It was a weakness. It was a weakness and Sanji was blatantly exploiting it.
Afternoon naps in the shade of tangerine trees were the absolute best. The gentle rocking of the ship, the sound of waves around the hull, the way the sun peaked through the branches to make it *just* warm enough, it all worked to ease him into a more restful sleep. Only one thing would make it better.
And there it was.
A light touch began to run through his short locks, neatly trimmed nails gently scratching his scalp. A soft hum of contentment escaped the swordsman before he even began to wake. Yes, he had been compared to a cat many times and this did nothing to argue against the claims.
The blades tucked at his side began to sing softly, comfortable with the presence, as a single grey eye cracked open and automatically found the Cook. "Mmmnnn... decided to come make yourself useful?" There was no bite to his words and Zoro even found himself leaning more into the touch.
They hadn't exactly told the rest of the crew about what was going on between them, but they were absolute shit at trying to hide it. For now, they had the ship to themselves as the rest explored the island.
Hello friends I am checks notes half a month late for deancasroadtrip (@starcrosseddeancas) 's disneynatural follower celebration and I don't even have a starbucks to show for it.
But, I did accidentally write a 1k word poem for it soooo hi?
I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to format this and eventually decided it was saying slam poem so I recorded myself reading it.
Text is under the cut for those who prefer to read it or understandably don't want to hear me (the audio quality is atrocious I have literally no setup for this I'm sorry) (also yes the audio is in two parts because tumblr hates me)
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
john winchester didn’t raise boys who watch disney movies but,
look,
dean really was the one who raised sammy and dean,
dean was never john winchester now was he
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
dean never watched disney movies okay,
but if he did,
if he did his favorite part wasn’t the dresses though they sure were pretty,
and his favorite part wasn’t the singing like sammy,
and okay maybe his favorite part was the talking animals
but his favorite favorite part was the good defeating evil,
every time,
good defeating evil,
because sure pretty dresses and jewels weren’t for boys like him,
and sure singing a little song was for the unspeakables
with their heads screwed on funny,
and sure talking animals were unnatural and what’s unnatural gets silver to the heart,
but good defeating evil,
good defeating evil was for boys like him,
good defeating evil was his life his language and there it was,
without fail,
there it was on the screen,
look,
the evil queen is foiled,
look,
prince philip stabs the dragon,
silver to the heart,
the day gets saved,
the evil gets crushed,
just like him,
just like him
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
budgeting never included movie tickets unless dean got creative but,
look,
creative was one of dean’s many many middle names,
they had a whole word game about it because,
you had to get creative to kill long hours too,
creativity and killing that was dean so,
yeah,
if sammy wanted to go see some fish girl whose dad actually admitted he was wrong,
some fish girl who was loved and heard even when she had no voice,
okay,
okay dean wasn’t going to say no to sammy and yeah,
look,
if sammy wanted to see some nerd girl escape to where she was valued and wanted,
some nerd girl who loved without laws of monster and not monster,
then,
yeah that was probably a bad influence,
sammy was reading all the time and sympathizing with monsters all of a sudden,
let’s roll that back,
so,
hey,
if sammy wanted to see some tough girl learn to be a man,
that’s better,
some tough girl who a tough man could love even when he thought she was,
nope,
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
when sammy got real into the whole fairy tale thing,
like,
books from the library into it,
like,
tell me a bedtime story dean into it,
it wasn’t hard because dean could just tack up a once upon a time,
throw in some good defeating evil,
and spin a tale of hero dad or maybe,
or maybe even hero dean but,
but then sammy would crash straight past
good defeating evil to what about the happily ever after and
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
if dean was confronted by a dragon
on his way to the vending machine
he’d grab a knife and maybe a shotgun for good measure,
if a dozen talking mice started giving him life advice one day
his biggest problem would probably be sorting out the advice,
weird was weird,
sure,
but weird was also winchester,
and the rules of fairy tale magic or real reality didn’t quite apply the same but,
well,
life did have some rules and
one of those rules was boys don’t watch disney movies,
and one was good defeating evil,
and one was after all’s said and done you hit the road,
you hit the road and you don’t ask what about the happily ever after,
okay,
okay that doesn’t fit in winchester reality,
okay,
okay we’re not princesses who sing a little song and get happily ever after,
okay,
okay what does happily ever after
have on a good crisp stretch of freeway and
a rinse, wash, repeat, once upon a here we go again
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
the angel castiel,
apparently,
does raise boys who watch disney movies,
the angel castiel,
apparently,
is willing to drag two grown men,
men who were boys once,
boys who had known the rules of john winchester once,
but the angel castiel is willing to drag them into a blanket fort,
a blanket fort made by god,
like some stunning new heaven that smells like clean laundry,
is willing to drag them there and feed them burnt popcorn,
and watch disney movies like it isn’t a sin,
watch disney movies like it isn’t a secret,
watch disney movies like it isn’t a struggle because,
because the angel castiel,
apparently,
says this is how you love the boy you raise,
says this is how you love those two grown men,
men who were boys once,
says this is how you love
your fellow unspeakables with their heads screwed on funny,
because the angel castiel,
apparently,
says dean never was john winchester now was he,
says it with love
Kill the Beast, Save the Princess, Rinse, Wash, Repeat
now, look,
dean does watch disney movies okay,
watches them with a home full of family
and a heart full of love
and a head full of those way too catchy tunes,
and jack’s favorite part is the dresses,
and they keep spilling chocolate milk on them,
and sammy’s favorite part is the singing,
and he’s honestly not half bad,
and cas’ favorite part is the talking animals,
and dean can never tell if he’s joking when he says he can talk to animals too,
but dean’s favorite part,
dean’s favorite part is the happily ever after,
happily ever after for boys like him,
happily ever after is his life his language and there it is,
without fail,
there it is,
now, look,
The back of his fingers sweep slow over the soft skin of Jaskier's cheek; a barely-there touch, as if he's some precious thing, as if the Geralt of Rivia is afraid to touch something. And maybe he is, this awe-filled witcher, with the hands that bend and break the very air around him.
But this, he will not break. Not this precious, sleeping beauty beside him. His fingers carefully catch on Jaskier's jaw, run down the line of his throat. It's too much; to feel the strength of his hand hovering over that skin gentled with sleep, that throat that spins magic in lilting notes.
It's too much and not enough. Geralt shifts the weight of his body over Jaskier, settles a hand on his jaw (which fits so perfect in his palm) and moves his lips over the sleeping bard's ear, saying, "wake, wake, love."
And Jaskier does, because even though Geralt's heart beats so much slower than his, they are attuned. Because, really, they share a heart. Because, really, Geralt's heart beats to the rhythm of I'm yours, I'm yours, I'm yours and Jaskier's sings the same tune back. Jaskier wakes slow, sleep-fogged mind folding into the warmth of Geralt's body, chasing sleep till Geralt moves his lips to his cheek, the corner of his mouth and Jaskier feels it - an immovable devotion that beats right from Geralt's centre and bleeds through his own skin, into the veins that sing with love only for one witcher, only for Geralt of Rivia, his white wolf.
He wakes and feels it unfurl inside his chest. A desperate thing, something close to madness that he knows now is love in its purest form. Jaskier wakes with Geralt's searing kiss and he knows he could never break under those strong hands.
okay but you have to consider this: aragon and bessie making up and being awkward and distant but no longer loathing eachother because. i’m fragile -🐝
they do, eventually, I swear (at least WE Aragon and Bessie do), but it takes time. the wounds they both bear are deep but they’re healing together, with every soft smile at each other and gentle hug at a time
Just wanted to put this out there. Writing it softened the blow of tonight’s episode. Wow, what a ride.
When there is something that motivates a person, rather it be a cause or a person or a goal, something that drives you to make a difference not only in your own life but in the lives of an entire city, that motivation defines you, it makes you a better person, a better friend or lover, a better husband or wife, a better man or woman. It makes you a better hero.
Oliver recognized this the first time he stepped away from his father’s list and saw that the whole city needed saving. It wasn’t just about stock portfolios and bank accounts,(as Felicity pointed out to him) it was about giving the citizens of Starling City the comfort of going about their daily lives without the threat of harm or darkness.
**
On the island, Oliver was motivated solely by surviving. Every day was a challenge for him. He went from a person who always had everything given and explained and resolved for him, to someone that was completely thrown into chaos and violence and the uncertainty if he would live or die. Basics needs like food, water, shelter and rest---they were luxuries he felt would never be a part of his life again. He experienced real loss, perhaps for the first time, when his father killed himself. Because of the shock and grief from that act, Oliver could not have imagined then that Robert’s death would be the first in a long line of traumas ahead for him. Also, for the first time, Oliver was completely alone, with no skills to survive.
That first year on the island, Oliver reminded me of Moses wandering in the desert, stripped of his humanity and privilege and purpose. The island was Oliver’s perdition. He was any empty vessel searching for a reason to keep living.
He needed motivation.
**
In that first year, key people came into Oliver’s life---Yao Fe, Slade Wilson, Shadoe; and later, Anatoli the return of Sara.
Yao Fe taught Oliver the concepts of loyalty, of when and what was worth fighting and dying for. He taught Oliver about survival, the ultimate kind. Oliver took that lesson and began to teach himself how to survive in harsh conditions.
Slade Wilson taught him how to fight physically. He taught Oliver the idea of brotherhood and camaraderie, how to work together as a team. The irony of these lessons would come back to haunt Oliver a few yearslater , birthed by the Dr. Ivo events.
Shadoe taught him how to use a bow, the discipline and practice it takes him to aim and shoot straight (he slapped a lot of water to learn this.)
She also taught Oliver about love, the romantic kind. It was compassion and tenderness and heartfelt---all the more when experiencing it in a pond on tropical island.
Anatoli taught Oliver about perseverance and comradeship. He taught him gratitude and the price of favors and promises.
And Sara? Well, when they met up again, she had developed her own burgeoning survival skills. She taught Oliver that sometimes making hard choices can be impossible. The choice Oliver made in saving Sara instead of Shadoe was purely instinct. Or maybe he was just standing closer to Sara. When Ivo pulled the trigger and killed Shadoe, everything Oliver had been taught up to that moment died with her. I think it might have been the first time he thought to himself---what is the point of being strong, of being a fighter and a lover and a brother, if I can’t protect those close to me. A few years later, Felicity asked him what would be the point if he lost himself in the process? In that moment when Shadoe died, Oliver was already lost, not just in the process but in his life. The morality and personal growth and voice of conscious that Felicity was talking was a dead body lying at his feet.
But out of that tragedy, Oliver felt a new motivation.
Anger.
**
Sidenote: For the life of me, I could not remember the names of Masao’s wife and son. I drew a completed blank. I didn’t have time to look them up. I apologize for this discrepancy.)
The next stage in Oliver’s search for motivation was Hong Kong. It was there he learned about the importance of family.
Masao and his wife and son were the fulcrum of this lesson. Amanda Waller and Argus furthered Oliver’s skills as a weapon by darkening his character with assassination and torture. Even though Masao worked for Waller, he was the first person in Oliver’s odyssey who started to believe in him. After Oliver shook off the trauma he went through on the island and started to get involved in the well-being of Masao’s family, Oliver learned another concept---having a purpose. We saw for the first time his attempt to not only save Masao and his family, but an entire city from the virus that dickhead General intended to unleash. Oliver risked his life for this purpose. But he also lost more of his humanity by torturing and killing dickhead.
After Masao’s son died, Oliver found another motivation.
Pain.
**
It is still to be shown the final outcome of Oliver’s time in Russia and whatever motivation he may have found before he returned back to the island, and then home to Starling City. But when he did return, all those things he was taught, they bent and forged and shaped him into a newer purpose---to right his father’s wrongs. He was a lethal weapon with a signature goal, to eradicate the criminal element that was corrupting his city. Yes, in that first year back, Oliver was dark and scary, but he had learned that helping people, no matter if had to kill, maim or otherwise, brought him the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Oliver found the motivation for that purpose.
Justice.
**
The final pieces to Oliver’s of chosen journey was John DIggle and Felicity Smoak.
They were the incarnation of those hard earned lessons Oliver learned while he was away. They were the finalization of those realities called brotherhood, camaraderie, team---and most importantly, love. They helped him to shape the angry, violent man born on Lian Yu into the compassionate, dedicated and focused person that instilled awe.
Oliver found in John a warrior, a hero and a lifelong brother. He found a morality that was at first alien to him, but became a compass he would steer by going forward. He found in John someone who would never lie or lead Oliver astray, someone who would provide truth, even if that truth is painful.
And in Felicity, Oliver found the kind of love that goes so deep, nothing could ever overpower it and take it from him. Her tech savvy, her charm and wit, her intelligence, her beauty and her great capacity to love completely---gave Oliver a look into the kind of man he could and would become. Felicity was the lesson Shadoe taught him about caring for someone---times infinity. Oliver might have to go hungry and thirsty again, he might not have shelter to protect him from harsh elements. He might even get so weary that not even rest would make a difference. But his love and trust and need for Felicity gives him the ability to survive. Like Thea told him---love, in spite of it all, is what makes life precious. Felicity is why he takes a breath. It’s why he opens his eyes each morning and appreciates being alive. She is his search for beauty and she is that beauty. She is the light in the dark and it will always lead him back home.
And that is Oliver’s lasting motivation.
Love.
*
So Oliver has come a long way on this journey. Sometimes he can get in his own way. He can still disappoint and hurt and even betray those he loves. He’s not perfect. But he can also bring happiness and strength and peace to those in his life who might sometimes lose their way. From the jagged path he started on to the light of survival and redemption and hope, Oliver Queen: the Man, the Mayor, the Green Arrow and the Hero; that is what motivates a whole city to be stronger and kinder and empathic, to have love for their fellow man/woman.
This is why he will survive Adrian Chase. This is why he will come back.
Well this is... very late. This is for @angelcaswinchester 's 6k Follower Celebration. Congratulations Bex Jasmine! We are the truly lucky ones! I missed the day because I was, ironically, at a wedding, and then I missed the rest of the event and the rest of pride month but here it is!
Text and ID under the cut.
[Image ID}: A black background with the text:
It is something so grand and so small
It is something so grounded and so precious
We can have a house and we can have some kids
We can keep the dog and you can have a cat too
We can tell sappy tales until our faces turn blue
Then I can pull you close and ask "did you know I love you?"
Sweet mundanity didn't need to be made legal
Though it's true this too was a crime
But no one permitted that first claim on my shoulder
And it's our choice to choose us every time
But I've heard it time and again
Take the house, kids, and dog slice-of-life
Just don't pretend you can have something holy
You're just two men who live and die by the knife
But my love
My love
My Love,
It is something so deep and so calm
It is something so eternal and so present
We can build a home and we can love our kids
We can love our dog and I'll even love your cat too
And I've fought God but I've
never known something more holy and true
So let me be greedy because I think I want to marry you
End of text. The text is in white with words from each line highlighted in rainbow colors to write out:
It is
something
we can have
We can keep
until
you know I love you
Sweet
it's true
that first
choice
time and again
Take
something holy
live and die by
my love
My
Love
It is
something
we can love
We can love
And
something
I want
