Tumgik
#okay i need to stop adding tags
bongdaddy666 · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
went to a fancy restaurant the other day and i had an excuse to be a classy goth
i need to get a better picture of the dress because its definitely A) vintage and B) a mourning dress of some sort and it was one of my greatest thrift store finds ever
10 notes · View notes
ennyan · 1 year
Text
Misa de Gallo | onionthief & reader
Simbang Gabi nanaman~
Tags: onionthief, reader-insert, might be ooc...
Notes: Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo szn so,,, KAJHDKCADHJ I already posted this in twitter +++ i forgot i have a tumblr lmfao AHAHASHDASKJHD--OH! Also! Reader is non-religious but attended a series of masses in church (iirc it’s possible to do that !! ) with onion =) !!!
Short (silly) Summary:  You attend same Uni with onion and maybe share some classes, that's why the two of you gradually grew close to the point wherein you can easily joke around with him and see past his prim and proper mask! You've always been kinda impulsive though, and he's the one usually keeping you in check. Which is why he was surprised when you suddenly broke the news that you wanted to attend simbang gabi masses (since you've already had a talk about religion and beliefs). Now, in these 9 nights leading up to Christmas, can we expect something to bloom? Find out now in this oneshot by enyan
Story under cut!
The jeepney ride pulls you into some sort of reverie, abruptly disrupted when a yawn leaves your mouth. It stops, as a passenger leaves, before continuing on—stopping once more for either another leaving passenger or a new one. Leaning slightly towards the other’s body, just to sneakily take a quick nap, you hoped oh so dearly that he wouldn’t notice. Or if he did, he wouldn’t mind, which would be impossible. Eyelids growing heavier, you leaned your weight against him. You’ll just apologise later…the finals season simply took a toll on your body. 
!
You felt a light tap on your shoulder. The sudden contact made you soundlessly jolt up, as you warily looked into the other’s face. Ah…just like usual, he doesn’t seem mad. Concerned purples met your eyes, “We’re near the church. Wake up.”
Sending a genuine thanks, you simply hummed to yourself. With the jeepney gradually getting more and more vacant, the streets turn more and more familiar. “We really are near…” all slowly dissipating into the certain peace that the atmosphere in between gets; a comforting silence, you might say. It was still a miracle how you managed to befriend someone like him, a soft smile formed on your face. “Why are you smiling?” 
“I was just thinking how lucky I am,” he raised a brow, confused. “To be friends with you.”
He paused, a slight tinge of panic or embarrassment becoming visible on his face. “I…I see.”
“You don’t have to say anything back, you know?” you said, cracking a smile on your face. Gaze turning to the side to look if it would be suitable to get off now. The tinge of recognition makes your eyes go slightly wide, and while you are about to go—”Para po.” Ah, he beat you to it. You imaginarily shook your head at this loss of the non-existent rivalry you had with him. Feeling the jeepney slowly lose its momentum and heading into a halt, he rose out of his seat and went on first as he held out his hand for you to hold. “Thankie!”
Holding his hand as the two of you got off, you lightly stretched your limbs. The contrast of the warmth of bustling people and the nightly air, making everything just seem just right. “Oh!” A gasp left your mouth, gingerly removing your hold onto his hand. The two of you slowly made your way into the church, slightly taking in the artsy architectural history it has, voice gradually growing softer as to pay respects to others who were praying ahead, “I’ve never actually attended these.”
“These?” he paused a bit, staring at the church the two of you were heading into before looking back at you directly, continuing on. “Misa de Gallo?”
“Yeah!” 
“I haven’t done so too, in years.”
You looked at him, curious as he slightly resigned to his fate and continued on. “I try to still be a devout follower, attending masses as much as I can, but…”
“Uni stuff?” He nodded at your statement, as you gave a pitying look with a couple of comforting pats on his back. He…didn’t seem to protest. “I’m sure your God will understand.”
“For me…well, I’m not really religious—as I’ve already told you before.”
“That is why I was wondering if you lost your mind when you suggested this.” He cut-in, making you laugh. You quickly lightheartedly interjected back, “It was out of impulse! I swear!”
“But yeah, I just thought it would be nice. I heard bibingka tastes good.”
“Well,” he starts off, choosing the perfect pew that isn’t directly near the front. Just right, while you nonchalantly trailed after him. Sometimes, you tend to forget he is actually fairly tall. Stopping, he lets you sit first before shortly following. “It has a perk.” A playful smirk became visible on his face, making you more and more curious. You’ve never heard of a perk in attending this mass. “If you completely attend the masses,” you nodded, as he continued on, “On the very last day, you can ask for a wish. And it will come true.”
“Have you tried? Wishing?”
“It…somehow works. Comes true.” You felt like you shouldn’t dive deep about that topic, especially with that distant stare he has straight on ahead. “Well, I’d wish I would pass this sem.”
“...really.” He stared at you as if you’ve grown two heads, “just how tough is the sem for you.”
“Very,” you said, all determined. Making him stare once more before looking away, “I’m sure you would pass. I see how much you work hard.”
“But not as much as you,” you huffed, before melting back into your earlier easy attitude. “It depends if I finish it.”
“The misa de gallo?”
“Yes.” you stared towards the entrance from your seat, people wearing costumes catching your eye. “Well,” he starts off, making you turn to him. “I’ll make sure you do.”
“Boo! What if I get sleepy, what then?”
“You can rest on me.” 
You almost thought it was a joke, before seeing how earnest he is being, making you feel…strange. In a positive manner. Somehow. What was this…?
“W…Well…sure. Will do!”
He coughed awkwardly, embarrassment visible on his face, “I’m used to it since I usually bring my siblings along. So that’s that.”
“It’s starting.” 
The once well-lit church had some of the lights turned off, as the ceremonies started. Attendees slowly going smaller and smaller, feeling everything go on. A strange process of the ritual slowly unravelled all around, wherein he was not annoyed with you asking what to do next and what was happening. “They are going to reenact some chapters, throughout the nine days of the misa, leading up to the birth of Jesus.”
“So that’s why they are costumed…” 
“The actors are mainly church servers, so they are,” he hesitated. “Not good.”
“Hopefully it will be funny,” you said, staring straight ahead. He responded, “I cannot say if they are funny, my siblings fell asleep through it.”
“Well, at least we can critique it?”
“It is less boring than the Father simply showing well made videos from Youtube,” he slightly pointed towards the projector. “They show there.”
You stared ahead, looking at the awkward yet stiff movements of the actors. “I get your siblings now.” Sighing tiredly, you continued on, “Damn, you’re so amazing at being able to stay awake,” you started to subtly lean against  him, feeling more and more sleepier. “Does the pillow offer still stand…?”
“Of course, I’ll wake you when standing is needed.”
“Thanky…” 
And that was it, all throughout the masses. 
A sense of energy flowing inside of you as you recalled the softness of his gaze, as the Ama Namin came on. Hands held up by each other, as you mouthed the words to this prayer based on the words shown through the projector. Slightly perking up as you heard him sing along, you’ve never heard him sing much before! This was the perk of the Simbang Gabi, you thought to yourself jokingly. It was…really nice. You still wouldn’t like to participate much in the religion but spending time with your friend was really, really nice. It felt as if the two of you became closer, with this shared experience. 
Laughing as you recalled how patient he was with you, despite his obvious annoyances with you not wanting to go anymore, only to feel bad as you’ve already spent too much time in this endeavour. Leaving the church for the very last time, as the nightly streets near the church became bustling with newly made and heated food, you felt a slight pang of hunger. “Are you hungry?” You start to question if he could read minds, “Yeah…”
“I’ll buy something for us.”
“Can I join?”
“Alright,” the two of you head into the elderly lady selling kakanin, leche flan, kutsinta…oh, is that the bibingka you’ve heard so much about?! “I wanna try the bibingka.”
“...”
“?”
“That was what I was planning to buy for us.” Perhaps, you too, can read minds. 
“What a cute couple.” the elderly lady laughed, making you laugh back in embarrassment. “No, nay. We are only friends!”
“Sure, sure.” She smiled knowingly, making you feel confused, while he remained quiet. Asking around the prices, as you set off to buy the kutsinta for your house. He pulled up his wallet and successfully bought the bibingka. Separated into two plastics, so you could easily dig-in without worrying much, you both thanked the elderly lady before heading away. You stared off onto a familiar looking area, “I think they sell drinks here.”
“Warm drinks go well with this.”
“Chocolate? Or Coffee?”
“Coffee,” you set off to buy, blowing raspberries at him as it was your turn to treat him. Even with just these drinks, which cost less than the bibingka. Before gesturing to him to come near where you were, as there were free available seats nearby. Settling into the seat, alongside the table, you mused, “That was an eventful nine days,” before taking a sip of your warm drink. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have continued on.”
“Really?” 
“You made it more fun.” You smiled at him, before taking a huge bite. “I got to witness different sides of you, and it was nice.”
“Normally, people would think this would be repulsive.”
“They just have no respect,” you frowned, “I can see that what you have going on helps you in a way. And I respect that.”
“...thank you,” looking away, as he lightly flushed. “I admire you too.”
…? 
“C-Cool! We admire each other.”
He lightly cursed, becoming more and more embarrassed. Muttering, not the right time yet. As you confusedly stared at him, “It’s nothing.”
“I hope we can go again next year.”
“I give you permission to drag me,” you smiled, earning a small chuckle from the other.
48 notes · View notes
the-kipsabian · 5 months
Text
wrestling fic writers!!
i have decided to be the change i wanna see, so lets do a nice little thing for each other, as a community full of incredible and talented writers. yes this is writer specific only, but thats cause thats where the main problem of people not interacting with creative works lies in this fandom as far as i can tell and have seen people talking about it especially in the last couple of months
if you read this, please add links to your written works. it can be just a single fic youre really proud of, your writing blog, your writing tag, your ao3 account, anything where your works can be found
and if you leave your link here, PLEASE check out someone else that has left their works, and interact with them. leave them a comment, even just a kudos, REBLOG their fic, etc. interacting is the keyword i want to emphasize here, along with building a sort of a masterpost of where to find people writing in this fandom
and if you are not a writer, youre still highly encouraged to interact with this post and share it and show love to the writers in this fandom, obviously!! i think that should go without saying, but adding it in anyways
a bit more about my vision and resources and such under the read more, but thats the gist of it. happy linking and please be kind and supportive to each other!! 💜
nobody is too big or too small to add their things on this list. if you write and post anything in this fandom whatsoever, be it fics or drabbles or headcanons, any companies or any kind of ships or reader inserts or any content whatsoever no matter how 'dead dove dont eat' or hell even if its just meta, we welcome all here and nobody can say that one thing is less valid than another. just please tag your content accordingly, especially if theres content warnings, and feel free to mention what you write, who you write, any info you wish to leave that would help people before they click on your links. but even so, that should not and hopefully will not deter people from interacting, no matter what it is. someones trash is another ones treasure, i promise you
and unless the amount gets really overwhelming, im personally going to be checking out everyone that leaves something here. unless it squeaks me out, but even then, i'll spread the word. and i just wish as many people as possible will do the same, and not just use this as a potential board to only get eyes on their stuff. ofc thats also the point, but you should give as much, if not more, than you get. we need to be kind and supportive of one another (besides, from personal experience, if you show love to someone else, they are more likely to do it back than without you taking the first step, so... pay it forward)
as for resources, heres a few links that should be helpful in leaving comments and feedback. of course everyone does their own thing and no comment is too big or too small to leave, but for those who need them. if you have anything you'd like added to this list, dont hesitate to get in touch or drop it in the post yourself!!
101 comment starters
ao3 floating comment box
kudos html
dont know how to comment? easy solutions
a quick hot guide to commenting (by yours truly)
an overall guide to appreciating fanfic writers
and just in general.. leave people comments. leave them asks about their projects. just go over and gush about their work. i know it sounds embarrassing but writers love nothing more than to hear that someone likes what they are doing. if you find a fic that hasnt been updated in forever, comment on it. it might just be the spark the author needs to continue. while kudos and likes are nice, and just as valuable to some, its definitely in the words the people leave for them that matter the most. im not saying this to put pressure on anyone, its just how it is, and i feel like unless people are writers themselves, and even then sometimes, thats just hard to grasp, especially if the writer is a smaller and less popular one who doesnt get a lot of traffic in the first place
i think thats all. just be nice and considered to everyone, reblog peoples works, this post with others add ons and so forth. and if i find anyone talking shit here or at other writers for something they share, you'll be blocked and im probably taking your kneecaps. be fucking nice. we are all struggling here and we need to stick together
happy sharing and commenting 💜💜
108 notes · View notes
skitskatdacat63 · 8 months
Text
Boy King Seb :D
Tumblr media
#thank you to Grace for the idea of making his chivarly collar red bull instead <33333#he was gonna have both collars but then making that one made me suffer so no not today#this was a lot of fun but also made me suffer. but i keep looking at it and being like AAAHHHHH BABY!!! BABY BOY!!!!!!!#can you believe i tried to do this in one night? i cant#i stopped and came back to it and was like 'no way you could do this in one sitting at 1 am'#this is kinda the ascended form of that very first sketch i made for this au! concentrated boy king sebby!!!#i say to myself i need to take a break from drawing complicated things but youll prob see a nando version of this in less than a week ;;;#okay about the drawing(i wrote good tags and then tumblr deleted them so these are a bit inferior AGH):#this is typical pouty seb but is also referenced off a specific pic from AD 2009(beloved)#its very important to me how emotionally open Seb is. im not sure the specific context of this. maybe after a triumph?#but instead of being that typical stoic serious detached kind of ruler; i like him being openly emotional(think AD 2010)#its important as well for his dichotomy with nando and how they choose to portray themselves#seb is very assured in himself and his rule vs. nando who is more insecure and bitter about his#so nando takes strides to portray himself in that more stoic calculating way bcs he feels like it helps him legitimize himself better#whereas seb has absolutely no care for outward public image and shows how he feels and is loved for it(nando hates it but loves it)#not that nando cant be fun and whimsical!! but to me he always seems a bit more mysterious; like i can never tell his true thoughts tbh#anyways i feel like ill finish 10 more drawings before i end up posting the lore pt 2 LMAO#its just a lot harder to organize and layout compared to part 1 which was just an explanation#pt2 would be a mix of more world building/characterization/anecdotes ive talked about with mutuals(LOVE YOU GUYS!!!)#i have a *lot* of ideas (gotta whip out my notes app every once in a while to write down stuff abt it) just hard to put into a coherent pos#sebastian vettel#f1#formula 1#f1 art#formula 1 art#f1 fanart#formula 1 fanart#catie.art.#*ill prob make a process post later if anyone is curious!! its fun to write abt my process and influences and such#boy king au
40 notes · View notes
mattodore · 8 months
Text
"I don’t actually think Theo has any offensive preferences, because he’s not really a fighter. That human instinct to fight back was trained out of him very young… so."
Tumblr media
#cw abuse mention#cw child abuse mention#<- mentioned in the tags. i'm adding these cws bc i talk bluntly abt this in the tags so definitely don't look if it's triggering...#river dipping#questionnaire lb#AND FUCK YOU ACTUALLY !#BANGING MY HEADI NTO A WALL................ THIS IS ONLY QUESTION 71..........................................#I JUST . GRHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH#feeling sick already lord why am i doing this actually..........#i feel so insane but it's like. theo just can't let himself fight back. he can't do it.#it's like...... it's not even about ''i can't do this it'll just make it worse'' to him. like that was how his brain processed it as a kid#like that's what he was taught then. but now as an adult it's about him feeling like he deserves it... like it's his fault.#i think he needs that sense of... control? as well. like if he's being hurt well. he should've prevented it beforehand.#obviously this is only happening because he did something to cause it and it'll stop if he just doesn't do that thing again.#if it's just. if it's not his fault then that makes him feel helpless. if he couldn't stop it - if it was always going to happen regardless#of what he did - then. jesus. like it just fucks with his head even thinking that. it petrifies him.#it's safer in his head to think okay. obviously i've created this situation somehow so i had that control over it and now i can prevent it.#but jesus theo............... you can't.#and then theo does these things almost... almost to prove that. to prove that he's always been in control of his own abuse.#where he uses and then he finds these hook-ups that aren't safe for him or these sketchy ppl and he shoots off at the mouth and. then.#when he gets hurt it's like. he feels vindicated. i caused this. this is my fault. it's always been my fault.#his recklessness is entirely because he just wants to prove it. he just wants to have that. it's... christ.#it's the only thing he feels like he has control over in his life. the violence he faces... it's his. in that way.#and it's one of the only aspects of his life he doesn't feel helpless in. not anymore. not since he was a teenager.#god.#and when he does finally let it out at one point. when he does finally fight back again. it just......#it tears him up inside. it's one of the parts of the story i'm the most horrified about having to write#just because i know what it does to him. and how it all just spins out of control after. like it ruins everything for him.#christ.#what else is there to say.
20 notes · View notes
plugnuts · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media
Basically mine and @qxs’s reaction when watching the new ep + bonus Stan
126 notes · View notes
matryx7728 · 7 months
Text
i might give v0 a tail i’m considering giving v0 a tail
it would have practical uses !!! that are not just excuses for it to have a tail !!!
let a girl dream i might give v0
did i say i might give v0 a tail cause i’m considering giving v0 a tail
9 notes · View notes
Text
YURENA REDESIGN!!!!
Tumblr media
because I can never just like the first design of a character I make—
5 notes · View notes
reformedpeasant · 5 months
Text
I don't usually strive to look "as pretty" as someone else but my god, hedy lamarr
3 notes · View notes
kqluckity · 7 months
Text
.
2 notes · View notes
lestatlioncunt · 2 years
Text
WIP WEDNESDAY (for once on time)
i was tagged by @montliyets, thank you so much jasmine beloved <33
i’m tagging @arklay @swordcoasts @nuclearstorms @faarkas @reaperkiller @shadowglens @camelliagwerm @jillvalcntines @masseffect5 @liurnia @indorilnerevarine and whoever else wants to share something!!
have a little taste from the piece i'm unable to finish because i keep adding things and it’s now 31k and i want to die. warning it’s unedited so yea
Fenix spurred on the questions that could make her snap back at him. Why it felt so good? Say how much you think I’m silly and full of myself. Roll your eyes at my comments, do that cute thing when you squeeze up the bridge of your nose as I annoy you. Make fun of me and laugh and smirk. Your shirt is stupid, she said and laughed at the obnoxious cheetah print, that’s how you dress in the Badlands? And Fenix grinned, a clever retort already prepared: that’s what Night City offers, makes you wonder about the tastes of you city gonks. Finally she would say it. I’m sure I have no taste at all, and then look at him, right in his so curiously bicolored eyes; she doesn’t smile nor grin, the corners of her lips would curl up but it would be nearly impossible to see. She is referring to Fenix and he knows. He’s happy, he’s satisfied. That’s where he was aiming at. Talk about me, he thinks, it means you think of me as well.
It was so odd, initially Fenix thought that his interest was born out of spite: he got turned down so often and so vigorously it almost felt like a challenge. Yes, it happened before that his avancés were refused a few times in the past but never so vehemently, never like she does. It made him curious, especially since he could feel something underneath the surface but it was so tightly concealed that he started to believe he had no way of winning this game. Then she gave in and unravelled her desire, he won the challenge; that should’ve made the interest cease, isn’t that how it always worked? Yet the hunger to be around her grew unexpectedly stronger. Maybe it was because she insisted it was only sex? That they weren’t even friends? That she wouldn’t accept one single official date? And now there they were, Fenix got his date, this should end the game for good. Then why the idea of ‘ending the game for good’ made him so sad? A sensation deep inside his chest, past the ribs and located somewhere new, clenched with unexpected strength. He doesn’t want the game to end, he wants to keep on playing forever. The feeling was new and scary and made chills crawl up his back but that didn’t stop him from asking more and more questions. What's your favourite thing in the world? What kind of music you play? What movies you like? Is that your go-to breakfast? My father learned how to cook these for my mom but she bitched all the time about it talking of ‘pain perdu’, then he started cooking for me only, Vesper revealed. I could learn how it’s prepared for you, Fenix found himself saying, he didn’t register his own words but focused on what was maybe the first genuine half blush he ever saw on her cheeks. He was a terrible cook. 
It was never a challenge to begin with, surely not a game, he realised it only now.
20 notes · View notes
as-rare-as-trees · 1 year
Text
Something something about being loved and loved and loved and loved and-
#pls excuse me I just need to *sobs in a corner*#it's about the little things#and finding yourself surrounded with sweet sweet people#and just#okay warning I might do some negative self talk in the following tags so stop here if it's triggering#but like.... i don't have the best relationship with myself and there are these moments where I'll be feeling so low and just feel this#hate-resentment at myself#and somebody does/says something so simply sweet and nice and I just#there's a chant of -I don't deserve this. I don't deserve this love. I don't deserve these loving sweet people.-#and it just brings me to tears to be loved like this#(i know this is something I need to work on)#specifically this afternoon I was feeling kinda shittily#and I had talked with my uni friend about how I was thinking again about dropping this cool practical activity in a lab we've started#as i don't feel like I can handle it#and after a while she was like -while at the supermarket I was thinking about the lab thing and realized that I was with other people#and I talk more to the class in general while you're quieter. And you didn't have me there bothering you and talking in your ear so maybe#that's also why it's harder for you-#(she was in the first group and I am in the second one)#and then she added -I can start sending you messages about random things-#and like#it's such a simple simple thing#but it was so overwhelmingly sweet#i felt so loved#and we barely know each other in a way and yet and yet#(even now I feel the echo of -I don't quite deserve this- but I have to ignore that)#there are many many other moments when I feel overwhelmed by love#it's all about LOVE LOVE LOVE#vaneggiando#a friend just told me -you deserve the world- and I AM IN PIECES DEVASTATED
2 notes · View notes
g0deatgod-archive · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Say where is my shame, When I call your name? So please don't set me free, I'm as heavy as can be I will do you harm, I will break my arm I'm a victim of your charms // Though love itself is just as brief as a candle in the wind And it's greedy just like sin
[Other versions under the cut bc i couldn't decide which one i liked the best]
Tumblr media Tumblr media
red lines // black and white lines
16 notes · View notes
phantomluck · 1 year
Text
yeah sometimes Christmas is holy and joy and then all the sudden there's a familial argument that leaves you to listen to creep by radiohead alone in the dark unironically
3 notes · View notes
mantecol · 2 years
Text
😔
4 notes · View notes
halfvalid · 9 months
Text
pretty in that
Tumblr media Tumblr media
ABOUT
rating: general audiences
characters: live action!roronoa zoro | fem!reader | live action!monkey d. luffy | live action!nami
pairing: live action!roronoa zoro x fem!reader
word count: 4.2k
description: you have a hard time picking a dress for dinner whilst in kaya's mansion. zoro (sort of) helps!
tags: strawhat!reader, female reader, fluff, kissing, confessions, no use of "y/n", special straw hat appearances (nami & luffy), soft zoro
author's note: i'm a sucker for dress-up scenes so i KNEW i was gonna write smth like this once that ep3 scene started playing. reader chooses a dress at the end; dress is non-described so you can imagine your ideal dress!
Tumblr media
You were on Nami and Zoro’s side when it came to whatever was going on in Syrup Village. Kaya’s mansion made you feel vaguely unsettled, and stepping into the building made your heart pound quicker than you would like to admit. But if there was one thing that piqued your interest, it was the order of changing clothes for dinner. You’d been stuck in the same few outfits for weeks now, and the promise of something new—and formal—was nearly exciting, although you’d never admit it in front of Nami and her disapproving gaze. 
Kaya’s kindness combined with the private guest room and bath you were treated to helped soothe your nerves. Soon you found yourself being led to the giant closet the rest of the Straw Hats were already in—Nami was trying on various different pieces, and Zoro seemed to have something in hand too. 
“Ah, there you are!” Luffy said, swiveling on his heel and giving you a big grin as you entered the room. You stared in disbelief at all of the racks around you. Hell, there were even clothes hanging from the ceiling. 
“Well, we certainly have a lot of options,” you said, skimming a hand over a nearby rack. There were a variety of different fabrics, but they all felt expensive: silk and velvet, damasks and brocades. “I don’t even know where to start.” 
“I’m just trying on anything,” Nami called from where she was, before stepping out from the room divider she’d been changing behind. She wore an emerald dress with a plunging neckline, the patterned silk clinging to her curves, and did a little spin. “What do you think?” 
Luffy shrugged. Zoro wrinkled his nose, barely glancing up from the armchair he was lounging on. “I think it looks nice,” you offered, but Nami still seemed dissuaded. 
“Ugh, these two are impossible. What are you going to wear?” 
“Uh, I’m getting there,” you said with a little laugh. “It’s a bit overwhelming; I’d rather help you guys pick first. Luffy, have you found something yet?” You turned towards the man in the center of the room, who nodded enthusiastically. 
“Yeah, I found this!” He raised up a black waistcoat. You frowned at it. 
“Um, Luffy, waistcoats are supposed to be worn with a suit,” you said, then paused, seeing his blank look. “...Never mind.” 
“And I’m wearing black,” Zoro added, despite the piece of clothing slung along his lap definitely not being black. You exchanged a glance with Nami, who just rolled her eyes. They’re stupid, she mouthed, then returned to the rack she was glancing through. She worked quickly, pulling out various numbers that she scrutinized before either setting on the couch beside her or putting back. 
“Okay,” you said slowly. “Need me to find you some pants with that, Cap?” Nami and Zoro let out identical groans as you spoke the pet name, both turning to give you exasperated looks. You suppressed your laugh. 
“Stop calling him that,” Zoro said with a tired sigh. “You’re encouraging him.” 
“Kind of the point, yeah,” you said cheerfully. While Zoro and Nami were both still largely unconvinced about the whole pirate crew thing, you’d joined the bandwagon rather quickly. Zoro rolled his eyes, and you turned towards the racks to find Luffy some slacks. “Assumedly you need something other than that shirt too?” 
“I’ll look later,” Zoro said passively. You watched him out of your peripheral vision. He was outfitted in a patterned kimono, his three swords slung along his lap. He didn’t seem too interested in his surroundings, though what he was doing, you weren’t sure. You let him be, turning to page through the racks of clothes again. Finally you found a pair of slacks that seemed like they’d fit Luffy. 
“Here,” you said, passing them over to him. “And find some shoes while you’re at it.” 
“Why does she even have clothes that don’t fit her?” Zoro murmured, sounding as baffled as he could get. “What, she just casually has clothes in all four of our sizes hanging around?” 
“Rich people own things just to own them,” Nami called. She’d changed again; this dress had a halter neckline and was blush pink. Zoro motioned with a hand at it, and Nami frowned, glancing down at the dress. “You don’t like it?” 
“Eh,” Zoro said. Nami made a face. 
“At this point I think you’re hating just to hate.” She pulled up a few more options, narrowing her eyes as she surveyed them. Luffy was seemingly satisfied with what you’d given him, because he took the pieces off of their hangers and slung them over his shoulder. 
“I’m off,” he announced. “Gonna go change in my room and do some exploring before dinner. Have fun!” With that, he left, and Nami sighed, turning towards you. She held up her final two options—a red cheongsam with delicate gold embroidery and a pastel blue dress with an a-line skirt. You gnawed on your bottom lip as you studied the two.
“I think the blue one might wash you out a bit,” you said eventually; it’d clash with her hair no doubt, and make her skin look even paler. The shade wasn’t a right match with her eyes, either. “I like the cheongsam; I think you should go with that one. It contrasts nicely with your hair.” 
Nami raised up the dress again, inspecting it. “You’re right,” she said, ducking back behind the room divider to change. You started pursuing the racks again; Nami stepped out a few moments later, successfully outfitted in her new dress. “Okay, I’m going to go do my hair in my guest room. Good luck.” 
“Bye,” you called, watching as she left the room. You clicked your tongue, almost alone now and with absolutely zero options of clothing. As much as you liked the idea of new clothes, the abundance of options was starting to seem a little daunting. “Okay, now that Nami’s done, it’s my turn to play dress-up.” 
Zoro laughed from where he sat, and you startled, almost having forgotten he was there. He was watching you attentively, his attention having diverted from whatever it was he’d been thinking about earlier. “You like this kind of thing?” 
“Well, I mean.” You shrugged, peering at a few of the pieces on the rack in front of you. You pulled out a deep green dress, eyeing the lace by the neckline before setting it back. “It’s kind of fun, isn’t it?” 
“Not really what I’m into.” 
“You wear jewelry, so clearly you have some fashionable instinct,” you pointed out, bending over to glance at the clothes hiding by your knees. These were all skirts or unreasonably short dresses, with so little fabric you were uncertain they would cover anything at all. “Unless the earrings are for another reason…?”
“Three swords, three earrings.” 
“Makes sense. What are you wearing with your shirt?” You glanced back to see Zoro’s answer, but he merely shrugged. “Do you want me to find you some trousers? A suit?” 
“You don’t need to find clothes for me. I can do that myself.” Still, Zoro made absolutely no move to do so. You rolled your eyes, but turned your attention back on what you’d be wearing for the dinner. Vaguely you wondered how Zoro would look wearing a suit. You flushed almost as soon as the thought popped into your head, shoving it into the very back of your skull and banishing it from seeing the light of day. 
“If you say so,” you said instead, mostly to distract yourself from the beyond inappropriate thoughts starting to run through your head. Honestly, you barely knew your crew mates—the four of you were close to tearing each other’s throats out before you ran into Buggy, after all. And the fact that Zoro was, well, conventionally attractive—and you tried to keep your thoughts on that and that alone, anything emotional was strictly out of the question—shouldn’t be something your mind lingered on. 
You picked out the first dress that looked to be your size. It was dark purple, backless with a tight trumpet skirt. Ducking behind the room divider Nami had used, you stripped off your clothes, donning the dress. There was a mirror along the other side of the divider, and you turned, trying to appraise the dress on your figure. The color didn’t look entirely right, and you were uneasy about the lack of mobility the skirt might have—Kaya’s staff were still extremely suspicious, after all, and you’d rather be safe than sorry. 
“Let me see,” Zoro called from outside. You tugged at the dress, suddenly nervous, but stepped out after you couldn’t find a good enough excuse not to. Zoro’s eyes ran up and down your figure, and you did a slow circle, showing off the dress. The bare skin of your back prickled. 
“You’re not going to be able to move in it,” he eventually said. 
You huffed out a breath, the nervous energy that had accumulated in your chest leaving with the action. Something in your belly stirred; disappointment, maybe, that Zoro had only commented on the practicality of the dress, not how you looked in it. But you pushed those thoughts away with an angry shove. Not the time, and definitely not the person to be thinking those sorts of things about. “Yeah, that’s what I was worried about. Let me find something else.” 
Zoro’s gaze didn’t flicker from your body as you started across the room, ducking between more racks to find something. “You dead-set on a dress?” 
“I haven’t worn a dress in a while,” you answered, picking out a red one before remembering Nami’s choice and setting it back. “Might as well take the opportunity.” The next one you pulled was blue, all shiny and soft. The material looked like some kind of tender silk. You set it aside to try on. “Why?” 
“Haven’t seen either you or Nami in a dress before.” 
“Actually, you have. I’m wearing one right now and Nami tried like five on earlier,” you said, glancing over your shoulder to shoot Zoro an unimpressed look. He scoffed, though there was a smile at the edges of his mouth as he turned his head away. Your next choice was soft pink, and made of tulle that vaguely resembled a puff pastry. You pulled it up. “Think I should try it?” 
“I mean, pick whatever,” Zoro said, though he seemed mildly disgusted by the amount of fabric the skirt had, all bunched up with layers like something a ballerina might wear. “What are you trying to achieve with the dress?” 
“What am I—I’m trying to look nice, Zoro,” you said, stifling your laughter. You set the pink dress back, replacing it with a sage green number instead. “Not everything has ulterior motives.” 
“You always look nice.” 
You froze, a soft chill curling around the back of your neck. Carefully, you straightened up from where’d you been bent over yet another rack of clothes, turning to look Zoro in the eye. His eyes hadn’t moved. “Oh,” you managed out, throat all dry and tongue like sandpaper in your mouth. “Well, thank you.” 
Zoro cleared his throat, a dull noise he made in the hollow of his throat without even parting his lips. His gaze flickered away. “Yeah. Go try those on.” 
Wordlessly, you stepped back behind the room divider and slipped on the blue dress. It had a texture like water—it was some kind of high-end silk, flexible enough that it was near liquid in movement. The dress itself fell to your ankles, and had a simple square neckline. You stepped outside, doing another slow twirl. “Better,” Zoro said. 
“Better how?” 
“You can probably run in it.” 
You twisted your lips, trying to suppress the urge to turn them down into a frown. “Okay. It’s not doing it for me.” You ducked back behind the divider to change yet again; the sage green one was satin, with long sleeves and a neckline you hadn’t anticipated would be that deep. 
Still, upon exiting the divider and turning for Zoro again, he didn’t have any worthwhile feedback. “It’s kind of plain,” he said eventually, not meeting your eyes. 
You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest; you had to almost resist stomping over to the racks to find something more, and spent another few minutes gathering dresses and trying them on. 
To your immense disappointment, each one garnered little to no reaction from Zoro. You even shoved on one of the tiny, too-little fabric dresses you’d disapproved of earlier, but all Zoro did was scan you from head to toe and say, rather flatly, “you’d get stabbed pretty easily in that.” 
Frustration bled into your nerves as you hid behind the divider again. You glared at yourself in the mirror—your skin had started flushing with how annoyed you were getting, which might’ve been funny had you not been so ticked off. Men, you thought, irritated. Was it really so hard to tell you that you looked pretty? 
He’s a bounty hunter, you had to remind yourself. He doesn’t care about this kind of thing. Besides, he was the last person you should be setting your sights on anyway. You tugged at the short dress, the hem just barely grazing the tops of your thighs. 
You heard footsteps approaching from outside the divider, suddenly too close as you snapped yourself out of the reverie of thoughts you’d been lost in. Zoro turned the corner, arm propped up against the divider edge as he peered in, brows furrowed. “You stopped coming out,” he said. He was still in his kimono, swords tossed over one shoulder. The shirt he had was, assumedly, left on the couch he’d finally stood up from. 
“I’m frustrated,” you told him blandly. His frown deepened. 
“Because of… clothing?” 
You suppressed the sigh that threatened to escape your lungs. “Never mind. I’m fresh out of ideas.” You pushed past Zoro, opting to stand in the center of the room as if analyzing it from a different view would magically give you more options. Zoro turned to stare, still looking perplexed. “With so many options, it’s hard to make up my mind, that’s all.” 
“Uh huh.” Zoro was still studying you. “Did I do something?” 
“What? No,” you said hastily. Too hastily. The words had ripped out of your throat like a hiccup, and you seriously needed to learn how to lie a bit better because now Zoro’s expression was even more confused. “No. Why would I be mad at you?” 
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.” 
“It’s nothing,” you insisted, turning away from Zoro to stare at some of the clothes hanging on the wall above his head. These were too high up to properly look at, and as you stepped back, you glanced through the dresses hanging off the arch of the ceiling. You perused them without too much interest, eyes glancing over the various colors and fabrics until— 
Zoro stepped next to you. “Hey,” he said, and you jolted, head snapping down to look at him. You let out a noise of irritation, then turned your focus back on the ceiling. 
Your gaze flickered through the racks until finally falling on one particular dress hanging by the mouth of the room. It was somewhat hidden, tucked in a little corner beside a few other pieces, but from your vantage point it seemed about your size. 
You took a step closer to it, surveying it with your neck craned. The material looked soft and comfortable but it still retained shape, and the color—even in the dim lighting of the closet—was one of your favorites. The undertone would suit your skin perfectly. And, well, you didn’t want to put all your bets on one dress you hadn’t even touched, but it was certainly promising. 
Zoro stepped past you, barely exerting any effort to reach up and bring the dress down from where it hung up high. “This one, right?” he asked, and you swallowed, some of the annoyances you had towards him dissolving as he extended the dress hanger towards you. You nodded wordlessly, taking it. You stood there for a second before Zoro gestured with his head towards the divider. “Go try it on.” 
You did so, retreating safely behind your wall and stepping out of the little dress. You surveyed the one Zoro had grabbed for you again, heart lodged in your throat. It really was beautiful, and exactly your style; now that you saw it up close, you could safely affirm it was your size too, but nervousness still pulsed through your veins at it. 
Carefully, you slipped it on, adjusting the fabric around your hips and fixing up the neckline to rest evenly on your skin.
Zoro spoke out from the rest of the room. “So why are you mad at me?” 
“I’m not—” you sighed, dropping your arms before returning to fiddle with the dress. “I’m not mad at you.” 
“Is it because I wasn’t being helpful with the clothes? Because I already said that’s not exactly my area of expertise—” 
“It’s not because of the clothes, Zoro,” you said sharply, cutting him off. Zoro clicked his tongue, the sound reverberating around the room and thudding in time with your heartbeat. You turned your attention back onto your reflection. “It’s just me being silly. Don’t worry about it.” 
‘I’m worrying about it,” Zoro deadpanned. You sighed, adjusting the dress one final time before arranging your hair and staring at yourself in the mirror. It fit you perfectly, emphasizing all the right places and hiding all the parts of your body you were more insecure about. “Changed yet?” 
“Yeah,” you said, voice limp. 
“Let me see.” 
You bit your lip, suddenly nervous about how he’d react. Knowing him, it’d be something like it’s okay or the color’s fine; perhaps can you even walk in that? or weird shape if he was feeling a little more critical. Still, you stepped out anyway, not meeting Zoro’s eyes as you spun for him, letting him look at the dress from all angles. When you’d finished posing you glanced up, eyes meeting him tentatively. 
“It’s…” Zoro cleared his throat, ripping his gaze away from the dress on your figure to flicker up to your face. His gaze dropped again nearly as fast, like he couldn’t bear to keep eye contact. “Uh.” 
“It’s what?” you prompted, turning to face the nearest mirror. Your lips twisted into a worried frown, turning to glance at the dress again. Was it really not as perfect as you’d thought originally? “Do you like it? It’s my favorite so far, I think, but if you don’t like it—” 
“You look pretty in that,” Zoro blurted, cutting your rambles off with the strident, too-loud sentence. You froze, eyes flickering to meet him in the mirror. Carefully, he glanced up at you, and you could see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard. 
“Oh.” 
Zoro coughed, averting his gaze as you slowly turned around to face him. You couldn’t see properly with the less-than-ideal lighting of the room, but his face seemed to have taken on a ruddier complexion. “I like it,” he said, words softer than they’d been before. “It’s the one.” 
There was a little rush of something through your veins, and you felt vaguely lightheaded. “Okay,” you barely managed to squeak out. “Thanks.” You stumbled back behind the divider, sucking in a deep breath and trying to regulate your breathing. God, this was actually shameful at this point. 
You composed yourself quickly, gathering all the dresses you’d tried on and abandoned to return to their proper places. Zoro was still watching you attentively, and you glanced over your shoulder at him. Sparks prickled along your skin as your eyes met. “What?” you asked. 
“You’re acting weird.” 
“Am not.” 
Zoro stood up, rolling back his shoulders and stretching his head from side to side. He glanced through the racks and, without even a minute’s hesitation, plucked a suit jacket and matching pants out from beside him. “Yeah, you are. What’s up?”
“You’re just grabbing those without thinking about it?” you demanded, eager to change the subject. Zoro rolled his eyes.
“I picked them like fifteen minutes ago,” he said. “Just didn’t grab them until you were done your whole… thing. Now spill it. You’re all red again.” 
You swiveled towards the closest mirror, unable to suppress your gape as you saw that your skin had indeed turned a distinctive shade of scarlet, flushed undertones creeping their way up your skin. It was entirely recognizable even in the terrible lighting. Even your skin was treacherous, now. “Nothing,” you muttered, unable to meet Zoro’s eyes as you spit it out. “I was annoyed because you weren’t telling me what you thought of the dresses.” 
“I… did, though?” Zoro said, perplexed. You let out a grating sigh, cheeks flaring even hotter now that he was forcing you to confess the entire extent of your sins. 
“Yeah, like, practically,” you said, wrapping your arms defensively over your chest. “You’ll get stabbed in that so easily. You won’t be able to walk. I just wanted you to tell me that—” you cut yourself off with another groan. “Don’t make me say it.”
Zoro blinked. “I have no idea what you’re edging towards, so you’re going to have to say it.”
“I just wanted you to tell me I looked nice!” you finally burst out, turning so you wouldn’t have to look at Zoro’s face. God, you were going to have to quit the Straw Hats after this. It was so entirely stupid. 
“But—” There was a laugh in Zoro’s voice, and you glared down at the floor, all of your dignity having left you by this point. You had no shame left to feel anymore. “I said ‘you always look nice’. Doesn’t that insinuate—” 
“That’s not the point,” you said hotly, tone almost argumentative now. “I wanted you to think I looked pretty in a dress, Zoro.” 
Zoro didn’t respond for a moment, brows creasing and face taking on a baffled expression. “But why—” Zoro cut himself off, and you turned even redder, holding your breath as he finally connected the dots. A single word fell from his lips, like a soft breath of air as he spoke. “Oh.” 
“Oh,” you muttered under your breath, unable to stop the almost whining tone your voice took on. Zoro stepped closer to you, a hand wrapping around your wrist and forcing you to look up at him. 
“I said you looked pretty in this one.” 
“I know,” you insisted, still all red, “which is why I’m not totally mad at you, but—” 
“You looked pretty in all of them,” Zoro said. He didn’t look bashful, per se—you didn’t think Zoro could get shy—but his voice was low, all hoarse in a more tentative way rather than one of his grating remarks this time. “For the record.” 
Your breath caught. 
“This one’s my favorite, though,” Zoro muttered. And then he was leaning down to kiss you, the ghost of his lips just on the corner of your mouth. You gaped up at him in shock as he averted his gaze, staring at some spot about your head. “Was that—” he started, before clearing his throat and trying again with a little more of his dignity this time. “Was that okay?” 
“Yes,” you blurted fervently, and before you could fix up the moment with something more, well, suitable, your big mouth ruined it for you. “But I think we’re holding up dinner. You should get changed, and I still need to find shoes.” 
You bit your tongue immediately after the words had been said, but it was too late—Zoro coughed, turning away from you. You panicked, and now it was your turn to grab his arm and tug you towards him. “Wait!” 
Zoro glanced down at you, perplexed, and then you leaned up to kiss him square on the mouth. He stumbled back, surprised, but adjusted quickly, hand going to cradle the back of your neck and pressing you right to him before you finally broke apart. 
“You should steal it,” he started. You stared up at him in question. “The dress, I mean. You should steal it.” 
“When am I ever going to need to wear this again?” you asked, perplexed. Zoro shrugged, fingers tugging at the edge of the dress's neckline. 
“Dunno. Just take it. She probably won’t even notice.” 
“You’re adorable,” you teased; Zoro wrinkled his nose but didn’t complain, opting instead to move away and pick up the clothes he still hadn’t changed into. “Go change. See you at dinner.” 
“Yeah,” Zoro said, his eyes not straying from your figure as you ducked out of the room. Before you could fully leave, though, Zoro grabbed your wrist, spinning you around towards him.
You didn’t have enough time to ask what he was doing when he leaned around to kiss you one final time, his hands cradling your face as your lips moved against each other. It was only a moment later that he stepped away, looking rather sheepish but not very apologetic as he finally let you go. 
“You look more than pretty,” he murmured, eyes sinking into yours, and your throat dried, any words you might’ve formed dying away within seconds. “You always look more than pretty. You look gorgeous.” 
“Thank you,” you whispered, and then he ducked back inside the closet to change. 
Tumblr media
© halfvalid 2023
6K notes · View notes