#because you'd assume i ship them from the way i talk about them but no!!! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

galedekarios · 23 hours

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Keeping this anon, but I hear you hate bloodweave. I was curious on your take to why.

You don't have to reply to this if it makes you uncomfortable thought!!

i'd like to preface this again by saying that this is my opinion. idc what you ship.

i've talked about this here, but i don't mind reiterating my points:

they have no chemistry, to the contrary, gale shuts him down right away during their first talk and ast*rion's manipulation attempts. i assume that gale sees right through him from the beginning. a lot of people love to hc gale as naive as or as completely taken with ast*rion, but it's the complete opposite. i imagine his many years in waterhavian society made him realise quite quickly what type of person he's dealing with. the relationship they have doesn't progress much from that. by act iii they - at best - begrudgingly tolerate each other.

they are diametrically opposed in the things they value as people as well as their morals. gale is kind-hearted, he approves of helping those in need, children, mothers, slaves, refugees, even the animals you meet in-game. he seeks to avoid bloodshed, approves of letting people who want to pay the party back for their help keep their money and belongings. he seeks knowledge and even power not for selfish reasons or a taste for the darker things, but because he seeks to better their odds of survival against a seemingly invincible foe. ast*rion meanwhile is selfish and cruel and vile. he delights in violence and bloodshed, he finds the struggle of people caught in the crosshairs amusing. he is greedy and short-sighted, seeking power for himself, no matter the cost to others.

they are completely incompatible in terms of what they look for in a relationship and a potential partner. gale wants and needs a deeper connection, a tangling of the souls, and he needs someone to be there for him unequivocally, to love him for who he is as he is. he is not taken in by someone's looks or image they present of themselves, nor does he do hate sex / endless bickering / enemies to fwb / etc.

the first things he cites for trusting the protag are their good actions (helping mirkon, helping arabella, seeking to ease the tension between zevlor and aradin), it's all those things that at first make him trust the protag and later - when they unselfishly offer him help, give him artefacts - makes him fall in love with them. sex and immediate gratification isn't important to him. sex is a component - one way in an array of ways to proclaim love.

for ast*rion, it's manipulation first and his entire romance hinges on that. his partner falling for his looks and his text book manipulation into sex. that's already where this breaks apart for me in terms of this ship because that doesn't work with gale.

add to that ast*rion's cruel remarks about gale's when he is need:

[after gale's background story reveal] You'd have us debate? That Netherese jack-in-the-box should be a blip on the horizon by now!

[after mystra's demands] I can't believe Mystra's demanding Gale sacrifice himself to destroy the Absolute. It's just a waste of a perfectly good cult that we could be controlling. And a waste of a perfectly good Gale, I suppose.

[at the stormshore tabernacle] Well? Go on, then - it's rude to keep a goddess waiting.

[after orin potentially kidnaps gale] So, we kill Gortash or Gale dies? It's not an easy call. On the one hand, killing Gortash would be fun. On the other, Gale can be very annoying. We should probably save the wizard, though. He does have his moments.

i think it's very clear, given the fact that these reactions range from act i to act iii, that he doesn't give a singular fuck about gale. contrast this to karlach's reactions, or even shadowheart's:

Karlach: That bloody freak won't get away with this. That's my wizard she took. And we're going to get him back.

(particularly karlach has many reactions like this.)

...unless you play either of them as an origin char and make the most ooc choices, i do not see how this pairing is supposed to work.

additionally, as i've discussed more in my previous post, the parallels people draw between them are shallow at best or can be drawn virtually between any of the other origin companions, or are non-existent at worst. ast*rion having a reading animation that he shares with gale (as halsin and shadowheart do too), or having their tents next to each other (like wyll and gale do in act i) isn't really enough for me.

as i've said previously, i have tried to engage with the pairing because it's sadly inescapable since people often don't bother tagging, but there's nothing except shallow ooc stuff.

#ch: gale dekarios #vg: baldur's gate 3 #series: baldur's gate #text: asks #text: personal #meta: mybg3 #bloodweave critical

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hilacopter · 4 months

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normalize liking platonic dynamics just as much as romantic dynamics. normalize being insane over characters as friends and not as a ship. normalize wanting characters to be closer platonically just as you would want them to be closer romantically (I call it platonic shipping). normalize not having characters fall in love for no reason when they were already great and compelling platonically. normalize characters doing things that are usually seen as romantic but in a platonic context. normalize writing platonic fanfiction and drawing platonic fanart. "I am insane about their friendship" can and should be common actually. amatonormativity BEGONE!

#i'm arospec so this probably has something to do with it #platonic dynamics aren't less than or just a step towards romantic dynamics actually #i'm just tired of feeling weird every time i obsess over two characters' platonic dynamic #because you'd assume i ship them from the way i talk about them but no!!!#amatonormativity in fandoms #amatonormativity #arospec #aspec #lukas rants #hila has spoken

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thethreeeyed-raven · 6 months

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saw you wanted people to send you opla zoro requests so I have one for you :)) may I request a opla zoro x fem reader where the reader maybe assumes that zoro and nami have something going on (yk that one scene where they're playing the drinking game and that chemistry they had) so she distances herself from zoro thinking he doesn't like her back when he does? I would really like some good old angst but ending it with fluff. (Maybe Zoro and the reader have an argument) Thank you so much!

serene

navigation | warnings : angst to fluff | a/n : tysm for your req, i enjoyed writing this and i hope you enjoy reading! | roronoa zoro playlist | tags : @fangsp1der-2099 , @lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom , @knight-of-flowerss

"Jealousy is not a good look on you."

You whipped your head around to see Usopp looking back at you, flashing a knowing smirk.

"What can I say, I'm an envious person." You shrugged nonchalantly.

Usopp made his way to stand next to you copying your stance of resting on the railing.

"It's not like it will have any affect, they both clearly have their own thing going on." You gestured glumly to Zoro and Nami who stood laughing amongst themselves.

What was she saying that was so funny anyway? You could make Zoro laugh more.

"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" Oh, Usopp.

You sighed and forced your gaze away from Zoro. "It's not that easy."

Though Zoro was a quiet person, that didn't mean he wasn't observant.

He'd noticed you'd been trying to avoid him, which was hard considering you lived on the same ship as him, and were on the same crew.

Zoro left it for a while, deciding not to speak up because he thought it was just a phase you were going through.

He took notice of your lingering looks when he spoke with Nami, but the thought of jealousy never crossed his mind.

Zoro wasn't the only observant member of the crew, Sanji and Nami noticed something was wrong with you.

Nami, Sanji and Zoro sat out on the deck underneath Nami's tiny tangerine trees.

Sanji took a puff of his cigarette before filling the silence. "Don't you think Y/n's been acting weird lately?"

Nami looked up from the map she was reading. "Yeah, I've noticed a little bit of tension." She swiftly looked at Zoro and back at Sanji.

"I saw that look." Zoro said bluntly.

Of course, Nami played dumb. "What look?"

"The one you just gave me."

Sanji huffed and shook his head. "Don't you think we should find out? She's our friend."

Both Zoro and Nami nodded.

Both Sanji and Nami tried so hard to get you to open up by pairing you with Zoro for various activities or jobs.

The plan worked for a while, you and Zoro would sit and chat for hours, only when Nami came would you go back to brooding.

Usopp seemed to catch on to Nami and Sanji's plan and told them of your feelings for Zoro and why you would slump every time Nami was around.

Zoro had his own suspicions of your strange behaviour, and decided he would confront you when the others weren't around.

Sighing, you knelt on the railing, gazing upon the vast blue sea.

"Can't sleep?" A deep voice interrupted the tranquil silence, but it was Zoro, so you didn't mind.

"Hmm, what about you?" You turned so you were facing him.

"Too much drink."

Both of you chuckled and your gaze returned to the horizon.

"I've...noticed" Zoro didn't plan exactly what he would say to you, so go with the flow it is. "You've been avoiding me."

"I haven't-"

"Is the problem with me or is it with Nami? Because every time she comes around, you start acting weird and-"

"Because I'm jealous!"

You didn't want to say anything else, so you let him stood there, just him and the stars to talk to.

Ever since that night, you'd been avoiding Zoro even more, almost as if you were afraid you'd catch the plague from him.

None of the crew knew what to do, and it wouldn't help that Zoro wouldn't explain why your behavior had gotten worse, even though they knew he knew something.

This was a job for Luffy.

Luffy found you on the goat head of the Going Merry, making his way over to sit with you.

"Are you alright?"

You turned with surprise, not expecting Luffy. "oh, hey Cap."

"Expecting someone else?" He gave you a dopey smile, adjusting his straw hat.

You shook your head.

"So, what's up with you?"

You huffed, but you could trust Luffy with everything, why not just admit it?

"I told Zoro I was jealous."

"Of?"

You took a minute to go over the thoughts in your head. "Of him and Nami. They're always laughing together and talking. I mean, me and Zoro would do that, but when he's with Nami it just looks..."

"Different?"

"Yeah..."

Luffy knew why you were jealous. "You should tell him how you feel."

Yeah, maybe you should.

"Hey Zoro." You approached him sheepishly.

His eyes widened just a little before greeting you in return.

"So, I came to apologise."

You took in his appearance before remembering why you were actually there.

"I'm sorry. You deserve to know. I was jealous of you and Nami. You both look so happy together and I wanted to be the one to make you smile and laugh like that. Because, unfortunately for me, I've fallen in love with you. And it's okay if you don't feel the same way, I'll understand and we can go back to our normal lives. But I needed you to know."

Instead of interrupting you, Zoro decided to stand and listen, to let you voice your feelings.

When you finished, you stood and gaped at him. Tears were brimming and your cheeks were aflame.

"I'm not good with words." Zoro admitted just a little embarrassed. "But...maybe my actions could help?"

He grabbed your face gently, caressing the redness of your cheeks with such tender strokes you could've melted.

It was when he pressed his lips to yours that your heart finally felt complete, and the weight of jealousy was lifted from your shoulders.

You both didn't say that you had feelings for the other, the serene kiss voiced everything it needed to.

#one piece x y/n #one piece x you #one piece x oc #one piece usopp #one piece sanji #one piece x reader #one piece fluff #one piece #one piece headcanons #one piece live action #opla roronoa zoro #roronoa zoro #roronoa zoro x reader #roronoa zoro x you #roronoa zoro x y/n #roronoa zoro x oc #mackenyu

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tfemteach · 1 month

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hey pirate show friends! in honor of my boat graduation and because I'm procrastinating my work I thought I'd make a post about some super basic sail mechanics/terminology for all your writing-about-ships needs. this just covers the very broad strokes that you'd need to convincingly talk about what's happening on a ship while there's other stuff going on, or to insert some ship-based drama. I'm not an expert and I'm only practically familiar with one tallship that's much later in period than the Revenge. but here are some things I did not know before sail training that I think could be helpful or provide some fun jumping off points for writing! this is super long but I am super procrastinating. hopefully it's helpful to someone. if not, I at least wasted a fun hour thinking about things that aren't my day job.

1. what are the basic types of sails?

for a square-rigged ship like the Revenge, you will have both "square sails" and "fore-and-aft sails." square sails are set perpendicular to the masts and, obviously, are roughly square. they are "bent onto" (meaning connected to) the "yards," which are the horizontal pieces of wood that cross the mast. fore-and-aft sails are set going, well, fore and aft, meaning they follow the line of the ship. these can include staysails (triangular sails bent onto the "stays," or wires that support the masts, and therefore run down the middle of the ship), jibs (also triangular and bent onto stays or wires, but going out along the jibboom and bowsprit, which are the spars that extend forward of the ship's bow), spankers (a large trapezoidal-ish fore-and-aft sail bent onto booms (basically like a fore-and-aft yard) off the mizzen mast, which is towards the stern of the boat, and acts as a wind rudder), and more. some older ships also had spritsails, which were small square sails bent onto yards that hang off the bowsprit. they look very silly in my opinion but to each their own. these aren't all the kinds of sails but they'll cover your basics.

ships can also have any number of sails. full size square-rigged ships can have as few as two or as many as five square sails on each mast. the lowest and largest sail can be called either the mainsail or the course, and are further specified by saying which mast it's on (i.e., the fore course, main course, or mizzen course). going upwards and assuming a five-sail mast, you've next got the lower topsail, upper topsail, topgallant (pronounced t'gallant), and royal. the staysails are named for the mast they connect to. so the most forward might be the "fore topmast staysail," indicating a sail that is connected to the upper part of the foremast.

2. how are sails controlled?

the vast majority of sail control actually comes from the deck and does not require having people aloft, or in the rigging (I'll address the reasons to have people aloft in the next section).

each sail has a number of "lines" (ropes) connected to it at different points that control whether the sail is "set" (fully extended) or "doused" (pulled up towards the yard). more lines are connected to the yards and control how the sail is oriented. the yards can be pulled back and forth, some of them can be pulled up and down, and their angle relative to the horizon can also be adjusted. the square sails on a mast all work together as they are stacked on top of each other and often have interconnected rigging. the lines all come down to the deck and are "belayed" (a figure-eight shaped way of wrapping the rope) around a "pin." the pins may be on a rail that wraps around the ship (the "pinrail"), on a rail that makes a square shape around a mast (a "fiferail"), or on a metal band wrapped around a mast (a "spider rail.") (there are other rails also, especially on the headdeck, which is the most forward, and the quarterdeck, which is the most aft. don't worry about it.)

some things you might do with sails from deck:

set sails (pulling the foot of the sail all the way to the next lowest yard so that it is fully extended and can fill with wind)

douse sails (pulling the foot of the sail up to its yard so that it is no longer catching as much wind. you can leave the sail doused if you might need to set it again, or you can send people aloft to furl it if you do not need it or are in conditions where it is dangerous to have a loose sail)

conduct manuevers, i.e. turn the ship

the three basic manuevers are tacking, wearing, and boxhauling, but all of them are just ways to turn the ship and change course. you can look up the particulars of these manuevers if you're interested, but I think the most important part from a writing perspective is knowing the initial commands. there are a whole series of commands for each of these manuevers but the opening ones you might most need are:

for a tack, the captain or conn (person in charge of issuing manuevering orders), first calls "ready about!" one of the other orders that might be dramatic to have in a writing situation is "helms a'lee," which occurs after ready about and prompts the person at the helm to turn it.

for a wear (the most common and least work-intensive way to turn most large tallships, though it loses you more ground), the order is "prepare to wear ship!"

for a boxhaul (essentially a three-point turn for when you do not have a lot of space to manuever), the order is "stand by to boxhaul!"

you can also stop the ship by "heaving to" (past tense: "hove to"), where you rotate the yards in opposition to each other so that the sails form a right angle with each other, which loses you all of your wind power.

these might change by period or tradition, but are the most common I'm aware of.

the commands for setting and dousing sails are pretty straightforward- you're just going to say "on the [fore/main/mizzen], set/douse your [sail]!" someone lower in the chain of command might also say "hands to the [sail] gear." whatever needs to get done is then accomplished by hauling on, easing (letting go slowly and under control) or casting off the relevant lines.

4. so what do people do aloft?

going up into the rigging is referred to as "laying aloft." you do this by climbing the "shrouds," which are those things you always see people in Boat Media climbing on-- they look like big nets or ladders that extend from the rails of the ship up to the masts. the shrouds may go to "cranelines" (small footropes that allow you to access the middle of a mast between yards, which is often where staysails are stowed), to platforms/crow's nests, or to "footropes," which are strung under each yard. there is also the "headrig," which is a system of footropes and stays that form what looks like a net under and around the jibboom and bowsprit and allow those areas to be accessed. all of these need to be tarred and otherwise repaired, and if a line parts (breaks) a new one needs to be rigged. masts may also need to be tarred or painted and other hardware might need to be repaired, checked, or replaced, such as "blocks" (pulleys that help lines move), shackles, and hooks. you might also need to bend on sails, or even replace entire masts if you're doing heavy repairs in port. people doing these jobs might carry tools or materials tied off in canvas buckets, or ride on a "bosun's chair," which is a wooden swing that can be tied to a gantline and used to lift a person up into the rigging or down over the side of the ship (like stede during the lighthouse fuckery or lucius when he's supposed to clean barnacles).

for non-maintenance related activities, the only things that really need to be done aloft are loosing and furling the sails.

square sails are kept, when idle, rolled and tied to their yards (furled). fore and aft sails are also furled, which depending on the sail may also mean tying it to a mast, or it may mean bundling it down against a stay or spar.

before a ship gets underway, the sails therefore need to be loosed (untied). a captain might not order all sails to be loosed at once when first starting out. if there's heavy winds, you might only need a few sails to get the speed you're going for. in light winds, you might need all of them. the order of loosing on a ship with five square sails per mast is typically: lower topsail, upper topsail, t'gallant, royal, course. but this is ultimately up to the captain's discretion. the courses have a lot of power and you might not need or want that much power when the winds are high.

to loose a sail, sailors are ordered to lay aloft, where they range out along the yard of the sail they're loosing. they stand on the footropes and hold onto a metal rail called the "jackstay." on each side of the yard, there are 3-5 "gaskets" holding the sail tied to the yard. these are loosed as sailors lay out along the yard (the knot is called a butterfly and can be pulled out in one easy motion). then each person stops at their gasket and "gasket coils" it, which coils the gasket up nicely so that it sits right at the yard and doesn't flap around the sail. gasket coils can also be undone easily by flipping one part of the coil over and then just letting the rest fall. the sail can then be set from deck.

you might need to "sea stow" a sail if you have to furl them very hastily, for example if a storm is coming. in this case you'd lay aloft, loose a couple of gasket coils, and spiral them widely inboard (towards the mast) and tie them off. the goal is not to look pretty, just to be fast. the sail will be doused from deck, and the hardest part of this is gathering up the sail the rest of the way so that it can be tied down. you lean your hips against the yard, reach over, and gather up chunks of the sail, tucking them under your belly until you have all of it, and then tie your gaskets. it's hard to do because you are not working together as closely or as carefully in a sea stow situation, and also potentially because the conditions are garbage.

sails ideally are stored in a "harbor furl," particularly, as the name implies, in harbor, where you are not likely to quickly need them loose again, and you have the time to put them away nicely. also, ship people judge each other if these don't look nice. this is a much more synchronized manuever. the sail is doused from deck, then sailors lay aloft in the same way as they did for loosing. here, the people with the hardest jobs are the ones up first, who go out to the farthest points of the yard (the "yardarm"). everyone begins to gather up the sail in the same manner as a sea stow, leaning over the yard and tucking folds of the sail under your stomach. the people at the yardarm are also dealing with the blocks and gear at the lower outside corners ("clews") of the sails. their job is more technically complicated and so they control the rhythm of everyone's gathering. once the sail has been folded and furled nicely with the "sun skin" facing out (protecting the rest of the sail from the elements), the person on the weather (side the wind is coming from) yardarm calls, in rhythm, "roll-ing home," or something similar, which prompts everyone to roll the sail up on top of the yard in unison. then each person wraps their gasket around the sail and yard, ties it off, and heads back down. again, that command might vary by period and tradition.

5. what are some things I could throw in my story for drama?

here are just a few:

a line could part! this is actually not uncommon on buntlines, which are one of the lines that help set and douse sails. when one of these parts and there's any amount of wind, the whole ship is going to know about it very fast because the sail, out of control, will start to "flog." this means it flops around in the wind and makes a very ominous sound (like a huge towel being snapped). to fix it, crew needs to lay aloft immediately and sea stow the sail so the bosun or other skilled crewmember can rig a new buntline.

a note about lines parting: manila lines do not have the "snapback" effect that modern synthetic lines do. this means they part more easily, but also more safely. they also get VERY swollen and spongy when it's wet, because they absorb water, and may even start to unlay (where the strands start to untwist themselves). so they can be also very annoying to handle when wet.

you might have to execute a manuever while people are still aloft! this is not uncommon, particularly for people aloft performing routine maintenance, but not ideal in bad conditions, particularly if people are out on the yards. because manuevers involve the yards being pulled back and forth and therefore rotating on the mast, it can be pretty harrowing to ride one through a manuever (or fun, depending on what kind of person you are). there are also pinch points between the yards and the mast that anyone on the mast or shrouds needs to steer clear of so they don't get crushed by a moving yard. "avast!" is a real command used when there needs to be an immediate all-stop due to a safety issue.

you might have to sea stow in really heavy conditions! if you've seen the episode of black sails where flint sails the Walrus directly into a storm, you know how difficult this is. when a sail is full of wind, it's very hard to pull it up by hand, even when doused. dousing only pulls the sail about 3/4s of the way up to the yard, and a doused sail can still catch wind. in truly heavy winds it can be almost impossible to stow.

in high seas, the ship could roll so badly that people on the yardarms get dunked in the ocean! this has also happened on black sails, I think in that same episode. this has never happened to me but I think if it ever did I would just rather fall off in the ocean than get swung back up again, thanks (<-guy who is afraid of heights). this is not a death sentence though, sailors can and have held on enough that they get swung back up and can safely get down. if conditions are bad enough that this happens and you do lose grip and end up in the ocean, it's probably going to be pretty difficult to impossible to get rescued, at least in the 1700s.

someone inexperienced might belay a line that needs to be cast off in order for a manuever to work, or vice versa. this could be an easy fix or it could cause a very dangerous situation. if you lose control of one of the halyards that lifts the yards, for example, that's potentially tons of uncontrolled load that could fall and break any number of things on its way. or if a line is made fast when it needs to be loosed, you could have yards raised crookedly and/or lines breaking as the strain becomes too much.

rope burn! the lines on a ship are often controlling a lot of load and power. if you allow the rope to slip through your hands instead of moving hand-over-hand, or if you just lose control of it, you can get rope burn that can be pretty severe. it's a wound that almost looks like a burn from fire would, especially while healing.

#our flag means death

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mixelation · 6 months

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hmmm i was thinking about ships in reborn au au (i am....... so sorry)

kakashi/obito is one of those ships were i just.... assume it's going to happen if they're allowed to interact a sufficient amount in a fic. the reincarnation for just one person aspect makes me feel kind of weird about it, BUT i think every obito ship is fucked up nature and also we can limit any shippy interactions to them be certified adults. so idk just skip this one if you're squicked lmao

anyway, then i was like "well i can't just do NOTHING with rin" and the natural conclusion is: fucked up confusing polycule mess

rin still has an unrequited crush on kakashi from ages like 12-15. she has also just assumed throughout her teenaged years that obito likes her, bc that explains uuuuh a lot o his behavior towards her. BUT he has never made a move on her or admitted it; this is just her assumption. bc he never acts on it they have a pretty normal friendship (obito's ACTUAL feels are significantly weirder and more complicated: he no longer has a crush on her, but he REMEMBERS having one on her when he was actually 12 and how good being innocent and in love made him feel, so he wants to spend time with her and make sure she's safe and happy. also if you're mean to her he will set you on fire)

anyway!! konoha recruits tori+deidara when team minato is ~22. obito immediately takes on what rin interprets as a big brother role to them, which she thinks is..... cute? admirable? a secret soft side to obito??

rin has dated around a little bit and obito has always gotten weird about it (he hasn't ever STOPPED HER from doing what she wants, but she's aware that kakashi has had to advise him against giving some.... weird shovel talks) so she assumes he still likes her. and now she's seeing him interact with cute genin in a positive way, and she like hmmmm oh no maybe i DO like obito

so from obito's POV he doing something completely platonic with rin one day-- like idk, something you'd do with a friend but COULD be romantic, like going to watch fireworks or something, and she tries to kiss him. naturally he runs away and ends up face down on tori's floor sobbing because rin is the ONE PERSON he's actively trying to do right by

tori: okay but you can't just RUN. be an adult. talk to her.

obito: (wordless whining noises)

in the other timeline obito would have kissed rin in a heartbeat!! but now it's-- it's weird!! he can't do that to her!!! she is his precious pure angel!!!

tori: she's like 24? she murders people for a living??? obito i think she can decide who she kisses. she's not the kid you keep pretending she is and it's not fair to her to go on thinking about her like that

obito: (rolls around)

tori: well would you do this to kakashi?

obito: (stops rolling around) do what to kakashi

tori: idk i've just always hypothesized that fucking him would fix you

obito:

obito: why would you put that in my head

so now obito is haunted by the idea that he COULD just kiss rin, because maybe she wants him to and this rin is a whole other person from HIS rin, and also maybe perhaps he should fuck kakashi

obito: AND THEN GIVE HIM MY EYEBALL

tori: wow, no.

#reborn au au: it's gotten sillier

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mychlapci · 2 months

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I kind of like the idea of Sentinel's initial goal was not to become Magnus. He wanted to be a trophy conjunx.

He wanted to graduate the Elite Guard Academy as a MISS Degree (a thing in the US where you'd send your daughter to college to make her look better and but her near men going for acceptable professions to get a marriage). He met Elita who was actually the one who wanted to be Magnus. Sentinel fully supported this and was fully ready to rule "polite society" with an iron fist as a Elita's Trophy Husband and give her a whole litter of babies.

And then the trip happened. His dreams crumbled and he got an office job with Elita having set golden standard. He makes it his goal to become the Magnus's secretary and seduce him since no one else seems good enough but Ultra Magnus is a "confirmed bachelor".

RIP Sentinel's Sugar Baby dreams.

He's pissy and annoyed and depressed thinking about maybe since he's in politics finding the head of one of the guilds or a noble. Except everyone keeps assuming HE is the one going to settle down with a "pretty young thing". The fact no one seems to see that SENTINEL is the PRETTIEST oblviously and is PERFECT trophy conjunx material offends him.

Then Sentinel is doing a trip for Ultra Magnus representing interests, and they get attacked by the Decepticons and taken captive. Sentinel is even more furious they got captured and now he's being ransomed so he's snippy and no one is as petty as him in refusing to leak information out of sheer spite because he'd FINALLY gotten a date out of Senator Mirage and they are making him MISS it.

He is making his captors life hell to the point that the one in charge of the ship comes to see them. I'm choosing *drum roll* Megatron. Oops it was an important ship and Megatron just wants some defunct maps (that definitely aren't related to his search for the All Spark).

Megatron threatens Sentinel into behaving after he scoffs and mocks him but makes two mistakes.

Firstly, he picks Sentinel up by the waist to make his point.

Secondly, he calls Sentinel "pretty" in a way that's meant to be threatening.

Unfortunately, Sentinel is into that. And quickly starts doing some math. Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons and single and well obviously no Decepticon is as pretty as Sentinel so he clearly has a chance and Optimus always talked about really old propaganda mentioning some kind of honor code.

Decided, Sentinel removes and crashes her birth control and starts "seducing" Megatron. It's very very awkward and fake and unnatural but Sentinel is convinced he's smooth. Megatron thinks its a tactic and that Sentinel will chicken out and is clearly trying to escape/ get information to "make up for" his capture.

Sentinel just thinks he's succeeding when Megatron smiles and they eat together and Megatron takes him to bed. He balks a little because of the size difference but is not a quitter and Elita and he had used some obscenely large strap ons. Megatron just thinks he's very dedicated and offers him an out but Sentinel refuses snatches up a bottle of lube Megatron had deliberately placed in sight and gives him a show.

Megatron hadn't actually intended to fuck him but after watching Sentinel finger himself open until he was shaking with his whole hand finally popping in all while Megatron drinks engex and watches the show he knows he's going to.

Sentinel is enjoying himself because Megatron has been making little comments throughout, making him preen and he forgot how much he liked someone watching and already overloaded twice.

Megatron takes over from there, and soon Sentinel is spread across his waist, taking Megatron’s fingers and he's taking his time with his newest luxury. Only when Sentinel is literally sobbing from overstimulation and can fit four fingers does he finally bring out his spike and, meanly, shoves himself in fully in one thrust.

He proceeds to bully and fuck Sentinel with no regard for his overload. It's Megatron’s turn and he fully intends to make sure Sentinel, who doesn't know he's being sent back tomorrow, goes back to Ultra Magnus absolutely full of his transfluid.

Sentinel is riding the high of success as much as he is Megatron telling him how he's made to be fucked and bred and forcing Sentinel to feel the bulge of Megatron's spike moving inside him while Sentinel just keens through his nth overload hiccuping through tears and sobs.

Sentinel spends the night satisfied and certain he succeeded only to be given the basics to clean himself and be shuffled off to be returned with a small curve to his belly from his stuffed gestation tank.

Sentinel is furious and embarrassed and absolutely frothing to rip Megatron’s head off. The bastard. Everyone else is trying to comfort him and thinks he's refusing to talk about it due to trauma. He is not going to admit to a failed seduction. While the Decepticon reputation plummets and Sentinel gets his confirmation, he's pregnant.

Shockwave meanwhile is trying to message Megatron who has just headed to the outskirts to chase a lead about the fact that his heir is now under Ultra Magnus's control.

And then Megatron disappears leaving Shockwave/Longarm doting and fretting over Sentinel deliberately befriending him and seeing his care is top notch.

Clearly, this is more important, so he starts planning to "evacuate" Sentinel and the Decepticon Heir.

YEESSSS this is so good. All Sentinel ever wanted was to be some fuckable arm-candy, he and Elita had it all figured out. He couldn’t wait to be pushing out her babies like the good trophy conjunx he really is.

The reason he’s so pissy is because none of that ever happened. He was supposed to be rolling around in silky sheets, respected as the extension of a high ranking official, but instead he’s got all these responsibilities on his shoulders and everyone is constantly annoying him about holding up to them, which he begrudgingly does because of course he cannot act lazy and incompetent if he’s to find a conjunx in the future.

Sentinel getting himself knocked up by Megatron because he figured that he’s his best shot right now… he’s so stupid. I can’t stop thinking about Shockwave panicking slightly as he tries to desperately protect Megatron’s heir without giving up his real identity…

I honestly want to see what Sentinel would do once Megatron comes back and his heir is already out… he’d probably try to seduce him again, though. He can push out so many more babies for him, if he would like <3

#valveplug #pregnancy mention #tfa #texty

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blueinkjpeg · 5 days

Text

Listen to me ramble about traveler ships bc they’re silly!!

Albedo

Both Albedo and the Traveler have a scientific curiosity about the world and how it works. They’re also curious about humans. While Traveler finds enjoyment out of living among them, Albedo prefers studying them from a distance.

This also transcends into curiosity about each other, since they’re both different kinds of immortal ageless entities, they intrigue each other. (Albedo talks about wanting to “study” the Traveler.) They feel a sort of kinship for each other, as they’re both not really of Teyvat. Because of this, Albedo only trusts the Traveler to stop him if he should lose control one day and destroy Mondstat. He also talks about trusting the Traveler around his experiments, and having faith in their “exceptional talents.”

About us, Assistant: Would you oblige me by serving as my assistant? After observing so many experiments, you surely know a good deal about alchemy by now. Relax, we will work together. I don't think you will have any problems. I have faith in my ability to instruct you, and even more faith in your exceptional talents.

Ascension 2: Albedo is the step in which change begins. Clearing away the excess so we can take on all the knowledge that is available. Would you like to investigate this world with me?

Ascension 3: Rubedo in alchemy refers to the refining of feeling. I feel the refining of my own emotions is also thanks to you.

Is there anything else you're interested in?

Albedo: Hmm, anything else...?

Albedo: Probably you.

Albedo: At first, it was because you carry the aura of the stars.

Albedo: But now... it seems that there is more to it.

Albedo: Why is this? Give me some time and I can conduct experiments to find out.

Is there anything you'd like to do?

Albedo: Heh, where should I begin...?

Albedo: In your company, I never lack inspiration.

For drawing?

For experiments?

Albedo: It's good for both drawing and experiments.

Albedo: And not just for these, but for many other things.

Albedo: Speaking of which... I used to think interaction with others was a waste of time.

Albedo: But after meeting you, I'd rather spend my time on you than other matters.

Albedo: This is a unique anomaly. I think I likely know the reason why.

Albedo: So can you also... give me more of your time?

Xiao

Xiao has been cursed with bad karma, while the Traveler has purifying abilities. Xiao talks about how being around them makes him calmer somehow. Maybe because of these purifying abilities, more likely because the Traveler is so universally warm and friendly. Two immortal beings, Xiao has spent his long life tied to his nation while the Traveler has been almost everywhere.

While Xiao has a rough exterior, he is actually curious about humanity and has a great love for them, something Traveler understands and shares. He’s just weary of his karmic debt and history of violence bringing the Liyuan people bad luck, or preventing him from fitting in should be mingle among them. The Traveler likewise does not fit in, but is still beloved. And so, Xiao has expressed that he would be willing to attempt going to Liyue Harbor to learn about the people if the Traveler accompanied him. It’s likely Xiao admires Traveler for their pursuit of understanding Teyvat and its people— something Xiao is naturally bad at— and they make him feel comfortable to pursue it as well.

Xiao has sworn to come whenever the Traveler calls his name. He seems notably protective of Traveler, more so than other characters, maybe feeling a kinship for both being so inhuman. Either way, voice lines imply he is guarded because he assumes his karma will poison Traveler, and he doesn’t want to hurt them. Despite this guarded roughness, Traveler rightly characterized him as a deeply caring individual, seeing Xiao to the core of who he is, and treats him as such.

Also, Traveler has shown to be dedicated to becoming someone Xiao can trust and relax around. In some of Xiao’s voice lines, it’s implied that Traveler has been trying to come up with ways to help soothe Xiao’s pain.

They have a tradition of releasing Xiao Lanterns during Lanturn Rite. Xiao has given the Traveler crystalflies for their hair for his own birthday, and has talked about how since knowing the Traveler, Xiao has been blessed with sweet peaceful dreams of the two of them going on strolls, wondering if he deserves something so nice.

In a poetry event, the Traveler has created poetry to show their admiration towards Xiao for his endless watch over Liyue. Maybe Traveler admires it because they’ve never had such devotion over something for so long, and Xiao admires Traveler for the opposite reason, and for being brave.

About Shenhe: It seems Shenhe places a great deal of trust in you. Well, how could she not. There are few people in the world as kind and good-natured as you.

More about Xiao V: It's too late. The connection between us is too strong. Even if you wanted to, it's too late to sever it. Hm? You've never thought to sever it? *sigh* This eternal dance of demon subjugation... My fight goes on. But I would like to know more about you.

Ascension: Countless souls have fallen prey to these hands. I too have been swallowed by the darkness — and yet you dare to drive me on. You may think of me as... your companion. You seek to find me salvation? ...You... really are a difficult being to comprehend.

Xiao: ...I don't know if it's related to you, but recently, the pain from my karmic debt has been less excruciating.

Xiao: It's much easier to bear than before.

Xiao: If you have free time, we can go to Liyue Harbor together...

Xiao: If not... never mind.

Of course we can.

Xiao: Uh... alright.

Finally decided to integrate into city life?

Xiao: Ahem...

Xiao: I have no intention of getting close to the lives of mortals.

Xiao: But I know that you often enter and leave the city, walking amidst the crowd.

Xiao: The stories of these times, or their joys... If I don't experience such things myself, it'll be hard to understand your thoughts.

So... you're doing this for me?

Xiao: Yes, to understand you.

Xiao: I had a feeling that it would be difficult, but after having such thoughts, I can't simply sit back and do nothing.

Xiao: I will control myself while I am in the city.

Xiao: I'll try to speak... as little as possible.

I'll be with you.

You can say whatever you want. I'll bail you out.

Xiao: Hmm...

Xiao: Let me know when you're ready to go.

Ayaka

Ayaka’s character story 5: “Ayaka is still waiting for a friend to emerge who can walk alongside her on equal footing and stand by her side. That person cannot see her as a member of the Yashiro Commission, or as the Shirasagi Himegimi, nor will their conduct towards her be bound by decorum or status. And if possible, they might also be well-versed in a great many fields of study, and have witnessed all manner of interesting things... and perhaps they might even be able to tell her a story in a pinch. Only such a person might become Ayaka's bosom friend.”

The Traveler is Ayaka’s ideal companion, the exact kind of person she has been waiting for, possibly the only person who truly has the ability to understand her outside of Inazuman society’s perception of her. She finds Traveler interesting and exciting, a stark difference from her everyday life.

When they first met, the Traveler was disillusioned in their travels after briefly reuniting with their sibling, who dismissed them. Ayaka makes the effort to show them and remind them why they began their travels in the first place; the world and humanity is complex and interesting and beautiful, and it’s a worthwhile endeavor to understand and protect them. Ayaka regularly reminds the Traveler of this by being complex and interesting and beautiful herself. Traveler then goes to great lengths to protect Ayaka’s people, because they understand why they’re important to her.

Ayaka is trapped in Inazuma, while the Traveler has been all over the world. Things that Ayaka has seen a million times are new and wonderful to the Traveler, showing these things in a new light to Ayaka. It makes Ayaka feel like a “regular girl,” something she wishes she could be more often. The Traveler is shown to feel most comfortable with Ayaka and her family while in Inazuma. They both understand what it’s like to feel distant from a sibling.

Good Morning: Oh, good morning, Traveler. ...Whenever I see you in the morning, somehow, it makes me feel like... today is going to be a good day.

Aspiration: Today, as in the past, I aspire to be somebody whom everyone can trust. But what motivates me is no longer the responsibilities I shoulder, or the expectations of other people. Rather, it is the fact that you are this kind of person, too.

More about Kamisato Ayaka V: […] unless I am mistaken, I trust that you will not take issue with this slight departure from convention on my part… That is to say... I'm a little tired, may I rest my head on your shoulder? Just for a moment.

Desires: […] But even so, shouldn't I still follow my dreams? Shouldn't I... share my true feelings with you?

Ascension: Our time together has been so pleasant that I am fearful of losing what I have gained. I'm sorry, I must compose myself.

Kamisato Ayaka: At least, that's a romantic way of approaching this topic [poetry].

I feel the same way.

Kamisato Ayaka: More importantly... I hope that, between the two of us, we need not be concerned with our identities...

Kamisato Ayaka: I'll just think of you as... my closest confidant.

Kamisato Ayaka: Being able to enjoy tea with my closest confidant — it feels like I'm in a dream...

(Closest confidant...)

Kamisato Ayaka: ...

Kamisato Ayaka: Can I... Hold your hand?

Wanderer

The Traveler and the Wanderer are both parallels and ideological foils. They have both been betrayed and abandoned by family and loved ones, doomed to travel and wander the world in order to understand it better because of that.

But the Wanderer has learned humanity’s cruelty during these travels, mostly in the Fatui. He believes humans to be evil and self-serving, and so he acts that way too. And as an immortal, finds mortal limited lifespans cruel and unfair, clutching onto his grief and anger in a means to cope with what he cannot control.

Meanwhile, the Traveler has learned the beauty of humanity during their travels. They believe in the inherent goodness in everyone, and so they act that way. Curious and sensitive, like Wanderer before his three betrayals, even though Traveler has arguably been through just as much hardship as Wanderer (which may be a reason Wanderer held contempt for Traveler in the past). The Traveler is also an immortal being and knows of the reality of limited mortal lives. But instead of seeing it as cruel, Traveler sees the beauty in mortals living free and learning and growing in their limited lifetimes.

Their ideologies are in direct conflict. The Traveler’s ideology has led them to getting hurt often, while the Wanderer’s ideology has led him to being isolated. They have a lot to learn from one another.

AND, with the Wanderer having erased himself from everyone’s memory except the Traveler, the Traveler now is the only person to know the real Wanderer. They know all the evil Wanderer has done, (led to the death of Teppi which Traveler was famously angry about, tried to kill Nahida, etc) and is still his friend. Wanderer is perplexed by this, often expressing it in voicelines. But this means Traveler knows him the most, they own part of his identity as well, as Wander has allowed them to give him a new name. A new name that he has not let anyone use except the Traveler, preferring to go by “Hat Guy” in the Akademia.

While still being weary of him, the Traveler can’t help but seek Wanderer’s presence because they enjoy learning about his vastly differing perspectives on life. The Wanderer respects them because of their vast strength and knowledge.

About us, Rivals: So, you're still stewing over our run-ins from before? Huh. Well, what are you going to do about it? Take your time. I'm in no hurry.

(“Oooo you wanna kiss me so bad ooooo I’m in your head”)

About us, Collaborators: I'll never be one of the good guys. I'm just here to pay my dues after what you've done for me. But what about you? Shouldn't you come up with some excuse for our meetings? If one of your friends mistakes you for collaborating with the enemy, you're on your own.

(He makes the same excuses to be around Nahida, though his lore explains he does truly admire her. Just saying.)

About Damselette: Let me ask: what should you do if you were to encounter a "damsel" who is oblivious and innocent at any given time, and unconcerned and unfeeling in any given situation? If it were me, I could at least challenge her to a fight. But if it were you... with your conscience, I would stay away from her.

(He’s calling Traveler kind-hearted, calling out their optimistic ideology, and warding them away from danger with his more grounded/pessimistic ideology.)

Birthday: Give me your hand. Heh, there's no need to be nervous. I'm just taking you to a vantage point. How is it? The scenery here should be quite breathtaking. There's no need to thank me — I see little point in it.

(Wanderer): Thank you for trying to look out for me. Go get some rest.

Jeht

Through the Golden Slumber world quest, it’s made very clear that the NPC Jeht is significantly [romantically] closer to the female Traveler Lumine. In the quest, they travel together for a time and become close. In a moment of crisis involving the Fatui, Jeht is ordered to kill Lumine, but refuses out of affection for her. She takes the punishment instead, and is offered to a Fatui scientist for experiments by her tribe. Jeht was told it was Lumine that betrayed her, and Lumine was told Jeht had betrayed the tribe, but neither of them chose to believe something bad about the other.

At the end of it all, Jeht chooses to fight by Lumine’s side over her other friends. Inspired by Lumine, Jeht decides to go on her own journey. Their goodbye is tearful.

Lyney

Lyney has only known the Traveler for a short time, but they already have a checkered history. The Traveler trusts Lyney and his sister immediately after meeting them, hangs out with him for a few days, and defends him in murder trial. Only for it to be revealed Lyney was part of the Fatui, who the Traveler has an even worse history with, having killed their friends and put Traveler and their companions in mortal peril many times.

Lyney offers an apology and some of the truth, but the Traveler is still cold with him and brushes him off, believing themselves to be betrayed (and likely influenced by mixed feelings of seeing such close twins). Despite openly admitting to having difficulty with opening up, Lyney makes the effort to be open and truthful with the Traveler during his story quest, rebuilding trust between them. Lyney puts in extra effort to be honest, because he truly wants the Traveler to like him. He gives the Traveler a rainbow rose by the end of it, which even his sister marks as odd, because it represents passion and romantic love in Fontaine. His sister asks the Traveler to “protect that flower for her,” likely alluding to Lyney.

The Traveler trusts him after this enough to include him in the main quest again. Lyney remarks multiple times about how he feels close with the Traveler, how he enjoys talking with them, how the Traveler’s eyes shine like topaz and Lyney could never lie to such beauty.

In Arlecchino's story quest, he’s implied to have talked in detail about the Traveler to his other siblings, and is eager for the Traveler to like them. He is hesitant to involve the Traveler in family business, wanting to keep them safe and saying he will protect the Traveler with his life. The Traveler similarly shows the desire to protect Lyney, stepping in between him and his Father during conflict.

They resonate with one another concerning their twin siblings. Lyney having almost lost Lynette, and the Traveler being separated from their sibling. For the Traveler, this grew from jealousy to admiration, as they see Lyney caring so greatly for his family, a trait Traveler shares. Traveler understands and respects Lynsey’s loyalty to his (fatui) family, and would not be surprised if and when that loyalty drives them apart.

While they are close now after much effort rebuilding trust, they are both silently aware their friendship has an expiration date. Traveler’s goals contradict the Fatui. And with Lyney declaring his loyalty to the Knave as her successor, and this mysterious Fatui scheme the House of the Hearth have been roped into, they both know it’s just a matter of time before circumstance sees them on opposing sides of the battlefield. Though it remains unaddressed for now as they try to enjoy the time they have left together.

Hello: […] Well... Hmm, your eyes are like topaz, precious, pure, and lovely. I like them!

When it snows: Achoo! Phew... I've heard some say that when you sneeze, it means that someone's thinking about you. Is it Lynette, I wonder? Or... is it you?

Good Morning: C'mon, just five more minutes... Huh? Oh! It's you! I thought it was the radiance of the sunlight on my skin that I felt — turns out it was your radiance all along!

About Lyney, sweet talker: I should probably emphasize again that I'm rarely so open with anyone — I guess it's because you're not just anyone.

More about Lyney I: It seems we're both keenly interested in each other. Well, know that the honor is mine! Haha, relax. I couldn't ever tell lies to your mesmerizing eyes — not even if I tried!

More about Lyney V: […] Sometimes I think people would feel sorry for the real me. Do you? *sigh* Or do you find my little games absurd?

(Awwe he cares about what Traveler thinks.)

Ascension: Doing all this for me... Are you trying to steal this magician's heart, by any chance? Well, in that case, congratulations, my dear apprentice — or should I say, "companion." For you have succeeded!

Lyney: It's almost impossible for me to lie to your face... Maybe it's because I can't bear to see that hurt expression of yours.

Lyney: Say, why don’t you look at my hat? Do you see anything different about it?

Huh... Don't think there's any difference.

Lyney: Ah, but that just means you need to look at it more carefully! Just come a bit closer.

Well, alright then.

Lyney: […] No, the whole thing was misdirection.

Lyney: I just played a little trick, and stole something of yours. And after that, I also slipped a card into your bag.

Lyney: Now, can you guess what I stole from you?

My heart?

Lyney: A most unexpected answer! I have to say, even my heart has begun to race too.

Lyney: What I actually stole, however, was your "attention." Even though it's not nearly as valuable as your heart, it's still very important to us magicians nonetheless!

My... attention?

Lyney: Bingo! Congratulations, that was the right answer.

Lyney: […] Anyway, I just want to find a warm, free, and peaceful home for all of my animal assistants.

Lyney: A place where they'll always enjoy care and being lovingly looked after, with no need to worry about food or shelter...

Lyney: To be perfectly honest with you, this [Traveler’s teapot home] is by far the best choice for them that I know of... but I wouldn't want you to feel pressured to take them in, or to persuade you using honeyed words.

Lyney: Good morning, (Traveler)!

Lyney: It would be great if I could see you every morning.

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blacklegsanjiii · 3 months

Text

North Blue Language CH 6

He stitches Zoro's ankles up the way his dad would sew him up. Minus the apologies because he didn't give these cuts to Zoro, he did it to himself.

(chapter contains brief acesan)

Travelling with Luffy was a whole new level of excitement that coated Sanji's haki to become tiresome very quickly but he powered through. Luffy was a bundle of excited energy and Nami's freedom overwhelming at times but he cooked. Usopp was nervous as he told stories about his dad on the seas travelling with Shanks. All clips from the paper Sanji knows. Zoro also refuses to see his worth it seems. No matter how Sanji can defend or care for the crew Zoro seems to find him lacking.

So Sanji cooks. He's rarely out of the galley but since the Merry is small he still has quite a few interactions with his crew and fights with Zoro more often than not it seems. He wishes he could get along with the Mosshead but there's just something about him that irks Sanji. Not even the fact the guy wants to kill his dad, that's not even part of the problem, even if he has the potential to get good enough to do it. Maybe it's because his dad let him live? Sanji isn't going to waste energy, he can't. He has a crew to cook for after all.

When they pick up Vivi and Karoo, both of them are bigger than Sanji remembers. Up until now they were permanently small, three and just barely a year old. The small duckling could fit in his hands then. They don't talk about it, Sanji acts aloof when she asks if she knows him. He can't let it get out, get uncontrollable because he and his crew will die before they reach Alabasta otherwise.

Little Garden leaves Sanji with the ship and no crew. It's a couple hours after the crew is supposed to be back when he goes searching and finds the hut with the forever post to Alabasta. He finds his crew mostly fine and some guy he assumes is the Mr. 3 that Mr. 0 was looking for on the denden.

“Oh, Sanji. What are you doing off ship?” Nami asks him.

“It's a few hours past when you guys said you'd be back so I came looking. Good thing too, I found this.” He smiles as he presents the post. Vivi squeals in delight and hugs him and Sanji hugs back and helps her put it on her wrist. It reminds him of his parents. Of his dad who would rarely bring home jewellery for his mother but placed it on her with the utmost care. He stitches Zoro's ankles up the way his dad would sew him up. Minus the apologies because he didn't give these cuts to Zoro, he did it to himself. He doesn't even give the sentient algae a smile or call him dumb, just focuses on the task.

That night when he and Vivi meet in the crows nest, her doing the first watch him doing second does he give her a sorry smile.

“My crew, they can't know. It's a secret.” He explains.

“I'm glad you're alive, I'm sorry about your mother.” Vivi says.

“Don't be, she's alive and well. I am sorry about yours.” Sanji replies as he rubs her shoulder.

“Thank you, you both got out then?” She asks.

“Yes, it was rough but a man found us and took us in.” Sanji nods.

“Zeff, right? The retired pirate at Baratie?” Vivi asks with a smile.

“No, someone far more dangerous.” Sanji laughs as he leans over the side. “Dracule Mihawk. He found me stealing food from his ship and then took us in. He trained me in my observation haki. He told us he loved us not even four months after he took us to Kuraigana, he has a massive vineyard and learned Northern because I often gave up on Common towards the end of the day.” He smiles at her.

“You're both very lovable, your father was an idiot for not seeing it.” Vivi agrees evenly. “Thank you for trusting me Sanji, it means a lot. For all that it's worth I am glad you're alive.” She leans against him and Sanji leans his head on hers.

“I'm glad you're alive too, Princess.” He says.

Nami gets sick so they stop at Drum Island. Luffy carries Nami up the mountain and Sanji protects them. Sanji throws them up as he lets himself get washed away in the avalanche. He will sacrifice himself for his crew, to repay the kindness they have shown him. Even Zoro. Maybe to prove his worth to the asshole or prove that he belongs to the crew. To Luffy.

He feels a sharp pain in his back that steals the breath from him. His legs fill with pins and needles as the snow swallows him while he can't get out. He can't escape. He lets the black swallow him whole.

“Huh, I haven't seen something like this in ages.” An old witch looking woman says as he awakes. “Ah, you're waking up. Want to tell me why a Vinsmoke made his way into my care?”

“I'm not.” Sanji answers. “I'm the failure so I'm not a Vinsmoke.” The witch looks at him and nods.

“Fair enough. Whatever. Don't move too much. We had to do surgery on your back, you should only have a small scar though.” Witch lady says.

“My crewmates?” Sanji asks.

“Alive.” She answers. “Get some more sleep.” Sanji nods and closes his eyes and sleeps. He awakes to Luffy asking for food so he gets up.

“That was dumb.” Luffy scolds him. “You don't need to sacrifice yourself for people, least of all me!”

“But if I hadn't done that we all would have been swallowed by the avalanche, Luffy.” Sanji replies as he gets dressed. “Besides, thanks to you we all made it up here! So let's find the kitchen, okay?” He smiles at his captain and they leave once he's dressed. They chase a deer and find Nami, who is luckily. He makes sure he's okay and apologises to the deer, Chopper, and is led to the kitchen to cook.

Chopper sits and watches him. Sanji hums as he cooks, the same melodies of a dead god and the lullaby of the moon he grew up with. He cooks for them and plates it up. Luffy finds his way and he takes plates to Kureha and Nami. They fight Wapol who demands to take down the Jolly Roger at the top of the castle and somehow Luffy has worn down Chopper enough to become a member of the crew, their doctor.

The pink snow, the cherry blossom mirage as they escape. It's sweet as Chopper cries about his dead father. Vivi comforts him as they sail off. Sanji does what he does best and makes sweets for the deer, the kid really. Alabasta in their sights as Luffy's brother shows up.

Sanji knows he likes men, he told his parents he liked both genders and Mihawk sat him down for a talk about Shanks specifically. About disappointing partners and ambition. Ace doesn't seem that way though and he's surprised he doesn't have a nosebleed when Ace lights his cigarette for him from where he's perched on the railing and Vivi gives him a knowing look as he flusters his way to the galley.

Ace offers his help with dishes, with packing, he keeps lighting his cigarettes and he calls Sanji cute. Zoro keeps glaring at them. Ace helps them a little and finds Luffy in the desert and returns him before he goes back on his hunt for Black Beard. All in all they only spend a day and a half together but Sanji kisses Ace goodbye in private and has a nosebleed they laugh at.

“I'll see you again soon, Blondie.” Ace promises him.

“I'm holding you to that, Commander.” Sanji grins at him. He flies to his ship and they wave him off. They make it through Alabasta and King Cobra is back on the throne where he should be. Ms. All Sunday, Nico Robin joins their crew and the festivities. King Cobra knows who Sanji is but doesn't say anything about it. Vivi must have filled him in, Sanji thinks.

They set off and when everyone but him is on deck Nico Robin comes into the galley and sits at the table, eyeing him. Scrutinising him.

“Can I do something for you, Robin-chan?” He asks lightly as he pulls his haki in closer to himself.

“Your haki.” She says. He can't tell if it's a demand or a statement of fact.

“What about it?” He asks hesitantly and she narrows her eyes at him.

“Hawkeye trained you.” She states.

“I'd prefer it if you didn't say that so loud. Whoever he knew died when I left Baratie.” Sanji says while fixing her a look. “Safer that way.”

Robin nods as he sets a cup of coffee near her. They don't talk about it further. They can't really. There's no privacy, really. She eyes him though, always watching like Zoro does. Like he's a liability and he hates it.

“What's that song about?” Luffy asks after dinner as it's his turn to help with dishes. Robin is still sitting at the table and reading a book she found. Sanji looks at his captain and smiles softly.

“It's a lullaby about a man and the moon.” Sanji answers.

“Oh. Cool.” Luffy says. “Can you sing it?” He looks at Sanji with a goofy smile and Sanji obliges. He can feel the barest hint of a smile from Robin at the table.

~*~

BLACKLEG SANJI

77,000,000 BERI

DEAD OR ALIVE

What an awful portrait. Sora is laughing at it like she lost her damn mind. Mihawk keeps looking at it in confusion because Sanji does not look like that. Sora is crying and cannot right herself.

“P-put it away!” She chokes out through the laughter.

“I would if I knew where.” Mihawk argues but Sora is turning blue from laughing and Mihawk worried that she would faint. Sure she was stronger now but some days were harder than others.

“Dracule!” She laughed as he showed it to her again.

“I think we ought to display it, it is his first bounty after all.” Mihawk smirked at the woman. She squeals again and tries to cover her face and shield herself from it. “Sora, he'd be upset if we didn't.” He chuckles and Sora runs away from him but Mihawk chases her.

“Don't you dare!” She yells.

“We could display it next to the family photos!” He yells back with a grin. They make a sharp turn around a corner and through a door to make it outside near the vegetable garden. Mihawk manages to catch her and swing her around in a spin, arms tight around her waist.

“We cannot put that up, he'll kill you.” Sora laughs, shoving the poster away while trying to catch her breath.

“Mm, he'll certainly try his best.” Mihawk laughs. “Maybe that green haired imbecile will do it. He wants to be the greatest swordsman next.”

“I wish you wouldn't have to die to pass that title on. It's a stupid tradition and what if Sanji brings us grandkids? Grandkids! You could have a real swordsman to train then.” Sora huffs at him. It's a conversation they've had several times and Mihawk has been wavering on the ‘to the death’ portion of the duel rules that usually come with the passing of the title.

“We'll see, now won't we?” He asked as he heaved her over his shoulder. “For now we need to hang this up.” He starts heading back to the castle as Sora hits his back more as an act of annoyance than anger. The poster is nearly hung next to Mihawk's latest underneath the family photos. Sora giggles helplessly at it every time she passes it in the hallway.

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blasphemous-lies-and-deceit · 17 days

Note

for the "hand(s) on/at..." prompt – 16 and gerrymichael (just because i think michael would go insane for that)

And @moonisthedoor - if you're still taking prompts, "hand(s) on..." – 16. wrists, for any Gerry ship you'd like!

Michael wondered how he got himself into situations like this.

He thought he was just having a casual conversation, a chat with a stranger in a crowd about accessories and hair care. The bar was crowded and loud, Gerry was off somewhere doing something, and his drink was sweet and fruity and maybe had more alcohol in it than he was expecting. So it took him longer than usual to realize that the person he was chatting with was pretty obviously flirting with him and he completely hadn't noticed.

The bar was too queer-friendly for him to assume his conversation partner's gender. They were dressed femininely, but then again, so was he, in his favorite lacy skirt and dangly earrings. Whatever their gender and orientation, they were obviously interested in him, and he was obviously...not. For many reasons. But mainly because he was deeply in love with someone else. Who he really wished would come bail him out now.

"Where did you find that skirt?" they murmured to him, heavily lined eyes narrow and heavy. "I never have any luck shopping online." Their hand reached out as if to feel the fabric, or perhaps pet his thigh. Michael quickly pivoted so they missed, wishing he could run away entirely.

"Charity shops are your best bet," he suggested, straining up on his toes to better see over the crowd. Where was his lovely yet aggressive partner? They said they'd meet up back at the bar, but that was ages ago, where the fuck was he? "This was actually two skirts, I ripped the waist out of one and put them together to make it longer."

"Really? That's so interesting." They were stepping closer, thwarting his attempt to put some distance between them. Michael was running out of space to retreat, and was just wondering if it was time to bail without his boyfriend when a body inserted itself between them, pressing back into him with warm familiarity.

"Hey," Gerry greeted the other person, his voice bright and pleasantly threatening. "How's your night going?"

"Umm," they balked, caught off guard. Michael smiled and wrapped his arms around Gerry's middle, hugging him gratefully from behind. Gerry's hands found his, latching onto his wrists to lock him in place. The stranger's eyes flicked down to their hands, then back to Gerry's face. "Not...bad?"

"Good." Gerry smiled like a shark. "Let's keep it that way, yeah?" His hands squeezed, tightening on Michael's wrists, and Michael felt a pleasant rush down his spine at the possessive gesture. Not that he would have been so easily tempted away, and he knew Gerry knew that too, but it was nice to feel so claimed. To know that Gerry loved him enough to fight for him, even if it never came to blows.

Michael backed away, dragging Gerry with him into grateful retreat. "Thank god you showed up," he hissed as Gerry twisted out of his arms, keeping ahold of his wrists as he pulled him towards the door. "We were just talking, and then they were flirting, but I just wanted to talk about clothes and stuff!" His words were a bit rushed, his steps stumbling as he tried to keep up with his boyfriend. "That fucking sucked."

"Yeah, I could tell." Gerry backed through the exterior door into the night, a cool relief after the close warm air of the bar. "Good thing I came along to swoop in and rescue you. Save you from being flirted with." His grin was wide and ridiculous, and Michael smiled with him, full of glee now that they were out. He twisted his hands in Gerry's hold, reversing the grip so that he was the one holding onto Gerry's wrists. Using his height to his advantage, Michael pushed Gerry up against the nearest brick wall, looming over him and holding him in place.

"Oh yes, you're my big tough boyfriend, aren't you? So demanding and possessive," he exaggerated, and was rewarded by an even wider and excited grin. Michael knew Gerry loved this. He pinned his wrists to the wall and pressed in, chest to chest, and watched the pupils of his eyes grow wide. He knew Gerry loved his too. Leaning in, Michael ducked his head to run his lips along Gerry's neck, raising shivers in his wake. "However should I thank you?"

Gerry let out a staggered moan, trembling in his grip and filling Michael with a delightful sensation. "However you want," he gasped, any pretense of being an overbearing partner flying away as Michael kissed his neck. "Fuck, Michael-"

"Hmm, yes," Michael agreed, squeezing his wrists appreciatively. "I think that would do nicely."

#gerrymichael #gerry keay #michael shelley #doorkeay #the magnus archives #some serious same-brain happening among the gerry-likers of tumblr

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enigmatist17 · 3 months

Text

I still am seething Voyager's ending didn't at least show the crew seeing Earth again >:(

----

Lt. Reginald Barclay was one of the first to board the newly returned Voyager. He's one of the very few right now, the crew and ship still under quarantine to prevent any spread of foreign diseases that the crew had long been accustomed to. Barclay isn't a fan of the decon suit he has to wear, but is willing to overlook it because he can't wait to meet the crew for the first time.

Captain Janeway is the first one to greet him, her smile blinding as she watches the lieutenant exit the shuttle he'd arrived in with a box and enter a temporary hazmat area to prevent anything from slipping out into the shuttles that dropped by most days with supplies or medical officers. Her handshake is firm when he reaches out with a nervous smile, and Barclay can see she's happy for a fresh face.

"It is very nice to finally meet you Lieutenant."

"Likewise C-Captain." He reaches into the hovering large container he's brought with him, and pulls out a thermos. "Fresh coffee, I heard you're a fan."

She laughs, and accepts the thermos as if it's the most important thing she's ever held.

"I've been cleared to bring, to bring gifts for everyone from family and friends." Barclay declines to bring up how he basically had to guilt trip half of the upper command for this to happen, but it's of little consequence. "It's not much, but I thought you'd a-appreciate it."

"These will go a long way to boosting morale." Janeway motions for Barclay to come follow. "I will admit, the crew are eager to go home and breathe in fresh air."

"I asked around, a-and medical will probably clear you all within the next month." The halls at first are empty, and Barclay can see the wear and tear from seven years without proper upkeep, honestly astonished the ship had been able to remain in one piece over all that time. "How you came home, in one piece? It's astonishing, utterly astonishing."

"You and I both, it's nothing short of a miracle...or seven." He can hear a faint whisp of regret behind her words, and just offers a small smile as they head towards what he assumed was the bridge.

Instead, they emerge into the dining hall, where what had to be the entire crew was waiting for him.

"Everyone, may I introduce Lt. Barclay." The cheers that rang out nearly deafened her introduction, and crew Reginald had only seen in reports and his holograms for testing were just...there, smiling at him.

"Nice to meet someone not trying to take even more blood," Harry spoke first, shaking Barclay's outstretched hand fiercely.

"Don't hog all the attention." Paris nudged his friend's side, eyeing the container. "What's in there?"

"Uh, I-I brought gifts." Reginald smiled, and has to take a step back when everyone surged forward before Janeway and her SIC Chakotay stopped them with a sharp whistle.

"Sorry, we're just excited!" Little Naomi grinned from her perch on top of a table, her mother supporting her as she wanted to see a new person with her own eyes.

She was much more adorable in person.

The next two hours were spent with Reginald distributing things he'd been given, the crew spreading out over the floor and tables to show off their gifts and to talk about those they missed. Laughter filled the air as Barclay spoke about how he'd threatened his career for the first time they had spoken, and he was taken aback to find he'd been made an honorary crew member after the fact.

It's late when the crew, sated and overjoyed when they find out he'd be returning, finally disperse for the evening. He can still see they're all wired to be on alert, a few whispering to those who probably had been night shift for so long to go and rest with them when they turned to head to stations.

"I think you've given the crew their biggest morale boost since they arrived home, if I may say so." The Doctor hummed, holding a small retro camera that Zimmerman had sent him. "They were all excited to meet you."

"I'm nothing special." Barclay shrugged, a bit sheepish at the notion.

"He's right, the moment we all heard your voice for the first time, everyone was smiling for days." The captain smiled, remembering it was one of the happiest she'd ever seen her crew at the time. "You're brilliant, and if anyone says otherwise, tell them Captain Janeway wants to speak with them."

"Yes ma'am." Barclay gave a short salute, finally standing from the seat he'd been given what felt like ages ago. "That's it for me, I-I've got to get back before I end up a pincushion myself."

"When do you think you can visit next?" The Doctor asked, he and the captain escorting Barclay back to the shuttle bay, the crew they walk past all waving or wishing the man a goodnight.

"Hm? Well, in a day or two." Barclay hummed, mentally running through his calendar. "There are more things meant for you and the crew, but once it's all clear, they're yours!"

"That's wonderful news." Janeway pats his shoulder with a hum, and soon they're back to the pick-up zone for Barclay. "Do you want to leave the container here?"

"Might as well, I'm not sure how much I'm bringing next time." Like clockwork, the shuttle that dropped him off is soon within view, and Barclay steps into the decontamination zone with a small wave. "I-It's been nice meeting you all...well, finally, anyways."

"The same to you." The Doctor gave a short nod, and Janeway did the same.

"You're welcome back anytime Lieutenant, you're as much crew as anyways else here."

Reginald smiles, the warm feeling from the acceptance of people he'd never truly met something of a wonder for someone like him.

He already can't wait for the next visit.

#personal #star trek #star trek voyager #reginald barclay #captain janeway #the doctor voyager #chakotay #tom paris #harry kim #naomi wildman #I am in your walls show #I wanted to see them at hoooome

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hyunxjinnie · 6 months

Text

All your broken pieces (Stray Kids) Chapter 3 "Well now he knows"

Summary: Your life was not easy..in fact, it was rather terrible. As a child, you'd gone through emotional and physical abuse, and you'd seen some things you shouldn't have...Your trauma stuck with you throughout you teenage years, and through the current adult years in your life. No one, not even you was willing to deal with you and your trauma, you're broken. Well..that is until a group of guys come and try to save you from the horrible, insufferable depths of your mind.

Warnings: Angst, fluff, Mentions of abuse (emotional and physical), mentions of alcohol and drug addictions, mentions of anxiety and trauma, possible mentions of blood.

After the incident in the bathroom, Chan took you to your room and stayed with you the rest of the night. It took you a while to fall asleep, but Chan reassured you that everything was fine and he wouldn't leave.

You woke up with a groan, rubbing your hands over your face.

Chan wasn't beside you.

Panic spread throughout your body. You tossed the blankets off and rushed to your bedroom door, but stopped upon hearing Chan's voice.

"I don't know what happened, I didn't wanna ask her about it, she was too shaken up...I'll try and talk to her later, when the guys wake up just tell them she isn't feeling well, I don't want them worrying too much."

You curse under your breath.

You didn't plan on telling Chan anything, you didn't want to tell him anything...Once he knew, he and all the guys would probably never talk to you again, why would they want to hang out with someone as mentally screwed up as you were?

You heart rate increases when you hear who you can only assume is Chan, outside your door.

He knocks a few times, but when he doesn't get an answer from you, he slowly opens the door and sees you sitting wide eyed on the bed.

He sighs and closes the door, locking it and making his way over to you.

He kneels in front of you.

"How are you feeling?"

You shrug, looking down at your lap.

Chan sighs. "Y/n, do you mind telling me what exactly happened last night?" He softly asked, reaching for your hand.

You slightly flinch, pulling your hand toward your chest, and Chan's face falls.

You look up and the look on his face breaks your heart, you had not planned to reach like that, but none of the guys had ever really initiated skin ship with you, because you'd told them you didn't like physical touch.

"Chan I'm sorry..I-"

He cuts you off and shakes his head. "Its okay, promise. I just wanna know what's going on, I can't help you if I don't know, yeah?"

You took a deep breath and nodded. "Can you- can you please not leave me?"

"Why would I do that?" He furrows his eyebrows, face scrunched up in confusion.

"Just promise Chan." You breath out.

"I promise." He gives you a small smile.

And so you told him.

You told him everything.

You told him about your father, how he abused you and harassed you, you told him about your mother and her death. You told Chan all of it, every little detail about your life before you came to Korea. You told him how you had to bury your mother, you told him about your father assaulting you, you told him how you ran away and how you lived in a shelter for a while, and why you had nightmares, and why you hid under sinks.

And he listened.

...

By the time you were finished talking, you were sobbing, and rocking back and forth with your knees pressed against your chest, and Chan was holding back his own tears.

The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Y/n?" Chan spoke.

You looked up at him with teary eyes.

"Can I hug you?"

You nodded, and Chan didn't waste a second. He immediately took you into his arms.

"Thank you for telling me...your so brave Y/n. I'm not going anywhere, yeah?"

You nodded.

...

Once again, you'd fallen asleep crying in Bang Chan's arms.

You woke up hearing all of the guys chattering in the living room.

You threw on a hoodie over your tank top and put on your glasses, hoping it would hide the bags under your eyes.

You then walked out of your room and to the living room where you saw the guys playing games and eating pizza, and your roommate Noel was there too.

"Hey y/n! Are you feeling better? " Changbin asked.

"Oh, yeah! I'm feeling good." You put on a smile and went along with everything, letting the guys think you had been feeling sick.

You frowned upon realizing Chan wasn't there, and neither was Minho.

"Where's Chan and Min?"

Jisung spoke up. "They went on a walk, Chan said he wanted to talk to Minho." He shrugged.

"I wonder what he did this time." Seungmin snickered, followed by a giggle from Hyunjin.

You sat on the floor next to Felix and Noel, and grabbed a slice of pizza.

"Oo, you have pretty hair." Jisung randomly said from the couch behind you.

"Uh, thanks."

He hummed before reaching his hands down and playing with your hair, attempting to braid it.

The rest of the night went fine, you had fallen asleep on the floor next to Noel.

When you woke up, you realized that everyone else was asleep, but there was talking coming from your room, and the light was on.

Too tired to care or process anything, you went into your room, and you were greeted by Chan and Minho sitting on the floor, talking.

Chan smiled when you came in.

"Hey sweetheart." The nickname rolled off his tongue in attempts to not freak you out, knowing you were tired, and confused. "Is it okay if me and Min stay in here with you tonight?"

You had no idea why they wanted to sleep in your room, maybe Chan wanted to make sure you didn't have another episode, but why would Minho stay too?

If you were being honest, you didn't care, you were tired, so you just nodded and climbed into bed.

"Night." You mumbled.

"Goodnight y/n"

#skz angst #hyunjin #skz fluff #skz imagines #skz x reader #stray kids fanfic #stray kids imagines #bang chan #han jisung #i.n #lee know #lee felix #stray kids x reader #stray kids #changbin #bang chan x reader #fyp #hyunxjinnie

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hatsue-exe · 2 years

Note

Hi! You said you wanted one piece requests but I'm not really sure what type you were looking for. I scrolled and saw a thing about love letters which sounds cute! Could I please request how Law/Kid/Shanks/Smoker (who ever you'd like really) would react to receiving a love letter from their crush?

How they react to a love letter from their crush:

warnings: gn!reader, reader is part of their crews for the pirates. kinda of suggestive at shanks and smoker's part, but nothing explicit.

Law:

Law acts very calm and collected when receiving your letter, however, his stomach is acting all kinds of weird ways. He's not an idiot to his own feelings towards you, but still isn't used to the idea of admitting them, so your letter will spend some days upon his desk, your handwritten calligraphy seemingly staring at him while he studies at night.

During said days, he unconsciously avoided you, and you assumed that your confession wasn't successful and he needed some time to process. Which was fair, but still hurt, and people could see you were not your usual self.

One night, after not seeing you at dinner, Law realised how much he was missing you, so he sought your letter under the mess of books in his desk, rereading your love filled words and sighing heavily.

Knocks on your door took you away from your book. "Come in."

Law walked in, face calm, but eyes ablaze. "We need to talk."

"I don't think that's necessary…", you sit properly on the bed, not wanting to make this worse, but Trafalgar interrupts you.

"It is. I've been neglecting you as a captain and as a friend, but also as a man. I read your letter a few days ago, and cowardly hid my own feelings when faced with yours. I'm sorry. If your words still stand after this, I'd like to plan a date for us."

You looked surprised, not so much at his words but at the blush breaking the harmony of his otherwise stoic face. Going up to your captain, you kissed his cheek softly, his tattooed fingers lacing with yours.

"I'd like you to do that, yeah."

Kid:

Why would you do this to yourself?

Eustass' a little bitch, he'll definitely start reading the letter out loud the moment you put it in his hands. Once he realised what the content actually was, though, he'd immediately yell to whoever was around to get lost (poor Heat) and would skim the rest of the letter so fast you wondered if he actually absorbed any of it. He did. That's why his face was as red as his lipstick.

Looked up at you and he seemed so mad you were afraid he was gonna kick you out the ship right then and there. Kid got up and walked towards you, cornering you against a wall, hand splayed beside your head.

"Are you for real? 'Bout that shit you wrote?" He asks, eyes glued to yours. His words are rude, sure, but you know your captain well enough to notice his tone means otherwise.

"Every word."

Kid doesn't need to be told twice, his fist that was still clenching the letter dropping it in order to pull you by the waist to him, the hand beside your head holding your chin gently, tilting your head just right so he could crush his lips against yours in a bruising, delicious kiss. His whole body is demanding, tongue rough and grip tight, his knee going between your legs while low grunts escaped his mouth. You're about to pass out from lack of air when Kid steps away. "Good", he whispers, breathless as well. "Because I'm in love with you."

Oh yeah. That is why you did this to yourself.

Shanks:

You had written a letter for Shanks a while ago, but only gathered the courage to give it to him while you were all drunk at a party. He was talking, so you just slid the paper into his hand and left.

Shanks excused himself to see what that was all about, trying to read through his drunkenness. Unfortunately, he could only make it to the second or third line before a strong wind blew the paper away.

He chased it around the deck, hand desperately trying to grab it because he just had to know what the rest said. Until he crashed onto someone. Someone being you.

"I'm sorry, I'm in a… Oh! It's you!"

You laughed, the sound going straight to his heart. "Were you hoping it was someone else, captain?"

"Never! I was reading your letter just now, actually!" The smile on your face faded, tension filling your bones. "But the letter ran off before I could finish it. I still got to know what it was about, though. You love me, dontcha'?"

"Shanks, you're drunk…"

"Not too drunk to not have this conversation." He was dangerous suddenly, the type of look a predator has when it lures its prey. His hand was on your waist and he swiftly pressed you against the railing, showing you he had plenty of capacity over his actions. "Say it to me, darling. Tell me the rest of what you wrote. 'Less you wanna show me instead."

Your lips were on his faster than you thought possible, his taste alcohol bitter on your tongue, his body pressing yours, his hair tickling your face because of the wind. A groan left his throat as you scratched his shoulder, desperate for some grounding against his demeaning kisses.

"I see", he whispered, eyes still closed. "My cabin, pretty thing. I'll show you just how much I love you, too."

And Shanks loved you. A lot.

Smoker:

You've been dancing around each other for a while; he'd take you for a dinner date and give you flowers, you'd show up to his office with his favourite lunch, but there was no official confession or relationship between you, and it was killing him.

So when you gave him a fancy envelope with his bento one day, he couldn't help but tore it open and read it immediately, your words making him so flustered he spent the rest of the day jumpy, as if one of his subordinates would look at him and realise how in love he is — as if they didn't knew.

He planned a whole speech in his mind, going home to shower and buying your favourite flowers before going to your house, chain smoking the entire time. But you weren't there. But you'd be back soon, according to your neighbour. So, Smoker waited.

Half an hour later, you came back home with groceries to find the marine almost sleeping in front of your door. "Smoker? What happened?"

He got up in a rush, repassing his words until he looked and you and all coherence left his body as easy as his cigars smoke.

"I'm so in love with you."

You stared at each other and he fought the urge to slap himself. He couldn't just say it like that, you took the time to write a beautiful letter and now he… The sound of you giggling filled his ears and shushed his thoughts. Smoker watched as you stepped closer to him, putting your hand on his chin and closing the space between the two of you with an oh so soft kiss.

"I'm glad my feelings are not one sided. Do you wanna come in? I can make dinner as an apology for making you wait. You can stay the night, if you'd like."

Smoker relaxed, a shy smile appearing on his face.

"Only if you let me buy you breakfast tomorrow."

"Deal."

a/n: again, sorry for the wait!

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laprimera · 4 months

Text

2024 rules update! these will go across my blogs, but lemme drop the changed stuff here the rest has p much stayed the same.

thanks for following em btw or asking questions when needed, helps a lot!

. Selective, crossover/oc friendly, mutuals only etc etc. I only interact with mutuals and wait to be followed first before following back if I can see our characters and writing meshing well. This is just so I can have an active dashboard that I can freely interact with. please let me know if you have a side you'd want me to engage and follow if its not prominent somewhere.

. You do not need a verse to interact with my muse. If anything I prefer general crossover to see how they interact in their various worlds.

. While open to shipping and discussing possible connections with my muses I will not insta-ship and please dont assume they are even if we’ve talked about it a bit. It’ll have to be chemistry and interaction based with buildup and note the blog is not ship-focused. The blog’s central plot focuses solely on themselves and their themes unless heavily plotted otherwise.

. Note I don’t do mains or exclusives in any way. While I do have close mutuals I’ll interact with a lot because of comfort there are no central characters or plots otherwise besides my own. If a muse wants to get involved in some exclusive way please come by me to see if we can plot something out.

. I’m not interested in poly-shipping. Nothing wrong with it ofcourse but Im only really comfortable shipping with friends or mutuals I know and on the same space as I’m in. I’d ask for a single-verse for my muse or we can go through a platonic route if your muse is exclusively poly, but as with anything please come talk to me for anything.

. You dont have to ask to reply to an ask. Please do! If anything I ask if possible to follow through on a meme or ask you’ve sent be turned into an interaction unless the point is moot or its a drabble. Not required of course, it just helps start and build interactions!

. Note the plot is centralized to my characters and canons put under the v. main tag. Dash events, rpc happenings and the whathavs unless I say so otherwise are not canon and often put under the crack tag or untagged. Please dont assume anything from my muse or expect them to engage either as sadly I have to step away from the dash often and cant catch up. I prefer to have control over my narrative and if you want something outside included please plot with me!

#ooc. ･ﾟ ✹#doing some spring cleaning before the spring LMAO #and fixing some broken links oops

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hazelhearts · 1 year

Text

We'll Be Alright

Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader

summary: love takes time, especially when the person you love hurts you in the worst way possible

content/warnings: suicidal thoughts, depressive thoughts, miscommunication trope, wandavision, heartbreak

note/request: ahh my first wanda fic! it's been a long time coming. i put so much of myself into this one so I hope you guys love it as much as I do. warning, it hurts bad.

word count: 2.1k words

masterlist

Staying behind on missions had been a pretty normal thing for you over the past couple of weeks. You could listen to the dumb reasons Tony talked about for hours and hours every day, but the simpler thought is that he's an ass.

Usually Wanda would insist on staying back with you, but she didn't say a word this time. You assumed it was because of Vision. Things have gotten pretty tense between them the past couple of days, and sadly it wasn't the bad kind of tense.

Anyone with eyes could see that Wanda was gorgeous. But beyond that she was kind, compassionate, independent, and knew what she wanted. Not many people could say that these days. Especially not the clump of metal that's been trying to win her over.

Loving Wanda was honestly one of the worst things you could have ever done for yourself. She's been an emotional rock since Pietro, barely letting anyone in. You had only recently broken down some of the barriers, able to convince her to hang out with you. Most of the time it was just sitting silently in each others presence, but that was enough for you.

As the thoughts continued to run through your head, your phone suddenly rang. It took a couple of rings to really gain your attention, but the caller ID made you pick up so fast that it didn't really matter.

"Wanda?"

"Hey Y/N, um Tony wanted me to tell you to make sure that you washed the dishes. Something about how you kept skipping your assigned days?" The joy of talking to Wanda was always dulled by the mention of stick up his ass Stark. Sure you'd skipped a couple of days, but Thor loved doing them! He said that they didn't have to do it in Asgard and that it was one of his favorite mortal pastimes.

"Yeah, tell the asshole that they'll be done. But not because he wants me to, because I wanna eat dinner at some point tonight and the man doesn't touch a dirty dish." Wanda's laugh made the annoying remark worth it, the image of her smile making you grin like an idiot.

"Okay well that's all. See you later." She hung up before you could get out another word. Damn, so much for trying to be smooth Y/N.

----------

The team returned about two hours later, minimal injuries across the board. Wanda seemed to be the worse off. If you looked really closely, you could see a slight limp.

"Wanda-"

"C'mon, let's patch you up." If you weren't in front of the entire team, you'd crush that tin man into a cube and ship him to the nearest manufacturing facility.

Wanda and Vision walked into her room, practically staring into each other's souls. You were disgusted by the pda, that's all. Right?

"Stark, what's on the menu tonight?" Steve received a glare that was probably supposed to be intimidating but ended up making him look constipated.

"Whatever I put on the table. Now scram, or no one gets fed." You had never seen so many full-grown adults run out of a room at the same time.

You stopped in front of Wanda's room hoping the asshole of a robot was gone. For once, your wish was granted.

"Wands?" You lightly knocked on the door frame to keep from startling her. She nodded her head at you, as distant as ever.

"Wanna watch a movie? I picked out a few I thought you'd like." You knew there was too much hope in your voice but you couldn't help it. Since the titanium twat waffle showed up, you barely ever had a moment alone with Wanda.

"I'm sorry Y/N. Vision and I were actually going to do something tonight. Maybe some other time?" You forced the smile to stay on your face, refusing to show her any negative emotions.

"Oh yeah, sure. Another time." You walked out without another word, debating on asking Tony to deactivate the thorn in your side before you did it yourself.

----------

You began to feel immune to the passing of days as you and Wands drifted further and further apart. Every second she wasn't on a mission was spent with Vision. Your heart broke more every day, if that was even possible.

The rest of the team had started to notice your absence. Even when you were with them physically, you were somewhere else. They knew that asking Wanda to read your mind was out of the question. You had clarified that the first time the idea was spoken. Since then, they've all worried in silence. Even shithead Stark was starting to worry about you.

The team (minus you, Wanda, and Vision) got together and put it to a vote. Who would be the one to check on you? None of them really wanted to since emotions were not their strong suit, but it had to be done. The vote ended in a tie between Nat and Steve. Steve, being the only one brave enough to actually do it, knocked on your door a few minutes later.

"Y/N? It's Steve. Can I come in?" No response.

"Y/N, give me some sign that you're alive." Nothing, yet again.

"Alright, I'm coming in." Steve opened the door and there you were, staring out the window.

There were dark bags under your eyes, dried tears splattered across your face, and a haze over your eyes that Steve hadn't ever seen before. Your clothes looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks, as they probably hadn't. Your room was surprisingly clean, seeming as if no one had lived in it for quite a long time. It was true, since what you were doing wasn't really living.

"Y/N..." He knelt down next to the chair you were in, looking out the window. He knew you probably didn't want to talk, but you had to. No one had heard a single word come out of your mouth in months. Not even Wanda.

"Y/N/N, talk to me kid. I'm worried, Nat's worried, we're all worried. You haven't said a word in months, you barely eat, and you barely ever leave this room. I need you to talk to me." Your head turned towards Steve, absent look still present behind your eyes.

"Do you ever feel like the universe is plotting against you? Like, every time you find happiness, it comes in and squashes it?" Your voice was completely monotone apart from the scratch that showed just how unused it was.

"Kid, I should have been dead ages ago. I lost the woman I loved, the life I was living, and my best friend in what felt like a month to me. So yeah, I understand." Your head turned back to the window, but your eyes slowly focused more on the area around you.

"I'm just tired, Steve. I'm so damn tired. I'm tired of hurting, I'm tired of thinking, and honestly I think I'm even tired of living. Everything hurts." Steve's hand came up to rub your back, giving you the slightest bit of comfort.

"Well, let's wake you up. I know that there's no automatic remedy, but we can try can't we? How about you start with a nice shower, brushing your teeth, and changing out of these nasty clothes?" Your hand found Steve's on the armrest of the chair, giving it a light squeeze.

"Are you saying I stink Rogers?" You both let out a laugh, his much stronger than yours, but still a laugh. The first laugh you'd had in months. It felt good.

"God yes. You smell like a sewer. Now, go." Steve laughed as he left the room, and you got out of the chair.

----------

"Y/N/N! We missed you!" Thor practically ran to you and scooped you up into a hug, cutting off all of your oxygen.

"Can't- breathe. Thor, o-oxygen!"

"Shit! Sorry tiny." He finally let you go, your face slowly gaining back color. You smiled, really smiled.

"I might be tiny but that doesn't mean I can't beat the shit out of you blondie!" Everyone laughed, happy to have a bit of the old Y/N back, no matter how little.

"I made breakfast!" Tony came around in his signature Kiss the Cook apron, a huge plate on pancakes holding on for dear life.

"God, you read my mind." You and the rest of the team rushed to the table, excited as ever to scarf down every bit of food within reach.

One thing you did happen to notice was Wanda. She sat next to you, as far away from Vision as possible. You dismissed it, trying not to get your hopes up as it didn't work out well at all last time.

You practically inhaled the food, finishing three plates in record time. You even beat Thor's personal record, pissing him off more than ever.

You saw Wanda approach you out of the corner of your eye, keeping your head facing down towards the sink. You were sure that these dishes had never been as thoroughly scrubbed as they were right then.

"Y/N? Can we talk?" You risked looking up at her, seeing only sadness behind those beautiful emerald eyes you loved. The sight made you want to throw up.

"Yeah sure, we can go to my room." You put the final dish away, leading Wanda towards your room and shutting the door behind you.

"Okay, what's up?" Before you could even fully turn around, Wanda collapsed into your arms. You grabbed onto her as tightly as you could, holding her as close to you as you could manage.

"I missed you. God, I missed you so much. I read your thoughts, I know you asked me not to, but I had to! You were never around and I was worried! I saw everything, everything about me." You were definitely going to puke.

"Oh god Wanda. You were never supposed to see that." You averted your eyes, unable to look at the woman you loved. You couldn't face her rejection when you were just starting to pick yourself back up.

"Y/N, look at me, please." She put her finger under your chin, raising your head enough to look into her eyes.

"I love you, I should have said it sooner. I just- I thought you could never feel the same way. You were always so fun and amazing, I never thought you'd want me. So, I went to Vision, trying to get over you. But it didn't work! I can't stop thinking about you, and I think you can't stop thinking about me either." The words you always wanted to hear were finally spoken to you, and all you felt was dread.

"Wanda, of course I still think about you. I can't help it. But I'm not in the place for a relationship right now. I just started trying to get myself back together. I just started recovering from the first time you broke me. I can't put myself through that again yet. No matter how much I love you, I need to love me for a while." Wanda slowly nodded her head, averting her eyes this time.

"It's not a no, it's a give me time. I don't wanna make you wait, but I can't do it. I love you Wanda, so much, and knowing you feel the same way about me? I'm over the moon. But I need time, time to gather all these thoughts I'm having and pull myself together." You grabbed Wanda's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"I understand. I'm happy you're taking care of yourself." She smiled at you. You could tell it was forced, but you appreciated the effort.

"Do you think we can be friends, y'know, until you're ready?" You smiled right back at Wanda, yours much more sincere than hers.

"I would want nothing more. But, I do have one request."

"What might that be?" Wanda smirked, making you even more confident in what you were about to do.

"This." You kissed her. You poured every bit of love and care you had for her into the kiss, expressing all the words you couldn't say with the movements of your tongue and lips. Wanda kissed back just as passionately, love nearly drowning you.

You both knew that it would take time. You needed to heal, and Wanda did too. You'd both been through a lot, emotionally and mentally. But, until you got your happy ending, you could have her by your side supporting you in the same way she used to. That would be enough, for now.

----------

taglist form

#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader #mcu #marvel #mcu x reader #steve rogers #natasha romanoff #thor odinson #tony stark #vision #tw depressive thoughts #tw suicidal thoughts #miscommunication #wanda maximoff imagine #the scarlet with #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda imagine #elizabeth olsen

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instexcamera · 1 month

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droolinf over merman kanata.

hear me out, Fantasy AU where you're a solo pirate taking a break on this secluded island you found. Kanata comes around and is like "why the fuck is there a massive ship in my territory" then he sees you and now hes like "now theres an attractive pirate here, what do i do" You accidentally spot him and he ran away. Initially, he didn't want you there. But after days, almost a week now, he's starting to see some perks to letting you stay.

Ever since you saw him, you've been leaving out part of your huntings for him. Since he wasn't the strongest swimmer even for a merman, sometimes it was hard for him to catch food, often eating seaweed instead of that yummy lobster that ran away.... As a thank you for the food you provided him, he decided to give you a little gift.

suprise! the gift is him. he goes up to shore when he knows youll be there, and strikes up a conversation with you. You're elated you finally get to talk to the merman you saw, and hes happy because you agreed to keep feeding him. for a price of course. He keeps you company and lets you stay on his island for who knows how long, (please be forever, hes started to grow attached to you) and you keep hunting for him and keeping his tummy full!

anyways you both agree to the deal and now its been what, weeks? you both grow closer and closer, but now all he thinks about is you. talking with you, eating with you, mating with you, fucking you(or fucking him, hes not opposed) ... He doesn't want you to leave anymore and mating season for him is coming soon,,

ajjdhsn i have many thoughts on this (him) nd one of them is getting him pregnant... mfgh keeping his tummy full in more ways than one...

god this is so long i apologize

Wuah! No it's ok I really liked this! I just can't respond quickly to things currently!

I've also been getting quite a lot of fantasy au things in my inbox and now I'm imagining something for everyone. I also accidentally made this much longer than I originally thought I would

But yes Kanata, seeing a island in the distance one day after a while of searching, knowing you can't return back to your main land for a while because their at war (thanks Eichi). So finding a pretty good little island filled with fruits, woodland creatures, and marine life is perfect

Kanata notices right away, chilling on the shoreline however he splashes back in the water before you spot him. He keeps watch diligently and hopes he isn't spotted since he wouldn't be able to swim as fast he would want to get away

Claiming the land, setting up small houses, and eating the food, he watches it all attentively. He can understand you relatively well however he struggles a little, the mers have a different language. Sometimes when you went fishing you'd accidentally drop a fish, crab, or lobster. As soon as you're away he grabs it, overjoyed he can finally get them quick enough since you either killed it or stunned it

A month later he works up the courage to approach you. Secretly you had known the mer was watching but had never expected a interaction. He looks like he might dart with any surprising movement from you yet you hold a good conversation with him. Him asking you about food and eventually making a deal, you can stay if you give him food.

The longer you stay the more attached he gets, finally bringing you a pretty piece of sea glass he found. He meant it as a proposal but he didn't tell you, expecting you to know but obviously you didn't. Accepting the glass happily, he assumes you accept his proposal

He becomes more attached, showing up more often. You think it's cute not knowing in his eyes he sees you as his partner, or mate. And when heat season rolls around he expects you to help him. So when you act confused he has to explain. The thought of having a merman husband and not knowing made you laugh but you agreed to help him

You didn't know how mer people had sex. Never something which interested you yet you knew of people who had relationships with them. So when a slit on his tail opened up to reveal a long cock, almost like a tentacle, it surprised you

It didn't take long for you to get over it, not wanting to upset Kanata or make him feel self conscious. He can't prep you, his webbed hands make it basically impossible so you have to deal with the pure stretch of him

It's not that bad, being in the water with him and his cock having a sort of a aphrodisiac making it close to painless, only feeling pleasure. Of course you feel the way he forced you open, the feeling of fullness and when his tip hit your most sensitive area, making you squirm on his cock

Except when you move, he growls, fingers digging into your body as he bites down on whatever area he could, he had you now and you couldn't do anything. He would have let you go if you wanted him too, except that was the farthest thought from your mind, only wanting him to fulfill his needs and reach your own orgasm

He'd eventually have you crying and over stimulated on him, full of his cum which makes your stomach glow a slight light blue. When he'd finally pull out and his cum is leaking out, it's a sign to him you're fully his, if the marks on your body didn't already prove that point

He would lay with you on the shore until you decided to leave, shaking legs making it a little hard to leave him but you must before someone in your crew gets suspicious, they don't know about your relationship with Kanata. That's the one thing he hates about being with you, he can't always be there, of course no one would shun the relationship yet he was a little scared

#enstars smut #ensemble stars smut #enstars x reader smut #kanata shinkai smut #kanata shinkai x reader #kanata shinkai x reader smut

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my-favourite-zhent · 4 months

Text

New Tricks - Chapter 4

Ch1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5

Status: Work In Progress Version: 1.01 Pairing: Rugan x AFAB!OC Rating: NC-17 (eventually, this chapter is PG-13) Genre: Adventure/Romance Summary: Misadventures of Rugan and the original Zhentarim Gate's crew before and during the year of three sailing ships.

Table of Contents Read Here on AO3 or below the cut~

New Tricks - Chapter Four

“So instead of the tablets, which I specifically asked for, you brought me a bunch of scribbles. Is that right?”

Zarys' voice was perfectly even, her volume that of a normal conversation, and her tone could almost be mistaken for friendly, almost.

Rugan knew from experience this meant she was very close to dismembering him in some way.

“Now Zarys, before we get ahead of ourselves-”

“Specifically asked for.” She repeated.

“They were just clay Zarys, not really relics or anything. The glyphs are all anyone would want.”

“How would you know, you bloody idiot? Are you a wizard now too? Read all up on artifacts are you?”

“Listen, just send the buyer and see for yourself. It's safer this way, I promise.”

“Fine. But if this job is fucked because of you I'm docking your pay, and I may just take a pound of flesh while I'm at it.” She walked to the office’s shutter window. She threw it open, overlooking the warehouse floor.

“Sal! Get me a damned sending scroll.”

“Right away, Zarys!” Came the red-headed wizards reply before she slammed the shutter back closed again.

“And you get out of my sight before I decide to take that flesh preemptively.”

Rugan inclined his head in deference and left without a word. He hurried down the stairs two at a time.

“Told you, you idiot.” Bellar was leaning on a pile of crates at the foot of the stairs. Olly was sat upon one crate fidgeting with his bow. They hadn't heard everything down here, but they had heard enough.

“It'll be fine.” Rugan tried to sound confident but he was beginning to wonder. Sal hurried past them, up the stairs with a scroll in hand.

“Don't expect me to cover your escape when you find yourself needing to flee the city.”

“I have a cousin here in Waterdeep you could stay with Rugan.”

“Dammit Olly, let him clean up his own mess.”

“I appreciate the sentiment lad but it won't come to that, and I don't want to hear anything more on the subject.”

“Rugan, can I talk to you for a moment?” It was Garias who had approached the trio.

“Now's maybe not the best time.”

“It's about Brem.”

Rugan dragged one hand down his face in frustration, a ragged groan escaping him. “Fine, lead the way.”

Garias led him to one of the storage alcoves on the far side of the warehouse. Rugan practically collapsed onto one of the nearby chests while he watched Garias pace back and forth.

“Well, spit it out lad.”

“Right, so the thing is, the thing with the girl I mean. Right, the thing is, it wasn't Brem.”

“The girl from the ambush? How do you mean it wasn't Brem? Of course it was your brother, Bellar saw them together.”

“Well, yeah but Brem was already asleep by the time she started asking questions.”

“What do you mean, already asleep?” Rugan threw his head back and laughed as realization dawned on him. “By the Black Hand is there anything you idiots don't share?”

“Well you know people pay good money at Sharess-”

“I really need you to stop now, little cousin.”

“Right.”

Rugan sighed and put his head in his hands. “So you're saying I have to apologize to Brem now?”

“Well I mean, he'd probably appreciate it.”

“Stupid of him to take the fall for you but fine, I'll treat him to a pint tomorrow. Assuming of course I survive the rest of the night.”

“Rugan!” Came Zarys' shout from across the warehouse. “Now where has he gotten off to?”

“I'm here Zarys.” He approached the window, chest tight.

“Thought you'd run off on me.”

“Too old for that, knees would give out.”

“It's your lucky day then. Buyer's pleased with your creative problem solving. You, lanky and the boy each get a bonus.”

+++++

The trio had decided to celebrate their good fortune at the docks ward the next night. They dragged Brem along for good measure and in turn it had been Brem who recommended the Blackstaron inn.

“I fold.” Rugan placed his hand down on the table. The tavern was bustling with noisy patrons, and the smell of beer hung on the place like a hoppy cape.

“Ah c’mon Rugan.” Olly pleaded. “Lemme win back my coin.”

“No thank you, besides Brem is gonna clean us all out.”

“It can’t be helped that you lot are hopeless at cards.” Been chirped merrily.

Bellar put his hand down as well. “Yeah I'm done, don't aspire to losing all my coin to this tosser.”

“Fancy a pint at the bar?” Rugan asked Bellar with a nod of his head.

“Nah, I need a tall drink but not of that sort.” Rugan followed his gaze to a barmaid with a mischievous smile.

“Good luck to you mate.” He clapped Bellar on the back as he rose from his seat. “You too lad, just remember Brem squints when he has a good hand.”

“Oy don't tell him that!” Brem complained after Rugan as the man made his way to the bar.

Leaning on the counter he ordered an ale and turned to look down the worktop as he waited. There was a pair conversing on the opposite end, after a moment he realized he recognized one of them. She hadn’t seen him yet, chatting as she was with another man. No finery this time, she wore a simple blouse that cinched under her bust and her hair was tied back, but it was definitely the woman in green. The bartender slid over his drink and Rugan watched her over the lip of the glass as he downed it.

It was then that they locked eyes. He noted the surprise on her countenance that quickly turned to a smile. She gave a little wave and he couldn't help but grin and waggle his fingers back. Her conversation partner had also turned to see who she was greeting, his expression soured upon seeing Rugan. The zhent watched her turn and make some excuse to the man.

“Fancy meeting you here.” She was practically beaming as she approached.

“That's twice now you've abandoned your date for me, either you're very fond of me or extremely fickle.”

Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she reached out to run her fingers down his jaw. “What's not to like?”

“The feeling’s mutual, lass.” She smiled coyly at that.

“Do you have a name zhent?”

“Planning on screaming it for me later?”

“Presumptuous.”

“I'd also accept moaning.”

“You cocky bastard.” She was laughing already.

“Whining, even.”

“Tell me the damned name already!” Despite her raised voice, her cheeks were aching from smiling.

“Rugan.” He said at last. “And you? Erica was it?”

“No. That was just for the job.”

“Well, go on then.”

“Isolde.”

“Isolde? You are a bleeding noble after all.”

“I am not!”

“Name like that? Too posh for us common folk.”

“My parents were old-fashioned is all.”

“Ah, so it is your real name this time.”

“It is.”

“And why give me the real one?”

“Because I'll get jealous if I hear another name on your lips.”

“You're almost a worse flirt than me. Still too posh though.” He mused. “Can I give you a nickname?” Rugan turned to the bartender briefly, raising two fingers to indicate another round.

“You are a cad after all, aren’t you? Fine then, let's hear it.”

“Izzy, I think that suits a little minx like you.”

“Alright then. But I reserve the right to give you a nickname once I come up with one.”

“It's a deal.” And he made a show of shaking her hand to seal the contract, drawing another laugh. “Don't often give out the real one, do you?”

“No.” She admitted, looking a little embarrassed and he worried for a moment that he had pried.

“Too many pushy suitors is it?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh aye, I understand completely.” Rugan held up his hands in mock seriousness. “Folks are harassing me all the time. Never taking ‘no’ for an answer.” Her smile had returned and he felt himself relax.

“Poor thing, you must be beating them off with a stick.”

Rugan had a cheeky rebuttal to that, but luckily two drinks were slammed down in front of them before it could come tumbling out of his mouth.

He paid for the drinks, waving off her attempts to reach for her coin purse. “It's on me, got a nice little bonus thanks to you.”

“Oh?”

“Indeed, but let's chat somewhere a little more private. Shall we?” He directed her to an empty table at one of the various alcoves that lined one wall of the tavern.

Rugan noted with no small interest that Isolde scooted her chair right up to his as they sat down.

“My employer was very happy with those etchings of yours.” ‘Eventually’.

“Glad to hear it.”

“How about you? Make a nice profit on yours then?”

“Oh no, mine's not for sale. Personal project.”

“Personal project?” He asked incredulously. “Do you mean to frame it on your wall?”

“No,” She laughed. “I mean to translate it. I'm an archaeologist of sorts, I specialize in a few of the old tongues.”

“Should’ve figured you for an academic. What's a prestigious scholar such as yourself doing crashing parties and looting safes?”

“I’m not a proper scholar, at least not one anyone recognizes, no money for studies means no proper degree. But I have audited a few classes.”

“You did their taxes?”

“No!” Isolde couldn't help but laugh. She loved the way his pitch rose in confusion when he asked the question.

“It's just a fancy way of saying I sat in on lectures without paying. So most wouldn't recognize me as a proper student.”

“You're allowed to do that?”

She hesitated a moment. “Sometimes…”

“So you're an academic that lacks legitimacy, still doesn't explain why you're rooting through towers.”

“I told you, personal project. I don’t usually rob places where the inhabitants are still alive.”

“Usually?” He enjoyed teasing her, she was surprisingly candid.

“Hard to find legitimate work in a field largely funded by nobles if you can't get a recommendation from a professor.”

“So who are your regular clients?”

“Most often smaller religious groups and uh, occasionally tomb raiders.”

“Almost sounds dangerous when you put it like that, lass.”

“I have met some rough characters.” She eyed him meaningfully, lips pulled into a playful grin.

“Why do I get the feeling you like it that way?” To accentuate his point Rugan grabbed Isolde by the waist, easily pulling her into his waiting lap. She smiled at him, wrapping an arm around his neck before leaning in to press her lips against his throat, mouth searing hot like a brand.

Rugan groaned in response and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “Maybe we should take this upstairs.”

“As much as I would like that,” Her fingertip tracing patterns on his chest. “I believe your friend is about to get into some trouble.” She tilted her head towards a table across the way where Bellar was heavily flirting with an older red-headed woman. The woman was smiling wide and leaned down to give Bellar a kiss. “He's one of yours isn't he? Recognize him from the party.”

“Bellar? He's not doing anything-”

“That’s the innkeeper's wife, love.” Right on cue the proprietor approached Bellar with four strapping lads at his side, his sons by the looks of it.

“By the Black Hand.” Rugan cursed as he deposited Isolde back in her seat and made for Bellar's table. He reached for his blade before remembering Zarys' warning.

“Fisticuffs it is then.”

+++++

The quartet had been beaten, handily.

“Out of here, the lot of you.” The innkeeper barked at the zhents, and when he saw Isolde standing to the side. “That goes for you as well, miss.”

The burly sons were busy shoving them out the front door, past the remaining frightened patrons and broken furniture.

“I've already paid for my room.” Isolde complained indignantly as she fished out her room key from her cloak pocket. “Are you going to reimburse me?”

“Consider it damages for your associates handiwork.” The man sneered.

“They're not my associates, I'm no mercenary!”

“Yeah but you're associated with them aren't ya? At least that one there. That makes you associates.”

“No more than your wife.” Isolde bit back. Rugan manoeuvered himself between her and the innkeeper just as the man stepped forward menacingly.

“Now now, there's no need for more violence.” The zhent held up a hand in a gesture of peace. “The lady will hand over her key.” Rugan half turned to her and extended his other hand at this. She made a petulant face and started to retort when Rugan's narrowing eyes made her think better of it.

“Fine.” She deposited the keys in his hand, still pouting. Rugan in turn, deftly tossed them to the innkeeper.

“There, now everyone’s happy.” The corners of his mouth tugged into a smile, yet the expression was somehow more threatening than anything else.

The innkeeper only grunted his assent before nodding to his sons. The family re-entered the inn, but were no doubt watching them from the windows.

“God's Izzy you're worse than this lot with that mouth of yours.” He sighed in exasperation.

“Man’s robbing me! Why should I be polite?” She huffed.

Behind her Brem and Bellar finally broke into the cackles they had been holding in. Olly only shrugged.

“Did’ya see his face though?” Bellar was grasping at his sides.

“Don't encourage her. And don't think I've forgotten we're in this mess because of you Bellar.”

“Not my fault, the wife said they had an arrangement.”

“And you took her word for it?” The incredulity in Rugan's tone was unmistakable.

“Says the man in a honey trap.” Bellar coughed back the last of his laughs.

Rugan shook his head ruefully. “Come on then, I saw another inn just down the road.” He turned to a still pouting Izzy. “Don't fret about the coin lass, you can stay with me as long as you like.” He held out his arm for her. “You were planning to spend the night with me anyways, weren't you?”

The pout melted from her face and she appraised him a moment before making a show of daintily taking his arm. “Well if you're going to be a gentleman.” She cooed while resting her head on his shoulder, knowing very well he was not.

“I'll be the very model of chivalry.” He could hear that Bellar and Brem had begun their cackling and hooting again. He shot them a smirk as he led the party down the docks.

#rugan #bg3 rugan #rugan bg3 #zhentarim #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fanfiction #new tricks #bg3 fanfic: new tricks

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