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sailoryooons · 3 months

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Bust | KTH | (m)

☾ Pairing: Heistman!Taehyung x f. Reader

☾ Summary: Seeing a beautiful man in the middle of a bank robbery is unusual. Seeing him again afterward is even more unlikely… and yet not unlucky.

☾ Word Count: 2,211

☾ Genre: Criminal, Smut, PWP

☾ Rating: 18+ Minors are strictly prohibited from engaging and reading this content. It contains explicit content and any minors discovered reading or engaging with this work will be blocked immediately.

☾ Warnings: Bank robbery, light depiction of fear/anxiety, mentions of poor financial situations and money-related stress, recreational drinking, ‘good girl’ petname, explicit language, sexually explicit content including oral (f. receiving), biting, spanking, implied body worship kind of, a hint of overstim, bodily fluids and cum-eating.

☾ Published: Monday, January 15, 2024

☾ A/N: This is an idea I randomly spoke about forever ago in a TikTok DM with @gimmethatagustd and this is strictly written to ruin their entire life tonight. I hope it works idk osifodigjoijg.

☾ A/N 2: Tonight is number four for my 100 Drabble Challenge and I rolled number 24 for criminals! I hope you enjoy my depraved thoughts of Taehyung in that GOD DAMN SQUID GAME OUTFIT AT PTD. MY MASK KINK DOESN’T MAKE AN APPEARANCE BUT BE FUCKING SURE IT WILL ONE DAY. HE MADE ME INSANE.

☾ Disclaimer: All members of BTS are faces and name claims for this story. This is entirely a work of fiction and by no means is meant to be a projection, judgment or representation of real-life people. Any scenarios or representations of the people and places mentioned in works are not representative of real-life scenarios.

Main Masterlist ☾ 100 Drabble Masterlist ☾ Ask ☾ Song Inspiration ☾

Sweat beads down your back, the trickle of it slower than the clock ticking above your head. Time seems to slow as you sit on a carpet that hasn’t been steam cleaned since the 80s and push yourself against the wall, eyes glued to the open vault.

It had happened so fast and yet now, it’s like it can’t be over fast enough. Each second that ticks by feels like it takes a year. You cannot hear the chatter of the men inside the vault, but their harsh whispers raise goosebumps on your skin.

At least they haven’t noticed you. Not that you would do much, anyway. You have no intention of going over to push the alarm by the door, too afraid to alert the armed man who stands just outside the vault room on the other side, and far too underpaid to risk your life for a financial institution.

For a moment, you wish it were you robbing the damned bank. Maybe you could pay off the student loans on your degree you’re not using and run the heating in your apartment during the winter instead of bundling up in several layers.

Your momentary lapse of delusion passes as the men rush out of the vault, duffles in hand. They’re all dressed in red, black masks covering their faces with shapes on them. You’re vaguely aware that the costume belongs to some sort of show you saw online, but you can’t place them.

Perhaps you’ll watch it now.

“Hurry up,” one of the men barks toward the vault. There had been three inside, but only two came out. “Grab the last and let’s go. Two minutes left.”

They’re gone in an instant. Your eyes dart back to the vault where you can hear the last person inside. Glancing at the clock, you watch the seconds tick by.

Ten seconds. Fifteen. Thirty. A minute.

A man dressed in a red suit, hood pulled over his head comes out of the vault. As he slugs it shut with one arm, the bag on his shoulder droops, spilling the contents inside out onto the floor. Bands of cash fall out, thudding around his feet. He swears loudly and bends over, back slipping more to drop cash on the ground.

In his frustration, he crouches and tips the mask up a fraction, shielding his face from the camera above but not from you, huddled on the floor a few feet away.

Your heart skips. The thief is beautiful. Dark eyes focused on his task, a wide nose that fits perfectly on a symmetrical face with high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and a pursed mouth. There’s a flush in his face from the heat, the tip of his nose an endearing shade of rose.

As if sensing your gaze, his head snaps up. You cower against the wall, realizing now that you’ve seen his face, you’ve doomed yourself. He stalls completely, gloved hand hovering over the cash, eyes boring into you. He arches a brow as if to ask you a question and you respond by shaking your head.

The thief gives you a cocky grin, nodding before he finishes picking up the money and tossing it into the bag. He looks at you again, a smirk on full display before he winks and pulls the mask back down. “Good girl,” he purrs. “I like that.”

Despite the situation, your stomach flips. He stands and rushes out, lingering by the door for a second longer to stare at you through the black mask. You can’t see his face, but you know you’ll never forget it, pretty as an angel, dangerous as a devil.

When the group is gone, you wait in silence, only the pumping of your heart to keep you company. When the cops come and ply you with questions all you can do is shake your head repeatedly.

I was too scared. I can’t remember.

It is the same thing you tell investigators for nearly two months. Just when you think they won’t keep asking what the man looked like, they finally drop it, handing over the robbery details to the FBI. They were at least a little less callous, caring a little less about how many questions you answered.

If you had to guess, your unimpressive financial situation even after the robbery was significant enough that you weren’t involved with the robbery.

It’s hard not to wish you had been. The straw in your mouth belongs to a drink that is far too expensive for you to not wince and it barely tastes like anything. At this rate, you know you won’t get a buzz. You’d love alcohol to take the edge off of the loud club music or loosen you up a bit, but you’re resigned to being sober for the rest of your friend's birthday.

Around you is a gaggle of men and women, both people you know and new faces trying to pick up your friends. Anyone trying to hit on you has already decided you’re far too grumpy to waste time on, most of their backs facing you as people shout over the music about working in finance.

You wonder if they also rob banks in their spare time. It makes you grin, thinking fondly about the thief once again. You do that a lot.

Sipping the drink, you glance at your phone. It’s been an hour since you arrived, but you’re wondering if enough time has reasonably passed to excuse yourself. Tomorrow is one of your few days off and you intend to spend it lounging on the couch watching TV instead of nursing a headache.

Someone slides into the space at the bar next to you. You don’t glance up at them, spinning your skinny cocktail straw absently as you stare at the melted ice of your Long Island iced tea. You hoped that once it melted it would turn into a second drink, but it hasn’t. Cold, bitter water it is, then.

“Why the long face?” You frown at the vaguely familiar voice and glance up, freezing.

Mr. Bank Robber looks down at you, cocking his head to the side with a wolfish grin. Your mouth pops open in surprise, leaning back a little as you drink him in. This close, he is far more beautiful than you remember, the edges and shadows of his face like a carefully painted fresco. Michelangelo could hardly be talented enough to capture this.

“You,” you whisper, his grin spreading further.

“Have we met?” he leans on the bar, dressed in all black. You eye the three-piece suit and the glinting diamonds in the cuff links. His clothes are far finer than anything anyone else is wearing and when you breathe in sharply, you smell a hint of woody cologne. His dark hair is slicked back and you catch the dainty hoop earrings in his lobes. You like the juxtaposition.

“You know we have.” He tongues the inside of his cheek, turning his head to order with the bartender. His eyes stray to you, raising a brow. You supply him with your answer, “A long island.”

The bartender nods, momentarily stupefied by the heistman’s beauty before walking over to the POS, tapping the screen with the speed and aggression unique to bartenders.

“Kind of a shitty club,” he mentions, looking around over the top of your head. Sweat clings to your lower back, your mouth growing dry as you watch colors splash on his face. “Your face is too pretty for a place like this.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhmm.” The bartender puts the drinks on the counter and the man gives him cash, signaling to keep the change. The bartender raises a brow but says nothing, taking the money as he goes. “What’s your name?”

“You probably already know it.” He cocks his head to the side. “I’m sure you looked me up to see if I was a threat or watched me to see what I’d do.”

“You watch too many heist movies.”

“Maybe I watch just enough.”

He laughs at that and your lips twitch. It’s rich, making his face intimidating as he gives you a wide smile and shakes his head. “Alright, maybe you’re right.”

“Can I know your name?”

“For the right price.”

“My silence was a pretty petty, no?”

He bites his bottom lip, eyes dipping down and back up. You sip your drink, feeling a flush of warmth unfurl in your body, most notably between your legs. “I like you.”

“You have to like me. I know your secret.”

Leaning forward, he ducks down so that he’s murmuring into your ear, hot breath ghosting your skin and making you tremble. “Want to hear more?” Your eyelids flutter as he waits, skin buzzing at his sudden proximity. You nod, feeling lightheaded. “My name is Taehyung. Want to get out of here?”

“Fuck,” Taehyung growls, hands skimming your bare sides. You can’t keep still under his gaze, hips squirming and fingers twisting in the sheets. His mouth is swollen and covered in your spit, his eyes blown as a large hand scrapes down to your thigh where he gives you a good slap. “I knew you were a good girl.”

A moan trips out of your mouth. Your thigh stings where he slapped you but he soothes it with the easy back-and-forth motion of his hand, his fingers digging into your flesh. Taehyung is a man starved, having littered your body with harsh kisses and bites, nearly breaking the skin.

You don’t care. You’re feverish for him, room spinning as you sprawl on his soft sheets in a hotel room that is far nicer than anything you’ve ever been in. You burn up like a star, core raging as Taehyung leans back down, pressing your naked thighs open for him as he sucks the skin of your chest between his teeth.

Everything aches. You want him so bad that you feel a cry come out of your mouth, lips wobbling as he laughs against your skin, sinking lower and lower, mouth loud as he sucks at your skin, tongue brushing over the sting of his teeth.

“Does my good girl need her pussy eaten?” Taehyung rasps, looking up at you where he kneels between your legs. “Is that why you’re crying, hmm?”

Taehyung looks like something out of a thriller. His eyes are dark and hungry, his shadowed face becoming some sort of demon of lust. He’s what you would imagine a dark god. A bacchanal devil, a creature made for sin.

All you can do is nod in response, feeling Taehyung’s vicious grip on your thighs as he presses you further, your muscles stretching. The strain feels good, as does the slow drip of your cunt down the curve of your ass mixed with his breath.

“So messy,” he murmurs, leaning forward and blowing cool air on your sticky folds. You squirm, the sensation sending you into overdrive as you twist your head to the side, eyes squeezed shut. He’s barely done a thing and you’re worked up more than you can ever recall. “Pretty.”

The slow, soft press of Taehyung’s tongue through your pussy makes you sag. It’s the relief that you so desperately needed, eyes rolling back as he circles your clit and drags his tongue back down. Taehyung is slow as he eats you out, tongue savoring every drop you can give him.

He taps your thigh, drawing your attention to him. He smirks as his tongue dips into your entrance, dragging back up to swirl around your throbbing bud a few times.

It’s impossible to tear your eyes away once you’re watching. Taehyung keeps his razor-sharp gaze on you, bringing his mouth fully to your cunt as he sucks eagerly. There is a rhythm to the curl of his tongue and the sharp suck of his lips, the wet smack of his ministrations driving you crazy.

“Mmm,” he hums, pressing his face in further. He’s messy with it, his jaw and nose covered in shiny slick. He laughs throatily when your back comes off the bed, thighs shaking. “Such a good pussy, just like I knew it would be.”

It feels too hot in the room. Your breaths are coming in too fast and there’s nothing you can do to catch it, Taehyung working you up to a frenzied, frenetic orgasm. You can feel your heartbeat in your ears, pumping so hard that you think you might need to stop.

And then you break.

Your body seizes as you come, a scream ripping through your mouth as Taehyung slurps hungrily at your mess, spurred by your release. You can’t stop shaking as he dives in, unwilling to stop until you’re babbling, nearly lifeless as the orgasm teeters into overstimulation.

Only then does Taehyung pull his mouth away, trailing wet, cum-spit kisses on your inner thigh, nipping your thigh here and there.

“Think you can take more?” he asks, slurring his words against your thigh. “Think you can take my cock.”

You nod eagerly, hand letting go of the sheets and reaching toward him. “Yes.”

“Mmm good. I’m about to bust.” He bites your knee. “And I don’t mean a bank, this time.”

#taehyung smut #kim taehyung smut #bts smut #taehyung fic #taehyung fanfic #bts fic #bts fanfic #taehyung x reader #taehyung x you #v smut #bts v

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fleurriee · 1 year

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— change in plans ; neteyam sully

pairing ; neteyam sully x fem!reader

synopsis ; you and neteyam had been mates for a short while now. when you start to feel ill, suspicion starts to cleave your mind, and you can’t help but worry about your mates reaction.

word count ; 2.4k

themes ; fluff, slight angst, established relationship (mates)

warnings ; mentions of being sick, worrying thoughts of not being a good enough mate, use of y/n

author’s note ; starting a dad!neteyam series bc this man is all i want in life and he’d be the perfect dad if he was only given the chance :(( screw u, james. lol this was originally going to be a drabble series but when i checked the wc for this & saw over 2k, i just thought fuck it. so, this series is gonna have a different wc every time 🤙🏻

next part

dad!neteyam series masterlist main masterlist request a fic!

Groggily opening your eyes, attempting to blink away the sleep that was still lingering there, you take a deep breath in, grumbling noiselessly to yourself. Fresh air and morning sunlight filtered in through the gaps until they surrounded your sleepy figure. You feel around on the bed next to you for the familiar presence that has been a comfort to you for around several months now. When your hands only come in contact with the bed mat beneath you, you turn your head in the same direction, heart sinking at the emptiness of the space.

You knew Neteyam was important to your clan — he was next in line for Olo’eykyan, after all — but sometimes you wished he wasn’t. Without the title weighing down heavily on his shoulders, you’d be able to spend a lot more time together, planning out your days and getting ready for your future. Instead, you awoke more often than not alone, your homely tent slowly start to turn isolated and desolate.

Of course, you’d never tell your mate of your thoughts — Neteyam was already guilt-ridden enough whenever he eventually made his way back into your arms after such a long and strenuous day, apologising profusely for not having spent enough time with you. In those times, you do nothing but comfort him, reassure him that you’re okay and that you understand.

But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.

Stretching out your limbs to get some life back into them, you slowly start to climb up off the mat, looking around your hut for some breakfast. Your tent that you shared with your loving mate was a place you treasured deeply, one you considered to be your very own safe-haven. Not too long after your official mating with Neteyam, he had secretly been sneaking off whenever he had the spare time — which, admittedly, wasn't that often — to built a home for the two of you. Initially, you hadn't really thought of his disappearances that much, but when he started sending you sneaky glances out the corner of his eye, subtle smiles directed only at you, you began to get your suspicions.

He had taken you away from his family, covering your eyes and carefully walking you in a random direction, before revealing the surprise. Your heart had melted into a pool of warmth, surrounding you completely and utterly. You were a blubbering mess — whilst this was something you knew would be happening soon for the two of you, you were never expecting it to feel such a way for you.

It felt official.

Now, your home was filled to the brim with memories and personal memorabilia. Beads and feathers you had collected all your life that represented a different moment in your relationship; personalised weapons and clothes that you had made for one another during your courting ceremony, and one corner that smelt entirely of the two of you from where you sleep, where you come together as one soul each night and show one another how much your love means.

In another corner of the tent lies two baskets — one filled with fruit, and the other filled with meat. When you’d first mated with Neteyam, he had insisted on collecting all the foods the two of you would need for your home. You had found the offer loving, your heart fluttering in your chest as his desire to provide for you, but declined. You were to be mates, which meant you wanted to provide for him, too. So, after several long discussions, you’d compromised that Neteyam would hunt the meat, and you would forage the fruit.

It was a routine that worked quite well, taking note of the good amount of the ratio as you looked down in the baskets. Giving yourself a moment to contemplate what you wished to eat on that particular morning, moments away from reaching down and grabbing to your heart’s desire, a funny feeling started to tingle in your stomach.

Taking in another deep breath, you told yourself that it was nothing, that it would disappear, but it only seemed to grow worse. With one hand on your stomach, the other covering your mouth, you rushed over to the entrance of your tent, opening the flap and spewing up last night’s meal into the empty bucket outside.

You took a moment to breath afterwards, catching your breath and wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. You looked around at the clan surrounding you, wondering if anyone had taken notice of you — as far as you were aware, no one had. So, walking back inside your tent, you went over to the fresh water yourself and Neteyam kept stocked and washed your hands.

Looking back over at the basket of fruits and meats, you decided you’d skip that morning’s breakfast.

“And then what happened?”

You were out in the lush forests of Pandora, taking a walk with Kiri as she used even her spare to time to prepare for her healing work with her grandmother. The two of you walked side by side, the day’s sun basking down its warmth on your retreating figures.

When you’d originally met up with Kiri earlier that morning, you had expected her to be her usual self — bright and excited to explore more of what Ewya offered her children. Instead, you had been met with a much angrier version of your sister-in-law.

Before you’d even started walking together, she was reciting her own morning back to you. Apparently, Lo’ak had believed it to be funny to scare Kiri whilst her back was turned away from him, causing the paste she was making to jump out of her hands and become ruined.

You couldn’t help but stifle a giggle out her crazy morning antics.

“And, then,” Kiri started, grumbling at her situation as she bent down to pluck a small part of a plant away, placing it delicately into her pouch, “father grounded me.”

You turn your head towards her, furrowed eyes on display, showing off your confusion. “What? Why?”

As Kiri stood back up, her anger dissipated and a smirk played on her lips. “Because I punched him in the face.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that completely tumbled from your mouth, loud and clear as any other creature within the forests. Grabbing at your stomach in an attempt to cease the laughing, your sister beside you only making your enthusiasm worse by joining in and exclaiming that he had it coming!, you felt elated, until your happiness turned into queasiness.

There was a split second where you knew what was going to happen before it actually did, but you weren’t given enough time to react. Your only option was to bend low, throwing up once again, although this time you had no idea where the contents had come from, considering you hadn’t eaten since last night and had already thrown up earlier that morning.

Coughing and clutching at your stomach, you felt Kiri’s gentle hand against your back, smoothly rubbing your skin to calm you down. Once you felt that was everything, you stood back up straighter, head groggy and eyes glazed over — you had never felt more worse in your life.

“Oh, y/n, you look terrible!” she chastised you, her eyes moving fervently over your figure, shaking her head in disbelief that you had gone from one emotion to another so drastically. “Is this the first time it’s happened?”

Breathing deeply, you shake your head. “No,” you swallow, pulling a disgusted face at the taste lingering in your mouth, before running a hand over your face from the exhaustion of it all. “It happened this morning, too.”

“And, you haven’t been to see grandmother?” Kiri’s voice was slowly beginning to raise, her obvious annoyance at your stubbornness beginning to effect her clearly. “Come, I will take you to her now.”

Immediately, you tried to refuse. “No, Kiri, I’m fine—“

But, your sister was relentless, adamant. “I’m not taking no for an answer, not when you could be ill.”

As she starts to pull you arm back in the direction of home, you look back over your shoulder at where you had reluctantly left the mark of your presence. “But, what about—“

“I will clean it up later. Come.”

From the moment you had arrived in the Tsahik’s tent, skin becoming clammy, sweat beading along your forehead and dry heaving into your hand, you were sure she knew what was wrong with you.

The woman who was like your own grandmother had gestured you closer to her awaiting figure, moving forwards and leaving Kiri hovering worriedly by the entrance to the tent. Mo’at gently grabbed your chin, looking so intently at you, all you wanted was to cower away, but you stood your ground, knowing the woman would only get annoyed.

When she was satisfied with what she saw, she gently grasped at your arms, guiding you down onto the floor in front of her. You started to feel just slightly better when you were no longer standing, swaying and feeling like you were going to fall any second. Mo’at moved back over to her shelves that held an assortment of healing herbs and ailments for those in need, coming back to you. She moved behind you, prodded at your back gently and pressing her ears against your spine, before moving back around and doing the same to your stomach.

You looked over at Kiri worriedly, hoping to find some sort of semblance hidden within her gaze, but her expression only mirrored your own. She, too, had no idea what was wrong with you — she was only training to be like her grandmother, and she clearly hadn’t gotten to this part of her lessons just yet.

“You are pregnant, my child.”

Your head snapped in her direction, not fast enough, those particular words reverberating within your mind, bouncing from one corner of the walls to another until you were sure you hadn’t imagined what the woman in front of you had said. You could feel your ears subconsciously fall against your head, your tail solemnly wrapping around your figure protectively, although, you were unsure what you were protecting yourself from.

You were pregnant.

Tears started to form within your eyes, pleading desperately within yourself to not let them fall. Your breathing started to pick up in pace a little, too, but you will it to calm. Looking down at your stomach, you placed a gentle hand against it, like you were caressing your unborn child.

Your unborn child.

You and Neteyam had had conversations about having a family — any pair of mates would — but your plans were to wait a little longer, to live your lives as you were supposed to before delving deeper into that chapter. It was all too much — you were unsure what to think. Should you be happy that you were having your firstborn child, or should you be worried of your mates reaction, scared he’d resent you for not waiting longer like you’d originally planned?

No words left your lips, throat too parched and nerves too calculated to form a barely coherent response, but you found that you didn’t have the time to. In that moment, Neteyam burst through his grandmother’s tent, eyes wide, ears alert and tail pointed tensely in the air. Someone had clearly seen you enter the Tsahik’s tent with Kiri, looking pale and unwell.

Looking up at him, you could only feel more tears consume your eyes until your vision started to become blurry. He rushed over to you, crouching down next to you, cupping your face in his hands and inspecting every inch of your body. When he couldn’t find anything external, he began to panic, confused. “What is it, ma muntxa (my mate)?”

Your eyes trailed both of his own, looking deeply into them and seeing nothing but pure love and adoration. From next to you, you could see Mo’at and Kiri silently leave the two of you alone in the quiet of the tent, giving you the space you needed.

Hands still stroking softly against your stomach, you looked down, then back up at him, hoping he would understand what you were trying to say without you having to utter the words. His eyes followed to where your hands lay, widening in surprise, his tail beginning to flick back and forth rhythmically.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper, almost inaudible. A tear falls down your cheek, cascading to the bottom of your chin.

Neteyam continues to hold your face in his hands, eyes never once leaving your own as his thumb wipes your emotions away. A breathless laugh tumbles from his lips, smile wide and unable to disappear once it’s made its presence known. “What could you possibly be sorry for?”

Despite the loving features Neteyam was bearing only to you, you couldn’t help the guilt still continuing to eat away at you. “We didn’t plan for this,” you pause licking your lips in contemplation, “we were going to wait a little longer...”

“Listen to me,” Neteyam starts, voice firm. He shuffles closer to your figure, practically pulling you on top of him, leaving your face in the palms of his hands. “Sometimes plans change, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” One of his hands leaves your face to place it lovingly against your stomach. “Especially when the change involves something like this.”

You can’t look away from, too scared that if you do, he might suddenly change his mind. So, you don’t, and he doesn’t.

Your tears are now winning over, falling onto your face tumultuously, but this time, they’re happy tears, joyful tears. You laugh along with Neteyam, disbelieving to have been so lucky with this blessing from Ewya — both being Neteyam, and your unborn child.

He brings your faces together now, foreheads touching as he rubs your noses together. “I cannot wait to start this new life together with you, ma muntxa (my mate).” You nudge against his nose out of love, causing him to chuckle at your affections. “I will protect you both with my life — and I will care for you both, always.”

Placing a gentle kiss upon your lips, you feel his hands return to the flat of your stomach — this time, his thumbs are running smoothly against the skin there. When he pulls away from your face, you lean closer, desperate for more of him, but you feel your heart ache fondly when you watch him lower himself down, pressing such a feather-like kiss to your stomach that you barely feel it.

“I love you, ma’eveng (my child).”

#𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐑’s work ── ✎#neteyam #neteyam sully #avatar #avatar 2 #neteyam fluff #neteyam smut #neteyam x reader #neteyam sully x reader #neteyam x you #neteyam sully x you #neteyam x female reader #neteyam x fem reader #dad neteyam series <3

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heartfeltcierra · 1 year

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Reacting to you making/giving them a friendship bracelet Pt. 2 (Zoro, Luffy, Sanji, Bartolomeo, Sabo and Law

AN- I hope you enjoy part two of OP character receiving a friendship bracelet! (You can find part one that included Roger, Ace, Shanks, Marco and Doffy here)

MasterList

Characters- Zoro, Luffy, Sanji, Bartolomeo, Sabo and Law

Warnings/Contents-Fluff, All SFW, Mentions of fights, Law's is a little angsty and a bit longer.

I'll be posting a marine version tomorrow night including Koby, Garp, Smoker and Issho

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡ More under the cut

Zoro

🍶 Zoro was confused at first but smirked seeing what it said “Best swordsman huh?” “You need to make one for curly brows that says “Dumbest cook.”

🍶 Immediately took that back saying he wants to be the only one you make bracelets for

🍶 He noticed there was some spare room on the bracelet, so he came up with a idea to fill the blank spots

“You were pretty tough.” Zoro said, putting his swords back into their sheath. “I’ll get my girl to add you to my bracelet.”

“Excuse me?” Despite being half dead, the bloody man lifted off of the ground with a rather angry expression. “What the hell does that mean?”

“You see this?” Zoro bends down, showing the man the many beads decorating the bracelet. “They represent my victories, and since I won against you, she’ll add a bead to it.” The man could only give Zoro a baffled look knowing he was now nothing more than a mere bracelet charm. “Anyways, nice fight and all but I gotta go. Which way is the exit?”

“To the left.”

“Thanks.”

“You fool, that's the right!”

(To bad the bracelet doesn’t have a GPS)

Luffy

🍗 Rubber boy was very excited when you gave it to him

🍗Would walk up to strangers to show them saying “Y/N made me this, I bet you're jealous!”

🍗The only person that was genuinely jealous was Sanji

🍗 Tries to take good care of it, note TRIES

“Y/n…..” You look and see Luffy peeking his head into your room with an unusual gloomy look on his face.

“What’s wrong Luffy?” He padded over to you and laid the bracelet, or more like parts of the bracelet in front of you.

“It broke earlier during the fight. ” You knew from his tone he felt bad. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay!” You rummaged through the remains and smiled realizing the damage wasn’t irreversible. “I can fix it.” The frown on your captain’s face was finally replaced by that wide smile you know and love. “I’ll even make it more durable so it’s harder to break!”

“You’re the best.” Luffy nearly sent you to the floor as he snaked his limbs around your body. “Also can you make one for my other wrist?”

“Sure what do you want it to say?”

“Meat.”

(I mean it’s Luffy, what did you expect?)

Sanji

💛-You might as well have proposed to the man

💛- Picks you up immediately and starts spinning saying “We might as well plan our wedding~”

💛- A little bummed to hear you weren’t proposing, but is still eccentric that you made him something

“What kind of fighter doesn’t use his hands?” The beaten looks up at Sanji

“Listen pal, my hands are only meant for two things. For Cooking…” His serious face scrunches up to his signature lovestruck idiot. “And for wearing bracelets made by my dear Y/N-Swan~”

(Please make this man more bracelets)

Bartolomeo

💚 -His soul ascends into the clouds seeing that you made him something (Bonus points if your a straw hat pirate)

💚-Would fall to the ground and cry for a good half hour claiming he was “unworthy.”

💚- But despite loving the bracelet, he NEVER wears it

“Look at what was bestowed upon me.” He proudly holds up a small display case. “A friendship bracelet handcrafted by none other than Miss Y/N.”

The entire Strawhat lovers congregation would ooh and awe at the encased bracelet.

“I could sit all day and bask in the sheer awesomeness.” Bart hits the floor with tears running down his face. “I just…I love her so much.”

“Oh no boss man’s going down!”

“What do we do?!”

“I don’t know, but we better figure something out. Were losing him!”

Luckily after a cold towel and some fanning, the Barto Club was able to revive their green haired leader.

(Please do not make this man any more bracelets , unless you want to send him into a coma.)

Sabo

🎩- You had no idea what you were really getting yourself into

🎩-You know how people flex their engagement rings? Yeah Sabo’s going to do that… a lot

🎩-“Oh this thing? Well my beautiful Y/N hand crafted it for m-“ Would go on and on when literally no one asked 💀💀💀

“Y/N come quick it’s Sabo!” You follow Hack in a full blown panic as he leads you down to the RA’s infirmary.

“Sabo!” You see him lying in one of the beds breathing heavily with a towel on his forehead. “What happened?”

“Y/N….” You rush to his side and he takes your hand in his. “I’m sorry. But…” Tears roll down his face. “I promise I did everything in my power to save it….”

“To save what Sabo?”

“My…..my…..MY BRACELET.”

….

“I’m leaving.”

“Why?” 🥺

“Sabo you literally went into shock, scared everyone half to death and ended up hospitalized , over a bracelet.”

“But it’s not just any bracelet.” He frowns. “You made it for me.”

“And I’ll make you another one.” You playfully roll your eyes. “So tell me what exactly happened to it?”

“To be honest, I burned it off accidentally.” He nervously scratches the side of his head. “I’m still not quite used to my new powers.”

“I see.” You nod. “I’ll see if I can somehow make one that’s fireproof.”

“You will?” The blonde smiles and wraps his arms around you, pulling you down with him on the bed. “I love you so much!”

“I love you too.” You let yourself relax into his hold. “With that being said, can you promise me that you'll never do this again?”

“You have my word not only as the chief of staff, but also as your overly dramatic boyfriend….. that I may do this again.”

(Sabo is a absolute drama queen and you cannot tell me otherwise)

Law

🫀- And the crowd goes mild

🫀- Literally had no initial reaction

🫀- Law would stare at it, then back at you, then back to the bracelet, then back to you

🫀- Poor man is not good at showing his emotions, so bear with him

“Why?” Law gives you a confused look while staring at your labor of love.

“Because I wanted to.” You shrug your shoulders, a little hurt seeing the lack of reaction.

“I see.” Law doesn’t put the bracelet on, instead he puts it in his pocket. “Thank you.” He immediately turns his attention away from you and goes back to working.

“Sure” You turn away with a frown. “I’ll go now, see you later.”

The second you leave the room Law is pulling that bracelet back out of his pocket while sporting the deepest shade of red on his cheeks.

He was so caught off guard and over the moon because of how cute and excited you looked while giving it to him that he completely went brain dead.

But he was now back to his senses and remembered the frown on your face as you left the room.

~~~~

You were laying on your bed sulking when you heard a knock on your door followed by a “It’s me.” You recognize your boyfriend's voice, but you're still hurt from earlier so you don’t reply. Instead you bury your face deeper into the pillow

“SHAMBLES.”

“I didn’t say you could come in…” You spoke into the “pillow” which is now none other than Law.

“You also didn’t say I couldn’t.” His tattooed arms pull you closer into his chest.

“Guess not.” Despite being angry at him, you can’t help but enjoy the closeness. “Is there something that you need, captain?”

“Yes there is actually.” Law says in a matter of fact tone “I have a very important task to assign you to.” You look up at him completely confused. “I need you to make me a bracelet with our jolly Roger on it.”

“You want another bracelet?” You pull back from his hold. “I didn’t think you liked the first one I gave you.”

“I didn't like it, I loved it... see.” You smile seeing the bracelet was in its rightful place on his wrist. “So do you think you can do it?”

“Of course I can.” You jump up from the bed and run over to your desk that was covered in different colors of twine. “I’ll work on it right now!”

Law feels relieved seeing the smile he fell in love with back on your face. Mission accomplished. He was about to leave the room to let you work, but couldn’t help but notice a huge pile of bracelets sitting in a basket on your dresser.

“Damn Y/N you really like making these don’t you?” Law said while rummaging through the bracelets.

“Law, wait!” It was too late, he was already holding the cheesy couples bracelets you made out of self indulgence. “I umm. I just made these for fun..”

“Oh really?” Law smirks while spinning the bracelet around his finger. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take this one with me.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Law nods before throwing the other bracelet into your lap. “And you should wear yours too.”

Law leaves you an embarrassed mess, but at the same time, despite his “cool guy” act, he was just as embarrassed if not more. Why does she have to be so cute???

(Won’t say it out loud, but is loving the fact he now owns a bracelet that say “I ❤️ Y/N”)

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toychest321 · 1 month

Text

Ugh, I've been meaning to post about this doll for what feels like ages! Allergies have been pretty bad this week, but I've finally been able to pull myself together enough to post about Fulla's prayer dolls!

According to the Islamic blog Alhannah.com, "The purpose of a prayer outfit is twofold – to respect the sanctity of prayer by covering one’s ‘Awrah’ (parts of the body that should be covered in public) and to uphold the principles of modesty".

"A prayer outfit typically encompasses a long, loose-fitting skirt paired with a top that has a head covering (Hijab), collectively ensuring that the body remains concealed during prayer". The website also states that there are one-piece and two-piece versions of the outfit, the choice between the two often coming down to preference of the wearer (in this case, it seems Fulla prefers the latter)

Muslims pray five times per day: once in the morning before dawn (Fajr), once at midday (Dhuhr), once in the afternoon (Asr), once after sunset (Maghrib), and once in the evening (Isha).

As far as I can find, there have been three prayer dolls of Fulla released. Two are for the Fajr and Isha prayers respectively, and one is for a process connected to all five!

Fulla's first prayer doll was released in 2004 with a doll-sized prayer mat and prayer beads for yourself!

Prayer mats are used to ensure the ground is clean while praying. Prayer beads, meanwhile, are used for dhikr, a process of prayer recitation after each of the five daily prayers. The beads are typically counted for each of the 99 names of Allah recited, however with certain prayer beads consisting of 33 beads instead (such as the one included here) they are counted 3 times over. The first 33 recitations are "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah), the second 33 are "Al-Ahamdulilah" (Praise be to God), and the final 33 are "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest). After these you must pray "Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay in qadir" (There is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner or associate) once.

Her next prayer doll was released in 2006 for the Morning Prayer (Fajr)! While I can't definitively say the same for the prior Prayer Dress Fulla, this doll wears indoor clothes underneath her prayer outfit to start the day! She comes with a prayer mat and bag, and (it says on the box but its hard to read) a prayer booklet of the Morning Prayers! And I hadn't even known this until now for this doll or the next, but apparently there's a button on her back that makes her recite them (batteries included)!

I like how much the pink pops against the white! Although the outfit is decent, it looks a bit plain compared to her other indoor looks (although that could have been intentional). I don't have any particularly strong feelings on her fashion, but it's decent!

The same year a doll for the Night Prayers (Isha) was released as well! Underneath her prayer clothes she wears a pair of pink pajamas with gingham detailing, with matching pink slippers! It seems she also came with a prayer mat, bag, and booklet (this time for the Night Prayers) as the Morning Prayers Fulla did! And yes, she also has a button to make her pray them with you!

I love these pajamas so much, they're so cute!!! And the way they match her prayer outfit too??? Indoor-fashion-wise, I probably prefer this one over the Morning Prayer's indoor outfit.

Overall, I love how all of these dolls not only represent a significant Islamic religious practice, but encourage children to do it with her! Between the prayer beads and voice button, I can easily see this doll joining in prayer with her owner :)

And not too difficult to imagine either, since Fulla has also made officially branded prayer clothes in 2005, 2007, and as recent as 2024!

Anyway, I'm glad I was finally able to dive deep into this topic like I'd been meaning to look into for a while (now to get some sleep as it is currently 4am)

Ramadan Kareem!

#dolls #dollblr #muslim dolls #fulla dolls #fulla prayer dolls #long post

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digitalagepulao · 8 months

Text

Prodigal son terror

Li Jing in a fury grabbed his halberd, leapt on his horse and galloped out of the headquarters. He was astonished to see Nezha with his Wind-Fire Wheels and Fire-Tipped Spear. He swore loudly, "You damned beast! You caused us endless suffering before your death, and now that you've been reborn, you're troubling us again!"

"Li Jing! I've returned my flesh and bones to you, and there's no longer any relation between us. Why did you smash my golden idol with your whip and burn down my temple? Today I must take my revenge!"

since I'm on a Nezha streak, might as well do my design for him on the Expedition AU! given that i've chosen to give characters a closer likeness to their region, it's only fitting i do the same with import deities like Guanyin, Subodhi and Nezha.

he's a complicated figure to place in the timeline because he gained popularity as a deity much after, only really arriving in China by the time the Journey would have been set. FSYY was written closer to when JTTW was written down, and he was retroactively inserted on the Zhou Dynasty period.

so deciding what to even do with him is dicey. but then i said fuck it, mythological rules apply here, he was around for the events of FSYY, and it and JTTW are set in the same universe. and for the sake of having some fun, i decided to get funky with his concept.

Nezha had the likeness of his family when he was alive, as described in FSYY, but once he was reborn with a lotus body he gained Indian traits instead. this is to be a nod to his status as an import deity and his origin as Nalakubara, and as the centuries roll by he may present himself to mortals closer to the locals' appearance wise.

as for his looks, i drew inspiration from multiple sources. read more for my rambles <3

his armor is closer to reconstructions of Zhou dynasty-period armor, skipping over extra parts simply because his lotus body is so indestructible, there's no need for a full set;

there are two red Chinese knots with jade beads dangling from the armor ties. they are said to ward off evil spirits, which felt like a good fit for a guy known to banish demons. i picked a six-petal flower pattern, which represents reunion, unity and a bright future;

i included lotus petals and leaves on his outfit as they are common in Beijing Opera outfits for him, and his makeup is a call to it as well;

The pink from the cheeks and eyeshadow seeps into his ear shell, as to convey the way sometimes, you get so angry even your ears blush;

Another thing i referenced from Opera is the two red ribbons on his sidelocks, though I changed them to two bulbs of lotus roots;

Four petals drawn close to his urna as both to make it look like a lotus but also form five petals, which is an auspicious number;

His hair crown is a fancy princely [knot] with a lotus motif and a pearl in the center, as he was the Pearl Spirit before becoming Nezha;

I was going to go with elf-like ears but I thought I could do better, so I went for stretched earlobes instead. you can't see it that well but hopefully the very large golden earrings imply it well enough xvx;

His cheek dimples are common sight on religious images of him and it was a cute touch imo;

Younger Nezha wears a golden robe because of his title as General of the Central Altar in Daoist belief, and the center direction is connected to yellow or gold, and yellow robes are usually meant for emperors and their sons, which is a minor nod to his self-assureness and boldness;

The Cosmic Ring has spiralling grooves on it both to catch blades on it for defense but also as a callback to Opera props;

On his waist is the embroidered ball weapon he was attributed with in earlier myths, he was also meant to have the leopard skin bag Taiyi Zhenren gave him, bjt it was going to be obscured by the text so i omitted it;

A few depictions of him gave him a halo of fire, which was real cool so i added it as well.

#fengshen yanyi #investiture of the gods #fsyy #iotg #li nezha #nezha #third lotus prince #third prince nezha #expedition to the west au #bell dragon art

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brisquad-unit-4402 · 6 months

Text

sitting with vox and the truth

(spoilers obvs)

happy the demon hungers everyone :D i did two watchalongs with my friends i hope we all show our appreciation to vox. he’s worked very hard and he’s very considerate of us his fans

this is all just to say that after a long, long, long two weeks i would like to rest so nicely on his chest. naturally i walked into this planning to write that but it turned into another vox breakdown fic which, really, couldn’t be a better description of unit 4402 if you tried

tags: gender neutral reader, angst, themes of self-hate, vox has a breakdown, spoilers for the demon hungers and the truth, ambiguous relationship (romantic intended but can be read as platonic; reader says “i love you”)

⚠️ spoilers for the demon hungers / the truth, vox akuma.

⚠️ contains self-deprecating dialogue

��── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

wings of melded leather and flesh writhe in the home of vox akuma. a dethroned lord, a wretched infernal. such a a wide reach. the talons of the wing threaten to scrape the ceiling with his greater height, while the membranous tatters hang loosely. if he represented Hell it would be a king’s robe. under wall and lamplight the sheet of skin is his chain.

gravity weighs down his voice all the same. it sinks his shoulders, drips off his hair and down his back. seven feet tall, with a shadow to cast over your body so small in comparison, and yet wind could knock him over as he stands his ground. the familiarity of gold within his eyes is gone but the guilt behind it is all the same, tainted in burning-coal. the smoke around his mouth and the embers along his tongue match the char. there is no fire. he’s put that out long ago. but what was scorched refuses to dwindle down to ash, remaining orange and red and that pink you swore you could see when there was nothing good on his mind.

nothing good, you thought, jokingly and enticingly. lightly. you see now that you were right, but without the fortune of intimacy.

he is scared, if he would be willing to admit it, and he is protective which he does. it’s why his hands are buried close to his chest, the swirling black-red, clasped together as if they were weapons. they are.

“do you understand?” vox asks. “i don’t deserve your pity.”

his frame is full with rage and power held dormant.

“i don’t deserve your attention, or your patience. or your love.”

a bead of ember rises from between his teeth. it fades to room dust as he grits them together.

when they snap apart an arc of flame accompanies it.

“It’s never been deserved. It’s never been okay. I have never been okay!”

the flames curl out of the air, following where the ember once went, room dust and hot air. without his hair in his face he can’t hide from the firing squad.

he can’t hide when you step forward, either.

“Don’t.” that’s what gets him to quit yelling. it’s replaced by inhaled cinder under his breath. “No, no, don’t. Don’t. Don’t.”

and quiet, you say, “you’ve held me before.”

“Don’t. Don’t. You can’t. No. Don’t.”

“and i’m nowhere near death.”

he backs away. “You don’t know that, you don’t know that, you don’t know, you don’t.”

“we don’t choose the bodies we’re born in. or the biology we function by.”

another step back. he doesn’t trip on anything. it’s the pure magma under his blood that sends him to his knees. “Get back.” a hiccup. “Get back!” his hands form tighter to his body. “Get away from me!”

“i trust you.”

“Don’t! Don’t! No! Away!”

“you aren’t hungry anymore. and i’m not in danger. i love you.”

vox’s back thumps against the corner of the wall. his hands tear apart. a prominent vein glides down the oil-slick arm. they tangle themselves into his hair. pale fingertips along bloodied streaks. white knuckles pulling at black locks.

he screams.

he screams again when you place yourself next to him, up against the wall, and bump your leg to him.

“if you could hurt me…” your eyes lower to where your legs are placed upon his. “then this would count. but i’m still alive.”

you look up to the ceiling. his talons didn’t scratch it but his horns certainly did. “and i’m still alive, and my soul is where it should be, with me.”

you cannot recognize the sound the voice demon emits.

“so i’ll stay with you. and we’ll figure things out.” with river under your hands you rub his arm. “do you remember this? it’s what i always do when you want me to help calm you down.

“that’s what i’ll do. just let it out. and i’ll be right here, and i’ll always be here no matter what.”

it’s a guttural, throaty cry across his register. a frog scratch.

“come on.” his blood twists under your touch. veins alight as live wires. “i have all the time in the world.”

“But I have been nothing but a blight.”

“i love you as you are.”

you place your head over his chest.

the first thing that happens is the draft from his wing wrapping around your face. your vision colors red. branches of uneven membrane along the wing’s flesh. so tight around his chest you don’t see a glimpse of the outside.

the next is how vox wracks himself over the lava within his throat.

your free hand takes over attending to him as much as you can, swaddled close to his chest.

through the wing, you can see how he forces his head away when he spits a flamethrower.

when the unpredictable flames raise to you and the wing-shield, it suffocates against the flesh. you don’t feel a shred of heat.

each fire is a bellow of pain gone unacknowledged for years. you don’t think he realizes his instinct to cover you. it would be a welcome validation if he weren’t lost in his own grief.

you spend the night beside the voice demon, listening to the shred of his screams. when he finds the courage to open his eyes, he shrieks for every moment that passes with your hand upon him, and soul within your confines.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ ⁭masterpost ✧. ┊ ⁭kofi

#vox akuma #vox akuma x reader #vox akuma angst #the demon hungers #luxiem #luxiem x reader #nijisanji en #nijisanji x reader #4402 writes #vox akuma headcanons #vox akuma imagines #the demon hungers spoilers #wrote this so sleepily… i hope. snnrk. hope it makes sense… nodded off a few times almost #it’s funny bc i told my friend i would go to bed early so i could take a break after all this hecticness!#…and then i wrote this. i’ll see if i can get a cuter monsterfucker appreciation post out at some point since clearly that was the goal #and failed

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lovelybrooke · 1 year

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I gotta question of when the sully fam “adopts” the reader in the family does everyone just updates their song cord to add her in? What nick knacks you think they each would use?

I could totally see that happening, just at different times since they all start viewing the reader as family at different times. While I don't know exactly what Na'vi put on their songcord's, I tried my best.

The first would be Kiri. Like I have stated, Kiri felt like she could relate to you a lot due to how you both are unaware of your parentage. Even before you and Kiri became best friends, she would confide in you about Grace and who her father could be, and it made her feel happy that someone was there to relate to her and that there was someone who could understand her. I think she would put either put leaves from a plant you grew together or jewelry you would wear.

The next would be Lo'ak. Lo'ak loved being around you because, like Kiri, he felt like he could relate to you. You both were outcasts, and from the moment he met you, he wanted to protect you. Surprisingly, he wasn't the first to view you as a part of his family, since a small part of him felt guilty for viewing a sky person as a sibling. However, as his feelings became too much to ignore, so he finally came to terms with them. It took him a while to find something worthy of honoring you to add to his songcord , but eventually he decided to add the tip of an arrow he used to protect you when exploring the forest together.

Tuk was next. Her and Neteyam met you after Kiri and Lo’ak, and it makes her deeply upset. She wishes she was you friend first, and so when she learns that Kiri and Lo’ak added part to their songcord that represented you, she instantly wanted to do the same. So, she demanded Kiri take her to the research base you stayed at so you could paint beads together. Once finished she tied them to the cord and showed them off to you with a huge smile on her face.

Neteyam took a while to add on to his songcord. He has a lot of mixed feeling on doing so. He loves his mother, and would never let want to do anything that could make her upset, but your just such an important part of his life and wants to show that. Neteyam loves spending time with you, so he chose to add some stones you two found while together.

Jake surprisingly, was almost last. Jake is very protective of his family, so he wanted to make sure that the familial feelings he felt were real before wanting to add on to his songcord. He wanted to do it with Neytiri, however at the point she wasn’t ready, so he did it on his own. Jake views himself as your father, so he chose to add on a piece fabric from your childhood. It could be something like a wooden toy or a stuffed bear, it doesn’t matter. He does this because deep down, he’ll always view you as a child.

Finally Neytiri. It was a while before she saw you as a part of her family. She was very resistant to you joining, due to your demon blood. So, when she starts to see you as her child, she becomes very confused. She doesn’t understand, she hates Spider, but wants to protect you. It takes a lot of conversations with Jake to finally decide to make you an official Sully. It isn’t until then that Neytiri puts you in her songcord. Like Kiri, I think she would put some of your jewelry in her songcord to represent you.

A/n: this was the best I could come up with. If you guys have any other ideas of what they would add, please feel free to share.

#yandere x reader #soft yandere #platonic yandere #avatar way of water x reader #yandere avatar #yandere avatar way of water #avatar way of water #avatar #sully family x reader #sully family #yandere sully family

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bluejayblueskies · 7 months

Text

Song Number Three | shadow0haven

[ID: Three photos of two hand-bound books. In the first, one book--which is approximately a quarter of the size of the other--is stacked atop the other book. The spines are facing the viewer. The binding style is exposed-spine coptic, and the folded edges of the paper are exposed as well as the stitching. The stitching is half green and half yellow on the bottom book, as if the book has been cut in half vertically. This stitching matches the bookcloth on the covers, which is green with mushrooms on the green stitching side and yellow with bees on the yellow stitching side. Paper wraps around the covers with the title, Song Number Three, and the author name, shadow0haven, on them as well as green and yellow patterns. On the top book, the stitching is a dark green and the cover material is maroon with a tree root pattern on it. There is a silver, maroon, and green braided bookmark sewn to the top with a bronze bead at the end of it.

In the second photo, just the bottom book is shown, standing upright with the spine facing the viewer. In this position, we can see that it is a tete-beche binding, with one cover right-side up and the other upside-down so the book can be flipped over and read from both directions. In the third photo, just the top book is seen, standing upright with the spine facing the viewer. /End ID]

I had the pleasure of binding Amai (@shadow0haven)'s fic Song Number Three for the 2023 @malevolentbigbang event! It's a separate-bodies omegaverse AU where John undergoes a type change from beta to omega, and I wanted to represent that in my bind, so I decided to do a tete-beche binding with two different typesets and cover designs for the story, placed back-to-back in the same book. You can read it, then flip it over and read it again from the other direction!

The designs for the two sides of the book are inspired by the scents for betas and omegas, which feature in the fic. Betas are described as having a grassy, earthen scent, while omegas have a sweeter scent, like vanilla and orange. Alphas additionally have heavier scents, like spices or oak, which is what the additional mini bind of the fic is inspired by! I wanted to complete he trio, so I did another bind of the fic in a smaller size that fits in the palm of your hand.

In addition to the visual design, there's a component to these books that doesn't photograph: they're scented! I mixed essential oils into the glue used to construct each side's coverboard--orange and vanilla for the omega side with the honeybee fabric and moss and dirt for the beta side with the mushroom fabric. The alpha book has spice and teakwood scents infused into it. I was really excited to experiment with scented books (as strange as they may sound), and I'm very happy with how they turned out! The scents are subtle enough not to be overpowering, but they're very much present and distinctive.

More information about the bind and photos of the typeset beneath the cut!

Each typeset is designed so that it is distinctive from the others but with certain shared elements to tie the three versions of the story together. Each title page of the tete-beche book uses the same two fonts in different combinations, and the petite book borrows certain fonts from the tete-beche book while also introducing new ones.

Each set of images has, in order from left to right, the omega typeset, the beta typeset, and the alpha typeset.

[ID: Three photos, each of which shows a different style of title page from a hand-bound book. All three title pages have the title, Song Number Three, and the author name, shadow0haven, on the righthand side of the righthand page. In the first picture, the title is in a sans serif font and the author name is in a script font, and there is a watercolor image of oranges on the lefthand side of the page. In the second picture, the title is in the same script font as the first picture and the author name is in the same sans serif font as the first picture. There is a watercolor image of ivy on the lefthand side of the page. In the third picture, the title is in a sans serif font with extra lines along some of the letters and the author name is in the same script font as the first image. There is a watercolor image of an oak tree on the bottom lefthand side of the page. /End ID]

The summary pages are also similar, with the same body font used for the summary (and the rest of the typeset) and different images used for each typeset.

[ID: Three photos, each of which shows a different style of colophon page on the left and summary page on the right from a hand-bound book. All three colophon pages have copyright information about the fic and the publisher, Blue Skies Books, as well as a description of which fonts were used in the bind and where photos were sourced from. All three summary pages have the same summary of the fic on them in the same font. In the first picture, there is additionally a watercolor image of a vanilla flower on the summary page. In the second picture, there is additionally a watercolor image of a mossy rock on the summary page. In the third picture, there is additionally a watercolor image of oranges, cinnamon, and star anise on the summary page. /End ID]

I wanted a washed-out watercolor vibe for all of the images, and I'm really happy with how they turned out!

[ID: Three photos, each of which shows a different style of chapter header page from a hand-bound book. All three chapter header pages have the same text from the beginning of chapter two in the same font, the word 'Two' at the top of the page in differing fonts, and drop caps at the beginning of the chapter in fonts that match the font that the word 'Two' is in. In the first picture, the word 'Two' is in a sans serif font and there is a watercolor image of oranges in the top left. In the second picture, the word 'Two' is in a script font and there is a watercolor image of ivy in the top left. In the third picture, the word 'Two' is in a sans serif font with extra lines around parts of the letters and there is a watercolor image of an oak tree branch with acorns on it in the top left. /End ID]

The fonts used are:

Body: Perpetua

Titles: Raspberry Brush, Aura, Neon Magic

And most images are sourced from rawpixel and are public domain or creative commons.

Finally, here are some face-on images of the covers for the tete-beche book. The title and author are printed on a piece of cardstock, which was then wrapped around the cover and glued together on the inside. I wanted a way to put the title and author on the cover of the book without directly committing it to the bookcloth, which consists of two very busy patterns, and I like the look of this! And they're removable should one desire to remove them and just have the bare book covers.

[ID: Two pictures of the double-sided book, each of which shows a different cover. The first shows the cover bound in green mushroom bookcloth with a strip of paper across the middle that has the title, 'Song Number Three,' in a sans serif font, the author name, 'shadow0haven,' in a script font, and a green floral pattern. The second shows the cover bound in yellow bee bookcloth with a strip of paper across the middle that has the title, 'Song Number Three,' in a script font, the author name, 'shadow0haven,' in a sans serif font, and a yellow flower-like pattern. /End ID]

#mbb2023 #malevolent big bang 2023 #malevolent #malevolent podcast #bookbinding #fanbinding #jay's bound books

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uzumaki-rebellion · 5 months

Text

"King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 2

Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

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Chapter 2

"I wanna be the ocean that pulls you under Wanna be the lightning in your thunder Wanna be the force that brings you love Somewhere from the sky above

I can give you glory Give you all the strength in me Strong enough to hold us down So, baby, put your faith in me…"

Yuna—"Glory"

Yani's glam team sprayed a setting mist across her face to give her make-up an extra sheen for her interview with Robin Roberts. Millions were predicted to tune in for the live broadcast of the future Queen of Wakanda.

"You have siren eyes."

She glanced at her personal make-up artist Ndidi who stood back staring at Yani's face in the green-room mirror.

"What now?" Yani said giving the woman her full attention.

"Your eyes Princess Yani…they are like the sirens in the sea that lure people in," Ndidi replied.

"Some would say that's a bad thing if you know the Greek and Roman myths."

"We are Wakandan, we have our own myths. Mama Wati uses sirens from our land to lure us to a righteous path. Today you represent Mama Wati and will show the world how powerful we are."

Yani inhaled the fresh spritz of perfume layered over her body. The scent mingled in with the light oil on her skin. It smelled like home. Wakanda.

"Beautiful," Ramonda said.

The Wakandan Ambassador peered at Yani from behind an empty chair. Wunsaa, the royal stylist twisted a shapeable, textured headwrap to crown the complete look of Birnin Zana couture. Ramonda tapped her kimoyo beads and a bullet point sheet floated in front of Yani's face.

"Ms. Roberts is aware of the parameters we've set forth for this interview. N'Jadaka has read them and approves," Ramonda said.

Yani enlarged some script to read better and flicked the image back over to Ramonda. In her mind, she went over her media training and cleared her head of negative intrusive thoughts. The media had already gone nuts over the revelation of N'Jadaka's American background. She knew that her own past had probably been picked over by Roberts and her team. Good Morning America was the premiere morning show that galvanized a large cross-section of American viewers. Yani would use her charms to appease the U.S. fear of her fiancé. She had to disguise his wrath and hatred for America by playing up the wonders of Wakanda. Her task was great, but if beauty had to be used as a balm to lull the ops, she would use every drop of it.

A studio manager approached her personal Dora and relayed a message that their segment was ready to start in five minutes. They needed Yani to join Roberts in the studio. The first half would be a one-on-one with Roberts, and then Ramonda would join her for the second half. N'Jadaka wanted Black Americans to see two powerful Black Wakandan women speaking together. He believed they would dominate online discourse and paint the image he wanted the world to have: his reliance on women to move progress forward. A powerful Black Queen and an equally formidable Black woman Ambassador was a visual one-two punch in the gut for the media to gobble up.

"This way, Princess Yani," the studio manager said.

Yani and her Dora followed close behind and her stylish royal purple dress covered the clacking of her high heels. From head to toe Yani was meticulously adorned and dressed to convey power and ultra femininity.

"Americans love to romanticize royalty…especially a princess becoming a queen. Lean into it Yani, give them the fantasy. Seduce them," N'Jadaka had told her.

He was with their children, spending time alone with them while she represented the nation on her own. Ramonda stayed by her side and knew her place was to steer conversations clear of political speculation pertaining to the king. Thus, Yani could focus on being a delightful guest selling her popular book.

"Princess Yani, Ambassador Udaku, thank you so much for being here," Roberts said.

"Thank you for having us today," Yani said.

Yani took her seat on a tall white chair near Roberts as bright studio lights were adjusted and the GMA crew prepped the selected audience members who were seated across from them posted up at small tables. A stage hand led Ramonda aside to await her time on air. The Onyx Squad security team kept watch over the audience and Yani's Dora guarded Ramonda.

Behind them on a wallscreen was a picture of Yani's book. She waited with calm poise as the stage director gave the signal that they were live. Ignoring the cameras, Yani stared at Roberts.

"It is such a wonderful honor to have Princess Yani of Wakanda here with us today," Roberts stated keeping her eyeline on the camera, "Her blockbuster book, 'The Wakandan Way of Birth' hit the shelves by storm and gave the world a glimpse into the extraordinary nation we're beginning to know more about. Welcome to Good Morning America, Princess Yani."

The audience clapped with enthusiastic energy and Yani nodded graciously toward the camera facing her.

"I'm glad to be here."

"Is this your first time in America?"

"No, I have been to Miami, Florida a few times."

"There's so much I want to ask, and I must say…first of all, 'The Wakandan Way of Birth" is such a phenomenal book. Whatever we imagined Wakanda to be was nowhere near what you have shown us with your words and the fantastic photography. What made you want to start the book with letters to your Aunt Leona in St. Thomas?"

Yani smiled and shifted forward in her seat at the sound of her aunt's name.

"My aunt is the most important person to me out of the elders I have left from my island life. I wanted readers to get a feel of what it was like for me to be in Wakanda…studying…learning the language and becoming a part of a powerful family…"

The first eight minutes were pleasant and Roberts shared images from the book and allowed Yani to gush about Wakanda with wide-eyed wonder. Roberts laughed and her entire face lit up from listening to Yani. During a commercial break, Yani's make-up was checked and her head wrap was tightened as Ramonda joined the conversation. Roberts reached out and shook Ramonda's hand. The stage director pointed at them and the interview continued.

Ramonda was an old pro and simply underlined all that Yani shared. She didn't step on Yani's toes by taking over or talking to much, only followed Yani's lead. A picture of Yani and N'Jadaka leaving the CBC dinner flashed behind them.

"That right there is a beautiful couple. How did you meet the king?" Roberts asked.

Yani grinned, prepared for the question.

"I was about to start nursing school in and I worked cleaning rental properties for tourists to pay for my education. King N'Jadaka was on vacation before heading to Wakanda and we met and fell in love there."

"You were like Cinderella?"

"Sort of," Yani said before giggling at the memory.

"Has it been a whirlwind for you? Being thrust into the limelight? It can't be easy becoming a queen and balancing a career."

Yani kept her eyes on Roberts and prepared herself for the weaseling in of political gotchas. She tread carefully by keeping her tone light and airy.

"I've found a balance. My philanthropic projects are very important to me so it doesn't feel like work or a burden on my time. King N'Jadaka supports me completely and Ambassador Udaku's experience and legacy of being a queen has provided the foundation I can build on."

Yani glanced at Ramonda and the queen mother appeared touched by her sincere words.

"There have been some pundits across the political spectrum that question the influence of Wakanda and the controversial remarks King N'Jadaka has made at the U.N. recently. Do you worry about being misunderstood…or being seen as a threat to democracy on the continent of Africa?"

Yani kept her composure. She didn't look at Ramonda, although she could sense the woman's steely dark brown eyes turned her way. Yani's gaze remained on Roberts.

"Although we are a monarchy, we follow democratic principles with our parliament and seek to bring peaceful resolutions to African nations that reach out to us. King N'Jadaka knows what it takes to support democracy. His exemplary military service in the U.S. Navy and being a highly decorated Navy SEAL proves his dedication to fulfilling America's promise of being a beacon of hope to other countries in need. After his service, he used his training to provide expertise to private security companies internationally, many of which supported the U.S. military in the most dangerous parts of the world."

"Mercenary work?" Roberts asked.

"His detractors like to call him that to disparage him, but his private security contract work is above reproach."

"Working for private armies makes many mainstream Americans uncomfortable, especially with the poor reputations of a few big name companies that have come under fire in the last two years."

"King N'Jadaka worked for reputable companies…not the ones that have been in the news. He grew up as a well-travelled individual and his mother's legacy only proves that he seeks justice and progressive change in war-torn areas of the world. We balance one another and our main focus is lowering Black maternal death, ending the rise of global femicide, and protecting the environment. Recently my foundation partnered with the Native American Student Alliance, a Pan-Indigenous University collective to help Indigenous Americans throughout the U.S. with funding to complete medical degrees so that they may return to tribal lands where we are building free clinics and birthing centers. We have been bridging the gap in rural areas where affordable natal care and hospitals are not present for Black and Native people. We've done the same in the Caribbean too. Next year we start building in parts of South America."

"You bring up his mother, Califia Stevens. She and the Sao Paulo Four were recently exonerated from claims that they plotted to kill police officers in Brazil over twenty years ago. The documentary about them won an Oscar last month. How do you think the positive reception to her legacy motivates King N'Jadaka?"

"He is proud of his mother's legacy. Califia was an educator, activist, and powerful orator. N'Jadaka is building his own legacy from the lessons she taught him before her untimely death at the hands of a corrupt and racist judicial system. N'Jadaka is a man of principle, peace, and prosperity for those who support him. He represents the best of Wakanda and America."

"I think you also represent the best of Wakanda, Princess Yani. Ambassador Udaku thank you so much for joining us and sharing your insight too. We here at GMA are so lucky to bring Princess Yani's story to the American public. For those out there watching, run, don't walk…pick up your copy of "The Wakandan Way of Birth". It is a timely keepsake and a window into the splendor of an amazing new world that we are finally being privy to. For more information about Princess Yani's non-profit and Global Midwifery Scholarships, you can check our website for links."

The small audience clapped and Yani stood up with Roberts.

"This was an incredible opportunity to speak with you in person," Roberts said.

Yani gave her a hug and they chatted for a few minutes before her security team led her away with Ramonda at her side.

"I don't think it was wise to speak on N'Jadaka's past work as we discussed at the earlier briefing," Ramonda whispered.

"I think I handled it fine. I'm sure her producers made her ask the question. I support my husband. They will never trip me up or catch me lying about his past. I gave them a patriotic freedom fighter. His mother is a legend and no one will come for him in the diaspora outside of Africa. Besides, N'Jadaka taught me how to play poker. His first lesson was to play a hand the opponent wants to see, so they think they're winning. Bringing up his loyalty to the American military will make the Defense Department leery about any more negative stories coming out about him because it will point the finger back at them. They taught him all their tricks and God forbid our king should write a book himself or start spilling C.I.A. secrets."

"Your confidence and daring is that of a true queen, Yani," Ramonda said before sharing a sly grin.

"I have the best teacher."

Yani squeezed Ramonda's elbow and walked faster to leave the studio behind. It was time to be with her children and N'Jadaka.

Yani greeted the Kingsguard that watched the entrance to the Upper East Side Manhattan mansion the Udaku family used for the short stay in New York. Entering a second floor family room, she heard the plucky sounds of a berimbau recording, and spotted N'Jadaka sitting against a winged-back chair with Sydette braiding his long locs. Joba and Riki jumped around each other practicing capoeira in the middle of an expensive rug.

"Duck your head Joba…good…Riki, ya gotta lift that leg higher…higher…yeah, there ya go," N'Jadaka said.

He clapped his hands to add more percussive beats to the lone berimbau and the two children leaped and swung their legs at each other, not afraid to make hard contact or fall down on their rumps. They both had become better fighters and N'Jadaka toyed with the idea of taking them down to Brazil for a baptisado. Yani watched Sydette try to twist the thick braids of her father's hair into a bun, but her small hands had trouble doing it.

"I got it Sweet Pea," Yani said,

She took over fastening the locs into a tight ball and tucked it at the nape. N'Jadaka's hair smelled like the sweet pink oils Umama made for him that gave his locks a glossy shine. She stroked the ginger of his birthmark in the twisted strands and glanced at Riki's soft matching cloud of color on his head.

Yani lowered her head and N'Jadaka kissed her lips.

"Where is everyone else?" Yani asked.

"Resting before you all leave."

"Ramonda went to see an acquaintance for brunch. She said her things are packed already. I still need to gather my stuff."

"You have time."

Sydette scampered off to read a book in another room. N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo beads and the berimbau music stopped.

"Go play. I need to talk with Mama in private," he said.

Riki and Joba gave Yani kisses on her cheek before leaving them alone. N'Jadaka took a seat on the chair and Yani sat on his lap. They held onto each other enjoying the peace and quiet.

"How did I do?" she asked.

"Everything I expected. You blew up social media and Roberts was gracious enough to not push too hard. I think it's because you won her over so easily talking about the book. Your personality does it every time, baby. Just like I told you it would. You're a natural storyteller and showed those people how fly we are. It's a gift. People are in love with you."

"Are you ready to meet with President Ellis?"

"Yeah. I'll fly there early and leave as soon as possible."

He rubbed on her arm.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Theresa agreed to stay in Wakanda. It took some time to convince her husband of that fact. She wants to be with Joba and I think it will help her deal with the loss of Disa…raising her grandbaby in Africa."

Yani lowered her gaze.

"Ah, Yani…hey. You're a wonderful mother to Joba. I don't want you feeling like Theresa has issues with you raising Sunshine. She wants to help you and be close to all of us. Joba is the only gift of Disa's that she has left in this world."

Yani nodded.

"Joba has been so happy having her grandma again. Tell me honestly…is Theresa okay with us?" she asked.

"She is. That's why she wants to be with us…to feel connected."

"Good."

"Theresa loves me to death and she's grateful that Joba is healthy and happy with her father and Umi Yani. We are all family. I won't have to ship my baby girl off so much here anymore. That's a good thing."

Yani held onto N'Jadaka. After a time, they clasped hands and went downstairs to make themselves tea. They talked about home and the wedding, and she reveled in his joy. She couldn't tell who was more excited about getting married. He spoke of the Queen's Ball that everyone in Wakanda was looking forward to. There were receptions in various cities planned and the biggest one was going to be the Clan Gathering for the Panther tribe. Yani's name would be transcribed onto the Udaku family lineage documents sealing her reign for eternity.

Once her role shifted in Birnin Zana, Yani knew she would be up against formidable naysayers in the Court of Nobles. The power of the queendom would protect her somewhat, but Wakandan nobles were petty and vicious. The moment the crown was on her head, she planned to give them hell from Day One. Being nice and accommodating had gotten her nowhere. It was time to bring out her panther claws.

Overseeing the final packing of the children's clothing, Yani watched their travel staff move suitcases and gifts onto the half cruiser. Ramonda arrived back on time to join them in a heartfelt farewell to the king.

Theresa and her husband, along with Disa's siblings and their own families hugged N'Jadaka. They settled inside the spacious aircraft that floated above the mansion leaving Yani to say goodbye to N'Jadaka.

"We'll be together again soon. Then our time will begin," N'Jadaka whispered into her ear.

He squeezed his arms around her and Yani squeezed back. For a month they had planted seeds around the world that would grow gardens in their favor with the global public. The tide had already shifted after her final book tour interview.

"Go before I run off with y'all," N'Jadaka said.

Yani strode up the half cruiser ramp and took her seat among the family. For six hours they flew across the world picking up relatives in the islands and Brazil, before arriving at the palace under the cover of darkness. She carried a sleeping Joba in her arms. Dante carried Riki, and Sydette walked on her own looking drowsy from the flight.

She breathed a heavy sigh of relief being back inside the sanctuary of their palace abode.

Home.

She was finally home.

Ilana and Zola helped her undress and she crawled into N'Jadaka's bed for the night. The weighted blankets and incense odors reminded her of him and she snuggled into a blissful sleep. She awoke the next day to find a small giftbox on the nightstand with her tea. A note was attached to it.

"Yani, this is a sunrise pendant. I wanted you to have it on your first sunrise back home after a long trip. I'll be home soon and I can't wait to see you again. You are my sun, Love, Jaja."

She opened the sparkly yellow box and looked down at a small precious pure gold pendant shaped like a teardrop that represented the mythical form of Ilanga Intomba, the daughter of Bast who brought light to the world at her mother's request. Etched into the gold were slanted eyes and a whimsical pair of lips with a sly smile.

Yani palmed the gift and looked out toward the wall-sized window. Rain decorated the protected glass. Despite the gray clouds floating above, small slivers of sunlight peeked out. She chose to wear a billowy yellow dress and fastened the pendent under her neckline. Fluffing out the soft curls on her head, she joined the rest of the entire family for brunch in the guest dining hall. Her children played with cousins and helped Toussaint walk on wobbly legs making Nakia smile. Yani greeted Shuri, Umama, and Twyla happily before greeting the rest of the extended Udaku clan. N'Jadaka's Aunt Serah and Uncle Addae arrived from Europe on a separate flight. Several long tables were decorated and filled with heaps of good food and various libations. They all chattered loudly about Yani's appearance on American television.

Umama sat proudly next to her, patting Yani's hand and extolling to everyone the virtues she displayed while telling the world about her soon-to-be husband. Their meal ended with a pleasant walk with everyone in the royal garden to inspect the wedding gazebo view that would be set up for the outdoor reception. All of their numerous family wedding guests looked impressed with the gorgeous view of the river and the animal sanctuary across from it. Spending several hours with everyone drained her and she retired to her palace home to rest before dinner. Theresa and her husband kept her children giving Yani a chance to relax on her own.

Ilana and Zola helped her inspect the dinner attire choices from her home staff inside her spacious tea room. It was decided that she would continue her color theme of yellow and saffron with a two piece jacket and skirt ensemble. After her stylist team vacated the tea room with the racks of clothing and accessories they brought, Ilana and Zola could barely contain themselves.

Yani poured them pre-dinner wine and settled in for all the tea-spilling from the loose lips of her friends.

"Brace yourself," Zola said.

Ilana pressed her long polished nails against her throat and could barely contain the squirming in her seat as Zola squealed.

"Remy got engaged to Lady Ime of the Mining tribe. They announced it four days ago," Zola gushed.

"Lady Ime?" Yani said.

"Yes," Ilana yelped. "That harlot has been waiting ages to align with a powerful family. Word on the Court of Nobles is that Lady Omphile is devastated. Her and Lady Ime have feigned being close since primary school and now the truth has come out…Ime plotted to overshadow her all this time. Scandalous! You should be happy!"

"Why would I be happy about that?" Yani said.

"Eh-eh! Yani! This means that those two witches will leave you alone and tear each other apart. Everyone knows Ime's family wanted her to be King N'Jadaka's Wakandan consort to stir up trouble for you, while Omphile wanted Remy, but now, those two evil goats must fight among themselves," Zola said.

"Hmmm, two down, a dozen more to go," Yani sighed.

"Don't think that way, Yani. Your eloquence and beauty on the book tour made us all proud. I tell you now before Bast, the wind is blowing in a new direction. Those long tongues will tangle elsewhere on the court. All we have to think about is the wedding of the century! Yours!"

Ilana stamped her dainty feet on the floor thinking about the wedding and all the new gossip shared with Yani. She noticed Zola smirking as she held up her half empty glass of wine from the Udaku vineyard in Birnin Bashenga. Yani leaned back on her seat and eyeballed her friend suspiciously.

"What more is there?" Yani asked.

Zola glanced at Ilana and the two women started cackling. Ilana pulled out a small wrapped gift from her purse lying on the table in front of a half empty white wine bottle.

"We just thought maybe you'd like to give Remy and his new fiancé an engagement gift as a small token from the royals."

Yani put down her glass.

"You two want me to put Ime in her place to shame her. She wanted to be in my position, but failed," Yani said.

"Serves her right. Omphile too. She wanted Remy and the king too if she could have access. Now she gets to see how it feels to plot against someone and lose her own dream of happiness," Zola said.

"Ladies, we are bigger than that," Yani said.

"No we are not. If you don't go, I will go to his office myself and give it on your behalf," Ilana said.

"You wouldn't."

"I would!"

"Oh for Bast's sake! Indulge us with a final blow to your number one haters as princess. You won't be able to get away with overt pettiness as queen. They were cruel to you ever since you arrived, paid gossip vloggers to talk trash about you on our intranet, and never gave you peace," Zola added.

Yani was tempted.

"What did you pick out for them?" Yani asked.

She lifted the gift and shook it. Nothing rattled inside. There was a small silver clasp that held the powdery blue box closed.

"Earrings. For both of them. A betrothal march token to show favor. People would kill to receive something from you," Ilana said.

Yani unfastened the clasp and looked at the two sets of earrings set inside ebony velvet. The male set were small gold and silver hoops threaded with a lavender leafing shaped to look like a creeping vine that surrounded the palace. The female set were bigger hoops of the same design. Yani snapped the box closed and glared at her Ladies-in-Waiting.

"Serious?" Yani sputtered holding out the box to Ilana.

Both women refused to take the gift back well aware of the meaning that upset Yani.

"You two expect me to give this to them with a straight face?"

Zola shrugged and sipped her wine, crossing her leg in defiance. Ilana grinned, then lifted a meat pastry from their snack tray, pulling away the flaky crust absentmindedly.

"Send them a message," Zola said.

The vine motif on the earrings was a symbol of losing a cherished prize. In a well-cherished Wakandan fairy tale, a greedy peasant tried to shoot an arrow into a fairy's cloud using the vine attached to climb the lofty height into the heavens to steal their precious jewels. The fairy, very much aware of the treachery from down below, set the vine on fire and the greedy peasant fell back to earth where they were shamed by others. The vine warned modern children not to reach beyond their capacity for nefarious reasons and often represented the losing side. For Yani to hand it over to Ime as a gift meant that she was putting the noble in her rightful place beneath the queen. A literal jabbing in her side that screamed, "Bitch you thought." The symbolism was a deliberate counterattack. Open warfare in a tightly guarded class.

There was no need to start another uncivil war in the Court of Nobles. Yani stuck the box inside the pocket of her dress.

"I will trade this in for something more appropriate," Yani said.

"Parter pooper," Zola said.

Ilana laughed and glanced at her kimoyos. "Oh, my," she said.

She grabbed Yani's hand and pulled her toward the exit.

"My bridal gift for your office is arriving! I want you to see it now to make sure it fits," Ilana said.

Yani and Zola followed Ilana for a long walk to the West Palace. Staff and politicians acknowledged her presence with lowered heads and genuine smiles for her return to royal life. Moving up floors they entered Yani's brand new office suite where her loyal queen's staff welcomed her back and congratulated the successful book tour. Looking around Yani took delight in how the new workspace came together with the decorator she hired. Two burly men waited with a large white box in the anteroom.

"This way," Ilana told them, heading toward Yani's private area.

The new office was bright with corals and mother-of-pearl pink giving a light airy ambiance. Ilana pushed away an antique desk chair that Yani had brought down from the family library to use as her executive seat.

"Put it there," Ilana said.

The men placed the large box behind the elaborate U-shaped jade and glass office desk. Pulling it open revealed a custom executive chair fit for a queen.

"Ilana!"

Yani jumped onto the chair and marveled at the rich leather texture and the embellished armrests with symbols of the Wakandan queen carved into them.

"I love it," Yani squealed.

"I wanted to show it to you now so you wouldn't think I came to your wedding empty-handed. You will probably receive jewels and things for your home, but I wanted something special for your office."

Yani left her chair and hugged Ilana. Zola admired the chair and touched the buttery pale leather.

"It is so you, Yani," Zola said.

Yani gave them a tour of the finished office suite and they ventured out to say hello to others in the vicinity of N'Jadaka's floor. They quickly passed the closed doors of a political meeting for territorial leaders in rural areas, but her appearance created an excited stir outside the entrance so she spent a few minutes talking to personnel and representatives waiting to get inside. Time slipped past them and the heavy meeting door opened releasing the first wave of politicians inside. Yani inched her way through the throng of well-wishers with Ilana and Zola pushing back on others taking up her time even further.

"Princess Yani."

Yani stopped walking at the sound of her name called from a voice she recognized. She turned toward a corner where Remy walked with Elder Efetobo by his side. Yani held her arms out for Efetobo and the frail older woman gave her a warm hug.

"I am so pleased you have returned home," Efetobo said. "I will see you at the dinner tonight."

Efetobo left and Yani faced Remy.

"I am surprised you are even in the West Palace. You must be very busy preparing for your nuptials," Remy said.

Yani glanced over her shoulder. Zola and Ilana watched them with gloating eyes. She sucked her teeth and her Ladies stepped away from them and waited for her near a Dora.

Remy dressed handsomely, his work attire crisp and fashionable for his status. His tight eyes looked playful and there was a hint of longing in his voice. His tone reminded her of their times talking together late at night when he cared for her children. There was an intimacy there that she couldn't shake from him, no matter how much her feelings had changed. Lady Ime was lucky to have him. Outside of N'Jadaka and the missing T'Challa inside the royal family, Remy was the highest ranked male noble in the entire country outside of the Udaku line.

Ignoring the rush of people moving past them in the halls, Remy cornered Yani so that their conversation couldn't be heard.

"Taking care of Merchant Tribe business?" Yani asked.

"Yes. Elder Efetobo stays on top of our place here. She requires daily meetings and prompt reports from our representatives. Today she let me out early in preparation for your dinner banquet for the inner circle. I thank you profusely because I was behind on some things and now I can catch up. Unfortunately, that means I cannot attend the pre-wedding festivities tonight with your special guests."

Yani nodded and tried to ease herself away from him. She didn't trust Remy, not since he tried to fight N'Jadaka at Warrior Falls for the throne.

"Elder Efetobo is a very fair and precise person. You'll learn much from her…excuse me…"

"Yani…wait."

He reached out for her arm and stopped himself, remembering who she was to him. Holding his arms to his sides, Remy kept a pleasant look on his face.

"I wanted to tell you something important…away from your people, but this is probably the safest place with the king being absent."

"What is it Remy? I have to get prepared for tonight."

"I am engaged now—"

"I was told this today."

"Oh..."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, but that's not what's important."

Yani toyed with her kimoyo beads to give him a hint.

"This betrothal march for Lady Ime and I has been arranged by our families."

"Remy, none of this matters to me."

"It matters to me because I want you to understand the pressure this will put on you. Lady Ime has it out for you. I don't condone how she feels even though I know there's bitterness in the ranks about you. You don't deserve the hatred. I know who you really are on the inside."

"No. I only let you see what I wanted."

"You lie."

His lips quirked to the side.

"Have a good evening," she said.

"There is a hard road laid out before you inside these palace walls."

Remy surveyed the high ceiling and cavernous lobby crammed with onlookers. She kept a dignified stance and made sure nothing could be interpreted as improper by anyone watching their interaction. He lowered his voice.

"Becoming queen will not protect you from even more jealousy. I want you to know that I will do what I can to lessen the burden on you from my intended. If I had my way, I would remain a bachelor until I could find someone to match your sweetness…but…you already know what life is like for traditional people in our caste system."

Yani took a step closer to him.

"You tried to kill my man. Why would I believe that you would try to protect me from scheming bitches?"

"Because I fell in love with you, Yani. Killing N'Jadaka was my birthright...in order to become king. You can stay angry with me for the rest of your life, but I would do it all over again if I had the chance to win the kingdom for myself and my bloodline. I would make you my wife…put my future children inside of you."

Yani gasped at the audacity. She was grateful Ilana and Zola were too far away to hear his treacherous words.

"You've known it all along…my feelings for you. For a moment in time I had you to myself. Our king treated you shabbily, or have you forgotten the nights you vented openly to me? What about the times I soothed your pitiful crying at night because he wouldn't choose you over another? I sat there in your home and told you how wonderful you were until you stopped weeping at your kitchen table. Married to someone else or not, you will always be special to me. I couldn't claim you for myself in defeat, but I never stopped loving you. King N'Jadaka doesn't deserve you at all. I hope he spends the rest of his life making up for all the hurt and pain he gave you."

She turned away and he blocked her path.

"I promise what I said, Yani. Ime's hate will never taint your name again."

Yani jammed her hand in her dress pocket and pulled out the gift box sheathed there.

"A gift from me," Yani said. "For you and Lady Ime. Tell her the new queen is pleased to hear the good news."

Remy smiled and took the box from her hand. Yani spun on her heels and marched away with her shoulders thrown back. Ilana and Zola snickered under their breath and matched her pace out of the West Palace halls.

N'Jadaka's flight path in the Royal Talon Fighter remained unseen and unchecked as it headed to Camp David. The Kingsguard were sent ahead with an automobile convoy as a decoy. It entered the secluded and heavily guarded presidential retreat before the Talon Fighter glided overhead. Using the spectral camouflage tech to keep the aircraft invisible, Ayo stayed with the king's transport while Okoye joined him walking inside the rustic meeting room where President Matthew Ellis nervously stood just inside the entryway.

"Welcome King N'Jadaka," Ellis said.

He held out his hand toward N'Jadaka and it was received with a firm shake. Ellis looked comfortable in a fawnskin brown sweater and gray dress slacks. His pewter tie was clipped with a small American flag. A serving attendant offered N'Jadaka a glass of aged bourbon. He accepted and drank with Ellis. They strolled through the lodge setting of the room and took a quick gander at the property from a large window.

"I am thankful that you didn't blow me off again. You're a hard man to see," Ellis said.

N'Jadaka took in the view of a lush lawn and a heavily wooded area in the distance.

"I'm busy and I don't want to waste time. What do you want?"

Ellis chuckled and his eyes darted beyond N'Jadaka's face. The king turned slightly to his right and another man walked into the room with them. N'Jadaka kept his expression even as the new guest approached them with confident strides.

"Tony Stark," N'Jadaka said.

Tony broke out into a dazzling smile, his tinted glasses framing an older face with tired eyes.

"King Erik N'Jadaka Udaku-Stevens," Tony said.

The bourbon gave N'Jadaka some humor and he offered a hand willingly to Tony. Their handshake told a million silent stories of their time together back in California.

"Look at you…just look at you. I always knew there was something special about you. All this time…dammit…all this time," Tony enthused.

Tony accepted a glass of liquor from the server. All three men stood and drank.

"Genetlemen, sit…please," Ellis said, waving a hand toward a forest green sectional couch.

N'Jadaka took the L part of the couch and faced both men with his back toward the entrance. He had a good view of the windows and his security team watched him from above and below.

"Well…let me be direct with you King N'Jadaka. I brought Tony here to clear the air about your past connection. The press and my cabinet are up my ass wanting to know if you two are in cahoots. Did you at any time sell out the American people over weapons and take-overs of other countries?" Ellis blurted.

Tony folded his arms.

"Matt, you have known me for years. My goal has been to protect this planet once I came out as Iron Man to the public. Working with the Avengers and helping our nation heal from the loss of life has been my only conduct to date. I have a family now…I'm not about to create a legacy for my daughter that would shame her, or my wife," Tony said with earnest passion. "I have dedicated my life to ensuring peace. My industrialist past is just that…the past. Erik…King N'Jadaka, was my former intern and he worked in development for Stark Enterprises. He left me after two years to attend M.I.T. I tried to recruit him back several times over the years. Hell, I even tried to convince him to quit the Navy. I didn't know about his royal connections at all. To me, he was only a brilliant mind that I sought to cultivate for capitalist gain in new tech. The last time I saw him in person, he rescied me from a dessert kidnapping in Gulmira."

Tony glanced at N'Jadaka.

"You wear royalty well, Erik," Tony said.

N'Jadaka glared at Ellis.

"Why does the C.I.A. feel the need to out me to the public now? Is it to antagonize me or put a another target on my back?" N'Jadaka asked.

"They want a muzzle on you. As much praise that has been heaped on Wakanda through the Avengers and Princess Yani's book tour, we still don't trust you as a nation. You won't share vibranium. You take cheap shots at nations that should be your allies, and you are so goddamn secretive. Look at it from our side. We can know what a Russian spy ate for breakfast through his taking a dump thousands of miles away, and yet I can't even see what an ordinary street in Wakanda looks like. The optics are bad for you. America has been the most powerful nation since World War 2 and now we face a crisis of mistrust that is worse than the red scare of the McCarthy era. We don't have the complete confidence of the American people to call ourselves a world leader anymore. I don't like that."

"It's not my problem," N'Jadaka said.

"It's a global problem, Erik," Tony added. "Other nations are scared of you. Fear leads to complicated relations. That often turns into war."

N'Jadaka shrugged and folded his hands together watching both men squirm with discomfort. He chose his words carefully.

"The way I see it, mainly Western nations are scared. Why? Because they can't throw their weight around anymore. Wakanda is the alternative to Western Imperialism."

"Others can accuse Wakanda of ushering in a new African imperialism," Ellis barked out.

"Where?" N'Jadaka said.

The challenge went unanswered. N'Jadaka chugged down the bourbon and slammed the glass down on the end table next to the sectional.

"Have I started any wars? No. I only help those that are already war-torn…but not from my hand. The difference is, I don't entrench my politics or the need to siphon out valuable resources at the expense of the people I say I'm helping. I bring the progress America always claims it does and the world can witness it. Wakanda has begun helping people right where they are without becoming leeches or indoctrinating them to our way of life as neocolonialists. We've single-handedly staunched the flow of refugees in areas that have suffered for generations because of American interference. How long does Africa have to wait to become the giant I know she can be without being slandered from you Ellis? The U.S. thrives on chaos around the world. That's how you make your money…capitalizing on human suffering to line your pockets. Wakanda doesn't need trade, war, or influence with anyone. We are sovereign, free, and powerful without your entanglement. You despise us for that"

"You are young and naïve, N'Jadaka. How long have you been a ruler? Less than two years? You will need friends outside of your selfish bubble."

"But look at all I've accomplished in that time without friends."

N'Jadaka tilted his head. His kimoyo beads lit up a bright yellow. Okoye's avatar floated above his wrist. Posted outside the front entrance, her expression was cool and collected.

"There is another guest arriving," Okoye said.

Ellis's Secret Service agent stepped into the room seconds later and approached the president with C.I.A. Agent Everett Ross.

"Agent Ross, take a seat," Ellis said, waving toward a side chair.

Ross plopped down and his lips became a thin line of tension. N'Jadaka fixed his gaze on him.

"Had to use Ellis to get to me, huh?" N'Jadaka said.

"I was under the impression that I had a special relationship with the monarchy. Being snubbed all the time begins to feel like that connection has changed your highness."

N'Jadaka stood up and towered over Ross.

"Relationships change to fit my needs. What can you provide me that I can't get on my own?"

Ross glanced at Ellis and Tony, but both men kept their eyes locked on N'Jadaka.

"You came to my family with tall tales about me. Painted me as a villain to my own blood. But now that they embrace me, you want to pretend I would favor you with my presence? Fuck you and fuck this country."

Ross jumped to his feet and faced N'Jadaka with balled fists.

"T'Challa wanted us to work together as allied nations," Ross pleaded.

"T'Challa is no longer the king and no longer in the world," N'Jadaka said with heavy breath.

Ellis stood and placed himself next to Ross.

"We want to develop close ties with Wakanda. Your American heritage…your military service …we should work together. There are problems and global enemies we can challenge together," Ellis said.

"We can take care of enemies on our own."

"Erik…you need allies," Tony said.

N'Jadaka held out his arms.

"What is the point of all this? What am I supposed to gain from coming here besides the usual bullshit talk?"

"I want an open channel of communication. I would like for us to foster trust amongst our nations," Ellis said.

"You can do that by minding your business and staying out of mine."

"You come off hostile, King N'Jadaka," Ross said. "The public attitude and posturing make us uncomfortable, and that leads to more problems for my boss and the president. Your lovely fiancé has started the ball rolling in a direction that is beneficial to you. We all watched her GMA appearance. She is one sharp woman. Please meet us halfway by talking with us. Your power and influence all across Africa can benefit other nations…outside the continent."

Ross stared at him with softened eyes. Tony moved closer to them.

"Erik, back when you worked for me, you were a straight arrow that played fair. You always listened to people and gave them chances to prove their worth. If all the government wants is to meet occasionally to calm down the pitchforks, then do it. Yeah it's bullshit and a game to some, but if it keeps these jokers off your ass, it's a pittance to pay in the long run," Tony urged.

"We can set up an American friendship tour after your wedding. The First Lady is dying to meet Princess Yani. Give me a chance to show you that the Ellis administration wants to support you and get to know your people." Ellis said.

N'Jadaka turned away from all three men and looked out of the window. The odor of food drifted into the room. All he wanted to do was leave. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply and concentrated on Yani's face. She would've encouraged him to turn it down a notch and play these fools. He squared his shoulders and turned back around.

"I smell food, so I assume we'll break bread?" N'Jadaka said.

Ellis smiled and his face relaxed.

"Good food, imported wine, and honest conversation," Ellis said.

"Sounds good to me," Tony said slapping his hands together.

Ross nodded eagerly. N'Jadaka broke away from them and walked toward the scent off savory meat and vegetables.

A quaint dining room with bright lighting displayed a table setting for four. N'Jadaka took his seat next to Tony and they fed themselves smoked turkey breast with gravy, roasted veggies, and cornbread stuffing. It was a simple meal that stuck to the ribs, and the other men made small talk that seemed geared to relax the king. Tony kept Ellis and Ross in good cheer, beguiling them with stories about a young Erik Stevens.

N'Jadaka laughed a few times and allowed the dinner to pacify the president. He thought of Yani again and how impressed they were about her. She had had been right about him meeting Ellis. The president was desperate to get on his good side. Sipping on white wine, N'Jadaka asked about Niganda and Mohannda leadership bad-mouthing him. Ellis chuckled and drank heavily, his blood-shot eyes giving N'Jadaka more insight into the man's lack of interest in powerless African presidents.

"They lobby weekly to bring up your transgressions. They want East Africa to be the nexus of African influence, but you stand in their way. I predict that once they see we have settled our differences, there will be fewer calls to oust you."

"Hmm, priming you to back a coup d'etat with a people who fought aliens," N'Jadaka grumbled.

"They are small potatoes…a mere blip on the world's radar…"

Ellis dismissed them without mentioning Niganda and Mohannda's mineral worth to the west. N'Jadaka listened to the framing of Wakanda as the go-to nation from there on. Keeping his demeanor open and friendly went far. He fought the urge to stab Ross. The agent studied N'Jadaka's every utterance like he was searching for a way to win him over. Imagining Yani's hand rubbing his scalp kept him in check. The time would come when he would punish the agent for double crossing the Udaku family's trust.

"You spoke of fostering trust earlier," N'Jadaka said. He lit up a cigar at the table and blew a cloud of acrid smoke toward the president. "I have some court cases my American lawyers are fighting on behalf of several tribal nations and some Black areas where we have given financial support for protected groups. One has reached the Supreme Court. If I can't help my own lineage at home because racists don't like them receiving support to thrive, how will that make me feel friendly during this proposed Friendship Tour?"

"The Supreme Court case I can't touch, but I can make some calls and address the states that are suing you," Ellis said.

"Publicly?"

"I can put out a statement right before the Supreme Court hearing and I will comment on it at my next press conference."

Dessert was brought out by a pastry chef, a plain cheesecake with a chocolate whipped cream topping. Tony shared pictures of Pepper and his only child on a smarphone. By the time coffee was served to them to end the meal, N'Jadaka knew he had won the president over. He agreed to a friendship tour and a small delegate tour for Ellis's and his V.P. back in Wakanda. It would coincide with the opening of a new international Embassy in Birnin Zana. He wiped his lips and brushed cheesecake crumbs from his fingers.

"I thank you for the meal President Ellis," N'Jadaka said.

"Next time you come to the states, you must stay with me and Pepper. Bring your entire family. From the sound of it, your kids sound like mini-geniuses. I'd like for you to see Morgan in person. Pepper says she looks like me," Tony said.

"A female Tony Stark?"

"Well, you have two female Erik Stevens clones by the way you brag on your girls."

"I will tell Yani about your open invitation."

Okoye entered the dining area and shadowed N'Jadaka as he stood from his seat. He shook Tony's hand, ignored Ross and bid the American president a pleasant farewell. He climbed into the car convoy with his guards and rode out of Camp David feeling pleased with the outcome of his visit. On the flight home, he slept and dreamed of his honeymoon.

"Kumkani, we have arrived at the cove. Your houseboat is ready for inspection," Ayo said.

N'Jadaka shook off a deep sleep and shuffled over to the Talon Fighter's restroom and cleaned himself up. He changed into fresh clothing and boarded the royal houseboat by noon. All of Yani's favorite foods and liquor were stocked and the dazzling water had him hyped to start his marriage vacation. He planned on sailing up and down the secluded parts of Wakanda that led to the Jabari mountain waterways. There were parts of the nation he still hadn't explored and he wanted to see it with his wife.

"Outstanding," he told Ayo. She looked pleased

"Ayo, I'd like to have Aneka join the security team for my honeymoon. Would you ask her to consider the scheduled time?"

Ayo grinned.

"Yes, I will ask her."

"Thank you. I know you handle to the schedule rotations for Okoye now. Yani has taken a liking to her for our outside travel."

N'Jadaka looked around the large boat that was practically the size of a luxury yacht and gave non-verbal approval to the pristine shine. The flight to the palace gave him an enjoyable trip across the beautiful physical geography and he grew excited even more taking in the vision of the double place gleaming in the sun.

The Talon Fighter floated down with ease onto the Talon port. He walked off the aircraft and caught a glimpse of his family waiting for him in front of the palace double doors. Umama stood next to Yani and their three children. They were all dressed up in pastel colors that fit the mood of the weather. It had rained in Birnin Zana, the Talon Port was still wet with raindrops, and the children wore scarves over their heads to protect them from any sudden showers.

"Umama," he said.

He hugged his grandmother and she held her face against his cheek for a long time.

"I am grateful to have you back with us. Did your meeting go well?" Umama asked.

"Not bad actually. I listened to Yani."

Yani blessed him with a smile and he pulled her in tight, rocking her in his arms. Umama tapped N'Jadaka's shoulder and he pulled away from Yani. The reminder to have some decorum outside the palace stayed ingrained with his grandmother. He reached down and lifted Joba.

"Grandma Theresa told me you've been showing her all around the palace. Are you happy having her and Grampy Mark here?"

"Yes. I'm going to help them pick out a house by the river too," Joba said.

Twyla and Yani's Ladies-in-Waiting stepped out from the palace. Yani kissed his cheek.

"I'll catch up with you in a little bit. We're heading off to check on the final pieces for the gift bags. Can we meet in the Sun Room for lunch?" Yani said.

"Cool. Hurry back," he said.

He snuck another touchy-feely hug with Yani. Twyla tapped him on the forehead playfully and Ilana nodded to him with Zola doing the same. They walked toward the long stairs that led to a carport where they would be chauffeured into the middle of the city.

Riki tugged on N'Jadaka's shirt.

"Hey lil man."

He rubbed Riki's puffy hair.

"Mama won't let us go to the S'Yan Country Fair tomorrow," Riki grumbled.

"That's because we have the wedding rehearsal. Stop acting like a baby over it," Sydette snapped.

"I'm not acting like a baby. Why can't we do both things in one day?"

Sydette held up her left hand and counted off a list of activities.

"There's the Betrothal March closure breakfast, the wedding rehearsal, the final fitting of our clothes, our hair appointments with the stylists, and the Court of Nobles banquet. There's no time to go to a fair. Baba, he only wants to go because Pemmy Yengeni is performing there," Sydette said.

Riki ducked his shocked eyes from his sister in embarrassment. N'Jadaka smiled. His son had a crush on the popular young singer who recently returned to making new music after the Infinity War. Her hit single celebrating the resilience of the Wakandan soldiers who protected the people was a favorite of his son. Riki played it over and over in his room and danced to it with his school friends. Pemmy's holo vid images decorated Riki's bedroom walls. N'Jadaka suspected his son loved how the free-spirited woman looked just as much as he loved her music. Anywhere she made a public appearance, the prince recorded the performance and played the images on loop.

N'Jadaka put Joba back on her feet and he held Riki's hand. They all walked toward the palace doors.

"Sydette is right, Riki. We have a lot to do together as a family. There will be other chances to see Pemmy," he said.

Riki's shoulders drooped and he lowered his head. The gait in his walk slowed up their pace through the first floor.

"You and Mama have said that all year and I haven't seen her once. I need a break. This wedding is stressing me out," Riki lamented.

"Stressing you out how?" Umama asked, stopping everyone from moving.

Riki looked up at Umama.

"Everything is about Mama and Baba getting married. They're already married to me. I don't know why we have to do all this other extra stuff. Everything is under strict schedules and we can't just…hang out and do what we want."

Umama held Riki's chin and peered down into his eyes. Her voice was kind, but firm.

"Being the prince of the Udaku clan is a very important responsibility, do you not understand this?" she asked.

"I understand that Umama, but I'm still a little kid. Can I have fun too?"

"You always have fun. You're a privileged little one, and part of that privilege entails following important traditions when it comes to marriage and uniting bloodlines. As you grow older, your responsibilities to the royal family will grow, and that means you cannot always do things on a whim when you feel like it. Complaining to your father was very disrespectful. He and your mother love each other very much and want the nation to share in that love with our celebration activities. Your parents cater to you and your sisters every single day, and you cannot give them a few days for themselves? Have we raised a selfish prince in the palace?"

Umama's tone shamed Riki. The boy lowered his head and his lip quivered.

"I'm sorry, Baba. I didn't mean to disrespect you or Mama," Riki said.

Umama folded her hands across her midsection. The rings all over her fingers sparkled, matching the glimmering jewels made to look like elaborate spirals adorning her fresh fade haircut. Her sharp cheekbones were bronzed to match the color of her dress.

"I think you and your sisters should take a walk in the Grand Family Room and contemplate the importance of your parent's special day," Umama said.

Sydette's lips twisted up.

"But Umama? Why do we have to be punished too? He's the one complaining, not us. "

"Punishment? You consider looking upon the paintings of your antecedents punishment?"

"What are we contemplating then?" Sydette asked.

Umama snapped her fingers at Quamba, the children's Dora.

"Go to the Grand Family Room. Look upon the faces hanging all over the walls, and come back to my suite in one hour. You will all tell me what you have learned," Umama commanded.

Sydette shook her arms in disappointment.

"All your fault," she snapped at her brother.

Joba followed along without speaking on the matter. She held Riki's hand and pulled him to follow Quamba and Sydette to the fifth floor of the East Palace.

"Are they not having a good time at all with the excitement? All their cousins are here." N'Jadaka said.

"I think they are. But it has cut off their outside activities a lot, especially all the traveling with Yani. Riki missed his friends gathering at the ukudlala ngomlenze semi-finals. A few of his classmates are going to the fair to see the talented Pemmy and that loud, raucous band of hers. She performs during the same time as the wedding rehearsal."

N'Jadaka contemplated his son's predicament.

"You think maybe we can bend the rules and let him go see his favorite singer? Yani and I won't be offended if he skips part of the day tomorrow."

"I would be offended, and so would your ancestors watching us all right now. Besides…" Umama glanced over her shoulder to make sure the children were gone. She leaned in toward N'Jadaka with a twinkle in her eye. "I invited Pemmy Yengeni and her entire band to perform after the dinner banquet for the nobles. I remember what it was like to miss out on things as a young child, too. I want him to know that family duty comes first, no matter what is happening outside these palace walls. This is your time with Yani and he must be there for his parents."

Umama slipped her arm around N'Jadaka's and they walked further in, stopping to gaze at the atrium waterfall. He felt at peace being where he belonged. Okoye eased next them.

"Kumkani, your belongings from the Royal Talon Fighter have been sent up to your home. Will you be heading up soon, or would you like to do something else? Ayo has your ground transport ready for any personal errands."

N'Jadaka checked his kimoyo beads. Mpilo's signature kept flashing a pale orange color. He read two messages.

"I'm going to head to my office for right now. Umama, I'll take my leave."

Umama stroked his cheek.

"Grandson, you are to relax and focus on your family for the next thirty five days. No work for you right now. Go rest in your home. Ramonda and the Council of Elders will take care of public duties," Umama said.

"It's not work, Umama. I want to check on something real quick, and then I'll get ready for lunch with Yani."

He kissed her forehead and hurried away to an elevator. Making his way into the West Palace he ignored attempts by palace well-wishers to stop him from getting to his office quickly. The office staff greeted him kindly as he whirled in, his fancy casual clothing brought out grins. They were unaccustomed to seeing him without his flashy royal attire. Mpilo rushed over to him. Tlotliso joined them.

"I am so sorry, kumkani. But they insisted on seeing you today," Mpilo said.

"No worries, finish up your work."

He walked with Tlotliso toward the rooms in the back.

"Fix us some tea. No snacks. I'll make this quick. Stay in the room with us when you bring the tray."

"Yes, kumkani."

N'Jadaka and Tlotliso separated in opposite directions once they reached a wide hallway. He opened the heavy door to his office.

"Inkokeli Ramatla," N'Jadaka said.

Remy turned his head at the sound of N'Jadaka entering. He sat in a chair facing the king's desk. He rose, crossed his right hand over his heart and lowered his head.

"Kumkani…apologies for this unscheduled meeting before your nuptials," Remy said.

"What brings you here?"

N'Jadaka took his own seat and gave Remy a questioning stare.

Remy pulled a powder blue box from his work pouch and slid it across the table.

"A gift?" N'Jadaka said.

"Not from me. Princess Yani gave this for my fiancé and I."

"You are returning it. Why?"

Remy tugged on his collar and repositioned himself in the chair.

"Speak man. I have things to do," N'Jadaka urged.

"Open it," Remy said.

N'Jadaka slid the silver clasp open and pulled open the box. Tlotliso stepped into the office carrying a tray with Jabari Mountain coffee, sugar lumps, and two small coffee cups. She placed the tray down and poured both men a coffee, plopping a sugar lump the size of dimes in each cup. N'Jadaka waved his hand to the side and she moved behind Remy to wait on them.

"Betrothal earrings," N'Jadaka said.

"I am engaged to Lady Ime of the Mining Tribe."

"Congrats. Do you not like what Princess Yani chose for you two as a gift?"

Tlotliso leaned forward and N'Jadaka tilted the box for her to inspect the earrings. Her eyes grew big and she glanced at the king with concern on her face. Remy grinned.

"I see you do not understand the significance of the design. Perhaps Princess Yani made a harmless mistake in choosing this for us. A simple misunderstanding," Remy said.

"What am I not understanding? I'm sure she took a lot of care in choosing something meaningful for you and Lady Ime as a token of our respect."

"Kumkani…"

Tlotliso's voice sounded strained. N'Jadaka stood up abruptly.

"I must go join Princess Yani for our afternoon meal. Should I take these back to her? The jeweler who made these is one of her favorites. They created the wedding bands we'll exchange in two days. She'll be very disappointed to know you didn't appreciate her gift. She is quite fond of Lady Ime. We look forward to seeing you all for the Court of Nobles banquet in our honor tomorrow night."

Remy's full lips smashed together as if he wanted to say more. He reached for the gift box and took it from N'Jadaka's hand.

"In that case, Lady Ime and I shall wear these to the banquet to show Princess Yani our gratitude,"

Remy stood and held his hands up in the sign of respect for the king.

"I shall take my leave, King N'Jadaka. Enjoy your afternoon meal with Princess Yani. Give her our regards."

Remy exited on swift legs.

"What the fuck was that about?"

Tlotliso moved closer to the desk.

"Those earrings had a design on them that was targeted to humiliate them, King N'Jadaka."

"Humiliate them how? Them shits are expensive and we don't give out gives like that to just anybody."

"The vines covering the hoops is a sign of displeasure toward the wearer. Princess Yani is telling them that they are beneath her."

N'Jadaka laughed out loud and clutched his stomach.

"No wonder that nigga was trippin'. Because I didn't know what it was he had to accept it as an unintentional mix up on Yani's end."

"The nobles are very particular about gifts they receive. They will wear them, but it will not be a good look once the other nobles see it."

"Well…they pissed Yani off some kinda way. Normally she avoids mess, but if she's firing shots, they had it coming. You look hella uncomfortable. Should I have kept them?"

"Inkokeli Ramatla was in an awkward position. He will accept that you are both unfamiliar with the meaning of the vine. I am not sure if Lady Ime will be kind enough to leave it be. The Gcaleka clan offend easily, and Lady Ime is a distant relative of Elder Zinzi of the Zawavari clan."

"So you're telling me shit is about to pop off at the Court of Nobles banquet?"

"Not necessarily. I think Inkokeli Ramatla will smooth things over. No one wants to offend Princess Yani if she truly meant no harm in the gift."

"But if she did mean it?"

"A lot of people will become uncomfortable…maybe even afraid of Princess Yani. She would be putting the entire court on notice."

N'Jadaka picked up a cup of coffee and handed it to Tlotliso. She accepted it graciously and he lifted the other cup to his lips. They drank together silently for a moment. Tlotliso gathered they empty cups and tray afterward leaving him alone. He tapped his kimoyo to track the movement of Yani and her entourage. They were still moving through the city.

"What are you up to Yani?" he asked to himself.

Glancing around his office one last time, he left the room and headed for his grandmother's suite. He needed a quick lesson on vines and the honest opinion from a relative who endured jealousy from a bombastic court of envious upper class Wakandans. There was no better teacher than Umama.

Riding an elevator in the East Palace, he wondered why Yani would give Remy and Ime a gift so close to their wedding day.

Chapter 3 HERE.

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@writerbee-ffs

@chocolatedream30

@childishgambinaa

@mygirlrenee

@thewaysheis—awkward

@tchallasbabymama

@lahuttor

@goodieyaya

@post-woke

@soufcakmistress

@yomiloo

@goddessofthundathighs

@nahimjustfeelingit-writes

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@griot-of-wakanda

@xsweetdellzx

@nayaesworld

@carlakeks

#King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar #King Killmonger #killmonger fanfiction #black panther fanfiction #wakanda forever fanfiction #Namor #Erik Killmonger #Uzumaki Rebellion #Uzumaki Rebellion Writes

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dark-angel-of-muses · 7 months

Text

The Lipsick Bet

AO3 Link

“Hmm, red or purple today?” Legend opened his medicine cabinet, perusing the assorted lipsticks strewn about the third shelf.

“Dude, you’re going out with Ravio today,” Wild laughed as he grabbed the blue from over Legend’s shoulder.

Legend blinked. “What about it?”

“Are you kidding? You two can’t go five minutes without kissing. It’s like your mouth gravitates to his neck. Use gloss so you don’t get your lipstick everywhere on each other within 30 minutes of leaving the house.” Wild smacked his lips, tilting his head to admire his cupid’s bow.

“We have self restraint!” Legend argued, hot in the face.

“50 rupees says you don’t,” Wild smirked, moving onto applying eyeshadow to match his lipstick.

“Make that 50 rupees for each of us, and you’re on.” Legend picked up the red lipstick, angrily smearing it on thick.

“Fine, but then I get 100 rupees when you lose.” Wild finished his makeup, then pulled out Legend’s plum lipstick. “I’m gonna go give this to Ravio and explain the bet. Expecting to see it on you, so make sure to pick some clothes that go well with the color.” Wild waved the stick tauntingly, then sauntered out of the bathroom with a laugh.

Screw him! Legend wasn’t that shameless. He could go one day without kisses, and he’s sure the promise of rupees would have Ravio jumping on the bet like a rabid dog. Free money for the both of them, and free pride when Wild was proven wrong after acting so smug.

Ok, well, this was an unforeseen complication. The plum lipstick Wild had chosen for Ravio looked absolutely stunning. Legend found himself leaning automatically, aiming to plant a kiss on the corner of those pretty lips.

“Rupees, remember?” Ravio laughed, gently pushing Legend back with the tip of his finger.

“Right, right,” Legend grumbled. He caught Ravio’s eyes lingering on his own lips, but greed won over affection and the merchant staunchly held himself at bay.

“Well, we’re not going to spend this date sitting on the couch, right? Let’s go see if the farmer’s market has any new deals!” Ravio pulled Legend up with him, holding both his hands and almost raising a knuckle to kiss before he caught himself. The merchant blushed sheepishly, then pulled Legend along towards the front door. Legend found himself nearly pulling Ravio in for a quick “Let’s be off” kiss, digging his nails into his partner’s scarf to avoid bringing his hand to his mouth and ruining his lipstick.

This may have been a bit more difficult than he anticipated.

Legend is astounded by how much he thinks of kissing Ravio. It’s getting to the point where he wonders if he really is as affectionate as Wild claimed, or being denied permission is making his brain run in circles around the topic. He can’t help it though, Ravi is too cute! There’s a sparkle in his eye when he’s haggling, hands moving all over the place as he talks through pricing and trades. He has the most adorable tic of twirling his scarf around his finger when he’s thinking, and his tongue sticking out just a tiny bit as he does the mental math on coupons.

Oh, and can’t forget he’s cute as a bunny kit.

“Ledge, look at these earrings! They’re little carrots!” Ravio held up the offending items in front of his ears. The little green toppers were holographic, matching the strange shine his eyes took on. Legend wasn’t sure if that was a Lorule thing, or if Ravio just had very pretty eyes, but he found himself staring often.

Trying not to stare at the beautiful plum mouth just below those eyes, Legend forced his gaze over to the jeweler’s wares. They seemed to be focused more on cute shapes and colors, selling images of Cuccos, Keese, grasshoppers, and-

“I need these.” Legend found his own pair of earrings, tiny hoops with a yarn impression of death mountain made in the middle. There were even speckles of red beads in the fabric to represent the lava at the peak. Legend held the item up to his ears, using the store’s table mirror to see how they fell against his face. Hmm, on the bigger side for earrings, but the material looked lightweight. Then, a hint of purple caught in his peripheral vision, and he saw Ravio in the mirror.

The merchant had both hands over his mouth, green eyes squeezed shut. Did it really take that much self control not to go for it? Legend thought for sure the promise of any amount of rupees would be way more appealing than him. He still wasn’t entirely sure if Ravio wouldn’t sell him for three green rupees and a corn chip.

And now he wants to kiss him again to tease the little miser, which of course he can’t do because-

Why again?

Oh right, Wild. His pride. A dumb bet. How much is 100 rupees, really? That’s fifty each, and if he considers how fast he can recoup that from monster-slaying…

No, he has to do this! To prove he can! Wild acted like a smug little bug, like it was a foregone conclusion Legend couldn’t go a day without kissing Ravio. He had to prove he wasn’t so predictable or helpless! Even if Wild was cheating by making Ravi look extra kissable today, he was still going to play this game and win.

“Here’s your food, sirs.” In hindsight, spaghetti probably wasn’t the best food to order when you were trying not to mess up your makeup, but the plate had been brought out and Legend was hungry. Ravio, as per usual when they went to this restaurant, started shoving breadsticks into the sleeves of his robes.

The first time they had come here, Legend stared in abject horror and confusion at the merchant squirreling away food. Had he planned on just taking the food and leaving? Was this not actually a date? Then Ravio excitedly explained, “They have free refills on appetizers, and take-out is ok! Quick, shove some into your hat so we can get extras to eat at home!” Legend had to wrangle his blue cap away from the greedy little thing. Their food hadn’t even come yet, and he was not getting butter on his favorite hat.

Legend learned quickly that nothing excited the merchant more than saving a rupee, and learned to bear with the embarrassment that came from leaving restaurants with Ravio’s clothes looking like an overzealous chipmunk. It was actually kind of endearing since he would get so excited, and the merchant had the good graces to stop when asked by staff.

“Sheerow is gonna be so happy to have these as snacks. They’re deluxe bird feed, especially when properly ripped up!” Ravio was finagling with one stick, trying to get it to sit evenly in his scarf without falling out when he moved.

Goddesses above, Legend wanted to kiss him.

When their pasta finally came, Ravio was properly padded out with breadsticks, looking happy as a clam. Legend barely paid attention as he wound a noodle around his fork, taking in his beautiful boyfriend as Ravi tried to maneuver without dropping food like a Zirro with its bombs.

Legend slurped his noodle slowly, until it hit a snag and wouldn't go any further. He looked with the pasta plate, then at the noodle hovering above it. One end in his mouth, the other around Ravio's fork. Oh, this was fun. Half the reason they ordered spaghetti to share was to get in these little tug of wars, fighting until they got closer and closer, each claiming more of their noodle until.

Dammit Wild, screw you and your stupid bet! Legend bit through his end of the noodle, letting it fall limply onto the table. Ravio gave him sad puppy eyes, disappointment clear.

"Rupees, remember?" Legend whined miserably.

Ravio's eyes widened. Clearly he had completely forgotten about the bet. His face screwed up in frustration, before he slumped the remainder of his noodle in resignation.

They went through the rest of dinner without talking, stewing over the perfect missed opportunity. Additionally it was growing increasingly hard to remember why they couldn't kiss the longer they looked at each other, so they were awkwardly avoiding making direct eye contact. The waiter raised an eyebrow when he came to hand over the check.

Legend was going to use his 50 rupees to buy Cucco eggs to crack over Wild's head.

When evening fell, the town painted in oranges and yellows as the sun set, Legend was at his absolute limit. His mouth itched, his heart was doing uncomfortable flips of longing, and Ravio was even more gorgeous with black hair haloed by the light of the evening skies.

Thankfully, Sheerow was able to take the spoils of free breadsticks so Ravio wasn’t walking around in a suspiciously lumpy robe. He still smelled a little bit of garlic, but it was manageable. If it were any other day, Legend would surreptitiously hand them both breath mints so they could continue their business without their breath offending the other, but there was no need for that today. It was truly a tragedy.

“Do you want to walk through the castle gardens? I’m sure the flowers would look lovely this time of day,” Ravio offered with a shaky smile. If there was any solace in this, it was Ravio seeming to be in as much pain without kisses as Legend was.

“Sounds fun. Maybe we can hit the night market after we’re done?”

Legend moved to agree, then thought about it. The night market had those beautiful luminous stones, and it was the time when magicians and fortune tellers would come to sell their services. In the past, seeing Ravio with the wisps of nebula magic flowing through his hair from the different magic stalls trying to advertise was breathtaking. If he saw him surrounded by the glow of aquamarine jewels, little fairy barkers sparkling glitter dust over his beautiful hair…

“Maybe not this time?” His poor heart can’t take much more of this.

Ravio grimaced, but nodded in assent. Yeah, they both needed not to test their resolve any more than this. He absently traced a thumb over his lip. The pretty plum color had dried enough that it didn’t come off on the finger. Hm, they probably need to reapply, especially after eating. There were days where Legend would notice and, to be cheeky, would put the lipstick on his lips and apply to Ravio via kissing, but obviously, that wasn’t an option today. Even if mixed red and plum lipstick would be so pretty.

No! The sun is setting, he’s almost done! Then he can go and throw Wild’s stupid accusation of having no self restraint back in the Champion’s dumb face. He hopes the champ’s blue lipstick stained his shirt. This was torture.

The gardens were beautiful, as usual. Zelda’s retinue was excellent at keeping a rainbow of different blooms in peak condition, perfectly trimmed and set along the swooping metal fences. Legend traced the soft petals of a bellflower. It was just the right shade of violet, a little more red than blue in its hue, to match Ravio’s makeup. Ugh, could he stop thinking about Ravio’s perfect lips for three damn seconds? His brain was proving Wild right!

“Look at the hyacinths, they’re changing!” Ravio pointed excitedly to the bushels of blue, pink, and purple blossoms, shimmering in a gradient. Those flowers changed their color based on the magic in the soil, and thanks to the strong concentration of magic in Hyrule castle, they would change color in hypnotic waves.

Legend caught a twinkle in the corner of his eye, then smiled as he reached towards a bushel of daisies. “Looks like the Minish left us a gift.”

Ravio squealed happily as Legend presented him a red rupee. He didn’t have the Minish back home, so stray rupees could only be found near monsters that were hoarding spoils. He was so delighted to find out Hyrule had rupees for free, and Legend took special delight in finding the spares in grass or pots to present to the merchant.

“Oh I could kiss you right now!” Ravio swooped in, barely remembering to stop himself in time as he found himself nose-to-nose with Legend.

“Rupees, remember?” Legend said, voice pained.

To his surprise, Ravio didn’t back down. “I have Rupees right here. So why can’t I?“ His voice was husky, desire clear in his tone.

“C’mon Ravi, the day is almost over. We’ll go home after this and win.” Legend held his breath, clenching his fists.

“C’mon. Our lipstick is dry anyway. Wild never has to know.” It wasn’t an actual argument, just an excuse. But with the merchant being so close, and the sunset glowing beautifully red against his face, in the privacy of a high-walled flower garden. Well, Legend didn’t have a will of steel.

Wild cackled as he collected his rupees, Legend and Ravio shamefully bowing their heads. No matter how dry your lipstick was, a full blown make out session was going to leave a mark. And considering the plum lip imprints all around Legend’s face and neck, matching the red on Ravio, they had certainly left marks.

Worth it.

#raviolink #ravio #ravioli #ravio x link #lu legend #linked universe #loz ravio #lu ravio #muse writes #muse's ravioli week #fanfic #albw ravio #ravio zelda

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elsewhereuniversity · 4 months

Note

Hello I have been given two jewelry sets but they requested that I would give one of them to someone who needs it. I do not know anyone in my life who needs it so maybe you can find someone.

In the jewelry box that shimmers with glass beads there is an opal jewelry set that contains

A ring that shapes itself like the user's favorite flower that helps soothe anxiety and intrusive thoughts

Earrings that have a symbol representing the user's favorite sound or smell that help those with sensory overload

A bracelet that has imagery of the user's favorite season that when asked will help you remember to do tasks throughout the week whether it be wash the dishes or eat a healthy meal

And finally a necklace that can turn into any stim toy you would like as long as you're using it as long as it's no bigger than a 7x7x7 centimeter area. When not in use it looks like a simple necklace with an opal carved into something that reminds them of a good memory

These come in a set the main owner can give some out to people temporarily but after 3 days they will appear back into the box. I hope you find someone who can use them and need them as much as I do.

I suppose you could leave them out in the library and let them know those who need it but after 3 days it'll always return to the box I hope you can help those around you with these.

If I understand how this transaction works you might need to give me something in return anything will work but I enjoy things that have a story behind them something that I can put on a shelf that will start a conversation.

Sincerely a disabled woman who hopes to help others find ways to cope.

Made with a care for the small things that amazes me. I will see these to grateful hands. In turn, a charm for you: a conversational piece. I was given pieces of a fallen oak a long time past, cursèd wood blighted by the murder of the dryad within. In time they were passed on to a skilled woodworker, and only recently have they returned to me in new form - three statuettes of foxes, each styled as the muses of memory, thought, and song. There is something brighter than polished wood in their carved eyes. They should be kept together for their sake and for yours.

#charms

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stariisoda · 5 months

Text

Arcana Themed Kandi Bracelets (PART 1)

The Main Six! (Left: Asra, Julian and Nadia/Right: Muriel, Portia and Lucio

Guess who got into Kandi making? Me. Wanted to make some Arcana inspired singles (cause that's all I can make lol)

So I went with the most obvious characters:the ones you can date in game.... Duhhh....

(I'm gonna make more, maybe the courtiers next???)

(Read for more photos and explanation)

Asra: I chose a heart charm that has a smaller heart inside of it for... Obvious plot reasons. Then the teal and purple because I think teal is their favorite color? I think? And purple because that's what I see when I think about him. Star beads because magic. Also, the little white tri-beads kinda look like bones from the side, so take that as you will.

Nadia: I picked an owl charm for her because it could either represent Chandra or The High Priestess. Her colors are mainly her color palette, and most of the beads are pearlesent.

Julian: There wasn't a raven, but this bird that kinda looks like a hummingbird? Whoops, I just couldn't find anything else that reminded me of him. So the bird is supposed to represent either Malak, The Hanged Man or a plague doctor mask (the beak is long lol) This one is pretty plain, having black beads in the back and two ab finish black beads in the front. And the red.

Muriel: You can't really see it in this angle, but I picked a house charm, because it reminds me of his little hut in the woods. Also Muriel's a home body. Used the tri-beads again for the same purpose as Asra. Chose big blocky letters because it better suits his vibe. And then more earthy tones, with the black ab beads for his cloak.

Portia: A cat charm to represent either Pepi or The Star. Star beads because The Star. Then the rest of it is just her color palette. (Don't know a whole lot about her, sorry)

Lucio: I picked a crown charm because... Because he's the count. Also it's so ugly, I honestly dislike his bracelet, despite him being my favorite character. I chose those awful gold beads because, let's be honest, Lucio would love that. Picked them because they were kinda over the top. (Originally was going to use the same letter beads as Asra and Nadia.) Uses small red beads and two faceted yellow beads at the front (looks like gems). The rest is his color palette, although it's mainly ab, pearl and glitter colors other than the red, which is solid. I made his bracelet ugly on purpose because he would probably have something like that. (Oh, he has his necklace haha)

Them all laid out together

Then all of them on my arm

Anyways, that's it for now! If you stayed to read all of that, thank you! I liked trying to come up with meanings behind them and designing each one.

I'm aiming to do the courtiers next 👀

#the arcana #the arcana game #crafts #kandi #kandi bracelet #count lucio #nadia satrinava #asra alnazar #julian devorak #portia devorak #muriel of the kokhuri

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apollomes-supremacy · 1 year

Text

LO Dionysus design 🍇🎭

This will be a long post since Dionysus isn’t a character yet so I had to create him from 0.

The beginning of Dionysus’ introduction started on EP 93 (with Semele, Dionysus’ mother), but it has been more than 100 episodes and we got absolutely nothing from that plot, which is bad considering that other gods get involved in the og myth (Zeus, Hera and Hermes, mainly), but none of them (before and after the time skip) display any knowledge or memory of the event, especially Zeus, who is the one who accidentally kills Semele in the first place.

I already talked about it here, but im 100% sure that the child mentioned in episode 218 is Dionysus. He should be 10 yo right now and he’s the only character (vaguely) introduced who is around that age. Not to mention, Dionysus does have some connections with the Underworld. My main theory is that he will be adopted by HxP and will remain a child for the rest of the series (probably skipping the majority of Dionysus’ myths). And that’s honestly such a waste of potential. So I decided to give my take on him if he was in LO, like the redesigns I did with many other characters.

Design

My main inspo was 60′s and 70′s Hippie fashion, with a lot of patterns, accessories (crystals, evil eyes, beads, rings, etc), loose clothes and a more lazy/cozy look. He’s two shades of purple that split his face, which is meant to represent his duality as the god of parties and joy & god of wrathful madness. Hermes gave him nymph ears to use as a disguise when he was young, but he doesnt want to change them back because he grew up and feels comfortable with them. He has a very androgynous/feminine look, which leads to a lot of people thinking he’s an actual nymph.

In his true form (which can come out voluntarily, but usually happens when the god gets so mad that they are unable to control themselves) he can get really big. Leafs and grapes sprout everywhere, he gets another pair of arms made of plants’ stems and his eyes go full neon green.

Story

His story is very similar to the og myths, with just some small differences. He is born from Zeus’ thighs and goes to live with Demeter and Persephone as one of their nymphs to escape Hera’s wrath. There he starts to question a lot about himself, like his gender and his origins (he doesn’t know he is not an actual nymph), and when puberty hits, his body and his powers go crazy. Its also around that time when he meets and falls in love with Ampelos (and you know how that story ends).

When the wine he creates starts growing in popularity and Dionysus starts getting worshipped by some cities, Zeus decides that there’s no reason to hide him from Hera anymore, so he brings Dionysus to Olympus and reveals the truth, inviting him to become an Olympian. Dionysus says yes without thinking twice, so he moves in and starts to get prepared for his ceremony and his new life.

But there’s a problem. The Olympus lifestyle is way too different from Dionysus’. People are sophisticated, modern and even mean-spirited, while he is the complete opposite. It’s hard for him to fit in and he just wants to go home with the nymphs and satyrs, and he eventually does... illegally.

Personality & relationships

Dionysus is very outgoing and funny. He’s kind to everyone around him (not discriminating against nymphs, satyrs or mortals), but he can get very emotional very fast. He gets easily annoyed, which will prob just result in some unwanted vines around the house and a grumpy look, but the moment he gets mad is when everything falls apart (wrath form). Anger issues + no control over powers = no good.

He sees Demeter as a mother and Persephone and the nymphs as older sisters, while Silenus and the other satyrs served as fathers. His favorite brother is Hermes who kept an eye on him during his entire childhood and still cares deeply for him. He also has an interesting relationship with Apollo, he is very scared and intimidated by him (I understand why lol) but wants to start a friendship. Except for the fact that Apollo already has a soft spot for him, Dionysus is just oblivious to it. Ares is also scary and kinda mean, but he likes Dionysus and cares for him. He’s very indifferent towards Zeus, Hera hates him (he hates her too) and everyone else is pretty neutral, considering he doesnt know a lot of people outside of the nymphs and satyrs.

Powers

Dionysus is a fertility god (which in this universe doesnt mean that much), this means he has powers over vegetation (like Demeter) and mortals’ desires (like Aphrodite). Being the god of madness also means that he can make people so mad to the point of committing atrocities and completely losing their minds. In his true form, simply looking at him can lower your sanity. He also has the powers all the other gods have, like changing forms, cursing and blessing people, being summoned by mortals, etc.

That’s all I have the energy to write rn. I tried to replicate the LO art style, and honestly I really liked the result! Hope you guys liked it too <3

(Also, Dionysus would be around his 20′s when the story takes place. He is Pansexual and is still confused about his gender but he’s fine with any pronouns).

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satancopilotsmytardis · 9 months

Note

Your writing is so amazing!!! Could we get #14 for shigadabi?

Prompt: heat/Sex pollen/love potion

Pairing: Shigadabi

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Sex Pollen, Fuck or Die, Begging, Dacryphillia, Multiple Orgasms, Handcuffs, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Dry Humping, Handjobs, Praise Kink, Dub-Con associated with this trope that is recognized by the characters involved and discussed within the narrative followed up by enthusiastic consent.

Everything happens so fast. Goes from a tense but potentially fruitful meeting with a small group of villains who specialize in chemical compounds and weaponry, a contact that Toga and Twice managed to learn about during their time with the Shie Hassaikai. People without resources now that Overhaul has been taken out of the picture and desperate enough to keep doing their research they seemed willing to overlook their part in that. People who, they had been hoping, might be able to expand on the process used to make the quirk erasing bullets that they had also stolen. But negotiations broke down. They didn't even so much as break as implode. Shigaraki isn't even sure exactly what set it off, had been having a relatively civil conversation and then one of the members snapped at their representative. Had been two short, bitter comments and then he had lashed out with his quirk. Doesn't know how their infighting had spilled over and gotten directed at them, but the next thing they knew the League was being rounded on.

It's an actual genuine surprise when Dabi steps in, moves in front of them as a cloud of pale pink spores are suddenly filling the air and racing towards the rest of them. When he ignites he torches the lot of them and the group of scientists in one massive wall of blue flame. A surprise because he didn't think Dabi really gave a fuck about the rest of them and their continued well-being. Hadn't thought he would ever put himself in harms way like that. But Dabi torches their opposition and then hesitates, smoke curling from his arms.

"Woah," Toga murmurs, watching the flames eat up the other half of the building.

"Certainly an impressive display," Compress remarks, "But perhaps we should be taking our leave now?"

Yeah, absolutely. Do not need to get caught when someone sees the smoke and fire pouring from the building. At least when negotiations broke down this time no one got killed, he thinks bitterly. At least no one got hurt--

Dabi takes a step towards them. He sees it, the slight wobble to his step, starts to move before he even knows why, and then Dabi is dropping. Barely manages to catch him before he hits the floor without accidentally activating his quirk. Shit. Shifts his grip to keep a finger away from his skin.

"Fuck," the arsonist's voice thin, smoke leaking out from his mouth. Can see sweat starting to bead across his brow and then he's gone, eyes fluttering shut and going limp in his arms.

"Shit, what happened?" Spinner rushing over to help him try and haul Dabi back onto his feet. No use, not particularly heavy, but completely dead weight.

"Must have gotten hit with some of whatever that quirk was." He mutters, "Compress," doesn't even really need to ask. They need to leave, dragging around their unconscious companion is not going to help with that. The older man comes over and marbles Dabi immediately. Also will help keep him in stasis as they travel. They regroup and start to move. "Go back to base." He tells the rest of them, the base in question a gutted condemned apartment building for the time being, "Take him to see the doctor."

"Text me when you need him released," Compress tells him easily,

"And you'll text us when you know what's wrong, right?" Toga's voice a little more worried. Can't blame her. Barely a month since they lost Magne.

"I will," he reassures her, "Go on."

They separate and he does his best to make his way towards Ujiko's lab swiftly.

///

Takes an hour to get to the lab and then another hour of the doctor running tests before they know what's wrong with him.

Aphrodisiac quirks aren't unheard of. They're not incredibly common and tend to carry a significant stigma given that they can cause public acts of indecency on the low end of damages and can be the source of assault and rampant abuse on the higher end. Can also be fairly deadly depending on the potency of them, with victims sometimes not even being able to remember to eat or drink through the haze of lust. Ujiko tells him this, says that he's put Dabi on an IV to keep him from dying of dehydration, and says that they'll have to wait and see if this version of the quirk will fade on its own or not. Because sometimes they do. Sometimes it's just a matter of letting it run its course and then moving on. But sometimes. Sometimes they won't fade without outside assistance.

Texts the others and tells them that they're waiting for Dabi to wake up and see the effects of the quirk but doesn't tell them what he was hit with. Doesn't know if Dabi would want anyone to know. Barely sticks around with them when they aren't actively doing a job, hasn't told them anything about himself in the months that he's been working with them, doubts that he would want them to know even an inch of vulnerability now. Still doesn't quite understand why he had gotten in front of them, why he had risked-- and actually gotten-- hit with this quirk to keep them safe. Never seemed to care about their safety before now.

After three hours it becomes clear that this isn't going to be as easy as just waiting it out. Tomura's not sure exactly when Dabi woke, believes the doctor tried to go in and explain the situation to him before he entirely lost his head, doesn't know how successful he was. Then Ujiko showed him into an observation chamber, in case he needed to check in on the arsonist, and left, actually maintaining his job at the hospital and needing to go to his shift. Told him to check up on Dabi again in another few hours and if it wasn't fading then intervention would probably be necessary to keep him alive. Waits three hours and then checks up on the man. Is shooting out of the chair, going to one of the cabinets of supplies and finding what he needs before making his way to the room Dabi's been put in.

Smoke is trickling out from beneath the door.

Enters the room and immediately notices how hot it is, notices that before the choked little sounds of whimpers and moans coming from the bed. Dabi is smoking too, his coat, shirt, and boots pulled off, the air around him shimmering with heat, sweat beaded across his skin. Rutting into a pillow making those desperate, pained little sounds.

His mouth goes dry and he immediately tries to shake that as he tries to get the other man's attention, approaching the bed carefully. "Dabi,"

Gets a desperate gasp out of the other man, pulling his head up to look at him, pupils blown so wide he can barely see any blue at all, face flushed, mouth open and panting softly. "Duster," a thready little whine. Doesn't expect him to keen softly before surging up to reach for him. Not expecting his hands to close around his forearms and try to pull him down, wonders if he should have realized how absolutely scorching his touch would be even through the long sleeves of his shirt, but the staples across his palms are glowing, and they immediately start to burn through the fabric.

"Fuck, Dabi your quirk," brought suppression cuffs. Neither he or Ujiko had even thought they would be needed, didn't know that there was a risk of Dabi incinerating himself while under the effects of this quirk.

"Help?" Desperate and wavering and he feels something tighten sharply behind his ribs.

"Yeah, come on, just need to let go."

The other man seems to struggle but manages after a second. Releases his arms and he feels his skin stinging with burns. Can see the holes burned into his sleeves where his staples touched. Barely takes a breath before he's wrapping the cuffs around Dabi's wrists and locking them in place. As soon as they're on, the smoke stops and Dabi all but collapses, forcing him to catch him again as he lets out a loud breathless sound of relief.

The smoke around the room starts to dissipate and he sees that the heat has burned holes in the thin cot as well, melted the IV bag and evaporated the liquid. Lucky he got to the other man before he'd set the whole room on fire. Winces slightly when Dabi's hands wrap around his forearms again and he pulls. Not expecting it, stumbles. The arsonist uses the momentum to get him onto the bed, pushing him up against the wall before he can shift,

"Dabi--"

"Please, please, Duster, please," Has the other man in his lap, can feel his cock straining against his pants as he grinds against his thigh, making his mouth go dry again. Fuck.

"Dabi, shit, you'll be fine, you just need to get this out of your system--"

"Can't," never heard the other man sound so broken. "Can't cum, please, Duster, please,"

God fucking damn it. Because if he hasn't been able to get himself off at all then this is the really bad type of aphrodisiac quirk. The kind that will kill him if it stays in his system for too long. The kind that needs assistance to remove. Feels his stomach go hollow as he is suddenly faced with the question of if Dabi would rather die or rather... have him help when he's so out of his head. Dabi can barely tolerate him, they tried to kill each other a few months ago.

"Do you have anyone I can call--" Doesn't know anything about Dabi other than that he is good at his job when he deigns to be around to do it. Could have a significant other, someone he trusts, anyone who could help.

Shakes his head, whining and rutting against his thigh again. Shigaraki grabs his hips, holding tightly, trying to keep him from doing it again and Dabi keens, "Want you, please,"

Knows it's the quirk talking. Knows Dabi wouldn't ever say that to him. Hates himself for how much he likes it. For how much he's wanted to have Dabi looking at him like this, desperate for his touch, doesn't want it when he knows the other man isn't in his right mind. Is trying to think of literally anything else he can do when Dabi meets his eyes again, when he sees that the other man's are wide and glassy, his whole body trembling,

"Hurts, please Shig, please. Help?" The last word escaping him on a thin sob. Startles as he starts to cry blood. Crimson tears slipping over his cheeks as he shakes, hands fisted in his shirt and straining against the hold on his hips.

Fuck. Going to lose his best piece one way or the other. Would rather Dabi be alive to hate him when he goes than gone completely. "...Okay," loosens his grip and gently rocks his thigh up against Dabi's hard cock. Makes the arsonist moan loudly, pressing in closer. Lets him start to ride his thigh, settles into a desperate frantic rhythm, sharp gasps and moans slipping constantly from his lips. Tries to stay still, to keep his own cock from hardening as he has the other man rutting in his lap, face pressed against his neck. Might break hold of the quirk if he can just get off with someone else there. Just let Dabi do this and hopefully he'll be alright. Can't take away the wrongness of all of this, but may be able to ease a little of the filth that's going to cling to his soul afterwards.

Hears the other man still whimpering, sniffling, feels his tears dripping against his skin. Can't help it, raises a hand and strokes through his hair, "It's fine, you're gonna be fine, baby, come on," Rocks his thigh up against him again. Gets another loud, broken moan against his throat, "Feels good, doesn't it? Come on, be over soon, just have to cum, Dabi."

Gets another weak nod against his neck as he keeps moving, thrusts going faster, breaths coming in harsh pants. His moans are constant and getting louder, higher, his muscles tightening, must be close--

Dabi's whole body goes rigid as he cums. Tomura lets out a slow breath, pulls his hand from his hair, ready to need to extract himself as the other man's sense returns. Takes a second for Dabi to pull his face from his neck, panting and eyes still hazy. Fuck. Looks so good blissed out with tears clinging to his cheeks. Doesn't even have time to linger on the wrongness of that thought slipping through his mind when Dabi didn't choose to show this to him, before the expression is gone, his brows pulling together for a second, confusion written across his features. Understands at the same time as him, as he doesn't feel Dabi softening at all. Cannot catch a fucking break with this quirk.

"No," Dabi's little whine makes his chest fucking ache. Shatters his heart when Dabi gives another weak sob. "D-didn't work. Need more, fuck, please Tomura, please, I'm sorry."

Immediately reaches and cups his face in his hands, trying to brush away the tears and shush him. Trying to comfort him. Didn't even know that would be something so automatic for him. Hadn't ever had to do it for anyone before they'd lost Magne. Definitely isn't any good at it but he'll try for Dabi, for all of them. "Shh, you don't have to apologize, Dabi. It's not your fault," knows that the words can't be trusted but he just needs something if he's going to convince himself to go through with this, "Are you sure you want me to help?"

Dabi nods desperately, "Please, need you, please Tomura,"

Takes a shaky breath of his own. "Okay, gonna give you what you need." Tries to coax him out of his lap and Dabi clings a little tighter. "Just want to get you undressed, sweetheart, won't that feel good?" Earns another needy sound from the other man and he lets himself be shifted out of his lap and back onto the cot. Doesn't immediately reach to help him with the last bits of his clothes, Dabi struggling to do so himself with the suppression cuffs on, instead reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his gloves. Doesn't usually wear them in bed, usually trusts his control even here, but Dabi is already so desperate, has already grabbed at him a few times. Is already so vulnerable and he is not going to make that any worse by potentially hurting him further with his quirk.

Gets on his gloves, takes a small breath to steady himself and then reaches to help him with the thick belt and the clasp of his pants. Dabi moans again when he gets them open, when the cooler air of the room touches his hot skin. Wonders if he would literally be on fire if not for the cuffs. Can't really keep stalling and the arsonist lifts his hips eagerly so he can peel the leather away from his long legs. Fuck. Wondered what he would look like naked, prettier than he imagined. Wondered how far the scars would go, didn't know if he expected them to wrap around his legs, stapled together around the middle of his thighs and extending down to his calf on one leg and all the way to his ankle on the other. But there is an expanse of unblemished skin, smeared with his release, glistening with sweat too, his cock flushed and curving up against his stomach, a ladder of six shiny barbells decorating the underside of his length. Feels his own arousal starting to build as he takes in the sight of the other man, especially when Dabi whimpers,

"Tomura," hips rocking up, looking for anything, and he tears his eyes away from his body and finds Dabi looking back at him, eyes hazy and half-lidded, face flushed, tears still clinging to his cheeks. Swallows and tries to focus. Just needs to get him off, break the quirk.

Wraps his hand around Dabi's cock, giving him a long slow stroke, palm sliding easily enough when he's already wet with cum. Is aching himself when Dabi moans so loudly, cuffed hands reaching and tangling tight in his shirt as his back arches, head thrown back, the sound tearing from his chest as he starts to rock up into his fist immediately, spreading his legs even wider. Lets Dabi set the pace, lets him fuck into his hand fast and messy. Tries to find what he likes. Figures out from how his voice goes high and whining that he wants him to tug a little at the piercings, that he likes it when he tightens his grip around his base.

Finds out how badly he wants to be kissed when the hands in his shirt yank him roughly, tugging him down just enough for Dabi to crash their lips together. Doesn't mean to let himself moan softly against the other's lips, but if anything the soft sound makes Dabi more frantic. Lips needy and wanting, tongue flicking out over his, teeth following. And he's too weak to stop him. Opens his mouth, meets his tongue. Kisses Dabi rough and filthy until he's getting familiar with the lingering taste of smoke all over Dabi's tongue and the other man is moaning. Is still kissing him when his body goes rigid again, when he lets out another gut-punched sound of pleasure before his cock is twitching against his palm and he's spilling again.

"Ah, Tomura, please, more," Doesn't even pause this time, keeps fucking into his hand. Still hard. Fuck. Not enough. Can't help it, presses another kiss to his panting mouth. Dabi cants his hips up again, pulls back so he can look into those pretty, lust-dark eyes, "Inside? Please, want you." Doesn't. Not really. But he's still in danger. Will be until the quirk breaks.

"Okay," his voice soft and thin. Wishes this was real. Wishes that Dabi really wanted this. Takes his wet hand from around Dabi's cock and he spreads his legs wide so that he can press his fingers to his hole. Blinks, confused, because he's already wet. Shifts so that he can see, and realizes that there's something slick dripping down his thighs, his hole glistening with it. Another effect of the quirk? Doing something to make his body ready for what it would make him crave? Rubs a finger over his hole, smearing the slick, seeing more of it drip out as the ring of muscles twitches against the touch. The whine Dabi makes is going to haunt his dreams after this.

"Duster," watches Dabi's mouth fall slack as he slowly presses his finger inside. Wet enough he doesn't feel any drag as he sinks into that tight heat, muscles immediately squeezing around him, getting another loud moan as Dabi rocks back. Still tries to go slow, doesn't want to rush here and risk hurting him, uses his other hand to hold his hips so that he can't fuck himself open. Every press of his finger has a little more fluid leaking out of him and after another minute he hesitantly presses in a second finger. Only makes Dabi moan even louder, his fingers knotted in his shirt so tightly that his knuckles are going white, "Ah, Tomura," Starts to work him open more deliberately, crooking his fingers, searching.

Finds his prostate and Dabi sobs again. Shit, tries to ease off,

"No, no, more, so good, please, Shig, please," Okay, fuck. Keeps going, watching Dabi fall apart, his cock drooling constantly, tears slipping across his temples. His cock is aching. Doesn't matter, shouldn't be, adds another finger, keeps pressing. Slowly loosens his grip on Dabi's hip, lets him start to fuck himself on his hand. Doesn't take long until he's frantic, moving so fast that the wet slide of it is obscene, competing with the litany of pleasured sounds still falling off his lips. Keeps going until his muscles are squeezing tight around him and he's cumming again.

Stays hard.

Sees Dabi grit his teeth, sees him swallow hard, turn his face so it's half hidden against the pillow. Another sob, deeper, coming from his chest in a way that makes his gut so sour, feels hollowed out when he speaks again. "...'m sorry, fuck me, please, need your cock." Voice so small and shaken. Doesn't know what else he can do, doesn't know how long Dabi can stay like this.

Reaches and wipes away a few more tears. Dabi presses into the touch, eyes squeezing shut. "Alright, baby," Doesn't know what to do with the ache in his chest when Dabi wraps his hand around his wrist to keep him there so he can shift and press a soft kiss to his palm. Only lets go of him when he eases his fingers out of his body and starts to shift to pull himself from his pants. Watches him again with those dark eyes. His cock is aching as he shifts, made all the worse when Dabi moans softly as he sees him, teeth sinking into his lip as he tangles his hands back into his shirt and tries to pull him closer, urging him to go faster.

Wraps a hand around Dabi's thigh, the other leg hooking around his hip and pulling him closer, until his head is dragging over his hole. Dabi gasps, his whole body trembling, trying to rock against him. Fuck, the friction feels so good. Takes one more breath to steady himself before he starts to press into the tight, wet, heat of the other man's body. Can't help the groan that pulls from his chest as he sinks inside. Swallows him up greedily, Dabi moaning so loudly that his voice cracks, panting harshly when he bottoms out. Means to give him a second to adjust but Dabi doesn't care to wait, immediately starts to roll his hips, making short needy little sounds as he does so, his cock leaking all over his stomach and muscles tightening rhythmically around him.

Never going to have him again, will be lucky if the other man doesn't light him on fire when this passes. Wants to make it good, wants to help him, wants him. Just once. Lets himself focus on that as he starts to fuck him. Moves a little slower than the frantic twitches of Dabi's hips, makes sure that he's going deep, hitting his prostate. It's an indulgence that he shouldn't allow himself, but he does, lets himself press kisses and little nips along Dabi's jaw and throat as he wraps one hand around his cock and strokes him in time with his thrusts. Has the arsonist moaning even louder, reaching up as best he can to tangle a hand in his hair, starts to pull his mouth away from his skin only to find Dabi dragging him back into a messy kiss. Kisses him back, kisses him with every broken aching hope that he had for this that has been absolutely destroyed. Has the man sobbing against his mouth, kissing him back hard.

Keeps moving, pleasure building under his skin, surprised that Dabi hasn't cum again. Dripping all over his hand, can feel it leaking out of him with every thrust, fuck, what if this wasn't what he needed to break it? "Dabi,"

"Shig," immediately rocks back against him harder.

"What do you need sweetheart?" Do anything to stop this for him. To make him better.

Dabi whimpers, face flushing even darker before he tries to hide against his shoulder, fingers tightening in his shirt. "...More?"

Fucks him harder, moves his hand faster, gets another loud moan pressed against his throat. "That it, baby?" Not expecting the whine he gets at the words too.

"More," he pleads. Hasn't changed the pace. Takes him a second,

"Want me to talk to you, Dabi?" Makes the heat in his veins go even sharper when Dabi whimpers, nodding weakly against his neck. "Doing so good for me, baby," he tries, nearly choking on his arousal. Feels how he goes tighter, hears the little moan against his skin again, his hips moving a little more desperately. "That's it, fuck, feel so good, sound so good." Every word a confession he shouldn't be allowed, "Didn't know you could make those sounds, gorgeous." Sounds that are starting to change, short fast little gasps that come each time he sinks into his body. So hot and tight around him that he's feeling his orgasm starting to creep up on him. "Getting close, darling?"

Another little nod against him and a weak sob.

"Shh, that's good baby, just need to cum for me. One more time," hopes he's right, hopes the fact that this one has taken so much longer means it's the last, "So pretty when you cum, let me see you one more time, please, baby?"

"Duster," didn't even know Dabi's voice could go so high and thin.

Goes even tighter around his cock and he's gasping a moan himself, tangles a hand in Dabi's hair and pulls gently, coaxing him back enough he can look at him again. Almost delirious with his pleasure, whimpers when their eyes meet, blush darkening further. "Beautiful," perfect.

"Tomura," presses in again, meets him. Kisses him hard as Dabi's body goes rigid one more time, goes so tight around his cock, doesn't even feel him cumming in his hand, can't stop himself from giving two more shallow thrusts before he's sinking as deep as he can and following Dabi over the edge. And then they're not so much as kissing as they are just sharing breaths as they both try to greedily fill their lungs with air. Takes another second before Dabi gives a low, relieved gasp, and Tomura feels him starting to soften. Is only relieved himself a second before everything that just happened starts to settle in him. Broke the quirk. Dabi's not going to die. Doesn't make up for everything else.

Shifts as gently as he can. The damage is already done but he's still careful as he lets go of him and pulls out. Dabi's eyes are closed, still panting, completely limp against the cot, fuck, okay. Needs to at the very least get him something to drink before he tells him to fuck off or tries to kill him. Starts to move away. Dabi makes a sharp sound, eyes opening, pupils shrunk back to normal, lets him see all of that pretty blue again, and reaches for him, holding onto his shirt.

"Wait--" Can't help it, his eyes automatically flick back to his cock, but he's not hard again. Meets his eyes again and Dabi is flushing, doesn't stay looking at him for long, "Cuffs."

Oh. Right. Shit. Didn't grab a key on his way in, doesn't know what the code is. "Right, sorry, hold still." His gloves are filthy and he takes them off as he shifts away from the arsonist, enough that he can sit up. Once they're off Dabi lets him take hold of his wrists, pressing five fingers to the cuffs. They gray and crack, dust falling away from his skin after another second. He pulls his hands away immediately, moving to stand.

"Just hang on a second, please--" sounds like himself again, but Tomura is confused why he'd reach to catch his sleeve tightly. Hesitates. Dabi still can't meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, but fuck, you could at least stick around long enough for me to thank you for saving my life."

The sickness in his stomach grows. "Don't thank me for that." His voice hoarser than he'd expected. "I wasn't going to let you die, Dabi."

Dabi lets go of his sleeve, "Right. Sorry." Takes a shaky breath and starts to look for his clothes. "Just give me a second and I'll be out of your hair."

"No," Shit, definitely lost the right to give him any kind of order after all of that, tries to backtrack, "I'll go, but you need to drink something, and if you can stand being here, wait for the doctor to come back. I don't know if the quirk will have any side effects." Feels like he's trying not to startle an injured animal. "I'll stay as far away as you want, never have to see me again, but at least wait for the doctor to check you over."

Sees Dabi's jaw clench, a tremor run through him, gives a short tight nod. "Right, okay." Voice tight too. "I'm sorry."

Didn't even know his chest could ache so sharply. "You don't have anything to apologize for, Dabi. This wasn't your fault--"

Not expecting the bark of laughter, short and bitter, Dabi finally shifting to meet his eyes. "That's sweet, Shig, but I literally dragged you into bed. Should've let you leave, shouldn't have touched you."

Realizes that he's staring at the other man when Dabi starts to move again, going back to looking for his scattered clothes. "How aware were you?"

Sees his jaw tense again. "...Knew what I was doing, knew I shouldn't. Couldn't stop myself anyway."

"Because you knew what would happen if you didn't?"

Sees his shoulders hunch in on himself. "Not an excuse. Shouldn't have made you--"

"Dabi,"

"My fault. Got hit, made you stay, saw how hard you were trying not to touch me, made you anyway--"

"I didn't want to hurt you," barely recognizes his own voice. Doesn't know if it's ever sounded so thin. "Dabi, I didn't want to take advantage of you." Sees the other man tense further. "...I didn't know how aware you were of what was happening. I wouldn't have let you die and I was trying to hold back, to just do what I thought would help break the effect. What I was doing was bad enough, I didn't want to go any further than I had to to help you." Finally gets blue eyes back on him. Shouldn't admit, "Would have been happy to touch you in any other circumstance."

Really expects to be set on fire for that. But Dabi keeps staring at him. Feels like an eternity passes between them. "...Wouldn't have let anyone else. Would have asked for you if someone else tried to help."

"You're sure?" Seems like he's all back together again, but he kind of doesn't dare let the hope start to knit back together that aching thing in his chest.

Dabi flushes, "Yeah, Duster."

"Okay," too small a word for everything now tangled between them. "Do you want me to leave?"

"...You don't have to."

"Not what I asked, Dabi."

"...no."

"Okay."

Another long stretch before Dabi mumbles, "... can come back over here if you want." Tempted to ask if he's sure again, only doesn't because Dabi seems to be anticipating the question, "I feel fine now, Shig. Know what I'm saying. Would absolutely tell you to leave or torch you if I didn't want you here. Not gonna die if you leave if you'd rather do that."

"I don't want to go anywhere, Dabi." Moves back over to the cot and settles on the edge carefully, still searching the arsonist for any sign of discomfort. A light pink blush is dusting his cheeks, gets darker when their eyes meet before Dabi's quickly looking away again. "We would have all been hit if you hadn't stepped in." Could have dropped all of them. Might have been killed, might have burned to death, or been arrested before they even woke up and found out about the rest of it. Dabi saved them.

He shrugs, sees him chewing on where a staple pierces into his cheek. "Wasn't going to be useless again."

"What are you talking about?" Has been one of their best. Well, if he's going to play favorites, Dabi is the best at his job. Smart, motivated, barely needs any oversight to be effective. There's a reason he lets the other man wander off whenever he chooses, always knows he'll come back when he's called and is more likely to bring something good with him when he does.

Still not meeting his eyes. "Didn't do a damn thing in Kamino, wasn't even around when you all went to see Overhaul." His voice going tighter, "Could've stopped the bastard before he even lifted a hand--" Takes a breath, sees him exhale a little stream of smoke. "Not going to stand there and let you all get hurt again."

"Can I kiss you?"

Dabi stiffens, head snapping up to look at him. "What?"

"I want to kiss you, can I?"

"...yeah,"

Doesn't hesitate, curls a hand around the back of his neck, careful to keep one finger from his skin, and pulls him in. Meant for it to be gentle, starts that way, just a soft press of lips. But then Dabi shifts, moves closer, opens his mouth with a soft sigh as he reaches back. Can wrap his arms around his neck this time without the cuffs on. Keeps him close and Tomura wants to kiss him without guilt souring it. Tastes fresh smoke on Dabi's tongue as he licks into his mouth, feels his whole body go hotter against his as he does, as the other man gives as good as he gets until they're both a little breathless. Dabi who pulls away, blushing hotly, with a mumbled,

"Fuck, gotta stop," Immediately shifts to let go of him, sees the other man shifting a little, "...Might be finding some of those side effects." Can't help it, his gaze slips lower, sees his cock starting to harden again.

"Really?"

"Shut up." Bright red across the section of his cheeks that aren't scarred. "Still feel fine, quirk's not out of control just... sensitive I guess." Squirms again and his mouth goes dry,

"Still getting wet?"

"Shut up, Duster!" Feels his temperature spike with his embarrassment. "I'm fine, doesn't feel like before. Don't have to--"

"Want to. Told you, happy to go to bed with you, Dabi. Just need to know you want it too."

Takes a breath, meets his eyes again. "Want you to fuck me again. Wanted you before this quirk fucked it up." Wraps his hands around Dabi's hips and pulls him into his lap again,

"Say it again, baby." Breathes it against Dabi's lips as he gently rocks his thigh up between his legs.

Earns him a sweet, soft moan. "Want you to fuck me, Tomura." Is tangling his fingers in his hair, trying to pull him even closer as he speaks, kisses him as soon as the words are out of his mouth.

"Give you anything you want, Dabi," barely enough breath for the words when they part. Wants to burn away the sourness of the first time.

"Want you," eyes focused and sharp the way he's come to expect from the other man, shifting closer, reaching for the hem of his shirt as he moves to press a kiss to the edge of his jaw. Lets himself believe the words this time. Lets himself pull Dabi closer.

Lets them both take what they want from each other.

Thank you so much for your submission!

#this was fun #love potions and stuff can be so fucked up so I tried to soften this one a bit #but I could definitely do a whole DD:DNE with this prompt too #my writing #shigadabi #mha fanfiction #kink prompts #prompt response #writing prompt

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