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nad-zeta · 4 years

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Hii! How would Nobunaga, Masumi, Sasuke, and Kenshin react to an Mc or s/o who lost her right eye in a fight??

Hi, there love! Hope you are doing well <3. Here is ya HC love hope you enjoy it dear ^o^❤🔥

Content warning: Violence 🐇😱

Headcanon: MC losing an eye in fight feat; Nobunaga, Masamune, Sasuke, and Kesnsin

Nobunaga

You and Nobunaga had been working so hard lately and needed to take a bit of a break and get away from all the busy castle

One night as the two of you were drinking sake and snuggling on the balcony of your shared room, Haguro came swooping down and landed gracefully on the ground next to the two of you ∩(·ω·)∩

“Seems he too needs a break, perhaps we should go on a falconing trip tomorrow, just the three of us.”

You smile an excited smile up at Nobunaga, even Haguro screeched in agreement and excitement (/◕ヮ◕)/

The two of you were off on your adventure to your favourite falconing spot

The two of you were having the best time hunting little mice in the field with Haguro

When all of a sudden a bunch of bandits appeared from the tree line (・.・;)

Nobunaga fought to protect both of you, he tied up the bandits and just as the two of you just started celebrating your victory over them

（ ^_^）o自自o（^_^ ）

One of the bandits shone a light in your eye, attracting his own falcon to attack you. (l'o'l)

Nobunaga killed the bird but not soon enough, as you had lost your eye in the attack.

Nobu just saw red, he swiftly killed the bandit’s friends, and sent the man who called upon the bird to injure his beloved, to be locked up and tortured by Mitsuhide. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Nobunaga pulled out his clean hand towel and held it over your eye, he then picked you up and placed you on the horse racing the two of you back to Azuchi

He took you straight to Ieyasu to evaluate the damage

He paced outside Ieyasus room, Hideyoshi was there trying to calm him down. (-"-)

Even Mitsuhide came to see how you were doing informing his lord that he will torture the man so badly that he would pray for death for harming their beloved princess

Ieyasu signalled Nobu inside and left the room to give the two of you a moment

He had sewn up the hole where your eye had been, Nobunaga sat beside you and gently caressed your face ༼☯﹏☯༽

You had never seen the man cry until today, “hey hey hey what’s with the tears, I’m the one with one less eye, you don’t see me crying, do you.”

(`･ω･´)

“But fireball it’s my fault…”, you gave him a passionate kiss to shut him up ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Nothing changed for Nobunaga, he still saw you as the most beautiful woman in the world, and boy did he remind you of that every day of your life

You moved on with your life as if nothing had ever happened at all

Nobunaga would buy you the best eye patches for you and outfits to match

Nobunaga would always drop sweet little kisses on both your eyes whenever he saw you.

He would cradle your head in his hand and then gently kiss both eyelids, he would then whisper words of love in your ear, before leaving to his next meeting

Masamune

There was trouble in paradise as the Date clan was not happy about Masamune taking a foreigners hand in marriage

The two of you were appealing to the clan in Azuchi audience hall.

During one of the meetings a fight broke out

They had their heart set on Masamune marrying a princess of their choosing ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ

In the middle of the argument one of the men stood up, dagger in hand intending to kill you Σ(゜д゜;)

The man aimed for you neck but luckily for Masamune’s quick reflexes he missed your neck, although what Masa didn’t see was that the dagger had been lodged into your eye socket

Everyone held their breath, you honestly sat there paralyzed, the shock was too much for you and you passed out

Masamune was furious ヽ(ｏ`皿′ｏ)ﾉ

He picked you up and held you close to his chest

He didn’t want to lose you, this boi though you were dead TBH (ಥ﹏ಥ)

He nestled his face into your neck, his eyes went wide when he heard your heartbeat (°-°)

He ran out of the council room and took you straight back to his manor

He called for his most trusted vassal who was responsible for cutting out his own eye, he also called for Ieyasu to assist

He sat by your side holding your hand tightly, his eye stung with unshed tears of fear, anger and frustration （>﹏<）

Nobunaga had heard what had happened and there was definitely hell to pay for whoever dare try and kill their precious princess (╬ ಠ益ಠ)

You woke up, Masamune looked at you with fear and worry.

Ieyasu had told you what had happened and handed you a mirror

You looked at yourself in the mirror through your one remaining eye, you then looked over at Masa’s miserable expression “Well, I guess there is just one thing I can do in a situation like this” (ΘεΘ;)

Masamune chocked out a reply “And what would that be kitten.”

“If eye’m being honest, this eye patch makes me look soooooo Eyeconic” (◕‿◕✿)

Masamune cracked a small smile “Lass are you trying to tell eye puns.”

( ͡ಥ ͜ʖ ͡ಥ)

“Eye, Captain took you long enough” ༼ つ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ༽つ

Masamune blinks at you and you blinked back at him, all of a sudden both of you break out into a fit of laughter (ﾉ･_-)☆

Ieyasu just rolls his eyes “Did I miss something.” ◔_◔

“Eye’ll be damned, you truly are the best kitten in the world.”

The two of you are legit pirate couple goals ٩(•̮̮̃-̃)۶

Eye puns have now been added to the list of thing the two of you goofballs joke about >^_^<

Sasuke

You and Sasuke was goofing around playing ninja ninja ( ๑╹o╹)✬

A new ninja had approach Sasuke in the middle of your game and asked if Sasuke could show him some moves

You looked at Sasuke and gave him a nod of approval (▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)

As Sasuke showed the ninja trainee some moves, you went to sit on a nearby bench to watch the two of them

As the trainee ninja went to throw one of the throwing knives, it slipped from his fingers and shot back

Your eyes widened as you saw the throwing knife heading straight for you

It hit you in straight in the eye (ʘ‿ʘ)

Sasuke was shook, he was in a state of shock he honestly didn’t know what to do ◉_◉

Kenshin had seen the whole thing unfold and rushed to your side

He looked at his paralyzed ninja and then started barking out orders

Everything happened so fast and Sasuke had been in a daze the entire time ◉_◉

The little ninja in training was now profusely apologizing to you (⋟﹏⋞)

After you took the pain meds that Kenshin had gotten for you, you felt pretty chilled. Kenshin ordered the best doctor to help you out

Sasuke finally came out his daze to see you with an eye patch on ಠ‿↼

He started crying, he didn’t know what to do (つд⊂)

“Hey, Sasuke who am I… Whooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea.”

( ͡ᵔ ͜ʖ ͡ᵔ )

Sasuke laughed cried “Only you would imitate patchy the pirate during a time like this.” (☭ ͜ʖ ☭)

“I’ve always wanted to rock the sexy pirate look, now finally my dream has come true” (｡◕‿◕｡)

The two of you spend the rest of the day making personalized eyepatches with your favourite memes painted on them (✿◠‿◠) (✿◠‿◠)

Kenshin

The two of you were out together playing with the bunnies in your favourite flower field (✿◠‿◠)

You and Kenshin were sitting together snuggling and cuddling while he made you a beautiful flower crown from the flowers that surrounded you

❀ ✿ (✿◠‿◠) ❀ ✿

The bunnies hopped onto your laps and nuzzled the two of you love birds

( ・×・) ❀ ✿ ( ・×・) ❀ ✿

All of a sudden, the bunnies seemed on edge and startled

They stomped their feet on the ground to signal danger (⁎˃ᆺ˂)

Kenshin quickly stood up and drew his sword '̿'\̵͇̿̿\з=( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿̿ ̿ ̿ ̿ ̿ ̿

The two of you were being attacked by assassins from one of Kenshin’s enemies

Word had got around that Kenshin had taken a lover, this particular enemy of Kenshin legit hated him and wanted to make him suffer

The assassins task was to kill you right before his eyes

Kenshin managed to fight off the skilled assassin failing to see a second one hiding in the tree lines

He shot you in the face with an arrow (°o°)

When he saw you topple to the ground lifeless, he left to report your death

Kenshin’s blood froze, and his heart stopped ((+_+))

He gently cradled you in his arms, tears slipping from his eyes. ༼ಢ_ಢ༽

The bunnies surrounded the two of you nuzzling you as If to say wake up

Suddenly you started to move, Kenshin quickly picked you up, holding you tight to your chest and sprinted back to the castle (つ﹏<)･ﾟ｡

He called for all the best doctor and physician to come to your aid

He was pacing up and down, he wanted nothing more than to destroy anyone who dares lay a finger on you デ╦-( ͡ಥʖ̯ಥ;)╯╲___XXXX

Sasuke managed to calm him down, writing to your Oda friends about what had happened

Once Kenshin was allowed back into the room, he was at your side, head resting on your chest ๐·°(৹˃̵﹏˂̵৹)°·๐

You gently pulled your fingers through his platinum hair and teary eyes looked up into yours (^_^;)

Thankfully the arrow didn’t move further than your eye

Kenshin couldn’t help but cry as he gently traced the fresh scar in the place of where your eye was. つ ಥ_ಥ ༽つ

You simply smiled at him and said it was alright ｡◕‿◕｡

Kenshin forgot how strong and brave you were, that you were a true goddess of war (つ﹏<)･ﾟ｡

It took some time to calm Kenshin down and adjust to your new one-eyed life, it definitely made things easier when your Oda friends basically wiped out the enemies that did this to you ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з= ( ▀ ͜͞ʖ▀) =ε/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

Kenshin spends every day reminding you of just how beautiful you are

In his eyes nothing changed

He took the liberty of painting little bunnies on your eye patches

(ㅇㅅㅇ❀)

He would literally cut down anyone who dare say one bad thing about you or make a comment about your missing eye ｡◕‿◕｡(◕‿◕✿)

Hope you enjoyed it love ^_^ ❤❤

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do-androids-dream-ao3acc · 3 years

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I’ve started a new project where I aim to publish one-shots and short stories of my favorite headcanon. Here’s the first story, “For we know the joy of life, the peace that love can bring” (which is a line from the song “The Wizard” by Uriah Heep, covered by Blind Guardian, so no you won’t escape them here).

"There are guards outside the door," Geralt panted, his lips still slightly wet from the violent kiss.

"There are always guards outside the door."

Emhyr's dark voice was very near to his ear, his hot breath stroking Geralt's neck.

"That's their purpose. To protect," he added, while his hands, used to press his husband to the door immediately after entering, slowly moved lower from Geralt's shoulders, "… and to prevent sudden attacks."

These words were followed by a daring grip on Geralt's crotch. Satisfied that he had elicited a small sigh from his lips, but still full of impatience, Emhyr pushed aside the shirt of his beloved and pressed his mouth on the particular spot above Geralt's collarbone. This had the desired effect: a new tone, this time sounding from the depth of Geralt's throat. One night, Emhyr had dared to call that a purr, whereupon Geralt had claimed that wolves rather growled.

Except that he rarely growled when Emhyr did this: letting his hands wander over Geralt's thighs, tracing the muscles, very slowly stroking upward, the bulge in his pants clearly showing.

This witcher was easy to crack. Not in battle, by no means. Not even in their usual, stubborn discussions (banter and bickering, as Ciri called it). He did not fall for flattery, was fundamentally suspicious and a fierce enemy to everyone who dared to betray or even fight him. There were undoubtedly many qualities about Geralt that were admirable, even endearing. But what Emhyr loved about him, maybe more than anything else, was a peculiar weakness, which he revealed to no one but Emhyr himself.

He was weak for Emhyr's eyes, changing color in their most intimate moments. He was weak for his touch, to feel Emhyr's fingertips, an ever so soft sensation upon his scars. And he couldn't get enough of his kisses, of those daring lips pressed upon his own; so soft when Geralt was still half-asleep in the morning, his eyes a pale glow from under this tangled mess of hair. At other times, those lips were arrogant, inviting and challenging at the same time.

It was a weakness exclusively reserved for Emhyr alone, and at the same time, it triggered his own vulnerability: loving this man, entirely, was the only one he allowed himself. And he was fond to show this love - knowing well that, even since they were married, according to his status, customs, and court protocol, he could only do so when they were truly alone.

The long days, filled with duties, seemed more and more grueling to him. They offered no real distraction when Geralt was out hunting monsters or looking after his small vineyard. Even if they were both in the same place at the same time, the palace was a madhouse of activity, and there were days when they saw each other from dawn to sunset only for meals. On those days, they feasted on the glances they gave each other across the table and the furtive thigh-pressure beneath.

On days like these, impatience and desire built up in Emhyr, and it was enough for him to cast a single glance at his counterpart to know that he felt the same way. Then, when they were alone, his approach was rough like his lips, which had twisted disapprovingly one time after another over many hours. Then his need for a catalyst was so great that his tremendously soft hands hardened, their grip tight. Then, like now, he elicited sounds from Geralt that only spurred him on.

"You're firing up the rumor mill," Geralt groaned, pressed against the wall.

Still, he made no effort to set himself free. A single grip would have sufficed. As powerful as he may be, an Emperor was no challenge for a witcher - not in physical strength. But the authority that the latter had over almost the entire continent and its inhabitants during the day was centered on one man alone at night. And this man liked it.

"The rumor mill," answered referred Emperor, nibbling at his husband's earlobe, sending a shiver down the latter's body, "can hear you every night."

"That's filthy and not even true."

"It's not?"

In the blink of an eye, Emhyr grabbed Geralt's right hand and pulled him away from the door, pressing him tightly against his body for a second, only to spin him around and push him forward. In a well-established game of pull and being pulled, they traversed the darkness of the anteroom in somnambulistic confidence.

The candles in the bedroom lit up due to an almost carelessly shaped sign, as Geralt's hands were busy holding onto his husband's hips. Emhyr, in turn, kept his mouth busy with caressing Geralt's tongue.

Then he suddenly withdrew, only to look closely at Geralt in the dim light of the candles. His eyes seemed to glow just as much as those of his counterpart, looking at him somewhat astonished.

"What is it?"

One of his rare smiles showed on Emhyr's face, even if the corners of his mouth lifted only slightly: it was evident in his eyes.

"I haven't seen you all day."

"And you've forgotten what I look like?"

"You truly are extremely romantic," Emhyr remarked dryly.

"No, I'm extremely hard."

"Dirty. And impatient. What am I going to do with you, my dear? Tell me that?"

With a casual gesture - and a bit of assistance, because the witcher didn't lose his balance that quickly - Emhyr pushed Geralt onto the bed. The immaculate sheets lost their smoothness, not for the last time that night.

"I have some ideas… "

"Who says I want to hear them?" muttered Emhyr as he slowly settled down beside his spouse.

He lay down, one hand almost possessively on the other's hip, and again some time passed in which he just looked at him. Oh yes, he was impatient, but he was a master at hiding it. Of these moments, it was necessary to savor each one. Geralt smiled because he knew that all too well.

"You can stare at me all night if you want, but will you allow me to undress?"

"No. I will order you to."

Geralt seemed to interpret this as the first sign of command, for he began to strip off the shirt that Emhyr had already rumpled anyway. Finest nilfgaardian fabric landed carelessly on the floor. A raised eyebrow was enough, and boots and trousers followed. The price for each piece was a kiss, long and persistent. Somewhere along the way, Emhyr's clothes were also left behind.

Skin on skin, their bodies lit only by candlelight and covetous gazes, they began to explore each other. Somehow, it was always as if it was the first time. As if they did not already know every blemish, every scar, every fold of skin from each other. As if they didn't know where the other had his sensitive spots, where his eyes lit up due to the touch, or when a movement meant wanting more. It was precisely this familiarity that challenged them to be bold, to seek those spots where the threshold between pleasure and pain was so thin. Emhyr always seemed to find them, always eager to make his wolf howl.

Sweat glistened on their skin as the ancient dance resumed. What a peculiar dance this was: no rehearsed sequence of steps, but still precise movements. Another game of pushing and being pushed, more serious this time. Entangled and entwined, no beginning and no end, they were as close as their bodies could be - for their minds were anyway.

Finally, release came, and it was just that: a relaxation, nothing more, nothing less. No waves crashing on a shore, no fireworks. They were used to each other in the best way there could be, silent fulfillment, wordless satisfaction. They held each other's twitching bodies tight, amber eyes locked onto each other, until Emhyr let his head rest inside of Geralt’s mess of hair.

One heartbeat recovered faster than the other, as it was accustomed to keeping this body's agitation low. So, in the end, it was mainly Geralt holding Emhyr, enjoying his weight upon him, that did not burden him. He listened to Emhyr's heartbeat and breathing as they both calmed down, breathing into the crook of his neck, inhaling a familiar scent of juniper and lust. The latter slowly subsided, and the chill in the room became noticeable - Geralt felt goosebumps under his fingers, which were still on his husband's back.

"You're getting cold," he whispered, stroking the skin under his hands.

Emhyr didn't answer. Still, it took Geralt a moment to recognize the steady breathing.

"Seriously?" he muttered, carefully turning his head to watch Emhyr.

His eyes were closed. The slight smile on his mouth was the last reminiscent of his contentment. The arduousness of the long day had finally taken its toll, and he had fallen asleep. It was as adorable as it was unflattering for Geralt, but he didn't resent him. He just very carefully pushed Emhyr off him, searched for the blanket in the rumpled bed, found it, and spread it over him.

Then he slipped under the covers himself, stealing his hand into Emhyr's - who flinched briefly, but didn't wake up. For a while, he just watched him, his face so relaxed only in sleep. All the candles in the room expired with a casual wave of his hand, and Geralt surrendered to the darkness around him.

#writing #fanfiction #one-shot #Emhyr x Geralt #Geralt x Emhyr #Emralt #Emhyralt #Emhyr/Geralt #Witcher 3 #fanfic

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frankieshq · 4 years

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[ itzy vc ] hey, hey, hey, it’s your girl summer coming at you with her twenty years of mediocre existence to present miss FRANKIE KWON. meet my self-conscious, awkward babie who uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism. you can find info about her under the cut !! i might have written a long ass bio that i didn’t bother to finish on a google docs but will be linking that one soon.

BACKGROUND

[tl;dr: young girl grows up in a matriarchal household that is heavy with regret and blame. dad comes and makes her childhood a bit happier, only to leave and break her heart because he’s an asshole. grows up thinking her smarts is gonna save her, but it’s actually her humor that does]

to truly understand frankie kwon, one must go way back--back to when her grandparents first immigrated to michigan. landing in detroit, sunhwa kwon and her husband didn’t have it easy. she had a two-year-old hanging by her neck and a brilliant but unambitious husband. she had to struggle with odd jobs for years while taking care of her family and helping her husband learn english, so he can use his engineering degree in america. she became a severe woman, never softened by affection but hardened by grit and hard work. eventually, the her husband was able to land a stable job and the family relocated to chelsea.

sunhwa made sure to train and hone her daughter jina’s natural intellect, but her methods were severe and lacking in affection. jina looked for the affection she didn’t find at home elsewhere. she fell in love with the first boy that called her beautiful, and at eighteen, gave birth to francesca areum kwon.

and so it goes that frankie was born in a household heavy with guilt, blame, and regret. there was love there somewhere, but it was constantly shadowed by feelings that existed way before she did. the emotional scars her mother and grandmother inflicted on each other were too deep-seated that their love for each other hid behind a cover of blame and snark. at a young age, frankie learned how to read a room, learned what to say or do so as to not aggravate the precarious balance of their household. she learned how to figure out whether her mother was too tired from work or whether her grandmother was in a snappy mood. it was a tightrope dance she learned how to perfect, growing up faster than she should have.

all her grandmother’s lost hope for her mother transferred to frankie, and her grandma supervised her education with the same vigor. although, this time, she was a tad bit more affectionate to her granddaughter (i mean all grandmas can’t resist their grandchildren, let’s be real). her mom wanted to protest, but aside from the guilt, she was always busy. being a single mom was hard enough, but she also had to take care of her aging mother.

frankie is a shy kid by nature, but her household just intensified this predisposition. she had few friends because she was scared about approaching kids first. she spends her time watching cartoons, studying, and writing in her journal.

enter: frankie’s dad, andrew grant. he left chelsea and his pregnant ex-gf bc he’s an asshole. but he comes back nine years later because he failed at whatever version of the american dream he was following at that time.

he taught frankie to have fun !! she’d spend afternoons at his car shop bantering with him and telling jokes. eventually, she relayed these jokes to people at school and was shocked when people actually laughed. she became more well-liked, developed a sense humor, and had more friends. the ages 9-12 were probably her happiest.

at 12 years old, she got invited to a middle school sleepover for the weekend. but she had a big test on monday, and her grandma doesn’t allow her to go to stuff if she has tests the next schoolday. with the help of her mom, she was able to go to it by pretending it was a school event. had so much fun and forgot to study. she didn’t get a grade high enough for her grandmother to be happy, though. once her grandma found out what she did and her mom’s involvement, she was livid !! that was the biggest fight her grandma and mom got into and frankie was grounded for a month. the worst part was, throughout the fight, frankie felt like she was a burden to the two women she loved the most. she felt like she was the reason her mother was always tired, constantly nagged on by her grandmother about wasted potential.

to make matters worst, her dad left town again. fell in love with some other venture. he told her he would come back but never did.

since that day, frankie dedicated herself full force to her studies. she felt like she needed to make it up to her mom and grandma for all their sacrifices. she built a wall around herself because it’s easier that way. she had few friends, but it was better for her.

her grandmother died during her senior year of high school. she loved her grandma, but she felt as if a weight lifted from her chest. her mom encouraged her to go to school as far as she liked.

she got a scholarship to columbia and studied statistics like the big nerd that she is !!

she met roman and lucy here, finally felt that she had friends that she felt she can really open to.

after college, she worked for a firm. she finally felt secure, like she payed some sort of unsaid debt to her grandma but she wasn’t happy, folks :(((

she first did stand-up as a dare on an open mic and she was so shocked that people laughed. she was tipsy then, and kept made self-deprecating jokes of her childhood trauma. love that for her.

the more stand-up she did, though, the more nervous she got because she gets really worried if she’s doing things right. instead of improving, she got worse because her nerves always get to her. don’t get me wrong the jokes are great, it’s just that her execution doesn’t always land.

comedy was just a vERY beloved side hobby for her until a small production company based on youtube offered her a writer position. she would get to write their skits and stuff, but she it payed wAY less than her present job. she was like fuck it, and took the offer. she wanted to make people laugh.

that leads us to here, a girl who is still unsure whether leaving a secure job was the way to go, secretly hoping to be a famous comedian.

PERSONALITY

frankie is like a spring roll you guys. outside, she masks her awkwardness and shyness with some cRunCHy self-deprecating jokes and sarcasm. so, she has an intimidating exterior because she tries to be tougher than she actually is. inside, she’s just a soft and sad girl. she doesn’t talk much if she isn’t comfortable with you, but once she is, she talks a loT. but it does take a while for her to warm up to people. can be extremely judgmental (a trait inherited from her grandma), but her mind can be changed. isn’t stubborn, though, and is actually a doormat. the type of person to say something and obsess over it because she’s scared that it might have offended someone.

HEADCANONS

lots of repressed femininity because there was a lot of internal misogyny in her household growing up !! it was only until college with the help of lucy, that she was able to access her girlier side.

is a lesbian, but has a lot of internal homophobia as well. her grandma was a very traditional woman, so frankie feels very guilty about liking girls, and is very hesitant about going on dates and actively looking for relationships even though she’s really lonely.

likes writing a lot !! used to keep journals since she was 8 because it honestly made her feel less lonely growing up.

nOBODY CALL HER FRANCESCA. she hates that name, but likes her second name a lot. only her grandma called her areum tho.

spends a lot of time at mon’s deli, and mon could also be counted as her bff. she and the old man gossip and chitchat about the bennington street residents for hours. is this also because she is in dire need of a father figure?? maybe, yes, absolutely

used to have really low alcohol tolerance, but sort of grew out of it?? if she doesnt drink for a month or two tho, her tolerance goes back to zero like dont ask me, i dont make the rules

still a big fan of cartoons and kid humor !! loves amazing world of gumball and steven universe

makes her own kimchi because her grandma and mom have a special family recipe, will happily share if she likes you

i imagine the level of closeness she has in the group varies, like she’s closer to some people than others and acts differently around them

would really like to do stand-up again but still has stage fright

want her to either end up working on something as big as snl or writing movies or overcoming her stage fright and becoming a successful stand-up comedienne !!

#laughtrackintro #hello hello im late for everything #did not put a connections part bc i will be dm-ing all you

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bearxclaws-archive-blog · 6 years

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Arc Headcanons // PRE-SKIP PT.4

It’s been two weeks since I did one of these ‘cause I was on vacation, but here we go again! Sorry for being repetitive, but there will most likely be mentions of Sanji x Anita.

DUVAL / SABAODY ARCHIPELAGO

— ARC OUTFIT

— After almost watching Sanji’s upper half disappear on Thriller Bark, it’s going to become a habit for her to touch a bit more. Not that she was why about it before because she’s just a physical person, but she’ll touch his arm, chest and anything from the neck up as a weird way of making sure he’s there. Totally brushes it off as just making sure he’s still mostly intact.

— She doesn’t know him, but Anita is worried about Ace too. She doesn’t like that his Vivre Card is burning. Still, she trusts Luffy’s judgement and doesn’t insist that he go after his brother. By the sounds of it, Ace is perfectly capable of defending himself.

— While Chopper and Usopp are relaxing and the rest of the crew is dealing with the submarine, Anita is in the kitchen pouting because she wanted to go underwater. With her Devil Fruit, she can’t. Oh, well, it’s sort of given her the chance to indulge in her stupid crush and watch Sanji work.

— Him getting decked by Keimi’s whole body when she lands on him cracks her up, though. She really needs to stop laughing at other peoples suffering. Not really sure why she does, but I feel like she just would.

— Having not been there during the Arlong Park chaos, she isn’t sure who Hachi is. Learning about it infuriates her, and so does learning that mermaids are sold.

— A thing I am realizing; when her island was taken over, her and her troupe were basically turned into slaves. They were a little cleaner and happier looking, but it was part of the act to lure pirates in. If they disobeyed, they were beaten or even put to death. They were scared of the man that had put himself in the position of master. So the entirety of this arc, Anita will likely be pissed and slightly afraid in a ‘ does he realize I’m gone and has he told other Marines so they recognize me’ way. She doesn’t want to be dragged back home yet when she can’t help. Didn’t have the smarts to think that it might happen until now. Whoops~

— Anita goes with the flow, so she doesn’t care who they’re saving as long as Luffy’s the one that ordered it. Although a large part of her wants to meet a talking octopus-man.

— Duval’s existence almost kills Anita. She will be doubled over despite being attacked with poisonous harpoons, holding her stomach and wheezing for breath.

— Because she’s stupid and obvious, I feel like the ones that know she has a crush on Sanji would be Nami, Robin and Usopp. At least one of them is going to be a shit and make a joke about her liking Duval because what’s the difference between him and Sanji? Rude as fuck, but it only makes her start laughing again.

— Flips her shit when they trap him in the water and announce they’re going to drown him. God, sometimes she hates that she has a Devil Fruit. When he does get rescued and has his dumb little nosebleed, Anita will poke him with her foot. Moron.

— Luffy and Anita have a contest to see who can put the most takoyaki in their mouth at once. Anita loses, obviously, and ends up almost choking. Sanji goes to help but Luffy smacks her hard on the back and ends up coughing it up. Ew.

— I’m wondering if Anita would know who the Celestial Dragons are. What I’m thinking is that their conditions at the circus were a lot worse than I first made them out to be. That they were treated like slaves, and that because the corrupt part of the government turns a blind eye ( and sometimes encourages ) the buying and selling of people. So if they were treated and seen as slaves, then I wonder if Celestial Dragons visited the island to be entertained and buy some of the troupe members.

One day she will have noticed that a certain member has gone missing and not come back. Would destroy her to see them being treated poorly years later while visiting Sabaody. Not sure if that’s giving her too much personal involvement in the arc, though. But, honestly, I’m liking this idea because she’s not going to get a major arc of her own like the canon Straw Hats to. This is the only personal things I can think of to make up for her lack of an arc and a slight foreshadowing that she won’t have a home to come back to.

— Anita debates being a love-struck idiot and staying on the ship with Sanji while it’s getting repaired by Franky and Usopp. Decides against it because she knows she’s being stupid and doesn’t want to look at his dumb, handsome face. Stupid cook.

— Like Zoro, she wasn’t there for the briefing about not dealing with Celestial Dragons. She’s off on her own thing, probably notices someone that used to be in her troupe but sees they have a collar and are being treated like an animal rather than a person. Follows after them, tries to call their name and get their attention. Might get a small, frantic look as the only warning not to say anything else! Gets confused and ends up losing them before she realizes that she’s where the rest of the Straw Hats are. Is yanked down onto her knees by one of them and doesn’t get why. Learns real quick and decides just as swiftly that she doesn’t like this place.

— Doesn’t care about Law’s crew, except for Bepo. Bear! Walking, talking bear! If they weren’t trying so hard to get Keimi back, she would have scrambled over to talk to Bepo. Wants so badly to be his bear-buddy.

— Adds a kick of her own when Sanji asks if they can buy the dancing girl. Come on, Sanji. . . Really? You’re my most beloved muse and I wanna kick your ass for that.

— Anita doesn’t get why people are reacting so badly to Hatchi. She isn’t the least bit against other races because there were too many different kinds of people that worked for the circus, so she only sees them all as people.

— She’s secretly enjoying learning about all these old pirates because she never met Crocus, and she doesn’t hear about Roger much. Always a sucker for good stories.

— The idea of splitting up doesn’t appeal to her. She has a bad feeling in her gut that she blames her animal-like instinct on. Assume Chopper can feel it too even though they’ve got got human in them too. Doesn’t mention it and almost approaches Sanji to ask if she can tag along with him wherever he plans on going.

— Anita can be incredibly dumb sometimes, but I feel like she would quickly notice that it wasn’t Kuma they were fighting. Or, at least, notice that he doesn’t have the paw-pads. Kind of hard for her to forget those when she’s so closely associated with bears.

— Probably tried to bite at the Pacifista’s and only managed to get through the ‘skin.’ I know Brook couldn’t get through it, but she’s a gigantic bear, come on. They’re supposed to be able to bite through iron, so she’s going to get her jaw into PX-4 and shed some of that outside layer.

— Running would be so easy for her in her bear form, but she doesn’t flee like she’s told. She’s taking on too much responsibility as a tank and trying to protect the groups that look like they’re under attack the most.

— Because of that, I feel like she would end up being the first one ‘erased’ because she would make every attempt to lunge in front of Zoro when the real Kuma comes. I know Zoro disappearing first was important, but she’s the one that jumps out first to do her job. She won’t get to see what happens to Chopper while he’s rampaging again, and doesn’t get to see what happens to everyone else. I wanted to be more despair inducing for her, but she would be one of the first gone and won’t have time to see them vanish.

URSA ISLAND / TWO YEAR SEPARATION

— Anita crash-lands on an island inhabited entirely by large, beastly bears. They’re all larger and stronger than she is, and they aren’t the least bit welcoming to find a human on their island. Unlike actual wild bears, these ones are barely smart enough to have a system of roles, the most important being tribe leader.

— The tribe leader, Anita dubbed King. He was a large, black, monstrous bear with nasty scars and gnarly teeth. He looks like a cruel leader, but he’s actually as kind as they come. He only wants to frighten her away because they can’t stand humans. He seeks only to protect his people. That’s what she’s come to understand, at least.

— There’s only one place that’s safe on the island, and it’s the largest tree in the entire place. They can’t climb to the top, and she can in her human form. Discovers, however, that she’s not the only human stuck on that island. A young girl is also trapped there. She doesn’t know herself very well and is nameless. She lives in the trees to avoid the bears and has lived there so long that she smells like them. Eventually, they agree that she will be called Ylde. Pronounced like ‘wild’ but Anita can’t spell and just went based on the sound.

— Ylde: Isn’t it spelled w-i-l-d? Anita: ...How the fuck does a two-year-old stuck on a bear island know how to spell better than me? Ylde: I’m thirteen. Anita: Silence, small baby.

— Ylde attempts to convince Anita that there’s no point in trying to integrate herself into the tribe. Even as a bear, they’ll know she doesn’t belong from her scent and size. Anita corrects her and says she only wants to get off the damned island so she can get back to her friends.

— Because it will be a while before she gets the paper and she’s determined to leave, she gets into her bear form and readies herself to fight through the swarm of bears just to get to shore and find one of the many boats Ylde says have washed up over the years.

— End up coming back to Ylde’s tree because she gets her ass kicked. Tries this every single day until the moment the News Coo comes with the paper saying. She understands the hint given by Luffy and is immediately relieved to see he’s still alive. Doesn’t know if the rest are, but she’s hoping so. Didn’t even occur to her that they might be dead because she managed to survive the crash.

— Spends the next to years fighting and learning on her own. Ylde doesn’t stick around when, during the first year and a half, an intact ship is discovered. She insists Anita come with her, but she refuses. Ylde, having gotten attached to her, promises to come back to that exact spot in two years to pick her up and take her where she wants to go.

— Anita’s goal, like everyone else, is to get stronger. She realizes after being beaten again and again that she’s too weak in her bear form. Seeing as how that’s the part she wants to strengthen most, she dedicates herself to staying a bear as long as she possibly can. Day in and day out, from sunrise to sunset, she wants to stay a bear. She does this and does get stronger, but doesn’t realize that in the process she was inching closer to becoming the tribe leader herself.

— Over the two year separation, the following happens; she learns armament haki that she uses only on her teeth and claws, gets even larger than before, earns more devastating-looking scars, gets even greedier with food because of how unfair the tribe was to her before she became leader, eventually becomes the leader and earns the respect of the entire island.

— But because the rest of the tribe refuses to fight her, she becomes lazy and antsy. She will absolutely crave a fight whenever it feels like one is brewing now.

— New moves: Mighty Roar: Can either a. instill fear in an enemy and send them fleeing or b. temporarily disable them because the intensity of the sound is mind-numbing. Not to be confused with Conqueror's Haki ;;

Bear Trap: Bites through any part of an enemy that she can and fuses her jaws together with her Armament Haki as long as the teeth are touching, leaving it nearly impossible to shake her off.

Bearrel Roll: Yes, it’s a pun to barrel roll. Doesn’t actually suit the move because she’s not doing a barrel roll, but she does curl up and roll into her target to catch them off guard. Is a good move to use with people she trusts to throw / kick her.

#🐻;「 still learning and growing ( headcanon ) 」#🐻;「 v. they remind me of home ( strawhat ) 」#sanita #( her arc feels too similar to zoro's but i cannot think of anything else )#( cause she doesn't have anyone train her like he did so it still felt different enough )#( idk )#( i love that it keeps warning that there will be sanji x anita mentions but )#( honestly it's one sided because i don't wanna assume sanji's feelings even tho i write him too pfft )#( i need a sanji OTL )#arc headcanons

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magelufaineart · 7 years

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The Pirate and The Diplomat - Chapter 8

Rating: Explicit Pairing: Hardenshipping Word count: 8,380 for this chapter Contains: Mentions of death, violence, blood, eventual smut and romance, mentions of various headcanons, and a lot of rivalry mixed with sexual tension.

Summary: Maxie McDewitt is a diplomat on the way to Johto to make a trade deal when the boat he is on is captured by pirates. The captain of the ship, Archie Brimsey, decides to keep him prisoner with a promise of treasure. At first tensions between the two are high, however pirate life ends up influencing Maxie’s behaviour, and his feelings, in ways that neither man can begin to comprehend.

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Author’s Note: Well hey there everyone. This chapter is unbeta’d as my girlfriend is currently asleep at the time of this coming out and I have no idea if I would have been able to post it tomorrow. Any issues with this fic, raise them with me and I’ll get to editing asap.

Apart from that, this is a long one so enjoy!

From below deck came the muffled shouts and orders of the crew, a constant reminder as to where Maxie was, though after awhile he found himself able to block out the sounds of the crew altogether. Once he did, he found the sound of the water hitting the hull comforting, after many voyages where the sound had kept him awake with dread. Somehow, he found himself dozing off, ignoring the hard wood that he sat on, letting his thoughts take over. The slow bob of the ship as it traversed the waves calmed his breathing, lulling him into a peaceful state of mind, one he hadn't really been in for a long time. He wasn't really sure how much time was passing outside either, eyes drooping every now and again as he tried to fight off the sleep, however he soon gave in, just about managing to keep himself sitting upright against the wall.

Unfortunately, sleep didn't last very long, around half an hour at the most, before the door to his cell slammed open, causing him to jump, eyes snapping open in surprise, right towards the cell door. Matt stood there, the key to the cell in his hands, a stern look on his face.

"Get up, the captain wants you."

Maxie opened his mouth to retort, but didn't have time to before Matt roughly grabbed him, hauling him up to his feet. He staggered a little, his legs having fallen asleep, before scoffing and making a show of straightening his clothes.

"Could have added a please in there somewhere," he muttered, ignoring the glare he got in return.

Without another word, Matt dragged Maxie out of the cell, similarly to how he'd dragged him there in the first place. When they reached the deck, he managed to catch a conversation between Amber and Archie, both standing at the bow of the ship and staring into the distance.

"If we try and find an alternate course, it could take us more time to get to Olivine City," Amber told Archie, an annoyed tone creeping into his voice.

"And if we don't we could risk not gettin' there at all! I ain't riskin' The Leviathan like that."

"This coral reef could be huge, who knows how far we'd have to diverge from our set route just to get passed it."

The two stopped arguing as soon as Maxie made his presence known, both turning to him expectedly. He held his head up high, noticing how Archie's face was still bruised from where he'd punched him, a glimmer of cold delight in his eyes. Archie must have noticed for he sneered a little before his expression became neutral.

"Sorry to take ya away from your lovely little cell," Archie began, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But, and I hate to admit it to ya, we've encountered a little problem."

Maxie chuckled as he walked over, aware of the look Archie shot him as he stood side by side with the captain. He knew almost instantly their plan of action: ask him if he knew how to get through the reef with minimal or no damage to the boat as he had sailed this course before. Sailing the course and actually paying attention to it, however, were two very different things. Considering Maxie's hatred of the journey, he often holed himself below deck, so he didn't really know what they were expecting.

"Aren't you, dear captain, supposed to know how to traverse the boat through all sorts of terrain?" Maxie asked, hands tucked behind his back as he made a show of surveying the area. A spark of familiarity struck inside his mind, yet he quenched that down for later.

"Cut the crap Red. Yes, I know how to traverse through coral reefs but not this one. The water's more shallow, it'd be suicide going straight through without knowin' the best way."

"Surely you should be able to apply that knowledge to any coral reef?" Maxie continued on, taking delight in the way Archie's gaze darkened.

"One more quip out of yer mouth and yer goin' overboard," Archie threatened, not even bothering to look at him as he gazed out at the water, frowning to himself. "I'm askin' you not 'cause I think ya can do my job better, ya can't do any job on this ship without fuckin' up. I'm askin' 'cause you've done this journey before. Saves us a whole lotta trouble if we have someone with firsthand experience onboard."

Maxie merely rolled his eyes, turning to face the both of them and making a vague gesture as he did so. "I spent most of my voyages in my cabin. I'd rather not mingle with dirty sailors, whether or not they happened to be pirates."

Archie sighed heavily, his nostrils flaring a little before he rubbed subconsciously at the scar on the bridge of his nose. "Fine, yer utterly useless. Don't even know why I bothered."

"As are you asking a captive for help, 'o scourge of the sea."

Archie glowered at him, his upper lip rising in a snarl at the insinuation that the captain himself was as useless as his captive. Maxie flashed him a cocky grin, standing up a little taller (even though he only just came to stand about the same height as Archie's shoulders), chest puffed out in a look of pride.

"I'm goin' to leave him in yer capable hands, Matt. I'll be with Amber lookin' for a new route if possible," Archie said to his first mate, giving Maxie a particularly heated stare. "If he misbehaves, shove his ass back in the cell, ya have my permission."

Matt seemed all too gleeful for being given permission to lock Maxie up. He may not have been smiling, but there was a certain twinkle in his eye that made Maxie pull a face of disgust. "So I get stuck with the lug… isn't your beloved captain so kind?"

Matt, surprisingly, chuckled at that comment, roughly grabbing Maxie's arm and dragging him closer. "He's allowing me the chance to knock some sense into you. I know the perfect job for you."

***

When Matt had told him of 'the perfect job', Maxie had expected something akin to the previous two jobs he'd been forced to do. Instead, Matt had taken him below deck, into the ship's hold. Maxie noticed, in amongst various barrels, the chests that were on Walter's ship. They'd been forced open, Maxie still had the key however that was now useless. Of course pirates would know how to pick locks.

"I gotta thank you for having such valuable stock," Matt commented when he noticed Maxie staring at the chest.

He gave him a quizzical look, arching a fine eyebrow up in confusion. "Explain…"

"The cargo that was useless to us, which was most of it, fetched a fine penny when we stopped off at land a few days ago."

"Oh fantastic, now what would my contacts at Johto say if we ported without half the promised gifts?" Maxie snapped, knowing he had no say in the matter of cargo.

"That's not my problem. That's for the captain to decide, and I don't think he'd take too kindly to an asshole like yourself decidin' to keep the stock and slow us down. Besides, the more expensive stuff is still here."

"Well, maybe The Leviathan isn't as great a ship as Archie seems to claim if a few chests can slow her down that much," Maxie quipped as he was stopped by a large pile of ropes.

Great. Just great.

Matt didn't comment on Maxie insulting the ship he worked on, instead simply grabbed a large pile of what looked like old line in his arms, dumping it at Maxie's feet.

"Sit," he ordered, pointing to the floor.

Maxie sighed heavily before sitting down, glaring up at Matt. He hated how tall this lug head was, having to crane his neck up so much just to make his glare somewhat effective. Even sloping his back so he didn't hit his head on the boards overhead, he still somehow dwarfed Maxie completely.

"So, exactly what am I supposed to be doing? I don't really know much about life at sea, as you know," Maxie asked, inspecting his nails and feigning indifference. "I'm much more fitted to making an entire nation bend to Hoenn's will, but I don't really think dirty pirates need that sort of talent."

"Yer right, we don't need that 'talent'. What we need is hard work and enthusiasm, not rich twats sitting around pretending they're the most powerful men in the world," Matt commented as he crouched down, grabbing a piece of line. "Now watch, and don't you dare forget what I'm teaching you."

Matt took the line and, with almost no effort at all, managed to untangle it. Maxie raised an eyebrow in suspicion, wondering how he'd manage that considering he'd never untangled rope in his entire life.

"Line here is never wasted. We always have to reuse it, whether as new line or as chinking. Untangling it shows us what fibres to keep, and what can't be used again. I want you to untangle this entire pile, putting the fibres into two piles." Here Matt pointed to the space on Maxie's right side. "Unsalvageable there and salvageable on your left. Got it?"

Maxie blinked a little in confusion, mainly because the job seemed so easy. Matt was more like the guy to delight in Maxie doing something impossible, as long as it didn't disrupt what the crew were doing. Yet here he was being told to simply untangle rope. He picked up a line and inspected it before smiling to himself.

"This doesn't look so hard," he commented, before getting to work.

***

Maxie was completely wrong.

A few minutes had passed and Maxie's attempts at uncoiling the rope had failed multiple times. Whatever way he tried, the rope always ended up coiling in the wrong direction, leaving it a complete mess. He grit his teeth to stop himself from cursing, focusing more on figuring out what the hell he was meant to be doing. Matt had moved to lean against the boarding separating the ropes from the other bits of cargo, arms crossed against his chest. He was inspecting Maxie closely, from what the diplomat could see through the dim lighting cast by a few lanterns hanging above head. He didn't want to show any incompetence in front of his man, so swallowed down his protests and continued to try and untangle the line aimlessly.

It didn't take long for Matt to realise he wasn't going to get it any time soon.

"Can't even do the most simple of tasks, can you?" Matt scoffed, kicking himself off the wall and walking over, sitting down in front of Maxie and grabbing the rope.

"Watch closely," Matt ordered before beginning to work his hands slowly, showing Maxie the steps needed to untangle the rope. When he'd finished, he passed another rope to Maxie, reminding him of what he needed to do, before allowing the diplomat to try again.

This time, Maxie got it right.

"Thank fuck you're a fast learner," Matt chuckled, keeping himself seated as Maxie worked.

It was quite a boring job once you knew what you were doing, however occasionally Maxie would mess up and Matt would quickly correct him, before going back to watching over him. He soon just started to let his mind wander, his hands working almost automatically, though sometimes he'd stumble and the rope would burn his hands, making him hiss in pain a little.

When he did get into a pattern, he ended up thinking about the coral reef. His memories of the journey to Johto had always been a little foggy, what he could recall had almost always been from below deck or in his own cabin. He'd only go above deck to smoke or for fresh air, and preferred if both captain and crew left him to his own devices. It was as he worked with the rope, his hands starting to form the beginnings of callouses, that he recalled a memory, as if it was summoned by their location itself.

***

Gulls skimmed the water searching for food as The Violetta bobbed on the gentle waves, her path halted by a particularly large coral reef within shallow waters. Maxie had appeared above deck for a smoke when the captain had politely asked to speak with him. He'd mentioned their current predicament, and that he'd send a few crew members out on a small rowboat to investigate potential areas that were safe enough to cross. Maxie had nodded and let him continue, however he couldn't help but feel annoyed. This would set their journey back by at least an hour or so and he was expected to arrive within the week. He had an important conference to attend to in Ecruteak City, which was another day's carriage ride from their port of call at Olivine City.

Sighing heavily, Maxie leant against the railings and puffed on his cigar, scrutinising the crew as they lowered a smaller rowing vessel into the water, before four of them climbed down into it. The captain at least looked like he was trying to figure something out, instead of expecting his navigator to magically know the way.

It took a while before the rowing boat came back, with some good news that Maxie couldn't help but listen in to. When the captain noticed, he beckoned him over, explaining what was going on. He nodded along with their plan of action, as there was no other choice. They'd found a way through where the water was deep enough to stop the ship from getting damaged, however it twisted through the entire reef, and they'd need extra precision and caution to make it through without damage.

***

Maxie gasped and flung his bit of rope to the floor, not bothering to even finish with his job. Matt looked up and glared at him, obviously unimpressed with his actions.

"You better have a good reason for just stoppin' midway," Matt said, voice low and threatening, which Maxie chose to ignore as he stood up.

"Where would Archie be?" he asked, trying to keep his sudden excitement under control.

"What, so you can go and suck his dick? This work too boring for Mr High and Mighty?" Matt responded, making Maxie groan in annoyance.

"So I can get this ship moving again, you imbecile!" he snapped before rushing off out of the hold, hearing Matt's shouting for him to get back to the hold. He chose to ignore it, glad he was a lot faster than Matt was as he climbed all the way back to the deck. Ignoring the stares from the crew, he rushed to Archie's quarters, flinging the door open.

Archie, who had been pouring over all the available maps, spun with a speed that Maxie still had to get adjusted to, gun pointing straight at him. He noticed a slight tremble in Archie's hand, and in other circumstances would have found the thought of unnerving the captain satisfying, however he was too interested in getting to Johto as soon as possible to even pay it much attention.

When Archie realised who was there, he lowered his gun and growled a little. "The fuck you doin' away from Matt? If I've found ya hurt my first mate I'll-"

"I know how to get us through this reef," Maxie interjected, walking over and not even thinking to care about Archie's reaction.

That was until the captain grabbed him and slammed him against the table, both his arms held behind his back in a tight grip. "Don't fuck with me, Red. Why are ya here?" Archie growled into his ear, making Maxie shudder as he tried to wriggle away from Archie's grip.

"Why the heck would I lie about this? Trust me, I know how to get us through as long as your helmsman is good at navigating this beast of a ship!"

Another growl left Archie's throat as he let go of Maxie, stepping back to allow the diplomat a chance to stand up again, rubbing at his wrists. "You need to learn some damn manners."

"And you need to learn 'bout insultin' a man's ship," Archie responded, just as Matt knocked on the door. "Come in."

Matt opened the door, irritation covering his face. "Captain, I'm sorry for letting him get away, but he didn't explain himself at all."

Archie simply sighed and shook his head, putting a hand up to stop his first mate from continuing. "I know, he came rushing in 'ere with a sudden way to get us movin', apparently."

Looking at the both of them, Maxie wondered if maybe he shouldn't have been so brash but ignored that thought when Archie gave him an expectant stare. "Right, the route…" he muttered before recalling what he'd remembered from a few years ago. Archie's expression soon became thoughtful, fingers running through his beard methodically as Maxie finished explaining what he'd been told by the captain of The Violetta.

"Yer sayin' there's a way around, it's just pretty difficult to navigate?" Archie asked, wandering over to the door.

"Do you think you can handle it?" Maxie asked, hands on his hips as he looked Archie in the eyes.

The captain smirked, lifting a hand and curling his finger into a beckoning motion. "'Course I can handle it. Yer the one that's gonna help me."

Maxie startled a little and shook his head. "I can't navigate and you know it."

"Ya don't need to know, just remember the route and we'll do all the hard work. Now come, otherwise I'll just turn this vessel 'round and send ya to some random island to fend fer yerself."

Realising he wasn't going to be able to get out of this one, Maxie begrudgingly followed the captain above deck, listening in as he told the crew that they'll be able to get moving again. Despite everything, the way the crew listened and moved as soon as he gave the order filled Maxie with a strange sort of admiration. He may not have known much about being a sailor, and despised the idea of working as one, but he knew that a captain had to have both power and respect, especially with a crew of sailors that could very well mutiny if their captain decided to send them straight to a possible watery death. Maxie wondered what Archie had done to become captain, not realising he'd been staring at the captain trying to figure it out until their eyes met and a wicked grin spread across Archie's face.

"Red, I know I'm fuckin' gorgeous, but the way yer starin' isn't gonna get me to listen to yer commands so just forget 'bout it."

Maxie spluttered in indignation and stepped back a little, shaking his head back and forth. "No no no I was just lost in thought!"

"Thinkin' about me, huh?" Archie's grin somehow widened as he leant into Maxie's space.

Maxie huffed and used that opportunity to flick at Archie's nose, smirking at the way his eyes slightly crossed in confusion. "You only wish I was thinking about your ugly face."

Archie laughed, a somewhat genuine sound that made Maxie feel slightly warm inside, which he forced himself to ignore as he walked past Archie. "Come on captain, we have a ship to get moving."

***

Maxie stood at the ship's wheel, watching as The Leviathan was carefully navigated through the somewhat treacherous path. Archie stood to his left, arms crossed over his chest, a small frown of concentration on his face. The crew behind them frantically listened to any sudden order Archie barked at them, just as attentive as the three at the helm of the ship. They'd managed to get through most of the coral reef without any difficulty, which Maxie was rather surprised at considering this was the first time The Leviathan's crew and captain had experienced anything like this before.

In fact, Maxie was quite impressed and opened his mouth to make a comment about it to Archie when they all heard a rather disturbing grating sound come from around the ship's keel. Archie turned to look at Maxie, and in a split second Maxie saw fear written on the captain's face before he'd covered it up and ordered the crew to go and investigate and fix any holes as soon as possible, as well as to keep up the pumps if there had been a hole. There was a sudden mad rush breaking the tentative silence that had almost befallen the deck of the ship as a handful of sailors rushed below deck.

"Continue sailin' her as steady as you can, we need to get out of here and find the nearest island or port to call upon," Archie said to the helmsman, who simply nodded and considered to concentrate.

Maxie looked towards Archie, watching as he bit his lip a little, and, before he really knew what he was doing, he placed a gentle hand on Archie's forearm. The captain looked down at him, his gaze unreadable.

"Do you really want me to tell tales of the pirate captain who panicked when his ship was damaged when I'm free?" he said quietly, more as a joke to make sure Archie wasn't panicking.

"Ya think this is panic? Hah! Ya ain't see nothin' Red."

"Then it's mild concern?" he asked, glad to see the corners of Archie's lips tweak up.

"That sounds better. Captain's can't panic. If they do then their crew'll be mad," Archie explained, foot tapping against the deck.

"They have to be both brave and clever. If a captain's lacking in any of those regards, he's bound to be mutinied," Maxie commented, noticing Archie's mild look of surprise that he knew a thing or two about pirates.

A chuckle left Archie's mouth and he flashed him a grin. "Well well, Red, seems ya know a bit 'bout our ways."

"Aye- Wait no I mean yes. You didn't hear that!" Maxie rushed to say as soon as the word 'aye' slipped past his lips. Stupid pirate life influencing me. I need to not let this happen!

The smirk Archie gave him was insufferable and he found himself pushing the captain away, rather glad he was in a somewhat amiable enough mood to allow this sort of reaction, not that it really worked as Archie managed to stand his ground.

"Ya know, Red, I think yer made for a life at sea. But we'll keep that little slip up between the two of us. Our little secret." Here Archie made a gesture of clamping his mouth shut, and Maxie breathed a small sigh of relief.

"If you mention it to anyone, even your damn first mate, I will make sure you regret it till the day you're hanged for your crimes." A little huff of laughter was all the reaction that Maxie got as Archie went back to concentrating, watching as the boat navigated the reef.

***

It didn't take the crew long to finally pass over the reef, yet there wasn't much time for them to celebrate it either. They'd managed to patch the damage as much as possible, yet they'd need to stop to fully investigate the damage and repair it. That was how Maxie found himself back in Archie's quarters, looking over the charts of Johto that they'd managed to find in hopes that there were some islands nearby.

"How long can she continue like this?" Maxie asked, noticing the tension running throughout Archie's body. A tension he was trying his hardest not to show, or to get rid of.

"She can go at least a day like this, but I'd rather not push our luck. Seems this area of water isn't the most conventional way to get to Johto," Archie replied, running a finger across the chart. "This chart seems pretty recent, obviously stolen off another ship to be sold at port."

Maxie was quick to put two and two together, watching as Archie ran his finger through the area they were roughly in. "Which means they've recently found a new way through to Johto that hadn't been charted before…"

"Exactly. Ship's are getting better, which means longer treks, and eventually discoverin' new areas to make shippin' cargo much easier. However, ya never know how dangerous the waters of these new courses could be."

Maxie was unsure what to say, so chose to keep his mouth shut just as a ship hand rushed into the room, calling Archie to attention.

"Cap'n, Amber's spotted an island that's just a few miles west 'f here. What'll we do?"

"Change course for that island, the wind's should be startin' to pick up which hopefully means we get there before sundown."

The ship hand nodded before rushing back out of the room, leaving the two alone again. "Don't want to navigate these water's at night?" Maxie asked.

Archie shook his head, rolling up the chart as he straightened up, running a hand through his beard. "Would rather not. Navigatin' at low light's already dangerous enough, and I don't know these waters at all. It'd be stupid fer me to let her continue sailin'."

"So, what am I supposed to do now?" Maxie asked, watching as Archie made his way to the door. He looked somewhat confused when he turned to look at Maxie, as if he'd forgotten that he was a prisoner on his ship, and not one of his crew.

"How good are ya at sewin'?" he asked, gesturing to a bundle of clothes and pieces of fabric on top of a small chest.

"Somewhat good. I'm guessing you want me to be your personal servant and patch up your clothes, whilst you're busy gallivanting above deck."

Archie chuckled softly at that remark. "Gallivantin' huh? That's just my job. Sewin' kit's in that chest, it's unlocked. Don't make me regret actually trustin' ya fer once."

Maxie gasped in mock surprise, placing a hand over his heart. "For once the pirate captain Archie Brimsey trusts his prisoner! What strange magic is being cast upon this ship for something so drastic to happen?"

Another chuckle left Archie's throat, this one a lot more fonder in sound, leaving butterflies in Maxie's stomach. He ignored the feeling once again, watching as Archie left his quarters before picking up the clothes, a few shirts and trousers from the looks of it, as well as the spare parts of fabric to mend any holes. He then rummaged around in the chest before finding the sewing kit and got to work on mending his clothes, surprisingly not as irritated about the fact he was doing Archie's own manual labour than he should have been.

Sewing had been something Maxie picked up in his own spare time, despite his father's protests that his wife and servants would be the ones that focused on that type of work. Maxie had scoffed at him for being so stupid, not that he'd say it to his father's face. It wasn't that he didn't like his father, in fact he had loved the man greatly before his death a few years ago, but it was simply that he felt everyone should have basic knowledge on sewing so clothes were not wasted. Sailors were expected to know how to sew and repair their own clothing, it surprised Maxie that the rest of the world, however, did not.

His hands worked diligently as he cut out pieces of fabric to match the item of clothing he was repairing before sewing around it, making sure the patch of fabric was fitted securely. It would normally be quick work for the diplomat, yet he decided to take his time lest he finish early and then get scolded like some errand boy by the captain.

"I should be getting paid for this kind of work," he chuckled to himself as he focused on not getting himself stabbed by the needle. At least the practise had made his hand deft enough to avoid such silly accidents.

The work, much like untangling the ropes from before, ended up becoming repetitive enough for his hands to work without much thought, allowing Maxie the time to just let his mind wander and relax for a little while. It was an odd thought that he could actually relax in Archie's own quarters, but he chose not to dwell on it for too long. Who knew when he'd get a moment to relax like this again, like his life wasn't on the line every day he spent aboard The Leviathan.

In his relaxed state of mind, he didn't notice anyone enter the room, let alone walk over to him until it was too late, and a breath tickled his ear as he was spoken to.

"Never knew you could be so domestic."

Maxie startled, his hand moving just enough for his finger to prick on the end of the needle, making him hiss in pain and shove his finger into his mouth to stop any bleeding. He glared up at the amused face of Archie, though he realised the look may have lost a bit of effect what with him currently sucking on his own finger like a child.

"Do you mind sneaking up on me when I have sharp objects in my hand?" He complained once he'd pulled his finger out of his mouth. "If that needle had been somewhat dirty-"

"Easy Red, no need to get yer bloomers in a twist," Archie stopped him with an amused lilt to his voice.

"I'm not wearing any bloomers."

"Is that an invitation fer me to check?" Archie's eyebrows wiggled a little as he asked this.

Maxie harrumphed and smacked Archie's lingering hand away. "No it was bloody well not, you savage beast. Besides, I'd rather not talk about any escapades you and I have had or will have."

"So yer sayin'…"

Maxie growled and leant up to sneer in Archie's face. "Whatever thoughts you have, stop them right now or this needle will stab you."

Archie burst into laughter and backed away, which Maxie was only mildly grateful for. "Oh Red, yer one funny fella!"

Maxie chose not to comment and instead stood back up, stretching his back out a little from the hunched over position he'd been in. He wasn't getting any younger it seemed. He then got to work putting the needle back into the sewing kit, shoving the new pile of fixed clothing into Archie's arms.

"Since I'm such a nice man, I've fixed all your ratty clothing. But I do wonder where you got such a wonderful little sewing kit from. It seems a bit too fancy for your tastes to me," he commented, throwing Archie a confused look.

"I got it the same way I get everythin'. Raided a fancy ship and one of the women on board was carryin' this in her room. Thought it'd be pretty helpful to have so took it and a few other things before leavin' them to go on their merry little way."

"How quaint of you to decide that you needed a kit like this." Maxie chuckled at the look he got from Archie. "Now, do you mind answering why you decided to come and interrupt my work?"

"Oi, cut the lip Red, remember who yer talkin' to. I'm here to, politely, say that we've reached the island. My crew are just dockin' the old girl up as we speak."

Maxie decided it wouldn't hurt to investigate where they were so gestured for Archie to lead the way, following him out onto the deck. Most of the crew were busy sorting out the mooring and anchorage, making sure she would stay put throughout the night. It was quite a busy affair, and Archie still managed to keep them organised throughout, barking out orders when Matt or even Shelly didn't.

"So we're staying here for the night until she's fully repaired?" Maxie asked, watching the organised chaos with his own eyes.

"It's more a safety precaution than anythin'. If we discover there's more damage, we're at least able to fix 'er up without worryin' about a potential leakage," Archie explained, waiting until the ship was successfully moored up before calling out to his crew. "It's gettin' late, I suggest we get some grub!"

A chorus of shouts came from the crew and the thought of food made Maxie realise that he actually hadn't eaten all day, his stomach rumbling as if to agree with him. Archie gave him a look, something between a strange mix of pity and amusement. "Sounds like yer agreein' to the idea of a meal there."

Maxie couldn't really disagree with that.

***

Dinner that night, like the one prior, was a chaotic and yet joyous affair for the crew. To celebrate getting through the coral reef relatively unscathed, Archie allowed his crew to open up a keg of beer, something they'd been saving for a special occasion for a while if the shouts and cheers from the crew as it was brought out were any indication. Maxie wouldn't have considered the possible idea that The Leviathan might need major repairs a cause for celebration, but he wasn't the captain and he didn't know Archie's crew like Archie did.

Food that night was relatively simple, a mix of dried beans, salted meat and a loaf of hard bread. Maxie pointedly made a show of ignoring the bread, to which Archie took it and soaked up his rum with it. When Maxie gave him a disgusted stare, the pirate simply grinned. He sighed heavily, before beginning to eat his own meal, too hungry to even deal with throwing a fuss at the quality of the food.

He was halfway through his meal when one of the crew pointed a knife at him, giving him a rather intrigued yet also scrutinising stare. Maxie bristled and was prepared to shout, or get Archie to control his boisterous lot, before the sailor laughed.

"Oi, Red, who did a number on yer neck!?" he asked, to which various other crew members, Shelly included, began staring at him.

He felt his appetite drop almost instantly, leaning back as if trying to distance himself from their questioning gazes. It didn't take a genius to know the sailor was talking about the bite marks on his neck, which had obviously become more visible since the time he'd applied whatever makeup Shelly had used on the marks. He was about to bark at them to mind their own business, but Archie pushed in.

"I did," he replied, picking at his nails absentmindedly.

Maxie wasn't sure whether his comment made things better or worse, and was tempted to leave so he didn't have to find out. Instead, he glared at the captain, the glare getting worse when Archie continued to ignore him.

"Cap'n, didn't ya say that we weren't allowed to sleep with the enemy?" another sailor pointed out, to a few mumbles of agreement.

Archie shrugged, looking at them as he sat upright. "I'm the captain, I do whatever the fuck I like."

"But-"

"No buts. What I do with Red's up to me and me alone, ya got it? Besides, I don't plan to let whatever happens between Red and I to interfere with my feelings." Here, he finally turned his gaze to Maxie, and the diplomat made a show of looking as disgusted as he could. "I could fuck ya everyday, and still want every fat cat friend of yers dead at my feet."

Normally Maxie would scoff at the words, but the way Archie said them so matter-of-factly threw him off, and he could only manage a sneer. Archie seemed to notice this lack of a response, his lips curling up into a disturbing grin. This grin finally gave Maxie the ability to speak his mind.

"I don't plan to make a habit of sleeping with you. Go find a whore to fuck, I'm sure they can be more satisfied than I was."

Archie chuckled as the crew all made various sounds of shock, some even saying that Maxie was blatantly lying. Maxie kept his face neutral, even as his mind played back their first night sleeping together, the overwhelming arousal that had coursed through his body as he'd rutted against Archie's thigh, the feeling of Archie's body beneath his fingers. It had, Maxie realised with a slight hint of despair, been one of the best fucks of recent years, and that alone was enough to make Maxie cringe if he hadn't been keeping a sharp check on his expression.

As the crew continued their celebrations, Maxie couldn't help but wonder why he felt that way about sleeping with Archie one time. In the end of his dwelling, he decided that it was because he didn't have to hide away his pleasure. Unlike back at home, where he'd have a quick fuck with some random nobleman and forget his name the next day, there seemed to be something more to this encounter with Archie.

The idea of what that something more could have been, however, was the final straw in Maxie's train of thought. He decided that he was simply tired, and a good night's rest would clear any subsiding thoughts about sex with Archie. He made a show of getting up, being caught by Archie's hand around his arm a split second later. Deigning not to react, Maxie turned and gave Archie a bored look.

"Where d'ya think yer goin' Red? The party's just begun."

"Unlike you animals, I try to make a habit of going to bed at a reasonable hour. Anyway, I'm tired after you decided to lock me up in that cubby hole you call a cell."

"Serves ya right for punchin' me. But, since I'm feelin' amiable, I'll escort ya back to my cabin," Archie replied, standing up and holding his arm out much like some sort of cavalier. Maxie, and a few crew members, snorted with laughter, shaking his head and striding out of the room without even a glance back at Archie.

Of course he didn't get far before Archie grabbed his arm, making him grumble a quiet protest. "Stop being so damn handsy!"

"Just wanted to make sure ya didn't get yerself lost. Wouldn't feel good if my favourite redhead hurt himself navigatin' the treacherous depths of my ship."

Maxie barked out a laugh, short and loud as he turned to face the pirate. "Stop lying to both me and yourself. You were just dying to stay in the company of The Great Maxie McDewitt for a little while longer."

Archie's look turned gentle as he reached out, cupping Maxie's chin with his hand and pulling their faces a little closer, their lips inches away.

"And what if I was?" he asked, voice hardly recognisable in its low, quiet tone. His warm breath hit Maxie's face, carrying along with it the scent of the rum he'd had that night.

Maxie blinked slowly before bringing himself back to reality, placing his hands on Archie's chest and pushing him away. His heart was racing furiously in his chest as he turned around.

"Goodnight, Archie."

And with that, he escaped to the privacy of his small room, determined not to dwell on whatever weird feelings were forming between the two.

***

The night's sleep Maxie had was, surprisingly, uneventful. Despite his mind reeling with the situation with Archie, he'd fallen asleep as soon as he was curled up in the hammock, listening to the sound of the water and the boat's creaking. It was a comforting distraction, one he used until dreams had taken over. When his eyes had opened, he realised it was not even dawn yet, groaning to himself before curling up some more, content with the idea of getting at least an hour's more shut eye.

That was until there came a rather gruff, deep and yet commanding voice from his doorway.

"Oi, stop with the eyelid inspection. 's time to get up yer Highness," Archie said, making Maxie groan again before he sat up, running a hand across his face. He could notice a bit of stubble across his cheeks, and he made a mental note to rummage around his pack for a shaving kit later.

"What do you call this time?" he grumbled, voice still rough with sleep.

"I call it 'Time fer Red to wake the fuck up'. Sounds pretty catchy if ya ask me," Archie replied, chuckling as he made his way forward. He stopped just short of the hammock, a look of mirth on his face at the glare he received.

"Your crew aren't even up yet, it's way too quiet," Maxie commented, even as he swung out of the hammock and wandered over to his pile of clothes.

"Most of 'em drunk themselves into a stupor last night, so I figured I'd let 'em have a bit of a sleep in. Can't say I'm not nice."

"What a charmer," Maxie muttered as he turned his back to Archie, too tired to even care that the captain was there as he slipped out of his nightgown and into the shirt and trousers he'd been expected to wear on board the ship now. They were beginning to feel familiar, comfortable even, which made Maxie wonder what had happened.

He decided seconds later it was way too early to be thinking about that and instead turned to see the captain watching him, eyebrow raised slightly. When Maxie gave him a questioning look, Archie simply chuckled.

"Just a few days ago ya were hidin' yer body from me like a blushin' maiden and now yer gettin' changed right before my eyes," here he whistled low. "Thanks for the show."

It took a minute for the words to register in Maxie's sleep addled brain but when they did he felt heat rise to his cheeks. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the captain once again, hands clenching into tight fists.

"This means nothing, you hear me? Now, explain to me why you're waking me up at this hour before I make you regret it."

Archie put his hands up, backing away slowly in a sign of surrender. "Easy there Red. I'm wakin' ya up because I feel we could have a little sparrin' session together. There's no way out of this so meet me on the deck when yer ready, I'm gonna teach ya how to fight like one of us."

Without even waiting to see what Maxie thought of this, Archie made his way out of his quarters, leaving the diplomat a little disorientated. He recovered quickly, grabbing the red ribbon he used to tie his hair back, shoving it into a messy ponytail, before heading out to Archie's quarters. A bowl of water sat next to a half empty jug and a towel, which Maxie was all too happy to use. After a quick scrub at his face, he deemed himself at least somewhat presentable and made his way above deck.

Archie was standing near the mast, two cutlasses in his hands. The sun was only just beginning to rise over the horizon, making the scene look somewhat serene. When he noticed Maxie, he beckoned him over with a nod of his head, passing him one of the blades wordlessly.

"You do realise I've hardly used a sword like this before, right?" Maxie inquired as he inspected the blade.

"Yep. I'm hopin' to teach ya some things if ya spar against me today. That small sword of yers is mighty fancy, but against pirates it might break. If that happens, yer gonna be defenceless, and I ain't always around to save yer sorry ass."

Archie stepped back a bit, placing his own blade out in front of him vertically. He pointed to the lower part of the blade, making sure Maxie was watching before explaining that that was where you parried. He then explained how it was much duller than the upper half, which is where all the damage came from.

"Cutlasses are kinda an ideal weapon for us pirates. You'll be happy to know that they're mostly used for thrustin', though you can also use it like more common swords."

Maxie inspected his own cutlass, watching the reflection of the ocean in the blade. It was a little longer than his own sword, slightly heavier too. Its hilt, whilst less intricate than Maxie's own, was designed in a very similar way, just not made exactly for Maxie's palm.

"This seems pretty dangerous," he commented as he investigated the hilt a little more.

"It is, that's why. This blade's designed so that yer gonna be able to use it anyway ya want to attack. The hilt's specifically designed to allow fer protection and punchin' an enemy in the face. Pretty fun to do, ya should right it sometime."

"Are you suggesting I try it on you?" Maxie asked with a smirk, watching as a surprised look crossed Archie's face before he smoothed it down.

"If ya ever decide to mutiny, I'll make sure to watch out for that uppercut."

Maxie's smirk got wider as he settled into position, knowing the ideal way to fight with a weapon similar to his own. Archie seemed to watch him for a moment before he settled into his own position, blade poised at the ready.

"Treat this like any practise sparrin' match. I wanna see ya fight like ya mean it," Archie said, before lunging at him.

Despite the suddenness, Maxie had seen that move coming from the way Archie had positioned himself, bringing the blade up to deflect, the dull twang of steel meeting steel making him smirk in delight. He noticed Archie's left side was open and swung towards it, his blade cut short by a quick deflection.

"Ya gotta surprise me more, I can read ya like a book!" Archie said and something about that changed triggered a change in Maxie's response as he put more effort into the fight.

Their sparring session became more daring and intense, with the two making somewhat stupid moves to try and get the upper hand. Their feelings towards one another, the weird animosity that Maxie feared was turning into something more than that, drove the two to fight as if they were fighting properly. They were acting like their own life was on the line, and Maxie found a thrill run through him, allowing him to just let loose. It was like the raid by the privateers again, but this time the feelings were amplified as it was Archie who he was fighting, the very man who'd gotten him into this entire situation.

And oh what a sight Archie looked before him. There was a fire in his eyes, a wild look that was reminiscent of a summer storm. The exertion had caused a sweat to break out across Archie's body, the rising sun making it glisten in a way that, to simply put it, was highly attractive. In that moment, Archie looked like an ideal captain, one that Maxie would have wanted to fight alongside, to obey and sail with.

And then, Archie's tongue darted out to lick the sweat off his top lip.

The action sent a spike of arousal coursing through Maxie's body, causing him to lose his footing, narrowly dodging the swing of Archie's sword. The captain scoffed loudly, backing away a little to allow Maxie the chance to recover.

"Get yer head outta the clouds!" he scolded, voice rough in a way that sent a shudder through Maxie's entire body. "Fight me like ya fuckin' mean it, Red!"

Maxie didn't have to be told twice.

Clearing his head, he charged at Archie, crying out as he did so. The captain smirked in delight, parrying each and every strike and thrust of his blade. Maxie had never fought like this before, not even when trying to save his own life, and the thrill of the battle sang through his veins. He wondered if this was what pirates felt like every time they raided another ship, but cleared those thoughts and focused entirely on Archie, stepping away like some sort of dancer from whatever attack he tried to land. A bark of laughter left his lips as a flurry of quick attacks drove Archie back, noticing his change in expression. There was want in those eyes of his, a want that seemed more intense than before, and Maxie couldn't say that the want was only one sided.

Thinking he had the upper hand, Maxie relaxed a little and let up the flurry of attacks, playing it off as simply being tired by his sudden charge. This was the biggest mistake he'd ever made, had he not made this one error, he could have bested the infamous pirate Archie Brimsey.

As he'd let up, Archie had used that small opening to his advantage. With a quick strike, his fist had connected with Maxie, managing to wind the diplomat just enough for him to lose his grip on his blade. It fell to the deck with a clatter as he clutched at his stomach, and that was all Archie needed to push Maxie back, his cutlass pointed right at his throat.

A sudden silence filled the air around them, both men panting harshly as they stared into one another's eyes. The fire was still brimming in Archie's though Maxie could see the intensity die down, the storm beginning to recede. Maxie felt hopeless as he stared at those eyes, wondering what Archie would do next, if he'd give in to whatever desire he had and plunge the blade just that bit further.

Of course he wouldn't.

"You wouldn't harm an asset to treasure," Maxie rasped out, finally straightening up properly.

Archie's gaze darkened somewhat before he pulled the blade back. Maxie closed his eyes, expecting a strike, or something, but instead opened them again as he heard the clang of steel, Archie's hand outstretched, the sword fallen from his grip.

"Yer right."

That was all Archie said as he stepped forward, pressing their lips together.

#pokemon #hardenshipping #aqua leader archie #magma leader maxie #the pirate and the diplomat #magelufaine writing

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sheikah · 7 years

Text

A Hunger Like No Other

I wrote this Vampire Knight fic back in 2010 when the manga wasn’t quite finished, but the anime had just ended. Based on the anime ending and where the manga was going, I was very frustrated at a lack of meaningful closure for Zero and Yuki and decided to rectify that. Then it turned into a lemon. (A pretty graphically NSFW lemon btw.) In light of the resurgence of Zeki fans everywhere because of Hino’s latest work, I decided to post this to tumblr for the first time in case anyone else would like a smutty trip down memory lane. This is a very long, fluffy one shot lemon that features my headcanon of the post-Rido reunion of Yuki and Zero after that long year apart. Enjoy! FF.net | AO3

A lot could happen in a year. The delicate fluctuations of seasons, the glorious beginning of new lives, the violent endings of others. No one knows the weight a year’s time can carry better than Yuki Kuran, for even the name of Kuran is a new addition to her life this year.

More than anything, Yuki wishes she could turn back the clocks a year, to a time when her name was Yuki Cross and she was nothing more than a compassionate, human high school student. But the previous year had seen the abrupt end of Yuki’s youth, her innocence, and her blissful ignorance.

The night that Yuki awakened as a vampire was also the night in which her memories were returned to her at last, when she discovered that she was a proud pureblood daughter of the Kuran line. After her traumatic experiences during the near-destruction of Cross Academy, Yuki knows she is no longer a child. She is a woman, and a lethal weapon who does not even truly know the extent of her own pureblood powers. She doesn’t really care to know.

It’s midmorning on a day like any other when finds herself standing quietly in the living room of the home that Kaname has secured for her secret dwelling. Until the cultural climate of the outside world is safer for the vampire community, she’s confined to the house, and she feels like little more than a prisoner. She is grateful to Kaname for taking her safety so seriously, but also tired of being treated like a child.

Kaname stole any childishness from her long ago, and she wants nothing more than to be treated with the respect that her age and lineage should command. She knows that although she was not the most experienced fighter, there are few left in this world who can pose as a threat to her now; but Kaname still insists on keeping her under lock and key and exerting his influence over all of her doings.

When Yuki thinks of things that can threaten her, her mind unwillingly strays to the one person that she tries her hardest not to think about. Zero. Sweet, tragic, deadly Zero. The thing that he became on that roof top during the fight with Rido was nothing Yuki wanted to face again, but in her heart she knows that her most beloved childhood friend still remains beneath the stormy surface.

It is painful to reflect on their final encounter, their kiss that had seemed to be filled with more hatred than love. Why do I think of this so often? Yuki wonders, scolding herself sadly. The past can never be rewritten now.

She is brought forth from her musings by a cold hand sliding along her neck.

“Kaname-sama,” she breathes in mild surprise.

“Yuki, please just call me Kaname. We are equals now, and hardly strangers to one another, in mind or body,” he replies smoothly. A deep blush steals its way across Yuki’s cheeks as the meaning of his retort strikes her. Of course they aren’t strangers. They are like family, they’re lovers, but sadly Yuki has begun to suspect that her lust for Kaname’s blood is far greater than her lust for his body. Her reddening cheeks draw Kaname’s attention to her own blood, and she feels his fangs graze over her neck, politely requesting entrance.

“Go on,” Yuki says dryly. “It’s been days since you’ve fed.” Without hesitation Kaname sinks his fangs hungrily into her neck. The pain is distant to her now. She focuses on the steady sound of her breath and the firm grip of Kaname’s hands which squeeze her shoulders forcefully. When she tires of the suction she breaks free of him easily enough, grabbing onto his arm and spinning around to face him.

She loathes herself for what she wants next. Yuki has not come to accept fully her new set of vampire needs, but nonetheless they will be satisfied. Kaname knows her desires well and lifts the sleeve of his tailored black silk shirt, offering her his wrist. She takes his hand, studying his face for moment before feeding; she sees the affection written in his eyes, a trickle of her blood lingering on his chin. He is so good to me, she remarks to herself sadly before delicately sinking her fangs into the throbbing vein of Kaname’s wrist. So why don’t I love him anymore?

The exchange of blood is an intimate act. For Yuki it feels more personal than sex, and in her current state of confusion regarding Kaname, drinking his blood feels almost like a cruel exploitation. Kaname’s blood is spiked with his regard for her, almost possessive in its intensity. But she doesn’t reciprocate those feelings. Yuki can’t help but wonder if Kaname can sense her own doubts when he feeds on her. She hopes not. The thought makes her nervous.

Once they’ve fed, Kaname had attempts to bring Yuki to bed, but she lamely excuses herself to her parlor to read. She hates that she doesn’t want to make love to him anymore, but the fact remains that something is missing between them. Yuki feels nothing while wrapped in his strong embrace. Nothing when his lips hold hers, nothing when his commanding voice tells her that he loves her.

I just need a break, Yuki decides resolutely. I need to take a walk, to get out of this smothering closeness. So she resolves to leave. The next time that Kaname departs to speak to the Hunter Society, or what remains of the council, or with Aido, or wherever the hell he goes all day, she will sneak out, disobeying his will for the first time in her memory.

Her chance comes sooner than expected, for she hears the front door slam shut a few short hours after their rendezvous. She knows that Kaname is gone when his scent has left the house. Yuki stands from her easy chair in the parlor and ventures back into the living room, looking out the front window as Kaname disappears down the front drive in a sweep of his long, dark travelling coat.

When he’s out of sight, she cautiously opens the front door and steps into the chill autumn afternoon. Autumn, Cross Academy has just begun a new semester, Yuki recalls sadly. Clutching her arms tightly around her slight frame, she realizes that she didn’t even bother to don a coat before venturing out. But it’s no matter; she feels free, happy, liberated. Breathing in the fresh air, her eyes well up with joyous tears. This is exactly what she needs.

Yuki sets out down the empty lane. The house Kaname chose is not in a neighborhood but in a small forest outside of town. Her leather boots thud lightly on the dirt path as she makes her way quickly in the direction that she hopes will lead her to town. Already she can smell the city filth, along with cooking food, human blood. When she finally emerges from the dense trees, Yuki finds the urban center looming ahead. Although she hasn’t been out in some time, she isn’t afraid or nervous at all—only excited and brimming with anticipation. It has been too long since she has had a day to herself that didn’t follow Kaname’s strict itineraries.

She walks along the city streets, window shopping and watching the people for near an hour. She gets a few strange looks along the way, and attributes it to her extremely long, rather unkempt hair, and the fact that there is probably blood on the collar of her grey blouse. I must make quite a sight, she thinks with a chuckle, catching her reflection in a well-polished shop window. Her waist-length chestnut hair still retains its healthy sheen and her pale skin is smooth and unblemished. Her brown eyes glow with the light of new possibility, but they are ringed by dark circles from a lack of restful sleep, and her hair is tousled and wavy. Just as she expected, there is blood on her collar and even on her neck itself. She wipes at her skin hastily before moving on. It won’t do to arouse too much suspicion in the human citizens.

Rounding a corner, Yuki proceeds into an alley that she thinks will lead to an iced cream shop she used to go to with Zero when they were students together. The alley is dark, shaded by overhanging tall buildings on either side, and deserted. Just as she considers taking a more public and likely safer path, she is suddenly startled by strong arms grabbing her and a hand flying over her mouth to cover her screams. Though she fights against her unseen attacker, their grip is strong and Yuki is pulled out of the alley and into a dark apartment.

When the door shuts behind her, she frantically tries to regain her senses and forcefully pushes herself out of her attacker’s grasp. A little too forcefully, for she staggers backwards and falls to the floor before a dark shape. Paralyzed with fear, Yuki stares up through the murky darkness of the windowless room, trying to make out the tall figure standing a few feet in front of her. Whoever it is, they make no move to harm her.

When Yuki’s eyes finally adjust, her heart skips a beat, her breath catching in her chest. No, she thinks frantically, her eyes filling with tears, a sob welling in her throat already. Silver hair, falling carelessly across lavender grey eyes, a dark tattoo inked onto a scarred neck, the glint of a piercing on the ear, and the strong stature of a familiar boy—no, a man.

“Zero!” Yuki cries, rushing to her feet and flinging herself at the man before her. His last promise to her is ringing in her ears but she pushes it away when, to her surprise, Zero relaxes his stiff stance and returns her hug, his long arms enveloping her in comforting and familiar warmth. The past year of no contact and the ominous threat he made at their last meeting melt away into irrelevance. Yuki can tell by the gentleness of the eyes she knows better than any others that Zero would not hurt her. Not now, not ever.

“Yuki,” he responds simply, his voice a choked whisper. Her name on his lips is almost more than she can bear, something she never dared to hope for again. In spite of herself she gives way to sobs of sadness at their long separation and relief at the sight of him alive and whole. Zero merely strokes her hair in silence, trying to calm her.

“What are you doing here?” he asks at last. “It’s dangerous for you to be out. I thought that he made that clear to you.” Zero spits out the pronoun as if it’s something filthy and obscene. It’s obvious that his disdain for Kaname hasn’t diminished, but Yuki doesn’t blame him.

"I felt like a prisoner,” she explains through her tears. “I needed to see outdoors, to see people.”

“Well. You were obviously not well prepared for an attack,” Zero points out stubbornly. “I got you here effortlessly.”

“Where is here?” Yuuki asks in confusion, looking around the modest apartment. It features a living room that apparently doubles as a bedroom; a small bed is situated in the corner next to a table with two chairs. A kitchenette and a small bathroom is visible on the other side of the room through the dark. The whole place is simple and unadorned. Very fitting for a pragmatist like Zero, she muses.

“My home, for now. The Chairman gave it to me, because I cannot take living at the Academy anymore. You seem to be having a lot less trouble dealing with the past than me, though. Cozily situated in your new country home with Kuran.” Zero’s answer is cold and Yuki finds herself recoiling from him involuntarily.

She’d wished for this reunion every day for a year, but would their differences divide them again after all this time? No, I won’t let that happen, Yuki says to herself firmly. Looking up at Zero indignantly, she finds she can’t be angry. Not really.

She misses him too much. She misses happily touring the halls of Cross Academy by night with him, coaxing the smitten day class girls back to their dorms. She misses accidentally walking in on him getting ready in the headmaster’s bathroom, misses late nights doing math together, taking care of each other the way best friends should. She loved Zero so much then, it seems insane to her now to let the horrific events that had torn them apart continue to drive a wedge between them. “I’m sorry,” she says simply.

“I know.”

"But I… I’m a vampire. A pureblood vampire, aren’t you going to kill me?” Yuki asks in wonder, looking up into Zero’s beautiful, unreadable eyes.

“No, Yuki,” Zero replies in a barely audible whisper. “I know what I said, but I could never do that. All I’ve ever tried to do is keep you safe. It would kill me to cause you harm.”

She’s unsure how to respond, having wanted nothing more dearly than to hear these words from Zero; it almost feels too good to be true. The silence is dragging on for an uncomfortable span but Yuki finds herself unable to break it.

Mercifully, Zero speaks instead. “Surely you know that. You have to realize by now that everything I’ve done, it’s been for you. Isn’t it obvious that all this time I’ve lo—"

Yuki quickly silences Zero with a finger to his lips. She can’t stand to hear those sentiments now. Not when so much fear and doubt hangs between them. Not when she doesn’t know what the next moment, much less the next day holds for them.

Zero solemnly assents, lifting his hand to hers and lacing their fingers together. He places a gentle kiss against the back of her hand in a wordless endearment. Yuki can feel her heart pounding from nerves, but Zero’s proximity isn’t helping matters much. All of the chemistry they’d had before was evidently still there and the very air between them feels like its vibrating with tension.

She leans in closer, tilting her head to the side, pulling her hair out of the way and exposing her neck to him. She can sense his thirst, it’s palpable, tormenting him as it always has. “Drink,” she says, standing on the tips of her toes to whisper softly into his ear. “Like old times.”

At first, Zero is hesitant, she can tell that he isn’t sure what to do next, but she won’t be deterred. There’s a yearning inside her—perhaps it’s always been there—to give herself to the tortured man who meant so many things to her. She wraps her arms around his waist, pressing her body against him firmly. The scent of his own blood assails her nostrils, mingling with the familiar fragrance of his hair, a hint of cologne perhaps. It all works together to ignite her own appetites, but they can wait.

Zero’s hesitance evaporates under her assertive touch, and she feels his calloused, battle-worn hands at her neck just before he digs into her throat with his fangs, abandoning formalities as if no time has passed at all. It’s like they’re back at school, stealing away into dark corners so that she can satisfy his thirst. She supposes that some small part of her has always enjoyed it, even when she was human. Zero’s rough handling has always made her feel desirable, made whatever was between them seem primal and inevitable, so very different from the easy manners of Kaname.

Zero lets out a strangled moan as her blood rushes past his lips. His grip on her is so tight that it’s almost uncomfortable, but she’s limp in his arms, eyes closed, relishing the sensation of his hot mouth on her skin. What is this? Yuki wonders as her pulse pounds harder in her ears. What am I doing? If Kaname finds out… She’s unwilling to even finish the thought. His rage would be beyond measure. She falters at that, pulling away from Zero suddenly, peering up at him with an apology in her eyes.

“You were thinking of him,” Zero says knowingly. “I can taste it.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Yuki stammers, “I snuck out… I’m afraid of him finding me, especially here.”

“You’re free to go at any time, Yuki,” he reminds her, looking away dejectedly. “You know that.”

Yuki stares at Zero, at his powerful frame that’s been reduced to a miserable shell of a man merely by her presence. He really does still love me, so what do I feel for him?

Stepping back up to Zero, Yuki pushes him up against the wall of the apartment. “My turn,” she announces gravely, pushing his high-collared coat off of his shoulders for better access to his throat. Zero is wide-eyed, astonished that she’s staying, that she wants to drink from him. She grabs his broad shoulders, drawing him closer, standing up on her toes again to reach him. When she bites, just beside his familiar tattoo, the hot liquid hits her mouth with startling force. Zero’s blood is thick, so warm, so satisfying. She sucks harder, crushing him to her as the crimson liquid flows into her. She can taste Zero’s passion in his blood, his love for her, his thirst for her own blood, and his surprisingly heated lust.

Yuki is caught off guard by the intensity of it, by the depth and sincerity and Zero’s emotions as they come in through her parted lips. His love is as strong as ever—it’s all so clear. Zero’s been her devoted admirer from the first, and the realization has her reeling.

Zero brings her back down to earth with the pressure of his own embrace, grabbing her slender waist and lifting her off the ground to give her lacking height better access to his neck. She wraps her legs around him and breaks her face away to take a breath. Her chest is heaving, breaths raspy and uneven.

Her eyes meet Zero’s as his blood runs off her lips and drips onto his chest. Yuki leans down to lick it off, tasting the salty sweat of his skin.

“Yuki,” he says in a shaky whisper. His eyes drop to her lips in an unconscious signal, and he presses his mouth to hers with a heated kiss.

There’s no time to be shocked; Yuki knows in the back of her mind that this is exactly what she wanted to happen, and now is the time to react. She kisses him back in earnest, tasting her own blood on his lips. Zero’s slick tongue winds its way into her mouth and involuntarily Yuki groans with longing. He bites at her lower lip in response and she exhales sharply in pain, but in truth it only stokes her desire further.

Hurriedly she begins to unbutton Zero’s shirt, but he sets her back on the ground, bracing himself with a hand on each of her shoulders, pushing her back.

“Yuki, what are we doing?” he asks, his hands trembling, sweat dampening his shirt.

“Something we should have done a long time ago,” she answers seriously.

A tiny voice protests in the back of her mind, reminding her that this is wrong, that Kaname will be hurt, betrayed. But what she has with Zero is something she and Kaname never quite managed to find. She needs Zero because he needs her. She’s always known, really. It’s been clear in each brush of his hand on hers, in every lingering look of his captivating eyes. Some part of her has always known that Zero loves her fiercely, is addicted to her very essence.

Kaname loves her too, it’s true. But at times his love for her feels almost fatherly. The spark is gone.

For once in her life, Yuki does not want to do what is expected of her. She wants to do what feels right, something reckless, something heartbreaking in its beauty. Being with Zero is something she has unconsciously yearned for for what must have been years, and she is finally going to answer her heart.

But despite her resolve, Yuki finds that now that the opportunity is here, she feels shy. She’s had sex with Kaname before, but it has always been careful, calculated, missionary position. It didn’t hold a candle to the unbridled passion she feels now with Zero. She isn’t sure where to go from here.

Yuki looks up at Zero’s now exposed chest, at his milky vampire skin, so smooth as it ripples over a warrior’s muscles. There’s a deep-seated need within her that has nothing to do with blood, and she suspects that Zero feels it too. But she also senses that he is equally shy; after all, Zero has loved her since childhood and here they are now in such a compromising position. She decides to make the first move.

Summoning her courage, Yuki steps backward until she can feel the bed behind her knees. She sits and then lies down, motioning Zero toward her with one finger. He’s frozen for a moment before walking over to join her on the bed. He climbs up, the sheets rustling under his weight as he positions himself over her, looking down at her with his characteristically grim face, but behind that expression Yuki can see the yearning in his eyes.

Leaning in, he kisses her again, taking his time and slowly moving from her mouth to her jaw line, her ear, her neck, her throat. He unbuttons her shirt and slides the blouse from her shoulders as he kisses down her chest, stopping between her breasts. It’s the most assertive Zero’s ever been, and the image of him straddling her body has Yuki overwhelmed by her need for him.

Suddenly all of their clothing seems to her an absurd barrier between her flesh and his, and she reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra herself. Zero smirks in amusement at her urgency as she tosses the bra aside, leaving her nude from the waist up under his scrutiny.

Zero pauses then, drinking in the sight of her but seeming a little uncertain. Yuki grasps his hand, guiding his palm to her chest encouragingly. He takes her cue enthusiastically, moving to massage her breasts with both hands, his deft fingers working her nipples and sending shivers down her spine. A slow moan of approval escapes her lips and she notices Zero blush at her reaction. She realizes this could be his first time with any of this. After all, he’s been devoted to her for as long as she can remember, never straying. But even if Zero is inexperienced, his hands feel knowing and right on her body and she can’t imagine a more loving touch than his.

Yuki reaches up a hand and knots it in his smooth silver hair, pulling his face down to her chest to signal what she wants next. Zero’s eyes flick up to hers in a heated glance before he obediently sets to licking and sucking her nipples. His sharp fangs hurt a little but she finds that she likes it. “It feels so good, Zero,” she murmurs, her breaths coming fast and hard.

He grunts in reply, his aggressive nature bubbling to the surface. Desire replacing his apprehension, he bites her gently, earning him a squeal of delight from Yuki. Without needing to be prompted he’s kissing down her belly and pulling her skirt insistently off.

Yuki kicks off her boots and moves to unclasp Zero’s belt but he grabs both her hands and holds them still. “Let me take care of you,” he says forcefully. Intrigued, Yuki lies back and raises her hips to assist as Zero removes the last troublesome boundary: her lace panties.

He simply stares for a moment at Yuki’s womanhood, appreciating her flawless pink folds, glistening with arousal for him. He runs a shaky hand between her legs and Yuki gasps when his fingers graze her most sensitive spot. “Here?” he asks hesitantly, touching the area again. Somehow she finds the focus to nod her head and Zero rubs the spot gently with this thumb, watching her face intently.

The friction is exquisite and after only a moment she’s panting and thrashing under his attention, her insides coiling with tension as she approaches climax. Sensing this, Zero stops for a moment and strokes his hands over her snowy thighs, leaning up to kiss her waiting lips.

“Don’t tease me,” she pleads desperately, breaking away from their kiss and entreating him with her eyes.

"Alright,“ he says with a smug smile, clearly pleased to hear her begging.

He resumes the work of his thumb, tracing small circles against her swollen flesh before carefully inserting two long fingers into her opening, eliciting a small whimper of surprise from Yuki. He sets a swift rhythm then, pushing inside her roughly. It’s not long before she’s close again and Zero pulls his hand away, scooting down the bed and situating himself between her knees. “Please don’t stop,” she asks him again in a small, helpless voice.

Zero chuckles at her eagerness. “You’re greedy.” She simply nods in agreement as he presses his mouth to her skin, kissing up her thighs, but stopping just short of her sex. She feels a sharp jab as he sinks his teeth into the flesh on her inner thigh and drinks from her, raising his eyes to meet hers as his lips redden again with her blood. The pain under these circumstances is a heady pleasure and Yuki grips the bed sheets furiously.

When he’s had his fill Zero retracts his fangs carefully and trails his tongue up to finally kiss her there softly. Instinctively she arches her back in response and he reaches out with one hand to steady her before deepening his kiss and pressing his tongue in past her folds. "You taste even better than your blood,” he murmurs against her with a devilish grin. “I think I want some more.” Yuki spreads her legs wider to allow Zero better access and he licks up the entire length of her, pausing to close his lips over the sweetest spot. He sucks gently on the sensitive nub and then slides his fingers inside her again.

The feel of his supple lips and strong hand is deliciously exhilarating and Yuki gropes her hands on the back of his head, pulling his face against her hungrily. Zero gives in to her body’s demands, cherishing her sharp responses to his every move. He flicks at her hard with his tongue, all the while crooking his fingers inside her to brush at the deepest part of her core with every push of his hand. “Mmm,” Yuuki manages, writhing on the bed in ecstacy as she clinches around his fingers, her body shuddering into orgasm at last.

Zero withdraws his hand and delicately licks her clean even as she flinches away, hyper-sensitive in the wake of her release. “Was that okay?” he asks, his voice soft.

“’Okay?!’” Yuki is incredulous, giggling. “Zero, that was … “

She shakes her head, unable to find the words, choosing action instead. Sitting up shakily, Yuki removes his belt and unbuttons his pants, pushing them down his hips along with his boxers until he assists her and sits back to pull them off entirely. She fails to stifle a gasp at the sheer size of Zero’s erection.

Without thinking, Yuki gets on her hands and knees, bending down to take him into her mouth. His breath hitches with at the sensation and his fingers find their way into Yuki’s wild hair as she works, sucking him vigorously, desperate to show him the same acute pleasure he’d given her. But when she sits up to take a breath, Zero grabs her before she can return to her task. Effortlessly lifting her up, he lays her back on the bed and straddles her waist.

Yuki understands instinctively and is eager to finally feel him inside her, but at the last moment Zero hesitates. "Are you sure this is what you want, Yuki?” He asks, averting his gaze.

She’s seen this look before. He’s always so uncertain when it comes to her, and she knows it’s her fault. She hasn’t exactly been straightforward with him over the years, and she feels a little guilty now, seeing him so vulnerable. “I love you,” he goes on, his voice thick with emotion. “I know you don’t want to hear it but I do, and if you still prefer Kuran I don’t think we should take this any further.”

Yuki swallows hard at his confession. Of course she wants to hear it. How long has she been in love with Zero? It feels like some part of her always has. She can’t remember a version of herself that didn’t love him, didn't want him. “I’ve never wanted anything more,” Yuki replies with tears in her eyes. “Of course, I love you, too.”

Zero is speechless, but her words light a fire in his eyes as he lifts her arms over her head and pins them down on the bed with one hand. Yuki raises her face to meet his lips with hers, sighing into the kiss as Zero shifts his hips, pushing inside her with tantalizing gentleness.

Yuki exhales in surprise when he fills her up, his angle offering deeper penetration than she is used to. Zero is far bigger than Kaname, but as he slowly grinds up inside her, she takes up a rhythm against him, appreciating his size and skill as the maddening friction wracks her body with pleasure.

Their pace increases and Zero is breathing heavily, gripping under Yuki’s thigh and pulling her closer with each ramming thrust. It’s everything she’s wanted, everything she ever dreamed it could be in her dizziest fantasies. They’re perfectly in sync, their bodies melding together like the pieces of a puzzle. His eyes are locked on hers, piercing straight to her soul as he shows her with every caress that it’s been him all along, that no one else could ever make love to her like this. Yuki tosses back her head and cries out his name with reckless abandon as Zero hammers her over the edge again, her seizing muscles coaxing him to his own climax.

Her whole body is trembling and sated and she lifts her hand to brush Zero’s sweat-soaked bangs aside. He leans down to kiss her once more before collapsing beside her on the bed, trying to regulate his breath. Yuki snuggles close, pressing her forehead against his, and he smiles at her faintly before shutting his tired eyes.

A lump rises in her throat at the tenderness of the moment, and she cannot for the life of her think of a time that she has felt this happy. She has no idea what tomorrow or even that night will bring, but she does know that she is safe and free for the first time in a year. It’s all because of Zero Kiryu, and Yuki decides she’s never letting go of him again.

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