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papercorgiworld · 4 months

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No girls, no fights, no smokes

The things Mattheo Riddle does for love

This is like Theo’s ‘Tutoring first years’ a request based on the scenarios from Pansy’s Interrogation.

If you want a little more context, you can read Pansy’s interrogation, but it’s not a must.

No warnings except maybe foul language, but mostly just fluff and a bit of angst.

Picture source: https://pin.it/4r1PsBsvn

Not proofread. Feedback is as always very welcome. Happy readings, my dears!

“Slughorn is too lenient with him, because Riddle suddenly decided to show up to class, he gets an assignment to improve his grade. Ridiculous.” Hermoine says and Ron raises his eyebrows. “Slytherin privileges.” Harry joins his friends in their judging. “Not just that, Slughorn is making the same mistake he made when he trusted his father and told him about the horcruxes instead of sending him straight to Azkaban.” The three of them are startled to hear Mattheo’s voice from behind them. “You want to say that to my face, Potter!” Harry curses himself, he really wasn’t looking for a fight.

The trio turns around to face Mattheo, but they all keep their mouths shut and surprisingly so does Mattheo. The rage in his eyes is undeniable, but he simply walks by giving the trio only a quick death glare. When the trio is sure Mattheo is out of earsight Ron is the first to speak up. “Odd.” Hermoine shakes her head. “Not as much as you would think.” Harry and Ron give their friend a questioning look. “I don’t know why but he’s been on his best behavior for the past weeks. When was the last time he punched or hexed someone?” No one can immediately come up with an answer, proving Hermoine’s point.

***

“Matt, that’s my jacket.” Theo drily states thinking Mattheo mistakenly took his, while Mattheo searches every pocket of Theo’s jacket. “I know, I’m stealing your cigarettes.” Mattheo mutters with clear frustration in his voice. “You lose your own?” Theo asks as he takes his cigarettes off the nightstand to offer one to Mattheo. “No, I quit a month ago, remember.” Theo thinks for a moment, eyebrows knit together. “I honestly thought that was a joke.” Mattheo just flings Theodore an agitated glare. “Look, Matt, you can’t quit smoking, fighting and fucking at the same time.” Mattheo doesn’t say a word and lights the cigarette, just as Enzo enters the room. “No smoking inside!” “Say that one more time and you’ll be the first I punch in two months.” Enzo stops in his tracks at Mattheo’s ice cold voice and looks over at Theo with raised eyebrows.

“So, if I’m correct, no sex or blowjobs for three months, no fights for two months and almost one month of no smoking.” Mattheo lets himself fall on his bed. “Theodore?” Mattheo asks calmly, making both Enzo and Theo hold their breath. “Shut up.” Enzo can’t help but laugh as Theo rolls his eyes. “Pansy and Blaise were right the other day weren’t they? You’re doing this to impress (y/n).” Mattheo forces his eyes shut. He can barely admit it to himself, leave alone to his friends, but it is true. He so desperately needs you to like him. You are always nice to him, but you rarely ever approach him and honestly he can’t blame you.

***

Transfigurations, that’s where Mattheo realized that you weren’t just nice on the eyes. Three months ago Mcgonagoll had assigned everyone new seats and Mattheo had ended up next to you. Suddenly you weren’t just a kind stranger anymore, you became the girl that he can so easily talk to and laugh with.

Mattheo smiles when he sees you’re the first in the classroom. “Eager to score points with professor Mcgonagoll.” You look up and instantly a little blush creeps up your face. “Apparently, I’m not the only one.” Mattheo avoids your eyes, but takes his seat next to you. “I’m not early for Mcgonagoll, trust me princess.” You stare at your book and press your lips into a line in an attempt to not look like a total love struck idiot. Mattheo glances over at you while reaching for his books. When he notices your cheeks redden his heart fills with joy.

A few more students enter the classroom, forcing you both out of your love bubble. You watch him out of the corner of your eyes, while you gather enough courage to talk to him about what you saw yesterday. You lean closer to him so you can talk without being overheard and Mattheo turns towards you. “I’m sorry about what Harry said yesterday. He’s an idiot sometimes.” Mattheo keeps his eyes focussed on you, but it takes all his effort to not get angry again especially now that he knows you heard what Harry said. “I want you to know that despite that they’re my friends, I really don’t think like they do.” You slowly move your hand to lay on top of his arm as a way of showing him you care and aren’t afraid.

Mattheo searches for words, but all his mind can think of is how badly he wants your arms around him and not just your hand on his arm. When he finally opens his mouth Mcgonagoll walks in and you pull your hand back and focus on her. Mattheo adores you quietly before quickly brushing his fingers against yours. You turn to look at him and he leans in. “I know you don’t judge like they do. Maybe you should hang out more with me, could be fun?” His sweet whisper and genuine smile have your cheeks redden again. You smile and nod, thus silently agreeing that you should most definitely hang out more with him.

You spent the afternoon studying with Mattheo and right before dinner you even spent some time with his friends. It made it obvious that there was something blooming between you two and when you finally said your goodbyes you walked away the happiest girl at Hogwarts, unable to hide that happy glow around you.

***

After you spent yesterday afternoon together, Mattheo hadn’t been able to talk to you. It was like your friends were purposely keeping you away from him or maybe you didn’t like spending time with him. Either way Mattheo’s mind was working on every possible worst case scenario. Part of him wanted to stop pursuing you, because getting attached and then losing you would be worse. Maybe that thought is why he couldn’t keep his cool this time. “Everyone knows his dad’s evil and insane, but I mean his mum must’ve been absolutely mental.” Mattheo clenches his jaw but decides to turn around and follow his friends to the great hall. “Why else would the whore fuck someone like Voldemort.” At those words Mattheo snaps, dropping his bag and taking a few long strides to tackle the asshole who was talking. “Didn’t you hear that you need to keep your mouth shut, ‘cause their son is equally insane.” His fist hits the guy right in the face, causing his nose to start bleeding. The second punch doesn’t come in as hard since Blaise already has a hold on Mattheo.

When Blaise puts some distance between Mattheo and the other guy, Mattheo takes a breath and looks away from the douchebag. Mattheo’s heart breaks when his eyes land on your horrified face. No need to worry about losing her anymore. You just lost her, well done. You watch his figure disappear in one of the hallways and make your way to the great hall for lunch. You feel miserable for not being with him. Even worse, you can’t spot him anywhere in the great hall. During transfigurations the chair next to you stays empty and it’s almost impossible for you to pay attention, but you try your best to make notes with the intention of giving them to Mattheo later.

No need to worry about losing her. You’ve already lost her, well done.

***

The knock at the door of Mattheo’s dorm startles him mainly because he doesn’t hang out with the kind of people that knock. I’m either going to punch, smoke or fuck the idiot that’s come to bother me. He opens the door to see your flustered face, making him drop his attitude. “I first thought you were in the infirmary, but I’m glad to see you’re alright.” Mattheo nods still shocked to find you at his door. “You came to check on me?” For a moment you feel a bit like an obsessed person, showing up at his dorm without invitation, but then you remember your notes. “I also brought you these.” Mattheo laughs a moment and you look confused. “That’s sweet, thanks.” You feel awkward, but Mattheo notices. He clears his throat and opens the door a little more. “I’m really grateful for these, I just- my mind wasn’t thinking about class at all.” He signals you to come inside and you carefully take a few steps. “I honestly didn’t expect to ever see you outside of class again.” Mattheo admits, making your eyebrows knit together as you shake your head expressing confusion.

“The fight, earlier, I know you hate it, me.” You take a step towards Mattheo when you sense the vulnerability in his voice. “I don’t like it when you fight, but I do get that some people really deserve to get punched.” Mattheo stares at you trying to figure you out, but failing miserably. “I remember your face from a few months ago when I was fighting, I’ll never forget the disgust in your eyes and today again you looked horrified.” A soft chuckle escapes you as you feel the embarrassment boil up about what you’re going to confess. “I probably made that face, because I hate to see your pretty face all beat up. That’s why I was so relieved that you didn’t get hurt today.” At a terribly slow rate a bright cheeky smile creeps up on Mattheo’s face. You can’t help but feel like you’re dying of embarrassment as his face lights up at your confession. I’m such a love struck loser with my notes and petty excuses. He totally knows I’m in love with him. This is so embarrassing. You get pulled out of your train of thoughts when Mattheo’s hand reaches for the back of your head pulling you into an intense and loving kiss.

When he realises you really like him.

#slytherin #slytherin boys #mattheo riddle imagine #mattheo riddle x reader #mattheo riddle #papercorgiworldwritings

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roosterforme · 9 months

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A Formal Reprimand | Hangman x Reader

Summary: Above all else, Jake prided himself on his spotless Naval record. When his wife inadvertently causes him to be formally reprimanded during a deployment, he plans to give her a fair share of the punishment when he gets home.

Warnings: Fluffy smutty fun

Length: 3000

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Female Reader

Seriously, who let Jake on my masterlist!? Banner by @mak-32

You clung to Jake's body, your eyes welling up as you held onto him. He kissed your beautiful lips one last time, swiping away your tears. He should have probably already been aboard the USS Nimitz, but he just couldn't seem to pull himself away.

"I'll miss you." Your broken sob had his heart aching as he held you tight. Everyone bustling around the dock just knocked the two of you closer together, but he didn't mind that one bit.

"I'll miss you more, Darlin'," he promised. "It's just two months. You'll hardly notice I'm gone."

His crooked smile made you smile and laugh through your tears. "I think I might notice that my sexy husband isn't around," you told him, wiping your eyes on the collar of his uniform. "But two months isn't so bad." Your voice was soft and so familiar, and Jake took a moment to close his eyes and memorize it. Because falling asleep without your voice in his ear would be the hardest part about being away from you.

"Seresin!"

Jake sighed. "I need to go now, before I get a reprimand." He kissed you softly and whispered, "I love you so much." And then he was finally tearing himself away from you, turning back to watch you crying and waving. It was just two months this time, but it still hurt him to leave.

---------------------------

It was so bad. Jake did almost nothing except look forward to the moments when he could talk to you. But even the rushed facetime calls just made him miss you more. You held up the dog to wave at him and told him about work. You looked like you were doing just fine, and Jake pretended he was, too.

But at the end of each call, he'd lean in closer to the screen and ask you to say something that he could think about before he went to bed. Sometimes your response was sweet. Sometimes it was decidedly dirty. But he always loved watching your lips as you responded.

A few weeks in, he was talking to you, and you looked so good, Jake felt himself stirring a bit. "You gonna tell me something I can think about before bed, Darlin'?"

"Mmhmm," you hummed, slowly unbuttoning your blouse as he leaned in closer. He figured he was probably drooling, but it didn't matter. You weren't wearing a bra, and when your peaked nipples came into view, you whispered, "If I were with you, I would have your cock in my mouth right now. And I'd let you cum all over my face, just the way you like to."

You were running your fingers along your tits, and Jake was throbbing for you. 'Darlin'," he grunted, "I'm gonna need that kind of special treatment when I get home."

"Anything you want. I hope you've been enjoying those polaroids I tucked into your bag."

"Almost every day," he promised, and you blew him a kiss.

When the call ended, Jake hustled awkwardly back to his bunk, praying that Fanboy was still at dinner or the gym. Empty. Perfect. He quickly locked the door and unzipped his pants while he reached for the collection of polaroids he had hidden with his clean laundry.

And there you were, with his cock in your mouth during an anniversary trip to Bora Bora. And again with his cock buried in your pussy. And another one with your hands on your tits. He spread the photos out on his bed and wrapped his hand around his length.

"Fuck," he groaned, focusing on a photo of you using a pink toy on yourself that he had taken a few months ago. Those gorgeous tits and your perfect face on display. He jerked himself off a little faster, thinking about your voice and your warm hands. He was so close, so fucking close. Jake reached for a handkerchief and finished in it, panting as he thought of the way you'd be giggling as he blew his load onto your face.

He missed you so much. Missed everything about you. As he zipped up his pants, he wondered when he'd be able to call you again. And then he heard a key in the door, followed by Fanboy's voice, and Jake started to panic. He scooped up the polaroids and looked around.

"Shit," he gasped, shoving them between the pages of the murder mystery paperback he'd brought with him to read when he got bored. He tossed the book back onto the small nightstand just as his bunkmate came bounding into the room.

"Hangman!" Mickey greeted him. "Get changed. Let's hit the gym."

Jake swallowed hard and tried not to look as suspicious as he felt. "Sure," he agreed, turning to his dresser before his friend could see that his pants were still unbuttoned. He pulled out some gym clothes, and a few minutes later, he and Fanboy were on their way to workout.

-----------------------------

A week later, Jake had completed a strenuous mission, and he was exhausted. But by the time he returned from the showers, ready to crawl into his bed, Fanboy was already sound asleep and snoring. Loudly. Jake groaned and grabbed that book he never got a chance to start. The lounge would probably be deserted right now, and maybe, if it was empty, he could sleep a little while in there.

It seemed like he passed every single admiral aboard the aircraft carrier on his way, and he stopped to appropriately address each of them. When the lounge was in sight, Jake turned just in time to smack directly into Admiral Simpson. He watched in horror as his paperback went flying out of his hand, and as the pages separated in midair, Jake's brain short circuited. In a fraction of a second, he recalled what was depicted in each one of the eight polaroid photos he had forgotten were tucked in there. And then he got to watch as each one came loose from the book and sailed through the air.

He could actually see the photo of you bent over the kitchen counter in nothing but his dog tags as it soared past Cyclone's head. "Fuck!" Jake shouted, eyes wide as he raked his fingers through his hair in a state of extreme panic. He lunged for the closest photo, but Cyclone's boot came down on it before he could do anything about it.

"Lieutenant Seresin. You will not use that foul language in my presence. Do you understand."

"Yes sir, Admiral Simpson," he managed to choke out, standing at full attention. But Jake's eyes were scanning the floor, trying to locate the other seven polaroids. If he could just get them before Cyclone or anyone else actually looked at them...

But it was too late. He watched as Admiral Simpson moved his boot and bent to pick up that goddamn filthy looking photo.

"Explain this, please," Cyclone demanded, holding it up.

"Sir," Jake began, blood rushing from his face. "I...."

"Is this pornography?"

Jake took a deep breath and shook his head as he said, "It's not porn! It's my wife! Sir."

With absolutely no expression on his face, Cyclone held out the photo for Jake to take. "Pick them up. I never want to see them again. And meet me in my office at 0700."

"Yes, sir," Jake ground out, and as soon as he walked away, Jake was crawling around on the floor, making sure he located each and every beautiful photo. He tucked them back into his book, silently thankful that none of his masterbatory materials had been confiscated or seen by anyone else. It was bad enough his commanding officer got to see your ass and tits. And now, as he headed back to his bunk, the apprehension set in. He didn't know what to expect at seven in the morning.

-------------------------

Cyclone was still pissed. Jake made sure his uniform was spotless without any creases. Every single pin was straight. There was not a hair out of place on his head. But Simpson still scrutinized every part of him.

Then he surprised Jake. "I know what it's like to be away from your spouse, Lieutenant. I know how...challenging that can be. However, you will not be caught with that kind of material again. Or your formal reprimand will turn into a potential discharge."

A formal reprimand. Jake didn't have so much as a tardy note on his flawless record. Until now. "Yes, sir," he agreed, picturing the photos all wrapped up in an oversized envelope and tucked away in his duffle bag. Whatever his punishment was going to be, it was not good.

"Lieutenant, you'll give me three hundred pushups every morning while I drink my coffee on deck for the remainder of your deployment. And once we are back at Top Gun, that will continue in lieu of your lunch breaks. For a month."

"Yes, sir," Jake responded, shoulders squared.

"We'll start today," Admiral Simpson replied, and Jake followed him out onto the deck. The sunlight was bright, and he would have rather been dressed in anything other than his khaki uniform, but Jake did three hundred pushups while everyone working on deck watched. He did them while Cyclone sipped his mug of coffee. He did them while counting them off for himself. And he didn't complain. There was no time for him to change before his meeting, so then he got to sit in his own sweat for a few hours.

This went on for eighteen more days. By the end of his deployment, everyone knew Jake had been reprimanded. Everyone enjoyed the chance to watch his morning pushups and give him a hard time afterwards. But nobody knew how he had earned them. Not even Fanboy.

In fact, there was only one person who Jake would allow to know the truth, and he planned on making sure his wife took a little bit of the blame. And maybe a bit of her own punishment as well.

----------------------------

One more hour. Just an hour and Jake would be back. You were already waiting at the dock, hopelessly desperate to see your sweet husband. "Jake!" you shouted his name, jumping up and down and trying to fight through the crowd to get to him as soon as you saw him.

Oh, he looked so good, and when you finally reached him, you threw your arms around his neck and kissed him. "Jake, I missed you so much," you whispered against his lips, dragging your fingers up through his hair and then down his arms. "You're huge! How much were you working out?"

He wrapped one big hand around the back of your neck and you moaned for him. Right there on the dock. You whined his name as he held you in place. "Darlin'," he drawled, his big, thick fingers wrapping around your neck until you had to squeeze your thighs together. "I'm a little sore from all the push-ups."

"Push-ups?" you asked, reaching for him again, but his hand was firm on your neck. "Jake?" you whispered. "Please, let's go home. I need you."

But he just shook his head, kissed your forehead once and said, "You need to be punished. That's what you need, Darlin'. Now let's get you home and get started on that."

"Punished?" you asked, but he didn't say another word. He guided you through the crowd, his hand slipping down to spank your butt through your dress before he squeezed you.

"Yes," he replied, and once he got his bag and both of you settled in his truck and started the engine, he smirked at you. "You really loved the idea of me jerking off to those polaroids, didn't you, Darlin'?"

You moaned and ran your hands along your bare thighs as he drove toward home. "Yes. Did you love looking at them?"

"Oh, I sure did. But do you know who did not love looking at them?"

Your eyes went wide and you turned to look at him. "Who? Someone else saw them?"

Jake laughed sardonically as he glanced at you. Your head was swirling with embarrassment, but nothing prepared you for when he said, "Admiral Simpson caught me with them."

You gasped. "Your boss saw them?"

"He sure did, Darlin'. And he gave me a formal reprimand. On my perfect record."

"Jake," you whispered, your brain supplying a million questions. He prided himself on his perfect record, fifteen years in the making. He also prided himself on his relationships with his commanding officers. "How many pushups did you have to do?"

"Thousands."

"Oh shit. And it's going on your permanent record? Will you have more punishments when you go to work on Monday? What else happened? How did he see the photos?"

Jake pulled into the driveway and parked his truck. Then he unbuckled both his seatbelt and yours before reaching for you a little roughly. "You know what? I don't think I'm going to answer any of your questions until you share a little bit of my punishment. After all, you're the one who sent me away with the polaroids."

"Jake," you gasped as he squeezed your thighs and kissed you hard. He climbed out of the truck with you clinging to him. "I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't know you'd get in trouble."

"Hmmm," he hummed, setting you down as he dug out his house key and unlocked the door. He pushed the door open and followed you inside, and you looked up at him with wide eyes. "Seems like I remember you telling me how you'd love to suck my cock."

Your moan was loud and needy, and when you glanced down, you could see that your husband was hard in his uniform pants. "Let me do it," you begged. "Let me give you a blowjob."

He grasped your chin in his hand and forced your gaze back up to his green eyes. "You will," he promised, and you had to bite your lip to keep the pathetic little noises you wanted to make at bay. He kissed your forehead and added, "Just exactly the way I want it. Every day until my punishment has been lifted."

He pulled you closer still grasping your chin as you softly asked, "How do you want it?"

"Rough," he replied, and you whimpered as he guided you to the floor in front of him. "I want it rough, Darlin'. Think you can handle that?"

You were already unzipping his pants as you looked up at him. "Of course. But Jake... is it really a punishment if I want it so fucking badly?" you asked, dipping your hand inside his underwear and pulling him free. He was huge and hard and you had missed your husband so much. And you knew he'd take you to bed and give you whatever you wanted after you got to do this for him.

"You want it rough?" he asked, green eyes focused on your lips as you parted them and took his cock. When you nodded, sucking on his thick length, he grunted. He wrapped one hand around your neck and the other around the back of your head. "You feel so good. I'll make it rough for you."

And then with one smooth thrust, your hands were grabbing at his thighs as he hit the back of your throat. You sucked in a breath through your nose, and Jake stroked your neck with his thumb as you gagged. "Fuck," he gasped, pulling himself out until you were left licking and sucking on the tip, and then he rammed himself deep again.

You were trying to say his name as you gagged. Tears filled your eyes and saliva dripped down to your chest and the front of your dress. But your husband told you that you were such a good wife, the only one he wanted, and then he went a little faster.

"Jake," you gasped, taking a deep breath when he withdrew. But he used his big palm at the back of your head to push himself deep once again. He was groaning, and when you cupped his balls with your right hand, he went even faster. Quick little strokes gagged you, and the wet sounds were making you clench around nothing.

"A formal reprimand," he growled, and you took him the whole way and held him there as he licked his lips, and whispered, "Fuck, Darlin'." He gave you no warning. You gagged on his hot cum as he filled your throat. You tried to swallow him down, but you felt it drip out of the corners of your mouth. And then he withdrew and with a few strokes of his hand, he painted your face with the last of his ejaculate.

"Oh my god," you groaned, your throat sore and raspy as you wiped his cum from your cheek. But he was already pulling you to your feet, one arm wrapped around your waist as he kissed your neck.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"Yes," you promised, licking your lips clean. "I loved that."

He groaned next to your ear. "I knew you would. I knew it wouldn't even be a proper punishment."

You wiped your face and licked your fingers clean. "You promised me I'd be getting punished as long as you were. You promised me, Jake."

Your husband kissed your lips and swiped his tongue into your mouth. "You really want to do that every day for the next month?"

"I can't believe you got in so much trouble for the polaroids," you whispered against his lips. "But you're crazy if you think I'm not going to take my own punishment like a champ."

"I love you," he crooned, holding you close. "It's good to be home."

"I missed you. And I'm sorry your photos got confiscated."

Jake chuckled, appraising you with those pretty green eyes. "Oh, I still have them."

"You still have them? But I thought Admiral Simpson-"

He kissed you hard again before he said, "I got off easy, Darlin'. I'd take a hundred formal reprimands as long as I get to keep those polaroids."

You rolled your eyes and took his hands in yours. "We can always make more."

"That's what I'm counting on," he drawled with a smile. "Now go grab the camera like a good girl and meet me in bed."

---------------------------

Thanks for reading! I kind of missed writing for Jake! Maybe I'll do this a little more often. Thanks for @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

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bad268 · 1 month

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hey! hope you are well. I was thinking of an idea for a Kimi Antonelli x reader story and as you write for him the best I knew you would write it so well.

maybe reader is toto's daughter, and her and kimi are in a relationship. but y/n can't make it to the last race of the season but she ends up surprising him after the race (she was there the whole time) and he runs to her and its all adorable and everyone is clapping?

just a thought!

love your work!

Couldn't Keep Me Away (Andrea Kimi Antonelli X Wolff! Reader)

Fandom: RPF/F2/F3

Requested: Clearly (I think I cooked too much with this lol...)

Warnings: sick! reader, mentions cough medicine

POV: Second Person (You/your/She/her)

W.C. 1956

Summary: She's never missed a race…until now?

As always, my requests are OPEN

MASTERLIST // HITLIST

~~(@/Kimi’s insta from February 13, 2024)

It all came down to this. Not in the literal sense, more along the lines of it was the last race of the season. The team’s champions and driver’s championship had already been decided, so there was nothing to lose in this race. Well, except his sanity.

You had been at every race this season. Not because of your father, Toto Wolff. Actually, maybe that played a part, but you were always in the Prema garage. He could not remember what it was like to not have you in the garage between practice and qualifying or during pre-race shenanigans.

When you were not on track for media day, he knew something was up. Yes, he knew you hated media day because it was boring, but it was also the day you had the most time together since the F1 teams and drivers were more popular interviewees. He tried texting and calling you only to receive nothing in response. He knew what he was going to have to do.

Speak to your father.

He decided to stop by before the sprint race. Walking into the Mercedes garage, he spotted your father immediately and standing beside him, your mother, Susie, and brother, Jack. He suddenly knew that you should have been here too. The only reason you gave him in the past for why you may need to miss a race was to watch your brother. You never did miss a race, but there was always the possibility.

He swallowed his concern, not needing to worry yet, as he walked up to your family. He waited for them to finish their conversation before he tapped on Toto’s shoulder. Immediately, Toto turned around to meet Kimi’s worried eyes.

“Kimi, is there something wrong?” Toto asked, sensing Kimi’s anxiousness, but chalking it up to the upcoming race. “Is it the race?”

“No…I mean, kind of?” Kimi answered but immediately contradicted himself. It was much more different talking to Toto about you than about racing. Despite knowing that both of your parents are aware of your relationship, he tried his best to only talk to Toto about racing whenever they were on the track. This was a first for Kimi, and he just did not know how he wanted to go about asking. Finally, after receiving multiple uneasy looks from Susie and Toto, Kimi took a deep breath before just deciding to go for it. “Do you know where she is? She’s not answering my texts or calls, and I’m getting worried.”

“Oh, Kimi, she’s sick,” Susie jumped in. She knew exactly who he wanted to know about, so she showed him a text from you that said you took some medicine and would try to sleep it off. “She’s been sick almost all week. I thought she told you.”

“Oh, have she sent any updates recently? Do you know how she’s feeling?” Kimi rushed. Looking back, he realized that every time he texted you, it would have been late back at home, so it made sense that you did not respond. Plus, to add the sickness on top of it? He felt like shit for not catching it earlier.

“That was the last text I received,” Susie said, sadly. Toto stepped away as he got a call, leaving Kimi and Susie to talk while Jack was distracted by Mick. “It was sent a few hours ago, so she might be awake now. You could call her?”

“No need,” Toto said as he walked back over, holding out the phone to Kimi. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

Hesitantly, Kimi took the phone and saw your name as the caller ID. He looked back up at Toto and Susie as they turned their backs to him and walked toward the pit wall to give him a little privacy. Immediately, Kimi raised the phone to his ear, “Amore (love)? How are you feeling? I heard you were sick. Are you staying hydrated?”

He gets cut off hearing you giggle lightly before descending into a light coughing fit. He smiled lightly for a second before growing concerned once again when he heard you cough. “Slow down, liebe (love). I am feeling better, just a few coughs here and there.”

“That didn’t sound like ‘a few coughs here and there,’” He mocked lightheartedly but in all seriousness.

“That’s because you triggered it,” you laughed again. This time, able to hold back the coughs, just needing to clear your throat before you talk again. “I promise, I’m doing better. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“As long as you’re feeling better,” He sighed, knowing you’re alright now. Off to the side, he sees his race engineer looking for him, so he realizes that he needs to wrap up the call with you to race. “Keep resting, amore. I have to go race now, but I’ll call you after, I promise.”

“I’ll be watching, liebe,” you smiled to yourself, and Kimi could hear it too. “Good luck, Kimi. Give the phone back to my dad, please?”

With that, he walked up to Toto again to hand him the phone before disappearing with his engineer. Toto raised the phone, chuckling lightly at Kimi’s rush as he greeted his daughter.

“Can I be on the first flight out? I feel better.”

Kimi had a horrible sprint race. He was already starting in 10th because he was on pole for the feature race, but he became collateral damage in a fight between a couple of cars further back. It was the last lap too! They were all outside the points, so there really was no point in racing that hard. However, that’s what happened.

He did his best to hide his disappointment as he walked past the engineers to the driver’s room he shared with Ollie, who was already there because of a tire blowout from one of the earlier laps. Kimi started changing out of his race suit and into his normal clothes, just wanting to sleep the race off.

“Your phone went off a few minutes ago,” Ollie said, breaking the silence and catching Kimi’s attention as he threw a Mercedes shirt over his head. “And don’t blame yourself. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus, it’s not like this race mattered. You already won the championship, we won the team championship, and you have a seat for next year.”

“Thanks, Ollie, but that’s not the point,” Was he lying? Partly, but there was some truth. He was upset at the race result, but he was also still slightly bummed that you were not there. Thinking of you, he wanted to call you.

Kimi looked through his bag for his phone, finding it with no problems. He noticed the number of notifications, but the only one that mattered to him was the one from you. It was a few minutes prior and it read, “I’m so sorry liebe! That crash was nasty, I hope you’re okay. I just took more medicine, so I might be asleep by the time you finish post-race media. I’ll call you when I wake up. Ich liebe dich (I love you).”

He sent a quick response, telling you he was alright and he loved you. Then, he went about the rest of his day. And the rest of his night. And the next morning. At that point, he started getting nervous again since you were not responding again. What kind of medicine were you taking that knocked you out for 12 hours, he thought.

He wanted to go back to your parents again, but the feature race prep was different compared to the sprint. He did not have the same break he did with the sprint. Ever since he got to the track, he was warming up and prepping for the final race. He was nervous given the result the day before. He did not want to end the season on a double DNF, especially when he was going to get an F1 seat the following season in a Mercedes. He had to score well in the race.

If he had found a way to get to the Mercedes garage, he would have seen you sitting with your brother while your parents had a last-minute meeting. And if Kimi had been in any other starting position, he would have seen you walk into the Prema garage with Jack. Pole position was different though because they needed to do more interviews and promo pictures. If Kimi could have seen around his car from his grid box, he would have seen you sitting on the pit wall.

The race started without a hitch, Kimi was back in his groove, and it was clear to see that he was confident in his moves again. Sure, he was not fighting anyone for position, but there were a couple of times when he had to defend. He did so perfectly, and it made people wonder if the sprint race was just a one-off day for him. It was all worth it when he crossed the finish line first again.

The team immediately ran to Parc Ferme to wait for the cars as they scored a Prema 1-2. Kimi pulled into the first spot, Ollie into the second, and Victor in the third. Ollie and Victor jumped out of their cars immediately, running to their teams, but Kimi took a minute. This win should have felt good, especially after the disaster that was the sprint race, but it didn’t.

It was fun to win, but he was going to have to jump out of the car and celebrate with his team. Just his team. This is the first race you were not going to be there celebrating with him, and he would rather delay the inevitable.

You could feel his hesitance to get out of the car, so you handed Jack over to your parents as you pulled up your mask and pushed through the people to get to the gate. You got there relatively easily considering you went through the Prema team, and they knew you would be the first person he’d want to see.

Kimi finally climbed out and stood on top of his car, posing for the camera momentarily. Then, his attention shifted to his team, and he froze. You were there! He’d recognize those eyes anywhere! Of course, you made it. He jumped off of the car and flung himself over the barrier to wrap you in his arms.

“You made it. I can’t believe you made it,” He whispered over and over, not even bothering to question if you could hear him through his helmet. That’s when he remembered, so he pulled back to take his helmet and balaclava off as well as his gloves. He put the back of his hand against your forehead to check your temperature, causing you to laugh. “Don’t laugh at me! I’m seeing if you’ve got a fever.”

“I’m all good, my fever broke yesterday,” You consoled as you pulled his hand off of your forehead to hold it as you kissed his cheek through your mask. “I’m all good. The mask is just a precaution.”

“Screw precaution, I wanna kiss you,” Kimi whined as he pulled the mask down to give you a long kiss. Despite not actually hearing it, the team all started clapping and F1 TV definitely got a good shot of you two. When he pulled away, he put the mask back on for you as he leaned his head against yours. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“You couldn’t keep me away even if you tried,” You whispered back, leaning up to bump your nose against his, “I’ll always find a way to be here for you.”

~~~~~

#andrea kimi antonelli x reader #andrea kimi antonelli #kimi antonelli x reader #kimi antonelli #kimi x reader #formula 2 x reader #formula 2 imagine #formula 2 #f2 x reader #f2 imagine #f2 #mercedes amg petronas #bad268 #ship268 #thing268

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mendeshoney · 9 months

Note

pyrrhic with your choice of man 😘

this is screaming "more angst" at me so again, you've all been warned

"pyrrhic - won at too great a cost" with vince dunn

They'd won.

They'd won the fucking Cup. The whole god damn thing.

He'd won it again. A second time.

Two time Stanley Cup Champion Vince Dunn.

While it had a nice ring to it, and while a part of him felt the victory, felt the will to celebrate, there was an even greater part of him that felt like ultimately, he lost.

"I hope it's worth it," you had told him all those weeks ago, when the playoffs were gearing up and he just felt like being with you was too much to handle - 'added unnecessary bullshit' to his plate, were the words he believed he spat at you. "I hope you make it, Vince. I really do. I hope you win it all, I hope you get to enjoy it a second time, and I hope it's worth it."

Except, it isn't.

He wonders belatedly if you knew it wouldn't be, if that's why you said it.

Even as he hoists the cup over his head and takes his victory lap around the ice, even as he sees the happy faces of his teammates, their staff, his family and friends in the stands, that fact that your face isn't among them makes this all incredibly bittersweet.

"Hell yeah Dunner!"

"Hell yeah!" He screams back as he hands the cup off to Adam, resuming his spot beside his team.

He plays along as he gets pulled to do an interview and then another, skates into place for the team photo, celebrates with everyone's families and friends when they're all finally allowed onto the ice, shouts victoriously under champagne showers, and joins along with the team when everyone sings along to "Lithium" by Nirvana when they actually shower.

But he's still...empty. Still so hollow inside that he can't bear to stay with his family and friends when he meets back up with them in the tunnel.

He misses you so much.

You should be here, be here with him, celebrating with him and his mom, celebrating with him and the team. You should be in his arms, should be the one thing he wants to hold when the Cup isn't in his hands.

You should be here.

And it's his fault that you're not.

"I just can't do this," he had said, the words replaying in his mind on a torturous loop. "This is too much."

"I'm not asking you for anything Vince," you had insisted.

"You are!" He had exclaimed, gesturing a hand at the space between you. "This is adding unnecessary bullshit to my plate, and I don't need it right now. I need to focus."

You had blinked at him, and he nearly fucking crumbled when you took a step back, a step away from him, but he had been so mad, just so angry and frustrated that he didn't do anything about it.

"I see." You had said, and it was the last thing you had said before giving him your parting words and leaving him in his place, alone, taking your bags and your battered heart with you.

The image plays in his head on repeat as realization settles in.

What the fuck have I done?

Vince promises the guys he's just heading home to grab something before joining them to celebrate at the club, but really, he drives straight to you.

He doesn't know if you're awake. You live with your best friend in a small two bedroom house in Beacon Hill, and though he hasn't been by in the nearly two month duration of the playoffs, he'd made the drive hundreds of time at this point that he still avoided the pot hole that laid unpatched at the right turn toward your street.

When he pulls into his usual parking spot down the street, he can see the lights inside your house are off. But the porch light is on, and you're sitting out front with your best friend, who's got her arms wrapped around you as you cry into her embrace.

His heart aches.

Almost like she can sense him, your best friend looks up, scanning the street, and then she spots Vince in his car. She looks only half surprised, and then she's tipping her chin down a little, shaking her head.

Vince knows her enough to know what she's telling him.

"Don't," her expression reads. "You've done enough. Whatever you're here for, whatever you're here to fix, it's too late."

He wants to argue, wants to protest, wants to get out of this car and march down the street, onto your porch, and hold you in his arms, beg for your forgiveness, for the chance to fix what he broke.

But he doesn't. He can't. Not now, not when your best friend is looking at him like he'd committed murder.

So he swallows the lump in his throat, and drives away, avoiding the image of you crying into her arms in his rearview mirror at all costs.

#vince dunn #vince dunn x reader #writing challenge

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dodger-chan · 9 months

Text

Some untitled platonic stobin angst for you all, set in July of '85. Apologies and thanks to @sharpbutsoft; I'll write something happier next time.

(also on ao3, for those of you who prefer interacting with fics there)

“Not bad for a guy who didn’t realize gay people existed two weeks ago.”

Steve would have been annoyed that Robin thought he was that dumb, but really, he was too relieved she was able to joke about it. The day he’d gotten out of the hospital she’d been skittish. Like she’d thought he’d start hating her once the world went back to normal.

As if he could ever hate Robin.

“I knew gay people existed.” He still couldn’t roll his eyes without thinking he was going to puke, but he could use scorn. “I just didn’t think you could be gay.”

“Really?” She sounded surprised. “I mean, I know I’m not, you know, obvious, because I’ve never had ‘dyke’ painted on my locker or had other girls not want me in the locker room. But, I kind of feel like I should be? Or, not like people would know I’m gay immediately, but that it shouldn’t surprise them when they find out? Like, I’ve never dated a boy, and I don’t like to wear make-up, and my taste in clothes- Though I guess you only saw me in my Scoops uniform. Or only remembered me that way. But I’d literally just told you that I’d had a crush on a girl. Which, even without everything else, is kind of a dead giveaway.”

“True, no normal girl would like Tammy Thompson.” He was never going to let her live that crush down.

“First, the word is ‘straight.’ Don’t say ‘normal’ like that. It makes it sound like there’s something wrong with me.” Steve nodded. There was nothing wrong with Robin. Except her lack of self-confidence. And maybe her taste in women. But he could help her with those things. “Second, I had a crush on Tammy for like three months almost two years ago. I have pined hopelessly over plenty of other, much cooler girls since.”

“Anyone at the moment?” he asked. Robin glanced away from him, so yes, there was. “Okay, who is she?”

“Thirdly,” Robin ignored his question. “What did you mean I couldn’t be gay?”

Steve did not want to answer that.

“Whoever she is, she can’t be as lame as Tammy.” Steve really hoped Robin would let him change the subject. “Still not cool enough to date you, but-”

“Steve.” She wasn’t going to. “You think I’m not going to like your answer. It’s bad, is that it?”

“Yep.”

Robin took a breath.

“Okay. Well, whatever awful shit you thought in the past, you obviously don’t believe it anymore, right? So, bad or not, it doesn’t change where we are now.” Steve was pretty sure it could, or Robin wouldn’t be asking him. “Though, it’s not that you thought I was too pretty to be gay, right? Because that stereotype has always bothered me.”

“No! Not that you’re not pretty. Gorgeous, even. If I were your type, I’d still be totally into you.” Steve still was into her, but it was getting a bit less romantic every day. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, Dingus.”

“No, that’s why. Why I thought you had to be, you know,” normal, “straight.”

Robin frowned at him.

“You thought you couldn’t fall for a girl who couldn’t like you back?” she asked.

“Not exactly.”

“What then?”

“It’s hard to explain.” It barely made sense inside his own head. Putting it in words, making it all make sense to someone else might be impossible.

“Scoops burned down with the mall, Steve. I’ve got nowhere else to be until we get a new job.”

“Okay, well, you know how people say that gay couples don’t really love each other the way, um, straight ones do?”

“Yeah, and it’s complete and utter bullshit.”

Sure, Steve knew that now. But before Robin how was he supposed to learn any different?

“Right. But I’m an idiot, remember? So what I thought was that gay people were somehow unlovable. Not just romantically,” he explained. “Friends wouldn’t be able to love them either. Or their families. Everyone who was supposed to love them just couldn’t. Even if they tried. It wouldn’t be their fault, really, but-

“But I fell for you. It wasn’t just that you were beautiful. Or funny. Or smart. Or that you were there and didn’t hate me as much as you pretended to. I loved you enough to stop being all hung up over Nancy. And since I loved you-”

“I had to be straight.” Robin finished for him. “The logic’s sound-ish, but your premise is absurd. People aren’t unlovable, for one. Besides, wouldn’t that lead to people identifying gay kids early on? If a parent didn’t love their toddler, wouldn’t they want to know why?”

“Maybe. But it’s not like it’s something they’d talk about. What parent is going to admit they don’t love their kid before it’s obvious to everyone else who the problem is?” Robin scowled at him. It was a scowl that said she didn't like his answer, not that she thought he was wrong. He liked that he could tell the difference.

“You’re such a weirdo, Dingus.” Robin leaned her head against his shoulder. Gently, careful not to jostle him. “How did anyone ever think you were normal? Did we just know you were good at basketball and never listen to anything you said?”

“I’m better at swimming.” He also hadn’t said much at school. Talked a lot, sure. Or, at least, as much as everyone else.

“Yeah, yeah. And you can talk to girls without stuttering and chug beer while doing a headstand. All hail King Steve and his perfect hair. We payed so much attention to you that we didn’t pay any at all.” He’d never thought of it that way. “And we overlooked how weirdly your brain works.”

“If it works at all,” he said, with a soft laugh.

“It works fine,” Robin disagreed. “Just, kind of backwards? Or sideways, maybe? I mean, you thought gay people were unlovable when pretty much everyone else thinks we don’t love at all.”

“Don’t love? But that’s clearly stupid.” Steve didn’t think he’d ever heard a dumber idea and he’d spent most of his life hanging out with Tommy H. and Carol. “Loving someone is easy. It’s like a layup.”

“Some people are bad at basketball, Steve.” That was fair. Dustin would probably have trouble with a layup. He might even have trouble dribbling. “Is it really easier to think people are unlovable than to think some people might be bad at loving?”

There was a pulsing sound in Steve’s ears. He wasn’t sure if it was from his headache or his heartbeat.

“I never had trouble loving people.” It was almost an admission. He didn’t think he could get any closer.

“Oh, Steve.” Robin was smart. She could hear what he hadn’t said.

#stranger things #steve harrington #robin buckley #platonic stobin #short ficlet #my fic

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felice-jaganshi · 1 month

Text

My Fallen Apple

Lucifer X Reader

Chapter 3

It's been a week, and you've been texting Lucifer every day since you left. You sometimes send him selfies with your friends or new places around heaven, and he does the same, sort of introducing you to the seven sins and the other rings through the pictures. It's a great time, really!

But now comes the hard part. You told your friends you had a “secret date” with someone and refused to say who. You also told them not to worry if you didn't answer anything till the next morning, as that just meant the date went really good.

You made your way to where Adam had shoved you off before. You thankfully had managed to avoid him for the week. He was apparently “very busy” with higher angel stuff, not that you cared.

You took a deep breath, making sure your phone and backpack were secure before taking the leap!

You were free falling for a majority of the fall, pulling out your wings only when the castle was in sight. But before you could get too close something like a white missile came zooming up to meet you!

“You came! You really came back!” It was Lucifer, he'd come up to meet you halfway. He looked stunning, his wings out and on display. You can't help staring.

“wow… I've never seen someone with six wings before! Everyone I know has two or four.” He chuckled and danced around you in the air, showing off.

“Well, I am the strongest angel ever created by the OG big man himself.” You giggle at his antics, he was such a charmer. Suddenly you find yourself scooped into his arms, “come on, I got something really cool to show you!”

You tuck in your wings and let him carry you around. He opened a portal and flew through. “Now, normally human souls can't go to the other rings, but since I'm literally the king , I can get you special exceptions to go anywhere at all, as long as you're with me.”

He smiled, it had a smugness to it. Pride. But it was different from when Adam was being prideful and showing off, this time it was endearing and charming. Rather than obnoxious and irritating.

Next thing you knew, he was landing in front of a fancy restaurant. “A good friend of mine runs the place. I booked us a reservation.” As you entered there was sensual music playing and demons everywhere. But really, they didn't look that much different from angels. Other than a darker color palette on average.

As you were seated, almost immediately a giant demon made mostly of blue fire rushed over to your table!

“Luci, baby! Oh it's been so long since you dined at my place!” He scooped the king up in his arms and squished him to his chest, rocking back and forth and looking so happy!

“Oh come on Ozzy! Has it really been that long?!” He laughed, and hugged back. Ozzy frowned and set him back down.

“Yes. Ever since you and She had a fight here, you haven't been back. That was 30 years ago, luci.” You hide behind the menu while this back and forth occurs. Another demon suddenly comes up behind you and grabs your chair, leaning over you and looking upside down! You drop the menu and try not to scream from surprise.

“And who's this little cutie? Is she the one who finally got you to leave pride and visit all of us?” His voice was raspy and he looked like a clown.

“Hi… I'm-” before you can say your name, he turns your chair, making you spin round in circles for a bit.

Lucifer smiled, “yeah she is, my new best friend.”

Ozzy gasped, “new best friend? Am I being replaced?!”

“Hey hey, no! Buddy! You're my brother, all, well, 5 of you are my family! I love you guys! She's just the newest addition to that family. That's all.” He then smiled at you. You were so dizzy you could hardly hold his gaze. “Yo Fizz, I think you overdid it.”

Fizzarolli looked you over, “oops. Sorry babe, you alright? No hurling on me now.” He made his way back to Ozzy's shoulders.

“I'll… be fine. Just gimme a second.” You take a few seconds to reorient yourself and take a sip of water before smiling at him. “All good.” He smiled back at you.

“Good, I hope this isn't too much for you. This is only your second time hanging out with me.”

“Hm, only second time and you brought her to my place? Luci, you certainly do move fast! And I thought I was the master of lust~.” He teased Lucifer, then went to your side. “Thanks for getting him out of the house sweetheart, we owe you a big one.” His voice was really sweet and he placed a warm hand in the middle of your shoulders.

“It's been a pleasure to know him. Did you say you're the master of lust? Would that make you…”

“Asmodeus, the sin of lust, at your service baby girl.” He winked. “Would you like any recommendations for dinner? I can tell you all of Luci's favorites.”

“Oh, sure.” You were a little nervous now. “I'm not used to being anywhere this fancy. I feel like I'm underdressed for this kind of place…”

“Oh honey, don't worry about that. You're literally here with a king. You can get away with anything when you're with him .”

_______

After dinner, Lucifer took you back to his castle and you looked at more duckies together.

When he turned his back, an impulse came to mind. Hide in the pile of ducks. And well, why the hell not?

“Oh and this one- Becca? Hello?” He looked around and didn't see you. He then heard a squeak from your pile as you accidentally squish a duck. He grins, his voice going low, “oh my, looks like i got a rogue angel to hunt down.” He then chuckled and you felt butterflies in your gut. Oh no, why was that hot?!

The next thing you know, he's diving into the pile of ducks! He quickly finds you and you're now pinned beneath him, “So, what was the plan from here? Wait for me to leave so you can run around my palace unsupervised?” He smiled like the cat that caught the canary and tilted his head to the side.

“Um… there wasn't really a plan. Just sounded like a fun thing to do.” You were blushing and nervous, you placed your hands on his shoulders, not sure if he'd try to make a move or not. Would you even be upset if he did? He seems to suddenly become aware of your positions as you touch him. He pulls back quickly!

“Oh, whoops! Sorry Becca, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.” He adjusted his tie nervously, standing up. You get up as well.

“I'm not uncomfortable Luci. But, if you wanted today to be a date, you should have said so. I would have dressed nicer.” He looks shocked by your words, a blush forming on his cheeks.

“No no no no!” He waves his hands dramatically before pointing to his ring. “I- I just wanted you to meet my friends! I'm totally married!” He was panicking now.

“But your wife has been missing for seven years?” You have to ask, “Did she take your daughter with her?” He sighed and shook his head.

“No, Charlie is an adult doing her own thing, that's all. And lilith… She and I… I don't know anymore. She promised me forever, and I want to believe this is just a rough patch and we'll get through it but… she hasn't even spoken to Charlie all this time either…” He looked more upset by that than her leaving him.”

You give him another hug, “mind if I stayed the night? I brought a change of clothes and a toothbrush. I wanna spend more time with you.” He hugs back.

“Yeah, I have a guest room you can stay in.”

#hazbin hotel #lucifer morningstar #fallen angel #fallen apple #lucifer x reader #lucifer magne #fizzarolli #helluva boss ozzie #fizzarozzie

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yourgaeyisshowing · 3 months

Text

Chronically Ill Truths

Fibromyalgia

Larissa x Wife!Reader

Chronically Ill Truths

Fibromyalgia - Larissa x Reader

Chronically Ill Truths

Fibromyalgia - Larissa x Reader

It was truly the worst time of year for you. The warm summer days that eased your joints in the early sun were fading and the chill of fall was setting in. You knew a flair was coming on when you went to bed the night before, but when you woke up it was so much worse. You kept a bin next to the bed for bad pain days, and today was no exception. Rolling over your joints ached and cracked as you're swollen hands quickly reached for the bin. Retching almost painfully, you felt your hair being moved from your face and a soft hand rubbing circles on your back. Once you were finished the bin was removed from your shaking hands and taken care of quickly. You could hear the water running in the tub and the smell tea followed.

“Come darling, let's try to get a head of this and ease the symptoms while the needs kick in.” Larissa said sweetly, handing you your purple cane and helping to steady you on your feet. This woman was your rock, and you loved her. When you first came to Nevermore as an English teacher you only had mild symptoms, now 5 years later you were happily married to Larissa and together you co-taught your classes allowing you to still work and enjoy your passion even with your disability. The worst of your symptoms started two years ago, it was just a lot of swelling and aches. Now it was full blown flair ups, that sometimes lasted for days and on the rare occasion a week or more.

When a bad flare would start, Larissa would help start an IV of fluids to help ease your symptoms and push Your meds if you needed them. She was insistent that she learned how to do it, so that you could have them at home instead of the hospital. After a soak in the hot epsom salt bath and a cup of ginger tea she helped you dress in something comfortable and settled you back in bed. Starting one of your IVs she asked if you wanted some pain meds to help, you nodded and were grateful for her help and dedication. “Riss, I think I'm going to need my compression wraps” you told her, admitting defeat to the hell they were. She handed them to you and prepped your meds before pushing them through your IV and flushing it. After getting one leg wrapped in the tight compression wrap, you were exhausted. Handing her the other she took it without complaint and wrapped your other leg for you. The relief was worth the trouble of these stupid things, but you didn't care right now. “Can I have some Zofran please?” You asked, still feeling nauseous. She gave you a quick kiss and retrieved the minty tasting pill for you before placing it on your tongue to dissolve. After she did she set the flow rate on your IV and climbed into bed next to you. It only took about 5 minutes before you were so tired you couldn't hold your eyes open anymore. The fatigue set in and you easily succumbed to it.

When you woke it was midday and Larissa was gently stroking your cheek. “Hello darling, I brought you something to eat. It's time for some more meds too. You noticed she replaced your IV bag with a new one and it was on a very slow drip. Smiling, you thanked her and ate as much as you could of the cheese on toast and tomato soup she made you. “I have your pain meds as well as some anti inflammation meds and some more Zofran for you if you want it. I noticed you were perking in your sleep a bit too so I grabbed your spasm medication too.” She set the different syringes of meds down on your nightstand as she sat on the edge of the bed. “What would I do without you? You could have fallen in love with someone normal, and instead here you are taking care of me.” She almost looked hurt at your words. “Darling I married you because I love you, that means all of you. Good, bad and ugly.” You leaned forwards and gave her a soft kiss before settling back on the pillows again as you watched her push your meds again and flush your IV for you.

The day went on with lots of love and patience from your wife. You were blessed that she was compassionate with you, always making sure if you needed her she was there for you. You dropped your mobility aids and she would pick them up without question. And even during the night she would feel you start to get up and would wordlessly come around to your side of the bed and help you to your feet. She never complained, you hated how much like a burden you felt. She would just scoff and give you a kiss and tell you how much she loved you and that you were never a burden to her.

One of the things you most loved was how much she came to bat for you with your doctors, none of them seemed to take you seriously thinking you were just another drug seeker. She would tear each one a new one and bring your medical binder to slam in their faces if need be. She kept a detailed record of everything for you, calming her own anxieties in doing so keeping it all put together as fine as her updo. One doctor made the mistake of telling you on one of your bad days that it was all in your head and to try meditation. That was a mistake. “You mean to tell me that the pain, tears, swelling of her joints and other various symptoms are just a figment of her imagination? Well if that’s the case I’d rather like to take my stiletto to your ass and see how you think that imagination feels!” you still giggle over the memory of that poor doctor's face when Larissa was done with him. She could be down right scary when it came to the ones she loved. She was your lover, protector, wife, and blessed caregiver, and you loved her with everything you had in you.

Your students were also very loving and compassionate to you, they were always eager to help around the classroom and stay after class to help you prep if you needed it. You and Larissa thought of them like your own and had become mother figures to most of them. Your disability and adversity to it was the reason one particular girl came to you and Larissa with her own issues showing signs of the same chronic disease that plagued you. When you found out she had worthless parents, Larissa and yourself were determined to make sure Amara got the care she needed so she could thrive. When the diagnosis came back true, she cried and cried. That was when she told you she had lived with the pain for six years, her parents accusing her of attention seeking. Larissa made sure her medicine was picked up like clockwork every month personally and she had your cell numbers if she needed you anytime day or night.

There were a few times she was unable to go to class and would spend time in Larissa’s office doing make up work or homework under a heated blanket with a cup of hot cocoa. The girl thrived after she was given the help she needed. Her grades improved and she graduated in the top of her class, that was two years ago now. She stayed at nevermore as a dark arts teacher, and when she got married to a lovely gorgon boy a few months ago, her own parents decided they wouldn’t be attending. She didn’t mind though, because she walked down the aisle with pride having both of you on her arms guiding her and giving her away. This is what love was. This was acceptance. She was so worried that she would have a flair the day of the celebration and wouldn’t be able to enjoy it, you remember it like it was yesterday. Kneeling down to her eyes where she sat, you spoke softly.

“Your disability doesn’t define you, anyone who thinks it does can go to hell. You are strong and just as able as any other girl, your mum and I will be there with you and will hold you up if we need to, just like we did when you walked the stage at your graduation. You will never be alone my love, you have us to lean on when your own feet can’t hold you up.”

*********

My Groupies: @aemilia19 @lostmyotheraccount @shyladyfan @dingdongthetail @barbarasstar @maxfanartfan @no-phrogs-in-hats @weemssapphic @cissyenthusiast010155

#larissa weems #gwendoline christie #gwendolineuniverse #principal weems #larissa weems x reader #larissa x y/n #wednesday #larissa x wife!reader #chronically ill #chronic pain #chronic illness #fibromyalgia #Chronic ill truths

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cosmicpearlz · 1 year

Text

under the mistletoe

summary: you friends decided enough was enough and had a plan to set you guys up together.

pairing: ajax petropolus x reader

day 2 of ficmas (december 20th, 2022)

…………………………………………………………………………….

you and ajax had a history of being the best friends that nobody could tell if you were dating or simply just friends. from lingering touches to you sitting on his lap at almost every party to pet names and even long hugs that ‘just friends’ don’t do. the friend group was planning on how to get you guys to confess to each other and the upcoming christmas party was definitely the perfect time.

it was an ugly sweater christmas party held at xavier’s house. of course, everyone had to wear an ugly sweater well except wednesday. she had threatened to murder enid when the girl tried to get her to put on the christmas sweater. wednesday didn’t even really want to go but enid had practically begged her to go and to get her to shut up, she reluctantly agreed to go.

“hi guys! sorry i’m late, the traffic was nuts,” you walked in to greet everyone with a smile. upon hearing your voice, ajax snapped his head up at the door completely forgetting the conversation he was in with kent.

“baby! i missed you,” the gorgon stands to meet you and pull you into hug. you felt yourself melt into his arms like you always did. he tended to have the feeling over you.

“you just saw me last week when school went on winter break.”

“a week too long. come, let’s get you some hot chocolate, yeah?” you nodded at the boys words and let him lead you by hand to the kitchen.

“that was a dreadful sight. why must they always be like that?” wednesday muttered to herself and enid nudged her arm to knock it off.

“enid, i’m just pointing out the obvious. it’s quite disgusting.”

“okay, do we know which doorway we’re hanging up the mistletoe on?” bianca quickly glanced at the two of you who were clearly in your own worlds before leaning in to whisper.

“yes. it’s the doorway before you go into the music room. that’s where we’ll do the white elephant game because the tree is in there. but remember, they must be the last to come in!” xavier reminded everyone and wordlessly everyone nodded along. the boy was pretty excited to help his best friend get his girl officially. when you and ajax walked back to the couches in the living room, they acted like nothing happened.

“so, what did we miss?” ajax took his previous seat guiding you to sit on his lap.

“nothing much besides how much fun white elephant was gonna be,” yoko didn’t understand how you guys didn’t even pay attention to anyone else but each other.

“oh yes! i’m so excited because i think i brought the best gift.”

“what’d you bring babe?” you looked at him while shaking your head.

“as if i would tell you,” ajax chuckled and placed a delicate kiss to your cheek.

“dinners ready!” xavier’s mom called out to the group of you from the dining room. everyone gets up to go to sit at the table. xavier’s mom decided to give you guys the space and not bother. his dad nowhere to be found, probably at work. xavier stopped relaying on his dad a while ago.

you went to sit next to ajax when xavier swooped in and sat in the seat. immediately following Kent sat in the other seat that was next to him. with furrowed brows, you walked around the table sitting across from him next to wednesday. you were a little upset that you didn’t get to physically sit next to the boy but hide it well. silently the group nodded once more to start the plan.

“so y/n, remember that guy patrick? the one from math class,” yoko smirked watching the way ajax’s jaw clenched. bingo, first indicator of jealousy.

“i mean yeah, what exactly about him?”

“he just was interested in you. i told him i’d mention it to you,” bianca sent you a smile while you suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“oh i’m just not interested in him. i’m sorry.”

“but you are single, right? why not just give it a shot?”

“enid she’s not interested,” ajax was quick to answer for you. he didn’t want to lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him. he’d think he would lose his mind if you were no longer in his life.

“i’m just saying,” enid shrugged her shoulders, “just think about it y/n.”

the rest of the dinner was quiet, the group had gotten you guys right where they wanted you. they could see ajax almost burst out the confession. step two was next.

“so everyone, white elephant is gonna take place in the music. c’mon,” as soon as xavier said that everyone was quick to get up. you’d almost laughed at them practically running to the room.

“you think they have something planned babe?” ajax whispered walking over to you helping you get up.

“honestly, i think they do. i mean i couldn’t sit next to you and the whole patrick situation,” you sighed throwing your hands up.

“are you gonna talk to patrick after break?” the boy was nervous to hear your answer but he needed to know even if his heart was currently thumping.

“what? absolutely not. i’m interested in someone else,” you looked down and smiled thinking about the boy standing right next to you. all ajax could hope was that you return those feelings he felt for you.

the walk to the music room was a short walk. when you got to the doorway, you noticed everyone had gotten quiet all of sudden. some staring and some smirking.

“hey ajax and y/n look up,” kent pointed up at the door. looking up you both found mistletoe neatly tape.

“it’s a christmas tradition. you wouldn’t want to break christmas traditions, right?” xavier faked the innocent smile he had. ajax turned to look at you with slightly warm cheeks.

“we don’t have to do this sweetheart.”

“what if i wanted to?” you gazed at him with a smile. instantly his hands were placed on your cheeks tilting your head more up before locking his lips with yours. finally, after years he’s kissing you. the kiss becomes a little more aggressive as ajax slides one arm around your waist pushing you more into him. you were careful not to mess up his beanie while your heads landed on his face.

“you guys are disgusting. this is unnecessary,” wednesday cold voice made you both step away from each other.

“well? are you guys finally together?! we set this whole thing up even down to talking about patrick,” enid almost couldn’t contain the squeal that came out of her mouth.

“oh so that’s what was going on?”

“yeah ajax, we knew it would make you jealous. got sick of seeing you guys act like a couple but saying you were just friends. so.. now what?” xavier asked his best friend hoping this plan the group had changed everything for the better.

ajax takes one glance at you and tighten the hold on your waist, “i’d say she’s officially my girl now.”

“yup, this sweet boy is officially mine,” you bring a hand to cover the little laugh you let out. you then guided the two of you to the floor where your friends were sitting in a circle and sat down in between his legs.

“okay let’s start the game!”

#ajax petropolus x reader #wednesday #georgie farmer #ajax petropolus

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earth616variant · 1 year

Text

mama, it's cap | steve rogers

summary | Your daughter only knows one Captain America and it's definitely not Steve Rogers.

words | 2k

genres | angst, fluff, parents au, exes au, second chance au

pairing | steve rogers x reader

warnings | -

notes | i'll give the uncles their own drabble later. for now, this is mostly steve's perspective. let me know your thoughts! reblogs and comments are very much appreciated :)

main masterlist | series masterlist

“Steve, man, you need to relax.”

Sam tapped on Steve’s shoulder, noticing how stiff his posture is in front of the mirror. After years of being Steve’s teammate and close friend, Sam already witnessed how fearless he is. But now, for the first time, he can actually see their former leader being tensed. Not because of another outer space purple alien or battle to face, but because he is going to meet someone special today.

“What if she’ll hates me?” Steve asked, looking back to Sam with worry written all over his face.

“Are we talking about Sandy or Y/N?” Sam quipped. But the reaction on his friend’s face didn’t change at all. He crossed his arms, “Look, Steve. They won’t hate you. Sandy is the nicest kid I know. Bucky even calls her sunshine. She’s friendly and kind to everyone. She rarely showed any dislike for anyone or anything. I’m sure everything will go smoothly later.”

“How about–”

“Yeah, I know she ran away the moment she saw you.” Sam rolled his eyes. “But can you blame her?”

Steve didn’t answer. He remembered that rainy night he saw you for the first time after coming back. He already anticipated anger from you since he was the one who asked for a break-up after their time-travel mission and battle with Thanos. But what was unexpected was the little girl, who was hiding behind your leg, that you referred to as your daughter before pausing in shock. Before he can even say anything more, you immediately left with the kid as you blink away the tears he noticed.

Alone, confused, and drenched in the rain. He stood there as your bus left. He didn’t understand everything that happened. Just like how Bruce explained to him a day ago that it had already been five years since he left. He was staying alone in Banner’s free apartment in the city ever since he came back and just a few hours after he saw you again, Sam and Bucky are both standing at his door, still in uniform.

And man, it was not a happy reunion. The duo was surprised to see him. Sam’s open mouth almost reached the floor while Bucky glared at him, jaw clenched. Sam did all the talking and explained that they just came from a mission when they heard that he is back. He willingly answered questions Steve had. Except for one.

“She was pregnant when you left.”

With his arms crossed over his chest, Bucky told him coldly. Silence took over the whole apartment after that. Steve had to process everything in his head while his two friends watched. The kid, the one who was with you. She’s mine. Mine. It repeated over and over again. The regret, questions, confusion, and surprise are all mixed in.

“Steve, I know that this is a lot. But we’ll help you.” Sam tried to assure him, even tagging the seemingly mad Bucky along, “Right, Bucky?”

His best friend answered with a single nod. They did help him. Steve moved out from Bruce’s to Bucky’s apartment unit since he had an extra room. Sam would join them every day because he was the only one who talks. He took over the couch. At the end of the week, he learned a lot of stories about your pregnancy and even Sandy. His heart already swells with stories about her and he started to yearn for meeting her. Also, he wants to talk to you ever since he came back.

Finally, exactly a week since that rainy night, Sam told Steve that you are open for him to meet Sandy.

“That’s her house. The blue one.” Sam pointed out as he drives closer to it.

Your house…is something familiar to Steve’s memory. It was a single-family home, not too far from the city. You have a beautiful front yard and he can notice the colorful chalk doodles on your cement walkway, obviously drawn by a little kid.

“You know, this house, she bought it herself as soon as she learned she was pregnant. We were surprised. But she said she’s been saving up for this.” Sam shared as they walked to the pathway.

Steve nodded quietly, he knows. You and Steve already planned on buying a home just like this before. Everything was already planned out. The kids, pets, every design and furniture to be put in the house. You two already imagined it before while cuddling together on the brown couch in your old apartment.

‘WeLCoME!’

A word is written before your front door with the last letter written in a mirrored way. He smiled, reading it. Sam clicked on the doorbell and Steve tried to stay calm, shifting his weight from one foot to another. He held on to the gift bags he brought. He thought of buying something for this day after he heard stories.

Suddenly, they heard hurried footsteps inside the house. It was followed by an excited voice, “Mama, they’re here! They are here!”

As if that’s not enough to soothe Steve, he heard a familiar, heartwarming chuckle, “I know, I know, love! Don’t open the door. Wait for mama!”

Sam looked back at Steve and gave him a soft pat on his arm. He exhaled and tried to smile. Hopefully, the butterflies in his stomach calm down. A few seconds later, the door slowly opened and all the butterflies started playing around again when he sees you standing there. You swiftly glanced from him to Sam and his heart never relaxed again. You were about to greet them when someone cuts you off.

“Mama, it’s Cap!”

His heart skips as he heard the excitement in your child’s voice behind you. Her baby blue eyes scream for joy as she ran in his direction with open arms. Expecting a warm embrace, Steve watched with the broadest smile. Until she passed by him like a chilly wind blow, he turned his head and saw Sandra hugging Sam, who chuckles as he lifted her in his arms.

“Uh-oh! Looks like you are growing up really fast, Sandra. I might not be able to carry you next time I go here.”

The little kid giggled, “That’s lilly. You’re Captain America! You can do anything!”

Steve tried to tear his eyes away, looking down at his feet. Of course, he will run to Sam. He is the Captain America for five years now. And you, who stood before them, watched as all of it happened. You quickly spotted Steve’s expression transitioning from Sarah running towards them, passing by him, and jumping to her favorite uncle. Steve meets your eyes and you can read the mixture of sadness and frustration in his eyes. You broke eye contact and cleared your throat,

“You guys should come inside. Sandy and I are going to do something.” you feigned excitement as you talk to your daughter.

“Baking! We’re baking ‘nick-uh-toodles!” Sandra stutters adorably. She didn’t even give a pinch of attention to Steve, only talking to Sam.

“Is that so? Then, we should go inside!”

Sam carefully let down Sandra from his arms. She easily pulled his hand inside your house, leaving you and Steve alone. You looked at Steve with the plainest look he has ever seen from you. He swore that he prepared words to say to you but just by your stare, it was all gone. You pursed your lips.

“She meant snickerdoodles. We’re working with her s.” you clarified awkwardly. “Come on in?”

“Yeah, sure..” he mumbled before stepping into your home. He waited for you to close the door before handing you the bags. “Uh, I bought these. Sam said she loves them.”

“Oh, yeah… Thanks. But you should give it to her later, personally. I’ll introduce you to her.” you said carefully before walking ahead of him.

Steve followed behind you. He cannot help but travel his eyes around your house. A couple of picture frames were displayed on the wall. One has a colorful doodle that he assumes was Sandy’s masterpiece. Next to it is an image of an infant sleeping in a bassinet. And lastly, there was a seemingly recent snap of you and Sandy in matching pastel blue sundresses. Both are pretty and all smiley.

“Sandy, come here first,” you called her as you entered the kitchen with the former Captain America catching up behind you.

She was sitting on the kitchen island so she had to turn to Sam to help her, “Thank you, Cap.”

And Steve would be lying if he say that it didn’t cause another crack in his heart. Steve watched as you slowly got down to her level when she stood in front of you.

“Sandra, I want you to meet someone. Okay?” you began softly and Sandy replied with a curious nod. You signaled your head to Steve, asking him to come closer. He copied you and almost kneel to your daughter’s height. “Uh… This is Steve.”

You paused, breathing in and out. Sandy took that short time to repeat the name, “‘Teve?”

Steve cannot help but let out a small, low chuckle. Not because she had troubles with her s, but hearing his name from her soft, tiny voice is one of the most amazing things he has ever heard in life.

“Yeah, love. Steve.” you forced a smile but he knows with the shaking of your voice that you are just stopping yourself from tearing up. “He… He is your father.”

“Like a daddy? Like Bella’s?” Sandra quickly picked up, relating the term to her best friend.

“Yes, you’re right!” you tried to sound cheery but the rim of your eyes is starting to get glossy. To turn Sandy’s attention away from you, you looked at him, “Right, Steve?”

Sandy moved her big, hopeful eyes to him while you quickly wipe away any tears. And Steve doesn’t know who the hell Bella is but he nods, matching the gentle energy you put in your tone, “Yes, Sandy. I’m your dad.”

Maybe Steve expected more. Like maybe a strong embrace. Like the one earlier with Sam when they were at the front door. But Sandy, being the purest person in the room, slowly showed a smile while looking at him, “Wow.”

Steve doesn’t want to get it wrong since she genuinely sounds amazed and maybe surprised. Like when a dazed kid sees a rainbow in the sky. It was a long, slow but stunning wow. Her icy-blue eyes sparkled more. It was the most beautiful pair Steve has seen other than yours. The more he looked at her small, adorable face, the more he feels pride inside of him seeing a mix of you and him.

“And I brought you a gift.” Steve continued, showing her the gift bags he have.

She immediately accepted the bags. But first, she looked at you for permission. “Mama?”

“You can open it, love. It’s yours!” you smiled.

As soon as her eyes peeked inside one of the bags, she squealed. Her small feet are even tapping on the ground. Both you and Steve watched in adoration.

She beamed, “Duckie!”

Her hands held a plushie of a yellow, chubby duck with very tiny orange feet. Steve bought it after Sam and Bucky told him how much Sandy loves anything with that animal. She hugged it in her arms, “I love it!”

At last, she took steps toward Steve. She wrapped her short arms around his neck, squishing the stuffed toy in between, “Thank you, ‘Teve!”

“Your welcome, sweetheart.” he laughed and hugged her back.

It was warm and heart-melting. Steve sees you putting on a small, tight smile before getting up. He hoped you’ll join in for the hug. But it’s fine. He knows he still has a lot of things to do and learn. He also needs to talk to you. It will take time but he’s willing to offer all of his to you and Sandy. But for now, this is good.

FILL IN THE BLANKS TAGLIST

@mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @evanswife1918 @moonshooter @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @haruvalentine4321 @hoodiesandicedcoffee @lilylovelyxo @marvelmenwhore

#steve rogers #steve rogers fic #steve rogers fluff #steve rogers angst #steve rogers au #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers fanfic #steve rogers fanfiction #chris evans #chris evans x reader #chris evans fic #chris evans angst #chris evans x you #steve rogers drabble #steve rogers exes au

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notgonnaedit · 22 days

Text

Ordon

Summary: When the Chain is sent through another portal, they end up in Twilight's home

Focus Link: Twilight

A/n: Art is mine. I played the Wii version of TP, so I'm gonna use that map as a reference, but Twi will have his clothes from the HD version

Master list

Twilight groaned as he landed face first in the dirt.

Traveling by portals was always risky, never knowing what time you'd end up in, and a mouth full of dirt was not the greatest introduction to a new time.

"Great, where are we this time?" Legend grumbled as he dusted himself off.

"No idea." Hyrule said. "But this forest is massive!"

Twilight examined his surroundings. They were standing in the middle of a forest. Tall trees surrounded them, and by the looks of it there was a faint, almost buried tile that lined where they were standing.

"Look at that tree!" Wind exclaimed.

Twilight turned around to see a Titan of a tree hanging over a cliff, the only way to reach it was a hollowed out root. He turned again to see a small shop manned by a colorful bird. If that was there, and that was over there...

"I think we're in my Hyrule." He said aloud.

"Are you sure?" Time asked as he looked around.

Twilight nodded with an energy he never showed. "I'm positive."

"Do you have a place we can stay?" Warriors asked.

Twilight nodded. "My house is about ten miles away, we'd better hurry if we wanna get there before dark."

He started walking south. Legend looked at Wild, who shrugged. Wild knew Twilight the best out of all of them, except Time. They followed their companion through the woods.

"I've never seen him so upbeat." Wild said. "He must've really missed home."

Legend nodded. "Can you blame him? He's been away for who knows how long and death was knocking at his door a few weeks ago." He shuddered at the memory of Twilight laying injured in bed. He was so pale and weak...

Meanwhile, Wind was bombarding Twilight with questions about his home.

"How big is your Hyrule? Will we get to see the goats you told us about? Are there kids in your village?"

Twilight chuckled. "Pretty big, yes, and yes, though they're much younger than you."

Soon they came to a large dip in the woods.

"What is this?" Sky asked. In all his travels, he'd never seen such a strange geographical area. The closest thing he could compare it too was the Sealed Grounds back in his time.

"There used to be a lake here from what I'm told." Twilight said as they walked through it. "But after the Twilight it was covered in a poisonous fog. It took years to disapate."

"What was your adventure like?" Four asked. "You never really talk about it."

Twilight grunted lightly and Time stepped in.

"He doesn't have to talk about it if he doesn't want to."

"No, it's fine." Twilight said. He memory of the day he was pulled into a divine plot made shivers run down his spine. It was a reminder of the day his best friend lost her memory, and of the day his companion left him forever. "It was a fairly normal day in Ordon, except that I was to deliver a sword to the Royal Family..." He told them his story. Everything from Ilia's memory loss to racing Yeto down the mountain.

Eventually they reached Faron Spring as the day started to turn to evening.

"Let's rest here." Twilight said. "We still got a while before we'll get there."

Hyrule splashed his face with the Spring water as everyone sat down.

"Is this the Spring where you learned you were the Chosen Hero?" Wild asked.

Twilight nodded. "He told me that the tunic I wear now was the one my ancestor wore in his journey." He glanced at Time who was observing the tall stones.

Warriors stretched his back. "The weight of these bags is killing me!"

Legend rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe you shouldn't have volunteered to take them, tough guy."

Twilight walked over to where the horse grass grew and picked it.

"What are you doing?" Four asked.

Twilight didn't answer as he brought the grass to his lips and blew. A gentle melody echoed through the wind, carrying it's song to the right ear.

"That's Epona's Song." Time said turning to him, a look of bewilderment on his face. He already knew that Twilight was his decendent, but his Hyrule was much different, so it had to be at least a century. Yet Epona's Song had survived just the same.

Just as he said it, a chestnut mare with a white mane cantered to Twilight, who stroked her nose affectionately.

He said to the group. "She can carry your loads for you."

Warriors gratefully attached his bag to Epona's saddle, as did the others.

"It won't hurt her, right?" Wind asked. He wasn't used to horses.

Twilight smiled. "No, she's a tough one."

"We should keep going," Four said. "Unless, we wanna set up camp for the night."

"No, thanks." Sky said.

Twilight's continued to lead the way through a cave, lantern in hand. "Be careful of the rats." He said. "They usually run away but sometimes they bite."

Eventually, they came to a long rope bridge where Twilight smiled. "This is it, after this we'll have entered Ordon Province." He pace quickened as they went.

"He's really excited." Wind noted.

They came across another Spring that Twilight slowed when he saw. He stared sadly at the peaceful scene. All of his worst memories had happened there. But then he saw something near the back of the spring and brightened.

"Why'd we stop?" Hyrule asked approaching his distracted comrade. It was then he noticed the young woman, around Twilight's age. She had short peachy blonde hair that fell just past her chin, and pale skin that seemed to glow faintly. Her back was turned to the group, but they could tell she was very beautiful.

Twilight took a step forward. "Ilia..."

The girl turned around, revealing her sage green eyes and petal shaped lips.

"Link?" Her face broke into a smile as she ran to Twilight. He ran to her as well and they embraced in a tight hug.

The others stared at him feeling puzzled. While most of them assumed this was Ilia, Twilight's childhood best friend, Time and Warriors had a feeling something else was connecting them.

The two friends pulled apart suddenly, and Ilia's smile turned to a scowl.

"Where have you been?! It's been three months, I've been worried!" She looked at Epona, who was standing near the Links. "Epona isn't hurt is she? Link, I swear, if you hurt her—"

Twilight chuckled lightly. "Relax, Ilia. Epona's fine, I'm here now. I've been traveling, with them..." He turned to look at his brothers. Most of them nodded in greeting, but a couple (Wind and Wild) smiled and waved vigorously.

Ilia looked at them curiously. They all shared the same build. Lean and strong. But they all looked different. Most has blue eyes like Link, but one had dark brown and another grey. One thing was for sure, they were all connected.

"I see." She said softly.

Twilight looked between his best friend and his brothers, speaking to both. "How about we go to my house. I'll explain it all there."

~~~~~~~~

Time watched Twilight and Ilia catch up as the younger hero led the way to his home. The two had a strong bond, no doubt about that, but there was something else he noticed. A look air of protectiveness had surrounded Twilight. Sure, he was always protective of his friends, but with Ilia it had increased.

"Is this your house?" Wind asked as they came to a tree house in a clearing.

"Yep." Twilight said as he tethered Epona. He walked to the ladder and started to climb. "And the village is just down that way." He pointed to a fence that lined a pathway to the South. He climbed to the top and opened the door. Ilia followed him and, with a shrug, so did the others.

"Not too shabby, Rancher." Legend said as he looked around Twilight's home.

Wild looked at the pot on the fireplace and his stomach growled. He looked at Twilight. "Can I use that? I'm starving."

A chorus of agreements rang through the small home.

"Sure." Twilight said as he removed his wolf pelt. "Ilia, are you staying for dinner?"

She smiled. "Of course. You owe me an explaination."

"So how long have you been friends?" Warriors asked as he examined the pictures on the wall. There was one of what looked like a younger Twilight and Ilia fishing together.

Twilight shrugged. "I dunno. I've known her as long as I can remember."

Over by the fire, Wild was making soup with Ilia's assistance. The girl smiled softly. "I remember."

All eyes turned to her, including Twilight's.

"My parents were away in Castle Town." Ilia explained. "I couldn't have been older than three, so I was staying with Rusl and Uli. Rusl went out hunting one day, but he didn't come back with any game. He came back with a boy around my age. He said that he found him with a golden wolf protecting him, and took him home."

Twilight glanced at Time, who was sitting in a chair. "Must have been sent by the gods." He said.

Four nodded. "They didn't want their Chosen Hero dying at such a young age."

"Yeah, that must be it." Twilight said a bit nervously. He remembered the Hero's Shade last words to him. How he learned that the stal that stood before him was his ancestor. But even more chilling was the fact that the very stal sat before him in the body of a man. Twilight wondered what had happened to Time that made him become the ghoul that couldn't move on without passing on his skills. That's couldn't fully die.

~~~

After dinner, Twilight opted to walk Ilia home, but she insisted to wait until tomorrow to show his face in the village, as to not cause everyone to wonder where he'd been.

"I'll at least take you to the entrance."

Ilia smiled as Twilight opened the door for her. "If you insist."

They left the others to settle in and get ready for bed.

"I knew about Ilia." Wild said. "But I thought he had feelings for Midna."

They all recalled Twilight's story, and how the snarky imp had really been a beautiful princess.

Wind nodded as he got in his sleeping bag. "He sure sounded like he did."

"That was years ago." Time said wisely. "He may have changed his heart."

Warriors chuckled as he copied Wind's actions. "Well, whatever he feels, Ilia definitely likes him."

~~~~~

"So all those boys are you." Ilia said. "But from different times?"

Twilight scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, pretty much. But some of us might be related."

Ilia nodded. "Like you and the one missing an eye."

A startled gasp escaped Twilight's mouth. Ilia smiled. "Oh, don't act so surprised. I saw the way you looked at him after I mentioned the Golden wolf." She quieted and looked at Twilight's shadow crystal that hung from his neck. "Was he the Stal Warrior you told me about?"

Twilight nodded. Ilia was the only person in his time that knew of his quest, other than Zelda of course. "He's my ancestor, Ilia." He said. "But he doesn't know..." He trailed off. He didn't want to tell the Old Man about his doomed fate, but should he? He was brought out of his thoughts by a warm feeling against his hand. He looked down to see Ilia holding it with two of hers.

"It'll be fine, Link. If he's anything like you, he'll be okay. I know you can handle it. After all, you handled it so well when I lost my memory." She looked up at him with kindness.

"That reminds me..." Twilight said. "Did the doctor say anything?"

Ilia sighed. "You know how Doctor Orville is." She said, no doubt remembering how he treated Ralis. "He wanted an immense fee just to tell me most of them will come back on their own, if at all. I remember most everything, except for in-between when I was taken and when Telma took me in."

Twilight gazed down at her sadly. She was so pure and kind, she didn't deserve any of the hardships she suffered. She was so strong and resilient, even when she didn't know her own name, Ilia was determined to help the dying Zora prince.

Twilight pulled his friend into a huge, which she gladly accepted.

"You might not remember everything, Ilia. But I'm glad you remembered me."

Ilia pulled away from the hug, her eyes slightly misty. "Thank you, Link. I'll see you tomorrow." She turned and jogged to the village and Twilight moved to go inside.

He found his friends on the floor in sleeping bags, except for Time, of course. (Twilight let him take his bed, but not without some arguing from the elder, but the younger insisted.)

"So..." Warriors said with a smirk. "Ilia."

Twilight looked at him with his best wolf-stare. "Don't go near her, Captain."

The soldier immeaditly shook his head and held up his hands in surrender. "No, no! I didn't mean it like that."

Sky smiled at him knowingly. "He's talking about you and Ilia."

Twilight took off his wolf pelt on his shoulders. "She's my best friend." He moved to untie the Ordon cloth around his waist.

"Are you sure she isn't more than that?" Legend hinted as he lay back with his arms behind his head.

Twilight took off his tunic and chain mail before taking off his boots. "What do you mean?"

"Hylia, he's dense." Wind whispered to Wild, who rolled his eyes.

"Ya like her!" Wild said bluntly as he sat cross legged on top of his blanket.

Twilight shook his head. "You got the wrong guy, Champion."

"Oh please, we saw the way you looked at her." Four said with a smirk that everyone seemed to be wearing.

"And the way she looked at you." Hyrule said. "Right, Old Man?"

The oldest of their group had an unreadable expression asTwilight laid down and pulled his covers around him.

"I think," Time started as he climbed the ladder to Twilight's bed. "That you all need to go to bed, and let the Rancher figure out his feelings for himself."

The group grumbled their good nights and went to sleep. But Twilight stared up at his ceiling, trying to make sense of what they had told him.

~~~~~

The next morning, the Links were aroused by and unfamiliar voice calling to them. Well, unfamiliar to all but one.

"Link!" A young boys voice shouted. "We know you're home! Get up!"

Legend rubbed his eyes angrily. "Who is that?" He grumbled.

Twilight got up and opened the door. He smiled when he saw the familiar sight of Talo, Malo, Beth, and Colin all standing in his yard.

"You couldn't have let me sleep?" Twilight asked jokingly. "Hold on, I'll be down in a minute."

When he went back in, he found everyone getting themselves around, well, all except Sky. That boy could sleep through anything.

"Who was that?" Time asked as he joined everyone.

"Village kids." Twilight answered fondly. "They do this every so often. Ilia must have told them I came home. I'm actually surprised they let us sleep in this late.

Hyrule looked out the upstairs window at the sun. "Its, like, eight in the morning!" While he may struggle with iliteracy, the Hero of Hyrule was no stranger to telling the time by using the sun or moon, as any traveler should know.

Twilight got dressed in his casual attire, but not the outfit his counter parts were used to. He wore a sleeveless white shirt with green embroidery, baggy dark green pants that reached past his knees, a blue cloth around his waist tied with a smaller orange cloth like usual, and a green sleeve tethered to his shirt on his left arm.

"Wake up, guys." The Rancher said. "You can't see the goats if you're asleep."

Wind immeaditly perked up. He got dressed twice as fast as the others and was at Twilight's side in a moment.

Strange clothes for farm chores." Warriors noted remembering how Twilight helped at Lon Lon Ranch in his usual attire.

"It's traditional Ordon clothing." The native told them as he walked to the door. The others followed him, all in their day clothes. Even Sky had awoken and was groggily climbing down the ladder.

"Link!" The kids all said as they ran to Twilight, jumping on his back and hanging off his arm. The Rancher didn't seem to mind at all. He laughed with delight as he hugged one particular blond boy.

"Link, Mom and Dad are waiting to see you!" Colin said. "And Rose so close to learning how to walk." He looked over Twilight's shoulder and a confused look crept across his face. "Who are they?"

Twilight turned to see his counter parts standing behind him. He really didn't want to explain how time travel and the Hero's Spirit worked.

"They're–er– travelers. I met them while I was traveling myself."

"Oh." They seemed satisfied with his answer.

"You should probably head to the ranch." Malo said in his monotonous voice. "Fado has barely been able to keep the goats in check."

"Yeah!" Talo said. "Rusl and my dad had to go into Faron Woods to find one last week!"

"You guys!" Beth scolded. "Link just got back and you're already giving him chores!"

Twilight chuckled and took Epona's reins in his hand to lead her. "It's fine, Beth. I was just about to show my friends here the ranch anyway." He turned to his caravan. "Come on, y'all. The Ordon tour starts now."

~~~~

Ordon Village was just as Twilight had left it. Calm, quiet, and quaint. The lake to his right was just as clear as ever, and the hawk grass on the earthen collums were staying in the gentle breeze.

To the left sat Fado's house, and even farther was Rusl, Uli, Colin, and Rose's house.

"Link!" Ilia waved from where she was talking with Uli by the bridge. She was holding one year old Rose on her hip.Twilight smiled and made his way over to them.

One thing Twilight had missed was Uli's smile. No matter what he was feeling, she could always make him feel warm inside when she smiled.

"Oh, Link." She said wrapping him in a hug he gladly returned. "We've missed you so much!"

Twilight felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Rusl standing there, his own face shining with a welcoming smile.

"Good to have you back, son." He said.

Twilight felt his chest swell with pride. Rusl and Uli had taken him in until he moved out at sixteen, a year before his adventure. They treated him as one of their own, and Twilight always considered them to be his parents and Colin and Rose to be his younger siblings.

In the background, someone coughed. Twilight pulled away from the two and turned to his group.

"Oh, sorry, guys." He said. "I forgot to introduce you."

"Who are you're...friends." Rusl hesitated on the last word. He wasn't quite sure how these people knew Link. They varied in ages and height, but they all had the same aura that Link did.

"These are my friends." Twilight said to his parental figures. "We just call each other by nicknames. That's Traveler, Captain, Sailor, Champion, Smith, Veteran, Chosen, and the Old Man. Guys," He turned to his group. "This is Rusl and Uli, and their daughter Rose. They raised me as their own, and Colin was here just a minute ago..."

Time held out his hand to shake. "Nice to meet you." Rusl took it and nodded. Time already liked him. They did a fine job with his decendent.

"Can we see the goats now?" Wind said a bit impatiently. He might be a hero, but he was still a kid.

Ilia chuckled. "You're friend might be right, Link. I'm sure the kids already told you about Fado. You know how my father feels when you aren't helping with the ranch."

"Then why doesn't he have Link run it full time, and Faso helps?" Rusl asked.

Uli chided her husband. "Link has more important things to tend to in Castle Town with you. He can only stretch himself so thin." She turned to Twilight. "I don't mean to talk about you like you're not here."

Rose started babbling from her place on Ilia's hip. The young woman held her up to eye level. "Do you wanna see Link? You want your big brother?" She handed Rose to Twilight, who gingerly took the baby.

"Hi, Rosie." He said to her smiling.

"Ink!" She babbled happily. While she couldn't quite say Twilight's name yet, that didn't stop her from trying. Just then, Colin came up with grass stains on his clothes. The other village kids tailed behind, and went to their own parents.

"Colin, what happened to you?" Uli asked as she took in his state.

"Taking wanted to play sumo and I said I didn't want to, so he tried to make me. But I beat him."

"Good job." Rusl and Twilight said in sync. Ever since Colin saved Beth from the Bulbins, Talo had stopped bullying him. But there was always the occasion when Talo went to far.

The other Links watch in amusement at the family. Wild was wondering why his companion had never mentioned his family before. But that nice moment was interrupted by a call from the north.

"Heeeyyyy! A goat got loose!!!"

A blue, horned beast ran down the path. The group got in battle stances, not knowing what else to do. The goat was coming right for them. But Twilight handed Rose to Uli and ran across the bridge. They watched in wonder as their friend grabbed the goat by it's ringed horns and threw it to the ground. It got up, shook its head, and walked back up to the ranch.

"I should probably go see how Fado's doing." Twilight said as he dusted his hands off.

Ilia giggled. "Probably. You should go now before anymore get loose."

Twilight took Epona's reins once again and led his companions to his job.

"You're sure you don't have any magic items?" Legend teased. To be fair, Twilight had grabbed a thundering beast and threw it to the ground like it was nothing. It wouldn't be unusual for Legend to be slightly jealous of his beastly friend's strength.

Twilight chuckled. "Just my crystal."

Four noticed they were in a stretch of the path where no one is around and he took that as an opportunity. "Does anyone here know about your–you know–other form?"

"Just Ilia." The Rancher said shortly.

"You seem to really trust her." Sky said in a tone that could be considered a teasing one.

"She's my best friend." Twilight said for what felt like the umpteenth time.

"Yeah, but you didn't tell Rusl and Uli, and they raised you." Warriors pointed out.

"Ilia saw things she couldn't explain. I told her everything so she wouldn't think she was losing her mind." Twilight's tone was somber. "It's hard enough knowing there will be some things she'll never remember. I wanted to give her some peace of mind."

The group fell silent at his words. They knew he was just trying to protect his friend, but they still felt there was some unspoken feelings amidst.

"Well, we're here." Twilight said as they approached the open gates of the ranch. Ranch didn't cover it. There was a fence along the South side, but the pasture was bordered by small cliffs on all sides. There was a barn on the west side, and it's doors were open.

There was one man in the center of the pasture, and he was inspecting a goats hoof.

"Fado!" Twilight said approaching him.

Fado looked up from the goat. "Link! You're back, and you brought Epona!"

Twilight laughed. "Yep, I figured you needed the help.

Fado scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, I sure do. I need to check for sickness today so I gotta round 'em all up in the barn. You think you can do that?"

Twilight smirked as he mounted his horse. "You bet." He turned to his friends. "Y'all better stay back while I herd them. They can get aggressive. Hyah!" He took off on Epona in a canter.

Wind watched in awe as Twilight herded the goats into barn. He made it look so easy. "He's really good."

Time felt a swell of pride. Malon would be proud to watch their decendent handle animals with such skill. He could hardly believe that the same boy who was riding around, was barely breathing a few weeks ago. Whatever that shadow did had messed him up, and Time shuddered to think what might have happened if the Traveler's life spell hadn't worked. Time thougtt about how much Twilight talked about Ilia. He had painted a perfect picture of her, from her green eyes to they way her nose scrunched when she laughed. It was clear to the man that they had feelings for each other, whether they knew it or not.

Wild, on the other hand, was confused. Twilight had talked about Midna like an old heartbreak that hadn't healed. But when Twilight was around Ilia, he smiled like her very presence was his reason for anything.

By now, all the goats were in the barn being checked for sickness and disease by Twilight and Fado.

"How did you know of their sick?" Wind asked as Twilight examined a goats mouth. Four, Time, Sky and Wild had gone back down to the village. Wind, Legend, Hyrule, and Warriors stayed out of fascination for the goats.

"You check their mouth, and if their spit is yellow, they're sick." Twilight said as he patted his goat's back. "But this old girl is as healthy as they come."

"You never mentioned the smell." Warriors said distastefully.

Legend rolled his eyes. "It's a barn, Captain. What did you expect?"

"I don't mind it." Hyrule said. In his time, there was very little livestock. Most towns were scattered and maybe had one or two cows.

~~~~

Back in the village, Four and Time were talking with Rusl while Wild was playing with the kids, and Sky was talking with Ilia.

"Link said you were a blacksmith." Four said. "Do you mind if I use your forge to repair this?" He held out a broken sword, no doubt Wild's.

Rusl took the sword and inspected it. "Hmm, it will take skill. Are you up to the task?"

Four squared his shoulders. He was used to people underestimating him. "Sir, I've forged swords in the fires of the volcano of my home. I can handle a forge."

Rusl laughed at the boy's attitude. "Go on ahead, lad. I believe you."

Time chuckled as the Smith ran off with the sword.

"How about you?" Rusl asked. "How do you know Link?"

Time hesitated. "I'm just a traveler."

Rusl shifted. "Are you by any chance his family?" He continued when Time didn't respond. "You have the same eyes and air of confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if you were his father, but I feel like Link would've mentioned it by now."

"Let's just call it a coincidence." Time said. "Ilia told us that you found Link in the forest?"

Rusl nodded. His eyes were distant, like he was reliving a memory. "I was hunting and I came across a wolf. But not just any wolf: its coat was gold, like the sky at sunset. In fact, it kinda looked like the color of your hair. Anyway, it stared at me. I was afraid to kill it because it might've been a spirit or god, so I just stood there, watching it.

"It wasn't long before the leaves in the bushes rustled, and a little boy, a toddler, wrapped his arms around the wolf cheerfully. The wolf stared at me with its one red eye, and I somehow understood. It wanted me to take the boy, it couldn't take care of him forever.

"I remember looking at the boy's hand and seeing the symbol of the Royal Family. It wasn't until years later that I leaned that the boy, our Link, was the chosen hero. I never saw that wolf again, but I had a feeling it was sacred."

Time knew he needed to have a talk with Twilight later. "You said the wolf had one eye. Which eye was missing." He knew he was crazy for thinking it, but he had to know.

"I think it was missing it's right eye, but I could be wrong."

That was all the confirmation Time needed. He wasn't going to talk with Twilight anymore. There was a reason he didn't tell him, and Time was scared to know.

~~~~~~~

That night, everyone was once again settling down in Twilight's home.

"You're home is a lot like mine, Rancher." Sky said as he lay down. "Tight-knit, friendly people. It kinda makes me miss home."

"We'll get to your home eventually." Four assured him.

Twilight sat at the table with Time. The two hadn't spoken since Twi finished helping at the ranch. Both were scared to speak to each other.

Not being able to bear the awkwardness, Twilight went to his door. "I need to check on Epona." When he was outside, Twilight inhaled a deep breath of the night air. He found it cleared his mind better than anything.

He climbed down the ladder only to find that Epona wasn't there. Twilight scanned the area and sniffed the air. Ever since Faron had turned him back into a man, he had some side effects. Such as, his hair was wilder and courser, and his senses were always on high alert. They weren't as strong as when he was in full wolf form, but they were strong enough to come to the conclusion that Ilia had taken Epona to the Spirit's Spring.

Twilight smiled to himself as he headed down the trail. Ilia had been doing this for years, and tonight was no exception. He reached the Spring and found Ilia standing in the center, stroking Epona's face. She looked ethereal in the moonlight, her peachy hair had a silvery glow, casting a fairy-like look on her face.

"Oh, hi, Link." She said smiling. "I'd thought I'd wash Epona for you, since you probably never had a chance to in your travels."

Twilight smiled at her. It felt so nice to hear his name for what felt like the first time in months. "Thank you, you're right. She could use a good wash."

Epona nickered, causing a light laugh to pass between the two friends.

"I've missed you, you know..." Ilia said. "I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming back, even with your letters, I..." She trailed off.

Finally, Twilight understood what his counter parts were talking about. Ilia cared for him in a way no one else did. She'd listened when he told her about his journey. The nightmares he still had, the interesting people he met. And Midna... How Ilia listened for hours about how he talked about Midna when the farm girl cared for him herself.

He stared at her. Her pale skin shimmering in the water's nightly glow.

"Ilia..." Twilight started as he moved to close the distance between them. "I..."

"Stop." She said. "I know what you're going to say. I know you love Midna, and I'm not her."

Twilight took her hand gently, his calloused palms caressing her soft ones. "Ilia, you've always been there for me. To scold or to cheer me on, you always wanted whats best for me. I was so upset that Midna left, I forgot that you were always there for me. I was a fool not to see it sooner. Ilia—"

Ilia reached up and kissed him. Twilight stood there dumbfounded for a moment before he leaned into the kiss, his hands holding hers.

When they pulled away, their foreheads were almost touching. Twilight was sure he looked like and idiot with his goofy grin and spreading blush, but Ilia didn't seem to care. She just smiled up at him and said, "Took you long enough."

#Lu #Twilight #lu legend #Lu time #lu wind #Linked Universe #lu hyrule #lu wild #Lu four #Lu warriors #lu sky #Ilia #Fanfiction

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misqnon · 7 months

Text

Royal Blue

A gen Sanji fic, around 6K words. also on ao3, here

“Hey, guys? The News Coo just dropped off a letter with the paper, but I think it was a mistake. It’s not addressed to any of us.”

“Who’s it addressed to?” Robin asks.

“Vinsmoke.” Nami says simply, and Sanji actually staggers in his place on the deck.

-----

Five times Sanji’s secret past as a Vinsmoke almost got revealed to the crew, and one time he can’t help but tell them.

AKA I love dramatic character revelations and I’m bitter not everyone was there to react to Whole Cake Island.

Disclaimer- I’ve never actually written for an active fandom before, nor have I finished reading/watching One Piece. Please forgive any blatant errors. I’m currently in the middle of Water 7 and I skip around a lot. 90% of my knowledge comes from secondary sources.

pls enjoy!

The first time it happened, it was less of a danger to his cover, and more a painful reminder that he had anything to hide at all.

After all, he’d left that history behind him so long ago that by now, more than 10 years later, he was sure he wouldn’t ever have to reveal that history. Hell, not even Zeff knew. As far as he was concerned, Sanji was just an orphan boy who’d ended up in that unlucky cruise ship kitchen, and he didn’t need to know how he’d gotten there.

So when they’d all been traveling through the Alabasta desert, Luffy and Nami and Vivi and all the rest of the crew, Sanji hadn’t been thinking about it much at all. When they’d found out Vivi was a princess, well, it had put a little ping into his mind. That little, “You’re technically a prince, too, remember?” But he had quickly squashed it. Not anymore, and never again, so he didn’t need to dwell on the commonality between them.

That was, until weeks later, during that boundless desert trip, when they’d all been sitting around the campfire, resting up for the night on the cool desert sand. It was so much more pleasant than the heat that’d been oppressive over their heads all day. Everyone was chatting, idly enjoying the soup he’d made for everyone. Luffy had downed two bowls of it, and was now snoozing with his hat over his head to the right of them all. Zoro seemed to have a similar idea, though it wasn’t clear if he was actually asleep, or just leaning back with his eyes closed in his usual introverted manner.

Nami and Vivi were sharing stories over the meal, shawls pulled over their shoulders, and Usopp and Chopper were messing around beside them, occasionally joining the conversation to interject one of Usopp’s grand adventures or Chopper’s impressed gasps.

He decided to stroll over to the two women, now with his own bowl carefully balanced in his hand. The chef always ate last, after all.

“Hello, Vivi my sweet! And Nami, my swan! How is the soup?” He asked, practically floating through the air to slide in beside them both. Usopp silently rolled his eyes.

Vivi just smiled, answering for both of them. “It’s delicious, Sanji! Thank you for making dinner again.”

“Why of course! It’s my job as the chef, after all!” He sang, still balancing the soup in his hands that he has yet to even touch, now distracted.

Then, he continued, “You know, this recipe is sometimes called ‘Marry Me Soup.’ They say it’s so good that it’ll convince you to marry the chef.” He said, wiggling his already swirling eyebrow.

Vivi just giggled. “I’m flattered, Sanji, but I don’t think my father would appreciate me getting married right now. Besides, I’ve always been told I’m expected to marry a prince.” She didn’t seem particularly happy about this, nor did she seem very enthusiastic about marriage, period- but Sanji still deflated at the undercut of a rejection. For multiple reasons.

The hopeless flirt within him almost blurted out, ‘Well, it’s your lucky day then, Princess Vivi!’

Except it didn’t, at all, because even for Vivi’s hand in marriage he wouldn’t let that secret slip.

Instead, he just clamped his jaw shut, sat down beside them, and took a sad sip of his soup. Usopp and Chopper laughed, unaware of the true reason for his melancholy. Nami reassured Vivi he’d be fine after she momentarily worried she’d offended him, before scooching closer to inquire further if she really had to marry a prince someday, against her will. They began chatting again, Nami looking fiercely protective all of a sudden.

Sanji only had a couple more spoonfuls before he stood, silently, and walked off a few feet away from the group for a smoke.

A certain green-haired swordsman poked an eye open to glance over at him as he walked by.

That was odd. Sanji didn’t usually smoke while people were still eating. Especially the ladies. It was inconsiderate, he said, cigarette smoke wafting into people’s faces while they tried to eat, tainting the taste with the smell of nicotine.

But there he was, huffing away at the cigarette a bit too fast, in Zoro’s opinion. Then again, he didn’t really know anything about smoking. Nor did he care. He shrugged, shut his eye again, and went back to resting.

Now that Sanji thought about it, looking back, maybe it’d been on his mind more than he thought. After all, why else had he used the codename “Mr. Prince” while he impersonated Mr. 3?

—

“Liar Noland?”

“You know it, Sanji?” Nami asks, peering at this book that she’s never heard of. “But it says it was published in the North Blue.”

“I was born in the North Blue.” He says, and actually smiles, wide and true. His memories of back then are anything but good, but…

“Didn’t I tell you?” He tries to play off, though he knows he’s done no such thing. “It’s where I grew up.”

“No, I thought you were from the East like the rest of us.” She muses, and Usopp agrees.

Sanji continues. And a smile comes to his face again, for the same reason. “My mom used to read me that book when I was a kid.”

For a moment Nami and Usopp both think this is the first Sanji’s told them much of anything about his childhood- they know he had a pretty rough going when he met Zeff, but that’s about it. They’re too focused on the task at hand, though.

Nami opens it and begins to read, the rest of the conversation forgotten.

—

The seven of them stood around the ancient stone door as if peering at it would do anything.

“WHY WON’T THIS STUPID DOOR OPEN!?” Luffy yelled eventually, stomping his feet with impatience.

Robin stepped forward, looking closer at the intricate carvings of winged creatures and giant serpents. Most compelling was the small bowl that seemed to be carved into the center, right below a sharpened bit of rock in the enclave.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before…” She said, hand to her chin in thought. Unlike Luffy, she wasn’t upset, only engulfed in academic curiosity. She stepped back then, walking away to inspect the other parts of the carvings, further down the wall.

“Can’t we just break it down?” Zoro asked, poking at the old stone with little regard for its value. Nami frowned at him, slapping his hand away.

Robin didn’t waste any emotion at his comment, still looking at the newfound bit of text she’d found behind some ivy.

“This stuff is ancient, you idiot! It’s irreplaceable!” Nami growled, scowling as Zoro narrowed his eyes back at her. For a moment, Robin felt a bit of appreciation for the navigator. She was definitely the most levelheaded of this group so far.

“It could be booby-trapped! Besides, it’s probably worth a ton of Berry.” She said, eye’s suddenly aglow with a mischievous shine.

Nevermind, Robin thought with a sigh.

Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper stood back with little to contribute. Usopp seemed to be trying to think of a way to get them over the impossibly tall wall, while Chopper distracted Luffy with the sighting of a big beetle.

Sanji just stood there, a lit cigarette lazily lilting smoke between his teeth. They’d probably figure it out between Usopp, Robin, and Nami. Meanwhile, he could continue to plan out what to make for the rest of the week with the meager rations of fruit and meat they’d gathered.

That was, until Robin finally stood, hand still on her chin but a look of accomplishment dancing on her features.

“Here. It says that to open the door, we must provide a drop of royal blood.” She explained, pointing to the ancient language inscribed on the ivy-covered wall.

Everyone rose their eyebrows at that, including (and especially) Sanji.

“Royal blood?” Usopp asked, confused. “Like a king or something?”

“Aw, man!” Luffy cried. “If only Vivi was still with us!”

“That doesn’t make any damn sense.” Zoro said. “How does the wall know whether the blood is royal or not?”

Robin shrugged. She was an archaeologist, not a scientist. “Who knows.” She said simply.

“I’ll just try it.” Luffy said, rolling up his sleeves and stomping over to the little enclave that held the bowl and the piercing rock.

“Wait!!” Chopper yelled. “You can’t just go stabbing yourself with ancient rocks! Especially ones that have already had other people’s blood on it!” He cried, now trying to pull Luffy away from the wall. He continued to drone on about bacteria and blood-borne diseases as Sanji began sucking a little harder on his cigarette.

Honestly, he didn’t really see the need to get into the old temple anyway. He was starting to think they should just leave. For completely unselfish reasons.

“For once, I agree with the marimo. Let’s just break the damn thing open.” He said, stretching his leg.

“No, damnit!” Nami said, stomping over to him. “You could set off a trap!”

He frowned at that, putting his leg down obediently.

Usopp was next to Robin now, looking between the inscription she’d found and the spot where Chopper was still frantically pulling Luffy away from. “I don’t get it.” He decided finally. “Besides, what do they mean by ‘royal blood,’ exactly? Will any royal blood work, or only the royal blood of whoever ruled this nation?”

Robin found it to be a very good question coming from the teen. She nodded in agreement. “True. The inscription doesn’t clarify.”

As soon as Usopp said it, he began to wonder the same thing. And it made him more nervous. His poor cigarette was almost spent now.

Would his blood work? If it did, would they suspect anything? Should he put it in now, and claim the door was just stupid, like Zoro had claimed earlier? If so, he’d better do it before Luffy, in case the rubber man’s didn’t work-

“HAHA!” Luffy exclaimed, finally pricking the tip of a rubbery outstretched finger on the rock. Chopper deflated in resignation, now joining the rest of them in peering at the bowl as Luffy’s blood fell into it.

The drop of blood fell into the bowl, sat momentarily on the bottom, then was suddenly absorbed by the porous stone as if it was dying of thirst. Everyone looked on in various states of amazement and fear as they waited, one second, two seconds, three seconds, five, ten-

“...I don’t think it’s doing anything.” Nami finally grumbled.

“Well, the good news is, it doesn’t look like it set off any traps.” Replied Usopp, looking around anxiously for any sign of movement in the jungle around them.

Robin was peering at the bowl with curious blue eyes. “Intriguing…”

“Aw, man!” Luffy huffed. He turned suddenly to Usopp. “Usopp, you try.”

“WHAAA? WHY ME?”

“You like Kaya. And Kaya’s kinda royalty. That’s close enough, right?”

“KAYA ISN’T A PRINCESS, LUFFY! SHE’S JUST RICH! AND I’M NOT EVEN HER! THAT’S TOO MUCH OF A STRETCH.” Usopp yelled in frustration.

Zoro, Chopper, and Nami were various degrees of frustrated and fed up listening to the two of them bicker. Sanji was still anxiously tapping his foot, hoping the captain wouldn’t systematically make them all try. And if he did, hoping that his didn’t do shit.

That is, until they heard the familiar call of Marines from up the path behind them.

Sanji turned, eyes wide with panic. “Shit-” He said, lighting another cigarette.

“Marines? All the way up here? How?” Someone said. Sanji wasn’t even paying attention anymore.

“HURRY USOPP! C’MON, GO!”

“NO, LUFFY! MINE WON’T BE ANY DIFFERENT!”

Zoro started unsheathing Wado, ready for a fight, though even he seemed to realize that that was far too many Marines and they were far too close to be able to run.

As the group devolved into arguing, panic, and frantic attempts to prepare for a fight, Sanji looked back one last time at that stupid door and its stupid little blood-sacrifice bowl.

The Marines were visible now, charging from the bottom of the hill and quickly approaching- the path they’d used to get here- the only path out- now blocked.

Sanji cursed, pushing through the mess of the crew and jabbing his thumb onto the rock.

The group went quiet as the giant stone doors began to shake, then pulled slowly open into a dark, but open, temple.

They all looked in surprise to Sanji, who bit down on his cigarette and began running through the opening.

“C’mon, idiots! The Marines are right behind us!”

The group took one look back and followed, sighing in relief as the giant stone doors began to pull shut again just as they’d all made it through.

Everyone was still running, unsure if the Marines would be able to power through, though Luffy had bound up beside him to ask,

“WOOOAH, SANJI! ARE YOU ROYALTY OR SOMETHING?”

“No, idiot. The door’s just stupid. It probably just didn’t work for you ‘cause your blood’s all rubbery and shit.”

Luffy frowned at that, though he seemed satisfied with that answer.

Sanji didn’t turn around after that, but by the feeling of several pairs of eyes boring into the back of his head, he got the feeling the rest of the crew wasn’t quite as convinced.

—

Luckily for him, (and quite unluckily for everyone else), the temple was indeed filled with booby-traps. No one had any time to ask him why the hell his blood had worked because they’d spent the next hour or so of their lives trying not to die.

When they finally made it out the other side, sweaty and beat-up and a few crewmates still a little bit on fire, it was the last thing on everyone’s minds. Especially considering the map they’d found as spoils for their trouble.

Later that night, though, when they’d made it back to the Going Merry and everyone had feasted on grilled pork and pineapple and rice, Zoro stayed behind after dinner, arms crossed and leaning broodily against the doorframe, all despite the drinking that was now taking place out on the deck.

“What do you want, Marimo?” Sanji spit, though he had a feeling he might already know what it was.

“Why did your blood open up that door?”

“Like I said, I don’t think that hunk of rock can actually differentiate between royal blood and not. We just got lucky.”

“Luffy’s blood didn’t work.”

“Yea, and like I said, it’s probably because his blood’s all fucked up and made of rubber.” Sanji bit back, emphasizing the fact that he’d already explained this.

“He’s still human. And I’m pretty sure I heard the Marines trying to prick themselves on it too after we got through.”

Sanji shrugged. “I guess I got some royalty in my family line somewhere, then. Like I said, lucky for us.”

Zoro glared at him. ‘Like I said, like I said.’ It was suspicious.

“Whatever, shit-cook.” He finally replied, shoving off the wall and heading back out to deck to join the party.

Sanji bitterly lit another cigarette.

—

“Newspaper’s here!” Someone calls from the front deck of the Sunny. Sanji’s already walking around with a tray of drinks, currently stopped at Zoro, who takes it without much of a thank you aside from a glance.

He rolls his eyes and moves on, wanting to take a peek at the paper anyway. Nami has it at the moment, so he heads over, even though he’s already given her her drink- first, as always.

“Anything interesting, Nami?” He asks, forgoing the swan~ that got him an eyeroll earlier. He’s also just genuinely curious, which has him distracted just enough to act normal around women.

She skims it and frowns. “Nah, not much. Unless you consider Buggy interesting news.” She says, throwing the stack of parchment to the nearby table without a care. She takes her drink and leaves, presumably to go work at her desk.

Sanji does not find Buggy the Clown to be worthy of his attention, but the damn weirdo happens to pop up way more than he or any of the crew seems to think reasonable.

Regardless, he takes a peek at the newspaper anyway, since he’s already there. Nami’s right, nothing’s of interest- save for the stupid comic strip they’ve included on the last page.

Sora, Warrior of the Sea.

Sanji frowns, his face twisting up into the kind of gangster-like grimace he reserves for Zoro when he’s most exceptionally pissed him off.

He’s not nearly as bothered about it as he should be, but the comic is included in almost every issue of the paper they’ve received since they hit the Grand Line. The first time he’d spotted the Vinsmoke name he’d nearly had a stroke, but apparently, the few crew members who actually read that bit of the paper seemed convinced it was all fictional, the villainous Germa 66 army included.

Sanji was quite fine with leaving it that way.

It’s just a shitty attempt at Marine propaganda, and the fact his family’s been written in as villains as if they aren’t a real royal family kinda does make him laugh. They’ve become so synonymous with evil that they’re written as cartoon villains by the same news company that works with them in the crime underworld. Sanji’s surprised they don’t see it as a slap in the face- maybe they do, but the strips continue to come out unchanged.

On the best days he laughs acridly at the insult it does his biological father, on the worst he bites his lip in anger that he and his crew have to be exposed to their existence.

Though…

He reads the title over again.

Even if it’s just some bullshit marine propaganda, the way they’ve named the main character who beats the evil Germa family again and again brings a small grin to his lips.

—

All in all, the various times his past had almost come out had been relatively easy to cover up.

The closest call, however, had been when they’d landed on an unsuspecting Spring island, a little too close to the North Blue for his liking.

Franky had stayed behind to work on the ship, but the rest of them had gone ahead and went inland to restock supplies, stretch their legs, and find what this island had to offer.

And for once, they'd decided to stick together instead of splitting up. Mainly because some signs around town had said something about a big festival taking place in the square, and Nami, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper had convinced the last few less sociable crewmates to come along.

Despite the proximity to North Blue, Sanji wasn't actually that worried. He'd never heard of this island before, and he doubted his father would be anywhere near it either. Germa may be a wandering country, but it hadn't left the North Blue in a while as far as he knew, and at the moment they were still in the Grand Line.

So when they all walked up the brick path to the town square, finding before them a wonderful spread of tents, stages, and food stalls, he actually found himself a little excited. Good food, good entertainment, and- he squinted his eyes at the closest stage, where a group of women in traditional garb were performing a folk dance.

Beautiful women? Hell yea, maybe this pit stop would be worth it after all.

“Wow, this looks amazing!” Nami cried, clapping her hands together. “I wonder what it’s all for?”

Usopp jutted a hand over his shoulder. “I think one of the signs we passed said it’s somebody’s birthday. Probably one of the kingdom’s rulers, if I had to guess.”

“Usopp, look!” Chopper interjected, pulling lightly on the leg of the sharpshooter’s pants. “They have cotton candy!”

“Cotton Candy!?” Luffy grinned, patting his hat. He ran off like a cartoon character, leaving a trail of smoke and guffaws of laughter behind him. Usopp and Chopper followed behind.

“Wait! You guys don’t have any money!” Nami said, jogging after them with her Berry pouch already half-opened to loan some out (with interest).

Eventually, she’d caught them, and handed out a bit of Berry to the rest of the crew, too. She sent Zoro back to the ship to grab Franky, both so he wouldn’t miss out and so that Zoro wouldn’t get lost on his own. (If he could even make it back to the ship, anyway).

Then she and Robin began making rounds to all the shops and stalls while they waited, leaving Sanji to do whatever he liked by his lonesome.

And he had absolutely no problem with that.

Obviously, he went straight over to the dancers, making obnoxious heart-eyes in the audience while he watched.

Soon enough, though, he calmed down and ended up wandering the food stalls, trading recipes with the vendors and even picking up some local produce from others.

He'd spent nearly an hour doing so, occasionally running into another Strawhat or two, when a man stopped him near one of the textile stalls.

Sanji had been about to head back to the ship, looking over one last fancy gourd with a scrutable eye, when someone called out his name. Well, a name.

"Young Master Vinsmoke?"

Sanji felt his blood run cold. He snapped his head up, his eyes meeting a man he didn't recognize.

He looked friendly enough- actually, he looked quite pleased to see him. He was posed nervously, as if he couldn't believe what was before him.

Now that Sanji thought about it, he did look somewhat familiar- the frilly outfit and the pins, bobs, and needles stuck into his pin-cushion bottoms. Some measuring tape hung loosely from a pack on his side, and bifocal glasses sat atop his head.

Not familiar enough, though. And Sanji didn't care who the hell he was, not after calling him that.

"Are you talking to me?" Sanji asked, cold anger already growing, though at the moment he was trying to keep his cool.

The man shook his head in amazement. "It is you, isn't it? Young Master Sanji? Why, they told me you'd died!"

Sanji just gaped at him, his latest cigarette falling gracelessly out of his mouth.

He suddenly grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt and dragged the two of them behind the nearest stall, to an unoccupied alleyway nearby. The man squeaked in surprise, which Sanji ignored.

"Who the hell are you?" He gritted out, suddenly realizing his friends could be nearby. He prayed nobody had heard them. After last time, there'd be no way he'd be able to sweep it under the rug again.

"O-Oh, you don't remember me! My apologies, sir. I'm Taloose. I work as a royal tailor. I worked for your family when you were young, Mr. Vinsmoke.”

“STOP CALLING ME THAT.” Sanji growled, resisting the urge to pull the man up by the lapels of his frilly suit. He knew the other man didn’t know any better, but it still pissed him off.

Taloose squeaked again. “I’m sorry, sir!”

Sanji let out an irritated breath. “And stop calling me sir.” He grumbled, though with considerably less bite.

“I don’t answer to that name anymore, and I’m not a prince either. So just Sanji is fine.”

The tailor seemed hesitant to comply, but he nodded, silently.

There was a long and uncomfortable silence then. Sanji did recognize him, now that he thought about it. He barely saw the guy- maybe every couple months when he was really young, coming in to fix up little suits for special events for him and his siblings. At that age Sanji was still quite friendly, despite the abuse, but he didn’t form close bonds with the various workers at the beck and call of the Vinsmokes. If anything, he was too focused on his mother’s health and his failings in training. Any memories of this guy were quick snippets and stills of standing on a platform with measuring tape around his waist, and little else.

Realizing the silence had stretched a bit too far, Sanji figured he should probably say something. He had dragged the guy back here, after all.

“Tell me…If you worked for my family, then what are you doing here?” He tried not to let his anxiety seep into his question.

“Well, I’m a traveling tailor. I serve many royal families, including the family here. I helped craft the princess’s dress for this party, as well as some of the other family members. Once I was done, I decided I’d stop by and peruse the textile booths around the market- quite a fine selection if I do say so myself-!” He watched Sanji’s face become irritated and decided to shut up. “But, yes. Just here for the event, really.”

Sanji eyed him carefully. “Do you…still work for my family?”

Taloose shook his head. “No, actually. I don’t mean to flatter you, but you were always my favorite of the Vinsmoke children. Miss Reiju was alright, but the other three boys were quite rude, and with age they only got worse.” He made an unsettled face, as if to imply ‘rude’ wasn’t the full extent of it.

“It became increasingly difficult to work with them, and my work reflected that. I was on the verge of quitting anyway when your father fired me. I wasn’t qualified to be sewing raid suits anyway.” He scoffed.

“So you don’t have contact with them any more? You won’t tell them that you met me here?” Now his voice was betraying his anxiety, but he didn’t care.

Taloose just shook his head, smiling kindly. “No sir. I wouldn’t go back even if they paid me a million berries!” He said, standing tall and adjusting his frilly collar with pride.

Sanji felt himself relax a bit. He nevertheless pulled a new cigarette from the pack in his front pocket.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where they are nowadays, would you?” He asked after a drag. His fingers twitched ever so slightly despite the coolness he now desperately attempted to front.

Taloose was luckily a man without judgement. He shook his head gently. “No, I don’t have a clue. Hard to tell with the place always on the move.” He paused then, looking over Sanji with keen eyes.

“...I can tell you don’t wish to see them again. I apologize if my presence here made you uncomfortable. I assure you, I haven’t had contact with the Vinsmoke family in years. Should for whatever reason I come into contact with them again, I will not reveal your presence.” He says, bowing. “I promise.” A smile graces his face within the bow.

Sanji grumbles as he grabs Taloose by his collar, yanking him up to stand again. “Ya don’t gotta bow to me, idiot.”

“...But I appreciate that. Thanks.”

—

Sanji and Taloose part ways after that.

He’s glad to be rid of the reminder of his past, glad to have the reassurance the Vinsmokes aren’t actively searching for him or anything- but still troubled to have these memories brought back yet again. Running from your past is easy until you’re traveling the world with infamy, and suddenly the spotlight seems to put you back on the radar of harm long thought dead.

Make no mistake, Sanji didn’t regret his choice to join the Strawhats in the slightest. But he was beginning to wonder how much longer he could conceivably keep this secret.

It’s two years before it finally comes back to bite him in the ass.

—

“Hey, guys? The News Coo just dropped off a letter with the paper, but I think it was a mistake. It’s not addressed to any of us.”

Everyone’s heads pop up from their respective locations around the ship, peeking at Nami and the stack of papers now held in her hand. Luffy swings over from his spot on the figurehead.

“What’s it say!? Open it!” He yells excitedly, now looking down over her shoulder at it himself.

“You can’t open someone else’s mail, Luffy, it’s against the law.”

“We’re pirates!” He retorts, and for once Nami feels silly, realizing he’s right in this matter. She purses her lips and eyeballs it again, some recognition starting to come to her face.

Sanji has come down from the galley by now, hands in his pocket as he and most of the rest of the crew approaches the only entertainment they’ve had so far on an unusually boring day of sailing.

“Who’s it addressed to?” Robin asks.

“Vinsmoke.” Nami says simply, and Sanji actually staggers in his place on the deck.

“Strangely enough, isn’t that the villain from that popular comic in the newspaper sometime? Why on Earth would someone try to send a fake character a letter? And how’d we end up with it?” Nami continues, though Sanji doesn’t hear her. He’s too busy falling into the depths of a panic attack here and now.

He’d say that his stomach dropped when he heard her say the name, that his blood ran cold, but with his worst trauma suddenly cropping up in front of him in real life, truly occurring and unable to be stopped, right before the gaze of his crew, his family- he just feels nothing. A switch flips in him and all he feels his nothingness, and then pure hot fear.

“...Sanji? Are you okay?” Chopper asks from beside him, his kind face full of worry at the cook’s near instant reaction. He looks pale, his face is staring straight down at the deck like if he doesn’t look up it isn’t real, and from this angle Chopper can actually see both of his eyes for once, and they’re both blown wide and full of fear.

But he doesn’t answer, because as Chopper asks this Nami slips her thumb under the fold of the envelope and is about to rip it open, and Sanji lurches forward and has to stop himself from Diable Jambe-ing Nami’s hands and burning the letter to ash. He still does something quite out of character for him when it comes to the redheaded woman- which is that he actually yells at her to stop.

Nami, and everyone else, for that matter, freezes.

“Sanji?” Nami asks, incredulous, and a little worried.

He settles for taking it from her hands, as gently as he can manage, which is not at all.

“Don’t.” He says darkly, even though he already has the letter safely in his own hands.

Everyone is silent. They all expect someone to break the silence and yell about not being rude to Nami, but the person they expect to do so is standing right in front of them, doing exactly that. Sanji sighs, and without looking at his crew, slowly rips open the letter.

He looks it over, eyeing it as if he’s in his own pocket dimension at the moment, and no one else is there. Then, when he’s read the contents, he pauses, folds the letter, and sticks it in the pocket of his slacks.

Everyone is waiting with a question on their lips when he finally looks up again, but no one says anything, even Luffy.

Then Sanji sighs, and crosses his arms. He looks all of a sudden more nervous and unsure of himself than they’ve seen him since before Saboady, maybe even since they’ve met him.

“Do you guys remember…back in Skypiea, when we found the book Liar Noland?”

It seems an odd place to start, but they all give various sorts of a nod.

“And I told you all how I was actually born in the North Blue.” He says, reaching an arm up to rub awkwardly at the back of his neck. He really wished he had a cigarette right now, but he didn’t want to interrupt by lighting one.

They nod again, aside from Franky and Brook, who hadn’t been on the crew yet at that time.

“Well…” He can’t help it anymore. Quicker than they’ve ever seen him do it before, he slips a cig from his pack and lights it with ease, pulling some smoke out of it like he’s thirsty for it. They’ve all started to put pieces together by now, or at the very least, realize he’s about to open up to them about something quite big.

“My real name…No. My birth name is Vinsmoke Sanji.” He says, wincing at the words put together outloud. “And I’m…I was a prince.”

Everyone’s eyebrows raise at that, eyes widening; save for Zoro and Luffy, who stay relatively straight-faced, listening intently.

“I left when I was 8. I snuck onto a cruise ship, and then Zeff found me.” He continues, mincing the more ugly details that he doesn’t quite feel ready to tell them yet. He doesn’t want this to become a sob story.

“Basically, I’m a runaway prince. Though my father told everyone I was dead anyway…” He sucks in another breath full of smoke. He keeps stuttering and trailing off in his words in a way that so isn’t like him, it’s making him sick. He just wants to get this over with.

“The point is, this letter…It’s for me. I’ve been invited back…”

For a moment, Sanji considers not telling them the truth. He doesn’t want to put them in danger, he doesn’t want them to pity him, he doesn’t want them to feel the need to help him, to do so because he’s too weak to do it himself.

But he also trusts them. More than anyone else in the world, save for his father. His real father.

“For an arranged marriage to one of Big Mom’s daughters.” He grits out, biting down on his cigarette with distaste.

Usopp looks ready to burst with questions, Nami and Robin are incredulous, and even Zoro looks vaguely emotive. Franky and Chopper and Brook are just waiting for someone else to say something first.

But Luffy is, strangely enough, smiling. He adjusts the position of the straw hat on his head, ensuring it’s nice and tight. Then he gives Sanji a grin.

“I’ve been waiting for a reason to pick a fight with Big Mom.” He says.

And somehow, that’s the most reassuring thing he could have heard Luffy say to all of that.

#one piece #one piece spoilers #i am a new fan from the live action. but if u are a new fan from the live action. dont read this unless ur okay with spoilers #sanji #black leg sanji #vinsmoke sanji #op #my writing #fic #fanfiction #one piece fanfiction #one piece fanfic #whole cake island #whole cake arc #whole cake spoilers #kinda. barely #strawhat pirates #the pacing in this is a little off and the ending is Eh but otherwise im pretty happy w this. yippee #cross posted on ao3

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via-rant · 11 months

Text

Obrumbratio Scintillae

Chapter 1:

Nico hated his life. He wished he was never born. He didn't know where he was going but he didn't care. Everyone he loved was gone. Why even be born if everything is going to be taken away from you? If you have no one? It happened days ago and it was Christmas now. He watched people come and go with bags of decorations and treats and cards and gifts. It made him tear up thinking about celebrating with his mom and sister. But he held himself back and continued walking. His legs were tired after who knows how long and he sat behind a dumpster in an alleyway where there weren't as many people.

Where he could properly cry without anyone hearing. He needed his family. He got mad at one point and kicked the dumpster. And froze when he heard a "hey".

Then the top opened, and he got scared, pulling out his sword. Some other kid came out from inside, curly hair that was poorly cut, pointy ears like an elf, dark brown eyes that looked like they could start a fire, and skinny and smelly. He looked almost 9. Nico remembered the sword and put it away as quickly as he could.

"Are you a hallucination too?" The boy asked, and Nico raised a brow in confusion.

"What?"

"The sword. Disppearing out of nowhere. I was just seeing that wasn't I?" Nico silently cursed but thought about his question.

"Um... No. It was real." Nico said, and the kid hopped out of the trashcan and started walking to him. Nico backed away.

"What are you doing?" He asked, backing into the wall, and he placed a hand on his before retreating it back in shock.

"Jesus fuck you're freezing!" He yelled and Nico noticed how he was fine. He wore no actual jacket, just a hoodie and some jean shorts.

"Says you." He said and the kid looked down then shrugged.

"Touchè."

"Whatever. I don't have time for this." Nico said and started to walk away. The other looked hurt.

"Wait!" He yelled, following him. "You sure you don't want to stay with me? We don't know each other, but you're a runaway, right? Like me? We can get to know each other. If you're okay with it." Nico wasn't sure. He seemed like a nice enough kid. Sure, he's always tapping or playing with his hair as if he had a constant need to move, and he smelled like garbage, but Nico has smelled worse. Besides, he wasn't any different with the moving part. Not always for him but a lot. Besides, the kid was small. An easy target. Nico couldn't just leave him alone. He sighed.

"Alright. What's your name?" He asked and he smiled wide, reaching out a hand, obviously holding in his excitement.

"Leo! Leo Valdez." He said and Nico took his hand.

"Nico Di Angelo. Nice to meet you." Leo squealed and hopped on the balls of his feet before hugging him. Nico rolled his eyes but hugged back, both of them hiding tears.

They spent the rest of the day with Leo giving Nico some tips about the streets. About finding street money to save up, how to trick people, how to just go along with gangs by being the jester until there's a chance to escape to avoid being beat to a pulp by them.

They stole from stores during the day, running like mad men if they got caught even though it wasn't much. Except that one time when Nico filled his jacket pockets. That was a good day. They spent nights holding each other for warmth as they told things about themselves before falling asleep.

But they got colder every day. Leo noticed Nico holding back shivering sometimes. Nico shared his jacket sometimes, but Leo hated it because he knew Nico needed it a hell of a lot more. Today was so bad they had to look for shelter but couldn't find anywhere they weren't kicked out of. It was getting worse. Nico shook so bad his breathing was shortened, and he could barely walk.

Leo was scared shitless. He was cold but this was just three weeks later. Leo was desperate. He found enough sticks and started a fire. Luckily, Nico was completely out of it, so he didn't notice at all. But the fire didn't last long because of how small the sticks were. Leo pulled him into his lap for warmth as he shook, not knowing what else to do.

Fuck it. He thought and felt the tingling in his hand. He needed to save his best friend. He needed Nico. The fire prickled his fingers and he felt tears in his eyes as the memories flooded. Then he looked at Nico.

The only exception. He thought and lit it completely. Nico nuzzled his head in his shoulder. There was no telling how scared Leo was. What if it wasn't enough? What if it was and Nico leaves him behind? It started to be the first one. Leo felt tears in his eyes lighting his other hand on fire. Nico shivered and struggled to breathe, and Leo sobbed.

"Don't leave. Don't leave me, please don't leave." He begged quietly. "*Por favor, no te vayas, te necesito. No puedo hacer esto sin ti, por favor. (*Please don't leave, I need you. I can't do this without you, please.)" He cried. He didn't notice the man approaching.

Not until he touched his shoulder. Leo flinched and put the fire out in a panic before he realized and started it again, making the man flinch back. He wanted to say something to him but his mind was racing so much, he just cried harder in fear. Nico was dying, he was cold and hungry, and someone came and saw it. They saw him. What if they attacked him? Took Nico from him?

"Hey hey hey it's okay. It's okay. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to help you and your friend." He said, crouching to his level. Leo shook his head. Too much was happening. He wanted to trust him, but he knew nothing about this guy. He learned not to trust strangers two years ago, at 9.

"You're hysterical right now. I get it. Your friend is hurt and I'm a stranger."

"H-how will I know... you won't... call the..."

"I've been missing for a while. Look it up. Luke Castellan." Leo calmed himself down and looked at Nico. He didn't know what else to do. Nico was dying and someone was offering help. He reluctantly agreed, and Luke smiled. He pulled out a yellow square and gave it to him.

"It's called ambrosia. It'll help keep him alive until we get there." Luke said, and Leo made Nico eat it. When he swallowed, his breathing slowed down a bit, and he opened his eyes a little. Leo laughed in relief and hugged him before letting Luke take Nico in his arms. He tried standing, but his legs were weak. Luke held out an arm, and Leo rolled his eyes but let him carry him anyway, across from the shivering boy. Leo grabbed his hand to comfort both of them.

"It's okay. He'll help us." He reassured when Nico looked at him, hoping he was right. He didn't pay attention to where they were going, just made sure to keep Nico alive. And he was getting tired. He tried forcing himself to stay awake, but he was so tired. So... tired.

@moa-broke-me @yonemurishiroku @pjo-hoo-toa-freakazoid @potatoman-taterdude @the-demigod-slytherclaw @im-always-lost-in-a-book @stillcarmine

#pjo #percy jackson and the olympians #hoo #heros of olympus #leo valdez #nico di angelo #valdangelo #luke castellan #obrumbratio scintillae

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smurphyse · 2 years

Text

Bunny's New Rules

Smurph's Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Part 8 of Bunny and the Beast

Warnings: Extremely dubious consent, emotional manipulation, possessive behavior, toxic relationship behavior, rough sex, dominating behavior, sex rules, dirty talk, choking, choking with a belt, spanking, blacking out, aftercare

Summary: Spencer takes you to the new house, and you quickly figure out which room to break in first... and things get a little out of control

A week after asking you to move in, Spencer took you to his house in a much too nice area of DC for you to feel at home there. The block was lined with large brownstones, intricate structures with their own fences and gates and a guard at the front of the neighborhood.

“Jesus Christ,” you marveled as you pulled up. Snow had started to fall, and Christmas was only a month away. The gated community had decorated itself with lights and displays, and only Spencer’s house sat dark and empty in the snowbed.

He’d had a company move all your things to the house already, and his as well from the duplex except the bed so he could sleep there when needed. In a big puffy coat, you turned to him excitedly in the front seat of the car and grinned, “Can we put up lights this weekend?”

He made a face, “We’ll just have to take them down in a few weeks.”

You deflated a bit and looked longingly at the house. It needed color, and you hadn’t had the chance to really decorate for Christmas in years. You’d never had a place to call your own besides the duplex and the other shitty apartments you had over the years, always dreaming of a real home to decorate and beautify.

You felt Spencer’s hand rest on the back of your neck, and he groaned in annoyance, "Okay, we'll put up the damned lights, but I'm drawing the line at an animatronic Santa."

You giggled happily and looked over to him. He was trying to scowl at you but his smile was peeking through so you bumped him with your elbow, "We're putting up a tree too, right?"

Spencer scoffed and nodded, "Where else am I going to put the presents I got you?"

"You buy me too many things, Spencer," you told him, but he just cocked his head at you.

"I don't buy you enough things, bunny."

He didn't let you reply, instead turning off the blessedly warm car and hopping out. He rounded the front and nearly tripped on the ice, flashing it a glare before opening your door. The cold air blew in and made you flinch, but Spencer grabbed your hand and pulled you from your seat. He laced his fingers with yours as you walked together up the walkway, and when he got to the front door he pulled out a d-ring with some keys.

One was purple, the other blue with a sunflower keychain while his had a stack of books, and he gave you the blue one with a smile, “This one’s yours.”

It was a simple act, but you couldn’t hold back your happy stupid grin as it landed in your palm. It was the same color as the sundress you wore the first day you slept with Spencer so long ago. Even though the small sliver of metal weighed next to nothing, the emotional weight it held for you was almost too much to bear. It was your key… to your home with Spencer.

He watched you expectantly as you stared at the key, pointing to the door, “Do the honors, bunny.”

Sliding the key into the heavy lock, the deadbolt opened with a loud thwack. The door was thick with a large window, and your jaw dropped as you peered inside.

The mudroom had a bench on either side with room to put shoes under and a coat rack, but it was empty. Another door lay a few feet in front, and Spencer didn't waste any time as he tugged you along and opened it, ushering you in out of the cold, locking both behind him.

You stepped into a large parlor with dark mahogany flooring, a long staircase leading to the upstairs while a living room lay to the left, a sunroom on the right.

Spencer's voice made you jump as he leaned down to whisper in your ear, "Which way do you want to go first?"

"Uhmm," you hummed, unsure. You didn't know this place, and to be honest you felt a bit uncomfortable in it as it was so much larger and more lavish than you could have imagined. "Left?"

"Left it is," Spencer chuckled heartily, and then he was pulling you into the living room.

Boxes lined the walls, some with your name on them, others with Spencer's. The walls were dark, a light gray blue and lined with mahogany trimming and hand carved moldings. A television hung on one side while your couch laid across it, the bright yellow velvet shining in the dim lighting.

"How long has it been since you lived here?" you asked, eyeing the cobwebs in the corners.

"I've never lived here, I just sleep here sometimes," Spencer shrugged, pulling you along. "I inherited it from a friend when he died."

"Oh," you said, coming to a stop. Spencer turned back to look at you, frowning. "I'm sorry you lost him, Spencer."

He smiled sadly at you, cupping your jaw with his free hand and kissing your forehead. He jerked his head toward the next room and said, "C'mon sweet girl, let's look at the dining room."

There wasn't much in there besides the built-in China cabinets in the corners and a hutch on one wall, the walls painted the same as the living room and a small bathroom off to the side, but when Spencer brought you into the kitchen you gasped as your mouth hung open.

"Holy shit," you whispered, making Spencer laugh.

The walls were a pale Robin egg blue with silver appliances and white cabinets. The countertops were a beautiful white quartz, and he watched from the doorway as you walked inside, running your fingers lightly across the surface. There was a bar peninsula at one end of one counter with little stools, room enough for all the coffee you and Spencer drank and to enjoy soft mornings together.

A breakfast nook overlooked the back yard that was now covered in snow, but you could see where the large patio sat behind the back door and the massive length of the fenced in yard.

You could see summer in your mind, the big oak tree flourishing with green leaves. There was room for your herb garden next to the giant windows at the back of the kitchen, even larger than the one you had at the duplex.

"I can't wait to cook in here," you marveled, turning to catch his eye.

Spencer grinned like a cat, "I can't wait to fuck you on these counters."

"Don't you think about anything else?" you scolded playfully.

He shrugged, "I think about you most of the time, bunny."

Pushing himself from the frame, he reached out for your hand once more and led you into the next room. They all connected in these types of houses, old and nearing ancient, but Spencer had kept it in top condition.

The last room downstairs wasn't just a sunroom, but a massive library with large windows overlooking the front of the house. A fireplace sat in the middle of the exterior wall, and you could already tell you were going to spend a lot of time there.

Your shoes clicked on the wood floor, echoing around the empty house as Spencer led you through. The stairs had two beautiful carved railings, and you delicately ran your fingertips along the cool wood as he took you up them.

The two rooms at the top of the stairs were larger than yours at the duplex, with big closets and their own small bathrooms, but the master suite nearly made your heart stop beating in your chest.

It spanned the entire front of the upstairs, overlooking the neighborhood with wide wall length windows. A four-poster bed sat near the middle as the centerpiece of the room. Two walk in closets on one end and the door to the bathroom on the other, the walls painted a bright light blue.

"Do you like it?" Spencer asked softly, setting his hands on your shoulders. You were grateful for it, as it grounded you when you were surely about to float away.

Turning in his arms you wrapped yours around his waist and squeezed him tight. He hugged you back and chuckled as you spoke muffled into his chest, "I love it, Spencer, it's perfect."

"We'll decorate however you want," he mused aloud, making you grin until his shirt. "The place will be covered in velvet before we know it, but I don't mind. It reminds me of you."

"Velvet is amazing," you declared, and he laughed.

"You can use the library or the little bedroom for your office so you can work. It'll be great, bunny. I'm so happy you're here."

You finally glanced up at him, and he was smiling down at you. You couldn't help yourself as you broke into a mischievous grin, "When are we going to break in this room?"

Spencer's eyes lit up, and before you knew it his hand shot out and gripped your throat tight enough to bruise. Heat rushed to your cheeks and the puffer coat became too much, but Spencer was pushing you towards the bed too quickly for you to do anything about it. Your gasp was quickly silenced by his choking grip, and he loomed dangerously above you as the backs of your knees hit the high footboard of the bed.

"Now I've got you all alone, bunny," he whispered hotly, his breath fanning your face as you clutched his wrist just to keep yourself upright. "New house, new rules."

You watched him with wide eyes, gulping under his strong palm against your vulnerable throat. Spencer kissed your cheek much softer than his tone, "I've got you all to myself…and I'm going to take full advantage."

"H-how are you going to do that?" you asked quietly, a bit nervous.

Spencer pouted at you mockingly, and it sent a delightful shiver up your spine, "Are you scared, bunny?"

You swallowed thickly and shook your head, "Excited."

Releasing you, Spencer reached out and slowly unzipped your coat. It fell to the floor with a loud echo that reverberated throughout the empty house as he pushed it off your shoulders, and soon enough he was gently pushing you down onto the bare mattress.

You laid with your legs hanging off the edge, watching him as he took off his own and set it on the side of the bed. You wore a pair of leggings and a sweater since it was so cold outside, and the house was chilled due to it being empty for so long, but it wasn’t the reason you trembled.

The dark look in his eyes could have swallowed you whole, and the way they trailed down your vulnerable body alone here with him… it had you feeling like prey caught underneath a predator.

Spencer slipped his hands underneath the hem of your sweater, his fingertips cool and biting against your body heat. You took in a shuddering breath as he pushed it up to palm your breasts, kneading them and moaning quietly to himself.

"You're so small and sweet," he murmured, leaning over you to press his lips to your sternum. "I love being with you. You know that, don't you bunny?"

He grazed his teeth along the sensitive skin before looking up at you, and you barely managed to squeak out, "Yes, daddy."

Spencer dragged one of his hands from your breast and over your chest, threading his fingers around your throat. It was gentle this time, and you extended your neck to make room for him.

"You fit so perfectly in my hands…" he murmured, "I think you were made for me."

You let out a happy chuckle and wriggled on the bed and he smiled at you, "Are you ready for your new rules?"

"Yes, daddy."

Spencer licked his lips before kissing your exposed nipple, the heat nearly sizzling your skin in the cool house. He groaned and his hips bucked forward. You knew that sign, that he was holding himself back.

"You are to be wet, open, and ready for me anytime," he growled lowly, a guttural thing coming from his chest. "I'll always take care of you, so you're going to take care of me."

"But I'm always ready for you," you frowned.

"I know, but things are different now. I'm all yours and I need you," he told you, and you nodded. "I need you to be here for me."

This time you weren't tied down, so you reached out and cupped his jaw. You wanted to kiss him so he could feel your words, your intentions, but he didn't want that. Instead you pressed your thumb to his lips and rubbed them so they dragged.

"I'm right here, Spencer," you said emphatically, putting every bit of yourself in it that you could. "I'm here for you, okay?"

Spencer kissed the pad of your thumb and nodded, then turned his cheek so he could lean into your palm, "You have no idea what that means to me, bunny."

You started to sit up, and Spencer pulled his hands from you so you could. You knew he still wanted to pound you into the mattress, but he needed a moment of sweet comfort and you were damned if you weren't going to give it to him.

Pressing your forehead against his you nuzzled close, holding him to you. You squeezed him in as big a hug as you could muster, and when his arms wrapped around your waist you knew he could feel what you wanted to tell him.

You kissed his cheek, each firm press of your lips staining a promise into his skin. Spencer leaned into each one, sighing and reveling in your attention. The scent of his cologne washed over you, his cinnamon shampoo flooding your nostrils as you kissed the shell of his ear. When you kissed that spot behind the back of his ear that he loved, Spencer actually whimpered and his hips twitched beneath you.

"I'm ready for you now, daddy," you whispered seductively in his ear. "Just for you, and only you, forever. In our house together, you can take me whenever you like."

A guttural snarl burst from his chest, and you knew you were in for it now. Suddenly you were being shoved back onto the bed and flipped onto your belly, your warm leggings pulled down just enough to expose your ass and your pussy to the cold air.

Spencer pushed up your sweater to show more of your back, trapping your thighs between his legs. You arched your back when you heard the clinking of his belt buckle in aching anticipation, twitching with excitement as his zipper pulled down.

His hand came down on the back of your neck to hold you down, but he didn't need to. You wiggled your ass to entice him, smiling when he groaned and pressed the blunt head of his cock to your wet pussylips. Unlike his apology the week before, he wasn’t slow. Spencer shoved inside you with one sharp thrust, splitting your walls wide and open and trapped around his thick throbbing length and making you yelp as you gripped the fabric of the mattress.

He leaned over you, shaking you by the back of your neck as he growled in your ear, “I’ll take you whenever I want, as slow or fast as I want to be."

You shuddered at his words, dripping at the mere thought.

"You belong to me, bunny," he hissed, but it was full of longing and care as he filled you. "I belong to you. We're going to take care of eachother."

Pushing back into him and whining, you said, "Let me take care of you, daddy."

He chuckled darkly and kissed your cheek, "Thank you sweet girl, thank you for taking care of me."

Without letting you reply, Spencer put one hand on your back, his big hand nearly covering all of it as he palmed your waist and started pounding into you. Each thrust made a small gasp or whine huff from you, the cool air fogging as Spencer held you down by the back of your neck.

Your dripping cunt pulled him back in, his guttural snarls making your eyes roll into the back of your head. You could see the houses outside the window, the neighborhood going on without knowing that you were being fucked into oblivion.

"My sweet little fuck bunny," Spencer groaned. His hips bruised the back of your legs with each slap of his skin against yours, the warming skin stinging in the cold room. "I can't believe I found you, I can't believe you're all mine."

"Just yours, daddy!" you whimpered into the bed, your voice muffled.

His hands left you and his hips stilled, the sounds of his belt clinking behind you. Just as you turned to see what he was doing you felt the leather slip around your throat, tightening in an instant and pulling you back. Your back arched as a near painful shudder ripped through you, Spencer holding your neck with the belt like a leash.

"Little velvet rabbit," he grunted, thrusting sharply to accentuate his point. You let out a groan as the fronts of your thighs hit the footboard, no doubt bruising them as much as the belt. "Daddy's little fuck toy…"

You yelped when he tugged on the belt, your hips pushing back to take as much of him as you could. There was something virulent coursing through you at his dehumanization, something primal and fucked up. Your head swam as the world went hazy, going limp as he screwed you like a piece of meat.

When Spencer’s hand came down on your ass, you let out a shaky moan, heat coursing through your body. The world faded away until there was only this, now, right here with him. His cock pummeled your cervix, your quaking walls shaking around him as you took what he gave.

"You're so beautiful like this. Maybe I should get you a collar of your own with my name on the tag," he chuckled darkly, panting with each thrust. "I'll get you a set of bunny ears and a little tail plug to keep you open for me, any hole, any time I want."

He hit you again, harder and the stinging radiated up your back, "What do you think, bunny? You want daddy to use this toy any time he wants?"

"Hnnnngg," you groaned, barely conscious between the subspace and his merciless pounding of you from behind.

He gripped your hair, making you gasp and drip your juices down your thighs, "I can't hear you, cocksleeve."

"Yesdaddy!" you barely managed to cry out. Your body was cold and so hot, tight and limp all at the same time, that belt squeezing your neck and leaving bruises to enjoy tomorrow. "Fuck your hole, play with my little cunt and my ass any time!"

He let you babble, knowing how you got once he dominated you into this headspace. Tears streamed down your cheeks as your breath escaped in quick pants, "Keep me on my knees, in a cage! Tied to the bed, I don't care! Just breed your little bunny pleaseee!"

You heard his shivering moan at your words, pushing him over the edge as they so often did. He twisted the end of the belt over his hand and held you taught and tight as he buried himself balls deep. His cum spurting into your cervix ignited your own orgasm, your heated body curling up the best it could in the position.

Your toes curled, your cries cut off by his grip, each new bit of spend flooding your cunt and soaking you in its warmth. Your vision whited out as you came again, barely breathing as your body lost all control.

When you came to, blinking blearily at the ceiling, Spencer loomed above you. He lightly slapped your face, speaking to you in quick tones.

"Oh thank god," he gasped as you locked eyes with him. "You scared the shit out of me."

"Mmm," was all you could reply, pushing at him so you could sleep, but he grunted and slapped at your hands.

"Let me look at you, don't go to sleep," he snapped. His hand slid up the column of your throat, pressing gently on the forming bruises. "Did you black out from cumming or could you not breathe?"

"I don't know," you grumbled.

Spencer sighed, "Bunny you have to tell me if you can't breathe. If you need a break or I'm being too rough, you have to tell me so I don't accidentally kill you."

You groaned in annoyance, "But I like it…"

Spencer broke into laughter, but it was a bit panicked. He brushed back your hair and you let your head loll to the side, realizing he'd slipped the belt from your neck and tossed it aside. He leaned over you and pressed his forehead to your cheek, one hand rubbing your tummy to soothe.

"You have to tell me, okay?" he begged, and you glanced sleepily at him, patting his arm in response. "You can't actually let me do whatever I want if it's really hurting you."

"But it felt so good," you insisted, and he pulled away to glare at you. You reached between you to touch his soft, pussy soaked cock, "I can go again right now, daddy."

"Oh fuck no," he said, pulling your hand from him. He stuffed himself into his pants and pulled up your leggings before scooping you up and carrying you into the bathroom.

A large clawfoot tub with stairs and a ledge sat in the center of the room, much bigger than even the ones you'd seen before like it was made for multiple people. A large shower with glass doors and tile floors sat on one wall, a bay window opposite the sink counters with their massive mirrors.

Even through your post-fuck haze you marveled at the beauty of it. Spencer held you like a baby in both arms, sitting on the tub ledge and corking the bottom. You clung to him limply as he filled it, going in and out until you found yourself in the water.

You hadn't even felt him undress you, nor set you down long enough to undress himself. Spencer set you between his legs with your back to him, his strong fingers immediately digging into your back and massaging you.

"Seriously," he murmured in your ear, and you smacked your lips as you tried to stay awake. "Are you okay?"

"I feel fine, Spencer," you rasped, realizing your throat was dry. "That was amazing."

He groaned and pressed his forehead to the back of your hair, "I don't want to hurt you for real, bunny."

"I think I just came too hard," you chuckled. "If your other partners can take it, so can I."

"I've never had anyone black out like you do sometimes," he said quietly. "I don't like thinking I lost control."

"Spencer, I don't think I ever had a real orgasm before I met you," you told him, and you felt his small laugh behind you. "You worry too much."

"You make me worry… I'm so scared of losing you or driving you away."

You groaned as you turned to straddle him and wrap your arms around his neck. He watched you with fearful eyes even as you bumped your nose with his, "I promise I'm okay. I'll tell you if it's too much. I just get so lost in you, I don't always realize."

"I feel the same way," he whispered. His hands rubbed lines up and down your back as he clung to you. "That's why this is so scary. You're so young, you can have anyone you want."

"I want you, Spencer. Even if you're an old man," you said playfully, and he chuckled embarrassingly.

"I'm twenty years older than you, Y/N."

"Like I said, old man." You pressed your lips next to his so you didn't push his boundaries, whispering, "My old man, though. Just mine, and I'm just yours. It'll only work if we work at it."

He smiled softly at you, bringing his hand up to cup your face and watch you softly in the dim light. The water sloshed around you, warm and safe, but really it was him that kept you grounded.

"I'm in this for real, bunny. Okay?" he asked tearfully, his eyes turning red rimmed and watery. "You're the only one I want, you're the only one I need. I'm in it for as long as you'll have me."

"Okay," you said back, smiling at him. "You have me."

He broke out in a devilish grin, "We're waiting a few days, but what room do you want to break in next?"

You tapped your jaw as you pretended to think, trying to decide how you'd entice him to fuck you before then.

"The kitchen," you decided. "Right on the counter, in front of that big window."

"Sounds like a plan."

Notes: Please tell me what you think! Do you think Bunny will start telling Spencer her boundaries? How do you think Spencer might take advantage of Bunny's new rules?

CM Forever Tag:

@thedancingcostumeyoungadult @muffin-cup @simplyparker @spencerreidsmommy @hotchandspencearedilfs @gspenc @kbakery @nomajdetective @givemeth @hoshihiime @halloween-is-my-nationality @reidselle @thisiscalmanditsdoctorreid @dreatine @thebloomingeagle @fortheloveofwonderland @theforgottenwinter @parkerreidnorth @reidselle @randomhoex @scargarcia-magshotchner @stitchwrites @pygmygoat-bicyclehelmet @cle13 @aysixdy @elhotchner @directioner5life @elhotchner @loveeee2134 @preciousbabypeter @la-stuffs @stories-you-wont-hear @hotchlover @fortheloveofwonderland @lokiandhisdagger @bellanutellababyyy @dark-night-sky-99 @straightforbuckybutgayfornatasha @maltamurdock @charelletjee @kansas-reid @zephyrmonkey @spencer-reid-wonderland @spencersprettyslut @im-sure-its-fine @tvdstelenaforever @teddylupintonks @lilibet261 @kneelforloki @dirtytissuebox @almostgenerallyalways

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hackerqueen · 1 year

Text

Without you

A short story about Richy's funeral and how MC is coping after the mine fire.

warnings: mention JakexMC, mental breakdown, slight sexual abuse

I stared blankly at the group of people standing in front of me. Nothing caught my attention, all the colors washed into one, and time didn't seem to pass at all. He stopped, but already a week ago. A week ago when I first heard the "MC, the mine blew up. They found a man's body." My cheeks were dry because I wasn't crying anymore. It seemed to me that I got rid of all the water from my body that I had in me.

And when the bronze coffin was lowered into the deep grave, I heard something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I heard a loud sob that was similar to the moan of a wounded animal that is fighting with all its might to survive. I looked towards the sound and saw a red-haired girl who was clutched by a taller and bigger bearded man. I tensed my whole body and face to stay in place so as not to walk over to her and take her in my arms. Jessy's fregile body trembled with spasms of desperate crying as Dan tried to hold her still. My Jessy, who I always associated with smile, warmth and determination, was now the definition of surrender. And that broke me the most, because why was fate so cruel that it took away even the greatest ray of happiness we had left?

The coffin fell down and was covered with earth. People will remember him as a cheerful and playful mechanic who could always make you feel better. I wasn't sure how I would remember him. Right now, it was just a taste of betrayal I had never experienced before.

My arms were folded over my chest, I stood there with a stony face as my mind stormed. No, it was a typhoon. Murderous and merciless. All I wanted was to silence all these thoughts and go to sleep. To be unaware of all the fuss and chaos for at least one hour. One hour of peace, is that much? But my brain wouldn't give up. It still flooded me with thoughts and anxiety. Jake. What has become of him? Did he die in the mine, and if so, where was his body? If he got away, did the FBI catch him? And they did, I was sure of it. Did they just kill him? Or worse, were they torturing him? I was replaying our last conversation. I love you. He confessed it to me. He actually told me he loved me and I replied the same to him. God, I would give anything to turn back time and stop him from saying those words. Maybe then it would hurt less.

My God, I would give anything to turn back time, get my way and go into that mine alone instead of letting him go there. He wasn't supposed to die there.

– So you showed up.

I turned to a female voice I didn't know yet. However, I immediately recognized the woman standing in front of me. Missing Hannah Donfort stood before me as if nothing had happened.

– Hi, Hannah. Nice to finally meet you. – I made an effort to be friendly but I honestly didn't feel like talking to either of them. Well, maybe except Jessy, because only she could understand what I felt at that moment. I felt a special bond between me, Jessy, and Richy. It wasn't a big deal, but it was ours. Our little something that gave me a certain sense of belonging to their group.I scanned the people around her.

Seeing them all was very strange and almost stressful, because our contact so far was only by phone. Thomas was standing next to her, giving me a not-so-pleasant look. In fact, he almost always had that look on his face, so I wasn't too concerned. After all, I didn't like him much after all the stupid things he'd done while looking for his girlfriend.

On the other side of her, I recognized her sister, Lilly. Our relationship was... dynamic. From a lot of hatred to a quite successful friendship, the only thing that separated us was solving the puzzle together with Jake. The blonde gave me a soft smile and I couldn't help but wonder if Jake's smile would be similar to hers? Did the color of her eyes resemble his? Did the warmth of her gaze even remotely reflect his? They were half siblings after all, they must have had something in common. Lilly seems to have sensed that I was thinking of a hacker because her face turned violently sad.

And behind them stood Dan, who was still hugging Jessy, but she wasn't crying anymore. The mascara had dried on her cheeks, and she stared at me with the same dull eyes that I had a dozen or so minutes ago. She stared at me and her eyes were so... alien. With one look from her, I understood that our first meeting would be without a smile and a warm hug.

– How dare you come here? – I was snapped out of watching the others by Hannah's sharp question. – Who invited you? What happened wasn't enough for you?

What the fuck?

– What are you talking about, Hannah? – I asked cautiously, my jaw clenching tight

– You think I don't know anything? I know Richy wanted you to come to him. Maybe if you'd done that instead of sending Jake there, they'd both still be alive!

I opened my eyes in amazement, and my blood suddenly began to boil. I looked at them all in disbelief to hear that it was some kind of bad joke, but they stood as they had been standing before. Lilly had her eyes fixed on the ground, Thomas continued to stare at me with his dull and unfavorable gaze, and Jessy, even though she was looking at me, I knew that her heart was somewhere else.

– You know shit. You don't know anything about what really happened, so don't accuse me. – I growled at her, losing patience. The girl I didn't know, and yet to whom I gave the last months of my life, made me mud, and the people I helped didn't even defend me with a single word.

– Oh yeah? So it wasn't like Richy wanted you to come to Duskwood and you agreed to let Jake go instead of you? – she asked in a venomous tone and I fell silent. Because basically that's exactly how it was. – It wasn't like you used him to save your own skin? It wasn't like you knew full well it could kill him and you still agreed to it? It wasn't like you let him die instead of you?

– Shut up. – I mumbled, but she didn't listen to me. She kept stabbing daggers into my bleeding heart. – I said, shut up!

I was breathing fast and my heart was beating mercilessly fast causing a sharp pain in my chest. Nobody interrupted her. They all think I'm the cause of Richy's death. Jake's death.

– And now you're boasting because you think he did it for you? – she asked and I felt myself falling apart. – Do you think he cared about you? He's only been using you the whole time to find me.

I stared at her not understanding a single word. One sentence from her and I knew she was still in love with the hacker. I glanced briefly at Lilly, who shook her head slightly. She did not know.

So why should I pretend I'm okay when I'm not? Should I allow myself to be treated this way by the person for whose search I gave all my strength?

– And you're still in love with the boy who blew you off. – I said dryly. – Hannah, tell me, don't you have at least a little respect not to start an argument in the cemetery right after we buried our friend?!

A dry snort escaped her lips.

– Don't make me laugh, MC. Just accept that you should never get involved in this. If you hadn't, our friends would still be alive.

Once again, surprise flashed across my face. She.. didn't know she sent them my number?

I had enough. It was her game that I wasn't going to play anymore. I moved forward, passing everyone I had called friends before.

– Before you start to accuse me again, ask them how it really was. Go ahead, ask Thomas why I got involved. Ask them how you ruined my life.

Lilly grabbed my hand, but I pulled away from her grip. I couldn't and didn't want to look at them. Not now and never in my life.

* * *

Crowd, sweaty bodies and alcohol. These three things accompanied me that evening. I didn't count the amount of high-proof liquors I drank. They were not colorful, light drinks, but pure vodka, which allowed me to forget faster. Get away from what happened. I danced, wiggling my hips, brushing against random people as neon and flickering lights illuminated my tired face.

At one point I swallowed some colored pills that were given to me - but I didn't care. At that moment, I would swallow anything that would give me a moment of solace. One minute I was dancing with a girl I didn't know, and the next I was pinned against the bathroom wall, kissed by an older man.

My body was sticky from alcohol, sweat and other unknown substances. I felt my hair tangled. At that moment, I only wanted one thing. Death. I wanted to cry. Oh god, I wanted to howl as loud as I could, but not even a single tear ran down my dead face. The man covered my skin with more wet kisses. He alternately drooled my cleavage, neck and shoulders, and I just stared blankly ahead and begged for someone to end it.

I don't know how, but I freed myself from the man's tight grip. Perhaps someone sent me a guardian angel, perhaps someone took pity on the girl who drank too much, and perhaps I regained some strength to oppose him. I didn't remember how I got to the motel room, but I only woke up when I ran into the bathroom. I didn't hesitate - I immediately staggered to the shower.

I clumsily opened the glass door of the cabin, and then my legs refused to obey. I fell onto the white paddling pool, bruising my knees painfully. I put my hands on the glass, trying to get air, but the harder I did, the more I was suffocating. My head throbbed and my body writhed in convulsions of pain. After turning on the tap with water, my hand fell, knocking most of the things off the shelf, making a loud bang. It wasn't important. Feeling the icy water pour over my burning body, I felt as if someone had given me life back.

I sighed, hanging my head, feeling my hair sticking more and more to my forehead. I don't even know when the water started mixing with my tears.

It wasn't like you let him die instead of you?

If you hadn't, our friends would still be alive.

She is right. You are disgustingly selfish. You should die there.

You couldn't handle it so you're off to drink and fuck with some old creep?

You should die there.

A soft, pitiful moan escaped my lips as more trickles began to run down my face. I clenched my trembling fingers against my thighs as hard as I could, crying louder and more wistfully. Nothing mattered to me. Not when I knew I had let the man I loved suffer for me. My lungs refused to obey me, and I felt such a piercing pain that I hadn't felt in a long time. I choked on my own saliva that landed on my chin and hands. At one point, I howled like a wounded animal because I couldn't control it anymore. It was like torture. I begged in my mind for it to end, but absolution never came.

Jake is dead because of you.

I closed my eyes, wrapped my arms around my waist, and screamed again, doubled over. My forehead touched the white paddling pool.

As if behind the fog, I heard someone opening the cabin door. I didn't open my eyes. I closed my eyes tighter when I felt a gentle squeeze on my shoulder, followed by a pleasant smell and warmth emanating from the other person.

– MC, calm down. – he whispered in a trembling voice right into my ear, his trembling fingers running through my wet hair. I pressed my forehead against the hard surface as hard as I could, almost breaking my nails from how hard I pressed them against my skin. – You are safe. I am with you.

– Jake? – I croaked

This voice was like the fulfillment of the most secret desires.

It took me a few long moments to come to my senses. I opened my eyes in an amok, but the vision was very blurry. I blinked slowly.

And when I didn't see anyone there, I felt like someone stab a dagger right through my heart, twirl it hard, then pull it out and leave me to bleed out.

"I've nothing without you

All my dreams and all the lights mean

Nothing without you"

Lana Del Rey

#duskwood jake #duskwood richy #duskwood #everbyte duskwood #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood game #duskwood jessy #duskwood jake x mc #jake duskwood #duskwood fandom

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thatastrobae · 1 month

Text

ＷａｉｔｉｎｇｔｏＥｘｈａｌｅ (Beta) 🌻🪻

I wrote this fic back in September, but I refuse to post on a03 until I have ch 2 written. This might be my next multi-chapter flowerbyte fic after 'Into You' is completed

“I’ve just got so much on my mind y’know…” the sixteen year old mumbled as he carefully steered the car. From the passenger seat, Captain Jeff Morales let out an understanding hum. He peeped that Miles was a bit tense that morning so he extended a listening ear. He always wanted a chance to bond with his son more and the second Miles turned sixteen back in August, he took him to the DMV to get his permit. Driving lessons commenced as soon as the kid got the piece of plastic. They drove around every Saturday and Sunday at 7 a.m. when the streets of Brooklyn 1610B were quiet and empty and neither Jeff or Miles had to put on their uniform/mask to protect the city. At this specific time, they could simply be Miles and Jeff: father and son. Not Spiderman and Captain Morales. Neither Jeff or Rio were shocked to discover Miles’ secret identity, in fact, it was a missing piece to the intricate puzzle that was their son. They had many discussions regarding their meta human child and ultimately decided two things: Number one being that they’ll continue to love and support him through his dangerous job and number two was that they’ll do everything in their power to keep him grounded (not that kind of grounded). Rio, being the fiercely protective mother she was, would be damned if Miles’ responsibilities as Spiderman stripped him of every ounce of normalcy in his life, so Jeff thought of this because what’s more conventional than a father teaching his son an important life skill such as driving?

“I hear that, yeah. So tell me what’s going on?” Jeff urged calmly.

“It’s just like…homework, girls…well one girl.” He looked to Miles and smirked.

‘A girl huh?’ Jeff thought, but then he felt a sense of dêja vu wash over him when he saw a blush coloring the top of Miles’ ears. He remembered having this same conversation over a year ago; back when Miles was falling behind in school and he couldn’t figure out why, back when the then fifteen year old was battling some inner demons and hiding a whole other part of his life from them. It was crazy how so much could change in a year.

“Another girl, son? I remember the one from last year.” The police chief joked. Miles’ jaw tightened and his Adam’s apple bobbed at the mention. Upon seeing this, Jeff masked his laughter with coughs. It may come off as insensitive, but he knew straight off the back things weren’t gonna last with the previous girl. Jeff knew all too well that at Miles’ age, romantic feelings for someone are strong but fleeting. Him being Spiderman didn’t except from this rule. Obviously ‘Gwanda’ was still a touchy subject. He wasn’t sure if Miles still kept in touch with the girl- last time he saw her was that catastrophic day after he got sworn in as captain. While Jeff wasn’t a fan of the emo? Alt? whatever; Miles seemed to care a lot about her and he felt bad that his son’s first love broke his heart- even though Miles has yet to tell him how. But that was in the past and the only way to help the boy heal was by bringing him to the present and instilling hope for a better future so Jeff opened the conversation again.

“Anyway, this new girl…what’s her name?”

Miles hesitated at first, the way someone with conflicting thoughts would hesitate. Truth be told, Miles was feeling conflicted, it was just recently that he decided to acknowledge his not-so platonic feelings for the fellow spider person.

“Margo.” he said, his ears still a deep shade of red.

It’s almost as if she was a genie because every time he says her name out loud, she makes an appearance. As soon as Miles got home from his driving lesson, he began to pack his bag for the week ahead. He shook the habit of waiting til last minute a while ago. It was only a thirty minute task and he was able to spend the rest of his Sunday’s not worrying about. As he gathered his clean laundry and art supplies, the topic of discussion from his earlier talk with Jeff began to materialize from a collection of pixels. The way her avatar was dressed- in a Minecraft midriff t-shirt and cargo pants-indicated that her physical self was dressed in the same attire. The intricate bubble braids on the other hand was most likely CC, still she looked cute as always. Miles smirked at his blue and purple friend.

“Y’know, one of these days you might end up catching me butt ass naked.” he joked.

“With the amount of times I pop up unannounced, I’m surprised that day hasn’t come already. It’s all good though, I’m very patient .” she gave Miles a smirk of her own as she sat knees-crossed on his chair. Upon seeing the pile of clean clothes on his bed, Margo rolled herself closer.

“Mind if I help?”

Miles gave her a grateful smile and nodded. He hated folding clothes with a passion. Not only was it tedious, but he was never good at it, unlike Margo who folded his white Oxford shirts with precision and ease.

“So…did you get it?” Margo asked cryptically. He knew what she meant by ‘it’ but the way she whispered her sentence made it sound like he was to obtain a bag of drugs or something so he decided to mess with her.

“Hmmm..get what?” was his clueless response as he sloppily folded a pair of slacks. When placing them down, he lifted his gaze towards Margo and almost busted out laughing at her narrowed eyes and pursed blue lips. She snatched up the khakis and refolded them.

“The Gotham Nights Deluxe Edition game. Y’know the one I cashapp'd you forty-five dollars for? Ring a bell?”

“Oh you mean this?” He asked reaching into his nightstand and pulling out the mint condition, unwrapped video game case. The gapped tooth grin that always warmed Miles from the inside-out split across her face.

“Also, I keep tryna send that forty-five back. You really didn’t need to go half with me, I was gonna buy it anyway.”

Even if he wasn’t gonna purchase the game anyway, he probably still would have gotten it for her to enjoy. One of her many favorite things to do in his dimension was play video games with him and Ganke on their shared PS5. Miles thought it adorable and began to chuckle, earning a playfully suspicious glance from her.

“What’s funny?”

“It’s just that…you come from this super advanced dimension where you have access to a whole entire virtual world…”

“Mhmm..” she urged him to continue, picking up a polo and folding that as well.

“…but you’re geeked about a mundane video game. And not only that, do you not realize that you’re playing a video game through the lens of another video game?”

“That last part is where you’re wrong, Miles.” she said breezily. He raised his an eyebrow, interested in what she would say to correct his perception.

“Yeah?”

“The VR in my dimension is a whole nother type beat. By putting on our headset, it’s more like we’re…extending our realities. People earn their living, build their craft, fall in love, etc. via virtual reality.” Even when she was correcting him and being informative, Margo was mellow and soft-spoken. He found himself never missing a word she uttered because as soon as she began speaking, his attention was like a moth to her flame. No one else (especially by voice alone), could put him in a trance like this.

“Take me being Spider Woman for example. I wish that I had the option to just turn off my system and turn it back on again if I ever screw up, but I can’t. I mean don’t get me wrong, I can’t really die while in avatar form which is pretty sweet. Still though, the safety of my cyberspace depends on Spiderbyte. You feel me?”

“No…yeah…I feel you. What I said before sounds really dumb now that I think about.” he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, a habit of his that Margo clocked when they first started hanging out. Normally she’d tell him to stop being so self deprecating, but she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her.

“Not at all. Even I have trouble wrapping my head around our way of life. It’s definitely not a grounding experience and sometimes I’m scared that…” Margo trailed off. She’d never shared this deep, irrational fear with with anyone, but Miles was intrigued so he used his foot to nudge her into finishing the thought.

“I’m scared that one day we won’t even have the option to go outside and experience real life. Movie theaters and arcades aren’t a thing anymore, game stores will probably be next to go. Our basic needs can be met without even leaving the house and everyone seems ok with that…?” she looked down at her blue, holographic hands.

“I guess I feel like a weirdo for finding an issue with our remote way of living.”

“Nah, I bet there are tons of people in your dimension who feel the same way. Still though, I know how depressing it is to feel so disconnected from everyone so if you ever wanna talk more about it without being judged, I’m always here to listen.”

The grin returned to Margo’s face and Miles’ gave himself a pat on the back for being the one to put it there. Margo’s voice was timid, but tender as she uttered her next sentence

“Being able to come and see you is probably the best thing to come from this technology takeover.”

Her words caused his brain to short circuit. This isn’t anything new though. Margo would often say little things that had him blushing and kicking his feet- internally of course. They’d gotten close over the past nine months and it all started one random Tuesday evening as Miles attempted to complete an essay.

There was a sharp rap on his dormitory door, briefly drawing his attention from his laptop.

“It’s open!” Miles hollered out, not wanting to break focus on the paper due tomorrow afternoon. A few seconds of silence passed and he assumed whoever it was didn’t need anything for real. Then there was another hesitant knock. Miles let out a sigh of frustration before getting up and aggressively opening the door. The breath was immediately knocked out of him for two reasons. Reason number one being that Spiderbyte (who resided in whole other dimension) was one of the last people he expected to pop up out of the blue and speaking of ‘blue’, she wasn’t. She wasn’t glowing or pixilated either, in fact she blended in as a Visions student in this dimension so seamlessly. Dressed in a navy blue sweatshirt with the school’s name across the chest, leggings, and some sneakers — she looked like a classmate visiting another classmate to ask for some Ramen. So instead of pulling her into the privacy of his room as he probably would if she was in her spider suit, he just stared- astounded.

“Hey.” Margo said casually- too casually if you asked him. She peered behind him into his shared dorm room. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Miles quickly gathered himself and moved to the side, allowing her to enter before closing his door.

“N-nah…it’s just…you’re actually here right now. In the flesh.”

With his essay almost forgotten, Miles couldn’t take his eyes off of her deep chestnut complexion and neatly plaited hair. Perplexity flashed across her face before realization took over.

“Oh no no. I made sure to turn my graphics card up before projecting myself here. I’m still very much…

Margo glitched and a pixelated bubble appeared in thin air in front of him, revealing the teen girl with her VR headset firmly placed on her head, dressed in the same attire as her avatar.

“At home, chilling in my gaming chair and eating Fritos.”

He saw her actual person pop a crunchy corn chip in her mouth before the projection disappeared, allowing her avatar to stand before him once again. A slight smile appeared on Miles’ face, for the similarities between their first meeting and now wasn’t missed upon him. Only difference was that her parent’s weren’t screaming at each other in the background.

“Oh. It’s just that you look so…” stunning was what the word that instantly came to Miles’ head, but he refused to go down that road. Instead he finished his sentence with “…natural.” An odd save, but a save nonetheless.

“You’re dimension has Visons Academy too? And you go there?” He asked oh so intelligently. Miles didn’t know why he went with that when there were way more important questions to ask such as why she was here? How was she? Did they blow anther hole in the multiverse?

“Yes, but it’s nothing like this.” Margo responded, gesturing to his entire room “Once upon time, there were dorms and in-person classes. Now everything is-

“Online.” He finished for her. While Miles would love to attend school virtually, he refrained from voicing his sentiment. Something about the way Margo looked longingly at his and Ganke’s decorations made him feel like she would trade places with him in a heart beat. After a minute, Margo collected herself and focused solely and the boy she came to visit.

“Yeah. But it seems like your style and your roommate’s style don’t clash which is good.”

Now that they got the ‘how’ out of the way, Miles was trying to gather some words together to politely ask ‘why’ she was here- in his dimension- in his dorm. As if she read his mind, Margo chuckled and casted him a look of understanding.

“I was a little bit hesitant to come, but I really wanted to see how you were.”

“Are you sure that’s all?” He didn’t mean to sound so wary, but the last time a girl from an alternate universe ‘stopped by to say hey’ she was also on a top secret mission to capture a mephistophelian villain who got more powerful as time progressed. If something similar was happening here, he didn’t wanna waste any precious time. Miles eyed his spider suit hanging from his top drawer, preparing to gear up if need be.

“Aye chill, we not gettin’ active tonight.” she assured placing her hand on his shoulder to refocus his attention on her “It’s just that…it’s been three months since any of us last heard from you. Hobie said to give you your space...so we did. I guess I just came to relay the message that we’re thinking about you and whenever you’re ready, you can put your watch to good use.”

“All of you still keep in touch.” it wasn’t a question.

“Well it’s not like we host group meetings every week, but I tend check in on Hobie, Pav, or Peni often. Maybe they pop in on each other as well, but that’s about it.” She also spoke to Gwen before the blonde got super busy a month ago, but she refrained from saying so.

“That’s very kind of you to do.”

“Look man, you already know how lonely life get's for people like us- especially in an isolating society like mine. And now that we aren’t apart of the task-force any more, we need each other. As allies, supports, friends. My reasons for keeping them close aren’t unselfish.”

“I still respect you for it and for coming here.” Miles’ leather colored eyes were locked onto her ebony ones, both were unmindful to the fact that they’d inched a bit closer together. The young Spiderman meant what he said, he hadn’t known Margo Kess for long, but taking that kind of initiative aligned with the basis of her character. He didn’t need to know her for long to see that she a was a remarkable individual; who else would defy their psycho boss and extend their loyalty to someone they met for fifteen seconds? It wasn’t Miles’ intentions to neglect his friends/allies though. He and his family needed those three months to recuperate so he locked the watch Hobie had gifted him in a drawer and somewhere over those twelve weeks his friends: Peter, Pav, Hobie, Peni, Ham, even Gwen were stored in the back of his mind. Margo was interesting though, she was the most surreal out of the bunch so she snuck her way into his dreams once in a while. There were times where he would be tempted to draw her and as much as he tried to refrain, he failed. He had a few sketches of the virtual girl, but he told himself repeatedly that as an aspiring artist he had every right to want to draw such an aesthetically pleasing avatar with a bomb ass color scheme. Miles raised his eyebrow curiously when Margo began laughing.

“I was a bit scared coming here, i'm not gonna lie. I felt like I was pushing a boundary by showing up here uninvited... so thank you for that sentiment.”

A thought popped into his head and while he could have internalized it, he wanted to share it with her so she knew how much her being here meant to him .

“Around this time a year ago, I prayed for one of my cross-dimensional spider friends to show up. Hell, I would’ve even been ecstatic to see Ham.”

That last part caused them both to chuckle. He thought briefly about how different it would’ve been if Spiderbyte was also displaced to his dimension all those months ago. Would she have come to see him? Probably so, considering that she didn’t need Miguel’s tech to travel dimensions nor did she ever take his theory of canon events with a grain of salt.

“So it actually means a lot..you coming here, helping me out the way you did after the Spider Society…” Miles trailed off and peered out his window, the blatant rejection he experienced at the hands of all those other spider people still stung even after the apology and olive branch was extended.

“I’d do it again in a heart beat.” The conviction in her tone forced him to look back at her “..for you at least.”

Her sheer devotion to him had Miles melting like butter on a tender steak straight off the grill. ‘Why am I like this?’ He thought to himself.

Margo- aware of the serious atmosphere she created- attempted to shift the mood by gesturing to the open document on his laptop.

“I see I was interrupting something.” She joked “When is this due?”

Miles blew a raspberry, surprised at himself for allowing the paper to completely slip his mind, even if it was just for a few minutes.

“Tomorrow afternoon. It’s for AP Psych and I’m short nine pages.”

Margo sharply inhaled at how stretched thin on time her friend was. Despite being a genius, the girl was no stranger to finishing assignments on a time crunch. Being Spider-woman ensured that would be her new normal. She glanced at the title that was written in bolded sans serif font letters.

“Anxiety and Sleep Paralysis: How Individuals with Anxiety Are Likely to Experience Sleep Disorders” Margo read out loud. “That’s an interesting topic. I’m sure we can knock this out by midnight.”

“We?” Miles regarded her with a perplexed look to which she tapped her index finger on her chin as she pretended to think.

“If only I had the ability to locate and synthesize relevant sources via the internet in less than a minute.” she stated sarcastically before fixing him with a sly grin.

She did in fact stay with him until 11 p.m., feeding him information that he could stuff his essay with to come up with the required ten pages. He expressed that he wanted to see her again and sure enough, she kept coming back. Now nine months later she still managed to have him wrapped around her virtual finger whenever she said something sweet or flirty and looked at him through those long, feminine eyelashes like she was doing right now. When she says these things, he knows she means them and it’s a clear indication of her not-so platonic feelings for him. It made Miles feel like they could actually fall in love with each other.

And that was a problem.

Miles wasn’t the same man he was last year or the year before that. His hopeless romantic fourteen year old self would’ve been so receptive to this beautiful girl’s subtle displays of affection, but after everything he went through, he didn’t know if he had it in him to love anyone the same way he loved Gwen Stacy. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to. He knew that hurting him wasn’t Gwen’s intentions and that she was going through a lot personally, but it didn’t soften the sting. His best friend banded together a whole force to save him and apologized within an inch of her life so of course Miles forgave her. He low-key blamed himself as well because in hindsight, he idealized her for a whole year- basically falling in love with a memory of this awesome GhostSpider who understood him. Drawing her every day and getting lost in fantasies was the perfect way to set himself up heartbreak. Miles hadn’t seen her in a year—not because he held any ill will, but because despite all his good memories of her, he couldn’t stop reliving the embarrassing moment that was their last interaction. It was only thanks to Hobie and Margo— who actually visited her on the regular — did he know that Gwen was safe back at home with her father, taking a hiatus from being Spiderwoman. Back to the beguiling, blue baddie that was currently flipping through one of his sketchbooks from the eighth grade that he’d granted her access to. Miles was a naïve little boy who lacked self control when Gwen was the object of his affection, but now he knew better. Despite Margo being nothing but loyal to him since he met her, Miles refused to instill all of his trust into the girl. He refused to fall in love with her, giving her the opportunity to break his heart (unintentionally or not). If there was one thing in his life that he could control it was this. Once Miles realized the pure contentment he felt watching her doing something as simple as lounge in his room and look through his art- he knew he had to put an end to it.

“Yo i’m actually heading to the store with my mom in a bit so you should probably…”

Margo’s blue cheeks flushed violet as she shut the book.

“Oh yeah! Of course. My bad.”

He felt immense guilt at her innocent response to his frankness. Margo was so precious and he was usually relaxed around her, but lately it’d been getting more difficult being in her presence without wanting to hold and caress her. She got up from her sitting position and placed his old sketchbook neatly back in the spot she’d retrieved it from.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow night?” Margo asked gesturing toward the video game case.

“6 p.m. sharp, girl. That is if I don’t run into too much trouble during my patrol, of course.”

Margo gave him a closed-mouthed smile of mild contentment before turning away to leave, but Miles didn’t want to part ways on such a lukewarm note. Worried that his previous abruptness offended her more than she was letting on, Miles called out to the avatar before she could depart.

“Margo, hold up.” he rushed the words out causing her to look back at him with slightly raised eyebrows.

“Yeah?”

“Your hair looks really good. I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier.”

“Thanks! I actually did it myself…with some help from my mom, but still.” She proudly fiddled with one of the silver cuff decorated strands.

“Either way it’s fire.”

Finally, her gapped tooth grin made its appearance at his compliment. Miles considered it a mission completed and pat himself on the back.

“I’ll see you later.” And with that, she was gone in a blink of an eye. Miles let out a sigh, but it wasn’t one of relief. Quite the opposite actually. You know the feeling pure bliss as the late spring sun shines down on you, providing you with a pleasant warmth and vitality? Then eventually a cloud looms over to block the sun, causing you to feel…deprived and you have no choice but to wait until the cloud passes so you can experience the beaming sunlight again. That’s probably the best way to describe Miles’ discontentment at Margo’s departure. Although to be fair, he did basically shoo her away.

‘I need to get goddamn grip.’ the lovelorn boy scolded himself as he plopped down on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. With his laundry already folded and his plans to go to the store with Rio not til this afternoon, Miles decided to pass some time by sketching a little. He unlocked his nightstand and hidden in plain sight amongst a bunch of miscellaneous objects were the dimensional travel watch Hobie had given him and a sketchbook he’d gotten at Marshals. Miles plucked the sketchbook from the drawer and went to sit at his drafting table. This particular sketchbook was different than his others. It had a silvery, rainbowish holographic cover and when opening the book, one can expect to be met with a portrait of a smiling Margo Kess with her low afro puffs and blue skin. If you turn the page there was another sketch of the avatar…then another…then another and so forth. Miles flipped to the last few pages of the sketch book and picked up his navy blue colored pencil to create the outline of intricate bubble braids. His tendency to put people- specifically girls- on pedestals contributed to his downfall last year and he was too grown to make the same mistakes, but old habits die hard and Miles shamelessly sketched his avatar friend with the rationalization that

‘As an artist, it’s my right to capture what I find aesthetically pleasing.’

#miles morales #margo kess #miles/margo #flowerbyte #across the spiderverse #spiderman atsv #spider man: across the spider verse #cyberflower #jefferson morales

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