#these tags don't make sense entirely and i don't care. i have things I should be doing and I'm sitting in my room

[izzy-b-hands]

Was doing okay holding back all of the fear re: the potential election outcome until literally this second what the fuck to my brain lmao

[hazmatmaid]

A simplification:

Level 1-upper 2/lower 3: "yeah i can see that happening."

Level 4: "where did that even come from? that doesn't make any goddamn sense/he would not say that."

it came to my realization that 99% of my fandom related headaches would be cured if everyone understood this

[jingler]

Wizard101 Pov: you're scrolling on spiralblr some point around arc 2

0 notes

👀 lail-brighteyes Follow

I'm never going on a field trip again THEY PUT ME IN A FUCKIBG ZOO

🌈 gayrizzleheim Follow

A field trip to a zoo doesn't seem too bad??

👀 lail-brighteyes Follow

No you misheard me. I'm not at the zoo, I'm in the zoo. As in, I'm in one of the cages and people are taking pictures of me.

35 notes

🏡 chillin-like-a-titon Follow

Can there stop being attacks on the spiral for FIVE FUCKING MINUTES????

140.1k notes

✅️ wiz-polls-daily Follow

8,341 notes

🪦 is-malistaire-dead-yet Follow

YES.

🪦 is-malistaire-dead-yet Follow

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME

33.2k notes

🌋 spawnofhellhound Follow

Idk if I'm just dumb but I truly don't understand colonization in the spiral. Like you travel through time and space and through the stars and find an entirely different world doing just fine and you say, "that's mine now" ???????

🕶 beyondbonetts-deactivated

spiralblr simplifying and overexageratting other worlds' problems. why am I not surprised.

🐠 luckyhooker Follow

🕶 beyondbonetts-deactivated

NOT WHAT WE'RE CALLED

12.3k notes

⚰️ wolf-deathsinger Follow

stopped by the back of ravenwood for the first time in a while and malorn ashthorn was there still lmao I guess it makes sense for the younger students to be taught there so they don't have to go all the way to nightside but what a flashback

☠️ malice-and-ash Follow

If you think I'm mentally prepared to take on the real world after Ravenswood you got another thing coming. I'm guarding that pit til I die.

⚰️ wolf-deathsinger Follow

ok first of all didnt know you have spiralblr hi second of all does....does ambrose know you're still squatting there teaching the younger students?

☠️ malice-and-ash Follow

Titan knows. I don't think that man leaves his office. I get a sack of gold each month but I think gamma is in charge of finance.

🧙‍♂️ wizardstrong456 Follow

The owl? That's why my student loans got fucked up 🤦‍♂️

🪸 coral-oceanswimmer Follow

ew, what is a specieist doing here

99 notes

🕶 beyondbonetts-deactivated

I am sick and tired of all you pretend activists calling me marleyboner. It's literally a slur. Idc if you think it's funny to shit on worlds you deem ~problematic~ but disrespecting an entire world's name like that is unacceptable.

🪩 spiral-gayte Follow

this you?

👑 amul3twh0re Follow

i love posts where you can see exactly why the op is deactivated

30.4k notes

🦀 underdaseamen Follow

listen i have nothing against wizards visiting celestia but if you do can you please use a mount that makes sense for the area. yall have no idea how terrifying it is when you leave your house with your crab friends and a fucking horse starts swimming toward you.

6 notes

🐷 randolf-spellshine Follow

about to go fight this wizard in the spiral cup ill post the video later

🐷 randolf-spellshine Follow

i got my ass beat bruh im not posting that shit

1,243 notes

🦡 baddestbadger-inavalon Follow

4,371 notes

🦋 ladyorielfan23 Follow

Why we should have expected the y**ng w*z*rd destroying Azteca (part 1)

yw crit under the cut

i have to put something here but i do not have the energy to write an entire essay from ladyorielfan23's perspective so imagine a super angry rant here about how problematic the young wizard is omg why would you say that ladyorielfan23 also my apologies for fucking up the lore in the last dashboard simulator i have no idea what this game's plot is

[o-sachi]

Wishlist! - Headcanons for WinBre Week!

ᯓ what are the furin boys putting on their wishlist this year? ᯓ characters; sakura haruka, suo hayato, sugishita kyotaro, mitsuki kiryu, kaji ren, umemiya hajime, hiragi toma, togame jo ᯓ tags; just plain platonic headcanons

[🐟]: for day 5 - holidays prompt! @windbreakerweek

Sakura Haruka

"Ehhh? No... I don't want anything..."

He's only saying that because he'd feel like too much of a burden knowing someone might go out of their way to get him a present.

But he's like the easiest person to give a gift to because he will appreciate anything you give him. Hell, the fact that you even thought to get him anything is a gift in and of itself.

Although, he'd prefer something that isn't super expensive.

Wishlist: a new blanket, coupons for omurice, another pair of shoes (pls get our boy a new pair of shoes)

Suo Hayato

"Oh? A gift? How thoughtful of you."

Not really choosy when it comes to gifts either. He's probably hella rich and has everything that he wants already, so gifts are like a kind gesture to him if anything.

Although, he prefers gifts with meaning over ones that are practical.

It's because he can buy the practical stuff, but he can't put in meaning into things that he buys for himself.

Wishlist: rare tea leaves, lucky trinket, calligraphy brush (a hobby he picked up recently)

Sugishita Kyotaro

"For me? Why."

Doesn't really think about gifts, both in the sense of giving and receiving it.

But if you give him one, he'll be over the moon. Doesn't matter what it is really. He's similar to Sakura in this regard.

However, his issue with gifts is that he doesn't know how to react when he's given one. Is a thank you enough? Should he get them a gift too? He's so overwhelmed. Poor guy...

Wishlist: a small plant for his room, a plain shirt, Ume's approval (he's been told you can't put things like this on a wishlist, but he got mad)

Mitsuki Kiryu

"Yippee! You're the best. Thank you so much."

He likes to joke about stuff that he likes to receive. Also jokes about not needing gifts because his fangirls already give him more than enough.

He judges gifts based on aesthetic appeal rather than its practical use. He doesn't care if its useless as long as it'll look good on him or in his room.

I just know this dude has the best reactions when given any gift. Even if he has experienced it soooo many times, he'll make you feel as if he's so thankful for it each time.

Wishlist: gems for the game he's playing, a cat charm, a hamburger phone case (so he can alternate between that and the hotdog phone case)

Kaji Ren

"Wha? What's the occasion? Well, thanks. I guess..."

Super adamant about not wanting to receive any gifts. He says he's happy enough to have loyal friends by his side. Honestly, he's just scared to get emotional if the gift ends up being too good.

Gifts from close friends hold more value to him regardless of what the gift is.

It's pretty easy to predict the things that he would like...

Wishlist: a box of lollipops, a new hoodie, a year's worth of Spotify subscriptions (me too actually sob)

Umemiya Hajime

"Whaddaya know? I also have a little something for you here!"

It actually puts a bit of pressure on you to find Ume the perfect gift because he is THE GIFT GIVER. It's like he always knows what everyone would love.

A really simple guy. Even quality time is considered a gift in his eyes.

Ume prefers gifts that aren't the usual kinds of things you'd buy from the store, so stuff like handmade gifts, home cooked meals, and letters are his favorite things to receive.

Wishlist: a new trowel for gardening, a shirt that says "Tomato Dad", a dinner party with the entire Furin student body (awww)

Hiragi Toma

"Thanks. I'll make sure to use this."

He's like an old man, so gifts that are practical are is preference. His eyes go wide when the thing is multi-purpose and a steal for its price.

He's also the type of person to preserve gift bags to use for another time. Although, he has definitely gifted back to a person using a bag given to him by that same person before...

A big believer of the saying, "It's the thought that counts."

Wishlist: stomach medicine... lots of it, hair gel, perfume/cologne (I JUST KNOW HE SMELLS GOOD)

Togame Jo

"Aww, this for me? You didn't have to."

Nonchalant as fuck when receiving gifts, but trust me, he is sobbing inside. He's so happy someone thought of him.

Also prefers practical gifts, but it hardly matters. As long as you got him something, he'll be grateful for it.

He won't admit it but he enjoys the moment of unwrapping the gift. Even better if it's wrapped neatly and with a bow on top. Kame's not sure why, but he just loves that part.

Wishlist: food foood fooooood, a new pair of sandals, fancy shogi set (to show off to the old men he plays with lol)

o-sachi © 2024 pls do not translate/copy/reupload my work on other platforms.

[charlottecutepie]

Now that you’ve watched Animal room, maybe a Doug x Reader? maybe public sex or creampie ?

⋆౨ৎ˚ A real animal (Doug Van Housen x fem!reader)

author notes: hey love! so here it is, thank you for the request, it was interesting to write about this character :) although I dont really know how well it turned out, i still doubt it tbh, im so sorry if it sucks, tho i tried harddd….in any case, ill be glad to receive new requests for this character

tags: nsfw, smut, vaginal sex, fingering, thigh fucking, rough sex, possessiveness, fingers sucking, spanking, hair pulling, public sex, unprotected sex, creampie, dubcon, a little praise, degrading, mean!Doug

Doug kisses you like it's the end of the fucking world. He's groaning into your mouth, and his huge hands aren't hugging you at all, no, they're squeezing you as if he intentionally wants to break your bones. To break you not only as a person, but also as a body. Your bones, your skin, every hair on your body, every cell in you should belong to him. Doug Van Housen hates and loves you, and his every action is imbued with this poisonous and caustic mixture of madness. You seem to like that you are tightly pressed between a cold wall and his hot body, but at the same time you're afraid of what comes out of his mouth, you knew that he was far from a sweet and gentle person, you knew what you were going for, according to Doug himself.

“My fucking slut,” he growls into your neck and makes forward movements, rubbing against you. There's a lump in your throat and blood froze in your veins, you didn't expect that you'd be fucked right in this corridor, right fucking now. You wanted to invite him to your place, well . . . to watch a movie first, and then lie down and cuddle. But don't you know Doug? It's just not about him. If you dream of such an affair, then why are you dating someone as him? Doug's madly amused by you. Are you really that silly? “I'm gonna ruin you.”

“Just wait—” you can't stay still, putting your dignity at such risk, damn it. You cling to his shoulders and look into his eyes, trying to find at least some echoes of common sense. However does it make sense to look for it in a man like Doug? “Fuck, Doug, enough!”

Looking at your desperate plea, amusement flickers across his eyes. The hallway filled with the echo of your words as he pulls away slightly, raising his eyebrows. He laughs. “Someone is too cocky. Don't worry, I'll fuck this arrogance out of you. Or what? You don't like me anymore?” Doug grasps you by your hips tightly, slowly grinding into you as he nips softly at your neck. “You must have a fucking adrenaline rush, baby. I don't think you'll be as brave in a few minutes.”

“Uggh—” you groan almost in pain as he bites on your skin. “Can we at least do this at home?” you try to keep your voice quite, but Doug doesn't give a fuck so he makes a damn loud moan when you pull his black hair. You definitely don't expect this so you quickly let him go and glance at his face for signs of pain. There is silence for a second. Doug looks at you with his mouth open and breathes heavily, and then bursts into laughter.

“Was that supposed to stop me?” you stare at him wide-eyed as his laughter reverberates around. “Look, sweetie, I won’t care if we fuck in a pool of acid. The only thing I care about is claiming what’s mine. . . You're going to take me any way possible until there's not a drop of your fucking arrogance left inside you.” his lips descend upon yours fiercely; they consume your mouth entirely while he tangles one hand in your hair and grasps your hip harder. It all feels so animalistic, so brutal that it scares and excites you at once — two emotions mixing into an insatiable hunger for more from this twisted game between you two.

You're barely recovering from his rough kiss, your lips are flushed, as are your cheeks. “Doug. . .” you don't really know what you're saying, you just want to repeat his name over and over like a damn prayer. “Doug, Doug, Doug—” you whisper as he can't get enough of your neck, kissing every inch, although it's more like he's devouring you like an animal. His hands find your ass and squeeze it roughly through your clothes, which responds with a reddening of the skin and your sharp sigh.

“Oww, what a pathetic sight,” he taunts you when his fingers finally get under your clothes, pulling them down to your knees with impatient jerks, leaving you in only your panties. Before you can say anything, his finger makes its way to the sweetest spot between your legs. Doug rubs your pussy through your underwear and, feeling how wet you are, sighs contentedly and smiles, baring his teeth. “So fucking wet, look what I've done to you.” he pulls your soaked panties to the side and slips one finger inside you. So fucking slow and gentle, all the time staring into your eyes, just to tease and mock you. It's just one finger, but you can already feel your knees getting weak. “Don't faint, pretty, stay with me, yeah?” Doug hums in approval as your pussy clenches around his finger — a clear signal that his girl is desperate for more.

“Please. . .” you feel so weak to him.

He watches your pleading expression and raises an eyebrow. “More?” he asks, smirking as his second finger joins the first inside you. He starts pumping slowly while rubbing your clit in rapid circles with his thumb. Your hips jerk forward desperately and your lips part in deep sighs. Seeing you begging him like a desperate little slut makes him proud. “Pathetic, ain't you?” when you just get used to his two fingers, he abruptly plunges them even deeper into you. You gasp loudly, clinging on Doug for support as you nearly fall.

“Ohh—! No, fuck, that's—”

“Too much?”

“Yes, t—too rough, wait!” his smile broadens at that. And. . . Then he pulls back suddenly, leaving you panting heavily, your legs trembling.

“You taste heavenly,” he slides his wet fingers into his mouth as he savors your taste, watching your embarrassed face. “take off my fucking belt, baby,” he tells you before pushing two of them against your entrance once more, this time fingerfucking you faster. You don't know what to do, your body doesn't obey, while Doug roughly fingers you, tearing incoherent moans out of you. You try to grab his belt, but his fingers are moving inside you so fast that your hands are shaking. “i said take off my fucking belt.”

He knows you're about to cum as your pussy clenching around his fingers, but he doesn't let you, instead he slows down so you can finally take off his belt. You sigh and Doug takes his fingers out of you, which makes you look at him in shock, brows raised and eyes wide.

“Bu—!” he pulls your panties down and slips his painfully hard cock between your thighs, your soft skin making him groan loudly.

“Mhhm— You feel so fuckin' good, doll,” Doug thrusts forward, rubbing his dick between your damp folds. His length sweetly slides against your slit, every inch of it coated with your wetness. “my good fucking girl.” he wraps one arm around your waist and pulls you closer, not letting you fall.

His hips rock against you in a fast, sinful motion, teasing your cunt with the tip of his cock. He lets out a low groan, his shaft sliding across your folds and over your clit. “Ahhnn— ohh, im close!” you can’t help but whimper softly, you cling to him, fingers curling into fists at his shoulder, hips rolling instinctively with each slide of his dick through your wet folds.

“Cum for me.” Doug fucks your thighs faster, hitting your sensitive nub repeatedly. His breathing deepens as he thrusts harder between your thighs, spreading your wetness around his cock. “My little slut. . .” he hides his face in your hair. “cum for me.” he demands, you feel the delicious tension building in your belly, spreading through your core until it becomes all-consuming. Your whimper as you grind against him helplessly, your hole clenching around nothing.

When his tip slides over your little aching clit, that makes you shudder, a loud moan escaping your lips as you finish. You nearly scream, but your sounds muffled by Doug's chest.

“Good girl.” he praises you. “now I'm going to fuck your brains out and claim this little pussy.” Doug doesn't waste any time to prove his promises. With a ruthless determination, he flips you around, your face against wall. You gasp in surprise, your eyes widening as his dick presses urgently against your entrance. “Thaat's it, you stupid little girl.”

Doug slips inside you, bending his knees to be on a level with your ear and breathing loudly into it, mumbling what a tight cunt you have. You don't want to admit it, but his cock feels perfect. And although his sharp and rough thrusts hurt you, because he immediately began to push into your warmth, you find yourself enjoying this. You're still sensitive after orgasm, but it's only to his advantage as he moves his hips, driving his cock deeper.

”Fuck—fuck! Slow down, ohh” you yelp as he rails your pussy, he doesn't give a fuck that it does hurt you, just like he doesn't give a fuck if anyone sees you. The sounds of skin slapping wildly arouse you, as well as the fact that he's manhandling you and uses you the way he wants makes your legs buckle. “Hahhh, Doug!”

“I won't, you feel too good.” he groans, fucking you harder. “Ughh, you know you want this, your cunt ruined and filled with my cum, yeah?” he growls, feeling your walls tightly squeeze his cock. “Yeah?” he repeats in his mocking manner.

You don't answer his question, so his hand lays down on your ass, and a loud smack echoes down the hallway. “Y—yes! Yes, please, Doug!” you cry out.

Doug grabs a handful of your hair, yanking your head back so your eyes meet his. “Stupid brainless doll made just for my cock.” his heart beat like crazy, feeling your tight and wet pussy wrapping around his shaft as you take him. He pumps deeper into you with every thrust and reaches forward, he slams one hand against the wall beside your head. “You're mine, all mine.” he murmurs, looking down where your ass meets his hips, smile faded from his face. Your whines and moans sounds way too pretty and broken, your eyes burst with tears.

“Hnnhg. . . Slow down!” you tell him like he cares, like he's going to stop. “Doougg”

Your head fuzzy as you feel his cock reaching way really too deep, where you almost feel him in your guts. Doug ignores your words and pleas, knocking the air out of your lungs with his rough pace. He feels you on a completely different level, not only because he's balls deep inside you, he feels the madness that covers his eyes like a veil. Hatred, anger and arousal merged together.  And your “ohhh god, Dougg!” which slips from your lips only inflames him even more.

“My pretty slut, my little girl, mine, fuuuck, just like that,” Doug's lost just like you, fucking you like an animal, a crazy one. “Thank me, thank me for fucking you.” after these words, he puts his long fingers in your mouth, as if trying to pull out your tongue. They penetrate so deeply that you feel sick. He runs his fingers over your mouth, wetting  them in your saliva. You're almost suffocating.

“Thh. . . Nkkk—” that fucking bastard, you know why he's doing this. He wants you to realize what a helpless, pathetic, but wonderful little ragdoll you are. If his dick wasn't pounding your dripping pussy right now, you'd definitely slap him in the face for it. “Aankkk yo— Ahh! Ouhh”

He chuckles, literally fucking your mouth with his fingers as he hears your babbling. “What was that? Didn't hear you.” you want to cry hysterically, want to bite off his fucking fingers. But his voice is so hot, so damn beautiful. Even though he tries to sound normal, you still catch these little groans and breaths, his voice shaking. And it only makes you wetter. “Hard to talk with your mouth full, baby?”

He takes his fingers out of your mouth, all in your drool, and you almost calm down, but then you arch your back and yelp when you feel them touching your little clit. He rubs your bundle in tight circles, what makes your cunt throb around him. “Fuck, thank— Thank you! Thank you, Doug—” you're moaning so loudly that your throat is already dry.

“Mhmm, such a good girl, that's it,” he cooes, grunting. “so fucking good for me. A slut who needs nothing but my cock.” your chest rises and falls from increased breaths, blood running hot, a mess he loves to see.

He lost his sanity a long time ago and therefore does the same thing to you, making your brains melt as if under the scorching sun. You don't feel yourself, you only feel Doug, everywhere, in your pussy and in your subconscious, your brain and your heart. You even forgot that you're in this fucking hallway.

“Wanna feel you cum all over my cock, pretty.” he leans closer to you, his fingers never stopping rubbing your clit. He brushes his lips against your neck, sliding his tongue on your fresh hickeys and bite marks.

“I'm gonna c—cum, ohh,” before you know what's going on, your body shaking and you feel like you're already falling. Although this would have happened if Doug's hands hadn't been holding you all this time. You cum hard and he follows, burying himself even deeper inside of you as he grits his teeth and groans, his seed spills inside you in thick ropes as your pussy greedily milks him dry. He breathes heavily and moves his hips, fucking you much more slowly to make sure that every drop of him fills you, you moan as you feel his cock twitching inside you.

Doug doesn't take his hands off you, holding you possessively still. But he notices that you're trembling, and his grip soon loosens as he puts his hands on your waist. He kisses your neck, whispering something.

A pair of eyes looked at you two from the darkness of the corridor, and their owner took a deep breath.

[intoanotherworld23]

Body For Hire

Pairing: Reader x Bradley Bradshaw

Warnings: MATURE CONTENT NSFW 18+, this whole one shot is pure smut and sex

Summary: Bradley Bradshaw is the best bodyguard there is, and he proves to you exactly why he’s the best

Hearts, reblogs, and comments are greatly appreciated and encouraged! If you wish to be added to the tag list for Bradley/Miles please let me know and I’ll add you! Thank you guys so much! Enjoy! XOXO

"This is so wrong." Moaning as you bounced up and down on Bradley’s cock. "God this is wrong."

"That why your pussy is squeezing my cock so tightly." His tone mocking as he smirked up at you. "Cause this is so wrong."

"No it feels so fucking good." Whining as your hands gripped on his shoulder most likely drawing blood.

"Should have known you'd crave my cock." His hands on your hips guiding your movements at the pace he wanted. "What would daddy think?"

"Seeing his daughter riding her body guard." He was teasing you making your cheeks heat up. "See what a true slut his daughter is."

"Shut up." Smiling at his teasing words making him chuckle.

"Not that I'm complaining about this at all." His eyes looked down to where you two were connected. "Could stay like this all day."

A part of you knew your father would be pissed if he found out you fucked your body guard. He specifically hired him to watch you, and make sure no harm came your way.

Then again you were already so close to cumming that you didn't care. All your mind was focused on was Bradley’s cock so deep you felt him in the pit of your stomach.

"Bradley please." Crying out as you felt the tip of his cock poking at your sweet spot making your toes curl.

Hearing you whine his name gave him the go to drive  his hips up wildly into you. Your whole body was shaking and moving along with him. Your head reeled back in ecstasy hands clawing at the leather seats. Your arousal was coating his cock making it easier for him to slide in and out of you.

"What sweetheart?" He looked up at you licking his lips watching your face unravel. "Tell me what you want."

"Say it." He commanded as his thrusts slowed down and his hand came down hard on your cheek. "Say what you want baby."

"Harder Bradley." Mumbling out as you started to grind your hips around his cock.

"God I should have fucked you sooner." Growling into the skin of your shoulder making your moan as he bit down. "Bet you touched yourself to the thought of me."

He wasn't completely lying when he said that though. Every time you were alone at night you would sneak your hands down, and touch yourself imagining it was him. Of course you weren't going to admit that to him.

"No." Lying as you started to move your hips up and down, but his hands were preventing you from moving.

"I don't like liars." His voice became darker making your pussy clench around him.

Before you know it his hands one after the other came down hard on your ass cheeks. Leaving a stinging feeling as you took with scrunching your face up in pain. He wasn't playing around with you right now. It turned you on a lot more than you expected.

"Mmm wanna change that answer." A hand reached up to grab your chin and make you look at him. "I'll let you cum if you do."

"Please Bradley." Begging him as you stared deep into his eyes too embarrassed to tell him the truth.

"Tell me the truth baby and I'll give you everything you want." His mouth reached forward to attach itself to your nipple.

"Oh god." Breathing out as your mouth hung open watching as he twirled his tongue around the nub.

"Fuck god yes I've touched myself to the thought of you."

"Good girl." He grinned before sharply thrusting his hips up making you gasp.

Wrapping your arms around his neck as he picked up the speed. Drilling into you so hard your entire body was turning into flames. Pressing your breasts close to his face feeling a wet tongue lick across. A shiver running up your spine as your senses became overwhelmed.

Whispering filthy and dirty things in your ear as you rode him. Your breath shaky every word he spoke, your pussy clenching every time he said something. Mouth wide open so overcome with pleasure that no sounds could come out.

"So desperate for my cock aren't you." It was a condescending question, but right now you didn't care. "Have you begging for it."

"Want to feel that delicious cunt of yours squeeze my cock." Groaning into your chest his hands coming down on your ass making them jiggle.

His cock hit your sweet spot making you scream. Finding that spot he was relentless and continued to hit it over and over again. His hands gripped onto your hips so hard they would probably bruise.

"Fuck Bradley right there keep going." You mewled closing your eyes.

"Cum all over my cock baby." He snarled into your skin holding your body even closer to his trying to hit up into an angle that would have you seeing stars.

Your toes were curling and you could feel your pussy walls squeezing the life out of his cock as you released. A couple more thrusts and Bradley was squirting his cum inside you. Your head leaned forward on his shoulder trying to catch your breath.

Bradley’s forehead was drenched in sweat and his arms were shaking still holding your trembling body. Both of you still trying to cum down from your intense high.

"Now I know why your father is so protective of you." He joked as he pressed his forehead against your collarbones.

"Thanks I guess." Scrunching your eyebrows at him with a smile making him laugh.

“I wouldn’t mind doing that again.”

“Well you know what they say practice makes perfect.” Biting your bottom lip seductively.

Just as Bradley was about to lean forward to kiss your lips a loud knock came from the door. Both your attention turning towards the sound in a sense of panic. Feeling terrified even more when you heard that familiar voice.

"Sweetheart everything alright?" Your fathers voice rang on the other side making you and Bradley look to each other.

“Yeah everything’s okay. Why?” Voice out of breath and hoarse.

"I heard screaming."

[1d1195]

Traditional XI

You can read the rest of Traditional here.

Thank you so much for the love and support on this story. She and Harry have definitely turned into one of my favorite couples I've had the pleasure of writing about. As an aside, I will be posting a long overdue "how my taglist works" (because I a tumblr-elder and don't know what I'm doing anymore). But for those of you that have been tagged throughout the series, please check out the message at the bottom.

This is the final part (not including the extras I have lined up.) There's a bit of angst and a good bit of fluff. It follows part ten immediately and I also continued with marking the days/time because I think it made it a bit easier to follow.

Truly, really, thank you so much. Part 1-11 is 67k words and I’ve enjoyed typing each one. I hope you continue to enjoy reading. Without further ado:

--

“She gave it back,” he said stiffly. His throat was catching on to the words.

“Gave what back?” Niall asked curiously. “The apartment?”

Harry felt his entire body freeze over with a new fear that Niall mistakenly unlocked. It truly felt like his body was made of ice. He grabbed at his phone anxiously calling the apartment complex’s main line. He had to suffer through prompts before he could finally talk to a person. He asked if it looked as if anyone was moving stuff from his apartment (although he would have given it to her at this point).

Monday

“I’ll kill him,” Louis shouted, almost proudly as he entered the apartment. She shook her head and just burst into tears as she told him about all the things Harry did. While he was prepared to murder him, Louis’ heart softened with each task Harry completed to make sure his best friend was cared for. It was everything he ever hoped for the girl he thought of as one of his own sisters. He wouldn’t kill Harry. He couldn’t...not if he did all that for her.

Eleanor combed her fingers through her hair while the poor girl cried in her lap. Louis was frowning, glancing at Eleanor every so often as she spoke. “Babe,” Louis whispered when she finished her story.

She sniffled. “I don’t know why I did that,” she croaked. “That was so stupid, who does that? You should have seen the look on his face. He’s never going to forgive me.”

“Of course, he will,” Eleanor said easily shaking her head. Her voice was so solid, like she had already talked to Harry about it and knew with every fiber of her being. Louis crouched beside her wiping the tears out of her eyes as comfortingly as he could. “Harry loves you, darling,” Eleanor reminded her.

“Why was I so mean?” She choked on another sob. “I’d hate me. I was so heartless.”

“You were overwhelmed, love,” Eleanor promised. “That was a lot to take in, all in one day. But he meant the best and brightest for you. You have to believe that. Harry has never done anything but try to make sure you’re taken care of.”

She took in a shaking breath as more tears poured out of her; she was so unhappy with how she handled the whole day. Maybe she was overwhelmed. That would at least have made some sense. There was so much to be overwhelmed about. Everything she had been bottling up. All of which was threatening to burst because it just had to be one of those weeks where it all just piled and piled until it all crumbled down.

“Babe,” Louis whispered trying to stop the tears from falling but failing because they kept coming faster than he could swipe her cheeks. “C’mon.”

“I know you all went to the funeral for my dad,” she sniffled. She may as well have wallowed in the hurt a bit more. They needed to know she knew. “I know they had one...I saw it in the online obituary.”

They were silent for a minute. Louis didn’t move his eyes from hers for a moment. He pressed his lips together in a thin line. So of course, she knew she was right. They did hide it from her.

However, Louis wasn’t going to forget that she let them hide it. He stared at Eleanor for a moment; having some silent conversation that only the two of them could have. The entire time she continued crying. Eleanor gave her a comforting squeeze as best she could with her sprawled across her lap.

“I think you’re scared,” Eleanor whispered without addressing her comment about the services.

“El,” Louis’ voice wasn’t a whisper like it had been directed at the sobbing girl. His tone wasn’t gentle. It was like he was warning her not to continue.

“Scared of what?” She sniffed because she may have heard the warning in Louis’ voice, but she was already miserable. It couldn’t be worse than what she felt.

“Tell her, Louis. Tell her,” Eleanor begged. She turned her attention back to her best friend.

Louis reminded her so much of her brother, she wondered if he would have been as wise as Louis was if he were still around. Even for the goofball he made himself out to be, Louis was nearly sagely at his age. He was the one she went to for advice. The one she asked for help when she needed to get Harry a birthday gift. If she was stuck in the middle of nowhere, she was pretty sure she would still call Louis first. He was her best friend because he always knew what to say to her and even if it was hard to hear he always told her the hard truths.

She could see on his face that it was going to hurt to lay whatever he was about to say in front of her if only because she was already so heartbroken. “Being cared for,” he bit the inside of his lip, but he didn’t break his gaze with her. “You think it’s a death sentence,” he told her. His tone was soothing, even though the words were not. “Because when your brother came to get you, he tragically died. Don’t think I’m forgetting that. But then, your parents stopped caring for you...so it was like...you associated the two,” he explained. “And then, you didn’t tell me. So, in your mind, caring for you is a death sentence for those that love you.”

She was speechless. Her sniffles slowed, which allowed her to sit in the upright position, but Eleanor still had her arm wrapped around her shoulders. She swallowed as she listened to him speak without hiccupping on her breath. “Do you really think we wouldn’t have let you live with us?” Eleanor asked softly from beside her. “The only one that thought you needed to get your own space was you...and don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that you got Harry out of the deal, but you could have lived with us for forever,” she smiled gently at her.

She stared at the two of them and Louis looked at her tear-stained face with a frown. “Love,” he said so gently. “You have spent so long building up walls making sure you take care of everyone in your life because the last time you stopped taking care of someone else and had fun of your own, something horrible and tragic happened,” She looked away from him, sniffling uncontrollably. “But it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t. No matter how many times your mum says it was...no matter how many times you sit next to his gravestone and feel guilty for it. He would have gone and got you and he would have turned that steering wheel to protect you over, and over, and over again,” she couldn’t look at Louis when he talked about it. It was his best friend, and she just took him away forever...all for a party. “I would have done it for you, babe,” he promised. She hated the idea of that too so much that she let out another whimpering sob. “Now, so would Harry,” he told her, and the pang of anxiety at the mere idea Harry would fatally hurt for her rippled all through her body she felt sick at the idea...it hurt all the way to her toes and made her fingertips feel numb.

But Louis pressed on making it hurt even more but with every intention of making it better. “You can’t keep your guard up forever. You can’t stop people from taking care of you because you miss him and worry about the consequences of them taking care of you,” he said. “We all take that risk for someone we love,” he brushed the tears off her cheeks once more as they were finally slowing to a pace he could keep up with. She refused to look at him. But Louis wouldn’t accept that. “Babe,” he said turning her chin back to him. “Let someone else take care of you. Let Harry do it. You’ve done it for long enough.”

*

Tuesday

Niall found Harry throwing the lamp on his desk against the wall of his office so hard he was surprised the wall didn’t shatter. But the lamp certainly did. Nearly splintered into a hundred pieces. He flopped into his desk chair and hung his head practically between his knees.

“Christ, the two of you today,” he grumbled hoping to find Harry in better shape than his typically better mood intern. Obviously, that would not be the case. “What’s wrong?” He asked, closing the door.

Harry ran a hand over his face. He wanted to cry but he was at work, and he shouldn’t have. “She gave it back,” he said stiffly. His throat was catching on to the words.

“Gave what back?” Niall asked curiously. “The apartment?”

His gaze snapped up to Niall and he mouthed the word whoa. If Niall said it out loud, he didn’t hear it. He was shocked by the redness of Harry’s eyes, the withdrawn look. He knew it was bad when she could hardly keep track of what she was doing this morning. It was worse than when her coffee spilled all over her things a few months ago.

But seeing his best friend so distressed…

Harry felt his entire body freeze over with a new fear that Niall mistakenly unlocked. It truly felt like his body was made of ice. He grabbed at his phone anxiously calling the apartment complex’s main line. He had to suffer through prompts before he could finally talk to a person. He asked if it looked as if anyone was moving stuff from his apartment (although he would have given it to her at this point).

He was awarded the slightest bit of relief to hear the word “no” at the other end. It washed over him as he rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, alright. Thanks,” he mumbled hanging up. He sat in his chair, and he glanced at Niall balling his hands into fists. “She gave back all the money,” he mumbled.

Niall did the easy and quick calculations in his head regarding the last eight or so months. “Whoa.”

Harry told him all about the reference calls, the graduation ceremony, and the lawyers’ meeting with her mum, and the good news. He told Niall how he paid for her student loans and kept all of it hidden from her. Harry tried to hide the tears in his eyes, but Niall knew they were there in his voice as he listened.

“Harry...you gotta just talk to her.”

“M’pretty sure she hates me.”

“That’s a load of shit, alright,” Niall said knowingly. “She loves you.” Harry felt his heart hoping a bit by way of fluttering against his ribs. He shook his head. He didn’t want to hope because she looked betrayed, and it was all his fault. Niall shook his head. “She’s all snively and you’re all angry. You two are quite the pair. You could have a show.”

He wanted to throw something at Niall, but he was too exhausted to hold his head up, let alone hold anything worth throwing—and he wouldn’t really throw something at his best friend. So, he sat there, devastated that she gave him the money back. It worried him to the core. It seemed his new fear of her leaving that apartment was going to be real, sooner rather than later.

And if she left Styles Incorporated…

“She said that you needed this today,” Niall shrugged and put a folder on Harry’s desk in front of him. He winced knowing she was still helping even when she was upset with him. “Tragic that I have to play messenger,” he shook his head. “I hope you talk to her.”

But Harry didn’t want to press. It was obvious he pressed too much and now he had to wait for her to forgive him.

Maybe.

*

Wednesday

She didn’t come to work.

There was nothing else to say.

There was nothing he could think about except that she didn’t come to work.

He didn’t get to see her. All day and an entire near-sleepless night. He impulsively shopped for items scheduled to be delivered the following day. Items he didn’t need but he needed to get for her...even if she never set foot in his house again.

There was nothing else he could think about.

*

Thursday

Niall brought his tea to him that afternoon.

So, a new nightmare plagued him, and he continued to think of nothing else but the distance she was putting between them.

*

Friday

For the second time in his life, and moreover, the second time within a year, Harry left work early. Niall was insistent. He was agitated beyond belief, his one meeting he was completely distracted that Niall did most of the talking. Harry’s company was substantial, but surely, she couldn’t avoid him on the entire floor.

But she did. She managed somehow to avoid him even when he kept going in and out of Niall’s office and thereby walking through her little space. But she wasn’t there a single of the seven or so times he walked through. At one point he walked in for the sake of walking in. Niall was on the phone with a client. Harry just shook his head and left before even registering the fact Niall was there.

It was after the meeting that Niall encouraged him to leave for the day. “I don’t need to,” he snapped at his friend. “Jus’ get on with it,” he muttered.

Niall sighed, blew a long breath out his mouth. He packed his belongings from off the table and patted Harry on the back. “Meeting’s over, Harry,” he said and left him alone in the conference room.

He knew he was in tough shape but not even realizing the meeting was over seemed bad even for the way he was feeling. Rubbing the back of his head, he headed once more to Niall’s office. This time he wasn’t surprised she wasn’t there. Harry apologized to Niall quickly, returned to gather his stuff from his office, and left for home.

*

“Harry went home, so you don’t have to keep hiding,” Niall rolled his eyes as she tentatively tiptoed into her office. He didn’t look up, so he didn’t see the way she nearly dropped all of the papers in her arms at Niall’s sudden (accurate) accusation that she was hiding.

She bit her lip and put the papers on her desk. Niall didn’t look up as she walked toward his desk. “I yelled at him,” she whispered.

“Good, he probably deserved it,” Niall said simply. “People don’t yell at him enough. Think because he’s CEO, he’s without a flaw,” he shrugged. “He’s not, I’ve never seen him finish one document on his own because he never remembers how to fill it out. The man can’t multiply to save his life—I always do the tip at the restaurant. He has a terrible signature on contracts. It’s embarrassing to sign my name next to his. Also, he has a terrible handicap even though he’s been golfing for at least seven or so years now,” he said as if that should be the reason that she could yell at him. He looked up and smiled at her because it was an attempt to make her laugh but didn’t seem to do the trick.

“He’s also really cranky when he doesn’t see you at night now,” this was much softer said. His voice quiet as he further explained this. “And he bothers me. Called me at one in the morning last night asking if I wanted a porch swing. Do you know he has an online shopping problem? It’s worst when he's upset. He panic-ordered three sets of dishware when you got burned,” he continued. Her heart fluttered at the mention of a porch swing. It shot through her like a bolt of electricity. That was because of her. She knew it. But Niall’s attempt still got him not even a smirk. “You should probably go after him,” he smiled at her sadly once more. “You need to talk to him.”

She shook her head. “He won’t forgive me.”

Niall rolled his eyes again. “Would you forgive him if this whole crazy scenario was reversed?”

She looked at her feet because she wouldn’t even need to forgive him. It would be a non-issue. “I see why Harry made you his sous-chef around here,” she muttered...because yes, of course she would. Probably before he even tried to apologize, at that.

“I knew there was a reason,” he winked at her. “Have a lovely weekend, darling,” he said going back to the documents on his desk.

“Are you sure?” She whispered after a moment.

“He loves you. I promise.”

“But all the other interns...the...companions. I’d be no different falling all over him.”

“He fell for you long before you did,” he told her simply.

She swallowed, blushing at the notion. Her stomach flipped with hope. “Do you know he went to the funeral?” She whispered.

Niall frowned because he didn’t know that, but he did know that had to hurt her. He looked back up to meet her gaze and he smiled gently at her. “Another reason you should yell at him.”

“You’re a really good friend, Niall,” she rolled her eyes.

“Can’t wait to be one of your best friends, love,” he winked.

She took one more deep breath, hurried over to Niall’s desk. She kissed his cheek as he worked. He smiled. “Sorry I’m taking your job,” she whispered to him.

He threw his head back a bit and laughed. “I’d like to see you try,” but he didn’t mind, really. It would be worth it to have her around.

*

The driver was waiting at the edge of the cemetery. She took her wedges off so she wouldn’t get them covered in dirt as she sat cross-legged on the ground. She fiddled with the flowers—Eleanor probably planted them. Or maybe even her mom. She was surprised because there weren’t as many weeds pushing through the ground as there should have been—especially when she took notice of the other stones nearby. “I think you’d really like him,” she whispered. Of course, there was no response. “Louis likes him,” she told him. “So...there’s that,” she shrugged. “And he has a porch swing,” she added. “We’re not even together and he still didn’t cheat on me, so he beat the last guy, y’know?” she smirked sadly. “I wish you could’ve met him...”

She paused, looking around the grounds for a moment before she continued. “If you look, you can see a car over there, yeah? That poor man has to follow me everywhere because Harry doesn’t want me to get stuck without a ride in inclement weather or something,” she whispered, smiled sadly. “I’m so in love with him, I swear I can feel it in the atoms of my heart,” her eyes watered. “I gave him all the money back. I want him to know that I’m not...I don’t want money. I just want him,” she told him. “I know you would probably hate the idea of me being in love with anyone...but at least I waited until college...poor El stuck with Louis for the rest of her life,” she sighed as if it really were a tragedy. But it wasn’t. She loved Eleanor and Louis so much.

“Niall said he’s really bad at golf though, so you could still make fun of him about something,” she let out a watery laugh. “I miss you...so much,” she whispered. “I hope Dad is happy again,” she glanced over at the nearby plot of land. “He missed you,” she sniffled. “We all miss you,” her voice cracked. “Okay...I’m gonna go grovel for forgiveness, now,” she said. “I’ll see you soon,” she kissed two of her fingers and pressed them over his name before getting off the ground, brushing the dirt off, and headed for the car.

“Are you alright, Miss?” He asked with the utmost concern. He was opening the door for her as she approached.

She nodded, sniffling, and wiping her eyes. “For now,” she sighed. “Can you bring me to Harry’s?” She asked.

*

Harry didn’t want to answer the door. But whoever was on the other side knocked, then rang the doorbell. Knocked again. Doorbell again. Persistent.

If it was Niall coming to console him, he was going to kill him, simple as that. “For fucks sake,” he grumbled marching to the door in an angry fit. “Niall, y’made me leave early, and I did. What d’you want?” He snapped loud enough to hear through the door before ripping it out of the way.

She flinched at his harsh tone. Her eyes were puffy and red. She looked so defeated as she turned her gaze to the ground. His heart hammered against his ribs in total shock that she was there. Left him utterly speechless. “I know this is stupid...” she started. “I’m sorry. It’s not enough because you deserve so much more than sorry. It’s never going to be enough, but I am so... very sorry. I was...” she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what I was. What I said was so hurtful and so untrue. You have to believe that,” she was staring at her feet while she spoke. “Harry,” her voice cracked, and she was so worried it wasn’t enough. He didn’t make any noise and she was certain if he didn’t forgive her, she would die in that spot. “I know you didn’t mean anything by what you did other than to help me. But I don’t accept help very well... in case it wasn’t obvious. Especially when it comes to something like...my career or my...past,” she explained. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you; I shouldn’t have said such awful things and I would time travel back to that moment and slap myself for even thinking about speaking to you like that. It was horrible,” she shook her head. “I’ll beg every day for as long as you want if you’ll forgive me,” she whispered. “I am—”

Harry pulled her into his arms suddenly, one arm around her waist, the other snaking up her back to hold the back of her head. He clutched her against him as tightly as he could without hurting her or inhibiting her breathing. “You were already forgiven,” he murmured breathing deeply into her hair. He kissed the side of her face. She released a long breath and buried her face against the side of his neck.

“You shouldn’t give in so easily,” she sniffled clinging back to him like he was a buoy. Of course, he kept her afloat.

“I’ll yell at you later if that’ll make you feel better.”

She nodded. “It really would.”

He smiled, kissed the side of her head again. Harry wouldn’t yell at her if his life depended on it. “I jus’ want t’take care of you,” he promised. “That’s it.”

“I know, you told me that first day you messaged me.” He smirked thinking about how a year ago, she wasn’t in his mind at all. He didn’t even know she existed. Now, he thought about spending one second without her beside him and it seemed like full-blown torture. “Louis said I take care of everyone else because the last time someone cared about me, they died,” she said bluntly. “Seven years of therapy and Louis was the only one who said it,” she muttered. Harry was glad she was tucked below his chin because he couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. It was incredible she could make a joke in even the saddest of circumstances. She took a shivering, heaving breath. Harry tried to pull back so he could see her, but she squeezed him in place. Like she didn’t want to say it while looking at him. He nodded in encouragement for her to continue. “People will know if you hire me. You’d literally be making a position for me. And so… I thought if I got a job elsewhere... we could…” she swallowed the lump in her throat. She tucked her face deeper in his shoulder. “I…uh...”

He pulled back this time and didn’t stop when she tried to hold him in place. He pressed his hand to the side of her face and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Thought we could be a real couple?” He asked softly.

Her cheeks turned red as ever and she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered.

He didn’t pause for even half a second. He didn’t want her to make her feel embarrassed or worried about anything regarding their future. “Kitten, m’so in love with you, I don’t care if we tell the entire world. I don’t care if everyone knows or if no one knows. All that matters t’me is that I love you so much.”

Her eyes watered and her heart melted. She didn’t know how to tell him she loved him so much it hurt but he said it so beautifully and without a care. She didn’t know how to articulate it as perfectly as he did. “They should really put a warning on that site about how you may accidentally find your soul mate.”

He managed to smile this time for just a mere moment as she spoke; his heart skipped beats waiting for her to say she loved him back. While she didn’t say it exactly as he thought she would (but when did she ever do what he expected?), it was exactly what he wanted her to say and meant just as much if not even more.

Then he kissed her so deeply he thought he might bruise her lips. But if he did, he thought she might not even mind.

*

Harry lifted her legs, so they were wrapped around his hips. He carried her all the way to the kitchen, pausing only to kick the door closed. He settled her on the counter and started looking for some medicine. He didn’t ask if her head hurt because the redness in her eyes told him it was aching.

“You have t’take the money back,” Harry said leaning down to take her shoes off as she swallowed the medicine. He tossed them toward the TV room. “I shattered a lamp over it,” he stood back up and kissed her again on the forehead.

 “Niall told me,” she smirked at him. He stood between her knees.

“Can’t have any secrets with him,” Harry muttered.

She giggled and Harry pressed his lips to hers again then pulled back so he could hold her face between his hands. He smiled at her with a shake of his head. “God, you’re beautiful,” he mumbled.

“Mm... the bloodshot eyes? The tired dark circles? The gray skin? That does it for you?”

“M-hmm,” he pressed his nose along the side of her face inhaling the mixture of her hair and soap. He didn’t cater to her insults to herself. “Take the money back,” he mumbled into her ear and pressed a series of kisses down the length of her neck. She shook her head trying to ignore the dizziness she felt from his lips on her skin. “Please kitten,” he was begging. Objectively, it was adorable. But she couldn’t accept it.

“Baby, you can’t pay me a salary, pay my student loans, and let me live here all—”

“You’re going t’live here?” He pulled back from her neck suddenly with a sparkle in his eyes that made it look like he was a little kid. Like it was Christmas, and he was getting the sled he asked for.

Her face was definitely not gray at that moment. She was completely blushing almost beyond recognition at her mistaken words. She shook her head quickly, trying to backtrack (uselessly). “No! I meant the apartment! I didn’t say that—”

“Please, please, please,” he now for sure, full-on begged. “Please live here, kitten.”

Her heart fluttered and she bit her lip trying to recover from how much she had revealed by accident. “Well...what am I supposed to do with all my great IKEA furniture?” She asked.

He rolled his eyes and pressed his face back into her neck. She wrapped her arms and legs around him clinging to him. “Throw it out, of course.”

“You’re so mean.”

He nodded against her and sighed, so happy she was there. So happy she was all his. “The meanest,” he assented. “Please live here,” he mumbled kissing the curve where her shoulder and neck met.

“You do have a porch swing,” she amended verbally but as if she were weighing the consideration in her head. His lips on her skin had such an effect on her it was hard to stand her ground or concentrate on joking around with him about the idea. “Speaking of—Niall told me you asked if he wanted one. Are you getting a new one or someth—what’s that?” She asked, glancing out the window as she spoke. She pushed him away immediately, rushing outside. She stood on his porch in total shock staring at his newest purchase before she turned back to him with a curious expression.

He followed behind her and stood in the doorway. “You said you would sleep out here if you could,” he shrugged. “I thought I’d make it possible...in case you ever came back.”

Where her favorite porch swing used to hang, was now a spacious, gorgeous, porch bed with so many pillows, so many blankets, and it nearly looked comfier than her lovely mattress back at the apartment. Her eyes watered and she swallowed so hard because she knew she had said that nearly three months ago in passing. And he remembered. So even when she wasn’t speaking to him, it was enough that he did something for her without knowing if she’d really be back. “You are something else, Harry.”

“Wait till y’see my new canopy bed,” he smirked feeling his cheeks warm at her compliment. Her heart nearly stopped because the canopy was mentioned almost nine months ago and the idea that he remembered anything from nine months ago was...well it was very Harry and very perfect.

“Baby, I love you and your impulse shopping so very much,” she whispered unable to look away from that beautiful reminder of how much he adored her. It made her feel so light that he cared for her so much. Now that he did, it was hard to imagine not feeling like this ever again.

Harry had other ideas though. He twisted her so quickly, her breath caught in her throat. He turned her back to face him and not the new bed. One arm wrapped around her waist, and he brought his other hand to her cheek in the one instant that she couldn’t even stumble because Harry had such a tight hold on her. He smiled at her, as if he was just told he won the lottery. Truly, he felt like he did. “Say it again,” he mumbled pressing his forehead to hers, his lips almost brushing hers as he spoke. She smiled shyly, the heat coming from her cheek warmed Harry’s hand.

“Say what? I love you?” She asked looping her arms loosely around his neck. He nodded silently and kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you,” she grinned so cutely Harry thought he would burst.

“Again,” he mumbled smiling as he carefully squeezed around her waist to lift her just so her toes hovered above the ground. She giggled.

“I love you.”

He kissed her left cheek. “More,” he inched toward the new outdoor bed.

“I love you,” she whispered, giggling more at his sweet request as he kissed her right cheek.

“Again,” he repeated.

“I love you, so, so much Harry Styles,” she whispered, holding his face between her hands, and Harry laid her back on the bed and kissed her again, fully on the lips with no intention of leaving that space for the rest of the weekend. Or until she asked to go see the canopy bed.

Whatever she wanted.

--

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[rainbowmoonstonestories]

Why The Caged Bird Sings | Chapter 7

Chapters: 7/? Fandom: One Piece (Liveaction) Rating: Explicit Relationships Vinsmoke Sanji x F!Reader Characters: Vinsmoke Sanji, Patty, Red Leg Zeff, Original Characters, Strawhat crew. Warnings: 18+ content (minors DNI), explicit sexual content, minor POV switching. Summary: One night, you were brought to the luxurious Baratie Restaurant Ship, renowned for its exceptional cuisine that your family had been intrigued to sample. A particular blond and comely waiter captured your attention with his charming smile and gentle eyes, but while your beauty and sophistication intrigued him, Sanji also observed the profound nervousness that caused your jaw and body muscles to tense whenever your fiancé made contact with your hand or your parents delivered a humiliating criticism towards you. One dinner at the Baratie soon turned into a recurring event, and then more. As your friendship with Sanji slowly evolved into something that burned from within, you strove to make your longstanding dream come true; freeing yourself from a constricting existence. ------------------------- As Sanji looked at you curiously, the gentle smile never leaving his face, you asked him, "Do you know why the caged bird sings?" He thought about it for a moment before answering, "Because it has a song to give?" You chuckled at his response and shook your head. "You're not entirely wrong, but no."

Divider by firefly-graphics

Feel free to read this on AO3 if it is more comfortable for you due to its length. I only ask to support me with a like and reblog if you enjoy my work. ☺️

Tagging: @nerium21

Author's note: At last, the new chapter is complete. I apologize for the delay, but I strive to maintain high standards. Recent life events have slowed my progress considerably, and I remain committed to prioritizing quality over quantity. I don't want to deliver a mediocre product solely to keep my stories updated monthly.

The steamy content continues from the previous update, but I included a bit more action this time around to make things a little more interesting and less repetitive. I don't expect the story to go on much longer, perhaps two or three more chapters until its conclusion. Nevertheless, you can expect to see more smut and romantic themes, along with some minor drama and introspection.

Warning: This chapter includes detailed SMUT!

Your first night with Sanji was the best moment of your life, his care and adoration filling your heart in a way you never thought conceivable. Balancing your relationship with work shifts and random incidents at the restaurant presented obstacles, but Sanji was the kind of man worth keeping by your side.

Sanji nestled atop you, cradling your smaller form close while dotting your cheek with tender kisses. The juxtaposition was striking—his gentle care allowing you to recover and regain your senses, while the unmistakable evidence of his arousal pressed insistently against you. His ability to contain such intense desire without complaint or seeking relief seemed almost superhuman.

Your arms encircled his back, your forehead resting against his shoulder. As your breathing steadied, you inhaled a delightful blend of aromas: shampoo and sea salt mingled faintly with familiar kitchen smoke. His skin, warm and smooth as silk, exuded a refined scent of soap and cologne, with subtle notes of tobacco and sandalwood.

Despite his obvious desire, Sanji remained still, content to simply be near you as your breathing steadied. His lovable nature shone through, and—contrary to his earlier statement—he would have released you and stepped back immediately had you asked, even if it meant finding relief alone.

Fortunately, you were so enthralled by him and keen to reciprocate that you couldn't bring yourself to do something so unbearably cruel.

"Sanji," you whispered into his ear. "You can release me now."

He stayed put, savoring the scent of your hair. “Should I do that? ‘Cause right now I feel like I could hold you for the rest of my life.”

You chuckled softly. "I can't say I mind, but it seems you could use a hand... quite literally, in fact."

He laughed gently, his eyes locking onto yours with a wide smile. “Don’t concern yourself with me, beautiful. This is all about you.”

“Seriously, Sanji? Come on. I’m not just going to lie here and let you do all the work for my sake.”

He shook his head resolutely. "You deserve everything. Allow me to take care of you."

You lost track of how many times your heart had dropped and soared again. How could one man possess such an immense heart, as vast and deep as the ocean beyond? Given your father's cruelty and the pervasive masculine arrogance you'd endured, you never imagined finding such a rare treasure during what you had expected to be one of the most harrowing outings.

Sighing happily, you took his face between your hands, brushing his blond strands aside. "You've done that every single day since I first arrived at the Baratie. You always take care of me, Sanji, even when I'm unaware of it. So, just this once, would you allow me to do the same for you? Please?"

He ducked his head shyly, unable to hide his beaming expression of pride. When was the last time someone had lovingly pampered him?

“Is that what you want, Y/N?”

"Yes. This isn't just about me; it's about us. You've held back long enough. Let me help you."

Until that moment, neither of you had ever been part of an "us”. The word felt unfamiliar yet perfectly fitting, as if it had been waiting for this moment to reveal its true meaning.

Sanji's lips met yours in a deep, passionate kiss as he shifted to give you more room. With gentle guidance, you eased him onto the pillows, positioning his hands at his sides. Wordlessly, he followed your lead, his eyes never leaving yours as he settled onto the mattress.

Your fingertips traced his collarbones, skimmed over his chest, and followed every sculpted contour of his muscles. As you caressed Sanji's abs, they tensed beneath your touch, drawing a shaky exhale from the cook. His hands clutched the sheets tightly, lips pressed together, and Adam's apple bobbing visibly.

"You truly showed extraordinary restraint for me," you said, kissing his chin. "You didn't need to, you adorable man."

Sanji's eyes sparkled with unbridled joy, his smile broadening to reveal a dazzling set of pearly whites. "You merit nothing less than complete respect."

"Well then, allow me to express my gratitude to my chivalrous knight in shining armor."

A genuine, harmonious laugh filled the room as the two of you surrendered to the pure happiness that had blossomed between your hearts. You snuggled up beside him, trailing kisses along his shoulder as your hand journeyed down his torso, finally reaching the snug elastic of his briefs. The sight before you was incredibly seductive; the plush tip of his erection peeked out from beneath the fabric, straining against its confines as if ready to burst free at any moment.

Your mind flooded with ideas of what you wanted to do: touch it, kiss it, lick it, engulf it entirely with your mouth until not an inch remained exposed.

You mentally doused yourself with a cold shower, determined not to appear overeager. Sanji had shown exceptional care and attentiveness. You longed to reciprocate, offering him the same devoted and gentle treatment he'd bestowed upon you.

With delicate precision, you traced the outline of his arousal through the cotton fabric, relishing the soft gasp of pleasure that escaped his lips. You repeated the motion, increasing pressure and broadening your touch, encircling his length and sliding upward. A tiny, glistening bead formed at the tip, shimmering like a diamond in the moonlight.

He breathed your name with a desperate, pleading whisper, "Y/N..."

“How does that feel?”

"Oh, it's incredible," he replied, breathless. "Absolutely incredible."

"I have to say, you look like a masterpiece."

“Nah, I'm finding it impossible to take my eyes off you right now.”

His cerulean eyes darted back and forth, absorbing every detail as your hand worked wonders on his most sensitive area. Unwilling to miss a single detail, from the gentle bite of your lower lip to the sparkle in your eyes, and the way your fingers expertly teased his covered hardness. Your touch alternated between gentle squeezes and feather-light strokes, enticing and tantalizing.

“How is it possible for you to be so many things at once?” you mused aloud. "Handsome, sweet, loyal, and caring—not to mention skilled in the kitchen, on the battlefield, and in bed. Honestly, such a combination should be illegal."

Your compliment made him bashful again, yet he couldn't help but find your remark amusing. "You always know just what to say to make me the happiest man alive."

“Well, I suppose your influence has rubbed off on me.”

His smile gave way to a desperate groan as your hand continued its ministrations. With slow, purposeful strokes, you massaged his shaft from base to tip in a rhythmic movement. Sanji surrendered to the sensation, his eyes fluttering closed as his erection pulsed and twitched the more you toyed with it.

Emboldened by your mounting desire, you glided your fingers past the waistband of his underwear, making direct contact with his sensitive glans. Sanji's hips bucked involuntarily, his pelvis jerking as his breathing became labored and shallow.

Pushing his undergarment down his sides, but not fully removing it, you enveloped his bare tip with your hand. You pumped it delicately, struck by its silky texture against your palm, incredibly flushed and engorged.

It was all-consuming, yet still left you wanting more.

Unable to restrain your impulses any longer, you tugged his briefs down completely, revealing his full erection and feeling the firm muscles of his legs as you went. Your eyes lingered, drinking in his magnificent, nude form, his length standing proud and commanding as it bobbed slightly at the sudden freedom.

You became unstoppable, as ravenous as someone who had been starved for a lifetime. Gripping the base, you slid your hand up to the tip before stroking back down, establishing a regular tempo with increasing speed. Sanji's eyes locked onto your hand, gazing intently as you caressed every nerve and ridge along his length. It was the most sensual, beautiful scene you had ever witnessed, both of you utterly devoted to pleasuring each other in the most exquisite ways.

Never before had you felt so compelled to touch a man, to be so forward and cast aside all your inhibitions for him. Sanji possessed the remarkable ability to reveal hidden facets of your personality, aspects you hadn't even realized existed within yourself.

He whispered your name like an endless prayer, softly repeating it as he took your wrist to halt your attentions. His body ached for you to continue, the urgent pulsing in his hardness growing more insistent. His furrowed brow betrayed his overwhelming need for release—a need that, regrettably, had to be delayed for the two of you to proceed.

“I think you should stop, my lovely. Otherwise I won't last much longer.”

You were torn between two choices. On one hand, you could have persisted indefinitely, aiming to bring him to climax as he had done for you. On the other, the alternative was just as tempting, if not more so.

Ultimately, you realized that waiting for his recovery was not an option your aching body could endure.

You eased your grip on him, attentive to his breathing as he swallowed and swept his hair aside. Reluctant to pause your momentum, you nonetheless allowed him to gracefully reposition himself, his movements fluid and swift. In mere seconds, you ended up on your back once more, with Sanji knelt on the mattress between your parted legs. Your bodies intertwined closely as he teased your sensitive skin with delicate touches, sliding his length along your slick folds to heighten the tension.

“Please tell me that bloody knob never did this with you.”

Intoxicated by your stimulated senses, you struggled to comprehend his words through your passion-clouded mind. As understanding slowly dawned, an unsettling image formed, one you'd rather not entertain.

"If you're referring to my ex-fiancé, absolutely not. I can't even stomach the thought."

Relief washed over Sanji's features, though a glimmer of possessiveness flickered in his eyes. “Sorry, love. I knew you wouldn’t have done that.”

"No, no, I completely understand," you reassured him. "To be honest, I can't bear the idea of you with other women either."

How could you even entertain such a scenario without transforming into a primal, jealous beast?

Sanji's gaze softened at your words, his thumb gently tracing your hairline. "You're the only one I could ever do this with, my lovely."

“You promise?”

His warm breath danced across your face as his voice flowed smooth and sweet as honey. "How could it be any different when you're the only one I want? I may be courteous to all ladies, but you alone hold my heart."

You hummed in contemplation. "There are countless beautiful women out there, indeed. Many of them far more talented than I could ever hope to be."

He furrowed his brow in confusion. "What are you talking about? Of course you’re talented."

"Sure, I can clean, but what else? You're an incredible chef and a skilled fighter. What can I possibly offer someone like you with my limited abilities?"

His tongue darted out, moistening his lower lip as he prepared to speak. "Y/N, you light up a room without even trying.”

“Really?”

"You see me for who I truly am, support my culinary creativity, and inspire me to never lose sight of the All Blue. You could demand anything, and I'd journey to the ends of the earth to get it for you."

Tears welled in your eyes as you cupped his cheek, your smile radiating pure adoration. "The world is truly fortunate to have you in it."

His emotions coalesced, forming a lump in his throat that he quickly swallowed. "I'm the lucky one to have you in mine."

“Aw.”

Laughter bubbled up between you again, filling the cabin with a joyous melody as your lips met in a series of affectionate kisses. Your bodies and souls merged together like two halves of a whole finally reunited, your tongues melded in a passionate dance that you wished could last forever.

Sanji's arousal brushed against your clit, now even more sensitive yet still exquisitely responsive. He persisted relentlessly, rocking his hips back and forth to build a delicious anticipation.

As he slipped his left arm under your head, you felt the tip of his length begin to penetrate you, your bodies poised on the precipice of intimate union.

He paused, feeling the gentle resistance of your lower lips enveloping him. "If I cause you any discomfort—"

“You won’t.”

His smile grew, even wider than before. “But should that happen, let me know and I’ll stop right away, okay?”

With just a few heartfelt words, Sanji could make you feel as if you were floating through the heavens, weightless and euphoric.

"Okay. But please, don't stop now, I really need you."

Your personality had transformed dramatically, as if you had suddenly awakened from a lifelong nightmare that had ensnared you since birth. For the first time, you felt truly liberated to become your authentic self, embracing a future with the one man who had made this metamorphosis possible.

Sanji's heart swelled at your sincere, unguarded words. “All right, sweetheart. Are you ready?”

"I've been ready for you my whole life."

Sanji advanced, gripping the base of his hardness with one hand, his breath hot and heavy against your cheek. “Oh, beautiful. The things you say to me.”

You felt him enter slowly, stretching and filling you perfectly. Even halfway in, ecstasy consumed you, your eyes closing in in sheer pleasure. A faint burning sensation accompanied the initial intrusion, but it quickly faded as you adjusted to his presence inside.

Sanji let out a deep, primal groan, luxuriating in the feeling of your walls embracing him, far surpassing his wildest fantasies. Gathering his resolve, he delivered a final, powerful thrust, driving his length as deep as it could go.

It was toe-curling, the experience sending waves of euphoria through your form and leaving you utterly breathless.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly, tracing your cheekbone with the back of his index finger. His other hand clutched the pillow fabric beneath your head, which rested in the crook of his elbow. His fingers curled tightly, knuckles whitening with nervous excitement.

“I’m great,” you replied, your voice catching. “I need you to move. Please.”

Sanji drew a sharp breath as your walls contracted, gripping him even tighter. He withdrew slightly, then plunged back in, igniting a dazzling display of fireworks behind your eyes. Repeating the action, he maintained a slow yet precise and powerful pace, losing himself in your soft moans and the wet sounds that filled the space around you.

You noticed his struggle to keep his voice steady, breathing deeply through his nose and straining his throat when pleasure peaked. Fortunately, your cabin was situated far enough from the other quarters that your colleagues were unlikely to overhear your nocturnal activities.

"You feel wonderful, sweetheart," he whispered, his lips brushing your ear. "I wish I could stay like this forever, but I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out."

You entwined your legs around his waist, your lips fusing in a devouring kiss. "Honestly, I'm right there with you."

Your hips moved in perfect synchronization with his, his fully engorged tip striking your G-spot with unerring precision. The cabin echoed with erotic sounds that bordered on indecent, yet they only caused your clit and inner walls to throb with escalated desperation for release. He shuddered, gritting his teeth and pressing his lips into a thin line, before parting them to let out a series of deep groans—each one a symphony etched into your memory.

You whimpered, moaning his name as your fingers tangled in his hair. He slowed his pace, attempting to regain focus and steady his breathing.

Sanji was robust, well-trained, and ready for any physical challenge. His stamina was undeniably impressive, but despite his rigorous exercise regimen, nothing had truly prepared him for something so incredibly gratifying and positively heavenly. The way he touched you, brought you to orgasm, and made love to you highlighted his expertise.

Sanji quickened his tempo, surprising you with a sudden, gentle flick of your nipple. His fingertip traced lightly over the sensitive bud before his hand cupped your entire breast, holding it with a soft yet firm grasp.

"Ngh… shit," you gasped, your voice barely above a whisper.

Concern for your well-being immediately arose as he heard your exclamation. "I'm sorry, love. Is this too much?"

“No! Don’t stop, I—ahh—need more.”

A mischievous glint gleamed in his eyes as he savored your eagerness. His lips curled into a playful smile, brimming with unbridled exhilaration. “More?”

“Yes.”

Emboldened by your response, Sanji carefully withdrew his arm from beneath your head, gently resting it on the pillow. He straightened, securing your right thigh around his waist, and drove into you with renewed vigor.

“You’re so beautiful,” he reiterated. “You’re driving me wild.”

Choking back a moan, you replied, "Then promise me you'll never turn away."

His eyes shimmered as he leaned in, touching his forehead to yours. With deliberate care, he moved slowly yet forcefully, each precise thrust reaching your core.

As he continued caressing your breast, the sensation transcended the physical realm. It felt as if he were embracing your very essence, his touch reaching directly into your heart.

“Turn my back and let another man take you from me? That’s never going to happen.”

“You’re not talking about Patty again, are you?”

“My lovely, any man would be mesmerized by your eyes alone.”

How could he view you with such reverence, regarding you as the most captivating woman across all the seas?

“No one could ever compete with you,” you clarified.

"Oh, I'd send them flying off the Baratie with a single kick."

You chortled. "Sure, but that's not exactly what I was trying to say."

The ardent look on his face transformed into something else as he halted his movements. “I know. I have complete faith in you. Your sweetness, the way you look at me like I’m the only man around."

Sanji’s adoration was something you’d always perceived, but hearing it spoken so earnestly made it undeniably real.

And without question, he was indeed the only man in existence meant for you.

“You give me hope,” he continued. “You give me everything.”

"Sanji..." you began. Your voice quivered with emotion, words cut short by a sudden kiss. The pulsing of his manhood inside you sent shivers of rapture rippling up your spine, obliterating any ability to speak.

You smiled as a tear rolled down your cheek, which he promptly wiped away with his thumb. “No one has ever said anything like that to me.”

"I'll spend every second proving myself to you," he declared with steadfast determination. “No one will ever take you from me. Not now, not ever.”

What appeared as possessiveness was, in fact, Sanji's deepest insecurity laid bare. This principled man, who had journeyed far from his roots, harbored the same fear that had haunted you for weeks—the dread of losing him to other women and your love going unrequited. This fear had planted a seed of doubt in his heart, which was now beginning to sprout, revealing his vulnerabilities.

And now, hearing his confession, you felt a sense of love and protectiveness. He was your anchor in the chaotic world you navigated daily, the one person who brought you peace amid the storm of your life as a former slave.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him close for another kiss. His hands glided down from your breasts, tracing the curves of your sides, as a contented hum vibrated against your lips.

Without another word, Sanji resumed his lovemaking, thrusting in and out of you with even more zeal than before. It felt unparalleled, evoking the thrill and wonder of a first-time experience.

He altered his position repeatedly, holding you in myriad ways that left you certain you'd be walking funny around the kitchen the next day. You met his thrusts halfway, stars bursting behind your eyes as he lavished attention on your neck, teased your nipples, and stimulated your clitoris anew.

“Sanji, I… ngh… I think I’m close.”

“Me too, my lovely. This feels so good.”

His hot breath tickled your ear as his voice rumbled with a cacophony of low growls. The bed's creaking joined the private chorus, and you silently hoped the sounds wouldn't carry through the ship's quiet night.

“Ah!—”

"I'm right here, sweetheart. Let go. I want to feel it all."

As his thumb rapidly flicked your clit, your legs spreading wide, a new wave of bliss engulfed you. You felt submerged in a sea of gratification, your nerves quivering and tensing, your hips bucking and spasming guided by his touch.

It took several moments for you to descend from the euphoric heights he sent you to for the second time, your entire body trembling with residual pleasure as your legs turned to jelly and the warmth in your abdomen gradually dissipated.

Sanji, ever attentive to your needs, followed shortly after. His own climax built rapidly as your inner walls clenched around his throbbing length. Within moments, he finally reached his coveted peak, his entire form tensing above you. To muffle his passionate cries, he buried his face in the crook of your neck, his lips grazing your skin as he let out a series of guttural moans. You felt his powerful back muscles ripple and quiver, his hands closing into fists against the sheets.

To say Sanji was in total ecstasy would be an understatement. He collapsed onto you, his weight carefully distributed to avoid causing discomfort as you embraced him. His manhood continued to pulse intermittently even after he withdrew, softening and relaxing, until it returned to its natural state and rested gently against his thigh.

He presented a satisfied sight as he rolled onto his back, keeping you close with an arm draped around your shoulder.

“That was amazing," you whispered, still catching your breath.

Sanji's face beamed with genuine elation, equally exhausted but nonetheless satisfied. “Yeah?”

“Mhmh.”

Curling up against his chest, you felt his heart's rapid beating as his fingers traced intricate patterns on your upper arm. His lips embarked on a tender journey, placing soft kisses on your forehead, nose bridge, and cheekbone before concluding with a gentle peck on your upper lip.

"Stay with me," you murmured, your eyes meeting his. "I don't want you to leave."

"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't tear myself away from you, beautiful."

As he pulled the bed covers over your entwined bodies, you rested your leg across his and exhaled contentedly. "This is the most incredible night of my life,” you confided. “I needed you to know that."

He nuzzled your hair, his fingers gently squeezing your arm. "The best," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and blissful fulfillment.

Wrapped in each other's embrace, you drifted towards slumber. The gentle lull of waves against the ship's sides created a tranquil melody, while moonlight softly illuminated your peaceful faces through the window. His breathing settled, his chest rising and falling in a steady cadence. Every so often, he'd plant a tender kiss on your forehead, a gentle reminder of his devotion for you.

You were cradled in a sea of unconditional love, one you never imagined could exist in your life.

Waking up next to someone in your bed felt surreal. The warmth of Sanji’s skin against yours, the intimate closeness, and the soothing sound of his breathing created a symphony of sensations that made you feel truly alive. Throughout the night, you had repositioned yourself onto your left side, and Sanji had instinctively followed, molding his body to yours.

As your eyes opened, your cabin was already bathed in the familiar orange and golden hues of dawn. Blinking repeatedly to clear the fog of sleep, you gradually adjusted to the early morning light.

Your gaze settled on Sanji's right hand in front of you, his arm laid gently over your shoulder. You smiled, gazing at his silver ring, admiring the finely crafted details. The Baratie skull symbol stood out, meticulously carved into the precious metal.

Although you longed to bask in this moment indefinitely, the reality of your situation demanded immediate action. Sanji's presence alone posed a significant risk, and you both had responsibilities at the restaurant to attend to within the hour. The last thing you needed was Zeff bellowing at him again for being late, and potentially holding you accountable for his tardiness.

Reluctantly, you stirred and pushed yourself up, trying to be as discreet as possible. Yet, the moment you attempted to move his arm away, Sanji reached out from behind, tugging you back against his chest with a soft exhale into your hair.

"Sanji," you coaxed, gently rousing him. "We need to get ready."

"Mmm. Good morning, beautiful. Just a few more minutes."

You chuckled, shaking your head. "Come on, I mean it. We really can't risk oversleeping."

You turned between his arms, finally meeting his face again. His eyes were half-lidded, and his lips curved into a smile that rivaled the sun's radiance outside. His tousled hair only added to his breathtaking handsomeness, giving him that rebellious look that simply enhanced his authenticity.

"Don't tempt me too much," you playfully chided. "Otherwise I'll never be able to leave this room again."

His lips found your cheek, grazing it lightly before seeking your mouth with loving urgency. The kiss was brief and delicate, yet it filled you with an extraordinary energy, empowering you to confront any obstacle life might present.

"You're so beautiful and sweet that I'd hold you for the rest of the day, making love to you until our bodies give out."

You giggled with delight. "Tempting. Again. But as great as that sounds, I'd rather not face Zeff's wrath."

His expression flickered with defiance. "Screw the old shitbag."

"You know that's not an option."

With another quick kiss to his lips, you extricated yourself from his arms. This time, Sanji acquiesced, loosening his hold and watching as you slid the sheets aside. Your naked form basked in the warm light, his jaw clenching as your figure's graceful contours ignited thoughts he knew he ought to suppress for the time being.

You reached for a silky robe draped over a nearby chair, slipping it on and cinching the belt around your waist. As you gathered your clothes, you stole another glance at Sanji, the sight of his muscular chest sending unbidden shivers straight to your core. The way his skin glistened in the soft morning light, his eyes sparkled like sunlight on the ocean, and the mattress cradled his form as the sheets draped perfectly around his waist...

"For heaven's sake, Y/N," you admonished yourself internally. "Pull yourself together and stop gawking."

Taking a steadying breath, you padded to the bathroom door, one hand holding the front of your robe closed. As you caught sight of your reflection in the mirror, you stifled a groan of dismay. Your forgotten makeup was slightly smudged beneath your eyes, and your hair was a wild tangle, resembling a windswept bird's nest after a tempest. How could he find you remotely attractive in such a disheveled state?

With his keen perception, you weren't surprised when Sanji's voice drifted from behind the wall. “Is everything all right, my lovely?”

"No, I look dreadful," you sighed, frowning at your visage. "I forgot to take off my makeup last night."

The rustling of bedcovers and the soft whisper of fabric signaled his movement, followed by the sound of his trousers being zipped up. "If this is what you consider dreadful, I'd be curious to see you try and look bad on purpose. ‘Cause I doubt you ever could."

You smiled warmly. "Thanks, but I'd better wash this off before someone thinks I've been in a boxing match all night."

His melodious laughter filled the air, wrapping around you like a warm cocoon. It transformed the moment into a cozy, intimate scene, making everything feel wonderfully natural and just right.

He strode across the wooden planks—already dressed but sans tie, his shirt buttons casually undone at the collar—his fingers combing through his hair. "Anyone who dares lay a finger on you won't live to see another day."

Cleaning your face with a wet cotton disc, you flashed a playful grin. "Right, what was it again? 'A rule that's existed since the age of dinosaurs'?"

His arms encircled your shoulders as he nuzzled the flushed skin of your neck, his nose tracing a gentle path along its curve. “Yeah.”

Sanji remained composed yet affectionate, sliding his hands down to your elbows and intertwining his fingers with yours. His ability to infuse every action with poetic grace astounded you.

The mirror reflected an almost dreamlike image of you two together. It was remarkable how quickly you had discovered such profound happiness and sincere love with someone who had only recently become part of your life.

"You're always beautiful. Whether you're bare-faced or made up, in your uniform or dressed for a night out, or just wrapped in a robe at dawn. That's simply who you are."

You melted against him, arching your neck and turning to capture his lips in a delicate, whisper-soft kiss, your palm cupping his cheek. "Your kindness never ceases to amaze me."

"I'm truthful, my lovely. You could walk out with seaweed in your hair, and I'd still find you more breathtaking than a sunrise over the Grand Line."

How could anyone hold such enduring adoration for another person? It was moving and unbelievable, something you had always considered unrealistic. And yet, here you stood, living proof of its reality.

He tilted his head, admiring you as if committing every detail to memory. “I wouldn’t change a thing about how you look right now. Not one bit.”

Your knees weakened, nearly causing you to collapse. "You make me want to trust every word you say about me."

"Then I'll keep reminding you of your blinding beauty until you finally believe me."

With that, you welcomed the new day in the most enchanting, thrilling, and delectable manner imaginable, until you regretfully parted ways to attend to your respective morning routines, secluded from watchful eyes.

Composing yourself in front of him at work was going to be the greatest challenge yet, particularly due to the noticeable ache and twinge in your muscles, evident in the way you walked.

You fervently hoped your newfound gait wouldn't attract unwanted attention, but if given the choice, you would gladly relive that night again and again. Making love with Sanji was worth every ache, every moment of lost sleep, every tousled strand, and every trace of smeared makeup on your face.

Indeed, it was worth more than the entire world combined.

Arriving at work with Sanji's scent clinging to you would have been highly inappropriate for both your position and his. You entered the dining room only after meticulously cleaning yourself, ensuring your appearance was impeccable and bore no trace of your intimate escapade.

Sanji emerged looking immaculate, his hair neatly styled and his skin exuding a captivating aroma of fresh shower gel. The subtle, meaningful glances you shared were impossible to overlook. You sensed it wouldn't be long before Patty—or perhaps even Zeff and the entire team—would discern the truth about your relationship.

The day unfolded as usual, with a steady stream of customers filling the Baratie and keeping the kitchen in constant motion. Fatigue settled in, the result of your scant sleep making itself known. As your shift neared its end, you battled to stifle a series of yawns while wiping down counters and polishing tableware. Your feet felt leaden, and your muscles ached in protest as you moved methodically around the room.

When you and Sanji found yourselves alone again, he seized the private moment to plant a soft kiss on your cheek as he passed. This simple gesture instantly brightened your face with joy, briefly dispelling your mounting weariness.

Being with him was truly extraordinary. If not for your exhaustion, you would have eagerly pulled him into your room for an encore of the previous night's amorous rendezvous. You resisted the urge, albeit with difficulty, as vivid and not so modest memories of your time together flooded your mind.

Sanji, ever understanding, found contentment in simply being in your company. Noticing the dark circles under your eyes and your frequent, unconscious sighs, he gently urged you to rest. Though retreating to your quarters alone felt almost sacrilegious, you recognized the importance of acting responsibly, both for your own well-being and your duties at the Baratie.

You kissed him on the lips, an action he immediately reciprocated, his arms wrapping around your back. Time seemed to stand still as you remained entwined in each other's arms, your fingers gently woven through his silky hair, savoring the warmth of your prolonged embrace.

Finding the will to disentangle, you hesitantly stepped back. Before pushing the door open, you turned to meet his eyes, which were brimming with adoration as a wide smile graced his features.

As days turned to weeks, your attraction to Sanji intensified, making even short separations during breaks or after work feel almost unbearable. Eventually, you both reached a point where hiding your relationship seemed unnecessary, as everyone on the team became aware of your developing romance. The crew began referring to you as Sanji's girlfriend and him as your boyfriend, a progression neither of you contested or denied.

Although you hadn't formally discussed your relationship status, Sanji's proud smile whenever others referred to you as a couple spoke volumes. You concluded that your bond had naturally evolved into something official, with no formal declaration necessary. Sanji demonstrated his commitment to you daily, especially in your intimate moments together.

He was an affectionate and considerate romantic, yet he transformed into a ravenous lover in the bedroom. He grew more confident as you delved deeper into your lovemaking, fully understanding your openness to his touches, kisses, gentle caresses, and fervent movements. He knew the boundaries he shouldn't cross, ones that he, out of love and respect for you, would never dream of overstepping.

As another month passed, your self-restraint was continually tested. You were determined not to disappoint Zeff, who held you in high esteem—not only as a valuable employee but, more importantly, as a woman deserving the utmost admiration. You were fully committed to your job and consciously avoided displaying excessive affection towards Sanji in front of others. He maintained equal composure, but at times, his gaze alone was enough to jeopardize your focus.

As fate would have it, a new source of adrenaline found its way onto your plate one night, which ironically helped divert your attention from your romantic preoccupation. Since your parents' last visit to the Baratie, things had been relatively peaceful, with only the occasional customer dispute. Nothing Zeff couldn't handle on his own, allowing tensions to quickly dissipate.

As part of your rotating duties, you had taken on the waitress shift instead of your usual kitchen role. The dining hall was bustling, even more crowded than customary, prompting Zeff to kindly request your assistance there. While some patrons proved difficult to manage, you'd honed your ability to project self-assurance and let snide remarks slide off without internalizing them.

The day had progressed seamlessly until you spotted a peculiar individual seated alone at a distant table. The mysterious man was tall and well-built, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a large hooded cape. You felt his eyes piercing through you, as if he could see into your very soul and beyond. However, as you turned back, you dismissed the notion as mere imagination, concluding that he was likely just another patron seeking a meal.

Despite your reservations, you approached the table cautiously, notepad in hand. He remained motionless, barely acknowledging your presence, his hand resting on the table.

"Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Baratie. May I take your order?"

His head barely turned, shifting only a fraction, his expression obscured beneath the hood. "Wine," he murmured. "Your finest vintage, if you please."

"Certainly. What would you like for your main course?"

He hummed thoughtfully, not bothering to glance at the menu. "Steak," he said. "A large cut. Juicy."

"Would you care for any side dishes or appetizers?"

"That will be all for now."

You nodded and jotted down the order, your wrist twinging slightly from overuse.

His rough, guttural voice spoke again before you could turn on your heel and walk away. "Thank you, ma’am."

Most men who looked far less intimidating barely spoke to you, except to demand more courses or drinks with an irritating flick of their fingers. A patron genuinely expressing gratitude to you or any of the waitstaff was as rare as finding a perfectly cooked medium steak elsewhere.

This simple act of politeness seemed to validate the old adage: "Don't judge a book by its cover."

"You're welcome, sir. I'm at your service."

After verifying he had nothing further to say, you observed as he redirected his attention to the empty glass before him. Satisfied, you pivoted and strode back to the kitchen, deftly tearing the order slip from your notepad as you went.

"New order for table 15," you announced crisply.

Patty was the one who took it, a grimace appearing on his face as he read it. "Man's quite pretentious, ey? I hope he's aware of the hefty price tag that comes with such fine dining."

"Somewhat," you replied distractedly, peering through the round porthole on the door. The man sat stock-still, as if carved from stone, seemingly lost in deep meditation.

Sanji, ever attentive to your moods, instantly picked up on your distraction. Abandoning his cooking station, he glided over to you, his hand finding its familiar place on your back as his concerned face met yours. “Is everything all right, my lovely?”

"Yes, it's just... that man at table 15. Do you see him?"

Sanji glanced through the glass, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spotted the man in question. "Did he do anything to you? I'll make sure he regrets it."

You shook your head with a smile. "No, quite the opposite. He was surprisingly nice with me. He’s just a bit strange, though that might not mean anything significant."

"Would you like me to take over serving him instead?"

"No, I can handle it. Besides, I'd never ask you to wait tables."

Sanji gave you a playful wink. "You know I'd move mountains for you."

Patty, witnessing the scene, rolled his eyes skyward as he flipped the food into the pan with a deft motion of his wrist. "Hey, lovebirds," he called out, "if you're finished with your romantic interlude, we've got customers to feed."

You winced, mouthing a sheepish "sorry" to Sanji, who dismissed it with a cheerful grin. "Relax, man. We've got everything under control."

"Yeah, sure. Why don't you go tell that to Zeff?" Patty retorted sarcastically.

"Someday you'll find love too, my friend," Sanji quipped.

As their lighthearted exchange subsided, Sanji resumed his position at the stove. Meanwhile, you carefully chose an exquisite vintage from the restaurant's premium wine collection, reserved for the most discerning customers. Pushing open the kitchen doors, you cast a loving look your boyfriend’s way before returning into the dining room, the requested bottle in hand, ready to be uncorked.

You struggled to pinpoint the source of your unease; was it the man's presence or some vague threat this figure might represent? Your experience at the Baratie had sharpened your intuition, allowing you to detect subtle changes in the atmosphere.

Sanji possessed a magical quality, able to infuse a sense of calm throughout your being whenever anxiety crept in. Regardless of the circumstances, you decided not to dwell on your concerns, still feeling the residual warmth of his touch on your skin.

Good heavens, you absolutely adored your job.

"This is one of our finest wines, I hope it meets your expectations, sir."

The client turned to face you, his obscured eyes focusing on the bottle's label. Interpreting his expression proved daunting, like trying to read a deck of face-down cards.

With a subtle smile, he said, "Quite satisfactory. It will do nicely."

You proceeded to open the bottle, removing its cork and pouring the wine into his glass with gentle precision. Once again, the man remained impassive, his attention fixed on the crimson liquid as it flowed. He seemed acutely aware of his surroundings, his ears perked to catch every rustle and clink while he indirectly scanned each person in the room, taking in every detail.

"Your steak will arrive shortly," you informed him. "Please enjoy your wine."

"Indeed, I shall," he replied in a low voice. "Your service is much appreciated."

With a respectful bow, you excused yourself, ready to return to the kitchen and assist with other patrons' orders while the steak was being prepared. However, you caught sight of a cluster of men seated near the hooded figure, their heads angled in his direction and eyes darting suspiciously. They whispered among themselves, clearly discussing something secretive. Their hands rested on their belts, where weapons—guns and knives—seemed to be holstered and ready to be used. Their appearance was ominous, not quite like menacing pirates, but rather like bounty hunters preparing to pounce.

You were unsure which group posed the greater threat.

No, this wouldn't do. Whatever these men were planning, you couldn't allow them to disrupt the tranquility of dinner time, causing havoc and violating the restaurant's rules. You hurried back to the kitchen, weaving past your colleagues to reach Sanji, maintaining your composure and avoiding unnecessary commotion. Swiftly, he turned off the stove and spun to face you, giving you his undivided attention.

"Something's not right out there," you whispered urgently. "Several men are intently observing the guy at table 15."

Sanji let out an irritated sigh, removing the cloth from his shoulder and walking to the doors. As he observed the scene, you noticed his entire form stiffen, his posture becoming rigid. "You shouldn't be out there," he said firmly.

"What excuse could I give? They're not actually doing anything yet."

Sanji's jaw tightened as he assessed the situation, his eyes flicking between the kitchen and the dining area. Taking a deep breath, he turned back to you; gone was his usual carefree demeanor, replaced by a fierce, protective determination.

"No one will endanger you. Not here, not anywhere." His hand brushed over yours, a silent reassurance, but you sensed the tension coiled within him.

"I won't abandon you to handle this alone, Sanji," you asserted, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "We’re a team, remember?"

Sanji's lips curved into a smile, though his eyes remained serious. "We are. But if things take a turn, promise me you'll let me handle it."

"I promise," you replied, your voice wavering with uncertainty.

Sanji had always been your protector, rescuing you from emotional abuse and an overly aggressive Marine who wanted to marry you solely for your family's status. Now, as your feelings for him deepened and your heart grew more reliant on his presence, you found that same protective instinct blossoming inside you, mirroring his own.

In the past, you might have cowered in fear, feeling ill-equipped to manage any situation that could lead to potential conflict. Now, things were different. You had changed, having become an integral part of Red-Leg Zeff's crew.

Despite Sanji's apprehensions, you persisted with your assigned duties, delivering the remaining orders to patrons until the hooded man's steak was perfectly cooked and awaiting service. The dining hall appeared seemingly tranquil, with no concerning activities worth reporting. The hunter-like men could have simply found the hooded figure as intimidating and unsettling as you initially did, without any actual intent to cause trouble. It was entirely possible that you had accidentally misinterpreted the situation from the beginning, imagining threats that didn't exist.

As it turned out, your intuition was right on the mark.

It wasn't until later that you noticed the group leaving their seats one by one, slowly approaching table 15 with casual indifference. The hooded man had all but devoured his entire steak, nearly gnawing on the bone itself. Unfazed, he sipped the last drops of wine as the strangers effectively blocked any escape route, licking his lips with relish as his fingers twitched subtly against the tablecloth.

"Well, well, if it isn't our dear Obsidian Crow, worth 300 million berries," said the apparent leader of the group.

You inhaled deeply, squaring your shoulders as you keenly watched the unfolding scene from a nearby vantage point.

"Enjoying your meal?" the man inquired with a sneer.

The Obsidian Crow's lips curved slightly upward. "How kind of you to ask. This is undoubtedly the finest establishment in the East Blue."

"Indeed, it is.”

The voices around you began to fade, replaced by a curious silence that settled over those present.

"Say, why don't you join us for a little excursion?" the leader suggested with a menacing smile.

"I'm afraid I must decline your generous offer," the Crow replied with a hint of sarcasm. "You see, my schedule is rather packed; places to go, people to meet."

A boisterous laugh erupted among the men, each one chuckling in a way that boded ill.

"Oh, I'm sure you're a busy man. But you see, I'm afraid we won't accept 'no' as an answer."

The hair on the back of your neck stood up, and an eerie aura suddenly enveloped the Baratie. It was a bold decision, you realized, one you might come to regret. Yet, as other employees cautiously distanced themselves from the hunters, you chose to do just the opposite.

"My apologies, gentlemen, but I must ask you to return to your seats. You should be aware of our rules, we don't welcome fights at the Baratie."

While some of the men shot contemptuous looks your way, the leader didn't even deign to pay you any attention. "I suggest you comply unless you want to be dragged out of here by force, bastard."

"Are you truly willing to disrespect this lady and the esteemed patrons dining in this restaurant for your own selfish gain?"

"That's precisely why I'm telling you to come with us. Nobody needs to get hurt here. The choice is yours."

You recognized that the prudent course of action would have been to retreat, allowing Sanji, Zeff, and others with more combat expertise to defuse the situation. Nevertheless, an inexplicable compulsion kept you rooted to the spot.

The pirate's head lifted, revealing a pair of emerald green eyes. They were so light and sparkling that they resembled precious gems set into his sclera. A long scar stretched across his forehead, a battle memento from someone who had likely tried, and failed, to crack his skull open. "I won't be going anywhere with you lot. And as long as I draw breath, no one here will come to harm."

This time, the man looming over the Obsidian Crow growled, drawing his pistol and aiming it at the hooded figure's head. The other men followed suit, brandishing their guns, daggers, and swords in a chilling symphony of metal and clicking barrels.

In an instant, pandemonium broke loose.

The hunters charged, their battle cries echoing off the walls. Patrons scattered in panic as the Obsidian Crow rose to his feet, deftly dodging and disarming his opponents. Tables overturned, and the once-lively restaurant transformed into a chaotic battlefield. The Crow maintained an unsettling calm, even as the enemies closed in with raised fists and guns.

Within moments, Sanji burst from the kitchen, immediately positioning himself in front of you. "Hey, this is a place for food, not fighting!" He shouted, but his words were swallowed by the chaos.

In a blur of motion, the Obsidian Crow gracefully evaded the attacks with an agility that belied his imposing stature. He was no run-of-the-mill pirate, his techniques revealing a man of extraordinary power and skill.

“That’s enough!” Sanji's voice thundered as he unbuttoned his chef's jacket, tossed it your way, and strode forward purposefully.

The scene erupted with dizzying speed, making it difficult to track each movement. The Crow dispatched the group leader with remarkable fluidity, while Sanji's powerful kicks sent two other hunters flying across the room.

You tried to stay out of harm's way, clutching Sanji's jacket as you checked on the frightened customers huddled behind or beneath the tables. Taking a few careful steps, you inspected the extent of the damage inflicted, your heart sinking at the sight of food strewn about the floor, wasted and ruined.

Absorbed in your disappointment, you failed to notice a hunter, desperate and reckless, reaching for you from behind. He grabbed you, yanking you upward to use you as a human shield while advancing. "Back off, or she gets it," he hissed, pressing a blade against your throat.

Sanji's jacket tumbled to the floor, landing atop the dispersed remnants of food. The cook whirled around with such velocity you feared he might injure himself, his eyes darkening and brows knitting together in fury. The dagger's cold edge pressed perilously close to your skin, its icy touch sending shivers through your veins.

The Obsidian Crow halted, showing no signs of exertion, his gaze fixed on you with vigilance. His hood had fallen back, unveiling short, tousled hair peppered with gray. Frozen with fear, you staggered forward as the hunter shoved you ahead, your arms hanging limply by your sides.

The assailant failed to grasp the gravity of his error.

“You picked the wrong woman to mess with,” Sanji snarled, his face contorted with rage.

With lightning agility, Sanji vaulted over a table, using it as a springboard. His powerful kick landed squarely on the hunter's nose before the man could react, sending him hurtling painfully onto his back.

You lost your footing, but Sanji's protective arms quickly caught you, steadying your balance. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice softening with concern as he looked into your eyes.

You shook your head, still trembling slightly but unharmed. "I'm okay, thanks to you."

As the tumult subsided, Sanji exhaled with relief. The Crow continued to grapple with a particularly tenacious opponent who refused to yield, gunshots ringing out, their echoes thundering around you.

Suddenly, you spotted something Sanji had missed: one of the bounty hunters, overlooked in the earlier skirmish, was charging towards him with murderous intent. The man's face contorted with vicious anger as he brandished a gleaming sword, poised to strike Sanji down while his back was turned.

While the cook was undoubtedly capable of defending himself, your heart raced at the impending danger. Without a second thought, you sprang into action, seizing the nearest object within reach.

“Watch out!!” You shouted, shoving Sanji aside with unexpected strength and swinging a hefty vase with remarkable force.

Sanji barely had time to register what was happening as the ceramic vase collided with the man's head. The impact shattered it, sending shards and flowers dispersing in all directions and the attacker crumpling to the floor, unconscious.

The room fell silent, as if time itself had paused. Patrons and staff alike, who moments ago had been seeking shelter, now turned to witness the aftermath of your unexpected feat. Even Sanji, a seasoned fighter in his own right, stared at you in wide-eyed amazement, a smile of admiration slowly spreading across his face.

The group leader attempted to regain his footing, still reeling from the blow. "I-it's not over yet, Crow," he sputtered. "You're leaving with me, one way or another."

The pirate's jaw clenched in annoyance as he adjusted his stance, ready to counter the impending assault. However, before the situation could escalate further, another gunshot rang out in the room, this time from behind you.

The familiar thud of a wooden peg on the floor was all you needed to identify the newcomer.

“Stop right now.”

There stood Zeff, visibly enraged by the disturbance and squandered food, his recharged pistol aimed directly at the hunter. "Take your pathetic crew and get out of my restaurant," he commanded.

The leader gritted his teeth, drawing his own gun and leveling it at Zeff. Sanji maneuvered you out of danger's path, ensuring the weapon's barrel wasn't pointed in your direction.

"We're not looking for trouble. We came here for him," the hunter said, gesturing towards the Obsidian Crow.

"Whatever business you have, it's not my problem. My restaurant's rules are very clear."

The defeated hunters groaned and stirred, some still incapacitated from the brawl. Those who could move managed to stand, though unsteadily, shame emblazoned across their features, gathering their weapons and sheathing them in silent resignation. Without a word, they dragged their fallen comrades away, limping towards the exit. The fish-man clapped his hands, and your colleagues rushed in, hurriedly righting the toppled tables and sweeping up the debris.

The leader's hand trembled as he held Zeff's deadly stare, not yet ready to concede defeat. His bravery in the face of the renowned chef was admirable. However, with Zeff's formidable reputation preceding him, the man was wise enough to recognize his capitulation. With a frustrated growl, he finally surrendered.

"Watch your back, Obsidian Crow," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Sooner or later, you'll pay for this."

The Crow's lips curled into a wide grin. "I look forward to your next attempt."

At last, silence descended upon the restaurant. The bounty hunters had vanished, leaving in their wake a scene of destruction; broken plates, ruined meals, and the hushed murmurs of bewildered patrons.

A couple at an adjacent table observed the three of you, whispering to each other. "That was quite impressive, wasn't it?"

"Indeed! Quite thrilling to witness!"

The Baratie was famous for welcoming all customers indiscriminately, be they pirates, hunters, or Marines. This diverse clientele didn't deter those who made reservations; on the contrary, they flocked to the Baratie not just for the mouthwatering cuisine, but also for the chance to witness an impromptu spectacle.

The Crow raised his hood, settling it back into place. Turning to Sanji, he offered a slight, almost respectful nod. "Impressive skills," he remarked with a hint of admiration. "You've earned my respect. No small feat, I assure you."

Though visibly pleased by the man's compliment, Sanji refrained from excessive self-praise, true to his character.

"I offer my most sincere apologies for the disorder I have caused. They must have tracked my route and intercepted my transponder call. Please, allow me to pay for the damages and the drinks those 'gentlemen' haven't settled."

Zeff crossed his arms with a weary sigh, his pistol still in hand. "Those bottles don't come cheap."

"Aye. That won't be a problem."

The Crow reached into his cape, producing a metallic clatter from a concealed pocket. His fingers emerged clutching an impressive bag of coins, which he tossed unceremoniously before Zeff's peg leg. The Crow waited patiently as the head chef inspected the offering, a single look inside telling that the pirate's payment far exceeded the cost of his meal and the hunters' drinks combined.

"They had no intention of paying," the Obsidian Crow stated. "It's a shame, really. Your service is exceptional. I couldn't find anything like this even in the Grand Line."

Zeff's weathered face showed a mixture of irritation and reluctant approval. “Long as you don’t make a habit of bringing your baggage here, you’re welcome to stay. Just don’t make me regret it.”

While profit wasn't everything, the pirate's readiness to compensate the restaurant commanded respect. The unexpected settlement of the hunters' tab was an added boon, one that would buoy the Baratie's mood for weeks to come.

The tension in the room gradually dissipated as a low murmur of conversations resumed. Diners who had moments ago braced themselves for violence now eased back into their seats. The Baratie crew, ever-professional, moved to replace the interrupted meals, guaranteeing that each affected patron would still savor the full dining experience they had anticipated, despite the recent upheaval.

With a final bow of gratitude, the Crow pivoted on his heels and strode away, his cape billowing dramatically behind him. "I'll take my leave for tonight. Should I return to your establishment, I'll keep your words in mind."

You observed as he made his way to the door, halting momentarily to deliver a parting statement. "Thank you for the meal. The steak was absolute perfection."

With that, he disappeared into the night.

You stooped to retrieve Sanji's jacket, which had fallen victim to the consequences of the fight. An unmistakable sauce stain marred the left front lapel, and it was only then that you noticed a few droplets of blood spattered across your own uniform, likely from the hunters' injuries.

Zeff shook his head, a wry smile breaking through his sterness. “Little Eggplant. Remind me why I let pirates and vagabonds in this place?”

“Because even pirates need a good meal, old man. And we’re the best in all the Blues.”

Zeff let out a low, gruff chuckle, genuine despite its roughness. His eyes softened as he looked at you, his hand gently resting on your back. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," you assured him with a nod. “The blood isn’t mine.”

A crease formed between his brows. Another sigh followed, the tension in his shoulders easing only slightly. "Good. The Baratie may be many things, but it's not a battlefield. I don't want you risking your safety every time a scuffle breaks out.”

Zeff had always considered the crew as family, and witnessing one of his own in danger was never easy for him to bear.

“You’d do well to remember that too, Eggplant. Next time, try not to start a fight with half the clientele.”

Sanji rolled his eyes, a hint of his usual playfulness returning. “You know me. I’m always aiming for peace, until someone forgets their manners.”

A smile tugged at your lips as you listened to their familiar banter. Sanji caught your expression and reflected it, his eyes twinkling with shared amusement while conveying a hidden, intimate message.

“Come on, we owe these people a proper conclusion. You two, go clean yourselves up. You can't serve customers looking like this."

With a gentle pat on your back, Zeff hobbled towards the kitchen, clearly intent on overseeing the preparation of fresh meals. The restaurant's lively ambiance quickly returned, with patrons resuming their conversations as if the earlier fracas had never occurred.

Sanji took your hand, guiding you away from the dining area as you both navigated through the remaining shards your colleagues were clearing away. The restroom door clicked shut behind you, and Sanji's jacket slid onto the sink as you turned on the faucet. Water trickled from the tap, its gentle splashing the sole sound piercing the silence surrounding you.

The stain on the white fabric was so prominent that you doubted even a thorough wash would be enough to remove it.

"I'm not sure this will be enough, it looks pretty bad. Maybe we should—"

Without warning, Sanji's lips collided with yours, his protective arms enveloping you against his chest, causing you to relax instantly. He cradled the back of your head with one hand, the rhythmic beat of his heart a calming counterpoint to the residual adrenaline in your body. His lips were warm and tantalizing, his tongue the sweetest caress.

He pulled back just enough to meet your gaze, his hand trailing down to inspect your neck, where the hunter's blade had nearly nicked. He brushed a strand of hair away from your face, his eyes still glistening with unspoken emotions. "What you did back there for me..."

"Oh, that. I, um... I was just reacting on impulse. It's not as if you truly needed my rescue."

"You were incredible."

"I owe Zeff a new vase, though," you said with a sheepish grin. "But I guess I owe you so much more than that for saving me again."

"The only thing I’d ever want from you is another kiss.”

A chuckle shook your shoulders as you gently brushed his hair away. "Why so modest? You could ask for other things. Not that I'd object."

He pressed his lips together, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I could never do that."

“Why?”

"Because I care for you too much to act on the thoughts racing through my mind right now."

You sighed blissfully against his jaw, breathing in his intoxicating cologne, and weaving your fingers in his silky strands. "Oh, Sanji," you spoke against his skin, "How many times do I need to tell you that there's nothing to worry about?"

“Y/N—”

"Shh," you purred, your voice seductive. "Try me. I bet your thoughts perfectly match mine."

He closed the gap between you, capturing your lips in another kiss that melded tenderness with urgency. Instinctively, you wrapped your arms around his neck, a soft, ecstatic hum escaping your chest as you clung to him. The delicate, wet sounds of your kisses were masked by the still-running water, which you couldn't be bothered to turn off. Your mouths locked in an ardent dance, tongues intermingling as your heartbeats quickened in unison.

"Mh. Maybe we shouldn't be doing this here," you uttered against his lips. "What if Zeff catches us?"

"I'll tell him that I couldn't stay away from the woman I adore a moment longer."

"He'd have our heads for this."

"I'd like to see him try."

He grazed your lips with his again, reluctant to break contact. "Let them all knock, let them shout. I won't respond until I've made it crystal clear that you're the only one on my mind. Here and now."

His words sent a shiver down your spine, evoking a soft gasp. Sanji flashed you an appreciative smile, his eyes sparkling with that unique blend of mischief and adoration so distinctly his.

"This is reckless, you know that?"

“I know.”

"We still need to clean our uniforms."

“Yeah.”

“…And you don’t care.”

"No.”

He carefully eased you out of your vest, the blood stains less noticeable on the dark fabric but still stubbornly present and beginning to dry. It joined his on the sink's edge, both garments momentarily forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Your breaths quickened, filling the room with a carnal chant. His fingertips traced the buttons of your shirt with shy trepidation, deftly unfastening the top two buttons near the collar before moving lower to undo three more.

The atmosphere crackled with undeniable electricity, signaling that desire would soon triumph over caution.

"Forgive me, my lovely, but I have reached my limit."

Your veneer of professionalism crumbled entirely. A muffled moan slipped from your throat as he latched onto your collarbones, tracing a trail of amorous pecks that ignited a fire crackling throughout your very core.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 (currently reading) Go to Chapter 8 (coming soon) ->

[tildeathiwillwrite]

Magic Whump Week Day 5

9/27: Drugs / "What did [you/I] take?"

Prompts List | Masterpost

Bad Things Happen Bingo: Drugged

Fandom: Original Work

Words: 600

Tag List: @fourwingedsnake @whumperofworlds @pigeonwhumps @mr-orion @scaewolf

@the-ellia-west @badthingshappenbingo

CW: crying, wild magic, noncon drugging

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The entire house was silent. Whumpee clenched and unclenched their fists, seated uncertainly at Carewhumper's kitchen table while they prepared tea. Their magic pressed against their mind, and it took nearly all of Whumpee's concentration to keep it from bursting out through their fingers, setting fire to the wooden table and likely everything around it, too.

Carewhumper, sensing their fear, set down two cups and filled them with hot, steaming liquid. They pushed the tea towards Whumpee, who stared at it apprehensively.

"You haven't told me why you're here," Carewhumper began, "but I can guess. Your magic is acting up again, isn't it?"

Whumpee nodded wordlessly, unshed tears welling up and blurring their vision just from thinking about it.

"Describe it to me," Carewhumper prompted.

"It..." Whumpee's voice quavered, the tears finally spilling down their cheeks, "it's forcing itself against me again. Just like in school, except... except so much stronger than before."

They wiped away the tears, flushing with embarrassment. "It's becoming... it's becoming harder and harder to keep it back."

Carewhumper nodded in understanding. "Of course," they said gently, "I understand how you feel. Elemental magic is by far the most difficult to control. You've done so well, keeping it under control for so long."

Whumpee sipped at their tea. It was scalding hot, almost too hot to taste, but they got a hint of a sweet herbal flavor. "I know..." they mumbled miserably, "but I can't... I can't keep it back for much longer."

"I'm glad you came to me," Carewhumper said, fingers tapping against their cup. "I have ways to help you gain control back over it. Describe your magic to me."

"Well..." Whumpee began slowly, taking another hesitant sip of tea, "it's fire magic...."

Carewhumper smiled gently. "I know that, but I need something more detailed. How does it press against you? Is it a fire looking to feed, to destroy, or to light? Do you cast from the head, or from the heart?"

"It's like... it's like we're on opposite sides of a door. It's trying to do everything it can to get in, and I'm trying to do everything I can to keep it out. I...."

"Go on," Carewhumper encouraged.

Whumpee quickly drank some more tea while they tried to gather their thoughts. It had cooled a bit more, and they could taste raspberries, and some other flavor they couldn't place. "I cast from the head, I think. That's how I was taught. And the fire... it wants to destroy. To leave nothing left... nothing left but dust... and ash...."

Carewhumper mulled over their words, their tea still untouched. "Casting from the head makes sense," they mused, "I've had quite a few clients who struggle with controlling their magic because they were taught to cast from the heart, and the issue stems more from emotional regulation than their magic rebelling against them."

Whumpee drained the last of their tea. "What about me, then?"

"Don't worry," Carewhumper said, "I'll take good care of you. It's been a while since I've had someone whose magic was truly rebelling."

Whumpee frowned. "I... what?"

Carewhumper casually examined their fingernails. "It should be kicking in any second now."

"What should be kicking--- oh...." Whumpee's eyes forcibly unfocused, turning the world into one big blur. They tried to rise, but standings the kitchen spinning, and they crashed to the floor.

"They always do that," Carewhumper commented from somewhere above. They said something else, but the words were lost as Whumpee slipped into a dreamless sleep.

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Is there a chance you can make the yan! dorm leaders (mostly Leona and Malleus) react to their darling who acts like Jinx from Arcane? if you don't know Arcane you can ignore this.

Jinx Reader | Yandere Twisted Wonderland

You are erratic, you’re creative, you’re always building something, and you always seem to be armed. Hanging from rafters or gargoyles, you fit right in with the colorful characters of Night Raven College. So it's no surprise that so many are enraptured by you. If they can survive you that is they’ll make sure no one else around you does:

Malleus Draconia

“You never cease to amaze me child of man!”

If you are not found conducting major renovations on Ramshackle, your spray paint your tag on different gargoyles of Night Raven

At first, he may not be too fond of this 

but when he finally gets to meet you 

He’s happy there’s a piece of you on the things he loves

He’s aware you're a bit of an outcast but it only means he gets more of your attention

Like with Silko, you establish intimacy without acknowledgment for personal space and he’s all about it

RIP to Sebek should he have anything to say

Luckily for Sebek, you’d sooner point a gun and threaten him than wait for Malleus to exact his own punishment

You scare most people away anyway

So whenever you have doubts or insecurities they come to him 

Malleus is sure to filter out anything that he doesn’t like

“Of course, your toys are appreciated by the student body. No one has died and the screams of joy echo throughout the entire college. Fear not, my love.”

His and your sense of fun and ‘what's okay’ is really skewed

It's so bad Lillia needs to be a father figure the both of you

But since Malleus is so….Malleus, he doesn’t always decide to listen to him

So it's quite possible you two will decide to bring wonderland to an end for funsies

“I’ve always wanted to give the world a taste of me!”

“And they will have it, my Love. Since I will it, your creations will be on everyone’s minds!”

Leona Kingscholar

“You’re such a wreck. I couldn’t call you an herbivore even if I tried.”

He’s mostly amused by your just bizarre nature

You probably first met because you jumped and continued to snuggle him

He’s also enamored with the way you so easily point your guns at the bigger guys in Savvannaclaw

From then on no one's going to question you

In fact, you're so unhinged the Savannaclaw students group around you like they do with Leona

And he couldn’t be happier

It's like you're the perfect accessory to his crimes

In the future, any scheme is proposed by you 

Because your like “If you want it I’ll get it for you”

He’s the one who has to reel you in

He starts having a problem though when people want to take you down a notch

Whether they trash your workshop or severely damage something big you’ve been working on

“T-they-! R-ruined it! It’s all destroyed!”

“I’m right here. I’m right here. You know me, I won’t let them get away with this.”

And he won’t 

while you’re curled up in the fetal position on his bed, he’s hunting down the poor fools who are going to be paralyzed by the time he’s done

“Y-you beat them up for me?”

“You’re my mate. It’s only natural I avenge you. Now stop crying and sleep.”

“Okay!”

Vil Schoenheit

“If only you put as much work into your inventions as you did your reputation.”

He can deal with radical personalities 

He works with Rook every day after all

But unlike his vice warden who is adamant about maintaining beauty 

you care more to build an invention that's going to ruin everyone else’s beauty

But he loves you still

Even when you have a hard time sitting still while he’s doing your makeup he loves you obsessively

“Darling, you left one of your gadgets in my suitcase!”

“Toss it this way!”

“I’m not. I know what your clicker toys do and I have a shoot today.”

He gains an uncanny knowledge of what all of your inventions do

And he gets just as good at dodging anything you throw at him

But of course, he’s not the only one under fire

Some fans eventually do find you despite your reclusive nature

And it's easy for them to threaten you indirectly through your inventive space

Vil will take control as he usually does

He’ll happily create an untraceable potion and invite the aggressors over to tea

And even when he makes them apologize he’s not giving them the real antidote

People from the outside will say he acts like your parent 

But he likes taking care of you

In fact, if you start trying to move on your own 

He tugs you back by your heartstrings

“Don’t you love me? Don’t you trust me, darling?!”

“Of course I do Vil! I just wanted to help pay the bills you know?”

“But Darling don’t you know I already pay for everything? Even all your inventions? Let’s not change that now, okay?”

Idia Shroud

“Oh? A fellow builder, huh? Maybe we can...have a bit of a wager. I’d love to see how you fare against me!”

You and him are two peas in a pod

Both of you are something of mad scientists

So you two are always inventing with one another

Normally in demented competition you both love to test your newest inventions with another

“Ah~(Y/n)-shi let’s make a bet!”

“First one to blow up is the winner?”

“And the loser has to be support?

“And the winner?”

“Hehe the winner…gets to make the loser reenact the actions from the R-18 doujin!”

“Awww poor ‘dia you’ll be so embarrassed when I have you reenact the maid scene!”

“Not as cute as you’ll be when I enact page 69.”

You two love wagers 

It’s Idia’s favorite game

To bet with you is the best

He could ask for nothing more

So its only natural he uses his newest inventions to torment whoever he was hearing through the bug he placed on you

He still gets shy but he can’t help but smile when you turn your attention toward him

“Mine! The winner of this game is me! You’re all mine!”

Azul Ashengrotto

“You truly are an enigma, (Y/n). I insist you join Octavinelle for the next year.”

He’s used to dealing with someone who is heavily swayed by mood

And he always has uses for your newest inventions

And since he’s always keeping you busy theres less of a chance you realize how much he shelters you

“Since you so willingly took up all of our commissions the least I could do was offer you this space.”

“Wow it has all the stuff I like in here! It looks so much like my room! How’d you know?”

“Lucky guess? I also made sure that I’d deliver your favorite meals at the correct hours of the day.”

“Yay!”

He’s merciless against those who seek to cut him out 

And he does whatever he has to to make sure they suffer for the crime of gaining your favor

he blushes when you're comfortable enough to sit on his lap 

he loves it all the more

And he promises to keep this as his special payment

All within the contract, you so easily signed 

He’s completely within his rights to do so

“As per our agreement, you can only build for me or concede and become mine.”

Riddle Rosehearts

“You have no rules or reason! Someone needs to whip you into shape and that will be me!”

He thinks your crazy

Which obviously means he has to take control

Forget about your love for explosives 

And forget about your habits with guns

“You’re royalty show some decorum!”

“Decorum? Forget that I’d rather be poor then!”

“Not possible. I won’t allow it.”

“Oh yeah? Than what do you say to my lovely Pow-Pow?”

“I say: “Off with your head!”

He’s intent on “fixing you” or at least encouraging a ‘better you’

And it's all because he’s grateful

When he was so used to keeping within the lines his mother had placed for him 

You made him happy with that spontaneity you just seemed to have

Now it was his turn

His turn to bring the order that you needed 

You needed him 

not anyone else

He’d sooner let your old habits return than let some plebian steal you away

“Fine I will let you use one of your…toys but I have a target for you. And if you do that successfully I can allow some lee way in your desserts.”

Kalim Al Asim

“Wow your exciting as always, (Y/n)!”

Leave it to you to be matched or even outdone by the prince’s optimism

He’s so enthusiastic about you

there's no reason you wouldn’t agree to date him

“I’m so excited! Now you can stay here forever with me!”

“Hehehe, Kalim I can’t wait either! Now I can show you all the cool gadgets I build and you can help me try them!”

“Yeah!” 

Even with the more violent results, he’s still cheering you on

Something that surprises many 

But should you try to expand your circle or become more adept at speaking to others

Something begins to snap

Slowly but surely the prince is making sure he’s your only close confidant

And at the end of the day, you’ll come to him for cuddles

Just as heplanned always wants

“Haha did you miss me today, (Y/n)? Because I missed you!”

[fastrainbowdas]

Hi hello I saw you didn't want to reach the tag limit on that reblog but I would very much like to hear your full character analysis on dsaf Jack

!!!

HIIIIII THANK YOU FOR ASKING <333333333

ok um. so.

The biggest thing abt Jack's personality is his apathy. He doesn't really care about anything other than his own amusement (and one other thing but I'll get into that later)

Yes, he agrees to help Fredbear (but what was he supposed to do? Just die?) but he doesn't actually Care about the dead kids. It's why he agrees to kill w Dave so easily! In fact, all Dave has to do to persuade him is to tell him how it would benefit Jack and Jack never argues that it's wrong. (I don't think he doesn't know that - he simply doesn't care)

He also... doesn't really care about his siblings either. He says he does, sure, but he doesn't, really. He has no problems killing them on evil routes (and while technically it is only Legacy Jack that does this, it still applies to Regular Jack and I'll explain why in a bit)

Here is where we get into differences between Regular and Legacy; Legacy actually cares about his siblings' deaths (insane, I know). Yeah, that is different from caring about them bcs. as stated before. He kills them in cold blood. lmfao

But he also gets Pissed when Dave flaunts around Dee's scarf and says it's his "most prized souvenir" to the point where he rips his fucking head off. So clearly Legacy cares that his siblings were murdered.

But Regular never ??? does anything ??????? to imply he gives a fuck ??????????? Like sure he says he cares but like. idk considering he knows Who his siblings are now and he has no problem lying to and/or killing them. I'd say he doesn't really care.

Anyway to get to the other thing Jack cares about - Dave! There's no arguing on this, Dave is the only person Jack couldn't bring himself to lie to in the good ending of dsaf 3 and directdoggo has confirmed that that entire monologue was just Jack going around saying "I love you". And we can tell Legacy also cares about Dave, since in dsaf 3, you only solidify the evil path with the line "Dave... I missed you." Which is really fuckin weird to say if you don't care about the person you're saying this to and only want to kill people again? And it's not like Jack can't do it by himself, not to mention Legacy could've easily just. Said he wants to murder again, there's no reason for him to lie about missing Dave. He wouldn't gain anything from lying and Dave was desperate enough to the point where he absolutely would've taken "ok fine lets kill again" more or less the same.

And before anyone tries telling me that Legacy is possessed by Henry or whatever the fuck. That's just misinterpretation of the text. Please go back and rewatch the evil ending, Henry literally STATES he cannot directly control Jack, just talk to him.

SO ALL THIS TO SAY. Both Regular and Legacy Jack care about Dave.

And- that's kind of weird, isn't it? Why is caring about Dave like. More or less the only thing they have in common? Why Dave specifically? What's so special about him?

Well I've given it some thought and. Simply put - nothing. There is nothing special about Dave. What is special is the circumstances in which their relationship formed and developed.

Dave is the only person Jack has gotten to know after he became soulless. Not only that, but they've hung out repeatedly (both the child murder and vegas) so it makes sense Jack would care about him, no?

As for why he doesn't care about anyone he got to know before dying. The most accurate way I can think to phrase it is that losing his soul reset all his feelings.

Anyway. To the part that fucks w me the most.

The similarities between BlackJack and Legacy Jack.

This should Not be a section that I need to make. What the fuck is this. If anything they should be polar opposites, no? BlackJack is literally this guy's soul and they very much clash at the end of the dsaf 2 pure evil ending so what the fuck am i talking about

And I could mention the whole. killing in cold blood thing. But honestly, even Regular Jack does it? If you go w Dave but don't go for the pure evil ending, Jack is still a murderer and all.

So for actual things BlackJack and Legacy have in common that Regular Jack doesn't. The first one that comes to mind is absolutely the enormous ego. (BlackJack thought he could deal with Henry all on his own (which is like. fucking insane. when you actually get to the fight you realize all of blackjack's attacks are fucking useless lmfao) and Legacy LITERALLY LOOKED GOD IN THE EYE AND SAID "I AM GOD". THATS ALMOST KINDA SICK. WHAT THE FUCK DUDE) And because of said ego, they also treat everyone else as inferior!! So that's fun. (BlackJack's entire monologue about how everyone in your party is a monstrosity and he'll show Henry what he's created and if he doesn't feel bad abt it he'll kill him!! And Legacy straight up calling Peter his prey in that one scene)

The last thing is that they're... kind of the only versions of Jack that actually care about their siblings' deaths? Like I said earlier, Regular doesn't give a fuck and both BlackJack and Legacy make it very clear that they're upset about it.

I really like what my friend said on this matter - that BlackJack and Legacy are coping with their tragedy in a similar way, while Regular Jack is coping differently. For BlackJack and Legacy, revenge seems to be a big thing, so it's not really a shocker that the more they care, the more cruel and violent they are. Simply put, caring serves as motivation for doing terrible things.

Um. I am very passionate about Legacy Jack.

Moving on from him though. Regular Jack is really interesting too.

Bcs he doesnt really. change between the different endings. Really, the only difference in Him Specifically between whether he saves the kids or not is just. Does he regard the promise he was forced to make as more important? or does he not give a shit and only think of his own amusement?

Frankly considering that he murders children for kicks and that BlackJack is implied to have been. Very Brutal when killing Henry. It really makes me wonder about what Jack was like before he died (or Alive Jack as I call him).

To me, Alive Jack is the biggest mystery regarding Jack because it's so hard to say what behaviors of all other versions of Jack are a result of Jack's tragedy and what are simply What he's Like. I'd love to say more on this topic but there simply isn't anything to say, all we can do is speculate.

Anyway yeah!! I think that's everything!! I didn't expect it to be so long lmao rip

Thanks for readinggggggggggg :]

EDIT: Hi here's a link to a thread where I answer a few questions :]

[fascinationstreetmp3]

putting this all under a readmore and not tagging i just wanted to put my thoughts down somewhere .. talking about marius and his fans & tw for mentioning csa / sa

personally. i understand that the marius/armand relationship has been a popular part of the book series for decades and it's fictional and yes i get it. but. i dont understand those fans who encounter people who find it purely horrifying or upsetting and then get mad at them for it. just because of how it's framed in the books as a beautiful gothic love story (filtered through both the author's intention & the skewed perspectives of the two characters involved in it) doesn't mean EVERYONE has to romanticise it and it's only babies or idiots or show only fans who "can't handle gothic fiction".

and then the people who try to convince everyone marius is armand's saviour who only ever treated him with love and kindness really confuse me. like, is it a wholesome relationship built on mutual love? or is it abusive and awful AND loving and caring at the same time? aren't the people who deny marius did anything wrong to armand really the ones who can't stomach enjoying gothic romances and have to twist it into something else?

it's a story of a fully grown man, a millenia old vampire, rescuing a teenager from sex slavery by purchasing him for himself, renaming him, showering him with affection, sexually abusing him, genuinely loving him, treating him like a child and an adult and student and son and lover all at the same time, making his entire world revolve around his master, punishing him emotionally and eventually physically whenever he gets too clingy or aggressive. and it's all done, not under just the 'guise' of love, but from a place of genuine love, and that's how both characters see it. it's entirely damaging and fucked up and the aftereffects of it on armand's mind and sense of self are present for centuries, compounded by everything else he went through. he still draws both comfort and pain from thinking about his past now and even tries to partially recreate the dynamic with someone else both in the book (with daniel, armand taking the role of the master; and keeping young 'mortal slaves' for a time) and in the show (with louis, armand taking the role of the slave)

it is a super fucked up relationship & i'm not one of those people who thinks you shouldn't be allowed to enjoy those in fiction. there's a lot of them that appeal to me obviously, and of course everyone has their own boundaries when it comes to that too. AND i know it's not all marius fans or even all marius/armand fans. i literally don't care what people like in fiction and i think we should all just mind our own business honestly

but it's the people who act like they're the only ones who get that it's just a tragic beautiful romance, that nobody else can read apparently, that 'marius haters' are just looking for things to be mad at that make me go ???????

[hollowed-theory-hall]

so in your fic there's Sirius/Barty Jr ship. i reread your analytics of their character and pretty understand the connection. but i would still like to read opinion about their ship 👀

Glad you enjoy my various writing!

Yeah, okay, so Sirius/Barty Jr is a little rare pair my beta reader and I came up with for a different fic that never really got written, but we liked it so much it made it into my current fic, A Matter of Chance.

I'll note that it's gonna take quite some time in A Matter of Chance until Sirius and Barty actually meet and even longer until they get together in any meaningful way (but also my writing plans are super vague, so I don't really know). So there's some waiting until that tag is gonna be relevant. That being said, why I ship them and my thoughts on the ship:

So, I wrote a bunch about Sirius, and a bit less about Barty, but they have, like, a lot in common:

They're both incredibly loyal.

They both suffered Azkaban.

The way Sirius described Barty's father always struck me as him being familiar with the situation: "should've spent more time at home" and might've been showing the bitterness towards Orion.

They both have reason to hate Crouch Sr for sending them to the dementors.

They both care about Harry (pretty shocking on Barty's part, but it truly seems like he does) and are as involved as they can be.

both of them are hands-on in their approach, of, well, literally anything.

I feel Sirius and Barty would get each other's sense of humor that's a bit on the crueler side too. They won't make the other feel guilty over stupid shit.

They also communicate in a similarly straightforward way. They say what they think pretty damn clearly when they're free to do so.

So, as you can see, they have a surprising amount of things in common. As for Barty being a Death Eater, well, I illustrated in my posts about him that I don't think he was that much of a loyal Death Eater and I don't think he tortured the Longbottoms (it's outright stated in the books he wasn't caught with the Lestranges, but with a different group of Death Eaters that walked free!). I think Barty was a Death Eater more as a teenage rebellion than truly believing in everything (though he likely isn't a fan of Muggles). Like, the way Sirius went all in on Dumbledore and the Order as rebellion, Barty did in the opposite direction.

I don't think Barty really killed and tortured many people, but unlike Draco or Regulus I think he could if he felt he needed to, he isn't as sadistic as Bellatrix (or Sirius, honestly). He's tamer but still colder and more willing to respond with violence than Draco or Lucius.

The main quote I'm basing this ship on is the entire conversation in which Sirius talks about Barty in GoF:

Sirius smiled grimly. “Crouch’s own son was caught with a group of Death Eaters who’d managed to talk their way out of Azkaban. Apparently they were trying to find Voldemort and return him to power.” “Crouch’s son was caught?” gasped Hermione. “Yep,” said Sirius, throwing his chicken bone to Buckbeak, flinging himself back down on the ground beside the loaf of bread, and tearing it in half. “Nasty little shock for old Barty, I’d imagine. Should have spent a bit more time at home with his family, shouldn’t he? Ought to have left the office early once in a while . . . gotten to know his own son.” He began to wolf down large pieces of bread. “Was his son a Death Eater?” said Harry. “No idea,” said Sirius, still stuffing down bread. “I was in Azkaban myself when he was brought in. This is mostly stuff I’ve found out since I got out. The boy was definitely caught in the company of people I’d bet my life were Death Eaters — but he might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, just like the house-elf.” “Did Crouch try and get his son off?” Hermione whispered. Sirius let out a laugh that was much more like a bark. [...] Crouch’s fatherly affection stretched just far enough to give his son a trial, and by all accounts, it wasn’t much more than an excuse for Crouch to show how much he hated the boy . . . then he sent him straight to Azkaban.” “He gave his own son to the dementors?” asked Harry quietly. “That’s right,” said Sirius, and he didn’t look remotely amused now. “I saw the dementors bringing him in, watched them through the bars in my cell door. He can’t have been more than nineteen. They took him into a cell near mine. He was screaming for his mother by nightfall. He went quiet after a few days, though . . . they all went quiet in the end . . . except when they shrieked in their sleep. . . .” For a moment, the deadened look in Sirius’s eyes became more pronounced than ever, as though shutters had closed behind them. “So he’s still in Azkaban?” Harry said. “No,” said Sirius dully. “No, he’s not in there anymore. He died about a year after they brought him in.” “He died?” “He wasn’t the only one,” said Sirius bitterly. “Most go mad in there, and plenty stop eating in the end. They lose the will to live. You could always tell when a death was coming, because the dementors could sense it, they got excited. That boy looked pretty sickly when he arrived. [...] Wasted away just like the boy. Crouch never came for his son’s body. The dementors buried him outside the fortress; I watched them do it.”

Sirius talks about Crouch Sr and Barty's relationship. He knows a surprising lot about Barty's backstory and childhood for someone who didn't even know for sure if he was a Death Eater and only found these things out after he escaped. Like, where did he learn all this from (sure, he likely read old newspapers, but how much of this information is actually likely to be there?). He also talks about both Bartys with a certain familiarity "ol' Barty". He's dull and bitter over Barty's death, he watched the only "funeral" Barty got, probably the only "attendant" besides the dementors. And he talks about hearing Barty screaming until he died in Azkaban... Yeah, I like that angst, I'm so here for an Azkaban romance (and post-Azkaban romance).

And, like, Barty was in Regulus' year, they probably joined the Death Eaters around the same time, maybe even together. And Sirius probably didn't talk to Barty at all his own when they were in school, he had no reason to, but he knew his little brother hung out with him occasionally. And from the quote above it's clear Sirius felt sorry for him, felt sympathy for someone else he thought might've been innocent. Someone in the same situation as he is that he might've felt protective over, like he could succeded in saving Regulus this time. And Barty has no one, basically, no friends, no family, just haunting memories, a situation Sirius is so familiar with. And Sirius is like a sorta friend, he's basically Regulus if you squint (not at all but at first), they share an experience (and hatred for Crouch Sr) that could feel so isolating when speaking to someone who doesn't know. He's someone Barty could potentially trust since neither of them trusts the ministry, or Voldemort, or Dumbledore. They can be in their own little corner where they have no one (well, Harry is there, but no other adults. Remus has way more faith in Dumbledore than Sirius does)

So, imagine this: Sirius lost everyone, he lost James, he lost his brother, he and Barty are in the same boat. So, like, imagine them talking quietly through the bars, each treating the other as a Regulus stand-in even if their personalities are more similar to each other than to Regulus. This grows into somewhat getting to know each other, something that's almost friendship. A cold comfort in the coldness of Azkaban. Then, Barty seemingly stops talking to Sirius and dies soon after, and Sirius doesn't know what to make of it. After Barry dies, he starts staying in Padfoot form more and more.

And then, post-Azkaban, they gonna meet again and bond over escaping Azkaban and caring about Harry.

There'll be healing. There'll be bad coping mechanisms. There'll be a desperation for any familiar connection and a lot of dark humor. They're on the run from both Voldemort and the ministry. And, like, if anyone thinks Sirius Orion Black won't be willing to help get away from Crouch Sr's body, they don't know Sirius Black.

Like, I think they'd just get each other, but also keep making incorrect assumptions about each other at the same time all the while being desperate for what the other represents — people they lost, time they lost. I think it's a fun concept with angst potential.

They're also both incredibly intelligent and skilled wizards (Barty tricked the Goblet of Fire, which is no easy feat). I think they could see each other, eventually after they get over the initial mess of shared losses, as equals and partners in crime. They just have such a vibe, idk. Like, I imagine them pseudo-parenting Harry together, and all I can come up with would be hilarious, but also, like, surprisingly good for Harry. Harry needs more people in his life who would appreciate him for him, more people that'll raise his ridiculously low self-esteem.

Do you know who's the first character to tell Harry he has talents? Barty Jr.

“Well, I’m not going to tell you,” said Moody gruffly. “I don’t show favoritism, me. I’m just going to give you some good, general advice. And the first bit is — play to your strengths.” “I haven’t got any,” said Harry, before he could stop himself. “Excuse me,” growled Moody, “you’ve got strengths if I say you’ve got them. Think now. What are you best at?”

(GoF, 344)

Basically, I think they'd be messed up, but also make it work under their specific circumstances.

(Can you tell I love trauma bonding ships?)

[studentbyday]

{ 05.11.24 } · { 50 days of routine } · { day 7 }

I was never “popular” at school. Not that I ever cared to be. I don't have the personality for it. And I don't really care to have the personality for it either. I'm not and never will be That Girl™ material, a “high-value woman”, or whatever feminine persona is trendy on TikTok these days (and i'm not even ON TikTok, but ofc the trends spread everywhere like wildfire) because I don't look the part (nor do I want to...i quite like my personal style) or think or speak or act the way she would if it goes against my values and/or it won't actually improve my wellbeing. I say I don't care. And I really truly don't because a lot of it and what it leads to is straight-up problematic for my personal case, running counter to the life I want to live and all my reasons why. But as with anything, being yourself has its pros and cons.

Sometimes I still feel like it's hard to truly belong anywhere...even the places I make for myself like this blog... Sometimes when I feel like this, I feel like the only place I most belong is in my head. It's not good. That's not where I need to be, nor do I need to be much concerned about trends on social media and what drives people to follow them. And I certainly don't need to compare myself to anyone else. I need to be in the real world and focused on my work only because I think it's worth it and because I think I'm worth it as I am.

I'm not sure why I felt like saying this.

~~~Friendly PSA: STOP 🖐🏻 scrolling social media of any kind when feeling low in self-esteem.~~~

got up at 7, continued filling in the CBT workbook then decided to move my answers elsewhere because the annotating feature in the ebook app is getting annoying, started my day at 8 with the usual minimalist morning routine

10/30 mins of the same beginner pilates workout i did a few days ago except i forgot to breathe and ended up so light-headed i couldn't go anymore...

filling in CBT workbook because i can't get the reflection questions out of my head until i answer them... 😣 so far, nothing new has been revealed to me, but in the busy-ness of the day-to-day, i tend to neglect ALL the other dimensions of my life and then forget that that's why i feel so shitty and the problem is the self-prompted reflection i tend to do at this time carries a lot of negativity and pessimism and comparison and judgment and it's not very organized, it's actually not organized at all, it's always just a word vomit. but when i do it now, with the tone of the categorized prompts not being judgy at all, i'm able to look at my problems more objectively and holistically and like "oh okay, i'm not doing as bad in this dimension as i thought and the REAL problem is this other dimension of life and all the specific things you mention are lacking here" and idk, sometimes i think it's weird that my brain works this way, it's like i was looking at the same picture the entire time and all i had to do was turn it a bit to the left for it to make sense. is this how brains normally work? 😅

finished last week's microbio module

researching for global health assignment...will begin writing tmr 😅👍

finished section 1/2 of last week's immunology module and started the loooong second section 🥴👍

🎧 some nights – fun.

@zzzzzestforlife tagged me to do this picrew! it was fun. and it's so coincidental that i've been thinking about ghosts lately! the past versions of us that we follow without question when they tell us what to do, what not to do, and what we should aspire for... ☁️ sometimes those ghosts are right...and sometimes they're just plain toxic.

tagging @whenmemoriesfrost @chemblrish @ecologie-txt @winryrockbellwannabe @obakanosandoitchi if you want to :)

[vynxwave]

Sorry for this vent ask but I feel like I'm losing my mind seeing this: not me returning to the Earthspark tag to see what people were thinking of the trailer and stuff and immediately regretting it LMAO I'm really wishing that people who called the first third of the season garbage had just quit, because if they hated good episodes and don't understand the show as it is, they'll hate the next batch if it's also good and I'm not looking forward to the reception! I'm disappointed that it's like the book has been written on the beginning of the season. It's making me kinda spiteful/toxic and actively hope for things the fandom would hate to happen. How are you feeling about the fandom right now as the s2a lover & understander lol - arceespinkgun

I'm having the same experience as you looking at the fandom. Like holy shit, all of the complaints/fears are so baseless it's irritating.

I've seen people fearing that the Chaos Terrans' deaths won't be acknowledged/mourned... for some reason? It's such nonsense and completely ignorant of the strong family theme in EarthSpark and how it deals with interpersonal relationships/conflict, and the fact EarthSpark does reference/mention earlier events. That's not even mentioning that the Maltos are literally shown to care about them.

I've seen lots of people hoping that their headcanons come true and... I really think people need to understand that EarthSpark isn't written like how fanworks are written. I feel like for EarthSpark's fandom it's such a prevalent mindset, for some reason? I don't mean this in a sense of 'it's bad to have headcanons' but rather people should see the show for what it actually presents and be able to understand why the show goes how it does.

Like, characters aren't just doing things — they're also tools used by the narrative to convey messages, themes, and morals.

It's so weird how people have been treating S2a as if it's a whole season, even before S2b was decided to be called S3. I hope people will understand that S3 is functionally S2b when it releases.

Also, the complaints about the animation quality are so overblown. The animation in the trailer and S2a's looks great to me.

People hate Decepticons being antagonists, they hate Chaos Terrans being antagonists, they hate humans being antagonists... it's so weird. It really would not have made sense for the Quintessons to come so early in the season (S2a). The Quintesson Executioner appearing, though, does make sense appearing so early because it helps set up for the Quintessons to arrive later, as does Terratronus.

In S1 there was not set up for Quintessons to arrive in S2. There was, however, set up for Terratronus with Mandroid alluding to her in S1E25-26 The Last Hope with "... you have no idea the power that's been lying beneath your base all these years" "Showing you the weapon it's perched upon" when he uses the CyberSlayer on the Space Bridge. Then in S2E01 Aftermath Starscream says "Beneath Witwicky lies a tremendous weapon" which calls back to Mandroid's allusion to Terratronus; and when Starscream is talking to the Decepticons about making New Cybertron in S2E09 Witwicky the framing calls back to Mandroid's moment again when the Witwicky Tower (the defunct Space Bridge) is in frame — where we know Terratronus lies beneath.

Like, the way the series is building up to the Quintessons is great and cohesive if you look at the actual story that's being told!

Chances are the scripts for these next episodes were finished before S2a was released, so I really hope I don't hear an utterance of "retcon!" or "they fixed xyz!" when these episodes are released.

EarthSpark S2b/S3 will be great and I hold no reservations about it, regardless of the rest of the fandom.

There's so many weird fears about what characters might not be present... like y'all... the trailer did not show everybody. The entire cast not being in some episodes/shots or synopsis does not mean xyz characters won't appear.

Honestly, a lot of what I read from people makes me wonder how much people understand about how to analyze media or how series are written. Like, I'm no king of analysis or whatever myself, but why are people unable to understand why certain choices or directions are made? It's weird how people are acting as if S2a is just sooo incongruent with S1 when that's really not the case at all if you go back and look — truly, like you said, it makes me wonder why people keep sticking around if they hate the story being told. I mentioned characters being tools of the narrative, and it really feels like people don't understand that when they're analyzing EarthSpark.

I'm currently reading Marvel UK G1 Transformers and EarthSpark's S1 established the Decepticons with such similar, or even verbatim, sentiments. But even without them the Decepticons' perspective in the show was clear to me.

Is it really surprising the Decepticons, who never valued/liked Earth or its inhabitants or the Autobots or the Maltos/Terrans, would fight the Autobots and Maltos/Terrans for the Embershards — the Embershards, which are key to building/securing themselves a new home (so promises Starscream)? It feels like people don't consider the characters' perspectives and their relation to the world/others around them when it's such an important part of analysis. And the necessity of conflict in a story.

I really don't understand how people thought the Decepticons would've turned good following S1... like it wouldn't have been warranted/earned. Now in S2b/S3, the episode synopses don't suggest the Decepticons and Autobots/Maltos/Terrans have a continued competition for anything; we do, however, see Breakdown punching SkullCruncher in the trailer which is very curious — given the setting, he's likely defending Bumblebee. I have seen people mention Aftermath in relation to Breakdown, and yeah, I wonder what Breakdown'll make of Aftermath's cruel death — some have wondered if he'll defect.

Really the main episodes I've seen people talking positively of are Breakdown & Bumblebee's and Prowl's.

It's so insane looking at a fandom and seeing a lack of actual fans and people just... not understanding the story. Hard being the S2a lover & understander in a world full of S2a haters & misconstruers! I genuinely cannot escape mentions of EarthSpark without people's dislike of S2a being the default opinion, and it's so frustrating! I know that if people do end up liking this batch of episodes, they'll follow it up with a "better than S2" which'll be annoying because S2a is the set up for S2b/S3.

I don't really have much to say about the trailer myself as I'm happy with what it shows because it looks interesting and the episode synopses sound great. The character I'm most excited for personally is Megatron, but I'll be enjoying all the others as well.

[gynnnicsworld]

So I found this sterek fanfic that has so many parallels to the teen wolf movie, BUT this fic was written in 2019.

And I really need to talk about this fanfic because 1. I don't have anyone to do it with and 2. I was really surprised by some of the parallels in the fic.

This is the fanfic; It was a wednesday by isthatbloodonhisshirt

Words; 80k+

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(x∞)

Tags;

Okay, the fic has parallels but is not identical, for example, there is no Eli and I have no idea how many years later the story is set.

First I have to say that the fic is about trying to find Stiles, because he is missing, he has been missing for 3 years,and the pack was destroyed because Stiles was basically the glue that held the pack together but with him missing, everything went down the drain.

Everyone loses their mind, everyone hates each other, and Derek returns to Beacon Hills.

→The first parallel I found was that the sheriff and Derek became close and Derek basically took care of the sheriff because he relapsed into alcoholism. As we know in the movie, the sheriff and Derek get along very well and the sheriff even acts as a grandfather to Eli and a father-in-law/friend to Derek.

In this fic things become a little darker due to the sheriff's pain at losing his son and saying many hurtful things to Derek.

→ The other thing I noticed was that the pack was no longer together, each member went their own way, and the entire first part of the fic is about the pack getting together. I mean we have all these EPIC moments of the return of all the members, Kira, Isaac, Liam, Cora, Peter, Lydia, Jackson, and basically EVERYONE.

Except those who are dead, they remained exactly the same; dead, of course they remembered them in the fic, but it was all quite appropriate.

And we all know that the teen wolf movie was about exactly that, about bringing the pack back together but the movie was a million times less epic and very poorly developed 😬. Sorry but not sorry, we all know I'm right about this.

→ Another parallel that surprised me quite a bit was that Derek was a semi-owner and worked In a car mechanical workshop. And that place was really important to Derek.

To be honest it's not my first option to think that Derek was a mechanic, of course after the movie was released that possibility made sense in my mind. But I haven't really read too many fics with that theme, so seeing that the author of the fic even agreed on that with the movie was pretty impressive.

These were probably the main parallels but I guess I could say that "one call" was what changed everything for Derek. And can we please remember how in the movie Derek tells the sheriff to call his son? Yes, thank you, and I honestly think that call would have changed EVERYTHING.

I really recommend this fic, if you have already read it please tell me what your favorite part was and if you are going to read it, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUN READ IT! And then come back here so we can talk about that fic. Seriously, Jeff Davis should have opted to hire writers from the sterek fandom to make that movie...the sterek fandom knows how to do things well and they make works of art like THIS.