▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ✿◕ 3 ◕✿ Hey Hey! Welcome to my blog! NSFW!!!! Yea have been warned. Here there' be smutty. Commissions: OPEN Requests: OPEN Email: [email protected]
If you guys wanna read the up to date of this it's right here on Ao3. Let me know what you think! Anyway here ya go! As a warning this does get NSFW...I mean it's Doffy man is a yuckie boy.
They talked about it. Well talked was a strong word. Red screamed. Tossed things at him. Mocked him for having nothing between his ears but hot hair and tangled string. Doflamingo laughed at that one. It was clever. A few times he had to stop his Pica from rushing in and boxing the captain up in a stone cube which would have only made her angrier and time alone with her thoughts and feelings would do no one any good. At last when she had thrown the last of the chairs within reach and her breath was stuck somewhere in her throat did he get more than a single word in to her.
"The way I see it you have two options. Join my family as my subordinate-" Doffy made sure none of his family was within ear shot of that one. They all knew but it was the quiet part best not said out loud. "- Or...marry me. Become the queen of Dressrosa. And what ever being the wife to a warlord makes you." Honestly he had no idea. Warload duty was far from his priority list and a title of convince more than anything else. It must have counted for something. "You said yourself that crew of yours is nothing but a big time gang of nameless nobodies. I don't think you can remember a single ones name. If anything this seems like a step up."
Red was still fuming. Her temper matched her namesake and it was something he enjoyed about her. Arms crossed and puffing like a kettle he wondered if anything he said was even getting through to her or if it was all white noise in her little rage. At last she spoke. Quietly, almost composed after she pressed her hair back and took a deep shuttering breath.
"And what do you get?"
His grin vanished, replaced with a puzzled look and a hum of confusion.
"What....do you get Doflamingo?" Red turned on her heels, walking the few paces to his throne and setting him with a stare that made him stand up at last. Something about it made him feel...small. Uneasy. Not at all fearful but perhaps what he was looking for was concerned. Towering over her felt better. "I'm not dumb." No, she was not. He wouldn't have offered if she was. Donquixote Doflamingo does not offer such a thing out of the pure goodness of his heart. What do you get out of our marriage. Done a fine job of listing all my benefits you have but what about you hmm? We both know you're planning something. What is it?"
Perhaps he didn't like her intelligence. A lesser woman would take what she could get, never question, never weigh the options and pressure those that handed out favors. But Red liked to bite that hand, more so when it was him attached to it. She would push and poke and pester until he retracted the offer or spoke. This song and dance was not new. It made his jaw twitch. "A different option. Neither of us are happy with this order. The way I see it I don't want you in my 'family' any more than you want to be in it. Giving you this in its stead would at least keep you happy long enough for Kaidou to forget the whole matter or if fates on our side...achieve what he's been after for years now. Perhaps I'll pressure Ceasar into finding an alternative to you're blood and we can both go on our ways like none of this ever happened." It was mostly the truth. "A marriage of convivence is hardly out of place in this world. Less so for a King."
Stepping past her he shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched to look out over the city just outside his window. "I'm giving you a gift Red. You would think for once in your life you would take it with a smile." That pomp and charisma was gone. Replaces with a lazy annoyance and casual tone that relaxed her. "He'll kill both of us if we don't make good on his order's.
He was right. Red stood staring at the throne he left trying to think of any way to wiggle free. There was nothing. Running wasn't an option, running from Kaidou was suicide at best and a slow, painful death at worst. She would be hunted down perhaps by Doflamingo himself and returned only to be strung up and used as a literal blood bank. Her best guess. She could fight it. Kick and scream like a child at his feet and hope he didn't just resort to the later for her impudence. Insist on becoming an Officer in his family? Her own pride wouldn't allow it and for what ever reason Doffy was hard set against the idea. Though he let most people into lower fodder ranks that was no place for her.
Plus there was this apparent leak of information. Who knew what truly got out and who knew of the Smile fruit and her roll in it all. At the end of the day becoming queen and what ever else came with marriage to the Donquixote Doflamingo was her best shot at keeping as much freedom as possible, ease Kaidou and his demands and keeping herself safe. In a fair fight without her protection and her power Doffy would murder her. With all his tricks she knew deep down he had always gone at least a bit easy during their play fighting. And while she had gotten her fair amount of punches in at the end of the day she knew...he would win. Having him as a shield against the world well it meant something.
That didn't mean she couldn't make him regret asking.
"You'll have to do it properly."
He hummed at her again, turning from his view to stare at her with those red glasses that almost made it hard to tell what he was thinking if he wasn't so damn expressive otherwise.
"You know, ask me properly. The way they do in all those horrible romance novels you read."
"Those are Baby-"
"Dosn't matter. It won't count if you don't do it right." She was grinning, he could feel it though her back was turned her shoulders shook with a laugh just being contained. She was going to be stubborn about it. Going for force him, a GOD to kneel for the likes of a simple human. No matter how amusing he thought her to be. Then again...their whole relationship was a back and forth of nonsense and playful flirting. Why should their marriage be any different. He didn't have to hate this.
It only took a few long strides for him to meet her in the middle of the room again. All grinning teeth and twitching fingers. Massive hands took hold of her shoulders and pressed back until she was forced to stumble backward. One step, then another, and another until her heels hit the small steps that lead up to the throne. He kept pushing, making her step up two of them, pause and a third as if he was judging the height. Once he was happy enough Doffy moved back and lowered down to one knee. Graceful and quick the feathers of his horrible pink coat fluttered behind him like the ugliest set of wings she ever did see. Forcing her to catch a chuckle in her throat and behind her hand lest she ruin this moment of what she hoped was embarrassment for the great Warlord.
Those hands reached back out, pulling hers down and catching her attention. The room fell quiet, only her heart beat drumming in her ears could be heard but just under that, if she strained she could swear she could hear his too. Just as quick, and heavy. Was he nervous? His grin never faltered but she could swear she could see the hint of red just under his glasses. She must have been seeing things. His hands gave hers a soft squeeze to draw her attention back to him and she gave it. Glad to be out of her own head and focused back on his embarrassment. That's what this was all about.
"You look good down there you know Doffy."
"Don't push it Red." It was a low warning but playful, and it had her smiling. "Now you'll have to forgive me...I didn't expect to be proposing to a beautiful woman today and I find myself without a ring. For now...." Red watched as his fingers contorted in that knowing style, twisting his strings carefully around her ring finger until it created a band large enough to pass as some kind of ring. It was far softer than she expected though given how he had used the stuff before it must have come in different forms. It seemed rather...personal. Almost too personal really for the occasion. It made Red a bit uneasy if not a bit too flustered. As did the look on his face as he too stared down at the new accessory to her hand. Large fingers running down the scars he seemed to just notice riddled her skin from finger tip to palm and beyond. Hidden only by the cuff of her sleeve that Doffy tried to push up but stopped short when she gave a little tug in defiance. "...will that do for now...princess?"
Red scoffed at the nickname. Giving his shin a little kick for good measure. "Oh shut up you pink idiot. You're not even doing it right. There is meant to be a whole speech involved and everything."
"Oh-hoho....it's almost as if you've planned this all out. Tell me then. This great speech. How does it go?"
Well he embarrassed her enough payback seemed only natural. Clearing her throat she pulled a hand from his grip and tried her best to put on the most love struck look she could muster. It caught Doflamingo off guard it seemed as his grin dropped ever so slightly and his breath seemed to catch in his throat. He let out a small sound she wasn't expecting when she placed her hand on his cheek and bent a little lower so she could speak in a hushed, loving voice.
"I have adored you since the first day we met....and I can think of nothing I would want more in all the seas than to spend the rest of my days right by your side. More than treasure or titles. Fame or gold my hearts one desire will and forever more will be you...Doflamingo. Will you marry me?"
He wasn't sure what he was expecting. One of her crude jokes, some goofy long winded speech complete with some silly accent. But not this. Not what sounded like an honest declaration of love and a wish to stay beside him above all else. A joke or not it struck something in Doflamingo that he wanted to shake loose. Wanted to banish to the deepest part of himself and never look at again yet it kept bubbling up. This warmth spread through him no matter how hard he tried to swallow it down and apparently he did try. Physically swallowing hard as he forced that grin back onto his face with much difficulty. Why did he want to kiss her?
"My my my, if I didn't know any better I would think those were you true feelings my dear. Perhaps I was right and this was all just to rope me into marriage." That earned him another kick which he happily took, throwing his head back with a laugh as she turned away from him to pout again.
"You're the one that offered Doffy. If anyone had this planned out from the start it would have been you." His hands raised in his defense. Normally he was three steps ahead but this was all far from his control. Red wasn't the same puppet on strings that he could us as the rest of the useless slobs in his kingdom. Nor was she a family member who followed him with a blind devotion bordering on the obsessive. For that matter she hardly feared him at all sitting comfortably under the protection of their boss, not to mention his entire empire rested on her blood. She was a problem that he couldn't fix through normal means. Yet if he was to be saddled with someone in such a manner at the very least he was lucky it was her. The woman who glared down at him with that cocky smile to match his own. The one who snapped and bit at his hand when he offered it yet shared a drink and let him ramble about his exploits for hours on end all while poking fun at him with every word. A challenge. One Doflamingo was rather unused to.
"After all this feels more like a punishment. Being married to a spoiled brat with a god complex."
The quick gasp of her caught breath rang though Doffy's ears as his hand wrapped tight around her neck, both of them coming to a hard stop against the cold stone steps that led up to the 'spoil brats' throne that just seconds ago they were playing pretend on. His movement also instinct as he glared down at her with the intensity of a belittled king.
"Don't mistake my offer as weakness little captain. I may be unable to kill you but you forget all I need is your blood....and I'm not overly particular about how I get it." His laugh bubbled up from throat, fingers curling tighter as he watched from behind that red tint for the fear in her own eyes. Thirsty for that expression to cross her pretty little face, yet all he received was a smug smile of satisfaction and something else. Something that flicked across her eyes so quickly he almost missed it. Something that twisted his stomach into a heated knot and had his hips rolling would he not have stooped lower onto her knees to ground himself over her.
"Touch a nerve did I 'my king'?" Her voice did not shake with fear or even anger, only laced with that beautiful giggle that hinted at her teasing intent. His brow twitched as he waited hearing the air forced from her throat as he squeezed harder as if trying to make his point. Get her to remember just what was happening.
Something brushed ever so softly against his stomach. Sharp yet tender it rippled over the fine muscle that flexed under the sensation causing him to buckle slightly and try and shift away from the touch only for it to chase him. It was her hand. Tipped with those metal claw like weapons she was ever so fond of. The tips pricking small lines of red against tan skin with small beads of red bubbling up to follow the map she seemed to be making until her hand settled over his hip. Gripping down hard those claws dug deep into his flesh and forced a hiss from between clenched teeth. Warm, wet rivers dripping down to bloom red and stain the hem of his pants.
"Letting me get so close isn't like you Doffy. I can't tell if you're getting sloppy or going soft." The word punctuated with a knee pressed between his legs. A move that made Doffy twist and lower just an inch more. Perhaps all it took to take what he wanted was to threaten her life like this? Though the sting of his side was distracting. "Perhaps if we kill each other the boss will understand. You think?" Her words were raspy as she struggled to speak, his hold tightened around her neck so did hers at his side. The stalemate was locked. "D-do you think you could choke men faster? At least afford me the respect of a quick death." A small cough echoed through the hall, specks of red sprayed from her lips and splashed against his cheek. That long tough of his swiping out to taste some of the warm drops that caught just under his lip.
"Would you like that?" His question was short, forced as if he didn't mean to ask. "Die by my hand, right here?" Just in case he lessened his hold letting her suck in a deep breath of much needed air. The pink returned to her cheeks as blood flooded back and beat heavy under his fingertips. "Is that preferable to being married to a god?"
Red laughed. It was wet and strained but a laugh none the less. "....Can't I have both?"
Something snapped in Doffy. Surging forward he caught her lips against his own as the taste of iron flooded his senses. His hold releasing to tug her forward and keep her deep against his kiss flushing their bodies as close as he could in a near possessive hold. To be with him, and to be killed by him. What a beautiful thing to say. From her shoulder down to her chest his hand crept. Feeling every inch of her form though the tight cotton of her captains jacket feeling over the thick stains he could only guess the origins of. She felt firm yet soft in wonderful places. Wiggling under him as his mouth dominated her far smaller one. Tongue mapping out each inch it could find as if committing it to memory. Here, right against the steps to his throne where anyone could see, dripping with his own blood as her claws still sunk their way deeper into his side refusing to give up their hold just in case he took her up on such a wonderful request.
His cheek felt hot at first. Registering that before the sting and force that sent his face snapping to the left. Forcing him from his desired place against her lips. Glasses slipped down his nose, caught only by her own fingers that came to settle almost carefully over his face to keep them in place. He stilled, unsure how to act having never been struck in such a way before, at least not while he was tongue deep in someone else. Swallowing down the urge to snap her neck or dive back in. Was she toying with him?
His side was burning, Red was slowly shoving him back and off her which he at least for now obliged. Shuffling back on his feet to stand at his full high. Perhaps towering over her would do him some good and help him clear his head. He watched as she followed with a bit of a stumble. The back of her sleeve wiping across her mouth, an action that made his eye twitch and jaw clench. Though she was still bleeding he was a tad offended. "How many years has it been?" She wasn't looking at him, the question catching him off guard with how casually it was asked. Earning a hum from him. "That we have known each other."
Doffy gave a shrug. The feathers of his coat fluttering back into place behind him. "Years?"
She gave him a look, making a show of dusting her ass and coat as if his floor was dirty. It would have been if she hadn't slapped him. He should pout, and he did a little. Hands stuck on his hips as he stared her down. "It's not every day I threaten a woman's life, kiss her and she asks me how long we've known each other..."
"That's because all the women you kiss or threaten are women you hired." Fair. Her laugh was a bit rude however.
"Cheeky as ever. Care to tell me why you're asking now?"
Red tapped her chin, a bit of blood still stained the corner of her mouth and Doffy had a strange urge to reach out and wipe it away. He suppressed it by focusing on the dulling pain in his side only for it to remind him how much he enjoyed her. "I'm trying to remember...when the last time I was kissed like that."
A strange thing. Sure he had thought about it many times but this was the first time Doffy had ever acted on his impulses with Red. And no other ten foot tall heavenly demon was out prowling the seas. Much less getting so close to Bloody Red. The thought of someone doing so boiled his blood just a tad. Doflamingo held no claim to the captain. He was not in the business of being tied down in a relationship with anyone. Most were disposable to him regardless of their status in his life. And even still his thoughts of Red until recently had be carnal at best. She was attractive, capable and most importantly just as ruthless as he was. Never bothering him about morals or rules, caring very little or not at all for the lives he took. She was all passion and freedom. Bowing to no man and playing with her own rules. This marriage was a matter of convivence. For all it mattered she could live on the other side of the palace and never speak to him again. Not that he wanted that. Having her curled up in his bed seemed...peaceful in an odd sort of way. But it wasn't until these past minuets that Doflamingo, Warlord, and King felt something different. Perhaps it was because she played this game with him. Just out of his reach. Untouchable, unharmable yet always right behind him. So in tune with his every desire giving only want he needed and never want he wanted.
He touched his glasses, still firmly on his face thanks to her quick action. Those were the things that made his heart catch in his throat. Perhaps he should go back to hating her....
"Ah! I remember!" Doffy snapped out of his thoughts. Hunching forward with a grin, excited to hear what she was on about.
"A man who kisses like me? I'm all ears my dear, please!"
Red looking out at the chairs lining the widows, each marched with a special symbol. A please for the high in his family.
Doffy was normally always smiling. Well grinning was a better word for the shape really, those massive white teeth set in a twitching sneer that put nearly everyone around him on edge and meant he was either in a wonderful mood or a murderous one. It was impossible to the tell the difference. Today however in this moment he was frowning. Brows knit together as ring clad fingers twitched against the arm rest of his throne. A few select members of the family sat around him all filled with a sense of unease and foreboding. Eyes locked on the woman who sat sipping tea and chatting with the servant girl as if she hadn't a care in the world.
She didn't really. Truth be told that woman was the safest of any in the whole kingdom. Clad in armor of reputation and position with their mutual boss that tied Doflamingos hands with his own strings which itched him all the more to rip that smile right off her face and force her firmly on her knees when he believed everyone belonged before him.
The serving girl hurried from the room which was a wise choice, leaving them alone in that lofty silence once more save for the soft clatter of a cup on a fine china saucer. Doflamingo forced a smile, though his teeth chattered together once before he firmly set it in place and pushed out that kingly charisma.
He didn't really have to force himself normally. Not with her. They had run across each other many times in their line of work fostering an odd level or respect and he would dare at times, at gun point, say a friendship of sorts. More like odd sexual tension. It did not bold well that she was here under orders which put him more on edge than anything. If she happened to be passing through and stopped in his port to pester him he would welcome it. Invite her with open arms and spend what little time they had bickering with her over meals and card games. Laughing at each other and trying to get either to snap.
Perhaps fight like they used to until they were bloody and excused, collapsing in a chuckling mess on the throne room floor hurling insults until they caught their breath and started up again for hours. Staying up late and drinking while he filled her in on his warlord affairs while she belittled his work and made him grind his teeth in annoyance until someone threw the bottle at the other. Getting far too drunk and passing out together, waking up and wishing he didn't hold that thread of respect for her so he could have used her like every other woman in this damn kingdom who looked good enough to waste his bed on. Watching her as she slept and smiling and different sort of smile that he would show no one.
"Where are my manners? I haven't fully welcomed you to my kingdom yet have I? Though I can't say I was expecting you to show up unann-"
"We can cut the crap there 'you majesty' we both know exactly why I'm here." The woman shifted in her chair placing her drink down and crossing one leg over the other almost to mirror his own position.
Teeth snapped shut again as he started at her in shock. No one spoke to him like that in front of his family, Doffy found himself at a loss for words. Trebol sunk forward. "Heyyyy heyy! You can't talk to the master like that! No one talks to the master like that!" A hand wave silenced the blob of a man in an instant. Doffy was used to his family putting people in their place but this was a conversation that would not be won with insisting threats. And this woman was no stranger. Though his family knew her well enough they were still weary.
Only knowing that he would steal away with her when they would cross paths doing who knew what for days at a time and return happy as a clam and often keeping that mood for weeks until he turned sour again. They all assumed she was some kind of escort he knew from one town or the next and took a liking too but never pressed the issue. Doffy let that lie continue for a few years until she found out about it and nearly broke one of his legs. After which he cleared her as a 'business' partner.
Diamante still whispered that she was the best lay Doffy ever had and as such was the only reason he liked her.....Doflamingo would never let her hear that.
"But masterrr! She can't talk to you like that!" Doflamingo sat back and laced his fingers together.
The finality of his movements kept the rest of the members quiet though they shifted in their places and stared daggers at their guest. Giolla in particular was teaming enough to rattled her necklace in a clattering rumble that itched the back of Doffys brain and annoyed him farther.
"Leave us. This woman poses no threat to me, our family nor this kingdom. Isn't that right... "Ruby Red", captain of the Blood Pirates and allied member to Kaidou himself? We are coworkers after all! Our boss would be none too pleased if either of our heads stopped showing up to work. I think we can call it safe for now yes?" Though he was grinning again his introduction of her pinpointed exactly why he himself was so on edge as well. While she could bring him no trouble she was just as untouchable. A standstill of two of the most oddly tempered pirates in the New World. But that is why he liked her so much in a weird sort of way.
Gladius, Sugar, Giolla, Senor and Trebol grumbled but stood and made their way to the door. Each giving the strange woman a look which she seemingly ignored keeping her eyes locked with the pink sunglasses that returned the stare. Baby 5 followed but paused by the door. Always unable to keep her questions to herself she gave a small 'hrump' of annoyance and pointed accusingly at their guest.
"Master you should simply kill her for speaking out of turn! Why has she been allowed to speak so freely and do as she pleases in the kingdom! What could be so important about one lowly pirate?!" Doflamingo turned ready to scold his young family member but was swiftly cut off by a chuckle that started low and quiet, as if trying to stay subdued and hidden for polite sake but quickly turned into a loud and almost obnoxious sound that made his shoulders hunch.
"Ahh! You never do keep them in the loop of anything do you Doffy? This one was younger the last time we met up....Baby 5 right? What lie did you come up with to tell her about our little 'friendship' to save face? Well it's not like a some big grand secret so why don't I save you the trouble hmm?" Red seemed all too pleased with this turn of events, standing from her gifted chair and addressing the young Baby 5 with what could almost pass as a kind smile. He knew better and braced himself just in case she was crazy enough to start an altercation. She couldn't be that stupid could she?
"Do you know why we called ourselves the Blood Pirates Baby 5?" Baby on her part gulped and took a step back, shaking her head and listening intently though her eyes cast pleading glances to her master to make sure he was still there. This woman gave off the same strange, overbearing energy he did. Almost friendly, almost kind, almost playful....but terrifyingly heavy. "I'm a blood woman, I ate the Aka-Aka fruit. I can control my own blood any way I like, and the blood of anyone within six feet of me." Baby glanced down at their feet and stumbled another foot back just to be sure earning herself another laugh and a wave. "Oh don't worry I have no intention of pulling your strings, I'm not 'that' heartless...." Crude, Doflamingo thought with a huff. Yet not incorrect. "I run a crew of blood thirsty pirates who take more pleasure in stealing lives than treasure. Killing isn't really my thing personally but it supplies me with enough blood to work and that's all I can really ask for."
"Work with?" Baby muttered
"Mhm. Just like your master works for the great Emperor Kaidou so do I. I supply him with all sorts of things. I mostly alter the make up of collected blood to be coated onto drugs he disrupts through war torn countries, using it to create a sedative for his more....aggressive beastmen crew members...or being the key component to the chemical your very own Ceasar Clown uses to create The Smile Fruit your master here." Red paused and tapped her chin. "No wait...it's used to create SAD which is then used to create The Smile Fruit. Which is the only thing keeping Doffy in the Emperors good graces." A snap of her fingers caused Baby to jump and squeek. "Plus I pass on some of my spell mix to your master here to sell in his own underground affairs. Drugs to keep his stock up, sedative's to keep his slave traders happy. All sorts of things. He owes me." The wink she sent his was pissed him off yet he shifted in his seat a little, spreading his legs just wider for comfort. He hated her...
It was Baby's turn to think now. It looked almost painful as she tried to piece together the bits of information she was just given. "I thought SAD was created using the Lineage Factor, not blood from some fruit user."
"Lineage Factor is the main component. Ruby Red's own manipulated blood is what allows Caesar's chemical to take root in the tree's and create the fruit itself. To take shape." Doflamingo seemed less than pleased to have this out in the open, leaning back in his chair with that glare still set on their guest no matter where she moved about the room. "Without her blood SAD can not take shape into a Devil Fruit and grant it's power." Ruby hummed in agreement placing both hands on her hips and giving a firm nod. Baby still seemed to struggle with all of this.
"So....."
"So. I give Ceasar samples of my devil fruit blood for each new batch of SAD. Blood from the Aka-Aka no Mi specifically or so Caesar says...we have tried it with other blood types. Normal, devil fruit users. Even Doffy's here. None had the same effect as mine. But that puts me in the right position to stay on everyone's good side isn't that right Doffy?" She only received a grim grunt in return. Her smile only shrugging it off and turning back to the young woman. "To make a long, boring story short I have something very important to our boss and so your master here has his hands tied when it comes to playing nice. To be fair so do I...." Ruby seemed less than thrilled with that. Seconds ago being so cheery and up beat as she explained their sorted position. Now however she slumped back into her chair with a sigh rubbing her temples in annoyance. "That also means I work for him, same as your master. I have to do anything the big brute says. Which is why I'm in this horrible kingdom filled with sunshine and lies to give him this."
It took a few seconds. Fishing around in her pocket to find a letter that seemed like it was handled with a little less than care though it's trip to him. "Don't ask me what it says. I wasn't allowed to open it. And he refused to tell me what he's planning. Something that's going to annoy the both of us I would expect." Ruby held the letter up, expectantly as if she knew. He hated that but couldn't be bothered to stand. Sending a string to snatch the corner of the letter and whip it into his own hand. She didn't know him...he would keep telling himself and that smirk she sent his way made him twitchy.
Someone else clearly wrote what ever this was. It was small even for his massive hands. Carefully wrapped and beyond the crumpled edges and what looked like a stain of some kind on the bottom it was unopened. Still sealed with wax and that horrible Beast Pirate Jolly Rodger. No point in delaying he popped open the wax and fished the letter free. Reading over the contents his brow knit lower with each word. Clutching the parchment until he was sure he heard a bit of it rip as his knuckles turned white.
"Baby 5...."
"Y-yes master!?"
"Leave."
Nothing more needed to be said. Nothing in that single word left room for discussion and even Ruby sat up straight and looked at the false King with apprehension. The click of Baby's heels running down the hall and the slam of the large gilded doors filled that heavy silence between them for far too many minuets. Ruby having enough of it at last spoke up.
".....Don't tell me you've been fired 'Joker'...?"
He didn't answer, clearly not moved by her jokes and in no mood to play.
"What is it? He dosn't need the Smile Fruit anymore? He's stepping down as Emperor?" She was growing uneasy. Standing from her spot and stomping her foot trying to get his attention. "Damn it Doflamingo if I'm here too that mean's in involves both of us what the hell does-"
"He wants you to join my family." The deadpan way he spoke shut her up quickly. This was no joke. Kaidou really indented her to drop her own crew and join his? That's most likely what that meant as his 'family' was little more than a fancy name for his crew. A way to manipulate them into feeling closer than Doflamingo truly believed they were. He had no real 'family'...and he never really treated his true family well regardless.
Ruby stood shocked for a moment. There would be no love lost for her own crew. A bunch of overly strong cut throat assholes who only cared about spilling blood and collecting bounties. Hardly anything to mourn should she find herself in need of another. But giving up her spot as Captain was another thing. Red liked being in power. She liked lording over weaker yet still capable underlings and doing what ever she pleased. More or less as long as Kaido didn't bother her and given his somber state he hardly ever did. Still she wouldn't let him know this urked her. Dismissing the whole thing with a snort.
"So tell him no. That you're crew is full and you're ever so thankful for the offer but it's simply impossible." There was no way that would work. They both knew that but it was the stubborn thought that counted. That she didn't like this idea any more than he did and they would both go kicking and screaming but they would still have to go. "What good could that do either of us? Or him for that matter? Our arrangements have been working out swimmingly for years now why suddenly try and shift everything and rock the boat? What sense does any of that make?"
Doflamingo didn't know, and he was a man who prides himself on 'knowing'. "He says the production of SAD and SMILE fruit is too slow with you running around the seven seas and he wants you in one place...apparently someone has also gotten wind of your roll in the making of it all and he thinks it would be wise for you to have some extra protection. I would assume from you running your mouth around every small town you land that eyesore of a ship in."
"So he wants you to baby sit me." Seemingly letting the insult slide.
That got a chuckle out of him, the small pout she put on was amusing the way her lip stuck out and her cheeks grew puffy and red. If he sat down and really thought about it Doffy didn't dislike Red. He liked his women beautiful and small, though most were in fact small next to his ten feet Red was in fact lovely to look at when she wasn't snapping and sassing that mouth at him. She walked with importance and purpose. Not like some pretty doll begging for attention and adoration. She earned it by default as he did. When she walked into his throne room that smile that said so many things in silence thumped his heart in a pattern he was only familiar with when he ran into her. He didn't 'hate' Red. Oh no. If things were different, if she wasn't such a spitting kitten who mocked him at every turn he would have snatched her up and fucked her dizzy at their every run in. He would still like to. Right now even given the circumstances. It was only that tongue of hers that he wished to rip out.
Even still....only in front of others. Only when she insisted on using it in the presence of his underlings and family. Challenging his standing and forcing him to play her little game of bickering until they both were exhausted from comebacks and back talk. When he called her every name in the book and she somehow threw out insults in different languages he didn't even know. Alone however they would laugh and tease. Poking fun and even complementing the other. The only person in this world that Doflamingo could ease into knowing they were both untouchable by the other. No reason to threaten or press her beneath him, just level. Easy. He liked that in a way. Liked being something other than a god to someone though he loved being a god. With this one person in these stolen hidden moments he could be something else. He hated that he loved it.
"It seems as much. He wants you close to the factory and Caesar and under my protection as well if he can help it....perhaps there is another way..."
"If you have a better idea."
Leaning forward Doflamingo laced his fingers together and thought. Hard. There was no getting around this. Kaidou had all but ordered action in that letter and what were either of them to do. Politely decline via return letter? He would make their lives hell. Destroy everything he had built these last 30 plus years. Take everything from him...and her. Not that she had as much he supposed but freedom and what little power she had seemed to matter and it was enough to have her chewing her nails to the quik. There was a way. Without having her join his crew yet keep her under his protection and eye. Close to the factory and the scientist and perhaps even give her something in return. Perhaps even give him something he wouldn't mind wrapping his strings around either though he shoved that as deep as he could and refused to acknowledge it.
Gonna start posting 'For Every King' Here cause you know....I suck. I'll try and pick up Still Good but Red is on some BS with a different blonde right now and it's not a healthy...wops!
Gekko Moria is by far the worst antagonist One Piece has ever seen. His design was awful, he lacks any quality a good villain has, and without his subordinates (Oars, mainly) he wouldn’t have stood half a chance against the combined efforts of the Straw Hat Crew. Hell, without Doflamingo and Kuma hindering Little Oars, Jr. at the Battle of Marineford, Moria’s shadows would barely have been able to take the giant down. By far the worst villain, and besides Buggy, the least deserving of the Shichibukai position, in my opinion.
Being a Warlord isn’t really about being ‘strong’ physically. If you don’t know about Gekko’s history and how and why he ended up the way he is now you won’t fully understand the reason he refuses to do really anything himself. He never bothered to develop his power to anything stronger due to his fixation on having nameless underlings do his work for him (the reason for this is spoiler territory). In the right hands the Kage Kage no Mi is crazy powerful but Gekko is a good example of a character who has literally all the power in the world but his personal short comings and past hindering him and being his major downfall.
Being able to absorb the combined strength and move sets of all the shadows he eats is deadly....but all that raw power means nothing if he can’t hold it all in. Having nameless henchmen who don’t really care about your well being or the stakes was his major downfall as well. Every one of his crew turned tail OR ran off to do their own things when Gekko was fighting or even seemed like he might lose.
To be fair the Warlords are more or less just figure heads. Each is either in their spot to secure some kind of deal like Boa, Jinbe and Kuma, to be kept under control or at least watched (poorly) like Doffy and Croc or are just well known enough and ‘notorious’ to fit the bill and be a scary enough name but are easy to control like Gekko or Buggy. Being a Warlord means nothing...which we see time and time again as Luffy just keeps taking them down. The gov. is desperate to keep those figure heads because it’s an easy way to keep other pirates in check. No real self respecting pirate really WANTS to be a warlord....being under the governments thumb is prolly the worst thing you can be which is why only the dumb ones are happy about it (Gekko and Buggy) and the smart ones use it to some sort of ends.
Without spoiling too much....Gekko needs to be weak AF but have a power that is strong enough to at least challenge Luffy and the others. How do you win a fight when the enemy keeps just getting back up? And in terms of his lack of action...it’s just major PTSD.
Gekko is a cautionary tale. Someone who could have been amazingly powerful with great allies and most likely would have won...if he wasn’t a lazy asshole and didn’t throw his convictions away due to past events.
IDK man Gekko is one of my favs if not only because he’s just a goofy lard ass with a silly voice and a thin grasp on reality. He’s not meant to be taken seriously, no one ever really did. There always needs a bottom of the ladder and he was it.
I will be updating Still Good! I have a ton of ideas! Sadly I’m back to work over full time now (about 50+ hours a week) and I also have art commissions and my own reptile rescue that I gotta work on so I’m a bit pressed for spare time!
It’s not dead though I promise! I’m so very sorry!
Heyyyyy. I just wanted to stop by and say that ur stories are awesome!! I love blushy, shy toshi omg he is so baby i would die for him. I swear I‘m gonna articulate this opinion over your fics better after i sleep because I have been awake for Too Long™ . My brain is messy and i can’t focus my eyes on the words hehe. I keep seeing double. Aaand I can‘t find the first part to „Caught!“ anywhere? Or did I just miss it? Pls help. And thnx for writing bae love you xoxo
Aw thank you so much! I’m so glad people enjoy my random ramblings. I more just wanted an outlet for all my gross feelings about the skinny boy while binge rewatching MHA but I’m happy other’s can enjoy it to! Please sleep though! I’m not one to talk but sleep is important!
Caught part 1 is right here for you!! Hope you enjoy shy Toshi being so shy he can’t bang the girl her likes.
All Might takes a moment to dish out his own form of Justice to a very special fan.
All Might x Reader (OC)
"We are very sorry about any inconvenience this has caused the school!" The clumsy couple said in unison. Both bowing low in the Principals office as the all but begged forgiveness for their public blunder.
Principal Nezu sat quietly. Sipping his tea and watching the two employees fidget on the spot. Clearly distressed but just as determined to be clear and honest with their admittance of guilt. On his desk sat a small tabloid paper. Black and white low budget photos slashed across it's cover with grainy wording. 'All Might's Secret Lover?!'. The main picture was hard to make out but clearly the massive back of the number one hero in dark lighting. Bent low with something held tight in his arms. Squinting you could see someone there. So much smaller next to the hulking hero but held up in his embrace. Light catching off what appeared to be glasses on the faceless civilian.
It had been an accident really. The last day before classes were meant to resume Toshi wanted to make some public appearances. Stop some petty crime and let himself be seen by as many people as possible. He had a little longer than an hour as he guessed but if he divided that time up he could stretch it to about three with breaks in between. So he went out on patrol. A normal and rather common thing for him to do. Paladin had wanted to make a day of it herself, using his time out and about to get a bit of shopping done for the both of them.
He ran into her by accident. After catching a simple purse snatcher and shaking some hands he spotted her coming out of a pet store which seemed rather odd as neither of them owned any pets. He followed her for a few minuets, darting around roof tops and trying to stay out of sight. Seeing her sneak into a near by ally way peaked his curiosity. She was feeding a stray kitten! Toshi damn near melted on the fire escape he was perched on. She had a small plastic bowl set up with a little blanket fort of sorts. She was changing the blankets out for something more clean and fluffy. God this woman.....
Having had enough of his creepy stalking he hopped down from his hiding spot. Trying to strike his normal heroic pose. "Well well well! It seem's I caught a criminal! Thought you could hide in the shadows evil do'er?!" His voice vibrating with all the flare and showmen-ship he put on for his real heroing. It worked well enough to startle the little nurse, poor thing jumped about three feet from her crouched position. Kitten clutched tightly in her arms she swung around with wide and almost terrified eyes until they landed on his massive slightly shadowed body. Taking a few seconds to steady her breathing and possibly restart her heart, and possibly ogle him a bit in his tight spandex she gave up the fight with the kitten in her arms and tried her best to put on a criminal smirk. It wasn't working. She always looked far too cute no matter how hard she tried to seem menacing.
"It seem's you caught me! And I thought I could get around the great All Might...but arn't you suppose to tell me what crime I've committed? Or is feeding cat's against the law now?" It might have been. Toshi knew she wasn't exactly well versed in Japanese law. Less so district to district. But he wasn't so concerned with that in this moment. Stalking his way closer, keeping up his little act he planted himself tall in front of her. Enjoying just how little she was when he was like this. She was little all the time compared to him but in his hero form it was a drastic difference. Only managing to reach his mid section at best. A perfect height to just bend ever so slightly and- NO! Absolutely not! He was not about to picture that! Not now...not when he was wearing the worlds most form fitting costume. His jaw twitched slightly trying to banish the image from his mind giving a little shake of his blond head he bent himself lower to grin at her.
"Stealing a hero's heart is a rather serious crime! And I've caught you red handed little miss. I'm afraid I'll have to punish you." Her cheeks flushed a bright pink. Not expecting him to say something so accidentally provocative. Toshi himself felt his own face dust red. He was trying to avoid such perverted nonsense right now god damn it! He watched her fidget on the spot. Glancing to the kitten a few feet away that had all but forgotten their existence as it happily lapped away at the gifted milk and wet food she brought. "Well...." her voice was meek but laced with a heat Toshi wasn't expecting. "I suppose you'll have to punish me then...I can't promise I won't do it again after all...." The tension between them was thick and heavy. Each one still baffled that they had kept this little act up for so long. Neither were very used to such teasing yet. Toshi especially was teetering on the edge of another heart attack as he felt her fingers trace the lines of his abs through his suit. Swallowing hard he brought his massive arms around her time frame and scooped her up forcing her to let out a tiny squeak of surprise. Her body felt hot against his own which was surely running like a furnace given how much he was starting to sweat.
Her legs wrapped around his middle as best they could. He was so thick and bulky she was struggling to manage even that much but his support and strength had no trouble keeping her steady. Forcing the both of them back to press her hard against the rough ally wall. Toshi hoped the dumpster next to them would be enough cover as he inched his face closer to her's. So desperately wanting to kiss her. He was so close he could feel her little panting breaths heat his cheeks. Mint. She smelled like fresh mint and vanilla bean from her morning coffee. He could just about taste it. "Don't think I'll go easy on you..." he teased. His voice little more than a growl that rumbled his chest and sent a shiver down her spine that he could feel in his groin. She liked that. She liked when he teased her and threw his weight around. Looming over her like a predator ready to pounce. It excited them both. So close. His eyes caught her little tongue swipe her lips getting ready for what he assumed was about to be a rather intense make out session...in public no less. Just another centimetre and-
A bright white flash caught them both by surprise. On instinct Toshi curled himself forward to cover the small body in his arms as if attempting to shield her from what his mind told him was an attack. Another few clicks and it registered that it was a camera. Damn it! This was bad. His hand moved to cover her head and hold her flush against his chest trying to both keep her steady against him and protect her face from any picture that might expose her identity. He wasn't going to stick around and answer any questions or give this busy body and more chances. He needed to get them both out of there and fast. "Hold on to me." He snapped, angry at himself, the sneaky reporter, the situation...but mostly himself. A single quick hop and he was well above the rooftops of the buildings they were trying to hide between. He was taking no more chances, putting as much distance between them and the ally way as possible. Praying that who ever it was that caught them didn't have a quirk to catch up.
'Stupid Toshi! That was so stupid! You put her in danger and for what?!' Everyone was going to know now. Were they meant to keep it a secret? Was it really so dangerous that her identity be out in public? Perhaps a few months ago it would have been fine, after all who in their right mind would threaten the lover of Japans number one hero? But now with the villain attack so fresh and their apparent grudge against him personally it felt all too risky. As much as he wanted to tell himself that Paladin was a pro hero and could stick up for herself....U.S.J proved that these criminals were far more advanced than excepted. He was in no shape to protect her. Not long term anyway. Not like this.
They were possibly a whole new district away by the time Toshi settled on a high roof top well away from any onlookers. It would take a helicopter to spot them here and given the more residential area that was a low end risk. Carefully he unwound his arms from her and let her feet hit the ground. Smoothing out her wild wind swept hair and trying his best to steady her on wobbly legs. "When I said I wanted to go for a ride some time I was more thinking a casual skip around a park. Not a sudden rush for our lives." She laughed still in good spirits but the slight tinge of worry laced her voice. He couldn't hide his grim expression. Crossing his arms in a mild huff as he tried not to let too much of his worry show. "I don't think they saw me. At least not much." she was busy trying to untangle bits of her hair seemingly unfazed by the whole ordeal. "It's a good thing you have those power legs of your still otherwise we might have some awkward explaining to do....oh gosh I can't believe we almost-" she was giggling now fussing over her heated cheeks and trying her best not to look at him. Playing the part of a sweet fluster school girl who got caught kissing her boyfriend in the supply closet. Close enough. But Toshi couldn't shake the pit in his gut. This wasn't good.
He pulled her forward into a tight, more protective like hug. Needing to do something with his hands that were now trying hard not to hold so tightly to her back. Rather he let his fingers tug softly at the end of her hair. "I'm so sorry. I know know better than that, it was foolish...reckless....stupid-" He was going to start punishing himself and as if on que she pushed back against his wall of a body and shoved him off playfully. Startling the hero who stumbled back just enough to look at her clearly disgruntled face. Cheeks puffy and hot with anger. She hardly ever looked at him like that. Only when he started his little self hate sessions really. Now being an opportune moment for one after all. He was going to get yelled at....finding himself shrinking back slightly ready for her scolding.
"Toshinori I mean honestly! You are a normal man with normal needs! You have every right to sneak away to kiss your girlfriend behind a dumpster in the middle of work, just like everyone else!" True. He turned a bit bashful at her words. Slicking back his hair with a heavy sigh. "I won't say I minded...in fact I'm a little annoyed that we got caught...."
"Y-you are?" He blinked down at her. Eyes hidden by the dark shadow of his well worn face. The dark expression gone as he felt a bit more relaxed by her goofy reprimand. She was in a little huff. Arms crossed and tapping her foot like she was trying to quiet a restless class. Head nodding back at him.
"Is it really too much to ask to have a moment in public with my hulking hero of a boyfriend." She always threw around their relationship titles when he was upset. It helped more than he was willing to admit. It made him swell with happiness and pride. Feeling wanted warmed him. She nuzzled back against his chest. Well as much of it as she could reach and he returned the gesture by caging her with his massive arms. Leaning low to cover her with as much of his body as he could. "I know this is bad. But I can't ever regret anything I do with you. No matter how....embarrassing. I know why we can't say anything publicly. Though it would make life a lot easier. It's just so frustrating."
That was the other dark thought that kept creeping in when ever they spoke about this sort of thing. Being together like this was wonderful but they had to be careful. Had to keep everything a secret and sneak around in the dark. His massive hand cupped her cheek and forced her grumpy face to angle up at him. "There is nothing I want more than to tell the world about our love. It would be quiet the story too! Number One Hero finds love at last!" They both shared a little chuckle between them before he pushed her head back down against him. "But right now....with the league of villains emerging, my weakened state..." His fingers clutched a bit of her hair to cool his growing nerves "I want to protect you. And the best way for me to do that is to pretend I don't exist in your life like this. I hate it. It makes me feel sick thinking about us like some dirty secret we must keep from the world. It makes it feel so wrong when it's anything but." He wasn't really sure why he was explaining this to her. She was so smart and they had spoken at length about the need for secrecy. At least for now. Perhaps it made him feel better. Reminding both her and himself that this was just temporary and neither were happy about it.
They could be frustrated together.
He hated that his mere existence was troublesome to her. She couldn't enjoy a normal, public relationship like everyone else. He denied her of that every day. She was pulling away again. Gracing him with a sweet and loving smile as she motioned for him to bend down. Rather he took a knee, nearly eye level with her even when he stooped so low. She bent and gave him a little kiss before setting to work smooth out his hair and playfully tugging on his upright bangs. "I've told you before, and I'll keep telling you until it get's through that thick skull of yours." Harsh but necessary. He was very dense when it came to emotion. "I love you Toshinoi. And if sneaky around a little for now is what it takes to be with you then so be it. Tis a small price to pay from the love and attention you give me daily." Her lips found his again, this time short and sweet but just what he needed. "I'm not here to be the number one hero's girlfriend. I'm here to be with you. One day people may know and we can soak up all that annoying attention then. For now the only eyes I want on me are you'res....If I could see them...." that caught him off guard and had him belly laughing so loud he thought it may draw attention to their rooftop hiding spot. He couldn't help it!
"My dear! Is there anything at all you can't cure with that wit of yours!" He was back on her in an instant. Spinning her around in the sudden rush of joy and excitement. Even tossing her once for good measure. "That passion is what I love about you! Always so quick to make me smile when I'm down and out, and here I'm meant to be the Symbol of Peace!" they were laughing together now, her happy voice like a million tiny bells to his ears. Holding her high and above him still so the wind caught her hair and the setting sun cast beautiful orange light across her shining face. "I should strive to be more idealistic! Make the best of a bad situation! I'm All Might for goodness sake I should start acting like it again!" Once their laughter died down at their breathing slowed Paladin looked off into the distance. From her higher height she could see well above the rooftops off into the glittering ocean view that was still a few miles off. But all Toshi could look at was her. Beautiful and glowing in the dying sunlight.
She seemed to get her fill of the view, grinning back down at him again. "Shall we go home my big strong hero?" He returned that look. Hooking his arms under her knees to carry her like a bride, the very idea painting his cheeks pink and set his mind spinning with images of a wedding, church bells and the very idea of calling her 'wife'. He hushed his own wild imagination. 'Now that is far too soon....' it didn't mean he couldn't enjoy those thoughts for a while. Act like it was something they could one day do. Pretend that he had time.
'No! Not today and not now!' He was happy in this moment and he would be damned if his aggressive self loathing would take that away from him. Holding her close his powerful legs get one single leap and they were off.
~~~~
The soft sip of tea was the only sound to cut through the thick tension. Nezu always did like to take his time. Let his pray dangle on a string. If Toshi didn't know any better he would have believed the Principal had it out for humans in his own way. The thought made his skin crawl a bit. Beyond that his back was starting to hurt this bow was going on for so long but he dare not break it. There was a lot to be sorry for after all.
"Well it can't be helped. Lucky for us this is just tabloid rumor that no one will take very seriously. No one got a good look at our dear nurses face so for all anyone can tell All Might was just rescuing some random stranger. At least that is how we will spin it on our end." Another sip. Shorter this time. "But in doing so we did need to inform the rest of the staff of your relationship. What ever it may be or how ever serious. It's important that all staff are on the same page with these things."
'Damn, that meant Aizawa was sure to find out.' Toshi felt his teeth click together in a tight grimace.
"If it can't be helped....we are sorry for the trouble this may be causing the staff and the school. It was never our intention to go public even among our close friends. Toshi wanted to keep it as privet as possible." She was always starting to cover for his mistakes. He felt his gut twist in shame but when he looked over at her she was grinning. No matter how worried her tone was, no matter how upsetting this new situation she still smiling. He had to return it, lips twitching up as if they were two school kids giggling in the back of class.
Nezu cleared his throat, hopping down from his chair to make his way to the office door. "There is no policy prohibiting staff members from dating so the two of you arn't in any trouble. I believe some of the staff even had a betting pool as to when you would get together. No harm done in the long run I say. But do try and be more careful. The school is facing a lot of scrutiny after the villain attack so it would be best to try and say as discreet as possible."
They both took a low bow against, the small mammal giving them a smile and a nod in return as he opened the door to leave. "Oh and Paladin, do remember to speak to your grandmother. She's been rather cross that you didn't mention your new relationship with her." His tone was so off putting that even Toshi could feel his darling tremble on the spot next to him. A hand reached out to take hold of her's behind his back trying his best to hide the action from their boss. They just spoke about not doing this very thing but her nervous smile and twitching fingers made it hard for him not to comfort her.
"R-right...I'll be sure to do that thank you Mr. Principle." All she received was what seemed like a grim nod before the door snapped shut allowing both lovers to collapse back on the couch with a heavy sigh.
Long fingers covered his face, his breath coming out in heavy waves as he tried to still his hammering heart. Other hand holding tight to his beloved like a lifeline in a sea of crashing waves. "That was....better than expected." He chuckled, she was right. Even though they royally screwed up for at least this moment everything seemed like it was going to be alright.
"I mean look at the bright side! We don't need to sneak around school much at all! At least not in the teacher lounge anymore. Plus we can maybe even meet up with everyone else for drinks like we always talked about." While neither of them were overly social in their personal lives they did count their fellow teachers as friends but Paladin was so new to Japan and shortly after starting their relationship they we worried about a night out drinking with everyone; mostly Aizawa was asking for trouble. What if she had gotten drunk and let it slip? What if they did something like hold hands or he called her 'darling'. He was so used to it by now he wouldn't put it past himself...what if she reached across to wipe some rice from his face and he took a hold of her hand and kissed her fingertips ever so lovingly. The thought heated his cheeks, almost as much as the utter embarrassment of being caught in such a situation.
For now however this was a minor load off of both of their shoulders. The teasing would be relentless to be sure, but now their relationship no longer felt like some dirty little secret they were keeping from friends and in her case family. This was better. At least for now.
NOTES: I’m sorry it’s taking so long to pump out these chapters! I’m slowing down on the ideas I wanted to get out but that in no way means I’m done with these two! I’m just not able to throw chapters out two at a time every day, for that I am very sorry! I hope you keep reading though!
Weird stuff went down today. Random cat boy and me joked around in HoH about staning Zenos, he invited me to his FC. Got to see his friends house......then idk I blacked out. But now men arn't allowed to touch Roo or two murder kitties will chew their fingers off and beat them with sticks.
I just wanted some cute fluff with Toshi being an absolute angel boy! A basic domestic conversation about food and Toshi just adoring his tiny new girlfriend.
Warnings: Some heavy kissing and super fluffy. Toshi cries. It’s all good!
(I’m running out of All Might gifs people!)
The day's after the attack on U.S.J were some of the greatest Toshi could recall. At least since his injury. All of the students were given the following days off for 'safety' which mostly meant the heads of the school were looking into the breech, upping their security and making a game plan should another attack happen. They needed to be prepared. Both the media and parents of at least the first year students were all on edge and rather critical of each move U.A made. Having the great All Might on staff did sway some hearts and he was labeled as the hero of the hour Toshi felt anything but and was thankful the Principal was doing more to put the citizens at ease.
There was only so much Toshi could do in his current state. He had maybe an hour now if he was lucky which would need to be used for teaching and possibly appearances on the street during days off to keep everyone's suspicions at bay. All Might was a major public figure. Constantly out and about meeting people, doing interviews, showing up on TV and in movies. A literal Symbol needed to be everywhere at once and be seen by as many people as possible. And of course his hero work. There were mutterings that something was wrong with All Might given how rarely the people of the town around U.A ever saw him. The school tried their best to filter the rumors and spread a few of their own. He was often around different cities helping with major disasters, school and teaching took up most of his time and he was such a valuable asset to the next young hero's. He trusted the police and local hero's to do their jobs and left them to it. Simple things like that. It worked well enough and the attack only solidified his need to stay on campus. That was one of two good things that had come from that horrible day. The second was standing next to him in his kitchen, humming away as she chopped some carrots.
They had been busy making dinner, each slipping comfortably in this new relationship. Honestly very little had changed between the two of them save for Toshi's obsessive need to pepper her cheeks with kisses every time she was within reach. So much so that he was expecting to be beaten off each time his lanky arms wrapped around her middle and pinned her in place to assault her with his mouth. But each and every time she would erupt into a fit of giggles, planting a few of her own on his boney jaw and only teasingly shooing him away so she could finish what ever task he interrupted.
"I like it." She told him plainly after he apologized for his millionth kiss that morning while she was attempting to make coffee. "Being wanted so much is...nice. My brain dosn't have time to worry about things when every few minuets you remind it how happy it is now." That earned her a mild tackle of a hug and another thousand smooches.
And it wasn't just him. She often came up behind him to snuggle into his long back and hold him tight. He adored when she would climb herself into his lap while they watched TV as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be as close as possible. She often couldn't reach his face and so she would tug on his shirt slightly to demand he bend down to her level so she could kiss him how she liked. Often starting on her toes and working her way to his lips. Toshi had to admit they already acted as if they were a couple long before he had confessed. The rest of the teachers apparently had a betting pool on when one of them would finally break. He was glad it was him. Toshi adored the old school romance of it all. The heated confession after a dangerous battle! It felt like one of his American action movies. Though he could have easily done without the fight....
And the fact that even with his twisted, broken, scared and scary body she touched him as if he was in his prime. Not an ounce of fear or disgust on her features. At time's he honestly forgot how he looked. Really believing her when she muttered how handsome he was while they were lounging on the bed together one morning. She seemed to love tracing small patterns against his arms and following the thin but textured muscles in his shoulders and neck. Remaking how strong he was and giggling and cheering when he would scoop her into a hug and swing her around like she weight nothing at all.
So here they were, in his apartment getting ready for dinner. His arms locked around her little frame with his head resting atop her's like a strange parrot. Listening to her quiet little hum as she worked. Perfect, this was perfect. "Toshi..." His arms wound a little tighter on her sides. Nuzzling his face against her hair with a little sigh of his own. "Yeah?" He couldn't think of anything better than these moments. It almost made him forget his loss as a symbol, his injury, his troubles. "Toshi the meat...." Her voice sounded a little worried. Always so concerned about his well being. "It should be fine. We didn't add too many seasonings this time so it won't bother me as much as last night." The thought of their little blunder with spices last night made him nonexistent stomach churn a bit. Spending hours laying on the bed eating chipped ice and taking advantage of her quirk had not been pleasant.
"No I mean it's burning!" She laughed, wiggling herself out of his arms to turn off the small hot plate. A dark patchy smoke rising from what was meant to be their grilled pork.
He stood there dumbfounded for a second. Watching her try and salvage the chard meat. "My apologizes....I was so wrapped up in what I was doing-" That sounded a bit stupid, what he was doing was clinging onto her like an infant. The shame heated his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "H-here I'll finish the vegetables. I doubt I can screw that up." Now that he said that the knife looked very sharp and the small little shapes she had been cutting seconds ago looked far more professional than anything he would manage to do with his clumsy long fingers. With a heavy sigh he took up her post, glancing over to watch her cut the thick chard sections of meat. "I don't think I ever noticed before but you are a very good cook. Your recipes are simple yet delicious and you know your way around a knife." He motioned to the well cut veggies on the board and his mess of what looked like a hacked up bit of onion.
It took her a second to respond. So focused on the task at hand. Or maybe it was hard to answer. "It's kinda embarrassing...but I'm a really picky eater..." She muttered, plating their meat carefully now that it had been saved from his blunder. "I had to learn new tricks pretty quickly when I moved to Japan. But my family was very ah...." She struggled with the Japanese for a second. Toshi could see the gears turning in her head and had to stop himself from smushing her cheeks. 'So cute...'
"Meat and Potatoes! That's it!"
"Meat....and potatoes? Dear... we have that here in Japan though." He raised a brow at her and grinned. "We are having meat and potatoes tonight." He playfully motioned to the boiling pot of potatoes right next to her.
That earned him a little playful swat on the arm and a small nudge so he could scoot his skinny butt over and let her finish. He gladly moved, still afraid to ruin their meal any farther but still bent on figuring out what she meant. "Come to think of it that is all you seem to order when we eat out. Simple dishes, a lot of carbs. I assumed it was because you were trying to accommodate me." People who knew about his injury and stomach issues had a hard time eating freely around Toshi. It was a guilt thing. Like people not drinking around an alcoholic. He could have a wide variety of foods. It's not like he was limited to rice crackers and water. Well not any more. It was mostly heavy spices and seasonings that bothered him. Without a stomach to help break it all down spicy foods would often burn his insides. Never a nice feeling. Toshi let his hand rest on her head, giving it a little rub before he moved off to get them some drinks. "So this meat and potatoes thing?"
"Oh! Well it means you eat very plain foods normally. It can mean a wide range of things ironically but my family tended to eat hardy meals with lots of meat and carb based foods like mashed potatoes."
"No vegetables?" That was something Toshi often enjoyed. Steamed veggies were nice and easy on his stomach but could add different flavors to things without being too harsh.
"Well yes but we stuck to simple things. If we were having steak it would normally be with a carb and one simple vegetable side dish like green beans or corn. Here there is always a rainbow mix of veggies in almost everything so my pallet it's really accustom to it yet." Paladin moved to place their dishes down on the table. Taking her spot as he carefully bent his knees in across from her. "I worry I'll never develop a full taste for Japanese food. I do like most of it though but I find it's far easier to cook at home and add the things I like rather than getting pre-made food's and having to remove what I don't." As always she was already starting on her small strips of pork. Toshi remembered the meal she made one night for him. It was steak but rather than being cut and cooked in strips which was custom in Japan she had cooked both slabs whole. He was tentative at first but her way of searing it gave the top a wonderful crunchy texture but the middle was so juicy it tasted like it had just come from a hot pot yet still melted in his mouth. And there was so much butter!
"I see. So your pallet just happens to work with my dirt restrictions." A happy coincidence that convinced Toshi they were indeed destined for each other. The thought warmed his heart it also chilled it. Fate...a future. All Might wasn't sure he even had one of those. The echo of his friends dooming prediction played through his mind. What did he have? A year at best? A single year to spend with her like this. He should tell her. But the thought of living every day on edge, her worried about their small short time....sad. Always sad and already mourning a man who wasn't dead yet.
No.
At least for now he wanted to be happy. Even if it was constructed on a lie by omission he wanted her to smile at him with no dark cloud hanging over them. He could pretend he didn't know. He had been pretending for years now and it wasn't turning out so bad. But now suddenly, watching Paladin eating across from him, happily giggling along with something on the T.V he had long since stopped watching he wasn't so sure he was okay with dying. If living meant being here with her longer. But Nighteye was never wrong. All Might would die a horrible, violent death at the hands of a villain. He would leave her alone. At the very least she knew he would pass before her naturally. He was almost twenty years older than her, that was a given but she didn't know just how true and how close.
It felt like some kind of disgusting lie that he would have to keep up with. His side burned as if punishing him already for letting any of this start. What could he possibly do? He would break her heart one way or the other. Ignore their feelings, pretend he wasn't in love with her and break her heart by forcing a friendship neither of them truly wanted? Disappear from her life without a word? Or die in a fight in a year. He could at least pretend that one was a more natural way for him to go. More so now with the targeted villain attack. She would be devastated but at least she would have closure. Plus she as a pro hero! She knew the risks they all took with their line of work. This lie would be better.
A hand reached out to brush carefully against his arm. Shaking him from his thoughts with a jolt. "Y-yes?!" She was looking at him with a worried expression. How long had he been silent?
"The food's not that bad is it? You've been glaring at it for like ten minuets...." Shoot. Toshi flipped his palm and gripped her's tightly trying to grin at her as if nothing in the world was wrong.
"It's nothing....really." She gave him another worried clench of her hand and he returned it trying his best to put her at ease. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I find myself still thinking about the attack on U.S.J...I know! I know you said it's not my fault. Everyone has said that." He was quick to correct when she got that little pouty look on her face that told him she was about to argue. "I'm far past the point of blaming myself now." Out loud "But the attack has me worried. I'm not as strong as I used to be. That's a fact and one we can't dance around any longer. I know the school is setting more security measures in place but still..." He glared down at his thin hand wrapped around her's. His face scrunched in what seemed like anger. "I wish there was more I could do. Feeling so helpless, it's not something I'm used to feeling. I'm still not used to it."
Paladin didn't seem to have an answer. This wasn't a quick fix sort of issue and one Toshi had been struggling with since his injury. It was worse now that his power was so limited. Relying on others to keep him safe, being unable to protect those he wanted to protect. Her hand slipped from his and Toshi hated the loss of contact. As she stood to gather their plates; his hardly touched, his appetite was gone for now she pressed a careful kiss his to his head in passing. "I don't think it's something you ever get used to Toshi. Not really. You lived most of your life so powerful that this reality may not even seem real. And the weaker you get the more it sinks in and the darker it feels. The more attacks you can't fend off the more it will eat at you." Well she wasn't anything if she wasn't brutally honest. "But you were always going to need to face this. One day All Might was going to die. Slip away in his bed surrounded by loved one's. Too old and weak to be the Hero he once was. It happens to everyone. This is just....an unexpected speed up. You're training Young Midoriya for this very reason."
He was nodding along, her words were wise if not a bit rough. He was going to die one day, he would have been on the exact same path he was on today....just give or take twenty years. That seemed like such a long time but given how long he was the Symbol of Peace it wasn't too far in the future. The danger that now lurked over Japan due to his near absence was the only major change in the true inevitability. "Yes but if I had more- Wait! You know I'm training Young Midoriya as my successor?!" He was so startled his sudden upright jerk crashed his poor knees into the underside of the table. Forcing him back down with a heavy groan as he rubbed his legs. "Y-you know?!"
Peaking out from the kitchen Paladin gave a little shrug. "Well I know for sure now. Sorry if it was meant to be a secret...I mean it still is. Of course I'm not going to tell anyone but it's a bit obvious." Toshi grumbled and pulled himself away from the offending furniture and joined her. Hovering by the doorway.
"Really?"
She was elbow deep in some dishes. The pot already on for their nightly coffee and tea. If he wasn't so worried this would be a perfect moment for more kitchen cuddles but he was more interested about her realization. "Well I spend a lot of time with both class 1-A and you personally so it might just be me. But you constantly sneak off with him to get in some one on one training. You worry about him and his progress more than the other students...and if his records are correct his quirk shows amazing potential if he can figure out how to not break his own body using it. I got to thinking and it all just kinda fits you know?" That made sense. She was a smart girl and had more detailed records of Young Midoriya's medical history and quirk than most. Plus if Toshi wasn't with her or teaching he was training the boy. It would have been very easy to pick up on for someone like her. He should have been at least a bit more careful. "Honestly if I didn't know you were off with him I would get a little worried..." Toshi jerked back, waving his hands with a look of utter disgust plastered on his face.
"I would never!" When he looked up at her she was laughing, her tongue sticking out at him letting him sigh with relief. Of course she was kidding.
His cheeks still burned.
"Of course you wouldn't. That's the one thing I never have to worry about with you." The very though made him feel dirty. And not in the slightly less shameful way like the dark hours of the night before they started dating and he was alone with his thoughts. His shoulders slumped forward slightly, curling inward a bit his arms crossed over his chest trying to hide the embarrassment of the memory. The though of those perverted day dreams he was so privy to in the past possibly coming true made a heat bloom in his groin though he tried his best to hide it. For now. How did one even breech such a topic. It's not as if they were fumbling teenagers both young and experienced. All hands and teeth and no nerves. Well 'she' wasn't those things anyway. He was all but a young teen wishing he had at least given into a few of those old propositions from his past. Maybe even a bit of experience under his belt he would know how to act. Then again the idea of sharing that first time with her had it's own thrills. They scared the hell out of him. Like the drop on a roller coaster. Thrilling and dangerous but fun and exciting. "I think he's a good choice though."
Once again her voice cut through his inner ramblings. This was a better conversation to get his mind off of the dark pink places it was wandering off in. "You do?" Toshi moved into the kitchen at last. Setting out their cups and grabbing his tea and her instant coffee making a small face as the harsh smell hit his nose. He couldn't stand he stuff too strong.
"He's always so cheerful, really cares about his friends and those around him. His entrance exam was proof of that. The only student in how many years who put someones life above his own chances at his dream future. He had no way of knowing that of course we would never let anything happen to that young girl yet he jumped in to save her. Sacrificing those last few seconds he had to take hold of his spot. He moved before he could even think, like being a hero was just a natural instinct for him." He felt her snuggle up against his left side carefully. Warm breath seeped through his cotton shirt to pool against his scar and Toshi was quick to secure an arm around her as best he could while he tried to carefully mix her coffee the way she liked it. "He's so much like you."
A shiver ran up his spin. The drinks forgotten as the both sat there in a happy moment of comfort and silence. A woman so wonderful chose to be with him like this and it baffled him beyond all else. But he wouldn't complain. Her spunky little attitude, her willingness to scold him and be bold enough to call out his nonsense, to see him for who he was and not for the icon he built himself up to be...yet to still understand the need for it. Respect and admire it. To see it in Young Midoriya. She reminded him so much of his late Master. Toshi wondered what she might think of all this. She always stressed the importance of keeping true to himself, never forgetting who he was. The same normal high wisdom he expected all teachers stressed to their young students but perhaps she was trying to tell him to do this. Be with someone who made him feel whole or at least a little less broken that before. Nana would adore her.
He should tell her. Let her know the truth about his power and the boy. If only to prove how right she was. If anything it may have been a small boost in validation that Toshi had made the correct choice in successor. "That is a good point. You're a bit more right than you think you are."
It seemed she had gotten the snuggles out of her system and was now perked at full attention. The deeper tone in his voice told her this was important. Wide eyes stared up and him waiting for him to continue. "What I'm about to tell you is of the utmost importance and to be kept secret. You can tell no one....Recovery Girl and the Principal already know. As well as two old....acquaintances from my past." That was most likely the best way to put it without any more prying questions about them. He could already see the look of aggressive curiosity growing on her face and he wanted to make his point quickly and possibly never speak of those two 'acquaintances' ever again. "My quirk...you remember how we spoke about it being a mystery?"
Her head gave a little nod as she thought back. "Right, speed or strength or something different altogether. No one really knows to this day exactly what it is. It's one of the worlds greatest mysteries." Toshi chuckled and ruffled her hair a but. Leading her back into the main room with their drinks. At least she didn't ramble like Young Midoriya...
"Right. Well it has a name. One for All. I won't get into the messy details. It might take weeks to really explain everything." Her expression told him she wanted those details. Wiggling on the spot so ready to explode with questions that Toshi needed to hold up a hand and stop her before she got start. "I'll tell you over time I promise. No use in over loading you with information when there are more important bits." It seemed to work well enough for now. Leaving her a little pouty but excited for this 'info' he kept hinting at. "It was given to me when I was about Young Midoriya's age." His hand came up again. Snapping her jaw shut and keeping her silent from the flood of questions about to burst forth from her little body. "H-hang on. Yes I was quirkless. It wasn't strange back then. In fact it was in the midst of society coming to terms with superpowers in general. I was considered normal really. Not that I wanted to be. My master saw something in me back then.....and she passed her quirk, One for All to me. To become the Symbol of Peace I thought the world needed. To protect those who couldn't protect themselves. I wanted to be the hero that everyone looked to. That made people feel safe no matter where they were. I think that's why she gave it to me. She knew my ideals and goals were for the good of society and One for All would be used for justice." He could tell she was a bit lost. Her face flitting between confusion to deep concentration. Trying to piece together everything he just said.
He let her think for a few minuets. Sipping he tea quietly. "I'll tell you as much as I can over time. Though that's really the meat of it. Even I don't know the full extent of One for All. What it truly is and how it works. I don't think I mastered all there is to it even after so much time. But I was able to use enough to become All Might and fulfill my promise. I can't ask for much more...."
"After your injury....you needed to find someone else then. Someone to take up the place of All Might. Become the next Symbol of Peace." Toshi gave nod, leaning himself on his elbows against the table as he waited for her to process some more. It was a lot and he wasn't lying when he said even he didn't fully understand it all. The previous holders, how to unlock it's full power. After all this time he was still only able to stay All Might for so many years. He wasn't indestructible. Perhaps if he knew more he wouldn't have ended up like this.
She startled him by moving suddenly. Slowly crawling her way into his lap and snuggling herself down so her back was pressed against his chest. Toshi was glad for the sudden closeness keeping her hugged tight against him in a cage of legs and arms. Nuzzling his gaunt face into the crook of her neck and letting out a small sigh. "I saw all those things you can see in Young Midoriya. I saw myself in him. I knew he was the right choice as my successor. I came to U.A to find one but before I could we crossed paths. It was like fate." That word made him cringe. He didn't want to think about such a concept now. Not for the second time tonight. He took some solace in knowing that he was being honest with her about this. At least it was something. An honesty to cover up the darker lie he was prepared to keep up for another year. "I don't regret that decision. He tried to save his friend from a villain even when he was quirkless....saved me at U.S.J. Jumping into the fight even at the expensive his his legs. Buying me those last few seconds of time to keep my hero form. Without him my secret would be out. I don't even what to think of what those villains would do with that information." She felt the little shutter run through his body and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. The angle was hard on his back but it was a minor sacrifice for this intimacy he craved so much from her.
He could feel her fingers petting softly at the hair on the back of his neck. A soothing gesture that lulled him into a quiet peace. "I think he'll make a wonderful Symbol of Peace one day. Plus he couldn't have a better teacher." Toshi flushed and hugged her tighter in his embarrassment. Chuckling softly when she made a little sound of surprise at the tightness. "I worry about the people now." He muttered softly against her shoulder. "While I train Young Midoriya they have no protector, nothing to keep them safe and secure..."
"It will take time...and it will be hard." She responded softly, careful to pick her words "But the hope you gave people won't wash away. Even in your absence what you taught us will stick around for longer than you think. It will help the hero's who take up the reins for now until Midoriya is able to. What you gave us isn't something that will so easily be forgotten. We still have that fire you sparked in all of us to be better people, to Go Beyond what we think we can do on our own. No one can take that no matter how many years it takes for Midoriya to learn to be the next Symbol."
Silence.
Toshi couldn't tell at first. It was only when the fabric of her shirt against her shoulder was starting to soak that he noticed the tears streaming down his face. Thick and heavy and so sudden they didn't come with the usual pressure behind his eyes and hitching choking breaths. They just appeared. "I'm sorry....." She was so soft, seeing now that he was crying so quietly behind her that worry seeped back into her voice. It wasn't what he wanted to hear. He wanted her to keep talking. Keep telling him everything would be okay. Chase away those hateful demons that clawed at the back of his mind and made him doubt the society he spent his whole life protecting. Validate his feelings for what he cultivated and strived for for so long. Her words were so very much what he desperately needed to hear. "Did I say something-"
He didn't want to give her time to apologize. That was the last thing she ever needed to do. In those few short moments she just understood. Understood what he had been trying to do and his fear of losing it. And in those few seconds after eased those fears into the background and filled him with a warmth he hadn't remember ever feeling before. Not like this. To be truly and honestly understood like this felt so personal. He spun her around as carefully yet quickly as he could. Crashing his mouth down on her's as if he couldn't be physically close enough to her. Just contact. This deep, intimate contact as if without it she might not seem real. He could feel her fingers curling into the soft cotton of his shirt. Tugging at clenching at the sudden surprise of his actions. His tongue pressed desperately against her lips that she gladly opened for him. Delving forward to dance and lap against her's. Exploring the warm expanse of her mouth before finally pulling away with a heavy gasp for breath. His tongue still hanging ever so slightly past his thin lower lip as he panted for much needed air.
She moved to speak again. The small sound dying somewhere in the back of her throat as he dove forward so roughly he toppled them over the table and pressed her back against the hard surface. The crash of their mugs all but white noise to him now. He could hear their teeth click together, he could feel her fingers carding through his wild hair. Tugging sharply as he caught her lower lip between his teeth and gave her a teasing bite until it was rosie and pink. Licking at the tiny mark he created there to soothe the heat away before attacking her mouth again giving her no time to breath or think. A sound came from his chest. Something between a growl and a groan as he felt her wiggle under his heavy hold. His tongue pressed deeper. Toying with her's in a wet battle. She was so much smaller in every way that he almost filled her mouth completely.
It was like every emotion he had felt over the last five years had just bubbled forward. Pouring all that pent up fear, anger and self hate into this kiss. He couldn't help himself, couldn't stop. But he had to. He couldn't breath now and so he begrudgingly pulled himself back with a wet pop and slid his lips to her cheeks. It was salty and wet. His tears had rubbed off on her during their heated kissing. He was thankful she wasn't crying at least. He moved to kiss and nuzzle against her neck. Watching the harsh rise and fall of her chest as she tried to catch her own breath. He hid down there for now. His mind racing. Pushing him to keep going, keep touching. But as his hands hovered over her sides feeling the soft curve of her hips he felt himself grow nervous. Hard....but shy. He really had put everything into that kiss. Including his nerve. His head peaked up from her chest. Blue icy eyes shining in the dark that surrounded them. Looking more like a puppy then the man who had just kissed about a weeks worth of air from her lungs and still had the wet and slick lips to prove it.
"I-I...." He gulped hard, Adams apple bobbing harshly as he repeated the words over in his head just in case. Scooting himself up to hover over her flushed out face. Looking so dazed and well worn yet grinning like a fool. He was rather proud of himself for putting that look there. Long fingers traced down her heated cheeks tilting her head so she would at last look at him properly no matter how distant her eyes seemed to be in that moment. "I love you."
He wasn't sure if he meant to say it really. If this was the right time. So soon after his confession, so soon in their relationship at all. But he felt it. It needed to be said. His gut gave a little twist when she finally seemed to process his words. Looking so shocked a real panic started to set in him when she gave a little gasp like the words had smacked her hard in the face. "Oh..."
Oh what not what he expected nor wanted to hear. Oh was not the sound someone made when another person just confessed their love. Oh was bad. Oh was very very bad and Toshi found himself hiding away again against her chest. Jaw clenched tight in shame, trying to prep himself for the awkward conversation they were about to have about boundaries. The feel of her fingers against his cheeks caught him off guard. Pulling up slightly so he was force to look at her this time. 'No. No please don't.....don't look at me. I'm so sorry....' his mind already beating him for this horrible, impulsive, ridiculous-
"....I am so very madly and absolutely emphatically in love with you too."
Can the readers of Still Good expect further chapters after the latest one, or was that the finale?
Yes! I'll be trying to put out one at least every other day! I intent to keep going through the story. There is still a lot I wanna cover both with the canon and with any new stories I've come to with!
I wanna kinda drive home that Toshi has some serious issues with self worth and depression. It's more touched on in the manga and starts getting there in season 4. Being in a relationship isn't just suddenly going to make him all better but Paladin is gonna help him through a lot of his self worth issues!
But now I can get to the lovie dovie fun stuff with them too!
yousharknotpass
izzy806
germansingergirl
tangentwithtanner
gummygunk