firmly on my waist. Looking down, I saw the familiar "DEATH" tattoo on Law’s knuckles. His touch sent a jolt through me, not just from the contact but the possessive energy behind it.

"Don’t worry, princess," Law said, his voice low and dripping with possessiveness. "Even in these sea prism cuffs, I’m not letting him try anything." His tone was both protective and slightly irritated, adding a layer of tension that made my heart race.

I glanced forward and, to my absolute disbelief, Cabbage was there, sitting tall on his white stallion, with a rose in his mouth like some ridiculous storybook hero.

"This man can’t be for real," I muttered, barely able to believe my eyes.

And then, in true dramatic fashion, Cabbage pulled out a megaphone. "Pardon me, but I'll be taking the lead!" he announced loudly, as if we were all here just to witness his grand performance.

"You mean to tell me he actually has that?" I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

Cabbage's gaze landed on me, his voice filled with exaggerated charm, "Why, princess, it seems destiny keeps placing you in my path. Could it be fate that brings us together?" His declaration was loud enough for the whole world to hear.

That was it.

I clenched my blade tighter, feeling the familiar surge of energy pulsing through it. My patience was thinning by the second.

"You idiot!" I snapped. "Why don’t you just scream it to the heavens while you’re at it? Are you trying to get me taken?!" My frustration echoed through the battlefield, as I gripped my blade, ready to unleash its energy if I had to.

Law’s hand on my waist tightened, his presence grounding me, but I could still feel the tension radiating off him. He rolled his eyes slightly at Cabbage’s antics.

Cabbage simply laughed off my frustration, as if my outburst was nothing more than a playful jest, before charging ahead on his white stallion, heading straight towards where Doflamingo was waiting.

"Damn it! I thought I was taking a shortcut for sure," Luffy groaned, his eyes set on Cabbage speeding off. "We gotta pick up the pace, Ucy!" He urged the bull forward, but the gap between us and Cabbage was widening.

Just then, I noticed the crowd we had left behind earlier was now catching up. "How are they catching up to us?" I muttered in disbelief.

"This sucks! We’re losing!" Luffy growled, gritting his teeth in frustration.

As if on cue, the subordinates started firing again. "Shoot the bull!" one of them yelled. Ucy bucked and dodged as bullets whizzed past us, causing all of us to bounce precariously. We clung to Ucy as best as we could, but the wild movement was making it harder to maintain grip.

"Damn these idiots!" I cursed, feeling my grip slipping. Just then, a figure launched himself at the attackers, throwing punches left and right.

"Hey, crapbags! Keep your paws off Strawhat!" the man shouted, knocking subordinates down with each hit.

"Luffy, you know him?" I asked, squinting at the guy in confusion.

"Not a clue," Luffy replied casually.

The man let out an exaggerated groan, clearly offended. "Why, you're breaking my heart, Strawhat! I was in Block C, remember? It's Kelly Funk!" He pouted, trying to jog Luffy’s memory.

Luffy blinked, clueless. "Who?"

Funk let out an exasperated sigh. "Your buddy God Usopp saved my tail today! Just bein' friendly!" he explained, landing another punch on someone sneaking up from behind.

"Anyways," Funk continued, "I found a shortcut you can use! It'll take you right to the Sunflower Field and straight to the palace!"

"Really?!" Luffy's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's awesome! Thank you so much!"

"Yeah, thanks!" I added, trying to maintain my grip on Ucy. But as Funk turned around and his eyes met mine, his cheeks flushed a deep pink.

"Wh-Why… Pr-Princess…" he stammered, swallowing hard. "I… I must say, seeing you in person is truly a rare sight indeed."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised at his sudden bashfulness. "Why do you say that?"

"Because… when I saw your name pop up on Doflamingo’s list, I couldn’t believe it! Might I say, red really does highlight your features more." He smiled nervously, clearly flustered.

I returned a polite, short smile, feigning sweetness. "Can you take us to this shortcut you found?"

"Of course! It’s the least I can do! Right this way!" Funk exclaimed, still blushing as he led the way.

As Ucy continued to follow Funk, I leaned closer to Luffy, lowering my voice. "There's something off about him, Luffy," I murmured, glancing at Funk suspiciously. "I don’t trust him. Keep your guard up."

Luffy looked at me, confused. "Huh? You think so? He seems helpful."

I narrowed my eyes at Funk’s back. "Just a gut feeling. Let’s stay sharp."

As Funk led the way, I was still processing the unexpected situation when Law’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Hey, Strawhat, we need to find the keys to the cuffs. There’s no point in reaching the palace if I can’t fight. At this rate, Doflamingo will just kill me.”

Luffy paused, his expression thoughtful. “Eh, it’ll all work out. Or at least I hope it does!” He said, chuckling to himself.

Law’s frustration was evident. “What if it doesn’t? If we don’t win this fight, then we’re all dead!” His voice was a mix of urgency and annoyance.

Sensing his mounting frustration, I stepped closer to Law, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “Hey, don’t stress too much,” I said, offering him a teasing smile. “We’ve handled worse. And if anyone can get us through this, it’s Luffy. 

Law looked at me, his frustration softening slightly. “You make it sound so easy.”

I leaned in a bit, my fingers lightly brushing against his arm. “Well, it might be easier if you stay calm. I’ve heard that a little distraction can go a long way.”

His eyes widened slightly as I gently traced a finger along his cuff. “A distraction?”

I flashed him a playful grin. “Yeah. You know, just to keep your mind off things. It might help you stay focused.”

Law’s cheeks reddened a bit as he tried to maintain his composure. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”

I chuckled, giving him a flirtatious look. “Oh, I’ve got a few ideas.

I started, but before Law could respond, Funk abruptly stopped and revealed the passageway. “There’s something unsettling about this,” I said, eyeing Funk suspiciously.

“Luffy? Are you sure about this?” I asked, still feeling uneasy.

“It’s our only shot to the palace faster, Y/N,” Luffy said confidently.

I glanced at Funk, then back at Luffy, and sighed. “Alright, captain, if you say we should trust it, then let’s go.” I smiled, trying to push away my concerns.

“Ucy! Let’s go!” Luffy called out as we entered the narrow tunnel. The unwanted guests, who had managed to hit their heads on the entrance, tumbled off the bull.

“Ah well, we didn’t need them, did we?” Law remarked, glancing at the two fallen guests.

“Nope, no turning back now. To the sunflower field!” I said encouragingly as we continued riding Ucy.

Just then, we heard the sound of a transponder snail. “Looks like it’s coming from your pocket, Law,” I said, noticing the source.

“Get it,” Law instructed. I reached into his pocket, retrieved the snail, and handed it to Luffy.

“Hello, this is Luffy, the man who’s going to be the King of the Pirates!” Luffy announced with his usual enthusiasm, causing me to chuckle at his exuberance.

“Hi Luffy, it’s me,” came the familiar voice.

“Robin!” we both exclaimed, relieved to hear a familiar voice from our crew.

“Right now, we’re at the plateau, same as before. And you?” Robin asked.

“We’re at the bottom of that other plateau, on the way to some sunflower field,” Luffy replied, keeping his focus on the path ahead.

“Good news, Viola found the keys to the cuffs. Let’s meet up,” Robin said.

“Oh, thank goodness!” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Let’s hurry.”

Law, visibly relieved, looked hopeful. “This is Leo, from the Tontatta tribe. Soon, Ms. Rebecca, the rooster guy, and Robin will be heading over there at supersonic speed,” Leo added.

I couldn’t help but gush at his adorable voice. “Aww, his voice sounds so adorable,” I said with a smile.

With that, we ended the call. “It’s pretty dark down here, huh?” I said, looking ahead.

“See, it all worked out!” Luffy said with his characteristic grin.

“Yeah, by coincidence?!” Law retorted, still visibly frustrated

I gave Law a teasing smile, leaning in despite his cuffs. “Progress is progress, and you’ve definitely earned this,” I said softly before pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek, leaving a faint red lip stain.

Law’s face immediately flushed with color, and he shifted uncomfortably, unable to touch his cheek due to the cuffs. “Y/N…” he stammered, his usual cool demeanor cracking under the sudden affection.

I chuckled at his reaction, finding his flustered state endearing. “You look cute with a little blush on your cheeks,” I said, enjoying the sight of his reaction. 

I said, enjoying the sight of his reaction. As I turned my attention forward, I heard Law’s concerned voice.

“Hey! One second, feels like this passage is sloping down,” he warned.

Suddenly, we found ourselves in a flooded area. “Turn back! This place is flooded!” Law said urgently.

“Crap,” I muttered, glancing around at the rising water. “I knew I had a bad feeling about this,” I admitted.

“Huh? I thought this was a shortcut to the top of the plateau?” Luffy questioned, his confusion evident.

“It’s a dead end!” I said, trying to think quickly. “We gotta get out of here now!” I commanded, urging Ucy to navigate out of the water.

“Wait, you guys hear that?” I said, my senses alert as slow footsteps approached.

“This is nothing more than a sideways water well, more of a trap if you will,” a voice echoed through the passage.

“It’s…” I began, clenching my blade tightly.

“It’s Doflamingo!” Luffy said, his voice filled with determination.

The tension in the air was palpable as Doflamingo’s presence became more pronounced. I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, readying myself for whatever confrontation lay ahead.

[lakesouperior]

🐻🐤🐰🦊 just some thoughts on the fnaf movie

🐻the attention to detail that was put into it, with all it’s little details and easter eggs. the posters in the background, (and i haven’t seen anyone bring this up), the guy who got face-mauled by the cupcake wearing a midnight motorist t-shirt. the spring lock scene. the fact that scariest of all the jumpscares (of which there weren’t a lot but it’s kind of for the younger demographic ig they can’t make it too bad) was freaking balloon boy. the highest kill count going to MVP Carl the Cupcake. this is what i mean when i say movies from established franchises should be made by fans, for fans.

AND THE MATPAT CAMEO. HIS ACTING ISNT EVEN BAD AND EVEN IF IT WAS I EOULD STILL LOEV ITTT DVDNFB

🐤 you can tell they put a lot of thought into the child actors. abby is phenomenal. the five missing children? properly creepy and sad looking.

🐰 characters were all really well written and entertaining. the karen aunt, for all that she is an antagonist and very much hateable, still manages to be funny. even background characters are hilarious, like Doug for example, and don’t even get me started on the friggin matpat cameo i nearly screamed in the movie theater.

🦊 vanessa and mike are naturally each other’s narrative foils (and stand-ins for respectively Michael Afton/Elizabeth Afton (MichaElizabeth if you will) and Charlotte Emily imo), and them saying the same line, the “that’s two jobs”, mike at the beginning, and vanessa at the end, TO THE SAME CHARACTER?? TO THE BIG FUCKIN BAD HIMSELF??? WHO THEY BOTH HAVE DEEP HISTORY WITH???? literally this is good writing. i’m not saying the movie is perfect because it isn’t, but this is good writing.

🐻 and vanessa, as much as she kind of is, doesn’t feel like a coward because her worst fear does come true. her own father, the person who she thought the world of, tries to kill her as soon as she steps out of line. her fear wasn’t unjustified. she spent her entire life under his control — has literally never known anything else, and to still rebel after so long must’ve been the hardest, most terrifying thing in the world but she still did it because she’d grown to care for mike and abby.

and this is what i mean when i quote that one post: “strong female characters ≠ characters who are female and punch good, but strong female characters = well-written female characters” like yeah, vanessa’s an antagonist, or an anti-hero i suppose, but she’s still, once again, likeable and mysterious and funny. and the “bring her here again and i’ll fucking shoot you”?? that was probably her first act of true rebellion, aside from telling mike more than she should’ve about the pizzeria.

🐤 mikes arc is a very obvious “let go of the past and learn to cherish the present” which isn’t exactly revolutionary, but i think it’s done quite well though it could be improved a bit. and as much as you think he is an absolute cabbage head for telling them they could have abby for even a second, but you still, once again, get it.

our man’s running on like two hours of sleep and also meds, finally getting to see his baby brother up-close and even touch his face for the first time in probably more than a decade of blaming himself, and then getting told he could go back and see his parents again, the grief over who he probably hasn’t been able to process since he had to take care of abby when they died (possibly even took his own life in the father’s case if he’s supposed to be a henry stand-in like i think and doesn’t that just make it fifty times worse)

and it’s set up that he wants that perfect family back, the kind that he had during his childhood, that abby never got to experience.

and maybe he feels guilty for that. maybe he thinks, in his sleep-deprived and grief-ridden mind, for only a moment, that she would be better off, since she seems to like the animatronics and their ghost children better than him and he still feels like he doesn’t know how to raise a kid.

🐰 speaking of abby, for once Child Character in the horror movie isn’t just there to do some stupid shit for Plot Reasons (cough, The Curse of La Llorona, cough cough). i mean yes, she does go with them at the climax, but she has been given no reason not to trust them and considering the fact that they are other children, it would honestly be more suspicious if she didn’t trust them (also we’ve been shown she doesn’t really have friends before the end, so they’re also her first and only friends, no wonder she’s clinging to them) plus she’s been left alone with the aunt she does not like, possibly still believing mike is abandoning her. you get it.

she’s also very entertaining in her sassiness. like “are you here to arrest my brother?” or “yeah, love you too bro, kinda don’t wanna die tho, can we leave?” literally i can’t stand kids in general, but especially so in in horror movies, but i would give my life for abby.

🦊and the drawing thing? it’s beautiful and sad and really hammers home the fact that these monsters, however scary they have been made by their brutal and cruel deaths, they were, and are, just children who didn’t deserve to die and communicate the same way children like abby do. it also makes abby herself relevant to the plot and actually useful.

🐻and about abby; i have my own Theory there. we know she wasn’t in the picture during Garrett’s disappearance, which means she’s at least twelve years younger than mike. it’s actually quite common for couples who are going through a rough patch to have kids to try to fix it, which i think is what happened here, made even more possible if they also had her as a sort of replacement for Garrett. this, as i said earlier, makes mike’s indecision all the more understandable — if abby doesn’t just look a lot like Garrett, but was actually supposed to be him and would’ve never existed if not for the tragedy.

but that’s Just A Theory. 🐻🐤🐰🦊

[wifeofsnowbaird]

You Can't, You Can't Catch me Now I'm coming like storm into your town

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/rest on Masterlist

[Mentor!Coriolanus Snow x time-travel, thg-era, tribute!reader x toxic!Finnick Odair (in the Peacekeeper era)]

Warning: gore, blood, gun and knife violence, serious injury, death, physical assult, possibly non-con...as I said, maybe...

Summary: You are a rebel, the last chance of the rebellion against President Snow. You're told to go on one last mission to kill the man who massacred Panem. It took you years to understand your mission when you became [name] Lily Baird, starting from the age of five till before the reaping day of the 10th Hunger Games.

The day you began your plan to destroy President Snow before he became the villain he was meant to become.

'Both sisters, Lucy Gray and [Name] Lily Baird are a part of the Covey, and though they have been chosen as tribute for both District 12 and 9 because of our own mistakes, we hope they will stay safe.'

You knew about [Name] Lily Baird, named after her because your mother was inspired by her fiery personality and strength, but now you realize that you were transported to a time before the Baird sisters died, one of sickness and one because of Coriolanus Snow himself.

'I will kill you, President Coriolanus Snow.'

Coriolanus stood beside his cousin, lost in his train of thought. Tigris paused to question him about his tribute since he had mentored her during the day before noticing a scratch on his face.

‘Coryo! Why haven’t you put a bandaid onto that cut?’

Coriolanus glanced at Tigris before gazing at the scratch on his hand.

He was sure that the scar on his face was worse than his hand but he abandoned the thought of covering it because…Well, what if [Name] Lily Baird had attacked him because she liked him? He had seen her red face multiple times and she always ended up extending her claws like a cat.

‘They’re her marks on my skin.’ Coriolanus shrugged, glancing back at Tigris as she stood by the stove lost in shock. She grimaced as he gently smiled at the thought and walked to the dining table where Grandma’am sat.

The old woman glanced at him before settling down and calling a maid to hand her the scarf.

Grandma’am has always been stuck in a world before the Civil War between the Capital and the Districts so Coriolanus intervened through the elder woman's anger at a non-existent person and went to fetch it from another room.

Tigris sighed, gazing back at the boiling cabbage in a hot pan in front. Her mind kept on sliding back to her cousin’s answer about why his tribute kept on attacking him.

‘ Her marks on my skin? Well, isn’t he delusional…’ Tigris mumbled before going back to the hot pan on the stove.

‘Sejanus,’ the boy beside Coriolanus looked up at the blonde near him. 

‘Yeah? You need something?’

‘Does [Name] Lily attack the other tributes like she does to me?’

Sejanus stopped chewing midway through the sandwich Ma had made.

‘No, she’s nice once you meet her the second time. I saw her with Dill, Wovey, and Reaper once and she was teaching them about how to tell the difference between certain seeds for some reason.’ He shrugged. ‘Apparently, Wovey and Dill were interested…Why though?’

Sejanus then glanced at the scars Coriolanus had received from his tribute and frowned, having heard about what happened yesterday. Tigris had told him about it when he had stopped by their penthouse.

‘So…I’m the only one? I’m special to her?’

Clemensia Dovecote, one of his acquaintances since they weren’t close, interrupted the conversation before Sejanus could respond.

‘Listen, Coryo, don’t get caught up in your delusions. She hates you, I’m sure about that.’

Coriolanus scoffed at the girl in front of him before grinning at you while you were being dragged by a Peacekeeper.

He stepped towards you, ignoring his friends' comments, and wrapped a hand around your waist but was pushed away.

‘Get off me!’ You sneered before stomping away in an angry fit.

Coriolanus glanced back at his friends but ignored them once they shook their heads, mentally telling him that, ‘they told him so.’  But unfortunately, he had lost himself to you.

At least to his future First Lady of Panem.

One sentence kept repeating in his head while he was following you,

‘I’m her only, she made me claim her as mine.’

And without sensing the slight possessiveness coming from your mentor, you glared at the arrogant boy who was meant to keep you safe.

‘Really wish I could destroy you now, Coriolanus Snow.’

next chapter is gonna be Sej x Lucy Gray sooooo be warned ig?

[astarion-approves]

The Waiter

'There stood the most gorgeous man Tav had ever seen in their life. Tall with pale skin, ruby red eyes, and hair as white as snow. There was a certain air about him, it felt like being charmed into bed without so much as speaking a single word in return.'

The reader falls in love with their waiter in the Czech Republic.

Modern day 'reader' x Astarion. 1.7k words

Slightly NSFT (no actual sex or descriptive sex), excessive second hand embarrassment, reader is a moron, some Czech, third person.

Thank you to @chenziee for your help on this. I only speak English and she was an absolute saint to translate some dialogue for me.

Keep reading for the full story.

The Czech Republic was seemingly a little peaceful country compared to America, but the food was… interesting to say the least. Time after time, Tav found themselves in search of something familiar to have during their vacation. They ended up spending more time having fruit, cheese, and wine than anything else.

Finally, their friend, Eliška, put her foot down, dragging Tav to a traditional restaurant and insisting they try the food that her country has to offer.

“I warned you before you came to visit,” the friend said with a soft laugh as they were both seated at a small circular table. “I knew you wouldn’t like our food.”

Tav crossed their arms over their chest in defense. “It’s not my fault all your food looks so…” They gestured to a plate being carried out from the kitchen, something that looked like raw dough covered in a brown gravy with some form of meat and cabbage next to it. “Whatever the hell that is.”

“Vepřo knedlo zelo,” Eliška spoke quickly, the foreign language beautiful but words Tav didn’t understand. “It’s roast pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut.”

Tav shrugged. “That doesn’t sound bad. I guess I could get that.”

“Nope,” Eliška shook her head and opened the menu that was sitting on the table. “I’ll be picking for you.”

“Oh shit,” Tav grabbed their own menu, hoping to see what monstrosity their friend might order for them.

But of course it was all in Czech.

“Anything but blood sausage, please.”

Eliška snorted but continued flipping through the menu, a menu with no pictures of course.

While she browsed you stared at what you assumed was the wine menu, ‘Víno’ was one of the only words Tav managed to learn thus far and being drunk on vacation was their plan for most of the trip anyway.

“Dobrý den. Máte vybráno?”

Tav looked up from their menu, their eyes meeting with the waiter, and they felt as if they’d been kicked in the chest.

There stood the most gorgeous man Tav had ever seen in their life. Tall with pale skin, ruby red eyes, and hair as white as snow. There was a certain air about him, it felt like being charmed into bed without so much as speaking a single word in return.

Tav leaned forward in their chair, trying to figure out if those red eyes were just a pair of contact lenses. He tilted his head and raised a single brow at them.

Fuck—that was adorable.

Tav looked to their friend, who was still studying the menu. They mumbled something to the waiter, which Tav assumed was ‘just a second.’ The waiter nodded and turned to leave—

“Is he on the menu?” Tav blurted out before the waiter was outside of ear shot. “Because I want a bite of that."

“Jesus Christ, Tav.” Eliška swung the menu across the table, successfully hitting Tav on the side of their head. “Don’t just say shit like that!”

“It’s not like he speaks English anyway!” Tav defended. They’ve only been in the Czech Republic for a few days but besides their friend and other tourists they haven’t come across many non-native English speakers that could understand Tav’s version of English. Plus, only much younger people seemed to be learning English, while their waiter looked to be in his early 40s. “Anyone who speaks English here can’t understand me, we’re fine. I speak too quickly, remember?”

Eliška glared at Tav. “You only say that because I do all the talking. Please just.. try to hold your tongue. You could offend him.”

Tav held their hands up. “No promises.”

Soon the waiter returned, carrying two glasses, one in each hand. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, exposing his strong forearms riddled with thick veins. Tav sat back in their chair and just watched as the man put a glass down in front of them. How could forearms be that sexy?

“We need a new waiter, I’m going to melt just by looking at this man.”

“Tav,” Eliška hissed. “Shut the fuck up.”

He looked between the two of you in confusion before speaking, “Vybrali jste?”

“Dvakrát tlačenku s chlebem, džbán s vodou a sedmičku rulandy červené, prosím,” Eliška replied quickly, refusing to look at Tav while they spoke.

The waiter nodded, scribbling into a notepad with what Tav assumed was Eliška’s order.

“Did you get wine? If not put him in a tall glass for me—“

Eliška kicked Tav under the table, making them gasp in pain. Those heels were vicious.

“Ask him what his name is, I want to know what name I’m going to be dreaming of tonight.”

“Tav—“

“Oh my god we should ask him to take a picture with us to celebrate my first traditional meal—“

“Tav, stop—“

“Oh yes, kind sir, in my country waiters do take their shirts off for photos, it’s perfectly normal—“

“Tav, so help me god—“

“What’s ‘please fuck me’ in Czech?”

“‘Fuck’ is pretty fucking universal word, you idiot.”

“Just ask him his name, please?” Tav put their hands together, begging their friend for this one favor. This one obnoxious, ridiculous favor.

Eliška sighed and turned to the waiter, who still stood there looking confused but seemingly entertained at their interaction. “Já se moc omlouvám, mojeho kamaráda by hrozně zajímalo... Jak se jmenujete?”

The waiter chuckled, putting his notepad away and turning to Tav. He crouched down, putting himself at eye level with Tav. “Astarion,” he spoke slowly, softly, his voice deep and calm. Those red eyes stared back at Tav with ease, glimmering with amusement.

“Oh,” Tav breathed out. “Fuck, even his name is gorgeous… Astarion.”

Astarion smiled and stood back up, then Eliška thanked him and finally let him leave the table, the waiter pausing to look back at their table once before going into the kitchen.

“Astarion,” Tav repeated the name, enjoying the way it felt on their tongue. “Astarion—“

“Mhm, and not a common name in Czech at all, Tav.”

“Sounds Czech to me.”

“It’s not—“

“Oh he’s coming back!” Tav was grinning at his return, excited to see him again so soon, and carrying a bottle of red wine.”

Astarion opened the bottle with ease, pouring some into a glass and handing it to Eliška to be tested. She lightly twirled the glass before taking a small sip. But Tav wasn’t even paying attention to what she thought of the wine. They were more interested in watching Astarion as they worked.

“He opened the bottle so easily, Eliška. It's official. I'm in love.”

Eliška hummed and took another sip of the wine. “It’s literally his job to open bottles all day, Tav.”

“Bet he’s skilled with those long fingers then.”

Eliška ignored Tav and put her glass down. She spoke to Astarion, who filled the glasses and placed the bottle down between them.

Soon Astarion was leaving again, only to return shortly and carrying two plates to their table. Tav smiled as the meal was placed in front of them—

But the smile dropped into a frown when they looked from Astarion’s handsome face to the plate he just set down.

“What in the fuck did you order us?”

Eliška snorted into her wine, breaking into a laugh as she watched Tav stare at their meal in shock. “It’s domácí tlačenka.”

“Eliška, this looks like if you took bologna and made it evil.” Tav poked at the meat with a fork, unsure of how to proceed.

“Try it,” Eliška replied. “You’ll like it.”

“Astarion,” Tav looked away from their plate and to the now grinning waiter, at least he was being entertained by the silly picky American. “My future husband, can you believe she’s trying to make me eat this?”

“No.”

“See!” Tav pushed their plate away, refusing to try the dish. “Even this handsome god of a man doesn’t like it.”

“Uhhhh… Tav—“ Eliška tried to speak before being cut off by them.

“You can eat this weird ass dish, meanwhile I’m going to drag Astarion to the nearest hotel and let him be my meal instead,” Tav said and laughed at their own joke.

Eliška just stared at Tav in horror. “Tav… you need to stop speaking now.”

“Stop worrying,” Tav said and rolled their eyes. “He doesn’t understand me. Right, Astarion?”

“Right.”

“Just like I said, Eliška. He doesn’t speak a single word of English.”

“Not a single word,” Astarion said with a nod.

“Tav, please... take a second and think—“ Eliška grimaced as Tav cut her off once again. This time the woman keeping her mouth shut.

“I could go on for hours with everything playing through my mind right now with this man—“

“Oh my, please do tell.“

Tav laughed and turned their focus onto the waiter, who simply smiled back at them. “I’m here for two more weeks on vacation but I don’t want to see the sun again. I want you in my hotel room, fucking me until I can’t walk, fucking me until I forget my own name, fucking me until I lose sense of time and the Czech government comes to find me because I’ve been reported missing—“

“That is an awful lot of sex, not that I’m opposed to it—“

“I’m going to drag you back home with me, just so I can wake up every morning and see the most handsome creature in the world lying next to me every day of the rest for my life.”

“How romantic.”

“Then I’ll marry you and we’ll be together forever.”

“Fine. But only if we continue living here. American healthcare is a joke.”

Tav laughed and turned back to Eliška, smirking at them in a ‘I told you so’ kind of way.

“See? He doesn’t speak any English.”

“Tav… You are an absolute fucking moron.”

“What—“

Astarion hummed, drawing Tav’s attention back to himself.. “I can’t miss work, but I do get off in two hours. Let’s try a date first, before we get married. Alright?”

Astarion turned and left, the waiter laughing to himself as he disappeared into the kitchen once more.

“Wait…” Tav looked from the kitchen and to Eliška. “Did he just speak English?”

Eliška just shook her head in disbelief.

[featherless-falling]

I'm on yet another read-through of Going Postal and for the life of me can't figure out how I passed this scene by,

He slipped into the shop. A middle-aged man was introducing fresh carrots—or possibly carrot's—into the life of a bulky woman with a big shopping bag and hairy warts. "Mr. Antimony Parker?" said Moist urgently. "Be with you in jus't one moment, s'ir, I'm ju'st—" the man began. "I just need to know if you are Mr. Antimony Parker, that's all," said Moist. The woman turned to glare at the intruder, and Moist gave her a smile so winning that she blushed and wished just for a moment she'd worn makeup today. "That's Father," said the greengrocer. "He's out the back, tackling a difficult cabbage—" "This is his," said Moist. "Postal delivery." He put the envelope on the counter and walked quickly out of the shop. Shopkeeper and customer stared down at the pink envelope. "S.'W.A.L.K?" said Mr. Parker. "Ooh, that takes me back, Mr. Parker," said the woman. "In my day we used to put that on our letters when we were courting. Didn't you? Sealed With A Loving Kiss. There was S.W.A.L.K., and L.A.N.C.R.E. and . . ." she lowered her voice and giggled, "K.L.A.T.C.H., of course. Remember?" "All that pas'sed me by, Mrs. Goodbody," said the greengrocer stiffly. "And if it mean's young men are s'ending our dad pink envelope's with 'swalk on them, I'm thankful for that. Modern time's, eh?" He turned and raised his voice. "Father!"

Modern time's indeed.

[joelsbeard]

🎃👻 halloween with pre-outbreak! joel and your babies ❤️ part 2

part 1

halloween with pre-outbreak!joel pre-babies

BYE these are actually the cutest hc's ever omg.

ughhh i can't believe i started thinking of these yesterday, i should've started earlier in spooky season smh oh well. Well now I have more thoughts so I'm adding this part!!

Everyone you pass by or other neighbors/people answering their doors always see your little bunny and precious cabbage patch baby and go 🥺🥺🥺 "oh my godddd she's so cute! You make such an adorable little bunny!" and joel's like "say thank you baby girl 🥰" and sarah's all blushing and looking cute haha. Then they turn to ellie and go "🥺 oh my goodness, and what do we have here? Are you a little cabbage patch baby? Aren't you the cutest little cabbage patch baby i've ever seen oh my goooodness 🥰" and they go to tickle her little feet. You go "🥰🥰mmm hmm, this little cabbage patch baby was just picked fresh from the fields this morning, and then we found this little bunny in our garden!" And as if on cue, little ellie always starts smiling and does her little cute baby giggles ❤️ She must've been in a good mood, sometimes she's grumpier around other people, especially if she's cranky and needs to take a nap or is hungry.

At one point you hand her off to joel to carry so you can keep up with sarah at all the houses, every time you look back at your man holding the adorable baby that you two made, you go 🤤🤤 he looks so delicious holding your baby, and extra fine in his flannel and cowboy hat and you almost finish trick or treating early so you could drag his ass back and have your way with him so you can make more cute babies lol

Little do you know he's been checking your ass out all night when you've been walking in front of him and ellie with sarah lol.

When she starts getting tired you hear your husband go "aww is my baby girl sleepy? Is my little cabbage patch baby falling asleep? hmm? you must be so tired from all that growing today hmm?" and you see her giving attacking her little chubby cheeks with kisses while she's giggling a little and "talking" to him in her little baby coos ❤️

Towards the end of the night of trick or treating your little cabbage patch baby starts dozing off, so everyone looking ofc is quieter but they still love looking at you and joel's adorable baby. They approach you and go "oh my god is this a little cabbage patch baby? Is she sleeping? 🥺" and you say "mmhmm, my little cabbage patch baby is all tuckered out from trick or treating, she looked just like this when we first found her before picking her from our garden 🥰 all the growing must've made her sleeeepy 🥰💕❤️❣️" and you kiss her chubby little cheeks and her little nose and her little pout bc you can't resist it even though she's sleeping lol.

Later at home ellie wakes up while sarah is counting and sorting her candy, and she's like "mommy does ellie want some candy?" and you're like "aww you're such a good sister, you're so sweet offering your candy to the baby, but she can't eat candy yet, maybe next year ❤️"

Ellie isn't even eating solids yet, she's around the age to start but she's too obsessed with your tiddies lol.

[lemonsrosesandlavender]

Introduction

Hello, I’m Cabbage! You can find me as Cabbage_Vampire on AO3. My icon is from Eleanor’s KissCrew Maker! This blog is 90% Rolan (and so is my writing!) but I do love discussing the writing process and reblogging all sorts of wonderful BG3 fan art. Please note my writing is explicit, and this blog is 18+ only. Anyway, on to the master list!

Rolan Fics!

Steel Weave Series (Rolan x f! Human Fighter Tav, E Rated, Second Person POV)

Sharp Teeth 41,316 words, Falling in love with Rolan over the course of the game’s events, and annoying the Hells out of each other. That’s amore! (Complete)

Tail and Tongue 2,475 words. Fluff and smut on the Elfsong roof before the Absolute’s defeat. (Complete)

Sharess’s Sundries 10,804 words. Working out the kinks (gags, strap-ons and spankings…) with Rolan, as he explores his submissive fantasies and after a non-zero amount of prodding finally tells you (Tav) what he wants. (Complete)

Laced Close 4,569 words. Inspired by all the wonderful Rolan corset art on Tumblr! A trip to Figaro’s results in some kinky tight-lacing and a very flustered Rolan manning the counter at Sorcerous Sundries. (Complete)

Combat Training 7,572 words. Sometimes the only way to get Rolan to talk about his feelings is to pin him down and threaten him with a good time. After a lot of playfighting, of course. (Complete)

Along the Chionthar 6,654 words. A wedding, a honeymoon, and… watersports. Lots of watersports. (Complete)

Planar Tears (Rolan x OFC (Catrin), E rated, Third Person - Rolan’s POV)

Planar Tears 78,890 words. Isekai romance about an NHS doctor from our plane dragged into Rolan’s, when he casts a spell far beyond his capabilities. There’s no other option than to bring Catrin to Baldur’s Gate with them, hoping Lorroakan can send her back - but getting there involves almost insurmountable danger. And as Rolan’s feelings grow, could he ever ask her to stay? (WIP, 26/40)

In Service of Magic (Rolan x OFC (Phaere), E Rated, Third Person, Royal/Concubine Femdom AU)

In Service of Magic 20,320 words. Rolan has long cherished the dream of being the one to break Queen Phaere’s curse. For her incredible magic library, of course - although her preference for male submission is secretly rather enticing. A shame that his arrogant tongue has already made him enemies in court… (WIP, 5/25)

Fast Times in Faerûn Series (Rolan x OFC (Lennie), E Rated, Third Person, 80s Camp Counsellor AU)

Short Shorts (And Cold Beer) 2,597 words. Lennie has had enough of Rolan’s shirking ways. When she finally confronts him over it, things get a little more heated than expected. (Complete)

Other

As You Wish (Rolan x GN Reader, E Rated) 2,441 words. Rolan wishes to be your obedient service sub… and you take full advantage. (Complete)

Bunchflower and Leeblossoms (Rolan x GN Tav, T Rated) 3,127 words. Rolan wishes to learn Druidic magic, and Tav is very happy to help. More than flowers bloom. (Complete)

Nailed (Rolan x F! Tav, E Rated) 2,003 words. It's hard to get a strap in the Shadow Cursed Lands. Luckily, though, Tav has her trusty warhammer - and its nice, thick handle is just the right size to blow Rolan's mind. (prompted by barbwillbrb <3) (Complete)

Other Stuff!

Sharp Teeth Rolan portrait, commissioned from luinen-bluewater <3

18th Century Rolan feat. ripped stockings, commissioned from orangekittyenergy <3

Phaere x Rolan Portrait commissioned from Goromimii <3

Steel Weave Tav spanking Rolan, commissioned from Viv/HoldingTwoPens <3

Nailed illustration by Viv/HoldingTwoPens! <3

Catrin choking Rolan gifted by darkurgetrash <3

Steel Weave Tav Backstory Bash.

Rolan, Cal and Lia backstory headcanon

Claws Out! (goofy lil Tara & Astarion fluff, there might be more in future if I’m feeling silly)

Rolan NSFW Alphabet

Rolan Finds Tav’s Sketchbook prompt, GN Tav

Steelweave Tav x Rolan “Ship in 5 Minutes”

Ballet AU Rolan drabble

Fae Bindings Rolan x Fae series: 1 2

Talk to me!

I love getting tagged in things, and getting asks. If you want to know why I wrote something a certain way, prompt some Rolan filth, or just want to kick your feet about Rolan together (my number one activity), my ask box is open ✨ or y’know, ask what I had for breakfast. I’ll answer that too lmao.

LIMITS: Request/ask rules. In case it’s not absolutely obvious, I’m here for subby Rolan only! [PROMPTS TEMPORARILY CLOSED - chatty asks only!]

If you ever do fan art for my characters or fics, I’d love to see it! <3

generally #cabbage writes and #cabbage answers are where the fun stuff lies on this blog! Or #cabbage trash for some filth ;)

And, as always, there’s much more Rolan writing to come.

[stardancerluv]

A Time to Love and to Fight

Part Thirty - Two

Summary: While enjoying the city they live near, Reader is visited by the past. Enjolras is confronted by his past and his future.

Warning/Notes - No real warnings. Just building dread.

eau de Cologne - how cologne was referred to

reticule - a type of purse for a woman in the past.

Sorry about the time between chapters. I wrote and rewrote this alot!!! It’s a long chapter with a flashback.

❤️s, comments, reblogs & feedback is always welcome!

You delighted on watching Enjolras. He spoke easily with the harbor master. His air and command of the situation made you happy. He was firm but pleasant and never belittling.

As they pointed into the bay, you followed their fingers pleased that you could also spot the ship. You gave a moment of pause in gratitude that your time of traveling on the water was over.

Oddly, you were reminded of the stories those women shared of their husbands still gave you shivers. You could never be wed to such beasts. Just as you were pleased with him, the baby shifted within you, made you believe they were pleased to too. You laid a gentle on your stomach.

Turning, he smiled and walked towards you.

“The ship is on an easy and straight course for its arrival. The master spoke of how I should bring you to shops and buy you something nice.” A smile played on his lips.

You gave him a sweet smile. “You don’t have to.”

“I don’t know, I may want to.”

You rose your eyebrows. “We have bought so much for our home. Are you sure?”

He nodded. “My dear wife, I do believe I should have given you something a long time ago.”

Taking his arm you followed him as he led you away from the docks.

You looked around making sure you stepped carefully. “Us, here and safe is enough.”

He squeezed your your hand. “As much as I do not enjoy extreme excess, you need some possession especially since you are the lady of our household.”

“Thank you, my love.”

*******

“Good day, Sir Julien.” Greeted a kind looking older man, he was wiping his hands on a cloth. He stopped upon seeing you. “Oh? Is this the lady of the house?”

You nodded and glanced up at Enjolras. He smiled down at you.

“Dear, this Mr Jameson. He has supplied our home with many treasures.”

“You have parted with many different items.”

He nodded. “I am sure your house is much grander for it.”

“It is.” You nod. “Thank you.” Slipping your arm free, you wandered away as the two began to speak of other items he may or may not be receiving soon.

The house, that you and Enjolras were now were residing were becoming quite grand. It reminded you of your home before the disappearance of your father. It had held several treasures before having sell them so that your mama and you could keep the home.

You sighed and continued to look at all the great items that remained. Some of which shifted your mood and made you relieved that Enjolras had such good eye. You would have been aghast to have them.

You were drawn to an array of some powder boxes. They made you smile. Looking at a few, you were reminded of one night when mama was preparing for one of the parties her and father would be hosting. She had opened one of her elegant boxes and gave her bosom a dusting. You had been watching, peering actually in from the bedroom doorway.

“I see you my sweet little cabbage. Would you like to be like mama and have some perfumed powder tonight?”

You nodded. You hurried over. Stopping, you stood tall while also attempting to be as elegant as you could.

A warm giggle came from her. “Ok. Close your eyes.”

You squeezed them shut. Next you felt a soft brush on your nose. The sweet scent of honeysuckle filled your nose.

“Perfect.” She said with a gentle air. “Now you are all ready for the party.”

******

He was pleased to hear that the cradles had come in. You being here was timely. He could not and would not have wanted to decide on one or even two without your guidance.

“I will go and find her. I am sure she is enjoying the sight of your treasures.”

“Treasures.” He made a dismissive gesture. “They are what makes a household, a home.”

He nodded. “They are that.”

The floor boards creaked under his boots as he walked down another aisle where he spotted you. As he drew closer, he saw a faraway look eyes.

“Ange?” He whispered, wrapping an arm around you.

You glanced up. “I…I…”

He smiled. “You looked terribly faraway my love, where were you?”

“I was.”

You replied with a soft smile that had a trace of sadness to it. You pointed to the powder boxes in front of you.

“They remind me of mama.”

You pointed to the porcelain boxes in front of you.

“Oh? Look at those.”

He drew from you and looked down at them and back at you. He knew how he treasured the glass bottle that held the sharp aftershave that his father gave him.

“Choose among them what you wish to have and they will be yours.”

You brought a gloved hand to your lips, in the muted light he could see happiness brighten them.

“Yes.” He nodded. “They will have a wonderful place on your vanity.”

*****

You held onto two of small boxes and were wrapped tightly in cloth. You could not wait to place them on your vanity. They were perfect.

******

Now, a new happiness filled you at the sight of them sitting there. Berceaux, cribs bassinets all for you and Enjolras to choose from for your baby. You brought a hand to your growing belly as you considered them.

It took some time, testing the ease of the rocking and evaluating the size. Also, you had to make sure none made too much noise when it moved. In the end, Enjolras and you settled on three of the five that stood in front of you. One for you Enjolras’s private chambers, one for the child’s respective nursery and another that they could easily move around if they wished to sit in the gardens or the library and wanted to have the baby with them.

“I will wrap these up in haste.” The man older man patted one of them. “I will fetch Edmund. Together, we will bring these down the docks.”

Enjolras nodded. “Good. Thank you.”

******

The ship surely has arrived by now, if he had learned anything these last few months the timing of ships in clear weather was becoming familiar to him.

Turning to you. with a gentle ease of his hand on your lower back. He made his way with you out to the cobbled street.

“Angel, I will walk you to the perfumery. That is where I found the ones that have already brought the most pleasant scents to the airs of our chambers and for you to feel even lovelier.”

“Is it close?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “And then I will return to the docks and check on the arrival of the boat.”

******

You watched as he spoke warmly with the gentleman in the worn brown coat whose collar looked especially stiff. But had a soft demeanor.

Turning, Enjolras closed the distance between the two of you once more. “Love, this is Mr. Barlowe. He can assist you while I go and check on things with the harbor master.”

“Thank you.” You turned and smiled at the man.

********

Enjolras enjoyed having you along. Though a cloud, a shadow of worry did chase his ankles. Though keeping you tucked away at the estate disliked more.

With it being such a lovely day, he was relieved you were having a good day. The baby was being good to their mama by not giving her any light headedness. That pleased him.

“Oh! Excuse me good sir.” He quickly said as he collided with someone stumbling out of the bar.

Turning in the direction in which the man fell, the man had sprawled.

“I am terribly sorry, sir. Thoughts had clouded my vision.”

He offered his hand. The man took it. He had a very firm grip.

“And drink had made my feet unsure of themselves.”

Their eyes met and chuckle had blossomed and was shared.

“Well, I must be on my way.” He gave the man a quick smile.

******

He had been right. His pleasure on being correct, gave him a flush of confidence. He needed it.

The boat after its journey groaned and creaked as it anchored at the dock.

He’d never breath the words into existence but fleeing had give him a thorn of discontent in his side. Logic, his heart told him he had made the correct decision. There was no doubt or second thoughts lingering in his heart.

Though there was a sliver of pain that sometimes cut deep as the thoughts, the memories of Courfeyrac or Grantaire or even small Gavroche or the elder Mabeuf paid him a visit. He glanced down at his scared hand that he used to lean against the wooden posts at the dock while he waited.

******

“Sir, I mean Officer Gerard, are you alright? I knew I shouldn’t have allowed you free of my arms this early.” The bar maid fluttered around him.

He dusted himself off, eyes narrowing as he watched the younger man walk away. He gave the barmaid who had been warming his bed a half smile.

“Do you know who that is my sweet cabbage?”

The woman glanced and smiled back at him. “Of course, I do my love.”

The woman dragged out that last word, love. He wasn’t quite sure how it made him feel. In the past, he’d backhand some for using it so casually. Yet, now It had been an age since anyone spoke of him in such a manner.

“That is Sir Julien. Newly arrived on our ground with a wife who is blossoming with life while he has the flair of a gentleman.”

With a tilt of her head he could see a tide of worry was over her.

“Is there something the matter? You would surely like him. He drinks and plays cards as well.”

He shook his head. “No but our paths did just crash and it left me curious. He seemed almost too polite for this region.”

“He sounds like you.” A giggle came from her. “Am I too polite too since you took a liking to my company?”

“Perhaps.”

********

“Sir, sir is that steady enough?”

A sharp voice took his attention away from the water that slapped against the wooden haul.

It was his mother. His heart leapt as his stomach churned. His feet ushered him over to where she would step foot.

“Mother?” All that he could possibly remained in his mouth.

Despite a tiredness having blanketed her usual refined and elegant appearance she smiled. “It took some arguing but I convinced your father to allow me passage to go and see you.”

“I did get my stubbornness from the two of you. What made him finally allow you?”

“Reason. Someone needs to keep an eye on the estate.”

“And despite him always being quite cold, you always brought some warmth from him however small.”

“It is my charm and wit that I feel blessed to have passed onto you, my son.”

******

With the occasional sniff from a handkerchief you finally were able to settle on eau de Cologne for Enjolras. You were not sure what he would think of it. But it did remind you of him. Memories, of how he had looked striding over to you with that white billowy shirt, those trousers and black shiny boots still stirred your heart.

“I will wrap this so it is ready when he returns.”

“Thank you.” You replied softly.

*****

The door jangled as you went to stand just outside the shop. The air with all of its scents had grown too heavy for you. Gently wrapped and tucked away in your reticule, the cologne was safe. You held the strings that

Shops, streets were different in England, you mused looking at your new surroundings, the urge to explore was strong.

Though a fluttering came from the baby as they shifted within you.

“Are you awake?” You whispered, gently patting your stomach.

The warmth of your love for them came over you. You were learning that you had to keep not only yourself safe but them as well. Waiting, for Enjolras’s return you took in the small street and other shops. Distantly, you could hear hushed voices with the occasional peel of laughter from opening and closing of a pub’s door.

You watched as Enjolras rounded the corner. As you watched he paused heavily against a wall. He looked as if something happened. Your heart squeezed hard. Not uttering a word you began to make your way over to him.

His eyes met yours as you neared. A few of his curls fell into his brow but didn’t hide the look you saw in them. It stole your breath.

******

The arrival of his mother excited him and worried him. He knew how she was rather particular with how she liked things. He knew the two of you had seemed complimentary of each other during those short moments at Oliver’s.

However, after the package from his father he would not expected this. It was not something, he particularly wanted to worry about. It was enough that he was keeping an ear open for the possible arrival of the French solider who was looking for revenge. He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he made his way back to you.

“Sir Julien, sir Julien.”

He resisted the urge to ignore the barmaid, calling to him. This was not the time to close himself off from all the new people he was meeting. He swallowed, stopping and turned towards her.

“Yes?”

She was breathless and red faced as she caught up with him. Her hands fluttered around her like birds as she found her breath.

“I’m sorry.” She muttered swallowing some breathes.

“It is ok. There was something you wanted?” The urge to get back to you grew.

“A man, like you. Sounding like you has been staying with me.”

A chill came over him, he tried not to shiver. “Like me?”

A broad, lopsided smile that only she could muster spread across her fleshy face as the flush of running over to him finally faded.

“Yes, sounds like you and also likes to play card games. You should come one night. I told him, you did too.”

He blinked. “You did.”

With the excited nod of her head, the bun that held her hair in place loosened some.

“I did. You two would get along. Both very charming.”

He had to get away and now, he needed air desperately.

“I will consider it.

“You will?”

“Yes! But now I must be off. Fare thee well.”

He heard her call the same and he nodded and made it around the corner just out of eye sight and slumped against a stone wall. He felt like what little bile was in his stomach could leave at any moment. He took several breaths to calm his racing heart and churning stomach.

@henry-cavs-tudor @corrodedcoffn @dealswiththedevilsblog @randomstory56 @pl1nfa1 @phantomxoxo @ladybug0095 @the-iridescent-phoenix @maryan028 @kindablackenedsuperhero @amethyst-serenade @moondev1l @samunson83 @julieteagk @little-wormwood @wafflepixie @shadyhamiltonfanatic @gretavankleep37 @peacefroggg23 @capailluiscedove

[upontherisers]

a/n: this was supposed to be all epistolary, no prose but then. but then.

Dear Mr. Rosenthal,

I had dinner with your mother last night. It was wonderful to catch up with her; I hadn’t seen her since the day we packed up your office and you left for Alabama. We ran into each other at Putnam Central last week (you missed a swinging show!) and she invited me for a meal. What a cook she is! Soup and cabbage and those little flaky pastries with nuts and spices for dessert (I hope I’m not making you jealous.) And of course she wouldn’t let me lift a finger to help, both out of host-liness and care that the food would be edible. Jeanette joined us for the meal but stepped out with some friends for the rest of the night, so it was just me and Rose (you don’t mind if I call her Rose, do you? She insists) in your lovely home.

You were the main topic of conversation, of course, but I found my knowledge of you fell short of what your mother hoped. She misses you terribly. I had the sense that she was looking for commiseration for the space you’ve left in our lives, but I was only your legal secretary and I work for another man now. (As much as I despise it. Please do come back to the firm when this is all over. Sidney isn’t half the lawyer you are and twice the hassle.)

I suppose you’re wondering why I’m writing. Your mother mentioned that besides Jeanette, you ain’t got a gal to write to ya and I don’t think that’s right. Every fella should have a gal to write to that’s not their mother or their sister, whether it’s a friend or a cousin or their dame. It’s hard to say certain things to family or you might have a story that they’d find appalling and anyone else would think is a hoot. I’d also like to keep visiting your mother for dinner and have something of substance to say (but all your secrets are safe with me, I promise). Jeannette’s gone during the day and I know how lonely a quiet house can get.

I hope Texas is treating you well. Keep safe and keep warm! I just read the most shocking piece in the Times about how cold it gets in the air. I’ve sent a scarf along just in case. Write when you can (if not me then your mother, please.) 

Yours,

Isadora C. Montgomery

Burnham whistles as Rosie pulls a swath of textured pale cream fabric from the package. Lacy’s hand reaches out to trace over the cloth lovingly, her dressmaker’s daughter heart moving her body before her head could catch up. He doesn’t mind. 

“Who’s that from?” Elton asks.

“My secretary,” Rosie replies as he scans over the long scarf and brings it to his nose. There it is, the faint citrusy spice that comes to linger on all of Isadora’s things. “She’s worried about the cold.”

Lacy snorts.

“Tell her it’s hot,” says Burnham.

“Tell her about the eggs,” adds Elton.

Rosie waves them off, tosses the scarf on the hook next to his hat above his bed, and picks up the letter again as he sits back down. It’s easy to get lost in the inky slashes and swells of Isadora’s handwriting, the practiced rows and roving, squat words as unique as their writer. She brings him back home in an instant with the sounds of Putnam Central on a Saturday night, horns blowing, bass rumbling around the room, and the keys lighting up his spine like his were the bones being played. It might be her up there, nimble fingers dazzling across the ivory and black or his mother and her clarinet, or Nettie and her double bass. All three of their voices eventually combine as they put their spin on the Andrews Sisters or Ella, and he’s the happiest man in the room to have a night of good music from good people.

He’ll have to ask who played, if Fat Bertie bellowed over his saxophone and demanded that his Dora get up and play that piana’, or if they had an out-of-towner. Were they any good? Any singers? Anyone who could remind him that there’s a world outside of Texas, one that’s free from the heat and the dust and the sour-tasting food. He’s pulled back into the letter, to the little flaky pastries with nuts and spices and despite the humid press of air in the barracks, his mouth waters for the warm, sweet dough that still steams when you break it apart. Rugelach, he thinks. They’re called rugelach, Dora.

She’ll know that before long if she keeps having dinner with his mother. She’ll know rugelach and blintzes, matzo ball soup and the good bagels from Schuman’s on Avenue T and Ocean. It makes him smile to think of her in his neck of the woods, her face soaking up the sun of southern Brooklyn’s wide streets not yet shaded by the tall buildings that are stacking up all around the rest of the borough, like in her Crown Heights. He wonders what it looks like now, if the drive to her apartment is more crowded, if she still chuckles at every errant ball that rolls into the street and waves at every older brother dragging their kid sister out of the way. 

Then he’ll watch her climb the stairs and smile over her shoulder at him as she unlocks her door, and then she’s inside and he wishes she would’ve lingered on the steps a moment longer.

I know how lonely a quiet house can get. He wishes he could go back home, even for just a day, and take Dora to a show on Broadway or pick up Delilah and Daniel for a day with their sister at Brighton Beach. She’ll spend all her time in her apartment when she’s not at work, waiting and hoping, unless someone drags her out, someone like Ma.

While he hadn’t considered it before, it’s important to him now, this bond between Ma and Dora. He’s glad they have time for it, he’s sad to miss the raucous conversation that always arises from two jazz musicians in the same room. Hopefully they didn’t spend too long on him; there’s too much he wants them to share—music, movies, their love of fashion—for Ma to keep the conversation on him. The vibrant life that thrums through the both of them will spark, surely, and he can finally put aside some of his guilt.

“Are you gonna do it?” Lacy asks as he stows the letter away in his foot locker. His confusion must be obvious because she smiles softly. “Are you gonna write her? It’s such a beautiful gift. You really oughta.”

Her blue eyes turn to the fabric hanging on the wall and the way it catches the light streaming in from the window, gold and shimmering, reminds him of the Flatbush apartment, the flutter of the curtains in their small kitchen on an evening when they’re all home.

He’s not like other cadets; there are no weekly care packages or pages and pages of letters coming in daily. His mother and sister write when they can and send what they can, but something like this, a genuine piece of home, is a rare find. He’s grateful and as soon as he can wear it without sweating to death, it’ll be airborne and he can take a piece of the ground to the sky with him, and from Dora of all people.

There’s no way he’ll wear it as well as she does, in elegant loops piled around her neck to protect from the snow or draped over her head and tossed over her shoulder as she gets in the car on their way to lunch in Midtown, but he’ll try. He’ll try for her and her insistence on maintaining his ‘lawyerly appearance,’ never afraid to fix his hair or reknot his tie with a tsk when he’s not up to standard.

The memory makes him laugh.

He thought of her often since he left New York. Going from having one friend at work to none left him missing the former greatly, and he’d started a letter to her in Florida but never got around to finishing it. He’s scared, maybe, not of the propriety or the scandal any letter from someone who doesn’t share your last name causes in an Army barrack, but of what she’d think. It might be for the best that he didn’t write—he’s out of her hair for the time being, and she’s busy enough with the firm without him obligating her into correspondence. But as he thinks of her words, every fella should have a gal to write to, I know how quiet a lonely house can get, he’s resolved to do them both a service and write. It won’t be any too prosaic as he doesn’t have much to talk about now, but it’s a place to start for when he might really need a friend in the future. 

Elton barks a laugh. “Of course he’s gonna write her. Not writing is how you get a Dear John letter.”

Burnham smacks his co-pilot in the chest. “It ain’t like that! She’s his secretary.”

And suddenly, three pairs of eyes are staring at him expectantly.

“I–I will write her,” he starts, but doesn’t let Elton gloat yet. “She’s a friend, a good friend, not just my secretary.”

That seems to appease the men as they get up and procure baseball gloves. Burnham tosses him a ball. “You pitching?”

Rosie shakes his head and tosses it back. “Not today, boys.”

“Yeah,” says Elton like it’s obvious, “he’s caught up on a girl.”

Burnham cackles and they chase each other outside, shoving through the group of pilots who just came in from the last practice flights of the afternoon. 

The afternoon break before chow is not to be taken for granted so while the lowering sun of early evening lulls the brashest of personalities to some sort of peace, he starts to write after pulling out some stationery, paper braced on a book Jeannie had sent when he was still in Alabama.

Lacy speaks up after a while. “It means somethin’ when a gal gives you a scarf, y’know, ‘specially when there ain’t enough scarves to go around.”

That gives him pause and he pictures Dora coming in from the cold with a red nose and hunched shoulders. He’s stuck for a moment before Lacy laughs aloud. “Don’t send it back. Just let her know you’re thankful.”

She sits back in her bed and returns to her needlepoint, which her mother had just sent her, and Rosie blinks at her for a few moments. He hadn’t known what to make of her when they got the order to integrate officer barracks. She’s a quiet soul but surprisingly humorous, and steady, always right as rain. Anyone would be lucky to have her in the seat next to them—hell, he’d volunteer if they’d let girls and guys fly together—and he much prefers her company over the boisterous, posturing pilots that fill in the rest of the beds around them. Betty Lacy is good people. Dora would like her, he thinks.

Dear Ms. Montgomery,

I just received your letter and your gift. Texas winters are too hot for scarves, but I’ll put it to good use eventually. I’m sure you’re getting snow in New York and I’m green with envy. I’d do anything for a nice blizzard right about now. We fried eggs on our instrument panels last week (and sometimes we fly in our skivvies. Don’t tell Ma.) There’s no sea air here, not even in the sky, so the heat just sits on you like a wet blanket. Forgive me if I sweat through this letter.

I am jealous, not only of your delicious dinner with my mother (the food isn’t as dire as Alabama, but it’s still bad (again, don’t tell Ma, she’ll have a fit)) but a swinging night at Putnam Central. That’ll be my first stop when they let me out of here. Who played? I hope you got up there and if you didn’t, I got a request for next time. God Bless The Child. They played it in the PX the other day, a brief reprieve from the twangy warbles they like down here, and Billie doesn’t do it quite like you. It shouldn’t surprise you that I’ve been banned from humming in the barracks—all my love of music and I can’t make a note of it. No one in my bunk has a decent voice, so we’re a musicless bunch until we can get away.

Still, it’s a good time. I find myself the fourth in a small group of similarly-minded pilots. John Burnham is from Connecticut, Claybourne Elton is from California, and Betty Lacy is a schoolteacher from Georgia. We bonded over our restlessness and have all passed certification on the B-17, so we should be assigned to crews soon. There’s practice and lots of card games in the meantime.

I hope you're well and warm. I’ll send the scarf back if you need it. There’s no reason to go without for my sake; the Army has taken enough of your silk, coffee, and gas already. And don’t let Sid run you ragged, either—he may have the experience but you’re the senior member of the firm. Go to Mr. Freidin if he keeps bothering you and I’m sure he’ll set him straight. 

They just called us for chow. It’ll be sandwiches or spaghetti—mealy, bitter noodles with tomato paste as sauce. I’ll pass and think of lunches at Rosetti’s fondly. 

Be safe and write back.

Yours,

Robert Rosenthal

“P.S. God Bless The Child, if not for me then for my mother. Well,” Gertie Simmons-Montgomery says as she sets her granddaughter’s letter down, “you gotta play it.”

Isadora sighs. “I don’t know when I’ll be back there. Mr. Wacker’s got a big case coming up and he’s working me until I’m the last one in the office. I can barely keep my eyes open on the bus.”

“Go to this Mr. Weeden—”

“Freiden.”

“Go to Mr. Freidin. Robert seems confident that—”

“Robert is a brilliant litigator who keeps clients coming back. I’m a secretary,” she says and leans down to kiss her grandmother on the forehead before moving onto her brother and sister and taking her seat at the dinner table.

“Are you gonna write back?” Daniel asks.

“Of course she is,” Delilah snaps, “Mr. Rosenthal is very handsome.”

“Mr. Rosenthal is my friend,” Isadora corrects with a warning eye to the teenager, “and my boss.”

Delilah scoffs. “Not right now, he ain’t.”

“Alright,” Delrose Montgomery claps his hands as he enters from the kitchen and moves to the head of the table, “enough of this letter talk. I have my grandchildren all together for the first time in a month. I’d like to revel in family.”

Isadora smiles and Delilah kicks her twin under the table and gets chastised by their grandma, but it’s warm and cozy despite the snow outside. As they take each other’s hands and bow their heads to pray over dinner, Dora feels a playful twinge of guilt as she begins to compose her next letter in her head.

Dear Mr. Rosenthal,

I wouldn’t have sent the scarf if I wanted you to send it back. And yes, I’ll play Billie Holliday for you...

[lemonsprite]

𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐱 𝐆𝐢𝐦𝐥𝐢

Summary: Mahal has blessed Gimli and Legolas with a gift

Word count: 826

Warnings: none! All fluff :)

A/N: side note I love the headcanon that hobbits are like cabbage patch kids and that dwarves are like those Nat Geo archeology kits

“A rock?” Asked Legolas, raising an eyebrow at the uneven stone in his hands. The elf looked down at Gimli with confusion.

“Nay.” The dwarf shook his head, smiling, and took the stone (practically boulder) from Legolas’ hands.

“A rock from Mahal.”

Legolas was silent, staring at Gimli as if he was insane.

“And what does that mean?”

The dwarf’s face went as red as his hair, his eyes looking everywhere but Legolas. The rock was so big Gimli’s hands could hardly cradle it and Legolas couldn’t help but be intrigued by the strange stone. It was lumpy and sharp as if the rock had just been chipped from the mountainside and scraped the palms of Legolas’ smooth hands.

“You don’t know much about dwarven culture, yes?”

Legolas nodded his head suspiciously, eyeing the stone.

“Well, when Mahal made us in the forges he created a second one for each of us, an eternal partner, our one.”

The elven prince stood silently in agreement. After all, he was quite familiar with at the very least, this ideal. His father, Thranduil, had complained more than once about that dwarven prince and Tauriel.

“Well.” Gimli began once more, one of his gruff hands fiddling nervously with the braids of his beard. “Once you have met your one and Mahal has deemed you ready you are to be gifted a child.”

“A child…” Legolas thought aloud, his eyes narrowing in thought at the dwarf next to him. “You mean to tell me that stone…”

“Is an infant.” Gimli finished for the elf, holding the rock closer to his chest. “It is how we Khazâd are born.”

Legolas was silent, processing everything Gimli had just revealed.

“But…” He began, furrowing his brow in confusion. “That would mean you’d have found your one, would it not?”

If possible, Gimli’s face turned even redder, his eyes frantically searching the ground beneath Legolas’ face so as to not look him in the eyes.

“Aye.”

Legolas froze, Gimli’s confirmation suddenly causing his stomach to sink, Legolas stuck now with the undeniable evidence that he’d have to be sharing Gimli with someone else.

He quickly dispelled these thoughts. Legolas placed his hand tenderly on the other's shoulder, throwing a gentle smile on his face before his friend beside him could even notice anything off.

“Why Gimli, that's… Great.” The dwarf practically flushed at Legolas’ words, caressing his thumb against the rough exterior of the stone.

“Who is she?”

Gimli froze, staring perplexed at Legolas.

“What do you mean she?” He asked, his gruff voice filled with surprise.

“Your one.” Explained the elf. ‘Why was Gimli so confused?’

Gimli stared at him as if he’d punched the dwarf right between his eyes. “My dear friend-” He sighed, exasperated, running a hand down his face. “You are my one.”

Legolas felt as if the Valar themselves had just descended from above, blood rushing to his face faster than he could string a bow. The elf was silent, wanting to say so many things at once yet nothing came.

Gimli frowned, holding the rock in his arms tighter. “I understand if you do not feel the same.” He sighed heavily. “after all, you are an elf-”

Before the dwarrow could finish his sentence Legolas was upon him like a stork to bird seed. He engulfed Gimli in a hug that would crush a mortal man.

“The Rock Legolas!” Gimli exclaimed, buried in the elven princes arms.

Legolas released him, holding Gimli an arms length away. He nodded his head vigorously, ignoring the nagging voice in the back of his head that sounded suspiciously like his father telling him off.

“Apologizes… I got away from myself… I just…” Legolas trailed off, a small giddy smile crossing his lips. He could not believe the news he was hearing. Gimli was his, he was Gimli’s. They were meant for each other… after all according to the dwarves they were fated, it was destined by the gods.

Gimli looked tenderly up at Legolas, cradling the rock in his arms.

“Aye… you… do feel the same yes?” He asked, searching the Elves face for confirmation.

“Very…! A child Gimli!” He exclaimed, and the dwarf had never seen Legolas so joyous. “Our child!”

Legolas grabbed Gimli’s hands so that both were now holding the stone and smiled brightly down at the dwarf. His hands completely swallowed Legolas’, Gimli’s palms scarred and calloused from years spent in the forage.

“Meleth nîn.” Said Legolas quietly. “Thalion nîn, Melethron nîn.”

Gimli smiled, his ears picking up on what little he knew of the Sindarin language.

“One of these days I must teach you Khuzdul.” He said, looking down at the small boulder cradled in their hands. “Your elvish language is to sweet.”

“My word say nothing but the truth.” Said Legolas tenderly. “I’ve waited long for a moment like this.”

He leaned his head down as best he could, touching his forehead to Gimli’s the rock laid dormant between them.

Jojo try not to mischaracterize Legolas challenge (impossible)

[picklesonjupiter]

A wip snippet of my snack fic where Sirius and Harry become Severus' new neighbors

Severus woke up early, like always, and drank his cuppa tea, like always. He grabbed the remote from between the couch cushions, turned on the telly, and went to the front door to pick up the newspaper, like always. Routine was safe. It was what kept his life from being turned upside down.  He flipped through the paper while a rerun of an 80s show played in the background. Suddenly, an annoyingly loud honking sound outside. Jumping out of his comfortable seat, he peeked out of his window blinds and saw a movers’ truck. Severus groaned. Mrs.Kilpatrick, his next door neighbor, had recently passed away from old age, and her children had decided to sell her home. Severus had not cared for the woman with her ten cats that roamed free and ate his garden’s plants. Yet she and her cats had been part of his routine. New neighbors meant having to adjust all over again.  Severus saw a boy no older than ten run out of the truck; the first thing he noticed was his unruly brown hair and crooked glasses. Then the boy shouted, “Padfoot, hurry up.” Out came a tall man, no jumper on to protect from the morning chill, showing off his tattooed arms. This "Padfoot" (what an outlandish name) person laughed heartily, showing off his pearly white teeth. Severus felt the vein in his forehead immediately begin to throb. His new neighbors seemed to be the sort to introduce themselves to the whole neighborhood and expect them to be neighborly by making small talk. Severus loathed small talk.  He shut the blinds and went about his business, ignoring his new neighbors’ moving ruckus as best as he could. After showering in lukewarm water, he dressed in his usual black attire and went into his childhood room, which was now remodeled as his study room. He graded his students’ assignments until the alarm he set went off.  Stretching his arms to get rid of his stiff neck and shoulders, he stood up and walked to his garden. His irises and camelias were beginning to bloom. He watered the tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and carrots that he planted a few weeks ago. He also watered his indoor plants and changed pots and dirt for the plants that were dry and dying.  Gardening always soothed him. It was a habit he began with his mother. When he was younger, they often could not afford to buy food, so his mother began planting seeds in their backyard until vegetables and fruit grew. (His father allowed his mother this one hobby because it fed them.) Severus was preparing lunch for himself when he heard knocking and then heard the sound of his doorbell. Wiping his hands, he opened his front door to find his new neighbors standing there.  “Hellu, I’m your new neighbor. I wanted to introduce myself to you. I’m Sirius Black and this is my son, Harry. I hope we can get to know each other and get along.”  Severus ignored the man’s outstretched hand, sneering at it. “Do you have any pets?” Sirius dropped his hand, his smile becoming a tad forced. “We do. A dog. His name is Lady. He’s a sweetheart; he loves to run around outside and play fetch.” “Keep him out of my garden.” He shut the door in his face. Severus heard Black say loudly, “What a rude man. I didn’t even get his name. Come on, Harry. Let’s hope our other neighbors are better.” “Anyone would be better than him. Did you see the way he looked at us? Like we were bugs.” The last thing Severus heard was that irritating belly laugh.  — From that point on, Severus received gifts from his annoyingly cheerful neighbor every few days. First it was freshly baked bread, then a pie, until the gifts became outrageously expensive. Severus walked to Black’s front door and knocked with extra force in his knocks. The boy opened the door, his hair looking like he had just rolled out of bed. “Is your father home?” The boy blinked up at him like an idiot before screaming for dad to come down.

[steddieasitgoes]

@steddiemas Day 7 Prompt: Mall and/or Job

Tags: Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler (but they don't even kiss), Eddie Munson Has A Crush On Steve Harrington, Shopping Malls, The Great Cabbage Patch Riots, Steve Harrington Is A Sweetheart, Good Sibling Nancy Wheeler, Banter

wc: 1724 | Rating: G

Read on ao3 | ao3 collection

“Can you believe my parents?” Nancy scoffs, sliding into the passenger seat of the Beamer. “It’s all Holly wants and they won’t get it for her.”

“Look on the bright side, Nanc,” Steve says, throwing a hand over her seat as he reverses out of the Wheeler’s driveway. “You’re going to be the best big sister in the entire world when you give it to her on Christmas morning.”

“If we even get our hands on one. They sell out in seconds.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little mall rush after facing off against monsters last month. We can totally do this.”

🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬

Steve should know better than to underestimate Nancy, but how was he supposed to know she was right about this? It’s a baby doll for christ sake. A weird-looking baby doll for that matter. And what the hell is with the name? Cabbage? They couldn’t have thought of anything cuter?

What does he know, though? Apparently, the stupid name and weird design worked because he’s currently stuck in a crowd of thousands outside a mall in Indianapolis at six in the fucking morning. Nancy disappeared into the crowd half an hour ago to see just how deep it went. He’s hoping she made it to the front and that’s why she hasn’t returned. The other outcome is one he doesn’t want to think about, but his mind can’t help but conjure up the image of the headline: “Teen Girl Dies In Cabbage Patch Stampede.” The Wheelers would kill him.

There’s no time for dwelling as the sea of people lurchs forward. He can’t see the front doors but judging from the sudden rush of shoving and shouting, the doors to the mall are about to open.

For the first time in his life, he’s happy Nancy sat him down two days ago and laid out the game plan. The layout of the mall is fresh in his mind as is the doll Holly wants — blonde hair in pig tales, freckles, blue eyes — a creepy carbon copy of herself.

The minute the doors open, Steve’s shoving adults double and triple his age out of the way. He breaks out into a sprint when he clears the pack, b-lining for the toy store on the second floor. Despite his speed, he’s beaten by at least a hundred other eager shoppers who were probably at the front of the hoard outside.

It would be easy to get discouraged, but Steve powers on. He didn’t drive this far to let Holly and Nancy down. Thankfully, the boxes are stacked in the entryway of the store. The massive pile gets smaller and smaller by the second as hands grab the dolls free, hoisting them up over their head in victory.

Acting on adrenaline alone, Steve dives into the dwindling pile and gets his hand on a box. He can’t tell which doll it is, but at this rate, anything is better than nothing. With the box clutched to his chest, he starts getting up from the floor when he feels a pair of hands reaching for him. The person tugs, hard, freeing Steve from the stampede that’s coming. For a second Steve thinks the person saved him, but then he feels the box being tugged from his hands and he realizes what’s actually happening.

It’s not a rescue mission, it’s a kidnapping.

“Get your hands off my doll!” Steve shouts, yanking hard enough to send the person surging forward. They collide in an instant, falling to the floor with the box clutched in both their hands.

“Harrington?” The man asks as he struggles to get to his feet.

“Munson?”

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Come on, Steve, isn’t it obvious? I’m here for the same reason you are. For one of these bad boys.”

“Yeah, okay, Munson,” Steve snorts, eyes squinting as he takes in his appearance. Ripped black jeans and leather jacket. Vest with patches to bands Steve’s never even heard of. Hair longer than some of the moms currently fighting behind him. Eddie’s not really the Cabbage Patch Kid type. Not in the slightest. “Didn’t peg you as a fan of dolls. Isn’t that a little too freakish even for you?”

“I don’t know. Isn’t it weird for you to be buying one? What would our wonderful peers at Hawkins High think?” Eddie teases, grip still tight on one side of the box.

“It’s not for me.”

Eddie hums, shaking his head. “That’s what they all say.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Steve spots a mother handing over a handful of bills to a man on the other side of the store. The woman is in a pristine coat, not a lock of hair out of place. There’s no way she was in this mess and yet, she’s happily walking away with a doll. The man waves her off, stuffing the handful of bills back into his pocket before making his way back into the store.

It clicks then. The man and the shady business deal a second ago. The news report he remembers listening to a few days ago. Cabbage Patch black market deals. Scammers. Fakes.

“You’re a reseller!” Steve gasps, glaring daggers at Eddie. He tries to roll on top of him to free the box, but there’s no use. Instead, he ends up rolling them into a quiet aisle where they stayed on the floor, hands denting the box.

“I am not!”

“Yeah, you are! That’s the only explanation for why you’re here. You don’t give a shit about these dolls, but you know you can get cash for them.”

“Honestly Harrington, could you be a little bit more original with your accusations?” Eddie scoffs. “What? You see ripped jeans and a guy who lives in a trailer and automatically thinks I need cash? Newsflash big boy, I do fine supplying you and all your friends that grass you love smoking every weekend.”

“Well, then, what do you need the doll for?” Steve asks, trying his best to yank it free from Eddie’s unrelenting grasp.

“None of your business.”

Steve’s about to argue back when another pair of hands join the fray. A petite and wrinkled elderly woman hovers over them. The look of pure determination and mischievousness is a stark contrast to the rest of her.

“Oh, no you don’t lady!” Eddie shouts, tugging the box and Steve towards him and away from the woman’s hand. She stumbles, nearly falling into the display of Barbie dolls. “Come on, we can settle this later!”

Struggling to his feet with his hands still gripping part of the box, Steve and Eddie make it to the checkout aisle. Together they hand it over to the clerk, not daring to put it on the conveyor belt when hundreds of empty-handers are hovering waiting to steal. They split the bill and reach for the plastic bag at the same time, each taking one side as they make their way out of the store that’s spiraling deeper and deeper into chaos now that the store is sold out.

“Now what?” Steve asks when they manage to make it into the parking lot.

“Well, it’s not like we can share the doll.”

“Right, so one of us needs to give it up.”

“Yeah, one of us does.”

For a moment, Steve considers kicking Eddie in the shins and making a run for it. He knows he can outrun him no doubt. The only problem is he’d have to leave Nancy behind. Even if he managed to get Holly the doll, he’s pretty sure Nancy would not appreciate being stranded in the city.

It’s hard to tell what Eddie’s thinking, but Steve thinks it’s something similar. Probably less running if Steve had to guess. Maybe blackmail.

“Steve!” Nancy calls, startling Steve out of the impromptu staring contest. He follows the sound of her voice and spots her exiting the mall with a plastic bag clutched to her chest. A giant smile is plastered on her face. “I got her!”

“The one she wanted?” Steve shouts back.

Nancy nods.

Oh thank god, he thinks before offering her an enthusiastic thumbs up. With Holly’s Christmas gift secured, he turns to Eddie and finally lets go of the plastic bag. “Guess it’s your lucky day, Munson. M’sure you made whoever that doll is for very happy.”

With a finger-wiggle wave, Steve jogs off to catch up with Nancy.

🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬 👶🏻🥬

“Eddie!”

Eddie jumps and turns to find Jeff silently judging him. His arms are crossed and he’s not holding any bags. Oh, fuck.

“What the hell?” He shouts, punching Eddie’s shoulder. “One second you were behind me and then you were gone! I spent so much time looking for you I missed out on getting the new release!”

“Shit, Jeff. I’m—“

“Are you holding a Cabbage Patch Kid?”

“Uh, I…” Eddie trails off and glances down a row of cars. In the distance, he spots Steve helping Nancy and the stupid doll box into the passenger seat of the Beamer. He tears his eyes away when Steve shuts the door, but it's a mistake because Jeff is right there, staring at him with even more judgment in his eyes.

“Dude,” Jeff whines. “You bought a Cabbage Patch just to talk to him?”

“We talked for a long time, Jeff! And our hands touched!”

“I cannot deal with this,” Jeff groans, burying his head in his hands. “What are you going to do with that thing now?”

Eddie glances into the plastic bag. It’s the first time he’s actually looked at the thing. A red-headed doll with green eyes and freckles stares back at him with a painted-on smile. It’s fucking creepy.

“I didn’t think I was going to keep it!” He defends which sends Jeff on another tangent. One that fades into the background as Steve’s words from earlier ring in Eddie’s ears. “Wait! Steve mentions something earlier.”

“I’m sure he did.”

“No, I’m serious,” Eddie snaps, glaring at Jeff. “Apparently there's like a black market for these things. Maybe we can sell one and get enough to buy ourselves a decent miniature set for Hellfire or new speakers for Corroded Coffin.”

“You better hope so,” Jeff says, shaking his head. “Or else I’m never letting you live this down.”

[princess-of-the-corner]

Tried to think of some Miraculous Gaang names! You may want to Google a few of these, fair warning.

Ladybug!Sokka - Captain Harmonia/Harlequin/Beetle

Black Cat!Katara - Painted Jaguar

Turtle!Aang - Lion Turtle, Tortiseshell

Snake!Suki - Pythonic, Tealtime, Naga, Aspen, Tock Viper, Medusa/Stheno/Euryale, Teal Gorgan

Tiger!Toph - The Blind Tiger

Dragon!Zuko - Seiryu 

Fox!Azula - Inari, Kistune, Silver Reynard, Kuma Lisa, Blue Ren (“the tale of Miss Ren”)

Pig!Jin - Babirusa

Bee!Ty Lee - Bumblebee (there is literally a “Dance of the Bumblebee” music score), Honeycomb

Mouse!Mai - Rat Queen (based on the “Rat King” from the Nutcracker Ballet. Kind of as a slide parallel to her canon thing, here, Mai’s parents signed her up for ballet, where she met Ty Lee and Azula.)

Ox!Haru - Oxenfree (all I got right now)

Horse!Teo - got nothing but “Pegasus” which is taken

Rabbit!Yué - Luna Lapine, Luna Angora, Satin Moon, Velvet Moon

Monkey!Kuzon - a bit more explanation here. Mostly, I was trying to fill out the miraculous roster, cause AtLa only has a few “main” characters, I was trying to find some named characters the Gaang is shown being friends with who are roughly their age. I didn’t list Jet or his friends, cause, honestly, what exactly would their story be?? How do they integrate? Like, I’m sure you could do something, I just couldn’t really think of anything at the time. But also, I realized all the friends of the Gaang belong to Katara, Sokka, or Suki, later Zuko - Aang and Toph don’t really have any that are unconnected from them. In Toph’s case, she was raised super sheltered, and never got a chance to meet anyone, while Aang HAD friends, but they’re all mostly dead, except Bumi, because of the 100 years in ice thing. And we already have Bumi here being an old man. The only other friend Aang really mentions is Kuzon, the Fire Nation kid who … I think there’s a short story about the pair of them fighting off poachers? Anyway, I was basically imagining Kuzon as “Le Chien Kim, but Animal Lover and Environmentalist Advocate”. He would have grown up next door to Aang and Gyatso, and that’s how the pair are friends. As for names … I want to say Tarzan or Mowgli, but I feel like, even in universe, those would get him visits from lawyers.

Now, briefly into ships - this is just me spitballing my random headcanons, PLEASE TO ALL READING THIS, WE ARE HAVING FUN, LET’S NOT BRING THE ATLA SHIPWARS HERE! THIS IS JUST ME SPITBALLING! THEY CAN ALL BE CHANGED!

so, Katara/Aang. Aang I see as non-binary - they don’t mind which pronouns you use, but mostly uses he/they when referring to himself. Katara believes she is straight, but is actually bi with a bigger attraction to males.

Sokka is poly-pansexual. His relationships start with Sokka/Yue, until Yué realizes she’s actually AroAce, and they break up. Then later Sokka/Suki, which morphs into Zuko/Sokka & Sokka/Suki, which changes to Zuko/Sokka/Suki. Suki’s bi, while Zuko is … Zuko (demi-pan, but never has the words for it till WAY later).

Toph is Aro, or at least grayromantic, as is Teo. Teo I also see as trans, but that might just be me.

Mai/Ty Lee eventually becomes Mai/Ty Lee/Azula. (Sexuality uncertain, but my cousin does call them the “Deadly Lesbians”.) There’s a brief Mai/Zuko, but only to get Mai’s parents to back off and leave her alone.

Haru is our only totally straight guy, congrats man, you are our cishet+!

Thoughts, Feelings, Opinions, New/Different Ideas?

(Also, side note. We still have Cabbage man, right?)

-

OH SO

Loving the names! I think I’m gonna make a masterpost of the names here once I finalize them.

Totally get the thing on Kuzon. Like yeah I’m trying to think of other characters to fill out the Hero team and other than Jet’s group there aren’t a lot. There’s a reason I dragged Jin into this(other than the fact that I love her)

And yeah I’ve been turning Jet and co over in my head trying to think of what they’d be and I can’t think of anything for them because there’s so many changes to the base setup.

AS FOR SHIPS

I have my ships I like and while I do take suggestions it’s my au and I get the nonsense!

Obvs the Aang/Katara stays.

I see the Zuko/Sokka/Suki and raise you adding Jin in there.

Swinging to Yue: I always have mixed feelings in some AUs because I love her and Sokka in Canon but most AUs they never really work out. And in this one idk why they wouldn’t exactly? Like nothing gets in the way. Maybe if I write Sokka starting the Suki relationship first and then while they’re poly they’re not at a ‘hey how do you think about another person?’ discussion stage when they meet Yue? And then by the time they are at that stage either they’ve moved on or Yue has her own partner?

That said. Yue/Azula. Any time I have the chance for them I take it. Like the equal opposite you see my vision.

I also have this weird soft spot for Toph/Ty Lee. Probably has something to do with that post of ‘Ty Lee teaches Toph to walk on her hands’ thing because as funny as that post is these two are menaces it’s great, the amount of trust involved in it!

Haru is def our token straight though.

My one original thought:

So like. The Gaang has a range of ages. And in atla that’s fine due to the circumstances. But here it’s kind of a question of ‘how do they all meet/become friends/etc if they never really meet’? so I’m gonna make shit up to squish them into the same grade in school. 

Aang and Toph skipped a grade. Homeschooling put them a bit ahead of their peers in public school so they just got placed ahead.

On the flipside, Zuko got held back a grade due to the whole ‘being kicked out and horrifically scarred’ thing. Like between the mental and physical care he’d need he missed a lot of class that year so just. Repeat the year.