#yeah I eat them with chopsticks leave me alone

[writingouthere]

friendswithbenefits!Sukuna x reader. Your friend Yuuji sets you up on a date with his co-worker to help you get over your recent slump, not knowing that his dear older brother had ended it months ago.

cw: none really, some possessive behavior

"He's really great though, I swear!"

"What does 'really great' entail, exactly?"

"Well he's nice! Like, super nice."

You waited to see if there was any more information and when there didn't appear to be any forthcoming, pushed your friend. "Yuuji, I'm going to need a little bit more than that."

Yuuji seemed to think about this for a second and as he did you snuck some dumplings off his plate. He'd taken more than his fair share of the take out anyway.

You loved Yuuji, he was one of the most genuinely kind people you'd ever met. He just happened to have terrible taste in men, aside from his own boyfriend.

"Well, when I got lost the other day, he gave me directions and they were super helpful!"

"Wait, did you find this guy on the street? Are you setting me up with a stranger?" It wouldn't surprise you, Yuuji tended to adopt human beings the way a normal person might adopt stray cats. You couldn't complain too much since it's how the two of you had ended up being friends, but it didn't necessarily mean that whoever he'd picked up off the side of the road this time was your one true love.

"No, no, he works in the school too. He teaches like history or something. He just teaches in the upperclassmen building, so I don't see him that much."

"So he gave you directions after you got lost in your own place of work?"

Yuuji either doesn't hear your tone or he chooses to ignore it. "Yeah, really nice dude. He's also good friends with Maki, so you know he must respect women."

That was actually pretty persuasive. Maki would never put up with any man who was a piece of shit, maybe there was something here.

"Is he cute?"

Yuuji scratched his head and tried to take some dumplings off your plate while you blocked him with your chopsticks.

"I mean I guess, he always looks kind of sad but you're into that right?" You blocked his attempts at stealing your dumplings with a little more aggression than necessary at that.

"I am not!"

Yuuji hummed unimpressed, chewing on the dumpling he'd managed to snatch away while you argued. Thief.

"He's like a little taller than me, pretty eyes and he's stronger than he looks. He actually beat me in some sparring matches last year when the teachers competed." You listened even as you scowled at the way Yuuji said all this with his mouth still full of stolen food. He swallowed and gave you a mischievous smirk. "He has really nice hands too."

"Yuuji!"

"They're big and his fingers are long but not too skinny, they kind of remind me of Megumi's-"

"Who the fuck are you talking about?"

You stiffened as Yuuji's older brother walked in, scratching his bare midriff since he seemed to have once again forgot that wearing shirts was an expected human behavior. Even though he was only a few years older than you and Yuuji, he always seemed larger than life. Maybe because you had known him for so long.

"Yuuta, this guy I work with," Yuuji said, pouting when his brother stole some of the food off his plate. Served him right. "Hey! I asked you if you wanted anything before I ordered it."

"And I told you, I don't want any of this garbage. I'm just sampling," Sukuna said as he popped another piece of chicken in his mouth.

"Go eat your stupid healthy food then and leave our garbage alone," Yuuji protested pushing the plate out of Sukuna's reach. Naturally, this led to Sukuna shoving Yuuji's head into the table as he reached over and stole more food off the tray in the middle.

"So why are you talking about Yuuta's hands anyway. You and Fushiguro finally call it quits?" Sukuna's tone was casual but you had once seen him knock out a guy for groping Megumi in a club. If the day came where Yuuji and Megumi actually broke up, you think he might take turns knocking sense into both of them.

"Mnat mor me."

"Huh," Sukuna said even as he kept Yuuji's face pressed to the table. You rolled your eyes.

"He's saying that he's not the one interested, he's trying to set me up with him." You tried to push down the guilt you felt as you spoke after all you had nothing to be guilty about.

There was a flash of something in Sukuna's eyes but it was gone before you could identify it and with one last shove that had Yuuji groaning, he let him up.

"That hurt, you bastard!"

"Not an insult, I'm literally a bastard," Sukuna said and Yuuji rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, anyway, back to helping you get laid-"

"Hey!"

"-I'll let Yuuta know you'll meet him at six?"

"Can you make it eight, only old people eat at six." Yuuji nods and goes to type something in his phone. There's an awkward silence that he doesn't seem to notice and you can't help but look at Sukuna who hasn't taken his eyes off you.

"Didn't realize you were so desperate," Sukuna says and Yuuji doesn't look up from his phone before throwing a punch at him. Sukuna dodges, his eyes still on you.

"There's nothing wrong with going on a date," you say and you wonder who you're convincing. "It has been a while since a nice guy took me out."

"Ah right, I forgot you liked nice guys." His tone is too knowing and you feel yourself flush.

"Stop picking on her, Sukuna. Don't you need to be going to the gym, anyway?" Yuuji asks, finally putting down his phone. He seems to attribute the current tension for you and Sukuna's usual animosity. You wonder if that's all there is to it. Sukuna scoffs and walks back to his room. You still weren't sure why he'd even come out in the first place.

"Whatever, you two have fun planning the wedding," he says, his tone making your hackles rise.

"Say hi to Uraume for me," Yuuji calls back, oblivious. "Tell them I still want a rematch after last week."

Sukuna waves a hand before shutting the door to his room. Yuuji turns back to you and the two of you talk about other topics while your mind wanders.

You weren't doing anything wrong. Were you?

You and Yuuji decide to meet up with Megumi and Nobara for a movie before you need to get ready for your date. While Yuuji goes to his room to change, you head to the kitchen to clean up the remains of lunch.

You're putting some glasses in the sink when you feel a warm presence at your back. You can't hold back your sigh as a familiar pair of thick arms comes to wrap around your waist and a pair of lips presses gently against your neck.

"I haven't seen you in forever," Sukuna murmurs, the movement of his lips against your neck sending a familiar pulse of want to your core. You tell yourself not to let the soft gesture get to you. He never did shit like this without a purpose and his usual purpose isn't going to be fulfilled with Yuuji in the next room.

"You saw me last week, Sukuna," you remind him before leaning away from him to close the dishwasher. His hands slip down to your hips and you just know he's staring at your ass. You roll your eyes even as he pulls you back to him once you're standing. His hands pressing into the curve of your hips, putting pressure on them in that way that makes you melt.

"That's too long, princess. I was getting lonely," he teases and you feel him smirk against your cheek. "You must be lonely too."

"Actually I'm just fine," you tell him but you tilt your head so he can kiss the skin of your face, your neck, the parts of your shoulders revealed by the stretched collar of your old t-shirt. You let him lull you into a false sense of security before he reminds you why that's a bad idea.

"Really? I just assumed you felt lonely and that's why you were agreeing to go on dates with losers you've never even met."

There it was. This was why you couldn't let Sukuna get soft with you. He never did it without returning your vulnerability with malice.

"Sukuna," you say and you go to pull his arms off you but he pushes you into the counter, you wince as the cold stone presses against your body. "Let go of me." Your tone is calm even as emotions band their way across your throat.

"I would, but you seem to get lost when I let you out of my sights. I mean you're going to go on a date with some high school teacher?"

"Your brother literally has the same job?"

"Well, are you going to fuck my brother too?"

"For fuck's sake, Sukuna, get off me!"

Sukuna does let you go but only so he can turn you to face him.

Sukuna doesn't get mad the way normal people do. Usually he's just amused, maybe even mildly annoyed, but blatant rage isn't his thing. After your years of-acquaintanceship? light antagonism?-friendship, you recognized this as the stage where he was about to make his insults increasingly personal until you needed to go cry in the bathroom later.

"We are not dating," you tell him and he rolls his eyes.

"Obviously."

"Therefore, I can go on dates with other people."

"I don't give a fuck if you go on dates with other people."

"Great, because I'm going to go on this date tonight."

"Good for you."

"Yes, yes it is good for me!"

"You seem really happy with your choices," Sukuna goads in that tone of his. You hate that tone.

"I am. I don't plan on just accepting whatever scraps some loser will throw me when there are actually decent guys who want a real relationship."

Sukuna narrows his eyes at you. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I wasn't being subtle," you tell him before leaning back against the counter. Going for casual, knowing you're not quite hitting it. "Don't worry, I don't hold it against you. You can't give what you don't have, you know?"

"No, I don't know," Sukuna bites out and if he was anyone else, you would think you'd hurt his feelings but this wasn't anyone else and there was no way something you said bother him.

"You're just not a relationship person and that's-that's fine, I knew that before we started this thing. It's just, sometimes I want more." You soften your tone from earlier but it doesn't do anything to relieve the tension between the two of you.

"And this, Yuka is going to give you that?" He sounds bitter and he's not touching you. You'd been the one to tell him to back off but you couldn't remember the last time he hadn't had his hands on you in some way when it was just the two of you.

"I think his name was Yuuta," you correct before his expression tells you this is the wrong step.

"Right, okay. You know what, you go on your date and have the best time with Yuuta. I got places to be."

He brushes past you and goes back to his room just as Yuuji opens the door to his.

"Geez, what's his problem?" He asks as he makes his way over to you. You shrug your shoulders and he takes your lack of response as just your normal discontent with his brother and wraps his arm around your shoulder. "Don't let him get to you, he's just a dick."

"I know," you tell him and you do. You know Sukuna's true nature better than most.

You two make your way out of the apartment so you can make your movie and you try to ignore the guilt you feel as Yuuji talks to you.

"You know, he's actually been in a better mood the past few months. I think he might actually be seeing someone. Can you imagine who would be crazy enough to actually date that asshole?"

new series? wrote this to get the rust off so we'll see.

#jjk sukuna #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen sukuna #ryomen sukuna #sukuna ryomen #sukuna x reader #sukuna x y/n #sukuna x you #jujutsu kaisen

[halfvalid]

the blade daughter, pt. 3

ABOUT

pt. 1 | pt. 2 | pt. 3

alternate title: dracule mihawk cures your daddy issues!

rating: mature

characters: live action!roronoa zoro | fem!reader | live action!dracule mihawk | live action!straw hat ensemble

pairing: live action!roronoa zoro x fem!reader

word count: 23.6k total | 7.3k this part

description: you finally soothe the uncertainty you've had surrounding going out and making a life of your own. somewhere inside, you find the bravery to finally tell zoro how you'd feel about him.

tags: mihawk's daughter!reader, female reader, canon-typical violence, cursing, no use of 'y/n', pet names per mihawk ('dear', 'darling', 'sweetheart', 'little hawk'), emotional hurt/comfort, slow burn, kissing, confessions, a lil suggestive at the end

author’s note: ANDDDD SHE'S DONE!!! this was a wild 8 day long ride of writing, i'm a bit uncertain about the ending so please tell me what you thought of it!! hopefully you liked the fic, thank u so so much for reading.

The two of you emerged from the room a little while later. You’d finished cleaning up, and Zoro had kept you company as you cleaned both his swords and Hiru. The both of you walked together afterwards, wandering into the kitchen where Sanji had whipped up a meal. 

“We’re close to the Grand Line,” Nami reported, having apparently steered the ship far enough away from the other pirates to leave the helm alone. “Should reach the mountain by early morning.” She glanced over at you. “Kuraigana Island first, right?” 

“Yeah,” you affirmed. “The Grand Line is… screwed, though.”

“We’ll be fine,” Luffy said brightly. You just shrugged, taking a seat at the table. “Zoro! Did you get everything cleaned up?” Zoro had changed into a fresh shirt, one not so bloodstained, and he gave a curt nod. “Good. Come and eat so we can get ready for tomorrow?” 

Sanji passed you a bowl, and you let out a thin breath. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you wondered how and when this had become your norm—it’d been a week with the Straw Hats, now, and— 

You dropped your chopsticks in your hand. It’d been a week. “Fuck,” you said, the word dropping out from between your lips before you could stop them. Your entire body had gone rigid, pink flushing up your arms and face as something burned deep inside of you. 

Everyone’s heads had snapped up to look at you, matching concerned expressions on all of their faces. “I, um—” you said, scrambling up from your seat, words too big in your mouth. You opted not to finish them, dropping your sentence as you yanked your shell phone out of your jacket pocket. “Sorry, I—” 

You shook your head, hurrying out of the kitchen. The cold gust of the ocean breeze hit heavy on your face, and you let out a breath, the gust of air exhaling out of your chest in a rush. You heard footsteps behind you, but the panic hadn’t bled out of your veins entirely, and your hands shook as you tried to open your phone. 

Zoro’s hand was pressed over yours before you could snap the case open. You stared down at it, and your gaze lifted, the tremble of your hands subsiding as his warm grasp sunk deep into your skin. “What’s up?” he asked, low and steady. 

“I, um—�� you swallowed hard, hitching breath soothing at his touch. “Um. It’s—I have to call my dad.” 

Zoro was serene, tone even and still. His words from before echoed around in your head, the proclamation of not having patience. It’d been untrue after all. “Did something happen?” 

“I’m supposed to have dinner with him,” you blurted. “Tonight. I’ve never missed it before. Because I’ve always been on the island, in our—I’ve never missed it before. I’ve been with you all for too long.” 

“I’m sure he’d understand,” Zoro said, though his hand didn’t fall from yours. He paused, lips parted as his eyes ran along your face. “Or is it something you’re upset about?” 

“I don’t have friends,” you whispered, words fierce. “I don’t go places. I stay at home. This life isn’t mine. It’s—” 

“I don’t think you should dictate what you do based on what your father does,” Zoro interrupted. His tone wasn’t harsh, exactly—but it was strong, tone firm, jaw set as he spoke. “So you miss one dinner. So you’re out and about for longer than a week. Does it matter?” 

Does it matter? Your heart pounded in your chest, and you took in a steady breath, trying to soothe the adrenaline that still pulsed in your veins even now. “I don’t… I’m not used to this,” you admitted, somehow managing to keep the contact of your eyes even as your brain screamed at you to look away. “I’m not used to being away from home.” 

“Everyone starts somewhere,” Zoro said. 

You hesitated. His hand moved carefully away from yours, nudging your fingers to open the phone. Your gaze dropped, staring at the little snail waiting for you inside, nestled in his little bed of velvet. You picked it up, tucking it into your ear as your shaking hands dialed Mihawk’s number. 

He answered on the first ring. “Hello there, darling,” he said, and you closed your eyes, a soft exhale leaving your lungs at his voice. “Are you calling me about dinner? I’ll be there in a few hours, I promise. Just finishing up over here.” 

“No, actually, um—” you cut yourself off, teeth coming down to halt your tongue. You opened your eyes, turning to glance tentatively over at Zoro. Does it matter? he had asked. Which… it did, right? You weren’t a part of the Straw Hats. You hadn’t joined their crew; you’d been insistent on that, pushing away any idea of a life out at sea in exchange for the comfort and familiarity of your home lifestyle. But you’d been making bonds with them despite, and helping them out with their ship, and fighting alongside them in battle. And you’d just patched up Zoro’s wounds a mere hour earlier. You didn’t make friends.

But you were making them. 

“I’m not going to dinner this week,” you said, the words all slurred as they spilled from your mouth. There was a pause of surprise on Mihawk’s line before he spoke again. You squeezed your eyes shut, feeling Zoro’s gaze on you. 

“Finally departed from the nest, have you, darling?” Mihawk said. His voice was soft—tender, almost. “Very well, then. Any idea when you’ll be on the island next, or shall we keep it a suspended date?” 

“I should be home in a few days,” you said, voice hitching in your breath. “I’ll—I’ll call you! I don’t know what I’m going to do afterwards, but I’ll—I’m not going to just disappear.” 

“Well, of course,” Mihawk said simply. You tightened the squeeze of your eyes, trying to suppress the tingling prickles at your waterline. “I’m glad you’re making friends, dear.” 

You made a face, letting out a breathy scoff. A defense mechanism, really. “Don’t get mushy on me, old man.” 

“Me? Mushy?” There was a staticky scoff crackling over from Mihawk’s side of the line. It was such a simple conversation, so—why was it driving you to tears? “I could never, darling, do you even know me? I’ve got to fly, anyway—there’s some pesky pirates around here I’ve got to deal with.” 

“Bye, dad,” you said, the words choking up your throat, all raggedy at the edges, too big as you shoved them up and through your mouth. They grazed your tongue, but the points weren’t edges; they didn’t draw blood. “I—um.” 

The Dracules did not say I love you. Your father was doting, certainly, but he expressed his affection in far more unspoken ways. Presents from all four Blues. A weapon of the highest caliber quality when you were thirteen. Personal lessons in sword fighting. The murder of anyone who dared send an off look in your direction. 

“Me too, little hawk,” Mihawk said simply. “Now go have fun.” 

The den den mushi let out a soft little croak, signaling that Mihawk had hung up. You let your hand fall, the fingers holding the case of your phone going slack. Air punctured your lungs as you inhaled, the salty, crisp breeze loosening your muscles with every breath. 

“Are you alright?” Zoro asked. The words were gruff, awkward. Like he wasn’t used to saying them. You tightened your grip on your case, and then tugged the snail out of your ear, setting it carefully back where it belonged. You met Zoro’s gaze, heart thudding a bit faster as you saw flickers of concern in his eyes. 

“Yeah,” you said. “I think I am.” 

The sun shone bright on your face, the weather of the Grand Line being more forgiving today as the ship sailed carefully through the ocean. Your route was still towards Kuraigana Island, although you were growing more split about it by the second. You’d just had a conversation with Mihawk a day or so ago about you not being at the house—and the fact that you’d have to choose whether to go home and potentially never see the Straw Hats again was a decision that gripped heavy at your heart. 

“Looks like you’ve got a lot on your mind.” You glanced up to see Zoro at your side, forearms propping at the Going Merry’s railing as he gazed out at the ocean. You shrugged, eyes flickering down his side profile before falling back to your hands. 

“I don’t know,” you said. “Just thinking about what to do, I guess.” 

Zoro fixed you with a look. “You should try not doing that.” 

A startled laugh escaped your throat. “What? Thinking?” 

“It gets old,” Zoro said with a firm nod, brow slightly creased to shield his eyes from the sun. “I’d recommend dropping it for at least a few hours. You’re getting wrinkles.” One of his hands moved upwards to nudge against your forehead, and you ducked, another laugh gracing the edges of your lips. 

“Right,” you said, dubious. “How are your wounds?” 

“I’ve taken worse,” Zoro said with a shrug. “Though I guess I’ve still got that one, huh.” He grimaced, lips tugging back to bare his teeth into a scowl. It took him a while to speak again, and you turned your gaze back towards the ocean, waiting for the unspoken words to leave his lips. Minutes ticked by, but you just basked in the sun, trying to air your mind of any thoughts. Maybe Zoro had a point, there—sometimes it really wasn’t necessary to think at all. 

When Zoro finally spoke, his words were quiet; muttered under his breath. You had to strain to hear them, as the thin ocean breeze swallowed them up almost immediately. “I really thought I could beat him.” 

You huffed out a breath, unsure of what to say. Unsure if Zoro even wanted you to say anything. Your grip on the boat’s railing tightening, palm running across the soft wood. You found words falling out of your mouth anyway, though, although you yourself were surprised by them—“You can.” 

Zoro glanced up at you, surprised. “Maybe not now,” you hastened to say, not wanting to add to his clearly already-inflated ego. “But you’re good. You’re good enough to beat him, eventually. In a few years, given the proper time and training. I think…” You swallowed down the phlegm in your throat, alarmed by how wet your voice was starting to sound. You took in a breath, steadying your tone, making certain your voice wasn’t quite so thin or reedy. “I think that’s what scares me about you.” 

“I’m sorry,” Zoro said, all low and hushed. You just shrugged. 

“I don’t mind,” you answered. You felt his eyes on you, burning like a sun on fire, like the stars dotting his skin were crisping over your skin, charred and burnt and broken. Or maybe it wasn’t quite so destructive. Maybe it was a tender fire, crowning a pile of wood and cared for with iron stakes, embers glowing deep in the night to keep warmth fueling a pot of soup, or healing ragged hands after a long battle. 

“Let me get you a drink.”

Zoro disappeared. He returned with a flask, handing it over to you after unscrewing its cap. You knocked it back—it was rich but bland, all dry and earthy. Sake. You’d pegged him more as a beer guy. “Thanks.” 

Zoro’s gaze didn’t move from your figure. It was warm, you decided then. The swordsman was vicious at times, relentless in his fight, sinewy figure slashing cuts into flesh as he sparred with his enemies. But there was a distinction behind the hot, heavy iron of those glares at the look at which he placed upon you now. You couldn’t go as far to say his eyes were tender, or soft. But they were warm. Fire was a calamitous thing, but it had its blessings. 

“Let me take you out,” Zoro said suddenly. Your entire body froze, murmurs of warmth and tingling buzzes pricking up and down your spine. Something inside you lurched—no, it didn’t lurch, didn’t have the unpleasant sensation associated with it. It was softer, burning, guttural. Like a sharp knife cutting straight through your abdomen, sliding into your stomach, prying apart the bones like they were putty. Your chest squeezed inwards, heart pulsating with soft pangs of something. Hunger; desire, maybe. Yearning. 

“Why?” you asked. Zoro just shrugged, effortlessly casual in his movements. You saw a hitch in his throat, a flicker of something in his eyes, a strain in his jaw. Not so effortless after all. “Actually, more importantly—where?” 

“I’ll figure something out,” Zoro answered. “Is that a yes?” 

You turned, glancing up at him tentatively. “I’m not used to this sort of thing,” you said carefully. Zoro just shrugged. He still looked effortless, all guarded, but you could see the tremors and quivers underneath. 

“Neither am I.” 

You pursed your lips, raising your face to let the sun glow down onto your skin. “I have a rule, though,” you said, voice lifting up, more of a tease now. There was a ghost of a smile at the edge of your words, although your mouth wasn’t shaped in one. It was hesitant, careful not to scare you, really; creeping on you inch by inch. “I can’t go out with men who haven’t beaten me in combat.” 

Zoro snorted. “I have beaten you,” he said. “But if you want a rematch—” 

“Let’s not strain your injuries too much.” Zoro let out a scoff, but it was light-hearted, laced with amusement. You just shook your head, the dawning smile at the edges of your lips now, tugging them softly upwards. “I accept a loss when I get served one. You beat me, fair and square.”

“So I get to take you out now,” Zoro murmured, words careful, hovering in the air just barely out of his lips. He turned towards you, the sun outlining his face with a soft glow of gold and orange. He didn’t smile, but there was that soft, burning look again, lips slightly parted, taking in air. “That’s the rule, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah,” you said. “It is.” 

“Tonight, then,” Zoro said. “Ten. Aftercastle.” 

You spent some time contemplating what to wear. You hadn’t brought a very expansive wardrobe along with you, only the essentials, so there wasn’t much to choose from—just some shirts and pants, no dresses or skirts in the bare bones of your luggage. You eventually picked out your favorite of the grouping, sliding your signature jacket on like usual, Hiru fastened securely in its scabbard at the back. 

Zoro was waiting at the afterdeck when you arrived, dressed in a dark wrap shirt and his usual green obi. The cloth was nicer, though: his pants were missing their usual wear and tear, and his shirt looked to be made of finer cotton. “Hi,” you said, slipping up next to him. The tangerine tree’s leaves brushed at your ear, and you glanced up at it. The fruit was ripe, round and as bright orange as Nami’s hair. 

“Hey,” Zoro replied. One of his forearms was propped against the afterdeck railing, and the other wrapped around the side. You put your hand beside his, pinky just inches away from his. “Do you know any constellations?” 

“Some,” you said, squinting up at the sky. You could point a few of them out, but not many—the sky was cloudy tonight, most of the stars blocked out by dull puffs of gray and blue. “You?” 

“No,” Zoro answered. “Was never really interested in that kind of thing.” He glanced over at you. You’d turned your attention on the trees, again, plucking one of the tangerines off the branches. The tree trembled, its leaves quivering with soft swaying motions. You dug your nails into the flesh, peeling it carefully. “Why’d you just stay home?” 

“I don’t know,” you said with a shrug. “My dad used to not let me leave. He stayed with me until I was maybe twelve, for the most part. Then he started going out more, but he didn’t want me to come. Something about it being dangerous. He dropped the ban when I was sixteen, but…” you hesitated, tucking the shredded pieces of tangerine peels in your pocket. “I just kind of stuck with it, I guess.” 

“Weren’t you lonely?” 

“Kind of.” You broke the orange in half, moving on to pick at the pith with your fingernails. You gathered that up, too, little white lines piling up in the crease of your palm. 

“Yeah, me too.” 

“He always wanted me to leave, I think,” you said. “To find my own life. I was always happy staying there with him, though. Or waiting for him.” 

“You wouldn’t be abandoning him by leaving,” Zoro said. 

“Logically, I know that.” You peeled a piece of orange off from a half, offering it to Zoro. He took it, carefully pushing it between his teeth. He broke skin, a burst of piquant citrus juice dripping on his lower lip. Your eyes lingered there a moment too long, but you looked away a second later, speaking again. “I think it’s just a habit, really. I worry.” 

“I mean, he’s a Warlord of the Sea. I think he can take care of himself.” 

“It’s not that I’m worried about,” you said with a sigh. You popped a slice of orange in your mouth, sucking at the tart juice. “I don’t want him to get lonely.” 

“That’s not really your responsibility,” Zoro answered. His pinky crept closer to your hand, from where you’d returned your grip on the railing. His touch was feather-light, a soft breath of skin against skin that was there and gone again within a moment. “Did you think any more about it?” 

“I didn’t,” you said. “Took a page out of your book.” 

“It’ll come to you eventually,” Zoro said. “Like that one Shanks guy said—actually, I don’t remember the quote. Ask Luffy about it in the morning. He’ll probably go on for a few hours.” 

You snorted. “You’re kind of bad at giving advice, Zoro.” The name came easily, and you stopped, feeling the syllables on your teeth. It was comforting. Natural. 

Zoro seemed a tad bit offended by that. “At least I’m trying,” he muttered, voice defensive but not hostile. “Onto lighter topics?” 

You popped another tangerine slice in your mouth. “Like what?” 

“Nothing light about my life, so I’ve got no idea.” You snorted, choking on the orange that’d made its way halfway down the passage of your throat. You coughed, shaky laughs escaping your lips as you cleared your airways. An amused smile had perched on Zoro’s face, eyes glimmering with warmth as he watched you.

“That was unnecessarily edgy,” you protested. You finished with your tangerine, letting the pith flutter out of your palm, some of the white floss sticking. You didn’t mind it. 

“Got a laugh out of you, didn’t it?” Zoro nudged you, the skin of his finger pressing fully against your pinky. This time, he didn’t move away, letting the warmth of his skin bleed into yours. 

“You never answered my question.” You raised your pinky, lifting it to brush against Zoro’s knuckle. Carefully, you slipped it into the gap of his interdigit, looping your fingers together so they were intertwined. Zoro exhaled shakily—you glimpsed his other arm moving away from the railing, lowering to his side. “Why you wanted me out here, I mean.” 

Zoro pulled up a flask, unscrewing the cap with one hand. He didn’t drink, though, just held the bottle suspended in his hand. He didn’t say anything for a while, letting the soft rush of water from below and the tranquil rocking of the boat fill the silence. For a moment you thought he wasn’t going to say anything at all. To your surprise, though, he raised the flask to his lips, taking a short sip before letting his hand fall again. “You feel different.” 

“Care to be a little less vague?” 

“I don’t know if I can,” Zoro said carefully. His guard was up, that much was sure. You didn’t exactly blame him. “Things have changed since I joined Luffy. Sometimes I can’t describe it.” 

“The crew,” you said. “It makes sense.” 

“It does,” Zoro agreed. There was something magnetic about it, about him—something that drew you in. But you weren’t afraid of it, really. The Straw Hats weren’t scary. Their bared teeth weren’t fangs; their canines remained unsharpened at their maw. Their lure was more peaceful than that. “We like you. You fit in.” He paused, mouth slightly ajar, a tremor of something on his lower lip. “I like you.” 

Your lungs were empty, devoid of air. Something in your chest clawed at you, trying to climb up your throat, compressing your organs. Zoro’s touch burned into you, interlocked fingers searching an imprint in your skin. You were certain you’d feel it for hours; days; months; years after. “I think I like you too,” you said. 

“Well, you like my earrings,” Zoro said easily. “That’s a start.” 

You turned towards him, at his open stance, tucking yourself in the space between his figure at the side of the ship. The motion forced Zoro to raise your hands away from the railing, but he slid with the action easily, fingers fully interlacing with yours. His other arm remained propped along the ship, flask in his fingers, the skin of his forearm brushing against your side. Your free hand raised up to skim along his earrings, dull clinks of the metal sounding out at the emotion. “I do like your earrings.” 

“Enough to let me kiss you?” 

You tugged gently at Zoro’s earlobe, angling your face up to meet his. “Yeah.” 

Zoro kissed you square on the mouth, mouth full and open, hand slipping around your back. The edge of his sake flask dug into your spine, but it wasn’t a sharp pain, and you didn’t mind it. Your fingers tightened against Zoro’s, chasing his lips with yours, letting him swallow you whole. He was patient with it, smooth and languid; tongue licking into the crevices of your mouth, firm as he mouthed kisses at the lines of your lips. 

You breathed in from his lungs, chest getting tight as he sucked the air clean out of you. Still, you were addicted, utterly devoted as his fingers nudged against your hand and his tongue skimmed along your mouth. He was a good kisser, effortless and smooth, nearly elegant with his motions. He tasted like sake; earthy, woodsy, reminiscent of some sort of mushroom, maybe. It suited him well. 

You let out a little whimper as Zoro’s tongue pressed deep to your throat, and he swallowed it up, flicking lazily along the roof of your mouth. You were getting short of breath, though, so you placed a gentle litany of faint kisses along his mouth before tilting your head back and letting the night air puncture your lungs. Zoro’s pupils had gone wide, deep black swallowing the walnut of his irises. His hand pulsed against yours, steady as ever, but he didn’t speak.

“I like more than your jewelry,” you said, staring down at where your fingers tangled with his. They looked like two pieces of a puzzle, extremities manipulated to slot along each other, palms molded together. “I like the way you move, and the way you fight. I like your face.” You hesitated, playing with Zoro’s fingertips to distract you from your words. 

“You don’t have to say it,” Zoro said. 

“No, I think I do.” A ghost of a smile flickered up your mouth; a corpse, really, one that had forgotten it wasn’t really dead after all. “I like you, Roronoa Zoro.” 

Zoro’s fingers squeezed tighter against yours. There was no click, no noise of finality, no settlement of a suspended thread. You supposed it didn’t work like that. Life didn’t stop and end. You went on. You’d see Zoro in the morning, again, after you’d gone to sleep, and things would continue like normal. “Okay,” he said. “Late enough for you to go to bed, yet?” 

“I could go either way,” you answered. “Staying out here wouldn’t be so bad either.” 

“Fine by me,” Zoro said, not moving from where he stood. “So, Lady Dracule. Where to next?” 

“Wherever the breeze takes me,” you answered, but there was a decision settling down in your chest. One you weren’t so afraid to look at anymore. 

Kuraigana Island was just as you’d left it, sky dark as night even in the middle of the day, rotted ground crunching dust and rocks underneath your feet. The Going Merry had docked in one of the number of homemade boat berths Mihawk had made sometime in your youth. 

Usopp let out a low whistle as the Straw Hats stepped onto the island, head practically turning around in a 180 degree spin as he craned his neck to look around. “You live here?” 

“It’s quaint,” you said defensively. 

Nami gave you a sympathetic look. “It really isn’t.”

“Why is the sky black?” Luffy murmured in amazement, casting his gaze upwards to the overhang of rumbling clouds that existed perpetually over the island. “Have you never seen sun in your life?” 

You rolled your eyes, leading them through the gravelly path up to your house. Their reactions were, well, nothing short of the expected—Sanji’s eyebrows lifted, and Zoro let out a low whistle as he took in the sight. 

“It’s like Kaya’s house,” Usopp breathed. “But… bigger. And more spiky!” 

“It needs a paint job,” Nami deadpanned. You snorted. 

“I’ve been trying to get him to renovate for forever. Good luck.” You cleared your throat, suddenly awkward as the group walked closer and closer to the house. Your footsteps slowed, until you came to a full stop a few meters off the front door. The Straw Hats grouped around you, curious. “Just… don’t be weird, please. Nami, don’t steal anything unless it looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in thirty years. I only bother to polish the important stuff.” 

“Is that an open invitation to rob your house?” Nami asked with a snort.

“Do you have any food?” Luffy asked. 

“Probably not. My dad can’t cook for shit. Sanji can make something,” you said. “Our kitchen’s kinda nice.” 

“Working in a Warlord’s kitchen? I’d be honored,” Sanji said, with a little flourish of his hand. You rolled your eyes, but Luffy at least seemed satisfied. You glanced over at Zoro, who was the only one of the group who hadn’t said anything up to now—his lips were set into a thin line, but he met your gaze, and they flickered upwards just a quarter of an inch. The action was reassuring, almost, and you were soothed enough to start walking again.

The door flung open before you reached it, although the sudden motion didn’t startle you like it did to your compatriots. Dracule Mihawk stood in the doorway, dressed in his usual hat and jacket, Yoru heavy off his shoulders like usual. “I thought I heard footsteps,” your father trilled, voice wonderfully monotone as he bent in front of you, taking your hand to press a gentle kiss upon your knuckles. “Have you brought your friends along, darling?” 

“Clearly,” you said with a soft laugh. It was like all the tension evaporated from your body as soon as your father got near, and you found his hand, giving it a tight squeeze before turning to your friends. “Do you need introductions, or do you know them all already?” 

“I only remember the future pirate king and the swordsman,” Mihawk said with a dismissive wave. “Oh, and Yasopp’s child. It’s no matter, really. Well, come on in, you’re letting in the cold air.” 

Usopp stuttered something incomprehensible about his father, but Mihawk had already disappeared. You glanced over your shoulder at the rest of the Straw Hats. “He’s like that,” you said apologetically. “Just… come in.”

They followed you into the house, glancing around the lobby to take in the decor. You had to admit, a lot of it was rather gaudy, but it wasn’t like Mihawk cared much about what adorned the walls, and you had little resources to work with. Sanji made quick work moving to the kitchen after you made sure that Mihawk hadn’t prepared dinner. 

“So,” Nami said, the words mulling around in her mouth as she lounged by the kitchen island. “Nice place.” 

“It’s kinda scary-looking,” Luffy said honestly. “Interesting choice of decoration. I guess if you like it, though.” 

“Are you okay on your own for a moment?” you asked, getting up from your seat. “I’m going to go talk to my dad.” Luffy nodded, and the others all hummed their assent. Zoro caught your gaze—soft, curious. You just gave him a reassuring smile and slipped out of the room. 

Mihawk was waiting in the living room, long body stretched supine along the couch, booted feet thrown up on the arm. You narrowed your gaze at it. “Don’t put your feet on the furniture,” you grumbled. 

“Sorry, dear,” Mihawk said, though he made no move to alter his position. “Did you end up getting that jacket for me?” 

“I did,” you said, glancing through the satchel that hung at your hip. You pulled it out, folding it with a solid shake and holding it up for Mihawk to see. His golden eyes flickered up and down the garment, taking in the material. Black cotton twill, with red paisley silk as the lining, delicate red lace at the hem and sleeves. The lapels were wide, buttons shiny and black, and it used red stitching rather than black, giving a sort of exoskeleton look to it. Mihawk sat up, pushing his hat back. 

“It’s beautiful, darling. I love it.” 

You folded the jacket in half, slinging it across the back of the sofa before moving around to face Mihawk fully. “About the crew.” 

Mihawk glanced up to meet your eyes. “Yes?” 

“I…” you took in a breath, the inhale shaky in your lungs, bones and muscles rattling in your chest. “I think I’m going to stay with them for a little while, if you’re okay with it.” 

“The Straw Hat crew,” Mihawk said carefully, shaping the words on his mouth, tasting them on his tongue. “My daughter, part of the Straw Hat crew. Well, it’s not the most terrible-sounding thing to say, I suppose.” He paused. “No idea why you’d think I wouldn’t be okay with it, though, sweetheart. I’m not horrendous.” 

“Well, I figured—” you started, voice trailing out into a protesting whine. “You’d be against them? Garp sent you after them. One of them tried to kill you.” 

“Oh, you know I don’t hold grudges over such trifling matters,” Mihawk said with a dismissive wave. “Roronoa Zoro, right? He was watching you the entire time you entered. Wouldn’t take his eyes off you, darling.” There was a particular glint in his eyes, hunted, like he was searching for a quarry. “Something to tell me?” 

“No,” you said, too fast. Mihawk lifted both brows, and you broke almost easily. “Maybe. No. He’s—no.”

Mihawk clucked his tongue, sounding amused. “I suppose your rebel streak was bound to come out eventually. And from what you told me, he did beat you, so I can’t exactly complain.” You flushed, warmth heating up your skin, bringing a rosy blush to your cheeks. “Make sure he doesn’t get himself killed before I can fight him again, will you, little hawk? I’ve got my eye on that one.” 

“Okay, dad,” you muttered, but the tension of your shoulders had gone slack, and your muscles were loose. 

“Will you be leaving after dinner, or will you stay until the morning?” Mihawk asked, standing up to his full height. He stretched, sinewy limbs long and supple. He looked nearly odd without Yoru perched along his back. “I’ve missed you.” 

“Morning,” you answered. “I’ve missed you too, dad.” 

Mihawk smiled at you. “Go make sure our guests aren’t burning down the kitchen.” 

Dinner was less of an awkward affair than you’d expected. Usopp spoke the most through it, and Mihawk was fine to goad him on, occasionally switching topics to inquire about the rest of the crew. 

Sanji had made a fine meal; a grilled steak and onions with a side of asparagus to some kind of white sauce pasta you didn’t recognize. It felt… nice, really, having them all around you. Mihawk certainly knew how to socialize, and Luffy didn’t seem to mind his acerbic tendency. 

“And after I defeated all the enemy pirates,” Usopp was rambling on, “We hit a cannon straight into their mast, and it came crashing down! Oh, you should’ve seen it, man. It was me—well, Luffy—I guess he was the one that chucked the guy into the ship, or whatever. It wasn’t actually a cannon, but the details aren’t that important—”

“What about my little hawk?” Mihawk interrupted, and you had the vague sense to start whining. “I don’t suppose she just sat there throughout the whole fight.” 

“Oh, nah, she got some guys too I guess,” Usopp said, lazily waving an arm in the air. “She’s the one who stationed me at the cannon, she knew how great I was at it. She almost died to this one big dude—”

“I did not almost die!” you snapped. Usopp cackled out a hearty laugh. 

“No, she totally did. Thankfully for her, the great Captain Usopp came to her rescue—”

“Me,” Zoro muttered, words barely audible as he spoke them into his cup. You cracked a smile, and he glanced up, catching your eye. A tender look crossed his face. 

“Okay, yeah, it was Zoro who saved her,” Usopp admitted. “Cut the guy’s head straight off his body. But that’s just because I was busy fighting off the other pirates!” He motioned with his hands, mock-punching the air in front of him. 

Mihawk just raised his eyebrows. “Did he, now? I hope you thanked him properly for that, sweetheart.” 

You shot Mihawk a warning look. “Dad.” 

Mihawk didn’t let that faze him, raising his glass of wine to his lips. “You might want to take him around the island. There are some fairly romantic spots here, ones I brought your mother to while she was pregnant,” he said, mouth around the rim of his glass. You flushed, resisting the urge to lunge over the table at your father—clearly, he could see your vexation, mirth dancing in his eyes. 

Zoro didn’t say anything, eyes tilted downwards like there was something particularly interesting in his cup. Nami and Sanji were murmuring things to each other, and Sanji raised his voice to speak. 

“I knew there was something between the two of you! Come on, Lady Dracule, you could do so much better than the mosshead here—”  

“Shut it—” Zoro started. 

“You most certainly did not know, and you owe me fifteen hundred berry for that!” Nami said, offended. She elbowed Sanji firmly in the ribs, and he let out a low cough. Her head spun towards the head of the table, where Luffy was sitting across from your father. “Luffy, tell your cook to honor his bets.” 

“You bet on us?” you demanded, a squeak of embarrassment entering your voice as you protested. Nami gave you a look. 

“Please. You were obvious.” 

“Well,” Sanji jumped in, “Personally I thought you had better taste than—”

“I said shut it, waiter,” Zoro said, finally looking up to fix Sanji with a glare. He tilted his head to the side, one eyebrow raised, and you stifled a laugh. “And if I were you, I’d give Nami her money as soon as possible.” 

“This is so unfair,” Sanji muttered, but he fished a wallet out of his pocket and slapped a few bills onto the table. “There you are, madam. I hope you’re happy.” 

You groaned. “At the dinner table, really?” 

“Money waits for no one,” Nami said with a little wink, tucking her winnings carefully into a pocket of her skirt. 

“Sanji, did you make dessert?” Luffy wondered. Sanji rolled his eyes, but the sigh he let out was kind and good-natured. 

“Well, lucky for you, I did have the mind to bake some cookies while here.” He got up from his seat. You just gave him a dubious look; everyone had more or less finished with their food, though, so you got up, collecting the dishes to wash. 

You did chores, Nami hanging around you and lending her aid while the other Straw Hats got comfortable in guest rooms or whatever else. Zoro hadn’t budged from the dining room, apparently not interested in exploring the different parts of your house—you could just barely see him out of the kitchen doorway, nursing his drink as he stared thoughtfully into the distance. 

The familiar shape of your father’s jacket joined his side, and you narrowed your eyes, straining to hear. Mihawk had bent over the table, a pleasant smile on his face as he spoke. He didn’t bother to speak quietly, so everyone in the near vicinity heard his words— “If you hurt her, I won’t show the mercy I did the first time. My little hawk’s more important than finding a worthy opponent.”

“Dad!” you snapped, dropping the plate you were in the middle of washing. Mihawk didn’t even look in your direction, even as you stormed out of the kitchen to stand protestingly by the mouth. “Don’t—” 

“Oh, hush, dear,” Mihawk said with a dramatic eye roll. “I’m off to bed, then. I’ve got business in the morning.” He came over to you to brush another kiss along your knuckles. “I’ll be gone before you wake up. Safe travels.” 

“Good night,” you said with a sigh. Mihawk left, then, disappearing around the bend of the corner to head off to his room. 

“...I still don’t really forgive him for almost killing Zoro,” Nami said warily. Zoro got up from his seat, moving over to where the two of you had gathered in the kitchen. “But your dad’s fine, I guess. Not terrible, as far as fathers go.” 

“Yeah,” you agreed, then glanced apologetically towards Zoro. “I’m sorry about him.” 

“It’s fine,” Zoro said with a careless shrug. “It’s getting late. I’ll walk you to your room.” You nodded, drying your hands on a nearby kitchen towel and prompting Zoro to follow you up the steps. The house was large, a castle, really; all dark and winding, with long corridors and tall ceilings. Your bedroom was grand, on the second floor, with a sweeping balcony and wide windows that bore a full view of the island’s perpetual darkness. 

“What’d you say?” Zoro asked, stepping into the room. He glanced around, but didn’t remark in his surroundings, turning instead to look over at you. 

“I told him I’d be joining the Straw Hat pirates,” you said. Zoro smiled at that, the edges of his lips curling up. 

“Good,” he said simply. You moved towards him, forcing him to back up until he reached the plush of your bed. He sat down, eyes not flickering away from yours, soft brown that held an entire universe in them. Planets lined his cheeks, spatters of galaxies that you thought you might revolve inside. “Living here for years alone doesn’t seem like the most interesting life.” 

“It was fine while it lasted,” you said, bending your head down, lips hovering over his. Zoro’s hand came up to press firmly along your waist. “I think I like the ship a bit better, though.” 

“Hm,” Zoro murmured, eyes on your mouth. He tugged you down, but the kiss he pressed against your lips was chaste, and he was leaning back again before you knew it. “I decided, by the way. On whether I wanted your dad to like me or not.” 

You arched a brow, thinking back to that night so long ago when you’d first heard the words on Zoro’s lips. I’m not sure if I want him to like me. “Well?” 

“I do,” Zoro said, nudging against your chest, chin bumping along your shoulder. “It makes sense, with you.” 

A comfortable silence filled the space. His thumb ran a tender circle along the skin of your torso. “I should probably pack,” you murmured. 

“Eh, you’ll have time for that later,” Zoro said dismissively. You laughed, the sound full, straight out your throat. 

“Do I, now?” Zoro’s lip quirked, eyes grazing over your figure. You prattled on as if you didn't even notice. “Did you have something else in mind? You realize after this we have all the time in the world to be together—”

“I told you I was impatient,” Zoro interrupted, and then he was tugging you down, pressing a full kiss to your mouth again. You parted your lips to argue, but Zoro just took that as an opportunity to side his tongue in, and, well—this wasn’t so bad, either. One of your hands came to tangle in his hair, nudging his head just the slightest bit upwards to allow you better access. Zoro’s thumb didn’t stop making lazy revolutions into your skin. “Doesn’t seem like you mind.” 

“Shut up,” you mumbled against his lips. You leaned forward, pushing him back onto the bed, before pausing to lean down and unfasten the straps of his shoes. 

“You’re a real charmer.” Zoro didn’t complain, though, seeming more than pleased when you returned to kiss him, allowing him to fall back onto your bed now that you’d shed him of his footwear. “Little hawk, huh?” 

You huffed out a breath. “It’s stupid.”

“It’s cute,” Zoro said casually, one arm coming to prop behind his head. He drank you in properly, this time, from where you were on your knees on the mattress, unstrapping your own shoes before joining him up on the bed. “You are.”

You met his eyes, and a flicker of warmth crossed over your heart. For a soft, silent moment, you let it breathe. Let it exist there. Let the realization that you may one day love this man fill your soul. 

“Come here,” you said, climbing over to Zoro even as you spoke. “I’m going to kiss you again.” 

Zoro just grinned.  

The Going Merry was just as you’d left it, although Mihawk had provided you with any extra provisions the crew might’ve wanted for the rest of your journey. You’d packed up and brought along your stuff, too, managing to finally decorate your cabin in the ship more to your likeness. Everything was ready, and you stood at the edge of the aftercastle, Zoro to your side as you stared down at the island you’d called home for all the years of your life. 

But Kuraigana Island wasn’t your only home anymore, and neither was the hawk eyed man who resided in it whenever he was not busy doing something else. Mihawk had left in the early morning, but the ghost of his presence still warmed you. This way, it was easier to let go, you thought. This way, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. 

“Casting off!” Luffy yelled, his voice puncturing the stillness of the island air from his usual spot on the goat at the ship’s bow. You turned away from the island, jacket lapping around your legs as the wind whipped against it. 

“Ready to go?” Zoro asked carefully. 

“Yeah,” you answered, turning away from the island. Zoro stood to your left, one hand perched on the hilt of his sword, the other relaxed at his side. His brows were creased, strong against the shimmer of the glinting sun just barely peeking through the darkness of the island. 

The fog washed his features in blue, all blurry around the edges, but you couldn’t help but think he was the most beautiful man you’d seen anyway. 

“I’m ready.”

pt. 1 | pt. 2 | pt. 3

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author's note: i also wanted to pop in and say that i'm not opposed to writing more fics/oneshots of this character and in this universe (hereafter referred to as md!reader) with zoro <3 if you guys have any requests pop them in my box when my requests are open, plus i may write some on my own time too!

© halfvalid 2023

#opla zoro #opla roronoa zoro #opla #roronoa zoro #roronoa zoro x reader #roronoa zoro x you #reader insert #x reader #one piece live action #one piece netflix #one piece live action x reader #one piece live action x you #opla fanfic #opla zoro x reader #opla x reader #opla fanfiction #dracule mihawk #kiki writes!

[haikyuuhoo]

painfully obvious

pairing: gojo x reader

wc: 1k

warnings: none, just some mutual pining between two blind high school love birds

a/n: I will always be soft for this man. He deserves the whole world.

“Hey, buddy!”

Satoru pauses in his descent to his seat, holding his food inches above the table where you all eat lunch together. Normally, Satoru would relish the sound of your voice, would bask in that tone that sounds so excited to see him, but not today. No, today he can’t think about any of that because he’s hung up on that word, that nickname that sounds so absurd that he can’t help but let out an incredulous “Huh?” before he’s even finished sitting down.

Suguru chuckles at his best friend, and now it’s your turn to pause, finally noticing the way Satoru’s staring at you, eyes wide behind his sunglasses and eyebrows raised up so high they nearly disappear into his hairline.

“What?” you ask, eyes darting around the table at your friends. Shoko’s smirking beside you, looking at where Satoru’s finally sitting down and shaking her head.

Satoru presses his lips together, picking up his chopsticks and waving a dismissive hand. “Nothing, it’s whatever,” he huffs, beginning to eat his lunch with a dramatic pout on his face.

You turn in your seat to face Shoko, registering the way she tilts her head so her hair falls in a way to hide that she’s laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, nothing.” You can hear the grin in her tone as she stands up. “I’m gonna go for a smoke. Wanna join?” She gestures the pack toward Suguru and he wordlessly stands up, but you can still see the corners of his lips curving upward. “Be back in a few!” Shoko calls over her shoulder, and the two of them begin to walk away, leaving you and Satoru alone at the table.

You frown, turning your attention back to Satoru and his pout that has somehow gotten even more pronounced. “Did I do something wrong?”

He looks up at you, face a mask of seriousness before he loudly blurts, “You called me buddy!”

You reel back, eyebrows pinching together in confusion. “Okay, and? You’re my friend, did you want me to say ‘hey, asshole’ instead?”

Satoru groans, tipping his head back. “No, but I’ve been spending weeks hanging out with you and listening to the music you like and watching every show you mention and just fucking trying to show you that I like you and you just called me buddy! And that just proves that you don't like me, because you would never call someone you like buddy!”

You blink at him, frozen in shock and cheeks tingling with heat. “You like me?” The words barely come out as a whisper.

Satoru looks down at you over the tops of his glasses with another pout, this one much smaller and—honestly—much cuter than the one he was wearing earlier. “I thought it was pretty obvious,” he admits, and the low tone of his voice makes your stomach flip.

You play with your fingers nervously under the table. “I, uh— I guess I’ve just been so stressed out lately, you know, since we're going on missions practically every other day…” you trail off, waving your hand above your head. “I haven’t been sleeping well and I can barely focus anymore and… I guess I just didn’t notice,” you murmur.

He looks away. “It’s fine, I just— yeah. It’s not a big deal.” Satoru props his elbow on the table and puts his chin in his hand, doing his best to school his features into a mask of nonchalance. “I’ll get over it. Ya know, the whole being in the friendzone thing. Because that’s what we are—we’re friends! And it doesn’t need to be weird now, because we are friends, and we've always been friends, and I’ll just… yeah.” Silence falls between you two, and Satoru clears his throat self-consciously to cut through it.

And you push past your nerves, reaching across the table to gently tug on the edge of his sleeve so you can put your hand on top of his. “You don’t have to.”

His gaze cuts back toward you, letting you pull his hand down to rest on the table. “Huh?”

You close your eyes, and before the anxiety can overwhelm you, you say, “You don’t have to… ‘just yeah.’ We, um… We can be more than friends. I… I would really like that, actually. I just know you’re really friendly with everybody and I didn’t want to get my hopes up about anything so I didn’t say anything because I really like spending time with you and I didn’t wanna make it weird and make you want to stop hanging out with me because I miss you when we aren't on missions together and because I…” You swallow past the lump in your throat, doing your best to get the rest of the words out before your voice fails you.  “Because I like you. I really, really like you.”

Satoru’s eyes are wide by the time you’re done rambling, and he lifts his hand out from under yours so he can cup your face. “Can I…?”

And you open your eyes, shocked by how close he is to you, but you don’t pull away. Instead, you nod, and when you feel Satoru press his lips gently against yours, warmth floods your body. He’s gone nearly as quickly as he came, but now there’s a lovesick smile on his face as he looks at you, and the two of you barely notice your friends sitting back down, not until Suguru slaps his hand on Satoru’s back with a “Hey, buddy!” that makes you two pull apart.

Satoru scowls at him, shoving Suguru's shoulder so hard as he sits down that he nearly falls out of his seat, but Suguru's just laughing loudly at the way Satoru immediately begins whisper-shouting at him, things like "don't call me that!" and "nearly gave me a heart attack, you dick!"

Shoko knocks her shoulder against yours as she retakes her seat, a knowing smile on her face. “You know, both of you were so painfully obvious.”

#gojo x reader #gojo x reader fluff #gojo satoru #gojo satoru x reader fluff #gojo fluff #jjk fluff #jjk #jujutsu kaisen fluff #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk x reader #jjk x reader fluff #jujutsu kaisen

[inactivewattpadauthor]

Liu Kang x Reader: Friendzoned

A/N: Saw something like this a while ago and wanted to make my own version. I couldn't find it again however :')

Warning: Slight angst? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You're just going to get yourself hurt, you know." Kung Lao bluntly stated as he shoves another dumpling into his mouth using his chopsticks. "You know he's with Kitana."

You sat across him at the table, your fingers messing up your hair from the uncomfortable tension you had inside you. Of course you knew they were together... or possibly together, but-

"Yeah, well, Liu never confirmed it, actually. And don't you think Raiden would like, I don't know, not allow it?"

The monk swallowed his food and sighed. "It doesn't need to be confirmed. It's obvious. Denial doesn't suit you well, Y/n."

"I'm not in denial!" Your voice raised slightly. "I just..." Words and thoughts were scrambling all over your mind. You couldn't utter out another excuse.

"I'll tell him how I feel. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right?" You chuckled uneasily.

Kung Lao shook his head at you before eating another dumpling. "Okay, but don't come to me when your spirit gets shattered."

Standing from your seat, preparing to leave, you nodded at him. "I promise I won't. Thanks for listening to me... even though I probably am stupid for this."

After you rushed out the small restaurant, Kung Lao called the waiter over.

"Could I take an order of mochi and a bottle of sake to go, please?"

---Time skip brought to you by Fujin and Nightwolf braiding each other's hair, because I simply cherish the hell out of both of them---

Each step you were close to the Wu Shi academy, each ounce of anxiety swarmed over you, making your stomach hug itself tightly.

However, you really need to tell him how you feel before it's too late. You held it in from him for a while, and it started to tear at you.

Entering the academy, you located him, finding the champion meditating alone. Perfect for you to just approach and speak to him... right?

"L-Liu?" Slowly walking up to him, your hands mindlessly went to fiddle with your hair. A simple nervous habit.

He opens his eyes to see you. He greets you with a friendly smile, making you feel slightly giddy.

"Hey, Y/n! Here to train?"

"Oh... actually... I wanted to speak to you about something."

Liu's face started turning into one with concern, he gestures for you to sit in front of him, which you did.

"Is there something wrong? Go ahead, you have my full attention."

Taking one, long, deep breath, you forced yourself to talk. For a few silent minutes, you told him how you felt. How you were grateful for your friendship with him, how you enjoyed spending time with him, training or not.

And how most importantly, you always wanted to tell him how you wanted to be more than friends with him. For him to be your lover. Even with the chance that he actually has eyes for Kitana.

You finished your little speech and proposal, looking at him, waiting on his response.

He looked a bit shocked, and then... sorry?

"Oh, Y/n. I- I enjoy all the time I spend with you too. You are a wonderful friend and person."

Your heart felt fuzzy. Was this hope?

"But I can't be with you."

Your heart instantly replaced that hope with dread. "Oh... Maybe I came to you too late?"

"I supposed that since I'm with Kitana now, but I never really thought of you like that. Just a friend. Maybe a sister at most. I'm sorry. I hope we can still be friends."

You looked away, tucking your lips, but nodding. "It's fine... I feel somewhat I still got to talk with you." You were just saying that. You stood up, not glancing at him.

"I shall leave you alone now. See you later..."

"Right." Liu Kang said awkwardly. "Again, I'm sorry."

You didn't respond. Just left feeling detached.

When you got home, you sat down on your couch and did nothing. Just thinking and moping. You knew the obvious outcome of telling him, so why does it still hurt?

'I'm stupid for even having hope. Who even wants to be with me? Stupid. Stupid.'

You gritted yourself and pinched yourself.

You jumped a bit as you heard a knock at your door. You gritted your teeth, feeling more irritated.

"Come in!" You yelled, hearing the door open at your invitation.

It was Kung Lao. Smiling sympathetically, carrying a bottle and small box.

"Heyyy, friend, I brought a little something in case you were feeling sad." He gestures to the items.

You sulked more on the couch at this kind action.

"Sorry, should I just leave these and go?" He slowly sets his gifts down and backs up.

"Stay." You commanded without looking at him.

"Very well." The Shaolin monk smirked and sat next to you on the couch, ready to make you feel better.

#mortal kombat 11 #mortal kombat #mk imagine #mortal kombat x reader #mortal kombat imagines #mk headcanons #mortal kombat headcanons #liu kang #liu kang x reader #kung lao #kung lao x reader #kung lao x you #liu kang x y/n #goddesswritings

[ashwhowrites]

Older! Steve x Reader, maybe she works at Steve's enterprise, maybe they're neighbours, idk, I'm interested in Older Steve and how reader and him met

I immediately ran with business Steve. I hope this is what you were looking for and you enjoy it <3 thank you for requesting

The assistant

Steve Harrington became the businessman his father wanted. He took over his dad's company and now ran a business under his name. He dove into the work and forgot about the other parts of life. Parts of having a wife, kids, or even a pet.

He had no one to go home to, he spent all his hours at his office. Buried in his work and only contacted people on his work phone.

Then he hired an assistant, and everything changed.

~~~

Steve held countless interviews for an assistant. Looking through men and women, eyeing their experience, and praying he'd find someone to hire. He wasn't pulled by anyone and it frustrated him even more. His head in his papers when he heard a knock on his office door, he jumped up and his eyes locked on a woman. She stood nervously as she tugged down on her tight skirt.

"Am I too late? I'm here to apply for an assistant job!"

Steve couldn't remove his eyes from her. Her blazer hugged her in the right places and the skirt led his thoughts to run South. He coughed and stood up, fixing his tie.

"No, you're not too late!" Steve lied, eyes landing on the clock, knowing the interviews ended two hours ago. "Come sit, I'm Steve Harrington." His hand held out as she shook it. Her hands were soft and delicate. Fresh-painted nails and rings decorated her fingers. She had a firm grip and was confident.

"Y/F/N, it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled, taking a seat across from him. Steve eyed her bare legs as she crossed them. She was qualified, and Steve was thankful for that.

~~~

After a few months of working together, Steve realized he liked her. He enjoyed her company, but he knew he liked her more than a friend, or even just as an assistant.

She was good at her job. She learned fast and proved her worth. Steve couldn't lose her great work ethic because he found himself attracted to her. He ignored it the best he could.

Until it was Christmas Eve and he was locked in his office. He gave his employees the day off, taking up all the work. He didn't have a family to go home to, but he knew his employees did. And they deserved to be with their families.

Steve refilled his third cup of coffee, walking back to his office to see Y/N sitting in the chair. A smile on her face, and a few brown bags on his desk. All his papers were neatly piled on the side.

"I knew you'd still be here." She sighed, standing up as she offered back his chair. Steve sat down confused as she took out the Chinese boxes.

"Correct, and now what are you doing here? The office has the holidays off." Steve explained she was new and maybe she didn't know that.

"You need to eat, and see that there's a world outside of these four walls, Mr. Harrington." She explained, passing him the food, and taking a seat across from him.

"You can call me Steve, after hours," he smiled, "but I'm fine. You should be with your family." Steve protested.

"I don't have one. I left town the second I could and came straight here." She explained, looking confused at the chopsticks as she tried to hold it correctly.

"Boyfriend at least?" Steve asked, reaching over to help her with the chopsticks. His soft hands covered hers as he showed her how to hold it. He ignored the electricity that shocked through his body and leaned back in his seat.

"Nope. I'm all alone, and I figured you would be too. From what I've seen, you never leave this office. And when you do, it's way too late to ever be going home to a family. You volunteered to do everyone's work so they could be with their families. I think we are in the same boat."

Steve knew she was right, and in a way, he felt comforted that he wasn't the only one.

"Yeah but it's different for you. You're young and have time to start your family. I'm in my 40s and not even close. I sorta gave up and picked work instead."

"I think there's someone for you. Just wait."

~~~

After that night, Steve allowed himself to be close to her. She stayed late for hours and talked with him as he worked. She brought him food, and they'd talk about their life. He talked about his past and owning his father's business. She talked about why she ran away and had no desire to see her family again.

They were both alone, but found something within each other.

On a Friday night, she brought whiskey to share. A smirk on her face as she slammed it on his desk. Many drinks later, their lips were locked as he had her on his desk. Her legs wrapped around his waist as she unbuttoned his shirt.

That's where it all started

~~~

Two years later, Steve finally found someone to go home to. Locking his office door right at five. He said goodbye to his employees as he reached the elevator.

"Tell the wife we say hi!" His assistant, Brittney said. Steve offered a friendly smile and agreed to share the greeting.

Steve smiled his whole way home, never getting over the excitement to walk through his new home and have her waiting for him.

"Welcome home, handsome." She greeted, her arms over his shoulder as she hugged him. Her pregnant stomach bumped between them as his hands landed on it softly. Rubbing her stomach as he pecked her lips.

"Merry Christmas Eve."

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fluff #steve harrignton #steve stranger things #steve Harrington x female reader #older steve Harrington #older steve Harrington x reader #ashwhowrites #steve harrington requests #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff x reader

[yenalogyy]

Nakamura Kazuha | Been a while VI

The dim light from Y/N's apartment cast a soft glow as the two friends sat in silence, the clicks of the game controller providing a comforting back sound. The familiar chimes of the Kart game theme echoed through the room, a playful counterpoint to the unspoken tension.

“Ya! How dare you use the banana peel on me?!” He complained, having slipped down the ranks as Kazuha maneuvered into first place.

“Skill issue,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

His laughter filled the room, temporarily dispelling the heaviness that hung in the air. As the last lap approached, a determined look crossed his face, revenge was on his mind.

Kazuha glanced at him, her eyes searching for something unsaid. The room seemed to shrink, suffocating both of them with the weight of unspoken words.

Unbeknownst to her, he would also steal glances at her, thinking of whether he should tell her of the lingering feelings in him.

The game finally came to an end, his stomach rumbling in protest. Breaking the silence, he suggested ordering comfort food from a local restaurant. After selecting their dishes, they went for one more round of the game.

The aroma of familiar dishes filled the apartment, but the air between them remained unchanged. Memories from their high school days resurfaced, and Kazuha decided to break the silence.

"Y/N, do you remember our last day of high school?"

He nodded, his eyes distant as he recalled that poignant day. "Yeah, we promised to stay in touch, but life happened, and we drifted apart."

She looked at him, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness in her eyes. "It's strange how life turns out. We used to be inseparable, and now we're here, facing the reality of our separate paths."

He sighed, setting down his chopsticks as he met her gaze, as if preparing to share something profound.

Her gaze intensified, searching for more in his words. "Y/N. These past few meetings, I-“

Just then, a ring echoed throughout the room, interrupting the moment. Y/N, looking relieved, got up and headed for the door.

In the silence that followed, Kazuha reflected, remembering Chaewon’s advice not to confess hastily.

As he answered the door, a mutual friend, Chaewon, appeared. “Hello, Zuha-ya~. Hope I’m not interrupting anything. I just got bored and decided that I’d drop him a visit.”

“Oh.” Kazuha giggled. “Looks like this isn’t your first time coming here.”

“I came a few times with Yunjin, of course. Anyways, you seem to be enjoying your meal. Can I play on your console instead?”

“Yeah, sure. You two can play after we’re done eating. I’m gonna take a quick shower once I finish my meal.” Both Kazuha and Y/N continued to eat, engaging in small talk with him before he left the two.

“Looks like I wasn’t too late, Zuha-ya.” Chaewon remarked, though she had arrived due to Kazuha's request. The fact that they were left alone, with feelings untold made Kazuha fear that her words might slip, hence Chaewon’s arrival.

“You were almost~ late. I was about to-“

“Wow. Really? Now I’m curious. Should I leave then?”

“No! Please, stay.” Kazuha hugged Chaewon’s arm, preventing her from leaving.

“Alright~. Anyways, you haven’t told him about ‘that,’ have you?” Kazuha shook her head, implying she hadn’t.

“I see. Just make sure that you convey it to him properly, okay?”

She nodded, and shifted their focus to the game playing in front of them.

#kpopfanfic #kpopimagines #malereader #oneshot #fluff #le sserafim #nakamura kazuha

[smoooothoperator]

untouchable

12: Delicate

Lando Norris x OC (Violet Sinclair)

same group friend, unrequited love, acquittances to lovers, ski trip, love triangle

Words: 3.2k

Warnings: fluff, smau

a/n: and the drama comes back!!!!!

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Every way of feedback is very welcomed

Christmas Eve.

The museum closed for holidays, so I had time for myself. Lando stayed the night and then left early in the morning to go work, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead after getting dressed and a note on the kitchen table.

‘When you wake up call me, I want to ask you something’

-LN

I smile softly reading it, folding it and putting it inside of the pocket of the hoodie he left on my bed, blushing while remembering last night. 

“You know? I want you to meet my family”

I looked up at him surprised, leaving the chopsticks on the table. We were talking peacefully about random things. He said something about his family doing a Christmas lunch all together in their parents house, saying that his brother's family would be there too.

“What? But… How come?” I asked surprised.

“Yeah! It's not funny to be alone on Christmas, and Mila misses you” he smiled, resting his face on his hand. “She can't stop asking about Vivi”

“Cute little Mila” I smiled softly. “But… You said meeting your family. As…”

“Yeah” he nodded. “Violet, you know that what we have will lead to something bigger. And I won't ask you until both of us feel ready to make it official. I like what we have right now, how we are right now. I just… I just want my family to meet my favorite person”

I smiled looking at him, getting up from my chair and went around the table to stand in front of him. He looked up at me and moved the chair back, letting me sit on his lap while he placed his hands on my thighs.

“I would love to meet your family” I smiled softly, kissing his forehead. “I mean, I already know your brother and his wife and kids, and your dad…”

“You know what I meant, silly” he chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah” I laughed softly. “But then I should buy gifts for them?”

“Hey, don't worry about it. I have that covered” he said. “If you want to, buy something for my nieces, hm?”

I smile and nod, hugging him and kissing his lips softly. 

“Are you trying to make me the auntie of baby Athena and Mila?” I whisper against his lips, hearing him laugh.

“God damn it, I didn't know you could read minds!” he laughed. “Maybe”

I smile, biting my lip, making my breakfast and sitting on the table, calling Lando while I eat.

“Hey, good morning” he smiled.

“Morning” I smiled. “What did you want to ask me?”

“Oh, well! Straight to the subject, hm?” he laughed. “Just wondering if you wanted to come to the filming location to see how we work. And well, so you can relax a little”

“Your concept of relaxation is really different to mine” I smiled. 

“Come on, you don't miss my face?” he laughed. 

“I saw it this morning”

“Not enough” he said. “But, yeah… and besides of you coming to the filming, I was wondering if you wanted to have company for dinner”

“Oh?” I frown. “I thought you were going with your family?”

“Not actually” he sighed. “I asked you yesterday if you wanted to come with me for Christmas because tonight my parents won't make a family dinner. My sisters and brother will be with their partners and friends, and my parents will be with their parents and siblings. So… yeah. I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with Max, Pietra and me”

“Really?” I smile. “I… I would love to”

“Wait, really? I mean, if you want to be alone I totally get it” he said quickly. “You need time alone and that's something I'm actually not giving you”

“Lando, I do want to spend Christmas Eve with you, Max and Pietra, okay?” I smiled. 

“Oh… That's great” he smiled.

“Look, why don't you all three come to my apartment?” I smiled. “I'll make dinner, and that will mean that I can't go to the filming because I have to do groceries…”

“Don’t worry” he smiled. “I'll tell Max, yeah? You want me to go there and help you?”

“It's okay, I can do things on my own. If you want to come early that's okay, but I'll go buy presents for all of you, so…” I blushed.

He's just making me feel like a silly girl in love. And I mean, that's what I am.

“I'll go to your apartment once I finish to help you with dinner, that sounds good?”

“Sounds amazing” I smiled. “I'll see you later. Good look with the filming”

“I'll need it” he chuckled. “Bye, I have to go”

I sighed, ending the call smiling. Lando makes me want to be a better person, he makes me want to be worthy of his love.

After eating breakfast and cleaning the apartment a little I got ready to go do groceries for tonight. I just knew that I wanted to do something simple after asking Pietra, Max and Landon what they wanted, so I went straight to the grocery store.

But somehow, the shivers came back. Walking around the market made me feel unsafe. Why? Was it because there were some of Lando's fans? No… It was something worse, I think.

“Violet?”

I swallow thickly, hearing him behind me. 

Harry.

“Oh… Hey” I sighed, trying to sound calm. 

“What are you doing here?” he frowned. 

“Buying the groceries, obviously” I said, sighing. 

“Yeah, I'm not blind” he said, making me flinch. “What, Lando already got bored of you?”

“What's your problem, Harry?” I frowned, trying to not argue “Really, what did he do to make you act this way? Why keep him away from me? If you were a friend, you could see that he loved me and that I needed to be loved! And was exactly what I needed”

“Love? Don’t make me laugh, Violet” he scoffed. “He only wants to keep you away from me”

“You are wrong. Really wrong” I frown, walking away.

I just hoped he didn't follow me, because there was something in my chest that told me that there was something wrong with him. He wasn't acting how he used to act around me.

Somehow I was anxious. The boxes I received came back to my mind, the bad feeling I had in my chest during that day came back again, and I couldn't stop looking over my shoulder checking that he wasn't following me.

When I went back to my apartment the first thing I did after leaving the groceries was grab the boxes and throw them into the trash outside of the building. There's something I don't like about this, and I just hope my guts were right.

I took a deep breath trying to calm down before going to buy gifts. There's no use of thinking about those things now, I only have to ignore it and think about this evening, that's all.

I was with Max filming, getting everything done before going to dinner. We wanted to wrap it up quickly so we could send everyone there.

“Lando! You received a package” one of the staff said.

“Oh? Damn, Christmas came early” I joked, walking towards him, grabbing the box. 

“I guess” he smiled.

I walked towards the table where we had the snacks and I opened it frowning when I saw an envelope. I sighed, opening it.

‘I guess this is your new toy, hm? Have fun with the gift'

I frown and look around, watching as there were pictures inside of the envelope. 

I tried to not scream when I saw them. When I saw her. Pictures talked from the street of her getting changed, of her working on her desk. Pictures of us yesterday. 

“What the…” I frown, leaving the pictures on the table and looking inside the box. “Shit”

There was underwear. Her underwear. I recognize it, she had similar panties one night I slept with her back in the snow. Inside of it there was another note, and I felt my hands shaking.

‘Violet Grace Sinclair’

“What the fuck is this” I frowned, swallowing thickly.

This is a joke, a really really bad joke.

When I heard someone walking towards me I put the underwear inside the box quickly, as well as the pictures and the card. 

“Mate, you ready?” Max said behind me. “You okay?”

“I have to leave” I said quickly. “I… Fuck. I think a fan is stalking Violet”

“What? For real?” he frowned. 

“Yesterday was the same… but only the pictures” I said nervously, grabbing my phone. “I received pictures of her in the morning in her house. Whoever is sending me this, it's a sick person”

“That's why you left the filming and stayed with her” he sighed. 

“Yeah” 

“Go with her. Pietra and I will go later, okay? Just stay with her” he said, placing his hand in my arm and squeezing it. 

I just nodded and grabbed everything I had, my coat, backpack and that stupid box that I will soon throw to the trash. I walked to my car and drove as fast as I could to her apartment. I pressed the doorbell of the front door and when I saw that she wasn't answering I started to panic.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck” I groan, grabbing my phone and calling her.

“Yeah? Lando?” I heard her answer, making me sigh relieved.

“Where are you? I… I came to your apartment and you are not here” I said, trying to sound calm.

“Oh? I'm shopping some things, why? I thought you were filming?”

“I, well… we finished early” I smiled weakly, going back to my car. “I told you I was going to come to your apartment once I was finished”

“Oh, right! Well, if you want to come I'm in Regent's Street” she said. “I'll wait for you in the cafeteria near Levi's”

“Okay” I nodded, getting back inside my car and driving there.

There were many thoughts inside my mind. It's getting out of hand, I never thought that something like this could happen. And I'm not even dating her officially. What will happen if he date? If we announce our relationship? What will be next? 

I parked the car in a parking lot and got out immediately, searching for her where she told me she was going to be. And when I saw her sitting on a table with some little bags next to her, I wanted to run and kiss her, ignoring the fact that we were in the street with many people that could recognize me. 

“Hey” I smiled walking towards her, hugging her immediately.

“It's been a long time, huh?” she said sarcastically, making me laugh and kiss her cheek. “How was the recording?”

“Nice, yeah… Had fun” I said. 

I walked with her, going to the stores she wanted. I just wanted to keep her safe. What if a crazy fan hurts her? What if that stalker is following her and taking pictures of her?

“Can I ask you something?” she said, looking back at me after paying for the last present.

“Of course” I nodded, holding the bag and walking with her.

“This… I mean, imagine we start a relationship “ she said. “Will you make it public like other couples on the grid? Will I go to your races and be the perfect wag and support you in the garage?”

“Hey” I smiled, holding her hand, making her stop walking and look at me. “I won't do something if you don't feel comfortable. I just want to enjoy us for a while, privately. I know there are pictures of us around social media… So if you want to stop doing these things in public, it's okay. I totally understand it”

“That's the thing” she smiled weakly. “I feel comfortable with you. And I don't care if people see us together. I just don't want them to think that I want attention neither your money”

“I know you don't want that” I smiled weakly. “I know you make your own money and that you don't want attention. You never wanted it. So for me it's okay, that's what matters. The world should mind their own business and stop trying to get into someone's life just because they think we owe them something”

I wanted peace for once. I wanted to have what other couples of the grid have, to be loved and receive the support of the fans and not hate and jealousy. I just wanted to settle down and be with the girl I've been wanting for years now. Is that too hard to understand?

She smiled and took a step closer to me, kissing my cheek and wrapping her arm around mine, walking close to me around the street.

Christmas dinner was something I always loved. Since little, my parents and I went to the family house in the village, hanging out with the family and doing the small traditions they have been doing since forever.

Christmas dinner meant that the younger  ones sat on a table together, eating our own food and waiting for the dessert, mixing the drinks to fight the boredom, doing bets of who would get the presents they wanted, or who would have the jumper the grandma made as a trophy between us.

But as you get older you start to understand the dynamic behind everything. You start to understand why your uncle drank too much, why your father is quiet, why your mother is looking at her brother. You start to understand that not everything is magical for adults like for kids. And the sparkle of magic you thought that might hold, it was only a lie the adults told their children to make them happy, not making them see how growing up feels.

When I moved out to live in London because of my studies, the family dinners started to be less, the messages with them started to be less to the point that they were trying to find a way of mocking me because I lived in the city because of my studies. What used to be a few compliments about following my dreams started to turn into jokes. When my grandma hugged me tighter than my cousins because she missed me, their gazes held jealousy and anger. 

And maybe, maybe I was grateful for not going there this year. I felt grateful for once because my parents weren't here to take me with them to the village. I was grateful because, for the first time in the last few years, I felt that magical sparkle again.

“How do I look?” I asked Lando after walking out of the room.

“I'm about to call Max and tell them to not come” he joked. “Black looks amazing on you”

“Thank you” I smile, kissing his cheek softly, feeling his hand on my hip. “You don't look bad neither, Lando”

He laughed and hugged me, wrapping his arms around and placing his hands on my lower back. Since that little talk in the street about our upcoming relationship and what we wanted to do, we just came to the conclusion that we wanted to let it flow. We knew there were pictures of us, both of us received the notifications and Lando already had a talk with his manager about it, so we thought that not hiding was the best option, but make it private, not secret. There was no use of denying things when people obviously know something is going on, it would bring more hate.

“Lately I didn't like Christmas dinner” I said, resting my head on his shoulder. “It was weird, tense… My cousins were jealous all the time, my aunt always asking about my past relationships. So annoying”

“Just think that tonight you won't be with them” he sighed, rubbing my back. “I remember that you always came back from your family house annoyed… now it makes sense why”

“Since my cousin Sam discovered that you and I were friends… he never stopped asking me to get him an invitation to a race” I confessed, sighing. “He was always asking about you and when I was going to a race. Not even my own studies, you know? And somehow that made me mad. That he was interested in who I am with and not in how I am”

“I'm sorry, Violet” he sighed, kissing my temple softly. 

“It's okay” I whisper. “I just know that if he texts me now it will be to ask if I'm dating you”

He sighed and hugged me tighter, taking a deep breath and kissing my temple a few times. I never imagined he would be like this, that he would hold me this way all the time, that he would hold me and kiss me in the street. I never saw him do that with his previous relationships.

“I'm happy to know this side of you” I whispered against his neck. “I don't regret giving you a chance”

“I won't stop showing you how much I love you”

The evening was amazing. The dinner was good, some plates were cooked by me and Lando and others were things Pietra and Max brought to my apartment. And now, with their company, I didn't miss anyone. But somehow, I felt a small pain in my chest, a feeling of betrayal.

“You okay?” Lando whispered, resting his arm in the back on my chair.

“I just… Eloise never texted me back” I whispered. “Not even a text saying a simple okay. Nothing… And somehow it makes me feel bad, that our friendship somehow disappeared”

“Hey, it's going to be okay” he sighed, kissing my shoulder. “Give her time…”

“I know, but I just feel bad” I sighed. “I tried to talk with her, just to let her know my side of the story. And nothing. We know each other since we are kids, I thought she was going to trust me more than him”

He smiled weakly and kissed my temple, rubbing my shoulder. He knows I feel bad, and he tried to calm me. But there's still that feeling of worry and concern about her.

landonorris

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landonorris Merry Christmas everyone 🎄🎁🎅🏻🧡 

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maxfewtrell dinner was nice, actually

landonorris told you I could cook

violetsinclair you're welcome 😗

pietra.pilao Bom Nadal🎁🎄

carlossainz55 feliz navidad cabrón, when are you coming?

landonorris do you mind if I go with a plus one?

violetsinclair

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violetsinclair Ho Ho Ho🎄🎁🎅🏻🧡

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pietra.pilao Please send me the recipe of the cinnamon rolls I beg you 🥺

violetsinclair it's not mine🤭🫣

pietra.pilao 🫣👀?

violetsinclair 😌

taglist

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[donkey-hyuck]

¡MASTERLIST!

WORD COUNT -

GENRE - angst haha | fluff | established relationship!au | CEO!au | slowburn?

CHARACTERS/PAIRING - CEO!jaehyun x orphanage caregiver!fem!reader | nct/wayv

INTRODUCTION - getting into a relationship when you were at the lowest point of your life dragged you down to the bottom. but it dragged the ones you loved as well.

WARNINGS - adoption/being an orphan | profanity (like a lot) | insecurities (major imposter syndrome) | being poor/poverty | panic attacks/anxiety/depression | alcohol consumption | 

Warm Hearts Orphanage held a prolonged special place in your heart. You’d been going to the orphanage as far back as you could remember. The orphanage held children from infants to teens. And everyone there was like family. Even though your little family didn’t have much, it always warmed your hearts to give back to children who were less fortunate than you were. And though you grew up poverty stricken, these children suffered more than you did and all you wanted was to help them. 

Jeong Peach Corporation. A fragrance and personal hygiene corporation company whose audience consists of he’s, she’s, and they’s. The brand as a whole has this certain aesthetic that is appealing to those people. But Mr. Jeong Jaehyun himself also had a certain aesthetic that definitely matched the brand name he built from the ground up. His striking looks and simply the way he carries himself has men and women falling on their knees for him. But it was a little too late for them to capture his heart the way you did.

—

“Let me go! Let me at her!”

The girl was shocked to still see her boss shielding her from you. And she felt embarrassed to let him hear the rude words come out of her mouth. Karma’s a bitch.

“I’m sorry, Bong Cha. Please, go home. And don’t discuss this to anyone. I’m just trying to help her,” he explained to his secretary. Ah, so she was his secretary. That makes a lot of fucking sense.

Quietly, she speed-walked to her car leaving the two of you alone again.

“Why didn’t you let me at her? She was being a rude asshole.”

“Y/n. She’s my secretary. And she’s always been like that. But don’t worry about her, okay. Please just let me help you,” he begged. It was too late for him to just leave you on the road.

You sighed, the dizziness was now getting to you.

“Fine. I need to get to my car, though,” you pushed him off of you.

“I don’t think you’re capable of driving right now,” he retorted.

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do?”

And that was how you ended up sitting in the passenger seat of Jaehyun’s luxury car. That was also how you first met Jeong Jaehyun.

So much for first impressions.

—

“Why don’t you eat, love?” This was the third time he cut you off and the second time he referred to you as an endearing person. He acted as if he knew you for his entire life.

“I’m uh- it- it’s okay. I’m not really that hungry so,” you trailed off, looking down at your hands while you played with your fingers. Just then, he shoved his chopsticks in your face. A piece of egg sat on it. He motioned for you to eat.

You quickly turned your head and shook it, pushing his hand back, “No!” You cleared your throat, “it’s really alright, Mr. Jeong.” You really don’t know why you called him that but it just came out. It was probably the nervousness.

“Jaehyun.”

“Jaehyun… It’s really okay. I mean this is also the least I could do- uhm- especially after last night. Also, my house is a bit of a mess, I'm sorry about that.”

Jaehyun noticed the neighborhood and apartment complex you lived in. Of course, Jaehyun was a nice person so he wasn’t going to comment on it but it was obvious he noticed the living situation you were in. But none of it mattered to him. He just wanted to make sure you got home safely.

“Don’t apologize about that, Y/n. Now eat.”

“I have more eggs in the fridge. I can make my own, don’t worry about it,” you felt your face flush with heat.

—

“I hope to see you again, Y/n.” Yeah right.

You pivot your heels back to the direction of Jaehyun. The embarrassment of last night and this morning still lingered in your body. There was no way you would see him again. You were from two completely different worlds. And there was no way you were coming back to this seven-eleven.

“I hope so too,” you said bitterly before rushing to your car.

“Y/n!” He said before you could finish shutting your door. You groaned to yourself, stepping back out of your car and facing him again. You wanted to save yourself from the self-bashing already.

“Would you like to… maybe… grab something to eat later?” But damn, he was too nice to turn down. You wanted to say yes so badly, but another part of you wanted to decline. You just didn’t belong in his world.

—

You always wondered why Jaehyun stayed. It always turned into panic attacks and crying fits, but you couldn’t help it. He was a part of a completely different social status and you stood out like a sore thumb when you were next to him. It wasn’t like you were ashamed to be his girlfriend; you just thought he was ashamed to have you as his girlfriend. 

“Why are you crying, love?” He still held the same, sweet, smile.

“…. I love you.”

RELEASE DATE: SEPT. 1ST, 2023 - 10 P.M. EST

#nct #nct 127 #nct jaehyun #nct jung jaehyun #nct 127 jaehyun #jaehyun x reader #jaehyun scenarios #jaehyun angst #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun drabbles #jaehyun imagines #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct angst #nct fluff #nct 127 angst #nct 127 scenarios #nct 127 imagines #[the RUPTURED series]

[w3bgrl]

bonding time

synopsis: a glimpse into one of jinju’s more significant bonding sessions

date: october 2019

era: pre-double knot

word count: 1.2k

featuring: kang juyeon, hwang hyunjin

warnings: n/a

juyeon huffed with an annoyed smile as her phone started to ring, shifting the to-go boxes in her hands to pull her mask down so she could answer the call. she didn’t even check to see who it was before speaking. “i’m actively coming up the stairs right now”

‘you better be!’ hyunjin whined on the other line ‘i’ve been waiting all day for this.’

she laughed as she ascended the last step. “you’re ridiculous. now come let me in!”

the door swung open within seconds of the words leaving her mouth to reveal hyunjin with an excited smile. she hurried inside and kicked her shoes off to set the food down on the soda-adorned coffee table before falling onto the familiar couch with a relieved sigh.

“how was it?” hyunjin asked and claimed the other couch, already opening the boxes to start eating “how was the rain?”

juyeon sat up with a groan and took her mask and hat off, throwing them haphazardly on the coffee table. “it was fine, i’m just so bad at socializing when i’m alone.”

“why? what happened?”

juyeon finally opened her takeout box as hyunjin shoveled down his first sushi roll of many, lips jutted out the way they usually did when he ate. she broke her chopsticks and rolled them between her palms.

“there was this display stand to advertise their home-made sauce that called it ‘awesome sauce’. so when our food was ready i asked if i could try their ‘awesome sauce’ and the employee - like - didn’t know what to say to me.” juyeon turned their current tv-show on before taking the first bite. “turns out,” she covered her food-filled mouth “it was just spicy mayo. awesome sauce was the marketing hook; like the ‘got milk?’ slogan? yeah.”

hyunjin’s eyes squeezed shut as he laughed silently at the older girl who in turn took a gloomy bite of her food. her frown turned upside down the second she started eating, though, and hyunjin apologized for her misfortune that day before their attention fell to the tv.

their ‘bonding time’ thing started a long time ago, but their most recent addition to the routine was showing one another new shows the other would never pick themselves. last sunday was hyunjin’s pick and he chose a romantic murder mystery called ‘w; two worlds.’ juyeon typically avoided watching romantic shows because it usually didn’t appeal to her idea of romance, but to her surprise, she actually really liked the show. so much so that they had been watching the rest of it together during the week and planned on finishing it by the following sunday.

“ah,” hyunjin held his chest with food-stuffed cheeks after a particularly sweet interaction between the characters “this show makes my heart flutter.”

juyeon shrugged. it didn’t so much ‘make her heart flutter,’ but she did enjoy the show and watching the main characters transition into lovers. however, hyunjin was unimpressed with her reaction and stopped chewing completely.

“you disagree?” he asked with his eyebrows raised high “you’re saying it doesn’t give you butterflies?”

“i just think you have more of an eye for that stuff, you’re a pisces after all.” she finally cracked open the soda he had set out for her “plus, you’ve never dated anyone, right? you’re more susceptible to it.”

hyunjin now set down his chopsticks in a manner that reminded juyeon of how he used to be - confrontational and aggressive. however, he’d grown a long ways since this time and instead of standing to show how big and bad he was, hyunjin crossed his legs and clasped his hands together professor-like.

“what about you, then? are you not ‘susceptible’ because of alll the boyfriends you’ve had?”

she laughed at this and placed the can back on the table. “well, i’ve never had a boyfriend, so we can start there.”

hyunjin sat back and crossed his arms, an eyebrow cocked with disbelief. he narrowed his eyes at her as if staring too hard would elicit the truth and when it didn’t he shook his head. “i don’t believe you.”

she laughed again “why? is that hard to believe?”

“you’ve never dated anyone?”

the blush of deception on juyeon’s cheeks caught his attention and he kept his eyes locked on her features as she brushed her hair off her neck. “that’s not what i said…” she trailed off and took another bite.

hyunjin took what she said in his hands and rolled it around to see every angle; every meaning. yet all perspectives revealed the same thing and his eyes bulged wide once he put words to it. never did he expect juyeon to be into girls - she was in a group of 8 dudes! but then again, she was in a group of boys, always surrounded by men. they never really got to see how she interacted with the same sex.

“noona! i didn’t know you were a player like that”

“why does that make me a player?” she whined “it was just once!”

her wording made the situation sound much more suggestive than it actually was which in turn made hyunjin’s jaw fall open. “wha - kang juyeon!”

“just one girl, hyune.” she clarified firmly “i was like sixteen, anyways. we just hung out a lot.”

although she was ready to return to the show, this box had been opened, and now hyunjin had every question under the sun. he started with just one more.

“who was it?”

she shook her head with her eyes on the tv “doesn’t matter anymore.”

“did it end badly?”

“no, it was fine. we just kinda stopped talking.”

hyunjin readjusted his seating position to fully face juyeon, his beloved show now long forgotten after unlocking new lore from his older member. he had to hand it to her, although you wouldn’t guess it, she could be quite mysterious.

“was she a trainee?”

juyeon picked up on his disinterest in the show and paused it so as to save their spot before finally turning to him. she reminded herself that this was the whole point of bonding time, and she had been in hyunjin’s position plenty of times in the past so there was kind of an obligation to answer his questions. “yes, she was.”

“did she debut?”

“no, no.” she dismissed him quickly “i think she left in 2018.”

hyunjin chuckled “maybe because the one that got away debuted that year?”

juyeon shrugged charmingly although she didn’t think that was the reason for her departure and stood from her seat to grab another soda from the fridge. however, hyunjin’s questions just kept rolling. “did i ever meet this girl?”

“probably not.” she hummed as she returned “we hung out in the dorms after practice cause we didn’t see each other all day - cause i was with you guys.”

“i see.”

as he finished his last roll of sushi hyunjin went over the information he had gathered in his head, a silence falling over the room. juyeon assumed he had finally had his fill of questions and grabbed the remote to resume their episode.

“well,” hyunjin smiled at her teasingly as she waited on him to start the show again “if you ever find yourself needing advice in a romantic situation someday, let me know. i’ve been told i have an eye for those kinds of things.”

“yeah,” she bit her tongue as certain…instances she had with someone recently came to mind “whatever you say, jinnie.”

#♡ billie #♡ jinju #hwang hyunjin imagines #hyunjin imagines #skz oc #stray kids oc #stray kids #stray kids 9th member #stray kids imagines #kpop added member #kpop oc #kpop addition

[mediumsizedpidegon]

I feel like naruto doesn't get into the fact that naruto had literally no one give a shit about him until like. iruka-sensei? And sure, he was in an orphanage but then we learn that he's had the APARTMENT HE LIVES ALONE IN AS A TWELVE YEAR OLD CHILD THAT THE ENTIRE VILLAGE DESPISES since he was 4 or 5 i think (i will not check this. the timeline of naruto is dumb and makes me cry). and even in orphanage it isn't like the staff there were treating him right. why else would be given his own apartment by the hokage when he's four? i know they let sasuke stay in the house of his dead family and let itty bitty kakashi live alone after his father died but they are The Last Loyal Uchiha and a prodigy respectively. the rules are different compared to naruto himself, i believe.

Like, yeah– Naruto is loud and brash because he wants attention– and never has it unless he provokes others– and almost certainly neurodivergent (I think he has ADHD and depression). He doesn't know any of the theory behind being a shinobi, doesn't even know what chakra is. But Naruto has been criminally neglected, socially isolated and if not physically abused by some people in the village then certainly threatened with it often at the least. I'm more on the side that says that the ANBU can't stop everything and that by ditching them all the time Naruto actually ends up in more Very Bad situations but that aside:

I genuinely believe that Naruto would not know how to read when canon started. I think he doesn't how to use a washing machine (he washes his clothes in the Naka river because no laudromats will accept him). I think he holds his chopsticks wrong. I think he has half-picked up ANBU handsigns and how to mimic other people's voices to an eerie degree but he doesn't know a single thing about nutrition besides what can be obviously observed and tested (ie, if I don't eat something green at least once a week my body will Not Like It). I think he doesn't know ANYTHING about medical care except "if it's popped out, shove it back in the socket," or "wrap it in cloth scraps."

He's can be so quiet and stealthy that the ANBU lose sight and sound of him but he doesn't think unconditional love exists. Or at least, not for him.

I desperately want to see more of a Naruto that is brash and loud and loving and hopeful, yes, but also, once you peel back some layers, extremely eerie. Naruto is an orphan that raised himself in a village that would leave him dead in a ditch at the first opportunity: he is a child that raised himself in enemy territory. He is a child seen as a beast to the ordinary and a weapon to the higher ups. and do you know what people do to beasts and weapons that are unruly and too smart or lazy and useless? they put them down.

there is no way that Naruto is unaware of this. he's a child, but children can be perceptive and Naruto has to be to survive. And it's not like the village is being subtle. so. I want to see a Naruto that is so so aware that the ANBU are both to protect him and destroy him, that the hokage might hesitate, but no one else will. So: here is Naruto, who is a child who is a monster who doesn't want to be put down. who has to be cheerful and stupid and harmless enough to not be a threat, and strong and naive enough to not be useless.

just. just. a Naruto that has had to learn everything on his own, through trial and error, people-watching and his own common sense (naruto's sense is NOT common). And he's good at it because he has to be. He's a mimic through and through– he learns much from the ANBU and the vendors in their market stalls and the conversations that families share with each other. But the problem with being the outsider looking in is that sometimes you fail to see the context. meaning that Naruto has a SHIT TON of just. objective incorrect ideas of why certain things are the way they are. and it's not his fault– his conclusions are completely logical with what he has on hand, but the point is that he doesn't have all the information and he never does, on the outside. meaning: Naruto is a walking talking version of using the wrong equation on your math test and getting the right answer. he has to reverse engineer all this shit! and especially when it comes to jutsu, what's behind the product isn't obvious.

and now we come to the reason i actually made this post. the ridiculous, funny misconceptions i have headcanoned that naruto has, not the heartbreaking rage enducing ones.

the raw meat shame tax. so naruto eats raw meat (because no one has told him that eating raw meat = becoming ill, but he has kurama to take care of that anyway) if he's hungry enough or can't be bothered to cook it. but one time someone came across him during raw meat mealtime and reacted in horror and disgust. then naruto notices that sushi is like. super expensive despite how easy it is to catch fish and that cooked fish is cheaper as well in restaurants. SO naruto comes to the conclusion that eating raw meat must be shameful and taboo and something that can only be done alone or with close family in private BUT people like playing with the taboo so you can have sushi (which has non-raw meat elements to make it less scandalous) at restaurants AS LONG AS you pay an 'eating raw meat in public' tax. this is my most ridiculous headcanon and i love it to bits. like. i believe that out of all of the funny misconceptions naruto has, THIS is the one that is so baffling that it makes sakura just. give up. she leaves the room and walks directly into the Naka river.

what??? is?? the??? difference?? between?? girl?? and?? boy??? look. naruto knows that people can have different equipment: he lives in a bad part of town and is constantly eavesdropping on people. he doesn't just know that people have different equipment, he knows what sex is by the time he's 6. but naruto thinks that it can't be based on that because it's too stupid. like, if it were based on that, why would people cover up that part of themselves and treat it like taboo in public? it would make it really hard to tell who's a girl and who's a boy. naruto keeps coming up with shit and then disproving it over the years and is still unsure. but he nows knows he CANNOT ask people whether they're a boy or a girl because they will get mad.

which leads into clothes/hair aren't gender-specific but they ARE clan or occupation specific. Naruto does show up to class wearing dresses on multiple occasions and doesn't understand why Ino is extra mad at him those times. However the first time he sees someone with a haircut similar to sasuke's he's like 'that's not allowed! he's not part of your clan!' and it takes two hours to for sasuke to find out what the fuck dobe was talking about–

doesn't know what a library due date is. the library doesn't know who stole all the various craft/cooking books that have illustrated steps but they're never getting them back.

unintentional poison eating. naruto's cooking is.... so poisonous. he has eaten everything that looks like it could be eaten in the forest and if it doesn't make him sick then he deems him safe. there are SO many things that naruto forages that would straight up kill anybody else. naruto tries to share his food with team 7 one time because that's love and care babyyy!! and then there's ten minutes of screaming where sasuke and sakura genuinely think this was a murder attempt.

if someone leaves stuff unattended in public for more than half an hour then it's up for grabs and no longer stealing. this is how he gets most of his plants. and his bags. and his winter jacket. also his shoes. this is also how he garners even more hate from the village.

anyone above the age of seven can budget, haggle and save money. Naruto has been living on his own since he was four and he's been in charge of his own budget since then. he is merciless with money because he has to be and thinks that it is a normal thing for children to be capable of since he's doing it just fine after some trial and error. Naruto grudgingly thinks kakashi is smart for trying to foist the bill for ramen off on him every time by disappearing (good way to save money– don't be there when the bill arrives) but ALL of that goodwill evaporates when they go on a mission and kakashi spends the whole budget in the first week. also the image of naruto talking about finances with his teammates in a 'you know how it is' manner in and getting blank fucking stares back is hysterical. however sasuke is in legitimate danger of naruto dragging him through budget boot camp if naruto finds out that sasuke, the fucking clan head-in-waiting of the uchiha, is filthy rich and doesn't know anything about money.

there are three sets of teeth and if you lose an adult tooth you grow it back. this is (unintentionally) kurama's fault actually. naruto ends up with three sets of teeth: useless little baby teeth that he have fully lost by 6, child teeth (which are actually human adult teeth) that are fully lost by 12 and then "adult teeth." "Adult teeth" are nightmarish and are somewhere in between fox and human teeth. and if he loses an adult tooth naruto will grow it back sometime between a week and a month after he lost it.

team seven has never been more confused.

#naruto #uzumaki naruto headcanons #uzumaki naruto #uchiha sasuke #haruno sakura #team 7 #abuse and neglect has consequences folks. and so does have a demon fox sealed in your soul. #nothing boils my blood like people who interpret naruto as stupid: like dude. naruto has had NO ONE teach him ANYTHING and he's still #making it work. he's clever and skilled or else he wouldn't be ditching the ANBU on a regular basis and his pranks wouldn't have worked. #that's not being stupid that's being limited and handicapped by things beyond his control. #naruto is what happens when no one teaches you anything and then everyone expects you to somehow know to do rocket science. #he is trying his absolute best by using the stuff that he CAN do and thinking outside the box. if he can be this smart and able to succeed #with the neglect of the village towards his education in his way then it would be over for everybody else if he had that barrier removed #it makes me scream because naruto is fighting with his hands tied behind his back at all times. #and people are pointing at him asking why he can't form a punch. #my posts

[xxxdegenerate]

Love is Crazy // Douma x Reader Pt.4

❥Demon slayer characters are not mine! ❥Warnings:: Sexual themes, strong language, depressive thoughts and actions, gore and blood ❥Italics are thoughts and memories ❥Note:: This is a rather short one, also I have this posted on Wattpad and Quotev as of right now if you want to read ahead! I post a lot more over there.

Failure

The flames increase

.

.

You were sitting at a table in Douma's study. With food steaming in front of you, you hated to admit you were kind of hungry. "Why do you have two differently colored eyes?" He suddenly asked, his voice ruining your appetite. You glared at him telling him to shut up. 

"I don't know. Now leave me alone I want to eat." You began to pick at the food, not feeling that hungry anymore. What if it was poisoned or something. He places his elbow on the table and leaned his head into his hand. "I find them beautiful." Now this threw you off guard for a second but looked up and him and glared. "Don't make me sick." 

"You really do hurt me my little slayer." He cooed out but held a smile on his face anyway. You decided to ignore him and eat the food before it got cold. He watched you eat in delight. Watched your lips part and the way you brought the chopsticks up to your mouth. The way your throat looks as you swallow food, almost imagining you swallowing his-

"Can you stop watching me like that, it's weird." You looked at him in disgust, feeling really uncomfortable. You hated being alone with him.

"Now why would I do that dear? Why can't I admire my pet." This made you fume. 

"I am not yours." He hums in reply as if he knew what you just said was not true. To him at least. Even if you weren't his, he would break you eventually. 

"I'm just trying to care for you and make sure you eat." 

"I can do that myself I am not a kid." You squint your eyes at him before taking another bite. "Besides since when do demons even care. You are tricking all of these people here, it's horrible."

"What do you know," He starts. "I save them, I help them, I give them better lives and let them go to paradise."

"What paradise? Death?" You scoff and look away. "You're a demon what do you know." He was starting to get annoyed at your words. 

"You don't own anyone, you don't know anything, you just want food and whatever you have going on here is ludicrous." You continued, feeling the tone in your voice turn aggressive. "It actually disgusts me when I see one of these people call you lord, or founder or sama." Your cheeks began to heat with rage. You put your chopsticks down at this point and make eye contact with his rainbow eyes. 

"Who cares how I run this place, it's my own cult. I run it the way I want, everyone gets a place, a chance to have the one thing they desire."

"Whatever all you do is lie and you will keep denying it. You are a demon, you have no emotions you cannot feel and I pity you for that. Now excuse me." You stood up and stomped out of the room. He watched your little tantrum, amused. He thought you stomping off was cute and the way you spoke your truth. 

You walked down the hall, you were still hungry but you did not want to be in the room with that demon anymore. Your breathing was starting to become uneven again. "Ah Y/n?" Akuma was suddenly in front of you, "Are you doing alright?" 

"Whatever." You rasp out and he touches your chest. You gasp. "I'm just trying to see what's wrong." 

"Get the fuck away." With your rage already built up you threw his hand off of you and stormed away. You walked into the kitchen and a cook noticed you. "Oh hello? Aren't you the founders guest from last night." You looked up at the man. "Are you hungry?" You said nothing and just leaned against the wall sinking to the floor. 

"O-oh are you alright?" The man stuttered before coming up to you. 

"Yeah just peachy." You rasped out. He hurriedly goes to go get something and comes back with a cup of water. "Here you go." You thank him and take a sip, trying to settle down. You were really angry though. You fucking hated Douma. You wanted to leave. You hiccupped. He stayed quiet and left once again, you guessed he was probably making lunch. 

He came back with a platter of some food and set it next to you without saying anything. You silently thank him and munch on some of the food he brought. "What's your name?" You suddenly asked and he looked up from peeling potatoes. 

"Rin." He smiled and you nodded. "Y/n. Thank you." You begin to take your leave back to your room after you felt a little more calm. 

.

.

You open the door to your room, sliding it shut after you step in. "Where did you go?" You freeze. 

"What are you doing in my room?"

"This is my room." You looked up and sure enough you walked into the wrong room. You run out in a hurry and go to the right room. You close the door and lock it. This was going to be a long day. 

.

.

You had skipped lunch and thought about skipping dinner, you really just didn't want to see him at all. You would do your best to avoid him, and the doctor, and everyone else. You needed to figure out how to escape here. You sat there and pondered for a bit. You could leave during the day. Your advantage was the sun for sure, and maybe getting close to some of the people who didn't know what Douma truly was. 

There was a knock on the door that disrupted your thoughts. You walk over towards the door and open it slightly revealing Haruki. "Afternoon my lady." 

"Please call me Y/n, 'my lady' makes me uncomfortable." You opened the door all the way and she stands in the door way. "I was told to come escort you to the dinner hall." You rose your brow at this. 

"Why?" 

"Douma-sama would like to dine there for dinner." You nodded, your stomach grumbled before you could even think about wanting to skip. 

And so she lead you towards the dinning hall, along the way you noticed Rin was walking towards that direction as well. 

"Ah hello Y/n-san." Rin said and you waved. 

"Hello again, sorry about earlier."

"What happened earlier?" Haruki wondered and asked. 

"Nothing too important." She nodded and smiled. "Well it's good you befriended another person." She noticed you didn't talk much, and seeing that you have met Rin made her slightly happy. She was your caretaker for now and she should be looking out for you. 

You arrive at the dinning hall and Haruki bows to you before taking her leave. Rin and you enter the dinning hall. You see Douma sitting at the end of the long table and he smiles at you, gesturing to a seat next to him. You frown but walk over nonetheless. Rin walks with you, which Douma watches. Rin pulls out the seat for you. "Thank you Rin." He nods at you, smiling and then uses the door inside of the dinning hall to enter the kitchen. 

"I see you're getting acquainted with some people." You nodded. "What did you need?" 

"To eat, remember your loss?" He smirked at you and looked at you up and down. "Are your legs doing well?" He reaches out to touch your thigh and you slap his hand away and he laughs. "Sorry sorry, I almost couldn't help myself." You glare at him. "Fuck off." 

He loved your sharp tongue, it was entertainment to him. He found himself wanting to bother you all of the time. To see all of the weird facial expressions you make to all of his actions. He wanted to eat you up. 

The food was brought out and you realized it was one of your favorite dinners. Your mouth watered as you looked at it with heart eyes. You really were interesting, in Douma's eyes. Forgetting that Douma was there for a second you dig in. "Say Douma, right?" Feeling bold you speak up. 

He loved the way his name rolled off of your tongue. "Yes dear?" 

"Okay prick." You opted to just calling him your unique nicknames. "Have you ever had human food?" 

"Yes, it has no flavor anymore." 

"That's ass." The way you cursed in almost every sentence was funny to him, most woman were supposed to stay modest and keep their mouth clean, but you, you didn't seem to care and just spoke whatever you wanted. 

You munched on some of the food and thanked Rin once again as he brought it out. 

.

.

As soon as you were done eating you tried to zoom out of the dinning hall, but your wrist was caught and you were pulled back. "Why are you leaving so quickly." He pulled you back down into your seat and brought his hand up to your face. He leaned down and his thumb touched your lip, before wiping some of the mess you made whilst eating. "What did I say about touching me assface." 

You slapped his hand away and stood back up. He giggles and looks at you. In your eyes he acts like such a child, a moody fucking child. You didn't like children much, you could never get along or stand the crying. Although they were fun to prank and to tease. Maybe you were something Douma didn't expect. No. You were something he didn't expect. And he would soon figure that out. 

.

.

This went on for the next couple weeks, the same routine of eating with him and waking up and going with Haruki. Although during this time you have got a bit close with her, especially Rin. You would often visit and help him prep for some meals, and had conversations with him. Same with Haruki, you found out that she has been here for four years and trusts Douma with her life. Which might be a little difficult to get around. 

Although today was different, you were informed that you would not be eating with Douma for today because he had a meeting, which you thought was strange. You sat in your room thinking for a second. He would be gone all day, today was your only chance. You knew the place was guarded, but do they know you can't leave? Only one way to find out. 

Haruki brought you lunch. "Hey Haruki-san, would it be okay for me to go out today?" You had asked. 

"Uhm.. I don't know you would have to ask Douma-sama whenever he gets back." She looked a little nervous you had asked. Meaning she doesn't know, also meaning that most of the people here probably didn't know that. "Why don't you come with me?" You suggest, her eyes lit up slightly.

"I wouldn't mind..Douma just doesn't want you to hurt yourself any further, but I can come and help you. It's been awhile since I went down the mountain and got some street food." She sounded giddy now, thinking of all the shops she hasn't visited in awhile. 

.

.

And so she lead you out of the building, well. Not out the way you expected. She showed you a small passage way that took you towards the garden where you could then leave out of the front stairs. You were finally escaping, but the whole time you felt uneasy. Like you were being watched. You knew this was wrong, but you were so close to getting the hell out of there. You would go back to the corps and tell everyone where he was and what had happened.. and most importantly see if Kyojuro was alive.

We arrived in the town that I was at about a month ago. It was all the same. You held your breath though, feeling uneasy was never good. Haruki dragged you along to a stand. "Hi miss Yu!"

"Ah Haruki! It's been awhile how are you?" The two made small talk and you looked around, you would have to get away from Haruki if you wanted to fully escape. "This is Y/n! She's one of my friends." You suddenly snap out of your thoughts when you heard your name and you bow towards the elderly lady who ran the stand. "Hello." 

"Do you want some Y/n? She makes some of the best mochi, you have to try it!" You went to wave her off and tell her no thank you but you were cut off when she suddenly shoved on in your mouth. You cough and chew. "Mmm yummy." You give her thumbs up and get dragged to a small store. "This place has the best bracelets! Let's get matching ones." This was something new to you, from having no friends when you were growing up, you felt out of place. She wanted to do all of these things with you and you just didn't know how to comprehend it. 

You almost felt bad wanting to leave the place, only for her and Rin. What would happen to them if you do? But what would really happen if you didn't leave and get help. You were stumped. "You know Y/n.. Douma truly is amazing isn't he?" Oh lord here she goes again blabbing about Douma. "Though he seems to be changing slightly. The other handmaiden have been jealous and talk about you a lot.. it makes me upset to hear some of the things they said." This made your ears perk up. 

"They aren't mean at all but they don't like how Douma has been focusing on you. I told them you were a guest but they are confused why you have been there for so long now. I told them also that you were hurt and needed to stay until you were better. But all they did was complain how you were and taking Doumas attention away from the cult." She pouts as she puts her arm around yours and drags you around to a different corner of the shop. 

"Why don't we get these?" It was a snowflake and a flame. Suddenly Haruki had an idea. "Here give me a second don't go anywhere okay!" She ran away from you to the side of the shop and you blinked. Wait, you were alone, this was your chance. Your legs wouldn't move. You were scared? Anxious, no you just didn't know what to do. You then dashed for it, leaving the shop and running down the path of the mountain. 

.

.

The sun started to set whenever Douma arrived home, he was annoyed at the meeting with the upper and lower moons. The lower moons were kicked off and killed and this stressed Douma out. He just wanted to tease his new pet. He arrived home and asked for where you were. A handmaiden went to go fetch you. Douma sighed, he enjoyed you a lot more then he thought, all your little expressions and reactions to certain things. 

"Lord Douma.. she isn't in her room." Douma looked up. That was weird she should be sleeping by now. "Where is Haruki?" 

"She went out earlier my lord." He tilted his head for a second before Haruki ran in. "Oh- Douma-sama, I lost Y/n.." She trailed off and Douma looked at her with confused eyes. "What do you mean you lost her?" 

"Well we went into the village earlier.." She avoided eye contact. 

"The village?" He cursed under his breath. 

"Do you want me to get the guards to go look for her? I'm sorry I just wanted to take her out after being cramped in here for a mont-" She was cut off when Douma suddenly stood up. 

"I'll get her." 

.

.

You ran, your legs were trembling and you couldn't breathe, the sun was down by now and you couldn't stop now. You were beyond scared at this point. You knew for sure Haruki knew you were missing but you didn't know if Douma was back and knew already. 

You took deep breaths trying to calm the pain in your chest. Ever since the whole thing with Douma you had trouble breathing, as if your lungs were still frozen. 

You heard faint talking and went to duck down behind a bush before you looked up and realized they were demon slayers. You ran out in front of them, taking deep breaths. They looked at you confused as you spoke out. 

"I am a demon slayer. My name is L/n F/n, and I was taken hostage by a demon." You huffed out and they looked at you before at each other. 

"L/n? The girl who went missing with Rengoku?" 

"Is he alright??" 

"Yes he just got out of healing the other day.. he sent us to go search up here for the time being because he has another mission." You let out a sigh of relief, almost feeling like you were going to cry. "We need to get out of here." You said and they shook their heads. 

"No we need to go kill this demon." 

"You can't. You can't. There's no way, you are only demon slayers, you would need at least four hashiras to kill him." They looked at you, they looked down on you, like you were weak. "Yeah right, where is he at then?" 

"You don't believe me.." You fade off, losing hope. "No listen we need to get out of here now." 

They still weren't listening as they started walking the way you ran from. "Wait no stop." You stood in front of them. "No I can't let you guys go. You'll die." 

"Whatever, if you survived and Rengoku did then I'm sure well be okay, there's three of us now." 

"I don't have my sword." You looked at them in a pleading way, almost begging them to not go. Suddenly you heard rustling and the three of you snapped your heads in the direction. "What are you doing here?" You heard a rustic voice call out. The other two put their hands on their swords and pulled them out. "Is this the demon?" 

"No." 

The random demon then ran at us and the other two started fighting it. 

You stood in the back wondering what you could do since you were weak, and had nothing.

You felt something cold hit your face and you looked up. Snowflakes. He was here. 

"We need to go." You called out to the boys and they looked over at you confused.

"We need to get rid of the demon first are you stupid?"

You couldn't let them die, you had to try. "Stop!" You were now yelling at them, but they ignored you.

"Listen, you seem rather weak. So maybe you couldn't defeat him, but we can." They were cocky and you didn't like that. They were too cocky for their own good. They continued to fight the demon at hand first though. 

"After this you'll take us to the other one yeah?" 

Suddenly he was thrown at a tree by the lesser demon. The demon stalker towards you before he got a sword through his chest. He turned around and started dealing with the other demon slayer.

You were thinking of all the possibilities you had.

You were lost, you didn't know what to do. You looked over at the boy who was passed out by the tree and the other one fighting the lesser demon. Douma was near and you were surely going to get caught at this rate. You could leave them.. but what good would that do. You were found, you already lost the game. 

You began to hyperventilate. "Shit." You heard a scream and looked up as the lesser demon had the boy by his neck. No. You pushed through the pain in your chest and ran towards the demon, shoving him. Confusing him, he drops the boy and turns towards you. Now you were the one dangling in the air with the lesser demons hand around your neck. The boy ran towards his friend.

"Roe!" You started to breathe heavily again gasping out. "I told you.. I warned you." You felt useless. You just wish you were killed before this. Now it was your fault they were dying. "Please don't." You begged to no one. 

"Who's there?" You heard one of the boys mutter out, but before you could even see who they were talking too an icicle goes through the lesser demons face. Your eyes widen and the lesser demon squeezes harder. You gasp for air. 

"My my~ I believe you have something of mine." Douma starts as he suddenly appears next to the lesser demon who just looked confused as Douma appears next to us. 

"Who are you?" The lesser demon looked Douma up and down. 

"I said you have something of mine." He let's out a closed eye smile. His voice rough and low doesn't match his face. 

"Her? I saw her first." The lesser demon started squeezing your neck harder. You try to gasp but let out a strained wheeze. Douma looks over at you with a flash of worry on his face before it fades as he looks back at the lesser demon. 

"What is a upper rank doing with her anyway. A human and a demon? Don't make me laugh." The lesser demon was challenging Douma, like you were food. 

Your vision started to blur as you saw the demon slayers in the back coming closer, trying to catch the two demons off guard. No, please.. As much as you wanted to shout, you couldn't. This was your fault and you knew that. Tears tricked your eyes and Douma was starting to become annoyed, having already been in a bad mood he was not tempted to play around. 

"I. Said. She's. Mine." A sword goes through his arm just as he says this and he turns his head cockeyed looking into the eyes of a frightened demon slayer. Fuck, no.

You brought your hands up to the lesser demons hand around your throat and push to pry him off. Being weak from before and then this demon made it difficult. You made no progress in moving his hand and the lesser demon threw you. Hitting a tree you let out a loud moan of pain. You gasped for the air your lungs were missing. 

Douma looks over at you quicker then the speed of light and then glaring at the lesser demon. He was pissed. His eyes flashed before he threw his fan at the demon. The other demon slayer tried to pull his friend back but his friend just ran at Douma once more. 

"We can kill it!" Douma turned and sliced his head off. You gagged, your throat hurt and you felt your whole body on fire. You couldn't move. 

"D-do..n't" You barely managed out, as a squeak. The remaining demon slayer shivered, holding his sword weakly as Douma approached him.

Suddenly the lesser demons eyes were back on you, he came stalking over and you tried to crawl away. "Lea..ve." Your voice hoarse and dry. You didn't even have the time to realize Douma stuck his arm through the last demon slayers chest, tearing out his heart. The lesser demon picked you up by your head. He squeezed, and you felt pressure. 

Your head starting to throb. Suddenly his head goes flying off and you fall with a thud onto your side. 

"I said she was mine." 

"Who are you.." The lesser demon mumbled in fear as he approached him

"Upper rank two. Tell everyone to stay away." You watched as Douma smashed his head in. 

You blinked, their voices becoming nothing but T.V static at this point. Mush, you felt like mush. You close your eyes and keep them shut for a long minute before opening them and seeing legs walk towards you. Looking up and up, you eventually meet those rainbow eyes you so hated. 

You were fucked.

#douma #demon slayer #kny #doma #kny headcanons #kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu douma #demon slayer headcanons #demon slayer douma #demon #upper moon

[reds-ramblings]

A/N: I apologize for not updating sooner. This chapter was hell to write and the last couple of months have been insanely busy. If I'm being completely honest I finished this chapter about 2 weeks ago but I've been over thinking, rearranging scenes and making adjustments since. I was a little out of my comfort zone with writing parts of this chapter so I hope you don't hate it too much. The good news is the next chapter is already written I just have to do a final read through/edit.

Trigger warnings: I can't think of anything but I'm sure there's probably something I'm forgetting.

Hope in Tragedy - Part 23

MC's P.O.V.

I finally convinced Chase and Jake not to testify against each other and have a joint trial. I didn't want them both to end up in jail for perjury on top of their current charges. I like that we only have to convince one jury of their innocence instead of two. However, I don't like the all-or-nothing aspect of it. Either they're found guilty, and I lose both of them, or they're both acquitted. The trial is set to start tomorrow, and the lawyers have been prepping them. They've spent several days going over possible questions the prosecution may ask. It took a while but Chase has finally started to take this seriously instead of being a smartass or giving sarcastic answers. Hannah and Lily aren't leaving until after the trial and although I love them to death I'm dying to spend some time alone with Jake. That's another thing I hate about all of this even if they get a not guilty verdict I could still lose him. Jake comes into the living room and sits on the couch beside me.

"Hannah and Lily are going shopping so we’ll have the day to ourselves. I say we order take out and just spend the day here.” He suggests.

“Chinese?” We both say at the same time and laugh.

Jake had no way of knowing Chinese was my favorite so when he mentioned wanting to take me to the Chinese restaurant across from his hotel I was excited. We’ve had many Chinese dates since he’s been here but this is the first one where I know it's him. That makes this time special but it also makes me sick to my stomach to think this could be our last one.

“I’ll order all of our favorites and have them delivered.” He says as he leans over to kiss me. He then pulls out his phone and starts ordering.

"We're going shopping!" Hannah exclaims in a sing-songy voice as she strolls into the living room with Lily close behind her.

"We'll be out late so don't wait up," Lily adds as they continue to walk out the door without even stopping.

"Goodbye to you too," I say as the door closes behind them.

"You know," I say causing Jake to look up from his phone at me. "I love those two but I'm looking forward to them going back to Duskwood."

"You'll miss them when they're gone." He says while wrapping his arm around me and pulling me closer to him.

"Yeah probably but right now I miss the peace and quiet and having time to myself without someone constantly being here." I let out a sigh.

"Hmm, would you like me to leave so you can have a moment to yourself?" He laughs.

"No, you should just move in." I blurt out without even thinking.

"MC, I'm not sure that is a wise decision."

"I'm not saying right this moment although you have been here several days so it feels like you already have." I joke.

"We don't know what is going to happen or if this will ever be behind us. I don't want you to get your hopes up for something that may not even be possible."

I open my mouth to say something but before I can there's a knock at the door.

"That must be the food," Jake says and jumps up to go to the door. After a few minutes, he comes back with a bag and starts taking the containers out and placing them on the table.

We both grab our chopsticks and begin eating in silence. He picks up the TV remote and begins flipping through the channels before stopping on some random channel that I'm positive neither of us is paying attention to.

After I finish eating I put my food container on the table and turn towards Jake pulling one leg up on the couch between us and leaning back against the arm of the couch. I stare at him trying to take in everything about this moment. He sets his food down, turns to me, and frowns.

"Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?" I ask.

"Like this is our last night together."

"First you don't want me to get my hopes up and now you don't want me to think the worst? I swear you are so indecisive. Do you even know what you want?" I tease.

"I know exactly what I want." He says with a smirk.

"Oh, really and what would that be?"

He leans in closer until his lips are just inches from mine. "You." He says before gently placing his lips on mine.

I wrap my arm around his neck pulling him closer. I part my lips allowing his tongue to slip in between them. Without breaking the kiss he gently pushes me back on the couch. He slips his hands under my shirt and begins trailing them up my sides. My phone laying on the coffee table starts to ring but I ignore it. I grab Jake's shirt and begin to slide it up pulling away from him just long enough to pull it over his head before his lips find mine again. The phone stops ringing and Jake grabs my shirt doing the same thing with it. As he reaches for the clasp of my bra my phone starts ringing again. I push Jake away and grab my phone as I try to catch my breath. I see Chase's name on the screen and groan.

"What do you want?!" I yell into the phone causing Jake to laugh.

"I wanted to let you know Lily and Hannah are staying here tonight."

"Ok and?" I ask annoyed.

"Well, I just figured you would want to know if they weren't coming back tonight." He pauses then lets out a laugh. "Oh did I interrupt something?"

Jake grabs the phone out of my hand and puts it to his ear. "Goodbye, Chase."

He tossed it back onto the table before grabbing me up off the couch and carrying me to the bedroom. He tosses me on my back onto the bed before climbing on himself to finish what we started.

***

I wake up and look over at Jake and notice him staring at me.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"I'm just trying to figure out how I got so damn lucky."

"Oh shut up," I say while swatting at him. He grabs my hand and kisses it.

"Unfortunately we do have to get up. We have a big day ahead of us." He says.

I get out of bed and grab an outfit suitable for court consisting of black dress pants and a baby blue shirt. I grab my makeup bag off the dresser. "You shower and get ready in here I'm going to use the shower down the hall."

"How about we save water and shower together?" He says with a wink.

"No, because then I won't want to leave and we will be late."

After a nice hot shower and a relatively silent drive, Jake and I arrive at the courthouse. He goes to meet Chase and their lawyers. I walk into the courtroom and choose my seat carefully so that I am sitting behind them. After a few minutes, a familiar face appears at the doors at the back of the room. Agent Morgan walks in and takes a seat beside me.

"I'm pleasantly surprised to see you here." He says with an amused tone.

"Were you that certain I would still be in jail?" I ask.

"No,  I knew you were innocent, and I knew you'd be able to convince everyone of that. I just know how angry you were at them for lying to you. I hope this means you guys have patched things up."

I nod to him. "Yeah, they only did it to protect me, so I couldn't stay mad forever. Chase is the only family I have left and I can't just turn my back on him." I pause for a moment. "I fell in love with Jake, I mean Tristan, before I even knew anything about him. At one point I thought he was behind Hannah's kidnapping and I didn't even care I still wanted to be with him. It might sound crazy but I don't think there's anything he could do that would keep me from being right here by his side."

"I know I may seem like the enemy right now but I am on his side and I do want things to work out with you two. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you get to stay together."

I thank him and he pats me on the back before getting up and moving to another seat across the room.

Hannah and Lily make their way into the courtroom and sit down beside me. The ADA, Mark Richards, walks in and sits down followed by the two defense attorneys along with Jake and Chase. The jury is led in and then the bailiff calls out for us all to rise. As we stand Hannah grabs my hand and squeezes it and we watch as the judge makes his way to the front and just like that court is in session. After opening arguments, one by one Chase, Jared, and Jake take the stand and recount the hell we've all gone through the last few months. I even learn a few things I didn't know but I promised I wouldn't be upset about anything said here today.

To my surprise, everything went pretty quickly. There were a few objections along the way on both sides but the questions and answers were short and simple. We all know they are guilty but we are hoping for jury nullification which is where the jury decides to find the defendant not guilty either because they don't agree with the law or they believe the punishment is too harsh for the circumstances of the crime.

Just as I'm expecting everything to wrap up the prosecutor stands up.

"Your honor we would like to call our last witness MC to the stand."

I gasp as he says my name. Jake and Chase turned to look at me with shock evident on their faces as well.

"Your honor we were not made aware of this and I would like to object to this witness." Mrs. Hines stands up and says.

"Your honor we've heard countless times today that the defendants were acting out of concern for Ms. MC's safety. I think the jury needs to hear from her to determine just how much danger she was in."

"I'll allow it." The judge says causing me to panic.

"Then I would like to request a recess so that we can prepare for her to take the stand."

"We will have a 15-minute recess to prepare."

As we are dismissed I'm ushered out of the courtroom into another small room with just two defense lawyers Ashley Hines and Adam Greer. I've known Ashley for years and I trust her so I'm hoping she can give me some advice.

"Why are they calling me as a witness? Do they want me to tell everyone what happened?" I ask her.

"No, MC you know you can't do that. Him attacking you isn't admissible here."

"I could just say what happened. Sure it will get thrown out and the judge will ask the jury to disregard but it's not like they can unhear it."

"No that could cause a mistrial or be misinterpreted and backfire." Attorney Greer says.

"How can it be misinterpreted?"

"He's right MC. Remember when they thought you all conspired to kill Parker and make it look like an accident? What if the jury comes to the same conclusion?"

"Well, what can I do? What is he going to ask?"I ask trying to put on a brave face.

"I'm not sure exactly what questions he's going to ask but he's going to do it in a way that makes Chase and Tristan look bad so you have to be mindful of what you say. Don't give away too much info and don't mention the night you were attacked." Ashley tells me.

"I know what happened to me isn't admissible but there are ways to get around that. What if he opens the door for it? If he brings it up I can talk about it without it being thrown out and then you can ask follow-up questions."

"He's a cocky asshole and when people get cocky they tend to make mistakes. If he opens the door we'll walk through it but other than that keep your mouth shut and give simple yes or no answers."

Before I can respond someone comes in to tell us the recess is about to be over and we need to go back into the courtroom.

I walk up to the stand and give my oath, to tell the truth, and sit down. I'm trying to control my breathing so that it doesn't show how much I'm panicking.

"Ms. MC, can you tell us about the day you first met David Parker and what your interaction with him was like?" The DA asks.

"I was working at Chase's restaurant filling in for a waitress who called out sick. He sat down and immediately started asking questions about my life and my friends. He seemed to know a lot about me."

"At that time did you know anything about who he was or what he was accused of?"

"No," I say trying my best to do as Ashley said.

"How did you learn he was the one accused of killing Jake?"

"Jared told me."

"Just for the record, you're referring to Jared Riker the defendant Chase Austin's best friend correct?"

"Yes."

"After this conversation where you learned that he was the man accused of murdering your boyfriend did you fear for your life?"

I look over at Chase and Jake and I know if I answer the question it could hurt their chances with the jury.

"Answer the question." The judge says bringing me out of my panicked thoughts.

"I was terrified he started threatening-"

"At the time you found out who Mr. Parker was did you fear for your life." The DA asks interrupting me.

"No," I breathe out defeated.

"You mentioned Mr. Parker threatening you but you don't know that for sure do you?"

"What?" I ask unsure of where he's going with this.

"You received threatening texts is that correct?"

"Yes."

"What exactly did these texts say?"

"They told me I should have learned my lesson to stay out of other people's affairs. He told me he knew I knew where Jake was and he was going to get me to tell him."

"That doesn't sound very threatening to me. It sounded like he just wanted information. Did the person who sent these texts ever identify themselves as David Parker?"

"No."

"So you have no way of knowing who sent these messages and it was mere speculation that these messages were from him."

"Objection your honor! He's testifying not asking a question." Mr. Greer, Chase's attorney yells out.

"Ok," he waves his hand. "I'll withdraw that statement. Let's say these messages were from David Parker. Did you at this time know Jake was alive?"

"No."

"So if you didn't know Jake was alive then would a text asking for information about him really terrify you?"

"Objection!" This time it's Ashley who objects but before she can state her reasoning he withdraws the question.

"It was right after that conversation that Mr. Austin and Mr. Duval gained access to Mr. Parker's phone accessing all of his information including his personal conversations is that correct?"

"I'm not sure."

"After that conversation is when you learned what they had accessed his phone is that correct?"

"Yes, when David Parker followed me home."

"Did he follow you home? How can you be sure did he follow you all the way to your home?"

"No," I say in an irritated tone.

"So he just so happened to leave the restaurant at the same time you did and just happened to be going the same direction as you."

"He was following me!"

"Is that true or is that just what the defendants told you?"

"At the time David Parker's phone was accessed you had no reason to be fearful of him. In fact, you didn't even know the truth about Jake's death or why Parker was really there until a week later is that correct?."

"That's correct. I found out when he broke in-"

"Yes or No, MC. You didn't find out the real reason Parker was here until a week later. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"No further questions your honor."

Ashley was right he is a cocky asshole and I don't even think he realizes he screwed up yet. I can tell by the look on Ashley's face she knows it though.

"Ms. MC, can you tell us about the night you found out the truth about Jake's death and how you learned the reason Parker had been harassing you?"

"Objection!" Richards says.

"May we approach?" Ashley asks and the judge nods. From where I'm seated I can hear everything they're saying.

"Your honor Mr. Richards opened the door by asking about when she found out. Therefore I believe the jury needs to know the details of that."

"She's right you brought it up and she has the right to cross-examine about that incident." The judge says and then turns to me. "You may answer the question."

"David Parker broke into my house and attacked me." The jury gasps. "He told me Jake was alive and he knew that I had been lying to him. He threatened my life if I didn't tell him. It was then that he showed me a picture of Tristan and I learned he and Jake were the same person. I managed to successfully defend myself but not before he attacked me causing me to have a black eye, concussion, bruised ribs, and stitches in my head."

"Chase and Tristan knew the whole time why he was there and what he would do to you if he found out you and Tristan were close is that correct?"

"Yes."

"So it would be safe to say even though you didn't know you were in danger, my clients who had more information on this situation did act accordingly. Is that correct?"

"Objection!"

"Withdrawn. I have no further questions you may step down MC."

After my testimony, the judge dismisses the court and we will only have to come back tomorrow for closing arguments. As we're all walking out of the courthouse Jake puts his arm around me.

"You did good today I'm proud of you." He says.

Let's hope it was good enough.

#duskwood #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood jake #duskwood everbyte #duskwood game #duskwood community #jake duskwood #duskwoodfanfic #duskwood jake x mc #jake x mc #hope in tragedy

[thedilucharem]

What the Hell is Ushi? (Long Post)

This is inspired by the new event and raised some questions with me concerning gameplay mechanics and official lore.

There are also minor spoilers for 2.7 below. Read at your own risk.

In Wanmin Restaurant . . .

Childe: So, hypothetically speaking, my narwhal is something that I can potentially communicate with?

Itto: (through a mouthful of noodles) That's like sayin' Beidou's serpents are alive because they can move. Does that make 'em alive? No!

Childe: (grumbles) Well, that doesn't make any sense. (turns to Diluc) If your summoned creature isn't alive, how does your burst work then?

Diluc: Huh. (contemplatively) I simply see my burst as an extension of my will, so I point it in the direction I want it to go and the things I want it to do and it does so. (pinches the bridge of his nose) . . . why are we talking about this again?

Itto: Zhongli and Ushi went out for some tea or something and Childe thinks that his whale can do the same, which it can't!

Childe: (inhales) Comrade, look. We both summon our respective familiars! That, in itself, is a critical similarity that you can't deny!

Itto: No, no, no! What you're talking about isn't how it works at all! I met Ushi first and then he stayed with me. Your 'whale-thing' or whatever's completely different!

Childe: (points a chopstick in Itto's direction) Then explain the whale song, comrade! If it wasn't alive, then how could it sing?

Diluc: (finishing a dumpling) (evenly) Well, just because the . . . beings summoned with a Vision show some signs of being alive doesn't mean that they are alive, let alone able to communicate with the user.

Beidou: (shrugs as she eats from a bowl of rice) Well, one of mine did try to bite me once, but then I simply willed them out of existence.

Itto: Well, there you have it! (puts his arms behind the back of his head) Besides, I think the Arataki Gang's auxiliary member is a whole lot better than a giant whale anyway.

Diluc: (sighs as he waves Xiangling over) Is it possible to get a pot of tea for us? We might be here for a while.

Beidou: (finishes her rice) Yeah, and can you also grab some more of that new stew you've got? It's awesome.

Xiangling: (cheerfully) Of course! It'll all be ready in about fifteen minutes! (rushes back into the kitchen)

Childe: (actually worked up) . . . no, no that can't make any sense!

Itto: (huffs as he finishes the last of his dumplings) Well of course it does! Ushi's a living thing and your whale isn't, end of story!

Childe: Aha! (suddenly stands up with a dangerous glint in his eye) Ushi obviously isn't alive!

Itto: (dumbfounded) What?!?

Childe: (almost fanatically) If Ushi was alive, then he wouldn't bamf away, and only summoned creatures can do that! (excitedly slams his hand on the table) Therefore, anyone who can summon a creature should be able to talk to them and others can too!

Itto: (pauses for a second) (shoots up out of his seat and points at him) Now hold on! Ushi isn't a summoned creature at all!

Childe: Well if he isn't, then what is he?

Itto: (crosses his arms and says confidently) An exorcist, obviously!

The entire restaurant goes dead silent.

Diluc: (facepalms)

Beidou: (desperately trying not to choke on laughter)

Childe: (deflates and slides back into his seat in disbelief)

Itto: (looks around the table) (loudly) What? You got a problem with that or something? Huh? Well, speak up if you do! (plops back down into his seat) Hmph!

The restaurant becomes more dead than silent.

Xiangling: (carefully puts the orders on the table)

Diluc: (slides a bag with a handful of mora in it) (mutters) Keep the change.

Xiangling: (nods in thanks and quietly leaves)

Childe: (to Itto) Comrade?

Itto: (gruffly) Yeah?

Childe: (tiredly) You're right. Ushi is definitely a living being.

Itto: . . . now it just sounds like you're giving up-

Beidou: (puts her hands up in peace) Now, now, we can ask the beefcake ourselves once he comes back. (starts eating her rice and stew)

Childe & Itto: (begins to attempt to speak)

Beidou: (hums loudly and appreciatively) Mmm. This is the good shit. (gestures to them) Eat.

Itto: (smells the rich scents and takes a deep breath) Sure, sure. Yeah. (preps a bowl for Childe without looking at him) Here.

Childe: (gratefully) Thanks.

The restaurant is revived of life and restored to its former vitality.

Diluc: (pours tea for the others) This tea pairs well with the stew.

Beidou: (takes a sip) Oh yeah, it really does! (teasing) Zhongli's rubbing off on you, huh?

Diluc: (smiles lightly) It can't be helped that I picked a couple of things up.

---

Meanwhile, at Yuehai Pavilion, Zhongli and Ushi are currently sitting at a table with some tea, the bull in question on top of a comfortable pillow.

Zhongli: So I understand that you've seen a thing or two in your longevity and experience as an exorcist.

Ushi: Moo.

Zhongli: (nods) Oh, absolutely. The Arataki Gang is a lively bunch indeed, especially when you have such a critical role within it.

Ushi: Moo, moo.

Zhongli: (raises his eyebrows) Really now? If you don't mind me asking further-

Ushi: Moo!

Zhongli: (assuredly) Of course, of course. If you would like, I will even sign a contract with you ensuring the mutual agreement of my silence concerning these matters.

Ushi: Moo . . .

Zhongli: (solemnly) As the saying goes, 'my lips are sealed'.

Ushi: (nods) . . . moo?

Zhongli: Why yes, I also feel the distinct sensation that someone somewhere is talking about me. However, I do not feel the need to act upon it as it is likely only in passing.

Ushi: Moo, moo. Moo.

Zhongli: As you should, Ushi. As you should. Now, back to the topic at hand concerning particular encounters with ghosts . . .

---

The instant that Ushi showed signs of intelligence and sentience, my mind practically dragged me to the blank post before the Genshin Impact Wiki. So of course, I wrote something about it injected with an unhealthy dose of my own brand of crack as you do with these sort of things.

Yes, Ushi's dialogue is comprised entirely out of 'moo' like Hoyoverse intended and they are absolutely up to your own interpretation. Also, Zhongli can totally understand him as he's a long-lived former Archon and because, quite frankly, I said so.

#long post #childe #arataki itto #diluc #beidou #xiangling #zhongli #ushi #wanmin restaurant #yuehai pavilion #liyue harbor #liyue #diluc harem au

[useless-bi-otch]

Cookies'n Cream - Chapter 5

Last chapter / MasterList / art by @aneenasevla

Chapter 5 - Cookie Hoarder

"Rihito! Put down that box and raise those fucking hands where I can see them!"

Rihito drops the cookie box on the kitchen counter as if it's boiling hot, turning to Okubo with an indignant expression.

"Oh, c'mon now! Are you really going to be a greedy ass and refuse us some cookies? There's still lots of 'em!"

“Only ten, and that's not a lot. I'm trying to make them last as long as possible, which won't happen if you keep sticking your hands in there" Okubo grumbles as Himuro, Kaneda and him sit around the coffee table while Kaneda was greasing the takoyaki grill with oil in a culinary brush "Now step back from the counter. Is the takoyaki batter ready yet, Kaneda?"

 "Yep! It's just waiting for you to turn on the grill so magic can happen", He says excitedly, placing the bowl with the dough next to the grill, while Himuro organizes the chopsticks "Movie night and takoyaki. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday night?"

“It would be even better with dessert, but this bastard here is acting like he's starving and is being all protective over a box of stupid, sissy cookies…” Lihito mutters as he joins them at the table, deftly dodging when Okubo tries to smack him on the back of the head.

"You'd be too if you were in my shoes, you asshole! They're a gift, made especially for me."

"Technically it wasn't a gift, considering you paid for them…" Himuro comments as he dips the ladle in the batter, stirring it to maintain the creaminess, and Lihito feels vindicated when Okubo blushes a little.

"T-That's irrelevant, okay?"

"Irrelevant or not, you better eat them soon. These cookies are good for a maximum of seven days, and it's been four since our trip to the bakery."

"I know, I'll eat them. I just want to enjoy the feeling a little longer..."

"What feeling? The feeling of being the only sucker in the world who had to pay for a gift?", Lihito mocks, and this time he's not so quick to dodge a neck slap.

"No, dumbass, the feeling of being the target of the interest of a nice and beautiful girl, something you've never experienced to this day."

"Yeah, rub that in my face, you jerk! Go ahead and smash it on the takoyaki grill too, since your goal is to burn me for good!"

"No way, I only want dumpling batter going into this grill, thank you very much" Kaneda moves the takoyaki grill away from both of them, dragging it a little across the coffee table "And for dessert, I brought cheesecake from a pastry shop on the way here. Let's leave Okubo's cookies alone before he loses it on us, haha."

Okubo ended up feeling a little guilty. If the situation were different, he wouldn't mind sharing his cookies; as Rihito had said, there were still lots of them. But those little cookies bearing the illustrious figure of Kuidaore Taro were proof that he had indeed attracted someone's admiration, that someone being one of the prettiest and nicest girls he had met in recent years. They couldn't blame him for getting a little possessive, could they?

Thinking about Uta Tomori made him crack open the stupidest smiles, so he tried to avoid it when he was with his friends. It was one of the reasons he invited Rihito, Himuro and Kaneda to his place for a relaxed evening; eating junk food, getting drunk and making fun of bad movies with his friends was an excellent distraction and one that he urgently needed, otherwise he would just have his face glued to the phone, waiting for her to send him another text. But it was difficult to achieve his intention, since those idiots decided to hover over his precious box of cookies.

"If this cheesecake wasn't bought at that sugar shack- alright, bakery! Don't point that fork at me, Himuro!" Rihito cringes a little. "Anyway, if it wasn’t bought there, I don’t really believe it'd be as good as these cookies…"

"Dude, why are you so fucking obsessed with my cookies?" Okubo snorts "You're even calling them 'sissy' three minutes ago."

"So what? They still taste pretty good! I swear to god, Okubo, if that girl is as good in bed as she is in the kitchen, you've hit the jackpot. Maybe I should try scoring with her too..."

"Hell no! You're not gonna steal her away from me!" Okubo raises a fist, snarling, to which Rihito stares at him indignantly.

"Huh? 'The fuck are you talking about? She's not even your chick or anything! Chill out, you're still at the front of the line anyway..."

"And how about you try to talk about her in a more respectful way, just for a change?", Kaneda grumbles, to which Okubo and Rihito flinch, the former feeling even guiltier.

"Sorry. I respect her, I swear. The one who doesn't is this dick here, who is already wanting me to pass her along like she's weed or something."

"And what if that's what she wants? What you gonna do about that then?"

"Rihito, she rejected you right off the bat when you asked for her number, back there on our first visit to the bakery. What makes you think she'll change her mind?" Himuro rolls his eyes while picking up a ladle full of takoyaki batter "Forget about it and settle for just her cooking."

Rihito huffs and crosses his arms, to which Okubo relaxes.

"Thanks, Himuro..."

"Wanna thank me? Give me at least one of those cookies."

"Holy shit, dude, you too?!"

"What? Rihito's right, they're pretty good!" Himuro laughs, and Lihito and Kaneda join him. Okubo grunts, getting up from the mat.

"Ugh, okay then. You'd probably steal them anyway..."

"Good one, Himuro!" Lihito exchanges a high-five with Himuro, both smiling triumphantly "Now this movie night is really going to take off..."

"No, hold on. I said you could eat them, not that you could feast on them" Okubo goes to the kitchen to get the box "Each of you will get one, and that's it."

"What? Only one?!

"You heard me"

"You're joking, right?"

"Dunno, man, I think I got ligma and I don’t want it to spread to you..."

"Ligma...? Ooh, fuck you, bro! There's enough cookies to fill a whole box!" Lihito also gets up from the mat, marching indignantly to the kitchen, and Okubo immediately raises the box in the air, inwardly thanking the heavens for being the tallest of the group.

"Yes, and they're mine! I'm already being too nice to let you take three of them, so just thank me and stop bitching!"

"You know what? A true man takes what he wants, when he wants!" Lihito punches the palm of his left hand, grinding his teeth "Himuro, you go for the legs, and I'll go for the torso. Kaneda, get the box and run as soon as we manage to take him down!"

"Ohoho, you wanna fucking go? Fine be me, I'll beat the shit outta all of you!" Okubo shakes his left fist, already taking a fight stance when Lihito and Himuro advance towards him, smiling predatorily. Kaneda just laughs, spooning some batter onto the takoyaki grill. A little exercise before eating wasn't a bad idea at all…

They are then interrupted by a  vibrating sound, coming from Okubo's cell phone, which was shaking on the top of the same counter where the cookie had been. His stance immediately changes from hostile to relaxed, content, and he raises his palm to them in a warning.

"Wait, wait! Time out! She's texting me" He announces, to which Lihito and Himuro stop short, straightening up.

"Are you serious? Are you going to decline a good sparring session with your pals to give attention to some woman? Fuckin' traitor...

"Leave me alone! Go back to the table, I'll be with you shortly.”

"What about the cookies?"

“They will stay here with me to be properly divided. Now piss off."

Seeing that there was nothing to be done, Rihito and Himuro returned to the table, but not before the former flipped the bird at Okubo, who ignored him in favor of checking his messages. He clicks on Tomori's contact, the goofy smile he'd been trying to contain thus far breaking out across his face.

Uta_Tomori:

good evening mr okubo!

this is your nightly report, courtesy of your self-proclaimed nutritionist 

He lets out a low chuckle, starting to type right away, not paying attention to his friends at the table, who were watching him with eagle eyes.

Okubo_Naoya:

hey miss uta

good, time for my favorite non-televised cooking show lol

Uta_Tomori:

lol stop

I'm not bothering you, am I?

we can talk another time if ur busy

Okubo_Naoya:

its fine, I'm not

just having a movie night with the guys

we're making takoyaki!

Uta_Tomori:

nice

haven't made takoyaki in a long time

are you guys using one of those grills?

He immediately turns and walks over to the table, placing the phone horizontally.

"C'mon, guys, strike a pose. Put that middle finger down, Rihito, this pic is for a lady!"

He takes the photo and immediately returns to the kitchens, the other three following him with their eyes. Rihito and Himuro exchange a very meaningful look.

"Damn, he's already exchanging food pics with her..."

"How long 'til they start sending nudes to each other?"

"Shush!" Kaneda puts his index finger over his lips, hissing, while they hear Okubo laugh with himself, now with his back to them.

Uta_Tomori:

wow that's fancy!

it's a real takoyaki party

Okubo_Naoya:

it’s more of an excuse for everyone to get get drunk lmao

Uta_Tomori:

hahahaha

I hope this doesn't mean you already too full for another of my cooking tips lol

Okubo_Naoya:

when it comes to your food I'm never full enough

go ahead

She takes a moment to answer, and Okubo allows himself a brief self-absorbed moment, imagining her having a fit of happiness over his answer. She looked even more adorable in those moments.

Uta_Tomori:

okay, here it goes!

are you more interested in pre- or post-workout nutrition?

Okubo_Naoya

pre workout 

we want something that gives us energy and doesn’t make us feel too stuffed

and that it doesn’t make us gassy either 

otherwise the gym will be uninhabitable hehe

Uta_Tomori:

LMAO

no, serious

I researched a lot

in the pre-workout diet, you need to look for more foods that contain lean and high-quality protein, because they help with muscle recovery

you also need a quick release of energy, so simple carbohydrates are a good choice

and citrus to prevent muscle pain

Okubo_Naoya:

got it

I always read these conversations on nutrition blogs about carbohydrates being a bad thing

but it’s all bogus

Uta_Tomori:

yep!

you just have to eat sparingly

do you want me to give you a recipe with good carbohydrates?

Okubo_Naoya:

please!

preferably something I don't need to do manually

my hands are good for hitting, immobilizing and weightlifting, but not for cooking lol

Uta_Tomori:

lol okay

amazingly, umeboshi-stuffed rice balls are a great pre-workout food…

They continue to exchange texts and tips, Okubo never failing to smile at the phone, which did not go unnoticed by his friends, who were already helping themselves to takoyaki and sake.

"Isn't he going to eat? Soon there won’t be takoyaki batter..." Kaneda arches an eyebrow, to which Rihito lets out a low, mocking laugh.

"And you think he cares? He's too busy sexting..."

"Is sending a photo of your friends stuffing their faces with octopus dumplings sexting? That's a very specific fetish..."

"Wake up, Himuro, it's obvious that the photo was just for throwing us off."

"No way. Okubo isn't smart enough to think of such a plan."

“And it's still too early for that, anyway. You need to take your mind out of the gutter from time to time, Rihito" Kaneda places a dumpling on his plate, to which Rihito shakes his head.

“You're too innocent, man. I know this guy, he's a hopeless pervert."

“Pot, meet kettle.”

"Shut up. Anyway, just look at him" He pointed at Okubo, who had turned slightly so they could see his face sideways. He was smiling from ear to ear, cheeks slightly flushed "Look at that dumb face and tell me if the cause for it isn't a very naughty thing. Or a 'hairy' thing, if you know what I mean..."

"Holy shit, you're sick..."

"Do you think she already sent him a tit pic? Would he be pissed if I went to peek over his shoulder?"

"What do you think? He almost went for your throat when you insinuated that you also wanted to try your luck with Miss Uta" Himuro shakes his head as he puts a dumpling in his mouth, to which Kaneda warns: 

"Don't push your luck, Rihito. Hey Okubo! Won't you come eat? We're already making the dumplings."

"Gimme five minutes!" He answers, without taking his eyes off of the cracked screen.

Okubo_Naoya:

thanks for the tips miss uta

I can see that the guys and I are going to eat like kings from now on

Uta_Tomori:

I am happy to help!

and that's been good for me cause now I've also felt the urge to eat more appropriately for pre-workout

He widened his eyes at that. Holy fuck, how many more things would they find in common?!

Okubo_Naoya:

wait

you work out?

really??

Uta_Tomori:

oh not the same way as you

I don’t even go to the gym

I only have a few water dumbbells at home

I do a weekly workout just to keep myself in shape

I eat a lot of sweet stuff because of my work so it is a necessity hehe

Okubo_Naoya:

ooooh

okay got it

but yeah I imagine you do

so much so you must be sick by now haha

Uta_Tomori:

I mean, yeah lol

but I still love baking

baking is my passion

so don't worry

I'm still gonna bake cookies for a while longer

you'll never run out of them

oh I shouldn't have sent this 

I'm embarrassed now lol

Okubo was grateful that none of his friends had sharp enough hearing to hear how his heart started racing. But they could still see him blush… he quickly turns his back to the coffee table again.

Okubo_Naoya:

haha it’s ok

I am happy to know that

It's more reason for me to come back

He waits for her answer anxiously. It takes at least two minutes to arrive. And when it arrives, it's just a single one:

Uta_Tomori:

♥️

Holy shit, how could a single stupid emoji leave him with that weightless feeling, like he'd lost all of his 250 pounds and was going to float away at any moment?! He tries to control himself, shaking his head when he sees that she has started typing again.

Uta_Tomori:

alright back to our conversation

I said I wanted to cook something more suitable for a pre-workout, right?

well I'm starting it now

I'm making onigiri with umeboshi!

Okubo_Naoya:

nice!

send a pic please 

I'm curious now lol

"Dude, we're gonna eat all the dumplings and there will only be cookies and cheesecake left for you..." Himuro calls from the table.

"I'm comin', jezz! I'm just waiting for her to send me something."

"Well, it's taking a lot, so it'll only be worth it if it's a tit pic."

"Shut up, Rihito! It's a picture of her dinner", Okubo grumbles, then smiles again "She gave some nice tips. Did you know that onigiri with umeboshi is a great choice for a pre-workout snack?"

"Oh, are those the recipes you asked for?", Kaneda asks, smiling while pouring some more sake into his cup "She really took your request seriously. I'm impressed with how dedicated she is."

"I know!" His voice cracks in his happiness, and he turns furiously red when the other three laugh out loud. He clears his throat, a fist in front of his mouth, then says, in a serious tone:  "Anyway, I have to show that I appreciate her dedication. That's why I'm giving her all this attention."

"Yeah. Right" Himuro arches an eyebrow "The dedication comes only from her, I’m sure…”

“Hey now, I'm not the die-hard fan here, remember?" He shrugs with a smug smile "I'm just fulfilling my role as a helpful, friendly idol."

"Look at this bozo, thinking he's all that" Rihito rolls his eyes "Stop pretending you're not as smitten as her. We saw you at the bakery, 'I-Want-You-As-A-Company' Boy."

"That was your fault! You made me nervous!" He growls at the same time that the phone vibrates again, indicating that a message had arrived "Okay, she sent the photo... damn, that shitty wi-fi isn't cooperating..."

"Our fault? The only thing missing was you lying on your back so she could rub your belly, like a friggin' dog!"

"Fuck off! You know me, I don't get smitten with chicks that easy", He assures while clicking on Tomori's contact, his chin slightly raised while he waited for the photo to load "I'm totally cool, just doing what I do best without getting too attached and- WHO THE FUCK IS THAT LITTLE SHIT BEHIND HER?!!!"

Rihito, Himuro and Kaneda nearly knock the coffee table off, grill and all, as they jump with fright. Kaneda holds the bowl of batter while Himuro holds the table, the two panting and staring at Okubo in chock, while Lihito shouted: 

"Dude, what the hell! The fuck was that?! And what little shit?!"

"The one behind her in this photo! The one she just sent!" He almost shoves the phone in Lihito's face, red with anger and, if their eyes weren't playing a trick on them, with hurt "I don't believe it! Why is she texting me if there's a guy at her house?!"

“Wha- holy shit, you're right!" Rihito's jaw drops "She's been all flirty with you while going out with some other guy?! Man, what a bitch!"

“Wait, are- are you guys serious?” Kaneda asks, dumbfounded, while Himuro leans across the table and takes the phone from Okubo's hand.

"Hold on, let me see this! I can't believe she would..." 

He trails off, frowning as he stares at the phone's screen. And then he puts his hand over his face, grunting aloud with impatience.

"Holy fuck, I swear... look closer, you morons!" He shows the phone screen to the other three "That is a frickin' wall poster!"

Okubo and Rihito crouch down to look, startled. There is silence for about five seconds. They exchange a sidelong glance. And then they say together, in a low voice: 

"... Yikes."

“What- did you really mistake a wall poster for a real person?!"

"I swear to god, you're not dumber because you're not bigger!"

"That poster is fucking real-sized! And we can only see it from the waist up!" Lihito defends himself, face now as red as a bell pepper "It's easy to get confused, even more so after only a quick glance!"

"Yes! And the color of the poster blends in with the wall too! But… damn, I'm glad… there's no dude at her house…" Okubo gasps, a hand on his chest, relief making him go from red to white in a matter of seconds "Holy shit, guys, I- I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"Calm down, Okubo. Breathe. I'll get you a glass of water..." Kaneda gets up, going to the kitchen, while Okubo hugged his own knees. Himuro kept shaking his head in exasperation as he dropped the phone on the table next to the grill. 

On the screen, there was a selfie: Tomori, wearing an adorable yellow apron and smiling at the camera while holding a plate with three artistically placed rice balls. And further behind her, a white wall boasting a large poster of a handsome young man with wavy brown hair that fell down the sides of his very symmetrical face. He was flexing his impressive muscles, smirking. The image continued to plague Okubo's thoughts, even now that he knew it was just a harmless real-sized photo.

“Shit… I feel like a jerk now…” He mutters suddenly, running a hand over his head. “How could I have thought she'd do something like that…?"

“Well… yeah, you were kind of a jerk, but at least she doesn't know that, and she doesn't need to” Rihito shrugs, and Okubo nods slowly.

“Yeah, she doesn't, but still… hey, wait!" He looks up suddenly, seeming to have recovered a bit. And then Rihito lets out an ultraged shout as Okubo punches him in the shoulder, knocking him sideways onto the mat.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"You called her a bitch, you asshole!"

"I was trying to be supportive, you ungrateful bastard!"

"Alright, cut it out!" Himuro intervenes, putting his hands on both of their faces and pushing them away "You're going to knock the table off, grill and everything! And Rihito said something stupid, but this mess started because of you, Okubo. Don't be a jerk."

Okubo takes a deep breath, grabbing his head in his hands.

"Uugh...! Okay, you're right. I'm sorry, man, I'm still worked up..."

“Humph… alright, you're forgiven. But if you punch me again, I'll tear your face up."

"There you go" Kaneda returns, bringing a glass of water "I even added some sugar. You're white as a sheet..."

"Thanks, Kaneda..." He turns the entire glass of water into his mouth, drinking with his eyes closed. He puts the glass on the table, taking a deep breath "Fuck, I'm glad this didn't happen during a video call… she would probably never want to talk to me again."

“Yeah, and nobody here would blame her for that. What the hell were you thinking, making such a scene over some stupid poster?" Himuro gestures, and a bit of color returns to Okubo's face, in the form of a blush.

"I told you I got confused! I took a quick glance at the poster and mistook it for a real person!"

"But no, seriously, who is that guy on the poster, anyway?" Rihito asks "Is he an actor, a singer...?"

“Flexing his muscles like that? Neither" Himuro shakes his head. Kaneda, picking up the ladle from the bowl, comments: 

"She's a martial arts fan, isn't she? So he must be a famous fighter."

This made Okubo lift his head, his expression darkening. He picks up the phone again, opening the private chat with Tomori, that same photo welcoming him. She had even sent a few more messages in the meantime.

Uta_Tomori:

so?

what do you think?

they look great, right?

oh I'm now seeing the poster behind me LOL

sorry, I kinda forgot about it in my excitement

mr okubo?

you busy?

was it the poster?

sorry, I swear I forgot about it

His stomach twists with remorse. He immediately starts typing, trying his best to ignore the photo.

Okubo_Naoya:

i'm here!

sorry my phone froze

yeah they look good, like everything you do

and yeah, I noticed the poster

Is he a martial artist?

Uta_Tomori:

yes!

It's yoshizuka daisuke

he is a rookie at ultimate fight

"Hey, Okubo, isn't that your fight promotion?" Kaneda asks, to which Okubo nods slowly, his eyes widening a little.

"Yeah. And Yoshizuka Daisuke... damn, I think I've heard of that kid. But I didn't know he was already famous enough to have a poster of himself that size for sale or something..."

"It must be because he has the perfect face for that kinda stuff" Lihito makes a face "Pretty boy and all… he's basically Himuro's lost twin."

"Cut that out, him and I are nothing alike" Himuro snorts "And I look way better."

"Hold on, guys, let me type!" Okubo says, his fingers running over the keypad.

Okubo_Naoya:

oh I think I know the kid

it's nice of you to support the newbies haha

Tomori_Uta:

oh he deserves it!

He joined uf last year and had a meteoric rise

two wins by submission, two by knockout and one by unanimous decision of the judges

it reminded me of you in your early career

“Damn… little shit seems really good", Rihito comments, crossing his arms. 

Okubo says nothing, still staring at the screen. A very unpleasant feeling lodged in the pit of his stomach. Something he couldn't put a name to. All he knew was that it was hot, corrosive like stomach acid, and that he didn't like the burning it caused one bit. Looking at the fighter's face on that poster only intensified it. He shakes his head, going back to typing.

Okubo_Naoya:

yes, these are some considerable deeds

and again, nice of you to offer your support like this

you really are a devoted fan.

Uta_Tomori:

thaaaanks!

we should always support new athletes

it is an incentive that only adds to the sport

but no need to worry!

if one day you two fight, I will cheer for you I swear

hahahaha

... Okay, that made him feel better. Much better, in fact. He smiles, his face heating up again, and he even manages not to be too embarrassed when his friends start laughing.

"Haha, told you so! He thinks he has it all, but as soon as she throws a bone he starts wagging his tail."

"Fuck off, Rihito! And stop peeping over my shoulder, party's over!" He hides his phone in his chest. Still laughing, the other three three return to sit around the small table to continue eating and drinking. Okubo turns his attention to the phone once more.

Okubo_Naoya:

lol thanks

you really know how to make a guy feel special

I'm happy to know that I won't lose my fan

Uta_Tomori:

of course you won't

there's always room for one more fighter in this heart of mine hahaha

... And the unpleasant burning sensation returned. He closes his mouth in annoyance. How many other posters of fighters did she have around her house anyway? Which fighters, specifically? Did she have a poster of him somewhere? If so, was it in the spotlight or was it mixed up among many others, so much so that it could very well go unnoticed?

And why the hell was he so worried about that stuff?! He shakes his head, going back to typing.

Okubo_Naoya:

that's every good woman's heart basically lol

anyway 

thanks for the cooking tips miss uta

tomorrow my pals and I are going to look for ingredients so we can make these dishes

Uta_Tomori:

good luck out there!

I can recommend a very good supermarket if you want

one that has all these ingredients in good quality and good price

Okubo_Naoya:

that’d be nice!

"Hey, Okubo. What's with that face?" Kaneda suddenly calls out, spilling more takoyaki batter on the grill "You still look mad..."

"Huh... it's nothing, man. It's just that I still haven't recovered from that scare...

"You're still thinking about the kid in that poster, aren't you?"

Okubo curses in his thoughts. Sometimes he hated how observant and deductive Kaneda could be.

"Well… yeah, kinda" He admits irritably, scratching the back of his neck "Knowing that she also admires a guy with a face like that, who is unlike me in absolutely everything…"

"Come on, dude, you didn't think you were the only fighter she looked up to, did you?" Himuro arches an eyebrow "If she’s a lover of martial arts in general, she must have at least one idol in each style.”

"Yeah! Holy shit, man, isn't it enough to hoard cookies? Now you want to hoard fans too?" Rihito mocks, and Okubo gives him an irritated look while Kaneda hands him the ladle.

"It's not that, damn it! I'm not hoarding anything! It's just... ugh, when I finally meet a nice, pretty girl who claims to be my fan, I still have to share her admiration with other guys..."

"Okubo... are you jealous?"

Kaneda's question hits him like a slap in the face. He widens his eyes, startled, very aware of the gazes of the other three pinned on him.

"What- no! What the hell, Kaneda! Where did that came from?"

"I'm just asking. Your reaction to the fact that she looks up to other fighters smells of jealousy."

"Well, your sense of smell needs to be checked then! Jealousy... that's bullshit" He takes a dumpling off the grill with chopsticks, chewing irritably "I barely know the girl..."

Kaneda says nothing, still staring at him with an unreadable expression. Rihito and Himuro exchange a brief look before shrugging and going back to eating.

"Eh, it's not like you have any acceptable reason to be jealous anyway," Himuro comments, to which Rihito nods.

"Yep. 'Cause it'd be fucking ridiculous for you to get jealous over a girl you haven't even kissed yet..."

Okubo couldn't say how he managed not to blush, but he was very grateful for that feat. He tries to focus his attention on the takoyaki, until he feels the vibrations of his phone on the table. He picks it up hesitantly and clicks on Tomori's contact again.

Tomori_Uta:

I recommend kinokuniya market 

there are many options there 

even foreign products

you guys won't run out of variety that's for sure

I really hope I helped you mr okubo

thank you so much for always taking the time to talk to me

it has now become one of my favorite parts of my nights

He feels a tightness in his chest, an unexpected rush of affection making it ache. Damn, what was up with him? How could that girl leave him a complete mess with just a few simple text messages? How could she be so adorable, in such a natural way?

That just made him feel even more that he didn't deserve all that appreciation. If she had any idea of ​​the things he thought, the stupid conversations he had with his friends about her... would she like that Okubo Naoya? The Okubo Naoya he really was, outside of the rings, press conferences and away from all the cameras?

Okubo_Naoya:

that's my line

thanks a lot miss uta

I didn't lie in that autograph I gave you

you made my days better

He puts the phone down, going back to eating. He would look at her answer later. If he looked at it now, he wouldn't be able to control his reactions in front of his friends. He'd already felt exposed enough for the night.

He would try not to think about those things anymore for the time being. No doubts, no ridiculous jealousy, none of that melodramatic shit. Tomorrow would be grocery shopping day, and that would be what he would focus on. Period.

He just hoped she would cooperate and not send any more adorable messages that made his stupid heart turn against him.

NEXT CHAPTER

#Kengan Ashura #Kengan Omega #kenganverse #fanfiction #Okubo Naoya #Naoya Okubo #okubo x oc #kengan oc #Rihito #Himuro Ryo #Kaneda Suekichi #cookies'n cream #the heavy bakery series

[fusionlads]

I asked my friend what they wanted to ask, and for some reason they asked about takeout?? idk lol, what are all the fusions favorite restaurants? Can the fusions even eat in the first place?

Kiwo: Oh, definitely! They have pretty much all the same bodily functions as us regular humans, along with their extra abilities. Fusions, especially the larger ones, and their components actually have really high metabolisms because fusing and using their powers consumes a lot of energy. It can be hard to keep up with, which is why Seán hired Max on.

Max: My office is the kitchen. Not really, I do have a desk in the actual office, but I spend a lot more time in the kitchen. Cooking, keeping the cupboards stocked, hiding my nice pans from Daian… It’s not half bad, really. As long as I keep everybody’s nutritional needs in mind, I can pick the menu myself, and it’s nice to have room to experiment and try new things when I feel like it. Not that I mind taking requests, I do want everyone to enjoy the food I make. If only some people appreciated my efforts a little more and didn’t make instant noodles at three in the morning instead of heating up the leftovers I put my heart and soul into—

Kiwo: Anyway, we’ve gotten off track of the actual question. We’ll let the fusions answer for themselves about their favorite places to eat.

Keviel: Sushi! I heard Dan used to live in Japan and really loved the food there, so I’ve tried lots of Japanese food to see what it’s like. I’m actually better than Kiwo at using chopsticks now, haha. Oh, and me and Breán sometimes get margherita pizza together, apparently that’s Kevin’s favorite kind.

Breán: I’d eat pizza every day if these bastards would let me. Why? ‘Cause pizza’s good, what the fuck else do you want?

Danthi: I don’t eat out much, my job keeps me busy in the evenings. Starbucks is probably the only place I go regularly.

Seániel: I’m quite fond of seafood myself. Though sometimes the others make annoying jokes about crab cannibalism because of my limbs, ugh. Sit-down restaurants can be nice, but we don’t do that a lot. Our outings tend to be, uh, disruptive, to say the least, and we’ve been banned from a few places. Besides, it seems a waste when we have our own chef at the compound. Max works hard for us, and I don’t want to take him for granted.

Seáthi: Okay, picture this. McDonald’s, but the whole menu. Brivin: Hell yeah. Seáthi: Nuggie heaven. Brivin: Definitely one of your best ideas. And there’s nothing like the look on the cashier’s face when you roll up and ask for one of everything.

Kevthi: I like those all-you-can-eat places. Sometimes they lie and make you leave before you’re done, though.

Braniel: Waffle House, because they don’t get fucking NOSY and kick you out for stupid things like fistfights in the parking lot. It’s the only good advice Seáthi’s ever had. …I guess I kinda like that cat cafe downtown, too, but it’s not like people go there for the food.

Seávin: Oh, I could absolutely live off Taco Bell alone. Just bury me in cheesy roll-ups. It’s just a shame they don’t have milkshakes to dip them in.

Daian: Any place that gives real metal silverware and doesn’t ask where it went afterward. Stainless steel is the most common, but I prefer the flavor of sterling silver. Especially plated over an alloy like copper.

#tw food #irish lads #irish lads au #fusion au #kiwo #maxispio #call me kevin #rtgame #terroriser #jacksepticeye #daithi de nogla #ask #lore #max #keviel #brean #danthi #seaniel #seathi #brivin #kevthi #braniel #seavin #daian #for context remember that kevthi is fourteen feet tall #seathi and brivin in their natural dumbass state #also bringing back daian the metal eating menace

[writingwhimsey]

Second Chance Love Ch. 6

Chapter 6

Ava was getting her things settled back into her old room at Azuchi castle. Mitsuhide and the others had helped her with her things, not that she had had much, but they were all becoming rather doting on her. None of them were letting her lift anything too heavy. Masamune was still making sure she had delicious and filling food. Ieyasu was even doing his part, bringing her some medicine to help with the morning sickness whenever she felt it coming on. He’d also set up a time to interview some midwives with her.

She was now in her room alone, fighting off tears. It was a mixture of happiness and sadness. She couldn’t help but to appreciate how sweet the guys were all being, but also sad at the fact that it wasn’t Hideyoshi. It was at this moment, she heard a familiar knock coming from her ceiling. She quickly wiped at her tears and looked up as the ceiling tile moved away and the familiar masked face appeared.

“Is now alright for a visit?” Sasuke asked.

Ava nodded. “Yeah.”

Sasuke was then executing a really cool flip and landing silently on the floor. He pulled his mask down. “How are you doing?” He asked. “I am sorry that I haven’t come by sooner…work has been keeping me away. Lord Kenshin has been rather afraid of me leaving him again.”

Ava gave a light chuckle at his words. “I bet…and I’m…doing better.” She told him.

“I’m very sorry about Hideyoshi.” He said.

“Thank you…I should probably make us some tea.” She said, going to get her tea pot and things together.

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.” He replied. “I really just wanted to talk for a bit and check in on you.”

Ava gestured for Sasuke to take a seat. “Well, there is something I should tell you then.” 

“Of course, I am all ears.” Sasuke replied as he sat down on one of the offered cushions.

Ava took her seat on the other. “It appears Hideyoshi had one last gift for me.” She said, her hand going to rest on her belly.

Sasuke’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open a tad bit. “You’re…pregnant? You’re certain?”

Ava nodded. “Yeah, all the symptoms and my monthly visitor hasn’t shown up.”

“How…do you feel about that?” Sasuke asked.

“Happy…and sad.” Ava answered. “I miss Hideyoshi terribly…and he should be here…he would be such a wonderful father…but at least I get to keep a piece of him with me for the rest of my life.”

“Do the Oda know?” Sasuke asked.

Ava nodded. “Yes…Mitsuhide was taking care of me over the last few weeks…trying to get me out of my grief and back to the land of the living.” She said. “I found out while under his care and he told everyone for me…I couldn’t share the news with them…at least not without bursting into tears.”

“That’s understandable…you felt Hideyoshi should be with you for that.”

Ava nodded. “Yes…going to the council room is hard…seeing his spot empty, but…since I found out I’m pregnant, it’s a little more bearable.” She explained. “I think…I think I will always miss him and long for him, but…I get to have this baby and keep a part of him with me…and everyone has been taking such good care of me…Mitsuhide being…surprisingly comforting.”

“He does have a bit of a reputation.” Sasuke agreed.

“Yes…but he can be…tender and kind, though you wouldn’t necessarily know that that’s what he was doing.” She continued. “He’s actually…very kind. It’s just that his kindness is disguised as selfishness and deceit.”

“I see.” Sasuke replied.

The two friends talked for a bit longer before Sasuke sensed someone appraoching. He vaulted back up into the ceiling and replaced the ceiling tile. It was as if he had never been there. A few moments later and Masamune was appearing, carrying a tray of food.

“Here ya are, lass.” He declared proudly. “Told you I plan on fattening you up in no time.”

Ava gave him a small smile. “Thanks, Masamune.”

“Make sure you eat up.” He told her. “I’ve got some business I have to attend to, but I’ll be making sure to check on you again later.”

“Alright, good luck.” She told him, picking up the chopsticks.

Masamune gave her a smile before leaving. The rest of the day was spent with Ava settling back in and her getting visitors in and out all day. She was summoned to join the warlords for dinner once again, finding herself enjoying the time with them.

After dinner she took a nice warm relaxing bath before heading to bed. She laid down in her futon, feeling exhausted from the pregnancy and from the activity of the day…however she found herself unable to actually sleep. She couldn’t…or rather wouldn’t say that she felt as if something were missing. She let out a sigh and kicked the heavy futon cover back. She slid open her door and stepped out onto the veranda, taking a seat and looking up at the night sky.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat out there, her mind wandering over this and that before a familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. “And here I thought you would be asleep, little mouse.”

Ava turned to see Mitsuhide approaching her. “I just…couldn’t sleep.” She replied with a shrug.

“Do you miss your pillow?” He asked, a teasing smile on his face.

Ava’s cheeks reddened. “No!” She replied too quickly and indignantly, causing Mitsuhide to chuckle.

“So…just enjoying the view then?” He asked, that teasing light still in his eyes, but he didn’t say a word.

“Yeah…something like that.” She replied.

“Then perhaps might I join you?” He asked.

“It’s a free castle.” Ava replied with a shrug once again.

Mitsuhide sat down beside her. “What are you thinking about?” He asked.

“Just this and that.” Ava answered. “Starting to think up names…wondering if it’s a boy or girl…and how glad I am for everyone’s kindness and care.”

“You are a rather important member of the Oda forces now, little mouse.” Mitsuhide told her.

“Yeah, Nobunaga’s lucky charm and all that.” Ava replied., waving her hand.

“It is more than that and you know it.” Mitsuhide told her. “For me personally, you are a great source of entertainment.”

Ava gave him a playful glare as she reached over and gave his shoulder a shove. “You would say that.” 

Mitsuhide chuckled warmly. “You said you were wondering if the baby was a boy or girl. Which are you hoping for?” He asked, deciding to change the subject.

Ava shrugged. “Just a healthy baby.” She answered. “And for them to have Hideyoshi’s eyes and warm smile.”

“I personally think your smile is quite beautiful. It would be good to see a child with that.” Mitsuhide told her, blurting out an honest thought for a change.

Ava looked at him, trying to decide whether she believed him or not. “Well…I guess that wouldn’t be so bad…I was hoping for them to get my nose or something.”

“What names are you thinking of?” Mitsuhide asked, continuing the questions. He knew that talking about the baby would likely be of great help to her.

“Hmm…well I’ve always liked the name Hikari for a girl…Haru for a boy…” Ava answered. “Since either way…they are my light.”

Mitsuhide gave her a soft smile. He was glad to see her thinking about her child and the future. He also thought the names were very fitting either way for a child of such bright people. “Beautiful names.” He told her. “In a couple of days you and Ieyasu meet with some midwives, correct?”

Ava nodded. “Yes…it feels very strange…” She said, thinking of how Hideyoshi would be sure to be there if he hadn’t…but also about how this would be different in the future, her original time.

Mitsuhide reached over and patted her shoulder. “Would you like me to sit in on that meeting as well, little one?” He offered before he could think better of it.

Ava seemed surprised. “You…wouldn’t mind? Or be too busy?” She asked.

“I believe I can make the time.” He replied, unable to stop himself. He had already sworn to be whatever she needed.

“I think…I think I would appreciate that.” She answered with a nod after a moment.

“Alright, then I will be sure to be there.” He told her, giving her a surprisingly tender smile. “I imagine you’ll be busying yourself with making clothes for the child?” He asked, trying to keep the conversation going, keep reminding Ava all she had to live for.

Ava nodded and a smile came to her face. “I suppose I will.” She said, her smile so close to how it once was. “I’ll have to make sure this is the most fashionable baby around.”

“Yes you shall.” Mitsuhide agreed.

“I’ll probably need to start making some slightly larger kimono for myself as well.” She said, thinking about how her belly would be growing soon.

Mitsuhide chuckled. “Especially if Masamune keeps up with his mission to fatten you up.” He teased. “Though I do think you’ll be quite adorable little mouse…especially once you start to waddle.”

Ava frowned and reached over, lightly shoving him on the shoulder. “You…”

The pair chatted a while, Mitsuhide fitting in more teasing towards Ava. He managed to earn scowls, frowns, a few laughs, and even small smiles from her. All of her expressions warming him in a way nothing else could. She was still not as bright as before…perhaps that brightness would never be the same again…but this was close and it was warm. It made him happy to see her slowly returning to herself once more.

Mitsuhide was alerted to a change in Ava when he felt her weight on his shoulder. He looked down and saw her head resting there, her eyes closed, her breathing even and deep. He wrapped an arm around her. “I promise you, little mouse, it will get easier…and I will see to it that you and your little one are always safe.” He whispered to her sleeping form. 

She looked so peaceful and beautiful, resting against him in the moonlight. He decided to indulge himself a moment, leaning his head against the top of hers as he held her. He gazed at her face, memorizing her features and the way she glowed in the moonlight. He would revel in these stolen moments with her, cherishing every second. Even if this was all he would ever have from her, he would take it. These would be the moments, the memories that sustained him in even the darkest of times.

What Mitsuhide was surprisingly unaware of, was that he was being watched. One blue eye looked at him from a distance. Grinning to himself before heading off, going to his own manor for the evening. “I think they’re just what each other needs.” He muttered to himself. “Might have to think of a way to help them out.” he said, pondering how best he could manage that task. Schemes were Mitsuhide’s game, but Masamune could come up with his own…and for the sake of his friends he would. After everything, they both deserved to be happy.

#ikesen mitsuhide #ikemen sengoku mitsuhide #mitsuhide akechi #ikesen #ikemen sengoku #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #ikemen series #otome boys #cybird #fanfic #fanfiction #chapter 6