#ship: team berry

[moodmoodthecrabking]

jonesberry moodboard requested by me

[orange-artblog]

Dreamberry kid Lily Comora Berry (bday - 30th June / 30/6)

also another redraw of very old art from 2021

and here is her human version!

she does also have fangs don‘t ask xd

She is the second member of Team Star

[lv-iceprince]

🍓...selca ship...🍓

@leoonoa

here you go! i was so happy with how this ship turned out, i just had to choose all the beautiful visuals to go with THE beautiful visual herself. thank you so much for requesting xx

wren

~treasure~ yoshi🍓

~enhypen~ jake🍓

~&team~ nicholas🍓

~riize~ anton 🍓

~xikers~ junmin🍓

[berryshipbasket]

Go kiss Solider gay ass

WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!

OK maybe I will : )

[fagdykevash]

me rubbing my hands together evily as i realize the poly ship name for my ocs could be spaceberry EHEHEHE

[berryshipbasket]

AUGGFGG THANK YOUUU UE UE UE

Def gonna request more when I get the courage this is so <333333

Hii! I've been reading a lot of your TF2 X reader fics and I finally got the courage to try n request one fggfy 👉👈

Was wondering if you could do one of Soldier and Sniper with S/O who is a lil on the chubby side and isn't the most confident?

Tyy!!! ;w;

WAA ty for reading and requesting!! this is a super cute prompt! <3

Soldier and sniper with a chubby s/o

Soldier:

He honestly doesn’t understand why you don’t feel confident- your gorgeous! obviously he doesn’t mean to discount your feelings, but he would give anything for you to see yourself the way he sees you.

He even makes it a point to randomly lift you up into his arms like it’s no problem, because it is no problem! literally regardless of your size he will carry you around the field like you’re a bag of feathers.

He’s the most idiotic man you have ever known and yet he’s your idiot. ♡

“Cupcake, you’re as beautiful as the flag rising up to the anthem every morning. I could say that one hundred times each day if you needed me to!”

Sniper:

He is utterly entranced by you, like all the time.

He thinks you’re the cutest thing, and he makes it incredibly clear with how he praises every little bit of your body- sneaking up to give you ticklish kisses against your face and neck, before leaning down to kiss your shoulders, then your chest and eventually your tummy!

He wants you to feel like the beautiful person you are, and he stops at nothing to achieve this.

“Roo, those sickly lookin’ models have nothing on you- No one could even compete with how gorgeous you are..!

[pitchsidestories]

One night in Ibiza II Misa Rodríguez x Hermoso!Reader

masterlist I word count: 2064

summary: you enjoy your summer vacation on Ibiza with your sister and her friends. While having a slight crush on a certain goalkeeper.

There was a slight breeze coming from the sea, it was a wonderful day to be outside, the turquoise water builds a pretty contrast to the white ship you were on with your sister Jenni and your friends.

It has been a long first half of the year, but your team and you have won everything there was to win, you managed to secure a quadruple of trophies. Your body and mind were tired out from it though, so this vacation arrived at the perfect time. Although you knew it was only a short pause from football, the Olympic games were already on the horizon.

“This season was successful but exhausting, so now it’s time to relax.”, Jenni declared solemnly while opening the bottle of champagne.

“Not everyone has won something with their club though.”, you threw a teasing smile into the direction where the goalkeeper of Real Madrid was laying.

Ay, Dios mío., you thought to yourself, she looks gorgeous in that Barbie pink bikini, why doesn’t Misa look ridiculous in it?

“Sooner or later, she’ll win something too.”, the raven-haired forward winked.

“I don’t think so.”, you disagreed with a cheeky grin.

“You’ve such a big mouth peque��a.”, Misa remarked, easily carrying you until she let you fall right into the open water.

“I’d say be careful, children. But I get the full inheritance if she’s gone.”, Jenni joked smirking.

“No, we still have a brother., you reminded her before turning your attention to the goalkeeper, Okay, Misa, come closer, I want to apologize for what I said.”

With these words you dragged her into the sea with you.

“Hey!”, she protested.

“No, you deserved it.”, you shook your head smiling confidently.

“You’ll get that back.”, Misa warned you.

“Okay, children, if you’re not getting back on board in the next five minutes I’ll start eating the delicious food without you.”, your sister announced.

“Jenni’s not joking. She’ll literally do this.”, Alexia who had stayed quiet the whole time tanning in the sun and enjoying her own peace added.

“Come on we can’t miss out on that, y/n.”, Misa decided.

“I’m coming. Wait for us, hermana.”, you told Jenni.

“You’ve to hurry then.”, she replied cheekily.

Back on the ship you tried a first slice of cheese, humming with closed eyes. “So good.”

Everything on the plate looked so aesthetically pleasing to the eye, so you took a moment to take it in and appreciate it.

“Good, huh?”, Misa lifted an eyebrow curiously.

“Yes, try it.”, you nodded, while passing the snack to her.

“Not bad.”, she admitted.

“Right?”, you beamed at the tall woman.

“The strawberries are great too.”, Alexia said.

You didn’t miss how the corner of her mouth quirked upwards for a millisecond.

Misa was already chewing next to you, her lips stained red from the juicy strawberries: “They are. Try them.“

She grabbed one particularly round and luscious looking strawberry from the plate and held it in front of your face so you could get a taste.

You bit into the berry, Misas fingers almost touching your lips. You closed your eyes and hummed in contentment once the sweet sugary taste danced on your tongue. They were to die for.

“They might even be the best thing on this table.“, you agreed with the others’ judgement.

“I know what would be even better on this table.“, your sister smirked, seemingly proud of her sly innuendo.

Without missing a beat, Alexia commented: “Disgusting.“

She shot Jenni a stern look over her sunglasses.

You rolled your eyes in annoyance: “Way to ruin the vibe, Jenni.“

“Honestly. I need more alcohol to recover from that.“, Alexia said as she walked over and poured herself a drink.

You knew it was bad when even Ale had a drink.

She clinked her glass with yours: “Cheers, y/n.“

“Cheers.“, you grinned back at her, washing the taste of strawberries down with champagne.

Theatrically sighing, Jenni laid back down her towel: “You girls are so boring.“

“Honestly, a little fun never killed anyone.“, Misa agreed with your sister, sneaking another strawberry into her mouth.

You raised your eyebrows at her, surprised. “And you’re fun, Misa?“

The goalkeeper winked at you: “I’m lots of fun.“

“Prove it.“, you dared her.

She didn’t seem intimated by your challenge, she just shrugged: “Alright.“

“I’m waiting.“, you pressured her.

“Careful or I’ll push you back into the water.“, she jokingly threatened you.

You held up your finger as a warning sign: “Don’t you dare!“

She took a step towards you, her head cocked to the side as she studied your face: “Or what?“

To prove that you weren’t intimidated by her, you refused to back up and instead took another step towards her: “I’m taller than you, it won’t happen again.“

“On your tiptoes maybe.“, Misa laughed.

You rolled your eyes, you stood so close together that your noses almost touched. And this woman still tried to argue that she was taller than you.

Jennis voice seemed disruptive and out of place as it floated over to you: “Actually you’re both the same height. I’m the tallest here.“

You watched as Misa turned her attention towards your sister with a grin: “Maybe you should play in goal!“

“But scoring is so much more fun.“, the striker drawled.

“It’s only because she doesn’t know what to do with her body on the pitch. She’s just lucky that she’s tall which makes her pretty good at headers.“, Alexia joined.

You absolutely loved how she deadpanned while she roasted your sister.

“You and my sister are such football nerds, Alexia.”, Jenni noted.

“That’s why we get along so well.”, she shot back, exchanging a knowing smile with you.

“Y/n gets football. You, however..”, Alexia began.

“What? I get you too!”, your sister interrupted the midfielder, her lips formed into a pout.

“Let’s just say you know how to get the ball into the net, okay?”, the Blonde offered diplomatically.

“Okay., quickly the striker changed the topic with a dirty grin on her lips, and I’m sure we’ll have a ball tonight.”

“And your puns are horrible.”, Alexia remarked dryly.

“If someone asks later, I’ll tell them that we’re not related.”, you interjected.

“That won’t work. You two look way too similar.”, Misa stated the obvious laughing.

“Excuse me?!”, Jenni pretended to be shocked by your words ignoring her friend’s observation.

“I said what I said.”, you shrugged wearing a smug smile on your face.

With a dramatic sigh your sister turned her head to your Barcelona teammate. “So rude. Remember, when she looked up to me, Ale? All those years ago.”

Behind her playful dramatics there swung a little bit of melancholy, to the days there no one was better than your older sister. Back than she was all you ever tried to be, a successful footballer, playing for one of the greatest clubs in Europe. Sometimes Jenni missed that time. You, her little sister grew up so fast.

Alexia could see behind the cool façade of her former club teammate and decided to lighten up her mood. “I do but come on let’s get ready for the night.”

The sun was about to set when you left the boat, about to dress up for the night ahead. Some Latin pop was playing in the background, while you were putting on a red lipstick which matched your little dress in the same colour.

In the mirror you caught Misa’s stunned reaction. Her beautiful brown eyes taking everything in.  “Wow.”

“Do you like what you see?”, you asked her with a cocky grin.

“Well, I certainly didn’t know you could look like that.”, the goalkeeper stated, sounding flirty. Or are you just imaging it?

 “To be fair when we usually meet it’s rarely an occasion to dress up fancy, it’s mostly in jerseys or training clothes.”, you clarified.

“You can really pull that off. You look great.”, she blushed slightly.

“Thanks, you don’t look too bad for a Madridista either.”, you admitted smiling.

With her arms folded, alexia stood impatiently in the doorway. “Are you done with your sweet nothings? We’d like to go now.”

“Yeah, hurry. Or we’re missing all the fun!” Excited, Jenni appeared next to her.

“We’re on our way.”, you assured them.

The four of you made your way to a karaoke bar. It was a bit smaller than your usual clubs on Ibiza but the atmosphere was still great.

As the night wore on, you found yourself dancing with Misa to some drunk dude trying his best to perform Mr. Brightside.

At one point, Jenni and Alexia had disappeared towards the bar. Alexia wanted to keep an eye on the two of you, Jenni wanted to be closer to the drinks.

Alexia slowly sipped her drink while she watched you take the stage with unstable steps. Misas hands wrapped around your waist, just in case.

Alexia leaned over to Jenni: “Want to bet they end up in the same bed tonight?“

“You know what could help with this? A few more drinks.“, Jenni decided and threw back her head to take a shot of tequila.

“It surely would but we need to keep it safe for them.“, Alexia reminded her.

“So boring.“, Jenni complained jokingly and ordered two more shots.

“You’re an irresponsible older sister.“, Alexia said, shaking her head with amusement. Still, she took the shot glass Jenni offered to her.

Jenni clinked glasses with her: “No, I’m the fun older sister.“

You were absolutely sure that you killed your performance of ABBA when you left the stage. You cheered like you just won a boxing match.

Misa decided to perform right after you. Same artist, different song.

You laughed as she came off stage: “Your karaoke was terrible, Misa.“

“Mine? Have your heard yourself?“, the goalkeeper responded, feigning offense in her intoxicated state.

“Still better than you!“, you replied with a teasing tone.

Misa grimaced like she felt sorry for you and shook her head: “You missed half of the words.“

“The lyrics sounded so much better that way.“, you said confidently.

“Those weren’t even real sentences anymore. At least you looked cute while ruining the song.“, Misa smiled with slightly reddened cheeks.

You raised an eyebrow and echoed: “Cute, huh?“

“Yeah“?

“You might be one of the cutest friends my sister has.“, you admitted with a grin.

Misa let out a polite laugh: “Thanks, I guess.“

“I mean it.“ You studied her face, trying to take her in fully.

She stared right back. “You do?“

You shrugged: “Yes. You might play for the wrong team but…“

“But?“, she prompted you to continue.

“But all day I thought about how it would be to kiss you.“

“To kiss… me?“

You might have been drunk enough to tell her the truth, but you were definitely not drunk enough to not recognize the hesitation in her voice.

You took as step back, trying to bring distance between the two of you: “Oh shit, sorry if that made you uncomfortable.“

To your surprise, she bridged the gap quickly: “No. I think I’d like that.“

“Really?”, you breathed.

“Yes, want to leave?”, she asked, eyes lit up with excitement.

“I do.”, you nodded eagerly as Misa took your hand to lead you to her hotel room. Forgotten were your doubts in the back of your mind if your sister would approve of it. After all, the goalkeeper was her friend too.

The night was dying, while the dawn was coming to life. Everything the light touched was tinted in a warm glow. Amazed, you watched the sunrise. “Wow this is beautiful.”

“It’s, right?” Misa agreed, but you realized that she wasn’t looking at the beautiful scenery outside, the Madrid player only had eyes for you.

“You don’t even look at the sunrise.”, you clicked your tongue

“I mean that’s nice but this right here it’s gorgeous.”, Misa muttered as her hand rested on your heated cheek. For once you were silenced. Your heartbeat too fast from the simple touch alone. From up close she was even prettier.

“Is it okay if I?”, the goalkeeper waited for your consent, searching for an answer in your eyes.

“Yes, please.”, you replied, licking your lips expectantly.

This was everything Misa needed to hear; she showered you with kisses like you were the only woman in the world, the brunette was destined to love.

[lemon-popp]

spending time with the sith: episode i

Pairing: Qimir x Black! female OC

word count: 1,223

warnings: nothing really. just plot establishing

master list

"Hey. Hey, wake up," Master Sol attempts to wake a young woman, her body rocking back and forth with every soft nudge he gave on her shoulder. Sol has been at it for minutes now, his gentle nudges getting more urgent in worry.

Everyone on his team, Jecki, Yord, Osha and even Mae, sat around the bench in which the mystery girl laid upon. They found the girl on the unknown planet after being tipped off about an unidentified person targeting the four jedi, where she laid in the middle of the forest. Knocked out, but with no visible injuries.

The young lady sported an oversized cream colored wrap top, that contrasted her mocha brown skin. Her hair was slicked back in a neat curly puff, accentuating the beautiful features that adorned her.

She looks rather clean for someone passed out in the forest, Sol thought

Suddenly, as if on cue, the girl's eyes shoot open, followed by a sharp gasp that makes everyone surrounding the bench flinch back cautiously. Mystery lady pants in an inhuman way, her chest heaving as if she has ran a marathon. her eyes scanning the foreign area.

However, sol being masterful, rushes to comfort and question her.

"You're okay," Sol soothes,"You're okay. What is your name young one?"

Her breathing begins to settle into an appropriate rhythm to sustain consciousness. Now she is able to take in all the new faces that surrounded her.

She was face to face with a Jedi.

"I—Luna. My name is Luna," The girl, whose name now revealed to be Luna, exhales out, feeling a sense of calmness that's was still riddled with confusion.

"Luna. How are you feeling?" Sol inquires gently, bringing his soft hand to her forehead, knuckles first.

"Sol, we do not have time for this. We must find the sith," Yord interjects with a firm hand on the jedi's shoulder and a stern expression on his face. Anyone on the outside would believe that Yord is Sol's master and not the other way around.

"Yord please. If anything, she would know where to find him" Jecki now interjects the interjector, gesturing their hand to the quiet girl that sat still on the bench," Do you live here?"

Luna's eyes land on Jecki, whose eyes hold a pleading look. Luna figures whatever mission this group is on right now. It is serious.

"No. I-I don't. I just came here to get something for my mother,"

"Do you recall why you were knocked out in the middle of knowhere?," Mae suddenly speaks up. Her voice dry and cold.

Luna sits quietly. Trying to actively remember what led her to that moment. Rather who did that to her. Then it dawned on her.

"I just remember meeting a man. The only person i've ever met here,"

The team all shared knowing gazes with each other. That Luna couldn't help but feel left out of.

"Tell us more about this man" Sol focuses Luna's gaze back on him with a gentle touch on her knee. An urgent but concerned look glazing his soft eyes.

Luna nods, recalling everything she remembers. Starting from the very moment she had bumped into him on this lonely planet. Everything.

three days earlier

Luna landed on planet mystery, which is the name Luna and her mother had given this uninhibited place after visiting accidentally long ago. Though many would find that trait to be jarring, the two actually found it charming. The quiet sound of the forest, mixed with the crashing of the shore was a peaceful contrast to the bussing city-life of their home planet. They instantly fell in love with this place.

Way before they were introduced to the fruit.

Luna and her mother ran into this special fruit in a desperate endeavor. A rule in traveling that her mother always shared was,"Never eat their food"

But that day was an exception due to the lack of food on their rinky dink ship. Which is what led to the introduction to...THE FRUIT.

The fruit was a bulbous, pinkish white berry that hung from the large vined trees. It's was a pretty

treacherous task to retrieve it, but my god was it worth it.

The fruit was the sweetest and juiciest fruit of them all. Almost tasting like the most sugary candy of all. Ever since then, this fruit has been a treasure for Luna and her family.

Today, Luna was here alone to retrieve the fruit. She planned to bring it back home to her mother who laid in bed. Sick. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer just three months ago, progressing nothing but swift. Luna wasn't sure how long she had left with her mom, but she knew it wasn't long. A part of her felt fear for leaving home to do this trip, but the other side wanted them to experience the fruits of life together one last time before she's gone. Before luna is all alone.

Luna wipes a tear that stains her face and carries on the path to the fruit tree. Her big combat boots stomp on the dirt path ahead, occasionally hearing the crunch of leaves and sticks. It was strange being here alone, but she wasn't afraid. She's never afraid. The word fear barely existed to her. Unless it involved her mom's condition.

After two hours of trekking, Luna finally is met with the special tree. Throwing her backpack down, Luna starts her climb with no hesitation. It felt like a piece of cake after doing it over a dozen times. Her gloved hands grab the nearest branch, using her pure strength to pull herself up successfully. Luna now sat on the branch and used her arms to hug the stump for balance to slowly stand up to continue climbing. As luna starts to stand, her foot slips just slightly. but a slight slip send the girl falling from her position, right back onto the ground, landing awkwardly on her left ankle.

A stinging burning sensation starts at her foot, slowly making its way up to her chest, escaping its way out of her mouth is a deep cry. Luna wailed, reaching for her tender ankle, as if anyone is here. She is alone. on an uninhabited planet.

why? why me? i'm gonna die here

Tears streamed down her beautiful face, tasting the bitter salt. After what feels like hours of crying, that was probably only just a couple minutes, Luna passes out in this forest. injured and alone.

alone.

A man emerges from the forest. Pushing elephant plants out of his way. The man wore a golden-brown helmet with an eerie smile plastered on the face.

The man immediately noticed Luna. Her petite figure laying flat on the dirt. He presumes that she either dead or almost dead as he bends down slowly, hands near his lightsaber just in case this is a trap from the jedi. As of now, no one knew of him, but you could never be too cautious.

As he gets closer, The man notices the short and soft rise of her round chest.

She's alive.

Hesitantly, he picks Luna up bridal style with so much ease, searching for any hint of betrayal. He senses nothing and makes his way back to wherever he came from.

episode ii

[berryshipbasket]

SOBBING CRYING REAL TEARS THATS MY FUCKING BOYF!!! IM FUUCKING HUSBAND AUGHGHGHG SOUNG OF CRYING UE UE UE /POS

heyyyy its me again teeHEEE

You think you could write a (romantic) Nitros Oxide X reader who tends to get overstimulated a lot? autism 4 autism moment ghjgh

ty ty <33

Silent as Star Dust (Autistic Nitros Oxide X Autistic Reader)

(THIS BITCH AGAIN/pos (we are best friends) )

Oxide had just won a race, a rather intense one at that. He stepped out of his kart and began to flap his hands a bit, allowing any excitement to be stimmed out of him. He couldn't really see you anywhere, which was strange due to the fact he remembered you watching him. He rubbed the back of his neck, a bit confused.

"Where in the great galaxy did they go?" he murmured as he walked around, making his way through the small crowd of racers. He then began to slowly notice how noisy the crowd was.

He snarled under his breath a bit, already overwhelmed by the constant muttering of everyone. He stirred on this for a second and realized where exactly you might be. Oxide picked up the pace a bit, skittering around corners and almost tripping a few times as he made his way to the control room.

The control room was surprisingly dim in terms of lighting, Oxide had did this on purpose to help him focus better, it also made it a great place for the both of you to calm down from a sensory overload. Speaking of, he found you curled up in the chair in front of the control panel. He closed the door and stepped over, trying to not get too close.

"Hey uh.." he spoke up, his voice trying to be gentle as possible "Are you.. alright?" he looked over at you. You shake your head and he sighed, not due to annoyance but of guilt.

"I'm sorry that race got to be a lot, Y/N." he looked down at you in the chair "I guess I was just so focused that I just sort of.. didn't notice.". He crouched next to the chair. Oxide wasn't really the best at verbal comfort, in fact he was far from perfect in MOST social situations. He really was trying to be gentle with you though.

As you laid in the chair you then see a quiet hand be offered to you. You gently held it, feeling the texture of Oxide's hand as well as the warmth of it. You looked up at him, hearing his breathing and seeing his yellow eyes stare back at you. He proceeded to use his other hand to pet your cheek, causing a light smile to cross your lips.

"You doing better, Y/N?" he tilted his head at you.

"I'm doing better, thanks, Nitros" you whisper as you lean forward and give the ridge of his trunk a light kiss.

He giggles at this, having a hint of that adorable yet shrill voice you're oh so used to. "Good." He sighs as he presses his forehead against yours "I'm glad.".

[syrupfog]

Sometimes Usopp has nightmares.

Not ones of his mom dying— no, those are no more than a dull ache now. But nightmares of being thrown at the feet of the man who single handedly started off the worst week of his life. Made him feel useless and broken.

Franky.

Usopp doesn’t think Franky bothers to remember how they met. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not important, right? They’re on the same team now, on the WINNING team. Franky built them the best ship in the world, and even made Usopp a tribute to Merry with the mini merry.

But sometimes at night, he’s trapped in that moment again, where he’s thrown at the feet of the man who was head of the Franky Family, who looked down on him like he was dirt, and scoffed when Usopp demanded their berri back.

And it happens all over again; getting attacked, hit again and again until he feels the crack of his bones and darkness billows into his vision, until the last thing he sees is Franky, behind that iron mask he wore, looking down at Usopp with, somehow worst of all, INDIFFERENCE.

And Usopp wakes up with a gasp, clutching his heart, sweat pouring off of him, only to find Franky snoring peacefully in the bunk below him.

And somehow that. That hurts.

It shouldn’t. They’ve made amends. They’ve reconciled. Franky has time and again wept with him and for him.

But that moment started off the worst week of Usopp’s life, and Usopp cannot help but wonder if everything would’ve gone down differently if Franky’s goons hadn’t touched him. If he’d had the same time to process as everyone else, had heard the news with everyone else.

Would he have still left the crew? Fought Luffy?

The fight still haunts him. He’s always been a useless failure of a pirate, but—

Usopp’s just not sure why Luffy even let him back.

And as his thoughts spiral and his pounding heart rate slows, Usopp blinks crusted tears from his eyes and wishes, DESPERATELY wishes, that he could have just BEEN Franky from the beginning.

He’s good with his hands. Maybe if he had just started studying to be a shipwright they never would’ve gotten to that point. Franky’s all but replaced him on the ship anyway, hasn’t he? He’s like everything that Usopp is, but better.

Stumbling out of his bunk, trying and failing to be quiet about it, Usopp slinks out of the bunk room and onto the deck. It’s a night so foggy that not even the moon lights their path. The lanterns hung on either side of the door to the kitchen the only things casting hazy light.

Which is why he jumps out of his skin when Brook appears in front of him like a ghost in the night.

“Yohohoho,” Brook laughs softly. “I’m sorry to have startled you, young master Usopp! I was simply out for a midnight stroll!”

Usopp blinks. “You’re not on watch?”

“No, it is our Captain’s turn right now. He’s up in the crow’s nest. I was thinking I might play him a tune— I’m not in need of much sleep these days— but perhaps you might be in need of it a bit more than him?”

Usopp doesn’t feel in NEED of a tune. He feels in need of sticking his head in a bucket of ice water, perhaps, to get his thoughts out of the dark place they’re spiraling towards. But he doesn’t want to disappoint Brook. “Sure,” he says. “What have you got cooking up?”

Brook’s violin is out in a heartbeat— although he has no heart— and after a few tuning notes, he begins a slow, deep rendition of Bink’s Saké. Usopp recognizes the melody but Brook has managed to turn it almost into a funeral dirge. Something mournful, crying out.

He feels like he’s intruding just by listening to it.

When the song is finished, Brook seems to breathe out (can he do that?) and with his breath his whole skeleton collapses down, like a marionette with all but one of its strings cut.

“I think, sometimes,” says Brook, “that I am not worthy of being the one who survived.”

Usopp wants to jump to his defense, tell him that Brook is NEEDED and NECESSARY and they COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT HIM.

But he remembers how empty those words sounded in the moment as Chopper yelled them, as Usopp left the crew on Water 7. Like empty appeasing platitudes.

“I think…” Usopp says, slowly, carefully, “that worthiness isn’t something that matters, in the end.”

He’s sitting on the deck, the chill numbing his feet. Brook goes to sit, gingerly, next to him.

“I think that the only thing that actually matters are the choices you make— and not EVERY choice. But the most recent choices.” He peters off for a moment. Brook looks especially creepy in the fog. “Whatever happened that led to you being here doesn’t matter. What matters is your choice now. And tomorrow. What matters is continuing on.”

He doesn’t believe it, not really. His choices haunt him. Every lie haunts him.

“I don’t make good choices,” he concedes, looking down at his calloused hands. “But I want to. I’m trying.”

Even if he doesn’t want to keep trying, sometimes.

Brook leans back, silent as a ghost for a moment, and then, quietly, “I know you are, master Usopp. You are not as lost as you think.”

Usopp doesn’t say anything after that.

Brook doesn’t either.

The morning comes with hot sun and the pounding of feet across the deck. Usopp wakes with a crick in his neck and shade over his eyes.

He blinks, inhaling the scent of pancakes. As his vision clears, he realises he’s only able to have slept so long because a straw hat had been placed over his head, hiding his face from the worst of the morning sun.

Usopp groans.

He pulls it lower, hiding the heat in his cheeks

“It’s the choices you make today,” he tells himself. “Not the old ones. Just the ones today and tomorrow and tomorrow.”

Because maybe if he tells himself that everyday, someday he’ll even believe it.

And until then, he can lie.

[thesweetnessofspring]

Why do you think so many people ship Gale and Madge?

AHHHHH I am so excited you asked me this!! Forgive me but now I get to nerd out about writing!!

Ok, to understand exactly what I'm going to be talking about, I highly recommend this video about good romantic plots (it's about 20 minutes long). The video essayist uses Beauty and the Beast 1991 in comparison to the 2017 remake to as an example, showing why the original works and the remake fails despite using so much of the same storyline/dialogue. But tldw; good romance is a dance, where the characters go back and forth with one another, challenging each other and then coming together before pulling away and coming together again.

Katniss and Gale lack the push-and-pull that gets talked about in this video. Gale pushes, Katniss pushes back, and they end up further away from each other than before. It's this way through the trilogy until they're irreparably separated. Take this part of their first scene together (I'm taking just the dialogue for brevity):

"We could do it, you know," Gale says quietly. "What?" I ask. "Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it," says Gale. "If we didn't have so many kids," he adds quickly. "I never want to have kids," I say. "I might, if I didn't live here," says Gale. "But you do," I say, irritated. "Forget it," he snaps back.

Here, Gale makes a proposal: what if we ran away to the woods? Katniss is quiet, he feels her drifting away so he tries to correct it and brings up how difficult it would be with their families. This prompts Katniss to make a definitive statement about not wanting kids, which pushes Gale away since it interferes with his desire to partner with her. Gale offers his perspective as another little push, that he would want kids, and Katniss pushes him back again by reminding him he does live in Panem with the Games and he's irritated and pushes her away. Occasionally one of them might pull the other toward them (Gale's whipping and Katniss's prep teams, for example) but that's not enough to make up for all of the times they're pushing away from each other.

We only get one scene of Gale and Madge together, but there's more of that push-and-pull dance here:

"Pretty dress," says Gale. Madge shoots him a look, trying to see if it's a genuine compliment or if he's just being ironic. It is a pretty dress, but she would never be wearing it ordinarily. She presses her lips together and then smiles. "Well, if I end up going to the Capitol, I want to look nice, don't I?" Now it's Gale's turn to be confused. Does she mean it? Or is she just messing with him? I'm guessing the second. "You won't be going to the Capitol," says Gale coolly. His eyes land on a small, circular pin that adorns her dress. Real gold. Beautifully crafted. It could keep a family in bread for months. "What can you have? Five entries? I had six when I was just twelve years old." "That's not her fault," I say. "No, it's no one's fault. Just the way it is," says Gale. Madge's face has become closed off. She puts the money for the berries in my hand. "Good luck, Katniss."

We have Gale starting off with the first push. Rather than pushing back by snapping at him, she pulls him in with a challenge: looking nice when everyone (including potential sponsors) is important, so if it's a dig at her, she counter him. And Katniss notes Gale is confused. Madge has thrown him off! He engages in the dance by pushing again, noting how unlikely it is that she'll go to the Capitol. This has shut Madge down as Katniss notes, but this is their first interaction we see in the story, so it's only the starting point. It would be a good opportunity for Madge to get to pull him back in, especially after Prim was reaped with only one entry. We do see from this exchange that Madge can do the pull of the romantic dance with Gale while Katniss doesn't.

Adding in that Madge becoming interested in the woods and shooting after Katniss returns from the Games and then her going to give morphling to Gale after his whipping are the other hints that maybe Madge has feelings for Gale.

Gadge wouldn't happen in canon because it doesn't serve the theme of the just war theory, or Katniss's story. Gale had to maintain his romantic pursuit of Katniss as part of Katniss navigating her feelings about how to engage in war. Madge had to die to show that even a mayor and his family weren't safe from the government that they'd received some benefit from.

But in fanfiction? Their dynamic is RIFE with this potential for the romantic dance. Gale is never really able to engage in the humanity of those who had an advantage from him. Philosophically, he can see it's the Capitol pitting them against each other, but he resents Madge that she didn't have to put additional entries in the reaping ball. He doesn't appear to form bonds with anyone who has been given advantages by the Capitol, and he even grows more distant from Katniss as she can start affording nice clothes and more food (though obviously Peeta is part of this resentment, too). Gale never really understands why Katniss cares about her prep team, even though he tries to engage with them as a peace offering to her.

Pairing him with Madge makes him have to confront this and grow. If Gadge were to form a relationship, Gale would have to really put aside that resentment that holds him back. He would have to see Madge as a whole, not just the advantages she'd been given. And from the pin she gives Katniss to her family backstory to the morphling, you get the sense that Madge wants to rebel. Gale would make her confront the privilege she does have in this system and fight to change it. She would move from subtle acts of rebellion to fully participating in the fight. And seeing this play out with them challenging one another's viewpoints, sharing their life experiences, coming together to work as a team, has potential for really great character growth and exploration for both of them.

[imagining-in-the-margins]

☀️ CM Summer Sunshine Fic Challenge 🏖

The following are prompts including the theme of Summer! Reader, Original Character, Character/Character ships, Gen/Platonic fics are allowed!

This event is over (Masterlist of Fics here), but you are welcome to use any of these prompts. If you would like to be added to the existing Masterlist of entries, please check out the Rules below!

☀️ Generic Prompts ☀️

Everyone looks better in a sundress.

Character doesn't know how to swim.

Characters A and B cuddle in a hammock.

The team has a (MASSIVE) family barbecue.

The BAU has a pool party at Rossi's vacation home.

The sun makes Characters sleepy, so they take a nap.

Characters A and B have a picnic (it goes well/wrong).

Character shows up in swimwear that no one expected.

Character A suffers heatstroke and B takes care of them.

Character A teases B about needing to practice CPR at the pool party.

Character A never loved B more than when they ran through the sprinklers.

The air conditioning broke and Characters try to find creative ways to cool off.

Characters A and B go berry picking together (and enjoy the fruits of their labor).

It's Character's first time camping and they weren't prepared for how cold it gets on summer nights.

Character A lectures B on the importance of sunscreen, yet freezes when they are asked to help apply it.

The BAU is a group of very serious FBI agents. They take their water gun/balloon fights very seriously.

The couple thought their vacation would be a chance to get away from the BAU, but the resort town they're staying in turns out to have an unsub in it.

Character helps their child with their first entrepreneurial venture... a lemonade stand. They weren't expecting half the damn FBI to show up.

Character A’s wide-brimmed hat flew right off their head and into a tree. B helps them get it down.

Anything else you can think of!

☀️ Dialogue Prompts ☀️

"It's like Hotch at the beach."

"Come on in, the water's fine."

"It's so hot but I am so touch starved."

"... How did you even get that tan line?"

“Yes, the sunburn is as bad as it looks.”

"Oh my god, do I hear the ice cream truck?"

"Next Summer, we're doing the Alaskan cruise."

"It's a million degrees outside, why are you in the hot tub?"

(sarcastic) “Feels just like the summer camps of my youth.”

"I am staying hydrated. All of my drinks are iced." "That does not count."

"There is no shame in using a pool floatie." "Yes, there is. I'm shaming you."

“You look hot.” “Thank you!” “No, I mean literally… I think you’re overheating.”

(lying) "My phone doesn't work on the beach. Must be the signal or something..."

☀️ Character Specific Prompts ☀️

Spencer: He learned from the last time a beautiful person pulled him into a pool.

Spencer: He has a degree in engineering. How can he be defeated by a sandcastle?

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

Luke: Reader loves to go to the dog beach to look at cute puppies. A dog named Roxy takes special interest in them.

Tara/Emily: “And what did you do with your summer vacation, Emily Prentiss?”

☀️ NSFW Prompts ☀️ 18+ ONLY ☀️

Character gets caught skinny dipping.

Character A can't get out of the water after seeing B.

Sex on the beach is so much worse than everyone said.

Character A can't deal with how much B loves popsicles/ice cream cones.

It's too hot to wear clothes at home, so Character walks around in their underwear.

Character A finally convinces B to go to the beach with them. Turns out it's a nude beach.

Rules

The fic can be a Reader insert, an Original Character, a character/character ship, a platonic ship, or a Gen fic. It can feature any Criminal Minds character.

Tag me in the fic, or send it to me in a Direct Message. It can be already written, or you can write it just for the challenge - I’m collecting both! You can also tag it “#mentioningmargins” which is a tag I track.

The fic can be any genre, but ONLY send me smut if your bio states you are 18+. I DO NOT WANT smut written by minors. Ever. At all. I will check. Platonic ships and pure, fluffy fics are 100% allowed.

Please include Content Warnings and a one-sentence Summary of the fic in your post.

Have fun!

🏖 Happy Writing! 🏖

[pumpkin-bats]

Dress Up - Straw Hats Fic

[Small fic of the Straw Hat crew shenanigans.]

a/n: A prompt my friend said in passing and it possessed me. My first fic on tumblr and I hope it's okay- please enjoy our wonderful silly pirates!

summary: A few of the Straw Hat members crash a party in disguise for a chance at winning a prize. They just so happen to all be crossdressing. And Luffy is incredibly dense.

contains: Annoying flirting attempts, sfw topics, crossdressing, mention of chest area, especially Zoro's, post 2 year time skip, mostly from Nami's perspective.

wc: 2.5+k

Let it be known that Nami's not a gold digger. That being said, three hundred million berries was three hundred million berries.

The Straw Hat crew was originally just passing by. A little pit stop for supplies before they got to the next nightmare island Luffy wanted to take them to. They didn't tend to dawdle too long in places their adventurous captain found boring.

At least, that's usually the case. Now they have other plans, if Nami has any say in the matter. And she has a lot to say about the matter.

Apparently some rich geezer in the fancier part of town was hosting a party for his rich geezer friends. According to the intel she gathered when out shopping, they have a tradition of playing a game with a cash reward for the winner. From what she could tell, it seemed more like a gathering to bet and gamble than anything else, but the prize was real.

The only catch was the guest list. A list that excluded people not friends with said rich geezer. People such as, politely speaking, crazy pirates. And she'd checked, their wanted posters had been pinned up around all areas of the town they've stopped at. Hence why only a small team went out to get supplies while they left the more energetic and easily recognizable members to wait back on the ship.

So her first solution was to get some disguises.

"Why are we doing this again?" Usopp tugged lightly at the bunched fabric climbing over his collar bone. There was clear distaste in his expression but Nami paid it no mind as she slapped his hand away to fasten a thin, glittering chain around his neck.

"Because the only group not going to that party just so happens to look a lot like us." She adjusted the necklace and brushed a few curls out of the way before stepping back to admire her work.

"That's great and all... but do we really have to go dressed like... this?" Usopp gestured at his outfit, to which Nami gave him a merciless smile.

"We have to be convincing right?"

As she said this, her fingers flit into the air to reveal a small photo. She'd managed to get her hands on it a few hours prior, and it's the backbone of her plan. There were six people posed in the photo, dressed to the nines and clearly part of some noble's inner circle.

She tapped one perfectly manicured nail at a striking woman in a sleek crimson dress. The lush black curls framed her face perfectly, looking soft despite the grain of the photo. All of it gave the impression of a powerful, gorgeous person ready to rule, even with the outlandishly long nose at the center of her face.

"I'm not doing this," Zoro growled, hands crossed over his chest. At least, he attempts to. He was clearly having difficulties trying to rest his arms on top of the feathered boa draped over his bare shoulders, the garment falling down his front to stop just above his waist.

For the rest of the boys, she had to add extra padding to give the illusion of a well endowed chest. Therefore, Nami found great amusement in the fact that Zoro's dress was completely unaltered on the top.

"Oh please. You look great!" She tightened the bow around her collar and brushed off the front of her jacket. "Besides, you still owe me five hundred million berries. consider this a chance to pay off a tenth of it."

"Wha- you-! Oi, the number went up! it was less than that last time!"

"Sure, but that's because you forgot about the interest." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully, meeting her thumb and forefinger in a small circle to finish off her signature money pose.

"Unbelievable..."

"These people do bear a striking resemblance to us," Robin noted, taking the photo into her gloved hand to further observe it.

This was the main reason Nami suggested they do this. Every person in the photo looked almost exactly like some member of their crew except in the opposite gender. Since there was a lack of lookalikes for Chopper, Brooke, and Franky, she had to ask them to stay behind for a little while.

Although, considering her plan included Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy, she would have to keep a tight leash on them if she wanted even the slightest chance at winning the prize money. But she had a feeling that it would be worth it in the end. Besides, a part of her was extremely curious to see what they'd all look like cross dressing and so far she wasn't disappointed. Sue her, Nami deserved to have some fun of her own every now and then.

"Ah... Of course I'd do anything for you, Nami-Swan- but uh...." Sanji's face was twisted like he was in pain. She knew he didn't have the most fun on the island of okama, and was quite proud that he was still willing to go through this for her despite that. And she couldn't deny that he really did look flattering in the long, skin tight, black dress he wore.

"You look lovely Sanji-kun." Is all Robin needed to say to have Sanji twirling around and forgetting all of his hesitation. Zoro, on the other hand, was still less than pleased.

"Shouldn't Luffy be done by now?" Usopp chimed in again, casting his gaze at the outhouse they'd gathered around to change. Before Nami got a chance to reply, the door promptly smashed to the ground.

Luffy lowered one, pencil thin heeled shoe from where it hovered in the air, likely the culprit for the decimated door. A soft 'fufufu' echoed from Robin as the group took in the appearance of their captain in a genuine attempt at looking like a girl. And not a single soul had words to speak.

Despite the deep, drooping frown, Luffy was more dazzling than anyone expected.

His legs had no hair and were virtually unblemished. Because of this, Nami thought it would be safe to put him in a deep, wine red dress that ended mid thigh. The top was loosely ruffled to detract from his broader shoulders, and the resulting illusion was a powerful one. Even the wig Robin styled, paired with the light makeup, made him look almost unrecognizable.

Sanji simply stared, mouth slightly agape, which allowed his cigarette to fall from his lips and land mutely on the ground. Zoro's mouth was locked shut but his eyes were blown wide enough to pop. Usopp blinked a few times before holding his hands up in the air.

"I concede. I won't doubt your black magic transformation skills anymore."

The grin that crept onto Nami's face was wicked. They were so getting that money.

~

Nami was very aware of the type of attention she garnered when entering a room. Sure she was part of the self proclaimed 'weak trio' in her crew, but she knew her charms, strengths, and skills, as well as how to use them to her advantage. One thing she'd learned over the years is that there's nothing more eye-catching than confidence.

It's because of this that she was immediately able to read the energy of the room the second she and her friends entered the party.

Now, when people first hear stories of Luffy, they assume that his presence is large and commanding. A powerhouse echoing magnificence with every step he takes. But only those who really know him understand how easy it is to let him slip under the radar. Or lose him in a crowd, in her personal experience. All in all, he was quite unintentionally deceptive in that way- though it proved helpful in many of their adventures. However, this... this was not one of those times.

As they walked through the threshold, it was like watching moths become ensnared by a beacon of light. Every eye in the room glazed over the crew to settle on their captain. Nami's never been on the outside of this scenario and she'd be lying if she said it wasn't an enthralling sight.

Luffy entered the way Luffy enters any room. Casually, confidently, and with some degree of a goal in mind as he moved forward. All these traits flared off his skirt and flickered from the ends of his curled wig. Every clack of his heels on the tile was a booming echo and the curve of his shoulders had the eye of almost every man and woman in the vicinity.

Nami would be tucking this information into her back pocket for future plans.

Their group was quick to separate, sticking in pairs to help reduce any unexpected, and frankly unhelpful, outbursts from any of the more... rambunctious members. Robin kept to Sanji, Usopp with Zoro, and Nami with Luffy.

From what she'd understood during her information gathering, the game would be a sort of trivia. She had no doubt that they wouldn't fly through with flying colors, especially when working alongside Robin and Usopp. The concern was making sure the remaining three didn't blow their cover before they could even get to that point.

So here Nami found herself at one of the fancy tables, decorated in the poshest way possible with gold ornaments and jewel studded dishware. All items she would absolutely find a way to sneak back to the ship before they left. Luffy sat beside her, arms crossed over his chest and an ever present pout on his face.

"I'm hungry," he grits out, leveling a blazing glare out at the dance floor. "And these clothes are uncomfortable."

"I promised you a big meal after this, didn't I?" Nami replied calmly. He sank further into his chair, blowing a silky black strand of hair out of his face.

"Meat?"

"And more."

"Hm."

Nami can't help chuckling at her captain. He was an adult and more reliable than he looked, but he certainly had his own childish moments. A part of her was touched that he also agreed to go along with her whims for this, even though it went against almost everything in his nature. Wild Luffy, sitting quiet and polite. And in a dress at that.

As she swirled a flute of champagne, pitching it up to take a sip, she was quick to catch sight of a finely dressed man making his way over to their table.

She set the cup back down and rested her chin gingerly atop her hand. Recognizing the look on his face and having experienced this one too many times before, she prepared herself to play the man like a fiddle. He looked like a fellow with money in his pockets, surely she could snatch his wallet while he was preoccupied. Then she belatedly realized that she wasn't 'Catburgalar Nami' in that moment. Because Luffy was not 'Monkey D. Luffy' in that moment either.

"Lord Geraldine." The man gave Nami a brief tilt of his head before immediately redirecting glittering eyes on a displeased looking Luffy. "Lady Celestine, I'm glad to see you all decided to attend. I wanted to say that there's something... different about you today."

It took Luffy a moment to realize the man was talking to him. He blinked up at the guy, pointed at himself, looked at Nami, then looked back at him.

"Uh, yes. I mean no." Nami pressed her face into her hand. She also forgot that Luffy can't act for the life of him.

"No, I do quite insist that you seem a little different." As he spoke, the man bowed at the waist to be more on level with her captain before gently taking a lock of Luffy's fake hair in his hand. "Could it be a new style you're trying out? A new perfume perhaps?"

"I don't wear perfume," Luffy stated bluntly. Nami began to reach out to him, thinking of something to say to step in and distract the man before they were discovered.

"Ah, I see." Luffy's eyes met the man's and Nami swore she saw him shiver. "Your natural beauty is just extra dazzling then."

"Er... sure?" Luffy lifted a hand to scratch at the back of his neck where the line if his wig dug into his skin. The man followed the line of his arm and the fluttering movement of his hair. Nami can't tell if she wanted to laugh or cry.

"You know... I've never dared to speak to you. I didn't see any reason to before but, I don't know what I was thinking then. Someone as... enchanting as you- how could I not?" There's almost the whisper of a sigh to his voice and Luffy's expression twisted into a frown.

"I am not," he bit out, throwing the man off guard entirely. The stranger reeled back, although his face colored a deep red at the power and authority in Luffy's voice.

"I apologize if I've offended you. I just wanted to-"

"You're annoying. Go away." And with that, Luffy returned to his previous demeanor of pouting in his chair with his arms crossed, glaring out at the dance floor. Except now there was an extra air of irritation around him that wasn't there before.

"Oh... I... yes, Lady Celestine. Sorry to have been a bother." The man stumbled for a moment before scuttling away. Rather than looking upset, he seemed awfully pleased with himself in a way that made even Nami's mood sour just a bit.

Once he was gone, Nami snapped out of her daze to look at Luffy. She wasn't sure what to expect when coming to this party, but that interaction was not it. Not to mention he turned on the man so suddenly, she can't determine what part of that speech had set him off.

"What was that about?" She asked, leaning into her palm.

"He called me enchanting," he spat out, making Nami blink. There's something she's missing here, she knows it.

"What's so bad about that?" She didn't flinch when his eyes snapped over to meet hers. The hostility wasn't directed at her, but he was clearly upset for some reason.

"I'm not enchanting."

There's definitely something here that she's missing. He said it with such force and venom that it made the word sound evil. But this was Luffy she was speaking too, and there's likely more to it than just what the surface was showing. So she tried a different approach.

"Mhm, and what do you think 'enchanting' means?"

Now it's Luffy's turn to look at her with slight confusion. His expression eased, shoulders losing a bit of their tension while his expression screamed that she was the weird one in this moment.

"It means rich and weak!"

Ah, there it is.

Nami decided in that moment that she may just try to steal the money later after she finds out who ends up winning it. Especially when she sees another nobleman waltzing over to their table with a carnation in hand. There was no way she was going to stop a line of suitors from interacting with Luffy before he eventually snapped. 

And maybe she'll get a chance to explain to him what the word 'enchanting' means. After she finds out what word he possibly mixed it up with in the first place.

{Fin.} Thanks for reading!

[berryshipbasket]

I'm just saying y'all if either of these four show up in Crash team rumble as playable characters (and at least one of them have a good chance of being in) It's going to be so joever for me.

[hadesisqueer]

Very much probably tomorrow (if not, the next day) I'll start with the Best RWBY Ship Poll. It will include 32 ships (monogamous or poly, no incest) that I've selected, and it will have the same system as the Hottest RWBY Character Poll.

Ships included:

1) Renora (Lie Ren x Nora Valkyrie)

2) Arkos (Jaune Arc x Pyrrha Nikos)

3) Nuts and Dolts (Penny Polendina x Ruby Rose)

4) Bumbleby (Yang Xiao Long x Blake Belladonna)

5) Whiterose (Ruby Rose x Weiss Schnee)

6) JNPR Berries (Poly team JNPR)

7) Frosen Steel (Weiss Schnee x Ruby Rose x Penny Polendina)

8) Qrowin (Qrow Branwen x Winter Schnee)

9) Blacksun (Blake Belladonna x Sun Wukong)

10) Seamonkeys (Sun Wukong x Neptune Vasilias)

11) Bees Schness (Yang Xiao Long x Blake Belladonna x Weiss Schnee)

12) Poly STR (Raven Branwen x Taiyang Xiao Long x Summer Rose)

13) Martial Arcs (Lie Ren x Jaune Arc)

14) Sunny Bees (Yang Xiao Long x Blake Belladonna x Sun Wukong)

15) Schneekos (Weiss Schnee x Pyrrha Nikos)

16) Crosshares (Velvet Scarlatina x Coco Adel)

17) Hellbore (Winter Schnee x May Marigold)

18) Tauradonna (Blake Belladonna x Adam Taurus) (ew)

19) Cinwin (Winter Schnee x Cinder Fall)

20) Rosebird (Raven Branwen x Summer Rose)

21) Fair Game (Clover Ebi x Qrow Branwen)

22) Ladybug (Ruby Rose x Blake Belladonna)

23) Monochrome (Blake Belladonna x Weiss Schnee)

24) Freezerburn (Weiss Schnee x Yang Xiao Long)

25) Spicecream (Neopolitan x Cinder Fall)

26) Gemstones (Emerald Sustrai x Ruby Rose)

27) Emercury (Mercury Black x Emerald Sustrai)

28) Catmaleon (Ilia Amitola x Blake Belladonna)

29) Guard Dogs (Jaune Arc x Marrow Amin)

30) Schneewood Forest (Robyn Hill x Winter Schnee)

31) Arcotta (Saphron Cotta-Arc x Terra Cotta-Arc)

32) Prismatic Ponytails (Ilia Amitola x Weiss Schnee)

I know there are many (too many) more ships but I've selected these 32 that are mostly popular or well-known so. Have fun when it starts!

[sometimes-i-write-4-you]

heartless - a criminal minds episode\\part 1

part 2, part 3, masterlist

- english is not my first language pleas exuse any spelling or grammer mistakes.

- this case is made up

- it happens around the.. 6th season, i think? so the team is Hotch, dave, Morgan, Prentiss, JJ and reid

- it will end up being Reidxreader kinda

The doorbell rang. Layla fixed her robe and went to the door. Her eyes were red and puffy, as she was crying for a while now. A few days ago, the body of her fiance, James, was found. They covered most of him, she only saw his face to confirm it is him. She opened the door and looked to the right, and then to the left, but no one was there. Finally, she looked down and there she found a package. She picked it up and laid it on the desk next to her phone. The senders address on the package was one she didn't recognize, and her stomach ached in anxiety and fear. What if she's next?

She grabbed her coat from the hanger near the entrance, looking for a card In every single pocket, and when she finally found it she dialed the number on it with shaking hands. She paced in her living room as she was waiting for officer Williams. He told her to call if anything comes to mind, someone who'd seek vengeance on James, or if anything suspicious would happen.

A knock on the door. “Miss Garrison, it is Officer Williams” a vaguely familiar voice called from the other side of the door, and so she opened it. She shaked the officer's hand and allowed him to step inside. Layla was stressed before, but something about the officers demeanor made her even more anxious to open the package. “Do you want any… coffee, tea, or… just water, I have some cookies as well” Layla started rumbling, trying to be a good host as she was taught to be, even tho she is hosting under horrific terms. “Maybe some tea, yeah, I'll open the package while you do that” The officer said, sad smile on his face.

He pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket and put them on as Layle went to the kitchen. It felt so lonely in the apartment since James’s death, and she was somewhat happy to have company. She filled the kettle up with water to boil. Her eyes traveled between closets, trying to remember which one was the one with the tea cups, and where the hell did she put the tea itself. It was all a blur, James was the organized one. Eventually she found what she looked for and placed two mugs on the counter. She had two types of tea. “officer Williams, do you prefer green tea or berrys one?” she called out, and when the answer was bearly heard, she went to the living room.

“I'm so sorry, I can't hear-” she started, but her eyes stuck on the officers horrified face. “what is it?” she asked, “officer, what-” she said, coming closer. “stay back” he ordered, “I don't want you to see this. I called forensics, this is evidence”. “Officer, just tell me what this is” Layla said, panic setting in her voice. “Miss Garrison, when we found James's body… his heart was missing. I belive this is… it” the officer said..

….

“Reid, JJ, common, new case. hotch want us all in the conference room” (y\n) calls as they pass by their desks. The rest of the unit is already there when they arrive. “James Dekota, he was engaged to Layla Garrison until he found his unfortunate death. His heart was taken, and a few days later, shipped to Layla’s door” JJ explains as the relevant photos switch behind her. “Same thing happened with Fiona Nordwick who was engaged to Daniel Clark, and Sean williams who was engaged to Winona Rock” JJ continues. “Okay, so the unsub is targeting a half of an engaged couple, what makes him choose the one over the other?” Emily says, scrunching her eyebrows. “We find that out, and we have our unsub” Dave says. "wheels up in 30" Hotch says, nodding at the team.

…

"okay, so, taking the heart is… symbolic, but of what?" Prentiss wonderes out loud. "well, Joe smith took his victims hearts and kept them as trophies - but that's not the case here. this unsub is not keeping the hearts" JJ says, "and he is crossing gender and race lines - he kiiled males and females, and Sean williams was black". "his motive must be something about the victims personality than, something about their behavior made him attcack them" Dave says. "well, both the male victims worked in the insurance field" (y\n) says, "williams was an administrator for Nationwide and Dekota was a technichal analist for Omega, maybe this is what connects the victims". (y\n) knew it was along shot, considering Fiona Nordwick wasn't connected to the insurence field, she was a legal secretary. "(y\n) could have a point - we should ask Garcia to check, maybe Fiona Nordwick was a part of a case connected to the insurance field" Hotch says, pulling out his phone to text everyones favorite technical analyst. Reid was awfully quiet, thoughts running throgh his mind.

"whats on your mind, pretty boy?" Morgan asks. "Well, i just keep thinking…what if we are overthinking this, you know? trying to put a complicated meaning to this when it could just be literal, if the unsub attacks people for being engaged… what if taking the hearts is symbolic? hinting they have no heart?" he says, furring his eyebrows as he puts his thoughts into words. "this could be it" Prentiss says. "good thinking Dr. Reid" Hotch says. "we should try and check if any of the victims were being unfaithful" JJ says.

the tablet on the plane was ringing, and soon enough Garcia showed up on the screen. "well, my preeties, it appears that Fiona Nordwick was handeling a case regarding an insurence company not paying up, but i hightly doubt this is the connection, since it was a long time ago and she was in the begining of her carrer, even i had to dig deep to find this".

"well, if that not the connection, what is?" (y\n) said, slightly dissapointed her idea was proven wrong. they were new to the team and they wanted to prove themselves. They knew they'll get the chance, but just wondered when. "the unsub must find his victims somehow, maybe a wedding venue they all checked?" Morgan says, "baby girl, think you can find that out for me?". "oh you bet your fine ass that i can. talk to you later, my pretty crime fighters" Garcia says, and then hungs up.