#the angst arc is here boys and it's here to stay

[atinylittlepain]

We'll Be Expecting You - A Joel Miller Story

Joel Miller x pregnant!reader/pregnant!oc

Joel Miller masterlist

Baby Miller is on the way. Are they ready?

warnings | 18+ SMUT, angst, descriptions of pregnancy, descriptions of giving birth (non graphic lol)

a/n | it's here! this can be read as a standalone fic but it is really a continuation of Unexpected Expectings, it's pretty fun either way I think :) also, um, it's long, so go get a snack and sit down, yeah?

.......................

“That’s it, honey. Feels good, huh?” His lips are a smear against her temple, bare chest curled over her back as he keeps her steady with firm but gentle palms smoothing up her hips. She clenches her hands against the bathroom counter, weakly pressing back into him with each thrust.

“Joel– feel s’good, fuck– don’t stop, please–” He shushes her, bringing one of his hands down below the swell of her belly, fingers finding her clit and rubbing tight circles that have her whining and throwing her head back against his shoulder. This has become how most mornings start since she had entered her third trimester, the morning sickness that had been rocking her all but gone and a new wave of hormones that had made her impossibly needy for him. And sensitive. 

“C’mon, mama. I know you can give me one more. Please– need to feel you.” The low thrum of his words is all it takes to snap the banded pleasure pulled taut at her spine as her cunt spasms around him. He’s not far behind, rutting into her one more time before his warmth is spreading through her core, his damp forehead pressing between her shoulder blades. He lays a kiss to the nape of her neck, a comfort as he pulls out and she whimpers. Turning in his hold, they meet in a sloppy kiss as she runs her fingers through his hair, brushing back his sleep-mussed waves. His palms splay over the wide arc of her belly, and he pulls away with a chuckle, looking down at his hands and shaking his head in awe.

“I think our boy’s awake, darlin.” She grins, laying her hands over the tops of his.

“You’re still gunning for a boy, huh?” His eyes dart up to hers, a crooked smile on his face. She shakes her head, but doesn’t say anything, smacking one more kiss to his lips before getting the water running for their shower.

It’s a bit of a struggle getting dressed these days. There aren’t exactly any maternity stores to go shopping at in Jackson. She’s been making do with an elastic looped through the button of her jeans and Joel’s flannels, but even those are starting to stretch at the swell of her stomach. It’s hard to believe that they’ve made it to December, that in a little under a month it’s going to be time for this baby to come, one way or another. 

She’s trying to stay calm, Joel already a nervous wreck the closer they inch to her projected due date, but the truth is, she’s just as scared as he is, if not more. There were no two ways about it, it hadn’t been an easy pregnancy. Much to her initial protest, Joel had gotten her off patrol shifts early on, but she wasn’t so upset about that when the vertigo episodes started coming on daily. There had been many a time when she just had to lay down where she stood and close her eyes until the room stopped spinning, something the town doctor had assured her wasn’t uncommon in pregnancy. 

It certainly freaked Joel out though. He wouldn’t move from her side if he was with her when it happened, keeping a warm palm rubbing up and down her back. What had scared him more was when she actually started to lose weight during the second trimester, her nausea getting so bad she was lucky to keep sips of water down. He had taken time off of patrol then, staying by her side and trying to coax any food into her system that she could tolerate. They learned then that baby Miller had a particular affection for mashed potatoes. But it seemed like she was out of the woods once she hit the seven month mark, at least until the delivery. 

“You know, I can still tell Tommy to go with someone else.” She huffs at his words, finishing up the buttons of her (his) shirt before waddling over to him. That’s the other thing, she waddles now. She’s never waddled in her entire life. She can see the entirely amused look on his face as he watches her from where he’s standing in their bedroom. When she reaches him she smacks his chest lightly before rubbing her palms up to clasp behind his neck and tug on his hair.

“I’m glad my gimpy walk is entertaining to you, Miller. But you wouldn’t be looking so smug if you had an entire human pressing down on your pelvis with each step.” He breathes a laugh, dipping down to press a kiss to her scrunched nose. 

“I know, darlin. That’s why I think I need to stay close. I just– I don’t wanna–” She leans up to cut him off with a kiss.

“You’re not gonna miss anything. We’ve got nearly a whole month before doctor Graham thinks it’ll be time. And I’m feeling the best I have in the last eight months.” He huffs, shaking his head at that as he brushes his knuckles under her jaw.

“You’re tougher than most, that’s for sure.” She snorts at his words.

“Damn right I am. Go. Do your watch with Tommy. And come back on Wednesday in one piece.” She rests a palm over the curve of her stomach. It’s obvious Joel’s fighting a smile under his furrowed expression, but he finally gives in.

“Alright, mama. I’ll be back before you know it, yeah?” He brings his much larger hand to rest over hers on her belly. She grins.

“We’ll be expecting you, Joel.”

…

Joel heads out soon after a quick breakfast. He and Tommy do this every season, camping out at the dam for a few days to make sure everything’s in order. Nothing was ever really wrong, a few swaths of infected, maybe a stray raider or two. It’s a routine check-up, and she isn’t worried in the slightest. It’s Monday, and he should be back Wednesday morning, nothing to worry about at all.

As she’s washing up after breakfast, Ellie comes bounding into the kitchen, holding something behind her back. She turns from the sink, resting her hand on her hip and taking in Ellie’s wide-eyed expression.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I swear you get rounder everyday. Seriously, that kid is gonna bust out of you all Alien style. Like ahhhhh.” Ellie makes more groaning noises, miming an explosion around her own abdomen before dissolving into laughter. She however, is less than amused.

“I take it that’s what was playing at movie night yesterday?” The girl hums, seeming to remember what she actually came in to tell her. She holds out what she had been hiding behind her back.

“Traded for this last night. Thought it’d be nice for the baby since she’s coming in the winter and everything.” She takes the bundle of fabric from Ellie, holding it out and seeing that it’s a sweet little quilt embroidered with pink and purple flowers. The other thing about being pregnant is how emotional she’s gotten, and before she even knows it, she’s starting to sniffle as she grasps the plush blanket. Ellie’s brow furrows, coming alongside her and awkwardly patting her back.

“Shit, don’t cry. It’s nice right?” She chuckles wetly, pulling Ellie into a tight hug that elicits a small “oof” from the girl before pulling away and holding her by her arms.

“It’s so nice, Ellie bean. I love it. Baby’s gonna love it too. I’ll tuck it in the crib for when they get here.” Ellie grins.

“You know, you can just say she. Everyone except for Joel thinks it’s gonna be a girl anyways.” She laughs, shaking her head at Ellie’s smug expression.

“I know. But he wants a boy so bad, the damn fool. I’ve been waiting to finish putting together the nursery because everything people have given me is pink.” Ellie laughs at that, sidling past her to get a glass of water from the kitchen.

“Might be a good time to get that done. Just rip the band-aid off before he gets back, you know?” She hums, folding the blanket back up in her hands.

“You’re probably right, kid. I’ll work on it today. The pinkening.” Ellie snorts around a swig of water before glancing at the clock hanging over the stove.

“Shit, I gotta go. My shift started five minutes ago.” She squeezes the girl’s shoulder as she brushes past.

“Be safe, alright? You better be home for dinner.” Ellie smiles, nodding over her shoulder as she’s already halfway out the door.

…

She’s been keeping all the baby odds and ends she’s been given in old boxes in a closet upstairs. Most of it really is pink, and she didn’t want to dash Joel’s hopes just yet. She picks up one of the boxes with a groan, shuffling down the hall to the nursery they’ve been working on. It had been Ellie’s room when they first got here. It was obviously a teen girl’s room before, bright colors and patterns on the curtains and the rug. But Ellie was more than happy to trade the room for her own little apartment in the garage that Joel had helped her build out. She could play her music as loud as she wanted to, a point that had really sold her on the idea. The twin bed remains in the room, but now pressed against the wall across from it is a crib. Joel had worked on it all summer, collecting scrap wood, sanding it down to perfection, carefully laying the pieces together, and carving swirling patterns into the rails. She had spent many a hazy afternoon sitting in his workshop with him, ogling the push and pull of his muscles under his thin t-shirts as he worked on it.

She shakes her head of her quickly simmering thoughts, starting to pull out impossibly tiny pieces of clothing to fold in the dresser. It feels odd, this quasi-nesting she’s doing. She certainly never thought she’d get to do anything like this after, well, after. In her old life, she did want kids someday, but she had only just started college when the world fell to pieces, and suddenly that desire turned into a pipe dream that she resolved herself to let go of. How things have changed.

She spends the rest of the morning organizing the baby’s room, laying the blanket Ellie had given her in the crib as a final touch. 

Pregnancies were sort of a big deal in town, and for good reason, so when folks found out that baby Miller was on the way, they started dropping off old toys and books, cloth diapers and bottles, anything that might be helpful. It was nice, if not a little stifling. She knew there was a weariness to their excitement for her, an unspoken acknowledgement of how quickly it could all go south. The further along she got, the less she liked being out around town as people seemed to get more handsy, asking more questions about how she was doing that only made her nerves worse. The only person who disliked it more than her was Joel, keeping a protective hand over her belly whenever they were out in town together, a deep scowl on his face if someone started getting too nosy. But at this late stage of pregnancy, her doctor had all but commanded her off any work detail, a free pass to stay in and away from prying eyes, though she did still like to help out at the stables most days. 

Glancing at her watch she sees it’s about time for her to head over to the stables. She sighs, standing in the doorframe to take one more look at the nursery.

“Ready when you are, baby girl.”

…

“You must be distracted because I’m whooping your ass harder than usual, man.” Joel huffs at Tommy’s words, throwing his cards down on the table and sitting back in his chair. Night is quickly closing in on the plains, and the brothers have set up their usual camp in the dam control room, a small lantern lighting their games of gin. Tommy smirks at his brother.

“Joel, she’s fine. She’s got Maria and Ellie looking out for her, and doctor Graham told you herself that everything’s looking good. There’s nothing to be worried about.” Joel scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Don’t remember you being so relaxed when Maria was this close to her due date.” He’s got him there, a beat of silence passing before Tommy shrugs.

“Okay, maybe that’s true. But looking back, there was no point to that, getting so freaked out. Because I knew that Maria was strong, that she’d get through it. And hell, that woman of yours is one of the strongest people I ever met.”

“It’s not just about strength, Tommy, not in this world. You know that. One little thing gone wrong, that’s all it’d take.” Tommy lays his cards down, leaning over the table to look Joel straight in the eye.

“Well, that’s why we’re not gonna let anything go wrong, huh? All of us, Joel. We’ve got her. We’re gonna finish this watch and then we’re gonna go home and she’s gonna be fine because we’ve got her.” Joel swallows thickly, not wanting to press the issue any further, though his mind is still swirling in worry. He nods at Tommy.

“Get some sleep. I’ll take first shift. We’ll sweep the south side tomorrow morning.” Tommy nods, getting up and squeezing Joel’s shoulder before laying out his sleeping bag and settling in. 

As the quiet of the night deepens, Joel finds his mind wandering. He can’t help thinking about how different the circumstances with Sarah had been. And not just for the obvious reasons. Joel had been so young, so reckless, and when Sarah’s mom came to tell him they hadn’t been as careful as they thought they had, it turned his world upside down. What had started as a hazy one-night stand turned into a shotgun wedding, an attempt to do what his father told him was the right thing. But the only thing that brought them together was Sarah, and even that hadn’t been enough. Before his baby girl could even walk, Sarah’s mom had flown the coop, divorce papers in the mail a few months after she left. Joel didn’t even care, not when he suddenly could hold his whole life in his arms. Sarah was his whole life, from the moment she was born until the moment he lost her.

But this was different. Joel still has a hard time telling her he loves her, mostly because it feels like love isn’t a big enough word for what they have, what they’ve been through together. But, he does love her, so much it terrifies him. He’s been struggling to even wrap his mind around what he feels about this baby, their baby. Part of him fears forgetting Sarah, though he knows that’s impossible. The other part of him fears just how far he already knows he’d go for this person who isn’t even here yet. 

He sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face. It’s going to be a long night.

…

It had been a long night. She had already been having trouble sleeping, but laying down in an empty bed made it all but impossible to get any rest. It had also been a particularly uncomfortable night. Wicked cramps had kept her restless through most of the night. She wakes up the next morning to a clenching pain in her low back. She assumes it’s just because of the weird position she had ended up sleeping in, curled on her side in a jumble of pillows, and hobbles out of bed with a groan. Glancing at her watch, she’s shocked to see how late she slept, quickly cleaning herself up and padding downstairs, wincing at how the pain doesn’t seem to be dissipating. 

She finds Maria and Ellie in the kitchen, both of them brightening when she walks in.

“Well, good morning. Was starting to get a little worried that the alien finally busted out of your guts.” Ellie laughs at her own joke, but Maria shoots the girl a look before smiling back at her.

“You feeling alright?” She huffs, rubbing her low back.

“Yeah, just a little tired I guess. But my back is killing me. It’s like someone is wringing my spine.” Maria hums, passing her a glass of water.

“Sounds about right. I remember I could barely walk that last month, my back had seized up so much. Are you hungry? I made oatmeal.” She scrunches her nose, shuffling over to the kitchen table.

“I’m really not, but thanks. Think I just need to sit down for a moment.” Ellie takes the seat beside her, concern splashed over her face.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” She tries to offer her a smile, but it comes out more as a grimace.

“I’m alright, Ellie bean. I just–” She cuts herself off with a gasp when a sharp pain slices hot through her pelvis. It’s only afterwards that she realizes she had dropped the glass she was holding, shards all over the floor. Maria is cleaning the mess up in a flash with a dishrag.

“I’m so sorry, Maria– I don’t know what that was, I–” “Oh, shit.” Her eyes dart back to Ellie who’s staring at her pants. She glances down, having to look twice when she sees the liquid darkening the insides of her pant legs. She feels a cool panic settling in her spine.

“No no no no no–”

“Ellie, go tell doctor Graham she needs to get here, immediately. You’re gonna have to ride out to the dam after and get Joel.” Ellie nods at Maria’s words, her mouth agape, as she jerkily stands, but stays still, staring at her. Maria brings a hand to her shoulder.

“Go, Ellie. I’ve got her.” Ellie finally looks away, dashing out the front door. She meanwhile feels like her head is full of static, the only salient thought she’s having coming out of her mouth like a prayer.

“It’s not time yet, it’s not time yet.” Maria kneels down in front of her, taking her hands and squeezing hard.

“It looks like it’s time, alright? A little early, but nothing we can’t handle. C’mon, we need to get you cleaned up and comfortable.” Maria goes to help her out of her chair but just then another shooting pain jolts through her that leaves her gasping for breath. Her voice is a cracked whine when she speaks again.

“I need him here, please, Maria. I can’t do this without him.” Maria nods, eyes wide.

“Listen, Ellie’s gonna get him back here as quick as she can. But we gotta worry about you right now, ok? Can I help you stand up?” She’s already helping her up, tucking under her arm to help her walk.

She can’t believe this is happening.

…

She can’t believe this is happening.

Ellie mounts Shimmer in a panicked haze, and when she gets out of the walls of Jackson, she rides harder than she ever has before.

She had been excited about this new addition to what she had only just started to call her family, but now, there’s only pure fear running like ice in her veins. This wasn’t supposed to happen like this, and it has become incredibly clear that she could lose her today. The biting cold wind is freezing her tears on her face, but all she can think about is the gasp the woman she had started to think of as her mom had let out, and the crumpled look of pain that dashed across her face. If she hustles, it’ll be a three-hour ride out and back home. A lot can happen in six hours.

…

“Can we open the windows? I feel like I’m sweating buckets.” Even though it’s the middle of winter in Wyoming, Maria nods, creaking both windows open to let the frigid air in. She won’t let it show, but she’s nervous. It’s early, and unexpected. Unexpected is never good. 

Kevin had come early, back before. They had to keep him in an incubator for two weeks. She remembers only being able to touch him through plastic gloves, how it had sent her reeling, not being able to hold him close to her right away. What she would have given to have him laid on her chest the instant he was born instead of being whisked away by nurses. She just hopes that it’s not too early for her, this woman she’s come to think of as a sister.

She had certainly been wary of her, and of Joel, when they first came, grizzled partners of obvious violence that they were. But seeing the way they took care of Ellie, and of each other, it became clear to her that their violence was never purposeless, rather an unavoidable cost to their quiet love for one another. They were family now.

“Let’s get you into some fresh clothes, alright?” She nods to Maria, biting down on her clear expression of turmoil as Maria takes her into the bathroom.

“Do you think you can stand for a bit? Would a shower help?” She gets no response, a vacant stare has settled over her face. Maria kneels down to get on her level where she’s sitting on the closed toilet seat.

“Hey. I need you to stay right here with me, alright? Ellie’s gonna get Joel back here as quick as she can. But you have to focus on this right now. I’ve got you, you’re not gonna do this alone.” She brings her focus back on Maria, tears threatening to spill over. A twinge runs through Maria’s chest at the sight of this normally tough woman on the brink of dissolving. She takes both her hands in hers.

“C’mon, let’s get you cleaned up.”

…

Tommy hasn’t seen his brother like this in a long time. As he patrols the perimeter of the dam, he thinks to himself that Joel probably hasn’t acted like this since before the world ended, since before he lost Sarah. While it’s clear he’s worried, it’s also clear he cares. And while he’d never admit it to him, Tommy can see that he’s excited. For the first time in a long time, Tommy thinks that Joel looks wide awake.

But, damn, had he been so close to fucking it all up. Tommy had been so upset that day, when she knocked on his door and dissolved into tears, telling him what his brother had said. She’s tough as nails, and so is Joel, but it’s clear they’re each other’s weak spot. He’s just happy Joel didn’t fuck it up any worse afterward. There was no question he knew how to do it right. It was something Tommy always admired, and aspired to, how good he was with Sarah. When he found out Maria was pregnant, his mind often wandered to those first years that Joel had Sarah, and how amazed Tommy had been at how quickly he filled his new role. A natural father. Joel had told him he was hoping for a boy, but Tommy couldn’t see his brother not raising a girl.

He keeps walking through the snow, eyes shifting, looking for anything out of place. Like usual, it’s quiet, and he reckons Joel is finding the same thing from where he’s surveying a little further south. 

It’s not quiet for long, however, his ears pricking to the sound of what he thinks are galloping hooves. He stills, cocking his gun, eyes darting around him, settling on the lone rider bounding toward him. He fixes his sight in the scope of his rifle, letting out a low curse when he can see that it’s Ellie.

This can’t be good.

…

“You’re about six centimeters dilated. We’re getting there, my dear.” She lets out a low groan as the next contraction washes over her.

“Jesus, fuck.” Doctor Graham checks her watch.

“Five minutes apart. And it ain’t jesus, honey. That’s all you.” Maria snorts at that, helping her get up from her bed so she can start pacing again. It’s the only thing that’s been taking her mind off the contractions. She glances at doctor Graham who has sat down in the armchair to take more notes.

“Doctor? How much longer do you think until it’s time to– it’s time–” She sets down her notepad, smiling softly at her.

“Well, I’d say anywhere from two to four hours until you’re ready to push. But then that’s gonna be a whole new rodeo. And I’ve told you a hundred times already to just call me Suze.” She nods, trying to muster a smile as she continues to pace the rug, Maria hovering alongside her. She glances at her, a hopeful lift to her brow.

“Joel will be back by then, right? He’ll be back in time?” Maria sighs, squeezing her arm.

“I just don’t know. But I hope so.” She doesn’t have time to frown at her words, not when a new contraction is making her keel over where she stands. 

“Three minutes apart that time. Certainly getting closer. Baby’s gonna be here soon.”

…

Joel feels like he’s drowning as they hurry to mount up and get home. When Tommy and Ellie had come bounding towards him, he didn’t believe it at first, had shouted at Ellie that it was impossible, it was too early.

“Well you’re not the one who saw her fucking water break, old man!” That had shut him up quick. As they strap their packs to their horses, it feels like tiny fissures are splitting through his heart, and each breath is threatening to send him crumbling to pieces. He can’t think about it, if he does he’ll get paralyzed by terror, but all he wants is to scream because she needs him and he isn’t there. 

He’s broken out of his haze by the stark sound of guns cocking. 

They jerk around in a flash, he and Tommy holding up their rifles, Ellie whipping out a knife. Four men come prowling out of the treeline, the mouths of their guns facing them down. Raiders no doubt. Joel is just about ready to destroy them with his bare hands if he has to, but he takes a beat, trying to gather his fracturing thoughts.  One of the men finally speaks.

“You folks better drop your weapons if you know what’s good for you.” No one moves, Joel quickly glancing at Tommy.

“I said drop your fucking weapons!” Here’s what Joel knows in that moment. He knows that Ellie still carries a gun tucked in the back of her belt, even though he keeps telling her not to. He knows Tommy’s got a side piece tucked under his jacket, as well as a hunting knife strapped to his leg. And he knows that he himself has enough unadulterated rage in his body right now to rip this man’s head clean off his shoulders. 

He glances at Tommy and Ellie again, the slightest nod, and they all drop their weapons, palms up. The men step closer, eyeing the horses.

“Where are you folks from?” It’s Tommy who responds.

“Nowhere, we’re just passing through.” The man sneers at him.

“Oh yeah? Those horses look pretty good for you to be just passing through.”  Ellie butts in.

“We–we stole them! From an old couple a few miles north.” The men keep inching up on them. Joel just needs them to get a little closer. The man who seems to be the leader sizes Joel up.

“Well, then I guess it’s no hard feelings if we take them off your hands, huh?” It’s almost imperceptible, the look he shoots at Tommy and Ellie, a silent understanding that’s arisen after enough standoffs together. Joel’s on the man before he can even get his finger on the trigger.

He can hear gunshots ringing out, catching the sight of two of the men falling in his periphery, but he’s too zeroed in on the man he’s throttling into the ground to check if it had been Tommy or Ellie who got them. He keeps his hand pinning the gasping man down by his throat, reaching back to draw his knife out.

“Real sorry about this, but the missus is expecting me.”

…

She thinks briefly of the time she got shot in the thigh. Back when it was her, Joel, and Tess, and their smuggling business in the Boston QZ. Tess had to pluck the bullet out of where it had lodged in the muscle of her thigh, digging a pair of tweezers into the wound. She thinks that this hurts way more than that. 

Her voice doesn’t sound like her own, doesn’t even sound human,  when she lets out a low, guttural scream, pressing her head back into the pillows, her chest heaving under her sweat-soaked tank top. Doctor Graham - Suze - is kneeling on the end of the bed between her spread legs. Maria is holding her hand tight alongside the bed.

“Nine centimeters. We’re gonna have you pushing in the next hour, my dear.” She sobs, shaking her head.

“No, we can’t– we can’t yet– please– we have to wait–” Maria shushes her, bringing a damp cloth to her forehead.

“Listen, Joel’s gonna get here when he gets here– if we try to wait it could hurt you or baby. You have to do this, Joel or no Joel.”  Maria squeezes her hand, offering her sips of water that she refuses. She lets out a humorless laugh, bracing for another contraction.

“I swear to god if he doesn’t get here in time, I’m gonna fucking kill him.”

…

Ellie’s never seen Joel move so fast, and the second he’s mounted, he’s gone, damn near impossible to catch up with in the whipping snow. She and Tommy do their best to stay on his tail, but he quickly becomes a speck in the distance as they all ride home.

…

She’s not sure how long she’s been pushing now, but it feels like an eternity. The only thing keeping her a sliver sane is Maria guiding her through each push, breathing with her.

“We’re crowning, my dear. You’re doing so great, honey. Let’s get ready for another strong push.” Her eyes dart between Suze who’s kneeling between her legs and Maria, wild panic creeping up her throat. Maria takes both her hands, holding her gaze firm and steady.

“I’m here with you. We’re gonna do it together, alright?” Suze squeezes her knee.

“I’m gonna count you down, my dear, and then I want another beautiful push just like you’ve been doing. Three– two–”

She lets out a blood-curdling scream on one.

…

“Open the fucking gates!” Joel glances over his shoulder, barely making out Tommy waving his red bandana in the air and hollering into the wind. He turns back, hearing the harsh groan of the wall opening. He’s coming in hot, hotter than he should. Normally people have to dismount before they pass through. But nothing about this is normal. 

He whips through the narrow opening, galloping right down the main drag of town, people scrambling in shock to get out of his way. 

When he reaches their home, he sees a whole cluster of people hanging on the railings of the porch, heads craned up towards the open windows on the second floor. He brings his horse to a hard, skittering stop, the crowd whipping around to look at him with agape expressions. He dismounts, but is stuck where he stands when a preening scream comes resounding from the windows. His heart finally shatters. He rushes up to the front door before thinking twice and shouting over his shoulder at the bystanders.

“Don’t you people have anything better to do? Get!” He barely hears their shocked gasps as he slips inside and slams the door behind him.

He’s still got his rifle strapped around him as he bounds up the stairs two at a time. He shoulders into the bedroom right as she’s letting out another ragged scream. The sight of her takes his breath away, her crumpled expression as she finishes pushing, her sweat-damp hair stuck to her face. Suze is quick to fix him with a hard look before he gets any closer.

“Oh, absolutely not, mister. You’re not getting anywhere near her until you lose the gun and clean off whoever’s blood that is.”

…

Her eyes crack open after her last push and she’s shocked to see him standing there.

“Joel?” He yanks his rifle off his shoulder, dropping it outside the bedroom door. She can see blood spattered across his jacket and face. 

“I’m right here, baby.” He quickly shucks off his jacket and boots, hustling over to the bathroom. She cranes her neck and can just see him harshly scrubbing at his arms and face before he hurries back into the bedroom, Maria moving out of the way to let him kneel down alongside the bed. She narrows her eyes at him as he takes her hand.

“F-f-fuck you. I’ve been trying– trying to wait for you all day. Do you know how fucking hard that’s been?” His face goes slack at her harsh words, but before he can respond a contraction hits and she has to push, curling up over her stomach and bearing down hard as Suze counts her through it. She squeezes his hand tight, slumping back in a mess of heaving breath when she’s done. He takes her face in his hands, holding her gaze steady.

“Are you seriously mad at me right now? I’ve been trying to get back to you all goddamn day! You were the one that told me to go, you mad woman!” She huffs, getting ready to reply but Suze cuts her off.

“Hey! You two! Cut the bullshit so we can get this baby out, huh? A few more strong pushes is all it’s gonna take.” Her focus immediately falls back to the pain she’s in, and she grips onto both of Joel’s wrists, whimpering his name.

“I’ve got you, mama. Tell me what you need. What can I do, baby?”  

“Want you closer, please– n-n-need you with me, closer.” He shushes her, letting go of her face and coaxing her to sit up a bit as he gracelessly crawls onto the bed to slide behind her. His legs splay out, framing her bent knees, and she rests back into his chest, her head laying back on his shoulder. For a moment, relief floods through her body as he brings a forearm to wrap over her sternum, hand squeezing her opposite shoulder as he presses kisses into her damp hair.

Suze settles back into position between her legs, Maria now standing alongside the bed with towels and scissors ready. Suze gives her a firm nod.

“Alright, my dear. I’m gonna count you down and you give me another strong push.” She brings her hands to curl over Joel’s forearm bracing, herself for another lick of pain, while he lowly murmurs in her ear.

“I’m here with you, baby. You’ve got this. I’m right here.”

…

“Three– two– one.” The scream she lets out sends a jagged shiver down Joel’s spine and he finds himself grinding his teeth as she bears down, her nails digging hard into his arm. He hadn’t been there for Sarah’s birth, not really, she was a c-section. This is certainly different.

She slumps back in his hold, her head lolling on his chest as she looks up at him through teary eyes.

“I can’t– I can’t do anymore, Joel– please.” He squeezes her shoulder, bringing his other hand to tangle with one of hers.

“You can, baby– I know you can– strongest person I know, huh? You’re so close, baby, just a little bit more.” She lets out a broken sob and Joel hates that he can’t do more for her, helplessly pressing a kiss to her forehead and continuing to murmur to her. Suze clears her throat.

“I think this next one is gonna do it. But you gotta make it a good one, my dear. Can you do that for me?” She huffs in his hold, shuddering around another sob before sitting up a little more against his chest.  When she looks up at him, there’s steel in her eyes and Joel realizes that those weren’t just comforting words he told her, she really is the strongest person he’s ever met. She looks back at Suze and gives her a quick nod.

“Count me down. I’m ready.”

…

It’s a searing pain and then the sweetest relief she’s ever felt. The room is awash with the sound of cries and it makes her head go dizzy that it’s coming from her baby. Suze snips the umbilical cord, and Maria wraps the squirming thing up in towels before giving her a bright smile.

“It’s a girl.” What she wasn’t expecting was the breathy laugh Joel lets out over her shoulder at that, his words dripping in awe.

“It’s a girl. Our girl.”

Maria carefully walks to the side of the bed and lays her on her chest. It’s the most natural feeling thing in the world as she cups her impossibly small head, a tiny palm splaying like a star over her sternum. Joel brings a tentative palm over their girl’s little back. She glances back at him, tears settling in the creases of his smile. 

“You did it, darlin. Did so good for her– you’re amazing.” She breathes out a wet laugh.

“I had help.” Joel grins, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Just a little. But that was all you.” She snorts, looking back down on her girl whose cries have settled into low coos before glancing back at Joel.

“You helped.” That makes him laugh, gaze focusing back on their girl.

“Just a little. Christ– know I wouldn’t shut up about wanting a boy– but she’s perfect.” She smiles, settling back against his chest and watching as her eyes open for the first time, wide and wild as she seems to take in her and Joel. He lets out a low sigh.

“Hey, baby girl. M’sorry I almost missed you. Never gonna happen again, huh? Think your mama would kill me first.” She scoffs, jostling back against him as he chuckles. He rests his chin on her shoulder, fully enrapt with their girl as she starts to look around, tiny fingers flexing against her chest.

“What’s her name, darlin?” She bites her lip, craning her neck to look back at him.

“I was thinking Olivia Sarah Miller. What do you think?” She sees his features soften even more, a sweet sadness threading into his joy. He nods.

“I think that sounds perfect for our girl. I love you, darlin. Love you both so much.” His voice is warbly, but she’s still never heard him sound so sure of something. She offers him the same certainty in her own voice.

“I love you too, Joel. And our little family.”

The sound of stomping boots sounds through the house, and Ellie comes blustering into the room, cheeks red and puffing hard breaths.

“Oh thank fuck. Is it– are you– are you ok?” Maria and Suze both chuckle from where they’re cleaning up Suze’s supplies. She smiles at Ellie, lightly nodding, but it’s Joel who speaks.

“They’re both alright, kid. Your sister’s a fighter, just like her mama.” As if on cue, Olivia lets out a small cry, her tiny fist pressing into her chest. Ellie laughs in disbelief.

A little family indeed.

…

Joel’s back is killing him. The first few weeks have been a bit touch and go with Libby coming so early, and they’ve been sleeping in a crunched tangle on the twin bed in the nursery, hardly leaving the room, making sure she’s warm and fed at all times. So Joel’s back is killing him, but he doesn’t care at all, not when every time he leans over the crib he’s met with the sweet sight of their girl, their little amalgamation of all their best parts. 

“Well, she’s looking good, very healthy, nice strong lungs, putting on weight just like we want her to. I’d say you’ve got a tough one on your hands.” His shoulders slacken in relief at Suze’s words as she starts packing up her bag of medical tools. Libby begins to fuss in her crib and her mama is quick to pick her up, murmuring to her and bouncing her lightly before turning her attention back to the doctor. 

“So would you say we’re in the clear?” He can see the worry creased across her face as she asks the question to Suze. He brings his arm around her shoulders, squeezing lightly as he gazes down at their girl. Suze grins.

“While anything’s possible, my professional opinion is that Miss Olivia here is going to do just fine. Although right now I’d say she’s looking a little hungry, so I’ll get out of your hair.” Suze slings her bag over her shoulder, nodding to them both before letting herself out.

She’s already moving to sit in the rocking chair that had been a gift from Tommy and Maria. Joel would never admit it, but he’s been getting worked up every time he gets to see her feed their girl. A softness takes over her that’s rare in this world, all hushed murmurings as Libby’s hand splays over the swell of her breast, content gasps coming from their girl as she starts to suckle. Joel can’t help but hover whenever he gets the chance, leaning against the back of the chair and dropping a kiss to her temple every now and again, sharing little smiles between watching their girl.

“Ellie told me she thinks you’re getting soft, Miller. Said she can’t believe you’ve opted out of patrol shifts to work the stables.” Joel huffs, standing up straight to stretch his aching back.

“Just got more important things closer to home I guess. But I ain’t getting soft, no ma’am.” She hums at that, craning her neck to peer at him.

“Oh really? It wasn’t you I heard up here yesterday afternoon singing some sweet little song to Libby?” He balks at that, trying to stifle a grin as he shakes his head. He had spent some time with their girl yesterday afternoon while she caught up on sleep on the couch downstairs, and maybe he had started humming tunes to her, watching her eyes widen with the sound of his voice like magic.

“Nah, couldn’t have been me. Think you’re hearing things, darlin. All them hormones are messing with you.” She rolls her eyes at that, righting her shirt before standing with Libby in her arms. She sways slightly side to side, looking at him over the top of Libby’s head.

“I like you soft, Joel. It’s a good look on you. At least when you want to be.” There’s such adoration in her eyes as she looks at him that he can’t help the blush creeping up his neck. 

“Only for my girls. Everyone else can fuck off.” She laughs hard at that, shushing Libby when she starts to fuss at the sound. He shuffles over to her, coaxing their girl out of her arms and into his. He had thought it’d feel awkward, holding her for the first time, but it all came back to him in a flash, and now nothing felt quite as right as when he had her little body resting in his arms. She steps back, taking in the sight of him and humming.

“Don’t let Ellie see you like this, she’s gonna think you’ve gone full teddy bear.” He only grumbles a little, too focused on watching their girl’s wide eyes peering around. If being soft means he gets moments like this, he’ll take all of Ellie’s heckling, no complaints at all.

…

“So what’d the doctor say? Everything looking good?” “Kid, if you don’t chew first you’re gonna choke with the way you’re talking. Just slow down a little, huh?” Ellie huffs at Joel, swallowing around her bite of dinner before looking at her expectantly. She chuckles lightly at the girl’s eager expression.

“She said Libby’s doing great, told us that she’s a tough one.” Ellie grins, startling Joel when she slaps him on the back.

“Well seeing as she came from you two hardasses I’d sure hope she’s tough– I say that with love, of course.” Joel grumbles, side-eyeing her and muttering “of course.” She lays her hand over Ellie’s from across the table.

“Ellie, I never really thanked you for what you did that day, riding out like that. You don’t know how much that meant to me.” Suddenly shy, Ellie offers her a soft smile, shrugging.

“Couldn’t let the old man miss all the fun, right? I’d do it again in an instant, just so you know. Seeing as I– like– love you guys– I guess.” She glances at Joel who’s obviously trying to hold back a grin. She squeezes Ellie’s hand.

“We love you too, Ellie bean. Me, the old man, and your little sister.” Ellie’s smile brightens into a grin at that. Joel grumbles again.

“Can y’all stop calling me that? Not even that old, goddamn.” They share a laugh at his furrowed look. As they finish dinner, she can’t help but sit back and take in the sight of this strange family they’ve created. Joel and Ellie bickering about training the new horses for the spring, Libby dozing in her bassinet alongside the table. It’s something she could have never imagined, but she knows it’s perfect. It’s family.

…

“Suze said we really don’t need to be sleeping in there with her now. It’ll be ok, we’re like ten feet further away and a whole lot less cramped.” Joel seems unsure about what she says, glancing back at the crib where they just laid their sleepy girl down. She huffs, tugging on his shirt collar to pull him along across the hall to their bedroom. 

“Joel, it’s fine. She’s gonna be crying in a few hours and we’ll both end up back in there anyways. Why don’t we try to get some sleep not as a human pretzel beforehand, huh?” He sighs, but acquiesces to her coaxing, following her into the bathroom as they both start getting ready for bed.

It’s silly, but she can’t stop watching the muscles in his forearm jumping as he brushes his teeth, her thoughts going a bit fuzzy and warm. Sex has been the last thing on her mind these last few weeks, and Suze had told her that was normal with all the hormonal shifts. But with six weeks in the rearview mirror of absolutely nothing, she’s getting hot under the collar just looking at his goddamn arms. She clears her throat, gripping the edge of the sink as she looks at him through the mirror.

“You know, Suze told me something else during my check-up today.” Joel hums, wiping toothpaste off his mouth as he turns to look at her. 

“Yeah, she, uh, gave me the go ahead for the other kind of human pretzels.” She’s mortified at her horrible joke the moment it leaves her mouth, but Joel lets out a laugh, throwing his head back and crinkling his eyes shut. She huffs, the floor suddenly becoming very interesting as he tries to recompose himself. When he sees her crestfallen expression, he immediately dips down, trying to catch her gaze while stifling his laughter.

“Aw, honey, I’m sorry. Just– please– never use the phrase human pretzel again.” He can barely get the words out as he dissolves into another laugh.  She rolls her eyes, turning to walk away from him but he’s quick to pull her in until her back is snug against his chest, his arms wrapping around her as he dips his chin down onto her shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry– I’m done, I swear. So, uh, are you telling me you want to?” She scoffs, trying to get out of his hold but he just squeezes her tighter.

“Well, I did. But then somebody laughed at me.” He shushes her, pressing kisses into the side of her neck that trail up her jaw all the way to her temple.

“C’mon, mama. Don’t be like that, huh? Been missing you so bad.” She’s already melting in his grasp at the way he’s nuzzling the slope of her neck, letting his lips drag over her skin. She lets out a breathy sigh of his name and can feel the way his mouth curls into a grin.

“Now that’s more like it, darlin.” She turns in his hold, meeting him in a hard kiss. They both groan into each other’s mouths, practically devouring each other in a tangle of tongues and bumping teeth. Only coming up for quick gasps of air, they shuffle back into the bedroom, hands roaming and wandering. Joel’s quick to lose his shirt with a harsh tug of it over his head and she immediately dips to smear kisses along his chest, fingernails grazing down his front. He tucks his fingers under her chin to bring her back up for a kiss, licking into her mouth hotly. But she stills in his hold when his fingers start working at the buttons of her flannel.

“Wanna see you– been missing just looking at you.” His words are murmured hotly into her neck, so he doesn’t catch the crumpled look that’s settled over her face. 

She knows it’s stupid, but she’s been hiding from Joel over the last few weeks. It seems like her body looks a little different with each day, and while he had practically worshiped her pregnant body, this wasn’t that, and it certainly wasn’t what she looked like before. She steps back a bit, gripping his wrists to keep him from getting any further with her buttons. He looks at her with total confusion.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” She sighs, tucking her chin into her chest, too embarrassed to meet his questioning gaze.

“I just– it’s different– I’m different– don’t want you to be disappointed.” A heavy silence falls between them. She’s shocked when it’s broken by Joel laughing, quickly whipping her head up to see him looking at her like she’s gone mad. She huffs.

“I swear to god, Joel Miller, if you laugh at me one more time, I’m gonna–” he’s quick to cut her off, grabbing her hands and pulling her back towards him.

“Hey, hey, hey– I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at that ridiculous shit you said. I don’t wanna hear that kinda talk from you ever again, huh? You– you’re amazing. I could never be disappointed when I look at you, darlin. You wanna know why?” She glances at him, seeing that he’s grinning.

“Because, when I look at you, I see the woman who was batshit crazy enough to love me.” She snorts at that, but he’s not done.

“When I look at you, I see the woman who gave me life back. Who gave me family. You’re everything, darlin. When I look at you, I see everything.” Tears run down her cheeks as she laughs wetly at his words.

“Ellie’s right, you have gone soft.” He huffs around his grin, shaking his head as he dips down to wrap her up in a deep kiss, bringing his palms to cup her jaw as he all but takes her breath away. When he pulls away, it’s only slightly, their lips lightly brushing as he murmurs to her.

“Will you let me see you, darlin? Please?” She holds his gaze, nodding only slightly, but it’s enough to get a broad smile out of him as he lays one more kiss to her lips before letting his hands wander back down to the buttons of her shirt. 

She holds her breath the whole time, only exhaling when he slips the shirt down her shoulders. When she finally glances at his face, all she sees there is awe as he lets his fingers ghost up her hips, her sides, over the tops of her bare breasts.

“So fucking beautiful. Just wanna look at you, huh? Never wanna stop looking at you.” Before the hard blush creeps any further up her neck, she pulls him in for another kiss, her mind swimming in the feeling of bare skin pressed to bare skin. Joel starts to shuffle them back toward the bed until the backs of her knees hit the mattress and she’s splaying back with a soft “oof” as he hovers over her.

Joel’s mouth starts to wander, trailing down her neck, along her collarbone. She can’t help but preen when he laves his tongue over the swell of her breast, letting his teeth graze the sensitive skin there before doing the same to the other side. He keeps meandering lower and lower, leaving open-mouthed kisses and nips in his wake until he’s nudging his nose along the waistband of her pants. She huffs under his teasing ministrations and he looks up at her deep pout with a smug grin.

“Patience, darlin. Just trying to love on you a little, huh? Been a while.” She cards her fingers through his hair, letting out a long sigh.

“It has been a while– so quit fucking teasing already.” He snorts at that, murmuring into her skin how she’s “so bossy, goddamn” but he seems to comply with her plea, fingers working quickly to undo her pants and slide them off her legs along with her panties.

He kneels at the foot of the bed between her legs, eyes roaming over her completely bare figure, lips parted and eyes blown wide. She feels like she could melt he’s looking at her so hard. He brings his palms to her calves, dipping down to nose along the inside of one leg, trailing up and up and up until his breath is just grazing where she needs him most. But he’s gone in an instant, and she actually whines as he starts to mouth down the soft skin of her other thigh. He shushes her, his low murmuring rasp thrumming through her skin.

“So beautiful. My beautiful woman. I’ll give you what you need, darlin.” With that, he skims back to the apex of her thighs, and she shivers as he coaxes her legs over his shoulders, spreading her out for him as he lays between her thighs. No more teasing, he licks a broad stripe through her folds that makes her press her head back hard into the pillows. He works her over like a man starved, fingers flexing into the softness of her thighs as he licks into her, smearing her wetness up to her clit and laving over the nerves there. She lets her fingers drag through his hair, tugging lightly, his low groans sending jolts through her core. A ragged moan draws through her chest when he pulls away just slightly to spit on her cunt, quickly chasing the slick with his tongue and coaxing out more gasps from her.

“Fuck, Joel– feel so good, please– I need– I need–” she can’t even get it out, she’s so far gone, but he knows her well enough to understand what she wants, slipping two of his fingers inside her and finding a steady rhythm as he mouths at her clit. 

“Want you to come for me. Just like this. C’mon, darlin, lemme see you.” The combination of his words and his wide eyes gazing up at her send her falling right over the edge of pleasure. She comes with a harsh gasp of his name, fluttering around his fingers as he works her through it. 

He pulls away, shifting up the bed until he’s caging in her heaving body, stealing messy kisses tinged with the taste of her. She brings her trembling hands to the waistband of his jeans, fumbling with his belt until he gets the hint, sitting back to quickly shuck his pants down his legs. His cock is hot and stiff where it rests against the plush of her thigh, she can practically feel him throbbing. 

“Joel, need you so bad. Want you– wanna feel you–” he quiets her murmurs with another kiss before fisting himself and sliding the head of his cock through her folds, hissing at the contact. She whimpers when he starts to press into her and he immediately stills, worried eyes darting to hers. She cups his face in her palm, stroking his jaw reassuringly.

“It’s ok– just need it gentle, baby.” He hums, turning to press a kiss to the middle of her palm.

“I’ve got you, darlin. Wanna make you feel good.” He’s slow and careful as he rocks into her, laying kisses on her lips with each little gasp she lets out as he shifts deeper inside of her. When their hips finally meet, they both let out ragged sighs, and he presses his forehead to the top of her sternum, panting hard into her skin.

“Fuck, I missed you– I’m not gonna last long, darlin– feels too good– always so good for me.” She grazes her nails down his back, letting out a sigh of his name.

“Need you to move, Joel– please, baby– just wanna feel you–” he presses a kiss to the dip between her collar bones before pulling out, languidly rolling his hips back into hers in a way that has them both gasping. She crooks her leg up along his hip, spreading herself open for him to press deeper as he finds a steady rhythm of push and pull. They move well together, just like they always have, her hips canting up into his with each thrust as they swallow each other’s sighs and moans in a mess of kisses. Joel brings one of his hands down to the softness of her stomach, fingers circling her clit.

“Will you come for me, darlin? Fuck– please, honey– need to feel you.” It doesn’t take much more for her to dissolve around him, digging her nails into the sliding muscles of his back as he fucks her through it. She hisses when he pulls out, watching dazed as he strokes himself over her before painting his spend across her heaving stomach. Joel flops down beside her as they both catch their racing heartbeats. She turns her head to look at him, a grin crooking across her face.

“Still got it, huh, old man?” He huffs out a laugh, turning onto his side to draw her in for a kiss.

“Still got it, mama.”

After getting cleaned up, they may have only gotten an hour of sleep before their girl woke them both up with a cry, but it had certainly been worth it. 

#joel miller smut #joel miller angst #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller fluff #tlou fanfiction #the last of us #tlou #unexpected expectings

[offbrandkyoya]

Lights, Camera, Action! - scaramouche x reader smau

summary:

you’re best friends with the famous band of all time, 5WIRL. however, DCKZ are rising to the top which are leaving your friends in the dust. the solution: add a new member, a new face to start some attention! it did cause attention alright, especially for your heart.

pairing: scaramouche x gn!reader

genre: band au, smau, fluff, crack, celebrity x reader, angst

warning: cursing, scandals, false rumors, kys jokes, mistreatment

status: completed!

taglist: closed :(

5WIRL the lovers DCKZ

Prologue: 1 & 2

01: congratulations! (you’re fucked)

02: common venti L

03: todays the day

04: childe has 0 rizz

05: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, SIX

06: let’s do it

07: << egg sandwiches

08: not your wife

09: fake birthday

10: scarapoo

11: sandwich kisses

12: stay mad

13: kaeyas delusional era

14: yn’s love life

15: SCARA!

16: therapist venti

17: the first show

18: bitchy woman

19: cricket cricket

20: just a friend

21: oh

22: strong

23: retweet

24: im glad to have met you

25: the delusions won

26: HE WANT ME

27: yes

28: TEN?????

29: giggling

30: hoe list

31: date night

32: together 4eva

33: bf reveal

34: enough is enough

35: best friends

36: sugar booger

37: marriage arc

38: fucking kids

39: by my side

40: kazurizz

41: oops i did it again

42: suck it up

43: stupid + stupid

44: = scarayn

45: angel from heaven

46: jealousy jealousy

47: boy what

48: fine then

49: feelings suck

50: hopefully

51: I’m Sorry

52: two weeks!?

53: he’s everywhere

54: bitchless era

55: good luck (you need it)

56: the artist named “….”

57: bye boyfie

58: love confessions

59: yn the widow

60: scara the widower

61: NOW NOW NOW

62: TAY

63: PAC-MAN

64: horrible people

65: pussy

66: big fan

67: what about us?

68: ten kids confirmed

69: crashing down

70: sleeping beauty

71: Goodbye Moon

72: new you new me

73: rattled cages

74: Better luck next time

75: Here Goes

76: Therefore, you and me

77: communication is key

78: the art of love

79: last show

80: thoma ache

81: masked singer

82: think about it

83: haters gonna hate

84: mamas boy

85: you hafta

86: it’s over

87: 2 brothers 2 men

88: Yns Mona Lisa

89: star

90: horn dog

91: win or lose

92: fight club

93: warmth

94: This is Life

95: Epilogue

#genshin x reader #genshin scaramouche #genshin impact #genshin x you #genshin fluff #scaramouche #genshin smau #scaramouche x reader #genshin childe #genshin kaeya #genshin diluc #genshin zhongli #genshin venti #genshin xiao #genshin aether #genshin heizou #genshin kaedahara kazuha #genshin kazuha #kaeya alberich #diluc ragnvindr #tartaglia #ajax tartaglia #genshin tartagalia #genshin traveler #scaramouche smau #genshin impact x you #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact scaramouche #genshin 5WIRL #genshin DCKZ

[rhoorl]

Turbulence | Part 4

Pairing: Frankie x reader (will turn into an OFC)

Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist | AO3 Link

Word Count: 7k (sorry!)

Summary: The conclusion of this little arc. These two enjoy the rest of their weekend.

Warnings: MDNI. Alternating POVs. Some angst and some fluff. Nervous Frankie. Allusion to a previous bad relationship (infidelity). Swearing. Unprotected P in V. Oral (f receiving - duh, it’s Frankie).

A/N: Apologies for the delay! This ended up being a lot longer than I intended. I thought about breaking this up into two parts but I think it’s just better as one. This is my first time writing Frankie smut so I’m a bit nervous (although it's not the main focus of this chapter). 

 “Ok and if we can get one more with the whole bridal party!” 

Bless the photographer and her assistant because wrangling this group is akin to herding cats.

“Your boy here yet?” Ash muttered through their smile as we all posed for a series of shots.

“Yup, just got a text,” I said, trying to conceal my smirk as Ash slapped me on the ass. 

“Hell freaking yeaaaah!”

Once we finished with the photos, I walked up to Carol and hugged her. She told me to have fun and gave me a knowing look, confusion etched on Dave’s face. Truth be told, her reassurance made me feel better about slipping out.

I spotted Mom and Aunt Lydia already at the bar, so I told Ash to cover for me should they ask where I went. 

“Have fun!” Ash winked as I grabbed my things and made my way out of the venue, trying to keep a steady pace when all I wanted to do was sprint out of there so I could see him.

Frankie didn’t quite know what he should do. Get out of the truck, walk up to the aquarium, and wait? Stay put in his truck? Seeing a couple of men dressed in suits smoking outside, he suddenly remembered how casually he was dressed and felt a bit self-conscious. It didn’t feel right to just sit in his truck scrolling on his phone waiting for her; it made him feel like he was just there with one thing in mind…although that was on his mind.

He took a deep breath and decided to get out of the truck, figuring he’d stand in front of it and lean onto the hood as he waited. It only took a few moments before he saw her walking out of the building with a bag in tow. His breath caught in his throat seeing her in person again.

“Hey,” she raised her hand for a small wave as she scurried across the parking lot toward him.

“Hey,” his hands twitched at his sides as he pushed himself off the truck. It only took a few steps to close the distance between them. When he reached out she slotted perfectly into his arms, just like she did at the airport. He breathed in her scent, feeling her arms tighten around his neck.

He pulled back, appreciating her beauty while trying to be respectful. He couldn’t help as his gaze quickly flitted down her body before finding her eyes which he loved so much. She twirled the ends of his curls between her fingers as he softly chuckled, “You…look beautiful. Way better than the picture.” She feigned offense and giggled as Frankie tried to recover. “Shit, I mean, the picture was nice…it was great…fuck…” he shook his head. “Can I start over?”

“I know what you meant Frankie, I’m just giving you a hard time,” her nose crinkled as her arms trailed down his shoulders, rubbing his biceps. 

“Ha oh,” he blushed.

“So…BB-8 huh?” She pulled at the hem of his T-shirt.

“Yeah,” he rolled his eyes with a scoff. “Another one of Pope’s ideas….so, you ready to head out? You sure you’re ok to leave, I don’t want some bridezilla coming after me.”

“No, Frankie, it’s all good. So…I believe we were between pizza and burgers right?”

“Yup…your choice.”

“Hmm,” he couldn’t help but notice how cute her nose looked scrunched up in thought. “I think pizza.”

“Perfect, I was kinda hoping you’d say that,” he winked. “You need to change or anything,” he motioned to her bag.

“Oh, nah…I paid a shit ton for this dress, I’m keeping it on as long as I can.”

Frankie coughed as his throat went dry. He knew she meant that innocently but his mind wandered and he could feel his face getting red. 

“You ok, Frankie?”

“Um...y-yeah…all good. Here get in,” he walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for her.

I couldn’t get over how cute he looked…and hot…I can’t forget that part. Hugging him felt like I was being embraced by the coziest blanket and it took everything in me to let go. 

By all accounts, Frankie was still a stranger to me and here I was getting into his truck and going who knows where. I’ve spent far too many hours listening to true crime podcasts to know all of the red flags dotting this situation. But with Frankie, I felt…safe. I really can’t describe it other than it’s just a feeling. 

He said he had a place in mind but it was a bit of a drive. Honestly, he could have told me we were driving the few hours to Miami and I would have been fine with it. He was so easy to talk to and I loved watching him drive. My eyes tried to not linger on his hand gripping the steering wheel as I took note of how thick his fingers were. 

He filled me in on his day which included a cast of characters that sounded like they were plucked out of a TV show. I loved hearing him laugh and the way his eyes crinkled as he talked about his friends was adorable. We were so engrossed in conversation that I hadn’t realized we were on the causeway until we were about halfway across the water.

“Are we going to Clearwater?” I looked over at him, a little sly smirk coming across his face.

“Yeah…shit, I didn’t even ask if it was ok to go this far. Sorry, I-”

“Frankie,” I reached over and put my hand on his arm, “it’s ok. I just hadn’t been paying attention to where we were,” I chuckled, my hand running down his forearm to rest on top of his hand on the center console. I quickly patted it, wincing internally at my awkwardness, and returned my hand to my lap.

We sat in comfortable silence as I stared out the window taking in the views. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Frankie bite his lip as he moved his right hand to hover over my leg. He hesitated for a moment and then rested his hand just above my knee. It felt like an electric current went through my body – not only was he touching me but his hand was close to my…

“Is this ok?” He turned his head giving me the most adorable puppy dog eyes.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “This is ok, Frankie,” I put my hand on top of his, rubbing circles with my thumb. He started to visibly relax and it made me feel warm.

We spent the rest of the way chatting about random things, his hand firmly planted on my leg. I could tell he was starting to feel more comfortable when his hand traveled up and down my thigh, rubbing circles with his thumb. I wished I didn't have all of the fabric on because I yearned to feel his rough calloused hands on my skin. 

There was this intriguing duality to him. On the one hand, I knew these hands could exact some level of violence. I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t realize that he’s probably severely hurt people before. But at the same time, there was a softness to his touch, like he wouldn’t hurt a fly. I felt a slight shiver as his fingers skimmed across the satin of my dress. As strong and capable as his hands were at piloting an aircraft I imagined they were equally capable of pulling countless pleasures too. The thought made me squirm a bit as I tried to steady my breath.

“You ok?” He turned his head to look at me.

“Y-yeah, I’m good,” I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Ok good, we’re almost there.”

Next thing I knew, we pulled up to some hole-in-the-wall pizza joint that he swore up and down was the best pizza on the West Coast of Florida. I caught some funny looks thanks to my floor-length gown from the guy behind the counter who I learned was the owner. He and Frankie knew each other so we jumped the line of to-go orders waiting to be made.

In no time at all Frankie scooped up a bag full of styrofoam containers along with a pizza box. We stopped off at a convenience store to grab a six-pack of beer…again my overly formal attire drew some heads from the casual locals and swimsuit-clad tourists. 

Once we had everything, Frankie reassured me we were close to our ultimate destination but I was in no rush. When he finally backed into our parking spot, he looked over and stopped me as I started to unbuckle my seatbelt. “Can you stay here for a sec…please?”

I cocked my head to the side, curious what he was up to. “Sure…”

“Ok cool…don’t go eating the garlic knots yet,” he quipped. “And ah…close your eyes. I’ll be quick I promise.”

I smirked as I closed my eyes, straining to hear what he was up to. He opened the back door, some rustling as he found something before closing the door. The truck rocked a bit. Eventually, I heard the crunch of gravel underneath his boots as he opened my door.

“Ok, you can open your eyes.” 

My eyes fluttered open as he reached for the food I was guarding in my lap. He offered his hand to help me get out of the truck.

“What do you have up your sleeve?” I raised my eyebrows. 

He led me around the truck and I felt the butterflies start to flutter around in my stomach. There was a maroon and white plaid blanket laid across the bed of his truck. It was a bit tattered and looked like it had seen better days. At the back, there were two matching pillows. 

“It’s not fancy, but I figured we could eat and watch the waves. The sunset is the best here.” He stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, rocking a bit from side to side as he looked down at his feet.

My breath hitched as I took it all in. This was such a sweet gesture and I was honestly impressed by the thought.

“Is this ok? Sorry, if I had more time I would have…”

“This is perfect.”

He looked up at me with the sweetest smile and offered his hand for me to climb in.

“You looking for an excuse to check out my ass Frankie?” I smirked, noticing his blush as I hopped up, shuffling in and putting one of the pillows behind me as I rested against the back of the truck.

Frankie followed, crawling up to sit next to me. He grabbed a couple of bottles from the six-pack, twisting off the tops and handing one of them to me, “Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“Sorry, it’s not cold..”

“Frankie, stop apologizing. This is…perfect. I just wanted to see you again, it didn’t matter what we were doing, so this is icing on the cake.

I could see the tension leaving his body as he made quick work of laying out all of the food. It was quite the spread and definitely too much for just the two of us. We chatted and grazed and things never felt awkward, even during those quiet moments. It also wasn’t lost on me that Frankie had drifted closer and closer to me. His outstretched leg now pressed up against mine, I could feel the heat radiating between us and all I wanted to do was curl up next to him.

As the sun set, I felt a wave of melancholy wash over me. It suddenly hit me how finite time was this weekend. The sun chasing the horizon was a visual of the hourglass in my mind counting down the hours I had left in this dream.

“Hey, you alright?” Frankie reached for my hand as he turned to face me.

I nodded, managing a weak smile. 

Frankie felt like he was being pulled in two directions. On the one hand, he wanted to spend more time with her and see where this night was headed. But at the same time, he wanted time to stand still because the more hours they spent together the closer they were to her inevitable departure. 

It felt like a cruel joke. The moment he starts to feel…something…anything…and it’s a situation with logistics. Distance hadn’t worked well for him in the past seeing as how his ex’s cheating started while he was away on a mission. 

For so long he blamed distance for the demise of their relationship. In hindsight, he knew there were more issues than just the time apart, but it still was a reason. If he had a job that didn’t force him to be gone for months at a time on covert, highly classified missions maybe things would have been different. If he had picked a line of work that didn’t give him nightmares and so much anxiety that he had to resort to increasingly dangerous ways to silence the voices maybe things would have been different. If he wasn’t so fucked up every time he was home he would have seen the warning signs long before…

Frankie had been so caught up in his own spiral that he hadn’t noticed her energy shift. She too looked deep in distant thoughts of her own.

“Hey, you alright?” He turned, reaching for her hand to ground himself in her touch.

She nodded and he could tell she was putting on a brave face. He wished he knew the right thing to say but he was so conflicted. This was too good to be true right? It was clearly destined for failure because things this good didn’t happen to him. He’d done too many bad things in his life to be rewarded with someone like her.

But as he searched her eyes, he felt a sense of comfort. He couldn’t explain it. So much of this whole situation seemed ripe for heartbreak but he couldn’t stop the freefall he was in. There was a sliver of hope that this … that she…may have been worth it all. 

His eyes trailed down to her lips and his palms twitched because he so desperately wanted to kiss her. To hold her close to him for fear she’d disappear. His mind quickly cycled through thoughts of what kinds of sounds he’d be able to pull from her, how she’d taste, or how her body would look writhing underneath him.

Our gazes stayed locked on each other for what felt like an eternity. We were both nervous to make a move. But as Frankie’s mouth curled up into a small half smile I saw the cutest dimple form and leaned forward without thinking too much about it. Our lips met and the kiss was soft and a bit tentative, like we were both seeking permission from one another. He pulled back, looking down and swallowing hard before his eyes rose to meet mine.

“Was that ok?”

“Yeah Frankie,” I whispered.

“Ok, good,” he cupped my face as he smiled into another kiss. 

It didn’t take long before his tongue licked along my bottom lip, prompting me to open my mouth for him. I could still feel him holding back a bit, so I wanted to show him it was ok. I lightly nipped his lower lip before taking it between my teeth for more of a tug. As he let out a low growl, my hands rested behind his neck, twirling the chocolate curls that peeked out from beneath his cap. I forgot where I was and swung my leg over to straddle him as his hands came to my hips. His grip tightened as I let out a small moan, slightly rocking into his lap. In the distance, some whoops and whistles broke us out of our little bubble. 

“Looks like we have company,” Frankie smirked, motioning behind me with his chin while adjusting his hat.

I slowly turned, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as I remembered we were in public. A group of teenagers waved back at us snickering and whistling. I immediately turned around, burying my face into Frankie’s neck as he laughed. “I’m not gonna lie, I kinda forgot where we were for a sec.” 

I could feel the laugh in Frankie’s chest as I stayed nuzzled against him, the stubble of his beard running along my hairline as he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

“How about we um….get out of here?” I couldn’t even say it without laughing. “I’m sorry that sounded so cheesy!”

“It’s ok…if you weren’t going to say it I was,” he winked. “C’mon,” he tapped my hip, “let’s get you back.”

The closer Frankie got to her hotel, the more his anxiety spiked. He didn’t want to assume anything, but he desperately wanted the night to keep going. Kissing her felt like a fog clearing and she was the sun shining through it. 

He kept his hand on her thigh the whole ride back, again grounding himself in the fact that she was real. As he pulled into the hotel, she reached for his hand. “D’you wanna drop it off with valet?” 

“Um, yeah sure….ah…” Frankie blushed at his next thought before he shook his head and decided to just go for it. “How long am I staying?”

“As long as you want,” she leaned over and kissed the bare patch in his beard, sending an electric pulse down his body.

A valet came up on either side of the truck, opening the doors. 

“Hi sir, ah checking in?” The young man asked as he took Frankie’s keys. 

“Ah no, put it on room 1802,” she called from the other side of the truck as the valet wrote it down on a slip and handed it to Frankie. 

“Oh one sec,” Frankie opened the back door, pulled out a backpack, and slung it over his shoulder. “Ok.”

I narrowed my eyes as Frankie rummaged through the back seat of his truck and pulled out a backpack. It made me wonder - is this something that he does a lot? 

He seemed to sense my confusion as he came around the truck and took my hand to lead me through the lobby. “I ah, I stay at my friends’ house a lot, so I started keeping a backpack with a change of clothes,” he laughed. 

“So you were tired of doing the walk of shame from your friends’ house huh?” I quipped as we made it over to the elevators.

“Ha ha. Very funny,” he grinned, that little dimple making another appearance.

We got in the elevator with a few others. Frankie held me in front of him, one hand on my hip as he quickly shot a text off. 

“Texting Pope, you know…in case something happens he knows where I am,” he laughed as I feigned offense. “It’s not every day I go to a beautiful woman’s hotel room,” he whispered in my ear, his warm breath making goosebumps form on my skin. 

Frankie felt like he was on the longest elevator ride of his life. As he held her in his arms, he couldn’t help but discreetly press himself closer to her. When they finally reached the 18th floor, she led him by the hand to her suite, dropping it briefly as she fished out her room key.

“Presidential Suite huh,” he raised his eyebrows, looking impressed.

“I decided to treat myself,” she said as she led him into the living room. She dropped his hand and walked over to the large windows. “I didn’t realize I would have such a pretty view.”

“Neither did I,” he was right behind her, his breath ghosting down her neck, trailing soft, open-mouth kisses to her shoulder. His hands lightly caressed the straps of her dress.

I instantly wanted his hands and mouth everywhere at the same time. I leaned my head back against his shoulder as he kissed just below my ear. He pressed himself closer to me and I could feel him already getting hard which instantly made me tingle with anticipation. I shifted a bit to press my thighs together as he ran his nose to the back of my neck, trailing kisses down to the zipper of my dress.

“I’m glad you’re still in this,” he said against my skin, his hands wrapping around my middle. 

“Why?” I whispered.

“Because I wanted to be the one to take it off. I’ve been thinking about what’s underneath all day.” 

I felt his length twitch as he said that, making me shiver. I turned my head to look back at him as he lifted his gaze, his eyes dark. “Well, go on,” I smirked. 

“Yes ma’am.” He started to undo the zipper, kissing down my neck as more of my skin was unveiled until I was standing there in my underwear.

I turned in his arms, pulling off his hat, dropping it to the floor as our lips found each other again. His arms drew me in, pressing me flush against him.

“You're so beautiful,” he managed to say between kisses, continuing to whisper more sweet things as I walked us back to the bedroom.

Before I knew it, I felt the back of my thighs meet the mattress. I sat on the bed to undo his belt and work on getting his jeans off. My mouth watered as my eyes followed the trail of hair from his navel down to his tented boxers. As I went to hook my fingers into the waistband, he cupped my chin and tilted my face up. 

“We can get to that, there’s something I want to do first,” his tongue swiped along his lower lip as he sank to his knees in front of me. “Is this ok?”

I nodded, “Y-yeah.” It had been a long time since I’d been intimate with anyone so I was feeling equal parts excited and nervous. 

He gave me the warmest smile as he brought his hands to rest on my thigh. He leaned up and kissed me, pushing me backward as his mouth blazed a trail down my body, making a couple of pit stops along the way. He stilled as he hovered over my belly button. 

His stubble tickled and I couldn’t help the giggles, clasping a hand over my mouth. The giggles were quickly silenced with a gasp as I felt his fingers curl underneath my underwear. I lifted my hips to help him work them off. The nerves suddenly kicked into high gear as I was left exposed.

Frankie sucked in a breath as I strained to look down between my thighs. What I saw was a man taking me in like I was the finest piece of art he’d ever seen. His eyes scanned all over as he brought his hands to my thighs, pushing my legs wider. 

“F-Frankie…if…if you don’t touch me I think I’m going to explode,” I giggled, gripping the sheets in anticipation. 

“Well, we wouldn’t want that,” he tutted with a pout which quickly turned into a smile. “Relax, mi cielo, I’m going to make you feel good.”

And holy shit he wasn’t lying. His tongue licked up my folds before finding its home on my clit with soft and steady undulations. I shuddered, tightening my grip on the sheets as his broad shoulders pushed my legs even further apart. I clenched my eyes shut, back arching as he picked up the pace. 

He murmured his praise as he continued to work me over. I lifted onto my elbows, catching him looking up at me through his eyelashes as he continued his feast. My eyes rolled back as he changed the pattern his tongue used to trace around me. I reached down to his hair, grabbing a fistful of hair and tightening my grip to bring him so close I worried for a split second that I may suffocate him. But that worry quickly dissipated as I heard him moan into me, his grip on my thigh no doubt leaving a bruise as his other arm laid across my stomach.

I bucked up into him, riding this wave of pleasure. I’d been with partners who enjoyed going down on me in the past, but I’d never experienced someone devouring me with this much enthusiasm and reverence. The hand on my stomach start to trail upwards, cupping my breast through the fabric of my bra. I wanted, no I needed, to feel his hand on my skin so I quickly reached back to unclasp the garmet and flung it off the bed. 

He brought both hands to palm my breasts, his thumbs brushing across my pebbled nipples. I snuck another look down and the image of my legs draped around his broad shoulders, his messy curls bobbing up and down was nearly enough to send me over the edge. I whimpered as he pulled off briefly to catch his breath, looking at me with a smirk as he grabbed the back of my thighs and brought me closer to him.

A few more flicks of his tongue as he groaned into me was all I needed as I tumbled head first into a sea of pleasure. He stayed with me as I worked myself down from one of the most intense orgasms I’d ever had. As I laid panting, legs splayed out and my body feeling boneless, he nuzzled against my thigh and kissed it.

“Fuck…” I sighed, ruffling his curls and twirling the strands that had fallen on his forehead.

“Yeah…” He chuckled, crawling up to lay down facing me. 

He looked beautiful, his hair all messy and his beard glistening from me, from what he just did. I also snuck a glance down, wanting to see what was waiting for me on the other side of the thin fabric. He cupped my cheek, kissing me tenderly and I could taste myself on his tongue. I deepened the kiss and moved to straddle him. 

“Can I take these off,” I looked down to the only thing separating us.

“Please, I need to feel you.” I bit my lip and reached down to pull his boxers down and off. 

Seeing him lying there, his cock hard and the beads of precum dripping off, threw me into an alternate dimension as everything ran by in a delicious blur. The stretch I felt as I lowered myself on him was intoxicating. 

He let me ride him for a bit before flipping me over, hitching one of my legs up, and hitting a spot so deep I didn’t even know it existed. He grunts, my moans, and the squelching sounds of our joined bodies were absolutely sinful. 

“You feel so good, baby,” he panted. “I’m not going to last much longer.”

“Good….neither…am…I…fuck,” I felt myself coming for a second time – something I haven’t achieved in longer than I care to remember. 

As I arched my back, Frankie’s rhythm sputtered as he came, falling forward to cage my head between his arms. He brought his forehead to mine, pressing a quick kiss to my nose as he rested his head next to mine, still panting. 

We stayed like that for a while. I traced my fingernails up and down his back, lightly scratching him, which he seemed to enjoy as he nuzzled his nose into my neck. He felt like the perfect weighted blanket. 

With a deep breath, he pulled out as I whined, feeling the emptiness. He laid down on his back next to me, pulling me in so I could curl into him. The early morning wake-up call coupled with the excitement and exertion made my eyes feel really heavy.

I was pulled out of my slumber thanks to a ray of sunlight coming through the curtains I forgot to close last night. Behind me, I heard the sheets rustle as Frankie turned, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling my back flush against his chest. 

“Morning, mi cielo,” he kissed my shoulder. I giggled as his stubble tickled me. 

“Why sky?” I turned in his arms to face him, pushing some wayward curls off his forehead. 

“I don’t know…I guess…we got to know each other up in the sky. And it’s my favorite place, so it seems fitting,” his eyes softened and it made me feel giddy. “Sorry, that’s probably really cheesy.”

“No, it’s really sweet Frankie. I’ve never been called that before…I like it.”

We made out for a little bit and one thing led to another and he was back between my legs. I don’t even know which round we’re on as I lay panting and trying to catch my breath. 

My stomach betrayed me and grumbled; food was the furthest thing from my mind at this point. Frankie heard and laughed as he sat up, his sweaty curls clinging to the back of his neck as he got out of bed and grabbed his boxers and jeans.

“Where are you going?”

“Downstairs to get you something,” he winked. “How do you take your coffee?”

I crawl over to the side of the bed, sitting up on my knees and reaching for him. “We can just order room service.”

“I was planning on it for later,” he smirked, kissing me before he turned to head out to the living room to grab his backpack, grabbing a shirt from it. “Coffee?” he called over to me as he put it on.

“I take it black.”

“Makes sense…you’re already so sweet.” I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Ok, I’ll be back.”

Once he left I searched around for something to wear. I spotted his BBB-8 shirt crumpled up in a ball on a chair and decided to put it on, loving how it hung on my frame. I laid back in bed, smiling to myself as I remembered parts of last night and this morning. My phone buzzed and I assumed it was Frankie asking a question about what I wanted, but instead, it was Ash.

Ash: Ok, but he’s hot AF in person. You must have had a LOT of fun last night based on how his hair looks 😉

What the fuck is happening?

Ash: Relaxxx. I’m down here taking a call. Almost didn’t recognize him without the hat.

omggg

Ash: Holy shit. He’s getting you breakfast? 

Ash: Aww it’s so cute. 

Ash: You must have worked up quite the appetite based on the amount of shit he’s getting.

Please don’t say anything to him.

Ash: I’m not. I’m being stealthy 

Ash: Ok lover boy is headed back up. 

Ash and I texted a bit more so I could get caught up on the wedding. Everything seemed to go to plan and Carol was beaming in the photos. It was so sweet to see the way Dave looked at her, his gaze reminding me of a certain pair of chocolate brown eyes that were now seared into my memory. 

Almost on cue, a knock at the door brought me back to the present. I rushed over to open it for Frankie. Ash wasn’t kidding, he brought the whole bakery upstairs with him along with a couple of large coffees. He inhaled sharply as he saw me – I’d forgotten I was wearing his shirt. 

“Damn, that looks really good on you,” he kissed my cheek as he walked in.

As we ate and sipped on our coffee we talked about plans for the day, deciding that we wanted to stay holed up in the room. Our conversation eventually came to a natural lull as I lay on Frankie’s chest, his hand trailing up and down my arm. It wasn't awkward or anything, it was time for both of us to just think. My mind drifted from being giddy and excited that I’d get to spend the whole day, and hopefully another night, with Frankie, to feeling deflated by the fact that in less than 24 hours I’d be boarding a plane back home.

“What are you thinking about?” He broke the silence, nudging me with his knee. I shook my head, nervous about sounding too needy. “C’mon, you can tell me.”

“It’s just…what happens next?” I winced, unable to look at him.

He paused for a moment before taking my hand, “What do you mean?”

“I mean this…us…I…no pressure or anything, but I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you Frankie. And I know I’ll be far away and I totally get it if you just wanted this to be a weekend thing and I-”

“Hey. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you too…I haven’t had this much fun in a really long time and you’re easy to talk to,” his soft smile instantly warmed my heart. “Here I was wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to not have you run but the truth is, I don’t want this to end here. I want to keep getting to know you and like no pressure or anything, but if you decide you want to come back down here to visit or have me come up there, I’d do it. Whatever you want.”

I paused for a moment, shocked by his candor but relieved that it seemed like we were on the same page. Taking a deep breath, I turned to him. “I’d like that.”

“So don’t think of it as a goodbye. We can figure it out. Have you ever done a long-distance thing before?”

I shook my head. “If I’m being honest, I haven’t really ever been in a…uh…” I didn’t want to label ourselves as in a relationship but that’s how I saw it.

“You haven’t?”

“No…it always seemed like no one was ever really wanting that, like they’d lose interest after a date or two. Eventually, I ended up getting busy with work and stopped caring.”

“Well, I’m very…uh…interested,” he chuckled. 

“Good me too,” I leaned over and kissed him.

We spent the rest of the day lazily in bed watching movies, making out, having a little extra fun, and even taking a little nap too. Frankie stayed true to his promise and we did order room service later, followed up by a shower. I was so thankful I sprung for this suite for that shower alone. 

It was so nice to have just a chill day, but it made me a bit sad that I wouldn’t be able to spend next Sunday doing the same thing. As the hours stretched into the evening and the sun started to set I reluctantly started packing. Frankie sat at the foot of my bed watching me flit around the suite.

“How are you getting to the airport tomorrow?” He asked as I zippered up the carry-on.

“Ah actually…I was hoping maybe you could take me?”

His face lit up. “I’d love to. We should probably get to sleep, you have an early flight.” 

Sleep was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to savor every last moment I had with him and not squander it away by being asleep. Sex with Frankie was everything I ever wanted and unlike anything I’d ever had. He was caring and tender but passionate and decisive. I didn’t want to say it out loud to him but he officially ruined all other men for me; he was now the standard. 

The alarm startled Frankie from his unusually deep sleep, annoyed that the morning came so quickly. But then again, that’s what happens when your night stretches into the early hours. Even though they’d both established that this morning wasn’t going to be a goodbye, he still felt uneasy. 

Right now they were in a little bubble and riding high off of the oxytocin and basking in the afterglow. What lay ahead was going to be difficult – finding ways to stay connected with each other, working the other person into their life from afar. He already knew what Pope was going to say, no doubt telling his friend to be cautious and guard his heart. 

But as she turned around and faced him, cupping his face and stroking the bare patch on his beard, he just knew. He’d never felt so sure about anything in his life. She made him want to try. To open his heart back up again. To unlock a part of himself he thought was gone forever. 

I had to rush a bit to get out the door, thanks to Frankie who was very eager to show me how much he was going to miss me – not that I was complaining.

He held my hand the entire drive to the airport, trying to quell my flight anxiety along the way. The weather was beautiful so he assured me that it should be a smoother ride than our trip down.

As we approached arrivals, I felt a pit in my stomach. Truth be told, I was scared. Scared that this may be it. Scared that he may change his mind, and that this would be too difficult given his past experiences. He'd clued me in on some of the issues with his past relationship but I just know there's more there to uncover.

Sure, we talked about staying in touch, but what if my definition of “staying in touch” was different from his and I ended up scaring him off? I already knew I would be overthinking it all. But even amidst all of that uncertainty, there was a little voice telling me it was going to be ok.

His grip on my hand tightened as he pulled up to the curb to park.

“This sucks.” He dragged his other hand down his face before turning to face me. “Is it weird if I'm already trying to figure out when I could come up?” The relief I felt hearing him say that must have been more visible on my face than I thought because he chuckled as he leaned forward to kiss me. “I take it that it's ok?”

“Yes Frankie, more than ok.”

The whistles from the guards directing traffic pulled us back to reality. Frankie hopped out, jogging around the truck to help me with my bag before gently setting it on the ground.

I crashed into him, wrapping my arms around his mid back and pressing my face into his chest. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head as we stayed like this, neither of us wanting to be the first one to pull away. 

“Hey boss, imma need you to move this,” a man behind me grunted to Frankie.

“Yeah, I'll be a second.” Reluctantly, he pulled away from me but still kept me in his arms. “I'm not saying goodbye ok? Because you're going to text me when you get through security and you're going to send me a picture of that spicy Bloody Mary Mac is going to make you,” he chuckled. “And you'll tell me when you get on the plane and I'll tell you how Benny's training goes.”

“And then I'll tell you when I land,” I reached my hands to rest behind his neck, playing with his hair. “And you'll fill me in on whatever else you boys have planned for today,” I winked.

“So it's not a goodbye.”

“Nope, not at all,” I smiled into a kiss he quickly deepened. People around us be damned, I couldn't help the moan that escaped as he pulled me closer to him.

Another whistle from the cop and we laughed, holding each other for one last second before pulling apart. Frankie handed me my bag, cupping my chin.

“I'll talk to you soon mi cielo. You're going to have a safe flight.”

“I'll miss you,” was all I could squeak out as I bit my lower lip. I'd been feeling the tears quelling up since we checked out of the hotel and I was nervous they’d finally spill over.

“I'll miss you more,” he kissed me again. “Now, you have to go otherwise my truck is gonna get towed,” he chuckled.

I kissed him one last time before I grabbed my things and walked towards the sliding automatic doors. Turning around I caught one last glimpse of Franke, scratching the back of his neck with one hand and giving a small wave with the other. 

I'd never been more thankful for TSA Pre-Check. The lines were long and my goodbyes with Frankie stretched longer than I thought. Once I got through security, I quickly bought my water and magazine and walked over to the bar to see Mac.

“You're late! Musta been a good weekend missy,’ he winked. 

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, “that obvious huh?’

“For a second there I thought you might miss your flight. But here I made you something, on me,” he winked, handing me a white Styrofoam cup. 

I took a sip and chuckled. “Is this even legal?”

“Well, don't take it on the plane with you. Figured you could sip on it while you're waiting to board. I can't have you walk by my bar and not get your Bloody Mary.”

“Thanks, Mac. Sorry I can't chat much this time.”

“Oh, I think we'll be having plenty of chats. You have a safe flight missy, I'll see you soon.”

I thanked Mac and said my goodbyes as I walked over to my gate, arriving just as boarding started. With one last big sip, I threw the drink in the trash and boarded my flight. I headed straight for the wing, remembering how Frankie said it was the smoothest ride.

My mind raced through the whirlwind of a weekend I had, smiling at the memories made and those I hoped were to come. I fired off texts to Ash and my mom to let them know I was alive and on the plane. Ash quickly responded and I knew I'd spend the whole drive from the airport to the office filling them in on the weekend.

Then I went to my thread with Frankie. Scrolling through it to see how our chain started, remembering that I saved my number in his phone as Wifey. The photo of him in bed reminded me of the soreness between my legs and I could practically feel his curls as I balled my fist.

“Ma'am, we're going to need you to turn off your phone,” the flight attendant leaned over with a sweet, but firm tone.

I sighed and quickly typed up a message.

On the plane. Found a seat over the wings. I'll let you know when I land. ❤️

I kept my phone out of sight, waiting until the last possible second before I put it away. Frankie was probably still driving so I wasn't expecting a response. With a sigh I unlocked my phone and as I went to swipe the airplane mode on I got a text.

Frankie ✈️: Good girl. Have a safe flight, I miss you. 

And with that, I switched my phone off and stared outside the window with the biggest smile on my face.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! While this is the end of this arc, this isn’t the end for these two. They’ll get wrapped into Delta Landscaping  (my Triple Frontier AU). For those reading that series, you would have seen a mention in the last couple of episodes.

Tagging a few who may be interested based on comments/reblogs from the previous parts. I can remove you if you want: @laughing-in-th3-purple-rain  / @lwfics / @missladym1981 / @alltheseperfectimperfections / @anavatazes / @inept-the-magnificent / @weho2kcmo / @casa-boiardi / @undercoverpena / @survivingandenduring / @secretelephanttattoo / @sin-djarin / @readingiskeepingmegoing / @trulybetty / @mellymbee / @jessiejessworldsblog / @anoverwhelmingdin / @southernbe / @inthedarkestnight / @iloveenya / @mysterious-moonstruck-musings / @itspdameronthings / @all-the-things-2020 / @avastrasposts / @linzels-blog / @maried01 / @la-vie-est-une-fleur29 / @titabel

#frankie friday #francisco morales #francisco catfish morales #frankie morales #frankie morales fanfiction #triple frontier #frankie catfish morales

[absolutebl]

This Week In BL - I’m pleased with what’s airing, but conflicted about what’s ended & getting started

Aug 2023 Wk 1

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

Laws of Attraction (Sat iQIYI) 4 of 8 - Omg the way the bodyguard (handler?) looks at the rich kid. Gah. I see why @heretherebedork​ loves these 2. But I really hate him (not the handler, the kid). Fun fight scene. I love lawyer babygirl SO MUCH. HE WILL BE MY 2023 FAV CHARACTER. I’M CALLING IT. This ep, Srs? You’re killing me. Suits! Pussycat bows! And then... The Public Claiming!!!!! One of my favorite tropes! And openly flirting? Boys. I’m getting spoiled. Wait… is that…? NO SINGING. Ah well, Thai BL giveth and Thai BL taketh away. 

Hidden Agenda that isn’t hidden (Sun GMMTV YouTube) ep 4 of 10 - I like the script for this. It feels like the conversations they have are very honest to a uni experience. It’s comfortable and breezy. I did not expect the kiss. Bit early in the arc. There is either going to be a lot of backend drama, or a long domestic honeymoon period. (Bet you can guess which one I vote for.) 

Low Frequency (Sat iQIYI) ep 5 of 8 - It’s moving along in a Ghost Host kinda way (minus the killer chemistry). I’m not mad about it, I don’t think I'll remember it tho. 

Be Mine Super Star (Mon Viki) ep 5 of 12 - My ambivalent relationship with this drama continues. Cohabitation trope. Punn is basically a huge puppy trying to spoil/cuddle/fuck his pretty kitty prince. It is what it is. Meanwhile, I just want more of Big Daddy & the Hot Doc. (Also the name of my burlesque show.) Why does Kevin have more chemistry with Ashi in a 1 min long scene than Punn has had… ever? Is this nascent bad boy effect or nascent 2nd lead syndrome I’m feeling? (Meanwhile Ben! Hi! Long time no see!) 

Be My Favorite (Fri YouTube) ep 11 of 12 - Whatever. Trash(ish) watch here. 

Dinosaur Love (Sun iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 eps - Aw pretty baby is unhappy his bf got injured. But also very blushing maiden. This is profoundly NOT GOOD. 

Wedding Plan (Weds YT & iQIYI) ep 3 of 7 - I have decided that Lom’s theme song is BigBang’s Monster. Listen. You’ll see what I mean. Also BigBang = also very problematic but banging. What I’m saying is, I wanna punch Lom so bad, I went slightly bonkers. Water sports are addressed. A trash watch is happening!

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Jun & Jun (Korea Thurs Viki) 3 of 8 - How DARE they make me love this show so much? I feel personally attacked. The smell thing! Gah. The way they automatically go informal in private. The flirting. The language. The suits, the EVERYTHING. It’s embarrassing how much I rewatch the final bits of each ep. 

Stay By My Side (Taiwan Fri Gaga) 6 of 10 eps - I adore this ridiculous show. (I just realized that the actor playing Jiang Chi played Ray’s evil 2-timing bf in About Youth). Baby boy is quite clueless. Sweet dreams tho. I love them both so much. The washing his jersey scene was so fucking cute. Couple’s numbers, couple’s keychains, bridal towel, kisses. Thank you Taiwan for NOT activating blushing maiden. However, confident gay/confused bisexual is a go. And we got us some justifiable angst. Sigh. I’m so happy. 

Sing My Crush AKA Follow The Wind (Korea Weds iQIYI) 1-2 of 8 eps - supposed to have released in the first half of 2022 this is a adaption of Myung’s webtoon, from the director of My Sweet Dear, and Love Tractor’s production house, basically Korea does About Youth. It’s sweet (the singing bits are easy to skip) and very much a story of young first love but less stiff than KBL’s usual high school fare (kinda Taiwan feeling). I like it but that very imprecision in production makes me concerned for an HEA, especially with such a low MDL rating. 

Tokyo in April is... AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 8fin  - Rough final episode, but it does end happily. Fortunately, I had some warning for my personal triggers, but this is Japan and they did go dark. Full review below. 

Minato's Laundromat Season 2 AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (Japan Thu Gaga) 5 of 12 eps - Shin is so cute and proud and boldly out. I love him. Movement in the relationship with both couples, even if it’s movement into arguments and misunderstanding. I suppose we got 12 eps they need to do... something.  

Stay Still (Hong Kong Tues YouTube) 1 of 5 eps - It’s confusing. And… not good? Some flashbacks some present day? 

It’s airing but ...

Stay With Me ... NO I WILL NOT! And you can’t make me.

Review: Tokyo in April is... AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa

I had to chew on this for a while but here’s where I ended up. 

Two young men with a shared tragic past reunite and fall in love all over again, but the past will not stop hunting them. Based on a manga, this office set reunion romance is GREAT… damn it. It’s Japan in full on soft focus which means it gets emo, abusive, and chewy. These two characters are giving parts of their souls away in a desperate attempt to shape themselves to the expectations they have of each other. 

Japan gave us the Bed Friends that Thailand could never even imagine. But here’s the thing: I don’t enjoy my BL this heavy and cutting. I know that for The 8th Sense crowd this is peak BL and I can’t argue with the fact that the romantic devotion, domesticity, script, and acting IS all on point. It’s just not my personal preference for that point to be so damn sharp. I appreciate that this being 2023 I have the luxury of consistent quality (especially from Japan) and thus the ability to say… 

I acknowledge that this SHOULD get a 9/10 but I can’t emotionally go higher than 8/10 

RECOMMENDED BUT KNOW WHAT KIND OF BL THIS IS AND TRIGGER WARNINGS LIKE CRAZY 

Japan = sticking to its lanes like their BL is on rails. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting: 

8/11 Love Class Season 2 (Korea Fri Viki) 10 eps 

8/12 My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho (Japan Sat Gaga) 8 eps 

Still Coming August 2023

8/19 Love in Translation (Thai Sat One31) ? eps - Two strangers start working in a cafe together.

8/19 I Feel You Linger in the Air (Thai Sat Gaga) 12 eps - The time travel historical romance many of us have been waiting for. 

8/20 My Universe series (Thai Sun iQIYI) 24 episodes - This is sampler pack BL, 12 pairs, each pair gets 2 eps, not sure on the order they’ll drop. Known couples include EarthBank from Destiny Seeker and KaownahTurbo from Love Stage!!!, mostly fresh faces otherwise. Jane to direct several.

8/22 Kisseki: Dear to Me formerly known as Miracle (Taiwan Tues ????) 13 eps - From screenwriter Lin Pei Yu (We Best Love, H3: Trapped) features a student doctor forced to take care of a gangster. I love the premise and like the writer, Viki or Gaga will get this one.  

8/24 Man Suang (Thailand movie, domestic cinema release) - historical drama about Thai burlesque with KP’s MileApo. Tong is in this one too?

8/? Why R U? (Korean remake) is supposed to be out this month, filming started in sept 22. I find everything about this hilarious. I mean if Korea remakes it, we lose all the sexy and then... would we have a story at all? No we would not. Not even for six short eps. It’d be like one of those mesh shopping bags.

Oh yeah, Only Friends is coming. 

2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED)

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Hidden Agenda. I love them. 

Public claiming with the waist grab maneuver! A true hero. 

But I think we can all agree that THIS is the hero all love triangles deserve. (both Laws) 

(Last week) 

#this week in BL #bl news #BL reviews #korean bl #japanese bl #taiwanese bl #thai bl #Rakutan Viki #gagaoolala #GMMTV #review Tokyo in April is... #Laws of Attraction #Hidden Agenda #Low Frequency #Be Mine Super Star #Dinosaur Love #Wedding Plan #Jun & Jun #Stay By My Side #About Youth #Sing My Crush #Shigatsu no Tokyo wa #Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 #Bed Friends #The Eighth Sense

[fried-peaches00]

Late Night Talks

Teylan x Sarentu Reader

Ratings: SFW, a little fluff, a little angst

Word Count: 800

Spoilers for the beginning of the cloudy forest story arc!!!

Kczz…kz…”Hello…” Kcz

The soft static buzz of the walky-talky resting at your side interrupted by a timid voice whispering meekly into the night rouses you from your sleep. While the rest of the resistance gathers around the fire to enjoy a meal and a moment of rest in light of the first — albeit small and mediocre — victory since being flushed from the Kinglor Forest, you retreat to the living quarters. After another long day of close calls with increasingly agressive beasts both feral and RDA alike you chose to revel in the warm lights, tapestries and bean bags among the barrack-like bunk beds. Just as you had barely drifted to sleep to the sounds of distant laughter and soft conversations your walks-talky buzzes to life. 

It takes you a moment in your stupor to orient yourself, picking up the comms device much like you used to a phone in you TAP days,

”Hello?” You exhale, rubbing your face.

kczvvv…” I miss you…”

You jump to sit upright, becoming unsteady and light headed in the process. You would know that voice anywhere. You heard those same three words on long stretches of being with the Zeswa or deep in the Kinglor Forest, far from the Dyer’s Bowl and resistance headquarters. 

“Teylan!” You wince realizing how loud you were. These days his name was a grimaced at, a slur almost. Blinded by his loneliness and naivety, his actions were responsible for the death of many friends and loved ones. You haven't heard from him since that first day when you escaped the helicarrier, no matter how often you chatted into the void of the walkie talkie static on long nights spent trekking among the trees. After so long you had begun to fear if he had done something stupid, permanent,

”Teylan, are you okay? Where are y-“

”I don’t want you to come for me, I’m okay for the night… I just… I need to hear your voice.” He sighs shakily. He berates himself with shame for even entertaining the idea of contacting you after what he’s done let alone going through with it, you can hear it in the hesitation between each fragmented sentence. It takes every fiber in your being to not insist you should bring your boy home,

”Okay, only if you promise you’re alright.” You bite your lip, leaning to get a better view of the hallway through the shelves acting as dividers for the sleeping quarters. 

”I miss you too, Teylan. I worry about you a lo-“

” I never should have done it!” He explodes, feedback from the walkie-talkie piercing through your skull,

”I wanted us to be together again and was blinded by my own stupid-Stupid!” He sniffles, taking a few shallow breaths,

”And now… We were further apart than ever… People died because of me. My friends died. Hajir and Daniella. I miss them.”  You hear him take a strained sob,

”An- And I’ll never get to see you again…” He whispers, breaking your heart. You can’t imagine him alone in some computer terminal, cold and lonely upon his own exile. He should be here, with you, warm tucked under your arm. Or at the very least celebrating with the rest of your friends, filling his belly with good food the Kama’tire and Zeswa bring from their homes,

”Breath, Baby. Take a deep breath.” Teylan heaves a few shallow, painful sounding, breathes before taking a shaky sigh,

”You know that’s not true, Teylan, You can have your space but I won’t let you stay away forever.” You murmur, looking towards your pouch containing the paper RDA map you recovered from an abandoned base; laden with marks for searched locations and clues of Teylan’s whereabouts,

”I can’t lie to you, honey, you fucked up big time.” You wince hearing him whimper into another set of sobs,

”But you aren’t the only one. Nor, Priya, and shit. Alma fucked up the worst… I can’t bring myself to burden you with this right now but at this point I just want to move forward.” A moment of heavy silence hovers, dampening the joyous chatter of your friends and teammates across the hideout, leaving you alone with the memories of your clan's demise and standing on the grave of your mentor. You can’t help but wonder if Teylan feels the same weight in whatever far off crevice he’s concealed himself in, 

“I just want the RDA gone, Teylan. I want you home…” 

It’s another few moments of silence. Followed by many more. It sounds like this conversation is over. You settle back down into the blankets and beanbags covering the cold metal floor. With a sigh, your resolve is set,

”Goodnight, Teylan. I miss you too.”

It doesn’t matter where he’s hidden himself away. You have decided you would take to the skies. No matter how many days, weeks, months it would take— You would bring your boy home. Whether he likes it or not,

”I love you, baby.”

And those four words were all he needed to hear.

#avatar frontiers of pandora #teylan #teylan x reader #afop fanfic #afop #sarentu #avatar fop #james cameron avatar #avatar

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Omg omg omg I almost missed the ask box being open! First of all though: thank you ever so much for all your hard work.

My question is this: I really like Mpreg fics. And I remember reading one where Derek thought Stiles rejected him and the baby. Only Stiles didn't even know male werewolves could get pregnant. I can find fics with this trope where it's Stiles who is pregnant but not the other way around

I think so!

Naps are nature’s way of reminding you that life is nice by FicLogia

(1/1 I 3,033 I General)

Melissa puts the patient chart away and comes closer to the omega. “It’s normal to change your mind. Especially for someone in your position.” Young, unmated, barely graduated. The omega ob-gyn has seen it one too many times.

Derek shakes his head, runs a hand over the arc of his belly, relishing the feel of it, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. “I want this baby. We wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“Then why? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Little Dash Of Pink by AsagiStilinski

(1/1 I 4,790 I Teen)

Derek always thought those stories he heard about male pregnancies in his family were just old wives' tales and bad jokes

Suddenly, that's no longer true, and he's not too sure how to tell his husband

ay it out loud, love by pineneedlepants

(4/? I 29,137 I Teen)

When Derek first finds out, it's a rainy thursday that reflects his mood perfectly. He's been oddly dizzy lately, with bouts of nausea that don't make any sense to him, and he's pretty sure he's never slept as much as he is now, not even as a carefree teenager. He thumps his forehead gently against the table top, willing the water he drank not five minutes ago to stay down. He's rubbing his head on the wooden surface when he hears it.

There's a soft thump thu-thump coming from somewhere near him. He lifts his head slowly, as not to make the world spin and tries to concentrate where the soft beat is coming from. Because it couldn't possibly be -

Derek cannot be -

With growing horror, he directs his eyes downwards, to his slightly softened belly. His hands have stilled on his skin, trembling lightly. The soft thump thu-thump comes again, and again, and again, the sound getting louder with each soft flutter, until the pulse matches Derek's own. It's almost mesmerizing, a beautiful cadence that flutters in and out of rhythm of Derek's own heartbeat. --

Or the one where there's a misunderstanding of the century, a little angst, a surprise baby and a deliriously happy ending.

A Legend of a Lonely Boy by bunnymaccool

(1/1 I 42,991 I Explicit)

Peter Hale managed to climb his way back up from death only long enough to do one, terrible, horrible thing. It was enough to accomplish his goal. To leave a legacy. Two months after killing his uncle for the second time, Derek is feeling sick and weak, heavy in his own body. What Deaton is telling him should be impossible... but...

There is a werewolf legend. About unmated alpha who desperately desired to have heirs, so he studied the moon and the stars in such great depth that he discovered a secret. On the night of the full moon, when the stars aligned just so … he could plant his pups into whatever body he desired. Regardless of species, regardless of gender.

The danger is this ... werewolves are not meant to carry pups alone. They need someone to guide them, love them, protect them during this time of vulnerability. A partner. A mate. But Derek Hale has none of these things. He has no one. If he and his pup are going to survive, he may just have to follow the ridiculous suggestion Deaton puts forth. The completely annoying, loud-mouthed, pain in his ass suggestion that makes Derek want to rip someone's throat out. With his teeth.

Through the Dark by WriteByNight

(11/35 I 93,401 I Explicit)

Stiles is down on his luck and out of money, just trying to finish his last year of college. Out of ideas, he goes to donate his sperm and meets Derek Hale, who is looking for a surrogate to carry his and his infertile girlfriend's baby. Stiles is instantly attracted to the alpha werewolf, but pushes his feelings to the side in order to fulfill Derek's dream for children.

Derek and Stiles grow close, but try to deny the feelings growing for one another because as soon as the pregnancy is over Stiles will have to give the baby over to Derek and Braeden, and walk out of their lives. However, the closer he gets to his due date, the harder it is to come to terms that he'll have to let go of the man he's come to love.

#teen wolf #sterek #stiles stilinski #derek hale #rape #mpreg #anon

[turtletaubwrites]

I Want to Live ~ Part 24

Pairings: Zoro x Fem!Reader, Sanji x Fem!Reader, Robin x Fem!Reader, Sanji X Robin

This is part 24 of the poly series 'We've All Got Needs,' linked below:

Word Count: 4386

We've All Got Needs Masterlist

Ao3 Link (Ch. 14 of We've All Got Needs cont.)

!!SPOILER WARNING!! Spoilers for the anime for the Water 7/Enies Lobby arc (through episode 278).

Summary: The assault on Enies Lobby begins, and you fight alongside your crew to find rescue your archaeologist. You'll do anything to get her back.

Rating/Warnings: AFAB!Reader, She/Her Pronouns for Reader, Reader-Insert, Polyamory, Canon Typical Violence, Blood, Pet Names, Swearing, Angst.

A/N: Sorry for the wait on this one! This is a big moment, so I wanted to do it justice. I hope you enjoy it!

Your eyes were shut as you screamed, waiting for your inevitable death as the screech of metal ripped through your ears. 

The train hopped and started to skid, but it didn’t seem that bad. Although, you were thrown around, clinging to the nearest bar. Then you felt the long slide against the stone start to slow, knowing that you’d have more bruises on your body than you could count.

If I survive.

Shaking that thought from your mind, you fought to stay steady. A moment of gratitude passed as you saw your crew safe on their feet, until you heard the shouts of too many angry voices outside the train. 

“Wait here, we’ve got this.”

Zoro nodded at Sanji’s words, the two of them stepping out as calmly as if they were going for a stroll, not facing down an army of government officers and marines.

Nami started toward the door, her Clima-Tact gripped in her hands. 

“Nami, wait.”

“It’s okay,” she cut you off with a smile. “I'll stay back. But there’s something I’ve been wanting to try. Can you go check on Kokoro?”

Your mouth was dry as she walked out the door, but Usopp and Chopper followed behind her.

Climbing through the wrecked cart, you found the old woman in the front, cradling a bottle of liquor like a baby.

You huffed a laugh, shaking your head at the drunk.

“I’m glad you and your booze are okay.”

“Me too, darlin.' Here, take this,” she said as she wobbled to her feet, handing you a small transponder snail. “I’ll keep hidden, just call me when you need to leave.”

“But-”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll just tell them you kidnapped a sweet ol’ lady if I get caught.”

“Are you-”

This time you were cut off by loud rumbles of thunder, way too close. The thunder was soon joined by an orchestra of screams. 

What the fuck?

The sky was clear when you stepped outside, but the ground was littered with still and writhing bodies. Wide eyed, you found Nami, Usopp, and Chopper huddling by the train, Nami’s hands shaking as she stared at her Clima-Tact.

“Nami, did you do that?”

She nodded, before punching Usopp’s shoulder. 

“You didn’t tell me it could do that, we all could have died!”

“Well, maybe if you learned how… Um, I mean Usopp ensured me that the many features of the-”

Usopp had switched back into his Sniper King voice, only to earn another smack from the navigator. 

Chopper scrambled over to you to gush about how cool it was to see all the marines lit up by lightning.

“Did you hear what they called you, moss head? One of Luffy’s henchmen.”

Sanji’s laughing voice moved closer, and you turned to see your boys, safe and whole. 

And bickering already.

“At least they recognized me, waiter. You’re just ‘pirate A.’ Or probably ‘B.”

You ran toward them, interrupting their growls with your hands on their arms. Small smiles almost made you forget where you were. 

“What the fuck are those?”

Your mouth hung open after your question as what looked like two giant fucking seahorses charged toward you. 

Usopp let his voice boom out, announcing the creatures to be King Bulls that belonged to the Franky Family that must have been brought along with their ship. 

Even knowing that they were friends and not foes didn’t stop you from backing up against a wall, the sheer size of the animals hurting your brain. 

“Hurry, climb up!”

You recognized the voice and blonde hair of Paulie as he and others from Galley La and the Franky Family lowered ropes for you.

There were benches atop the massive creatures, and you all clambered up, still stunned as it started to move through the streets. From the yells of your allies, you gathered that the beast you climbed on was named Sodom, and the other, Gomorrah.

“Here, take this,” Paulie offered, handing the reins to Sanji. “We’ll watch your tail.”

Paulie left your crew to join his people on Gomorrah, already shouting orders. You couldn’t sit for long, as marines started climbing up the sides, all the crew leaping into action to knock them off as the animal moved forward. 

There was no time to be impressed with yourself as you slammed a marine in the chest with both of your tonfa, his grunt of pain drifting away from you as he fell. 

“These bulls are making this easy,” Sanji called over his shoulder. “Let’s catch up with our captain.”

As the bullets stopped reaching close, and the screams of marines grew distant, you caught your breath, turning to your crew with a smile.

“He says that the Franky Family saved him and his brother from a sea king, and that they’ll follow Franky anywhere.”

“What are you talking about, Chopper?”

Chopper jumped up and down pointing up at the beast’s head above you, answering your question with an excited laugh.

“I can understand animals, remember!”

Chopper looked around proudly, meeting everyone’s eyes before his mouth fell open in fear.

“Sniper King is gone! I don’t think he made it up here!”

His frantic voice had your blood running cold. There was no turning back now.

Usopp… Stay safe, friend.

Guilt tore at you as you met eyes with Nami, your desire to turn back reflected on her face. Zoro and Sanji were silent, still as stone.

Then none of you were still. Hands covering your ears, you cringed at the sound of the King Bull you were riding on roaring in pain, blood bursting up from its neck and chest. 

The other group pulled up, screaming at you all to leap onto their bull before yours went down. 

A moment of hatred went through you for the marines that had aimed for this beautiful creature.

Sanji’s arm was around your waist, and you saw Chopper screaming under his other arm before he told you to jump. You trusted Zoro to help Nami across, and soon you were cramped on the other bull with your allies.

Silence held for a moment, until the massive creature let out another roar, tumbling to the ground amidst scattering marines. 

The Franky Family wept around you, crying for their lost companion as you barreled toward the courthouse. You gripped Chopper’s shoulder as his little body was wracked with quiet sobs. 

Wiping his tears enough to speak, Zambai, the black haired man in now broken goggles pushed toward you. He was leading the Franky Family in this battle, and he leaned in to confirm their plan. They would split into groups to climb the courthouse towers, and pull the levers to let the drawbridge down. Otherwise, there would be no way to cross to the Tower of Justice. No way to get to Robin over the massive waterfall. 

The loud yells of more marines didn’t register until too late. 

“Hang on,” Zambai screamed, reaching for his comrades as cannons blasted into Gomorrah's chest, the roars of the creature almost deafening. Gomorrah's long neck started to waver, and you braced for it to go down. 

Marines lined the street and rooftops, hundreds of weapons aimed at you and your allies.

None of this felt real, just an adrenaline filled dream. The only thing that felt steady was the sound of Robin’s name in the back of your mind, chanting softly like a spell that would guide you to her.

The ground quaked, and the cheers of the marines made your mouth go dry.

“What now,” Nami muttered, as you joined her in turning back toward the front gate.

Two fucking giants were on their way now. You heard the groans of the Franky Family, bemoaning how difficult it had been to get past them at the gate.

“Surround the intruders! Straw Hat Luffy has been spotted on the roof of the courthouse. Do not let his allies catch up with him!”

Luffy!

The marine’s orders blasting through the speaker snails emboldened you, and you watched your crew ready themselves for another fight.

The giants were roaring now, smashing their fists and feet onto any marine in their path, causing panic and confusion amongst your enemies. 

“Guess they’re on our side now,” you questioned, before gripping onto Sanji’s arm as Gomorrah started to pull forward again.

You could smell the waves of blood cascading from its massive neck, and felt heat in your throat as you watched Chopper sob, speaking to the beast as it pushed itself to protect you all. 

So much death already. And it hasn’t really started yet.

More cries echoed from the Franky Family at the sound of the King Bull keening, struggling to finish its mission. 

The courthouse loomed above, and the scramble off of the dying creature had you dizzy, avoiding the hot blood pooling on the stone. 

Zoro stepped up beside you, his warm hand sending shivers over you from its brief touch on your lower back.

“It’s hard to believe that Robin, Franky, all of them are right behind those doors.”

Sanji’s voice drew your eyes to the looming stone doors of the courthouse. You felt Chopper moving up beside you, his steps getting louder as he shifted into his larger human form, his hopeful voice like a soothing balm. 

“We need to find Luffy, then we can save Robin together!”

Sanji was running back toward Gomorrah, calling over his shoulder before you heard the noise of the marines’ reinforcements.

“I can handle this lot. How about you get that door open, Marimo?”

With a scoff, Zoro drew all three blades, and sliced into the stone, creating his own door amidst the settling dust.

Your jaw fell open at the sight, and you had to cover your face to keep from breathing in the dust, your eyes still wide. 

With so much time spent together in relaxation, in intimacy, it could be easy to forget the insane things that your crewmates, and your lovers could do.

Zambai ran up, coughing as he shouted.

“We’ll split up into three groups, two for the towers, and one to stay here, and guard your rear. You guys head to the roof. We’ll watch your back so keep moving, and don’t worry about the small fries.”

“You got it.” 

You wished the confidence in Zoro’s voice would spread to you as the group formed up behind him and Sanji.

You readied your weapons, but there was no need as the chef and the swordsman practically flew in through the crumbled doors, sending the marines in the entryway screaming through the air. 

Chopper shot out beside you, catching a straggler before they got too close. Keeping your eyes moving, you scanned for danger, ready to shoot a dart at any suspicious movement, but your boys did quick work. 

Nami grinned at you when you scanned her way, her Clima-Tact ready, but just as unnecessary as your tonfa at the moment. 

Still, your grip on the steel was a comfort compared to how many fights you’d simply had to hide from before. 

Zoro cornered another small group, then let out what looked like a whirlwind from his three blades. 

Sanji passed you, leaving a hint of a kiss on your cheek before heading to the stairs, yelling down at Zoro. 

“Quit showing off, moss head. Robin’s waiting for me- for us!”

Following his lead with a small laugh at his slip, you, Chopper, and Nami climbed the large, stone staircase, until Chopper yelled Zoro’s name. 

You turned to see your amazing swordsman somehow running in the opposite direction.

“I'll try to make you some medicine later. To fix your brain problem!”

“Brain problem,” Zoro complained, and you had to stifle your laughter. His complete lack of a sense of direction was hard to comprehend.

Your skin managed to flush even during this chaos as the image of putting a leash on Zoro to keep him by your side flashed into your mind.

But you had to focus now, shaking your head to clear it. Her name was still humming in you like a heartbeat.

Hallways and stairs, and hallways and stairs. Occasional groups of marines that funneled out of doorways, surrounding you before being mowed down. You were able to take down the few that came near you in such close quarters, and you had yet to need your poison attacks, making do with blocking and hitting with the cool steel.

Sweat beaded on your brow, and you saw it on your crewmates’ skin as well. More flights of stairs filled you with grateful memories of running with Nami, and training with Zoro. 

This is why I got stronger. So I can protect my crew. So I won’t hold them back. 

So I can save her.

A more populated hallway had you all fighting foes at once, stopping your run to bring them to the ground. The sounds of battle echoed off the stone walls, and two marines faced off with you.

There was so much chaos, and as your body reacted to deflect their blows, you realized that your limbs were moving on instinct now. Zoro’s lessons were living in your bones.

But you hadn’t faced two foes at once before, so you called on your defense.

“Blackout Thorns!”

The first marine lunged for you, her leg soaring toward you in a kick. Her shin scraped along the small metal blades laced with your poison as you held the bar across your body, forcing a grunt from you as you blocked her weight.

The second marine came at you from behind, moving too fast to notice his comrade passing out before you thrust your arm back, scraping your purple tonfa along his forearm as he reached for your hair.

He crumpled at your feet and you grinned, noticing Sanji and Zoro both halting in their movements toward you. 

The mix of worry and pride on their faces sent a shiver over you, but the moment ended with the sharp sting of a slap on your ass, and a groan from Nami as she scolded you all. 

“Eye fuck each other later, guys. We’ve got places to be.”

“Robin! I’m here to save you!”

Luffy’s voice boomed through the windows, sounding so close. 

“Hold on,” Zoro commanded, giving the group no time to argue as he used his three sword style to break through the fucking ceiling. Everyone screamed at him, but as the sunlight poured through the hole he’d made, you all scrambled up. 

Sanji helped you through the debris, and lifted you to climb up to the roof, helping Nami do the same before jumping up along with Zoro and Chopper. 

Before you had a chance to scan your surroundings, you felt the ground shake again as the two giants from earlier moved toward the courthouse. One of them lifted a hand up over the roof, and your heart stopped as you waited for the building to be smashed beneath your feet.

“Thank you, friend of Dorry and Brogy!”

The deep rumble of the giant’s voice rolled over you, and you watched, open mouthed, as that massive fist opened to drop the masked and groaning figure of your friend onto the stone.

“Sniper King,” Chopper yelled as he rushed forward, looking over Usopp’s still bandaged body for injuries.”

“Hey Sniper King, can you stand,” Zoro questioned.

“Uh, yeah. Of course. A fall like that won’t stop me.”

“How,” you started, before a small smile teased your lips at the thought of Usopp regaling you with the story later. If we all survive.

Luffy’s voice brought you back, your heart slamming in your chest as you looked across the waterfall to the Tower of Justice.

Robin.

Her cold face looked down on Luffy, the wind sending that hypnotic black hair around in gentle waves. 

“We’re gonna go ahead and save you. If you still want to die after we’re all back together, well that’s your choice.”

Making your way across the roof, you noticed all the members of CP9 with Robin on the balcony, as well as Franky, and a man in a mask that covered his nose and half of his mouth.

“Come on, Robin, work with me here. You can say what you want. If you want to die or whatever, that’s fine. But when you say it, you say it as part of our crew.”

Luffy’s words were sending chills through you.

What did she say before we got here? Did she tell him she wants to die?

Sanji touched your shoulder as he passed you, pulling out a cigarette as everyone lined up along the wall. You stood there, your crew at your side, wishing you could fly across the expanse to her. To Robin. Your crewmate. Your friend. The woman you love. 

You couldn’t help it. You yelled for her, your voice mingling with Sanji’s and Chopper’s as they joined you.

She scanned all of you before focusing back on Luffy. It was hard to tell with your own eyes misting up, but with the way the sunlight kissed her face, you swore you saw tears sparkling in her beautiful eyes. 

Luffy stared her down, as if she were the only one on that balcony.

“From now on, leave everything to us.”

“You stupid pirates, you don’t think you can beat all of CP9, do you?”

The masked man's arms flailed wildly as his nasally voice carried over the air. 

“Besides, even if you do make it over here, I still have this! I have the authority to summon a Buster Call, and take you all out.”

In his outstretched hand, all you could see was the sun glinting off of something golden in his palm.

Your eyes flew back to Robin as she wavered on her feet, her voice too low to make out. 

He leaned toward her, and his taunting voice made your blood boil. You itched to shoot a dart at him, but even if you hit him, Robin was still surrounded, still in danger.

“That’s right, I’m sure you remember its power well. Given that it destroyed your homeland 20 years ago.”

You’d learned that horrible truth on the train from Blueno, but seeing the terror of it on Robin’s face now, just for the threat of it, sent ice right through your heart.

And this piece of shit was laughing at her, as if the loss of everything she’d ever known was a joke. 

We need to get over there.

“What was it, Ohara? It’s hard to recall the name since it was wiped off the map.”

“Robin’s homeland,” Chopper asked, his voice soft with fear.

“He’s pissing me off,” Sanji growled echoing your rage. 

“Anything but that, I’m begging you!”

Robin was struggling against handcuffs, her arms trapped behind her as she pleaded with him, panic lacing her words.

He leaned over her face, and you wanted to scream at him to get away from her. The distance and wind stole his next words from you, but you knew he had to be taunting her again as you watched her body shake, in anger or fear.

“Have you lost sight of your humanity?”

Robin’s voice finally reached you again as she yelled in his face, the masked man’s fingers dangerously close to pressing that golden button.

You cried out as Robin’s knees hit the stone, her head bowed to this monster as she continued to beg. 

“There’s a limit to how much you can sacrifice in the name of justice. A Buster Call is going too far. You can’t use it. Anything but that!”

His shoulders slumped a bit, his head tilting as he looked down on her. But his stupid mouth stayed shut as she continued.

“If you trigger a Buster Call, everything will be destroyed. That includes all of Enies Lobby, and most likely you as well.”

“Nonsense, they wouldn’t kill me. I’m Spandam, the Chief of CP9! I’m not falling for your bluff.”

You could have been sick off the side of the building from how disgusting this was.

These are the kinds of people in power? This man child could decide if an entire island is wiped off the map, on a fucking whim.

You couldn’t make out Robin’s next words, her head still bowed to that piece of shit. Until she stood, voice carrying now as she faced you all, but her eyes stayed low. 

“Now this demon is rearing its ugly head again, and it’s aiming its sights on the friends I searched so hard to find. The more that I wish for us to be together, the more my ugly fate bears its fangs at you. Even now, now matter how far we sail, there’s an enemy that haunts me at every turn. Because I’m facing the world, and all of its darkness. First it was Aokiji, and now CP9. I’ve dragged you into my troubles twice already.”

Her voice rang out in pain, and you ached to scream, to argue, to plead with her, but your throat was too full of tears. 

Robin kept going, her voice louder, and cracking, breaking your heart more and more with every word.

“If it goes on and on like this, no matter how kind you may be, someday you’ll see me as a burden. Someday you’ll be forced to betray me, and throw me away. That’s what I’m most afraid of, understand? That’s why I didn't want you to rescue me! If that’s the only future I have, I would rather die to save me the pain!”

Her name that was still pounding in your mind echoed softly through your lips, and you heard it shared among your crewmates. 

The knowledge that this was why, this was why she kept herself closed off, why she was throwing her life away for all of you, the weight of this knowledge washed over you with the force of the waterfall beneath your feet.

“I never knew,” you heard whispered through Sanji’s lips, hearing your own shame reflected there for not seeing the depths of her pain before.

“I see. So that’s it.”

Zoro’s voice steadied you, because you knew that tone. There was no going back.

You stared at her, hoping that she could feel not only your love, but the love of every Straw Hat beside you.

I’ll never abandon you, Robin.

The moment was shattered by cruel laughter, Spandam grinning wildly behind his half mask as he jeered at her again.

“How pathetic, even if you make friends, all you can do is drag them through the mud with you.”

Nails digging into your palms with rage, you almost flinched when Spandam turned toward you. He pointed up to the top of the tower, and the huge flag billowing in the wind.

“You can’t win, pirates! Look at this flag. This symbol represents the unity of over 170 nations, a power that spans the four seas, and the Grand Line. This is the world itself! You can’t stand up to an enemy like that, just face it already.”

Self satisfied laughter bubbled through him, but the next sound you heard calmed your breathing.

“If that’s Robin's enemy, then I know what to do,” Luffy said quietly, before his voice echoed out in command. 

“Sniper King. Shoot down that flag.”

“Roger.”

The resolve in Usopp's voice continued as he pulled out his new weapon, a massive slingshot named Kabuto. 

“Behold its awesome power. Special attack, Firebird Star!” 

A spear of flame shot through the air like a massive bird, magnificent and powerful.

All eyes spun toward that flag. You had already had reasons not to view it with respect given everything you’d seen in your life, and especially during your time with your crew.

Now, after all of this, after seeing the twisted and pathetic underbelly of the beast, the sight of it made you sick. You wanted to watch it burn.

You stood strong, a Straw Hat Pirate, watching the symbol of the World Government burn to ashes, lighting the sky like a beacon of war.

Your eyes found her again, Robin’s mouth agape as she watched the flames.

I’ll burn it all down for her. 

“You’re all going to die,” Spandam screeched, shaking as he watched the ashes fall around him. “You morons can’t challenge the entire world and expect to win-”

“Yeah? Bring it on,” Luffy challenged, and the pure confidence and rage blasting off of him steeled your bones.

You trusted your captain. This was a side of Luffy that only came out when it needed to, when someone was hurting his friends. Even if those friends were just people that gave him a meal. 

Luffy always fought for his friends.

And so will I. 

“Robin, there’s still something I wanna hear you say.”

Luffy’s voice was like a bell, ringing so clear that no one else even thought to speak. Not until he was done.

“Tell me you wanna live!”

So loud that it seemed to echo off the stone, Luffy’s demand, his offer, sent chills coursing through you. Again, you heard Robin’s name whispered down the line of Straw Hats.

Robin’s head was bowed, a sight you never wanted to see again. Especially as you watched the sunlight shine on the tears freely flowing down her cheeks.

You ached to scream and beg for her, but you knew this was something she had to decide. 

Please, Robin, please. 

She lifted her eyes, and your heart stopped as she cried out.

“I want to live! Take me with you! Take me away from here!”

The cracks in her voice broke and mended your heart all at once. The soft sound of Luffy’s chuckle filled you with joy, even as hot tears streamed down your face. 

You felt the movements of your crew, heard the shuffling around you, and you loosed a breath. The Straw Hats readied their weapons for the battle ahead, the cool metal in your palms grounding you into this moment.

This warmth, this hope, this feeling pouring between you all, was everything. It was family.

We’re coming for you Robin. No matter what it takes.

Your captain let out another low laugh, and you watched Robin’s face finally shift from pain to hope as he gave the order.

“Let’s go!”

Thank You for Reading! 💜

TurtleTaub Fanfic Masterlist

We've All Got Needs Masterlist

Part 25

Tag List: @astheni-a | @ferns-fics | @heilee | @iamn1ya | @ghostfacefricker6969 | @onlybassoon01 | @apothicgloom | @slyhersophia | @cyberaestheticals | @nothing-but-brass

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this! It's one of my favorite moments in the show, and I loved writing it from the reader's perspective. Thanks for joining me!

Buy me a coffee ☕🙏🏼

#nico robin x fem!reader #zoro x reader #sanji x reader #angst #f/f fanfic #Reader Insert #Fem!Reader #mine #nico robin x reader #poly fanfic #nico robin fanfic #sanji fanfic #one piece fanfic #zoro fanfic #x reader #turtletaub fics #one piece x reader

[carmillascrusade]

Bleeding Hearts| Vanessa (SB) x F!Reader

I do not own any of these photos and all rights go to the owners. If you know the artist of the middle photo, please let me know!

Summary: Vanessa comes home after one of her shifts with a young boy in tow.

Word count: 1419

A/N: this is my first fanfic that I have written so please be kind! Also I’m not sure if this counts as angst or not? So I’ll just say hurt/comfort lmao. Also, this is based on security breach Vanessa instead of film Vanessa.

The sun rose in the east. Red and orange flames flickering whimsically in the depths of the horizon, but melancholic despite the beauty of their hue. The hand holding the lamp continues to rise, lifting the ball of fire further into the still morning sky. An arc of luminance bestows itself upon the horizon; mirrored in the crystal waters of the rainwater puddles scattered in your front garden, devoid of all colour but that of the rising sun.

Vanessa stumbled through the front door, a sunken look marred her features; casting a gloomy shadow over her hollowed face, once radiant with joy. Behind her trailed a small boy, scratches and bruises littering his face with an array of discolouration. His eyes fell to you and he grabbed hold of Vanessa’s hand, shielding himself behind her body from your peering eyes.

“Vanessa?” You reached out cautiously, afraid that moving too fast or speaking too loudly would spook her. “What happened? Are you alright?”

Vanessa threw herself upon you, latching on to you as a frightened babe would their mother. You stroked your hands through the hair that had escaped her once pristine ponytail, now tattered with flyaways and grime.

She stayed in your grasp for what felt like aeons, sobbing incoherently in the crook of your shoulder. The small boy still stood behind her, eyes stripped of any emotions besides fear. Who was the boy and what had happened to him?

“Vanessa, my love.” You murmured into her ear, causing her eyes to snap up towards you. “Who’s your little friend?” You asked, gesturing briefly towards the boy.

“Oh.” She sighed shakily. “He has nowhere else to go. Please can he stay here with us? Just until we find somewhere more suitable.” She pleaded voice tinged with something akin to regret.

You glanced between the two of them as you let go of Vanessa and gingerly approached the boy. Crouching down to his eye level you asked him his name and if her would like to check out the spare room with you.

Gregory, as you just learned, anxiously followed you to the spare room, glancing back at Vanessa from time to time. You showed him the bed and the en-suite and apologised for the lack of pyjamas you had for him.

Shouting Vanessa in, you asked them if they were hungry to which they shook their head stating that they were both just tired. Nodding, you tucked Gregory in wishing him a good night and brought Vanessa to your shared bedroom. She trailed behind you sluggishly, resting the majority of her weight on your back and you navigated throughout the house.

“Would you like a bath, Nessa? Or would you prefer to go straight to bed?” You asked, already beginning to undress her from her security clothing. A muttered bed was all you got in return as she moved pliantly with your soft gestures. You hummed quietly as you sat her on the bed, moving towards the dresser to grab her a pair of pyjamas.

Once finished changing her and wiping some of the dirt from her face with a wet wipe, you climbed into bed next to her; pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning out the bedside lamp.

You were woken by the soft creak of the bedroom door, a slither of light briefly casting a warm glow in the dark confines of your bedroom. A small figure wearily stepped into the room, blocking the light partially to cast an ominous shadow over your bed.

“Gregory?” You called out groggily. “Are you okay?”

Gregory walked further into your room and shut the door, you could barely make out his hand wringing together due to the newfound darkness. Vanessa’s soft snores filled the room as Gregory approached you, shyly asking if he could sleep in your bed as he had a nightmare.

Your eyes softened as you looked upon the frail boy, shaking with nerves and the lingering adrenaline from his nightmare. Tapping the bed, you gestured for Gregory to get in between you and Vanessa. He excitedly jumped up and settled in, muttering a quiet ‘haven’t slept in a real bed for so long’.

Your heart broke at the thought of this sweet boy lacking a proper bed and the conditions he must have been subject to before Vanessa brought him home. Watching the two of them slumber peacefully before you closed your eyes, you decided that you’d speak to Vanessa in the morning about adopting Gregory.

Vanessa was awoken by a small hand gently slapping her on the face. She scrunched her nose in confusion. Why had your hands shrunk all of a sudden?

Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Gregory curled up into your side; one of his hands flung over Vanessa’s face while the other Liddell gripped your T-shirt. Your head rested atop his, one hand flung over him and resting on Vanessa’s hip as you smiled in your sleep.

Vanessa grinned softly at this, her previous worries of you not liking Gregory flying out of the window. Perhaps you would consider taking him in? After all, he had saved her and she found it only fair to do the same.

She pressed a soft kiss to your lips, careful not to rouse you from your sleep, as she got out of bed. Trudging to the kitchen to make breakfast for the three of you, she pulled out her phone and quit her security guard job immediately. All that job has ever brought was pain and it was about time she quit.

Soft footsteps could be heard down the hallway as Vanessa was scouting her phone for new jobs. You wrapped your hands around her neck, pressing up against her back as you lazily rested your head on her shoulder. Peeking at her phone screen, you kissed her cheek before speaking.

“Looking for a new job?” You questioned, although it was more of a statement.

“Hmmm, I think it’s about time I get another job. Don’t you agree?” She turned to face you, eyes flickering to your lips and back up to your eyes again.

Kissing her delicately on the lips, you started to run your fingers through her hair. “You know I’ll support you in whatever you choose to do, sweetheart.”

You looked over to the eggs that were about to burn due to Vanessa getting distracted and chuckled slightly as you went over the save them. A burst of courage came over you as your back was turned, Vanessa unable to see your face and you hers.

“So…” you started. “About Gregory,”

“What about him?”

“What do you plan on doing with him?”

Vanessa went silent. The only noise coming from you plating three sets of breakfast up. You turned towards her and handed her her plate, putting Gregory’s in the oven for later.

“Like I said before, Nessy, I will always support you in what you choose to do. And if you want to adopt Gregory then I will back you in that. If you don’t, that’s okay too.” You whispered into her ear, hugging her with your free arm.

She looked up at you with tear-filled eyes, the crystal clear substance just on the brink of falling over the but never reaching the turning point. A soft smile graced your features as you brushed away the beginning of tears with the pads of your thumbs.

“Oh, Vanessa.” You coed.

“I- I want to keep him, baby.” She stuttered, averting her gaze from your prying eyes. Why would you think of her now? The two of you have never spoken about children before. Would you leave her?

You were overjoyed at the prospect of adopting Gregory. Tears threatened to overcome your own eyes and you brought Vanessa into a tight hug. You didn’t want this moment to end.

“I’m so glad you said that! I wanted to keep him too. I’ve always wanted a family with you, ness. Although untraditional, I’m glad we have this opportunity to do so.”

Vanessa was awestruck at your willingness to accept, not only her, but Gregory into your life. You were her light in the darkness. Her lifeline. You shone brighter than the sun to Vanessa and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love you.” She whispered over and over again like prayer. For she would worship you for the rest of your lives; just as you will her.

A/N II: thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed?

#fnaf security breach #fnaf vanessa #vanessa x reader #vanessa security breach #vanessa shelly x reader

[josiewinters1999]

Normal (p1)

L Lawliet x Chubby!Reader

Part 2

Summary: It lights a fire inside L that Light Yagami is allowed to be a "normal" young man. He has a loving family, a bright future, and... a girlfriend that isn't thousands of miles away.

Words: 1528

Contains: established relationship, angst, jealousy, pet names, L being depressed, takes place right before Yotsuba arc.

A/N: This is my first time writing for L but I just really wanted to dive into the facet of his character that truly just longs to be a regular guy with regular friends and a regular life. It's very obvious he loves his job, craves his work even, but you can see his yearning for something normal peek through here and there throughout the series. So this is just a little something to indulge him in that desire ^.^ I will most likely do a part 2 so stay tuned and comment below if you wanna see it!!

***

Looking out of the corner of his eye, a certain detective watches as the blond model fawns over the teen boy on the couch next to him. He pretends not to notice the way she looks at him, with the pure adoration and affection in her eyes that only young love like that could produce. With every move she makes, climbing all over her beau, the chain attached to him rattles. 

L covertly reaches down to shove a hand in his pocket. The linty insides of his jeans hold a roughly folded, and long faded photo that meant more to him than even the resolution of the Kira case. He dare not pull it out, in fear the man handcuffed to him sees it. L thinks back to the summer it was taken, the first time in his life he had ever felt like just a normal boy. These days, he thinks more and more about that summer. The summer he fell in love. 

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t jealous of what Light had. He had Misa… right there in his arms; close enough to touch, to hold, to kiss. What did L have? A crumpled photo, the occasional hurried phone call, and an annual one weekend visit… if he was lucky. 

Sighing, the black haired detective turns his attention back to the couple next to him, the two unknowingly taunting him with memories he can’t shake any longer. Forcing his usual stoic expression back onto his face, L calls for the blond girl’s attention. “Misa,” he groans, tired of listening to her shrill voice all afternoon, “Would you mind giving Light some time alone for now? I have some things about the case I’d like to discuss with him in private.”

She pouts, clinging even harder to Light’s shirt, “Aw, Ryuzaki, do I really have to go now? I feel like I’ve barely had enough time with Light today. You guys are always so busy.” Gritting his teeth in annoyance, and envy, L nods, “Yes, we have, and the sooner you leave, the sooner we can catch Kira, and the sooner you can have all the time in the world with your beloved Light.” The last two words came out a bit harsher than he intended, but he always had a tendency of being blunt, something she loved about him. Huffing, Misa gives Light a last kiss on the cheek as she struts out, promising to see them in the morning before shutting the door politely behind her. 

Straightening his shirt, Light smirks in L’s direction, “If I didn’t know any better Ryuzaki, I’d say that Misa was making you jealous.” Damn Light’s deduction skills. L clenches his jaw for a moment, then pulls out his phone. 

Choosing to make no remarks about Light’s previous comment, L instead decides to ask him a question, “Light, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to make a quick personal call.  How good is your English?” Dumbfounded at the ridiculous question, Light struggles to come up with the appropriate answer, “At a basic conversational level, I’d say. Not any better though, I’m afraid.” 

Quickly dialing a number into his flip phone, L mutters flatly… “Good.” 

The bakery phone rings during what was certainly the early morning hours in New York, the most busy time of day for a bakery. Finally catching a break from the rush, Mr (L/N) answers the phone in the back, barking harshly into it, “What do you want? We ran out of chocolate cannoli for the day, if that’s what you want, you’re gonna have to call back tomorrow.” 

“Is this (L/N) Cannolis?” L’s tired, unsure voice timidly asks. “I don’t know buddy, is it?” Mr (L/N) snaps back, “You called me. What do you want? These customers are busting my balls here today, I don’t got time to sit and chat.” 

The detective rubs his toes together as he stands on the other side of the room, staring out the window at the night sky, “Is your daughter there, Sir?” 

“My daughter? Who the hell is this?” 

Sighing, L looks over his shoulder at Light sitting on the couch looking through documents, seemingly, and thankfully, uninterested in this entire conversation. The last thing he would want is his prime suspect hearing the name he’s about to ask for. “It’s Luke… I’m… I’d like to speak to (Y/N)… if that’s alright.” 

“Luke?” Mr (L/N) tries to wrack his brain for memories of anyone named Luke, “You the skinny English boy my little girl insists on throwing her life away for? Spiky black hair and raggedy clothes? Sits stupid in the chair?” 

“Uh… yes… that would be me. Is she there?” The last thing L needs right now is to be reminded how out of place and odd he was in the world of everyday people. 

With a groan, Mr (L/N) hums, “Yeah she’s here lemme go get her for you.” After letting his daughter date L for five years now, he knew better than to interfere with their shambles of a relationship anymore. 

“Hey darling,” he yells to the kitchen, “your deadbeat boyfriend is on the phone askin’ for you.” 

L smirks as he hears a mad scramble through the phone and it’s snatched out of the Italian man’s hand. A tired, panting, and excited, feminine voice calls to him, “Luke? Is that really you?”

Just hearing her voice, even calling him by yet another alias, after all these months, made half the tension from L’s shoulders lift and float away in the breeze. God, he’d missed this so much… “Yes, it’s me,” he smiles fully, unable to hold back the joy any longer. 

Clutching the phone to her ear, the portly, curly haired girl smiles back, “I was so scared something had happened to you, I haven’t heard from you in forever.” A pang of guilt to his heart, L purses his lips, “I’m sorry for that, I really did mean to call. I just haven’t had the chance lately.” 

The woman hums, “I figured. You’re working that case in Japan, right? I read about it online. Kora, it was?”

“Kira,” he gently corrects. There is a pause for a moment, he can hear the papers shuffling in Light’s hands behind him and the bustle of the bakery through the phone. What he wouldn’t give to be there with her right now… 

“Is everything okay?” the baker finally asks after some time, “It’s not like you to be so quiet, especially during the few times you actually get a chance to call like this.” 

Always so intuitive. L sighs, reaching into his pocket to feel the folded photo. The photo of her smiling face from all those summers ago. “This case,” he begins, “it’s been slow these days. I feel… I feel deflated… in lack of a better word.” 

She hums, “Ah, I see…” There is another awkward pause before she perks up, “Well when you crack it, there’s a raspberry cannoli here with your name on it. I… I think about you every time I make one. They’re all you eat when you’re here,” she chuckles. 

Another smile tugs on his lips, “How can I resist when they taste so divine? They’re only prepared by the most beautiful baker in all the world… and I would know that fact more than anyone.”

Her infectious chuckle nearly threatens to stop L’s heart. “Cream puff!” her pet name never fails to make him blush as red as one of the raspberries she makes the cannolis with, “You better hope papa isn’t listening on the other line.” 

“The old man hasn’t scared me off yet,” he retorts, “And what man wouldn’t want his daughter to be admired like the goddess she is?”

Before she can scold him again for flattering her too much, L can hear her father yelling at her on the line. He can’t quite make the words out, but knowing him, it probably wasn’t too kind. With a defeated sigh, the woman on the phone mumbles, “I’m so sorry cream puff but I gotta… I gotta go soon.” 

L’s shoulders sink, his heart along with it. Why was his precious time with her always cut so short? “Well, I suppose it’s for the best,” he huffs, “I have things to do here as well. I… thank you for talking to me. I… missed hearing your voice. It’s been hard to focus without it lately, if I’m being frank.” 

She holds back the tears welling in her eyes, “I missed your voice too… I hope you solve this case soon.” 

He nods, looking down at his feet on the carpet, “As do I. The second I do, I’m coming to see you, for a week at least… I miss you… quite a bit, in fact. I-” 

“Cream puff, I really gotta get going now,” she interrupts hurriedly, “I’m so sorry. Call again soon, will you? I’ll catch you later, bye!” 

As the dial tone rings in his ear, L slumps his shoulders and clenches his jaw, muttering to himself the three words he meant to tell her just seconds ago, “I love you…”

#l lawliet x reader #l lawliet #death note fanfiction #death note l #l death note #death note

[crusty-chronicles]

The Moon and Sun (Gon/Killua x Big Sib Reader)

Decisions: Alternate Ending

An: The alternative choice to the cannon path in our story. The only reason I didn't have Y/n stay behind is because there would be a lot less story and character bonding moments between them and the boys. Like most of the Chimera Ant arc would've been skipped over and what I have in store for the Chairman Arc wouldn't fit with this path. Buuuut- I do love my angst so here you go 🫴

-----------------------------------

Your eyes widened at the angry spike of Aura from Gon. The power radiating off was a shock to your system. Immediately snapping you out of your shock. Yet you could only watch in horror as that thing turned around with a grin.

No.

Not again.

YOU WERE NOT GOING TO LOSE ANOTHER KID

In an instant you were up and out of Kite's arms. Staggering harshly from the wound on your side. You quickly clasped your hands together, forcing every ounce of nen you had into them.

A mass of nen strings wrapped tightly around the ant. It's malicious aura lashing out. Trying desperately to overpower yours.

And it was working.

"RUN! HURRY! I CAN'T HOLD THEM FOR MUCH LONGER!" Your voice nothing more than a rasp. Straining painfully with the damage done to it.

"NO! WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO LEAVE YOU!" Gon protested.

His own furious aura not helping you focus. Your strength was fading by the second. If you slipped up now, you were all dead.

It also didn't help to feel the hesitance from all three of them. As if trying to come up with a way no one would be left behind. But that simply wasn't possible.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the ant releasing even more of its aura. Turning around with a bit of effort against your hold. It met your eyes with a childlike glee.

"I can already tell...This is going to be fun."

You could feel your heart pounding against your ribcage in fear.

Those eyes, they had nothing but bloodlust behind them. So empty and cruel.

"GOD DAMNIT! GET OUT OF HERE!"

Kite looked over to the boys then back to you. You would not be able to beat this thing. Maybe if you hadn't been injured you would've stood a chance. If he had been able to see its first attack coming. You were no match for it now.

He prepared to summon Crazy Slots, but a burning sensation consumed his wrist. Your promise. He was supposed to get the boys out of here if you fought. Or else he'd lose his nen.

But he couldn't just leave you when he knew you'd die. Not after everything. Those kids were strong enough to make it out of here if he stayed.

No.

He would just be dead weight without his nen. Nothing but a burden to you in this fight. No matter how badly he wanted to believe the opposite.

You were making a sacrifice, and he had to honor it. He just hoped you would be able to find a way to escape.

With that, he darted forward and tossed the boys over his shoulders. Setting a fast pace just as the ant broke free.

"HEY! LET US GO! WE HAVE TO GO BACK!" Killua shouted, trying to wriggle his way out of Kite's grasp.

"TURN AROUND! WE CAN'T LEAVE THEM WITH THAT THING!" Gon screamed, pounding on his back this time.

But he didn't listen to either of their cries. He couldn't afford to. If he did, then none of you were going to make it out of here. And as the Ant's aura spiked to an overwhelming peak, he pushed himself to run faster.

Kite wasn't nearly as fast as you, but it would have to do for now. At the rate he was going, they'd reach the border by daylight.

He could feel your nen at last vanish from his wrist. The conditions had been met. It was you who had stayed behind after all.

-----------------

When you'd first summoned your nen, Pitou was intrigued. So far, they hadn't met anybody else who possessed the ability to do so. You were a Rare. Maybe the humans with you were Rares too? The possibility made it all the more exciting.

When you broke a tree in half and used it to swing at them, they were thrilled. They didn't know humans had the strength to do that. And when it actually hit them, Pitou found themselves temporarily winded. Another first with you.

But when daylight broke and you collapsed mid attack, they were disappointed. Sure you'd been getting weaker the more you fought, but they assumed your stamina was running out.

This wasn't stamina.

It had to do with the gashes on your side.

How sad. You'd bled out before they got a chance to beat you.

"Hmmm. Seems my new toy is broken. What a shame, I was really having fun." They mumbled to themselves.

Pitou approached your limp body and pulled you up by the scalp. Staring into your now dull eyes with a frown.

"I wanna do it again. I wanna experience that dream like moment again. Where you were my equal, and you made me question if I was gonna win. I want that again."

They let go and watched as your skull slammed against the ground.

"But you're already dying. No, you might already be dead. It's no fair." They whined.

They continued to stare down at you, wondering what to do with your limp body. The last of your red blood leaving your corpse. Then an idea struck Pitou.

"Yes, I think I'll do just that." They mumbled before dragging your body away by the arm.

----------------

"WHY WOULD YOU JUST LEAVE THEM!!! YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT A FIGHTER!!! YOU KNEW THEY WERE STRUGGLING ENOUGH AS IT WAS!!! SO WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU BASTARD!!!!"

Gon had to hold Killua back from lunging at the silver haired hunter. The anger was something Kite had been expecting. These two loved you dearly, so to leave you behind wounded...He didn't blame Killua for being upset.

And although he wanted to provide the boys with a bit of comfort, he wasn't you. He wasn't a nurturing person. Never had been. The same words coming from you would be blunt and cold coming from him.

But he had to try.

He promised you.

Whereas Killua was furious, Gon was frustrated. He didn't care if this was for their own good. You were injured, and that thing was still there with you. You all should've fought together or die trying to take that ant down.

He said he wouldn't leave anyone behind, and he had failed. He said he wouldn't leave you behind. A feeling of guilt starting to weigh on his shoulders.

"We have to go back for them. You don't leave your friends behind to die. We have to go back." Although you weren't a friend. You were the protector. Family.

Kite couldn't help but notice the way Gon spoke just like you. 'You don't leave your friends to die if you know you can save them.' It was bittersweet in a way.

If Kite hadn't given you pushback that day, maybe things would have turned out different. Maybe he would've been able to stay behind and help you defeat that ant.

But it was too late to change the past.

He could only move forward. He didn't need the boys to like him, but he needed them to understand.

"When you make a promise to your friend, you keep it. We agreed that if you two were in danger, someone would stay behind to make sure you got out okay. And I'm sorry, I really am, that it was Y/n who chose to bear that responsibility."

You'd chosen to fight.

But it seems his explanation wasn't enough for them.

"Liar! They would never just leave us! If you're a coward, then fine! But me and Gon are going back!" Killua pushed past him, anger radiating in waves.

Kite had tried talking to them like kids, like you. Now it was time to talk to them like adults.

"If you go back there right now, you'd be making a selfish decision. They gave up their life for yours, and you wanna waste their sacrifice for your own piece of mind. You'd only end up getting yourselves killed for nothing."

And once again, his words had gone in one ear and out the other.

"They're not dead. Y/n wouldn't die that easily. So don't you ever say that again." Gon warned.

It was like talking to brick walls. But he couldn't really blame them for being in denial. A part of him believed you'd be fine, too. A hope that somehow you'd stumble your way out of the NGL.

For now, he needed contact his team as well as the association. If he was lucky, an extermination team was already on the way.

-------------------

The amateur hunters were beyond believed to see Kite standing before them. He was okay. And as the seven of them reunited, they couldn't help but feel eyes on them.

The boys.

And their expressions looked almost sad.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why. You weren't there. You hadn't come back from inside the NGL. They weren't as fortunate to have their mentor standing before them.

But before any of them could offer words of comfort, one of the three hunters with them decided to speak.

"What the hell is this? Family outing gone wrong?" The one with sunglasses taunted.

The two boys glared him down, silently daring him to say it again. Kite could only offer a drained sigh. Already dreading the conversation to come.

"We were ambushed by one of the queen's royal guards. It had already learned how to use nen. Judging by the power it demonstrated, I'd say it's about as strong as a zodiac." He explained.

The hunter with sunglasses only scowled. But before he could throw in another sarcastic remark, the one in the suit took over.

"People overrate things that they can't understand. And that is a perfectly natural response."

These men were irksome. Already full of themselves despite not even seeing the ant face to face. But if they were the best the association had at the moment, Kite would just have to put up with them.

However, he was surprised when Killua of all people defended him.

"Overrate? You wanna tell that to our big sibling who could hardly hold them back!!!! You wouldn't even last five seconds with that ant, so shut up!" He snapped.

"So you left them behind to fend for themselves like cowards? Just ran away with your tail between your legs? And you call yourselves nen users." The one with sunglasses chastised.

This wasn't good. They were getting nowhere by arguing amongst themselves.

"It wasn't my choice to run away, and the reason why is none of your concern. Our friend is still back there. Their life is more important than petty squabbling. Destroying the nest is more important than standing around yelling about who's right and wrong." Kite scolded.

Today had already been enough without everyone at each other's throats. A level head was needed. It'd be so much easier if Netero stepped in and kept the two hunters in line.

Luckily, they finally seemed to get a grasp of the situation without their ego.

"Fine. Anything we should know about your friend when we find them?" Morel grumbled.

It was a start.

"They were wounded badly before the fight even began, so if they're alive give them immediate medical treatment."

"And if they're dead?"

However horrible it was, all possibilities needed to be considered. There was a high likelihood you didn't make it. It was wise to be realistic instead of hopeful.

".... Bring back the remains for a proper burial.."

But the mention of you being dead had quickly caught Gon's attention.

"They're not dead." His tone was final.

Like he truly believed you'd be okay. And if the opposite happened to be true, then he'd surely break.

"Now that kid's got spirit." Morel praised.

"Their name is Y/n and they've been injured really badly. They've got three gashes on their side, so please find them and bring them back safe."

There was nothing else he or Killua could do. Out of respect for your wishes. Even if it looked like they weren't listening before.

They had.

But they were still hurt.

--------------

Netero's explanation was simple: in order to enter the NGL, the boys would need to get the other halves of their game pieces. They had exactly one month to do so.

The air became tense once the extermination team left. With Gon and Killua standing away from Kite's team. He knew he wasn't on the best of terms with them anymore, but you left their care in his hands. He owed it to you.

So he had no other choice but to stay with them for that month. Maybe longer depending on if you were found. Well, he did have a choice, but it didn't feel right to leave them by themselves.

To navigate this grief alone.

"We'll see you in a month for sure?" Spin questioned.

"Preferably, but it just depends. I'll need you all to keep researching the Chimera Ants in the meantime. Find out everything you can about them. Especially how long it takes the king to hatch after a royal guard has been born. Can you handle that?"

"You can count on us. Be safe, Kite." Banana assured.

"I will."

Now the hard part would truly begin.

He could already feel the hostility radiate from Killua as he approached. And just when he was starting to warm up to him. But it was a valid response.

They were still just kids, after all.

"What do you want? Shouldn't you be leaving with your team, or do you just wanna rub it in our faces more?"

He had your temper, that's for sure.

And he knew the best way to get around it was to have patience. It would be the only way they were going to survive the month.

"I promised Y/n I would take care of you in their place. So that's exactly what I'm going to do. You can be upset, but that doesn't change the fact you need training." It came out harsher than Kite intended it to.

"We don't need your help. I sure as hell don't want it." Killua spat out.

Yet as he realized his choice of words, he froze.

'Language!'

It was like he could hear you. Your scolding. Damnit. He knew you wouldn't have wanted him to be mad at Kite. No, you liked him too much for that. You probably would have said something about focusing on the future, instead of what was in the past.

But he was just too mad to care.

He took a few steps before he was pulled back. He turned around with a scowl. But it was Gon who stopped him.

"Killua, we're not strong enough to do this by ourselves. We can't afford to be stubborn right now. And Y/n chose Kite. They trust him, so you gotta too. Do you think they'd be happy with you being mean to someone they cared about?"

No, no you would not be happy.

It was frustrating.

Killua wanted to hate Kite for leaving you behind, but he just couldn't. He was mad at himself for freezing up. For being too weak in the first place to help.

He knew it wasn't the silver haired hunter's fault, not entirely. For you. He was gonna give him a chance for you.

"Fine, but mess up one time, and you're out." He warned, making sure to point at Kite.

And that was enough. He didn't need the boys to love him the way they did you. Their trust would be enough to get through this.

It was a proper start.

—----------------

The first few days had been awkward. Trying to settle in as well as cope with your absence. The small home they occupied was quiet. Kite not wanting to press any boundaries yet.

He'd give the boys time to recover mentally before moving forward.

They seemed to be feeling better on the fourth day. Opting to search for clues on Morel's pupils instead of sitting in silence. 

They'd run into a woman named Palm that day. Turns out she was the other hunter's pupil: Knov. Her objective was the same as theirs. And even though she was on their side, there was something off putting about her. 

Especially as she absentmindedly continued adding sugar to her coffee while talking.

All three of them silently agreed you would've disliked her. Something foreboding radiating off.

"And I thought Y/n liked sweet things." Gon noted once she left.

"Yeah, she was just eating wet sugar at that point." Killua agreed with a shiver.

The mood had significantly lightened. Conversation flowing easier now that they had something to distract them.

"You know it's not nice to judge a book by its cover." Kite lightly scolded. 

A quirk of the brow from Killua let him know it didn't come out as blunt this time.

"Yeah? Well I am, and the cover's screaming 'Weird Lady Who'll Probably Kill Us In Our Sleep!'"

He had to disguise his laugh with a cough. Gon other hand, was cackling along with the other one. It was the first time they smiled in days. Things wouldn't be as tense now.

They made their way back 'home' after paying for their meals. Well, Kite had payed for them after much protest from the duo. 

"You can't buy my affection, I'm already rich." Killua pouted.

"Yeah, we can afford it so don't worry," Gon agreed.

"Then you'll get the next one. Think of it as a way of making amends."

It was a plausible explanation, but not the full truth. It was just a habit to take care of those around him. It'd become one after looking after the amateur hunters for so long. He didn't mind it.

It wasn't expected of him, but he preferred to either way.

He stopped abruptly in front of the door. Sensing a dark presence inside. Perhaps an ambush from Morel's pupils.

"Something wrong?" Gon asked.

"There's someone inside." Kite warned. 

"What do you mean there's someone inside? Are we being robbed or do you think it's…" Killua started.

"I can't say for certain, but keep your guard up."

But before any of them could move, the door quickly swung open.

"AHHH! WHY ARE YOU IN OUR HOUSE!" Gon screamed, now hiding behind the taller male.

"I thought it would be better if we stayed together. We'd have a better chance of killing Morel's pupils this way." Palm explained.

"So you just broke in!?!" Killua accused.

"You weren't here, so I decided to let myself in."

Alarm bells were ringing. She really thought what she did was justified. 

"Hey, substitute sibling, do something about the scary lady." Killua whispered, tugging on the sleeve of Kite's shirt.

Now the Y/n response would have been to tell her off and send her away. You always did have a knack for getting people to listen to you when you were mad.

However, Kite wasn't confrontational by nature. He wasn't a fan of the effort it took to argue. And at this point, it might've been a good idea to take all the help they could get. Still, it was wise to be cautious around Palm.

"You'll be staying with us for the month?" He asked.

"But of course, we are teammates after all. Though I have to warn you, I might not be so pleasant by the end of the month. You are positive they'll be able to kill Morel's pupils, right?" 

He didn't like the way her aura darkened. This woman was unstable. No wonder her mentor left her behind.

"Just don't get in the way and they'll be fine."

The boys spared him nervous glances, not exactly thrilled to be sharing a space with Palm. The more on edge they were, the harder it'd be to get them to focus on training. 

The objective just became even more difficult.

—----------------------

The first week of training had gone about as well as Kite thought it would. The boys had potential, they just needed the experience to go with it. Challenging them to a fight only further proved it.

Gon was too reckless, relying too much on his Jan-Ken instead of focusing on his surroundings. The amount of time it took to charge up left him wide open for attacks. It also used a lot of nen to start up. Energy he could've been using for other attacks.

Killua, on the other hand, was too cautious. Hesitating everytime he made a move to strike. Staying purely on the offense to try and read Kite's movements. But it wouldn't make a difference if he kept to the sidelines. Waiting for an opening instead of making one. 

There was a lot of work to be done if they even had a hope of beating Morel's pupils. But it wasn't just their strength they needed to work on. It was also their minds. They were too distracted. Auras weighed down by grief.

They missed you, but they wouldn't get anywhere by worrying about 'what if's.'

The second week had been a bit easier, with both boys making corrections to the way they fought. However, there was still something a bit off with the small assassin. 

While he was getting faster, he was still incredibly hesitant. Going in for a hit and backing away last second. It was during one of 'these attacks' that Kite noticed something.

There was a malicious aura near his forehead. Something dark with a feeling of bloodlust. Was there something planted inside of his head? Who would do something so cruel to a kid?

"Time out!" He called, making sure to unsummon his Crazy Slots.

"What? Did you hurt your hip or something, old man?" Killua teased. 

It was one of the many remarks Kite chose to ignore. Though this one was in more good faith than the previous ones. He gestured to the center of Killua's forehead.

"There's something there. Did your family put a tracker on you by any chance?" Because that was the only plausible explanation for what it could be. It was the only thing Kite could fathom being the reason.

But as Killua's face dropped and he started frantically scratching at his head, he realized it was much more than that. 

Fingers digging into flesh as a needle was slowly pulled out. His first instinct was to try and patch up the new wound. His second was to ask just what the hell that was. What did it do?

"Damn, he really got me," Killua mumbled.

"Don't tell me that's Illumi's?" Gon asked, eyeing the bloodied needle.

"It is. That's why I haven't been able to fight properly. I kept hearing his voice telling me to run away." 

So he knew the person that did this. Kite didn't know if that made it better or worse.

"If you don't mind me asking, who is Illumi?" He questioned.

"My big brother. Y/n would have hated him."

Definitely worse. What kind of monster would implant a needle into their little sibling's head? And why was Killua acting like it was normal? What other cruel things had he gone through to be this desensitized?

Maybe he understood your protectiveness a bit more.

"Hey, don't tell them about this when they get back, okay? I don't wanna stress them out." Killua added.

It was always a matter of 'when' with you. Not 'if.' Because for whatever reason, they refused to consider the possibility of you dying. And maybe Kite started to believe it too. It made things a little easier to pretend you were still okay.

It made moving forward easier.

And unbeknownst to him, that was the moment Killua gave him his full trust. No longer bitter towards him for leaving you. He was finally able to accept that it was your decision to stay. That Kite would be a good match for you.

He already put up with all of his tantrums, after all. Giving nothing but patience. And Killua appreciated it.

He already knew Gon forgave him long ago. How even though he was upset, was still grateful Kite stuck around.

He may not have been you, but he was doing a great job so far.

Kite had called it a day, telling the boys to get cleaned up before dinner. Although he wasn't too fond of Palm's presence, he was thankful she offered to make them food after training. His thoughts couldn't help but drift to you now that he was alone.

Did you ever cook?

It was embarrassing to think about you that way. Your affection for each other was mutual, but it didn't have a chance to go any further than that. So why? Why was he starting to wonder what it would be like to have you as a partner? To be able to explore these feelings.

It was best to push those thoughts down for now. Not to get his hopes up.

He hardly noticed when Plam approached him, her voice slightly startling the silver haired hunter.

"I do hope I'm not rude for saying this, but I'll let you decide how to train them." She started.

"However, if after a month we determine it would be impossible for them to defeat Morel's pupils, I sincerely doubt that I would be able to restrain myself."

At that Kite tensed up. Sensing her aura get darker by the second.

"What do you mean by that?" He was a bit worried about her answer. Especially since she'd given the same warning at the start of the boys' training.

"I must go to the NGL. I want to go right now in fact. If I'm forced to wait and wait and wait and then I don't get to go...Then I may end up killing you all." 

He quickly unleashed a protective aura.

"You won't lay a hand on those boys." Up until this point, he thought Killua's joke was just that. An exaggeration. He didn't really think Palm would act out on violent intentions.

But that was proven to be wrong. If she tried anything, he wouldn't hesitate to put a stop to it. Their safety was priority number one. 

No matter what, nothing would happen to those boys.

"I don't want to hurt them, which is why they should give up sooner rather than later. My rage won't be as bad as it would be then." Palm explained.

"They'll win, and even if they don't, you won't do a thing to them. Not on my watch." He sent her a small glare, singling the end of the conversation.

Palm didn't push any further.

Dinner was an experience that night. It started off with an innocent request from Gon that soon turned into chaos.

"Hey Kite. When we get Y/n back, is it okay with you if we spend the first day with them?" He looked a little embarrassed to be asking.

It made sense. The boys missed you like crazy. Who was he to deny them of catching up with you? Still it was odd Gon was asking for his permission.

"I don't see why not…Why do you ask?"

Nothing could have prepared him for his next choice of words.

"Well, I know you two really care about each other. And Y/n really likes being around you. So I wanted to make sure we'd get to spend a little time with them, too."

Kite sputtered over a response, not expecting the boys to have been so observant of your actions.

"Look, we're not even-" But Killua cut him off with mischief littering his aura.

"That reminds me! We gotta set some ground rules if you're gonna be dating our big sibling."

Kite's face went even redder. The last thing he wanted was to discuss your relationship with a bunch of kids. And you weren't even dating! 

"Please don't."

But did they listen to his plea? No. 

"No kissing or hand holding. None. I'll bite you if I see it."

"And no flirting with other women or men! If you make them sad I'll bite you." Gon added.

There had to be a way out of this conversation.

"I think my team's calling me." He tried to get up and leave, but was once again stopped by the sound of Killua's voice.

"Hey! We're not done talking to you! No stealing them away from us when we wanna spend time with them! You'll have to go somewhere else!"

Yeah maybe he understood why you called them demons so much. They were a bit more lively than he was used to handling. More persistent too.

But he couldn't deny enjoying their company.

He could see why you cherished your little family so much. 

"Dad! Don't leave!" Gon whined before slapping a hand to his mouth. 

Oops. He hadn't meant to say that. It was an honest accident. But Kite really was the closest thing he ever had to a father. He felt it more than ever this past month with the way Kite was taking care of them. 

Stern, yet caring.

Very different from the way you treated them, yet very similar. So while he hadn't meant to call him that, a small part of him felt that way.

Yet Killua's immediate teasing didn't help ease his embarrassment.

"You gonna stop looking for Ging now?"

He'd just barley missed the way Kite's eyes softened at the word.

---------------

They'd won.

They'd actually won and defeated Knuckle and Shoot. Both boys being completely exhausted from the ordeal. But they'd be damned if they weren't the ones to go into the NGL and get you back.

Seems even Netero was surprised by outcome.

Nevertheless, a deal was a deal.

By morning, Kite and the boys, along with Palm, were on their way back to the entrance. Meeting up with the rest of the extermination team before heading towards the nest.

The floors were empty, the ants having already evacuated. The King must've already hatched. They were too late to stop his birth. 

The various 'rooms' in the nest were vacant. Except one, which caught the attention of the boy in green.

"Guys!" He called out. 

The others entered the room, disgust quickly overtaking their expressions.

In that room must've been hundreds of giant meatballs. To the side of them were mountains of clothing and various accessories. Meaning those things…They were made of humans.

Killua picked one of the balls of meat up, inspecting it with a frown on his face. These poor people.

Gon approached the pile of clothes and froze. He picked up one singular article of clothing, catching Kite and Killua's attention.

This was your shirt. The one you'd been wearing throughout the expedition into the NGL. Soaked through with blood. And was that-

Your shoe.

Just one. Because you had thrown off the other one when you crushed that ant's skull. 

But surely it was just a coincidence. And they would've believed that had Kite not picked up what looked like his hat.

The one he gave you when you'd gotten upset with him that night. 

You'd been here.

"Y/n??" Gon cried in disbelief.

"Oh god, no please! Y/n!" Killua shouted, grasping desperately at Gon for support.

Was one of these balls of human flesh you?

Just like that you'd been killed and fed to the queen? Leaving not even your body for them to find. Just the remains of your clothes. 

And what about if you were still in this room? What could they do if they didn't even know which one was you?

All this time fighting.

All this time spent getting stronger.

And what was it all for if you were already dead?

"I'm so sorry boys." It was the only thing Kite could think of to say. Too shocked to properly give them any comfort. Because he'd believed you were alive too.

He figured if you died, there would at least be remains to bring back. Or maybe it would have been better if they found nothing at all. Because this...

Seeing what the ants did to humans to prepare them for the queen's consumption.... Horrific was the only way to describe it. 

This was your fate.

He should have stayed.

He should have gotten you out of there.

He should have tried to fight with you.

You didn't deserve this.

And the ant that did this to you would pay.

---------------------

They spent another two months training. The boys inconsolable after finding out what happened to you. The only thing keeping them going was the thought of defeating the ant that killed you. 

And once again Kite had stayed. Sharing their ambition, but not wanting them to be consumed by it. Killing that thing wouldn't bring you back.

It might help them feel better, but you wouldn't have wanted them to dirty their hands with revenge.

Yet their resolve grew along with their strength. Preparing to enter East Gorteu and finish off the Chimera ants once and for all.

—-------------------

Knuckle and Meleoron were fighting with Youpi. Morel was distracting Pouf. And Netero just left with the king. Meaning Pitou was by themselves. The cat ant responsible for your death.

"Keep your guards up, and don't let your emotions get the best of you. The ant will use that as an opening to end your life. Got it?" Kite instructed.

Both boys nodded before starting to approach the turret's entrance.

But something was off. It was eerily quiet. The night still…until a being jumped down from the top of the tower.

All three of them immediately jumping back as the debris cleared. It was another ant. This one dressed head to toe in armor. It produced a strong Ren, yet it wasn't malicious. 

"Go any further than that and I'll stop you. I would prefer not to end children's lives, so run on home." It spoke.

And although the voice was muffled, something about it was familiar.

"We're not going anywhere, so get out of our way!" Gon shouted before lunging forward with a punch.

The ant easily dodged it, jumping to the side from another attack by Killua. 

"You two should've waited," Kite scolded before summoning Crazy Slots.

"TWO!"

Kite glared as his scythe appeared.

"Damn, not a good spin." 

But before he could use Silent Waltz, the ant jumped on top of the gigantic blade and kicked him square in the jaw.

They were fast.

He skidded a few feet before charging forward. The boys following suit, yet this thing was very skilled.

Ducking away from a slash and skittering back from one of Killua's lightning-based attacks. Grabbing both of Gon's hands and throwing him across the bridge.

"We'll never get past this thing!" Killua shouted, glaring the armored ant down.

Kite couldn't help but notice something about this enemy.

It didn't make a move to attack them from a distance. It stood guarded, yet still as Gon approached once again. And when he passed a certain point, then and only then did the ant strike.

But not with the intent to injure him. 

Just keep him back.

It was protecting something. Pitou perhaps? If they could just distract it long enough…

"Boys, you know when to jump, correct?" 

"You have an idea?" Gon asked after getting tossed back for the fifth time.

"Yeah, just be ready." 

With that, Kite brought his scythe back, preparing to swing it. And just like last time, a heavy fog rolled in. But the ant didn't seem fazed. 

Almost like it could see through it.

Kite took a few steps forward before letting his scythe slash through the air. A cyclone of wind encompassed him. 

But it dispersed before it could do any damage. The ant making one swipe with their arm. The power from it canceling out his attack.

"That won't work on me!" It shouted.

"But this will! Jan-Ken-Rock!" 

A fist coated in a fiery nen made contact with its helmet, knocking it off. The ant tumbled to the side, not expecting Gon's punch. However, that wasn't enough to keep it down.

It got up with a scowl, and as they got a good look at its face, their hearts dropped.

"No…It can't be." Kite whispered.

"You-You-Why are you here!?!? We thought-!" Killua had to stop himself. Unbelieving of what he was seeing.

"Y/n!?! You're okay!?!?" Gon exclaimed. His being lighting up with relief, but before he could approach you, Kite stopped him.

"That's not Y/n."

Because even though it had your eyes, your tired eyes with familiar circles under them…Even though it had your face…. Even though it had your voice…. Even though it had your speed…

This thing was not you.

It couldn't have been.

You would never fight the boys. You never would've attacked them. You would've rather died than hurt them.

The fox-like ears on the side of your head were a telltale sign that even if it was you, you were a chimera ant now. Your purpose was to serve the king.

So for the sake of keeping his sanity, this thing was not you.

"Y/n, c'mon! Why are you fighting us!?! Why didn't you try to get away!?!" It was Killua who was pleading with you now.

But you didn't react. 

You didn't move an inch until the boys tried getting closer to you.

"I already told you not to come any closer. If you do, I'll have no choice but to kill you."

Your words felt like daggers.

You never would have threatened them.

"Don't you remember us!?!? You're supposed to be the big sibling and we're your little brothers! Stop pretending, Y/n!" Gon pleaded.

You gave an uninterested stare. Blank and emotionless.

"Why do you keep saying that name? Was that perhaps related to my human life? I'm sorry to tell you the person you speak of no longer exists. I am simply known as The Knight." 

It was your voice, but it didn't sound like you. 

"What did they do to you!?!? The Y/n I know never would have allowed these things to brainwash them, so what happened!?! Be mad at us! Something! Just stop acting like you don't know us!" By this point Killua was sobbing. Gon crying with him.

And the more you just stood there, the more they broke. They expected everything except this. Except seeing you face to face.

"Boys, stand down." Kite ordered.

He told them not to let their emotions get the better of them. He warned them to be prepared for anything. And if they couldn't fight something that looked like you, then bringing them here was a bad idea.

They just couldn't handle it. 

The both of them backed away from you hesitantly. Wishing for a way to get you to remember. 

"I'll distract them. You two need to be able to get past them. Pitou is definitely inside. If you can manage that, you'll be fine. If you can't, go home while you still have a chance."

The duo nodded begrudgingly. Wiping away their tears before preparing to run.

Kite lifted up his Scythe once more, eyes piercing through your own. He watched you prepare to attack, no longer defending.

Your familiar aura radiating off. 

But it wasn't you.

This wasn't you.

And even if it was, he had to do this. He couldn't afford to hesitate. He couldn't-

"I think I like you…Is that bad?"

He froze mid swing, giving you the opportunity to swipe his legs. Your hand poised to pierce his throat. Of all times to hesitate, it had to be the one where you intended to kill.

Time seemed to slow.

Seconds feeling like hours as the boys ran past before stopping. Turning around and watching as your hand inched closer and closer to Kite's throat.

He prepared himself for the pain, yet nothing came. He glanced up at you confused. And to his surprise, your expression matched his.

"Huh. That's strange. My body won't let me kill you." Your hand shook, fighting with yourself to move. Yet for some reason it didn't.

"Tell me, what kind of trickery did you use to stop me?"

And it was at that moment Kite realized even if you didn't remember, your body did. Your body knew him. It was why you never really hurt the boys when they were fighting you. He wanted to fight off the hope it gave him.

To kill you while you were distracted, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Because somewhere inside, you do remember. No matter what the ants did to you." 

The ears on your head flickered for a second. Your expression thoughtful. The hand ready to kill him being set down for the time being.

"What was I to you then?" 

Not what were you. Not who did you used to be. But what were you to them. To the boys, you'd been their big sibling. Family. To Kite, you'd almost been a lover. But undoubtedly, you'd been important to all three of them.

"Our friend...We were almost more than that."

You backed away completely. 

"Then I'll give you one more chance to turn back. I won't stop next time." 

All the hope gone in one full swing.

You were gone.

"Hahaha! Aww, did we break apart your family!" A voice laughed out. One that you tensed up at. Immediately kneeling on the floor.

"Lord Pouf." You addressed. 

The butterfly ant was much smaller than he'd been previously. Using his ability to split off into clones. He fluttered from above, cackling at the events that just transpired.

Kite glared at him while Gon and Killua prepared to kill him. Their current objective on hold. 

How dare this thing.

"Did I strike a nerve? Don't you three get it? No matter what you say or do, they'll never remember! We altered their brain to get rid of any memories they might've retained in their past life! It truly is a fool's game at this point!" Pouf explained with a wide smile.

But he really should have kept his mouth shut.

"You altered their brain?" Gon asked slowly. The darkness hidden away in his aura rising to the surface.

"It's your fault they're like this?" Killua added. His own anger leaking out.

This.....this was you.

And the ants had done something to your brain. The faint line of stitching across your forehead clued them in enough on what they had done.

All at once, three furious nens spiked. Consuming the entire top of the palace.

"Can you two promise me something?" Kite started. His voice eerily calm.

"If I'm able to restrain Y/n, promise me you'll take care of the royal guards. All of them."

"I'll take the cat," Gon said, crackling his knuckles as he stepped forward.

"And I'll take the butterfly. The real him." Killua wasted no time powering up to God Speed.

These ants really shouldn't have messed with you.

------------------------------------------------------------

MASTERLIST

Tags: @fandomhoe101 @justxiao @bekataylorgriggs

--------------------------------------

An: Nothing but fluff for the halloween special. Y'all deserve it after this one 💀💀💀

#hxh #hunter x hunter #hxh x reader #hunter x hunter x reader #hxh x y/n #hunter x hunter x y/n #gon x reader #killua x reader #mayhaps a kite x reader??? #big sib reader #older reader #found family #x reader #platonic

[cozage]

Hi!! Can I request how they would behave with a shy s/o that didn't confess yet because of that and doesn't plan to do? They'll need to find out.

For Beckman, Lucci and Crocodile (If you can't do some of them it's fine!)

Thank you!! I love how you portrait OP boys!!

A/N: I can indulge you with Beckman, anon, but I have failed miserably in trying to connect with Lucci and Crocodile. Forgive me!!! Also I need to note that I am only at Wano Country arc. I know all these men show up briefly after Wano but I’m not there yet so maybe I’ll be able to revisit this with a more accurate description after I get caught up on the manga?

Characters: gn reader x Beckman

Cw:  bar scene, alcohol mention, little bit of angst

Total word count: 2k

A Life of Adventure

The Red-haired pirates had been coming to the bar you had worked at for about a month now, and every time Benn Beckman walked in through that door, your heart fluttered a bit. He sauntered over to the seat directly in front of you and sat down.

“The usual?” You asked, already pulling out a glass and filling it with top shelf whiskey. 

“You know me so well, and we’ve only just met.” He smirked at you from across the bar. “Are you stalking me?”

It was the same banter you two exchanged every night, and every night it made you blush. The pirates sat scattered throughout the bar, but Beckman always sat in front of wherever you were making drinks.  

You all had become quite close with each other in that time. Your eight-hour shifts ended frequently with you and Beckman strolling around the town, stargazing or night fishing. He always had some new adventure to show you, and you never wanted to turn him down. You had to admit, the pirate life seemed nice; you understood why he was a part of it. He managed to find and show you parts of the island you didn’t even know existed, even after living here for your entire life. You couldn’t wait to see what adventure he’d take you on today, tomorrow, and every other day they were here to shake up your life in your tiny island town.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning,” Beckman said, breaking your thoughts.

“Leaving?” His words shocked you, and the glass in your hand dropped to the ground, shattering on impact. You stared at him with your mouth open, trying to process his words.

He just nodded, swirling the whiskey in his cup and then downing it all in one swig. He slid it back across the bar to you, and you reached out to grab it before it fell to the floor with the other glass. 

You quickly filled his glass and set it back down in front of him, and then excused yourself to search for a broom.

As soon as you got to the back room, you could feel the tears starting to form in your eyes, and you blinked them away, fanning your eyes to keep them dry. You took a few deep breaths, trying to steady yourself, and then grabbed a broom and went to clean up the mess. 

You weren’t delusional. You knew pirates didn’t stay in one place forever. Being a pirate meant that they were free to go wherever they chose, and Beckman probably wouldn’t even remember your name in three months. They’d move on to another island and he would find another bartender to be friendly with, just like he had with you, and just like he probably had hundreds of times before. 

“Y/N?” It was Beckman, and he was peering over the counter to find you. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah Beck, I’m fine. Just a bit clumsy.” You swept up the glass quickly and stood to face him, trying to push down your sadness. 

He smiled at you, and you thought for a second you saw some sadness in his eyes, but then he laughed. Whatever emotion you thought you had seen was gone now, most likely a manifestation of your own feelings.

“Think you can get off early tonight? I have a little adventure I want to take you on.”

You wanted to go; you really did. But the bar was packed tonight, and you couldn’t leave your coworkers short staffed. Plus, a small part of you knew if you went, his absence tomorrow would only hurt more.

You shook your head. “Sorry, not tonight. We’re already short-staffed as it is.”

“Not even for my last night?” You tried not to flinch at his words. His eyes watched you carefully, watching you while he took a sip of the whiskey in front of him.

You hesitated, looking around again. The bar was lively now, but it might calm down as the night went on. “Ask me in a few hours, mmkay?”

--

“It’s been a few hours,” the voice sang from your favorite seat in the bar, and you glanced over at the man you had slowly fallen for over the past few weeks as he spoke.

You had to admit, you were a little angry he had given you such short notice on his departure. If you had known it would be his last night, you would’ve taken off, maybe you would’ve been bold and asked him on a date. Something. Anything. You wanted to spend the whole evening with him, hopping fences and jumping streams to find the best view on the island like you had been the past few nights. You wanted one last adventure with him before he left.

But tonight was too busy for even a casual conversation with him. You zipped around the bar, pouring drinks and serving food to patrons who never stopped drinking and eating. You coworkers had tried to pick up a few of your tables when they realized your situation, but it still wasn’t enough for you to take a seat and talk with Beckman, let alone leave the building with him.

You gave him a regretful look and a sad smile and shook your head at him. “Sorry, Beck. We’re just too busy tonight.”

He nodded and turned his gaze down to his drink. He’d wait as long as he needed to have one last fleeting moment with you.

--

Beckman had met many people in his travels with the Red-Haired Pirates, and he had flirted with just about every single one of them. But you were different. You made him want to stay, or at least take you with him.

A strong arm wrapped around his neck, and his captain leaned into him “So, what are you going to do?”

Beckman sighed. “I’m sticking around for a bit longer, but you guys go ahead. I’ll be there tomorrow at first light.”

Shanks laughed loudly, his voice echoing around the bar. Beckman’s eyes glanced to you, but you were preoccupied with another customer.

“That’s not what I mean, Beckman. I mean what are you going to do about that?” Shank’s eyes slid over to you as well, and Beckman felt his stomach knot a little.

“What about it?”

“Don’t worry, I give you my blessing, you know.” Beckman could see Shank’s eyes still on you, and he was grinning mischievously, as if the captain knew something he didn’t.

Beckman was getting irritated by his captain’s riddle. “Give your blessing on what?”

“Whatever you want to do.”

“Captain-”

“Ask them to join. Or offer to stay. Whichever you want.”

Beckman’s face must’ve been a sight to behold, because Shanks began laughing again. This time, you glanced over to see what the ruckus was, and caught Beckman’s eye. You smiled and gave a small wave, and his face began to feel warm again.

“Come on, Beckman,” Shanks voice was now low in his ear as they both watched you. “I can tell you’re head over heels for that one. And Y/N is head over heels for you too. So just ask them to join us. Or stay here.”

Shanks sighed, pulling away from his first mate. “I’d prefer the first one, personally. I’d love to have another crew member, and I definitely don’t want to lose you. But the decision is yours.” And with those final words, the red-haired captain left Beckman alone with his thoughts and the opportunity to keep you close to him for a while longer.

--

He stayed until the bar closed down, and then waited outside for you while you cleaned up.

“Go! We’ll be fine!” Your coworkers called, pushing you out the door. There was still a lot of closing tasks to do, but they were insistent they didn’t need your help. So you gathered your things, and took a deep breath before you opened the door into the cool night.

He was there, leaning against the side of the building, waiting for you like he promised. When he heard the door open, his head tilted up, and that smile you had grown so familiar with appeared on his face.

“I hate that your last night on the island was spent waiting for me to get off,” you apologize to him, but he waves it off.  

“It’s no big deal. Come on, I’ve got a place to show you.”

You follow him through back streets and into the forest. You all don’t speak; you preferred the silence of the night while you all moved silently through the trees. After a few minutes of walking, you arrived at a small clearing. There was a lake on the far side, and the stars shone brilliantly overhead.

You had been here before, the two of you had found it on one of the first nights you had gone out exploring, but you hadn’t stopped long to enjoy it. Now though, you’re realizing you passed up an amazing view in search of a better one.

The two of you sat by the lake, and you listen to his stories of his adventures on the Grand Line. You tell him stories too, about your quiet and relatively uneventful life on the island. It’s amazing how you both can exist in the same part of the world and have such different experiences. You envied him, and you wondered if he envied you in any way.

“Are you happy here?” Beckman asks, and the question takes you by surprise. You turn to look at him, but he’s staring at the small fish that are swimming lazily at the lake’s edge.

“As happy as I can be.” That answer feels right to you. It’s not exactly the truth, but it’s not a lie either.

Beckman nods, and it’s silent for a while. You can see the night sky begin to lighten, and you realize the sun is starting to rise.

His voice comes again just as the sun starts to peek over the horizon. “Could you be happier? If you were somewhere else?”

Now is the time for you to tell him. All of the alarms are going off inside your head. Confess to him. Admit how much you long for an adventure. Tell him how exciting your life has been these past few weeks, how you desperately don’t want this to end. Beg him to stay, or ask him to take you with him.

But you can’t bring those words to form in your mouth. “Probably.” You curse yourself for such a simple and vague answer.

You risk a glance over at him, and you can see he’s still focused on the sunrise. Ships always leave at first light. He’s going to be late back to his crew, but he doesn’t appear to be concerned.

“Do you want to come with us?”

“Yes.” The words are out of your mouth before you even realize what he’s asking.

“Really?” He asks, not sure if he heard you correctly. He looks over at you, shocked by your immediate answer, and you blush deeply.

“Yes! Yes, Benn Beckman! Take me with you!”

His lips spread into a grin, and he stands quickly. His hand reaches down to take yours, and as you stand, he doesn’t let go. He pulls you along, back through the woods, through the town, and to the docks, never letting go of your hand until you reach the Red-Hair’s ship.

“Shall we?” He gestures to the plank that leads up to the deck, looking only at you. “Adventure awaits.”

#one piece #one piece imagine #one piece scenario #one piece x you #one piece x reader #benn beckman #red haired pirates #beckman x you #beckman x reader #beckman x y/n #✧˚beckman✧˚

[comicallylargemango]

I'm back from da dead!!!! (I never had alot of followers anyway) anyway have a garou x reader songfic. Okay BYEIEY ‼️‼️‼️

Pairing: Garou[OPM] X Reader

Type: songfic, Fluff

Warning: KISSING YUCKIE EWIE POOWIE/J angst, stealing, swearing,

I wanna be your boyfriend,

I wanna be your boyfriend,

I wanna be your boyfriend,

I wanna be your boyfriend,

For as long as garou could remember, he liked you, Alot. When it happened, he couldn't quite remember that. Whether it was when you defended him when Tacchan forced him to play monster again.

Or when you completely supported his decision to drop out of school to join a dojo, going as far as to cheer him on during his fights and visit him, and bring him lunch everyday.

-Ooh I'm inlove, it's a mystery.

He pushed you and his feelings away, but that never stopped you from ever so slowly making his way through his labyrinth of a heart.

He didn't understand why you'd stay with him, after all he did nothing but push you away and call you mean names, and say things he didn't mean.

-When I see you out at night, I start to get di-i-izzy.

When he saw you approaching, no screw that, when he saw you practically running towards him with a medkit it hand in the dead of night. He nearly felt his heart stop.

As you tenderly cleaned and stitched up his wounds he could slowly feel the after effects of the fight hitting him, but all he could think about was your hands ever so gently fixing him up, despite him already being a well known monster.

-Before I see you I pick out some things to say,

He didn't know why, why he'd put on a mean and harsh facade. All he wanted to do was shower you in all the affections he felt, to repay you for all you had done for him.

But he was already in too deep, afraid you'd somehow find out about his feelings and actually leave him. He said it all the time but he never actually wanted you to leave.

-don't wanna sound foolish and waste my chance away.

Garou always wanted to impress you, whether he knew it or not. He never shouted snarky and witty remarks during his duels. but when you were watching, suddenly he was this incredible capable and confident. Throwing witty and teasing remarks everywhere.

This habit even carried on through his hero hunter arc. He told himself it was just the adrenaline rush and his pride getting to his brain, but deep down he knew it was because of you.

-Oh, I'm not gonna make the same mistake, I'm not gonna ru-u-un.

Back then, one day. You were getting picked on by tacchan's girlfriends. All because you were defending him, he couldn't take it. No, he couldn't allow it.

He ran Infront of you and screamed profanities at the poor girl, she slowly stepped back shocked and eyes threatening to spill tears. He knew he'd get in trouble, he knew it wouldn't stop. But he couldn't give a fuck at that moment, he was seeing red. No one talks to you that way. After all, you did nothing wrong.

-Just pick the boy you like.

Due to being at the dojo so frequently, you'd gained popularity quickly, being the only girl there and all. All the other students immediately swarmed you after hearing you announced your arrival.

"Garou! I'm here!" You screamed his name, holding his lunch in hand. Just hearing his name come from you was music to his ears.

But before he could even reply everyone was already surrounding you, asking what you brought and making remarks such as "Garou is so lucky, you're way outta his league." Now that was more like utensils scraping across the plate.

- I've got my hopes up..!

But despite all that, he still hoped you felt the same.

I wanna be your boyfriend,

-I wanna be your boyfriend,

Once during third grade, he had an assignment to write whatever he wanted to be when he grew up. He didn't know, until he saw your face. He knew that..

He wanted to be with you, monster or not.

I wanna go on walks with you,

- I wanna have long talks with you,

Despite him knowing you could handle whatever you needed to do yourself, he still insisted on walking you home. he wanted to talk to you, listen to your voice, get lost in thought admiring your face. He was content with this surreal moment, content with e calm bliss you two were surrounded in.

You can be my girlfriend.!

-You can be my girlfriend.!

He wrote a ton of letters for you, most, actually no, all of them never to see the light of day again. He never deemed them good enough for you, whether it was his ugly handwriting, or it being too cheesy, too long, too short, too bland, too passionate. Or because he never finished it. Writing was never his strong suit. But for you he'd do anything.

I'll compliment you frequently,

-I wanna treat you decently,

He'd be lying if he said he never fantasized about telling you how he felt, showering you in sweet compliments, looking at your flushed face.

He'd also be lying if he said he never wanted to repay you, since he never asked you to. Is what he told himself. All he wanted to do put his hand on the small of your back to guide you through the fancy restaurant he asked you out on a date to.

La-La-La-La-La-La

La-La-La-La-La-La

La-La-La-La-La-La

-La-La-La-La-La-La

He woke up from his little daydream when you promptly waved your hand in front of his face.

"hellooow? Garouuuu?" He didn't even realise you were finished tending to his wounds during his day dream.

"What?" He replied coldly, though all he wanted to do was treat you with all the warmth of the sun tenfold.

"I saaiid, watcha thinkin about?" You leaned in closer to his face, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You were staring, too."

"ion know what you're on about." He looked away, embarrassed about being caught.

You merely smirked teasingly, as you ruffled his hair. A habit you have had ever since he let you touch his hair.

"my little tsundere."

Ooh you're the man, it's impossible.

When I see you out at night, all the guys are -crowded around.

He had a rose in hand, making sure his usually unruly hair was kept in place, making sure he looked presentable for you. Once he even let one hint about his secret crush on you while talking to bang, he immediately pressured Garou to confess. Even going as far as to slick his hair back and putting garou in a little tuxedo with a rose and a note.

If he said he felt confident, that was a lie. He was a nervous wreck. Hands clammy and sweaty around the thornless rose. Any ounce of confidence was buried deep underground as soon as he saw you surrounded by men ten times more handsome and charismatic than him. He sighed in defeat and let his head hang in sadness.

They're tellin you the same things that I plan to say.

- I thought I was unique, maybe I'm not that way.

He watched as they showered you in compliments the same way he wanted to do, he thought everyone was different, including himself. But after seeing people better dressed than him, he knew it wasn't the case. As he dejectedly made his way back to bangs dojo.

Unaware to your voice calling for him in the crowd.

I wanna be your boyfriend,

I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend!

I wanna be your boyfriend,

-I wanna be your boyfriend.

This incident only gave him more of a reason to train harder, to set himself apart from other people just so he could stand a chance. Bang noticed this, sighing to himself as he saw you and Garou talking. He even noticed the lovesick smile you gave him, it was so obvious he couldn't help but smile to himself. But he wouldn't say anything about it yet, since it did give Garou more willingness to train.

I wanna go on walks with you,

I wanna have long talks with you.

I'll compliment you frequently.

-I wanna treat you decently.

Garou was getting braver each day, flirty remarks flying left and right and over your head. His eyes lingered on your lips longer than usual, if he wasn't being obvious before he sure was now.

Soon enough he had to fight the overwhelming urge to cup your cheeks and grope your ass kiss you, Whenever he was with you.

You can be my girlfriend!

-You can be my girlfriend!

Garou knew it wouldn't last forever, he was the hero hunter after all. You'd have to leave whether he liked it or not, for your own safety.

But it seemed like all you wanted to do was defy the inevitable. No matter how much danger you put yourself in by acquainting yourself with him, you never left.

If you were so willing to stay, why not just go for it..?

-La-La-La-La-La-La.

He went out at the Asscrack of dawn looking for something to get you. He walked through the (now empty) street, most people hiding in alleyways to avoid his wrath. Not like he'd attack them, they weren't even heroes.

That was when he saw an unsuspecting victim, walking out of the jewelry store with a pretty little box wrapped in a ribbon in your favourite colour. He knew he couldn't afford it, hell he was just mooching off of you, so he resorted to the next best thing.

Steal it.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Garou ran as fast as he could, trying to lose the police in a maze of alleyways. With a smug smirk on his face as he held the box in his hand. Looking back to check if the police were still chasing him. They were not.

He leaned against the wall catching his breath as he examined the contents of the box. A neat silver locket, he smiled at the thought of you putting a picture of him and you inside. He woke back up to reality when he heard the shouting and the footsteps of the cops.

La-La-La-La-La-La.

"Garou?" You asked worriedly, seeing his panting and sweaty form. When he finally regained composure, he managed to form a sentence between panting.

"I- hah- got this f- houh for you.." he smiled proudly, holding out the box.

Your eyes widened, the tips of your ears turning a satisfying shade of pink. He felt his ego grow at your dazed expression, he couldn't help but fall a little bit more in love with you.

"i- you shouldn't have." You smiled when you found out what was in the box, you looked back at him to see his chest puffed out proudly. The sight was so endearing you couldn't help but chuckle.

La-La-La-La-La-La.

"hah- so- wha-ddya think?" He wheezed out.

"it's... Beautiful, thanks, Garou." You felt your cheeks getting warmer.

"i- have somethin- ta ask ya." He finally- fully regained composure. Somehow Even more sweaty than before, he felt the warmth creeping up his neck and onto his cheeks.

Your expression mirrored his own, as you let your mind think of all the possibilities.

Garou looked away bashfully, even more red as he tried to find the courage to speak.

La-La-La-La-La-La .

Garou finally opened his mouth to speak, but barely anything came out, "i-i" his mind ran blank when he finally looked back at you, your flushed expression making his heart beat faster.

"I wanted to say..?" His statement sounding more like a question. You looked at him expectantly.

"that you like me?" You finished for him, the shocked look on his face was priceless. His face even redder.

"I-" he stammered. "Yes..." Suddenly the ground seemed intriguing as he averted his gaze to it. Before you could even add a remark on his adorable behaviour, you felt a pair of hands at your waist, pulling you closer to garou.

You were too tongue tied at the sudden display of affection, you could barely hear his question above a whisper.

"so.. what do you think..?" He looked at your face anxiously looking for any sign you might feel the same. The nervousness only growing when you didn't answer.

He was about to let go of your waist when he suddenly felt hands cupping his cheeks and tilting his head ever so slightly, pulling him closer and closer to your face.

Eyes closed while his was wide open in shock, when he felt your lips against his he nearly melted, he gulped before fully reciprocating the kiss. Soon his hands pulled even closer, chest touching and heart full.

The kiss wasn't passionate or rough, it was gentle and loving, he wanted to go straight into rough and breathless but he didn't want to scare you away.

After what felt like hours that were only minutes. you pulled away, watching as he leaned in closer as if to chase your lips. He pouted, you laughed through your nose at his antics. After all this. You only had one question left.

La-La-La-La-La-La.

"where did you get that locket?"

La-La-La-La-La-La..

AYAY ITS DONE YAY GAROU IS SO PRETTY

Ggdgdgsgaffsggd I hope u enjoyed and stay cash money

#opm garou #garou #garou x reader #songfic #opm #one punch man #one punch man garou #garou one punch man #Spotify

[wangxianficrecs]

Warming up (to him) by barisan

Warming up (to him)

by barisan (@barisan-no)

T, 9k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Wuxian finds out that the Cold Springs are not a good place for a nap. Lan Qiren finds him and uncovers a Jiang secret; will he be able to manage the feelings??? No clickbait. Kay's comments: I absolutely adore this story, it's so great! Just some perfect, heart-wrenching angst! In which during the Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Wei Wuxian stays longer in the Cold Springs than he should - and yes, inspired by Quiet_Crash's story - and gets hypothermia. Only here, it's much more severe and kickstarts a beautiful canon-divergence where Wei Wuxian finds a new family and a new home for himself. Excerpt:“Wei Wuxian!” He scolds as he finally gets to the bottom. “How dare you to trespass-“ But all words die in his throat. “Wei Wuxian!” He yells as he rushes to the boy’s side — of course, a boy, he was only ever a boy. “Wei Wuxian! Can you hear me?” Uncaring for decorum, he falls on his knees and drags Wei Wuxian’s limp body out of the water. His skin is cold. Impossibly cold. “No, Wei Wuxian! Don’t you dare!” He places an ear on his barely moving chest. It feels like hours before he makes out the faintest beat. His own heart hammers in his throat. “If this is another one of your pranks-!” Wei Wuxian’s usually tan face is deathly pale, lips almost purple.

pov alternating, canon divergence, cloud recesses study arc, cloud recesses rabbits, pre-relationship, good uncle lan qiren, hypothermia, hurt/comfort, angst with a happy ending, not jiang sect friendly, neglectful jiang fengmian, families of choice, rogue cultivator wei wuxian, temporary character death

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

#Wangxian Fic Rec #The Untamed #wangxian #MDZS #Kay's Rec #pov alternating #canon divergence #cloud recesses study arc #cloud recesses rabbits #pre-relationship #good uncle lan qiren #hurt/comfort #angst with a happy ending #not jiang sect friendly #neglectful jiang fengmian #families of choice #rogue cultivator wei wuxian #temporary character death #Teen #short fic <15k #Warming up (to him) #barisan #hypothermia

[imnotselfryed]

Another child? [d. djarin]

word count: 1.1k (is this even a drabble??)

content/warnings: daughter & father relationship after a bit, mini Ahsoka mention (i had to), din being softer than usual bc grogu softened him up 😭, a sprinkle of angst. Italics means flashback, gif not mines, not proofread :)

☆♫☆♫

“I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold.” The Mandalorian said to his daily bounty. He’s a busy man and he needed those credits now that he has a small someone to take care of. This bounty though seemed…a bit younger than usual. “Seems fun” You said with all the calm in the world.

“You’ve got 10 seconds before I end this conversation.”

“You could try but I want to get this over with.”

Mando sighed as he gripped your arm harshly. “Let’s go kid. I’m not here to play games.” “Kid? I’ll have you know I’m a grown adult thank you very much,” You said with the best “adult” voice you’ve had. You’ve been on the run after your entire world fell apart. You learned to adapt to your surroundings and environment. It’s a cruel world, galaxy even, so you’ve learned to not be the child you actually are. Mando sighed again as he threw her in the ship. “Well, wow. This is a humble abode.” 

“It’s not that impressive. It still works perfectly even though it's probably thousands of years old. Just sit down and be quiet, kid. I’m actually being generous.”

“That's probably the coolest thing you’ve said this entire time.”

Mando stayed silent as he punched in the locations. He had a sad and weird feeling that you were not the adult you say you are. He didn’t exactly want to bring you in, for someone else to potentially hurt you. The mandalorian spoke up, “Well, you don’t see many..smart..bounties, like you, kid. Most end up dying from stress.”

“D’aww you called me smart! I’m so honored” You said sarcastically. It's one of the only ways you have survived all these years, or at least how you survived for the little years you lived. “You must really like sarcasm huh?” “Oh I love sarcasm.” 

The Mandalorian continued, “Now tell me…why were you taken in as a bounty? You don’t seem too much of a criminal.”

“Well….Since I was so depressed about…something personal that happened when I was younger, I kind of had a “villain arc” you could say but..I’ve changed. Still sad about it though.” You answered sadly while reminiscing about your past. It all felt like yesterday. “Someone..killed my mother. The only piece of family I’ve had.”

It was a normal day, you were around 8 when it happened. You and your mother were collecting your daily food at the market because everyone was fleeing for their lives. The empire was about to harm everyone and everything that comes in their way, and your planet blocked their view. Your mother on the other hand though, was as calm as you grew up to be. After that, both of you rush outside to see the sky reddened. Your mother crouched down to match the height of you.

 “Dear, I love you. You know that right?” She smiled sadly. “I know, Mama.” You say somber, knowing what was about to come next. A bomb, not too far from you and your mother blew up on the ground. Everyone was panicking, trying to evacuate but you really didn’t care. All you cared about was your mother. “Baby, please. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, find someone that’ll protect you, please be safe,” she said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I will, Mama, don’t worry. Maybe we can find eachother again!” A tear ran down your small cheek as your mother wiped it away. “I hope so.”

A sympathetic look crossed the Mandalorian’s face. Out of all people he definitely knew what it was like to lose a loved one. “I know how difficult that is. I lost mine when I was just a boy. Are you still struggling with your loss though?” Mando sounded softer than usual, he wasn’t as big and bad as he was when he first met her.

“I am…and I’m still so young. Everything happened so fast. I like to act older than I am because It makes me forget about the past. I am actually just a kid.” “I understand. Life can change on the whim of a moment. But, kid, don’t hide your inner child. The galaxy needs some more happiness in it.”

You nod as you stare at your hands, wishing you were stronger and that you were actually able to save your mother. You clench your hands in worry, and in anger. Mando notices this and felt bad for you. “Is..everything okay? Is there something you want to share with me?”  “No….it’s alright. I’m alright,” you say sadly while playing with the small ring on your finger, the one your mother gave you. “Look, I’m sorry for your loss, kid. I know you’re trying to stay safe for your sake but holding in that pain isn’t the right answer.”

“I know it’s just…I’m not sure how to talk about my feelings really. I’ve been keeping it all in my entire life.” Mando had a small idea, (eureka /j), something that would protect this young one, and control her stress. “I know just the person to help you with that. A Jedi who guided me through struggles of my own loss. You should find her someday. She can help you kid, I know it.” “Yea…but I’m not Jedi material..plus I don’t want to be one. I think it’d just give me even more stress. They probably wouldn’t be able to handle my sarcasm either” You chuckled. “You’re stuck with me now anyway, Metal man.”

Mando sighed, “So be it.” You smiled a small grin. “So what can I call you anyway?” 

“People call me Mando. It’s something I was sworn to be. I have dedicated my life to serve the clan of Mandalore.” “Woah! So your a Mandalorian? That’s so cool!” You said fairly quickly. “I’m just..alive, I guess. Sometimes I wish I was cool,” you sighed as you stared at your ring. “You are pretty cool, kid. Don’t let your past define who you are, you define that, and what future you will have. What will it be,” Mando said, actually curious.

You stayed silent as you thought to yourself. “Find someone who will protect you,” your mother had once told you. You are only 13 now, and have nowhere else to go anymore. You couldn’t survive on your own. The Mandalorian is the only one who could protect you now. “Could I maybe…stay here?”

Mando looked back at her in shock, why would she want to stay here? He thought but she was only a child, he couldn’t just abandon her. He had the same choice with Grogu and he’s like a son to him now. He patted her head, unsure of what to do. “Sure, kid. I promise I'll protect you. We’ll have other adventures also. How does that sound?”

☆♫☆♫

#mandalorian #din djarin #starwars #star wars drabble #din djarin drabble #child!reader #fluff #angst #fanfiction #star wars fanfiction #din djarin fluff #mandalorian fluff #mandalorian x child!reader #mandalorian imagines #star wars imagines #imagines #blurbs

[real-life-senshi]

10 (Mostly) Spoiler-Free Reasons to Watch Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon 2003 Live Action

A countdown to the 20th anniversary of Act 1 air date!

Reason 5: The captivating story!

Ultimately, I would say the live-action stayed true to the essence and intention of the original source material when concerning the Dark Kingdom arc.

I’m choosing to use the word “essence” though, because it is also factual that in multiple aspects, the story does diverge from its source material, but with the intention of further amping up the stakes and angst for drama, and possibly even pulling in elements from story arcs beyond the manga’s Dark Kingdom arc into the one season we (sadly) only have.

Sometimes those differences could be due to limitations of CGI and execution methods in real-life filming, while others could be due to updating the content to appeal to the newer generations of viewers in the early 2000s.

Regardless of what's faithful or not faithful to original source material, I think PGSM did really well striking a balance of making it a kid’s show, and also adding some complexities to appeal to viewers who were kids or teenagers that grew up reading the manga or watching the '90s anime, who would be in their late teens or adulthood or even parenthood by the time the live-action aired.

Warning: Going forward these series of posts will contain minor spoilers to introduce some live-action only elements. It will only be at the introductory level though!

Staying true and delving deeper into source materials

Personally, I can’t speak much to the ’90s anime, but I can confirm the live-action pulls many elements from the manga source material where possible. Here are just a few:

Introducing the Sailor Senshi!

The story of how Usagi and Ami discovered their Senshi power largely follows the same story, while Rei and Makoto's intro episodes heavily reference the original manga chapter and use the same theme behind the attacks that lead to them accessing their transformation. There's no magic bus to whisk victims away in Rei's case, and there's no wedding dress ghost story in Makoto's, probably due to the feasibility of recreating those scenes.

The Forbidden Love & the Past Life lore

The live-action definitely deep-dived into the 'forbidden love' concept when it came to Usagi and Mamoru, and further created a whole complexity of the storyline to justify WHY it's forbidden. In the manga/anime, it felt like the idea of their forbidden love was purely political and mostly glossed over since the past life kingdoms were dead, but in the live-action, there were actual stakes and consequences to consider even for the present.

And the ABSOLUTE MOST AMAZING THING and by far my favourite twist to the live-action storyline is they actually ventured into exploring the impact of making teenagers soldiers of war! There is actually ample screen time and dialogues AND monologues dedicated for us to see individual Senshi AND the team together grappling with the pros and cons and exploring both extreme sides of the need to follow the past life mission to avert tragedy regardless of the sacrifices made, versus the necessity of making one's choice and finding ways to live in the present in spite of the past life lore! Do they support Usagi's and Mamoru's love for each other or not???? Do they know for sure whether their love WILL cause misfortune again or not or can they trust Usagi to know what she's doing????? FASCINATING AND ANGSTY STUFF RIGHT THERE!

Rei’s Personality

More as an FYI, but Rei’s personality is much more similar to the manga Rei’s personality, instead of ‘90s anime Rei. More cool beauty and calm, less aggressively hotheaded and abrasive. And very importantly, NOT boy-crazy.

New, original dramatic elements

On the other hand, here are some live-action exclusive dramatic elements that I'd like to highlight:

Aino Minako the idol

Even many who haven't watched the series would have heard about how Minako's character is drastically changed in the live-action. Indeed, Minako is an acclaimed teenage idol and singer with best-selling songs in the show!

It's basically as if the live-action screenwriter pulled in the Outer Senshi elements from the Mugen arc into Minako's character: she's famous, experienced, and serious. Minako has full access to past life knowledge and is ultimately mission-driven like Haruka and Michiru are in the Mugen arc, which causes some of her decisions to maybe not be as morally white as we'd expect her to be (I think her costume style of white and black is a nice nod to the idea of her double life and her sense of moral).

Now, that's not to say live-action Minako is completely a new character, you can certainly see manga/anime Minako's character traits here and there if you pay attention - pun-loving, prank-loving, mischievous. For god's sake, the girl named her album Venus, and one of her most iconic songs is called C'est La Vie, which sounds exactly like "Sailor V" pronounced in Japanese. Just imagine this girl playing a vigilante life, and having a chuckle every time she sings her best-selling song that basically announces her identity to the world and no one realizes. lmao

Basically, Minako's character embodies the extreme result of what happens if a teenager is burdened with all the knowledge of the Past Life war and has the weight on her shoulders while working alone.

If you can get past Minako's changed character setting in the live-action, you'll find there are still plenty of Dark Kingdom arc manga/anime Minako elements in there, just some more exaggerated while others are more subtle. (Coz to be fair, Minako didn't start becoming Usagi's twin until after the Dark Kingdom arc.) And her relationship with Artemis is absolutely heartwarming to see in the live-action.

Who's in the wrong? Who's an ally, and who's not?

While our Senshi team is clearly the heroine, and the Dark Kingdom the villains, the live-action takes a more interesting take on what's considered "good" versus "evil", and more importantly, who's in the wrong on how things ended badly in the past life. Who is actually the person the Senshi needs to protect the world from? And that drives the story into a direction that is more complex than what you'll ever find in manga or anime, and certain characters react accordingly and act more grey than black or white - from both the heroine side and the villain side!

Shitennou & Endymion

Something we didn't really get to see as much in the manga and anime, while we know who the Shitennou are, we don't really see the Shitennou and Mamoru interacting until after they... became their name-sake rocks (okay, technically, GEMS). And we don't get many hints on what their past live relationships were, so for many years fans have taken to pen/paper/tablets/keyboard and filled the gaps with their amazing imagination and creative work instead.

In the live-action, we get a much more expansive and interesting take in seeing the Shitennou - technically still under the Dark Kingdom's influence, interact with Mamoru as they all grapple with what happened in the past life.

How would the prince's ex-guardians act seeing their master again? How would Mamoru react? Choosing to accept his responsibility for his past life or not? After all, they had such fond memories of arm-wrestling each other! (Spoiler alert: Nephrite won.) :P

I must once again emphasize that I love what they did with the Shitennou's characters and gave each of them a different story trajectory. They are written so well they pull at your heartstrings!

If you want some canon-material for writing the Shitennou in the age of Elysion Kingdom, definitely give the live-action a go!

Power up! The Senshi Needs Training

Because the live-action only gets one arc, there's no room for us to see the Senshi team (conveniently) get upgraded transformation like they do in each arc in manga or anime. Instead, the live-action takes a different, and I dare say, a more realistic approach, where the Senshi learns that their initial access to their transformation isn't the full access to their powers as they expected. They are put through some legit, and some questionable training of the body, mind and spirit, and each of them has to overcome something within themselves across the series to access their power!

This approach highlights and solidifies each Senshi's strengths AND ties in really well into the girls' character development throughout the series. As well, it makes it feel like the Senshi did have to put in work to get strong and gain access to their power, instead of relying on the plot to get them new powers at the right opportune time, seemingly out of the blue.

Remember: THEY ARE IN SCHOOL!

Yep, sometimes in the manga and in the anime, it's so easy for us to forget that the Senshi are kids in school when they are in the thick of a crisis or fighting evil. Somehow, it always seems quite clean and convenient that the Senshi could separate their school life and their heroine life, doesn't it? How the responsible adults in the world may wonder... "Gosh, where did that kid go in the middle of [insert context]????" Or for a fellow peer in school to wonder - "How the hell did this random group of girls come together like an odd band?"

The live-action takes time to make room for some reality checks in their episodic storylines to explore all the different repercussions our heroine's double (or triple) life has on their normal life, and with that ties in personable and relevant topics and themes into their episodic plots:

Family relationship

Peer relationship

Romantic relationships

Moments that remind everyone how awkward and tough it is to be a teenager.

The toll of lying through your teeth to keep a secret, etc

I cannot emphasize enough that the screenwriting is superb in the series! Not one thing is referenced only once and left out the window, everything that happened builds up into a moment of learning or lasting impact for our characters!

To people who've not watched the live-action, PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE! At least give it 6 episodes, and you'll probably be hooked!

You can watch the subbed versions of the series at:

Miss Dream Fansubs

Sea of Serenity Fansubs

The series is also on other online streaming sites, but be cautious to only visit them with good adware and firewall installed.

6 days till the 20th anniversary of Act 1 air date!

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |

#pgsm #pretty guardian sailor moon #bssm #bishoujo senshi sailor moon #sailor moon live action #pgsm appreciation #shitennou #reasons to watch pgsm #pgsm 20th anniversary countdown #khmyh's gif

[deathbxnny]

YQ's Mother Requestor Anon here! I'm now gonna cackle bc the era of YQ angst is over and its time for his Villain! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

So, in the au "Jing Yuan executes his wife/Yanqing's mom wrongly" but let's make it even more worse with his son turning against him, very much angry and absolutely wanting to be the guy to end Jing Yuan. He betrays the entire Alliance and doesn't even care if he became a major criminal, because Yanqing now believes the Alliance is merely a glorified legion of murder worst than the Anti-Matter Legion (At least the Legion accepts their wrongdoings in a twisted way than to regale it as justice like the Hunt/Xianzhou Alliance).

He doesn't even join the Abundance, the Stellaron Hunters, etc. because he lacks the will that aligns with the Aeons opposing the Hunt/Xianzhou yet would not stay in the Hunt Path no longer, maybe he'll follow the Nihility or Finality?

Anyways, thanks for reading in my request and I look forward to whatever you bring!

[Ps: Bonus if the last straw was losing someone he loved bc of the Hunt/Xianzhou Alliance and making him question if the Alliance is truly the ones that bring justice, like Dan Shu and Yukong]

-----

A/N: Hello there! Yanqing's long awaited villain arc is finally approaching and so thank you for the request! I also apologise for me taking so long, but I officially got my new Laptop today, which means I'll finally get some requests out! I hope you'll like it!>:))

Content: Angst, betrayal, heartbreak, mentions of Yanging's mom being wrongfully executed, Yanqing getting his well-deserved villain arc, mentions/threats of violence, some cursing, Jing Yuan being kinda heartless, Reader briefly mentioned as Yanging's lover

Reader has no mentioned pronouns!

((Not proofread and new posting format!))

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Yanqing's life fell apart the moment he found out about the truth.

It were like the cold, unforgiving waves of the ocean crashing against a shore in a wild storm, drowning him in it with no way out. He reached out for help, yet all he got was pitied looks and empty apologies for what was the most heartbreaking revelation of his life. He cried and screamed, his body thrashing aorund in the hold of the cloud knights, his hands gripping onto his sword, his teeth barring at what was once his beloved master. He was reduced to nothing but a hateful memory now in the young boy's mind, all admiration and love gone in an instant and replaced with an unquenchable thirst for revenge.

"How could you? How could you betray me like this?" He screamed, but there was no explanation nor apology that would ever make this okay. Nothing in this world could fix this. And perhaps Jing Yuan knew this, when he turned aorund and began walking away quietly. He was a coward, who couldn't face his son's disappointment even when faced with the consequences of his actions. "HOW DARE YOU WALK AWAY, DAMNIT? AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! I LOOKED UP TO YOU, YOU LIAR!" The boy screamed, his throat burning and failing him, his voice cracking so painfully, that it made the older man wince in shame. He knew this would happen, he knew the truth would tear him apart. But ultimately, he could never imagine how bad this truly would be. He was ignorant and it made him wonder what he expected would happen.

JIng Yuan came to a stop momentarily, his eyes focused ahead to blend out the pain in his heart, as he slaughtered the last of his emotions with a single sentence. "Take him away to cool off." Yanqing's eyes widened at his words, his body going limp in defeat and surprise, yet the rage in him said more than he needed to.

This wasn't over.

But Yanqing waited. He would be patient with getting his revenge. He'd plan every detail, he'd wait for the right moment to enact the perfect betrayal. He dug deep, learning all about the way his mother was wrongfully excecuted by his own father, who decided to just never even mention him being his biological child to him either. Yanqing just couldn't comprehend why the general would do this to him. And it wasn't just about his mother's excecution. All the lies about his heritage, all the lies about who he was, his mother discarded as nothing more than an unimportant memory alongside her entire clan.

Forgotten by all, except for her son, who eventually couldn't wait anymore, after he lost the only person who kept him sane. You, the light of his world, that comforted him when no one else wanted to. They let you die. You weren't worth saving in their eyes and that was what made him finally break.

The darkness was turning him into a ball of hatred and rage, he wasn't the same cheerful boy he once was. The change hurt him in more ways than one, but he decided to just drown that old part of himself and push forward with his plans. He wanted no help. He wante to do it all on his own, destroy everyone on the ship with his own hands, until they finally understand how he felt. He made a pact with the Aeon of Nihility and gained the power needed to truly enact his plans of betrayal.

His hair whipped in the wind, his face devoid of any emotions, as he stared down at the dishevelled general, who was clutching on his bleeding side uselessly. The Xianzhou Luofu was up in flames, citizens and guards running aorund in panic to get away from the destruction, their screams music to the too far gone boy. Once father and son, now nothing but enemies, the two brandished their swords in preparation of a fight Jing Yuan never wanted and Yanqing was itching for.

The boy could only hope that you and his mother were watching him, as a smile spread across his face in glee of it all finally coming to an end, when the older man's sword clattered to the ground with him following it soon after in defeat.

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A/N: Alright, I hope this was okay! Thank you again for the request and sorry again for taking so long!<3

#honkai star rail #honkai star rail fanfic #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail x you #hsr x reader #hsr yanqing #hsr jing yuan #hsr #hsr yanqing x reader