#✮⋆˙ red racing cars sunset and vine

[scuderia-piastri]

networking

✮⋆˙summary: two moments where red has managed to bond with her fellow drivers, and one moment where she hasn’t (sort of)

✮⋆˙warnings: google translated spanish because i don’t speak spanish (duo is rolling in his grave), stupid fia regulations, danica patrick, pierre’s hair (or lack thereof)

✮⋆˙a/n: took a while but motivation struck at 4 am and who am i to ignore it after it ghosted me for weeks on end? also, thank you so much to my friends @foreveralbon and @vroomvroomcircuit for helping with this one !! <3

rrcsav masterlist

one

sitting in the stewards office, red’s eyes darted around to whatever her vision could focus on. plaques, posters, clocks, anything. next to her, franco stared straight ahead with not a single thought behind his eyes. and nobody could blame them, because the stewards office was definitely the last place either of them wanted to be at the moment.

but the rules were written, and no matter how unfair they were, the two drivers couldn’t avoid a summons to the stewards office for their “derogatory remarks about the FIA” at the press conference. at least the other drivers found them funny. hell, even lewis gave red a pat on the back and said not to worry. still, she doubted the team would be too happy about the fact that their new driver was about to be the first to receive a fine for the new regulations.

“so,” the steward sitting directly in front of her started the conversation, glancing down at his notes. “mr. colapinto, you and ms-“ he hesitated.

“red is fine.” she replied automatically, not bothering to wait for him to attempt to pronounce her last name.

the steward nodded. “during the press conference, you two stated that you think the new regulations were ‘unnecessary and an insult to the drivers’ rights to free speech’. i assume you both have read through the regulations of this year, and understand why the FIA has deemed them necessary?” he looked to franco.

“lo siento, no hablo inglés, no entiendo qué dices.” franco replied immediately, to which red, as well as the stewards, gave him a strange look. franco returned the look with one of his own, signaling to her to play along. (sorry, i don’t speak english, i don’t understand what you’re saying.)

getting the hint, she bit back a smile and turned to the stewards. “kya? mujhe aapka bhaat nahi samhaj tah hain. aap hamase baat kya kaarana chaahate hain?” (what? i don’t understand you. what did you want to talk to us about?)

the men in front of them looked at each other uncomfortably. “everyone-”

“estoy un poco cansado de esta reunión, tal vez deberíamos irnos ahora.” (i’m getting a bit tired of this meeting, maybe we should leave now.)

“vaah, ye office kya sundar hain. ise kon banaaya?” (wow, this office is so pretty. who made it?)

“maybe we should all go, practice should be starting soon.” the man on the far right decided, setting his notes down. “you can have a warning, this speech won’t be tolerated next time. you’re free to go.”

“ah, gracias!” franco beamed, looking at red in success.

two

“i mean, just look at how she’s performed so far. you could claim it’s the lack of experience or because she’s a rookie, but oliver bearman, an f2 driver at the time, stepped into a ferrari in 2024 on short notice on a very difficult track and still managed to finish ahead of lewis hamilton himself. let’s face it, the girl is not ready.”

red stood and watched the footage with her arms crossed. she hadn’t done as bad as danica was making it seem at all, and it wasn’t fair. of course she was behind lewis, she was a goddamn rookie up against a seven time world champion for christ’s sake.

“she talks quite a lot, doesn’t she?” ollie remarked, coming up behind red and crossing his arms as well. “she seems to have a great tendency to twist data to be in her favor and leave out important bits.”

“that’s a great way to put it.” red scoffed. “for a woman, she sure talks like she hates every other one trying to get into the sport.”

“more the reason not to pay her any attention.” ollie shrugged, turning to face red. “you did a good quali, by the way. that squeeze into q3 at the last minute after the botched strategy was impressive. i just have one question.”

she smiled back at him. “thanks, you did great too. what’s the question?”

“kimi and i have a little bet. did you and franco really manage to talk your way out of a penalty from that press conference?”

three

“no, no, i’m not saying it’s bad. i’m just saying…” red titled her head. “is flavio making you do this? do you really need to spare all the weight from the car that you can?”

pierre shot her a glare in return. “no-”

“you have to admit it’s weird to outside eyes! both you and jack just seemingly shaved your heads at the same time. if this is a call for help-”

“oh mon dieu, i don’t have time for this.”

francisca.cgomes

francisca.cgomes ❤️

redracing OH MY GOD YOURE GORGEOUSSSS

redracing oh my god pierre’s hair….

⬑ pierregasly …🤨?

⬑ redracing no, it’s nice… it’s… wow!

⬑ pierregasly Isn’t it past your bedtime?

landonorris the hair, mate 😂

⬑ redracing lots of talking for someone who looks like they walked out of a old time western saloon with that mullet

⬑ landonorris you were literally just making fun of him too!

⬑ redracing okay yeah and that was ME what’s your excuse

⬑ landonorris okay ms “had to pretend to forget english to get out of a penalty last week”

⬑ charlesleclerc lando be nice

⬑ landonorris what did i do ????

⬑ redracing thanks… dad?

⬑ oscarpiastri oh new sibling. cool. welcome to the family.

⬑ maxverstappen charles stop adopting the rookies we have too many

taglist: @sid-is-gr8 @mellowarcadefun @justadesirebel @foreveralbon @inchidentofftrack @demvnsriot

[niki-phoria]

⋆｡°✩ 너 말곤 전부 사라진 my world / 내 모든 시간에 오직 너만이 가득 차

little things zb1 maknae line do as your boyfriend

notes: gn reader (no pronouns used), got a ton of inspo from this fic by @luvh4nji !! first reaction for zb1 :)), ricky calls reader beautiful, i am a red haired gyuv enthusiast my apologies, mentions of insecure yujin, not proofread !! pls forgive any mistakes <33 title from zb1 - crush

SHEN RICKY always gives you little gifts. 

“i got you something.” 

“ricky,” you chuckle softly as you shake your head. your lips quirk into a smile as you set your phone aside, turning to face him. “you didn’t need to.” 

“but i wanted to.” he shrugs nonchalantly. “i always want to.” 

ricky twirls the stem between his finger as he holds it out for you to admire. you softly gasp at the sight, admiring the hues of pink and white and decorating the flower petals. “it’s beautiful!” 

“here,” his touch is feather-light as he reaches up, carefully brushing stray strands of hair away from your face. butterflies swarm throughout your stomach and shivers race down your spine at the feeling. “let me.” 

ricky smiles sheepishly as he delicately tucks the flower behind your ear, careful not to let any petals fall. you can faintly smell the sweetness radiating from it. you smile brightly as you tilt your head to the side to pose. “how do i look?”

stepping forwards, he cups your face between his hands. ricky leans in, pressing a chaste kiss against your cheek. they feel soft against your skin - tinted a soft shade of baby pink and routinely coated in strawberry chap stick. he smiles when he pulls away, a light flush quickly spreading across his skin. “beautiful.”

KIM GYUVIN is always holding your hand. 

amidst the bustling crowd, you peek over the tops of heads and behind shoulders as you search for gyuvin throughout the crowd. wires stretch across the ceiling like vines. you only catch glimpses of muted conversations when staff members pass you by.

it only takes a small gap in the crowd before you recognize him, his red hair a sharp contrast to the black boxes behind him. “gyuvin!” 

his eyes widen. he watches you in shock for a moment before he immediately begins rushing towards you. “you’re here,” gyuvin whispers shakily. his grip tightens around your waist as he leans in, tucking his face into the crook of your neck. 

“i’m here,” you chuckle. you rub your hands against his back in an attempt to soothe him, careful not to wrinkle the thin fabric of his stage outfit. gyuvin’s hands cup your face when he pulls away, gently trailing along your jawline. a deep flush rises to his cheeks despite the thin layer of foundation covering his face. 

“there’s so much i want to show you.” gyuvin smiles brightly. his large hands envelop your own, intertwining your fingers together with ease. shivers race down your spine when his thumb casually brushes against your knuckles. he squeezes your hand once. “just follow me.” 

PARK GUNWOOK is clingy. 

the sunset casts a golden glow across the train car, illuminating the horizon in the distance. its wheels scrape against the rails, creating a quiet hum that drones on for hours. you turn to look out the window. flashes of trees and seemingly never ending hills eventually give way to acres of flat fields, filled with crops ready for harvest. 

you startle slightly when gunwook’s head falls against your shoulder; stray strands of his hair tickle against the bare skin of your neck. he all but slumps his body against yours, letting a deep sigh escape him. your bodies mold together like puzzle pieces. 

“is everything okay?” you whisper. you reach upwards to carefully push a strand of hair away from gunwook’s eyes. he leans into your touch slightly, smiling softly when you allow him to lean his cheek against your palm.

“yeah,” he mumbles in response. his voice is low and raspy. the telltale signs of sleep slip into his words. gunwook looks up at you with rosy cheeks and tired eyes full of love and admiration. it’s enough to make your heartbeat a little bit faster and butterflies swarm throughout your stomach. “just want you.” 

HAN YUJIN tells you everything. 

“yujin,” you whisper. he nervously chews on his bottom lip, anxiously staring up at the continuous spin of your ceiling fan. moonlight illuminates your bedroom, painting the walls silver. “what’s on your mind?” 

yujin curls into your side, abandoning any embarrassment in the night. his legs entangle with your own beneath your blankets. “i’ve been thinking,” he whispers, so quiet that you almost miss the words entirely beneath the hum of the air conditioner. “about performing. about the concerts.”

“are you nervous?” he nods, tucking his face into the comforter. “you’re an incredible performer. all the work you’ve done to improve is showing, even if you don’t think it is. you’ll be amazing out there - i know you’ll be. and if you need any help, i’m here. and so are the members.”

carefully, you begin to card your fingers through his hair. yujin sighs softly in response, nuzzling his head even further into your pillows. you can all but feel him relax against your touch. “how are you feeling now?” 

“better,” he says, muffled against the fabric. twisting to face you, yujin sleepily smiles up at you. “thank you.” 

you smile softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss against his temple. he takes a deep breath in response, finally allowing his eyes to flutter closed. “sweet dreams, jinnie.”

if you liked this fic, please comment, reblog, or leave feedback !! and if you want to support me, check out my zb1 masterlist <33

[allmoshnobrain]

𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫: 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

part 06 of 06 | masterpost

word count: 9,8k | ao3 link | fic's playlist

✦ on this chapter: NSFW!!!, dave mustaine x female!oc, james hetfield x female!oc, oc is cliff's cousin, +18, language, slice of life, pregnancy, breastfeeding, mxf sex, threesome mentioned/implied, poly relationship mentioned/discussed, oral sex, pregnancy sex, small pov change at the end, an actual happy ending ♡

✧ Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine / Cashmere, cologne, and white sunshine / Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine / The kids were young and pretty

Where have you been? / Where did you go? / Those summer nights seem long ago / So is the girl you used to call / The queen of New York City ✧

August 17th, 1992

I blinked open my eyes, letting out a sleepy yawn as sunlight crept through the curtains, brightening up the room. A small grin tugged at my lips when I realized Dave was still fast asleep beside me, snoring softly with his arms wrapped around me, his bare skin pressed against mine. With a groan, I stretched out, feeling how sore my muscles were.

Honestly, even though I’d caught some shut-eye, I was totally wiped out from last night. James and Dave hadn’t given me a break for a second, making it their mission to push me to one mind-blowing climax after another in a wild competition for my attention and pleasure that had lasted all night long. But I wasn’t complaining; in fact, it probably had been one of the best nights I've ever had up to that point.

I glanced over to the other side of the bed, sighing when I saw James wasn't there; reaching out, I noticed the mattress was still warm, so he probably had left not too long before. I carefully slipped out of Dave's arms, got up, and headed to the bathroom. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I absentmindedly ran my fingers through my hair as I checked out my skin in the mirror. It was covered in bites and little bruises that were starting to show. I sighed; I'd definitely need to slap on some makeup to cover those up before we hopped on our flight back home.

I threw on one of Dave's t-shirts, my shorts, and my shoes before snagging my pack of cigarettes and lighter. I slipped out of the room quietly and made my way up to the hotel's terrace. The place was nice, offering a panoramic view of the city with a few tables and chairs scattered around. Surprisingly, even though it wasn’t that early, it was still empty, which was a relief. Leaning against the railing, I lit up a cigarette, taking slow drags with a sigh.

"Figured I'd find you here," a familiar voice chimed in. I glanced up, meeting James' eyes as he strolled over. Turning to him, I rested a hand on his chest as he wrapped his arm around my waist. Letting out a sigh, I melted into his kiss, his tongue gently exploring my mouth while his hand cradled my face.

"You bailed on me," I murmured against his lips, and he grunted, kissing me once more. I chuckled softly. "Jamie..."

"I couldn't sleep," he confessed, pulling back slightly, his thumb stroking my lower lip gently.

"Come back to the room with me," I whispered, and he raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "We don't have to split just yet. We've got until tonight. I'm sure Dave won't mind picking up where we left off yesterday."

"Now that he's sober? Doubt it," he murmured, then brushed his fingers gently across my face. I closed my eyes with a sigh, resting my hand over his. "Babe... You realize this thing between the three of us won't last beyond these walls, right?"

I blinked open my eyes, my reaction to his words written all over my face — a messy mix of feeling betrayed and totally lost. I shook my head no, and he responded with a smile, though it was a sad and resigned one that tugged at my heartstrings. He sighed as I reached out, cupping his cheek, drawing nearer.

"We can give it a shot," I murmured, my voice pleading. He clasped my hand in his, pressing a light kiss to my palm before letting go.

"And how exactly would that work?" he inquired, his tone gentle. "We're both public figures, Nore. You're making waves in your career now. What happens if the industry catches wind of you being with two guys at once? If just by you dating Dave, your face ends up plastered across magazine covers?"

"I don't give a shit about that," I shot back, and he scoffed.

"Well, I do. Not sure if you remember, but I made a promise. Promised Cliff I'd look out for you," he said, gently lifting my chin to meet his gaze. "Even if that means letting Mustaine win this round."

"So you’re walking away from me?" I questioned, my voice cracking, a scary emptiness gripping my heart. As messy as things were between James and me, he'd never thrown in the towel before. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, especially coming right after the high of last night — after finally admitting to myself that I didn't want to choose, that I loved both Dave and James, that I wanted them both, not one or the other.

He nuzzled into my neck, his hand sliding down to my hip beneath the t-shirt. Such a simple move, yet so familiar. A familiar vulnerability that reminded me of the boy he used to be.

If Cliff were still around, would things have gotten so strained between us? Would James' anger and my own self-destructive tendencies have wormed their way into our relationship like poison, tearing us apart until we barely resembled the young lovers we once were? I'd pondered that question countless times. Guess I’d never know the answer.

"I couldn't leave you. You know that," he murmured. "But I can't handle this, Nore. I can't share you. Especially when I know it could mess things up for you. Especially when I know it could fuck up your thing with Mustaine. I know you couldn't handle losing him again. You think I don't see how much you love him? How much he loves you?"

"But I love you too," I pleaded. "And you love me."

"I do. And that's why I'm doing this," he said, holding my face in his hands and brushing away the tears I hadn't even realized were streaming down my cheeks. "You're gonna be happy, Nore. As time goes by and the hurt fades, you'll find happiness with him. I know you will, 'cause you already did."

"I don't want to lose you."

"You're not losing me. I'll still be around," he whispered, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'll always be by your side. Always. I just can't stand to see you hurting anymore because of me. You've been through too much."

"It's not fair," I sobbed. "I want you to be happy too."

"I will. But I gotta get my act together first, so I can stop screwing things up for the people I care about," he said with a sad smile. I gripped onto his arm with one hand, wiping my tears away with the other. I didn't want this. It wasn't fair. But James' eyes held a determination I'd never seen before, and I knew I couldn't talk him out of it. James reached up to touch my face, running his thumb along my lower lip. "I gotta do this. You get it, right?" he asked, his voice shaky. I hesitated, but nodded before trying to force a smile — one last smile for the man I loved.

"Want to give me one last kiss?" I asked, and he laughed quietly. "You know, for good luck."

He leaned in, pulling me close, his lips brushing against mine slowly, savoring every moment. I tangled my fingers in his hair, closing my eyes and pressing myself against him, trying in every way to convey everything I felt; how much I loved him, how long I'd loved him, and how a part of my heart would always belong to him. How I wouldn't be who I was without him. He ended the kiss with two gentle pecks, then planted two small kisses on my cheek and forehead before hugging me tightly.

When I opened my eyes, he was gone.

When I got back to the room, Dave was there, fresh out of the shower, his hair still wet and a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Hey, babe," he greeted me with a smile, but it faded when he saw the look on my face. "What's up? Something happened?"

I nodded, heading over to him and wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. Dave hugged me back right away, holding me close as he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Hey," he murmured, lifting my chin so I'd meet his gaze. "What's going on? Did I fuck anything up?"

"No, no," I reassured him, pulling him into another hug and nuzzling into his neck. He let out a soft, worried sigh, holding me close.

"Tell me what's going on, honey. I'm freaking out here," he urged, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm being selfish," I murmured, my voice shaking. "I'm being selfish because after yesterday... I thought... I thought that you, me, and James could figure it out. I've been torn up for so long about having to pick one of you, and… And yesterday it hit me, I don't really want to choose. But James... He's not on board. He said it wouldn't be good for my career if people found out. That I'd be better off without him." I pulled back, meeting his eyes, pleading. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you with this, Dave..."

"You're not hurting me," he said, cupping my face in his hands. "Do you really think I don't know you love him, Nore? After all these years together? I was the one who walked away, and he's the one who’s been there for you this whole time. As much as I hate it, I get it. I'm not mad at you. It's okay."

He helped me sit on the bed, pulling me close against his chest. I let out a sigh, giving him a light kiss, and he let out a low, contented sound as he held me tight. He smelled nice, all warm and woodsy; just being near him helped me relax.

"I love you," he whispered, leaning in to kiss me gently on the lips, his fingers brushing against my tear-stained cheeks.  "But you know it's different for people like us," he said softly, studying my face as he traced it with his fingertips. "Behind the scenes at a gig, a private party... We can get carried away in those moments, do things we wouldn't do anywhere else. But then we go back to the real world. We put on our masks. We're their idols, babe. And those private moments become vulnerabilities that these media vultures would kill to get their hands on, to twist who we are into whatever they want. A wild drunk. A messed-up junkie. I get why James wants to shield you from that, I'd do the same. But if you wanna go back to him..." he furrowed his brow, his brown eyes filled with a restless sadness that tugged at my heart. "There's still time. And I won't hold it against you."

"No way. I'm not ditching you. Don't even go there, Dave," I said, my tone firm and cutting. James had a point about one thing: I couldn't handle losing Dave again, and I wasn't about to take that chance. I looked at him, pleading. "You know I love you. Don't even think about telling me to bail."

Sure, part of me was hurting and torn up, but I wasn't about to do anything that might push him away.

If it came down to choosing, my decision had been made long, long ago.

"Then stay with me," Dave said softly. "Stay with me, and I swear, even if you're still hung up on him, I'll love you just as much."

"I love you. I'm not going anywhere," I replied, locking eyes with him and holding his face in my hands. His breath hitched, relief and longing shining in his eyes as he pulled me effortlessly into his lap, his lips edging closer to mine. "Don’t ever dare to push me away again. You're stuck with me, Mustaine," I whispered, our mouths almost touching, and he grinned.

"You know you're the only one I love... Losing you is the last thing I'd ever want," he said, his hand tangling in my hair and pulling me closer as his lips met mine.

✧ But if you send for me, you know I'll come / And if you call for me, you know I'll run  / I'll run to you, I'll run to you / I'll run, run, run / I'll come to you, I'll come to you  / I'll come, come, come ✧

October 9, 1992

Ever since I was a kid, the ocean had been a great presence in my life. Growing up in Long Beach and then moving around to San Francisco and Los Angeles meant I was always near the beach. Whether I was feeling great or down, the sea was like a silent companion, there for me through thick and thin. So when Dave suggested we hit up a beachside cottage in San Francisco for the weekend, I was totally stoked.

The past couple of months hadn't exactly been easy. After Leanne's wedding, James and I went back to being cool with each other, but his choice to step back still stung. Trying to keep up a friendship after being together for years was bittersweet, and way tougher than I thought it'd be. But having Dave around made it all a bit smoother. Even when I still felt down sometimes, I knew I'd rather deal with that sadness over and over than go through the heartbreak of losing him again.

Things were looking up for our careers. On my end, I was hashing out the details for a role in my first movie, which was gonna be a whole new ball game compared to everything I'd done before. The series I was headlining was wrapping up filming, and it seemed like smooth sailing all around.

Dave had been riding high with all the concerts he'd been doing since Megadeth had dropped their latest album, Countdown to Extinction. The album had been a hit, which was awesome news for both of us. The following year, the band would hit the road for an international tour, and although we knew it was gonna be tough being apart for that long, we figured we'd make the most of the rest of '92 by squeezing in as much time together as we could, starting with our little weekend getaway.

At Dave's urging, I’d let him take the reins on planning everything. I grinned as he pulled up to the small beach cottage, instantly recognizing it. Even after all these years, some things in San Francisco still remained the same.

"That's the cottage you took me to that time, right before you went on that trip to New Jersey with the guys," I said, grinning at Dave as he pulled the car to a stop. He flashed me a smile in return.

"Yep, that's the spot. Good memory," he leaned in for a quick peck on the lips. "Wanted to whisk you away to a place that's got some history for us both."

And he’d totally hit the mark; the little cottage was quaint yet comfy, a throwback to the best days of my life, a time when we were just two young lovers, exploring what it meant to be together. Back when I was learning what it meant to have a family beyond blood, with all my friends by my side, back when Cliff was still around, all witty remarks and calm smiles. Back before Dave and the guys had their falling out and things had changed forever, for all of us.

Dave tossed me the key, asking me to pop open the doors and windows for some fresh air while he hauled our bags inside. I happily obliged, instantly recognizing the layout of the small house: cozy living room leading to the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The bedroom had an old double bed and a wardrobe, plus a TV that definitely wasn't there last time. And then there was the balcony, right out to the beach, where I could see the sea glimmering in the morning light.

I grinned as Dave strolled in, dumping our bags on the bed before coming over to wrap me in a hug and plant a soft kiss on my lips.

"You like it?" he asked softly. I nodded. "Yeah, it's a bit smaller than I remembered, but I hope it’s still cozy enough."

"It's perfect, Dave," I said, cupping his face in my hands and giving him another kiss. He grinned, looking like he was about to say something, but then hesitated, which caught my attention. "What's up?"

"I was just curious... if you had any cool stuff planned for this weekend," he said, trying to keep a straight face, but I could tell he was about to crack a smile. I grinned back, a bit puzzled.

"I didn't plan anything fancy, babe. You were supposed to take care of all that, remember? But we can chill at the beach and then figure out something fun to do together, sound good?"

"Well, actually..." he started, his grin spreading. "I had something else in mind."

"Oh, really? You know I'm down for whatever," I answered, and he smiled playfully before taking my hands in his, leaning his forehead against mine.

"Even marrying me tomorrow?" he asked, his tone low.

I blinked, totally caught off guard, wondering if I'd heard him right. I leaned back a bit, a shocked grin breaking across my face as my heart started racing. Was he serious? Dave grinned back at my reaction, giving my hands a gentle squeeze, his soft touch grounding me back to reality.

"What do you mean, tomorrow?" I asked, dumbfounded, and he laughed.

"I mean tomorrow," he replied, genuine happiness and excitement in his voice. "Nore, I... I've spent too much of my life away from you already. And it sucked," he chuckled, and I couldn’t help but laugh too, feeling my heart completely out of sync as butterflies fluttered in my stomach. "Next year, when I go on tour... I want to know I’m coming back home to you. Every single day of my life, I want to be sure I'll come back to you."

I gasped in surprise as he knelt down on one knee, still holding my hands before letting them go and pulling out a small box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal a beautiful ring, gold with a large dark blue stone and small diamonds around it.

"This might just go down as the quickest engagement in history," he whispered with a smile. "But seriously, I've never been more certain about anything in my life than wanting to spend it with you. Eleanore Marie Burton... Will you mar-"

"Yes," I blurted out, barely letting him finish, a grin spreading across my face as I brought my fingertips to my lips, giggling like a little girl with tears brimming in my eyes. Dave beamed, his own eyes misting up as he got to his feet. "Yes, I’ll marry you," I confirmed, and he took my hand in his, slowly slipping the ring onto my finger before pulling me in close by the waist, drawing me into a slow, passionate kiss. 

"Thank goodness you said yes," he whispered, his breath warm against my lips. "I mean, I've already forked out for the whole thing. Would've been a bit awkward if you'd turned me down."

I couldn't help but laugh, joyous tears streaking down my cheeks as I cupped his face in my hands, his arms enveloping me tightly, our lips finding each other's again, and again, and again.

✧ The power of youth is on my mind / Sunsets, small town, I'm out of time / Will you still love me when I shine / From words but not from beauty?

My father's love was always strong / My mother's glamor lives on and on / Yet still inside, I felt alone / For reasons unknown to me ✧

October 10, 1992

We got married the next day, on a sunny autumn afternoon. The morning was a whirlwind of activity as we scrambled to get everything just right: first, a crew showed up bright and early to set up the beachside ceremony, arranging tables and chairs, decking out the altar with decorations, and pitching tents for the guests to hang out in during the reception. Then came the chefs Dave had enlisted to whip up the feast; our little cottage just couldn't contain the festivities, so it was all hands on deck to get everything outdoors-ready.

Soon after, the guests began trickling in. My family was the first to arrive: Uncle Ray, Aunt Jan, and my parents. Then, to my utter delight, Leanne and Joe made an appearance. I hadn't expected Leanne to come, with her pregnancy moving along, but clearly, I’d underestimated her determination. When I mentioned my surprise, she just chuckled.

"Are you kidding? Wouldn't miss it for the world. Plus, you're gonna need a maid of honor, right?" she teased, and I couldn't help but beam with genuine happiness.

Leanne and my mom pitched in to get me ready; Mom tackled my hair while Leanne took charge of my makeup. The master bedroom turned into a makeshift beauty parlor, and before I knew it, the clock was ticking away as I was treated like royalty: my hair was coiffed and styled before a quick snack break, then Leanne got to work on my makeup before I slipped into the dress Dave had taken me to pick out the day prior.

All of this happened amidst all the hustle and bustle of getting the party ready and Dave getting himself sorted in the tiny bathroom. The cottage turned into a bit of a madhouse, mostly because Leanne and Mom were on strict guard duty, keeping everyone out of the bedroom until I was good to go. But, despite the chaos, the vibe was just pure joy, and nobody seemed to be sweating the small stuff.

Finally, when I was all dolled up, Leanne swooped in and covered my eyes with her hands, while Mom propped up a full-length mirror against the wall. Turns out, she'd had the foresight to pick one up just for the occasion. When I asked her about it, she just gave me an exasperated look.

"Imagine not being able to see yourself in the mirror on your big day. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, and I wasn't taking any chances on there not being one around. So, I came prepared," she explained.

Well, this time Mom had definitely hit the mark. The cottage was pretty basic, and a full-length mirror wasn't exactly on the inventory list. When I finally laid eyes on myself, I couldn't help but gasp in amazement. My hair was swept up into a loose bun, with bits of it cascading around my face, adorned with these adorable little yellow flowers nestled into the brown locks.

Leanne's makeup skills were on point, giving my eyes, lips, and cheeks just the right pop. And the dress was like it was made for me, light as a feather, sleeveless and elegant, hugging my curves in all the right places, even making me feel a bit taller. Grinning ear to ear, I took the bouquet from Leanne — a gorgeous mix of white roses and sunflowers, just like the ones Dave had handed me that first time we caught up after reuniting.

I was stunning. But it wasn't just about the looks: this overwhelming sense of pure joy seemed to radiate from every inch of me, lighting up my eyes and my smile. And for the first time in forever, there wasn't a shred of worry weighing me down.

"You know, when your fiancé called, I'll admit, I thought you two might've been rushing into things. But now... seeing you like this... You really love him, don’t you?" Mom asked, giving one last gentle tug on the dress zipper. All I could manage was a silent nod.

In that moment, one thing was crystal clear, and it was my love for Dave.

"Okay, it's showtime," my dad barged in out of nowhere, freezing in his tracks as he caught sight of me. His eyes welled up with a mix of shock and pride, his jaw practically hitting the floor. I couldn't help but grin, the excitement sending shivers down my spine, my heart pounding, and tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "Ellie, you... You look stunning," he said, grasping my arms and beaming at me before turning to my mom. "Clémence, sweetheart, you and Leanne better get a move on... The ceremony's about to kick off."

"Okay," Mom gave my hair one final tweak before she and Leanne settled my veil in place. Lea squeezed my hand tight.

"We'll be right there, Nore. See you in a bit," she said reassuringly.

I nodded, but inside, my stomach was doing somersaults. All morning, I'd been riding the excitement train, but now, with the ceremony about to kick off, a tidal wave of nerves hit me like a ton of bricks. Dad noticed, gripping my arm a little tighter, offering silent support as he sensed my jitters.

"You got this, Ellie. Dave's just waiting on you," Dad whispered, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

I nodded, feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins, a nervous smile breaking out on my face. And with that, the music started up, and Dad guided me down the aisle to where Dave was waiting at the altar.

As I emerged into the back of the cottage, I couldn't help but be taken aback by the sea of familiar faces gathered for the ceremony. Charlotte and her boyfriend were holding court, joined by a bunch of my college and work buddies, along with Dave's band mates. Lars, Kirk, and Jason flashed me a grin. But my heart dropped a bit when I realized James wasn't among them. I couldn't help but wonder if he'd opted out, if my wedding would just add another layer to the hurt between us.

But all of that was shoved to the backburner the second I locked eyes with Dave. He had this intense, serious expression on his face, which might've been a bit intimidating if I didn't know it just showed how emotional he was. His gaze was glued to mine as I made my way over, and when Dad handed me off to him, Dave let out this deep breath, a huge grin spreading across his face that I couldn't help but mirror.

Our vows were straight from the heart, short and sweet, but bursting with love. I gotta admit, I tried my hardest to keep the waterworks at bay, but a few rogue tears still managed to slip out. And when the officiant asked if I took Dave as my husband, I found my voice all choked up. But I managed to squeak out my acceptance, which just melted Dave's eyes into a puddle of warmth and affection.

When he slid that ring onto my finger, it was like everything clicked into place. Like I'd finally found my spot in the universe. Through all the rough patches, all the time we’d spent apart, I guess deep down, I always knew we'd find our way back to each other. I always knew that I loved him, had loved him all along, right from the start, and that love wasn't going anywhere till my very last breath.

I let out a soft chuckle as Dave leaned in for a kiss, pulling me close, his hand gentle on my cheek, brushing away the tears of joy that had welled up. I sighed contentedly, wrapping my arms around his neck, never wanting to let go.

It was done. And in that moment, it hit me — I'd never have to go through losing him again. Our love had seen us through, brought us back together, helped us learn to forgive, and most importantly, to fall for each other all over again.

I was his, and he was mine.

The party after the ceremony was nothing fancy, but it was a blast. Our wedding wasn't a huge affair, just our nearest and dearest, but honestly, it couldn't have been any better in my book. I was practically beaming with joy as everyone came up to chat with me.

"Nore!" Lars burst out, champagne in hand, with Kirk right by his side, sporting a grin. I couldn't help but smile back, chuckling when they both practically tackled me with hugs. "Congrats, Mrs. Mustaine," Lars said with a twinkle in his eye, and I let out a laugh.

"Mustaine-Burton," I smiled. "I'm going with a double-barrelled name... Didn't want to ditch the Burton part, you know? It's got history with Cliff," I explained, which earned approving smiles from both of them.

"You know, I never really got what's up with you and Mustaine until I saw you two in the same place at the same time," Kirk mused. "It's like you two are in your own little world when you're together. And seeing him all smitten like this is a funny sight. Congrats, babe," he continued, pulling me in for another hug. I let out a soft chuckle in response.

"Can I crash the congrats party?" a familiar voice piped up, and I lit up as I spun around to find James, a hint of a smile on his face.

"James!" I blurted out, pulling him in for a hug, which he met with a soft laugh. "I thought... I thought you were gonna bail on me."

"A dude can't even be fashionably late these days?" he teased, and I laughed. "Of course I was gonna show up. You think you can shake me off that easily, Burton?"

"Mustaine-Burton, actually," I corrected him, and he just rolled his eyes.

"As if I'm gonna go with that," he quipped, caressing my hair softly, which made me giggle. "So, where's your... husband?"

"Last I saw, he was chatting with my folks. Ah, there he is," I grinned as I caught sight of Dave, shooting the breeze with his sister while clutching a flute of champagne. He spotted me, then James by my side, and immediately made a beeline over.

"Hey, honey. Hungry yet? I had 'em whip up that salad you're into," he said, slinging an arm around my waist, pulling me in snug. It was a sweet move, not without a hint of claiming me as his own.

"Oh yeah, I'm starving. I was just chatting a bit," I answered, planting a light kiss on Dave's cheek. He grinned and then turned his gaze to James, who met it without saying a word. I watched their silent exchange, feeling a bit on edge, but my eyebrows shot up in surprise when James reached out his hand to Dave, who shook it.

"Congrats, dude," James said, and Dave shot him a tight yet polite smile.

"Thanks."

"I'm thinking of snagging a brew... Catch you later, Nore," James said, giving me a nod. I returned it as he made his way towards the makeshift bar set up for the guests.

"Hey, James!" Dave called out, stopping him in his tracks. James turned back, eyebrow raised in question. Dave hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I'll take care of her, man. You have my word."

"I know you will," James replied, offering a faint smile. I watched with interest as the two of them seemed to reach some unspoken understanding. Then James turned and headed off.

The party dragged on till way past bedtime. By the time the guests cleared out and the crew tore down the setup, I was beat. My eyes were practically glued shut with exhaustion as I wiped off my makeup and let down my hair. I couldn't help but laugh when I felt Dave sneak up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and planting a slow kiss on my neck, my body warming up at his touch.

"You happy?" he whispered, and I grinned, turning to meet his gaze, our hands intertwining. I couldn't help but smile at the cool touch of his ring against my skin.

"Over the moon," I murmured, letting out a soft chuckle as he fumbled for my dress’ zipper, planting a kiss on my shoulder and pulling me close. His lips trailed up my skin, and I couldn't help but smile when they met mine. "And you?"

"Absolutely," he murmured back, gently nipping at my lower lip.

I let out a sigh as he lifted my dress' hem, settling me on the vanity while taking off my panties. A quiet laugh escaped my lips as he started undoing his pants. He pressed his forehead against mine, parting my thighs with one hand. I moaned softly as he pushed into me, my fingers tangling in his ginger hair as he moved slowly. I tilted my head back as his lips traced the curve of my neck and collarbone.

"Couldn't even wait to get me in bed?" I managed to gasp out, and he smirked, easing himself inside me with slow, deliberate movements.

"What makes you think I won't fuck you in bed too?" he countered with a low growl, and I couldn't help but laugh, the sound melting into a moan as his lips crashed against mine, his thrusts growing more urgent by the second.

I melted into him, fingers tangling in his hair as my lips trailed down to his neck. He let out a deep groan, his hold on my hips tightening as his breathing grew heavier, his movements getting more frenzied by the second. I couldn't help but moan as he slipped a hand down to my clit, working it with such skill that sent shivers down my spine.

"My beautiful wife," he growled, burying his face in my neck as I clung to him. He grunted as he felt me tighten around him, my climax building rapidly. His movements grew more urgent, and I shuddered as the pleasure became almost overwhelming, my body convulsing with each wave as I moaned his name. He pulled me close, his rhythm faltering as he released inside me, his forehead resting against my shoulder, his breath coming in heavy pants. I giggled as he peppered kisses along my shoulder, then my neck, nibbling lightly on my ear before whispering again, "My beautiful, beautiful wife."

I had never been happier.

✧ But if you send for me, you know I'll come / And if you call for me, you know I'll run / I'll run to you, I'll run to you / I'll run, run, run / I'll come to you, I'll come to you / I'll come, come, come

And if you call I'll run, run, run  / If you change your mind, I'll come, come, come ✧

December 31st, 1992

Two months later, we headed back to San Francisco for Lars' annual New Year's Eve bash. Dave wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the thought of ringing in the new year with his old band mates, but I promised him he didn't have to mingle with them if he didn't feel like it. I mean, Lars' parties were notorious for being massive. Dave was trying his best to wrap his head around the fact that having me in his life also meant having some sort of contact with Lars, Kirk, and James. Surprisingly, he was handling it better than I thought he would.

I let out a sigh, a little smile playing on my lips as we pulled up to Lars' vacation home. Last time I’d set foot there, getting back with Dave wasn't even on my radar. If someone had told me then that a year later we'd be married, I'd have probably burst out laughing. It was like in the past year, all my wildest dreams had decided to come true.

I grinned as we stepped into our guest room and spotted Lars' handiwork of choosing the perfect outfits for his guests; this time, a stunning blood-red gown for me, paired with a slick black suit and shirt in the same shade for Dave. Dave let out a low whistle at the sight of our getups, slinging an arm around my waist.

"You’ll look absolutely gorgeous in that dress, babe," he said with a smile, leaning in to brush his lips against my ear. "Can't wait to take it off you later."

I laughed, giving him a playful shove, and he planted a kiss on my lips before stepping back.

The party was off the hook, as usual. Even Dave seemed blown away by the spread of food, drinks, and all the big shots milling around, though he tried to play it cool, which just made me smile. We worked the room together, hand in hand, stopping here and there to shoot the breeze with some familiar faces.

At one point, we split up when Dave went to grab us some drinks. That's when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I turned around, a smile spread across my face at the sight of James. He was rocking an all-black outfit, his blond hair flowing and his face looking healthier than I had seen in years.

"Thought you were gonna bail this year. You know, since your husband's not our biggest fan," James said, a slight grin playing on his lips. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, James. I wouldn't miss hanging out with you guys for anything," I retorted before pulling him into a hug. He let out a satisfied sigh, keeping me close for maybe a bit longer than strictly necessary, his hand resting at the small of my back as he buried his face in my hair.

"You look stunning," he whispered in my ear, and I swear I could feel my cheeks flushing. "Missed you, Nore," he grinned, those blue eyes twinkling with a certain mischief that sent my heart into a flutter.

Guess I wasn't entirely immune to James' charms after all.

Later, after the party wrapped up, Dave and I ended up back in our room, his hands all over me, his body pressing me against the wall, his tongue tangling with mine as I let out soft moans, my fingers entwined in his soft ginger hair. He suddenly pulled away when we heard a knock on the door. I blinked, curious. Dave groaned, irritated, rolling his eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath.

"I'll get it," I offered, and he grunted, stepping aside to let me reach the door. Swinging it open, I was taken aback to find James standing there. His eyes swept over me, a faint smile playing on his lips as he noticed my flushed cheeks and mussed-up hair.

"Bad timing?" he quipped, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks once more.

"James, what's up? Need something?" I inquired, and he let out a low laugh, that same hint of mischief as before flashing in his eyes.

"You know why I'm here, sweetheart. Mind if I come in?" he murmured, his voice dropping. My skin warmed when Dave's arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as he planted a kiss on my neck.

"What do you think, babe?" Dave murmured, his proximity sending my pulse into overdrive. James observed, desire flickering in his blue eyes as he let out a soft sigh. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I realized what was about to happen. "Should we let him in?"

I glanced at James, who flashed a playful grin before closing the gap between us, lifting my chin with his fingers before pressing his lips to mine.

Believe it or not, that was the kick-off to some of the happiest times of my life. James, Dave, and I kept our meetings going for a few months, and I gotta say, it was pretty amazing to experience loving both of them at the same time.

But James had a point in the end; keeping our thing under wraps, away from the public, got tougher and more draining by the day. And even though he didn't outright say it, I could tell Dave wasn't thrilled about sharing me. Plus, James and Dave still had a lot of resentment between them; not even the possibility of both of them having me eased the wounds they still needed to heal. So, as time went on, our three-way nights became rarer until they just fizzled out completely.

Surprisingly, that didn't wreck my bond with James, thanks to something totally unexpected: him falling for someone else. Strangely enough, it didn't bug me as much as I thought it would. I had a long history of feeling jealous of James' girlfriends back in the day. But now, it was like our connection had matured into something peaceful. I was genuinely glad to see him finding happiness, just like he was glad to see how happy my marriage made me.

So, believe it or not, I found myself happy. I had a husband who adored me, a successful career, and friends who were like family. Sure, Cliff's loss was like a shadow that never quite left, but I wasn't going through my mourning alone. Some days hit harder than others, but ain't that just life? We all coped in our own ways, not always the healthiest, but bit by bit, I learned to live again.

Bit by bit, I allowed myself to be happy again.

✧ Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine / Cashmere, cologne and hot sunshine / Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine / And we were young and pretty ✧

November 14, 1993

It happened not long after my first wedding anniversary.

The past year had been smooth sailing for both me and Dave. Hardly anything threw a wrench in the works; I kept climbing up the ladder in acting, and Dave was killing it in his music gig. His band was hitting new highs, even if that meant he was on the road more and we were apart a bunch. But, in the end, it just made every second we had together even sweeter. 

Somewhere in the last few months, I’d ditched the birth control pills. Not 'cause Dave and I were mapping out parenthood or anything, but just because we figured we'd want kids somewhere down the line. Seemed like a good time to let nature take its course — if it happened, cool. If it didn’t, that was okay too.

I just wasn’t ready for it to happen that fast — but the two lines that appeared on the pregnancy test didn't lie.

I was pregnant.

Maybe it wasn't the smartest move to take that test while Dave was still laying down tracks at the studio. Because now, a full-on panic started to set in as I stared at that little plastic stick. I only grabbed it because I'd been feeling like garbage — tired as hell and sick to my stomach round the clock. Plus, I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a period. But even with all those hints, the result still caught me off guard.

I rested a hand on my belly, staring at my own nervous reflection in the mirror. I had no clue how I was gonna break the news to Dave. And with the band gearing up for another album, I couldn't predict how he'd take it either. Albums meant tours, and I was freaking out, thinking I might mess up Dave's whole career and plans.

Chill out, I told myself. He's been wanting this as much as you have.

And it was true. Actually, it was Dave who'd thrown out the idea of me ditching the birth control pills. I tried to keep that in mind, shutting my eyes and taking a deep breath. It kinda eased some of my nerves. I absentmindedly noticed my face was all flushed.

"Nore?" I jumped when I heard Dave's voice. I hadn't even noticed he'd gotten back home, but then again, I was holed up in the bathroom upstairs. I heard a couple of taps on the door. "You in there?"

"Yeah, I'm here!" I called out, shoving the test back into its box and tucking it away in the cabinet under the sink before swinging the door open. Dave grinned at me, his ginger hair pulled back into a ponytail, and reached out for a hug. I chuckled softly, some of the tension melting away as I wrapped my arms around him, nuzzling into his chest. "Hey there, baby. Welcome home."

"You feeling any better?" He ran a gentle hand through my hair.

Now it was clear why I'd felt so sick — another day where I just couldn't drag myself to work because of the nausea. Dave would've stayed put if I hadn't practically pushed him out the door to the studio. Didn't want to throw a wrench in the works of the band's new album. The idea of being a hassle to him brought tears to my eyes, which kinda ticked me off. Guess my hormones were already all over the place.

Which meant one thing: I had to tell him.

"Dave..." I started, my voice shaky, meeting his gaze. He brushed his fingers over my face gently, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"What is it?" he whispered. I tried to speak, to put into words what I needed to say, but I found myself speechless. Instead, I reached for his hand and pressed it against my stomach under my shirt. He looked at me, puzzled for a second, before realization slowly dawned in his eyes.

"Wait, seriously? Is this... Is this what I think it is?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. I nodded, a grin spreading across my face.

"Yeah, it is. We're... We're gonna have a baby," I confirmed, finally managing to say it. "I'm pregnant... You're gonna be a dad."

"Holy shit, are you serious?" he beamed, cupping my face in his hands and planting a bunch of little kisses on my lips, making me giggle. "I can't believe this!"

"It's true, Dave. Just took the test."

"Oh man, we gotta tell everyone!" he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "And we gotta start prepping the baby's room... You think it's gonna be a boy or a girl?"

I smiled, feeling my heart light up at Dave's enthusiasm. I'd been worrying for nothing, I realized. He'd never see this pregnancy as a setback. That guy had shown me his love time and time again, way more than I could ever measure, way more than I ever thought I deserved.

I knew he was gonna be an amazing dad.

July 27, 1994

Elise Rose Mustaine-Burton came into the world in the early hours of a summer morning.

When I finally got to hold her, sweat and tears mixed as my whole body ached, it was as if my world had shifted for a moment; holding her, I just knew – life would never be the same again.

I fell for her right away, a fierce, raw, and unconditional love that just flooded through me. It wasn't like I had to make room for her in my heart; it was more like her arrival had stretched it wide open, carving out a piece of my soul that was hers and hers alone, forever.

I could tell Dave felt it too. When he held her, a grin lit up his face, tears welling in his eyes as he cradled her against his chest. She was so small, and so unmistakably ours — her little tufts of hair already matching Dave's, her eyes a deep blue that could only have come from me.

First time breastfeeding hit me harder than I thought. I sat there, cradling her close as she suckled vigorously, trying to push through the pain. But the hormonal roller coaster I’d just gone through suddenly overwhelmed me. I blinked, tears welling up, and Dave slid in beside me on the bed, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"You alright?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

"Yeah, just stings a bit," I answered, my voice shaking. He gave me a gentle squeeze, careful not to jostle me too much.

"Want me to buzz the nurse?"

"Nah, I'll tough it out," I said, sniffling, and he wiped away the tears from my cheek. I let out a sigh of relief when Elise finally finished feeding, and Dave scooped her up while I got myself together, handing her back to me soon after.

"You're crying," he noted, and I looked up to meet his worried hazel eyes. "You sure you don't want me to call the nurse, babe?"

"I'm good," I said, wiping my face with one hand while holding Elise close with the other. "Just blame it on the hormones. Can you believe she's finally here?" I asked softly, my voice still shaky, and Dave grinned. "She looks just like you."

"She's got my hair, but that cute face is all yours," he remarked, gently holding her hand. Elise latched onto one of Dave's fingers right away, and I couldn't help but marvel at how tiny she was — five small fingers so delicate they almost looked like they belonged to a doll.

"How can you tell? Babies all look so similar at this age," I wondered, and Dave chuckled. I glanced up at him, tears welling in my eyes again as I smiled. "She's just perfect, Dave."

"She sure is. Just like her mom," he replied, and I let out a quiet laugh before resting my head on his shoulder. Feeling Elise's warmth against me was something entirely new, yet utterly wonderful, calming me down completely. Dave traced a finger lightly over her cheek, and she stirred in her sleep.

"My sweet Lizzie," he murmured, and the nickname sounded so perfect on his lips that I knew he'd hardly call her anything else from then on. He grinned, his eyes brimming with pure love as they met mine, and he planted a gentle kiss on my temple. "Can you believe we made her?" he whispered against my skin. "I didn't think it was possible to love you more than I already did, but you keep proving me wrong. How do you do it?"

“It’s easy,” I smiled. “You do the same for me.”

Dave smiled softly, giving me a light kiss before drawing me in closer. I let myself sink into his embrace, with our baby snug against me, and let out a contented sigh.

"I think I'm about to fall asleep," I mumbled, feeling my eyelids drooping.

"Course you are. You need some shut-eye," Dave chuckled, his smile practically audible, before gently transferring Lizzie to her crib. I grumbled softly, already missing the feel of her in my arms, but knowing it was best to wait until I was more awake to hold her. Dave settled back beside me on the bed, wrapping me in his arms, resting my head on his shoulder, and I let out a contented sigh, soaking in the warmth of his skin against mine. “I love you, Nore.”

"I love you too," I mumbled back, already drifting off, smiling as his lips brushed my forehead, and letting out a quiet laugh.

"What's on your mind?" Dave asked, grinning, and I shook my head.

"Just feeling damn lucky," I murmured, blinking open my eyes with a yawn. Dave cupped my face in his hand, stroking my cheek gently, a gesture so familiar, so him . I grinned, giving his jaw a light kiss, and he sighed. “I'm so lucky to be loved by you.”

It was actually kinda funny, you know, how lucky I was. The world might see Dave as this guy with a short fuse, sharp tongue, and a chip on his shoulder from all the crap life threw at him, but I didn’t. My Dave was not like that.

My Dave was sweet, affectionate, and thoughtful. He loved me, and he made damn sure I felt it, every single day of our lives.

And me? The longer I spent with him, the more I was sure that some things between us were simply meant to be.

We were always meant to fall in love. We were always meant to find one another. We were always meant to be together, for me to save him, for him to save me, every day, again, and again, and again.

We were always meant to love each other.

And I loved him.

God, how I loved him.

September 29, 1999

It was early morning when I finally rolled back home, tour fatigue dragging me down like a ton of bricks. No matter how many times I'd done this, coming back after weeks on the road always hit me like a truck. It was like all the exhaustion caught up to me at once, weighing me down.

The only thing stronger was the longing to see her.

Stepping inside, her voice coming from the kitchen welcomed me right away. I grinned, feeling like a kid again, head over heels in love with her. It was like my heart couldn’t quite wrap its head around how lucky I was to have her as my wife. Every time I laid eyes on her, it was like seeing her for the first time all over again — pure excitement and enchantment that I'd never felt with anyone else.

"What’s next?" she chirped as I strolled into the kitchen, her voice all sing-songy, setting off giggles from Lizzie, our little girl. I grinned at the sight; Nore was at the table, ingredients scattered about, while Lizzie sat on a stool, peeking over the table, her ginger hair tied up in pigtails, her blue eyes sparkling as she beamed at Nore.

"An egg!" Lizzie answered, so hyped up it cracked me up, catching both of their gazes. They both lit up with identical smiles when they spotted me, one a bit smaller and with a few less teeth than the other. "Daddy!" Lizzie squealed, beaming as I walked over, and I chuckled when she slapped her tiny hands on my chest, bouncing in her chair until I scooped her up, settling her on my lap. "We're making pancakes! Mommy said you get super hungry when you come home from work."

"No kidding?" I grinned, pulling her in close to my chest. She seemed taller and heavier since the last time I’d held her, but still the same gorgeous girl, a perfect mix of me and the woman I loved more than anything. "Well, she got that right. I am super, super hungry!" I nuzzled my face into her tummy, and she erupted into giggles, grabbing onto my hair as she cracked up, tossing her head back. Nore joined in, her laughter contagious, plastering an immediate smile on my face.

I plopped Lizzie back on her stool and turned to my wife, who flashed me a sweet grin as I cradled her face in my hands. I was itching to kiss her, to wrap her up tight in my arms and feel her melt against me, to trace every inch of her skin with my lips and my touch because no matter how close we got — it never felt close enough.

But Lizzie was watching us, so I settled for a quick peck on her lips. The more intense kisses would have to wait until night, when I’d take her clothes off and shower her with love, turning her into the most delightful mess of moans under my touch. She grinned into our kiss, her smile sweeter than ever (though honestly, every smile of hers just kept getting sweeter to me), and I couldn't resist kissing her one more time.

"Good to have you home," she said, and my heart swelled with warmth.

Later, after Lizzie had crashed out and we'd retreated to our bedroom, I finally got to pull Nore close, my lips trailing along her neck while she giggled softly, her arms snug around my shoulders as she perched on my lap.

"So, it's just you and me now?" she asked, all sweet-like, and I grunted, my hand drifting down to the little bump already poking out from her belly with our second kid on the way.

"Just you and me," I confirmed. With the tour wrapped up, I'd be sticking around until the new baby was born and the tough early months were behind us. Balancing the rockstar life with being a present dad and husband wasn't always easy, but I gave it my all. And man, was I lucky to have an understanding wife, who was also a wonderful mom, and one hell of a strong woman. No idea what I’d done to score such luck.

That night, every kiss I planted on her skin was filled with nothing but worship. I soaked up every second I got to touch her, her hushed moans echoing in the room as my tongue delved into the wetness between her legs, then her heavy breathing brushing against my cheek as she rode me slowly. Her chest pressed against mine, her arms locked around my neck, my hands guiding her hips in a steady rhythm as we moved together. Slow, tender kisses mixed with the sweetest moans I could ever wish to hear.

And then, after we finished, she cuddled up next to me, her bare skin cozy against mine as she lazily traced patterns on my chest with her fingertips. That had always been my favorite part — having her right there with me, knowing she was mine, that she wasn’t going anywhere, that her love was like a safe haven I could always come home to.

"I love you," she whispered, and I grinned, locking eyes with her. Eyes so blue I drowned, being pulled right into her soul.

"And I love you," I replied, my voice low and raspy. She laughed softly as I planted a gentle kiss on her lips. How damn lucky was I to always have her to come back to, no matter what, no matter where. To know that I'd always find her, over and over again, no matter the distance or the obstacles.

To know that if I had a hundred lifetimes, I'd choose to love her in every single one of them.

And by some miracle of fate, she was mine.

Mother of my children.

Light of my days.

Love of my life.

✧ the story's over, but if you'd like to be tagged on any eventual extra chapters, let me know and I'll add you to the tag list! ❤ ✧

tag list: @killazilla777 @whatsupvic @70srogah @genswine9 @twice360noscope @ilovepapahet @decemberm0on

✦ a/n: And that's a wrap ❤

If you've been following along with this story, I just want to thank you with all my heart! It's been quite a journey for me, taking over a year to finish this fic. I've grown a ton as a writer, and I've had a blast interacting with all of you along the way. Honestly, when I first started posting, I never expected anyone to read it, so getting feedback from you all has been an awesome surprise. Your presence here has really kept me going, so thanks a million for that! 💖

So, we've reached the end of Nore's adventure, and it's been a happy one (just like I promised)! I might come back with a few extra chapters set in this universe down the road, but for now, I'm shifting gears to some other projects. If you want to stay in the loop, I'm always sharing updates about my fics right here on my blog!

If you've got any comments, feedback or reviews about the story, I'd love to read them. Thanks again for diving into Heartbreaker and enjoying the ride with me.

Catch you later! ❤

[jon-decor]

Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine

Cashmere cologne, and white sunshine

Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine 🔥

[bleachersgirl]

blue hydrangea. cold cash divine. cashmere cologne. and white sunshine. red racing cars. sunset and vine. the kids were young and pretty.

[mermaidinthecity]

And if you call, I'll run, run, run. If you change your mind, I'll come, come, come. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine. Cashmere, cologne, and hot sunshine. Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine, and we were young and pretty.

Old Money by Lana Del Rey

[6starkenzie]

Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine

Cashmere, cologne and hot sunshine

Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine

And we were young and pretty 😖

[scuderia-piastri]

bad influence (continued)

✮⋆˙summary: the prank war has escalated, and now the whole paddock is in chaos and fear of being struck next.

✮⋆˙warnings: none

✮⋆˙a/n: i’m really on a roll with these i love it

rrcsav masterlist

and so war was waged.

three race weekends in, it was ongoing and seemed as if it would never stop. alex was serious, and made allies, forcing red and franco to have to form alliances with other drivers as well. the paddock was split, either you were on alex’s side or red and franco’s. unless you were like liam, in which case you did not want to be involved.

of course, the first person alex had allied with was george. it was easy for him to convince. and once pierre had heard about the war, he immediately joined alex’s side straight out of spite against red, bringing yuki and isack with him. along with george came kimi and valterri completing the mercedes family, and in 2019 rookie fashion lando was also forced to join.

red was resourceful too, however. once she’d explained the situation to esteban in captain america civil war terms (alex’s team being team stark), he was completely willing to join her side. and it didn’t hurt that he would be up against pierre. ollie’s protests about kimi had gone unconsidered and he was also recruited onto the “right” side. oscar had just shrugged when red and franco had asked him so they took it as a sign of alliance and along with him and ollie came charles (who claimed it’s for the family) and consequently max, who didn’t mind it considering george was the enemy.

and so the games had begun, with nobody on either side being able to let their guards down for even a second in fear of being struck by the other team.

and that, dear friends, was how red now ended up crouching behind a wall, holding a water gun, with franco beside her also wielding a water gun, and everyone else on her team stationed at different locations in the paddock to try and catch anyone on team alex off guard.

it didn’t help that she was forced to do all this in an unnecessarily extravagant lehenga because her parents had decided to attend this race and that morning her mother said to her, “tumara teammate lewis hamilton hai, aur tum abhee bhee bhootni kee tarah chalatee ho. tumne pata hai vah met gala host karenga?” (your teammate is lewis hamilton, and you still go looking like a ghost everyday. you know he’s going to host the met gala this year?) and she quite frankly couldn’t argue with that statement.

“do you see anybody yet?” red asked, peeking out to try and spot a familiar face.

“no, it looks suspicious,” franco commented, hoisting his water gun up. “maybe they’re all doing a meeting or something.”

huffing, she turned back and tried to lift her skirt up, putting the water gun down. “this has to be a trap of some sort. they know we’re planning something, so they’re trying to get us first.”

he raised an eyebrow. “how would they find out we have a plan?”

as she was about to reply, suddenly a ton of water was suddenly dumped on her from above. as she shouted, franco immediately picked up his water gun and shot into action, but proved to be a bit too late as he was then drenched in water too. cursing as they looked up, alex and george stood on the roof above them, grinning from ear to ear.

“oh my god, alex!” red yelled out, pushing her wet hair back. “you’re gonna pay for this!”

“you do what you need to do to win, red!” alex called back out, laughing. “nice try though!”

finally in some more comfortable and dry clothes, red and the others on the team sat in franco’s hotel room to plot their next move. minus max, who’d dropped out of these meetings after all his red bull team kits were replaced by mercedes ones (toto was quite proud of that one), and charles who’d decided to leave with him.

“how could they figure out what we were going to do, though?” esteban asked, exasperated. “we hid it so well.”

“you know what i think?” franco scanned the room. “we have a spy. someone here is giving them our information.”

“but who would do that?”

with a blank expression, oscar immediately turned to look at ollie. following his cue, everyone in the room did the same, to which ollie raised his hands in surrender and replied, “okay, wait, i’m sorry! i was just warning kimi, i didn’t think he’d tell everyone else!”

esteban shook his head in disappointment. “really? you betrayed us?”

“i can’t believe this.” red immediately pointed towards the door, to which ollie left through with no hesitation, leaving the rest of them to plot their next move.

“we need to get them good, something that will be enough to make them all give up.” franco declared, then looked towards red with a curious expression. “you look like you’re thinking of something evil, what is it?”

smiling, red sat back. “sometimes the best tactic is psychological warfare. we scare them so badly they surrender by themselves. we keep them on their toes, don’t do anything the entire weekend, and play innocent when they get confused. they’ll be done in no time.”

oscar took a moment to think about it. “that’s evil. but it’d work great.”

tossing her hair back over her shoulder, red pulled out her phone. “let me make some calls. i got this.”

“are you trying to poison us?” alex asked nervously, looking at the tray red carried in her hands.

“poison?” she laughed, holding the tray out. “don’t be silly, it’s just ladoos. my nani made them, try one.”

“i can’t tolerate spicy food.” pierre said suspiciously, backing up just a tiny bit.

“it’s not spicy at all, you frenchman, it’s a sweet.” she shoved one towards him. “seriously, try one. it’s good.”

to try and prove her point, oscar grabbed one, taking a bite. “yeah, not spicy. trust me.”

alex and pierre glanced at each other nervously before opting to try them, looking shocked when they turned out to be normal.

“okay, they’re good, give your grandmother my thanks,” alex narrowed his eyes at her. “but i’ll find out what you’re up to. this isn’t over yet.”

red smiled and shrugged in return. “nothing to be up to, just sharing some wonderful sweets with the paddock, that’s all.”

“your mother just interrogated me for 15 minutes,” franco caught up to her after qualifying, running a hand through his hair. “did it work with alex? how did he react?”

“if you think my mama is bad, wait until you meet my maasis,” red replied, looking at him with a smile of victory. “but it’s going great. both him and pierre, and later george, were very confused. i think it’s working.”

“it should work faster, i have to look outside my hotel room before i leave every morning to check if anything is there. we need to win.”

“and trust me, we will. now can we stop by the ferrari garage? i could really use another ladoo.”

“i always thought all this was dangerous, but she liked it a lot and my husband said she was good so i thought it was better to just let her do it,” red’s mom expressed with her hands. “and she didn’t like any other sport anyway. she made us pay for dance classes and quit after the second week.”

red put her hands over her face in shame, groaning. “mama, i didn’t tell you to come to this race so you could tell all my friends embarrassing stories about me.”

“you should be embarrassed, who just gives up after 2 classes?”

“hey, what’s… up?” alex frowned in confusion, walking to the front of williams hospitality to see them standing there. “you must be red’s mum, nice to meet you. what are you all doing here?”

“just showing my mom around, she said she wanted to see some of my friends here. why, i can’t just visit my friends, alex?” she looked to him with a hint of a mischievous smile, though nothing to prove she was actually up to causing trouble.

alex shot her a suspicious look in return. “no, of course you can. nothing wrong with that.”

“she was actually just telling us how red quit dance very early after signing up for classes.” franco coughed to cover up his laugh.”

red shot him a glare. “when i catch you, colapinto-”

later that night, alex showed up at her hotel room door, holding a box of chocolates. “i called off the troops. we get it, you guys don’t back down. truce?”

red eyed the chocolates in his hand. “well, that is a tempting peace offering. i suppose we could accept your surrender.”

alex glared at her. “surrender? no, this is a truce. nobody loses.”

“surrender or nothing, albon. how hand over the chocolate.”

he groaned and handed it over. “fine, you win this time, but don’t pull that psychological warfare stuff again!”

taglist: @sid-is-gr8 @mellowarcadefun @justadesirebel @foreveralbon @inchidentofftrack @demvnsriot

[wayamayaxx]

Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine

Cashmere, cologne and hot sunshine

Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine

And we were young and pretty <3

🎻🍸🦢

xx

[espresso-reblogs]

"Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine Cashmere, cologne, and white sunshine Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine"

Idk but could fit him! ✨️Luxury✨️stuff and the old money aesthetic!

"I want my cake and I want to eat it too I want to have fun and be in love with you"

Reblog game because I'm bored!

[Pr0ship DNI please]

Reblog with ONE of your romantic/platonic fictional others AND a short summary of their personality, and I'll assign them a Lana del Rey song based on the vibe I get from them! :)

This is my first reblog game so I'm sorry if it takes long etc! 😅

Examples:

Status: OPEN

[gaslightgirlsummer]

charles leclerc is a lana del rey girlie. i have no proof but also absolutely no doubt

[llilithdiaries444]

red racing cars, sunset and vine

[tojigasm]

Old Money

Blue Hydrangea, cold cash divine

Cashmere, cologne and white sunshine

Red racing cars, sunset and vine

An: here's the Levi fic everyoneeee, im planning on reposting this as a Toji version for my Toji enthusiasts out there 🤞 but this is lowkey cringe so if u guys skip this I won't hate u LMFAO

Cw: fem reader, celebrity au, mostly fluff, kissing, smoking, TV, reader is an implied nepotism baby, levi being cocky, Hange being an asshole, Nile Dok is lowkey an instigator, red carpet appearances SLAY, rico is briefly mentioned, levi has a tesla, stan Twitter should be obliterated

It was not an easy life being a celebrity, one that was riddled with constant publicity and ridicule, a life in which you often wished you could change if given the ability; rescuing yourself from the eyes of the world.

Despite the internet's constant watch over celebrities and widespread gossip, celebrity life had some perks. Having gained a strong following from your early career, it didn't take long for you to become a household name with fans who listened to your every word.

That’s when it all came toppling down. You should've known better than to think your fans would have the dignity to not harass the main interview channels to get you onto their shows when you’d been interviewed at a movie premiere months earlier.

You’d been on the carpet, smiling and greeting musicians, actors, and actresses when you’d seen your best friend, Hange Zoe; head tilted back in a laugh as they spoke to one of their cast members from their latest movie.

“Hange!” You’d managed to make your way through the side hugs and short calls to your own name from other friends on the carpet.

Hange turned, brown eyes meeting yours for a split moment before they were making their way toward you, the two of you enveloping one another in a warm hug. Cheers from the crowd erupted as the two of you pulled apart and began to talk.

Hange took you in, “I was wondering when you were gonna show up, like damn!” They took a step back to look over your outfit for the evening, whistling, “You look good,” nodding their head in approval as they threw their arm over your shoulder as the two of you made your way down the carpet.

“Have you said ‘hi’ to Rico yet? She’s been waiting to see your dumbass all night,”

You could hear the eye roll as they spoke, falling into a laugh at their rudeness as you made your way over to your fellow costars.

Rico was the first of the bunch to greet you, pulling you into a tight hug as she looked you over before gasping, moving to whisper something into Hange’s ear as Miche joked about the audience's overall reaction to the movie.

“Oh, they’ll love you,” his voice was low as he chuckled, eyes looking you up and down once more before drifting to the walk of the carpet. “Everything else, not too sure though,” his tongue clicked as he smirked.

Before you could ask what he meant, Hange was pulling you toward them again, bending to whisper in your ear quickly, “Did you see who’s here?” they pulled away with a grin, nodding their head towards the top of the carpet.

There, at the entrance of the carpeted stairs, stood Oscar winner Levi Ackerman. He was dressed in Tom Ford, undercut neatly trimmed, lips pulled back in his iconic Levi Ackerman stare.

You immediately felt your heart speed up as he turned to make his way up the stairs, followed by one of your costars and his best friend, Erwin Smith.

Levi tilted his head upwards, his silver eyes meeting yours for just a moment before you quickly turned away. Hange was already crying with laughter at your reaction, wiping away at their eyes as you huffed.

“It’s not funny, Hange.” You pouted, nervously you crossed your arms, bringing one up to scratch at your collar bone as the crowd’s cheers became louder, calls of ‘Levi’ and your own name strung out, reminding you of just how close Levi truly was to you.

You couldn't make a fool of yourself, you’d literally die of embarrassment.

Hange was still laughing beside you, “C’mon, it’s a lil funny,” you rolled your eyes, “He’s not even close, you’re fine.” they sighed through a chuckle as an interviewer made their way over to the two of you.

Grateful for the distraction, you were completely engaged in the interviewers' questions about the movie; taking your time to truly go over each theory and answer as inconspicuous as you could without giving anything away. Hange too was poking their own fun at the theories surrounding your character’s possible onscreen romance and backstories.

Everything was going great, your glossed lips pulled into a carefree smile as you laughed at something Hange said, that was until you felt a warm hand rest on your shoulder.

“You were amazing.” a deep voice whispered in your ear, making you turn quickly to see Levi smirking at you, his hand still resting on your shoulder.

“O-oh, Thankyou!” heat rose to your cheeks, stumbling through your words as you smiled at him nervously. In that moment, everything around you disappeared; you couldn't hear anything but Levi and your own voice. Yet the thundering rush of blood you were sure he could hear as he smiled warmly at you, lips still pulled back in a smirk.

Levi nodded, thumb massaging the skin of your shoulder before pulling away with a wink and making his way past your interviewer who’d made an attempt to call him back to the scene.

“Another time!” He called back with a laugh, catching up with Erwin who’d been caught up in his own interview.

You were left a flushed mess as the interview continued, Hange making note of your shaky presence when your voice heightened at certain questions that skimmed over Levi’s interruption.

“So…” the interviewer smiled, “Who are you most excited to see on the carpet tonight?”

Hange let out a bellowed laugh when your face went blank. “Oh, I think we all know who,” They cried, leaning against you as they laughed.

Rolling your eyes you pushed them off of your shoulder, “I’m just excited to see my coworkers and friends and that's it.” you made work to smile, eyes lighting up at the thought of seeing yourself up on the big screen.

“Is a certain Mr. Ackerman included in that bunch?” the interviewer preened, brow lifting as you sighed jokingly, shaking your head with an exhausted laugh.

“No, oh my gosh!” you rubbed your forehead with a defeated laugh when the interviewer nudged your shoulder with his mic.

“It’s okay, you gotta admit he’s pretty handsome though,”

At that you lifted your head, glancing back and forth between the interviewer and Hange before shaking your head again.

“C’mon, really?” your interviewer’s brows furrowed, “You don’t think he’s cute, like not even a little?” he pressed, leaning back in a laugh when you looked to the ground, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth.

“Oooo, someone's got a crush!” he pointed the mic to you again.

“Okay, okay, he’s kinda cute.” you squealed, covering your face with your hands as Hange and the interviewer laughed.

The following interviews served to distract you, allowing you to calm down from the excitement of earlier; only to have your heart beat speed up once more when you passed his table on your way to your own as the premiere dinner took place.

From your seat, Levi’s silver eyes met yours as his lips pulled back into a smirk. You quickly turned away, picking at the table cloth as the waitress took you and your friend’s orders.

“So… why don’t the two of you just get up and fuck on the table?” Hange spoke bluntly once the waitress had left.

Nearly choking on your rosé, grabbing the nearest napkin to cover your mouth as you scoffed, shaking your head in shock at Hange’s rather bored expression.

“Hange!” your voice was shaky, eyes darting everywhere but Levi’s table before you leaned over to them, “Shut the fuck up.” you hissed with a sneer, pulling back to smile at them as your waitress returned with your appetizers.

Hange only shrugged, stealing a piece of your garlic bread to dip into the brutta cheese as they turned around, “Here, watch this,” they chuckled, waving to Levi’s table. Your jaw dropped in shock, but before you could tear your obnoxious friend’s limb from their body, Levi’s eyes met yours again in an amused gleam as he waved back to Hange with an airy chuckle.

But then he did something you weren't expecting - as you were hurried with trying to pull Hange’s arm down, whispering mouthed apologies - Levi waved to you; it was a quick flick of the wrist, but you’d caught it.

And in an instant you’d calmed, your palms sweating as you waved back nervously and quickly before turning back to your garlic bread slices.

“He likes you.” Hange turned back to you, their arm now lowered and thrown over their chair.

“Hange, shut up.” you pouted, taking a bite of the charred bread.

“No, I'm serious!” they giggled, grabbing another slice of bread as they smiled at you, “He just waved at you, and you’re over here gigglin’ and smilin’ and shit like a schoolgirl-”

“Okay, okay!” you threw your head into your hands, “i get it.” You sighed as Hange slapped a hand onto your back with a heavy laugh.

The rest of the night went relatively smooth, well as smooth as you could hope for it to be with Hange’s constant obnoxious comments and the occasional smirk Levi would send your way, but all in all, you’d enjoyed yourself.

You were finally able to relax once you’d made it home and showered, letting yourself destress from the excitement of the day as you were brushing your teeth when you got a text from Hange.

You and Levi needa get married, i think twitter demands it

Rolling your eyes, you brought your keyboard down.

Shut up Hange, i’m going to bed

Hange replied almost immediately.

Damn, alright

With another eye roll, you threw your phone onto your duvet before heading to your bathroom. As you watched yourself in your mirror, you felt yourself reliving each moment you had with Levi that night; the warmth of his hand on your shoulder, the softness of his voice, the sharpness of his eyes, and the cockiness of his smirk. Everything and every moment felt almost infinite - the libido of memory breaking at the sound of your faucet running.

With a sigh, you switched off the faucet and made your way back to your bed, tucking yourself into the covers. You listened to the air and the owls, letting your eyes slowly drift close to sleep, you couldn’t help but wonder what Levi was doing.

SPACE

Not checking twitter the night before was probably the single worst mistake you’d made in your entire life.

When you woke up the next morning, you didn't pay much attention to your phone as you got ready for the day; taking your time in showering and doing your facial care.

It wasn’t until you were in the middle of cooking eggs, pushing the scrambled yolk about the searing pan that you decided to pick up your phone - only reminded of it by the sound of your morning alarm you’d forgotten to turn off the night before.

Sliding your phone open you felt your heart drop to your stomach at the notification tab. Immediately you went to twitter and before you were even given the chance to search up your name, you’d read it in the trending bar… right above Levi’s.

Without even checking the posts, you called Hange.

“What’s up?” they spoke leisurely

“What do you mean ‘what’s up?’ Why is my name trending with Levi’s? What did you do Hange?” you barreled, lips pulled back in a sneer when they gave gasp.

“Hey! I didn’t do shit, and I told you to check twitter last night, and it’s not my fault the two of you were all over each other last night.” Their voice laced with amusement.

Sighing, you ran a hand over your forehead, “I don’t even wanna know, I really don’t.”

Hange laughed, “hey, I mean it can’t be that bad. You’re being shipped with your celebrity crush after all.” you could hear the mocking eyeroll in their tone.

“No, it’s bad.” you argued, flipping off the stove, feeling too nauseous to eat. Hange was quiet for a moment and you could hear voices in the background, “Hange, where are you?”

There was a beat of silence before their voice returned, “Oh, uhm, i’m out grocery shopping right now, why?”

Taking a shaky breath you looked to your backyard before heading upstairs, “Can you please come over when you’re done, this is just really freaking me out and it’s too much, and i don’t know what to do, and I-”

“Yeah, I gotcha, don’t worry.”

With a heavy breath you made your way to your bathroom, flipping on your shower faucet as you rounded up your special shampoos and conditioners for relaxation.

“Thank you, Hange.”

And with that, you hung up, throwing your phone onto your bed before jumping into the heated shower.

SPACE

It wasn’t until around noon that Hange had shown up, fit with a sleeping bag, laptop, and vase of freshly cut roses.

You were sitting on the couch in your living room, scrolling through the seemingly endless posts about the night before, still dressed in your robe and even more agitated as the bouts of your anxiety prevented you from enjoying your shower.

Rolling your eyes at Hange’s entrance you sighed, “You know, you didn’t have to bring all that.”

Hange merely shrugged, “I felt like spoiling you with not only my presence but flowers too.”

“I meant the sleeping bag. You could use my guest bed.” You spoke deadpanned.

Hange gave a teasing smile, “Yeahhh, but sleepovers are so much fun and I miss the excitement of them.”

Shaking your head you turned back to your phone, reading each tweet under your hashtag.

Okay, but y/n and Levi dating would be so cute… tbh hoping they are

I RAN to twitter after seeing the premiere last night LMFAO

The way they already have edits made of them

Although they were mostly good things said, you couldn't help the spike of anxiety that coursed throughout your body, sending chills down your spine as you bit your bottom lip nervously. So enthralled with the posts, you hadn’t even noticed Hange had set themselves up next to you; already scrolling through their own feed and liking comments or posts.

“Hange, don't encourage it!” You cried, moving to stop them from liking another tweet.

Hange was laughing beside you, covering their mouth as they watched you try to unlike the plethora of tweets that’d they’d added to their collection now titled ‘y/n and Levi moments’.

“It’s not that bad, trust me you have nothing to stress over” They spoke through a wet chuckle, running a hand up and down your back softly.

“Hange, it is bad, like really bad. I don’t know how I’m-”

Suddenly a notification popped up on your screen, prompting Hange to cover their mouth with a muffled shriek as you felt your stomach drop.

There, on your phone screen, in all its glory, the notification read:

Followed By @LeviAckermanOfficial

SPACE

Throughout the next few months, You and Levi became notorious for flirting. Whether it be on carpet premieres or through Instagram comments or through interviews, the two of you were always managing to mention one another in some way.

It started small of course.

After Levi had followed you on Instagram you were almost too shocked to speak. Too surprised to realize he wasn't at all offended in being “shipped” with you or at the hints of the two of you possibly being in a relationship together.

After Hange had spent the better half of an hour cackling at your expense, they finally calmed down and helped map out a plan to help you seem like you weren't losing your mind at that very moment.

Seeing that Levi was still following you, you quickly put together a couple of pictures you’d taken earlier in the week and posted them to Instagram before following him back.

Biting at your knuckles, the two of you watched the notifications come in, like after like and comment after comment until Levi’s account came up, liking the post. Hange immediately squealed, pulling you into a hug as you giggled only to be interrupted when you looked back to see he’d left a small ‘❤’ on the post which immediately gained traction.

“Oh my god…!” you smiled to yourself, hugging your phone to your chest as you bounced around your living room.

Things only escalated from there.

Both you and Levi’s fans became nearly synonymous. If your fan base was interacting with someone, chances were high that Levi’s was too.

The two of you had slowly started to talk more also, not just within comment sections and the occasional interview, but through text messages and Instagram DM’s as well, coming up with quick witted comments and inside jokes to tease one another with as the two of you grew closer in and outside of the media.

But all the publicity of the obvious flirting gained much encouragement to have the two of you at least go public about your relationship - yet it was hard when the two of you had no relationship to begin with.

And Levi danced around you when messaging you, sometimes urging you to call him only for you to turn him down as your cheeks flushed with warmth - so head over heels with the man that you think just hearing his voice would be enough to make you confess your feelings.

Yet nonetheless he respected your obvious excuses; recounting his favorite ones as he waited for you to open the message he’d sent.

How about dinner tonight?

You were a very anxious person, stuttering through your words and even through text he caught your mannerisms and moments where he was sure you were laid back on your bed kicking your feet.

You’d told him earlier that day in a message that you’d be busy tomorrow, you had a very exciting interview with Nile Dok. A huge television personality who was known for surprising guests or bringing them gifts without their knowledge.

What surprised Levi the most was the fact that you seemed almost oblivious to that. You hadn't mentioned once what you were expecting to take place in the interview, leading Levi to believe you’d truly forgotten about Dok’s teasing and consistency in making his guests squeal in embarrassment. But he wasn't going to bring that up for personal reasons.

I’m sorry, I can’t tonight :( going to be resting up for tomorrow's interview and such.

That’s okay, brat, I'll be watching the interview go down though. I hope you sleep well.

Thankyou, Levi :) <3

He smiled at your text, he could practically hear the giggle in your voice. God, you were so painfully obvious, he wondered if your eyes lit up at every text, he’d wish to see them.

SPACE

The morning of your interview went rather smoothly as you made your way to the studio. You’d slept peacefully throughout the entire night and woken up well rested before taking a warm, relaxing shower - but not before texting Levi ‘good morning’ of course.

Levi had sent you a quick text back while you were getting ready.

You too, brat. Have fun at the interview.

You kept rereading the message throughout the day, smiling to yourself at the thought of our entire friendship that’d blossomed throughout the past few months, let alone at the thought of him speaking to you.

As you were getting your makeup done, your makeup artist smiled at you in the mirror, “are you excited?” her smile was wide with cheer.

“Oh, yes! I haven’t been in such an exciting interview in a while now.” you smiled back at her in the mirror.

“Well, I'm sure you’re going to have lots of fun.” she patted your shoulder before walking to the door, “You’re on in twenty by the way.”

You turned to her with a nod, slipping on your heels you made your way over to the curtain where you were directed to step out.

The audience erupted in applause immediately as you made your way over to the velvet sofa, greeting Nile with a smile and shaking his hand to which he helped guide you to the seat.

Once the cheers began to die down, Nile looked over at you with a warm smile, “Now, I have to say, you look gorgeous tonight y/n. Genuinely stunning.”

The crowd began to cheer again as you thanked him, bringing a hand up to your chest in gratitude as he clapped for you.

“Okay, okay, but seriously, as beautiful as you look, I think we’re all interested in this new movie you’ve recently been casted in - with a few leading names may I mention.” he pulled a card up to place on the surface of the desk. “And I believe one of your best friends is starring in it too, am I correct?” he motioned towards you.

“Yes,” you nodded, “Yup, Hange’s in it too,” you rolled your eyes in tease before laughing, throwing your leg over the other as you settled into the velvet couch.

Dok laughed with you, continuing the conversation, “Well, that’s very exciting for the two of you to be best friends while also experiencing so much success.”

“Yes, yeah it’s definitely a lot more fun when you have someone in the same position as you. You end up learning a lot from each other - Hange can make a good ass caeser salad by the way.” you smiled, winking.

Nile gave another laugh, “well, I'll have to ask them for a recipe I guess.”

“Oh, definitely.” you smiled.

As the audience cheered, Dok laughed again, “well, i know the two of you have been friends for a while now, and i think everyone enjoys it when the two of you are in interviews together-”

“Yeah, i mean,” you blew a puff of air, “Hange definitely keeps things interesting haha,”

“Haha, well i believe that,” Dok smiled, “In one of your most recent interviews with them, they kinda called you out on your lil’ crush, huh?”

Heat rose to your cheeks, immediately your head turned to your lap as you began to smooth out the ends of your dress in distraction, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you bit your lip, turning to the side so as to not make eye contact with Nile.

Nile only laughed, pulling a couple more cards out from beneath the table, “Oh, i think you do, y/n.” he placed a card onto the table, “Here’s where it started,” the photo was a screenshot of you and Hange’s interview where Levi had intervened, his hand visibly on your shoulder, with your lips parted in a wide smile as you’d been staring at Levi.

You squealed, bringing your hands up to cover your face again. Split your fingers only slightly so as to look through them.

“And then it kinda moved onto this,” Dok presented a photo of the two of you at the dinner that night, arrows showing the two of you looking at one another. “And twitter was already all over it,”

You groaned from your seat, resting your elbows on your knees as your cheeks grew hot with embarrassment, “Oh my gosh.”

Dok laughed lightly at your reaction, bringing up another photo of both you and Levi’s following, showing the two of you were indeed following each other's socials, “Oh, but if just following you wasn't enough,” Nile brought up a final card, “Mr. Ackerman was also commenting hearts on your posts-”

The audience erupted in an amused cheer as you pulled yourself up from behind your hands, face still hot with embarrassment as you whined.

“Oh my gosh, this is so mean,” you spoke through a whined laugh, feet bouncing nervously as Dok only smiled at you.

“I don’t get what’s so mean,” he smirked, collecting the cards into one hand before throwing them beneath the desk, “We’re just witnessing you two’s love story-”

“Oh my gosh, it’s not even like that!” you cut him off, laughing into your hands as the audience cheered again. Anxiously, you began to smooth out your dress again, the design of the carpeted ground becoming much more interesting.

“Oh really, it’s not?” he leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his chest.

“No, it’s not, haha” you grabbed at your necklace, twirling the pendant between your fingers nervously as you tried your best to resituate yourself; pulling your leg over your knee as you sat up straight again, “It’s really not.” shaking your head, you smirked back.

Dok only shrugged, smirk evident on his hardened features as he pulled himself forward to rest his arms on the surface of the desk, “Well, how about we ask him?”

Your eyes widened immediately, jaw dropping as the audience began to cheer - along with Nile as he stood from his seat to applaud in the direction of the curtain.

Nervously, you turned to see Levi making his way over to the couch, prompting you to turn away as quickly as you could. You brought a hand up to the side of your face so as to not see him as he sat down beside you, both Dok and him laughing at your embarrassment.

“I think she’s a lil’ shy,” Dok commented with a smile, leaning back with amusement.

“Maybe just a little.” Levi chuckled as you continued to keep yourself hidden.

The crowd went quiet for a moment and Levi decided to test the waters. Reaching a hand out to you across the velvet, he tapped his finger against the skin of your thigh.

You turned to meet his eyes, hand dropping to your lap as you did so.

The two of you stared for a moment before you broke away in a sheepish giggle, turning your eyes to the floor in embarrassment.

Levi ducked his head some as to catch your gaze, uttering a soft “hey,” as he did so.

Lifting your head, you smiled through a nervous giggle, “hi.” your cheeks ran with heat again as you played with your fingers in the seat of your lap.

Levi’s lips split into a smile at your shy demeanor, leaning back in a shrugged laugh.

“You’re very pretty,” he spoke softly, sitting up straight, upping his head in a smile when you thanked him bashfully; hands coming up to cover your plush lips as you smiled.

You went to speak when the room fell quiet for a moment, not entirely sure of what you were about to say, when Dok spoke up.

“Well, Levi, now that you’re here we can ask you if those hearts meant anything in particular.” Nile leaned back in the seat of his chair, running a hand over his jaw as he squinted at the two of you.

Levi sighed deeply, his shoulders rising as he pulled the wings of his blazer. “I mean,” he blew a puff of air through his cheeks, “What do you think hearts mean, Dok?” Levi smirked, leaning an elbow to his knee, cupping his jaw in his hand as you groaned beside him.

Nile only laughed harder, “Haha, holy shit!” he crowed, kicking his feet up onto the table.

You still kept yourself mostly bundled into the corner of the couch, mind racing as you tried to steady yourself, slowly working up the courage to turn back to Levi at his words.

Upon meeting his gaze, you burst into a fit of nervous giggles, hands falling from your face as you pulled at the hem of your dress.

Nile smirked, “What do you think hearts mean, y/n?”

Swallowing, you looked between the two men, “Well, I think they usually mean love, haha.” your eyes fell to your lap, immediately regretting being so forward until you felt the warmth of Levi’s palm run down your back gently.

Cautiously, you turned to him - silver eyes meeting your own in a warm smile.

“Yeah, I'd say that too.” Levi cooed.

SPACE

The remainder of the interview became gradually easier for you to participate in as it no longer was directed on just embarrassing you - allowing both you and Levi to share the comfort and experience of one another outside of your screens.

Once the interview had finished, the audience was dismissed as the two of you made your way to the backstage, Levi’s hand resting on the dip of your back as he helped you down the stairs and past the curtain.

“So how about dinner tonight?” he stopped you once you’d gotten to your dressing room, “I know you don’t have anything going on so you can’t make any excuses this time.” he smiled at you when your eyes widened.

“I-”

“You’re not in trouble,” he laughed, kicking at the ground with the toe of his shoe, “Just wanna get to know you better off of a screen, or-” he gestured to the studio surrounding the two of you, “a TV set.” he chuckled.

With a soft nod you agreed.

You’d gathered your things as he waited at the door, helping you carry some of the bags to his Tesla.

He’d decided on an Italian restaurant nearby - one with real garlic bread and home-made pasta, he’d explained to you as he drove through the busy traffic.

The whole ride, he kept his hand on your thigh, gently massaging the soft plush of your skin and occasionally slipping his hand through yours to squeeze ever so often. You kept to yourself most of the ride, running the toe of your heel up and down the back of your calf in a nervous tick as you made glances at him ever so often.

SPACE

“Have you been here before?” The two of you were seated in the patio area of the restaurant; the décor was fit with vines and heaters; a single rose decorated the center of your table.

“Not with anyone in a romantic sense.” Levi’s brows quivered as his lips fell into a smirk.

You nodded, smoothing your napkin over your lap, “Sorry, I'm just… i don’t know-”

“Nervous?” Levi asked, reaching his hand to intertwine with your own, “It’s okay to be nervous.” He squeezed your hand gently before pulling away to lean back into his chair, pulling a packet of marlboro and lighting a cig before blowing the puff to the side.

As you watched the smoke disappear into the cold air, your thighs ran against one another, eyes fixated on the way his lips stole a drag from the cigarette again.

“What’s got you so worked up, brat?” Levi lit the end of his cig again, throwing the lighter onto the table.

You were almost too nervous to meet his eyes, nails petting the cloth of the table. “I guess it’s just because,” you shrugged lightly, rolling your head to the side, “I dunno.”

The side of Levi's leg came up to run along the skin of yours, his hand intertwining with your own as your eyes met his.

“It’s okay,” he cooed, “It’s just us.”

He spoke lowly, silver eyes drifting towards your lips, and then he was kissing you. His soft lips pressed against your plush ones in soft warmth. The two of you stayed like that for a moment before he pulled away, pressing a soft peck to your lips and settling back into his chair.

“Still nervous?” He smiled, tapping the lighter against the cloth.

You ran your finger over your lips with a smile, shaking your head bashfully.

“Didn’t think so,” he smiled, pulling out his phone from the pocket of his blazer, cigarette balanced between his teeth. “Ah shit.” he groaned, tapping his foot against the ground in annoyance.

“What is it?” you whispered, sipping your water gently.

“Pap already found us,” he turned his phone to you, a post had been made on twitter of the two of you kissing, already receiving thousands of likes and reblogs.

“Oh my gosh-” you began to look around, eyes darting past the thick vines. “Where are they?”

“Don’t worry about it, let’s get outta here.” Levi had been staring to the side of your table with a heavy squint, grabbing your hand and throwing a couple twenties onto the table before making his way out of the restaurant.

Once outside, the two of you were met with a huge flash as a multitude of cameras went off. Levi did his best to direct the two of you, holding his hand over your eyes as you made your way back to his Tesla.

Levi unlocked the door for you, letting you run to the passenger side as he started the car, driving the two of you out of the parking lot and onto the busy road. His eyes glanced at the rearview mirror sporadically as he weaved through traffic.

“You okay?” he broke the heavy silence, reaching his hand out to yours which you held onto quickly.

“Yeah, I'm okay.” you smiled, pulling open your phone you saw Hange had texted you

Congrats you two ;)

You smiled to yourself before pulling open twitter, scrolling through the countless reblogs of the paparazzi post, your smile only growing wider as you did so.

They're so cute ahh!!

Pleaseee can they date me too

Levi x y/n stans always win

“Whaddya lookin’ at?” you could hear the smirk in his voice as he squeezed your hand comfortingly.

“Nothin’” you giggled, shutting your phone off and nuzzling into Levi’s shoulder; he smelled of smoke and thick rose, it made your head spin as your eyes fluttered shut.

You’d be okay.

[mermaidinthecity]

Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine. Cashmere, cologne, and white sunshine. Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine. The kids were young and pretty. Where have you been? Where did you go?. Those summer nights seem long ago. And so is the girl you used to call. The Queen of New York City. But if you send for me, you know I'll come. And if you call for me, you know I'll run. I'll run to you, I'll run to you. I'll run, run, run. I'll come to you, I'll come to you. I'll come, come, come. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Old Money by Lana Del Rey

[bleekbacchanal]

The Edge Of Love (2007)

-Old Money; Lana Del Rey-

Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine Cashmere, cologne and white sunshine Red racing cars, sunset and vine The kids were young and pretty Where have you been? Where did you go? Those summer nights seem long ago And so is the girl you used to call The queen of New York City

[for-kelsey]

Peony Panerai & A Red Racing Car.

To the woman who causes my dreams to speed around,

These rose-tinted binoculars dent the space in my nose. I do my best to capture your grace behind the wheel, watching you paint my track in love and burnout feels.

The most beautiful driver I've ever seen.

The red racing car is like you, too; cherry like the summer sunset and doused with chrome, an open-air Targa just so the wind can flow. You're my poster girl above all, I want you and the car pressed onto my wall. Wearing a satin ascot of plucked peonies and vines, pink sunglasses, mirrored with the color of wine. Lace dress and red glimmering gloves, the flowing of your heart-tinted skirt symbolic of true love. An Italian diver's watch flicked to the inside, serving as a reminder of our growing track-time.

We'll smirk and blossom as I view you from afar, our conversations jumbled like the radio in your racecar. It's finicky, requires a double call; I hate that little thing, but it's what we've got after all. Zoom around my track, paint it red and rose; like the way I remember your lips smack, the reason why I write in prose.

You'll start the engine and I'll feel it's warm glow, machine revving with my heart rate while I'm sad that you'll go. You'll leave the track for who knows how long, popping in to break the silence before you're too far gone. I know you'll return when you're ready to see me again; here I am, hopeful, to see those sage-green headlamps in this asphalt den.