Me, Seeing Someone Left Me A Comment: Screaming, Running Around The Room In Circles, Kicking My Feet

Japes and Jubilations, Pt 4

The Sanctity of Sacred Spaces Masterlist

The various antics of the crews and the various ways you’re involved in it.

(Part 1) | (Part 2) | (Part 3) | YOU ARE HERE

Part 4: Pillow Fort

The crew finds out about your sleeping habits.

You snorted awake as a frightened yelp of your name roused from your slumber. A hand around your ankle was all the warning you had before you were tugged out of the comfortable darkness you were under.

“What were you doing?” Slick asked, his and Boost staring down at you.

Head full of sleepy cotton, you sat up with a yawn. “Napping.”

“Holy shit, what if those things collapse with you underneath?” he wheezed, an arm thrown out to the bolts of fabric leaned up against each other in a shoddy tent.

You wisely chose not to mention how many times you’ve had to wiggle out of that exact situation. And the bruises that would inevitably form after being pinned by rolls of unyielding fabrics.

“That’s so dumb…” Slick sighed, ignoring your affronted ‘hey!’

It was also a good way to de-stress, the sound and light dampening effects helping you cut off from the world. And you told him so.

“You should just build a pillow fort, then!” Slick harangued. “Instead of scaring us half to death!”

You blinked. “What’s a pillow fort?”

They stared at you like you grew a second head. “You… don’t know what a pillow fort is…?” Boost asked.

Their strange reactions made you defensive as you stood up and crossed your arms. “If you guys are going to be weird about it, then just go away.”

Boost quickly shook his head, denying that. “No! No! It’s not that. We’re just surprised, that’s all!”

Shrugging, you waved them off. “I’m not sure what the importance of this ‘pillow fort’ is. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go back to sleep.”

You caught onto Slick the moment an idea went off in his head, resigning yourself to your fate as the dark-haired male grabbed your wrist and dragged you with him. “No! I have a better idea that won’t risk you being suffocated.”

Boost shot you an apologetic look as he went along with his best friend, shutting your workshop door behind him.

The three of you tromped through the Tang’s halls, with the tallest in the lead, looking for something specific. Slick didn’t stop until he saw Law passing by, absorbed in his documents.

“Cap’n!” he called, halting the man in his tracks.

Law stopped, humming to show that you all had his attention, but never lifting his eyes from the files in his hands. “What is it?”

You were presented in front of him like a guilty party, your name uttered out by Slick. “—doesn’t know what a pillow fort is.”

Law glanced at you and slowly raised a single, dark eyebrow. “And? What is the reason for telling me this?”

Slick’s eyes gleamed as he leaned forward. “The common room’s free for a while, right?”

“Yes.”

“And what about the crew duties?”

“Well…” Law drawled, pretending to ponder over a schedule that you all knew he had memorized. He shuffled the paper in his hands a bit, like a teasing bastard. “Nothing out of the ordinary for today. It’s actually a lighter day, so night shift should be done early.”

Slick’s wide grin grew even wider. “Perfect… Captain…”

Law held up a tattooed hand. “Do as you want. Don’t let it get in the way of your duties, don’t mess anything up, and put things back the way they were.”

The arm in Slick’s hold was yanked up along as he threw his up in victory. “Yes! Thanks, Cap’n! C’mon, we gotta start it early.”

“Start what early?” The plaintive voice of your navigation officer asked.

Slick turned his excited grin on Bepo, tugging you forward. And finally releasing your wrist to put his hands on your shoulders. He shook you back and forth, as if you were a rattle and not a senior officer twice his experience. “We’re going to build a pillow fort!”

 Bepo tilted his head. “Oh, is this a team-building exercise? Can I help?”

“The more, the merrier,” Boost said, with the knowledge of someone who’d spent years accompanying Slick in his antics. “Slick usually makes them pretty big, so it’d be nice to have some help if we don’t want to spend all night on it.”

Bepo’s eyes glittered at that, and you knew it was inevitable that most if not all the crew would get wind of this as the mink sped off. And it was true, the air of the Polar Tang taking on a fervent energy at the thought of a new, exciting event. You had to admit, there wasn’t much to do outside of chores on the submarine, and when the underwater stints were weeks long, it really exhausted all sources of entertainment available. So you couldn’t blame everyone for being worked up at the Captain’s go-ahead.

“Yo.” Shachi popped into the workshop, the redhead stepping in to lift one of the bolts of fabric that you could spare (at Slick’s insistence and the promise to roll them all up later). He paused as he passed by you, leaving space for Uni as he too moved about in your workshop. The redhead’s gaze felt sharp and assessing beneath his glasses, and you blinked, relying on your old, hated training not to shift nervously and give anything away. “You alright with all of this? 

The unexpected kindness threw you for a loop, and you broke your composure, eyes widening. “I—Uh…”

“If it’s too much, let me know right now, and Peng and I will tell everyone to pack it up.”

His concern warmed your heart even after so long with the crew, and you gave him a close-lipped smile. “It’s fine, Shach’. I’m just… It’s kind of exciting.”

It embarrassed you to say that, but it was true.

Shachi’s face broke into a broad grin at that admission, shooting you a thumbs up. “Don’t worry, then. We’ll make sure this is the best blanket fort you’ll ever have.”

Somehow, miraculously through the power of very careful maneuvering, lots of squabbling, and two unrolled bolts of the largest fabrics and what you think was all the blankets and pillows possibly on the Tang, the recreational space became a massive fabric structure that every single one of your nakama could fit under in comfort. Even the tallest ones, should they choose to partake, had a space for them. It wasn’t surprising that the thing got built (not with those like Ikkaku and Morsa helping), more so that everyone wanted to participate and wanted to join in on this silly little escapade that only happened because you had revealed an embarrassing facet about your childhood (or lack of). Of course, not everyone was present, as there were those who still had to go through their shifts. But they would come when their shift ended and someone else’s began. But not you for tonight.

Because tonight, you’d get the joy of experiencing your first ‘pillow fort’.

You couldn’t believe it. Full-grown pirates, led by the most fearsome surgeon of the seas. And there you all were, piled into a pillow fort of all things.

“So?” Slick prompted in a whisper, picking his head up to look at you from where he was. “How’s your first pillow fort?”

You hummed, feeling the gentle rise and fall of Bepo’s bulk behind you. Uni, already in his sleep, tossed a leg over you, the long limb pinning both you and Clione down under it. “It’s nice,” you said simply.

Law’s gravelly brogue rumbled over the space, a little grumpy after Bepo corralled him into the space. “Go to sleep, you two.”

In the dark, you smile gently up at the canopy above you.

Slick had a satisfied look on his face as he shot you a final smile before lying down. Unbeknownst to you, he exchanged a victorious fist bump with Boost for giving their dear tailor one more experience to cherish.

Behind Blue Eyes | Link x Reader |

author's note: i've been on a big twilight princess kick lately and it inspired me to pick this wip back up. i had it around halfway done in 2023 but never actually finished it, nor did i write down my plan so i kinda had to try and read my own mind lmao n e way i hope you all like this and have a great day 🩷

pairing: link x fem!reader

warnings: slight canon-typical violence, link is also only a wolf in this, slight angst and a bit of comfort

It's a dark night in Ordon, the stars hidden behind the cloudy sky and effectively ruining your favorite spot in the small village. Link's house holds the single best stargazing spot in the world, you think, even though you've never set foot past Faron. There's just no way anywhere else could ever match the raw beauty of the countryside village.

There's an ache in your heart that accompanies your wistful sigh— it's been a couple of weeks since the children and Link were kidnapped by those invaders. It's far too quiet in the village, and the worry in your mind has you on edge during every waking moment. Are the kids alive? Is Link? Surely your dear love is doing something to save himself and the kids! It's always been in his nature to be the protector, the fixer of all problems and it's one of the several qualities that drew you to him so long ago.

With a huff, you begin making the descent down the ladder and the hairs at the back of your neck stand the moment your feet touch the ground. The clouds part for just a sliver of moonlight, and when you turn your head you're met with the dark, angry eyes of a growling coyote. Fear strikes your heart and you stumble back, tears filling your eyes as the beast approaches you. You're all alone, no sword or anything to defend yourself with in sight, and any scream you could attempt mustering out wouldn't possibly alert the other villagers of the danger before you've met with your terrible fate.

The coyote jumps with a ferocious roar, and you scream as your arms fruitlessly raise to shield your face. "No!"

There's an ugly, absolutely hideous roar and a wolf jumps out at the coyote during its ascension above you, tackling it aside and saving you, if only for the moment. Your entire body trembles in fear and tears slip past your tightly shut lids. The wolf saved you from the coyote, sure, but what's to stop the wolf from attacking you himself?

It's quiet and the only sound other than your soft whimpers is what seems like a chain clanking against itself on the ground. Surprisingly, you're not dead yet. What sort of wolf is this? Daring a quick glance from your curled up knees, you look ahead to see the wolf sitting patiently, watching you carefully as you slowly come to realize the lack of a threat.

"A wolf with blue eyes?" You mumble, the moon casting just a little bit of light on the animal. There are strange markings on its head, and… Earrings? Who in the world pierced a wolf's ears??

The wolf whines, the noise a high-pitched and frankly desperate sound. Those striking blue eyes are awfully sad, and you glance at the broken chain on its leg. "Who did this to you?" You ask softly, the wolf lowering himself to the ground and watching you approach.

Your heart beats in your throat as you stupidly, willingly approach the animal. You can practically hear Link yelling at you to get away from it and go somewhere safe, but something about this wolf is too alluring for your sensibilities. Your hand shakes as you reach out to it, but he remains entirely still as you brush your fingers over the markings on his face. Those blue eyes watch you intently, and something about them is all too familiar.

"Thank you for saving me." You whisper. "You best get out now, before someone from the village comes." You start to turn towards the ladder that takes you to Link's front door, but the wolf nudges his snout to your hand with a whine.

Frowning, you look back down at him. "I can't do anything about your chain."

The wolf takes great care as his teeth tug at your dress, gently pulling you a few steps away from the house. He releases and backs up towards the path to the holy spring, and once you're surely following him he books it to the home of the Ordona deity, where the moon shines brightest despite the cloudy night. The water of the spring is clear, the white sand practically glowing as it does most nights. It's no wonder this spot is the most romantic in all of Ordon and the one you and Link always frequent; his eyes just look so pretty here, not that you tend to see them during the frenzied lip locking you inevitably end up in during those visits to the spring.

Once there, the wolf gnashes his teeth into the wood of the gate, closing the repaired big doors over as best as he can. It's during this odd attempt for what seems like privacy that you take a moment to study the beast, now that there's more light to do so. He seems strong, and is much bigger than that coyote was by at least two times. Wolves aren't a very common sight at all in Ordon, though Rusl and Link have surely seen them in Faron Woods when they're off collecting firewood for the village.

Invaders or visitors alike hardly ever come to Ordon; the small province is quite closed off, being only accessible by a rather rickety bridge connecting the sides of the wide chasm between your side and the rest of the world. For him to be here is certainly out of the norm, though him being friendly is even rarer.

“You've come a long way, haven't you?” You murmur, noting the injuries littering his body. He's probably used the last good bit of his strength just to save you, and he must have had to pass by the Faron Spring to get here with these injuries. That's nothing if not rife with intent.

This wolf wanted to come to Ordon, to this spring in particular. It wasn't enough for the healing waters of the Faron Spring, and he also knows of the tiny healing spring that's hidden in the province. A blue eyed beast…

He lays down in the shallow water, though it's more of a slump than anything. His sigh is peaceful, grateful even as the warmth of the spring begins to heal him and rejuvenate his body. There's a bit of a nasty gash behind his ear, though, and surely germs are frothing at the mouth to infect it. This poor thing has gone through something absolutely hellish… And you do owe him your life.

Steps still tentative despite the debt, those blue eyes open up as you near closer. Your hands shake as you hold them up, indicating your intentions to be true and just as you lower yourself beside the wolf and collect the gentle water in your cupped hands. “You have a cut.” There's really nothing to indicate that this wolf can understand your words, but he seems to have such an innate understanding of everything else that it only seems natural to communicate with him.

The water wets his dark fur, seeping into the injury as you carefully trickle the water from the opening gaps in your fingers. His soft-looking ear twitches a few times, the large paw on the same leg as that awful chain coming to rest carefully on your leg. He's quite… Gentle, for an animal. Not even ten minutes ago was he tearing apart a coyote (in your stead) and now he's turned around and practically become a lap dog.

It's quiet as you help heal the wolf, the only sounds in the air coming from the water as you take scoop after scoop to tend to each wound. The night is chill, but his massive warmth as he rests his head on your leg soothes it away. His comfort dares to border on familiar, and there's just something so…

You can't quite place your tongue on it. But he's friendly, that's for sure.

“I think that's all of them.” You speak softly, tiredly even as you gently rake your hands through his fur for any more wounds. “Do you feel better?”

He stands then, stepping back a few feet to shake off the excess water. It's not quite far enough, however, and you throw your hands in front of your face to protect it from the droplets the beast shakes off. Your clothes aren't too terribly drenched from it, but you'll be changing out of them the moment you go home anyway. They're all sandy and covered in wolf fur now!

The wolf whines a bit, nudging his wet nose against your cheek. You laugh a bit, holding his face gently. “It's okay.”

It almost seems like he's smiling now as he drags that pink tongue along the side of your face in some gesture of affection or thanks. It's honestly gross, but you find you don't mind once you're having another look in those blue eyes. He whines desperately again, closing the gap between you and resting his head on your shoulder. It's like a hug, of sorts, and you've never known an animal, let alone a wild one, to act so lonely. Wolves do run in packs, you suppose… So where are his friends?

“What're you doin’ here, hm?” It's perhaps a little odd to hug him back, but frankly after the last two weeks you've spent worrying about your boyfriend and the village kids, it's nice to have comfort, even if it is from a wolf.

The chain clinks against itself as he moves his paw, pressing it right against your chest. Frowning, you pull back and take it carefully. Perhaps he's got a thorn or something stuck in it and it's hurting him. Lord knows you're experienced in that area; there's no telling how many times you've carefully extracted splinters and bee stingers from Link’s hands, arms and general body.

Time slows to a near standstill, the water gently waving in the slight breeze the only thing reminding you that this is real life. There's no thorn in this paw, no… But rather a familiar mark on it, one so unique you've only seen it on one other being. A person.

Link.

A blue eyed beast.

“How did this happen to you??” It's baffling, so ridiculous it could hardly be true! But that birthmark… “Link…”

Link merely whines, and of course he does. It's not as if he can speak to you! Trapped in a beastly form… How horrible, how impossible… How could your quiet, peaceful life suddenly be turned so upside down? Tears fill your eyes and you caress his face sweetly, not even a shred of fear in your body now. Link would never hurt you, after all. Pressing your forehead against him, two tears slip and sink into his fur.

His tongue gently laps against your cheek, decidedly less slobbery than his first show of affection. He always has used a bit of tongue during kissing, but not quite like this. Still, a small laugh bubbles from your chest and you kiss his forehead sweetly. “My love… What in the world have you gotten into?”

Link merely sighs, leaning desperately into your touch. The size and strength of this strange form is new to him, clearly, as he knocks you right onto your back with his weight. “Oof!”

You're covered in wolf kisses now as he tucks into your side, giving his love like it's the last of it. Gentle whines desperately litter your skin alongside blatant sniffs, as if he's trying to remember your scent on a level he's never had to before. Perhaps he is; a wolf’s nose is sharp, and while you'd never entertain the possibility prior to tonight, the scent of you may be all Link has to keep him sane. He's here in this form for reasons unknown to you, but there's a very simple truth that trickles into your heart.

He's going to try and fix everything, because that's just who he is. And he's very likely not in Ordon to see you, though it doesn't seem this detour of plans is particularly bothersome. You'll have to realign his focus; he's got work to do. The same sentiments echo on those early mornings when you kick him out of bed when he's unwilling to go to work, so this isn't much different… That's the lie you do your best to believe as you hold his furry face carefully between soft palms.

“Thank you for being safe, and for saving me from that coyote.” Link responds with a defiant grunt, as if to scoff at you. He'd never accept thanks for that; it's his duty, in his mind. You're the one he loves most of all, after all. How could he not protect you?

“Don't give me that.” Your chiding is so gentle alongside a finger against the tip of that wet nose. “Clearly it's not safe right now, so I'm going to be more careful, and make sure everyone else is too. Rusl tried to save you and the kids… He got hurt real bad. And I don't want you worrying about me or any of us back here in Ordon, so I'm gonna get those oldheads into shape, give ‘em curfews and that kinda stuff. And while I do that, you're gonna promise me that the next time I see you, I'm gonna see you. Okay?”

Link nods, and there's resolve in his eyes now. It's much better than the beaten down wolf he was an hour ago, and he follows your lead out of the spring and to the clearing outside of his home. Those blue eyes sparkle once you've given the top of his head yet another sweet kiss, and perhaps he hasn't enough shame in him as you climb the ladder up towards bed.

The sounds of the chain beat against the ground as he heads into the village, and the next time you happen upon blue eyes, their promise is kept.

Thatch is the drama queen we all secretly need/are

Also Izou is so soft ❤️❤️❤️ I’m so looking forward to Tasuke settling into the crew omggg

Snow Fall, Part 2 (Alpha!Izou x Omega!Reader)

18+ MDNI | on Ao3

The first chapter

***SPOILERS FOR WANO***

Thanks for being patient, I got kinda stuck but I'm back into the groove of this fic. Thank you to @gouraminnow for beta-ing this <3

“ Commander Izou, my h-home is to the right,” you stated with uncertainty as Izou carried you in his arms to your residence. You were wearing flimsy cloth shoes that were unsuitable for the winter climate on the island. By the rips on the sides and wear on the soles, you’d been wearing them a long time. Izou had determined he needed to carry you to the next destination to avoid having you freeze to death. Yet another reason Izou wasn’t upset by the destruction his brothers were wreaking on your employer. 

Izou also told you to pack up whatever you needed and that you'd be coming with him to the ship. He told you that he was taking you away from your adopted family and you hadn’t protested. You weren’t looking at him directly as he’d informed you but staring off into the distance. You’d protested initially but he had left no room for argument. He could scent your fear and felt your trembling fingers wrapping themselves around his neck as he carried you through the snowy town. He’d have more time to explain later that you’d be safe, that nothing bad was going to happen to you ever again. But for now he wanted to put as much space as he could between you and the horrible people to dare call themselves your family. 

“B-but Commander, you don’t need to hold me, I can -” you’d been trying to get him to put you down since he’d first swept you off your feet; he'd plucked you off the ground you’d even made contact with the snowy sidewalk.

“Carrying you pleases me,” Izou said simply. Given your reserved nature as well as the strict social hierarchy you were raised with, he knew you’d defer to him.  It was a dance he hadn’t done in a long time, playing along with the social cues and mores of Wanese culture but in this case it worked to his advantage. If he tried to explain that you were under dressed for the weather or that he felt the need to feel your meager weight in his arms, you’d protest further to prevent inconveniencing him. Truthfully, it did please him to carry you, to have your scent so close to his own, to feel the reassurance of you in his arms. He’d carry you forever if you let him. 

“Ah, this is it,” you indicated, pointing to a large, solid brick house with smoke coming out the chimney. At least they’d given you a proper place to live, he thought to himself. As Izou stepped on the cleared path to the house, you shook your head. 

“N-no, sorry. The house behind this one,” you said quietly, pointing to a shack set back in the snowy woods.

Of course.

Izou noted the rickety shack and the rags covering the windows - either to keep in heat or to keep prying eyes out. Swiftly walking towards the hut, he opened the door and set you down inside.

“Gather your things,” Izou said softly, putting his hand on the small of your back to encourage you. The inside of the single room hut was as dismal as Izou imagined it would be. There were gaps in the thin wood walls, letting in the harsh winter air. Your tiny bed was crammed into the corner, leaving enough room for a table and a broken chair. There was a small chest, he assumed for your clothes and other necessities. There was a tiny stove, barely large enough to boil a kettle of water. Your home, if it could be called that, was tidy and clean. You'd tried to brighten the space with pictures and dried flowers but it hadn't helped the dismal feeling inside the shack.

“I apologize for the state of my house, Commander. If I had known someone like you would be joining -” you were already bowing to him again, your hands stiff at your side balled into fists. Izou bent down to put his hands on your shoulders and righted you to an upright position.

“Do not apologize. Collect your things,” Izou ordered in a gentle tone. You frowned but nodded and walked over to the small bookshelf on the wall. You grabbed an old, battered tome, wrapping it like you were swaddling a baby in one of the few blankets on your bed. Holding it to your chest, you put it in a basket and saw Izou watching you.

“Ah, the cookbook my father gave me before I left Wano,” you said in answer to Izou’s unasked question. You’d mentioned leaving Wano a few times but Izou hadn’t heard of many people leaving the country in recent years. He’d have to get the full story out of you on the Moby. Moving towards you, he noted a picture of himself tacked onto the wall.  It was from his most recent Wanted Poster (an attractive photo, if he did say so himself). You had cut off the bottom portion with his bounty and wanted status so it looked more like a photograph of a friend - or lover. You followed Izou’s eyes towards the picture and hung your head.

“This is embarrassing. Please do not take offense, Commander,” you begged while looking down at your feet. Izou laughed softly into the sleeve of his winter yukata. 

“What man would take offense at a beautiful woman having his picture on the wall? Please, continue to gather your things. I would like to take you away from here. This building offends me,” Izou said. You were spurred into action from his words. You gathered a few clothing items and a lacquer hair comb, likely also from Wano based on the style. 

“I am finished, Commander. I await your next instruction,” you replied seriously, like you were one of the men under his command. He’d have to get you to relax eventually, to accept help and seek it out from him. The Alpha in him wanted to grab you and take you back to his rooms, to show you he could protect you. But Izou knew you were traumatized and nervous, unsure what to do with yourself while you navigated the relationship between them. He’d give you the time and space you needed to recover before making any large moves. Well, larger than taking you to the Moby Dick and away from the island you called home.

“That is all? Do you have more winter clothes? You are not returning to this residence,” Izou stated, nearing you once more. You shook your head and took a step back, making him scowl at your learned muscle memory. Maybe he should return to the shop and teach your family some lessons in proper manners towards women.

“You will come to no harm under my hand, either from myself or any other,” Izou said softly, cornering you against the wall. You cowered away from him, increasing his anger towards those who had harmed you. Without warning he picked you up again, making you squeak in surprise. The scent of fear was strong in the air, souring your perfect snowy smell. Izou detected the scent of his own anger joining your fear, a potent but unpleasant combination.

“I apolog -”

“Do not apologize to me. None of this is your fault,” Izou said, cutting you off. He wished he had met you in Wano, perhaps before you’d become so averse to any kind of conflict.

“Where are you taking me, Commander -”

“ Izou. Just Izou,” he corrected. If he was going to be your Alpha, you needed to get used to calling him by his first name without any honorifics. He didn’t want to force you to be his mate but he was going to do everything in his power to make it so.

“I-izou, where are we going? To another island? Are you taking me back to Wano?” you asked, your hands kneading together as your legs dangled over his arm. Izou frowned at your question. You were agreeable to leaving the island to get away from the people who had been abusing you but he wasn’t so sure how happy you’d be sailing the seas with pirates, especially ones as notorious as the Whitebeard Pirates.

“Would you like to go back to Wano?” Izou couldn’t take you but Kiku was likely still there. Perhaps he could find a way…you paused, considering his question in silence before speaking in a tone so soft he almost couldn’t hear.

“No, there’s nothing for me there. I - my - there’s no one there I don't think,” you said softly. You didn’t say anything further and neither did he as he felt your warm breath on his neck. Afterwards the only sound was Izou’s boots crunching on the icy path as he continued to walk towards the ship. He didn’t want to pry, it was your story to tell, but he was burning to hear how you’d escaped Wano. 

“You’ll come with me on the Moby Dick, Whitebeard’s ship. We will figure out next steps from there,” Izou stated less as a suggestion and more a demand. You looked up at him through your lashes and gave a short nod of your head. That was all it took for Izou to leave the hovel you’d been calling home, reminding himself to have Ace torch the family home later.

“Should I - is my debt transferring to you?” you asked, your hands gripping his clothes as he walked through the wintry terrain. The closer you were to him, the sharper your snowy scent in his nose. He pulled you closer to his chest to smell you further but resisted from burying his head in your uncovered neck. 

“Yes, you’ve mentioned this debt. To what does it refer? Your…adopted family mentioned it briefly,” Izou asked, as if he was completely unconcerned. 

“Ah, it’s kind of a long story,” you hedged nervously, avoiding his gaze. Izou smelled smoke coming from the other side of the island.

“Is there anyone you’d like to say goodbye to -” Izou began to say before you interrupted him for the first time. He assumed you didn’t want to see your abusers again but perhaps there was someone on the island who had shown you kindness.

“No,” you replied without hesitation. Good, they could wreck and raid the island. Made things easier for Ace to remember. With Ace on his mind, Izou smelled smoke and saw the plume rising from town so Izou decided to take the path away from the center of town on his way to the Marina. He didn’t think it would bother you to see the bakery burning to the ground but he didn’t want to distress you any further. To distract you from the destruction he tried a new avenue of conversation.

“And you are Tasuke, yes? Or is there another name you’d prefer to be called? ’ he continued. He wanted to make sure you felt as comfortable as possible with him. He had heard of other Wanese people taking more “common” names after they defected because their given names were difficult for most people to pronounce.

“Oh, Tasuke isn’t actually my name. It kind of ties into how I came here. About ten years ago, Father - ah, my adopted father - came with the Marines to Wano to trade resources with Kaido -”

“How? The borders are closed and Wano isn’t under the jurisdiction of the World Government, Marines can’t trade there,” Izou asked quietly. He didn’t want to interrupt the flow of your story but he hadn’t heard of Marines on Wano. Not that he’d heard anything out of Wano in 20 years but it was interesting information to know.

“ Ah, my parents owned property along the seashore. Seastone was discovered along the cliffs of their property and Marines paid Kaido for the rights to mine it out,” you explained. Ah, that was the connection. Seastone was known to only come from Wano and given that it was being used by Marines across the Grand Line it made sense they were trading with Kaido. Izou idly wondered how much money Kaido had amassed from seastone mining.

“They spent their life savings to bribe a Captain - Father - to smuggle me out of Wano. I was much younger at the time but still hadn’t presented as anything. Well, I was supposed to be an Omega but my scent never developed. They thought I would have a better life outside of the country, or maybe could find a doctor to tell me what’s wrong with me,” you continued. Izou wasn’t going to interrupt your story again but he wanted to tell you that there wasn’t anything wrong with you, that you were the most perfect Omega he’d ever met. 

“The Captain brought me out of Wano and brought me here, saying that the amount of danger he had risked increased the cost of my trip. He said that the amount of money my parents paid was not sufficient and that I would need to work for him to pay off my debt. So I cleaned his house, tended to his bakery, cooked for his family, did the family’s laundry, anything they needed. He said that my wages were going towards my debt but the amount I owed only ever seemed to increase. They would charge me for anything that I needed, any time I took off for being sick, any food I consumed, anything,” you continued. No wonder you were wearing shoddy clothing, Izou thought, you were paying for it in sweat and blood.

 “So after a few years on the island, I realized Father had no intention of letting me go. And Wido, my brother…well, you saw. He’s always like that - or, um, worse. I kept asking for people to help me - tasukete. I wanted to, ah, leave those people, maybe escape the island and go back to Wano. I didn’t have any concrete plans, I just wanted to leave here,” you said, rubbing your arms where the bruises lingered. Izou fought the urge to scowl at the memory of Wido harming you but settled on holding you tighter in his arms. You needed comfort from him, not aggression. He wanted to show you that he wasn’t a mindless alpha like some, ready to tear off your clothes and sink into you. He wanted you to see that he would wait until you were ready.

“After a while everyone assumed Tasuke was my name and that’s what they called me. I don’t mind anymore,” you said with a small smile as your story concluded. Izou reflected your own mannerism back to you though he felt like murdering everyone on this godforsaken island and leaving nothing standing. Unfortunately he’d have to trust in his brothers to wreak havoc on the island and not partake in this particular adventure.

“ And your parents?” Izou prompted. 

“I haven’t heard anything from them in ten years so I don't know anything for certain. Father’s missions changed and he stopped going to Wano shortly after I came to the island. I can only hope they are alive and well, though they were quite elderly when I left,” you said wistfully, staring at the water he was now approaching by the docks. Izou knew that longing, twisting, yearning. He felt the same for his own sister who he hadn’t been in communication with for decades, since he'd left with Oden. He had written hundreds of letters and saved them all with the intention of somehow getting them to her eventually. His brothers, though sympathetic, didn’t understand what it was like to be completely and irrevocably cut off from home. He wanted to continue the conversation but was now at the dinghy that would take you to the massive ship moored father into the icy ocean.

“Hey! What gives?!” Thatch complained from inside the boat. There was some soot on his winter coat and gloves but Izou didn’t mention it.

“What do you mean?” Izou replied coolly, still cradling you in his arms.

“You’ve never carried me before. Not even when I broke my leg! You made me walk to the beach and Marco had to come get me!” Thatch huffed. 

“.....and?” 

“AND you’ve been carrying her this whole way! S’not fair,” Thatch pouted, crossing his arms like a petulant child. Thatch broke into a soft smile when he saw the confusion on your face, looking between them rapidly while trying to determine if there was true anger between him and Thatch. Izou guessed you spent the last decade walking on eggshells, attempting to maintain peace between your “family” members and avoid being beaten as a consequence.

“S’alright. Come on, let’s head back before we’re barbecued,” Thatch said, grabbing the oars to the boat. Izou stepped into the dinghy, still holding you and your meager belongings. He settled you into his lap as Thatch shot him a dirty look you couldn’t see and began rowing the three of you back to the Moby. Izou rolled his eyes and pursed his lips, his brothers liked to claim he was dramatic but really, Thatch was the biggest drama queen on the ship. You were busy burying your head and hands into Izou’s chest to avoid the freezing winter winds blowing off the seas. Thatch eyed you sympathetically and grabbed the warm winter hat off his own head.

“Ask her if she wants it,” Thatch suggested, holding the gaudy orange hat outstretched in his hand. Izou didn't wear winter hats, they mussed his hair and he didn't often feel cold. But now he wished he did so he could give you his own.

“My brother Thatch is offering you his hat to keep you warm. You may remember him from the bakery. Would you like it?” Izou asked you softly, patting your hair while he spoke. You picked your head up and looked at it longingly.

“How much does it cost? If I just wear it once?” you asked, biting your lip. 

“Nothing. Your debt has been paid off. For good,” Izou said, his voice a little tighter than he intended. Your eyes flicked to his, trying to read his face to determine if he was lying or not. Izou kept his face impassive to let you make your own choices. You turned to face Thatch in the boat and did a bow as large as your limited positioning allowed.

“Thank you,” you said simply, reaching for the hat with shaking fingers. You sniffed the hat as politely as you could and must have found it not repulsive because you put it on your head. Izou was pleased you were warm but was a little annoyed you weren’t wearing anything with his scent on it. He would make some Wanese winter clothes for you like he did for himself once you settled in on the ship. Izou decided to give you some general ideas of who the siblings you had met were.

“Thatch is in charge of the Culinary Division of the crew, Ace - the dark haired young man who ate the most in the bakery - is in charge of Navigation. Marco - the tall blond - is the doctor of the ship and in charge of the Medical Division,” Izou explained. Thatch waved when he heard his name, he probably assumed that Izou was doing introductions. You gave a smile and waved back.

“Nice to meet you,” you said in your beautifully accented voice. Clearly you had learned some Common but your family had likely prevented you from learning enough to make an escape. Language barriers were an easy way to keep you on the island in perpetuity. 

“I would be overjoyed to work in the kitchens if Thatch would have me. I am best at baking but I am also competent at food preparation and stocking, dishes, cleaning, and knowledgeable in cooking most types of standard fare. I would be thrilled to learn anything that is needed to -” Izou took your cold hands in his own, partially to warm them and partially to stop your speech.

“ It would be our pleasure to learn from your expertise in the kitchens. But let me make something clear before we proceed - you do not need to earn your keep. You have no debt to settle and no need to prove your worth. You are free.”

Taglist: @mfreedomstuff @animefreak818

actual footage of my brain rn

writing fanfiction is just. i’m being so creative and original. i’m plagiarizing everyone by accident. i’m a genius. i’m cringe. i’m too angsty. i’m too cheesy. this is not in character. it doesn’t matter that it’s not in character because these are my characters now. i love my hobby. this is the worst possible use of my time. i’m seeking validation. i’m projecting my own personal problems onto this story and i’m barely hiding it. i know so many words and i’m using all of them wrong. im on tumblr posting about it instead of writing it.

I just recently fell into the welcome home fandom and oh wow your work was SO SO GOOD the way you characterized Wally was IMMACULATE

The Nightmare Picnic - Wally Darling x Reader

You’re a brand new resident in the wonderful Welcome Home Neighbourhood, and it’s the perfect day for the picnic! But your dear friend Wally Darling doesn’t seem to be enjoying the fun. What will happen when you decide to try and cheer him up?

content warnings for: eye imagery, scopophobia, hypnosis, impossible physics, Eldritch, and unreality. go in assuming that Wally is a weird little guy, and you’re both terrified of and kind of enjoy that fact! 😉 you can also find this fic on my AO3. i hope you enjoy!! 

Keep reading

Mushishi Artbook (Part 2/3)

Part 1/3

I thought of a blurb that’s basically just reader asleep on top of Hobie when the gang (Miles, Gwen, and Pavitr) show up and are noisy asf and Hobie shushes them all but they’re confused cause they can’t see reader who’s under the blankets, until she wakes up and peeks her head out from under the blanket and everyone’s like :0 I was thinking they have like a non-public relationship so everyone in the room is shocked lmao😭 No pressure at all and no hard feelings if you can’t! Love your writing and hope you’re doing well!

You are literally just the sweetest, I appreciate everytime you come into my inbox and compliment me and the fact that you put 'love' in bold and italics? 🥰💞💞💞

Here you go, my love.

Likkle Sleepy Darling

Hobie Brown X F!Reader

Hobie Brown was normally a pretty stoic guy—straight-faced with nothing more than a smug twitch of his lips to give away any sort of expression—but, if he was being completely honest, that all fell apart when it came to you.

You, who was the beam of hope in the dark, despair-filled streets of London he inhabited. You, whose smile shined so bright, you could take out a whole army of shadows with just the stretch of your lips. You, who fit ontop of him so perfectly, you almost resembled (no, a hundred percent did resemble—) the last, missing puzzle piece to his heart as you laid against his chest, lids shut and lips parted just enough to allow air through.

His lips tugged up. You were just so cute, he couldn't resist the urge to tighten his grip around your waist and pull you further into him, allowing the blanket on top of you both to further cascade over your head—completely obscuring your sleeping form.

The moment was perfect—

"That. Was. AWESOME!"

"I know right?! We went in and destroyed doc, I almost felt bad for her."

"You know her friends call her Liv?"

—until, of course, it wasn't.

In came the rowdy group of youngens Hobie somehow ended up befriending—half-suited up as they screamed to each other in the loudest voices they just had to muster up the one time you felt comfortable enough to sleep in his arms.

Allow it, he wasn't having it.

"Ayo, you man—" his whisper came out harsh, and whatever conversation they were having halted just like that, "—'low it, shut up."

They all blinked in unison. "Huh?"

Then, Miles piped up, "what do you—?"

He stopped speaking at the same time Hobie felt pressure being pushed onto his chest from two different parts.

Looking down, the man with multiple piercings was fond to find your squinting eyes peering up at him, half-dazed in that cute, little way that screamed the love of his life like no other.

"Likkle sleepy, aren't you, love?"

A nod.

And then, a chorus of gasps all at once—all followed by—

"Huuuuuuhhhhh?"