They called it "April Showers" for a reason. It had been drizzling on and off for two days and the ground was muddy and soaked through. Through the trees, the clouds were dark with another storm set to roll in.
Ilya led the way into the house, two bags of groceries swinging from the hand not holding the door for his husband. "I want to watch House Hunters!" he complained again.
Shane let the door swing shut behind him and dumped his own bags onto the counter. "Get OBH on your laptop," a predictable retort.
Ilya rolled his eyes and dodged around Anya's excited greetings to let her out into the back yard. "Noooo. Shane, I want a TV."
Shane shoved the perishable items into the fridge before turning around, his full attention suddenly on the argument. "You've said."
Ilya heard the serious tone immediately. Okay, so they were having an actual conversation then. He leaned back on the dining room table. "People have TVs in their vacation homes all the time. Svetlana could do it without any trouble. Nothing about it would be dangerous."
Shane's face was stone, his jaw was set and his eyes flickering around in a way that told Ilya he wasn't saying something aloud. "I'm not worried about it tracing back to us."
"Then what?" Ilya prodded. He really didn't get why Shane was so resistant to this idea. Ilya missed the nights where he use to curl up with Shane on the couch with the TV murmuring in the background. He missed the excuse to just hold his husband without pretense or expectation. "We had a TV in our old house I don't see what changed."
Shane was silent for a second, a minute. Ilya didn't interrupt his thinking. Ilya could tell Shane was weighing something big, but what he couldn't be sure. He waited, watching as Shane got increasingly agitated. Shane picked up a cereal box and turned to shove it into the wrong cabinet before he stopped and let his head thunk heavy into the wood.
"I would watch hockey," Shane said—like that was some sort of crime that needed confessing to.
Ilya quickly bit back his laugh. What? "Okay…? So you watch hockey?"
That's what Shane was worried about? Did he think Ilya wouldn't be okay with him keeping up with their old sport?
Shane's head slowly turned until he glared at Ilya out of the corner of his eye. Ilya raised his brows in question. Shane turned away from the cabinet and buried his face in his palms. A deep inhale, turned to a ragged exhale, filtered around his palms. Ilya's face scrunched. Shane was hurting, that much was obvious. He just wished he knew how to help.
"No, Ilya." Shane lowered his hands and met Ilya's eyes with an expression that begged for understanding. "That's not- I can't."
Ilya wanted to understand.
"I wouldn't be watching hockey for fun," Shane blurted.
He was trying to understand.
Ilya pushed himself off the table and came forward to cradle Shane's hands in his own. "Then why would you be watching it?"
Shane broke eye contact to stare at the floor. "Because I wouldn't be able to stop myself." It was a whispered admission.
"Shane, I don't understand."
Shane pressed his nose into the four hands clutched between them. "We can't get a TV. I would watch hockey. I can't watch hockey." Shane pulled his hands away. Ilya let him go, but only to free his own arms so he could step closer and wrap his arms around his husband. "You- You can't let me."
Something like fear entered the room. "Then I just won't let you watch hockey?" Ilya offered. He felt Shane's jack-rabbit pulse against his chest. It wasn't the right thing to say.
Anger flashed across Shane's face and he went to pull away. Ilya tightened his hold. Shane made a half hearted attempt to fight him off. Ilya didn't let him. He knew he was messing up but he wasn't going to let Shane push him away, emotionally or physically. Ilya softly stroked his hand up Shane's back. Shane sunk into Ilya's arms, letting Ilya support his weight as his body shook. "You couldn't stop me."
Ilya continued to rub Shane's back. "What do you mean?"
Shane looked up into Ilya's eyes. His lip trembled. "It wouldn't work. I would wait, until you were sleeping, and I would sneak into the living room, and I would watch hockey." His voice broke on the last word. Shane's jaw strained as he clamped his teeth together.
The way he said poured a bucket of ice water down Ilya's back. A lump formed in Ilya's throat and suddenly Ilya wasn't in a petty squabble about a TV. He was looking at someone struggling, remembering images of dark nights with Sasha and pill bottles and vices that only led you deeper into the darkness. Ilya didn't understand what about hockey would hurt, but he didn't have to understand to know that it wasn't good.
"We are not getting a TV." It was final.
Tension rolled out of his husband, his shoulder settling lower. "I'm sorry." Shane's head swung from side to side. "I know you want one."
Ilya wrapped a hand around Shane's head and pulled him into his shoulder. "I am not bringing anything into this house that you would use to hurt yourself."
"Thank you." Shane murmured into his collar. "I'm sorry."
"No. No sorries." Ilya slowly rocked their bodies back and forth. "The Figs already offered me their OHB password. It is very okay."
Shane grumbled unhappily in reply.
Ilya felt a smile tug at his lips. "Shane, look at me." Shane rocked his head sideways on his shoulder so he could meet Ilya's gaze. "I love you," Ilya said. "You are not causing me any strife."
Shane didn't move, just watched Ilya's face from his shoulder. Outside rain began to pelt the window. Soft diffused sunlight bathed their faces as they smiled at each other.
"Shane," Ilya whispered under the white noise. "If there is anything else that makes you feel like you would use it to punish yourself, please, can you tell me?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Shane squeezed Ilya once. "I love you too."
The grin that had been threatening to split Ilya's face finally won. "Ah you remembered to say it back!"
Shane straightened himself. "Oh shut up!" Ilya beamed and pushed his head into Shane's personal space. Shane scrunched up his nose and leaned forward in turn. "Shut up!"
"Make me," Ilya simpered.
Shane made him. They kissed long and languid against the glass as the first rumble of thunder joined the storm.
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Danny and Damian are friends (also known as: Damian has a crush on Danny) PART 15
masterpost PART 14
“-niel.”
Danny’s lost in his thoughts. When did this happen? Was it that first day when they stabbed each other in the hand? Was it that first time Damian had smiled at him back in the free art class the art club offered a couple of months ago?
“Dan-iel.”
Was it that time during English class and listened as the green eyed male clearly read aloud for the class, his slight accent making his tongue roll in a nice way? Or was it when he went looking for Damian at the art club’s room and found him lost in his work? With his vibrant green eyes fixated on his work and a slight pout of concentration settle on his plump lips that were well protected by a coat of lip balm that had made them shiny against the afternoon light-
“Danyal!” Damian calls in that rich accent of his and Danny jumps on his spot, a rosy blush on his dead-pale cheeks at the memory of Damian’s plump lips. A memory that soon becomes present when Danny’s wide eyes lock on Damian’s plump lips as he speaks to him in a voice tainted with worry. “Are you alright? Your body temperature increased.”
“Whaaaaaat? Pfffff, no-I mean, yes, I’m fine.” Danny answers while he first gives a quick glance at their still joined hands and then his gaze goes back up. Cursed stupid ghost biology! “Just my body digesting the food, ya know? I ate quite a bit, ha-ha!” Oh yeah, it was definitely between the English reading and the art club room. Why do I like the dangerous type? It is always someone that can hand me my ass on a platter! Is it a ghost thing?
“Are you sure? It increased a bit again.”
“Yeah! Don’t worry! All good, promise!” Danny hurries to respond. “Either way, how come you can tell?”
“Father makes us take first aid lessons due to all the rogue attacks.” Damian answers with a whole truth. As Gotham’s knights they sometimes have to attend injured civilians and themselves if they get too roughed up.
“Oh, that explains why you could treat us both so fast back on that first day!” Danny says as he smiles with good humor.
“Ugh, do not even remind me. I bet father, Pennyworth and Richard are gonna give me a good earful once you and Woodlock leave for the night.”
“But it was fun!” Danny defends.
“It was an interesting experience.” Damian agrees.
The whole time the pair talked and walked through the hallways their hands stayed held, fingers curled around each other’s, small smiles on their lips and stars shinning in their eyes. They cross on last glass double door, exiting the manor and walking onto one of the many gardens that surround the Wayne’s home.
“Is that the barn?” Danny asks as he points at the lone barn in the distance.
“You’ve got good eyesight.” Damian pleasantly comments.
“*Gasp* Damian, you didn’t tell me you could see the stars from your backyard.” Danny says as he looks up to the sky out curiosity, stopping on his spot to admire the night sky.
Damian first looks at Danny’s face and a smug smile appears on his face at the face of utter wonder and joy. First step, complete. “When the weather gets colder in Gotham, and given the height where the manor is located, the night sky gets significantly clearer during the last of fall and winter. We also have a small observatory, father told me that he and grandmother used to star gaze when he was younger.”
“You have an observatory in your house? And you never told me?! The treason!” Danny exclaims with a dramatic gesture with his free hand.
“If someone wouldn’t get us in trouble so often then maybe I would have remembered to tell you.”
“Are you blaming me for your old man memory?”
“I never said names.”
“Treason I say! Mutiny!” Danny keeps exclaiming.
“Do you still want to meet my cow?”
“Yes, let’s go!”
And just like that they once again make way to the barn.
***
“She’s so pretty!” Danny sings as his eyes fall on the fine figure of Batcow – Damian hasn’t told him her name yet –. “And look at the spot over her eyes! It looks like a bat! Please tell me her name is Batcow.” A manic smile blooms on Danny’s face, clearly finding the whole thing more than amusing.
“That is indeed her name.” Damian nods his head, feeling a little embarrassed of his younger self name choice.
“I knew you had it you, Dami!” Danny laughs.
Batcow is lounging on her space, laying on a comfortable bed of straw that is also happily chewing.
Damian lets go of Danny’s hand and the blue-eyed teen rushes to kneel before the cow, softly caressing between her eyes and on top of her head. “Who is a good cow? The best cow? You are, yes, you are.”
Damian’s heart melts at the sight and a wobbly smile bloom on his lips.
“Do you milk her?” Danny asks as Damian takes a seat by his side.
“Yes, twice a day.” Damian answers as he also starts to pet Batcow.
“What do you do with the milk?”
“She doesn’t produce much. We keep some and give away to rest to family friends.”
“You consume it too?” There is surprise in Danny’s voice.
“I’m vegetarian, Daniel, not vegan. Once in a while I allow myself to indulge in a good glass of milk.”
“I’m surprised we never talked about it; it is a rather big thing for you.” Danny says as he looks at Damian.
“You have always been respectful and very understanding though.” Damian answers as he also looks at Danny.
They both lock gazes, ice-blue on vibrant green, their fingers once again dangerously close on the dirty wood floor, the tips barely touching and both feeling the soft electricity between the tip of their almost touching fingers.
One second… two… three… four…
How long have they been looking at each other again?
“Mooooo.”
Batcow moos, making both young men jump on their spot, both pulling away their fingers and directing their eyes somewhere else as their cheeks flare in red.
“Y-Yeah, well, I’m glad now I know!” Danny stutters.
“Yes.” Damian curtly nods his head.
“We should get back.” Danny says as he stands up. “I-It’s getting late.” He adds as he turns but before he can start walking away…
“Wait!” Damian takes his hand, making Danny turn to look down at him. “There is something I would like to talk with you.” Damian adds and he can feel the fire in his cheeks and the tremor in his voice and the twisting in his guts and the wild pounding of his heart against his ribcage as a sharp cold makes goosebumps bloom on his skin.
“O-oh, ok.” Danny accepts and proceeds to kneel down before Damian.
Damian swallows thickly, feeling like a blob of slime is what is rolling down his throat instead of saliva.
***
“No. Fucking. Way.” Jason whispers to no one in particular as he and the rest of the brood are listening in on Damian and Danny.
The whole week Damian has been so out of himself due to his nerves for the dinner that he didn’t noticed Cass putting little listening devices in the barn just in case Damian took Danny there. Imagine their utter flaggerblasterness when Damian indeed pulled Danny out and took him to the barn?! It took everything in Dick to not scream in utter glee as Jason and Cass held him down to not start jumping around, Steph started to hit Tim’s arm and Duke made a silent scream of “Let’s fucking go!”
“Shh! Let me listen!” Tim whispered back.
At that Dick and Steph proceeded to cover Jason’s mouth with their hands as they cover their own mouth with their other hand.
“You are the most charming person I have met so far.” Damian says through the radio device.
“Shut uuuuup.” Duke silently mouths.
“Fuck.” Tim silently mouths.
Cass and Dick are holding hands now while Jason and Steph are covering each other mouths.
“I like you… romantically I mean. I… would you go on a date with me?” Damian says through the radio.
The tension the room rises; it is so tense you can cut it with a piece of foam!
No one moves. No one breaths. No one dares to nothing!
“I…” Danny’s voice is heard and…
“What are you lot doing in here?” Alfred speaks as he turns on the light of the room. Completely speaking over Danny’s answer.
Summary: Robotnik finally learns what it meant when he gave Stone his collar
Warning: sexual innuendo, references to knots
Part 1 Part 14 Part 16
--
Robotnik sat leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees while he stared at his steepled hands intently. Across the living room, Walters was quietly arguing over the phone, rubbing at his forehead in frustration.
After calling Dr. Vox, Robotnik had quickly messaged Walters as well.
A fugitive Hybrid showed up on my doorstep
Walrers hadn't been happy to be woken up by that text at 3 in the morning. In fact, he had yelled at Robotnik for the first time in years.
It wasn't as if Robotnik asked for Rockwell to show up! Especially injured by her own hand!
Luckily, Vox was a better sport at being woken up and requested to do emergency care on a random Hybrid. Although, she had promptly kicked Robotnik out of the room to stitch up Rockwell. Something to do with Rockwell's stress levels.
But she had let Stone stay.
Jaw clenching, Robotnik glared harder at his hands.
He didn't like how close Stone and Rockwell were.
Not only was Rockwell wearing Stone's clothes, she only calmed down when Stone would touch her. Stone himself was hovering over her, his ears flat as he tried to keep in a whine of worry.
When Robotnik had been kicked out of the room, he had seen Stone kneeling next to the bed, his hands clasped around one of Rockwell's.
What did it all mean?
Sure, Robotnik had seen Rockwell's old, dirty and bloody clothes in the trash. No doubt she didn't have time to take anything with her. Not to mention, she and Stone were the same height which meant it was logical that she could wear his clothes.
But why!?
Couldn't Stone have figured something else out rather than let her wear his clothes? It felt far too intimate.
And why were they so touchy feely?
Yes, Stone was the same way with him. If either of them were hurt, Stone would calm significantly if they had physical contact. Even small brushes of their hands would have Stone relaxing and smiling, his tail wagging. When he had been recovering, sometimes the only thing that would settle Stone down was having him sit in Robotnik's lap. He would cuddle closer and fall asleep he was so relaxed.
But why did Stone have to touch Rockwell so casually!?
All of this was leading to a conclusion Robotnik didn't even want to consider.
Surely it wasn't possible Stone and Rockwell were more than friends?
So lost in thought, Robotnik jerked slight as Walters roughly sat down across from him on the other couch. Walters looked exhausted as he leaned back and massaged his temples. So frantic to get over to Robotnik's lab, he had thrown his military jacket over his pajamas, not bothering to get dressed.
"So?" Robotnik raised an eyebrow.
"The Hybrid Division is not happy," Walters sighed.
"Who the fuck cares what they think?"
"We do!" Walters snapped. "Especially when they're the ones who can declare Rockwell a traitor."
"Hmmm." Robotnik looked away. He didn't enjoy dealing with a snippy Walters. He much more preferred the jovial old man facade Walters usually wore.
"Since she ran away from her post, they want her to report back to the breeding program," Walters explained. "I insisted that she was too injured to be moved. We have until she's healed to figure out what to do with her."
Robotnik glanced over at the closed door that held the two Hybrids and Dr. Vox.
"I'll take her on as a second agent."
Walters head snapped up, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head as he stared at Robotnik.
"You?" His eyebrows hit his hairline. "Since when do you take any agent on?"
"I've had Stone for over a year," Robotnik glared. "A second Hybrid agent wouldn't be that unusual."
"Dog Hybrids do work well in groups," Walters hummed thoughtfully.
That comment had Robotnik's frown. The reason neither Stone nor Rockwell were forced into the breeding program earlier was due to them pretending to hate each other. Would the Hybrid Division believe that the two of them could suddenly work together again?
Shaking his head, Robotnik decided to figure that issue out later. Their excuse didn't need to make sense; as long as the Division didn't come knocking on their door again, then it was fine.
"The soon White is gone, the better," Robotnik glanced at Walters. The man nodded heavily, his face severe.
"Dr. Robotnik?"
Jumping to his feet, Robotnik smoothed his clothes out and reflectively brought a finger up to recurl his mustache. Dr. Vox greeted him with a tired smile.
Her hair was normally in a small afro but at the moment she was wearing a silk bonnet. She had been able to bring a set of scrubs before running over to the lab.
"Rochelle's all stitched up."
"Who?"
"The other Hybrid?" Vox raised an eyebrow.
"Right. Yes. Did she actually stab her uterus?"
"No. She was lucky she didn't actually nick anything important or else I would have moved her to the actual clinic. She will have to take things easy for a few weeks, but she'll be fine."
"And on the official report?"
Vox smirked slightly.
"It'll take a couple of months for her to be up and about."
Robotnik let out a quiet breath. That gave them plenty of time.
"For now," Vox continued. "Bedrest and limited movement. I think Stone will help her recovery."
"Really?"
Vox chuckled.
"If they didn't look so different, I'd say they were from the same litter."
"Litter?"
"You know, like siblings," Vox explained. "Stone said they were on the same team for years, it's not unusual for people to develop close relationships like that."
"Right..."
"Anyway," Vox's mouth cracked open into a yawn as her words slurred. "If there's anything else, give me a call. Have a good night."
Robotnik let Walters walk her out as he tentatively approached the bedroom door. It was right next to his own room, originally the room he was going to have Stone move into before deciding to let the Hybrid sleep with him.
Opening the door, he found Rockwell propped up on a few pillows with Stone sitting next to her, her head resting on his shoulder.
They both looked ready to fall asleep.
"Stone, go get ready for bed."
Stone's nodded, his movements slow as he gently pushed away from Rockwell. She let out a small growl and snapped her teeth at Stone, but there wasn't any force behind it.
Watching Stone slink away, Robotnik turned back to Rockwell.
While her body was lax, her eyes were still sharp.
"I'm having it arranged to take you on as a second agent."
"Thank you."
The room fell silent as they stared at each other, assessing. After a few moments, Robotnik stepped closer to the bed, not taking his eyes off Rockwell's.
"You said you came here because I gave Stone a collar. What did you mean by that?"
"I meant that I could trust you," Rockwell narrowed her eyes.
"But what does the collar have to do with this?"
Rockwell's expression turned suspicious as she eyed him up and down.
"You do know what a collar signifies, right?"
"I..."
Robotnik was sure that no matter what he said, Rockwell would only judge him even more.
"Stone said you were smart."
"I have five PhDs!"
"But know nothing about Hybrids even though you live with one," she snorted. "Dumbass."
"I can easily throw you out," he snarled through clenched teeth.
"Don't get your panties in a twist," Rockwell rolled her eyes. "Would you give someone a ring randomly?"
"No?"
"So why would you give a Hybrid a collar without knowing what it meant?"
"I didn't think it meant anything," Rockwell mumbled. "I wanted to show everyone who Stone belonged to."
"Congrats. You did just that."
Robotnik glared.
"In certain Hybrid circles," Rockwell up straighter with a grunt. "A collar signifies a lot. Usually, when a human gives a Hybrid a collar, it means they have brought them into their family. They respect and love the Hybrid enough to see them as someone they want to protect. The collar is a physical representation of the agreement that you will take care of that Hybrid. Sometimes, when a human who is single gives that collar to a Hybrid who is also single, it also represents a more romantic relationship."
She sent him a sharp look.
Oh.
Oh.
"So, what did you mean by giving him the collar?" Rockwell pressed. "Because he might see it completely differently from you."
Swallowing dryly, Robotnik didn't know.
He wanted the world to know that if they ever messed with Stone, they would have to deal with him. He also wanted Stone to know that Robotnik had chosen him; he wanted Stone to stay and would never send him away.
Was there more to it?
"W-what does he think it meant?" Robotnik glanced at Rockwell out of the corner of his eye.
"I don't know," Rockwell shrugged. "But, if he shows you his knot, I think you'll figure it out."
"His what!?"
"Don't worry," Rockwell smirked, something devious sparking in her eyes. "He likes to be the one taking a knot. I'm sure you can figure out how to give him one."
Robotnik's face was on fire as Rockwell snickered.
"He really likes doggy style."
That was it!
Without another word, Robotnik retreated. Slamming the door behind him, he felt his heart trying to hammer its way out of his chest.
He couldn't get the image of Stone on all fours, completely naked, out of his head.
"Damn her!" Robotnik hissed. For all he knew, she was lying and trying to rile him up.
Shaking his head to desperately get those thoughts out, he turned and walked the short distance to his own room. Opening the door, he found Stone already curled up in the bed.
Since he had given his own sweats to Rockwell, Stone was wearing the pajamas Robotnik had loaned him so long ago.
"Hmm? Doctor?" Stone's eyes cracked open as he saw Robotnik standing in the doorway. The blanket moved as Stone's tail wagged underneath it. "Coming to bed?"
"Yeah..."
Robotnik's smile matched Stone's as he got ready for bed.
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warnings: smoking, mentions of smoking as an unhealthy coping mechanism, talks of quitting(?)
fourteen | fifteen | sixteen
The moment she slid into the passenger seat of the now familiar car on Wednesday afternoon, she wrinkled her nose. It wasn’t too obvious—not like she meant to do it—but Lando caught it immediately. Her face didn’t quite scrunch, but her lips pressed together, and she shifted slightly like she was trying to put some distance between herself and the lingering scent in the car.
It had been a bad night. A bad fucking night. Lando had barely slept, the nicotine still sitting thick in his lungs after going through nearly half a pack while trying to cool off. He thought he’d aired the car out enough, but apparently not.
“You smoke?” she asked, her voice light but laced with something he couldn’t quite name.
Lando barely flicked a glance her way before putting the car in drive. “Not really.”
She gave him a look. The kind that made it clear she didn’t buy his bullshit but wasn’t going to press him on it either. “Oh,” she murmured.“It smells like smoke in here.”
Lando barely paused as he shifted gears, glancing at her with a blank expression. “Does it?”
She sniffed again, like she was double-checking, then nodded. The thick scent of tobacco hit the back of her throat with every inhale, forcing her to breathe it in through her nose instead. “Yeah.”
He played it cool, turning his attention back to the road. “Must’ve been the guy who had it before me.”
She frowned slightly. “You let people borrow your cars?”
Ah, fuck.
“Not usually,” he said smoothly. Lando played dumb, shifting the car into drive. “Why?”
She shot him a look before waving a hand slightly in front of her face. “Because it reeks in here.”
He exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly like he was considering it. “Huh. Must’ve been the guy parked next to me then.”
Not that I own my own private three-story garage or anything.
She didn’t look convinced.
He kept his expression neutral, his grip on the steering wheel relaxed. She wasn’t stupid—he knew that. But he also wasn’t about to sit here and talk about why he had needed a cigarette so badly after what had gone down the night before.
She turned to the window, clearly put off by the lingering scent, and he caught the way she subtly pulled at the collar of her sweater, like she wanted to block out the smell completely. She fidgeted with the collar of her shirt before deciding it’d be rude to show her distaste so blatantly, instead opting to fidget with her fingers in her lap. Her fingers curled against her thigh, her shoulders tensed just the tiniest bit.
Interesting.
The next day, he brought a different car.
He didn’t acknowledge it. She didn’t bring it up. But when she got in, there was no wrinkling of her nose, no slight shift of discomfort. Instead, when she noticed the scented dangling tree ornament hanging from the rearview mirror, there was a twinkle in her eye.
This car was swirling with the artificial scent of french vanilla – much warmer and sweeter than the overwhelming haze they’d had to inhale the day prior. Instinctively, she smiled.
Huh, it smells nice in here.
Warm scents always had been her favorite, with her always stopping to smell candles that smell like vanilla or snickerdoodle or s’mores whenever she found herself at the mall. And now, her lips curled in a subconscious display of approval as she sat beside him, before she began to delve into all the details of her day.
It was stupid how much that pleased him.
A week later, his boys started noticing.
“Alright,” Max Fewtrell said, arms crossed, watching Lando fidget with something in his hands. “Enough of this shit. You’re fidgety as fuck, mate. What the fuck is going on with you?” He eyed Lando, watching the way his fingers twitched slightly on the table. “You good?”
“What d’you mean?” Lando muttered, scowling as he flicked an unlit cigarette between his fingers. He exhaled sharply, tapping his fingers against the table. He’d been doing that a lot lately. Twitching. Tapping. Clenching his jaw. Running his hand through his hair. All the fucking things he used to do before he ever picked up a cigarette.
Max Verstappen raised an eyebrow. “You’re miserable.”
“I am not miserable!” Lando snapped, then hesitated, rubbing a hand down his face.
Deep breaths. Get your shit together Norris. For fuck’s sake.
“Okay, maybe a little. But nothin’ more than usual, you muppets.”
Carlos Sainz paused in the middle of their game of pool, watching his boss like the kid was a puzzle missing half its pieces. “Didn’t you just buy a fresh pack the other day?”
Ah, so there’s a brain in there after all.
“Yeah,” Fewtrell agreed, his analytical gaze scanning Lando from head to toe and back again. “And then I saw you throw it in the bin an hour later.”
Can’t you ever mind your own fuckin’ business?
Lando snarled in nor particular direction, twirling the unlit cigerette between his fingers while he stared at it as if it had personally offended him. If he stared at it any harder, the poor thing would likely disintegrate.
Daniel Ricciardo, ever the opportunist, grinned wide and knowing. Mirth danced in those warm brown eyes. “I mean, hey, if you’re quitting, you could just say so.”
Lando let out a sharp breath, leaning against the counter. As soon as he pocketed the stupid cigarette, his fingers twitched like they wanted something to hold. A moment later, he had his lighter out instead, flicking it on and off in repetitive motions. “It’s not quitting.”
Fewtrell narrowed his eyes. “It looks like quitting.”
Daniel snorted. “Bullshit. You’ve been chewing gum like it’s your last meal and looking pissed off for the last three days.”
Fewtrell narrowed his eyes. “You are quitting.” He grinned. “What, you on a sudden health kick? Givin’ up joints for spring rolls?”
Lando sighed through his nose, his jaw tightening slightly. He didn’t even like smoking—never had, not really. It was just something that came with the job, something that filled the space between the cracks.
But now? Now it was annoying him. He found himself thinking about it in a way he never had before.
Max Verstappen lifted a brow, actually looking up from his phone. “Since when do you give a shit about that?”
Lando scowled. “It’s just—” He exhaled through his nose, frustrated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well– Erm, it’s– It’s just not right, y’know?”
Silence.
Carlos exchanged a glance with Fewtrell. Verstappen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Daniel just looked amused, using every once of self control not to burst out laughing in front of everyone. Oh, this was hilarious.
The guys exchanged glances.
Not right? Since when did Lando give a shit about right and wrong?
Carlos raised a brow. “Since when do you care?”
Lando didn’t answer. Instead, he flicked the lighter shut, shoving it into his pocket.
Fewtrell tilted his head. “Not right… how?”
And since when? He wanted to ask. You’ve been smokin’ a pack a week since you were old enough to reach the checkout counter at the corner store, so what’s this bullshit?
Lando pushed off the counter, grabbing his car keys. “Don’t worry about it.”
Daniel grinned. “Ohhh, I see.”
Lando barely looked up from where he was flipping a lighter between his fingers. “Dunno what you’re talking about. Y’don’t see shit,” Lando muttered, flipping him off as he walked out the door.
Daniel’s grin widened. “Whatever you say, boss.”
a/n: if this feels too filler again, i'm sorry. i'm just trying to build their dynamic a bit, but hopefully the upcoming chapters will be more interesting for you guys. thank you for reading!
Trafalgar Law was a man of many things. He could be a cold and ruthless Merman, however, he wasn't heartless. Against every single ounce of his being screaming at himself to let Absolam perish by his own hands. He controlled himself; choosing to send him back to Doflamingo in pieces, except for his heart. Law kept it as a reminder who had control over his very life.
Law used his baby snail to contact Penguin, Shachi Bepo and Ikkaku in on the current situation while you slept tangled in the sheets and clinging onto his waist as he mindlessly brushed his long, inked, tanned fingers through your messy hair. "If word spread to Dressrosa, then it's highly likely the rest of the four blues knows." Law concluded, fingers leaving your silky tresses to cover you with the sheet and blanket to stave off the early morning chill of the room.
"Your mate is our family now Captain." Bepo spoke up, holding the snail in his paw.
"And my friend." Ikkaku added, clenching her gloved fists.
"Yeah, Cap." Penguin joined in smiling. "We'd all fight for her -" Shachi cut him off.
"The same as we do for you," Shachi beamed, bidding his head as he continued talking into the snail. "It isn't every day that our Captains woman falls out of the sky, right?"
Law paused, a hint of a smile forming. "Don't wait up for us, go ahead and eat breakfast-"
Bepo covered his mouth with a paw, blushing. "Captain? Are you going to play hooky to mate with your female?" The tiny snail blushes, mimicking the polar bear mink.
Law blushed a bright red, which became noticeable from his snail coping his facial expression too. "No!" He bit out, forcing himself to remain calm and not stutter. His heartbeat betraying him, pounding and skipping a beat. He might have been hoping to wake you up by give you oral sex and one more round before heading down to the mess hall for breakfast. He can't do that now. "I need to explain last night with her."
All four of the Heart Pirates paused and blinked. "That doesn't sound like you at all, Captain." Ikkaku spoke first.
Penguin and Shachi wore matching smug grins.
"Oooo, too caught up playing the devils tango, huh?" Penguin teased.
"Shut up, Pen," Law warned, feeling another flutter of butterflies and ripple of heat coiling knots in his belly and traveling southward. He thought finally claiming his mate would mellow out his lusts and desire, however, it seemed the opposite was happening. He craved to cling onto you, completely lovesick, and unable to separate from you. His obsession, devotion and intoxication fogging his brain once more.
"Damn, he's even more scary and testy after having-" Shachi, Ikkaku, Bepo and Penguin all covered the man's mouth before he could finish that sentence.
"What was that?" Law asked, false calmness and a heated edge, dimming the sweltering heat of his desire, but not completely extinguishing it.
"Nothing." Bepo squeaked.
The others nodded along.
An awkward silence followed before Law rerouting the conversation back to the main topic at hand. "Alright, enough horsing around." Law sighed, rubbing his already aching forehead. "We'll head up soon."
"Aye, aye, captain." All four of members of The Heart Pirates shouted and then hung up.
Law covered his face with the back of his hand. "Trouble, trouble, nothing but trouble." He grumbles, even as a hint of a smile broke out on his face. "Guess, they aren't so bad." Glancing downward at you, uncovering his face, smiling and toying with a strand of your messy hair, bringing it to his lips and kissed it, then inhaling your scent. The sea salt, coconut and lilac scents claimed his nerves, he wanted to take the day off and remain in bed with you and continue holding you in his arms.
But he knew he couldn't.
Law gathered his mate into his arms. Your warmth was welcoming and soothing. He held you close, brushing the top of your head with his lips and allowing his heartbeat to steady, tired and sore muscles untense and relax. Your scent mixed with his own drifted, lingering near his nose and filling his lungs. He placed you down gently, crawling over your body, sitting near the edge of the bed, stretching and feeling the tension within his body slowly begin to fade. Law knew he could be ruthless, whether he believed the right actions called for it, only towards his enemies and possible dangers.
Law opted for the latter, shifting his weight to stare down at your peaceful, sleeping face. The merman leaned down and peppered your face with light kisses, earning a string of giggles from the sleeping woman snuggled and squished against his body and the mattress. "It's time to wake up, my love," he whispered into the shell of your ear, amused when he felt you twitching as his breath tickled.
You groaned and stirred, unblinking, and then opening your eyes, meeting bright silvers. "Good morning, Law." You smiled sleepily at him and intertwined your fingers with his own.
"Good mornin'." He whispered back, bringing the hand to his lips and kissing it.
You stared at him for a long moment, noticing the dark cycles underneath his eyes were more prominent than usual. “You look tired,” you whispered softly. It wasn’t a challenge or mocking sort of way; simply an observing being spoken aloud.
Law could hide his true feelings from the crew or himself, but never from his mate. It wasn’t the tiredness from lack of sleep, but something deeper within psyche. It was the uneasy tiredness and impatience of waiting. The restlessness of his crew, himself and his mate remaining unmoving for far too long for his liking.
Law’s answer broke through the stillness. He moved his body, shifting in a slow and precise motion. "Come let's bath, then eat." You watched his head turn to give you his full and undivided attention; fully facing you.
A smile broke out across your face. You cupped his cheek, watching him sigh, closing his eyes and nuzzle into your palm as you rise to bring him into a sweet and tender kiss. "Kiss me first, please?"
Law can't deny you when you say please like that. "Such a spoiled brat I have for a mate." He mumbles, chuckling softly against your mouth. His eyes half open, heavy-lidded, the silvers of his iris' glowing a deep, dark golden hues. Love, dark hunger and longing shining within. "Then again, I promised you such luxuries, hadn't I?" He answered his own question without deny it.
The fire burning and searing your skin caused your own libido to reawaken and answer his own silent beckoning. "It's too late to take everything back now." You tease, crawling shamelessly into his lap, your lower half brushing his semi hard member, the silky heat forced an animalistic hiss and pleasure grunt to escape his laps and a gasp from yours.
"Keep teasing and you won't make it past our love nest, my treasure." He warns lightly, his eyes darkening a brighter shade and dilating. His hands immediately find your hip, pulling you closer, buckling his hips upward and feasting on your mouth falling open, breasts swaying forward and your goosebump covered body trembling in earnest within his arms. "Unless you want me to ravage and ruin you again?" He raises a brow, acting innocent, lips quirking higher. "You'd like that wouldn't you?" He hums, brushing his hot mouth across the corner of your lips, trailing downward until his breath fans the column of your neck and his claiming mark.
"You know, I do, Law." You moan, clinging tighter onto him, rolling and rocking your hips against his own. "Don't tease me."
"I can't let you have all of the run, now, can I?" Law retaliates, tangling his hand in your hair, his fangs sharpening, his scales protruding through his skin and his voice deepening into a low, husky growl. Your desire and liquid honey informing him of your sex wetting itself for him drawing a pleased groan. "I've been dying to bred you in the water." He admits, his face growing flustered with an honest flush of arousal. "Can we try, please?" He begs softly, licking, sucking and nibbling gently on your mark.
You couldn't deny him, even if you wanted to resist. "I'm willing to try."
A wave of happiness penetrated through the brain fog of desires. A true smile breaking out across his face. "If you don't like it," He reminds you, backing off the beg and carrying you along with him. "We can stop at any time."
You hum, caressing your fingers along his strong jaw.
"I need your answer and permission." A faint grin touching his mouth.
You blushed this time, bringing your fingertips closer to his mouth, watching his firm and cool lips open to lick and nibble on them. "Yes, Law." His mouth warm and moist. "I'm willing to try anything with you." The simple action and smallest of caresses sending shivers of awareness and greediness down your spine. "Does that make me too selfish?" You swallow the lump stuck in your throat, silently urging and begging him not to stop the beginning of this all-consuming flames and fire flooding your veins and hearts. Hoping this passion and obsession never fizzles out or grows cold.
He doesn't raise his voice, sound offended or annoyed. "Don't be ashamed of being honest with yourself or telling me your desires." He whispered finally, desperation ringing in his voice. Desperation. Desperate to lightly drag his growing claws and sharp fangs along every inch of your skin. His stomach tied up in knots so tight he could no longer think straight, his heart could still hear your melody of pleasure cries and moans, he couldn't get enough. He needed to hear them again so much more than the very air he breathed.
As you continue to stare into his spell bound eyes, Law sneaks a hand off the curve of your hip, gliding his palm upwards, following every swell and trace of skin along the way until it curls around your neck, not enough pressure to hurt, gentle and drawing your attention back to him; the merman physician can feel the thump of your pulse jumping beneath your cream, kiss and love bite covered skin. With the mating bond and claim in place, you could never be free of him. No matter wherever you go, no matter how far; he'll find you, chase you down to the ends of the earth, heaven or hell. You are his mate, his woman and female now. He'd rather become a heartless demon than lose his female.
He wanted you day and night. His dreams and daily life reflexed that desire know. Same way, your own secret sirens song had captured him and lead him to finally finding you. Law didn't like being chained down to anyone or anything after his rough childhood, plagued with death, disease and the constant survival; and yet, at the same time, he craved you, needed you, wanted to wrap your body around his and feel himself deep inside you, possess you, reclaim you and never ever leave.
You leaned closer. "Oh, Law, please kiss me." You moaned, helpless to escape his embrace and shadows seduction now.
Law's stomach somersaulted as his breath hitched. His inhuman burning gaze lower to your lips. The merman was already far too deep and close to fully losing his cool composure to remask and rebuild his icy, cold stone marble exterior to backpaddle. Leaning in closer, his hand tangling within your hair, held you tight, ruthless, leaving no room for escape and quickly took control before any other interruptions or misfortune dared break the hazy lust and love filled filter cast between the two of you. "Kiss me yourself, little mate," he commanded, his voice soft and tender. Liquid, smoldering and infectious molten lava ignited within his veins and close to bursting. "Show me, the Will of D and conquerors spirit, I know is buried deep inside you." His lips and heated, bared breath ghosted over your lips.
Your nails raked down his back, hips moved and slide over his throbbing, heavy swollen and erect member between his thighs, earning a groaning hiss and pleasure growl from the merman beneath you. "If you are trying to challenge me, then you won't win easily." You narrowed your eyes, inner fire rising to his provocation and unfair teasing.
Law barked out a laugh. "That's the idea." His hands repositioning themselves along your hips to help guide you further down, wrapping your legs around his hips, lowering your wet lower lips to continue rubbing and coating him in your combining slick and his precum; sending another burst of delicious white heat and molten hellfire licking his skin.
Your head falls back. "Law." Your voice raw with uncontrolled desire. Your own hands wander and roam before settling on the back of his neck and his shoulder to help hold yourself steady. You didn't know when you lowered your hips and impaled yourself on his thick, hot cockhead until the first stretch caused your body to jolt and your heard yourself release another scandalous, mouthwatering moan. God, you needed him. You need this early morning release. You couldn't explain it. Perhaps, you were finally feeling the sparks and aftershocks of the mate bond Law often spoke about? Being human and merman didn't matter anymore. Not when you were two joined, one and experiencing the purist, highest form of sexual pleasure and love. "I- fuck-" You rolled your hips and sunk down lower, "need you... needed you until I can't think anymore." You confessed, tears stinging your eyes, already overwhelmed and overjoyed by all of these new feelings and experiences.
"You have me," Law's rolls into the back of his head, kneading your hips in-between licking your skin and leaving deep sensual and heated kisses along every inch surrounding your throat and claiming mark. "Take ahold of your pleasure first," he groans, eyes refocusing on your lewd expression, rumbling purrs of approval vibrate deep from his chest. "It's so sexy seeing you like this." His cool lips soothing and reigniting flickering blaze carnal lust anew.
The world spun and became a blur.
Nothing else taking over your thoughts than taking everything Law had to offer and demand more. You gave yourself completely to him. Leaning forward to recapture his mouth, exploring, sliding and twisting your tongue with his until you forgot how to breath, until your lungs burned and demanded air. You reluctantly pulled away and gasped breathlessly for every heated breath you could inhale into your body. "You are the most goddamn sexiest merman in the world; do you know that?" You finally said, sliding the palm of your hand away from his shoulder to brush away wet strands of his thick, jet black, unruly strands of his own hair out of his face. His flushed face, blooming a darker and deeper hues of pink.
"I may have been told by this cute little songstress once or twice, yes," His mouth twitches and quirked higher, a cocky smirk visible for your view pleasure.
You narrow your eyes at him, tangling your hand into the roots, grabbing a fistful and yanking. "This songstress will own your merman dick." You sunk and slammed the remaining inches and your fully body weight down until your thick, plush thighs hit the top of his, which quivering and had his eyes rolling upon impact.
"Fuck, Y/n," He half groaned and whimpered. "It's yours, own it." His adam's apple bobbed. "Take me, I'm yours. Forever." His hand clawed and dug into your hips, fighting to remain still and not thrust and bounce you in his lap. Giving you complete control over him and his body.
Your breasts ached, feeling tender and swollen against his hard, panting chest. Your eyes softened. "As I am, yours." You begin to move again, starting with experimental movement and bounces, slow and sensual, lazy and deep. "God, you are deep inside." You keen higher, rising and falling with every dip and drag of your inner walls becoming wetter, hotter and fully opening up to his invasion into your tight sheath which felt like heaven.
"I belong to you and only you, my love," Law's eyes fall half shut, soul piercing amber golds bright with a new liquid fire and submission. "I'll take everything you give me... just... move faster, please." He whispers, lost and breathless, begging.
Your insides clench and flutter around his length. "Will you give me every last drop of your cum, baby?" You purred, watching the whites of his eyes flood to black and pupils dilate. His cock throbs and swells harder inside with another powerful jump and pulse matching his strong and fierce heartbeat. Drawing a gasp from your already parted mouth.
"Yes," he moans, nodding his head vigorous. "If that is what my beloved songstress desires." His brows furrowed, pinched together as if he's in pain. He's so hard, it's painful. He's look at you as if he'd simply die on the spot, if you don't fuck his brains out. Right now. Right here. Tangled together once more in your secret haven and love nest.
You didn't hold back anymore. Pride and self-control blown into the wind as you gave into what felt natural. The sheets rustling, bed creaking and groaning beneath your combined weight and movement. "Tell me again." You moan, pressing your forehead against his own, staring deep into his love and sex drunk gaze. "Tell me you love me."
"I love you, my songstress." He babbled without hesitation. "Love you, my mate." Whispers of devotion falling faster from his kiss swollen, firm mouth. "My earthy goddess." Pleasure shivers and tingles, boiling hotter and coursing in rapid, new heights and volts of electricity, spreading throughout every nerve ending within his body.
A highly erotic note and pleasure cry bubbled out from somewhere deep from the very core of your being. You were feeling feverish all over. Was Law's heat transferring into your own body? You were sensitive, dripping, couldn't stop, couldn't part from him; just continued bouncing in his lap. Your breasts and meat of your ass jingling, bouncing and recoiling with every slap of your skin smacking against his. Your cheeks burned. Your arousal no doubt soaked the mattress now. Staining the sheets. The lewd thought alone made you quicken your pace and using every ounce of strength you possessed to fuck yourself stupid on his dick, harder, faster. Breathing in his scent, his male musk, the thick air of sex and euphoria.
Law thought if any male or female merfolk were to walk past his room, then their mixing scents and pheromones would drive anyone into a premature rut and chain reaction stupor. A low growl vibrated out of his chest at the idea of a feral or unworthy male even catching an eyeful of his pretty mess of a female. "You are taking me so well, my treasure." Observing you like a drug addicted, never satisfied until their next fix. The connected and bond between you two were growing stronger, deeper; he could feel it. Moonflower, saltwater breeze and his own scent making his mouth water for more of your taste and sweet juices spilling down below. His eyes never left your flushed face, the frantic and controlled rhythm of your beautiful body rising and falling, up and down, then switching it up to rock and roll your hips, grinding down on him. "Let me help, my sweet." He hums, raising his pelvis to hide at a deeper angle and stimulating your neglected, swollen and throbbing clitoris against his pelvis bone.
You jump, hips stuttering and jerking; causing you to momentarily pause and your mouth falling wide as a gasp left your trembling and breathless lips. "St-" you stumble over your words, swallowing thickly. "Stay there. Feels amazing!" You squeezed your eyes shut tight, starting again and kept chasing that new toe-curling feeling.
A twinge of pride spreads beneath his chest. "Gladly." His unabashed smugness was sexy as hell, burning you inside and out.
You didn't care if you were lost in his trap. You didn't want to escape. Law was already buried deep in your insides, and he wasn't going anywhere else. If anyone dared try to yank him away from you, he's not leaving without a fight. This mind-blowing, ravenous craving and desperate hunger for more of his little mate wasn't going to be wiped away from his body, his mind or soul anytime soon. This need wasn't going to simply disappear. The symptoms would ease, then come back at full strength until his inner beast, himself and his fated mate were left boneless and satisfied. It wasn't just sex - not a cheap, pale substitute of a hole that needed to be fucked and wrecked, it was you. His woman seeking him, clinging onto him and her sirens song furiously calling out to his very soul.
Your sound, scent, body heat, weight; every single molecule that had up you enchanted and ensnared him. "Let me take over." He advised, noting you were slowly faltering and lowing stamina, becoming winded and shaking from overexertion. Waiting for your permission, even if his inner beast growled and snapped in impatience, brushing against his overly tense and knotted muscles beneath his sweat induced skin. "Give you a break."
You stopped, raising your eyes to meet his eyes and taking in a calming breath. "If it isn't too much-Oh!" Law cut you off, gripping tight onto the swell of your hips and slamming you back down, keeping you stock-still and moving his own hips upwards. You clung tighter onto him, feeling hot, stuffed full and still aching for more. Your insides silently agreeing, clenching tight when Law continued to plug your greedy, needy hole with his cock. "Right there!" You whine.
"Feel good?" Law asked, nibbling on your earlobe with the scrap of his sharp teeth.
"So good," You whimper, mindlessly clawing down his back. "Law, there!" His claiming mark heating up, throbbing and pulsating in time with your stimulated clit.
Law's deep, pleased, rumbling purr awakened another black velvet litter of goosebumps and shivers along your spine. "Then, don't hold back and hold on tight, for me, yeah?" He continued to pound into you with new renowned vigor, supernatural speed and strength. His heavy testicles bouncing and smacking the cack of your rear, stimulating them. "Shit-" he cursed beneath his breath; he's been too pend up and now he fears he won't last from the extra stimuli. "Might not last." He pants, leaning down to suck a new mark on top of your breast and then the other.
"Fill me up, Law." You murmur breathlessly, cradling his head closer, nearly suffocating him in your cleavage. "Don't pull out!" you wrap your legs around his waist, digging your heels into the small of his back, should he try to yank you off of him.
Law's breath hitched. "If you end up pregnant too soon." Law wouldn't mind; although, he didn't want to force you to become carry his child, if you didn't really mean it. Tried to rationality to reason with himself why now was not a safe time to impregnant you.
"Gimme your cum, Law!" You huff, snapping at him. You yanked his head back and kiss him hard, plunging your tongue into his mouth, quickly stealing the air from his lungs and sucked on his warm muscle. "Gimme, gimme, I fucking want it!"
You didn't have to tell him twice. The merman whimpers and moans filled your mouth. "My essence... my cum... it's yours, my love..." He's body trembled and tightened, his orgasmic marching faster than he'd anticipated. "C-Coming, oh, fuck," another muffled sob and choked grunt fell out of his lips. "Y/n!"
"Yes! Gimme all of it!" You keen louder, trembling and quaking, drooling. "Law! Oh, God, Law!" Your head fell back as you climaxed the moment the first thick, white, warmth and heat of his cum hit your womb. "Thank you," you babbled without realizing. Your heels and nails sunk deep into his flesh, drawing blood.
The stinging pain mixed with the pleasure as he snarled around your breast, sinking his teeth your own skin to create a new claiming mate. Your blood filling his mouth and sliding down his throat. Law's eyes disappeared into the back of his head. The last spurt of his cum spilled inside your body.
You both were left leaning against each other, breathless, panting, sweating and weak.
You laughed, a genuine laugh. "Goddamn." You turn your head, your hot breath tickling his sensitive, pierced ear. "Is morning sex supposed to be that intense or are we just that compatible?"
Law shuddered; a weak chuckle echoed throughout the room. "Our bond and compatibility are key factors, yes." He kissed the edge of your brow, then your nose and recapturing your lips. It was only when he tasked iron and copper did he remember that he'd accidently bitten you a little too hard. He pulled away quickly, animalistic eyes zeroing in on the new mark. "Dammit, I'm sorry." Guilt already eating away at him.
You weren't angry. "It's fine." You cupped his solum cheeks with both hands and smile. "More badges of honor and proof of our mating bond, right?"
Law didn't speak. He frowned deeply.
"Hey, I didn't say for my merman to become a pout blowfish." You said, pouting and poking him in the nose. "None of that, mister."
"I'm not pouting." Law snapped awake.
"Oh, yes, you are." You giggle, brushing the pad of your thumb over his flushed face heating further.
"No." Law stubbornly shook his head, the white and silver returning to his eyes. "Hey, you're cheating." He grunts, feeling your inner walls squeezing his already sensative and overstumulated shaft.
"I didn't know we were playing such a game?" You commented, smirking. "You should have clarified." You raised a brow. "Guess, I win, then?"
"I said no such thing." Law fired back.
The transponder snail beside the bed began to ring, drawing Law's attention and gaze away from you.
Law sighed, pushing you onto your back and reached for the snail phone without exiting your canal. "What?" He answered, waiting for whoever called on the other end to begin speaking. "Yes. yes, we are coming."
You quickly covered your mouth, giggling to yourself and the double inuendo registering, resulting in your insides clamping and squeezing him again; drawing a breathless hiss from the merman inside you.
"Shut up, pen." Law growled weakly, his face becoming redder. "Yes, you and the rest can finish off the lemon granola clusters." He deadpanned and added, "Save some for Y/n, you gluttons. Bye." He groaned in frustration and nearly slammed the phone onto the receiver.
Across the seas, in the heart of Dressosa; Absolam looked close to passing out as invisible strings wrapped around his body, forcing him to kneel and prostrate himself before the angry, unamused giant blonde King, Doflamingo. "I-I've done as you've asked, my lord!"
Baby 5 and Buffolo had retrieved and dragged this sniveling, Frankenstein coward of a perverted man within the threshold less than an hour ago and the Warlord had already heard far more information about Law's and his human mated within the last five minutes than he wanted to know.
The fool kept rambling in-between fits of hysteria, sobbing and nearly pissing himself on the expensive, newly refurbished red carpet on the throne room.
A recording of Law's human female played in the background, one of her past performances during a village's memorial festival and concerts. You were dressed in tribal traditional clothes, painted like their rain goddesses as the masses continued wishing for another year of happiness, a bountiful harvest and their cheers filled the room, giving a false atmosphere of celebration.
Doflamingo will admit, he's more than a little impressed. At first look, you appeared plain, however, on closer inspection you appeared to shine and sparkle beneath the sun's rays, face paint, jewelry made of ancient, handcrafted stones and beats of jade and other land minerals.
An uncomfortable weight pressed against the Mer King's chest.
When you laughed it was genuine, others joined freely. They weren't forced. Their cheers, laugher, praise and tears of joy were infectious as they sang along with you. It wasn't just the crowd, Doflamingo noticed his soldiers and executive were also enthralled and entranced by your beauty and song.
That wasn't what troubled the King.
Unwanted memories and flashes of when his mother had been alive resurfaced without his permission, surprising him and causing unshed tears threatening to spill. Doflamingo furiously blinked them back. An ancient merfolk lullaby him and Rosi loved were playing on loop and shoved onto the forefront of his mind.
The sea goddess shall be reborn and reincarnated to find her long lost beloved husband at long last. His mother sang softly. Kid Doffy and his toddler brother Rosi were listening intently.
"Mother," tiny Doffy tugged on his mother's dress sleeve, tear up at her through his sunglasses. "Do you really believe in that silly legend?"
His mother chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss her eldest son's nose and took off his sunglasses. "I believe it's a possibility and holds a sliver of truth."
The tiny blonde, frowned. That wasn't the answer, he'd been hoping for. "Do you think I'll be able to find her and claim her as my bride?"
The Queen stared at her child, unsure how to answer. Her smile rose higher, filled with motherly love and pure affection. "No one knows unless they experience the first signs of a true mating bond firsthand, my little princeling." She explained, retucking him into his bed.
Doffy's frown deepened. "I'll find her, I will mother, I promise!" He held out his pinky, declaring his vow to his mother.
The Queen and Rosi laughed. "I'm certain your fated bride will be the most beautiful and kindest soul within all the blues." She copied the gesture, their wedded digits touching.
"Me too!" Rosi added, crawled out of his bed and swimming to join the pinky promise.
"I can't wait to meet my future daughters-in-law." Their mother nodded her head, kissing both of her sons' foreheads and tucking them back into bed for the fifth time that night. "Treat her like a rare pearl and the most precious, my little princes." She reminded gently. "Or another male could snatch her underneath your nose."
The memory faded, Doflamingo's mind came back to the present. That's what this unbearable ache was. His heart and soul quivered, answering this little human woman's call. A woman to move seafolk and humans alike. Why should Law be worthy to claim and covet this female? A weak, clawless, fangless woman with the voice of siren. A woman belonging to the D Clan. Daughter of Dragon and granddaughter of Garp. Sister of two of the previous generation of pirates and one of the current worst generations.
Yes, who best to become Dressrosa's long awaited Queen than her? "Y/n." Doflamingo hadn't realized he'd said her name aloud, tasting every syllable on his tongue. A jolt of desire crawling over his skin. Envy and greed snapping himself out of his thoughts. "Yes, I've found her at long last." His semipermanent, devilish and impish smile rose. "My long-awaited bride."
"Have you truly found her, Doffy?" Baby 5 asked, hearts and sparkles in her eyes.
"It's rare for a female to have more than one mate, isn't it?" Buffalo commented, lowering to whisper to Senior Pink.
The man looked unaffected and hard-boiled nodded his head. "Yes, humans normally only have one eternal partner, however fragile and fickle their hearts can change over time."
"It their love is true, then they can change and challenge fate." Violet adds, her gaze remaining transfixed on the projection. "It isn't impossible."
"Please..." Absolam whimpered, tilting his head back to meekly met the Mer Kings. "Please.... spare me, sir."
The Dressrosian King's attention shifted from the screen to the nosy peasant. Doflamingo narrows his eyes, a dark gleam shining over his sunglasses. "Save your excuses," He leaned forward, keeping his cold gaze on the man cowering across from him. "You've lived out your usefulness." The King rose from his seat, raising his hand, fingers twitching and moving like a puppeteer commanding his Marionette's.
"Mercy, my Lord!" the man begged, struggling against the deadly, unshakable, spiders thread tightening and digging into the flesh around his throat.
Doflamingo tilted his head, face completely blank. "This is an act of mercy." He said, voice completely flat and cold. He pulled and tugged tighter on the haki infused threads, then slashed the air in front of him, horizontal line. Silencing the lesser being before him without remorse or mercy, his lifeblood spilled and sprayed as his head rolled and became secered from his body.
Everyone within the throne room watching as his blood continued gushing like a red river as his body fell limp and landed with a dull thud.
"Death is a mercy and ending ones suffering for a pirate," he said, cruel amusement filling his words.
The whole room erupted in cruel, mocking laughter.
------ end of chapter 15 -----
True to my word, subby merman law on the menu tonight! ;)
Doffy's back! The cruel King has set his eyes on our mc! Things are heating up!
