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eureka-its-zico · 8 months

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Chaos in Their Bones Ch. 3

Ongoing Series

Synopsis: All your life you’d listened to your friend, Usopp spin wild tales about pirates and adventure. Pirates weren’t a thing that came often to Syrup Village, but one straw hat pirate and his crew changed all that the day they arrived. Now, you aren’t so sure if your sleepy little village was always pirate-free or if no one had been paying attention.

Pairing: Roronoa Zoro x Reader

Genre: friends to lovers, frenemies to lovers, slow burn (I hope y’all like aching) eventual smut

Words: 12.6+

A/N: Guys. Idk where to start, but this chapter needs a warning because it is big and beefy. I didn’t want the 1.03-1.04 story arc to be dragged out further into 4 chapters and, because of that, this chapter exists. I truly hope it is one that you enjoy. It took a lot of time and love. So please, get out some 🍿 cause it’s going to be a ride. P.S. To everyone who has liked, commented, reblogged, and sent me messages about Chaos in Their Bones: thank you. You have all made this such a wonderful experience and a fun one. I hope it continues to be one you enjoy 🖤 Much Love, Jenn

Chapter 1 Previous Next

So far Operation Petty was getting off to a rough start.

Your original plan of stealing every glass of wine Zoro poured seemed like a good one. Golf claps for everyone. Except, that good idea slowly began to disappear five glasses ago.

Unfortunately for you, and to the dismay of the entire table, you were a giggling mess.

After the sixth glass you were lucky you could even see straight. It wasn’t until after Zoro poured the next glass and slid it over to you the wheels in your head finally added all the small clues you’d missed. Zoro had let you think you’d stolen glass after glass of his wine. When in reality, he’d just been trying to get you drunk.

Zoro was already on his fourth bottle of wine and still seemed able to function like a person.

You leaned, not so gracefully, over to his side of the table. A “Psst,” hiccuping out of you to garner his attention. You knew you had it. He was just hiding a majority of his face inside the glass.

Just to make sure though - “Psst!”

“Ugh, Doc, we can all hear you,” Usopp said somewhere behind you.

You waved him off. Your eyes honed in on both Zoro’s.

“What do you want?” He hummed.

“Hey, Mosshead,” you snapped. That got his head to swivel an inch away from the safety of the glass. “You did this on purpose.”

You were leaning so far forward your cheek was almost flush with your arm. Your fingers wiggled near him and you watched as his eyes darted down to watch them before side-eyeing you.

“Yup,” he answered, sharply pronouncing the p. “You want to steal my wine as payback, well I can drink you under the table.” You weren’t expecting him to drop the glass and move towards you. The movement wasn’t huge, but he was closer than you anticipated and it made you scared to blink. “I can be petty too.”

Fuck.

He was so close - almost kissably close and - No! Why are you thinking of kissing at a time like this? When Zoro’s close enough you could see the sun kissed freckles that dusted over the top of his cheeks and nose. The playful glint in his eyes that brightened them to shine like mini constellations.

With a devious smirk sliding across his lips, Zoro regarded you one last time before he straightened up. His hand reaching out to take back the glass he’d previously sat down and brought it back up to his lips.

“You are diabolical,” you huffed.

When you went to straighten up, you felt your world tilt. You were going to need - “Can I get some water, please?”

You needed to sober up and fast. Inwardly, you could already hear your inner monologue being set up to chastise your childish behavior. You were so worried about Zoro and annoying him that it was all you focused on.

I’m not here for him.

You’d come with Usopp with the goal in mind to help Kaya. That was who you’d come here for and who you still had every intention to help. The plan to do so was still there, but somehow within the last few hours you’d allowed yourself to be distracted by a pretty face.

A soft cough from Kaya’s direction was all the clarity necessary to get your head back on straight. Or as straight as it could be in your current state. No more Zoro. No more looking at him, talking to him, looking at him-

You could sense him moving off to your right, but you were not going to look. Nope. Most definitely not going to look, but was your head tilting?

Drunk you seriously needed to work on some self-control.

You were heavily lost in your head again. So lost that you weren’t sure how many times Luffy or anyone else attempted to bring you into a conversation. It wasn’t until a gentle hand on your shoulder jolted you back into the present.

Looking to your left, you saw Usopp waiting for you to answer him. His concern etched into every scrunch of his face.

“Luffy asked how long you’ve been a doctor,” he offered slowly, as if he spoke too fast he’d lose you again.

“Well, technically, I’m a doctor-in-training.”

“So, not a real doctor.”

Of course, Zoro just had to butt in. You still weren’t going to look at him.

“I am a doctor. Naan has taught me over the years how to handle every illness and broken bone that has come through this village. I think one of the biggest things she’s taught me is that sometimes kindness can be the strongest medicine and other times defending those who can’t defend themselves is a bigger responsibility.”

“Wow,” Luffy smiled in response. “You must have helped a lot of people. Your grandma must be really proud of you.”

Luffy looked so…genuine. The very thought of you going out of your way to help others seemed to make him regard you differently. While the smile on his face wasn’t expansive and filled with its usual childlike mischief, it held one of praise. As if it was a rare thing for someone to have the drive to help another person. Maybe over the last decade or so that might have been true, but Naan didn’t raise you to turn a blind eye to those in need.

You couldn’t help but respond to Luffy’s smile with one of your own. Although, you hoped it didn’t wilt as you prepared yourself with your reply.

“She’s an orphan,” Sham interjected as she set down a dinner plate that was intricately decorated with fish and vegetables. “Usopp too. Isn’t that right?”

Not true. Orphan meant that there had been no one there for you. No family to help take care of you when you needed protection, and while Naan wasn’t your real grandma she was family because she chose to be.

You dropped your hands down into your lap and could feel your fingers curl into your palms.

“What does it matter if they’re orphans or not?” Your eyes narrowed in on Nami. She sat beside Luffy, opposite of Usopp, and her cool gaze was trained on Sham. She watched closely while Sham placed the next plate hastily down in front of Usopp. “I’m curious to hear your answer.”

“Forgive my staff, Miss,” Klahadore stepped in. “Sham spoke out of turn when it was not her place.”

“I’m sure she meant no harm, Klahadore.”

Kaya smiled up at him and he responded with a smile of his own. You hated how Kaya was always apologizing for everyone around her, especially for those who didn’t deserve it.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Nami continued. “If she didn’t mean to say it she would’ve kept her mouth shut.”

“It’s not that big of a deal, guys,” Usopp offered.

You weren’t surprised to see him looking at Kaya. The two of them shared a small smile between them and it took everything in you not to lightly smack him on the arm. If Kaya wanted to be peacemaker, Usopp would do everything in his power to play along. Anything Kaya wanted Usopp would make sure he did everything in his power to make sure it happened.

What felt worse was that Sham’s attempt at an insult did bother you. It was meant to remind you that they considered you nothing, which was odd coming from waitstaff and a butler.

A doctor to pirates was about as valuable as gold.

“Yeah, not a big deal,” you mumbled. Your fingers riddled with your fork; debating if eating Buchi’s food was worth the risk. With your luck they probably poisoned it. “I do hope I make her proud someday, Luffy. I still have a lot to learn.”

Luffy was already a mouthful deep into his plate and wasn’t showing any reservation in taking another hardy bite. Thank god he waited to swallow first before he replied, “The fact you came here to help Kaya tells me all I need to know. You’re a good person, Doc.”

“That’s very kind of you, Luffy. Thank you.”

God, I will not cry right now.

Why did random words of kindness - from a stranger - matter so much? Luffy didn’t owe you any act of kindness or to bother being so nice to you or Usopp. Yet, here he was being an actual ball of sunshine. You knew dozens of people in this town who disregarded Usopp and his stories. Who grumbled and complained when he started talking. Luffy had only treated him with respect: he listened to his stories no matter how bat shit crazy they must have sounded.

You knew Luffy and his friends would eventually leave but for the time they were here (besides Zoro) you were grateful.

“It says a lot about who you are. You’re a good person.”

You felt your smile wilt a little as you watched a few flecks of food fall out of his mouth as he spoke. Flying food aside, you were really starting to count yourself lucky that Luffy and his friends ended up in your sleepy little village.

Sham was still depositing plates of tonight’s only special when you heard Kaya ask if she could try some. She’d barely finished asking before Klahadore was there beside her.

“I’m sorry that won’t be possible, Miss Kaya. You know how certain foods affect your constitution. Here,” he waved his hand free from his chest ushering in Buchi. “Buchi has prepared your special soup.”

“Why is it blue?” You blanched.

When all eyes turned to regard you, you realized you hadn’t said that in your head. The wine was seriously starting to make your body too comfortable.

“It’s made with a special fruit,” Buchi growled back.

“What’s the name of the fruit? I’ve skowered this entire island top to bottom with Naan and have never seen a fruit that color here.”

“It’s imported.”

“From where-“

“It’s not important where her food comes from,” Klahadore interrupted. Each word was more forced than the last. “All that matters is it helps Miss Kaya.”

“If that was true then why is she still sick?”

Klahadore’s eyes were practically shooting daggers into your skull. You were willing to bet a million berry’s that if he got you alone in a room, you wouldn’t be making it out. That thought only seemed to ignite something inside you that you’d been pushing down for months.

You rolled your tongue along your bottom teeth as you struggled to reign in your temper. The wine made your blood warm and fuzzy, but now you felt as if you were boiling alive. Your legs were bouncing uncontrollably underneath the table and your hands were curling into fists-

Suddenly a hiccup of a gasp lodged itself in your throat. The tip of a shoe was pressed gently against your ankle and the tip of said shoe belonged to the very moss-headed oaf who’d been plaguing your every waking minute. Yes, you said you weren’t going to look at him, but you didn’t expect him to touch you. Even just this small amount.

When you did glance at him, Zoro didn’t return your stare. His eyes were trained solely on Klahadore with a slight draw of his brow confirming your suspicions. Zoro was starting to notice something was off with Klahadore too and was warning you.

“Kaya it’s your birthday. You should be able to eat whatever you want.”

Nami’s soft voice cut through the tension and brought Klahadore back to the present. His eyes glazed back with mock servitude, but you’d seen it. Maybe now so had Zoro. Your eyes were only for Klahadore as you watched the exchange between him and Nami. You loved the way she was sticking up for Kaya and the challenge in her eyes as she stared him down-

“You need to relax.”

Fuck.

You struggled to keep a shudder from making its way down your spine but you weren’t so lucky in keeping the soft gasp from trickling out from your lips. The husk of his voice was unnecessarily sexy.

Slowly, you turned to look to your right and found Zoro casually sitting back in his seat. His eyes trained forward and his hands took his silverware as if he hadn’t just whispered across your skin like sin.

You couldn’t think past what had just happened. It didn’t matter how much you tried to formulate a sentence. Your brain was just not having it. You could do this. You were an intelligent woman who was not easily swayed.

“What?”

A masterful reply.

Zoro looked at you from his peripherals before placing the napkin down into his lap.

“I would stop antagonizing him before he kicks you out.”

And here you thought he was just worried about you.

“I’m a doctor and Kaya needs me.”

“Has she told you that? Has she physically looked at you and specifically asked for you to save her or do you just need to feel important?”

“Why are you such an asshole?!”

You spoke every word through gritted teeth. The anger that Zoro erased by killing your brain cells, which now felt like an insult to yourself, was stoked back to life. Your body singed with the need to get a hold of him because - who the fuck talked to people like this?

What you hadn’t expected was for that anger - god, that hurt - to soak deeply into your words. Each one raised and sharp with the intention he knew you meant it.

Zoro didn’t respond. He just started eating his fish. You suddenly didn’t feel hungry.

“Are you okay?”

You didn’t want to look at Usopp. Not when he sounded like that. What would happen if you did? Would you cry or scream that you weren’t? The panic you’d been shoving down the last few hours was beginning to weasel its way to the surface. You were running out of options and ideas on how you could help. What if Zoro was right? What if Kaya didn’t need you and you’d allowed yourself to be dragged into a story that wasn’t real?

The thought alone was enough to make you look at your best friend and the panic was replaced with guilt. The shame was enough to make the first sharp prick of tears threaten to spill free from your eyes. Usopp didn’t deserve your anger or your doubt. He may have told a lot of stories, but he was good. His heart was pure. You weren’t worried about whether or not you smiled at him if he could tell you were lying. You knew somehow Usopp would understand your frustration.

“Yeah, Usopp everything is alright.”

He side-eyed Zoro over your shoulder before he brought his attention back to the room. Clearing his throat, he looked over at Luffy and asked, “Luffy, isn’t there something you wanted to talk to Kaya about?”

“Ah, yes. Usopp tells me that you own the whole shipyard.”

Kaya smiled gracefully in reply, before she looked away. A sadness creeping into her voice.

“Well, actually, my parents founded the shipyard, and Merry’s been running the business since…well since they passed.” You watched as Luffy followed her words and glanced over to the man sitting at the table. A courtesy raise of his glass to salute the dead. For a split second, all the joy in Luffy was replaced by something that didn’t seem to fit. A melancholy that didn’t belong. “But all that’s about to change. At midnight tonight I will become sole owner.”

“Ah well, that’s great because we want to buy a ship from you.”

Now this was the Luffy you’d grown to know. All smiles and cheerfulness like a rainbow as he lifted his champagne glass and took a sip.

“I see,” Kaya responded in kind. “Usopp mentioned that you were sailors.”

“Nope, not sailors. Pirates.”

Your head spun sharply back in his direction. He seemed so happy about what he just said. Like it wasn’t the worst kind of omission that could get you all killed or arrested by the local Marines. Usopp definitely had a reason to be choking on his own drink.

You glanced at Nami and back at Zoro and both of them, respectfully, looked worried as shit.

“Pirates?”

“Yep. We haven’t sailed together for very long, but we have already defeated an evil clown, raided a marine base, and taken down a Marine captain with an axe for a hand!”

“Usopp, what is he talking about?” You whispered sharply over to him.

Usopp was still covered in his own spit as he furiously tried to wipe it off. The worry evident in the fine creases in his forehead as he glanced around the room.

“I don’t-“

“These sound a lot like your adventures, Usopp,” Kaya mentioned lovingly.

“Yeah. It’s crazy.”

Kaya thought that Luffy was joking! While you were sure Luffy meant what he was saying you were also incredibly confused. Pirates weren’t nice. The ones you’d met a few times had forced Naan to help them. They’d been rough, mean, and downright nasty. Luffy was none of that.

“Oh yeah, and we are just getting started!” Unexpectedly, Luffy stood up in his chair and began to stand on the table.

“What are you doing?” Klahadore snapped as he came forth from the shadows. “Get down from there this instant!”

“Being a pirate has been my dream for as long as I can remember and I’m finally going to make it a reality. We are heading off to the grand line where even more adventures await us.” With an eager smile gracing his lips, drink in hand, Luffy began to walk his way down to where Kaya sat. “At the end of the journey I’m gonna find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece and become King of The Pirates.”

When he got to Kaya Luffy stopped and took one last sip of his drink before handing it off to Klahadore. You would honestly pay to have this moment replay in a time loop, it was so damn good. Besides the fact that, you know, they were pirates.

“Kaya, you have a beautiful ship out there. A caravel with a sheep figurehead. It spoke to me. That is the ship we need to follow our dreams. I promise we will take care of it. Maintain it. Because a ship isn’t just a vessel; it’s also a home.”

It felt like such a genuine moment. Luffy didn’t appear to be like every pirate you’ve ever met. They were usually selfish, ugly, and cruel men who found pleasure in others misfortunes or creating them themselves. Even now, after his confession, it wasn’t the vibe you got from Luffy, and that’s what made it all the more confusing.

“That will be quite enough!” Your body gave a jump in surprise as Klahadore screamed. His body thundering over to stand next to Kaya. “I should’ve known Usopp would bring rift raft to our doorstep.”

“Klahadore it’s okay-“

Kaya tried to defend them, but a violent coughing fit cut her short. Usopp edged toward the end of his seat noticeably wanting to get up and go to her. The both of you knew if he made any moves right now, unfortunately, who knew what this butler would do.

“Now look at what you’ve done. You’ve all upset Miss Kaya. I want you all out of here, at once!”

“No,” Kaya interjected. “Let them stay the night.”

“Very well, Miss Kaya. But they are out of here first thing in the morning.”

Stay the night?

“Fuck,” you huffed under your breathe.

You had no intention of staying in this manor with any of them. You turned to tell Usopp you should both head back and noticed the way his puppy dog eyes followed Kaya as Klahadore led her away. He wasn’t going to leave her and maybe that meant you shouldn’t either.

“Well, that went well.”

Luffy really needed to learn to read the room.

You waited for Buchi and Sham to follow after their master before you pushed back your chair and did your best not to trip on any of the tulle at your feet. You needed to get out of this dress immediately. It wasn’t because you were much of a fighter. No, that wasn’t you. However, you did enjoy running from danger and this dress made it damn near impossible.

“Where are you going?”

Luffy and his kaleidoscope of happiness. You wondered what it was like to always be so optimistic.

“I am going back to my room and probably leaving.”

“What?” Usopp turned to look at you. “Why are you leaving.”

“Yeah. What was all that holier than thou talk about helping her,” Zoro cut in.

“Oh, what the hell does it matter to you, anyways?” You snapped. “First, you insult me for trying to help and now you insult me, again, for leaving.”

“Cowards give up when it gets hard.”

Was it physically possible to blow smoke out of your nose? It felt like it as your eyes narrowed in on him. He didn’t even have the decency to look at you.

“Zoro, you got a real stick up your ass,” Nami huffed as she grabbed her glass and took a drink.

“That’s not the real reason she wants to leave” he shot back, eyes on Nami. “Is it? It’s because she heard the word, “Pirates.”

“That’s crazy,” Luffy laughed around the words. “We’re good guys.”

“Pirates are not good guys,” you snapped at him. It was your turn to feel like an asshole as you looked between them. Luffy noticeably hurt. “I have met plenty of pirates when they came looking for Naan and her services. She hid me every single time, because she was scared of what they might do. If they would take me. Doctors are more valuable to pirates than gold. That was the lesson she taught me and I learned it well.”

“Pirates have been to Syrup Village?”

Usopp didn’t seem to grasp the fact that they hadn’t come raiding and he’d have to ring the bell for real. No one knew how close pirates really were to Syrup Village. It was one of the reasons why Naan’s home was hidden so deep within the bamboo forest.

“Yes, Usopp.”

You needed to get away. You were tired - drained - from feeling like you needed to apologize to them. You didn’t know what's real anymore and maybe you were being a coward. Maybe you were just tired of being wrong.

With one last tug on the tulle, you moved away from the table and gave them one quick glance before you headed out towards the dining room doors.

————————————-

It’d been over an hour since you’d made your less than graceful exit from the dining room. Even after getting back into the comfort of your own clothes, it didn’t keep the nagging feeling that you’d been an asshole from clawing its way to the surface.

You had been an asshole.

You’d been pacing the confines of your suite chewing on your nails until you were positive you must have gnawed them into dust. There was no denying Kaya’s home was beautiful. It was everything you could imagine money could buy in the form of creature comforts, but there was no happiness within its walls.

The room you’d been given was more than what you and Naan lived in now. When you’d first been shown inside, you’d felt silly having all this space and having no idea what to do with it. It was all lovely. From the four poster bed with intricate wooden detailing to the velvet curtains that ran the length of the wall that held a window overlooking the garden. The wallpaper, you were positive, held gold within its designs.

It wasn’t the fanciest, but you would take your small home with Naan then stay in a place like this. Speaking of home…

It would be so easy for you to turn tail and run. To go out the front door and never come back but what would you tell Naan? That you never got to see Kaya? That you were unnecessarily rude to a group of people who’d been nothing but friendly (except one) all because their captain called them pirates?

Coward. That’s what Zoro called you. The worst part was maybe he wasn’t wrong. So, ninety-five percent of your plan had gone to shit. You at least still had five percent of it.

Neither Luffy, Nami, or Zoro did anything that warranted your hasty judgment, and nothing they did reflected what you’d been exposed to all your life. What you hated the most was that you could feel the need for an apology brewing in your gut, and if you didn’t do it you would never get any sleep.

After you’d gotten dressed and strapped on much more comfortable shoes, you made your way out of your room and back inside the maze of hallways. You were closing in on the main corridor when the sound of a door opening made you stop in your tracks.

What if it was Sham? You prepared yourself to see her unpleasant face when orange hair wrapped in an orange designed bandanna crept out into the hall.

“Nami?”

She startled as you called her name and turned to face you. The sound of clanking caught your attention and your eyes followed the sound to a very filled pillowcase in her right hand.

You quirked an eyebrow as you asked, “Doing some spring cleaning?”

You watched as her usual friendly demeanor changed into squared shoulders and eyes filled with defiance. It made you feel like you were about to embark on a fight you didn’t realize you were having.

“You want to hurl some more generic insults my way? Tell me how much of a bad person I am-“

Now you were raising your hands up but not in surrender. It was an attempt to quiet her down. You’d already been berating yourself about words, and the power they held to equally heal or destroy someone. How many times had Naan chastised you about being reckless with your words? Reminding you that the things spoken can be enough to heal or mend hearts and bodies, but can also easily break them.

“A healer is more than just someone mending a body, girl. Sometimes we heal by listening. Giving dying men the forgiveness they seek.”

And here you were slinging verbal canon balls at these people.

I’m such an asshole

“Nami! Nami! While I hundred percent deserve that, it’s not what I was going to do.” She didn’t seem like she believed you in the slightest. That was fair. “I was actually on my way to try and find you guys.”

“Why? So, you could tell us some more about how you hate pirates?”

“Okay. That’s fair.”

“Oh, I think that’s more than fair. You are not the only one who hates pirates or holds the lottery for the shittest interactions with them.”

Again, your hands were up. Why did this have to feel like you were with a lion inside of a cage? One wrong move and you were sure she was going to bite your head off.

“I never said that, ok? Did I have a shit reaction to finding out that you were pirates? Yes. That’s why I’m here. I came to apologize to all of you. You defended me tonight at dinner. You didn’t have to do that.”

All the anger that swirled in the gray of her irises began to soften. Good. At least she was no longer looking ready to turn you into literal sashimi.

“Yeah, we’ll, she was acting like a real bitch.”

“Agreed,” you hummed, “but that’s beside the point. You didn’t have to say anything but you did and how did I repay that? By being an asshole so on that note: Nami, I’m sorry.”

Why was she just staring? You thought your heart was going to explode out of your chest at any minute. Nami wasn’t smiling or appeared angry or upset. She was completely stone faced and you were desperately trying not to fidget.

“I think that’s the first time anyone’s apologized to me before.”

“That sucks.”

God, you really did have a way with words. Nami was equally as shocked at your bluntness, but in a way that sent a warm smile to lift the edges of your lips. Nami sputtered out a laugh as she placed her hands on her hips. The motion and sound of clinking whatever was in there reminding you both that she was currently doing something illegal.

“Are you going to say anything? Report me to Klahadore?”

Even just the sound of his name was enough to drop the smile from your face. A sneer replacing it as you replied, “God no. I’d rather just let you steal than say anything to that jackal.”

“You and the waitstaff seem to be big fans of each other,” Nami teased.

It earned her a laugh as you looked down the hallway. Just to be safe since you were both equally unwanted in the manor and, well, Nami had a pillowcase full of the house goodies.

“I suppose you could say that.”

You stuck your hand between you both and waited patiently for her to take it. Nami regarded your hand like it belonged to a sea monster.

“Friends?”

“I don’t have any friends.”

Her words were soft and direct. As if she’d come to terms with being alone for a while now. You didn’t pull your hand away and let it fall back to your side. You kept it suspended between the two of you, and patiently waited for her to feel comfortable enough to take it.

“Well, at least now you’ll know you have one in Syrup village.”

A spark of something ignited in her eyes and whatever it was your words made her think of, it wasn’t something happy. When a small smile curled her lips it didn’t reach her eyes. They stayed distant; mourning something you may never be made aware of.

You felt your breath catch in your throat as Nami reached out her hand and gently grabbed yours. You waited to secure your fingers around her hand, just in case she had second thoughts. When she didn’t pull away you allowed yourself to fully smile at her, which earned you one back.

“Where were you headed to, anyways?”

You both released each other, and you started slowly moving around her to get to the corridor.

“I was going to look around for Luffy. I need to apologize to him too.”

“Check the kitchen. If you’re going to find him anywhere it’s going to be in there.”

“Thank you. You just saved me some time. See you later, Nami.”

You were a few feet away when she called your name. You turned halfway to see her still standing in the same spot you’d left her.

“Are you going to apologize to Zoro?”

“I’m still debating,” you answered truthfully.

You aren’t sure what Nami expected you to say, but apparently that hadn’t been it. She immediately erupted into laughter as she turned and headed to the next room.

You really hoped she wasn’t going to get caught by Klahadore or anyone else. You were positive it would get him all riled up and send him screeching for the marines to come. Maybe even throw in some insults, because that was just the kind of man he was.

It took you longer than you wanted to locate the kitchen and you were considering bringing it up to Kaya about putting signs up around the manor. Ones that let you know with arrows which way to go. Why was it so easy to get lost in such a big house? You were still trying to come up with a way to bring up that little suggestion when you heard Usopp’s voice coming from the kitchen. Usopp was there too? Your curiosity spurred you forward - almost at a sprint - until you heard another voice grumble from the kitchen.

“You don’t think she like - like likes me, do you?”

What kind of conversation were you walking into? You rounded the corner to find Usopp and Zoro staring at one another. Usopp looked hopeful while Zoro regarded him with as much emotion as a rock.

“You’re asking the wrong guy.”

“I would second that, Usopp.”

At the sound of your voice all eyes turned to you.

“Doc! Hey! What brings you to the kitchen?”

Luffy sounded like his usual happy-go-lucky self. He didn’t seem to be holding a grudge or feelings about what had happened only an hour ago between you. All Luffy seemed to care about was the leftover appetizers and being amongst friends.

How could you ever think he was anything like other pirates?

His cheerfulness was contagious and soon you found yourself making your way around to the stairs. Luffy waves you down to join him with an appetizer in hand.

“You didn’t seem to eat at the dinner. You should try some of these. They’re delicious!”

“Are you sure there is any left?”

“Oh, I have some in my pockets if you want those.”

He really was digging through his pocket to pull out some appetizers. You didn’t know why it surprised you so much but you couldn’t keep your laughter from bubbling to the surface.

“It’s okay, Luffy. I appreciate your willingness to share, but I’ll pass for now.”

“You sure? These are really good!”

Just to prove his point, Luffy popped whatever he pulled from his pocket into his mouth. His fingers noticeably tinted with a pink hue from it melting.

“Pretty sure.”

You snagged a stool on the opposite side of Luffy, which unfortunately kept you on the same side as Zoro. Who was actively staring daggers into your skull.

“I actually came to find you so I could apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“For how I acted at dinner.”

“Where’s my apology?”

Zoro’s husky voice cut through your good mood and instantly made you bitter. You turned in your seat to look at him, who was opening and closing drawers every two seconds.

“I’m still debating on if you deserve one.”

Zoro had been opening his next set of cupboard doors when he stopped short. His head tilting the slightest to glance at you over your shoulder. You waited for him to make another smart ass comment and when it didn’t come, well, color you surprised. All you got was a tick of his jaw before he turned back to opening and shutting doors.

“What is he doing?” You asked Usopp.

“He’s looking for something to drink,” Luffy offered up in between his next bite.

Where the hell did he find a chicken leg? You fixed yourself to sit more comfortably on the stool and placed your satchel on the table. You looked between the three men again and remembered what it was they’d been talking about before.

“So, what were you guys talking about?”

Usopp scratched the back of his neck and looked anywhere but at you. What was making him so nervous? You’d been friends since you were kids. There literally couldn’t be anything that embarrassing-

“Usopp is in love with Kaya and wanted to know if we think she’s in love with him too.”

Luffy happily continued to eat the chicken that you still couldn’t figure out where it came from. Usopp, on the other hand, looked like his soul was about to leave his body.

“Sounds about right.”

Your response must have been a shock to Usopp because that’s exactly how he looked. His hand was still nervously fidgeting with his bandana.

“You know?”

You rolled your eyes as you looked around the kitchen island. Maybe you were starting to feel a little bit hungry.

“Usopp, even Naan knows how you feel about Kaya. She called it like two years ago.”

You were still looking for something to eat when Luffy slid a plate with chicken thighs and legs between you. They smelled wonderful and the skin was perfectly crisp. It was garnished with what might have been green onion or chive.

“If you guys are going to talk about feelings I’m seriously going to need a drink.”

“Shocker.”

The few steps Zoro took came to an abrupt end just a few feet from you. You had a piece of chicken thigh between your lips as you made eye contact with his award-winning brooding face. There was a millisecond, as you both looked at each other, that you wondered if he would’ve replied.

“There’s a wine cellar down in the basement.”

“Why didn’t you mention that before?”

Usopp opened and closed his mouth. While he was unsure of what to say, you felt like you had plenty. Usopp didn’t waste another second as he grabbed his satchel off the island and started leading Zoro up the stairs.

“Luffy, you coming?”

“No, you go ahead. I’m going to sit with Doc for a while.”

They were walking on the opposite walkway, high up enough to look down at both of you. Zoro glanced over his shoulder at the both of you and it took every last ounce of control on your body not to stick your tongue out at him.

How odd it was that you felt like you could actually breathe now that he was gone. Sure, you knew you should say sorry to him and, realistically, him calling you a coward was part of the reason you’d stayed. Did you ever want to share that information with him? Hell no.

The man was already insufferable enough. You didn’t need to add to it.

The sound of Luffy’s chair scraping against the floor brought you back to where your attention was needed: Luffy. Not Zoro’s retreating back.

Why did he have to look good from both sides?

Shaking your head to bring you back to why you came there in the first place, you watched as Luffy went back to walking around the kitchen. He kept searching until he came across a bronze pot that was left on the stove. When he lifted the lid you could see the neon blue hue of Kaya’s soup from where you sat.

“What are you doing?”

Luffy turned with the large pot in hand and walked back over to the table. He looked like a child who’d gotten lost in a chocolate factory.

“Eating.”

You felt your brows enter your hairline and possibly the ceiling as you watched Luffy bring the pot to his lips, and begin to gulp the contents down.

“Are you seriously going to eat all of that?”

He took a few rather large gulps before he set the pot down to look at you. A blue mustache formed on his upper lip.

“Soup isn’t my usual choice, but it’s not half bad.”

You tried to shake the smile off your face but failed miserably.

“You know, you don’t need to apologize. I understand being protective of the people you care about.”

The change in topics was giving you mental whiplash. Luffy regarded you with a softness you hadn’t expected. Underneath was that playfulness you’d grown accustomed to, but it was submerged under something serious. Or as serious as Luffy could be. It was the softness you hadn’t expected, however, and you quickly looked down at your hands.

“Naan raised me to admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong, Luffy.”

“You talk about your Naan a lot.”

“I have a lot of respect for her. She didn’t have to take me in, teach me what she knows, but she did. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay her.”

Luffy regarded you coolly as he picked up the pot and took another giant gulp. His mouth was getting bluer by the minute.

“I’m sure she appreciates you helping her, but I don’t think she’d want to keep you from your dream.”

“I don’t have a dream.”

“Everybody has a dream. Mine is to be King of the pirates. Now you say yours.”

Luffy was right. Everyone has a dream. Just not all of them were attainable. There were realistic dreams and unrealistic ones and yours had to be classified under the latter. Luffy’s too.

But who was to say dreams weren’t attainable if you weren’t willing to strive for them?

You inhaled sharply, your words exhaling in rush.

“I want to be one of the world’s greatest doctors. I want to help people. Not just humans, but fishmen and people who have eaten Devil fruits. Their physiology is so changed that no one knows what happens when they get certain wounds.”

“That’s great because I ate the gum gum fruit.”

How could anyone just casually chug an entire pot of soup? Or openly share that kind of information.

“I’m sorry, what was that? Did you just say you ate a Devil fruit?”

“Yup. It turned my body into rubber.”

“I have so many questions.”

“It’s a long story.”

His words came out slurred; as if they sat heavy on his tongue and made it impossible to speak. You watched as he blinked slowly to try and clear his vision and when that didn’t work he went to stand and immediately stumbled backwards.

“Luffy!”

Your body immediately launched itself over the table. You didn’t care that your clothes were covered in a rainbow assortment of food. By the time you’d already made it to his side of the table, Luffy fell back against a cabinet. His body sliding limp to the floor.

“Luffy! What's wrong? Can you tell me what you’re feeling?”

He was obviously lethargic. His pupils blown wide and unable to focus. It sounded like he was trying to answer your previous question, but his tongue had swollen up making none of it audible. You barely reached him before he completely crumbled to the floor. Your hands dove underneath his arms until you pulled him into a bear hug.

Luffy was too damn heavy. If you kept holding him you would end up in a heap together on the floor. With as much strength as you could muster you tried to hoist him onto the table.

“Zoro! Usopp!”

As you pulled him up onto the table, you heard countless silverware and plates crashing to the floor. There was so much commotion surely someone would have to come investigate. You didn’t have time to wait to see if anyone did. After you had him laid out as good as you were going to get him, you rushed over to his head. You pulled up his eyelid and watched as his eye rolled up inside his head.

“Damn it! Zoro! Usopp! Where the fuck are you guys!”

The panic in your voice was tittering on hysteria. You wanted to scream. You definitely were going to start crying if your brain didn’t get it together. Luffy needed you.

You placed two fingers on the artery in his neck. His pulse fluttered against your fingertips and with each beat felt slower than the last. Drawing your hands back you noticed the slight foam that was forming at the corners of his mouth and - “Poison.”

Your eyes zoned in on the now empty pot. Luffy had eaten all of it and whatever was inside was enough to make its effects be instantaneous. It was the same soup they’d given to Kaya. The same color as her tea.

“Son of a bitch!”

They’d been poisoning her this whole time. The only reason she didn’t drop dead in front of them was because she’d never even taken a bite. Every time Usopp told you stories about Klahadore, Buchi, and Sham it always felt off. None of it ever added up and now, now you know why.

Those bastards had been trying to kill her this whole time.

A soft groan huffed from Luffy bringing you back to the very important present. Why hadn’t anyone answered you? It didn’t matter. You needed to help Luffy - Kaya - before it was too late.

“Luffy, I have to go back to Naan’s. I can’t carry you out of here or we won’t make it. I promise I’ll be back. I’m going to save you. I’m going to save Kaya.”

With one last look at Luffy, you tightened the strap on your satchel and bolted for the nearest exit.

——————————

Your lungs were screaming with every breath you took and your muscles burning, threatening to collapse, as you pushed forward. You couldn’t afford to stop running. Not since you left the front door of Kaya’s house. The last time you saw Luffy glued itself to your retinas and refused to let go. A constant reminder that no matter how much your body wanted to give up, you couldn’t let it.

Luffy and Kaya were counting on you.

By the time you passed through the town and started up the hill behind the tree line to Naan’s you were running on fumes. It was probably the reason why you not so gracefully barreled through the front door. Your legs wobble to a shaky halt as you attempt to walk them over to the cupboard that held every tonic known to man.

“Naan! Naan, I need help, please!”

Your voice cracked and melted into the old boards of the house. You were still struggling to catch a breath as you opened the doors to the cupboard. Everything about you felt unstable. Your hands shook as they moved around the bottles, almost toppling them over and threatening to make a bigger mess of your night.

“What in the hell is going on down here?”

Naan’s voice crocked with sleep but her words were full of fire. She was pissed you woke her up, but it was all for a damn good reason. The dim light from her candle grew brighter as she advanced down the stairs.

“Naan, I’m down here. Please, I need your help.”

You rushed to the stars to wait to help her down the rest of the way. The minute she grabbed your hands to help her down, you moved to take her toward the cabinet but she held on tight. She wasn’t budging until you looked at her. She called your name repeatedly to get you to look at her. Why wouldn’t you look at her?

The overwhelming feeling of failure was crashing in on you. You’d known. You knew, in the pit of your stomach, that something wasn’t right with them. You should have fought harder. You could’ve done more and now, now Luffy was dying of a poison Kaya ingested for years and Nami, Usopp, and even Zoro were in danger.

A sob tore its way out from your throat, through your lips, and ended in a guttural scream.

“What in the hell is happening, child?”

“Naan,” you sobbed. “Naan, Luffy has been poisoned-“

“Poisoned?”

“With the same stuff they’ve been giving Kaya for years. Kaya has slowly been poisoned and she’s going to die. We need to help her. I need to help them Naan, please.”

You weren’t sure when it happened. When you were no longer supporting Naan but she was supporting you. Her paper thin hands held your face gently as her thumbs smoothed your tears down. She made you follow her breathing until your breaths were even and slow. Only then did she begin to talk to you.

“Do you know what kind he ingested?”

Fuck.

“No, I-“

Naan held her hand up to stop you. With one hand still supporting her weight on your arm, she came off the last step and moved towards the cabinet you’d massacred. You knew Naan had noticed it too when a displeased click of her tongue filled the silence in the room.

“If you don’t know what it is, it could be tricky. I can give you what I have, but you are going to need to examine them both before you give them anything. Give them the wrong one, and it will kill them as quickly as the poison will.”

Naan calmly went through each bottle. She knew by heart where everything would be. Just like she could blindly feel through ingredients or measure it without actually measuring it. She turned around with five bottles clutched in her hands and shuffled her way back over to you. She motioned for you to open your satchel and placed them one-by-one carefully inside.

“I don’t know if you should be doing this.”

For the first time, you heard the waiver in her voice. She watched as you secure your satchel closed; her eyes trained to the worn leather before she looked back at you. You weren’t expecting her to look so scared. It was your turn to place your hands on her shoulders and give them a soft squeeze.

“You’ve always taught me there is no greater service in life than to serve others. I can’t let them die, Naan.”

“I know,” she smiled sadly. The worry made the wrinkles more severe than before. “It’s just…be careful. Please.”

With another squeeze you did your best to smile at her, to reassure her, before you stepped back.

“I’ll be back, Naan. Don’t you worry.”

You didn’t know that for sure. There was a chance Klahadore or Buchi would spot you before you made it back to Luffy. Who knew what they were doing to everyone while you were here.

With that uncertainty of what could happen stewing in your chest, you leaned forward quickly and planted a kiss on Naan’s cheek before you bolted out the door. This time, your body was prepared for the brutal run back to the manor. You were almost to the edge of town when the bell rang out in warning and moments later the sound of Usopp’s, “The pirates are here!” Ringing out.

At the sound of his voice, you allowed yourself a moment to thank the universe that he was okay. You wanted to stop and turn back to the village. To find Usopp and ask him just to come back with you and the two of you would figure it out together.

Luffy didn’t have that kind of time.

With that truth taking over your thought, you began to pick up the pace. You had a captain to save.

—————————-

The front of the manor was beginning to be covered in the fog that was rolling in from the ocean. This was hands down the creepiest you had ever seen the Manor. It was giving definite horror vibes. The worst part? Even from this far you could see the damn pirate shutters were enabled.

“Fuck!” You screamed.

How in the hell were you going to get inside to help them? Those things were heavy and meant to be impenetrable. There was no way you were going to be able to break it down with a few kicks.

“Think,” you huffed, as your hand slid across your face.

What options did you have? You could go back to find Usopp, but there was a high chance you’d only end up missing each other in passing. You couldn’t just go up to the front door and knock. Not unless, you know, you wanted to die.

You were pacing back and forth when a very loud grunt echoed from the well.

You hadn’t read many horror novels, but the ones you had read, well, this was giving haunted zombie island vibes. You wish you could claim to be unafraid, but when the grunt came again, this time closer and louder than the last, you knew you’d be lying.

So, why were you ever so slowly edging your way towards the well? Curiosity did always kill the cat. Right when you finally got to the edge of the stone, you exhaled to prepare yourself to look over.

Who knows, maybe it was just your imagination overreacting. Right when you went to glance over the side, a hand smacked its way over the top and you felt your soul evacuate your body. A few seconds later, green hair popped over the top that sat on top of a familiar face, but your brain was stuck in fear mode, so when Zoro asked, “Doc?” The only response he’d gotten was your fist connecting with his face.

“What the fuck!”

His scream echoed into the well. You could hear him slipping and knew it was because you’d shoved your knuckles into his cheekbone. Just as he was about to slip, you launched yourself over the side to grab a hold of his arm.

“What the fuck!” Zoro shouted up at you.

“I’m sorry, okay! I thought you were a zombie and oh my god is that a fucking body?!”

You almost let Zoro go as your eyes focused on what looked like very real feet attached to very real legs.

“Yeah. It’s that Merry, guy.”

Zoro grunted as he tried to find purchase for the foot that had slipped. You were struggling to hold him up and each time his foot slipped it seemed to tug you down with him.

“For fuck’s sake, what are you made of bricks?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, is my weight inconveniencing you? If it wasn’t for you I would be out already,” Zoro growled out each word.

“I said I was sorry, okay! What more do you want?”

You move your hand further down until you reach his elbow. At first, it seemed like a solid plan. Strategically, it was a better option to give you more leverage in helping pull him up. The reality of it was Zoro was sweaty - very sweaty - from climbing about twenty-feet up the inside of a well. The minute your hand clamped down on the lubricated skin, it slipped free.

When he started to come loose from your hands you expected him to scream. All you saw was a grimace as his back slammed into the wall of the well and a glare that could give death a run for his money.

“Just pull me up already and stop screwing around.”

“I am trying but you are a hefty, hefty man,” you stated with each word strained.

Okay. You needed to get serious. You’d allowed his weight to lift your feet off the ground. You swung them back until you could get your toes pressed against the River rock of the well. Your heels were still slightly lifted in the air, but you knew this could work in your favor. You took in a deep breath and began to lean back as hard as you could. It may not have been super comfortable, but it was pulling him up enough that you could hear his boot finally find the footing it needed.

“Okay, you can let go now. I said you can let go-!”

You fully intended to let go. Whatever Zoro had done to help launch himself out, mixed with your pulling, sent you falling backwards.

With Zoro landing directly on top of you.

His weight mixed in with the fall knocked your breath clean out of your lungs. You were trying to get your lungs to expand by letting your body relax so you attempted to think of soothing things. The night sky and her stars were looking incredible tonight. It was the clearest you’d seen them in a while. Too bad it was on a night like tonight.

Zoro slowly lifted his head up from your shoulder, his arms on either side of you, until you were both face-to-face. Suddenly, it felt like the air was knocked out of you all over again.

His skin still held a sheen from his previous excretion of climbing. The edges of his hair was damp with sweat giving him a look that reminded you of when you’d run into him earlier wet from his shower. It shouldn’t have made him look this damn good.

You were painfully aware that he was still between your legs. Zoro was close enough you could feel his stomach extend with each heavy breath he took. Could easily count the freckles that endless days in the sun had kissed on his skin. His lips were parted, eyes scanning your face, and for one devious miscalculation of judgment, you wanted to fist your fingers in his shirt and pull him towards you to see if his lips were as soft as you imagined.

Nope. Nooooope!

That moment was enough to bring you crashing back to reality. Plus, Luffy. Kaya.

You smack his chest for good measure. Just to let him know you meant it when you said, “Are you trying to crush me to death? Get off me!”

“Don’t gotta tell me twice,” he grunted.

Once he was up, you expected him to stick his hand out to help you up. Instead, he was already walking in the opposite direction of what appeared to be away from the house.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

You scrambled up from your spot and hurried to try and catch up with him. Your hands rearranging your satchel to make sure your bottles weren’t crushed.

“I’m going back to the house.”

“Yeah, so am I but the house is back this way.”

Zoro stopped for a split second to look behind you before deciding what you offered was wrong.

“How about we split up and figure out who was right?”

“Fat chance, Mosshead.”

You fell into step beside him and you were positive if Zoro could’ve, he would’ve thrown you down the well. Just to make sure you stayed away from him. If this was a different time, one where you didn’t just pull him from a well where a dead body was, Luffy wasn’t poisoned, and Kaya and Nami were in danger you would have steered clear of him. So, unlucky for you both, you were newfound partners in unfortunate crime.

Neither of you spoke a word as you continued to walk down the path. You were pretty sure that Zoro was sending you the wrong way. You were two seconds away from telling him he was most definitely wrong, and you’d been most definitely right, until you both observed something up ahead.

Was that marines? And were they carrying- “Luffy,” you said in a hush tone.

Zoro saw it too. Two marines were carrying his limp body between them until he launched himself forward and began vomiting in the trees. It shouldn’t be possible. Poison when ingested - by anyone - was fatal. Even with as much vomiting he was doing it shouldn’t be possible. And yet, you saw it happening.

It has to be the Devil fruit…

Zoro waved for you to hide inside the bamboo but you brushed him off. As quietly as you could, you reached down and grabbed a fallen bamboo branch. You made sure you had a good grip on the bottom as you made your way quietly forward.

They were arguing between themselves. One of them with an extremely terrible haircut was holding a gun to the other with glasses and back to Luffy. The two spare marines were just standing watching and-

With as much force as you could muster, you smacked the one on the left on the side of his head. Zoro just used his fist for the other one. At the sound of their bodies falling, bad haircut turned around and when he saw Zoro walking towards him he turned sheet white.

“Zoro!” Luffy called happily as he got to his feet. “And Doc?”

You scratched the back of your head as you watched Zoro knock out bad haircut in one punch.

“Yeah. I came back to rescue you. Surprise,” you joked, throwing your hands up in mock celebration.

“Thanks. Come on. We need to get back to the house.”

Without another word, Luffy pressed between you and started making his way back towards the house. You side-eyed Zoro to see if he was paying attention, because Luffy had just proven you were right. You opened your mouth to tease him when a soft shout of Luffy’s name sent you all turning to see who it was.

They stood in front of you - pale as moonlight - and a little frightened with black rimmed circle glasses and pink hued hair. You weren’t sure who they were but all you needed to know was that they knew Luffy by name.

“Koby, I know you got a job to do. But I’m going to go back and help my friends. Don’t try and stop me.”

Yup. Luffy was officially the most polite pirate you’d ever met.

Koby gave Luffy the smallest of nods. A silent affirmation that he wouldn’t be following suit. You had so many questions about what happened between everyone tonight and would make sure to ask later. If given the chance.

Adjusting his hat back on his head, Luffy turned and started sprinting down the path. Zoro gave you one last look before he ran after him with his hands securely holding onto his swords. A soft groan left you as your feet padded along like the little engine that could.

“Ugh, why are we doing more running? I hate running.”

No one answered you and that was fine. You were going to need as much air as you could trying to keep up with the two of them.

——————————-

Zoro and Luffy were at the door when you came up. The two of them looked at the giant metal shudder. You were ready to tell them there wasn’t going to be any other way inside the house when Zoro bent down on one knee and worked his fingers underneath.

“That’s not going to work.”

Luffy turned to you with a wide smile.

“You don’t know Zoro.”

As if on queue, Zoro let out a grunt and began to push the shudder up. No way. It shouldn’t have been possible for him to even remotely lift it an inch. Usopp told you hundreds of times that pirate shudders were over six-hundred pounds of metal. They were meant to withstand canon balls and here Zoro was lifting it to his waist.

Luffy grabbed a statue and placed it underneath the shudder allowing Zoro to let go, and kick the double doors open. Luffy wasted no time in bending down and looking inside to make sure they could enter without interruption. When he was sure it was clear, he moved inside and Zoro shortly followed. Luffy went to shut the doors when you quickly moved inside.

“Doc, I think you should wait outside.”

“Fuck that,” you seethed. “These are my friends too, Luffy. I’m not leaving until I know they’re safe.”

Why was he smiling?

“Alright, but we split up. Cover more ground that way.”

Neither of them wasted any time taking off in their respective directions. It wasn’t until they were gone that you realized you didn’t have a clue where to go and what were you supposed to do if you found them.

You let out a huff of air that ended in a raspberry as you decided to go down the opposite side of the corridor than Zoro. You may not have any abilities from eating Devil fruit or be insanely good with swords, but you did have your wits. Yeah. That’s what was going to save you. Wits.

Maybe you could just go back to the kitchen and see if the pot was still there. If it was, you’d have a chance to get samples of what Buchi had laced inside the soup. In Kaya’s tea. God, just thinking about it pissed you off all over again.

If the house felt eerily quiet before, it felt even worse now. All signs of life were completely drained from the halls to the point your own breathing felt too loud in the large space. You were tempted to make noise, to call out for Zoro like playing a game of Marco Polo. Probably wouldn’t have been one of your best ideas in a house full of homicidal waitstaff.

When you got to the kitchen you made a quick note that the bronze pot in question was missing. Of course they wouldn’t have kept it. It was evidence of a plot they’d spent three years perfecting, but you just needed to search to be sure.

Quickly, you made your way around to the stairs and into the step down of the kitchen. Someone had done the dishes. It was all gone. You tried not to allow the bitterness of that thought to settle, but damn if it wasn’t hard. How were you going to be able to know what treatment to start giving Kaya if you didn’t have anything to base it off?

You looked around the kitchen one last time when the sounds of fighting erupted somewhere in the distance. It could be Luffy or Zoro. Hell, it could be one of the other three too. Either way, it didn’t matter who it was. You were going to help them.

First things first…

You looked quickly around the kitchen. There wasn’t much in the way of weapons that were going to strike fear in the hearts of anyone. You saw a tiny pot that was sitting on the sink counter and rushed forward to grab it by the handle. As soon as you knew you had it, you bolted back up the stairs and towards the main lobby.

The closer you got the more intense the fighting became. Swords. Those definitely sounded like swords, which meant it was Zoro fighting, but also someone else with swords. And here you were bringing a pot to a sword fight.

You weren’t given a chance to backtrack on your choice of weapon. The minute you came out from the French double doors that lead back into the foray of the house, you watched as Zoro fought off Buchi and Sham.

You never saw a real swordsman or met one for that matter. It wasn’t like Syrup village was brimming with up and coming anything, really, but as you watched Zoro effortlessly move between blocking and attacking you were willing to bet no one compared to him.

You were so caught up in gawking that you weren’t aware that Buchi and Sham were made aware of your presence until they hissed at you. Hissing? Really? You could feel a smart ass comment brewing, but now didn’t seem like the appropriate time to say it. Buchi was who turned on you first with Sham still attacking Zoro. She had her back to you, and when she came up from a missed swing you rushed forward and launched the small pot at the back of her head.

The sound of it connecting with its intended target resonated through the room. Sham’s head was as hollow as you thought.

Everything slowed down for a second as you all waited to see what would happen. Luckily for you, the result was Sham falling face first into the hardwood completely passed out.

“Holy shit. It worked! Zoro, did you see that!”

“You little bitch!”

How the hell did you forget about Buchi? He came stomping towards you causing the floor to shake as he did. You were getting ready to bolt in the opposite direction when Zoro jumped in the way. You took that as your queue to move.

You dashed toward where Sham’s body had fallen and kicked away her sword and - wait, was that a broom handle? You no longer felt embarrassed about using a pot.

Taking hold of the unconscious Sham, you began to move her more towards the front door. Zoro finished with Buchi with ease and knocked him unconscious. It didn’t dawn on you that something was different about him until he dragged Buchi over to where you’d placed Sham. Zoro was wearing a black bandana. And no, you did not notice how the veins in his arms were very much showing.

“We should get some rope to tie them up.”

“Good idea.”

By the time everyone made it down, Buchi and Sham had regained consciousness and you and Zoro were sitting far apart.

There was no denying when you saw them all come down the stairs, a relief so intense flooded your veins and soaked into your bones. When Usopp hugged you, you allowed yourself to hug him back just a little bit tighter.

A part of you knew that the adventures of yesterday would come to an end back in the shipyard. It would end with Kaya giving Luffy that ship he’d so lovingly given his speech for, and more so knew Luffy would ask Usopp to go with him.

It was Usopp’s dream - his real dream. Part of that dream was experiencing the freedom that the sea offered, just like his dad did. How could you ever ask someone you considered your friend - your best friend - to stay just because you weren’t ready to part with them? No. Usopp deserved adventures as grand as his stories.

While he’d been talking to Kaya you’d taken the opportunity to slip away. It’s not that you weren’t happy for him, because you were. The idea of not having him around anymore, however, began to dig a hole in your soul. So, you went to the one place that always mended it.

You were sitting with Naan at the kitchen table folding linens with water boiling on the stove and ingredients beside it. You were still waiting for Kaya to come by so you could perform an assessment. Before you could treat her, you would have to find out how extensive the damage was, and what would be the best form of treatment.

“So, Usopp’s going to be going, then?”

You didn’t expect Naan to sound sad. While she wasn’t mean like the rest of the village, she most definitely was not a fan of rising early just to hear the bell and the yelling.

“Yeah. They should already be out to sea.”

You were folding your next set of linens when Naan reached out and gently took your hand in hers. The act stops you from finishing the next fold.

“It’s all going to work out the way that it should, child.”

“I know, Naan.”

A knock on the door rescued you from having to continue whatever talk was brewing in Naan. It saved you from more than likely crying like a baby on her shoulder too. You got up from your chair and made your way over to the door when another knock came seconds before you reached it.

“Kaya, I’m coming! God, are rich people always so impatient?”

When you swung the door open, you hadn’t expected to find Luffy there smiling or the rest of the crew waiting behind him. Kaya was plainly missing from the group.

“Who is it, child?”

You felt too dumbfounded to speak. Why were they here?

“It’s alright, Naan,” you called over your shoulder, eyes still glued to Luffy. “It’s just Luffy.”

“Luffy?”

“Straw hat.”

The sound of her chair sliding back against the wood was what tore your gaze away. You looked back to find Naan struggling to get to her cane with her left hand holding her weight up by the table. You moved back from the entrance, waving him in as you rushed over to grab her cane and hand it to her.

“What are you guys doing here? I thought you’d be gone by now.”

“We were about to head out when the strangest thing happened.” You crossed your arms as you listened to Luffy. The cliff hanger his words left you on threatened to drop fresh anxiety into your gut. “I turned to get my crew onboard and realized my doctor was missing.”

“What?” You breathed.

“That’s you.”

You closed your eyes for a split second as you tried to collect your thoughts.

“Luffy, I wouldn’t make a good pirate.”

“You don’t have to be. Just like with Usopp, I saw what you did. The way you fought to protect people. I need you in my crew.”

You dropped your arms as you turned to regard Naan. The way her body leaned heavily on the cane. Her once strong body was becoming more frail by the day. You couldn’t leave her.

You swallowed hard before you replied, “Luffy, that is a splendid offer. One I don’t think anyone could pass up but I can’t leave.”

“Why the hell not?” Naan fired off.

“Naan-“

“And if you say it’s because of me, just remember you aren’t too old for me to throttle you with my cane.”

She finally pushed her hip from the side of the table and waddled over to the rack that held your satchel. Naan reached up and pulled it down, turning slowly until you came back into view, and tossed the satchel in your direction.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? You know, for being smart you sure can be dumb sometimes.”

Your eyes looked down at the satchel in your hands. You rubbed the worn leather with your thumbs as you remembered her giving you this very bag on your thirteenth birthday. The pricks of tears came unannounced and most definitely unwanted a few moments later. It made you terrified to look up. For her to see that saying goodbye might kill a piece of you, you’d never get back.

You’d never get her back either.

“Naan-“ You tried to speak but your voice cracked around her name. “Who is going to take care of you if I’m gone?”

A tsk of disbelief shot from her lips. Both her hands now came to rest on top of the cane as she regarded you coolly.

“I’ve been an old woman for a long time now. I think I can manage without you.”

“See - it’s settled,” Luffy began. “You are welcome to join our crew and that way you don’t have to give up on your dream.”

He remembered?

How silly that question was. He was Monkey D. Luffy. Of course, he was going to remember. Glancing down at the satchel in your hands once more you allowed yourself to debate one last time before you grabbed the strap and placed it over your shoulder.

Before you took that first step towards the door, you turned one last time to Naan and took one of her hands in yours. You tried to tell yourself you wouldn’t cry. You never cried, but the first tear slid down your face and called you a liar.

“Please, take care Naan. You’ve done so much for me, my whole life. If it wasn’t for you I don’t know where I would be.”

“Dead,” she stated matter-of-factly.

It was so blunt. So incredibly Naan that you couldn’t stop the sharp bark of laughter that came from you. The soft feather of her hand reached up to cup your face and forced you to look at her. A long silence pulled between you, and you wondered if she was going to say anything at all when a soft smile cracked her thin lips.

“Go, child. Be great.”

Shaking your head in agreement, the both of you broke free and you followed Luffy out of the house. You spared one last glance at Naan’s home - your home - and found her at the door seeing you off. You raised your hand in one last goodbye and watched as she did it too.

Maybe Luffy was right. It was time to go on your own adventure and you had no doubt Luffy and his crew were going to give it to you.

________

As always, comments and reblogs are always welcome

________

Tag list: :@thegreatesttttttttt@katiemrty@sorasolarium@ponyboys-sunsets@flowersgirl02@spilled-coffee-cup@instabull@charleslec-airlines@dixonsbugaboo@amanda08319@moony-artemis@iloveautumn1@yoheyyosup@ghostyycat7@csmbrainrot @selmasemlan

@scarletrosesposts @yeetedandoboi @snixx2088 @blobfishyy @sourairi @nerdiestmothman21 @lynnieereads @zerosmilesahead @swthxrry @lovestruck-art @throwmethroughawindow @heyitz-julia @sabrinadelreyy @illusory-segurity @naomihatake @mrs--imperfect @shabzy1644 @fckwritersblock @glaciuswduo @meri-soni-meri-tamanna @fangeekkk @tfamidoingwithmylife @zaphira-san @kieth-reblogging @alotofrandomfangirling @emelia07 @hyrdr0citi

If I missed anyone, please let me know! TY

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mcx7demonbros · 10 days

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All Catholic References with Sunday (that I could find)

Well, for starter, I found lots of Catholic references with Sunday, and by extension, some elements in Penacony and even Xipe the Harmony. I feel like I have to write this down and post this. It's the reason this post exists.

Warning, this post will have extensive Bible quotes and religious references. If you are uncomfortable, please ignore this post.

Also, because I could only play the story only once and cannot go back to re-read the story, there will not be screenshots to everything.

Finally, spoilers of the newest Penacony trailblaze quest ofc

1. The name

Sunday's name is Sunday, and as you know, this is the day that is dedicated to God and most Christian (including Catholics) go to church to worship God. Sunday, right before he called upon the machine that he rode to become the weekly boss for the first time, he called it "Dominicus". This comes from the Latin word for Sunday "dominica", which means "the Lord's day". "Dominica" itself came from "Dominum, which means "Lord" or "the Lord". Even though the data bank calls the boss "Harmonious Choir" the Great Septimus, the detailed description of the boss still says "Dominicus".

If you search on the internet, you may find that the Latin word for Sunday is dies solis (which means the day of the sun). But that word was used in the pre-Christian era. Dies solis was changed to dominica after Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. Till this day, English and other Germanic languages still call the first day of the week "day of the sun" in their respective languages, while other Romance/Latin languages call the first day of the week "the Lord's day", such as Portugese - domingo, Spanish - domingo, Italian - domenica, French - dimanche, etc.

2. Sunday's physical angelic features

Sunday was born a Halovian, a species in Star Rail universe well-known by their angelic iconography, having "halos" over their heads and white wings on the back of their heads. Although currently, only Sunday and Robin are shown to have wings, while other Halovian NPCs don't have them.

3. Confession

This one, I believe, is quite obvious, with Sunday acts like a priest hearing confessions of the people who came to him for guidance and a free-from-guilt conscience in what seems to be a confession booth.

4. "The creation of Adam"

Remember the cutscene with the boss in 3rd phrase reaching out the hand and touches another hand coming down from the sky.

It''s inspired by this

"The Creation of Adam" or "The Creation of Man" is a fresco painting by Michelangelo for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in early 16th century. This painting depicts God outstretching his right hand and finger towards Adam, the first man. This is mirrored and reversed by Sunday outstretching his right hand and finger from below toward the hand appearing from the sky. It is mirrored because in the original fresco, it is God reaching out for human with his right hand and Adam reaching out with his left hand, while in the game, the mysterious hand is a left hand while Sunday reaches out with his right hand. It is reverse because in the fresco, it is God who reaches out for human, while in the game, it is Sunday, a mortal, reaching up for the deity. However, we still don't know to whom that hand in the cutscene belong, I have compared that hand with both Xipe's and Ena's in their models, and it doesn't seem to belong to either of them, although the hand looks more like Xipe's than Ena's.

5. And on the eighth day

"And on the eighth day" is the name of the last quest of the trailblaze mission/main story quest chain of Penacony that was released in version 2.2.

In the quest, we hear Sunday telling us what Ena the Order did within the first seven days of Their existence. This is based on the narrative in the first chapter of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God created everything in six days and He rested on the seventh day. If you have done the side quest to find clues about Sunday's whereabouts for Robin, you will get a notebook with the account of what Ena did in the seven days, the notebook is also divided into numbered chapters and verses, like the Bible.

Now we come to "the eighth day". In the 3rd phrase of the boss fight, each time the boss's turn comes, it doesn't attack but count the 7 days with its turns, corresponding with the narrative of Ena's first 7 days. And even on the 7th turn, the boss doesn't attack. It attacks on its next/8th turn after the cutscene, representing the eighth day.

Now in Catholicism, the day that Jesus rose from the dead is Sunday, the first day of the week. But Sunday is after the seventh day of the week, Saturday, so it's also called the eighth day.

"The eighth day, that is, the first day after the Sabbath [loosely corresponding to Saturday], was to be that on which the Lord should rise again, and should quicken us, and give us circumcision of the spirit." St. Cyprian of Carthage

"God brought it about that Christ’s body rested from all His works on the Sabbath in the tomb, and that He rose from the dead on the third day, which we call the Lord’s Day, the day after the Sabbath, and therefore the eighth day." St. Augustine of Hippo

6. Penacony's Phonograph soundtracks

I said that I also found some religious elements with Penacony. And I found those references with many of Penacony's phonograph soundtracks.

City Upon a Hill - the name is deprived from Jesus's words in Sermon on the Mount. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)

The Strength of Sin is the Law and The Sting of Death is Sin - now both of these came from the words of St. Paul the Apostle in his first Epistle (letter) to the Corinthians in the Bible, words for words. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Cor. 15:56)

Infirma Nostri Corporis - this is a phrase from traditional Catholic hymn Veni Creator Spiritus - Come, Holy Spirit, Creator. The phrase is an invocation of the Holy Spirit to strengthen our mortal body full of frailty and weaknesses.

Requiem Aeternam - eternal rest, this is a introit (hymn that is sung when the priest enters the church at the beginning of Mass). This introit is used at a Requiem Mass or Mass for the deceased or funeral Mass, a prayer to ask God to grand eternal rest to the deceased. Mozart wrote his own Requiem, which I believe to be the direct inspiration for this soundtrack and the next four. That means the original Catholic hymns are indirect inspirations.

Confutatis - confusion, this is a part of Sequence Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), which tells us about the Last Judgement. Confusion here means the confusion of the reprobate if you want the full context of this particular phrase. Also a part of Mozart's Requiem Mass.

Hosanna in Excelsis - Hosanna in the highest (hosanna is a word that expresses adoration, joy and praise). This originally came from the words of the crowd when they acclaimed Jesus at his Entrance into the city of Jerusalem. (Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). This was later incorporated into the praise Sanctus, which is sung at every Mass. Being an ordinary part of the Mass, the Sanctus is also a part of Mozart's Requiem.

Agnus Aeon - Lamb of Aeon, this is inspired by Agnus Dei - Lamb of God, another hymn that is present at every Mass. The hymn itself was inspired from the Bible, when St. John the Baptist called Jesus "the Lamb of God" (John 1:36). In Star Rail universe, when saying "god", the Aeons come to mind and the soundtrack's name was subsequently adopted to fit in the story. Also a part of Mozart's Requiem, same case with Sanctus.

Lux Aeterna - eternal light, the name comes from the hymn that is sung at the end of the Requiem Mass. The whole context is a prayer to God to let eternal light shine upon the departed.

7. Xipe - the Triple-Faced Soul

One of Xipe the Harmony's titles is the Triple-Faced Soul, and you can see They have three faces (or heads?) from Their model. They are also called "thousand faces", but here I'll be discussing the Triple-Faced only.

Now Xipe's three faces reminds me of the Holy Trinity, especially the depiction of the Trinity as Trifacial.

This kind of depiction of the Holy Trinity is not allowed anymore after the 1628 ban of Pope Urban VIII, who feared the depiction could make the people confused about the doctrine of the Trinity.

While the Trinity in Christianity is Three Distinct Persons but one God, one Divinity, Xipe is one person with three faces as symbolism.

I do know that gods in Hinduism have multiple heads, but I have only seen gods with 4 heads, 5 heads or even 8 heads. The only time I see a three-head god is when they depict Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together as the Trimurti.

Well, those are all the Catholic references I could find and remember. Feel free to tell me if I missed something :3

#honkai star rail #hsr sunday #sunday hsr #penacony #hsr xipe

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floatingcatacombs · 5 months

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Go Nagai was insane for this one

12 Days of Aniblogging 2023, Day 8

I like to always have manga of dubious quality on tap for when I’m having trouble sleeping. Ideally, reading a few chapters will distract me, but I won’t want to stay up late shotgunning volumes. Devilman Lady was the ideal manga for this, and this is maybe the last time anyone will ever describe Devilman Lady as "ideal".

An extremely brief introduction is in order. If Osamu Tezuka is the godfather of manga, then Go Nagai is manga’s weird horny uncle. He’s arguably just as influential, the two of them just moved in different circles, each reifying entire genres. Nagai is more or less responsible for magical girls, super robot, and ecchi, and also spent a lot of time in the sphere of supernatural and post-apocalyptic manga. These are fundamentally genres of extremity and ridiculousness, and Nagai dials every one of his works up to 11 by the end, one way or another. Devilman is probably his most famous work over here, and it’s a stone-cold classic for a reason. Nagai has kept revisiting it over the years, with side stories, alternate universes, manga cameos, and even entirely new series that function as stealth sequels such as Violence Jack. But his most notable attempt is Devilman Lady, which is far more than a simple gender-swap of the original.

Devilman Lady is about swimming deep in filth. It’s easily the most disgust-provoking manga I’ve read, with pretty much every content warning under the sun applicable. This is a truly rotten and conspiratorial world that Nagai is depicting. Societal decay manifests in countless forms, including rape, child abuse, homophobia, militarism, and hatred towards immigrants. Anything that could be potentially understood as fanservice is placed right next to or directly within the atrocities at hand, and it's genuinely unclear how much Nagai intended that as commentary. His intentions throughout this whole manga are a bit of an enigma, but what's clear that he is firing on all cylinders.

This is an extremely zeitgeisty 90’s work, with intelligent design debates, the mapping of the human genome, new age paranoia, religious zealotry, and anxiety over pollution all playing out on the pages. Where it breaks from many of its contemporaries is a decisive rejection of the end of history. This is the kind of thing you write when you’re still reeling from the subway sarin gas attacks and your country's role in the Gulf War and subsequent militarization. It’s the perfect manga for capturing a time period when ten to twenty percent of Japan’s population were estimated to have belonged to a new religious movement.

The punchline to all of this is that he doesn’t know how to draw women.

By the back half of Devilman Lady, Nagai’s depictions of hellscapes and grotesque monsters reach near-Berserk levels of detail and technical competency. And yet his female protagonists are still drawn in a drastically simpler 70's style, only now with giant spheres grafted to their chests. Either humans and the infernal are two completely different skillsets, or this was a deliberate artistic decision, and both are difficult to swallow. Either way, we just have to accept the juxtapositions.

one of my favorite pages to show people devoid of context

The finale is just nuts. Go Nagai makes textual the homoeroticism and gender deviance of the original Devilman manga, as the world burns in both nuclear warfare and demonic hellfire. The story starts accelerating at an unfathomable pace, the most inscrutable double mobius reacharound yaoiyuri occurs, and the universe resets once or twice. It makes the endings of Jojo Part 6 and 7 look tame by comparison. There is no way to parse this like a normal manga with a plot and narrative. It is raw id.

This has been a year where I’ve tried to deliberately broaden my comfort zone by engaging with more potentially upsetting works if I think they'll have something interesting to say. This was like jumping into the deep end. Devilman Lady may very well be Go Nagai’s magnum opus. It’s not nearly as tight as the original manga, but it’s a glorious mess, just as radical to its own time as Devilman must have been in the 70s. It made for spectacular insomnia reading. And there’s no way in hell I can ever recommend it.

At age 19, Nagai went through a bout of diarrhea so bad that he convinced himself it was colon cancer, and that he was at death's door. He vowed to leave something behind for the world to remember him by, and began laboring away on manga. And for the last 60 years of his career, he’s written and drawn with the fervor of a man who’s about to shit himself to death. Maybe that’s the real secret.

#12 days of anime #devilman #devilman lady

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filipinoizukuu · 4 months

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what comes next though? (MHA ch. 413)

// major spoilers for mha ch. 413 since its leaks, so please stop reading if you arent quite caught up. i havent written one of these in a LONGGG while lmao.

ANYWAY, with all that being said.... this week's leaks huh?

We saw it coming a long time ago, we speculated it to hell and back, we made aus and fics, and now it's finally here. The conclusion we've reached and the one that's been hinted at since the release of Heroes Rising in 2019:

bnha is going to end with deku giving up one for all and becoming quirkless.

(LOTS of words under the cut -- youve been warned.)

For those who are a little lost; the basic premise of the ending we are hurtling towards is that Kudou (the 2nd user of ofa) has a plan to take down Shigaraki. With AfO dead and gone + Shigaraki becoming so powerful he is essentially invincible -- theres no other choice for the heroes other than destroying him inside out; the plan being the equivalent of charging a battery so much it explodes.

the way they're going to go about this is by essentially, feeding Shigaraki bits of One for All until he's given all of it -- then allowing the vestiges of the previous wielders to create a massive revolt similar to what SnS did until they can successfully tear him apart from inside the "quirk realm" and shut him out. Kudou volunteers to go next since danger sense has already been taken, and if Shigaraki uses gearshift again after Deku already used it twice, Tomura's body will likely shutdown and receive twice the backlash Deku does when he uses kudou's quirk.

(sidenote: funny as fuck that deku only understood once kudou equated the strategy to bkg throwing papers at him. bro stupid af.)

its a sensible(ish) idea. one that seems plausible given the context of the last hundred or so chapters with heroes like Hawks and SnS having their quirks revolt against both AfO and Shigaraki in a way that makes it clear that its not uniquely OfA that animates the souls of peoples quirks. Its inherent. Quote, Nana Shimura, "romantic" even.

(let it be known though that i think hori absolutely did not plan on delving into this plot point as much as he is now. ill explain in a bit, but heroes rising was 100% a major factor of why he moved in this direction.)

That being said, the conclusion of the plan (and subsequently, the major plot of bnha) is as follows: Deku gives up One for All to Shigaraki. One for All unites with All for One within Shigaraki and destroys it in one final clash between Yoichi and his brother. The break in the barrier of Shigaraki's hatred will part, letting him find the consciousness of Shimura Tenko behind it after years.

Shigaraki dies, taking OfA and AfO down with him,

and then Deku is quirkless once more.

Sad conclusion aside for now, I firmly believe that no matter what way you look at it; Deku was always meant to end the story without a quirk. Given some of the original drafts of bnha where Deku was never supposed to be given a quirk in the first place, this is clearly unsurprising. What's more is my favorite piece of information relative to katsuki and deku's character development:

the fact that heroes rising was (one of the) ideas for the original ending of bnha.

a refresher for some of you: heroes rising is about class 1a going to the isolated village of nabu island and defending it against an upcoming big bad villain named "nine" with a quirk that is essentially a scaled down version of all for one. katsuki and deku eventually resolve the conflict together via brute force by deku giving katsuki ofa, them rushing in while the quirk is transferring and both of them have it, and then ultimately defeating nine at the end. the movie then of course circles back on deku losing one for all, undoing that consequence by saying the transfer never completed bc ofa chose him over katsuki and they all move on to the endeavor agency arc with katsuki remembering absolutely nothing of the final battle.

many fans often misunderstand one of horikoshi's quotes about the movie in that it was, without a doubt, the original ending of bnha. for the sake of accuracy, that is not what horikoshi really said; what he ACTUALLY said was something closer and to the tune of of how it was "one OF the endings" he planned on using for bnha, but his original idea for how the story ends "has not changed one bit."

obviously disregarding the cop out where ofa sticks back to izuku in order for the series to continue as normal; this can only confirm that bnha was going to end with midoriya izuku quirkless whether katsuki was involved or not.

so what's different this time?

its hard to figure out how far horikoshi had planned the ending of bnha with heroes rising's prototype conclusion in mind. if heroes rising never pulled through and horikoshi had planned on bnha ending with the shared ofa transfer and katsuki continuing deku's legacy -- then that means katsuki wouldve died an early death because of all might's confirmation that only quirkless people can hold on to one for all without dying young, meaning he either intended on katsuki dying soon after the story ends or only planned that plot point after heroes rising was released.

the plot as well of heroes rising's conclusion cannot have been thought of all that early on because of ANOTHER tidbit of information that changes perspective of the entire series: in that,

bakugou katsuki was never supposed to be a major character to begin with. (keep an eye on this link; i reference this interview a LOT)

he was not supposed to have an arc. he was not supposed to become a major focal point of the series. he was not meant to be the hero he is in the story today. bakugou katsuki was not written with the intention of being a major narrative this late into the story -- instead originally only existing as a character that deku would surpass within the first few arcs.

but then katsuki cried, and deku apologized, and then opened his big fat mouth, and then told him a secret he didnt even tell his own mother -- and suddenly bakugou katsuki was not just another footnote in deku's story, but a legitimate character that grew and created one of the most loved (and hated) character turnarounds in shonen history. he started of as a literal EXTRA before snowballing into the very same character horikoshi decided would defeat all for one, the original scariest antagonist of the entire series. someone not even ALL MIGHT could defeat.

but circling back, yeah. heroes rising was definitely not the ending horikoshi thought of first, nor was it the ending he thought of last. ultimately, it was simply another route he couldve taken into wrapping up deku's fate into what it was (probably) always meant to be:

deku was gonna lose one for all no matter what.

it's kind of fitting, honestly -- for this to be the ultimate conclusion to the series. it makes the most sense, since what sent deku down this path so many years ago was his mother apologizing to deku for being quirkless; as if being quirkless meant he was born inferior to those who had quirks. people, after all according to deku's famous beginning monologue, are not born equal.

Even still, i thought to note: deku never stopped wanting to be a hero. we all know this, obviously. this was his driving force -- but then when you REALLY think about the implications, you have to ask. what the heck was deku even planning to do?!

he had ideas. he had hope. he wrote notebooks for the future and thought of his costume for being a hero -- but not once do i remember him writing about his hero experience as if he was suddenly going to develop a quirk. he was planning on saving people quirkless -- an extremely interesting motivation especially when he couldve so easily chosen to walk the path of being a doctor or engineer instead if he wanted to save people so badly. its a story about conviction, about doing the things you wanna do in the way you wanna do it no matter what ANYONE else says and hey wait a minute that sounds familiar

it doesnt quite read that way at first, especially because of how izuku almost listened to all might about "being realistic" when the first met and nearly gave up on becoming a hero entirely, but izuku is a lot similar to katsuki in the sense that no matter what gets in his way -- he is determined to achieve his dreams in the way HE CHOOSES, and not the way that is more "convenient".

even when you look at just his name, "deku" in the way that uraraka had interpreted it (dekiru -- "you can do it!") and the way deku reexplains it to katsuki in deku vs kacchan 1 ("the deku that doesn't give up!") you can so easily tell that deku from the very beginning has only ever needed the slightest push to pursue being a hero, quirk-or-not-be-damned. hell, we even see a glimpse of this possibility in the sports festival race when deku absolutely DECIMATES not just bakugou but also TODOROKI (as well as every single other damn student participating in the festival) with nothing but robot scraps and his balls of steel. it just so happens that until the promise of one for all, no such encouragement or push was ever given to deku in his pursuit of heroicism, most especially in comparison to katsuki who had been receiving praise and validation for his goals his whole life.

i'd argue that deku's conviction is even stronger than katsuki in a way no other person seems to recognize (except maybe katsuki himself). katsuki had received only positive feedback and zero competition for his goals growing up while deku received nothing but discouragement. both of them kept the conviction of being a hero for TEN YEARS; neither wavering til the day of the sludge incident.

that aside; what comes next?

we know the story after that. deku gets his quirk, he goes to school, he fights, he drops out, he fights some more, and now he's standing before shigaraki tomura with every quirk of one for all unlocked and over twice the power that all might had in his prime -- fully knowing he's about to lose EVERYTHING in order to defeat shigaraki.

this is deku we're talking about. he doesn't care. he knows the implications and what that will mean for his dream -- but his goal right now is in front of him. his goal is shigaraki, consumed by hatred, threatening to take down the world izuku loves most into a pit of misery and decay because society failed people like them. does he care? probably. will he refuse to give up his power if it means not saving the world and fulfilling one for all's purpose? absolutely not.

deku has made all might's quirk his own, but one for all does not belong to him. it belongs to yoichi. and kudou. and bruce and nana and all of the other users who built that quirk for generations in hopes that one day, someday, someone would be able to yield it all and bring down the monstrosity that created it in the first place. deku will not hesitate, but also deku knows what he will lose.

i have... a few things i dislike about this.

Admittedly, i do think that this is a better resolution than the simple brute strength approach of Heroes Rising. For one, while i do love heroes rising with my entire heart and soul, i firmly believe it would not have been a satisfying conclusion to the core lessons and teachings bnha tries to impart throughout the story. simply outnumbering and outpowering afo/shigaraki would not be enough to close yoichi's story and one for all -- much less the story of shigaraki himself as tenko, the boy consumed by hatred.

Still, this new ending that horikoshi has laid out leaves me with more questions; as well as large expectations for how izuku's character will close out. its complicated, because deku's evolution and development is subtle and intricate in a way i havent seen from other shonen protagonists and i worry about doing it justice.

but most of my problems have to do with bakugou katsuki.

(aint that the truth)

i know i mentioned that bakugou was never intended to be a major character, but i want it to be known that that was only in the beginning. season 1, maybe even season 2 -- but horikoshi had said it best himself in that bakugou katsuki, against his permission, had gained a life of his own and inserted himself into the very grain of mha's story. you cannot deny this.

he is the series deuteroganist inarguably. one of the most beloved characters and one of the most attentively-written development arcs in the whole series. katsuki in and of himself embodies major themes in bnha that make it so that ditching his development and impact last minute after defeating all for one would reflect poorly upon the conclusion of the story itself. he and deku are intertwined in arcs -- even if they do have separate paths at the end of the day. katsuki is the one izuku told about the quirk. the one who followed izuku during the paranormal liberation arc. the one who understands one for all and is determined to learn about it more than anyone else barring all might and deku himself. the one who is closer to izuku than anyone else.

it can't be over for their arc, no matter what way you see it. friends? rivals? hero partners? what comes next, when the smoke clears? what comes next when izuku gives shigaraki hell, like katsuki told him to?

katsuki's atoned. we accept that, have known it since chapter 285 and have continued to know it until the iconic apology in the rain. that's not where katsuki stops however, because we know that its not all about begging for izuku's forgiveness nor atoning for himself. its about catching up to izuku -- the last words he uttered before shigaraki crushed his heard say it all.

"can i still catch up to you, izuku?"

since the moment katsuki died, we've been given a metric ton of material to read through what he and izuku have become in the story. firstly, the point of katsuki being the person closest to izuku. what does this mean? what does that say about katsuki? is he supposedly the person izuku loves the most? the person izuku believes in the most? i'd argue these two criterion would easily fit his mother or all might a lot better -- not his childhood friend turned bully turned rival turned barely-friend. katsuki sure as hell didn't believe he was the person closest to izuku before shigaraki brought it up as evidenced by the fact that he let IIDA bring deku back to UA -- and neither does izuku as far as i bet. what was shigaraki's intention?

katsuki heard that statement. he hasnt said anything, but he definitely heard it. its an open end that is left entirely unanswered PRECISELY because katsuki fought afo on his own and izuku is about to tackle shigaraki without katsuki by his side. if it was heroes rising's ending wherein they would both fight shigaraki and take him down together -- then that statement would easily be answered by how their strength and bond is the one thing that gave them an upper hand in the final battle. other than that... i'm not entirely sure how they're going to have katsuki and izuku acknowledge katsuki's brief "death" and Tomura's reasons thereof.

But fine, lets ignore that for the time being and move on to what happened when Katsuki came back.

katsuki answered izuku's cry for help. he came back to life in the last moment to save all might when izuku was too busy fighting tooth and nail to win. they are the penultimate example of two sides of a hero; the win and save. not one without the other. every single parallel thus far between izuku and katsuki have always been to draw attention over and over to each of their stubborn convictions to win and save under all might's tutelage.

katsuki has chosen to prioritize winning and fighting over saving and rescuing over. and over. and over. and over again. at every single opportunity from the very beginning of the series. in usj, in sports festival, in the final exam, every choice he's made up until --

chapter 285 - bakugou katsuki: rising.

he chooses to save izuku in this instant. as he says, his body moved on its own -- or in other words, he felt like how izuku has always did since the sludge villain incident. this is bakugou katsuki catching up to midoriya izuku. its katsuki realizing that he needs to save so deku can win, and actually being okay with that for once. it's a major turning point in his character that clearly tells even horikoshi that there's absolutely no way katsuki can go back to being a side character within the plot of bnha after a development like this.

and then, after this instance, we notice it happen again and again. katsuki choosing to save to win instead of winning to save. katsuki protecting best jeanist against the nomu. katsuki coming to chase after izuku when he runs away from UA. katsuki (in a way) saving aoyama when its revealed he's the traitor. hell, katsuki saving ALL MIGHT as soon as izuku -- the savior -- begs someone to save his idol when he can't because he's too focused on trying to win.

so what changed?

what changed since the moment of chapter 285 was katsuki accepting his fears and anxieties. katsuki letting go of his aversity to working with deku. the reason katsuki started accepting the path of saving to win was because he TRUSTED deku to win where he couldnt.

this is katsuki accepting that him and izuku already surpassed all might together.

but katsuki said it himself. it's not over. he accepts that him and izuku are finally on equal footing -- hell, he admits he's the one who needs to play catch up. it's not about katsuki conceding to weakness, but katsuki being able to trust in izuku to finish the job. the point is that they both will break and break until they win the way they choose to, and the other will be there to win while they save and save while they win. moreso, katsuki still wants to be number 1. he still wants to catch up and surpass deku. he wants to fight by deku's side. but ... as we've established:

deku will be quirkless soon.

my problem (or, i guess, curiosity?) with the path horikoshi seems to be going down for the end of this story is what happens to this end? what happens to the wonder duo? i believe in a quirkless deku plot as much as the next person -- but any reader would find it easy to see that once deku loses one for all, he will not be nearly as efficient nor quick nor capable of a hero as he once was. especially not against a developed katsuki with mastery over cluster explosions.

he will lose one for all and he won't ever be the pro-hero he was going to be before the final war arc. katsuki will get number 1 surely, but will he be happy about this resolution? i don't think so. All Might himself had said it when Katsuki spoke to him about his relationship to Izuku; that the twin stars reminded All Might very much of his own rivalry with Endeavor and the bitter feelings it created.

endeavor expressed regret and a bitter end to their rivalry; the acknowledgement of the bitter truth that the only reason he was the number one hero is because all might lost his own quirk. he knew he didn't deserve the mantle all might had held for a long time before him. he knew that he was still only just playing catch up with the wisdom and understanding of heroicism that all might had in his heart from the beginning. endeavor will likely retire from being a pro-hero unsatisfied with this truth and his own victory at becoming the no.1 at the very end -- never feeling like he truly surpassed all might of his own accord. both enji and toshinori -- victims of their destiny.

is this the fate that will befall katsuki once izuku is quirkless for good?

There are many questions I have in wake of the recent chapter. The end of the series is here, and that's a whole can of worms i haven't touched in and of itself. We all saw this coming; some of us know that this was always going to be Izuku's fate since the beginning of the series. But now that it's more than just izuku's character involved in his dreams of being a hero -- i dont know how this series is going to conclude and if it will be satisfying to any means. there's a lot of questions i still have; bakugous arc feeling incomplete ever since he came back to life, the conclusion of all might and one for all's dreams now that they will disappear altogether. where does deku go after this? where does bakugou go? where do any of them?

i guess i gotta wait and see lol

#bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha #bakugou katsuki #toshinori yagi #all might #midoriya izuku #deku #kacchan #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #mha meta #bnha meta #this was a long one ouf #anyway this is ship free technically; its just mostly me going BUT KACCHAN?

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a-dinosaur-a-day · 10 months

Text

What follows is a retelling of the Jurassic Park story, mainly based on the 1993 film, with portions of the original novel used to supplement the story. The main point of divergence occurs when the park is unable to find workable nonavian dinosaur genetic material for cloning, since - as in the real world - dna degrades much too rapidly. Instead, the park consists only of extinct dinosaurs that can be brought back - birds from the last 2.5 million years. What happens after that is, as Ian Malcolm would say, an emerging pattern.

Infinite thanks to beta readers @killdeercheer, @otussketching, and @plokool! And extra thanks to @i-draws-dinosaurs for the killer logo!

Link to the masterpost of chapters

Chapter Two: Egg Mountain, United States

“Doctor Sattler! Doctor Grant! We’re ready to try again!”

Ellie stood up from the dirt in front of her, brushing off the sand from her shorts and looking around for the source of the call. Alan took a longer time to get up, looking grumpy and befuddled at the interruption.

“I hate computers,” Grant muttered.

Ellie wanted to laugh, but she managed to keep it in. Computers felt like something from a separate world – a cleaner one, a manufactured one. Out here, in the badlands, surrounded by mountains and dust and old bones, computers were alien. But they had one.

And it had quickly become Alan’s archnemesis.

“The feeling’s mutual,” Ellie joked, smirking at him as he shook his head in bemusement. The two walked down the side of the mountain towards the equipment, including a large lead slug dispenser (aka Thumper) and a portable computer covered in dust and dirt. The computer ran the computer-assisted sonic tomography (CAST) program – Thumper would send a lead slug into the ground, which would generate waves, allowing for the computer to get an idea of the layout of the ground around the slug. The computer would then, theoretically, show a reading of any fossils detected by the sonic waves. Usually, the best it could do was show the approximate location of a fossil – which saved significant amounts of time on digging. But, with repeated readings, sometimes a more detailed outline could be found. That detailed outline was then helpful for digging in the right location – and preserving that location from further environmental damage.

As they reached the bottom of the valley, the students activated Thumper, causing a loud boom to resonate through the mountains. Alan made a beeline for the computer monitor to read the info, while Ellie meandered behind him across the dirt.

“Hey Dr. Sattler!” one grad student shouted. She waved back at her with a smile. There weren’t a lot of women on the dig site, so each one supported the others as much as they could.

By the time she reached the monitor, the image from Thumper was finally loading on this screen.

“This new program’s incredible,” another grad student, a man this time, said, “Few more years development and we won’t even have to dig anymore!”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Alan scoffed, causing the gathering crowd around the screen to laugh with him.

“It’s... a little distorted, but I don’t think it’s the computer,” the student continued, typing away to try and manipulate the image’s presentation. Ellie could see right away, however, that the skeleton was in the right pose. She walked up to the screen and pointed, from a distance, at the tell-tale characteristics.

“Post-mortem contraction of the posterior neck ligaments... Deinonychus?”

“Yes, and it’s in good shape, too,” Alan confirmed, walking closer to the screen himself, “Five, six feet long, I’m guessing nine feet tall. Look at the –“

Suddenly, Alan’s touching of the monitor made everything go fuzzy.

“What’d you do?” Alan asked the student angrily.

“He touched it,” Ellie laughed, patting the student comfortingly on the shoulder, “Dr. Grant’s not machine compatible.”

“Hell, they’ve got it in for me,” Alan grumbled, before composing himself, “And look at the half-moon shaped bones in the wrists. It’s no wonder these guys learned how to fly!”

Everyone laughed around him. While birds being living dinosaurs was a fairly widely accepted hypothesis in the field, it still drew some chuckles – especially from the unaware.

“No, seriously!” Alan said, turning around to look at everyone, his educator face completely taking over the irritation face he had previously, “Dinosaurs have more in common with present-day birds than they do with reptiles. Look at the pubic bone, turned backward, just like a bird... look at the vertebrae, filled with air sacs and hollows just like a bird... and even the word Raptor means, ‘Bird of Prey’.”

“That doesn’t look very scary,” scoffed one of the children on the dig, an annoying little boy who was constantly complaining about the connections between living birds and their extinct dinosaur relatives, “More like a six foot turkey!”

Alan lost his educator face, and Ellie found herself smirking at the sheer irritation he had for an expression instead.

“Have you met a turkey, kid?” Alan asked.

“Oh no,” Ellie muttered, but she wasn’t about to stop him. Alan had been patient with the kid for weeks, and his time was up.

“Um, at Thanksgiving,” the kid responded.

“Okay. So, to begin with, a turkey is already nearly six foot – they can grow up to four,” Alan stated, smirking, “Then, when you are just alone in the woods – or, you think you’re alone – with no one around, guess what is the last thing you want to hear?”

“Um, turkeys?”

“The distant sound of many turkeys coming right in your direction. You see, turkeys – they aren’t predators. So they know at any time they could be on the receiving end of a horrible, horrible attack. And so they, like all prey animals over a certain size, will defend themselves to the death. More human deaths are caused by the vegetarian hippopotamus each year than by sharks or any other predator. And turkeys? They have that ferocity, too.”

The kid did not have a response to that.

“Some might peck you. That has a nasty sting. Others may just run at you, flashing their feathers, making loud sounds. Enough to set your teeth on edge. And then there are the kickers. Nowhere more than the feet can you see how birds are just dinosaurs among us,” Alan let out a snort, “Those claws, that force, it is enough to break bones and other organs.”

Alan stepped up closer to the boy, getting right in his face. Ellie watched, moderately mesmerized, too much so to intervene.

“Just one, a human alone could not deal with. But on your own, surrounded by who knows how many? You would wish it was a Deinonychus, kid. A Deinonychus eventually gets full.”

The boy visibly gulped in front of everyone, who was dead silent. No laughs emerged from a single person.

“So, you know. Try to show a little respect.”

“Okay,” the kid said, nodding. Alan nodded in response, and turned to walk away.

The child’s mother ran forward to him, while Ellie followed after Alan, shaking her head in bemusement.

“If you wanted to scare the kid you could have pulled a gun on him, you know,” Ellie snorted.

“Yeah, I know,” Alan sighed, “Kids. You want to have one of those?”

Ellie laughed, gesturing behind her, “I don’t want that kid, but, a breed of child, Alan, could be intriguing.”

“Ha!”

“I mean, what’s so wrong with kids?”

“Look, they get in the way. I mean, I never thought I’d date anyone, before I met you,” Alan said, “It never interested me.”

“You just wanted to find the bones,” Ellie laughed, shaking her head.

“I just wanted to find the bones! But one person is enough for me. More, and this time I’m responsible for their well-being? For what kind of person they turn into? Nah.”

“You didn’t think you’d like dating me, and you did!” Ellie countered, jabbing him lightly in the arm.

“Cause you’re the only person who understands me,” Alan scoffed, “Besides. You don’t smell.”

“What? Kids don’t smell, either!”

“Some of them smell!” Alan insisted, “Babies smell!”

The whirring of a helicopter cut off their conversation, and both immediately ran down to the site to cover up the new find, shouting for tarps to drape over the rocks and exposed bones. Alan sprinted to the helicopter, while Ellie ran down to the site, covering it quickly with the help of the volunteers and students.

“Get it down – yes – secure the corner – don’t let it be exposed! Even this amount of wind from the helicopter could erode away important information! Yes, get that side down, too!” Ellie barked at everyone, directing people to properly place down the tarp. Satisfied the specimen was secure, she quickly ran towards the trailer, where she had just seen Alan disappear into.

“Alright!” Ellie shouted, opening up the door, “Who’s the jerk?”

“Uh, this is our, paleobotanist, Doctor –“

“Sattler,” Ellie filled in, frowning. In the room was an older man, with a white beard and glasses, wearing a beige hat. Ellie didn’t have a moment to ask before Alan continued,

“Ellie, this is Mr. Hammond.”

Ellie felt her mouth drop open in shock.

“I’m sorry about the dramatic entrance, Dr. Sattler, but...”

“Did I say ‘jerk’?” Ellie laughed, grimacing.

“We’re in a wee bit of a hurry, here. Will you have a drink? We don’t want to let it warm, come along, sit down, sit down.”

It was weird, how he managed to make the space his own, just by virtue of having paid for it, even though it was Ellie’s and Alan’s. Ellie tried to take control, reaching for glasses in the sink, as he protested. Before she knew it, she was sitting at a table.

“Now, I’ll wait a minute, because I have a surprise for you!” Hammond laughed. Conveniently, the door opened at that moment, and a tall dark skinned woman entered the room, her hair done in dreads, a grin spreading across her face.

“Guess who’s baaack!” the woman sang, beaming at Alan and Ellie.

“Miri!” Ellie shouted.

“Miri!” Alan said in unison. Miri laughed and ran to hug Ellie, shaking Alan’s hand eagerly afterwards.

“Mr. Hammond picked me up on the way over here, I’ve been a consultant on his project for the past year down at my dig – I have so much to tell you, when was the last time we saw each other?” Miri said rapidly, laughing at the shocked looks on Ellie and Alan’s faces.

“Last SVP, I think!” Ellie responded, “Oh it’s so good to see you! Are they treating you well down in Florida?”

“As well as can be expected for Florida!” Miri laughed, “But we just found a new Titanis skeleton, and since Pierce passed I’m in charge of the dig site!”

“I was so sorry to have heard of his passing, Miri,” Alan said, “You’re more than capable to take over for him, but so soon after you graduated from here –“

“The man lived in a hoarder house, Alan,” Miri snorted, “A literal hoarder house. Besides that, I was brought on the team because he knew he needed a good replacement. Regardless, I’m here now.”

“And good thing, too!” Dr. Hammond laughed, “Your former mentor would never have been able to come alone on our little trip, Dr. Spinoza!”

“About that, as I was saying in the helicopter, you’re never going to get Alan to –“

“Never going to get Alan to what?” Alan asked, affronted. Ellie snorted, making him glare at her for a moment.

“I’ll get right to the point!” Hammond chortled, clearly delighted by the proceedings, “I like you. Both of you. I can tell instantly about people, it’s a gift. Could tell I liked you, could tell I liked Miri. Now,” Hammond took a deep breath, beaming, “I own an island. Off the coast of Costa Rica. I’ve leased it from the government and spent the last five years setting up a kind of biological preserve. You remember the consultancy you did for me at the time?”

“Yes, but after a point you said we were no longer needed for that?” Alan asked in confusion.

“Which is when he reached out to me,” Miri said, nodding.

“Well, the island is really spectacular. Spared no expense. Make the one I‘ve got down in Kenya look like a petting zoo. And there’s no doubt, our attractions will drive kids out of their minds.”

“And what are those?” Alan asked sarcastically. Miri snorted.

“Small versions of adults, honey,” Ellie laughed.

“And not just kids, everyone! We’re going to open next year, that is if the lawyers don’t kill me first. I don’t care for lawyers, do you...?”

“Oh we... uh...” Ellie began.

“Don’t really know any,” Alan and Miri finished with him in unison.

“Well I do, I’m afraid. There’s a particular pebble in my shoe who represents my investors. Says they insist on ‘outside opinions.’”

“What kind of opinions?” Ellie asked.

“Well, your kind, Dr. Sattler and Dr. Grant, not to put too fine a point on it. And Dr. Spinoza’s too. I mean, let’s face it – in your particular fields, you’re the top minds! And if I could just persuade you to sign off on the park, you know give it your endorsement, maybe even pen a wee testimonial, I could get back on schedule!”

“Is the work I’ve been doing for you not enough of a testimonial?” Miri laughed.

“Well, they want you to see the place, get a feel for it, as it were. They want an expert’s eyes on the whole proceedings.”

“But why would they care what we think?” Dr. Sattler asked.

“With your expertise from paleobotany and paleoecology, Dr. Spinoza’s in behavior, and Alan’s in anatomy, you have the best handle on what sort of problems we may deal with in the park –“

“What kind of park is this?” Alan asked, frowning in confusion.

“It’s right up your alley,” Hammond laughed, handing the three of them drinks.

“Please come down, you two, with Dr. Spinoza and I, for the weekend. I’d love to have both of your opinions on the project. We have a jet standing by at Choteau,” Hammond pleaded.

“I basically had no choice, since he’s sponsoring the dig,” Miri sighed.

“Well, look, we just dug up a new skeleton –“ Alan began.

“And I will compensate you, as well, by fully funding your dig...”

“This is a very unusual time,” Alan continued.

“For a further three years,” Hammond finished.

“Well.. uh...” Ellie stammered, “Where’s the plane?”

“Yeah, okay, okay!” Alan shouted, clinking his glass with Hammond and turning around to Ellie in excitement. Both shouted happily and hugged each other, spinning around the room.

“Three more years!”

“We can get the entire raptor nesting site!”

“Three more years!”

Hammond chortled happily, as the pair reached to grab bags from under the table and pack them.

Soon, they would be off to Costa Rica.

#jurassic park #jurassic park au #jurassic park: it's ironic #palaeoblr #dinosaurs #birds #the birdcage

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rorywritesjunk · 6 months

Text

I can’t tell where the journey will end But I know where to start

Prequel to my Kid Buggy fic, set about 11-ish years before that story.

Buggy meets you by chance when he needs his buttons sewn back onto his jacket. He’s young, up and coming, and he thinks everyone should cower before him wherever he goes, but all you do is smile at him.

Rating: PG-13ish just for some swearing. Warning: Buggy’s in his early 20s. He’s an asshole. He just is because I wanted to write him loud, demanding, everything. There’s 3 new characters thrown in because why not? Future Wife gets a name as well! A/N: I have no idea when Buggy became a Captain, so he’s a fresh faced captain in this. No clue how long this fic will be. I just started on the 4th chapter but I’m excited to write it out! I had fun with the original fic and decided to write the prequel to how they met. Enjoy! Also I wish every customer was like Buggy in that "I'm going to be an asshole but I'm going to overpay you for the opportunity to be an asshole".

Title comes from “Wake Me Up” by Avicii. TAGLIST: @lostfirefly @ane5e @kingofthemfingpirates @the-angriest-angel @tiredemomama @valen-yamyam16 @i-reblog-fics-i-like @plethora-of-fickleness

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6 + Chapter 7 + Chapter 8 + Chapter 9 + Chapter 10 + Chapter 11 + Chapter 12 + Chapter 13 + Chapter 14 + Chapter 15 + Chapter 16 + Chapter 17 + Chapter 18 + Epilogue

Chapter 2

It was five weeks until you saw that pirate again. You were at the counter while the girls were in the back working. Your boss was gone on an errand, leaving you in charge. This time he opened the door with a little less force than last time but the door still swung open and hit the wall. You looked up from your book and smiled when you saw him.

His coat had a tear at the sleeve where it connected to the shoulder and one cuff was nearly coming off. It looked like he got into a scuffle while wearing it. He was scowling as he stormed up to the counter, removing the coat and holding it out to you. You took it from him and looked it over with a frown.

“What happened?” You asked as you inspected the tear at the sleeve. “Did you get into a fight?”

You obviously chose to ignore what your boss had told you every day since he first showed up. Do not help him if he comes back. How could you not fix his coat up when it was in such a state? Not only were there tears in it, you saw the dirt staining the bottom and some blood on the front. You quickly gave him a look over, seeing that he appeared uninjured thankfully. You didn’t want to explain why there was a bloody and injured pirate in the shop if your boss returned early.

“Fix it.” He said, refusing to look at you.

“Do you need help? Are you injured at all, Captain?” You asked as you reached over the counter to touch one of his gloved hands. Buggy jerked his hand away from you and crossed his arms, shaking his head quickly.

“I’m fine!” He snapped. “I just need it fixed!”

“Can you give me some time?” You asked as you draped the coat over your arm. “I’d like you to wait here in case I need to see you in it.”

You saw his face turn red at those words but you didn’t know why. All you needed to see was that the seams on the sleeve were correct once you mended them, to make sure it still fit him in the shoulders when he moved in it. He glared at you before storming out of the shop.

“He came back.”

You turned to see the two teens peeking through the doorway to the back. You sighed softly and smiled. “He did and he gave me his coat to fix.”

“Miss Pins said not to help him.” Livia said as Edith nodded in agreement. You shrugged as you headed towards them.

“Well, I’m in charge right now so I get to decide who we help.” You told them. “Now, who remembers how to get blood stains out? I’ll do the mending but I’d like you two to clean it, okay? This will be good practice.”

Buggy returned two hours later. You were at the counter again with Livia, showing her the books and how customers and payments were tracked. The teenager ducked beside you when he came in but you just smiled. Why did you smile whenever you saw him? Buggy wasn’t sure what your game was but he was suspicious of you already. You should be quaking in fear when he arrived, not smiling like you were friends with him.

“Your coat is ready.” You told him as you nudged Livia to go retrieve it. “I got it stitched up and the girls cleaned it. Can I see it on you?”

“W-Why?” He demanded as he narrowed his eyes. Livia came out with the coat and started to leave but you stopped her. “What do you want me to do?”

“I need to make sure it fits you in your shoulders.” You told him as you took the coat from her and approached him. He took a step away from you but you held it out to him, and after a minute long stare down he finally pulled the coat on. You stood behind him as he made sure the fit felt good, and you put your hands on his shoulders again, smoothing out any creases and looking to see how it fit him. “Now, see, Livia, we want to make sure he has movement in his arms when he wears it, which is why I didn’t go in so far with my stitches when I repaired it.”

Buggy turned around to face you, scowling already, but you took his arm gently and lifted it up, showing her the cuff you reattached. “And see, you don’t even notice that this was hanging by a thread when he brought it in. I made sure to re-enforce this cuff as well as the other to ensure he wouldn’t have any issue.”

Livia stayed by your side, nodding along with what you said as she tried not to look at Buggy. How could she not stare at the bright red nose on his face? She wanted to ask if it was real, and did it honk if he squeezed it? Occasionally her eyes would go to his face while you talked about cleaning the stains and the best way to handle blood, but she really tried hard not to stare.

It was difficult and when she looked up at him one more time, he caught her looking and glared at her. She took a step back and ducked behind you as he opened his mouth to say something not nice to her.

“I’ll only bill you for what we did, but honestly it won’t cost much because you overpaid last time.” Your voice brought him back to you and he frowned. “So let us write that bill up real quick.”

He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes. “No, I’ll… pay the amount I owe.”

“Oh, but last time-”

“I’ll pay you what I owe.” He snapped as he reached into his pocket and slammed the berry down on the counter. He didn’t wait for the bill, instead storming out of the shop once again. You collected the payment and counted it out again, shaking his head. He kept paying too much and you were wondering if you should open a line of credit for him if he came back.

The girls did not like Buggy. They thought he was loud, rude, and too angry. Your boss still wanted you to refuse service to him if he ever showed his face again but you didn't find him to be a problem. He came back two weeks later to the shop while it was just you, coat draped over his arm with the scowl forever etched on his face, though not as intense as usual. You smiled at him when you saw him and he tried not to look at you as he held it out to you.

“What happened now?” You asked as you took it from him and placed it on a hanger. You hung it from a book on the wall and began to look for any rips or missing buttons. Buggy crossed his arms, still not looking at you. “Captain?”

“There are threads that are too long.” He grumbled. “I need them trimmed.”

“Oh.” That was a bit of an odd request. “Can you show me where?”

He came around to you, pointing out where the thread tails were. You grabbed your little scissors and trimmed them as short as you could; some were less than a quarter of an inch long, but if he wanted it done then you would do it. You took time looking for any other imperfections, noting that the lining was still intact from where you had repaired it the first time, and the shoulder and cuff repairs were still holding strong. One button at the top of his coat looked like it may come undone in the near future, so you ducked into the back to grab a needle and thread to repair it.

Buggy remained quiet as he watched you work. You were quick to remove the button and old thread, wanting to make sure there was no risk of the button snagging and falling off. Every repair on his coat meant one less chance for him to stop by. Being a captain, you were certain he was busy, and that making time to try and get his clothes fixed would eat up valuable time, so you wanted to make sure he wouldn’t need to return any time soon.

Once you finished, you held his coat out to him and smiled. “Can you try it on for me?”

“Why?” He replied as he did as you asked. Might as well since you ask him every time he’s come in so far. You stepped forward and made sure the collar laid flat before you buttoned the top button of his coat.

“I want to make sure it looks good on you.” You told him as you made sure the fit looked good. “I’m almost done with my apprenticeship and I was taught to make sure the customer was happy.”

Buggy frowned. “Why aren’t you scared of me?”

“Am I supposed to be?” You asked as you finished with the buttons and straightened up, looking him over. “It looks good on you.” Smiling, you gave him a thumbs up. “Orange is a great color on you, Captain Buggy.”

He didn’t want to but he couldn’t help it. His cheeks burned at your compliments because he knew it was your job to tell him that. You said this to every customer, paid attention to all their details as well, so why was he feeling flustered just from this interaction with you? He didn’t even know your name but this was his third time stopping in for your help in the shop. He needed to sail away and never come back at this point. He didn’t want to see you if it was going to mean he blushed and his heart started racing, but at the same time, you had been nothing but kind to him. It was a little hard to stay away when he looked forward to seeing you smile at him.

Buggy reached into his pocket and you held your hand out to stop him. “No, no, it’s fine, I won’t charge you, Captain.”

“I’m going to pay you.” He grumbled as he pulled out the money. He took your hand, ignoring how he could feel the warmth of your skin through his glove, and put the payment in your hand. He pulled away and was out the door before you could stop him.

These little visits of his were starting to be a little… interesting to you but for some reason you were starting to look forward to seeing him.

#buggy the clown #buggy the clown x reader #buggy x reader #buggy x you #buggy the clown x you #opla buggy the clown #opla buggy the clown x reader #opla buggy x reader #opla buggy the clown x you #opla buggy x you #buggy the clown x oc #buggy x oc #sunny x buggy #one piece #one piece oc #one piece fanfiction

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lostsoulaltair · 2 months

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OnS Chapter 136 Analysis - Love vs The Past

Well, a new chapter dropped. I must say that I liked it. We really are heading towards the end of the story and two sides now are on stage.

One fighting for love; the other one fighting to bring back something that is long lost.

Love can often be misunderstood in the manga story; to the point it distorts a lot, but in reality, it takes so many shapes, so many forms along giving birth to ideals.

Each character within the story is moved to do something for "love". But in this role too; the "love" for the "past" exists.

The past is a momentum that will always live in our memories; it is something that will forever be frozen; something that will not change. It's something that is part of us without defining us.

As we've seen today; the chapter starts with Yuu trying to reach the First; but given that the Progenitors want to avoid the destruction of the world much further; they were preventing Yuu from making contact with the First.

Of course, we see how Mika couldn't withstand the raw power of Urd Geales; we saw Shinya and Kureto alive and kicking once again; and finally, the main spot; the reunion between Shikama and Yuu.

Shikama is aware that Yuu has all his memories back ever since he detected an anomaly along the interaction with the corpse of Mikaela. Of course, whenever Shikama knows the soul of his son is alive and kicking, it's up to interpretation. Though, it is clear he knows it exists.

Eventually we see how Shikama is going to bestow Yuu his knowledge and power

But before he could give away his power to Yuu; Shinoa interferred with the possibility.

Leading to our possible future battle between Shinoa and Yuu.

Two ideals being carried away within the story. And yet, at the same time they connect through the main theme. "Love."

And no, it's not "romantic love ". The "love" or 愛 which is not the same as other interpretations of love itself. Just "ai". A love that takes so many shapes.

Let's begin with the real analysis here.

Yuu isn't exactly fighting for humanity nor his friends, nor his family. Given that the "regression" process he made to recall his whole life; he saw how his life originated alongside being the son of the First.

Given that, he is actually aiming for the task of "saving" but given that "love" is playing its role as well. It is the love he has deep down for his father that he is doing everything to bring back what his father cherished in the past. Which is something reflected as well when he was the angel Mikaela. Taking his life so divine punishment wouldn't fall upon his father.

Shikama did love his angels, his followers and he did blame himself for the punishment that fell upon them. But given God's nature; it was normal that the punishment fell upon those angels given that they no longer praised for God.

Though; one thing Shikama and Yuu have in common, is the attachment to the past. It is the very fact that the past for them is something that should have prevailed instead of changing. What do I mean?

To Shikama, the Progenitors he chose, despite being reincarnations of those angels that followed him once; are not his angels.

And this is highly visible once Ashera asks Shikama what he should do back in chapter 117.

To his eyes, Shikama's sired progenitors were just tools given that to him; they are shadows of who they were once, but to those progenitors; even if they have acknowledged that they are reincarnations; they made a choice.

They chose to follow up their own path. And as they've stated back in chapter 114; their last and final task is to protect the world they live in. Meaning avoiding the resurrection of the angel Mikaela.

But now, why do I say Shikama and Yuu have one thing in common?

Yuu is a character that despite living endlessly; along having a constant memory reset until now that he gathered all his memories; he's done one thing to no end. And that is living in the past.

True, there are scars that take its time to heal from the past; some are very difficult nonetheless; he chose to live in such past. When he had a chance to make a choice; that choice was no longer centered in the present; it began to lead further astray to the past.

But then, what's the point of those promises?

Given how everything has turned. Those promises are something that can't be fulfilled. What do I mean?

In order to revive the angels from long ago; sacrifices must be made. But here's another thing that it is being dismissed. What could it be?

The absolute lack of appreciation to life.

Yuu might state he aims to save everyone; even to Ashera who at the end understood that there are limits to life. He loved and embraced he managed to get his sister back; but the cost for that was making her suffer for eternity; nevertheless, the lives both had, those kind of experiences they managed to live had their moments of bliss; bringing back entities that perished long ago, is discarting the moments experienced, the moments lived along the emotions that were carried through a lifetime.

But now, there is an opposite force here. And that force is no other than. "Love."

Many might consider that Shinoa's love is "obssession, madness like Mahiru's love" but no. This is actually wrong.

Back when she stated she would kill Mikaela; there was a massive misconception of this which chapter 133 explained a lot.

Shinoa thought Yuu was being possessed by Mikaela at that time hence her retoric; but given that she saw first hand that Yuu had fooled them; she understood that Yuu was doing everything on his own will. And let's not forget that Yuu might be dumb, but not clueless or ignorant.

Shinoa's form of "love" is not something that came out of nothing; it's something that began taking shape by her own; it began from curiosity, turning into uncertainty, then transforming into caring, along developing feelings for a special someone. Such feelings for her were seen as something hideous or bad; but at the end, she understood they weren't bad, nevertheless, she never admitted them until or rather never accepted them truthfully until chapter 133.

Chapter 133 was a very reflexive chapter given that it gave Shinoa resolution; a resolution as to why it is the reason she was standing still in the very end of the world.

Shinoa's love is not centered to one person, but rather; it is centered to the very core family she gained through her journey which lead to this.

Her battle and her resolution is directed to the very family that has stood with her and has followed her through the long journey she has taken so far. Hence why; she is standing along her squad just like how the vampires did; how they are going to live. Not by a decree of an entity, not by a decree of her sister and Guren nor the vampires; but rather, taking their own path until the very end.

Hence why Shikama states that her love is self centered, which is no different from him. He centered his love to his angels; Shinoa is centering her love to those who exist in the present. Along letting them return to their normality before the world ended; given that the end of the world, the events that took place before they were born, were all spiderwebs made by the First.

This is the first time they are fighting for their own.

What do you think it'll happen next?

Let me know!

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starshine-hockey-girl · 13 days

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Apple of His Eye - Crosby Crew blurb

A little Crosby Crew blurb inspired by this video of the cutest Penguins Junior Starter ever...

https://youtu.be/fHCoZKNd_Uo?si=TutuE6kWLsfO9rsF

Here is chapter one of the series -

@pattiemac1 @penstxgal1968

Tuesday, December 26th 2023 – Crosby House, Sewickley PA

“Momma,” Callie called from the bottom of the stairs, “Your phone is ringing.” Sera’s head turned toward the door of Cole’s nursery.

“Callie Girl,” she called down, “Can you read the name and tell me who is calling?” She pressed her lips together when she heard Callie answer the call herself. “I swear to God,” she sighed as she wiped Cole’s plump rump, “You may look like your Daddy’s twin, but that girl- she is his spiritual twin. They both don’t listen well.” Cole smiled at his mother as she finished the diaper change.

“Hello, this is Sera Crosby’s phone- Callie speaking,” Callie spoke loudly into the phone. She beamed with pride that she was able to answer the phone on her own.

“Uhhh, Callie?” the voice on the other end spoke in confusion, “This is Coach Sam. I need to speak to your mother. Is she available?”

Callie froze in place, “You need to speak to my mother?” She racked her brain if there was anything negative her coach could report from a recent practice. “Am I in trouble?” she questioned.

“Of course not, Callie. I just need to speak to your mother,” her coach answered.

Callie ran up the stairs and rushed into the room. She thrust the phone into her mother’s hand and ran out of the room. “Uh, hello?” Sera questioned as she watched her daughter disappear in a flash.

“Sera?” the coach questioned, “This is Coach Sam. Is Sid around?”

“No, what’s up?�� she pulled up Cole’s pants and placed him on the floor as she cleaned the changing table.

“The Penguins reached out to me. They would like a representative of the team to be the Junior Starter of the game on January 6th,” he explained as Sera listened. “I would like Callie to be our representative but I know that Sid is very conscious of the appearance of any sort of favoritism because of his position.”

Sera mulled it over as she walked toward Callie’s room. The curly haired girl was nowhere to be seen. Sera leaned against the door, “If Callie’s last name was not Crosby, would she be the one that you would select?”

“Absolutely! She is the leading goal scorer and a leader on the ice,” he explained.

“Then I think that she should be offered the opportunity if she earned it on her merits,” Sera smiled, “Unfortunately, she seems to be missing in action. I guess you will need to ask Xander.”

“Nooooooo,” Callie screamed from her closet. The door flew open and she ran out. “I am here. What portunity? What portunity?”

Sera handed the phone to Callie, “I will let your coach tell you.”

Callie put the phone to her ear and listened intently as her coach explained the opportunity. Her eyes filled with tears, “I really am not in trouble? You want me to represent the team?”

“Yes, Callie,” Coach Sam answered, “You earned it. I can’t think of anyone on the team that works as hard as you at every practice and every game. You are very talented Callie, but your hard work ethic is the best.”

“Thank you, Coach Sam,” Callie squealed, “So I will get to go stand next to Uncle Kris for the anthem?” Callie gasped and looked at her mother, “Can we surprise him? Can we surprise Uncle Kris?”

“Ummm, if you want to,” Sera smiled, “I don’t know how we will keep your Daddy to keep his mouth shut but we will try.”

Callie’s nose scrunched up, “Daddy can keep a secret.”

“Daddy can keep a secret from you,” Sera protested, “But he can’t keep a secret about you. He will be bursting with pride.”

“Umm, Callie?” Coach Sam interjected, “Can I tell the Penguins yes?”

“I am sorry,” Callie blushed, “Yes, please tell them I will do it. Can you tell them that I want it to be a secret?”

“I don’t think that they normally tell the players, but I will let them know that you don’t want them to know,” Coach Sam laughed, “Remember we don’t have practice again until the weekend of the 13th. I will see you at the game though.”

Callie turned to look at her mother who simply raised her eyebrows. The high pitched squeal reverberated through the house. Cole looked up at his big sister in question, unsure what the squeal communicated- delight or terror. When he saw the smile spread across her face, he joined in with his own squeals of delight. Callie ran and lept into her mother’s arms. “Momma, Momma, Momma - I get to be on Daddy’s ice before a real game. I get to wear my uniform and be a real Pittsburgh Penguin!”

“Yes, you will,” Sera replied as eyes filled with tears, “I am so happy for you.” Three members of the Crosby crew collapsed onto the floor in a pile of hugs and kisses.

Saturday, January Sixth – PPG Paints Arena

“Where are Aunt Sera and Callie?” Nikita asked his mother again as they stood by the glass for warm-ups.

Anna tried to avoid the question as long as possible. “Sera is doing Callie’s hair. She wants it to look special,” she finally stammered as an answer as Cole squirmed in her arms

Nikita gave his mother a side eye, “Callie never misses warm-ups. You are not telling me the truth.” Anna shot him a look that conveyed a very stern “Let it go” message. Nikita acquiesced and turned his attention to his father who had just taken to the ice.

On the other side of the arena, Callie stood in a hallway adjusting her shin pads as her mother taped her socks. “Mama, we’re going to be late,” she whined. Sera checked the time and confirmed that they were not late.

“Callie Girl, warm-ups just started. We have at least twenty minutes before they come to get you.” Sera remarked calmly.

“No, we go to them. That’s what Mr. Mark said,” Callie interjected, “We meet in the tunnel by the big stack of chairs. He showed me.”

Sera shook her head, “You’re right. Now let’s get your chest pads on and head that way. I wouldn’t want the Junior Starter of the game to be late. I hear that the Penguins Captain is a bit of a hard ass.”

“Momma!” Callie squealed, “You said ass. You are not supposed to cuss around me.”

“Hey, if you are going to be a Junior Starter, you have to get used to the hockey words,” her mother joked back, “but don’t use them until you are older.”

A few minutes later - Mark, the arena crew member, smiled as Callie walked towards the tunnel. “There is our Junior Starter of the game,” he smiled. Callie glanced back at her mother for reassurance. As much as the arena was a second home to her, the nerves were beginning to activate. She regretted telling her mom to not invite Nikita to come to the tunnel with them. Her best friend would make her feel calmer.

Sera sensed her daughter's anxiety and decided to get the logistics out of the way. “They said to leave her jersey off?” Sera stated as they were directed to the chairs, “Something about a mic?”

“Yes,” he said, “Let’s get you mic’d up. I think that the Penguins want to capture the audio and video.”

“The Penguins know?” Callie began to panic, “It’s supposed to be a surprise! It’s supposed to be a surprise!”

Mark laughed at first but looked at the very real expression of disbelief on Callie’s face. “Callie, look at me,” he said as she began to wind herself up. She glanced in his direction. “There are about five people who know that you are the Junior Starter of the game- the social media person, the announcer, your mom, you and me. That’s it, Callie. No one from the team knows, okay?”

Mark bent down to give Callie last minute instructions. “Now after they give the introduction, I will give you the signal and you can go stand next to your dad.” Callie’s eyes widened in surprise. In all of the times that she had mentally pictured this moment in her mind, she always stood next to Uncle Kris. That’s where all of the Junior Starters stood for the anthem. She looked up at her mother, then back to the handler. “I stand next to my Dad? Are you sure?” she questioned.

“I don’t see why not,” Mark smiled, “You know where he will be right?”

“Don’t worry about it dude,” Callie answered flippantly in an attempt to disguise her nervousness, “I know what I’m doing.“

The remark was met with swift rebuke from her mother. “Calliope Crosby, be respectful! Apologize right now.”

“I am sorry, Mr. Mark,” Callie quickly offered, “but I know where my dad stands. It is the same for every game.”

“Yeah, the Captain is a creature of habit, isn’t he?” Mark remarked with a smirk.

Callie nodded and began to feel the nerves again. Suddenly the house lights went dark and the music began. Callie inched forward and watched the screen as the pregame hype video began on the big screen. Her heart began to race and she rocked on her skates back and forth. Then she looked up on the screen just as the video switched to a live feed of the team coming from the locker room. She smiled as her father appeared on the screen. “Daddy,” she whispered to herself. The sight of him calmed her nerves and she noticed the intense look on his face. She tried to match his expression. Sera looked on from the side. She smiled to herself as she watched her daughter transform into her father’s mini-me.

Callie focused on the tunnel as the Penguins took to the ice. She ducked down when her father whizzed by her. Most took laps around their zone and headed to their bench. Five players, including her father, took their place on the blue line for introductions.

“Almost time. You ready?” he asked, “Go move out to the carpet. You know where to go? Can you find your dad?”

Yes,” she answered, “He will be closest to the boards.”

“Great,” Mark gave her a thumbs up, “Have fun!”

Callie stepped out onto the carpet as the introductions started. The Penguins faced away from her but her eyes were transfixed on her father. She shivered slightly as the crowd erupted at the line, “And the captain, number 87….. Sidney Crosby!”

The Penguins removed their buckets and turned slightly to face the carpet. Well, all of them except one. Kris Letang squinted his eyes in disbelief then he shook his head, “No way.” Behind him, Rickard Rakell leaned to the side, “Is that Callie?”

Sidney stood with his head down. His mind was focused on his pregame routine and he only half-listened to the arena announcer. It was time to announce the Junior Starter of the game, then it would be time for the anthem. He focused his eyes on the ice.

The announcer began her introduction, “Welcome to the ice tonight’s Junior Starter of the game- wearing number 87 - Calliope Crosby of the Sewickley Penguins.” The crowd erupted in cheers as they realized that the Junior Starter of the game was none other than Sidney Crosby’s daughter.

The roar of the crowd penetrated Sidney’s ears. “Wow,” he thought, “The crowd seems pretty fired up tonight. I bet the Junior Starter is a cutie.” He turned to watch them skate. His eyes settled on the small figure skating toward him. “Wait,” he thought, “They go next to Tanger. Why are they skating toward me?” Then he noticed the jersey. “Huh,” he questioned, “Callie’s team jersey looks just like that. Her breezers look just like that too.” Then he looked at the face beneath the visor.

Callie neared Kris Letang and flashed a smile, “Surprise Uncle Kris!” Then she skated past him toward her father.

Sidney stared and tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Why was Callie on the ice? He looked up and noticed her picture on the jumbotron. He read her name and the words “Junior Starter of the Game”. He made eye contact with his daughter and smiled, “Daddy, did I surprise you? I am a starter just like you. I get to be on YOUR ice.”

“Just like you” - The words hung in the air. His baby was here on the ice, with him. She was here on HIS ice. The reality that this would be the closest that he would come to playing hockey with one of his children. Sure, there would be exhibition games and scrimmages, but it wouldn’t be the same. It would be in a game atmosphere. He stared at her in stunned wonder.

He choked out the words, “Yes, Callie - just like me!” His eyes suddenly filled with tears and he titled his head back to keep the tears from falling.

The roar of the crowd continued. Through the noise, he could hear Geno laugh and call to Callie. “Callie- You play on my line. We score lots of goals.”

Callie yelled back, “Uncle Geno, I don’t actually get to play!” He gave her a wink and continued to beat his stick on the boards with the rest of the team.

The anthem singer was announced and Sidney looked at his daughter and his heart skipped a beat. The absolute pride coursed through his veins and radiated from his eyes. She looked up at him with a shy smile. “Callie,” he said softly, “Take off your helmet for the anthem, okay?”

She nodded solemnly. She knew that this was part of the pregame routine that her father strictly adhered to without exception. She took off her helmet and held it to her side, just like her father. On the sidelines, Sera watched with the same pride that Sidney felt. They, along with Cole, were the center of her universe and her heart burst with joy. She had not admitted it to anyone but there was a small part of her that had been disappointed when they found that Callie was a girl. Although she knew that she would love the tiny bean growing insided of her, Sera worried that Sidney might miss out on moments like this. She worried that he would love a son just a little more.

She shook her head and chided herself for not realizing that these moments would create themselves, regardless of their child’s gender. She had been wrong. There was no way that would have loved Callie more if she had been a boy. No, that girl was the apple of his eye and his love for her knew no bounds.

As the anthem began, Sidney looked down at his daughter. Gone was the smile. It had been replaced by the focused intensity of a game day. “Where did she learn that from?” he thought to himself as he turned and faced forward. His expression matched Callie’s. He nearly lost it though when he felt her small hand wrap around the pinkie of his glove. Despite the tough facade, she sought the comfort of her father to ease her anxiety. Sidney could not think of a higher honor than that. To be her safe person, the eraser of fears, her rock in this crazy word - that was his life’s purpose. Everything else was small potatoes. No, this - this moment in time was more precious than any hockey related accolade

There was not a dry eye among the parents in the crowd who watched this tender moment between their beloved captain and his daughter. For a brief moment in time, they witnessed him not as a decorated hockey veteran but in his greatest role as Callie's dad.

The sentimental tears turned into laughter as both Callie and Sidney made the Sign of the Cross and kissed their necklaces simultaneously as the anthem ended. Then she turned to skate off as she had been instructed. “Callie Girl,” he called out to her. She stopped in place while he bent and kissed her forehead. “Good job,” he spoke softly, “Good job!”

She looked up into his eyes and flashed a beaming smile. “Thank you Cap,” she answered, “I gotta go now. I am not supposed to doodle.”

“You mean dawdle?” he corrected.

“Yeah, dawdle, not doodle,” she corrected herself before skating off, “Bye!”

He stood and watched her skate toward the tunnel. He felt a pang of disappointment that she had not given him a hug before leaving. Then he remembered that she would have given detailed instructions on what to do. Knowing his daughter and the numerous times she had been told to “listen the first time”, she would follow the instructions to a T.

His eyes found his wife and they exchanged a look and a head nod before he turned to go to the bench. Callie was almost to the carpet when she stopped. Sera looked at her daughter in concern. Callie mouthed, “Sorry!” before turned around and started skating back across the ice. “Daddy! Daddy!” she yelled as sprinted across the ice.

Sidney turned around abruptly and watched her race towards him. Then he squatted down and opened his arms wide. She threw herself into his embrace and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I needed a hug. I couldn’t go without a hug.”

“It’s okay, Callie Girl,” he soothed, “I wanted a hug.”

They stood and embraced for a moment. The noise of the crowd faded into silence as they clung to each other. He was just a dad hugging his precious child. The Buffalo Sabres awkwardly skated around the duo to get in position for the face-off. The rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins skated by them gingerly. Letang whispered softly as he passed, “Sid, it’s time.”

Sidney set Callie down and placed a kiss on the top of her helmet. “I love you so much, Callie Girl. I have to go to work now.”

Callie paused before she turned to yell at the Penguins bench. “Pittsburgh Penguins, what are you going to do tonight?” she yelled.

In unison, they yelled back “Listen the first time, do our best, and have fun!”

She gave them a big thumbs and skated off into her mother’s waiting arms. Sera covered Callie’s face with kisses. “Baby Girl! You did so well. Did you have fun?” she asked, “Was it fun to stand there with Daddy?”

Callie buried her face into the nape of her mother’s neck. “This is the best night of my whole life!”

“Your whole life? Wow, that’s something!” Sera laughed.

Sidney did a slow lap around the neutral zone to regain his composure. When he settled into position for the face-off, Tage Thompson remarked, “Cute kid”. His comment was met with an ice cold stare. Tage gulped and got into position only to have Sidney win the face-off decidedly.

Four Hours Later - Crosby House - Sewickley PA

Sidney carried Callie’s sleeping body up the stairs as Sera followed behind carrying Cole. He paused at the top of the stairs to allow Sera to kiss Callie’s forehead and whisper a prayer. Then they separated ways. He went to tuck Callie into bed while Sera went to breastfeed Cole for his final feed of the night.

After tucking her into her bed, Sidney knelt down beside it to gaze at her peaceful face. He pushed her hair out of her face and caressed her forehead with this thumb. “Best night ever,” he said to himself.

“That’s what I told Momma,” Callie answered although her eyes were still closed.

He paused before responding. He didn’t want to risk her fully waking up which would incite the wrath of a very tired wife. “Daddy?” she asked, “Were you so, so proud of me?”

“I’m always so, so proud of you Callie Girl,” he whispered.

“Were you surprised?” she yawned.

“Very” he grinned at the memory.

“Coach Sam said he picked me because I earned it- not because you are my dad,” she said sleepily.

“Of course you earned it, baby,” he leaned forward and kissed her forehead, “Now go to sleep and you can tell me more in the morning.”

“‘Kay,” she yawned again before rolling over. “Daddy?” she asked as he stood up straight, “Who is the luckiest Daddy ever?”

“Me, Baby Girl, Me,” he paused and responded.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I get to be Cole’s daddy and your daddy,” he smiled and headed to the door.

“Daddy?” she asked, causing him to roll his eyes with her obvious stalling tactics.

“Yes?” he sighed.

“Who is the luckiest girl in the whole wide world?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he answered, “Who?”

“Me - do you know why?”

“No, but I am sure you will tell me, Callie,” he said with a hint of impatience in his voice.

“Because I get to be your baby girl, Daddy. I get to be your baby girl and Momma’s baby girl,” she yawned again.

“Well, I guess then we are both the luckiest,” he smiled, “Now go to sleep.”

“I love you to the moon and back, Daddy.”

“I love you to the sun and back,” he responded as he walked out the door.

#crosby crew #sidney crosby fic #sidney crosby imagine #sidney crosby fanfiction

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roxannepolice · 3 months

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This may be stretching the concept of work's intent and possibly conflating it with reader's intent, but I think if you scratch to the absolute bottom of chameleon arch in s3 the ultimate difference between the Doctor and the Master becomes being people oriented vs. goal oriented. Like, if you go beyond the question of "could the Doctor have been something of a bad person* and the Master a good person", and ask "under what circumstances would they be like this", it looks like the Doctor - or, what aside from a body (with all its mind-indepented memories) was left of them in John Smith - was. well. being oriented towards people around him. And. that's what had One go from crotchety man willing to kill over his secrets or even a freaking lighter into the Doctor that is. Meeting all those wonderful companions, starting from Ian and Barbara that would just tell him fuck off you're crossing a line and I will not have it. And no, I don't think it's a matter of "wanting to be liked", but rather seeing "oh my Omega, I actually hurt this person". And in the main story that worked out for good, and in fact I would say that when it comes to "origins of morality" and "how to live" questions, that is the more reliable way to go! But when that same mindset is surrounded by all the bigotry - as well as just living a nice life as it is provided to you! - of edwardian era, it results in... well, obviously, the way to deal with those evil guys is to FITE! and this is what all those teenage boys have been trained to do, should the need call (ah, the hanging cloud of knowledge a need will in fact call them so soon in this two-parter...)! And this... competent. but ultimately underdeveloped through no fault of her own maid needs to just have the distinction between fiction and reality explained to her, the poor thing probably thinks the invention of writing is only to be used for things that are absolutely true... Yeah, punch him.

I use the term "goal-oriented" for the Master, but I suppose I should clarify, because we all know that if it was pure goal-orientation, then there are infinitely easier ways to take over the world that *checks notes* man-eating sofas. Yes, the Master is absolutely into over-convoluted plans to the point where they become a goal in itself. But what I mean is, no, they can't just hang around seeing the universe, they need a goal to achieve, there has to be a point to all this, and survival and power are arguably the two most basic goals there can be, once you scratch happiness as a bit too indefinite. And obviously, that's the exact opposite of "how to live". In many ways its a much more animalistic and base motivation than anything a conscious mind might want. Kind of existence vs. life distinction. BUT? In those last few decades of universe's existence??? Where there is literally no other goal left than survival? Not necessarily your own survival, but rather survival as an abstract concept, survival of ANYTHING? That mindset, combined with brains, makes you the most wonderful person that could possibly be! You're there, doggedly pursuing the only goal left in the universe, putting all of the resources you have left, MAKING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY OUT OF FREAKING FOOD, and if anyone has any shot at surviving it is indeed thanks to you! There are two apparent contradiction to this (as of course there have to be in a story that's honest and not just making a point). The first is Yana keeping up the hopes of other people even while knowing it's likely false, and the second is him being willing to sacrifice himself so others will reach Utopia. But if you think about it. Both of these things are, in a way, utilitarian. Yes, hope is often framed as the ultimate irrational ideal, but once it's gone from everyone else, then... what is there to do? That's the end to the only goal left. So long as others hope you can get them out, you can go on tinkering just in bloody case. And while giving up your life for others tends to be framed as the ultimate act of good... there's a level at which Yana just freaking calucates himself as the easiest to expend. He's old and tired. The people who managed to reach the silo are either children or young and strong, there's a lot ahead of them. This is cynical and absolutely not the perspective to hold. But. at the end of the universe. This cynicism leads to sacrifice.

THAT IS NOT SAY YANA ISN'T JUST PLAIN NICE AND SHOWING MORE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER'S FEELINGS THAN THE MASTER IN ANY FORMAT EVER DID! But I suppose when you're goal-oriented and everyone around you literally has no other goals than yours... why not just be kind** indeed?

Yes, there's a great tensimm fanfic about this:

*I admit I think one of the most interesting aspects of John Smith was precisely making him not a good person but hardly the worst man there ever was maybe it's because I've read edwardian era books that makes me think his paternalisation of Martha really wasn't the worst way for a white man to treat a poc even without outright violence. But if he was a really good person then that would just tell you making him give up his existence was bad because he's a good person whereas as it is the question is what makes the subjectively real existence of this particular not very good but not really worse than millions of people like him man that devloped subjectively very real bonds with others more expendable than any other's?

** Gosh my mixed feeling for Twelve, like I love him, he's up there with 2,3,4 and 10 as character-defining for me, but why just why have him always turn out to be ultimately right about his absolute morals, he's kind of the antithesis to time lord victorious, so long as you do the kind thing then there's always an unforeseen ex machina to prove you right, you'll never fuck up REAL bad, a real dilemma is not between making the choice that's subjectively or objectively good, it's between two objectively bad choices once again Simm!Master fell where he stood no less than Twelve.

#doctor who #meta #doctor who meta #dw meta #the doctor #the master #tenth doctor #john smith #jacobi!master #professor yana #doctor who human nature/family of blood #doctor who utopia #philosophy in doctor who

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archiveikemen · 5 months

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Liam Evans Main Story: Chapter 23 (Crazy Love)

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

❥･• Warnings and FAQ

I turned to look at Max’s seat, only to see that it was empty.

(... He’s not here!)

William: He likely just left his seat not long ago. He might've gone to reflect on his foolishness, after watching his son’s performance.

(Foolishness? By any chance—)

Kate: Before the play started, did you tell Max that he had been deceived by the group of people pretending to be members of “Golden Butterfly”...?

The look in William’s red eyes confirmed that I was right.

William: Kate, I shall leave the final scene to you and Liam.

Kate: Me and Liam…?

William: “Bid farewell to the bonds of the past”. This is an order from Her Majesty.

William: Little Robin, this is your final mission that marks the end of your month as a fairytale writer.

…

After the performance ended, Liam and I left the theatre to run after Max.

William speculated that he would be headed for the belfry — and that was sure to be right.

I rushed up the stairs of the bell tower, this time with Liam by my side.

Liam: …

(By the time we reach the top of these stairs, Liam will definitely have made his decision.)

Everyone with connections to Golden Butterfly were to be eliminated — therefore, Liam will do that with his own hands.

(All I can do is…)

Kate: … Liam.

Kate: There’s only so much I can do to help. But… you’re not alone in this, okay?

Liam: … Kate, thank you for saying those words so beautiful that I’m undeserving of them.

And so we climbed the last few steps and arrived at the belfry together.

Max: London bridge is broken down, broken down, broken down… ♪

Max: London bridge is broken… ah… it’s you… I can't believe you came after me all the way here.

Max’s figure emerged from the darkness, illuminated by the pale moonlight.

(The atmosphere feels somewhat… different from before.)

His eyes, once burning with hatred, now possessed an empty look. They were completely devoid of light, unlike those of a regular person.

Having been deceived by Golden Butterfly must have extinguished the roaring flames of revenge inside him.

Liam: …

Max: The leading actor chasing down the disgraced man after the performance. … Pfft, haha. So I’m the villain now, aren't I?

Max’s lips curved into a cold smile.

Max: “People can be easily imprisoned by their dark pasts and the ill intentions of others”.

Max: “It leads to them forgetting to live in the present.”... Is that it?

Max repeated what Liam said during the encore.

Max: My son. If people are such foolish creatures that easily get trapped by their past…

Max: I…

Max: Just what on earth am I being trapped by?

Liam: If there’s something trapping you, it's definitely something within you.

Max: … Within me?

Liam: You always seemed lonely to me. Because your wife never reciprocated the feelings, no matter how much love you showered her with.

Liam: You knew better than anyone else that mother couldn’t forget her past lover.

Max: …

Liam: You built up your company from scratch and made it successful, in hopes that your wife would smile. But even after you did that, mother never smiled.

Liam: And to rub salt into your wound, selfish people started swarming to you like ants being attracted to sugar, just because they wanted to benefit from your success.

Max: … What do you know? You were only a mere child back then.

Liam: I understood. Because of the way you “educated” me… you were always so violent towards me.

– Flashback Start –

Young Liam: Ue… uwaaahhh… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…

Max: Why… why isn’t this working? I… I love her so much…

Max: Why does she grow more distant the more I love her…!?

– Flashback End –

Liam: Even as a child, I was always thinking about saving you from your misery.

Max: … You… saving… me…?

Liam: Yeah, that's why I never resisted whenever you beat me. I wanted to die. I thought that as long as I could save you, it was worth dying.

Liam took a deep breath.

Liam: Father, I was sure that I wanted to love you.

Max: … Love?

Liam: Watching you seek love that you never received, I wanted to give you that “love”.

Max: …

Max limped towards Liam and grabbed him by the collar.

Max: Is “love” the reason why you kept quiet and let yourself be beaten, possibly to death…?

Liam: … Yes.

Max: Why…!?

Liam: Because I’m your only son, I guess…?

(... This is too cruel.)

While starving for love, he broke Liam, who tried so hard to love him.

Max: … Haha… does that mean that all this time, I’ve been pushing love away from myself?

Max: … ggh

Max: … Where did I go wrong… how should I have lived my life…?

He let go of Liam’s shirt and fell to the ground.

Max looked remorseful and sorrowful, and at the same time like he was finally set free from “something”.

He smiled.

(...?)

Liam: … Father…?

Max: … Damn it, this world is a living hell.

Max: I begged desperately for love, suffered burns all over my body, and ended up being deceived… some kind of one-man play this is. Pfft… haha…

Max: My son… living might be harder than dying.

Max: …

Max: In that case, I—

Max moved away from us, dragging his injured leg.

He went towards the spot where Liam jumped off that night.

Liam: Father… what are you…

The wind blew Max’s hood off, revealing his burnt face.

Max: You must keep living, my son. Live in this hell and endure the suffering.

Max: That is the most fitting punishment for you, the son of a sinner.

(... No way.)

(Is he going to kill himself—)

The pistol Max pulled out of his pocket gleamed under the moonlight.

Liam: Father…!

Kate: Max…!

Max: Don't move. One more step and I’ll blow that young lady’s head off.

Liam: …

Max held the pistol to his head.

Max: … I have no right to talk about “love”.

Max: … See you in hell, Liam.

— Bang.

Liam: … Father!

The pistol shot a bullet through his temple, and before we could run up to him — Max’s body fell into the deep river below the tower.

Kate: …

(...)

(This sort of…)

(No one… deserves this ending…)

Liam: …

Kate: … Liam

Liam watched as Max’s figure vanished and stared into the darkness.

He let out a sigh, knowing that his father was gone for good. His lips trembled slightly.

Liam: … We’re not biologically father and son.

(... What?)

(T-Then, could it be…)

Kate: You were the child of your mother and her former lover…

Liam: Yeah… . She found out after he left her that she was pregnant, but she hid it and married my father.

Kate: … And Max was unaware?

Seeing Liam nod in response gave me an irritated feeling that I couldn't put into words.

He hid the truth from Max and continued putting up with the abuse, it was definitely because—

Kate: You kept the truth a secret from Max because you didn't want him to get hurt any further… right?

Liam: … Yeah, that's right.

(...)

Liam: I always dreamed that there would come one day where we could laugh happily together.

Liam: And if that's impossible… I thought it made sense if I were to put an end to this by myself.

Liam: I became determined to take his life and finally bring him relief, and yet…

(... Ah. Just as I had expected.)

(It wasn’t resentment, nor was it pity. All Liam wanted was to make the kindest decision possible till the end.)

And yet, a life was lost so cruelly before his eyes.

Liam: … Kate. Is it… all over now…?

Liam: Is this… alright…?

Kate: … Liam

(What exactly went wrong, what went right… and what should have been done?)

Those were questions I couldn't answer for Liam.

While standing stock still like he was holding something in, Liam smiled.

But that smile fell almost instantly.

Liam: Wh… what? Haha… I… I can’t bring myself to laugh.

Liam: …

Liam: Kate… as expected… living is so… painful…

Kate: …

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him.

I hugged him tightly, like I was stopping a shining star from fading away at dawn.

(... P-Please don’t disappear. Don’t go anywhere.)

Liam: It hurts… so much… why does it feel so warm to be hugged…?

Liam: Why… is my heart shaking at a time like this…?

Liam: Why am I… why am I feeling happy at a time like this…?

(Liam…?)

The body I held in my arms was trembling.

I gulped when I pulled away to look into his eyes.

His rose-coloured eyes shook, tears welling up.

Kate: Li… Liam…

All I could do was watch as the tears overflowed and rolled down his face, like an idiot.

Liam frowned as tears streamed down.

Liam: … I got hurt, and I also hurt others… I thought that I should just give up, because I don't have the right to ask for anything.

Liam: And yet… right now… I’m being saved by you, who’s here right in front of my eyes…

Liam: Why do I live like this… not knowing what to do…?

– Flashback Start –

Liam: W… Why…

Liam: Why… why are you doing this for me—

Kate: Isn’t it obvious! I… I’m here to save you because you're someone who's precious to me!

– Flashback End –

(... That night, I held on to Liam’s life with these hands of mine.)

Because he was alive, he was suffering from so much pain and crying before my eyes.

(But…)

(On that very day, I already decided.)

(I will never, ever regret grabbing Liam’s hand.)

(And therefore, I—)

A feeling that was like being swallowed by a pitch-black darkness overwhelmed me once again.

The darkness whispered to me.

— Go any further than this, and you can never turn back.

(... That’s fine by me.)

— Are you really willing to throw away the peaceful and ordinary life you once had?

(... I’ll throw all of that away.)

— Really?

I forced away the last feeling of anxiety left in me.

(Really.)

(... As long as I can keep living with Liam, there’s nothing else I need.)

I wholly accepted the darkness.

And so I opened my eyes and gazed back into Liam’s tearful eyes.

Kate: Listen, Liam. This world may have been cruel towards you for the longest time.

Kate: Even at this moment… you’re still in so much pain.

Kate: But, despite that… I want you to continue living.

Liam: …

Kate: I want to keep living alongside you. Therefore… please stay alive.

I cupped his wet cheeks in my hands and looked into his eyes.

Kate: Please… live by my side.

Liam: ah… ah…

Liam: ue… uee…

Liam: uwaaaahh…!

Standing in between life and death, I held the man I loved in my arms as he screamed and wept.

I accepted every tear that fell from his eyes.

Forever and always.

#ikemen villains #ikemen series #cybird ikemen #otome #cybird otome #ikevil main story #liam main story

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s-creations · 5 months

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Fire & Thunder - Chapter 1

The BeanBean Kingdom, one that has been in self-exile for centuries, has finally broken their silence. Arriving to the Mushroom Kingdom with the plan to help their heroes learn how to use their powers.

Training, unfortunately, was just one hurtle to jump over.

Fandom: Super Mario & Releated Fandoms, Super Mario RPG Rating: Teen and UP Audiences Relationship: Luigi/Prince Peasley, Mario/Princess Peach, Mario & Luigi & Wario & Waluigi Additional Tags: Needed Training, The Main Villain Makes An Appearance, Growing Relationships, Character Lore?, In My Stories?, It's More Likely Than You Think.

‘To the Current Ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom,

Fair Princess Peach.

I, Queen Bean, current ruler of the BeanBean Kingdom, wish to reach out to establish a hopefully peaceful connection. To prove my well meaning, I’m hopeful my Kingdom will be able to help you.

Mainly with your heroes.

Words among the leaves and breeze hold whispers that your heroes are capable of magic. I have citizens who hold the same powers, not as powerful as your heroes, but skillful enough to extend their wisdom.

They will be arriving to your kingdom a week after this letter arrives. Accompanying them will be my son and future heir to the BeanBean Kingdom, Prince Peasley. They wish to remain with you until they feel that your heroes are well trained.

I do hope this is the beginning of a wonderful and fruitful partnership between our two lands.

To Your Wellness,

Regal Queen Bean’

The Toad that had been reading from the rolled parchment let out a shaky breath as they finished. Shivering as they allowed the pent up nervousness to be released. Wide eyes going to Princess Peach, who was tense upon her throne.

The entire hall felt close to a nervous breakdown.

Mario and Luigi being the only exception to this uncomfortable atmosphere. Worried eyes darting around the room, attempting to find an answer before landing on each other. Sharing a shrug of confusion.

Peach, on her part, let out a slow breath before standing and offering a smile to the nervous room. “Well, this is wonderful news! We’ll be playing host to such a powerful kingdom. This is what we need in order to put up a strong defense against Bowser. Let’s prepare for them to arrive.”

As Peach continued to delegate tasks, Mario and Luigi were gently pulled towards the hallway. The other pair of brothers looked grim as they led. Toadsworth gestured them all in before closing the door, waiting nervously.

“Is…anyone going to explain what’s going on?” Mario eventually voiced.

Toadsworth weakly waved his hand while mumbling, “We need to wait for the princess before we discuss this.”

Peach arrived a few moments later. Her warm smile quickly disappeared when the door closed once more. “Oh goodness… Is this really happening?”

“Apparently,” Wario barely whispered.

“But isn’t this what we wanted?” Toadsworth voiced.

“Yes,” Peach gave a small whine, “But I assumed it would be the Jungle or Desert Kingdom first. This plan didn’t start with the BeanBean Kingdom.”

“Would someone be so kind as to explain to us what we’re talking about?” Mario cautiously raised his voice.

“Oh, of course, I apologize,” Peach said softly, “We’ve talked to you about the war that defeated the last Koopa ruler. But we’ve never gone into details of the kingdoms that helped with that defeat.”

“Is the BeanBean Kingdom some place to worry about?”

“Well, yes, they are rather powerful.”

“Or they were,” Wario added, “Until it was destroyed.”

Peach quickly shook her head, “They could still have the BeanStar.”

“Don’t you think if they did, they would use it to stop all of this?”

“If the books are as accurate as they are, then you know the use of its ability before nearly destroyed everything. I would be afraid to use it!”

“So, would that really make them that powerful?”

“Guys!” Mario called out, “Still very confused.”

“Right, right, sorry,” Peach let out another sign before continuing, “We’ve told you about the origins of the war with the Koopa Kingdom. It was quite literally them versus every kingdom who had an ability to fight back. One being the BeanBean Kingdom. They hold a very powerful artifact called the BeanStar, an item that can grant the holder any wish they want.”

“I’m going to assume it was used during this war. What happened?”

“It’s unsure of what was asked of it,” Wario continued, “But the BeanStar more or less…it blew up. Knocking out a good chunk of the Koopa Army with it. But the BeanBean Kingdom was hit hard as well. They slunk back to their borders and put up powerful barriers to keep everyone away after that battle.”

Luigi frowned, “So…no one’s conversed with them…for years?”

“Try centuries,” said Toadsworth, “We have no idea what kind of monarch we’re dealing with now.”

“We could be in luck,” Mario argued, “They’re sending someone here with the intent to help us. If anything, we need someone who knows about our abilities. Training lately has become…”

“Stagnant,” Luigi concluded.

“It doesn’t help that all we’ve focused on is ‘suppressing’ instead of using.”

“But we don’t know what their motives are,” Toadsworth said quickly, “While jumping to conclusions isn’t beneficial towards the situation, there may be other motives involved here. Why would now be the time to reach out?”

“Because…of us?” Mario said while pointing towards himself and Luigi.

“Possibly hoping to take our means of protection for themselves.”

“We get that you're paranoid, old man,” Waluigi stepped in, “But you’re not making the situation better. If they’re willing to help, then we need to take it. Especially if this means we have somewhat of an advantage over Bowser.”

“We’ll just have to focus on being gracious hosts. Welcome them and try to make that much needed connection. We need them on our side.” Peach concluded.

Toadsworth turned to Mario and Luigi, “You two are going to have to represent our Kingdom as you are the heroes of this land.”

Well…wasn’t that just terrifying to hear.

The week went by faster than anyone expected or enjoyed. Toadsworth being the physical reminder of how tense everyone was. Starting every day with double checking on every factor he could think of before running through his caution list. Which was really just a list of his creations that covered the worst case situations they could face.

The day before, Peach offered (more like begged) that the brothers stay in the castle.

“That way you’re just here. No worries about…traffic and what not.” She explained with a wobbly smile.

It was a weak reason, but they understood the request.

Even with how comfortable the bed was, Mario couldn’t sleep. Resting on his back while staring up at the dark canopy. He couldn’t hear Luigi’s snoring.

“...You worried too?” Mario whispered into the darkness.

“...Yeah. It was scary enough when we were just heroes. Now we’re representing the kingdom? For another kingdom that’s been secretive for so long? And we’re being trained by people we know nothing of with powers we can barely use? It’s…It’s a lot.”

“Yeah…it is…”

Cautiously reaching out, Mario gently grabbed onto Luigi’s wrist. Pulling his brother closer until Luigi was tucked under the older twin’s chin. The younger using Mario’s chest as a pillow. Arms wrapped around the other with Mario gently combing his fingers through Luigi’s hair.

“We’ll be okay,” Mario said softly, “We stick together and it’ll all turn out fine. A new adventure, right?”

“...That meaning is so different from when we were in Brooklyn.”

“Yeah, it does. But I mean it. We’ll be fine.”

Luigi didn’t verbally reply. Instead trying to shuffle closer, tightening his grip around his brother.

“...Let’s try and get some sleep.”

They were both exhausted when morning arrived. Slowly shuffling out of bed and getting dressed, Mario tried to offer Luigi a comforting smile. But his nerves were seeping through and the comfort didn’t appear.

Wario and Waluigi looked just as exhausted as the twins felt. However, they were far better put together. While Mario and Luigi wore their famous overalls with coordinating red and green shirts and hats. The other brothers were wearing…well…

“Are you in a suit?” Mario asked with a smile growing. This question aimed directly at Wario.

“Unfortunately.”

“Your hair l-looks nice.” Luigi attempted to give some positives to the clearly uncomfortable brother. The normally tangled locks that were hidden by a yellow cap were now brushed and slicked back.

Waluigi, who looked far more comfortable, placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “It’s just for a few hours. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m going to suffocate.” Was the sharp reply back.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. No matter how chipper Peach attempted to be, it was clear she was as stressed, if not more, as everyone else was. So none of her words uplifted their terrified spirits.

Once the plates were taken, the large group walked outside to the large stairs that lead up to the castle. Toadsworth rushed around, instructing as to where everyone needed to stand. The guard lining everywhere, Peach and Toadsworth at the lower set of the stairs to properly greet the visitors. The brothers were further back. Lined up so that Wario and Waluigi would be introduced first as the current mentors while Mario and Luigi would be saved for last.

The minutes felt like hours as they waited. Mario swears his heart was beating so loudly that everyone could hear it.

Soon the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. The first to crest the hill was a few rows of soldiers, three to each. Dressed in silver armor, a green smiling face carved into the chest plate. Carrying spears and large shields. Following the first section of soldiers was a large carriage. Vivid green and bean shaped on golden wheels with similarly colored accents. Pulling along by (as what could only be described as) flying, bean-link creatures.

It was…strange.

The carriage, flanked from the front and back by the same looking beanish soldiers, stopped before the stairs. Right before Peach and Toadsworth. One soldier broke away from the ranks to open the opulent golden door.

First to emerge were two rather translucent beings. One red, one green, dressed similarity. Or rather held a similar appearance. It was unclear if they were dressed or if it was just ‘thicker’ skin that was a different color than their pale blue skin. Their hair appeared to be that of the Earth’s version of a jellyfish. They gave a small bow to Peach before stepping to the side.

The final traveler stepped out at this time. Vivid green skin complemented well with the fine, golden hair that framed his face. Warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners due to his smile. Fine garments of white and red with accents of gold draped over his form. A stylish rapier resting casually at his hip.

Peach stepped forward as the new trio reached the foot of the stairway. Offering a small curtsy before announcing, “Welcome, Prince Peasley of the BeanBean Kingdom. It’s wonderful to see you here, I hope your journey went well.”

“Very much so,” Prince Peasley responded with a clear voice, "Thank you for the warm welcome, Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom. Allow me the honor of introducing Merri and Gigi, our own users of Firebrand and Thunderhand abilities.”

“Welcome to you both as well.”

Mario was pulled out of the conversation when Wario tapped his arm. “Fix your face, it’s scrunched up.”

“Is he…a bean?” Mario whispered back.

“The prince? Yeah, kind of in the name of the kingdom he hails from.”

“Peach isn’t a mushroom.”

“But the Toads are. The king was.”

“Oh… Hey Lu, what do you-” Mario faltered when, looking at his brother, he found Luigi with wide eyes. Chest puffed up with shoulders raised as if to make himself seem taller. Cheeks slowly growing a deep shade of red. Eyes practically shining.

Mario’s eyes darted between Luigi and the guests, taking a few moments to understand the situation. Getting his ultimate answer when the prince casually flipped his hair back with a warm laugh and Luigi letting out a choked gasp.

It was Wario’s turn to have his arm hit.

“What.” He breathed out through the side of his mouth.

“Look! Look at Luigi!” Mario frantically whispered, sounding absolutely thrilled.

Curious, Wario leaned over to get a better look at Luigi. Finding the younger twin absolutely love struck, eyes still on Peasley. Realization dawned on Wario’s quickly and a wide smile stretched across his face.

He was less subtle with getting Waluigi’s attention. Enough so that Toadsworth flashed a warning glare at the duo before facing forward again.

“What?” Waluigi hissed out.

Wario just jerked his head towards Luigi. The other brother’s attention darted over to the younger twin.

A smirk slowly formed on his face.

Unaware of what was transpiring, Luigi's attention was solely focused on Peasley. The moment the prince had stepped out, the younger twin felt his heart start to race. Electricity surging through him as a blush dusted over his cheeks. The only thought bouncing around the human’s brain was ‘He’s beautiful’.

The cloud of fascination fell away hearing a few chuckles and small noises of excitement from his side. Luigi turning to find Mario and the other brothers staring right back at him. Each in a varying degree of excitement and knowing smugness.

A new type of terror settled in Luigi’s stomach.

“Mario-”

“You like him!” Mario gleefully whispered.

“Don’t, please don’t-”

“What’s your first move going to be?” Wario leaned over, using Mario as a place to rest his arm, who didn’t seem to mind. “I know a few good ones if you’re stuck.”

“He hasn’t even talked to us yet-”

“I’m taunting you relentlessly about this until you ask him out.” Waluigi stated smugly.

Luigi frantically gripped onto the sides of his hat. “Please don’t do this. It’s nothing, really, it’s just-”

“And here we have the main four you’ll be working with.” Peach’s voice cut through the whispering argument. Louder than normal, no doubt to inform that brothers they were finally approaching.

They quickly stood back in their original lineup. Luigi now shaking nervously as Peach introduced the other brother’s first.

“Wario and Waluigi have been our heroes' acting mentors.”

“Wonderful to meet you both,” Peasley beamed as he shook their hands, “I’m to assume you’re both well versed in fighting formations.”

“Not at all.” Wario replied.

“Oh, well, what about battle strategies?”

“None.” Waluigi answered this time.

“...So…how were you two selected for this role then?”

“Opportunity.”

“Harassment.”

Toadsworth buried his face in his hand. Merri rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed, as Gigi gave a quick but covered snort.

“Well…either way, I’m sure we’ll have much to share with each other.” Peasley said with a smile. Which faltered hearing Merri and Gigi giggling softly. They fell quiet when their prince flashed them a warning frown.

“Wonderfully said,” Peach quickly interjected and pulled the prince away, “Here are our heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom.”

Peasley’s attention was drawn to Mario fist. Who tilted his hat before shaking hands with the prince. “Mario, at your service. Thank you for arriving to help us.”

“Wonderful to meet you. You’re…human, are you not?”

“Very much so.”

“How interesting. And you are the holder of the…”

“Firebrand.”

“Excellent! I can’t wait to see your strength in action.”

“Well, if strength is what you’re interested in, then you’re going to be super impressed by what my brother can do.” Taking over the introductions, Mario wrapped his arm around Luigi’s shoulders to pull him closer.

Peasley’s regal appearance fell once more as his attention turned towards Luigi. Not of disappointment, but one of…interest. Eyes widening as they take in the sheepishly smiling hero in green. His own mouth parting slightly as a light dusting of blue appeared on his cheeks.

The stunned stupor he was in was broken when Merri gently placed a hand on his shoulder with a whisper of, “Sire?”

“Oh, u-um, yes, wonderful to meet you as well.” Peasley attempted to recover quickly. Smile returned, but not as strong as it had been before. “Uh, if I may ask…is it true that you were able to capture a Boo?”

Before Luigi could answer, Wario entered the conversation. “A Boo? A Boo? Just one? How about a whole army captured along with their big creepy king. That’s what Luigi did.”

The younger brother laughed nervously as his shoulder was shaken vigorously, “Heh, ah, well…”

“He was also able to fend off a pod of Blue Piranha Plants,” Waluigi added, “Using nothing but his Thunderhand and a hammer.”

“Blue variety? Goodness, those are extremely dangerous. We avoid them the best we can back in my kingdom.” Peasley said, sounding very impressed.

Luigi continued to laugh weakly, “Uh…I suppose so.”

“Well, I am very excited to work alongside such powerful heroes.”

The green dressed twin twitched nervously as the prince presented his hand to be shaken once more. Relaxing slightly, Luigi reached out to gently take it in his own. Only for a large bolt of electricity arched from one hand to the other. Causing both of them to let out painful cries and parting quickly.

Luigi’s wide eyes filled with fear focused on Peasley. Who seemed surprised as the sisters and a very frantic Toadsworth worried over the prince’s hand.

“...Well, what a shocking introduction that was,” Waluigi’s smirk was quickly wiped away when Wario elbowed him hard in the gut. The taller brother letting out a pained wheeze.

_____________________________

“Luigi, please don’t suffocate yourself.” Mario sighed softly as he listened to his brother let out a long whine.

Said brother was stretched fully across one of the many cushioned couches placed in the library. Face smushed into the remaining pillow that had not been thrown off in his self pity state. “Just let me die here. I don’t want to go on.”

“So you embarrassed yourself in front of new royalties that we’re trying to impress to make a strong connection with so we can create a powerful army against Bowser and one that you’re clearly interested in as such that caused your powers to flare up and hurt them. Big deal. It could be worse.” Wario’s smile slipped when Mario and Luigi glared at him.

Waluigi, who was casually leaning on the nearest bookshelf, let out a heavy sigh before saying, “I think what my thick skulled brother’s trying to inform you is that you don’t have to be worried. Prince Peasley knows of your ability, so he shouldn't be too surprised. Besides, he seemed smitten by you.”

“Yeah, before my powers did me dirty.” Luigi groaned softly. Face going back to be buried in his pillow.

“You didn’t really give him a chance to really say anything to you.”

“More like Toadsworth pulled the royals away before you could even look his way again.” Wario huffed.

“I think I damaged whatever thin bridge of a connection had started to be built.” Came the muffled groan of Luigi.

Mario heavily sighed at that. Sliding off the arm of the couch to pull his brother to sit up. “Alright, enough of this. You’re just embarrassed, it happens, we’re going to move on from it. We have a job to do.”

Luigi’s brow furrowed, eyes lowering to the floor. “...Maybe I just avoided a huge mistake anyway.”

“Don’t think like that.” The red dressed hero immediately dropped his voice to a whisper.

“You know it’s true.”

“It’s not.”

Wario and Waluigi side eyes each other. Exchanging worried looks knowing they were clearly missing something. Before Waluigi could silently tell his brother to keep his mouth shut, Wario blurted out,

“What are you two talking about?”

Luigi nervously looked over, clearly unsure of what to say. Only for another noise to pull their focus. A few furiously excited barks sounded down the hall before disappearing.

“Was that Polterpup?” Waluigi asked.

The younger twin stood quickly, the self-defeating look replaced with one of concern. “Oh no, I haven’t worked with Polterpup on greeting guests! They were supposed to stay home. Oh, this isn’t good.”

Luigi was out of the library before anyone else could comment.

Wario turned to Mario to ask, “Are you going to explain all of that?”

Giving a gentle shake of his head, Mario replied with, “You’ll have to ask Luigi.”

_____________________________

Cautious footsteps gently padded against the carpeted floor. Luigi slowly made his way down the long hallways. Trying to keep his cool while straining his ears to listen out for a familiar bark.

“Come on Polterpup, where are you?” he whispered fearfully, “I don’t think our guests will be appreciative of a ghost dog just running around.”

Luigi let out a small sigh, “If they weren’t thinking about pulling out before, I’m sure they will if they see you. What a nightmare this is becoming…”

There were a few eager yips coming from around the next corner. Luigi instantly recognized the sound as Polterpup’s playful back. Given a split second to hope that the spectral pup had found some of the Toad guards and not-

“You’re very friendly, aren’t you?”

Luigi halted just before turning the corner. His entire form tensing up hearing the new yet familiar voice of Peasley.

“Of course,” the human whined softly, “Of course he would find Polterpup. Why can’t I catch a break?”

He cautiously peeked around the corner. Finding Polterpup happily laying on their back, resting at the prince’s feet. Peasley smiling softly as he ran his hand over the exposed belly. Laughing at Polterpup’s excitement.

Luigi noted that said hand was wrapped in medical dressings.

Pulling back, Luigi let out a slow sigh. “Okay, he’s not panicking. That’s good…right? How do I approach this? What will he think if he knows Polterpup’s my pet? Wow, the human can’t use his abilities and has a ghost dog that’s barely trained. Ugh, I’ll have to face that reality eventually.”

“Maybe it will be better received with Peach around? If Polterpup’s brought to her, she could soften the blow of…everything. Maybe. Is it really that bad? I should-”

Luigi was broken from his musings when Polterpup phased through the floor. Jumping at the spectral pup barking happily upon finding their owner. Who immediately picked Polterpup up.

“Polterpup, what are you doing? I told you to stay home!”

“Don’t be too upset. They were just eager to make a new friend.” There was another twitch of surprise as Peasley stepped around the corner. Offering a warm smile to the panicked human.

“P-Prince Peasley, I-I was, um,” Luigi wrapped his arms tighter around Polterpup, “H-How are you feeling?”

“Just fine, nothing to worry about. I’ll be right as rain in no time.”

“Oh, well, t-that’s wonderful to hear. Do you need help getting to the Grand Hall? O-Or I’m sure Toadsworth is offering his castle tour. We c-could find them and-”

“Well,” Peasley looked sheepish suddenly, “I’m actually…trying to find the gardens.”

Luigi blinked, “Oh...I…could…take you there?”

“Would you? I would be absolutely grateful for your help.”

“S-Sure, no problem. Just…follow me.”

Polterpup wiggled out of Luigi’s hold. Happily taking the lead as the trio made their way through the wide halls.

“So, Polterpup is your pet?” Peasley asked.

“Um, y-yeah. How’d you know?”

“I heard your comment about him needing to stay home.”

“Oh…”

“As well as your furious comments to yourself about allowing Princess Peach to inform me. A rather interesting plan.”

Whatever higher powered being was believed in here, please strike him down.

Luigi did his best not to stumble over his feet in embarrassment upon learning how much Peasley had heard. “U-Uh, so-sorry, I didn’t m-mean-”

“You’re fine. I understand your trepidation,” Peasley quickly appeased, “There’s a lot riding on this visit.”

“Suppose so… Oh, I-I need to thank you and your kingdom for your willingness to help.”

“No thanks are necessary. If it means helping you and your brother, as well as the Mushroom Kingdom, then we are more than happy to be here.”

There was a pause in the conversation as Luigi opened the double glass doors that lead to their destination. Peasley unable to hold back a gasp of excitement when he saw the gardens stretched before them. Clearly enamored by the numerous colors and flowers gently swaying in the gentle breeze.

“This is wonderful.” Peasley whispered, leaning over the stone banner as much as he could to take it all in.

Luigi smiled softly. Heart and stomach doing interesting twists and flips as he cautiously stood next to the prince.

“You, um, you like plants?”

“A bit more than ‘like’, to be honest. My entire kingdom is based around agriculture. We grow as many kinds of fruit and vegetation that you can think of. I, however, have further fascination with flowers.”

“Really?”

“Mhm, I have my own garden filled with roses. I’ve been taking care of them since my father’s passing.”

“O-Oh, I’m so sorry, I-I didn’t-” Luigi felt like he almost swallowed his tongue when he stopped talking so quickly hearing Peasley let out a gentle laugh.

“Please, don’t worry, you couldn’t have known. He’s…been gone for a while.”

“Still…I’m sorry for your loss.”

“...Thank you.”

Luigi smiled weakly, eventually clearing his throat and asking, “Would you like to take a closer look?”

“Mmm…no, I believe I should wait for the princess first before doing so. I’m fine up here…”

He wasn’t sure if he was imagining things, but Luigi could have sworn there was more that Peasley wanted to say. But nothing else was. Instead, the quiet was comforting as they watched as Polterpup happily chased after a few birds among the foliage.

“May I ask you something?” Peasley eventually asked, head tilted closer to Luigi with his eyes still trained on the gardens.

“Um…s-sure?”

“Well, I guess it’s more of a clarification?”

Luigi couldn’t help but laugh softly at Peasley’s smile. “Sure, what can I clarify for you?”

“I guess…I feel so weird asking this. But can you tell me what happened? When the Boos attacked here.”

“Oh…sure.”

“I mean, only if you feel that you want to,” Peasley quickly attempted to backtrack, “I didn’t mean anything, I was just curious so-”

“No, you’re okay, I understand! I-I’ve been told this isn’t a really normal occurrence for this…place. Uh, it’s just, where do you want me to start? There’s a lot to go through.”

“Any point, really, I don’t mind.” Peasley leaned on his hand, brown eyes now shining as their focus stayed on Luigi.

So…Luigi talked. Starting with the first time that Mario met the Boos and what that meant. Both with the bite and gaining a mentor with Wario. How Wario and Luigi met, Waluigi’s grand entrance, and how the other pair of brother’s started watching over the twins.

First time they used their abilities.

When E. Gadd entered into their lives.

How King Boo had captured Mario and turned the Mushroom Castle into a terrifying maze.

When Luigi used the Poltergust the first time.

How Luigi learned that his ability was able to keep him safe.

How King Boo called him out for a final showdown.

And finally how Luigi was able to trap King Boo.

“I just…use the Thunderhand to power up the Poltergust and the picture frame and…” Luigi rolled his hands around the other before giving a small shrug, “King Boo was sucked in and trapped in the picture frame. Still there…unless something happened to E. Gadd. I should probably call him. Uh, anyway, that’s pretty much what happened.”

He looked over to see if Peasley was still even awake at this point. Only to find the prince staring at him in absolute fascination. “Um, Prince Peasley?”

“Oh, sorry, I was just so enthralled,” Peasley laughed softly, “I had heard stories from others before arriving here. Honestly, it was nothing more than rumors. I- We’ve been fascinated with what you and your brother have been able to accomplish. With the latest being that of your triumph over King Boo. Hearing you talk about it, talk about everything, it’s so…inspiring.”

“Uh, really? I’m sure as a prince you’ve seen a few things.” Luigi replied weakly.

Peasley’s smile turned to one of embarrassment. But he was unable to respond when another voice called out the prince’s name.

“Prince Peasley, there you are!”

Luigi tensed when Merri and Gigi came rushing out of the double doors. Toadsworth quickly followed behind with Peach casually bringing up the rear.

“What are you doing out here? We were so worried when we couldn’t find you in the medical wing.” Merri and Gigi spoke at the same time. Each pulling the prince’s wrapped hand up gently.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention,” Peasley attempted to calm them, “I was just-”

“Master Luigi, why would you bring our guest out in the open!” Toadsworth huffed as he stepped forward. Luigi’s already raised shoulders climbed further, ears turning a deep red.

Peasley quickly responded with, “I was attempting to find the gardens when I left the medical wing. I asked for Luigi’s help when we came across each other in the hallway. Please don’t be upset with him.”

This caused Toadsworth to falter, a little flustered by the confession. Peach taking the chance to step into the conversation.

“We were just concerned by your absence,” Peach said, “We’re happy to know Luigi was able to keep you company for the time.”

Luigi felt the heat move from his ears to his cheeks as Peasley offered a smile to the human, replying with, “As am I.”

The group flinched as Polterpup appeared once more. Peasley laughing as the new arrival gave a small whine as if upset they had not also received praise.

“You were wonderful as well.”

“Now that the worries have been had, shall we get you all settled in properly?” Toadsworth gently gestured for the group to head back inside.

Peach remained back, mainly to wait for Peasley. Only to be quietly surprised as she watched said prince gently claim one of Luigi’s hands. Bowing his head to have the back of it to gently touch the prince’s forehead.

“Thank you for staying with me. I look forward to hearing more stories and seeing your strength tomorrow.”

“I-uh- O-Of course.” Luigi replied weakly with a small smile.

Peasley released the human’s hand with a warm smile, turning to join Peach. Who was pointedly looking away as if not aware of the moment.

However, as the doors closed behind the royalty, Peach narrowed her attention on the visiting prince. Peasley looked very pleased but flustered as well. As if not believing in his own forwardness. A content smile lay across his face.

Quickly looking back, Peach found that Luigi had not moved. Staring at his hand in fascination. Unaware of Polterpup pawing at their human’s leg.

It took everything for Peach to not let out a squeal of joy.

_____________________________

The next day began with the three brothers practically dragging Wario out of his bed. Who was complaining about having to, once again, wear another stupid, stuffy outfit.

“It’s about being presentable,” Waluigi argued back.

“We’re going to be training!” Wario gruffly argued back.

“Not us! We’re going to be on the sidelines with Peach and the rest!”

“This is torture!”

“Get up you giant baby!”

It took about an hour for the four of them to arrive for breakfast. Toadsworth was not impressed by their tardiness. Their guests, however, seemed unbothered by it. Peasley actually pulled Luigi into a quiet conversation the moment the human sat down. Who was a little sheepish at first but opened up the further their conversation went on.

Waluigi, on his part, turned to the jellyfish sisters. “Don’t suppose you’d be up to telling us what this training day is going to start with?”

“It’s the same training we were given,” Merri answered, “We mainly want to see what they’re currently capable of doing, as well to make sure they can easily call upon their abilities. We’re not going to go too crazy at this time.”

“Okay…but what exactly does that…mean?”

“It’s rather hard to explain it to a non-holder. The most we can suggest is to just watch.” Gigi replied with a soft giggle.

“Alright…”

After all had their fill, the large group that also consisted of BeanBean soldiers and Toad guards made their way to the outside training grounds. Peach, Toadswroth, and Peasley taking seats under a large umbrella type mushroom. Wario and Waluigi situated nearby with the older gently tugging at the button-up collar. Merri and Gigi lead the way to the center to the flattened ground with the twins following close behind.

“Given how reportedly strong your powers are, we decided that outside training would be best to start,” said Merri, “We would like to begin this by stating that, while we are not trained fighters, we are gifted in using these abilities.”

Gigi continued with, “We are well versed in the knowledge of both abilities. Our current goal for you both is to have complete control of your abilities. So you may use them to their full potential. Whether that’s for everyday occurrences or for fighting.”

“These powers are meant to be an extension of you and should be treated as such.”

At this, Merri moved closer to Mario. Gently lifting the hero’s arm up. She gently had her right hand travel from the crook of Mairo’s elbow up to his wrist, increasing the pressure at that point. Mario couldn’t hold back the wince feeling the tight pressure. A deep burning felt in his chest, a familiar one.

The intense massage ended when Merri’s hand moved the pressure to Mario’s palm. Both flinched back, Merri more than Mario, when the very same hand erupted into flames. The largest stream of flames the majority of that crowd had even seen before. A few even let out ‘Oohs’ and ‘Awws’ at the sight.

“Very, very impressive!” Merri gleefully stated, “I’ve not seen such power held in many before. Granted, I only know of three holders in recent years. But the point still stands that this is amazing!”

Mario remained quiet as Merri moved to his other hand. Listening with interest as she said, “I’m aware that you’ve used Fire Flowers before. While the Firebrand seems similar, it’s also very different. First obvious being it never runs out. As long as your fire burns, the Firebrand will remain with you.”

“If handled uncaringly, Firebrand can cause a lot of damage. Fire is wild if left unkempt, destroying whatever it can reach. You need to keep your focus. You’ll be able to change its directions, create shapes and forms.”

“Like fireballs?” Mario asked.

Merri laughed softly and nodded, “Very much so, but even more than that. My focus for you is giving you allowance to control the fire in any form. Whether it’s still in your hands or cut away from you.”

“You are another story,” Gigi said to Luigi, “Thunderhand is also about control. However, you have a vastly different concern. The energy you release acts like that of lightning. It bounces, arches, and dances in every way it can. Holding it close will do you no good. But releasing it will result in a burst of rampant energy that will destroy everything in its path.”

“O-Oh…o-okay, great.” Luigi’s voice shook.

“In order to get past this, you have to learn how to use yourself as a conduit. While not every bolt will follow, you will have the maneuver needed in at least somewhat of a direction. Because…”

Just as Merri did, Gigi applied a generous amount of pressure to Luigi’s palm. If Mario’s fire was a show, Luigi’s energy was a spectacle. The area even seemed to darken as the burst illuminated the area.

Gigi let out a cheerful cry of glee, hands clapping. “Oh, amazing! Absolutely amazing! Your strength seems to hold no limit. Truly a hidden gem.”

Luigi didn’t reply. Eyes still up at the sky where the bolt had hit its peak, swallowing weakly.

“Now, if we’re going to begin, we need to start fresh. Fully fresh,” Marri and Gigi met back up to stand directly in front of the twins, “You both need to remove your gloves.”

That caused a good portion of the audience to tense.

“Wait, what?” Mario asked weakly.

“We need you to remove your gloves.”

“I-Is that really the smartest choice?” Luigi spoke next, “I-It’s kind of the reason we have…control over these powers.”

“Did you not defeat King Boo by removing your gloves?” Gigi commented.

“S-Sure, but I s-still had to worry of hurting someone or d-damaging something.”

“Understand, this is not to make you uncomfortable,” Merri quickly took over, “You need to get used to how the full extent of that power feels flowing through you. We’re just testing for now. The moment it becomes too much, the gloves can go back on.”

From the corner of his eye, Mario saw Wario waving his arms in the air to get his attention. The older brother, quietly, but with very wide and obvious movements, pointedly gave his ‘comment’. Gesturing to Luigi, then Mario, then grasping onto Waluigi’s hand. Who was very unhappy about being roped into Wario’s…whatever this was.

Even with the slight confusion at the beginning, Mario eventually understood. Giving a sharp nod.

If all else fails, Mario and Luigi could cancel each other’s powers out.

“Okay,” said Mario, “Let’s try it.”

“Just be mindful, this is just a test.” Merri attempted to comfort, “We’ll pull back the moment it becomes too much.”

The twin’s both nervously removed the gloves. Both letting out surprised gasps as their powers fully hit them. It had been awhile since they’d felt this. Mario tried to keep himself level as a few flames escaped from his mouth. Luigi unable to hold back his shaking as he felt the energy travel up and down his spine.

“Goodness…” Gigi gasped softly.

“This is much more than what we were expecting.” Merri agreed.

“W-What-” Mario coughed softly at the smoke he tasted on his tongue, “What do we need to do now?”

“Close your eyes and slow your breathing. You need to find your core, your center, where your power is being stored.”

They did as instructed. Both falling into a contented and calm focus. It was honestly a little awkward at first. As they had no idea what they were supposed to be looking or feeling for. The back of their minds holding a small reminder that they probably looked like idiots just standing there.

But they did eventually fall into a comfortable rhythm, slowly feeling something heavy resting between their chest and stomach. A steady pulse, not a heartbeat, but something that beats in tandem with it.

“Found it,” They responded at the same time, eyes still closed.

Wario and Waluigi mentally noticed they sounded as if they were in a trance.

“Describe it to us.” Gigi whispered her request.

“A beat…a pulse?” Luigi replied.

“It sounds like another heartbeat.” Mario stated.

“Excellent,” said Merri, “Now, Gig and I are going to step forward to help. Keep your breathing steady. Keep your focus.”

Neither flinched as Merri and Gigi moved their hands. Having them cup together just below their sternum. Keeping their own hands pressed underneath the brother’s.

“Alright, we’re going to help you on this next part,” said Gigi, “You’re going to slowly call upon your power until your hands hold a small portion of it.”

“We’re going to help you draw it out. To keep in control and so you know what it feels like.” Merri concluded.

“Okay,” the twins calmly replied.

It was the first time, for a while, that the twin’s neutral faces shifted. Flinching in slight pain before brows furrowed in concentration as their powers were slowly pulled out. Mario’s turning into the familiar form of a fireball. Except it was a vivid red instead of the well known orange. For Luigi, Waluigi mumbled out, “Plasma ball? Interesting.” The sphere of energy held small arches of electricity bouncing around it. If it was held instead of floating, it no doubt would have weighed a ton.

The growth of both continued until the power formed to the size of a small ball. At that point, Merri and Gigi pulled away. Mario and Luigi finally opened their eyes. Just barely stopping themselves from falling onto their faces.

The orbs fluctuated slightly before calming once more.

“So, how are you two feeling?” Gigi asked.

“A little strange…but okay.” Mario calmly replied.

“It’s not as…intense as before,” Luigi added, “I think this is the most collected I’ve felt with this before.”

“That’s wonderful to hear! I will admit, your ability looks far different that what I expected,” This comment was directed towards Mario.

“Uh, yeah, I figured. It’s not like a Fire Flower.” Mario nervously chuckled, eyes on the fire he was holding.

“Well, I’m more comparing it to Bowser’s fire.”

“Wait, what?”

Merri, possibly unaware of the stressful situation, casually continued on with, “Oh, did no one tell you this? Perhaps it wasn’t known in this kingdom. The Firebrand ability comes from the Koopa lineage. Lord Bowser is the other being who holds this ability, and with strength equal to yours. Granted, he expels it through his mouth while yours is controlled by your hands. But, still, the similarities in strength is interesting.”

“I…what?”

Now Merri heard the trepidation in the hero’s voice. “Did…no one tell you of this?”

“No!” The three around Mario jumped back as the fireball erupted. Now engulfing both arms.

As if responding in kind to Mario’s panic, Luigi’s own ability snapped. The orb of energy gave out a small pop before charging out. Merri and Gigi darting further away at the ground starting to crack and fracture, the energy breaking it apart.

Wario and Waluigi quickly pulled Peach, Peasley, and Toadsworth back. The rest of the audience scrambled as the cracks crawled further out.

It happened in a span of a few seconds. The dust settled to reveal the twins in a newly formed crater. Luigi having his arms wrapped around Mario in a death grip. Small bolt of energy arching around Luigi’s form. Smoke pouring out of Mario’s mouth.

Taking a deep breath, Luigi quietly said, “M-Mario?”

Whatever stupor the red dressed hero was in broke hearing his name. Mario pulled away with a sharp jerk. Doing his best to squash the broken feeling stirring in his stomach at Luigi’s fearful look. Instead, he tugged his gloves back on as he stumbled out of the crater.

Upon reaching the top, Mario lifted his head. Eyes scanning to find his quickest escape route. Feeling another part of his soul breaking upon seeing the Toads flinching away.

His breathing became ragged.

Unable to stop the smoke billowing out of his mouth.

He reached his lowest point when he saw Peach. Who was being held back by a worried looking Wario. The princess’ eyes wide and filled with…fear?

He couldn’t stay there any longer.

Mario pulled his cap down and rushed out of the training area. Disappearing into the castle proper as Luigi finally climbed his way out. Watching until Mario was gone and then it was his turn to take in the fearful audience. Crossing his arms to hide his hands away, Luigi slowly backed away. Very aware of the eyes following him. Unable to look anywhere but ahead of him, in fear of seeing how everyone was looking at him.

How Peasley was looking at him.

Was he impressed with the uncontrollable power now?

While he didn’t run, Luigi left as quickly as his shaky legs would carry him. Hiding himself away in the surrounding garden.

“Go look after Mario, we got this handled,” Wario whispered to Peach.

Peach gave a short nod and left. Head held high as she passed her citizens and followed Mario’s footsteps.

Peasley stumbled slightly as he was nudged towards the gardens. Turning back with a raised brow to Waluigi in quiet confusion.

“You’re not going to believe me now. But your words are going to hold better meaning than from any of us.” The tallest brother explained.

“...Very well.” Peasley said calmly. Straightening himself out before rushing towards the gardens.

“You two!” Wario called out. Pointing at Merri and Gigi. Who bristled at being addressed so harshly. “We four need to have a bit of a talk. Now.”

Merri sniffed, but nodded slowly. “Very well.”

“Someone…try and clean this up?” Waluigi weakly suggested. Gesturing to the damaged area as they moved away.

_____________________________

Bubbling lava always held a calming effect for him. Even if it was more often seen as a river of destruction, that’s what he liked about it. Something slow moving that people took little notice of. Until it started a fire, or burned down a forest, or cooked something alive. Then they started paying attention and began cursing for not doing so sooner.

How they just assumed they were safe…

“Lord Bowser?”

Fiery red eyes snapped open. Taking in the magma and lava covered land below momentarily before the hulking Koopa form turned away from the arched opening. Turning to find Kamek standing behind the King, holding his wand tightly in his hands.

“Our spies have returned with a rather interesting report.” said Kamek, answering Bowser’s unsaid question.

“Interesting, you say? Do tell.” Bowser said, turning his full attention to his right hand Koopa.

“Representatives of the BeanBean Kingdom have arrived to the Mushroom Kingdom.”

“The self-exiled kingdom? They’ve finally broken their silence, something big must be happening if they’ve chosen now to poke their heads out of the ground.”

“Indeed something is,” Kamek continued with a smirk, “It appears those human heroes have acquired some…special abilities.”

Bowser frowned at that, “I’m aware of their connections to the Power-Ups.”

��Not Power-Up related. An ancient power. One that I have not seen before, only read about. Another that, well, hits rather close to home.”

“Enough of your riddles, warlock, explain.”

“The coward holds the Thunderhand. A rather destructive ability locked in such a weakling.”

“And what of Mario.” Bowser growled.

“Firebrand, my Lord.”

There was a pause.

Then Bowser began to laugh. One that built up until it began to echo loudly in the grand hall.

“Well, what a wonderful surprise! I suppose it would be ill will of me if I didn’t offer my own help. Why don’t we pay the Mushroom Kingdom a long, overdue visit? It would do us all some good, I believe.”

#s-creations #fanfiction #mario #luigi #mario and luigi #wario #waluigi #wario and waluigi #mario luigi wario waluigi #princess peach #prince peasley #mario x peach #mareach #luigi x peasley #luisley #bowser #yellow purple red green #yprg

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unicornsaures · 9 days

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Redcoat OC lore dump!!

By no means is this EVERYTHING about these guys, just the base layers. I also dont go into specifics for a lot of these just because if i did it probably wouldnt line up so..yeah!

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Right, starting off with Charles Gray! He was born in Maryland on April 14, 1753 to Eleanor Gray and John Gray with three sisters - Mary Gray(last name changed to Fields when she gets married), Eleanor Gray Jr, and Frances Gray. His family was originally from London but they moved to the colonies in 1750, 3 years before he was born. His parents were devout loyalists, so he and his siblings quickly picked up on their beliefs. He primarily lived on his parents' plantation, so he was pretty well off financially and he had no struggle with money his entire life. Come 1773 when Charles is 19, his sister Frances dies and they were pretty close, he struggles to cope with her desth while being in the area she died so, he decides to move out to Pennsylvania where he instead meets Henry and William who become his closest friends and help him through all of that.

Soon enough, April of 1774 comes around and he meets Charlotte Brewer(new character alert~!), who he begins courting soon after. In august of 1774 they begin dating, and in April of 1776 he gets married!! Yeah, he doesnt get happily ever after though. He joins the british army with William and Henry not but a few months later, leaving his newly wed wife behind and hes extra guilty about it. When they meet Hamilton though, he takes an instant liking towards him and tries to make him feel welcome to distract himself from the guilt he feels. Problem is, he never actually told Ham hes married. So, whoops. The rest of the story is whats already written so ah, Hamilton still doesnt know he's married.

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Okayyy, William Fletcher! William was born in Newcastle on August 12, 1754 to George & Mary Fletcher. He has 6 siblings(im not writing out names.) Though 2 die before William even reaches the age of 1. This hasnt been brought up in the story, but he also can't remember most of his childhood other than the fact his father was shit. It wasnt anything too out of the ordinary for the time period, but it was a borderline abusive dynamic that sparked fights and fucked up his trust, making it really hard to keep stable relationships with anyone in the future. Ever wonder why he 'dislikes' Hamilton so much? Yeah thats why.

Anyway, his family moved to New York in August of 1765, and to Pennsylvania just a few months later. Life is pretty uninteresting for a few years until 1770 comes up(William is 16) and he meets Henry Reed!! Its almost instantaneous how fast they become friends, and in the future William HEAVILY cherishes their friendship because of how rare it was for him to open up to people, moreso with the gender norms in their time period. They bond a lot while theyre in Pennsylvania together and honestly fuck around and get into trouble like normal teenagers until, come 1773, they meet Charles!! He keeps them in check kind of, and they create this little trio. For william, it takes a lot longer to consider him a friend but it does happen, in which he also helps Charles court Charlotte in 1774!!

William is the one who encouraged them all to join the army, and Henry was quick to follow his word. When Hamilton came along in 1777, William really disliked him. He did warm up to him, and they were friends, but then ah..the whole Laurens thing..That trust was INSTANTLY broken and so that leaves us with William as we have it in modern chapters where he comes off as bitchy and rude. Yes, he is bitchy to Hamilton, but thats not his whole character and there is genuine reasons he acts so cold towards Hamilton, and sometimes even Charles. Charles less so because he's known him for longer, but Hamilton is someone he deemed as 'untrustworthy,' and therefore he sets up walls around him.

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Right! Henry Reed! Out of the group, he's the most tragic. He was Born in South Carolina on January 5, 1757 to Oliver & Molly Reed. He was also raised with two siblings though one died during his childhood and the other was almost an adult when he was born, so he has little recollection of them. His family had originally been from Norwich, but they moved to the colonies in 1745. They moved again however when he was 6 to Pennsylvania, where his mother left him and his father when he was 12. His childhood is kind of shitty overall, and most of his recollection is working in a trading company with his father to support them both after his mother had left. Even before she had left she was emotionally absent though his father had done his best to make up for that loss to little avail.

After his mother had left, Henry and his father did their best to keep afloat and it worked pretty well, though Henry felt somewhat responsible for the reason his mother left. He met William when he was 13, and like i said, they became very close very fast during some of the worst years of their life. Henry became quickly attached not only because of their friendship itself, but because he looked up to William in a sense? Like i said william was 16 when they met and often did things himself and was overly confident, Henry stayed on the sidelines and tried to hide as often as possible.

Anyway, when Charles came along Henry almost saw him as a sort of 'big brother,' and also became attached to him though not nearly as quickly or as hard as he did with william. During the whole Charles-Charlotte thing he kind of stayed off to the side and watched it all happen. He didnt like getting involved with ladies and honestly, he thinks charlotte looked too similar to his own mother. I might as well add on that he ws also extremely jealous of Charles for 'taking williams attention,' but thats not too important other than the fact that he has unresolved attachment issues.

The reason he wants to join the army is mostly because life is boring and he wants purpose, but also he wouldnt have done it if william didnt offer to join first. When he meets hamilton he doesnt mind him, theyre buddies kind of. Though a small disdain grows when he realizes william doesnt like him, and again, he looks up to william so he usually listens to his judgement. This dislike only grows during the laurens fiasco, but like charles, he doesnt HATE hamilton.

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I could rant about william and henrys whole dynamic if i really wanted to, but in short theyre two guys with similar traumas who found comfort in talking to each other !!! Their friendship in general isnt the healthiest, they both are overly dependent on one another with william having unresolved trust issues and henry with unresolved attachment issues but for the most part they arent miserable so thats what matters the most ig?

#im yapping #dolirants #amrev #amrev oc #redcoat alexander au #my ocs <3 #can you tell who i favor #(COUGH henry COUGH william)#sorry charles #i love him tho #charles loves his wife sm:(#left for war:((((#tw long post

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herrmannhalsteadproduction · 6 months

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That Herrmann/Halstead DNA (Chapter One)

Summary: This is Part Twenty-One of my series A Herrmann/Halstead Production. It is an AU where Christopher Herrmann's mom had an affair with Pat Halstead resulting in a baby. The series follows this OC character (Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann) as she grows up and gets to know her brothers and the various Chicago teams. It is very much an AU, just to underscore that. It doesn't follow the same timeline and characters will follow different paths.

Click here for the Series Rundown where you can find the links to read all of the previous installments (which I highly recommend you do so that this one makes sense.)

Rating: Mature

Relationships: Christopher Herrmann & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Original Female Character, Will Halstead & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Will Halstead, Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz/Original Female Character, Will Halstead/Connor Rhodes, Assorted OC Couples

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Major Character Injury, Assault, Stabbing, Gunshot Wounds, Blood and Injury, Whump, Trauma, Eventual Hopeful Ending

Chapter One

Monday, August 24th

***

Mouse

Mouse reached up to cup her face, kissing her one more time. “I want to take you on a real date. Where we’re both on the same page and we both know what it means.”

Bex blushed. “Okay,” she said, leaning into his hand. “When? Tomorrow?”

“Yeah—wait,” Mouse’s face fell. “I promised Jay I’d watch the game with him and—”

“We don’t want to start this with you breaking plans with him,” Bex said, shaking her head and Mouse’s heart warmed at how she got that so completely.

“It wouldn’t feel right,” he agreed.

“Wednesday’s out because of Outdoor Game Night,” she sighed. “I promised Kevin and I want to make sure Sylvie has fun.”

“Thursday?” Mouse asked hopefully.

“I have to work at Molly’s,” Bex said with a rueful laugh. “I promised Chris because he’s got some sort of last hurrah of the summer thing planned with the kids.”

“Friday then.” Mouse crossed his fingers and Bex nodded.

“Friday works for me,” she whispered. “Wow. We’re really doing this.”

“All in,” Mouse said, kissing her once again.

Finally.

***

Tuesday

***

Mouse

Mouse twirled his keys on his finger as he left Jay’s place and headed across the parking lot toward his car. It’d been a good night; just like old times, but better. Lighter.

Keeping their plans had been the right move. Jay was clearly trying to be supportive of Mouse and Bex—to the point that he’d said Bex could come over to watch the game as well, but Mouse hadn’t missed the lightning quick moment of relief that passed over Jay’s face when he’d said no. Or the grin he sported all night.

Not that Mouse could judge. He was sure he had a matching one.

They hadn’t hung out as just the two of them in a while and it settled something in Mouse that he hadn’t realized needed quieting.

So yeah. A good night, all in all.

Mouse hummed to himself as he pulled up at the exit, flipping on his signal to turn right. He paused as a thought hit him.

…a good night, but maybe it could be even better.

He changed his signal and turned left.

***

Bex

“And he said he had a whole speech,” Bex said, finishing up the story of everything Emery had missed last night which she had demanded Bex retell in full detail. “But we didn’t really get to that part.” She grinned at Emery who nodded knowingly.

“Because you were making out against the side of the building!” Will yelled from the kitchen where he and Connor were doing the dishes from dinner.

“For like, five minutes.” Bex rolled her eyes.

“Ten,” Connor called back. “Possibly closer to fifteen!”

“Nice.” Emery held up a hand for a high five which Bex gave her with a sheepish laugh.

“They’re totally exaggerating,” Bex said, before lowering her voice. “It was amazing though.”

“That’s my girl,” Emery cheered. She picked up her wine glass and sat back. “Ugh, I’m so sad I missed it.”

Bex mirrored her position, snuggling down into the couch. “Did you have a good talk with Lexi, though?”

Lexi had been reaching out to Emery lately, wanting to talk through what was hopefully going to be an imminent break-up with her boyfriend. Things hadn’t become 'Ty bad' with him, but it sounded like they were trending that way. Bex was glad Emery was in a place to offer some support to her. (Bex had tried to subtly check a few times to make sure she was okay with it until Emery called her out on it so maybe it hadn’t actually been that subtle.)

“We did, yeah,” Emery said. “She wants to move back home, but there’s some issues she needs to work through with her parents so—” She drew out the last word with a shrug. “They’re all coming over to my place for dinner on Thursday?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Bex leaned forward, eyes wide.

“The offer just popped out!” Emery exclaimed. “They need like, a neutral space with a mediator and I have a kitchen table now so why not?”

“You feel okay getting involved in all of that?” Bex asked, trying not to be to mama chicken-y about the whole thing, but she didn’t want Emery putting herself in a situation where people might turn their frustrations on her.

“Things are way less tense between them than they were. Someone talked a bit of sense into Al, I heard,” Emery said, shooting her a pointed look.

Oh, right. Bex had almost forgotten about that. It felt like so long ago with everything that had gone on since then. Nice to know it had helped though.

“I think a meal to hash things out will help get them on the same page,” Emery continued. “And get Lexi away from that asshole and out of that ridiculous warehouse space she’s living in. Thing is a disaster waiting to happen.”

“You’re a good person,” Bex said, sticking a foot out to nudge at Emery’s leg.

“I know what it’s like to get lost.” Emery said quietly. “If I can help Lexi out of that…I feel like it’ll be good for me too.”

“Who wants tea?” Will called out and both them chorused a ‘yes, please.’

Bex’s phone chimed with a text. She picked it up, smiling when she saw the message. “It’s Mouse,” she said, answering Emery’s questioning look as she typed out a reply. “He’s asking if I’m still up.”

Her phone chimed again.

Her eyebrows flew up as she processed what he’d sent. “He’s downstairs in the parking lot,” Bex said. “Asking if I can come down for a minute.”

“Go, go, go,” Emery urged her off the couch. “This is making up for me missing all the excitement last night.”

Bex shook her head, laughing as she pulled her shoes on and headed downstairs.

***

Mouse

Mouse leaned against his car, cracking his knuckles. A nervous habit Platt was always giving him shit for, but it was the only thing stopping him from getting back in his car at the moment.

Was this too much? Was he coming on too strong?

The sound of the front door opening pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked up to see Bex standing on the front steps, searching the parking lot for him. Her face lit up when she saw him.

…maybe not such a bad idea then.

“Hey,” she said, a little breathless after bounding over to him. He had his arms out and ready as she folded into him. “This is a nice surprise.”

He was helpless against the smile that spread across his face as he looked down at her. “I wanted to say goodnight.”

Bex went perfectly still for a moment before burying her face in his chest. He couldn’t quite make out what she said next, but it sounded like a muffled “Oh, my god, you’re going to kill me.”

Now he was just confused.

“I’m sorry—”

“No! No,” Bex’s head popped back up and she was, thankfully, smiling. “This is perfect. You are amazing.” She laughed. “And apparently romantic as hell which means I’m a little concerned about how I’m supposed to survive until Friday.”

“Would it help if I come say goodnight to you every night?” he teased, pulling her in a little closer.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I see what you’re doing,” she said. Then she leaned in. “And I like it.”

Their lips met and as far as goodnights went, well…Mouse could get used to it.

***

Bex

Bex made her way upstairs somehow; truly a feat considering how dazed she felt.

“We spied on you from the balcony,” Emery announced as soon as Bex came through the door. She ignored the outcry from Connor and Will and shook her head at Bex. “I can’t even tease you right now because that was really freaking romantic.”

“Right?” Bex groaned. She circumvented the couch and lay down on the rug beside Kol. He snorted before shuffling around to snuggle into her side. “Is it possible to die from anticipation? Friday is way too far away, guys, I’m not gonna make it.”

Will and Emery just laughed at her, but Connor, bless his heart, stood up. “I’ll get your tea,” he said. “That’ll help.”

“I love you,” she called after him. “You’re my favourite.” A loud grumble in her ear had her correcting herself. “After Kol.”

“That’s fair!”

“Does that make you three and me four?” Will muttered to Emery. “Or the other way around.”

“Battle it out over Uno?” she suggested.

“Deal.”

***

Wednesday

***

Bex

“So, today is Wednesday,” Bex said as Mouse walked her to her car. “And tomorrow is Thursday.”

“I believe that is how the days of the week go,” Mouse said. “Yes.”

She rolled her eyes and tugged on his hand. “I just want Friday to get here faster.”

“Two more sleeps.” Mouse grinned at her. “Almost there.”

“You should come to Molly’s tomorrow night,” she said. “And help me close. We can send the rest of the staff home early and make out on the bar.”

“Bad influence,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

“That’s not a no,” she whispered against his lips.

Mouse pressed her against the side of her car and kissed her thoroughly. “It’s a yes,” he said, eyes going bright. “And then it’ll only be one more sleep.”

“Aha! A perfect plan.” Bex hugged him. “We’re good at this.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, a note of pleased surprise running through it. “We are.”

***

Thursday

***

Bex

It had been a quiet night. Not many of the regular 51 crew had been in because they all had an early start the next day. Chris had texted her pictures throughout the day and evening of the pre-back-to-school adventure he and Cindy had taken the kids on.

Looked like they’d had a blast.

Now the night was coming to a close. She’d sent the last staff member home ten minutes ago and there was only a few things left to do. Bex was busy counting out the till while her helper made quick work of mopping the floors.

“Hey, Bex,” Mouse said, coming up to the bar after he’d put the mop and bucket away.

“Hey, Mouse,” she said as she put the deposit in the safe and locked it up. She stood and found him leaning against the bar, chewing on his lip. Bex wracked her brain, but she couldn’t think of anything in the last few minutes that could have made him so fretful. “What’s up?”

“I was thinking about this weekend,” he said and she nodded, encouraging him to keep going. “I read about this thing happening down at the park by Jay’s place. It’s, uh, it’s called KidFest? They’re gonna have music and magicians and a bouncy castle and a reptile guy…”

“That sounds like fun,” Bex said, putting away the last of the glasses.

Mouse brightened a little more at that. “Yeah, and uh, I was thinking, you know, it might be something the Herrmann kids would be into? Maybe you and Jay could take them?”

“I think they’d definitely be into that,” Bex agreed. She came around the bar to perch on the stool beside him. “I’ll talk to Chris.”

He grinned—ridiculously, adorably pleased with himself.

“We’ll see if Connor and Will and Emery want to come too,” she said.

“W-we?” Mouse stammered out.

“Duh,” Bex laughed. “You think I’m gonna let you miss out on the reptile guy?”

Mouse ducked his head as he huffed out a laugh. “I didn’t want to assume…”

“As long as you’re okay with it,” Bex said, hooking her fingers into his belt loops to pull him closer. “I think it’d be a lot of fun if you came too.”

“Count me in, then,” he said.

“Excellent.” She took a quick look around the bar before facing him again. “Well, I think we covered everything on the closing list,” she said. “Except for that one thing…that we discussed…”

She saw the moment it clicked and his eyes went wide as he remembered yesterday’s discussion. “Wouldn’t want to leave the list unfinished,” he said, leaning in for a kiss.

They ended up crossing that item off pretty thoroughly.

***

Friday

***

Bex

Bex leaned against the counter, sipping at her cup of coffee. It wasn’t her favourite thing, but she needed the caffeine after her late night.

Her totally worth it late night.

Footsteps shuffled down the hall and she reached up to pull another mug down to set beside the coffee machine. She turned back to the doorway just in time to see Connor wander in…

Wearing nothing but his boxer briefs.

Bex snorted. “Uh, good morning?”

“Morning,” Connor yawned, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. Bex waited a beat and then—there it was—Connor froze as he made eye contact with her.

She raised an eyebrow, grinning at him over the rim over her mug. “You, sir, are in your underwear.”

Connor slowly, so slowly, looked down at himself and then back at her. “I am,” he said evenly as he very carefully covered himself with his arms. The deer in headlights look had yet to fade.

Silence stretched between them.

“Sooooooo, are you planning on changing that situation or would you like me to just move out of the way of the coffee?” Bex asked.

One more beat and then Connor seemed to come back to himself. “Ah, no, I’m, uh, I’m good,” he rambled as he began to scoot backwards out of the room. “I’m just gonna—” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder before escaping out into the living room.

Bex giggled to herself as she heard his steps moving rapid back to Will’s bedroom.

***

Will

“Stop laughing,” Connor demanded as he pulled a shirt over his head.

Will would if he could, but every time he tried, he could hear Bex giggling as she got her shoes on and it would set him off all over again.

“This is your fault,” Connor hissed at him. “I wouldn’t be so tired if you hadn’t—”

Oh, right. It was kind of his fault. Will smirked and Connor almost smiled back before catching himself. He shook a stern finger at Will.

“No,” he said. “Don’t even start.”

“Okay, I’m leaving!” Bex called out. “Bye, Kol! Bye, Will! Bye, Dr. Handsome McUnderpants!”

Connor groaned and faceplanted onto the bed.

“Don’t wait up tonight because I have a daa-aaaa-te!” she sang. They heard the sound of the front door closing and then there was silence.

“Hey, Dr. McUnderpants,” Will said. Connor didn’t lift his head, but he did raise his hand to give Will the finger.

“You forgot Handsome,” he said into the sheets.

Will laughed and flopped down beside him on the bed. He reached out to stroke a hand through Connor’s hair. “We don’t have to be a work for awhile,” he continued. “Why don’t you let me make it up to you?”

There was no response for a couple of seconds and then Connor shifted, tilting his face enough to squint up at Will. “…I’m listening.”

***

Bex

Her shift at the diner had been pleasantly relaxed and flew by before she knew it. Bex was heading out to her car when she pulled out her phone to check for new messages.

None.

She frowned down at it. She’d left a few for Chris, explaining Mouse’s idea, and she knew he was at work, but usually he’d have texted her back by now. Pausing beside her car, she called him.

It went straight to voice mail.

If he was on a call that had lasted this long, she’d have heard about it by now. That kind of thing made the news. She shook her head. He probably turned his phone off somehow. Dork.

Only one thing for it.

There was plenty of time before her volunteer shift to swing by and bother him in person. She stopped off at one of her favourite bakeries on the way to grab a load of donuts. Full mouths meant less opportunities to interrogate her about her date tonight.

She went back inside for an extra dozen, just to be safe.

The station was calm when Bex pulled up. Kelly and the Squad guys spotted her pulling the boxes of donuts out of her car and rushed out to help her.

“These are for everyone,” she said sternly, staring down Capp who somehow had already managed to stuff a whole donut? Into his mouth?

“Mmf-hmm,” he mumbled, passing the second donut in his hand over to a happy Tony. She shook her head. Goofballs.

Bex herded them toward the break room and made sure they were actually sharing before cornering Chris.

“Hey, Bex!” he said, grabbing her up in a bear hug. “Didn’t know you’d be stopping by today!”

“Well, apparently, texting and calling wasn’t going to work so I thought I’d try this before carrier pigeon,” she laughed.

“You called me?” he frowned, digging his phone out of his pocket. It was on, but he had no notifications. “Stupid thing’s been on the fritz all week,” he complained as he poked at the screen. It flickered a few times before going dark. “Aw, crap.”

“Time for a new one,” she said, clapping him on the shoulder when he groaned. “I’ll let Cindy know to call the station if she needs to get in touch with you.”

“Oh, heck, Cindy!” His head flew up as he gripped the phone in his hands. “What if she’s tried to call? What if—”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Bex said, pulling her own phone out of her bag and unlocking it. “Call her on mine and let her know yourself. This way you can do a check in too.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Chris said, pressing a kiss to her cheek before heading into the bunk room to make his call.

She turned around to find the rest of the gang staring at her as they munched on their donuts.

“So, Bex,” Kelly said, giving her a shit-eating grin around a mouthful of dough. “Ready for your big date tonight?”

***

Kim

“Burgess,” Voight jerked his head to the side, motioning for her to come over.

“Yeah, sarge?” She stepped over and leaned in when he did.

��What the hell’s up with Mouse?” he murmured. “He seems more squirrelly than usual.”

She followed his gaze to where Mouse was talking rapidly to the rest of the team, gesturing animatedly as he demonstrated something on a radio.

He did seem to be stuck on fast forward a bit. What—oh. Right.

“Um,” Kim began, trying to figure out how to explain this to her boss. “I think he’s just excited?”

“About?” Voight asked flatly.

“He has a date tonight?” She winced internally. This was so not a conversation she wanted to be having. “With Bex? It’s kind of been a long time coming and I think—”

“That’s enough,” Voight said, cutting her off with a wave of his hand. “I get the picture.” He watched Mouse again for a moment, the side of his lips quirking up slightly. Then he saw her watching and frowned at her. “Get Platt to find him something to do in the basement,” he bit out. “He’s distracting the team.”

“On it, sir,” she said, whirling around.

Once he was back in his office, she grabbed her phone and shot off a text. Maybe they could try calming him down before exiling him.

***

Bex

Bex finally managed to make her excuses and escape the many questions getting thrown at her by saying she had to make it to Med for her volunteer shift.

Which was true!

But she’d also received a text on her phone that she needed to look into first and there was no way she was telling them about this little side trip. It’d would instantly be added to the list of things she never heard the end of. They loved having a backlog of things to tease her about.

So ridiculous.

She loved it.

Bex bopped along to the radio as she drove over to the precinct. She found a spot close to the front under a nice tree and grabbed her phone to text Mouse.

Hey! Are you able to take a quick break? I’m outside.

Bex got her answer when a minute later, he appeared at the front door, zeroing in on her right away. He jogged over with a goofy smile on his face.

“What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you, very happy in fact, this is a nice surprise,” he said, words tumbling out one after another. “But it is a surprise. A nice, happy, surprise—”

“I was at 51,” Bex said, gently cutting off his ramble. “I had to track down Chris because his phone isn't working and I wanted to tell him about your KidsFest idea. He thinks it'll be fun and he's going to talk to Cindy about it."

"Oh," Mouse said with a pleased hum. "That's good."

"Yeah, it is," Bex agreed before she slipped in the next bit. "While I was there, I also got a text from Kim. Apparently, you’re a little high energy for Sergeant Voight today and he's trying to figure out how to stick you in the basement?”

Mouse blushed, ducking his head. “I might be, uh, a little excited?”

“Hey,” Bex wrapped her arms around his waist, tilting her head to catch his eyes. “You’re not the only one. I’m excited too.”

“Yeah?” He bit his lip as he smiled.

“Yes!” Bex exclaimed. “I’m ridiculously excited, you know that.” She gave him a squeeze. “It was kind of nice hearing you were too and then I also thought, maybe I could help you burn off a bit of that excess energy so you can get through the rest of your shift.”

“Oh, really?” Mouse raised an eyebrow at her. “How do you propose we do that?”

“Like this.” Bex leaned in and captured his lips with hers. Mouse made a happy little noise as he deepened the kiss, walking them back to press her against her car.

They broke apart a moment later. “Better?” Bex asked.

Mouse shook his head, dipping down for another, longer one.

“Gerwitz!” A voice yelled and they looked over to see Al stopped at the front stairs. He stared at Mouse and jerked a thumb back at the building. “What are you doing? Come on!”

“Break’s over,” Bex laughed, patting Mouse on the chest. “You should probably get back in there.”

“Yeah,” Mouse sighed. He squeezed her hand and turned away before groaning and whirling back around. “One more,” he said, reeling her in and giving her a searing kiss before letting her go. “Okay. Now I’m going.”

“Bye,” Bex said faintly, another laugh slipping out as she touched her fingers to her lips. “See you tonight.”

“Yeah, you will.” Mouse grinned at her over his shoulder as he headed back inside.

Oh, goodness.

Bex shook her head as she walked around to the driver’s seat.

That was—

Wow.

Okay.

Focus, Bex. Children. Volunteer time.

“I am in trouble with that man,” she sang to herself as she started the car.

Really, excellent trouble.

***

Trudy

“What’s the matter with you?” Trudy asked Al as he stalked by her desk.

“Too many things,” he said vaguely. “Keep seeing ‘em and knowing ‘em. All the things.” He shook his head as he made a beeline upstairs.

She couldn’t decide where exactly that statement fell on the Olinsky scale of weirdness. Then a thoroughly mussed-up Mouse came through the door and that answered her question better than Al had.

“Hey, Sarge,” he beamed at her and she held up a finger.

“Don’t want to hear about it,” she said. “Don’t want to know about it. Don’t want to perceive it in any way.”

He made a zipper motion across his suspiciously reddened lips.

Uh-hunh.

She grabbed a stack of files that Burgess had dumped on her desk a few minutes ago. “Project for you,” she said, handing them over to him. “Voight wants you to track down and compile CCTV footage for these cases.”

“Still banished, hunh?” he sighed. Then he hugged the files to himself, a crooked little smile flitting across his face. “Worth it.”

She watched as he headed downstairs and shook her head.

Be a miracle if they all made it to five o’ clock.

***

Bex

Bex hurried down the hall, her guitar case bouncing against her back. She’d had a great shift with the kids—almost too great considering she’d stayed later than she meant to. It was already four-thirty, but she still had time to get home and get beautified.

Thank goodness Emery was going to come over and help with her make-up.

She spotted Dr. Abrams walking down the hall toward her and waved at him. “What’s shaking, Dr. A?”

He grimaced. “Ms. Herrmann—”

“We’ll ditch it,” she said, holding her hands up. “I was just trying it out. Still trying to figure out nicknames to distinguish between you and my other friend, Sam.”

“Might I suggest Dr. Abrams as my nickname?” he said dryly.

“Don’t come crying to me then when Other Sam gets the cool nickname,” Bex said.

“I shall strive to contain myself,” he said, pursing his lips, but she saw them twitching as he walked off.

Yeah, she was still gonna work on a nickname for him. He’d love it.

In that very seriously pretending he hated it kind of way.

She started running through options in her brain and nearly ran straight into Connor when she turned the next corner. “Hey!”

“Hey yourself!” he said with a grin.

Bex looked down and pointed. “Look at that! Pants! What a concept!”

“Okay, shush please,” he said, slicing a hand through the air. “I just got Will to stop calling me Dr. McUnderpants.”

“Has he been leaving off the Handsome?” Bex asked, offended.

“Yes!” Connor said, equally affronted.

“So rude,” they both said.

Connor laughed, leaning against the wall. “All done with your shift?” he asked. “Going to get ready for the big date?”

“Yes, and yes,” Bex said. “Speaking of, I’m glad I ran into you. I need a favour.”

“I’m listening,” he said, shifting to face her, curious now.

“Would you, without asking any follow up questions whatsoever, please agree to take Will and Kol back to your place tonight and leave the apartment empty?” Bex clasped her hands in front of her and batted her lashes. “Pretty please?”

“I—” His eyes were shining with mischief and Bex braced herself for some serious revenge teasing. “—already made plans with Will to do that so the apartment is yours.”

Wait. What?

“A gift,” he said, holding his hand against his heart. “From Dr. Handsome McUnderpants to you.”

Bex laughed and leaned in to give him a kiss on his cheek. “Never forget the Handsome.”

“Never,” Connor agreed. His pager beeped. “I gotta go,” he said, giving her a quick hug. “Don’t forget to use protection—”

“Connor!”

“Make good choices! Bye!”

And then he was gone. Bex shook her head, laughing. Then she caught a glimpse at the time.

“Oh, crap!”

She hustled out to the parking lot, stuffing her guitar in the backseat and checking her phone as she got into the front. One missed call. She didn’t recognize the number either. Probably spam.

Her phone started ringing in her hand and that number she recognized. “Hey, Em,” she said, putting it on speaker as she started up her car.

“Hey, Bex,” Emery’s voice sounded weird. It had Bex’s spidey senses tingling.

“What’s up?” she asked, pulling out of her spot and heading toward the exit. “Everything okay?”

“I just—I need someone to talk me down,” Emery said, choking out a little laugh. “I know I’m being ridiculous.”

“Tell me,” Bex prompted.

“I think—I know I couldn’t have, but I swear I saw Ty today,” Emery said. “It was outside the coffee shop by my work. I saw him as I was walking and stopped because it threw me. It couldn’t have been him, right? I turned around and looked closer, but whoever it was had already moved on. And that’s—like, it couldn’t have been him, right, Bex? He’s in jail. We would know if he wasn’t, wouldn’t we? Would Jay know? I just—”

“Hey, hey,” Bex said softly, trying to curb the stream of panic coming through her phone. “Listen, I’m sure he’s still in jail, but I don’t blame you for being freaked out for seeing someone who looked like him.” And as sure as she was, Bex wasn’t about to take any chances. “How about I call Jay and ask him to double check?”

“Would he do that?” Emery asked, voice small.

“Absolutely,” Bex said. She wasn’t going to give him a chance to say he couldn’t. “Where are you now?”

“Uh, I’m done, I’m done for the day so I was heading home,” Emery said.

“Okay, that’s good.” Bex changed her course and started that way herself. “I’ll come too, but when you get there, go inside and make sure you turn on the alarm. I’ll call you when I’m there. And I’ll call you if I get an answer from Jay before then.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Emery said. She still sounded shaky, but not as bad as before. “Thank you.”

“That’s what we do, Em,” she said. “Always remember that.”

“Thank you anyway,” Emery said. “Love you. See you soon.”

“Love you too.” Her phone beeped as Emery hung up and Bex called Jay at the first red light she hit. It took him a few rings to pick up, but luckily, he did.

“Hey, Bex,” he said. “What’s up?”

She explained the situation as quickly as she could and what she needed him to do. “Is there a way you can check on it?” she asked. “Just to make sure? I think it would help Emery feel better. She sounded really freaked out.”

“Yeah, of course,” Jay said. “I’ll find out right now. Call you back in a sec.”

“Okay, good.” Bex breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Jay.”

“No problem.”

He hung up and Bex kept making her way toward Emery’s place. Traffic was annoying slow, but typical for this time of day. She urged everyone to move faster.

“Come on.”

The sooner she got there, the better.

***

Emery

Emery pulled into her driveway and grabbed her bag before getting out of her car. She took a quick look around as she headed up the front walk, but her neighbourhood was quiet.

No one lurking around as far as she could see.

She let out a shaky breath. See? It was fine. Ty was in jail.

There was nothing to worry about.

Emery hurried up her front steps and unlocked the door. As she opened it, someone stepped up behind her and pushed her inside. Emery tripped, but managed to keep her feet and whirled around to see Ty standing there.

Ty.

He looked taller than she remembered. Bigger. The lines of him had gone taut since she’d last since him, making him look sharper.

But his eyes…they were exactly the same.

“Hey, baby,” he said, a cold light glinting in them as he took a step toward her. “Missed you.”

***

Bex

Bex was almost at Emery’s when her phone rang again.

“Jay?”

“Bex, where are you?” Jay’s voice was tight.

“Pulling up to Emery’s place,” she said. “Why?”

“Ty got out of prison this morning,” he said and Bex’s stomach dropped.

“What? How—”

“Something about overcrowding,” Jay spat out. “There's a delay in the system and the message to us got lost. They should have friggin' let us know—that's not the issue right now." He huffed out a breath. "Ty’s supposed to have an ankle monitor, but it’s showing that he was at his place of residence all day so he’s tampered with it somehow. They don't know where he is.”

“Oh, my god,” Bex said as she parked her car and got out. “Emery.”

“Bex, wait!” Jay said sharply. “Just wait. Stay in your car or something. I’ll get the closest patrol car over there and I’m gonna head out too, but I don’t want you walking into something—”

“Her car is here,” Bex said, already heading up the front walk. “She has an alarm system and I told her I was going to come. I can’t leave her alone, Jay—”

She stopped short on the front porch, breath catching at what she saw. Jay was calling her name and she brought the phone back up to her ear. “Jay,” Bex whispered. “The door is open.” She stared at the little crack that might as well be a wide open door because Emery would never—

“Bex, go back to your car,” Jay demanded. “Right now.”

“No, I can’t—”

“Do not go in there—”

Emery was alone. She could be hurt. Bex couldn’t let her be either of those things.

She took a careful step forward, ignoring Jay’s shouts coming from the phone, and pushed the door open.

***

Jay

“Bex. Bex! God-fucking-dammit, Bex, answer me!”

The team stood silently around him as he yelled into his phone, trying desperately to get Bex to tell him what was happening.

Her startled gasp had him gripping it tight.

“Oh, my god, Emery.” There was a clatter and Bex sounded further away. She must have dropped the phone. “Emery, oh, my god, oh, my god.”

“Bex,” he yelled again before turning to Hailey. “We need to get an ambulance and a patrol car over there now.” He rattled off the address and she nodded, picking up her own phone.

“Jay.”

His head whipped back to his own phone. Bex.

“I’m here,” he said. “I’m sending help.” Jay hunted around for his keys. “I’m coming.” He found them and thundered down the stairs, the rest of the team on his heels.

***

Bex

There was so much blood. Oh, god, so much blood. Bex didn’t have enough hands. Emery was on the floor of her living room, barely conscious, face bruised, and bleeding out of at least three stab wounds.

Bex had stripped off the t-shirt she’d been wearing over her tank top and had ripped it in two. She’d been trying to stop the bleeding, but it was already soaked through in red.

“I’m sending help. I’m coming,” Jay said and all Bex could do was whimper in response.

Not fast enough. No one was going to be fast enough.

“Be—” Emery gurgled at her.

“I’m here,” Bex said, leaning over to make eye contact, making sure Emery could see her. “I’m here, you’re going to be okay, I promise. I’m here.”

Emery’s mouth moved again and Bex shushed her. “It’s okay, don’t try to talk,” she said. “Just breathe.” Please.

Please.

“Ty,” Emery got out.

Of course, it was. The fucking bastard.

Bex was going to kill him.

Once she found him.

Once Emery was okay.

She had to be okay.

“Here,” Emery gasped. “Here.”

Bex shook her head, not sure what Emery was trying to say.

Then the door to the living room creaked and it sunk in.

Ty.

Was still here.

***

Jay

Jay was rushing past Platt’s desk when Bex started talking again.

“Ty.”

He stopped short, yelling for everyone to shut up.

“Ty,” Bex repeated. “Please. Put the knife down."

Oh, no. God, no.

"Just plea—no!”

Bex's scream echoed through the silent room.

Click here to read Chapter Two. Click here to read Chapter Three. Click here to read Chapter Four. Click here to read Chapter Five. Click here to read Chapter Six. Click here to read Chapter Seven.

Click here to read That Herrmann/Halstead DNA on ao3:

And here is the tag list (let me know if you wish to be added or removed):

@sorry-i-spaced, @iunnowatuwant, @thegirlwhowishedeveryonelived, @ivyalmighty, @thewannabewriter, @lexhalstead3, @multifandomgrl08, @foxes-and-cats, @sensitivemallysix, @thebewingedjewelcat, @emme-looou,

#a herrmann/halstead production #one chicago #chicago fire #chicago pd #chicago med #rebecca 'bex' herrmann #jay halstead #oc character #will halstead #christopher herrmann #greg “mouse” gerwitz x original female character #greg “mouse” gerwitz #greg gerwitz #whump #hurt/comfort #trauma #whump fic

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deseon · 6 days

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A probably obvious theory SPOILERS DON'T NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T FINSEHD OR DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED YOU BEEN WARNED

While I was playing slay the princess I was on the specter chapter the part where the Spector possessed us there was rather interesting character interaction between specter and narrator how his tone was visibly angry and aggressive towards her but one thing that specter said that was interesting was "maybe the bossy one doesn't actually hates me maybe he even likes me or maybe he just know that he been in the wrong. maybe he trying to make to make amends too" after he just keep reiterating how much he hates her. as all of us may know and spoilers if you didn't know the shifting mounds and the long quiet was once one entity until there was split into two and the echo if I remember correctly pretty much a clone of what the original form of us the player was(I could be wrong feel free to correct me on that).

my theory is that the reason why the original entity split and why the echo was urging to kill the princess has two meanings A. He want to stop the cycle of life and death and B. He want to kill the concept of love as the game says in the beginning it a love story. Reason why he want to also do option B is due to fact that original form of echo gone through a breakup ,cheating, or death of his lover and out of depression and anger he split himself into two rid concept of love itself or the original entity being deity is living embodiment love itself in a world where love dwindles and finally it splits itself into thinking that concept of love is a mistake.

if we can go the more human angle mentioned that original form split himself due to an issue with his lover. shifting mounds probably represented his side capable of love and that took the form to the original entity lover or something closer to her. so when the specter more or less avatar the of the shifting mounds and the echo is last will of the original form interacted specter probably had some form of PTSD interaction with her directly reason why he got visibly irritated with interacting with her. also the specter specifically mention that the narrator was more alike to her she never mention that to us being similar to her probably due to the fact the ehco is a shadow of complete form of the player character so he seem more to familiar her than us.

I probably ramble and add a lot of run on sentences I'm probably reaching but I just wanted to share this.

#slay the princess #dark fantasy #video games

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a-small-batch-of-dragons · 6 months

Text

Protector: An Offer

Hi! I loooove Protector and if you're down for it, I'd be really looking forward to read more on Virgil's trauma from before and to see the others try to help him (or even just the angst of having to see the trauma without been able to help little Virgil in the past) If you're not interested it's okay! Thank you so much anyway for this story, I really really love it <3 Have a nice day! – amynastre

Aaaaaaaa I just read the new chapter of Protector and it's so good! In this house we love Virgil being a badass and him flustering the five at the end? Beautiful. Just beautiful. And the Aspen witch! They're friends! it's so sweet! I have to ask, why was the Aspen Witch so desperate to get the wurling locket to Bonnie? ALSO: Hi, I'm rereading Protector again and am wondering what kind of magic users The Five are. Warlocks, wizards, witches, something else, a combination? Also, why did Logan want to copy that specific book that Virgil had?– twoalpacas

Read on Ao3 Masterlist

Warnings: offscreen child death in a flashback, PTSD

Pairings: analogical, briefly

Word Count: 3961

Virgil's outside, working in his garden, when he hears footsteps approaching. Keeping his right arm relaxed and the garden trowel snugly against his thigh, he casually glances towards the crate full of seedlings. What he sees in the reflection of the metal gives him pause, before he turns and frowns.

"Bonnie."

"Hello? Oh, it is you!" Bonnie, the young woman from the village that is decidedly not the one that's within comfortable walking distance, stops a few paces away. "Virgil, right?"

Virgil doesn't say anything, just glances around. It's not out of the question that Bonnie was able to find him—well, find him and get here are two different things—but he did piss off two remarkably powerful magic users the last time they spoke, so he's not just going to assume that this is mere coincidence or good fortune that she's managed to be here, talking to him right now.

"Uh, unless you just happen to look the same as the person I met a while ago?"

"What is it you want?" he asks, not unkindly.

"I was—well, right now I'd really like to make sure I'm talking to the right person."

He cracks a smile as he stands, brushing a bit of dirt from his gloves as he tucks the trowel away. "I am the person who spoke with you behind the inn, that's correct."

Bonnie's shoulders visibly slump and his brain takes that moment to remind him that yes, in fact, their villages are quite a ways away from each other and it's not as though she's just made it here in one day. He takes another glance around, just to make sure she's not been followed by any means—magical or otherwise—before he indicates the small stool near to where she's standing.

"Have a seat."

"Wha—oh, thank you." She sits, wincing, and he finds himself slowly shaking his head. "What? Was I not supposed to sit on the stool?"

"No, that's not—Bonnie," he says, reaching for another seedling, "how long have you traveled to get here?"

"Several days, why?"

He glances at the distinct lack of a pack on her person. "Did you perhaps leave the rest of your belongings down at the inn?"

"What do you mean, 'the rest of my belongings?'"

He gives himself a shake. He is not lecturing this person on proper travel precautions, that is not his job, he is going to ask what she wants, decide whether to fulfill the terms of her request—which he's sure she has, he's done this too long to not know what someone's I need something disposition looks like—and bid her good day. "I made an assumption, it was in error. My apologies."

She waves her hand. "I, um, wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?"

"For what you did." Bonnie shifts, her hand fiddling with something under her cloak. "For delivering the…thing from the, uh, other person and for dealing with…them. Not the—not the original person, but the other people that, um—"

"You do not need to thank me," Virgil interrupts, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "but they are appreciated."

"How do you talk like that all the time?"

"Practice."

"It's so tiring."

"Yes," he chuckles, "indeed it is. Which is why I don't tend to put myself voluntarily in situations where it's necessary."

He sets down the seedling, pulling off his gloves and tucking them into the crate. He Inclines his head towards the door and Bonnie scrambles up, following him up the stairs and into the house. He shuts the door and invites her to sit at the table, going to the cabinet and taking down two mugs. As he does, something flickers outside the window.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, please."

"Any preference?"

"You sound like me," she laughs, "do you have tea?"

"I do." He reaches for the blend given to him by the apothecary, setting it on the table for her to look at. "Is that fine?"

"I've never had this kind of tea before," Bonnie says as he sets some water to boil, "where did you get it?"

"Around." He sits at the table across from her, watching as she shakes the tea around to see all the different components. "Why else did you come here, Bonnie?"

Her expression twists in surprise. "What makes you think I'm here for something else?"

He doesn't respond. After another moment, she sags, putting the tea down almost sheepishly. She steels herself and his brow furrows slightly as she draws herself up.

"I come to ask for a favor."

"I'm not a magic user," he says softly, "you don't need to speak overly carefully with me if you don't want to."

"How did you—" he gestures around and she huffs— "right. You've, uh, you've done this a lot. I, um, I did come to ask for a favor."

"What is it?"

"I want you to train me."

Virgil blinks. And blinks. And blinks again. She wants him to do what?

"I'm not trying to be an adventurer," she adds when she sees him visibly react to that, "I just—I want to be able to defend myself and the inn if necessary."

"There are village guards," Virgil says, "there are soldiers that oversee the protection of the villages at large. There is quite a significant coven presence in your village as well."

"Yeah, I know, why do you think I'm asking?"

"And there are also adventurers that are likely much closer and much more adapted to the terrain of your village and its surrounding areas," he continues, "that doesn't explain why you've come here."

"The Aspen Witch trusts you," Bonnie says, "and so I trust you."

If I'm really going to train you, then the first thing we're going over is what is really dangerous to say to someone you haven't vetted personally.

Virgil takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. The water boils off and he stands, going to pour and steep the tea. The steam curling off the kettle touches his hands and he goes to—

"I want to be just like you!" the boy cries, swinging a wooden—

Nope, no thank you, not today.

He turns, setting the mugs down on the table. "I don't think I'm the right person for this favor."

"Why not?"

He starts to list all the reasons he just said but Bonnie interrupts him with a hard glare. "You're lying. Why don't you think you're the right person?"

He raises an eyebrow, more impressed than anything else, but she seems to take it as a chide because she's lowering her head and curling in on herself slightly. He stops. He looks down at his hand. He turns it over, looking at the calluses and the recently-healed skin. The one patch of dusty pink where the steam had warmed him.

They sit there for a long while.

"The tea should be ready," Virgil says, finally breaking the silence, getting up to remove the leaves. Bonnie mumbles a quiet thanks as he passes back her mug.

"This is good."

"Honey or sugar? I don't have any fresh milk."

"No, this is fine." She takes another drink, cradling the warm mug to her chest. "Would it, um, would it help if I explained why I think you're the right person?"

He gestures with his mug for her to go ahead and she sits up a little more.

"You're right. Our villages are far away from each other. And still you're the one the Aspen Witch asked to deliver the package. You didn't accept any sort of repayment from me because you said that your contract wasn't with me. And then when my life was in danger, you still went out of your way to help me. I don't—if I hadn't known what to say, I don't know what would've happened to me."

I would have protected you, he thinks but doesn't say.

"And then you went and saved the Aspen Witch too. Don't look surprised—" he was quite careful to make sure he didn't, thank you— "the twins came back and they were—it was obvious, okay? Look, my point is that you're obviously good at the whole adventurer business, but you're kind about it. You're not…I've met other adventurers. They're not all…what stories would have us believe."

Oh, Virgil knows. He knows damn well what most adventurers are like, especially the kind that would frequent the inns that Bonnie works in. "I can't speak on behalf of the rest of my profession, but—"

"But you're not like that," Bonnie finishes, "you're—you're good."

If I'm training you, the next thing I'm teaching you is that it's not that simple.

He takes a drink of his own tea, letting the relaxing blend do its work, before he sighs. "Bonnie, I'm…flattered, really, but I don't…there are other ways to defend yourself and your inn."

Bonnie stares at him for a moment before she puts the mug on the table. "You know what a wulring locket is."

It's not a question. "Yes."

"Do you know why I asked the Aspen Witch to make me one? My contract was not with you and the terms have been fulfilled, yes, yes, I know," she interrupts when Virgil opens his mouth, "but you're not a magic user, as you said."

"…I did say that, yes."

Bonnie reaches into the folds of her clothing and pulls out the locket, looped securely around her own neck. She looks down at it in the palm of her hand and something flickers across her expression. Virgil gives her the time she needs to put her words in order.

"When I was younger," she says, "there was another person who worked in the inn with me. She was…special."

Her fingers brush the surface of the locket.

"The lord's son came of age and he was—" she swallows and her voice grows thick with bitterness— "in his infinite generosity, his father gifted him the right to have any wife he desired."

Virgil has a terrible idea of where this is going.

"Their wedding happened and I couldn't even go," Bonnie whispers, "and I've—then the twins came and the coven took over and the lord—" her breath hitches— "their estate went up in flames two moons ago."

Oh.

"My condolences," he murmurs.

Bonnie nods, sniffling slightly, and he passes over a handkerchief. She pats almost angrily at her face and gives it back. "You've never worked in a tavern before, have you?"

It startles a laugh out of him. "No, I can't say that I have."

"You don't know what it's like, then," she continues, "to have to figure out just how likely someone is to swipe at your skirt or try and drag you upstairs. But you have to sell and people who ask for one drink will likely end up ordering more. Or you have to change the sheets and you have to know who you can tell so they don't tell someone else. Or how it feels to know when to lie and say that someone isn't there."

Virgil inclines his head.

"I know you think I haven't thought this through or that I'm being rash," and a bit of irritation comes into her voice, "but I'm not asking to be like you. I'm not asking to be able to fight or be able to do any of that. But no one at the inn knows how to be safe around magic users and I'm not losing anyone else because no one knew how to turn someone away."

"If you have taken my hesitation as a condemnation or judgment of you or your character," he says quietly, "then I owe you an apology, Bonnie. It's not—well, it's not entirely because of who you are or why you've come that I'm not eager to train you. It's…my own experience."

Before she can ask what experience he's talking about, he stands and goes to the cabinet again.

"Would I be wrong to assume you haven't had anything to eat in a while?"

"…I'm a little hungry."

"I'm afraid I'm not an inn," he says, allowing her laugh and his own self-deprecating smile, "but I can offer you some bread and cheese."

"That's just fine, thank you."

He hums, taking the loaf of bread down and rinsing his hands quickly before beginning to prepare two plates. In the reflection of one of the hanging metal pots, he sees Bonnie start looking around, glancing back at him every so often to check that his back is still turned. He smiles again to himself. "See something interesting?"

She jumps, a little guilty, before she points at a shelf. "What are those for?"

He turns, following her finger to his collection of books. "Research, mostly."

"What do you have to research?"

"If I'm going somewhere I haven't been, or if I'm to encounter something I'm unfamiliar with, then I do research beforehand so I'm not going in blind."

"But if you don't know what it is or what it's going to be, then how could you already have a book on it?"

"It normally comes in the form of a creature I don't recognize or some sort of enchantment or spell," he says as he carries the plates back over, "those cover more than you'd think."

Bonnie accepts the bread and cheese. The wind blows through the house through the open window, smelling slightly of rain. A storm, then, he'll have to make sure all of his seedlings are planted and covered before then.

As he eats, he lets his mind consider the possibility of teaching Bonnie. Granted, she isn't asking to be an adventurer, she's not asking him to teach her how to fight, just how to be smart around magic users. He could give her the basics in less than a few days—alright, he's adding in the basic protections too, she's not asking directly for those, but he's got his own goddamn standards, so he's going to make that work too—and most of the things he'd be teaching would be easy to replicate. Plus, it never hurts to teach someone how to keep themselves safe.

There was the idea that maybe a magic user would see that they were prepared, and might take it as a challenge or up the ante, but he would be teaching her how to be smart about it too. And there was always the odds that some adventurer would get the wrong idea and—well, now he's spiraling and that's not fair to either of them.

"Stop!" he yells but the boy's already running—

He holds the hot mug a little tighter and it grounds him. He takes a deep breath and folds his hands.

"Why did you choose to tell me about the wulring locket?"

Bonnie swallows her mouthful. "Because you knew what it was when they pulled it out, and you, well, you did risk a lot to deliver it. It felt fair."

He shakes his head. "Dangerous."

"What do you mean, 'dangerous?'"

"Magic users will exploit your preconceived ideas of fairness if you let them. It's fine that you did it with me—and I'm honored you shared it with me," he says, gentling his voice, "but unless you know the person won't take advantage of it, be very careful about what you choose to do based on what you think is fair."

"That seems like a tough way to live."

"Very good way not to die."

Bonnie wrinkles her nose and he chuckles. "All finished?"

"Yes, it was good, thank you. Oh, please," she says when he goes to deal with the dishes, "let me?"

"What did I just say about fairness?"

"That it's fine when I do it with you."

He narrows his eyes and she grins, before deftly taking the plates from his hands and going to the sink. He shakes his head, watching her clean and dry before turning around and reaching into her pocket. "What are you doing?"

"Getting…coin?"

"You don't have to pay for tea and a simple plate of food, Bonnie."

"Oh, I meant for…" She pulls out a tiny sack of coin. "For the, um, teaching."

He just barely resists the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Agree upon the terms of the contract before you produce payment."

"Have we not…agreed?"

"Not in firm terms and not enough to where you'd be safe from any sort of loophole or twist if I so desired to take it," he says as he stands up and covers her hand. She looks up at him, confused. "I'm not charging you for this, Bonnie."

"But you just said—"

"Save your coin for yourself," he cuts her off, not unkindly, "the contract I propose is this: I will give you basic instruction on how to keep yourself safe and out of unsuspecting bargains with magic users, and in return, you will accompany me on a visit to the Aspen Witch."

Several things flicker across her expression at once, before pink glows from the tips of her ears. "The Aspen Witch? Why?"

Virgil doesn't say anything.

"Is this—" she gestures between them— "part of it? Something about asking questions?"

The corner of his mouth tugs up again when she sighs.

"Yes, alright, I, um, I agree to the terms of the contract. Do we…shake hands?"

"We don't have to." He nods to her pocket and she puts her coin away. "Go back to the village—I'm guessing they told you where I was?"

"Yeah, the tavern owner did."

"Go back there and find the house with the red door. Tell them I sent you and you're looking to stay for a few days."

"Wait, they'll just let me stay? Why?" He gives her another look. "Fine, fine, alright, I'm going."

She nearly makes it to the door before she turns back.

"Thank you," she says quietly, bowing her head, "I…I really appreciate it."

He nods back. "Go on, now. There's a storm coming."

He opens the door for her and watches her trek down the hill toward the village. He waits until she's vanished from sight to sigh and tug on his gloves again.

"Were you going to tell me she was coming?"

Logan steps somewhat sheepishly out from behind the corner of the house. "I was intending to, yes, but we—I might have underestimated the time required to do so."

"Remind me to teach her how to detect scrying spells, then." He reaches for the seedling and places it in the hole. "Did you need something else?"

"You seemed hesitant to train her," Logan says, coming to crouch near the crate, "can I ask why?"

"I can't stop you from asking, no."

"Will you answer?"

He huffs a laugh. "I've managed to go most of my life without people asking questions of me, why have you all decided to start now?"

"Bonnie is curious by nature and appreciates knowing things," Logan says, "as is a good characteristic of any innkeep. And I care about you."

Virgil's hands stutter slightly as he reaches for the next seedling, looking up. Logan stares back at him, all soft sincerity and genuine concern. He looks away again. "I still think it would be better for her to learn from someone who knows her village better. They might know of natural advantages or weaknesses that I can't account for."

"And yet there is not an adventurer within reachable distance for her that is as accomplished, nor as compassionate, as you," comes Logan's soft voice. "How does the saying go, 'beware an old man in a profession where men die young?'"

"Are you calling me old, Logan?"

"For an adventurer, yes," he says, voice still devastatingly soft, "and you know it to be true."

He sighs, reaching for yet another seedling. "I'm really not—"

"You helped us with no expectation of payment," Logan interrupts, stilling him, "you offered your services freely to those who could not afford to pay their true worth. You follow your contracts to the spirit, not to the letter. And you call in favors to help others, not for your own benefit."

A hand slowly reaches to rest on his shoulder. He leans into the warmth of it.

"What is troubling you?"

Virgil takes a deep breath and sets down the seedling, carefully patting dirt into place before he sits back, eyes fixed on the trembling leaf. "You know how people talk about adventurers. Like we're the stuff of legend, heroic, unstoppable. Like we're something to aspire to be."

Logan hums, thumb slightly stroking his shoulder still.

"There was a boy," Virgil continues, his voice growing thick, "he…saw me fend off a bandit. He wanted to be like me, so I…taught him how to use a stick like a sword."

"That was kind of you," Logan tries and he shakes his head.

"No, no, it wasn't kind, not to him, not to his family, not to his village. He thought—I put the thought in his head that he was invincible and then—" his voice catches— "a stick isn't a sword and I made him think it was."

Like a coward, he slunk from the grieving family and the too-small grave. He left his entire sack of coin and spent the next months hungry and hale, but the wind was not as cold as death and so he pressed on.

"As you said," Logan breaks in gently, "you are not training her to be like you. You are teaching her how to be more aware, and how to keep herself just a little safer."

"I know."

"Come," he murmurs as he pulls Virgil in to wrap his arms around his shoulders properly, "there."

Virgil closes his eyes and breathes in the fresh, clean air. Logan's chest is warm and solid, his fingers carding gently through his hair. He takes one, two, three deep breaths before he pats Logan's arm to let him go.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Logan looks down at the crate. "May I help you with the rest?"

"If you like."

"I would love to."

As they plant the rest of the seedlings and put the tarp over them to protect them from the worst of the storm, Virgil's mind drifts once more to Bonnie and her wulring locket, to the Aspen Witch and the twins.

"Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to come with me to the river? I need to gather something."

"Certainly. Can I convince you to let me get whatever it is so you don't get wet?"

"No."

He sighs. "I suppose I must pick and choose my battles, as Roman loves to say."

"Has Roman…ever not picked a battle?"

"Not often enough, let me tell you."

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#dragonbabbles #sanders sides #virgil sanders #logan sanders #fic

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