#DANIEL WAS AN ADULT MAN THAT WAS FREE!!!

[autistically-zoinked]

Thinking about this one fic where Armand had a panic attack because he was worried that he was doing the exact same thing Marius did to him to Daniel.

It was so fucking well written and gave me psychic damage, if you know the name please tell me

[sinofwriting]

listen, please - Daniel Ricciardo

Words: 316 Summary: Daniel and his girlfriend break the news of their relationship and cause quite a splash with their age difference. (Social Media AU + Blurb) (Olivia Rodrigo as faceclaim and uses her music for reader’s)

Masterlist | Support Me! | listen, please verse

yourusername

liked by dan_nigro, etnews, landonorris, and 548,752 others tagged: danielricciardo yourusername: I learned from my mistakes and finally listened to them. And thank god they were right about you.

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danielricciardo: forever happy they were ⤷ yourusername: ♥️ user01: excuse me??? user02: Uh what? user03: I’m sorry, Daniel??? What are you doing here??? user04: When did this happen? user05: honey, no. he’s in his 30s user06: well, already counting the days for this ending user07: this is going to last all of a month user08: yourusername please, no. Taylor went through this already. Learn from her mistakes!!! user09: Am I the only one picking up on the lyrics from Vampire? We stan using our own lyrics to announce a relationship user10: can’t wait for Dear John yourusername’s version. Gonna be a bop. ⤷ user05: I will sob if she covers that or would’ve could’ve should’ve when this ends. ⤷ user11: will simply die user12: i’m an f1 girlie, but no. This ain’t it. Mick Schumacher is right there, yourusername. Or even Oscar. ⤷ user13: Lando is right there and you went for the nepo baby and a guy who already has a girlfriend ⤷ user12: he was an example! And nearly all the drivers are nepo babies in some way. ⤷ user03: so true user14: how are you going to be such a big swiftie, know the woman yourself and still date a man older than you and believe it’s going to work out?

danielricciardo

liked by maxverstappen1, f1_wags, redbullracing, and 149,875 others tagged: yourusername danielricciardo: Over a year with this one and many more to come, Sweets

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yourusername: so many more to come ⤷ danielricciardo: 😉 maxverstappen1: never seen you happier ⤷ danielricciardo: love ya maxie! user01: first daniel isn’t racing and now he’s taken??? 2023 is the worst user02: daniel, she’s practically a child. What are you doing? user03: weirdo user04: she’s barely 20, what are you doing??? ⤷ user06: yourusername is 22. She’s not barely 20 ⤷ user04: yeah and she turned 22 like barely a month ago user05: Daniel, not like this. I beg user07: well him and pierre have something in common 😆 user08: she’s a baby!!! Get away from her!!! user09: disgusting. Absolutely disgusting user10: you guys are acting like she’s not an adult??? She’s literally in her twenties. ⤷ user04: and he’s in thirties. It’s fucking weird. user11: jail, sir. You go to jail now.

f1_wags

liked by user01, user02, user03, and 2,451 others tagged: yourusername, danielricciardo f1_wags: New WAG Alert! Daniel Ricciardo just announced his relationship with Y/N, a three time grammy winner and musician.

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yourusername

liked by dr3wines, zedd, charlesleclerc, and 462,345 others tagged: danielricciardo, dr3wines yourusername: Congrats on the new wine, Danny! Little sad that it will no longer be for just us and our baths together, but happy to see it be shared.

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danielricciardo: thank ya, sweets. danielricciardo: girl in the second picture is absolutely gorgeous danielricciardo: bath tonight? I’ve still got a few bottles ⤷ yourusername: I’ll always want a bath with you user01: why is his face on my feed user02: throwing up at their comments user03: well, this made me feel incredibly single charlesleclerc: another great wine. Thank you for convincing him to let me try it before the launch! ⤷ yourusername: of course!

user04: leave him!!!! He’s using you for free promo of his wine!!! user05: taylor must be pissed!

taylorswift

liked by yelyahwilliams, taylorlautner, yourusername and 2,873,421 others tagged: yourusername, danielricciardo taylorswift: Was a pleasant surprise to see these two when I stepped off stage tonight. Lovely to see you guys and will see you again for dinner next week!

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yourusername: not a single better performer. Watching is you magic every single time. And dinner will be fun! danielricciardo: amazing show! user01: taylor??? user02: i’m sorry what user03: my 2023 bingo card is in shambles user04: living rn. all of you fuckers were saying that taylor was disappointed and now look. She knew before we did user05: some many clowns staying silent in these comments user06: i was at this show!!! Wyd mean that yourusername was there?

daniel3.jpg

liked by landonorris, f1_wags, sourandguts, and 187,392 others tagged: yourusername daniel3.jpg: my two favorite subjects: you and us

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landonorris: do you two do anything but take baths for date night? ⤷ daniel3.jpg: we do. Just like our baths y’know user01: um, i’m sorry. But that last photo user02: lando is so real. This is the second bath photo we’ve gotten ⤷ user03: i don’t want that water bill user04: gross user05: how do you feel comfortable posting this with how young she is? ⤷ user01: you’re acting like she’s a kid. She’s in her twenties. Fuck off user06: am i supposed to just act like i don’t know now that daniel likes car sex??? ⤷ user03: i’m doing my best to not think about it user07: daniel, thank you for feeding us.

—

Daniel could feel his grin grow, eyes softening, and his shoulders loosening all at the sound of her name. It takes him a moment to register the question, but when he does his grin grows more.

“I wasn’t really expecting it, you know? But she’s just great, I mean absolutely fantastic.” “And the age difference isn’t an issue?” The reporter presses, though more gently than expected. He scoffs, shaking his head. “No, not all. We want the same things in life and we both have very similar timelines for when we want them. We talked about all of that before we even went on a date and us wanting the same things, just helped finally take the next step.”

“And has the backlash affected you two at all?” “No.” Daniel smiles at the confused look the reporter gives him, letting out a chuckle. “We knew it was going to cause a splash. We’ve never ignored the age difference between us. It’s there and ignoring it wouldn’t do anything.” He pauses, “I understand why people are so concerned, there is a history of large age gaps not being great. But there’s also a history of them working out great, I’ve got plenty of examples in my personal life. Besides, it's not really the age difference that matters, it’s where you're at in life and what you want to come next. We just happen to be in the same place and want the same things to come next.”

The reporter is looking at him stunned before they finally manage to find their voice. “Thank you, Daniel.” “Of course, cheers mate.” He winks, before throwing up a hand to wave at the camera before he jogs off, already knowing that he’ll have a text or two from her calling him a sap over his lovesick grin. And he’d hate to not see them as soon as they came in.

[buckbuckleykinard]

here's a little snippet from a fic i probably wont ever finish but may repurpose into something else

He curls his legs into his chest and presses the warm glass of his phone screen to his ear.  With his free hand, he drags his fingers across the rough, night cold grit of the stone beneath them, just to feel the scratch against his skin.  Little grits of sand and moss lift up and stick in the whorls of his fingerprints as his phone rings once, twice, three times–

“Evan?  Are you okay”

Tommy’s voice is drowned out a little by the distant but unmistakable sound of chopper blades whirring to a stop.  It’s only 6pm in L.A. and Tommy is still on shift.

“Shit, you’re at work.  Sorry.  I forgot about the time difference.  I’m fine I–”

“It’s okay.  We just got back from a call, just give me a second to get somewhere quieter and I can talk.”

Buck considers telling him it’s fine, that he’s fine, that his crisis can wait till Tommy isn’t at the tail-end of a 24 but the problem with that is that he wants. And maybe he’s selfish and childish and all the terrible things his parents think he is but maybe Tommy wants, too.  

Because Tommy answered his call.

“Okay, I’m in the bunks now.  How are you?  How are your parents?”

“I'm good.” A lie. “My parents are fine.  How they usually are.”  The painful truth.

A semi truck speeds by, blaring its horn at nothing, headlights cutting through the dusty blue evening.

“How are they usually?”

Mean, Buck wants to say.  Careless, oblivious, belittling.  Maddie always says they’re not bad people, just bad parents, and he has always parroted it back.  He feels like he’s said it so often that it had just become true, but at the time he hadn’t been around them.  It was easier to put on some rose-coloured glasses and pretend that things were better than they actually were, or at least less painful.

“I don’t think they like me very much.” Maybe it’s too honest but he finds the more they talk, the more he wants to be honest with Tommy.  Some wicked part of him thinks that maybe if he shows this man the ugly, jealous rot of his insides, that he’ll leave before it hurts too much.  That it won’t be like Abby, who he’d thought he loved, or Taylor who he knew he did.

His parents loved Daniel, and how fucked up is it that he’s jealous of someone whose dead.  Then again, maybe they're more alike than he thought because yes, they had loved him, but they erased him too.  They scrubbed their lives clean of him, threw out his things and painted over the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling.  Maybe the only difference is that Buck is still alive.

“Yeah?” Tommy says, a little probing but kind.  Buck knows that if he dropped it, if he moved on to something lighter, that Tommy would let him.

“They repainted my room”  He knows it's ridiculous as soon as it comes out of his mouth.

“They didn’t tell you they were going to?”  Tommy asks, like this is a completely normal thing for an adult man to be upset about.

“No, they didn’t say anything.  They threw out all my stuff too.  Not that there was a lot there, but stil–”

“They should have at least given you the opportunity to come get what you wanted to keep.”

“Yeah, exactly!”  He says with a chuckle.  “I mean, I’m pretty sure my skateboard was still in the closet up there.  They’re not cheap, you know.”

“You skateboard?”  Tommy asks.  Buck swears that he can hear the smile in his voice.  

“I used to, sort of.  I'm pretty sure I spent more time falling off than actually riding.”

“God, you were a total punk in high school, weren’t you?”  Tommy laughs.  It’s nice, like warm honey settling low in Buck’s stomach. 

“Oh, definitely.  I think I spent most of my childhood injured in one way or another.”  It’s hard for him, looking back, to find a memory that doesn’t include bandages or a cast or a sling of some kind.

“You know, considering that the first time we met was flying a helicopter into a hurricane, I’m really not surprised to find out that you’re incredibly reckless with your own safety.”

“I had a motorcycle, too.  Got it basically as soon as I learned how to drive.”

“God, Evan.”  His voice is still tinged with amusement.  It floors him a little, how Tommy had managed to steer the conversation away from his morose family musings toward something lighter.  It makes Buck want to run through every time he’s ever almost died.  Chase away the amusement and ruin this on purpose before he does it by accident.

“Does it bother you?”

“Depends on why you're doing it.”  Tommy doesn’t ask what he means, doesn’t need to.  Buck wonders if he can smell his insecurities through the phone line.  He waits for Tommy to continue.

“Every time you go into work, you put yourself in dangerous situations to save lives.  So do I.  That’s the job.”  Buck can hear some shifting from Tommy’s end, tries to imagine him sitting on the edge of one of the bunks at the Harbour station, phone pressed against his ear.  Maybe he’s gotten more comfortable, lying down, eyes closed as he tries to get a little bit of rest between calls.  They shouldn’t be having this conversation over the phone, but the thought of having to do this in person, to have to look Tommy in the eyes and ask to be soothed, sends a chill through him that's much stronger than the one caused by the rapidly cooling evening air.

Some kind of sports car speeds by, music thundering through the closed windows as it slows around the corner and disappears.

“But being reckless with your life because the only time you felt like your parents looked after you was when you were hurting?  Yeah, that bothers me.”

And there it is, The Breaking Point.  He’s found a way to push Tommy too far.  Tommy, who’d already given him far more chances than he deserved.

“I mean, I’m familiar with shitty parents, believe me, but if I made my kid feel so unloved that they thought they had to hurt themselves to get my attention, I don’t think I’d ever forgive myself.”

Huh.

That’s unexpected.

“Evan?”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m here.”  There is another beat of silence.

“Sorry, if I overstepped.  I didn’t mean-”

“You didn’t.”  Buck says, definitively.  “I’ve just never really had anyone see it like that?”

“Like what?  What do you mean?”

“Like my reckless behaviour isn’t some sort of defect of my personality.  Like maybe, I was hurting, too."

[penvisions]

buckles and barley {new series masterlist}

Fandom: Kingsmen - The Golden Circle

Pairing: Rancher! Jack Daniels x Ranchhand! Reader

Summary: You seek out a secluded ranch outside the city limits at the behest of your ill father. In search of one of his old friends he had lost contact with after returning from a deployment and a catastrophic fallout. But instead you find the charming, dedicated, and rather handsome son of the man who had already passed, Jack Daniels. A night of bonding over the iron wills of your fathers and you find yourself falling into bed with him, only to be called away by the hospital that your father had been rushed too.

Devastated but free from the ties of your former life, you return to the ranch a changed woman. With the help of a man who holds his own grief, you learn how to tend to the horses and maintain the land. Together, you dance around each other as the seasons change. Cultivating a life that you never envisioned for yourself.

Wordcount: undetermined

Warnings: canon typical violence, canon typical language, death of a loved one, strained family dynamics, grief, implied verbal abuse, implied anger issues, allusions to past relationships, reader finds herself, reader takes control of her life, minor injuries, accident prone reader, allusions to infidelity, miscommunication, pining, mutual pining, protective jack, adult content, sexual content, smut, p in v, unprotected p in v, oral (f and m receiving), more to be added as the story develops!

A/N: excited to delve into this once {by the grit of sandpaper} is concluded. will be doing a little bit of a different approach with this one, it's a new pedro character for me and i wanted to try writing a majority of this one before i begin posting to help establish a solid posting schedule!

ao3 link || navigation || main masterlist || ko-fi

sneakie peek || fic teaser || chapter one header

[do-it-jakey-baby]

Must I Go Bound?

Danny Wagner x f!reader, Jake Kiszka x f!reader

Synopsis: sworn off dating for life, your whole world changes one fateful evening when your best friend drags you out to a show.

Warnings: smut, adult themes, drinking, profanity

+18, MINORS DNI

TAGLIST: @ignite-my-fire

Chapter 1

“This is boring as fuck. Can we go?” You whine into your friend’s ear, the booming music around you making it incredibly difficult for her to hear your bratty outburst.

She scrunches her pretty little features up, pouting at you. “No way, I’m having so much fun!”

This was a usual occurrence for you. Your best friend, Emily, the sweetest being in all the land; ever the party animal and always dragging you along to attend obscure, underground shows with bands you’d never heard of and had no interest in getting to know. As you tried to gather your thoughts, the sound of a guitar screeching to life rattled through the air. Your hands found their way to your ears as you cupped them and gritted your teeth.

“Em, this is fucking shit! I’m going to get another drink.” You huffed, beginning to stomp away. As you turned, the frontman spoke into the mic.

“We have a real treat for you tonight, ladies and gents! Our extremely talented pal Danny is here for one night only to join us on stage. Everyone please give it up for Daniel Wagner!”

You turned your head, ready to scoff at whoever this shitty ass band deemed as “extremely talented”. The man walked on stage, fist bumping the front man and bringing him in for a quick hug.

Wow, he’s… hot

His body was tanned and lean, but with obvious muscle definition. His silvery vest showcased his biceps, and they rippled as he picked up a guitar and swung the strap over his shoulder. His pearly-white smile seemed to light up the entire room, and his face was perfectly framed by his cascading raven coils. A single tattoo could be seen, two thick black bands wrapped around the top of his arm with some sort of emblem studded right in the centre.

Maybe you could stick around for a bit after all…

You swiftly ordered yourself a drink, before re-joining Em.

“You wanna get a bit closer to the stage?”

She turns to face you, raising one eyebrow and crossing her arms. “What happened to ‘Em, this is fucking shit’?”

A blush crept up onto your cheeks, so you turned your face away and awkwardly sipped your drink. Em looked up to the stage and a shit-eating grin spread across her face.

“Oh, I think I see what’s happened. He’s cute, your type for sure.” She goads, chuckling under her breath.

“Would you fuck off!” You grumble, smacking her arm with your free hand. “Are you coming or not? And I don’t wanna hear shit from you or I’ll never come to one of these fuck ass gigs with you again.”

She smiles sweetly at you, then brings her hand up to her mouth in a ‘locking’ motion, then throws her hand over her shoulder, signifying that she’ll keep her mouth shut. She extends the same hand out to you and you take it in yours, walking towards the front of the stage. When you get there, the band is beginning their first song. You stare at Danny as his hands fly across the fretboard, playing every note with extreme precision. The way he immerses himself into the moment, throwing his head back, lips parted, is sending you into a frenzy. You feel like an animal in heat as you drink him in, utterly mesmerised by the display he’s putting on in front of you. You’re pulled back from reality when Em screeches beside you.

“Woooo, go on, Danny!”

You instinctively begin to snap your head towards her, ready to berate her for drawing attention. Instead, Danny’s reaction is quicker, as his line of sight seeks out where in the crowd the noise came from instantly. You see Em nod her head towards your direction in your peripheral, then you’re met with the most intense eye contact you’ve ever experienced. You gulp as his eyes bore into your soul, his smile sweeter than syrup. You manage a smile back, and in a fleeting moment of pure courage and adrenaline, you bring your hand up to your mouth and kiss it, then extend your palm upwards and purse your lips together to blow it in his direction. His eyebrows raise and his tongue licks lightly against his bottom lip as you really drive it home with a cheeky wink. They finish up the song and you turn to Em.

“Fuck, I need a drink.”

You snatch her hand and pull her back through the crowd towards the bar. When you get there, she grabs onto your shoulders excitedly, shaking you back and forth.

“Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, what the fuck was that? I’ve not seen you that ballsy in a long time! Good for you, girl!”

“Drink. Now.” You huff.

“Two tequila shooters, please!” Em yells at the bartender.

Your shots are deposited in front of you, and you make light work of licking the salt from the back of your hand, throwing the tequila rapidly down your throat, and shoving the lime into your mouth. You suck on the sour fruit, then dispose of it within the shot glass. Taking a deep breath, you try to centre yourself after that completely brazen display back there. That was something you would have done without a second thought a few years back, but after many, many bad experiences with men, you’d reduced yourself to a born-again virgin and sworn off those in possession of a penis.

“I think I need another.” You groan, massaging your temples. You stick two fingers in the air, signalling to the bartender for another. As you go to pay, a hand darts across the card machine, stopping you from pressing your phone to the reader.

“I’ll get that, and make that two, please.”

You stare up in disbelief as Danny takes the two shots and places them in front of you both. He extends his hand out to you.

“May I?”

You nod, frozen to the spot. He reaches across and takes your hand in his, bringing it up to his face. Whilst maintaining eye-contact, he slowly licks a stripe onto the back of it, then picks up the salt shaker. You watch intently as the tiny, crystallised grains stick to the spot where his tongue just was. You close your eyes briefly and swallow, needing a moment of reprieve before you really start losing composure. When you open your eyes, he’s pushing your hand back to your mouth.

“Lick.”

Shit

You feel your heart thundering in your chest as you lift your hand up to your lips. You run your tongue across the salt, peering up through your lashes as you do. You’re pretty damn sure he could ask you to do just about anything and you’d comply, surrendering yourself completely. He hands you your shot and clinks his own against yours.

“Cheers.”

You knock your shots back in unison, then he brings his hand up to your mouth again. This time, he has a wedge of lime between his fingers. You part your lips, letting him push it into your mouth and suck the juice from the flesh. He pulls it from your lips and you take it from him, throwing it onto the bar behind you. With your inhibitions significantly lowered, you decide to play him at his own game. You move closer and capture his wrist in your hand, then wrap your lips around his pointer finger. You push it all the way into your mouth, then swallow around it, savouring the lingering citrus flavour from the lime. You release it with a pop, smirking up at him as his breath hitches and pupils dilate.

“Fuck.” He breathes, flustered for a moment.

Time seems to stand still, your lust-filled eyes wandering over each other. You’re practically toe to toe now, your chest heaving as his eyes scan your face.

“So Daniel, are you going to ask my name?” You press as you trail a finger down his torso.

Where the fuck did this confidence come from?

He smirks, then leans down and ghosts his lips over the shell of your ear.

“Tell me.”

You stifle a whimper, barely holding onto any last shred of composure you have.

“Y/N.”

“Well, Y/N, I’d very much like to see more of you. What’s your Instagram?”

“I don’t really use it, I’m old fashioned. Take my number, though.”

He whips his phone out of his back pocket and hands it to you. You type your number in, adding a lime emoji to your contact name. He takes his phone back and seconds later you feel your phone buzz from your own pocket. He looks like he wants to say something to you, but is interrupted by someone shouting his name.

“Danny, you coming?”

He exhales through his nose.

“Just when things were getting interesting… I have to go, but text me. I’d like to pick up where we left off at some point.”

You nod, unable to form a cohesive sentence. He winks at you, then disappears into the crowd. You lean forward onto the bar, wondering how on earth you’d gone from wanting to leave this shit fest of a bar and go home, to deep-throating a stranger’s finger in public. You let your mind spiral for a bit, then feel a pair of hands on your shoulders. You spin around and find Em stood there, her mouth agape.

“Y/N, what the FUCK. I thought you were both going to fuck right here in the middle of the bar! Atta girl!”

“Oh my god, don’t egg me on! That was so out of character!” You laugh.

“So out of character for you right now, but the Y/N I’ve always known had men falling like that at her feet almost every night. Welcome back.”

“Maybe it’s time for me to step back into my power.” You smirk.

~

Later that night you find yourself tossing and turning in bed, unable to shake the encounter from earlier. You’re still so unbelievably turned on, the evidence sitting slick between your legs. You sigh, wondering if some release would help you sleep. You slip your hand under your pyjama shorts, finding your clit and circling your fingers around the bud. Your breath quickens as your mind drifts to Danny’s lips against your ear, his tongue lapping across your hand, and his finger in your mouth. You quicken your pace, the thoughts of Danny tumbling you quickly towards your impending orgasm. You think about how his tongue would feel running through your folds, how badly you want to rake your hands through his curls, then it hits you like a freight train. Your legs shudder beneath you as his name escapes your lips in a high pitched whine.

But it’s not enough.

You scramble to find your phone on your nightstand.

12:49am

You: Are you awake?

Bzz bzz

12:50am

Danny: I am

12:50am

You: 117 Willow Avenue, now.

Bzz bzz

12:51am Danny: Omw

Fuck, were you really doing this? No turning back now…

You launch yourself from your bed, running into the bathroom to freshen up. You roll on some deodorant, swill your mouth with mouthwash and comb through your hair. Around 10 minutes pass and you hear a knock. Your heart pounds as you approach the door, your shaky hands unlocking the latch and twisting the handle. Danny stands there on your dimly lit porch, looking just as fucking edible as he did when you were in the bar. You lunge forward and attach your lips to his, devouring him with ferocity. He matches your demeanour, fighting for dominance as he licks into your mouth. His hands wrap around the backs of your thighs and he lifts you up, your legs wrapping around his hips. He carries you into your home and you guide him to your bedroom.

“Down.. the hall… thir- third door on the left.” You pant between kisses.

He practically breaks your bedroom door down rushing to get in. He throws you down onto your bed and crawls on top, planting sloppy kisses down your neck and onto your collarbones.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this since the bar.” He breathes, pulling your pyjama top over your head and exposing your bare chest. You sit up and claw at his jacket, throwing it to the floor. It’s a hazy blur as you both grasp at each other, removing articles of clothing one by one until you’re both half naked. He palms at your breasts, bending down to suck the sensitive skin into his mouth. Your back arches as you melt into his touch.

“Oh god Danny, please fuck me.”

“Patience, you’ll get what you want.” He smirks, his fingers ghosting over your centre. You buck up into his touch, unable to restrain from the pornographic sounds slipping from your lips.

“Fuck, let me hear you baby.”

He pulls down your panties in one swift motion and slides a finger through your wetness, circling your clit a few times before plunging inside you and massaging your sweet spot. Your hands grab at his face as you pull him into you, your mouth meeting his as he begins to pick up the pace. You whimper into his mouth and his eyes roll back, clearly enjoying how worked up he has you.

“You like that?”

You nod, not being able to speak as the waves of pleasure consume you. He removes his fingers from you and you begin to whine at the loss of contact, but within seconds he’s spread your legs and is back inside you, but this time his mouth is on you too. You throw your head back as he sucks your bud and fucks his fingers into you at the same time.

“Fuck, Danny. Don’t stop. I-”

He hums against you and that’s all it takes. You’re falling apart beneath him, legs shuddering, his name spilling from your mouth like a hymn. You’ve barely come down from the high when you hear the faint sound of him opening a condom packet, then he’s pushing into you. A guttural moan leaves your chest as he bottoms out. He throws your legs over his shoulder, thrusting into you with calculated movements, hitting your spot each time.

“Harder, please.” You beg, peering up at him.

He pulls out and flips you onto your stomach, then wraps his hands around your thighs and pulls you back, so that your back is arched as far as it will go. He re-enters and drives into you, the tip of his cock grazing your cervix. You squeeze around him, rapidly heading for your second orgasm.

“God, you’re so fuckin’ tight.” He groans, his dick twitching inside of you. He wraps his hand around your hair and pulls back, using the leverage to slam you back into him even harder.

“I’m gunna fucking cum.” You gasp.

“Do it, cum for me.”

Your walls tremble around him as your orgasm hits you hard. Your arms give way, shaking beneath you as you enter a new realm of bliss. The lewd sounds of him fucking your release back into you fill the room, the air thick with sweat and sex.

“Ohhhh fuck.” He curses as his hips start to sputter. You rock back to meet him, squeezing tight as you do.

“I’m cumming, shit.” He moans, bucking into you for the last time and holding you there as he finishes. You fall forward onto your stomach as he pulls out.

“Bathroom is the next door down.”

He removes the condom and ties it in a knot, then pads away. You roll onto your back, your chest heaving as you catch your breath. When he re-enters the room, he lays down beside you and pulls you into his arms.

“Holy fucking shit.” You breathe.

“Holy fucking shit indeed… you’re something else, Y/N.” He laughs, pressing a kiss to your cheekbone.

You prop yourself up onto your elbows. “You don’t have to stay, you know. We’re strangers that just fucked, you have no obligation.”

“You’re not just saying that?” He asks, head tilted to the side.

“Promise.” You smile. “Plus, I have shit to do tomorrow.”

“Ok, well I’ll text you.” He smiles. You rise up and take his face in your hands, kissing him one last time.

“Yeah, do that.”

~

It’s been around two weeks since your encounter with Danny, although the yellowy bruises fading on your hips are a stark reminder of the sins you committed that night. You’ve been texting back and forth since then, and have met a few times for coffee. You’ve enjoyed finding out a bit more about each other, past the mind-blowing sex. From the conversations you’d had so far, you both seemed pretty compatible, but still you held back. Em, on the other hand, was all for it.

“What? He’s hot, no red flags so far, in a band. What have you got to lose, Y/N? She presses over coffee.

“My sanity. It never ends well, I know how this plays out.” You mutter, sipping gingerly from your cup.

“Yeah, there are a lot of dickheads out there, I know. But you can’t stay scared your whole life, babe. You’ll end up missing something great.”

“Watch me.” You laugh.

She sighs and fiddles with her phone for a bit, then hands it to you. There’s an ad for another show at a local bar tonight on the screen.

“Come with me, pleeeease. Have some fun again. Plus, you never know, you might find someone even better in bed than Danny.”

“Ha, I doubt it. But ok, I’ll come.”

Later that evening you’re both sharing a bottle of red whilst you get ready. You opt for a black t-shirt dress that stops at your mid-thigh, paired with fishnets and your trusty platform Dr Martens. Em wolf whistles as you step into her vicinity.

“Damn, girl.”

“I could say the same, you sexy bitch.”

Em is just so effortlessly pretty, with her pin straight dirty blond hair, gorgeously full lips, and freckles studded across her cheeks. She’s clad in a leather mini skirt, thigh high boots and a silver cami, but in all honesty she could wear a trash bag and still look like the most beautiful girl in the room.

“Ready to have some fun?” She wiggles her eyebrows playfully.

“Let’s fuck shit up.”

You walk into the venue, arms linked, and make your way across to the bar.

“Two tequila sodas with lime, please”

“Tequila, again?” She scoffs. “Maybe you’ll have another strangers fingers down your throat again tonight?”

“Can’t have fun without tequila.” You giggle.

The band playing tonight was actually pretty good. You began to sway side to side as the liquor entered your blood stream. The band launch into an upbeat song, so you grab onto Em’s hands, lifting them up above her head, shaking your hips into hers. She shrieks with laughter as you both grind up against each other. It’s so nice to spend a carefree evening with her, actually enjoying life for once instead of being so caught up in the mundane. After a lot of dancing, you peel away and walk towards the bar.

“I’m going to grab a drink, want one?”

“No, I’m good.”

You lean up against the bar, waiting to be served, when something piques your interest. Or someone, rather. The most beautiful man you’ve ever laid eyes on is sitting on a stool a few people down from you. He’s looking towards the bar, so you take a deep breath and slip into the space next to him. You steal a few glances from your peripheral now that you’re closer. He’s wearing a black button down, which is ¾ of the way undone, revealing his tanned chest and multiple silver chains. His hair is chestnut brown, falling in perfectly undone waves on his shoulders. He has slight stubble on his upper lip and chin, and small silver hoops in his ears. You felt your mouth water at the sight of him, the power he held was positively magnetic and he hadn’t even opened his mouth yet.

You stand there for a while, waiting for the bartender to serve you, whilst trying to muster up the courage to speak to him. A few minutes pass and you’re close to abandoning the idea completely.

“Haven’t seen you in here before, you new in town?”

You snap you head to him, momentarily startled by him striking up a conversation with you.

“Uhh, no. I’ve lived here for a few years now. Just… don’t get out much.” You reply, offering him a shy smile.

“What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion, just wanted to start living my life a bit more.”

“So you thought you’d start out by going to a shitty bar?”

“Hey, you’re also at this shitty bar, are you not?” You retort, raising an eyebrow.

A devilish smirk spreads across his face at your rebuttal.

Hmm, he liked that

“So, what are you doing at this shitty bar, …?” You wave your hand, motioning for him to complete your sentence.

“Jake.” He smiles. “And to answer your question, I own this shitty bar.”

Your eyes widen and he chuckles.

“You own this bar?”

“Yeah, but please don’t be impressed. It’s a shitty bar.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not.” You wink.

“Are you here by yourself …?” He mirrors your gesture from earlier.

“Y/N, and no I’m not.”

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“No lucky guy. I’m here with my best friend, Em.”

“No lucky guy, hm? Does that make me the lucky guy?”

“Do you want to be?” You challenge.

“You’re a fucking spitfire, aren’t you.”

Suddenly, Em comes bounding at you.

“Heyyyyy, oh god I’m so drunk. Do you-” She stops, her eyes raking over Jake. “Well fucking damn. You’re just getting them all aren’t you, baby girl?”

“Em!” You swat at her side.

“Well… I was just heading home. You kids have fun.” She winks.

You grab her arm as she tries to walk off.

“Em, I am not letting you go home by yourself. Sit down. I’ll call us a cab.”

She pulls you to one side, hushing her voice so only you can hear. “No way, you’re going home with that fucking beautiful specimen tonight. Do not even try. I’ll be fine. You cannot pass this up, fucking look at him!”

Jake interjects, putting a hand on your shoulder. “I have my car with me, let me drop you home.”

“Well, isn’t that kind, Y/N? Such a gentleman.”

“Em, we don’t even know him.” You hiss under your breath.

“I know a good egg when I see one.”

The next thing you know, you’re getting into the passenger side of his car. It’s a brand new black Land Rover Defender, with gleaming leather interior. You can’t help but wonder how the owner of a small bar could afford one of these. He drops Em off at her apartment and you make sure she gets inside safety. You sit back down into the passenger seat and he looks over at you.

“So, I was wondering… and you don’t have to, but I have a pretty decent selection of liquor back at my place. Did you want to join me for a drink?”

“Well, it goes against my better judgement, going home with a complete stranger. But, it also goes against my better judgement to get into a complete stranger’s car… so I guess my answer is yes.”

~

The house you pull up to is not what you expected. At all.

First of all, there’s a fucking gate. He had to pull up an app on his phone to open it.

Do shitty bar owners usually live in huge, gated houses?… His parent’s must be loaded or something

“You said you owned a bar right? How many?” You laugh in disbelief.

“Just the one.” He smirks.

Right…

He unlocks the door and walks over to a flashing console on the wall. He uses a keypad to punch in a code and the console flashes, then beeps.

“Security system.” He says, as if he can read your mind. “Kitchen is just through here.”

You walk from the giant hallway into an even bigger kitchen. There’s a huge granite island in the middle, big enough to seat your entire family. In the far corner, there’s an actual bar. Not a makeshift bar, a fully functioning one, with glittering counters and bottles as far as the eye can see.

What the fuck is this guy’s deal?

“Trying to figure out how I afford all this?”

There he goes, reading my damn mind again

“No, just wondering where that drink is you promised me.”

He chuckles, then makes his way over to the bar.

“What do you fancy?”

“Tequila?”

“Blanco or reposado?”

“Give me that old shit, the older the better.” You wink.

He pours the bottle into a crystal glass, handing it to you, then pours himself a glass and knocks it back in one.

“What, no ice in this big ass kitchen?”

“It’s best at room temperature, fucks with the flavour over ice.”

You sip from the glass, discovering almost immediately that he is, in fact, correct.

“Well shit, ok tequila snob.”

Before you can react, he’s in front of you, snaking his hand up to curve around your jaw. He tips it up, exposing your neck. His lips ghost over your jugular, pricking up every single hair on your body.

“You’ve got quite a mouth on you, Y/N. Wonder if we should put it to better use.”

Your breath catches in your throat as he nips into the sensitive skin on your neck. You place your hands on his face and he lifts from your neck, looking you dead in the eye.

Fucking hell, his eye contact is so intense

You feel like you could melt into a puddle under his gaze. The way he’s drinking you in is addictive, you don’t want this feeling to end. Chasing the high he’s providing, you drop to your knees in front of him. He raises his eyebrow.

“I think we should.”

He pulls his lip between his teeth and nods, unbuckling his belt. You unbutton his pants and pull them down enough to reach into his boxers. He’s rock solid in your palm, and so fucking big, but you like a challenge. You spit into your hand and slide your fist along his base a few times, relishing in the tiny moans coming from his lips. You can tell he’s holding back, so you take him into your throat until he hits your tonsils.

“Fuck.” He groans through gritted teeth, balling his fist into your hair.

You bob back and forth, picking up speed. His grip gets tighter in your hair, so you pull back and roll your tongue over his head. He hisses and bucks his hips, sending his cock straight to the back of your throat. You stifle a gag, caught off guard by the movement, but it gives you a wicked idea. You remove your mouth from him and peer up through your lashes, giving him your best doe eyes. His chest is heaving as he looks down at you.

Bingo

“You wanna throat fuck me?”

He parts his lips, losing composure for just a second. “Tap on my leg twice if it gets too much.”

You flatten your tongue and he thrusts back into your mouth over and over until tears are rolling down your cheeks, but it’s so worth it to see the look on his face. He uses the pad of his thumb to wipe the tears as they fall.

“You take me so fucking well.”

Your thighs clench together as you take him down your throat, only providing slight relief from the feral need you have for him. You can feel the wetness pooling in your panties, the noises he’s making only spurring you on. He pulls you off him until only a string of saliva tethers the two of you, then reaches for your arms. Once you’re off your knees, he lifts you up onto the kitchen island and places his palm between your breasts, pushing you back down against the cool stone. He bunches the skirt of your dress up to your waist and hooks his fingers into your panties, pulling them down and throwing them behind him. He places two hands on your inner thighs, parting them, then finds a home between your legs. He begins licking up through your folds, devouring you completely. Your hands twist into his hair as his name falls from your lips over and over.

Fuck, and you thought Danny was good

His hands are all over you, snaking up underneath your dress and exploring your body, only adding to the complete ecstasy you find yourself in. You squirm under his touch, feeling your impending orgasm building rapidly.

“Don’t. Not yet.”

“Jake, I can’t. It feels too good.” You whine.

“Don’t be a fucking brat.” He barks, delivering a smack to your outer thigh.

You cry out, finding it almost impossible to hold yourself back. Your nails dig into his scalp, but this only spurs him on. He’s eating your pussy like it’s his last ever meal, consuming you with the greed of a starved man. It’s like his whole life’s purpose is to make you cum over and over until you’re a trembling mess beneath him, and you are. You can’t hold it back any longer as your release bolts through you like a surge of electricity.

But he doesn’t let up.

“I thought I told you not to cum.” He booms from between your legs, plunging two fingers inside you and mercilessly targeting your g-spot.

“Shit!” You scream, the overstimulation making you writhe and thrash.

“You wanted to cum, so fucking cum again. Now.”

Your legs violently shake as you enter a whole new realm of pleasure. It’s a brand new sensation you’ve never felt before, and you feel like you’re gripping onto the counter for dear life.

“Jake! Jake, stop! I-” You trail off as you feel the dam inside you quite literally break. The string of expletives and pornographic wails that fill the room ring in your ears, as you topple over into utter euphoria.

What the fuck

You feel like you’re suspended there for a lifetime, Jake’s head between your legs, his fingers inside you. When you finally drop back down to earth, you rise onto your elbows.

Everything is wet.

Jake’s face, his hair, the counter beneath you, the floor.

Your eyes widen in horror, but Jake’s face is the exact opposite. A shit-eating grin is plastered across his face as he straightens up to face you.

“How the-” you begin.

“Never done that before, have you angel?” He smirks.

Instead of responding, you grab the back of his neck, pulling him towards you. You take his face in your hands and run your tongue over his face, lapping at your release. He parts his lips, exhaling sharply. You use the opportunity to lick into his open mouth, which he gladly accepts, his tongue gliding against yours as you both fight for dominance. Then, he’s pushing you back, discarding his pants and climbing on top of you. You reach down between you and take him in your hand, lining him up with your entrance.

“Wait, I don’t have a condom.” He breathes, nipping against your ear.

“I don’t care, just fuck me. Please.”

He pushes into you, his lip tucking behind his teeth. He waits there, only half inside you, letting you adjust. You wrap your hands around his ass and pull him, feeling him slide in until he reaches the hilt. The stretch is insane, and you whimper as he begins to rock in and out.

“Fucking shit!” You cry, your nails raking into the flesh of his back.

“God, you feel so fucking good.” He curses as he spreads your legs wider and picks up the pace.

You lick at his neck, kissing a trail up to his ear.

“Let me ride you.” You whisper.

He pulls out and you whip your dress over your head, then remove your bra. You unbutton the last of his shirt, slipping it off his shoulders and pushing him onto his back. Rising up onto your knees, you sink back down onto him, eliciting a hiss as his fingers dig into the meat of your hips. You lift yourself off him, dropping back down over and over as you use all of the stamina you have left to make him feel good. You squeeze around him as your hips move, feeling his dick twitch inside of you. His hands find your breasts, massaging them as your head falls back in pleasure. The new angle paired with his touch on your body has you there already, the pressure rising in your stomach.

“You’re a fuckin’ goddess, Y/N.”

You don’t even warn him this time, he surely knows as your walls begin to flutter around him. You cum for the second time as he fucks back up into you, meeting you with every snap of your hips.

“I’m gunna cum, where do you want it?” He pants.

“In my mouth.”

“Ohhhh fuck. Now.” He grunts as you lift from him and wrap your lips around his head. He paints the back of your throat with his release as you suck around him. You swallow, licking every last drop from him. You look up, opening your mouth to show him that it’s empty.

“You fuckin’ kill me.” He groans, pulling you into him and melting his mouth into yours.

You both sit there, catching your breath. He glances over to you and smirks.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. Just love a squirter.”

Your hands fly up to your face as you grimace, feeling embarrassed that he’d brought it up. He pulls your hands from your face and cups it with his own.

“Y/N, don’t be embarrassed. That was so fucking hot.”

“Yeah? It kinda was, wasn’t it? That whole… shit Jake, no one’s made me cum like that before.”

“Just say the word and I’ll do it again.”

“Again?”

“Well, not right now. Not sure you could handle that.” He laughs. “But definitely take my number, if you want to. I know I would like to do that again.”

You feel a blush creep up over your cheeks. “Ok.”

He smiles, hopping down from the counter. He extends his hand out to you and you look back at him, eyebrows knitting together. “It’s late, you should crash here.”

“No, Jake. I-”

“Ah ah. I insist. You can take the spare room, if you want. Or, you can stay in mine with me. Your choice.”

You nod and follow him through the house and to his room. He throws you a t-shirt to sleep in, then pulls on a clean pair of boxers and climbs into his bed. You stand there, not knowing whether to sleep with him or in the spare room.

“Like I said, up to you. But I have invited you to sleep in my bed with me.” He smirks, patting the empty space next to him.

Fuck it.

You climb in next to him, pulling the sheets up over you. You turn to face Jake and his arms wrap around your waist, dragging you into him.

“You’re really beautiful, y’know.”

“So are you.” You whisper, feeling yourself being drawn to him like a magnet.

He leans into you, your noses touching. His eyes flick from yours to your lips. “Wanna taste you again before I fall asleep.” He says, his mouth crashing to yours.

You kiss him back with fervour, your hands intertwining in his hair. His hands slide up your back as you tangle yourself in him. He pulls back and plants a soft kiss to your nose.

“Good night, Y/N.”

~

When you wake the space next to you is cold and empty. You stretch your arms over your head and take in your surroundings. You can hear the faint sound of music coming from down the hall, so you pull back the covers to investigate. Following the direction of the music, you find yourself in some kind of home office. Jake is sat down in a leather armchair, an acoustic guitar perched on his knees.

“Mornin’. Sleep well?”

“Yeah…” you respond, looking around the room. The space is filled with …memorabilia? That’s the only word you can think of to describe it. Framed vinyls litter the wall, magazine articles, a multitude of string instruments and amps. You try not to look too hard, not wanting to pry into his life.

“Good. I have a pot of coffee going downstairs, you want a cup?”

“Sure.” You smile.

He stands from his chair, putting his guitar back onto the stand. You follow him from the room, but something catches your eye just before you leave. It glistens on the desk, sitting proudly.

Is that a fucking GRAMMY?!

You feel your heart rise into your throat as you walk behind Jake. You wipe your now sweaty palms onto his borrowed t-shirt.

Who is this guy?!

You silently curse yourself for not paying much attention to the detail on the vinyls or articles hanging on the wall in his office. When you arrive in the kitchen, you pick your discarded dress up off the floor, along with your bag. You pull your phone from inside and spot a text.

10:02am

Danny: Morning gorgeous, we still on for coffee at 12?

Shit! It’s 10:43!!

“Jake, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot, I’m supposed to be meeting a… friend for coffee at 12.” You splutter.

“It’s cool, I actually forgot my brother Josh is supposed to be heading over today too.” He smiles, wiggling his phone which was also long forgotten in the events that transpired last night. “You want me to drive you home?”

“Oh no, you have plans. Plus, I’ve already sorted an Uber.”

He nods, then slides you his phone. “Put your number in.”

You take his phone and type your details in, then smirk as you hand it back. He chuckles as he spots your contact name.

Y/N 💦

You get yourself re-dressed into your clothes from yesterday and hand him back his t-shirt, then make your way out to meet your Uber driver. As you reach the door, Jake��s behind you. He places a kiss to your cheek.

“I hope I get to see you again soon.” He smiles softly.

“I’m sure you will.” You reply.

As your Uber begins to pull away, you spot a white Land Rover Defender driving in through Jake’s gate.

Hmmm, his car has a twin. That must be his brother, Josh.

~

After a quick shower, you get yourself dressed and leave to meet Danny. When you arrive, he’s sat in a booth at the very back. As you approach, he looks up from his phone and shoots you a warm smile, then stands and opens his arms out to you. You hug into him, his strong arms wrapping around you as he squeezes.

“Hey, beautiful.” He hums into your hair.

You slip into the booth and the waitress wanders over to take your order. You can’t help stealing glances at Danny whilst she notes your choice onto her pad. He looks so good today, wearing a tight fitted black t-shirt that emphasises his physique.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a bit quieter than usual this week, a lot of band stuff going on.”

“It’s fine. You have stuff you gotta do.” You give him a genuine smile.

“I have missed you though… Sorry, is that too intense to say?” He grins sheepishly.

“Uh… no. I’ve um, actually missed you a bit too.”

“Hey, I’ve uh- got a party planned for tonight. I know it’s a bit late notice, but I’d really like you to come. If you want. You can bring Em, of course.”

“I’d love to! I’ll call Em, but I’m sure she’ll be down.”

You spend the next few hours chatting, your coffees growing cold. The conversation flows so effortlessly, like you’d known each other for a much longer period of time. You start to wonder if you actually could give yourself another chance at happiness, and if this is what you needed to finally see that not all men are fuck-ass dickheads.

You hug Danny goodbye, telling him you’ll see him later. You hop into your car and call Em, pressing the speakerphone button as you pull away.

“Hey baby girlllll, how was Jake?”

Shit, Jake. You’d forgotten all about him.

“Jake was… fucking out of this world in all honesty. But I’ve just finished up a coffee date with Danny and he’s invited us to a party tonight at 8. You in?”

“Obv, if there’s a party you know I’ll be there. So you’ve seen both of your men today then?”

“Em! They are not my men. I’ve known Jake for less than 24 hours, and Danny and I are just talking.”

“Yeah, mmhmm. I’ll be at yours for 6.”

When Em arrives at yours, you make light work of getting ready. Opting for something a bit more casual, you throw on a pair of high-waisted wide leg jeans with rips in the knees. You pair this with a white textured mesh top with a bralette underlay, and your Nike low Panda dunks. You lightly wave your hair, leaving it to cascade freely over your shoulders. Em orders an Uber and you stop off at the corner store, picking up a bottle of red to bring with you.

When the Uber pulls up to Danny’s place, you’re met with a similar scene to last night. A gated residence.

“Uh, Y/N. What is it you said Danny does?”

“He’s in a band… but I didn’t think it was overly successful. He’s not really given much information about it.” You frown.

You press the button on the receiver and are buzzed in, the gates sliding open for you both. You get to the door and Danny is already stood there, beaming from ear to ear. You hand him the bottle of wine and take turns giving him a hug.

“Hey, so glad you could make it!”

“Hey. Danny, your house…”

He ignores your comment and beckons you inside. There’s already a steady flow of people dotted inside, making conversation and drinking from red solo cups like it’s some sort of frat party.

“You two want a drink?” Danny asks, gesturing towards the kitchen.

You walk through his house and notice it’s a lot humbler than Jake’s. The kitchen is smaller and there’s no obnoxious bar lining an entire side. Danny grabs two cups and looks to you.

“We have beers, seltzers, wine, spirits, anything really.”

“I’ll have a seltzer, please.” You smile.

“Oooo, any white wine for me.” Em giggles.

Danny pours your drinks and you split off to mingle. You end up engaging with some of Danny’s friends and the time ticks on. Before you know it, it’s been two hours and you’re four cans of Topo Chico and a shot of whiskey in. Feeling significantly buzzed, you make your way out to Danny’s porch for a breather. Stepping out, the light breeze tickles over your face, providing a much needed dose of fresh air. You lean against the decking, taking in a deep breath. The sky is shining in beautiful shades of amber and violet as the sun sets. You take a few moments to drink in the stunning visuals, until your name is being screeched from the door.

“Y/N!!! Code red.”

You whip around to see Em sprinting towards you.

“Woah, what’s going on?”

“Uhhh… so Jake is here.”

“What! How?!” You yelp.

“I don’t know. He just turned up with a guy that looks scarily similar to him. I think they’re twins?”

So, that must be Josh…

“What do I do?”

“We can leave, if you want?”

“Yeah, I’d rather not have to explain this. I know we aren’t together, but I like Danny. I don’t want this to ruin any chance of progressing what we have.”

“I’ll go in and grab Danny’s attention, let him know you aren’t feeling well. Then you can slip out and I’ll follow behind.”

“You’re a life saver, Em.”

She heads back inside and you wait for a few moments before going in behind her. You walk through the kitchen and towards the door, noticing that Danny has his back to you speaking to Em. As you’re halfway across the living room, you lock eyes with Jake.

Fuck

You begin to panic, knowing that if you sprint out the door now, you’ll cause a scene. Instead, you start up the stairs, frantically searching for somewhere to hide yourself and think. You open the door to a bathroom and slip inside, shutting the door and walking over to the basin. You turn on the faucet and splash your wrists, feeling hot all of a sudden. As you’re stood there facing the mirror, there’s a knock at the door.

Here we fucking go

You take a deep breath and turn the handle, opening the door to find Jake stood there.

“Y/N, what are you doing here?”

[papayafiles]

i have a draft from ages ago that goes "god i wish i could time travel ten years into the future to see how many world championships lando norris has won" but the more i think about it, the more i think that if i did, via some crazy scifi shenanigans, end up in the future, i would do everything possible to avoid finding out the wdc results. and it's the same reason watching a replay of a race where you already know the results never hits as hard as waking up at the crack of dawn to watch it through a laggy grainy livestream, frantically livetweeting or liveblogging every lock up and overtake, heart in your mouth, the rest of the world falling away, fully locked in on 60 laps of cars just vrooming around and around in loops. because a huge part of this sport is the anticipation, the hope and the faith and the possibility. the not knowing is painful, and the thought that my driver's entire career could pass without that coveted championship—that i could follow him for years into the future, and never get to watch our wildest dreams come true—literally haunts my nightmares. and i know it's a possibility—it happened to so many promising young drivers, due to circumstance or luck or timing or talent or skill or any combination of the above (see daniel ricciardo)—and i know that becoming a world champion is such a rarity, but despite all that, at this moment in time, i'm convinced that lando is a future world champion.

and i think that kind of belief, the whole i don't know where it came from or how i ended up here but i believe it so absolutely this is borderline religious, is a part of what makes being a sports fan so much fun. it's what makes this such a special, magical, incredible experience. getting into sports is the last thing i thought i'd do; i spent my entire childhood not really getting it, because if this is just a game, then why are people losing their heads over something that's not even real? and i have a whole separate monologue about exactly why i think sports are so compelling to so many, which i won't get into in full now, but one of the best parts of it all is getting to believe in something that much. having faith, holding faith, keeping faith over time: the odds are stacked against literally every athlete, because this whole career path is so treacherous and random and slippery; so many things could go wrong so fast, half a tenth of a second and it's all over, but i'm still here, and i believe in my driver always. that's been proven through his past results, obviously, but it's also: i chose him, or he chose me, or some cosmic combination of events occurred circa austria/silverstone 2023, and now i'm in this for life.

i honestly feel so bad for people who have never experienced this kind of fan(girl) experience—and really, i see it a lot, particularly with the whole internet irony epidemic we're in, people who make fun of fans of any celebrity for being sooo parasocial and cringey, for feeling such magnitude of emotion over someone we don't even know, who has no idea we exist, etc etc etc and it's like: i really don't think that's the point? of course the version of lando who lives rent free my head is different to the real 24 year old british adult man probably fast asleep in his monegasque bed rn. when i blog about him and i call him my little guy and my future world champion and my favorite person in the world, that's a version of him who exists in the gray space between the real person, his public media personality, the fervors of my f1/lando norris obsession, everything i've read or written about him, every image or video i've seen, every night i lay awake dreaming about him, etc. and that version of him is my guy. the experiences that led me to the place and the person i am now, one inextricable from the past year-and-a-half of living breathing and loving this sport so much all my friends know i'm a die-hard fan, is special and is mine and is more important than a simple "lol she thinks she knows this millionaire." i lay no claim to the man himself, but this experience, these emotions, this faith, this community and these memories—they're all mine.

one of these days i will watch him cross the finish line in abu dhabi in first place, and i will hear his uncontrollable screams of joy over the radio, the way his voice goes up higher when he's happy and his accent comes in stronger and he suddenly sounds young again, and he'll thank the team back at the factory and he'll thank will and he'll thank his parents and his siblings and his family, and i'll be sitting over my laptop in my lando hoodie sobbing into my hands, and he'll pull into that first place spot and climb out and stand on top of the car that brought him there, and he'll put his fists up in the sky and i'll watch him, and the entire grid will come around to hug and congratulate him, max and oscar and carlos and all the rest of the drivers who love a story and love a new champion and love him, and then he'll take off his helmet and his hair will be all crazy and there will be symmetric balaclava lines on his face, his ears will be flushed red, and he'll be smiling so big and wide, all wild, infectious joy, jenson or nico or hell even david coulthard will do the post-race interviews and they'll ask him how he feels and he'll respond with something that will be plastered on my twitter timeline and then i'll watch him raise the trophy on the podium with this sense of elated disbelief in my chest, and i'll log on here and say "is this real IS THIS REAL" and "i can't believe this is REAL" and "oh my god. oh my god this is actually happening THIS IS REAL MY DRIVER IS A WORLD CHAMPION" and the national anthem will play and he'll throw his head back still grinning and still happy all golden and glowing and radiant, having won it all, and i'll cancel all my plans to cry on the internet about it. it'll be miami 2024 all over again, but magnified and elevated on every single level. and i don't even want to time travel forward and find out for sure when that moment will come, because honestly, i'd rather not rob my future self of the unbelievable feeling when it finally hits, when lando norris world champion passes from the realm of daydreams and manifestations and uncertain tremulous maybes, to certainty, reality, the undeniable truth. to: this is the timeline we're in, and god am i glad, god is it the best one. all those years of waiting and hoping and dreaming and fearing, holding this so carefully in the palms of my hands as if it's a possibility i can make true, somehow, if i just think about it hard enough, delicately enough, cheering him on with everything i have, and now. and here. the champagne pop on the podium, the alchemy playing on repeat, he's getting sprayed from every direction, that ginormous world champion trophy, the shine of his reflection in the gold, the instagram post, the message of gratitude that i'll want to get tattooed onto my eyelids, the tribute video and his name engraved in the annals of history, the entire mtc roaring his name, grandstands of flouro rising to their feet, lando norris formula 1 driver race winner world champion, my guy forever. i want it all. i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait but i will, i'll wait as long as it takes, and this is real to me, to me it's already been written, i'm just waiting for that chapter to arrive. because it will.

[something-tofightfor]

On Deck Part 2: Call Up

Pairing: Jack Daniels x Female Reader Baseball AU

Word Count: 7,368

Rating: M (language, general adult thoughts, etc.)

Summary: Jack reached out to you first ... where will you go from there?

Author’s notes: 

I just love this man so much, and am so excited to share more of this story.

(On Deck universe masterlist for all the extras!)

The respone to part 1 makes me really happy - and I hope you like this chapter, too. There was supposed to be a whole Instagram account that went along with this story, but IG has flagged it as impersonation each time I've created it, so I just gave up on that (which bums me out a LOT)

While there are a lot of baseball references within this story, you only need to know the basics to enjoy it and understand what's going on - we're not getting overly technical here.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out. I hope you enjoy this version of Jack as much as I am.

In baseball, a call up happens when a player is promoted from a minor league team to the majors. A call up is used to fill an empty roster spot on an as-needed basis, and may be permanent or temporary. Players that are called up are subject to being optioned back down to a lower level of play at the discretion of the team’s manager.

“What the fuck?” You shot up into a sitting position, the phone held tightly in one hand. “Two days later?” You stared at the screen in disbelief, blinking slowly.

It was his verified account - and after taking a screenshot of the alert, you clicked on it, opening the app. He’d liked the post from the game roughly an hour earlier, and with a quick check of the time, you frowned. He should be getting ready to play a game tonight. 

But when you checked the lineup, Jack wasn’t in it, which also surprised you. He played three nights in a row, though. So maybe they’re just resting him for a day. 

Whatever the reason, it had resulted in him seeing - and liking - the post, and that was enough to get you out of the bed and back downstairs to make dinner. As you cooked, you didn’t stop smiling, moving around in your kitchen and humming along to the music that you’d chosen to play. 

You weren’t expecting to hear the sound of another incoming alert just as you twisted the burner off, though. And you definitely weren’t expecting to see that it was another one from Jack, either. But it wasn’t another like: that time, he’d sent a message.

Glad you liked the seats. 

Leaning against the counter, you took a deep breath and then typed back, lips pressed together. 

We did, thanks. Caleb hasn’t stopped talking about the game. 

There was a pause, but then he started typing again, the message coming through with another vibration. 

You’re welcome.

You smiled then, blowing out a breath. 

You made his day, Jack

He started typing and then stopped, and you figured that would be it. You wondered if he was surprised that you weren’t flooding him with messages, or that you weren’t overreacting to the fact that he’d reached out in the first place. But that would just make me look like a fool, so… 

The screen went dark, and just as you were about to turn back to your dinner, there was another message - and that one made you gasp out loud. 

How about yours? 

“Oh, you … shit.” It was flirty - and forward, but based on what you knew about Jack, it wasn’t a complete surprise. There were plenty of things that you could have said, and even more that you wanted to, but you didn’t directly flirt back - you gave him a real answer. I’ve never sat that close to the field before, so yeah… mine too.

“You dumbass.” Setting the phone down, you lowered your head and rested it against your arm, groaning. “You had one chance to say something good, and now …” You spoke to your empty kitchen, shaking your head back and forth without lifting it. You’d blown it. He’d given you a clear opening, and you’d chosen to ignore it. 

… But when the phone vibrated again and you peeked at it, you realized that that might not have actually been true. 

I hate typing. Does that phone thing at the top mean I could call you?

Dumbfounded, you stared at the screen, your head cocked to one side. Is he seriously asking to call me? Is he trying to … what the fuck? 

You had two options - ignore the message and let the conversation die, or give Jack an answer, and risk the terrifying prospect of him using the call feature. 

It does. You can either call or video chat on here.

His reply came only moments later, no hesitation on Jack’s part. Well can I? 

“There’s no fucking way.” You stared down at the phone, frowning. He had no reason to call you - there was very little more to say about the conversation he’d initiated. But … You picked up the phone and before you could talk yourself out of it, you typed a response back. 

If you want to 

You dropped the phone like it had burned you, shaking your head back and forth. “What the fuck did you just do?” Raising a hand, you held it over your mouth, eyeing the darkened screen - until it lit up. “Oh, fuck.” 

Steadying yourself with a deep breath, you picked it up and answered, holding the phone to your ear. “Hello?” 

The sound of his voice through the speaker made you shiver, even though it was only one word. “Hey, Jack.” Stepping away from the counter, you headed for the other room, lowering yourself onto the couch. “How are you?” 

“Real good.” He cleared his throat. “I apologize if I put you on the spot. I just don’t like typing and I thought this would be easier.” Easier for what? There was no reason to continue the conversation. It didn’t … “You there?”

“I’m here.” Head shaking back and forth, you closed your eyes. “It’s fine. I definitely wasn’t expecting you to call, but … it is easier.” And more terrifying, but … “Don’t you have a game tonight? I thought -”

“I’m in Louisville.” What? You straightened up, eyes going wide. That changes things. “Had some things to take care of here so I drove up today. Headin’ back down on Monday.” So he’s got a weekend off. And he’s up here. And he’s calling me. “You got any big plans on a Saturday night?” 

“I just woke up.” You blurted out the response before you could stop yourself, wincing and then mouthing the word fuck as you squeezed your eyes shut. “I mean…” You sighed. Fuck it. “I got some work done earlier, and since I don’t have anything going on tonight, I thought I’d lay down for a while.” You glanced at the clock. “Slept for longer than I wanted to though.” 

He hummed quietly, and you couldn’t tell if it was just acknowledgement or a partially disguised laugh, but the sound brought you back to full attention, your eyes narrowing. What does he want? What’s the point of this call? “I’ve got nothing going on tonight either. First time in a long time.” 

“I’m sure you can find something.” Tapping your foot on the floor, you chewed on your lip. “Louisville’s not New York City, but there’s -”

“I’m not actually in Louisville. I live near Indian Hills. Already been downtown today and I’ve gotta be back tomorrow, so … no thanks on the traffic twice in the same day.” 

“No shit.” He didn’t say anything else, so you continued. “We’re neighbors then.”

“Yeah?” He said your name, the sound making you shiver again. “Was kinda hopin’ you’d say something like that.” 

“I don’t…Jack? What’s…”

“You know what I like?” He sighed, but that time you could hear the amusement in it, the man clearing his throat before he spoke again. “Ice cream. D’you like ice cream?”

“Y…yeah?” You stood, pacing in front of your couch. “There’s a place I really like called The Comf-”

“Comfy Cow.” He agreed, actually laughing. “I ship a couple of their flavors home to my parents a few times a year.” You do? “You don’t have plans tonight, but what about tomorrow?” 

You didn’t respond right away, feet freezing in place as your hold on your phone tightened. Is he asking me out? “Just laundry.” 

“Would you want to meet me there tomorrow afternoon?” Meet him there? Like… the two of us hanging out? “I like to talk face to face when I can, and …” 

“Yes. Sure.” You would have been stupid not to agree. Like sitting in his seats, Jack offering to meet you one on one was an opportunity that you didn’t want to pass on. “What time?”

“I don’t know, what time’s good for you? I should be done around 3:30.” 

“Five?” That would get you home early enough to have a late dinner and give him time between whatever he had to do and meeting you.. “Or -”

“Perfect.” He hummed. “I’ll see you then?” 

“Yeah.” You were smiling - you couldn’t help it. “You will.” 

“You should give me your actual number.” What? “I don’t use this app enough to know what the hell I’m doin’ but I can handle a text message or two.” You snorted at his words, not even bothering to hide it. “Go ahead, I’ve got a pen.” A pen? Who is he? “I’m just kiddin’. Send it to me through here. That’s fine.” 

There was nothing more to say, and you needed to hang up before you made a fool of yourself, so you agreed and then took a deep breath. “Jack? See you tomorrow.”

“Sure will, darlin’. Lookin’ forward to it.” It should have made you cringe - a relative stranger calling you a pet name, but for some reason, the word coming out of Jack’s mouth didn’t bother you as much as it usually did. 

You said goodbye and then ended the call, giving yourself a few seconds to stare at the screen in disbelief. “Did that fucking happen?” The numbers and words on the screen confirmed that it had, and so with shaking fingers, you typed your number in and sent it, quickly following it up with a message. 

If you need to cancel tomorrow, let me know. 

He read the messages but didn’t reply, and so after staring down at your phone for almost a minute in shock, you slipped it into your pocket and headed back into the kitchen. Your dinner was likely cold, but you didn’t care. Who would? That was … this is … what? 

Removing the pot from the burner, you set it down on the counter and reached for tupperware, deciding to at least clean up before you spent the rest of the night spiraling. You wanted to call Erin - to let her know, but at the same time, didn’t want to tell anyone, because it wasn’t their business. Maybe after. Maybe then I’ll tell her. Maybe … 

You scraped rice into the container, willing yourself to zone out, but before that could happen, you felt your phone vibrate against your leg and immediately set everything down to reach for it. 

It was a text message - meaning that you’d graduated from conversing through social media to having his number in the span of only a few minutes.  

You don’t have to worry about me canceling. See you tomorrow. 

— 

You parked fifteen minutes early the following afternoon, wanting to be sure that there was a space - and to give yourself a few minutes for a pep talk. 

It was the same thing you’d been doing since the previous night, telling yourself over and over that he was just a person that happened to be really good at a sport. And because he was really good at that sport, he was known for it. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s nice to look at, either. 

You were still confused about why he’d reached out, and whether or not it was anything more than an extension of his kindness from the game. But he has no reason to continue speaking to me. We’re not at the stadium, and Caleb’s not here. 

That, to you, meant that for whatever reason, Jack was interested in you. 

Maybe it was because you hadn’t reacted to his presence the day you’d met. Maybe it was because he’d confirmed that you weren’t the mother of a preteen, and didn’t need to worry about finding a babysitter. Maybe he was just planning on using you meeting him as an excuse to try and get you into bed. Which wouldn’t be awful, to be honest.

No matter what the truth was, you had no way of knowing until you talked to Jack. That also meant that you wouldn’t know how you felt about what you learned until then, either. 

You eyed the front of the building, looking over the scattered outdoor seating. 

There was plenty open, which meant that you wouldn’t be forced to stay in a high traffic area if you didn’t want to. And he’ll probably prefer that. Checking the time, you saw that you still had a few minutes until you were supposed to meet. But when you looked up, you stiffened, breath catching in your throat as you saw Jack drive by. 

He was in a vehicle you knew well, thanks to following him on social media: a dark blue and white vintage Bronco with the top removed. Alright. He’s here … he’s here, so that means… He parked a few spaces down from you, and even though you knew it was weird, you watched him. Just to see what he does.

And Jack didn’t disappoint, reaching up with one hand to pull his sunglasses down his nose before running his fingers through his hair, his eyes focused on the rearview mirror. He tipped his head to one side and then to the other, nodding - and then he straightened up, reaching for the door handle. Here we go. 

You got out when he did, but before you could call out to him, he spotted you, the neutral expression on his face turning into a wide smile that made you weak in the knees.

He was wearing a white tee shirt and jeans, and at the sight of him, your mouth went dry. Holy shit, and I thought he looked good in his uniform. “Hey, how’s it going?” He stopped in front of you, pulling his sunglasses off and sticking one arm into the collar of his shirt. “Was just about to call you and make sure you were still coming.” 

“I’m here.” Holding both hands out, you shrugged. “And I’m good, you?”

“Hell of a lot better now than I was before.” Jack winked at you, lips set into a smile. “Wanna go and get that ice cream?” You nodded - and he nodded back, the two of you heading toward the shop side by side. He opened the door for you, using one hand to gesture for you to pass - and when you did, you felt him touch your back briefly. Oh, he… 

There was a short line, and as you waited, you made small talk about the flavors and options, Jack pointing at the writing on the board and then the counter cases, which were partially filled with baked goods. It was easy to talk to him, and as the minutes passed and you got closer to ordering, you relaxed. 

Jack let you go first, humming in appreciation at your choice, and when he ordered, it finally clicked. Of course he knows this place. You reached for your wallet when you got to the register, but one look from Jack - complete with a raised eyebrow and a twist of his lips - made you stop, stepping to the side as your own smile grew to match his. 

The first thing you did after you took a seat at one of the outdoor wrought-iron tables was thank him, making sure to look him in the eye when you did it. “I could have bought my own ice cream, Jack. I didn’t assume that -” 

“I invited you out tonight, why would you pay for a damn thing?” He paused. “And you’re welcome. Nothin’ better on a night like tonight than ice cream.” 

“And bourbon?” You used your spoon to point at his dish. “I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together the other day. Statesman has a deal with this place, right?”

“They do.” Jack grinned. “And call me a creature of habit, but …” He shrugged, taking a big bite. “They make some damn good bourbon and it’s real good with this ice cream.” That was another thing you liked about Jack - his partnerships and endorsements were strategic, and for things that he actually seemed to enjoy and support. 

“With a name like yours, Jack? It’d be a real shame if you didn’t appreciate a good bourbon.” He laughed, using his thumb to wipe a smear of ice cream from his bottom lip and then sucked it clean, shrugging. Either he needs to not do that again, or he needs to keep doing it, because … 

“I had nothin’ to do with the distillery partnerin’ with them, but since they’re using my blend for a limited run flavor…” He grinned again. “Figure I’ve gotta support it.” 

“Is that the one that you send home to your parents?” He nodded, taking another bite. “I’m sure they appreciate it.”

“They do. But my Momma also likes the butter pecan and my dad’s real partial to the peanut brittle, so I send ‘em a little of everything.” 

You both lapsed into silence then, enjoying the ice cream as the slowly cooling - but still somewhat sticky - early evening breeze blew. It was a comfortable silence, and you caught Jack eyeing you a few times, the focus in his eyes a little unnerving. Finally, you spoke up. “What? Why are you looking at me like -”

“Y’know, I invited you here today before making sure that you weren’t seein’ anybody.” He put his spoon into the dish and then pushed it forward, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. “And since you agreed, I figured… well, I figured you weren’t, but I should probably still ask.” You took another bite, eyes on him as you swallowed. This is not at all what I thought he’d be like. 

“Then ask.” It caught him off guard, Jack laughing quietly and shaking his head after he lowered it. 

“You’re a handful, aren’t you?” He looked up at you through his eyelashes without lifting his chin, and it took everything in you not to react - or answer. You wanted him to ask you if you were seeing anyone, because Jack actually verbalizing the question shifted the casual activity of getting ice cream and having a conversation to something else entirely. And I want to know if that’s what this is. “Alright then.” Jack nodded, staring at you. “Are you datin’ anybody right now?”

“Nope.” You leaned in, eyes locked with his. “Hasn’t been anything serious for almost a year.” Shaking your head, you decided to elaborate, wanting to lay more cards on the table. “I do date, but … sometimes the thought of using an app or meeting a guy at a bar is just … too much.” 

“Couple of the guys on the team use those damn apps. Tinder, right?” You nodded. “Too much work for me. All that swipin’? The small talk?” He laughed, reaching up to scratch at the side of his head. “Plus I’m not usually in one city long enough to use those things like they’re supposed to be used.” That’s not true because everyone uses them for hookups, but I get it.

“You really weren’t lying when you said you didn’t like to type?” Jack rolled his eyes and groaned. “Damn, Jack. That must make -”

“Pickin’ up pretty women at the stadium seems to be working out well for me, though.” Ouch. I’m sure it has been. You weren’t able to control your expression at his words, and only moments later you saw his eyes widen and his lips part. “No, that’s … shit. I didn’t mean it like -”

“I know you didn’t.” You used your napkin to wipe your fingers clean, buying yourself a few seconds. “But even if you did, Jack? That’s part of it, right? You’ve been in stadiums and meeting people for years, so obviously some of them are going to catch your eye.” Shit. I shouldn’t have … now he’s going to think that I’m too eager. “So -”

“Excuse me.” You both looked toward the building, eyeing a little girl that was maybe a year or so older than Caleb. “Are you Jack Daniels?” You smiled at her question, the girl clearly nervous. Jack gave you a quick look to check in but you only nodded, leaning back in your seat. I can’t say I’m surprised someone recognized him. 

“I am.” He leaned closer, holding his hand out. “And who’re you?” She looked back over her shoulder and for the first time, you saw two people that you assumed were her parents standing a few feet away, watching the interaction. The man was grinning, and the woman’s smile grew as the girl introduced herself and shook Jack’s hand. They spoke for a few minutes, the girl telling Jack that she played softball and him asking her a few questions. 

It was the same as it had been on the field - Jack switching from the man that had asked you out for ice cream and flirted with you to one that was focused on engaging with the kid in front of him and encouraging her as an athlete. 

It was telling - he could have refused to do anything more than say hello since he was with you, but Jack didn’t, the conversation much more than just pleasantries. 

And it was Jack saying your name that drew you out of your thoughts, the man looking at you again as the teenage girl looked on. “Yeah?” 

“Would you mind takin’ a picture of us?” She held out her phone to you, a hopeful look in her eyes as he posed the question. 

“Of course.” Reaching for the device, you held it up, looking at her. “I’ll take a couple and make sure you get a good one.” She thanked you and beamed, stepping next to Jack’s chair and setting her hand on the back of it. 

He smiled - the expression genuine - but kept both hands on the table, even as he leaned in a little closer. You did as promised, snapping five or six different options before handing the phone back, the girl’s eyes on the screen. She thanked him and then wished him luck, but before she could turn away, Jack said her name - and then spoke again. “Keep at it. I’m still learnin’ every time I go out on the field, and I’ve been at it a lot longer than you have. You’re gonna get better every day.” 

Her mouth dropped but she nodded enthusiastically before running back to her parents, the three of them talking excitedly. Her father raised a hand in a wave of thanks to Jack, who nodded once in return, the smile still on his face even as he turned back to you. “Sorry about that. Sometimes I’ll just kind of brush ‘em off, but when it’s a kid…”

“You don’t need to apologize. I noticed that about you the other night, at the game?” He focused his attention onto you again, waiting. “You were nice to everyone, but you really spent time talking to the kids. And it was meaningful time, too. You didn’t rush, and I thought that was … really great, Jack.”

“Baseball’s all about the kids.” He looked almost relieved, the man leaning in toward you and resting his elbows on the table. “Keepin’ them excited about the sport? About meeting players? I remember going to games when I was younger, and it would have meant a lot to get to talk to the guys I looked up to. I want to give them a good memory and if that means takin’ a couple extra seconds to say hi or take a picture or sign somethin’, it’s the least I can do.” 

“They’ll remember it for a long time.” You reached out, meaning to settle your hand atop his but stopped at the last second, curling your fingers inward. Whoops. “I know Caleb will. His sister told me that he hasn’t stopped talking about meeting you for the last couple days.”

“He was a cool little kid.” Jack wrinkled his nose, still eyeing you. “D’you wanna explain that whole situation? How’d you end up at a minor league game an hour away from your place with your friend’s brother?” 

“It’s really not that interesting a story.” Pulling your hand back, you rested it on the table in front of you, fingers tapping against the surface. “We were all supposed to go to a Statesman game up here this summer. He wanted to see you play, and when you got hurt…” Your eyes drifted away from his face and to his shoulder, lingering for a few seconds. “We didn’t know what was going to happen, so Erin - my friend - gave the tickets away and told Caleb we’d figure something else out.” 

“Bet he was disappointed.”

“He was. And then when he heard you were going to be activated this week for the Cavalry, he started begging to go to a game. She couldn’t take him last week, so I offered.” Tilting your head to the side, you smiled at him again. “And it worked out pretty well.”

“Sure did.” Jack nodded, glancing down at the watch he wore and then back up at you. “We still got a few hours of daylight left.” And? You frowned, unsure of what he was suggesting. “There’s a park a couple minutes from here. I’m not sure a bench would be any more comfortable than these chairs, but …” 

He trailed off, leaving the invitation open ended. Does he actually want to, or is he just trying to be polite? “I’d like that, Jack.” Wetting your lips, you let out a slow breath. “Should I follow you there?” 

“Makes sense.” He nodded in agreement, sitting up straighter. “It’s real close, but that way neither of us are stuck.” He stood first, gathering up the trash on his side of the table before reaching for yours, too. “Give it here.” You did, stuffing the napkin into the empty dish and then holding it out to him, but Jack didn’t just take it from you. Instead, he let the tips of his fingers graze against yours, one side of his mouth lifted into a lopsided smile. “Thanks.” 

His voice was quiet, and as you followed him toward the closest trash can - and then back across the parking lot - neither of you said anything else until you got to your car. “Which way are we going?” He pointed with one hand, turning to look at you over his shoulder. 

��Out that way. Right down the road.” Giving him a single nod, you unlocked your car and turned away from him to climb in, releasing a whoosh of air from your lungs. All things considered, the night had gone well to that point. 

You and Jack hadn’t had any real lapses in conversation. It had been friendly between you, bordering on overly flirty at times, and he’d seemed genuinely interested in asking you questions about yourself. But I can’t let it… this is just one night. A couple of hours. Nothing … more. 

He pulled the Bronco out of its spot, and you followed suit, keeping close as the two of you left the parking lot and pulled out toward the main road. You didn’t bother with the radio, and when, less than three minutes later, Jack turned left into the park, you laughed out loud. “He wasn’t kidding when he said it was close.” 

You parked directly next to him and turned your car off, reaching over to stick your bag into the glovebox before you grabbed your water bottle and headed for where Jack still sat, sunglasses perched on his nose again. “Told you it wasn’t far.” He turned to look at you. “And I’ve got an idea.” 

“Yeah?” You stood next to the driver’s door, waiting. “What’s that?” 

“You can get in and sit. That’s definitely more comfortable than a bench.” He pulled his sunglasses off and winked at you. “That alright?” In the Bronco? Hell yeah that’s alright. 

“Yep.” You nodded. “More than alright.” As you headed around the front of the SUV, you watched him unbuckle his seatbelt and then lean over, opening the door for you and pushing outward. “Oh, so you’re a gentleman, hmm?”

“I was raised in Texas.” He settled back into his seat and then turned to look at you. “But I’m sure you know that.” 

“I do.” You got comfortable, angling your body toward him. “It’s kind of unfair, but I mean… you have played here for a while. It’s hard not to know things about you.” Jack’s eyes were still on you, the man’s gaze wandering over your face. Should I not have said anything? “But what I don’t know, Jack, is how, after a couple days, you saw the picture of you and Caleb.” 

He looked surprised, but only paused briefly before laughing, the man reaching up to slide his fingers through his hair. “I saw it when the team posted it. And I thought I liked it then, but it turns out I just liked the one they had up, and not yours.” Oh. Oh, that is … You pressed your lips together and fought back a laugh, but Jack continued. “And then yesterday, when I clicked on your name I saw that I hadn’t liked your post … so I did. And then I thought about it for a little while, and sent you the message.” 

“Well I’m glad you did.” You reached for your water bottle, taking a long drink and swallowing before you spoke again. “Because this was fun.” 

“Can I have a drink of that?” He pointed. “I usually have water with me, but I left in a hurry and forgot today.” You held the bottle out to him, Jack nodding as he took it from you. He didn’t hesitate before drinking from it, the man’s eyes closing as he tipped his head back. “Thank you.” He capped the bottle then, but didn’t hand it back to you, setting it down between his thigh and the center console. Ok well that’s interesting. Now the next time I drink, I’ll…  

“I was going to message you when I put those pictures up, and just thank you again.” Chewing on your lower lip, you sighed. “But I decided not to because I didn’t want to bother you. I figured you wouldn’t even see it, since messages from people you don’t follow go into a different folder on there, so -”

“What?” He blinked a few times, frowning. “What do you mean?” Jack lifted himself up and reached into his back pocket for his phone, opening Instagram and then his messages, eyes on the screen. “Where?” 

Leaning over, you pointed with one finger, barely concealing your laugh at the sight of the three digit number next to his message requests. “Right there.” Your finger hovered over the screen, but you kept your eyes on it, trying not to peek at his list of messages. It’s none of my business. “If you click on that, you’ll see all of the stuff people are trying to send you, and -”

“Christ, that’s a lot.” He scrolled through, his lips parted in surprise. “I didn’t even know this was … Jesus. There’s pictures in some of …” He trailed off and that’s when you looked away, not wanting to unintentionally see the things that people sent. “Oh, wait a minute, this is …” He hummed, using one finger to scroll through the messages. “Opening it doesn’t accept it, right?”

“Not unless you click ‘accept’.” You glanced down and widened your eyes at the sight of the picture on the screen. Brittany. “So you can screen your messages without people knowing.” 

“This is that girl that was standin’ next to you at the game.” He tilted the phone toward you. “Right?”

“Yeah.” You looked away again, even though the picture wasn’t anything scandalous. “She was very interested in you. Wasn’t too happy you offered us your seats and not her.” 

“She was even less happy when I walked right past her later that night after the game.” He closed the message and then darkened the screen, setting the phone down and saying your name. “But yeah, I saw her face when I asked you where you were sitting. She wasn’t… didn’t like that.” 

“You act so surprised.” Nudging him gently with your elbow, you smiled. “You’re not stupid, Jack. You’ve gotta see how women look at you.”

“That how you look at me, too?” He arched a brow, speaking slowly. “Like you want something from me?” He was still teasing, but there was some truth to the question, and for the first time, you realized that even though part of him probably liked the attention, especially when it came from women he found attractive, that Jack was also very likely overwhelmed by it at times. And it’s probably hard for him to recognize genuine interest over interest in his status. Shit, 

“You’re a good looking guy, Jack. And a hell of a baseball player.” There was no need to sugarcoat it; you didn’t want to lie to the man. “Yeah, I guess I look at you like that sometimes.” You held up one hand, heart pounding in your chest. “I don’t expect anything though. It’s just …” Curling your fingers, you shrugged. “Fun to think about.” 

“You think about me?” He smiled again, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes deepening. “Wanna tell me more about that?”

“Not a chance.” You rolled your eyes. “Last thing you need is me giving you too many compliments on a first d-” You cut yourself off and shook your head, drawing your hand back and rubbing it against your thigh. Dammit. You idiot. “Not that I think this is a date, or that it’ll happen again, I just -”

“Slow down.” Jack reached over and cautiously touched your hand, his fingers closing around yours and squeezing. “This isn’t a date.” You deflated slightly, your eyes dropping from his face to your joined hands. Of course it isn’t. “This is just getting to know each other. Our first date’ll be at a place where we can sit in a comfortable booth and get some actual food.” 

“Will be?” Slowly, you tilted your head back up, mindful of the fact that he hadn’t pulled his hand away. “Are you asking me out to dinner, Jack?” It seemed impossible - like you were imagining the words coming out of his mouth because there was no way they could be real. 

“If you want to go, yeah.” He nodded, his eyes locked with yours. “I’m havin’ a good time too. I’d like to do it again. Might have to be lunch, though, depending on our schedules.” 

It went against everything you’d ever read about Jack online. The women that had posted on places like Reddit and gossip sites made it clear that Jack was very set in his ways, that getting to know him meant getting into bed with him - and nothing more. Nothing lasting. Nothing … personal. 

But he’d invited you out with him, and aside from the way he was holding your hand and had touched your back as you walked, he hadn’t made any sort of physical advance. And he wants to do it again.  “When?” You nodded, feeling heat rise into your cheeks. “Because driving all the way from -”

“I’ll be back in Louisville later this week.” He grinned, his eyes bright. “That’s why I’m up here.” What? Really? “Came up to see the team doctors, and do a couple workouts with everyone.” Jack paused, reaching for your water bottle and taking another drink. You eyed the way his throat worked as he swallowed, a quiet hum low in your throat. I hope he heard that. “And I’m goin’ tomorrow morning to take photos for Players Weekend. They got my jersey all ready, but we didn’t want to spend the time with the photographer if I wasn’t going to be here.”

“So you’ll be playing next weekend.” He nodded, still eyeing you. “I’m glad to hear it, Jack. The team needs you.” He snorted then, briefly closing his eyes. “You going with ‘Whiskey’ again this year?”

“Sure am.” He winked again, handing over your bottle. Without thinking, you raised it and took a drink, too, before using one knuckle to dry your lower lip as you twisted the cap back on. “Got an image to uphold, y’know?” You laughed at him, tipping your head back and staring up at the sky. 

You were enjoying the time you spent with Jack, and despite the nerves you’d felt earlier in the day, you were calm. Interested in him, definitely, but calm. Because he’s just a guy. And this is …  He said your name quietly, and when you turned your head to look at him, you watched as Jack took a deep breath. “Yeah?” You waited, realizing for the first time that Jack’s hand was still on your knee, his thumb moving slowly over the outside of it. He put it back after he took a drink, and I didn’t … 

“I know I just got done tellin’ you that this isn’t a date, but I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t want to kiss you right now.” You froze at the words, lips parted in surprise. He does? “That alright with you?” 

“Yes.” You didn’t hesitate, nodding in agreement. “More than alright.” 

Jack moved slowly, the hand on your leg staying in place as his other one rose so that he could use the tips of his fingers to guide the tilt of your head. Oh, shit is this actually happening? 

It was. The press of his lips was soft, and when you leaned into it, Jack did, too. He didn’t linger though, giving you a second quick peck before pulling back and opening his eyes, the tip of his tongue briefly appearing between his lips before he spoke up again. “Been wantin’ to do that since I saw you in those seats.” What? Seriously? 

“That why you gave us your seats?” Taking a deep breath, you let your gaze drop and then raised it again, smirking at him. “All that for a single kiss?” 

“No. He shook his head. “I offered you those seats because I had ‘em to offer, and I wanted you two to have a good time at the game.” He leaned closer, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Wasn’t til I saw you as I was headin’ into the dugout after the first that I thought about kissin’ you. And then I kept thinking about it for the rest of the night, too.” 

You were shocked - and you knew that he could see it on your face. “I… Jesus, Jack. You’re…” You looked away, closing your eyes. Is this what people mean when they say he sweet talks them? Says all the right things? It was no secret that he was a flirt, and even though he hadn’t given you any indication that night that he was just trying to say what he thought you wanted to hear, you couldn’t help worrying that that was what was happening.  

“What? What did I…” He swore, and when you looked over, you saw that he was staring at the windshield, one hand gripping the wheel tightly. “Shit.”

“I’ve gotta be honest with you, Jack.” Reaching up, you rubbed at the back of your neck. “This is … It feels a little like…” You didn’t know how to articulate what you were thinking without offending him. But you need to, because if you don’t, this is all over before it begins. “You don’t need to use lines with me. We’re both adults. There’s nothing wrong with being honest about what today is.” 

“What do you think it is?” He leaned in, eyes narrowed slightly. “Because I’m just trying to be -”

“You’ve got a little bit of a reputation.” You didn’t hesitate, shrugging as you continued. “Women say you’re a sweet talker. That you lay the charm on. That you know exactly what to say and do to get them… where you want them.” He laughed, the sound bitter as it turned into a sniff followed by a shake of his head. “And I mean it, there’s nothing wrong with that, because there’s nothing wrong with short term, you know? Comes with the territory. I knew that coming here today, and -”

“You really think I’m that much of an asshole that I’d ask you out again and then just…” He waved his hand in front of him, still looking out the window. “Feed you some bullshit to try sleep with you?” 

“No. I don’t.” You put your face into both hands and then sighed, saying his name. “I’d hope that after the conversation we’ve had tonight, if that was what you wanted, you’d just ask me if I wanted it, too.” 

That was the truth, but you kept going, figuring that laying all of the cards out on the table was the best possible course of action. 

“If it’s not, and you really do want to go out again… I have no right to ask you for anything, but …” You trailed off, looking over at him again. “No bullshit, Jack. Flirting is one thing, and I’ve been doing it all night, but … I’m already here. There’s no need to lay it on thick. If there’s something you want from me, just tell me.” 

He was quiet for a while, the rise and fall of his chest steady. You figured the next thing he said would have been to ask you to get out of the car, and to tell you the night was over. And I’d deserve that. 

“I’ve gotta say…” He sighed and then laughed again, the sound softer. “You callin’ me out is hot as fuck.” He grinned then, and after a few seconds, you did, too, covering your eyes with one hand. “My intention tonight was not to get you into bed, although, to be really goddamn clear, I am not opposed to that happening.” He paused, unblinking. “And I was serious about the seats. It sounds like a line, but I promise you, it wasn’t.” 

You didn’t know how to respond at first, but you were thankful that he hadn’t gotten angry - and happy that his reply seemed genuine. And he just said that he wanted to … fuck. Flexing your fingers a few times, you looked away, turning your head to stare out the passenger side of the car. 

“I have to say I’m kind of disappointed then, Jack.” Your heart was pounding, but you were sure you wanted to continue, letting him know that you wouldn’t back down, especially after being the one to start the conversation. “You’ve been thinking about kissing me since last week, and that was the result?” 

You saw his eyes flash - but not with anger - and then Jack smiled again. The expression was somewhat predatory, but not in a way that worried you. No, this is … something else entirely. “We’re in public, darlin’.” Jack licked his lips, tilting his head down without looking away. “If we weren’t, I don’t think you’d be disappointed by anything.” 

“I live about fifteen minutes away.” You circled your thumb over the top of your water bottle, watching as the movement caught Jack’s attention. “You could follow me home.” 

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” Taking another deep breath, you kept going. “But something else I’ve learned about you by following your career is that you’re a man of your word. And now … I’m very curious about whether or not that includes in your personal life, too.” 

He was quiet again, but then Jack nodded, reaching for the keys and starting the Bronco. “Guess you’ll find out in about fifteen minutes, won’t you.” 

—

[suppose-i-was-worm]

Sheets on the Tables and Chairs

**I didn't want to make this a series but then I had ideas, so. Here goes! First person to guess where the titles are coming from gets a free prompt fill.**

The zeta-beam activated, and Alfred watched as Signal came through, taking off his helmet as he entered the cave.

“Hey, Alf- B is bringing guests with him.”

“Thank you, master Duke. Adults or adolescents?”

“Adults, a man and a woman. They’re probably staying.”

“I will have rooms made up.”

Duke shuffled his feet a little.

“Probably staying longer than a night.”

Alfred nodded, putting down his finished work to begin making his way up the cave stairs.

“Thank you for the information, master Duke.”

Nodding, Duke headed to the showers, and Alfred continued to the stairs.

The zeta-beam activated again, and then twice more. Assuming it was the rest of the clan, Alfred paused at the base of the stairs.

“Welcome home.”

Bruce’s voice cut through the chirping of the bats high above. A good butler would never sigh out loud, but Alfred definitely did in his heart. He loved his master, the closest thing he would ever have to a son, but he would bet his entire career that the newcomers had black hair and blue eyes.

He missed Daniel too, but that didn’t mean he went around collecting similar looking children.

“It becomes harder to legally adopt people the older they are, Master Bruce.”

Alfred turned to greet their guests, only to stop still and stare. As a rule, Alfred did not stare. It was impolite. But how- how could he not, in this situation?

“Why would I need to adopt my own brother, Alfred?”

Standing there, standing shoulder to shoulder with Bruce, was Daniel Wayne. The man had Thomas’ chin- both of the Wayne boys did, it was a dominant trait, but other than that, he was Martha all over.

A slight form- not weak, but with lithe grace, dark brown hair that was almost black, and blue eyes that burned on either side of an aquiline nose.

Next to him stood a young woman, with the same quirk of her lips that Thomas had- the same shaped hands.

“My god.”

The cave went completely silent, other than the bats going about their days. All of the children had stopped still at Alfred’s words, and even Bruce looked a little stunned.

“You must be Alfred.”

Daniel- for it must be Daniel, who else? Stepped forward, holding out a callused hand.

“Sorry it took me so long to come back to you.”

Alfred allowed himself a moment of weakness and reached up to cup Daniel’s face instead of shaking his hand.

“My dear boy- dear boy.”

Daniel smiled and covered Alfred’s hands with his own, and Alfred felt something settle in him that had been broken since he’d helplessly watched a toddler fall through a strange portal. Daniel’s hands were warm, and Alfred could faintly feel his pulse through his own gloves.

“Welcome home, Daniel.”

“Thank you, Alfred. I’d like you to meet my sister- Well, both of them, eventually, but Danielle for now.”

Alfred stepped back, and they both turned to the young woman, who was smiling a little sadly. She waved, and Alfred held his hands out to her.

“Dear girl, thank you for taking care of him- and yourself as well.”

She took his hands, and hers were as warm as Daniel’s.

“Does it bother you that I’m his clone?”

“Dani!”

Daniel sounded scandalized, but Alfred just shook his head.

“Not at all, my dear. That just means I have more family to love.”

Her smile became infinitely less sad.

~~~

“I think we should buy flowers for Danny’s grave.”

The entire room of batsiblings looked up at Dick from their various evening pursuits. The three (three!) Wayne siblings and Alfred had gone to pay their respects to Martha and Thomas (and Danny, somehow?).

“Why do you think it matters?”

“It’s a nice thing to do?”

Tim and Damian both scoffed at the same time, in exactly the same way, and then they glared at each other.

Cass raised her hand.

“Yes, Cass?”

Everyone looked over to Cass, who signed ‘good idea’ before turning her attention back to her book.

“I agree.”

Dick startled and whipped his head around to look at Jason, standing in the doorway.

“Jason?”

“I- I think it would be a kind gesture, is all.”

Damian narrowed his eyes at Jason, and then cocked his head to the side.

“Does this have something to do with him teaching you about being dead?”

Jason flushed bright red.

“I- I don’t know. Shut up.”

Tim stood up and put his computer to the side, holding out his hand for Steph, who was lounging on the floor.

“Well, if Cass says it’s a good idea, I’ll run with it. Do we want to get the flowers now, or?”

“Might be a little weird if we’re all gone when they get back inside.”

Duke was sprawled out on the other couch, comment almost muffled by the cushions.

“That’s true,” Dick scratched his head, wondering about the best way to get flowers quickly.

Tim brushed past him and headed out towards the main foyer.

“Don’t worry, Dick, I texted DoorDart.”

Dick followed his little brother, knowing by experience that the rest of the siblings would come behind.

“You can get flowers on DoorDart?”

There was a knock on the front door, and Dick saw Tim’s mischievous grin.

“If it’s really your superpowered boyfriend you can.”

Dick darted forward and swung the door open to see Connor Kent standing on the stoop, carrying two massive bouquets. He smiled sheepishly at Dick, and then thrust both bundles of flowers into his arms.

“Hi Dick, hi Tim! Here’s what you asked for. Wish I could stay, but I have to go help Ma at the farm.”

Tim darted around Dick and shared a quick kiss with Superboy before the kryptonian lifted off into the air.

~~~

Bruce held tight to both Danny and Dani’s hands as they made their way back into the manor. Seeing Danny’s grave had obviously been emotional for both of them, and introducing his younger siblings to his parents graves had been emotional for him. Alfred had headed inside before them, claiming that he had to start on dinner.

Bruce was pretty sure he was just making sure the kids hadn’t managed to burn down the building from the inside.

As they approached the path to the manor, Danny spoke up.

“Dani and I- we can’t stay for long.”

Reflexively, Bruce tightened his grip on both of the hands in his, and then loosened it, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks.

Danny laughed lightly.

“It would be nice to, but we have responsibilities. Ghost King isn’t just a title.”

“We can visit, though,” Dani piped in. “Now that we know there’s family here. Jazz will want to meet you.”

“You won’t leave yet, though, will you?”

Bruce couldn’t help the pleading tone in his voice. He finally had his brother back!

“I’m sure we could stay for dinner.”

[mpregandproud]

Isaac II (Part 5)

Finding out Patrick and Isaac's secret shocked Lucas, Adam, my husband Isaac and me. It was one thing for Sandra to hack us grandparents, but she was of age. Patrick and Isaac were barely 17 and 15. They were at that age when they should be thinking more about playing, imagining a future in college, enjoying life… But life has put them in a tremendously complicated situation, that of being teenage parents.

Lucas and Adam left home furious. I know Lucas well and I know that it has crossed his mind to blame me for setting a bad example for our children. I'm sure he has thought that the fact that his son and mine are able to get pregnant because I was the carrier is behind this situation. I don't really blame him, I know I would think the same thing in his situation, I would try to look for a culprit so I wouldn't think about what could happen. The reality is that it is common for a man with the ability to get pregnant to pass this ability on to his children, as has happened with mine. But in the case of Isaac, Lucas' son, we don't share genes, so it has happened to him as it happened to me years before, a coincidence.

I was really worried. Both because Patrick was now sad and even more locked in his room, and because my friendship with Lucas had gone down the drain. A lifetime of being thick as thieves to finally be driven apart by this. I wouldn't want for anything in the world to lose Lucas and Adam, they are like brothers to me. And I wouldn't want to miss seeing young Daniel and Isaac either. They will be going to college soon, so I have few chances left to see them grow up.

Days after the revelation I was home alone. My Isaac and the kids went grocery shopping, he needs many hands to help him carry the bags for so much food to feed 10 energetic youngsters, an athletic adult who needs to be fed copiously, two pregnant youngsters, an adult carrying quadruplets in his belly and Cal, who is a constant presence around the house. As I was walking around the house the doorbell rang, and there was Lucas. “Hi Dan, how are you doing? I think we need to talk”, he said as soon as I opened the door.

I ushered him into the garden and sat him on a bench there. I offered him a soda, but he said he'd make it for both of us, that I should go to the bench and rest. Even when we were angry, Lucas has not changed at all, he is still a gentleman. All his life he has been really gallant and polite. Always willing to help everyone, and to make his life easier. Now that his hair is graying, he looks even more interesting. Five minutes after entering the house I saw him come out into the garden, where I was waiting for him on the bench, and come with a tray with two glasses of sugar free cola and some chips. He still remembers the cravings I had when I was pregnant with his kids and asked for potatoes all the time. This man is a sunshine. He sat down across from me and handed me the glass.

“How are you feeling? I've been worried after what happened three days ago”, I said. I wanted to break the ice myself to try to get a little closer, to loosen up.

“I feel like I've been run over by a truck, Dan, I'm not going to lie to you. Last Friday my life fell apart a little bit”, he told me with a worried look on his face. “I always imagined my perfect life, with a perfect husband and kids. But you can see that dreams are just that, dreams”, he looked resigned, exhausted.

“Isaac and I are the same way. We've talked about it a lot these days, and we don't know what to do, or what will happen”, I told him as I settled on the bench to look at him more squarely. “I also didn't expect Sandra to make us grandparents so soon, but she is of age, her life doesn't belong to me. I can only support her. But this…”, I acknowledged my concern.

“Dan, fuck, they're kids. That Isaac is 17 and Patrick just turned 15. They say a lot that they love each other madly, but they are a few months away from becoming parents. They can't even drink alcohol yet. Can't you see it's crazy?”, Lucas from three days ago was coming back.

“Of course I see it, and I'm just as worried. But there's no use blaming ourselves for this…”, I replied.

“Don't blame us? How easy it is to say that in your idyllic situation of non-stop pregnancies”, he reproached me.

“I think you're being very unfair, Lucas, and you're not measuring your words”, I tried to tell him calmly. “Do you really think Isaac and I are to blame for the kids getting into this situation?”, I asked him directly.

“Yes, I do. You've made being pregnant look idyllic, perfect, like something to aspire to in life”, he reproached me again. I was starting to feel uncomfortable, I guess the stress this conversation is causing me is getting to me.

“One of those pregnancies was the reason you and Adam were able to become parents, I hope you keep that in mind”. If he was going to hold things against me, I can too. It is grossly unfair that he would throw this in my face knowing all that I have done for Adam and Lucas, and altruistically. I settled back on the bench.

Lucas was silent longer than usual. “Shit, Dan, I'm sorry. I'm 100% aware of what you've done for us… But I'm a nervous wreck, I don't even know what to think, or how to react, or what to say… I'm a sea of doubts and insecurities”, he looked regretful. “But they are two children who have not yet begun to live, what will happen to them now?".

“Maybe you should talk about this with our friend Frank. He and Stephania were teen parents. I think he's the best one to help you through all this”, I said.

“I've already talked to Frank. He tells me he has no regrets about having Frances when he was just 16. The whole parenting thing wasn't easy for him, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. See if he wouldn't change it that he had four more years later, and each with a different woman”, he paused there. “I don't know if he's the best example of a father”, he said between guffaws. For the first time in days I saw him smile, and it was quite a relief.

“If they decide to keep the babies or not, it's their choice. We have to be with them, helping them through this process”, I said holding his hand to calm him.

“It's not just that, there's also the issue of them being two gay guys and pregnant. They'll be freaks to their partners. Isaac has already been through bouts of bullying for being a sensitive boy and having two fathers, and now this…”, he acknowledged to me.

“It won't be easy, I'm sure, but if they don't get the support at home either, it will be hell”, I acknowledged. ”It could have been our case if we had dared to make things happen between us at their same age. Today our lives would be very different”, the look Lucas gave me broke me a little inside.

“I've been thinking about it since we found the pregnancy test at home. Isaac and Patrick's story is what could have been between us, but we weren't brave enough. Look at us now, happily married with a wonderful family each”, he was finally grinning from ear to ear. “I'm sorry, Dan, I've been a jerk to you, and you didn't deserve it”, he said and got up to give me a hug.

I stood up and returned the gesture. “I love you so much, Lucas, these days have been hell being like this between you and me. Never again, we have to stick together for them. I'm sorry too.”

I invited him to join me inside the house and continue our conversation there, but I noticed that my hole was wet. I put a hand on my butt and my hand was full of blood. A terror came over me. “Lucas, you have to take me to the hospital, immediately! I'm bleeding, I think I've lost my babies!”, I screamed in desperation.

Lucas left everything as it was, helped me to his car and started driving quickly to the hospital. On the way he kept encouraging me and tried to reassure me in every way possible. As soon as we arrived they sat me in a wheelchair and took me to be examined. Lucas stayed outside. The last I heard from him was that he would tell Isaac immediately.

I was passed from one doctor to another, from one room to another. They did an ultrasound, blood tests, took my blood pressure... The nurse told me that they would take me to a room where my relatives were waiting for me, that I should be calm because my doctor would be there soon to tell me what was wrong.

An orderly took me up to my room, where Lucas and my husband Isaac were arguing. Shouting could be heard from across the hall. Isaac was berating Lucas for stressing me out and causing me to lose the quadruplets. Lucas could barely be heard, since we had left the house he had been feeling a tremendous sense of guilt.

“We're all here”, the orderly said as we came to the door of the room. Lucas and Isaac immediately turned and fell silent. Isaac ran out to where I was, hugged and kissed me like if I was coming back from the war. He burst into tears releasing all the tension he had built up. “My love, you look fine, how are you feeling, how are the babies? What happened? What did they tell you?” he overwhelmed me with so many questions.

“I think I can answer those questions”, said Dr. Caroline. She told the orderly to lay me down on the bed so I would be more comfortable. When I lay down and the orderly left the room she came to my side and began to tell us what was going on.

“Relax, guys, it was just a scare. Sometimes when a woman is pregnant -she stopped when she realized she had messed up- when a man is pregnant, sorry, the habit, you are still few, this happens. You've lost a little blood, but we haven't seen anything happen to the children, they're perfectly fine, big for a little over four months old”, she told us, and the three of us snorted from the tranquility at the same time. “What is not recommended, as I told you, is stress, so you should keep trying to be as calm as possible, okay?”, she said to me before leaving us in the room alone.

“I'm so sorry Dan, this was my fault, it won't happen again,” said Lucas who was still remorseful. “You bet. This could have ended very badly”, Isaac reproached Lucas. And they got back into a position to argue heatedly. “It's nobody's fault! I need the two of you to be okay with me and each other. You're two of the most important people in my life, and right now I need you both better than ever. We are going to be grandparents, family, let's just behave once and for all”, I reproached them, and they both fell silent.

They never argued again, at least not in front of me. Lucas went home an hour later to be with Adam and all of our children, who would be staying with them tonight. Isaac spent the night with me at the hospital to accompany me home the next day.

The next morning Lucas and Adam came to visit me with Sandra, Cal, Patrick and Isaac Jr. All four of them felt guilty about what had happened to me and wanted to apologize. “Dad, I'm so sorry, I've been horrible to you and I've only upset you”, Patrick told me crying. I know my son, and I know he must have been very concerned when he was told about my situation. Also, in his current state, the shock must have been enormous. Isaac on his side was holding my son's hand, but he was also broken. Sandra, for her part, apologized to me, but was more concerned about asking me how I was doing. You can tell the age difference, the maturity.

“Children, I'm fine, don't worry. It was just a false alarm. This happens sometimes, but your siblings are fine. Don't worry”, I said, trying to relax them a little. We got down to small talk right away to lighten the mood.

“Dad, I don't know if I should tell you this right now, it scares me because of your situation”, Patrick said to me, and looked at his boyfriend Isaac. “We've been talking about us...”, Isaac said looking at Patrick with a love-struck look that is impossible to fake.

“What have you two sweeties been talking about? Don't worry, you can tell me whatever you want, you know I'm going to be there whenever you need me. Your parents, the four of us, support you in whatever you decide”, I told them. Their faces lit up, as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

“We have decided to go ahead with the pregnancies. We know how hard it's going to be for us, but we want to take our responsibility and bring these babies into the world”, Patrick said. “We want to start working and save money to move in together when we can. I'll be 18 in a few months, and Patrick will be of age in two years. This sends our dream of going to college to hell, but I know that as long as we're together everything will be fine. We're going to try it”, added little Isaac.

The four of us parents gave them both a big hug. If there are any men in this town who can put themselves in their situation, it's us. None of us have been through a teenage pregnancy, but we do know what it's like to be gay in a small town, and how hard it is to feel different in your own home. Even though we have as many doubts as they do with their pregnancies, we are going to be with them on this journey.

Go to Part 6

[jackhues]

you're not slick - angel's world

NOTE: this takes place during dec/2023 - march/2024

this is a series/interactive au, so feel free to send in any ideas/requests/thoughts you have about this!angel's world au masterlist!!

PART ONE || PART TWO || PART THREE|| PART FOUR || PART FIVE || PART SIX - SMAU (COMING SOON)

verstappen!twin reader x mat barzal ,, f1xhockey

angel.verstappen

liked by redbullracing, scuderiaferrari, lilymhe_ & others

angel.verstappen: life lately :)

landonorris: look at mother slay -> angel.verstappen: i love you son

charles_leclerc: hmm those shoes are not familiar to me -> angel.verstappen: they're not supposed to be

max.verstappen1: what is going on -> angel.verstappen: go away or i'll block you

danielricciardo: my eyes must be deceiving me because there's no way that's a man -> alex_albon: i am so confused rn

userone: WHO IS IT??

usertwo: it's barzy, i'm calling it -> userthree: he can't dress like that? -> user two: it's called the ✨ girlfriend effect ✨

redbullracing: i assume you're not too busy frolicking and you'll make it to the vegas gp -> angel.verstappen: first tell max to stop bullying me -> christianhorner: max stop bullying your sister -> userfour: HE'S LITERALLY THEIR DAD 😭

titobeauvi91: well well well 👀 -> angel.verstappen: blocked.

---

THE KOOL KIDZ (+ ONE OLD MAN 👴) charles, angel, daniel, max, lando, alex

charlie alright ange who's the guy

dannyricc we all saw him don't even try to play dumb

maxie stop leaving us on read and answer

son am i gonna have a dad?

angel i will introduce you to him when i want it's a boyfriend not the end of the world

alex but who's the boyfriend? we want to know

charlie i NEED to know ange i will spam you and you know that

angel charlie i will block you and you know that

charlie i'll show up at ur house

maxie even christian wants to know he's been bugging me for twenty minutes lia who is it??

angel you guys will learn eventually for now it's a hockey player and if things get serious serious you will all meet him

alex bring him to vegas

son I'M MEETING DAD AT VEGAS

dannyricc as the only adult angel bring him to vegas

angel ohmygod.

---

angel.verstappen

liked by arthur_leclerc, redbullracing, barzal97 & others

tagged: schecoperez, charles_leclerc, maxverstappen1, landonorris, & oscarpiastri

angel.verstappen: vegas baby

landonorris: mother doing mother things -> angel.verstappen: son supporting mother doing mother things

charles_leclerc: i like that picture, send it to me -> angel.verstappen: sent bubba -> userone: anyone find it weird how close she is to charles... like he's pierre's best friend -> usertwo: she's dating charles i'm calling it! -> userthree: y'all need to calm down 😭 she's known charles longer than she's known pierre liked by angel.verstappen & charles_leclerc

danielricciardo: it was nice to meet the mister -> angel.verstappen: he says it was nice to meet you too

userfour: WHO IS HE??

userfive: checo looks so cute in this pic -> angel.verstappen: checo always looks cute

---

THE KOOL KIDZ (+ ONE OLD MAN 👴) charles, angel, daniel, max, lando, alex

charlie well he was much nicer than i expected

angel did you expect me to pick an asshole

charlie yes

dannyricc yes

maxie yes

alex yes

son yes

angel charlie he's ur bsf

charlie he was still an asshole to you

son i like dad he's my new bestie right after mom

maxie i don't like him

angel we all know that

dannyricc we also know that's a lie

charlie yeah you love him

maxie i'm blocking all of you

---

barzal.97

liked by charles_leclerc, titobeauvi97, marner_93 & others

barzal.97: it's been a minute

userone: NAHH THEY'RE NOT SLICK

usertwo: THAT'S ANGEL I KNOW IT

userthree: who took my mans?

titobeauvi97: nice stars -> barzal.97: thanks i drew them

userfour: who's angel?? why's everyone saying she's with my mans?? -> userone: angel verstappen is max verstappen's twin. he's an f1 driver. angel's made her own name by creating a fashion line called l'acadia. everyone thinks they're dating bcz they've been seen together and have been teasing a partner on their account for a while

charles_leclerc: are those crocs? -> barzal.97: blocked. -> userfive: NAHH THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANEEE

[omegaremix]

Favorites For 2019.

Boy Harsher “Face The Fire”

KVB, The “Afterglow”

Silent Servant Shadows Of Death And Desire

Void Vision “The Source”

Lebanon Hanover “Babes Of The ‘80’s” (Tobias Bernstrup RMX)

Ron Morelli Disappearer

Daylyt Let There B Light

Kanga self-titled

Nas “Simple Things”

Masta Killa & Inspectah Deck & GZA “Silverbacks”

Schwefelgelb Dahinter Das Gesich

Cash McCall “Omega Man”

Wild Man Fischer “I’m Working For The Federal Bureau Of Narcotics”

Dick Walter “The Fat Man”

Firefall “Strange Way”

Ice Cube “Arrest The President”

Figure Study “Wait”

Fontaines D.C. “Too Real”

Adrian Belew “Big Electric Cat”

Azar Swan Savage Exile

Primitive Weapons “Keep The Lights On”

ChandraTransportation

End Of A Year / Self Defense Family “Alleta”

Mirrors For Psychic Warfare “Tomb Puncher”

Body Of Light “Holding You”

Vatican Shadow “Tonight Saddam Walks Amidst Ruins”

Adult. “Lick Out The Content”

Molly Nilsson “A Slice Of Lemon”

Broken English Club “Channel 83”

Urochromes “Night Bully” (Boy Harsher RMX)

Strahinja Arbutina “You Don’t Need This In Your Life”

White Ring “Leprosy”

Cabaret Nocturne “Blind Trust”

Natural Assembly “She Walks In Beauty”

Drvg Cvltvre “I Look For Your Face In The Neon Lights”

Soft Moon “Like A Father”

Primitive Weapons “Negative Mass”

Drvg Cvltvre “Blood Eagle Brigade”

Soma Sema “Artificial Heart”

Grun Wasser “Limits For Limits”

Undertheskin “Cold”

Emptyset “Dissolve”

Pink Turns Blue “I Coldly Stare Out”

Soko “Ocean Of Tears”

Annabel Lee “Hi Hi Hi”

Exasperation “Full Story”

Bangzz “Your Boyfriend Is Really Bringing You Down”

Lost Under Heaven “Black Sun Rising”

Fa-5 “El Blue”

Clear Soul Forces “Get No Better”

Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs “Hashashin” (ft. Conway)

Feel, The “You’re Not Around”

Doe “Team Spirit”

Sky H1 “Huit”

Tera Melos “Men’s Shirt”

Earth “Cats On The Briar”

Thanks For Coming     ”Underboxesbehinddoorsinsidepocketswithindrawers”

Evidence “10,000 Hours”

Priests “The Seduction Of Kansas”

GFXR & Alchemist “Ajax”

BadBadNotGood “In Your Eyes” (ft. Charlotte Wilson)

Hookworms “Negative Space”

Joe Moks self-titled

Billy Cobham “Tenth Pinn” (live)

Iodi “Sonrie”

White Mystery “White Mystery”

Kruangbin “August 10”

Marcio Montarroyos “Pedra Bonita”

Midnight Oil “Nothing Lost, Nothing Gained”

Thanks For Coming “Five And A Half Feet Under”

Ripped Jeans “Afraid”

America Fuck Fertility Clown

Trouble Knows Me “Trouble Knows Me”

S. English “Sanctuary”

Free Time “All Four Seasons”

Sky Ferreira “Down Lullabye”

Terekke “Closer”

Boulders self-titled

Tony Williams drum solo

Drift “Say It Right”

Water From Your Eyes “You Never Admit You Could Be Better”

GG Allin & The Holy Men “Tough Fuckin’ Shit”

Anderson .Paak “Come Home” (f. Andre 3000)

HTRK “Summer Rain”

Priests “Jesus’ Son”

WGSC “Ajax”

Model/Actriz “New Face”

Kedr Livanskiy “Kiska”

DJ Premier “Headlines” (f. Westside Gunn & Conway)

Planit Hank “Life In Crooklyn” (ft. Jeru The Damaja & Buckshot & AZ)

Gnarcissists “Models”

Promiseland “Take Down The House”

Will Haven “When The Walls Close In”

Aurat “Dhokebaaz”

Raekwon “Silk”

Walt Barr “Creepin’”

DJ Muggs “Day Of The Dead” (f. Kool G Rap)

Jeru The Damaja “Harriet Tubman”

*unknown artist “Anastenaria” (Pete Swanson RMX)

Miss Red “Loco”

Deep Red / Canal Street Electronics “Pig And Beast”

Uniform & The Body “Penance”

Preoccupations “Espionage”

Percee P “Put It On The Line (BX)”

JK Flesh “Rub Me Out”

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib “Crime Pays”

Kate Tempest “Holy Elixir”

Big Brave “Holding Pattern”

Rong “Cup”

Chris Connelly & William Tucker Songs For Swingin’ Junkies

Model/Actriz “Matador”

Cave In “Winter Window”

Furbie “Skiball”

Your Old Droog “Bubble Hill”

Teddy Lasry “Riverhead”

Nite Jewel “Real High”

Mike (Bonema) “Ipari”

Heavy Metal Kings “Merciful Fate” (f. Goretex)

Ill Bill “Awaiting The Hour” (f. Killah Priest)

Remote Viewing “Whitney Houston, We Have A Problem”

Ayya “Second Mistake”

Adrenochrome The Buzz Or Howl Sessions

Les Rallizes Denudes “The Last One” (soundboard)

Blonde Tongues “Hey Good Lookin’”

Daniel Avery “Stereo L”

Sleazy “Cauchemar Administratif”

Chastity Belt “Ann’s Jam”

False Figure “Exhale”

Zotz “Vacio”

Gong Gong Gong “Siren”

Weeping Icon “Teeth (& A Handbag)”

Copper Sounds & Franco Franco “Accelerazione Generale”

Free Time “Esoteric Tizz”

CRVEL Sombras.

Preoccupations “Pontiac 87”

Cruz De Navajas “Imperialismo”

Palm “Forced Hand”

False Figure “Cardinal Cross”

Strobobean “When You Won’t Look”

Phil Upchurch “Black Gold”

My Brightest Diamond “Quiet Loud”

Lungbutter “Vile”

Silversun Pickups “It Doesn’t Matter Why”

Bad Tracking “Generic Music”

Strobobean “Keep It Together”

Thanks For Coming “That Way”

Diat Positive Energy

Zotz “Fatal”

Dry Cleaning “Magic Of Meghan”

Tropical Fuck Storm “Can’t Stop”

Temples “You’re Either On Something”

Dude York “Falling”

Halshug Drom

Ing “Closet”

Gong Gong Gong “Down Quantity Road”

Taiwan Housing Project “Buy Buy Buy”

Pure Bathing Culture “All Night”

Dry Cleaning “Phone Scam”

Spirits Having Fun “Auto-Portrait”

Zotz Ultima Noche

Stonefield “Dog Eat Dog”

Kurraka Otra Dimension

Gong Gong Gong “Notes Underground”

N0V3L “To Whom It May Concern”

Necking “Big Mouth”

Pllush “Soft In The Dark” (1st VER)

Lunch Lady “Sweet One”

Sub Dio “Peachy Keen”

Dumb “Club Nites”

Second Still “You Two So Alike”

Mystique 2019 demo

Mock Identity “Where You Live”

Patio “Legacy Continued”

Necking “Spare Me”

Otzi 2014 demo

Kitten Forever “Hell Hole”

Sneaks “Tough Luck”

Duckis “Ohio”

Thanks For Coming “We Can’t Both Be Crazy”

M.A.Z.E. “Human Brain” (re-recording)

Duckis “Issue”

Jeanines “Is It Real”

C.H.E.W. “Bread And Circus”

Knife Wife “Every Living Thing”

Pure Pressure Relampago De Furia

Les Rallizes DenudesHeavier Than A Death In The Family

Pasteur Lappe “Na Real Sekele Fo Ya”

[sonderessence]

#about me ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ you can call me kiésan or by one of my middle names, marie! i enjoy writing in my free time, but i also have an art/clothing business in the works!! my dream is to go to an art school one day & hopefully get into a volleyball team!

#my beloved mutuals ♡ @campv4mp, @adorefavv, @chessbox, @mayearies, @ashsostrange, @astrxealis, @all444miles, @primaviva, @japhoriaa, @vonillala, @spiderfunkz, @moonpiies, @maliland, @everlark777, @luvanii, @meowmoraless, @zerosinterweb, @basil-07, @luvmorales, @nokkihy, @kisskissclub, @egorls, @janaeby, @mymegumi, @adoresia, @urdeadpoet, @tiathecreator, @camiimoraless, @lov9r, @notcupidswrld, @milesmolasses, @dizzyntrr, @solutopia, @saintlulls, @thesilliestyuri, @spiderruna, @l0starl, @pearlcigs, @urdeadpoet @nudystar, @t1r4misuu, @dthvmpira, @cyberneticfrk, @adorinjae, @messybnny, @konigceo & all the other amazing people who i follow that followed back !!

#do not interact :( basic dni criteria. (homophobia, transphobia, zenophobia, ableists... etc.) cishet men. (unless i like you) people who age up minors and write erotica about them. pro shippers, minors dni blogs, i am a minor and if you interact with my content than i'll interact with yours. under the age of twelve or over the age of twenty-six.

#rules please don't be rude in my inbox. all my readers are female, afab, gender neutral, and sometimes black or mixed-coded. i do vent / talk about sensitive topics here on my blog so keep that in mind!!

#dear to my heart (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ) my mutuals, red velvet cupcakes, MTV shows, omori, peach yogurt, cooking, music, cats :3, kdramas & romance animes.

#. he gave me the ick! xp olives , p3dos, homophobes/xenophobes, people who oversexualize minors, minor x adult ships, drama starters, weird bnha (mostly.)/ anyfandom proshippers/shippers (yall r fuckin' weird!!)

#what's currently on the radio?

( songs ) meddle about by chase atlantic.

( artists ) lil peep, the weekend, deftones, sewerslvt, machine girl, sleep token, erykah badu, chase atlantic, the neighborhood, frank ocean, tyler the creator, teen suicide, childish gambino, paramore, beabadoobee, take care, lamp, lana del rey, mitski, 6lack, lil hero, pinkpantheress, dpr live, flo milli, sza, tv girl, steve lacy, the internet, aurora, cigarettes after sex, pierce the veil, partynextdoor, new jeans, falling in reverse, hoiser, mareux, destroy lonely, crystal castles, molchat doma, grimes, tame impala, daniel ceaser, kali uchis, sonder, brent faiyaz, phoebe bridgers, yves tumor, duster, ect.

#fandoms ๋࣭  ࣪ ˖ the last of us, barbie, neon genesis evangelion, detroit becomes human, sally face, arcane, sanrio, chainsaw man, monster high, five nights at freddys, omori, haikyu, bnha, chainsaw lollipop, suicide squad, soul eater, tokyo goul, death note, blue-eyed samurai, jjk, atspv, mtv downtown, devilman crybaby, bungo stray dogs, genshin, alice in borderland, nana (anime) aot, black butler, ect !!

#wont write (╬▔皿▔)╯rape, minor x adult ships, smut with anyone under 18, age play, self harm, eating disorders, food play, spanking (sorry!! not a fan.) abusive reader/character plot, incest, knife kinks, hard doms, sexual abuse, any fetishes, ass play (ew.),weird kinks, pet play, or anything else i'm uncomfortable with.

#will write ୨୧ nsfw/smut, angst, fluff, comfort, breeding (maybe?) sub!reader / dom!reader, sub!character / dom!character, overstimulation, .

( previously was, bachirasegoist & twilightsuphoria. )

[ladysomething]

4 other lestappen fics after this one? 😏

hehehe well now you've done it!!!!

behold, the other fics in waiting, including snippets from what I've already written of them.

in likely posting order, they are:

Post Aus GP fic where Max and Charles have been hooking up casually for a while and they both need to let some steam out after the race. daddy kink!

"Charles doesn’t text Max back until just past midnight. 

It’s a little earlier than Max expected, really. Back when every win for the team was hard fought, Max usually didn’t stumble back to his hotel until after the sun rose. 

Then again, if the team won, it was usually because it was him. Not his teammate. The circumstances are different. 

Charles replies with a room number, then says, I’m already back. Come when you can. 

Max see’s no point in waiting around—he’s been itching for this for hours, and Charles probably knows it. Instead, he quietly pushes back the sheets of his bed and slips out. He puts jeans on over his boxers, and then pulls on a sweatshirt, and pretends he can’t see Kelly watching him in the low light of his lit up phone screen. 

She doesn’t say anything when he slips the hotel key in his pocket, nor when he walks out the door, so Max doesn’t either. He knows she more than suspects he’s having an affair, but he’s not sure she know who it’s with. By now, she’s surely clued in to the fact that it’s somebody associated with F1 and who is always wherever he is."

hanhaki au where Hanahaki is a chronic illness developed when one keeps their feelings/emotions inside, and Max and Charles are both suffering from it.

"“You really haven’t spoken to him?” Daniel asks as Max picks the next track. 

Max rolls his tongue on the roof of his mouth as he tries to figure out how to answer. 

“I didn’t really want to talk to anybody after I was diagnosed,” he says eventually, hoping it’s enough to sate both Daniel and his own symptoms. His chest always gets tight when he talks about Charles these days, no matter how honest he is. Francois says it’s because he’s been living with the disease for a long time, now; that Hanahaki is degenerative, and soon he might not even be able to think about Charles in passing without coughing up flowers. 

“Sure, but Charles isn’t you,” Daniel answers. “He’s a yapper. It’s how he processes things. And being about to talk to someone who actually understands would be extra helpful, I’m sure.” 

Max knows all of that, obviously. He’s in love with the man—of course he knows it. 

Max just . . . doesn’t know how to be that person for him. He doesn’t know how to be comforting, he wasn’t built for it. He was built for ruthlessness, precision, for seeking out weakness and using them to his advantage."

fake Max autobiography that he releases in 2033. parts of the story are how the people he used to be friends with (so people on the current grid) react to what he reveals in the book, and then one who chapter is just a whole fake chapter from the memoir. that's the chapter I've written, so here's a piece from it!

"I don’t think there’s anything I can really do to make up for what I did to Charles. He and I haven’t spoken since I retired, in case you were wondering. 

Even the email exchange I talked about earlier actually went through our managers. 

Honestly, I don’t even think I deserve his forgiveness. He put up with me when no-one else would, loved me fully and completely, put me back together, tore me apart, then put me back together again. 

In some ways, I think he saved me. 

In other ways, he saved himself from me. 

I’m endlessly grateful for both. 

I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I can recognise now that a lot of my behaviours were because of the trauma I experienced at the hands of my father. I can also recognise that I need to take responsibility for them, because I was a grown adult making decisions of my own free will. 

I’m paying my penance for it, regardless. 

There is no chance that I will ever love anybody the way I loved Charles. It’s just too unlikely, that I could be lucky enough to meet a second person on this planet that made me feel like he did. 

But you don’t need to feel pity. You don’t need to be angry with me, either. I can assure you, I do plenty enough of both for all of us. 

And I’m fine. Life is fine. I’m far from unhappy. 

I know what I sacrificed. I know what I gave up. I know what I traded, to win what I won, to have what I do. 

And if there is one lesson my father taught me that I’m grateful for, it’s this: 

I know that I can bear a burden."

finally, a body swap!au in which Charles wishes to be World Champion, and instead body swaps with Max.

"“Make your decision, Mister Leclerc,” Althea says, not even looking up at him as she continues to sort her things. “Do you want to be Champion?” 

Charles’ breath hitches in his chest. 

“Yes,” he says decisively. He knows he can pick a secret that will satisfy Althea without it being life-destroyed. “Do I tell you the secret now?” 

He sifts through his memories, trying to come up with something he might be comfortable sharing. 

But all that comes up are things he would never say; how he’d once told Arthur that their parents didn’t love him and then felt terrible when his little brother had burst into tears; that he’d cried after having sex with a girl for the first and only time because he’d so desperately wished he could just like it and be normal; that he’d told Jules that he was in love with him and Jules had awkwardly patted his head and said it was probably just a crush and that he’d get over it, and, worse, that Jules had been right and he’d moved his attentions to a boy his own age by the end of the week; the terrible, awful, things he feels for—

Althea inhales sharply, eyes sliding closes. 

“Yes,” she breathes. “That.” 

Charles rips his hand away from hers, breathing deeply. “You—can you—” 

She raises a brow at him, pressing her red-painted lips together. 

“Get out of my head,” he commands hotly, standing up so fast his chair falls back, slamming against the ground."

[gnomey22]

Failtopia Age Headcanons

It's my birthday today, so I thought I'd post a little something along those lines to celebrate. I would do birthday headcanons for everyone, but those are really hard to come up with, so I'll go for something I can come up with in, like, ten seconds instead.

Specificially because the entirety of The Incident has a canon age range in S2, if not an actual age, such as Failboat (23/26), Erica (22/25), Chi (15/18), Bill (18), Shrimp (14), and Chat (mentally 12).

Aside from that, let's go down the list, in the usual order:

Simple Bob reads as a little older than Fail or Erica to me, but still not quite at his 30s, so I'll go with 28. Same with Smuk, but not to the same degree, so let's say 26.

Deko is 16, only slightly older than Chi, and Lanc is 15, the same as her, ties into how Deko wants to seem older and more mature than them, but is actually on pretty much the same level.

Rose is 23, about the same age as Erica, but similar to Deko, a single year up on her that she can brag about.

Pirahnyawn is complicated, because of everything Daniel Failboat said in post-game about plants aging faster, and how he's actually an old man on his deathbed after the timeskip, but I'm just going to assume that's not canon yet, and that the timeskip where he's on his deathbed is a more reasonable gap, but plants should still age differently to account for Petunyawn, so. I don't know. How about, plants age way faster for their first few years of life, but age at a human pace after that? So, he's been alive for around 22 years, but his actual age is around 28. Yeah, that makes enough sense.

Joker's age in Persona 5 is 16, and he should probably be about the same age as Deko, so I'll just stick with that.

We know Mar is mentally in his 40s, but I'll stick with 40 itself for my headcanons, because I don't see him as being that much older than the rest of the adults, but not that much younger than Orion either.

And speaking of, we know Orion's in his 50s or 60s, but I think I'll stick with 51 specifically. This is the only age I actually tried to calculate, to some degree - Slapo is seven years old, and is Orion's biological daughter, which means he isn't likely to be any older than his early fifties, in order for that to even be possible. Assuming his wife was around his age, she couldn't have had Slapo later than, like, 43, so add seven or eight to that, and you may have Orion's age.

In my personal opinion, Friend's been alive for around two hundred years, but for a specific number, I'll go with 243, first number that popped into my head. They're definitely not keeping count, though.

Another personal opinion of mine is that Bo has been "alive" for around three hundred years. For the numbers, she's physically 339, and mentally 25, with 314 years between her death and rebirth.

And that's the list, I think. Feel free to reblog with thoughts of your own, if you so wish!

[lonleyhumanbeing]

One of my absolute favorite things about Camp Camp is how insane the adults are.

You have David, the happy go lucky nature guy who really just wants the kids to know that the world can be a nice place. Incredibly enthusiastic about his job.

Gwen, who got a liberal arts degree, an associates in meteorology and one in psychology, who is just here because she needed a job. In her free time, all she does is watch trash TV and read/write fanfiction. She also dated a fish man for a solid day.

Quartermaster. What else do I need to say.

Cameron, who is running from the FBI and at least 3 different international governments as well as Kentucky. He, for some reason has a torture chamber and a random lab.

Ms. Priss, who inadvertently got the entire town addicted to Detoxcin, and started a fight between the drug cartels and her campers.

And Daniel, who almost sacrificed 10+ kids and adults. Twice.

[cobrastrikes421]

LGBTQ art

Bisexual fact:

Overall, 4% of U.S. adults say they identify as bisexual, according to an August 2023 survey by the Center. Younger adults are more likely than older Americans to describe themselves as bisexual. the term bisexual was used in Dutch for the first time in 1877, to refer to a hermaphrodite who had their sexual career as both a heterosexual woman and a heterosexual man. Later, the term bisexuality is used to represent both the double sexual-object choice and androgyny.

Aromantic fact:

Aromantic people can also form non-romantic relationships of all types, as well as being able to enjoy sexual relationships. They may also choose to have children, and studies indicate that aromantic individuals are no less likely to have children than alloromantic individuals. One of the earliest uses of the modern term "aromantic" dates back to 2005. The early online community around aromanticism formed on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), an online community around asexuality, and social media platforms such as tumblr.

Progress fact:

a reinterpretation of multiple iterations of the pride flag. The original 'rainbow flag' was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to celebrate members of the gay and lesbian political movement. It comprised eight coloured stripes stacked on top of each other to evoke a rainbow, a symbol of hope. Daniel Quasar (xe/xyr pronouns) is the creator of the Progress Pride flag, a combination of the original Pride flag by Gilbert Baker, the Trans Pride flag by Monica Helms in 1999, the More Color, More Pride flag introduced by Amber Hikes in 2017, and a black stripe from the Victory Over AIDS flag, inspired by Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, to represent those lost during the AIDS crisis. This flag design “forces the viewer to confront

Aro/ace fact:

Aromantic asexual people are colloquially known as "aro-ace" or "aroace". Aromantic individuals are also able to experience platonic love and may have committed friendships, and some form intimate non-romantic partnerships called "queerplatonic relationships". the early 2000s as a way for individuals to explore and understand their experiences of limited or absent sexual and romantic attractions.

Agender fact:

agender" was actually on the Internet! It was born in the year 2000, on an Internet forum called UseNet. In a chat room discussion entitled alt. messianic, a user posted the following: “God is amorphous, agender, so image can't be a physical or gender or sexual thing.” Agender is a term used by individuals who do not identify with any specific gender or who experience a lack of gender altogether. Agender people have a sense that their gender identity is completely neutral, or does not exist at all. They may use words like "genderless" and "gender free" to describe themselves.

Trigender fact:

In Ancient Greece, Phrygia, and the Roman Republic and Empire, Cybele and Attis were worshiped by galli priests (documented from around 200 BCE to around 300 CE) who wore feminine clothes, referred to themselves as women, and often castrated themselves, and have therefore been seen as early transgender figures. The exact origin of the term "trigender" is unknown, but it has been mentioned as early as 1998. The prefix tri- means three, so "trigender" literally means "three gender".

Gay fact:

2400 BCE, are speculated to have been gay based on a representation of them embracing nose-to-nose in their shared tomb, though critics say that they were likely brothers. In 1978 Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States, and the first openly gay or lesbian person to be elected to public office in California, when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. "The green (Community) and teal (Joy) in the flag represent Nature. I thought this was important because love between men is often seen as “unnatural” in the eyes of society and in religion. Furthermore, gay men have historically used green flowers and plants (Carnations, hyacinths, etc.) to symbolize our love, reinforcing our connection with Nature. The white stripe is adopted from the Trans Pride flag because trans, nb, and GNC men are often erased or talked over and need explicit representation.

Pansexual fact:

the hybrid words pansexual and pansexualism were first attested in 1914 (spelled pan-sexualism), coined by opponents of Sigmund Freud to denote the idea "that the sex instinct plays the primary part in all human activity, mental and physical". created to differentiate between the bisexuality flag, which also has three horizontal bars. It was created on the internet sometime around 2010, and has gained popularity since then. The Pansexual symbol combines the male, female, and transgender symbols into one, new, P-shaped symbol representing pansexuality.

Demigirl fact:

The earliest demigirl flag was created on April 15th, 2014 by Tumblr user kyriefortune. The second demigirl flag was created on August 24th, 2015 by pride-flags based on Willow's demiguy flag. Another flag was posted on the same day by pride-flags also based on Willow's demiguy flag. A gender identity term for someone who was assigned female at birth but does not fully identify with being a woman, socially or mentally. transgender pride-flag, retaining the central white & pink stripes representing enbies & women, but with 4 added horizontal stripes of different shades of grey to signify a disconnect and/or uncertainty associated with this gender-identity.

Hope you all had a great pride month. Can’t wait to do more of them.

What pride art should I do next year?