#taz fics

[searchingforserendipity25]

There are some things Davenport knows.

He counts them sometimes, the things he knows.

His name; how to tie his shoes with twelve different knots; how the Madame Director likes her coffee.

The rules of playing Fantasy Chess, and how to cheat at Fantasy Chess too.

How to tell when someone is afraid

How to make his bed, so tight and neat he can drop a coin on it and it jumps, newly polished and gleaming, right back into his hand

How to bandage up to twenty different kinds of injuries

How to make the best sea chowder on the Moon Base, and also on the planet

How to press a uniform so it lasts a week and several explosions with no crinkled corners

How to organise reports with proper colour-coding techniques

Not a great many words, when it comes to that - slippery as fishtails, words, hard to grasp in the mind and impossible to put into his mouth

How to laugh, and how to cry

How to be helpful, if not always in the most efficient way

Some very complicated geometry and arithmetic, though not the word for geometry, nor how to write down an equation to explain how he got his results.His name, the names of his colleagues, where he is, what time of the day it is, what happened yesterday.

His name, his name, even when he doesn't know anything else, his name is Davenport -

Most days, anyway

He cries, sometimes, over bowls of spicy soup and at cute dogs, when someone leaves a book half-open on the table - when he sees groups of people laughing, and when he's alone for a long time. He is rarely alone. The Madame Director finds him, every time. Brings him biscuits and jam, shares puzzles, gives him folders to file.

She tries to teach him new words from brightly coloured books, sometimes. Not often; Davenport hates to make her unhappy, and she looks very sad, whenever he fails. He hates failing - this he knows for certain. But regardless of what he does, the Director is sad a lot of the time. Busy, busy; but she goes very still, late at night, and writes lists in strange languages with shifting characters, and then burns them, with a look on her face like stone, like a closed fist. He sweeps the ashes, afterwards; there's nothing in them he can understand.

No one sees her in those hours. Only Davenport is there, with no one else around. Davenport does not count as company, really. Or at least the Madame Director trusts him enough to let him see her when it's very late and she is very tired, and there is too much work for a night's rest.

It's nice, being trusted. Davenport likes it, likes his little tasks, his schedule and his friends. He knows every corner of the Moon Base, except the ones he is not supposed to enter; he has a little map sewn into his coat pocket, for when he forgets he knows every corner of the Moon Base.

He loves slow music, and sea chowder, and to drink his tea (the Director makes it, sometimes; she knows just how he likes it) while standing behind the transparent windows and watch the planet down below, all green and blue and changeful, like a face with many moods.

He knows he likes these things.

It is only that, sometimes, Davenport is very full of a painful feeling, a feeling like being full of smoldering fire, a feeling like --

Anger has no face, no colour. Davenport does not know a lot of things; sometimes he grasps at the softened edges of his mind, looking for something sharp enough to cut himself with. Davenport is angry, sometimes, though he has no words for it. Sometimes, anger is the only real thing in Davenport's world, the first thing he ever knew.

And then he forgets about it.

There are few things Davenport knows. He can feel the shape of something very important, prodding at him, filling him up with a warm, unpleasant energy. It is there when he wakes, for a handful of moments - every day, in the dreaming place between wakefulness and sleep. Like a dream, it fades before he is done dressing for the day. He has no words for it. The truth is, most days Davenport only knows his name is Davenport, and the worst of it is Davenport forgets there might be anything missing.

[stars-n-kites]

really funny 2 see fics where taako is portrayed as like. a skilled liar / manipulator bc in canon hes just an absolute mess at it. like.... dont get me wrong, he can bullshit his way around people who dont know better than to take him at his word, but the moment someone is even remotely suspicious of him he panics and starts making up insane shit, contradicts himself, and then makes up even more insane shit to uncontradict himself. he can absolutely bend the truth just fine, but his straight up lies are moreso word association improv exercises than real scenarios a person would believe if told them. if anything his lies are most effective as like. verbal octopus ink. like yeah im clearly hiding Something but you dont know what and now youre too confused by the fifteen other things i just said to process what the fuck im even talking about. now whats up asshole

[inlovewithquestionablecharacters]

Sanji X Reader: Forbidden fruit

Summary: You and Sanji decide to indulge in a mystery fruit not knowing of its effects on the human body.

Warnings: sex pollen, cowgirl, oral (f receiving), creampie, mutual masturbation, fingering, handjob, smut, penetration (p in v), fluff, dirty talk, pet names, nipple play, unprotected sex.

Word count: 2,5K

There was something wrong with your cook. It was the first thing you noticed when you walked into the kitchen at dinner. Sanji was leaning against the counter, his body hunched in a manner that allowed pressure to be applied to his stomach. You were about to ask him about it when Luffy barged into the room causing Sanji's head to snap up. For a split second you noticed the discomfort in his face but it was quickly replaced with a pleased smile as Luffy began complementing the blonde on his meal.

You moved to your usual seat next to Nami before beginning to eat. Once everyone was sitting, Sanji took his usual spot at the table which happened to be next to you. You ate in silence, listening to the others talk while keeping an eye on Sanji. He was unusually quiet, he hadn't even backtalked Zoro after he complained about his meat being slightly overcooked. You nudged Sanji's leg with your foot making him flinch in his seat before turning to look at you. His eyes found yours in desperation. You noticed his pupils were strangely large.

"You okay Sanji?"

You placed your hand on his making him let out a groan at the contact and causing you to distance your hand from his skin. Even without touching him properly you could tell he was warm, far warmer than normal. Sanji whispered your name, his voice so raw you almost didn’t recognize it.

“What is it? What's wrong with you?”

You could hear the unsteady breathing of the blonde as he tried to answer your question. It took him a little while but he finally managed to get a phrase out.

“It’s the juice.”

“What?”

“You know, THE juice.”

You furrow your eyebrows. Had Sanji finally lost it? Was the time at sea finally getting to him? Was he… Wait a minute. Your eyes widened as you understood what he was talking about. On the last adventure you and Sanji had gone scouring for food on the island and found an unusual looking fruit. It wasn’t a demon fruit but it didn’t look like anything you’d seen before and like the curious people you were you decided to take it with you. Sanji had contemplated what to do with the fruit for a while, deciding it would be best used to make a beverage. Unfortunately the one fruit only made enough for two people. You and Sanji hadn't told the others about what you’d found so you didn’t think it would do any harm if you two drank the juice yourselfs. You’d been the one who found the fruit after all. 

Sanji was regretting the decision at the moment. His skin felt like it was on fire and there was this invisible itch he couldn’t seem to scratch. It had started a couple of minutes after he’d finished cooking dinner. He hadn't thought much of it but then the feeling got more intense which caused him to panic. He’d been trying to figure out how to deal with his issue when you’d walked in the second his eyes caught onto your frame the feeling doubled. It was only then that he realized what was happening. 

Sanji was horny. Incredibly horny. 

In all the years he’d been alive he’d never felt desperate for sex. He didn’t even think it was physically possible to feel this turned on which could only mean one thing. The fruit which the two of you had found was some sort of aphrodisiac. And you’d put it in your body willingly. Sanji's eyes stared at you, his palms covering the hard on he was currently trying to deal with in silence. He could tell from your confused expression that you still hadn’t understood what he meant. Sanji took a deep breath in, trying to steady his breathing and uncloud his thoughts enough to explain what was going on.

He looked up at you, his eyes fidgeting from your neck to your lips before landing on your eyes. It was then that he saw it. He watched your pupils grow, your lips opening to let out a small gasp as your hand grabbed onto the bench beneath you. Sanji could tell just by looking at you that the fruit's effects had started to get to you. Your hand found its way to his thigh, nails digging into his pants suit. A moan threatened to spill out of Sanjis mouth at the contact but he held it in, managing to cover it with a cough. The cook knew that in a couple of seconds the small itch that had found its way into your body would become unbearable.

There was no way the two of you would be able to be next to each other without ripping your clothes off. Not that he minded but he’d like to have the image of your nude body to himself. He was selfish that way. So with the intention to not let things escalate to the point where you’d both embarrass  yourselves Sanji got up from his seat, making sure to keep his body in a position that hid his hard on. You looked up at him with desperate eyes thinking for a moment that he was going to leave you alone to deal with this feeling but then he placed his hand out, grabbing your forearm and lifting you up. He pushed your body in front of him, his clothed cock nudging against your ass from a brief moment. You both let out a whimper at the feeling, your senses being far more sensitive than normal. The rest of the crew raised their heads to look at the two of you, their eyes silently asking what was going on. 

“I don’t feel so well.”

“Yeah-uh-so i'm gonna get her to bed.”

The two of you raced out of the kitchen before anyone could say anything. Sanji ran in front of you, his hand clasped in yours as he dragged you to the boys dormitory. You’d barely made it to his room before he started unbuttoning his shirt. You tugged at your pants a satisfied sound leaving your lips once you managed to shove your hand down your underwear, fingers moving to play with your folds. Sanji's head snapped in your direction at the sound of your moans, his eyes widening as he watched you touch yourself. 

“Ah shit.”

You glanced up at the sound of Sanji's voice, eyes falling on his bare chest. You leaned your head back against the door rubbing your clit in desperation. You could hear the sound of Sanji fisting his cock across the room. It made you realize how far the two of you were. For some reason you craved the feeling of Sanji's skin on yours. You opened your eyes observing Sanji's concentrated expression for a moment before calling out his name. The blonde glanced at you, the hand around his dick slowing down slightly at the sound of you calling his name. Sanji took in the way you looked, shirt clinging to your body, hands shoved inside your underwear, eyes full of lust. You looked gorgeous. Positively gorgeous. Sanji could cum at the sight of you. In fact he almost did but somehow he managed to keep his composure. 

“Sanji….”

“Yeah?”

“Come closer. Too far away. I-ah uh-need to feel you.”

‘Fuck-ugh- okay.”

Sanji made his way to you, his eyes locked into the way your chest heaved as you breathed. Once he’d gotten close enough you’d tugged his hand and shoved it into your underwear, your own hand replacing his as you wrapped it around his cock. The feeling of your hand on his cock had Sanji leaning against the door behind you, his free hand finding its way onto the wood surface as he tried to keep his balance. You threw your head back with a moan as the blonde inserted two digits into your pussy, his long fingers rubbing against your walls.

“Shit you’re wet!”

He’d said it more to himself than he had to you, his mind not computing that he currently had his fingers shoved inside you as you jerked him off. He’d had dreams like this before but he never thought he would get to experience this in real life. You placed your free hand on the back of Sanji's head, fingers tugging at his hair, forcing him to let out a growl before looking at you.

“Please.”

“What?”

“Kiss me Sanji please kiss me.”

Sanji's lips found you in a smearing kiss. It was all teeth and tongue but neither of you seemed to care all that much. You broke the kiss, your lips finding Sanji's neck. You sucked at his pale skin loving the sounds you managed to get out of him. 

“Princess i’m gonna-fuck- cum.”

“Cum for me baby go ahead.”

With a groan Sanji spilled his load, his juices coating your hand as you helped him through his high. As soon as Sanji had recovered from his orgasm he dropped to his knees before you, his hands tugging your underwear down in one quick motion. The cook dove into your pussy without a second thought, his tongue working along with his fingers to bring you to heaven. It didn’t take long before you were spasming against Sanji's face, his name leaving your lips with a loud moan. 

You sank down against the door joining Sanji on the floor. His hands wrapped around your body as he threw himself back so that he was lying down on the ground. You let Sanji drag you onto his body, your face finding its way to his neck as you sink into him. The two of you stayed on the floor for a little while. Neither of you said anything but you were both wondering the same thing. Had the effect of the fruit finally worn off? You’d almost convinced yourself that you were cured but then you started to feel an unusual amount of wetness in between your thighs. You shifted against Sanji's body, trying to lift yourself off him. As you moved your cunt nudged against Sanji's cock which, not to your surprise, was already hard again. You placed your palms against Sanji's chest, lifting your upper body so that you could look directly into his eyes. Like you had expected his pupils were still super dilated.

“I think it’s not gone.”

“Yeah it sure doesn't feel like it.”

“Right.”

You closed your eyes bracing yourself before speaking. You didn’t want to sound incredibly desperate because you didn’t want Sanji to think you were easy but given your situation you didn’t think he’d care. It’s not like you’d never thought about him late at night. It’s not like you didn’t like to watch him cook because it meant seeing his hands at work. But to admit it out loud was something completely different. You knew that from the moment the words left your mouth things between the two of you would never be the same. Oh well, you’d have to deal with the consequences later. Right now you wanted the feeling of emptiness to be gone and Sanji could give that to you.

“You need to fuck me.”

Sanji's eyes widened at your bluntness. It’s not that he wasn’t thinking the same thing, it was the fact that you’d had the guts to ask exactly for what he’d been too scared to suggest.

“What? You don’t want to?”

“No! No, of course I want to. It’s just….”

“Well, spit it out Sanji.”

“I thought it would be a bit different.”

“What would?”

“Our first time together.”

It was your turn to be speechless. He’d thought about this? Not only had he thought about fucking you he’d imagened it going a specific way. If any other man had said that to you you’d have cut his tongue out. But this is Sanji we're talking about. Your sweet Sanji who brought you tea when you felt bad and ordered the ingredients to make your favorite dishes even if it meant paying a bit more. You gave Sanji a smile,leaning down to give him a peck on the lips. Sanji's hand cupped your cheek, caressing it with his thumb as he smiled up at you.

“I’ll tell you what. Next time you can show me exactly how you imagined our first time but right now I'm gonna ride you until i cum, okay?”

��Whatever you want princess.”

“Good boy. Now take off your pants for me.”

You lifted your hips allowing Sanji to shimmy himself out of his pants and boxers. You reached down, grabbing the hem of your shift and pulling it off. Sanji's eyes trailed over your fully nude form, his hands massaging your hips as he admired you. You let him caress you, your own hand wrapping around his dick and lining it up with your entrance. Without warning you sank down onto Sanji causing the blonde to sink his nails into your skin. You let out a satisfied moan, hands wrapping around the cooks thighs as you begun fucking yourself on his cock. Sanji lifted his body so that he could latch his mouth on one of your boobs. His tongue moved against your nipple as his hand massaged your other breast. Both of you had been so horny that in a short amount of time you’d both begun to moan more and more, each one getting closer and closer to reaching your high. You came first, your body launching forward as your orgasm got to you. Sanji kept fucking up into you his seed spilling into you after a couple of harsh thrusts. 

You climbed off of Sanji whimpering as his cock slid against your sensitive walls. You laid down next to the blonde,  your eyes staring at the ceiling. You heard the sound of Sanji's pants dragging against the floor. Sanji shoved his hand into the pant pocket, pulling out a cigarette and a lighter. He flicked the lighter on lighting the cigar before taking a drag. You watched him breath out smoke before turning over to give you the cigar. You took it from him, taking a drag and letting it out through your nose.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good. Normal. You?”

“Yeah same.”

“Note to self, don’t eat fruit you don’t know anything about.”

“You would have thought we would have already learned that, because of Luffy and all.”

“Yeah figures.”

“It wasn't all bad though.”

“No it wasn’t.”

“Might have to find another exotic fruit to share with you.”

You turned to look at Sanji, noticing the slight fear in his eyes.

“Just so you know. You don’t need to feed me any fruit to fuck me. You can just ask.”

Sanji let out a shocked laugh making you laugh too.

“I mean it.”

“Noted.”

You smiled at Sanji, moving so that you were closer to him. Sanji angled his head down so that he could kiss you. You got the message deciding to meet him halfway. Despite not being under the effects of an aphrodisiac the feeling of Sanji's lips against yours sent a twinge down your spine and you could tell he felt the same way.

[papergardener]

Yooo this fic updated! And it's Cycle One!

New chapter of solace up now!

Chapter 1: Cycle 1

[anistarrose]

TBH the Wonderland twins could've gotten over all their unspoken narrative-haunting grief about their third dead sibling really easily if they'd just ever met Magic Brian. They would've loved Magic Brian and he would've loved them. New brother unlocked (evil German edition this time which honestly to them is an upgrade)

[luckylolabug]

I've been trying to figure out good final designs for the Hooked Up fic since they're all losers working at a museum so heres the first half???? (Krav gets two because yknow. Reaper shit)

[ink-perfect]

whisked (off your feet)

─ about: animanga/live action sanji ⋆. fem!reader, fluff, 2nd person ⋆. established friends, mutual pining, fem pet names, v cute cooking lesson!!!!! ─ synopsis: you wake up far too early, to the sight of sanji baking pancakes. soon enough, however, your silent observation turns into a cooking lesson that feels like something more…

sanji was in the kitchen, quietly moving between pots and pans, and you couldn’t help but watch him. it was early, the kind of early where the stars were still fading from the sky, and the rest of the crew was still lost in their dreams. but not you. you had woken up to the soft sound of someone humming, a familiar voice, warm and low, and you found yourself following it like a trail of breadcrumbs.

you peeked around the doorway and saw him there, in his element, the golden light of the stove casting soft shadows across his face. he didn’t notice you at first; he was too focused, too intent on whatever delicious creation he was crafting. you watched as he carefully flipped a pancake, his lips quirking up in that little smile he wore when he was pleased with his work. you couldn’t help but smile too. it was like he was in his own little world.

then, without warning, he glanced up, and his eyes met yours. his smile grew wider, warmer, like the morning sun breaking through the clouds.

“couldn’t sleep, princess?” he asked, his voice soft, teasing.

you shrugged, leaning against the doorway. “yeah...or maybe i just couldn’t resist the smell of whatever you’re making.”

his grin turned a bit more mischievous. “lucky for you, breakfast is almost ready.” he motioned for you to come closer, and you took a step into the kitchen, feeling the warmth of the room wrap around you.

“want to help, dear?” he asked, holding out a whisk. you hesitated for a moment, then took it, your fingers brushing against his. his touch was gentle, lingering just a bit too long, and your heart did a funny little flip.

“only if you promise to teach me your secrets,” you replied, trying to sound light, but there was something in his gaze that made your cheeks feel warm.

“oh, i’ve got plenty of secrets to share.” he said, leaning in just a little, his voice low and soft. “but only if you’re ready to learn.”

sanji watched you take the whisk, his smile softening into something warmer, something that made your chest feel tight in the best way. you stirred the batter, trying to keep your hands steady, but you could feel his gaze on you, the way he seemed to be paying attention to every little thing you did, like you were the only thing that mattered in that moment.

“like this,” he said, stepping closer. he reached around you, his hand covering yours, guiding your movements with a gentle touch. your breath caught in your throat; he was so close, his warmth and the scent of spices and fresh bread filling the space between you. for a second, you forgot what you were even doing.

“see?” his voice was barely a whisper now, and you felt the words more than you heard them, the way they brushed against your ear, soft and careful. “just a bit more gentle. you don’t have to rush, love.”

your heart was beating a little too fast, and you could feel the blush creeping up your neck. “i… i think i get it,” you managed to say, though your voice sounded a little too breathless, a little too caught off guard.

he chuckled softly, but there was nothing teasing in it, just a kind of fondness, a gentleness that made your heart do that funny little flip again. he stayed close for another moment, letting you feel the rhythm of his movements, the easy way he seemed to flow in the kitchen.

“you’re a quick learner, honey.” he murmured, his lips curving into that smile again, the one that made your knees feel weak.

“maybe i just have a good teacher,” you replied, turning to face him, and you were so close now that you could see the golden flecks in his blue eyes, the way they seemed to soften as he looked at you.

for a moment, you both just stood there, inches apart, the kitchen quiet around you, the world still sleeping. it felt like something was building in the air between you, something warm and bright, like the promise of the sunrise just outside.

then, with a sudden, playful grin, sanji took the whisk from your hand and dipped it into the bowl. “let’s finish this up,” he said, a spark in his eyes. “i’ve got a feeling today’s going to be a good day, and this is going to be a really good batch of pancakes.”

and you couldn’t help but agree. maybe it was the way he looked at you, or the way the morning light seemed a little brighter, but you felt it too - a quiet kind of happiness, settling in like something new, something wonderful.

── ౨ৎ masterlist

[epersonae]

Not to be old, but I am thinking about things we lost with the end of over the air TV syndication as a common cultural vector.

I was in a conversation (several conversations) about where to start with Star Trek, and where people started, and ended up formulating the thought that the best way to start is to just randomly encounter whatever happens to be on at the time and go from there. (I know a few people a little older than I am who started with The Animated Series which is a hell of a starting point.) And for decades that meant random reruns in syndication.

Then I just posted about the role of M*A*S*H in my childhood, and that too was all about it just being on kind of in the background all the time.

Then @piratecaptainscaptainpirates posted about seeing declining participation in OFMD stuff, and I was thinking about the same thing that happened gradually after the TAZ Balance finale, and then about fandoms for old shows (both recent-old, someone I follow has been posting a lot of Gallavant gifs? And old-old, like @frommybookbook with Perry Mason), and then, of course, Star Trek.

How much of Star Trek being THE fandom show is due to those years in the 70s and early 80s when TOS was in syndication at whatever random time on whatever local station? (similarly in the US with Doctor Who through the 80s on local PBS stations) When new fans can just happen upon the source material by turning on the TV on a Saturday afternoon, or every weeknight at 7, etc etc.

Idk, I'm sure someone with an actual scholarly background has written something about this, and idk what this means for the future of our little subculture(s), it just made me ponder the landscape that I grew up in that simply does not exist now.

[anystalker707]

a treat for a treat

Pairing: Vinsmoke Sanji x [gn, afab] Reader Summary: Reader is a little insecure about the weight they've been gaining from being pampered by Sanji, but he makes sure his lover feels loved Tags: ☆ transmasc friendly / ☆ chubby reader / loving and sweet / eating out (reader receiving) / thigh fucking / tummy, thighs, ass squeezing / mention of chest, cunt and pussy, but still gender neutral

Requested by @faglegsanji ["hiiii!! would you be open to write sanji x ftm!reader who is chubby (from enjoying all the treat sanji makes for him) and insecure about it? with some soft nsfw body worship and lots of sweet talk and nicknames? thank you!!! (owo)/~"]

MASTERLIST

          Sanji always made too much food, and how could you possibly not eat some of everything he prepared? It was torture, in a good sense. Moreover, Sanji had certainly been preparing more food after noticing your love for his work—you’d absentmindedly mention certain food when talking with the others and have it in front of you within minutes.

Your reflection seemed a little more pudgy as you stood in front of the body mirror while changing into more comfortable clothes for the day, noticing how your shirt clung to your skin more than usual. Damn Sanji. 

“Mon amour,” Sanji called in that sweet voice, twirling as he walked in and made his way over to you with a tray in hand, with what looked like a glass of juice on top of it. “For the prettiest one, ever.” He lowered the tray in front of you, making your heart flutter at the same time you groaned.

“Sanji… I swear,” you breathed, taking the glass.

“What, cœur? That you love me?”

The words you died on your tongue as you scoffed and shook your head before taking a sip of the juice. It was heavenly, as always. “You’re— Nngh, what are you doing to me? I’m getting all chubby,” you mumbled with a sigh, and your cheeks grew warm when Sanji chuckled lightheartedly, setting the tray on the desk.

“Mhm, and what’s so bad about it? It means you’re eating well,” Sanji said as he moved to stand behind you, placing his hands on your hips. “That I’m taking care of you very well,” he whispered and pressed a kiss to your shoulder, ignoring how you glared at him, cheeks red. “You’re shaped like a deity, mon amour, absolutely celestial, I don’t see what you’re complaining about.”

A sigh escaped your lips, and you put the now-empty glass aside, furrowing your eyebrows at Sanji. “I don’t know. Some clothes aren’t even fitting anymore!”

“C'est malheureux!” Sanji said with phony sadness while walking around you and cupping your cheeks so that he could pepper your face with kisses, compelling your heart to flutter. His goatee and mustache tickled your skin, but you were somewhat used to it already. “Then we might as well just buy you new clothes, miel, ones that suit you well, comfortable ones,” he said simply. “I would love to go with you buy new clothes and help you choose what looks better on you.” His hands landed on your waist as he leaned in, kissing your cheek, almost kissing down your neck, while your hands met his shoulders.

“No, but… Sanji, I shouldn’t be gaining weight…” It sounded like a small whine, almost muffled by the love that Sanji smothered you with.

Sanji scoffed lightly, confusion lacing his features. “Well, I don’t see any bad in it. You’re enjoying good food, you’re exercising, since we are always on the run, you’re healthy… Then what’s there to worry about? You’re still looking as beautiful as ever if that’s what you might be wondering. I love you no matter what, so you shouldn’t worry about it as well,” he said casually.

Sanji’s lips pressed to yours in a soft kiss before you could say anything else, making the words escape your grasp, replaced by his tender love. “I love every single curve, mon chou,” Sanji whispered against your lips, wrapping his arms tightly around your waist as he trailed kisses down the side of your neck. “Can I show you? I want to kiss every inch of you, mon ange,” he said, dropping sweet words between kisses as he held you close to himself. His hands trailed down lower, grasping the fat of your ass to pull you even closer, pressing your body flush against him. 

Sanji knew how to make you melt so easily that it was almost shameful, snatching soft little sounds from you while he covered your skin with kisses. “I need you, mon amour. May I? Please?” He pulled away just enough to look you in the eyes, with such an enamored gaze…

Everything Sanji did to you was laced with love, from how he looked at you to how his hands slid along your body while removing your clothes. Adoration dripped from Sanji’s touches when he groped your tummy, thighs, chest, ass, appreciating every curve, wordlessly demonstrating his care and affection for every inch of you.

Sanji only took his clothes off because he knew you enjoyed the sight of his body, the feel of touching his body, it is. Otherwise, he would’ve kept his clothes on because the spotlight belonged to you and only you for the time being. His hands settled on your hips, gently compelling you to step back until the bed hit the back of your legs, and he let go of you so that he could guide you over the mattress, climbing on top of you.

Your back had barely hit the mattress, and Sanji’s lips were already all over your chest, kissing over wherever he could while his hands held firmly onto your waist, facial hair tickling your skin. He cherished the skin with loving kisses that intercalated with nipping and love bites, leaving faint marks on your body as he descended, slowly.

The kisses on your chest sent shivers down your spine, contributing to the feeling stirring in your lower stomach and tingling between your legs, making you squirm under him. Sanji’s focus was unwavering, the pleasure continued despite how your fingers tangled with his hair or sank into his shoulder—his lips kept latched around your nipple, tracing and sucking on it as he slowly adjusted himself between your legs. Sparkles ran down your body when Sanji’s teeth sank into your nipple lightly, almost making the throbbing between your legs unbearable.

“Sanji,” you gasped in a whiny moan.

“Mon chou, you’re irrésistible,” he moaned in response, nuzzling the middle of your chest before his lips trailed lower, holding eye contact for a few seconds.

Sanji wanted to do a lot of things at once, please you in every way he was able to, hence he could barely organize his thoughts. He kissed your tummy softly, sometimes nipping on the soft skin, just because he loved how you squirmed whenever he did so. Still, Sanji was surprised with the way you reacted when he nipped on your hip, his hands holding your thighs firmly to prevent you from squirming—or at least trying to.

“You’re so sensitive, mon amour.” Sanji’s breath tickled your skin. “Has it really been that long since I last touched you like this?” He pressed his face to your skin, pampering it with kisses and nipping as he adjusted your thighs over his shoulders. His fingers sank into the plump skin, holding it tightly, as his lips trailed soft kisses along your inner thigh. His eyes locked on your pussy, and the fact you were so aroused, so wet, all for him made Sanji’s cock twitch painfully against the mattress. This wasn’t about him, either way.

Sanji’s eyes looked for yours, but he soon gave up, more satisfied that you were too lost in the haze of the moment to bring yourself to look down at him. He watched your knuckles turn white around the bedsheets while his kisses and nips got closer to the pool of arousal between your legs, holding onto your trembling thighs firmly.

A moan spilled from your lips as soon as Sanji’s tongue dipped between your folds, testing your wetness, tasting you, just experimentally at first, testing the pace he’d need to take things so that it’d last. Not to mention how he’d need to balance it with his own hunger.

The feeling of Sanji’s warm tongue running from your entrance to your clit and then down again was more than enough to have you arching your back deliciously, slowly getting used to the pleasure that Sanji gave you. His tongue was skilled, knowing all your sensitive spots already. Sanji was a good lover—he’d always made sure to learn whatever gave you pleasure, ever since you two got together, and he never failed.

The very same hunger from the beginning was still present whenever he pleasured you, no matter how many times he’d done that. Desire seeped from Sanji’s motions as he mouthed at your pussy, licking and drinking up the arousal that’d pooled there from all the foreplay. He hummed softly, feeling your pussy throb under his lips, motivating him to keep going.

“Mmph, mon amour,” Sanji intended to say, but it all came out as muffled nonsense that only heightened your pleasure because of the vibrations against your cunt.

Sanji’s name left your lips in a breathy moan while your thighs shook, and you really hadn’t been able to do much at the same time you received such a treatment. Thoughts escaped your grasp, clouded by the pleasure, making you forget what you were doing standing in front of the mirror earlier, looking at yourself with such indignation that now didn’t even make sense.

Your clit was swollen under Sanji’s tongue as it pressed flat against the nub before tracing it, giving attention to all the right spots that compelled your thighs to sandwich Sanji’s face, ankles locked behind his back. If anything, he loved every second of it, closing his eyes in delight once he started sucking on your clit.

Every nip, kiss, suck and lick felt measured to please you just the way Sanji intended to, with nothing by chance. He kept you on the edge of a growing bliss, fingers sinking into the fat of your thighs to keep you in place so that he could mouth at your pussy hungrily. He nipped on the outer labia to give you a break, but it felt like nothing, soon with his lips sealed around your clit again before his tongue was pushing into your entrance.

“Nngh, San— J-Ji—” You could barely say it through the gasp that escaped your throat with a louder moan. Your back arched against the mattress, and you really couldn’t keep yourself from rocking your hips against his mouth for more friction. A certain tension was starting to bubble in your lower stomach, fueling the urgency you felt. Your fingers hooked in Sanji’s hair, tugging at the blonde strands, and he moaned against your cunt again, mouthing at it with more enthusiasm.

Sanji’s tongue worked against your clit in an almost overwhelming way, compelling your legs to twitch as your eyes rolled back, and your vision nearly went blank before his attention went back to your entrance. A muffled sound came from Sanji as he ran his tongue flat against your entrance before fucking you with his tongue, nose pressing against your clit, moaning when his hair was tugged again—the pain just managed to make his cock twitch, aching for more. His hands ran up and down your thighs before going upwards to hold onto your hips, squeezing the plump skin that he loved so much.

Fighting the urge to pull Sanji closer was impossible, but he didn’t seem to mind as you did it, tugging on his hair and pressing his face more to your pussy when your orgasm hit you. Your eyes pressed shut as your thighs quivered, sandwiching Sanji’s head, and he kept feasting on you happily, his hold on your hips tight enough to leave behind red marks, but he really needed to keep you in place while drinking up your release and making it last for as long as possible.

The mess was the least of Sanji’s worries about pleasing you; his soaked mustache and goatee, the mix of cum and spit that trailed down his chin and smeared around his lips, all of that was meaningless as he sucked on your clit until you were on the edge of overstimulation.

Your legs had gone limp when Sanji pulled away, gently letting the rest on the mattress so that he could sit up, rolling his shoulders and moving his jaw from side to side as he did so. The sight of your blissful face was like heaven for him, in a way he needed to take a while to observe and drink in every detail of your expression and of your body, from head and down.

Nonetheless, Sanji still had an aching problem between his legs to be taken care of, and he couldn’t expect it just to go away, nor could he force anything upon your overwhelmed form. He groaned as he looked down, observing your thighs before he held your legs together, an arm hooked under your knees.

“Tu es divine, mon amour,” Sanji moaned, biting his lip. The slick that coated your legs was just enough for his cock to slip smoothly between your inner thighs, and he couldn’t help but groan. Your eyes met his, with pleasure still hazy in your gaze, and he felt his cock twitch, hopelessly cumming across your tummy, some of his cum smearing between your thighs. He had come so fast, barely touched, and he felt the shame burning inside his chest—he moved and leaned in to pepper soft kisses across your face and down your neck, hoping to redeem himself. “Sorry, mon ange, I—”

Sanji’s words were replaced by a hum when your lips pressed to his, your hands cupping his cheeks, and he slowly melted into the kiss. “Give me more, Sanji, please,” you mumbled between kisses, and all he could do was nod.

.𓆝 𓆟 ��� 𓆝 𓆟.

[barry-j-blupjeans]

TAZ 2023 Fic Recs

It is that time of year again! Unfortunately, I don't have as many as last year, mainly because work and Life have been a lot this year. But I am very, very glad to share the fics I have loved this year and I'm looking forward to any other recs!

A Candlenights Barold by @sgrumby - or honestly, all three of the Reaper Squad Candlenights fics! Based off that one liveshow where Merle became Santa Clause. Now it is the job of Barry, Lup, and Kravitz to deliver presents to children every Candlenights! This one is based off A Christmas Carol and is not only hilarious but also super in character.

The Best Version Possible by @thedaisiestdaisy - Taako's experience with past romances, his current one with Kravitz, as well as the aftermath of Story and Song. This is a beautiful, meaningful fic that hits me in the feels every time I read it. It's such a deep, refreshing dive into Taako's character.

a monster might begin to worry by @anistarrose - In short, a Barry-kills-Governer-Kalen AU. In long: Such a good fucking fic. Rose's character voices are top notch and she's so incredibly good at playing with emotions and building up scenes. It's a god-tier Magnus fic, with some fun Magnus-Kravitz interactions and some wonderful hurt/comfort.

Also by Rose and very worth reading:

fill up your lungs, feel better - Barry spies on the BOBs corporate excursion and realizes his family still cares, even if they don't truly know him.

to eat from a poisoned plate - Barry leaves notes in Taako's cookbook.

somewhere over the rainbow (bluebirds fly) - Maureen and Lucretia fall in love. Then, Maureen and Lucretia fall out of love.

midlife crises, laboratory niceties - Barry bulldozes his way into being on the Starblaster crew. Davenport is very concerned <3

colors of space and time - Taako and Lup's relationship with their hair.

Rode Hard And Put Away Wet by @holdmecloser-gandydancer - Band AU!! My beloved!! Lup, Johann, and Kravitz are in a band and it gets. Tough. To put it lightly. Whenever Lup discovers Kravitz and Taako are hooking up. This is a WONDERFUL and super funny fic, that also has it's moments of deep reflections and a lil angst! Plus, Blupjeans! We love that!

Astrology for Horse Jugglers by @noodyl-blasstal - Kravitz and Taako meet at a wedding. This goes badly for everyone except them. This fic is pure chaos and I adore it so, so much.

We Got Boned! - Another one by Noodyl! Barry and Lup write a book for payback, kinda. This one is such a fun, weird turn of events. I cannot describe my love for it.

Revenge Plus One by @ceilingfan5 - Kravitz is invited by his ex (Edward) to go on a cruise. A cruise that will host Edward's wedding. And, to add insult to injury, Edward (rightly) assumes that Kravitz will have no one to bring along. So Kravitz does the responsible adult thing: Invite the gorgeous man who sells bagels in the work cafeteria (Taako) on the cruise with him. There is fake dating! There is tension! There is romance! I love this fic so much, I want to eat it.

a lesson in boy math - Also by Larissa! Speed-dating, Taakitz style. Both Taako and Kravitz are the best shade of weird in this <3

fashion statement by @journalofimprobablethings - Taako takes Lup's robe when he finds her and the umbrella. Lucretia deals with that. This fic? Destroyed me. And I loved it. It's pretty full of angst but the good kind, y'know?? I'm in love.

That's all I got this year!! I hope you all enjoy these fics as much as I did! They're all incredible and I love seeing all the different ideas and takes everyone has :O

[noodyl-blasstal]

Goin' Underground

Happy birthday to @ceilingfan5 plotted with Thie on a coach, we had a goodfun time playing and I hope you have a goodfun time reading.

Find below or on Ao3.

--

Kravitz hated living in the city.

He hated living in a city so big it was basically several cities shoved together and all the bits had different names but everyone pretended it was still the same place.

He especially hated living in a city so big it was several cities shoved together because, by its very nature, ‘freelance cello tutor’ came with a general economic class of students. An economic class Kravitz was not. Kravitz could be polite to rich people. Kravitz could dress up for rich people. Kravitz could not afford to live near rich people. So every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday he found himself in suspiciously clean tube stations, hoping that Alfons would figure out how to spend less time seemingly looking for ways to hurt the cello as he played; that Clementine would pass her exam; that Zhong would get his scholarship. The leafy stations were a stark contrast to the one near his flat, but research grants only go so far and he needed space to store his instruments.

Today though, today was a practice day. He couldn’t afford to rent proper practice rooms, but he could afford the Friends Meeting House, especially as they hadn’t increased the cost in the last three years. He was fairly sure Mrs Chen had decided he was entirely broke and she wasn’t entirely wrong. He’d long given up trying to get her to stop giving him ‘leftover’ food to take home, it was too delicious not to accept. He wouldn’t change a thing about the practice space, apart from it being even more in the middle of nowhere than his flat, lacking music room equipment, and the horrible acoustics... At least there was a special peace to the tube station there, grubby and run down, but very rarely busy, to the point where most of the time it was just Kravitz. Tonight was no different, apart from the inexplicably rammed tube. The doors opened and no one left.

Kravitz stared at the complete lack of space he was somehow supposed to fit into.

This was the worst bit of tube travel, he hated having to touch strangers, especially with a cello in tow, but no one was moving, so he was going to have to push even though it wasn’t polite. Surely they could congregate away from the doors? There had to be space somewhere.

Kravitz forced his way on, breathed a sigh of relief once he was contained enough to consider, and speedily discount, grabbing a pole which goddess knows how many hands had touched before his.

The platform speakers crackled. "Hey, handsome cello guy, you're hanging out…”

Kravitz glanced down in a panic. This was awful, he’d had nightmares about this…

“...Your cello my dude, not your fly." The person making the announcement sounded like he was trying not to laugh.

Kravitz wished the man next to him who still refused to move would do the same, but at least it meant he didn’t feel overly bad when he swung his cello sideways and bashed the unapologetic chuckler with it slightly.

He did feel bad about the guy at the station though. Kravitz never wanted to make anyone’s job harder, especially when they worked in customer service. He felt bad about it as he heated up his rice. He felt bad about it as he stretched his hands. He felt bad about it as he meant to do something fun, something for himself, but then the night disappeared and he brushed his teeth and showered and fell asleep.

The sign was his first thought when he woke up. It was simple, but obviously the person making the announcements had eyes on the station because he knew about the cello. Before Kravitz headed out for the day he grabbed a thick felt tip and quickly scrawled ‘sorry’ in the largest lettering he could make fit, threw the paper in his music bag, and didn’t think about it again until, Alfons-weary from earlier in the day and practiced out because he couldn’t afford to skip time he’d paid for he headed for the tube.

He held the sign in his hand, unsure how to know if the person was even working this evening… maybe this was one of the things where it was best to leave it and not break some kind of social rule no one told him existed. (But ‘if you do something wrong you say sorry’ is the only relevant rule he knows so it’s probably fine.)

“What you got there, Kemosabe?” The same voice crackled out of the speakers.

Kravitz automatically held the sign up.

There was a noise that sounded like a snort. “For the cello thing?” The voice asked, intrigued.

Kravitz opened his mouth, hesitated, realised that there probably wasn’t a microphone to pick his voice up, and nodded instead.

“Taako can find it in his heart to forgive you. That’s my handle by the way, I’d ask yours, but I figure that you can’t just yell it.”

Kravitz should have brought his pen. He didn’t know why, but he knew that it was exceedingly important that Taako knew his name. He checked his watch, there was still a few minutes before the train, so he raised his right arm and his left leg, trying his best to embody the essence of ‘K’.

The announcement started with laughter. “That’s got to be a K my guy.”

Perfect, it had worked. Kravitz could do this. He left his leg in position, bending his left arm to meet his right and trying desperately not to fall over as his weight shifted and the cello strapped to his back did too.

“R!” Taako sounded positively gleeful. Kravitz hoped that video of this didn’t end up circulating the internet, he didn’t want to be ‘inexplicably spelling his own name in the tube station’ guy.

He widened his stance and held his joined hands above his head.

It took Taako a second. “A. Kra… Kraig?”

Kravitz shook his head, trying very hard not to look grumpy about it. He raised his arms above his head, wide apart.

“Y.”

Kravitz shook his head no, tried to shrink down, tried to remember how the cheer team had portrayed this one when he was in band. How to exude V…

“Are you trying to have less legs?” Taako asked.

Kravitz nods, yes.

“V! V is Y without legs.” Taako said, matter of fact. “So you’re Krav?”

Kravitz becomes an I in response.

“Kravi?”

He was about to seamlessly turn himself into a T when the screech of an approaching train drilled its way into his ears. Maybe, actually, this was the worst part of travelling by tube.

He waved at the security camera instead of opening his arms out wide.

“Bye Taako.” He said quietly as the door opened on a thankfully near-empty carriage.

–

“Hey Kravi!” Taako’s voice piped up as soon as he descended the steps to the empty platform. “Thought you’d given up on ol’ Taako.”

Kravtiz tried his best to look apologetic as he held up the sign.

“Ah, Kravitz. Train interrupted you?”

Kravitz nods.

“You have to show me how you were going to do the Z.” Taako demanded quickly.

Kravitz dropped to his knees, leaned slightly backward and extended his arms.

“Very impressive.” Taako’s voice sounded lower. Kravitz wasn’t entirely convinced that he was talking about the shape alone.

He tried to get up, failed as the weight of the cello suddenly grabbed his shoulders again. Perhaps he hadn’t entirely thought this through.

“You okay there, Kaverino?”

Kravitz nodded, flustered. He could do this, it was fine. It was too embarrassing not to be.

He flicked a foot out, getting a strong stance, then hauled himself up to take more weight in his other knee, spreading his arms for balance. Okay, now he just needed to stand. This was fine.

Kravitz wobbled.

“Are you sure you’re okay there, kemosabe? Cha’boy can’t come down and help you, but he can suggest putting the big bestringed lad down and admitting that you can’t fight gravity singlehanded.”

Kravitz could, in fact, fight gravity single handed, and he could definitely win.

He pushed off and got his other foot under him, then powered up out of the lunge. He can only choose to believe it looks incredibly impressive and not sweaty and difficult.

“My friend Magnus cannot hear about this. If he knows people can do weighted lunges with musical doohickies he’s going to start putting on even more themed classes.”

Kravitz tried not to look too winded as he got his balance. Taako didn’t need to know that his life had flashed before his eyes for a moment there.

He pulled the sign out of his music satchel as the perfect distraction.

How are you?

A soft laugh from the speakers. “Cha’boy’s here, but better now that you are too.”

Kravitz looked away from the security camera, desperate not to make eye contact in that moment and reveal how much hearing that meant. It would be embarrassing to admit that he had been looking forward to this through every shitty lesson, every late night report, and all of the things that kept him away from being here. The speaker in the cold tiled wall was the best human connection he’d had lately.

Kravitz pulled out the next sign.

What do you like to do?

“Looks like you’ll have to find out next time.”

The screech of the tube approaching covered Kravitz’s disappointed “oh.”

–

Taako had a sister called Lup. Taako had a cat called Garyl. Taako loved peanut butter and was also horribly allergic to it. Taako was suspicious of one of the fish at the aquarium. Taako did gymnastics at school. Taako had kept up the flexibility and he really wanted Kravitz to know that.

Little facts, grabbed in snatches. Brick by brick he built Taako in his head and brick by brick he liked the man on the other side of the speaker more and more. Kravitz started arriving earlier, rushing from practice to the station just to make sure he got slightly more time to talk to Taako. He nodded, shook his head, thumbs up-d and thumbs down-d his way through their conversations. Giving away pieces of himself too, he hoped Taako liked them, liked the bits of Kravitz he was piecing together. It wasn’t enough though, so he’d written the sign which had sat in his bag the last three times he was there. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to use it, he just wasn’t sure if it was okay. Maybe Taako chatted to everyone who came through the station like this? It probably helped to move his shift along.

“You play any other instruments, Krav?” Taako asked as Kravitz’s foot hit the platform.

Kravitz nodded.

“Okay, let cha’boy guess.”

There was a long silence, long enough that Kravitz started to worry that the speakers had stopped working.

“Piano. You give off piano vibes.”

Kravitz wondered what piano vibes constituted, but nodded, and mimed a quick key tinkle for effect.

“Cool. It was that or guitar.”

Kravitz nodded again. Strummed on nothing.

“Flute?”

Kravitz switched to an invisible but technically perfect rendition of Acapulco Bay.

“Are you being funded by big music? They’ve got the radio stations in their pocket, I’ve heard, have they got to you too?”

Kravitz wished he was being funded by anything extra. He mimed empty pockets instead.

“Fine, Taako’ll trust you’re not working on the musical agenda.”

Kravitz cracked his fingers, twiddled his invisible but thoroughly evil moustache, and smiled.

“Noooo, you’ve foiled me! I’m going to get crocheted. Minimed? What’re the longbois?”

Kravitz snorted, and tried desperately to think of a way to mime a semibreve that didn’t involve the crotchal region.

Saved by the train.

It didn’t feel much like a rescue.

–

Tonight was supposed to be the night. He had even given himself a pep talk in the mirror that morning. He was going to hold up his sign. Taako was going to say yes. They were going to have a great night and it wouldn’t be awkward even if Taako said no. Not that he had thought about Taako saying no because Sloane said he needed to be more positive. But if Taako did say no it would be fine because Kravitz had no idea what he looked like and he could just walk to the other tube station that was 20 minutes away from the hall instead of 5. No problem.

Fate had different ideas.

A guy on a bike nearly hit him as he crossed the road, the path he usually cut through the park on was closed, and then he ended up having to double back to the point where he was anxiously glancing at his watch as he arrived at the station. He heard the telltale screech half way down the stairs, rushed the rest, (well as fast as having a cello strapped to his back would allow) and dived towards his usual spot to board his usual carriage. The doors were closing. They couldn’t close because he wasn’t on yet. Kravitz waved at Taako as he ran for the doors. He was going to make it. He was just a pace away. His foot was in the carriage. He was. Stuck in the doors.

This was it. This was how he went… oh. The doors opened again harmlessly.

“Would the customer who just became trapped in the doors please return to the platform.”

Oh no. Kravitz retreated, face burning with shame. He’d upset Taako. He’d broken tube rules. What if he got banned forever?

“It is protocol that after incidents such as these when staff have cause to believe you may have suffered harm that you report to the private doors through the staff door on the station platform for a medical inspection.”

This was worse than the time he got called to the head teachers’ office in school. This was worse than his supervisor asking to see a draft of his thesis. This was worse than his Mum just texting ‘call me’ without any further explanation.

He watched the doors shut again, no idiot to bounce off this time, and the carriages wheel away to freedom. Kravitz bade it farewell, just in case Taako wasn’t willing to forgive him and this was his last taste of efficient public transport.

He trudged towards the staff door, looked around to make sure he hadn’t misconstrued the instructions, and then knocked twice. “Hello? Taako?”

There was a soft beep and the door swung open. “And behind door number one… it’s the ballinest chef in all of Faerûn! Hey Krav.” Said the elf behind the door.

Kravitz’s mouth hung open, maybe he did need medical attention.

If this was Taako why didn’t they put him outside. Surely everyone would want to come and use this tube station if he was here. It’d be great for business… maybe that’s why they’d had to put him behind the wall. Maybe he got too much attention? He was taller than Kravitz, blonde with dark uneven roots, had ears full of jangling jewellery, wore so many rings on his hands that Kravitz wondered what holding them would feel like, his shirt was tucked neatly into his trousers emphasising his soft tummy, broad thighs, and narrow shoulders. There was no way the boots were regulation.

“Hi.” Kravitz said weakly, casting his net for more words. “I’m Kravitz, you said to…” He stopped. This was bad. Taako knew he was Kravitz. He was making a bad impression. “You look…” Wait, was that creepy? “I like your badge.” Kravitz pointed to the name tag on Taako’s chest. There. That was fine. A compliment.

“Yeah?” Taako looked sympathetic. Perhaps Kravitz had made such a fool out himself that Taako wouldn’t ban him from the tube at least?

It’d be a shame if Kravitz could never see him again.

“The colours are nice.” Kravitz said lamely.

“Did you actually get a concussion? I thought the doors were supposed to spring back as soon as they felt contact? Taako can actually report it if something has gone wrong.” Taako’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked harder at Kravitz, trying to spot any damage.

“No!” Kravitz said quickly. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

Taako relaxed instantly. “Taako’ll do that.” He grinned and there was a gap between his front teeth. It suited him perfectly. “So, I believe I need to check you over.” Taako leaned languidly against the door frame all tension gone.

“I’m fine honestly, I don’t want to keep you from work.”

“What? Oh, yeah, Taako’s shift is done. Cha’boy finished 10 minutes ago.”

“But you’re always here at this time.”

“So are you, handsome.”

“I’m getting the tube.”

“Yeah, which means you’re here.”

“So you’re here.” Kravitz said slowly. “Because I’m here?”

“Maybe.” Taako shrugged as if he casually confessed his attraction to people all the time, as if he hadn’t just admitted he was staying late just to see Kravitz.

“You like me!” Kravitz said, triumphant.

“You can’t prove anything.” Taako laughed and Kravitz would want to bottle it if he wasn’t too busy scrambling through his satchel.

“Hang on, wait a minute.”

He finds it, pressed between two of the other signs, steps back, and holds it up triumphantly.

Can I take you to dinner?

Taako grinned wolfishly. “We’ll get dinner, handsome, but you should definitely come back to Taako’s place for it. Cha’boy’s not joking about being a great chef, and I still have to check you over. You know Taako’s a professional, very thorough.”

Kravitz felt the heat of anticipation curling in his lower belly and nods. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

[stars-n-kites]

not enough fics take advantage of the fact that taako is canonically a polyglot. dude knows six languages

[fandomsnstuff]

Sometimes you just have to crank out 3000 words in a day because it's been too long since you've written anything.

Read it on AO3

Lilliana Bluejeans is missing. Her soul disappeared from Faerun, and despite trying every magical and mundane trick in the book, no one could find her. It’s been a year since then, and that luck is about to change. 

An au of an au of an au

~

It’s almost a year to the day when the contraption in Lup and Barry’s basement finally pings with Lilliana’s location. Kravitz is just setting the table for dinner when Taako gets the call. They haphazardly throw their half-prepared dinner in the fridge and run across the lawn to the house next door. 

“Where is she?” Taako peers over Barry’s shoulder as he scrolls through data on a screen. 

“I’m not a hundred percent sure,” he says. “The reading is very, very similar to one of the cycles, with just a few data points difference on the end.” 

“Which means?” Kravitz asks. Try as he might, he’s never gotten a grasp on planar magic. 

“Which means it could be a reality that’s basically the same as whatever cycle this was, with a few small differences–”

“Or it could be totally different and we won’t know until we get there,” Lup says, flipping through a notebook. “But assuming it’s the saaaameee…” she trails off, turning a few more pages, “there!” She hands the notebook to Taako, “lucky number 93.”

He whistles. “Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty damn similar.” 

All Kravitz sees on the page is a long string of numbers and symbols, and a short description of the reality they supposedly denote. “What’s lucky about it?” 

“It was the year after we all learned artificing,” Lup says. “We came up with the relic plan and were hoping we could end it then and there.” 

“But we didn’t find the light before the scouts showed up, so it was a no-go,” Taako says. 

“We did still find it, though. The world itself was fine when we left.”

“Guys?” Barry interrupts. He’s clicking around on the computer screen. “We better go. The signal’s getting weaker.” 

“What?” Lup whips around and leans over him to look at the screen.

“I don’t know,” small indicators light up on the plane hopping belts connected to the system, “but we need to go before we lose it.” 

They strap the belts on and in an instant are standing in the midst of a strange wilderness. Thick trees wrapped in vines tower higher than Kravitz has ever seen before, their canopy shading them from a sun just beginning to set. 

“It looks like 93,” Taako says. 

“Where’s Lilli?” Kravitz asks. All he can see is vegetation. 

“I lost her exact location when the signal got shoddy, but she should be nearby,” Barry says. 

They head off in pairs. Lup and Taako go one way, and him and Barry go the opposite. As they walk, Kravitz notices some broken branches hanging from the trees, vines torn off the trunks, and general carnage that doesn’t go with the landscape around them. Barry doesn’t seem to notice. He’s nervously clenching and unclenching his hands, and taking a lot of slow breaths. “So,” Kravitz says, attempting casual, “was there much for civilization when you were here?” 

“Not really.” He scans the trees ahead of them, craning his neck to see further into the woods. “A few small towns here and there, but nothing like Faerun.” 

“I think you guys got lucky with Faerun. Not only was it populated, but it had magic just like yours.” 

He looks over at him. “Can you sense her?” 

“Lilli?”

“Who fucking else, Kravitz?”

“Right. Obviously. Sorry.” He’s also nervous, which makes him ask dumb questions. He takes a breath and closes his eyes. He focuses all his senses on reaching out for his niece’s soul. Usually he can find her in an instant and know exactly where she is. Here… she seems to evade him. He opens his eyes. “I can, just barely, but I can’t tell where she is.” 

Barry sighs and keeps walking, drumming fingers against his legs. “I don’t like this.” 

“None of us have used our reaper powers in a different reality before, maybe the magic is interacting weird.” 

“Maybe…” 

They continue on, keeping their eyes and ears peeled. Barry calls out for her a few times, but no dice. For a while, there’s nothing but the sound of their own footsteps to keep them company. Then, in the distance, they hear loud, jovial voices. They pick up the pace, hoping whoever’s there has seen their precious Lilliana. They come to a small clearing and burst out of the trees without thinking. They stop in their tracks, coming face to face with a silver ship and seven people clad in red. 

Barry exhales shakily and takes a step back, “what the fuck?” 

The seven members of the IPRE look equally as surprised but not as distressed as Barry. Magnus, younger than Kravitz ever knew him, breaks the ice, “holy shit!” 

“That’s fucked up,” Lucretia deadpans. It’s even weirder seeing her so young, even though he knows, logically, that she was younger than Magnus at one point. 

“I take it you’re here about your daughter,” Davenport says. 

Kravitz’s eyes widen and he looks to Barry. His face sinks into a frown. “What do you know about my daughter?” Captain Davenport shrugs and Barry’s hands curl into fists. “Where is she?” 

He crosses his arms. “I wouldn’t know. She tends to avoid us.”

“For good reason,” Merle mutters loudly. Davenport turns to glare at him and Lup shushes him. 

“What did you do?” Barry’s demeanor has settled into cold displeasure and he’s on his way to anger. He knows what this crew was like during their voyage, and Kravitz almost doesn’t want to know what he thinks they’ve done. 

“Nothing!” Lup defends. “We just– we ran into her sometimes.” 

“Lup,” the other Barry says exasperatedly. “Come on.” 

“We found her by accident,” Lucretia says, coming forward. “A few dozen cycles back, she died near the ship and we found her. We thought she was someone from that world, but when we went through her stuff, we discovered who she really was.” 

Kravitz can feel Barry trembling ever so slightly at his side. Through clenched teeth he says, “and then?”

“Well… being from the future, she had to know how to defeat the Hunger. We tracked her down on the next cycle and asked her to tell us. She refused. Then…” she hesitates and sighs, “we decided that we would keep trying. So it became a bit of a Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner situation. She avoided us at all costs.” 

“But!” Lup steps in front of Lucretia, “with all our perseverance, we did eventually get our answers and,” she spreads her arms out, “it’s over! And it’s over early! No more Hunger, no more realities getting pillaged and absorbed, no one getting hurt anymore, and none of the ‘dark and hard and scary’ stuff that Lilliana said we’d have to go through later on!” 

Kravitz can see the lecture rolling around in Barry’s brain. He opens his mouth to give the IPRE a piece of  his mind but is cut off by an agonizing wail deeper in the woods, back the direction they came. He turns sharply and whispers, “Lup.” He takes off into the trees with Kravitz at his heels. He can hear the IPRE following behind them, but Kravitz can’t think about that right now. Whatever made Lup scream like that is far more important. 

They enter another clearing, much larger than the one the Starblaster had been parked in. On the far side, they can see Lup’s back as she kneels next to Lilliana, who’s flat on the ground. Lup’s hunched over with her hands over her mouth. Taako’s next to her with a hand on her back and Lilli’s bow at his side. “No,” Barry says to himself, picking up his speed, “no no no no no.” He goes around the other side of Lilliana and kneels. Kravitz brings up the rear, slowing to a stop and standing at her feet. His chest constricts as he looks down at her. 

She’s dead, and it’s not pretty. 

There are large, open puncture wounds and fresh blood coating her neck. Her red cloak, made from an old IPRE robe, is fanned out underneath her in a cruel mockery of the pool of blood soaking into the dirt. There’s some blood on her lips and trickling out the corners of her mouth. Kravitz has seen a slit throat or two in his time, he knows she was choking and gagging, trying desperately to breathe and keep herself alive, only for her own blood to get in her way. Her eyes are open, staring blankly at the clear sky above where there’s not a speck of Hunger to be found. 

“We have to bring her back,” Lup says, looking across Lilli’s body at Barry. He nods, his eyes glistening, and summons a black leather-bound book from nowhere. In any other circumstance, Kravitz would question why he felt the need to carry it with him. 

He flips through it, then runs his hand down one of the pages and nods. He stands. “You should go find her soul,” he says to Lup. “She’s not from this world, and I don’t know how many times she’s died before this. I don’t want her to get lost.” Her and Taako’s heads jerk up, but before she can question him about her daughter dying more than once, he juts his chin towards the other end of the clearing. They turn and see the other IPRE lurking just beyond the treeline. 

Lup gasps, and looks back to Barry. He nods solemnly. “Oh, my baby,” she says. She caresses Lilli’s face and kisses her forehead, “my baby girl, I’m so sorry.” 

“We’ll fix it,” Taako says, squeezing her arm. “Go find her.” 

She stands and takes Barry’s hand for a moment as he passes her, heading for the middle of the clearing. Then she summons her scythe, tears open a rift, and disappears. Barry draws his wand and starts burning what Kravitz can only assume will be a ritual circle into the hard packed dirt. He can see the IPRE whispering to each other back in the trees.

Cycle 93. They were so fucking close. 

“Krav.” He looks to Taako, still kneeling next to Lilliana. He nods to the space across from him, “help me get her accessories off.” He kneels as Taako undoes the fastener on her cloak. “Lift her up.” 

She’s still warm as Kravitz slides a hand under her neck and cradles the back of her head. He puts his other hand on her chest and angles her up gently, just enough for Taako to remove her cloak completely and lift the strap of her bag of holding over her head and off her shoulder. Her braid is soaked red with her blood. Taako casts prestidigitation to clean it all up, and Kravitz lays her back down. They remove her quiver from her hip, her leather archery glove, and the leather bracer she wears on her other arm. Taako carefully places all her belongings in her bag. Kravitz closes her eyes and crosses her hands over her stomach. If it weren’t for the gaping holes in her neck, she could be sleeping. 

Taako stands and swings the strap of her bag over his head. “I’m gonna see if Barry needs any help. You stay here–” 

A tearing sound right next to his ear makes him jump, and Lup comes marching out of her rift. She ignores them and beelines for the IPRE across the clearing. She grabs the alternate version of herself and throws her to the ground. The parts of her clothes that were touched are singed black. She scrambles to her feet and takes a step back, “what the fuck is wrong with you?”

Smoke curls out of Lup’s closed fists and her eyes burn with fury as she advances on herself. “My daughter just screamed at me to go away and leave her alone. She ran away from me. My daughter does not run away from me.” She grabs her again and gets in her face. “What did you do?” 

The other Lup shoves her off and pats out the small embers that had caught on her robe. “Nothing you wouldn’t have done. We’re literally the same person. I wanted to minimize as much suffering as I could.” 

“I haven’t been you in a long time. I don’t give a damn about what you were trying to do.” Lup points back towards where Lilli’s body lies, “that little girl is my first priority.” 

Other Lup crosses her arms. “She’s an adult.” 

“She’s mine.” 

Other Lup looks away from her and doesn’t offer a response. 

Lup brushes past her, bumping her shoulder aggressively, and walks back over to them. “You have to go get her, Kravitz.”

He stands. “She’s nearby?” 

“She was. She ran off when I got too close, but if anyone can find her, it’s you.” 

He puts a hand on her shoulder. “The dead don’t always have all their faculties. She’ll recognize you when she’s back.” 

“Just go. I don’t want her to wander off too far.” 

He summons his scythe, tearing a rift with centuries of ease. He steps through it into a copy of this world painted in greyscale. He reaches his senses out for Lilli again, and this time it’s stronger. He heads off in the direction it leads him. He only has to walk for a short time before he sees a faint white glow in the distance. He approaches carefully, and there she is, wandering aimlessly through the trees. She’s all white, dressed how she was when she died. Every now and again the edges of her form flicker and blur, the sign of a soul that’s been through a lot. 

“Lilliana?” She startles when he speaks, and she’s tense as she turns to face him. Her eyes are all white. He holds his hands up placatingly. “It’s all right, I’m not going to hurt you.” 

Her shoulders relax, and she stares at him. “Kravvy?” 

He smiles. “Yeah, Lilli. It’s me, Kravitz.” 

“I think I’m lost.”

“That’s okay,” he takes a tentative step towards her, “that’s why I’m here. I’m taking you home.”

“You know how to get home?”

“I do. Mama and Daddy and Uncle Taako are all waiting for you, just through the woods a little ways.” He holds out his hand, “I’ll show you.” 

She looks at his hand, then up at him. She takes it and smiles softly. “Okay, Kravvy.” Her form shimmers and coalesces into a ball of light. He brings her in close and cradles her against his chest as he retraces his steps through this in-between plane. Back where he started, he tears a rift into the Prime Material and returns to the real world with his niece’s soul in hand. 

Lilli’s body has already been placed in the center of the ritual circle, outlined with runes and the dust of various gemstones. Barry stands outside the circle at her head, Lup at her feet, and Taako stands ninety degrees between both of them. Kravitz takes his place across from him. 

Barry takes a deep breath, “okay.” He begins reading an incantation. The runes drawn around her begin to glow, and Kravitz holds out his hands, allowing her soul to float away. It stops and hovers over her body for a few seconds, then sinks down and disappears into her chest. Barry’s incantation continues for several lines, allowing Lilli’s wounds to vanish, then stops. The glowing dims and disappears, and they all wait with bated breath. She lays there unmoving, and Kravitz worries for a half second that Barry Bluejeans, best necromancer this side of reality, fucked up his daughter’s resurrection. 

Then she inhales sharply, and her eyes fly open. She takes quick, short, panicked breaths. He steps into the circle and takes a knee next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Deep breaths, Lilli. You’re okay.” 

Her eyes dart over to him. “Kravitz,” she breathes. “You’re real.”

He takes her hand and holds on tight. “Real as ever.” 

“I’m alive.”

“You are. Do you think you can sit up?” She nods, and he helps her up. She freezes when she sees Lup ahead of her. “Hey,” he says softly, she doesn’t look at him. “You’re safe. Look closer.”

Her eyes roam over the woman in front of her. “Mom?” Lup’s breath stutters and her eyes glisten, but she smiles. Lilli reaches for her, tears welling in her eyes, “Mama.” He steps back to let her in, and she falls to her knees, wrapping Lilli up in her arms. “Mama,” she cries. “Mama, I’m sorry. I tried so hard. I’m so sorry.”

Lup caresses the back of her hair. “I know, honey. It’s okay. This never should have happened. It’s not your fault.” 

Barry abandons his book and drops to his knees next to his family. He wraps both of them up in his arms, silent tears rolling down his face. Lilliana sobs in their embrace, overwhelmed by finally being freed from what Kravitz can only imagine was decades of crippling loneliness. 

Taako picks up the necromancy book and puts it in Lilli’s bag. He smiles at him, then walks over to the still-lurking IPRE. He claps his hands together and says in his best Sizzle It Up! voice, “all right, folks! Show’s over! You can get back to whatever sad lives you’re planning to build on this lame planet.” The other Lup rolls her eyes and Taako narrows his. “Got something you want to say, Lulu?” 

“Just because we beat the Hunger sooner than you doesn’t mean our lives will suck.” 

“Maybe not.” 

“And all of this,” she gestures to the ritual circle and family behind Taako, “just proves my point. The second we destroyed the Hunger, you guys showed up. If she had just told us that all it’d take was a shield and didn’t make us spend 40 years and a ton of magic dragging it out of her, then maybe we could’ve learned artificing earlier, and we all could’ve been done with it ages ago.” 

“You learned artificing last cycle.” Taako’s tone is level. Too level. Something’s been put together in his head and he doesn’t like it. 

“We did.” 

“So you knew you were ending it this cycle.” 

“We found the Light, we had the staff, Lucretia had the spell. Why wouldn’t we?”

He gives a one-syllable laugh. “Of course. Why wouldn’t you? You have all the pieces.” The other Lup nods, Kravitz waits for the other shoe to drop. “So why, on Pan’s green fucking Earth, wouldn’t you give the kid a fucking heads up, so she knows not to fucking die?!” 

There it is.

The other Lup balks. “She runs away from us! It’s not like we could’ve talked to her about it!”

“Message! Sending! Carrier pigeon! Half of you are wizards, you should be able to figure this shit out!” 

She throws her hands in the air. “What do you want from me, Taako? Why should our crew have to suffer as long as you did, for the same ending?”

He laughs. “Oh, you’re not getting the same ending out of this, Lulu.”

Lilli, now standing, comes to Taako’s side and takes his hand. “Don’t bother, Koko. I told them over and over again to forget about me and figure it out themselves. I told them that if they just stuck it out that they’d go through some shit, but they’d find so much happiness at the end of it all. I even told them that all the planes that got consumed would be fine. She doesn’t care.”

Taako purses his lips, scanning over the crew in front of him. He lands on Lucretia. “You know, I’m not a huge fan of some of the actions taken by certain people in my reality. But even I have to admit that those actions brought way more people into our lives than we would’ve had otherwise.”

“Like Kravvy,” Lilli says, resting her head on his shoulder.

Taako snorts. “He’s one of the few that we would’ve met anyway.”

“Who is he?” Other Taako asks, speaking for the first time. 

“I guess you’ll never know,” Lilli says. 

Taako puts his arm around her and steers them back towards Lup and Barry. “C’mon peanut, let’s get you home.” 

[jerreeeeeee]

the author’s barely disguised desire to receive a hug from magnus burnsides

[anistarrose]

when lup is listening to the events of taz balance from inside the umbra staff, then besides her own family, i think johann is absolutely her number one blorbo

johann plays violin for tres horny boys, and lup is like, omg he's just like me for real. johann explains how no one knows who he is because his compositions are fed to the voidfish, and confesses to his fear of his entire identity being erased upon his death, while lup's realizing the scope of what's happened to her family and in desperate need of a kindred spirit, and she's like FUCK he's just like me for real! once she gets reaper privileges, she goes right to the astral plane to properly introduce herself to him, and johann (heard the story but did not know lup was in taako's umbrella eavesdropping the whole time) is just as starstruck as she is, yet simultaneously immensely, immensely more confused

[openphrase123]

my ao3 statistics for this year................ oops

to put this in perspective, 2019 was my previous largest wordcount year and that was 319k. and that was for the full year, i started writing isat fanfiction in like may or whatever