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sunny-mercya · 11 months

Text

Not so innocently

Poly! Billy and Stu x Male Reader

Fandom -> Scream 1996

masterlist

AU; Where Billy and Stu haven't died at the end of Scream and Sidney come to a haunting realisation.

The night, to say it vaguely kindly, had been a turbulent one—sort of messy even—that was for sure.

Sidney felt as if she had either run a marathon or swimming through a endless pool—where she was constantly being weighed down—both being a exhausting doing. If did done such thing, but she hadn't, it simply only feels like it.

Running, dodging knives and fighting for her own survival against someone, she saw as a friend—love interest even, but only minimal on a level of having a silly crush—someone she trust, was not something to remotely be compared to running a marathon or the such.

Those are completely different things to do and while the both give the same kind of adrenaline and emotional feeling, they still differ in their very own way against another.

You could say; One of those task sparks a fiercely joy in you, while the other does not.

The blinking lights, be it red or blue or both even, were like a flashing which hurts her eyes, giving her pounding start of a headache.

Sidney was there physically but not mentally. Her mind going rabbit holes, backt to what happen during the last few hours of the night or early morning—whatever seemed more fit now, in terms of time.

The paramedics were treating her wounds. Giving a new burning sensation of strings once more, whenever they disinfecting or bandage it up. She couldn't help herself but to wince from. Sidney blinked, focusing back to her very surroundings as she gives the officers in front of her a confused glance.

«Miss Prescott, we asked if you're sure Billy Loomis and Stu Macher are the murders. Both boys had been injured as well, just as servers as you are. There is also a report of witnesses, saying they saw Ghostface killing Mr.Finchglee in front of his sweets shop.»

«So, we're asking again, to testify, are you absolutely certain it was them?»

Of course. Of course the police wouldn't believe her, a surviving victim of a murderous psychotic blood chase.

Billy and Stu are two clever boys, they know what they have to do, what they can do. Their having plans and backup plans, in case something like this—her survival—would happen.

They know how to master their Ghostface act and game perfectly.

Sidney only nodded, not trusting her voice—fearing it would crack from how hoarse it was, breathtaking screaming she did all night long—and she wouldn't be able to form proper sentences at all anymore, tongue numb and heavy weight in her mouth.

The officer just sighed, leaving her be when one of the paramedics chastised them away, for hindering their work of first aid.

They would have to question her again anyways in the next few days and Sidney wouldn't straight out say that the police in Woodsboro is fatally bad, but, they could've been far better in their job.

Taking a deep intake of the fresh chilly air, Sidney glanced ahead, admiring the trees. Leaves already turning into the brownish colours and with the upcoming sunrise, a pretty sight. Something so mundane, was calming for her troublesome mind.

Then she saw it, no. She saw them.

Billy and Stu standing by the trees in all their, bloody, glory. Patched up but the dried blood still present on their clothes. Just a few meters of walk away from her. Near enough to see their faces clearly, but far to not hear what they say to each other.

Sidney shallowed hard. Taking a sharp intake of breath. Heart thumping in her chest.

Fuck.

Stu leaned against Billy, arm causally as always slung over his shoulders, flashing her that silly boyish smile. Billy stood there, arms just a bit crossed, lopsided grin on his lips, head tilted to the side.

Billy was mocking her.

Tears begun to brim in Sidneys eyes, a slight burning to it. Trying to blink them away.

One try. One fucking chance of a try she had. To end it all, this absolute madness and all but in the end, Sidney failed miserably.

And then, when you came jogging towards them, clothed in nothing more than shorts and a oversized shirt, Sidney wanted to gag right here and now.

You acting so lovely with them— Billy holding your waist, pulling you towards him and kissing you—was like adding salt and vinegar to her wounds. How naïve could a human, could you, be?

Aren't the signs obvious enough already? Are you so blind with love, that you're not able see it? To think logically at all?

Billy and Stu are Killers! They are both Ghostface!

How can someone innocently and pure, like you, be in love—in a romantic relationship—with two absolute insane maddening killers?

Sidney felt like a crying now.

~~~

You came jogging towards Billy and Stu, letting them catch you as you didn't stop your speed and engulfed them into a hug. They might could disappear within the next second and to simply feel them; their bodies, their breathing and heartbeats, was like a anchorage for your mind—which fills itself with ever so rising anxiety.

Billy's grin turned into a more gentle one, taking his focus away from Sidney and giving you all his attention.

He leaned down, close enough to your lips to pull them with his teeth and nibbling on them. Giving you sweet long kiss, till your lips were slightly swollen.

You laid your head on Billy's shoulder, Stu hugging you two from behind placing his chin onto your heads.

«I still think we should have killed her.» said Billy, still a bit pissy about it. Sidney's death would have been the cherry on top of the delightful blood spree.

«No~ Letting her live is a far more better –»

«Why?» Stu interrupted you with his questions,

«Because, Stu honey, it is more fun to let your prey live. Ya know, playing with her pretty little mind, making her trap in it till she can't feel safe anywhere anymore without hearing our voices. It's a haunting she can't escape without turning mad herself. Perhaps we bring her into a suicide even.» a chuckle leaving your lips, eyes twinkling with glee, just thinking about it brought you delight and you start to hum a song.

«Aren't you a adorable little sadistic babe,» Billy pecked your cheek, finding a liking to your idea.

«Only sometimes.» you mused. Gripping Billys and Stus hand a bit tighter. Only sometimes you agreed with yourself.

You had almost lost your boyfriends tonight. If you hadn't switched out the patrons in the pistole, Sidney would have shot them dead without remorseful mercy. You couldn't let that happen.

«You did planned something else too, didn't you?» asked Stu, bending down just a bit to nuzzle his face into your neck. Patting his head.

«I did, I did, a little head start, something which add a certain aesthetic to it.»

You gave Sidney a smile.

~~~

Sidney's ears picked up a sound, it wasn't overall loud, just faint enough to understand it. When Sidney could clearly heard it, after straining her hearing, she never had whipped her head faster around. Scaring some of the poor paramedics.

I'm still standing, yeah yeah yeah.

Looking like a true survivor!

And I'm still standin' after all this time.

Sidney saw your smile. A smile which didn't looked so innocently at all anymore. With the rising sun, it looked more of a devilish sinister one.

And dear god. The song which was being played from whatever Car radio, was like a cruel joke. A mishap of fate.

Sidney didn't stop the tears. Having come to the bitter realisation that you are one of them. Your also a killer, just as insane as Billy an Stu.

A true survivor is what you are indeed.

#male reader #x male reader #alternate ending #scream 1996 #billy loomis #stu macher #poly! billy and stu x male reader #billy loomis x male reader #sidney prescott #scream x male reader #ghostface x male reader #slasher x male reader

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ajaxeology · 2 years

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hello hello! i’m from the new server and it’s nice to meet you :’> i saw you were taking requests so maybe xiao + “I can’t believe you still get flustered when I tell you I love you.” ?? and also congrats on 100!<3

Plate of Love - Xiao

Word count: 0.9k

Genre: somewhere in between fluff and hurt/comfort??

c/w: angery customer, food

Note: BLUEEEEE I'm so sorry I took so long to write this!! I only had a good idea lately and I hope it'll be good enough for you :">. Thank you for requesting <3

The smell of the savoury stir-fried shrimp wafts through the kitchen doors into the dining area. It makes you salivate but unfortunately, it isn’t for you. It’s for the customers that tap their fingers on the table in anticipation of the said dish.

With the commencement of the Lantern Rite festival at Liyue Harbour, you expected an influx of customers. However, you still underestimated the waves of customers that flood into your shop.

There’ll probably be more and more people coming each year and maybe it was about time you thought about hiring extra help. Xiao might need a little help in the kitchen too. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

As soon as you’re done with taking the orders, you rush to the kitchen. The clang of the spatula hitting against the wok reverberates against the walls. The sound becomes louder as if it’s calling for help, but Xiao continues his craft without any mercy.

There is nothing but focus in Xiao’s eyes and you see his mind running through the steps like clockwork. Despite having cooked for years, he still has the look as if it’s the very plate that’ll decide if he’ll have your hand in marriage. Your parents had only approved of him when he’d met their expectations with the family dishes.

Not wanting to disrupt Xiao’s focus, you tend to the pots of boiling soup and serve the ready dishes. The aroma of soup rises out of its pot and the smell propels you to ask Xiao to cook you today. Seeing his deep concentration, you decide to ask a little later.

As you scoop up the soup into bowls, he becomes aware of your presence and calls out your name. You scoot over to his side and he gestures toward two glasses of water on the table behind him.

“The full one is yours. You should drink some before you attend to the customers again.”

It’s only then you realise how dry your mouth is and how parched your lips are. You chug half of the water down and thank Xiao, giving his shoulder a brief squeeze.

Most customers understand that there are only the two of you working at the store. They show you patience and they are understanding when their dish takes a long time. However, like any food establishment, there’ll be troublesome customers. You don’t know which archon you’ve offended when one decides to walk in during one of your busiest periods of the year.

You can only tell that he’s not Liyue-ian from his accent when he speaks. Every 2 minutes or so, he asks if his dish is ready. It’s not even 10 minutes when he hollers for you to attend to him.

“Why isn’t my dish ready?”

You didn’t help your parents with the store since young to cower at an unreasonable customer.

“I’m sorry, sir. We have many customers today so your dish may take longer than expected. It will be ready soon, thank you for waiting.”

“Then you guys just have to work faster! I can’t believe I’m kept waiting for so long. If it isn’t ready in another minute, I demand a free plate of matsutake meat rolls.”

The matsutake meat roll is the most expensive dish on your menu and this man just took advantage of the peak hour. Contempt brews in your chest and you realise that your eyes have given you away when the man starts yelling again. The other customers fall silent when he starts throwing insults at the store.

A hand squeezes your shoulders. You don’t have to look back to know who it is. When you hear a snarl in Xiao’s voice, chills run down your back.

“Leave.”

Under Xiao’s piercing gaze, the man zips his mouth shut. He scrambles to take his bag and stumbles on his way out.

The store quickly returns to its normal rhythm when Xiao starts walking back into the kitchen without a word. The chatter of the customers starts and the accidental clinks of cutlery fill the room.

It’s still fairly early in the night. You see children run past the shop through the windows. Lanterns remain brightly lit and some of its rays spill through into the window.

You flip the sign, letting the word ‘CLOSED’ do its work of repelling customers. The shop has run out of ingredients for the day and it fills you with dissatisfaction that you didn't have the opportunity to ask for a meal from Xiao. Especially when you needed it the most today.

From the kitchen, he says, “[name], sit down at a table.”

You drag your feet and plop down on a chair, arms hanging down your sides. Xiao brings out a plate of piping hot matsutake meat rolls and another of stir-fry shrimp. Your heart soars as you watch him enter the kitchen again to bring out cutlery and two bowls of rice.

When he sets down the rice on the table, he gives your head a pat. The entire time, your eyes remain glued on him as immeasurable warmth bubbles in your heart.

You barrel into him and embrace him in a hug before he could sit down. Arms still around him, you tilt your chin upwards to meet his surprised eyes.

A smile spreads on your lips and all you utter is “I love you.”

Light from the lanterns outside illuminates Xiao’s flushed face in the dim room.

Noticing the hints of redness, you release Xiao from the embrace to let out a hearty laugh with your hand resting on your stomach. “I can’t believe you still get flustered when I tell you I love you.”

He plops himself down on the chair and shoves a spoonful of rice into his mouth. After he swallows it, he retorts, “Eat.”

“Alright, alright.”

Xiao picks up a piece of matsutake meat roll and settles it atop your untouched rice. It says “I love you too” on behalf of him.

You push the thought of hiring extra help to the back of your head. With additional staff, you wouldn't get to enjoy such moments with him.

#xiao x reader #xiao x you #xiao x y/n #xiao #genshin writing #genshin imagines #genshin impact #genshin x reader #riptide.100 #riptide.works #look who finally wrote xiao!!#yes I've always wanted to write chef xiao #no more fighting demons u deserve some peace

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sunlight-moonrise · 3 years

Text

The Law of Attraction (Reid Imagine)

Summary: Reader cannot understand how Spencer is in a relationship with someone who is his complete opposite.

A/N: Hello Everyone!!! Here’s another story from the secret-fic-swap in the Discord server. I tried my hand at a new genre and I like how it came out. A big thank you to @imagining-in-the-margins for helping me make this real nice for y’all (this story was also written to her). Enjoy!

Category: Hurt/Comfort

Content Warnings: If you’re a fan of Max or Maxcer, this may not be the story for you. Sacrifices needed to be made for this story to be told.

Word Count: 4.2K

Masterlist

The thought that the concept of ‘opposites attract’ was only true when it comes to physics. After all, the comparison of people to magnets doesn’t make any sense. If two people are together, there should be some similarities to build an established relationship, right? Without that foundation, the structure will surely crumble back into the fragmented pieces that created it, leaving them cracked and weaker for it.

Compatibility is necessary, yet there is none whenever I look at them. This is the fourth function that he has brought her to, and with each event, I find it harder to look their way. But when I do find them among the crowd, I can’t look away. Like a car crash or thunderstorm ripping tree roots from the ground.

It doesn’t make sense to me, why on earth would Spencer Reid be with a girl like her.

“If you keep staring at her, she might drop dead,” said a sarcastic voice, breaking me out of my reverie. I turned to see Tara with an amused smile occupying her face.

“I just don’t get it,” I mumbled, focusing my attention on the drink in my hand.

“What’s not to get?” she asked, glancing over at the couple in question. “They seem cute together.”

“They have nothing in common. He might as well be talking to some random person in this bar.”

I chugged the remainder of my beverage with desperate hope that the alcohol will somehow make things better in this situation. It didn’t.

“You sound bitter.”

“I am not bitter,” I bit back.

“I didn’t say you were, I said you sound.”

I didn’t respond to her because deep down I knew she was right. I just fiddled with the straw in my now empty glass as Tara continued, “Look, they both like coffee and going to the park, that’s something.”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped my throat at the thought.

“So do half the people on the administration floor, he might as well have a harem if those are the main qualifications.”

“So what type of person should Spencer Reid have?” she asked, an eyebrow arching up as she focused her attention on me.

“I don’t know. Someone who is family-oriented and loves kids. Someone who doesn’t judge him for his idiosyncrasies. Someone who listens to his rambles and actually responds to them. Someone who he can escape to when things get too tough. Someone who understands when to give him space but will continue to support him unconditionally. Someone who can challenge him and make each day exciting and interesting. Someone who can ke—”

“Whoa there, I didn’t think you were going to give me a whole novel.” If she thought that was a novel, then the rest of what I wanted to say would be considered an encyclopedia. The only one that Spencer would never read.

“I just want him to be happy,” I relented.

It was the simple truth. Everyone deserves some sort of contentment in their life, but with everything that Spencer has gone through in the past, his happiness should be at the forefront. He always put others before himself. It was time that someone prioritizes his wants and needs for a change.

“And she doesn’t make him happy?”

Not in the slightest.

But I didn’t want to say that. I was sure half of the team already thought, or knew, that I was infatuated with him. But I didn’t need to give them the satisfaction of a confirmation by talking about this any further. The looks that Tara had been giving me the past few minutes validated my belief that I didn’t need to dig myself into a deeper hole.

“Maybe,” I said, hoping to put an end to the topic.

But just then, I heard a laugh despite how noisy the place was. I knew without a doubt that was Spencer’s laugh – it was the only sound that would demand my attention that quickly. It was the one he used when he felt uncomfortable.

“Excuse me, Tara.”

I didn’t give her a chance to reply before I hopped off the barstool and made my way to where Spencer and his girl were as casually as possible. Jennifer and Penelope were also with them, and it seems as if the three ladies were doing most of the talking.

“….like kids someday?” I heard Pen say. I didn’t need to hear the beginning of the sentence to know what it was about.

“Ehh, certainly not. My nephew is a handful as is, I don’t think I need any more than that one in my life,” she laughed. She, of course, being the ever loving, ever annoying, Max. A quick glance at Spencer's face confirmed that he was bothered by the subject being discussed. If the rest of the ladies were a bit more sober, they’d probably have seen it too.

“Hey guys,” I interrupted, taking my previous seat next to JJ, “I ordered some water for us and some appetizers. Tara is going to bring it over when it is ready.”

Cheers and thank you were shouted across the small table, but there was only one face I cared to pay attention to. Spencer’s mouth was quirked in a sad smile that was meant to hide the discomfort that had already taken root in his heart like an invasive vine.

“Did you place my fries order?” Max asked, garnering my attention. As much as I wanted to ignore her, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t openly be a bitch to her, no matter how much she irked me. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Other than stealing the affections of a man I’d never actually pursued, that is. But I couldn’t really blame her for that one, right? I should’ve jumped on the opportunity before. It was my fault.

“Yup,” I answered quickly with a small fake smile before focusing on the wooden décor of the bar.

“So any plans for Halloween? Assuming we don’t get called in for a case of course,” JJ asked the table.

“There is this pop-up haunted house coming that weekend.” Spencer said, his voice laced with that childlike excitement that made my heart race, “It is near the annual fair, so I’m going to try and do both.”

“Awww, that’s a cute date idea.”

The table was silent for a moment before Max announced, “I probably won’t go. I am not a big fan of anything spooky or… horror. I’ll leave all of that to this guy.”

The table shared an awkward laugh in a poor attempt to lighten the mood.

“Anyway,” I coughed out, attempting to save this poor conversation, “you guys need to hear this terrible joke the bartender told me. So basically, this screwdriver walks into a bar….” and just like that, the topic had been changed.

Tara joined us shortly after and the conversation remained lighthearted for the remainder of the evening. We later said our farewells and readied ourselves to go back home. While I should’ve been sad to leave him, I couldn’t help but feel a bitter joy from the fact that Spencer and Max didn’t talk directly to each other for the rest of the night.

●●●

It’s been a couple of weeks since the last team outing. Rossi must’ve missed us, because he decided to host a dinner at his place to celebrate the ending of a long and tough case. No one was going to pass up the opportunity of free food and wine, especially after dealing with a bunch of cops and detectives with entire tree trunks up their asses.

I was the last to arrive, which was not surprising since I live the furthest away from Rossi. Krystall welcomed and settled me in while informing me where everyone was. What I assumed was a team gathering turned out to be a whole party. There were definitely more than two dozen people occupying the space.

Good god.

“What’s all this?” I asked as I greeted Rossi in the, thankfully, empty kitchen. Because, of course, Rossi wouldn’t be Rossi if he didn’t take care of all the hors d'oeuvres himself.

“Krystall wanted to celebrate our anniversary,” he sighed, as if this ordeal was somehow troublesome. I had to roll my eyes; he wasn’t fooling anyone. We all knew that Rossi would move mountains for his wife.

Their love was pure and genuine, a perfect example of two people meeting again at the right time and sharing something wonderful with one another. As I reminisced on their beautiful wedding day, a thought came to my head.

“Isn’t your first anniversary coming up in a few months?”

“That’s for our second marriage, this is for the first.” Rossi simply stated with a proud smirk, as if it was standard to celebrate any and all anniversaries in life. I supposed that for him, it was.

“Why do I get the feeling that this was more your idea than Krystall’s?”

“Guilty.”

Classic. Well, I wasn’t going to tell a man what he should celebrate nor how to do so. I wasn’t going to ruin any opportunities to eat some fresh crostini.

Once I made my way back out into the main room, I was able to find my team within seconds. My eyes instantly landed on Spencer’s tall and lanky form. And I would’ve been excited for that, if it weren’t for the familiar woman standing beside him.

Max was there. Hooray.

Usually, I was able to properly prepare myself for seeing her. It actually, unfortunately, took a lot of effort to not be openly hostile to someone I dislike. It wasn’t something I was proud of, but it was true. Typically in a situation like this, I’d avoid the person all night. However, I wasn’t going to allow her presence to influence the night, much less stop me from spending time with one of my closest friends.

“Hey guys.”

“Ahh, you’re finally here,” squealed Penelope, “I already grabbed your favorite drink!” She stepped aside to make room for me in the small gathered circle before handing me the glass.

“So what did I miss?”

They all caught me up on the harmless gossip circulating around the office and the new happenings emerging in everyone’s lives. Everything was going well until I heard the next words from Max, words that felt like a bucket of ice water and lead being poured over my head.

“Well, Spencer and I are moving in together.”

Time slowed down, I was sure it had. Because I was able to gauge everything in a matter of seconds. Tara’s concerning glance my way, her hand reaching out and retreating as if to hold me. Penelope’s joyful appearance over the news, her arms rising quickly causing her wine to slightly spill on Rossi’s floor. Matt expressing congratulations as he roughly patted Spencer on the back.

And Spencer….

Spencer looked like he rather be anywhere but here. His lips were drawn in a too tight smile that I knew was far from authentic. He was tapping his heel against the floor and wringing his hands together.

If this was merry news from the two of them, why did he look like he swallowed a spiked fruit?

The loud clanging of metal against glass brought everyone’s attention to the noisy source. Time returned back to its normal pace at Rossi’s call, thanking everyone for joining in on the celebration and announcing that the food was ready in the dining room.

While everyone cheered and made their way towards the ornate display, I headed to the balcony. It was too hot, too stuffy, too loud inside the house. There was one too many people there.

As soon as I passed through the double doors, I took a deep breath of cool, refreshing air. Everything around me felt muffled. Like I had stumbled into a small pocket universe that only differed from ours by a few notches on the volume knob.

I was thinking too many things, and none of them adding up or making sense in my head. How do you move in with someone you’ve only known for such a short amount of time? What was he going to do with his apartment? With his personal belongings that were scattered and settled on crowded shelves? Why did he look so uncomfortable when she announced it? Did he not want us to know? Did he want to say it himself?

“What are you doing out here?”

As if being brought back to reality by the very same hypnotist who enchanted me in the first place, I became aware that I was not the only one on the balcony. I turned to look at Spencer, taking in his disheveled and tired appearance.

“I just needed some space. I was feeling a bit crowded.” It wasn’t a lie, but my companion and I both knew there was a lot more than just that. Trying to keep the attention off me, I asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Checking on you. I saw you come out here dressed like that and wondered what would drag you out into the freezing cold.”

Now that he mentioned it, the breeze was hitting hard. I didn’t notice my body trembling until now. It is funny how you can’t feel much when lost in your own thoughts. The pain was a welcome distraction, I supposed.

Spencer stood next to me and shrugged off the suit jacket he was wearing. I opened my mouth to refuse, but he gave me a pointed look before I could. Instead, I accepted the warm jacket over my body. The scent of cinnamon and spice immediately enveloped my form and I tried to hide the way my inhales grew deeper. Trying to keep him as close as I could for however long he would allow. He kept his hands on my arms, rubbing them up and down the sleeves of the jacket to instill some heat in me.

“So whatever happened to taking it slow?” I asked bluntly, keeping my eyes on the interesting speck of dirt that had ended up on my shoe. I didn’t feel bad about getting to the point -- There was no way I could subtly ask him what the deal was, and I’d rather not beat around the bush.

“Well, after the whole situation that happened, sh— we decided to pick up the pace of things,” he spoke lowly, as if he was unsure of the words coming out of his mouth.

“Has she even met Diana? Or know about her?” I instantly regretted asking, the angry look he shot my way had me feeling remorseful. But it also answered my question.

Max only knew the surface level of Spencer. She wasn’t aware of all the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly layers that comes with a man like him. She wasn’t the only one to blame, but I wondered how a profiler couldn’t tell that he was hiding those parts from her because he didn’t want to share them with her. He didn’t want her to know, because the knowing made it real.

“I just want the best for you.”

His irritated expression dissolved into a defeated one as he released the breath he was holding.

“I know, I know. It’s just…”

He stopped talking, appearing scared to share his opinions and feelings with me before he remembered that, unlike Max, he never had to hide things from me. He didn’t want to.

“It’s just…” I prodded, hoping he would continue with what he was going to say.

But he just stayed stuck there, opening and closing his mouth multiple times. I could practically see the cogs in his brain whirling as he properly tried to explain. “Well, the thing is that Ma—”

“Spencer?”

We sharply turned our heads to see Max and Tara staring at us. It wasn’t until that moment that I remembered our position. With Spencer’s hands rubbing tenderness heat onto my arms, his jacket over my shoulders and our bodies pressed together to keep warm.

It would be one thing if everything was settled, but this situation was anything but. Max had every reason to be angry. This wasn’t a new thing to her. So when she turned around, she stomped away fueled by the belief that she’d nearly caught her boyfriend committing adultery. Again.

“Fuck,” I heard the man in front of me whisper as he released me back into the cold night.

Still, as he left, he looked back at me. His eyes burned into mine up until he tore them away, making his final decision and hastily running from the balcony. Away from me. Towards her.

Tara and I shared the silence, but she looked at me with those inquisitive eyes, as if I was a client seeking out therapy from her.

“What?” I hissed, “We were just talking.” I refused to feel guilty over something that I didn’t do. If anyone had done anything, it was Spencer. But at the same time, I didn’t think he was entirely wrong, either.

“I didn’t say anything,” she muttered, holding her hands up high as a sign of surrender.

“You didn’t have to, I can feel the judgment from here.”

“Look, I’m not judging you. But I do want you to put yourself in Max’s shoes. You guys were gone for a while and she finds you two all over each other.”

“What are you talking about, Tara? Christ, it’s not like I was fucking him on the balcony!”

Although I didn’t intend for my words to be humorous, Tara laughed. I was conflicted on whether it was at me or with me, but it ended up amounting to nothing, anyway.

“Look, the night is young and you need to relax. Come back inside, enjoy the party, and don’t let them bring you down. At least for the next few hours.”

She was right, as she usually was. It was why I usually sought her out as the voice of reason; I knew that despite everything, she would always have my best interest at heart.

“Okay,” I agreed before following her back into the chaotic fray.

I heeded her advice and avoided the couple for the remainder of the night. Shockingly, it was pretty easy, but I was sure it was because they were avoiding me too. There were times, lots of times, where Spencer and I made eye contact, but we’d just as quickly look away, as if we were ashamed of what we have done.

All we did was talk. So why did it feel like something more?

There were also times when I made eye contact with Max, but instead of shame, there was anger and contempt. If looks could kill, like Tara had suggested, I was sure my heart would have given out.

It wasn’t until later in the evening that I saw Max take a cab home while Spencer was still inside the house. No one else but me noticed that they didn’t leave the party together.

●●●

I hadn’t seen Spencer since the incident at Rossi’s a few weeks ago. He had to take his mandatory sabbatical leave and I had to take an abrupt trip back home. What used to be almost daily texts between us became nonexistent in a matter of hours. It was a terrible predicament that I was hoping to fix soon.

As I arrived, I spotted him at his desk. For a long time, I stood there staring at him. If he wasn’t nose deep in a bunch of files, I was sure he would’ve seen me, too. I contemplated on how I should go up to him, but nothing I could think of was good enough to say.

Hey, I have your jacket, I took it to the dry cleaner’s, so it is all clean. Rid of me like you wanted to be.

Hi, how were the lectures this time around? Still have a bunch of teens crushing on you?

What’s up, it’s been a while, do you want to get lunch during the break?

I hated that things were awkward, even though I was pretty sure that I was the only one that was making it so. I should have just gone up to him, greeted him, and acted like everything was normal, because everything was normal. Right?

Just when I was about to do so, Emily called us in for a meeting. Impeccable timing.

We had a serial killer case in Louisville, Kentucky. My situation with Spencer was going to the backburner.

During our stay in Louisville, Spencer and I barely interacted. We exchanged notes and passed long messages, but that’s pretty much it. I wasn’t surprised. Our specialties don’t really correlate when we are working on a case. Anytime I did catch some free time, I’d look his way, longing for the opportunity to speak to him. He didn’t look back.

Then, just as the case ended, another chance presented itself. After five days of hardly any proper rest, we finally found the unsub. Everyone was in their respective room catching up on some much needed sleep. Except for Spencer, whose gangly body was tucked away at the bar by himself, a glass of what appeared to be soda in front of him.

Silently, I took the seat next to him, and for a few minutes, everything was quiet. But unlike the usual, comfortable quiet, it was torturous.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I stared at him, letting the silent communication denote the fact that I knew he was lying to me. Spencer released a sigh and looked at me with eyes more intoxicating than any whiskey that shared their color.

“Actually, no, I’m not okay.”

I was going to ask him what was wrong or if there was anything I could do to help, but before I had the chance to do so, he hastily answered the question I hadn’t asked.

“Max and I broke up.”

I stared at him, my face and mind blank as I tried to comprehend what he’d said. That Max and Spencer broke up. They were no longer together. Spencer was single.

I thought that if this ever happened, I would be happy, elated, jumping at the chance to take her place by his side. But I felt none of those things.

“What happened?” I didn’t want to appear nosy or meddlesome, but I needed to know.

“We were fighting a lot, and I couldn’t take it.”

“Oh.”

“We were… actually fighting about you.”

I sharply turned my head at him, both intrigued and disturbed by the implication that I had anything to do with the failure of their relationship.

“What? What about me?”

“She thought I liked you,” he said while staring straight back at me, daring me to scan through each fleck of gold and green to ensure that he was telling the truth. But his hazel eyes expressed nothing but honesty as he continued, “and she was right. I do.”

“Y-you do?”

All he could do was nod his head, lifting his hand and catching a loose strand of hair before tucking it behind my ear.

“Can I try something?” Spencer shyly requested.

Once again, the universe felt different. I held my breath, trying to wake from the dream. Although he didn’t say it, I had an idea of what he wanted. If the hand on the side of my face and the staring at my lips were anything to go by, I knew what was going to happen next.

I nodded back and closed my eyes. A few seconds passed, the sweetest kind of anticipation. But then I felt the gentle pressure of his lips against my own, sweet and tender. He moved his head to get a better angle while I brought my hands up to cup his face. The roughness of his stubble against the tip of my fingers was a perfect contrast to the softness of him. I could taste the soda he was drinking on his tongue and breathed in the cinnamon scent that seemed sunken into his skin.

When we pulled away, it was full of hesitation. All it took was one look for us to know we couldn’t do this. Not now, not yet. He was still healing from the recent break up and I didn’t want to be a rebound. I didn’t want us to resent one another for jumping into a relationship so soon. We weren’t ready.

We sat there in relative silence, taking in everything that has happened.

“Maybe one day,” he paused “one day we can give it a chance.”

“Yes. I’d like that.” I beamed at him, “And I look forward to that day. Until then, we remain as friends.”

He returned my smile and I realized that it had been a while since I’ve seen his real smile. I missed it so much.

“Friends,” he confirmed.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt relief and comfort. Because I knew everything was going to be okay. I had hope that someday Spencer will get the happily ever after he deserves and he’ll get it with me by his side. One day.

#spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid angst #spencer reid imagine #Criminal Minds #Criminal Minds Fanfiction #criminal minds angst #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x you #spencer reid reader insert #reader insert #hurt/comfort #secret fic swap

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tenthgrove · 3 years

Text

Yandere La Squadra- Risotto, Sorbet and Gelato

Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder

Risotto

Risotto falls for you out of simple admiration. It just so happens that your routine overlaps a lot with his and he came to observe you, noting all the qualities that endear him to you as you go about your day. Risotto does not dare to approach you, being certain his appearance and mannerisms would repel you in an instance. Instead, he simply watches, and finds that every day his routine deviates a little more so he can be near you for longer.

Before he even knows it, Risotto has crossed the boundaries of any respectability and is regularly following you home, making notes of your contacts and activities and even spying through your window. He knows it is wrong to do this, but he also knows that his obsession is far too great to let go now. There aren't many pleasures in his life anymore, and he doesn't want to lose this new one.

Risotto decides very early on that he will likely resort to abducting you in the end. In his eyes, it is the only possible way for you to be together and he knows he wants to have you as his eventually. There's just no other solution. Nonetheless, he delays this end in favour of simply observing you for the time being, letting you continue your life as normal while he painstakingly plans the process of taking you.

What Risotto did not anticipate was the difficulty of seeing you at your lowest. Belittled, rejected and mistreated by your peers, Risotto will take every insult as against one of his own. The sight of your misery will wrench as Risotto's heart, and might even bring him to move your abduction forward so he can save you from your hardship sooner.

On whichever night he chooses, Risotto waits outside your house for you to be left home alone, then enters silently with his invisibility activated. He approaches you from behind and takes you by the shoulder. As you stand paralyzed, he informs you in no uncertain terms that he is here to abduct you, but you will not be harmed and instead treated well. He only sees it right for you to know the truth.

After this, you may find it in you to fight, or you may not. Either way, he will have you unconscious within seconds and safely carried into the back of his car, along with a small bag of your dearest possessions he will keep to comfort you. He will make sure they are nearby when you wake up.

Although your initial freedoms will be low, Risotto will get you whatever comforts you desire, and make time to keep you company. He understands that you will probably despise him at first and permits all your hostilities against him, as long as you don't try to flee. Partially to prevent your escape, and partially for his own comfort, he insists that you share his bed, but does not initiate any physical affection beyond what you're comfortable with.

Risotto is weary of your friends and family but is open to the idea of you having a separate social life in the future. Until then, he encourages you to befriend the other members of La Squadra as he knows the isolation of being his prisoner cannot be doing you good. On that note, he will offer to get you a dog or cat to keep you company when he is away.

In the long-term, Risotto is happy to return the vast majority of your freedoms once he knows you love him back (and don't bother lying, he'll know). However, he does have his anxieties, and will insist on teaching you self-defense before you are allowed far from home without his supervision. Being the lover of La Squadra's captain is dangerous in any circumstances, and Risotto could never forgive if anything happened to you.

Sorbet and Gelato

Why do Sorbet and Gelato resort to the behaviour of a yandere to get their hands on you? Simply, it is the course of action that seems most logical to them. You could have come from anywhere really- a server at a local restaurant, a relative of one of their targets, even just a person they see often on the street. Once Sorbet and Gelato establish their attraction for you is shared by each other, it doesn't even need to be said between them that the methods they're going to choose to pursue you will be unorthadox in the strongest sense of the word.

Like Risotto, the couple choose to begin their chase with a long period of stalking you. However, being far less intimidating physically, as well as having the air of security that comes with being a romantic couple, they take the chance of approaching you occasionally, striking up conversations in the queue for a checkout and bringing you things you 'dropped' at the train station. They adore your growing sense of suspicion as the encounters become too common to be coincidence, and leave unavoidable clues once your suspicion of them has turned into avoidance.

As fun as it is to play with you the pair harbour a genuine affection for you, and this only grows from their months of following you. Don't be surprised if troublesome colleagues or relatives start to go missing. Better to make your final weeks of normalcy as nice for you as possible.

When the time comes to take you, the pair make no attempts to render you unconscious or use trickery. How you react to being dragged into the back of their car will let them gage how you'll respond to the next few weeks, which is very important for their preparations. What's more, it will hopefully get the worst of the fight out of you by the time you arrive home.

Once you've reached the quiet of Sorbet and Gelato's home, they finally explain themselves. They promise (and yes, they're being honest) that they won't do you any harm whatsoever as long as you stay and don't fight them. For the first few weeks at very least, you'll be sleeping chained up in the (admittedly quite comfortably repurposed) basement instead of with them. Still, they cannot help but hold you between them on the first night. They've wanted this for a long time after all.

In the early days, Gelato is incredibly hyper with the thrill of finally having you. He doesn't want to be away from you for a second, and at one point Sorbet actually has to tell him off for getting too touchy without asking. Sorbet himself is much more reserved with you, but is happy to answer your questions and give reassurance once you actually show interest in talking to him.

Against all your expectations, the pair genuinely treat you well. They enjoyed their little game with you, a fact they don’t deny, but now it’s over they can start to treat you with the affection they’ve wanted since the start. Gelato likes to cook for you, happily agreeing to make whatever you fancy. Sorbet asks what other comforts you’d like to offset some of the discomfort of your situation. As afraid as you were of him at first, you begin to take comfort in his gentle words and touches.

As for your chances of a normal relationship with all your freedoms returned? It's possible, but it's going to take a lot of... conditioning. There's a lot about Sorbet and Gelato's lives your going have to become okay with before they can trust you with that kind of liberty, and they know that getting to you point is going to be difficult for you all. Being isolated with nobody but them helps, as does a gradual system of allotting you progressively more privileges in exchange for good behavior, but ultimately, you're going to have to bare witness to a few of their crimes so they know for certain they can trust you.

#la squadra #la squadra di esecuzione #la squadra x reader #risotto nero #risotto nero x reader #sorbet and gelato #sorbet and gelato x reader #yandere #yandere cw #stalking cw #kidnapping cw

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pinkchanelbag · 3 years

Text

— there’s no one else; chapter two.

a jean kirstein x reader mafia au.

last | masterlist | next

series summary: a boy caught in a web with his survival depending on balancing niceties between his predators. a prim girl on thin ice that leads down the path of least resistance. no one too close and no one too far, no allegiance unquestioned, and no child whose value and future goes without evaluation like a playing card that determines their worth. to be destined for big things is more like being doomed to them, but that’s the way it goes. it’s just family matter.

chapter summary: the party begins.

wc: 1.9k.

cw: still nothing lol

note: putting this out short notice cause it’s JEANBOYS BIRTHDAYYY BABYYY anyway enjoy heeheee and my apologies for the slow plot thus far i swear it picks up trust me bro.

the venue is obnoxiously grand. the garden is more akin to a football field than anything else. there is no central lighting, but rather pure white string lights everywhere, everywhere. tucked behind and underneath tables and wrapped around trees and laying in the overhead greenery and in the bushes that act as walls. wherever you look, your eyes are strained, and you’re sure the dining hall can be seen from the moon.

speaking of the dining hall, the organizers cleverly blocked off the front entrance to the building so that one is forced to walk the expanse of the entire garden—surely to ooh and aah at its elegant taste—in order to get inside through the back door entrance. in other words, having to greet every single member of the family before so much as putting your clutch down.

you apply a friendly, attentive expression to your face each time pieck stops to greet someone new, having mastered the art of being engaged but not so engaged it’s troublesome, while in reality being completely disengaged in any way. as pieck converses with a bulky man drinking wine and you pick apart the key points (“we don’t got the ammo to make deals with top contractors—legal team in shambles—not good to have a weak spot”), really you are letting your eyes wander over the shrubbery which has been trimmed to perfection. yes, the lights are a pain and the band is too loud so early in the event, and there is not enough walking space between the bushes so people squeeze together to reach the large clearing of the garden. a perfectly obnoxious party, except you can’t help but appreciate the greenery. somehow, it is the only thing about this evening that doesn’t seem ridiculous. or maybe you’re just unusually irritated tonight.

your eyebrows knit so slightly at this realization. why are you being so disagreeable? impatience and intolerance seem to grow in your chest for no particular reason. you make a note to identify the source of your mood, and quickly resolve it. there’s work to be done.

karina braun is a kind, opinionated sheep of a woman. she is liked by all, and not because she’s particularly easy to like, but rather because she’s hard to hate. stuck in her times and not having much intellectual value, she is possibly the most important woman in all the families. being the mother of reiner braun and the head of the braun-galliard family, gives her luxury without responsibility. you’ve only met her once before, and she possessed the kind of ignorance many privileged older women have. but still she’s kind, so you can’t justify how she makes you weary.

her birthday, funnily enough, constitutes one of the very few gatherings that frowns upon trying to discuss family matter during the events, unlike a young girl’s birthday. it has to do with respect, you suppose.

you spend your first half-hour at the party hovering around pieck as she makes small talk with associates, becoming increasingly nervous at your lack of breakthrough in communication with the family. you know the most important thing is your encounter with karina, and that will open up further talks with others, but you stall to approach her, imperceptibly steering pieck further away from the centre table where the older woman sits. not yet.

“are you going to keep leading me through the same semi-circle, or are you just going to go talk to her?” pieck asks calmly. you curse her intelligence in your mind.

“i’m just nervous,” you murmur, smiling politely at a group of men at a distance that eyes you like the business deal you are.

“you should be, but that doesn’t change that you have to do it.” your eyes flick to look at the woman beside you for a moment. her expression is not encouraging or consoling, nor is it unsettling. it’s fitting. what you and pieck have is less than friendship but more than acquaintanceship. often you feel as thought she’s reading your emotions like an open book, which can be scary considering how many of them you really hide. but if and when she sees them, she doesn’t seem to care, whether they’re incriminating or worthy of sympathy. she sees you, and that is all. it’s not a comfort, nor a curse.

“what are you waiting for?” she says, but it’s a genuine question rather than a push to complete the task at hand. you realize you’re waiting for porco. you want porco at your side. you want his strength and his jagged-edged ambition, and the forcefulness that makes you do the things your heart has no energy for.

“i just think it would be better if the boys were here,” you breathe. again, pieck sees your meaning, and your fright, and leaves it be.

for the next eternity, you drink champagne and stretch back your memory to know if all parties are this boring once you become an adult, or if the braun family has a particular talent for making you crave the sight of paint drying. the closest thing to entertainment—and not the hired folk who attempt to call themselves singers—is gabi’s voice, which can be heard no matter where in the garden you stand. she tells stories, strikes up arguments, and gathers food and drink with her friends, all at top volume. for some reason, you don’t find amusement in this either, and really start to worry about this attitude problem you’ve got this night. to add on, porco’s meeting seems to stretch painfully long. it was a short-notice meeting, which either meant something very very good or very very bad—more so when he told you he was being picked up for it by reiner, colt, and annie. some of the most important family members gathering for an emergency meeting means trouble. your anxiety bubbles in your stomach, and you worry that your not approaching the woman of the hour is reaching a point where it might be seen as—rude.

the guests are alerted that dinner is ready. it’s not long before each person has situated themselves along the tables that line the large garden. the seating plan is loosely maintained, but you have nowhere near the entitlement to mingle among other tables. you find yours and stay at it, and it’s only then that you get an idea of just how many people are at this event. each table is packed, holding roughly six people, and there are too many to count in the chaos, but they create a semi-rectangle in three respective rows. you make out countless bodies but few faces, just an endless sea of tuxedos and lovely dresses. at the front of the garden is the head table, where karina sits alone save gabi’s bouncing body going back and forth. your table is is only a few feet from hers, but you take a seat that puts your back to her front so you don’t make the unforgivable mistake of accidental eye contact. you’re to sit with porco, and his table—the galliard table—is the one closest in importance to the braun table. you are the only one at the table, further reminder of porco’s tardiness. the longer you fiddle with the white cloth on the surface, the more you worry about what exactly the meeting could mean.

and then pieck comes and sits across from you without a word. as always, you know it’s only family matter—the concern that you look out of place—motivating her and not your obvious discomfort, but you’re grateful nonetheless.

as the servers stream into the garden like white-clad troops armed with dome platters, a champagne glass’s unmistakeable ding ding ding catches the attention of the guests. a table near karina’s opposite side, not quite flanking her but near enough to display some importance. a man stands with his glass raised, looking unfitting for the position with the way his arm hesitantly dips and re-straightens. bertholdt, yet another notable name in braun-galliard (and it’s your job to know all the names), seems to be the only person around able to give the welcome speech. it’s easy to listen only selectively to the announcements and shoutouts, disregarding all the thank yous and remember whens and listening in for honored guests (who are honored because they’ve proven themselves useful). luckily for you, bertholdt’s clumsy speech has a clear distinction between the two categories, his eyes downturned to cards in which he lists off important guests and whatever thing they did to end up on he list before him.

“a special welcome to general theo magath of the mexican military, who has been so generous to the family’s trade routes…” bertholdt’s words are careful, partly because of the nature of the things he is sharing, but also because all his actions have been careful since his fall from grace. formerly one of the most reliable heavy men in the family, bertholdt’s reputation was shot to hell when an important—very important—family member was killed on his watch. despite having happened years and years ago now, it took extensive efforts to just convince the higher-ups that he wasn’t in bed with the killer. it’s common knowledge that bertholdt’s incident was the first and last time someone “had it easy” from braun-galliard due to his close friendship with reiner himself.

“an especially relieving guest to see here tonight—“

and—finally—the stragglers stalk into the clearing. like most others, you hear of their arrival from the ripple of murmurs long before you see them, seeing as their whereabouts are blocked off by tables and bushes. a few people stand up, but are quickly beckoned to sit down again and redirect their attention to the speaker, who clears his throat nervously.

“carry on, bertholdt,” reiner’s affecting voice breaks through the space, and it’s enough to settle the audience, or at least have them pretend to pay attention while the late-comers shuffle through the outskirts of the tables to find their seats. bertholdt proceeds slowly.

“…a person i’m sure we will all come to rely on during this chaotic time…”

you catch the first glimpse of porco as he turns the final corner of the rectangle, reiner walking before him and colt and annie just behind. reiner is the first to arrive to his table, the invitees seeming to hold their chests a little taller for the family’s true head—in every way except on paper—as he slides into his seat and presses a kiss to his mother’s cheek.

“…a great legacy behind him and a bright career ahead, and we’re surely glad he’s kicked it off in our company…” bertholdt goes on. you and porco’s eyes meet, and immediately you know something is the matter; you’re just not sure if it’s fury or ecstasy in his gleam.

colt and annie find their seats in the table just after yours, and finally porco is near enough to see—and ignore—the look of alarmed curiosity on your face. he arrives to the table, giving pieck a look of “we’ll talk later,” and briefly stopping behind your chair. his calloused hands are on your arms for a moment, running up and down comfortingly.

“—a happy welcome to—“

“hey, doll.”

“—jean kirstein.”

and your eyes flick away from porco’s and into the crowd of faceless bodies, and the anxieties that kept your brain buzzing with life halt and collapse to the floor of your mind like dead flies.

jean?

#nia.tne #nia.jean #nia.txt #jean kirstein #jean kirschtein x reader #jean kirschtein imagine #jean kirschtein headcanons #jean kirschstein #aot x reader #aot #attack on titan #snk #porco galliard x reader #porco galliard #pieck finger

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cheri-translates · 3 years

Text

[CN] 3rd Anniversary Love Carnival - Kiro

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an event which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Kiro’s Prologue: here

3rd Anniversary Masterlist: here

[ KIRO ]

The machinery starts moving, pulling the boat slowly as it makes an upward climb. The end is dense and dark, making it difficult to see.

I’m sitting in the first row, nervously adjusting the plastic raincoat I’m wearing. When I turn my head, I see Kiro’s mouth opening and closing.

In order for the raincoat to better shield us from the splash, it comes with a zipper near the hood area, which can keep the entire head covered.

MC: Mm?

Kiro: You... vous.

MC: What?

The clamour of the crowd mixes with the sound of the machinery. Along with the plastic raincoat, I can’t hear his voice at all.

He suddenly reaches out, pulling the zipper in front of me, at the same time revealing his own face.

Kiro: Come to think of it, this raincoat is really troublesome. I said - don’t be nervous! The first attraction marks a good beginning, and is just meant to establish a foundation.

[Note] “Marks a good beginning” is translated from 开红门 (“kai hong men”). This directly translates to “opening a red door”. Keep this in mind for later :>

MC: ...is it too late for me to say that I’m regretting this?

Kiro: [laughs] Should we jump off the boat?

He smiles broadly, as though he’d jump off with me the moment I say “Let’s jump then!”.

Kiro: It’s all right! Just treat it as us climbing an upside-down mountain, paving the way to a new phase.

MC: If it’s a new phase... would it be an even more dangerous adventure?

The climbing has almost reached its end. The light streaming from the peak of the mountain gradually enters our vision, and fall onto Kiro’s sparkling eyes.

Kiro: A new phase in which I’d like you even more.

The sky is so blue that it’s akin to a tide, gently covering Kiro’s back. The entire world is quiet, as though it has stilled.

In next second, I feel my body being tilted. The splashing water suddenly blocks the entire sky, the waves swirling into arcs, like the corners of a secret smile.

Kiro: [laughs] Is it too late to pull up the raincoat’s zipper... [screams]

MC: ...probably. Ahh---!!!!

Kiro: Ahh-----!!!

The speed of the swirling water crashing back down on us is reminiscent of several explosives, splashing onto our faces.

When we reach the ground, the water, like torrential rain, evokes exclaims from visitors waiting at the side.

The boat courses leisurely along the track, towards the end point. At this moment, no one is paying any attention to the two poor souls who have been soaked to the bone.

We look at each others’ sorry state, realising that the zipper in front of our faces have only been pulled up by a quarter. We lapse into silence.

Kiro: ....haha...hahaha!!

MC: Hahaha.

Kiro: I was so close to helping you zip it up fully just now!

MC: Same for me.

At the exit, the wall displays on-ride photos from the previous group of visitors.

On one of the screens, there are two people reaching out for the other party’s face, smiling brilliantly.

Kiro and I share a glance, and walk to the service counter.

Kiro: Hello, please print the ninth picture in the first row!

Looking at the picture, I can’t help but laugh. Kiro casually sweeps his hair upwards, then smiles as he tidies my messy hair.

MC: I spent the morning applying makeup. This is truly marking a good beginning.

He uses a tissue to wipe my face. From the side pocket of the backpack I’m carrying, he retrieves a stick of lip gloss. Leaning down, he lifts my face slightly with one hand.

Kiro: Don’t move.

The stick of lip gloss lands carefully on my lips, making me so nervous that I can’t help but close my eyes. The air I breathe into my lungs contains the unique scent belonging to him.

After the lip gloss has been applied, what replaces it is an even gentler and softer touch.

It’s so quick that it seems like an illusion.

I open my eyes to see a few drenched strands of Kiro’s hair drooping downwards mischievously. The corners of his lips are lifted, and the colour on his lips and mine are similar.

Kiro: Okay, it’s “red” now.

[Note] Kiro is playing with words here by referencing both the colour of the lip gloss, and to “marking a good beginning”, which, as mentioned above, is translated from 开红门 (“opening a red door”) in Chinese!

[ PART TWO ]

Since we’re already drenched, we decide to seize this chance to try all the attractions which involve water.

Kiro: Miss Chips, let’s take a break over here!

Kiro pulls me over to sit at a corner of the hot spring resting area. Dipping my feet into the warm hot spring, I feel the fatigue in my body dissipating along with the steam.

He removes various props from his face, brushes the beads of sweat from his forehead, and releases a long sigh.

Kiro: The heat almost killed me. I can finally breathe.

MC: You’ve worked hard, big celebrity.

Kiro: It’s not hard work at all.

He leans his head against mine lightly. His feet also shift closer, sticking to mine.

Seeing our legs pressed together, my face starts to feel warm. Perhaps it’s due to the hot spring.

Kiro: Hm? MC, what’s wrong? Are you too tired from earlier?

MC: Nope! It’s just that… this hot spring is too comfortable, and I feel a little sleepy.

Kiro: Ahh… Wake up, Miss Chips! We’ve barely finished half of today’s challenges!

His expression shows concern as he turns his body to the side. Because of the movement, his toes lightly brush the sole of my foot. The other leg shifts over, accidentally rubbing against my instep.

Like a feather brushing and rubbing against my heart, bringing with it a wave of numbness.

MC: I’m awake, I’m really awake! You… just sit properly!

Kiro: [laughs] Miss Chips, why do you look so nervous?

A certain someone doesn’t seem to be aware of what happened, his big blue eyes blinking innocently.

It’s all because of you!

Although that’s what I think in my heart, my mouth starts searching for another excuse.

Kiro: [laughs] Hm?

MC: I’m just worried someone would suddenly come…

The facts show that it’s easy to regret words that have just been spoken.

Several couples walk towards us one after another, sitting on the flight of steps not too far off from us.

Seeing this image, I immediately reach out for Kiro’s face before he turns around.

He widens his eyes. Due to me being overly frantic, I exert too much strength, causing his entire person to turn over, and our legs to be entangled.

MC: …people are here!

Kiro: [laughs] I hear them.

MC: Don’t say anything!

Kiro: It’s all right. They can’t hear us.

His voice is very soft, buried in the bubbling hot spring. But the warmth of his breath is on my face, and I can’t help but hold my breath.

Kiro: I suddenly realised that my hair is a little messy right now.

MC: How can you tell?

Kiro: From your eyes.

MC: Pfft. In that case, what else can you see in my eyes?

Kiro: Hmm… I’ll have to take another look.

He shifts his head slightly closer, as though he’s truly searching for something in my eyes.

Kiro: I see…

Kiro: That MC was lying earlier.

I freeze for a moment, sensing that Kiro has placed his feet beneath mine. Stepping on them, my entire self seems to be lifted up, and I feel light as a feather.

Kiro: Do I make you very nervous?

MC: …you already know the answer.

Kiro: It can’t be helped. Miss Chips was just too cute just now.

MC: I’ll leave you to take the inverted roller coaster by yourself later!

Kiro: This punishment is too much!

Despite what he mutters, his eyes are smiling.

The couples behind us finish resting, and they get up to leave the hot spring area.

I also prepare to release our interlaced hands. However, in the next second, Kiro lifts his hand, placing mine on his face. My feet are once again tangled with his.

Kiro: I need to prepare myself for taking the inverted roller coaster by myself.

Kiro: Let’s stay like this for a while longer, okay?

[ PART THREE ]

MC: I think we need to slow down…

Kiro: Agreed.

Of course, I couldn’t bear to let Kiro take the roller coaster by himself.

We support each other by the arm, preparing to head to a more light-hearted ride.

MC: “Ready Ready”… what’s this?

Kiro: From what the guide map says, it seems to be a 4D theatre?

According to the introduction on the guide map, groups of two will be seated in a sphere-shaped cabin which will course along the tracks. The tracks don’t seem to have a large amplitude.

MC: It should be an attraction similar to “Soaring over the Horizon”. It seems pretty all right.

Kiro: Go! Go! Go!

MC: Wa ahh—!!!

Kiro: [laughs] M-m-m-miss Chips, hide behind me quickly!!!

The woman crawling out of the well follows behind us. Just before she reaches us, the door shuts.

The sphere-shaped cabin seems to jolt, and the image of a gigantic spaceship appears in front of us.

The yellow gorilla wearing a crown suddenly smashes through the iron wall above us, reaching out to grab us.

Kiro: MC, come see!

Outside the base, the sky is filled with wyverns. Young people who are sitting on their backs and wielding long swords greet us.

We sit on a wyvern, breaking through the large doors of the jail, crossing the lava mountain and the castle of a mage. On an uninhabited island, a pink-haired girl waves at us.

In the vast ocean, an elderly man is in a small boat. The gigantic, jade-like tail of a whale resembles a hug from the sea.

On top of an ivory tower, a man wearing a mask steps on revolving flowers, showing us a poker card.

Kiro: Hahaha, this is way too cool!!

A person stepping through the clouds next to us waves a long stick in his hand, opening a new path for us.

A panda police officer blows on its whistle, directing the wyverns to land.

When the hatch door slowly opens, I realise that this short, fantasy-like journey has reached its end.

Kiro: Even the name of the ride is a reference.

MC: That was incredible! Just how many Easter eggs are there…

Kiro: Mm… 27?

MC: …why did I only count 16?

Kiro: Let’s see!

Kiro takes my hand, explaining the various images in the ride while we walk.

MC: But there was a hotdog man at the corner, right?

Kiro: There was also a man wearing an X mask on the roof.

MC: There was a dolphin at the corner of the group of small animals.

Kiro: And behind her was a hidden white snake girl.

MC: …

Kiro: …

Our footsteps pause at the same time. Exchanging a silent glance, we turn our heads in synchrony and rush towards the ride.

Kiro: Hello! We’d like to go one more time!

MC: There’s a killer whale chasing someone over there!

Kiro: There’s a hot air balloon and a white dragon above the street! And that mountain!!

MC: Where did we count until?

Kiro: 31?

With our four hands together, our brains crash.

MC: Hold on, we missed it, we missed it! Over there!!

Kiro: …

MC: …

We step off the sphere-shaped cabin, more or less identifying all the Easter eggs.

What we had missed earlier was just a small image.

Kiro: [sighs, then laughs] Let’s go, Miss Chips.

I blink, staring at Kiro who looks unaffected. Then, I tug on his hand.

MC: Cough cough. I’ll give you a chance to express your opinion!

He blinks gently, a little expectant and a little hesitant.

Kiro: …won’t the third time be boring?

MC: Will you let me be bored?

What replaces his response is a full embrace.

Kiro: Of course not!

[ PART FOUR ]

The cafeterias in the Love Carnival must have gone through a lot of designing in order for moe flowers to appear easily for couples.

Every single themed cafe is packed to the brim. I hurriedly pull Kiro, who is wearing a wig, away from these “danger zones”.

There aren’t many people in the forest right now, leaving only the rustling of leaves.

MC: It’s a good thing I thought of this scenario beforehand.

Kiro: Deng deng deng deng!

When we speak in unison yet again, we retrieve picnic mats from our individual bags, and look at each other blankly.

MC: …I made enough for two. Did you also buy two sets?

Kiro: I was worried the cafeterias would be too crowded and we’d get hungry.

Kiro: But…

His voice grows soft, and I don’t know what he’s struggling with.

In the end, he purses his lips, turning his eyes to me.

Kiro: I didn’t buy them.

MC: …hm?

He chuckles in embarrassment, spreading the picnic mat smoothly on the ground, and taking out food boxes from the bag.

Seeing these food boxes, I’m left slightly stunned. Based on my memory of how long I’ve known Kiro, it seems that I’ve never had a taste of his cooking.

Kiro: I was thinking that since today is such a special day, even if we couldn’t sit in a cafeteria to have a couple set meal, we should at least have something special. I don’t want you to be left with any regrets today, so I was wondering how to make things different for you.

Kiro: And then… [laughs sheepishly] what you see in front of you happened.

I lift up Kiro’s food box. The rice has been scooped up in a crooked manner. Although the carrots could be said to be in heart-shapes, they look more like the heads of an arrow.

In the messy omelette, the ham seems to have sneaked out secretly. Perhaps it wanted to have a breath of air after being in such an enclosed space.

The octopus sausages are like blooming fireworks, hiding in the gigantic rice ball, too shy to see anyone. Meanwhile, the sandwich looks incredibly full, and it seems to have chicken drumsticks in it.

This looks like a far from perfect bento - shoddy and clumsy.

Kiro: …what’s in front of you is already the best attempt.

MC: How many times did you make this?!

Kiro: I’ll let it remain an undisclosed secret forever.

He places his palm on his chest, closing his eyes and saying this quietly.

Chuckling, I hand the bento that I’ve prepared to him. In exchange, he gives me a few minutes’ worth of praises.

MC: This seems to be the first time I’m eating what you made.

Kiro: There shouldn’t be a problem.

He looks at me with certainty. His expression is exceptionally serious, causing me to laugh aloud.

MC: Why didn’t you show this to me before?

Kiro: They weren’t good enough.

MC: Have you met your standards now?

Kiro: Of course not! I just felt… that you’d be happy with this.

His eyes are bright, akin to a sun being hidden by soft clouds which are unable to shroud the light.

This perfectionist is slowly, bit by bit, willing to display the areas he isn’t perfect in before me.

Like the tender belly of a kitten.

MC: I’m especially happy. But if something does happen, you’ll have to take responsibility.

Kiro: Of course I’ll take responsibility! Even if nothing happens, I’ll also take responsibility! [laughs] I’ll take responsibility after eating.

The afternoon sunlight is just right. The quiet forest is reminiscent of a small world, embracing us.

MC: I’ll be digging in now!

[ PART FIVE ]

The heavy Pendulum drags us far away from Mother Earth. Our feet are suspended in the air, and continuously scale to greater heights.

As of now, I’m hugging the safety bars in front of me tight.

MC: Kiro, you liar!

Kiro: I’m not! I was duped into coming here too!!

After lunch, we proceeded with the carnival challenge. After going through all the tests earlier, we had pretty much conquered a majority of the attractions in the park.

That is, aside from one of them - the Turbo Drop, which is so tall that it pierces the clouds. It looks as though it’s inviting people to scream in an unparalleled manner.

Because it looks overly frightening, and that the entrance has been designed to be hidden in an obscure place, there are extremely few visitors who ride it.

Kiro: The staff told me that this was very interesting! The entrance was a tower, and I thought it was an attraction where we could look at the scenery from a high altitude.

MC: I can understand all of this, but…

We’ve reached the peak of the Turbo Drop. Over a hundred metres in the sky, the winter air is especially cold, and the empty Turbo Drop seems even more desolate.

I feel as though my heart is already dead.

MC: Why didn’t you let go before we boarded the Turbo Drop!

Kiro: How could you bear to let me go through this on my own!

MC: I have to harden my heart during such circumstances!

Kiro: You could treat it as… us going through a hardship together.

MC: What kind of a hardship could be even more terrifying than this!

Kiro: Just think about it. Don’t novels and movies always have such scenarios? Two lovers experience some… challenge from the world.

He reaches out, gripping my hand tightly.

Kiro: By getting through the difficulty, people can see the determined love of the couple, and they eventually overcome all the barricades! As long as we complete this challenge, the future will be full of tranquil and beautiful days of enjoying each others’ company! This way, do you feel filled with courage?

MC: Does this count as Mr Kiro’s exclusive secret to success?

Kiro: This secret can’t be used by anyone. It only works when it’s related to you. Whenever I face anything frightening, as long as I have this mentality, I’ll feel omnipotent, and that there’s nothing I can’t do.

MC: In that case, me too!

I grab his hand tightly, the view beneath my feet frightening beyond compare. But because Kiro is here, I feel as though I can press on through this.

Holding him as we walk towards the end-goal, all the challenges along the way are simply temporal.

MC: Wait.

Something occurs to me.

MC: This has nothing to do with you dragging me up here.

Kiro: Haha.

The music from the Turbo Drop resounds, signalling that this frightening experience is reaching its end.

The incredibly rapid wind brushes past my ears. In the midst of the weightlessness rushing though my entire body, I hear Kiro’s words.

Kiro: If Miss Chips weren’t around, I definitely couldn’t do this on my own!!

With jelly-like feet, I lean against Kiro’s frame. Even so, I can’t help but sulk, my soft fist smashing against him.

MC: …“the future will be full of tranquil and beautiful days of enjoying each others’ company”?

Kiro: Welcome to your tranquil and beautiful days with Kiro.

MC: How would you know about that?

Kiro: I just know it.

His voice is soft as he leans towards my lips. It’s as though his words are at my ear, and requires some weaving before it can reach my heart.

Kiro: Because every day will be a future like this. The only difference is that there will be different kinds of beauty.

MC: in that case, what kind of beauty is it now?

Kiro: Right now…

His voice suddenly grows softer. He takes off the hat he’s been wearing all this while, and covers our side profiles.

Kiro: Lift your head, and I’ll tell you.

Fireworks event: here

#this is just a re-post of the love carnival translations!#I'm doing some mild renovations to the blog so don't mind me #the previous translations were split according to parts rather than love interest which I find really disjointed!

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abybweisse · 3 years

Note

💬 Have you ever heard of the Ciel Phantomhive roleplayer that went to jail ? They were pretty big on YouTube A few years ago

💬 for random chat

Ciel Star? Oof, you just had to ask me, huh? Perhaps you already know the answer....

Sadly, I know a bit too much about that one. We were in an RP group that included some kuro kin, and he claimed to be kin of our earl (not Ciel), whom he called Astre. He was leader of the group, and he controlled other members by making them not trust each other, so they wouldn’t talk openly about what was really going on. He talked many of the members into leaving Tumblr around 2017/18 and focusing on Facebook and Discord.

I love sending gifts, so when we did a Secret Santa game in 2017, I sent gifts to many members, including him. I also sent care packages to him and the members who had moved into his (mother’s) house. He and his mom lived upstairs, while the others (three at one point, I think) shared the basement.

Soon after that, he ruined one of my Undertaker wigs by trying to style it; I had it shipped directly to him from Arda, and he (finally) shipped it to me... but matted, cut incorrectly, and half-styled. He also convinced me to commission a cosplay outfit item through him — I wasn’t allowed to contact the maker directly— and what arrived from the maker was useless. I think he quoted me much higher than what the maker said, and he pocketed the rest of the money. I literally couldn’t use the Akuma6 top for Undertaker and had to make my own for Momocon 2018. I also had to restyle that brand new wig, and it will never be right because he trimmed the bangs all wrong and sent it matted up. I had to use a backup wig for most of Momocon, and I have also now bought a third. (They are all different.) He was supposed to attend Momocon 2018, but he pulled out of it at the last moment. I did get to meet some other members in person, but it was awkward, because one that lived in his basement and their partner were told (by him) to avoid me. I still haven’t seen most of the photos we did there.

I left their Discord group but was talked into coming back (before Momocon 2018)... then I left again (sometime after Momocon 2018). He kept creating new servers on Discord, supposedly to keep out former members or other “troublesome” people. Others left from time to time, usually not returning. Eventually, “Evan” was arrested, and the rest of the group just sort of dissipated. I still keep in contact with a few of the people, but no one wants anything to do with him anymore... except perhaps the one he groomed. 😠 Most of them are not active in the fandom anymore.

He gaslit members... and apparently long-distance groomed at least one... who is no longer a minor but was when she first joined. He used his claim of DID and being a trans man as a victim card; I don’t even know how much of it’s true, but he apparently started taking T shortly before his arrest. He got rid of his Facebook account before he was arrested, too, and she (the groomed) got rid of hers later; he probably told her to. They also got rid of their Discord accounts before I stopped using mine. Last I had heard (a few months after he was arrested), she was the only one still visiting him in jail. Everyone else just wanted to move away and move on.

I won’t name names because I still have contact with a few people, and it wouldn’t be fair to them. They didn’t know what he was doing, either, even though they were closer to him.

He used so many people.

Edit: Back when he had my Arda wig, he sent me a photo of him wearing it. I took a photo of myself wearing the wig I had bought elsewhere (it became my backup wig for Momocon 2018). Then I made a shitpost of us and posted it on Discord. I think I still have it....

#I don’t even want to use the main tags on this #interaction prompts #chat #anon asks #i answer #answered asks #kin drama #discord group #rp group #tw: grooming #ciel star #bad memories #apr 25 2021

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mysticaltigersorceress · 3 years

Text

That Which Will Never Change

Hello! I took part of a server gift exchange, and this is my gift for @mushroomgrenade

This is a scenario with their oc, B. I absolutely fell in love with B while writing this, and yes, I angsted. I'm only sorta sorry xD But hey, I gave it a bittersweet ending though

Length: 2.4k

Characters: B, Izo, Ace, Haruta, Marco, Thatch, Buggy, Shanks, Whitebeard, Oden, Gold Roger, Rayleigh

Warnings: Implied Death/flashback

Ao3: (clickable)

B stepped out of her cabin into the sunlight, relishing the gentle warmth of the early morning sun. The breeze lightly rustled her hair and clothes. What a lovely day to make land.

The Moby Dick had dropped anchor at what presented itself as a calm spring island. (Who knew, knowing the weather stability of the Grandline, perhaps it would start raining spiked hail balls later.) The low rolling hills were covered in young, light green grass and the occasional scrubby bush broke up the neverending landscape. The smell of soil and wildflowers mixed with the salty sea breeze just added to the excitement of being back on land.

Of course, there were still chores and duties to carry out before they got to relax. Everyone had their assignments for what needed to be done first, and B was no exception.

B was just about to disembark when she spotted Ace and Haruta chatting outside of the washrooms. Ace was carrying a Cameko Den-Den Mushi in his hand, trying to hold it inconspicuously behind his back. Both might’ve appeared casual, but something about the way they kept snickering and glancing around told her they were up to something She perked her ears to them but didn't watch them directly so they didn't realize she was onto them.

"Ready to head into town, B?" B nearly jumped in surprise, but smiled since she recognized the voice. She turned and looked up to smile at Izo, who had materialized behind her. She pressed her finger to her lips and slyly pointed in Ace and Haruta’s direction. His brow furrowed as he looked where she pointed and tried to figure out just what she wanted him to see. A slight tilt of his head followed by the slightest grin and she knew he connected the dots.

“Just what are those two up to?"

"If I had to guess, they're up to no good." She chuckled. "Should we check, or wait to see what happens?"

Izo focused his keen eyes on them, and he slowly grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Let's wait." He smiled down at her, expression as gentle as always.

They sat against the railing together and settled into idle chatter as they waited. It wasn't long until there was a flash of light followed by angry yelling.

"WHO’S IDEA WAS IT?!" Marco bellowed and B couldn't help but laugh as he angrily burst onto the deck. His usually golden blonde hair was now dyed bright purple, and Ace and Haruta were cackling delightedly as they evaded him. Ace and Haruta decided the wisest course of action would be to escape to the island and take off running. Marco transformed his arms into wings and flew after them, hot on their heels.

"Purple looks fairly nice on him," Izo chuckled. Well, they’d relaxed long enough. Time to get to work. Izo led the way down the gangplank, B following just behind him.

"COMING THROUGH!" B checked over her shoulder and lurched out of the way of Shanks and Buggy as they barrelled haphazardly down the gangplank. Buggy was shouting at Shanks as they raced each other up the beach into a vibrant jungle, shoving his face angrily against Shanks' face, but Shanks just laughed as he always did. B shook her head and chuckled at their antics. B turned to comment to Izo, but the beach was clear. Where had Izo gone?

“B, would you mind keeping up with them?” B’s cheeks grew warm, and she turned to the ship at her back. The Oro Jackson had replaced the Moby Dick in the cove, and there on the deck stood Rayleigh. Part of her wondered what happened to the Moby Dick and the other Whitebeard Pirates, but she quickly dismissed it. She was also a member of Roger’s crew. Why shouldn’t she be here with them?

“Sure thing–” A loud crack followed by screaming and crashing came from the jungle just off the shore. “Oh, for goodness sake,” B rolled her eyes and lightly jogged up the beach into the jungle. Oden was rubbing off on those two far too much.

As she searched the foliage for the troublesome apprentices, something felt slightly off, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was. The jungle didn’t give off any immediate signs of danger, nor could she sense any bloodlust toward her.

“Shanks? Buggy? Where did you little brats wander off to?” B yelled into the trees.

“Red nose? Red hair?”

Her voice seemed to fall flat against the trunks. No leaves rustled. There were no animals in the underbrush. No birds in the canopy.

She held still. This was the sound of perfect silence.

Where did everyone go?

B caught a flash of movement in her peripheral vision and whipped around. There was a flicker of orange amidst the green and she bolted after it, nevermind what it was. She should be able to handle it, whatever it was.

B stopped. Where had… whatever it was gone? She watched for a sign of anything living or moving around her. The jungle was eerily still again.

Wait a moment. Which way was the shore? She hadn’t gotten herself lost, had she? A final glance through the foliage and she turned back the way she came. She should get back to her crew! The trees seemed to press closer and closer together as she tried to retrace her steps. Nothing seemed familiar, nor could she see, smell, or hear the sea from where she was. Just how far had she gone into the jungle?

From her left came a rustle and B took up a defensive position. The plants shook; whatever it was drew closer. She started to launch into action but stopped when she recognized the face that poked out.

"Fushichou-chan," B relaxed. “It’s you.” Marco gave her one of his reserved smiles.

"What are you doing out here yoi? The party's already started." He gestured for her to follow him and led her through the trees. She walked close to him, close enough for their shoulders to brush. She didn’t want to get lost again. His hair was still bright purple and looked like an exotic flower had been placed atop his head. She stretched her hand out and ruffled it, chuckling quietly.

“Purple doesn’t look half bad on you,” she teased, laughing at his grumpy expression. He sulked at her laugh and grumbled under his breath about the shampoo that was now wasted due to hair dye being in it. While her gaze was fixed upon him, her foot caught on a root and she went down, throwing her hands out to catch herself. Marco caught the back of her coat before she hit the ground and lifted her up to set her back on her feet.

“Watch your step, yoi.”

“Thanks, sorry,” B mumbled apologetically. Marco responded by taking her hand in his. They continued quietly walking hand in hand, the only sound being their breathing and their feet on the dirt trail they followed.

And then, B heard something. Familiar voices grew in volume, and suddenly the path they were following opened into a large clearing where the Roger and Whitebeard Pirates were throwing a massive party.

There was one massive bonfire in the center of the clearing, but several smaller fires dotted the space surrounding. Wonderful smells and music filled the air, along with plenty of laughter and banter from the two crews. Marco waved to B and went to say hello to Crocus. B wandered into the party, simply happy to be back with her crews’.

Pops, Roger, and Oden sat together around the largest bonfire, bellowing a sea shanty in between eating and drinking. Jozu was wrestling several people all at once and still winning from what B could tell. Vista dueled with Shanks atop a table, both equally cheered on by both crews. Hugs, handshakes, and waves were distributed to her friends as she explored the festivities. But oh, what was that delicious smell?

“Dammit Ace!” B laughed when she saw what Ace was being cursed out for. Thatch was covered in splattered food and dragging Ace out of a large pot of soup, cursing his younger friend for his narcoleptic habits. Thatch laid him on the ground out of the way, where Ace continued to snore while the commander and chef simply shook his head. B joined him in watching Ace. “Of course he had to fall into the soup, couldn’t just fall backward or to the side.” Thatch complained.

B was quick to dip her finger in the soup and smiled when she licked her finger clean. “Don’t worry, he didn’t ruin the flavor.”

“Hands out!” Thatch scolded her but filled her a bowl without hesitation. “Go sit, and save me a seat!”

B parked herself at the nearest fire pit and sat on a log with plenty of room on either side of her. Kingdew, Blamenco, and Rakyuo were already seated around the fire, and they offered her a warm greeting as she joined them. She smiled and waved silently, seeing as her mouth was currently full of soup. Thatch’s soup was definitely her favorite.

They all scootched closer and brought her into their conversation, though she was too busy happily slurping her soup to add too much to their conversation verbally.

“Why didn’t you save me?”

B froze, spoon in her mouth. She whipped around, dread making her chest tight and heavy. Thatch was smiling down at her.

“Why didn’t you save me a seat?” He laughed and took a place across the fire from her, not noticing how shaken B was. Why was she trembling? Everything was okay, right? She couldn’t think of a reason it shouldn’t be.

But his words began to echo in her mind, tumbling and screaming and glitching with static.

Why didn’t you save me? Wh-y ddidn’t y-Ou SavVe mE? wH-Hy di-IdnnN’T YoUUU–

B dropped her soup and rushed to Thatch, grabbing him fiercely by the shoulders as if possessed. She checked him over frantically, looking for something to be wrong. Something was wrong, but what? The feeling of impending horror and doom filled every fiber of her being, clouded any coherent thought she might’ve previously had.

“B, you okay?” He set his own food down and placed his hands over hers, brow’s furrowed in concern. Her eyes met his, and something in her settled just a little bit. She tried to answer, but the words caught in her throat.

Thatch pulled her into a gentle hug, rubbing his hand against her back, and B latched onto him, unsure why she was so upset.

“B, what’s the matter?” She heard Ace yawn behind her. “Thatch, what did you do this time?”

Thatch didn’t answer. He couldn’t, since he didn’t know, but B knew this wasn’t his fault. Somehow, she felt whatever was wrong was her fault. Ace joined them, placing his hand on top of her head, skin impossibly warm as usual. She struggled to find words to describe what was wrong.

“Forgive me,” B whispered after what felt an eternity.

“What?” Thatch and Ace responded in unison, sounding confused. B felt confused herself. What would they need to forgive her for? But something in her told her she needed both of their forgivenesses. She pulled out of Thatch’s hug enough to look at both of them.

“Please,” She begged them. They gave each other odd looks but nodded.

“You haven’t done anything wrong by us,” Ace crouched next to her and Thatch and placed his hand on her shoulder. “There isn’t anything to forgive.”

“And even if you did wrong us, we’d forgive you. Every time.” Thatch assured her.

“You’re our family. We love you, and nothing will ever change that.”

B wrapped an arm around Ace and Thatch and pulled them into a tight embrace which they returned. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply. Their warmth faded, and their bodies sagged against her, limp, heavy and cold. The sounds of the party faded away. Cold wind whipped her face, the smell of death and smoke filled the air. She opened her eyes and found herself kneeling atop the execution platform in Marineford, the destruction of the Summit War spread before her. Bodies and debris litered the ground. And the words echoed again, grating against her whole being.

WHY DIDN’T YOU SAVE US B?

B shut her eyes and dropped the bodies in her arms, avoiding looking directly at them. Her head was screaming at her, and she squeezed her head in her arms, anything to try to relieve the reverberating in her skull.

B jerked awake, breathing erratically. It took her a moment to get her bearings but recognized where she was. She was in a room at Shakky’s bar in Sabaody.

She slowly lifted her head, blinking furiously to get her eyes to adapt to the candlelight. Something was stuck to her cheek, and she carefully peeled it off and held it up to the light. It was a photograph. B must’ve fallen asleep while looking at her old photo’s. She had spread them all across the table. Some were much older than others, evident from the sun-tampered colors. A few were a bit torn, a few were more well-loved than others. Some carried food stains, some carried tear stains. But they all carried precious memories.

In the picture stuck to B’s cheek, Marco’s hair was purple as opposed to his natural blonde. He was chasing Haruta and Ace across the Moby Dick, Pops and everyone laughing in the background. Izo had taken this photo, and B was barely visible in Blenheim’s pocket, bleary from a nap. The prank had left Marco’s hair purple for nearly two months and had given everyone a good laugh.

Other pictures she’d fallen asleep on included Shanks and Buggy faceplanted in the sand after falling off of the beached Oro Jackson, Roger and Oden drunk off their arses and singing and dancing together, and a particular favorite of her, Izo, Thatch and Ace together. (Thatch was carrying a sleeping Ace like a sack of potatoes, and B got a piggy back ride from Izo.)

The dream was fading fast, but the last words were stuck on repeat in her head, like a scratched cd or a broken record.

Why didn’t you save us?

B stood abruptly and dropped the photograph on the table, suddenly aware of how wet her cheeks were. She grabbed her jacket from the bed and started to leave her room. Yet, she wavered when she got halfway out the door. The urge to go somewhere else eventually lost to another voice in her head.

We’d forgive you.

You’re our family.

B hesitatingly approached her desk, and picked up a photo of her family. Pops and all the commanders smiling up at her. Dream Ace and Marco’s voices came back to her.

We love you, and nothing will ever change that.

Nothing would ever change that.

#B #one piece oc #not my oc #my writing #mvwriting #whitebeard pirates #roger pirates #izo #marco #thatch #ace #whitebeard #oden #gold roger #rayleigh #haruta

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ggmanreviews · 4 years

Photo

GGMan's Weekly Video Game Recommendation #5

I play a lot of games. Some, everyone has played. Others, not so much.

I'll be listing one game per week, that I have played and believe it deserves more attention. If you have already played it, then that's great! If you haven't, then you might as well. The bigger the game, the longer the review due to the amount of content.

Name: Company of Heroes Genre: Real-Time Strategy Developer: Relic Entertainment Publisher: THQ (Sega from 2013 till present) Engine: Essense Engine Length: Over 100 Hours Singleplayer? Yes. Multiplayer? Yes. Release Date: September 12th, 2006 Platforms: PC

Reviews: Steam 9/10, GameSpot 9/10, Metacritic 93%, IGN 9.4/10

Now, where do I start? Company of Heroes shall forever be one of my all-time favourite games. It's not the oldest one I've played, but it was the very first one that introduced me to, back then, the rising industry of video games. You might recognize the franchise by its sequel that came out in 2013, which was also the last of the franchise as Relic was bought by SEGA, later that year, & THQ (not to be confused with THQ Nordic) filled for bankruptcy in 2012. Company of Heroes had managed to redefine the staple of real-time strategy games as it won numerous awards including two game-of-the-year titles from IGN & GameSpy.

The game takes place within the European Theatre of World War 2, as it covers not just individuals but, companies from specific armies and they're efforts throughout the Invasion of Normandy. From the heroic landings of Omaha Beach to the famous encirclement of the retreating German 7th Army within the Falaise Pocket, you control Able Company as a detachment of the U.S. 506th Infantry Regiment and basically re-live their experiences amongst some of the most pivotal battles of the war.

However, if American campaigns do not interest you, then you may be entertained by their standalone DLC's. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts allows you to take control of the British 2nd Army in their conquest for Caen, and the German Panzer Lehr Divison with their perspective during Operation: Market Garden. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor does not follow after its predecessors with specific campaigns throughout the war, but instead, it allows you to re-live three episodes, from the war, depicting individual soldiers or groups at their finest hour; Tiger Ace SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittman, the 82nd Airborne Division, & a unit of Waffen SS-Panzergrenadiers.

If you're a history fanatic, like me, then the premise of the game's story alone would already have you keen to try the game out for yourself. However, if you're not really a fan of World War 2 based video games, then maybe the gameplay would manage to catch your attention. Unlike your old-school strategy games such as Starcraft, Warcraft, & Age of Empires, Company of Heroes introduces the mechanics of, for example, economic gathering, sectorial management, dynamic cover, command powers, destructible environments, real-time physics (get that Fortnite sh*t outta here) and I could go on. Combat wise, you control one of four different armies, two from the allies & and two from the axis, which deploy squads of soldiers or individual tanks each with their own pros and cons. You use a combination of the multiple varieties of units available to you in whatever method of attack or defence that you want to do.

Do you want to charge over 70 units of US riflemen, armed with the BAR & sticky bombs against a division of German panthers? Of course, you can! Do you want to launch a rocket at a single British officer running for his life? Go ahead! This game lays down the groundwork through historical maps, battles, events, and basically hands over an immeasurable amount of freedom to choose how YOU want to play.

If you have completed the campaign without much of a challenge, then you may dive into the multiplayer as you, obviously, battle other players live to each their own choice of playstyle, and even against the game's computer-based AI which, depending on the chosen difficulty, it could either be a walk in the park or your complete and utter annihilation.

Graphics & Immersion? Who cares! As a game from 2006, using a (now) dead engine, this game takes the cake when it comes to the bare bones of the pixel by pixel details. For a real-time strategy game, you have realistic looking weapons, uniforms, tanks, maps, explosions, faces, voice acting ("EAGLES! SCREAMING ON JERRY!"), destructive action, rockets, more explosions, tiger tanks, cartoonish animations, physics, fires, airstrikes, buildings, and did I mention explosions?

In my honest opinion, Company of Heroes isn't just a game that deserves more attention because let's face it, the attention is already there from way back in 2006. This game is a must-play for any RTS fanatic out there.

System Req (Minimum) OS: Windows XP / Windows Vista Processor: 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium IV / AMD Athlon XP Memory: 512MB Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 3 Series / ATI Radeon 9500 Sound: DirectX 9.0 Storage: 9GB (Steam says 1GB for some reason)

System Req (Recommended) OS: Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7-8 (10 has some initial compatibility issues from my experience) Processor: 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium IV Memory: 1GB Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Sound: DirectX 9.0 Storage: 9GB (Steam leaves this blank for some reason)

Side Note: On Steam, there's the normal version & the legacy version, which are given to you upon purchase. The legacy version is the most updated version of the game by Relic Entertainment but, access to multiplayer is extremely troublesome as it's not supported by Steam servers. Play the non-legacy version for little to no issues.

Price (USD): $16.18 (Main Game + Legacy Edition), $29.43 (Main Game + Legacy Edition + Both DLC's) [PC] Disclaimer: this is a direct conversion of my local currency via Steam because Google is being dumb. In my opinion, it's worth the full price.

#company of heroes #coh #real time strategy #strategy #video game #pc #war #world war two #france #allies #axis #germans #review #video game review #original

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legolaslovely · 5 years

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A Fair Rose Part 2

A/N: Hello! I have been so excited to post this Part 2 for you guys. This story is based on this imagine from @imaginexhobbit and includes the song I’d Pluck a Fair Rose from the show Poldark because I’m obsessed. I really hope you guys enjoy.

Pairing: Kili x Reader

Word Count: 1,872

Warnings: none, fluff

Summary: Kili does his best be charming and capture the heart of his new love, but will his troublesome ways get in the way?

Part 1

Kili stood in front of a dirty mirror, braiding his hair and trying to ignore his brother dancing around him.

“Oh, my dear, sweet love, (Y/N)!” Fili sang, kissing his own hand in jest. “I will see you in a week’s time. Let me sit and listen to the same incessant tunes over and over just so I can hear your beautiful song-bird like voice once more! And let me drag my brother with me! Oh, and please, my dear, sweet love, come to the ball in the dress delivered to you from an admirer. Here’s the secret! It’s me!”

Kili allowed his brother to mock him. He knew he had been acting sort of foolish and he was surely not himself when he was around you. Before he met you, he was not one for court concerts and definitely not one for balls. Tonight, he gladly accepted his uncle’s invitation to the party in the grand hall to celebrate the anniversary of Erebor’s reclamation. It was true, he had sent you a dress and an invitation with the hopes of seeing you in an environment other than the court concerts.

“Oh, (Y/N), will I ever tell you of my love for you? How I’m so infatuated with you? Probably not!” Fili continued.

“Why do you think I invited her to the ball?” Kili grumbled, securing his braids with a leather band.

Fili spoke over him. “(Y/N)! Maybe after I assist you with your harp, I can assist you in taking off all those clothes?”

Kili wacked him hard. “Shut it! Don’t talk about her that way, you can be heard through the mountain.”

“All right, all right,” Fili said, sitting on the edge of the bed and catching his breath. “But I swear to Mahal, if you don’t tell her tonight, I will.”

Kili fastened his robes on his shoulders. “I’m going to tell her. I just… need to choose how.”

“Don’t you think she already has the idea? You’ve gone to every one of her concerts for two months now, always requesting that song she sings. That dopey look you get makes your feelings pretty obvious.”

“There is no dopey look.” He sighed. “Even if she does suspect, she hasn’t said anything.” He fiddled with his robe, pulling the ties in his fingers and staring at the mirror.

Fili grabbed his brother’s thin coronet of silver and sapphires and placed it on his head. “Well, it wouldn’t make a good impression if you were late.” He led the way through the corridors to the grand hall. Before the guards opened the tall wooden doors, he said with a smirk. “Who knows, she might pick me instead.”

Kili mocked him in deep voiced gibberish and pushed Fili’s shoulder, sending him falling into the hall. They continued to elbow each other until they reached the high table and Thorin growled at them to stop. With the new vantage point, Kili searched the floor for you and his stomach dropped when he didn’t see your bright smile.

“She’ll be here,” Fili said.

Kili slumped in his chair and twirled the strings of his robe in his fingers, his gaze glued to the door. It seemed like song after song passed. He ignored the many dams sending smiles and winks his way, passing it off as if he thought they were trying for Fili’s attention. He grumbled and gripped the arms of his chair before standing with a huff. “Seems we were both wrong, brother. I’ll not be tortured another moment, I’m leaving.”

“Take this,” Fili said, handing him a goblet of port. After Kili drank, he said, “Now, look.”

Kili whirled and looked to the doors of the hall. There you stood as if light from the heavens shone on you.

“There’s that dopey look,” Fili said.

Kili threw the empty goblet into his brother’s lap and flew down the steps to the floor, rushing to you through countless calling dams. He didn’t notice any of them.

You were looking around as if lost when he came into view. He halted before you, pushing his hair out of his eyes and smiling. “(Y/N),” he said. “Welcome.”

Before you could reply, a dashing server appeared next to you offering you both some drink. Kili took one for you, placing it in your trembling fingers, and another for himself, though you never saw him take a sip of it.

He noticed your wide eyes surveying the hall as you drank. “It looks much different with all the tables and decorations,” he said.

You swallowed hard, gathering yourself. “Very different. It’s always beautiful, but tonight…”

“Much like you. Always beautiful, but tonight… breathtaking.” He stopped his eyes from traveling down your frame. He wanted so much to take in the way you looked in the dress he had had made for you, but he didn’t ever want to make you uncomfortable. He wondered if you noticed how your gown matched his robes.

Again, your gaze flashed to the ground, but a bashful smile pulled at your lips. “Thank you, Prince Kili.”

“Please. Just Kili.”

Since you entered the hall, nothing registered in his mind but you. Not the music, nor the dwarfs surrounding you, nor his brother’s prying eyes from the high table. Presently, he heard the elegant music of the band start to play. “I know you’ve just arrived, but would you like to dance?”

You nodded excitedly, pumping more courage into him. He took your glass and then your hand, leading you to the middle of the floor. He stood across from you and bowed, feeling his heart thrash with anticipation. He tried hard to remember the steps he had been practicing with Fili for the past few days.

He circled you, looking down at you on his right shoulder and then parted from you. Step in, step out. This was easier than he thought. Then he looked at you. Your hair was beautifully braided, cascading off your shoulders, tied with a ribbon that matched your gown. He stepped left instead of right and ran into the dwarf on his side. You didn’t laugh at him, only smiled encouragingly. Step in.

“I can’t tell you how strange it is to be dancing instead of playing,” you said, nodding towards the musicians on the stage.

“I hope I haven’t pulled you away from your passions,” he said when you met again.

You circled him. “Oh, no, Pr- Kili. I’m having a lovely time here with you.”

He felt his grin reach his ears.

“When I first received your invitation, I was frantic because I had nothing to wear. Then this stunning gown arrived from a secret sender. Do you know anything about it?”

His grin faltered. “No, I-I do not.”

“Well, whoever sent it is very generous indeed. I wonder how they knew I should like to wear your colors.”

He froze, causing the next dwarf in line to crash into him. He tripped over his own foot, then thankfully, the music stopped. He bowed to you again, kissing your hand, then excused himself. He ran up to Fili and pulled him out into the kitchen corridor.

“What?! What is it? I thought you were having a good time!” Fili yelled, pulling his arm out of his brother’s harsh grip.

“She knows,” Kili said.

“That you’re obsessed with her?”

“She knows about the dress, Fili.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“No! Yes. I don’t know.”

There was bustling around them, dams and dwarfs of the kitchen shooting them troublesome looks. A night of a ball was not the time for the princes to be scheming.

“What do I do?” Kili asked, exasperated.

“Tell her that you’re obsessed with her?”

“Will you stop?! I’m not obsessed with her! What if she ever hears you saying that? My chance will be destroyed,” Kili shouted.

“But you are obsessed with her.” Fili smirked hard.

“No, I’m not!” Kili reached for a passing cart of food and grabbed a fist full of mashed potatoes, chucking them in his brother’s face. “Just because I have someone and you don’t doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk!”

“Oh? Do you have her?” Fili asked wiping the food from his beard. “Because last time I checked, she’s in there alone with a hundred dwarfs chasing after her!” He wiped the potatoes on Kili’s robes, smearing them into the fabric. Then, he stole a plate from the table and dumped it over his brother’s shoulders.

Kili continued to throw food at his brother, using a plate as a shield. “I come out here for advice and you throw food at me?”

“You started it!” Fili yelled.

“You’re the older brother! You’re supposed to help me!”

“How am I supposed to help some lovesick fool who can’t even form a sentence around- (Y/N)! Hello.”

Kili whipped around to see you standing there, food flying from his hair. “(Y/N)! I-I’m, I’m so sorry,” he stammered as Fili stuck a napkin in his hands and took the plate from him. He wiped the food from his face. “I’m so sorry, I’ve- I’ve ruined everything.”

“Don’t worry, (Y/N), we’ll clean him up and he’ll be back at the ball in a moment,” Fili said, picking food from his brother’s hair and brushing slop from his shoulders. “This is all my fault, really, I must apologize-”

“No, don’t,” Kili said, setting his brother aside. “It’s my fault. I’ve completely ruined the evening, I’m so sorry.”

“Nothing is ruined,” you said.

“But I-’

“Kili, I’m not upset with you.” You wore a sweet smile on your face that he couldn’t help returning. “If I was, it would be about you not being yourself with me, not the food fight with your brother.”

He wrung the soiled napkin in his fists and his head fell. “You see right through me, huh? I wanted to be better for you, more… princely. Charming.”

“You couldn’t be more charming,” you said, chuckling when he looked up at you with wide, warm eyes. “I’ve heard many stories about the silly princes. Your schemes and tricks, but also your kindness and tender hearts. That’s the Kili I wish to know.”

“You knew of me before you came here?”

“Of course. You’re the prince. I dare say you stole my heart before I even stepped foot in Erebor.”

He stared at you, his countenance soft and at length he said, “Well then, I hope you will save a dance for me at the next ball.” He reeked of food and had all kinds of treats caked into his clothes. But somehow, he looked more handsome than ever.

You reached for him and untied the sopping robes from his shoulders. “There’s no reason you can’t have the next one.”

You slung the clothing over the cleared table and he rushed to take off his soiled vest, leaving only his clean tunic in place. He held out his hand and gripped yours tightly, twirling you before pulling you in close. You leaned your head on his shoulder and let him rock you to the silence. Then he broke it, softly humming the song he first heard you sing in the great hall.

“I’d a pluck a fair rose for my love…”

#kili #kili x reader #kili fic #kili fanfic #kili fluff #kili fanfiction #fluff #the hobbit #the hobbit fandom #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit fanfic #the hobbit fic #lotr #lotr fandom #lotr fanfic #lotr fic #lotr fanfiction #kili x dwarf!reader

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lord-explosion-baku · 6 years

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Rising Sun (part 2)

Prince!Kirishima x princess!reader

Warnings: swearing I think?

A/N: I finally got some ideas of where I want this to go! I edited the first part to have Mina be your old friend back home because I’d like to add more BNHA characters to this. Also Kirishima is gonna come off ooc but I gotta let you know that beneath his facade he’s still our Grade A Best Boy. Anyways here’s part 2!

Part 1

You awaken to the clanking of glass against the side table nearest to the bed. You stretch your body and enjoy the feeling of the freshly clean sheets against your skin. You’re still in the gown you had out on the night before and you hoped that meant that nothing troublesome happened. You open your eyes and watch a beautiful woman with bright red hair pouring water into a crystal glass. You’re thankful it’s not Anaya but you don’t expect this girl to be any less nasty.

“Water, miss?” She offers you the glass and you take it, realizing you had a pulsing headache. You really went heavy with your marital wine drinking.

She sits with you on the bed, keeping her back straight, and watches you finish your glass. She takes it back and says, “the prince told me to speak softly to you since you had a rough night but I do want to inform you that breakfast is being served now. Food from your kingdom to make you feel more at home. I must admit I did sneak a few bites of the potato hash and it really is quite delightful,” she sends you a soft smile. Maybe not everyone from this kingdom was horrible. “If you want I can help you find the dining hall after dressing you, if you don’t mind.”

You gaze down to the red silken gown you wore to bed. For something that was supposed to be worn to please its viewer it was incredibly comfortable. You smile at the thought of what the people in the temple might think if you went down dressed as you were. Maybe they’d send you home.

This is your home now, you have to tell yourself. You nod and allow the woman to escort you out of bed. Back at your old home, Mina, your chambermaid and friend, would swing pillows at your face and yell at you for sleeping the day away. You would laugh and hit her back. You were going to miss her terribly.

The woman who you learned her name as, Freya, helps slips yet another form fitting gown on. It’s white and shows off your bare shoulders while the sleeves have slits, while the rest of the gown flows freely down to your feet. Draconians’ attire consists usually of skin revealing uniforms since the kingdom was the warmest of them all and you were grateful to be put in something a little more tasteful. Maybe tasteful wasn’t the right word seeing as you were from a completely different world and you haven’t quite felt at home with their customs but you were content with with being comfortable.

Prince Eijirou stands before you are seated to his right. He offers you a kind smile and you bow respectfully at him. The long dining hall table is adorned with the finest morning foods your own kingdom had to offer. It was a kind gesture but nothing you should get used to. The room is lit up only by a few torches but the giant windows that showed off the rolling hills and tropical greenery brings more than enough light in.

When you sit Eijirou places a hand on your arm. His touch is warm and inviting and remember the way he made you feel last night before you… before…

You turn to him and he’s watching you. “Prince Eijirou,” he frowns slightly at your formality, “About last night…?”

“I put you to be bed,” he whispers back to you. He leans in close so the servers around you couldn’t eavesdrop, “no harm will come to you as long as you are in my temple. Especially not from me.”

You are flooded with relief. You didn’t feel like anything happened but you had to make sure. The man before you was your husband but you didn’t know anything about him, besides what you heard from a certain blue haired somebody who just glided into the room.

“Speaking of which,” he stands and everyone around him besides Anaya freezes. “Anaya,” he addresses her and she salutes him by putting her fist to your chest.

Hisses and growls escape her mouth and you can only assume she’s greeting him in Draconic.

“I’d like to have a word with you and I would hope to have it in the tongue that all parties can understand.”

Back home, ‘having a word’ meant taking someone aside and speaking to them one on one. You furrow your brow and watch Anaya send you a glare before turning her attention back to the prince.

“It seems that last night you did not fulfil your duties in tending to my bride.”

Anaya crosses her arms across her chest and sneers, “she told me she could handle it on her own.”

“And was that before or after you threatened her?”

Anaya raises her eyebrows. “I did no ssuch thing! I wass only giving her fair advice!” She shoots another glare your way.

“Was the advice warranted?” He waits for her to respond and it seems like she doesn’t understand the question. Eijirou begins to speak to her in draconic, his tone only seeming more dangerous through the rolling of his tongue and his growls. She hisses back and throws gestures into the air. She flinches only when he stomps his foot the ground. The table shakes.

“I see then… since you have such a narrow and tainted mindset I can only see you as being a threat to this kingdom and I have it in my right mind to banish you,” a hush falls across the dining hall. You watch Anaya’s face contort from fury to terror. The king himself walks into the room and crosses his arms, observing his son. Much like the prince, he displays his bare muscular torso with only an opened vest over his frame. He looks very much like Eijirou but with long wavy black hair that falls beneath his shoulders and many more scars, no doubt from fighting in many battles. He nods for the prince to continue.

“But I am putting your fate into my bride’s hands.”

Your eyes widen. You’re doing what?

Eijirou turns to you, “it’s your decision, Princess Y/N. We can have her banished for the crimes committed against you or we can let her stay.”

Beg pardon, your majesty? You don’t realize your mouth fell open until Anaya scoffs. Eijirou shoots her a look and she dismisses the ugly look on her face. You knew that one day you were going to have to make big decisions like these, at least for your kingdom. Hell, this didn’t seem all that big compared to the declarations of war your father signed your kingdom into. You didn’t think that Anaya had gone as far as committing any crimes against you, though you didn’t like her the second she opened her mouth.

You remember telling your father that when you were going to be queen you, were going to be a kind and forgiving one. He said that’s not what your kingdom needed. He ruled with an iron fist and you were to follow in his footsteps. That was of course, before losing so many good people, even your friends, in battle.

You bow your head, “let her stay.”

Anaya brings a shaking hand to her mouth and she cries out. You think she’s upset but she then she salutes you.

Eijirou doesn’t change his tone as he speaks to her. “Be grateful that you’re future queen is far more forgiving than I am. Let this be a warning: if you ever come near my princess again with malicious intent, I will not hesitate to have you take your leave by tying you to a barrel and having you float your way to exile.”

You shudder at his threat that felt more like a promise. Maybe Eijirou was a brute.

Anaya excuses herself and you watch the king leave. Eijirou sits back down. The servants around you avoid talking and Eijirou starts tapping on the table. He lets out a shaky breath.

“Thank you,” he says. You look to him and he’s staring at his full plate. “I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted her banished but I’m glad you said not to.”

You don’t know what to say. You begin turning your glass full of what you think is pineapple juice, a fruit only found in this kingdom. “I believe empathy can go a long way. Carrying an open heart can only open the hearts of those who surround you,” that was something your mother used to say to you. You pick up your glass and take a sip. Definitely pineapple juice. You are thankful for such a delicacy.

“That’s why you’re going to be an incredible queen,” he turns to you, “but if Anaya ever bothers you again just call her a nurh-rhyvos-maurg.” That was a mouthful.

“What does that mean?” You take another sip of your juice.

“Ugly cow breed.”

You spit the pineapple juice back into the cup and cover your mouth. Eijirou’s crimson eyes shine at you, happy to see you laugh. “So she has a sense of humor!”

He takes a napkin and dabs at your face. That was too intimate for your liking. You take it from him and smile, “of course I do. I just didn’t expect you to have one.”

He gives you a funny look and smiles to himself. “There’s a lot that we don’t know about each other yet. I know a lot of Draconians seem barbaric at first and as a future king I have to play such a merciless role but… well, I’ve met actual barbarians. They’re not half bad. And as a king I have to be assertive so my people will take me seriously. I’ve accepted the role but there’s more to me than my status.”

You’ve said that to your father plenty of times in one form or another. It was almost reassuring, knowing that you and your husband had at least one thing in common.

“nurh-rhyvos-maurg,” you practice saying it. Draconic is mostly rolling your R’s and and elongating the S’s but when it comes to words like ‘maurg’ you had to sort of growl.

“Trust me, it’s a big insult for Draconians. Nurh-rhyvos-mmAURg,” he enunciates the last word and his sharp teeth are flashed at you. It’s kinda cute the way he growled the word out.

“And what do I call you?”

“Mrrandii, which means ‘husband.’”

“And what do you call me?”

“Memamosal, for ‘wife’ and vorel for ‘beautiful,’” he grins as your cheeks are dusted with pink, “but I prefer ithquant because you could only be described as divine.”

You didn’t think it was possible but your face turned an even deeper shade of red. He takes the opportunity to lean in close to your ear and whispers, “sia vorel vur ithquant memamosal.” You nearly melt at the way his low voice rumbled in your ears. You turn to see him staring at your lips. “My beautiful and divine wife…”

You find yourself leaning closer to him. His pupils dilate, only making his crimson eyes an even more vibrant ruby. His lashes are dark and long and nearly ran you as he blinks. Your lips are a hair away from his before the two of you are interrupted by the Draconic growling coming from behind you.

Eijirou sighs and turns towards the man who addressed him. They have a conversation you can’t understand while you pick at your plate, wondering what the hell you were about to do. You were going to kiss your damn husband which is fine. You’re fine. Everything is fINE.

Eijirou clears his throat and takes your hand. “There are some customary festivities going on in town today. It’s actually pretty common and we’re not expected to go,” he bites his lip and you fixate on his teeth. Why did you think they were so cute all of a sudden? “Normally I would encourage anyone to go to these things but they can get pretty loud and well, last night…”

Ah. You are very hungover. You furrow your brows, “how loud?”

He brings his hand to his neck and gives you a sheepish grin, “let’s just say our wedding was pretty hushed compared to this.”

“Oh…” you stare down at your half eaten food. Is there a polite way to refuse?

“We don’t have to go! I’d just like you to know what’s going on in our kingdom. We can always go to the next festival, there’s plenty!”

“Well, you should go!” You don’t want to keep him from having fun. Besides that, you really wanted to have some time to yourself to think.

“I don’t want to leave you here by yourself. What kind of man would I be if I left my lady here waiting and bored out of her wits?”

“I won’t be bored. I’ll… go exploring! What kind of queen would I be if I didn’t know my own castle?”

You can tell he is being resistant but you really need to be alone. You place your hand over his and he stares at it. This was the first time you had instigated a touch. You bat your lashes at him, only half guilty for using your charm to get what you want. “Please?”

“Maybe I’ll have someone escort you around?”

You shake your head. “That won’t be necessary. Sometimes being alone and getting lost is the best way to find yourself familiar with oneself and their surroundings. I’ll do fine.”

He frowns at the word ‘alone.’ He leans back in his chair and his brows narrow in concentration. His eyes light up and he grins, “Yeah, okay. That’ll be good for you.”

You have half a mind to ask him what he means but you don’t. You don’t want him to change his mind so instead you kiss him on the cheek and watch his face flush.

You don’t see him change for the festival. You’re only informed of when he has left and you begin your investigative stroll.

From the outside, the temple stands high and proud but seems rather small compared to the inside. Your castle at home was large enough to house the royal family, your servants, and five other noble families. Though the temple is larger than the viewer’s eyes it only houses the royal family and a few of their servants but the town isn’t a long journey away. The temple is smaller because it wasn’t meant to be housed at all when it was created. It was to be a house of worship for Draconians. They have an ancient following that is derived from the first appearance of dragons or so you are to believe. You thought that was very interesting since your kingdom was basically built through power with a big help from magic. That’s why the high priestess is hailed almost like royalty.

Outside, your feet are greeted with warm sand that surrounds the temple. It’s not hot enough to burn you and it’s really quite inviting. Draconians don’t wear shoes and you weren’t offered any when getting dressed which was fine but you were thankful for the lush grass you found after strolling outwards, not wanting you feet to get too dusty. As you walk you taken in the air that is rich with a sweet aroma of the tropical fruit growing nearby and the slight hint of a burning wood that follows you whoever you go. It was an odd mix but fitting for such an odd kingdom.

You balance your feet and walk in a straight line, one foot in front of the other, and think about your place in this kingdom. You were going to be their queen and Eijirou, your king. You grew up knowing that you were going to be a queen somewhere but it was finally happening all too fast and in the place far too foreign. But you did it for a just reason. You did it for peace. And you are going to be a good queen but how can you be so sure of that if you can’t have your own husband touching you without panicking? You blamed that on Anaya but you’re not sure if things would be different if she hadn’t threatened you.

You’re lost in your head when the ground starts to shake. It happened so quickly that you’re not sure if you imagined it or not. It shakes again and you lose your balancing game. Your eyes shoot up and your gasp.

About fifty meters away, clear as the sky, a Herculean creature, mighty and proud with gorgeous sanguine scales that shine as the warm sun hits them, stares at you. Your first encounter with a dragon.

Part 3

Tags for EVERYTHING (closed): @yandere-inamorata @miitaart @dessiedawnwritesfanfiction @wickedlewicked @chickennuggetsarequestionable @nevermorelanore @kpanime @ayeputita @captain-sin-allmight-queen @diisasterbii @iceformer @meganofmars @colagirl5 @colorbookshd @grimmjadeskye @sm0kingcrack @sarcastictextstuck @zellllyyyy @psionicsnow @mynahx3 @andie-in-tumblland @iamthe-leaf @midnightfeline666 @bungou-stray-alies-tales-of-aly s-of-aly @rubyred-28 @kattariapenn @heypartypeps @quirktaker @thecryingsombra @smbody-stole-mycar-radio @ghost-of-todoroki @geektastic84 @personoffangirlingandtears @glixeo @rubycubix @mekakushi-dan-01-kido

#bnha x reader #bnha #bnha imagine #bnha reader insert #reader insert #boku no hero academia #mha #my hero academia #fantasy!kirishima x reader #fabtasy au #eijirou kirishima x reader #kirishima x reader #kirishima eijirou x reader

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shikastemari · 5 years

Text

— light; nara family. ࿐ྂ。

written for Shikamaru Week 2019 | days 03 and 06

words | 1602

rating | T

a/n | my last fic for shikamaru week and i`m really proud of this one. i wanna thank @shikanaradai for the plot, cause it was her idea. also, would like to thank @shikamarubase for being the host of this amazing week, hope you got happy with the result!! and to the all amazing people in naragakure discord server, i hope this is only the beginning! <3

beta | @deviswriting <3 thank you for the best partner i could`ve asked for!!

masterlist in bio

The first time, it was an accident.

Temari wasn’t supposed to be in Konoha, but Gaara always liked to give her the diplomatic missions. It was a good excuse to see his face, so imagine how disappointed she was when he wasn’t at the meeting. When asked, no one knew where her boyfriend was, or even why he wasn’t working today.

Kakashi was the one who apparently knew, but also didn’t say anything.

Walking around the village, it didn’t take much time until she reached Ino’s flower shop. It was unusually closed, especially at this hour of the day. She walked through the streets, thinking about going to Shikamaru’s house but, on a second thought she wondered if their relationship had reached that level of intimacy. Until Naruto appeared in front of her.

“It’s Asuma’s death anniversary.” It was all he said, before shrugging and leaving the Suna girl behind. After that there wasn’t much needed to be said.Pressing her lips in a thin line, Temari resumed her walking, but this time she had a destination in mind. Her feet drove her until she reached his favorite spot.

There he was.

Lying with the grass on his back, staring at the clouds. There was a lighter in his hands, which he opened and closed more times that she could count. His gaze was locked on the sky above him.

Temari pondered her options. She could go away, let him be, or she could go there and risk doing something wrong. Fighting every reasonable judgement in her mind, she went for the later.

There was no ‘hi’, or any greetings at all. She just laid next to him, without touching, only existing next to each other. Right beside her, she could hear the clicks of him fiddling with his lighter.

She fixed her eyes on the clouds. Temari was never able to understand his fascination over them, but she couldn’t deny that it was relaxing. After staring at them for so long, at some point, it was easy to believe they’re the ones moving, not them. She closed her eyes, taking in the nice breeze.

The blond girl didn’t know exactly when she heard her boyfriend stand up. The horizon was already painted in orange. He looked down at her and the tears in the corner of his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by her, but she didn’t comment on them. Taking a deep breath, Shikamaru offered his hand to help her to get up, which she took without thinking twice. Even when she was on her feet again, he didn’t let go of her.

They walked in silence. Temari just followed his lead. Shikamaru only stopped when both arrived at Konoha’s cemetery. By the corner of her eyes, she saw his lower lip tremble before he bite it.

Shikamaru let go of her hand and walked closer to his sensei’s grave. Temari kept a safe distance between the both of them and stopped when he leaned down at his sensei’s grave. He muttered a few words that she couldn’t hear and left the lighter there.

As he stood up, her boyfriend took a deep breath before turning back to her and grabbing her hand once again.

The next time, it wasn’t an accident.

Temari arrived in Konoha by morning. The sky was clear of any clouds today, but somehow she knew he would still be there. This time, when she laid next to him, he grabbed her hand right away, intertwining their fingers while he opened and closed the lighter until the sunset.

They stopped at the cemetery once more. Shikamaru left the lighter on his sensei’s grave once again, and they left.

Shikamaru didn’t bear the weight in his shoulders this time.

When Shikadai was born, it was the first year Temari didn’t spend the anniversary with him.

She felt terrible about it, but there was no way she could lay down in the grass with a baby. Shikadai would probably cry, taking all the attention of his father from this important day.

The clock seemed to mock her, with its endless spinning. When it hit 6pm, the orange rays were piercing through the window. Mentally, she retraced the path through his - no, their spot - to the cemetery. He was probably there now, bending down and putting the lighter there, one more time.

Shikadai slept. She remembered all the times she heard Ino and Sakura complain about how their kids would take so long to sleep. Sleeping was never a problem to her kid.

‘Sleep when your kid does’, said every parenting book ever. But she couldn’t, not when he still wasn’t home yet.

It didn’t take long. Shikamaru opened the door carefully, his gaze meeting her’s as soon as he entered their bedroom. There wasn’t sadness or hurt… he just looked tired.

Her husband kicked his shoes and crawled into the bed with her. Taking a deep breath, Temari let herself to rest, knowing he was there next to her. Suddenly, two arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer. Shikamaru smelled like grass in a rainy day and cigarettes.

They dozened off in that position.

“It’s that day again, isn’t it?”

Shikadai’s voice took her from her distracted thoughts. As growing up, at that particular day, Temari would ask for someone to take care of her son while she could keep her tradition with Shikamaru. The first year, Kankuro babysitted him. The next one, it was Gaara.

Didn’t take much time until she was asking for her Konoha’s friends.

“Yes, love. Can you stay at Boruto’s for the day?” Temari asked her son, who just nodded in response.

When Shikamaru appeared in the kitchen, the lighter in hands, she could read the question on his pretty face.

You coming?

Temari moved to Shikadai, placing a kiss on his forehead, while Shikamaru came closer, offering his son his fist. With a soft smile, Shikadai accepted it.

They did the same thing as always. Laid in the grass while watching the clouds, waiting until the sunset, then going to the cemetery.

The sorrow she used to witness in a younger Shikamaru wasn’t there anymore. Temari could tell he missed him, but it didn’t crush him anymore. The man next to her learned how to deal with the losses he had dealt with during his lifetime and turned it into his strength and for that, she couldn’t love him more.

When they got home, Shikadai was asleep in his bedroom. It was unusually early for him, but she didn’t argue. Temari joined her husband on their bed. Shikamaru pulled her closer and she rested her head on his chest, falling asleep.

At the middle of the night, they heard a gentle knock on the door. Temari sat up straight, alarmed, thinking about something could have happened to her son, when her husband’s miniature popped his head in their room.

“Is papa asleep?” His sleepy voice came out from the gap.

“No.” Shikamaru replied behind her and she made a gesture for him to come in.

“Can I turn the lights on?” Shikadai asked and Temari frowned.

“Sure, but why?”

She heard some steps and she had to blink a few times before her sight could adjust to the new light in the room. Taking a good look at Shikadai, Temari’s frown deepened.

“Is everything okay, Shikadai?”

“Yes.” He said, his cheeks a bit red. He bypassed their bed, stopping at Shikamaru’s side, who was now sitting on the bed, his frown mirroring hers.

“So, I saw this in one store and I thought you could like it.”

Shikadai looked at the ground and stretched his arms to offer his father a little gift. Shikamaru grabbed the tiny package, inspecting it. He ripped it, finding a blue lighter, with a white cloud in the back.

Temari swallowed hard, trying to keep away the tears from falling. One good look at her husband’s face and she knew he was doing the same.

“Thanks, Dai. It’s a really good gift, but you shouldn’t have spent your mo-”

“It’s fine.” Shikadai interrupted, shrugging. He scratched the back of his head, looking at the door. His instinct was probably telling him to run away from two emotional parents. “It costed almost nothing anyway. Also, I was wondering… If it’s not too troublesome, can you get home early tomorrow so we can play shogi?”

“I can certainly try.” Shikamaru smiled.

“Okay. So..” Shikadai started walking away from the bed, his little hand looking for the light switch once again. “Good night, mom, dad.”

“Night.” Both of his parent answered in unison.

Then, the whole room got dark again and all they heard was the noise of the door getting closed.

Temari laid again and by Shikamaru’s movements, she could tell he did the same. When Shikamaru brightened the room with his new gift, his features seemed something near angelic.

“It’s fun.” He commented while he put out the fire, the whole room being swallowed by dark once again.

“What?”

“My light just gave me light.” He lighted it up once again, making the enormous grin on his face visible.

Temari smiled. This time, she didn’t wait for Shikamaru to pull her closer, she tucked in next to his body while he was still playing with the lighter, as it brightened the whole room.

“Shika?”

“Hm?”

“If you burn this bed, this fire will be the last one you’ll see in a while.”

The whole room went dark for one last time.

#shikamaruweek2019 #shikatema #shikamaru #shikamaru nara #temari #temari no sabaku #shikadai #shikadai nara #asuma sarutobi

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bat-hercollectioncycle-me-blog · 5 years

Text

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selenium-drive · 3 years

Text

Stay Gold Chapter 6: The Rescue

TW: Depictions of violence/blood, kidnapping, physical abuse

Words: 7k

Series rating: Explicit

"Why are you suggesting we go back to Tattooine?" Mando sighed exasperatedly.

"Because," Tajana began, "I can look around town for parts necessary to get the Crest running better. I have close ties with a lot of parts dealers there."

She sorted through bundles of frayed wires that were on the verge of touching the oppositely charged pieces dangerously next to it. Her skilled fingers pried apart the multicolored strands, twisting the correct pieces together and spacing the copper wires a safer distance from one another. Maker, this was a catastrophe waiting to happen. Besides the obvious safety risks, her own pride, and she supposed Mando's as well, was at stake. She was still irritated about how Zero harshly critiqued the ship before the start of their last mission, with his not so sugar coated observations at how flawed the Crest was. Their failed attempt at replenishing their dwindling supplies was also a contending factor in the need to stop somewhere. "We also need to stock up on bacta and food, for real this time. That little incident in Corellia put a damper on things," she added.

Mando sighed once more. "I'm not made of credits, you know," he grumbled. "I'll have to find more work while we're there. I still need to pay you for all you've done around here these past few weeks."

Tajana stood up and wiped the sweat from her brow. "We'll worry about that later. Right now we need enough to be able to get what we need to take care of the kid and each other."

"That may be so, but these lower paying jobs we're lucky enough to find, aren't covering much of anything," Mando admitted bitterly.

Tajana fiddled with the tips of her gloves, then slowly began to pull them off while staring at the Mandalorian's boots. "If you don't mind me asking," she started nervously, "what happened with the Guild?"

Mando swallowed hard. She hadn't asked any questions before about much of anything involving him and the kid. He supposed it was only fair that he give her an answer, especially seeing how she brought herself to reveal information about her upbringing he was sure not many people had heard before.

"It's...complicated. I took on a mission to find the kid and when it came time to turn him in, I couldn't," Mando explained. "Well, I mean I did, but then I ended up going back for him. The man who hired me was ex-Imperial. He has a small group of troopers with him on Nevarro. I don't know what he wanted with the kid, but I couldn't let it happen."

Tajana fidgeted with her gloves. "You...you worked for the Empire?"

Mando's heart skipped a beat. Stars, she had every reason to hate them. Now to find out he actually took a job for them...

"No!" The bounty hunter shouted defensively, and a little too forcefully at that. "Well, yes...but the Empire isn't around anymore. To me, the job was a job. I don't side with them, not at all."

He stood awkwardly and stiffly in place while Tajana looked up at him, her golden eyes staring deep into his visor warily. What he wouldn't give to see the lower half of her expression right now. Was she frowning? Was she angry or upset? Her eyes always showcased so much raw emotion to make up for what part of her remained covered and unseen. This time, all he could make out was a flicker of distrust brewing deep in her honey tinted stare.

"I'm not proud of accepting a job from an Imp," he said while breaking eye contact with the girl. "But it got me the kid, therefore I have no regrets."

Tajana continued to glare hard at his beskar helmet, her eyes softening some when she realized just how much the battle hardened hunter in front of her cared for his son. "I supposed neither he nor I would be standing here had you not done what you did."

Mando's head shot up to look in her direction. Again, he found himself desperately wanting to see her face, to know what she was thinking and be able to read her puzzling, obscured expression. His mind flashed to the bits of tanned skin he mistakingly caught a glimpse of while she slept on his cot several days prior. It felt like a sin to see such simple parts of her face. He had only looked for a second. Stars, he couldn't remember what exactly he had seen even if he wanted to. Mando wasn't used to being the one who wasn't allowed to see another beings face; is this what it felt like for everyone else around him?

"I'm setting a course for Tattooine," she spoke up suddenly, breaking his concentration rooted deep in his thoughts. Her voice was hardened and serious. Whatever moment they had building up was over. When Mando didn't argue, Tajana started to make her way into the cockpit where she took her spot in his seat.

_________

The Crest touched down in an empty hangar located in Mos Espa. Once Tajana fed The Child what last remaining bits of food they had left besides protein bars at this point, Mando collected the foundling and placed him in the cloth crossbody bag to be carried around with them on Tattooine. They emerged from the ship, the dry desert air hitting the exposed portions of Tajana's skin, leaving a soft burning sensation in its wake. The suns beat down overhead, reflecting off the metallic shine of both the Crest and the Mandalorian.

"This is where you grew up, isn't it?" Mando asked the shorter woman walking alongside him.

"Yes," she answered simply. "I haven't been back here since mom passed."

"Why'd you want to come back here of all places?" He asked.

Tajana shrugged. "It's...been on my mind a lot lately..."

The Mandalorian, pilot, and child traveled down the relatively busy streets of the marketplace. Loud chattering erupted from the multicultural and diverse crowds consisting of different species, all looking to find the best deals for whatever it is they were shopping for. Tajana started to take a few bigger steps ahead of the Mandalorian when a stand advertising medical supplies came into view. A sharp tug on her wrist made her fall back into place by her employer's side.

"Stay close to me," Mando warned.

"Why?" Tajana asked, a bit of worry laced in her voice. Her eyes scoured everyone congregated around them, looking for anything that seemed out of place.

"I don't want a repeat of Corellia," he explained.

Tajana scoffed and her body language relaxed. "You worry too much. We'll be fine."

They approached a beat up, wooden stand run by a Kubaz. Mando immediately placed a few credits on the countertop.

"Bacta, in any form you have it, please," the hunter requested the shopkeeper. Tajana raised an eyebrow in confusion following a few high pitched squeals and vague hand gestures that were directed to Mando, who sighed audibly and place another handful of credits in front of the Kubaz.

"Don't waste what we barely have," Tajana remarked.

"We need all this, don't we?" Mando answered sharply. He collected the few patches and cans that the Kubaz happily handed over to the pair in exchange for the rather generous looking sum of currency. "Besides," Mando continued, "one of these is coming out of your paycheck." Tajana shot him a surprised look. "You always said I had to waste one on you because of Calican," Mando deadpanned.

"And I had to waste the last of it on you from your run in with Xi'an," Tajana grumbled.

Mando scoffed and shoved the bacta in one of his side pockets. "I guess we're even then."

_________

Mando stood off to his pilot's side ever so slightly, alternating between cautiously watching passer-byers and keeping an eye on his crew member, all while she sorted through a small basket of horned melon. The ripe, sweet, fruit was a bit of an expensive delicacy, but Tajana wanted to purchase just one to bring back to The Child.

"Do you like these?" Tajana called out to Mando. He turned his attention her way, glancing glancing at the plump, spiked yellow-orange fruit she held out in her hand.

"I don't know," he replied.

"You've never had one before?"

Mando looked at her again for a second without verbally replying, then glanced over once more at the people walking by. Tajana toyed with the melon before placing it in her basket of other groceries. "What foods do you like?"

Mando sent another perplexed look her way. Although his helmet completely hid his expression, Tajana could still feel the confusion radiating from out underneath his beskar. She felt rather silly, asking a deadly bounty hunter what he enjoyed eating.

"I don't know. I never cared about what I ate before."

She picked up on his use of past tense. "Before?"

Mando shrugged and looked off back towards the crowd. "I never had time to enjoy meals. But, I guess I like...soup."

Tajana's hand fumbled slightly when she handed the store owner the payment for their food. A warm sensation swept across her cheeks underneath her scarf, and it wasn't because of the intensity of the suns or the environmental heat.

_________

"Looks like we'll have to hold off on buying new parts for the Crest," Tajana groaned loudly. Their lack of funds was quickly growing troublesome and it seemed there was no end to their financial struggles. With a hefty sum of their combined credits going towards refueling the Crest, paying for the hangar, and also for supplies, Mando kept an eye out for the closest cantina to ask around for work. They approached a rather large establishment and accompanied a circular booth in the farthest corner from the entrance. Many onlookers stole a few prolonged states at the Mandalorian and his accomplice who also hid her identity. Tajana shifted uncomfortably her seat at the unwanted attention.

"What can I get you?" An older woman asked when she approached the tense guests at the table.

"Nothing for me," Mando answered. "Bone broth for the kid, please."

"And a water for me, please," Tajana interjected.

Mando's helmet shifted from the server who was walking away, to his partner seated across from him. He had never seen her eat or drink before in public.

Tajana huffed and rolled her eyes. "Don't look at me like that, Mando. I'm not a droid, I have needs too you know."

The Mandalorian had grown accustomed to withholding himself from food and water when he was in public, even if his body demanded it. He had gotten rather used to the constant gnawing hunger and cold feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he learned to ignore the dry, patchy feeling in his throat that came forth every so often. The woman seated next to him was slowly chipping away at his resolve; he found his body would crave the meals she made or the drinks she brought him periodically. Mando's stomach seemed to growl even louder now most days. The occasional scratch in his throat would escalate to a parched, sandpaper sensation that was hard to ignore. He knew she had to have felt the same way at times. She hid herself the same way he did when it was finally time for her to give into her need to eat or drink. Granted, she still seemed to be able to reveal herself when she chose, such as in front of The Child, something Mando would never do. Her own code was not as strict as his, yet it was still perplexing that she was willing to bend her own set of rules now.

The waitress set the cup of steaming broth down in front of the ecstatic child who began to pout when Mando safely pushed it out of the infant's reach while it cooled down.

"Don't touch it yet," Mando warned sternly, gently pushing The Child's little green claws back down underneath the table. Tajana smiled and grabbed her glass the waitress had set down in on the table. She turned her head far off to the side, facing the empty corner of the cantina. Parting the thick layers of her scarf slightly, she brought the cup to her lips to discretely take a sip. Mando couldn't help but watch her closely. He felt odd seeing her drink in such a secretive manner, almost as if he was disappointed she actually didn't decide do so out in the open after all.

"Watch the kid for a minute," he said in an attempt to bring his mind back to why they were in the cantina to begin with. "I'll be right back."

The Mandalorian stood up and slipped out from behind the table. The room fell just a bit more silent when Mando weaved in and out of the tables to approach the droid manning the customers seated at the counter.

Tajana watched how the clusters of patrons that Mando passed by, tended to either cower in their seats some or cease their conversations when the hunter passed them by. Maybe it's because she has been traveling with him for a bit now, but she found it rather amusing how quick everyone was to assume that Mando was a ruthless warrior with a short fuse. She smiled softly to herself at the thought of how he tended to The Child and always made sure he was safe and properly cared for. A small giggle almost fell past her lips when she remembered how witty and sarcastic his dry sense of humor could be when it decided to show through his cold, metal exterior. Yet, Tajana couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness when she realized no one know what he was really like, including herself. She knew Mando for a few weeks now, yet he still felt like a stranger at times. Tajana could now start to admit she felt safe around him, but sometimes, he was terrifying. He was still a force not to be reckoned with, and be still held many secrets underneath the weight of all that armor. He was a grown man that no one knew much about. She wasn't even sure he knew much about himself. Stars, the man doesn't even appear to know his own likes or dislikes.

"There's a bounty I need to collect over in Bestine," Mando's deep voice broke through suddenly in front of Tajana. "Are you familiar with that city?" He asked the startled woman.

Tajana cleared her throat and tried to play off her being caught off guard. "Not really. I didn't live there nor have I been at all, actually. From what I've heard, it's a relatively safe area."

"I see," Mando noted. He passed The Child the cooled off bone broth, watching silently as the infant happily brought the bowl to his lips and drank the cloudy liquid.

Tahana watched The Child carefully as well. She was about to turn to drink once more from her own cup when a nearby conversation captured her full attention.

"...she's been missing a few days now. No telling what happened to her," a man's voice said defeatedly.

"Don't talk like that," his comrade interrupted angrily. "We'll find her. I know she's okay, I can feel it. Anchorhead isn't that far from here."

Tajana slowly set her cup back down on the stained wooden tabletop. Mando directed his attention from the kid to her, noticing the worry etched upon the top half of her facial features and swimming all throughout her golden orbs.

"It's not polite to eavesdrop," he commented.

She shushed him and waved her hand dismissively. When she turned around to address the men behind her, they had already vanished.

"Did you see where they went?" She eagerly asked the Mandalorian.

"No. We already have a job to do and then we need to get out of here quick," he said resolutely.

Tajana ignored him and kept looking around at the other patrons of the cantina, frantically looking for anyone the voices could’ve belonged too.

Mando sighed and reached out to calm her down. "Hey," his soft but firm baritone filtered through the modulator, "we'll do some digging around Anchorhead once we're finished collecting the bounty, okay? But we can't stay long."

Tajana relaxed some and turned her attention to the hunter. She could feel his gaze that was penetrating through the jet black visor and focused on her. All she did was nod in response.

He wanted to ask her why she cared so much about one random missing person, why she seemed so disgruntled from the men's discussion that didn't involve her. His gut instinct told him there was no point in asking, that she would shut down and give him no answer. With the way she was acting, how distraught she seemed, it was something deeper than she was unwilling to talk about unless it was on her own terms.

The Child lifted some of the intensity of the heaviness that formed at the table when he cooed loudly to voice his content from the broth meal. The full little foundling reached up to set the empty bowl down on the table. Tajana smiled sadly and began to wipe his face while Mando pulled a few more credits from his coin bag and set them on the table.

_________

When they made it to the Crest, Mando immediately set a navigation course for Bestine and began to pack for his new search for the quarry.

"I think it's best you stay here," Mando instructed the younger woman. "This won't take long. Look after the kid for a few hours and try to get some sleep. When I get back, we'll both head into Anchorhead to see if we can find any information about a missing person."

He grabbed his Ambian rifle and secured it across his back. Tajana sat on the cot, staring absent mindedly ahead at the wall while repetitively rocking the kid back and forth in an attempt to lull him to sleep. His giant eyes were too busy watching Mando prepare to set out for another job.

"Tajana," Mando broke the girl's fixation on nothing, "I'll be back soon. I'll do my best to hurry."

She nodded wordlessly and watched the Mandalorian gently pat his son's head goodbye before lowering the ramp to the gunship and hurrying off towards Bestine.

_________

"Stop! You can't do this to me! Please, no!"

Tajana's muscles twitched in her sleep at the recollection of her being dragged into the middle of a campsite in the middle of nowhere. She was thrown face first into the powdery sand dunes while a few men watched and laughed as she struggled to stand her ground.

"I'm sorry! It won't happen again!"

One of the men brandished a large vibroblade. Stepping closer to the panicked young girl, his amusement turned to anger when she tried desperately to fight back.

"Please, stop it!"

The sudden memory of sharp pain erupting across the bridge of Tajana's nose, violently ripped her from her deep sleep. She shot up from the cot, her body twisted and entangled in the thin blanket she covered herself with. Her breathing was erratic and her tanned skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat. A few soft whimpers escaped her lips as she disorientedly felt around the closed in walls of Mando's sleeping quarters, desperately looking for the switch to slide the door open. Her trembling fingers found the switch they needed and the door shot back, the faint orange glow of the lower level of the Crest flooding her vision. The Child that was sleeping peacefully besides her prior to her night terror, was now curiously looking at his caretaker, his wrinkly green brow creased even more with lines of worry and confusion. The infant babbled mindlessly and held one small clawed hand out towards Tajana. She tried her best to steady her shaky hands and erratic breathing when she reached for The Child.

"Sorry little one," she exhaled slowly, trying to put a brave face on for the panicked infant. "It was just a bad dream."

The Child didn't seem to buy her lie that she was fine. He continue to watch her carefully, making sad cooing noises every now and then, his big black eyes staring deep into hers as if he were trying to understand what she was really thinking. Tajana's guilt began to fester the more she laid in bed under the surveillance of The Child. She picked him up and held him close to her face to maintain strong eye contact with him so he could fully understand what she was about to say.

"I have to go," she spoke slowly and sternly. "I know Mando said to wait, but I can't. I have to find the girl that went missing, and you need to stay here and be good until I get back, okay? I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I have to leave you, but please, please just stay here. I'll be back. I promise."

The Child sucked in his little lips in a deep frown. Tajana pulled down her scarf, revealing herself to the foundling. He looked over her entire face sadly and reached out to cup her cheek gently with one of his delicate hands.

"I have to do this," she whispered. "I can't let anything happen to her, not when I know what's out there."

The infant made a few melancholy sounding babbles but then remained silent as he watched her dress herself quickly and equip her weaponry. Tajana hugged The Child tightly and apologized one last time before she laid him down on the Mandlaorian's cot, tucked him tightly, and slid the door closed behind her.

_________

"I have credits! Lots and lots of credits. H-hey you know, I can get you a great deal on a better ship. I mean, not that your ship isn't...nice b-but who doesn't want the latest model am I right? W-wait, just hear me out. No, I can help you j-just wait! WAI-"

Mando slammed the quarry face first into the cryogenic chamber. Stars, the complete silence that followed was a blessing from the Maker themselves. In this instance, Mando was strongly considering the option of bringing the bounty in cold, even if it meant docking some of his payment. Mando sat down across from the chamber, breathing in and releasing a heavy sigh. His legs were sore from the constant keeping up he had to with the evasive target. There was no element of surprise with this one; the quarry knew Mando was on the hunt for him. It was like trying to catch an annoying, slippery bar of soap in leather gloved hands. He put up a tiny bit of a fight, slicing the Mandalorian in between some of the vulnerable, exposed area between the beskar armor. It wasn't a deep laceration. The bleeding had mostly stopped on its own, but the more strenuous movements Mando made, the more he could feel the wound on his back stretch out and reopen. The constant stinging sensation further irritated the bounty hunter, making him wish he really did put a blaster hole in the quarry's head on their way back to the Crest. He chuckled in amusement to himself when he thought back to to small argument he and Tajana shared in Mos Eisley regarding their dwindling supply of Bacta. She wouldn't let him live it down that he went and got himself injured again during such a simple hunt.

At first, the sound of nothing was well received by the worn out hunter. The much desired silence soon became a little too much for comfort. Mando cocked his head to the side in an attempt to hear any creaks or clattering around that would tell him just where his absent pilot was. There was nothing; no footsteps, no humming The Child to sleep, no nonsense speech coming from the kid...just unnerving silence.

A wave of panic crashed over the Mandalorian. He brought himself up to his aching legs, the wound in his side protesting from the sudden, erratic movement of his muscles that were already screaming from fatigue. As much as he wanted to call out for the kid or Tajana, he kept his mouth shut and his blaster drawn. With all the commotion that he and the quarry made, they must of known he was back. Mando crept along the upper floor of the Crest, treading lightly and doing his best not to alert any possible threats to his presence with the sound of creaky, metal footsteps. There was no one in the cockpit, no one in the lower level of the gunship. Mando ripped back the door to the refresher to see it was empty as well. He couldn't help the increasingly intense thudding of his heart beating up against his chest plate as he all but tore the ship apart trying to find any sign of his missing crew member.

A faint knocking sound coming from inside of the sleeping compartment nearly stopped his erratic heart rhythm. Mando looked back to see if the knocking would repeat itself, or if it was all inside his anxious, over-stimulated mind. When the noise repeated itself, he jerked back the covering to reveal a distraught, whimpering child.

"Hey kid, hey it's fine," Mando whispered reassuringly to the troubled infant. He did his best to comfort his foundling, his soft words of consolation not doing much for either one of them. "Kid, where is she? Where did she go?" Mando asked a little firmer. The Child sniffled and tore away its large, watery eyes from Mando's helmet to the ramp. Raising one little three fingered hand, he gestured sadly towards the ship's exit. "Okay. Okay, good. We're going to get her back okay? We'll go together and we'll find her."

The rush of adrenaline was beginning to silence his body's aching protest to settle down for the night. With a shaking hand, Mando activated the ramp's lowering mechanism and stepped out of the ship, desperately following the path of footsteps that trailed off from the base of the Crest.

_________

Tajana spent hours asking around what felt like all of Anchorhead, desperately trying to find anyone who had any information on a possibly missing girl. Many civilians admitted they haven't heard anything of anyone being kidnapped, nor had they seen any suspicious activity as of lately. She was beginning to feel foolish for leaving The Child behind on the ship. Mando was going to be infuriated with her if he made it back before she did. If she came back empty-handed, it would make him even more upset that she risked The Child's safety for nothing. Maker, she was so selfish. What a stupid thing to do.

The streets were beginning to empty once the suns had complete gone down. The red, orange, and yellow hues from the beautiful Tattooine sunsets had dissolved into the black starry skyline, taking with it all sense of warmth and replacing it with a cool night time breeze. Tajana trudged along the dusty street pathways, bracing herself along the way for one hell of a chewing out from an angry Mandalorian father when she got back to the ship.

"Hey, you there," a soft female voice broke through the silence.

Tajana followed the direction of the voice to a small nearby storefront. Peeking behind a few storage crates, was a trembling and terrified young girl.

"P-please help me," she sobbed. "I just want to go home. They took me from my home."

Tajana's heart dropped when her golden eyes met the girl's glassy brown ones. Her face was covered in dirt and bruises, a bit of dried blood was caked on small cuts littering her feet and legs.

"Shit," Tajana gasped under her breath. She reached out to take the girl's hand and pulled her close. "You're going to be fine. I've got you, I promise. What's your name?"

"L-Lorelie," the girl stammered.

"Lorelie...that's a pretty name. Where are you from?" the raven haired woman asked softly.

"Mos E-Eisley," Lorelie stuttered.

Tajana nodded and smiled. "Okay, that's not too far from here. Now let's go. I'll get you home soon."

She glanced around once more to make sure they weren't being followed before maintaining a stead pace back towards the ship. After a few minutes of walking, Lorelie pulled back on Tajana's hand.

"W-wait. Wait," she cried out. "I...I can't."

Tajana turned and stooped to the distraught girl's level.

"What do you mean you can't?" She asked.

Lorelie's lower lip trembled and her eyes began to water. "I-I'm sorry. They said they would let me g-go."

Tajana shook her head and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "I thought you said they took you? What do you mean they'd let you go?"

A few tears rolled down Lorelie's cheeks and left soft indentations in the sand below. "I'm so s-sorry. If I brought you...they'd let me go."

The pilot opened her mouth to speak but silenced herself when she heard the soft crunching of sand beneath boots behind her. She whipped her head to the side and she placed one hand on her blaster. A loud smack echoed off the nearby stone and clay buildings, and a few droplets of blood splattered across the walkway when the solid butt of a blaster rifle collided with Tajana's temple. Her blaster slid across the desert floor, and her body collapsed at the feet of three tall shrouded figures.

_________

Mando followed the familiar, small set of footsteps all the way from Bestine to Anchorhead. He watched how they traveled from shopping strip to cantina, stopping along the way to converse with everyone who was willing to take time to talk with her as well. They continued to pace up and down the street, even as other people made their leave and headed inside for the night. What caught Mando's attention though, was a second, smaller set of foot prints that started to trail behind Tajana's. They stopped behind a row of supply crates, right where it appeared Tajana approached the stranger. The trail didn't go far however, for they stopped several feet away, and were then joined by three other people. Then, five sets of prints turned into four, with Tajana's being the absent set.

Mando deactivated his tracking setting in his visor. He stooped down to glance at dried crimson splatters in the sand that just barely caught his attention underneath the faint glow of a nearby street light.

"Dank farrik," he cursed to himself, pounding his fist into the sand. "I told you to wait for me."

_________

Tajana groaned in discomfort when the overly bright glow of a small fire in the center of a cramped hut flooded her blurry vision.

"It's about time you woke up," a recognizable male's voice called out beside her. Tajana blinked heavily several times, trying hard to focus her eyesight on her attacker.

"Darro," she acknowledged through gritted teeth.

The familiar man smiled down condescendingly at the raven haired woman. Her wrists were bound together tightly behind her back, and all her weapons had been removed and cast off to the side.

"I heard you were lingering around these parts before you even came back to Mos Espa. Traveling with a Mandalorian now, are we? News traveled rather fast regarding the assassin you two went after several weeks ago. You were long gone by the time I heard about it. But then, as luck would have it, you decided to come back to your hometown. I figured you would’ve been smart enough to stay away, but I guess not. I suppose it doesn't help that your current partner only draws more attention to you."

Tajana stared up angrily at him. She broke eye contact with him momentarily to glance around the room and noticed Lorelie cowering off in the corner behind him, along with another man who stood guard by the front entrance.

"It looks like you haven't changed your ways one bit after all these years. Did you take her from her home too?" Tajana spat, nodding in the direction of the terrified girl.

Darro shrugged. "Only after I heard you were in town. I knew you would fall for the whole kidnapping set up," name walked over slowly to Tajana. He hooked one finger in the loop of her scarf, pulling the dirtied fabric down over her shoulders. "I knew if had my guys follow you around Mos Espa and let slip the tiniest bit of information for you to hear, you'd want to come running to the rescue of another slave in need. You forget I know all about how your mind works. It seems like you haven't changed any after all this time, either."

The golden eyed woman lowered her head in disgust, hiding her face underneath her long curtain of hair. "I guess it doesn't surprise me that you would’ve tried to follow in daddy's footsteps, huh? Trying to act like some big, bad, rebel fighter. You always tried to so hard to help free the others, and yourself."

"You could’ve made me a wealthy man, you know. I didn't want to butcher that pretty little face of yours, but you didn't give me any other choice. I needed to make it so no one else would want you, so you would stop running away from me. Even then, you became too much for me to want to deal with. You always were so annoyingly stubborn and incredibly hard headed. I didn't want to put you down like your daddy was by the Imps, so I figured I would try to get some pocket change off you by selling you to the moisture farmers. Of course, you had to go and ruin that too by running away. You could’ve had a good life on Arvala, working on the farms and what not. You, on the other hand..." he clicked his tongue in a condescending manner and raised his blaster to rest against the throbbing side of her head, "you always gotta bite the hand that feeds, don't you?"

A sudden yell and sounds of blaster fire made everyone in the room turn to face the wooden doorway. The eerie silence that followed the violent commotion outside would’ve been overbearing if Tajana didn't have an idea of who was on the opposite side of the door. Her heart beat erratically in her chest out of relief when she realized there was only one person it could’ve been.

The wooden door swung wide open, nearly ripped off its hinges when one of the hooded men from Anchorhead smashed through from the outside. Darro clenched his jaw when he looked down at his fallen companion. His eyes trailed upwards to the doorway and caught the reflection of the firepit’s flames dancing across a set of unblemished, beskar armor.

"So it is true," he marveled sarcastically. "You really are fucking around with a Mandalorian." He waved the blaster theatrically in the air. "Let me ask you something, Mando. How much you pay for her, huh? What do you get out of her? What does she do for you?"

Mando stood silently, his anger bubbling beneath his beskar where it was still contained beneath his armor, threatening to spill out at any second. Darro cocked his head to the side, slowly walking up to the rigid bounty hunter. "No answer, huh? Take it she doesn't do much then. Well, let me try this. How much would you be willing to pay for her?"

Still no answer.

"She killed my men when she escaped the last time," name said, raising his voice significantly. "Someone has to pay for those damages, Mandalorian. Either I take it out on you, or I take it out on her."

When Mando failed to deliver a response, Darro hoisted Tajana off the ground roughly. Her long waves parted around her exposed face, causing Mando to direct his attention down to his feet instinctively.

Darro let out a loud, perplexed chuckle. "What does she even mean to you? Have you not seen her face? Did she tell you I'm the reason why she hides it from others?" He bragged. "Do you even know her real name, or just the name the people of Tattooine gave to her?"

Much to Darro's irritation, the bounty hunter still refused to reply. "This is proving to be a waste of my time. I can sell that beskar of yours for more than what she's worth." He looked past Mando and jerked his head to the side. The second man from the ambush in Anchorhead fastened his arms tight around the Mandalorian, sending Mando to his knees with the man's arm tight around his neck. Mando fired his flamethrower behind him, causing his attacker to release his hold on the bounty hunter. He released one of his whistling birds, which struck the man dead on and sent him falling to the ground. Tajana seized the opportunity to kick Darro's legs out from underneath him. He fell hard on top of her and scrambled to reach for his rifle that landed besides them. Mando quickly reached into his boot, unsheathing a vibroblade which he threw into Darro's hand. He screamed out in pain but was silenced when Tajana flung her tied wrists around his neck and pulled him close against her back. He fought hard against her once his airway had begun to be cut off; ripping the blade from his hand, he raised it to strike Tajana, but Mando successfully fired a round from his blaster, knocking the weapon out of Darro's hand. Lorelie rose from behind the table which she hid and scampered towards the door. With no one left to stop her, she took her chance at finally escaping.

"Just...let...her go," Tajana breathed out heavily to Mando when he stood up to chase after her.

Darro's kicks against the dirt ground and swats against Tajana's face and arms began to slow. She pulled the binders tighter and tighter against her until his resistance had stopped completely. When he stilled, she panted hard from exhaustion and threw his body from underneath her bound wrists. She turned her back towards the Mandalorian who was still averting his gaze from the exposed portion of her face. When he saw she was safely hidden from his view, Mando began looking around the room until he caught sight of what he was looking for through his narrowed visor. He took the dirt covered scarf and patted the dust and sand particles from out of the cotton fibers the best he could. Mando kept his head down low and pointed away from Tajana while passing her back the dirtied cloth.

"Thank you," she said hoarsely, taking the scarf and lazily wrapping it around herself. She was waiting for him to yell at her, waiting for him to tell her how irresponsible she was for leaving The Child behind and disobeying his orders. But nothing came through the other end of the modulator. No deep rumbling baritone told her how foolish she was or how she causes the Mandalorian nothing but trouble. There was nothing but his typical, complete silence.

Mando sorted through the mess of the hideout and found Tajana's daggers and blaster that had been put off to the side. He collected his own vibroblade and wiped the light coating of blood from the tip before using it to pick the lock on the raven haired woman's cuffs. They dropped to the ground with a heavy thump, and Mando extended one leather gloved hand out to pull his pilot to her feet. She hesitatingly accepted, and was completely caught off guard when he turned his back to her as she rose, then hooked his arms under the back of her legs to carry her against him in a piggyback fashion. Her breath caught in her throat when she hit up against him; he was so sturdy it was like being slammed into a broad beskar wall. A little grunt came from the oversized bag hanging from the hunter's side when her foot accidentally and not so lightly bumped into The Child.

"I-I can walk just fine, Mando," she nearly wheezed against the side of his helmet.

"We'll get back to the ship faster this way," Mando said curtly. Tajana flinched and ducked her head down against his shoulder when she noticed the subtle sharp edge to his voice.

Although it took her several minutes to gather the courage to speak and she was sure it was the last thing he wanted to hear right now, she finally managed to gather the courage to apologize to the intimidating man.

"I'm sorry, Mando."

The hunter kept his steady pace back to the Crest. "I told you to wait on the ship, Tajana," his voice said surprisingly delicately near her ear. The tiny spark of anger she noticed seconds ago, had completely disappeared. It was replaced with what almost sounded like...worry.

The golden eyed girl rested the side of her cheek against the small bit of unprotected space between Mando's neck and his pauldron.

"Aurelia," she said timidly. Mando took an extra step out of his ongoing rhythm. He turned his head closer to her to make sure she was actually speaking to him, or if it were a trick of his mind and she hadn't said anything at all.

"M-my name's Aurelia," she repeated almost inaudibly.

Mando blinked in surprise underneath the cover of his helmet. He continued his rhythmic march back to the Crest with the woman and child both clinging tightly to him. Just before the exhausted girl on his back closed her heavy eyes, she could’ve sworn to the Maker that she heard the Mandalorian repeat her name quietly to himself.

#the mandalorian #mando #mando x oc #mandalorian fanfic #star wars #din djarin #din djarin x oc #stay gold #pedro pascal #din x oc

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bestwoocommmerceplugin · 5 years

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Best Woo Commerce Plugin-Wordpress Woo Commerce Subscriptions API Plugin

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#best woo commerce plugin

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