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armpirate · 5 months

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UNDER HIS SKIN || JJK || Ch. 40 (Finale)

Pairings: tattoist!jk x fem!reader

Genre: smut, angst, friends to lovers, tattoo au, virgin reader.

Summary: They say there are two versions for every story, and it's important to hear both of them. Everybody is hearing your side of the story, but it's just fair to get to know his.

After breaking up with his girlfriend, the only thing he wanted was to have fun with no attachment. You wanted to get rid of your virginity, and he wanted to tick you off his list. What he didn't expect was getting so emotionally attached to you that he would regret the deal.

MASTERLIST

Aprox. time of reading: 12 minutes

*One year later*

I look back after a few minutes of feeling I'm talking on my own, finding Y/n at the bottom of the stairs while she's holding her side and fighting her own body to be able to start breathing properly. She isn't going to make any more efforts to reach where I am. I know it by the way she's looking around to find the perfect place to sit and regain some strength.

Instead of leaving her by herself, I start walking down to where she is, tilting my head while looking at her with a funny smile, thinking of something to say to piss her off.

—See why you need to work out with me?

—I'm fine like this, thank you —she answers, breathless—. Besides, it's not like, back in New York, I'll do something that will make me feel like my lung is escalating my throat.

She throws her head back, as if that way the air would get through her nose better, while her hands are cupped on her hips.

—Do you need some water or anything? —I attempt to take the bag on my back, but she quickly shakes her hand and head.

—No, it's alright. Let's go —she encourages me.

But instead of leading the way again, or following her, I stop her. She looks at me confused, and even scoffs when I take off the bag and hand it to her.

—I know I said I was okay, but is it really necessary? —she whines— What wrong did I do to you to deserve this?

Instead of answering right away, I walk past her, getting one step behind her so she's slightly taller than me. Her hand quickly squeezes my shoulder when I turn around, my back facing her while I wait for her to hop on my back.

—Love, I'm okay already.

—And you'll be close to passing out in a matter of five seconds —I tease her—. And if we keep stopping, we'll get there by midnight. And it's already late enough.

—It'll be hard for you to get to the tower if I hop on your back —she mutters.

—Cocktease, you weigh nothing. I'll handle it —I assure her.

—I promise I'll be able to get up there by myself —she assures me again.

—Babe —I stop her—, just get on my back. You know I won't move from here until you do.

She sighs, finally giving in. And when I look over my shoulder, I see her hanging the bag before she gets ready to jump on my back. I squeeze her thighs when I feel their warmth around my waist, looking up to her right after to give her a comforting smile.

—This is so cruel —she comments, as we start making our way back to the top.

—You're acting like you're forcing me —I chuckle—. Also, you're feeling bad about this, but not about the time you made me get up at five in the morning to pick you up from the airport?

—You said you didn't mind —she whines again—. I told you I could've picked up a cab back home, but you insisted.

—Babe, I was messing with you. I spent all night awake because I couldn't wait to see you.

The more experience she got in the gallery, the more Jin trusted her to do trips all over the country -and even overseas- to make deals with different artists, or just to buy a painting he wanted to expose. And every time she leaves, although it's only for a few days, we always spend most of the time stuck to our phones.

I have the feeling we speak even more during those times she's away, but also the reunion is so special every time our eyes meet when I pick her up. Whoever sees us at the airport would think we've been months without seeing each other, and that we aren't living together at all back in New York City.

—I'll give a good back massage to the birthday boy when we get to the hotel tonight —she kisses my cheek.

—Just a back massage?

—Whatever my boy wants —she kisses my cheek again.

I end up regretting ever coming up with the idea of picking her up to the top. It's true I can carry her easily, but not while trying to go upstairs to a place I barely was able to get to without losing my breath a few times. Although it's all worth it when I feel her squeezing my shoulders with her arms while managing to give small pecks on my temple randomly.

The city of Seoul has never looked as pretty as it is right now that she's looking at it from the top with a bright smile. After putting my hands inside the pocket of my leather jacket, I open it and hug her from behind, covering part of her body with the fabric.

—I'm so happy to be here with you —she confesses, eyes still fixed on the small lights in the buildings far away.

And while I'd want to answer back straight away, I get lost on her side profile and the way her eyes are shining even brighter than the lights lighting up the place.

—I'm definitely happier.

She frowns when she hears me saying that, turning to me for a brief second before her eyes go back to the landscape.

—You always have to win —she pretends to be annoyed, rolling her eyes with her comment.

—I won with you though —I kiss her neck—. You've given me the best year of my life.

—And there's many more ahead —she assures me—. Together though. Because if you leave, you'll be miserable.

—Who says?

—You won't? —when she turns to me, she looks upset.

—Babe, I was messing around —I try to hug her back, but she steps back.

—So you're saying you won't feel sad if we ever break up? That's what I am to you? Someone you can get over?

—It's not like that...

Everything I was getting ready to say, all the comforting words I was going to air out to calm her down and make her feel good, got stuck in my throat when I saw her mischievously smiling at me.

—I was kidding —she playfully pushes me—. I thought this was the best place to pull a scene. It's very k-drama-like.

—Remember me to stop you from watching any of those shows when we get back home —I beg her.

—You should've seen your face —she cackles, pointing at me—. You were like "It's not like that".

Her features exaggerate to mock mine, before they go back to their nature as she laughs and giggles at my reaction. And even if she's being the most annoying right now, I can't help but smile right now.

—I was just messing with you, love —she squeezes my side with two of her fingers—. Besides, I still had to get back at you for what you did to me at the hospital.

—You still remember that? —my eyes open wide at her confession.

—Of course I do. I was worried about you, and you were playing around with something so delicate. Who in their sane mind would do something like that?

—How can you be so rancorous?

—I'm not.

—And you bring this up on my birthday? —I raise my eyebrow— What was even the reason for it? You thought it was fun?

—Kook —she tries to reach for my hand—, I was just messing around. I didn't want to upset you.

She doesn't have time to finish her own sentence, because she tries to hide her face on my chest while her arms wrap tight around my waist.

—I didn't want to start anything, seriously —I hear her whining.

—Gotcha, baby —I whisper in her ear—. You really thought you'd get at a Korean to roleplay a k-drama?

—You asshole —she pushes me away suddenly, annoyed at my comment—. I was feeling bad for you.

—I know. Your voice started shaking like it always does when you get nervous —I move my thumb over her lower lip, but Y/n moves her head away—. You know I love you, even if your rancorous ass messes things up.

I forced her in for a hug, hiding her face back on my chest while I wrap my arms around her tight to keep her from stepping away.

—I'm not.

—Shh, baby. It's okay —I play with her hair—. I love you anyways.

—You know I'm really considering what are the pros of loving you right now —she answers, still not hugging me.

—I'm husband material —I whisper—. I cook, I clean, I'm attentive, I'm cute and sexy, I fuck you just about right...

—Yeah, and you're so humble, too. Don't forget that.

We both just giggle at the same time I sway her body in my arms, encouraging her to wrap her arms around me under the jacket. I hear her breathing deeply, calming herself down at the same time my palm finds its way to her nape.

—I do really really love you though —she finally whispers.

—I do really really love you, too, cocktease —I kiss her forehead—. Thank you for being around and sharing your life with me.

—I know I don't say it a lot, but you make me feel really lucky —I can feel her smiling against my chest—. You made all the wait worth it, almost as if I was destined to meet you at Tae's pub. I can't imagine what my life would be like if you hadn't been there, and I don't want to know.

—Thank you for letting me under your skin, cocktease —I whisper.

She scoffs at that comment, hiding her face even more -if possible- on my body. It's not like we hated our guts from the very beginning, but I can't imagine how things would've worked if we hadn't had all those small bickerings we had at the beginning.

Probably we wouldn't be here right now.

—Babe —she calls me.

—Hmm?

—Why don't we get married?

The way she so casually drops the question makes me step back to be able to look at her and make sure she isn't joking. She actually seems serious. Or, more like, neutral. As if she hadn't asked something so serious.

—Married? Married like...

—Soo and Mark —she shrugs—. Married with papers and rings, and the whole ceremony, yes.

I squint my eyes, still thinking she's pulling another joke at me.

—Your parents are living in New York, and my parents aren't so far away either. Or, like your mother said, we could do it somewhere in between so it's equal for everybody.

—You talked about this with my mother?

—She was the one who brought it up a few months ago —she confesses.

While I try to process the fact that my mother and Y/n are so close to be discussing this without my knowing about it, I see she's still talking about it.

—I also talked about this with your father —I interrupt her—. And we even found the perfect place for it.

—You talked about this with my father? —she mirrors my previous reaction.

—It was during one of those barbecues a few weeks ago. I told him how serious I was about you, and asked him how he would feel if we ever decided to go further. We're already living together, you know, so the next step would be to make it completely official. And he said there was no one else he could imagine you ending up with, and then he started giving me all those ideas on how to propose and stuff.

—So we both had this conversation with each other's parents —she sums up.

—What was your conclusion?

—I do want to marry you —she nods, smiling big while those words left her lips.

—I do want to marry you, too —I'm unable to hold back my lips from curving—. We need to start saving money.

—Yeah, maybe it'd be a better idea to have this conversation in a few months. We're still recovering from the car, and also the trip. Let's give it two or three months.

I hug her again while chuckling.

—Do you realize how unromantic this was?

—It wasn't the official proposal. This doesn't count —she assures me—. Today we'll focus on something else.

I don't know what she's talking about when she unhangs the bag from her back, looking for something in it. Although I fight to control my expression when she turns around with a candle lit on a Bungeoppang.

So this is what she wanted it for.

—Make a wish, birthday boy —she encourages me.

I look into her eyes, seeing my whole future in them while I think what's the best wish I could ask for right now.

Let's have a healthy life together, cocktease.

After I blow the candle, she takes it away from the pastry and hands it to me. I've mentioned several times how much I loved this when I was living here, and how I'd lose count of how much money I've spent buying this whenever I wanted a snack, so I'm not surprised she bought it before we got here to celebrate my special day.

—I don't know if the owner of the shop found me ridiculous or endearing while trying to speak Korean, but...

—Thank you, cocktease.

I eat half of it, because I know that Y/n will probably want the other half once she tastes it -even if she never even thinks of asking, because this is supposedly for me only. We hold hands, walking around the place until we see all the locks hanging on the walls.

I remember when I was younger I always thought I'd do this with my girlfriend, and that that would mean I'd be with that person forever, but not a single time since I started dating I ever thought of seriously putting a lock here with neither of the girls I dated. It might seem dumb for some, but there's a reason why you close the lock and throw away the key. That love should last forever, just like some of the locks here have been hanging for decades. There's no point of making such a promise with someone you aren't sure you will end up with.

She squeezes my fingers, that are intertwined with hers, getting my attention back on her.

—We didn't propose, but let's hang a lock —she seems so excited while saying it.

—As an unofficial proposal? —she quickly nods at my question.

��This is our ring in Korea —she brings up the lock she used for her suitcase—. I'll buy a new one tomorrow —she adds, aware of the way I'm smiling.

—This is the unofficial promise that we will get married.

—When we have more money —she adds.

We both find the right spot, managing to hang the lock together and closing it. Inevitably, I end up hugging her from the back when we're done, walking with her up close while she just giggles and cackles at how clingy I am.

—Let's get to the hotel —I whisper in her ear.

She suddenly stops before we can even make our way to the stairs, back to the route where we came from and turns her head at me.

—But let's take the car cable now, please.

And while she sits next to me in the car cable, I'm aware of what love is like. It's the understatement of the small gestures that show how much you know that person, and the actions that lead to make that person happy when you fill their needs without them having to say a word. It's on how the space seems so filled with their energy, that you don't need anyone else but that person. And it took me so long, but I finally found the person I'm able to feel that way with. She always manages to make me feel all types of emotions, so passionately and intensely that sometimes I even doubt they're real.

She's the love of my life. I know.

I will just be forever grateful I got to annoy her to the point of getting under her skin, but also having her under mine with no previous warning.

Thank you all so much for all the support and love you've shown to this story!!

#fanfic #ff #jungkook #jeon jungkook #jungkookxreader #jk #bts #wattpad #kookie #smut #jungkook smut #tattoistjk #tattooau #jungkook pov #Under His Skin #reader insert #armpirate

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yeetus-feetus · 4 months

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the only one who can defeat the joker is another joker.

Batman's efforts against joker are pointless because he's playing into exactly what joker wants and expects from him. Joker sets up elaborate unpredictable traps and Batman always comes in dark and brooding and serious- and that's just it. Batman's playing the game, he's falling for it everytime. The push and pull, the theatrical dramatics.

But if another joker were to go against joker, well. Jokers is unpredictable, not even the joker can predict what he'll do next. And it would certainly bum him out and piss him off to be faced with a mirror version of himself. It would throw him off his game. There is no game anymore, only chaos. And we'll, joker's not against using guns is he? So the more prepared Joker, the mirror version, would win.

I can't see them teaming up, though they might try. They would get on each other's nerves quickly, because Joker thinks he's the best at what he does and the competition would drive him to want to get rid of his double. He can't have anyone outdoing him can he?

And obviously there's only room for one Joker when it comes to his dear Batsy. He'd get jealous real fast.

Boom. Joker's dead, outplayed and smeared across Gotham's streets, and you can send the mirror version back to his dimension.

Then, without Joker, Batman can finally retire and we can finally finally start focusing on the new generation of vigilantes and heroes.

Batman can't be around forever, and it's time for people like Cassandra and Damian to get the spotlight.

I mean, Batman's not even really Batman anymore. He's not what he used to be. We all know that.

#dc #dc joker #fuck the joker #fuck batman #Cassandra Cain should get the mantle

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childrenofthesun77 · 2 months

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We haven't seen what the daylight spell did to help the situation yet (except for drawing the attention of everyone, giving kuro the chance to get up again so tsubaki failed to put the counts blood in his mouth) but everything points towards the manga entering into the next stage of the final arc (sakuya killed his mikuni clone and misono freed himself from lily's chess game) so I assume that it will at least buy the characters some time to do other things again.

Anyway, I hope we'll see mikuni and lily starting to feel like the decision to put kuro on mahiru's path (ordinary high schooler from a sorcerer family with no magic abilities or combat experience not much to expect from to quote lily) might have been a mistake.

Mikuni is always hard to read so I'm suspicious of his decision to explain anything about his spell at all, but maybe he's getting cocky thinking there is no way they will be able to kill all his clones before the end of the ritual.

And this is probably where it will bite mikuni in the ass that he only relies on himself while mahiru aquired a huge amount of allies (potentially even more if tsubaki's subclass become his allies. And hey sakuya and lilac would probably help mahiru already). Killing 13 mikuni's with all the factions not communicating with each other and not working together? Okay, that barrier spell might have lasted until the ritual is done.

But with all the people on mahiru's side? He has almost all the servamps and their subclass, every eve except one, the entirety of C3, gear and some of tsubaki's subclass on his side. Even freaking touma is trying to stop the ritual.

The numbers are not in mikuni's favour. Even with him multiplying that much. Hugh already switched sides, jeje is still captured and lost his jinn, tsubaki is kind of stuck in his battle with kuro and lily I suspect might start to have doubts after he lost to misono.

Mahiru and kuro getting rid of the distance limit is another thing they probably didn't anticipate. It was an important part of so many plans before. Shuhei used it to try to pressure mahiru into working with C3, tsubaki used it to trick misono into thinking licht and lawless were kept apart and it put nicco under pressure when he had to take sigurd hostage. With it gone it's way harder to force the servamps and eves to do things they don't want to do.

#servamp #mahiru shirota #mikuni alicein #lily picking mikuni to be the leader of the new world he envisions is kind of funny considering that mikuni has basically no true allies #Jeje still seems to care more about kiriko than about mikuni #tsubaki is only an ally because it helps him there is no true loyalty #the people with true allies are mahiru and tsubaki #they are leaders or at least able to inspire loyalty #nobody trusts mikuni #of course that doesn't mean that it makes no sense in lily's mind to pick mikuni #since he seems to believe in the exceptionalism of certain individuals that gives them a right to rule

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aleksa-sims · 4 months

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RL Simself Story

Finally arrived at home after a long day at the hospital. N. & I had planned to see each other later, but we'll catch up on our date tomorrow. I was so tired... My family was exciting waiting for me at home. My Mom made dinner. She and Ana immediately wanted to see my Baby's first Ultrasound pic.

My Mom took my Baby's pic and hung it up on the wall next to Ana’s and my photo in a empty, nice frame, where Daniel's & my pic was before.😔 A nice gesture to show me, that she is happy about my Baby. Though the situation was still a bit tense. My Dad wasn’t upset or anything, but he usually didn’t say anything, when we talked about Nico's & my Baby. He was also happy for me, supported me and all this, but he was more reserved when it came to my pregnancy. He was worried about my Baby’s development & health due to the meds I was taking.🙁

After dinner I played with my cat. Ana & I constantly took pics of Lucky. He’s so cute, he really enjoed posing for us. Lucky loved it at my parent's place. He was so happy here. Meanwhile it became his new home.

I missed my room & my bed, while I was at my grandparents. Here it's just more comfortable for me. My bedding smelled wonderful. Soft & pleasantly fresh. Idk how my Mom does it, but she, her/our home and stuff, always smells perfect. I was even often asked at work by co-workers, who sat next to me in the office, what kind of nice smell this is on my clothes? Anyway! Even though I slept well, the next morning I didn't feel good.

I realized that I usually felt nauseous in the morning after waking up since I was pregnant. I had to eat something to get rid of my nausea. I just didn't know that yet at that time. My Mom heard me in the bathroom. I coughed and choked, my stomach was empty but my body still reflexively tried to throw up. Anyone who’s ever been pregnant knows what I mean. However, after I was.... done, I was totally exhausted but I felt a relief. As I washed my hands, my Mom came to me in the bathroom. She immediately started scrubbing the toilet.😅🤦‍♀️She's such a neat FREAK!

Me: Mom? What are you doing? I was just about to clean the toilet.

Mom: It's ok. You can take a shower so you will still have enough time for breakfast before going to work. I just wanna help you... I know how you feel rn. It's.... not fair.

Me: Not fair? What do you mean?

Mom: Well, having a child... Everything always stucks with us women. Pregnancy, delivery and even later. But you're not alone, A. Your Dad are there.

Me: I know. Thanks. But N. will help me too. He wants that.

Mom: Why isn’t he with you? He promised to be there for you. But to me it seems... Nico doesn’t add anything to all this. I mean... your Baby will need a room, a bed, a stroller and many other little things. Like I said, your Dad and I will handle all this. But I think Nico or his parents should add something too. They are doing a lot better financially than us, A. I hope you don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to argue with you or him. But you should tell his Mom. They need to know you’re pregnant. He will soon have to go abroad again. His parents should also help a bit.

Me: You're right! I'm gonna talk to him later. But about N. & me, you're wrong! It was my fault.

Mom: When he was sleeping with you, he didn’t mind you being married. Now that it’s getting serious, you’re pregnant, he suddenly got doubts?

Me: Yea, that's right. He'd say I failed him. He trusted me, but I hesitated with the divorce. You know?

Mom: Look, I’m staying out of your.... relationship. But some important details, you should make clear to him!... For Nico nothing has really changed. He will continue to play soccer, live abroad and you will be here alone with your child. Make sure he will support you financially! Tell his family, A.!

And again, my Mom was right! 🙁I'll be here alone. I have to sort all these things out with him. We don’t have much time left. Only 2 months! In September he has to go back abroad.

Previous/Next

#ts4 #sims 4 #sims 4 story #rl story #myrlgameplay #cw pregnancy

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eris-snow · 11 months

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𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐀 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

Tags: bakugou x gn!reader, angst, hanahaki

You're still holding on to everything he's given you, even though he's long gone. The home you both called your own that was tailored for two. The pictures and the memories. Now, it's finally time you let go.

Katsuki Bakugou.

His warm arms embraces you comfortingly as you bury your face into his chest. Thinking about how this is your only comfort in the day because work has numbed your heart to the world.

Professional faces and polite smiles, it makes your face fucking hurt by the time you come back home. The house the both of you live in would be cosy, designed mostly by Bakugou with those little trinkets you'd add around the house to make it feel like home.

Katsuki Bakugou.

On the best of days, you'll come back to him cooking, the aroma of his home-cooked food wafting across your home as you open the front door. He'll scoop you in his arms and kiss you, greeting you with a "welcome home," in his signature raspy voice.

Katsuki.

On busier days, you'll leave each other's bentos on the dining table for each other. It would be a little quirk in your relationship, always making bentos, but never for yourselves. Even though you barely see each other in the morning and only talk by texting on the most hectic schedules, it feels like he's always there.

"Y/n," Katsuki.

Your home has priceless, stark reminders of Bakugou: his prototype merch, his secret stash of All Might figurines, all his awards for being such a good hero-

"Y/n." Katsuki.

Your home has photographs at your insistence: the pictures of your first date together, the collage you'll make at the end of each year, a crystal clear reminder of how much you love him. There would be candid pictures and blur ones, wefies and both of your biggest accomplishments of the year. God, it would be the best-

"Y/n-" Katsuki.

It's your sanctuary, the finest place to be even though there were houses that were bigger and more luxurious than this one. The honey-sweet memories-

"Y/n's not responding"

His captivating eyes.

"We'll check the vitals again. One moment, please."

His beautiful smile. (Please, don't let him smile like that at anyone other than you, please, you don't want that-)

"-Will be okay. Y/n will be okay."

His raspy voice, rough around the edge but always manages to soothe your heart, saying-

Your eyes fly open, chest heaving and limbs shaking. A tear falls from your eye.

"You're awake!" Your mother sighs in relief, reaching out to hug you tightly. You hug her back, the tear streaking down your face.

Why are you crying?

"The operation was a success." You turned to a doctor, who smiles at you professionally (Your eyebrows crinkle together at that oily smile). "The flowers were extracted out at its roots. We understand if you want to keep them, but we'd strongly advise not to keep them to avoid a relapse."

Oh.

That's right. You had Hanahaki, and you took an operation to get rid of the flowers choking you. Right.

You frown, more tears streaming down your face.

You're grasping for something. Someone.

A name.

Your mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

"Do you remember anything, sweetheart?" Your mother voice was babying, and you didn't like it.

You shake your head, simply to pacify her, but there's a foggy memory at the back of your head.

The only thing you can remember is...a house.

It was a house you wanted to go back to, safe and welcoming, with food that was mouth-watering and lots of photographs.

A name, think of a name, you tell yourself.

But it's just a void now, because when you think of him, the person that made you feel so goddamn much for all the years of your life, there's nothing at all.

All there is is that house and a feeling, teetering on the tightrope of the so little things you're allowed to remember.

#mha #mha fanfiction #bakugou katuski x reader #my hero academia #bakugou x y/n #bakugo x you #katsuki bakugō #bakugou katsuki #bakugou angst #angst

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hiskillingjar · 6 months

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Emetophilia (Lawrence/MC)

day 23: emetophilia second person. cw for vomit. lots of it

"OH, GOD, LAW-!"

You managed a disgusted yelp, a repulsed grimace on your face as you attempted to wriggle away from Lawrence's hunched-up, still retching form, though their hold on your body stayed firm as ever as they spewed their guts out all over your naked body.

The vomit was thick and almost heavy as it weighed down on your skin, both in sensation and scent, since it smelled of beer, microwaved food, and rot, just like Lawrence always smelled. The greasy feel of it clung to your skin like slime or ectoplasm (if you could possibly know what those things felt like) and despite how still you were trying to be, it managed to drip down every sensitive area of your body and cover each of your shuddering curves.

You cringed, looking down at your shaking stomach now painted in milky-yellow puke, trying to suppress the urge to vomit yourself.

"F-Fuck," They stammered, finally looking up towards you with an absolutely mortified expression on their face, their pale skin even paler (almost green in hue) as they reached up to cover their vomit-slicked lips with trembling fingers, looking like they were about ready to puke again. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me...I-I just couldn't hold it back, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Law," You mumbled with an attempt at a smile, though you were still repulsed as you looked down at yourself, as the vomit slowly made its way down your stomach and towards Lawrence's still hips. "Just...just let me up and we can clean ourselves off, okay? And then we'll take care of you, okay?"

They said nothing for a moment, swallowing hard and wiping their mouth down their chin, their bottom lip pulled down and exposing pale gums, doe-grey eyes wide and panicked, before they...began to move again, pressing themselves deeper inside of you, since they were still as hard as they had been before, for whatever reason.

It felt good, of course, it did, but that didn't get rid of the fact that you were still absolutely covered in their vomit, and the more they moved, the more it moved with you.

"Lawrence," You then said, your voice taking on a note of firmness as you glared up at them, meeting their eyes with your own. "Let me up. Now." Your voice had lost a bit of its usual edge though, and your quivering lip wasn’t going to be intimidating anyone soon.

"Ah," They gasped softly, lowering their body back against yours, their chest pressing into the broad puddle of vomit still clinging to your own. "I...I want to keep going. I'm sorry I threw up, but I...I have to keep going. You understand?"

"Don't keep going!" You nearly shouted, outraged, though they quickly covered your mouth with a broad palm (god, was that the one they wiped their puke up with, fuck-), their other hand reaching round to fist in your hair and keep you pinned still.

"Be good," They growled softly, so quietly and dangerously, lowering their head down to your level, their lips inches from yours, so close you could still smell vomit on their breath. "I'm going to keep going...so enjoy it, or don't. I don't care which."

You swallowed hard and whimpered against their palm as they continued to thrust up into you, keeping your head still.

"Be good...be good."

Barely seconds after removing their palm from your mouth, they kissed you hard, their sour tongue immediately pressing between your lips like an invasive species, and you were forced to taste the vile, acidic remnants of bile and vomit on their lips, their tongue.

You squirmed and wriggled underneath them, trying to shove them away, your arms against their strong shoulders and broad chest, but your refusal to acclimate to what they wanted and the way you fought back against them seemed to only excite (and annoy) them more, as they started to thrust in and out of you again, with a new kind of vigor.

The combined sensation of the crushing kiss and their tongue in your mouth, and the aching stretch of your cunt around their monstrous cock, pushing deep, so deep you felt it nudge against your fucking cervix, made you moan involuntarily against their lips and hungry mouth. You could hear every one of their pleased sounds too, as they fucked into you harder, pressing your chests together and coating themselves in their own vomit even more, like the two of you were bathing in it.

It’s fucked up. It’s so fucked up, but you couldn’t deny how arousing it was knowing that they'd fuck you, even when you were covered in their vomit and when you smelled like shit.

You could feel your cunt clench tight around them as the burning shame in the pit of your stomach made you moan even louder against their invasive kiss. Your eyes rolled back into your skull, and, dizzy with sickening pleasure, you allowed yourself to press your vomit slick fingers into their long hair and let them fuck you as they wanted.

It’s sick.

They were sick.

But you were so, so much worse for wanting it so bad that it ached.

#lawrence oleander #lawrence btd #lawrence x mc #lawrence x reader #kinktober 2023

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spotsupstuff · 8 months

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What was capers realization he had feelings for his technician like? Was he confused trying to figure out what the feeling was since I imagine love and romance aren't very widely discussed amongst ancients of higher circles. If so how did he end up finding a word for the feeling? Was it just going through historical records? Old poetry? Accidentally stumbling upon a very cheesy romance novel?

And what was his reaction to finally figuring it out?

well he didn't actually figure it out proper until later! you can see that in the post about him "asking Sparrows out" (i'm still not over that wording)

first they got to a point of being good friends, which happened thanks to Sparrows being so fucking.. nonchalant about everything. she's super awkward around people like her, but thanks to Boreas' bullshit she feels pretty safe with the tincans (funnily enough). from there Euros was like "Man, i want... more. i want to more. i just wanna give her more and i'd like more in return but how would...." n he came to the conclusion that what he wants is some sort of mutual worship of each other (he knew about romance from his research, yeah, but that is always looked down upon up there even though it shows up in movies so he thought that he's feeling something else. something inherently good.)

which yeah! weird! but he Is prayed to by the citizens of Ales and he views the worship as a sort of high adoration/love. it doesn't show with his interactions with Sparrows, but he does have a lil bit of a god complex. being in a relationship with Sparrows rids him of it though

so anyway, as in that post, he proposes with That. Sparrows is like "holy Shit. oh my Fuck. what the frrfrfgrgfgh???" but she's a reasonable kind woman so instead of flat out rejection she asks him to talk about it with her before coming to a decision

they talk for like an hour or so. just kind of explaining what's going on within themselves- especially Euros does his best to explain what's going on in that Hivemind of his. then Sparrows vibe checks it with "bro nah, that's romance you are describing here. like romantic love???" "but romantic love is wrong. i don't feel in the wrong, so it has to be something else." "yea, that's because the first statement is a bullshit" "huh."

so Spars has to explain That, using her parents as an example of romantic love not being wrong in the slightest and admitting that before she went to school she had a few crushes and hoped that one day she'd settle down n have lil bitlets and all that- and none of that is wrong! so Euros has a crisis for a sec about That n has to ponder it for a bit. so Sparrows sits down comfortably and waits for him to come to a conclusion while tryin to figure out for herself if she wants to get together with a "godly" supercomputer (loaded definition, insert all the rain trauma here) n settles for "eh, why not. we'll see how it turns out. worst case scenario we break up n go back to normal. might be a neat experience to learn from i guess"

n then Euros comes back to his puppet and just goes

"WHATTTTTTTTTT THE HELL, YOU HAVE A POINT I AM IN THE ROMANCE???????" n Sparrows replies with a laughing fit

n then they shake their hands on being boyfriend and girlfriend as if they just made a deal

#spot says stuff #rw #oc tag #''so with the worship thing i just thought id get to sing you a lot of praises daily but if we are in romance and you are my girlfriend...-#-does that....... mean i get to cuddle?????? you????????????'' ''-puts her hand up in a calming gesture- Eventually. Not Yet.'' ''awgh''

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study-coffee-chicago · 23 days

Text

Pirate AU (An Upstead + Upton Sister Imagine)

A/N: I've been working on this one on and off since July. But, between moving out for the first time, full-time grad school, and working almost full-time, I'm finally getting it out now. Don't forget to reblog and comment! Also, the italics are the "present" and the regular font is the story/"past". I just didn't want to write almost the whole thing in italics.

Anyway, enjoy!

"The girls want a story," Duchess Natalie Halstead said to her husband, Duke Will Halstead, one night.

"And you can't tell them one because...?" Will trailed off and looked up from the letter he was writing.

"Because they say you do the voices better than me, and well, I agree on that front. So, if you would like our two lovely daughters to even think about sleeping tonight, I think you should come and tell them a story."

"How old do you think they'll have to be to go to bed without listening to a bedtime story?"

"I for one think it's adorable. Now please, I'd like to get out of this horrid corset in the next hour."

Will smirked, stood up, and pulled his wife close to him. "Only if you'll let me help you out of that corset later."

Natalie blushed. "Will, you scoundrel. Guess you've got some of your brother in you after all."

"More than just a little, love. But, I reckon you already know that."

He began kissing her, but she stopped him. "Will, the girls."

Will stopped and cleared his throat. "Right, yes. Bedtime story."

Natalie scoffed. "You men are so easily distracted, I sometimes wonder how you manage to wage war on each other."

"We have our moments of clarity. Plus, usually you're not around then to distract me."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable sometimes, do you understand that?"

"I do, but—"

"No, buts. C'mon."

Then, the two made their way to their oldest daughter's bedroom where both daughters were seated on the bed, impatiently awaiting a bedtime story.

"Daddy!" they squealed.

"Oh, will you tell us a bedtime story, pretty please?" The oldest asked.

He pulled up two chairs for he and his wife and then they both sat down.

"What will it be tonight?" Will asked.

"The pirate princess, oh please, Daddy!"

"Yes! The pirate princess, please!"

Natalie laughed. This was the one the girls always requested and Will must've told the story every week at this point.

But, Will would do anything to keep his daughters happy, so he began the story.

"Once upon a time, there were two girls and they were running..."

"Hailey!" you whisper-shouted. "Slow down!"

"We've got to hurry while it's still dark, Y/N. C'mon! And don't slip or else we'll be found out."

The two continued moving as fast as they could down the docks holding their skirts up so the dirty water wouldn't soak them.

They continued moving until they saw a ship with no torches lit.

"This one. Hurry."

You looked the ship up and down. The only way you could get aboard was to hold on to a rope that connected the dock to the ship and there was one rope that was connected to a rope ladder.

Your older sister, Hailey, was already on her hands and knees, preparing to grip the rope and maneuver herself across and to the ladder.

"Hailey," you hissed.

The only way to see was by the light of the moon and underneath was the dark abyss of the ocean. There was no telling what lurked below if you didn't make it across to the ladder.

"It's the only way," she told you. "I'll go first so that I can help you across if I need to." Then, she took off her shoes and stockings. "Enough with these. They'll only make it harder. You, too, Y/N. Get rid of them." Then, she dropped hers in the ocean and you tentatively took off your shoes and began working on your stockings while Hailey grabbed tightly onto the rope.

You held your breath as Hailey made her way across and thought your heart was going to stop when she took one hand off the rope and put it onto the rope ladder. Then, she moved her other hand to the ladder as well and then her feet.

"C'mon, it's simple. Just don't let go and look straight ahead," she told you.

"Hailey," you whined.

"Y/N, c'mon now. You can do it. You don't want to go back to dad after this, do you?" Hailey knew it was wrong of her to use one fear to get you to do another thing that scared you, but it was all she had at her disposal at the moment. She sighed. "I'll grab onto your hand as soon as you get close to me. Now hurry."

You crouched down just as Hailey had done and then listened to all her instructions about how to get across.

You moved across at a snail's pace, all while looking down as little as possible and trying not to think about what lay in the dark waters below.

Finally, you got to the point where you could grab onto Hailey.

She moved up on the ladder so that you had room to grab on. She left one foot dangling off, though.

"If you think you can't reach the ladder, just grab my foot."

"O- Okay."

"Now, keep your feet clamped around the rope and move one hand to the ladder."

You did so and felt your whole body shake while doing this.

Hailey directed you on how to continue and eventually, you were both securely holding onto the rope ladder that hung over the side of the ship.

Then, you climbed.

Hailey got to the top first of course.

"I'm gonna get on to the ship and then I'll reach over in case you need help."

Without giving you time to respond, Hailey made her way over the edge of the ship and onto the upper deck.

"This is the easy part," she reassured you.

And she was right, it was the easier part. You got over easily and Hailey held your arm as you made the final leap onto the ship so that your landing wouldn't be so loud as to arouse suspicion.

"Now what?" you whispered.

"Hold onto my hand," Hailey ordered. "We're going to try and find a door and it's dark, so I don't need you getting lost."

You walked around the ship for what felt like hours, and with each passing second, your palm got a little more sweaty thinking about the fact that you could be found out.

Eventually, with the help of what little you and Hailey could see by using the light of the moon, you found a door.

"Keep holding my hand," Hailey told you as she eased it open.

Hailey made her way down the first few steps, and you followed, and then she told you to close the door.

"But, Hailey! We won't be able to see!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down," she whispered sternly.

"I'm sorry, Hailey," you mumbled.

Hailey didn't respond, but you did hear a rustling close to you and then, there was a scratching sound and you could see by the light of a small flame that Hailey was holding.

She had brought matches.

"Now stay quiet," Hailey told you as the two of you began descending the stairs.

There were multiple places Hailey could've turned off of the dark staircase, but she continued down it until you got to the very bottom and, in turn, to the very last possible door.

Hailey tried the door and winced as it squeaked. She paused and held her breath, waiting for movement indicating that someone was on the ship and had heard.

But nothing came.

Hailey quickly opened the door, pulled you inside, and then reached over you to close the door as quietly as the squeaky door allowed.

The match was burning low—almost to Hailey's fingers—so she quickly shook it to extinguish it and held the dead match between her teeth. Then, she let go of your hand and quickly grabbed the packet of matches from between her dress and struck it.

"Follow me," she whispered.

You diligently followed Hailey while looking around you.

Everything around you was covered in thin blankets and netting and the few things that were uncovered were a few barrels.

You followed Hailey to the very back, to something that was covered by a blanket or tarp, you couldn't be sure.

"Hold this up while I look under it," Hailey told you and you lifted whatever kind of fabric it was so that Hailey could look underneath. "Just more barrels," she told you. "Under you go."

"What about you?" You asked.

"I'll be under after you. I want to make sure you're hidden because if there's only room for one, then I'll have to find another place to stow away."

"But, I don't—"

"Y/N, get under there. Now."

Hailey hated being this stern with you, but she'd rather this than the alternatives.

You got underneath the thick fabric and waited to see if you'd hear Hailey's footsteps moving away from you.

Instead, you felt the fabric being lifted once more and then heard Hailey blow out the match and felt her sit down next to you. There was a slight rustling as she made sure the fabric covered all of her and then, it was silent.

"How long do we stay here?" you asked Hailey.

"What did I tell you?" she asked.

"Until we don't understand what people are saying?"

"Until we don't know the language, that's right," Hailey confirmed.

"How long will that be?"

"I do not know, Y/N. I do not know."

***

12 hours later

"What I can't believe is that I'm just now learning that all five of you decided it would be a good idea to leave the ship unattended overnight. You boys are a half step above powder monkeys for god's sake and you can't even do one simple thing right. Next time I'm just gonna have to order two of you to stay on the ship. I tried to be reasonable and let you decide amongst yourselves who'd be staying, but I can't do that now, can I?" Captain Jay Halstead took a deep breath to steady himself before he exploded even more on the boys who were between the ages of sixteen and twenty. "Go check the stores in the orlop, make sure nothing was taken while you five were out gambling, drinking, getting laid, and having yourselves a grand ole' time last night."

The five youngest crew members walked away from their captain without a word to go do as they were told.

***

Hailey could feel her heart beating out of her chest as she rubbed soothing circles on your back. The seas didn't feel very choppy to her, but she had also been drunk before so she was used to the world spinning in circles while she tried to keep her composure. She'd give just about anything right now to be able to get you a cup of water or peppermint tea to help soothe your upset stomach. But, unfortunately, neither of these were options.

"It's okay. It's okay," she soothed. Luckily for both of you, you had nothing in your stomach, so you were only dry heaving. Hailey wished something— anything— would come out if only to stop you from being so miserable.

"I don't think he's being reasonable," Hailey heard someone saying. "It's not like he's never done—"

"Would you just shut up?" another voice asked. "Let's just do what we're told. I'm not losing my spot on this ship because of you."

"Y/N, I need you to be very quiet, okay?" Hailey said.

"But, I—" you tried, but were cut off by your older sister. Then you gagged again.

"Hold your breath if you have to," Hailey urged.

You took a deep breath through your nose and then held it just as the two of you heard a door swing open.

"I'll start with this side, you take that one. Check under everything, especially the food and drink stores."

Then, there were more footsteps.

You tugged on the sleeve of Hailey's dress as your eyes went wide but she just held a finger to her lips. Then, you covered your mouth and breathed as deep as you could through your nose to hold your breath again.

But, you felt the strong urge to gag and empty the contents of your stomach as the footsteps of men echoed throughout the room.

You looked at Hailey as tears came to your eyes and you opened your mouth and gagged.

Hailey squeezed her eyes shut.

"What was that?"

"Wasn't me."

"Check under everything. It sounded like it came from that way."

Footsteps grew closer and closer to where you and Hailey were hiding.

Hailey knew what she had to do. She had come on this ship to save you, and now she was going to possibly get herself in trouble to try and save you once more.

She took one last look at your pale and sweaty face and then ducked out from under the fabric.

Hailey put her hands up as all five of the boys'—they were not yet men— eyes landed on her.

"I mean you no harm."

The boy who had his hand on the sheath of his sword withdrew his hand and put it back at his side.

"What do we do?" one asked. "It's a lady."

"Go get the captain," said the one who looked the oldest.

"You're going to make me look like the crazy one? What will I say? Captain Halstead, please come to the orlop right now. There's a lady down here?"

"Yes!"

"He'll think I'm bluffing. Are you—"

"Go!"

He left and Hailey heard his footsteps bounding up the stairs and a faint call of Captain!

"How'd you get here in the first place?"

"I—"

Hailey was cut off by the sound of retching.

The one who had been talking and giving orders didn't hesitate to take a few long strides and lift up the fabric that was concealing you.

You screamed and then scrambled up and ran to Hailey.

"Two of yous. Anyone else you hiding down here?" he asked.

"No, there's no one else," Hailey answered and pushed you behind her. "Please, don't do anything to hurt us. Please."

Then, there were more thundering footsteps and a booming voice.

"If you are trying to make a fool out of me, I swear—" This man— who Hailey assumed as the captain— paused when he saw that his men hadn't actually been lying. "Oh."

"There's two of them, Captain."

You retched again and the captain moved to be able to see you hiding behind Hailey.

"One of which is a child who looks to be quite seasick," the captain said. "Come to one of the upper decks so we can help her," he offered.

Hailey stayed where she was, and in turn, so did you.

"I don't mean to harm you," the captain said. "I give you my word."

Hailey never trusted anyone easily, especially men. And she wasn't going to start now.

"Give up your sword," she said sternly.

"I beg your pardon," said the captain.

"Lay down your sword as a show of good faith and then we'll come with you."

"And how am I to know you won't pick it back up and use my own weapon against me?" he asked.

Hailey motioned to either side of her. "I'm clearly outnumbered here. It would be a death wish if I did that, don't you think?"

"Bold thing, aren't you?" Hailey kept her expression stern and didn't even so much as blink at his words. "Fine. If I set down my sword, will you both come up to one of the decks with me? I can have someone get clean water and oranges for you both."

"Correct," Hailey confirmed.

Then, with both his eyes still on this mystery girl who had snuck onto his ship, Captain Jay Halstead unsheathed his sword and laid it on the ground.

"Follow me."

You grabbed for Hailey's hand as she started to follow the captain. You'd heard stories of pirates, of them making prisoners walk the plank and how they locked others up in the lower decks and chained them up until they got to a port and could bring the prisoners to a proper prison.

Your lip began to tremble, but you bit it to stop from crying. Crying didn't help you escape your father and it wasn't going to help a pirate have mercy on you either.

You got to the top of the stairs and then the captain opened the door, the bright noon sun so blinding that you had to put a hand up over your eyes.

"One of you get oranges and drinking water for them," the captain ordered the boys who had found you and Hailey. "The rest of you, leave. Do not come to this deck unless absolutely necessary until I say so."

There was a chorus of yes, Captain and one saying that he'd get the food and drink.

The captain quickly moved two boxes. He gestured toward them. "Sit, please." Hailey skeptically looked up at him. "Please, I insist. Again, I mean you no harm."

Hailey looked at you and nodded and the two of you sat on the boxes, you still holding her hand. The captain moved closer to you both and sat down cross-legged on the deck.

All of the fear you had felt these past few minutes made you forget about your seasickness, but now that you were sitting still, you started to feel the familiar feeling of nausea.

"Hailey, I think..." you trailed off and dry heaved once more.

Hailey opened her mouth to comfort you, but the captain cut her off. "Take a few deep breaths and don't fight it," he told you. "If you fight it, you'll make it worse. Be one with the sea." He turned his attention to Hailey. "Once we get you some water and oranges, if it's okay with you, we can get her a mixture of wine and wormwood. Pirate's remedy for seasickness."

"Only a few sips," Hailey answered.

Then, there were footsteps coming toward you and the younger pirate handed you and Hailey each a glass of drinking water and two oranges. The captain then ordered him to go get the wine and wormwood mixture for you.

You were completely focused on not throwing up while you took small sips of your water and started to peel your orange that you weren't really listening to what the captain and your sister were saying. That was until you were through with your first orange and were almost done peeling your second.

What you heard made your heart drop.

"You'll have to tell me why you're here, love," the captain—he had mentioned his name but you were too busy trying not to vomit that you had forgotten it already—said. "I can't in good conscience let two ladies live with scoundrels for no good reason."

You saw Hailey hesitate, trying to figure out how much of your lives to reveal. In the end, she decided on the safest reason, which was also the reason why the two of you had run.

"Our father," she began, "he's not a good man. He's trying to marry her off to pay his debts. She's only twelve years old. We had no other choice but to run. Please, Captain Halstead. Let us stay."

You had never heard Hailey like this. She was usually so stern, so strong, so...independent. And here she was, practically begging a stranger to let the two of you stay on a pirate ship, mainly for your safety.

She'd rather have the two of you live with pirates who ruled the seven seas than have you go back home.

"I see," was all he said.

Then, he took a closer look at you. You looked like a terrified little girl, one who was not close to the eligible age of marriage. He may be a scoundrel, but he wasn't a brute.

Then, he was saved by the wine and wormwood being brought to you. The pirate handed it to him and then he held it out to you.

"Please, take it," he said. "It'll help."

You slowly reached out and grabbed it. The captain didn't let go until he knew it was securely in your grasp.

"Thank you," you softly whispered.

He knew then that he had no choice but to let you and Hailey stay. After all, when he became a pirate, he was also running from something. It wasn't dangerous, but he was trying to leave the life he was born into behind. So, in some way, he understood what you and Hailey were doing. Who was he to refuse someone the right to create their own destiny?

"I'll let you stay," Captain Halstead said. "On two conditions: One, you both sleep in my captain's quarters, and two, you call me Jay."

***

"Really, we can stay somewhere else," Hailey said to Jay once more. "We don't want to kick you out."

Jay waved his hand. "Nonsense. I can't let the two of you sleep downstairs with a bunch of smelly men. You'll be much more comfortable up here anyway. Plus, it'll help with Y/N's seasickness. You feeling better, love?" Jay asked you.

You nodded, still wary of the seemingly nice pirate.

"Good, I'm glad. If you two would like to stay here and get some rest, you are more than welcome to. Or, you can go out to the other deck we were just on. Not much to do out there now though since most of us are working after going to port yesterday."

"Thank you. I think we'll just stay in here to rest."

"Right then. Make yourselves at home. I'll bring up dinner when it's finished along with more water and some more wine and wormwood just in case."

Then, Jay nodded politely to the two girls and left his captain's quarters.

He needed to figure out what to do and he needed to do it fast.

Adam or Kevin? he thought. Adam or Kevin? Adam's the quartermaster because of how good he is at fighting and Kevin's the sailing master because of his smarts and logic...Kevin.

So, Jay made his way back down to the orlop to retrieve his sword from where he had laid it down in a show of good faith and made his way to the helm where Kevin was standing at the wheel, despite the seas being very calm today.

"Kevin, can I steal you a moment? I need to talk something over with you," Jay said.

Kevin said something to one of the men nearby him and then stepped away from the wheel. "Certainly, Captain."

"Right, follow me," Jay said. And then, remembering that the orlop was empty when he had been down there to retrieve his sword minutes ago, he started down there with Kevin in tow.

"No disrespect, Captain," Kevin began, "but why are we here?" Kevin asked as Jay was busy inspecting the areas behind barrels to ensure no other crew members were down here and that he and Kevin were really, truly alone.

"Listen, I've a bit of a problem right now and I need logical advice," Jay started and Kevin nodded, urging his captain to continue. "Last night, when we were in port, the junior crew members made one of the greatest fuck-ups of all time and left the ship unattended—"

"The entire ship? Unattended? For the whole night?" Kevin asked, flabbergasted.

"The entire ship for the whole night," Jay confirmed. "And, during that time, a woman, Hailey, and her younger sister, who's twelve years old, snuck onto the ship. We found them earlier and they're in my quarters right now. I don't know what to do."

Kevin furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't think his captain was this dense. "Drop them at the next port."

"I can't do that. The reason they snuck on here was because their father was trying to marry off the twelve-year-old, name's Y/N."

"Twelve years old?" Jay nodded. "Jesus Christ."

"Now you see my dilemma. I can't let them live with pirates nor can I, in good conscience, drop them at the next port."

"What do you think that you should do?" Kevin asked.

"You need time to figure out an answer, don't you?"

"A few moments would be nice, yes. So, enlighten me about what you plan to do with these two, Jay."

Jay sighed. "I suppose they could stay on the ship for a while, until we figure out a plan or until they feel safe enough to leave the ship."

"That's a good idea and I agree. Where will they sleep? Can't have them down there with all of us."

"God, no," Jay responded quickly. "The two will take my quarters and I'll sleep below deck with the rest of you."

"And when we get to port and leave the ship? What's your plan then?"

"We're at sea for a few more days," Jay answered. "I'll figure that out when we get that far."

***

Hailey laid in bed that night, waiting for you to fall asleep. As she held you close and shushed your whimpers due to the slight churning in your belly because of the motion of the ship on the sea—it had gotten better since the nice captain had given you that drink, but it still wasn't fully gone—, Hailey remembered how she and you had ended up in this predicament.

Hailey stumbled in the house just past five in the morning. Technically, she didn't stumble, but she tiptoed. Despite being an adult, she still had that fear of waking her father from his drunken stupor.

But, what she saw made her eyebrows furrow.

There, sitting at the table by the light of a kerosine lamp, were her mother and father. And, from the look on her mother's face, she'd been crying. Hailey scanned her over for any visible marks, but there weren't any.

"What's going on?" Hailey asked, still quiet so as not to wake you.

"None of your business, Hailey," her father said gruffly.

"Well, if mom's crying, then it damn sure is my business," she said smartly. She'd learned long ago that she could stand up to her father. Yes, sometimes she'd pay for it, but the regret had always been the worse pain of the two.

Her mother sighed. "Your sister's being married off."

Hailey didn't know if she had heard her right. Her twelve-year-old sister? Married off? She'd just started bleeding last month, surely they weren't serious.

"She's twelve!"

"She's a woman now and I have debts to pay!" her father whisper-yelled.

Hailey didn't care about waking you up now. She knew if you heard Dad yelling, you'd stay up in the loft anyway.

"She's twelve! She's still a child! Take me instead! Marry me off to whoever you planned for her!"

Her father scoffed. "You know I can't do that. Not with what you've been doing for the last however many years."

Hailey gritted her teeth. "Then lie!"

He slammed his fist on the table. Hailey looked up to the loft area where she saw you jump slightly. She quickly shook her head slightly and you turned around, scurrying back into your bed.

"Not when you've slept with half the townsmen for money!" he yelled. Hailey winced. Her mother put her head in her hands. "What's done is done."

"When?" Hailey asked. "When is she getting married?"

"A week's time," he answered.

Hailey drew a sharp intake of breath. "I need some air."

Then, she walked out into the night, trying to form a plan to get you out of this life.

She shook those thoughts from her head and listened to your even breathing, which ensured that you were asleep. Then, she finally succumbed to sleep herself because, unlike you, she found the motion of the ship on the sea quite soothing.

***

Jay felt like he'd barely slept last night. He'd forgotten how loud men snore and how uncomfortable the crewmen's beds were compared to the bed in his own quarters. But, he'd rather be the one sleeping down here instead of you and Hailey.

Quietly, he crept up the stairs and to the main deck. He knew it would be time for breakfast in about an hour and knew that most of his men would be waking soon. Because of this, he knew he needed to get out of this nightshirt and grab his sword--locked in a cabinet in his quarters, the key attached to a piece of twine and tied around his wrist for safekeeping--or else lose the respect of his crew.

So, he quietly pushed the door of his quarters open. He quickly opened the wardrobe and, with his back facing you and Hailey, he changed out of his nightshirt and into a more respectable shirt, even for a pirate.

Then, he went about opening the cabinet. After maneuvering the key into the lock and turning, he pulled out the key and then pulled the door open.

He never realized how much it creaked when it was just him in this room.

You woke with a start.

Jay heard a gasp from behind him and turned. In the dim light, he could see that you had sat up and had drawn your knees to your chest.

He fumbled with the matches on the table next to the cabinet and then struck on. Quickly, he lit the kerosine lamp.

He shook the match out and then put his hands out in front of him. "It's alright," he whispered.

You visibly relaxed when you saw that it was just Captain Jay who was in the room. You didn't think that he'd hurt you.

He grabbed his sword. "Would you like me to leave this lit?" he asked you, referring to the lamp. You nodded. "Okay. I'll come get you two when it's time for breakfast."

You nodded once more and he smiled at you. Then, he left the room and you laid back down and, after a few long minutes, fell asleep once more.

***

An hour later, Jay came back and knocked on the door.

"It's Jay," he said and Hailey told him to come in.

The two of you were sitting up in bed and she was braiding your hair. You looked up at Jay. He was carrying a pot with steam that rose from the top and two cloths were sloppily thrown over his shoulder.

"Figured the two of you might want to wash up." He set the pot and cloths down on the small table next to the lamp that he had left on an hour ago. "I'll be back in about twenty minutes to bring the two of you down to breakfast. Or, I can bring it up to you, but I figured you'd want to get out of this room."

"Going somewhere else on the ship sounds nice," Hailey said, and you agreed.

"Alright, I'll be back then to come and get you."

Then, he left the room and made his way across the ship and down one section of stairs to the kitchen. Most of his men were already there.

Good. He needed everyone—except Kevin since he's already talked to him—to be here for this. Granted, he knew the word was already spreading because things travel like wildfire on a ship, but he needed to get ahead of this...especially before the two of you came down here for breakfast.

Jay put his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle that got everyone's attention.

"Listen up, lads! We've two ladies aboard the ship! I don't want questions from anyone about how they got here because that situation has been dealt with. All you need to do is show them respect and there will be no funny business, you hear? Any of you so much as lay a finger on one of them or whisper a snide remark, I'll push you off the plank with my sword pointed at your back." He paused and looked around the room. "They'll be down here for breakfast soon, too, so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior and act like gentlemen."

Then, he turned around and strode out of the room and back upstairs.

He was about to go retrieve a telescope when a door slammed behind him. He turned to see Adam walking toward him, knife in one hand and apple in another.

"You sure it's a good idea?" Adam asked once he caught up to Jay.

Jay sighed and looked around. Barely anyone was above deck right now other than those who were lookouts or working the sails. He motioned for Adam to walk with him. Then, he moved up the staircase and told one of his men who was steering that he'd take it from here and to go get some food.

Jay's hands found the smooth edges of the ship's wheel while Adam used his knife to cut himself a piece of the apple.

"Well?" he asked once he had had a bite. "You really think it's a good idea to have two women surrounded by pirates?"

"Technically one's a girl," Jay responded, eyes still on the horizon. "More like a child."

"Jesus."

"Not like I had any other choice." So, he told Adam what he had told Kevin last night. He couldn't believe it had only been a day since you and Hailey had been on this ship; it seemed like so much longer with everything he'd had to think about regarding the two of you.

"Son of a bitch," Adam said once Jay was through. "What kind of person essentially sells off a twelve-year-old to marriage?"

Jay shook his head. "The world is a scary place...which is why we've chosen to be only on a land a fraction of the time."

"Pirate and philosopher. Who would've thought?"

Jay chuckled. "Never thought I'd even be a pirate, yet here we are. And, stop swiping food from the kitchen, would you?"

***

Breakfast went fine. Jay had stayed close to you and Hailey the whole time and you'd also met two of Jay's friends, Adam and Kevin.

Now it was nearing noontime and Hailey could tell you were getting restless. She'd asked Jay if there was any chance there was a needle and thread on board so that she could patch up a snag/small tear in the bottom of her dress. (Hailey really wasn't bothered by the tear, but wanted something to keep her hands busy and pass the time.) He'd brought her some and then the two of you sat on the small stairs below where Jay was steering the ship.

You had been staring out at the open water while Hailey had been busy fixing her dress. You sighed loudly. You were glad to be gone from your father and his wicked ways, but there was only so long that you could stare out at the vast sea before you.

Jay called over one of his men to take over the wheel. When you heard his footsteps coming towards the stairs, you looked up. Hailey looked up and then back down at her mending and then continued that. She didn't want to stick herself.

"Do you want to see a real sword fight, Y/N?" he asked.

Your eyes grew wide and you quickly nodded your head. You'd only heard stories of sword fights in fairytales!

Jay held out a hand to each of you and easily helped both of you up at the same time.

"Atwater!" Jay yelled. "How's about a duel?"

"You're on, Captain." Kevin unsheathed his sword from his belt.

Jay pointed to a set of crates and urged you and Hailey to go and have a seat.

Once the two of you were safely out of the way, Jay strode up to Kevin with a cocky swagger that only a captain of a pirate ship could have while he unsheathed his sword.

"May the best man win," Jay said.

Kevin nodded and the two began.

You watched in awe as their swords clashed and they ducked and narrowly missed the point of the sword. You watched their footwork on the ship's deck; it was like they were dancing, but it was a very dangerous dance.

Jay swept a foot in front of him, knocking Kevin's front foot out from under him. Quickly, in order to brace himself, Kevin dropped his sword. Then, he landed with a thud.

Jay leaned over him. Then, he pointed his sword at his friend's throat; it was just mere inches from actually injuring him.

"I believe that I've won," Jay said with a smirk on his face.

There were a few reasons why he had risen in the ranks and become a captain so fast, and his sword fighting skills were one of them.

"You have. Now, get that sword off me and help me off my ass, would you?"

Jay kicked Kevin's sword away from him so that he couldn't grab it on his way up. He then maneuvered his own sword and helped Kevin up his opposite hand, still on high alert in case he tried anything.

Only once Kevin was back on his feet did Jay sheath his sword.

The two shook hands, a show of good faith despite the fight being just for fun.

"I think you've a couple of admirers," Kevin said quietly.

Jay turned his head to look at you and Hailey. You were both clapping enthusiastically.

He strode over to you.

"Did you like it?" he asked, watching Hailey for any signs of discomfort. He knew some women were not fond of violence.

"It was impressive," Hailey complimented.

"That was so exciting! Can I learn how to sword fight, Hailey? Please?" you asked.

Who knew that in less than 36 hours, you'd be totally comfortable on a pirate ship?

"It's not ladylike for you to sword fight, Y/N," Hailey replied.

Jay smirked. "We're on a pirate ship, love. I think you're both well past the point of being ladylike."

It was like Jay could see the wheels turning in Hailey's brain as she mulled this over.

"Fine," she agreed. "Promise me she won't get hurt."

Jay nodded. "I promise. You have my word, Hailey."

"Okay. Go ahead. But, be careful," she told you.

You smiled. Then, you practically ran to the open space on the deck where Kevin and Jay had just been dueling. Jay just walked behind you while chuckling to himself.

But then, as he watched, he thought of how childlike you still were. Yes, you usually followed directions well from what he had gathered, but you still stared in awe at the sea and at other new things. There was no way he could imagine you getting married off.

He felt anger seethe inside him at your father for putting you through all of this.

Then, he took a deep breath. He needed to be calm while teaching.

"First," he began when he was in front of you, "we'll work on the basics. So, we'll work on how you'll stand and ensure you duck. No sword right now."

"Okay! I don't want to get hurt by pulling out the swords too early," you responded.

"Me either. I think your sister might have my head if that happened."

"She probably would," you responded. "She's very protective of me, but I know it's just because of what she's been through and that she doesn't want that for me."

Jay wanted to know what had happened, but he knew not to pry. So, he just put one foot in front of him.

"Stand like this. It's called a split stance," he instructed.

You lifted up your skirts slightly so that he'd be able to see your feet and up to a little higher than your ankles.

If you were in town, you'd be called scandalous. But, as Jay had already said, you were on a pirate ship so you didn't think those unspoken rules applied here.

Then, you stood as instructed. "Like this?"

"Perfect," Jay praised.

Hailey watched on as all of this continued and her heart swelled as she watched a man be so gentle and lighthearted with her younger sister.

You finally had the chance to be a kid—even if it was on a pirate ship—and she didn't want to take that away from you. She'd also be lying if she said that when you began working on ducking (still without the sword) that she clutched the dress she was working on and couldn't tear her eyes off of you and Jay. Every time you were safely on the other side of Jay's arm, she let out a her breath.

You were safe. He promised he wouldn't let anything happen to you. And, even though she vowed to never trust a man even if he had given her his word, for some reason, she was beginning to trust Captain Jay Halstead.

***

One week later

Hailey took Jay's hand after you were safely on land and allowed him to help her off the ship.

"Thank you," she said.

"My pleasure," Jay answered. "Now, I want both of you to stay close to me, alright?"

"I can handle myself," Hailey shot.

"While I don't doubt that, allow me to be a gentleman."

Hailey smiled. "Fine, I will allow that."

"Thank you."

Jay glanced at you. Your eyes were wide at all of the colorful dresses at the vendors. There was also a bird sitting on one vendor's shoulder as well as goats being herded into a fenced-in stall. There was a stand with freshly baked bread and pastries and one with fresh fruit. And, you couldn't even see all the way down the way to see all of them. There was already so much compared to what you had at the market in your small village!

"Where are we?" Hailey asked. She still understood the language that people were speaking, so she hoped she was still in England, but she'd no idea.

"Portsmouth, England," Jay answered. "Now, if there's anything you see that you would like, let me know. I do want to get each of you a nightgown and another dress so that you are not stuck in the dresses you've left in."

"You don't have to—"

"Please," Jay cut her off. "It would be my pleasure." Hailey nodded. Jay looked at you. "Where to first?"

"I- I don't know," you stuttered, still trying to take everything in.

"That's quite alright. You just let me know if you see something you like. I just told Hailey that each of you gets a new dress and nightgown. You can choose whatever color you want."

Your eyes widened. "Can we look at the dresses first?"

"Of course."

Then, the three of you made your way toward the stall with all of the dresses.

***

An hour later, you and Hailey had your dresses. Jay had asked for them to be wrapped in paper so that they wouldn't get dirty while the three of you continued walking. Like the gentleman he had been raised to be, Jay was carrying two of the packages, which meant that you and Hailey only had to carry one a piece.

Jay surveyed the area. He knew a tavern would be up ahead and he didn't know whether to bring the two of you inside or to leave you both outside, perhaps perusing some of the stalls close by.

He figured it would be safer to let you both stay outside. There was a pastry stall right across from the tavern where the two of you could meet him.

"I need to run in here and pick up some rum," he told you and Hailey. He noticed the way you instinctively gripped Hailey's arm at the mention of the drink. "It's mainly for my men. I'm not much of a drinker myself, especially not when we're at sea and need to be vigilant." You relaxed at his words. "But, there's a pastry stall right across. Here's some money. Get yourself each something and I'll meet you back there."

Hailey took the coins. "Thank you. Do you want something as well?"

Jay shook his head. "I'm not one for sweets."

"Alright then. C'mon, Y/N," Hailey said.

Then, you and she and you made your way to the stall that sold pastries. And Jay didn't go into the tavern until he knew that the two of you had made it to the correct stall.

After scanning the selection, you and Hailey each ordered your pastries. She decided on a blueberry muffin and you decided on a slice of lemon loaf with white icing.

Once you had the desserts, the two of you moved to the side and unwrapped them. You sighed when you breathed in the sweet, lemony scent.

"This smells like it will be the best thing I've ever tasted," you said to Hailey.

She laughed. "Well go on then. Give it a taste and tell me how you like it."

You took a bite and felt the icing melt on your tongue.

"Delicious," you sighed.

Hailey smiled and then took a bite of her muffin. "Mine is, too. We made good decisions."

Just then, a man came into their view.

"You look like you're enjoying that. Can I get you another?" he asked.

Hailey bristled. "We're fine, thank you though."

He looked at you. "What about you, love? Want another?"

"I- I'm okay with one," you said.

If Hailey said no, then you were saying no, too. And, even though you were young, you knew what could happen. Men weren't just nice to random women out of the blue on their own accord, usually they wanted something more, which was why you had been wary of Jay at first.

"Oh, c'mon, lassie. Won't cost you much later."

Hailey moved to stand in front of you.

"We said no. Thank you for the offer, but we do not need more pastries," Hailey said sternly.

As Jay walked out of the tavern with a bag full of bottles of rum, he saw Hailey standing stiffly with a man blocking some of her from view. He hoped you were behind her.

He opened the door to the tavern again.

"I'll be back for this," he yelled and then set the bag just barely inside the building.

Then he withdrew his dagger and jogged over to the pastry stand.

"Enjoy the pastry, love?" Jay asked as if nothing was wrong.

"Yes, it was very good," Hailey answered.

"I didn't realize she was—" the man started, but Jay cut him off.

"Enough with your excuses, mate. You should get out of here while you still can. It'd be in your best interest not to piss off a pirate." He began twirling the dagger between his fingers.

"Yes, sorry, have a nice day!"

Then, the man ran off.

Jay quickly put his dagger away. "Are you alright?" he asked Hailey. "Did he hurt you?" Then, he peeked over at you. "Did he hurt you?"

You shook your head.

"I don't know what he would've done if you hadn't come when you did," Hailey said. "Thank you."

"It's what any kind person would've done," Jay said, waving off the thanks. "Now, I've got to grab the rum and we'll keep walking around, yeah? And the rum is just inside the tavern and already paid for, so both of you are coming with me. Don't want that guy lurking and getting any other ideas."

***

"Captain Halstead," the man at the metals shop began when you, Jay, and Hailey entered. "What can I do for you?"

"I've a bit of a situation and all you need to know is that these two ladies need a way to protect themselves. We're here to look at your dagger selection," Jay answered.

"Daggers, Jay? I don't know..." Hailey trailed off.

"Y/N's already learning how to sword fight and I can't be there when we're in port all of the time. Please. It would keep my conscience clear if you both had something to protect yourselves."

"I get a miniature sword?!" you exclaimed.

Jay laughed. "I figure you can think of it that way, yes. We call it a dagger. So if a strange man comes up to you like one did today, you just take it out and flip it between your fingers. Should get him to back off. If not, I'll teach you a few tricks with it."

The man who owned the metals shop laughed as your eyes lit up. "Looks like you've a miniature pirate on your hands, Captain."

"She still has a bit to learn, but I think she's well on her way." Then, Jay shot a playful wink your way.

"Right then, I'll go get the daggers for you three to look at."

He walked into a back room and came out with three boxes stacked on top of each other. They looked like jewelry boxes.

He set them on the counter and flicked each of them open. "Here we are. The finest selection of daggers in Portsmouth. What suits your fancy?"

Shockingly, you stepped up before Hailey did.

You studied the daggers and their handles. Some were simple, with plain metal designs and a few ridges on the handle so that a person's grip would stay steady. But, others had more intricate designs on them, including color on the handle.

One drew your attention. The handle was of normal material, but the ridges were dyed purple and there was a gemstone embedded in the center. The blade of the dagger was curved.

"This one?" You touched the handle and looked to Jay, making sure that you'd chosen a good one.

"Good choice," Jay agreed.

"Not only is it one of the most beautiful ones I have in this shop, but the curved blade makes it one of the most dangerous," the shop owner added.

You looked at Jay, not knowing what to do next.

"Take it," he told you. "Make sure it's comfortable in your hand before you make the final decision."

You picked it up and felt the ridges of the handle pressing against your palm, contrasting with the smoothness of the gemstones.

"Let me have a look, make sure it's small enough for your hand," Jay said.

You held your hand that contained the dagger out to him, blade pointed at the floor so that you didn't accidentally injure anyone.

He furrowed his brow and studied it for a few moments.

"Looks like a perfect fit to me. Does it feel like you can grip it easily?" You nodded. "Alright, final choice."

"Yes, I like this one."

"Perfect. Hailey, your turn, love."

As you held the dagger in your hand, you felt powerful. And you never wanted to lose that feeling and you'd be damned if you lost it because of a man like how your father wanted you to.

***

Jay thought he was done with the bullshit that was drunk men after a day in port. But, alas, you and Hailey had put a wrench in that. He was currently in the belly of the ship trying to sleep, while he heard some of the men groaning from sickness due to how much they had drank—he even heard vomit splatter into a bucket—and some telling others about their escapades with women during their day in port.

So, Jay stood up and started out of there and up the stairs to the deck, anything to get out of there and get some fresh air.

***

Hailey was standing on the deck, staring out at the sea, not that she could see much because it was pitch black. The candle she'd brought from Jay's quarters flickered next to her, sitting in its holder on top of a barrel next to her.

She couldn't get Captain Jay Halstead out of her head.

And she needed to.

She knew love was dangerous.

Hell, she'd vowed to never fall in love, yet here she was.

Earlier in the day, when he held out his hand to help her back into the ship, she felt butterflies in her stomach. They were small like they had just broken out of their cocoon and were learning to fly, but they were there nonetheless.

That was when she knew she was in trouble.

She'd seen what happens when someone falls in love, which is why she vowed to never do so. She'd live her life as an old spinster if it came to that.

But, with Jay, she felt different. And that was what terrified her.

She jumped when she heard footsteps behind her.

"It's just me." She heard Jay's voice. "I couldn't sleep down there. You couldn't sleep either I presume?"

He was right up next to her now, both of them looking out at the vast, dark sea, not that they could see much of anything, though.

"No," Hailey answered.

"Good place to be on a night like this. Slight breeze to keep things moving. Warm night. And just look at those stars."

Hailey looked up just as a shooting star flew across the sky.

"Make a wish," Jay said.

She didn't know what to wish for though. Maybe more nights like this? Ones that tasted like freedom?

So, she let it pass.

Wishes didn't come true for girls like her anyway.

"I don't see stars like this back home in the city," Hailey said. "Too crowded."

Jay nodded. "One of the reasons I love the open water, just me, the stars, and well, no one can tell me what to do out here."

Hailey smiled and let out a laugh. "But you can tell others what to do?"

Jay chuckled at that. "I try to be as fair as I can."

Then, they fell into a comfortable silence as they stared up at the stars.

Jay broke the silence a couple of minutes later.

"I don't mean to pry, but why couldn't you be married off instead of Y/N? I know no one should be married off, but based on age, wouldn't it make more sense for it to be you and not her?"

Hailey swallowed. She knew this question was going to come eventually.

"Again, you can tell me to get lost if you want," reminded Jay.

"No, it's just, I don't want you to think less of me when I tell you."

Jay shook his head. "I'm a pirate, love. There's quite a bit you can say that I won't bat an eye at. Unless it's murder. That I can't excuse."

"But don't you..." Hailey trailed off.

Jay chuckled and shook his head. "As a pirate murder people?" he asked, finishing her question. "No. At least not directly. We just blow holes in their ship and hope that the other pirates know how to swim through a shipwreck. I've never slit anyone's throat if that's what you're asking."

Hailey nodded, mulling over whether or not she wanted to tell him about her past.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Jay reiterated.

"But you've done so much for me and Y/N, I probably should," Hailey said.

Jay quickly shook his head. "I never expected anything of you, Hailey. Just because I've helped you, doesn't mean I'm privy to your life story. That's yours to tell whenever you feel comfortable doing so."

Hailey closed her eyes and then opened them. Here goes nothing.

"Well, when me and Y/N ran and came on your ship, we thought we'd be hiding in the belly of it the whole time. Never imagined someone would help us out. It has always been us against the world and every man or woman for themselves."

Jay looked at her intently. He wanted to reach out to hold her hand, but he restrained himself. "I see," was all he said.

"Trust me, I wish it were me who could be married off. But, I can't. Everyone knows what I am: a whore."

"Hailey—" Jay reached out his hand, but she stepped back, so he put it down.

"No! It's true! I was sleeping with anyone who would pay me so that I had a chance to get out. And look where that got me. The only chance I had to save my sister, was gone because of my stupid decisions. But, I couldn't let her go with a man, she's just a child! And I couldn't let her stay home because our dad likes to talk with his fists. It's all my fault."

Hailey's legs buckled, the weight of everything being out in the open making her feel faint.

Jay quickly grabbed onto one of her arms. "I've got you," he said gently. "Let's go sit over here, yeah?"

Hailey nodded and Jay led her over to a stack of crates and didn't let go of her until she was safely sitting down. Then, he went back to grab the candle that was burning low and came back and sat on a crate opposite her.

"Are you alright?" Jay asked.

"Yes, I think I'm fine now. I don't know what happened."

"Just getting it all out in the open may have been too much for you," Jay began. "But I'm glad you told me."

Hailey sighed. "If I wouldn't have done that then maybe we wouldn't be in the predicament!" Her voice broke with her next words. "It's all my fault, Jay."

He reached for her hand and gently clasped it with his. "It's not your fault, love. You were trying to do what was best for the two of you."

"I just don't want her to turn out like me. She shouldn't have to turn tricks to get what she wants and—"

"She won't have to," Jay cut her off. "Not if I can help it."

Hailey looked up at him as a few tears ran down her cheeks. "What?"

"You two can stay here as long as you need. Hell, you can make it your home if you like. I know what it's like to run from something and you two shouldn't have to run anymore and live your lives in fear."

Hailey wanted to ask what he was running from, but she didn't want to pry and be considered improper, so she just said, "Running isn't easy. Leaving family, even though I hated my dad, I loved my mom, and leaving her wasn't easy."

"I understand," Jay agreed. "I left a life of luxury to come live as a pirate."

Hailey furrowed her brows. "What?"

"It's a bit of a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

"If you don't mind telling me."

"Alright then." He paused. "At the time I left, I was sixth in line for the throne. My brother, Will, was fifth and my father was fourth. He was a duke. And, that gave me privileges and a very nice childhood. I won't bore you with the details.

"But then, my mother died of the fever. Some say it was brought on by the cholera outbreak and that a servant may have brought in that disease with them when they came to work, but I didn't care who brought it in or how my mother got sick. All I knew was that she was gone.

"My father was never the same after that. He was constantly drinking ale and wine. So, my brother, Will, and I were schooled harder in political and geographical relationships than ever before because everyone knew that my father was unfit to take the throne if the time came for him to do so.

"I realized that I couldn't live like this. I know it seems quite stupid compared to yours and Y/N's predicament, but I couldn't just sit around in a posh mansion and learn of all of these things that might not even be of use to me. I wanted to make my own fate.

"So, one night, I left. I slipped a note under Will's door explaining that I was leaving and I'd write when I could. I advised him to burn the note once he was finished reading.

"I bought some commoner's clothes from a nearby village at first light and made my way to the docks, looking for work. One of the ship captains offered me a spot on their ship as a crew member. I quickly moved up in the ranks due to my sword-fighting abilities. That was fifteen years ago and now I'm captain of my own ship.

"So, I know what it's like to want freedom and chase after it with all your might."

Hailey was stunned. She had never imagined that this was the story of how Captain Jay Halstead came to be. She knew that the shock was written on her face, so instead of expressing it verbally, she asked, "Do you and your brother still write each other? What of your father?"

"He drank himself to death," Jay answered without emotion. "As for Will, I write him every month or two. He's married now and has two little girls. He's active in politics and has fulfilled his duties as a duke."

Jay was speaking matter-of-factly now. Hailey knew he was trying not to show emotion.

"You miss him," Hailey stated. Jay nodded. "Will you ever go back?"

Jay thought for a moment. He'd be lying if he said that this hadn't crossed his mind on hot, stifling days when the summer sickness was going around the ship. "It's been years since I've left. I think I've a good thing going here and I don't want to ruin it by leaving."

Hailey nodded. She was starting to feel the same way with this ship.

"Have you thought of where you're going to go yet?" Jay probed.

Hailey tilted her head. Realistically, she hadn't really thought about this since the day after Jay found her and you hiding in the belly of the ship.

"I said we'd leave when I can't understand the language. Maybe I'll still do that."

Jay nodded. "Well, if you like, one of Kevin's closest friends, Vanessa Rojas, is a native of Spain. I'm sure she'd be able to help build your life back up in Spain if that is what you want to do."

"And it wouldn't be a bother to stay there?"

"Oh, no," Jay said quickly. "She vowed to never get married, for similar reasons such as your own, so sometimes she's mentioned that she gets lonely at times. I'm sure she'd love to have you. Would you like me to write her and ask?"

"Um, sure." Was Jay trying to get rid of her?

"Again, you can stay on this ship as long as you want, love. I'd be happy to have you and Y/N. And, the longer you're here, the more Y/N can hone her sword-fighting skills."

Hailey threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, don't remind me!"

Jay suddenly became serious. "I mean it, Hailey. You can stay here as long as you need. I—." He suddenly cut himself off.

Hailey gave him a puzzled look. "You what?"

"It's just that, I haven't been this happy at sea for long time. I love it, but having you and Y/N here just makes it so much better for whatever reason."

Hailey blushed and was glad that it was dark and hoped the candle didn't give enough light for Jay to see the effect his words had on her.

Then, he said the words she never thought to hear him speak: "Dance with me."

She cannot help it. A laugh escaped her lips as a smile stretched across her face. "What?"

He stood up and held a hand out to her. "Dance with me."

She took it. "But we've no music."

He began to hum. "Now we do."

Hailey laughed and threw her head back. Then, she took his hand and the two began to dance under the light of the moon. Jay hummed along with the sound of the water gently moving all around them, calming her. Soon, her eyelids began to droop and her movements became slower.

Jay noticed this and helped her back to his quarters. He turned around while she got dressed.

"You don't have to stay you know," she said as she pulled on her nightgown.

He smiled slightly. "By the way you were moving, yes I do. Can't have you falling over from tiredness."

She began to laugh and then quickly placed her hand over her mouth. You were sleeping peacefully, and she did not want to wake you.

Hailey moved closer to the bed and began to pull the thick blankets over her. "You can turn around now."

Jay does and strides over to her. He takes the blankets in his hands and smooths them over her.

She shook her head playfully and smiled. "You don't need to tuck me in as if I am a child, Jay."

Jay shrugged. "Sometimes it's nice to be cared for. Let me do that for you."

She laid her head down on the pillow. Then, Jay leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Good night, Hailey."

"Good night, Jay."

And then, he blows out the candle, turns off the kerosine lamp, and leaves the room. Hailey feels the smile on her face until she falls asleep. And, in her dreams, she dreams of Captain Jay Halstead.

***

The next afternoon, you were standing on the deck in your new dress with your dagger gripped tightly in your hand.

"Loosen your grip, love," Jay coaxed. "Just like the sword, you want to have enough grip on it so that it can stay in your hand, but also so that you can move swiftly and quickly."

"But what if it falls out of my hand?" you asked.

"With practice, we'll make sure that doesn't happen."

Hailey watched from afar, thankful that Jay was only using a piece of wood as his pretend dagger. He knew you didn't know how to dodge a blade yet, and he didn't want to hurt you while teaching you how to use your dagger and get out of the way of others.

"Now, I want you to jab right under my arm, like this."

He jabbed the air and then pointed right under his arm.

"Now you try."

So you did. You jabbed your arm forward and hit the air right under his arm. And Jay didn't even flinch!

"Good job! Now try and keep your arm tight, like this." He demonstrated again and kept his muscles tight this time. "This helps with controlling the blade."

Hailey would be lying if she didn't blush when Jay pulled his arm muscles taut when he jabbed again.

After a few more minutes of practicing this, you and Jay moved on to footwork and making sure that you could control the blade even when your feet stumbled.

Hailey was watching from afar and when your foot caught, her heart caught in her throat. She did not need you to be injured while on a pirate ship of all places. But then, Jay quickly reached out to grab ahold of you and helped you back up. Who would've ever thought that one of the most famous pirates of the seven seas was so caring and gentle when need be?

***

Jay and Hailey were once again standing on the deck late at night, gazing up at the stars. You had talked her ear off earlier and described every minute detail of what you and Jay did and what he had taught you earlier in the day.

"Y/N loved her lessons today, thank you," Hailey said.

Jay smiled. "I'm glad. You'll have to let me teach you sometime."

Hailey laughed. "I don't plan on being aboard a ship my whole life, Jay."

"And you think Y/N does?"

"I don't know. I can't leave her here, but I wouldn't be shocked if she begs to stay. She seems...happy here."

"Freedom and the seven seas will do that to a person. My first few days, I was nervous that my family would find me, but then as we got further from the land, I felt freer than I had felt since I was young. Maybe the fresh air had something to do with that, too," Jay joked.

They stood in content silence and Hailey took the chance to lean into him and rest her head on his chest.

"I've been thinking," Jay began and pushed a strand of Hailey's hair behind her ear, "I just finished the letter to Vanessa and will mail it at the next port. It's up to you though. You and Y/N can stay here as long as you want. But, if you're here a long time, I'm going to have to teach you how to fight one of these days."

"Hmm," Hailey hummed. Let's just enjoy the stars right now."

"They're beautiful. Just like you."

***

One week later

"Now, remember what I told you," Jay advised, "Adam's left side is the weak side—"

Jay was cut off by bells ringing.

"They're coming from the east, Captain!"

Jay cursed and quickly stood up.

"Everyone to your posts!" he yelled. "Girls, my quarters, I'll be in there when I can! To your positions!"

You didn't know what was going on, but you knew it was bad as Jay took off running while he unsheathed his sword. Then, Hailey quickly grabbed your arm and the two of you ran towards Jay's quarters.

As you were running, you saw what was coming: another pirate ship.

***

Jay knew he'd prepared him and his crew for this. Hell, he'd been in too many battles to count, but he'd never had to worry about women being on the ship if this were to happen.

"Canons?" Jay asked as Adam came up to him.

"Being loaded as we speak."

"Someone's guarding the food and water?"

"Two."

"Good. What could they have that we want?"

They hadn't been on a raid in weeks, so they were running low on valuables. They'd only been to one port after the one where Jay had bought you and Hailey dresses and daggers, but that was a week and a half ago.

Jay started to hear creaking and yelling.

"Here they come."

***

You and Hailey stood quiet in Jay's quarters. You had your dagger gripped tightly in your right hand, just as Jay had taught you.

The second you heard yelling, Hailey thought that you'd get scared and grab her hand. But you didn't. You kept your eyes trained on the door and bent your legs, preparing if someone were to come in.

It felt like ages before you heard it: the pounding on the door. All that was heard before that was men yelling and the clashing of swords.

Hailey pushed you behind her just as the door broke open.

"Well, well, well," one raggedy old pirate began, "we heard Halstead had a girl, we just didn't think one would be so young."

"Don't touch her!" Hailey yelled. "You want someone? Take me!"

"Fine." He quickly yanked Hailey into him, causing her dagger to clatter to the floor.

"Make her watch," the raggedy one said and pushed her to the man behind her.

She started yelling and kicking, but there was no way the man would let go.

What was it Jay said earlier? Go for the weak side and catch him off guard.

You quickly saw that he had his dagger in his right hand, meaning that his left side was his weaker one.

You lunged.

You don't really remember what happened next, but you do know that you jammed your dagger as far into his thigh as you could.

Then, you heard a pop!

"Get the fuck off my ship unless you want me to try this new toy out on you!"

Jay.

Then, there was silence. And then, the sound of more yelling and quick footsteps and splashes. The other pirates swimming for their lives.

"I'd let her go if I were you."

Jay was holding the small revolver he'd taken from a rival pirate to the other pirate's head. Adam ran up and pointed his sword at the throat of the raggedy one that you stabbed.

"Someone come get this fucker off the ship!" Adam bellowed.

The one who was holding Hailey rushed forward.

Jay held his revolver to the back of the pirate's head as he helped the raggedy one to the side of the ship. He and Adam watched as the two climbed into a dingy and then got lifted into their normal ship.

"Keep the canons loaded," Jay ordered Adam. "Just in case they try anything."

Then, he ran back over to you and Hailey.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" he asked.

Hailey shook her head. "I- We're okay. Y/N got him just in time. And then you came and— I need to sit down."

Jay held Hailey's arm as he helped her back into his quarters and onto the bed. You sat down next to her.

"I did it," you told him proudly, not grasping the gravity of what could have happened. "I went for his weak side and caught him off guard. Then I got him in the leg and he fell down and then you came."

Jay's eyes went wide and Hailey gave him a subtle nod.

"Still think she's not a pirate?" Jay asked with a joking sparkle in his eyes.

"She might be now."

"Well, in any case, I say the two of you spend a couple weeks in Spain with Vanessa. Enjoy land for a while."

"Will you be there?" you asked quickly.

"Not at first," Jay answered.

"But you'll come back, right?"

"I promise, I'll come back."

He gave Hailey a kiss on the forehead and then bent down to your height.

"You did so, so good today. I'm so proud of you."

Then you gasped. "My dagger! It's still in his leg!"

Jay threw his head back and laughed. "We'll get you another one when we dock in Spain. I promise. But tomorrow, I say we start teaching your sister how to fight. What do you say?"

Will looked down at his sleeping daughters.

"And then Y/N and Hailey went to Spain, Jay got Y/N a new dagger, and a year later, Jay and Hailey were married. Y/N's now the first mate on Jay's ship, no matter how much that sometimes scares Hailey."

Natalie gave her husband a look. "That last part's new."

"Well, I learned some new information."

"What?"

"Come with me."

Will took his wife's hand and led her to his office. There, he pulled out a stack of letters that dated back years.

"You're still in contact with him?"

"I have been since he left home. He always sent a letter every six months with his port. I just...never told you until now because I didn't want to scare you about Jay coming back and turning our girls into pirates."

Natalie shook her head. "I'm never scared of that. I don't think they'd leave, but if they did, I trust your brother and Y/N and Hailey to take good care of them. Maybe one day I can even meet him."

"Maybe. Those three don't stay on land for long, though."

"Once a pirate, always a pirate," Natalie said.

When Will and Natalie went to bed that night, they talked about what it would be like to sail on the seven seas. They knew they wouldn't last, but Jay, you, and Hailey wouldn't be able to stand living in a castle all of the time.

Everyone had their things, and if Hailey had known all those years ago that she'd be married and live happily ever after with a duke turned pirate, she wouldn't have been able to believe it.

But, despite the challenges, the Halstead brothers, their wives, and you, all got your own version of happily ever after.

A/N: Thanks for reading and don't forget to reblog and comment! And, if you want to be added to my taglist, just let me know and I can add you!

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littlegodzilla · 2 years

Text

Hii!! Next chapter here!!

Things are moving a little faster, we are getting closer to the end, our protagonists seem to be getting to know each other better, but things can always get complicated, can't they? We'll see.

Enjoy!!

Your name Masterlist.

Your Name.

Daryl Dixon x Reader.

Mini series chapter 7.

Warnings: TWD gore. Angst. Fluff.

Words: 3400.

Summary: The things start to change a little.

Taglist: @phoenixblack89 @browneyes528 @lilythemadqueen @darylsgarden @thefemininemystiquee @green-eyedladywrites @hail-yourselves @ruinedbythehobbit @xxtinasxxblog @ravenwingsandfoxpaws @spenciepoo338 @b-tchyouainthiphop @minervadashwood @darylssluttt

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Ignore Andrea, but the gif is perfect for this chapter.

≈≈≈

Part 7.

The next day you aren't the only one who wakes up with a hangover, which comforts you as you are unable to walk in a straight line. No one has a good face when you enter the room to have some breakfast, the atmosphere is strange and some look uncomfortable. You greet them all with a small smile and sit down in a free chair. Your gaze connects with Daryl but he quickly averts it. You frown as you don't understand what's wrong with him, you don't have time to ask either, right away you notice Lori is uncomfortable, Shane brusque, and Andrea directly asks the questions no one wants to hear or Jenner to answer.

The CDC is not safe, the air is running out and the place is closing in on itself, it won't let you out if Jenner doesn't give the order. Everyone is getting nervous and aggressive, Daryl has picked up an axe and is angrily unloading it at the door.

"You won't get it open with that." Jenner tells him, Daryl turns furiously towards him.

"But yer head will!" he goes straight for him, but you get in the way.

"Daryl get a hold of yourself!" you ask him with a look full of fear and anguish.

He stops in his tracks, it's not the first time he's raised an axe at someone's head, but this time Rick isn't pointing his gun at him, you're in the way and that's now much worse, because he remembers the night before and that makes him take a step back and snap like a cat.

"Ain't tell me what to do." He growls and goes back to the door to try to open it again.

On another occasion you would have insulted him and told him to fuck off, but now is not the time to worry about Daryl Dixon's tantrums so you return to the group trying to reassure the women in the group, to no avail. They finally manage to talk some sense into the man, but he doesn't want to go anywhere and apparently neither do Jacqui and Andrea. You stay behind too trying to convince them, Dale also stays with Andrea because he's not going to let any of them stay, but you don't want anyone to die. It's not fair.

"What yer doin' here?" you feel a tug on your arm and see that Daryl is still holding the axe in his hand. "Wanna die?"

"N-No, but I don't want you to..."

"They've decided!" he shushes you and pulls you again. "I've lost Merle, yer ain't gettin' rid of me that easily."

You know he's reminding you to hurt you, but his hand gripping you so tightly, as if he really fears losing you, eclipses any other thoughts. Rick uses a grenade to get out of the building and you all run at high speed to your cars. At the last moment you see that Dale and Andrea are behind you. But Jacqui not. The building explodes as tears stream down your face, Daryl uses his body to shield you from the shockwave and the two of you crash into the door of the van. It's not a violent impact as you're already leaning against it, but feeling Daryl's body pressed against yours makes you remember something that the alcohol had erased from your head. You remember the kiss you gave him last night and your heart freezes. Your face turns cherry red feeling the warmth of Daryl's body grab you. His hand holds your head against his shoulder, covering your ears from the shockwave, your hands close tightly over his plaid shirt as you feel his breath on your neck.

When everything seems to calm down, you break the embrace slowly, again your gazes connect for a few seconds. His blue eyes roam your face at full speed, for a few seconds they fix on your lips and Daryl rises like a spring. Your heart beats so hard that your chest aches.

You don't have time to process what is happening, the explosion and fire is drawing the dead still lurking in the city and those that are charred move crawling on the ground. You pick up and get into the cars and drive away, looking for a safe place to make a new plan, think about where to go, plan how to conserve your remaining stock and especially your fuel.

While the men deliberate what might be best for everything, you watch as Daryl slowly makes his way among them. Although his relationship has not gotten off to a good start with Rick, whatever happened when they went to Atlanta together has changed his perspective towards the sheriff, he is still wary of him, instinctively, but also curious and takes orders from him.

You like the new personality you are discovering about him.

You turn your attention back to the girls, Andrea is still a little shaken by everything that is going on, but you focus on Lori and Carol. Both women have nearly lost their children and although they haven't said anything, they look upset.

"Are you guys okay?" you walk over to them. "How are Sophia and Carl?"

"Scared, like everyone else." Carol whispers, smiling very slowly. "But it's a miracle we got out of there."

"Jenner couldn't hold us back, he knew it wasn't fair..." You try to cheer them up a little.

"Are you okay?" Lori asks you suddenly and you don't understand what she means. "Daryl came in looking for you when he realized you weren't coming with us... Is everything okay?" Then she gives you that look you understand and again your cheeks take on a cherry color. How many of them think you guys are a couple? Since when?

"Oh no, I mean, yeah, but it's not that, Daryl... we're just friends, I got him into all this, so keeping me alive is my punishment, I guess..." You explain to them and again tug hard on the sleeves of your t-shirt.

I've lost Merle, yer ain't gonna get rid of me that easily.

His words are still in your head, you sigh and hear the women start talking to Carl and Sophia so you decide to join the conversation to clear your mind.

They finally agree to go to Fort Benning as Shane had suggested from the beginning, by getting rid of several cars you have enough fuel to get there, plus Daryl takes the motorcycle to save a little more, Rick along with Lori, Carol and the kids ride in the first car, then the caravan with Dale, Andrea, Shane and Glenn and T Dog takes Daryl's van. Your first reaction is to talk to Daryl to find out what he wants to do, but you remember again that you kissed him and he's been on the run ever since, so you make the decision to ride in the RV so as not to bother him.

The trip is quiet and boring, everything is silent, tense, you only hear the rattle of the old caravan and Glenn's thoughts out loud looking for the best route to get to the military base as soon as possible and not waste fuel. Andrea is deep in thought and Shane does not look good. He has a nasty cut on his neck, but when you ask him about it, he grunts and goes back to focusing on disassembling and assembling his weapon capturing your attention and Andrea's.

That and all of a sudden the trailer starts making a strange noise until it finally comes to a complete stop. Dale curses under his breath.

"I warned Rick it wouldn't last!" he snorts once again getting out of the vehicle.

Rick has stopped a little further ahead, even if the trailer was in full condition, in front of you a graveyard of cars opens up blocking your way. You need to fix it and at the same time another road to continue the journey. Daryl appears between the cars with his motorcycle and shakes his head.

"The traffic jam stretches all over the road, even if we move the cars out of the way we will lose a lot of time and I doubt we will make any progress."

"Well, thanks Daryl..." Rick tells him sincerely.

Daryl nods and pulls away a bit to park so as not to disturb. Again there's that complicity between the two men that makes you smile. Somehow Daryl is detoxing from the shitty character Merle had that he emulated.

"We'll look for a spare for the caravan, plus I'm sure in these cars we can find some things we can use for the trip besides fuel. We'll stock up and be on our way." Rick proposed to which you all agreed.

Actually rummaging through the lost items of other people who might be dead or trying to survive is a bit violent at first, but then you try to get that idea out of your head and grab some bags with clothes and other things that might be useful to you. Everyone has scattered down the road on their own quest. Leaving the clothes inside the caravan you approach Daryl. It's possible that you made a mistake the night before, but you need to talk it over with him, you don't want tension to build up between you.

Not like this.

"Daryl..." You call out to him as he pokes his head out from inside a car.

"What?" He looks at you with eyes dwarfed by the sun.

"Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about." He's blunt and you can sense he's frustrated, you sigh and clench your hands nervously.

"I'm sorry about the kiss last night." You whisper, but he's heard you perfectly, his body tensing like a rope. "I-I was drunk... I guess I got carried away feeling safe after everything that had happened and..."

"So what, ya go around making out with all the guys around ya?"

"No! I-I'm just saying that I didn't... I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable..."

"I'm not."

"Then why are you ignoring me?"

"Y'ain't the fuckin' center of the fuckin' world, y'know?" He walks slowly towards you. "Ain't think yer so important, not to me or anyone else. No one is important in the world. Not anymore." He growls again and shoves you away with a shove with his shoulder as he walks past you.

You try to calm down, you know that when you try to confront Daryl, he always lashes out like a wounded animal. You've apologized, you think you've done the right thing. Just because Daryl is an attractive man and cares for you makes you feel good, it doesn't give you the right to kiss him like you did. You return to the group when you see Dale make a frightened gesture on the roof of the caravan, suddenly you see a huge group of infected appear along the road and you quickly hide to go unnoticed. Your goal is to get back to the caravan to be safe, Daryl pulls you to dodge one of the infected by sticking an arrow in his head and throwing him to the ground carefully not to make noise, he gestures for you to be quiet and gives you his knife. You tremble at the weight of the weapon in your hand, but nod as he walks away. Everything is chaotic for a few seconds and things don't get any better when you see Sophia running off being chased by several of those infected.

The image of Noah appears in your mind and your heart skips a beat before you realize what you're doing; you jump the guardrail with Daryl's knife still in your hand and run after the girl wanting to help her. You're not the only one, Rick and Daryl have also gone looking for her, but after Grimes has pulled her to safety, Sophia has disappeared. Agitation overcomes you. She's just a little girl, scared and lost, Rick has given her directions on how to get back on the road with the others, but she hasn't returned.

"My little girl is out there, all alone." Carol whimpers and it breaks your heart.

"We'll go out and look for her, follow her tracks." You try to comfort her, Rick, Daryl nods adjusting his crossbow against his chest.

"Gimme the knife." He tells you and you shake your head. "...Gimme." He uses your name and that makes you shudder, it sounds strange and at the same time good in his mouth.

"No, we need to know how to defend ourselves and..."

"Now is not the time, that girl is lost." He shushes you.

"We'll look for her between all of us. Look around here in case she comes back, Daryl come with me." Rick asks you and the two men leave without adding anything else.

The knife is still in your hands but you feel as if you have lost the argument with him. Shane walks up to you, since Lori ignores him his mood has changed.

"You won't kill any zombies with that." He tells you and pulls out a gun. "This is more effective."

"With this you avoid the noise and the zombies don't pick up our movements."

"If you're lucky to get close enough to stab it."

"They're slow and clumsy, there's an advantage when they only come one at a time." You insist, but he mumbles away.

"Let's check the whole road, maybe he's lost with all these cars out here cutting through." Dale decides.

"We need to fix that arm of T-Dog's first" You say seeing him bleeding. "Let's go to the trailer."

It's getting dark when Rick and Daryl get back on the road, but Sophia is still not with them. Carol can't stop crying, Lori is anxious and Carl is also nervous because he wants his friend back, but there's no sign of the little girl. Daryl gives some pills from Merle's arsenal on the bike to T Dog and the man seems to recover a bit, but he needs rest.

***

At night you can't sleep, too many things are still on your mind and it takes your sleep away again and again. Hearing Carol crying doesn't help you at all either. You sit on the hood of one of the abandoned cars while looking up at the sky. You have to admit that now without all the road lights and big cities, everything is so much more pure and beautiful, even though death is walking the Earth.

"What yer doin' out here?" Daryl's voice startles you for a moment, but soon you calm down.

"I couldn't sleep..." You mumble with a shrug, Daryl watches you and hums nodding his head. "And you?"

"Same thing, hearing that woman cry doesn't help me relax." He shrugs. "I'm gonna explore the place a bit, maybe we missed something..."

"Now? At night?" You look at him worriedly.

"Wanna join me?"

The first word that comes to your mind is no, that it would be too dangerous and you should stay with the others, but you know that no matter how much you tell him that, Daryl is going out anyway and for once since you've known each other, he's proposing that you accompany him. You nod, getting out of the car to follow in his footsteps and pull off the road to the side.

The night is completely quiet, you can barely hear Daryl's soft and light footsteps followed by your awkward movements, try to keep quiet, walking beside him, he seems very calm but his eyes don't stop observing everything around him.

"Do you think Sophia is okay?" you dare to ask after a few minutes of walking.

"I'm sure she got scared and looked for somewhere to hide." He shrugs.

"H-how can you be so calm?"

"Because they're kids." He pauses turning to look at you. "Kids disappear and appear constantly. I was much younger than her when I got lost in the woods."

"You got lost? Merle didn't..."

"Merle wasn't home, like so many other times and my father...well, he was never available." He sighs and you look at him curiously. "I was bored at home and decided to go out into the woods to explore on my own. I got lost. I was gone almost a full day and when I came back I made myself a sandwich and went into my room. No one noticed I was gone."

"Oh God...I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't that big of a deal, except for the itchy butt from wiping myself with a nettle." You can't help but laugh at that and watch as he smiles a little too. "Anyway, with Sophia it's different. She does have people looking for her."

You look at him again and your smile gets bigger, you don't know how Daryl works exactly, but you like how he's being with you now, you know that smile you got out of him, you're not going to forget it easily.

"What?" he asks you when you can't stop looking at him.

"Nothing..." You shrug your shoulders without breaking your smile.

"Yer fuckin' weird, woman." He snorts looking away, feels the tips of his ears burning and at the same time regrets how he talked to you that morning. Sometimes he is unable to stop before blurting out the first thing that pops into his head.

You arrive at a small camp, a tent with an unlit fire, there are some objects scattered everywhere. A few gasps and hisses put you on alert, Daryl pulls you behind his body and you gasp in fright as you discover a man hanging from a tree. You stifle a retch when you discover that some infected has tried to eat him from his feet.

"My God..." You whisper in horror.

"Looks to me like he didn't make it to safety."

"That's not funny, Daryl..." You scold him, looking for Sophia with your eyes, but it seems that no one has been there for days.

"Ya wanted me to show ya, didn't ya?" his voice grabs your attention again.

"Now? I don't think it's..."

"I dunno it cares." He gestures for you to come closer and you obey.

Daryl wraps his arms around your body to give you the crossbow and get you into the right position, you feel his body pressed against yours, his chest against your back. You feel your pulse racing and you find it hard to breathe as your face turns red. Having the hunter so close makes you nervous. You feel his hands place yours on the crossbow, his fingers brushing your skin, placing your hand on the trigger.

"Both eyes open." He speaks in your ear and you get goosebumps. "Ya need to time the distance right." You feel Daryl guide your body to aim correctly at the infected that won't stop writhing in the tree. "When yer ready, just shoot." He tells you again, your body trembles as you feel his lips brush against your ear.

You try to concentrate on what you are doing, on the important part which is learning how to use a gun, not being afraid to defend yourself against these things, because they are no longer people. You take a deep breath and your finger hesitates for a second on the trigger before you close your eyes and fire. You hear another gasp, louder this time, and all is silent afterwards. You open your eyes to discover that the arrow has pierced the skull of the infected with the first shot. You know it's not your doing, Daryl has calculated the distance and put your body in the right position so you couldn't miss, yet you feel a certain pride bubbling inside you. Daryl's body moves away from yours picking up the crossbow again and placing it on his shoulder.

"Next time don't close yer eyes when ya shoot." He tells you with a smirk. "That way ya'll avoid shooting someone by accident."

"Y-yes..." You nod sheepishly, but you can't hide your smile.

"C'mon, it's time to go back. Sophia's not here." Daryl sets off again and you follow a few steps behind him.

"Daryl, wait." You call out to him. Daryl stops to turn and look at you. You bite your lip nervously and reach his position to hold out his knife. "Here, I didn't give it to you in the end..."

"Keep it." He says shaking his shoulders. "Ya need practice, but ya've got guts." He encourages you. "Ya'll need a weapon to practice with."

"Thanks..." You gasp and press the gun against your chest. "I promise I'll stop being a nuisance."

"I'll settle for ya not killing yerself by mistake." He jokes pulling the knife away from your body. "Let's go back."

"Yes..."

You don't know if it's too risky a step, but you're happy and somewhat excited, so you can't help yourself. You move closer to Daryl and grab him by the bottom of his shirt, the hunter turns his head to look at you, you stare at each other for a few seconds, you're about to let go, but then Daryl grabs your wrist and keeps walking. It's not an abrupt gesture, nor a dominating one, he simply keeps you by his side as you walk back to the road, you know that if he had held your hand it would have been more uncomfortable for both of you.

To be continued...

***

I hope you all liked it.

See you in the next story!

#my stuff #norman reedus #normanreedus #daryl dixon #daryldixon #twd fanfiction #daryl x reader

117 notes · View notes

nar-nia · 1 year

Text

8:30 pm

word count: 1.7k

warnings: none

~~~

Jay Park was a horrible ice skater - and that was putting it nicely. He was more stumbling than gliding, his outstretched arms shaking in an attempt to not fall forward. The problem? You couldn't skate either.

It sounded like such a cute date idea. The two of you ice skating together, holding hands while you glided over the ice… and it turned into a mess of intertwined limbs when you crashed into each other again.

"No. No no no," you shouted when you saw Jay coming close to you again.

"I don't know how to stop!" he shouted back, his eyes ripped wide open. "You need to move!"

You saw him coming closer, your feet trying to take some steps to get away. And it seemed like you succeeded, Jay crashing into the barricade right behind you. At least until you suddenly felt something against your foot, causing you to lose balance and fall onto the ground. Before you could even properly realize what was going on you saw another body landing next to you- Jay.

"Hi," you grinned. "Any idea how we'll get up again?"

"Let me catch my breath first", Jay panted. "Whose idea was it to go ice skating again?"

"Mine… sorry."

"Next time I will pick! If we ever get up again," Jay groaned, trying his best to at least get on all fours again.

"I think we're stuck here forever." You started giggling again, Jay joining in after a bit. "At least there's not a lot of people here."

You didn't even want to imagine how embarrassed you'd be if there were more than three other people on the ice rink with you.

Jay nodded, slowly crawling towards the exit. You mimicked him, both of you slowly getting forward, until you had reached the end of the rink and managed to get on solid ground again.

"That was fun!" you grinned.

"Never again," Jay groaned.

"Come on. It wasn't that bad."

Jay didn't seem convinced, he was too busy taking small, wobbly steps towards the next bench.

"Jayyyy," you pouted, your arms closing around him from behind. "Did you really hate it that much?"

He sighed, slowly turning around to look at you.

"No, it was fun. But we really need to get lessons from Sunghoon."

You started smiling again. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'm glad."

Jay smiled back, leaning forward to press a soft kiss on your forehead. "I'm always having fun with you, y/n."

"It's the same for me. Even if we're just crawling on ice." With another giggle you tried your best to get rid of your skates so you could finally walk normally again. "Any ideas what to do now?"

"I do actually," Jay smiled, his hand grabbing yours again to pull you with him.

"Oh? Tell me!"

"Patience."

Your pout was only met with a smirk. You had never been patient, and Jay knew that, but he found great joy in teasing you with it every time.

Jay pulled you along the hallway, his hand not letting go of yours- not that you wanted him to let go anyways. You tried to come up with an idea of what Jay might have had planned, but you couldn't come up with anything.

"Jay what is it," you pouted, hoping that some puppy eyes might convince him to give in, but nothing. He just shook his head, his lips still curled up into a smile.

"Jayyy." Nothing. "You're so mean."

You suddenly got pulled forward, stumbling towards Jay who trapped you in another hug. Before you could open your mouth to say something, you felt his fingers running through your hair, the endearing action successfully shutting you up.

"You really are the most impatient person I've ever met," he mumbled, but his eyes gave away that he didn't really mind. "Bet you won't call me mean later."

Too fast to say anything he turned around again and pulled you with him to his car. By now it was covered in a thin layer of snow, just like everything else around you.

"Do you think we'll get a white Christmas this year?" you asked Jay, who held up the door for you.

"I hope so. That would make our first Christmas in our home even more special."

You nodded, a smile spreading all over your face. Your home. You and Jay had only moved in a few weeks ago, but it already felt like your home. Especially now with all the Christmas decorations you recently put up. You loved it, your heart still felt like it would burst every time you entered the door. Or every time you looked at Jay, which might be the reason why you kept staring at him while he drove you home. You could see him smiling, his eyes rushing over to you occasionally to check on you.

"Jay," you tried again, but he just shook his head.

"Patience." His tone was teasing, so you pouted again, sinking deeper in your seat with your arms crossed in front of your chest.

"You're so mean." All you got was a chuckle and a hand ruffling through your hair.

About half an hour later you finally arrived home, but instead of opening the front door Jay pulled you into your small garden. You were half expecting a picnic, anything to explain his weird behaviour, but nothing.

"Are you gonna tell me now what we're doing?"

"Well, someone whined all month about building a snowman. And since we finally have enough snow now…"

"Oh!" You almost screamed in excitement, grabbing Jays hand to pull him forward. "What are we waiting for then?"

Jay just laughed, his eyes sparkling with joy as he watched you build a small ball.

"Are you going to help me?" You furrowed your brows, hands gesticulating towards him.

"I think you're doing amazing on your own." He couldn't stop laughing, especially when you looked even angrier at him. He just found you very cute right now.

"Help me!"

"Okay, okay." He held his hands up in defeat, before he joined you rolling the ball around in your garden. It grew bigger in no time and soon it got too heavy to move. That didn't stop you from forcing Jay to push it all the way back through the garden, though, until it was placed in front of the huge windows from your living room.

"Now we can look at him every night!"

Jay pushed some stray strands of hair out of his face. "Let's finish him first please," he huffed, but he didn't have to mention it anyway. You were already starting to form another ball.

"Are we making two parts? Or three."

"Two, please." Jay groaned, following behind you.

"Three it is!" you grinned in return, a teasing look on your face.

Before you could react, Jay had gripped your shoulders, holding you in place while his lips attacked your face.

"Noooo," you whined, unsuccessfully trying to get free. "Your lips are so cold."

"Too bad," Jay grinned. "That's what you get for all this complaining."

"I'm sorryyyy." Your whining turned into laughs, your hands moving up to shield your face from the attacks. Jay didn't seem impressed, however, grabbing your wrists to move them away from your face. "...I'm sorry?"

You gulped nervously when Jay stepped closer, his eyes focused on your lips. They scurried up to your own eyes for a second before his look moved down again, his hands suddenly on your cheeks, pulling you closer. This kiss now was different, more intense, more sincere. Not just a way to tease you. You almost melted into it, your hands wrapping around Jays waist to pull him closer. He just smiled into the kiss, his kiss only getting more passionate, the cold long forgotten. You didn't know how long you stood there, lips moving against each other like they never did anything else. You only stopped when you felt coldness, hit your face, eyes looking up to the sky.

"It's snowing," you said in awe, stretching out a hand to catch some of the flakes. Jay did the same, but his eyes were still focused on you.

"Let's finish the snowman and then hurry inside." You nodded, both of you hurrying to finish the snowman. And you were happy with the end result. You had found some sticks for the arms and stones for eyes and mouth, and while you got a carrot from the kitchen Jay had put his scarf around the snowman. He looked cute.

"He needs a name!" you declared, already deep in thought.

"How about Snowie?"

"Oh!" Jay was taken by surprise when you suddenly pressed a kiss on his cheek. "I love it. Mr. Snowie!"

Both of your smiles only grew bigger. You stood there for a while, Jay hugging you from behind, his face on your shoulder, until you remembered that you actually wanted to head inside. You excused yourself towards the shower, trying your best to warm your body up again, before you changed into a warm pair of pyjamas. When you came downstairs you saw that Jay had done the same, two steaming cups in his hands.

"I made us some hot chocolate!"

"I love you," you pouted, taking one of the cups to warm up your hands. "Do you have any other plans for today?"

"Spending time with you," he grinned. You could swear your heart was melting at his words.

"Funny, I have the same plans. Do you maybe want to watch some Christmas movies?"

"I'd love to."

And that's how you ended up on the couch, you comfortably sitting between Jays legs while his hands were running through your hair. It was a peaceful atmosphere, the sounds of the movie quiet in the background while you focused on the feeling of his hands in your hair. You noticed your eyes slowly closing, the whole situation making you more and more sleepy. The last thing you felt before drifting off was Jay pulling you downwards, his arms wrapped around you while you both lied down on the couch.

for minnie 💖 you wanted to experience this with jay and i hope this makes it a bit more real.

permanent taglist: @maeum-your @sunoona @hoonsmarsbar @soobin-chois @sjyuniverse @taekbokki

#jay enhypen #enhypen jay #enhypen fanfic #enhypen fanfiction #enhypen oneshot #enhypen timestamp #enhypen x reader #jay fanfic #jay fanfiction #jay oneshot #jay timestamp #jay x reader #jay park #park jay #jay park x reader

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tawaifeddiediaz · 2 years

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Hi may I ask on how do you color your gifs too? they all look so lovely, especially with the skin color, how do you get it right? I am finding it really hard and always struggle with it btw thanks for you tutorial.

Hi! Yeah I can try!

We'll be doing this scene, and I'm going to stick to the more basic way to color:

(This tutorial assumes basic knowledge of gif-making and adjustment layers.)

Super-long tutorial under the cut:

Few tips before you start:

Adjust everything little by little to prevent extreme changes/washed out gifs.

Don't worry if one adjustment layer makes the other ones look bad. You can always go back and keep adjusting.

Trust the process! The gifs will look different at every stage, as you'll see here, but as we go, they'll turn into properly-colored ones.

A lot of coloring - especially with skin color - is trial and error. Some scenes are inevitably going to be better than others.

Sometimes, it helps to have a few references of the actor/character in good lighting (preferably images of actors, because they won't have the horrible TV filters) so you can refer to that.

Keep in mind that the lighting of the scene (aka, if they're outside, or if they're in a dark room) will affect how they look in your final gif.

First, start with your gif cropped and sharpened (if you need a tutorial, here is my sharpening one!). Fair warning, I'm new to this, and I don't know the super-technical terms so hopefully this makes sense xD.

I'm working in timeline here, and this is what my starting page looks like. Those adjustment icons below the color wheel is what we'll be using:

Here's a small guide if you don't know which icon is which. You can also get these names by hovering over each icon:

My first adjustment layer is always an Exposure layer. This is a pretty bright scene, so we won't need to do too much exposure, but we do need something:

Alternatively, you can use the three droppers over there. I sometimes use the white one (first one on the right) to click on certain white spots to brighten the image automatically, but it doesn't work for all scenes. I prefer manual!

Next, we'll add a Levels layer. I use that middle slider to lighten up the scene, since sharpening and resizing tend to darken the scene.

Then the black slider to put some shadows back into the image. (be careful with this, because it's very easy to make it too dark.

NOTE: some people use Curves to do the work of the exposure and levels layers, but I don't like curves too much. I can make a tutorial on how to use it if you need it, but for now, this is what we'll be going on.

Next, we'll add a Photo Filter layer to get rid of that yellow. Here is where you have to start experimenting with what works best for you.

Photo Filter will have all these options to use:

I usually use any of the three cooling layers to get rid of most - if not all - of the yellow of a scene. The one I use most is Cooling Filter (80). The default is 25%, but depending on your scene, you'll want to adjust things accordingly:

A good rule of thumb is to focus on a part of an image that you already know the color of. For example, this wall is clearly white, not yellow. If the wall looks too blue, then I've done too much of the filter, and need to tone it down. With photo filter, 10-15% works for most scenes, but this scene was super yellow for some reason.

Just for a comparison, here's where we're at right now, with only the photo filter removed (see how he looks more minion on the left side of his face? Photo Filter is a gift xD):

Now, we'll use a Selective Color layer for two things: to remove some of the reddish undertone from his skin, and to add shadows back in.

First, hit the dropdown for Colors and select Red. To remove the reddish undertones, we'll add some cyan to the reds. Here, you really have to play around with things until it looks good. That means adjusting the sliders in a lot of different ways.

(Don't worry about how ashy and "blue" he looks, we'll fix that later)

Next, to add shadows back into it, hit the colors dropdown, and select Black. Here, I move the black slider to add back a few of the shadows. Usually, +3 or +5 are good enough. I've added +13 just because it's what I personally want out of this gif.

(By the way, you can do this on two separate selective-color adjustment layers. I just prefer to do it all on one.)

Next, (this is usually my last adjustment layer) we'll add a Vibrance layer. I do this layer just because I like to add a little bit of warmth back into the gif. The same thing can be achieved with another Photo Filter layer, I just like the pop of color I get with the vibrance layer.

And that's all! Here's what the final gif looks like:

Skin-color tips and other last tips:

For this gif, I didn't really need to go back to adjust the previous layers (for example, to remove more red or something), but sometimes, you have to keep playing around with it.

Some scenes have them very red, and sometimes, removing yellow by adding blue to a layer will make a gif look more red - in cases like these, using a color balance layer helps on top of the photo filter. Adjust midtones and highlights to have more cyan to remove the redness.

For darker skin-tones, I find that removing all the red will take all the warmth out of the skin? You have to be more careful then, to not completely change the undertones. Just remove the excess reds that come from the filters/film/lighting. (I can try to make a tutorial with a dark-skinned character if you'd like.)

An unavoidable part of adding adjustment layers is that it will decrease your quality just a lil bit - not enough to be noticeable, but just so you're aware in case that's a thing for you.

Sometimes, if you're going to gif a scene multiple times, it helps to just make note of the settings you're using somewhere so you don't necessarily have to start from scratch.

It also helps to step away from the gif for a bit and then come back to view it with new eyes. This is because you can get desensitized to all the changes, and I often find myself picking up errors in my coloring when I do this.

Gifs look different on different devices! Just a thing to keep in mind.

I hope this helps, and it wasn't too confusing! A lot of this tends to be practice, so just keep on trying. I usually try giffing multiple types of media for practice (i.e. multiple shows/movies - that's why there are so many Bollywood gifs on my blog!).

Happy giffing!

#zee's tutorials #tutorials #coloring tutorial #coloring #photoshop tutorial #resources #completeresources #ps help #userkosmos #userrin #tuserkay #usermarsy #userphotoshop #usermare #userdahlias #userisha #thank you neethu and isha who had to put up with my panic over this djsklj #and nova for helping me pick a scene <3

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thatmarvelobsessedteen · 7 days

Text

Not planned...not at all

Cassian x reader

Azriel x OC! reader's cousin

Short Summary: Two girls, cousins, somehow find themselves inside a slightly modified version of their favorite book saga ACOTAR. What will happen to them, things have changed and not just their situation but themselves...are those pointy ears they now have?

Chapter 2

Do not be miss lead though. Nell did have a bite, you just had to go for those near her to see it.

Her hair thick and curly, completely unruled and almost always looking like a lion's mane Nell took pride in keeping it fluffy and bouncy. Taller than her younger cousin, standing at 1'70 meters it still wasn't uncommon to see Roxy stand up for her.

However you dare talk shit about Roxanne and you'd think to be looking at another person, words singled out and sharpened to hurt you no dumb insults would be used she'd find and old wound and tear it open again.

Shining hazel colored eyes growing poisonous and heartless in seconds if the threats were no longer at her but at someone else.

"I'm done! Let me just fix up the braid so it looks a bit more puffy and I'll be doing a quick braid on myself we can take pictures after, that way our moms stop pestering us."

Roxanne gave back an excited yay at the return of her freedom of movement, raising up her phone to Leonor's height on the bed behind her after a moment.

"Look what I found, apparently it's a weird remake fanfic of that series ACOTAR the one we were so obsessed with at age 15!"

Leonor snorted at the memory of the endless audios the two used to send each other complaining and gossiping about the characters in those books.

"The more I think about it the less we should've been reading that type of books with such an age! It really didn't help our case to rid of the nickname 'book witches' you know."

When Nell finally let go of her hair to deal with her own Roxanne turned around with a clearly unimpressed look.

"Need I remind you who was OBSESSED with a certain war general in this series?!"

Rolling her eyes Leonor worked skillfully and with speed on finishing her loose french braid before answering Roxy.

"I was obsessed with almost every character at the time, like Sherlock or Loki! It was a sweet series thought I really loved it although I remember wanting to burn every book when Nesta ended with Cassian. She just didn't deserve him I knew that much..."

Both girls sat crisscross, the older one still on the bed while Roxy sat on the ground both in their leggings and two sizes large matching hoodies, remembering all the stories they used to create in their head alternate ending for their favorite books. ACOTAR had been the series that had by far inspired the most stories where they both selfishly included themselves dating their favorite characters or having Illyrian bat like wings.

"Yup we are reading this, doesn't look too bad and if anything we'll have a laugh! Probably just another teenage girl that unlike us had the guts to write down and publish what she's imagined"

Roxy did make a good point. What's the worst that could happen it's just a strange link to a fanfiction after all!

#cassian acotar #cassian x oc #cassian x you #cassian x reader #cassian #azriel x oc #acotar #acotar x you #acotar x reader #acotar x oc #a court of thorns and roses

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ask-fantasy-sanders-sides · 2 years

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Well v dont you know of any healers that could help? We could use all the help we can get.

“Why didn’t you let her heal you?! Can I—”

“No,” Virgil frowns, tone resolute, “I don't want you or anyone else wasting your energy now. We'll all need it later if Illia is even half the warrior I remember.”

“It's not like I'm going to run out. I generate more healing magic every day than I know what to do with! Sometimes I push myself a little just so I have an excuse to get rid of it.” Roman argues.

And it’s true, most days; He isn’t just reckless for the fun of it. He can feel the magic in his body, a blaze of fire under his skin burning him from the inside out. It doesn’t hurt or itch like hiding his wings, but it’s ever-present and just too hot, like a fever. It builds up at dawn every day, and then he’s lit like a firework from head to toe, from the second he wakes up until the moment he uses it up. It leaves him restless and uncomfortable when he goes too long without a fight, without an excuse to unleash a spell or two.

“Please? You'll be in a better condition to fight if you can walk comfortably.”

That gets Virgil’s attention, finally. He holds his frown while he thinks about it.

“You promise you don’t run out?”

“Not nearly as easily as you seem to think I do.” Roman smiles, knowing he’s won, “I’m an angel, remember? I’m built to go around healing whole villages of plagues and stuff like that.”

“Fine.” Virgil huffs, reluctantly offering his hand.

Gently, mindful of the wounds on his arm, Roman presses his lips to Virgil’s hand. In moments he sees that red color tint the edges of his vision — telling him his eyes are glowing — and feels a surge of energy move between them through the point of contact.

It feels a lot like the way you can feel heat leave your body when you touch something freezing. It would be a little nauseating if he hadn’t been doing this since he was a child. It doesn’t take much from him to close Virgil’s wounds, since it seems he’d gotten the worst of it treated already, but Roman doesn’t close the spell until he’s certain Virgil’s been fully healed. At the end, instead of leaving Roman cold he feels a bit more settled. The burn settles down to something more manageable, like standing in the summer sun.

Roman moves away, and Virgil stares open-eyed at himself for a moment, turning over his limbs to access the damage. He begins unwrapping the now unnecessary bandages on his legs and torso, giving Roman a side-eye that’s as suspicious as it is impressed.

“I know you’re an angel, but Remus usually gets exhausted after fixing a scratch or two. I didn't want to hurt you.”

“Well I’m far from hurt,” Roman laughs, puffing his chest a little, “And I have plenty more to give. Remus’s healing talent is almost nonexistent, but he got other benefits from our divine parentage. You might have noticed how inhuman his strength and pain tolerance are.”

“I thought that was mostly because he's a masochist.”

That shocks a coughing laugh out of Roman, making Virgil smile. Roman rolls his eyes,

“That too. But, really, that was his gift from Mom. Apparently all of us half-angels are supposed to be near-invulnerable and bursting at the seams with holy magic, but for whatever reason me and Remus each only got half of our gifts.”

Roman sits back on his hands, checking on Annie while Virgil’s still unwrapping himself. She went and laid down on Logan once they’d gotten him onto the bed, looking like she was about ready to cry. Thankfully, Virgil translated that she was just nervous that she couldn’t hear his heartbeat. She had her head flopped onto his stomach. After a little repositioning, she conked out right there, still exhausted from her time at the party.

“Mama always thought it was some sort of sign from the gods that we were ‘always meant to stick together.’" Roman continues mindlessly, watching Annie for a moment to make sure she’s breathing calmly, “Watch out for your big brother, mijo. You're a team. Funny team, a healer and a fighter that can’t die. What do you need a healer for if you can’t hardly get hurt?”

He turns back to find Virgil staring at him, something strained in his expression. Roman startles at the scrutiny, quickly looking away and changing the subject.

“Hey, do you know where a blade and some ribbon are so I can get this mess under control?” Roman gestures to his overgrown-again beard and hair, “No use just sitting around while we wait for them to come back.”

“Oh, sure. I still keep some supplies for his mustache in my bag,” Virgil motions to Remus, “I’m sure we can make it work. I don’t think it expires… Come on, there’s a washroom right there.”

Virgil fishes in his discarded quiver-bag-thing for a small, sharp knife and a small pair of scissors, probably from the sewing kit he used to fix Annie’s shift thing. He gets up and walks over to the wall opposite the bed, and holds his hand up to it.

“Do you want me to do it? I'm not very fast, but I won't cut you. I used to do it for Ree and my sisters all the time.”

“You don’t have to!” Roman flushes a light, considering doing something so intimate, “I’ve got it. I can stand a nick or two, anyway.”

A minute passes, and Virgil seems content, pushing the door open and leading Roman in. Hidden almost seamlessly in the wall is a little cubby with a mirror and a bowl etched with elven runes along the rim. The water inside is so clear that it took Roman a second glance to notice it was there.

Virgil stands in the doorway, propping it open where he can keep and eye and ear on the others.

“You did that trim yourself, before? For the party?”

“Uhh, no. I've always been clumsy with a blade.”

Virgil smirks, and Roman cuts him off,

“Not just the sword, before you even make a snarky joke.” Roman smiles, reaching down to touch the surface of the water. A speck of dirt on his finger disappears as soon as it touches the liquid, confirming Roman’s suspicions; they have the same spell on their worship pools in the temple back home.

“Remus did it for me. I did our makeup,” Roman explains as he starts fiddling with the knife, figuring out how to hold it and trying to remember what his brother had done before,

“He never misses an opportunity to gloat, and he was always the better hairdresser between us. I still want to get this mess under control, though.”

Roman begins to shave his cheek, being careful not to slice himself. It’s easier with Virgil’s knife, oddly enough, thanks to how ridiculously sharp it is. It’s not going to be flawless no matter how much Roman fiddles with it, so he forces himself to accept a measure of imperfection rather than over-correct too much and cut it all off. (He’s actually gotten pretty attached to the beard and how grown-up and mature it makes him look.)

Once he thinks he’s mastered the little cheek-pull-curve thing Remus was on about today-yesterday, Roman’s mind wanders enough to attach onto something Virgil said before.

“..Wait, you used to shave your sisters? I thought Elves didn’t grow body hair, or cut their hair?”

“Well, it’s a little less concrete than that.” Virgil shifts his weight from one foot to another, that glazed look in his eyes disappearing slightly whenever Roman gets him to talk,

“You’re right about the body hair, but it’s not uncommon for priestesses and soldiers to have undercuts or patterns shaved into their heads. As long as you leave enough to make a ponytail and that part stays as long as possible, you can do whatever you want. Like that cleric who just came in.”

Virgil shrugs, his eyes flashing red for a moment, “I never got one, but when my sisters wanted them they would get me to do it. You have to be able to trust your hairdresser not to just slit your throat when they get the chance, right?”

Roman gulps,

“I guess you would. Sorry, I’ve been trying to get your mind off of the Underdark.”

“Why didn't you and Remus stick together?

Roman’s face falls at the question almost instinctively.

Well, that’s not about the Underdark, but its not much better.

“I know you two are super weird and grumpy about each other, but you both talk about being kids together so fondly. I’m just curious what could have done it, I guess. I mean, it took a spell to separate Remus from me, and we weren’t together for nearly as long.”

Roman sighs deeply, willing all of his frustration to seep out with his breath. He looks back at Virgil through the mirror, clicking the pieces together,

“Wait, he never told you? Gods, that changes so much— I thought you knew?”

Virgil shrugs, not meeting his eyes even via reflection. He looks out at the sleeping redhead, voice soft,

“He doesn't like to talk about it.”

“What, me?” Roman scoffs, but he tries to make it sound amused instead of frustrated. Virgil shakes his head, his lips turning up in the hint of a smile,

“No, the day you two split up. He loved talking about you.”

“To insult me, no doubt.”

“Well, yeah, most of the time. But in a nice way, I think.” He smiles freely now, “The way brothers talk about each other when they're only pretending they don't care. My brothers used to talk the same way about me.”

Roman feels the need to point out that Virgil and his siblings were raised in an anti-kindness death cult, so he may have different standards for what constitutes friendly ribbing. However, he is pointedly ignoring that topic up right now.

"I won't tell you all the details if he doesn't want you to know. I don't really like talking about it either," Roman deflects. As much as he would like to vent to someone about what happened that night — what Remus did that night — it’s got to be a violation of the Bro Code to shit talk your brother to his best friend.

“Honorable. But annoying.” Virgil pouts. Roman shrugs, explaining slowly between swipes of the knife,

“Suffice it to say, he crossed a line. One I wasn't willing to forgive him for at the time. And he couldn’t forgive me for not forgiving him. So we split up, and didn’t meet up again for years.”

“At the time?” Vigil pries, an undeniable and slightly heartbreaking lilt of hope in his voice, “So you forgive him now?”

“I didn’t say that,” Roman growls, a little harsher than he meant to.

“He’s still never apologized, or even done the bare minimum and acknowledged that what he did was wrong. I’m just...tired of avoiding him about it. I don’t want to hate him.” Roman shakes his head, “Forgiveness you earn, but I can’t help that I love him.”

“Roman,” Virgil smiles, pink ribbons in his irises, “He should hear that from you. If it helps, He doesn’t hate you either.”

Roman laughs, barely avoiding a nick on his lip,

“I doubt that. The last thing he said to me before he passed out was basically a threat. And he called me stupid, the ass.”

“You were with him when he passed out?” Virgil zips upright, wide eyes drilling into Roman’s back.

“What happened?!”

“Well, uhh...” Roman forces a neutral expression, “We were talking, and in the middle of a sentence he dropped. I didn’t see anyone hurt him or anything, he just passed out. Y’know, magic, probably.”

“What were you talking about?”

Roman’s hand slips. A sigh of relief when no sting of pain follows, then Roman looks anywhere but at Virgil,

“You,” He starts, because he doesn’t want to lie, “But I wasn’t really paying much attention to him, since I was looking for Annie—”

“Going to need more details than that, Roman.” Virgil glares, sharp and intense. Roman can feel himself sweating.

“Uhh, well...” Roman fumbles, his face turning redder as he realizes he’s not getting out of this. Remus’s ‘warnings’ replay in his head, his high-pitched, gravelly voice saying things about his own ‘best friend’ that Roman would rather cut out his tongue than repeat. He shakes his head to get rid of that lingering voice,

“He could tell I liked you, so he tried to scare me.” Roman focuses closer on his hands, trying to blur Virgil out of his peripheral vision, “I don’t think he meant any of it, really! He just gets weird about me and dating,”

Virgil chuckles, all at once sounding less like he wants to kill something.

“Awww, ‘dating.’ You have a crush on me.”

Roman’s hand slips again, this time a lot more dramatically. Roman’s hand flies to his jaw on reflex, knowing he’s certainly sliced himself this time. Virgil curses and rushes up next to him, peeling his hand away to look.

“Shit! Sorry, I shouldn’t have teased while you had a fucking knife in your hand—”

Roman looks at his hand, noticing a distinct lack of red. There’s none on the blade, either, and no pain in his jaw.

Now that’s strange.

While Virgil’s still turning over his cheek, Roman follows his gut and holds the knife edge to the back of his other hand, this time trying to leave a scratch behind.

Nothing.

Except Virgil saw that, and he wrenches the knife from Roman’s hand, then knees him solidly in the gut.

“What the absolute fuck are you doing?!” He hisses loudly, and while the sharp sound stung his ears slightly, Roman’s not doubled over in pain from the blow. In fact, he’d barely even felt it.

“No, it’s okay! I did it on purpose.”

“Yeah I saw that, shithead!”

“No, look!” Roman smiles and holds up his perfectly uninjured hand.

“That thing is sharp, right?”

“Of course it is, it’s been cutting your hair!”

“Then why isn’t it doing anything?”

Roman gets a look at his face in the mirror, thinking back to his process. He should definitely have a few red lines, considering the knife and his inexperience and every time he’d jumped. But there’s nothing.

He thinks back further, trying to remember every moment he’d felt ache or pain for the last day.

“Oh my gosh, I remember!! This happened before, too!” Roman is giddy now, flapping his hands around wildly, “Remus punched me at the party and I didn’t even feel it, but he wasn’t holding back! —Here, try to hit me as hard as you can!”

“Uh, No.”

“Come on, aren’t you curious?”

Roman grins, eyes sparkling with excitement. Virgil’s resolve crumbles slightly when he looks up at him, and before long he’s rolling his eyes and flexing his hand, showing off those curled claws that have accidentally pierced him once before.

Virgil groans, running one hand down his tired face,

“Okay, fine. I’ll try something. Please stay still.”

He reaches forward, grabbing Roman’s arm, pushing his sleeve out of the way and considering his palm for a moment. Then he inches his claw close to his skin, and presses as gently as possible, slowly increasing the speed and pressure of the swipe as he goes.

Nothing. Hardly even an indent.

He tries again, way sharper this time, but he still can’t cut him.

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Ask 132 (( @rylaenvol ))

Game Start

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Rules

Most Recent Recap, in case you feel like you missed something!

PCs available: Patton, Roman, Virgil, Janus, and Annie!

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Virgil and Roman call a healer to come check on Remus and Logan, then pass the time talking and freshening up while they wait for the others to return.

#lets roll #ttrpgau art #long post #ask fantasy sanders sides #tw self harm mention #kinda #he's not actually trying to hurt himself really #hes testing out his new superpowers hes fine #please tell me if i need to tag anything else!#Roman is invulnerable now!! Werebear perks uvu #it comes with more werebear drawbacks though >:)#unfortunately Logan is not awake to warn you about what they are

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