Their bundle of joy. (A gift for @vulpixfairy1985.)
!!TW:!! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHILDBIRTH, FLUFF, HORRIBLY WRITTEN. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
It all started nine months ago, when Mario and his queen decided to conceive for a child, something they had been trying for months to achieve…until the pregnancy test showed positive with two pink lines. Peach gasped when she saw it, tears welling up in her eyes from the shock that she was finally pregnant. Mario was at a plumbing job when she did the test, so she decided to suprise him…
It was late evening when Mario came back, his bones heavy with exhaustion but also filled with joy to see his beautiful queen. She seemed to be extremely joyful to see him as well, but even more so than usual. It was almost as if…she was planning something. Mario didn’t seem to think about it much, thinking it was just because he was home much later than he usually was; however, that thought quickly vanished when she gave him a little box wrapped in pink paper and a red bow. Mario seemed to get confused…why was she giving him a random gift? It wasn’t any special occasion, so why was he getting this?
Mario looked at Peach with a confused expression plastered on his face, to which Peach giggled at. “Go on, open it,” she said with a hint of glee in her voice. Mario, still with confusion on his face, simply looks down at the box before beginning to open it slowly; almost as if he feared the box was made of delicate glass. Once he finished with the wrapping paper, he slowly looked down at what was inside, and when he saw the positive test staring right back at him, his jaw fell open in shock as tears welled up in his eyes…
“I..i’m going to be a dad?!” Mario exclaimed in shock, before staring directly at Peach, who had tears flowing freely down her rosey cheeks. She nodded frantically, still not believing it herself as she wiped her eyes carefully. Mario let out a noise that sounded like a laugh and a sob combined, before scooping Peach up and spinning her around, right there in the foyer. He couldn’t contain his excitement, as tears of his own began to flow freely down his cheeks as well.
~~~
Now, nine months later, Mario sat next to Peach while she was in the hospital bed, squeezing her hand tightly. His grip on her hand was iron tight, almost as if she’d disappear if he let go of her. It was time for their little one to come into this world, and both Mario and peach had been more than ready for this moment. They’d already built the nursery together along with Luigi’s help, bought enough clothes and toys to supply an orphanage, and picked out enough names to name an entire army. However, they both couldn’t shake the feeling that this was actually happening. They were both about to be parents within the day, and were both nervous, but excited.
A moment later, the anesthesiologist came into the room to give Peach some neuraxial anesthesia, just to keep Peach awake and able to give birth, to bring their child into the world. Peach had simply complied with the anesthesiologist, despite the pain from the contractions she was experiencing every now and then.
Peach breathed through her nose, taking in nervous deep breaths. The labor was about to begin, and she was preparing herself for the excursion of pain she was about to experience to bring the bundle of joy into the world…
~~~
After 18 hours of excruciating labor, their baby girl was finally here. However, those 18 hours had felt more like 80 as she had experienced possibly the worst pain she ever had in her 27 years of life. It was as if she was trying to push a watermelon out of a rubber band. But all of that didn’t seem to matter as her newborn daughter was placed on her chest, with Mario smiling brightly next to her. Despite being exhausted from pushing and delirious from the lack of oxygen to her brain during pushing along with crying, Peach was happy to finally have the baby in her arms.
Mario was more than ecstatic to have his baby girl as well, as it was his turn to hold the small child. Peach had handed her to him when she felt herself nodding off from exhaustion, knowing it’s dangerous to hold a baby when you yourself are tired. Mario smiled down at his daughter, lowering his head down to kiss her forehead as she made a quiet sound at the touch.
A bit later, the nurse had came in to get the child’s name, to which Mario smiled at his sleeping wife, having already picked the name out about 3 days before Peach’s water broke. He looked back at the nurse, and confidently said “Isabella,” with a smile still plastered on his face. Isabella, a name that meant “beautiful,” was perfect for the baby girl. She truly was beautiful, almost looking like an exact version of Mario, with Peach’s nose, but had her father’s hair, chubby cheeks, and strong jawline. She was perfect.
~~~
3 hours later, Luigi finally arrived to meet his niece. He was ecstatic to meet her, having played a big role in helping out with the pregnancy. He walked into the room, already having a grin on his face to see his newborn niece. He gently took her from Mario, smiling at her tiny sleeping form in his arms. She truly did look perfect, and Luigi thought that she was the most gorgeous thing ever.
“What did you name her?” Luigi asked, looking up from Isabella to look at Mario with curiosity etched into his features. Mario looked at Isabella, then at Luigi and replied “Isabella,” with tears beginning to well up in his eyes once more from all of the events that occurred that day. Luigi smiled at Mario and shifted Isabella into one arm gently, but still supporting her head, to use his other arm to pull mario close to him. After he pulled Mario closer, Luigi put his hand on the back of the older brother’s neck, putting their foreheads together as Mario sighed with content and melted into the touch. Mario had always found comfort in their signature forehead touch, as did Luigi.
The touch lasted for a few long moments, before both brothers pulled away. Mario smiled softly at both Luigi and Isabella, before moving to sit on the couch in the room as Peach slept, inviting Luigi to sit next to him. Luigi put the sleeping infant in the crib that was provided in the room, and sat down next to Mario. Luigi looked over at Mario, and saw that he himself was barely able to stay awake. Luigi understood his tiredness, for he had been awake comforting Peach for the duration of those 18 hours. Luigi gently shifted on the couch and pulled his brother into his chest, being a makeshift pillow for him to actually get some sleep.
“Vai a sonno, fratello, I’ll watch Isabella.” Luigi spoke softly whilst running his fingers through his brother’s hair soothingly, to get him even more drowsy. Mario fought the urge to remain awake, but that proved difficult with his younger yet taller twin’s slender fingers in his hair. Alas, Mario fell asleep in his twin’s arms, trusting him completely with his newborn daughter as Peach also slept peacefully. While both new parents slept, Luigi kept his word and had his eyes glued on Isabella, who was also sleeping peacefully like her parents. She looked so peaceful sleeping, Luigi thought, and he wouldn’t let anything happen to her, ever.
While the three slept, Luigi made a silent promise to himself. That he wouldn’t let anything harm the family, even if he injured himself in the process. He wouldn’t let anything happen to Mario and Peach’s bundle of joy. After making that silent vow, he felt rather tired himself, so he laid his head on top of Mario’s, and felt himself dozing off. After a while, all four in the room were passed out, getting a much deserved sleep after the events of that day.
They were a perfect family.
~~~
A/N: Sorry if it got a little sloppy near the end, I have a ton to do today but wanted to get this finished up. Hope you enjoyed! X3
Vulpix, I hope you have a great day and congratulations! I know you’re gonna be a great mom to your two children! ^^
Honorable mentions:
Thank you @peaches2217 for helping out with Isabella’s name! ^^ Hope you enjoyed reading this as well! :D
Hello, your treat's done baking, has been iced and is ready to enjoy, topping out at 2,843 words! I hope you enjoy what I made for you, this has to be my favorite One Piece work I've made and is my second finished work for One Piece in general! Thank you for all your compliments on the snippet too, it made me feel really giddy to get this finished and sent to you!
Shanks was a very strange, yet very capable man in your eyes.
It had only been two years since you joined his crew, standing alongside Yasopp as a sharpshooter, the reasoning for Shanks even extending the offer being that you and Yasopp had been long time friends and he'd expressed interest in having you aboard, proclamations of two sharpshooters being better than just one. The red haired caption couldn't help agreeing, especially when he could clearly see how much you meant to his friend.
Within those two years, you were subjected to near endless merriment, drinks flowing like waterfalls, food piled as high as mountaintops and all of it hardly ever had an end in sight until deep into the moon's guiding light, the bellyaching of hangovers being a common sound amongst the ship in the mornings.
You often chose to hang around either Yasopp or the captain during those times, joining in on the fun and throwing back alcohol nearly as good as Shanks himself, until you lost your balance and had to whine ask for Yasopp to help you back to the crew's quarters. You supposed a strange feeling of longing was only to come naturally when you stared at the man with locks as red as the heart that beat for him in your chest. You confided in Yasopp, who laughed in your face at your predicament.
"You asshole, you think I wanna feel like this for the guy?" You growled, shoving the sharpshooter in the shoulder with a scowl.
"Look, look, I'm sorry, but this is so hilarious, 'specially with all the shit you talked 'bout him when joining!" Yasopp wheezed, wiping an invisible tear from his eye before he started in on his impressions of you as he always did when you got angry about something. "'How could this man be so fierce when he's already so carefree? He acts like a child, bleh bleh, I'm in complete denial about my real thoughts and feelings again!'"
"Alright, I get, irony and all that shit, knock it off!" You barked, hiding your face with your hand as you felt your cheeks heat up. Yasopp continued to laugh and tease you throughout the day in front of everyone, including Shanks, much to your dismay.
You heavily debated shoving Yasopp overboard that day.
Another sunset came and went, painting the horizons in hues so vibrant and glorious, you almost wished you could bottle them to keep forever as mementos. At least that's what you wished your thinking was about instead of the relaxed silhouette of Shanks staring at the citrus stained waters that lie ahead of the Red Force.The colors of the sunset highlighted his red hair and facial structure beautifully, casting him in a golden hue that you found utterly captivating. The wind swayed his hair and long coat, adding a hint of mystique to his charm, layering perfectly with his usual pacifist nature and laid back attitude. You huffed slightly as you tore your eyes away from him. A man like him has no right to be so handsome.
Shanks, on the other hand, was watching you sulk from the corner of his eye, a pout on your lips as Yasopp swaggered up to you, two large wooden mugs filled to the brim with foamy golden ale in his hands. Shanks let his already soft smile broaden a bit seeing you perk up a bit with your friend and the alcohol. He had to admit to himself and very much did the day he saw you that you were stunning; wits as sharp as your skill with a gun, quick tempered as a torrent, and as bright as the sun itself, you seemed to have it all except for the kind of fondness Shanks held for you. He’s had many a bedmate, many with the same gorgeous smile you did, but everything else about you seemed to hit him differently.
Shanks couldn’t see anything between the two of you, if anything were to spark at all, as being just a one time thing, and it wasn’t because you were part of his crew, he wanted more than just one night of fun, he wanted to see whatever he could possibly get his hands on of you; your smiles, your laughter, your joy, your attention, everything good he could garner he wanted from you, he felt so strongly drawn into your depth and passions yet always kept you at arms length, fear for more either blooming or something else entirely taking its place in his chest.
That still didn’t stop Shanks from wishing he was as close to you as Yasopp was.
Your loud cry of distraught pulled Shanks from his own moonstruck musings, to see a very rattled Yasopp frantically trying to sort out a large spill on your tank top with an equally sopping wet rag as you sputtered and fervently tried to push his back with a hand on his wrist and palm squished comically against his cheek. The sight looked utterly ridiculous and Shanks couldn’t help but bark out a laugh as he walked over, hand perched on his hip.
“Well, it seems there’s been a mishap here, eh?” Shanks chortled, looking at the now frozen you and Yasopp, who now had the rag in his hands pressed harshly against your cheek in retaliation to your palm practically squishing his.
“Oi, Shanks, ya mind gettin’ her to stand still while I try and clean her up?” Yasopp asked, voice casual as if he didn’t just nearly get into a brawl with you.
“I’m not letting you shove that dirty mop rag all over me, Yasopp! Get it out of my face, the damn thing reeks!” You screeched, making one last effort to shove Yasopp away from you, actually managing to cause him to stumble back and knock over the second of ale on the way down, effectively drenching himself in twice as much alcohol that you were covered in. You and Shanks both burst out laughing as you attempted to help Yasopp back on his feet.
“Well, I think the rag’s done for now.”
“Yasopp, that rag’s been ‘done for’ at least a few hours now considering Hongo was using it to help scrub down the kitchen earlier!” Shanks laughed, watching as his crewmate started joining in on the uproar of joy with you and himself.
“Alright, alright, I fucked up there.”
“Just there?” You joked, snickering as Yasopp sputtered. You playfully punched him in the arm. “I’m messin’ with ya, man. Though, we should probably change before we start stinking of more liquor than usual.”
You were starting to move to head to the crew’s quarter’s fixating on changing out of your ale soaked shirt and shorts when you felt something drop onto your shoulders, the warm smile of your captain soon entering your vision.
“Here, just use this for now. Why leave the party? No one’s gonna care much if you smell like booze!” Shanks laughed, looking at you with bright charcoal eyes filled with a carefree happiness. He stepped closer to you, throwing his arm around your shoulder and tugging you back towards the rest of the crew that you and Yasopp had stepped back from at your request. You wanted to have another bitching session with him over Shanks being stupidly attractive to you again, which your dear friend was always willing to do as he found your mumbled rants over your feelings to be rather funny.
You stepped out of Shanks’ grip easily, leading to him gaining a look of confusion. You reached up and removed the great coat he had so “generously” draped over your shoulders, as you knew Yasopp would tease you about later, and swiftly placed half haphazardly back over your captain’s shoulders.
“Thank you, captain, but I think I’ll just go change.”
“And leave so soon?” Shanks spoke, almost pouting as he playfully pushed your buttons, taking advantage of your good mood after Yasopp’s shenanigans. Shanks felt his heart swell hearing you snort as if he had actually told you a joke that you found funny instead of terrible.
“You think I won’t come back? Oh, you wound me, captain, you wound me!” You spoke, playing up the theatrics for a few more laughs, reminding your red haired captain of the old companion he used to sail the seas with in his youth. “I’d rather be a dead woman than ever risk letting Yasopp outdrink my ass! You,I can handle that, but if Yasopp outdid me I’d never hear the end of it!”
“You make your chaperone half the time!” Yasopp barked.
“And it’s gonna stay that way if I have anything I can do about it!” You cackled before making your way back to the crew’s quarters to clean up, the scent of booze now starting to feel overpowering in a terrible, sticky manner.
Shanks already sorely missed your presence, wanting you back in his line of sight as soon as possible, the oranges, pinks and yellows of sunset fizzling out now and giving way to the lights that managed to stay alight on the Red Force and glossing over parts in a milky blue hue, reflecting the navy skies above.
“You know, cap, I can tell you like her.” Yasopp spoke, snapping Shanks from his reverie. Charcoal eyes meet chocolate browns and Yasopp smiles at him.
“That obvious, eh?” There was no point in lying to himself or others, Shanks knew himself far better than his old companion did and was far more willing to admit his heart and occasionally wear it on his sleeve rather than hiding it under bravado and costuming.
“I can tell by how you threw your coat over her.” Yasopp affirmed. “That, and the fact you’ve been getting more obvious with the staring. You’re as bad as I was with Banchina.” There it is, the playful edge that came whenever it regarded you.
Shanks let out a mirthless chuckle, closing his eyes and shaking his head, shoulders shrugging in his relent.
“Eh, well, what can I do?”
“Could try and make a move.”
“Oh? And just what kind of move should I make? Same kind you did?” Shanks smirked, deciding to take a jab at Yasopp in your absence, earning a groan.
“It was an accident!”
“It was quite the sight!”
“Maybe to you.” Yasopp huffed before sighing. “I’m bein’ serious, though, Shanks. You want her? Try something, see how she responds, get her a drink at the next island, hang around her more often, just talk, hell, try throwing out some kind of signal, man, she’s not that stupid!”
“Hmm…I’ll consider it.”
“Consider what?” You piped up, walking back in a loose, button up shirt that hung on your frame like a bed sheet draped over someone’s shoulders,the chest buttoned enough to show a bit of cleavage and your collar bones, the sleeves stopping at your elbows and cinching with fluttering accents of thick embroidered detailing to tickle your forearms. You had a long sash tied around your waist colored a deep royal blue, holding your shirt to your body and trailing down to a set of pants similar to the ones Shanks himself dons, your usual buckled boots topping it all off.
Shanks felt breathless.
You wore those items often on days where you don’t feel like wearing all the belts and bangles that you normally wore alongside your tank top and cut off shorts, but no matter how many times he’s seen you dressed this way, it always left him slightly lightheaded and slightly dizzy with mixtures of longing and desire in his chest. Seeing all these pieces put together into one outfit made something inside the pirate caption roar with pride; however, your current attire mimicking his own so beautifully that he felt as if you and him were one of those cheesy couples that had matching outfits.
“Oh, the captain here was just talking ‘bout challenging ya to a drinking contest! Winner has to pick up after themselves.” Yasopp replied, his voice once more breaking Shanks from his reverie.
“What?! Me go toe to toe in a drinking contest with Shanks?!” You squawked, causing Shanks to snicker.
“What, you scared you’ll lose in front of everyone?”
“No! I ain’t afraid of losing!” You growled, earning a sharp grin from Shanks. He was never a man for confrontation, preferring to keep things lighthearted and happy, a clash in the competitive streak you carried alongside Yasopp. The sharpshooter’s words echoed in his mind, and Shanks knew he wanted you, perhaps playing into this side of you could open up more later on down the line, perhaps even in the direction he finds himself steering towards, despite his fears of both getting too close and possibly poisoning the relationship that’s already been built during your stint with the crew screaming loudly in the recesses of his mind.
“Then what’s stopping you from going up against me?”
“I- Fine! Let’s do this!” You barked, storming past Shanks and boldly grabbing the front of his shirt and dragging him behind you, surprise and delight painting Shanks features as he threw a glance back at Yasopp, who was leisurely trotting behind, giving his captain a thumbs up.
Six shot glasses were swiftly lined up in front of both of you, Lucky Roux pouring lines of the low quality whiskey the crew snagged from the last port for cheap filling the small glasses.
“Drink! Drink! Drink!” The crew chanted as you and Shanks began your little game, throwing back shot after shot.
One, two, three, six rounds in and you felt as if you had been knocked breathless by a strike from the butt of Beckman’s gun, but you pushed forward, slurring out a demand for more liquor, which was granted. Shanks hardly looked like he had broken a sweat, his masquerade fooling you well in your inebriated, double vision plagued state.
Two more shots were thrown back by you when you felt the world tilt sideways and you suddenly saw the bright light of the moon staring down at you alongside the spinning silhouettes of your fellow crewmates.
“Shanks wins with seven rounds of shots!” Yasopp yelled, a whine of frustration leaving your throat.
“Nooo! I c’n do more, swear I can!” You called, Shanks soon coming into your unsteady frame of view, that stupidly handsome smile adorning his features. The sight caused you to pout, especially when he crouched down next to you and started to maneuver you to lean into him, the scent of sea spray, whiskey and musk filling your senses. “Lemme go, Yasop’s usu’lly the one to take me back…”
“Sorry, rules of the contest. You’re stuck with me.” Shanks snickered, a soft look in his eye shining brighter than before as you let out another whine and began pouting while also heavily leaning on him.
Shanks was nowhere near sober, knowing that he was going to have a terrible hangover in the morning, but he did manage to hold himself enough to get you to your bed, the walk across the deck being a trial given that he insisted on getting you back in bed safely all on his own, and it felt like his world tilted sideways literally and figuratively with your swaying figure hanging on him by a thread. By the time he managed to actually get you to your bunk, you were a completely incoherent mess, nonsensical whines and mumbled words leaving your lips as your glassy, tired eyes looked up at him. It had to be the cutest thing the red locked man had ever witnessed in all his time at sea and he counted himself lucky to be able to see this side of you because of how small and whiny you were. It was pathetic in a really endearing way.
Moving to position you on the hammock properly, Shanks undid the buckles on your boots and pulled them off to allow more comfort before grabbing you a thin blanket to ward off the cold of the night. By the time he had gotten you situated, you had already drifted off, soft snores that’d no doubt get louder as time passed leaving your frame.
Shanks took in your appearance; messy hair, wrinkled shirt, relaxed sleeping position, the little bit of drool dribbling from the corner of your mouth as you fell deeper into the sweet embrace of sleep. You were ethereal to him. Reaching up and brushing some hair out of your face, Shanks placed a ghost of a kiss against your skin before stumbling to the door to head to his own cabin for the night, stopping at the entryway to look back at you once more, a smile dancing on his lips.
“Goodnight, sweetheart.” He uttered before slipping away into the halls of the Red Force, leaving you to your sweet dreams of sharing a drunken kiss under the moonlight with the red haired man that plundered your heart and claimed it as his own forever.
I hope you enjoyed the fi! I had so much fun writing it, I loved writing out the dynamic for Yasopp and the reader!
And to answer your question, I have quite a few favorites from One Piece! Buggy was my first love, then there's Shanks of course, I adore him, Mihawk and Sir Crocodile also drag me around often, I go nuts for them. I really like Killer, he's such a tough guy but he fits the sort of "looks tough but is actually a teddy bear" kind of vibe, there's Law who I feel would be really interesting to talk to, oh and I absolutely adore Nami and Brook! Brook is so silly and I love his energy and Nami...I'm not sure, she just gives big sister vibes on the crew and I adore that, she's so fun and smug but still sweet in her own way.
My ultimate favorites that I often find myself absolutely going insane over no matter what, are Sanji and Jinbe.
I love Sanji, I genuinely fell head over heels for him in the Baratie arc when he was talking about All Blue for the first time, that smile of his captivated my heart and how he treated Apis when she tried making breakfast for the Strawhats and he was so patient and encouraging with her, it melted my heart.
Now Jinbe...he's in a league of his own and I can only really explain why I like him by just saying that I really love dad coded characters. He's got a lot of heart and just feels like the dad of the Strawhat Found Family, and out of all the Strawhats, I'd probably have most of any merch I get based around him. He gives gentle giant vibes and I love characters that are huge but so mindful and careful with everyone around them. I love his altruism too, that's also a big factor there.
Thank you for asking and I hope you have a wonderful day! I can promise I'll definitely come back here again to say hi and deliver more fun goodies!
-🍶
SAKE ANOOOOOOOOOOON YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD AND TOO SWEET A MILLION THANK YOU BE CAST UPON YE
I'll blather more at the end but I really can't get over this thank you 🫂🤍🤍
Some Shanks fluff has been just what I needed and thank you for being my supply. Brain mode: Shanks is Love, Shanks is Life. Coming back to this becasue I enjoy it and because it's extra meaningful as a gift has been soothing.
For your enjoyment (hopefully lol) I put all my thoughts and reactions while reading below the cut!!
Love the in of reader being part of a dynamic duo with Yasopp!! And multiple sharp shooters is always better 🤷♀️
You supposed a strange feeling of longing was only to come naturally when you stared at the man with locks as red as the heart that beat for him in your chest
Beautifully done, love the simile, love the way that red can have different meanings here and both fit well, love how accurate it is at calling me out lol this whole expository section has been nice - I’m an absolute sucker for writing that explains and waxes a bit poetic about the dynamic before we delve in. Really wets the appetite hahaha
I’d be with Yasopp clowning on reader about talking shit on Shanks then falling for him 💀 it truly is the way tho - if he doesn’t charm you up front, give him some time and you’ll be a goner like everyone else.
You heavily debated shoving Yasopp overboard that day.
That one got me to actually physically laugh, the pacing up to it and then the rhythm of its delivery were just right to have it land properly 👏
I’m also living for the sass at the end of the next paragraph after it spent such time capturing his allure and the moment in such a pretty way lol it’s especially making me think that I need this reader and Buggy to have a drink together so that they can have a frustrated and Love fueled bitch session about Shanks 💀
…wits as sharp as your skill with a gun, quick tempered as a torrent, and as bright as the sun itself, you seemed to have it all except for the kind of fondness Shanks held for you.
NOT ACTUALLY UNREQUITED LOVE MY BELOVEDDDDD 😩🫠 also a wonderful distillation of character through a few choice deecriptors, my favorite of which is the torrent one. The alliteration and succinct phrasing make it very punchy 👌 and Shanks being greedy for much more than reader’s body??? A Favorite, The Good Shit. His mix of nerves at accepting the depth of his feelings and how that may affect things with his bit of jealousy at how close you are with Yasopp is a DELIGHTFUL blend
“Moonstruck musings” what an immaculate little phrase 100/10
The comedy of the posing when Shansk interrupts the squabbling to clean reader is very good and very One Piece lol also the fact that he’s using a dirty ass rag 💀💀💀
Yet again, the gesture of the coat and trying to herd you back to the party got me giddy because of the proof Shanks doesn’t want you out of his sight, no no you’re meant to be next to him actually. And his heart leaping at making you almost laugh 😭🤍 I am a big advocate for Shanks making people smile and laugh as possibly his biggest love language
THE BUGGY ALLUSION IS GIVING ME LIFE and this whole playful scene tbh you’re doing a good job of having them all play off each other instead of it feeling like forced beats
You describe the Red Force and just setting in general so prettily and I wish I could make art Fast and color better so that I could get it down on paper lol
Yasopp mentioning Banchina is such a sweet touch omg I love it 😭🤍 and Shanks deflecting through playful banter is too real and another great moment of levity between The Yearning
I love shanks absolutely losing it over a costume change because he WOULD (I have no room to act any better, loving blorbos teaches you The Power an outfit can have 💀) and flowy pirate get up that matches his is a great choice of fit to make him all oogly
Reader, I love you, but there’s maybe five people on the seas who could outdrink Shanks in a contest so I fear for you
…storming past Shanks and boldly grabbing the front of his shirt and dragging him behind you, surprise and delight painting Shanks’ features as he threw a glance back at Yasopp, who was leisurely trotting behind, giving his captain a thumbs up
THIS IS JUST PERFECT LOL WHAT A PARADE and the descriptions are just enough that you get through the smoothly but can picture it PERFECTLY and that’s on word choice 👏👏👏
The description or reader eating it after so many shots and laying loose with everything spinning is well done and can confirm having done it once lol accurate 👌
Shanks making up rules to hold you 💀 he so WOULD the cheeky sneak hehe also drunk shanks helping an even drunker reader is one of my things, a beautiful blind leading the blind, a swaying jig no music can follow lol
SHANKS INTO PEOPLE THAT GET A LITTLE PATHETIC CONFIRMED (me too bud 🤝) just makes you wanna coddle em
And the sweet sweet ending with him taking time to tuck you in and his heart warming at how soft you look and the “Goodnight, sweetheart” and the fOREHEAD KISS 😩 idiots in love, I will bash your heads together til you say something (except not cuz holy fuck do I love the tender pining-)
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WRITING THIS FOR ME I AM HUMBLED I AM FED I AM HEALING 😭🫂🤍🤍🤍 truly, thank you for taking time and effort to write me something for me. I’m beyond flattered and grateful 💕
And thank you for your patience on my response!!! I am nothing if not sporadic 🤡🙃🥲
For ease imma copy and paste your responses to favorite question into a different post and respond to them there!
A little gift for you to brighten your day. I tried. I really tried my best. SORRY. I hope you like it <3
♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Her fans were waiting for her. They were crazy about her. They loved her. Everyone wanted to be like Alexandra Rose Hunt, a beautiful actress with a dashing husband by her side.
Tonight was a busy day for the young actress, as she spent time with her beloved fans at the Choices Con. Photoshoot sessions here, autographs there, cameras everywhere to catch her lovely smile for the fans. Sometimes it can be tough and tiring, but she was lucky to have her loving husband, Thomas Hunt, always by her side.
"OMG, Mrs. Hunt, I'm such a fan!! Can I have an autograph on my book copy, please? I loved to read The Secret of Ninradell. It's my favorite."
"No, first a selfie with me please."
"Mrs. Hunt, is it true that you are currently shooting for Blades of Light and Shadows? Tell us more about your role as Daenarya."
"Excuse mee, it's my turn first!!"
"I WANT PEANUTS!!", a random person shouted.
"Attention, please stay in the lines. One at a time.", one of the security staff tried to keep the fans in control.
Not another stressful and boring day. All the time the same things. Could this time be something different?
Thankfully, Thomas Hunt arrived for a little rescue and pulled his beloved into a much secluded corner upstairs. Nobody could see them, but they could view over the whole Choices Con.
They discovered Casey and Tobias, doctors from Edenbrook [ @jerzwriter ] strolling through the hall while listening to Hozier. Their colleagues, Cassie & Ethan Ramsey, were wearing pirate costumes from Halloween [ @liaromancewriter ]. Ripley [ @rjschoicesstuff ] was enjoying the free food while keeping an eye on Callie and Lewyn who looked like a cool vampire couple [ @loreofyore ] . Perhaps the one from the recent Immortal Desires movies?
The unique view was just hilarious and fun for Alex and Thomas. Sometimes, standing in the spotlight can be exhausting, and we all need a little break to unwind. And enjoy the little things with our loved ones.
"Nik, look out!!", a black-silvery-haired lady warned a blonde-haired man before shooting light from her palms. It hit a strange figure with red glowing eyes and made it fly backward towards the ground.
"Thanks for the little rescue, rook.", the blonde-haired man called Nik thanked her and winked.
Alex and Thomas Hunt couldn't believe their eyes. Was that just magic? No special effects, but real magic? And the leather jackets they were wearing as if they were a hunter couple on a mission or something. Definitely no ordinary fans visiting the con.
"Now, only one evil bloodsucker left to catch, and we're done then. (Don't worry, it is not Ripley)", Nik informed until his silvery-blue eyes landed on Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, who had been watching the scene the whole time. The black-silvery haired lady followed his gaze.
"Omg, Nik, that's Alexandra Rose Hunt!! I love her!!", she squeaked in excitement and got into fan-mode which annoyed her boyfriend, Nik.
"Rook, no distractions... Focus!!"
But his girl already rushed towards the actress to introduce herself. Her name was also Alex, but the long form was Alexis. And for her, it was a pleasure to meet such an inspiring star like Alexandra Hunt.
"My name's Alexis Clarissa Fontaine, but my friends can call me just Alex. And this is my boyfriend, Nik Ryder. Weird name, isn't it?", she giggled.
"Hello Alexis, it's nice to meet you. What was actually that bright light?"
"What bright light?"
"The one which appeared from your palms?"
"Oh... That??! I...", the girl hesitated and was hoping for her cunning boyfriend, Nik, to come up with some excuse.
The magical world must stay unknown and hidden for the safety of both worlds. How could she let someone see this? How could one make such a mistake?
"Yes, what was that?"
"That was... uhhh... A trick of the light? Yes, a trick of the light!!!! It was a trick of the light!! We are in a con after all. So many cool special effects. Uhhh... Anyone want to grab some donuts?" Alexis blurted.
With no better excuse coming up, Nik only wanted to hide out of embarrassment.
Alexandra and Thomas loved the idea of having some food now since they both hadn't eaten anything yet. Work keeps busy, and it's always good to take breaks, have some food, and stay hydrated. Also, stay happy and enjoy the present time.
Aww this is so so fun! I love all the wonderful people and their characters you were able to weave into this story! Choices Con is such a great idea!!!!
Alex loves her fans but she is always grateful for a moment of reprieve and quiet!
Love seeing Alexis and Nik there too! (and so glad they're not hunting our dear ripley!)
yay for Alex meeting Alex!!! What an awesome meet up!
It was definitely special effects and lighting, no doubt hehe. You're right, at the con, anything can happen!!!
I absolutely adore this idea. Thank you so so much for sharing it with me! It was the cutest and most lovely thing
Tags: Bagi/Tina (QSMP), AU - normal life, mechanic Tinakitten, teacher OiBagi, mentioned/brief appearance of side character Cellbit, Bagi and Cellbit are siblings, mechanic cellbit, first date, meetcutes
Bagi gets ready to have lunch with Tina...
She’s not sure if it’s a date officially, but she really likes this woman.
She first met the mechanic at the auto shop her brother worked at by chance only. It just so happened she kept meeting her over the course of a few weeks of repeated random car trouble. Could Bagi have asked her brother to fix it at home, instead of going out of her way to the shop so much?
... well, yes, but somehow it always seemed more convenient to bring it directly to Tina, it just so happening to be while the auto shop was busy enough that Cellbit would be in the back. When he found out where Tina's stellar reviews had come from recently, Bagi's brother chewed her out about being so irresponsible over a crush.
“You think I raised you to hurt your poor car? It’s your responsibility to look after it, just tell me when something is broken and I've always always fixed it - for free! Everyone is fine, your wallet is fine, your car is healthy. And now what do I do? I go to work and everyone says, oh, there goes Cellbit, with the car-murdering sister, hope he doesn’t treat my cars so roughly. Bagi, you’re setting a bad example!” Bagi “yeah, yeah”ed and agreed that she should probably stop racking up so much in mechanic bills. She needs to face her subconscious motivations and ask Tina if she might like to meet outside of work.
Well, the day came, and Bagi was glad of it. She would have been happy anyway because it was the weekend, after a long week of corralling children who should really be old enough to know better but are instead only old enough to know they can cause chaos. But she spent the morning hours of light wondering what she was going to say to Tina. She didn’t often go on dates, and she really liked Tina. The mechanic was always so fun to talk to, and seemed totally engaged with her even when sticking her head shoulders-deep into the guts of her poor mistreated car. She was drawn to Tina’s personality, and felt all kinds of romantic stuff for her that she hoped could one day bloom into a relationship.
First, though, she needs to make a good impression.
Bagi wears her favorite baseball hat, because she’s going out, not going to school, so she doesn’t have to follow dress code and lead her kids by example (not that it works - the students are always wearing hats and goofing off. It's one of their endearing quirks that no matter how many hats are confiscated in class, they will always show up with another.). She picks out a “casual weekend get-together” outfit that looks nice and waits for Tina to pick her up at the scheduled time.
Tina, being holed up at the auto shop all day and tired of her greasy canvas uniform, had dressed up with style that belied the way she usually appeared to Bagi - when she has car trouble and needs it fixed in the middle of the day, Bagi comes to Tina’s work where she’s synonymous with sturdy and khaki work gloves, taupe coveralls and boots that wouldnt be harmed stepping on a lost screw. By contrast now, when she hears a beep outside her house she sees that Tina is sporting a cute, elegant dress and a makeup look that she learns during the car ride is called “mob wife makeup”, which Tina saw online as it had risen as a current trend to try. Somehow, she doesn’t feel underdressed in comparison to the high glamour influences, though she regrets her shorts a little when the summer heat leaves her peeling her legs slowly off the passenger seat upon arrival. Tina helps her out of the car and they turn to the restaurant’s menu to decide if what they discussed being hungry for in the car was really what they wanted to order.
As they take their seats, Bagi adjusts her collared shirt and finds herself looking at Tina instead of the names of the food items.
She was honestly stunning, slaying the house down, and Bagi hardly tasted the first few bites of her pasta when their food arrived until…
“Here,” says Tina, “try mine.” She put a few different pieces on her fork and held it out to Bagi.
Bagi felt like she was in a painting as she leaned forward and accepted the bite of food from Tina’s fork. Either that or on a prank channel. Something was playing in slow motion, and all she could do was hope she didn't look stupid.
The food was delicious. Bagi chewed and watched Tina take some from her plate to try.
“It’s good shrimp, right?” Tina says before taking a bite of pasta. “Hey, that’s pretty good too!”
Bagi smiles. “Yeah, tastes great.” She privately debates whether she’s brave enough to say “You look great, too," without it sounding stupid and cliche.
The decision is left unmade as Tina responds in the pause. Bagi likes hearing Tina talk. Her voice is nice, even when it’s not explaining her car to her for the third time in a week. She might be a little nervous about this possibly-date still, but at least they’re in it together. Their sides arrive, and they clear a bit of space on the table.
“I want you.”
“Huh?” she says stupidly.
Tina clears her throat and looks up at the menu on the wall again. “I said do you want anything for dessert?”
Bagi might be losing her hearing, then. “I usually go for a chocolate cheesecake for a dessert, but that’s usually for a dinner, so it’s a little early in the day.” She looks to the menu too. “Maybe a fruit soda float?”
“Yeah? Awesome. I wasn’t trying to have a date hinging on dinner right now either,” Tina says, and Bagi’s heart skips. So it is a date! Has been, even. “- because I heard from my cousin that he got food poisoning at the last dinner he ate out for. Man, that sucks cuz he’s a yapper too so he was real in-depth about it. This lunch is great though. I guess there wasn’t really a risk of it relating, cuz he was at a Chili’s in a different state, which really doesn’t say anything about the possible, like, quality of the food here. I dunno, it was on my mind though. Whatever.” Tina’s face is so pretty, but the makeup doesn’t hide her ears going pink.
“I think food should never poison you.” Bagi facepalmed mentally, and kept going to make it make sense. “I mean, it’s - food. We’ve had it for all of history, or we wouldn’t be alive, no? We should have figured out a way to make it not poison you. Food poisoning should never exist. Just take out the poison!”
Tina cackles, agreeing. “You’re so smart, Bagi. They need to make you President!”
The date goes well. Lunch at the restaurant turned out to be less expensive than two mechanic jobs, but not by that much, so they resolve to try a different restaurant next time to try to save their wallets from this becoming just as regular an expense. Tina drives with a steady hand, humming along to the song on the radio, and Bagi notices that the tiny stuffed animal hanging from the windshield is not just decoration, but also scented. It smells like sweet tea and candy fruits. Tina tells her she started buying scented plushies for the car after the time she rescued a stray kitten on the street and it immediately peed inside, laughing. Bagi might be in love.
Tina stops in front of her door and walks her up to the house, chivalrous. Bagi unlocks the door with the key around her neck and then pauses in the doorway, unsure but not wanting to see Tina leave yet.
“Do you wanna come in?” Bagi asks, scuffing her sneakers on the welcome mat. The afternoon sun brings out the teal highlight contrasts in Tina’s shining dress. She looks good standing in front of Bagi's house. She thinks she'd like to see her in this place every day, wherever her home is.
Tina takes the invitation and Bagi brings her in to sit on the couch and keep talking. She tells her about the board games in the living room closet and Tina tells her which ones she knows how to play and which ones she never got the hang of, or just haven't tried yet. “Maybe we could have a game night one of these days.”
That makes Bagi smile. “I always hear about themed times, like some kid’s family will have a dedicated Thursday night is Spaghetti Night or something. It seems cute, and I don't do enough activities. We should do that someday.”
She doesn’t feel brave enough for a first-date cuddle or kiss, but when the hour gets late she microwaves a bowl of Cellbit’s boyfriend’s soup that he brought over in a big container the other day, and they clink spoons and make airplane noises and look at the neighbor’s dog playing in their yard with fallen leaves and golden hour daylight.
“I hope that just because we have another date to plan doesn't stop you from coming to my shop after school in the meantime,” Tina tells Bagi at the door. “You’re allowed to come and talk to me, keep me company. You don't need to break your car every time, or it’ll be too long in between. I’ll miss youuuu.”
“No, don’t come,” Cellbit says, having come home from work while they were having dinner. "Let my mechanics focus on their work!”
“-youuuuur food, I’ll miss her coffee and bringing snacks, Cellbit, jeez.” Tina spins the words. “Aren't we allowed food breaks?”
“No, starve!” Cellbit says, laughing from the kitchen. “Fine, keep distracting Tina.”
Bagi laughs and laughs. In a flurry of bravery, she holds Tina's arm and kisses her face under the early moonlight. All blush now, she stands back and waves as Tina winks at her before driving off. She stands by the door for a few minutes, daydreaming about their next date, before Cell yells at her to come inside and stop staring at the road like a crazy person.
And maybe she is crazy. A little bit crazy in love.
Velikan often struggled verbally expressing his love.
It was nothing against you, he had so many sweet and lovey dovey things he wanted to say to you.
But he couldn't.
The memories of his foster home as the screams for him to stop talking constantly erupted and the angry out bursts from his 'friends' there.
It made him permanently stop talking by choice. He hadn't heard his own voice in so long.
But that seemed to change when he met you and began to see more of you
You loved him and you cared for him, something he never asked or expected out of you.
You, his boyfriend, cared so much about him
So when he couldn't stop himself when the words 'I love you' slipped out of his lips while you two were cuddled against eachother, his arms wrapped tightly against yours.
your writings so good!! Thank you so much :), I really enjoyed reading this <3
This follows An Evening Yule Remember. Not officially 'canon', as I have a different way for them to come together in my verse, but I love the moments leading up to that first hint of romance so any excuse to write Callie x Wade!
(Who is Callie?)
~~~~~
The night was quiet. The Christmas tree lights twinkled in the corner, as a light snow fell outside. New Year’s Eve had rolled around once again, and this year was a special one for the head librarian of Green Hills public library.
Because this year, Callie MacPherson wasn’t spending it all alone, as she had for so many years past. This year, she had two sons and a best friend to ring in the new year with.
At least, that was the plan.
“You people celebrate your planet completing a full rotation around your sun?” Eclipse had said when she had told him and Silver about New Year’s Eve. The darkling lifted an eyebrow ridge, his muzzle twisted in confusion. “That’s dumb. Why do you do that? What’s the big deal? It’s dumb.”
“I think it sounds like fun!” Silver said, bringing his fists to his chest to give an excited shake. “Is there special food? Presents? Oh, are we gonna decorate??”
Callie shook her head. “No special food, no presents, and no decorating necessary, really.”
Eclipse scoffed. “Then what do you do on this holiday?”
“Stay up until midnight and make loud noise to ring in the new year.”
“I’m in.”
That had been a few days ago. All day today the boys had both been so excited, planning to stay up as late as they wanted and blow their little noisemakers Callie had (regretfully) bought them. They had blown them constantly until she made a rule that they could only do it once an hour. She’d never seen Eclipse so focused on the time before.
Wade had arrived a little after six. They shared an easy supper, and played a few card games as the last few hours of the year ticked away.
Now it was a little after eleven, a movie on the TV as Callie and Wade sat on the couch. Both boys were passed out in their laps—Silver in hers, Eclipse in his.
“So much for staying up all night,” she said with a smile. Her hands moved through Silver’s quills in slow strokes. “Best laid plans and all that.”
“They lasted longer than I thought they would,” Wade said, readjusting Eclipse against him. “They were so excited. I thought the adrenaline would carry them longer.”
She gave a little laugh. “Kids are just like that. Silver once fell asleep in the middle of a story he was telling me on the way home from the grocery store.”
“Wow.”
“They play hard, they crash hard.” She sighed, leaning her head back against the couch. “Couldn’t handle the absolute whirlwind of a party I throw here at the ol’ MacPherson house.”
Wade snickered. “The neighbors probably called the station about the noise when Eclipse won that round of Exploding Kittens.”
Callie snorted out a laugh, before clapping a hand over her mouth. She didn’t want to wake her boys. “God, that kid’s got a set of lungs on him.”
“Silver was so mad.”
“He got him back in Uno.”
Wade nodded, a smile on his lips. “He did.” He quieted for a moment. “You’ve got some good kids, Cal.”
Callie nodded, reaching over to run her knuckle over Eclipse’s muzzle. “Yeah. I do.” She smirked. “At least they give me a reason to stay up for New Year’s. Usually I’m in bed by now.”
“You never went out or anything?”
“Nah,” she said, shaking her head. “Was never close to anyone. Never wanted to be. Fine on my own and all that.”
He watched her, his brow furrowing slightly. “Sounds kinda lonely.”
She shrugged. She never really thought about it. It was just the way things were for her. Every day was like the last, and the next would be just the same. She was alone, but that’s what she wanted. Because she was scared of letting people get close.
And then Silver had literally crash landed in her life, which brought Wade in. Eclipse came a few months later, and now she had a family. Now she wasn’t alone.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t sometimes still feel like she was. Late at night, when both boys were in bed and the house was quiet, it was too easy to imagine herself all alone again. It was better when Wade was here, and she tried so hard to tell herself it was because he was distracting her from the quiet. Giving her another adult to chat with while the boys were off doing their kid thing.
Because she really didn’t want to think about the fact that there may be something more at play than simple companionship. That was a road she was terrified to go down.
Wade was her friend. Friendship was easy.
She didn’t want to complicate matters.
“What about you?” she asked, in a not so casual attempt to change the subject. “Any exciting stories from New Year’s Eves past?”
He gave a little laugh that was more sad than jovial. “Nah. I was usually in bed too, unless I was working.” He paused, sitting back to avert his gaze from hers. “Tom and Maddie would invite me over, but . . .” He shrugged. “Sometimes I felt really third wheelish.” He pulled his lips tight. “And no one wants to date the town idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.” It came out immediately, no hesitation. “You’re not.”
Wade shrugged. “I know what people see when they look at me.”
“That’s not what I see when I look at you.”
A silent beat, and when Wade spoke next his voice was soft. “What do you see?”
Callie chewed her cheek. She didn’t want to say things that would sound overly generic as a kind of ‘cheer up, you’re great!’ kind of pick-me-up. He didn’t need cheering up, he needed honesty. He needed a boost to his confidence and to know that he wasn’t the village idiot that so many people—himself included—seemed to see him as.
“I see,” she started, and turned to look at him with narrowed eyes, as though she were truly examining him. “A man who tries his hardest, even though he feels anxious sometimes. I see a man who just wants to help others. Someone who wants to see the good in people, regardless of how they treat him. You are kind, and sweet, and honest, and would give a stranger the shirt off your back if they asked for it.”
She paused, locking eyes with him.
“No, you may not know everything. You may be confused about what’s going on sometimes. But if people look at you and just see that, then they’re the ones who are idiots. Because you, Wade Whipple, are so much more.”
A heavy silence descended over the two then, and they sat on the couch, gaze locked. Callie’s heart pounded in her chest, worrying she’d said too much, or made things really awkward between them now. Was that over the top? Had she gotten too serious? Broken the light mood they usually shared?
She was about to say something snarky to break this awkward silence when he spoke.
“Know what I see when I look at you?”
Her heart raced faster. “What?”
“I see someone who’s braver than she thinks. Someone who claimed she was fine by herself and didn’t need anyone, but took in two lost alien kids and love them like they were her own. Someone who’s kind, and smart, and caring, but takes no bull. You stand up for what’s right, you defend those who are in trouble, and would put yourself in harm’s way to keep others safe.”
He swallowed hard, pulling his lips tight as though wondering if he should continue.
“I see someone who tries to pretend she’s fine. That she doesn’t need help. But she does. I see how she struggles sometimes. I see the hair pulling and how she sometimes just stares off into space when she’s stressed. And I want to help. All she has to do is ask. Because she is so amazing, and she could do anything. And I want her to see that, too.”
Callie’s brain stopped functioning. His words were so heartfelt, his tone so genuine, she couldn’t come up with any kind of response that seemed appropriate. Her knee-jerk reaction was to make a joke, likely a self-depreciating one, or throw out some snark to shift the mood. But she resisted. It didn’t seem right to respond to what he’d said with humor.
But oh how her heart pounded.
They sat there, eyes locked, for a long moment, before an odd look passed over Wade’s face.
“Eclipse is drooling on me.”
It took a moment for the words to sink into Callie’s brain, and when they finally did she blinked, giving him a shocked look.
“Oh! Oh, okay. Let’s get these boogers to bed, huh?”
The two shifted to lift their respective child and headed upstairs to the bedrooms. Callie heaved a tension-relieving sigh. Leave it to Eclipse to break up an awkward moment, even while asleep.
~X~X~X~
Wade followed behind as Callie tucked her boys in, one by one. She settled them into their beds—or hammock, for Eclipse—and kissed their foreheads before tiptoeing out.
Once the boys were snuggled in, the two went back downstairs, and fetched a few drinks from the fridge. Callie kept his favorite beer on hand, and handed him a bottle as she pulled a wine cooler out for herself.
Wade had to admit, he was a little disappointed their conversation had been interrupted. It felt . . . important somehow. Like they were being real with each other. Not that they ever weren’t, but tonight just felt . . . different.
The atmosphere from their previous conversation broken, they chatted about this and that as they settled back on the couch. The TV was turned low, tuned to one of those “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” countdowns that showed a huge crowed of people in Times Square.
“Now that,” Callie said, pointing with the top of her bottle, “is my idea of hell. All those people, all that noise? No thanks.”
Wade chuckled with a nod. “That’s a lot of people in one place. What if you’re in the middle of that crowd and have to go to the bathroom?”
“Right? No one thinks of those things,” she said, taking a sip. “Not that I understand the desire to go and be in a crowd like that. Just not my thing.”
“Me neither. I like smaller groups better. I don’t think there are that many people even living in Green Hills. I couldn’t imagine being responsible for that many people.”
Callie turned to him, her eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you always want to be a cop?” she asked, her voice light. “Little Wade Whipple, running around with his little Cracker Jack badge and writing parking tickets for the neighborhood?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No, nothing like that. I . . .” He shrugged. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was a kid. I just knew I wanted to help people. When Tom said he was going to become a police officer, I just kinda followed.”
“Is there anything else you would want to do now? If you were gonna start all over?”
Wade gave that some thought. In all honesty, he couldn’t imagine himself doing anything else. At least right now. He shook his head.
“Nope. I like where I am. I like helping people. And putting on the uniform helps me feel like I’m not just Wade. I’m Deputy Wade. And it makes me feel good.”
“You look damn good in uniform too, if I’m being honest.”
Wade looked over at her with wide eyes, and found her frozen, her eyes just as wide. She had apparently not realized what she said was out loud. A blush burned her cheeks, and she flicked her eyes from his to the drink in her hand.
“Hoo boy,” she said, a little nervous laugh in her voice. “I’m such a lightweight! Half a wine cooler in and it’s already gone to my head!” She laughed slightly, before clearing her throat into her fist. “You hungry? I’m hungry. I’m gonna grab some food.”
She was up before he responded, heading for the kitchen where he heard her pour some chips in a bowl. Her comment rang in his ears. Was that . . . ? Did she . . . ?
Wade wasn’t good with subtlety. It seemed like maybe there was something more in what she’d said, but it could have also been his imagination. People sometimes just blurted things out without thinking. Inappropriate things, snarky comebacks that are meant as jokes, that kinda stuff. And Callie was pretty snarky normally, so . . .
He tried to just ignore it.
“So what about you?” he asked as she came back in with the bowl. He snagged a few chips when she sat back down. “Did you always want to be a librarian?”
A little amused smile curled her lips, but he noted that the blush was still there. “While I’ve always loved books and learning and such, being a librarian wasn’t what I dreamt about when I was a little girl. This just kinda fell in my lap. It plays to my highly organized mind, and lets me help people in a more casual way than some official position.”
“So what did you dream about as a little girl?”
The blush on her cheeks burned hotter. “You’ll laugh.”
He smiled. “Promise I won’t.”
She flicked her eyes to his, before uttering a soft sigh. “I always wanted to be a dancer.”
Wade’s smile softened. “A dancer?”
She nodded, and when she spoke next her voice was soft. “I would see women on TV dancing, and always thought they looked so graceful. Ballet, jazz, tap, whatever. They moved their bodies so smoothly and beautifully. I always wanted to learn to do that, too.”
“Why didn’t you?”
A smirk pulled Callie’s lips and she gave a little laugh. “The unfortunate affliction known as ‘two left feet’. I don’t know what it is but I can’t dance to save my life. I trip and stagger and just make a fool of myself.”
He smiled and shrugged. “I can teach you.”
She gave him a look. “Doubtful. I am unteachable.”
“Nah, I don’t believe that.” Wade pulled out his phone and pulled up a slow tempo song, before placing it on the table and pushing himself to his feet. He held his hand out to her. “C’mon. It’s not that hard.”
“You’re serious.”
He nodded. “I’m serious. C’mon. Dance with me.”
Her blush flared hotter. Flicking her eyes between his offered hand and his face, Callie slowly reached up and placed her hand in his. Wade pulled her to her feet, pulling her gently in to lay a hand on her back.
A blush rushed to his face at the proximity, the closeness and feel of her against him. He cleared his throat, his voice soft. “Just listen to the music, and follow my lead.”
She nodded, and that blush never left her cheeks. It made her eyes look especially pretty, and Wade stumbled for a step or two before finding the right rhythm as he led her in a slow waltz.
He had to admit, she was right. She couldn’t dance. She tripped over her own feet, stepped on his, and nearly made them both topple over when she stepped the wrong way in a turn.
But they were both laughing.
They played through the song three times, and each time she seemed to get worse.
“Are you being this bad on purpose?” he laughed after the third try. “You only have two feet, you know. It’s not that hard to keep track of them!”
Callie responded with a laugh and little slap to his shoulder. “I told you! Woefully uncoordinated, that’s me. Hopeless lost cause. Quit while you still have feeling in your toes.”
Feeling confident, Wade pulled her back to him, a little smirk on his lips. “Never! I will teach you to dance, or die trying!”
She snorted out a laugh, bringing a hand to her forehead in a dramatic flare. “Oh, poor Wade Whipple! Done in by his own stubborn insistence to teach the waltz to someone with the grace of a drunken ostrich. Oh, he will be missed.”
Wade laughed with her, but tightened his arm around her. “Seriously, you’re overthinking this.”
She gave him a look. “I’m sorry, have you met me? Overthinking is practically my middle name.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “Well, tell your brain to take the night off. Listen to the music. Feel the rhythm. And for crying out loud, let me lead! You’re fighting me and making things worse.”
“Ugh! Fine.” She gave herself a little shake and blew out a sigh. “Okay. One more time.”
~X~X~X~
They quieted, letting the music fill the living room, flowing over them in smooth tones. Wade pulled her close again, his hand resting on the middle of her back. His hand around hers was so warm and soft.
She closed her eyes, focusing on the music. On the rhythm. As she did, something seemed to slip into place in her mind. They were no longer separate notes, they merged together to form a line. A path. She stepped on his toes twice, but then found her footing so to speak, and moved and swayed with him as he guided them along.
This was nice. Feeling his arm around her. His breath on her neck. The heat of his body as they danced. Although she received plenty of hugs from her boys, this was different. This made her feel . . . safe. Comfortable.
Callie opened her eyes and looked up at him. He caught her gaze, the two were frozen in time, in this moment. The hand on her back slipped lower, coming to rest above her waist. A little pressure and she was pulled closer to him, their bodies touching.
A blush ran up his neck, warming his face and ears. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Behind them on the TV, the crowd in Times Square were counting down.
10!
Their feet slowed.
9!
Wade turned them, so that the light from the Christmas tree caught in her eyes.
8!
She swallowed. Hard.
7!
The hand holding hers tightened slightly.
6!
Her free hand slid from his arm to his waist.
5!
He licked his lips.
4!
Her lips parted.
3!
He leaned forward.
2!
She tilted her head to the side.
1!
Happy New Year!
Their eyes closed.
Their lips met.
They were both trembling. Callie’s heart beat a manic pace in her chest, and she felt as though it were trying to burst through her rib cage and escape. Wade pulled her closer, and she felt his pounding just as hard.
But they did not pull away.
The world welcomed the new year in around them, and Wade and Callie stayed locked in their embrace. In their kiss. Their first kiss.
It was awkward and wonderful and terrifying and so, so gentle.
When they pulled back, they held each other to combat the tremble that still shook them both. Their eyes locked, and Callie opened her mouth to say something.
And that’s when an ear-piercing sound split the air.
“Happy New Year!” Eclipse called as he and Silver bounded down the stairs. Each held their noise makers and blew them as they rushed toward the couple.
Wade and Callie quickly released each other, stepping back just as each was hit with one alien child.
“You almost let us sleep through it!” Silver said, giving Callie a hug around the neck. “We almost missed it!”
“Yeah,” she said, her mind still not fully functioning. “S-sorry. You guys fell asleep.”
“Good thing I woke up!” Eclipse laughed, blowing his noisemaker again. “Nice job going around the sun, Earth!”
“Yeah, nice job!” Silver echoed.
“I wonder what will happen this year,” Eclipse said, hanging off of Wade’s shoulders. “Something exciting, I hope!”
Silver shrugged. “Last year I came to Earth and found a new family. Maybe this year will be even better!”
Callie and Wade exchanged a glance over the boys’ heads. The ghost of their blushes still warmed their cheeks, and they shared a small smile.
“Yeah,” Callie said, her blush warming again. “Maybe it will be.”
This is for my amazing friend @drarry-fifi 's birthday! I tried some things new, and I hope you'll like it ❤️ Thank you @cluelesspigeons for beta reading 😘
The sky is as beautiful as I expected. You tell me that you want to take a walk on this Sunday, and what can I say? You always make me follow you.
The landscape isn’t that bad. Once we leave the road you take my hand. You know where to take me.
I say nothing. It is your birthday after all, so I want you to take wherever you go.
We walk in silence. It’s unusual for you. I know I’m not a talker but you sure are one.
“We’re close!” you exclaim happily, turning your head to me with a wonderful smile.
I smile too. You are such a beautiful person when you smile. I like it.
Softly, the sound of water running appears in my ears. I can’t see it at first because of all the flowers in front of me.
The wild flowers are everywhere. It’s beautiful.
All those colors. Red. White. Yellow. Even purple! And the green of the grass and the blue of the sky. Such a gorgeous scenery!
You let go of my hand, giggling as you run toward the river.
At the same time, birds chirp in the sky, clouds moving slowly.
Sorry for the wait, I wanted it to be something you liked! <3 I wrote a horrorcentic hurt/comfort mini fic for you, I hope it is enjoyable!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Descent to Madness - 5 chapter mini fic
Summary:
You thought they were over.
You thought you were free from them.
The second your hands touched the steering wheel, your vision plunged into darkening swirls of black and deep violet that closed in from your lashes. Your heart thundered against your ears as your surroundings grew silent and hollow, a hypocritical disconnect that could never comfort a racing mind. Your head spun with the familiar dizziness that combined with a newfound weightlessness; your body fell down through the seat of your car, through the pavement of the parking lot, and into the abyss that clawed you back to its soundless depths.
Word Count: ~16242
Warnings: Psychological and body horror, general insanity, depictions of torture
