#[and if she IS his granddaughter he will honestly just adore her]

[storiedhistories]

@sinnhelmingr continued from here

Even though Kratos couldn't see all of her face, he could make out the grin she wore. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something about this young woman seemed familiar. Had he seen her before, here in Hel? But no, he would surely remember seeing someone like her during his previous trips, especially with the amount of the dead they had encountered.

She was different, somehow, and he had thought that that was because she was the one who ruled this place, but her words suggested otherwise. At least in some form. There was apparently more to this than he had first suspected, as was usually the case when it came to the gods, of any realm.

Kratos let out a grunt in acknowledgement of her words. "I have seen my fair share of the Underworld, both here and in my homeland," he said, matter-of-factly. He had no fear of the dead, and her words suggested that she did not, either.

"I do not intend to stay, if that is your concern," Kratos added. "Though I would like to know why you seem…..familiar." It had to be that he had seen her before and simply did not remember, didn't it? Nothing else made much sense, not really. If she had no quarrel with him, then he would be more than content to simply leave in peace. But he would not hesitate to defend himself if the need arose.

[ramons-elevator]

This has been rattling in my mind for a minute and i need to scream about it.

The significance of the item display of the backpacks and how much that defines the QSMP characters.

If you dont know, Leo found out you can display an item in your backpack and show it off. Kinda like a little charm or a keychain. Ever since then, a bunch of people have been displaying items.

Lets start off with the trend setter.

Leo:

Her item is a totem. Obviously this is about Foolish. She spends the most time with Foolish and adores him. They are super close and are super similar. Another reason could be showing off her wealth. Also, a joke that she is immortal (she isnt) and its a bit of a hint to that.

Foolish:

His item is the player head that Leo always wears. Obviously, like Leo, it represents how much he loves Leo and the time they spent together. It also looks like Leo is in his backpack and showing that they are always together (Siempre juntos) no matter what.

Philza:

His item is a skull you can wear on your head. Now theres a lot to interpet here. The obvious one is that this represents Missa. Either that he always chooses Missa or that Missa is with him and Chayanne even if hes away. Again theres a lot to talk about.

Another reason is that death isnt scary for him / death is always there. Philza in general is associated with death (his irl wife's lore is being the goddess of death). With his son on one life for so long and now his granddaughter, he has come to terms with death. He isnt scared of the Code Monster. He will fight until the death no matter what.

Tallulah:

Her item is a poppy. I believe she gives poppies to people she meets for the first time. For me, it represents her innocence. In the way she views the world and how the world views her. Everyone sees her as a sweet girl and is super kind. Majority, if not everyone, always loves her. For her, she always views the world with love. She is told by Wilbur and Phil that her kindness and love is necessary. In a world full of terror and fear, there needs to be love and gentleness

Chayanne:

His item is a potato. For anyone who doesnt know, Chayanne is deeply inspired by Techoblade. Technoblade is known for being a incredible warrior and a great Potato farmer. Please look up his videos. Philza told Chayanne about Techno and again is deeply inspired by him. The potato is a reminder of Chayanne's goals. To help everyone and to protect everyone.

Richarlyson:

His item is a heart container, one used to get an extra heart of health. I have so many emotions about this. I think the main one is that Richarlyson is the heart of the Brazilians / Favela Five. He is the core, for better or for worse. He always loves all his dads. Even recently with how scary everything is, he still loves and trusts his dads.

Forever:

His item is a Nether star. I honestly feel like this defines his character so well. An item that takes a lot of time, resources, and strength to get. Forever has put in that time and effort. His strength shines in his armor and how persistent he is. Also, the nether star is needed to make the highest level of the block reinforcer. Its needed to make everything safe. Forever has shown that over and over again. He wants to make everything safe.

(Update, Richarlyson changed his to a nether star so him and Forever are matching!)

Cellbit:

His item is the universal block remover. I dont know how recent this change is, but I noticed it when he was in his federation office. Just like Forever, this defines his character so well. He is there to break something, either the Enigma or the Federation. He is trying to get inside.

BadBoyHalo:

His item is a Scythe. For anyone who doesnt know, Bad said he is the grim reaper. Either coming to people to remind them to drink water or that he helps guide people to the afterlife. A lot of people thinks that why he cares so much about the eggs. He is the one to transport them to the afterlife.

Mike:

As im making this post, Tazercraft went live and I noticed Mike has a red block in his item display. I dont know a lot of Tazercraft/ Mike's lore. I do know that in tazercraft's game of hide and seek, a red block is represented to show who is the seeker/killer. Maybe it relates to that?

This is everyone I can think of off the top of my head. Theres probably more people who have it, but yeah.

[queenshelby]

Our Little Secret (Part 30)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Infidelity, Age-Gap, Birth, Complications, Infertility

Several days later...

A few days later, on your way to Cork with Mara, you became rather nervous about the prospect of facing your mother and Frank again. Nevertheless, you reminded yourself that you had come a long way since moving out of their home and had grown significantly as a person. Besides, you were accompanied by Cillian, who provided unwavering support and emotional security.

You arrived at Cillian's mother's country house early in the evening, just before sunset. The picturesque town welcomed you with warm hospitality, and the breathtaking scenery instantly calmed your nerves. The house itself was a beautiful house situated on an idyllic hill overlooking the ocean. It was surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, creating a serene atmosphere.

You had been to the region before many times, but never to her house which, in itself, was something that caused you to panic a little.

"Y/N, relax," Cillian told you while parking the car in front of her house. "It is going to be fine," he continued to reassure you as he took Mara out of her carseat and carried her in his arms.

"Okay, let's go," you encouraged yourself as you gathered your belongings and followed Cillian, Max and Mara up the winding driveway to the welcoming home.

Cillian's mother came out through the door, a wide smile stretching across her face as she eagerly peered at the four of you.

"Oh, my! Isn't she gorgeous?" she gushed, reaching out to stroke Mara's soft hair lovingly. "Welcome! Welcome! We're so glad you could come," she chirped cheerfully, her bright eyes sparkling with warmth and affection before giving Cillian a hug.

Frank emerged from behind his mother, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied you cautiously. He paused, swallowing thickly before offering a stiff nod in greeting.

You followed Cillian into the house, Mara cradled securely in his arms, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around his finger. Max trailed closely behind you, clutching his backpack nervously.

"Your house is beautiful Mrs Murphy," you told her politely in an attempt to break the ice. "Thank you for inviting us," you added sincerely while Cillian spoke to his brother Frank, who seemed to ignore Mara's existence. 

"Thank you for coming, Y/N. I know it wouldn't have been an easy decision for you to make with all that has been going on," she spoke honestly, her warm gaze flickering between you and Cillian. "But, you know, I am glad that you are here. I am just so happy to spend some time with my granddaughter," she smiled happily.

You reciprocated her smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her kindness and generosity. "Well, we are definitely glad to be here," you echoed Cillian's sentiments, your voice quivering slightly while she turned to Cillian, wanting to hold her granddaughter. 

"Come on now, let me have a cuddle," she requested, extending her arms lovingly towards Mara and Cillian concurred, shifting Mara into her waiting arms.

You watched them closely, your heart swelling with emotion as you saw the purest form of connection between a grandmother and her grandchild. Their eyes locked, their expressions mirroring each other's gentle caresses and tender embraces.

"There's my precious girl," she cooed, gazing at Mara in adoration. "You look like a good mixture of your parents, don't you?" she observed, stroking Mara's hair gently. "Though mostly like your dad," she added, her eyes twinkling as she passed Mara back to Cillian.

"That's so true and quite unfair, isn't it?" Cillian's sister Siobhan chimed in. "We get to carry and birth them, endure all the pain and all, and they end up looking like their fathers. The irony," Siobhan joked, shaking her head in amusement while Cillian's mother greeted Max with a big hug as well. 

"Now, I have prepared the guest room for Y/N and Mara and the pull out sofa for you and your dad," she then said to him. "And dinner will be ready in about half an hour," she informed everyone.

Cillian carried through the house, watching your mother roam around in the kitchen and, whilst he greeted her politely, she ignored his presence.

Instead, she focused on Max, talking to him enthusiastically. You and Siobhan exchanged glances, acknowledging the tension between family members, before sitting down on the plush couch adjacent to where Cillian stood.

"So, how far along are you guys with planning Mara's christening?" Siobhan asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Or do you think you'll skip it entirely?" she wondered aloud, casting a sidelong glance at you.

"We haven't really talked about it yet," you admitted sheepishly, shifting uncomfortably in your seat while your mother threw your glances.

"I don't think she should have a christening, Siobhan. She is the result of an ex-marital affair. It would be improper," your mother then suddenly spoke loudly, casting a cold glare at you.

"What are you talking about, mom?" you challenged, shooting her a heated look before turning to Cillian. "How Mara was conceived has nothing to do with whether or not she should be christened," you then said, but your mother interrupted. 

"I know what I'm talking about, Y/N!" she snapped, her tone laced with bitterness. "It's just embarrassing enough as it is and you don't really need to embarrass yourself even more by giving Mara a christening," your mother rolled her eyes and Frank, standing nearby, nodded his agreement silently, his expression hardening further.

"Alright, that's enough of this Sarah," Cillian's mother interjected firmly, stepping forward to place her hand on your shoulder protectively. "Let's leave the poor girl alone. Let's not discuss this anymore during my birthday," she insisted calmly, her gaze imploring both you and your mother to comply.

Your cheeks burned red with embarrassment, your anger boiling over as you attempted to formulate a response. Just as you opened your mouth to speak, Cillian intervened, putting his arm around your waist and guiding you away from the tense conversation.

"Come on, let's take Mara upstairs and get settled in," he suggested, his deep voice soothing your agitation. "I think it's time for a nap anyway," he added, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he grinned down at you.

With a heavy sigh, you allowed Cillian to lead you away from the confrontation, grateful for his support and understanding. The tension between you and your mother remained palpable, however, and you couldn't help but feel unsettled by the unresolved conflict.

Cillian sensed your unease and sought to distract you, focusing on Mara as she played on the bed, exploring her surroundings with curiosity. You sighed, running your fingers through Mara's soft curls, grateful for the brief reprieve from the tumultuous emotions swirling within you.

"Do you want to feed her before we join the others downstairs?" Cillian proposed, his voice hushed and warm. 

You nodded, smiling gratefully at him. "I am not really hungry," you then told him. "So, how about you go downstairs, spend some time with your family while I look after Mara's needs up here?" you proposed, nodding towards the door. 

"Absolutely not," Cillian responded immediately, his grip tightening around your waist. "You should join us and, if your mother says anything else, I promise you that I will intervene," he stated firmly, his gaze piercing into yours. There was a tenderness in his eyes, but also a hint of determination.

You admired his concern for both you and Mara, and it warmed your heart that he was attentive to your needs. He had always been protective, empathetic, and selfless during your most trying times.

"Okay, fine," you conceded, reluctantly allowing him to guide you towards the rocking chair positioned near the window.

You sat down carefully, holding Mara close to your chest as you adjusted her position to nurse comfortably.

Watching you settle in, Cillian stepped back, allowing you the privacy you deserved. His eyes lingered on you, a mix of admiration and longing evident in his gaze.

You offered him a weak smile, attempting to ease the tension that hung heavily between you. He responded with a gentle nod, his lips quirking upwards briefly before disappearing behind the closed door.

Cillian walked downstairs to see whether his mother required help in the kitchen while you stayed behind with Mara, breastfeeding her quietly. 

"Do you think Y/N will be ready for dinner in 15 minutes?" she asked Cillian, eyeing the clock on the wall warily.

"Yes, she will," Cillian replied confidently, his gaze fixed on the ticking hands of the clock. "She just needs some time to herself and Mara," he added, hoping for a swift resolution to the lingering tension between you and your mother. She sighed deeply, a wave of empathy washing over her as she reached out to rub Cillian's shoulders gently.

"I understand," she whispered sympathetically. "It's a horrible situation, really. It's way too much stress for someone as young as her, but I must say, she is doing incredibly well," Cillian's mother confided as she chop vegetables for the salad.

Cillian nodded, his gaze flicking towards the staircase where you had disappeared. "She is quite resilient, but she shouldn't have to deal with this kind of toxicity," he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "If only things hadn't gotten so complicated," he muttered, shaking his head sadly.

"You know, sometimes you simply cannot choose who you fall in love with, son," Cillian's mother sighed heavily, placing her knife down on the cutting board with a clatter. 

"Mum, I am not in love with Y/N," he protested defensively, stammering slightly. "It was something casual. Nothing more," he corrected her with reddened cheeks before explaining to her that you were simply too young for him.

"She is young, but she is also the mother of your child and you seem to be having feelings for her," Cillian's mother noted perceptively, scrutinizing her son with an analytical gaze. "So I think that, considering the circumstances, the age gap between you and Y/N is less significant than you might think," she mused, tapping her index finger on the cutting board.

"Mum, please--" Cillian started to protest, but was swiftly silenced by his mother's steady gaze.

"Listen to me," she urged softly, her voice full of wisdom and understanding. "You deserve to be happy, regardless of what other people think or say. If you truly care for Y/N and wish to pursue a relationship with her, I believe that you should follow your heart and do whatever makes you happy," she advised him earnestly.

He swallowed thickly, contemplating the words she had spoken. "What do you think I should do?" he finally asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"Take care of yourself and your family," Cillian's mother answered, her words resonating with warmth and conviction. "And tell her how you feel," she assured him, patting his shoulder gently. "Remember, you deserve to be happy," she repeated, her gaze filled with compassion just as his brother Frank came barging in, pushing past Cillian to get himself a glass of water. 

"When do you think dinner might be ready?" he questioned, seemingly oblivious to the intimate moment unfolding between his mother and Cillian. "It's getting quite late, and Sarah needs to eat. She's 14 weeks along now and needs to eat for two," he informed them, leaving just as abruptly as he had entered.

"Thanks for reminding us, Frank," Cillian's mother retorted, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "She can help herself to the cabinet if she is really that hungry, but dinner won't be served until Y/N has finished nursing Mara because I want us all to eat together," she declared sternly, her gaze zeroing in on Frank.

Frank grunted dismissively, taking a large swig of water before exiting the kitchen, leaving a sour taste in their mouths.

"Well, you know Frank," Cillian's mother remarked wryly, shaking her head in resignation. "He means well, but he is a bit blunt," she sighed, returning to her preparations.

"He sure is and I certainly had no idea that Sarah was pregnant," Cillian replied, scratching his head. "I am happy for him I suppose," Cillian then stammered, seeing that this would be Frank's first child. "He deserves to be able to experience fatherhood. It's going to be a blessing for him," he added sincerely, causing his mother to chuckle at his genuine intentions.

"He does indeed," she agreed, picking up the wooden spoon to stir the simmering soup. "Anyway, I hope you can put the drama behind you, because I have to admit that I am thrilled about having my entire family here together with me this weekend," she confessed, studying Cillian intently before, eventually, pushing him out of the kitchen.

To be continued...

Tags:

@sunbeamseas @saint-ackerman @oatmealisweird @naxxsstuff @amanda08319 @r-m-cidnah @elysiannook @cillshot @infireddabdab @tastycakee @harrysbestiee @lilybabe22 @adalynlowell @henrywintersdearestgirl @ietss @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @ryiamarie @axionn

@heidimoreton @nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

@galxydefender @hunnibearrr @saint-ackerman @lunyyx @gentlemonsterjennie1 @ihavealotoffandomssorry @nadloves @lost-fantasy @nolucesn@mcavoy-girl @hjmalmed @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @blushykiss @tatumrileyslover @teawithsatanx @orijanko @rhaenyra4ever @xcinnamonmalfoyx @budugu @nadloves @kmc1989 @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @forgottenpeakywriter @smailaway @sophiaaguirred

[writersblockiskillingme]

The Sound Of The Woman Who Loved Her | Katniss Everdeen

Pairing: Katniss Everdeen x fem!reader (District11!reader)

Summary: Katniss needed to survive her games no matter the cost. So the new Capitol's darling does come in handy.

Warning/s: angst, betrayal, using someone for your own benefit, Capitol elite, kind of evil!Katniss, one sided love, lying, short fic (this is more like a blurb, honestly), possible grammar and spelling mistakes

Author's note: I can't edit the asks after I save them, so I copied the request like this. I'm dumb, sorry. 😅

Request: @f4riedimples -> I just rlly need Katniss admitting that she started out the relationship using (District 11) reader. Like say reader got treated like capitol after winning her games so after Katniss came back from the 74th they started dating. And just a night before the quarter quell she admitted that she used r?🤌

You were one of the unfortunate, unlucky, people of Panem. Being chosen for your games at 15 wasn't something that you ever wished for anyone including yourself.

But it seemed like your luck started to turn around as you won your games.

People that lived in the Capitol adored you. A young jewel from District 11. As you grew up so did the love of the Capitol's elite for you. You didn't like it one bit, but it did give you some advantages. Just like some disadvantages.

Katniss went into her games a year after you, so you were both 16 at the time. She was lucky she made it out, everyone agreed with that. But just as you got a little taste of luck in your life, everything started to shift around once you met the girl on fire from District 12.

She was desperate. Katniss new that. Since the year you won your games nobody ever stopped talking about you. You were the hot topic on everybody's tongue.

So when Katniss started her Victor's Tour and she realized in just how much trouble she was in, giving the spark of hope during her games, she knew that her family, friends and her needed protection. She was willing to do anything for it. No matter the cost.

Katniss Everdeen heard about you, how could she not? A shiny jewel from 11 that somehow ended up being treated as if she was from Capitol. As if she was one of them. She knew that if she had you not even president Snow, to whom you had become very indenting because of the love his granddaughter had for you, could bring any harm to her family.

She could remember that day as if was yesterday. You were standing behind her, looking gorgeous as ever. She still didn't truly understand how she pulled that act off. But by the end of the month you were officially her girlfriend.

Katniss noticed, as the time passed, that she gained more respect amongst the Capitol elite and for a moment it seemed as if they treated her as almost an equal, too.

Everything was going amazingly up until another party at the Capitol at which she was invited as your guest.

Perhaps it was her lack of self awareness.

Perhaps it was her idiocy at that moment.

Perhaps it was her recklessness.

Perhaps it was too much alcohol that she drank in hopes of drowning the everlasting guilt in the pit of her stomach that grew every single day.

Or perhaps it was the fact that she didn't love you like you loved her. She didn't love you at all. She only loved the benefits that came to her on a silver plate since she was dating you.

"Katniss," your angelic voice that usually sounded like the sweetest song caused by a bunch of little bells now, to her drunk mind, sounded piercing as it reached her ears. "Are you all right?"

"Y-ye-yeah." She slurred and felt herself flinch a little bit. She sounded just like Haymitch did when he drowned himself in alcohol all day back in District 12.

At that moment she noticed that she overdid it, and worst of all, you noticed it, too.

"I think it's time to call it quits," You offered her in, what almost was, a quiet whisper. "Hmm? How about I take you back to the penthouse?"

"N-no," Katniss drunkenly waved you off. "I'm f-fine."

"Katniss," You couldn't help but to let out a sigh that somehow escaped past your lips that were unnatural red color caused by some expensive Capitol's lipstick. "I'm just worried that-"

"Oh, you worry so much don't you!" Katniss snarled at you because, thankfully, she still had half the mind to know that if anyone heard you, you both would be in big trouble.

"Katniss, I love you and I just want to help-"

"Well guess what?" Katniss hissed, grabbing another glass that contained some sort of shiny liquid. "I don't love you."

Your world stopped for a moment as you froze, listening to her. You couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth. You couldn't believe that this is the person you fell for. The person that you grew to know and love. But now, as you watched her and listened to her speak... perhaps you didn't know her at all.

"I don't love you at all!" She continued to mindlessly whisper to you, not caring about the amount hurt that she caused you at that moment. "I never loved you. But God..." she sighed for a moment, looking at the ground before she looked up at the night sky. "You were truly a jewel. So easy to use. So easy to manipulate into loving me even though I don't feel the same at all."

You were frozen. Nothing existed to you at that moment except for her, her words and one loose tear that rolled down your face as she whispered what you actually ment to her.

"Snow's precious victor. Capitol's little jewel..." she continued to rant, somehow not slurring anymore. "I despise you so much, but at least I got something useful from you. Useful. That's all you have ever been to me."

At that moment Katniss looked up, but you were gone. She would perhaps feel a bit bad about it the next day, she could easily say that she was drugged or something else caused her to say such lies. But they weren't lies and you knew it.

But there was something that Katniss didn't realize at the moment, but will later on.

She will never truly escape the sound of the woman who loved her.

->

->

->

TAGLIST:

@caroline-books @thecrowdedstreetin1944

[syndrossi]

In the AU where Rhaella and Dany get Summerhalled instead of Jon and Rhaegar, I'm curious about how their relationship with Daemon would be different then that of Daemon and the boys. So much of what he's doing to try and bone with them is inspired by his own childhood and/or stories about Aemon and Baelon, that I think he'd be a little bit lost if he had daughters instead of sons. Most likely he would ask Rhaenyra or Rhaenys for help, and while Rhaenys would probably be too busy and/or a bit cold towards him, I think Rhaenyra would jump at the chance to spend time with them. She's always wanted a daughter, and now Daemon has two! And they need a mother! (It would also give Daemon and Rhaenyra an excuse to spend more time together, which I think they'd both enjoy a little too much.) OTOH this could definitely be used as a way for Otto to try and get information on Daemon by having Alicent get close to the girls. I could honestly see it becoming another point of contention between her and Rhaenyra. Poor Rhaella and Dany are gonna have the two most powerful women in the court fighting over them! For their own personal preferences, Dany would definitely adore Rhaenyra, since she'd be able to relate to her struggles as a women whose inheritance is constantly being threatened, but it's possible that Rhaella might end up favoring Alicent, since their situations are somewhat similar. I could see her growing somewhat disenchanted with Alicent once she sees her interact with Rhaenyra and the Velaryon boys, especially if she realizes that Alicent is spreading rumors about their bastardy. (Aerys attempted to spread the rumor that Rhaella was cheating on him, and that some of their dead babies actually bastards, so seeing Alicent do something similar make her upset)

Also if you make this an official AU, maybe it could be called Reverie? If doesn't technically connect, but I think it works since Dany it's a canonical dragondreamer and, although her personality isn't really talked about, Rhaella always seemed like the quiet/daydreamy type to me. (Or she would have been if it weren't for Aerys.) Also it's a pretty word and I think Dany and Rhaella would both appreciate it :)

Yeah, I agree that Daemon would be far more out of his depth dealing with twin daughters on his own. In canon, he had Laena to help with Baela and Rhaena, and married Rhaenyra not long after. Society is such that Daemon just...won't make that Aemon+Baelon connection.

So I think you're right that he'd either seek help quickly or be much more open to marrying Laena so that he has someone to turn to on "feminine" matters. (Laena would be an awesome mom to twin girls, and it's a crime that she didn't get to see her own twins grow up. 100% enabler of all mischiefs and adventures.)

I still maintain that the Dany-Rhaenys similarities are strong, so Aunt Rhaenys would very much love her step-granddaughter, and definitely Dany would have a lot of empathy for Rhaenyra's struggles.

I don't know how much of a parallel Rhaella would see in Alicent, who by all accounts sought the marriage to Viserys, presumably out of ambition, vs Rhaella being forced into it for prophecy's sake. I could see her having an interesting relationship with Viserys, who would remind her a lot of her original father Jaehaerys (this comes up in the Rhaella AU bits I've written). On the one hand, she loved her father, but she definitely hated that he forced her into marrying Aerys.

I could almost see Rhaella really forming a close bond with Daemon, appreciating a father who fights for her wants/needs, whereas Dany has to grapple with her childhood desire for, well, a childhood with her family vs Daemon's overprotectiveness / tendency toward being almost stifling. Like Jon, she was highly independent before--a queen, in fact! I don't think it's easy to go back to being dependent and viewed as a future queen consort (at most). I think she'll have ambitions of her own.

Definitely we'll see some of the same dynamics with the Greens here as in Reversal, though, where marriage to neutralize Daemon + the twins' dragons is highly desirable to Otto, who will be scheming to win the girls over for matches to his grandsons. (And Runestone is still in play.)

Reverie is a nice name! I do try not to name any AUs I don't intend to write, and I'm not planning to pick this one up anytime soon, but if I ever do, I'd probably go with that. (There are...a lot in play right now. 😅)

[jessicaloons]

Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:

Chapter 6

Masterlist - Previous - Next

The Heartbreak Prince

23 April 2023:

"She’s gorgeous. Look at this beautiful girl." Pascale Leclerc cooed at her granddaughter, eyes full of love.

"She really is. And she’s so small… like a little doll." Charles smiled, watching his mother cradling his daughter to her chest, when his phone rang "That’s Fred. I have to take it."

"It’s okay, don’t worry, I’ll stay here with my beautiful, little girl." his mother said, not looking up from the bundle of joy in her arms.

Charles walked outside, accepting the call.

"Fred…"

"I got your text earlier. Congrats Charles, mother and daughter both okay?" his team principal asked.

"Yeah. Both healthy."

"That’s good. Really good. And the rest- umm… everything arranged?"

"Yeah. It’s been taken care of." Charles sighed.

"Good, good… I really don’t like to do this Charles- but I have to ask. Will

you race in Baku? I would understand if you didn’t want to… but- well it’s Baku. You always been quite good there, so I think… maybe…" Fred stuttered a little, as a father himself, he knew what he asked of his young driver.

"No. I have to… I said I would do everything in my power to be able to do both. Race and be a good father…" Charles replied, although he honestly didn’t want to leave his precious girl behind.

"You don’t have to come with everyone else, be here on the 27th, for media day, that’s fine…" his Team Principal suggested and he nodded slowly.

"Thanks Fred, see you in Baku."

"See you in Baku…"

Charles pocketed his phone, leaning against the wall when the door to the hospital room opened, his mother looking outside.

"You need to feed her, come on in…" she smiled at her son and Charles pushed himself off the wall, following her back in.

The gorgeous baby girl scrambled in the little crib, soft cries leaving her.

"Here, it’s warm. Take her and sit down…" his mother instructed him and he did as told.

After a couple of minutes a comfortable silence fell over the room. Only the newborn’s tiny sounds while eagerly suckling on the bottle were to be heard.

Charles eyes were full of love and adoration for the tiny human being in his arms, to think he would only have 4 days until he had to leave his little girl for the first time hurt him beyond belief. But he knew that he made a promise. He would do everything to give his daughter the best life possible.

"It’s just you and me, mon ange… just you and me, but I promise you, I will do everything to keep you safe, keep you happy." Charles leaned down to gently kiss his little girls forehead "I love you, my beautiful Ava."

"And this will be your room, I mean, when you’re a little older of course. I know, it’s nothing special. It needs colour, decoration, maybe even different furniture… but I wanted to have the nursery ready before you were born… we change that, don’t worry, pretty girl." Charles cradled his daughter to his chest, standing in the middle of the plain, white nursery. It looked sterile. Cold. He knew it. He just didn’t have the time to change it until now "You’ll sleep in my bedroom for now anyways… here, I show you…" he walked outside the nursery, down the hallway, through the door at the end "This is where we sleep, how do you like it?" he looked down at the sleepy baby girl, chuckling "It’s not like you’re going to answer, right? I guess your silence means you love it…"

"I hate it, I want my own bedroom, daddy!" Joris' high pitched voice behind him made Charles roll his eyes "I thought you’re a millionaire, why do we have to share a room?"

"Ha-ha, very funny…" the Ferrari driver turned around, glaring at his best friend "Before she’ll move into her nursery, I need to make it homely first. Worthy of my little princess." his eyes softened as soon as he looked back down into the baby’s face.

"You still got time, don’t worry. For now, you should enjoy the next couple of days with her, before leaving for Baku…"

"I can’t believe that I’m saying that, but I don’t want to race, I want to stay here with her, I don’t want to miss anything she’s learning, or doing for the first time!" the new father sighed.

"I know. But let’s face it, Ava is only 3 days old, she won’t do much besides sleeping and pooping…" Joris shrugged his shoulders.

"Watch it, Trouche, or I’m rethinking my choice of making you her godfather." Charles turned slightly, smiling at his best friend.

"Wha-… are you-… are you serious? M- me? Godfather?" he stumbled over his own words, eyes wide as he stared at the young father with his daughter in front of him.

"I’m serious, yeah… I mean, obviously only if you wa-…"

"Yes! YES! Of course! I just… I didn’t think you would choose me? Lorenzo? Or Arthur… but… wow. WOW!" Joris stepped closer, looking at the little angel in her father’s arms, his goddaughter "My beautiful Ava. I will try to be the best godfather, I promise!"

"And you know what? One of your first duties is to help me change her diaper… I did it the last days with maman’s or a nurses help… but now… I’m scared…"

"I mean, how hard can it be?" Joris chuckled and followed Charles to the changing table, where he gently laid down his little bundle of joy.

"Yeah, shouldn’t be that big of a problem." the new dad shrugged.

It was a problem. A big problem. And when ten minutes later the little girl was all fresh and dressed up, both young men slid down on the floor, leaning against the bed and drawer.

"I will have nightmares of this- this experience…" Joris mumbled and Charles nodded slowly.

"How can this precious, sweet little thing create such an atrocity?" he looked down at his daughter, who dozed off already, letting out the sweetest sounds.

"And now look at her! All cute and adorable!" Joris smiled and his best friend scooted over a little.

"Do you want to hold her?" he asked and looked at him.

"Umm-… sure. But you have to show me, I never held a baby that little!"

"I’ll show you, don’t worry…" Charles replied and showed Joris exactly how to held his little baby girl.

"Oh wow… oh wow… she’s so tiny…" Joris mumbled, looking at his goddaughter "She’s so cute…"

"She is perfect… I know that it won’t be easy, being here for her, taking care of her. My career. Keeping her safe from my crazy life. The media. My fans. I know the next months, maybe years will be pretty tough… but when I look at her? I just know it all will be worth it." Charles almost whispered, his gaze softening.

"I think you’re right… I mean, just look at her…" Joris replied, gently taking Ava’s hand in his much bigger one, inspecting her tiny fingers.

"I know this all was unusual. A drunk one night stand. Hiding her mother away from everyone. Keeping her a secret? But I would do it all over again, just to have her…"

Joris looked up at Charles, smiling at the way how his best friend’s soft gaze lingered on his baby girl. A content smile on his lips. His eyes full of love. He always knew that Charles would be an amazing father one day, the way he treated his little fans a clear indicator, but seeing it happening before his eyes made his own heart double in size.

"She’s your little girl."

"My little girl. My princess." Charles whispered, gently kissing his daughter’s tiny hand "My everything."

Baku 2023:

"Question for Charles, you only arrived today, everything okay? I’ve, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, noticed that you’re a little pale?" a reporter asked at the press conference and Charles picked up the microphone, clearing his throat.

"I’m good, thanks. I had to sort out something back at home, nothing bad, don’t worry, just a family- a private matter. It’s all good and I’m here, ready to race." he said it with a big smile on his face.

A smile he kept for the rest of the press conference. A fake smile. Leaving Ava behind after not even a full week hurt. It didn’t sit right with him. But he promised his team he would race. He promised him being a father now wouldn’t affect his career and he planned on keeping that promise.

"You’re alright mate?" Max asked when they left the press conference and Charles nodded "Everything alright at home?"

"Yeah, sure… it was just-… my mum. She was sick, nothing serious, but there were some things we had to take care off. Her hair salon. Stuff, you know?" the Monegasque was a horrible liar and he knew he had to improve in order to keep his secret under wraps.

"Okay-… well, I’m glad she’s good again?" Max replied.

"Hmm. Yeah. All good…"

"Alright. What do you think? Another pole this year here?"

"I much rather would start in P2 but actually win the race… but honestly? I’m not having much hope." Charles sighed, thinking about the weekend ahead, hoping for a decent outcome at least. And when Sunday came and he sat in the plane back home late at night, the smile on his face wasn’t just from being happy to see his daughter again, but also from a second place in the sprint race and a third place in the main race. His mood was only dampened by the fact that he would have too little time with his baby girl, considering he had to catch his flight on Thursday to Miami, but even if it would only be for 10 minutes, Charles would take the detour. Every single second with his daughter was precious.

"Hey my little princess…" Charles cooed at his little one, inhaling the unique newborn smell, sighing contently when he finally made his way back home "I’m back baby girl and this time I’m staying for longer than just a day!"

He thought back to last week when he made a quick stop over in between Baku and Miami, hating to leave her after only a day already.

"She was a perfect little angel." Pascale smiled, packing her granddaughters bag "Are you sure you want to drive home? You could stay here?"

"No, I really should go home. I have to get used to taking care of her alone…" Charles replied.

"Okay, here, I’ve got her a car seat." Pascale sat down the Maxi-Cosi and helped her son buckling in the little baby girl "If you need anything, call me, okay?"

"Will do. Thanks Maman, for taking care of her." Charles kissed his mother’s cheek, who gently squeezed his arm.

"I told you, we’re all helping you. It’s going to be fine. And now off you go. It looks like it’s about to rain soon…"

And Pascale was right, the moment Charles left the underground parking garage in his car the first drops fell and by the time he reached his own home it was already raining cats and dogs. But it was good like this. Not many people out in the streets. No one walking up to his car to take a picture. When he took Ava out of the carrier and laid her down in her crib he dialled his brother’s number.

"Hey Charles, how’s Ava?" Lorenzo asked and Charles rolled his eyes a little.

"What about me?" he pouted, gently stroking Ava’s cheek.

"You’re right, sorry! How are you? How is Ava?" his older brother chuckled.

"We are both doing fine. But I realised something today…"

"Yeah? And that’s what?"

"I need a new car. A bigger one. A safer one. With tinted windows. I can’t risk someone recognising me and then coming closer, taking pictures and spotting Ava. Chasing us…" Charles quietly left his bedroom, leaving the door a crack wide open.

"Okay, yeah that shouldn’t be a problem."

"Good… and now I have a week with my little one before I have to leave her yet again…" the young father sighed.

"Although I don’t know how you must feel, but let me tell you this. Formula 1 is your job, it’s been your life the past few years and you’re on a good way of finally making one of your biggest dreams come true… don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing your job, so it’s okay. And it’s not like you leave Ava all alone! You leave her with Maman who adores her!" Lorenzo said and Charles nodded slightly.

"You’re right… I know that… it just… it sucks a little…"

"Enjoy your week off with her for now, okay? The rest we’ll figure out! In the meantime I’ll check some cars out for you!"

"Thanks Enzo…"

"No worries little bro…"

Charles sat in his bed, Ava comfortably snuggled into his chest, watching the news about the weather in Italy.

"Looks terrifying, no?" Arthur said quietly, walking inside "I’m not even sure if we’re racing…"

"Yeah… and look at all the damage. Those poor people…" Charles sighed.

"Isn’t umm-… Alessia and her family aren’t they living in the Emilia Romagna region?" Arthur said hesitantly and by the way his brother’s head snapped up, looking at him he held up his hands "Sorry… I shouldn’t have said that…"

"You’re right. You shouldn’t have. I don’t know where they are. I don’t care where they are. I hope they’re safe, like everyone affected, but that’s it. I don’t know these people. I don’t want to know these people."

"I have food for you, from Maman…" Arthur tried to change the topic and Charles was more than happy about it.

"I’m starving…" he replied and his little brother nodded.

"I’ll go and fix a plate for you and then you can eat and I snuggle with my little bumblebee…" he left the bedroom and Charles looked down at Ava again.

She slowly opened her eyes, yawning and squirming a little.

"Hi my little princess…" Charles whispered, leaning down, kissing his daughter’s cheek "Did you have a nice nap, baby girl?"

He had to chuckle. He used to shake his head at people who exaggerate using a baby voice when tending to their babies. But now he was just like that, cooing at his little girl with a high pitched voice, waiting for a reply that wouldn’t come.

"Here you go… and now I want my little bumblebee…" Arthur sat down a plate on his older brothers night stand, looking at his niece, smiling when Charles gently laid her down in his arms "She’s so fu-…"

"Arthur!"

"- freaking cute! So incredibly, incredibly cute!" he cooed at the little girl in his arms.

"That she is…" Charles replied "I don’t want to leave on Monday… but it’s Imola, there is a ton of events Silvia couldn’t pull me out off, so I have to go…"

"I don’t want to leave either, staying here would mean no fu- messed up race weekend…" Arthur mumbled and Charles looked up from his plate.

"Don’t be too hard on yourself, Arthur…" he began but Arthur shook his head.

"4 race weekends, 8 races and only one P3… no win, no pole position, mostly finished out of the points, crashes here and there… I guess I’m just not good enough…" he sighed.

"Hey! Stop that! It’s only the beginning of the season, you need time to get used to an F2 car!" Charles sat down his plate, looking at his little brother "You wouldn’t have made it into F2 if you weren’t good enough!"

"Everyone is saying I only made it because of you…"

"What? Who’s saying that?" Charles was confused.

"Everyone. It’s everywhere, experts, journalists, they all say it. Or write it." Arthur replied, smiling at Ava holding onto his finger with a tight grip.

The older Leclerc brother grabbed his phone, opening Google typing in his brother’s name and to his shock, his little brother was right. He clicked on the first YouTube video, not wanting to believe that people would say things like that.

"… now let’s talk about his team mate, Arthur Leclerc…" the blonde woman said, looking at her two male co-hosts.

"Leclerc didn’t have the best start of the season and some people start wondering if he deserves a seat in F2 and of course how much his brother had to do with him having a seat." the dark haired reporter said, while the blonde haired guy next to him nodded.

"Don’t get me wrong. Racing is in the Leclerc brother’s blood. But I guess you can say, when back in the day their parents had to decide which brother could continue and which had to stop, they made the right choice."

Furiously he exited the app, locking his phone.

"Are you watching that?" he looked at his little brother who only shrugged his shoulders "If they can’t talk shit, they’re not satisfied."

"But they’re right, no? I’m not having a good season. I am not good enough…" Arthur mumbled "So yeah… I guess it really made sense that mum and dad put all their money on you instead of me…"

"It had nothing to do with who was better, Arthur! I was older, already further into my racing career. That was it. Nothing else." Charles said and Arthur sighed.

"If you say so." he shrugged.

Charles got off from his bed and sat down on the stool in front of his brother.

"This all, racing, it’s already tough enough without all that bullshit coming from so called experts and you know it! It had nothing to do with me, that you got your seat, Arthur! You had an amazing season in F3. You won the Formula Regional Asian Championship. That’s what got you your seat. You have proven that you’re good enough. Got it?" he said, looking at his younger brother intently who just nodded after a while, his eyes still trained on his niece "And now come on. I want to go for a little walk with her, and now that Enzo brought my new car, we can drive a little out of town to somewhere quiet. Let’s worry about racing and that all tomorrow again, okay?"

"Okay… but just so you know, I’ll sit next to her in the car, I just love looking at her…" Arthur smiled a little and Charles chuckled.

"Same, Arthur, same."

"It’s cancelled. You can go home." Mia said and Charles cocked an eyebrow.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah… I know you just arrived early this morning… but it’s official. You won’t race. You can go home." she smiled at him and it didn’t take Charles longer than 5 minutes to pack his bag and leave.

"Hey! You’re leaving?" Carlos.

Charles stopped dead in his tracks and turned around slowly "I thought we had this dinner with some sponsors later on? Discuss what we can do to help? Or at least that’s what Silvia said?"

He was right. Silvia told him about it, but also said that if the race got cancelled she would make Carlos attend alone.

"Yeah-… umm. I know… it’s just- there is a family emergency back home. I have to go." Charles lied and his team mate looked at him empathically.

"Oh shit, mate. I hope nothing too serious?"

"No. It’s, it’s not too bad, but I have to check in and make sure it stays that way."

"Alright. Do that. And take care, the streets are flooded at some parts and the re-routing isn’t working at all times…" the Spaniard clapped his back and Charles smiled at him.

"Will do, thanks. And sorry for leaving you alone with Silvia and the wolves…" he felt bad.

"Don’t worry, cabrón."

Charles slipped into his car, starting the engine, his mind already at home with his little one. He drove off the Ferrari premises and quickly made his way to the motorway, thankfully without any serious delays or issues. When he finally arrived back home in Monaco and parked his car he leaned back in his seat. Closing his eyes for a minute. He flinched when his phone beeped and he saw a text from his manager, Nicolas, coming through. A new brand collaboration. He sighed, closing the message and getting out of the car. Another gig would mean more time away from his daughter. Something he didn’t like.

Charles quietly closed the door behind him, slipping of his shoes, when he heard the soft voice of his mother, cooing at her. He stood in the doorway of his bedroom, watching his mother sitting in the rocking chair, his beautiful baby girl in her arms and his heart almost bursted.

"Look, little Ava, your papa is here…" Pascale cooed to the little girl and got up, walking over to her son.

"Hi my little princess…" he smiled at her and then kissed his mother’s cheek "Let me take a quick shower and then I’ll take her and you can go."

"Take all the time that you need." she replied, sitting back down in the chair "We are just fine…"

"I can see that." Charles chuckled and grabbed some fresh clothes, making his way into the bathroom, where he took a quick shower before joining his mother and daughter again.

"You look tired, Charles…" Pascale looked worriedly at her son, dark circles under his eyes.

"Driving late last night to Maranello, just an hour or two of sleep in the morning and then driving straight back home around noon? Yeah… I’m tired. But it’s okay. I would do everything for her…" Charles yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"Why don’t you eat something and I make Ava bed ready? Change her, feed her, take her to bed and then you can go to bed as well and take over from then on?" his mother gently rubbed his arm "There are some leftovers in the fridge."

"Sounds like a plan. A good plan…" he mumbled, walking out of the room to warm up the leftovers, eating in silence before returning to his bedroom where Ava was already sleeping in her crib.

"Look at this little angel." Pascal whispered.

"She is perfect." Charles replied quietly, disappearing in his bathroom, getting bed ready himself "You should stay here Maman, it’s late."

"I’ll be fine, don’t worry. You sleep now!" she kissed his cheek "Good night, Charles."

"Good night, Maman… and thank you."

"Not for that…"

The next days Charles spent in pure bliss with his little girl. He felt like he learnt every other moment something new about her, saw a new expression in her face, a new movement of her head.

"Look! It’s like she understands what I’m saying!" he exclaimed "You’re so clever, Ava! So, so clever!"

"She doesn’t understand you. She just recognises your voice!" Lorenzo chuckled but his younger brother didn’t listen "So- umm have you thought about what to do during the Monaco GP?"

"What do you mean?" Charles looked up from his daughter, cocking an eyebrow.

"Charles, you cross the street on any normal day and at least a dozen of people swarm you here. But this week? It’s going to be crazy! Your fans will even follow Maman around, as soon as they spot her somewhere, imagine how they would stalk her if they saw her with a stroller… and she can’t stay inside the entire week with Ava! Also, everyone knows that she’s always in the paddock in Monaco. If she’s not here this year, people will start talking, and when they talk, they will look even more for her…"

"Fu-… damn. I haven’t even thought about that… but you’re right. Oh god what am I supposed to do? I don’t want people to assume that something is wrong with Maman, first Baku and the mysterious family matter why I arrived late, then the dinner in Imola that I didn’t attend because of a family emergency… if she’s not here this weekend… some people would start looking for her..." Charles leaned back, ruffling his hair.

"So umm we- no Charlotte had an idea… when I talked to her about it. We weren’t really spotted together by anyone, so she’s kinda unknown, no one would connect her in any way to you… she could take care of Ava? Go for a walk here and there with her? Watch her at least enough for Maman to be at qualifying and the race?"

"And she would be okay with that? Didn’t you ask her to join you this weekend?"

"She wouldn’t offer it if it wasn’t okay, I’ll ask her to join me next weekend then." Lorenzo replied and Charles nodded.

"If it’s okay for her? She would definitely help me out big time."

"I’ll text her then…" he said and typed away in his phone, a reply coming through almost immediately "'I can’t wait to spend some time with the precious little princess'"

"She’s an angel, tell her that. Thank you! Like seriously. Next weekend in Barcelona, you book the nicest, most luxurious hotel for you two, take her to dinner to the best restaurant. My treat."

"Stop that. She loves to help out. Also, she loves Ava, I think we’re doing her a bigger favour…" Lorenzo laughed but Charles shook his head.

"Doesn’t matter. My treat next weekend."

"She’ll be delighted."

"It’s like this." Charles mumbled, shaking his head while leaving the garage with Andrea.

"You can still get up on top…" he replied but Charles scoffed "It’s not impossible! Just wait… and even if not, then you drive home and cuddle your little girl."

"Yeah. Holding her is better than lifting any trophy out there." the driver smiled.

"See? That’s the spirit." his athletic trainer bumped his shoulder.

"Yeah, I’m trying to…"

"Now come on. Let’s get home, eat something and relax, tomorrow is a new day."

And although Charles gave his best, he wasn’t able to make up any positions. He climbed out of his car, frustrated and congratulated Max on his win.

"Well done mate, congrats."

"Thanks man." Max clapped his back and smiled "Maybe next year you’ll beat the curse."

"There is no curse. Just me or my team not delivering." Charles mumbled and walked off.

He knew how everyone talked about his Monaco curse, but looking at it, it was always just a mistake by himself or, like last year, his team. After his weighing he made his way back to the Ferrari garage and prepared for the media pen.

"Hey Charles. Another year, another disappointing result for you. What went wrong?"

"I didn’t qualify good enough. In Monaco your starting position is crucial for the race outcome. And with the penalty, starting in P6, in the middle of the DRS train in Monaco? Yeah you will most likely finish in P6, like I did." Charles sighed.

"You complained about the stiffness of the car, do you think that will be an issue next week in Barcelona as well?"

"I don’t know. We will see I guess. If the car is like this next week… we have to wait and see…"

"It’s your home GP so now you go home, have a little time with your family and then off to Barcelona?"

"Yeah. Weekend debrief with the team now and then back home where my da-…" Charles stopped abruptly, eyes wide, thinking about what to say "Where my dance partners in crime wait for me." he scolded himself.

"Dance partners in crime?" the reporter cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah after a race like today I need to dance it out, you know?"

"Okay… umm- then have fun and see you next weekend."

Charles could kick himself. He had to be more careful from now on.

"You covered that up quite well…" Mia whispered, seeing how tense Charles was "Sure it was a little… well it was different. Nothing people are used to from you but it’s okay…"

"Dance partners in crime? Dance it out?" he sighed.

"Yeah, I mean, after this weekend? Who wouldn’t want to dance it out." she squeezed his shoulder "Now come on, let’s make this quick and then you can go home, to your dance partner in crime."

"Very funny." Charles groaned and when he finally slipped of his shoes back at home, he couldn’t wait to see his daughter, knowing that she would make him forget the whole weekend with just one little smile.

"She was just a perfect little angel." Charlotte smiled at him when he walked into his living room "She watched her daddy race and then she fell asleep, just like a good little girl."

"There wasn’t much to watch today, no?" Charles mumbled, picking his daughter up from the sofa "But it’s okay… I’m here now…"

"You’ll come back stronger next week."

"I guess we’ll see."

Chapter 6 - Ladies and Gentlemen, baby Ava has arrived and she’s already wrapping EVERYONE around her tiny little fingers. Writing Charles as a dad is one of my favourite things and I can’t wait for you all to read more about him and his little girl.

Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!

If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!

Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!

Taglist:

@glitterquadricorn @lottalove4evelyn @janeh22 @itsjustkhaos @mariclerc @fangirlforever2000 @queensassybitchsworld

[moonspirit]

Hello Moon,

I just thought of this and had to get it to type as soon as possible, 

Picture this 

Grandpa Levi is visiting the Alert’s home and is out of his chair and sitting on the couch while Armin’s 2-year-old daughter is playing with her toys on the floor,

Armin comes in

“Ok, Sweety, it’s time for your afternoon nap.”

“Ok, papa,” the little girl replies,

She quickly leaves the room before returning, clutching a little pillow, her favorite blanket, and a cute little stuffed clownfish.

She hurries and climbs onto the couch where Levi is sitting, beaming up to him, “I sleep wit you, Capin”(What she calls Levi), setting up her pillow on his hip and getting all snuggled up to him

Armin comes in. “Oh, sweety, I don’t think Captain Levi agreed to be your bed; let’s get you in your crib.”

“Nooo!” His daughter whines as she tries to burrow deeper into Levi’s side.

“Come on now,” Armin tries to coax her as he goes to pick her up

Levi suddenly raises a hand in front of Armin. “you can leave her,” he says

Armin looks at him, a bit surprised. “oh, are you sure?” he asks

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Levi replies in his usual stone-faced manner. “Besides, I’m not going anywhere, and she seems to have made up her mind.”

“Oh, ok,” Armin responds, moving toward the door of the living room, looking back to see his daughter quickly crawl up Levi’s side to give him a sweet little peck on the cheek before settling back into where she was; the sound of cute lil snores coming not long after.

Armin sees Levi slowly place his hands on the girl's hair, running his fingers through her hair, and a look of utter contentment slowly dawns on his face.

Armin continues of the room and chuckles to himself

“ Captain Levi is such a softy for her,” Armin thinks.

And you know what? Levi is a total softy for his little granddaughter.

T///////////////////////////T Mer, this is sooooo adorable!

It's honestly hilarious how Levi keeps insisting that he isn't a "kids-type of guy" and then every kid in the vicinity immediately flocks to him xD

That said, Armin is always worried that his daughter's visible attachment to Levi bothers his former Captain even if he says otherwise, but also, he's never felt so reassured whenever he sees her next to Levi, just beaming and radiating a hundred kilometres of happiness. There's something so good about watching these two absolutely bounce their energies (or the lack thereof) off each other, and somehow end up having a blast of a time together anyway xD

Because his daughter's always pestering Levi with a hundred questions. "Hey Capin! What do you think about unicorns?"

"... I haven't seen one. Don't they shit rainbows or something?"

"Hehe, no! They have magic rainbow powers!"

"Huh. Cool."

"Capin, I'm gonna find you a unicorn to fly on!"

"Cool, cool. Find me the biggest one."

"Okay! Heyyyy Papa, Papa, we have to get Capin a big baddy unicorn!"

"Hahaha. And where are we gonna find that? Sorry Captain... I'm sure she was a bother."

"Tch. Quit apologising, I'm getting tired of it."

"Papa papa, we have to go now!"

"Where to?"

"To the market! To find a unicorn!"

Armin can't refuse, and though he's got a much-awaited, much-needed dinner date with Annie a few hours later, he humours his daughter in finding the biggest unicorn with the strongest rainbow powers to protect her beloved Capin. After that, he comes and drops her off, once again, with a thousand apologies spilling from his mouth.

The best part about all this is that when he and Annie come by after their date to pick her up, they find her, Levi and the unicorn all sleeping on the slanted chair, an absolute sight to see T^T

(PS: Capin becomes super attached to his unicorn btw. Even washes her thoroughly and keeps her spotless. Shhh, nobody point it out xD)

[lightlycareless]

I saw this video and it made think of Naoya and Naohime. I can imagine she learned that vocabulary from Naobito lol

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNdX5wP2/

Hello!!

Omggggg another video that isn't here anymore jfc I'm so sorry 😭 but from what I was able to recall it was a (with a daughter or granddaughter) and he says a bad word and she ends up saying the same thing lol it was kind of funny tho 😂

I wrote a little something inspired by it :) though I ended up writing it mostly on Y/N's perspective, cause she's the one that usually hangs around the kids the most (though a protective Naoya does appear, as well as Naomi)

warnings: none. Naobito is a bad influece tho. but overall domestic fluff.

also: a little bit of context regarding Naobito and his relationship with your and Naoya's youngest child.

Happy reading!!

It should come to no one’s surprise that Naobito is Naohime’s biggest, worst influence for a thousand reasons.

And why wouldn’t it be? Honestly, they spent almost every day together, with Naohime constantly following him everywhere, or more like Naobito bringing her along everywhere, citing that his favorite granddaughter had to be there for whatever important clan meeting he had for the day.

By his side when watching anime, or just spending the whole evening sleeping, a little Naobito on the making! It was only a matter of time before she began to mimic him…

Which was a very frightening statement for you and Naoya to ruminate on. To have a child so involved in serious manners is just the tip of the iceberg; both just want her to live out her childhood as happily as possible! 

But, oh, well, at least his father had the decency of not drinking in front of her—yet, this following incident finally made you and Naoya realize how spoiled Naohime had actually become, and how urgent it was for the two to step in.

It happened right after dropping off your children at school, with Naohime by your side since she was too young to attend yet (another matter that worried you—Naobito wanted to homeschool her, you and Naoya wished otherwise. Will this debate ever end?) accompanying you to your newest duty.

Apparently, the Zen’in were to meet a highly prestigious client, and you, wanting to do your part in making a good impression, headed right over to the kitchen to help arrange such an important dinner.

Stress to make this moment as perfectly as possible inevitably befell the staff, especially those that were still new to the (dubious) work ethic of the Zen’in; thus, it wouldn’t take long before one of them eventually crumbled, making a mistake that was easily fixable, but with the pressure of doing everything right the first time, believed otherwise.

“It’s ok, don’t worry—we still have more ingredients, right?” you quickly intercept, the cook nods. “See? Nothing to fret about! Now we just gotta—"

Little Naohime rarely involved herself in your activities, always kept occupied by her toys or any other activity you thought of beforehand, but something about the anxious complains from the staff members struck her with familiarity, like she’s seen this before somewhere else, and knew exactly what to do…

Cue your worst nightmare becoming a reality, having you inwardly screeching, skin pale at the notion of her imprudence.

“Stupid monkey!” Naohime says, with no hesitation, no second thoughts, nothing—just a reckless, albeit innocent, replication of her surroundings.

“Naohime!” you quickly retorted, shocked to hear such an awful sentence coming from your adorable daughter! “Where did you learn to say that?!”

But your daughter, instead of providing an answer, just continued giggling, thinking of your reaction to be a joke, as if you were entertained by her actions and not genuinely upset; it’s how Naobito reacted whenever she did that, after all, obviously the culprit behind it all.

“No, young lady, this is no laughing matter!” you insist once more, she does not budge. “Naohime—you will apologize to the staff right now for saying those awful words!”

“Lady Y/N, it’s fine—she’s just a child. She doesn’t know what she said.”

But that’s exactly what made this situation not fine. If anything, it made it even worse! Her laughter representing the sour realization that you’ve been too lax on your daughter, perhaps too carefree, freeing her of any necessary limits and discipline simply because she was your youngest maybe, your last child, the one you and Naoya had more time to parent together and yet didn’t seem like it.

You should’ve expected something like this to happen when Naobito got interested in spending time with his granddaughter. Yet, far from growing concerned, deep within, you and Naoya were happy that finally his family was retroactively trying to get along with their children, if only one of them…

But those days of carefree endearing were gone, you needed to put your foot down, and quickly.

“Naohime, if you do not apologize, we’re going to have problems.” She smiles, shaking her head playfully, nothing but a game for her you sadly conclude. “Alright, I don’t like doing this, but you leave me no other choice.

So, carefully grabbing her hand, you decided to go with what she considered the worst discipline ever, one appropriate for her age and situation: a timeout.

A decision she received with loud whines and cries, attempting to free herself from your hold but being unable to do as much as lightly tug at your arm, forced to accept the fate awaiting inside her bedroom; 5 minutes to think of the gravity of her actions, understand them, and hopefully, a genuine apology.

“Mamaaaaaaaa.” She would call from inside, pounding at the door. “Mamaaaaaaa!! Let me out!!”

It hurt you to hear her crying like that, your poor baby, the light of your life, one of the many reasons you loved being a mother—but such, it also reminded you that if you truly loved her, then you would discipline her when needed and set up limits that would protect her.

She was just a child and should act like one! Not copy dubious behaviors from people you’re going to start distancing from! Just as your husband would come to support…

“Care to explain the things you’re teaching my daughter?!” Naoya is quick to reproach his father as soon as you inform him of what happened. Somewhat afraid of Naobito, you usually let him handle these types of matters, but never alone, standing by his side as your protective husband gave him a piece of his mind. “I will not allow you to spend any more time with her if you’re just going to be a bad influence on her!”

“Ah, it’s nothing but a stupid expression! Just something to say to people that are being a bit foolish, motivate them to do better, nothing more!” Naobito dismisses, as always. You press your lips together, seeing the anger building up in Naoya’s face.

“Regardless of what it was, as his father, I do not want her replicating such behavior. So, you either behave for the first time in your life, or I won’t allow you to see Naohime ever again!”

“So now you’re threatening me?” Naobito chuckled. “She’s a much better, promising daughter than any of you ever were. A shame you don’t see it.”

You sigh; it’s nothing but obvious that he’d been drinking, kind of. Alcohol only made his defensive, intolerant nature worse, and subsequently, impossible to engage in a conversation with him.

But it’s not like either expected any different, he’s always been like this and would continue to do so until forever it seems. Thus, after brief consideration, you and Naoya decide to follow through with what both thought best: spend a few days with your father in hopes of giving Naohime a breath of fresh air, a break from the estate, as well as the opportunity to get along with the rest of her relatives, ones both hoped she’d take after.

Something she clearly didn’t like, that much Naomi was able to assess after seeing the tantrum her little sister was throwing.

“No! I don’t wanna leave, no! No!” Naohime cried, fists closed tightly as she thrashes all around her bed. “Mama and Papa hates me!”

“It’s hate Naohime—and no, they don’t hate you, peanut.” Naomi says, carefully sitting by her side and placing her hand behind her back, hoping to stop her before she either hurts her or herself. “You just did something they didn’t like, that’s all.”

“No, I didn’t!” she protests. “I never do bad!”

Naomi raises an eyebrow; so young and already so sure of herself. Well, can’t say they aren’t related.

“You do realize you insulted the staff, right? The same people that feed you every day? How would you feel if someone from our family said the same thing to mama? Or papa? Call them stupid.”

Naomi frowns, disliking the mental image of her parents being belittled—or being told anything ugly! It’s one thing what she does, and another entirely different when pertaining to others. Her parents are off limits!

Regret soon fills her senses, but too embarrassed to admit her wrongdoings, she responds with the only phrase she thinks works the same.

“I don’t wanna leave…”

“…Just apologize, Naohime. That’s all Mama and Papa want from you.” Naomi says, patting her back once more. “And stop mimicking all that the old man does, ok? He’s not good for you.”

“But he’s funny…”

“Papa can be… funnier if that’s what you really want.” Naomi couldn’t believe what she was saying, but here she was, defending her father!

But it was true, in a way; and necessary to stop her baby sister from turning into a small Naobito.

“No, he’s silly…”

Naomi chuckles; well, at least she’s not easy to fool.

“Mama and Papa love you and want nothing but the best for you.”

“…I know.” Naohime eventually admits, finally giving way to the first step of her so-called redemption, an apology that the staff warmly received, her parents briefly taken aback, yet happy.

…

If not curious as to know why she’d done so in the first place; perhaps a sudden change of heart?

“I just spoke to her, you know. She’s still capable of hearing and understanding.” Naomi says. “Don’t give up without trying.”

“Oh, I know.” You lament, and the notion you’ve been dragging along of being the worst parent ever sank deeper into your mind. “I just… I guess I was just shocked to hear her say that! Something so terrible, and of course, how close she actually was to Naobito. I knew they got along, just not to this extent!”

“I should’ve known, my love. They spend the whole day together, and she rarely listens to us when she’s with him!” Naoya frowns, feeling equally incompetent. “Don’t solely reprimand yourself, I too was at fault.”

“Well, if you must know, she was really upset at the thought of you guys being angry with her.” Your eldest added. “And honestly, you aren’t such bad parents. Maybe a bit… embarrassing, but nothing she couldn’t tolerate and appreciate. She’s still your daughter at the end of the day.”

You and Naoya look at each other, as if silently discussing what your daughter just said before smiling, quickly acknowledging her words as truthful—that no matter what happens, regardless of the issues that would naturally arise as time went on, and everything else… Naohime was still your and Naoya’s daughter: the energetic, joyful, but most importantly, caring girl you raised her to be.

She just needed guidance from time to time, like everyone often does. Some more than others, but even that didn’t lessen your children before your eyes, stop you and Naoya from seeing them as what they really are: perfect.

To be given such wisdom through your daughter Naomi made the two also realize how much she’s grown. The once adorable, rosy-cheeked baby who followed you everywhere you took her was now a woman in her own right: one that is supportive of her parents, as well as a good older sister both always knew she’d be.

Ah, time sure flies by. Best to enjoy these moments while they last.

“Thank you, mochi.” You smile, approaching to give her a quick pinch on the cheek, a gesture that has her quickly flustered, tensing her shoulders as she looks away, hoping no one had seen so. “For being a good sister to Naohime and a good daughter to us.”

“Mom, seriously—can you stop with the names… I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“Hmmm, really? You still act like one though?” Naoya snickers, she rolls her eyes.

“Don’t you two have more important matters to tend to anyways?? Like Grandpa?? He’s been telling me non-stop how excited he is to have us over since it’s been so long since he last saw us and to let him know if there’s any food I’d like to eat over there so he can buy it! And I just promised Naohime you guys wouldn’t take her if she apologized, so…”

“Oh, shit!” You gasped, looking over to Naoya, wide-eyed just as he was, at the notion of unwittingly getting into another problem just as soon as you got rid of the other! “What are we going to do? We just can’t cancel on my dad; you know how upset he gets! And he’s been feeling awful as of lately too… I think he just figured out that Naohime prefers being around your dad over mine!”

“Naohime is going to be upset with us again… and your dad too.”

“Not if you bribe her.” Naomi suggests. And even if it were an idea that would essentially label the two as bad parents, you end up taking her proposal—call it a white little lie, a necessary evil, whatever it took to keep your family happy!

It may have been easier to not spoil Naohime that much from the very beginning… ease Eiichi, your father, from sending her toys whenever one crossed his path; Naobito from badly influencing her, and Naomi from trying to be the cool sister (though she’d always deny it), the one she could always rush to whenever none of the former were collaborating with her, however that may be done.

Well, there’s only so much that could be done in these circumstances—it is simply the blessing curse of being the youngest child.

:') cool sister Naomi; I can't believe that one day I'm writing her as a baby and the next day she's Naohime's favorite hahahah 🥺 they grow up so fast....

Well, now I gotta turbo those tiktok requests because I fear I will forget them and THEN I WON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITEEEEE

Anyways, this was a treat to write, as always. I love it when you guys indulge in my domestic stuff 😭 the Naohime acceptance makes me very very happy 😭😭😭😭😭💖💖💖 thank you so much!!! (though I gotta say, I hope we didn't come out as a horrible parent here hahah I don't know much about kids but I know for sure it's impossible for them to be perfect angels soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 🥺)

Now, take care, and hope to see you soon!!

[if-lost-please-return-to-maliksi]

POLARIS

Disclaimer: I do not own Maliksi, or Makisig (the Tamawo bros). Full Credit goes to HC - @ask-emilz-de-philz. Please check out their blog for amazing art and the wonderful world of Planet Puto.

A/N: This one is the sequel to Rough around the Edges. The last chapter (Rough Around the Edges - Final Part) may seem rushed- honestly, it is. Not in a way that I wanted to finish it at that, but my ADHD brain sometimes gets sudden bursts of ideas that I need to quickly get into my drafts, however, my fingers are too slow to type everything. Those I didn't get to type is somehow forgotten or changed into something else, thus explains the inconsistencies in pace, typos, wrong grammar, and other imperfections in my writing. (No, I am not sad or apologetic about it. I have a lot to improve and I have all the time in the world :D ) Still, I am thankful for everyone who takes time to read the products of my mind. I love writing about Maliksi btw, I think his character is complex and simple in itself and I am absolutely smitten with him. <3 Love HC and everything they do, as well as my fellow Planet Puto fans and enjoyers.

((AND NO, I AM NOT HURTING YOUR HEARTS THIS TIMEEE))

"Hey old hag, slow down or do you wanna get your second hip replacement right away?" Maliksi grumbled as he helped Amor's granddaughter, Maricela sit into a chair at the patio. She and Maliksi became friends- sharing their adoration for Amor.

Maricela has been old now and being in her 70's wasn't that enjoyable for her. She recently got hip replacement surgery and her grandchildren will be coming home from the city next week to take care of her.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure Lola Amor loved not getting this old. That woman died pretty." Maricela softly chuckled. "Thank you for visiting, Maliksi."

Maliksi scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. Can't have you tumbling around your backyard again before Amor scolds me on my dreams."

"Lola visits you on your dreams? Wait, you guys sleep?"

"If you were any younger I would've smacked you on your head by now. Ofcourse we sleep! We're not vampires! And no, she doesn't visit my dreams, that snobby little lady not even showing herself to me...even once."

"Not like you visited her when she was still alive!" Maricela burst out laughing.

"To my defense, I absolutely have no idea how time works outside Biringan. I didn't bother finding out before losing her." Maliksi softly answered.

"Atleast you're learning now. How's your Kuya Makisig? Still busy with his tamawo duties?"

"Yeah, as always."

"If you both didn't tell me everything about tamawos or explained how you guys' relationship with the humans work, I would've stayed there. I was crushing hard on your Kuya when I was younger." Maricela giggled.

"Well, you're a widow now want me to get Kuya to-"

Maricela, even being that old was still strong enough to playfully bonk Maliksi on his head. "Oh shush! Have some respect to your elders, how can you pimp me like I'm some kind of sugar baby wannabe."

Maliksi clutched his stomach from laughing too hard. "C'mon. I'm technically older than you by a lot!"

"You have a point. You should visit here next week. My grandchildren will be throwing a little party since this is the first time they'll be going home here in the province in a very long time. We'll have a lot of sweets and kakanin for sure."

"Next week huh? Seven human days, sure...I'll set that in my calendar so I won't miss it."

Maricela's laughter filled the air as her younger grandchildren pushed her wheelchair around the yard. Most of Maricela's family stayed at the city and rarely visited the province. The kids are absolutely enjoying it, having a chance to play in the sun and have fun on an open yard for the first time.

Maliksi quietly watched as he picks up a plate, ignoring the other savory dishes and going straight to the dessert section. The family members just thought of Maliksi as anak ng kapitbahay who looks after their Lola Maricela whenever he's free so he is treated warmly, oftentimes greeted by everyone who passes by his table.

Maliksi was spooning some lecheflan right out from the llanera when a shy boy approached his table and placed a platter of kutsinta right infront of him.

"My ate told me to give this to you." The boy shyly said before running away to join his cousins.

He tilted his head, eyes scanning the plate of steamed rice cake in front of him.

Amor still makes the best one.

Kutsinta is still his favorite, no doubt about that, yet he couldn't get himself to eat it after learning about Amor's passing, knowing nothing can top her kutsinta- it's the best he's ever tried even after being alive for centuries afterall.

Maliksi looked around, knowing that the kakanin might be prepared by one of Maricela's relatives, or worse, by one of her grandkids. Not wanting to be rude towards the one who made it, Maliksi slowly picked up a piece, inching it closer to his mouth before taking a bite.

His eyes widen as he quickly stood up from his seat, Maricela and her family were surprised at his suddenness, all eyes staring at him in bewilderment.

"Is everything okay, ijo?" one of the aunties asked Maliksi.

He quickly realized his actions, clearing his throat to gain composure and sitting back down calmly. "I- Sorry, it's just..the kutsinta is...good. Who made it?"

"Oh, must be Y/n. Lola Maricela's granddaughter who just graduated college. She loved cooking."

Maliksi heard a soft chuckle from behind him. He slowly turned around to see who it's coming from.

"Tastes like the best kutsinta ever, huh?" You stood infront of him, giving him a smug smile.

"You look like a kutsinta type of guy so I asked my lil bro to give you some. You like it?"

Maliksi stood frozen in place, his mind wandering to places. It is indeed the best kutsinta. Hell, it tastes like Amor's. He cannot forget that taste even after so many years.

The nostalgia brought by that single bite alone is enough to take him back to that time when Amor would make kutsinta and place it somewhere he'll find since he's too prideful before to accept anything from humans. He won't be able to resist it and just tell himself that Amor didn't give it to him- he 'sneakily' stole it from the human girl and enjoyed every last bits of it.

"I might not remember him, but my heart and soul will know him once we meet again."

"You...made this?"

You nodded. "Yeah, aside from the kutsinta itself, the secret actually lies on-"

"On the yema that is spread lightly on the top of the kutsinta before it's sprinkled with grated coconut." Maliksi finished your sentence which made you chuckle a little bit.

"How did you know that? Not everyone does that."

"A...friend of mine made it like that." Maliksi softly answered.

[seidenbros]

Can we have a Steve falling head over heels for Robin's college roommate? I'm pretty sure Steve would love a super nerdy bookworm girl. Literature student, maybe? I picture her as a hopeless romantic who's super into the most tooth aching clichès and he definitely finds that cute. But she totally matches Robin's energy, so she is funny + adorable + cute.

He visits Robin on a regular basis and as she is super close with reader, they become friends too but then he realizes that she's everything he ever wanted 🥺

I'm totally vibing with that. Sorry 🤣

Hello love and thank you so much for this request. I decided to mix it with an idea that I couldn't get out of my head, so we have Baker!Steve in this one. I kinda wrote my heart out and just realised that I completely forgot to weave in the hopeless romantic/clichès thing and I'm sorry D: I hope you'll still enjoy it 💚 and if you were wondering what a puddin pretzel is, click here

prompt lists for inspiration | Stranger Things Masterlist Pairing: Baker!Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader Word Count: 6743 Warnings/Tags: mutual pining, use of petnames (doll), broken hearts in the past, fluff, domestic Steve, I mean he bakes come on!, making out, sexual tension Read on AO3

If someone had told Steve Harrington years ago that he would one day earn his money with baking, he would have probably called them crazy. But here he was, still learning this and that, but he was already doing a damn good job. It was work that fulfilled him, baking things that made other people smile, that helped them start their days off right, and he’d even made his first wedding cake. The old man that had taught him, was leaving him more and more in charge of everything, while his granddaughter worked behind the counter to sell everything.

It had started out as a hobby, as a way to experiment at home, since he’d pretty much always been alone. Steve had always had a sweet tooth, so it was just more fun to try this out himself instead of just buying everything. Sure, he had the money, and he often did buy stuff, but he wanted to mix things up. He dreamed about mixing maple syrup with bacon in the form of a cupcake. So he did just that.

While Robin went to college, Steve started working at a shop called Sweet Temptations. Honestly, he’d been drawn in by the name, and then the cupcakes, the cakes and whatnot had made him stay and ask about a job. While Nino, the owner, had told him to bring him something homemade, his granddaughter had immediately said that he could start, because he would definitely draw the younger women in. Sure, they could use the additional customers, but Steve wouldn’t get the job without proving that he indeed had a talent when it came to baking.

And Steve delivered. He did make the Maple-Bacon-cupcakes he’d perfected by now and had wowed Nino with that. So, the old man had told Steve everything he knew, and was still teaching him, even though he only spent one day a week at the bakery, trying to do his best to enjoy his retirement. The shop was still his baby, so he had to drop by and bake with Steve once a week, pass on his secrets, the ones he hadn’t already passed onto him. His granddaughter, Mira, had been right at least, because they had an increase in female customers who even stayed in the shop to enjoy a piece of cake and a coffee, lingering to get a good look at the young baker everyone was talking about.

Meanwhile, Steve’s mind and heart were occupied with someone else: You. God, he had fallen head over heels for you, and he hadn’t seen it coming.

Of course, he’d heard about you from Robin again and again. She loved living with you, because you were so much like her. Sure, you liked different things, and you were someone who did read a lot - maybe natural as a literature student - but you also liked to go out with Robin, enjoyed movie nights, and listened to her ramble on and on. You two just worked so well together, and Robin had quickly become your best friend. While Steve had heard everything about you, you had heard everything about him from Robin.

Still, it had taken a lot of time until the two of you had finally met. Robin had invited Steve over for movie night, and had forgotten to ask you first, so when you’d opened the door for him, you’d been taken aback. You’d seen pictures of him, but seeing him there right in front of you had definitely made your heart skip a beat - and it had been the same for Steve. Robin had apologised again and again, saying that she should have asked you first, but you’d been overjoyed to finally meet that famous Steve Harrington. That alone had made him blush a little. Robin should have seen it right then and there, because she wasn’t used to that kind of reaction from Steve, but she’d been a bit blind in that moment, because she’d still kept apologising to you.

Ever since then, you’d made it a regular thing to rent some movies and watch them together. But it wasn’t just those days that Steve showed up. Sometimes, he stopped by after work and brought a couple of baked goods with him. Sometimes, he came over for pizza in the evening. You liked him, and you liked spending time with him, but never made any advances towards him, because he was Robin’s other best friend. They’d been through a lot, that much she’d told you, but she’d never said what exactly had happened. But you knew that Steve was plagued by nightmares, and that there were certain days that he couldn’t stand bright lights, because they gave him a headache. He’d told you once that he’s had more than one concussion, so the headaches, the light sensibility, those were things that came from that. Not every day, he had good and bad days of course, but when he’d told you about that, you’d hugged him without thinking too much about it. Steve had gone rigid in your arms for a moment, before he’d melted into your touch, had hugged you back and just stayed like this for some time. When you’d separated, none of you had been able to say anything, because Robin had burst back into the room again.

One day, Robin had asked you whether it was really okay that Steve wass dropping by so often. She’d told you that it was okay, if she went over to Steve’s so that you had your peace and quiet to read or study, but you’d quickly told her that it was more than okay. Maybe even a bit too quickly, because she’d smiled at you, leaning in to ask you whether you liked him. The way you’d stumbled over your words had told her everything she’d needed to know.

“I don’t have time for a guy in my life,” you’d told her, but Robin had just rolled her eyes at you, knowing that it was just a way to guard your heart, to not give anyone the chance to break your heart again. If you were honest with yourself, Steve had already managed to slip past the cracks in the wall you’d put up. With his warm smile, his infectious laughter, his caring personality and the love he put out into the world. That was why you had to be careful, watch out that you didn’t fall even more for him. The best would probably be to not spend that much time with him, but you enjoyed it way too much, missed the movie nights when you had something else to go to.

Tonight, though, when Steve knocked on the door to the apartment you shared with Robin, you immediately smiled when you saw him. Steve did the same, before he lifted the tray he was carrying.

“Brought you something new. Just tried it out today!” Steve walked in, taking off his shoes and jacket, while you brought the tray to the kitchen.

“So we’re your test subjects, huh?”

“Oh, you know, I really value your opinion, so…” Steve shrugged his shoulders, before he drew his brows together. Robin was in the bathroom, singing at the top of her lungs, but Steve couldn’t really make out the song.

“I swear, if you keep bringing this stuff, I won’t fit through the door anymore at one point. I already gained weight because of these things.”

“So, do you want me to stop bringing you stuff?” Steve tried to  stop himself from smiling, while his eyes wandered over your body. To him you were perfect, with a couple kilos more or less, he didn’t care as long as you were happy.

“Don't you dare stop!” you said with a laugh as you opened the lid of the tray. The air was immediately filled with the smell of vanilla, making your mouth water. “What is that?”

Your eyes, big and round and filled with wonder, looked up at Steve, ready to take one of these things and take a bite to see if they tasted as good as they looked.

“It’s called a pudding pretzel. See, it looks like a pretzel, but it’s sweet.” He leaned over, his shoulder touching yours as he showed you what he meant. “And the holes are filled with pudding. You just have to try it.”

When he turned his head to face you, your noses nearly brushed. For a moment, you both stayed like this, nobody saying a word, but you quickly straightened, when you heard the bathroom door open.

“Steve?” Robin said, scowling at him as she fluffed up her hair, looking ready to go out. Then, realisation hit her. “Shit, I completely forgot about movie night!”

“Got a hot date or something?” Steve’s eyes locked on her, scanning her outfit, before he started grinning from ear to ear. “Oh you do! And you haven’t said a word!”

“Well…” Now, it was Robin’s turn to blush, but she quickly brushed past the two of you to get to her shoes. “I didn’t wanna jinx it by telling you, and you probably would have talked me out of it.”

That made your ears perk up, and you followed her, because you had an idea who she might be going out with, and it was not a good idea. Still, if that was Robin’s choice, you would accept it and let her go. Once she got her mind set on something, nobody could really talk her out of it.

“I’m really sorry that I didn’t tell you two and postpone movie night. But you’re welcome to stay anyway, Steve. You can watch a movie without me, right?” Robin’s eyes settled on you when she straightened again, her shoes now on her feet. Oh that little minx! Right now, that almost felt like some kind of scheme from her to get you and Steve to spend some time alone.

“It’s alright, I can leave if you want to use the night to read the book you talked about!”

“Already finished that,” you quickly said, surprised that he’d remembered that.

“Should have expected that.” Steve let out a laugh that made your lips curl up into a smile. A laugh that was so genuine that it touched your heart and made the last bit of resolve vanish.

“You’re welcome to stay, Steve. Would love the company for a movie.”

The way you said his name, the way it rolled off your tongue, made Steve smile.

“Alright, then I’ll stay.”

“Good!” Robin clapped her hands, giving you a mischievous grin, before she reached for her bag. “Have fun you two. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” And with that, she was out the door.

“She’s really something, isn’t she?” Steve shook his head, slowly looking your way.

“Tell me about it!” You rolled your eyes with a laugh. “How about I get the movie started and you get these delicious things on a plate?”

Steve agreed without hesitating, but he still watched you leave for the living room. The moment you were gone, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his beating heart. Suddenly being alone with you made him nervous. With Robin there, it hadn’t been awkward at all, but he was scared that he would make it awkward now. He really didn’t want to screw this up with you, but he also didn’t want to make a move because… well, you were Robin’s roommate and her other best friend. If you didn’t like him the way he liked you, it would make things incredibly uncomfortable for all of you.

So, he took a deep breath and put the pudding pretzels on plates, before he walked over to you. He took a seat on the opposite site of the sofa and handed you one of the plates. With Robin not there, there was a huge gap between you.

“Oh my God!” 

Your sudden outburst nearly made Steve jump, because his eyes had been glued to the TV. With big eyes, he looked at you, but seeing the smile on your face made him relax. You wiggled around in your spot, your mouth filled with another bite of the baked goods he’d brought.

“Steve, this tastes absolutely amazing! You gonna sell it at the shop?”

“If Nino agrees, then yes.”

“He’d be an idiot not to sell them. These are better than sex!”

Steve nearly choked on the piece of pudding pretzel he had in his mouth when you said that. He needed a moment, to calm down, before he levelled his eyes at you, trying to figure out whether he’d heard you correctly.

“What?”

“I mean it.” You looked at him for a moment, before you quickly turned to look back at the TV, because the intensity of his stare made you squirm in your seat. Shit, you’d really put your foot in your mouth and had said something that probably wasn’t appropriate to talk about with Steve, especially not because you liked him and had thought about doing certain things with him. “At least better than the sex I’ve had.”

Yeah, you really should have kept quiet, so before you said anything else, you stuffed your mouth with the rest that was still on your plate.

“God, I’m sorry, doll, but then you probably just had the wrong kind of guy by your side.” Steve shook his head, kinda shocked to hear that from you, to know that apparently nobody had made you really enjoy it when you thought that his pudding pretzels were better than sex. It also made him aware that he’d thought about this with you way more often than was appropriate. And he should really not be thinking about it right now, but you’d planted that thought in his head. “Cause it can and should be good.”

“Yeah I know…” You sounded kind of defeated, not wanting to think about how much time you’d wasted with your ex, who’d cheated on you multiple times, and who’d treated you like one of his belongings. But you also didn’t want to think about Steve on the other side of the sofa. Steve, who looked good enough to eat, and who smelled the part as well, because he’d come by right after work, so he smelled just as delicious as the baked goods he’d brought with him.

Steve shifted his sitting position, reached for a pillow to lay it in his lap and balance the plate on top of it, which was more of an alibi move, so that you wouldn’t grow suspicious of him putting the pillow in his lap.

There was about half an hour of silence between the two of you, each one aware of the tension in the room, but staying quiet about it. When you reached for the blanket, though, because you were getting cold, Steve shifted in his seat, looking over at you. Suddenly, he felt a bit bolder. Maybe that was because of your previous topic, maybe it was the overall situation, but in the end, it didn’t matter.

“Come here,” he said, opening his arms for you, a smile on his lips. “I promise I won’t bite, but honestly, I’m like a furnace, so I’ll keep you warm.”

“I-” you started, biting your lip, but if he was offering, it was alright to do it, wasn’t it? “Okay.” You scooted over to him and snuggled up to his side, your heart racing in your chest when his smell filled your nose again.

Steve’s arm wrapped around your shoulders and he pulled you even closer. Your hand found its place on his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart through the shirt he was wearing. Was he maybe as nervous as you were? Or was that just your imagination? When you lifted your head to look up at him, you found him staring back, and you could swear that his eyes landed on your lips. Before anything could happen, before any of you could say a thing, the door to your apartment flung open and Robin kicked it shut again behind her.

You scrambled to get up from the sofa, heart beating even faster than before, because you felt like you had nearly been caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing. Which was ridiculous, since Steve and you were both adults and nothing had happened. Still, you didn’t really want Robin to find you like this.

Steve just looked at you with big eyes for a moment, before you left him sitting there alone to get to Robin. He reached for the remote to turn everything off before he followed you.

“Oh lord, what happened?” he asked when he found you and Robin sitting at the kitchen table. She looked a bit out of it, when you held out a glass of water to her. She’d had a couple of drinks, Steve could tell that already.

“She stood me up.” Robin looked up at him for a moment, before she dropped her forehead to the table again, heaving a sigh. “Waited and waited and was so nervous… Maaaaay have had a couple drinks. Then I left.”

“I’m so sorry, Robin. Want me to trip her the next time I see her?” you offered, laying a gentle hand on her back, slowly rubbing up and down to show her that you were there.

“No… Just.. God, I just wanna go to bed.” You could tell that she was on the verge of tears, because of the alcohol. It always made her either more outgoing or emotional, and after an evening like this, it was clear that she wasn’t dancing on tables right now.

“Come on, I’ll take you to bed,” you said, standing up with her, wrapping your arm around her waist. You looked up, your eyes meeting Steve’s

“Go, I’ll clean up here,” he said with a smile. So, while you went to the bathroom with Robin to get her into something more comfortable and wash her face, Steve cleaned the kitchen and put everything away that you’d used. He brought a bottle of water into Robin’s room and put it next to the bed.

“Thank you,” Robin mumbled, as you entered her room and she saw Steve just put the bottle down, but she meant both of you. “I should have just stayed home with you two.” She flopped down on her bed, taking a deep breath. “Did you at least enjoy your evening?”

“Yeah,” Steve said immediately, smiling to himself as he risked a look at you.

“It was a good movie, so yeah!” To be honest, you had no idea what the movie had been about, too preoccupied with the person standing next to you right now.

“Mhm… Good,” Robin mumbled, snuggling into her pillow. “Was hoping for more, though.”

She didn’t offer an explanation or say anything else, mainly because she fell asleep, but she left you curious about what she meant. Well, you had an idea, but you couldn’t be sure about that. It didn’t matter in the end, did it?

As quietly as possible, you left the room with Steve, leaving the door ajar when you brought him to the front door.

“I’ll come by tomorrow morning and take care of breakfast, alright? See how she’s doing.” Steve put on his shoes before he reached for his jacket.

“Sounds good. And thank you, Steve… It was a fun evening.” Maybe, that was not exactly the right word, considering how nervous he’d made you, but the brief moment you’d spent in his arms had made you relax, and it had made you feel so safe.

“It really was, so thank you.” Steve leaned forward to place a kiss on your cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Mhm… goodnight, Steve!” He turned around at the top of the stairs to give you a little wave, before he disappeared from view. The smile on your lips would probably have been able to light up the whole room when you closed the door behind you. The only question was, how you were supposed to find sleep after this.

As you’d expected, you hardly slept at all, tossing and turning, thinking about the previous evening, how close Steve and you had gotten. You hadn’t lied to Robin when you’d said that you didn’t have time for a man, though it was probably more a way to protect yourself than anything else. But Steve… Steve made you laugh, he filled you with happiness, and he always took care of Robin and you. That’s why he wanted to come by and make breakfast.

Shit. Yeah, you really weren’t ready to face him right now, not when you thought about him pretty much all night and were ready to jump his bones, to act on the tension that had been there between you hours later. 

You cast a quick glance into Robin’s room, but she was still asleep, so you left her alone again and put on your shoes. You needed to get out, go for a walk, clear your mind, whatever. But you were not ready to face Steve. But Steve it was, you collided with when you ripped the door open and stepped outside without looking around first.

“Woah, careful there, doll!” One of Steve’s hands wrapped around your upper arm, steadying you, while he was carrying a bag in the other hand. Your own hands landed in his chest, eyes closed for a moment, before you managed to pry them open and look at him.

“You running away from something?” he asked, smiling at you, before he carefully took his hand off your arm. 

God, he had no idea how correct he was. On the one hand, you were running from him, on the other from your own feelings, because you were already feeling your heart pick up its pace, and it wasn’t because of the surprise right now. It was because of Steve’s presence, because of the smell of him that filled your nose, because of the smile that made your knees weak.

“No!” Your answer came a bit too quickly for your own liking and you bit your bottom lip, taking a step back. “I’m just running late. Completely forgot I have a meeting. I’ll see you around!”

You gave him a curt smile and a wave before you were off and bounded down the stairs. Steve watched you leave, his heart sinking a little, because it felt like you were running away from him. Still, he was here to make breakfast, so he walked inside and headed to the kitchen to prepare some scrambled eggs and pancakes.

When Robin walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later, she was greeted with a set table and everything she could wish for. She only had a mild headache, but nothing a good breakfast couldn’t help with.

“Morning,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes, before she smiled at Steve. “Is Y/N not awake yet?”

“She is… but she pretty much fled your apartment.”

“Huh?” Now, that made Robin’s eyes widen, curiosity shining in them when she took a seat. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Robin reached for the coffee first to take a sip and let the hot liquid wake her spirits.

“She said she has a meeting, but-” Steve heaved a sigh, reaching for his own coffee cup to wrap his hands around it. He looked down, as if he was looking for the right words in the hot beverage. “Kinda felt like she didn’t wanna see me, you know? Maybe, I fucked it up, don’t know.”

“Wait a second!” Robin pinched the bridge of her nose, trying her best to focus. “I feel like I’m missing a vital piece of information here.”

“Nothing happened!” Steve said immediately, looking up again to reassure Robin and make her realise that he was telling the truth. “At least not really. I mean, we were watching the movie and she said that my pudding pretzels were better than sex, so… that topic came up briefly and then we were both quiet… a bit awkward.”

Steve leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table, clasping his hands together. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, while Robin started eating the pancakes, listening intently to what he was saying. But she didn’t stop him, let him talk until she had all the information she needed.

“When she reached for the blanket, I offered her to come cuddle, ‘cause you know how much heat I radiate.”

“That’s a fact. You’re damn hot all the time.” Robin nodded her head, curious where this was going, as if she was reading a book, or rather having a book read to hear that was just about to get really interesting. “So what then?”

“She snuggled up to me.”

Oh, the smile that appeared on Steve’s lips made Robin really giddy. She’d seen that look before, but it had been a while since she’d last seen that. Sure, Steve had done a lot of dating, looking for the one person that he could call his partner, the one that would stay with him and really love him, but he hadn’t found that person. And now, you were the reason he had that dreamy smile on his lips.

“And then you got hom.”

“Ahh fuck,” Robin groaned, dropping her fork onto the table. “You were doing so well, and then I managed to fuck it up. So much for my plan.”

“Yeah…” Steve was still smiling, but then he realised what Robin had just said. “What do you mean your plan?”

“Forget it…” Robin quickly shook her head, but before she could say anything else, Steve insisted that she should tell him.

“Well… she likes you, Steve! I wasn’t sure how you were feeling, but seeing how much you smile, I don’t need you to spell it out. But Y/N is always like… she doesn’t have time for a boyfriend, she’s scared of getting her heart broken again…”

“Yeah, I know that feeling.” Steve rolled his eyes, tried his best not to get his hopes up at what Robin had just told him.

“Yeah, and that’s exactly why the two of you would never hurt each other like that. That’s why I didn’t tell you two about the date yesterday. So that you’d spend some time alone and maybe, finally take a step towards each other.” Robin leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “And apparently you did. But why do you think she’d be running from you now?”

“I don’t know! I mean, maybe I was too bold yesterday?”

“Steve, you cuddled on the sofa for maybe a few moments, right? And she could have easily said no, but she didn’t.”

“I kissed her cheek when I left and told her I’d come by for breakfast.”

“Oh boy… Nothing of that was too bold, but I guess, she’s too much in her head again, so that’s why she ran.”

“Maybe.” Steve lifted his coffee cup and emptied the last drops into his mouth, before he got up. “You’ll be alright? ‘Cause I think I just need to clear my head a bit.”

“Steve…” Robin really didn’t want to let him go, not when he looked so defeated.

Sure, Robin had told him that you apparently had feelings for him, but right now, he was sure that you’d run away from him, so that was wearing him down. For months now, he hadn’t had eyes for anyone else, only for you, because you were the one person that made him happy beyond words by just existing in his close proximity. Yesterday, getting to hold you and kiss your cheek had made him unbelievably happy, but for you? It sure looked like he’d taken it too far. So he needed some time to himself, and when he needed to clear his head, he started baking.

“Robin…” Steve looked at her, a weary smile on his lips when he stepped up to her. “Will you be alright?”

“Sure,” she said with a huff, not wanting to let him go, but knowing that she couldn’t keep him here. “What about you, though?”

“I’ll be fine. I always manage, you know that.”

Yeah, she did… and that was what kind of scared her, because she knew that Steve wouldn’t bounce back that easily this time, not when you were the perfect match for him and ran out of the apartment as soon as he arrived.

After a long, long walk and some more coffee from the coffee shop around the corner, you came back home, hoping that Steve would already be gone. When you didn’t see his shoes when you entered, you sighed in relief. At least, you were thinking that it was relief, but it was mixed with a weird kind of longing because he wasn’t there.

“Good, you’re home,” Robin said, leaning in the door to the living room. She’d showered and looked way better than the night before, but the serious look on her face made you a little worried.

“Yeah, sorry, I had a-”

“Meeting, so I’ve heard. Now, tell me, why haven’t you mentioned that all week?”

“Well,” you started, eyes wide, because you hadn’t expected that question from her. And that attitude she was giving you, really threw you off.

“Because you didn’t have a meeting and just ran away so you didn’t have to face Steve, right?”

Busted.

“Look…” You ran both hands over your face and through your hair. Steve was Robin’s best friend, and you really didn’t want to make it awkward at all, but right now, you got the feeling that it already was awkward as fuck. 

“Hey, listen,” Robin said, stepping up to you and taking your hands into hers, her voice and her whole demeanour a lot softer than before. “I understand that, ‘cause you’re scared of getting hurt again, but believe me… Steve would never hurt you. God, he’s so in love with you, it’s painful to watch.”

“He… what?”

“Are you really that oblivious? He’s not just being nice to you. He’s completely and utterly in love with you. And he’s scared of getting his heart broken again as well.” Robin shook her head before she smiled at you. “You two really belong together, you just have to open your heart and allow yourself that.”

Robin tapped two fingers against your chest, letting go of your hands to do so.

“I’m just…” You broke off, shaking your head as you were trying to process what Robin had just told you. You had kind of hoped that Steve would feel the same way, but a tiny voice had told you all this time that he had just been nice to you.

“Scared, I know. So is Steve.” Robin placed a hand on your cheek, making you look at her again. “And now he thinks he did something wrong.” “What? No, no, no, he didn’t, I was just… I don’t know.”

“Maybe you should go and tell him that then. Make him stop worrying, because I know he’ll be baking all afternoon to clear his head.”

“You think so?”

“I know it. Because he keeps overthinking every little thing. Something else you have in common.”

Mira walked to the back where Steve was working and put a new cup of coffee in front of him.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Anything else you need?” She leaned in the doorframe, watching him work. He’d come in, looking distracted, and it had shown in the first batch of cupcakes he’d made, because they’d landed in the trash.

“No thanks.” Steve gave her a smile that looked more forced than anything and went back to work. He knew that he needed to concentrate a little more, because that would help him clear his head of you, but it didn’t work. You were there, in his head and in his heart, and by now it hurt to think about you. 

Steve turned the music up a little louder and started putting the ingredients he needed into the mixer. While the mixer was busy, he put some flour on the work surface and made a mould in the middle, because he wanted to make bread as well as some more cupcakes.

He stopped the mixer once all the ingredients were blended together, and tasted it. It was good, no question, but it was definitely missing some more vanilla. Once he had the perfect mixture, he poured it into the baking pans and sent the cupcakes to the oven.

Now for the bread… he mixed the yeast with warm water before he poured the mixture into the mould in the flour. That was the moment you walked into the room, but Steve didn’t realise that he wasn’t alone anymore. He was finally able to clear his head a little, hum along to the music and concentrate on what he was doing. With a spoon, he started mixing a bit of the water mixture and the flour together, before he was finally able to use his hands to make some proper dough. His hands and arms were full of flour, so when he raised his arm to brush the sweat on his forehead away with his forearm, some of the flour stuck to his face and even his hair.

The sight warmed your heart, because he looked completely at ease, so in his element, that you didn’t want to disturb him. At the same time, your heart nearly burst out of your chest, because it was filled with so much love for this man. Now that you were allowing yourself these feelings, they were even bigger than you could ever have expected.

Your eyes travelled up slowly up from his hands, over his forearms, the muscles flexing in them, the veins that stood out, up over his chest, his chin, his lips, and to his eyes that were now looking back at you. You hadn’t realised that he’d stopped kneading the dough and was suddenly aware that you were there.

“What are you doing here?” Steve’s words weren’t harsh, they were extremely soft, surprise shining in his eyes as he wiped his hands on his apron.

“I… I wanted to see you,” you managed to say. “Think I’ve got some explaining to do.”

“You don’t have to explain anything.” Steve shook his head, still trying to smile. “I took it a step too far.”

“Steve, you really didn’t.” You gathered your courage and walked around the work surface to stop right in front of him. “I was just…”

“Scared.” Steve finished the sentence for you, keeping his eyes on you while his heart threatened to beat right out of his chest. “Are you still scared?”

“Yeah.” You swallowed hard, taking the last step to close the gap between you two. “But…”

“But…?” Steve’s voice was low, quiet, but he was so all consuming that you couldn’t think clearly anymore. Your head was filled with him, your body humming because of the proximity of his body, of feeling the heat radiating off him and seeping into your skin. His right hand came up to cup your cheek, tilting your head so that you had to look up at him.

“But…” You tried again, your skin feeling like it was on fire from where he touched you, a hint of flour lingering where his thumb brushed over your cheek.

You ran your fingertips up his stomach, over his chest and to his shoulders, pulling yourself up just slightly so that you could kiss his lips. You had nothing to lose, right? And sometimes, you just had to take that jump that you were so afraid of.

Steve was taken by surprise that you’d taken the initiative, but that surprise was quickly pushed away, and he kissed you back. His hand moved from your cheek to the back of your neck, pulling you even closer, while his free hand found its place on your hip. Your body was flush against his, your hands moving up to tangle in his hair, your breasts pressed against his chest while his tongue delved into your mouth, making you moan slightly into the kiss.

You’d had your experience in kissing, but this… this kind of kiss was definitely something else. You felt it to the tips of your toes, it made your whole body tingle and ache for more. Close wasn’t close enough, and you could have kept going for some time, not wanting to let go of him, but the loud beeping of the oven made both of you pull back.

“Shit… sorry,” Steve mumbled, lips puffy from kissing, glistening slightly, while dark eyes looked back at you. You probably looked just like him, hair a bit dishevelled but you didn’t care.

“‘S alright,” you managed to mumble, smiling to yourself as you stepped back. Steve made quick work of the cupcakes and pulled them out of the oven.

You bit your bottom lip, looking down at yourself. The flour showed where Steve’s hands had been, and it made you grin like an idiot. Yeah, you could really get used to it.

“What are you making there anyway?” Curiosity got the better of you, so you had to ask about the dough that Steve had abandoned due to you kissing him.

“I wanted to make some bread.”

“Bread? And here I thought, you only made sweet stuff here.”

“Ah, see that’s where you’re wrong, doll. Sweet and savoury. Remember the Maple-Bacon-Cupcakes?” You nodded vigorously, because they were among your favourites. “And bread is just something that has to be mastered. Here, let me show you.”

Steve stepped up behind you and manoeuvred you so that you were standing in front of the dough. His arms wrapped around you, his chest against your back, and his hands on top of yours, moving them to the dough so he could show you how to knead it.

“It’s really soft, isn’t it?” Steve’s voice was right next to your ear, distracting you even more than being trapped in his embrace.

“Mhm…” you mumbled, trying to focus on what you were doing, but Steve made it really hard for you. You didn’t even hear most of what he was talking about, too distracted by the feeling of his strong hands on yours, guiding your hands.

“And then we form a loaf,” he nearly whispered into your ear, his lips almost touching it. Steve moved your hands with his, doing what he just told you, and when the loaf was done, he still kept you right in front of himself to walk over to the sink and wash your hands.

“Steve…” you managed to breathe out and turn in his embrace, when his lips immediately came down on yours. His hands were on your hops, lifting you into the surface, sending flour into the air, a fine dust settling on your skin and in your hair, but you didn’t care. All you cared about were Steve’s lips on yours, his hands moving up and down your thighs, while his tongue invaded your mouth, tasting you and making you crave even more. This was definitely not the right place to be doing this, but you didn’t care. Someone else did, though.

“Steve I just - OH SHIT! Sorry!” Mira quickly turned around again and walked out, still apologising.

Steve lifted his head, looking after her, before he burst out laughing. You chimed in, leaning your head against his chest, hiding your face. His fingers slowly carded through your hair, before he kissed the top of your head.

“Maybe, we should continue this somewhere else.”

“Mhm… Maybe you could finally show me how you live, after you’ve been in our apartment most of the time.” Slowly you raised your head to look at him, feet dangling left and right of his legs.

“What do I get if I show you?” Steve wiggled his eyebrows at you, making you chuckle.

“How about… as many kisses as you want?” Feeling a little bolder, you leaned forward to kiss  over his jaw to his ear, taking your time. “Sound good?”

“Perfect.” His hands squeezed your thighs, before he stepped back and held out his hand for you. You really were everything he wanted, and he couldn’t believe that you were finally holding his hand and smiling just for and because of him. What more could he want?

[seriouslysam8]

Why do you think people hate on the Weasley’s so much? They get more hate than the Malfoy’s or other DE families. It seems to be the number one reason people hate Hinny, because they wanted Harry to not be apart of the Weasley family. The amount of people that think the Malfoy’s would have been a better family for Harry than the Weasley’s is baffling. A family that loved him versus a family that tried to kill him. Don’t even get me started on the Grangers would have been a better family for Harry than the Weasley’s. Their daughter didn’t even want to hang out with them during her break, why would Harry? Lol. I don’t understand the Weasley hate. Is it because they’re poor? I would kill to be a part of a family like that!

Honestly, it boggles my mind. I would kill to be apart of the Weasley family. I fucking love them. I adore writing them with their sibling banter. Molly and Arthur?? Can they be my parents, please?? They’d be a vast improvement to my narcissistic and awful real parents. To have so many siblings that would always have your back?? I mean, I dislike Percy, okay? But he did come to the final battle and fight WITH his family. There was still a smidge of decency left in him. But those Weasleys… man, they stick together. My favorite relationship to write is Ron and Ginny. Like they are definitely the type of siblings who are like “only I am allowed to make fun of them” sort of siblings.

I see common lines of thinking of blanket hatred for the Weasleys given one character’s actions. Like “Ron was a terrible friend ergo all the Weasleys suck.” Bitch, shut your face. Ron Weasley was the best friend Harry could have asked for. That boy at 11 wrote his mother to tell him about his orphaned to ensure he had Christmas presents to open on Christmas. That family that had no money made sure he got some - including a HANDMADE jumper. Boys are normally little jerks at that age. But our Ronnie… our Ronnie always looked out for Harry.

Molly? I mean, Molly deserves a medal. God, she just embraced that kid and allowed him to feel welcome and like a family. I can tell you… I have a shit mother. She’s awful. I refuse to refer to her as my mother in my real life and I go feral when someone calls her my mother. My MIL makes me feel so warm and welcome. She’s a Molly Weasley. Just two days ago, she called me because she (who knows nothing about HP) FaceTimed me because she was shopping out of town and the store had a massive HP collection of items. She went through it all, asking if I or the kids want anything for Christmas from there. Then, she apologizes to someone in the store and said, “oh, sorry. I’m not recording. You’re fine. I’m just talking to my daughter.” MY DAUGHTER. Every time she refers to me as her daughter, I get teary eyed. Her dad, when he was still alive, used to do the same damn thing. He always called me his granddaughter. It was like they just knew that I needed that to feel wanted and loved. You know Molly referred to Harry as her son and nothing else. As an abused kid, gosh, that means the world as an adult.

I honestly don’t understand the Malfoy love. I mean they’re awful people. They literally killed and tortured people. They belonged to a hate group. But the actors were hot so they’re better than the Weasleys, right? 🙄

So, I don’t know. I probably just rambled at 8 in the morning, but I have no clue. I’ll never understand the Weasley hate and the Malfoy love. At all. Fuck that. They’re missing out. They can keep their asshole family. I’ll cherish my little vegetable family.

[charmingradiobelle]

Okay, so I wanna know what Irene's relationship with her family is like. And by family I mean Charlie, Alastor, Lucifer and Lilith, does she get along with them? What are her favorite activities to do with each of them?

Also since we just got the reveal of the rest of the deadly sins, I'd also like to know which sin she likes from best to least, if that's alright with you.

Omg I am SO GLAD somebody asked this!! I was hoping this topic would come up as I love explaining family dynamics when I make a fan kid OC!!

Beware, big yap session below the cut!

We’ll start off with her parents. Irene is, without a doubt, a daddy’s girl. Alastor spoils her rotten, and he has from the day she was born. Admittedly he was always hesitant at the thought of having a kid of his own, worried his old-fashioned ways of thinking would harm any potential relationship with his child. But one look at the little angel in his wife’s arms that very first day and he just fell in love. He has given her everything she’s wanted and tells her stories about his life before Hell, even telling her about his mother (it breaks his heart that she will never get to meet her granddaughter or even know she has one…)

Now, this isn’t to say he’s a perfect father. There’s no such thing! She and Alastor do have their differences and since she is now in her late teens they don’t always see eye to eye. But even if they argue, no matter how angry he may be, Alastor will always be there for her because she is his little girl and he will be damned if anybody tries to do anything to her. (No seriously if you touch her consider yourself double dead)

While Irene may have a close relationship with her father, a bond between a mother and daughter will always be unique. Charlie’s love for her little angel goes beyond words. Whenever she used to imagine herself as a mom, she would always dream of having a girl. Irene is everything she could want in a daughter, and truthfully speaking, she sometimes envies how confident Irene is compared to her. Of course she is grateful that she doesn’t let mistreatment towards her slide as easily. She wants Irene to have a better life and more respect from their people! She wants Irene to thrive and have everything she wants. It makes Charlie realize that she has become the parent she always needed but never got growing up. It’s a bit sad, but she’s proud of herself for raising such a strong young lady.

Little does Charlie know, she has qualities that Irene admires and envies as well. She wishes she was as cheerful and energetic as her mother, how she isn’t afraid to express herself no matter how many times people have looked down on her for doing so. Irene hides it but she has insecurities just like anybody else. She looks up to her more than Charlie realizes, and she appreciates everything Charlie does for her; guiding her to be a helping hand in a realm full of hateful fiends.

Honestly I could write a whole book about her relationship with her parents (and I just might lol) but I don’t want this post to be too long so let us continue!

Needless to say, of course Lucifer and Lilith ADORE their granddaughter. Like any grandparent ever, they pamper her like no tomorrow and will drop everything just to spend time with her. When she was a baby they would always volunteer to babysit even when it wasn’t necessary. Lucifer loves to play with her and fly her around the city, and as expected he likes showing off his powers in front of her because, ya know, the sin of pride needs to boast about how awesome he is without just saying it. Lilith is much more calm and gentle with her grandbaby, but will play with her if she asks. She keeps pretty much everything Irene gives her even if it’s something she doesn’t like.

She and Lucifer are the type of grandparents to have pictures of her everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Every single wall in the palace, on the shelves, in their wallets, etc. If you even bring up the topic of kids, they’re ready to whip out their phones to show you the 300+ pictures they’ve taken of her in the last month. And no, this does not stop once she becomes an adult. It never ends. Ever.

The sins, oh my gosh they love her!! They were amongst the first to show up the day after she was born with bags of presents for the happy family. They each individually will invite the family or even just Irene to come to their rings to hang out, or sometimes they’ll just show up at the hotel doorstep and let themselves in to spend time with their favorite niece (technically great niece, right? idk lol)

It’s hard to rank which sins Irene likes the best, since they are her family so of course she loves all of them and wouldn’t want to choose favorites. But, in order of who she likes to hang out with most would probably be; Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Leviathan, Satan, Belphegor, and Mammon.

Bee is the coolest and most fun aunt you could ever have, so she is always up for partying with her. Plus she always has the tastiest treats! Ozzie is equally as fun, plus his boyfriend Fizz always makes her laugh so they’re typically the ones she’ll go to when she’s feeling down. As a kid I think Irene would be fascinated by Levi’s two heads and would play games with her and ask questions to see if both heads will answer the same lmao. Now, Satan did used to scare her when she was little so he didn’t get to be around her as much. But when she got a bit older she would get excited to climb onto him and have him carry her around on his shoulder (she still does this as a teen lol). I think she has fun with Bel too but it’s hard to keep her awake the whole time, but Irene doesn’t mind it. They’ll hang out to unwind and cuddle together on the sofa next to a nice cozy fire. As for Mammon, well, he may be an ass but he’s a fun uncle who gives her cash for her birthday sooo she can put up with his corny jokes every now and then.

I would love to go into more detail about each of their dynamics later on, if anyone is interested of course! Irene has a pretty huge family (blood and not) so there’s a lot to cover here!

[riderofblackdragons]

You Loved Me, Once (or was it all a dream?)

Day 10: Blow To The Head | slurred words | passing out from pain | "I can't think straight"

Alright if I'm honest for a moment there it wasn't looking like I was going to be able to get this out. I genuinely thought I'd be combining day 10 with day 11, but surprise! Apparently I'm not! A few minutes after midnight, but that's ultimately nothing. And a return to An Original Mother, because I really enjoy that AU!

If anyone has any specific AU they want more of, send me an ask or something and I'll see what I can do :)

Hope you enjoy!

As long as she lived, Elijah didn't think she'd ever gotten used to cuddle piles. It wasn't something her family had ever really done, this ritual of piling onto each other and falling asleep, soothed by the mixing smells and the skin-to-skin contact. Honestly, she wished they had done it, when they were still alive. It was relaxing, and would have probably helped with the active child in her womb, back then.

It was a werewolf thing. The scents of their pack, their family, all mixing together in a solid reassurance that they were safe together. Vampires couldn't quite manage it, the scents and touches not mixing together in the same way. Elijah had thought that a shame, when she'd discovered it. She'd had tragically few cuddle piles with the entire pack after her marriage, the wolves scared of hurting the more fragile humans, but the one she'd had whilst pregnant had helped soothe her child immensely.

She'd introduced the tradition to her children, regardless of if they were a wolf or not. She certainly hadn't needed to be a wolf, or even a vampire, to enjoy them. Her magically-inclined children wouldn't need to be, either. And it definitely helped her wolf children to settle, on the nights they were more restless.

One of Elijah's fondest memories was with her father, and her daughter Nina, and Nina's wife and stepson. They'd all curled up into a cuddle pile, aside from Mikael, until his granddaughter had tugged him down to join them, to hold her whilst she fell asleep inside it. He'd gone along with it, but Elijah remembered how her daughter's stepson had kicked Elijah's father in the head at one point in his sleep, waking him up until he'd realised that only Elijah was awake.

But Mikael had adored being a grandfather, Elijah remembered. He'd been so careful with Nina, had made sure that she was completely healthy and comfortable in everything that she'd done. There had been some hesitance at first, of course. Elijah wasn't about to just forget her entire childhood, just because her father wanted to try being a grandfather.

He'd killed Elijah's husband's entire family.His son-in-law's family. Just because one of them had slept with Elijah's mother. Even if she could've forgiven the hell she and her siblings had gone through in their childhood, Elijah couldn't do the same for that. Centuries may pass, but she could never just forgive that.

Still, he was a good grandfather. Better than good, in fact. Nina adored him, and when she was younger, it wasn't uncommon to find her toddling after her grandfather, arms out, trying to get hugs from him. Mikael always gave them to her, too, even if he didn't immediately notice her. He'd swoop her up into his arms, and carry her around until she patted his arms to get down again.

Elijah didn't think she could remember him doing that with any of her siblings, ever. Maybe with Klaus, before Elijah had fully formed memories? But no, her memories went to before that, the shock (and jealousy, most likely, as a child she'd been very jealous of the affection her parents had dealt freely to her siblings) of it would've most likely cause any memory such as that to stay in her mind.

In the end, when Nina had died, Elijah could remember how Mikael had stayed by her side. It had been the only time he'd ever truly felt like a father to her, and not just a distant, terrifying prescence in her life. He hadn't cried, neither through the long days as Nina struggled to cling to life, nor through the funeral afterwards, but he'd held Elijah close during them as she had, her sobs racking through her body.

If Mikael hadn't been there to support her, Elijah had no doubt that she would've ended up on the floor with her grief. He'd left a week afterwards, disappearing in his own grief, leaving Elijah behind. The next time she saw him, he was chasing Elijah and her siblings down again. But the brief glimpse of sadness in his eyes when he looked at her didn't stop him from forcing Elijah and her siblings to flee anyways.

Tag List: @captain-effy @what-the-fuckis-happening

If anyone wants to be added lmk!

[dootznbootz]

"Ithaka by Adele Gaaras" AKA. I got Mindboggled by an Odyssey-inspired novel, get Boggled with me.

THis is just a little vent!! Do not harass this author or people who like this book! I'm not sharing this to necessarily hate on it but just wanted to share because...Mindboggle. (Also please note I have not read the book all the way through. BECAUSE OF SAID MINDBOGGLE. As I don't think it's good to "hate-read")

Also note, that the author says "it's not a version of Homer nor a retelling of the Odyssey, but a novel written under the influence of stories that I first read as a young child and that I've loved ever since."

Found this book in the "discarded" box at the library, probably should've taken that as a sign and since it was for free and no one else had taken it, I thought I'd grab it!

And I got excited because the book is supposed to take place during the years Odysseus is away and it's PENELOPE'S perspective. Penelope raising Telemachus and cute toddler moments? Her, Anticlea, Laertes, (Maybe even Ctimene!) trying to cheer each other up as a family? Her ruling? So many cool things to explore!

But then I started to read and it was okay at first... But it skipped 13 years, which saddened me as, like I said, I wanted "young mother and child bonding together" But I went along with it.

But then there were other moments I didn't really care for. Weird "bad mother-in-law" Anticlea, ENOUGH WITH THAT. It happens to Demeter already! Stop it! Penelope says that she'll be a mean mother-in-law someday as well as "No one will be good enough for Telemachus" (???), Euryclea has a granddaughter who is the "main character", has AGAMEMNON be the one to put Telemachus in front of the plow >:( and a couple other moments that felt off so to see if this was "worth the read", I went ahead and went to the end as I won't lie I really wanted the "Reunion moment" 🥹

And here comes the Mindboggle.

Penelope has an affair.

She has an affair... WITH FUCKING LEODES!!!

THAT'S THE GUY WHO BEGS FOR HIS LIFE BEFORE GETTING BEHEADED BY ODYSSEUS.

Honestly?? Like, I know it's supposed to be a "feminist" story. (says so on the reviews on the back) You never know with those if they're gonna villainize the male characters. I sadly was already expecting the whole "Even though text from the Odyssey states otherwise, Odysseus is clearly a womanizer"😮‍💨BUT AN AFFAIR?! WHAT IS FEMINIST ABOUT AN AFFAIR?! AND WITH LEODES?!?! WHY NOT MAKE A NEW CHARACTER?! A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON? Who's actually cool?

The worst part is? Odysseus is so fucking in love, as he should be. You would expect him to be "bad" to make her affair "okay". Especially as it kind of makes it out like he had "affairs" when it's known to someone with reading comprehension that he was SA'ed.

But he's complimenting her constantly, even as a beggar, and dotes on her and respects her. This novel ALSO makes Odysseus "nicer" and "polite" in an "I don't want to kill all these men but it's what I have to do". Which No! Let that man be PISSED. Get tf away from his wife and child! He can be an asshole and still adore his family!

This is supposed to be her introspecting during the morning after. Not explicit in any way but giving heads up anyways.

[...] she could not prevent herself from thinking of Leodes as Odysseus kissed her mouth and her hair and the soft places behind her ears. "Is this hard for you, wife? Is it strange? There's no hurry...I'll be gentle. I'll wait until..." "No,no...not strange. Kiss me again." "But you're crying..." "I can't help it. My feelings. I can't govern them, Odysseus."

(Page 354)

Like he's incredibly sweet. It makes it sadder because he's crying thinking about how much he missed her. BUT PENELOPE THINKS ABOUT HOW SHE'S CRYING BECAUSE SHE MISSES LEODES!!!

I couldn't stop thinking about Leodes. Remembering how it had been with him. And that made me cry. Odysseus didn't know. I don't think he knew. He thought the tears were for him. Tears of joy. Tears of passion. "Cry, my sweet wife. Let out all the tears that lie within you." "I'm so sorry...you deserve better than a sobbing woman after your journeyings. It will be better, I promise." "Don't say sorry. There's no need. I understand what you are feeling."

(Page 355)

Like you're taking away from Penelope AND Odysseus from something that is so fucking important to their story! HER STORY!!! The fact that they love each other so fucking much!!!

Not only that but the Father/son reunion was very lackluster.

Lots of Argos content though. :'D

LIKE?!?!!? I'm just mindboggled. I don't necessarily "hate" this book. I'm more flabbergasted as I kind of find this whole situation funny. Although I am sad as I wanted moments of her being a young mom, her being with family, her ruling. etc. I just...wanted to VENT!

Again! Don't be mean to the author or people who like this book! I just had to vent about my mind getting boggled for my sanity!

[igetthedisneybox]

Out of those who married into the family/are currently dating family members, who has Alma approved of and who has she not?

What won her over on the ones she didn't approve of?

I think it's pretty much canon at this point that she didn't care for Augustín at first, and in my opinion, still wasn't super fond of him until the end of Encanto, because I feel like he was the only family member who looked at the family's dynamics and said "yeah, I'm not gonna do that." After the movie, they get along much better, and even share some common interests.

Alma did like Félix, and I think a part of that is because he can calm Pepa down and keep her happy (most of the time). The other part of it is that Félix is incredibly charismatic, and probably turned the charm up to eleven whenever he was around his crush's mother.

As for Bruno's wife, Alma didn't trust Alejandra at first for a few reasons. The main one being that she was an Outsider to the Encanto. The (very true) rumors that she killed her last husband also didn't help. Once Alejandra explained the situation to Alma, their relationship got much better, and Alma even admires her a little bit, for her dedication to protecting her daughter.

She doesn't entirely understand Isabela's choice to stay single, but she does support her in it. After all, many people never understood why Alma never remarried after Pedro's death.

She loves Mariano for Dolores, of course. I think her choosing him is a mix of her friendship with Señora Guzmán, and wanting her granddaughter to have a husband who's genuinely kind and poetic, but is strong enough to protect her and their family (like Pedro).

Alma likes Juana for the same reasons she likes Félix. She's charismatic, and has been a great help in keeping Luisa relaxed. They do however butt heads over a quite a few things. Juana is very opinionated, and makes her opinions known, even if it rattles some cages. Their relationship is reminiscent of her and Augustín before Encanto.

Alma just straight up adores Marcos from the get go. She thinks his calm, shy personality meshes well with Camilo's exuberance. She also knows what it's like to lose people, and so relates to Marcos being an orphan.

Alma is very mixed on Bubo. On the one hand, she can see his dedication to Mirabel and the family, and appreciates him for it. On the other hand, she finds his odd quirks and manerisms offputing at times. She's getting used to it, though. Their relationship is once again similar to hers and Augustín's.

She adores Amelia and Rosana together. Rosana is very spunky, but polite, and respects authority (in front of the adults, at least), and she thinks they match very well. She's a bit pushy with them and their future marriage, but nowhere near as bad as she was with Isabela.

Alma doesn't mind Tristán, she's just worried that he's just using Sofía for her gift. She knew his parents and grandparents, and was sad when they died, but she doesn't want him to break Sofía's heart when he's done grieving.

She's...fine with Dante, Leta's boyfriend. He's basically the Encanto equivalent of a stoner dude, so he's very chill and nice, and Alma can't quite fault him for that. She's honestly just glad that Leta's passionate about something that isn't yeeting herself off cliffs.

Alma is slightly disapproving of Felicidad for Fuega, just because she's a bit of a rebel, and doesn't like taking orders, but does like them as a couple, since Felicidad isn't scared of poor Fuega's gift. And since Felicidad is an Encanto native, Alma's known her family for years, and trusts them.

She thinks that Isaac is adorable, and is rooting for him and Andrés. She finds it sweet that he has a crush on someone who understands his shyness.

[darkmasterofcupcakes]

I think that also, everyone kinda get that Vaggie isn't merely born out of wedlock, but from Lute and someone who was married.

After all, while marriage is important, I don't think people would go so far just for Vaggie being born from a non married couple.

And while the Guerrera are prestigious, the ties to authoritarian groups are not something most people like, though Agatha definitely used her wealth for charity and the likes to be accepted in the community when she arrived there.

However, even if Agatha didn't revealed who was the father of her granddaughter, she still revealed that he was a married man, and Lute refusing to put the name on official documents clearly indicated it was shameful, honestly it's probably part of why Adam isn't really assumed to be the father, because his marriage was pretty much dead and he's quite respected, so if his name had been shown and Vaggie had taken the name Eden, it would have been a bit messy, but even if Adam and Lute hadn't been together, there would have been an understanding, since the father would have been a well known man of the community, and everyone who knows Adam is aware of the mess and that Lute wasn't needed for the marriage to fell apart.

But it wasn't put, and well, the biological father being the Godfather just isn't something people think would happen, so Adam becoming Vaggie's godfather made the situation go from the likely : "Adam is very close to Lucia and handsome, he's probably the father, beside, Agatha is very old fashioned, obviously she wouldn't get that there's a difference between a healthy marriage and the mess between him and Eve" to something like "Lucia screwed up so much Adam had to become her daughter's godfather, apparently she's a homewrecker, it make sense, she didn't even put the guy's name on the paper, and sure, Agatha is old fashioned, but she adore her daughter, why would she break ties and then go around saying stuff like that on her if it wasn't the truth?".

So this Vaggie probably genuinely doesn't consider it possible that Adam is her biological father because, like everyone else, she find the idea of her godfather being her father ludicrous.

Yeah, while she would still suffer from some bullying from other children and judgement from adults (and people in general as she got older) just for being born out of wedlock, the real issue is the fact that pretty much everyone knows that Lucia (as many people continue to call Lute, even though after being disowned by her mother, she has most people just call her "Lute" instead) slept with a married man, even if they don't know who.

No matter what, there still would have been whispers about the whole thing even if Lute had named Adam as Vaggie's father, but for the most part they would have died down by the time Vaggie was old enough to fully understand that it was considered "strange" that she didn't have a father when most other kids she knew did - and those who didn't were different from her because they used to have fathers and they died, while she apparently just was born without one.

But most people knew Adam and Eve had been having issues with their marriage for years even before they officially stopped living together, so if they knew Adam was Vaggie's father, sure there would be some comments about how Lute still should have waited until he was officially divorced to actually sleep with him (and how it would have been better if she'd waited to marry him herself), but it wouldn't have been anything like the fallout of what actually happened. Where because of how secretative Lute was about who fathered her child, many just believed Agatha's story - which was basically simply that her daughter slept with a married man and was a homewrecker as a result. Which made a lot of people just assume that Lute seduced someone in town, or in a nearby town, into sleeping with her, and then tried to cover her tracks and make herself look marginally better by trying to avoid giving Vaggie an official father.

And, yeah, the fact that she names Adam as Vaggie's godfather didn't help, for the reasons you brought up. Why would Lute name her daughter's secret father as the godfather? It made no sense, so nobody considered the idea, not even Vaggie herself, despite knowing her mom and Adam really liked each other from an early age.