#rubctosis

     ❝     my apologies she just——     does that sometimes,     ❞     stands tall     &͟.     proud on an unexpecting stranger’s table,     strutting all o’er it as if she owns the place:     he hopes she didn’t manage to land a paw into the tray of whatever @rubctosis had been ingesting only seconds prior.     (     when they scoop her up into their arms,     in one fell swoop,     she instantaneously goes limp within their trainer’s grasp,     crimson gaze directed down towards the pristine floor,     as if the zorua’s miniscule brain is malfunctioning because she hadn’t been expecting to be removed so hastily.     )     ❝     if she     ...     messed that up i'm more than happy to pay for it to be replaced,     i'm sorry,     i'm still unsure as to why she enjoys acting that way.     ❞     ♡!

"Oh~? Are you perhaps one of the pirates that lives in this world~? It's just a gut feeling you are~," Nikolai approached the stranger and twirled his cane in his hand.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 in control of the self- in utter calm and the inability to be fazed, the Devils Child is not quite sure when her heart last stopped so. Perhaps Enies Lobby, if she had to hazard a guess. The realization of warmth freely given. No strings. No demands.

Dangerous inked digits cradle her face as though it were something to protect, tilting molten amber gaze up from the pages of a book she’d been preoccupied with. So used to being taller than most, it’s almost novel the way she looks up to him, meeting his eyes as he hovers over her. Even now, Robin isn’t entirely used to touch- to affection- to being wanted for nothing more than her presence alone. At least outside of those precious few she sailed with.

But he was something different, the Surgeon of Death, something…different in how the sound of his voice settled in her chest, squeezed around her heart (as was his specialty it seemed) and even settled low in her belly.

Though in that moment, the sound of his voice around those sudden, uncharacteristically heartfelt words, pulls the air from her lungs in one fell swoop. One hand comes up to rest almost gingerly upon his wrist as he stares down so firmly into her gaze that searches his in question for a beat, trying to hold back the unexpected mist that fills her vision.

“Where…” Robin begins, pausing a moment to clear her throat and attempt to keep her voice- usually so low and velvety and amused- even.

... Well, sorta'. Wanted: dead or alive, so Boothill left 'em barely alive, mostly dead. Oughta' pay extra for his precision—a bullet for every crime, pain level high enough to rival his bounty. Boothill didn't care, didn't have the heart to care, but he did have a bed to lay his head later. Had enough cash to earn him a spot of Asdana's White Oak... just a spot, though. Enough to wet the whistle, not enough to burn through the haze of his thoughts.

'Xcept, not everyone fled. At his side, a slouched man clutching his drink, not out of fear... but to bring it to his lips once more. Sip on what has already been sipped, and by the looks of his glass, he hadn't stopped during the commotion. Eyebrow raised, Boothill throws his arm onto the bartop, turning his seat—

“Howdy, brother. Looks like you've got some gu... woah, holy salmon. That's a fine-ape lookin' hat you've got there! Hey, 'fore you run off clutchin' your pearls and all that, let's swap for a minute.”

A synthetic hum.

“'Course, you best hand it back after. Gun's still warm 'n all.”

@rubctosis

Nami practically has to wrangle Luffy into the bath. Usually he goes with some fuss, insisting his latest dunk in the ocean is enough for a few more days but since his change she's been out right bullying him to wash once every three days. Zoro keeps most of his stink in the gym but now Luffy has the misfortune of sharing select bikini tops with his navigator and she doesn't want his stink to set in. Luffy suggests just swapping out for a new one or his preferred topless. Both are met with fist and painful welts.

Grumbling to himself while rough hands undo his sash the sound of running water washes away his thoughts. At the very least he wouldn't be alone at this time of night. The only thing worse than taking a bath is taking one alone. As much as he didn't care for it, the ritual of scrubbing and then a nice long soak is nice.

Discarding his shorts with the rest of his clothes, Luffy gathers soap and a washcloth from a cubby outside the bathing room before heading in. Steam exhales around him, skin taking on a wet sheen while his empty hand fans around his face in hopes of wandering into one of the washing stations. Instead the cloud of warm air parts to reveal the lazy shimmer of scented bath water. Trafalgar Law sitting in the tub and the rubberman’s eyes can't help but click to the smiling tattoo spaning his entire back. “Whoa!” Damp feet carry him to the water’s edge and he leans forward on his palms, perky breasts pushed together. “Didn't know you had one on yer back too! Cool!”

Yet through a connection to Luffy they were here. It started as one night, a simple impulsion that they both decided to indulge and she didnt know how many nights it had been now. It was simple physical indulgence but she hadn't expected to have a repeat fling with Law Trafalgar, of all people.

Now, on the balcony connected to her quarters, she sat and mused over this after another such night. Garbed in nothing but a short silk robe----her glamours long since dropped and a long pipe resembling a kiseru in her hand as she gazed out over the view before her. The sea glittering in the sun like lovingly cut and polished gems.

A large hammock chair was set up on her balcony for this very purpose, though it was neatly tucked away while they were sailing to avoid being ruined by sea spray. Big enough for even three people, it made a cozy early morning retreat.

She shifted her gaze from the sea back toward her quarters, pulling the pipe from her lips. "Are you gonna join me or laze around in bed?" There was a teasing note to her voice, knowing full well that her greeting the sun before the surgeon was a rare occurrence.

Brilliant    blues    watched    in    sadistic    glee.  The  oppressive  heat  of  Dressrosa's  late  afternoon  sun  cast  long  shadows  over  the  ruins  of  the  palace,  where  the  echoes  of  battle  had  finally  faded  into  an  unsettling  silence.  The  once-vibrant  kingdom  now  lay  in  tatters,  its  colors  muted  under  a  haze  of  dust  and  debris.  Amidst  the  devastation,  Doflamingo  stood  tall  and  unscathed,  a  sinister  smile  twisting  his  lips  as  he  surveyed  the  broken  forms  of  his  defeated  enemies.  straw  hat  lay  unconscious  a  few  feet  away,  his  body  battered  and  bruised,  the  Straw  Hat  perched  precariously  beside  him.  But  it  was  Law  who  bore  the  brunt  of  Doflamingo's  wrath.  The  Surgeon  of  Death,  his  energy  spent  and  his  spirit  crushed,  struggled  to  move  beneath  the  weight  of  his  conqueror's  foot.   polished  boot  pressed  cruelly  into  the  severed  stump  of  Law's  arm  making  blood  ooze  from  the  wound,  eliciting  a   delightful  noise.  Law's  normally  sharp  golden  eyes,  now  dulled  by  agony  and  exhaustion,  glared  up  at  the  king,  defiance  flickering  in  their  depths  despite  his  dire  situation.  watching    the   brat  who  dared  defy  him  attempt  to,     crawl    away.    Doflamingo    chuckled,    the    sound    dripping    with    mockery    as    he    surveyed    the    fallen    surgeon  with    disdain.    His    sharp    eyes    gleamed    with    a    dark    amusement.

❝    FU    FU    FU    FU    .    .    . look  at  you    .    . ❞          Doflamingo    sneered,    his    tone    oozing    contempt.  each  word  a  deliberate  twist  of  the  knife.    ❝    im    finding    it very    hard    to    believe    The  infamous  surgeon  of  death  ,  the  man  who  dared  to  oppress  my  rule.  And  for  what?   To  end  up  as  nothing  more  than  a  shell  of  your  former  self  at  my  feet  what  did  you  think  was  gonna  happen  ??  .      .    .    .  ❞            He  leaned  down,  his  sunglasses  reflecting  the  grimace  on  Law's  face  as  he  stomped  onto  his  back  in  a  rather  rough  motion,  heel  boring  into  flesh.  ❝    Did  you  really  think  aligning  yourself  with  that  straw  brat   would  change  anything?  That  you  could  somehow  bring  me  down?  How  pathetic.       you.    a    pathetic    excuse    of    human    life. cant  believe  my  brother  saw  some  worth  in  you.  my  stupid  brother,  .   YOUR   idiotic  dreams  of  vengeance,  the  years  wasted   of  planning  and  sacrifice,  had  all  led  to  this  humiliating  defeat  oh  I'm  sure  you're  so  proud.❞       Doflamingo's   laughter  rang  out,  a  cruel  and  mirthless  sound  that  echoed  through  the  ruins. 

 ❝   You  always  were  a  stubborn  one,  Law.  Always  defiant,  always  thinking  you  could  outsmart  me.  But  look  where  that  got  you.❞   

He  shifted  his  weight,  grinding  his  heel  into  Law's  wound,  savoring  the  pained  cry  that  escaped  his  lips.   his    looming    &    towering    shadow     revealing     the     full     extent     of     his     imposing     figure,     a     living     embodiment     of     divinity,     power     and     control.         The    atmosphere    thickened    with    a    certain    tension    as    he    approached    the    raven  haired    man,    a    predator    closing    in    on    its    prey.     blue    hues    reveled    how    The    fallen    surgeon's  breath    caught    in    his    throat,    how    the    air    felt     heavy    with    a    mixture    of    fear    and    anticipation.    The    heavenly    yaksha    sauntered    closer,    the    disdain    on    his    face    deepening.  Doflamingo's  expression  darkened,  his  amusement  giving  way  to  a  cold,  calculating  gaze.    ❝    But  I  am  not  without  mercy,❞   he  said,  a  sinister  smile  returning  to  his  face.  ❝  I  am  willing  to  welcome  you  back  into  the  family.  After  all,  the  heart  throne  remained  empty  for  so  long.❞

He  straightened,  stepping  back  just  enough  to  allow  Law  a  moment  of  respite.   ❝  Think  about  it,  Law.  You  can  either  continue  this  pathetic  charade,  or  you  can  return  to  your  rightful  place.  Serve  me,  and  perhaps  I'll  be  lenient.  Refuse,  and  I  promise  you,  this  will  be  the  least  of  your  suffering   ❞      an    unsettling    sensation    washed    over    his    very    being,  His    eyes,    cold    and    calculating,    bore    into    Law  with    a    predatory    intensity    as    the    former    surgeon   scrambled    backward.  Watching    his  feeble    attempt    to    distance    himself    only    served    to    fuel    something    within    him    ..    something    that    slowly    rose    to    the    surface.     The    true    and    rightful    royal     mused,    savoring    the    taste    of    Law's  defeat  like    a    fine    wine.    The    once-prideful  egotistical  surgeon,    now    reduced    to    a    pitiful    wreck,    clutched    at    his    suit    as    if    it    were    a    lifeline.    The    oppressive    weight    of    his    defeat    hung    in    the    air    and    it    was    practically     suffocating. 

 He    extended    his    hand,    finger    joints    folding    in    a    variety    of    gestures    as    invisible    threads     snaked    out,    wrapping    around    the    opposing    male's    limbs    like    ethereal    chains. the  strings  wrapped  themselves  around  Law's  legs  and  neck,  forcing  him  to  his  knees.  the  celestial  stepped  forward,  his  presence  overwhelming,  his  sheer  size  casting  a  shadow  over  the  smaller  man.  His  hand  snaked  around  Law's  neck,  his  fingers  digging  into  the  taut  muscle,  leaving  no  room  for  escape.   The  king  leaned  in,  his  voice  a  low  growl  as  he  whispered  in  the  raven-haired  man's  ear.   ❝      If  you  want  to  live,  if  you  want  your  pathetic  crew  to  live,  I  suggest  you  accept  my  offer.   Don't  forget,  Law.  You  may  have  escaped  death  before,  but  you  have  nowhere  left  to  run.  This  is  the  end.  The  only  question  is,  do  you  want  it  to  be  a  slow  and  painful  death,  or  a  quick  and  relatively  painless  one?  .❞     Doflamingo    hissed,    his    voice    dripping    with    venom.     his     presence    overwhelming.    ❝    I    hope    you    savor    the    taste    of    your    own    humiliation,    because    that's    all    that's    left    for    you.❞    lips     widened    into    a    grin    ,    revealing    a    set    of    gleaming    teeth    that    seemed    almost    feral    in    the    dim    light,    the    strings'    coils     tighten,    restricting    his    movements    further.    With    a    sudden    yank,    Doflamingo    pulls    on    the    invisible    strings,    forcing    law  to    his    feet.    a    hand    reached    out    to    grasp    the    his    chin,    forcing    him    to    meet    the    gaze    of    his    new    found    deity,    his    face    mere    inches    away    from    his  ,    the    icy    gaze    piercing    through    him    like    a    dagger.