#ugh sorry foo i love you

[whos-hotter-jjba]

Hottest JJBA Outfit Bracket - Rerun of Round 1 Match 30

[keeksandgigz]

thinking of eddie helping you braid your hair when you’re getting ready to spend the night

made this about eddie and witchy because i cannot stop thinking about them- this is also for the anon who said they can't stop reading it (thank u hehehe)

fluffy fluff below the cut, witchy being jealous and thinking of hexing his exes <3

He had to drag you into his apartment.

In a hilarious turn of events, due to some kind of San Francisco strike, all metro routes were suspended and there was no way you were going to walk in heeled boots all the way to Twin Peaks.

"Why call an Uber, baby? You can literally come upstairs at mine" Eddie says, watching you huff as you read over the e-mail about the strike.

"No Eddie you don't understand. I need to be home. I have a whole ritual! And silk pillowcases! Why can't you just drive me?" you whine, hoping he'll fold to your requests like he always does.

He grabs you by the shoulders, giving you a tender look.

"Because, my lovely witchy, metro routes being down means there will be absolute pandemonium in the streets. And I'm not trying to stay fifteen minutes stuck in downhill traffic" he laughs as you follow him around the store.

He's still working, you got off an hour before and after walking around the vintage stores for an hour there wasn't much else to do. It's just him in the record shop, working the closing shift. You follow him around trying to convince him to drive you back as he puts back the vinyls in the milk crates, folds band t- shirts, and rearranges patches in the display case.

"C'mon, witchy, just go up. I have Chinese takeout from last night or spaghetti if you wanna cook, I'll stop by the hair place across the block to get you a silk pillowcase. Promise" he says, leaning over the counter to kiss your forehead he opens up the cash till.

"But Ed-" you whine, you've never slept outside of your apartment before.

"No buts, I'm sorry witchy. Now get your cute butt out of here, I've got money out" he says, puckering his lips, ready for a kiss.

You lean over the counter and give him a quick kiss before he hands you the keys to his apartment.

"Don't forget to call Lorraine to get her to feed Circe!" he exclaims before you're out the door. You roll your eyes, of course you'll call Lorraine, your neighbor, if Lorraine existed.

But he doesn't have to know you can feed Circe with a snap of your finger whenever you forget to leave food out in the morning.

So you groan and you go through the backdoor of the store to reach the small, dingy courtyard of his apartment. Second floor, apartment 5C.

This building is so old it doesn't even have an elevator. You reach the door and open it, the rattle of keys falling over the counter is the only sound that can be heard, along with the clack of the short heels of your boots.

You take your shoes off and go through his fridge. Day- old Chinese takeout, a carton of eggs and milk. Three cans of Sierra Nevada, a half- drunk bottle of Coke Zero. You open his freezer.

Honey walnut shrimp and fried rice from Trader Joe's, a bottle of vodka, and a tub of ice cream from the last time you were craving it.

You roll your eyes and pick up the phone.

"Hey Ed, you have jack shit in your fridge. Can you stop by the Greek place down the block? I’ll have a gyro with chicken and falafel on the side” you request, hearing his groan at another chore he has to do post closing.

“Baby the Chinese food in the fridge is pretty good, it’s from the place we always go to” he’s not very convincing, but he’s tired and now lost count of the cash he was counting.

“‘kay i’ll put an online order for it so you just have to go pick it up, sound good?” you ignore him.

“Ugh fine but I better get, like, the biggest kiss in return.“ he groans, but it’s true. He is a weak, weak man when it comes to you. “Get me the pita wrap with lamb and fries, and lemme also get seasoned fries on the side. Thank you witchy, love you gotta go” he says, hanging up the phone.

So you order the food and then sneak in Eddie's bedroom to change into something comfortable. Getting rid of that fine line when clothes felt too much like clothes, the stitching pressing into your skin, the cuffs of your sweater feeling a bit too tight against your wrists, your jeans too tight on your legs.

So you venture in his closet and steal a pair of sweats and a ratty black t- shirt. One of his many. You go to the bathroom and notice there's no mirror. This dude.

So you tie your hair away from your face and use the nice face wash you got him- which you're sure he rarely uses- and wipe the makeup off your face. You go look for a clean towel, 'cause God knows you will not be wiping your face with the hand towel sitting on the rod on the wall.

After your face is clean you plop yourself on the couch and watch TV to pass the time.

Thirty- odd minutes later a rattling of keys startles you. Eddie walks through the door with his arms full of plastic bags. He places them on the counter.

"Hey witchy, I see you've made yourself at home?" he says, as you walk towards him and bury yourself in his arms. At least he smelled nice.

"Hmmm missed you, Ed" you mutter against the fabric of his t- shirt.

"You missed me?" you give a little nod, followed by a hum. His heart beats a bit faster, it's nice knowing you think of him when he's away.

"Aw, witchy. I missed you too, are you hungry?" he says, giving you a sweet kiss on the head as he detaches from your grip and reaches for the bag with the food, taking out the boxes.

"Also stopped by the hair place, got you that silk pillowcase and some shampoo and conditioner to keep here. Doubt you'll wanna use my three in one shit" he snickers, and you blush timidly. He's not sweet in the way that he'll kiss you in the middle of the street, but he is for sure sweet in the way he thinks about you an embarrassing amount of times a day.

"Thanks Ed, you didn't have to do that" you say, and he blushes, the boy tinges himself pink because you appreciate him.

"Y'know, anything for you" he says, giving you a kiss on the forehead as he brings the takeout boxes to the coffee table.

You follow him and plop down on the couch "I was watching 'Sex and the City' while you were gone" you explain, biting into your gyro.

"Was Samantha being her usual crazy self?" he doesn't even know who Samantha is, but he thinks it's funny to ask you every time. You giggle as he puts on a random show for you to watch.

After an episode Eddie stands up and stretches.

"I'm beat, I think it's time for bed" he says "c'mon, witchy"

You rise from the couch and follow him into the master bathroom.

“I have a toothbrush here for you, I kinda uh-“ from his tone you can tell he’s embarrassed “I got one for here the first time you came over, in case you ever, y’know, wanted to sleep over” he says sheepishly, while you wrap your arms around him.

He offers it to you, it’s pink. Your favorite color.

“Aw, Ed. You’re so sweet, thank you” you say and you swear you can see him blush as you place a delicate kiss on his warming cheek.

This slice of domesticity taken away from the mystic vibe of your apartment really makes you wonder. It makes you think about a normal life, with him.

The way he washes his face like a madman (without face wash), letting the water wet his bangs instead of pulling his hair back, the way he ties his hair up before brushing his teeth.

You take the toothbrush out of your mouth "Ah shtill don' undestand why you don' have a mirrah" you sputter, mouth full as you spit the toothpaste in the sink.

"Why I don't have a mirror? Previous tenant broke it and my asshole landlord still won't fix it" he says, taking off his shirt. Your eyes linger on the lines of his back a little too long, bordering the line between looking and staring.

So you turn around and you try to braid your hair without a mirror, but to no avail, every strand seems to be three different sizes.

You groan in frustration as Eddie approaches you.

"Lemme help, witchy" he says, standing behind you and tending an arm out for a hair tie.

He divides the hair into three strands. Your hair is so soft between his fingers.

He wishes he could stall so that he could caress it for longer, but an impatient yawn escapes your mouth as his hands deftly get to work. Over, under, over, under-

"Where did you learn to braid hair?" you ask, feeling the way he softly holds each strand, making sure he's not pulling at your scalp. You don't see him, but a smile forms around his tongue, peeking out of his lips in concentration. Over, under.

"I had girlfriends before you, witchy. They taught me to braid my own hair" he chuckles, as you try to tune out the word girlfriends. Under, over, under.

He can see a pout form on your lips, he smiles.

"Why'd you need to braid your hair?" you huff, thinking of going on a spiraling rampage and hexing every one of his exes. Over.

"Well" he begins "one time, an ex braided my hair and it came out super curly, so I wanted to try it myself. Turns out it needs to stay in the braid for a while for that to happen" he shrugs.

Under, over, tie.

"All done," he announces, placing a kiss on the crown of your head.

"Thanks, Ed" you examine the braid, flinging it over your shoulder "looks really nice" you say, and give him a small kiss at the corner of his mouth.

He gets himself into bed. His bed is oddly comfortable and his sheets smell of laundry detergent.

"I might have been washing my sheets every other day in case you wanted to sleep over" he confesses, blushing, as he lifts his arm, opening the warmth of his chest to you.

"You" you give him a kiss "are literally" another kiss "the sweetest guy" another kiss "in the history of always" last kiss.

He gets flustered when you call him sweet, because under the hardening exterior of black chains and shirts with exploding heads and hooded skeletal figures, there's just a sweet guy who loves you and wants you to like him for being himself.

"Just want you to, you know, have a good experience with me" he says, caressing your head.

"You get an 11/10 Yelp rating, can't recommend to anyone, though. You seem to be preoccupied with a really cool girl, and it seems it's going to go on forever" you giggle, as he smiles and gives you a kiss.

"Go to sleep, cool girl. Goodnight, love you" he says, before turning off his lights.

"Goodnight, Ed" you say, turning over so he can spoon you.

"You have to say it back" he whispers in the quiet of the dark room.

"Right, sorry. I love you too, Ed" you correct yourself and close your eyes, falling into one of the best sleeps you've ever had in your life.

The morning after, Eddie wakes up to his landlord bringing in a new mirror, his hair extra curled and all his exes blocked on his social media. But he doesn't have to know about that last one.

[romerona]

All Y/N ever wanted to do was sing her songs and be free. Yet somehow, after offering to pay for the meal of a certain boy in a straw hat she finds herself causing havoc through the East Blue.

Masterlist - Next.

Trigger warning: Harassment, canon violence. Word count: 8K

A/N: The only thing I will be describing about Y/N is her hair colour. Everything else you can imagine her as you wish.

Disclaimer: The songs I will be using in this fic aren't mine bc I have 0 creativity. I'm sorry.

Shells Town, 153 Marine Branch.

Y/N, huffing and puffing, speeds walk through the townspeople, she was late for her shift at Food Foo and all because of that absolute idiot.

That little fucking weasel, he is. Ugh!!! just thinking about it makes her blood boil even more. Whatever, it’s her own fault, she should have known better than to get close to Cygnus or any man really.

She scoffs to herself. ‘She’s no good’ As if he was any better. Both of them had their own things, their own faults, Y/Nthought that was part of why they connected in the first place but it seems she was mistaken. And Y/N would have believed that was his reason for 'dumping' her but she has heard the rumours. She has heard the whispers of him charming up the daughter of one of the lieutenants...

It doesn’t matter anyway, she has been in Shells town for about 6 months now, and she should probably leave soon.

When she finally arrives at Food Fo, Y/N sends Ayana a guilty look when the owner of the restaurant sends her the ‘warning’ look.

Y/N didn’t wait for her to start scolding her, she quickly walked behind the counter, left her guitar there and grabbed her apron, wrapping it around herself and muttering as she did. “I know I know. I’m sorry, Ayana,”

“At least you're here. It seems today is going to be a busy day,” the woman said from the bar, nodding at the plenty of marines, most already falling in their cups.

“Lovely,” Said Y/N with no enthusiasm.

The Marines are the worst. The very fucking worst, they are vile and foul.

Ayana hums in agreement as a cook passes a platter of dumplings, she takes it and then passes it to Y/N before pointing at the table on the back. “Table 5, then take these drinks to 11.”

“Got it,” Y/N nods and quickly makes her way to it, smiling at the customers, a couple, charmingly. “A plate of dumplings for you, a couple of peanuts. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?”

With that, she left to take the drinks to table 11 whilst greeting her coworkers with a smile as she walked past them. Hours pass and Y/N continues her shift, ignoring the shameless flirting and other hiccups…

“Here are your pork chops and Oden Soup, and not to be biased but our Oden Soup is the best in the whole town,” Y/N said as she softly laid the plate on the table before smiling at the couple and parroting, “Okay, let me know if there’s anything else I can help with, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks,” said the guy.

“I wasn’t aware they hire about any skank from the streets,” the girl says under her breath before glaring up at Y/N.

“Bree!!” The boyfriend looks at his girlfriend With exasperation.

The girl, scoffs crossing her arms, “What? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the way she’s parading herself around? Everyone here notices it,”

“Bree, please can you not?”

“Can I not what, Laurent? Can I not call her out for her attitude, huh? Why are you defending her?”

Y/N purses her lips, holding back the words that want to escape her lips and takes a couple of steps back, “I’m going to go now…”

“Yeah, you do that,” sharply said the girl, once again her narrow eyes on Y/N.

The girl simply turns and makes her way back to the bar. She leans against the bar and closes her eyes, a tired sigh leaves her.

“Bad table?” Asks Asimi, one of her many coworkers and friends.

Y/N shrugs turning to her, “Nothing unusual, but today has not been my day…”

“I’ll switch mine with yours,” said Rei, another waitress, as she passed a new order to the cook. “I have the most entitled Marines right now, they had me return their meals 3 times already because it's just 'not like what they’re used to' like one would think they got their swords stuck up their ass or something,”

Y/N and Asimi laugh.

“I’m being serious, Y/N, switch tables with me. They’ll be less dickheads to you thanks to that pretty face of yours.” Rei said pinching Y/N's cheek.

Y/N shakes her head, moving away from the girl's fingers, “Thanks for the compliment babes but I’ll take my chances with the match made in heaven,”

“Worth a shot,”

Ayana places two cups in front of Y/N and points at the group in the back, “Table 3, please Y/NN,”

Y/N takes the cups and walks to the table of Marines. She once again smiles at the men as she sets the drinks down. “Here you are! Two beers for the gentleman’s.”

“Hey sweetheart, can I get another round of sake?” Said an older Marine from the next table to them.

Y/N nods, “Sure thing, sweets, anything else you want?”

“Is a kiss from you on the menu?” Laughs the old Marine earning chuckles from others.

Ugh! Disgusting!

“Not on this one, fortunately for me!” Y/N said as he picked up a few empty cups. “However, If you read the menu closer there’s your captain's number in there somewhere maybe you can call it so he can give you that kiss you want? Hope you don’t mind steel, though,”

The Marines around them laughed and so did the older man, Y/N was slightly relief because there had been instances where the Marines did not enjoy her… sense of humor.

Y/N didn’t wait for a response she simply took the last empty cups and made her way back to the bar. She turns to Ayana “A bottle of sake for table 4”

Ayana nods as she looks for the bottle, and Y/N lets her head fall back. She pressed her hands on her shoulders.

Gods, she hates working. Why does she continue working in this job?

Then, as if on cue, Y/N felt two tiny arms wrapping themselves around her middle. Ah, yes, because she’s a softy…. And money.

“Y/NN!!” Rika, Ayana’s daughter, looks up at her.

“I was wondering when you’ll show up,” Y/N laughed as she leaned down to return the hug. “How was school, Rikis?”

“It was alright,” Rika shrugs stepping back, she grins. “I practised the cup trick you showed me,”

“Did you? Well, in that case, you have no choice but to show me, little miss,” Y/N smiles at the girl, she nudges the girl with her elbow teasingly as Ayana places the bottle of sake on the bar.

“Nooo…” Rika chuckles hiding her face under her hands.

“Rika, go change,” Ayana tells her daughter motioning the door that leads to the kitchens.

“We’ll talk about it,” Y/N takes the green bottle and winks at Rika as she moves to take the sake to the Marines.

A couple of more hours pass and the bar thankfully the customers flow in and out with ease. Y/N was glad that her shift would soon be over so she could finally play with the band.

“Take the orders from 16, Y/NN, then you're off,” Ayana says with a nod at the two boys who had just sat down at a table.

“Right on,”

Y/N makes her way to the two boys, one of them has pinkish hair, and round glasses and the other a dark curls under a straw hat and a red vest.

“Hello guys, welcome to Food Foo!” Y/N smiles at them like she does with all her customers. “Can I get you, handsome gentlemen, some drinks to start before deciding what to order?”

The boy with pink hair turned a shade of deep red, a shade Y/N had never seen very little in her life, it was kind of funny. “Uh… I- I…”

“No need, I want one of everything and a milk, please.” Said the boy with the straw hat, smiling back at Y/N.

Y/N was slightly surprised but nodded nonetheless, “A big appetite you’ve got there sweets.”

“Ah, I just love food,” the boy said, tapping his stomach with a grin.

“Who doesn’t?” Y/N nods, writing on her pad, “Food is the best part of life, I’ll say.”

“Right?!! It’s just amazing,”

Y/N laughed at his excitement, he was like a puppy. He was cute. She then turns to the boy in round glasses, “What can I get you to drink, pretty boy?”

“Uh… a- a water would be nice, thank you,” the bright red was still displaying itself on the boy's cheeks.

“Alright, everything will be ready in a few minutes, boys,” She told them, “If you want anything else, please don’t hesitate to call for me,”

With a last smile she left them. She then went to do a few more rounds, cleaning away the dishes and cups, collecting money and such before she was called to pick up the food for the two boys.

“Alright, here you are!” Y/N places the plates on the table. “One of everything,”

Before she even finished putting the plates on the table the boy in a straw hat was already almost finishing his first plate.

“Thank you,” the boy said, his muffled by the food in his mouth.

The boy with pink hair sends her a small grin, “Thank you, miss.”

“No problem boys, call if you need anything else,”

As she left, she glanced at the clock and let out a sigh of relief. Her shift is over, thank the gods. She walked behind the counter took off her apron and took her guitar before walking through the kitchens, where she greeted the cooks.

“You playing today, Y/NN?” asks Gunny, one of the cooks, offering her a plate of chips.

She grins at him as she takes one chip, “Yeap, and I better see you at least once, dumpling. Even if it's peaking.”

“Y’know I never miss your performances,” said the man returning her grin.

Y/N walks to the back of the bar where there is a small room for employees, to change into her clothes. She put in a bit of makeup, some light colour over her eyes, a bit of pink in her cheeks and painted her lips a soft red shade.

“You look so pretty, Y/NN… can you paint me too?” asks Rika, she had slithered her way into the small room a few minutes ago and was watching her do her makeup.

“Last I did, your Ma wasn't happy about it, Rikis,” Y/N told her looking at the girl through the mirror as she twisted her silver locks in a loose braid. “And considering she's the one I'm renting my room to and my boss, I’d rather not risk it.”

Rika huffs in disappointment, leaning against the wall. “You think one day I'll be as pretty as you?”

“What do you mean?” Y/N smiles at her and pulls Rika to look at herself in the mirror next to her. “You are the prettiest girl I know, Rikis.”

“Really?” asks the young girl.

Y/N stands from the old vanity table and sits the girl on the chair. “You so are, sweet girl,” She takes the girl's hair to pull it on a half-up style. “See? You have the prettiest face, and a pretty smile and pretty eyes… and most importantly a pretty heart."

Rika smiles at herself in the mirror, and a giggle escapes her. Rika was such a good child, so very kind. As she stares, Y/N wonders with longing if she has grown to be kind and nice, she should be a couple of years older than Rika if Y/N recalls correctly…

“Are you going to play a love song?” asks Rika, snapping Y/N out of her train of thought.

Y/N wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, “Don’t think so, Rikis.”

“Why?”

“I’m just not feeling it,”

“How come? Did something happened with Cygnus? Did you broke up with him?” The young girl inquires, her eyes twinkling with intrigued.

Y/N let’s out a chuckle, “You are very noisy, sweet cheeks.”

“I’m just informative,” Rika shrugs innocently.

“Of course, you are.” Y/N scoffs a laugh, she nudges Rika’s shoulder. “Come, let’s go out.”

“Oh, please Y/NN,”

“Nope. How about you go make me something sweet for after the show?”

They walk outside, Rika complaining about Y/N not telling her but the older girl simply ignores her and leaves her near the counter before walking to the bar band.

“Hello, dears, ready for tonight?” Y/N said as she approached the three older gentlemen, they had been letting her play a few songs a night with them since she arrived, always practising new songs on the slow days and late nights.

Duke, the violinist, nods as he takes a large gulp of his beer. “As always, lovey.”

“Never expect any less,” Y/N grins, she moves to the small wooden stage, guitar on hand and her charm full on.

As soon as she did, a few cheers echoed around the bar.

Using a Den Den Mushi, Y/N’s voice rings out through the room, with a charisma and ease that speaks of years of practice. "Why, hello everybody!" she exclaims, gazing at the growing crowd of Marines and civilians. "How’s the day been treating ya lot? Better than me I hope.”

The audience cheers, and Y/N’s smile grows wider and lets out a laugh. “Very good, very good.. but how about a song to better it, aye?”

She launches into her first ballad, her voice rising with the rhythm of her guitar.

“I've been sleepin' in my mind

But now my heart is risin'

Risin' with the tide

Floating on a wave

Buoyed by the sea

Carry me away 'cause the world is not for me”

The crowd claps along, lost in the music and the charm of the girl on stage. It's a moment of pure joy, as Y/N’s voice fills the room with sweet melody and a spirit of celebration.

As she continues her song, Y/N noticed someone in between the crowd, a blonde pain in the ass. It took everything in her not to roll her eyes at the sight of Helmeppo.

Out of everyone, the son of the captain (as he always likes to remind everyone about) was the most spoiled, disrespectful, persistent and annoying guy she had come across in her short years of freedom and best believe she had met some annoying people but no one can compare to the blonde with the bad hair.

No matter how many times Y/N has asked him to fuck off, he simply refuses to. It’s as if he couldn't understand the words that come out of her mouth… honestly, she’s never one for violence but she’s getting to a limit.

“No matter where you land or how far you may fall

You have heart, you have hands

And the highest calling of our lives

Is to find the grace at the very place we stand”

With the final chords of her song, she finishes with a flourish and a cheerful smile. The crowd erupts in applause and cheers, ready for more of Y/N’s enchanting performances.

“How’s that for starters, eh?” Y/N’s chuckles at the cheers.

She gives the crowd a cheeky grin and strums her guitar with an extra dose of gusto. She launches into another lively tune, her fingers dancing across the strings as she belts out the words. The crowd is absolutely hypnotized, swinging their heads and tapping their feet to the beat. Y/N’s energy is contagious, and it's not long before the whole bar is rocking with cheer.

The vibe is electric, and it's clear that Y/N is the star of the show. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long because just as she was making her way to the second verse there was the loud distinguish sound of a sword being drawn and the loud pompous voice of Helmeppo ran through the bar.

“Oh, come on, tough guy. Three swords?”Y/N saw him pointing his sword at a green-headed guy who didn’t seem to care as the spoiled blonde teased. “I only need one.”

Y/N tried to keep going but it was almost impossible when the guy with green hair deflected Helmeppo's attack and easily pushed him down, and soon after, a brawl between five or so marines and the one green-haired guy with… what looked like three swords. The guy fought them with ease, he never even drew any of his swords only using his hands as a defence.

It would have been impressive… if he hadn’t thrown one Marine towards her drummer, knocking him back onto the floor.

“Holy- Stu!!” the band gathered around the man who was under a groaning Marine officer.

When Stu is being helped by the other meme era of the band, Y/N turns to glare at the green-headed guy only to see him grab Helmeppos from the floor and pin him against the bar.

“Don’t kill me, please.” Helmeppos pleads with the guy, showing his true colours. “My father will give you anything you want.”

The green-haired guy asks “Who’s your father?”

“Captain Morgan. He’s in charge of the Marine base.” Whimpers Helmeppos.

“Then he owes me money.”

And with that, the green-haired guy dragged Helmeppos and a sack… of something out of the bar followed by a few other Marines.

“Fuck, am I bleeding?” The voice of the Marine woman. She wasn’t bleeding but there was a big red spot in her head.

Y/N helps the woman up and sits her on a near by stall. “No, you're alright.”

“Hey, Y/NN bring some ice for Stu, looks like he got a bump.” Said Duke.

“Yeah,”

As she made her way to the kitchen, she came across something more interesting… an orange-haired girl taking the uniform off a knocked-out Marine and hiding it under her clothes, nothing subtle about that.

The girl didn’t seem to have noticed Y/N, much to her surprise, until she spoke. “Y’know if you walk out of here with that uniform you’ll get arrested, right?”

The girl jumps up and turns to Y/N. “My boyfriend, he got hurt fighting off the drunk guy, I'm just taking it off to prevent it from getting dirtier.”

Y/N looked down at the middle-aged man with receding hairline and then at the orange-haired girl who was definitely too pretty to be the fallen Marine anything but… she’ll play along.

“Right, well, in that case, let me bring you a bag so you can put it there instead,” Y/N said, she turned to leave but was stopped by the girl. She grabbed her arm and turned her back around.

“I don’t need—“

“Believe me, pumpkin, you do!” Y/N motions to the bar exit which is surrounded by other Marines who seem to have already forgotten about the fight. “And unless you don’t want to get dragged to the cells I’ll recommend you wait for me here and let me bring you a bag, I promise it’s not a trap or anything.”

“That’s exactly what someone who’s planning a trap would say,” the girl with bright blue eyes said, still not letting go of her arm.

Y/N shrugs, “Maybe so, but I don’t have any reason to do that.”

“And you don’t have any reasons to help me either,” the girl replies instantly.

“Ah, but I do,” Y/N got closer to the girl and whispered without breaking eye contact, “Fuck the Marines,”

With that Y/N backs away from the girl's hold and moves to the kitchens. She swiftly takes some ice from the freezer and wraps it around a napkin and then a paper bag. She only hopes the girl actually listens to her.

Why are you helping, you might ask well, Y/N has a history with them beyond her interactions with them in the bar and knows their lack of morals. They are good for nothing and always abuse their power… so, fuck them.

Thankfully, the girl did listen to her. When Y/N went back to her she was met by the sight of a pant-less Marine. “Oh, no honey. You do not want to use his pants.”

“Can’t you just give me the bag and move on?” Said the girl, clearly annoyed.

Y/N sighs as she passes her the paper bag. “Sure but I’ll just say that if you wear his pants you’ll look like a clown.”

“Why do you care what I look?” The girl says ripping the bag out of her hand.

“I’m just helping a girl out, that’s all.” Y/N shrugs glancing at the girl's legs. “Listen, I know it’s none of my business—“

“— you’re right, it’s not.”

“— but whatever is it that you’re planning will be ruined because of a pair of pants. So, if you need some pants that go with that shirt, I might have something that could work for you.”

The girls look at Y/N suspiciously “What do you—“

“Y/N, what’s taking you so long?” Duke shouts earning the girl's attention.

“Yeah, coming,” Y/N turns to the girl with the orange hair, “I’ll be out in about an hour, if you want you can meet me in the fountain just a few houses from here,”

With that Y/N makes her way to the stage and gives the napkin to Stu. “Here! Press it firmly because it seems like you're growing a horn, dear.”

“Quit messing with me, girl!”

After a few more minutes of helping Stu out, it was more than decided he couldn’t play anymore so, they cut the show short. Unfortunately.

So, to kill time, she ordered herself water (Which she dumped a large amount of salt when no one was looking) while listening to Rika theatrically replay what happened with Helmeppos and the guy with green hair, a pirate hunter. It seems Helmeppos finally meet the ass-beating he’s been looking for…. Good.

She should give the guy in green her gratitude.

“And he also said my chocolate cover rice balls were delicious,” Rika blushes.

Y/N chuckles, placing a hand on her head, “Don’t tell me little Rikis has a crush on the pirate hunter,”

Rika blushes even further, she swaps Y/N’s hands off her head. “Stooopppp, Y/NN, it’s not funny,��

“Right, sorry.” Y/N chuckles, and she takes a sip of her salty water. “So, are you going to let me taste those delicious chocolate rice balls or those are only for the hunter?”

“Mom said I can’t do that anymore,” Rika said with a huff of dissatisfaction.

“Shame, I really wanted to try it.” Y/NN pouts.

“I can make you something—“

“You should go home and get ready for school tomorrow,” said Ayana from behind the bar.

“But mom-“

“No, go home, Rika. It’s getting late.”

“Fine,” Rika huffs as she stood up from her seat and turns to Y/N, “Night, Y/NN.”

“Nighty sweet girl,” She said back, waving as the young girl leave.

Y/N sighed taking a sip of her water and looking around the bar, it wasn't her first time working as a waitress but this one bar, she had become accustomed to. It was a nice place, she’s never really appreciated it but it was, people here were friendly, caring, kind… Y/N almost does not wish to leave but she has to, she has to keep moving otherwise the past will soon come knocking banging her door down.

“Y/NN,” calls Ayana, making the girl turn to her. The older woman places an envelope in front of her. “This month's pay plus tips for the performances.”

“Thanks,” Y/N takes the envelope and looks in it. A happy amount of berry…. This should be enough. “Hey, Ayana,”

The woman hums in response as she passes a bottle of rum at a Marine before moving to wipe something off the bar.

“I think it’s time for me to go,”

That made the woman stop and turn to her with a frown. “What? Why?”

“It seems now the time,” Y/N smiles at the woman, “I did tell you I’ll be here temporarily,”

“Yeah but… I thought you’d stay a bit longer, it’s been what two-three months?” Ayana moves to face Y/N.

“Six but y’know what they say, time flies by when you’re having fun,” Y/N grins at the woman who in return rolls her eyes. “But, I do need to leave, Ayana. I’m sorry.”

She regards Y/N for a moment she purses her lips before nodding, “If it can’t be helped, I suppose I let you go.”

“You’ve helped me immensely, I really don’t know how to thank you for all that,” Y/N tells the woman honestly.

“Don’t,” said the woman as another waitress came to give her something, “You’ve been a delight to— what do you mean they won’t pay?”

“I reckon the boy with the straw hat said he’ll come back to pay you once he’s king of the pirates.” Said the waitress.

Ayana huffs, and she shakes her head. “Bring him here because I swear to the all four blue seas today it’s not the day to fuck with me.”

The waitress leaves to bring the poor soul who’s about to get their ass handed today. Ayana scoffs crossing her arms, waiting which she hadn’t had to do for long because the waitress returned not seconds after with two familiar boys in tow. One looking oblivious and the other nervous.

“Hello!” Said the straw hat guy.

Ayana narrows her eyes, “Don’t hello me, you little punk, where’s my money?”

“You see, I don’t have it yet but I promise I’ll come back once I find the one piece to pay you. With interest.”

“The one piece?” Scoffs Ayana, “Who do you think you are, boy?”

“I’m Monkey D. Luffy and I will be king of the pirates.” The boy, Luffy, said with pride and too much conviction that if Y/N didn’t know any better she’d actually believe him.

Ayana shakes her head in disbelief, “Well, Mr future King of the Pirates, unfortunately, I can’t let you leave without paying so either give me the money you practically inhale in food or I’ll have to call the Marines to take you, your Highness.”

“I do need to get inside the base—“ Luffy was cut off by the pink-haired boy.

“No, please, listen is there something we can do to make up for it?” He asks, fidgeting where he stands, obviously nervous under the woman’s gaze.

As Y/N watched the two boys she couldn’t help but chuckle. There was something about this Monkey D. Luffy… he is so unique. So, she decided.

“No need to do anything, pretty boy,” Y/N said earning everyone's attention. She puts a few berry bills on the table. “That must cover it, right?”

“Y/N, you don’t have to pay for them,”

Y/N smiles at Ayana who was frowning back at her. “Call it my last good deed on this bar,”

Ayana huffs, she stares at the Berry before shaking her head. “Keep it, kid, for your travel.”

“No, honestly, Ayana—“

“I won’t hear anything else,” Ayana sighs, massaging he sides of her head as she walks Into the kitchen. “I need a drink,”.

After a moment of silence, as Y/N was reluctantly pulling the Berry back into the envelope Luffy speaks.

“Hey, thanks for that,” he said causing Y/N to turn her head to him.

“No problem, Monkey D. Luffy.” She grins at him.

The pink haired boy walks forward cheeks comically still red, “W-why did you offered to pay for us? It was quite a lot.”

Y/N shrugs, “I’ll scratch your back you’ll scratch mine, right?”

“You want us to scratch your back?” Luffy tilts his head making Y/N laugh.

“No, stud,” Y/N shakes her head as she moves to her feet, she smirks at Luffy placing a hand forward. “However, I do hope you remember my name when you become the King of pirates,”

Luffy takes her hand in his and shakes, “Why don’t you join my crew? We’ll need a musician on board to keep the spirits high, you’ll be perfect.”

Y/N chuckles and shakes her head, “I’ll swallow my own guitar before becoming a pirate,”

“What? Why? Being a pirate is awesome,” asks Luffy, the boy was still shaking her hand.

“Because I have had bad experiences with them, so, I’ll much rather not be part of that life,” Y/N said, looking down at the hands that still shake. “You can let go of me now, stud.”

“Oh, right!” Luffy let’s go of her, “But just because you’ve had bad experience with Pirates doesn’t mean they are all like that, we can be different.”

Y/N smiles and looks behind the boy at the clock in the wall. “Maybe but I’ll rather not find out the bad way again. I’ve to go now, Monkey D. Luffy, it was nice meeting you.”

She turns to the pink hair boy with round glasses “You too…”

“Koby,” the boy informs.

“Koby. It was nice meeting you lot,” Y/N says before moving to the exit, ignoring the cat calls from drunk Marines.

As she walks to the fountain, she can’t helped but scoffs at the thought of her being a pirate out of all things. Pirates took everything from her, in what world would she ever become in the thing that almost destroys her?

“Took you long enough,” The familiar voice makes her head snap up.

Y/N grins as she approaches the girl, “I know, sorry. Would you believe me if I told you I just met the future king of the pirates?

The orange-haired girl scoffs, "Another fool who believes they can find the one piece? Right."

"Ha!" Y/N chuckles, shaking her head. She does share the sentiment. "He seems very determined, perhaps he’ll actually do it, though I doubt it,"

"I'll belive it when I see it," The girl scoffs again, she then seems to sober up to ask Y/N, "So, the pants you mention?"

"Right, they're in my room, it's not ar from here just a few houses down," Y/N tells the girl who narrow her eyes.

"Convenient,"

"You can stay here if you want?" Y/N offers, with a tilt of her head, "I have no problem in getting them for you, pumpkin,"

The girl stares at Y/N for a moment, trying to figure out if she's lying or not. "... Fine, I'll wait."

"I won't be long," Y/N calls as she continues her walk to the space just in between a shoe shop and a gardening store.

As soon as was inside her room, Y/N lit up a few candles to light the small room. She puts her guitar down and goes to the dresser to search for a pair of pants, she did own quite a bit of clothes so it would take her a minute. Ever so often, Y/N comes across the few vials of poison she stacks in her clothed for safety and a few of her modified hand fans reminding her that she has to buy a few more vials just before leaving Shells town.

After another minute she finally found the black pants and was on her way back to the girl with orange hair.

"Here! They should fit,” Y/N said, leaning against the fountain and watching as the girl unfolded the pants and placed them over her legs.

When she was satisfied she nodded before folding it back again, narrowing her eyes at Y/N "Why are you helping me? And don't bullshit me with that fuck the Marines excuse. Even as someone who hates the Marines, you're going out of your way to help, why is that?"

"Is it too hard to belive some people just like to see them burn?" Y/N chuckles, she sighs, stiffing a little as she speaks. “The Marines fucked me over, more than once… I just want to make their life miserable even if just a little,”

“And what do you want? Nothing ever is for free in this life, so tell me. I’ve got berry-“The girl huffs crossing her arms.

“I don’t need Berry,” Y/N interrupts, she shrugged thinking for a moment, “Unless you have a boat I don’t think there’s anything you can give me,”

“Say I do, what do you need a boat for?”

Y/N gazes at her, “A ride to the next town,”

“Fine, be at the docks by 12, and not a minute late or I’ll leave you,” the Orange-haired girl said sternly.

“Deal,” Y/N holds her hand out, “I’m Y/N, by the way.”

“Nami,” she shook her hand once.

Y/N nods with a wink and starts to walk away, “Right, well, good luck tomorrow, Nami. I’ll be thinking about you,”

Y/N thought she saw a smile on Nami but it was gone as soon as it came.

When morning rolled around, Y/N, with her one bag packed and guitar in hand made her last errands, which included saying her goodbyes to Riki and the employees of Food Foo, it was a teary one but it was better than leaving without saying goodbye. She then needed to get some poison…

There is where everything went to shit.

She needed poison and to get it she had to buy it from Cygnus, unfortunately. Cygnus owns a fish shop in the market street but it was a cover for other more illicit sells.

When she got there Y/N was met with her ex-fling and his new and very hostile victim. Y/N knew who she was, the girl was the daughter of an influential lieutenant of the base, and she like Helmeppos made sure to use it as a threat.

The girl was known for getting people she didn't like in jail for the stupidest things and out of fear most people rather stay out of her way or let her walk all over them.

Y/N, in all honestly, didn't care about her but it seems she should have at least been a bit careful because it wasn't even 10 minutes into the awkward and tense negotiation when she was being dragged to the marine base because the girl started screaming that Y/N was trying to rob them. And for what? Because she told the girl to mind her business after being spoken over once again.

Foolish on her part, because now, she's in Captain Morgan's/Axe hand Morgan’s office when she ought to be waiting for Nami in the docks.

"Trying to rob someone, I heard?" Said Morgan, a large man with a steel jaw. "Didn't think a pretty girl like yourself would commit that petty crime."

Y/N purses her lips, "Because I didn't. Either way, I didn't think the Captain of this entire Marine base would oversee the case of a petty crime, which once again, I didn't commit."

"Only on special circumstances. Take a seat,Y/N," Axe's hand told her, and he motioned with his head to the chair in front of his desk.

Y/N didn't move her gaze from the man with the steel jaw, "I'm okay standing,"

Morgan laughs, "How stubborn of you but I respect it."

His eyes shone with something Y/N had seen many times before and didn't like at all. Desire. Shit, she should’ve known when she was allowed to keep her belongings.

“So, care to tell me why were you attempting to rob the fish shop?” The man asks.

Y/N jaw clutch as she held back an eye roll, “I wasn’t.”

“Then why Kaori accused you of it?” Morgan inquires, his eyebrows shooting up in expectation though, to Y/N it felt as if he was mocking.

“Because she’s insane and a spoiled brat,” snaps Y/N, narrowing her eyes at the older man.

“We’ll, she does has the tendency to exaggerate,” Morgan said as he slowly got up from his seat and made his way around it, “Buy still, it’s her word against yours, a girl that’s been in Shells town for around what? Six months? You see how I can’t simply ignore the statements of my lieutenant’s daughter. However…”

Y/N’s gaze didn’t falter as the man stood in front of her or flinched when his axe hand moved a piece of hair away from her face. It was all very familiar, unfortunately.

“It would be a shame to string you up in the yard… good thing for you I’m willing to come to an agreement that can benefit us… that is if you manage to convince me, pretty girl,”

Y/N glared up at him, her eyes hardening as she prepared to send him away but thankfully for her, before she could, there was a knock on the door.

“I’m busy.” Scowls Axe hand Morgan.

The door opened and a meek Marine girl peeked through. “I-I’m sorry, Captain Morgan but this situation needs your immediate attention.”

Morgan sighs tiredly, he nods at the girl waving his normal hand dismissively. “I’ll be there,”

The Marine girl nods and closes the door, leaving Axe hand to look down at Y/N, “I’ll be back in a minute so we continue where we left off, sweetheart, don’t worry.”

Y/N didn’t respond she simply watched him leave and of course, he locked it behind him.

“Shit,”Y/N sighs, still stiff feeling her heart pound in her chest.

She takes a deep breath, not knowing how much time she has until Morgan comes back, she quickly looks around the very… ugly, self-centred office. No wonder why Helmeppos is the way he is.

Y/Ntried opening the windows with all her might but the damned thing didn’t bulge. She tried the door, despite knowing it was futile. She tried and tried but there was no way out.

When she heard the sound of the keys unlocking the door, Y/N tensed as she reached for her War fans that were hidden into her waistband and waited. It wasn’t until she saw the familiar Orange hair and straw did she let herself calm.

“Nami?”

The girl's eyes widen as she enters the office, “Y/N?”

“Y/N?” Calls Luffy a smile gracing his face as he follows Nami inside the office. “Oh, hey! What are you doing here?”

“Yeah, what are you doing here?” Nami asks, locking the door behind her. “You know him?”

Y/N looks between them, and sighs. “Long story. What are you doing here. Is it part of your plan?”

“We’re here for the map,” Luffy exclaimed excitedly as he looks around the office mumbling “woah, this guy really likes himself.”

“No, I’m going to find the map.” Nami said as she moves near Y/N, where Captain Morgan desk is. “Let’s pretend he’s not here.”

“But I am here.” Luffy says.

“Wait, what map?” Y/N asks looking at Luffy and at Nami who was scooping through Morgan’s things.

“The map to the grand line,” Luffy said, a grin on his face.

Y/N blinks, ignoring the bickering of the two as the information processing. The grand line? They’re going to steal the map to the grand line… her hearts starts to pound again but for a different reason.

"Every idiot dreams of finding the One Piece." Nami's voice snapped her out to another piece of important information.

Looking at Luffy, Y/N asks, "You're planning to travel to the Grand Line?"

"Yeah!" Exclaims Luffy with his usual grin, "To find the one piece,"

"People like you believe in something and you don’t even know what it is." Nami huffs as she continues to scoop through Morgans's belongings.

"Well, yeah. Don’t you?" Luffy fiddles with the telescope, pointing at Nami, "So why did you decide to become a thief?

Nami spares him a glance, "I didn’t decide. I needed to eat. You do what you have to, to survive."

"Ain't that the truth," Y/N mumbles as she as well gazes over Axe-hand Morgan things.

"You’re right. Nothing more important than food." Luffy moves around, touching just about everything in his way before he turns to Y/N. "And why did you decide to become a singer?"

"I've always enjoyed singing," Y/N shrugs as she decides to help Nami and opens a drawer. "There was a time when I couldn't, so, I made it my mission to sing all I wish anywhere the sea takes me,"

"Is that your dream? To sing around the world?" Asks Luffy.

Y/N shrugs, opening another drawer, "For the most part, I suppose,"

"Can you all just shut up and find the map?" Nami scowls looking through the pages of a book.

"Where you reckon he has it-"

Y/N was cut off by the desk suddenly sliding out of place, displaying a large hidden safe. They all looked at each other before Nami dropped beside it and placed her head near the lock.

Suddenly, an alarm started to blast, echoing all around the base.

"Shit," Breaths out Y/N, she moves to the window again, trying to pull it open.

"Uh… Do you think they know we’re here?" Luffy asks as he lowers himself next to Nami.

"No, I think they’re after the other thief and idiot pirate trying to steal a map." Nami scowls sarcastically.

Luffy grins, "What are the odds of that?"

Both Y/N and Nami, stop their doing to stare at the boy in a straw hat.

Luffy looks between the girls before uttering with an innocent chuckle "Kidding."

"Nami, not to stress you or anything but can you work a little faster?"

As soon as those words left her there was a banging on the door making the three of them jump.

"Open up!" Morgan's voice rang through the door along with the bangs "By the authority of the 153rd Marines!"

"You need to hurry," Luffy stresses.

Nami grunts, her ear still near the lock, "I can’t rush this!"

Morgan was now using his axe hand to get inside the office.

Y/N moved next to Nami, "There's no time for that,"

"I have an idea," Luffy tells the girl forcing Nami to move as the straw-hat boy grabs into the safe and starts to pull.

"Are- are you trying to pull the safe out?" Y/N asks in disbelief, trying her best to ignore the growing hole Axe-hand Morgan was creating on the door.

"Yeah," Luffy grunts as he continues to pull and pull and much to her surprise his arms were starting to... stretch?

Y/N tilts her head in confusion and amazement. She and Nami shared a look when the safe actually seemed to bulge.

The door bangs again and Y/N doesn't waste a second, she grabs Luffy's waist, Nami following her after her. Before Y/N is aware of what is happening, she feels her stomach rise to her throat. They were falling out the freaking window.

"Fucking..." Y/N grunted when they reached the ground, she felt her side hurting from where she had landed but there was no time for that. She quickly dropped the annoying bags off her shoulders and stood up, shaking off the pain.

"How did you do that?" Asks Nami as she rips the Marine's shirt off.

However, before Luffy could answer, they were surrounded by Marines. Y/N quickly pulled out her two war fans and took a defensive stand next to Nami who was holding onto her staff.

She used her quick reflexes and agile movements to evade their attacks while landing swift blows with her fans. With a quick flick of her wrist, she knocks one Marine to the ground and uses the momentum to twist her body, dodging another. Her movements are as graceful as they are deadly, and she slips through the chaos of battle with remarkable ease.

Meanwhile, Luffy and Nami are in their own battles, each utilizing their unique skills to take down the Marines. Luffy, with his fists and legs, dodges and attacks at will, while Nami wields her staff with expert precision, taking in multiple Marines at once.

However, more and more Marines kept coming. It was starting to get overwhelming. Y/N suddenly felt a sharp pain in her back making her stumble, she turned to fight off the Marine but to her surprise, someone else had joined the fight and sliced the Marine off of her.

With a final fierce strike of her fans, Y/N takes down the remaining Marines and is quick to meet with Nami, Luffy and-- "Hey, aren't you the guy from the bar?"

"The drunk?" Nami added to the question.

"Glad I made an impression." The guy said, sparing the girls a glance.

They turned their attention to the man who had just entered the yard. Axe-hand Morgan.

"The imposter, the pirate hunter, the thief and the prisoner." Called the Captain as he approached them, looking between each of them. "Fancy that. The four of you working together."

"Yeah. We’re a crew!" Luffy declared to which the three others were quick to deny.

"Nope, not a crew."

"Nah-uh,"

"Not together."

"No enemy has ever escaped my wrath. I alone defeated the Black Cat Pirates." As he brags, Morgan begins to take off his Marine vest, displaying his scars from past battles, "I alone captured Kuro of the Thousand Plans. And I alone keep Shells Town safe from the scum of the East Blue."

He takes a fighting stan and so do the four others.

Y/N held into her sharp war fans, hoping some of the paralyzing poison she had covered the blades with hadn't all worn off.

Morgan's first strick was met with the guy with green hair swords but was thrown off, then Luffy tried to strike him but was unsuccessful. Y/N was going to slice his face off but a grunt from Nami stopped her, noting she was fighting the upcoming Marines off herself Y/N decided to help because even if all her impulses were yelling at her to cut Morgan's dick off she wasn't about to leave Nami to fend for herself.

Nami uses her staff to block the Marines' attacks, while Y/N uses her fans to deflect and dodge their strikes. The two work in unison, their teamwork making them a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Nami strikes out with her staff, taking down one Marine after another. Her strikes are powerful and precise. Y/N uses her fans to take down the others, she strikes with precision, her movements fluid and graceful and when all of the Marines are down, Y/N turns to Nami, both girls sharing a look of respect for one another.

"Gum Gum Whip!" Luffy's voice rang through the yards forcing them all to turn to watch as his leg stretched inhumanly before kicking Axe-hand Morgan, knocking him off.

"Whoo!" Luffy celebrates his victory.

Y/N shares yet another look with Nami as both girls put their weapons away.

"Gum Gum Whip?" Asks the green-haired boy.

Luffy nods excitedly as he approaches the other guy, "Yeah! All the great fighters call out their finishing moves."

"No, they don’t."

"Some do," Y/N breathes out, turning to him, "What's your name, Hot Shot?"

"I'm Roronoa Zoro, pirate hunter," The guy, Zoro, said as he put his three swords away.

"And the future greatest swordsman in the world," Luffy added with conviction.

"Well, I'm Y/N. Nice to meet ya,"

Nami interrupted, looking over at the safe, "Hate to break up this beautiful moment, but we need to get this safe out of here."

"Some rope might be useful." Y/N hums, looking about while taking back her disregarded things.

But then, as if it were nothing, Zoro grabbed the safe and hauled it up into his shoulders.

"Or we can do that." Y/N mumbles, gazing at Zoro, impressed. It was kind of hot.

Soon, the four of them were jumping into Nami's small boat. She gave Y/N instructions to pull up the anchor as she unfolded the sails

"Careful with that!" Nami scowls Zoro when the guy all but throws the safe down.

"Whatever you say." Zoro tells her as he continues to roughly move the safe into the small boat, "Oh, wait. I don’t work for you."

Nami glares at Zoro prompting Luffy to speak. "I’m sensing a little bit of tension amongst the crew."

"Not a crew!" They all rebottle.

Ignoring them, Luffy stands on the dock looking around, "I can’t leave without my friend."

"Koby?" Y/N asks as she finishes pulling the anchor up.

Luffy nods, "He should be around somewhere,"

"Can’t wait,” Zoro tells him, "The Marines will be here."

"The Marines are here already." The annoyingly familiar voice of Helmeppos made the four of them turn to him, he was holding two guns up, "You’re under arrest."

"What happened to you?" Y/N, unfazed by the guns, laughs.

Luffy nods, laughing with her. "Yeah, what’s wrong with his hair?"

"Yeah, I might’ve done that," Zoro informs them, proudly.

"Nice work, Hot Shot" Y/N chuckles approvingly.

Helmeppos fires a shot near Zoro forcing a shriek out of Y/N, however it seems that she was the only one to have a reaction to a gun being fired because not even that fazed the pirate hunter, Nami or Luffy.

"I won’t let you make a joke of me. I’m taking you in and handing you over to my father." Helmeppos said, an air of superiority oozing out of him. "I’ll be the hero. I might even get a medal or something--"

Helmeppo's rant was cut short by Koby, who had satisfyingly punched the blonde down.

"Koby?" Luffy exclaims, impressed by his friend's actions.

"God, that hurt!" Koby looks down at his fist but then he smiles, "It also felt really good too."

Luffy swiftly urges Koby near the boat, "No time to explain, but we gotta go. This whole island is trying to kill us."

"I’m not coming with you," Koby said causing Luffy to halt his steps.

"You sure?" Luffy asks.

"Before we met, every choice was made for me. But now I’m gonna do what I want to do." Koby said with determination making all the others stare at him, "I’m gonna be a Marine. I want to help people that can’t help themselves."

Y/N smiles at him. She can tell he has a kind heart which is more than what half the Marines will ever have. She can only hope that he protects it.

"Next time we meet, we might be enemies," Koby tells Luffy but the straw hat boy didn't seem bothered by that.

"But for now… we’re friends."

Luffy nudges Koby in a friendly manner before getting into the boat where Y/N, Nami and Zoro are working to unravel the remaining sail to begin their travel.

And the boat finally starts to sail, leaving the decks and island behind. Y/N looks back at Shells Town, what was her home for six months, half a year, is now a memory. Usually, leaving a town leaves her with a bittersweet feeling until she gets to the next one to do it all over again but now, knowing that the Map of the Grand Line is within reach, she has a new plan in mind.

Find her sister.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Lots of love, be safe.

Divider by @cafekitsune 3

[doublydaring]

Ron what are your top 10 favorites movies ever made

This is not a definitive list I love too many movies too much but here is a sampling:

1. Head - self explantory

2. Bull Durham - the greatest baseball movie ever made. even if you don't know anything about baseball you will love this movie. it will lovingly teach you all you need to know which is that baseball is sex and sex is baseball. Susan Surandon and Kevin Kostner mildly kinky sex with heavy saxophone. Wear garters to pitch better. The beauty of the minor leagues.

3. Benny and Joon - this movie is just... delightful. It knows exactly when to take itself seriously and when to be whimsical. Being something of a Joon myself I formed an emotional connection to these characters at a young age when I originally saw this story as a wonderful musical premiere that unfortunately never went anywhere. I still mourn those songs. Benny Joon and Sam are adorable and the conflict makes sense and I like everybody in this movie. Ugh. So perfect and sweet.

4. Maurice - E. M. FORSTER. I will always be a room with a view girly but this movie is better sorry. The movie that annoying gay people asking for happy ending would like if they understood the concept of class conflict. So good so wonderful. Alec Scudder you will always be famous.

5. My Cousin Vinny - Italian Americans, Jews, the south, what could go wrong? One of the funniest movies of all time and one of the sexiest movies of all time. Marisa Tomei perhaps I am not a homosexual. Ralph Macchio. Fucking stunning. A film that doesn't need to be as gorgeous as it is but serves and slays at every turn. Thee courtroom comedy.

6. Army of Darkness - I can't watch scary movies luckily this movie isn't scary. I love hot men doing dumb shit, I love king arthur, I love Sam Raimi, I love boiiiiiinnnngggg sound effect. This movie is EPIC. Smart stupid fun.

7. Parting Glances - Steve Buscemi gay AIDS comedy 1986. No one has seen this movie because I don't think it got a wide theatrical release its one of those movies I am lucky to know about because my parents went and saw every independent movie released from 1984-2002 at our local art theater (RIP). This movie is sweet and thoughtful and hysterical. One of my moms favorites one of my favorites. Dump him, fall in love with your best friend.

8. Arsenic and Old Lace - I have to have at least one extremely old thing on here (honorable mention to bringing up baby). This movie is fucking hilllarrrious. Jonathon Brewster and Dr. Herman Einstein are the greatest homoerotic villain duo of all time. Carey Grant for God's sake!!!! A horribly dark comedy about the two sweetest old ladies you ever did meet.

9. The Lost World: Jurassic Park - what if Jurrassic Park starred Dr. Ian Malcolm. Are you stupid? Jurassic Park is a perfect film but this one is My Favorite. The power of gymnastics can ward off a dinosaur.

10. Pacific Rim - the characters in this movie blow all its peers out of the water. Raleigh Becket? Mako Mori???? Stacker Pentecost? Newt Geizler? Helllooooo. Dr. Herman. Gottlieb. What if an action movie was good? I can't believe no one had thought of that until now? Not a kaiju guy sorry. Not a Jaeger guy. Just a freaky little characters guy and boy does this move have them.

Soooo many more: Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Pride and Prejudice, Lancelot of the Lake, The Sting, Slap Shot, Barefoot in the Park, Excalibur, Re-Animator 1&2, Evil Dead 2, Bill and Ted, To Wong Foo, Repo Man, I could go on forever.... I love the movies.....

[mirukosbitchywife]

midoriya, bakugou, ururaka, kouda, and aoyama x reader

part two to class 1a with a reader who is obsessed w jjba!

i did not realize previously to picking these characters out that i would give them almost all the same favorite jojo but i can defend my decisions and every reason i have for the answer is different

katsuki bakugou:

•knows what it is, has read the entire series AND WILL STRAIGHT UP LIE ABOUT IT FOR MONTHS!!!! his fav jojo is jotaro and his fav jobro is abbachio

•like. im so serious he will lie about it. if you ever bring it up he never involves himself in the conversation. only told you after a few months when y'all started getting closer and closer to dating <3

•doesn't have anything to say about your merchandise. might judge you for having so much but that's it. might even have his own merch

•won't mind that you jojo pose but will bitch about it

•he will judge you but still leave little jojos related things around where you will find them instead of giving them to you like a normal person

izuku midoriya:

knows what it is, loves it, and will absolutely fanboy over it with you!!! favorite jojo is giorno and favorite jobro is bruno or koichi

•will absolutely cosplay with you and do all types of stuff you want him to do. maybe one of the only people who can do the dio backbend.

•will cry in joy at seeing your collection, finally a fan just like him <3 his lil fanboy heart explodes when he sees your room for the first time!

•100% jojo poses with you and can do really complicated ones. (he does them to impress u like the cutie he is) so he will for sure do them in pictures with you too.

•y'all's dates are pretty much just going to merchandise stores for your respective interests tbh.

ochaco ururaka:

•i don't think she knows what it is. if she does know it's bc someone showed her post getting into ua. fav jojo would be also giorno. fav jobro would be reimi sugamoto

•if you guys watch it together i think she'd be Super interested in it!! probably falls in love with the show after you show it to her

•absolutely floored by your collection. doesn't even want to know the price of one thing let alone all of them together... thinks all the little plushies and everything are super cute tho!!!

•WILL MAKE U FLOAT WHILE DOING JOJO POSES W YOU!!! you guys fake recreate scenes it's so fun. a lot of y'all's dates will be just floating around having fun doing jojo fights and stuff !!

•will constantly bring up jjba and show u stuff related to it just to see u happy :( ugh i lovevher. also has a wishlist full of stuff to get you for bdays and other gift giving holidays

kouda koji:

•knows what it is has read the manga and will privately approach you to talk about it! favorite jojo is also also giorno favorite jobro is maybe foo fighters?

•aww imagine if like all his pets at home are named after jjba characters 🥺 idk if his bunny has a canonical name or if i'm just forgetting it but either way imagine him telling u all of their names and it's just a list of jojos stands

•also doesn't really have a reaction to your collection, will compliment you on some and be extra careful around the items but that's about it

•he will not do jojo poses with you in pics :( sorry :( he's just too nervous for that! but he supports you doing it and will take pictures of you doing them

•another person who doesn't really understand simping for fictional characters but doesn't say anything about it, whatever makes u happy! will show you things that remind him of your fav characters <3

aoyama

•has absolutely no idea what it is. favorite jojo would be ALSO also also giorno! fav jobro is polnareff. fucking obviously. no other option.

•might be a little freaked out at first by it, but quickly gets into it during part two and three! he's SUPER dramatic through the whole viewing tho!! is so dramatic about all of his reactions but he's cute so it's okay

•honestly might be the second most excited about your collection. deku is the first duh. bc i think aoyama would be super into collecting items esp cheese and just because he might not collect long lasting stuff doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate a good collection!!

•loves jojo posing with you in pictures, will do any that you ask him to do, you didn't even have to ask him to join you before he just. did it himself.

•gives you cheese shaped like your favorite characters. don't ask

[taylorhawkins]

I haven't been active on anything lately so I don't know, what kind of hate are the foos getting? also just why? how can anyone give them hate after what they're going through

Hi love ❤️ Ugh, so I haven’t seen it on tumblr, mainly just Instagram & Facebook & YouTube, but there’s been a lot of hate comments towards Josh, and to the band for continuing on without Taylor, calling them greedy and money hungry and saying they don’t care about him. Like??? It’s fucking ridiculous. I did think some of the new music is a little forced sounding - not that they’re trying to rush it or anything but just that they’re struggling to continue without him, which I think is a natural part of the healing process and I’ve seen it in other bands I love that lost a member. It’s not like they just went oh here’s the new guy we’re resuming as normal, they’re honoring him at every show and they made a record dedicated to him, I haven’t seen Dave get through one FF performance without tears since then, and Josh is an amazing guy AND he has the hawk logo all over his drums. And he was friends with Taylor. 🙄

It kinda reminds me of how many people just brushed over the rest of the band when Taylor died and singled out Dave as the only one that could be grieving. Like yes, maybe he took it the hardest since they were the closest, but I seldom heard how Pat must feel despite the fact that he’s lost 3 bandmates now, or how Nate must feel despite the fact that he knew Taylor and loved Taylor for 25 years too, or how Chris and Rami felt despite the fact they were best friends with Taylor too and were just as impacted by him. Like they are very open about how they’re all best friends, and the fact that Josh has stepped in to act as the glue to prevent them from drifting apart and to stick together during such a painful time makes me incredibly happy… I have no idea why other people see it as a bad thing. And the whole “greed” thing is probably coming from Karens who can’t wrap their head around the fact that most musicians make music because they love it, not because of the money, and that’s why they’re containing on as a band lmfao

I hate to give it attention but it was a lot of comments and it honestly shocked me, I was thinking the same thing. How can anybody be that fucking cruel and senseless after all they’ve been through is beyond me. I guess maybe it’s coming from a perspective of not wanting the band to be different or to see someone else behind the kit, but they have to move on and heal, and it’s selfish for people to not want them to do that. But then again there’s a lot of loonies out there that believe in wild conspiracies or that Dave worked him to death or forced him to do things against his will so who fucking knows 🤦🏻‍♀️

Thank you for the ask 💓💓 sorry I ranted a little there LOL

[cupcakeinat0r]

Thnx 4 the tag, bae <333 @lazyjellyfish300

Do you make your bed?

Every morning! Gets my day started feeling productive right off the bat <3

Favorite number?

69 😏

jk, it’s 928 obvi!!!

What’s your job?

Angel fairy princess

If you could go back to school, would you?

Actually a full-time student right now!!!

Can you parallel park?

Princesses don’t need a license <3 (I never learned how to drive.)

Do you think aliens are real?

Duh! n they def clutch their purses real tight when they come around these parts.

Can you drive a manual car?

I can sit in the passenger seat rlly well <3

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Sweet treats. And I have the same interests of an 8 year old girl. Do not leave me around a plate of baked goods or the remote control (I will put bluey or SpongeBob on). I take cartoons so srsly, it’s embarrassing.

Tattoos?

Im terrified of the needles unfortunately, but if I weren’t such a wuss, I would totally get one that accentuates my scoliosis scar!! Maybe like a path of flowers framing it all the way down or som!! Ugh it would look so cute n sexy for…. Oh Nvm😋

Favorite color?

.

Favorite type of music?

Honestly, anything but country, and even then, they got a few bangers (the ones about how men suck lmao). The artists I mostly listen to right now tho are Laufey, Rosalia, Sza, Stephen Sanchez, Lana, and anything Salsa, rnb, Bachata, Jazz, classical, rap, etc!.

I’m also a theater kid so I like…. Enjoy that unironically, sorry 😭

Do you like puzzles?

Not by myself, they’re way more fun w my friends!!!

Phobias?

Death fs, but other than that, nothing rlly, I’ve mastered the art of thugging it out :3

Favorite childhood sport?

To put it simply, one time I was in a volleyball team and the ball came right towards me n I did absolutely nothing, resulting in the ball completely wrecking my glasses and my pride.

I was on my school’s “name that book” team tho n made major w’s in that so 🖕🏐

Do you talk to yourself?

Lmao no that’s weird (I talk to the wall almost every day n imagine myself getting interviewed for an upcoming film im starring in and recreate conversations I wish I had but didn’t think of responses at the time).

What movie(s) do you adore?

As mentioned before, I’m a literal child, so my fav movies include, well, literally any Disney animated film tbh. My favs are Ratatouille, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Coco! I also luvvv old school animation like Don Bluth’s Thumbelina or The Swan Princess, ughhh <333

Star Wars (original trilogy preferred).

Marvel. top three is Cap: Winter Soldier, Spiderverse, and Black Panther. FYI my fav spiderman is Toby, sorry to the Andrew/Tom clan <\3 Those movies r just untouchable for me!!

Harry Potter, fav is Prisoner of Azkaban tho.

I also love horror! Favs include Midsommar, The Fourth Kind, As Above So Below, Saw franchise, Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, Get out, and The Ritual.

Romance is my other fav, which includes Before Sunrise, Never Been Kissed, A Walk in The Clouds, Pretty Woman, and Clueless. Some other unpopular favs are To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Cat in The Hat, Moulin Rouge!, aaaaand Dead Poets Society. Fuck I wrote a lot but I’m pretty passionate abt film so I’ll shut up now!!! I have so many fav movies just ask me more abt it and I could recommend some like pls, I love talking abt film!!!!

Coffee or Tea?

Ima teabag gal, thru n thru! I’ve tried, but I just never really liked coffee, however !!! I like coffee flavored things like ice cream or tiramisu!!

First thing you wanted to be growing up?

Had like 2 sec phases of various things but it has always been and always will be an actress that does it all! Currently what I’m in school for and have a full scholarship in!!! Yippie!!!

No pressure tags:

@gltzpzy @sweetlemongrove @hwasoup @sassypossumm @yougavemeyourheartyouknow @angel-of-the-moons and anyone else <3

Thnx for reading to the end, pookie🥹

Thank you for the tag @sleketon666

Do you make your bed?

Yes, on the weekends especially, but If I don't make the bed my partner does. 

Favourite number?

17, Idk just a good number.

What's your job?

I won’t get specific, but I do stuff that involves art on the daily. 

If you could go back to school, would you?

Maybe, just to get my masters. But as of now definitely not doing that. 

Can you parallel park?

Yes! I’m not the best but I have done it before.

Do you think aliens are real?

Yes, I think there's just no way there isn’t other life out there.

Can you drive a manual car?

Nope

What's your guilty pleasure?

Writing smut and drawing cocks. But also pop music and cheesy romances.  

Tattoos?

None, but my partner does!

Favourite color?

Like a light blue

Favourite type of music?

I like many different types…Just anything but country.

Do you like puzzles?

Yeah sometimes. 

Any phobias?

I don’t know what the phobias are called, but I am scared of deep murky water and also the dark (don’t judge me…) 

Favourite childhood sport?

I used to like volleyball and basketball 

Do you talk to yourself?

Yes, all the time. 

What movie(s) do you adore?

Pride And Prejudice, Sixteen candles, 10 things I hate about you, and the original Halloween. Plus many many more. (Fun fact about me, I quote movies all the time so much it’s become a game between me and my mother) 

Coffee or tea?

Neither….I don't like bitter drinks

First thing you wanted to be growing up?

I wanted to be a vet and then for a long time I wanted to be a mortician. 

No pressure tags-

@cinnasalmon @dark-and-kawaii @dutifullylazybread @lazyjellyfish300 @lemonsrosesandlavender @drizztdohurtin

[maizumis]

— HAIKYUU BOYS WHEN YOU DONT SAY 'I LOVE YOU' BACK

ft. timeskip! matsukawa issei, suna rintarou, akaashi keiji, tendou satori, sugawara koushi

note: female reader❗ had a hard time writing tendou 😭😭

❦ ISSEI was getting ready for work, putting on his usual white dress shirt and that cologne you loved so much, you already thougth about this prank for quite a time now, and this was the perfect moment "okay love, wait me for dinner, i love you, im gonna get going" you didn't even bother to take your eyes from your phone "okay issei, have fun with the dead" he was about to close the appartment door, key word: was "arent you forgetting something, doll?" perfect, your plan is going perfect "mmm i don't think so, i actually did all the chores in the morning so i could have the rest of the day free" he sighs, unsatisfasied with your answer "okay then, i love you" he is leaning in the door frame, waiting for your answer with a frustread look on his face "issei you good? its getting late" he gives up, he needed that your reply before going to work "doll dont do this to me, i love you, please tell me you love me" he tells you with a litlle pain in his voice and you knew the joke was over "i love you issei very, very much in fact" you say while going to him, placing your hand in the fabric that was on his chest "finally doll, i love you more" and before going he gives you a sweet, deep and quick kiss, of course, he is late after all

❦ SUNA and you were napping on the couch, ignoring all the responsbailities you two could have, enjoying eachothers presence with out exchangin any words, it was a rainy day and that screamed movies and cuddles together. a friend told you to do this joke on him after you told her how clingy he was when both of you were lying somewhere togheter. "you know i love you, rigth?" and he is in for the game "yeah i know rin, you made it very clear this last few years" he moves his head litlle, trying to process what you just said to him "rin? why you moving? you uncomfy bub?" he pouts like a two year old that can't touch fire "im not uncomfy, im actually unloved, my own girlfriend doesn't love me anymore" you were trying your best not to laugth at his childish reaction "and who told you that i dont love you" he gasped, how did you have the audacity to say that to him? "actually my oh so called girlfriend didn't told me 'i love you' back, so i think im currently single" and that made you snap "suna rintaro! you are my man and i hope its clear to you, i love you so much, my man, only mine" now he his the one laughing at your childish remark "jealous i see? but yes bub, only yours, forever and ever"

❦ AKAASHI was getting out of bed aerly as usual so he could go to work, he did his usual rutine and had a coffee, a thing that he called it a very good breakfast; the las thing he did was giving you a soft kiss in your forehead while you were still sleeping "i love you sweet thing, rest well" with sleepy eyes, groogy mouth and morning scent you told him "good luck, keiji" uh? maybe it slipped her mind, he thougth. his day as work was hard, he had this uneasy feeling in his heart and couldnt stop thinking about it, is she feeling loved? the moment he got home he was already backhugging you "i missed you today, how did you do?" you were happy to see him, finally you were waiting for him all day "hi keiji, i missed you a lot too, i actually started the book you were telling me about it and you're rigth! its awesome" he knows you are alrigth but he needs to ask so the feeling inside him would let him free "hey... do you still love me?" it came out more as a whisper, a litlle scared for your answer "of course i love you keiji, why would i stop loving you? you are my lovely husband" he quickly kisses you, finally feeling some relieve "its just that you didnt said i love you back this morning" you put your arms around his neck and bring his forehead to yours "i could never stop loving you keiji, never in a million years, dont trust anything i say when im sleepy tho"

❦ TENDOU bought some handmade chocolates home, those you loved so much and couldn't stop eatin, you had to ask him frequently to hide them for you "ugh satori i fucking love this chocolates you always make them so good" he sees you with red hearts on his eyes how you were eating the foo he made for you "and i love you" that caugth you out of guarrd, you gave him just a litlle nod because now you were shy, how can he be so smooth?. that didnt go as planned for him, why didnt you replied? were you already tired of him? he knew it was only that stupid litlle voice in his head but just the thougth of you not loving him was heartbreaking. he waited until you finished eating before asking "umh, i know this is me overthinking but do you love me?" your eyes big and round, brows on top of your forehead, with amused expression you replied "of course i love you, actually im sure youre the love of my life, why are you asking?" god wasn't he feeling embarrassed but relieved at the same time "nothing, is just that you didnt told me 'i love you back' and i started to overthink" you made your way towars him and placed yourself ln his lap "i love you satori, with all i have, i will tell you that every minute i have left in my life is necesarry" now both his hans on your waist his nose boopping yours, he whispers "im glad, i love you too, so much, cant wait to see what the future has planned for us"

❦SUGAWARA and you always pulled pranks on each other, it was a silent pact you two had since the beginning of your relationship, you saw this prank in social media and thougth it would be great to put it on him. suga was now grading some of his students works while you were getting ready to work "bye koushi, il see you in a few hours, please take care" he gets up and pecks you goodbye "good luck, i love you" trying very hard not to laught you answer him " i know! goodbye now" he was left there, alone, in the house, and most important of all, without a 'i love you' from his favorite person in the world. he thougth that maybe you were mad at him for something so after he graded a few more works he did all the jobs around the house and lit some of your favorites candles around. the moment you opened the door he was all over you "im sorry if i upseted you, please im sorry i dint mean it, i swear i will start foulding my clothes" now, this is epic "but koushi, im not mad at you" he is dumbfounded "what? but you didnt say 'i love you? today before work" it was your time to laugh and pull him close to you with a hug "you mister sugawara, my smart husband, fell directly into my trap but i want to remind you now that the prank is over that i love you with all my heart" he placed his hands on your hips and rolled his eyes "i swear, im gonna get back at you"

[duchessofncity]

Since I can't move on from Jaehyun's IG LIVE with Taeil and Jungwoo, take this shit I randomly wrote last night. Jealous Doyoung is my favorite, bear with me.

Jaehyun: Doyoung, you're teeth are really cute. My bunny foo foo :-)

Doyoung:

Jaehyun: What's wrong my bunny? Ignoring the love of your life.

Doyoung: Don't piss me off Jaehyun. And aren't we in quarantine? Stay away from me. I'll call Manager Hyung if you're still here in count of ten.

Jaehyun: Something is definitely wrong.

Doyoung: One, two, three

Jaehyun: Okay okay, I won't leave here, not until you tell me what's wrong.

Doyoung: Four, five, six

Jaehyun: Doyoung. Stop it and look at me.

Doyoung: Seven, Eight and a half,

Jaehyun: Okay that's it! What could possibly be the reason why you're in a bad mood? Do you know why I came here to your room despite knowing that our manager will not allow it?

Doyoung: I don't care. Nine and Ten, okay I've warned you, I will tell our manager.

Jaehyun: You can message our manager but can't reply to my messages? I sent you a screenshot of our IG LIVE from a while ago. Have you seen it? Jungwoo told me I look good and I immediately thought of sending it to you.

Doyoung: I know. I watched it.

Jaehyun: Really? I don't see you.

Doyoung: Well probably because you're too busy playing with IG filters and flirting.

Jaehyun: Flirting?!

Doyoung: *rolls his eyes

Jaehyun: Is that why you're mad?

Doyoung: No. Now get out of my room.

Jaehyun: Are you jealous? Come on bunny, don't feel that way. You know I love you.

Doyoung: Yeah? Love me my ass, you're smiling ears to ears when Jungwoo said he loves you so much, and oh wait. I almost forgot, don't ever call my teefies cute ever again.

Jaehyun: Teefies, why are you so adorable?

Doyoung: Shut up or I'll slap you?

Jaehyun: Ugh, I'm sorry, is that why you're mad? Oh God, bunny. I swear, I didn't mean that thing.

Doyoung: Can you please go out and maybe bite his cute little teeth? I'm done talking here.

Jaehyun: /jumped into dy's bed and hugged him, nuzzling his nose on dy's neck/

Doyoung: Eww stop! I will kick your ass Jaehyun, get away from me.

Jaehyun: I'm sorry ok? It will not happen again. His teeth are really cute when he smiles and you know my weakness. I just find him really cute but I swear to all your favorite Pokemon that I didn't mean anything romantic about that. Plus, it's fan service. People call it like that nowadays. You're my only bunny and I'm yours. So please stop being mad at me. It will not happen again.

Doyoung: We're in quarantine, keep your distance from me.

Jaehyun: Still mad?

Doyoung: You could have an IG LIVE with me you know. And I can do better "fan service"

Jaehyun: Bunny, I highly doubt that. Okay, let's have an IG live together next time, alright? And I asked Yuta about you before I start the live, and he told me you're sleeping that's why I did not bother you anymore.

Doyoung: Fine, stop explaining yourself. You're not making any sense, now go out.

Jaehyun: I will once you stop sulking and kiss me instead.

Doyoung: In your dreams Jaehyun. Get out!

Jaehyun: Okay okay, I love you. Have a good sleep bunny. And I'm sorry again.

Doyoung: You know what, I changed my mind. Sleep here with me and let me prove to you that my teefies are still the best and they can do things to your body that only I have the privilege to do.

Jaehyun: I love it when you're jealous

ok, that's it, forgive my pettiness. And let's manifest jaedo ig live together!

[spikybanana]

Decided to send it this way because apparently I can add music again at random?? (lies. it worked last night? i dunno. i'm not editing) Anyhow, have fun. Lots of great songs here, but not everyone's taste. The 90s were...an odd time, for music especially, but I'll always love it. (i wised up this time and went with spotify links instead of youtube because some of these videos are...wild)

Zombie by The Cranberries (fun fact about this one: Bad Wolves recently covered it and it is fantastic)

Everlong (acoustic) by Foo Fighters (the regular version is fine too but acoustic is far superior)

What's My Age Again by Blink-182 (barely 90s, but still within the decade)

One Headlight by The Wallflowers

Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

Disarm by Smashing Pumpkins (nasally, yes. still good)

Nookie by Limp Bizkit (look, i'm not going to sit here and say that i actually like this song, but you can't dive into the 90s without experiencing Nookie at least once. and it brings back fun memories)

Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit (on the slightly better side of Limp Bizkit, though that side is admittedly limited)

Comedown by Bush (but look, if you like the music and his voice, just look up Bush period. they're fantastic and they've been around forever. they released an album in 2011 that's just wonderful)

Off He Goes by Pearl Jam (i am admittedly not the largest fan of Pearl Jam - though Sirens is a great song, just a later release - but this song hits a place that's just ugh. i even wrote a fic based around it years ago)

Let Her Cry by Hootie and the Blowfish (there's a lot of flack around them but this song is great. people can argue with me all they want, i'll never hear it)

I'm going to stop now because I could honestly go on and on. But I'll give you all you want from any decade between now and the 50's. I've got them all.

ALRIGHT YES LETS GO I'M SO EXCITED. SORRY this took me so long to get around to but guess who finally got stable wifi for an hour lmao.

the links work! that's neat.

Zombies: I've always known the chorus, in the context of a um philosophy conjecture about perfectly normal looking persons who actually have no consciousness/ mind. but this is somehow the first time I heard the whole song properly. I love this voice, got chills from the first line of lyrics. and oh my fucking god, the cover is brilliant yes!

Everlong: I think I like the acoustic version better too. it's so much more intimate and kind of unsettling in the tugging-on-your-heartstring way?? oh also I just realised I've listened to The Pretender by Foo Fighters a lot recently

What's my age again: oh this is so fun. I see and hear the "fuck all this I don't want to adult also listen *insert rly fucking dumb joke*"

One headlight: I like these lyrics! It reminds me of Norwegian Woods but more hopeful.

Hunger Strike: hm this is a bit slow on first listen. I think I like the sounds and the voice more than the lyrics

Iris: okay yeah this is nice, sounds kind of weightless!

Disarm: THIS VOICE is so. recognisable. no that's not the word. it's still so strange but I'm so fascinated, like I'd listen more and hyperfixate on that voice for hours. Also the lyrics reminded me of remus.

Nookie: lyrics of songs are slow to make sense to me in general but this one is especially confusing lmao. also I'd still prefer the loud 'bzzzzz' to tech electro pop whatever it's called

Break Limit: ahahaha I might take your word for it r.e. the rest of the album. I'm not cool enough for this ie will probably only likes rap when it's in a musical

Comedown: eh. (I don't know what in my brain is deciding all this. it's probably more a coin toss.) (wait wait wait no it got better) (lyrics are still *shrug*) (they've got so much stuff though?? & are still around!) (More Than Machines sounds cool)

Off He Goes: oooh. ye I like this one. can I 👀 👀 👀, that fic 👀 👀,,, any chance? 👀 👀 👀 👀

Let Her Cry: flackety flack, probably nothing I'd ever even come across. I like this song. It's been a while since a song reminded me of a (non-fictional) person ;3;

[backhurtyy]

hey ellen happy 400 followers!! you deserve all of them and so many more <333 how about 19 or 30 for the prompts :3c

19. “God, you are so fucking cute.”

Zuko was tired. Really, really tired. The sort of deep tiredness that he could feel in his bones, in the heaviness of his feet, in the consistent fluttering of his eyelids, in the weakness of his muscles… A deep rooted exhaustion that was overpowering, until it was the only thing he knew.

It wasn’t an unusual feeling, especially considering it was the middle of tech week- at this point, after nearly a decade of being a theatre kid, then undergrad student, and now graduate student, the late hours and accompanying exhaustion were familiar. But this show… This show was just in particularly rough shape, so with just two days to opening, their director had been keeping them later and later. Pakku was never a particularly kind director, with little regard for the fact that his students had things like other homework and basic needs like food and sleep, and Zuko never enjoyed working with him.

But as he dragged himself up the stairs to his and Sokka’s apartment at two a.m. for the fourth night in a row, he couldn’t help but find new hatred for the crusty old man.

He let himself into the apartment with a sigh, dropping his backpack by the door and toeing of his shows. It was dark in the main room, but he didn’t bother turning on the light- he didn’t need to, because the light spilling from under his and Sokka’s bedroom door was bright enough to guide his way.

He pushed the door open to find Sokka sitting in their bed with a book open across his lap and his glasses sitting low on his nose, using one hand to flip the pages while the other pet their cat, Foo-Foo, idly. He looked up when Zuko walked in, and smiled softly.

“Hey sunshine,” he greeted quietly, shutting his book and putting it on his bed side. “You okay?”

Zuko just groaned, crawling onto the bed and laying down so that his face was buried in Sokka’s stomach. “I’m tired,” he grumbled.

“I bet… Pakku kept you ridiculously late again tonight, huh?”

His free hand made its way into Zuko’s hair, scratching at his scalp lightly. Zuko sighed and went boneless, relaxing into the touch.

“Yeah. First the sound system wasn’t working, and so Teo had to do a full reboot and run diagnostics to figure out what was going on, which took a long time. And then when he was finally able to get it working again, Ty Lee fell during one of the numbers and skinned her knee pretty bad, so that was a whole thing too. And then he was unhappy with how Jin and Haru were doing a scene, and spent hours on it. Which is ridiculous, because their acting is spot on, as usual, and they have all the lines down. It’s not their fault that Pakku changed his mind about the blocking a week before opening, and now they keep doing the old stuff,” he complained.

“Ugh, that sounds awful, Zu, I’m so sorry. Did you at least get to eat anything for dinner?” He shook his head, and Sokka sighed. “Damn, I hate him. Do you want me to make you anything? Or I can just grab you an orange or something small like that and we can go to bed?”

He shook his head, burying his fingers into Sokka’s shirt to keep him from leaving. “Too tired to eat. I’ll get ready for bed in a minute, I just... Just stay here for a minute with me? You’re comfy.”

“God, you are so fucking cute,” he heard Sokka murmur, body shaking slightly as he chuckled fondly. “Yeah, of course I’ll stay with you, love.”

Send me a prompt to celebrate 400 followers!

[dragonslayer-5fanfiction]

My Burly Love Chapter 10

I finally finished it, and got it up. I know it takes a while, but I eventually get there. I keep moving things around in my plot, and this is gonna be longer than I anticipated. 

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

    Without a second thought I stepped in front of Kili. Before I was set on the ground, I was pushed behind someone. I immediately recognised the stature of man before me. Dwalin. My eyes rolled so hard I thought they would fall out of my head. 

‘He just can’t leave me alone. No matter how endearing it is that he feels the need to protect me’. I thought.

“Excuse me, but um…you’re from Lake-town, if I’m not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn’t be available for hire by any chance?” Balin asked gesturing to the barge in the distance. I placed my hand on Dwalin’s shoulder and peeked over it. The new man lowered his bow and stalked over to his barge without a word. I lowered myself and slid around Dwalin. I followed the new man over to the barge, while he and Balin talked.

“What makes you think I would help you?” This new man asked. I stood there studying him. He was tall, dark hair, well built, and incredibly handsome. 

“Those boots have seen better days, as has that coat.” Balin answered. “No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed? How many bairns?”

“A boy and two girls.” He responded. I smiled at that. Fatherhood fits him. 

“And your wife, I imagine, she’s a beauty?” I watched his face fall and looked slack jawed at Dwalin. 

“Aye, she was.” He responded looking mournfully at the water. 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I spoke up. He turned towards me, seeing me for the first time. 

“Oh come on, enough with the niceties.” Dwalin piped up from my side. My hand flew before I could think and smacked him in the chest. I gave him a glare.

“Wha-” He started before he was cut off. 

“What’s your hurry?” 

“What’s it to you?” Dwalin shot back, without a moment’s hesitation. 

“Are you serious?!” I hissed. He turned to argue with me, but stopped when the man spoke.

“I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands?”

“We are but simple merchants from the Blue Mountains, journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills.” Balin explains. 

“Ever the diplomat.” I muttered under my breath. Dwalin turned to me with a surprised look. “What he has an answer for everything, and is always ready to de-escalate the situation. Why aren’t you like that?” I whispered.

“Cause love, it’s all foo-foo crap. We don’ need tha’ to get what we wan’.” He whispered back. I rolled my eyes. 

“Obviously it gets us somewhere.” I gestured frantically in front of me as we walked onto the barge. He let out a huff and went and settled in the front of a barge. I went and sat at the back with the new man, but felt multiple eyes watching me. “What’s your name?” I turned wide-eyed and curious to the man standing next to me.

“Bard. And yours?”

“Y/N. Nice to meet you Bard.”

“And you. What brings you here with all these dwarves?” He asked, nodding his head in their direction. I let a smile spread across my face as I turned to look at them. They were all huddled together, scheming something up. It could be nothing good knowing them. I let out a sigh and turned towards him. 

“I kind of fell into it. After that I didn’t have much of a choice. It took some getting used to, but they’re quite the lively bunch.” My face broke into an excited grin and I grabbed his arm. “And they’re teaching me to sword fight!” I almost yelled I was so excited. “I’m getting quite good you know.” I added as an afterthought. Bard gave me an amused smile. 

“I’m not sure I would dare cross blades with you.” We both laughed and I gave him a gentle shove. When the laughter died down, he gestured with his eyes, and lowered his voice. “What’s with the death glare?” I looked where he gestured and shook my head. 

“Oh, that’s Dwalin. He’s mostly harmless, well actually, it depends.” I shrugged my shoulders at the end.

“But why is he giving you a death glare? Does he not like you?” He asked turning the boat to the right. 

“He does that a lot. Don’t be intimidated.” I gave a long look to the men, and smiled at Dwalin. I could see him scoff and turn away. I finally turned back to Bard, “I’m pretty sure that he likes me. I think that’s why he’s so protective, but it’s complicated right now.” I sighed and sat down on the edge of the boat.

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh no it’s fine. We’ll figure it out.” I waved my hand to the side. We stood in silence and watched as a massive mountain crept out of the mist. The dwarves stood in awe as their rightful home came into view. 

“Come with me.” Bard gestured me towards him as he walked to the dwarves. I nodded and followed. When we got closer I slipped on a slick spot and my world tilted up and back. 

“Ope!” I threw my hands into the air, ready to feel the bruise on my tailbone. I felt two different hands wrap around me to steady me. 

“Ya alrigh’ lass?”

“Are you okay?” Dwalin and Bard asked at the same time. 

“Mmm yeah, m’ fine.” They nodded and let go of me. Dwalin is a little more hesitant than Bard. Once he finally released me, Bard turned towards the company. My body felt like fire where Dwalin caught me.

“The money quick, give it to me.”

“We will pay when we get our provisions, but not before.” Thorin finally spoke up.

“If you value your freedom, you will do as I say. There are guards ahead.” Bard’s voice was serious, no room for argument. 

“What is the plan?” I asked, turning to Bard. He grimaced at me, “Oh no. I’m not going to like this am I?”

“I need you all to get in the barrels. Please.” 

“Why?” Gloin asked. 

“Please, we don’t have much time.” Bard responded urgently. I saw the flicker of rebellion spark in the eyes of the company. 

“Nope, not doing this. Everyone gets in the barrels. No time for argument.” I turned my mom voice on pointing to the barrels. They grumbled to themselves and climbed in. 

“Y/N, yer coming with me.” Dwalin called out. He gave no room for an argument.

“Okaaay…” I trailed off and carefully climbed into the barrel. 

“I need you all to crouch down and keep quiet.” We complied and carefully crouched down. I set my feet on the right side of his hip, and his were placed on my left hip.We felt the barge come to a stop, I’m assuming this is what he needed the coins for. 

“What is he doing?” Dwalin whispered when we felt the barge come to a stop. We sat there for a moment trying to see what was going on, when Bilbo spoke up.

“He’s talking to someone. He’s pointing right at us. Now they’re shaking hands.” Bilbo gave us a play by play.

“He’s selling us out.” Dwalin hissed body tense as malice wove its way into his tone. He twitched almost like he was going to leap out of the barrel. 

“Don’t.” I moved my hand to his shoulder and pushed down. He looked at me and I felt his body relax. We sat in silence staring at each other when freezing, slimy, scaly fish came raining down on us. I was surprised and opened my mouth to shriek, when Dwalin’s hand covered my mouth. My face contorted into repugnance as the fish settled on us. As everything seeped down into my bones, I felt bile rise in my throat. He moved his hand from my mouth, once he was sure I wouldn’t shriek. “Dwalin, I feel like I’m going to retch.”

“Don’t ye dare.” He whispered. My eyes widened as the stench reached my nose and I covered my mouth. “Love please….” He trailed off. I swallowed hard and removed my hand.

“I won’t. I promise.” The rest of the time I squirmed and gagged while Dwalin watched me with concern. When the barge stopped again, we heard Bard talking to a man. We heard one of the barrels tip and I peeked through the crack in the wood. The barrel Bombur was in, was being tipped over the edge of the barge. If he tipped any further, Bombur would have fallen out. We sat there for what felt like ages, when we finally started moving again. It wasn’t too long after that we came to an abrupt stop. Bard went to get some help, and we were left alone. By the time he got back and we were allowed to get out of the barrels, I was cramping up. Dwalin stood up and swung his leg over the side, climbing out. He peered over the edge at me, and I lifted my hands up. 

“Wha ye doing that fer?” 

“I need help. I’m all cramped up.” I gave him a pout and made grabby hands. He laughed and grabbed my hands, gently pulling me up. I stood there for a moment, flopping onto the side. “Ugh, it hurts.” I groaned.

    “Here lass.” He gripped me under my armpits and hauled me out of the barrel. He slid his hands down to my waist to keep me steady. 

    “M’good thanks.” I mumbled pushing his hands off of me. He pulled them back in surrender. 

“I have a plan to get you into my house.” Bard stated.

“What is it?” I asked hesitantly based on his prior plan. He gave me another grimace. 

“You’re not going to like it.” He shook his head as he spoke.

Chapter 11

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[smndragon]

Hello🏵 and Congratulations on 100 followers! Haha it feels like you're growing so fast, that's great💜😌

I just got a reading but here I am again, this blog just got me hooked

Your song recommendation for today is *drumroll*:

I've been loving this song lately, I'll be kinda sad if you already know it.

Second recommendation will be:

And if you still know it then 😤

For today's moodboard I'm thinking:

( I stg tumblr keeps ruining the layout)

When I saw the ask game, I was already READY. Like yes lil soulmate talk to me with your fluffy hair😌. Also about writing a letter back I'm also *cracks knuckles* ready. As a moderately good writer and a hopeless romantic, my literature references and sappy metaphors are WAITING for them. Anyway, may I please participate in the game? Going to mention my placements again just to be sure: Libra sun, Aries moon, Libra rising and Scorpio Venus. My initials are C.M if that helps.

And ofcourse thank you for hosting this game. You really do put so my effort, like your inboxes were already full and still you're doing more? You're the real mvp🌟 Your readings are amazing and your work ethic is commendable just so you know. I'm not joking when I say I love you and this blog, I'm going to annoy you alot for real😭😌

Sending you lots of good vibes×××

tell me why I felt serious deja Vu when opening the first song and having my phone mess up lol (I okay the music through my other devices) I don't know it so thank you I like so far! Please do annoy me I will love it sm💕 thanks for the good vibes and lovely compliments. The moodboard is pretty as always I love it!!! Let's take a look!

"_____ it's been two nights and I'm already struggling to remember. I understand why you left. I couldn't be the exact person you wanted for that moment. I ended up disappointing you in the end. I know I'm sorry, I always get too jealous. we talked about it before, and I ended up doing it all over again.

You leaving felt terrible, seeing you walk away as I'd you were intent on making me a thing of your past. But you don't understand. I don't want that to be us please. I'm having trouble doing this grammar and spelling stuff. I was always a bad writer as you observed many times before. That shows even more of a reason to leave really, unable to even write a check really. You tried your best to teach me and I somewhat understood. I remember you telling me it was okay. That we could try again and again till I figure it out. I was just about ready to give up and finish another episode of law and order. I wanna watch that with you again. You're always good at figuring out things in that show.

I'm not going to lie _____, I was half was manipulative that night. I know again. I'm gonna have to keep it short cause my hand is starting to hurt. Please come back. I'll be leaving this in the mailbox hopefully you get it.

I'm not good with sign offs I think you call them. Just know it's me, and I'm sorry."

I feel this is based around a break up period after a fight at a family gathering or friend meet up. It's up to you if you want to get back together but I'm pretty sure they can't function without you in their life it's partially toxic but my god they're like a dog and a puppy with you😭

Aura color is green with tinges of red splotches.

Things to look for are green apples or pears. "ugh, again" I see someone looking at a ticket or paper of some sort. This is the same person as the ask you got before. They probably just arrived to your area or came back after years. A person sitting against a wall smoking or something before scrambling up and apologizing to leave. Scratches their hands when nervous. Snores when cuddled up with you. It's adorable lol these weren't much of things to look for but they were so cute.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #381

“don’t try to be the one person who has stayed just to say they never left me”

Do you feel bored with your life? Always. Do you miss anyone who was mean to you in the past? I sometimes miss Colleen, but I know it's for the better that we no longer associate with each other. What’s the most weight you’ve ever gained from a medication? I don't know, but a fuck of a lot. Thanks, Abilify. Have you ever been suicidal? Yes. Do you pray? If yes, to whom? No. What do you miss about high school? Memories with Jason. What do you miss the most about college? Socializing. What was the best date you’ve ever been on? A triple date to an arcade w/ Jason and friends. What’s the last great song you discovered? The most recent one? I don't know, really. Do you feel free to post how you feel on Facebook? Yeah. Don't like what I post, delete me. Have you ever done cocaine? Yikes, no thanks. Do you think you’ll ever get married? Do you want to? I sometimes wonder if I ever will. I'm scared of just continuing to be an unemployed leech that is doing nothing significant with her life, in which case it's like, why even be with me romantically. I feel like such a dead end street. I want to get married someday. Who do you care about the most? When it comes down to it, probably my mom. Have you ever made out on a couch? Yeah. Would you ever get gauged ears? I want small gauges, actually. When it comes to clothing, are you the conservative type? Yes, because I hate my body and don't want others to see it. Do you enjoy eating? I wish I didn't. Have you ever ridden in a race car? No. Do you go out of your way to impress the opposite gender? No. Do you enjoy history? Not really, no. It bores me. Are you a pajama person or do you stay dressed all day? I'm just about always in my pjs. Do you value looks or personality more? Personality is way more important. Have you ever changed religions? Yeah. Born Roman Catholic, converted to Christianity when I further understood the differences, then I went to how I am now: I believe in something(s), but I don't quite know what. I wouldn't call myself a Neo-Pagan, but it's what I relate most to. Would you ever wear fake eyelashes? I would for like, my wedding. Foo fighters vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers: I'm actually not a big fan of either. Are you a fan of the SAW movies? I don't really watch them. Do you ever forget how old your siblings are? My two immediate sisters, I'm sometimes a year off. All my others, yes. :x Mountain Dew or Sprite? Mountain Dew, of course. I really don't like Sprite now, which is ironic because as a kid, it was my favorite soda. Could you ever give yourself a shot? Yeah. Have you ever worked as a cashier? That was one of my duties when I worked at a dollar store. If you are on birth control that allows you take pills and skip your period, how often do you opt to skip it? How come? My birth control doesn't allow me to skip, but rather, it regulates it. Is there a book series where you loved the first book, but for some reason the other books in the series just didn’t measure up? I can't say that, no, as most series I just kinda fell out of, like The Hunger Games. LOVED the first book, started the second, and even though I was enjoying it, I just stopped for some reason? Are there any stores/restaurants that you would like to shop/eat at, but there aren’t any located near enough to you? Haha yeah, like lots of west coast fast food places like Jack n' the Box or however it's formatted. If you were told by a professional that you were unable to become pregnant, how would that affect you? Is there something important to you about conceiving a biological child rather than adoption? And finally, if you even want to have children, would you choose adoption or surrogacy or would you go on childless? I don't even want kids, so honestly, I'd be stoked if I learned I was infertile. Wouldn't need to worry about the chance of getting pregnant and facing an abortion dilemma. Is there something that you did not used to take seriously, that you either now take seriously or wish that you had in the past (e.g., a relationship that you miss, your education, etc.)? Hm. I don't know. Are there any subjects that you are interested in so much that you would read whole books or academic journals about them? Meerkats, especially. I will read EVERY scientific article about them I find. Are you physically affectionate with your friends? I'm a hugger. When you were in middle school and high school, did you witness a lot of bullying? How did the teachers react to name-calling or violence? Not really, thankfully. Are any of your friends/relatives actually impressive artists or writers? Are you willing to share an example of their work? Yeah. I have a cousin who's really good at drawing, and my sister is a wonderful cake decorator. Do you drink more apple or orange juice? Orange. Could you forgive your best friend for sleeping with your gf/bf? My hypothetical bf/gf, no. Would you ever donate blood? I have before, and I would again if I knew I was hydrated enough and the opportunity was right there. Would you rather drink coffee or tea? Ugh, neither. Do you get easily embarrassed? YES. How long was your longest make out? TMI alert, like all night. If the person who hurt you most said they’re sorry would you believe them? I honestly don't know. Do you have sensitive skin? Very. What color is your mum's car? White. Do you live in an apartment? No. Do you have a pet fish? Nope. Are you happy with your eye color? I wish they were a more sapphire blue. Solid soap bar or liquid body wash? Absolutely liquid body wash. What color do you want your dream car to be? Baby pink. *-* Do you have more then one favorite band? I say I do, but at the same time I know Ozzy Osbourne will ALWAYS be #1. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship? In a relationship. But it's absolutely not something I'm about to force just for the sake of being in one. Would you be really upset if Facebook ceased to exist tomorrow? Nah. Have you or would you try shark meat? No to both. Do you know anyone that's pescatarian? No. Someone I watch on YouTube is, though. Are you shy or over confident around your crushes? Super shy. Do you think the govt. has a cure for cancer, but is hiding it from public? Hell, I think it's very well possible, but I lean more towards for financial hoarding, they simply don't further pursue potential cures that are discovered. I mean, just THINK about all the "future cures" you've read or heard about. It's fucking outrageous. It's all to fuel the medical industry. Okay, tin hat coming off. Last time you drank a diet soda? A very long time ago, because diet soda gives me a massive headache. Was your ex born in America? Only one wasn't. Name your favorite type of music and why. Metal. I for one just like the sound, and I find it very therapeutic when I'm especially mad or sad. Even when I'm in a good mood, I just enjoy it. I also feel that a lot of metal songs tell interesting stories and/or have very poetic lyrics. Do you own or have you read, or thought of reading any self-help books? I haven't, but I've considered it. Can you breakdance? Definitely not. Have you ever read a book and not understood it? If so which one? Yes. We were assigned this one war novel in middle school that was FUCKING AWFUL, like I was checked out the whole time. I don't remember its name or anything. Have you ever watched a movie and not understood it? If so which one? Yes; the Warcraft movie I mentioned in a recent survey. Orcs and their fucking deep-ass voice that I couldn't understand. Do you blowdry your hair? No. Tell me about your dream last night. Omfgggggg y'all. So, there's one invert pet that I've never understood the keeping appeal of, and that's giant centipedes. Their bites are notoriously excruciating, and they are just SO goddamn fast. Well, for some godforsaken reason, I wanted one as a pet. Got one, and it immediately got loose. Guess who wanted to shit herself lmao. Centipedes are very cool, but only from a distance, ya feel? Have you ever stayed in a fancy high-class rich hotel? No. Have you ever stayed in a rent-by-the-hour motel? I don't think so. Describe the worst fight you’ve ever been in whether physical or verbal. I'm not entirely sure about my *worst*, but I know it was with Mom. We've had a few. Have you heated any food in your microwave today? Yeah, a shrimp alfredo Lean Cuisine bowl. Do you own any items of clothing with cartoon characters on them? Yes. Have you ever played Animal Crossing? No, it doesn't seem like my kinda game. Do you own anything (e.g jewelry, accessories) with your initial on it? Yes, but none of which I personally bought because I don't really like them. Do you own any cats or dogs? What are their names? I have a cat named Roman. <3 Have you added any books to your shelves lately? Which? No. Have you bought any new cosmetics or toiletries lately? Which? No. Do your pets have a specific type of food that they prefer? Roman will eat whatever cat food he's given, while Venus, like your average ball python, is a picky eater. Like when I first got her, she wouldn't eat for almost a year because I just couldn't find a method through which she'd accept food. Now she consistently takes frozen/thawed small rats that have actually sat in warm water (versus doing it by hand under running water), and she generally won't strike it unless it's offered to her by tongs, but not dangling by the tail. Picky, picky miss thang. What's your favourite variety of apple? I'm not very particular about flavor so long as the apple is crisp. I canNOT do soft apples. Which of your physical features do you receive the most compliments about? My hair.

[melodiouswhite]

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rewritten - Ch. 16

16. The strangest Christmas tidings

Utterson was in a hurry today. It was Christmas time, so he had closed his office for the holidays. Unlike normally around this time of the year, he felt euphoric. This year's Christmas was better than all the others. Lady Summers had invited him and Lanyon to celebrate with them and because Jekyll and Hyde were there too, he could be in the presence of the dearest person in his life. And this time, no one had to hide their feelings. The lawyer suspected, that Hyde had a negativistic attitude towards the most wonderful time of the year, but also hoped, that the small brunette wouldn't make a fuss. But what he hoped even more was that Hyde would let Jekyll be in control, just for a while.

When he arrived, the butler let him in and wished him a merry Christmas. The lawyer requited that wish, only to then remember, that Mr. Singh was a Hindu and didn't really celebrate Christmas as anything other than a day to spend with the rest of the household. Awkwardly he apologised to the Indian, who chuckled good-humouredly and took it in stride.

This happens every year, he thought in embarrassment, as he allowed the butler to lead him to the parlour.

As always, the decoration was colourful and multicultural. Just like the mistress of the house preferred it. It smelled of exotic, expensive spices and baked fruits and for a few seconds, the lawyer allowed himself to be enveloped by the heavy, but rich scent.

Then he was torn back into the moment by cheerful laughter and saw Lanyon and Jekyll sit on one of the couches. They were chatting and laughing about old times.

Utterson felt his heart swell at the sight and silently hid behind a curtain to listen and see, when they would notice him.

“… And do you remember that one time in chemistry class, when we messed up the professor's chemicals, while he wasn't looking?”

“Ugh, don't remind me. That was such a low point.”

“Come on! It was priceless!”

Lanyon chuckled: “Alright, I admit it: that was completely worth the subsequent beating and permanent notation in our school files.”

Jekyll smirked: “Prof. Whitby's reaction was … an utter masterpiece!”

The white-haired doctor smirked back: “I remember, how the principle had to tie him to a chair, until he calmed down! He screamed bloody murder the entire time!”

The blond giggled: “Yes, he was like a burnt, rabid monkey! And with all the coal on him and his hair looking like a hedgehog, it was glorious! Oh, if only I'd had a camera back then!”

Now Utterson spoke up: “I think if you had, they would have taken it away from you.”

The two doctors yelped in surprise and whirled around.

The lawyer smiled and opened his arms. “Merry Christmas, you two.”

Jekyll immediately jumped up and ran into his arms, hugging him tightly.

Utterson laughed and allowed himself to melt into the taller man's embrace for a moment, until Lanyon joined them.

“Merry Christmas”, the latter replied to his friend, before prying Jekyll off of him, so he could breathe again.

“Don't suffocate him, Henry”, Lanyon chuckled. The other doctor let go and mumbled an awkward apology and a 'Merry Christmas'.

The lawyer laughed: “I see, you're talking about the good ol' times!”

Jekyll smiled: “Yes, we are. It feels so good, that we can do that again.”

“It is”, Lanyon agreed softly, smiling as well. “And not just because it's Christmas.”

The lawyer smirked: “Let me join you two. I also remember some silly stories from back then.”

They sat on the couch and resumed their dwelling in the old times. Utterson contributed with the silly debaucheries Jekyll had been up to during their college time.

“ … And do you remember that one time you almost got the three of us expelled for throwing a party in our dorm and getting us drunk?”

“Of course I do! Not proud of it, but seeing you drunk sure was an event!”

“Or that one time Gabriel and I woke up one day long before due, only to find that you weren't there?”

“Don't you dare, Lanyon!”

“Oh yes! We were worried sick and spent the entire morning looking for you-”

“Not you too, Gabriel!”

“-only to find you passed out in the school garden, half naked, with love bites all over you!”

“Noooo, why did you have to bring that up?! That was the worst thing-”

“Come on, Jekyll! Apart from the two of us, no one saw you!”

“You never let me hear the end of it!”

“Well, serves you right! That's what you get for sneaking out in the middle of the night.”

“Come on, that was over thirty years ago! How do you even still remember it that vividly?”

Lanyon smirked: “Because it was that hilarious, that's how! Besides, it's just payback for that one time you drew on my face in my sleep! Or that one time you laughed at my pony tail and called it old-fashioned!”

“Oh come on! I apologised! And didn't I always defend you, when our fellow students were mean to you?”

The bespectacled man smiled fondly: “Yes, of course I remember that. Like that one time someone called me a teacher's pet with freak eyes and you brawled with him in front of everyone! And somehow you still managed for him to get expelled, instead of yourself. That was really wicked of you, Jekyll.”

“I know, but I would lie, if I said that I regret it.”

Lanyon muttered something under his breath, that sounded like: “Idiot.” But he smiled.

Utterson laughed and put his bag on the table. Just when he was about to hand his presents to his friends, suddenly an angry screech tore through the festive atmosphere.

“What was that?”, Jekyll asked in shock.

Utterson frowned: “That must have been Lady Summers.”

Lanyon sighed: “Sounds like she received a letter or a cable from her relatives in Germany. She isn't very fond of them-”

Before he could end his sentence, the Lady herself rushed into the room. She was sputtering something that sounded dangerously like German profanities, pieces of paper in her gloved hand.

Then she flung herself onto the couch by the fireplace in a rather unladylike manner.

“Agh!”, she fumed, “Ich hasse diesen Kerl!”*

When she saw the three clueless gentlemen staring at her, she cleared her throat and sat up.

“My apologies, gentlemen”, she excused herself, “That you have to see me like this. I just received a letter from my second cousin and it's extremely offensive.”

She threw one piece of paper onto the red carpet and rested her feet on it.

The gentlemen winced and exchanged looks. Whoever this second cousin was, he must have really infuriated her, if she treated his letter so disrespectfully.

Finally it was Jekyll who gathered his courage first. “Uhm … Milady, if you don't mind … what does it say, that offends you so?”, he inquired as cautiously as possible.

She huffed, removed her feet from the letter and picked it up.

“Normally, I don't read the letters of my relatives out loud”, she conceded, “But there is no harm in letting people know, what an idiotic sod he is. Feast your ears on this gibberish!”

She unfolded the letter and began to translate the content:

“My dear cousin,

I wish you a happy Christmas tiding.

It's truly a shame that a member of our exalted house is not here to celebrate this joyous time with us. It's a disgrace really, that a woman like you chooses to spend it with English snobs, rather than in her true father land, with her true people and her true family. But if those are the people you want to waste your formidable skills on, that's none of my concern.

But this is the time of forgiveness, so I shall not hold any grievances.

I am well. The emperor is having health problems, but that's no surprise for such an old man. He's almost ninety after all, he won't last another five years.

Father and mother are fine, if only they wouldn't waste their time on those treacherous  so foolishly.

Old chancellor Bismarck is patronising as always and I wish he would finally bite the dust or at least resign.

I hope you and your exotic household have a merry Christmas and say hello to my uncle and grandmother from me.

Most respectfully and hoping that one day you will come to your senses and serve OUR monarchy rather than the British,

Prince Wilhelm.”

She stopped and crushed the letter in her hands, her ice blue eyes blazing with fury.

Meanwhile the men in front of her were mute with disbelief. The servants present in the room stood in awkward silence.

Utterson wasn't sure if he was more shocked by the rudeness of the letter or by the revelation of just how powerful her father's family was.

“Can you believe this?!”, she seethed, “It's already bad enough that this arrogant bastard has the impudence to bother me on Christmas Eve, but this takes the cake!”

With a growl, she tore the letter into half.

“That 26-year-old brat has the gall- ”

She tore it into quarters,

“-and the nerve to sign 'Prince'-”

She tore it into eighths,

“-just to rub into my face how inferior he thinks I am!”

She threw the pieces into the fire place. Then she dropped back onto the couch with a frustrated sigh. Her Japanese lady-in-waiting fanned her with a huge paper fan. Her butler served her a glass of cordial, she thanked him meekly and downed it in one gulp.

The gentlemen also received a glass of liquor each.

Jekyll began: “I'm really sorry, Milady-”

“No, no”, she interrupted him, “It's me, who's sorry. You are my guests and clients, you shouldn't have to deal with my family issues, especially not on Christmas Eve.”

She skimmed over the other letters, burned another two of them and gave the rest to her butler, who left the room with them.

“Foo! And that on this day!”, she lamented.

Finally, her nurse approached her: “Milady … don't let that silly, foolish letter upset you. It's Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! Don't let that be ruined by a piece of paper! Wilhelm is just a proper rake. Forget him and the entire brood and celebrate!”

Her mistress smiled sadly and tiredly and replied: “You're right. Thank you, Marie.”

Then she turned to her guests.

“But I realise, I haven't greeted you properly, how rude of me! I apologise. Merry Christmas, gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today.”

“The thanks are ours”, Lanyon answered, then saw the bottle and spoon the butler handed to her and added, “But please lay off the brandy. You shouldn't get drunk today, Milady.”

“Oh, that's not brandy”, the Lady assured him, “I'm just taking a spoonful of laudanum to calm myself down.”

“Fine”, the hoary doctor consented doubtfully.

Yet the three gentlemen were still concerned. Jekyll had never and the latter two only a few times seen the Lady so genuinely upset and they were a bit helpless in that moment.

Utterson particularly loathed himself, because she had always been a source of support and good counsel to him, whenever he had needed it and now, that she herself was out of order, he didn't know how to help her and he hated it. When he regarded his friends, it became clear, that they were thinking similarly.

It was Lanyon, who spoke next: “Merry Christmas, Milady. That means, a merrier one than it is right now.”

The other two followed suit.

She smiled gently and thanked them, before sitting up and gesturing to the empty space next to her.

“Sit with me, Dr. Lanyon”, she requested and he obeyed.

Utterson suppressed a grin, when her hand brushed his with obvious deliberation and his old friend blushed.

Jekyll didn't even bother to hide his smirk. “Something we should know, Hastie?”, he teased.

“Shut up”, the other muttered, his blush increasing.

Utterson came to his friend's aid: “Leave him be, Jekyll. Their matter is a convoluted one.”

“Indeed it is”, Lady Summers confirmed, “But I can assure you, Dr. Jekyll, that there is nothing indecent about this matter. No ground for teasing.”

“Of that I have no doubt”, Jekyll defended himself, “I just couldn't help myself there. But I would never accuse either of you of being indecent.”

“Good.”

Then the butler returned to fetch the bottle of laudanum and inform everyone that brunch was ready.

“Oh, that's wonderful!”, the hostess exclaimed in delight, “This brightens my day immediately! Gentlemen, you must join us! My employees and I will be happy to have three more at our table! Especially, since my cooks prepared far too much food this year!”, she added with a teasing wink and everyone laughed.

So the butler saved the morning, which from there was passed with the appropriate merriment.

“Oh my! Mr. Utterson, you really didn't have to!”, Lady Summers cried, holding up an expensive new black raincoat.

“I beg to differ”, Utterson said, “I saw the state of your old raincoat and I thought one can never go wrong with a practical present.”

Jekyll smiled.

Of course, that's so much like you, Gabe.

“It's beautiful!”, she marvelled, running her hands over the elaborate pattern and needlework. Then she jumped up and darted off with the coat, bubbling in excitement about how she had to try it on immediately.

Jekyll chuckled good-naturedly. It was so hard to believe, that this woman was actually fifty years old, when she was looking and behaving as excitedly as a young maid.

Meanwhile Lanyon got his present from Utterson and beamed at the new walking cane he unwrapped. “Oh, thank you, Gabriel! How did you know?”

“Lawyer's instinct”, Utterson said mysteriously.

Jekyll blushed a little. He hadn't heard that tone in ages, yet it still managed to grab his attention.

Then the black-haired man handed him his own present and his heart beat higher.

With barely held-back curiosity, the blond looked at the package in his hand. It was small and rectangular and wrapped in red paper. It took him some self-restraint to open it in an appropriate manner, instead of just tearing the wrapping off like a spoiled child.

In the end, his eyes widened in awe: he held a beautiful golden locket in his hand. When he snapped it open, it contained a miniature portrait of Utterson on one side and on the inside of the lid a silver engraving.

From: G. J. Utterson

To: H. Jekyll.

Before Jekyll could say thank you or … anything really, his hand closed around the treasure, he clutched it to his chest and burst into tears in front of everyone.

In his head, Hyde groaned: “Really, Jekyll? He gives you a locket and you start to bawl? Instead of, I don't know, kissing him?! Really?!”

Hyde, shut up!

Suddenly he felt Utterson's smaller hand on his own.

“What's the matter?”, the lawyer asked worriedly, “Do you not like it?”

“I do!”, Jekyll choked, “It's … it's … beautiful!”

Then he cried harder.

“Oh good grief, somebody stop the waterworks!”, Hyde yelled in frustration.

Oh shut up, you hell child cried yesterday!

“I didn't cry over a present! I was in great distress! Partly because of you, may I add! Also, I didn't cry that much!”

Finally Lady Summers ended the mental argument by handing the doctor a handkerchief and telling him to compose himself.

“This is a day of joy, no more tears”, she said.

“But surely, tears of joy must be acceptable!”, Jekyll cried and dried his tears with the kerchief.

But she shook her head. “No. Settle down, doctor, before your alter ego gets the vapours. Besides, some of the people present here are really uncomfortable with tears.”

“Oh, thank you so much!”, Hyde sighed in relief.

You're a brat, do you know that?, the doctor thought in annoyance, then he inhaled deeply and blinked away the last tears.

“You're right”, he finally agreed with the Lady, “My apologies. What ungentlemanly behaviour of me. I just didn't expect to be caught by surprise like that.”

“No one judges you”, the Lady pardoned him graciously, “That is a wonderful gift you received.”

Then her face turned pensive and dreamy. “Yes”, she murmured, “Love is a wonderful gift.”

Her eyes became distant and melancholy, as if she was thinking of times long gone. Jekyll guessed, that she was thinking of her late husband.

“I miss him”, she told them sadly, “It's been twenty-one years, since we last celebrated Christmas together. And my father always sat with us. Then we would chat and laugh about the silliest things. He died five years after my husband. Honestly, gentlemen, one of the reasons I invited you, is that every Christmas I sit here and then I see the two of them again. And then I feel lonely, despite all the servants I employ. None of them knew my husband and only a few knew my father. And do you know what the worst is? Today would have been my father's 70th birthday. Every Christmas is bittersweet.”

Jekyll felt his heart clench.

He couldn't imagine how it was to lose someone so dear, that you mourned them for decades.

Sure, when Lanyon had left him almost eleven years ago, he had taken the loss really hard. He been had completely lost without his colleague's constancy and sense to keep him sane.

But it wasn't the same.

Lanyon was still alive, thanks to the help of Lady Summers. He could talk to him, they could still argue, reconcile, cry and laugh together and be there for each other.

But the Lady herself had lost her husband and father (likely the most important people in her life) forever and nothing would ever bring them back.

It was heart-wrenching and Jekyll had to bite his lip.

“Don't! Don't you dare!”, Hyde warned. “I don't care how depressing this is, you will not start to bawl on me again!”

Don't worry, I'm not going to.

“Be glad, that you can do all these things, Henry. You owe that to her.”

You're right.

Jekyll cleared his throat.

“Milady, may I tell you something?”

She blinked. “Oh? Ah, sure.”

“Thank you. For saving Hyde and me and for saving Lanyon.”

Her eyes grew softer than he had ever seen, as she smiled in response.

“You don't have to thank me, Dr. Jekyll. It was my pleasure.”

Then, all of the sudden, she broke into a huge grin. “But away with these melancholy reflections! I haven't given out my presents yet!”

Lanyon almost laughed at Jekyll's face, when the Countess handed him her present.

“A pot plant?”, the blond asked incredulously.

The Prussian Lady nodded enthusiastically: “When I first went to your house to fetch your chemicals, I saw that you didn't have any plants in your house. What a depressing atmosphere! I thought I had to change that! A flower in the office brightens everyone's mood!”

Jekyll didn't reply and for a moment the white-head thought he was disappointed. But the younger doctor just stared at the pot full of earth, that contained the seed of what surely was to become a beautiful flower.

“It's … it's such a delicate life form … I don't think I can-”

“Nonsense! You're a doctor, of course you can! Besides, you need something to take care of, when you're not treating your patients. This little flower will depend on you to live. You're its parent from now on, so take good care of it.”

“What kind of flower is it?”, Jekyll wanted to know.

The Lady's eyes twinkled. “That's a surprise!”

Lanyon got his present next, a pair of velvet gloves. He didn't show his friends the other present hidden between them: a locket with a miniature portrait.

“Thank you, Milady.”

He hoped that she would understand.

She laughed warmly. She understood.

Utterson received a bottle of fine champagne. “Oh Milady, you shouldn't have!”

“I absolutely should have!”, she objected, “I will not have you force that nasty cheap gin down your throat! Nothing is too good for my friends!”

The black-haired lawyer chuckled and put the bottle into his bag.

Then the servants had their moment of joy, as the Lady handed out a present to each of them.

Jekyll was the next to give out his gifts.

Lady Summers beamed at the scientific protocols she held in her hands. “Thank you, Doctor! This will certainly aid me in my own scientific research! That is an interesting formula, I shall try it out on my blood samples as soon as possible! What a useful present!”

The giver blushed. “Thank you. I'm not sure if it works, but I didn't want to test it on someone else. It would have been too risky.”

She nodded in approval. “I'm glad you think this way. That's one of your redeeming qualities.”

Her secretary took the protocols and went off to her office to put them there.

Then Jekyll gave Lanyon a small package.

When the white-haired doctor opened it, he was surprised to find a brand new golden pince-nez.

“This one suits you much better”, the blond remarked, when Lanyon replaced his bronze-framed pince-nez with the golden one. It was slightly more comfortable and the glasses were stronger than those on the old one.

“Thank you”, he told his friend, “Now I can see better.”

“That's what I thought”, Jekyll commented drily, “Your old one isn't strong enough, I observed.”

The other smiled. He hadn't expected Jekyll to actually notice that.

Utterson received his gift next.

A pocket watch of silver, with a golden engraving on the inside.

“Thank you, Henry”, he said gently, “But may I ask, when you had the opportunity to acquire all the presents?”

That's a good question, Lanyon thought.

“On the first day the Lady allowed me to go out for a walk. Her coachman accompanied me to the bank and to the shops. He had to support me several times, when my legs gave away.”

The coachman, a freckled redhead, whom Lanyon knew to be Irish, shrugged.

“Eh, that 'appens, when ya walk that much after lyin' an' sittin' in bed fer weeks”, he remarked.

Jekyll chuckled: “I know. But I just had to. I needed to get out. I can't sit and lie around all the time.”

“Fair 'nuff”, the coachman agreed. “Neither can I.”

“Hey, I know you!”, Utterson suddenly cried and stood up. “Aren't you the coachman, who drove us here for free that night, when Mr. Hyde-?”

“Aye”, the Irishman confirmed. “Was the only place I knew where you'd get 'elp that late. And I can't just let people die. So that kid's name was Hyde?”

Utterson nodded. “Yes. Edward Hyde. Some twit shot him in the abdomen for no good reason.”

“Indeed”, Lady Summers muttered under her breath, so only Lanyon heard it.

“Thank you for helping us”, the lawyer spoke to the coachman. “If you hadn't let us ride along for free, he would have died.”

The redhead just waved it off. “Mah. Is natural to help someone on the brink o' death. A life's more important than money. B'sides, I get good cash from her Ladyship.”

Lanyon had been keeping a close eye on Jekyll during the conversation.

The blond had grown pale and sombre, but never said anything. Maybe he was considering to later talk to the coachman in private.

Lanyon was the next to hand out his presents.

The Lady received a new black Sunday hat, which she accepted gracefully and put on. It fit perfectly with her new raincoat.

Utterson got a blue velvet scarf, that he wrapped around his neck immediately.

Jekyll pulled a face, when he uncovered an awfully gaudy purple bow tie. “Really, Hastie? Really?!”

The other doctor burst into laughter. This was just the reaction he had hoped for!

“What's the matter?”, he giggled, “Don't you want some colour in your wardrobe? All of your clothes are brown, white, grey or black! Bring some life into that!”

Utterson smirked: “Come on. It's a Christmas present, you have to put it on.”

Lady Summers agreed: “Yes, Dr. Jekyll, come on! Don't make a fuss, lest you want to offend the giver!”

The blond threw them all an evil glare, then he put on the purple bow tie, that absolutely didn't correspond with his beige waistcoat.

“You will pay, Hastie Lanyon”, he threatened darkly, when everyone giggled, “I will get back at you for this prank, when your birthday comes! Just you wait!”

“Totally worth it!”, the white-head snickered.

Yes … that face is totally worth it.

When everyone had calmed down, Utterson noticed a few untouched packages that still lay under the Christmas tree.

“Who are those for?”, he asked.

“They're for Hyde”, Jekyll explained. “I didn't want him to get no presents at all. The small one is from Lanyon, the long one from Lady Summers. I couldn't decide what to give to him, but it wouldn't have worked anyway, because he always knows what I'm thinking. It's no fun, if the other already knows, what you want to give to them.”

Pensively, the lawyer looked at the pile under the tree. Then he revealed a medium-sized package and a small one of his own. “What a coincidence. I have two gifts for him too.”

Jekyll alone looked curious and Lanyon was quite sure, that Hyde himself was brimming with excitement in the blond's head.

“He can't wait to see what you all got him”, he said warmly.

“I can imagine”, Utterson chuckled.

The rest of the day went by in a blink and all too soon it was evening. All the while Jekyll was sticking to him like glue. Meaning he sat next to him the entire time and brushed his hand, as if by accident. After a while Utterson had just grabbed the larger hand and not let go. Jekyll had blushed like a winter rose and grinned like an idiot. Lady Summers had giggled at the sight. Lanyon had just rolled his eyes and muttered something the likes of “about bloody time”.

In the evening after Christmas dinner, Lanyon had been about to go home, when Jekyll had pulled him to the side. Utterson had given them some space, but heard hushed words being exchanged and a sob here and there, which had prompted him to check. Lanyon had been crying on Jekyll's shoulder, while the taller doctor cooed soothingly into his ear. The white-haired doctor had gone home, smiling like he had finally found his long-lost peace.

The three others waved after him, before Lady Summers returned to her work and Utterson and Jekyll went to Jekyll's sickroom to have time for themselves.

No sooner had the lawyer closed the door, that the doctor's arms wrapped themselves around him and the taller man rested his head on his shoulder.

So clingy … one more thing these two have in common, he caught himself thinking and grinned.

“Harry, as sweet as this is, I'm afraid you have to let go of me”, he told the other.

Jekyll let out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a whine, but let go.

They sat down on the bed and the black-haired man allowed the younger to lay his head on his shoulder again.

“You're so cuddly”, he laughed, “That's not just because it's Christmas, is it?”

“No”, Jekyll replied smiling. “I'm just being clingy, while I still can.”

“You're making it sound like one of us is leaving somewhere.”

“Hyde wants out.”

“Oh.”

The lawyer was caught by surprise, when Jekyll sat up and cupped his face in his hands.

“Gabriel”, the blond whispered. Utterson realised the other's intent and blushed.

But before their lips could touch, the black-haired man swiftly turned his head to the side and got kissed on the cheek instead.

“Forgive me, Henry”, he apologised sadly, when Jekyll blinked in confusion. “I'm not ready yet.”

“I see …”

The doctor was obviously trying his best to hide his disappointment, but didn't quite succeed.

The lawyer felt guilty. But he really wasn't ready to go even that far. He loved Henry, but how could he kiss him, if he couldn't even tell him that he loved him? It didn't feel right.

“Please be silent for a minute”, Jekyll suddenly said.

“Huh? Why?”

“I'm having an argument with myself. It's just as ridiculous as it sounds.”

Utterson bit back the laugh that was threatening to escape him. Of course he knew what Jekyll meant, but the idea of the doctor and Hyde having a petty domestic inside his head was too funny.

But the lawyer contained himself and silently waited until the doctor relaxed.

“What were you arguing about?”, he then asked curiously.

Jekyll groaned in annoyance: “That little beast guessed that you've never been kissed before and now he's cackling like a hyena.”

“And I assume he wants to steal my first kiss now?”

“Yep.”

Utterson scowled. “Let him know that I'm not above hitting someone on Christmas Eve, if they don't respect my personal space.”

“Noted. Just remember, he's a professional brawler.”

“I know someone else who used to be!”

“Shut up! You always punched like a girl!”

Utterson ignored that jab at how he had always refused to seriously engage in brawls. “Just tell him not to flirt at me and if he honestly promises not to, he will get his Christmas presents.”

“He says you win.”

“Good. Now come here, you clingy fifty-year-old doctor.”

Said clingy fifty-year-old doctor giggled and returned his head to its spot on Utterson's shoulder. Then the lawyer ran his fingers through the blond hair and the other man purred.

“This is my happiest day in decades”, Jekyll cooed. “I love you so much.”

“I know, Henry. And I'm happy that you do.”

They sat like that for a while in comfortable silence. Then the doctor whispered: “I have to go. Hyde is getting impatient.”

Utterson nodded. “Good night, Henry. And merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Gabriel.”

That was the last thing he said, before closing his eyes and letting go.

The lawyer felt the blond hair beneath his fingers grow longer, darker and thicker and the doctor's frame shrunk considerably.

Utterson looked down on Edward Hyde's café brown mane, as the boy shifted and slowly became aware that he was in control.

“Mister Hyde”, he greeted gently.

Hyde looked up. “Mister Utterson!” He grinned. “How come that, every time Jekyll leaves the reins to me, I find myself in your arms?”

The lawyer shrugged. “I don't know, Mr. Hyde. Ask your other half. And don't even think about doing what you obviously want to do right now!”, he added, when he saw the roguish smirk on the younger man's face.

Hyde pouted childishly. “Hmph! Spoilsport.”

Utterson realised that he had to provide compensation and began to scratch Hyde's head. A long-stretched, pleased purr was the result.

Does Henry know that his alter ego is secretly a cat?

For a while the lawyer managed to keep the young man in trance through the scratching, but of course it couldn't last. After a while, Hyde looked up expectantly.

“Alright, I behaved. Now I would like to get the presents I was promised”, he demanded.

Utterson resisted the temptation to roll his eyes and handed him over the gifts he, Lanyon and Lady Summers had got for him.

Just as Hyde took them, there was a knock on the door and Lady Summers walked in – as she always did in moments like this one.

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Hyde!”, she cried cheerfully, “I just wanted to check, like the control freak I am and it seems my timing was perfect!”

“Your timing is always perfect”, Hyde noted drily. Then he added something unintelligible, that sounded like 'Merry Christmas to you too'.

Lady Summers fake blushed. “Oh you!”, she giggled, obviously flattered. “Now come, open your presents! Like every woman, I'm curious to see if you will like them!”

Hyde snorted. Then he tore the wrappings off the first present, till he held a dark blue umbrella in his hands. He frowned in confusion.

“Is that one from you?”, the brunette asked the Prussian Lady, who nodded.

“Thanks, but I already have an-”

“Oh, that's not a normal umbrella”, the Lady informed him, “The cover is made out of a bulletproof material a friend of mine invented. A mad scientist, just like Dr. Jekyll, only in a different field. It's tested, easy to clean and I can assure you, that it works perfectly.”

The young man stared at the innocuous-looking item in his hands, as if it was the holy grail.

The next present was Lanyon's. “Oh, a coat! Give Lanyon my thanks. I really needed one, the old one was beyond saving, after-”

Hyde broke off, realising that he had involuntarily brought up a subject, that he himself had been trying to forget.

He took a deep breath and turned to the bigger one of Utterson's gifts.

When  he unwrapped it, he laughed: “A diary?!”

The lawyer scratched his head awkwardly. “Uh no, more of a normal notebook. Alright, technically it's supposed to be a diary, but I already guessed that you wouldn't use it as such. So consider it a notebook with a lock.”

Hyde chuckled and put it into the lower counter of the night table. Utterson caught a glimpse of the ivory comb he had given the younger man a fortnight ago. It was still in one piece and neatly placed on his nightshirt, like a crown on a pillow. That warmed his heart.

Meanwhile the brunette was opening Utterson's second present. With wide eyes he regarded the content. A silver locket with a portrait of Utterson himself on one and a golden engraving on the other side:

From: G. J. Utterson

To: E. Hyde

After a while, the young man remembered to close his mouth.

He smiled wryly and commented: “Nice touch. My locket mirrors Jekyll's. A golden one with silver engraving for him, a silver one with golden letters for me. Well played, Mr. Utterson.”

His tone was dry, but there was no bitterness or envy. And the lawyer noticed there was a certain softness in the brunette's eyes. Without another word, he added the locket to his treasury and shut the drawer.

“Thank you. Both of you”, he said softly.

The lawyer and the Countess smiled warmly.

Shortly before midnight, Utterson had gone home and Hyde was now by himself. Well, himself and Jekyll.

He didn't know how to deal with all the feelings and thoughts that were running through him.

No one had ever given him presents before and actually put thought into what he might like. Sure, Jekyll had given him a name, clothes, flat and a bank account, but that had been out of necessity.

And now someone had given him something without him asking for it, just because they had wanted to, because they had thought that he might want or need it.

Hyde didn't know how to deal with so much genuine kindness.

Vehemently he blinked the wetness in his eyes away.

He wouldn't cry.

Not tonight.

Tonight he would feel at peace, just for a little while.

“Hyde.”

Jekyll's voice was soft, almost timid. As if he feared that he was disturbing Hyde's temporary peace of mind.

But the brunette only smiled lopsidedly.

“Jekyll.”

“May I sit with you?”

“Sure.”

In the dim light of the petrol lamb, Jekyll's shadowy form was faint and transparent, as it appeared and sat next to him.

“Are you happy?”, the doctor asked.

Hyde smiled a little bit. “I don't know. I suppose. Maybe your hype from earlier is rubbing off on me.”

“Maybe”, the older man chuckled.

“… Hey.”

“Hm?”

Hyde stood and pecked the other's forehead. An uncharacteristically tender gesture from him, but it was Christmas and that was his perfect excuse.

“Merry Christmas, Henry”, he muttered and sat back down.

Jekyll smiled and intertwined their fingers.

“Merry Christmas, Edward.”

They sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the night, holding hands and smiling, because just for a while everything was fine and they were at peace.

Hyde couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present from his doctor.

---

(A/N: Yes, I know that this is mushy and all, but this is a Christmas chapter so screw you!

*Ich hasse diesen Kerl! - German for: I hate this guy!)

[surlyhobbit17-blog]

Belated Arcana Update

Hey hi hello it’s me. Soooo holiday season means long hours and little rest SO I’ve finally just finished up everyone’s route from the previous update Book XVII The Moon. 😅 BUT I STILL HAVE LOTS OF FEELINGS OKAY. PROLLY MORE THAN USUAL CAUSE SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ALL BUT FUCK IT RIGHT 😂

So as usual before we get started...

OBLIGATORY THE ARCANA BOOK XVII THE MOON SPOILER WARNING!!!

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Aight so here we go my friends! 👏

The Arcana Book XVII The Moon

Asra’s Route - From the Other Side

OMG ALL THE FEELS 😭❤️ MOMMA AND DADDY FLOOF

MC awkward parent introduction is literally me 😂

HOLY SHIT MOMMA FLOOD BUILT LUCIOS ARM WTAF

GADDAMMIT I NEED MORE COINS TO COMFORT MY FLOOF 😭

YOOOO EPIC MAGIC BEASTIE MAKING 🔥

Epic battle against tree monsters and I am HERE FOR IT

“Oh it’s on now Tree!” Put this on my fucking grave please 😂

OH MY GOD DOUBLE SNAKES 😭 I WOULD DIE FOR THEM

Oooohhhh magical Auras! I like

YOOOOO LETS GO KICK SOME GOAT ASS MY DUDES

Omg Family Floof hug I cry

Julian’s Route - Dream Within A Dream

So I totally would still die for my girl Star

HELL YEAH ITS UP TO ME TO STOP THE DEVIL LETS KICK GOAT ASS

Julian is stepping uuuuup it’s so cute

I WANT A SNOWBALL FIGHT BUT IM POOR 😂

I’m going to lose my shit over these damn chains in every single fucking Route omg 😂

WAIT

WHAT

THE

ACTUAL

FUCK

DONT YOU DARE TELL ME MY DUMB ASS STARTED THIS SHIT OVER AT THE BEGINNING JAHAUSOJHS

I am getting in this damn boat and going to kick some goat ass

OH MY GOD NIGHTMARE FUEL JULAIN DISSOLVING INTO BEETLES KMN

UM EXCUSE ME

I SIGNED UP FOR GOATMAN MURDERING NOT JULIAN FEELS OMG

OH MY GAWD MY SWEET LIL BABY BOI HAS MADE SO MUCH PROGRESS I DIE 😭

AM I JUST GUNNA YELL FOR HIS ENTIRE ROUTE?! I LEAN TOWARDS YES

OH MY GOD WE FINALLY GET TO MEET DEATH JAHSIKNSKO

OH

MY

GAWD

ITS VLADELAVEMAH (VALDEMAR)

Aw damn I’m disappointed now smdh fucking Valdemar ruining the mood

“Kick their ass!” AIGHT IMA DO IT

EW THEYRE MELTING EW EW EW

PUT THE CHAIN BACK 😫

I have so many feelings about this Route omg 😭💀🔥❤️

Nadia’s Route - Breaking Chains

((Side Note: I totally did Nadia’s Route super late after the others...like I just barely finished it. I KNOW NADI DESERVES BETTER BUT ALSO SLEEP 😫))

YAY WE ARE THE FOOL! But holy shit we stole their body yikes...sorry my dude

Awwww Nadia is too sweet

Yaaas Nadia define yo damn self queen 👏

Super jealous of Nadi and Asras friendship tbh. What bros. I love it

“I’ll get them here one way or another” DAMN OKAY ASRA

DAMN I NEED MORE COINS 😭

DAMN VLASTOMIL YOU UGLY MY DUDE

MC ESMÉ BREAKER OF CHAINS BITCHES LETS UNBIND THIS FOO

Nadia is such a bamf omg 👏

Awww worried Nadi ❤️

AWWW VOLTA IS SO CUTEEEE OMG SOMEONE GIVE HER A COOKIE

.............

OOOOOOHHHH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOD 😂😂😂 SHES TERRIFYING 😂😂😂

Aw poor Volta I feel bad for her

OMG VOLTA IS SO CUTE 😭❤️ GG PROTECC THE BABY

Hierophant realm here we come! We on a roll!

Ew who turned the Hierophant into Voldemort. My guy got got

UGH VALERIUS YOU ANNOYING FUCK GTFO

THATS IT?! Omfgggg need more Nadi/MC badassery in my life

So wow wow wow what a fucking fun update! Now I gatta make some time to finish up Book XIX The Sun for my babies AND OMFG WE FINALLY GET SOMEONE NEW MY DUDE MURIEL so I gatta start that soon! Hopefully within the next few days!!! 👏