#you can't see her hood but maybe you can imagine she can pull it down to do that weird face shroud with the chairman's robes idk

[caravanlurker]

shout out to that one time I watched the PRISMCorps Magical Girl lore video and the first few episodes of TGAMM in veeery close proximity. too much time on this xP loong ramble in the tags

[fuxuannie]

* pairing(s) : various hsr x gender neutral reader

* prompt : drabbles abt hsr charac's and smth they like abt u?? idk im having brainrot spare me <\3.

* authors note : this was a cute idea, lowkey made me miss having a crush HAHAHA. if this does well i promy on my left toe ill do a part two (REAL).. maybe ooc, i'm just brainrotting huhu

DAN HENG was.. oddly uncomfortable but comfortable with the feeling of liking you. You two hadn't been together long, but the short amount of time had him noticing all the little quirks that you'd do, how you'd tap your pencil whenever you were stuck on a problem, the routine you had every morning and the little notes you'd leave for the trailblazers inside their rooms.

The part that made him feel a little iffy was that.. he wasn't used to being like this. He was never the type to care much about the quirks and habits of people, but considering the amount of time he spends with you (and staring at you), he can't really blame himself. He was absolutely smitten for you, so maybe those changes weren't so bad.

"You're so cute." He chuckles as he leans on his doorframe, catching you red handed as you stick the 'anonymous' sticky note on his desk. (Everyone figured it out it was you since you were the only one who wouldn't recieve one.) "Heyy, how did you catch me?" You say with a giggle, as he walked towards you and pulled you close from your waist. "The little things about you give everything away, my love."

Saying that MARCH 7TH adored you was an understatement. She absolutely LOVED being with you, all the time, everywhere. She'll be clinging onto you like a koala and if you're busy or Welt tells her to stop being so affectionate she'll pout and cross her arms. "Why can't I be with my partner?!" She'll say with an annoyed tone, "Because you have a mission, March." Welt would reply, rolling his eyes as you only chuckle in amusement.

You already knew how clingy she'd be, and infact you loved that about her, it was so sweet with how much she cared. She'll take and shoot thousands of arrows for you, to protect you and make sure you'll always be safe and happy to cuddle her before sleeping.

Speaking of which, shes in your arms, softly snoring as you two snuggle closely on her bed. You can't believe she's yours, the most pretty, bashful and caring girl in the universe. And she loved being with you the most.

BRONYA frowned as she stared at the clock in her office, 9PM. She was still forbidden to go home, and knew how lonely it must be for you. She was your lover, but could barely find time on most days to be with you. "It's okay!" She remembers you saying, but she can't help but feel guilty imagining all the times you slept alone in a shared bed.

The sound of her door creaking open caught her attention, and she watched as you peeked your head through the door and giggle. "(name)?!" She says with a shocked and confused voice, watching you open the little sling bag that you brought with you and pull out a lunchbox. "Eat. I know you haven't eaten." You demand, putting the neatly put together meal that you made for her.

Even if you had done this so many times, it still surprised Bronya every time you had these little surprise visits. "Dear.. I appreciate all of this but it'll be late if you leave now-" But a puzzled expression is plastered all over her face as she watched you make a little comfy sleeping corner with a pillow and a hood you were wearing as a blanket.

She sighs at your stubborn nature, knowing she won't change your mind. You notice her pulling up a chair and putting it next to hers, she sits down and pats her lap. "You can.. try and see if that's more comfortable." Finally, her worried gaze turned into a smile as you're eyes sparkled in delight. Before you sat down, you plant a kiss on her cheek and lay down on her lap.

"I love you, Bronya."

"I love you more, (name)."

Dating JING YUAN might be the hardest quest you've accepted, the DOZING GENERAL was on quite a handful of lists of men that parents want their daughters to marry. And hell, they've even tried throwing their daughters in his way, but he's effortlessly avoided them all. As you were the only person who had truly mattered in his heart.

He knew that his popularity can be.. suffocating. Even when he was simply courting you, he asked Tingyun to stop selling photos of him, so you'd know that he was completely serious on being a better man than he ever could be for you. But that alone can't stop the delusions of obsessed women, and Jing Yuan spent no time reassuring you that you're the only one who gets to hold his heart and say it belongs to you.

In a crowded area, his eyes never stray far from your figure that stands next to him and holds his hand. Despite the whispers, or the fawning women (and men), his eyes were locked on yours and his gaze wasn't going anywhere.

During his meetings (where he'd sometimes be dozing off..), he'd notice how you'd actually be paying attention and smiles at your adorable serious face like the most smitten man he is in the galaxy.

You can generalize it and say that Jing Yuan has made it so painfully clear to everyone that he was inlove with one person, and had no intentions of entertaning anyone else.

HERTA, despite her puppets scattered everywhere, her main body was always nervous when it came to being around you. Maybe you were used to it, always seeing her around, but she had not quite been used to human to human contact in a while. It's natural the way she tries to brush off the way she profusely blushes after your fingertips brush against her, because she's not used to spending so much time with someone as herself. She can't just pretend something isn't there anymore, because around you, she's just an absolute mess.

You watched Herta as she works on yet another puppet for the station, putting a hand on her shoulder as she jolts at the touch. "Hehe, no need to be startled. It's just me." You tell her, but she pouts a little in response. "I am an utterly perfect being. Little things such as that do not invoke fear in me."

Humming as a response, she finds it hard to find any interest in her work now. Why would she? You're right next to her, and you were far more interesting and pretty than any of the other things she's created.

She leans on you and you look down at her, "Hm? Have you lost interest in it already?" You ask, already familiar with her habit of losing motivation in a task when uninterested. She looks up at you and smiles a little. "How could I not when you're here? I might even say, you're the most interesting thing in my entire life."

GEPARD was a man who thought that loyalty was to be earned, not given freely. So when he had met you, his heart knew that no one was as deserving of his loyalty than you. You were apart of the Silvermane guards, and so naturally he was your leader. On the first day, you were very kind to not only Gepard, but your fellow guards as well. Many believed you were the kindness that the Silvermane guards deserved but never recieved, and he couldn't help but agree.

When you two began dating, he never noticed how much softer he had gotten. The way his gaze lingered on you when you left the room, the gentle kisses he'd plant on your cheek, and the way he enjoyed making you flustered. Those things were actions that the Captain didn't know he could enjoy, until you had come into his life, and practically changed the trajectory of it.

You were rambling on about something, and as usual Gepard sat next to you and listened. Smiling a bit at your excitement of whatever you were so passionate about, eventually his gaze went from your eyes, to your lips and at that realization he nervously looked away and stared at his shoes as if the most interesting thing in the world.

"Gepard? Are you alright?" You noticed how he he had looked away, and he was silent for a few moments before swiftly planting a kiss on your lips, something unexpected considering you were both in a public space. When he pulled away, a clear blush decorated his cheeks in such a color that made him look so pretty. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

SAMPO adores messing with you, little teases to get you riled up. (but never taking it too far.) How could he not? When you have such a pretty expression when you were getting teased. But other than that, he was surprisingly domestic. He liked cooking for and with you, washing clothes, eating together in the morning and generally just liked doing house work with you.

You'd wake up to breakfast in bed more often than not, and a smiling Sampo waiting for you to wake up in the side opposite to you. "Good morning, sleepy head." or "Good morning, sleeping beauty." on other days, he was such a sweet man to you, to a point you were unsure of what you did to deserve him.

And he knew you thought of that, so every night he'd whisper all the little things he grew to love about you. His own little way to let you sleep without a heavy heart.

You were the child of a swordsmith, YANQING adored swords. Need I say more? You two loved to go on and on about different swords, how they're made, how they're used and the history. Yanqing loved to talk about this with you, as many people thought he was almost crazy for his love for it, but you never judged him. That little thought alone made his heart flutter and eyes sparkle in adoration.

You let him be the little excited nerd he was whenever you invited him to your job, admiring the photos of different swords you helped make on the walls and if he was good, you'd make him a new one to take home.

"I love you! I love you, I love you, I love you!" He'd gush, admiring the newly forged blade in his hands as you chuckle a bit at his excitement. "Your welcome, love."

[bumblebeesfromvenus]

The Kiss of a Siren 🫧

Pirate!Leon S Kennedy x Siren!reader

A/N: it's done!!! I actually love how this turned out! This was a really fun pairing to write and I can totally see myself writing more Pirate!Leon in the future :)

~Fi 🐝

《Content》: a little bit of gore, but not descriptive. Death (a girl's gotta eat)Luis cameo! MIKE CAMEO! Leon runs straight into danger (Aka being Leon)

《Word count》: 6.1k

Please don't copy my work! I put a lot of effort and heart into the things I write.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ──🌊── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ──🌊── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

The ocean laid almost still, only soft and gentle waves blew over the water, causing it to ripple and lap at the wooden hull of his mighty ship. His gaze turned towards the horizon, watching as the moon reflected and glitter on the surface.

There was a soft slosh from his nearly empty bottle of rum as he took another swig, the burning as it went down starting a fire in his veins and being the only thing shielding him from the cold and salty breeze.

It was dark, all lights extinguished. His crew and his first mate were slumbering peacefully beneath deck, all rocked to sleep by the sea.

A feeling of melancholy washed over him as a sigh rolled off his lips. He knew his heart belonged to the sea, but he couldn't help the pressing loneliness in his chest on nights like these, wishing he had a fair lady to love.

Maybe then he'd consider coming home now and then.

He loved the ocean dearly, but she couldn't dry his tears and fill his arms as a woman of his own could.

He shook off the thought, taking a breath and focusing on the peaceful sway of his ship, looking forward to another day of wearing his Tricorn. Stolen, of course, although earned. Perhaps not by the accords of the Captain he'd snagged it from, but by his loyal crew.

Although Leon was a pirate, he wasn't heartless. He'd been through every terrible storm and ruthless attack with these men, and they respected him as their Captain.

There was no mutiny, no plans of overthrowing him, simply because he hadn't given them a reason to.

He was often called the Robin Hood of the seven seas; taking from the rich and cocky and giving it to the less fortunate. Of course he still plundered purely for the fun of it, but only other pirates.

They knew to avoid him, especially if they were the rowdy kind that took from the poor.

Because, above all, he wasn't just the greatest pirate Captain since Anne Bonny but a harbinger of justice that could both lend a gentle hand to those in need and strike fear into the hearts of anyone who had crossed him or his morals.

He was pulled out of his self pity by a distressed sound that cut through the silence of the night like a freshly sharpened cutlass. His brows pulled together as his eyes searched for the source of this noise.

Leon was on high alert, he wouldn't be surprised if rival pirates were using distress calls as bait for an ambush. Setting down the empty bottle of dark rum, he went over to the other side of his ship, facing the sandy shore.

And, as if the gods wanted him to see, he spotted a woman desperately clinging onto a large rock in the water. She was perfectly illuminated by the moonlight, even as she sobbed and struggled, she looked ethereal.

Leon sprung into action and climbed down the rope ladder at the side of his ship into a row boat.

What he hadn't noticed in his hurry, however, was the faint glow of a lantern being lit and a dark figure watching him carefully from atop his ship.

"Hold on, I'm coming for you!" He said loudly, rowing with his entire might as he saw the woman slipping.

"I-.. I can't hold on much longer, please help me!" She wept, seemingly trying to dig her nails into the algae covered boulder as best she could. Seeing her in such distress made his heart ache.

He didn't want to imagine what the outcome would be if he hadn't spotted her. With heaving breaths and a pull in the muscles of his arms, he rowed closer and closer, seeing her more clearly now.

She was quite beautiful, with her wet hair clinging to her skin and her tears glittering on her cheeks.

His boat bumped into the rock as he jumped up and held out his hand for her to grasp onto.

"Here. Just take my hand, I'll help you." Leon heaved, trying to steady the wooden vessel.

You reached for him, tightly clinging to his arm as he reeled you in like a fisherman would his catch of the day.

How ironic, you thought, having to stop yourself from smirking.

Your tail swished in the water, concealed by its darkness, as you made an effort to keep up your act.

"Thank you. Gods, you saved my life. I just wanted to bathe but the current ripped me away and I couldn't-" You babbled through sobs and wails.

"Calm down, alright? I've got you. You're safe." He spoke softly, much softer than you'd anticipated.

His huge yet gentle hands were steadied on your upper arms as you tightly gripped the edge of the boat.

"I'll help you into the boat." He breathed, now very aware of your bare skin. Your eyes widened slightly and your grip tightened.

"I- no, no, I... I'm so exhausted... I just need a break.." you tried to assure him with a half hearted smile.

"Oh, yes, of course." He chuckled awkwardly, sitting back down but still keeping a hand on you, just in case.

Your eyes glid over his form. His broad shoulders and bulging arms with a strong chest. Not to mention the mix of soft and sharp features and those beautiful blue eyes.

They reminded you of home. The deep, silent and peaceful parts of the ocean.

Lucky you; your dinner looked extra delicious today. Your mouth watered at the mere thought of sinking your teeth into his flesh and taking a bite.

It was quiet except for the waves crashing onto the rocks and the small ripples caused by you sloshing agaisnt the wood of his boat. You gazed upon eachother, a scene bathed in the fairest of moonlights, as your shared curiosity took over.

His hand slowly migrated to gentle hold your face as his thumb softly, but not without a hesitant twitch in his fingertips, wiped away at your tears.

Tears that shimmered like diamonds and the most notorious treasures of the seas. Leon was mesmerized, almost captivated, by your presence.

Something was pulling him in, something so deceiving, that he let himself slowly slip into your spell.

"A girl like you shouldn't be out alone past dusk." Leon broke the tense silence with quiet words as he brushed some of the hair clinging to your forehead out of your face. Your lips turned up into a soft smile, and Leon could feel his heart pound at your beauty.

"A girl like me?" You asked playfully, trailing you hand from the wooden edge to gently grasp at his arm. He thought for a moment.

"A girl so... beautiful. So sweet. So soft." His words were merely above a whisper and you could see his chest falling and rising just a little faster than before.

His pupils almost swallowed up the entirety of his pretty blues, making you mourn the mirroring image of your home.

"You flatter me." You replied with a soft chuckle, your other hand rising up to plant itself against his chest. He instinctively leaned forwards, his warm breath tickling your face.

There was a hint of sadness in your chest and it was getting harder to play the part. It seemed so easy to fall for those sandy locks and ocean eyes.

The line was awfully thin and you'd be damned if you crossed it.

"Tell me, what's your name?" You asked innocently, fiddling with the strings of his shirt.

"Leon." He swallowed thickly, his other hand itching to dip beneath the surface of the water, pull you out and whisk you away as his treasure, only for him to know the beauty that you hid beneath that darkness.

"Leon..." You tested his name on your tongue with a small smile and gazed up at him with such a bright sparkle in your eyes. Leon thought he was about to choke on air.

You gently, but with a firm hand, pulled him closer to you, your lips just a hairs breadth apart.

"What is it you desire, Leon?" You purred, your eyes darkening. Leon was hunched over, halfway to toppling into the water.

Right where you wanted him. His lips were parted and his cheeks were flushed, his pupils dilated so much you could spot yourself in them.

"You." He breathed out, leaning in far enough to brush your lips together.

You cracked a smile and brought your lips to his ear.

"How unfortunate." You whispered.

Those words made him snap back into reality, the hazy fog over his mind lifted enough to catch the sharp teeth as you smiled and the scattered, shimmering scales he'd missed before.

But it was no use.

The second he had realized, he was pulled under, ripped from his steady seat in the boat and plunged into dreadful darkness.

The air was knocked from his lungs and he struggled against your surprisingly strong hold on him as you dragged him deeper. Leon could see the moonlight fading, reaching out for it.

You, on the other hand, were euphoric. Ravenous for your meal.

Usually, you'd wait. Drown your prey and watch the life drain from their eyes, making them dull. But there was something about him that made you so impatient. So eager to get a taste.

Without another thought you sunk your teeth into his strong shoulder and reveled in the sweet taste of his flesh.

Leon screamed out in agony, but it was dulled and muffled by the water. Bubbles rose up as he desperately tried to get you off of him. His strength was exhausted, and the red tinting the water blurred his vision.

You hummed against his skin at the delightful taste of him. To your dismay, your feast was cut short by a loud noise, making you detach from Leon and flinch away.

Before you could get far, there was a searing pain in your tail, the salty waters now stained with your blood instead of his. A silvery harpoon was embedded in your tail, shooting hot spikes of agony up your spine.

You swam as fast as you could with the weapon in your fin, bullets whizzing past you as your form merged into the deep blue, vanishing before his eyes.

Leon pushed up to the surface with his uninjured arm before a hand plunged into the water and grasped him tightly before pulling him up to the surface.

He gasped for air and heaved in deep breaths as someone wrangled him into the boat.

The shirt on his left shoulder was ripped and stained with deep crimson as the rest of the wet fabric clung to his sculpted body. There were heavy pats on his back as he coughed up water, wincing at the excruciating pain in his shoulder.

"¡Joder! Are you alright, Capitán?" The frantic voice of his ever so loyal first mate, Luis Serra, rang in his ears, making him slack in relief.

"¡Mierda!. That beast got you good, huh?" He tried to lift the mood with a chuckle but Leon couldn't respond, his head spinning as he slowly took in his surroundings again.

Luis had a lit lantern with him, which got knocked over in his attempt to save Leon, his blunderbuss laid in the boat, smoke pluming from the barrel. A couple of harpoons were laid out as well, ones they'd usually use for fishing.

"Thank... Thank you.." Leon forced through heavy breaths as he held his bleeding shoulder.

"Always, Captain. Let's get you fixed up, eh, Sancho Panza?" Luis grinned helping Leon up onto the ship, who cracked a tired smirk at the friendly banter.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Leon was lost in thought as he sat on the edge of his sofa, a singular lantern illuminating his day cabin. He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he replayed the events in his mind.

With a heavy sigh he slumped back against the soft cushion, wincing when he adjusted his arm. There were so any feelings weighing down on him. Pure, hot fury. The urge to hunt you down, gut you and hang you out to dry.

He knew of your kind, of course he knew, the maneating maidens with the voice of a nightingale. Half fish, half woman. Sirens caused the worst shipwrecks, he'd heard the stories from the very few that were lucky enough to escape their clawed grasp.

There was shame. Ashamed that someone like him was so easily fooled by a pair of pretty eyes and a smile so sweet he could feel his teeth ache.

Was he just desperate and pathetic? Longing so deeply for a maiden of his own that he'd jumped at the first opportunity? Wasn't it honorable that he'd sprung into action to save a damsel in distress? He didn't know. He lived up to his reputation, that's for sure, but Leon couldn't bring himself to take the credit. He never could.

And then there was this bubbling curiosity. The urge to know more, to see you again. He didn't understand. You'd almost taken his life, yet there was not an ounce of fear for you in him. He was intrigued, he needed to see you again.

Whether it was to squeeze answers out of you or to get a smidge of that connection back.

He damn near broke his head in two that night after he'd retreated to bed, wondering if some of it was real. It felt real to him.

The way you looked at him, spoke to him, touched him. It all seemed so real and genuine. Were creatures like you even able to feel things of that sort? He didn't know.

What he did know was not only had you had his flesh between your sharp teeth, but his heart, too, it seemed.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The sun sparkled on the surface of the ocean as the Lone Rookie treaded along her path, splitting the waves.

Captain Kennedy and his crew were leisurely sailing across the calm sea, letting the tide guide them. He stood atop the quaterdeck, giving directions to the pirate that manned the wheel, knowing this part of the wide ocean like the back of his hand.

His first mate was keeping watch over the remaining crew, making sure their daily tasks were done as they should be.

Some were scrubbing the deck, others were covered in soot from keeping the cannons in good condition while the rest was busy hoisting the sails.

His coat looked pristine and elegant with the golden appliques sewn onto it. His Tricorn sat proudly atop his sandy locks adorned by a large, fluffy feather. His leather boots shone in the sun, same as his belt, that held his cutlass and blunderbuss.

His shoulder was still healing, the arm hanging close to his body instead of in the sleeve of the coat to minimize the strain.

It had been weeks since he almost met his end at your hands. Leon's mind had been occupied by thoughts of you since, wondering if he'd ever see you again.

There was shouting coming from the crow's nest, drawing his attention away from thoughts of you. They were coming up to a small formation of sharp rocks emerging from the water, but the lookout claimed to have seen something shimmering, bringing hope for it to be a lost treasure.

The Lone Rookie was carefully maneuvered closer to the boulders, being mindful so she wouldn't shatter to pieces against the rocks. But before anyone had the chance to inspect this mystery further, all heads turned in search of a soft melody that seemed to he carried by the wind.

Upon one summer's morning, I carefully did stray

Down by the Walls of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay

Conversion with a young lass, who seemed to be in pain

Saying William, when you go, I fear you'll never return again

Whispers and questions echoed across the deck as they searched for the source of this enchanting tune. The crew slowly moved in tandem, migrating towards the edge of the ship.

Leon's brows furrowed as he took out his spyglass and tried to spot something between the rocks against the blinding sun.

A shiver ran down his spine when he laid his eyes on none other than you, in all your beautiful, sparkling glory. Your tail shimmered in all colors, and your skin was glistening from the water.

You were going to be the demise of his ship if he didn't act now. With a quick movement his spyglass was attached to his belt once again.

"Everyone below deck. Now!" He yelled, seemingly breaking his men from their trance. They scattered like rats, obeying their Captain.

"Capitán-" Luis began but was swiftly cut off.

"You too. Now."

"Leon-"

"Go."

With hesitancy Luis, too, made his way below deck. Though he did stay close, just in case. How his Captain thought he was invincible made him want to shake his head.

Leon kept his eyes on you, a hand resting on his blunderbuss. He spotted one of his men, a gunner named Mike, out of the corner of his eye.

"Mike, get below deck. Now!" He yelled, not getting a reaction.

The gunner's arms hung slack by his side as he slowly stepped further towards that lovely melody, drawing him in.

My heart is pierced by Cupid

I disdain all glittering gold

There is nothing can console me

But my jolly sailor bold

The words glid easily off your tongue as you eyed your next meal before your gaze flitted to Leon for a moment. He locked eyes with you and you could faintly see him scowl which made the corners of your mouth twitch upwards in a mischievous smile.

Mike had now reached the edge and was leaning over, his pupils dilated as his eyes were trained on you and your beauty.

"Mike!" Leon rushed towards him, gripping his shoulders and trying to pry him away from what would be his certain death.

As if suddenly possessed by inhuman strength he shook his Captain off of him with ease and climbed down the rope ladder at the side of the ship.

"Goddammit." Leon cursed under his breath.

"Snap out of it! Don't listen to to her!" He tried to reason with his best gunner, but there was only so much he could do from atop the ship.

Leon watched as Mike eagerly descended into the water and swam your way.

You held out your hand in a tantalizing manner, watching as he reached you and desperately clawed his way up the rock.

His hair it hangs in ringlets, his eyes as black as coal

My happiness attend him wherever he may go

From Tower Hill to Blackwall, I'll wander, weep and moan

All for my jolly Sailor, until he sails home

Mike panted with a smile has he gazed upon you.

"The gods have heard me." He spoke brightly, steadying himself with one hand in the slippery rock and the other on your hip.

The gesture made you want to physically recoil. They usually never lived along enough to lay a hand on you. Still, you put on your best face and cupped his cheek, pulling him closer.

My heart is pierced by Cupid

I disdain all glittering gold

There is nothing can console me

But my jolly sailor bold

With the last, softly sung note you chuckled, a sound that could rival your singing. Mike drew closer, his breath on your face.

Your stomach twisted and turned when you remembered who else's warm breath you could feel on your face just a few moons ago. A much more pleasant and welcome sensation than from your next meal.

"You're all I've ever wanted." Mike spoke quietly, making you giggle and lean in to whisper in his ear.

"What a shame."

Your teeth dug into the side of his neck, puncturing his jugular as he let out a blood curdling scream and desperately clutched his neck.

In a calculated move, you slid down the rock with a tight grip on your prey and pulled him under, his blood staining your skin.

Leon's blood boiled as he watched one of his best men die in front of him. He wanted to gut you and parade around your corpse for everyone to see, but there was a sick and twisted jealousy in the pit of his stomach.

You had charmed and enchanted Mike just as you had him, but there was a part deep inside his heart that hoped he was special. You didn't put up a damsel on distress act for Mike, but you did for him. Surely all that effort must've meant something? He felt nauseous at his thoughts and returned his attention back to you.

You were smiling at him, your sharp teeth stained with blood before you dove under and splashed your fin, a noticeable scar from the harpoon sitting on the glittering skin.

He slammed his fists down on the wooden railing, a few splinters flying overboard. Luis emegered from below deck and hurried toward him.

"What happened?" He asked hurriedly. Leon stayed silent for a moment, sighing deeply, his eyes trained on the pool of red around the rocks.

"She got Mike." He spoke coldly, faintly hearing the gasps and sounds of sorrow from his crew.

His jaw clenched as he swiftly turned on his heel and waltzed towards his cabin, slamming the door shut behind him.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The death laid heavy on him as he tried to find some solace at the bottom of yet another bottle of rum. Though not alone in his state of mourning,

Luis sat next to him, puffing a cigar. Not as his first mate, but as his friend.

"I have to find her." Leon spoke sternly, deep in his thoughts.

His hands were intertwined and tucked under his chin, most of his weight resting on his elbows.

"Won't be too hard. She keeps showing up where you are. Maybe she likes you." Luis grinned, tapping his cigar over the glass ashtray.

Leon hated how that speculation made his heart jump in his chest. He shouldn't feel like this, especially after you'd cruelly killed one of his best men. But he just couldn't help the giddy feeling in his stomach. He didn't physically react apart from a sharp glare that made Luis put his hands up in mock surrender, and the faintest of blushes dusted on his cheeks.

"You know what they say about the kiss of a Siren, eh?" Luis began with a mischievous smirk, taking a drag from the roll of tobacco. Leon leaned back into his chair with a tight-lipped sigh.

"What, that you'll 'control the mighty seas and command the storms'? All bullshit if you ask me." He muttered, a slight frown on his face.

"Whatever you say, Capitán." Luis blew a new plume of smoke with a faint smirk playing on his lips.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

You carefully poked your head out of the water and watched the Lone Rookie, specifically the handsome Pirate Captain that you'd gotten a taste of.

You've been mesmerized by him ever since you met him that night. Those kind eyes, that gentle touch... could he really be a pirate? He was nothing like the dirty brutes that you had the displeasure of meeting.

Your curiosity is what urged you to follow his ship and observe him almost every day since you'd eaten one of his crew. You did feel a little bad about it afterward, guilt eating away at you as you twirled a button from his shirt between your fingers.

What we're you even going to do with it? Give it Leon as a peace offering? Now, that seemed unnecessarily cruel.

In your defense, you had to eat something. It wasn't your fault that you were cursed to be a Maneater.

Some were whiny and outright annoying while others disgusted you to the point where you'd just leave them drifting in the sea and went off to find another, their behavior ruining your appetite.

Gods, what were you thinking!? He probably hated you know. A fair outcome, you supposed. You wouldn't be very happy if someone ate one of your friends.

You dove back under, pondering your options. You knew you shouldn't, but something about him was so intriguing that it was impossible for you to stay away.

How ironic that the Siren seemed to be caught in a spell.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The panic that arose in your chest as you struggle against the rough rope you'd managed to get tangled in was like nothing you'd felt before.

You were always so careful, kept your distance so no sailor would get their hands on you and do Gods know what.

You clawed and gnawed at the net, hoping your sharp teeth could cut you free. You were getting closer and closer to the surface, your eyes not having enough time to adjust as you were ripped from the deep.

Making yourself as small as possible, you waited in dreadful anticipation, saying goodbye to the ocean.

"This' a big one, Cap'n!" One of his men cackled, grunting as he continued to pull in the net.

Leon quirked a brow and stepped down from the quaterdeck, his belt rustling and his boots clacking against the wood as he walked. He waited patiently as his men reeled in their net, speculating about a big fish that would last them for weeks.

They plopped you down onto the deck unceremoniously, your tail hitting the floor with a thud as you pressed your back agaisn the railing, hoping to just disappear.

You hadn't even noticed Leon yet, to caught up in your fear to see how his eyes almost popped out of his head as his gaze landed on you.

"You." He breathed out, an unidentifiable mix of emotions in his tone.

Your head shot up, recognizing his voice, before it quickly fell again in shame, avoiding all eye contact with the handsome Captain. There were murmurs and whispers form the crew, some demanding to get revenge for their dearest friend and others that were interested in how much you'd go for on the fish market.

"What do we do with her, Capitán?" Luis asked from behind him, an uncharacteristically unsure tone to his usually so confident demeanor.

Leon's mind was void of all rational thoughts as he kept taking you in. How you cowered and kept your head down, seemingly afraid to even move a single muscle.

You were so confident in the water, seducing and luring men to their demise, but as soon as you hot caught on dry land all that cockiness evaporated and you looked more like a scared girl than a flesh-eating monster of the seas. He glanced around quickly before answering his first mate.

"Put her in that barrel." Leon gestures towards it haphazardly, continuing to bore holes into you with his look.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

That's how you ended up here. Cramped in a wooden barrel, sailors shooting you weird looks as you tried your best to sink as deep as you could, hoping to run from their judgmental gazes.

You'd find Leon staring at you from afar, striking under his gaze.

The protection of the sea was gone now. You were out of your element, and he was in his. You tried your best to behave, hoping they'd just get bored of you eventually.

Your first attempt at escaping and went as followed;

You nervously glanced around the deck, hoping you'd catch a moment where no eyes were on you. Leon seemed occupied looking at various maps with his first mate, while the crew was busy fulfilling their duties. You took your chance and took a breath to start singing, hoping you'd get them to dump you overboard so you could swim for it.

Before even a single not left your throat, a large hand was slapped over your mouth, muffling any sounds you would've made. Leon stood above you, his stature completely blocking off the sun.

"Don't even think about it. One of my men was enough." He said lowly, fueling the fire of guilt in your heart. You tried your best to ignore how his touch sent a prickly feeling down your spine.

You'd crossed the line miles ago, and you were swimming straight for the Bermuda triangle.

The sparkling moonlight on the ripple of the sea brought you no solace as you stared at the deep blue with longing, wishing you were back in your home.

You'd been on the Lone Rookie for about a week. Leon insisted on not letting you starve, to the dismay of some of his men, so they fed a part of their daily catches to you.

It wasn't human flesh, but enough to keep you going. Although you were around people all day, you hadn't felt more lonely. The disgusted expressions and whispered insults started to wear on you.

You were here only because you couldn't resist a couple of blue eyes and sandy hair that reminded you of the bottom of the ocean.

The door of the Captain's cabin opened and Leon stepped out with a lantern in hand, walking towards you.

Your heart was starting to beat faster but you still wouldn't meet his eyes. He placed the light on the railing next to you and leaned against it, staying quiet. You could tell he wanted to look at you, maybe even talk to you, but he held himself back.

The button in your hand seemed to almost burn your skin as you grasped it tighter. This was your chance at mercy and freedom.

"I'm... I'm sorry about your friend." You muttered quietly, the water in the barrel splashing gently as you turned your body to face Leon.

He was slightly stunned at your apology, maybe that you spoke at all, yet he didn't reply.

You bit your tongue, not knowing whether saying any more would be a good idea. You wordlessly lifted your hand out of the water and presented the button to him.

A soft crease formed between his brows as he eyes the button.

".. What's this?" He asked quietly.

You swallowed and raised your hand higher.

"From your friend." Your voice was merely above a whisper.

Hid jaw slacked slightly before he let his head fall forwards and let out a soft huff.

"Thank you." He replied softly as he took the button and squeezed it tightly, holding his hand to his chest.

There was a beat of silence before all your self-control left you, and you couldn't stop the words that spilled out of your mouth.

"I just couldn't stay away from you. That's what got me into this whole mess." You sighed, resting your head against the rim of the barrel.

Leon's head snapped towards you, your words igniting fire in his heart.

"You're just so... so.. different. I didn't actually think anyone would come to save me that night. I mean, I wasn't actually in trouble, but it was nice, still. You're nice. Not like all the other pirates I've met. They're rough and rude and.. you're not. I just can't stay away."

You laid your heart out for him. His heart was about to jump out of his chest, and his cheeks were dusted in a deep pink as he processed your confession.

He was speechless, his brain trying to come up with an answer.

You, on the other hand, were tugging at your hair, anxiously waiting for a reply. He could reject you, and you'd finally be able to move on, but as long as the option of him reciprocating was there, so were you.

Leon swallowed thickly, the way the moonlight was shining down one you once again not making it easier for him to finally find his words.

"I can't stay away either..." he confessed quietly.

"I know it sounds silly considering that's your whole deal, but... It felt real to me. Even if you bit me, even if you killed my best gunner, I..." he chuckled, running a hand through his hair and looking up at the stars.

"I've never... felt like that before. Never thought love was in the cards for me. You changed that." He spoke softly, gently guiding your head to look at him.

It was the first time you'd actually met his eye for days and it felt like your heart was going to melt right out of your chest. You were just as stunned by his words as he was by yours.

"It was real." You replied eagerly, lifting yourself out of the barrel to be closer to him.

"You remind me of my home. Your eyes are like the sea when she's calm and welcoming and your hair is like the sand at the bottom of the ocean, where all sorts of treasures can be found." You rambled breathlessly, the proximity of him making the air hard to breathe

. Leon was breathing heavily just as you were before he helped support you by placing a steady hand on your lower back.

"I just... I'm sorry for biting you, but I had to get a taste." Your face felt hot and your chest was rising and falling faster than normal.

His gentle touch was setting all of your nerves on fire, spiraling them into a hot frenzy.

"What if... what if you get a taste without drawing blood?" He asked in a quiet and breathy voice, a smirk tugging at his lips.

You nodded quickly, grasping onto him wherever you could.

With your confirmation, his strong arm wrapped around your back and he lifted you out of the barrel and onto the railing, holding you tightly, before finally pressing a kiss to your lips

. The desperation and passion in the kiss made you melt against him, a satisfied hum escaping your lips. Leon smiled into the kiss, teasingly squeezing your waist, making you giggle.

You gently held his face, the image of the both of you like that from a painting. You pulled away from each other for air, chests heaving, and your lips slightly puffy.

"I want to keep you forever." He muttered, pressing his forehead to yours.

You chuckled breathlessly, playing with the hair at his nape.

"I'm sorry I can't stay. But I belong out there," you nodded your head in the direction of the sea, "and you belong here." You spoke with a soft smile, placing a peck on his lips.

He made a soft displeased noise.

"Here." you untangled an iridescent shell from your hair and placed it into his palm, closing his hand and bringing it to your lips to press a kiss to his knuckles.

"That way, I'm always with you." His expression softened.

"Thank you."

Leon stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small golden anchor charm, one he'd gotten on one of his first raids and kept as a lucky charm.

"Now, I'm always with you, too." He attached it to the lock of hair you'd taken the shell from, pushing a few strands out of your face with a smile.

"Will you promise me something?" Leon asked quietly, stroking his thumb over your cheekbone.

You hummed softly, leaning into his touch.

"Promise me you'll always sing for me."

You smiled softly and pulled him a little closer.

"I promise. I'll only sing for you." You whispered, gently bumping your nose against his, making him smile.

You pulled him for a last kiss, one he happily indulged, before loosening your grip on him.

Letting yourself fall back from the railing, you elegantly dove into the water, Leon's eyes glued to the shimmering scales of your tail.

You blew him a kiss before diving deep into your home with a heavy heart. It was a bittersweet parting, no doubt, but the trinkets you'd exchanged with your lover would ease the ache.

With a sad smile Leon watched you disappear before retreating for the night. The only thing he'd have to explain in the morning was how you'd escaped and where he got the shimmering shell that was pinned to his coat.

When he heard a soft comforting melody that night, he smiled to himself, keeping your gift close to his heart.

From then on, you were never far. Always circling around the Lone Rookie, keeping an eye on not only Leon but his crew.

The kiss of a Siren might not have given Leon the power to command the sea, it did, however, give him the benefit of a hauntingly beautiful complicit that was more than happy to feed on his enemies.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ──🌊── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

I hope you liked it!! (you specifically, @sweets3rial <3)

More Leon -> 💫

《tag list》: @vampkennedy @dmitriene @k-fallingstar @agrerion @leonslittlekennedy @allysunny

Let me know if you'd like to be added to my Leon tag list!!

(Sorry for any typos, it's late :,))

[luveline]

aaahhh okay wait imagine Emily is away on a case longer than usual and comes home without telling r to surprise her and sees that reader has been like idk wearing her shirt or sleeping with her pillow or idk just like something to feel close to her

thank you for your request ♡ fem!reader

Emily knows you're in her bed before she's so much as opened her front door. She lives in a nice building across from Washington, DC, in an apartment that glows with the lights of the city. It takes time to get home after a case, but the view isn't one you'd find anywhere else. 

She'd fly a hundred hour flight if it meant getting to ch ome home to you. It sounds silly and corny, like a fairytale she didn't believe in, but there's something about you that inspires cliches. Like, your beat up converse arranged neatly so as not to disrupt her tower of high heels and boots. Your coat on the rack with the arms and hood smoothed down, and the way you arrange Sergei's food and water bowls intricately every time you visit because you're aware of Emily's penchant for orderliness. 

She knows you're here because of all of these things, but really, she has a freaky sixth sense when it comes to you, and seeing you curled up on her side of the bed cements it perfectly. 

She locks her gun away in its safe and puts her shoes and jacket away. Quiet, she slinks to where you're sleeping with the sheets up to your nose and bends down to check you over. She knows nothing has happened since she saw you last, but it doesn't matter. She needs to look at you properly. 

You're on your side, face angled down, arm a lump under the sheets. Emily smiles and, despite the singing urge to wipe away the day's faded makeup and brush out curls crunchy with hairspray, lingers, holding her hand up to your face, stroking a short line.

You won't wake from it. Maybe you're a heavy sleeper or maybe you know it's her, but she never wakes you up when she comes home. 

Sergei snores little nosed snores from his fluffy bed. Emily laughs as you do the same, though she frets (and she'd deny it if anyone asked, but frets all the same) that you can't breathe with the blankets smushed to your nose as they are. 

Gently, she pulls down the sheets. 

Her lips fall from their fond smile. Tucked in your arms like a life jacket is a soft white camisole, the last shirt Emily slept in before she left. 

She isn't excessively loud about loving you —she isn't quiet about wanting you, but that isn't the same— and you aren't overly forthcoming. 

Which isn't to say she doesn't feel loved, Emily knows she's loved in the same way you must know it, with the burning, aching sort of desire that has you pinching her hips when she walks by, or begging her to share a shower with you even if it'll make her late for work. But Emily hadn't realised how much you loved her in this sense. The difference between missing her company and missing the intrinsic smell of her skin is unsaid and yet yawning; you love her enough to curl around a dirty t-shirt. This is the kind of love that grows old together. 

Emily's particular about things, but not tonight. Fuck it, she hopes she gets mascara on the silk pillow case as she climbs into bed behind you. Let it be a monument to how she feels, any hint of fatigue replaced with silky soft wanting. 

"'Mily?" you murmur, covering her arm where it curves over your waist. 

"No," she whispers, "axe murderer. Sorry, babe, welcome to your nightmare." 

"I had a good run." You push her back a touch as you roll onto your back, squinting at her through thick-knitted lashes. 

"You can sleep. I'll still be here in the morning, I promise." 

"Y'here now. Missed you, Emily," you murmur, turning more, vying to hold her waist as she holds yours. You sound a little upset, but that could be the sudden wake up call. 

"I'm sorry," she says, smiling at you in hopes of getting one back. "But I'm home early. That's a good thing, right?" 

"Can I put my face in your neck?" you ask. 

Emily tries to say yes. All she can summon is a mute nod and a tight smile —she's happy, yeah, but she feels strangely like crying. It's a scary thing, finding out how loved you are. Suddenly she has to worry about it being taken away. 

You wrap your arms around her, your skin hot with a furnace like heat. Mumbling, your face fits into the curve of her neck, your lips skipping against it as you say, "Love you… you okay?" 

Her smile shocks back to life. She presses it to your forehead without hesitation. "I'm fine now. Love you. You can go back to sleep." 

"I really really missed you." 

Emily feels each word fan against her neck. It's a sensation she's sure she'll remember for years to come. "I missed you, too." 

[http-paprika]

BLUE / simon riley

my very, very late submission for @glitterypirateduck simon "ghost" riley challenge. this was heavily inspired by the new billie eilish song of the same title because I thought it fit him so well. i used the prompts "face touching", "the heat goes out and it's freezing", and "a confession is made"

simon ghost riley x female reader / 1106 words / contains angst, alcohol, and smoking

WITH every patron that hurried into the bar, cold and snow blew in with them—leaving those even in the darkest corners of the bar chilled and draining down more liquor. The drink spilled through her veins, warm and potent as she waited another hour, shrunk away in the shadows with her cost pulled tight. Simon wasn't coming, she knew better than to keep waiting for him. 

 Finishing her glass of whiskey, she lets it sting her throat the same way the tears in her eyes did. With remorse, she sets the glass down and rises from her chair. Through the crowded bar of happy couples and friends, someone's celebrating a birthday, another girl is sobbing in the corner with her friends trying their best to comfort her. The whole room pulses with life, feelings, love, and hate and she can't seem to find herself amongst the crush of emotions. Dull, apathetic, and removed as she slinks out of the door and into the blue moon night. 

 Winter still holds a fierce grip over Manchester, spilling white flurries in the air as she walks down the quiet streets with a cigarette to warm her from the cold. If he were there, they'd be sharing the smoke and she'd be warmed by the blushed haze that always befell her when their hands brushed exchanging the cigarette. 

 Her hand fumbles with her phone, the bright, blue light warning her of how late it was. But even with the early shift she had in the morning, she loiters along her route imagining he’ll be waiting by her flat like Simon would sometimes do. Giving her the delusion that he cared enough to come looking for her, even if he couldn't be bothered to grab drinks with her. 

 Despite all logic telling her not to bother with a call, she finds the number that she's left a hundred voicemails for. Sounding desperate and pathetic with every call as she tries to convince him into calling her back. 

 “Hi, Simon. It's me… again. I'm just calling to check in, I haven't heard from you in a week and I just want to make sure you're alright. Okay, I'm going to go, I'm at my flat. Call me, please.” The sound of the voicemail being replayed causes her to cringe, maybe he'd never hear it like he never hears the rest. Maybe he's got a new number, that was the type of thing someone as shifty as Simon would do. But she can't find reason in his sudden absence, no foreseen notice of a deployment or mission. No text to tell her he'd be unavailable. Nothing. 

 When she rounds the gate into her apartment complex, she can see in the low light of the second-floor walk, the lone figure waiting in front of her door even though he had the keys. Burly hands shoved into the worn pockets of his jacket with head tilted down as she climbed the stairs to join him. 

 She didn't need to see Simon’s face to know that he was thinking. Always thinking about the past he refused to tell her about. One that she could only dream up, trying to picture what had happened to turn him into the man he was. The man who she desperately tried to get over, but couldn't move on from. 

“I waited for you. It's the third Wednesday of the month, or did you just forget?” She asks, stubbing out the cigarette on the melt railing. The frame creaks as her fist tightens around it in frustration. “Simon?” 

 “Was busy with work, forgot to call.” He shrugs, pushing his hood back and shaking out his dark blond curls. A rough, wartorn face that she'd memorized like the back of her hand. It was so enticing to her, mesmerizing with his pale lashes and dark haunted eyes. The type of man that kept her safe at the bar and kept her up at night in stress. 

 “You're always busy.” She holds back a scoff, knowing arguing never got anywhere with Simon. He'd go silent with every accusation she'd throw, leaving her intimidated and guilty for yelling. Even if she knew he deserved it. 

 “It can't be helped. Times are tough.” Simon responds, his eyes trailing over her as she moves to unlock the flat. Fumbling with the lock like she did with the phone until his hand reached out and steadied her grasp. He leads her into the apartment like it was his own, with an empty place on the coat rack for his jacket, and a spot next to all of her shoes for his boots. An indent left throughout her home for whenever he'd find it in him to return.

 “Would you like a drink?” She asks, still feeling the need to play hostess as if he were a stranger visiting for the first time. At the edge of her seat waiting expectantly for a response and reaction. 

 “Sure.” He shrugs, pulling off the cloth mask as she shuffles into the small kitchen. Tiny enough that when he joins her there's tension as she tries not to bump into him. Pretending like she wasn't up the night before craving the warmth he gave, the firm touch of his hands, when her space heater died. 

 “I am sorry, love. I'll be there next time, I promise.” Simon apologizes, watching as avoids his presence like the plague. She chewed the inside of her cheek, knowing that she'd accept this apology like she'd done before. Knowing full well he never changed, and she’d never ask him to. 

 He reached out, sensing her indifference, and cupped her cheek in his calloused hands. That touch always turned her into mush, clay for him to mold to his will and whims. She knew it was pathetic how easily she swayed for him, knew that her friends always criticized her for being so weak-willed. But how could she possibly say no to him when he always came back, even if it was days late? Wasn’t she better off with him than trying to find someone else to love, wasn’t the heartache worth it? 

“You could do so much better than me, sweet girl. Sometimes I wish you would.” Simon confesses, his voice low and full of regrets. He turns his head down towards her, wrapping her close in his arms, taking the glass of water out of her hand, and setting it down. 

Her mouth opens to speak, but no words form when she realizes she’s just as guilty as him. She’d never change, he’d never change. Together, they’d stay unmoving, frozen in the longest, blue winter.

[recreationalfanfics]

*chin hands* assassin's creed on the mind eh? Do tell 👀

OKAY SO ONE IDEA I DEF WANNA USE IN THE FUTURE WOULD BE YANDERE EAGLE VISION. Like, if an assassin/eagle vision user becomes obsessed with a darling, then instead of showing up as red (for enemy) or green (for ally), then their darling would show up as either a pink silhouette or something.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT, LIKE DIFFERENT ASSASSIN'S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT MEANS/ALREADY KNOWING WHAT IT MEANS.

Like Ezio using eagle vision and he sees his darling is a different color from everyone else, he instantly believes its a sign their soul mates and will shamelessly follow them, either from the shadows or blatantly walking after them like a lost puppy.

Altaïr believing something is wrong when his eagle vision acts up and only towards you, the person who served no real importance but never seemed to leave his mind. He decides to use it as an excuse to stalk you, after all, it was fine before YOU came along and he's just trying to figure out if it means if you're a threat or not. Deep down, he knows what it actually means but it gives him a good excuse to stalk you.

Connor absolutely is baffled when he notices a pink figure and when he switches back to his normal vision, he sees its you. He doesn't voice this out to anyone because its not that important, right? Plus, he truly wouldn't want to disturb you with that knowledge and, when you really think about it, it's rather helpful for the both of you! Now Connor can keep tabs on you and you won't ever have to worry about anything hurting you because Connor will always be waiting in the shadows to protect you.

Evie would be a Lucid yandere, the moment you become miscolored in a way she's never heard of, she's doing some research on her own time and found out about rare instances assassin's who found their "soul mates" with their eagle vision. Like Connor and Altaïr, she would definetly use it as an excuse to be able to stalk you while keeping her conscious clear. It's not her fault technically and yes, maybe she is tailing behind you and her heart soars at the thought of being able to pick you out of the crowd and track you down so easily...but it's only because she can keep you safe!

Jacob doesn't even question it, he also takes it as confirmation that you were meant to be his. He would absolutely take advantage of his new ability and you'd be none the wiser. You try to avoid him by going a different route? He somehow ends up calling your name and happily running over to you and you're wondering how could he have known. You're bumping into him a lot more often when doing mundane things? Haha, what a coincidence! May as well hang on his arm and let him treat you to a nice drink! Just the image of Jacob desperately jumping from rooftop to rooftop using eagle vision only to stop and smile to himself when he sees your silhouette makes me so happy-

EDWARD DOESN'T REALLY QUESTION IT, HE'S JUST GLAD HE CAN HAVE PIECE OF MIND WHEN IT COMES TO YOU TBH. He knows what he's doing is shady but at the same time, he can't help it. But also moments when you manage to sneak away from him and he just easily walks towards were you're hiding and it fills you with so much dread and panic and you're not sure how he manages to do that every single time.

AAAH, IMAGINE ARNO BEING ALL SMUG ABOUT IT. Like, you're both at a gala somewhere and you try to lose him in the crowd, not wanting to deal with his possessive behavior but no matter how many people are in the way, Arno uses his eagle vision and pushes and shoves past people as he makes his way towards you. Just when you think you lost him, you feel his hand wrap around your wrist and pull you close and his hood is over his head, revealing nothing more than a sly grin.

[bellygunnr]

Trueno Twitterpation

A commission piece for @lyndexv of their OC Geoff reviving a sentient AE86! It was an absolute blast to write.

----

The AE86 was a cowering, sorry mess when he first discovered her, wheels stuck fast in dry-wet-dry again mud ruts and strapped down by voracious forest overgrowth. How she got there evades Geoff still, as her previous handler had long since passed and the one before him just wanted her gone. He'd all too eagerly dragged her out of her mire and onto a tow truck. The sunlight'd been good for her on that trip, though. Under the muck, her paint had taken on a faint glow, which he kept an eye on until she was practically a fireball trailing him home.

Now she's clean. Physically, at least. Her tires are new and so is her paint. And she stares at him plaintively from his driveway, headlights popped up, drawing his full attention repeatedly until he can do nothing but give in to her call. It's nice outside, at least. A pleasant day with a breeze. His skin itches, like he imagines the Trueno's does, a restless buzzing that urges him to unlock her driver's door and drop inside, stretching out to fill the cabin with all the languidness of a cat in a sunbeam.

He runs his hands along the hard edge of her utilitarian dashboard, key pinned against his palm with his thumb. Dust floats up in fits and bursts as he does so, becoming a thin veneer that the low outside sun diffuses in. The restlessness becomes electric, then, and he hurries to turn the key in the ignition over.

The dashboard lights gradually warm to life. The engine, not so much. The AE86 trembles under his hands, her anxiety as acute as a storm's ozone, her shame a pulsing heat between his eyes, like tears. 

"Hey, hey," he says gently. "Don't be upset. I know it's hard. It's not your fault."

The Trueno's frame judders hard with the force of the engine cranking. Fuel sparks, but it's both too much and not enough, and he sees smoke filter pitifully from her backend through the rear view mirror while the engine sputters back out. He pats the top of her dash consolingly.

It's terrible. She's willing, he can feel it, but there's-- problems. Barriers. Age. Disuse. Abuse. And it's killing her.

"I'll be right back. Alright? I've got a couple ideas."

He runs his hand across her dash one more time. Heat bleeds between them, lingering all the way to the hardware store, which he bikes to. When he comes back, he's significantly poorer and weighed down by car parts.

But it's a nice day. They've got time to burn. He has the tools.

And she's willing.

--

Geoff pulls out spark plugs that are black and burnt. He swaps them out for new iridium-tipped ones. Then he pulls the air filter and the carburetor and that's a new round of problems-- running is to survival as driving is to living, can't have one if you're the other, so he's glad he bought a rebuild kit for the carb. 

"Guess we'll have to go for that drive tomorrow. Sorry, girl," he sighs. "But this won't take long. I'll get you put back together."

The wind blows. One of the headlights abruptly droops, as if the '86 is winking in acknowledgement. Geoff carefully lowers the hood down and clamps it shut.

"Just sit tight."

He ducks into his garage.

---

The carb body has to soak and dry, and be brushed through. He sits at his workshop bench with the flood light on and goes through the floater, the jet screws, all of it, until it is whole and hale. His back burns with the full attention of the AE86 (or maybe he's just imagining it). (It's getting hard to tell).

It's dark out by the time he's done and that's okay. He drags his light source out with him, making multiple runs for the tools, until the AE86 is open and waiting. She's cool to the touch now that the sun's gone. She patiently abides Geoff's fumbling around in her engine bay.

"That should help with some of it. New air filter. Rebuilt carburetor-- I changed the settings, too, just to keep up with things. That'll feel good in the morning."

He's numb with cold by the time he's done. She bounces on her suspension when he closes her hood one more time, finished for the night. His hands linger on the panel of her closed headlamp.

"Good night," Geoff says.

---

He ends up sleeping in too late the next day. The shrill beep of a horn-- not French, he thinks bizarrely-- wakes him up with a shout. He's halfway out the door in just a t-shirt and boxers before his brain catches up with his body and he stares hard at his driveway, confused.

Clouds skate across the sky. A bird lingers atop his mailbox.

The AE86 has not moved an inch. But--

"I'm gonna go get dressed," he tells her. 

And he does, in record time. The Trueno's key bites into his palm with a sort of nervous energy. He's still not fully awake, but he's jittery in a suppressed adrenaline, pre-interview, post-accident kind of way. It's usually not a good start to a day. But this feels alright.

The driver's door is ajar before he even pulls the handle. He pauses, but shrugs and slides into the seat, letting muscle memory guide him until the engine is cranking.

It hangs.

"Come on, girl," he urges quietly. 

He twists the key again.

With a pop, the four cylinders start to go, and everything buzzes to life.

"Brilliant!" Geoff cries. "I knew it! I hope that feels good!"

His face twinges from smiling so broadly. Experimentally, he revs the engine, watching the needle smoothly sail from idle to 2000, 3000, and drop back down. There's some rough bubbling-- but she's not quitting. Good. Fantastic, even.

He drops into first gear. Very gently, they work together, easing out of the driveway and onto the gravel road beyond. She snarls a little passing into second into third, but stays true.

Excitement suffuses him. He can't tell if it's all his emotions or something else. But it doesn't matter. Geoff cranks the windows down, waves at a passing motorist. They don't understand.

That's okay.

They end up driving to the coast. After some time, he feels the urge to pull off onto the side of the road, where a breeze has picked up and drags in the scent of the sea, mixing in with the tang of grass. It's picturesque. His heart is still beating fast.

The Trueno idles along. Geoff tenses suddenly.

Thank you, he hears.

"What?" He blurts out.

Thank you, is repeated. For saving me as you did.

The voice is entirely in his head. Yet he can hear it. Hear her. And he knows in his bones that he's hearing Her, the '86, her chassis trembling with the raucous motion of her engine. This adrenaline. This joy. His, but not his alone. Hers, too.

"I'd do it again," he says stiltedly. "And I'll keep fixing you up until there's nothing wrong with you."

He hears her wheels crunch in the gravel. The blunt curve of a fender presses up against his legs.

Of course. I have full faith in you.

Geoff scrubs at his face, trying to hide a rapidly rising blush. She can't just SAY that! He turns around, only to find the Trueno shaking on her rear-suspension, in a rather identifiable pattern. Of course. 

"The feeling's mutual," he gets out.

They're both glad it's such a nice day out.

[polyhexian]

Just imagining how Hollow Mind would play out in the jasper lives brainworm AU, like would he be in communication with Eda directly and be there in the owl house to rescue Hunter and Luz, and then would he catch on to the CATTs leaving the potion to get them out and try to track them down, and confront Darius, or instead if he's waiting in the woods separately and sees Hunter panicking and running away but manages to catch him and talk him down before Hunter accepts and just breaks down in his arms

Jasper doesn't know potions! It's not his area so he couldn't help with this. And he's too erratic to be trusted with this. His motivations are different from theirs anyway- his hatred of belos is personal, and his goal is protecting hunter. He could care less about liberating the isles or ending fascism.

He follows hunter obviously. When Hunter suddenly starts sprinting through the night market at, again, night, alone, he is OBVIOUSLY watching. But he ALSO doesn't know what's happening until it's too late. Hunter and Luz suddenly vanish oh my god. Panic time. Jasper generally keeps to himself unless their interests align but Oh My Fucking God What Did You Guys Do. He is like. Immediately down there. Grabs someone by the throat and slams them into the wall. Probably Darius. He didn't realize who he was cuz of the hood. But now... gasp... and Darius knows he's jasper and he's got those furious pink eyes through his mask. What did you do.

They go to the owl lady's house cuz obviously she's saving her kid. They want to stay secret but... yeah. No. If they don't get found because jasper gets into a fucking battle outside in the yard, they find out when he kicks the door open and throws Darius on the floor.

OUGH maybe here it's like when Luz went in that portal and she was tied by a rope? They can send someone in to get them with some kind of tether and bring them back, and jasper is like absolutely fucking me. He goes in and if hunter sees him he's like oh fuck and runs away from him too.... only for that final fight with Belos where jasper shows up to rescue the kids, only to get struck in the face and lose his mask... and Belos is like holy shit. You. You're alive. And hunter is like. Belos knows you? Who ARE you?

Jasper doesn't answer, he just grabs the kids and they pull him out... and they're on the living room and hunter panics and runs away... and like hunter dropped his staff back when they got teleported so obviously jasper grabbed that. And he's panicking like hunter holy shit stop stop STOP and maybe he even loses him and now he's truly panicking. And he's in the woods panting and terrified and calling Hunter?! Hunter?! Please hunter please where are you! But Hunter keeps hiding... he's confused and afraid... and jasper failed to protect him this time, he nearly lost him and now hunter is scared and confused and alone and he can't help him and he just... falls to his knees and sobs for the first time in years... which hunter hears.... and hesitantly comes out.... and just says... who... are you?

And what can he say? I'm your dad? I made you? I'm the last golden guard? All of those prompt more questions. They're not good answers. So he just says "someone who loves you." And hunter has known this freak his whole life. He's seen the shit he does and like. Click! Yeah... yeah. That makes sense.

And THEN we get hugging and crying and jasper promising I will never let anything hurt you again, on god if anything ever tries I will make them regret having been born. Never again. Never again.

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 153

Chapter 153: "Coward"

I dunno why but I'm kinda bummed Norman's kill happened off-panel. Yeah it wouldn't feel right to see one one of the sweetest boys to take a life but that's exactly why it would work so well under his WM persona. And I just wanted to see Yverk perish, honestly. I don't like him. At least we got to see Norman attack Vylk in the second season, which is better than nothing, I suppose.

Norman would know that eradication is certainly not the only way to achieve peace if he would stop sounding like a broken record and listen to Emma's idea about the new promise and using the evil blood to save the demons. Also, I love how surprised the Lambda boys are upon hearing Emma rejecting Norman's orders/suggestion so easily. Her short & quick response is a nice callback to when she refused Ray's idea to leave all the GF kids behind back during ch4.

The WM facade that Norman is so confident with means nothing when our girl knows him so darn well, even to the point where he's lying to himself about his true feelings.

Gotta say that I prefer the anime's take on this panel much better as well. Definitely makes me feel sorry for this sad, terrified child more than a chessmaster with a god complex.

The manga does toss a whole bunch of flashbacks our way though so that does help pull some heartstrings here. I can also never remember that Norman & Vincent had the chance to meet casually while at Lambda. For a while I thought they only communicated via the rubix cube their entire time there. The Lambda staff should've never let these boys socialize.

They're both pretty stubborn when it comes to their own ideas but Norman has gotta know to yield once Emma has her heart set on something. You can't go against our leading lady. And how convenient that there's now a clear path between all the dead demons so she can march her way right up to him.

I love her so much for calling him out like this.

This trio is so darn precious with how much they care for each other and see each other as equals aaahh! Ray's words kinda remind me of ch178 when Norman said they would refuse to cross over to the human world if it means that Emma would have to sacrifice herself. And ch27 with Emma's famous speech about how they'll all live together and won't accept a future unless everyone is part of it. Look at that, all three of 'em having their own moments.

I don't even care if the anime switched up Ray's lines, it feels more personal to him when he draws on his own experiences and their relationship to remind Norman who he really is. I also love that someone is shown to be frustrated with Norman's actions. Emma is too, deep down somewhere I'm sure, but her voice is a lot more calming and hopeful during this scene, as usual.

Can't praise the anime for too long though since it doesn't include Ray offering his hand out to Norman like the manga does. (though perhaps it took inspiration from the following chapter since we don't see his hand there either when this moment is shown again.)

Anime also leaves Ray out of the hug for whatever reason. Maybe to match this chapter's extra page of Emma comforting a small, crying Norman, but c'mon, trio hugs are the best kind of hugs! (even though I personally prefer the hug shown next chapter a little bit more.) I can appreciate how the anime had Norman's hood fall down once Emma caught him as he fell to his knees, kinda like how his entire cape flew off here.

Favorite panel/moment:

Yeesss sweetie! Put that boy in his place!! I imagine she would've been just as angry if she had learned any sooner that Ray was sacrificing their siblings back at GF, so he's lucky all he got was a death glare in ch15.

Their faces are SO ADORABLE HERE!! HELP! I LOVE THEM!

[shyrose57]

ASoul Swap Snippets. They're rotting my brain.

---------

Color:

Teal seeps through his fingers, staining them once more, adding to the faded blues, and pale green, and bolder red.

Scott's hair refuses to hold the dyes. He's not sure why. It can't be because of the soulbond, no matter how thoroughly they've screwed it up, because he saw the bright streaks in Pearl's hair, and he knows she didn't have them before. It can't be because of the game, because the green would have stuck. Or the red.

He hasn't bothered with yellow yet. He's not sure he even will.

It's funny, almost. He can't get the dye in his hair, but he knows he can scrub his hands raw and the stains will still stick.

There's a metaphor in there. Somewhere. Something, something, his hands are stained. Something, something, faded colors.

Something, something.

A tree branch snaps nearby, loud and deliberate. If she'd truly cared for silence, he'd have never heard her, and they both know it.

"Hi Cleo."

"Hello, Scott. You forgot your cloak." She holds it up, bright crimson near glowing against the moon above them.

He hums, keeping still as she kneels down to settle it back over his shoulders. He probably shouldn't have left it by the house. He can't hardly feel his hands.

Then again, Cleo probably shouldn't have it either then. He certainly never invited her into his base.

He doesn't mention it. She pulls them both their feet.

"No luck with the dyes?"

"Not anymore than before."

She'd tried helping earlier, gathering up flowers to crush, and trying to help get it all colored. It had all washed off of her hands by now.

His fingers ached, and he absently flexed them. Pearl must've been trying to warm her hands.

"I found some cornflowers, while I was checking out the area. Would you like to see if we can make those work any better?"

They won't. The cool denial finally gives, breathed out into a visible puff in the air.

"Its fine, there's better uses for them. How did your expedition go? Anything of use?"

He let's Cleo's voice roll over him, pulling the hood over his hair.

He supposes it'll have to do.

Who knows. Maybe red will be his color.

--------

Sounds:

Cleo leans against warm stone, idly listening in on the on-goings of the Southlands.

In the distance, the sound of something shattering rings out, followed by a startled exclamation. Pink hair pokes out from a window, a broken telescope onto the ground below.

Lizzie stares at it a moment, before turning back into the room.

"Taaaangooo!!" Drawn out and pitifully apologetic, Cleo snorts, waiting for the inevitable follow up.

And sure enough, an exasperated cry echoes after, as the blazeborn makes his way to the room. She knows he doesn't have to see the scene anymore than she does to know what's happened. This has become an all too familiar routine, in the days that they've all tangled together.

A routine that will happen again, of course, even as Lizzie swears up and down that she'll be more careful with the next one. Tango meets her eyes through the window, mirth in his gaze despite his attempts to school his face into something stern. He knows it too.

He gives the sprite another telescope anyway.

Pitterpattering down the stairs, Bdubs and Scar cheer when the pinkette skids down to their sides, holding her newfound treasure aloft to receive the appropriate admiration it deserves. They all zoom in on each other's faces, barely feet apart, beaming smiles on their faces.

The zombie can feel one trying to form on her own face, even as she raises an eyebrow at Tango, exaggeratedly sulking by the window in an attempt to hide his grin.

She's not sure how she ended up with these four, arguably some of the most likely to die. Between Scar and Lizzie alone, they're practically the definition of accident-prone.

Cleo has her work cut out for her. She's not sure how she ended up with the most ridiculous group she's ever met, but she won't lose them now.

She can't imagine silence anymore.

---------

More things:

DL! Cleo and Scott regularly and casually break into each other's bases, and also other people's. They are the only ones who don't see a problem with that.

If Scott can't dye his hair, he'll just have to keep his colorful hood up all season. Surely this won't lead to him developing an ominous presence or anything, rjght?

DL!Pearl is extremely frustrated that she has to keep warming her hands up because Scott keeps sticking them in snow.

Scott's not sticking them in snow, but nobody needs to know that.

LL!Bdubs and Scar lost their telescopes almost as much as Lizzie does. They also all enable each other's shenanigans. They are an endless loop of chaos, feeding off of each other and always moving.

Everyone else is only laughing their nonsense until the other two join in. If it's just Tango? Little more caution. When Cleo gets in on it? People are about to start dying.

These are Cleo's idiots, and she is going to protect them. She can't go back to the quiet.

(She doesn't know what to do when she does)

Scar, Lizzie, and Bdubs are various types of fairies, and they're all friendly and silly up until your stepping into their tnt trap and that bell-like laughter sounds a lot more malicious.

[andvys]

i loved this chapter! although the angst at the end destroyed me because i really thought they would get together again OMG you're edging us andy 😭

And by the look on Robin’s face every time she sees Chrissy, you know that she is feeling just the same. 

ROBIN AND CHRISSY ROBIN AND CHRISSY 😭😭❤️

“Heather,” you mumble, raising your brows at her, “how about we talk about you and pizza guy.” 

HEATHER AND ARGYLE?? 😫

Heather smiles brighter, she bites her lip and leans back, “maybe,” she grins, “I mean he just asked me to be his girlfriend the other day,” she says casually as she looks down at her nails. 

OH MY GOD??? girl im lowkey jealous tbh

Is that how your friends always felt when you would leave them just to be with Steve?

YEAH. the feeling when your friend can't hang out with you because she's going out with her dumbass boyfriend only for him to dump her later and you have to keep in the "I told you so" 😭

“Let me make you a real drink, baby.” 

let me give you a real punch baby

You put your hand on his chest and push him away, “you’re not slick, stop trying to get in my pants.”

yes billy you're being cringy rn 😭

You look down at the mixed drink, hesitating before you give in and take it from his hand. 

GIRL DONT TOUCH IT DO YOU NOT VALUE LIFE

“Are you okay?” He chuckles, stepping closer to pat your back gently, “do you need me to make you feel better?” 

PFFFFF TAKE A HINT

“Leave her alone, Hargrove.”

not him too

He chuckles and finally walks away, passing by Steve only to halt beside him. Billy stares him down, another chuckle of amusement falls from his lips. He slaps Steve’s shoulder, “lighten up, Harrington. Maybe you’ll get lucky tonight.” 

a little birdie told me that steve was a bad lover so i don't think so...

“Or both?” You giggle, “Eddie and I do both sometimes.”

girl... no words 😭

Chrissy is drunk, not drunk on alcohol, drunk on something else. 

WE WERE IN THE BACKSEAT DRUNK ON SOMETHING STRONGER THAN THE DRINKS IN THE BAR!!!

Robin’s hair is short, her curls are messy, her bangs are long and they need to be cut, Chrissy can’t help but raise her hand to brush them away from her eyes so she can see her beautiful eyes. 

AWWWWWWWWWW 😭🫶

They all expect to walk in on a very drunk you. Because, usually it takes a lot to convince you to join a game of truth or dare, never have i ever and let alone spin the bottle. You don’t like kissing strangers or risking the possibility to kiss someone you cannot stand. 

oh fuck no 😭

“No thanks,” Heather snorts as she crosses her arms over her chest, “you still need to grow some, Hagan.” 

OOOHHHHH BURNNN

When Billy pulls away, he gives Hailey a pat on the cheek. She giggles at him and licks her lips as she sits back in her place. 

ew

“This is gonna appear in my nightmare tonight,” Steve whispers to you. 

literally!! steve gets me

Billy kisses you roughly – it’s not as bad as the kiss you have had with Ray but you still can’t shake the fact that you are kissing him. At least, his lips are soft. They taste like strawberry – probably thanks to Hailey and her strawberry lip gloss that she always wears over her red lipstick. 

omg imagine the germs...

Billy chuckles, he looks at you through hooded eyes and leans closer, “that made me really fucking hard,” he whispers.

congratulations ...? 😭

“You don’t have to,” he whispers to you, but you are already moving closer to him. 

NAAAAH GIMME THE DRAMA

When he does open his eyes and he sees the look on your face, the shock in your eyes, the emotions that are still there, the love. He knows, he still has a chance. 

OH MY GOD 🫨🫨🫨🫨

“Shut it, blondie,” Heather snaps at him. 

YES HEATHERPOO

“I’m sorry for taking him away from you. I-I saw the way you two looked at each other back there. I guess, I just now realized what I’ve ruined.”

NANCY REDEMPTION ARC

You shrug, “you just kissed your ex girlfriend in front of your other ex girlfriend.” 

yup... a little mess girlie

He cups your cheeks and leans down to kiss you. He needs more of what he just had. 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IM- I- IM-

He destroyed too much.

i mean... yeah kinda 😭

“You can’t just kiss me after everything!” You snap at him and push past him, walking away from him. 

THE ANGST COMES BACK OMG 😭😭😭

well... im off to read smut now so 🤭

I'M SO HAPPY YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER SO MUCH!!! 💕

Robin & Chrissy are literally the cutest couple ever, I'm so happy that I can finally write about them

All your reactions to Billy are killing me 😭

And omg, it's really the worst when your friends keep dropping you for their shitty boyfriends 😭

AND YES! the angst comes back but tbh.... it won't be angsty between Steve and reader but between her and a certain someone 👀

I HOPE YOU WILL LIKE THE SMUT

[whipped-for-kpop-fics]

Thinking about; C.SC dog walk meet cute

I just watched two people walking their lil doggies meet and greet each other like it's a regular occurrence and it's cute af so now this is on my mind

Wordcount; 833

A/N- I didn't name "your" dog both because my mind blanked and I thought you can just imagine it to be called whatever you want that way <3

-Other Writing - More Coups thoughts; 1, 2 & 3 [all three are NSFW]-

A month or so back you moved to a new neighbourhood with your cute lil doggo

Of course, a dog needs walking and your dog likes routine a hell of a lot so every morning you take her for a walk down the same route

And although it's barely 6am during these morning walks thanks to your job starting at 7am, there's always this guy walking his own dog

Every morning regardless of the weather, you see this guy in sweatpants and hoodie, hood pulled up to shadow his face walking his little white dog

It always amuses you that although the guy looks like he couldn't care less how he looks, the dog is always brushed neatly with cute bows and clips and an adorable raincoat or jumper when the weather calls for it.

You've definitely noticed the way that when the dog is wearing a jacket, the man is wearing one that almost matches It's pretty fucking adorable, really

It takes a few weeks and just vague waves of greeting from across the street before you two actually cross paths properly

On this day, there's some kind of worker barrier on the path ahead of you, so you cross the road and walk on the other side

Your dog is not happy about this at all so you literally have to carry her across the road and when you put her down, she plops her backside down and refuses to move or look at you

"Having trouble?" The amused male voice makes you look up from where you're crouched in front of your dog trying to convince her to keep walking and you'll cross back over in a minute when it's possible

Of course, it's the hoodie guy, from this close you can see that he's got a face mask on and you briefly wonder if he always does

Shame, you had been kind of curious about what he looks like

"Yeah, she's a creature of habit." You sigh and point over to the barrier causing him to look over and hum in understanding

"Ah, yeah, Kkuma is the same." He motions to his dog, today wearing a cute frilly harness with a matching bow between her ears.

"You look absolutely precious, Kkuma." You inform, causing the dog to perk up and trot towards you. "May I?" You ask the man, hand lifted a little. He nods and you think he smiles by the curve of his eyes, so you look back down and offer a hand to Kkuma who sniffs it then happily moves closer to allow you to give her attention.

"And may I?" The man asks, now crouched too, closer than before by a fair amount, motioning to your own dog. You nod so he reaches out.

At first, your dog entirely ignores him but he makes a soft little sound and that gets her attention

Soon you're both crouched there petting and cooing over the other's dog, each of whom is lapping up the attention happily.

"Ah, we should really go." The man comments after catching sight of the time on his expensive watch. "Gotta get this one to the sitter ready for me to get to work."

"Oh, same, actually." You agree after checking your own much cheaper watch so you both get up

Just as you're leaving he calls out. "Hey uh, it's nice to meet you, maybe we can make this the new routine?"

"Maybe, if you tell me your name, stranger with a cute dog."

"It's Seungcheol," You tell him yours in return which he repeats softly. "Same time tomorrow?"

"Same time tomorrow,"

It's not many mornings after before Seungcheol asks if you two would like to join them for their evening walk

And then you both develop new evening habits and discover a new route to walk together

Conveniently, it takes you by the lake and stalls there where he always buys you both a hot drink if it's cold enough and something else if he can't use that excuse

It occurs to you early on that the evening walks feel very much like dates

But officially, your first date comes after a few weeks of morning and evening walks when Seungcheol finally reaches for your hand to entwine your fingers and asks if you'd like to meet earlier tomorrow for dinner

He says you, of course, can bring your dog because he plans to cook for you at his place anyway and Kkuma will love to spend more time with her bestie and-

You cut him off by pressing your connected hands to his lips You wanted to kiss him but decided it should probably wait until at least the first date

And of course, as soon as Seungcheol has his arm around you on the couch after dinner to watch a movie, both dogs curled up together on Kkuma's bed, you take your chance and kiss him

When you leave later, it's with another kiss and a promise of 'same time tomorrow'

A/N; Alternative title is "Same time tomorrow"

[the-firebird69]

There's something really funny going on I'm trying to catch wind of it no and it is his joke that we as leaders are I'm asking huge armies to go north are passing huge armies to go north and we're massing them Jesus and we are out in the balcony usual balcony this is like 10 of us and extended it over or something PG is there Chris kroll everybody and they're going through the square huge calm at least a hundred people wise and as far as I can see and as they go by they have the brand new skimobile suits but it's the higher level guard so they make noise when you walk and they're all marching and he's behind us and he's big and he says who's the guy who ordered those, and they're making that noise and all together it sounds really weird some of us have heard it too and it's kind of like this joke like I can't hear anything but that it's so damn loud no it's going to get anywhere. And we're going to another scene for some woman is in there like invading and she hears it and yells out the window take that off if you're coming in the house. So some paratrooper took it off and he's got some sort of cherry printed boxer shorts it looks just like Grandpa ackerly. Now we've had enough of this crap but that's funny as hell

Mac Daddy

I don't know if I can do this it seems more funny that I can handle and we'd be out there as king and queen and Trump was trying to duck it and cover his mouth and I just staring and smiling and making miracle is trying to break out by licking Chris and it didn't work and spending her office sending her off his privates and everybody's chuckling pulls her off and can't stop laughing I mean that's ridiculous all these guys in the snow suits with that hair around the or fur around the hood and yeah it's not here it's not hair it really is ridiculous that noise but I've heard it with a column before and I heard so that might die from static electricity and I heard some of those saying ouch for Christ's sake.

Taylor Swift

I don't know what to say she's trying to do stuff what I was just saying it it's one of the most funny jokes I've ever heard and he wants scary monster movies to go ahead and father and mother is simply won't do it so he says we're going to make an underground movie and we'll do a testing and I hear what you're saying and it's for our men and women in uniform to take a break from it and release some mental stress every crisis is very rude but it's very rude but funny and he says I can be in it and do some wrestling as a big guy who doesn't know how to wrestle and of course something funny would happen you say maybe do it like the hulk movie with his wrestling also he gets pissed and he says no no I don't think this is right what you're saying is bothering me I started laughing because it's like his character and fighting is like see who the champion is and stuff and her son says that and he says wait a minute that stinks real bad. And my husband says oh no cuz it looks like him he's sitting there struggling and then he stops US what did you say. And it was over. And he's laying on the ground and I thought my husband that is says we have to lose control our miles and my son says the funniest thing I've ever heard what are you start doing that since I don't need me controlling your mouth and he says wow that's good so he started thinking about it and he looks at me says you beat me because of what I said looks down and saying yeah and steps on him so I understand what he's saying you can't say that who the phone shut the front door get out of town take it back... And really could do that and scary monster movie with the hulk theme after you do the wrestling and see all those slides to say all those lines. But really I think we should do the movie.

Hera

Haha we just keep on remembering what he was imagining but really we've seen it and the electrostatic force that does developed is enough to incinerate someone at the end of the line they keep touching tanks and metal things and all sorts of stuff and they're worried about it they said we have to detach and they do in the touching things that goes away and they're they're almost fought over dead to say we're getting sick for electrostatic disappear stuff and also means it is we going to stop the stupid s***. So we asked the sergeant if someone looked at the design and he's going I don't think so and he starts laughing here laughing and he says weird problem it would take those off if they're going to go inside the barracks? He started laughing so much people ask you what's wrong with him and he finally went through it they started laughing and I almost couldn't stop and three guys died and the other is hold their holes in their bodies it's disgusting so he says you have to include that at the end of it and then you flip over to my daddy open up the ark

Hera

[sassykitkat22]

Now i love how vlads obsession switched gears and id like to add to it by making it once more extend onto another person

Jasmine dun dun dunnnnnn

As we know from the show danny got added to his obsession regarding Maddie and Jack after discovering danny is a halfa like him

And since its done a 180 here i think after a while of interacting with jack at some point will brag about his oldest daughter and eventually go down to how many times she helped keep dannys secret as well as make to steer the conversation away from phantom during dinner

And you know making sure jack and Maddie pulled away to actually take care of themselves

What is going through vlads head is something along the lines of

I see while me and jack where blinded by that

she devil my dear niece was not only making sure danny was able to feel safe and comfortable

But also insured my brother from another mother wasn't being worked to the bone by she who shall not be named and making sure he ate food

And yes vlad knows if someone isn't there to check in on jack then he will get sucked into the invention zone but his best buddy is very passionate about technology and we all get that way sometimes

But that tendency had to be ten time worse because no doubt Maddie brushed off any thoughts his best friend could have had about taking a break in order to use his mind to further her goals just like how she did when he was left in the hospital half alive half dead

Why it must have been a constant struggle to ensure jacks continued good health but his niece managed to pulled through

Suddenly, any trouble jazz my have had with uptight rich kids disappears as they try to avoid her and if she ever had to take a loan for college any debt has been paid off

-------

Jack finds a harley quinn on death's door after an argument with the joker one day and decides to help her get back to health

Now jazz as a psychology majore in gotham had heard the story of Dr. Harleen Quinzel at her school, teachers have used her as a cautionary tale about being carful to keep patients at an arms length and some have even done research papers on her because they consider her morbidly fascinating

Some say she's someone who was tragically doomed to fall into being a Rouge eventually due to her family background.

While others consider her a someone who was manipulated, warped by the joker and could have has a normal life if she never encountered him.

One day, she goes to visit her family after having a bit of essay writing block and deciding to take a step back and take a small break

just to find out that her lovable himbo crime lord dad has taken in said

"fuck it if my family can get away with having ties to the criminal underworld why can't I"

Jazz get help on her essay as well as someone to talk psychology to

and harley gets help breaking away from the joker obsession!

Harly, when healed enough, decides to teach jazz some tricks she's learned since in the profession jazz is planning to go into. It's better to be safe than sorry

(Now jazz knows how to aim! Though she still prefes the anti creep stick)

(P.s she's crossed out Fenton and wrote Nightingale creepstick)

Danny, with his dislike and general distrust for clowns, tries to supervise only to get pulled in and eventually get some therapy

Harley after learning about Maddie and what she tried to do to danny decides to join jacks team and gets adopted as a pseudo sibling by Jack

and that's the day she gained a non-shitty but kinda crazy family as well as a place she can feel safe.

Thus, Auntie Harley was born

(Bud and loo are kinda like guard dogs for the building, and Jack absolutely helps to spoil them)

(She and Jazz definitely tag team to help curve their family's bad habits at some point)

(She's helping Danny make chaos as soon as they are left in a room together)

(She is also the therapist for jacks helpers though people where definitely wary of her at first they eventually got use to her)

Now keep in mind she sees how Vlad acts, and while she understands the whole ghost obsession thing, she tends to help keep him on a bit of a leash and pulls him back if it starts negatively affecting everyone with both words and a good smack to the head

------

Something i want to add is vlad didn't originally like her very much and the feeling was mutual After harley came back to visit the first time he tried to threaten integrate her on why she came back what is she planning for his best friend, niece, and nephew how can he get her to leave?

Now vlad as a business man prides himself in being able to hide things from his opponents with a mask

So he's more then a little botherd when she casually lists off all his issues and the possible reasons behind these issues and bein 90% right

He only starts to semi trust her and see her as an ally/pawn is when she smacks down a bunch of goons joker sent to ambush jack after he tried to attack a upgraded crim alley with laughing gas and failed

I cant think of what would push them into being sort of friends but as a friend harley helps vlad through his more toxic traits

And when jack decides to date again she and him being both paranoid about relationships team up to make sure whoever is trying to woo their favorite himbo has honest intentions and isn't looking to use him

And she makes sure vlad doesn't try to make things up so they can cause a breakup

Because lets face it this vlad right here will probably hate the idea of jack trying to date someone purely because (in his eyes) its because of a relationship with Maddie that jack was pulled away from him in his time of need and became distanced enough to the point of misplaced resentment and hatred

So to him, jack dating = no more friendship

Thankfully harley, his frienenemy is there to pull him away from those thoughts before he does something that would actually ruin his friendship

Now, harlys nicknames for the Nightingale family!

Danny=little hyena

on account of his habit to bite dangerous people and ask questions later

Jazz=jazzy

I know its a bit lazy but I could just genuinely see her calling jazz this

Jack= Jackyboy

Again, a bit lazy but I'm honestly drawing a blank, so feel free to pop in with suggestions

Vlad= vamps (Dracula is the one she uses if he does somthing or gets out of control)

Red hood/jason

I have two

shrike

I feel like she could probably figure out his previous identity as robin and shriks are pretty brutal birds if she did

Plus I imagine they get off on the wrong foot due to her past relationship with the joker and I can see him threatening first chance he gets maybe somthing along the lines of "I'll throw you from the highest building I can find then shoot you before you hit the ground just befor you hit the ground if you hurt them"

So violent

And Red Gremlin

There's no reason it just fits

Sam=sqirt

Reasons

Tucker=mummy boy? Pharoah dude????.....

Hacky oh gosh that made me cringe. Maybe something like guru or techie? I know those are probably lazy but i seriously still got nothing (i dont remember the character that well)

DP X DC Prompt #45

Gotham has a new rouge. Except he only steals food and medical supplies in great quantities.

(Jack takes Danny and runs to Gotham after a Reveal gone Wrong where Maddie tries to kill Danny)

[acewithapaintbrush]

For the writing starters, “I didn’t know where else to go” with Pepa and Bruno perhaps? :D

This is a long one. I threw in Felix as well, cause my man needs some love too. I imagine them all to be somewhere between 16-17 years old

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Pepa. Your weird brother is here."

Pepa, young and impulsive and with a protective streak a mile wide, bites her tongue until she can taste blood. She wants to tell Alecia to shut her trap, wants to kick Rico's shin for snickering like a donkey, wants to turn her back on this small group of teenagers that have big mouths but nothing to show for it, and never look back.

But Felix is part of that group. They are his friends and cousins (twice removed, but still!) and she likes him. Oh, she likes him so much. Her heart does a summersault every time she sees him and it's all she can do to keep the rainbow suppressed when he smiles at her.

They have talked once or twice, but today is the first day that he's invited her to hang out with him and his friends in that little clearing in the woods. She still doesn't know if he likes her that way, but the hope is like a beast in her chest, wild and untamed. She wants to make a good impression. She wants his friends to like her and she wants to be everything he could ever want in a girl.

But all she is right now is the sister of the village weirdo.

Pepa doesn't want to think like that. Bruno knows how important today is (he'd begged her to shut up about this 'date but maybe not date oh my, do you think it's a date?' just this morning). He wouldn't come here if it wasn't important.

But all the same, when her eyes find him hiding behind a tree, watching her and the others, a surprising amount of frustration within her bubbles to the surface and a small cloud gathers above her head. It's not solely his fault. She has been stressed for days about this meeting and now that she's here her anxiety doesn't get better but worse. She is analysing every look, every word. Is there a double meaning behind any of it? Was Felix' cousin laughing at her joke or laughing at her? Is Felix really looking at her with affection or is it just condescension?

She's never felt so insecure before and seeing her brother cowering behind a tree, the hood of his oversized ruana pulled up and into his face, doesn't help any. He looks like a wraith. He looks like the brujo they all accuse him of being, watching them from the shadows of the treeline, all creepy and stuff.

"What a freak." Osvaldo mutters.

"Hey!" It's Felix who snaps at him and if Pepa wasn't so embarrassed, she might have appreciated it more than she does. "Shut it, Oz!" He turns to Pepa and tries to catch her gaze. "You wanna go and see what he needs?" 

Pepa can't meet his eyes, just nods and hurries over to her brother with quick, agitated steps. Bruno must know that she is coming, but he is still half hiding behind that stupid tree. He has buried his nails into the bark and keeps his head down. She can't see his face at all. 

"Bruno!" Pepa hisses as soon as she is close enough. She allows herself a small cloud, hoping that she is far enough away that Felix won't see. "What are you doing here?" 

"M'sorry." he mumbles. "I just... Juli s'with Mama and..." 

"What's that got to do with anything?" Pepa explodes. She can feel the stares of the others on her back like needles poking her, drawing blood, poisoning her mind and soul. "Dios Bruno. Can't you spend one afternoon without one of us holding your hand?" 

Her little brother flinches back from her anger and Pepa immediately feels guilt clawing at her chest. She also can't help but notice that he is clinging to that tree with a kind of focus that almost seems desperate. 

"M'sorry." he repeats and Pepa feels a pit form in her stomach. His voice is shaking, his arms too. He sounds like he is on the verge of crying. "I don't wan' Mama to know. I didn't know where else to go." 

"Brunito." Her voice is soft now, soothing, her anger already nothing more than a fleeting memory. Something is wrong. Very wrong. "Look at me." 

He doesn't. Pepa has to grab his shoulder and guide his face up with a careful hand under his chin. 

She gasps when it comes into view and immediately brushes the hood away to get a better look. The black eye and split lip aren't even the worst. 

The worst is the bruise at his temple and the dazed look in his eyes. 

Panic seizes her heart. She's seen enough concussions while helping Julieta hand out food to know the signs. 

The panic is quickly overshadowed by a cold, hard fury. 

"Who did this?" she asks, eerily calm. Her hand is still cupping his chin, her thumb brushing over his cheek. Careful. So careful, as if she is handling cracked glass. Only the thundering, black cloud over her head betrays the turmoil wreaking havoc under her skin. 

Bruno shakes his head. Of course he does. He never willingly tells her who his attackers are. Not that it matters. Pepa will find out. She always does and when she does? May God have mercy with them. 

Cause Pepa won't. 

"Everything alright here?" 

Pepa whirls around and tries to shield her brother. She knows the voice and knows that he won't harm them, but her instincts are going haywire. Everything suddenly seems like a threat. 

Even wonderful Felix, who is standing at her shoulder and winces in sympathy when he sees Bruno's face. 

"Ay mierde, hombrecito! That looks bad. Who did this?" 

Bruno just stares at the other boy and stays silent. Pepa really doesn't like the dazed look in his eyes. They need to find Juli and lure her away from Mama's side. As much as Pepa would like to trust their Mama to deal with this in a satisfactory manner, Pepa knows that she will only talk with the bullies and their parents. If she even bothers to find out who they are and doesn't just tell Bruno to make more of an effort to 'make nice' with the other kids. 

No no. The time for talking has passed years ago. This needs Pepa's personal, physical touch and she can only do that if her mother isn't aware enough to stop her. 

"Don't worry. I'll find out.", she promises darkly. "I have to get him home. I think he has a concussion." 

"I'll come with you. Maybe whoever did this is still around." 

"I can protect us!" Pepa can't help bristling. The cloud over her head thunders ominously. 

Felix stares at the dark mass over their heads and Pepa feels like crying. He will never ask her out on a proper date now. Boys don't like violent girls. They don't want to be intimidated by a girl. They want to feel strong and in control. They want a pretty, vulnerable girl, who they can protect, who wants to be protected.  They want everything Pepa is not. After today, Felix will never look at her and think-

"Beautiful." The whisper is more breath than actual sound and Pepa almost convinces herself that she has imagined it. Felix stares at her cloud for a second longer with wonder and adoration, before he grins at the pair. He helps her steady her brother who is leaning dangerously to the side. "I know you can, Pepa. But I want to help you. Both of you." 

She just nods, too stunned to speak. Bruno leans heavily into her side, but doesn't shake Felix's hand off his shoulder. Which is either an amazing sign of trust or proof that he is even more out of it than she thought. 

They turn to leave and the group they leave behind shouts after them. Something about abandoning them and to not bother coming back if they leave now. Pepa couldn't care less and Felix doesn't even turn around, just cheerfully tells her to ignore los cabrones. He has slung one of Bruno's arms over his shoulder and periodically pats his back. 

Their progress is slow and Pepa grows more and more worried the longer Bruno stays silent. But when he opens his mouth, she kinda wishes that he hadn't, since he is apparently way too out of it to know what is going on. 

Or rather, who is with them. 

"Sorry Pepi. Din't wanna crash y'r date with Felix." 

Pepa keeps her face straight ahead. She will not react. She will NOT react. Other than the bright hot flush on her cheeks and the mist suddenly surrounding her head, she will not react. 

"Don't worry, amigo." Felix says. His voice sounds… it sounds actually pretty happy. 

Pepa glances at him over Bruno's head and her heart skips a beat at the smile he regards her with. He winks at her and she thinks she might swoon. "We'll just have to continue this after your sister beat up whoever did this to you. Or maybe that actually could be our next date. I definitely want to see that." 

Pepa grins. "Sure. It's a date."

(Bruno later tells her that, if the concussion hadn't made him throw up minutes later, it would have been their cheesy flirting. Pepa just ruffles his hair and keeps preparing for her date. Felix has just confirmed that the bully suspects nothing and has agreed to meet them in that clearing in an hour. 

She cracks her knuckles. 

It will be so romantic.)

[zeldaelmo]

The Pen Pal Plan, chapter 3

"Good evening, Sir." She stretched her hand out to her suitor, their sophisticated exchange of letters and the airy vibe he was giving off making her feel she should start a bit more formal. He took her hand, but his handshake was like squeezing a dead fish. Urgh. 

"Your Highness. I'm delighted to finally make your acquaintance in person. What a wonderful proposal to meet at the newest attraction of the winter festival. I'm truly delighted to see such a marvel like the carousel with my own eyes and with such pleasant company nonetheless."

Zelda relaxed and rearranged her hood. Normal, cultivated conversation, she could do that. Not another weirdo. 

"Just look at the finery of the work, Your Highness! The horses must be carved from one piece of wood, I can't discover a single seam anywhere. And the colors! Truly a marvel."

Zelda followed him towards the carousel, leaning closer to inspect everything. He was right, it was an impressive piece of work. 

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself in front of such majestic machinery." The man laughed and pushed his glasses up again. "Duke Titalo of Akkala. And you're Princess Zelda, of course, everyone knows that but it's still worthy of mentioning." He laughed again, his glasses sliding back to their former place. Oh, Goddess, she would never stop calling him professor… Thank you, Mama…

Speaking of – he kept talking about the mechanism which made the horses of the carousel go up and down on metallic poles but Zelda sneaked glances at his face. His lips seemed plush, for a man at least, was that good? Could she imagine kissing him? She… wasn't sure. Maybe that came with time, with falling in love?

"Your Highness?" Startled, she swirled around. The guard who guided her here. Wow, he did have striking blue eyes, why hadn't she noticed before? "The carousel will halt soon and then you can try it out, as it was your wish."

"Thank you!" She smiled, her gaze lingering, but the guard nodded and she pulled herself together. 

With rattling noises, the merry-go-round came to a halt. The prof– duke helped her onto the platform and she stroked her hand over the wooden horses. It was indeed immaculate craftwork. Never had she seen such clean carvings and, oh, the colors! Everything was painted with great care; it must have taken months to accomplish such a miracle.

An outstretched, gloved hand awaited her once more, and thankful for the assistance, Zelda took it and mounted the wooden horse. At least the duke’s manners were excellent, that was a start, right? 

With a jerk, the carousel started to turn again, and Zelda yelped, hand flying to her mouth immediately. 

The horses rose and sank and the platform slowly rotated with Zelda clutching the leathery reins firmer as soon as they went up again. She would feel much better with some kind of security belt! 

After the first round, she slowly began to trust the construction and glanced around. Did the people notice who exactly had embarrassed herself here? Her gaze caught at the amused face of the guard. Wait, why wasn't he on the carousel? The other two had their own horses, one sat next to the professor, and the other next to her. Maybe he needed to keep an eye on their surroundings. He caught her staring, followed her half of the round with his eyes, and when she passed him, he mouthed, "Have fun!"

Oh, well, that was why she was here, right? Finally, she turned her attention back to her suitor. Wait, had he kept talking with her this whole time? Oh, great Goddess Hylia, she was the worst conversation partner in the whole of Hyrule. 

"I assume the inner mechanics work with gears," he explained, leaning dangerously toward the middle of the construction. "Wooden, maybe. But the more I think about it, metallic is more likely. I imagine the weight of this construction is quite heavy!"

"Uhm, yes, I agree. I, uh, wonder how it moves. I don't see donkeys pulling it like it's common for the smaller ones."

He looked at her as if she had said the moon was going to fall to the earth. Oh… He probably had talked about that during the last ten minutes… it was the most pressing question regarding this miracle of engineering, after all. "Sorry," she squealed. "I just can't believe the solution is so simple!" 

He smiled, softly and arrogantly, and, oh Goddess, she was about to be lectured. 

Alright, this was not going to work out. He was sophisticated enough and his manners were good, but she couldn't see herself spending her life at his side. At all.

Where was the guard? She needed to signal him that the merry-go-round stopped so that she could dismount.

Up and down she went, but she couldn't spot him. Had there been another issue? Maybe the weirdo had found them? She was on full display here, in the spotlight of the biggest attraction of the festival… 

Oh, good, there he was. Now to get his attention. And what in Farore's name was the professor doing? He had a spyglass and leaned forward to get a better view of the mechanic in the middle!

"Sir!" Zelda yelled, waving her arms. "You'll fall!"

"Pardon?" He turned, the long glass slipping from his grip, tumbling down and rolling, rolling, rolling, right into the mechanism in the middle. 

A violent, metallic scream erupted from under the platform and the whole carousel jerked to a halt. 

"Oh," was all that came out of her mouth.

The guards on their wooden horses grabbed daggers they had attached to their hips, but it was pointless. The enemy, if it could be called that, came from within the carousel mechanism. 

The professor's face was colorless, white, even. "That's a family heirloom. I can't – the worth is invaluable. Oh, Goddess."

"My Lord, please!" Zelda called, reaching for his arm without success, gaze dropping down to the faraway platform. "Please stay on your mount, you'll get hurt if you fall!"

He nodded jerkily, leaning down again. Zelda wasn't sure if he had registered her words at all. The staff of the carousel scurried all over the platform, two of them disappearing into the gap. Onlookers shouted, perhaps in confusion, and worry for the safety of the people high on the horses. 

Zelda waved at them, with her brightest smile plastered on her face. Mass panic was the last thing they needed. As long as everyone stayed where they were, nothing would befall them. The staff would retrieve the glass soon, she was sure of it.

The only problem was… they didn't. She couldn't figure out if they couldn't see it or if it was out of reach, but nothing happened. They were in the gap with four people now, but the carousel didn't move an inch. The professor brooded next to her, his former talkativeness lost. Well, she didn't mind that too much, she was looking forward to finally meeting with— oh no! She would miss her last date! The only one she actually cared about… Okay. It was no use. She needed to get down from here and fast.

She peeked down, eyes flying up again immediately. No. Impossible! The distance must be one and a half of her height; she would at least twist her ankle if she jumped. And with a twisted ankle or worse, she wouldn't make it to the tavern.

Helplessly, she looked at the guards stuck with her at dizzying heights. One clutched the neck of the wooden horse, his eyes pressed shut, and the other shrugged. "Guess we have to wait it out."

Zelda took a shaky breath. She didn't have time to wait, she would miss the date, and then he would be disappointed, rightfully so, and would never write to her again. She didn't have a real name, nothing. The postman, always one to make his life easier, had installed mailboxes for the last five, so if he decided to cut strings and never show up again… no. She needed to get down from this cursed horse!

"Your Highness?" Zelda turned around, looking from one guard to the other. None of them had spoken. 

"Down here," the voice said, chuckling. Oh, the blue-eyed guard! He was calm, an easy smile on his lips. "Do you have the heart to jump if I'll catch you?" He raised his arms, reducing the distance between them.

"I–oh, Goddess, are you serious? What if I jump and bury you under me?"

"Well…" He laughed. "Then I'll cushion your fall and have a story to tell for the barracks."

"You're awfully relaxed about this," Zelda shouted down.

"It's just an offer. I'll accompany you to the tavern if you still want to go."

Zelda fingered for the paper flower in her hood. "I do!"

"On three. One! Two!"

Zelda held her breath and closed her eyes. No, wait, that was stupid, so she opened them again.

"Three!"

A shriek fell from her lips and she jumped down. Strong arms caught her, but the impact of her fall let them stumble backward, right against the next pole. 

"Oof," he gasped, clutching her to him. She didn't let go immediately, her knees too wobbly. 

"You okay?" Reluctantly, he let go of her, stroking his palms over her arms. He was so kind, how had she never noticed him before on duty? The stupid helmets they all wore must be at fault. They all looked the same.

"I'm good, thank you. Your help is much appreciated." She smiled at him and they stood together a moment longer until she remembered why she wanted to go down from the carousel in the first place. "If it's not too much commotion, I would like to take you up on the offer to take me to the tavern." Sheepishly, she rubbed the tip of her boot over the other. "It's a bit mean to say this, but I only really cared for the last candidate. I would be quite upset if I missed this appointment out of all of them."

A strange emotion ghosted over his face but it was gone too fast for her to decipher it. He scrutinized her, lingering. "Is that so? Well, then it is not only my duty but my pleasure as well to help you out."

"Oh, thank you!" Problem solved! Before either of them could blink, she had pulled him into a tight hug.

"Uhm, Your Highness?"

"Right!" She shrieked again. "We need to hurry!'' 

He nodded and helped her from the platform. Hand in hand, they squeezed themselves through the onlookers. "Your hood," he hissed through the corner of his mouth when the people kept staring. Oh, of course. She pulled it into her face again, passing the ticket booth of the carousel with hurried steps. "I didn't even say goodbye to the prof– Lord Titalo!"

"You can still write to him again. He seemed to care about his heirloom more than about you anyway," he shouted over the hats and hoods of the festival goers and walked her through a gap between the booths. It was less crowded here, but now they had to watch out where they stepped. Everything was cluttered with rubbish and buckets from the stalls. 

The guard looked back at her, letting go of her hand. "Or did he ask how you are once?" 

She shook her head. "No. But you did. Thank you again for your help."

He cracked a grin and ushered her to walk on. Over his shoulder, he called, "Just hoping for a promotion!"

Zelda laughed, leaping over a puddle of a color she better not think too long about.

She gave the guard a second glance. They had all opted for simple Hylian tunics, trousers, and hoods today instead of the armor they wore in the castle, the obligatory chainmail probably hidden underneath. Maybe it was the uncommon outfit that made him stand out, but she couldn't help but find his company refreshing; his politeness and respect were deeply rooted, but he still treated her like a human, even joking with her. And she still didn't know his name!

"Say, I never asked and I apologize for that, but what's—"

The ringing of the church bells interrupted her. Five, six, seven. "Spirits! Are we an hour late already? That can't be true." The blood drained from Zelda's face, fatigue and cold seeping into her bones. Oh no. An hour was an awfully long time to wait for someone, princess or not.

"Hey." A gentle hand tugged her sleeve. "Let's keep moving. We are nearly there."

"But we're an hour late. What if he has already left? I don't have a name, nothing! I'll never be able to find him and explain everything. Oh, this whole plan was stupid!"

He waited until they had crossed the short distance to the tavern to answer. His hand lingered on the metallic door knob and only when she passed him, he whispered, "If he lets a gorgeous woman like you go, he's an idiot."

The compliment set her cheeks aflame and she slipped into the muggy air of the tavern, thankful for the dim light. She didn't dare to take her hood off immediately, preferred to let her gaze travel over the big room first. Taverns, even in this part of Castle Town, attracted all kinds of shady people. 

"My mother pulled some strings, she has been here a few times," she said, directed at the guard behind her. "There must be some kind of alcove that she reserved." 

She couldn't spot anything of the sort – oh, Goddess, what if her mother wanted to tease her and reserved a back room! Her jokes had certainly implied this possibility! 

"Over there," the guard mumbled and pointed at a space near the back wall. He was right. There was a set of small alcoves built into the wall and the table in front of one was set with wine glasses and candles that had already burned half-down. It looked nice and cozy and perfect for talking the night away.

The only problem was, it was… empty. 

Her feet had carried her over to the alcove and she pulled the Silent Princess from her hood, blinking against the tears stinging in her eyes.

He wasn't here. 

In a last, desperate attempt, she scrutinized the other guests of the tavern; maybe he waited at the bar, feeling silly to sit alone in a spot clearly meant for two. Nothing. Nobody searched her gaze, nobody even looked remotely her age so that she could maintain a little hope. 

No. 

She had messed this up. How likely was it that he hadn't shown up after his kind words? I very much look forward to talking to you. No. He had been here and now he had left in the firm belief she had stood him up.

She dropped onto the cushioned bench, her misery silencing her for a moment. The loud voices of the tavern crashed over her head and she stared at the barman drawing beer pint after beer pint. 

The guard sat down next to her, but she didn't mind. He had a chaotic day as well and his calming presence made her feel a smidge less stupid than sitting alone.

She dropped the back of her head against the wall, closing her eyes. A year’s worth of work and nothing to show for it. And that wasn't even the worst – the man she had wanted to meet here had not only been a potential suitor, but he had become a confidant for her, maybe even a friend. She would lose that as well. 

"Uhm, Your Highness? Allow me to fetch you a drink, please. I think you could use something to lift your spirits and warm you up again."

Zelda shuddered; Now that he said it, she was quite chilled through. "That would be kind, thank you." 

His boots clunked over the planks of the tavern and Zelda sighed. Maybe he was right and they should make the best of the evening together, everything else couldn't be fixed right now anyway. 

She opened her eyes again and shrugged out of her hood. It was a shame, really. The table was so charmingly decorated with a bunch of lilies and the candles illuminated the booth just so that the skin glowed. There were even– Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Where did the second folded Silent Princess come from? Zelda picked the craft work up. No doubt. It was folded with the same care as hers, the papers matching each other. 

Frantically, she looked around. Was he here? It must be. But where? The dance floor was crowded with dancers and every other table was occupied by larger groups or couples.

The only other person alone and around her age was her guard who just received two glasses of wine from the bar. He smiled at her and although his face was a bit too smooth to be called handsome, Zelda's cheeks reddened once more. Cute was the better word for him, maybe. 

He came over to her, balancing two glasses and a small bowl with bread in his hands, gazing at her through his lashes. Then, his eyes dropped to the two Silent Princesses, came up to her again, and instead of looking confused or surprised, he smiled even broader and winked.

Her thoughts came to a screeching halt, just like that cursed carousel.

What…?!?