#never thought about him in a hat til I put that one on him

[soldsouls]

Sorting these caps and man. I'm really torn on whether to leave the hat on him. I love how it looks, but it would probably be nice to have a clear face for iconing. Won't have to work around the shadow of it.

#OOC / HOLLY. #never thought about him in a hat til I put that one on him #the one you get from the gilded chest near Alfira in the Grove #forgot what it's called #idk it just works for him

[sorchathered]

💕Lover💕

A/N- hey all! This is my submission for @ohtobeleah ‘s Galentine’s party!! I’m so excited to see everyone’s posts and concepts, make sure you check out the submissions under her tag!

Summary- A collection of memories and mood boards documenting you and Jake from engagement to wedding day.

Pairing- Jake Seresin x oc!reader (callsign Storm)

Warnings- language, drinking, smut.

“We can leave the Christmas lights up til January, this our place we make the rules”

It was January 5th now, you knew the chances of Jake being home for Christmas were slim but secretly you’d hoped he would be. He’d begged you not to spend the holiday alone his mother insisting you come to Texas so you’d flown out and spent two fantastic weeks with his family. They had welcomed you with open arms, taking you to all of Jake’s old haunts and involving you in their family traditions. You’d never been close to your parents so the overwhelming love you received from the Seresin family was something you’d never experienced before. You’d gotten to talk to him sporadically over the holiday but you could tell he was heartbroken he couldn’t be there with you. The time went by too fast and before you knew it the 5th had arrived and you were stepping off your plane in San Diego, Coyote was waiting to pick you up and you couldn’t wait to get home to your own bed. You’d put up a small tree with some lights before you left just to keep the seasonal depression at bay, but as you unlocked the door to your shared home you were met with what could only be described as a winter wonderland. The house was covered in lights, decorated ornately with paper snowflakes and there in front of a brand new 8 foot Christmas tree was Jake. He grinned his thousand watt smile at you as you dropped all of your bags and launched yourself into his arms.

“Hey Stormy girl, did ya miss me?”

You let out a watery laugh as you began to sob in earnest, he held you close and pressed kisses into your hair, reassuring you that he was home and this was real. When you finally settled he sat you both down on the couch in front of the massive tree, you were still in shock that not only was he here but he had somehow managed to transform your house into Santa’s workshop.

“What is all this baby?” You whispered against his lips, he’d never been big on Christmas but he knew you loved it so the thoughtfulness and effort put in after a nearly 3 month deployment was not lost on you.

“We didn’t get Christmas together darlin’ and I know being apart has been hard as hell these past few months” he stands up now, walking over to the tree to pick up a small gift you hadn’t even noticed. You gasp as tears well up in your eyes, Jake Seresin is down on one knee surrounded by a literal Christmas wonderland, and he’s about to ask you for forever. “Yes!” You blurt out, causing a belly laugh to erupt from him.

“You didn’t even let me ask sweetheart”

“You can but my answer is still yes, I just want to be yours, forever and ever.”

He closes the distance between you to slide his grandma’s engagement ring on your finger, kissing you in the glow of the twinkle lights.

“My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue, all's well that ends well to end up with you”

A joint bachelor/bachelorette party at the hard deck, all the boys had suggested strip clubs and hookers but Jake just wanted a night with everyone they loved and to maybe get you a little tipsy so he could proposition you for a hookup in the bathroom. You were dancing with Phoenix and a few of your other girlfriends, dressed in the tiniest white dress with a bedazzled cowboy hat and veil that said bride on the front. He didn’t think he could love you more than this moment; eyes full of joy and singing “Don’t stop believing” at the top of your lungs. He’d even let you convince him to wear the ridiculous groom t shirt you’d gotten him, taking all the jesting in stride even though he secretly loved it. He’d always give you whatever you want.

You were a spitfire when you wanted to be, always first to defend him if some cocky asshole got mouthy, he had been an absolute dick to everyone around him for years but since that first dagger squad mission he’d been trying his damndest to make amends.

That was one of the many ways he’d known you were the one, you’d been dating quietl after you and Rooster’s failed engagement had crashed and burned over a year before. During a particularly stressful training day the two had come to blows, both of them ending up in the infirmary as Rooster continued to pelt insults his way. Jake was trying to take it in stride but your temper could only take so much. You were professional but vicious in your descent on him, refusing to let Bradley Bradshaw and his unresolved emotional baggage dismantle all the work Jake had put in to better himself. You’d been a champion for him no matter what and he wasn’t used to anyone having his back, it took his breath away just how much you believed in him.

Watching you now he felt his heart swell, and he couldn’t sit in his chair any longer; the need to hold you carrying him across the room, spinning you into his arms with ease.

“Hi sugar, think I could steal you away for a few minutes?” He whispered in your ear, pressing soft kisses to your neck as he dipped you to cheers from the crowd. You threw your head back giggling and took his hand to drag him through the throngs of patrons to the quiet hall that held the bathrooms.

You knew what he wanted, he was always looking for an opportunity to get you wrapped around him, often joking he might have a bit of a kink for getting you off in public spaces but really he was just insatiable when it came to you, especially when you were dressed in what he thought may be the world's smallest dress and rubbing your body all over his.

Placing you on the side of the sink he ran his hands over you now, sliding a hand between your parted legs finding you obscenely wet and he chuckled; maybe he wasn’t the only one that got hot and bothered over hooking up where anyone could find you.

You gasped at his touch and pushed your hands into his hair, needing him to kiss you and he was all too willing, tasting your tongue as you moaned into his mouth, the prettiest sound he ever heard. He pulled your tiny scrap of underwear to the side and pressed his fingers into your dripping core, watching you grind down onto his hand, whispering filthy things he knew you’d be mortified if anyone heard and God he lived for it, you were his dirty girl behind closed doors all for him, only he got to see you like this. You were teetering on the edge now, suddenly removing his fingers from you with a smirk as you protested, tears pricking at the corner of your eyes and chest heaving while you begged for him to stop teasing and fuck you. He didn’t have to be told twice, letting you wrench his belt buckle open and unzip his jeans in record time, sliding home into your velvet heat, I love yous breathed out into the humid air of the bar bathroom. He chased your mutual highs quickly, knowing eventually someone would come looking for you, desperate cries pouring from your pouty pink lips and coming hard as you pulsed and fluttered around him, both of you bathed in ecstasy in the dim dingy light. As the two of you attempted to become presentable you were startled by the creaking of the bathroom door, Javy poking his head through and shaking his head with a raucous laugh.

“We’ve been taking turns guarding the bathroom, would you two heathens wrap it up? We’ve got celebrating to do!”

You both couldn’t hold in your laughter, they knew you too well, bracing yourselves for the onslaught of teasing for skipping out on your own party to hook up.

Drinks were distributed, a new game of pool was started and as you gazed at Jake across the room you couldn’t help but be proud of who he had become. He was honorable, steadfast and in fact too good to be true. You had both been damaged and jaded from past mistakes and relationships but had somehow healed each other becoming the best version of yourselves. You’d do it all again if it meant you ended up here, with your magnetic force of a man. Loving him was like coming up for air, he was Christmas morning and birthday wishes on lit candles and technicolor fireworks on the Fourth of July. You couldn’t wait to spend forever loving him.

“You’re my, my, my, my Lover.”

As you sat in the dressing room of the venue overlooking the harbor you were brought back to the night of Penny and Maverick’s wedding just a few years ago. You had come back to San Diego for their nuptials still heartbroken from your failed engagement with Bradley. Over the course of the long weekend you had found love again in the form of your best friend, the man you were finally about to marry.

Sometimes it still felt like a dream, you were afraid you would wake up one morning and still be single and heartbroken in your tiny apartment in Pensacola, but fate had stepped in and brought the two of you together. It hadn’t been easy, you were in tears more often than you’d like to admit when you first started dating long distance, and then deployments apart caused even more strain.

When you were finally promoted to Lieutenant Commander 10 months into your budding romance your superior told you there was an opportunity to fly again at top gun but this time with a new crew. So you and your front seater Viper decided to take the leap and head to Fightertown. Jake couldn’t believe it when he had a knock on his door that Sunday night to find you with all your luggage on his front porch, bottle of champagne in hand asking how he felt about a roommate.

It had been two years since then, both the dagger squad and red knights could be seen mingling outside and you felt your heart swell at how lucky you were to be surrounded by so many amazing friends.

Jake was all nerves on the opposite side of the venue, couldn’t seem to keep his hands from shaking as he tried to put his cufflinks on. Javy swatted his hand away and took over, shaking his head and handing Jake his whiskey to finish up.

“What are you so worried about? Stormy’s in dude, you two were made for each other.”

Jake knew he was being ridiculous, his family loved Stormy, all of his friends did too, he just wanted everything to be perfect for her.

“I’m not worried about her leaving me numb nuts, I just want it to be everything she hopes it is, I’ve checked the weather 100 times today and if it rains I swear-“

“Jake, she’s not just excited about the fairy tale wedding; she’s excited to marry you. The rest of it will turn out perfectly because you two will be together, the rest is gravy bud.”

Jake wondered to himself when Javy had gotten so smart, but he had to admit his wingman was right about one thing, being with you forever was the thing that mattered most and Jake couldn’t wait to start it with you.

As you walked down the aisle you could barely hold it together, Jake was already tearing up when you reached him taking his hand in yours it took all the restraint you had to not go ahead and kiss him. It was everything you had ever dreamed of and even if it had just been the two of you and a justice of the peace that would’ve been enough, because the end result was forever with the love of your life. Jake’s brother-in-law, a preacher back in Texas had been asked to be the officiant and when he finally announced you man and wife you couldn’t get to your love fast enough, pressing your lips to his as he made a show of dipping you for the crowd.

Later that evening in the glow of the harbor lights you were swaying to the music with your husband and you couldn’t put into words how perfect this night had been. He pulled your face close to his as he sang along with the band, and you had to kiss him again, it felt like every cell in your body cried out to be loved and touched by Jake Seresin and you knew without a doubt he always would. No matter where the two of you went he would do everything to love and protect you, and you would always do the same. Forever.

Jake Seresin Masterlist

Tagging- @ohtobeleah @bobgasm @attapullman @mamamaystbr @mamachasesmayhem @roosterforme @jessicab1991 @shanimallina87 @djs8891 @mygyn @86laura11 @floydsglasses @dempy @nouis-bum @angelbabyyy99 @pinkdaisies9285 @purelyfiction @the-aspiring-fanfic-writer @jostan456 @kmc1989 @its-the-pilot @mrsevans90 @sailor-aviator

#leahs galentines day special #ohtobeleah #top gun maverick #jake hangman smut #jake hangman x reader #jake hangman fic #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin fanfiction #jake hangman x you #jake seresin smut #jake seresin #jake hangman seresin #jake hangman imagine #top gun maverick fanfiction #top gun fanfiction #top gun hangman #sacred new beginnings #snb #Jake and Stormy

[whiskeypascals]

Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy

(not my gif)

pre-outbreak and happy Joel :)

Summary: It’s nearing Halloween and Y/N invited Joel over to hand out candy and have a few drinks after helping him put out decorations, Sarah was out trick or treating with some of her friends and wouldn’t be home until morning and things end up getting spicy between Joel and Y/N wink wink

Warnings: smut, bottom Y/N , alcohol, dirty talk, biting, multiple orgasms, teasing, praise.

———————

It was the Monday before Halloween, 2002 and Joel was excited to say the least, he loved the holiday and he loved seeing the subdivision full of life. He had got an early start on setting out decorations when he noticed that his neighbor, Y/N, was also starting early.

Y/N was chaotically putting out stringy fake cobweb decorations and it looked like he was struggling quite a bit.

Joel laughed to himself, noticing how Y/N kept getting his fingers caught in the fake webs and started to walk over to ask if he needed help.

“Hey! One second I’m almost…Fuck.” Y/N said before getting the decoration caught up by his shoulder somehow.

“Must’ve caught a thread, here, let me get it.” Joel offered up, reaching up to Y/N’s shoulder to grab the string. He pulled it off of his shoulder and handed it to him.

“Thanks, I can’t believe I’ve lived here for almost three months and never got your name, I’m Y/N.” He reached out his empty hand.

“Joel,” He smiled and went to shake Y/N’s hand, “Hey uh, I’m almost done over at my place if you need a hand.” he offered up.

“Oh, that would be really nice” Y/N smiled back at Joel.

The pair finished right as it was getting dark and after Y/N reached down to plug in the purple and orange lights, the two simply marveled at the decorating job they completed.

“Thanks Joel, I appreciate it.” Y/N rolled up his sleeves and looked over to the man next to him before speaking again.

“Hey, would you like to come have a couple drinks on Halloween and hand out candy? I mean it’s only fair because you helped me do all of this.” He motioned to the decorations.

Joel looked over at Y/N and thought for a second before replying with a simple, “Yeah that’d be nice”.

Flash forward to that Thursday and Y/N was sitting out in his driveway in a lawn chair watching Joel say goodbye to Sarah.

“If you need anything you tell Veronica’s mom to call me alright baby?” He said going to hug his daughter.

“Okay dad, love you!” She said turning to run towards her group of friends huddled on the street.

“Love you too baby! Have fun!” He yelled as she crossed to greet her friends.

Y/N noticed Joel run back inside his house and for a split second thought Joel had forgotten about their plans but then a group of trick or treaters started walking up his driveway and the thought slipped his mind.

Inside, Joel was running around his house finding all of the pieces for his costume, he dressed up every year and since Y/N had just moved in in July, he’d never known about Joel being one of the only adults on the street dressing up. He found all the pieces of the set as quickly as he could and looked in the mirror after he put all of it on. He smiled to himself and grabbed his cell and went outside.

Y/N was still sitting out in the lawn chair set up in his driveway when Joel walked over, “Hey Y/N sorry if I’m late at all, had to change real fast.” He smiled.

Y/N was absolutely awe struck. Joel was dressed up in full cowboy attire, decked out with a bandana around his neck and a leather hat on.

“No it’s all good Joel, there wasn’t any rush or anything. It’s still pretty early.” He said standing up to go grab a second chair so Joel could sit.

Joel found two cans of beer, one unopened and he assumed it was for him, but didn’t want to make himself too much at home and waited to wait til Y/N got back to ask to drink it.

Y/N came back with Joel’s chair in his arms and unfolded it so he could sit down.

“So, I’m guessing you dress up every year?” Y/N asked as he sat.

“No these are my normal clothes, is there something wrong with them?” Joel asked looking down at his clothes, looking up at, Y/N and laughing.

“You look nice Joel.” Y/N smiled.

“Oh, I almost forgot, here’s the drink I promised, we could always go inside and get more later if you want.” Y/N said, grabbing the can next to his own and handing it over to Joel.

“Thanks.” Joel grabbed the beer, opened it, and took a drink.

More kids came and went and then came and went again before Joel’s phone started ringing. He answered and talked for a few minutes before hanging up. Y/N glanced over at him while he was putting his phone back in his pocket, Joel looked over at him and started explaining the call.

“Sarah’s staying at her friends house tonight, so if your offer from earlier is still up we can go on inside.”

Y/N nodded and smiled “Yeah, we can go”

The pair stood up and Y/N got the chairs while Joel got the nearing empty cans and the candy bowl with about a handful left of candy to the front door and they went inside.

Joel was met with a pleasant smell as he walked in, Y/N’s house was beautifully decorated and incredibly clean. Joel thought back when he remembered that he has never seen a kid or another adult come in or enter and it hit him that Y/N lived alone.

“It’s uh, nothing special.” Y/N said noticing Joel looking around like he’s never been in a house before.

“you have a nice house, Y/N.” Joel said following the other man into the kitchen area.

“Are you a whiskey and coke man?” Y/N asked

“Take a look at me.” Joel said sitting down at the bar.

Y/N chuckled and grabbed two whiskey glasses and opening up the fridge to grab a two liter of coke. he brought the glasses and soda to the bar where the bottle of whiskey was sitting.

Joel was still sat in his costume, he took off his hat when he sat down but kept everything else on. Y/N couldn’t help but smile as he poured the drinks, Joel took a notice and smirked at the man in front of him.

Y/N finished pouring and scooted one of the glasses to Joel and watched as he took a swig. He swallowed thickly and felt the burn he’d grown to love go down his throat. He set the glass back on the table and raised both of his eyebrows

“Goes down smooth.” He said as Y/N finally took a drink, who nodded after putting his glass down next to Joel’s.

A few drinks later, almost half of the whiskey bottle was empty and Y/N and Joel were sitting on the couch watching a movie that Joel insisted was ‘the best thing to come out’. The first two buttons on Joel’s shirt had come unbuttoned and the bandana he had around his neck had disappeared. The two men had a very pleasant glow inside of them from the drinks.

Out of seemingly nowhere, Y/N had gotten hungry and remembered that he had bought cereal the day before and got the best idea on the planet.

“I’m gonna get some cereal, you want a bowl?” he got up to go to the kitchen.

“I’m good.” Joel replied from the couch.

Y/N saw out of the corner of his eye that Joel stood up and started walking over to him.

“You need something Joel?”

“mm-mm”

Joel sat down at the bar again and just watched as Y/N made his cereal.

“You sobering up?” Y/N asked, he was himself so he was curious about Joel’s state.

“Yeah.” he said.

His voice was deep and it sounded like he was tired, Y/N found it incredibly attractive.

Y/N sat his bowl down on the bar in front of Joel.

“Your costume looked really good tonight Joel.” he said not trying to hide that he was eyeing the man across the bar up and down.

Joel was taken aback by the sudden change in Y/N’s demeanor, he went from an awkward dude who kept getting stuck in fake cobwebs, and now he was talking him up.

It wasn’t a bad thing to Joel though.

“I bet you’d like it better if it was off, huh?”

Joel smirked and stood up

Y/N was suddenly speechless.

“Can’t be all quiet now, Y/N.”

Joel walked his way around the bar and stood in front of Y/N, who swallowed just as thick as Joel when he took the first drink of whiskey a few hours prior.

“Saw you eyeing me up all night pretty boy.”

Y/N said nothing again.

It was his turn to be shocked, he had never thought that Joel could get like this, but he could honestly get used to it.

“Joel are you completely sober.” it was less of a question and more like a demand to know.

“Yes Y/N, swear.” Joel replied.

“So you won’t regret kissing me?”

“Will you regret letting me kiss you?”

Y/N shook his head no and Joel leaned in to kiss him. As he deepened the kiss, Joel pushed him back to lean against the counter top. His arm snaked around Y/N’s waist and he took a sharp breath in through his nose.

Y/N was the first to pull away, but he took one look at Joel’s lust filled face and went right back in for another kiss. This one felt different from the other, there was a hunger in it. Both men knew that this wouldn’t be a kiss that lead to nothing.

Joel pulled away first this time.

“You tell me now if you don’t want this to go any further.” He said, he could one hundred percent tell that Y/N wanted to go further but he just wanted to make sure.

“I want to Joel, please.” Y/N whispered.

Joel moved off of Y/N and let him lead the way to the couch.

Y/N sat down and took off his thermal shirt and Joel un-buckled his belt and pulled it off before sitting down next to Y/N.

“How do you want to do this?” Joel asked looking over at Y/N.

“Can I sit on your lap?”

Joel nodded slowly and smirked once again as Y/N threw his legs over his own thighs. Y/N put his hands on Joel’s shoulders and pulled him in for another kiss.

Almost immediately Joel’s tongue prodded ad Y/N’s lips, he turned his head to the side a little bit to get a better angle to be able to let Joel into his mouth.

After the kiss, both were left breathless.

“If you keep smirking like that I’ll explode.” Y/N said as he panted slightly. Joel chuckled in response. He said nothing as he shrugged Y/N’s hands off his shoulders and leaned forward. He put his arms on Y/N’s hips to hold him in place and went straight for his neck. He kissed lightly at the space where Y/N’s shoulder and neck met. Y/N gasped as Joel bit down, it wasn’t hard enough to draw blood, but it was hard enough to make Y/N buck his hips up towards Joel.

Between Joel’s mouth and the friction in Y/N’s jeans, he let out multiple small whines and pleas. Joel pulled off of Y/N and looked at his neck, admiring the red blotches and bite marks on it.

“Joel please do something!” Y/N begged, grinding his hips down onto Joel’s, feeling everything in the process. Joel groaned at the friction that he caused between them.

“Fuck.” is all he said in response.

Joel reached down to un-button Y/N’s jeans as fast as he could. When he got them undone, he pulled the band of his boxers down and let his dick spring free. he spit in his palm and finally gave Y/N what he wanted the most.

Y/N’s head flew back as he let out a groan, his eyes screwed shut and he furrowed his brows.

“Look at me, Y/N.” Joel demanded, stopping his hand right at Y/N’s base.

Y/N pulled his head back up and opened his eyes, “Joel, please. Please don’t stop.” he whined.

“I don’t want you cummin’ yet baby,” Joel took his hand off of Y/N, “I want you comin’ completely undone with me inside you.”

Y/N was speechless for the second time tonight.

Joel leaned in to whisper to him, “Get up and take off your pants.”

“I know you’ve got lube and condoms around here somewhere, go get ‘em.” Joel said.

Y/N nodded and Joel watched him turn away and almost sprint to his room. He got everything and went back into the living room and saw that Joel had rid himself of his tight jeans and was slowly stroking himself with his head leaned back. Y/N tossed the lube and condom onto the couch cushion and finally got a good look at Joel’s dick. He for sure thought he would start drooling if Joel didn’t snap his head up when he heard the items hit the couch.

Y/N got back into Joel’s lap and went in for another kiss, after they pulled apart, Joel grabbed the lube from the cushion beside them and opened it up one handed. He squeezed a little bit onto his fingers and rubbed them against his thumb to warm up the gel. He decided he wanted to start slow and reached around to prod at Y/N’s entrance, maintaining eye contact with Y/N the whole time.

“Joel please stop teasing me.” Y/N’s hands ended up on Joel’s shoulders again and he dug his nails into the skin there.

Joel fit his middle finger next to his index and started scissoring them to stretch Y/N out. He writhed as Joel kept his movements at a steady pace.

“Joel ‘m gonna cum.” Y/N said as white hot pleasure took over his body.

He came with a long stretched out moan and Joel pulled his fingers out.

“D’ya think you could give me one more babe?”

Y/N nodded and looked down to see Joel’s dick leaking pre-cum onto his stomach and reached to wrap his hand around it. and Joel hummed in satisfaction.

“You’re being so good for me.” He said as Y/N picked up his speed.

Y/N stopped his hand and reached over for the condom. He opened it and started to roll it out onto Joel. The condom itself was pre-lubricated and there was still lube on Y/N’s hole so after it was rolled all the way on, Y/N lifted himself to give Joel room to reposition himself.

Joel held his dick in place as Y/N sat himself on it. The both of them groaned as Joel bottomed out.

“You’ve done this before, huh?” Joel asked moving Y/N’s hair off of his sweaty forehead.

“Mhm.” he nodded.

“So ya know how to ride?”

“Yeah.” Y/N breathed out heavily.

He put his hands back on Joel’s shoulders and used his arms to help himself lift halfway off of Joel and pushed himself back down with a whine, he kept us this rhythm for a couple minutes before Joel took his hand down to wrap around Y/N and stroke him in the same rhythm as his bouncing.

Y/N was squeezing around Joel’s cock and his jaw dropped to make an ‘o’ face.

“‘S so good keep goin’ baby” Joel’s hand had moved to Y/N’s waist and his jaw had tightened.

He thought for a second before slamming Y/N down onto himself and fucking up into him.

Y/N let out a stream of curses and Joel’s grip only got harder as he relentlessly slammed into him. Y/N brought a hand to his dick and started stroking with Joel’s thrusts. He let out one final ‘fuck’ as he came into his fist.

Joel didn’t stop though, “I’m almost there baby, c’mon.”

He let out a grunt when Y/N started grinding down on his dick. Small chants of ‘ah’ left his mouth as the man on top of him kept going. As Joels thrusts got sloppier and his grip on Y/N’s waist got tighter, Y/N knew he was close.

Joel came into the condom mere seconds later, “Fuck Y/N.” He panted.

Y/N got up off of Joel with minimal struggle, both of them were sensitive and neither wanted to hurt the other, and Joel pulled off the condom, tying it off and going to the bathroom to throw it away.

“Do you want to stay the night? It would be rude of me to tell you to go home.” Y/N said, grabbing his pants and boxers to throw them in the dirty laundry bin.

“Yeah, if it’s not too much trouble, can I shower though?”

Y/N nodded and brought him to his bedroom to shower in the en suite. He got into his dresser and got out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt for Joel to put on after he got out and laid it on the bathroom counter.

About ten minutes later, Joel left the bathroom in the pajamas Y/N had put out for him and saw that he was already in bed.

Joel got into the bed on the side that Y/N wasn’t on and got under the blanket. Just as he went to close his eyes, he remembered.

I have work tomorrow.

“I’ll call in sick.” he said to himself, seemingly forgetting he wasn’t alone.

“Hm?” Y/N asked, his voice filled with sleep.

“Nothin’,” Joel scooted closer to Y/N and closed his eyes “Goodnight.”

“Night Joel, thank you for staying.”

“‘Course.”

#joel miller #joel miller x male reader #pedro pascal #the last of us hbo #tlou #joel miller x reader #the last of us #joel miller smut

[babydollmarauders]

HITS DIFFERENT— JACK HUGHES

final part of the Midnights Fic List

summary: in which y/n and Jack were in a relationship for 4 years before deciding to go separate ways, but everything reminds her of him and y/n realizes she’s made a mistake by letting him go.

specific lyrics: “i washed my hands of us at the club, you made a mess of me. i pictured you with other girls in love, then threw up on the street.” and “they say that if it's right, you know. each bar plays our song, nothing has ever felt so wrong.” and “i find the artifacts, cried over a hat, cursed the space that i needed. i trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'. you were the one that i loved.” and “i heard your key turn in the door down the hallway. is that your key in the door? is it okay? is it you?” and “i never don't cry at the bar. yeah, my sadness is contagious. i slur your name 'til someone puts me in a car.” and “love is a lie; shit my friends say to get me by.”

notes: i don't know how i feel about this one. i feel like i could've potentially done better, but anyways MIDNIGHTS FIC LIST IS OFFICIALLY DONE! it's a month later than i had originally wanted to finish it, but it's finally done!

the reflection staring back at me is a bit of a hot mess. mascara smudged, hair tousled, lipstick fading. i stare in the mirror until i feel the sting of the hot water on my hands, pulling them back with a hiss of pain. the alcohol running through my veins helps me avoid overthinking about this dingy club bathroom, my shoes sticking to the floor with every step. but the buzz does nothing to help with the thoughts that run through my mind when i hear the song that’s blasting from the speakers throughout the club.

“y/n/n, you good?” my head snaps over to Marie, her upper body peeking in through the bathroom door. one look at me makes her sigh. “you’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”

“it’s our song.” i explain, as though she hasn’t heard the same excuse at every other bar we’ve been to in the past six months.

“i know it is, hun.” she gives me a pitiful smile, fully entering the grimy bathroom in order to grab my hand.

“it just feels so wrong hearing it without him.” tears well up in my eyes, my heart hurting just a little extra.

“let’s go get you another drink.” i give a numb nod in response, letting her lead me to our other friends that sit in a booth by the bar. at the sight of my state, they both give each other an unspoken glance before giving me a look of pity.

“i ordered you another tequila sunrise.” Beth tells me, sliding the drink towards me. i drop into the booth, muttering a short ‘thanks’ before gulping at the drink.

“lay it on us, babe. what’s on your mind tonight?” Lisa pipes up, sipping at her own drink and raising a brow at me.

“i just— they say that if it’s right, you know. and i thought we were right. but, it makes no sense because why didn’t i know until we broke up? i mean, i knew. obviously i knew, i followed him here from Michigan. but, i didn’t know know until we separated, ya know?”

“i’m gonna be honest, i only understood maybe half of what you just said.” Lisa says, making Beth and Marie giggle. “but love is a lie, y/n/n. sure, you can like someone enough to be with them for a long time, but romantic love? complete bullshit. it doesn’t exist. this isn’t the movies.”

“she’s right. and the quicker you realize that, the quicker you’ll get over him.” Marie nods, pointing at Lisa as she speaks while Beth hums in agreement.

“i don’t know if i’ll ever get over him. i love him. i miss him.” i whine. “i want him back. i don’t wanna be here. i want Jack.”

“alright, maybe it’s time we get you back home.” Beth sighs, tapping her thumbs on her phone. ordering an uber, i assume.

“i don’t wanna go home. i wanna see Jack.”

“you can’t see Jack, y/n. you’re drunk, and you guys broke up.” Marie pats my shoulder, helping me out of the booth and out of the club, the other two girls following behind us.

i continue mumbling to myself, my words slurred, and i’m eighty percent sure that the only actual audible word was my ex’s name.

“c’mon, hun. watch your head.” Lisa coos, helping me into the uber. “we’ll see you on tuesday, babe. get some sleep.”

Marie and Beth call out some goodbyes before Lisa shuts the car door, she motions for the guy up front to lower his window, whispering something to him before he starts off towards my house.

“would it be too late to ask to change the drop off location?” i ask him, anxiously playing with the strap of my purse as i speak.

“i’m sorry, ma’am. your friend just told me you might ask that. she said i’m under strict orders to take you straight to the predetermined destination.” i heave out a deep breath, slumping back into the seat of the car.

it doesn’t take too long to get to my apartment complex, muttering a ‘thank you’ to the man before sliding out of the vehicle and making my way up to my apartment. as soon as i make it into the apartment, i bee-line for my bedroom, stripping out of my club outfit and changing into some leggings and a tank top. i wipe off my makeup and throw my hair up before entering my closet. my sights set on the old USA Hockey sweatshirt on my shelf, i hop up, reaching for the article of clothing. however, as soon as i pull it down, something else comes tumbling down with it, falling to the floor in front of me.

slipping the sweatshirt on, i bend down to pick up the fallen item. holding it, tears prick the backs of my eyes as i realize what it is, Jack’s hat. his New York Yankees hat to be exact. my heart aches remembering the times he wore it. our Yankees game, date nights, even just lounging around the house. clutching the hat to my chest, i sink to the floor, sitting criss cross as i cry.

space. why did i think i needed space? i got plenty of space when he was always gone for roadies. fuck space. i just want him. my fingers trace the Yankees symbol, my tears falling down onto the dark blue fabric. why does it still hurt so bad? it’s been six months.

i know it may not help that i’m still in the same apartment we shared. every piece of this home reminds me of him. but it’s been much too hard to move. i tried looking at other apartments, but nothing felt as right as this one. i’m not ready to give up the last piece i have of the one i love.

too busy crying on the closet floor, i barely hear the lock on the front door turning. my head snaps up at the sound, trying to remember which of my friends have spare keys. Marie, Beth, and Lisa are the only ones, but i just left them. that only leaves two other options, Quinn or Jack. but, that i’m aware of, Quinn is still in Vancouver. i know he doesn’t have another game in New Jersey until next month. which only leaves Jack. i try not to get my hopes up, but i can’t help but wonder if it’s him, if he’s come back. the chances are slim. it’s been six months, why would he come back now?

i come to the decision that it’s probably Marie checking up on me. probably worried about the way i was when we parted not that long ago. it wouldn’t be the first time she’s checked on me.

footsteps thump against the wooden floors, getting closer to the bedroom, and i huddle further into the closet, hoping Marie will just leave me alone. tears still stream down my face as i clutch the hat closer to my chest, letting out silent sobs.

“y/n?”

that’s not Marie.

too exhausted, i opt out of leaving the closet, not even able to get myself to speak without being racked with sobs. i sniffle as i hear him pass the closet, the footsteps stop for a moment before i hear them start again, getting closer to the cracked open closet door. i don’t bother looking, fully believing that at this point i’m a mix of drunk and sleep deprived, just hearing things that aren’t there. i wipe at my eyes but the tears keep coming. i shift to bring my knees to my chest, the hat now gripped in my hands in front of me.

“oh, baby.” i hear from behind me before a body drops down beside me on the floor, pulling me into them. his cologne fills my senses, my face buried into his chest. the scent fills me with melancholy, memories of when he used to hold me close and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. comforting me. making me feel at home within his arms.

“it’s okay.” as if i summoned the whispers with my thoughts, his breath fans across my ear. “i’m here. i’ve got you. i’m right here.”

his reassurances calm me just slightly, but the real help is when he splays a hand along my chest, taking deep breaths. muscle memory takes over as i mimic his breathing.

“what are you doing here?” i ask once i’ve finally calmed enough to speak. i wipe at my nose with the sleeve of my sweatshirt, finally looking up into the blue eyes that peer down at me.

“Beth called me.” he whispers.

“she did?”

“yeah. she told me you’re not doing okay.” he confesses. “she didn’t tell me much more than that. just that she’d really appreciate if i checked on you.”

“you came over here in the middle of the night just to check on me?” i question. “you have a game tomorrow. you should be sleeping.”

“you’re a lot more important than a game.” his hand moves from my chest to cup my jaw. “i told you i would always be here for you, y/n. i meant it.”

“but, we broke up. i didn’t think you cared anymore.” a lone tear drops from my right eye as i speak.

“i’ll always care about you. i don’t think i can ever stop. i love you, y/n/n. and i know you said you wanted space, and i respected that, but i told you when we broke up that i would be here when you decided you were ready.” he pauses, his eyes scanning my face before he continues speaking. “and now i really hope you’re ready because these past few months have been hell without you.”

“i made a mistake. i don’t want space. i want you. you’re the only thing i’ve wanted since i was seventeen.” my voice is barely above a whisper, scared for his response.

“you have me. i’m right here.” his eyes jump between my own and my lips three times before he leans down. i meet him halfway, our lips pressing together in a slow kiss. gentle passion and love radiates between us, his hands cupping my face as mine grip the nape of his neck as if he'll disappear from my hold.

pulling away, his forehead leans against mine. my breath catches in my throat at the sight of the smile gracing his lips. a smile of my own spread across my face and i crane my neck to place a chaste kiss on his lips.

"i missed you so much." i admit. "moving on from boys in high school was so easy, but the heartbreak hit different this time."

"that's how you know it's real. we're real. there's no moving on from us." he tells me. "at least, not for me."

he pulls me in tighter against him, crashing his lips against mine once more, and i feel content again, my life being fixed with such a simple motion.

#midnights fic list #jack hughes x reader #jack hughes #jack hughes imagine #jack hughes fic #jack hughes blurb #nj devils #faithlynn’s writings <3 #nhl fanfiction #nhl imagine #nhl fic #nhl blurb

[electronicwitchcollection]

~*Accidental mate; chapter 9*~

Here it is! I’m so sorry for the wait 😂 It was one thing after another, but I digress! Thank you to everyone, (Anonymous readers too!) for your kind support and eagerness for this to continue. Special thanks to @clone-bar-79s for motivating me to finish this chapter!

"The good news is, you've got time. His next rutting season isn't for another six months, you've got time to come to terms with it, make a decision that's best for you"  the joyful Cadence had returned to Urahara's voice, at this point you were positive it was as much of a disguise of his true thoughts and feelings as his hat and fan were. He was kindly trying to put you at ease, not letting his true concern shine through. More than you felt you deserved in this moment.

Letting your hands drop, shoulders squaring in mock determination, you raise your face to meet his eye. Fake it til you make it. "Thank you for telling me,". You raise to your feet, ready to accept your fate. Taking in a deep, soothing breath to steady your nerves. You needed to find Grimmjow. "I'll consider my options thoroughly" 

Urahara jumped to his own feet, hands presented to halt your departure, apologetic look on his angular face. Hat still secure in his hand, he looked so much younger with his mop of blond hair on show"Actually, there's more you need to know" 

More? You sat down heavily in your chair. You didn't think you could handle any more right now, you were still digesting the information you had just been fed, mind dizzyingly running though the conversation in an endless loop of uncertainty and guilt. You didn't know why you felt guilty, but it was there, heavily sitting in your stomach.

"If you were to decide to pursue a relationship with Grimmjow, there are some other factors you need to be aware of" Urahara disclosed as he rejoined you sitting down. You felt a little overwhelmed with the amount of information you had already been given, mentally exhausted with the drastic change in your life you were presented with. Though it did pique your interest, what else were you about to discover about the complicated Espada? "I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to take in" 

Your face must have betrayed how you were feeling, given the sympathetic look Urahara looked at you with. You shook your head dismissively, it wasn't through any fault of his own. Your own gluttonous actions had lead to this fiasco. Yourself and Grimmjow. Your throat tightened slightly at the thought of you and Grimmjow together in the same sentence, a couple.

Couple of idiots, you snarkily reminded yourself. Might as well get everything out in the open now, to save you from any more unwanted surprises later down the line. "Now that he has mated, part of Grimmjow's instincts will have him wanting to scent mark you. Which could be problematic " 

"problematic how?" You never realised how ignorant you were up to this point about Grimmjow's hollow side. You never realised it went as deep and animalistic as scent marking. Something you associated with mammals claiming their territory, hopefully he used another method than what you were aware of. You were pretty open minded, but you drew the line at Grimmjow pissing around your home. Or worse.

"While for the bonded pair, it can be considered rather intimate, for other hollows it's perceived as a warning... or a challenge"  For the first time since you entered the room, you notice Captain Muguruma turn to face you, seemingly interested in this part of the conversation. Arms crossed over his broad chest, he leaned back to the same window ledge Captain Hirako was using to prop himself up. "I'm sure you're well aware of the Captains and Lieutenants who have a hollow of their own residing within" 

You nod, eyes flicking to two of the captains who were visoreds , struggling to find the energy to participate verbally to the conversation yet. Shinji sent you a lazy wave, confirming what you already knew. You had seen first hand the blackening of their eyes, the inhuman warble hissing from the buff captains lips. Felt the chill run up your spine when his eyes locked onto you with a predatory gaze.

"The pheromones Grimmjow left on you can be smelt by the visored." Urahara explained, placing his hat back atop his head. Everything seemed to be falling into place, everything you had been confused about the past few days, running through your brain without answer finally being explained. Ichigo had told you that you smelt different, Grimmjow attacking him shortly after halted any further explanation. Subconsciously you breathed in deeper, trying to detect any foul smell coming from you.

Not as subtle as you had intended however, by the chuckle Urahara gave "You won't be able to smell it, neither can we" he indicated to himself and Kyoraku. That was somewhat of a relief, unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but you didn't relish in the idea of smelling.

 "Only hollows will be able to detect it, a survival instinct. It activates their instincts of fight or flight. The weaker ones, the beta's, will see it as a warning to avoid you for fear of getting into a fight with your alpha. For the stronger Alphas, they'll view it as a challenge"

"A challenge for what?" You almost didn't dare ask, not sure you wanted to hear the answer.

"To take you from him" Shinji interjected, tilting up his head to show off his smug grin. "To prove their strength, beat someone as strong as Grimmjow, steal his mate, become the most dominant" 

Your mouth fell open, gobsmacked at the new information. This was why they were here? To what? Let you know before hand that they may try and take you from Grimmjow? You felt a little nauseated at the thought. You didn't want that. Didn't want to be seen as the objectified prize of some barbaric testosterone fulled game. Offended at the thought of being passed around by whom ever claimed victory. You wouldn't accept it. You didn't want Shinji or Kensei, you wanted...

"Don't worry, this isn't us warning ya ta lock ya doors or we'll drag ya off to our caves"  Shinji's lips pulled at the corners,slowly dragging his eyes over your figure appreciatively. You fought the urge to cover yourself up from his lecherous gaze. Damn pervert. He was only joking, surely. Distasteful and outrageously unprofessional given the circumstances and his status, but he had better be only joking. "Though.."  he gave you a scandalous wink when he finally made it to your eyes " I could be tempted"

"Don't be a prick, Shinji" Kensei snarled at his colleague, seemingly reaching the end of his patience with all his teasing. Shinji held his hands up in surrender before placing them in his pockets and leaning back against the window, sulkily rolling his eyes at his fun being stopped "was only teasin' " 

Kensei rolled his eyes before focusing them on you. You shifted in your seat uncomfortably. While you didn't believe the head captain would allow any harm to befall you in his office, the large Captain scared you quite a bit. "Don't look at me with such a scared look on your face" he barked out the order, eye brows furrowed tightly. "We've got our hollows under control" 

"Most of the visored have beta hollows," Urahara took over the explanation again, saving you from having to change your facial expression for the short tempered Captain "Shinji and Kensei are the only two in soul society with Alphas. There shouldn't be a problem with Captain Otoribashi or lieutenant Kuna. " 

"Mines female, a lot easier to deal with then Kensei's." Shinji interjected, seemingly bored with the conversation now that he was denied his fun. You couldn't help but find the conversation fascinating. While you had heard the stories of Aizen's inhumane experimentation, Urahara's intervention and saving the hollowfied Captains and lieutenants, it was interesting in the way they described it. Like the hollow entity trapped within their own psyche, fighting to break out of their prison. "His is particularly aggressive.."

"An asshole is what he is," Kensei grumbled, cutting Shinji off from his deduction of the situation. Fixing you in his vision once more, he spoke with undeniable conviction "We have them under control, there won't be any problems now that we know what happened" 

"It was just a bit of a shock the other day". Shinji added, pulling attention back onto himself. You felt like you were getting whiplash, all this back and forth had the muscles in your neck stiffening "Never expected ta smell Grimmjow on ya like that, nor the reaction our hollows had " By the looks on Urahara and Kyoraku's faces, they've already been informed about your encounter with the Captains a few days prior. It eased your worry somewhat, the conviction Kensei had when he said he had his hollow under control. You released a shuddering breath, soothing the burning your lungs with the length you held it.

"You're perfectly safe here, YN. I have no doubt that the captains can control their hollows instincts"  Kyoraku spoke up, further soothing your worry. You trusted his judgment,he had proved his insightful deductions of situations to correct nearly one hundred percent of the time in your experience. He was a good judge of character. If he trusted the visored, then you could too. "The real concern lies with Ichigo Kurosaki"

"Ichigo?" You repeat surprised, you hadn't expected Grimmjow's sworn enemy to be brought into the conversation. You had just seen him. There was no reaction like what the captains exhibited. He treated you the same way he always had, friendly, relaxed. Though he did mention being able to smell you before Grimmjow attempted to knock his head clean off his shoulders

"Ichigo's hollow is still juvenile." Urahara picked up the conversation again, slipping easily back into rattling off the facts you needed to know "Though he is combative and defiant, he's not yet matured enough to want to seek out a mate, more interest in fighting for power over Ichigo. Given the history between Grimmjow and Ichigo, that could change once his hollow reaches maturity"

They were worried about it, you realised upon seeing the somber looks they all watched you with, waiting for your reaction. They were concerned not only for you, but soul society itself. There was no denying how incredibly powerful Ichigo was. No one had ever come close to reaching the level he had. The utter destruction he could cause if his hollow managed to break free and take over. The damage to soul society itself, the loss of life, the possibilities were staggering.

Grimmjow wouldn't refrain from doing something he wanted to do just because it may effect Ichigo. In fact you were pretty certain it would only make him want to do it more. Grimmjow's confidence in himself and his strength was bordering psychotic, he wouldn't care if Ichigo did challenge him. In fact, you believe he would welcome it whole heartedly, encourage it even. Idiot. He would fit in perfectly with the meat heads in the eleventh. He didn't care about the ramifications, so long as he got to thrive in the fight.

The subject would have to be brought up to both Ichigo and Grimmjow. You had the sinking feeling in your stomach, that you would have to be the one to convince Grimmjow to ignore his instincts and not mark you. If you decided to go through with it and be his mate. It would solve this problem if you simply refused to commit yourself to him, even though that decision would create problems itself. Your head was hurting, stress pinching the sides of your temples. It was too much, to many decisions falling on your shoulders.

"If Grimmjow can refrain from scent marking you,or we set up a plan for when he does, there should be little concern for ramifications". Urahara added to your silence. He could see your mind racing, thinking over all the possibilities of what you had just learned. He waited patiently for you to sift through your thoughts, silently watching as your unfocused eyes sharpened, to look him in the eye.

You had made a decision

"I need to see him

———

You walked in semi comfortable silence next to the eccentric exile, the clacking of his wooden foot ware against the stone floor, a steady beat to accompany his tuneful whistling. You appreciated the fact he didn't try to engage you in mindless chit chat as you followed him to his workspace in the outskirts of the twelfth division, Where Grimmjow was apparently staying until he was placed and housed permanently in a division. You just didn't have the capacity right now to pretend to be interested in anything Urahara could have to say to fill the silence between you.

Your mind was thick with all the information you had been given this morning. You struggled to sort through it, every question you had only leading to more questions, every solution met with an abundance of what if's and maybes. Ifs ands and buts attaching themselves to the end of every train of thought you rode on. You sigh mentally.

Remembering a time before Grimmjow forced his way into your life, with his aggressive nature and brash behaviour. When the only decisions you had to make were unimportant, mundane. Effecting you and only you. You couldn't believe how far away that seemed now. You hadn't even had the time to consider your own feelings yet. Grimmjow having invaded your every thought. Did you even like him? Well, no. Not really. His anger and snide comments annoyed you beyond belief. He was rude and infuriating, temperamental at best.

There was something there though, some pull you couldn't give name too. A niggling need in the pit of your stomach, Urging you figure out the puzzle that was Grimmjow. Wanting you to succumb to his unbending will, burn in his fiery passion. You were attracted to him, how could you not be? Handsome, strong. All the traits of a protector, a provider, that a millennia of evolution had you biologically trained to desire. There was something there. As much as you may want to deny it or ignore it, push it down and suffocate it until it no longer burns within you. It was there

A large hand settled on your shoulder, making you jump as it snapped you from your thoughts. Urahara didn't even try to hide the amusement on his face from your startled appearance. He nodded in front of you, getting you to see for the first time where you were.

"We're here" you sucked in a deep, soothing breath, releasing it slowly to rid yourself of the nerves threatening to shake you to your core. The hand on your shoulder squeezed comfortingly, departing with a tap "You'll be okay kid" 

Urahara pushed on, trusting you to follow. Opening the door with more vigour than necessary, he walked into the darkend space. "Honey I'm home!" You slipped in behind him silently, inquisitive eyes taking in the space. It was a large room, dimmed from the afternoon sun, with a desk littered with paper. Organised chaos immediately sprung to mind. Empty bottles of alcohol messily strewn on the floor, filling the space with the sharp smell of their remains.

Opposite you was a worn couch, currently moulded around the source of the rumbling growl you could feel reverberating through your chest. Grimmjow laid facing into the couch, back turned on his unwanted guest "Fuck off"  he grunted, curling in on himself, seemingly trying to disappear into the padding he was laying on. Arm thrown over his head, attempting to block out the punishing light streaming in from the open door, as well as the walking headache, Urahara.

Grimmjow Suppressed a groan, not ready to be rudely woken from his slumber. His throat was dry, scratching painfully around every forceful swallow he made in attempt to moisten the passage. His head thumped with every beat of his heart, every jolt a mercilessly cruel reminder of his rash decision making the night before. He didn't know what that freak kept in those bottles, but it sure as shit wasn't decent alcohol. Still he clung to the offered numbness it provided, willing himself to fall back into the black abyss.

"Come now ,Grimmjow," your eyes flicked to Urahara's back as he delved deeper into the room, approaching the temperamental beast with little regard to his own safety. Daringly poking Grimmjow in the back with the end of his cane, getting another growl in response "Remember your manners, we have a guest" 

"You can shove your manners up your..". Guest? Grimmjow felt his skin tingle, senses sharpening instantly. He inhaled deeply, tasting the air in the back of his throat. Mixing gently with the starchy alcohol and the dust imbedded in the couch was something sweet, rich, like thick honey clinging to the walls of the hive of the bees that created it. Fresh and salty, like the wind dancing over the oceans surface. You. You who he had ran away from, you with your bewitching eyes, your ensnaring lips. Ignoring the protesting scream of his head, Grimmjow pushed himself away from his forgiving nest, jumping to his feet, determined to not allow the discomfort to flash over his face

"The fuck do you want?"  He snarled at you, watching as your face betrayed your silly human emotions. Uncertainty, confusion, before settling on one he knew all too well, annoyance. He tried to glance at you sparingly, tried to keep himself from dissecting each and every aspect of your being, searching for the reassurance of your health. Your smell was tainted. Grimmjow could smell the musk of others lingering on your skin. He picked up the distinct notes of Urahara lingering on your clothes.

Another deep inhale and he picked up the signature of three others. The drunk, and the two who had acknowledged his claim on you. The discovery made his teeth clack together as his jaw tightened. Why the fuck were they all around his mate. Why were you looking at him, with pity.. and something else. Not quite fear.. but something he didn't recognise.

Eyes snapping to Urahara, Grimmjow snarled as he crossed the distance, chest rumbling with rising anger "What the fuck did you do!"

"Grimmjow.." Urahara's hand shot out to stop you from getting closer, halting your advance to calm him. Grimmjow roughly grabbed the lapels of his top, dragging him closer to the passed off Espada as he spit out the words "Why is she here!" 

Certain you would heed his advice and stay out of range, Kisuke lowered his arms to placate the emotional man on a subconscious level. "The head captain and I thought it best to inform YN of the situation between you." Grimmjows eyes widened, fingers slacking on the bunched up material. "We explained about the bonding, and what it means for ..hurmft!" 

The speed at which Grimmjow pulled back his fist and snapped it towards Urahara's face was impressive, if not for the unmanly exclamation of pain cutting off Urahara's explanation, you might've missed it all together. Almost instinctively you protested, scolding him with the disappointed use of his name, falling on deaf ears as Grimmjow pushed Urahara from his grip and into the desk behind him

"You had no fucking right" Grimmjow roared, fists shaking at his side with the surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Fixing Urahara with a dark glare, he kicked violently at one of the many bottles left forgotten on the floor, ignoring it as it smashed into the wall with excessive force. Chest swelling with frustration, Grimmjow pushed past Urahara, heading to the open door, not even sparing you a glance. "Fucking stay out of my business old man"

"Grimmjow" you reached for him, his arm slipping just out of your reach as he jerked it away, stomping through the open door. Ignoring your soft call, ignoring the indignant cry of "Old man?!" Muffled by the hand covering his bloody nose. Grimmjow needed to get out, If he stayed he was going to kill him.

You watch him leave, sighing as he slipped from your vision. Your head fell into your hands, momentarily blocking out the room and the shit show that just transpired. How you and Grimmjow were going to come to any sort of middle ground when he insisted on running away way beyond you. You let your hands slip from your face, disappointed with how that turned out.

"that didn't quite go how I expected" you mumble, disheartened by Grimmjow's disappearing act. It cut you deeper than you thought it would've, now that you knew about the bond.. it hurt to see him distance himself from you again. To reject you.

"Really?" Urahara asked surprised, gently running his fingers down his sore nose to ensure it wasn't broken " It went exactly as I had thought" 

———

Grimmjow was seething. Rage coursed through his veins like lava, obliterating any coherent thought that wasn't tinged in anger.. Why the fuck were these damn Shinigami interfering with his business, with his mate! They had no right, no fucking right to tell you. They weren't hollows, they didn't have bonds, you weren't theirs! You were his, his mate, his responsibility. He was going to tell you. The right way, not fill your head with biased bullshit from shinigami who didn't know the first thing about him or his bond.

"Grimmjow!" He rolled his eyes at your call, not stopping in his desire to put as much space between you and that fool as he could. He needed a fight. A brutal, dirty battle, where he could let go, succumb to his unconscious mind, move and act without thinking, just reacting. "Grimmjow,"

Damn woman didn't know when to fucking drop it. Whirling round he scowled at her, arms folded defensively over his chest. Her cheeks were flushed.. delicate pink, likely brought on by the jog she fell into to close the distance between them. He could feel her warmth seep off her, radiating the space around her like the sun. It was pure and gentle, not brash and damaging like him. She stopped an arms length away, watching him cautiously. It pissed him off.

They each stood in silence, waiting for the other to break the awkward tension between them. Giving the other the opportunity to dictate the way in which this conversation would go, knowing that one misspoken word could result in vicious words being spat, one misjudged movement could have them colliding together in a rush of frenzied passion..

"What!" He snapped, having enough of her inquisitive stare. She had annoyed him endlessly with her fucking bitching and complaining, now she suddenly had nothing to say? He watched as your frown softened, eyes darting to the ground between them

"They were right in telling me Grimmjow. I needed to know.."  you spoke softly, concentrating on how best to gently speak your mind. You couldn't let him bury his head in the sand and ignore it any longer. Something needed to be decided between you now, before his next rutting season came along. Grimmjow's eyes flashed with your words, not yet ready to let go of his annoyance of his privacy being talked about by a bunch of damn shinigami.

" I was going to fucking tell you! I tried!"  Grimmjow snapped defensively, stalking closer to maximise the height difference between you. Intimidation was a weapon Grimmjow had used countless times, successfully, against bigger and stronger adversaries than the small woman basked in his shadow. So why was it that this woman was meeting his eye defiantly, not a shimmer or trepidation or fear showing on her face

"You've got to stop pushing me away, Grimmjow. I know now, so stop running away and.." Grimmjows fingers wrapped around your throat and stealing your breath. Pressure squeezing threateningly against the side of your neck, fingers twitching in warning. His hand trembled, you could feel the vibration against your delicate skin as his eyes burned into your own, darkly muttering inches from your face, hot breath dancing over your lips

"I don't run away from nothing" you instinctively took hold of his wrist, yet you didn't try to push him away. You could feel your blood pumping through your jugular vein, held prisoner against his dominating hold. It was a show, a display of strength of power that he so desperately needed to hold onto so not to submit to his own confusing contradictory impulses. You shivered at his dark tone, as black and as cold as the darkest of nights. You squeeze his wrist tighter, pouring out the light of understanding, the warmth of acceptance 

"I know your scared" you were too. Scared of these confusing, consuming feelings you had never wanted. Scared of change, everything comfortable and safe being thrown into disarray . Scared you wouldn't be able to make it work, that you wouldn't be enough. Terrified that it would. "I am too.. Im your....mate."  As quiet as it was, you heard the sharp intake of breath. You watched how his eyes widened, furious rage dulling behind his eyes. He's fingers loosening their grip on your neck by a fraction, startled by your acknowledgement, acceptance"we need to come together Grimmjow, work through this together, or you're going to suffer alone. I can't sit back and watch that happen"

"you don't owe me shit, I don't want your fucking pity" Grimmjow pushed you away physically and fugitively,  creating distance from the hope you cruelly dangled in front of his nose. A life line, in the crushing reality he unknowingly made for himself. You were speaking from guilt, from some twisted sense of duty. He wouldn't let anyone pity him. You reached for his arm, stopping him from turning his back on you. You couldn't let him run away again, couldn't let him think you didn't care

"It's not pity." You had to get him to understand. He was stubborn and pigheaded, but you could get through to him. You had to. "It's not guilt. Grimmjow, talk to me" 

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" Grimmjow screamed in your face, hoping to scare you off. Better you run now, than to pull him deeper into your Facade. Give him a sense of stability, lull him into a fabricated delusion of belonging before you pull it from under him and watch him down. You didn't back down, didn't even flinch at the display of crazed hostility. 

"Nothing. I don't want anything from you but to try. Stop shutting me out"  Grimmjow ripped his arm from you, pacing back and forth as he run his fingers through his hair as you spoke. Like a caged animal backed into a corner, comforting himself with what little freedom he had left. Clawing to it possessively, fearing you would try to take that too. "I just want a chance, a chance to see if we can make more out of this.. bond, than this... constant hostile back and forth!" 

You were struggling to keep your emotions in check. You knew Grimmjow was impossible to reason with, challenging to engage with, with anything other than anger. You didn't want to fight. Didn't want to snap and resort to his default of shouting and snarky remarks. You knew he was struggling with what he was feeling, that he wasn't happy about this bond. But it was here, it wasn't going anywhere, and all this back and forth was grating on you. If you were struggling keeping your emotions in check, then Grimmjow was loosing the damn war. 

"I don't know what the fuck you want from me woman!"  he yelled in response, glaring at you with every pass he made with his restless pacing." I can't fucking break it! I tried!" 

"Im not asking you to break it! I know you can't, and I know that you would if you could, you're clearly less than fucking pleased to be lumbered with me!" 

"Then what the fuck do you want!"

"To talk! To get to know eachother, find some mutual understanding!"  You shout back, disappointed in your inability  to not resort to a shouting match. You took a deep, soothing breath. Pulling it as far down as you could before controlling the steady release, willing your annoyance to leave your body. "I thought we could start meeting up, go on a few dates and"

"Dates?" Grimmjow sneered the word, almost offended his tongue had to manipulate around the syllable. He scoffed, seemingly finished with his mindless walking around. At last.. progress

"It's when two people..."

"I know what fucking dates are!"  That interfering old man told him about them. Offering unwanted, idiotic suggestions when all he wanted was a solution to end this infuriating bond. They sounded like they consisted of absolutely fucking nothing Grimmjow wanted to engage with. Flowers and holding hands. Fucking strolling mindlessly through fields while this bitch talked his ear off. Not this Espada. 

Sure.. don't know how to use chopsticks but is well fucking informed on dates and courting. Urahara seriously needed to reevaluate his priorities in what to teach Grimmjow.. 

"I ain't gunna fucking coddle you. I'm not going to bring you flowers or listen to you cry about your damn nails and hair. If you want all that bullshit go date the old man! Leave me the fuck out of it!"

You were instantly offended. Trying to palm you off on another man for something you didn't even want. You had no delusions about Grimmjow. You weren't expecting romance or sweetness. You certainly weren't so shallow or materialistic to demand or expect him to pander to you. Even if Grimmjow refused to see it, you were a strong, self sufficient woman. You didn't need all that from another person, you were capable of providing it for yourself. What you did require was damn respect, honesty and the same damn commitment you were willing to put into this

"I don't want to date Urahara, you fucking idiot. I want to date.." your angry retort died on your lips at the surprise widening of his eyes, the anger slipping from his face almost instantly. Inhaling deeply, you decide to finish your unintentional slip strongly. No more games. No more tiptoeing around the situation. One of you needed to stop this ridiculous back and forth and start being honest, truly honest "you, I want to date you Grimmjow. I don't need flowers. I don't need gifts or for you to change to please me. I just need a mutual respect, and a willingness to try and see if we can develop our own feelings not dictated by your bond."

He stepped towards you, a hesitancy in his movements you had never seen from him before. Questioning eyes searched your face, piercing deeply into the emotions swimming behind your eyes. "Why..?"  Searching for a hint of deception.. a sliver of hidden motives. All he could find was honestly, vulnerability. He didn't know how to deal with that. Everyone had a hidden selfish agenda. A selfish motive for everything they did. He had seen it time and time again, offering help if only it benefited you later. 

"I don't know"  you spoke softly, not a remnant of anger in your voice. Grimmjow scoffed, shoulders sagging with disappointment. He nearly fell for it, almost believed your bewitching lies.. you took hold of Grimmjow's hand, stepping closer so he had no choice but to look at you "I can't give it a name... this..pull that I feel. This feeling I get when I think of you,  these reactions I have when I see you.." 

 Grimmjow's mouth went dry, swallowing thickly as he listened.. heart thumping so loudly in his chest he thought it would bust right out his rib cage. The solidified need imbedded within the very fabric of his nature, that had been ripping him from the inside out,  suddenly sparking wildly in his stomach as you voiced your want for him. Both your small hands holding his, caressing mindlessly over his fingers, mapping out the hardened callouses, your eyes watching your fingers dance over his skin.. 

Then you looked up, the purest of eyes, shining with vulnerability, need, desire. Looking straight though him, through his defence, his armour. His breath hitched in his throat when you looked at him like that, so open, so... honest

"I don't know what it is. But it's there. It's real, and it's growing and it's not going away. I want to know what it is Grimmjow.... I want to see what it could become " 

#Accidental mate #Bleach #grimmjow x you #grimmjow x reader #grimmjow jaegerjaquez #He’ssss baaaacccckk!

[ghouljams]

Hihi! This is my first time requesting so I’m a lil nervous lol but I LOVE ur writing, especially your cowboy aus!!

I was scrolling on insta and saw this : https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YYJmyPETo/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Immediately thought of cowboy!Graves during a rodeo winking and giving reader, who’s sitting in the front row with her friends, his signature devilish smile when he lands on the fence. Maybe even taking his hat off and reader thinks he’s just saying hi (tipping his hat yk?) but he ends up putting it on her head?? Save a horse ride a.. yk 😏 kinda thing

Maybe he comes and finds her after the show or vice versa and it gets a lil spicy?? Or maybe some fluff + banter would be better? idk 🤷‍♀️

NEwaysss just some late night thoughts that are squirming their way into my brain. Totally feel free to ignore this and have an amazing day/night!! 🫶🫶

Ok, I hope you don't mind me tweaking this a little, I've got Graves set up as a bull rider, with his sweetheart riding brocs, and this just popped into my head as soon as I saw that man hit the bars.

The bronc bucks you right off and onto the metal fence. Your shin hits the bar and you nearly roll over the top into the crowd. You manage to catch yourself before that happens but not before nearly face planting into someone's lap. You look up and flash them your best smile, and feel the wind rush out of your sails staring up at Graves. Eyes previously fixed down your shirt, dart to meet your own. His lips curl over his teeth in a way that make you think he'd rather bite you than anything else, more baring his teeth more than smiling. Heat rushes to your face, embarrassment flooding you.

"Howdy," He coos, and you scramble to get off the fence and back into the ring. He laughs when you jump back down to the dirt, and the sound follows you on your way to settle the horse. You reach up to fix your hat and hit empty air, you look around the ring for it and spot your least favorite bull rider plucking it out of the stands to settle on his head. He waves his hat for you and you feel your blood boil.

Forget the horse you hustle backstage, you cannot think about the horse and your hat, and the way he'd smiled at you without a stiff drink.

"That was a first place dismount," One of your friends laughs, as you look around for you stuff. You need every reason not to stick around. You're smart, you're capable, you know exactly what's going to happen in the next few moments if you aren't ready to book it.

"Fourth place ride," You grumble, snagging your water bottle from their hand. You get most of the way out of the door before you're caught.

A firm arm catches your waist and spins you to meet a wolf's smile. You do your best to look unamused when he tells you, "That was a lucky dive you took."

You work your tongue over your teeth for something to do instead of talking, trying to come up with the kindest way to say 'give me my hat back and let me go' the best you get is: "Thought PBRs didn't show up 'til tomorrow." If you'd thought the subject change would help it doesn't.

"You keepin' track of me? Here I thought you didn't like me." Unflappable, you don't think you've seen this man break once since you met him. You wonder what's wrong with him. Usually folks are able to take no for an answer.

"Never said that," You try to shake off his grip and he pulls you closer. Your arm bumps against his chest and you stiffen at the firm muscle. "A little space?" You gripe, feeling him lean into you.

"I'm alright," He purrs, tipping his head and running his thumb along the top edge of your belt, "comfortable actually."

"You flirt with all the bronc riders?" You ask watching a few walk by and smile at him, he raises a hand in greeting and pushes his hips against yours. You can't help the shiver that snakes its way down your spine, the way your hand goes to grab his wrist when his fingers brush against your stomach.

"Just the real feisty ones."

"So all of them." You make a small noise pressing back into him to try and get away from the warmth of his hand.

"Don't be like that sweetheart," He presses, his chin settling against your shoulder, the depth of his voice makes you squirm, you hate flirts, you hate that they get to you like this, "you and me are end game, the sooner you figure that out the better it'll be." He hums, and you can almost feel him thinking before he tacks on, "for both of us."

He lets you go and you stumble a step out of his grasp, turning to glare at him. He settles his hat on your head and suddenly your glare feels more like a pout.

"Lemme buy you a drink, help ya walk off that dismount." He offers with a crooked smile.

"Top shelf," You glare.

"Of course," He cocks his head.

"As much as I want," You narrow your eyes further, just because it makes his eyes sparkle with heat.

"Anything you want sugar, any time you want it."

...

Maybe you can entertain one flirt once. Especially when he slips the bartender a black card and orders a round for the bar. You probably should notice that everyone in the bar is masked, and sporting the same rook/spade insignia, but you're a little more preoccupied with the drink Graves slides you. Your confidence only wavers when you remember you didn't tell him what you drink, and somehow- somehow he's gotten it exactly right.

#cod x reader #x reader #phillip graves #phillip graves x reader #phillip graves cod #graves cod #graves x reader #graves mw2 #graves call of duty #phillip graves call of duty #call of duty modern warfare #cowboy au #pbr!graves #f!reader #Graves you better get outta there before the 141 shows up for Goose's ride #otherwise you're fucked

[astrid-sorensen]

Immaturity - Joel Miller x reader

AN - This one is about reader begging and Joel denying her hehe ;) feedback welcome!

Words - 2,443

Genre - Smut, Angst

Warnings - Age gap

MASTERLIST

Joel lowered his gun, stretching out a hand to haul you into his apartment. You stumbled forward, practically tripping over your own feet as Joel projected his head outside, checking to see that no one had followed you. He knew how diligent he had to be, especially since he knew you weren't. It was dusk, A very soft grey glow leaked through the windows, the old broken curtains failing to obstruct the privacy of his apartment. Although since the outbreak there had been an abundance of empty living spaces, so there was no one around to gape in anyway. He slammed the door behind him, walking to the table, he pulled the strap of his gun over his skull and stationed his weapon onto it. "Did you get that knife I wanted?" He asked, shifting to your direction.

You meandered in, the place identical to how it was the last time you were here. When the male had urged you to let him clean the gash on your forehead, from some idiot clipping you whilst tasked with the job of cleaning up the destroyed building rubble.

“Yeah, here you are." You removed your backpack, digging a hand in the canvas bag to pull out the blade you stashed at the bottom. You reached out to hand it to him, who put it next his gun. He then reached into his denim pockets, pulling out the ration cars he promised you in return for the knife. Joel said nothing after he handed you the payment, mixtures of blue, green and pink in the stack.

"Thanks." You smiled, there was an awkward pause as you thought about what to say next. "I should probably get-"

"Actually, there was one more thing I was going to ask you to help me with." He cut through the silence with his deep southern accent. Joel never failed to make you nervous, you weren't sure if it was his demeanour, his seriousness or the fact that everyone in the QZ was petrified of him. You were only just beginning to see what was under the surface of his stone cold exterior.

To be honest, the age gap was on his mind often. He constantly felt wrong for admiring a woman around the same age as his daughter would be, but he knew he'd never use it to his advantage.

"Really?" You asked intrigued and slightly excited to have another excuse to see the Texan. He traipsed towards you, a hand coming up to rest his thumb to the curve of your jaw. You breath hitched in your windpipe. He leaned in, his dark lashes descending as you did the same. He connected your lips strongly, almost tipping you over as you made small step after small step back til you were pinned against the brick wall.

Soon the desperation had over come him, his feverish kisses sloppy as he covered your jaw and throat with his needy lips. His coarse hands run up and down your sides with force, the friction causing your fitted black jersey t shirt to lift up. Crinkling till it was folded up under the fullness of your breasts. His calloused fingers pulled it off in one swift motion, the firm flesh bouncing back into its natural position.

His big hands grabbed at your waist in seconds, blanketing most of the skin. Your wrists fell on his broad shoulders, fingers laced in the curly black and grey hair on the back of his head. His unkempt hair trickled at your arms as you rubbed against him. The older man sucked lightly on your silky long neck before moving his hands to the waistband of your shorts.

He toyed with the fabric, the tips of his fingers dipping down to get to the skin. "Get these off now." He ordered, returning to the warmth of your neck. You obeyed him, fingers fumbling as you undid the button with struggle. He then stepped back, opting to undo a few more buttons of his denim shirt before slipping it off over his large toned body.

As long as you have known Joel, his form has stayed the same, always looking as if he worked in the trade. You could picture him in a hard hat and a reflective jacket, before the outbreak. His veiny hands then grasped at his belt with haste, eyes turning up to watch you rip of your shorts along with your leggings.

Without a second to spare, Joel was on you again, hoisting you up against the wall as he pressed himself between your legs. His lips were parted and this close you were able to see each individual dark hair and line in his skin.

You were above him now, arms clutched tightly to his shoulders and head, his face buried in between you chest, kissing and sucking on the skin. Joel paused, his chocolate brown eyes boring up at you, a soft and calm look on his face. His hair was going in all directions. "You sure you want this?" He asked in his deep rough voice, the sound echoing slightly through his apartment.

He had his head tilted slightly up, his cheeks ever so slightly pink under the soft glow of the apartment. You bit your lip softly, emotions flooding you. Mainly just pure arousal. You nodded eagerly but short and his head fell back onto the skin of your chest. His tip nudging at where you needed him most. This wasn't the first time you and Joel had had sex, it wasn't even the third but it was still early days for you to know exactly how he likes it. He's usually hard and quick, just enough time for both of you to get off.

You silently pray your not just a way to get him off so he can go back to his chores as little more relaxed. Your wetness coated his tip, just enough for him to begin stretching you slowly, moulding your body to fit his. The feeling sent your body into a frenzy, screaming at you to let him in deeper, trying to let him in all the way. He kept grinding, each time more of him eased into you.

His breaths grew heavy as he stuffed your pussy full. God he could never give this up. You whined in his ear, not yet comfortable to be screaming his name like so desperately needed to. Soon he was one with you, filling you up to your max, muscles stretching around his large girth. You wailed slightly as he got there.

"Ahh!" You cried, pain burning in your deepest areas. Eyes squeezing tightly shut for mercy, your neck stretching out so your head could hit the back of the wall.

"Shhh, You know you can take it." He growled quietly, his fingers denting into the meat of your hips. Although this was by far not the first time you had been intimate with Joel, it still didn't stop the fact each time with him you had more and more progress with how quickly you could fit all of him. Soon he was bottoming out, hips slamming into you with force, his hair slick with sweat and mouth wet with loose kisses.

"Please uhh Joel."  You moaned into the air, the ripped wallpaper slightly scratching against the skin of your back. You didn't mind though. Joel held you up with ease, his hands squeezing tightly on your thighs and ass. He continued to grunt, biting his lower lip. "Uhh please I want your cum."

"No. Shut the fuck up." He demanded, his fingers moving from your hips to cover your mouth, your wet lips flush to his hand. You moaned into his palm unable to hold on, the coil in your stomach curling up. The feeling was addictive, you never wanted it to end, feeling this close to him. Like you were the only thing that mattered in the whole world.

"Don't pull out."

"No. What the fuck did I just tell you!" He shouted this time. Your heart stopped for a moment, his eyes were burning into you with anger but that only made you thirst for him more. Each thrust sent you into oblivion, the base of his unshaven manhood brushing against your clit. You were beginning to tip over the edge.

"Please cum inside me joel." You leaked out, unable to hold back your profanity. He pumped twice more inside you, the elastic band in your stomach almost about to snap when you felt him slide out. He dropped you carefully and quickly back down, turning on his heel over to where his jeans were spread out on the floor.

A breeze flushed over your whole body, now unsheilded from Joel's large, tanned and hot frame. His leather belt clinked on the hardwood floor, still laced through the loops of his dark wash jeans.

"Joel?" The brown eyes man didn't respond as he continued to pull on his underwear. Shyly you began to walk over to him, he was bent over in two obtaining his shirt off the ground. You set a shy hand on his shoulder blade and he whipped up, turning to face you as he towered over you.

The look on his face was one you were familiar with, his fluffy brows knotted together and a deep frown on his lips as he chewed on his jaw. You took a little step back, suddenly intimidated by the cold, dark look in his orbs. "Why'd you stop?" You questioned.

Joel blinked down at you once before bringing his eyes up to the wall behind you and pacing off into his bedroom, but you were quick on his tail. "Joel please, tell me what's wrong! Did I do something?" You pleaded.

"Did you do something?" He roared, amazed, turning around to see you eye to eye. Tears were brimming in your corners. "You're so fucking immature, Can you just get the fuck out my apartment!" He shouted, standing facing his bed as he put the rest of his clothes there. Hot tears run down your full cheeks.

"No Joel, I'm sorry." You bawled hands covering your blubbering face. "Joel" you begged, defeated and distraught. The male ran a hand to his creased forehead and sighed, then let it fall back down to his side. Joel drifted into space, observing his unmade bed. Sprawled across it was a deep red blanket.

He thought it was so scratchy when he first acquired it, but soon grew to appreciate it when the cold Boston winters would roll in. He listened to your whimpers for a few seconds longer before you felt his tall presence in front of your again.

You felt the large heavy weight of his arm wrapped around your shoulder and pushing your head into the crook of his warm neck. His other hand grasped around your bare back as tears fell onto his hot flesh. Joel's eyes shut as he held you tightly in his arms, it was the only time he truly felt you were safe, and yet here he was causing you this pain. He dammed himself for it.

"Don't you cry." He said softly. You began to relax, melting into his arms. The scowl never left his face, but then again it rarely ever did. He rocked you back and forth for a short moment longer before pulling away.

His hand dragged your chin up to look at him. Asserting his dominance on you as always, you could never intimidate him. "Don't ever say that shit to me again." He lectured, firmly.

"W-What shit?"

"Wanting me to finish inside you," He started. "You don't know what the fuck your talking about." He shook his head annoyed. "It's not something to joke about. Got it?" You were confused and hurt but listened to the older man regardless.

"Okay." You replied softly. Joel stared down at you, making a small glance at your lips then back up. The Texans face finally softening as he placed a hand to your pink cheek, he rubbed at the skin softly. Almost affectionately.

"Get your clothes back on, I'll see you tomorrow." His hand dropped and you watched his large back as he disappeared into the bathroom. You walked back to the living room, still distressed but holding back more tears. You pulled on your black leggings followed by your shorts and lastly your tee, swinging your beige backpack onto one arm. You left his place, speeding down the maroon hallway as light shone through the bare and unoccupied apartments.

Meanwhile Joel had stripped off his boxers, stepping under the cold downpour of his shower, the water spurting out in short intervals, just enough for him to feel somewhat clean. His mind wondered off, dancing on the memories of just a few minutes earlier. Your silky soft hair, your warm skin, young full chest and that tight gripping pussy. Just the thought was enough alone to make him hard again.

He was annoyed with what he had to do, but he needed you to understand. Saying those things would never end well, and Joel knew he wouldn't of been able to deny you if you pleaded one last time. He knew you had no clue what you were talking about, what if he did get you knocked up? What would you even do with it? Raise it in this place? That would be beyond cruel. Plus the poor thing would probably die of starvation, or malnutrition, or even just a common cold by the age of 1.

He wished things could be different, he wished you were back in the old world, where he would be able to comply to you wants, your needs. He'd have started off slow, kissing down the whole of your body, savouring your taste. In no rush or fear that you'd vanish from beneath him.

He would bury himself into your warmth, pushing down with all his force as he came, coating the inside of your pussy with his creamy white ribbons of pleasure. Just as you'd begged him to.

Then he'd stay there, holding you as close as possible, unafraid that would leave his side, unafraid to love you fully. The way you deserved to be. But that would never be the case, not in the world you lived in now, not how things were.

Joel turned off the shower dial and stepped out, his toes hitting the grubby tiles below. He left the damp room, opting to lay on his bed he made out of an old mattress he found on the side of the road and some grey cinderblocks.

#joel miller #joel miller x reader #tlou hbo #tlou joel #joel miller fluff #joel miller smut #joel miller angst #pedro pascal #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal fluff #pedro pascal angst #the last of us fanfiction #Joel miller fanfiction #joel miller oneshot #tlou Joel oneshot #tlou joel x reader #joel the last of us #joel miller imagine #tlou imagine

[heresthestorymorningglory]

Electric Touch

Summary: You're helping Lars to explore his limitations with touch.

A/N: SO, (bear with me this is going to be a beast of an author's note okay?)

Y'all know that I'm a part of the Goosecord, a glorious server filled with even more glorious people. One of these beautiful humans in particular, I'm convinced is my UK doppelganger, and no you can't change my mind. I met her in July completely by accident when I fell in love with her writing style (her Ken is still my #1 favourite) and she introduced me to the Goosecord; We're on the same wavelength with A LOT. She's joined the short list of beautiful women I affectionately refer to as my "soul sisters" She's helped me through hurdles both creatively and personally over the last six months and I'll reach the character limit if I carry on and on about how truly wonderful she is and how grateful I am to have met her (you're stuck with me now for forever my dear 😘) Anywho, amongst the plethora of things we discovered we have in common, birthdays is one of them; we're less than a week apart and she shares her birthday with someone who was very special to me growing up. I wholly and completely believe in divine intervention and she came flying into my life as it started to fall apart.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about my gorgeous partner in crime @ken-dom

All this to say, to celebrate this wonderful woman's birthday, I not only watched Lars And The Real Girl in its entirety, but decided I was going to jump with both feet into the Lars world and took a stab at writing him the first time in her honour. Be gentle friends I'm not great at the romance.

Usually, I put an NSFW on all of my work; for quite possibly the first time ever, it's not required. Title inspo comes from T Swift (don't come for me) and Fall Out Boy's Electric Touch here

Happiest of (early) birthdays my darling soul sister (early af because I have no willpower or self control to wait til next month) Hopefully I've done your Lars justice 🩷

All my love,

K 💙

The gravel crunched under your boots as you made your way up the driveway, There was a chill to the air still despite the snow having almost completely melted. You pulled your hat down tighter around your ears. Vertigo by Griff playing in your headphones as Lars came into view; the ax in his hands splitting the piece of wood underneath it with such ease you once teased him you were certain the wood was fake, or rotted so badly that he could simply pull it apart with his bare hands. 

Lars being Lars, had to put your ridiculous accusation to the test immediately, putting the ax down…blade facing away of course…he picked a piece off the pile and stood in front of you where you waited patiently a small smile tugging at the corner of your lips at the seriousness on his face. 

He held the log in both hands, pulling hard, the tips of his fingers white from the pressure pushing on the lumber. 

He sighed with effort before dropping his shoulders “See?” 

You nodded “My mistake” 

He had shaken his head with a small laugh as he turned back to his work at hand as if you had been ridiculous for even suggesting such a thing. 

That had been onwards a month ago now, and his chuckle of disbelief at your audacity that he could simply tear wood in half was something you had thought about ever since. 

You knew Lars was unique, that things with him would be…less than conventional, his time with Bianca had made that apparent to everyone. You had told him, this would all be on his terms, his comfort was the most important thing to you; and of course, the last thing you had wanted to do was replace Bianca, you could never; she was special. 

Lars’ face broke into a grin as he looked up and saw you watching him. He waved excitedly and you grinned, his smile infectious waving back before chuckling to yourself, biting gently on your index finger as he simply turned back to the woodpile to carry on chopping as if you hadn’t been there at all. 

You pulled your headphones from your ears and dropped them in your pocket as you moved to lean against the garage, one foot propped against the siding as you folded your arms across your chest, your manicured thumbnail finding its way between your teeth as you watched him intently. 

In true Lars fashion, despite his physical exertion, he was dressed in at least four layers. You watched as he put the ax down to peel off the top layer before looking around for somewhere to put the puffy blue jacket that wasn’t the spongy wet grass. 

“I’ll hold it” you called, holding out your hand beckoning him to bring it to you 

He nodded before jogging over to where you stood passing it to you, the tips of his fingers brushing over the length of yours, the briefest touch, but you were certain he was aware. 

“Thanks” he smiled tight lipped as you folded the jacket over your arms watching him jog back to the woodpile. 

“He really is something isn’t he?” 

You turned to see Karin standing next to you, bundled against the cold and smiled with a nod, turning your attention back to Lars. 

“He really is” you agreed. 

“Wanna come inside?” she asked gesturing toward the house “It’s a lot warmer than out here” 

You shook your head “I’m okay, thanks” 

“I bet you are,” she smirked before turning back toward the house “Door’s open if you change your mind” 

You wouldn’t. 

Watching Lars in his own environment was one of your favourite things to do; he could be himself and be comfortable. He didn’t have to pretend around you he had said one night as you sat across from each other cross legged on his small bed working on touch therapy. 

What he didn’t know was touch therapy helped you just as much as it helped him. You struggled with being touched, albeit not to the same degree, but Lars made it bearable. With him, you didn’t mind that the ghost of his fingers lingered on the back of your hand long after he had taken them away.

You straightened as he sauntered over to where you stood against the garage, positive he was oblivious to how effortlessly sexy he made something as simple as walking. 

He leaned the ax against the wall with a sniff, wiping his sleeve over his nose. Despite the cold, his face glistened with sweat. 

“Want to go inside?” he asked tipping his head slightly in the adorable way he always did “You must be cold”

“Burning up actually” you winked, watching his cheeks burn red as he immediately dropped his gaze to look between your feet. “I’m only teasing” you half lied “Karin said she-”

“I was thinking we could-” he started, before shifting uncomfortably his head still dropped 

You waited quietly for him to collect his thoughts and try again. 

“That we could..have some…us time” he stammered, peeking up at you from under his long lashes making your heart flip in your chest “I-if you want”

You had been seeing each other almost daily for over a month and you still made him nervous; especially when he’d had things on his mind. 

“I would love to” you smiled, keeping your voice soft. 

His head shot up nearly colliding with yours in the process, his blue eyes sparkling with an excitement that made you giggle “Yeah?” 

You nodded with a laugh “Yeah”

“Okay” he nodded, ushering you forward, but careful not to touch the small of your back as you passed. 

He reached around you, opening the door before stepping back, letting you walk in first. 

“I’m sorry for the mess” he apologized, pushing the door closed as he pulled his gloves off

Your eyes scanned the room, it was impeccable save for the cereal bowl on the small table.

“You don’t have to apologize” you smiled “This is your home”

He waved his hand dismissively and shrugged out of his jacket, pulling his hat off and hanging both on hooks by the door. 

You unzipped your own jacket, biting your lip gently with a smirk when you felt him help you tug it off before hanging it next to his. You slid your boots off, setting your hat on top before turning your attention back to Lars, who was wringing his hands nervously.

“Lars?” you asked softly, worried if you spoke much louder you might spook him 

He looked up quickly, almost like he’d forgotten you were there. 

“Are you alright?” you asked, raising an eyebrow 

He nodded “We should- Can we…can we sit?” he asked, gesturing to his small bed. 

“Sure” you nodded before sitting on the edge of the mattress, moving to cross your legs in front of you as he sat across from you. “Did you have something in mind for tonight?” 

He was nervous, but you had accepted the fact that merely, you, being in his presence was enough to make him jittery. This was something different though…

You sat with your hands collapsed in your lap waiting for him to ease himself into his comfort zone. This had become something of a routine for the two of you, usually you visited with Karin and Gus, long enough for a cup of tea or coffee maybe dinner before you and Lars would retire to his small space in the garage, where he would build you a small fire and you would sit across from each other on the small bed while he plucked up the courage to ask if he could “try again” 

It always started the same, hesitant and slow as his fingers traced the back of your hand; after a few minutes he would nod, that was his silent indication you could do the same. 

Today you had come prepared, you sat across from him in a t-shirt despite the cold temperatures outside, the small garage always warmed up quickly. Each day you had sat doing this with him, he had managed to progress further up the length of your arm, touching and holding for longer increments each time. 

He let out a heavy sigh swallowing hard, his hands folded in front of him 

“We don’t have to do this tonight if you’re not ready” you reassured and he immediately shook his head 

“No, I want to” he paused looking up at you “Un-unless you don’t want-? 

“I’m  ready for whatever you’re comfortable with sweetheart” 

His cheeks flushed the slightest shade of pink before he nodded, hoping you hadn’t noticed. You pretended not to. 

“I…” he let out another heavy sigh “Can I-” he tried again before he faltered 

“Take your time” you soothed 

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as he took a deep breath in through his nose. 

He fidgeted sitting across from you as you waited; he was transfixed on his hands in his lap, not making eye contact with you. “Would it be alright if we….if I….” he dropped his voice to a near non existent whisper “If I kissed you?” Again, like he had out in the yard, he peeked up at you from under his long eyelashes, nervous for your answer. 

“You want to kiss me?” you asked, unable to keep the growing smile off your face; it was such an innocent request, anyone else would have thought nothing of it, would have just went for it, but not Lars. 

He nodded quickly before dropping his gaze. 

“I-if you want” he mumbled quickly

“Lars…” you smiled, reaching to rest a hand on his knee, in lieu of reaching for his bare hand. “Look at me” 

Slowly he lifted his head  blinking rapidly “It's okay if you don't, I understand” 

“I would love to” He looked up almost in awe as you continued “Are you sure you're ready for that?” 

He nodded determinedly 

“We'll go slow” you smiled offering your hand for him to take the initiative. 

Almost immediately he reached out, taking your hand in his. This was something he had grown comfortable with, anything else was much more of a struggle. His hand slowly slid up the length of your arm. 

He let out a shaky breath knowing what would follow, your mirror of his movements along his own arm. 

He jumped back, startling you slightly “Wait wait” 

You dropped your hand, your own heartbeat subsiding in your ears watching as he stood and stripped off everything but his undershirt and sweats before he sat back down. 

“I want to feel it this time” he explained “More than before”

Your own excitement peaked at his sudden boldness as he returned his hand to your upper arm. 

“If you want to stop, just say so, okay?” You asked, finding yourself slightly nervous at the prospect of pushing him too far. 

He nodded but didn't make eye contact as his hand settled on your shoulder. 

His breath caught in his throat as your hand inched up his bicep, hesitating briefly when he jumped. 

“Okay?” You asked

“Yes,” he whispered. Eyes still focused on his own movements. 

Your eyes fluttered closed as his large hand slid up the length of your neck, his calloused fingers hesitant, and warm tickling your skin. The low moan in the back of your throat stopped Lars immediately. 

“Did I hurt you?” He asked, worry evident in his voice 

You shook your head slowly, opening your eyes. “No, baby” you whispered, reminding yourself you needed to keep your composure. 

He cupped your cheek and you sighed leaning into his touch. 

His breath was shaky as he felt your hand move from his shoulder, creeping closer to his neck, to bare skin. 

He could do this. He wanted to do this. He wanted to do this with you. 

“May I?” You asked softly, fingers hovering on the neck of his undershirt. 

Again, he nodded. You still kept your movements slow, your heart beating hard in your chest, very aware this was foreign territory for Lars. 

He flinched almost as soon as your skin made contact with his, but he didn't pull away. 

To your surprise he shifted, moving himself closer to you. His hands moving to your waist pulling you into a kneel. His hands were extremely warm, even through the thin fabric of your t-shirt. 

You moved closer, but stopped short, letting him keep control of the situation. His breath was warm against your face given your new proximity. 

He took your face in both hands all at once, pressing his lips firmly against yours. You gasped, your hands finding his waist as his tongue pushed past your lips before he hesitated, but didn't pull back. Your lips parted, giving him the permission he'd hoped for. 

He whimpered, making your stomach flip, your fingers curling gently against his hips as he deepened your kiss, pulling your body flush against his.  

His mouth moved eagerly against yours, the unmistakable bulge pressing against your leg as his arms wrapped around your back. He ground his hips against your thigh, his breathing heavy. 

In spite of your best efforts, you moaned into your kiss, which only seemed to spur Lars on, he rocked against you, his hands finding their way into your hair, fingers tangling around the strands. 

Lars had completely lost himself in the moment; lost himself in you. You had managed to pull yourself out of the intoxicating spell you’d slipped under, prying your lips from his, breathing hard as Lars moaned into your neck, his fingers curling tightly against your back, your thigh suddenly damp. 

As reality came crashing back around him Lars sat back, a look you could only assume was nothing short of fear etched all over his face. 

“I’m sorry” he apologized, his eyes welling up with tears “I-I didn’t mean to”

Your features immediately softened opting to touch his arm gently instead of his face. “Lars, baby, you have nothing to be sorry for” 

His brow furrowed slightly as he considered your words blinking away the tears “I don’t?” 

“No,” you shook your head with a smile reaching to push his hair back out of his eyes “Never” 

“Never?” He asked, his nose scrunching slightly with his skepticism 

“Not with me” 

He nodded slowly, seemingly accepting this to be true. 

“Did I hurt you?” you asked, worried that you may have unintentionally thrust him from his comfort zone. “How’s the burning?”

He shook his head “I don’t, it doesn’t….it’s different”

“Good different?” you asked 

“Good different” His face broke into a grin “Can we do it again?” 

You chuckled to yourself, as much as you were more than willing to do it again, you shook your head 

His face fell immediately “Did I do it wrong?” panic obvious. 

“Oh Lars, no” you shook your head with a small laugh “It was wonderful” 

His shoulders dropped as he visibly relaxed 

“But wouldn’t you rather take it slow?” you asked “Go at a pace you’re comfortable with?” 

He considered this with a nod “I just want you to be happy”

“I am happy” you stressed “How could I not be with a stud like you?” 

He scoffed, again scrunching his nose as he shook his head in disagreement his cheeks flushing a deep crimson 

You laughed, making him bashful was so easy to do. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up and I’ll play with your hair the way you like until you fall asleep?”

He nodded “Yes please” 

“Well then,” you smiled, gesturing toward the bathroom as you both got to your feet

He turned toward the bathroom, walking a step and a half before he turned back around “Hey..” 

You looked up from pulling the covers back on the bed “Hmm?” 

You stood up fully as he came back to where you stood “I forgot to tell you Happy Birthday” 

He bent to kiss you on the cheek before promptly turning on his heel and disappearing into the bathroom before you had a chance to register what had happened. 

You stood alone in the small converted garage laughing lightly to yourself, your fingertips resting where his lips had been moments before, still able to feel their ghostly imprint. 

“Thank you” you smirked to yourself before climbing between the sheets and waited for Lars to join you.

#fic #lars lindstrom #lars and the real girl #ryan gosling #happy birthday my soul sister #lars x reader

[wardenswateringhole]

Forget Me Not

Ingo lead Akari through one of the many valleys found in the Highlands. It was one of the more safer routes. An easy to follow path had been well worn into the ground from the foot traffic this area saw from the clans and the merchants. The only pokémon around were starlys chirping busily in the trees and the occasional shinx or bidoof.

Akari eyed Ingo curiously. While she was prone to asking a million questions a minute while in the presence of Ingo but she was noticeably quieter this time. “What's this 'rare herb' you wanted me to help you find?”

Ingo kept his eyes forward as he walked. “I'll explain more when we reach our destination.”

“Is someone sick? Are you sick? Ingo--?”

“Everyone is well, I assure you.” Ingo answered quickly to douse the flames of panic he could hear rising within her. “I promise. More will be revealed shortly.”

Any other time, Akari would press more. Ingo would have his companion running circles around him trying to pry information from him. The little mind games she would play to get him to slip up and say too much. It amused Ingo to no end. A small amount of worry swirled within him at Akari's silence.

It didn't take long for the duo to reach a small clearing. Akari's eyes widened at the flowers that covered the area. Ingo smiled. “I found this spot not too long ago. I thought you might like it.”

“Ingo?” Akari cocked her head at him. “Is this where the herb is?”

“No... Not exactly...” Ingo cleared his throat and fussed with his hat. “I must admit I may have... fibbed... a bit.”

Akari turned to him and put her hands on her hips. A look of mock shock and disappointment was on her face. “Ingo!”

“I-I apologize!” Ingo stammered. “I could not help but notice that the Galaxy Team has been giving you far more tasks than usual. I was worried.” He pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his thinning hairline. “I made up the story about needing a rare herb so I could bring you here to take a break. It seemed like you very much needed to rest your engines.”

Akari sighed. “Yeah... They have been giving me more to do. Rei twisted his ankle so I've been taking on his tasks too.” She smiled. “Thanks Ingo. I really appreciate this.”

She looked over the flowers. There were many hues of blue, red, yellow, and pink with white scattered in between. The air smelled incredibly sweet. Akari knelt to inspect the blooms.

“I should gather some to take back to Rei. He's been miserable cooped up in his cabin. I wonder what color he would like.”

Ingo knelt beside her with his hat in his lap. “I'm sure he'd appreciate any colors you bring him. The smell more than makes up for any disliked colors.” He picked a flower and put it up to his nose. “I'm rather surprised combee do not convene here.”

Ingo looked over to find Akari not listening in the least. She was studying a handful of flowers silently. “Miss Akari? Are you alright?”

Akari nodded. “I... I remember... someone used to bring me flowers when I was sick. Back home...” She twirled a flower between her finger and thumb. “I can't remember who... I keep seeing blonde hair and a red hat that kinda looks like Rei's...”

A sigh the likes of had never been heard coming out of the young surveyor dragged out of her. The flowers were dropped solemnly into her lap as she looked down. “It makes me feel terrible when I remember stuff like that. These people meant so much to me. At least, that's what it feels like. How could I forget them?”

Akari's eyes looked up at Ingo. The shine of tears was becoming increasingly clear.

“Do... Do you think they miss us?” Akari finally asked. “The people we left behind. You think they even know we're gone?”

Ingo looked over Akari for a few moments. He of course felt the same. He did well to hide exactly how many times a memory would creep up on him and leave him a mess for days on end. Memories of family and friends with no faces and garbled voices. Precious moments that he felt he would keep close to his heart til his dying days now a fleeting sensation. It hurt. It hurt more to see young Akari going through the same turmoil.

“I cannot say...” Ingo spoke carefully. He wanted to at least be honest with her. “I do not know what our loved ones are doing or feeling at this moment... But I do know this.”

He ran his hand over her head gently. “We miss them terribly. It is not a pleasant sensation. It is not a sensation that I would wish my loved ones to feel.” His hand cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. “I hope they are happy and well, even if I am not there to take part in it. I wish that for ALL my loved ones.”

Ingo suddenly found himself tackled into a hug. Akari's face was buried into his chest as she sniffled. He voice was muffled against his tunic. “Thanks, Uncle Ingo.”

Ingo hugged her close and nuzzled her head lightly. A few moments passed before Akari pulled away and wiped her eyes. Ingo's gaze was gentle and patient as she tried to laugh off the sudden emotional rush. “Ugh. Okay. I'm okay. Let's get to picking some flowers. I want Rei to check out these smelly things.”

Akari returned to sorting through the colored petals while Ingo placed his hat back on his head. Yes, he missed the life he left behind but people like Akari gave him the strength to persevere. She'd never know how much she had helped him and how much she meant to him. He was completely fine with that.

His thoughts were broken abruptly as Akari's hand grabbed his sleeve tightly. Her voice was a harsh whisper. “Ingo! A pokémon! I've never seen one like it!” Akari pointed toward a shuffling green mound peeking in and out among the flowers. Ingo squinted but could not tell what it was either.

“I need to catch it!” Akari was already shuffling through the flowers trying to be as stealthy as possible. Ingo watched her with a bemused smile. His young friend already looked to be back to her old self.

He hoped that this memory at least would stay with him forever.

#Wardenwrites #Ingo #Warden ingo #Akari #PLA

[straykidsnerd255]

hey!! How are you? If it's not too much trouble, can you make a hc where the Y/N of Saga, Kanon, Shaka, Camus, Mu and Milo is like Scaramouche/Wander from Genshin Impact? A puppet abandoned by his creator god, deceived and used, before he was naive and kind with a sharp and irascible tongue, who came to erase himself from the world to try to change his past and now tries to improve as a person

You sure can! I apologize if it is short, and hope that you enjoy it!

Saga:

When he first found you, he was confused. You were alone, anger written all over your face, but there was sadness that he could see.

“What are you doing out here alone? Are you waiting for someone?” he asked. 

You looked him up and down before tilting your head so your hat covered your face. 

“No. I hate everyone.” You said and simply turned around so your back was facing the man. 

Saga rolled his eyes before sitting down next to you. You looked at him with a raised eyebrow before sighing. 

“What are you doing?” 

“I’m not gonna leave you alone. Not out here anyway.” He replied. 

After some time, you started to open up to him. You told him everything about you and your past. 

He wrapped his arms around you and promised to never leave your side. And He never once, left your side.

Shaka:

He was a pretty closed-off person himself. He didn’t like being around people and enjoyed being alone.

When he found you, laying in the grass, your giant hat sitting to the side of you, he couldn’t help but be curious. 

He waited for you to wake up and when you did, let's just say that you got spoked and he got spoked as well. 

When you finally deemed him worthy of your trust, you told him everything about you. Your past, how you were betrayed by the one person you thought would never betray and hurt you. 

Shaka was angered that someone could deceive and betray you. So he took you in. He promised that he would never be like that person.

He never left you alone. He was always in sight and always had you in sight. He could see you slowly making a change in your life and smiled when he finally saw you smile.

Kanon:

He is pretty much in the same boat as you. He was betrayed by someone that he thought cared about him but that didn’t last long.

When he found you laying in the grass, arms behind your head and your eyes closed, the breeze pushing your hair into your face he knew that you had been betrayed just like he has. 

Don’t ask him how he knows this he just knows. When he approached, your eyes snapped open and you sat up before jumping to your feet. 

“Who are you and what do you want?” You snapped. 

Kanon put his hands halfway up in the air to show he wasn’t a threat but that didn’t deter you one bit. 

You glared at him before you finally sighed in annoyance and sat down next to him.

Before long, you and Kanon grew close to each other. You told him about your past, and he told you about his past. 

You stuck by his side as you slowly began to change the way you were.

Mu:

When he first met you, he was completely stunned. Not only was your clothing extravagant, but you were also in a whole other league compared to him. 

You had the urge to not trust him but something about him just said that you could trust him. 

He offered you a place to stay til you could find somewhere you could live. He was very sweet and kind to you. 

You were not used to the amount of kindness that wafted from this man. You have never received such kindness in your whole life. 

You finally gained the courage to tell Mu about your past and how you were betrayed but you always wanted to change. 

Mu’s smile was all the motivation that you needed to begin your journey that would change your life for the better. 

Milo:

When you first met Milo, you both butted heads for a while. You had one opinion and he had a different one.

You both could never agree on something 

As days turned into months and months turned into years, you slowly began to open up to Milo. You told him about your pains and your struggles. 

You hoped that he would be someone to help you and not like those who had promised help and never helped you. 

Milo felt hurt well up in his heart when you told him of your troubles. He pulled you into a hug to which you squeaked in shock but returned the hug. 

“You won’t be alone again. I will never leave your side. What is there that I can help you with?” He asked, his eyes holding determination as he asked. 

You smiled. “I need and want help to be a better person. I want to forget my past. I want to start a new life.” You told him.

Camus:

He was already a cold and calculating person but when he met you, he changed a bit. 

Camus could see that something had happened to you before you found your way into his life and he was going to figure that out. 

It took a lot of work to earn your trust and when he did, you slowly began to open up to him. 

You told him of how you were betrayed by the one person you thought would never hurt or betray you.

You told him that you wanted to start over. A fresh start to a new life. You wanted to forget your past.

Camus watched you grow from being so quiet and secluded to loud, happy, and laughing. A smile brightened on your face and it melted him.

You had changed a lot and Camus couldn’t have been prouder.

#Saint seiya #fluff/angst #Female reader #Anon #requested #Saga x female reader #Kanon x female reader #Shaka x female reader #Camus x female reader #Mu x female reader #Milo x female reader

[innuendostudios]

Nietzsche's Eternal Return (to Monkey Island)

[spoilers ahoy]

Theme The person who is returning to Monkey Island here is, most obviously, Ron Gilbert. He got him brand back. Go Ron! And, look, I was skeptical. I mean, I was, above all, cautiously optimistic! But I was keeping my skeptic hat on the coat rack next to my hoodie, you know? I said the philosophy of The Secret of Monkey Island is "cheerful nihilism," and I stand by that. But Ron Gilbert's nihilism is not always cheerful. Or, actually, I think he's usually having a good time, but it often feels at my expense. How badly did I want him to take me back to the first series I ever loved?

I am on record as having never liked the ending of Monkey Island 2, which is the last Monkey Island game Ron directed (though he apparently had some peripheral involvement in Tales of Monkey Island). I am also on record as having haaaaaaaaaated the ending of his last adventure game, Thimbleweed Park. Ron likes a cop-out ending. Frankly you should know that by now - don't play Return to Monkey Island if you aren't prepared for a cop-out ending. It's what Ron does. And sometimes... sometimes it's a deliberate rug-pull. Sometimes he's laughing at you for expecting the ending to be good.

The Secret of Monkey Island's ending was a bit of a piss-take. It was short, it was abrupt, it rendered the entire plot up to that point irrelevant. Its instant replays and Blimp-cams and snarky final lines made it a parody of a video game ending. But, parody or no, it was an ending! It was a climax. You returned to the starting point, blew up the villain, and reunited with the love interest. Even in air quotes, it was the way you expect stories to end.

Monkey Island 2 intentionally denied you that ending. Refused closure. Told you all the events you just witness, and the events of the previous game, may never have happened. I originally played the game on its "easier puzzles" mode, and, when I got to the end, thought there must be a proper ending if you play normally, but nope. Spent a solid year stuck on Part II, refusing to get a hint book, before finally getting back to the ending, and thbthbthbthbthb. Fuck me for caring I guess.

The joke of The Secret of Monkey Island is Monkey Island having a secret is brought up in Part I, so you expect it to be relevant, given the game's title and all, and then, once the plot kicks into gear, you get focused on Elaine's kidnapping and the rescue mission and confronting LeChuck, and it's not til sometime after you finish that you think, "Wait... they never told us the secret." I don't think it's even mentioned after Part I.

Monkey Island 2 never lets you forget its macguffin. You are searching for the treasure of Big Whoop. No one knows what it is, but it's what you're after. There is no distraction, no romantic subplot that takes over your attention. Hell, the game makes it clear that Guybrush's obsession with being the kind of famous pirate who would look for Big Whoop has ruined his relationship and annoys his friends. The game hinges on Big Whoop. But, once again, you never find out what it is, and it's not an "oh that's funny" moment that hits you an hour after you play; it is, as Cobain would say, a denial.

And then Gilbert left LucasArts, the series was continued by other developers, and whatever resolution he had in mind for the MI2's putative "cliffhanger" ending was left to our imaginations for thirty years. Until now.

So the question is not whether, in Return to Monkey Island, you will finally find the secret. You oughtta know you're not finding that secret. The question is: which kind of cop-out will Ron give you?

And what Ron has done is kind of amazing: he has found a cop-out ending that is, for the first time in the series, emotional. He has made the denial of closure resonant. He has gone meta that quiet, knowing way that most Neil Gaiman stories are meta: yes, this is a fun story about pirates, but it's also a story about stories about pirates. This is Guybrush, the guy who couldn't shut up about the greatness of his adventures in Monkey Island 2, telling his son a story. He's not telling it because the ending is exciting, because the Secret of Monkey Island is so mind-blowing once revealed. He's telling it to relate to his son.

The ending is a big nothing. It's a joke. Elaine walks up when it's over and says "you tell that story differently every time." When your son presses you to tell him what the secret is, the game gives you six dialogue options with different answers. It doesn't matter what the secret is. And, unlike when a young Guybrush found the empty chest of Big Whoop, this time he knows it. He has a family and a storied life. That's the treasure a lifetime on the seas brought him.

Some people hate this ending. But, maybe for the first time, I'm on Ron's side of a polarizing ending. Monkey Island has always made me laugh; even the mixed bags that are Escape and Tales find chuckles somewhere. And the developers who are not Ron Gilbert have attempted pathos before; Tales went so far as to let Guybrush die - like, not fake his death like in Curse but legit die - but the results were mixed. This is the first time Monkey Island has given me feelings. Ron Gilbert, the man who told stories deep-fried in irony, who gave me the finger for expecting them to resolve, finally, all these years later, gave me feelings. Maybe he could only do it after thirty years, once a sarcastic parody of a pirate game starts to feel nostalgic simply because it's been in your life so long. But he did it.

Go Ron.

Design The clever thing about Return's structure is how it apes, subverts, and expands upon those of Ron's other two entries. You spend a decent chunk of this game tracing the footsteps of Secret: Part I is on Mêlée Island, with the Scumm Bar and Otis locked in jail and its twisty forest surveyed with weird maps; Part II is on a ship to Monkey Island where you have to recreate the potion that took you there in the first game; Part III is on Monkey Island itself, with its banana tree on the beach and its giant monkey head and its incredible view from the mountaintop; and Part IV seems to be wrapping things up, as you hurry back to Mêlée because the place you needed to be all along is back where you started.

And just when you think the game is wrapping up... it turns into Monkey Island 2.

Suddenly you have a ship and a map of the surrounding seas and a whole bunch of new islands to check out. It's that enormous sprawl from Part II of LeChuck's Revenge.

It's a bit cheeky to get to what feels like the end and think, "huh, I guess this game is a tight 7 hours," and then run aground on the game's surprise second half.

The player's (presumed) familiarity with the series becomes a playground for the designers. You expect insult swordfighting, so you laugh when LeChuck gives you two comebacks in a row and then just punches you. (It's also cute that Guybrush and Carla the Swordmaster can only converse while swordfighting.) You already know the potion that takes you to Monkey Island requires a pressed human skull, so of course this time it's Murray; "pressed" is his default emotion! You expect Guybrush to fall off the side of the plateau and get bounced back up by a rubber tree, so you laugh when Guybrush keeps jumping up and down on the bit that broke before only to have it stay solid, and then later when he gets kicked off you think "ahahahaaa, he's going to land on the rubber tree!" only to find him twisted and mangled having landed on... a rubber tree stump.

LeChuck's Revenge was such a departure from the first game that you can see, in Curse, how the new developers wanted to course correct. This is a trend, I've found: an IP comes out that is widely beloved; the first sequel is the same team doing something weirder and more ambitious, and is met with divided response; then the series it taken over by fans of the original who, instead of being weird and ambitious, ignore the first sequel's innovations and turn the original entry into a formula. I guess what I'm saying is, much as I enjoy it, Curse of Monkey Island is the Jurassic Park III of the series. (See also: Myst.)

First island: map, ship, crew. Then a stretch on a boat. Then a new Island. Then a (usually short and lackluster) confrontation with LeChuck. There will be some variant of insult swordfighting. You will have to decipher an obtuse map. Everything that made the first game unique will be repeated. This is true of Curse, and much of it holds for Escape and Tales.

Return knows this formula has been established, knows you have expectations. And anywhere the player has expectations, they can be confounded.

Character The Guybrush of Return to Monkey Island feels like a magic trick. He manages to feel continuous with every previous iteration of the character, none of whom felt continuous with each other. He blends the naïveté of Secret's Guybrush with the amorality of LeChuck's Revenge Guybrush, the wiseassery of Curse's Guybrush with the dipshittery of Escape's Guybrush. (I don't really remember what Tales' Guybrush was like.) You can see how this guy(brush) grew from the straight man of the first game, chilled out from the asshole of the second game, wised up from the fool of the fourth game. The series' inconsistencies now seem like one person in different phases of his life.

Who Guybrush is is more relational than in games past. His marriage to Elaine (properly written as the most competent person in the room, finally) seems like it could be in danger, as she becomes steadily more aware of how amorally Guybrush is acting in pursuit of The Secret. LeChuck is framed for the first time as a foil for Guybrush, as the two start to resemble each other the more obsessed each becomes with beating the other to the prize. (One character says of their enmity, "you deserve each other.")

These are, of course, both handwaved in the end. Elaine confronts Guybrush with his misdeeds, but just asks whether The Secret can possibly be worth all the questionable things he's done. (She's not fussed that her husband is amoral, she married a friggin' pirate.) The LeChuck confrontation is a big nothing because, right when you're about to confront him, the cop-out rug-pull happens. Guybrush not telling his son what The Secret is shows that he clearly learned the right lesson and did not turn into LeChuck. The game simply elides the inevitable confrontation-and-epiphany moment; why does the game need to show it to you if you already know it's coming?

And it's just nice to see Elaine and Guybrush... be together. They get together at the end of the first game and are broken up in the second, and she spends the next three getting damseled over and over. Serialized stories are always bringing romantic pairings together and splitting them up, because reuniting is easier than the drama of maintaining a relationship. (I mean, how many times have Nathan Drake and Elena broken up between games?) The moments where you get a sense of Guybrush and Elaine's relationship, how little time they get to spend together because he's a pirate and she's a professional do-gooder, how he adores her like a goddess and she adores him like a puppy.

Beats the hell out of Tales' ill-advised love triangle with a "human-again" LeChuck.

On another note, it is interesting that, for all the effort the game makes to not contradict the canon of the non-Gilbert games, it doesn't mine them for content, either. Murray is the only character from Curse onward to make an appearance. Morgan LeFlay got a passing mention in mine. But there's no Cap'n Blondebeard, no Edward Van Helgen or Cutthroat Bill, no Ozzie Mandrill, no Pegnose Pete. Meanwhile, seemingly everyone from Monkey Island 1 & 2 show up. There are the obvious ones - The Voodoo Lady (finally given a name), Wally, Stan. But there's also Otis and Carla, and the Scumm Bar cook, and Herman Toothrot is in a cave, Kate Capsize gets a mention, I'm pretty sure "Apple Bob" is the skeleton who pops his head off in the first game (now voice by Rob Paulsen, great choice), Cobb is still in the bar with his Ask Me About LOOM button ("I'm more button than man")... come to think of it, I think even the LOOM seagull who stole your map piece in MI2 gets a cameo. Narrative economy, I guess - if you find skeletons on Terror Island, they might as well be the Men of Low Moral Fiber, right?

While it would be interesting to see Ron and Dave Grossman's take on some of those characters, many of whom have, I would say, unrealized potential - they do a bang-up job with Murray - it's clear this is about wrapping up the story they started back in 1990. It may be improbable that half the people you meet are people you already know, but... it's good to see them all the same.

Conclusion No I'm not making a video about this.

#capsule review #adventure games #return to monkey island

[unhclywater]

CHARACTERS: Mikala Seabrooke, various NPCs.

THEMES: Mikala's experiences in the military and all of the extremely undiagnosed PTSD we (A.K.A. he) doesn't talk about as a result of his time serving.

CONTENT WARNINGS: War, injury, near death experience, death, gore, guns, slightly sexually suggestive themes, etc.

This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean; And there's me, in my slouch hat, with my SLR and greens. God help me, I was only nineteen.

1983. Freshly eighteen and out of high school with the world as his oyster.  He throws it all away, much to the pleading of his lonesome mother.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Mikala?" As a frail hand smooths out the shoulders of his brand new uniform, as if trying to make it—him—pristine.  Just behind him, his brothers sit in urns on the fireplace, displayed neatly with their respective medals.

"It's too late now, makuahine," he murmurs back, with a tender smile towards his mother.  A smile untouched by death, cruelty, time.  The tears in her eyes are ignored.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16? And what's this rash that comes and goes? Can you tell me what it means? God help me, I was only nineteen.

1984. The floor of the forest is hot, it's too goddamn hot, yet he feels cold all over.  The type of chill that digs deep into your bones.  He's fading in and out of consciousness as the medic does their damnedest to put him back together again.

The blast of an M16 rifle is a brutal one.  There is no entrance or exit wound, only a smashed and dented armor plate tossed to the side.  His ribs are broken, badly enough that they've penetrated and ruptured his spleen.  His lung is missed by mere centimeters.  He supposes he's lucky.

"Stick with me, man," he thinks he hears.  It makes him angry.  He's goddamn angry at this person saving his life.  He's angrier at the pain he's in, the sharp cry he lets out when his torso is splayed the fuck apart with a scalpel, and he thinks vomit and blood comes up with the pained noise.

His head is tilted sideways by the soldier at his side so he doesn't fucking choke on it.  He supposes he's lucky.

A four-week operation when each step can mean your last one on two legs; It was a war within yourself. But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off, So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin' else.

1985.  Back in the game after a forced sabbatical of sorts, only without a spleen, which he learned back in '84 that you can live without one of those.  He had asked what that meant for him long-term and, as it turns out, not much.  Except, he gets sick a lot easier lately because his immune system is compromised now, and he's informed to keep an eye on his iron for worry of anemia.

Gunfire and calamity have ceased, if only for now, but he's so far removed from it and his companions currently.  Soon, his superiors will look for him.  For now, he is staring at the growing puddle of blood beneath him and his victim.

They're deceased by now.  He's learned that the human body has its limits but, by God, it takes quite some time to get there.  He has what he wanted, more than that, and now he will set the scene to his liking.  Like he was never there.

All is forgiven when he delivers pertinent information to his superiors the day after.  When he closes his eyes and lets his mind drift to fresh memories of his acts, tainted by viscera and malice, he sleeps better than he has in months.

And then someone yelled out "Contact, front!" and the bloke behind me swore; We hooked in there for hours, then a God-almighty roar. Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon; God help me, he was going home in June.

1988.  He's laughing.  He's fucking laughing, and it's earnest, and it's tender.  He has his shirt lifted up, exposing the scar along his abdomen to his battle buddy.  When a finger trails down it, the muscles beneath ripple and tense, and he swears to no deity in particular that it sets his skin alight.

Eyes lock for a lengthy amount of time.  There's a darkness in his own, and a kindness in the other's.  A man of his age, both having served for the same amount of time, and yet only he is tainted by it all; driven by bloodlust.

Lips meet.  Lips, and tongue, and teeth.  In the shelter of darkness, they may touch.  They may be themselves, unapologetically and wholeheartedly.

By the end of this carnal meeting between two lonely men, his hands are trembling as he laces his boots.

A week afterwards, he watches his battle buddy misstep.  He watches the mist of blood, and guts, and limbs, with a void in his eyes.  Why are there so many fucking limbs?

He doesn't look away because he isn't weak.  He isn't a fucking coward, unlike many of the shell-shocked men around him.  Another week passes, and he sends a letter to the man's family, apologizing for their loss.

And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears; And stories that my father told me never seemed quite real. I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel. God help me, I was only nineteen.

1989.  It's the beginning of spring and while he doesn't celebrate his birthday, it's around the corner, and his mother made damn sure that a letter and a gift would get to him in time.  It came early.

Beneath her letter, one from his father.  His estranged father who never cared before.  In this letter, there are details of this stranger's own stories in the military.  Something heartfelt about regret, and being proud of his son, and whatever else that he feels nothing while reading.

Just before he writes a 'thank you' note to his mother, cold and curt, he tosses the letter his father sent into the nearest garbage bin.

When he comes back home to New York City, he's arrested within the month.  He doesn't fight for man's freedom this time but rather, his own.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep? And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet? And what's this rash that comes and goes? Can you tell me what it means? God help me, I was only nineteen.

2021.  Just as retirement came, so did the latest and greatest illness to take over his body.  He has spent the last week reading, mostly, alongside tying up loose ends with his business.

The funeral home has been sold by now.  Dead and gone, as are many things in his life.  He's neither excited nor sad about it.  He feels little of anything, really, about what is merely an end.  Except, his hands are a little more idle and, in his attempts to hide how ill he is from a spider bite of all things, he focuses on the finishing details of closing out this chapter.

It's all stacks of books, and paperwork, and why is the television so damn loud? He snatches the remote and clicks it off as the news channel drones on and on about the newest tragedy.  The newest war.

It looks like annoyance, and it is, mostly.  Even in solitude, he doesn't show weakness.  Instead, he continues oscillating between working and reading in silence, until his headache becomes too much and the itch where the bite is gets on his last nerves.

Eventually, this and the growing nausea put him down for a nap until his husband gets home.  Then, he will continue to act as if all is well, all is normal.  Stoic to a fault, he always is.

#〈 🩸 — ; isms. 〉 #do u ever listen to songs abt war on repeat for multiple hours and then a self para happens #the format of this got a lil fucked b/c tumblr sucks but w/e

[almost-a-class-act]

Fluffy Seasonal Prompts - December 12th

Taking the annual Christmas card photo.

Fandom: Band of Brothers (HBO) Pairing: Perconte/Bull Author's Note: This is the fault of @cody-helix02 and @bobparkhurst so jot that down. I will be compiling my holiday fills and posting them together on AO3 after Christmas, where you can find me under roaroftheninth. --

Bull pulls his eyebrows together. “What’s this about a Christmas card photo?”

Frank, who has been reeling off their weekend schedule of holiday preparations since the moment Bull walked in the door, pauses long enough to say, “Yeah, what, you never did family photos for a Christmas card before? You’re an honourary Italian now, Bull, we go big for the holidays.”

Then something else occurs to him before he can return to his original thought and he holds up a finger, turning around to retrieve what looks like a large pile of knitted fabric but turns out to be a sizable green Christmas sweater featuring a depiction of Santa Claus.

“Is he smoking a cigar?” Bull asks, accepting the sweater when it is thrust at him but holding it out at arm’s length.

“Yeah, of course he is,” Frank replies. “Did you think this one was mine? It would be down to my ankles. Put it on.”

Bull studies it for a moment longer and then figures he might as well; it’s no skin off his nose and Frank doesn’t seem like he’s on the level of festive freneticism yet where someone really ought to say something.

“Is it a little early to be worrying about Christmas cards?” He suspects that he knows the answer to this question but asks it anyway as he follows Frank into the living room, where the camera is already set up across from the wingback chair. “It’s the second weekend in November.”

“My sister sent out her cards yesterday,” Frank says. “I’m already behind. And wait ‘til you see the picture on hers. They put reindeer antlers on the dog. I bought a miniature Santa hat for Meatball but I can’t find her anywhere.”

It’s for the best, Bull figures; Meatball the tabby cat would protest most vociferously to being subjected to seasonal fashion and as usual has apparently had the uncanny ability to know when to make herself scarce. Frank still has a scar on his wrist from his bright idea to put her in a knock-off Gucci onesie and Bull’s favourite shirt has puncture holes in it from Meatball’s attempts to climb him to escape Frank’s reach.  

Pulling the sweater over his head, Bull lets Frank tug on it in a couple of places, making essentially imaginary adjustments, before he steps back to inspect his handiwork. “Hey, look at that,” he says. “You look great. You want to see mine?”

“Love to.” Bull’s customary lack of excitability could make that come across as sarcasm, but Frank seems to detect that it isn’t, and he beams. Wrestling his own sweater on with great enthusiasm, he spreads out his arms so that Bull can get the full effect of the large, knitted picture of a cold cut that reads ‘PASS THE GABAGOOL’.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“I think your family’s going to get a real kick out of it,” Bull replies honestly, which is not an answer when it comes to his own opinion but is probably what Frank wants to hear. Anyway, it’s true; Bull is well-acquainted with the Percontes and their sense of humour by now.

“Yeah, me too.” Frank taps the chair. “You need to sit. Otherwise we’re gonna look like the long and the short of it again.”

Bull nearly snorts at that – Frank hadn’t seen the humour in coming back from their first weekend away together to discover that every picture Bull had taken of the two of them featured mainly the top of his head – and obligingly takes up residence in the wingback, letting Frank flit around to check the camera setup and adjust the curtains.

He pauses before he sets the timer to study Bull for a moment. “You look good,” he says. “You really fill out a sweater, Randleman.”

Bull glances down at it. It looks like every other shirt does on him, he’s fairly certain. “It’s a good sweater,” he says.

Frank watches him for a moment longer, as though double-checking. “Yeah,” he says, after a handful of seconds. “Maybe you leave it on later. At bedtime.”

“This is doing it for you, huh?” Bull can’t say he’s surprised, honestly; Frank is very particular about myriad strange things, but what it boils down to is that he knows what he likes.

Frank shrugs, unbothered. “Sometimes things awaken something in me. Who knows why.” He checks the view on the camera one more time. “You ready? Of course you’re ready, look at you. Okay, ten seconds.”

He bolts over to join Bull next to the chair, and Bull reaches out unprompted to hook an arm around him as they wait for the shutter. 

#HBO War Barely Coherent Christmas Chaos #band of brothers #fanfiction #roaroftheninth #holiday prompt fill #christmas fluff

[misqnon]

u gotta try harder /j

I WASNT ON TUMBLR MUCH TIL LIKE.. A YEAR AGO... SO I HAD NO IDEA .... that is extremely funny. thank u

theyre in a 3 way qpr with luffy as the center

THAT ZORO IMAGE IS SO FUNYN AHFHSJD

"i like to imagine he speaks with the emojis like you typed them. (“how are you saying that out loud-”)" NAHDIAHE hes magic thats how

i have a big crush on ace too but TRACE HEATFIST.... something abt him.... idk he just hits the spot for me. i love big brother characters n characters that r good with kids.. ace fills that spot.. and then u add his silly smoothness in the 4kids dub and its like wow. u are Perfect.

STEAL THEM!! i have . a pinterest board of . meme image. silly meme image. (is pinterest something ppl still use... i only started using it a few years ago)

NO A CUP MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE... I think u were rightm.

THATS SO FUNNY... see i never thought dragons were real but i DID believe . that unicorns were real for quite a while (i never liked to admit it). honestly i didnt consume much dragon content but i did like to just. think abt them . i had this mobile game i liked playing that was just a choose ur own adventure type story . but ur a dragon. never played spyro (and didnt even know about it til i was like... 12) but it seems rly fun and i would love to play the remaster,, purple dragon ily. i cant believe ur the kind of kid who could beat games... i was so stupid as a kid i didnt even know how to play animal crossing city folk correctly .... YOU ALSO??? FLIGHT RISING???? i joined in uhh 2019? i think? i found out abt it in like 2016 but forgot and then tried to join in 2018 but it wasnt accepting new users.. and then yeah. 2019. so ive been on and off a lot but i LOVE flight rising. i love my dragons. even tho theyre mostly un-gened 1st generation dragons..

sanji is . arguably the most human of all the straw hats.. which is interesting bc he is also the only one who was supposed to be inhuman. ofc i think theyre all very human but sanji has the most moments where i can relate to him. the sanuso fic i was reading yesterday... he was so full of shame... and they wrote him hiding behind his hair.. and i felt so intensely SEEN by that. like oh my god he is ME i do all these things.. i find that my comfort characters are usually... ones who suffer a lot. i love suffering. in media.

SHREK SCREENSHOT..

"I WANT TO PUT THE SANJI FEEDING MICE AND THE CREW IS CONFUSED SCENE IN A FIC SO BAD BUT I HAVE WRITERS BLOCK ATM 😭" i will write it for u

"sanji vs. minnie mouse his hardest battle yet" oh my god........ ur mind...... wow...... genius...... crackship time (have u seen . oh wait ur not into jjk.. ok have u seen frollo x goofy... its insane...)

BEING MAD ABOUT SIMPING FOR SANJI IS SO REAL.. please dont be attractive please stop please... please . IVE SEEN THAT OUTFIT and every time i get ANGRY (not for real but y'know.) because he looks SO GOOD and i dont like to admit that.. i hate to admit that. UR RIGHT that outfit is extremely gay like wtf is going on with that tie???? or whatever it is? around his neck??? this is like gay men wearing scarves

"have u seen that post where its drawings of each of the strawhat “rescue teams” of arlong park, enies lobby, and whole cake?" I SAW THAT A FEW HOURS AGO AHDHSH

"law 1: edgy. flipping u off. deranged. a bit evil looking. kinda hot" i see u...

i love law so much he is so antagonizing and then . the contrast.. when he is stupid or cute. its wonderful.

"HE ALSO LOOKS SO SO PATHETIC 😭 SOPPING WET CAT OF A MAN" i LOVE how pathetic he looks. i like pathetic people so much.. like why are u like that.. making me pity u.. only in media tho never in real life 🙏🙏

ZORO LOOKS LIKE A DOG AHEJDHA WHAT IS THAT

USOPP?? USOPP?????? HES THE MEME IMAGE ...

CHOOPA MY GUY.. he looks so silly as a full deer i wish he did that more often

this is blue period but im running out of funny images i have saved ...

dw abt taking a bit to reply!! i am patient /gen

IM TRYING MY BEST 

sharing my veteran knowledge

3 WAY QPR IS PERFECT 

trace heatfist the magic man. skeazy magician and fuckboy

ace is VERY likeable idk a single person who doesnt like him. even my non one piece friend likes him but i think shes weak to his freckles

i trade memes like pokemon cards. i look forward to this symbiotic relationship

arent unicorns the national animal of scotland…(or ireland maybe…) THAT WOULD MAKE ME THINK THEYRE REAL

I COULD ONLY BEAT SOME GAMES a lot i didnt but usually bc i got out of the rhythm of playing them and left them unfinished. when i was younger i made my older brother play the hard parts for me a lot LMAO. ALSO DO YOU WANT MY FLIGHT RISING DRAGONS. IDK WHAT TO DO WITH THEM ALL MAN I DONT PLAY ANYMORE

i love that sanji is arguably the most emotional of the group (aside from franky or chopper, but for them its just played for laughs) and that overemotional/low self esteem part is exactly what makes him so relatable. i actually really appreciate that oda gave that trait to a male character. sanji cries a lot and is overemotional and kind of hysteric sometimes jdvbvfjdk so im glad they didnt make it like nami or robin who was like that stereotype. GOD I REALLY CONVERTED U TO SANJI TOWN DIDNT I. SORRY WE’RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE LOW SELF ESTEEM AND PROJECT ONTO THE WEIRDO

*FROLLO X GOOFY????* 

I HATE ADMITTING THAT I THINK HE’S HOT BC HE DOESNT DESERVE IT. BUT I DO. I THINK SANJI IS HOT. I DO. UNFORTUNATELY. in that maroon wano suit…ODA WHO TOLD YOU TO DO THAT!!!!!!!

and yes law too…listen. i have a big heart, ready to love, [possessed by sanji]

the little scarf/ascot is the gayest part 

“"HE ALSO LOOKS SO SO PATHETIC 😭 SOPPING WET CAT OF A MAN" i LOVE how pathetic he looks. i like pathetic people so much.. like why are u like that.. making me pity u.. only in media tho never in real life 🙏🙏” exactly…PATHETIC FICTIONAL MEN GO HARD

I LOVE THE DOG ZORO SCREENSHOT HE LOOKS LIKE HES GONNA BITE SOMEBODY

AND USOPP KDSJNKJ I USE THAT ONE SO MUCH

i agree i like almost all of chopper’s other forms better than when hes a little baby 😭

IS THAT MAKIMA NSCKJAS???

also u are free to keep sending me e-letters but if you want to just message on discord that is also fine. as i said. message me whenever 🫡

lets see what we have for 2day...

#asks #replies #long post #march anon

[johnny-kobayakawa-television2015]

Thomas and Friends: Sodor Online Journeys (Story 3): Edward, Gordon and Henry/Henry Saves The Day

Gordon always pulled the big express. He was proud of being the only engine strong enough to do so. It was full of important people like The Fat Director/The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt for example, and Gordon was seeing how fast he could go.

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" he said. "Trickety-Trock! Trickety-Trock! Trickety-Trock!" said the coaches.

In a minute, Gordon could see Henry's Tunnel where he stood there bricked up feeling lonely.

"Oh dear." thought Henry. "Why did I worry about rain spoiling my lovely coat of paint? Will the Fat Director/The Fat Controller ever forgive me and let me out again?/I like to come out of the Tunnel." but Henry wasn't sure how to ask.

"I'm going to Poop Poop at Henry." said Gordon. He was almost there when…

And there was Proud Gordon going slower and slower in a cloud of steam.

His driver stopped the train. Henry was surprised. "What has happen to me!?" asked Gordon. "I feel so weak!" "You've burst your safety valve." said the Driver. "You can't pull the train anymore." "Oh dear!" said Gordon. "We were going so nicely too. And look, there's Henry laughing at me!" Everyone came to see Gordon. "Hmph!" said the Fat Director/the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt. "I never like these big engines. Always going wrong, send for another engine at once./These big engines are always causing me trouble. Send for another engine at once." While the guard/conductor went to find one, they uncoupled Gordon who had enough puff to slink onto a siding out of the way.

Edward was the only engine left in the yard. "I'll come and try." he said.

"Pooh!" said Gordon. "That's no use. Edward can't pull the train." Kind Edward puffed and pulled and pulled and puffed, but he couldn't move the heavy coaches. "I told you so." said Gordon. "Why not let Henry try?" "Yes." said the Fat Director/the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt. "I will." "Will you help us pull the train, Henry?" he asked. "Oh yes!" said Henry. When Henry had got up steam, he puffed out. He was dirty and covered with cobwebs. "Ooh, I'm stiff! I'm stiff!" he groaned. "Have a run to ease your joints, and find a turntable." said the Fat Director/the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt kindly.

When Henry came back, he felt much better.

Then they put him in front. "Peep! Peep!" said Edward. "I'm ready." "Peep! Peep! Peep!" said Henry. "So am I!" "Pull hard! Pull hard! Pull hard!" puffed Edward. "We'll do it! We'll do it! We'll do it!" huffed Henry. "Pull hard! We'll do it! Pull hard! We'll do it! Pull hard! We'll do it!" they puffed together.

"We've done it together! We've done it together!" said Edward and Henry. "You've done it hooray! You've done it hooray!" sang the coaches. Everyone was excited. The Fat Director/The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt leaned out of the window to wave at Edward and Henry, but the train was going so fast that his hat blew off into a field where a goat ate it for tea.

They never stopped til' they came to a station at the end of the line. The passengers all said "Thank you." And the Fat Director/the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt promised Henry a new coat of paint. "Would you like blue and red?" "Yes please." said Henry. "I'll be like Edward and Gordon."

On their way home, Edward and Henry helped Gordon back to the shed. All three engines are now great friends.

Henry doesn't mind the rain now. He knows that the best way to keep his paint nice is not to run into tunnels, but to ask his driver to rub him down when the day's work is over.

Story End

[pokeexehasstoppedworking]

Isle Connections Ch3 Trials Ahead

(In case anyone was wondering about where this story breaks off, this side story breaks off around chapters 30-31 of Love Doesn't Do Encores/A Champion Time For The Heart. Also thanks to everyone who sent in pokemon suggestions for this story. The most I've gotten was a ponytail so that's what I went with.)

Well you knew now why Gloria brought along Victor's old camera and plenty of film rolls. The next morning you were woken up to a banging on your door. Groggily, you pulled yourself out of bed with Silver grumbling from the floor next to the bed. You answered it to Gloria beaming brightly up to you widely wearing a black and yellow uniform of some sort.

"Mornin', Y/n!," she greeted brightly, "Ya ready ta go?"

You yawned reaching out to rub your face. "Go where? And where'd you get the uniform?"

"Ms. Honey gave it to me! Said I needed ta wear the dojos uniform while here. An' to go explorin' duh! We're not doing anything til this Friday so we got some free time to settle in."

Oh right. Mr. Mustard wanted to give Gloria a week to settle in and learn the routines around here before they started any training exercises. That whole week you both spent talking to the many others training at the dojo and most of them were actually really friendly and nice people. You sometimes caught sight of Klara but one glare from you seemed to have her only speaking a few lines of passive aggressive words disguised as a sweet smile usually having you both exchanging looks before she walked off. Weird woman. You didn't see much of Avery either. Often hearing that he preferred to go out finding different pokemon to battle to 'give his psychic perfection a real challenge.' You weren't sure about those two.

"Doesn't those two seem familiar to ye?", Gloria piped up one day while doing her share of chores. "Avery n' Klara."

Also during the week Gloria was getting settled in, she had been doing her share of chores posted on the board by Ms. Honey. That particular day Gloria was assigned to help a few other people clean and mop the dojo's main training room. You always helped despite never being assigned chores, after all you weren't a student at the dojo so you didn't have to do chores but you felt awkward just being there for free without doing something in return so you always helped Gloria with whatever she was assigned to do that day. So currently you were helping to wipe off some of the training equipment as Gloria swept the floor near you. A few other people were also sweeping, mopping, or cleaning the training equipment too. Avery being one of them. The blonde man was currently standing there watching as a levitating moo ring itself out above a bucket of water before starting to mop the floor in front of him again.

.... Seriously. HOW was he able to do that?

"Hm...Now that you mention it, I do think we've seen them somewhere before but I can't put my finger in it."

"Neither can I. It's like a really weird case of deja vu."

It was weird. You could've sworn you saw them somewhere before but ..where? We're they previously NPCs back in the game when you were still in your own world? Were they unlockable characters back in your world? Maybe you saw them somewhere else during the league challenge? You would've thought you would've remembered them though. Especially Avery. A guy with a giant top hat and psychic powers was hard to forget. Oh well. You shouldn't worry about it now. You should just focus on helping Glory and keep an eye on them. Later that week Friday morning came and everyone was summoned into the dojos training room after breakfast. You and Gloria joined all the others with little Silver following behind you looking bored as always. Klara and Avery were there too and you made sure to keep a close eye on them. Mr. Mustard laughed with a bright smile.

"All of you are probably wondering why I called every here today!," he happily chirped, "I was going to host this little exercise earlier but I decided to wait for our newest student to settle in. To see how far you all have gotten, I decided to host a few trials!" He smiled wider. "So.. It's time to really start our training. You all will be facing three trials!" Immediately there was a buzz around the dojo and you and Gloria exchanged a look. "And there's more! The person who completes the three trials or who I think has worked the hardest will receive the secret armor of the dojo!"

Secret armor? Leon didn't say anything about a secret armor. Maybe it was some kind of trophy? You gave Gloria another look and she looked excited at you. This could actually be a good warm up for her. Already she was ready to throw down.

"That secret armor's mine for sure!," he bravely said throwing up a fist.

"Haha! That's the spirit. There will be one trial held every Friday until all three are complete. Now let me explain the first trial-"

"Pardon me, Master!" Everyone looked over as Avery spoke up raising his hand. "But I haven't received my uniform yet."

"Me neither!," Klara added.

He huffed smoothly flipping his long blonde hair back before shooting one look at Gloria before turning away. "I daresay it's unfair for only that child to get a uniform. Unequal even! I demand to be given one!"

"Me too! Me too!", Klara again added waving an arm.

Mustard only listened to him patiently with a polite smile despite Avery's demanding rude tone. You gave him a deadpanned look. What was with this guy? And Klara?

He chuckled at him before smiling wider. "Oh dear. Do you really not have a uniform? My bad. My bad. That's easy to fix though." Without skipping a beat, he pulled his hands from behind his back and held up a neatly folded uniform. "I have another one right here for you, Avery."

Avery's face turned pleased as punch as she stepped over to Mr. Mustard. As he passed you you could've sworn he said, "It does pay to complain sometimes."

You only deadpanned further. Avery walked right up to Mustard and reached out to grab the neatly folded pair of clothes- Klara squealed out as something ran out from under everyone's legs and a pink and yellow blur swooped past his face. Avery was sent stumbling back almost falling and clutching his hat from shock. The folded clothes gone. Everyone screamed as the blur ran past you. On instinct you pulled Gloria by the shoulders away as whatever it was ran past you both and skidded to a stop in front of the door leading to the outside of the dojo. Everyone's shocked and surprised faces followed the blur until it skidded to a stop in front of the door. Your eyes widened as you realized what they were.

Pokemon!!

Slowpokes to be exact.

There was three little pink and yellow slowpokes standing in front of the open doorway staring at everyone. 

"EH?! What in the world?!," Avery piped up blinking confused before looking at his Master's empty hands, "Hey! My dojo uniform! It's gone missing!"

Your eyes widened and you pointed at the slowpokes. "No it's not. Look there!"

Avery looked where you pointed out. The middle slowpoke looked at you all and comically held Avery's uniform in its mouth making the blonde's jaw drop and Klara busted out in giggles along with a few others. You had to admit..It was funny to see after how rude he was before. 

"How dare you?!," Avery sputtered embarrassed turning a light pink from everyone laughing at the sight, "Are you using Trick? Return my dojo uniform immediately!" He demanded. The three slowpokes looked at one another.. before turning and with surprising speed took off out the open doorway. "Oh my- Where do you think you're going?!"  Avery shouted before grabbing his hat and running past all of you and out the door making everyone laugh harder.

Mustard chuckled himself at the antics. "Oops. Guess I let them out of their pokeballs a little too soon. Hahaha!" Everyone turned back to him as he smiled widely. 

"Master, what's up with those slowpokes?," a woman asked confused.

"This is the first trial, my students. You've all gotta chase after those fast slowpoke trained by little old me. But that's not all! You need to defeat them too! And while you're at it, could you get Avery's dojo uniform back? Well that's that!" Wait wha- Mustard just turned and began to Walk his way back towards his home waving a hand. "Off you go. I'm sure you'll do great!"

Everyone looked at one another- Before Klara ran full speed out the door and everyone followed quickly stampeding out the doorway after her. Gloria smiled at you before making a 'come on' motion with her arm.

''C'mon Y/n! Let's go beat 'em!"

"ACTUALLY!!" You both had stopped and looked over at Mustard. He had stopped but turned back around to you both smiling widely. "I'm afraid that'd be against the rules."

You both blinked. "Huh?"

"Only students are allowed to participate in the trials. No outside help. That wouldn't be fair to the others to have extra eyes." He smiled wider. "You are still free to watch however from a distance. I'm afraid this is something young Gloria must do this on her own."

"Oh.." Gloria deflated a bit but nodded. "Ah understand. Would ye mind goin' out n' snappin' some pictures o' the wild pokemon for me? Tis for my Isle of Armor dex challenge." She asked you." 

You happily nodded. "Sure. I can do that. You just go ahead and win that trial!"

She nodded gaining a determined look. "Ya got it Y/n! I won't let ya down!" With that she turned and ran out of the building after everyone else.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience." You blinked turning back to Mustard still smiling. "But it's for the best. Gloria is used to having help with all her challenges that she gets stage fright whenever something she has to do herself is presented. I can surely help her but  I cannot have you interfere."

"Huh?"

"I am full aware Leon sent you to keep an eye on her as he's worried about his surrogate sister but he to needs to realize that she needs to be able to stand on her own two feet as a future gym leader. These trials are only a stepping stone to get her on the right path before I start to really train her. So please, allow her to do these on her own."

You blinked.. before nodding. "I understand completely. I only hope she'll be able to do better."

"In time she will. Now off you go. I do believe you also have an adventure that awaits you."

Ah. Right. Gloria's new dex challenge. You supposed you could help her with that while she was out doing the trials. In the meantime you'll be relaxing yourself doing some bird watching..Or in this case pokemon watching you guessed. So you returned to Gloria's room really quickly, found the Polaroid camera on her bed along with the dex challenge book, and began heading out into the small forest behind the dojo with Silver as usual tagging along behind you. It was a relatively peaceful beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly in the warm air and lit up the world in a glow. The air was filled with the scents of beautiful wild flowers and the distant smell of the ocean. There was an abundance of wild pokemon out and about. A regular smorgasbord of pokemon types running around everywhere. Perfect for Gloria's dex challenge. All you had to do was aim the camera, snap a picture, wait for the film to develop, and then take a moment to put the picture in the book on the page with the name of the pokemon you took a picture of. You caught a lupunny, a wild luxury and it's shinx cubs, and a few others on your way through the lovely forest. You weren't sure how long you were out of how far you had wondered but it . must've been a good two or three hours at least.

You had eventually stopped when you pushed through a bush and came to a beautiful sight. A rather large pond displayed before you. Chalk FULL of water type pokemon! A drednaw, lots of chewtles, a Squirtle or two, LOTS of wooler, a quagmire, and a lot of others! Perfect! You'd be able to get a whole chunk of this dex challenge done for Gloria! So you sat down a little ways from the pond to not disturb the pokemon and just started taking pictures and placing the photos in the book. SNAP! Place. SNAP! Place! Over and over again as Silver sighed boredly and eventually had his attention drawn to a wild berry tree- CHIRP!! He chittered pulling  on your sleeve suddenly and frantically pointing at the tree demandingly. You took time out to look at him and then the tree before sighing.

"Ok, ok. Silver, I'll get you a few pieces of fruit but first let me get a few more pictures. Ok?"

Your drizzle didn't seem happy as he chirped loudly before crossing his arms but thankfully didn't throw a full blown tantrum and scare away the pokemon. You took a few more pictures of a wartle, and the big sleeping drednaw before placing them also in the book. Boy. Gloria would sure be happy with all the progress you've helped her make on the dex. Silver groaned louder grabbing your arm with both hands and tugged harder stomping his feet at he did. 

"Alright, alright! Give me a second. Geez. Your appetite is going to get you in trouble one day you know that?" 

He only pouted harder. Sighing you got up closing the book and quickly stuffing it back in the small bag you carried. Silver followed excitedly on your heels as you walked on over to the berry tree and reached up to grab a few kelpie and orange berries hanging on the lowest branches. Handing them over to Silver who stood on his tip toes and reached out for them making grabby hands. You handed each and every one right over watching as he scarfed them down one after another before chirping for more and you gave him a pecha berry you reached. 

"You sure are a demanding little thing. You know that right?"

Silver opened his mouth to swallow his berry whole..but stopped and looked over suddenly blinking. CHIRP!! He looked up at you suddenly and waved an arm almost panicked! You gave him a look and he pointed at a couple bushes across from you both! CRASH!! CRASH!! RUSTLE!! Before you could even ask what was wrong something came crashing through the bushes making you look up just as a pink blur busted out of the bushes and landed with a thud a few yards away. The sudden noise startled everyone as all the tiny wooper and Squirtle ran away or dove for cover under the water. The bigger pokemon on alert sunk back into the waves. The sleeping drednaw woke with a start looking around. And Silver dove behind your legs with a loud wail of panic before peeking out. You also froze in shock staring at the form of a-...

"A slowpoke?"

A pink and yellow slowpoke stood there with its back towards you before it turned hearing your voice. It turned around and you blinked as it...Held a dojo uniform in its mouth?? The thing tilted it's hard at you holding the yellow and black uniform in its mouth. Wait. Didn't that uniform belong to-

"COME BACK HERE YOU TWO FACED SCOUNDREL!!"

There was even more rustling and crashing before another figure came crashing through the bushes. You watched as a man jumped through the bushes only to trip and faceplant into the grassy dirt. A tall hat fell off his head and pokeballs thudded to the ground. Any other poor pokemon still remaining was scared further away from you chittering in fright as they fled. ..You and Silver exchanged a look before the blur pushed himself up with a grunt and reached a hand up to push frazzled blonde hair from his face-

"Avery?" Said man paused.. before snapping his head your way freezing at seeing your legs.. before he looked up at your face. His glasses were crooked, he had dirt stains all over himself, and a few leaves and twigs stuck out of his hair. You blinked at him. "What are you doing here?"

He took a moment to blink before a frown etched on his face and he reached up to fix his glasses. "I-I was m-merely c-chasing a thief!" He wheezed and breathed heavily as if tired from all the running he did that day. You watched as he grabbed his hat standing up stumbling a bit on shaking legs, and brushed the dirt off his hat. Still heavily panting. "T-That *huff* little bandit-" he pointed his hat at the slowpoke. "-m-m-made off wi-with my u-uniform!*huff huff*" He gasped for air as he spoke. "W-Wait... W-What are you *huff* doing h-here?"

You motioned to the camera around your neck. "Taking pictures of wild pokemon. Are you chasing the slowpoke? I thought you would've been competing in the trial with everyone else."

He huffed before placing the tall hat back on his head. The pokeballs enveloping in a blue glow quickly floated up to circle around his head again. .. Wasn't ANYONE gonna ask how he was doing that? "I can't without my proper a-attire! I'm going to get my uniform back from that little bandit and then go see what it is!"

...Oh right. Avery left chasing the slowpoke before he could hear what the trial was so he had no idea what it was. "You've been chasing after this slowpoke the whole day? I thought you would've caught it by now."

"I try but every time I get close enough to battle it just flees!"

You gave him a look but before you could say anything a crunching noise was heard behind you. Behind your legs Silver was eating his pecha berry loudly. Wait...berries. A flash of memory came forth. Victor lured that slowpoke out of the train station using food. What if you could use the same method for this situation? Taking a moment you turned around and walked back towards the berry tree. Avery turned his head confused as he watched you stop by the tree and reach up through the leaves, eventually plucking a big sitrus berry from. It looked like a yellow pear with orange polka dots. Yeah. This oughta do it. 

With a smile you turned back to the slowpoke. "Hey, boy. Are ya hungry?" You held up the berry. "You must be after running around all day. How about a big juicy berry for your hunger?"

The slowpoke immediately perked up in interest. Staring right at your hand as you slowly approached it leaning over and holding out the berry. 

"It's gotta be uncomfortable holding those clothes in your mouth all day. How about we trade? You give me the clothes and you get this berry." You know were standing right in front of him smiling. "What do you say?"

....In an instant the clothes fell to the ground. You blinked as a blue passed you and the berry was gone. Behind you the slowpoke happily crunched the berry in its mouth chewing. ...Well...That worked. You shook your head before reaching over to pluck the clothes off the ground before the slowpoke changed it's mind about playing keep away. Here we go. With a satisfied smile you turned and walked right up to a surprised Avery before holding out the uniform to him.

"Here you go. It's a bit dirty but it'll be fine when you clean it."

Avery only continued to stare at you in disbelief before looking at his uniform. "You-..you were able to reclaim my uniform all by yourself?...Hmph. You have my thanks." He reached out to grab it from you...only to grimace and hold it out from him at the ends. "YYYuck." Dirt stains littered most of the suit and a large chunk of it was dripping with slowpoke drool you had been careful to avoid grabbing. "That's unsanitary." He grimaced harder before a blue aura enveloped it too and the uniform was floating along with his many pokeballs.

"Well if you're that grossed out why chase after it all day instead of getting a new one from Ms. Honey? I'm sure she has loads."

"Because my dear!" A hand pressed to his chest. "It's the principle of the matter! The pokemon took it from me and I wasn't going to give up! If I just gave up that easily then I wouldn't be able to achieve any of my goals!" His answer.. actually surprised you. It wasn't as condescending as you'd thought it'd be. "Even if I prefer to go at my own pace..."

A hum escaped your mouth before you nodded. "I can respect that." A crash sound went off before you both turned and the slowpoke was gone. Crashing his way through the brush.

Avery sighed. "As much as I adore those elegant creatures, this day has been dreadfully tiring."

"I'd imagine. You look a mess." Without thinking you reached out to grab a small stick from his hair and dropped it. "You must've been really going at it." You then giggled at his expression. ''That kind of determination will get you far though. Keep at it."

He stared before his cheeks turned a light pink- BOOM!! Bird pokemon flew overhead as a loud boom crashed though the sky causing you both to look upwards.

"What my word was that?"

"I don't know..but I'm going to find out. C'mon, Silver."

Silver chirped before running after your form as you ran right past Avery and through the words the source of the noise. Avery blinked before he took chased after you despite the tiredness he felt. Through bushes, shrubs, trees, and tall grass you all pushed through as noises of fighting cascaded closer and closer. Wait...No. Not fighting. A pokemon battle. Someone was having a pokemon battle all the way out here. Why? Who could be in the middle of the woods battling pokemon?...Besides Avery. The sounds soon ended but you didn't stop. Only pushing on towards the direction the noises came from until you all pushed past the branches of a small tree and paused at what you saw.

"Gloria?"

Said teen stopped and looked at you both surprised. In her arms was a knocked out slowpoke she was carrying. Behind her was her cinderance, the fire rabbit pokemon held two more knocked out slowpokes. One under its arm and the other slung over its shoulder.  Both looked surprised to see all you there.

"Y/n?," she asked adjusting the giant slowpoke in her arms. "Wait are ye doin' 'ere?"

"Taking pictures of pokemon for you." You blinked looking at her progress. "Wow. But it looks like you did it!"

She smiled proudly. "Yep! It helps me cinderence is faster than these wee troublemakers!" Her pokemon gave a noise of pride. "It was really hard findin' the last one tho. It just came crashin' out o' nowhere it did."

You smiled at her. "Well since you caught them all, we better return these guys to Mr. Mustard."

Gloria nodded. "But...which way is back home?"

Uh..that was a good question. You've never been here before so you had no idea where you were. In question you turned back to Avery with a lost expression. He was patting himself down and brushing the dirt off his arms when he noticed your look. He blinked for a moment before chuckling.

"Well..Never fear ladies." He pressed a hand to his chest smiling smugly. "For I am here to elegantly save the day from this dastardly situation."

"You know the way back?"

"I know the entire isle like the back of my hand. Come. I'll guide you back-" He blinked as your arm looped around his and you smiled brightly. 

"I knew I could count on you. Such a gentleman."

He...just blinked before clearing his throat and turning away. "Well, of course. A gentleman never leaves a damsel in distress-"

"Why are ye levitatin' yer uniform?," Gloria piped up making him blink.

He frowned again. "Because a certain scoundrel made off with it. It took me all day to track him down!"

"Why didn't ya jus' levitate the slowpoke then ta stop him?"

Avery completely paused staring at Gloria blankly and you had to bite your tongue to not laugh. "..... Let's just get back to the dojo."

It took nearly an hour for you all to get back to the dojo. By the time you got back, everyone else was already there or just filing in. All sweaty and dirty and tired looking from the day's activities. However they all looked shocked at both Avery smugly walking past them all with a beautiful woman on his arm and Gloria walking behind them still struggling to heave the slowpoke in her hands. As you all entered the dojo, you spotted Klara looking just as frazzled as the rest of them but her face dropped in shock once seeing Gloria. Mr. Mustard and Ms. Honey was there too smiling widely.

"Oh Avery. Gloria. Welcome back," Honey greeted you all, "And it seems you brought some guests back."

"Well mustered, Gloria!," Mustard complimented looking over the three slowpokes around her pleased, "You cleared the first trial like it was nothing! Why I think this is the first time since Leon that someone was able to handle all three fast slowpoke on their own!" Gloria lit up happily as Avery again paused... before whipping to Gloria utterly shocked. "The rest of you tried very hard too! You were able to catch up to the slowpoke but I guess you couldn't defeat them. Tell you what. Anyone who was able to at least catch up to a slowpoke gets a pass." A few people sighed and the ones who didn't pass groaned or scowled. "Gloria really out did herself so it's only fair everyone else gets another chance. Try to make a comeback everybody!" There was a grumble all around but Mustard only looked at his wife. "Oh. That reminds me. Dear, where are those little ones?"

"Oh, that's right darling. I nearly forgotten." Ms. Honey looked at Gloria. "Would you mind coming with me for a moment? We have a prize for the trial winner but I think we ought to take of these poor dears first." She gestured to the slowpokes.

"Oh. Sure!"

You all watched as she followed Honey through a door with her cinderance and the slowpokes as everyone grumbled or started to walk away tiredly..but then Avery spoke up in disbelief.

"Battling and catching the slowpoke was the trial the entire time?! So I spent all day wasting away my chances to-..." The expression on his face fell. "So I-...Lost in the first trial already?"

Klara gave a smug look at Avery smiling. You looked at her..then at Avery.. before you turned to Mustard who turned to leave. "Mr. Mustard?" You called out raising a hand. He hummed turning back to you. "I know you said that anyone who wasn't able to catch up with a slowpoke was out, but Avery is still in right?" Klara looked at you wide eyed and Avery blinked. "He was chasing after the slowpoke that stole his uniform all day, and he even managed to catch up to it. He even has proof." You gestured to the uniform still levitating by Avery's head. "He didn't know what the trial was but since he was able to keep up, doesn't that mean he's still in?"

"What?! No! That's not fair!," Klara insisted with a frown, "He didn't even stay to hear what the Master said!"

"Actually.. There's nothing wrong with what she said!," Mustard smiled much to Kara's disappointment. "So Avery is allowed to compete in the next trial! Anyone else who passed the first trial show up here bright and early next Friday morning! Well be having a real workout next time! You all are dismissed for the rest of the day. Work hard now." He gave a small knowing smile to Avery and where your arms were still looped before walking away.

Klara gave you a look- You snapped your head at her making her pause.. before she just turned and stomped off. A few other people walked away before Avery slowly looked at you wide eyed in surprise.

"You...helped me?"

Blinking you looked at him before nodding and finally letting go of his arm. "Yeah. I did."

"But why? You had nothing to gain from it."

"Because you helped me and my friend find our way back, so consider us even. Also you did pass. It's only fair you'd get a chance to compete since you passed fair and square. Don't get me wrong." You hardened your gaze and pointed at him. "I'm still keeping my eye on you but for now... You're just a fellow competitor. Now you better get cleaned up. I have to go give my drizzle a bath. C'mon Silver."

Silver chirped excitedly at the promise of water and excitedly followed your retreating form. Avery watch her go ... before he blinked and a light pink dusted his cheeks as the pokeballs sped up in a circle around his head. You returned to your room and wrestled Silver out of his little hoodie and threw him into the tub for a bath. His hoodie would need to be washed later. In the middle of it all Gloria busted into your room happily holding two pokeballs. 

"Y/n! I got a squirtle an' Bulbasaur!"

You both continued on the same as usual for the next week. You both started exploring a bit more of the woods to try and get a good mental map of the place as Gloria continued to work on her dec challenge. You wondered what would happen if she completed this dex challenge. She had already gotten a bunch of charms for the main dec challenge and a few toys for the curry dec challenge. But what about this one? You guessed you had to wait and see. You both still were avoided by Klara and you honestly didn't see much of Avery again. However Gloria was still paired up with them from time to time when she was assigned to different chores. It was one particular day two days before the next trial that realization seemed to dawn on Gloria.

"Psst. Y)n. I think I finally figured out where Ah recognized those two blokes from!"

Gloria had been assigned a long with a few other people that day to help clean up the kitchen after dinner. A few people were sweeping and mopping the floors as Klara and another girl wiped down the counters and large table. You were helping Gloria wash and dry dishes since no one else seemed to want to help her. 

You paused in the middle of drying a bowl with a towel. "Wait. Really?"

She nodded washing a cup. "Back at Wegherst Station. Remember? Those two got on the train with us." She nodded behind her and you snuck a glance a Klara wiping the table. "They had a meetin' with Lee 'fore he left."

"Those two had a meeting with Leon?" NOW YOU RECOGNIZED THEM BOTH!! Gloria was right! They were the strange people from the station. But what were they doing at Postwick? And why were they having a meeting with Leon? You were really confused. "Why?"

Gloria shrugged. "I have nah idea. I only know they weren't too happy when they left."

Huh. That was strange. You made sure to keep a mental note of it for the future. Two more days passed and Gloria woke you up bright and early by banging on your door. She was already ready to go in her uniform and excited. Like before everyone gathered in the training room after breakfast where Mustard and Honey were already waiting. You looked around and noticed that only the people that passed the last trial stayed. There was Gloria, Klara, Avery, and four other students dressed in the black and yellow uniform. The crowd was really thinned down by the first trial.

"Good morning, Everyone," Mustard greeted, "After the last trial, I expect everyone left to work hard to pass this next one. But before we begin, does everyone know what dynamaxing is?"

Everyone exchanged looks confused. Of course everyone knew what dynamaxing is. Why would he be asking that?

"Dynamaxing. A mysterious phenomenon unique to the pokemon of Galar, and then there's gigantamaxing. A very special way of dynamaxing for very special pokemon. Their moves changes of course but their appearance changes too. Speaking of gigantamax, that's the secret recipe of the Master Dojo." He smiled wider giving a chuckle. "Drinking it makes you gigantic and strong! I call it max soup! I'd love to have a bowl of max soup full of max mushrooms right about now. It sure has been awhile. And that's why your second trial shall be mushroom picking." He explained. Wait.. Mushroom picking? "Max mushrooms are the key to gigantamaxing, and I'm taking  you with finding three. For those who don't know, Max mushrooms are red with a spiral shape on them and I'm pretty sure they grow in dark, humid places. And with that your next trial begins! I'm counting on you!" 

Once again everyone looked at one another before they turned and started running towards the door. Avery was first bolting out of there with Klara and everyone else close behind him. Gloria also-

"Hey, Gloria." Gloria stopped in her tracks before looking around at Mustard. "My bad. My bad. It just dawned on me that you're new to the Isle of Armor. I bet you have no idea where to even begin looking for max mushrooms. C'mon. Let's go for a walk and I'll show you some mushroom hot spots. I'd also like to discuss in depth about your battle performance during your first day here against me."

Gloria blinked and looked at you, but you only motioned at her so she nodded. "Um..Ok. Sure."

"Excellent. Come. There's much to discuss before you start the trial."

You watched as both of them casually walked out of the dojo before sighing. You supposed he wanted to talk to Gloria more about her stage fright problem and see what they could do to help her. You were glad she was getting help for it-

"Y/n?" You hummed and turned around to Honey. "Sorry for bothering you but I was hoping you'd help me with a small favor."

"Huh? Oh sure. What's up?"

"Could you go to the forest of focus and pick a few sweet berries for me?" She held up a rather large basket. "Sweet berry pie is Hyde's favorite desert and I promised to make it for him today. I'd go out and get them myself but Im in charge of training the students who didn't pass the first trial and I can't just leave the dojo or my son unattended. So I figured that maybe.."

"Hey. I get it. I'm totally fine with getting them for you so don't worry." You smiled.

"Oh thank you, Dear! I'll be sure to thank you later."

So it looks like you'd be having another small adventure for today. So off you went with Silver back into the forest. There was plenty of berry trees in the forest so you should be able to find all you needed there. As before the forest was bright, beautiful, and warm. You could spend hours here...And you decided to do that because why not? It's been a while since you had some time just for yourself and Ms. Honey didn't say when you had to be back exactly, so you took your time walking around looking for berry trees and trying to keep Silver from eating all of the berries in the basket. Pushing away his hands and just pulling him a few from the few trees you did find to satisfy him. You didn't remember what berries tasted sweet outside of pecha and oran berries so you decided to grab as much variety as you could. Ms. Honey could sort them out later when you brought the basket back- CHIRP!! A loud noise from Silver caused you to look over at the pokemon. The drizzle chirped again louder looking at you before waving his arms and pointing at a boulder. 

"What is it, Boy?" He only made louder noises and pointed frantically. Well you've learnt by now that whenever Silver alerts you to something it's usually really important. Setting the basket down, you walked on over to the boulder and looked behind it where Silver was pointing at. Your eyes widened. "Well whaddya know."

Mushrooms! Max mushrooms were growing in a giant hole cracked in the side of the boulder. The tiny red mushrooms barely poked out from the hole with pink dots with a swirl pattern on the top. 

"Ah. Hey. Good job, Silver. But we should leave them alone." You thought about picking them and giving them to Gloria..but that wouldn't be fair to everyone else and would only undo the hard work Mustard was putting in trying to help her. "Let's leave them alone for someone else to find. Besides we're looking for berries not mushrooms. Remember? C'mon. Let's get some more and then we'll head back."

You both had grabbed a few cheri berries and added them to your basket and started to make your way back. Hopefully you wouldn't get lost on your way back. You were just passing by a small stream when you heard a loud scream of frustration and looked over to see none other than Avery...Again. You weren't too surprised to see him this time but you did stop to see what he was up to. He looked to be frantically looking through the tall grass near the street in search for those missing mushrooms. His face twisted in an expression of annoyance and almost panic as he did.

"C'mon. C'mon. Where are those elusive things?" He mumbled to himself as he pushed aside a couple large cattails to peer between them. "Surely they all couldn't have been taken!"

"Whatcha looking for?" 

"OH SWEET ARCEUS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE!!" He jumped whirling around to you in a bit of a spook. Upon seeing you he calmed down rather quickly with a sigh. "You know it is rather rude to sneak up on someone like that!"

"Sorry," you apologized and looked at him. His legs from about below the knees down were absolutely soaked and muddied from trudging through the banks looking for the mushrooms you assumed. "You're looking for mushrooms still?"

"Unfortunately yes." He sighed out before turning away from you to push a few more cattails out of the way to look between them. "I couldn't get any from battling that gym leader trained child and Klara took the last one in the caves! So now I'm resorted to wading through muck trying to find any remaining mushroom before those other students make off with my rightful second place!"

Ah. So he battled Gloria trying to take away some mushrooms from her. You weren't too surprised by that. But for some reason you did feel kinda bad for Avery struggling. ".... Y'know I saw some a while back."

'YOU DID WHAT?!" He instantly snapped to you before jumping before you. You blinked as he frantically grabbed your shoulders. "You saw Max mushrooms?! Where?! You must show me!"

You blinked before pointing behind you. "In a crack in a rock by the berry grove."

"Well then you must show me quickly!" The berries flew from your hands as the basket levitated and he grabbed your hand pulling you quickly behind him back up the way you came from. "Come! We must make hast!"

He dragged you all the way back to where you had found the mushrooms with Silver frantically running to keep up with him. You had to yell directions to him as he ran. All the way up to the same boulder he ran to. He didn't hesitate shoving his hand between the cracks in the rock and yanking out two teeny tiny skinny as a twig mushrooms. They... weren't much to look at honestly but Avery beamed holding them up triumphantly.

"Aha! At least I have found the item I seek! My goals are within my grasp at last! I must get back immediately! Avery, teleport!"

You just blinked as Avery turned around and ran right past you. With your BASKET OF BERRIES still floating behind him. "Hey! Wait! You have my basket still!"

It's a good thing you're used to running after people now and had plenty of time walking to places because you chased after Avery all the way back to the dojo through the woods and right inside. Everyone else still competing was already there gathered around the kitchen area as a heavenly aroma of soup wafted out as Honey minded a rather large lidded pot. No doubt cooking the soup. 

"Hey there, Gloria. Welcome back. Looks like you nailed the trial," Mustard congratulatef Gloria who also must've just arrived. "Congrats on finding the max mushrooms. Trial number two was no problem for you. All my other students competing in this trial ended up getting lost in the forest.  Turns out finding max mushrooms was the least of their problems. It's a shame but I guess everyone other than Gloria and Klara will fail the trial." Gloria looked proud holding all the giant mushrooms. Holy cow those were the biggest mushrooms You've ever seen! And Klara held a single giant mushroom looking smug. "Now first thing's first. A proper meal! Let's have the max mushrooms made into a delicious max soup shall we?" 

Honey hummed from the kitchen smelling the soup. "Hmmm. I've really outdone myself this time. Now all that's left to add are those lovely max mushrooms Gloria and Klara brought us."

"WAIT PLEASE!!" Everyone turned as Avery pushed his way through the crowd as you stopped to lean against the doorway both of you gasping. "I-I beg of You, Ms. Honey! *Gasp*" Avery pleaded between gasps. "W-Wait just one *huff* moment!" 

"Why Avery. What in the world has gotten into you?," Honey asked with slight concern, "I've never seen you in such a flutter. "

With shaking fumbling hands Avery desperately dug through his pants pocket before holding up the two weak looking mushrooms compared to the girls'. "I-I've also *huff* a-attained some m-max mushrooms."

Everyone stared at the weak mushrooms...Klara snorted before looking away but Mustard looked pleased. "Oho! Nice work, Avery!  You must've searched hard for those! That makes you the third person to pass the second trial. "

Avery gained a look of disbelief before in relief. "*Huff*...I did it. Y-Yes. I did search rather hard."

"Aw. Chin up, Avery darling! You did it. This is a cause for celebration!"

"Master. Ms. Honey. If you could grant me a wish just this once, I would be indebted." He gave a hopeful look. "Would you be so kind as to use my mushrooms for the max soup? I feel that everyone here should enjoy the tastes of my efforts."

"Oh Avery. Well if that's all you're asking then I'm perfectly happy to oblige," Honey agreed, "Although  this is hardly the first time you've asked for something, and I rather doubt it'll be the last." Avery suddenly gave an embarrassed look at her-

"Hey! What about mine?," Klara asked shoving the single giant mushroom at Honey, "it's way bigger and there's no way those scrawny things will fill up an entire pot!"

"Excuse me! Did your poison seep into your cranially cavity?"

"Ok, ok!" Honey held up her hands. "Well use both your mushrooms today and save all of Gloria's for a later date." She then smiled at Gloria. "Sorry if it feels like your thunders been stolen, Sweetie. But we're a family here and families share. So we'll go ahead and use their mushrooms today."

"Nah. Tis nay problem!,"  Gloria smiled. "Ah'm totally fine with it."

"Plus it's so rare for him to try hard at something." Avery again froze. "I want to reward him for that."

"M-Ms. Honey!"

Again Klara snickered along with a few other people- "That goes for you too Klara." Klara stopped her giggles.

"Oh. And don't worry about the trial. You passed with flying colors," Mustard assured everyone. "Oh. But I never did explain the big deal about this soup did I? You see when one drinks this dojo's famous max soup, their dynamaxing changes."

"Humans can dynamax?"

He chuckled at Gloria's question. "No you don't. That  kind of thing doesn't happen if a human has the soup. But things are different when certain pokemon drinks the soup. You see there are some pokemon that have distant potential and when they drink the soup their dynamax form will change to a gigantamax form. Now then let's wrap things up. You all did your best on the second trial and I'm proud of everyone here! But now there's only three competitors left. While we wait for the soup, let's all go take a well deserved break. Gloria." Gloria blinked at him. "Come with me for a moment. We'll put those mushrooms in a safe place and I have some to discuss with you for a moment."

"Sure! I'll be right back, Y/n!"

You nodded as she followed Mustard over to what must've been his office before everyone else started to disperse. You glanced over at the floating basket of berries. "...Avery." He turned instantly hearing his name. "You still have my basket." 

He hummed blinking. 'Oh! Of course. My apologies." With a snap of his fingers the basket instantly floated back down into your hands.

You smiled at him brightly. "Hey. Thanks. Congratulations on making it to the last trial by the way." 

He again paused as you walked away to Ms. Honey. Klara leaned over to snicker at his face. "Oooh.~ Does someone have a crush?~ How scandalous.~"

He shot her a scowl. "One more word and I shall be forced to teleport you into the nearest mud bank!"

You paid no attention as you smiled and presented the basket to Ms. Honey who smiled widely at you. "Here you, Ms. Honey. I couldn't remember which ones were sweet so I brought a lot of different ones. Hope you don't mind."

"Oh no. It's perfectly wonderful. Luckily most of the berries you have in here are sweet. We can just store the rest of them away for later dishes." She smiled taking the basket from you. "There's enough here to make everyone pie! Oh it'll be a wonderful surprise! ...Oh. But it'll take me longer to cook everything then."

"I can help you if you want."

She blinked surprised. "You can bake pie?"

"Pie. Cupcakes. Pastries. I took a lot of baking courses online while I'm high school since I wanted to run a bakery one day. I still do but my plans are in a bit of a pause."

She smiled. "Well then I'd love that! I'll give you the recipe and we can get started!"

You both got to work instantly. While Ms. Honey cut the mushrooms up and added things to the broth you just started washing off the berries (the ones that weren't spicy or Silver ate at least-) and started making the crusts from flour and scratch. Then adding the sugar, berries, and other ingredients you needed. In total making four pies before popping them into the oven and not a moment sooner because the soup was ready. 

"SOUP'S ON, EVERYONE!," Honey shouted and instantly everyone came stampeding out quickly.

You along with everyone else was soon sat down and passed around the soup. It was spicy and tasted sorta like cream of mushroom soup. Not bad. Silver dove right into his bowl and had to be given some moonoo milk to calm him down. However there was a moment of awe as the pies were passed around. Everyone digging in and enjoying the tastes of it all.

"Ms. Honey, you have certainly outdone yourself this day," Avery complimented dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "This pie is truly elegantly made."

She chuckled. "Thank you, Avery. But I'm not the one who made it. Y/n made the pies. I only made the soup."

Avery...blinked. "Y/n?" He turned wide eyed at you.

"Oh Yeah! Y/n is a pro at makin' sweets n' stuff!," Gloria piped up. "Tis as good as Sonia's curries an' me brother's campin' treats! I know lots o' good cooks!"

You rolled your eyes. "It's nothing to brag about but I'm glad you like my cooking so much." 

You smiled at Avery. Avery cleared his throat and looked away quickly. Klara gave him a teasing look. Avery glared back. Meanwhile Honey and Mustard exchange knowing looks. After dinner everyone went to bed and fell back asleep. This was it. Only one last trial before Gloria's real training began. You wondered what the last one would be like. So far Gloria seemed to be making great progress by herself as you knew she would. You supposed Mustard was using this as an opportunity to break Gloria into the idea of doing things herself and getting used to doing it around other people which so far seemed to be working. She still seemed apprehensive and a bit shy but making it into a fun challenge seemed to be making it easier for her to do. Guess Leon was right about Mustard being a good teacher. He was helping Gloria through her problems greatly. Another typical week passed filled with the same routine until Friday when you were once again awoken by Gloria insistently knocking on your door.

"Y/n, me last trial tis today! An' Master Mustard wants me ta meet 'em," she explained,  "Would you mind comin' along?"

You nodded. "Sure. But just remember that I can't help you out with any of the trials."

Quickly you got dressed and followed her to the small part of the dojo that was off limits to everyone else being Mustard's actual home. Mustard was there waiting for Gloria as was Klara and Avery. He smiled up on seeing you both. 

"There you are, Gloria!," he greeted with that giant smile. "Thanks for coming! All of you." 

"When I heard you had something to tell me I came as soon as I could, Master!," Avery proudly proclaimed.

"Sooo what's this all about Master?," Klara asked, "What did you wanna tell us?"

"Right. Well I've decided that you three will take on the Master dojo's final last ultimate trial!" 

"Final last ultimate trial you say?" Avery hummed. "So are you saying this would be the last trial?" You wanted to facepalm. It was obvious!

"Ah. Well yes. That's the jist of it. You three are the only ones that finished the second trial, you've pushed each other to greater heights and helped each other grow. So I'd say it's finally time to see who's stronger in a dynamax pokemon battle."

"We are to battle one another? That is the final trial?" 

Mustard nodded. "Yep! The rules are simple. Whoever wins will complete the trial. The winner will be granted the secret armor of the master dojo."

"This is it at last. Can I really..?" Avery mumbled something to himself as did Klara but you weren't close enough to hear what they said beyond a few words.

"The battle will be held in the battle court just outside the master dojo. The court is a power spot so you can dynamax to your heart's content."

"I-I must make haste!,'' Avery declared startling you both, "I must make for the battle court post haste!" He panic mumbled to himself turning suddenly. "I must meditate on my upcoming victory! A good day to you then! I'll be on my way!"

"We're all going to the same place as you!," Klara called after Avery's retreating form before huffing and turning back to Gloria. "I'm gonna go on ahead and ready my pure heart, Kay? You can laze  about like a slowpoke and take as much time as you need." She said in that sickly sweet tone before turning and walking after Avery. Both of you frowned at her. 

Mustard only sighed and shook his head. "Avery. He's got talent that's for sure but it's caused him to slack off. Same as Klara. They've never felt the need to try hard at anything I guess. Even with all the training at the dojo, they just do the bare minimum. But that changed slightly when you both came." He smiled at you both. "Maybe you unlocked some kind of passion and drive in them eh? Still...I hope that motivation isn't put forth to anything mischievous." Again he shook his head before smiling. "Come. You don't want to miss out do you?"

"Can Y/n come?," Gloria asked hopefully. "She can jus' watch!"

"But of course! I'm sure no one wants to miss this."

Smiling you both followed Mustard as he slowly walked out of the back way of the dojo, sliding the door open to reveal a MASSIVE battle court in the back. And EVERYONE was there standing on the sidelines ready to watch making Gloria instantly pause. Ah! This would certainly be a challenge for her. 

"Hey." She looked at you as you grabbed her shoulder. "You're gonna do great ok? Just focus on the battle and don't pay attention to what anyone else thinks. A pokemon battle is all about having fun and believing in yourself. And I believe in you too! You already did so much by yourself."

Mustard paused tilting his head slightly at you as Gloria smiled and nodded. "Her right, Y/n!" Her face became determined. "I'll do me best n' give it all I got!"

"That's all you can do."

"An' if I lose..Well I guess I'll just practice harder for next time!"

"That's the spirit!" You patted her back. "Go get them!"

Gloria nodded before jogging up to wait alongside Avery and Klara. Mustard hummed smiling at you before going back to walking right sat them towards the court. "Looks like the three of you are ready." He walked past the three onto the court. "Now they say ladies first so the first two to battle will be Gloria and Klara. Whoever wins will then battle Avery for the win. I will referee." He walked and walked until finally stopping on the far other side. "Alright you two! Get into your places!" 

Klara gave a look at Gloria. "I'm gonna beat you and get that secret armor then I'll become a poison type gym leader. I've gotta win no matter what so I'm going to totally go all out." She smirked. "You ready?"

Gloria gave her a determined look as a bad feeling settled in your gut. Something was..off. "You're on! Just don't count ye torchics 'fore they hatch!"

"Im not holding a single thing back anymore." Your gaze wondered to the battlefield. Your eyes widened seeing the glint of what looked like purple glass scattered all over Gloria's side of the court. "Time to win this fair and square-"

"Hey. What's all that purple stuff over the court?" Klara froze as you pointed it out and everyone looked over.

Honey squinted her eyes. "....It looks like.. poisonous barbs? Leftover from some kind of poison type pokemon." Instantly her gaze turned to the frozen Klara. "Klara, didn't you clean the court after you used it to practice yesterday?" She then scowled hands on her hips. 

"Um... Oops?"

"That is VERY irresponsible behavior! Someone could get seriously hurt! Klara, when this is over we are going to have a VERY serious talk about this! Avery, would you be a dear and clear the field first?"

Avery bowed slightly as Klara deflated in humiliation and embarrassment under Honey's intense scowling. In an instant all the purple was levitated off the field and yeeted fast and far into the treeline. With both of that out of the way, Gloria silently made her way onto the field. You also glared at Klara as she walked onto the field.

Mustard ever patient only smiled and waited for both girls to ready themselves. "At last the final trial! It's all come down to this! Get ready!" Both girls got their heads into the game holding up pokeballs. "AAAAAAAAND BEGIN!!"

You proceeded to watch as Klara got immediately and utterly destroyed in each of the four rounds they battled. Gloria didn't hold back and besides one found,  had beaten Klara every time leaving Klara deflated in the end before Mustard held up a hand calmly.

"Gloria wins against Klara!" He shouted pointing at Gloria. "Therefore she will battle Avery for the true victory of this trial."

Klara moped as everyone cheered for Gloria and Klara skunk off the battle field- "Klara!" Said pink haired woman froze mid step as Honey pointed to the side. "Come here. Now! I said we were going to have a talk and I meant it!" 

You smiled proudly at Klara getting her karma before focusing back on the field as Avery walked onto the field. "Defeating you will grant me victory and I will at least have what I need to achieve my goals. No matter what it takes I refuse to accept anything but a complete and utter victory. I'm coming at you with everything I have! Are you prepared?" He challenged never breaking eye contact as he stopped in place.

Gloria held up a fist. "BRING IT ON!"

"Heh. Let's have an elegant battle worthy of being called a finale!"

You waited back and watched as Avery...also got completely and utterly destroyed by Gloria. His defeat making the pokeballs fall from his head and thudding to the ground as he stared utterly defeated.

"It has been decided!" Mustard again pointed out Gloria. "The one to complete the third trial is Gloria!" He smiled wider. "An unexpected but great stepping stone for your journey!"

Gloria stared widely before turning to you and waving a hand. "Y/n! I did it!" 

"I knew you could!"

You waved back to her but paused as Klara walked past you and right up to her. Gloria also seemed surprised as she seemed to exchange a few words before holding out something Gloria... slowly accepted. What was that all about? Gloria stared at the thing in her hands before slowly walking towards you staring at it. 

"What's that?," you asked when she was close enough.

"Tis a league card." 

You did a double take wide eyed. "A league card?! But only league members like gym leaders have those." You turned to Klara who looked away embarrassed. "Wait...Are you a gym leader?" Seriously? Someone like THIS was a gym leader?

Klara shuffled on her feet but before she could say anything  someone cleared his throat behind Gloria. All of you looked over and found A very silently looking at her. He stared at her silently for a moment before tipping his hat to her.

"It appears I have lost," he spoke slowly, "heh. How pathetic. I lost even though I resorted to underhanded tactics." Wait. What did he mean by that? "I don't think a young capable child like you can understand how I feel. I am just an average man who gave as much as he possibly could. Perhaps..." He paused looking down at his feet. "It's time I stopped playing around and give up my dream of being a gym leader. After the less than reputable things I did, it's only a matter of time until I'm expelled from the dojo alongside Klara. Please... accept my apologies for everything." HE CHEATED TOO?! "You're free to tell the League board what we've done and we'll accept full responsibility for our actions even if we're kicked from the league."

"Nah. M' good, Mate."

Avery and Klara both paused as if a glass shattering noise went off in their heads. "WHAT?!" "I beg pardon?!" 

Gloria shrugged. "All ya two did was be a wee bit annoyin' and try n's cheat once. Honestly ya jus' remind me of me friend Bede. So don't break a sweat." She waved the two off.

Wait...These two were reminding you a lot of Bede now that you thought about it.

"W-What are you saying?," Avery sputtered, "But I turned to the shadows like a dark type to try to win!"

"That's your strength, Gloria." Both of Gloria's rivals squealed and turned in shock to Mustard standing there. "Showing kindness both towards your pokemon and rivals. I should apologize on their behalf too as their master. What they did was wrong but they just didn't want to be beaten by their rival is all. They're both hard workers. However...I also can't look over such serious actions." Both of them gulped under his gaze as he hummed and placed his hands behind his back. "As for your punishments...You both will look after all the dojos pokemon for the next six months...by yourselves." They looked at one another. "I'm not done yet." They froze looking back at him. "You'll also be forced to clean all the bathrooms scrubbing toilets and every day until your six months are up you'll be woken up bright and early and put through hard training. I'm speaking about push ups and long laps around the courtyard! Oh yes. We'll get you both right into shape!" He spoke all of this with a smile. "Unless you both would rather give up-"

"NO WAY!! IM NOT GOING THAT EASILY!!" "I would rather take my punishment and work harder than before! But.. That's all we'll have to do and you'll forgive us?"

"Of course! Let's focus on strengthening your hearts. Alright everyone! Things are settled here! I'm so proud of everyone! You mustered so much effort and tried hard! I got so teared up I couldn't see half the battle but what I saw was amazing! Gloria you gave your best and triumphed even when faced with an unfair challenge. To you who has completed all the trials I grant you the secret armor of the dojo. It'll take some time to prepare so I'll go ahead and get some things sorted. As for everyone else, go get some rest and enjoy the rest of your day! There will be no training today as a special celebration!"

"C'mon everyone. I'll make everyone homemade pizza as a reward for everyone's hard work!," Honey added.

Everyone cheered and began to file back towards the dojo with the promise of a relaxing day and homemade pizza. 

"Pizza?! Oh sweet! Y/n, this is the best day ever!"

"Miss Gloria?" Again you both turned and paused as Avery stared at her for a long moment before he sighed. "I-... I'll admit to acknowledging your strength just a little."

 He reached onto his Pocket and you stared in shock as he also pulled out a league card to Gloria who also looked surprised but also accepted it. Avery gave a quick glance at you before turning and also quickly leaving with the others. You could only stare silently at the league cards Gloria held. Only league members of gym challenges had those ..But the gym challenge was over so they couldn't have been gym challenges and you certainly would've remembered seeing them last year during the entire gym challenge. So...

Who were these guys?

#pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon swsh #pokemon avery x reader #pokemon avery #avery