#she's so tiny he could find her sweet spot without even trying

[happy-is-thirsty]

Just thinking about Yachi squeezing around Tendou's long fingers as he slides them into her tight heat.

[fernclans]

MOON 07. (part 2) (tw; trauma, cliffhanger AGAIN sorry)

Starring: Dashpaw (BuddingClan), Cliffstripe (BuddingClan), Amberpaw (BuddingClan), Cougarkit (BuddingClan), Cowkit (BuddingClan), Pinekit (BuddingClan)

The sound of frantic pawsteps could be heard first, Amberpaw growing alert and rising from her spot near Cliffstripe where they’d been chatting. Part of his hearing damaged by his loss of an ear, it seemed the ginger warrior was unaware something was approaching before his companions demeanor changed, looking up at her quizzically with his remaining yellow eye.

“Someone’s coming.” She meows simply, fixated on the camp's entrance. Cliffstripe pulls himself into a sitting position, trying to prepare himself for anything.

Dashpaw is a blur when he breaks through the clearing; had it not been for the unfamiliar scent he carried with him, the ginger warrior might not have been able to tell that he even had a kit held firmly in his jaws. The half-white tom locks his eyes on Amberpaw, making a b-line to her and promptly placing the kitten a tail-length in front of her paws.

“I need you to look after him.” Without waiting for a response, he turns his head towards Cliffstripe. “Cliffstripe, I need you to follow me. There are two more kits still. Flippaw is running a diversion, but I don’t know how much time she’ll have.”

Cliffstripe nods firmly. “Got it.” In an instant, he’s on his paws, muscles tensing and preparing for a run.

“A diversion!?” Amberpaw shouts, looking desperately at Dashpaw for more details. “Dashpaw what-”

“There’s no time to explain right now! I’ll tell you everything in a bit!” In typical Dashpaw fashion, he’s gone before she could finish her questioning. Cliffstripe shoots her an apologetic glance before taking off after the other tom.

Giving a sigh, Amberpaw slumps back onto her haunches and looks down at the young kit that was placed at her paws. “Well, guess it’s just you and me, kit. I’m Amberpaw.” She offers the tan tabby a kind smile, thinking back to the time when Flippaw was still this small and hoping to StarClan the molly was going to be alright.

--

“Explain to me what’s going on.” Cliffstripe says firmly between the pounding of his paws. “What do I need to know?”

Dashpaw was a few paces ahead of him, leading the way. He doesn’t spare a glance back at the warrior, and hopes that his voice can be heard well enough from his position. “Flippaw and I were in the outer fields -- she smelled blood, I smelled a wolf. I tried to leave, but she found these kits instead-” He stops for a second to catch his breath before continuing. “-she said she was going to lead the wolf away so we could get the kits! She didn’t even give me a choice about it!”

Were it not for the severity of the situation, Cliffstripe would almost find it humorous; perhaps Dashpaw had rubbed off more on the younger molly than he had thought. “Did you find their mother?”

“I’m guessing that’s the source of the blood-smell.” Dashpaw shouts back grimly.

Try as he did, Dashpaw couldn’t catch a single trace of Flippaw’s current whereabouts; maybe that was for the best? Hopefully that meant she was successful in leading the beast away.

When they reached the remaining two kits, one of them had started crying out for its mother, the sound of her tiny voice causing Cliffstripe’s heart to ache. To lose one's family so young… He approaches the kit slowly, lowering himself to appear less threatening. 

“Hey, it’s okay.” The other kit, the blue one, hisses and lashes a tiny paw out defensively. Her sister waddles forward on unsteady paws and sniffs at Cliffstripe curiously.

“This is sweet and all, Cliff’, but we gotta be going.” Dashpaw warned, tail twitching nervously behind him.

Drawing himself back up, Ciffstripe licks at his chest, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Ah- no, you’re right.” He turns back to the pair of kittens and picks up the remaining brown and white she-kit, Dashpaw following suit and grabbing the cranky blue one before making themselves scarce.

--

By the time they return, Amberpaw has put a nest together for the kits; lined with downy feathers from an earlier catch, it seemed the mottled tabby kit Dashpaw had brought in before had already taken up residency within. With the other two kits placed into the nest, they greet each other excitedly, the blue kit pouncing sloppily onto her brother.

“Is that all of them?” Amberpaw asks, looking at the toms.

“These are all the ones Flippaw and I found.” Dashpaw confirms.

An uneasy silence fills the clearing at the mention of the spotted apprentice’s name. Her plan was so hurried that they didn’t take the time to discuss where they’d meet up after, where she planned to goad the wolf into chasing her, really anything.

“She’ll be okay.” Cliffstripe meows, causing the others to look at him.

“How can you be so sure? She’s only been an apprentice for two moons!” Amberpaw’s voice is harsher than she intended it to be, and she flinches back from her own voice. “I’m sorry for yelling, I just-”

Cliffstripe shakes his head. “It’s okay, I understand. Just believe in her, okay? Dashpaw did, I’m going to choose to do so as well. If Flippaw thought she could manage this, then I trust her.”

Amberpaw looks uncertain still, but remains silent and simply nods. As confident as she was in herself, she struggled to find the kind of trust that Cliffstripe seemed to have in everyone.

Seeming uncomfortable with just sitting around, the molly turns her attention back to the trio of kits and tries to usher them off of the nest. “Come on, I’ll bring you inside so you can sleep.”

Dashpaw fights the urge to argue their nest placements; now wasn’t the time. He looks back to Cliffstripe, worry knitted in his brow. “When should we go out to look for her?”

“When the moon is high. I want to make sure we give her enough time and don’t meet the wrong end of a wolf.” Again. He nods back silently, light-blue gaze fixated on the stars beginning to fill the sky. ‘StarClan, if you really exist… you better keep her safe.’

[anjelicawrites]

Because Michael finds math so easy, when he sees the pretty girl in his class and she distracts him, he loves the challenge. Math is hard (and it’s not the only thing) because he has to concentrate on the questions instead of her tits.

When he finally accidentally ends up with her, she realizes that he likes having to do problems while she distracts him. She tells him that if he can get all of the problems on a worksheet solved without cumming, she’ll give him a reward. He’s come very close a few times to getting them all done, but he has never managed to. Is he really expected to be able to do what would normally take him twenty seconds when she’s sucking him off or riding him or playing with herself??? One time he actually did a problem wrong because he wrote the wrong number down when she was moaning and bouncing on his cock wearing just a tiny crop top and the shortest skirt he had ever seen.

-🪴

Let's focus on that time he made a mistake, shall we, 🪴 anon?

Maths for Michael is an afterthought. He runs problems and equations in the back of his head while he's living through his life. That's why he accepted her 'little challenge': solve all the problems and equations written in one random page of one of his maths books while she 'distracts' him and "I'll let you have my arse, sweet Michael", she told him one night, back from a date. Michael didn't even ponder her proposal, he accepted immediately, all of his blood running to his cock at the thought of her tight, virgin arse at his disposal. He imagined he could win this challenge easily: how hard could it be?

Harder than his cock every single time she giggles and plays with her stupid pencil during class, apparently.

Michael groans, the pencil almost snaps with the strength he's using to hold it. He's desperate to keep his mind focused on the easy equation and he simply can't. The numbers swim in his head faster and faster as she bounces on his cock, moaning and whining at his girth.

She popped by his college room wearing a suspiciously long coat, a bit too warm for the incoming spring. She had jumped in his arms and kissed him soundly, pushing his glasses over his head, before standing in the middle of the room, letting the coat fall from her beautiful body with a giggle.

He had almost come on the spot at the spectacle of her frame, barely covered by a crop top that's more a sports bra, and a plated skirt so short it's more a piece of tissue than anything else.

"Do you want to try again?" She asked, already breathless and Michael didn't have to be asked twice.

"So big Michael!" She moans in his ear, squashing her breasts against his jumper. "Oh! There!"

She grinds against him, her cunt so wet and tight around his raging erection that his eyes cross and his hands shake violently as he tries to write.

He's sweating and whining when her hips start fast figures of eight shapes to house him fully. He can barely fit, she has to mold herself around him to bottom out, making him arch his back, trapped between her and his chair.

He scribbles hastily, desperate to finish before she does, his brain lost to the fog of pleasure that starts in his belly and burns through him.

He throws the pen on the floor, grabbing her hips to bounce her properly on his cock, his lips finding her nipples through the sheer material of the crop top to suck them savagely, biting the soft flesh as she's reduced to a rag doll in his arms.

He's fucking her with purpose, bullying her sweety spot and cursing at the way she tightens around him. Faster, harder, hands slapping her arse to make her move at his leisure.

She comes with a shout when he grabs her arse and forces her to grind against him, her clit sliding against his sweaty skin. He follows with a groan, pushing once, twice, deep and painful, sure to leave marks on her beautiful skin.

They don't even make it to his bed, having fallen on the floor with the stupid book next to them.

She's cuddling against his chest, rubbing her cheeks and giggling at the way the hairs there tickle her.

"Did you solve it?" She asks, since he's still reading his answer.

"No."

"Lemme see!"

She tries to grab the notebook from his hand when he doesn't share it with her.

They wrestle and laugh on the floor, until she's on top, her cunt enveloping his spent cock.

"Oh! You made a mistake sweet Michael." She giggles.

"I didn't. I was distracted!"

She throws the notebook away and bends to him, lips barely hovering his.

"I think you need a punishment for trying to hide it from me." She giggles with a dark glint in her eyes.

"What punishment? And it wasn't in our deal!"

He tries to hide how excited the idea makes him but fails, since she's sitting on his growing dick.

"I think you're gonna like it." She answers, sliding slowing down his body. "You're going to love it, actually!"

[knchins]

Shy!fem reader riding her husband satoru? Maybe she hides her face in her hands and begs Satoru to take control, but he refuses as looks at her with a smile, his strong arms behind his head and tells her if she wants to feel good, then she should move. Just good husband Satoru helping his wife overcome shyness :')

Hi Hi Anon! This request made me melt (in a good way) and I just a;ldkfjla;kdjf had so much fun writing it, thank you so much!

Pairing: Gojo Satoru x Reader

TW: Shy reader, vaginal sex, unsafe sex, praise, overstimulation, this is pretty soft <3

Reader Type: AFAB- Female

Word Count: ~560 words

You placed both hands over your face, skin hot with embarrassment as your pretty husband laid out beneath you with his cock buried into your soaked pussy. With his fingers laced behind his head, Satoru looked up at you with a teasing grin. He laid perfectly still, ignoring the tiny whines that were coming from your mouth. 

He knew how much you wanted him, he could tell even without feeling the way you were clamped down around his rock-hard dick. The way your thighs trembled with the intense desire for him to fuck you senseless like he usually did. The need for release from all the tension that had been stored up in your body throughout the day. You needed him and only him. 

“Please, ‘Toru, I can’t do it.” You mumbled to him.

Your husband chuckled, not moving even a millimeter out of place. “If you want to feel good, princess, then you should move.” He cooed playfully, noticing how you tensed up even more, the tightening of your walls around him nearly made him groan. 

You peaked at him through your fingers and he could see the embarrassed look on your face. His smile grew, “Hey pretty girl, I’m not going to move so you better get to work if you want to cum.” 

You tentatively moved your hips, trying to find an angle and rhythm that felt best. It was a slow and almost agonizing process for Satoru as he had to use every drop of willpower not to buck his hips up into yours. You finally took your hands from your face, a determined look replacing the shy one as you placed your hands on his bare chest. 

You rocked your hips again, feeling a zing of pleasure as his tip rubbed against the spot inside of you that was extra sensitive. You moved to hit it again, your eyes nearly rolling back with the wave of pleasure that came with it. “That’s it, baby, get off of my cock. You can do it.”

A slight nod from his encouragement had you moving faster, bouncing on top of him as you used your thighs to help you move at a quicker pace. He was in so deep, throbbing so intensely as he bit the inside of his cheek to keep his composure as every drop of self-doubt seemed to leave you.  

What a beautiful sight, Satoru thought as your nails dug into his pecs. He could tell you were getting close and the thought that his sweet innocent wife was using him as a glorified sex toy had him even more turned on than usual. But still, he waited patiently for your moans to climb higher in decimal, for his name to tumble off your lips. The sweet undulation of your walls around him as you came, a gush of fluid soaking his genitals and the small crop of pubic hair that adorned them. 

You remained on top of him, breathing heavily as you slowly regained your senses. Satoru was smirking now, hands moving up your thighs and grabbing onto your hips. He anchored you in place when you tried to get off. “Nah uh, we’re not finished yet.” He teased before finally jerking his hips and pushing his head all the way to your cervix. Your eyes rolled back as he quickly sent you into overstimulation. “We’re just getting started, love.” 

Request Rules

[vivienne-writes]

I'll Ingrain Your Touch Into My Memory

“That’s what it feels like when you touch me. Like millions of tiny universes being born and then dying in the space between your finger and my skin. Sometimes I forget.”

― Iain Thomas, I Wrote This For You

“Come on, Ominis, just this once,” Poppy pleaded with the sweetest tone of voice she could muster.

It was a fine Saturday afternoon when Poppy managed to rope MC and Imelda into her latest venture: getting Ominis to describe what each of them may look like based on touch. They had spent all morning trying to track him down and poor Ominis, catching wind of their plans, spent all of his morning trying to escape their clutches. He would have tucked himself away in the Slytherin dormitory, but Imelda could have easily let them in.

He was headed towards the boathouse to plant himself there for the rest of the evening when Imelda, atop her broom, managed to spot him and corner him at the clocktower courtyard. Now surrounded by the trio, Ominis had no escape and Sebastian was nowhere in sight to help him.

“I’d like to go about my weekend without hexing anyone, if you don’t mind,” he grumbled angrily.

“It won’t take too long; I promise I won’t ask for anything else!” once Poppy has made up her mind, there was no swaying her.

“I’m not a plaything,” Ominis argued, although his resolve was weakening. He was tired and the thought of curling up for a nap sounded incredibly tempting. He’d much rather nap by the fireplace in the Slytherin common room, basking in the warmth of the hearth, than spend any more time running away and hiding.

“Humor us, please?” you finally spoke up gently. Originally you accompanied Poppy to indulge her, but really, you were just as curious to see what Ominis’ would say. And maybe, although you refused to admit as much to yourself, you wanted to know what his touch felt like.

Little did you know, Ominis harbored a bit of a crush on you. He was under the assumption that he’d only have to feel Poppy’s face but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he got to touch yours too. And truthfully, he didn’t have the heart to deny you.

“If I do this, do you lot promise to never bring this up again?” he asked with a sigh.

“Cross our hearts,” said Imelda as she leaned against her broomstick.

“Alright then. Sweeting, you first,” Ominis reached out both hands which Poppy pulled to her face eagerly. He took his time, running his fingers over her nose, her forehead, her chin. He contemplated his answer thoughtfully. “You’ve a very soft face and I can tell you’re smiling. These dips right here, are these dimples?”

Poppy nodded, urging him to go on. Ominis felt her bangs, fingers twirling the strands down to the tips. “I didn’t realize you had short hair,” he muttered, more so to himself. “I think you live up to your namesake. You must have a very sweet, kind face. Also, you’re much shorter than I expected.”

“I can live with that!” Poppy beamed cheerfully. “Now your turn!”

She pushed you towards Ominis, whose heart began to beat so rapidly, he was afraid you’d realize how nervous he was. Maybe his feelings for you weren’t as insignificant as he thought they were. He wiped his hands anxiously on his robes, hoping you wouldn’t find them clammy or sweaty.

“I’m right here, Ominis,” you said as he reached out towards you. You took his hands softly in yours, placing them gently on your cheeks. You found them to be firm but so smooth, it took everything in you not to nuzzle your face into his palms.

Ominis, on the other hand, was struggling to focus. He had wondered countless times what it would feel like to touch you, your hands, your face. And here you were, warm and pleasant to the touch. He noted the curvature of your cheekbone, the delicate shape of your jaw, the flutter of your eyelashes against his skin. He brushed a thumb lightly over your lips, breath hitching ever so slightly as he took in their plumpness. His mind began to stray, wondering how your lips would feel against his. When he began to run his fingers through your hair, you had to stop yourself from letting out a moan. It took every ounce of self-control you had to stay grounded. Meanwhile, Ominis was wondering whether running a hand down your neck would be too much when Imelda pulled you away abruptly.

“Hurry up Gaunt, we don’t have all day,” she demanded, grabbing his hands forcefully. You were somewhat relieved she pulled you away. Otherwise, you would have stood there all night, entranced by the feel of his dexterous fingers. But it didn’t satiate your curiosity, it just made you crave it more.

“You have a strong forehead, quite the forceful chin,” Ominis mused, fingers wandering Imelda’s face now. “Yes, I think I have a good idea as to what you look like, Reyes.”

“Go on then,” said Imelda, smugly expecting a compliment.

“You’ve got a face only a mother could love,” he smirked cheekily. Imelda swung her fist, dropping her broom and narrowly missing Ominis’ face. She would have landed her mark if you and Poppy hadn’t jumped to pull her back in time.

“Have a good evening!” Ominis called over his shoulder as he began making his way back inside, Imelda’s insults ringing in the air. He was hoping to return to the privacy of his room to replay the memory of your touch over and over in his head when he bumped into Sebastian.

“You were here this whole time and didn’t step in to help me?” Ominis asked incredulously.

“Help you? I was doing you a favor,” Sebastian chuckled. “So, tell me, did she feel as good as you expected?”

“Don’t be so crude, Sebastian,” Ominis scolded, aware of the heat creeping up his face. But he couldn’t deny that your touch not only felt better than he expected, but it had permanently ingrained itself into his memory.

[tokkias]

more than like ship: natsu dragneel x lucy heartfilia summary: There's something scary about change, about moving away from the established borders of something that lingers in the territory of more than friendship. The thought of it makes Lucy's heart ache and twist in her chest, but experiencing it first hand, she supposes some changes might be for the better. ao3

Lucy had never thought there would be a day when she would willingly let Natsu sleep in bed with her. That didn’t stop him from trying, though. So many mornings she had found herself with their limbs tangled together in the sheets, where they hadn’t been the night before, and each and every time she’d demand for him to get out and not try that with her again.

He didn’t get it. Natsu didn’t see the problem with sharing a bed with her. They were friends; that’s what friends do, but Lucy didn’t share that sentiment.

Natsu was a guy. It was indecent for her to share a bed with a man out of wedlock, and it was made all the more embarrassing when she just happened to have a teensy tiny little crush on that man. She couldn’t sleep knowing he was laying there next to him, feeling his body heat emanating from him. The feeling should have brought comfort, made her feel safe, knowing that no one could hurt her while she had her Natsu with her, but it did no such thing.

She was always so nervous. She was plagued with the fear that, in sharing a bed with him, she might find herself compelled to snuggle up to his chest, with her nose buried into the crook of his neck and her hand resting on his bare chest. It would be so humiliating to wake up with him like that. He’d figure out her feelings right away and not reciprocate, and it would ruin their friendship.

Though she supposed she didn’t have to worry about that now.

"Luucccyyyyyy," Natsu drawled from across the room, pulling her attention away from her manuscript on the desk. "Come to bed. ‘M tired."

"You don’t have to wait for me, you know," Lucy hummed, letting her pen scratch against the paper as she spoke. "You can go to sleep without me. I don’t mind."

"Don’t wanna," he replied. "I wanna cuddle before we go to sleep."

Cuddles… Yeah. Those sounded nice.

Placing her pen back down, Lucy looked over at him, having made himself comfortable on her bed, leaving her spot empty for her to crawl under the sheets with him, as had become routine.

She could see his face light up as he heard the click of her desk lamp shutting off and saw her stand from her chair and saunter over to join him in bed. He eagerly pulled back the sheets for her, and Lucy wasted no time in cozying up to his chest, relishing in the feeling of his hands slipping around her torso and pulling her closer.

She tilted her head back to look up at him, and in turn, he nuzzled his nose against hers, eliciting a sweet giggle from her lips. Natsu responded in turn by placing a soft kiss against them, feeling Lucy’s smile against his own. She loved moments like this, the ones that were made just for her, where her rowdy, rambunctious Natsu became soft and gentle, only for her.

Her hands found purchase on his scalp, her fingers running through his tresses, enjoying the way his soft locks felt against her skin and the deep rumble of enjoyment in his chest it elicited. His eyelids began to sink in enjoyment, and she couldn’t contain the wide smile that crossed her face.

"What’s with that face?" He asked, his eyes fluttering back open to be met with her little grin as she looked up at him.

"Nothing," Lucy murmured. "You just look really cute right now."

Even in the low light, she could make out the flush forming on his cheeks, and she had to purse her lips to hold back the laugh and the evident smile of her growing ego.

She, Lucy Heartfilia, had made the big bad Natsu Dragneel blush.

All because she thought he was cute.

"Yeah, well, you’re pretty cute too," he mumbled, averting his gaze in an attempt to hide his embarrassment at her comment, but Lucy wasn’t going to let him get away that easy.

"And you’re handsome too," she purred, dragging her nails softly across his scalp in time with her words for emphasis.

It seemed her plan worked a charm as he tried to bury his face in her hair to hide the rapidly increasing heat in his cheeks.

"Luuccyyyy," he whined, not quite knowing how to react to her sudden stream of compliments.

"What? Why are you being so bashful?" She teased, bringing one hand down to poke him lightly in the chest for emphasis.

"It’s ‘cause I like you," he murmured.

She simply chortled at his choice of words.

They were well past like at this stage.

That, of course, didn’t stop the blush from forming on her own cheeks as she heard him speak the words out loud.

"I like you too," she spoke, her words little more than a whisper, saved for his ears only.

"Yeah?"

"Of course I do."

"You’re blushing now too," he pointed out once he finally mustered up the courage to face her once more.

"You were blushing first," Lucy retorted.

"Yeah, but you’re blushing harder."

"I am not!"

Natsu didn’t reply. Instead, he rolled over onto his back, pulling Lucy with him, making her shriek out in surprise, to which he cackled in response. She tried to wiggle her way out of his grasp, but his hold on her was much too tight to escape, and the harder she tried, the stronger his grip got and the more he laughed at her.

"You are such a pain!" She whined, finally giving in to his hold and letting herself relax in his chest, nuzzling into the space between his shoulder and neck.

"Yeah, but you like me, don’tcha?"

She couldn’t really argue with that; after all, liking him was how she ended up sharing a bed with him anyway.

Maybe waking up in tangled limbs with him was okay, provided they could fall asleep that way too.

With his grip on her loosened, Lucy slipped off of his chest and onto the mattress beside him, keeping one arm thrown over his chest and a leg intertwined with one of his own. Her head rested on his chest, where she heard the calming thump, thump, thump of his heart.

The one that belonged to her.

As her eyes fluttered shut, one thought permeated her brain as she felt herself drift off in his arms.

She would sleep good tonight.

[centralperkchenford]

Chenford + Tim finding out Isabel revealed they were cops to Dara during the UC op hotel scene

I really liked this one!

The stakes are high, the water’s low, but this love is ours

Chenford + Tim finding out Isabel revealed they were cops to Dara during the UC op hotel scene

Lucy knew Isabel didn’t mean any harm when she blurted out to Dara that they were cops. She probably thought it was for the best and Dara would find out anyway. However Lucy was just a tiny bit annoyed that she had done it. What would have happened if Dara had blurted it to the guys after her? It would have put both their lives in danger. They could have been killed on the spot. And she had meant to question Isabel on exactly why she had blurted it out but everything had happened so fast so she never got the chance. Tim never found out either which was probably for the best. She didn’t want him getting mad at Isabel for a little mistake. A mistake that anyone could have made. But that little mistake had caught up with her.

And now here she was with a gun pointed at her head.

It had been a regular operation and Tim as always was her backup. A comforting thought to Lucy. But it still never got easier leaving him. Not being able to kiss him or hug him or just be physically close to him.

She knew he was right outside the warehouse she was currently in. He was ready to move if he thought something was wrong. The operation was suppose to be simple, but wasn’t that what they always say? Gabe Spencer and his goonies were supposedly bringing in guns from Mexico. She was acting as a girl who just wanted some extra cash, so she was the informer, telling the men how to get the guns in the US without being caught. And the thing was Lucy was so close to bringing this operation down. She just had a few more loose ends and then it would have been over. But then as she had been walking in the warehouse, someone had made her as a cop.

There was a fight and Lucy had surrendered with her hands in the air trying to calm down her breathing. She felt blood trickling down her cheek and she knew she probably had a black hair from where she had been hit in the midst of fists and chaos.

Tim was right outside. He will figure out something is wrong. It was the only comforting thought in Lucy’s head right now.

The man Gabe Spencer stared at her unrelentingly.

“You’re a cop.” He sneered and Lucy did her best to look confused.

“What are you talking about?” She said loudly. “I’m not a cop. Where’d you get that idea?”

Gabe Spencer laughed loudly. “I have a friend who had a run in with you and a blonde. She said the blonde revealed you were cops.”

Fuck. Lucy thought Fuck fuck fuck

“Well it wasn’t me.” She said trying to keep her voice level but she had a bad feeling about this. She knew Gabe didn’t believe her. There really was no way out of this situation. “I’m just what I told you I am- I’m just trying to make some extra cash.”

Gabe stared at her a smirk still on his face and she feels sick to her stomach. She hoped Tim was listening in. She hoped he was getting all the tactical stuff ready to come in a rescue her. She eyes the warehouse door warily, willing it to open.

“No I’m not mistaken.” Gabe said and he started to circle around her like a animal sniffing out its prey.

“Who is your friend?” Lucy asked still trying to sound like she had no idea what Gabe was talking about even though she knew exactly who he was talking about.

“Dara Tesca.” Gave replied. “Sweet girl. I thought she would take after her dad but..” he shrugged his shoulders. “She said you rescued her but she still thought it was weird.”

Lucy gulped. She replayed the moment in the motel room where Isabel had told Dara the truth. She had whipped around and stared at Isabel, who should have known that revealing they were cops was very dangerous.

“I don’t know a Dara Tesca.” She said weakly. “I’m telling you I am not a cop.”

Gabe just clicked his tongue and then pressed the gun to Lucy’s forehead. Lucy swallowed hard. This was it. This was the end. She had so many things left to do and say.

She never told Tim she loved him. She wouldn’t be able to tell Tim to not blame Isabel or himself. This wasn’t anyone’s fault but the man who pulled the trigger.

“I don’t believe you.” Said Gabe. “It’s just a shame when your little cop friends find your lifeless body we will be long go—”

The warehouse door crashed opened and there was shouting as Gabe’s men rose to the defense.

“Hands up! Weapons down now! You are surrounded!”

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief as the gun was lowered and she collapsed to the ground.

“Lucy!” She heard Tim’s voice from a distance but she was so weak she didn’t open her eyes.

She felt his large hands lift her up and then she was in his arms.

“Lucy.” He said into her hair. “You’re okay . I tried to get here as soon as I heard him say—”

Lucy opened her eyes a little blinking at him. “Tim I’m fine okay? It was scary but it’s over.”

She felt Tim nod and then he pulled away from her. His blue eyes shining with all sorts of emotion. Some she couldn’t name even if she tried.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Isabel revealed you were cops?”

Lucy shrugged her shoulders. “She made a mistake Tim. I didn’t want you freaking out on her. She thought she was doing the right thing.”

Tim sighed loudly and kissed the top of her head. “You still should have told me Luce.”

“What would that of done Tim? I never could have predicted this.”

Tim sighed again and muttered. “Okay. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

She tried to protest telling him she was fine and she just wanted to go home. But Tim was stubborn and she knew she wouldn’t win.

Once outside Tim ushered her toward a ambulance to get checked out.

“You will need a few stitches on your cheek and you are going to have an ugly black eye.” Said the paramedic. “But other than that you are going to be fine.” Lucy nodded at her. Tim was still standing there studying her.

“Luce are you you are okay?” He asked. “It’s okay to—”

“I’m fine okay? I just want to get stitched up and go home.” He nodded and squeezed her hand.

“Okay Lucy okay. I’ll see you at the hospital.” And he kissed her uninjured cheek, holding his lips there for a few seconds. When he pulled back he brushed some hair out of her eyes.

“Lucy.” He began. But she shook her head at him.

“Later Tim we will talk later.” She whispered to him. He nodded reluctant to let her go but he did.

She watched him as they loaded her up in the ambulance and he still had that worried look on his face.

I am fine. I am alive. That’s all that matters.

Lucy got to the hospital before Tim and was already settling into the bed they had ready for her. She just wanted to get out of there.

“Hey.” Came a soft voice from the end of her bed. Lucy looked up to see Isabel standing there tentatively as if she was afraid to come in.

“Hey!” Said Lucy. “What are you doing here?”

“Tim called me to read me the riot act. Lucy I am so sorry. I thought—”

Lucy cut her off before she could go any farther. “It’s okay Isabel. I don’t blame you. It was a mistake.”

“You could have been killed.” She whispered and she moved past the curtains so she was closer to the bed. “ I could have been the reason you died. Tim.. he’s so different. He’s so happy. I could have taken that from him

“That’s everyday on this job. Especially when I’m undercover. Tim understands this better than anyone I know.”

Isabel nodded but she still looked unconvinced.

“Look. Was I a little shocked you said that? Sure. But nobody could have predicted this. It happened and it’s over with. I’m fine.” She gestured to herself. “I’m still breathing and that’s all that matters.”

“Tim was really mad. I don’t think I have ever heard him that upset.”

Lucy sighed and shook her head. “Let me worry about Tim okay? He was just a little shaken up.”

Isabel shook her head vigorously. “You don’t understand Lucy. I have never heard him like what he was on the phone. He was angry and upset. He never sounded like that with me.”

“Isabel you know how he was when you went undercover.”

“Of course. He was scared. He waited with baited breath for me to get home. But it wasn’t the pure panic that I heard today.”

Lucy just stared at her not knowing what to say. She knew how hard it was for Tim when Isabel went undercover. He went through so much and still ended up losing her. It was the same with her, he kissed her a little longer every time she walked out the door.

“Hey Luce how are you—” Lucy looked up to see Tim, he wasn’t looking at her though. His eyes were on Isabel and he frowned.

“What are you doing here?” He snapped.

“Just came to see how Lucy was doing and to say sorry. I—”

“I said it was fine.” Said Lucy before she could go on. “Thanks for coming by Isabel.”

Isabel smiled at her and then looked at Tim her smile fading a little. “Tim I truly am sorry.”

Tim nodded stiffly at her and then headed over to Lucy’s side. “The nurse said they would be here in a minute.” He said quietly and he grabbed her hand like he needed it as a lifeline.

Lucy smiled at him gratefully and then nudged his arm a little. “She came to apologize Tim. The least you could do is hear her out.”

Tim sighed and turned his body turned Isabel who was standing awkwardly at the end of the bed.

“Isabel. You know the risks of undercover. How could you just reveal something so important. You both could have been killed!”

“I know. I was panicked. Like I just needed Dara to understand she was in danger. It was stupid and I am sorry.”

Tim sighed and rubbed his hand across his face. “It’s okay. I just was so scared. Like terrified.” And now he was talking more to Lucy than Isabel. “I was trying to get in there as soon as possible but—”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Isabel smile and walk away. Lucy reached out for Tim to come closer.

“You did your job Tim. And you got to me I knew you would.” She said and she reached out to cup his face. “You always do.”

“How do you always have so much faith in me?” He asked. ��It’s like this unwavering belief that I will always be there.”

Lucy bit her lip and pulled back from Tim. “Because I love you.” She said softly. “And I put my faith in people I love.”

They had not said I love you yet but Lucy had known it was coming. She had felt it on the tip of her tongue for months.

Tim smiled at her and saw him blinked back the tears that were forming in his eyes.

“I love you too.” He whispered. “And I will always find you.”

“Always.” Lucy whispered back. “Always.”

[ertrunkenerwassergeist]

Out of curiosity - you've written Dreams au for Prompto and Ardyn kickstarting the Reunion, plus the Gladio version that became canon.

But what about Ignis? How would the verse where he finds Noctis first look like?

Not gonna lie. This one had me stumped. I never considered that Ignis might be the first to find Noctis (my mistake) and so didn't even have an incling about how it might happen. Until about half an hour ago, that is, when an idea fell from the sky. Or my shower head. Depending on the point of view.

(I wrote this really fast, so it doesn't fit stylistically into the Deep City verse. When I have time, I'll try to write a 'proper' version.)

***

You could say this starts around Noctis's 17th birthday. Ignis hasn't been doing well. Not at all. His friendship with Gladio is splintering like rotten wood and his uncle as been... distant lately.

Ignis does his best to bury his worries with work, but that's only helping so much. What with his work now being a glorified secretary for whatever ministry, board or committee will have him at the time. Still, Ignis does his best. What else can he do?

So, that one fateful day, on Noctis's 17th birthday, when the hurt is rubbed fresh and raw again and there is no work for him to do...

Ignis bakes.

He tries, once again his best, to recreate that one sweet pastry from Tenebrae Noctis liked so much and Ignis could never get right. Once he's done, he goes outside and somehow finds himself in a park in a working class area. Later, he will think is has been fate.

Right now, he doesn't care, strangely glad for being outside his usual haunts, and unpacks the pastries he has brought.

Their taste is warm and creamy and so sweet Ignis can practically feel his teeth rotting in his mouth. Was that the right taste? he wonders and hates that he will not get an answer.

"Yer usin' the wrong types of berry," an old, creaky voice says behind him.

Ignis whirls around and whom he finds fits the voice very well. It's an old woman, bent and with wrinkles deeper than he has ever seen. Her hands are bony and full of spots. Her dress looks more like it's been made from patches than proper fabric. The smell of freshly baked bread hits Ignis's nose.

"Excuse me?" he asks.

"Tha' pastry o' yer's," she says in the strangest accent Ignis has ever heard. "Them berries're too sweet. Yer'll need them from northern Ulwaat. T's colder there, so they need ta be more hardy. 'Too sweet' tha' prince o' yers would say."

Ignis feels ice cold dread creep up his spine. Does this woman know Noctis? Does she have soemthing to do with his disappearance?

"Now, now laddie. Get those thoughts outta yer head. Ah'm simply following the fire to where it'll lead me."

"What...?"

"Fire, laddie. It knows ye got to play a part in the storm ta come, and it likes ye. So Ah'll make sure ye know wha' ta do once the time is right."

"I'm afraid I do not know what you are talking about, Maselle. Excuse me, I have work to do."

Ignis turns around, intend to leave the obviously mentally unstable old crone behind him, but her next words make him stop.

"None o' tha', Ignis Scientia. There's no work waitin' for ye today. Yer uncle is teachin' yer cousin Paxil in the hopes he'll not be a disappointment, an' yer friend'll not get a diagnosis fer his sister t'day."

Slowly Ignis turns around. "Are you threatening me?" he asks, low and dangerous. One hand his inconspicuously reaching for the dagger he never goes without these days.

"Ye can leave tha' dagger where it is, laddie. Ah'm not threatening ye, simply sayin' things how they are."

"How do you know all this?" Ignis finds himself asking through the fog in his mind.

"The fire, laddie. Once ye know how ta listen, it'll never stop tellin' ye things," the crone says and waves her hand in a way that makes it clear that she wishes for him to follow. "Come," she says. "Ah'll show ye."

And against his better judgement - and the usually so large, but now tiny rational voice in his head baring warnings at him - he follows.

Nearly three years later, he stares at the fire burning between his fingers, and follows it's call deep into the ancient bowels of the city.

[therentyoupay]

She can tell that they’re talking about her (or half-talking, who knows) the moment she steps out of the room. They could be trying to re-evaluate their current situation, perhaps, which isn’t precisely what she’d been hoping for. She is a guest, but she is also an intruder; she is welcomed, but she also feels very much the third wheel—whether they want to see it that way or not. Elsa swirls the water in her glass, thinking of Anna and poor (past, current) decisions and True Love gone horribly, horribly wrong, and what it means for all of them now.

So much for finding a solution.

Elsa drinks and refills her small glass two times before she considers herself ready to venture back out and watch the easy, friendly interactions of her sister and her sister’s roommate. When she shuts off the tap, she realizes that someone else has already entered the kitchen.

“Hey,” says Jack, gently, as soon as she has the courage to turn around. He looks twitchy and uncertain, and a little off-balance. He keeps trying to stick his hands in his pockets, only to realize that his pajama pants have none. “How’re you doing?”

Elsa’s smile is genuine, if not very tired; it’s late, and she’s not really enjoying herself, after all. She opens her mouth to make an excuse, then realizes—there’s no need. What comes out is a sigh instead.

“Sorry,” she laughs, then hums. “I’m actually pretty tired.”

It’s a little disconcerting—and also a tiny bit sweet—to see how quickly and how powerfully Jack associates this feeling of Elsa’s with his personal interference this evening. She can tell from the gape of his mouth, the wince to his eyes, and by the slant to his shoulders that he feels guilty, which is—well. Which is currently how Elsa is feeling too, so now what are they supposed to do about it?

Jack’s face contorts, then goes unhelpfully blank. Dissatisfied with his absence of pockets, Jack instead hooks his thumbs in the waistband of his pants. He does not seem to realize the effect this has on the amount of skin visible at his stomach… particularly the lower abdominals, where they cut into the faintest shape of a V over his hips. Before she can tear her eyes away, she catches the unsettling sight of a fine dusting of hair down his navel, disappearing into the low-slung, pulled-down waistband of his pants. Her eyes jerk back to his, prepared to fight or fly, but Jack is not looking at her directly.

“I promise we’re usually… more fun than this?” Jack scratches at the back of his head, uneasy and avoiding her gaze. “Or, like… I don’t know. I’ve just… had a weird day, is all? I really didn’t mean to take over your night.”

Elsa looks down into her water. “That’s very… sweet,” she concedes. “But it’s not necessary. You didn’t do anything wrong, especially not by coming home to your own apartment.”

“Yeah, well. I mean.” He shrugs. “You’re bored.”

His voice is calm, but his posture claims that he is personally affronted by this. Like this is a matter of personal responsibility. Elsa finds herself grinning a little in amusement; it’s not like she doesn’t know what that feels like.

“I like being able to see your friendship in action,” she claims teasingly, but Jack is not having any of it.

“Yeah, well, what about you? I mean—where’s your action?”

Elsa raises a single brow.

“That’s not—that’s not what I meant.” Jack heaves an exasperated sigh. “Look, I just wanted to come in and apologize, because I’m feeling kind of like a selfish douchebag, and I just wanted to let you know that there’s a spot on the floor with your name on it, if you want it.” He seems to think better of himself. “Next to Anna, I mean. On her side.”

Elsa nods, slow and sage. “Very appropriate,” she manages, without cracking too much of a grin.

“Yeah. Yes. Right.”

Elsa waits a beat. “All right. Thank you.”

“Course,” says Jack, and stands there.

She nods slowly to herself, and tries not to drown in the silence. She can feel the familiar stirrings of panic begin to wake inside her, but two deep breaths help her to recenter before the feeling has a chance to emerge. Jack seems to be waiting for an answer, she realizes.

“I’ll just be another minute,” she announces awkwardly, and Jack trips over himself as he straightens and turns back to return to the living room.

“Right. Totally. Yeah, we’ll see you—just a minute.”

Elsa is left alone in the kitchen once more.

————

start from the beginning of livable 🎄🎁❤️

[ravenrose18]

Shadows of Destiny

Chapter 3

As they pulled into the junkyard lot, Dean took a deep breath. They were safe because they were home. He pulled the car to the side, making sure that Bobby wouldn't complain too much about him blocking the lot or the trucks or the trash man. It was Bobby. "Home sweet home!" He beamed, glancing up in the mirror at Raven. He knew Bobby would be happy to see her but also he knew that she was expecting a massive lecture. "Sam. Why don't you take the bags in and let Bobby know we made it? He can order a pizza or something. I want to um...give Raven a breather before we go in." "Um. Yeah. Sure. Everything okay?" Sam asked and Dean waved him off. "Yeah! I just want you to butter him up real good before she comes in. No dad talks." "Got it. No dad talks." Sam confirmed, snatching the keys from Dean's hand, before climbing out of the car and grabbing the bags from the trunk. Dean got out and opened the back door for Raven, staring off into space as he waited for her to get out, "Let's go for a walk." Raven filled her lungs with a deep breath as she laid eyes on the familiar junkyard. It had been two years since she left, and she hadn't spoken to Bobby during that time. She had missed him, although she was relieved to have left the town behind. However, she knew that the demons from her past weren't finished with her just yet. Looking up at Dean, she mustered a smile before stepping out of the car to take in the unchanged landscape of the junkyard. "Sure, Dean," she replied, allowing him to close the car door as she ventured forward. "Same cars. Same leaky roof. A few more stray cats. Just like you left it." Dean sighed as he walked beside her, their shoulders brushing. He walked them toward the tiny garden Bobby kept hidden behind a wall of cars. He would never admit to loving gardening, but the boys knew he was very proud. "I just thought we could walk some of the tension off. No sense in going into meeting up with everyone all at once. And I had to tell you, without Sam butting in with his...bodily noises...I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you're home. I may be horrible at showing it but we're family, you know?"

Raven offers a gentle smile as she strolls beside him, noticing the garden that she has never seen before. It seems like Bobby has taken up a new hobby. Instead of merely assisting hunters with research, as evidenced by the multitude of books he has collected over the years, he has now ventured into gardening. "I understand, Dean. I'm truly grateful to be home and safe. I can't believe I made it out of that situation alive. It's unnerving to think that my inability to handle the demon properly has put us in this perilous situation. A demon is trying to track me down and end my life. However, your concern and reassurance mean the world to me. Even just a hug or your comforting words can provide so much comfort. I know you find it difficult, but you're good at it." She expresses.

Dean huffed a chuckle as she explained how difficult it was for him to show that he was soft. He was nice enough. He was polite to the people they helped. He even hugged a few! But it amused him. The reality was...he had a soft spot in him. And the truth was, he didn't like to admit it. "You're right I guess. If I have to lose a little bit of my street cred to make you more comfortable after what you went through, I can live with that." He teased, shrugging his shoulders with a smirk."Do you love him? The guy I mean. Like...if all of this was a demon thing, would you go back?" Raven's smile and giggles faded as soon as he asked her that question. Her expression turned to a frown, and she let out a heavy sigh. "I did love him at one point, Dean. But whether he was possessed or not when he started cheating and abusing me, I can't be with a man who treats me like I'm worthless. He made me feel that way every day," she confessed. "I've had the worst life out of all the hunting life. I thought I was going to be happy for once and have someone. I never dated anyone while doing this hunting stuff, you know. I did try when we were teenagers in school, but I hated hopping from school to school, and I ended up heartbroken anyway," she said, looking up at him with a mix of sadness and resignation in her eyes.

Dean frowned. Hearing Raven speak of the way the downward turn of her relationship had affected her killed him a bit inside. He met her eyes for a moment but looked away, snarling his nose. "I could have told you that dating around and getting attached was a bad idea. That's why I kept them all at a distance. Don't get attached." But he quickly changed the subject away from his habits, since she had never seemed very open to discussing the women he chose. "We can love people. But we don't get to have relationships, you know? I think we've all learned that the hard way at one point or another. But we stick together." He raised his eyebrows, making sure that she read his expression the way he intended. She was safe with him, and as long as she was near him, he would do everything in his power to protect her.

As they strolled together, Raven couldn't help but roll her eyes and cast her gaze downward. "I appreciate having you and Sam there to protect me, Dean. You've shielded me from those guys back in high school, even though I insisted they wouldn't harm me. Truthfully, I never truly connected with any of the guys I dated, knowing we'd have to leave every time. However, I must admit that your taste in girls back in school wasn't the greatest. I didn't feel the need to bring it up then, but those girls despised and bullied me simply because we were close. They believed I had stolen you away from them, and as a consequence, I faced their torment at every school we attended," she confessed, stealing a glance at him before lowering her gaze once more.

Dean frowned, tempted to shake his head at Raven's words about the girls he had essentially used in school. He had never planned to see them again. So, he didn't think of them...at all. "I never really thought about it. I mean, it's not like any of them thought I was sticking around. I made it clear...to most of them." He thought hard and eventually cringed at the thought that he had led them all on to believe they were in a relationship with him. He glanced back at her, "They were jealous because you had me. From town to town, it was me and you...constant. A lot of girls can't handle that."

Raven expressed her frustration by rolling her eyes, glancing at him, and shaking her head. "They always told me that you described me as just a sister to you and that you found me annoying and felt that I should go away. But I know they were being unkind, although it's all in the past now," she said, gazing at the garden as they strolled along. Dean shrugged, but he was taken aback by the fact that she was bothered by being called 'his sister'. He had always seen her that way, for the most part, because they were always...together, like he and Sam. But he brushed past that and figured he could pressure her for more of those feelings when the situation was more appropriate. "I never felt you were annoying. That part was just the jealousy talking." He confirmed, waving his hand. "I'm a little better now, right? Like...I'm a little better at communicating with people that I'm not the 'in love with you' kind of guy..."

Raven gazes at him and affirmatively nods, "You've improved, no doubt. But sometimes, women fail to recognize that. These days, it seems like all people do is hook up at bars. They don't see it as anything more than a one-night stand or as a reason to pursue a relationship. I guess I wouldn't know since I've never been in that kind of situation. And you, you've never been with someone for an extended time, except for that one girl you dated. You trusted her enough to tell her about our line of work.

Dean stopped and almost had a proud look on his face, at the fact that someone was giving him credit for being better. But then Raven continued and his shoulders dropped a bit. His habits were...well known. He took a lot of his frustrations and emotions out through getting wasted and having sex. He was just wired that way, from his teenage years on. But when she brought up Cassie, his nose crinkled for a split second in regret. "Yeah. Cassie was different. She got it. She never made me feel like a piece of meat or a freak. It was pretty easy to let her inside...and then she just, decided it wasn't what she wanted." He muttered, his voice a bit sadder than he meant to lead on. "I don't even know what a stable relationship would look like, anymore. It's not like we have had a lot of role models in that area."

Raven gazes at him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "I'm sorry things didn't work out, Dean. It's her loss. Anyone would be lucky to have you. You're kind, caring, protective, and undeniably good-looking. But, you know, we never had any real role models to teach us about healthy and stable relationships. I even considered dating another hunter instead of someone who's not part of the hunting life." She pauses, reflecting on the challenges they've faced. Dean's brain once again caught onto how positively Raven was speaking about him. He almost brushed off her words about Cassie. But she was complimenting...him. She was complimenting his personality, and all of the things that he saw as negatives about himself. It opened a weird emotion in the back of his mind. "Um. Yeah. Yeah, me too. I've met a few people that honestly would be perfect but then there's the small problem of getting attached. We all seem to have a death wish." He stammered out, finishing a little more put together with the tilt of his head. "That's why the three of us just stick together."

Raven's gaze softened as she looked at him and offered a gentle smile. "Well, once we started hunting, we signed our death warrants. I'm just glad we have each other... we should, I guess, get back to the house. I'm sure Bobby wants to see me," she said, clearing her throat and looking down, absently fiddling with the fabric of her flannel sleeve as she began walking back toward the front of Bobby's place. She knew Dean was trying not to get attached to anyone, but she had always felt deeply connected to him. The thought of losing him was almost unbearable, but in their perilous line of work, she understood that the dangers were unpredictable and unavoidable. Dean sighed and nodded in agreement that they should probably go find Bobby. No matter how much he tried to stall if they didn't go inside, Bobby would find them. "Yeah. We should probably go find him before he finds us.", he teased. As she stepped away from him and started to walk toward the house, he quickly caught up with her and gently placed an arm around her shoulders, tugging her head toward him to place a quick kiss against her hair, "Just remember. He's happy to see you...no matter how grumpy he is. He hasn't changed a bit."

Raven looked up at Dean with a soft smile, her cheeks slightly blushing. "I know, but you know how he is. He's been very protective of me ever since he and John found me in the woods. He could never stay mad at me for long. He treats me like I'm his daughter, the one he never had. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if he hugged me and then gave me a playful hit on the head afterward," she said with a gentle nudge to Dean's shoulder. Raven then walked up to the porch, took a deep breath, and entered the house.

Chapter 4

[minniethemoocherda]

Put To The Test

A/N: EARTHSPARK SPOILERS! Takes place after my previous fics in this series but you should be able to read this fic without having read the others. After Bumblebee said one of Soundwave cassette's exploded I think I had the same thought as everyone else of holy shit did Rumble die? So my headcanon is basically this fic. I hope we see Rumble in the show! And I would like to see Frenzy hanging out with the Terrans too! Xxxxxxx

Ao3 link

Series link

Frenzy was starving. Which wasn't anything new. They had been in an influxing state of starvation since the war ended. But now Soundwave was gone and any semblance of stability had left with him.

For the first time that Frenzy could remember, there was no greater plan beyond finding energon and watching over her twin.

Rumble had never fully recovered from the explosion. It had shattered every inch of his armour leaving little left to hold together. Soundwave had welded him back as best he could but her brother had fallen into a coma that as much as she hated to admit, Frenzy was worried he would never wake up from.

They had placed him in an escape pod, scavenged from their first crash landing on this mud pool of a planet. It kept Rumble alive in suspended animation, if an everlasting coma could be called living. The empty sensation of nothing from their sparkbond made Frenzy's spark feel hollow. Even the pain of Rumble being hurt would be preferable to this emptiness. At least then she would know for certain that he was alive.

Frenzy knew Soundwave blamed himself for the accident but Frenzy knew that it was Megatron who was truly to blame. It was their former leader who abandoned them to live in squalor to the point of starvation. If it wasn't for Megatron, Soundwave would never have tried to eject Rumble on such low levels of energon.

Frenzy wanted nothing more than to blast their former leader to pieces but she knew that whatever remaining sense of responsibility had caused Megatron to hold back during their last fight. If she truly tried to take him down, he could destroy her with a flick of his fusion canon. The best thing she could do was wait in this grimy organic forest until Soundwave escaped. Because no matter how much he once used to act like it, Megatron wasn't their sire. And now he never would be.

A few hours later, Laserbeak returned, narrowly missing tree as he landed. Frenzy noted that it was taking him longer to return with every energon run. In his claw, he held out an energon crystal no bigger than an earth sized pebble.

"Couldn't you find any bigger?" Frenzy grumbled.

Laserbeak let out an indignant squawk and took the crystal back.

"Okay okay I'm sorry! Give it here." Frenzy apologised, trying to snatch it back from them.

After one last indignant squawk, Laserbeak crushed it in his claw and tipped half of the shattered crystals into Frenzy's servos.

Frenzy fought back a grimace as she swallowed the tiny shards. Although their kind could consume energon this way, she missed the sweet trickle of purified high grade that they used to steal from Megatron's private stash. But without any means to refine it, this was the only option Frenzy had if she wanted to stay alive.

"Halt Deception."

Frenzy nearly choked at the unexpected voice. Her optics darted around the surrounding forest. It didn't take long for her to spot the bot hovering above them.

It was the Autobot from the fight in the tunnel; the one when Soundwave got captured. Twitch, if Frenzy was remembering correctly. In Frenzy's defence she had been a bit preoccupied with her creator getting captured.

This Twitch must have spotted Laserbeak whilst he was out searching and followed them back to their makeshift camp. Laserbeak must really be lagging if he didn't notice an Autobot sparkling tailing him.

"Why? You looking to get swatted fly-bot?" Frenzy said, welding her weapon like an Earth baseball bat. Besides her, Laserbeak screeched, raising his talons.

But the Autbot paid their weapons no mind having spotted the escape pod half hidden in the bushes, Rumble visible from the dome of the glass coffin.

"Is he alright?" Twitch wondered, taking an subconscious hover forward.

"Stay away from him." Frenzy snarled, standing in front of him, any playful ness now dead in her tone.

Twitch jumped back at her tone, landing on the grassy undergrowth a few meters away. Frenzy watched as her optics darted between her and Rumble.

"He's your brother, isn't he?" Twitch asked although it was more of a statement really. The family resemblance between Frenzy and Rumble was obvious but there was something in those red optics, a recognition and understanding that made Frenzy think she knew first hand her need for precision. It was when then that Frenzy remembered that there had been another bot on the road; a sparkling exactly Twitch's age.

"My uncle is a doctor." Twitch continued, not needing Frenzy's confirmation. "His name is Ratchet. His conjux is a Deception so he won't refuse to help you."

Frenzy snorted at her explanation, as though every bot on the planet wasn't well aware of the tale of Megatron's personal assassin falling in love with the Autobot's CMO. Although she supposed the drone did have a point. Even before the war Rachet had been well known never to refuse help regardless of caste. And after Knockout's disappearance it wasn't as if there were any other medical available on this planet to help them.

"Fine. Whatever." Frenzy relented, the need to help her brother outweighing her distrust of any Autobot.

Twitch nodded and hailed Ratchet over her comlink, explaining the situation as best she could. It wasn't long before the medic himself arrived, unsprisigly with his sword welding bodyguard not far behind. Frenzy let herself feel a small sense of pride that they were considered dangerous enough to warrant the former assassins presence.

Leserbeak kept an optic on Drift whilst Frenzy kept a close eye on Ratchet as he inspected Rumble's frozen form.

"I can't perform a proper examination through the glass. I need to bring him back to my ship." Ratchet said.

"Why? So you can arrest him?" Frenzy snarled.

"No because if I try to remove him from his pod here without my equipment, he might die before I even have the chance to perform an examination."

Frenzy's vents hitched. Despite already knowing the bleakness of Rumble's condition, the bluntness of the words hurt.

Frenzy shared a look with Laserbeak who quickly nodded in agreement.

"Sure, whatever."

Frenzy loaded the pod through Ratchet's backdoor once the doctor had transformed into vehicle mode, before she climbed in after him. Even if her alt-mode hadn't been as useless for traveling as a cassette, there was no way she was leaving Rumble inside an Autbot without her to protect him.

Ratchet made no protest to her tagging along, heading away as soon as the doors were closed. Through the square windows, Frenzy watched as Laserbeak scouted ahead whilst Twitch and Drift flanked each of their sides.

Frenzy kept her digits atop Rumble's pod, stroking the smooth glass every time Ratchet sped over an upturned root. Even if Rumble couldn't feel her, the repetitive motion helped Frenzy remain calm as she the ground bellow them gradually even out.

She watched as they escaped the forest onto a road leading up to a secluded human dwelling. They stopped just past it, besides a Cybertronian ship parked in a field next door.

Drift having snuck ahead lowered the ramp for Ratchet to drive on board. With its large frame and glyph covered walls the ship was clearly Cybertronian. It was decked out as a mini hospital now but judging by its sleek design and poorly concealed weaponry she doubted that it had always been that way.

Ratchet de-transformered around them, leaving Frenzy disorientated on the floor whilst the doctor placed Rumble's pod onto the medical berth.

Carefully, so slow it was almost painful to watch, Ratchet opened the pod. Seeing her mirror image, comatose on a slab with no pulse detectable from her spark nearly forced the meagre energon crystals she'd forced down earlier, back up her intake port.

She felt Laserbeak nudge her servos. They didn't share the same spark bond as she did with her twin, but they didn't need to for Frenzy to understand what he meant. Go, I'll watch over Rumble.

Frenzy nodded before heading outside.

It had gotten dark now, the sun having finally hidden beneath the horizon. The cold air did little the chill her circuits that were now dangerously close to overheating as her worry continued to abside. She wished Soundwave was here so she could hide from the world against his spark.

"Ratchet is the best doctor I know."

Frenzy startled at the sudden voice. She jumped around to see the smiling face of Twitch standing before her. In her worry she'd almost forgotten about the Autobot sparkling that was the reason behind their current situation.

"Isn't he the only doctor you know?" Frenzy snapped back.

"My point still stands." Twitch stated, her optimism undeterred by the jab at her young age.

Frenzy watched the young bot sit on the dirty floor besides one of the four legged organic creatures that plagued the field they were in.

"This always helps me when I'm feeling upset." Twitch told her.

"I'm not upset." Frenzy denied. She thought about refusing to copy the sparkling out of principle but it wasn't as if anything she did or didn't do at this point was going to help Rumble in anyway.

So she sat on the ground next to Twitch. The grass of the field was surprisingly soft compared to the harsh undergrowth of the forest. Stretching out her pedes, she leant back against the cool metal of the ship. At the very least she didn't feel like she was about to purge anymore.

The organic creatures must've already been used to Twitch's presence as they showed no fear of the living metallic weapons. One even came over to her, taking an inquisitive sniff of her elbow.

"Aww I knew Fluffy Ears would like you!" Twitch exclaimed.

Frenzy didn't dare to move as the creature who was apparently called Fluffy Ears laid its head across her legs. Automatically, Frenzy stroked the soft weight, scratching behind their accurately fluffy ears. As it let out a low purr of please, in the darkness of night, Frenzy could almost convince herself that it was Ravage.

She buried her face against it's soft fur trying to hide the coolent leaking from her optics.

Twitch must've noticed though as when Frenzy finally looked up she had back up in the form of her fellow sparkling from the tunnel.

"Hey! I'm Thrash." The new bot said. "Can you show me how to play?"

He held out what looked like a homemade Aghartan electro-bass made with a broken piece of wood and an old bucket with four strings tying it all together. It was a poor attempt at distracting her but Frenzy decided to take it anyway.

"Not on that piece of junk." She told him.

Her own electro-bass was more an instrument of destruction than of music at this point but it still performed it original purpose.

She explained the basics to him which he actually picked up pretty quickly before showing him a couple of notes from various tunes. Mostly Cybertronian but the odd human song too. As much as Frenzy hated Earth she had to admit they did occasionally make some alright music. And the impromptu lesson did distracting her mind for what must've been at least an hour.

Just as Frenzy moved onto to showing him the riff of Teenage Dirtbag, she clutched her spark as it suddenly erupted into a flame that spread throughout the rest of her frame.

"Are you alright?" Thrash asked but Frenzy had already thrown the bass to the ground and was speeding back onto the ship.

Because there sitting upon the berth with that face of his that looked even stupider with confusion, was an awake and alive Rumble.

Not caring that she was surrounded by Autotbots she crushed him into a hug. His jointed creaked as she held him as close as she could, making up for lost time after only being able to touch him through glass for so long. Laserbeak joined them a moment later, trills of happiness escaping his beak as he nuzzled against Rumble's helm. But as Frenzy finally let go, it Apparently hadn't escaped Rumble's notice that some key people from the cuddle pile were missing.

"Where's Soundwave?" He asked.

"Gone thanks to them." Frenzy said, gesturing to the Autobots around them.

"Gone?" Rumble echoed. Frenzy felt the sharp stab of panic through their bond. Frenzy didn't care about the pain, relieved that she could feel anything through their sparkbond again.

"Arrested for war crimes." Ratchet clarified.

"Funny how those war crime are always forgiven after fragging an Autobot."

Frenzy couldn't hold back a smug snort as Drift's face plating turned the same shade as his markings.

Still, the sense of satisfaction didn't change the fact that they were currently creatorless, homeless and one bad day away from offlining due to starvation.

"Hey since your Dad is erm... well unavailable right now, you can borrow ours for a while if you want?" Thrash suggested, having followed them inside the ship. His twin was nodding enthusiastically.

Dad? Frenzy supposed the human term was probably the closest equivalent for what Soundwave was to them. Nobody could ever replace their creator but having a semi permanent roof over their heads and someone watching out for them was hardly the worst offer she'd ever received.

She felt Rumble send what felt like a shrug over their spark bond. He didn't really know enough about what was going on to have any better ideas. And Laserbeak would defer to whatever she decided anyway.

"Alright but that doesn't mean we're Autobots." Frenzy agreed. The sparklings were goody-two shoes but they weren't annoying. It was nice to hang out with bots nearer to her age that weren't related to her for a change. She could survive living with them until Soundwave broke out of prison.

Plus spying so much easier when you were working from the inside.

[ovtsakaramel]

Queen of hearts

Chapter three: last day of school

TW: smoking, mentions of weed (idk if those are triggers)

As the teacher talks, a woman in her late thirties, Annie feels something get in her hair. She looks next to her, Marin is reading a book quietly and hasn't even opened his notebook. Annie reaches for the back of her hair and gets out of it a piece of paper. Well, what did she except, a dolphin? She opens it and reads in her mind "Were goin behind the rocks next to victors vil and well bring beer and marshmallows. get something from X -SANDS<3". The day her best friend learns how to spell is the day Annie would stop biting her nails. She stopped a yawn, the effects of not having coffee in the morning showing. She'll get it between classes and she'll meet Xander, the only guy who actually knows how to sell weed without getting caught. There was another guy that got caught in the bathroom by the gym teacher who was his father and the guy wasn't seen in parties anymore and his father was always next to him to see if he was doing shit. She fucked Xander, or X once so she knows he has a sweet spot for her, she also knows where his is. She closes her eyes for a second and as predicted, the teacher, miss Selby, calls her number

"Ok, so for a last day we're gonna call number 1, Anemone Cresta." Annie stretches and stands up, looking the teacher up and down. Selby lifts her thin eyebrows, her glasses falling to the tip of her small nose. "Good morning miss Cresta, I would lie if I said I didn't expect you to look like... This." Annie sighed and put her hands on the small broken desk.

"Like what, miss Selby?"

"Like an easy woman." Annie smirks. A girl could wear fishnets at least one her birthday, doesn't she? Some guy on the side next to the window whispers to his friend that Annie is, in fact, easy and she wants to remind him that she is not that desperate to start getting dicks the size of her pinky, but her attention is somewhere else.

"What exactly makes me look slutty miss?" Her smirk widens and she hopes she doesn't have lipstick on her teeth.

"First of all, the thighs. Those are worn only by hookers."

"Count me one then."

"Your makeup is completely unacceptable for school. Are you trying to stab someone with that stick you have on your eye?" Before tells her to stab herself, Selby opens her tiny little hole again. "I'm saying only for one because they are asymmetrical. If you listened in maths instead of sketching you would know." Annie's brows drop and her mouth becomes as small as the teachers.

"And your shirt. It's like you're begging for attention with how thight it is."

"It's not my fault that the stupid uniforms are only in small sizes! And I don't beg for attention."

"You do" cough "you do". Kai. Her ex. And the most annoying little bitch in the academy. There wasn't a more annoying and possessive human being on this planet. He stole all of her clothes and replaced them with his, so she wouldn't get attention from other guys. He told everyone at school that she's loose as fuck because she cut herself there so no one could want her. Well, the rumors were fixed, but still this fucker was Annie's least favorite person in the entire school.

"Miss Cresta, because it's your last day in the school in the career academy of district four, I will let you pass how I did the two years we spend together." Annie smiled with scrunching her face. "But if you think one day you're gonna find a man, no matter a husband, boss or whatever, who wouldn't want you only for the desperate way you beg for attention, then you're definitely not as smart as your grades say you are."

"Trust me, one day I'll find a man that will marry me even with more people that have been inside me. Because, miss Selby, some of us actually plan on getting money without arguing with teenagers for the way the look like and their sex life's."

"You have high chances of surviving Cresta. But none for winning." Annie opened her mouth again but Selby shushed her fast. "When I said your last name I thought of your father, our dear mayor. So sad about miss Reed and her late family, I knew Kayla, her sister. What would your daddy say if he knew that all of the rumors about his daughter are true?"

"He knows his daughter has a sense of humor. It seems you're the only one who doesn't get it. Is your brain as small as your features?" Then the bell rang. Annie got her bag and her suff and looked back at the teacher "It was nice knowing you."

"It was nice knowing Kayla. It was nice knowing your mother too." And with that miss Selby bumps Annie's shoulder with hers and got out of the classroom.

"You know, I can't always make you a discount. I'm gonna be broke by the time we finish school." Xander says, counting the money with a cigarette in his mouth. They are in the alley they always meet, next to the trash bins. The smell of nicotine and rubbish filled Annie's nostrils and she wanted to throw up the coffee she just bought.

"We finish school today idiot. So it won't be my problem."

"Cmon Anns, I know you have money! Your father's the goddam mayor, can't you ask daddy for some more? I'm sure if you ask him very very nicely and wink at him the way you do to me we can both get rich." He shows his canines in a smirk and Annie rolls her eyes.

"I'm not gonna pay you more than this. You're not gonna be broke. Are we done X?"

"Don't say it out loud... Someone may catch me... And we're not done. I'm sick of your shit. I want the money I discounted you. At least for this year." His green eyes sharpened and stared straight at hers.

"I'm gonna win in a month and something. Then I'll have enough money to buy you stock that isn't edgy only for thirteen year olds."

"You may die. Then I'll get your sister. Ama has lost weight, she looks even younger than she actually is. And her and my brother are getting pretty close, maybe I could get her alone..." Amalie was dating Xanders little brother, Dylan. He's sixteen, the same age as Ama.

"Don't you dare. If you touch her my father will slice your skin off your body, stuff weed in it and cook the other parts."

"Threatening with daddy? That's under your level Anns." She was now furious

"Well, at least my daddy actually stays on the daddy part and doesn't change positions mid- "

"Well maybe you can pay me back by giving me a chance to redeem myself." He says fastly, like he waited to say it his whole life. Oh. So that's why he suddenly started acting like a little bitch.

"Was this the reason why you did this little scene? Because if yes, I would have agreed."

"So you're in? I mean, you want me in?" He slides a hands on her back to her ass. She stops his hand and twists it.

"You could have not threatened to rape my little sister. And it's no." She walks away quickly.

"Whore!" He yells and runs away to the other side. Annie drinks her coffee in a sip and throws the paper cup on the street. She didn't even know her next class, the only thing she knew was that she needs money. In every way you look at it she would either leave Ama alone with no given money to Xander or don't have the money even in the future. But he was just a teenager with a huge mouth who only knew how to sell drugs and trow knifes, he was just playing. Just playing.

Note: felt like it's becoming cringey and unnatural but I just had no ideas for this chapter and had to transition some way from the school to the like camping thing without this being too short. Probably will change it idk

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[justmybookthots]

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands

I finally finished this book, after what felt like years. Technically, it's been six days, but given my excitement about it, I'm surprised I didn't finish it the day I got it (which was on the 16th). 

Make no mistake, this was a good and solid entry in the series. I like it almost as much as the first. There are definitely some things that this book does better than the first, and some books the first does better than the second. The problem with this second book is that it didn't grab me right away like the first one did, and even as I read to the end, I wasn't as captivated as I was with the first. That said, the first book was REALLY captivating until the last act, which made me tired.

I also need to mention that my brain is currently in a slumpy mode, which could be why it took me a bit longer to finish this book, and it may be why I wasn't as hooked. Anyway! Without further ado, let me get on to the review. 

Please beware of spoilers.

Things I loved:

POE, POE, POE. I knew he was coming back but I wish he had more screen time than he got. Regardless, he was EVEN MORE ADORABLE IN THIS BOOK THAN HE WAS IN THE FIRST, AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING. He was so happy with the tree Wendell got him and that people would come see his tree and he would say the sweetest, most endearing things, e.g. "Isn’t it wonderful? I have many friends now. My mother would be so pleased. ‘You are too shy, little one,’ she always said. ‘You must try your best to make friends, for those who are small cannot easily stand alone.’" How his speech tugged on my heartstrings!!! And I loved how he finds so much comfort standing in the shadow of Emily's knee, haha. It was so SWEET that he didn't even bat an eyelid when Emily showed up unceremoniously and he was like: Hello! Have you come for more bread? 

I love Poe. I love him so much. I hope we continue to see him. I think we may, given his new connection with Emily and Wendell.

I also adored the HECK out of Snowbell. Yes, I know we weren't supposed to like him (I think?) but I don't care. I loved how braggy and arrogant he was. I have a hard time visualising how he looks, but in my mind I just picture a tiny fox with a big mouth. And when he fell asleep on Emily's lap, I was SCREAMING AT HOW ADORABLE HE WAS. And yes, I know he took a big chunk out of Rose's ear but sometimes I like to conveniently forget these things. As Emily herself says (this part seriously had me laughing out loud): 

I am too pragmatic to be above flattering the common fae, even if they have recently dined on my friends.

Snowbell shrugged this off, but he stood a little taller, his ruff bristling. “I found you a path to the winterlands,” he said in a bragging voice. “It was easy! I simply looked about and found the way. But then I am not a bumbling mortal oaf.”

Good grief. “Indeed,” I said. “I was terribly impressed.”

“Ha!” he crowed. “It was easy!”

Speaking of Rose: wow. I started off not really liking him but then he tagged along and I developed an enormous soft spot for this man. I think he was such a valuable addition to the team and I'm happy he didn't end up just playing the role of an unlikeable antagonist/nuisance. There was a lot of nuance to his character that I enjoyed, but I also think that they weren't adequately resolved (e.g. How did he come to accept Wendell in the end? Or did he… ever?).

Our next side-character: Ariadne! At first, I was a bit unsure about her introduction to the story and wondered if I'd like her. I can't say I ever grew to be in love with her or anything, but the development of her relationship with Emily was wonderful, specifically in the last part when they entered you-know-who's kingdom. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with Rose and Ariadne's addition to the cast, and I think I know why they were added. It's because unlike the first book where the villagers made up the supporting cast, Rose and Ariadne took those spots this time.

There are more little things I enjoyed, such as Wendell's cat and her role in his illness. How the stepmother was taken down was also very interesting. 

I also found Wendell almost as much of a riot as the first, and I'm happy to say his personality hasn't changed much.

This book was fucking hilarious at parts. I'd literally laugh out loud at random sections. Wendell's statement here, for example: Assassins are a monstrous breed. Either they attack when you are at your worst, or they are having a go at you on your birthday. I have never known a more dishonourable profession. HE WOULD NOT LET GO ABOUT BEING POISONED ON HIS BIRTHDAY, I CANNOT. 

Now, onto things that I didn't love…

IMO, this book didn't need to be so long. The first half was so long with a lot of random things that happened that I didn't think needed to be there. Like the cast would end up in scary situations and then they would get out of it and then rinse and repeat. I suppose there might have been small clues being amassed from every ordeal but I think it could have been done in a more succinct way. After a while, it got pretty old and tiring. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of Wendell being poisoned. I suppose the author needed to nerf his tremendous powers or the conflict would be too easily resolved, but I just… it was worrisome. And also I'm so used to Wendell being this indefatigable light that seeing it being subdued was saddening. I do get this is mostly stemming from my personal preference and it definitely adds more 'flavour' to the plot to introduce the poison.

I felt it was too easy getting de Grey and Eichorn back. And after they both came back, it felt a little… anticlimactic? I wasn't sure why we needed de Grey AND Eichorn; I felt like just having de Grey alone as a missing character was better. Two missing characters just felt superfluous, and once they were both back after the first half of the book was spent hyping up their disappearance, I was like… "Okay. Now what?"

Also, we spoke so much about the faun since Emily had their foot (and the others had various parts of their body), but—we never really saw them! There was one little cameo in the epilogue but it's astonishing to me that a faun was the reason we got de Grey back at all, yet we never saw one. This isn't a major complaint, just a thought I had.

I don't think this should count as a complaint, since the author has countered this issue with introducing a supporting cast (made of Rose and Ariadne), but I will note that almost none of the villagers in this new setting were of major importance unlike the ones from the first book. I have mixed feelings about this, but again, not really a complaint. 

Okay, again, this is 100% my personal preference and should NOT reflect on the quality of the book. However, I am not a fan of closed-door sex scenes. To me, you either write a sex scene in detail or you don't include sex in your story at all. I feel like I'm missing out on a major factor in a couple's relationship (as in, re: fiction) when I don't know how their sex scene went down. What they are like in bed determines a lot for me. If the author didn't want to share details, then I would rather much prefer that they never had sex. It's a personal pet peeve of mine that occurred in this book, and I have to say it took some of the enjoyment from me. And yes, yes, I'm well aware that Emily would not bother to write any details about lovemaking in her journal (lmao), but if so, I'd rather they not have had sex at all. 

I wasn't a huge fan of Wendell not being that worried about Emily when she ventured to his kingdom and pulled off what she did. He said something like, "If I had been surprised at your feat, that meant I would not have thought you capable in the first place" and while I think that's great and sweet and feminist and all that, some worry and shock would have been nice. Again, just my personal gripe and it has no bearing on the quality of the book.

There's one part I wasn't the biggest fan of, and again, it's from personal preference: The Folk may scheme, but few bother with manipulation; it isn’t something that suits them, capricious as they are, particularly when they can simply enchant others into giving them what they want. I think this is where I realised Heather Fawcett's fae isn't quite like Holly Black's as I had assumed. The problem here is that I LOVE manipulativeness in fae, and they are often this way in the Cruel Prince series because they cannot lie. As such, they often use sophistry or some manipulation to get their way. Once more, this is just my personal predilection and there is nothing wrong with how Heather writes her fae; it just isn't entirely my cuppa as I had once hoped.

All in all (wow, that's a lot of points under the dislike section, oops), I DID like this book. I really enjoyed it.  Whenever the next book comes, I will be here, waiting for it. It will be very interesting to see how the author will take the story next. While I can't say it will be among my top favourites of all time, I'm glad it existed and for the fun, laughs and giggles it gave me.

- 22 Jan 2024

[nebulous-bitch]

Leave Me Whole, Or Let Me Rot

Word Count: 837

Taglist: @nomnomingwillow

a/n: This is sort of a working title because I'm not really fully convinced by it and I think I might be able to find a better one. This is a sort of character study for Carson because I'm vaguely obsessed with the depth of her character but anyway, enjoy!

----

One of Carson’s earliest memories is of planting a peach tree in the front yard of her childhood home in Idaho one summer with her mother, little hands pressing into the dirt and admiring the leaves with bright, earnest wonder.

“When will there be fruit?” she asks her mother excitedly.

“In a couple of years,” her mother says tiredly; always tired. “Patience.”

-

And Carson is patient. She lugs a heavy watering can over to the plant every day without fail for years, years filled with clumsy childhood falls, arguments with her sister and endless teasing from the neighbourhood boys when she tries to join in with their games of baseball, and slowly the small sapling grows into a strong and healthy tree.

She’s diligent, and she’s patient, even when her mother leaves in the middle of the night without a word to anyone, reducing her father to a slumped mess on the couch at the bottom of a bottle.

A year after her mother leaves, she spots a lone bud at the end of a branch while out watering her tree. Because somehow it is her tree now. A week later the tree is in full bloom, a soft, fruity smell permeating the air. A couple of months later, the tree begins to show the beginnings of fruit.

Carson still freshly remembers the first time she ate one of the tree’s fruit. Bright rays of sunlight filtering in through the leaves, soft ripe flesh yielding under her teeth, sweet juice dripping down her chin. The taste of peaches will forever remind her of her first home in Idaho. She will never not think of her mother.

Patience.

-

She marries her childhood best friend and gets everything she could have ever wanted and wishes away the emptiness in her chest as she lies next to him at night.

She spends hours with sleepless eyes fixed on the ceiling, her afternoons spent staring out at a yard that doesn’t yet feel like hers.

She’s patient all through the endless dinners and unnecessary social gatherings, even though the small talk itches her skin like nettles and she’d rather be absolutely anywhere else.

And then one day, inexplicably, her patience runs out. It’s just a small thing, just one tiny action done purely for herself for the first time in what feels like forever, but when Charlie comes home and finds her crouched in the dirt next to a freshly planted peach tree, he looks at her like she’s grown three heads. He’s eventually convinced by the promise of fruit for the summer, and the tree stays.

And so on days when it all gets too much, Carson escapes with a book and goes to sit under the little tree and breathe in the comforting smell of the blossoms.

And she’s patient. Because that’s what a housewife with a husband at war is supposed to be. Wait for him to come home and then you’ll have something to do with your life again.

She first learns of the girl’s baseball tryouts from one of the newspapers that still get delivered for a husband that is no longer there to read it with breakfast. She’s taken to flipping through it absentmindedly sometimes, just to break the monotony of her days a little. Her eyes catch on the announcement in bold font. She stares at it, drawn in like a moth to a flame, before closing it abruptly and throwing it into the trash.

She goes outside and sits on the back steps, staring out at the tree, heaving with fruit. She grabs one and bites into it, letting the sweet taste flood her mouth and thinking about all of the things she’s never let herself have. She thinks of her mother, trying desperately to break free of the shackles of domesticity. She thinks of her father, left alone. She thinks about the endless days she’s spent cooking pie after pie and making endless small talk while feeling her life slip through her fingers. She thinks about freedom, and what it would be like to let herself have a dream.

She goes back inside, fishes the paper out of the bin and contemplates the best way to get herself to Chicago. Unfortunately, the tryouts are in two days and the only train that will get her there on time leaves in an hour.

And so she does what any good housewife would do. She packs herself a suitcase, and she runs.

-

She stands in the hotel foyer what feels like years later, eyes desperately scanning down the lists of names, hoping against hope that there’s a possibility for this ludicrous waking dream to continue.

Finally, her finger lands on her name, printed in blocky hand, under the list for the Rockford Peaches.

Now, Carson has never really believed in luck or signs, but for once it feels like the Universe is maybe on her side. Like all her days of waiting are finally over.

Maybe it’s time for her to stop being patient.

[justtluffythings]

HOME: Book 7 - CHAPTER ONE

MASTERLIST

“I can’t believe this is our last year at Hogwarts! We’re going to be graduating soon and going out into the wizarding world and finding jobs and being adults. This is crazy!” Veronica beamed as she jumped in her seat and gazed out the compartment window. 

As Charlie sat across from her, he wondered for the millionth time how she was a Beater. Off the pitch, Veronica was the sweetest person he had ever known. Of course she could stand up for herself when she needed to, as she had done so many times with Archie, but for the most part, she was bubbly and outgoing and the most caring and sweet person ever. But on the pitch, she was a completely different person. On the pitch, she was ruthless, even with him, and he absolutely loved it. He loved her, more than anything, he just wished he had the guts to tell her. 

“I’m going to take a walk through the train and see if I can spot Art. I want to yell at him for not writing to me this summer. I haven’t heard from him since my birthday, and that was a month ago.”

Charlie nodded before turning his eyes back to the book in his lap. He was reading the dragon book Veronica had bought him for Christmas in fifth year for about the millionth time. He had read it so many times that the cover was now dull and peeling, but he loved it just as much as he did on day one. He had memorized every word, but he still enjoyed watching the dragons in the photos walking around and grazing. It made him feel like he was a real dragonologist, observing their patterns and behaviors up close and jotting down his notes in the columns. It gave him hope for a future where he would actually get to observe and work with dragons for real, but for now, he would settle for this.

Tearing her eyes away from him, Veronica chuckled as she made her way out of their compartment and into the corridor. She could hear muffled chatter coming from the other compartments in the car, and began to make her way up the train and through each car, briefly glancing into the tiny window of each compartment hoping to find him without imposing on other students’ privacy too much. She had only made it halfway through the train before running into Felix who seemed to be doing the same thing she was.

“Hey Veronica, you wouldn’t happen to have seen Art anywhere, would you?”

“What? He’s not with you?”

Felix shook his head but didn’t elaborate.

“Well, I haven’t seen him, but I’ve been looking for him too. Did you start at the front of the train? I started from the back and haven’t seen him anywhere.” Veronica scratched her head and furrowed her brows as she turned to look the way she had come. “Unless I just missed him?”

Felix shrugged in an attempt to be nonchalant, but there was something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite place. “Maybe. I started from the front and haven’t seen him either, but I might have just missed him too.”

“Alright, don’t worry. I’m sure he’s here somewhere. Let’s look again together.” Despite trying to convince Felix, Veronica didn’t believe her own words. If Art was on this train, he would be looking for Felix too. But even with these thoughts in her mind, Veronica refused to scare the boy, so they began their search.

For a half hour, the two walked up and down the train a few times, but to no avail. As Veronica expected, Art was nowhere to be found. By the time they reached the front of the train for the 3rd time, Veronica could feel the worry radiating off Felix in waves. “Look, don’t worry. I’m sure he’s fine, and there’s probably a good explanation as to why he isn’t here. I’m sure he’ll tell us all about it when we see him at Hogwarts, and we’ll all have a good laugh about it.” Veronica hoped to brighten his spirits, but she could tell it wasn’t working. “Hey, do you want to come sit with me and Charlie in our compartment? We can keep you company until we get to Hogwarts, it shouldn’t be too long now.”

Felix just shook his head. “That’s alright, Veronica. I’ll see you in the Great Hall.” The look in his eyes was back, but Veronica still couldn’t figure it out for the life of her. She didn’t have time to ask him about it before he entered his compartment and shut the door. With that, she made her way back to Charlie. “So, what’d he say?”

“I couldn’t find him.”

“What?”

[gingernut1314]

how do you think sanji would react if reader (who likes him) asked if he has feelings for nami? thinking emoji

Through Shadow

Sanji x F!Reader

Summary: You've had feelings for Sanji ever since he was able to see you from your hiding spot in the shadows. Feelings you know the chef will never reciprocate, especially when he only has eyes for Nami. Nami who you couldn't help and hated to be jealous of. So when you find yourself spilling these jealous feelings to Sanji, you are terrified to hear what he might have to say.

Tags: angst and fluff

Word Count: 4.1K

A/N: Y'all...he's too good. I love him and I had to write for him. First time doing it so I hope it's good but I had too much fun writing this. This is strictly angst and fluff because I lowkey (highkey) needed it. I hope you guys enjoy and thank you so much for the request!

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You flipped a page in the book you were currently reading, finding it was one of the last few remaining. It was just a small book on some of the things to be seen on the next island your crew was going to stop at, but it was your job as informant, or as Luffy liked to call you, the “tour guide”, to know everything and anything there was to know about the places you were going to land.  

You enjoyed the job greatly, seeing as you had always loved to read and know things. Before you had joined Luffy’s crew, you were a spy of sorts for one of the local mobs on the tiny island you grew up on. It was your job to infiltrate other rival mobs and gather as much information as you could so your boss could use it to destroy them. 

You loved learning new information, so doing this job for Luffy was second nature--second nature that was also being used for good, rather than unrelenting bad. 

It hadn’t taken much for you to join him, having always wanted to leave your hometown and do something good with your life. 

Though, the true reason you had joined was because of the simple smile, kind words, and the best meal of your life the Straw Hats’ cook had given you. Sanji was his name and you orbited around him an embarrassing amount. 

You flipped another page in your book when the door to the kitchen opened, the voice of said cook floating in with it. A voice you instantly perked up to listen to, peering over the edge of the rafter you had all but claimed as your personal reading nook to find the face it belonged to. A face that had your cheeks heating even without its attention directed at you.

But your body froze when you saw another person follow after him. A person who was beautiful and fearless and who you had been jealous of ever since you laid eyes on her. 

You absolutely hated that you were jealous, especially of Nami because she was your friend--family...but Nami--Nami was everything you had ever wanted to be. 

And she had caught the lovely eye of the cook she followed in here.

You watched from the shadows as Sanji went about pulling everything he needed to start making breakfast for the rest of the slowly waking crew, Nami placing a book full of maps on the counter as she read it over. Sanji glanced her way here and there, that perfect smile on his lips anytime she pointed something out to him. 

That green emotion coiled in your chest like a snake as you watched it all happen. An emotion that grew every time you saw them together. Saw Sanji pull a smile from her, saw Sanji sweet talk and flirt with her. 

It was enough to get you to walk away from the situation every time it happened, but now you were stuck watching. Stuck in your stupid reading nook in the rafters of this stupid kitchen that was all too warm and cozy and smelled ever so wonderful--smelled not only of the delicious food being cooked up, but of him. Of his cologne and freshly showered scent.

You pulled yourself further into your nook, shoving your book back into your face to keep your mind distracted. To try not to think of the conversation that was happening below you. Of who was having it. 

“Here, try some. I’m trying something new.” You heard Sanji’s smoothly accented voice speak. A voice that unfortunately had you instantly looking back over the edge to find him extending a wooden spoon with whatever sauce he was cooking up on it out to Nami. She ate it without so much as a blink, Sanji watching her intently the whole time. 

“Good.” She said, before going back to her book full of maps. “I think the best place to get the supplies you need is here, in this market.” And on and on she went, Sanji nodding along and smiling away at her as he continued to cook. 

When they had both agreed on the best plan of action for this supply run, Nami closed up her book and began to leave. “Nami,” Sanji spoke, stopping Nami before she could fully leave. “Be sure to check with Y/N, ya? She’ll know the best places to go.” 

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll talk to her at breakfast. Can’t find her anywhere but at mealtime.” It made you just a little proud you could hide from her, though you could hide from anyone. Blending into the shadows and going unnoticed had been your specialty way before gathering intel. It was more useful, in your opinion. Kept you safe and away from the prying eyes of those you wanted to avoid--which was everyone. 

You preferred to keep to yourself. To read your books and go utterly unnoticed…but going unnoticed had its downfalls. Downfalls such as having to watch the guy you liked, who was way out of your league and very much unattainable, flirt with the girl who was equally out of your league and unattainable.

“What are you reading up there, sweetheart?” Sanji asked, his voice startling you. You kept quiet, willing the shadows to cover you in their entirety as you watched Sanji continue to chop away at some fruit, but when those ocean-blue eyes snapped up on you, one covered by a lock of his blond hair, you knew you had been found out. Your face instantly flushed under his gaze. A gaze that had always made you feel so--seen. 

You remembered back to the first time that gaze had found you. It had been a relatively sunny day so the streets of your home town had been bustling with activity. You, unfortunately, had been sent by your boss to go spy on the straw hat-wearing man and his crew who had just landed on the island, so you couldn’t enjoy the day one bit.

It wasn’t hard to find the guy, seeing as he was bouncing around full of an energy you had never experienced before. It was--refreshing. No one on your island could ever dream of being that happy thanks to the mobs ruling over them. 

They were looking around the larger marketplace on the island, grabbing up different kinds of meats, fish, veggies, and all sorts of food you never could have afforded yourself. And as you watched the blond buying it all, your stomach quickly began to rumble to life with the hunger you had been fending off for days now. 

You may have been working for the mob, but they hardly took care of you. It was more indentured servitude than a true job. The most food you got was a scrap of bread and maybe, maybe if you were lucky, a piece of dried meat that would hold you over for a day or two before your stomach was roaring in hunger again.

You had hardly reached for the carrot sticking out of the basket he carried when those ocean-blue eyes, one covered by that lock of perfect blond hair of his, landed directly on you. Saw you. Saw you through shadow. Through shadow you had perfected the art of disappearing in. Had been practicing ever since you were a baby. 

And he--he was looking at you. Really seeing you. A gaze that had your body freezing up in its spot. You’d never had to deal with this before. Never had to deal with getting caught like this. 

The overly attractive blond had given you a charming smile, those eyes still refusing to leave you. 

“Hello there, sweetheart.” His accented voice had made your face flush as red as a beat then and there. The straw hat-wearing guy you had been sent to spy on came over then, oblivious to your location.

“Hey, Sanji, who are you--AHHH!! A GHOST!” The blond, Sanji, had hardly batted an eye at his captain's shenanigans, those same eyes still pinning you to your spot. 

“How about instead of eating this raw, I cook you something befitting a hauntingly beautiful woman such as yourself.” He had said, playing with the fact you had just been mistaken, rather loudly, as a specter. 

You had hardly even realized he had offered to feed you because all you could think about was the fact that he had seen you and was now calling you beautiful. Two things no one had ever done. 

When you finally came down from your shock and Luffy had come down from his scared, wildness, he had agreed to let you come aboard their ship--the Going Merry--and you had agreed to food. Any food would have done, truly, put Sanji--gods he had whipped up the most glorious meal you had ever tasted. A meal fit for a king. Something your taste buds definitely didn’t deserve. 

While you had eaten, you told Luffy and his crew about your life--about life on your island. Of the mob bosses running it ragged and driving many of its residents to an early grave. It had surprised you nearly as much as Sanji finding you through shadow when Luffy offered to help. When his whole crew offered. 

They had taken care of the mobs with little effort, you being a great help in their destruction. You knew where their holdouts were, where their money was kept, and who they loved the most in the world. You had been a double-edged sword ready to be drawn and used by just the right people.

Luffy had been awe-struck by your memory and ability to hide in plain sight, and after your island was saved, he offered you a place on his crew. A place you took gratefully, ready to serve this man who was the most generous man you had met--a man who would be King of the Pirates and rightfully so. 

It’d been a few years since then and still, Sanji was able to see you through the shadows you practically lived in. The others on the crew always tried, but never could quite find you until Sanji pointed you out, that is, if you wanted to be pointed out. He was always kind enough to gauge your mood--whether or not you wanted to be amongst the rest of the crew. You loved them, every last one of them, but they were all so--extroverted and you were content to watch from the shadows. 

“...A small history of the island we are heading for.” You spoke, flipping the cover to show him. He looked it over with a nod.

“Ah--and what have you learned?” You felt yourself grow excited at his interest and you pulled yourself just that much further from the shadows. 

“There’s this rabbit that can only be found on this specific island in the mountainous regions, called the Rina. Its fur is the color of a muted rainbow and its meat is said to be chewy and sweet and is best used in--”

“A stew?” You smiled.

“Yep! The locals will also glaze it in a honey sauce mixed with its blood and cook it on a stick.” You said, absent-mindedly flipping through the pages of the book until you came to the small section on the rabbit. You looked back up at Sanji who had taken a pause from chopping, turning the page to show him the illustration of the rabbit. “We’ll have to try some.” 

“Of course, sweetheart. And I’ll make a note to get some of its meat so we can cook up that stew.” You nodded happily, your mouth watering at the mere thought. You watched Sanji pick up where he had left off, throwing some of the fruit into a bowl. “What did you think of the market Nami pointed out?” That green emotion filled your chest once more and you pulled yourself right back into the shadow, flopping back onto the pillow you had pulled up here with you. 

“She’s right. It’s the best place to get supplies. It’ll have everything we need.” You said rather softly, reopening your book to where you had left off. Sanji was quiet for a short moment. 

“But is that where you think we should go?” You shrugged. 

“Yes. Do you think we’ll be staying there for the night?” You heard the slice of a sharp knife through meat. 

“I believe so.” 

“Then we should dock on the western side of the island. It’s a little more secluded than the eastern docks. There are more markets there as well, but it is full of people known for their anonymity and hostility. We will find everything there as well.” You heard Sanji drop slices of meat onto a pan, it sizzling under the heat. 

“Sound perfect for a crew of outlaws.” He said in a joking tone despite it being completely true. “And you will want to tell Nami this when she comes to breakfast? So she can get us there.” Again, green spiked through your heart. 

“Sure. I can do that.” Silence filled the air once more as you tried to finish the last page of the book, but you couldn’t shake that snake-like emotion. “...there’s this small mountain range near the village we would stay at…a lot of the locals call it Sweethearts Ledge. There’s this tragic story behind it but the local teens just go up there to--you know.” You said, scratching at the hardcover of the book, not wanting to outright say it was a hook-up spot.

“But regardless of that it’s a local favorite to watch the sunset--see the entirety of the western side of the island. Said to be a breathtaking view.” Your nail dug so deep you nearly tore the thin fabric covering the book. “You should take Nami up there.” 

All that filled the air was quiet except for the sizzle of meat. So quiet you thought Sanji had left until the pan was moved from the heat and the sizzle slowly died out. 

“And why would I take Nami up there?” He said, amusement coating his voice. It had your embarrassment flooding your chest in seconds. 

Stupid, stupid! 

This is why you stayed in the shadows, why you didn’t speak to many people. Because you always had a tendency to embarrass and make a fool of yourself. 

“Uh--because it’s…you know. Beautiful up there. Could have a picnic.” You rambled out, trying to save yourself, yet only managing to dig yourself a rather massive hole. “You know…” 

Sanji let out a charming little chuckle that made you want to curl in on yourself. Oh gods…he was laughing at you. 

“Come try this.” He said, moving on from your embarrassing train of conversation drastically. It took all your willpower to peek around the corner and look down at Sanji, who had put a little bit of meat on a small plate, the sauce he had finished on top of it. It looked delicious. So delicious it made your stomach grumble. 

“I’m not hungry.” You mumbled, pulling yourself right back into the shadows. A lie. A complete lie that your stomach was hating you for. Sanji gave a little huff of air and you thought that was the end of it until you heard the screech of a chair being dragged across the floor. 

Peeking over the edge again you found him doing just that, dragging a chair over to your hiding spot, small plate in hand, and a determined look on his face. You watched in shock as he climbed up onto the chair and came face to face with you, flashing that charming smile of his your way. 

“Sweetheart,” He said, making your face burn like lava had been poured on it. “We both know that’s a lie. I need your opinion.” He said, placing the plate on the large rafter you sat on. You watched the plate like it was the most interesting thing in the world, not able to meet his gaze--look at his too-handsome face. 

“You already had Nami try it.” You mumbled, looking back to your book as you tried to re-read the same sentence you had been trying to re-read for a minute now. 

“Yes, but she doesn’t understand the dish’s complexities like you.” You’re eyes snapped onto his face, that grin never once leaving his handsome face. His eyes were watching you just as you had been watching that plate. 

And your face was going to melt off it was so hot. 

“Uh…but--” Sanji chuckled again, picking up the bit of meat and extending it to you. Extended it into your shadowy heaven. 

“Please, sweetheart. Just one bite?” You’re mouth ran dry. He had to stop calling you that. Had to stop seeing through your shadows. It was going to destroy you. 

Unable to find the words, you merely nodded, allowing Sanji to feed you his hard work. You ate it all, chewing it slowly. You took note of every bit of seasoning and spice and texture you could. And Sanji watched you the whole time, his eyes moving from your lips to your eyes and then back to your lips again. 

“I wouldn’t want to take Nami up to Sweethearts Ledge. I would want to take my sweetheart, sweetheart.” You nearly choked on the bit of food in your mouth, coughing to keep from doing so. You sat up so fast, you hit your head on the ceiling, causing yet another coughing fit to spill from your lips. “Oh--Y/N do you need water?” You shook your head, feeling utterly mortified. 

“No--no…” When you finally calmed your cough, you shyly looked back to Sanji, finding him watching your every move. His face was set in a near-serious tone. Near--near nervous? Was Sanji nervous? There was no way. Not Sanji, the man whose second language was flirting and hitting on women. “You’re teasing me.” 

“Teasing you?” He asked, looking a bit shocked you were even suggesting it.

“Yes. You’re teasing me because I’m--” You glued your teeth shut before you could say something that would further embarrass yourself--humiliate yourself. “It’s not nice, Sanji.” You said, you’re tone turning harsh. But you couldn’t take it--getting teased in such a way. Your heart couldn’t take it.

“Sweetheart--”

“Stop calling me that.” Something like hurt flashed in his eyes. A hurt you hated to see. But you had to protect yourself because you couldn’t handle getting yourself hurt. You were too--fragile. 

“Did I do something? If I did I am truly sorry.” You shook your head, a slight frustrated huff spilling from your lips. 

“No, you--” Another little huff. Sanji’s ocean eyes never once left you--kept piercing through the shadows. “You like Nami.” You said, your voice all but defeated. Sanji’s eyebrows fell the slightest bit, eyes softening. You hated it--hated his pity. 

“I’ll never be like her, that’s why you're teasing me. Everyone teases me because--because…I’m not like her. Because she’s--she’s perfect. She’s strong and confident and beautiful--” 

Sanji reached into your shadows once more and covered your mouth with his hand. A hand that was strong and sported small scars he had gained from his culinary journey. A hand your skin always zapped to life under whenever he touched you in the most simple ways. 

You stared at each other for a moment that seemed to stretch on like an eternity. Just watching the other. Sanji’s eyes held such--shock in them. Almost…hurt? 

“Don’t…” He was upset. You upset him. You’re heart felt heavy and hard and like it would snap in two at any moment. You hadn’t wanted to upset him. “Don’t say such things about yourself.” 

He was upset…upset for you? 

“Y/N…sweetheart, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You are smart and sneaky and kind-hearted…” He gave an airy chuckle, “and you know the difference between ragù and ragoût.” You felt your eyes begin to prick as you shakily pulled Sanji’s hand from your mouth, keeping hold of it.

“Ragù is a sauce…Ragoût’s stew.” You said, your voice just as shaky as your hand. Sanji’s smile pulled up onto his lips as he nodded, another little airy chuckle leaving his lips. 

“You are my sous-chef, my friend, my sweetheart.” Tears did well in your eyes then. Tears you tried to hide from the man saying such sweet, sweet things to you, but he took hold of your chin in a gentle manner, keeping your eyes on him. “Y/N, you’re beautiful--hauntingly beautiful and I couldn’t image anyone else I would rather take up to that mountain and serenade with a delicious meal than you.” 

Your tears did fall then. Hot, burning tears you had been holding back ever since childhood. Tears you felt tear through your very soul. 

You wanted to believe he was lying. That he was being cruel, but his eyes--those ocean-blue eyes told you everything you needed to know. Told you Sanji believed every word he was saying. His thumb wiped away your tears, that smile of his never once leaving his face. 

“You’re beautiful--even when you cry. Even shroud in shadow.” A little, pathetic sob escaped your lips as you wrapped your arms around Sanji’s neck, nearly sending the chef falling off the chair he stood on. He stood strong, wrapping his own arms around you the best he could at this angle. As tight as he could. “I’m not teasing.” He whispered in your ear, as if to confirm it. 

“I-I know.” Another little sob you tried to hold back fluttered from your lips. “I-I’m sorry…no--no one has ever said that before--b-been so nice to me.” You felt Sanji shake his head against your cheek. 

“Well, they’re utter fools for not searching hard enough for such a gem.” You pulled away the slightest bit so you could look into his face. Hesitatingly, you went to brush away the bit of hair blocking his left eye, but you paused. 

Sanji noticed this and leaned into your touch, silently telling you it was okay to do so--to touch him. You did, brushing away that hair so you could look deeply into both his ocean-blue eyes.

“How--how did you see me? That first time, back on my home island? How did you see through the shadows?” Sanji’s thumb rubbed little circles on your back, sending your skin burning. 

“Because it was hard to not see you--because I’m no fool.” A smile pulled onto our own lips. A smile that pulled a small laugh from your rusty throat. A smile that Sanji copied in an instant. “Gods, you’re stunning.” You shook your head slightly, his words still too kind. 

Sanji brought his hand to take hold of your chin again, his thumb brushing over the curve of your bottom lip. “So, so pretty. So, so divine. So, so lovely. So, so beautiful.” 

You gave a little shaky huff of air, trying to hold back yet another sob that threatened to pull itself from your chest before you pressed your lips to Sanji’s. Lips that were so soft and plush and tasted vaguely like the sauce he had no doubt tried before coming over here. 

You hardly had much experience kissing anyone--only ever having kissed one other man before the chef and that had been a drunken, sloppy thing. So this--this was new. This was exciting. And gods if you weren’t nervous, but Sanji kissed you gently, slowly. Kissed you in a guiding manner that allowed you not to think too much about the action and let you just enjoy it. Really, really enjoy it.

When you two pulled away for air, you couldn’t help the giggle that spilled from your lips. A giggle you tried to muffle but placing a hand over your mouth. 

“Why are you trying to hide, huh?” Sanji said in an equally as jovial tone. “You know you can’t hide from me.” A laugh of his own pulled from his throat as he took your hand away from your lips and kissed you again. A quick thing. A kiss he did again and again until your ribs were aching from all the happy giggling you were doing. “Such an exquisite sound.” You rolled your eyes, though your smile stayed plastered on your face. 

“You can stop that now.”

“Oh no. Never. Darling, I will shower you with praise in my every waking moments. I’ll do it in my sleep, just you watch.” You ran your fingers over his grinning cheek, taking in as much of his features as you could possibly take in at once. 

You had just kissed that. Kissed this handsome, handsome man who you would have never dreamed of actually kissing in your wildest dreams. 

“...fine. I guess I can endure.” Sanji gave another little laugh before kissing your lips once more. A kiss you gave right back in seconds. 

“Now, how about you come down here and tell me how breakfast tasted?”

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