#Bravest Boxing

[free-my-boy-grumbot]

me every time i consume neil gaiman content trying not to send neil gaiman 20 asks about how much i love his work

[risingsunresistance]

i sat down with a bowl of soup and i haven't even touched it bc i've just been staring at that picture of him and trying to wrap my head around the fact that we have a new techno video jkfhdsjk

[fieriframes]

[IT IS RIDICULOUS. ...THE BRAVEST ACT OF WAR IS LOVE. TACOS NORTEÑOS-- THE BOMB.]

[wickedzeevyln]

Strings on a Star

Some of the bravest dreamers I know are children, little ones who would dare to dream boldly and never question the pint of magic that would get them there. Call it innocence if you will, but many have grown believing reality is their limitation, that’s why many are ushered into the most distasteful boxes, yet, there are those who are stubborn enough to bend reality and quite surprisingly turn…

[mabelstone]

Imagine Being Loved by Me

hozier x f! reader

part three of lullabies <3 | part two | masterlist

cw: 18+, nothing too serious but a bit teeeny bit of smut

word count: 3.2k

taglist: @princezty @somethinglikero @jimihendrixpopfigure

Three weeks have gone by since I walked in on Joe piledriving another woman in my bed.

Three weeks ago after a beautiful morning of jazz music, pancakes, and instant coffee, Andrew drove me back to my house to pick up my car. I sent him away with an earnest hug, putting on my bravest face as I let myself inside. No shit, there were rose petals on nearly every inch of floor board. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, instead, tiptoed upstairs into my room. Joe was asleep in bed, and I nearly tasted my breakfast for a second time that morning. Instantly, I felt nauseated, the type that makes you hot and dizzy and want to run away and never come back.

I pushed the feeling back down, determined to grab all my shit and forget this tainted cell of a house I once loved more than anything. Furiously, I began stuffing all of my clothes into a suitcase. Then in another bag, I took everything that belonged to me; sheets, towels, everything down to the last teabag. I was fuelled with rage, huffing and puffing my way around the house, lugging my bags out to my car. Oh, fuck. My keys.

Where are my car keys?

I searched the house like a mad woman, tearing apart the couches, looking in every cupboard and under every piece of furniture. Nothing. I called Andrew, asking if I'd had them at the bar, as if he'd know the answer if I didn't. "Ehm... just your house keys? I tink..."

"I tink you're no help," I mocked, hanging up with the briefest of smiles before I was playing detective again. I searched for nearly an hour before caving in and waking Joe.

I shook his shoulder roughly, standing back with my arms crossed once he finally stirred awake.

"Mmm..." He groaned, and I waited patiently with a scowl for him to realise it was me and not some broad off the street. "Oh, you're finally home."

"Where are my keys?" I deadpanned, fuse shorter than ever. I wasn't in the mood for the slightest conversation with him.

"I missed you so much, babe," he sighed, pulling my stiff body into a hug. I peeled myself away from him, repeating myself.

"Where are my keys, Joe? I left them in the fruit bowl, and now they are gone."

"Let's talk first before we make any hasty decisions," he coaxed, pulling me by my wrists onto the bed beside him. "I can't explain how sorry I am."

"Joe, please."

"I've been up all night crying, my heart is broken," he sighed emphatically, taking my hand into his. Oh, you're the heartbroken one? "I can't imagine a life without you."

"You weren't thinking that way when you were fucking the girl you met at my show."

"You hadn't had sex with me in weeks! I was getting desperate-"

"Just stop," I barked, throwing his hand off of me. "Give me my car keys so I can leave. This doesn't need to be any harder than you've already made it."

After minutes of brutally painful back and forth, he gave me the keys to his safe. I unlocked it to find my keys and an open jewellery box with a sparkling engagement ring. He was sitting on the bed, eyes filled with optimism, and I almost fell for it.

My phone buzzed and I saw a message from Andy.

You haven't crashed your car have you? X

I took my keys and closed the safe, turning on my heels out of the bedroom.

"Um, what the fuck?" Joe called out as he followed close behind me, roughly grabbing at my arm when I was halfway out the front door. "I just proposed to you, and you don't even have the decency to say no?"

"No," I replied, unlocking my car and tossing my bags into the boot.

"What? Babe, don't throw this away," he began to cry, clearly panicked.

"I haven't thrown anything away. You have." I shoved him away by his chest, just about ready to boil over with anger. "You have destroyed any shred of trust I had in you. It's over, Joe."

My tough act began to slip as my voice shook, climbing into my car and slamming the door shut before he could see how hard this really was on me. He screamed something inaudible at me as I drove away, and I watched him sob into his hands from the rearview mirror.

I cried the entire drive to my mums, ignoring the hundreds of calls I missed from him.

Andrew and I continued to spend time together. I spent many nights at my mums place while I tried to look for a house. I didn't have rental history as Joe wouldn't put me on the lease... because I didn't have rental history. "Babe, it'll just make everything harder," was once his excuse.

When my step dad would get unbearable, Andrew would invite me to spend the night. These nights would frequently begin with me sobbing about how broken hearted I was, and end with him and I snuggling on the couch to a movie. Innocent enough, sure. But after weeks of abstinence following six years of frequent sex, I was pent up. So pent up to the point where I would have to excuse myself for some time alone with his retractable shower head. Many of my thoughts of Andrew were so explicit, you'd think they were from the brain of a teenage boy who'd plough through two boxes of tissues a day. This of course left me feeling inexplicably guilty and beyond confused.

Tonight, we drank wine and sang cheesy duets together. We clumsily danced and laughed until we cried. He had the coordination of a newborn giraffe, and though I'd never admit it to him, I wasn't much better. He drunkenly rambled about how in a perfect world, he'd own a cottage in Wicklow and keep bees. I told him how I'd be a florist who sold my Irish friends' honey.

As if routine now, we'd share a blanket on the couch and watch a movie. Last night was Superbad, tonight was Inception. Andrew mindlessly carded his fingers through my hair, and with the comfort that brought me mixed with the wine, I was out to it within minutes.

His beard tickled the inside of my thigh as he continued to bite and suck at the sensitive skin, eyes boring holes into mine with a devilish grin.

"C'mon, Andy," I whined, throwing my head back in frustration. I closed my legs over his head, desperate to feel his mouth on me where I needed it viscerally.

"Patience, darlin'," he tsked at me, spreading my legs wide before him again. "Look so fuckin' gorgeous right now."

"Please, just touch me," I begged, reaching a new peak of arousal that was actually causing me pain. "Anything, just fucking touch me!"

He just chuckled, locking his arms around my thighs, pulling me closer to his face. He continued to place hot, wet opened mouthed kisses along my thighs, his beard scratching over my clit for a split second, and I swore I was on the brink of orgasm immediately. I grabbed a fistful of his hair, impatience taking full control of my autonomy.

He licked a languid stripe up my clit, causing me to let out a guttural moan, arching my back beneath him. He pushed me back down by my hips, one hand easily reaching my breast as he toyed with my nipple.

"Fuck, Andy," I cried, eyes screwing shut as every single nerve ending of mine came alive.

"Look at me," he ordered, the low rumble of his voice vibrating against my core. Without warning, my orgasm rippled through me, each nerve erupting like fireworks as I chanted his name.

I woke up panting, taking a moment to realise I was laying with Andrew on the couch. And processing the fact that I actually just orgasmed in my sleep.

"What's a'matter?" His voice was soft and concerned as he turned his head to face me.

"Weird dream," I laughed breathlessly, heart still pounding in my chest. This happened far too often. I almost wanted to spill my guts and confess everything he made me feel.

"Dreamin' of me, huh?" He grinned down at me, and I felt my cheeks burn.

A moment's silence.

"What?" Please tell me I wasn't moaning his name in my sleep.

"I'm jokin'," he laughed, averting his eyes back to the TV. "Unless you were."

I laughed along too, though in my head I was screaming. 'Unless you were,' what the fuck does that mean?

The credits rolled over the screen and like routine, we got off the couch and went to our separate rooms. Except this time, my heart didn't settle, and I didn't get much sleep.

We went about our days as usual, as if I didn’t fantasise about him every waking moment. I worried that I was catching feelings, and catching them far too fast for someone who'd only just gotten out of a 6 year relationship.

I couldn’t help it. I was infatuated. Infatuated was an understatement. I was completely and utterly enamoured by Andrew. I wanted to be in his presence every moment I could. I often told little white lies so I could spend the night, even though our we remained within a strictly friends only basis.

He was kinder than any man I’d ever met, insisting on having to open every door for me, sending me off to bed with a glass of water each night, and waking me with coffee just how I liked. He was gentle and tentative, always fast at identifying cues when I was upset.

But that’s all we were - just friends.

I began to crave his touch, desperate for any opportunity to feel his skin on mine. He’d often play me a new song he’d written, and I’d watch on with hearts for eyes as his skilled fingers worked his guitar effortlessly.

I saw it in his eyes too, sure he wanted me how I wanted him. I dreamt of climbing into his lap, kissing him until my lips were swollen or until he couldn’t take it anymore and we’d need to take off our clothes to satiate our desires.

But I couldn’t.

When it felt like we were moving in that direction, I’d turn ice cold. Though my heart was begging me to love him how he deserved, my brain knew this was probably just a rebound. And someone with a heart as golden as Andy's didn’t deserve the hell grief I’d cause him.

So I brushed off each pet name as if hearing them didn’t cause my stomach to do acrobats. I treated each night on the couch as if we were simply best friends who enjoyed each others' company. As though there was no other option than spooning on the couch where his scent became hardwired into my brain. I’d act as if I couldn’t feel his hard on pressing into the small of my back most nights. I’d pretend I’d have no idea what he was really doing when he’d have to excuse himself halfway through the movie to ‘make a call.’ It’s just how it worked for us.

And often, I wondered if it was torturing him as much as it was me.

We pulled up at the venue, Andrew of course opening my door for me, offering me his hand as I stepped out onto the kerb. I thanked him and we headed in together, turning a few heads as we did so. Not that this was unusual, he was 6’6” and painfully handsome, after all. He’d also given himself quite the name, rumours of a few producers attending tonight in hopes of setting him a deal.

“Remember me when you’re famous and touring the world without me,” I fake pouted, fluttering my eyelashes at him.

“Well obviously, nobody forgets their muse,” he bumped his shoulder into mine, that cheeky grin stretched across his face. “Besides, I owe you that much for giving me something to write about.”

I nearly choked on my drink, raising my eyebrows at him. “And what songs are written about me, hm?”

“The monster mash?” He kept a straight face, giving me that duh look at the same time.

“Oh, shut up, Andrew.” I laughed, acutely aware of the man who just sat beside me. “I’m being serious! It'd make me happy to know.”

“You’ll know when you hear ‘em, baby,” he grinned, throwing back his glass of champagne. Baby. My heart leapt from me, and in that moment I was grateful that he wouldn’t have noticed the deep blush splattered across my cheeks. He was too busy claiming another round of free drinks for us.

“Please tell me that’s your brother or something,” the man sat beside me spoke up, chocolate brown eyes so endearing, thick American accent on his lips.

"I sure hope not," I joked. His face fell, and I realise how that could've been misconstrued. "No- he's not my boyfriend either. We just sing together."

He put his hands together in prayer, looking up to the roof, mouthing, 'thank you, God.' I laughed at him, shaking my head. He had dark brown curls similar to Andy's, his were just more tame and much shorter. Full lips that twisted into a dopey smile, and if I weren't so confused with my emotions, I'd have jumped into a cab and gone home with him without a second thought. "I'm Will," he introduced himself, shaking my hand.

"Y/N," I blushed when he kissed my knuckles, wondering where the hell Andy had run off to. "Where are you from?" I attempted to avert the conversation, regaining ownership of my hand.

"Colorado," he smiled, signalling to the bartender that he wanted to order another round. "And you're a singer?"

"Uh... well I sing, yes," I giggled, the three prior glasses of bubbles gone to my head. "I wouldn't label myself a singer as such."

"Well aren't you just the cutest thing," he grinned, slipping his hand onto my thigh.

"I uh," I stammered, struggling to find the words. "That's very kind," my eyes searched the room for Andy. He towered over mostly everybody wherever we were, standing out like a sore thumb. But for some reason, he was nowhere to be found right when I needed him.

"I'm only in town for the night," he leaned in close to me, his breath hot in my ear, and his hand only getting warmer on my thigh. "Once you're done your little performance, why don't you come back to my hotel and give me an encore?"

Like the Gods had intervened, a familiar calloused hand was grabbing my arm. "C'mon, we gotta go backstage." I looked up to Andy, his expression rigid, bordering on disgust and anger.

"Oh, okay," I nodded, hopping up from my stool, Will's hand quickly retracted. "Uh, see you," I smiled awkwardly, Andrew's grip still around my arm.

"Here's your drink," he let me go, handing my glass to me.

"You saved me, Andy," I laughed, glancing back at the man who'd already moved onto his next victim. "Total wanker."

"Mhm," he hummed, not even looking at me as we made our way backstage.

"Everything alright?" I prodded, his expression unchanging. He didn't reply, instead opened the door to the green room for me. We weren't at our usual bar tonight. We'd been invited to perform at a decently size theatre that just so happened to be full of producers, offering free drinks for the performers. Maybe not the best combination.

The green room was alive with seven or so other musicians, all mingling amongst each other as they awaited their turns. There was a table lined with finger food, and a minibar with premixed drinks. Andrew had made a beeline straight for the snacks table. Typical.

"Um, hello?" I whisper shouted to him, trailing behind him like a lost puppy. "Is there a reason you're ignoring me? Is it because of that bloke? Because I-"

"Yes," was all he replied, taking his food to one of the couches with him.

"Okay," I was surprised with how forward he was, sitting down beside him, honestly perplexed by his rigidity. "...Why?"

"I didn't like the way he was talking to you," he shrugged, still avoiding my eye contact. "He was disrespectful."

"So... why are you icing me out, exactly?"

"I will say the wrong things, better to say nothin'."

This was unlike any way I'd seen him act before. Cold, annoyed... jealous? Surely not.

"Well, I'm sorry I- or he made you feel this way."

"Andrew Hozier-Byrne? You're on in two minutes," one of the stage hands announced, nursing his clipboard on his hip like a baby. "And we're still going ahead with the song change?"

Andy nodded, having a quick drink of water and tossing his rubbish away.

"Song change?" I questioned, following behind him. I made sure to watch every performance of his, even if it meant being amongst the audience when I wasn't also performing.

"Oh, yeah. When I went to get you a drink, I quickly changed my song. No biggie," he shrugged, tying his hair back into a bun, slipping his cap over the top. Jesus Christ, he looked fucking edible.

"What's the song?" I pressed further, still adamant despite the backstage timer ticking '30 seconds.'

"Haven't named it," he shrugged his guitar strap over his shoulders, giving me a wry smile. "It's about you, though."

I blushed deep, unable to form words. There was no space for talking anyway; he headed out onto the stage, leaving me dumbfounded as I watched on.

He awkwardly introduced himself, as he did each night.

And then followed my undoing.

I'd be the voice who urged Orpheus when her body was found.

I'd be the choiceless hope in grief that drove him underground.

I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee that made him turn around.

And I'd be the immediate forgiveness in Eurydice.

Imagine being loved by me.

Suddenly, there was not nearly enough air behind this curtain as I watched on, awestruck.

I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things I would do.

So I try to talk refined in fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you.

I'd be the last shred of truth lost in the myth of true love.

I'd be the sweet feeling of release mankind now dreams of.

That's found in the last witness before the wave hits, marvelling at God.

Before he feels alone one time and marries the sea.

Imagine being loved by me.

Fuck.

My knees felt weak, sure my ears were deceiving me. Imagine being loved by me. Oh, but I do.

Sure enough, producers from many labels were flagging him down from the minute his set finished, flooding the backstage where I was waiting for him.

I ended up having to go on straight after Andrew, thankfully. I couldn't think of any words to say, and the ones I could think of were highly inappropriate. Not that he would mind, clearly.

I hung around after my set, making eye contact with Andy here and there, waving him off when he looked like he might leave the conversations for me. I was happy for him. Ecstatic. And the craving for his touch only multiplied tenfold with his subtle admission that he felt the same.

tricked ya!! i am physically incapable of writing slow burn lol i hope u enjoy what i have for u in the next chapter xx it'll be very juicy (and hopefully longer)

i've also added a taglist as per a request, lmk if you wanna be added xo

[lilvalleys]

Better Man | CS55

in which carlos is carlos and it absolutely breaks y/n …

warnings- this paints carlos as a bad man / bad bf and i don’t mean anything by it , that’s just the song, neglect, ghosting , destructive behavior , hurt no comfort LMAO

a/n- i really like this one tbh…… hope you guys love it too p.s i’m posting a prompt list soon?? also please give me more song x reader recs… should i open it up to all artists? i’m sorry for blabbering i’m just thinking about a lot lol enjoy

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[i-am-hungry-24-7]

[Simon Riley, Will You Marry Me?]

F!Reader proposing to Simon, let’s see what happens :D !!

The breeze touches your cheek tenderly, bringing you a sliver of coolness, just what you need now to calm down your anxious yet excited mind.

Everything is just as you planned. A nice dinner with some wine, you suggest going for a short walk just like you two always did. You watch Simon walking beside you, left hand engulfing yours in his warm and calloused one and looking in front of him, so you tuck your hand in your pocket.

The little box is there, and you sigh in relief, the whole date tonight you’ve kept checking its presence while making sure Simon doesn’t notice.

You two stop by the lake you both love. The stars shine dazzling in the sky, with the moon accompanied their beauty.

Everything’s perfect. Now it’s the time.

“Simon.” You take a deep breath, and watch your lover turning his head to meet your gaze.

“yeah, luv?”

“I have something to tell you.” You let go of his hands, shifting your body so you’re face to face with him. You can see his eyes dancing across your face with curiosity inside, but he just stays silent, waiting for you to continue.

“Simon Riley, I might not be the most beautiful person among others, might not be the smartest person that can help you the most, but I’m the luckiest person, because I found you in the crowd.”

You clenching hard at your skirt, under Simon’s wide eyes, you continue your words.

“Just like I said, I may not be the smartest, but I’ll always be by your side, holding your hands when you’re unsure of yourself, hugging you when the world is cruel and you need warmth. You are the person I wish I could spend my whole life with you...”

With wobbly knees, you lift your skirt slightly to kneel, and you can hear people standing by and gasping, but all you can see is the man you love with your entire life, eyes sparkling with surprise and the love you have in yours too.

“Will you marry me, Simon Riley?”

The box you have been checking along the whole night is now placed directly in your palm, the diamond on the ring shines majestically just like the stars above you two.

“Of course.” You can sense the difference in Simon’s voice, his voice is shaking too, but the happiness and touch inside is undoubtful. “please stand up, love.”

You let out a sigh of relief, steady your legs and start to straighten your legs.

“ahh!” the sudden relief doesn’t stop your trembling legs, and your body waddled, causing you to stumble onto the ground.

“Lovie!” Simon drops to his knees, your knees hurt, but you don’t care about it when you watch the ring box roll out of your hands and drop into the lake.

“the ring!” Crying out, you stumble to your feet and run into the lake. You know the lake is shallow, you can still find it, you need to find it—

A splash comes in your ears. Through your watering eyes, you see Simon step into the lake with you. His left hand steading you while his right arm swirls inside the water.

“It’s okay, love, it’s here, I found it, don’t worry.”

Finally, the white box appears in Simon’s hand when he retrieves his arm from the lake. Fortunately, besides some dirt and grass, the ring lies safely inside the box.

You don’t have a single energy to speak, letting Simon lead you back to the ground, both of your clothes are damp, and you're still recovering from the fright, but Simon’s chuckles bring you back to reality.

You stupidly watch him burst into a low laugh, a smile blooms on his scarred yet gorgeous face.

“You really aren’t the smartest person.” He hugs you closely until you can hear his heartbeat, faster than usual due to the accident, yet soothing just like you always listen to when you snuggle with him on the bed.

“thank you for confirming, Simon.” You pout, but a grin spread on your lips too.

“but you’re the bravest person, and I’m the luckiest man.”

Raising your eyebrow, you lift your head with disbelief, which vanishes when you look into his eyes.

There’s affection. immovable. unquestionable.

“Let’s go home and take a shower, yeah?”

“Sounds amazing”

Simon reaches out his hand, and you take them into yours. They’re wet this time, but it doesn’t affect the heat radiating and sharing through the connected palms.

“But next time don’t jump into the lake immediately, it could be dangerous. ‘kay?”

“Okay. I'm a dork I admit.”

“yeah, a cute dork.” He squeezes your hands playfully. “My little dork.”

[velvetcloxds]

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM | S.R

pairing: spencer reid x fem!reader

word count: 0.8k

warnings: toxic family, parental role reversal, guilt

summary: spencer and the team come over to your new place to celebrate you finally leaving your toxic childhood home

a/n: started off strong , became too real, rushed the ending

It wasn’t much of an achievement for most, moving out of the house you grew up in, doing so in your mid-twenties even less so. But Spencer thought it the biggest achievement, the bravest step you’d ever taken, and you were touched by his excitement. It was a small little apartment, open floor space, everything flowing into one and with your boxes still scattered everywhere there was hardly room for everyone- but Spencer bought a cake. Rossi said he was bringing pasta and you just barely heard Emily promise to bring champagne, so you couldn’t talk anyone out of making a fuss.

It was a confusing set of emotions, you’d been dreaming of leaving for years, since your second year at university, but guilt always stopped you in your tracks. You didn’t want to leave without her, leave her in it, feel responsible for her, like getting a good job and finding a good place should be to save her and not yourself, not just yourself. And you waited, begged, bargained, fought with all your might to have her see things for what they were and leave, you would’ve done anything to make it happen for her- but despite it all, despite years of pain, she wasn’t ready to escape and as much as you wanted to make her ready, you couldn’t. You were, you didn’t have it in you to stay even if you wanted to for her, you had to get out, for you.

“Do you think there’s enough candles?” Spencer was fiddling about in the living room area, though it wasn’t truly ready to be lived in yet, furniture wasn’t in the cards for a while so of course he’d taken to constructing some with all your boxes.

“I think it’s plenty,” you smiled and it felt more sincere than it looked, only barely hiding the embarrassment from not having working lights set up yet. “More and we might set the place on fire before I unpack,” you pulled some paper plates and cups from the grocery bag, hoping no one would mind as much as you did.

You knew they wouldn’t, knew they wouldn’t mind sitting on dented boxes, eating cold pasta, and drinking fancy alcohol out of party cups. If anything it just felt like a testament to your fate, to how rash your decision was, how unprepared you were for whatever was to come. It reminded you that you had no idea how to exist outside of your terror, if you weren’t protecting your mother, what were you doing? Throwing lackluster dinner parties while she was still ever miserable with a horrid man and no escape. It made you feel all the more guilty, and all the more selfish. You couldn’t comprehend the excitement you were expected to be expressing. With all your might you had to convince yourself not to run right back to that blush pink bedroom stained at every inch with dried tears and echoed with screams of bitterness.

You had to convince yourself once again that you were free and you deserved to be as much, you didn’t choose to be born into that madness, you had every right to run away from it. She chose to stay, countless times, no matter how many scary nights or pleating fits of fear, she chose to stay.

“I think we can paint the walls if you’d like, Morgan would help me, though I wouldn’t ask Garcia because she might end up choosing a bright green or yellow,” you met his breathy scoff with a lazy hum, stilled in the middle of counting out the right amount of bamboo forks, staring at the only corner you’d managed to unpack- the photo frames. Spencer followed your gaze, and landed on a large frame with a colourful picture of you and your mom at the theatre, only a few months ago, her smile was only ever that big when you were away from home, from him. You dropped the lightweight utensils with a sigh, everything felt wrong, you felt wrong. “Sweetheart, are you okay?” he knew the answer but didn’t know how to approach the situation without asking anyway. You hummed, bit back a fake smile that would only turn to a frown even if you tried to stop it, and folded your arms around yourself to ground you.

How a space so small, so full, could feel so void, lonely, you weren't sure. Your mom had been dying for years, not physically, but he’d been hacking away at her soul since you could remember- left a shell of her, a ghost, you’d mourn her daily, he made sure of it. Now the mourning was different, the grief, leaving your best friend, your shadow felt like you’d buried her alive and left her screaming. Horrendous thing, the juxtaposition of it all, you couldn’t spend another second in that house, can’t imagine taking another breath without her at your side. You hoped she’d follow, it’s why you borrowed the queen size mattress and not the single from Hotch, space for her, somewhere to escape to when she was ready, but who’d protect her while she wasn’t?

“I was thinking,” careful hands slid over your elbows, loving smile met your gaze. “With your power still out, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone in the dark. Maybe I can stay over?” Spencer was never so forward, if he were he’d present you with ample facts to support his case first, not such a simple little tale of charm.

“Please,” you’d not usually accept so easily, but you were being profiled, you’d learn to know when you were and though not always intentional, Spencer tended not to notice how unsubtle he was with it. You smiled, traded your own embrace for his, looked up at him with your chin planted on his chest. “How am I reading, Dr. Reid?”

“Not well,” he tutted, brows dipped with sympathy, eyes sparkling with genuine care as foreign as it comes. “Which is valid, every horrible and amazing feeling that you’re experiencing is completely valid.”

“I’m scared she’ll never forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to be forgiven for, you are not her keeper, she knows that, you love her but that’s still the truth,” he kissed your forehead, squeezed you a little tighter than before. “You know all of this, but I won’t stop reminding you.”

“Can we visit her?”

“As many times as you need to.”

You stood like that for too long before the room echoed with far too eager knocks, dinner was cold but delicious as only Rossi can achieve and when the cake came you were sat on the floor next to Spencer, smiling as Derek bargained for the biggest piece. Spencer’s hand was entangled with yours in his lap, head on his shoulder and for just a second you felt light, weightless- new.

“Are you still okay, sweetheart?” he whispered with a soft smile, hopeful and you nodded, instantly took the plate when JJ handed you the biggest piece of cake.

“I think so, Spence, I think it’s all going to be okay.”

Maybe it was delusion, maybe tomorrow you’d wake up drowning in dread and pack your few unpacked boxes to go back, maybe you’d stay and spend every second hating yourself for giving up on her, not saving her, maybe she’d finally leave and start over. Maybe you’d stay stuck in time, lingering between the first time he did it and the last, forever the little girl who grew up too soon because someone had to take responsibility for saving her. Maybe you had no purpose beyond that, maybe that’s what you were made for, to fix her and comfort her and stand up for her. Maybe you were the biggest of failures for thinking you could have more from life than that horror, that love ridden burden. Maybe peace only comes after and not during life, born into chaos, into hatred out of young love, maybe the idea of your freedom was as fleeting as his affinity for family. How can someone raised in darkness ever dare to look for light, let alone try and live in it? Maybe you were only ever meant to be nothing more and nothing less than a lesson about how broken people make broken children. Shackled by the knowledge that you never should’ve been, she’d left him sooner if you weren’t.

Imagine that, your whole life devoted to making up for being born, for making it impossible to leave until it was far too late. Hope and freedom, like love, is nothing but a golden cage.

[mattslolita]

lunchbox friends - n. sturniolo ( 001. )

in which ... they meet at a melanie martinez concert and become best friends. ( platonic!nick & platonic!black!fem reader )

warnings ; cussings, mentions of vape, mostly fluff!

"𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇��𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓."

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗˗ˏˋ ꒰

nervousness flooded your body as you walked up towards the venue to see your favorite singer — melanie martinez.

since 2017 when you first began listening to her, she's resonated with you deeply. her lyrics which spoke poetry about real life situations, and how her song titles were innocent but the song went deeper — the cry baby album would always be your favorite and hold a special place in your heart, but when melanie dropped portals you literally had it on repeat since that day. it's safe to say nymphology was your favorite song.

unfortunately, you didn't have many friends that listened to her on the level you did, so it resulted in you not having anyone to go with. your anxiety increased due to this, because you didn't particularly like going places alone.

your hands adjusted the bands on your wrist then you smoothed your earth green long skirt from your outfit in confidence — the line was finally starting to move as you could see the arena ahead of you, causing your nerves to cease slightly as you realized you'd be breathing the same air as your favorite singer in some minutes.

when you reached the front row just behind the barricade, you found yourself next to people already — your excited nerves flowed through your veins as you looked up at the stage in anticipation.

"oh my gosh, i love your outfit!" a male's voice says from beside you, prompting you to turn to the source.

he was brunette and taller than you, a nose ring that complimented his face nicely — the kind smile on his face caused you to smile at him.

"thank you!" you said to him, your eyes traveling down to his shoes and your smile widened, "i love your shoes so much."

"thank you," he says back to you, "i really liked this whole outfit, i devoured honestly."

"period, you did that!" you giggled at him, both of you sharing another laugh with one another.

"i'm nick, by the way," he tells you, holding his hand out for you to shake.

you look at him like he's crazy before pulling him in for a hug. "i'm y/n! it's nice to meet you."

"i'm kinda nervous, this is my first concert alone," nick tells you, and you nod knowingly, "my brothers aren't really into melanie so i didn't pressure them into coming with me."

"i'm an only child, i wished i could've had siblings to come here with me," you tell nick, and he grins.

"we should definitely hang out after this, then," nick suggests, and your eyes light up and snap your fingers at him in agreeance.

"yo brothers are finna be sick of us with the way i'm gonna blast melanie all the time," you giggle, causing nick to laugh along with you.

right off the bat, you know nick matched your energy really well — he was exactly what you looked for in a friend, and it was like a breath of fresh air when all that surrounded you in the past was toxicity.

suddenly the lights dimmed, causing both you and nick to share a grin as you clamp onto his wrist excitedly — a beautiful, earthy escape came on the screen and your eyes wandered around it as you marveled at the pretty mushrooms and butterflies that littered the scenery.

"bitch oh my gosh," nick gasps quietly, tugging on your arm to capture your attention, "she's here."

"oh my fucking word."

low and behold, melanie emerges from the stage causing everyone including both you and nick to go wild upon seeing her — alot of people shamed her for the prosthetics she wore, but you thought it was one of the most creative and bravest things she'd ever pulled off. it was definitely different, but that's why you loved her so much — she never limited her creativity, always going outside of the box. and she ate every time.

"MELANIE, I LOVE YOU!" you yelled, cupping your hands around your mouth as she lets out a giggle into the microphone.

"la, how are you guys tonight?" melanie announces, and the crowd immediately whoops and hollers for her.

"girl, cause what do you mean we're breathing the same air as her right now?" nick whispers to you, causing you to laugh as he holds his phone up towards her to capture the moment.

you follow suit, also discreetly taking a few pictures of both you and nick together ( mostly of you freaking out ), before the first song comes on, her dancers coming out as well — death.

an excited squeal comes from your mouth as you and nick are now both recording each other singing along to the song silently.

"when you aren't around," you narrate with your hands, recording you and nick, "i sink into the ground. i try to pretend i'm closer to you!"

"never understand it, you're always on my mind, i cannot help it," nick sings along with you, the both of you watching as melanie and her dancers perform in front of you.

as your favorite part draws closer, you find yourself beginning to dance, feeling this song so badly as you and nick continue singing with melanie.

"BACK FROM THE DEAD, BACK FROM THE DEAD!" you both sing, holding each other's hand as you sing, "I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD, BACK FROM THE DEAD!"

you're hyping each other up at this point and you're pretty sure there's other people giving you both crazy looks, but you could care less as you're both relishing in the amazing time you're having.

pretty soon your favorite song starts playing, and you squeal at nick in excitement as you grab his shoulder. "bitch, this is my song! i'm gonna teach you to shake ass to this one!"

"bitch i'm so excited, don't fucking play with me!" nick yells back to you.

"CALL ME YOUR NYMPH, PRAISE ME FOR MARTYR, PRAISE ME FOR SIN!" you both sing to each other, "CALL ME YOUR MUSE, A SPRITE OR AN ELF THAT YOU CRY TO AND USE!"

"i will not suffer, cry under covers," melanie sings into the microphone, swaying along and you feel yourself about to get crazy, "i'm not your mother, oh oh, oh oh-"

"IT'S NYMPHOLOGY, NOT PSYCHOLOGY!" you and nick scream, and you begin throwing it back slightly, causing nick to hype you up as he records you, "BE THE MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL BITCH YOU FUCKING OUTTA BE!"

"damaged audity, bought by sotheby's!" melanie sings, dancing on the stage causing you and nick to cling onto each other, "auctioned to a selfish man who thinks that he's the prophecy!"

"you can't even spell that you're an expert in nymphology!" nick sings as he records melanie.

he remains blissfully unaware as you quickly open your small purse and duck your head to take a quick hit from your peach mango watermelon elfbar, blowing the smoke downwards so that nobody could notice you.

"girl let me hit that real quick," nick whispers to you and your eyes widen before you giggle and pass it to him, watching as he ducks down the same way you did to take a hit.

the rest of the concert was magical — you couldn't believe the energy that melanie produced and the amazing show that she performed, and the newest friendship that you made. even the smallest moments like when melanie giggled into the mic again whilst singing moon cycle, or the way nick gave you water when he noticed that you were running out of breath meant, that meant the most to you.

when the concert was over, you and nick were still attached at the hip as you both gushed nonstop about your favorite singer and her abilities to make this one of the best nights you've ever had.

when you both exited the venue, you two were so engaged in conversation that you almost didn't notice a group of three girls slowly approaching the both of you.

"hi, i don't mean to interrupt you guys," a brunette girl said shyly, messing with a bracelet on her wrist as she and her friends smiled at you both, "i love you guys' videos nick, and you're one of the most gorgeous girls ever."

"thank you!" both you and nick smiled at the same time, causing the girls to giggle.

"i was wondering if i could get a picture with you both?" she asked, looking between the both of you.

"are you okay with that, y/n?" nick asks you, and you beam at the girl with a nod.

"did you guys wanna be in it too?" you asked her friends sweetly, both of them nodding with shy smiles.

the brunette girl gets in the middle as you and nick gather around her, one friend next to nick whilst the other stands on the other side of you — you smile into the camera as the girl quickly snaps three photos, and your heart could melt at the way she gushed in admiration.

"thank you guys so much!" she said to the both of you, "have a great night!"

"you too, love!" nick tells her, and you wave to them kindly.

"videos?" you querie nick with a smile, "what kind of videos do you make?"

"me and my brothers have a youtube channel together, we do vlogs and car videos," nick explains, and you nod in intrigue. "this is actually one of the first nights where i get to relax and have fun like this, honestly."

"i love that for you, then," you tell nick, then you wriggle your eyebrows with a grin, "and i would love even more to meet these brothers of yours."

nick rolls his eyes at this playfully. "girl, they're gonna wanna steal you from me!"

"that's not finna happen, cause you were gang before they were!" you tell him.

"do you live in la by any chance?" nick asks you.

"i do!" you smile, pulling your phone out and going to contacts, "give me your number and shit so we can text each other!"

"we need to plan to hang out again, too!" nick adds, as he puts his number into your phone.

"lemme call an uber before it gets too late," you pout slightly, not yet wanting to stop talking to nick. "it was so amazing meeting you, nick!"

"girl, it was great meeting you too!" nick smiles.

you bring him in for yet another hug, then ask him various times if he had a ride home to make sure he was safe — after finally reassuring you, your uber had pulled up not long after and with one final hug to nick for the night, you hop inside, waving him goodbye.

when you got home, the first thing you did was turn on the heater since it was cold in your house.

you slipped your sandals off and put your purse on the foot of your bed, going into your bathroom to wash off your makeup. a text from nick caused you to grin as you got your makeup wipes and began with the blush on your face.

twinflame❤‍🔥💋

girl tell me why i accidentally sent one of the videos to my brother and he IMMEDIATELY asked for your instagram👀

twinn🤞💜

nick😭😭😭😭

is he cute tho ?🤣

twinflame❤‍🔥💋

🙄 y'all haven't even met yet and it's already starting

i'm disappointed.

twinn🤞💜

BYEEE

no but don't give him my gram yet, i wanna meet in person😝

twinflame❤‍🔥💋

do you wanna come over sometime next weekend ?

we can go out to eat somewhere then come back and hang out!

twinn🤞💜

absolutelyyyy !

i'm so down & i'll text you to let you know !

twinflame❤‍🔥💋

goodnight girl❤

twinn🤞💜

goodnight stinkaa😘

twinflame❤‍🔥💋 liked this message!

you exited out of your messages with a content smile, finding yourself extremely excited for the next time you both would hang out. you could tell this friendship would be a good one, and you were hoping it was better than the type of friends you had in the past.

( lilly's section 💌 )

cause this been in my drafts for TOO long, & i love my fav so yk i had to make a best friends series for him😝 for my twinnie @thenickgirl happy early birthday to us🤭.

@luverboychris @muwapsturniolo @prettiest-poision @mattsturniolosleftnut @mrssturnioloo @guccifrog @junnniiieee07 @astrowh0r3 @v33angel @ilovechrissturniolo1 @e1ias3 @l0akkzz @hysteria-things @eyeliketoeatpoosay @sturn777 @stasiesturn @prettypinkprincess15 @breeloveschris @summerssover @mayhem-72 @riasturns @chrissturniolossidehoe @moonk1ss3d @v33angel @h3arts4harry @stargirll567 @bitchydragonparadise @heartsforchrisandmatt @pepsienthusiasts @tillies33ssss @thenickgirl @sturnprime @summerssover @k4di333 @pinksturniolo @middlepartmatt

[oldschoolfrp]

Set in the dark shadows of ruined Alzira, in mountains that strike fear to the core of the bravest heart, is a tower. Within this tower, shielded by forces of darkest Chaos and mortals who have been subverted into his service, through greed or power-lust, is a force. The force hungers. It yearns for power. It thirsts for vengeance. It aches for total domination over all living men, and complete control over the dead. The force is Nilgeranthrib. Not lightly is this name spoken.

I doubt many people could have spoken that name on the first try, lightly or otherwise. Tower of the Dead was a 1984 adventure for Avalon Hill's fantasy RPG Powers & Perils, by Richard Snider with simple cover art by Rick Barber that effectively sets the scene for the dungeon of an immortal lich necromancer. The boxed set includes a useful trifold game master screen with an index for the adventure book on the GM side along with important tables, and a monochrome version of the box art on the player-facing side.

[lovegalor333]

fresh start

part one (chapters 1-3) story info • next part

word count: 6.1k

content warnings: mentions of homophobia and depression

Lily

Transferring to University of Connecticut in my junior year was my final lifeline.

No one has actually verbalised that but it was an unspoken understanding.

Everyone in my life, back home in Boston knew that coming to UConn was a fresh start for me and a second opportunity at life.

I started my college career at UMass in my home state of Massachusetts. Going to college was just another thing on my list to tick off to pacify my family. Unlike my high school peers, I never aspired to go to college, in fact I didn't think I'd be alive by the time it came around.

"You must be Lily!" A sweet voice pulled me from my inner monologue as I stood in my new bedroom, boxes surrounding me.

"Yes!" I spun around to see a brown haired, brown eyed girl stood in my doorway. I flashed her my biggest, bravest smile.

Fake it till you make it.

"I'm Kelsey." She introduced herself coming closer.

Being a junior, I opted to live in an apartment for my time here at UConn. Four people, four bedrooms. That way I had my own space but still the option to mingle in our shared living room and kitchen. I knew I was sharing with three other girls as there was a paper with all our names listed on the table when I entered the apartment a few hours ago.

Kelsey

Madison

Hannah

and me, Lily.

"Nice to meet you." I say and Kelsey hugs me tight, its a warm hug and I can tell its not just a pleasantry, Kelsey feels kind and that relaxes me immediately.

"Looks like we're the first to arrive, how long have you been here?" She asks looking around at the numerous open boxes with my possessions spilling out of them.

"A few hours - how about you?" I bounce the question back to my new roommate.

"Oh I got here last night. Just took a walk around to familiarise myself. I lived on the complete other-side of campus last year but wanted to upgrade for my junior and senior year." She explained.

"I expect a tour at some point then." I joke but Kelsey nods enthusiastically, "Of course! Did you live off campus last year?"

"No. Well, yes - I lived in a whole different state. I just transferred from UMass." I tell her.

I decide to keep my explanation of why I transferred clean and concise.

Massachusetts was not for me.

I was born and raised there and needed something new. I'm not ashamed of my life and what has happened, I'm just very aware that not everyone needs to know everything about me.

Not yet anyway.

And besides, this is supposed to be a fresh start and how can there be any truth in that if I spend my time talking about the past.

Kelsey stayed in my room for the next few hours and helped me unpack the majority of my stuff. Things were starting to look normal rather than like a bomb had just exploded, I was thankful for the help.

I learned a lot about Kelsey in the time we spent filling my wardrobe and organising my dresser. She was studying Education as she wanted to be a preschool teacher. She was also from New England - New Hampshire to be precise (East Coast girlies unite). She was a party girl and insisted on showing me the bars near-by. She was newly single and was making it her junior year goal to stay that way.

Me too. But I didn't mention that.

Her favourite colour was red which looking at her now, was obvious. She sported a red baby tee and had her nails painted the exact same shade. She couldn't function without a morning coffee.

Me too. I did mention that.

I liked Kelsey a lot.

"So Kinesiology..." She started mentioning my choice of major.

"Yes - it was kind of a last minute decision. I love sport, especially soccer and I knew I needed to study something that I could relate to a hobby or I would have lost interest." I laughed.

"Do you play soccer?" I shook my head immediately, "God no. I have absolutely no athletic ability I just love watching it." I say as we sit on my bed side by side, backs against the wall.

Watching soccer, whether it be on TV or in real life was the only time my brain truly shut off. I was too focused on where the ball was, who it was being passed to, how well the pass was being executed and if the net would ripple at the end of a well thought out play to focus on anything else.

"I suppose ninety minutes of tight kits and sweaty bodies isn't a bad view." Kelsey giggled and I couldn't argue.

"Do you watch or play any sports?" I turn my body to Kelsey slightly giving her my attention, I preferred talking about others.

"Definitely don't play. As for watching, I make myself present if theres a big tournament on, usually at the bar mind you." She points a finger at me matter of factly.

"But enough about me. I feel like I've told you my life story and all I know about you is you're a Bostonian who loves soccer. Tell me something fun! Are you dating anyone? What's your type?" She asks eyebrows wiggling at me.

I contemplate my answer carefully not knowing how to broach the subject. Kelsey makes me feel like I can trust her but in reality I've known her less than 12 hours so don't actually know her. I remind myself why I'm here: to start afresh. I decide to be honest, I spent way too long hiding who I really was.

"I'm not dating anyone." I confess, the words feeling foreign even though its the truth. "My last relationship didn't end so well. In fact, it almost ended me." I quip making light of a not so light time in my life not so long ago. "Oh no, I'm sorry Lily. I'll kill the guy if I ever meet him." She says seriously, hands balled into fist as if she's a boxer preparing to go into the ring.

Here goes nothing.

"The girl." I say correcting her. "You'll kill the girl if you ever meet her." I stay silent trying to read Kelseys reaction to the fact that I'm gay. Living in America you never know what to expect when you reveal something like that, I just hoped mine and Kelseys newfound friendship wasn't about to come to a premature end.

"I have no problem beating a bitch up." The brunette says flicking her hair off her shoulder. I breathe a sigh of relief, the revelation doesn't seem to have bothered her in the slightest. "My sisters lesbian and I've heard enough stories to know girls are just as bad a guys. Maybe you should join the sisterhood of single juniors." She says, raising an eyebrow putting her hand between us for me to place mine on top and join the unofficial club. I hesitate because deep down I'm a lover girl and despite my heart being in a million pieces right now I know I want to love again.

"Hey, there's no contract. You can leave at anytime and theres no rules that say we can't have fun." Kelsey playfully reassures sensing my hesitation so I place my hand on top of hers, "Single sisters!" We both giggle, Kelsey leaning her body into mine so our shoulders are touching.

This feels like the perfect start to my life in Connecticut.

I left Boston broken. Brokenhearted and mentally in pieces.

My once big friendship group had dwindled down to one best friend. My ever growing confidence had come to a halt and years of therapy was thrown down the drain.

My Sophomore year was turbulent at best, coming to terms with my sexuality was a journey and then being outed was crushing and too much for me to handle. Managing my emotions has always been a problem of mine, I feel everything or I feel nothing. Both ends of the spectrum can be scary and dangerous and I did stupid things and made an almost irreversible decision.

UConn and Kelsey feels like the light at the end of the tunnel.

Madison and Hannah showed up at some point that evening. The girls had been roommates their Freshman and Sophomore year so already knew each other well. Kelsey and I introduced ourselves and we decided as a group, pizza for dinner was the best way to spend our first night together. We spoke and ate in the living area of our apartment until tiredness took over us one by one.

As I lay in my new bed in my new room I think of the days and weeks to come. I want to start off the best I can, give myself the best opportunity to love life again. Starting tomorrow, my goal was to find a student job on campus. Classes would take up most of my time but I needed pretty much all of my time filled, that way my mind wouldn't stray. I also wanted to scope out the sports. UConn was known for their amazing athletics program and I couldn't wait to be watching games again.

Oh and of course Kelsey wants to go to a bar tomorrow night, Hannah and Madison too so I close my eyes preparing for a busy day ahead, the melatonin I'd taken kicking in.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

My first day in Storrs as a student at UConn was going better than expected.

Kelsey had showed me her favourite coffee place and it had lived up to her hype. I got my usual order of an iced caramel latte with soya milk. I had unintentionally made myself lactose intolerant after being vegan for a few years. I was no longer vegan but dairy refused to be introduced back into my diet. While we sipped our drinks she gave me the grand tour of campus and then Downtown Storrs. It reminded me a lot of Boston which was bittersweet but I focused on the sweet.

"And that," She says pointing to one of the buildings with a huge Huskies sign, "is the infamous Huskies! The best bar around...well, the only bar around but never-mind. That's where we're going tonight." My roommate tells me and does a little dance which makes me laugh.

We finished our coffees on the walk back to campus and Kelsey dropped me off at the Athletics building where I was going to enquire about a student job. I had checked online and there were a few available, I just had to apply. I figured showing my face would make me stand out compared to the many applicants I'm sure admissions would have to choose from. It also gave me an opportunity to check the team rosters and schedule. I became friends with a lot of the student athletes at UMass because I went to so many games, it made me wonder if that would be the case here at UConn.

Walking into the building, it was obvious there was a gym inside I could hear what I assumed to be people working out. Music blasted through speakers though it was muffled by the closed doors and the clanging of weights dropping further verified my assumption.

The doors were closed as I walked passed what I now know is the weight room from the sign outside. My curiosity tempted me to peek inside the room as I heard a cacophony of voices, girls voices for sure.

I was stopped in my tracks, "Hi, can I help you?" The voice came from an older woman, I looked to her and smiled, "Yes please. I'm looking for the main office, here to enquire about a student job this semester." I explained.

"Oh wonderful - follow me, I'm Janet. Head of admissions for the Athletic Department."

I followed Janet down a few corridors and up a set of stairs before reaching the office. The walls along the way all adorned with various UConn teams holding trophies and medals covered in confetti. It was clear they were no strangers to winning here.

"So we have a few positions on offer is semester. I suppose it depends on what kind of role you're looking for." Janet says sitting behind her desk and inviting me to sit facing her.

"I'm studying Kinesiology so I'm just grateful to have the opportunity to work within the Athletics department at all. I'd be happy with anything." I say and truly mean it.

"What is your schedule like?" Janet asks.

"My classes are most days until 4 or 5pm. Wednesday's are completely free as are evenings and weekends." I tell her.

"Hm OK, we have a position here for a Communications Intern. You'll be assisting with post and pre game press conferences and social media posts. You'll be at most home games on the sidelines, taking notes for our journalists to write in articles and pictures to post on our socials - nothing professional of course, we have photographers for that but the fans like to see some behind the scenes on game days." Janet reads off her screen before looking up at me with a raised brow, "How does that sound?"

"That sounds great!" I replied enthusiastically, "As a fan of sports myself, hopefully I can show game days from a new angle."

"Amazing! Our womens teams are gaining a lot more traction, not just on campus so I'm positive fans who can't make it to games in person will be grateful." Janet smiles, typing a few words then standing from her desk. "I've put your name down - at the top of the list in bold - it's always nice when applicants come and see us face to face." I smile to myself knowing that would be the case.

"Thank you for making time to see me." I say to Janet, shaking her extended hand before she leads me out of the office. "My pleasure."

Outside of Janets office is a huge ceiling to floor window with a perfect overview of the gym below. I was correct earlier, there are people working out and it is girls. I stop momentarily to take in the view below me, my mind automatically goes to my major and I wonder what paths these girls are on. Are any of them injured or coming back from injury? I'm immediately intrigued as I watch them perform different exercises.

"Those are our basketball girls." Janet breaks my daydream. "I suspect you'll be working with them a lot this semester."

I turn to her my eyes slightly widened, does that mean I've secured the job?

"If your application is successful of course." She smirks but its a knowing smirk that puts me at ease.

"Oh, and thats Kayla." She points out a specific girl in the gym, dressed differently from the others and considerably shorter so I immediately assume she's not on the team. "She works here in the main office with me. She's a great girl to know, I'll introduce you."

I follow Janet back down the stairs and through the same corridors we took less than thirty minutes ago. This time I take more care as I look at the pictures on the walls, the basketball team seem to take up the majority. I spot names like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi which I am familiar with but not too much, in all honesty I've never watched a full game of basketball in my life. As we get closer to the end of the corridor where the pictures get more recent I notice one girl in particular, a blonde, she seems to always be in the middle of group photos, her teammates looking at her with admiration. Her smile contagious, making me smile as if I'm in the picture myself.

"Prepare yourself." Janet laughs as we approach the weight room door. "What for?" I ask now not so curious about going inside as I was earlier. "They're a lively lot." Is all she says before pushing open the door.

I take a sharp inhale, anxiety creeping in as I follow Janet into the room of athletes.

Every single one of my senses was hit walking into the weight room. The noises that were once muffled by the closed doors were now loud and clear. The room was significantly colder than the rest of the building for obvious reasons but I wrapped my arms around myself nonetheless. Thanks to my deep inhale on walking in, I was only now getting a waft of what smelt like a mix of sweat and fruit. I say a silent prayer that its the girls in here because I know for a fact it would be sweat mixed with more sweat if it was the boys. My eyes scanned the room quickly taking in what I just seen from above. I recognised some of the girls from the photos on the walls, not the blonde though. She wasn't here. Maybe she was a senior and had graduated already, a shame if that is the case.

"Hello ladies." Janet calls over the booming music. One by one the girls turn their attention to us and smile or wave and I return the pleasantries.

"A new commit?" I hear a voice behind me ask before feeling a hand press down on each of my shoulders. I unconsciously tense at the surprise contact.

"No, no. This is Lily - a junior here. She just applied for a job in the department so I'm showing her around." Janet explains and the girl that just had her hands on my shoulders walks in front of me revealing herself.

"Oh damn my bad, I got excited for a second." She laughed a little embarrassed, "I'm KK, nice to meet you." The girl introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you, KK." I smile at the basketball player and she goes to join the rest of girls who are now teasing her for basically jumping on my back. I didn't mind, it just caught me off guard. Besides, I'd rather these girls be overly friendly than cold and moody especially if I'll be working with them soon.

"I'm Paige." A slender hand extends itself to me, coming from the same direction KK came from. I take the hand in mine before looking to see who exactly 'Paige' was. "Hi-" my words get lodged in my throat.

There she was.

The girl from the photos. The blonde with the contagious smile and, I'm now realising, extremely blue eyes like the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

I compose myself quickly, "Hi Paige, I'm Lily." I manage without stuttering as I shake the girls hand before letting go, somewhat reluctantly.

Her hand was bigger than mine and it was warm pressed against my palm, my hand tingled where her touch just was.

"What's your major?" She asks and she seems genuinely interested.

"Kinesiology." I reply, turning my full attention to Paige, my back now to Janet.

"Interesting! You'll get along perfect here, lots of bad knees." She says lifting her leg showing off a nasty scar before tapping me on the shoulder and joining KK and the others.

"Lily hasn't got the job yet, Paige." Janet called after the girl who turned around, "You know what to do Jan!" She called back with a grin.

The girls giggled as she joined them and she playfully shoved one of them away. I couldn't hear their hushed words over the music but the way Paige glanced back at me, making direct eye contact, made me think it was about me or maybe I was just delusional hoping the pretty girl was in fact talking about me. I quickly averted my gaze.

The type of scar and placement on Paige's knee made me assume she had suffered an ACL tear. Tough, if I was correct. ACLs are a horrible injury to face but I can tell by the way she squats with a barbell rested on her shoulders, her form perfect, posture just right that it was healed. Suddenly my gaze was no longer diverted and I was just staring.

Janet introduced me to Kayla and we spoke for a few minutes, mainly about Kayla's role and how excited she would be if I joined the team as, and I quote, "The Athletics Department needed more girls behind the scenes."

We left the weight room together, Janet bidding us farewell at the door and Kayla and I walking to the exit of the building side by side.

"Welcome to UConn, by the way. I'm guessing you transferred here? I haven't seen you around before." Kayla says to me.

"Thank you! Yes, I just transferred from Massachusetts. So far, so good." I smile as we step outside into the warm August weather.

"It really is great here. Give me your number and we'll meet up, I know you just met Paige and KK but I'll introduce you to the others as well." She says pulling her phone from her back pocket and handing it to me.

I type my number in her phone saving my contact as Lily Kent - my full name. "That will be fun, thank you. I only know my roommates at the moment so I appreciate it." I hand Kayla back her phone.

"Thats the perks of working in sports, you make whole teams of friends." She says proudly.

"I need as many as I can get, it's kinda scary being the new girl. Maybe I'll meet some more tonight, we're going to a bar." I tell my, hopefully, new friend.

"Not the famous Huskies?" Kayla asks sending me a quizzical look. "Yes! The famous Huskies." I laugh, seems like this place has quite the reputation. "Perfect! We'll see you there then."

"We'll"? We all? As in possibly Paige? Suddenly I need to go back to the apartment take an everything shower, beat the hell out of my face and put together the best outfit I own.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

I wrapped myself in my robe and stepped out of the bathroom. All three of my roommates were in the living area of our apartment. "Hey guys!" I chirped, strolling into my room.

"Hey Lils, what are you wearing tonight?" Hannah asked following me into my bedroom. I looked back at her and we both glanced around my room and laughed.

Before taking a shower I attempted to choose an outfit which had resulted in me tearing my wardrobe apart, clothes now covering the majority of my bed and floor.

"Ok girl, never fear - Hannah is here." Hannah reassured sitting slap bang in the middle of the floor reaching for random items of clothing. "It's definitely a casual vibe but also our first night out. Not all students are back on campus yet but the athletes are so arguably thats even more of a reason to look good." She side eyed me from her place on the floor.

Could Hannah read my mind?

I hadn't mentioned my interaction or reaction to Paige to any of my roommates yet. Mainly because I had made a pact with Kelsey to stay single - not that Paige was in anyway trying to make me her girlfriend but also because I knew we'd probably see her tonight and three tipsy girls around their friends crush well, it wouldn't stay a secret lets just say that.

I also deep down knew that it was probably way too soon for me to even be thinking about another relationship but I can admire from afar right?

I was with my ex-girlfriend for almost two years before it finally ended in May, three months ago. 21 out of the 22 months we dated, we kept our relationship a secret from pretty much everyone. My best friend, Emma knew but that was it. That was the way we both wanted it, neither of us were out and we enjoyed sneaking around and having a genuinely private, private life.

That was until April when I accidentally left my phone in the library and it was found by someone who I thought was my friend. I stupidly had a picture of me and my girlfriend kissing as my lock screen. My phone was returned to me and everyone acted normal, I thought they hadn't noticed. Until that night, a picture of my lock screen was posted into our group chat and all hell broke loose. I felt physically sick at the words used to describe me and my girlfriend.

I was told I was sick, I needed help, I needed to find God and repent. I was told I was better off dead. It all very quickly became too much and I removed myself from the group chat and hoped to avoid the girls that were a part of it.

Unfortunately, there was no avoiding one another when your families knew each other. My girlfriend and I were promptly outed to all of our friends and families against our wishes. It put a lot of pressure on us. I was lucky to have kept a best friend in Emma. She stood by my side when nobody else did. My family were understanding, confused for a while but they came round and accepted me for who I am.

My girlfriend wasn't as lucky and that is what ultimately broke us apart. I don't blame her, she chose a relationship with her family and not being disowned over me. I can't blame her.

I blamed myself though. Me and my stupid lock screen had ruined us. I quickly fell into a downward spiral that was impossible to save myself from. I was drowning and I didn't know how to swim. I have a history of depression and I stopped taking my medication, I had lost all will to even try and continue with life and one night I decided I was done.

Life was not worth living if it was like this.

"Ok! How about this skirt, with this top?" Hannah asked holding up a distressed mini denim skirt and black bandeau top.

I looked at the outfit in her hands seeing the vision. "Yes, but swap the top for this one." I say holding up a long sleeve black shirt instead.

"Girl, it's August and we're going to be inside. You do not need long sleeves." I swallowed, I knew this would come up sooner or later. "Yes I do." Was all I said and luckily Hannah dropped the subject and threw me my skirt.

"Get ready! I'm going to change, we're leaving in an hour." The blonde girl stood up from my bedroom floor and left me alone to get dressed.

"Here, drink up." Kelsey placed a red cup, full to the brim, on my desk as I applied my mascara, finishing off my makeup.

"What's this?" I ask not waiting for an answer before taking a swig of the unknown drink. Vodka. It was definitely vodka and something else. I winced at the intensity of the cocktail. "It's the Kelsey Special of course!" My roommate laughed taking a sip from her own cup.

"Oh close your eyes!" She said doing a little jump, "I have a surprise for you."

“A surprise? For me?” I say doing as she says.

"Ok open!" I opened my eyes to see Kelseys hand opened in front of me, a danity string bracelet laying in her palm. "What's this?" I ask taking the thread into my own hands and admiring the intricate plait it was braided into. "It's official Single Sisters merch, duh!" She exclaims taking it back from me and tying it around my left wrist, she held up her own wrist showing off her matching bracelet. "I love them Kels!" I smile as I get up and pull her into a hug, "Thank you." "You're so welcome Lils, now lets get drunk!" And with that she drags me out of my bedroom, drinks in hand, into the kitchen where Hannah and Madison are pouring shots.

By the time we reach Huskies, its safe to say I'm tipsy. I'm not sure how many shots were consumed back at the apartment but I had another cup of the Kelsey Special and my body felt tingly and almost numb, it felt nice. I wasn't new to drinking and I knew my limit so I knew I'd be fine. We each got a drink as soon as we entered the bar and headed straight for the dance floor. The bar was decently busy, I scanned the room, no sign of Kayla...or Paige.

I'm not sure how long I had been dancing with my roommates before I felt an arm drape over my shoulders, "Hey hottie!" I flicked my head round and was met with Kaylas smiling face. "Oh my god, hiii!" I exclaim pulling her in for a hug, the alcohol had definitely hit. "These are my roommates! Kelsey, Hannah and Madison." I say pointing at the three girls individually, Kayla introduced herself as I finished the remainder of my drink.

"Come meet the girls!" Kayla shouted over the loud music, ushering us through the crowd over to a table in the corner of the bar.

She went around the entire group aquainting us with each other. I was now able to put names to the faces of the girls I'd seen in the gym earlier in the day.

Ice, Nika, Aliyah, Azzi, Aubrey and Jana.

"And of course you already met KK and Paige." Kayla says pointing behind me as Paige and KK approached us, multiple drinks in each of their hands.

I'm unsure whether it was the copious amounts of alcohol in my system or the moody low lighting of the bar but Paige looked particularly majestic as she sauntered over to the group. She had this vibe that seemed to follow her. Multiple heads turned in her direction and something told me she knew how hot she was.

KK was quick to put down the drinks she held and embrace me, I hugged the girl back taking in her sweet scent. Paige wasn't so quick, she handed drinks to her teammates and they thanked her before she turned her attention to me and my roommates. She introduced herself to Kelsey, Hannah and Madison giving them all a quick side hug.

"Hi Lily." She says, her eyes looking directly into mine. I have to look up slightly, the girl has some inches on me, "Hello Paige!" I can't help the stupid grin that spreads across my face as she leans in to hug me, not like the other girls, I'm encapsulated by both her arms, I swear if I was a cartoon character this is the moment my eyes would turn into red love hearts. Her scent was different from KKs, more vanilla-y, musky almost, warm.

"First time in Huskies calls for one thing: INITIATION SHOTS!" Nika says pulling me from Paige and leading me to the bar, her hands on my shoulders.

Once we all have a shot in our hands, Nika looks at me, "Ok one fact about you that no one knows!" She says pursing her lips.

God, the list was endless.

"I'm allergic to nuts." That was the most mundane fact that came to my mind.

"And not just the food kind!" Kelsey exclaims making the girls laugh before we knock back our shots.

Kelseys joke seemed to either go over everyones head or life really was different here in Connecticut and no one hated me because I was gay. Either way I felt comfortable around these girls, welcomed and it was a nice feeling.

I was reaching my limit but still found myself stumbling slightly towards the bar.

"Easy there." A hand grabbed my elbow balacing me before I was able to steady myself. "Thank you." I giggled and my words came out slurred.

I had definitely reached my limit but I waved the bar man over. "Vodka cranberry please!" I ordered feeling the hand move from my elbow to my lower back.

Who the hell was this?

I turned my gaze to my left seeing a guy slightly taller than me with brown shaggy hair smirking down at me. With one hand occupied on my lower back, the other dug into his pocket and he pulled out his card, "Let me get this for you." He says as he goes to pay for my drink. "No, it's OK." I say simply, trying to shrug him off. "Let me." He insists pulling me closer to him.

I was starting to feel uncomfortable when I felt his arm get yanked off of me, "She said it's OK, bro." Paige had inserted herself between me and the creep and gave him a light shove away. "Are you OK?" She asks looking at me sincerely, brows furrowed together. I nod, "I'm fine." I say as I pay for my drink. "Are you sure?" She double checks. "I promise, Paige. I've dealt with worse than a drunk guy in a bar." I reassure her. "As long as you're OK." She says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we walk back to the table her teammates were once gathered around.

Paige sits down at the booth and I intently watch as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and reajusted her t-shirt.

"You like what you see?" Paige is smirking now and I've been caught red handed.

"I um- I-"

Pull yourself together Lily!

"I wasn't staring." I defend myself lazily. Paige laughs, "But you were staring in the gym earlier." She says matter of factly, raising her brows at me.

I feel my cheeks burn, well and truly red handed.

"What?" Is all I can manage as a response.

"The walls are mirrored babe, just because you were behind me doesn't mean I didn't see you." If it was even possible, my cheeks got hotter with embarrassment.

"Cocky much?" I taunt the basketball player before taking a long, needed sip of my drink.

"When it makes you this flustered, yes." She says reaching out for my wrist, pulling me to sit next to her.

We're so close our legs are touching and I can smell the mix of vanilla and musk again. "Tell me something about yourself Lily. Something other than your allergy to nuts...not just the food kind." Oh god.

I muster every sober fibre inside of me to think of something that doesn't qualify as a trauma dump. I look down at my hands, the bracelet Kelsey gifted me earlier poking out of the bottom of my sleeve.

"I joined a club!" I say waving my arm up showing off the bracelet.

"Oh yeah, what club?" Paige questions, head slightly tilted. "Single sisters!" I say proudly. "It's just me and Kelsey at the moment but we made a pact to stay single all of junior year." I tell Paige about mine and my roommate's promise to each other.

She hooks a finger through the bracelet, her knuckle grazing my skin softly, and tugs gently. "Hey!" I pull my arm away afraid she'll break the delicate thread. "What are you doing?" I frown. "Just checking how secure that thing is." She looks at me with that god forsaken eye contact that she's so good at. "Wouldn't want it breaking." She says eyes still locked onto mine.

"Lilyyyyy." I begrudgingly look away from Paige to see Madison practically being held up by Kelsey and Hannah.

I thought I was drunk.

"I think it's home time." Paige says into my ear, her breath hot on my neck.

"Hi Mads." I say standing up, ignoring the fact Paiges breath had spiked my heart rate. "I think we should get her home." Hannah says and I nod turning to grab my bag.

Well, well, well.

I catch Paige, staring, right at me, I smirk to myself.

One point to Lily.

I bend slightly to pick my bag up off the table, "Looks like we both have a staring problem." I say quiet enough for just Paige to hear and quickly turn on my heel following my friends out of the bar.

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊✧˚ · .

[callmedaleelah]

— Pinnacle [ tsukishima kei university au series ]

— and all i did was bleed as i tried to be the bravest soldier (father daughter moment)

author’s notes : no mention of (y/n), written in second person pov, semi alternative universe, timeskip!tsukishima, college life, not proofread, english is not my first language

[ masterlist ] | [ ask daleelah go to box box 🐭 ]

You wait in front of your dorm building, the early afternoon sunlight filtering through the trees. Your backpack hangs loosely from one shoulder as you check your phone. Just as you’re about to text him, you spot your dad’s familiar car pulling into the parking lot. His suit jacket is crisp, his tie slightly loosened from the day’s work.

He steps out of the car, his face lighting up as he sees you. “Hey, sweetie,” he greets, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and kissing your forehead with that same familiar warmth. His cologne lingers faintly. “Just finished class?”

You nod, tossing your bag into the backseat, then slide into the passenger seat. “How’s the law firm doing?” you ask, looking at him curiously.

He glances over as he buckles his seatbelt. “Busy as always,” he says with a sigh. “We’re hiring new lawyers, expanding the staff. Seems like every year it just keeps getting bigger.”

You nod, listening intently. It still amazes you that your dad’s firm, built from scratch with his friends two decades ago, is now one of the largest in the country.

“Open the dashboard, sweetie. Your mom asked me to pick something up for you.” You do as he asks, pulling out a small paper bag. Inside, you find an eye cream and lip balm, exactly what your mom always sends along to ensure you’re well-stocked. You chuckle softly. “Did I get it right?” he asks, half-smiling.

“Yeah, thanks, Dad.” You place the items back in the bag and set them aside.

He glances at the medical file in your hand. “Got your medical file with you?”

You nod, holding it up. He smiles approvingly, turning the car toward the clinic. “Good. How about ramen after?”

Your stomach growls at the thought. “Yeah, sounds good,” you say, settling into your seat as the city streets rush past.

---

The clinic is bright, the scent of antiseptic and soft murmurs of nurses filling the air as you and your dad step inside. The receptionist recognizes you and waves you back, and before you know it, you’re in your nutritionist’s office. Dr. Adi greets you with a warm smile, her neatly tied bun and glasses resting on the edge of her nose as she reviews your file.

“Come on, lie down, and let’s take a look,” she says, gesturing to the examination bed. You follow her instructions, the cold surface making you shiver slightly as you settle in.

She checks your blood pressure first, her hands firm but gentle, and then moves to check your pulse, brow furrowing slightly. “Your anemia still affecting you recently?” she asks, keeping her tone light but focused.

You nod slowly. “Yeah… I’ve been staying up late a lot, so when I wake up, I’m dizzy and tired. It fades after a while, but I still feel exhausted sometimes.”

Dr. Adi moves closer, examining the pallor under your eyes, her fingers lifting your eyelid gently to check for paleness. She frowns slightly but says nothing for a moment, focusing on your condition. “Have you been taking anything for the dizziness?” she asks, her voice soft but firm.

You shake your head. “No, I just let it pass.”

She nods thoughtfully, writing a few notes in your file. The room is quiet except for the soft scratching of her pen on paper, the air punctuated by the hum of the overhead lights. “Did you get the flu or a fever this month?” Dr. Adi asks again, looking up from your medical file.

You shake your head while pulling on your black sweater. “No.”

The doctor nods. “Good, that’s a sign your immune system has improved significantly.” She offers a small smile.

Your dad sits across from Dr. Adi, his expression calm but concerned. You can see the subtle furrow in his brow as he watches the doctor’s movements closely.

“Thanks to the ginseng tonic her mother keeps forcing her to drink,” your dad chimes in, his voice filled with light humor. The doctor chuckles softly, nodding in agreement.

“And your mother’s careful monitoring of your diet has helped as well,” Dr. Adi continues. “Your weight has stabilized at the ideal level we set for you, which is a huge accomplishment.”

You nod, feeling a small sense of relief. Then, she glances back at the file, her expression turning more serious again. “Unfortunately, your anemia still seems to be a challenge.”

Your dad shifts in his seat, his voice concerned. “And that means?”

Dr. Adi adjusts her glasses, leaning forward slightly as she speaks directly to you. “The exhaustion and dizziness you’re feeling—especially in the mornings—are signs that your body is struggling to maintain a balance. After checking your latest results, I noticed your blood pressure and oxygen levels are quite low from the time you wake up until lunch. That dizziness you’re feeling? It doesn’t just disappear, it lingers—you’ve likely just gotten used to it or are too busy to notice. It’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s under too much stress.”

You nod, feeling a bit uneasy now, realizing you’ve been pushing yourself harder than you thought.

The doctor’s gaze softens. “We all know how to eat and digest food, but not many of us know how to ‘digest’ exhaustion,” she says, using her hands to emphasize her point. “Your body is sending you signals—every time you pull an all-nighter or skip rest, the dizziness is that signal. You might think you can just power through it, but how long have you been doing this? When was the last time you actually took a break and listened to what your body was telling you?”

You sit there, suddenly at a loss for words. You hadn’t considered it from that perspective before.

Dr. Adi continues, her tone empathetic but firm. “Everyone’s body has limits. It’s completely normal to feel this way because you’ve been pushing yourself too hard. You’ve done an amazing job in so many areas, but now it’s time to focus on regulating your tiredness. A consistent sleep schedule is key. Skipping sleep might seem necessary to get things done, but think about it—how long have you been running on empty? You need to listen when your body says enough is enough.”

You nod slowly, her words sinking in, your mind swimming with thoughts of all the late nights, skipped meals, and ignored signals. You glance over at your dad, who offers you a reassuring smile, his hand reaching across the table to give yours a comforting squeeze.

The room feels heavier now, but also filled with a sense of clarity. You realize this isn’t something you can ignore anymore.

After the appointment, the drive to the ramen restaurant is quiet. You lean against the window, curled up in your seat, lost in thought. Your dad glances at you, and just before entering the restaurant, he rubs your back gently. His touch is soft—reassuring—but it does little to ease the turmoil in your heart.

Once seated, you focus on the menu, but your mind is elsewhere. Your dad starts, “Do you need help with tracking your sleep time, sweetie?” His voice is calm, but there’s a subtle worry underneath.

You force a smile. “No, Dad. I’ll just fill out a new tracker in my phone.”

He watches you for a moment, as if gauging whether to push further. “Are you having trouble sleeping, like insomnia or something?”

You hesitate, feeling the weight of his concern but also the growing frustration inside. “Sometimes, I’m just so caught up in assignments that I don’t realize it’s late. I have to re-read things so many times to understand them... And by the time I try to sleep, my brain won’t stop. It’s like I can’t turn it off.”

Your dad’s face softens with sympathy. “I’m sorry you’ve been struggling, sweetie. I know you want to do well, and I’m proud of you for trying so hard... But if it’s hurting you too much, you need to tell us.”

His words are kind, and you feel a familiar warmth in your chest—the love he’s always shown you, the softness he offers that’s so different from your mom’s tough exterior. But as much as you love him, there’s a bitter part of you that recoils. You look at him, the man who’s always been gentle, but too passive. The man who never stood up to your mom when it mattered most.

“I told you from the start, Dad... I’m not naturally smart in this,” you whisper, avoiding his gaze as the resentment begins to rise, unspoken but heavy between you.

There’s a silence. He sighs, leaning forward slightly, his shoulders slumping. “I know, baby, I know. But your mom and I— we just want the best for you,” he says, but his voice lacks conviction. He knows it too. He glances at you, but your eyes are distant. “But this isn’t about the major anymore. It’s about your health now. No matter what you study, you push yourself hard, but I don’t want you hurting yourself.”

You want to lash out, to say what’s been building inside you for so long, but instead, you just press your lips together tightly. “I can take care of myself, Dad. I’m twenty now. Being sleep deprived is normal for students. No one else at my university goes to a nutritionist to monitor their deficiencies or sleep schedules.”

His eyes narrow slightly in concern. “But not everyone at your university had a near-death experience before they got there.”

The air between you freezes. His words are soft, but they cut deep, bringing you back to a time you’ve tried to forget.

Two years ago, just as you were about to graduate high school, you had a fever—what seemed like a minor illness at first. But it grew worse. Your body ached, and soon you couldn’t move without help. Eating became impossible, even speaking was difficult. One night, everything escalated. You had a seizure, and your parents rushed you to the hospital. That night, you were diagnosed with stress-induced encephalopathy. You remember the doctor explaining how many factors has damaged your brain function, and how long-term treatments was the only option. Those months were a blur—nights spent in the hospital, your body so weak you couldn’t stand without assistance. Your dad was by your side every day, never leaving. And when you finally recovered, your parents vowed to never let your health slip again.

It was why your mom had pushed for the nutritionist, why she had insisted on watching every aspect of your life, as if by controlling it she could shield you from ever coming that close to death again. But you hated it. You hated how they controlled every part of you after that. Most of all, you hated how your dad—your kind, gentle dad—just stood by and let it happen.

“You know your mother and I are just trying to keep you safe,” he says quietly, but you can hear the unspoken tension in his voice. He never pushes back, never challenges her decisions.

You stare out the window, the memories stirring something painful inside you. “I can’t live my life like this forever, Dad,” you whisper, the weight of two years of silent frustration pressing on your chest. “I survived. But I’m not fragile.”

Your dad says nothing for a long moment. He just looks at you, his eyes soft, but filled with something you can’t quite place—regret, maybe. Or guilt. Maybe both.

“I know, sweetie. I know.” His voice breaks slightly, and he reaches across the table, placing his hand gently on yours. “But we love you. And I—” he hesitates, his grip tightening just a little. “I just don’t want to see you go through that again.”

You want to believe him, but the memory of him sitting silent as your mom dictated your future flashes in your mind, and you pull your hand away gently. “Then don’t let it happen again,” you whisper, your voice thick with emotion.

The tension hangs in the air as your ramen arrives, and the conversation shifts, but the unspoken words linger between you—both of you feeling the weight of what’s been left unsaid for too long.

sorry i woke up and chose the drama 🤧 i’m running out of plot development so i’ll give you guys some angst 🥹

tagslist (free to mention) ; @theweirdfloatything @snowthatareblack @ilovemymomscooking @nayiiryun @knightofmidnight @kozumesphone @scxrcherr @thechaosoflonging @monya-febrjack

[flawdchaos]

Letters from Home

harry crosby x reader blurb

word count - 469

My dearest Harry,

I dreamt of you again last night. My brain cannot yet comprehend the absence of your presence. it leaves a hollow aching in my chest that doubles in size each day without you here by my side. I feel so utterly selfish for feeling such a way when you are fighting the man’s fight - for my right to sit here at home and write you silly little letters about my sadness. How very thankful I am for you though. My admiration for you only grows each time I get to tell someone that my Harry is up in those skies leading the best boys America has to offer to victory.

The girls at work ask about you frequently. I think they are just as worried about you as I am. Helen’s fiancée Charles just left yesterday for England and I wish I had the right words to help her. He played a song for her the night before telling her no matter what happened, he knew her prayers would keep him safe. Once I heard it, my thoughts wandered to you - ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’. You are in my every thought and prayer, Harry. I don’t even believe I have the right words for myself, let alone Helen during this time.

Speaking of work, I’m developing a new love for it each day. You were right, honey, I love teaching the next generation. Their young minds are so full of interest and appreciation for the simplest of things. The children ask about you, too. We all miss you back home. The church bell has not sounded the same. Every hour is just another reminder that you are not here to listen. The song it chimes has become almost melancholy.

Please come home to me. My love for you is so deep that it leaves a hollow ache in my stomach. You are the bravest man I have ever met, Harry Crosby. I hope to dream of you again tonight, and every night, until the feeling of you in my arms does not just exist in my dreams.

Stay safe up above Mr. Crosby. Tell Bubbles I said hello and to stay on his best behavior.

Yours truly, forever and always.

Mrs. Y/N Crosby

(Mrs. Crosby, I still cannot believe it. Can you?)

The lone tear that caressed down Harry’s cheek landed roughly on the sheet of paper in his hands. A small chuckle left his mouth as he looked up to an awaiting Bubbles.

“I sure hope that’s a good tear, Cros” Bubbles said, sitting up in his bed eyeing the letter clutched in Harry’s hands.

“Yeah,” he cleared his throat and fiddled with the silver ring on his left hand. “-yeah. It is. Mrs. Crosby says hello. Can you believe that? Mrs. Crosby.”

Author’s Note - Hi friends, here’s a small blurb I dreamed up. If this blurb is enjoyed, i have opened my ask box and i’d like to attempt to write more little things like this :)

[frankieburieshisdead]

✮ Hobie Brown x male!ballerina reader ✮

You and Hobie started going out about 6 months ago. You met at a black-empowerment student group on your campus years before you had started seeing each other, and you remembered him starkly because he was the only person in the room who had brought up any kind of black queer issue, to which he was quickly shut down. He never returned to the group, and you always thought he was so much cooler than you for that. Being the only dark face in a line of pinky white dancers every day meant that you couldn't give up the small community of black people you had amongst the students. Even if it meant nodding along with arguments like 'gay black folks give us a bad name.' Hobie would never do that. Hobie would have said something. Its part of the reason he swore to never return to organized liberation movements. "If the movement cant be translated to a mentality, its not worth your time my love," he had told you, and you had just smiled, because you knew you would never be as brave and he was. It was one of the reasons you fell in love with him.

He brought you flowers on your first date. They were haphazardly picked and thrown about, clearly hand picked from someones garden he had pilchered, wrapped in an old newspaper. You loved them more than anything anyone had ever given you. You still kept them pressed in between a stack of books you kept at your hostel.

He came to every single one of your shows. Even the ones he couldn't afford, at fancy recital halls that made you feel out of place, he would find a way to sneak into the audience. One time, he even managed to get a job as a lighting guy a month before your biggest performance of the year so that he would be there. You still tease him about it.

The first time you went to one of his shows, you stuck out like a sore thumb. It was right after rehearsals, so you were still in your pink leotard and sheer brown leggings. Angry boys with spiked clothing kept on bumping up around you as the crowd bobbed up and down with the loud music. You couldn't find Hobie anywhere, and you didn't know why you did what you did, but when a particularly hard shove landed you on your hands and knees, scraped up from the grain of the cement floor, you called out for your boyfriend. "Hobie!" You shouted, almost certain he wouldn't hear as the crowd around you swallowed up the noise. Only he did hear, and not a moment later he was behind you, wrapping his long lanky arms around your waist as he pulled you back onto your feet. "You alright sweetheart?" He whispered just loud enough for you to hear. "Just got a bit overwhelmed. Sorry Hobes." You replied. He shook his head fondly at you, burying his face in the crook of your shoulder. "Come with me?"

You spent the rest of the concert in the sound box above the stage, wrapped up in Hobie's big flannel jacket as you cheered on the lovely man you were beginning to fall in love with.

When he told you about the mask, about his other life as a webslining vigilante, you found that you weren't even surprised. Of course, your anti-cop, pro-punk politics boyfriend was Spiderman. It was the first time you had seen him look nervous, so you took his face in your hands and pressed his forehead agaisnt your own. "You're the bravest person I know. I am so proud of you," you whisper against his lips. And then, because it had to be said "don't you ever let yourself get hurt." He kissed you gently and promised.

He broke that promise less than a week later. You were warming up in your room before your first class, far earlier than anyone else was awake, which was why the loud banging on your door startled you so much. Never in a million years did you expect a bloody and battered Hobie Brown to fall into your room. He wouldn't let you call the police. Wouldn't even let you call an ambulance. You would never forget the rasping noise he made as he lay on your floor, blood soaking through your carpet.

You didn't speak to him for weeks after it happened. You were able to bribe some of the medical students from the STEM section of the campus to stitch up your clumsy boyfriend who had fell down the stairs. Apparently, it wasn't even that deep of a wound, just happened to nick a part of the body that blead a lot or something like that. You still woke up shaking when you thought about it.

Hobie does everything to get you to forgive him. He leaves flowers inside your ballet locker everyday, steals new lace for your shoes from the silk shop he knows you lone but can never afford. He apologizes again and again, but you can't look at him without seeing the gasping expression on his face as you thought you were watching him die. It's not until he does the one thing you thought he would never do, the one place where Hobie Brown swore he would never show his face again.

He was at the next black empowerment meeting you attended. You couldn't help the visible shock fall onto your face. "Just for the record, I don't like it here." He stated plain and clear before the meeting had even started. "I think you lot are a bunch of bootlicking, regressive posers who wouldn't know what respectability politics looked if they smacked you in the face." Hobie brought his gaze to his shoes, black locs falling over his eyes. "But I fucked up. I really scared someone I care about, and I dont know how to make it right. He's one of the bravest people I know, and I am so lucky that in some capacity, he chose me." Hobie looked up, directly at you now, "I love you sweetheart. I'm sorry, I should have never put you in that position. Let me make it up to you. However I can baby, let me make it up to you."

You stopped going to meetings. Hobie introduced you to a group of black ballet dancers who he had met when a theater had accidentally double booked his band, and suddenly your community was started to look a lot bigger than the arts campus. He promised you that he would always go to the hospital when he was hurt like that, even if it meant supporting a system of bourgeois control over public health that contributed to the futile distribution of wealth under capitalism. You didn't quite catch that last part. He kept his promise. He made it up to you.

END

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 40)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (37) & Alexia Putellas x Character (8)

Masterlist (other parts here)

((**This is my largest chapter so far (5.6k). I hope you enjoy!**))

Alexia didn’t respond, and nobody knew what to do. In fact, nobody had seen her like that before. Eyes darted from Alexia to Ridley and back with worry and confusion. Lucy and YFN met each other’s eyes with equally worried expressions, though they’d both clicked on.

“She’s the girl from the bar?” Lucy asked Alexia.

Alexia hesitated before she nodded.

“Exactly how many people have you told about last night, la Reina?” Ridley asked slowly in Spanish.

“What happened last night?” Oshoala jumped in curiously.

“Asked and answered.” Ridley murmured and gestured to Lucy and YFN. “Just these two then?”

“That was you last night?” YFN asked Ridley. Lucy put a hand on her arm supportively but also because she just wanted to touch her.

Ridley kept Alexia’s eyes as she responded to YFN. “I told you I made a mistake. It wasn’t my finest moment.”

“You can say that again.”

Ridley turned to look at YFN a little hurt. She’s one person she never wanted to disappoint.

“You never told me it was Alexia.”

“You never asked.” She replied with typical Ridley sass.

One of the coaches yelled from the tunnel then, a little annoyed that they were still chatting. Panos and Oshoala left the awkward exchange first. YFN looked to Keira who had backed away a little, seemably deciding it wasn’t the best time for introductions. Instead, she and YFN exchanged a shy wave before she also ducked off into the tunnel.

“Why are you here?” Alexia asked in Spanish, finding her words.

Ridley assessed her expression, before she removed the leather jacket and held it over the barrier for her.

That clicked for Lucy, but YFN wasn’t aware she’d left her jacket behind. Alexia took a step forward and gently took it without touching Ridley.

“Is that all?”

“No, Alexia. That’s not all.”

Lucy knew a little Spanish, but not enough to keep up with how quickly they spoke.

“ALEXIA! LUCY!” The even more annoyed yell came.

Lucy looked at her girlfriend, eyes darting to her lips and wishing she could kiss her in front of the crowd. “Thank you for coming. I’ll see you after?”

“Yes please.”

“Oh and here…” Lucy removed her jersey and gave it to her. “We have two per game.”

YFN blushed at that, sharing a look with Lucy that said she couldn’t believe they were together again.

Lucy grinned and gave her a quick hug before she jumped off of the cooler box and took Alexia by the arm, tugging her towards the tunnel.

“It’s not the time or place…” She murmured to her.

“My number is in the pocket.” Ridley told Alexia as the Barca Captain allowed Lucy to drag her away. She turned to YFN who was pouting at her. “That’s why you wanted to come? I knew you had an alternate motive.”

“No, Blue. I would have done everything the same regardless because I love you and wanted to see you. This was a bonus that I leapt on when the stars aligned.”

YFN couldn’t help but still be a little mad. Ridley knew Alexia was Lucy’s teammate.

She shrugged her jumper off before pulling Lucy’s jersey over her shirt and pulling the jumper back on. Her match worn shirt. It was a little bigger on her but perfect nonetheless. She felt across the stomach of the material, smiling to herself before looking back up at Ridley.

“You really did that last night?” It wasn’t judgemental, it was worried.

Ridley sighed as they sat down again. “You know I sleep around, Blue.”

“But you made her screw another woman?”

“I invited her. Both parties were willing.”

“You really upset her…”

“I really upset myself.”

YFN could see on her face that she was telling the truth and she felt for her. Ridley was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a bad person. She was one of the best, bravest, smartest people she knew, and a lot more caring than she let anyone see. She had wondered before about the type of person Alexia had interacted with last night and now it made sense and to be honest, her theories weren’t wrong.

Ridley held out her arm in a peace offering and YFN hooked her arm through and rested her head on her shoulder. At the end of the day, she was still Ridley, and as broken as she was, she was still going to be an important part of her life forever.

They sat in silence for a little, watching the half time entertainment on the ground before YFN spoke.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I like my emotions like my water. Bottled.”

Ridley notoriously didn’t talk about anything related to her emotions. The one person in the world she ever spoke about her family and their childhood with was YFN, because she’d been there, and she’d never had any proper relationships to talk about. Any flings, however, she could talk about. Because they meant nothing to her. Alexia was different though, and YFN could see it on her face when she asked the question.

“There’s not much to say,” she murmured as she snacked slowly on her popcorn.

YFN rolled her eyes and a piece of popcorn hit her in the forehead.

“Besides, it seems like you already know?”

“I want to hear from you.”

Ridley sighed and put her popcorn down. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

YFN squeezed the arm she was still holding, hoping to keep Ridley a little warm now that she didn’t have a jacket. She had goosebumps, but she’d never complain, and the Australian flag around her wasn’t helping much.

“I met her in a bar.”

“Your favourite bar that you’re always talking about? With the sex rooms?”

“Do you want to hear this or not?”

She glued her mouth shut.

“Yes, that bar. I knew who she was immediately, and people spoke about her like a goddess, but there’s just something about her that draws me in. I try to ignore it, but it’s still here. I don’t even have to be looking at her to know she’s right there.”

YFN knew that feeling all too well and she looked at the players running back out, her eyes finding Lucy. She had her arm around Alexia’s shoulder, as if to ensure she wouldn’t turn to look at them when she walked out. Lucy did though. She couldn’t help herself.

“Something…perfect. Something I didn’t want to taint. Something I didn’t want to ruin. I still don’t.”

“So you slept around to make her jealous?”

“I always sleep around. But I slept around more at the bar to push her away, and hoping that it would end this feeling.”

“But it didn’t…” YFN whispered as the whistle blew.

“It didn’t, and I kept going back just hoping to be in the same room as her.”

“Oh Riddles…” It was so unlike her.

“I knew I was being stupid so I left. I took that temporary contract based out of Dubai. It lasted five months and I tried to not come back to the bar, but I couldn’t help myself. She was all over the news.”

“You saw her again?”

“Immediately. It’s hard to not see her. And I suppose you’ve heard of our little interaction.”

“The one where you beat someone up for her?”

Ridley hummed in response and took a sip of water, her eyes locked onto the field. Alexia still wasn’t playing, but it wouldn’t be long until she was subbed on.

“Two of my favourite qualities of yours.”

“Aggression? Cockiness?”

“Chivalry. Protection.”

Ridley looked at her then and a few feelings about their childhood sat there between their look. YFN squeezed her arm tighter. Ridley had always been her protector growing up. Now she not only had Ridley, but Lucy also. Lucy, however, picked and choosed her battles like with the restraining orders. Ridley, however, would kill. Hell, she almost had that day. YFN’s eyes fell to the scar on her cheek.

“I don’t like how we match.” Ridley said. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute of you to follow my fashion trend, but I almost got on a plane to find her.”

YFN remembered the long conversation she’d had to calm her down. Knowing she had Lucy was the final nail in the coffin that was the end of that conversation.

YFN chose to end that conversation quick. “We have restraining orders now. You disappeared again?”

“I left again, yes. I was worried she’d strike up a conversation with me if I went back again. So I struggled with self-control in Barcelona for a month and luckily for me, another temp contract came up again in Dubai and they requested me.”

“You really are the favourite at work, aren’t you?”

“You know it, baby.”

“And last night?”

“Last night…I saw her in the bar. So I took my friends with benefits up to the rooms to get some feelings out. You know the one, Jessica?”

“I remember you mentioning her.” She meant nothing to Ridley, though they’d been sleeping together casually for a few years now.

“Mmn. Unfortunately, Alexia came upstairs and when I saw her, I couldn’t stop myself.”

She ran her hand through her hair, and YFN had never seen her look stressed before but right now she could see a little of that. “I didn’t force her to do anything, you know.”

“I know.”

“They were both aware and willing.”

“I know, Riddles. I know. They know, too. The issue isn’t that and you know it. The issue is that she felt used by you. It’s not a great way to show your affection to someone…”

“I just wanted to be close to her. It would have been too personal if it were just the two of us.”

YFN looked back out at Lucy, a little peeved that she was now on the opposite side of the pitch. “That’s relationships for you.”

“I don’t want a relationship.” She responded quickly.

“You know that relationship doesn’t mean dating, right? Lucy and I are in a monogamous relationship, but you and I have a relationship also. It’s called friendship. You have relationships with your…women. They’re sexual relationships. And your work colleagues? Work relationships. You don’t need to define it. You can just let it grow and evolve in its own way, you know.”

“I can never give her a partner relationship.”

“You don't know that, because you’ve never tried. And you don’t know what she wants, because you’ve never asked. You’re just scared, Riddles.”

Ridley scoffed.

“I’m being serious. I know you think nothing scares you, but this does. She scares you. She scares you because she makes you feel things. She scares you because you know you could fall for her. She scares you because you’ve never wanted to open up to someone before.”

“I open up to you.” It was a weak argument, and from the tone in her voice, she knew it.

“Not all the way. You always have that control, and you’re worried you’ll lose it with her. But here’s the thing, you’ll never know. Because you’ve never given her a chance.”

“We don’t know each other.”

“You know enough. You speak to each other without speaking. Lucy and I are the same, and it’s the exact reason we got together. Now we learn together and grow together. We’re learning to trust each other with our most personal selves and open up. And what’s funny is that you already know all of this, Riddles. You’re the smartest person I know. You just need me to say it out loud for you.”

They reached the 62 minute mark then and Alexia was subbed on for Claudia Pina and the roars of the crowd were deafening. They watched her as she stood at the boundary with her blonde hair in her signature ponytail as she hugged Claudia before jogging onto the pitch to take her place. YFN saw Lucy jog over close enough to reach her hand out for a hi-five as she came on. Lucy, Lucy. Her heart was so big, YFN wondered how it was hers. Ridley noticed her longing gaze.

“If she hurts you…”

YFN’s head snapped sideways to her. “If you touch her, I’ll beat the shit out of you.”

Excitement lit in her eyes. “Woah there, Blue. That’s the first time you’ve ever threatened me, you know?”

They chuckled together. They knew she would have zero chance against Ridley, though the declaration sure made obvious her emotions.

They watched the rest of the game without any talk of relationships, and YFN couldn’t help some of her attention on Ona. She was small and very agile. She went down hard in the 69 minute mark for a free kick, before she was subbed out at 72 minutes having been the best on field. As she walked off, her eyes drifted up and found YFN’s. She looked down quickly as if she’d been caught, and YFN didn’t have a chance to wave.

At 81 minutes, Alexia went down for a trip after she’d disposed of the ball and she fell backwards, clutching her ankle. Luckily it wasn’t bad and she was back on her feet after retying her shoes, but YFN and Ridley were both tense. She gave her free kick to Caroline Graham Hansen who kicked a goal with a decent deflection off one of the Villareal players.

There were multiple missed shots through the rest of the game, a few by Alexia and a clever backwards flick by Lucy from a corner which left her grinning as she jogged back to her spot after the attempt, but it ended 6-0 to Barca at the 95th minute, keeping them unbeaten for their Liga F season.

After they shook hands, Lucy bounded back over at the first chance she had, this time dragging a cooler like she was a toddler. She jumped up on it and YFN found herself wrapped up in her arms again, this time she was even more sweaty but she didn’t mind. She pulled back and couldn’t help but play with the little baby hairs of Lucy’s that had curled at the nape of her neck during the intensity of the game.

“Luce! Great game, and that flick?!”

“I know! I just hit it wrong and Mapi was teasing me on it.” She grinned. “Come down to the lockers?”

YFN looked at Ridley. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”

“You want me to drag you over the rail and carry you down myself?”

Ridley had a good chuckle at that and finally they were properly introduced, though the exchange felt to YFN a lot like two protective men meeting.

“Thanks for getting her here…”

“Anytime. She knows that.”

“And now so do I.”

YFN groaned. Lucy was obviously a little annoyed with her for Alexia, whereas Ridley was just being Ridley. Just a tad more protective.

“Luce, you need a shower.” YFN said, attempting to break the ice.

“You like me sweaty.”

The sexual meaning had her blushing.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“You can thank Ridley for that.”

She became more sincere towards her then. “Thank you. Really… thank you.” She turned back to YFN. “How did you get here?”

“Cargo plane. Ridley organised it and picked me up from Valencia.”

“You drove to Valencia from Barcelona?!”

Ridley shrugged. “I like travelling.”

“How much do we owe you?”

Ridley looked almost offended. “Being alive these days is expensive enough.”

“Still.”

“Nothing.”

“Are you coming home on the flight I booked you?” Lucy asked YFN, her arm tightening around her waist. A few fans started screaming for Lucy’s attention around them then, and YFN tried to take Lucy’s lead by pretending she didn’t hear.

“Uh…we haven’t spoken about that.”

“When do you leave?” She looked like she really didn’t want to know the answer.

“My flight out is at 10am.”

It was Lucy’s turn to groan. “But you just got here…”

“LUCIA!”

“LUCY, LUCY!”

The extra excited fans managed to barge into the friends and family section and were barrelling towards them. “Oh shit, you need to go Luce.”

“Grab onto me.” Lucy grabbed YFN and dragged her over the railing with her and when they were down on the pitch, they looked up at Ridley who was expressionless, and surprisingly resistant to the shoving around by the fans.

“You want me down there?” She asked, unworried.

“Yes?!”

“I’ll get the cooler-”

Lucy was cut off by Ridley leaping down and landing with the confidence of a gymnast. They moved towards the pitch and away from the fans.

“10 am?!”

“Yeah.. I need to be at the airport earlier though for the international flight.”

“What about the storm?”

“Storm will be gone by then.” Ridley interjected.

They’d lost one and a half days due to a storm, and the other half a day from YFN making a promise to Kyra. Lucy’s emotions were clearly written on her face. Regardless, she spoke between gritted teeth.

“I’m guessing you want to drive back with Ridley? You haven’t seen each other in a while…”

“Uh…”

There was a pause and Ridley stepped in. “I’m actually staying in Valencia tonight. You two have your fun, and I’ll catch you next time you’re in Spain. Besides, we’ve had our little catch up.”

YFN knew she was lying, but Lucy didn’t and her body relaxed with relief. It meant three more hours together.

“You’re staying in Valencia tonight?” Alexia asked in English, having crept up on the conversation.

Ridley didn’t respond at first, because she knew it was a lie, and Alexia’s expression said that she didn’t believe her.

“I can be.”

“Alexia is staying here too...” Lucy offered.

That got Ridley’s attention. “Really?”

“Si.”

“It’s her grandma’s birthday tomorrow.” Lucy offered again.

YFN smacked her hip lightly, as if to tell her to stop trying to influence their discussion. Cheeky Lucy. She chuckled, relishing the fact that YFN was here with her arm around her waist and Lucy’s slung over her shoulder. It should have been a crime to live in two different countries.

“Is that so?” Ridley asked, switching to Spanish. “Are you free to talk tonight?”

“I can be.”

“Perfect. I can drive you from here if you’d like. There’s a great restaurant in Valencia I’d like to show you.”

“We’re not having sex.”

“Don’t speak too soon, la Reina. We wouldn’t want to make you a liar, now.”

Lucy and YFN’s heads were shifting from one to the other, like a game of tennis, wondering what was happening. It was hard to miss the word sex, though.

Alexia looked as if she was going to change her mind when Ridley spoke again. “Relax, Alexia. I just want to talk. I owe you a proper apology.”

“Okay…” She agreed hesitantly. “But I need to shower and change first.”

“I’ll be waiting for you outside. Message me.”

Alexia wandered off, Ridley’s eyes following every step she took. Lucy turned to YFN and they shared a look.

“I’m going to shower. I’ve booked a seat next to you on the plane.”

“You’re not going with your team?”

Lucy scoffed. “You’re not getting rid of me anytime soon.”

“Do you two need a lift to the airport?”

“Yes, please!” YFN agreed, before she’d realised what she’d agreed to. “Go shower, Luce. We’ll be outside. I’ll be the one with the Australian Flag.”

Lucy swore she’d never been so tempted to kiss her before. She leant forwards and her eyes darkened, but the yelling of the fans close by was too obvious, and she didn’t want to share a kiss with her girlfriend with the world. She deserved her privacy.

“I’ll find you, little one.”

The car ride was the most awkward thing all four of them had ever experienced in their lives. It started off awkwardly before they’d even entered the car, all of them wondering the most acceptable place to sit. They eventually decided YFN in the front with Ridley and Lucy in the back with Alexia was the way to go. YFN stretched her arm out behind her and Lucy tangled her fingers with her own. The ride was nothing but music and Ridley chuckling at the awkwardness until they spoke. Surprisingly, it was Alexia of all people who spoke first.

“YFN, Lucy said you both grew up together?” She asked with a thick accent, gesturing between her and Ridley.

YFN turned in her seat, happy to finally be able to speak to Lucy’s friend.

“Oh, yes. We’ve known each other since we were really young. We went to school together and lived next door to each other.” She looked at Ridley cheekily and she knew that expression all too well.

“Don’t you dare.”

She dared. “I have a few embarrassing stories if you’d like to hear them?”

“I will pull this car over and put you in the boot.”

“She can still hear me from the boot.”

“Not gagged, she won’t.”

“I think Lucy would have something to say about that.”

“Don't make me fight on the side of the highway, Blue. I really like this shirt and besides, you need her in tact for tonight.”

YFN blushed at that. The funny little exchange happened quickly, Lucy and Alexia following it amused. It was clear to see they knew each other very well.

“You know Lucy boxes, right?”

“You know I have two black belts, right?”

“Are they always like this?” Alexia asked.

Lucy shrugged. “This is the first time I’ve seen them together.”

“This is tame, I promise you.” Ridley replied before directing her attention back to YFN. “Your girlfriend can’t save you from this.”

“Ah, you’re just the full package, aren’t you?”

“That is correct. Hard to imagine why I’m single, right?”

“Why are you single?” Lucy asked.

“Give it a minute and you’ll see.” YFN muttered.

Alexia laughed then, and Lucy couldn’t help but laugh with her because Alexia rarely laughed like that.

“You know I put a disclaimer out whenever I introduce you to people?” YFN asked Ridley. Their banter was never-ending.

“Let me guess, ‘The best thing to happen since sliced bread?’”

“An acquired taste.”

“You really are a lesbian.”

YFN groaned. Ridley had always been too quick witted, and she was obviously out of practise having been apart from her in so long. Their two passengers in the back, meanwhile, were loving the experience. “That’s it, I’m telling them the 2am chocolate cake story.”

“Don't start.”

“You know that automatically makes me want to start.”

“There’s a pull over bay coming up.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I dare all day long, baby. Try me.”

“There’s also the therapist story…”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

YFN rolled her eyes. “The rollerblading one.”

“They were heelies, and I still think they’re a trend.”

“Was the Jager bomb in your hand also a trend?”

“You tell me, you’re the one to put it there.”

“It was my attempt to encourage you to open up to him.”

“Do I look like a flower to you?”

“Flowers are pretty.”

“I’m not pretty?”

YFN rolled her eyes. “You ARE pretty. But then there’s that resting face you do…”

“I’ll have you know that has gotten me out of a lot of conversations over the years.”

“You two sound like my brother and I.” Lucy said through chuckles. They were still enjoying the show, it seemed.

“You’re going to have to get used to it if we spend Christmas together.”

“Ridley’s coming for Christmas?”

“It her suggestion, believe it or not.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t guilt me into it…”

YFN chuckled and hit her shoulder.

“In Australia?” Lucy asked, wanting to plan.

YFN turned around to her. “I was thinking of bringing them both over to the UK for a white Christmas actually. Nan and I have never had a white Christmas.”

“Yes! Okay, perfect. I’ll talk to my folks, they’ll love that.”

Ridley looked in the rear-view mirror and found Alexia’s eyes. “What are you doing for Christmas, la Reina?”

“I’ll spend it with my family in Spain I think.”

“Ah.” Was the only response she gave, though Alexia saw a bit of melancholy behind her eyes and she looked back to the road.

Awkwardness out of the way, the rest of the hour-long drive was full of banter and YFN made sure to chat to Alexia and Ridley as much as possible. Alexia, because she was so close to Lucy and Ridley, because it had been far too long.

They were a little late and boarded their plane at the last minute, enjoying every second together. Lucy let YFN have the window seat and took her thigh in her hand, refusing to be parted from her. After being apart, they only had another twelve hours together and from the intensifying looks they shared, they were going to make the most of it.

Lucy had planned on cute lunches and dinners, beach dates and introductions to her team. Unfortunately, time hadn’t permitted that just yet. They arrived home and Narla was on them immediately as they entered, yapping away. YFN knelt down, letting her sniff her before she started to pat her. She followed them around as they settled their things into the bedroom and got changed into clothes for bed. Her energy didn’t last long though, as it was 10pm and dark. Narla went to sleep in her little bed in the living room while Lucy was still showing her around her apartment. It was cute, and typical Lucy. Modern, clean, bare necessities. YFN had a good chuckle at the amount of sneakers she had lined up around the walls in her bedroom. While Lucy unpacked, YFN explored two more rooms, one was a spare bedroom and one was full of boxes of trophies that Lucy had won over the years. She found one in particular that she’d seen in a photo at Lucy’s mum’s house. She remembered her mum showing her through the photo album and explaining that it had been the first trophy she’d won. She pulled it from the box and took it to the kitchen sink where she washed the dust from it and dried it.

“What’s that?” Lucy asked, joining her.

“The first trophy you won…I remember your mum telling me about it.”

Lucy picked up the trophy and looked it over before putting it back down on the counter and shaking her head. She took her girlfriend’s face in her hands gently and kissed her for the first time in a week. They moaned as they softened into each other, relishing the feel and taste of each other.

“Remind me what I did to deserve you?”

“Hm. Well you are pretty good with your mouth…”

“Oh?” She asked as her hands found her waist. “Tell me more.”

“I was talking about the compliments you give me. What were you talking about?” YFN replied cheekily.

“God I should have had sex with you in London.”

“It…wouldn’t have been appropriate.”

“Appropriate? Sex with us is always appropriate. I can fuck you when I want.”

Everything Lucy said triggered that horniness in her. YFN’s breath caught and she bit her lip.

Lucy’s eyes darkened and she moved her head closer to YFN’s, her thumb freeing her lip from her teeth.

“That’s mine. I didn’t say you could bite it.”

She turned towards the counter just to catch her breath, though Lucy liked her out of breath and out of control. They’d both been waiting far too long to be together again. According to their standards, of course. An hour was too long to be apart never mind a week. Lucy came behind her, trapping her between herself and the counter, her arms coming around her to slide under her shirt.

YFN tilted her head back, relishing the fact that she was shorter than her girlfriend as her lips found that soft flesh under Lucy’s chin and settled there. She freed one of her hands and slid it behind her and between their bodies, finding Lucy’s core and teasing her by rubbing her through her pants. Lucy groaned and rocked her hips, finding friction in her hand as she pressed YFN’s body back to her, trapping her teasing hand between them.

Lucy groaned again and pulled YFN’s hand out.

“Unfair.”

YFN sucked on that soft flesh sweetly as Lucy gripped her waist and rocked her hips into her girlfriend’s ass. YFN was in a mood, the same one Lucy tended to drag out of her often, and she braced against the counter, pushing her ass back into Lucy. Lucy gasped and her rocking turned into more of a grinding and she found that perfect spot she could feel through her pants. One of Lucy’s hands slid up the front of her shirt and grabbed her breast roughly, the other following suit shortly after as YFN’s back arched and her hand came up and over her shoulder, gripping the back of Lucy’s hair. Lucy’s mouth found the side of her neck and bit and sucked as a good reminder who was in charge. Her thumbs flicked over her nipples a few times as their little teasing gradually became more out of hand with each grind.

Lucy readjusted at one point and she had YFN bent over the counter, the cool surface hardening her nipples through her shirt as Lucy held the back of her neck down with one hand and her hip with the other. YFN couldn’t help but moan as Lucy’s leg manipulated hers apart further and she rocked her hips forward, grinding her hard into the counter. YFN loved this, the feeling of absolutely no control as Lucy made sure she knew who was in charge. YFN’s upper half moved against the cool countertop almost as if Lucy were actually fucking her.

Lucy leant forwards and kissed her back through her shirt.

“You’re a little tease, aren’t you?”

“I love teasing you…” she admitted and wriggled her ass under the pressure of Lucy’s pelvis, as if to prove a point. She did.

Lucy broke then and gripped one hand in her hair, pulling her torso back up like that, her back arched tight.

“Bed. Now.”

“No, Luce…”

That surprised Lucy. Her hand tightened in her hair and her mouth found her ear, biting the lobe before speaking into it.

“What.” It didn’t sound like a question, but it was. A challenge to say it again.

“P..please Luce.” She begged. “Please fuck me here first. I can’t make it to the bedroom yet.”

She wasn’t beyond begging at this point. Lucy was thinking. She could feel it and hear in it the way she breathed into her ear, like she was fighting herself.

“Please.” She begged again. “I’ve missed you. Please, then you can h…have me whatever way you want me.”

She felt Lucy shiver behind her. “You’re lucky I’m in a charitable mood.”

YFN shuddered as her core ached for Lucy. Yes. Yes.

She wriggled her shorts and underwear down for Lucy excitedly before she was again pressed back to the counter, her cheek and nipples finding that coolness. Lucy’s hand stayed in her hair, holding her down, while her other hand slid down the palm of her stunning ass, right down to where YFN was utterly desperate for her. Lucy’s fingertips touched lightly and noticed YFN’s core was soaked. Dripping. Clenching and unclenching around nothing.

Lucy groaned when she saw how desperate she was.

In any other scenario YFN would have been embarrassed, but here with her Lucy, she was happily surprised that she wasn’t.

“I missed you…” she whimpered again.

Lucy’s jaw locked at those words. She attempted to regain a modicum of self-control, but it was very, very difficult. She didn’t want to fuck around. She wanted to fuck the orgasm out of her so she could drag her to the bedroom and do all sorts of things to her into the early hours of the morning. She tightened her grip on her hair as she thrust two fingers in harshly. She knew her body could handle it. YFN cried out and her body jerked over the counter and then she moaned at the feeling.

“Yes!” This was exactly what she wanted. She’d missed the feeling of Lucy’s fingers. God, they filled her.

Lucy paused for a second, enjoying the desperate feel of YFN’s pussy clenching and unclenching around her fingers.

Then, she began a ruthless assault in and out, knowing it was exactly what she needed. YFN was so vocal, Lucy could barely hear the loud, wet noises of her fingers going in and out of her desperate girlfriend.

“Aaargh…argh yes! Yes! L…Luce! Thank you… argghh fuuuuuuck. Fuck me. Please don’t stop! Please, Luce!”

That encouraged Lucy to fuck her harder than she’d ever done before with her fingers as they slammed knuckle deep into her relentlessly, the pounding sound similar to the strap.

“Please don’t stop!” She cried desperately. “Please don’t stop! P…please! Argh! Lucy!”

Her body clenched tighter than it ever had done, Lucy barely able to move her fingers in and out. Every fibre in YFN’s body locked as she whimpered through that orgasm, Lucy fucking her through it.

Lucy found herself so turned on that she’d barely lasted thirty seconds under her. Oh, tonight was going to be great.

Lucy let her go and pulled her shorts back up.

“I did my job. Now you do yours.” YFN managed to get herself back upright and turn around to her girlfriend. Lucy took her jaw in one hand. “I want you naked and dripping by the time I get in there.”

Lucy had taken the edge off, but YFN was still in a mood, her eyes dark.

“Half done already.” She kissed Lucy’s surprised, horny face and ducked past her to the bedroom.

(To be continued…)

[luxaofhesperides]

For the ghostlights drabbles!! Slow dancing + aged up? Maybe it’s their wedding, maybe they’re just having a slow night, maybe it’s an all-Wayne’s-must-show-up gala event and Danny tagged along but I’m just thinkin like. Older Danny and Duke so in love with each other everything else just. Fades away

Danny’s been fidgeting all day. 

He can’t help it, being so full of restless energy that he has to keep moving somehow. It’s enough to be noticeable, and though Duke gave him a curious look, he didn’t push when Danny insisted he was fine. 

It’s just that he’s hyper-aware of the small box tucked away in his pocket. And judging by the excited, gleeful looks on the other Bats faces when he had lunch with them, they are also aware of his plans to propose. He just hopes Duke doesn’t have his suspicions so he can surprise his boyfriend properly.

Throughout their walk through Robinson Park, as Duke had wanted for their weekly date, Danny keeps brushing his hand against his pocket, thoughts drifting as he wonders when he should ask, how everyone would react, how difficult wedding planning would be…

“Seriously, are you okay?” Duke asks, pulling Danny to the side where a few trees hide them from view. “You’ve been distracted all day.”

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine. Really.”

“Sweetheart, you know you can tell me anything.”

Danny looks at him, takes in the sincerity of his words, the softness in his gaze, and smiles. He can’t help but pull Duke closer by his collar, leaning down a bit to kiss him. “I know,” he whispers against Duke’s lips. “I promise everything’s fine.”

“What’s on your mind?”

“It’s a secret,” Danny says, a giddy grin spreading across his face. “But I’ll tell you soon. Very, very soon.”

Duke looks into his eyes, gauging how honest he’s being, then nods. “Alright. Take all the time you need, honey. I can wait forever for you.” He presses a kiss to the corner of Danny’s mouth, then pulls away, taking hold of Danny’s hand. “Ready to head back home?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.” Danny squeezes Duke’s hand and follows after him as he begins walking, wondering how he got so lucky with the sweetest, bravest, most considerate person to be his boyfriend. And more, hopefully. He really wants to keep Duke forever. He wants Duke to keep him, too.

He considers proposing right then and there, too full of nerves to survive keeping it secret for another few hours, but the park isn’t empty and he knows Duke wants something more private. So he lets Duke lead them home, their steps falling in sync as they make their way to the streets. 

Gotham is as busy as ever, full of noise and people as everyone goes about their day, trying to get from this place to that. But with Duke, everything feels quiet, as if the rest of the world can’t touch them when they’re together. He rarely ever feels so comfortable in silence, but like in most matters, Duke is the exception.

Danny swings their hands between them as they walk the few blocks to their apartment, heart filled with so much love he doesn’t know what to do with himself. So much has changed over the years; Danny is barely recognizable as the fourteen year old who just had a lab accident and took on the responsibility of protecting Amity Park. He was smaller, then, and struggling to figure out a way forward when everything seemed determined to ruin him. 

At some points, he didn’t think he had much a future at all. His parents had found out that he was Phantom, and rather than attacking him, they were heartbroken to know that he had died so young and they never noticed. His parents have never stopped seeing him as a dead kid since, always grieving him and too guilty to really see who he is now. He hopes inviting them to the wedding won’t be a mistake, because he does want them there so they can see how happy he is. 

He can hardly believe that it’s been nearly eight years since he met Duke. They had gotten together after being friends for a year, working together to handle any ghosts who needed help or were causing trouble in Gotham, and helped each other through college and getting their first jobs. 

Duke has been with him for most of his happiest memories. He had been by his side through so many milestones and and quiet moments. 

If there’s a life for him without Duke, he doesn’t want to live it.

So overwhelmed by his feelings, Danny can’t help but cling to Duke, wrapping him up in a hug as soon as they step into the elevator of their apartment building. Duke doesn’t ask any questions, just holds him gently and helps walk him to their door, making sure he doesn’t trip. 

Danny hears the key slide into the lock. The door opens a moment later, and then Duke is slipping out of his arms, kneeling to help Danny out of his shoes at the entryway. 

It’s little things like this that make Danny feel like his heart is going to burst. Duke loves in such quiet, gentle actions. 

“I’m going to go change real quick,” Duke says as he takes off his own shoes. “What do you want for dinner?”

“We have garlic soy sauce pasta in the freezer.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be back in a minute.”

He heads off to their bedroom, already stripping out of his shirt to change into more comfortable clothing, which tends to be either sweatpants or pajamas. Danny goes to the kitchen, pulling the pasta bag out of the freeze and setting it on the counter to thaw a bit. 

He bites his lip, thinking, then pulls out his phone and texts Barbara.

caspar: hey babs, are there any cameras in our apartment that you can hack?

big brother: Only at the front door and windows. Why?

caspar: can you hack my phone and record a video for me? i’m going to propose to duke tonight

big brother: Danny! Yes of course I can!! 

caspar: thanks babs :) pls also send it out to everyone else tomorrow so we can have a quiet night in

big brother: You got it Danny. Can’t wait to share the news!! Go ahead and get your phone in a good place and I’ll be ready to start recording.

Danny sends her a quick thumbs up emoji, then glances around to find the perfect spot that wouldn’t look too suspicious. He settles on the dining table, which looks into the kitchen. The island isn’t in the way, thankfully, so as long as Danny stays in front of the counters that are in the camera’s sight, he should be able to get a good video of the proposal to send to everyone. 

Besides, he knows Duke loves collecting memories like these in every way he can. And while Danny considered asking Tim to stalk them with his camera to get good proposal photos, that would have meant proposing outside to ensure he got a good shot and Duke has never been into public proposals. 

He’s just set his phone up when Duke reappears, wearing gray sweatpants and a large dark blue sweater, knit by Jason a few years ago. 

He looks so soft and comfortable that Danny can’t be blamed for falling onto Duke for another hug, burying his face in his shoulder. 

“Hey, there, honey,” Duke laughs. “You sure you’re feeling alright? You’ve been really clingy today. Not that I mind, or anything.”

Danny nods. “I just really love you.”

Duke kisses his temple, and Danny can feel his smile against his skin. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

“Dance with me?”

“Alright.”

They start to sway softly together, just moving side to side, then Duke brings out his phone to play a few quiet songs from one of their many playlists. He recognizes the song as coming from their ‘heart to heart’ playlist, because they very much are that cheesy couple that make playlists for each other and for every occasion. This one is for quiet nights together, full of soft love songs and ballads. 

With music to guide them, they start moving more, pulling apart to properly dance. They twirl in small circles, still swaying slowly as they dance, just happy to be together. 

Danny sinks into the comfort of this quiet joy, slow dancing in the kitchen with Duke for a few songs. He’s already looking forward to dancing together at their wedding.

Duke pulls up his hand to lead Danny in a spin, and Danny returns the favor.

Just as Duke begins to turn back around, Danny takes out the ring box from his pocket with his free hand and drops to one knee.

Duke completes his spin, smiling softly, then freezes when he sees Danny kneeling. 

“Duke,” Danny begins, and then Duke lets out a startled laugh, grinning wildly.

“Wait!” he says, “Wait, I can’t believe this. Do not move, Danny, I swear—” And then he’s turning and rushing away. Danny watches him, confused and just a little hurt, wondering what’s going on as he watches Duke move a few knick knacks on their shelf aside. He hides something in his hands, then returns to Danny and also drops to one knee.

He opens his hands to reveal a ring box. “I was going to propose later tonight,” he says, laughter in his voice, “But you beat me to it!”

Danny grins, elated, all but tackles Duke in a hug. “Oh my God,” he laughs, “I love you so much. More than anything.”

“I love you so, so much. Give me my ring, I can’t wait to marry you.”

Smiling so hard it hurts, Danny slips the ring onto Duke’s finger. Duke does the same for him, then lifts Danny’s hand to place a kiss against his knuckles. “I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“And I’ll love you beyond the rest of mine.”

He cups the back of Duke’s neck and kisses him sweetly. It doesn’t last long when neither of them can stop smiling, laughing together breathlessly.

“Come on,” Duke says, pulling Danny up to his feet. “I want to practice for our wedding dance.”

And Danny follows his lead, falling back into step with him, twirling slowly through the kitchen. He already can’t wait to be married to Duke.

. . .

[send me ghostlights prompts!]