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the warmth reminds him of Sabo, it reminds him of Ace. the flickering heat from the mera mera no mi feels like a distant memory. he feels their smiles placed upon him, accompanied by Dadan's voice chiding them.

it settles into his bones the same way the sake did to his throat when they swore to be brothers. it burns, remembering the way he coughed right afterwards. when was the last time the three of them smiled together?

he recalls the last time he had Ace in his arms, and the way his body warmed his. he doesn't know where Ace's fire ends and Akainu's magma starts.

the sun's heat finds its way under the rugged straw hat, and into his eyes and throat. are you watching over me, Sabo? Ace? are you seeing how i'm burning bright now, just like you?

Zoro brings the bottle to his lips and lets the alcohol flow through his system. he does this everyday, but something about the way the sun is setting makes his drink scorch his insides.

he tilts his head, earrings clinking, and lays his gaze on his swords. he runs his hands over the faint teeth marks on the handle of Wado Ichimonji.

taking another gulp of the sake, he wonders if Kuina would have drank like this—if the weight of becoming the greatest swordsman would have felt this heavy to her.

he thinks back to fighting Mihawk, and the searing pain of being sliced open hits him like never before. his history of scars are splitting open with each alcohol-tinged breath he takes.

the stoic man doesn't believe in god, if there was any, but he thinks of something close to a prayer. Kuina, lend me your strength- the strength i could never beat back then. help me defeat him even if i can never defeat you.

Sanji shuts down the kitchen for the night, tucking the kitchen towel neatly on the rack. he steps onto the deck with a cigarette sitting on his lips and his lighter in his hand, waiting to be sparked.

he takes the first drag, the familiar fumes filling his throat before settling into his lungs. the nicotine mixes with the lingering taste of fried rice from tonight's dinner.

at times like these, he thinks of the Baratie. he wonders if the cooks are still as rowdy, if his recipes are still being used, if the old man still has that fire in him. he thinks of the flames that dance in the kitchen, and the first time he ever burnt his hand.

it's been a long time since then. he can't quite remember what he was making, but he knows it was for his mother.

another inhale of the cigarette makes his head light and his heart heavy. he resists the urge to cough out the smoke and lets it simmer in his body.

the image of his mother is losing its permanence in his memory—he hates it, but the feeling of her presence never fades. the feeling in his heart swells and flows over. do you feel it too, mom? i'm home now. i'm safe.

Based on this Viltrumites members panels from the Invincible comic.

Frostheim

Jin Kamurai

"u need me close so that you'll sleep? that's not a valid excuse," jin scoffed under his breath, his words harsh yet he didn't waste any time snuggling close to u on the bed, letting ur face nuzzle into his neck. he let out a breath of relief, and not a moment later, he was murmuring to ur ear, "if you're not going to sleep soon, i'll have to try other ways to make u tired."

Tohma Ishibashi

"very well, then," tohma said as he got himself ready to bed and making space for u to lay down first. once u both settled in bed, tohma kept a safe distance, merely two inches away when he laid down. when u wanted him close, he would move closer, draping an arm around ur waist as he mumbled a "good night" to u.

Lucas Errant

"if being close to me makes u sleep better, i'd stay by ur side for as long as u need me to," lucas grinned at u as the both of u were already laying in bed, limbs tangled with the sheets draped over ur bodies, "sleep well, and good night."

Kaito Fuji

"u want to sleep with me?! oh no, i'm not saying we can't! i want to! yeah... i'll sleep with u." kaito was practically quivering with overbearing joy when u said that to him, but he was also pretty nervous about it. when u finally laid together in bed, kaito would make no sudden moves unless u ask him to. he'd wrap his arms around u like he was protecting u from everything evil in the world, and he would gently cradle the back of ur head, "is this what ordinary happiness feels like? if it is, then i'm already loving it."

Vagastrom

Alan Mido

"oh, okay," alan agreed, taking off his shirt (if u don't want that, he'll keep it on) as he climbed on the bed to lay with u. he seemed awkward when he inched closer to u and tried to get comfortable, but hearing ur laugh made him feel at ease, "if u can't sleep, let me know. sleep tight."

Leo Kurosagi

"wow, you're finally accepting my offer to sleep with u! i've always wanted to do this a long time ago... just kidding," leo snickered, getting on the bed with u. wasting no time, he wrapped his arms around u, his face buried against the curve between ur neck and shoulder, "make sure u don't drool on my clothes, yeah? sleep tight!"

Sho Haizono

"u can't sleep? sure, i'll stay with u for tonight," sho responded with a casual tone as he got himself ready for bed as usual. once he was ready, he'd scoot right next to u, not quite near or touching u... unless u want him to, "good night."

Jabberwock

Haru Sagara

"oh, u have trouble sleeping? yeah, i can stay here, if it helps u sleep at night," haru grinned, his tone warm as he got ready to sleep. once he was laying beside u, he peered overur shoulder to look at u, his eyes slightly opened, "if you're feeling a bit touchy, just tap me, okay? sleep well."

Towa Otonashi

"yeayyy, we're sleeping together!" towa exclaimed with joy as he plopped himself on ur bed, his smile wide with his arms outstretched, reaching for u, "come here, let's go to sleep and dream about each other tonight..."

Ren Shiranami

"am i hearing that correctly? us? sleeping in the same bed?" ren asked, his tone deadpan as he pointed to himself with a dumbfounded look. when he noticed that u weren't joking about it, he silently got himself ready to bed. despite looking mildly annoyed about not being able to stay up late to grind on his game, he doesn't seem to upset about it. as he laid next to u in bed, he muttered, "if it helps u sleep at night, i guess i'll stay. good night, then."

Sinostra

Taiga Hoshibami

"huh? u want me to sleep with u? getting bold, aren't u, kitty-cat?" taiga murmured, his eyes staring into urs as a seductive smile formed on his lips. it didn't take him long to get ready for bed—took off his accessories, his shirt, and he was done. pressing his front against ur back, his arms draped around ur body as he got himself comfortable, whispering "good night" with his lips grazing ur ear.

Romeo Scorpius Lucci

"hmm, fine... but if u make any noises or disrupt my sleep, i won't go easy on u and let u sleep," romeo snarled, yet there was a flicker of fondness and warmth in his gaze. after he got dressed and finished his skincare routine, he slipped in bed next to u, murmuring "good night" to ur ear as his arm slipped around ur waist.

Ritsu Shinjo

initially, ritsu suggested on doing paperwork late at night while u sleep, but noticing ur restlessness and need for his comfort, he relented and agreed. once he got ready for bed, he laid next to u, but he kept a reasonable distance between u, "if anything occurs, please don't hesitate to wake me up. good night, and rest well."

Hotarubi

Subaru Kagami

"u want me to sleep with u? are u sure?" subaru's eyes widened upon hearing ur request, and after a moment of consideration, he agreed with a gentle smile. as u both laid together in bed, he kept a safe distance between u, afraid of accidentally looking through ur past memories.

Haku Kusanagi

"did i hear that correctly? would u care to repeat that for me?" he'd ask, and after u repeated ur suggestion, he didn't seem to opposed in the idea of sleeping together in the same bed. "alright, give me a few minutes to get ready, then," haku said to u, and he took a few minutes to clean himself up in the bathroom. moments later, he laid next to u in bed, wearing only his boxers and pants, "come a little closer. don't be shy."

Zenji Kotodama

"i would be glad to accompany u while u have a peaceful slumber, my dear," zenji grinned, his eyes beaming with anticipation. since he was a ghost, he wasn't able to sleep, but he was touched that you'd feel comfortable to sleep with him around. while u laid in ur bed to rest, zenji said his good night and reached out his hand to ur head, imitating a head pat. then, he hummed a gentle lullaby until u fell asleep.

Obscuary

Edward Hart

"hmm, are u certain u need me to accompany u during ur peaceful slumber? aren't u afraid that i might do something to u?" when he realized that u were being serious about it, he smiled and didn't waste any time in getting ready for bed. a few of his shirt's buttons were unbuttoned, purposely exposing his cleavage, and his eyes glimmered dangerously whenever ur gaze would linger there. "u want me to button up? ...hmm, why don't u help me with that?"

Rui Mizuki

"are u serious?! on the same bed?? are u sure about that????" rui asked u in a worried, hesitant tone, making sure that u were actually serious in suggesting that to him. when u confirmed it, rui merely nodded in understanding and began getting ready. he was fully covered up, like he was trying to rob a bank or something... "sorry, i don't want to accidentally kill u in ur sleep." the most u two could do was hold hands with gloves on...

Lyca Colt

"u wanna me to sleep with u? hmm, okay. i'll grab my blanket in my room first," lyca asked before he went out of ur dorm room. it didn't take him long before he came back with it wrapped around his arms. he even took the time to get dressed in his nightwear while he was at his dormitory. he crawled onto the bed and laid himself next to u, his face facing urs as he sniffed the air. "u smell nice and ur bed feels comfy... hmm..."

Mortkranken

Yuri Isami

"HUH?! S-SLEEP TOGETHER? IN THE SAME BED???" yuri yelped, his expression shocked and his cheeks flushing pink. after reassuring him that u two won't do anything more than sleeping, he seemed to have calmed down, and he took about 30 minutes to get ready to sleep. he laid next to u awkwardly on his back, respectfully keeping his distance. if u decide pull him in for a hug, he would yell at u in embarrassment at first, but he wouldn't push u away.

Jiro Kirisaki

"yuri gave me permission to come over and help u sleep, so it should be fine," jiro told u as he got himself ready and dressed for bed. he initially wanted to stay up and observe ur behavior, but u asked him to sleep with him. once u were both laying in bed, he scooted closer, and u could particularly feel the warmth of his body near urs. "rest well," jiro muttered, his eyes never leaving urs, just to make sure there wasn't any abnormalities.

Dionysia

Jo Kongoza

"huh? u want me to sleep with u? was that suppose to be a lie?" jo asked for confirmation, his eyes glimmered with a hint of curiosity. realizing that u were being serious, he smiled, and didn't hesitate to get changed for bed. a moment later, jo switched to her female form, wearing a comfortable nightwear as she laid beside u, her eyes glistening with adoration with her fingers lightly brushing against ur cheek. "sleep well, cutie. don't worry about everything else. i'm right here."

Mio Susuhara

"oh, that's an unexpected request... did shion ask u to say that?" mio chuckled, his face etched with disbelief. when u said that u weren't joking and that u were genuine, a small smile twitched on his lips, and he agreed in keeping u company. once he had already got dressed, he slipped himself on the same next to u, keeping a respectful distance between u two. "i hope i'm not making this awkward for u..."

Elias Pratt

"hmm? i didn't know u were going to ask me to sleep with u..." elias said it with a calm demeanor, though his eyes didn't hide his anticipation and amusement about the request. he didn't take that long to get himself dressed for bed as he laid himself next to u, murmuring to ur ear, "sleep now. i'll make sure you'll have a wonderful dream tonight. don't worry..."

Shion Genkai

"finally," shion smiled, his expression gleaming with joy as he crawled into bed with u, not wasting any time in wrapping his arms around ur body. he was looking at u as if he was trying to scare u in a way, but u didn't look bothered when u asked him to change his clothes. "u want me to change first? ...fine," shion grumbled as he got himself dressed to bed. once he was done, he crawled back into bed, his forehead pressing against urs as he stared, really stared into ur soul, "sing me a lullaby."

Other

MC

"oh, sure! i don't want u to be restless for classes tomorrow," mc agreed with a gentle smile on her face as she climbed on the bed, laying down right next to u. she would let u wrap ur arms around her... if u want to, of course, "good night, and sweet dreams."