#HERE YOU GO MY MECS

[shojizbae]

Yeehaw!

Spencer Reid x reader

Warnings: This is spicy! Use of alcohol, behind drunk/drunk sex, Oral fem! receiving, cowgirl position

Everyone could tell with just one look at you that you were Southern. That being said, anytime there was a case in the South, everyone knew to take a step back and let you lead. This time, there was a string of murders in Aiken, South Carolina, and the team knew that you were all over it.

"Weren't you from a Carolina?" Derek chuckles as we board the jet.

"Yeah, I spent most of my time on Camp Lejeune with my daddy, then I went south for college in Charleston."

"So that means Hotch has been demoted for this." Emily snickers

"No, I just know the South, and I'll get a little gun-happy when I'm back home. It wouldn't be no different had we gone to Chicago, Derek."

"Wow, mama's go home heat today." We settle on the jet, and Hotch and Rossi debrief us. I take a nap as we head south, and unfortunately, the power of the state takes me over. I march up to the sheriff and flash my credentials.

"So, how's it happen?" The sheriff speaks in an accent so thick it makes grits look like juice. I glance at the team, and they seem to sigh in relief when they realize I can understand him. Tirelessly, we worked the case for 73 hours. We met at a fresh crime scene every morning. The unsub seemed to be in a frenzy. He was dangerous and mixed with a high concentration of amphetamine addiction in this area. It was likely he had no clue he was killing.

But, due to the trace amounts of meth, we knew that he was unstable and would trip up eventually. We got some sleep after the fourth body, and there was a trip up in the morning. A fifth, but he had left some of his powdered sugar at the crime scene.

I put a glove on and lifted the little baggie, showing it off to Reid.

"Hey, Spencer, check this out."

"Hey, I've been clean for years," He mopes

"Aw, I'm sorry, sugar," A detective approaches me with an evidence bag. "Here, swab it and run this through CODIS." Spencer and I kept sweeping the crime scene for any molecule of evidence. Nothing all that exciting. The killer left the knife in her this time. Indicative of the fact that they were out of control. I squat next to the body and ghost my fingers over the entrance wound.

"Hey Spencer," He perks up like a gopher, "If you were going to kill someone and you were going to stab them to death, how'd you do it?"

"Are you sure that's an appropriate question?"

"I'm just curious."

"I'd probably use something with a curved blade. It would do the most damage and be the hardest to remove." His eyes go kind of dead, as he explains. An awkward air hangs between the two of us as we survey the wound.

"Damn, Spence, that's messed up."

"You asked." He sasses

Not later that evening, a woman called to suspect a strange man was in her house. We move in immediately and find a man pacing in circles in the bathroom. He's violent and angry, and his nose is bleeding. He tried to swing a knife at Morgan, but I grabbed him by the wrist and slammed his head into the wall. I use my hips to push him forward and cuff him while Emily helps the woman safely out of her house.

I march him to the car while he screams that I'm a bastard whore. Finally, I shoved him into the police car and muttered a good riddance. I even patted my hands like a baker getting flour off.

"I need a drink." I put my hands on my hips

"I could use something to cool off, too. This southern heat can be beat." Derek wipes his brow

"Hotch you think we have the leeway to spend the night here?" Emily asks

"That's all up to JJ, anything pressing enough that we need to get back to Quantico?"

"Well, nothing too scary that we couldn't cut loose after working for six days straight." She smiles at the team

Hours later, we showered, ate a full meal at a steakhouse, and put on the nicest clothes in our go-bags. The team was shocked to discover I had a cowboy hat in my bag. We moseyed our way to the bar, a small dive bar with a pool table. A mechanical bull is in the center of the room, and my eyes light up at the memories. Rossie buys us a pitcher of beer, and we all unwind from the stressful week.

As we knock 'em back slowly and let college stories fly, the team starts to forget what we had seen. Rossi tells us some funny stories about going to college during the summer of love, and Reid accidentally brags about going to Cal Tech.

"Well, what about you? Didn't you go to school nearby?" Emily says as she refills her glass.

"Uh yeah, in Charleston, South Carolina." I clarify

"So you must have spent most of your nights like this." Derek motions around the bar, playing honky-tonk music. Pool balls clack around us, and there's a thin layer of dirt around the edge of the bar.

"Well, most nights I spent in my dorm or the library. Every other Saturday, my roommate and neighbors would go to a dive named Fat Daddy's. We would make bets with the alcoholic dads about being able to ride the bull, and if we stayed on longer than they said so, they'd buy us all a drink. I didn't pay for my own liquor for three semesters." The team stood in shock. Hotch's jaw was agape and Rossi just nodded his chin in acknowledgement.

"Well, now, baby girl, I have to see you in action." Derek almost commands

"No, I ain't dressed right. And ain't nobody betted me."

"I bet you won't last seven seconds on the mechanical bull," Spencer interjects "If you do, I'll buy you that coconut margarita that you've been eyeing."

"Alrght, there's my bet." I march up to the bartender "I'm'onna ride that bull." I point at it and he looks me hat to boot.

"Alright," The bartender seems disinterested. He hits a button, and lights around the bull flash like a carnival. I draw the attention of the whole bar as a pre-recorded announcer calls me a brave challenger.

Big men with fat beer bellies gather around, and I readjust my top. If I play my cards right, I might get more than a coconut margarita out of this. I'm not wearing anything too special—just one of my combat scoop-neck tees and low-rise daisy dukes. The bartender offers his hand, and I use it to mount the big plastic bull.

"You ready, little girl?" He asks

"Yes sir." I grip onto the handle at the 'bull's nape and a bell rings. Slowly the bull starts lurching forward and back while exciting music bounces around the bar.

one Mississippi

The bull speeds up

'ride it, cowgirl!" Derek yells from the edge of the bull enclosure

two Mississippi

It starts going sideways

three Mississippi

I fake with my appearance that I'm struggling and readjust my grip

four Mississippi

I use my hips to grind with the rhythm of the bull as men whoop and cheer

five Mississippi, six Mississippi

My heart starts to thump against my ribs

Seven Mississippi, I win.

The team cheers for me. I keep going, getting bold enough to grind more dramatically. I hear more whoops and hollers as I lift my arms and squee. Someone yells, and another man whistles. I hold onto my hat as the bull speeds up, and I feel my shirt lift.

'Yeehaw!' I hear, and the bar just erupts. I feel so full of life, and I jump up on the bull, riding it like a surfboard. I drop down and sit backward on the bull. I twist around and ride the bull until the bartender slows it down.

"You done broke our record. 39 seconds on the highest speed." The bar screams in glee, and the team closes in on me, handing out high fives. Reid hangs behind the group, and I see him ask Derek a question

"Did you know that (Y/n) has a stomach tattoo?"

"Wow (Y/n), that was incredible." Emily looks starstruck

"I told you I didn't pay for a drink for 18 months." I give JJ a hug, and Reid emerges from the crowd

"I guess I owe you a drink." He smiles, and I fidget with the hem of my shirt

"One coconut margarita, please, sir." He leads me to the bar, where the bartender makes one for me. I hold the glass up to his face, and Reid takes the first sip.

"No, that's fine," He pushes the glass from his cheek

"C'mon, you paid for it."

"Listen, you know that coercion isn't a great thing to do. Most serial killers are more coercive than a skeezy lawyer."

"Aw, you're using my metaphors." I coo and step closer to his chest

"When did you become so flirty?" he braces me on the hip

"All that shaking around must have got the beer movin' in me." I giggle and sip on my glass. "I saw you askin' Derek 'bout my tattoo. y' wanna see it?" I start to roll up my shirt

"No, no, that's fine," He holds my wrist to stop me. "Why don't we get you some water."

"No, this is yummy." I smile and down the cup. He grimaces at the action and tries to walk me over to our table

"Hey, Spencer, you wanna know why I'm so good at riding that thing?" I halt to play with the button of his shirt, and he stops, too.

"Uh sure," He swallows

"Ever the curious doctor," I slur. I'm good with the bull because I love riding," I whisper drunkenly in his ear. He swallows hard and tries to shimmy us back to our table. His hands shake as he grips my tricep.

"Why're you so nervous?" I ask the side of his jaw. My voice swings up an octave, but I snort as I survey the team.

"The liquor got to her quick. I'm gonna get her back to the hotel."

"Oooh, why don't you take me someplace fancy," I tease

"Well, make sure you use protection." Derek snorts as he lifts a brown bottle to his lips

"Aw, you ain't gotta worry. I've got an IUD." Spencer soothes my sentence with a pat on my shoulder, and I slide a hand down his back

"That won't be a problem. I'm just going to ensure she has water, Advil, and comfortable clothes." He jumps away as I make an attempt to grab his butt.

"You sure you don't want either of us to take her?" JJ offers and points between Emily and herself. I rest my head on his chest. I can feel his heart pounding against my temple.

"You gonna take good care of me, Doctor?" I smile up at his concerned face

"I'm not that kind of doctor." He scolds. He helps seatbelt me into one of two FBI SUVs. Slowly and carefully, he drives me to the highway motel we were placed in, and he marches me into my room.

"Alright, are you sober enough to shower?" He sits me on the bed, and the mattress shrieks beneath me

"Yeah, so long as you help me get my shirt off."

"No, I won't be doing that," He finds a glass and fills it with water. He digs in my go-bag and finds the bottle of Advil. He drops two in his hand and gives them to me as well as the cup. "Drink this," he tucks some hair behind his ears.

"My feet hurt," I whine and put the pills in my mouth.

"Well, you're wearing those ridiculous boots," He stressfully tucks some hair behind his ears

"They ain't ridiculous." Stick out a foot and twist it to see the whole design, "Maybe a little flashy." I tuck my foot in and look up at him. "Will you calm down if you held me out of these sugar?"

"Yeah, sure." He kneels down and tugs each of my boots off, and lines them up with the rest of my shoes.

"Aww, you're so caring. C'mere sugar." Reluctantly, he finds me on the mattress, and I pat it next to me. He's hesitant, but he sits, and I lean against him. "Hey, Spencer?"

"Yes, (Y/n)?"

"You wanna ask about my tattoo?"

"No,"

"Really, because you keep glancing down at my stomach. I may be a drunk one, but I am a profiler. What about it? Gets you going so much?"

"What?" He scoffs in shock "It doesn't 'get me going'." I hold onto his arm

"Really? Because I'm pushin' my tits against you, and you're still lookin' at my stomach."

"I uh I'm not." He's distracted enough that I can swing my legs across his lap "(Y/n), this is really inappropriate conduct for coworkers."

"I ain't on the clock," I slowly drag my shirt up to reveal the design. Two big blossoms of overlapping lavender and olive flowers. Any protests he tries to make are halted as he studies the image.

"These ones, "I guide his apprehensive hand as hi pointer finger traces my stomach "Are olive blossoms, they stand for peace. and these are lavenders."

"They mean feminity and grace." He clears his throat

"I've got more," I whisper playfully

"C-can I see them?" He swallows. I cross my arms at the hem of my shirt and pull it off, lifting the hem of my bralette.

"There's some text under my boobs."

"te amo para siempre." He reads without an accent, so it sounds stilted. "Did you get that for a boyfriend?"

"No, it's something my grandpa used to tell me." he runs his thumb over the cursive, "And on my collarbones." I guide his wrist to my right clavicle.

"'An eye for an eye,' I guided him across my chest, and he traced like he was reading braille.' leaves the whole world blind.' He connected his eyes with mine. His pupils were real big.

"Aw gee, I just realized I'm a little underdressed."

"Of course," he shifts around to encourage me to get off

"Uh uh, it could be you're just overdressed," I hold onto the knot in his tie

"No (Y/n),"

"You know, darling, your mouth is saying no, but your body is saying yes." I slide my hips forward and feel him suppress a shudder. I direct his head to look at me with blown-wide puppy dog eyes. "Maybe we should tell your mouth to let your body take over." I sink my lips against him, and he melts into me. Our lips smack as he pulls away

"(y/n), no, this isn't professional," he tries to disable my arms as I slide his tie knot apart

"Well, that's good. If I were professional, you get a hotel in a local jail for soliciting a prostitute." I get the knot loose and free his neck, making headway on the buttons. He shiftsbutI kiss his complaints away. Soon, sounds of complaint turn to moans as he succumbs to his body.

"Hey, Spencer," I pull away briefly and chew on my lip at the view. His hair is fluffed, and the top half of his shirt is flipped open. "I've got one more tattoo, and I think you'd really like it."

"I would?" he pushes his hair back "Why." I give him a peck as I reach for the button on my shorts. He grabs my hand and undoes the button himself. I guide his hand to the zipper, and he tugs it down. Instead of shimmying out of the shorts, I hook his finger in the elastic of my underwear. He pulls it down just enough to read the black text that slowly faded to show green.

"C6H12O6?"

"Yeah, you remember what that means?"

"It's the chemical formula for sugar." He snaps the underwear back into place, and I jump at the sensation, "Why?"

"Because I'm so sweet." I dive back in and kiss him. Heated aggressively like he's got the last cup of water on his tongue. He reaches into my hair to steady me, and with his second hand, he grabs my hip. I continue to unbutton his shirt until he shores it off into the distance.

"Well, look how handsome you are," I watch him blush, but I run my hands up his chest and over his collarbones. He blushes but guides my hand to his belt buckle. I love the sound a belt buckle makes. Before I can get his pants off him, Spencer surprises me. He picks us up and twists us, so my back slaps against the squeaky mattress.

He slithers down my body, kissing down the various tattoos. Gently, he slides his fingers into the waistband of my jeans. He slides them down and separates each of my knees. Almost entranced he licks up the gray cotton panties I wore.

"Spencer!' I moan in shock

"Please, this is my favorite part." He pulls the underwear off and tosses it to the side. I don't protest any further. It's rare to find a guy willing to go down on me, much less one that initiates. He wraps his arms around my thighs and places my knees at his shoulders. He wastes no time diving in.

With every man I've slept with, I've never felt someone go down on me with such fervor and skill. I'm taken down. He clings onto my clit with desperation. He drops my right leg so that he can trace gentle circles around my pussy.

"Spenc- Uh"

"Sh-sh -shh, just relax." He soothes me and rubs my inner thigh. I try to look down at him, but as he continues his ministrations, I lose my strength and flop my head back. Slowly, he sinks his pointer finger in, and I take a sharp inhale.

"Spe-EUUh!" His skill is shocking as he slowly moves his finger in and out. Once I was acclimated, he pulled out and put both his pointer and middle in. I do my best to suppress it for the comfort of the surrounding guests.

"Don't hide from me." He comes up and looks my face over

"There's other people around, Spencer."

"Then let them hear." He places a kiss on my forehead and sinks down to continue devouring me. I don't hold back as much as I'm embarrassed. He starts a 'come hither' motion and I roll my hips up into his face. He braces a hand on my hip.

"Sit still." He commands

Steadily, I felt a climax rising in me. I felt the muscles in my stomach clenching and tensing. I feel like yellow waves of pleasure ripple through my body.

"SPE—Spencerr, I'm gonna!" I desperately reached around and threaded my fingers into his hair. With my other hand, I felt around for the disheveled comforter. I balled my hands into a fist around what I held: his hair and the blanket. I climaxed faster than I had expected. Accidentally, I locked Spencer in with my legs. Desperate to keep the pleasure close to me.

It took me a moment to catch my breath. When I came to, I released my legs, and he resurfaced, wiping his mouth as he checked on me.

"How are you doing? Was that any good?"

"Good?" I gaped, and I saw him crumble a little in insecurity. Spencer, that was the best head I've ever had." He chuckled boyishly as I held his pants so he lay on top of me.

"Spencer?" I ask slowly

"Yeah," He kisses me on the side of the mouth

"I'm gonna fuck you now,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," I sit him up and unzip his pants and pull them down. His legs are ridiculously long, and it feels like an eternity to get him naked. I geek at his boxers. His cock is jumping against the fabric, and there is a small precum stain. I rub over the fabric, and he keens into my touch.

"Aww, so you're all talk," I tease

"S-shut up, you were just writhing under me." He leans back on his arms. The veins in his forearms are bulging, and I can see his stomach shift as he shifts under my pawing.

"Yeah, and now you will be."

I slide my fingers under the elastic, and he lifts his hips to help me free him. Gently, I stroke him, and he gulps back and moans. I mount him, letting Spencer guide himself into me. I sigh as I feel him slide in, and his hands gravitate to my hips.

"Woah," he grunts. It's probably the strangest reaction I've gotten, but I appreciate being such a stunner.

"How are you doing, Reid?"

"I-I'm sublime. How are you?" I shift my hips in contemplation, feeling my eyes pool in the back of my head.

"Oh, I'm doing-g just-" My sentence cuts itself off as the head of his dick kisses a sweet spot inside me. "Can you just give me a little boost?" He holds each of my hips and drags me across my lap.

"Oh fuck," I sigh, and I pick my hips up. We fall into a sensual rhythm as the world disappears around us. "Spencer, that feels so..." My forehead collapses against his collarbone. There's something about his dick that itches a scratch I didn't know I was feeling. Similarly, he mews below me.

"(Y/n)," he groans out below me "Don't stop." and I don't. Instead, I pick up the pace. I brace myself on his shoulders and slam my hips back and forth until my thighs burn. And when the sensation becomes overwhelming I keep fighting.

"Oh my- uh," He groans beneath me "(Y/n), (Y/n), I'm gonna cum." He sounds desperate. "(Y/n) you have to get off." He whimpers

"No, I'm gonna cum too. I won't-" I keep my hips galloping against his thighs, "PLEase- fuck, I'm gonna." I feel his cock twitch inside me, and warmth spreads through my thighs.

"Uh, nice and deep." I halt myself for a second," Spencer I gotta keep going."

"M'kay." I ride with such speed that I'm scared the legs on the bed will snap. Finally, I feel the point of no return—like watching a slow vase fall over, knowing you're too far away to stop it. I came. My knees buckled, and I fell chest-first onto Reid.

"Are you okay?" He holds my back steady and gently rubs my spine, and I catch my breath.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I sit myself up, and Spencer tucks some frizzy hair behind my ear. "Probably some of the sex I've had in... ever." His face lights up. I use his shoulder to stand up, and I feel it slide down my thigh.

"I'm gonna need a shower, but there's always room for two." I smile and trot off to the ensuite. It's not long before Spencer is chasing me behind the vinyl curtain to wet his hair and press a kiss to the back of my shoulder.

[iamquiantrelle]

XOXO YOUR FAVE WAG (ONE SHOT) • iamquaintrelle

# summary: posessive! kyky. requested by this ask. # wc: 3.6k # pairings: kylian mbappe x black spoiled gf (fc: 6kenza) # tags: @kmlottin @masn-mount @leighjadeclimbedmtkilimanjaro @szariahwroteit @muglermami @goodgyalgonebadd @sailurmewn @perfecttrashface # author’s note: got a scenario for your fave wag? - send them here // one shot series masterlist

PART IV: FUCK OFF, JUDE

Kylian leaned back in his seat on the team bus, stretching his long legs as far as the limited space would allow. Madrid was on its way to Pamplona for their away match against Osasuna, a trip that would take just over four hours by road. Coach Ancelotti had decided against flying for this one—something about team bonding or whatever.

His attention drifted to his phone, where a new notification had just appeared. A text message from her with a mirror selfie in those little sleep shorts he loved, captioned with just a kiss emoji. The shot perfectly captured her curves—those full hips and rounded ass that drove him crazy. She might be petite in height, but she was all woman where it counted.

"Putain," he muttered under his breath, shifting in his seat.

"C'est quoi?" Camavinga asked, peering over from the seat beside him.

Kylian angled the phone away with a smirk. "Rien que tu dois voir." (Nothing you need to see.)

Tchouaméni, seated across the aisle, snorted. "C'est sa meuf qui lui envoie des photos, c'est sûr." (It's his girl sending him photos, for sure.)

"Exactement," Kylian admitted with a grin. "Et elle est de plus en plus belle chaque jour." (Exactly. And she's getting finer every day.)

His girl was getting more gorgeous by the day, especially since that hormonal implant had made her already perfect body even more tempting—her breasts fuller, her curves more pronounced. The implant itself was another turn-on, knowing she had that little device nestled in her arm, giving them freedom without worries. Who needed to pull out with that thing in place? Not him. He smirked evilly at the thought.

Cama rolled his eyes. "On va pas parler de ça pendant quatre heures, quand même?" (We're not going to talk about this for four hours, are we?)

"Non, j'ai quelque chose d'autre à vous demander." Kylian's expression grew more serious. "Vous avez remarqué comment Bellingham regarde ma copine?" (No, I have something else to ask you. Have you noticed how Bellingham looks at my girlfriend?)

Aurel and Cama exchanged a quick glance before Aurel replied carefully.

"Il la trouve belle. Comme tout le monde." (He finds her beautiful. Like everyone.)

"Non, c'est plus que ça." Kylian shook his head. "Ses yeux restent sur elle trop longtemps. À chaque fois qu'elle vient à l'entraînement, ou aux dîners d'équipe." (No, it's more than that. His eyes linger on her too long. Every time she comes to training, or team dinners.)

Cama sighed. "Mec, tu deviens parano. Jude est un bon gars." (Man, you're getting paranoid. Jude is a good guy.)

"Je n'ai pas dit qu'il n'était pas un bon gars." Kylian's voice lowered as he glanced toward the front of the bus where Bellingham sat with Vinícius. "Mais j'ai vu ce regard avant. Il a un crush sur elle." (I didn't say he wasn't a good guy. But I've seen that look before. He has a crush on her.)

Aurel leaned forward. "Et alors? Ta meuf est canon, elle est intelligente, elle est cool. Bien sûr qu'il va la regarder. Mais il ne ferait jamais rien." (So what? Your girl is hot, she's smart, she's cool. Of course he's going to look. But he would never do anything.)

"Je sais." Kylian rubbed his jaw. "Mais ça m'énerve quand même." (I know. But it still annoys me.)

"T'as vraiment peur qu'elle puisse être intéressée?" Cama asked, incredulous. (Are you really afraid she might be interested?)

Kylian snorted. "Non. Jamais. Elle n'a d'yeux que pour moi." He said it with absolute confidence. "Mais c'est mon territoire, tu comprends?" (No. Never. She only has eyes for me. But it's my territory, you understand?)

"Ah, le fameux 'territoire'." Aurel made air quotes. "Comme le collier avec le K?" (Ah, the famous 'territory.' Like the necklace with the K?)

Kylian couldn't help his self-satisfied smile. That necklace. His initial resting against her skin, visible to everyone. A clear signal of what everyone already knew: she was his.

"Exactement comme ça." (Exactly like that.)

"T'es grave possessif mec," Cama laughed. "Heureusement qu'elle aime ça." (You're seriously possessive man. Good thing she likes it.)

"Elle adore ça," Kylian corrected with a knowing smirk. (She loves it.)

The conversation shifted to the upcoming match as the Spanish countryside rolled by outside their windows. Kylian listened half-heartedly, his mind wandering back to her. His Cameroonian queen with the body that defied logic—slim waist with hips and ass for days. He loved watching her cook those traditional dishes, jollof rice and cabbage that kept her curves just the way he liked them.

By the time they arrived at the team hotel in Pamplona, Kylian had formulated a plan. Coach Ancelotti gathered them in the lobby for a brief team meeting.

"Alright, gentlemen," the Italian coach announced in his accented Spanish. "We have training tomorrow morning at 10. Until then, your time is yours. Rest, eat well, and be professional." His eyes lingered on a few of the younger players. "Remember, we represent Real Madrid at all times."

As the team dispersed, Kylian pulled out his phone, sending her a quick text:

Hotel Tres Reyes, Room 714. 11PM. Wear something easy to take off.

Her response came almost immediately:

Demanding tonight, aren't we? I'll see what I can do... if you ask nicely 😏

He grinned, typing back:

Please, baby. I need you.

Three dots appeared, then:

Since you asked so sweetly... see you at 11. I'll bring the surprise I told you about 🔥

Kylian's imagination immediately went into overdrive wondering what "surprise" she had in store. The next few hours of team dinner and downtime passed in a blur of anticipation.

At precisely 11:03 PM, a soft knock came at his door. Kylian opened it to find her standing there in a long coat, her hair falling in waves around her shoulders, that mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"You're late," he said, pulling her inside and closing the door.

"By three minutes," she laughed, reaching up to loop her arms around his neck.

"Three minutes too long." His hands found her waist, then slid lower to grip her ass through the coat. "Let me see what you're wearing under this."

She stepped back, eyes locked with his as she slowly undid the coat's belt and let it fall open. Beneath it, she wore a matching lingerie set in Madrid white that left little to the imagination.

"Fuck," he breathed, his body responding instantly. "Come here."

What happened next was a blur of hands, lips, and increasingly loud affirmations of pleasure. Kylian lost himself in her curves, in the feeling of her beneath him, around him. Every moan that escaped her lips fueled his possessive desire, driving him to make her cry out louder, to make sure she—and anyone within earshot—knew exactly who she belonged to.

"Mine," he growled against her ear, the word punctuated by the rhythm of his thrusts.

"Yours," she gasped back, nails digging into his shoulders, "always yours."

In the hallway outside, Jude was returning to his room after dinner with Camavinga and Vinícius when they heard it—unmistakable moans and screams coming from Kylian's room.

"Bloody hell," Jude muttered, eyes widening slightly.

Vinícius snickered. "Someone's having a good pre-match warm-up."

"We're definitely going to win tomorrow," Cama said with absolute certainty.

Jude gave him a confused look. "How do you know that?"

"Sex before a match turns Kylian into a Super Saiyan," Cama explained matter-of-factly. "We're gonna win the match, bro."

As if on cue, the sounds from inside the room reached a crescendo, then gradually subsided into silence. The three teammates exchanged awkward glances, unsure whether to keep moving or wait.

Before they could decide, the door opened and Kylian emerged, shirtless and a light sheen of sweat still visible on his chest. He looked utterly satisfied and completely unembarrassed to find them in the hallway.

He gave them a nod, the hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth before walking down the hall to the ice machine.

Jude shook his head, rolling his eyes as he continued down the hall to his own room. Behind him, he could hear Vinícius and Cama's muffled laughter.

_____________________________________________

The next morning in the locker room, Jude was lacing up his boots when a shadow fell across him. He looked up to find Kylian standing there, already in his match kit.

"Hey," Kylian said casually, leaning against the adjacent locker.

"Hey," Jude replied, finishing with his laces.

"About last night..." Kylian began, though his tone held no trace of actual remorse. "Sorry you had to hear that."

Jude snorted. "No, you're not."

A slow smile spread across Kylian's face. "You're right. I'm not." Then his expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Look, I know you have a crush on my girl."

Jude's head snapped up. "What?"

"Don't play dumb. I see how you look at her."

"Bruv, I—"

"I like you, Jude," Kylian interrupted, his voice low. "I think we can be cool for real. But I don't fucking play about my Squirtle."

"Squirtle?" Jude repeated, baffled.

Kylian ignored the question. "Your crush needs to end. Simple as that."

Jude stared at him for a long moment. "It's like that?"

"It's been like that," Kylian replied without hesitation.

Then he turned and walked away, the click-clacking of his boots echoing off the floor as he headed toward the tunnel.

Jude huffed out a breath, thinking everything over. Kylian was taking things way too far. Sure, his girl was fit—more than fit if he was being honest with himself—but to think that he would ever try anything...

A loud clap startled him out of his thoughts. Coach Ancelotti stood at the locker room entrance.

"Bellingham! Tunnel, now! The team is waiting."

Jude jumped to his feet, pushing thoughts of Kylian and his warnings from his mind. It was game time, and whatever drama existed off the pitch needed to stay there.

As he jogged toward the tunnel to join his teammates, one thought kept circling in his head: what the hell kind of nickname was "Squirtle" anyway?

[endereies]

LEERING AND STEERING - MS

Warnings - Racer!Matt x Starter!Reader, illegal street racing, suggestive language, harassment, small fight Summary - Matt can't stand when someone harasses you Word count - 3.4k Author's notes - Ride or Die is back! lets go! I wasn't going to post this for a while HOWEVER my project that im working is slightly delayed so consider this a filler. Ive had this idea on my mind for ages bc lets be real, we love when Matt protects a girl (even if they arent together). As always, no copying or inspiration without permission, pretty typical stuff! happy reading MWAH love you angels.

The night was still young, the sun having just dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a dusky glow in the sky. You sat on the hood of a stranger's car, your legs crossed delicately. After all, they had to earn that view. The man who owned the car let his arm slip from around your waist as he turned to speak with someone you almost would have pegged as a driver—if not for the way he carried himself. Tyler had always been full of personality, more comfortable managing races than behind the wheel of one. When he wasn’t handling the chaos of the tracks, you could find him tinkering in the garage, a coffee always within reach.

"Yo, Ty! When's this race starting? I’ve got thirty large riding on this shit," His voice cut through the crowd’s growing impatience. Before Tyler could answer, the group around him grew restless, murmurs turning into shouts after the ten-minute delay. Without missing a beat, Tyler paced back to the trio of cars lined up, arms wide as he gestured toward an empty patch of black asphalt. "You got a fourth, brother? If not, you're gonna be waiting a while."

Tyler tilted his head, staring pointedly at the empty space. You slid off the hood of the car, moving toward a small group of girls who were already making deals with the racers.

The night air was cool but not unbearable, and you were grateful for it, especially as last-minute changes to the race list left you and a few others leaning against a crumbling wall. The girl next to you was someone you’d crossed paths with a few times, friendly enough to share the end of a joint.

"What’s taking these assholes so long?" You exhaled the smoke from your drag, swirling around you as you spoke, not caring where it went.

"Don’t get your panties in a twist, darlin’. They’re switching racers. Logan got into a fight again." She rolled her eyes, shifting her weight against the bricks.

"Ace?" You asked, knowing exactly who she meant. Logan was infamous around these parts—his name often echoed even when you weren’t at the track. He’d racked up win after win, and his car was a beast, modified to the max. Nitrous oxide flowed through his veins as much as it did through the car’s engine, boosting the horsepower to insane levels. Once he pulled ahead, there was no catching him. His reputation was built on his car's brutal power, and while everyone hated him, no one could deny the raw violence of his ride.

"Yeah, that guy. Apparently, he tried to sabotage the race. Might get disqualified. I saw the whole thing go down - shame you missed how he got clipped." The girl gave a half-hearted shrug.

You let out a scoff, rolling your eyes at the scene unfolding in front of you. Instead of dwelling on the drama, you reached into your pocket, pulling out a candy wrapper. The heat from your body had already begun to melt the surface, making it sticky and pliable. It was the one constant you always carried with you - your staple. 

"So, what’s the deal? Is this race happening or what?" You slipped the candy into your mouth, sucking on it as you adjusted yourself against the wall.

"Depends on if they find a fourth," the girl replied, eyeing the crowd. "Ty ain’t having it otherwise." Without a fourth car, the night’s events would lose their spark, and everyone knew it.

You rolled the candy around in your mouth, your eyes scanning the growing crowd. The usual characters were here - racer types, mechanics, thrill-seekers, and the occasional rogue who thought they could muscle their way in. The streetlights overhead flickered, casting long shadows across the scene, making it all feel surreal.

"You think they’ll find someone?" you asked, turning back to the girl, who was now tapping her fingers on the wall beside her, clearly losing interest in the drama unfolding.

"Hard to say. Someone always pulls through last minute." She took another drag of the joint, her eyes narrowing as she watched the scene ahead. "But Logan? He’s causing more trouble than usual tonight. Word is he’s pissed about something—guess you don’t get to be that good without making a few enemies along the way." Your fingers idly tracing the outline of the candy wrapper in your pocket. 

"Come on, someone’s got to step up," you muttered your words carefully,  more to yourself than anyone else.

The girl next to you snorted. "They’ll find someone. They always do. But it’s not the cars that make the race interesting, you know." She gave you a glance, a smirk playing on her lips. "It’s the people who drive them."

Before you could even attempt a response, an engine roared over the speech. Heads turned and faced a sleek Nissan R34 Skyline steadily working through the bundle of people. Smoke hissed from the side of the car, hushing everyone to a whisper. The ride was coated in a shade of blue that almost glowed in the moon light. 

Before you could even attempt a response, the roar of an engine roared over the murmur of voices. Heads snapped toward the sound, and there, cutting through the crowd was a sleek Nissan GT-R34 Skyline. The car moved with agility, its headlights slicing strong, drawing every eye in its path. The low growl of the engine reverberated in your chest in a rumble that made the air hum.

Smoke hissed from the side of the car as it came to a halt, the scent of burning rubber mixing with the sharpness of gasoline. A moment of silence swept through the crowd, all attention fixed on the vehicle before them. The Skyline was a masterpiece - its body sculpted to perfection with clean, aggressive lines that hinted at the power hidden beneath. The car was coated in a shade of azure that almost seemed to glow under the moonlight, the metallic paint catching every bit of ambient lights of the street. The contours of the car were sharp, slick, and purposeful - designed not just for looks, but for speed.

As it sat there, engine still rumbling softly, you couldn’t help but admire how the moonlight kissed its curves, highlighting the finely-tuned details that spoke to its performance. The signature wide-body stance, the aggressive front grille, the sleek carbon fibre hood—it was clear this was a machine built for dominance, not for show. And yet, it was a beauty to behold, every inch of it screaming power, precision, and reputation.

A familiar stature left the vehicle, slamming the door with the same cocky smile you’d grown used to. Ty met him halfway, studying the man in front before peeking a grin. “Can’t stay away from a race? Should’ve known your ass woulda showed up ‘ere.”

Matt lifted his face up, flickering between the line of cars and crowds of people. Some had returned back after hearing the engine. “Heard you guys needed a fourth. Lucky you, huh?” He leered towards the others before nodding his head to you. 

You quickly took pride in a strut towards Matt, winking at the guy who easily let you slip earlier. The way he snarled at you made you sway your hips just that little bit further as you met Matt’s side. 

“Angel, you gon’ start for us, hm?” While his gaze was mostly on you, a few other girls had grabbed his attention - that had to change.

“I always do, don’t I,” You traced a finger up his chest to flick his chin. “You know what you get if you win.” His gaze snapped to you - your body to be precise. The candy in your mouth egged him on. The shade of blue that began to coat your lips was too precise to his vehicle for his dick not to jump. “You know it, I’ll treat you good, yeah?”

“Enough you two, we have a race to host.” Tyler’s hands basically pried the two of you apart, pushing you towards the centre of the track and Matt to his car. He raised his voice to grab attention of all four drivers. “Right, y’know what’s at stake here. Thirty hundred each delivered to the winner. First to the end of the block and back here takes the pot. Understood?” None of the drivers spoke up - too busy trying to stare holes into their opponents’ tires. 

You simply gave a nod to Ty, acknowledging it was up to you to start the race. Your arm raises to mimic the wave of a flag before yelling out to the racers. “Three!”

The engine’s revved, sparks and fire shooting out of the exhausts, forcing the crowd to step back. Tyler just chuckled at the sight, new comers not knowing anything almost screaming at the fire.

“Two!” Matt’s eyes glanced over his new line of competition. Idling in his vehicle just inches away was the man who had been holding you moments ago, his fingers still fresh with the memory of your touch. Matt couldn’t help but think how foolish the guy was. Letting you slip away was a mistake and thinking he ever truly had you was even more ridiculous. Matt felt your eyes on him before he had even looked up, the pull of your gaze attracting him. When he finally allowed his eyes to flicker toward you, he was pleased to find you already watching him, a knowing look in your eyes that matched the satisfaction creeping across his face. His gaze lingered on your features, the softness of your lips, the light in your eyes and the tinge of blue on your tongue that he could practically taste himself.

“One!” Your hand struck down, practically hitting your hip which was already angled in a taunt. The cars strived forwards with a push. The wind that stemmed from the movement blew your hair as if it were a stormy day and you couldn’t hold back your cheer from adrenaline. The tires screeched loudly as they tried to grip to the asphalt. Everyone’s cars leered forwards, engines deepening with every violent shift in gears – the number slowly increasing.

The exhausts began to glow a powder blue, sparking every chance it got. Behind the four drivers, crowds of people yelled, hollering at the cars as they sped off. You stood there in the centre, laughing next to Ty.

60…70…80. The numbers rose rapidly, each car its own blur of light. Against the roar of engines, Matt’s thoughts began whirring. Turns and directions in this track were familiar after driving it in races the previous week but familiarity never meant he stopped thinking about his discourse. His eyes steady on the racers. One barely closing in behind and the other two in their own private match ahead.

Ignoring the obvious desire of winning, the red car before him spoke out to him. He wasn’t an idiot, he saw the way the owner of the car had stared primarily at your chest and when you were with Matt, the threat was clear. He glare was heavy but meaningless. He never had a claim on you, just some company before the real show arrived. So, he became an easy target. Although, Matt couldn’t dismiss the obvious. His car was modified, thousands going into the nitrous as well and a streamline finish that made for a serious contender. Built for speed, it became obvious as he reached first place instantly. He couldn’t let himself be carried away, not when the vehicle behind him was tailing so closely that he could give him a bump forwards if they accelerated.

The first turn was simple, a weak bend that spun into much shorter stretch of free road. With the view blocked by Matt’s own car, the blur of pink came to a halt as it spun into the sides of the turn. He could see the amount of money on that car disappear in a second due to pure arrogance, the though of their anger made him chuckle. “Pathetic.”

Drifting was made easier with his car model, stable and strong. Unlike the two other cars that seemed to chew up the road as they struggled to maintain their control, Matt’s car was solid, grounded. Some cars are designed for specific purposes and modifications can either enhance their one skill or balance them out. Their choice was clear. They shared the same one. In a long straight stretch, that would prove to be a worthy race, however with the upcoming turns one flick of the wheel could cost them.

He could feel the subtle weight shift in the rear of the car as he flirted with the edge of the limits of traction. The straightaways weren’t just about raw speed – they were about timing, about knowing when to release the nitrous to maximize your momentum without sending the car into a spin. Matt’s hand rested lightly on the button, ready for the right moment.

The red car wasn’t close enough to challenge just yet, but the other two were still fighting for position ahead. One of them, the one Matt pegged as the more reckless driver, was already taking chances, pushing the limits of his car on the straights. It wouldn't take long before his miscalculations came back to haunt him.

Matt adjusted the steering as they approached the next series of curves. This was the part of the track where precision would separate the winners from the losers. The turns were tight, and the asphalt was worn – perfect for drifting, but dangerous if you pushed it too hard. He was already preparing for the shift in weight, ready to rotate the car smoothly through the first tight curve. As the radius of the turn tightened, Matt eased off the throttle, downshifting to third gear with a quick, practiced motion.

Originally, the red car was a main execution on Matt’s mind and yet now it morphed into the finish line. It began to wobble through the turns, the rear tires losing their grip which sent it into a tailspin. This was the moment. Matt grinned wide, a quick flick of his right hand as he engaged the nitrous oxide system. A surge of power shot through the car, the engine roaring as the extra horsepower slammed Matt back into the seat. The car’s body leaned forward, the suspension compressing as the wheels dug into the asphalt, gripping the road as though nothing could stop it.

Matt steadily coaxed his vehicle into a victory, before drifting to halt, turned 180 degrees. He watched with a smirk plastered on his face – staring right at the crimson car and expression on the owner.

The crowd finally brought his gaze away from the car, the cheers bringing an honest smile to his face. Tyler rushed to his side, leaning on the side of the car while Matt got out.

“Hell yeah, how do you always make it look so easy out there, you’re such a cash grab these days.” Tyler spoke lowly, slinging his arm around his shoulders and pulling him close to slap hard cash into his palm.

Now it was your turn to make an appearance. Lollipop remnants crackled in your mouth with a sharp bite on the stick. By now, your mouth tasted sweeter than his victory.  Yet before you could speak up alongside him, a hand gripped tighter to your wrist than a steering wheel.

“Where are you off to, little lady, hm?” The voice was familiar and once you attempted to yank yourself back, you looked up. You were met with the face of man you were with prior to Matt’s arrival – his face closer than any pleasant conversion. There was no question in his eyes, just the quiet expectation to remain compliant.

His grip made your pulse race, and you couldn’t ignore the unease creeping up your spine. The sugary sweetness of the lollipop in your mouth now felt like an aftertaste that didn’t belong.

You glared up at him, your voice steady but edged with a warning. “Let go.”

His lips curled into a tight smirk, his breath too close to your face. "Don’t act like you weren’t enjoying it earlier, why don’t we continue that?"

Your heart hammered in your chest. This was a rarity in itself, especially in this setting. "I’m not interested. Let go of me." His actions made it clear that he didn’t have the thought of obeying you. Yet before he could respond, a voice cut through the tension, loud enough to turn heads. “You heard her, right?”

Matt stood just a few steps away now, his stance wide and relaxed, but the intensity in his eyes was unmistakable. He wasn’t smiling anymore. The stare he held wasn’t a way to size him up, it was a threat, one he usually never has to make.

The man holding you didn’t look away. Instead, he shot Matt a glance that was full of disdain. "Not only does pretty boy wanna steal my race, he wants to steal my girl too."

Matt’s eyes narrowed. He took a slow step forward, his hands relaxed at his sides but his posture still radiating a quiet threat. "Is that what this is about? The fact I won. Don’t take that out on the girl, I’m sorry she doesn’t want to fuck you.”

The guy’s grip didn’t loosen, but his jaw twitched, irritation building behind his eyes. “You think you can begin playing hero?”

“Only when you play beggar.” Matt replied, his voice low but with a dangerous edge that made the air feel heavier.

The crowd had fallen into an uneasy silence, watching the unfolding standoff. You could hear the faint buzz of the engines as you clenched your teeth, the taste of sugar turning bitter in the tense air.

The guy’s grip faltered, just for a moment, his eyes flicking from Matt to you. Then with a scoff, he shoved you back. Hard.

You stumbled, barely managing to stay upright, your breath catching as your back hit the metal of the car behind you. The crowd murmured in the background, but you didn’t have time to focus on them. Your pulse was racing now, but you straightened, refusing to show weakness.

Matt moved quickly, his movements fluid and precise as he closed the distance between them in a flash. He grabbed the guy by the collar and slammed him against the nearest car, the sound sharp in the air. “Stupid mistake,” Matt muttered softly and before the guy could react, Matt swung at him, landing a solid punch to his nose. The sound of the punch echoed through the street, the force behind it enough to send the guy stumbling back. “Didn’t think you’d be fucking stupid enough to start something you couldn’t finish.”

Blood dripped from the man’s nose, groaning as he touched it to assess the damages. He scoffed once more, attempting to stand tall. Matt wasn’t blind to his quickly clenched fist and grabbed it before he could lunge. His fist slammed back into the car door, his own scrapping roughly on metal.

Everything was silent for too long, your palm soothing where the man grabbed you, Matt’s gaze heavy on who was standing opposite him, and the once cocky attitude dissipating from the man. When he looked away from Matt, he let go, retreating backwards to meet your side.

“Everybody! Don’t y’all got another race to see?” Tyler’s voice echoed, nodding to you before steering the crowd away. Mutters bounced through the crowd, some throwing insults to the pair of them. Even Tyler got a few comments merely for breaking it up.

“You okay?” The adrenaline was starting to fade, but there was still a lingering tension that clung to your skin. You glanced down at your palm where the man had gripped you, the burn of his fingers still fresh, but nothing that couldn’t be shaken off.

“Yeah,” you replied, your voice steady despite what just occurred. “I’m fine.” He gave you a small smile, a brief flicker of relief passing through his eyes before he glanced around at the now-chattering crowd. It was clear the spectacle had stirred something in them, but Matt was already moving past it. “Good. Let’s get out of here before I have to deal with another idiot. I don’t trust guys like that to take the hint.”

[mercury2venus]

CHAPTER 4

The Morning After

(Keep in mind y’all lol this all takes place in the year 2000

and flashbacks will be in the late 90s )

I stood in front of the large window looking out onto the city, I could hear a rerun of Martin playing on the tv at low volume

I laughed. “ Shit I would’ve killed that bird too Gina “

I turned as I heard Kyle saunter into the room, in nothing but low hanging grey sweats. My eyes traveled down to his waistline.

Quickly he was in front of me.

“What are you thinking about hm ?” He asked.

I held back my smile.

“You.”

Kyle pulled me close.

“Glad to know I’m on your mind the way you’re on mine Mecca.” He mumbled, deliciously close to my ear

He began kissing my neck slowly. Licking and sucking on that certain sweet spot and I felt his hands roam my body as I let out a soft moan.

Kyle has the kind of hands that can mold and shape anything to his will, and he knew that.

“Ky baby I need to rest, I’m still sore.” I said to him almost in a whisper

“Then let me give you a massage “ he replied

“Just a massage ?”

“Just a massage darling.” He smiled softly

It wasn’t just a massage y’all.

“Kyleeee I really do have to go, I have a few articles I need to proof read and I need to do my laundry.” I whined

Kyle let out a sigh and unwrapped his arms from my waist

“Fine, but this weekend, you’re mine. How do you feel about Paris ?” He asked

I blinked hard…. Paris ?

Kyle laughed, “you don’t have to answer right now beautiful,

I’ll ask again this weekend.” he gave me his signature boyish grin and a forehead kiss.

Maybe I can stay a little longer. I thought to myself

But hmph, gotta go be an adult.

Kyle had a car drive me home only after I insisted because that fool was going to drive me home himself !

I’m still setting boundaries and taking things step by step, and I appreciate his understanding. It’s heartwarming to see his patience and I can’t lie…it turns me on a bit.

As I entered my home I forgot I didn’t update Monica on anything..

“Mecca, girl is that you ? Yo you gotta call sometimes, I was worried sick ! “

Speak of the damn devil.

“I’m fine Mo’ I was with Kyle that’s all.” I laughed.

“ I’m glad you finally seeing him again ! Girlfriend you were out here just uptight as hell !” She joked.

I smiled softly to myself thinking of him. “Yea yea yea, I know. I think I’m gonna give him a chance girl he’s almost like a dream. “

Monica started shaking her head “ Damn he got you grinning like the Cheshire Cat Mec !”

I tried to cover my face but it was useless. She was right.

“So loverboy drop you off himself ?— I can’t believe you gave that nigga the address !” Monica at this point was having a field day.

I shook my head no. “ nah he had a driver bring me and I didn’t give him our address girl come on. “ I let out a laugh then quickly realized she wasn’t laughing with me in fact Monica looked confused.

“ What wassup ? “ I asked her.

“ Then how does he know where you live ? “

Oh Shit.

Just a filler chapter, next one gets juicy.

[hikaruchen]

Reading this blog and procrastinating what I should’ve been doing at the moment, but it’s super helpful if you want to know more about the Anglo-Saxon and Viking material culture but don’t want to be bored to hell. All articles are done by an archaeologist specializing in mortuary archaeology, and he has already written several ones about burials and pagan practices during that time through the lens of The Last Kingdom. I’ve linked one of his posts before on ao3 when discussing about the historical accuracy of Alfred’s tomb effigy in the show under the pic Prayer from the Pagan, but didn’t really had the time to check others out. I just did it and find his other articles are actually super interesting to read as well.

For instance, back when I post this pic in January I said the colour palette was inspired by the Alfred jewel, but I completely forgot that it actually appeared in the show (2x04) where Alfred handed it to Æthelwold and said “Take this. It is a symbol of my kingship. Bear it with authority.”, which might be partially true but is hilarious if you give it another thought.

Because, why, in God’s name, would Alfred hand an ARTEFACT version of the piece he commissioned himself to his nephew? As Prof. Williams already stated (in this post), the Alfred jewel has long been assumed to be the handle part of a pointer stick for following words when reading a book, and if you look at the artefact itself it is quite clear that there’s a part that’s been missing as well. The reason why scholars think it has something to do with Alfred is because:

1) It’s written. The text on the frame literally says that “ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN”, which means “Alfred ordered me made”. The more detailed explanation below (with the help of beloved wikitionary since I don’t understand Old English at all)

ÆLFRED (subject) Alfred, obviously MEC (object) me; accusative of iċ (I), but in the West Saxon dialect it’s actually an uncommon version of iċ’s accusative and is more often seen in the Anglian dialect. The frequently-used version for West Saxons is mē HEHT (verb) ordered; third-singular past tense for hātan (to call; to order etc.), often followed with infinitive verbs, cognate with heißen in German GEWYRCAN (verb) to make; I honestly don’t know if “to make” and “to be made” is just the same word in OE help And since the word order in OE is random as hell thanks to the case system (much like German which I eventually gave up learning because I don’t have a brain big enough for that. IT MAKES NO SENSE TO A NATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKER THANK YOU), it is eventually translated into “Alfred ordered me to be made”.

2) It was discovered in Somerset and has been dated to the late 9th century, and we all know what Somerset meant to Alfred

3) Alfred did say he would send a copy of his translation of Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Care to every episcopal see in his kingdom in the preface to it, with the book accompanied “an æstel of 50 mancuses”. Mancus was a term to denote a gold coin or a unit for coins worth about a month’s wage for a skilled worker, such as a craftsman or a soldier. Whatever that æstel is it must be worth hell LOTS of money

But honestly while I do think this interpretation sounds very much plausible I’m thinking about other possibilities as well - how many Alfreds exactly existed during his time? We know that Æthel in OE means noble, so people bearing this prefix in their names were usually royal members or at least aristocrats, but what about Alfred? Was Alfred a popular name? Or was it unique enough that he could just go by this name without mentioning his title at all? Imagine if it were an Æthelred who made this, who the hell would know which one of these it was referring to, Æthelred the King, Æthelred the Ealdorman, Æthelred Ealhswith’s father, or even Æthelred the fucking Archbishop??? And yeah, I know Alfred was the king ™ here and there isn’t really much space left on the frame after all, but surely it wouldn’t cost a bone to add a cyning behind his name, right?

Sadly, as it was in the pre-Domesday-Book era, I can’t find the statistics of Anglo-Saxon names at that time (but keep in mind that there were at least 19 Alfreds worthy enough to be mentioned in Domesday Book even after the conquest. I don’t know if this says anything at all but I do want to mention it) What I’m trying to say is while it is highly highly highly likely (and I do believe and want to believe in this theory!), we cannot be one hundred percent certain that this jewel was really from the Alfred we’re talking about. And even if it was, it apparently wouldn’t be carried around by Alfred like THAT. Because that would be like, “Bear this with authority! Even though the symbol of my kingship is broken!”, said Alfred to a king wannabe. Lol.

The other thing I want to mention is this post about the show’s use of Fuller brooch, the one Alfred wore in S2 when he was in his war gear.

First of all, it is indeed dated to late 9th century and is assumed by scholars to be made by metalworkers of Alfred’s court. Everything is fine except I don’t think you would want to wear jewelry that luxurious to war…but then there’s this thing:

MEET GIANT FULLERS!

Well, can’t blame them since I am basically doing the same thing with my drawings (i.e. using patterns on jewelry and illustrations from manuscripts for embroidery design). But it’s worth noting that designs that are suitable for one art form doesn’t mean they can be applied to another well, and that’s why I claim my art is inspired by Anglo-Saxon art but NOT historical accurate for the Anglo-Saxon period. The reason I still do this and think it is understandable for TLK crew to do so is because we simply don’t have that many resources to reference from when it comes to this time period, and fabrics and wooden buildings are just extremely hard to preserve by nature. Instead of screwing up the design on your own, it just has more fun to add real historical elements into your work. Look at those easter eggs!

Ok, that’s it. I hope you enjoy my long rant and have a good read from Prof. Williams’s works!

[kokorose]

Sweet Home-CL16

Charles Leclerc x KoreanActress!reader

Faceclaim: Go Minsi

Part of my Korean Entertainment x driver series! Oscar is next btw!!

Google translate: French and Korean

Pics: Pinterest

YnLnnnn posted

Liked by sooyaaa_, jennierubyjane, kikacgomes, scuderiaferrari, charlesleclerc16 and 637,728 others

YnLnnnn: Monaco 🇲🇨

Thank you scuderiaferrari for inviting me!

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sooyaaa_: 예쁜 (pretty)

User: you’re so pretty!!!

User: Charles in the likes?!?!

User: Yn was at Monaco?!?

kikacgomes: It was nice meeting you 🩷

YnLnnn: it was nice meeting you too 💕

User: She met Kika?!

User: what’re Kika and Charles doing here??

charlesleclerc16 posted to their story

Seen by PierreGasly, LandoNorris, YnLnnn, ArthurLeclerc, and 323,739 others

charlesleclerc16: homemade post-race meal.

Replies:

YnLnnn: ❤️

PierreGasly: 😯

User: !!!

User: Charles?!

User: How’d that man get homemade Korean food in Monaco?!?

YnLnnn posted

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YnLnnn: 🇬🇧🇬🇧💋💋

See all 267,728 Comments:

User: YNNNN?!?

User: WHO’S HAND IS THAT?!

kikacgomes: 🫦can I take you out baby girl🫦

YnLnnn: 😩😩 time and place baby!

PierreGasly: ummm excuse me?? That’s my girlfriend?

YnLnnn: not anymore

PierreGasly: so you’re just gonna steal my girlfriend? How would HE feel about that??

YnLnnn: He’s telling me to keep it up 😜

User: what is going on?? Who’s “he”???

User: PIERRE?!

User: Charles in the likes??

charlesleclerc16 posted

Liked by YnLnnn, PierreGasly, ArthurLeclerc, CarlosSainzJr55, LandoNorris, and 1,738,728 others

charlesleclerc16: Headed to Spa with a little snack!

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LandoNorris: Which one’s the snack??

charlesleclerc16: 🖕🏻🖕🏻

PierreGasly:🤬🤮

User: CHARLES WHOS’S THAT??

User: Charles soft launching??

CarlosSainzJr55: it’ll be nice to gossip with her again!

YnLnnn posted to her story

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YnLnnn: 🛩️

Replies:

charlesleclerc16: happy you’re coming with me Mon cherié.

YnLnnn: I’ll always want to be with you 자기야 (baby)

kikacgomes: we should have a double date when you guys get here!

YnLnnn: omg yes!!!

kikacgomes: ok I’ll let P know! 💋💋

PierreGasly posted

Liked by charlesleclerc16, YnLnnn, kikacgomes, AlexAlbon, GeorgeRussell, and 892,829 others

PierreGasly: Date night

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kikacgomes: Pierre…

PierreGasly: oops

YnLnnn: secrets out I guess. 🤦🏻‍♀️

charlesleclerc16: Mec…(dude)

User: WTF?!?

User: WHAT DO YIU MEAN DATE NIGTF PIERREE?!?

User: Not Pierre hard launching Yn and Charles!

YnLnnn posted

Liked by charlesleclerc16, PierreGasly, LilymHe, kikacgomes, carmenmmundt, sooyaaa_ and 1,278,728 others

YnLnnn: At least now everyone will know you’re mine.

Tagged: charlesleclerc16

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charlesleclerc16: 🥰🥰

PierreGasly: again I’m sorry!

YnLnnn: 🥱

User: Damn…

kikacgomes: uhhh… can you grab me like that??🥵

YnLnnn: just let me hop on a plane baby 😜

LilymHe: can I join as well?

Carmenmmundt: me too

AlexAlbon: GeorgeRussell she’s stealing our girlfriends as well???

GeorgeRussell: idek mate?

User: holy shit

charlesleclerc16 posted

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charlesleclerc16: Mon amour

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YnLnnn: 😘😘😘😘😘😘

ArthurLeclerc: Tell her welcome to the family!!

DanielRicciardo: you guys are too cute!

Leclerc.Pascale: Beau(beautiful)

User: so cute!!!

User: awww

YnLnnn posted

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YnLnnn: celebrated Charlie’s bday with some friends! Happy birthday love! I love you so much!

Tagged: charlesleclerc16, kikacgomes, PierreGasly

Comments are limited on this post:

charlesleclerc16: Thank you for an amazing night cherié. Je t’aime mon amour! ❤️

YnLnnn: 🥰❤️

kikacgomes: Happy Birthday Charles!

PierreGasly: Happy Birthday Mon ami

Hope you all enjoyed and I’ll see you in Oscar’s story next! Xx

[horizon-verizon]

Honestly as a neutral party I would prefer Jaehaera living to Daenaera being introduced. Jaehaera is an innocent, mentally disabled child and her death is needlessly cruel. Her death is the least plot relevant of all of the child deaths that have happened in the dance and it's reasonable for people to want that changed since it comes off as pointlessly cruel. Killing Alicent or even just focusing on her imprisonment more is enough to show that the greens have paid for their betrayal. At least Daenaera can still be introduced and do something else in the narrative even if she doesn't marry Aegon.

I've already explained why Jaehaera's death was plot relevant HERE and HERE.

A)

Daenaera's entire narrative purpose was to marry Aegon and have his children to propagate the Targ line AND to become part of Aegon's mental rehabilitation from the effects of the civil war and watching his own mother get eaten burned/alive by a dragon. This is also reason why she's a fan fav in the first place; it's seen as a noble undertaking to some and a way for the Targs to move away from the greens finally. What other narrative use would you have her have?!

We can't bring up how after the War of the Roses the two fighting houses (Yorks and Lancasters) were successfully brought together in marriage to justify Jaehaera marrying and having a family with Aegon. Because:

Elizabeth of York wasn't disabled like Jaehaera

neither her nor Henry Tudor were little kids when they married

this is a fictional tale that, while modeled after some real events and people, is using them as springboards for a specific, purposefully created "message" unique to the author's

and imagine what it would being pregnant several times really be like for a very mentally incapacitated and traumatized girl like her?!!

Much less the other traumatized boy who's to be her husband? What the consummation and all the...impregnating times looked like?! Then, imagine what the family life would have been like, with these parents unable to ever connect thus the resentment is worse and their kids seeing that?

This doesn't justify Unwin Peake murdering Jaehaera, but no she never should have been married off to Aegon or anyone in the first place and that was not Unwin's doing but a larger group's--Aegon's council/patriarchal feudalism. This is what GRRM's trying to tell you, stop resisting it.

B)

I can believe that it is the way she died and the other context of so much violence men and adults perform against women and girls in this world is what really offends people enough for them to say that somehow, this a narratively irrelevant death. Because they're just that horrified.

The feelings are valid. But the action to erase the significance of the death is not valid. You definitely can wish for a much less violent one, like a poisoning that puts her to sleep or something. The death is supposed to be tragic and make you feel that it wasn't deserved, was horrible, etc. Because it was all those things.

And to say such an untrue thing as "not narratively relevant" also leads me to suspect that some people don't like Jaehaera's death either bc they just:

wanted the greens to win in some way bc they favor them and their cause (my second linked post)

you--knowing that Daenaera will likely be black in the show IF they ever get to the Maiden's Ball--go so hard for Jaehaera bc she at least is a white girl in the universe of HotD

want excessively centrist politics to sway the story at the expense of actual understanding of why we should change and upend the status quo entirely (here the feudal entrapment of girls and women); deny a reality, discourage learning to the oppressive status quo can prevail [on this trend of neutrality]...the truth is the villains/antagonists were always the greens

AND/OR, are avoidant of facing ugly, sordid truths of oppression because they are close to it in real life and haven't found ways of separating that from collective understanding of oppressive systems -> coping mechanism

Look anon, Alicent's imprisonment doesn't make up for mass death. Because it's not even just about Alicent as the individual, the grandmother, the mother, etc. It's the effect of her actions on a population. Jaehaera was one of many girls Otto AND Alicent endangered (another being Halaena). Though her actions became something much bigger than her & things went out of her control, that doesn't stop them from being hers AND having affected thousands of lives. Her main aim was to accrue power through her kids and grandkids--who she chose to risk by usurping Rhaenyra and beginning the war--the consequence is she loses said kids and grandkids through other's similar ambition. Again, bc even though those kids were noble and were supposed to be relatively safe, because they are all technically heirs or adults around them can use them accrue power (whether by killing them or through marriages or whatever), they were also targets. We could say similar for Rhaenyra's children, as what happens to her youngest 2; all of them in one way or another die because they were or could be used. however, they AND the greens' kids were all safer if the greens had not usurped Rhaenyra.

The greens were the aggressors and transgressors. The ones who started this war and looked for something out of it. They tried to act worse against Rhaenrya before/during the war AND the whole of Westeros before/during/after, thus they get the worse punishment and lose more than she did.

The entire point is that the greens lose everything, because they went after "everything". They lose everything, including their kids bc they relentlessly and hypocritically ran to obtain more power for themselves by attempting to exclude a woman from the position she never would have had without the will of a man.

They went on the basis that a girl/woman should not rule or become an heir before any direct male relatives...so Jaehaera was cut out of the line of succession by her own side of the family, thus she was also less prioritized, thus she was made into a baby factory for Aegon III. She became their last chance to get their blood to at least be part of the future line, but even that's dashed by a man who had similar ambitions as Otto and Alicent.

In trying to go against the king's word/an actual law, the greens also made it much more justified for someone to not care much for Aegon II's claim or authority...bc if you can so easily flout a king's word, why should you care about the guy you're trying to make king?! And using people who themselves are willing to be so dishonest creates a higher likelihood that they'd betray you, as similar to Ulf and Hugh betraying Rhaenyra. (And somehow, Rhaenyra is the only naive one when she expects people to follow through with their oaths 🙄)

Have you ever thought, anon, about those other girls who were maimed or terrorized into not appearing before Aegon III in the Maiden's Ball? Sure, most of them weren't disabled (Priscella Hogg was, I think), but what happens to Jaehaera is because she was girl in the way of a man's ambitions and not because she was disabled. What about all those Tumbleton folk, Bitterbridge refugees (the raped septas and girls as young as 8!), and riverland peasants--most of them children! Undoubtedly, you will have disabled children in those populations, anon. Why is Jaehaera's death so much more valuable than these mass deaths of also children? Remember that Alicent raised her kids to easier justify committing these atrocities. Maelor and Jaehaerys' deaths also reflect these events. Jaehaera's death was markedly different in meaning from theirs (to open up space for another girls who's being used) because she was female. In the first linked post, I talk about why and how people used Jaehaera's marriage to Aegon and how that reflects on her death being unique from her brothers' because of her gender.

GRRM comments, through Jaehaera and these girls and Rhaenyra what one pattern of F&B has: being female is dangerous because it is to be more of an object or property in lieu of self-concerned ambitious men to the point where the most vulnerable and those who cannot practice some of the same sort of agency can experience gruesome consequences--sometimes to become terrors themselves in their attempts to gain denied agency or defend themselves.

[wumblr]

Hi, I'm new here. Sorry if you've already answered this question; I'm new here. I saw your post about the Biden-Harris nuclear plan. I've long-since been loosely optimistic about nuclear as a petrol alternative, but knew that more reactors in the imperial world intrinsically means more bombs as well. Reading through articles here is starting to confirm some suspicions. Have you talked already about serviceable energy alternatives, or is the solution basically to just dismantle capitalism, or?

the IEEFA PDF on the most recent (third) reblog is pretty clear that renewables (wind, solar, and batteries) are the viable/cost effective mid-term strategy. these are not without their own problems (land use, resource consumption, and again batteries) but they are a better option than nuclear. it also points out that full-scale nuclear is more cost efficient than SMRs which i can't dispute, and i wouldn't theoretically have a problem with it if it weren't for the capitalism. you don't gain anything by scaling them down, and IEEFA makes the excellent point that privatized off-grid SMRs do not maintain a consistent baseload supply in the way that full-size on-grid reactors do

waste handling is a sticky problem but it's exacerbated by profiteering and corruption (unfortunately not magically solved by a revolution, either). more reactors only inevitably means more bombs in a war empire, but eliminating capitalism doesn't magically resolve all geopolitical strictures nor does it necessarily equate to eliminating war. i think it would be foolish to build them now and kick the can down the road about seizing power from capital ("you're handing the climate change machine a new 50 year megawatt generator," i keep saying). my main axe to grind is that nobody is taking any of it seriously. that's rude to somebody's kids and i'm still mad it's been done to us. if you want new reactors, know the deal with the devil you're signing, so that you will know when they slack off on their end of the bargain and start doing ohio nuclear bribery incidents and progressively abdicating decommissioning responsibilities for san onofre by reselling it over and over. saying this has made a shocking number of people very angry at me, i assume because their worldview rests on the existence of a magical solution. well, there isn't one. sorry

i'm a degrowth communist. i don't want new reactors. so, i think we should start asking where we can reclaim parts of the energy budget from industry instead of building out more capacity, but, lol. not so long as the democratic party exists, i'm afraid. they sure have been "ironclad" about that! there may be capability to persuade the political establishment toward degrowth but i'm not optimistic, since they love parading around a 0.01% solution for a 100% problem (like carbon capture). because it allows the illusion to continue

(you would think the most energy intensive sector of industry would be computing, for the amount of time we spend talking about energy consumption for crypto, ai, and datacenters, right? well, it's chemicals. i just found that out while fact checking the post. paper also still consumes more than computing, apparently. (third of the top three is "oil/coal products" which is a bit nebulous and i would have to dig into the report the EIA is referencing, MECS 2018, to figure out what's going on there. surely some of that is going back into energy production, right? so, energy production is one of the largest energy consumers? i guess that tracks, but i haven't dug. i assume it also refers to other products.) i think this was in the post but i also love to say "It's Lawrence Livermore National Library Energy Flow Sankey Diagram Sunday!" and point out that 67% of energy in the US is lost to waste heat, labeled rejected energy in the diagram. obviously that runs up against laws of thermodynamics but surely we could be doing better than that)

that was all about energy. you asked about bombs. unfortunately i have to tell you we are likely not going to live to see disarmament. maybe if we stop building reactors, disarmament will become inevitable, at best, in a hundred years. maybe if we seize power from capital it could be administrated more quickly. but, for the foreseeable future, mutually assured destruction is the only thing preventing them from being detonated. thank god for the rosenbergs

[ii-meeple-confessions]

I HAVE RETURNED WITH MORE HOMESTUCK x MEEPLERS PROPAGANDA!!! This one will hopefully be shorter (i lied it's like the same length)

Steve Cobs: Gonna be a bit evil with this one and say Witch of Time (“b-but Witch is a female only class 🥺” SHUT UP IDFC CLASSES BEING GENDERED IS DUMB) The reason this is so evil is because the Active counterpart to the Heir (which is what MP4 was) Reason: Witches do not like wasting time at all, and would rather use their time/resources to further their goals. They want to bring changes they think are positive to the world around them, Cobs literally made the Me products for what he thought was gonna benefit the whole world and if that doesn’t fit idk what does. For the Time part, Cobs did have an obsession with making time go faster, hell he made a song called “The Future Is So Yesterday”, he wanted MP4’s show to be over so he could snag MP4 and use him for… whatever he was gonna do BESIDES continue I.I we weren’t really told in canon, maybe go to war with the Shimmers to get more eggs..? Idk we’ll probably never know. As a Witch of Time, Cobs (if god tiered) would gain the ability to speed up/slow down time for himself which was the oPPOSITE OF WHAT MP4 WAS DOING BC HE WAS DOING IT FOR OTHERS AND NOT EXCLUSIVELY HIMSELF I'M SO GOOD AT PARREALS CHAT. His chumhandle would probably be something like ‘technologicallyAdvancing’

Toilet: Maid of Doom (again breaking gendered classes LMAO). Reason: Okay so, Maids usually break out of the norm and seem really weird/unnatural to others. Toilet can literally fly, has no limbs, talks funny/pos and is a bit of an airhead/pos, also he is the only non MP4 made person who has an object name but that might be unrelated in canon. Maids bottle up emotions until they reach a breaking point where it all spews out. Toilet tried to KILL MePad because he was getting treated better than him from MP4. For the Doom portion, Doom players suffer a shit-ton really early, usually experiencing a lot of pain. On the up-side Doom players overcome their suffering first over all other aspects. Toilet seemed REALLY civil with MP4 in s2 ep18 (to me at least) even though MP4 was HORRIBLE to him. Putting it all together, a Maid of Doom would make Doom for themselves, trying to come out stronger than before. Toilet tried to kill MePad yak yak I already said this. ALSO FOR THE FUNNI’S, Doom players are usually related to technology, and one of the two(?) Doom characters in HS canon has a shit-ton of wires if I remember correctly. (love you Sollux Captor your so real) Toilets chumhandle would be something like ‘geneticAssistant’ (he and MePad have matching chumhandles awwwww)

Mecintosh: Okay this was hard because of us not having a lot of him in canon but I’m gonna say Seer of Void and I think I can pull it off here's the Reason: Seers are the class of sight, observing their surroundings A LOT. Mec was stuck in a closet for a shit-ton of time, It would be hard for him to NOT know what’s going on in there. Seers also have a bad habit of splitting the world into black and white/good and bad. This might be a stretch but he seemed to think of Suitcase's teammates as very one-note and flat with their intentions with her(?) For the Void part of his classpect, uhhhh, Void players are mysterious and secretive, and we don't know shit about Mec, also Void players are pretty apathetic and indecisive, which fits Mec!! These together, a Seer of Void would know basically nothing, besides peoples secrets, (so Mec knowing about 3GS’ past and what he was made to do, maybe??? If you squint at it?????) His chumhandle can be something along the lines of ‘closetsComputer’

BOOM I’m so good at this B) Mecintosh was so much of a stretch tho omg. I literally don’t know if I can do anymore Meeplers because the rest just,,,,, don't have personalities (THANKS COBS/s)

Could probably make the contestants tho,,,,,, SEND ASKS/hj

-👾🏠 person

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!! Reading this ask whilst couped up all cozy in my bed like i’m about to read a book this will be spectacular

COBS BEING THE COUNTERPART TO MEPHONE ALREADY I’M GOING OUUHG. Ohhh him being a witch is so fitting…. It’s so fitting… AND HIS FOCUS ON MAKING TIME GO FASTER. OUHHRHFFHHF HIM BEING ABLE TO SLOW DOWN OR SPEED UP TIME BEING THE OPPOSITE OF MEPHONES ABILITY URHGHGH WHEN I GET YOU!!!! WHEN I GET YOU!!!!!!! RIFUFHHHH I love this so much already

OH toilets is so fitting too orugh… I love how you use him trying to kill mepad in episode 8 to tie into all of this that is so so NEAT!!! ORUGH… also the part about them usually having wires is so funny to me too… fitting even down to the little details like that hehehe!!! AND MEPAD AND TOILET HAVING MATCHING USERNAMES OURHG… I LOVE THEM…. sorry I didn’t have much to say to this part but it is fitting and it is awesome… I love these so much…

Ouhh… ouhhh mec’s is fitting too ouhh… Ignoring the fact that his appearance in episode 8 was suitcase hallucinating GOD that fits super well. Even when thinking about that him being a seer still makes sense cause. Yknow. He’s probably seen a TON of stuff go down in the closet considering how LONG he’s probably been in there… AND HIM BEING VOID URHG I LOVE THAT. I LOVE THAT A LOT… Also as someone who’s rotated the closet meeplers in my head way more than any normal person should I would like to believe he’d know a lot about 3gs’ past… maybe they told stories to eachother!!! I’d go on but then i’d just be yapping about storageclosetduo so i’ll spare you from that

BUT GOD THESE ARE SO ACCURATE. I LOVE THESE ORUGH… I may or may not send an ask about your thoughts on the contestants.. I just love reading these

[gavroche-le-moineau]

La mort de Gavroche / Gavroche’s death

Oh it's here, the chapter that breaks my heart to pieces every time. If you haven't heard it before I highly encourage listening to the Original French Concept Album version of Gavroche's death. In my opinion, it is by far the saddest and most impactful version. Below you'll find my translation of the lyrics with annotations. The PDF can be found here: La Mort de Gavroche translation

Gavroche Cette fois, Javert, t’arrêteras plus personne La mort t’a coffré à perpétuité J’espère qu’là-haut, on s’ra pas dans l’même cachot Sur terre déjà, on n’était pas du même combat¹

Gavroche This time, Javert, you’ll no longer be arresting anyone Death has locked you up for good I hope up there, we won’t be in the same dungeon On earth already, we weren’t in the same fight¹

NOTES 1. “du même combat” literally means “of the same fight” but I believe this is using “même combat!” which is an expression of solidarity meaning “we’re on the same side.” I kept the translation in the lyrics more literal since “to be in the same fight” in English can also convey the idea of solidarity.

Courfeyrac Sacré Gavroche, t’as toujours l’mot pour rire² C’est pas la parlotte³ qui te f’ra guérir Marius Ah les salauds, ils ont tiré sur un enfant Ils ont, sans savoir, abattu le printemps Quel dieu cruel s’abreuve du sang des innocents Et combien faudra-t-il pleurer d’combattants?

Courfeyrac Blasted Gavroche, you always have something funny to say² It’s not the gift of the gab³ that will heal you Marius Ah the bastards, they’ve shot at a kid They have, without knowing, shot down spring What cruel god drinks the blood of innocents And how many fighters will we have to cry over?

NOTES 2. “avoir le mot pour rire” is an expression that literally means “always have the word for laughing / a laugh” and is translated as “to make jokes, be funny.”

3. “la parlotte” means “chitchat, chatter, chinwag, talking shop, etc.” I decided to translate it as “the gift of the gab” because that felt like a more appropriate term given the previous line which implies that Gavroche is good at always making jokes.

Gavroche Notre drapeau était par terre Rouge de honte et bleu sali Moi, j’ai bondi blanc⁴ de colère “Allons, enfants de la patrie”⁵

Gavroche Our flag was on the ground Red with shame and dirtied blue Me, I leapt up, white⁴ with anger “Allons, enfants de la patrie”⁵

NOTES 4. “Rouge de honte … blanc de colère” This sequence uses expressions that incorporate the colors of the French flag (blue, white, red). “Rouge de honte” means “red with shame,” as in “blushing with shame” or a “flush of shame” but can also simply be translated as “ashamed.” I haven’t been able to figure out if “bleu sali” is an expression or is simply referring to the dirtied blue of the flag on the ground. “Blanc de colère” is, as in English, “white with anger.”

5. “Allons, enfants de la patrie!” is a reference to the first line of the Marseillaise, the national anthem of France. It means “Let’s go, children of the fatherland/motherland!”

Un mec m’a vu, qui m’a crié : “Qui vive!”⁶ J’ai dit : "Révolution française" Ça lui a pas plu ma franchise M’a mis un pruneau⁷ dans la fraise⁸ C’est comme ça, on gagne pas à chaque fois

A guy saw me, shouted at me “Who lives?”⁶ I said : “The French revolution” That didn’t please him, my frankness, Put a slug⁷ in my face⁸ It’s like that, you don’t win every time

NOTES 6. “Qui vive!” is an expression that literally means “who lives?” but is translated as “who goes there?” Just like the English expression, it has same the context of someone on watch or in a military environment asking an unknown person to identify themselves. However, I chose to keep the literal translation in the lyrics because it ties the pun in the response together. The response is “Révolution française (the French Revolution),” because a common refrain is “Vive la revolution française!” literally, “Live the French revolution!”

7. “pruneau” is argot (slang). The word “pruneau” means “prune” but it was used as slang for a bullet.

8. “fraise” is another argot word. This time the word for “strawberry” means “face / mug.”

Donnez, donnez⁹, ma casquette aux copains C’est tout c’que j’ai et j’en n’ai plus besoin Je suis tombé par terre, C’est la faute à Voltaire¹⁰ Le nez dans le ruisseau, C’est la faute à...

Give, give⁹, my cap to my friends It’s all I have, and I don’t need it anymore I fell to the ground It’s the fault of Voltaire¹⁰ Nose in the gutter, It’s the fault of…

NOTES 9. “Donnez, donnez” is a callback to the refrain used in Gavroche’s introductory song on the Original Concept Album (the equivalent of Look Down).

10. “C’est la faute à Voltaire” – I would have preferred to translate these lines as “It’s Voltaire’s/Rousseau’s fault” but I kept the French wording of “It’s the fault of Voltaire/Rousseau” so that the final line cuts off in the same manner.

As usual, corrections and commentaries are welcome!

[hidingfromitall19]

I am the one who is always here,

I am always near when you call,

I live my life to please you so,

I'd give my life to not see you go,

I should know by now how these things go,

However, I always hope and pray it won't be so,

I get chosen over, time and time again,

Like the third place trophy dying for a win,

The pain I feel is so unreal. It claws and rips and destroys me within,

I cry while I try to cut the pain out,

I try not to cry and wake the world with my shouts,

This hurts in a way you will never know,

And it's killing me to let you go,

Though I fought to heal in my despair,

All I really want is to not be here.

-MeC

[iamquiantrelle]

XOXO YOUR FAVE WAG (SMAU) • iamquaintrelle

# summary: kylian and his gf just being their regular cutesy, albeit real-down-bad selves on the 'gram. requested by this ask! (this is before the move to Madrid) # pairings: kylian mbappe x black spoiled gf (fc: 6kenza) # tags: @kmlottin @masn-mount @leighjadeclimbedmtkilimanjaro @szariahwroteit @muglermami @goodgyalgonebadd @sailurmewn # author’s note: got a scenario for your fave wag? - send them here // one shot series masterlist

liked by k.mbappe, ethan.mbappe, camavinga, and others

her_instagram: big brrr 🥶❄️ PS: skiing is hard #WinterBreak

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k.mbappe: Wesh tu mens, je suis un ouf skieur... dans ma tête 😂❤️ — her reply to k.mbappe: Bien sûr chérie. C’est pourquoi tu es tombé 7 fois dans la première heure 😘 neymarjr: You two make snow look hot 🔥 Miss you both! camavinga: Mec tu tiens même pas debout sur un terrain plat 💀 bradley_dls: On veut les vidéos des chutes sah!!! o.dembele7: Team "rester au chalet avec le chocolat chaud" 👊🏽 c'est plus intelligent wallah — her reply to o.dembele7: Le seul footballeur raisonnable à Paris ! Chocolat chaud pour la victoire 🙌🏽 wags_uncensored: Meanwhile other footballers are with a different girl every weekend. These two really going strong for years 👀 footballwives_tea: Our sources say they're secretly engaged! That ski jacket is hiding a ring 💍 — her reply to footballwives_tea: The only thing this jacket is hiding is my lack of skiing skills but nice try 😂 mbappehater23: PSG paying for their luxury vacation while he can't even score smh thirsty.football.fc: Is your man single? Asking for me 🥵

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her_instagram: Basketball date night 🏀 Pretending to understand the rules while really just here for the vibes and overpriced drinks #NBAParisGame #DateNight

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k.mbappe: Tu comprends très bien les règles... surtout celle de me ruiner au shopping après 🙄💸 — her reply to k.mbappe: Ce n’est pas ma faute si vous avez perdu notre pari... payez joli garçon 💅🏽 kingjames: Great seeing you both! Next time we need a proper shoot around 🏀 — her reply to kingjames: He talks a big game but I'd put my money on you any day! 💯 thatgyallex: Girl your fit!!! I need to borrow that top ASAP 😍 camavinga: Kyky qui fait le connaisseur alors qu'il sait même pas dribbler correctement 😂 fashion_critique: From Bondy projects to courtside seats. Talk about a glow up 💅🏽 mbappes.ex: I was with him at these games before she came along js 🙄 sports_gossip_daily: LeBron was flirting with Mbappé's girl all night! Swipe up for the video proof! — her reply to sports_gossip_daily: The "proof" is me asking for an autograph for my nephew but okay 🙄 mensfashion_paris: Mbappé's street style remains undefeated. ID on those sneakers?

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her_instagram: match day energy ⚽️ always supporting my #1 even when he gives me heart attacks on the pitch 🔵🔴 #PSGOL #IciCestParis

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k.mbappe: Mon porte-bonheur ❤️ Merci d'être toujours là bébé — her reply to k.mbappe: Toujours et pour toujours votre porte-bonheur 🍀 (maintenant marquez un autre tour du chapeau s’il vous plaît) marquinhos_4: Best supporter in Paris! 👏🏽👏🏽 k.mbappe.fanclub: The outfit is EVERYTHING! couple goals 😍 achrafhakimi: Wesh dis lui de faire la passe la prochaine fois 😂 — her reply to achrafhakimi: Je lui dis ça depuis 3 ans ! Peut-être qu’il t’écoutera 🙄 thatgyallex: This fit is giving everything it's supposed to give 🔥 wags_fashion_police: Another WAG in a simple outfit yawn. Give us something original — her reply to wags_fashion_police: Sorry my supporting-my-man outfit isn't revolutionary enough for you. I'll wear a space suit next time 👩‍🚀 footballwives_tea: That K necklace AGAIN. We all know what that means 👀 (Check our latest blog post about footballer "ownership" symbols) random.guy69: Marry me instead, he doesn't deserve you madridistaforever: Come to Madrid with Mbappé next season! We need this energy

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her_instagram: away game fits hit different. supporting from marseille tonight even though these people HATE us 😅 the things we do for love ⚽️ #AwayDays #OMPSG #StillRepresentingParis

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k.mbappe: La plus belle même en territoire ennemi 😍 Fais gaffe à toi là-bas, ces Marseillais sont des ouf! — her reply to k.mbappe: Ne vous inquiétez pas, j’ai la sécurité et votre maillot dans mon sac pour avoir de la chance ❤️ wags_daily: Away game queen 👑 The subtle PSG accessories are chef's kiss gianluigibuffon: Classy as always! Marseille doesn't deserve your elegance 👌 bradley_dls: T'inquiète pas c'est que des grands parleurs là-bas 😂 marseille_ultras: Go back to Paris with your overpaid boyfriend 🤬 — her reply to marseille_ultras: Love you too babe 😘 Enjoy watching us win tonight bondy.proud: Our girl representing! From Bondy to Marseille while staying classy 🙌🏽 — her reply to bondy.proud: Girl they already yelled at me in the hotel lobby! These people take rivalries SERIOUSLY 😭 paparazzi_sports: We counted 6 security guards with her. PSG spares no expense protecting the WAGs deuxmoi: Spotted: Mbappé's girl at Hotel Martinez in Marseille looking annoyed while a famous French actor tried getting her number 👀

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her_instagram: so honored to be the face of @polene_paris' new sustainable collection. This pink Émeraude bag isn't just gorgeous—it's made from innovative eco-materials that don't harm our planet #FrenchLuxury #SustainableFashion #NotAnAd #ActuallyProudOfThisOne

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k.mbappe: Ma meuf elle gère de ouf 😍 Tellement fier de toi! — her reply to k.mbappe: Merci mon cœur ❤️ Couldn't do any of this without your support naomi_campbell: Stunning campaign, darling. The pink complements your skin perfectly ✨ — her reply to naomi_campbell: Coming from you this means everything! Thank you icon 🙏🏽✨ voguefrance: The future of luxury is sustainable and you're leading the way 👏🏽 thatgyallex: OBSESSED with this bag! You killed it 🔥 o.dembele7: Wesh la classe! La famille de Bondy représente 👊🏽 model_watchdog: Getting campaigns because of who she dates, not her talent. Industry connections >> actual modeling skills — her reply to model_watchdog: I've been modeling since I was 13, long before meeting Kylian. Do your research babes 💋 fashion_insider: I worked on this shoot and she was the most professional and kind person. Showed up early, knew all her angles, and brought croissants for the crew! rich.football.kids: That bag costs more than my car 😭 thirsty.commenter: Marry me instead of the footballer plsss

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k.mbappe: Joyeux anniversaire à la meuf la plus incroyable que je connaisse wallah. De Bondy à Paris, et bientôt vers de nouvelles aventures ensemble... merci d'être mon roc, ma meilleure amie, et la personne qui me fait toujours rire même dans les moments difficiles. Je t'aime plus que les mots peuvent le dire. ❤️ (Et plus que le football... ouais j'ai vraiment écrit ça 😏) #JoyeuxAnniversaire #MonAmour

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her_instagram: Plus que du football ?? Maintenant, je SAIS que tu m’aimes 😭❤️ Merci d’avoir rendu non seulement ce jour, mais chaque jour spécial. Je t'aime plus que tout au monde ❤️ neymarjr: Happy birthday to the only person who can control this guy! Love you both ❤️ mbappe.maman: Joyeux anniversaire ma belle! Tu es comme une fille pour nous 💕 ethan.mbappe: Joyeux anniversaire à la quasi-sœur la plus cool qu’un gars puisse demander ! 🎂 o.dembele7: Joyeux anniversaire!!! 🎉 @k.mbappe elle mérite un Birkin pour chaque année, t'as intérêt à assurer mec — her reply to o.dembele7: Ne lui donnez pas d’idées !!! Mais aussi... oui exactement ça 💅🏽😂 bradley_dls: La meuf la plus real! Joyeux anniversaire! Kyky t'as gagné à la loterie avec elle 💯 thatgyallex: Happy birthday to my favorite partner in crime! Love you girl! Can't wait to celebrate 🥂💕 football_transfer_news: "New adventures together"? MADRID CONFIRMED?? 👀 mbappestan12: The way he loves her >>>>> I'm crying 😭 jealous.fan: She doesn't deserve him, what does he even see in her? — her reply to jealous.fan: He sees me every morning with no makeup and still thinks I'm beautiful. Meanwhile you're hating from behind a fake profile. We're not the same 💋 gossipblogger: That third pic! They've really known each other since they were kids in Bondy? That's actually kinda sweet footballwives_tea: Sources say he's proposing during their vacation next month! 💍 — her reply to footballwives_tea: You guys have "sources" for everything except accurate information 😂 psg_fan_page: Please don't take him to Madrid 😭 Paris needs both of you!

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liked by k.mbappe, camavinga, jkeey4, and others

her_instagram: chapter 26 begins ✨ feeling blessed, loved, and ready for all the adventures ahead. merci to everyone who made this day special, especially you @k.mbappe ❤️ #BirthdayGirl #MayBaby

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k.mbappe: Joyeux anniversaire à l'amour de ma vie. Tu illumines chaque jour et tu me rends meilleur. Cette année va être notre meilleure jusqu'ici, je te le promets ma Squirtle ❤️ Je t'aime plus que tout. — her reply to k.mbappe: Merci mon amour, tu as rendu cette journée magique comme toujours. Je t'aime plus que les mots peuvent l'exprimer ❤️ À notre année folle qui commence! thatgyallex: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY GORGEOUS BESTIE!!! 🎉 That pink corset is GIVING EVERYTHING 🔥 You deserve the world and more! Love you! 💕 — her reply to thatgyallex: Thank you bestie!!! 💕 Can't wait to celebrate properly when you visit next month! Love you! aurelientchm: Joyeux anniversaire la belle! Kyky a intérêt à bien te gâter sinon on s'en occupe 😏 À très vite à Madrid! 🥂 — her reply to aurelientchm: Merci Aurel! T'inquiète il a assuré... bien plus que le sac que tout le monde voit 😉 À très vite à Madrid! jkeey4: La plus stylée! Joyeux anniversaire! 🎂 magicmikemaignan: Bon anniversaire! Profite bien de ta journée 🥳 Kyky t'as offert quoi à part ce sac? 👀 — her reply to magicmikemaignan: Merci Mike! Pour les autres cadeaux... disons que c'est pas montrable sur insta 👀😂 m.olise: Joyeux anniversaire! T'es une dinguerie dans cette tenue 🔥 Kyky a trop de chance k_thuram: Bon anniversaire! Passe une journée de reine, tu le mérites! 💯 PS: Mon frère m'a dit que Kyky sait toujours pas se battre alors fais gaffe à Madrid 😂 — her reply to k_thuram: Merci Khephren! Et t'inquiète pas pour Kyky, il a d'autres talents 😏 Ton frère parle trop! o.dembele7: Wesh joyeux anniversaire ! bradley_dls: La plus belle! Bon anniversaire! Cette tenue est validée à 100% 🔥 Que cette année t'apporte tout ce que tu mérites! w.saliba4: Joyeux anniversaire cousine! La famille est fière de toi! Cette année va être folle 🙌🏾 — her reply to w.saliba4: Merci cousin! La famille me manque, on se voit très vite avant le départ pour Madrid ❤️ camavinga: Bon anniversaire! Hâte de vous accueillir à Madrid très vite! Kyky, bien joué pour le cadeau 👌🏾 neymarjr: Happy Birthday beautiful! Missing you both in Paris! That pink is YOUR color 🔥 thirsty.commenter1: That corset is doing the Lord's work 🥵 Happy Birthday! thirsty.commenter2: Mbappé waking up to this every morning? Man's winning on and off the pitch 👀 — her reply to thirsty.commenter2: He's definitely winning, but so am I 💁🏽‍♀️ extra.thirsty.fan: The way that corset is holding on for dear life... blessed be the designer 🙏🏽🥵 — her reply to extra.thirsty.fan: The designer says thank you for appreciating their engineering skills 😂 footballwives_tea: Birthday girl looking stunning! Our sources say that bag is worth €15,000... must be nice! 👀 jealous.hater: Wearing a corset for attention on your birthday. Classy as always. — her reply to jealous.hater: It's almost like... it's my birthday and I can wear what I want? Revolutionary concept! 💋 supportive.fan1: Happy Birthday! You look absolutely gorgeous and so happy! Wishing you all the best in Madrid! ❤️ — her reply to supportive.fan1: Thank you so much! We're both nervous and excited for the Madrid chapter! ❤️ madrid_fan_official: Madrid can't wait to welcome our new queen! Happy Birthday beautiful! ��

[tonitheloftwing]

Intro bc I need an updated one

You can call me Toni or Maximino/Mac. She/him pronouns, aro lesbian, 19 years old. DID system. I’m from the USA and am a full time college student. I’m a writer and I do digital art. I’m also a furry.

I don’t have an age requirement for this account, and I’ll never post straight-up NSFW on here. However, I may reblog posts about sexual or other mature topics so viewer discretion is advised. I’m an adult and I put whatever I want on here.

Primary interests include:

The Legend Of Zelda (mainline games, Hyrule Warriors, the mangas… everything. I will be boycotting the movie tho)

Barenaked Ladies (the Canadian rock band)

Itemlabel plushes (Peepy for example)

Punch-Out!! I suck at the games tho. Since this is my main interest at the moment, I’ll say that my favorite characters are Little Mec, Doc Louis, and Great Tiger! 🍔🍫🐯

The human body & anatomy and physiology

Other tumblr blogs:

@slomps-stomp - Stardew Valley sideblog from my hyperfixation era. I don’t make separate blogs for all my fandoms anymore but this one blew up so all SDV content still goes there

@arcofacatboy - a blog that used to be all things Neal Shusterman until he went off the deep end. Largely inactive

@strawbby-selfships - Selfship blog

@ur-fav-is-older-than-discokid - Punch-Out gimmick blog that is largely inactive bc I am lazy and forgot

I also have a system blog and an otherkin/objectum blog, DM if you want the URLs for those.

Finally, basically every social media account I have off of tumblr uses this same username. So, if you wanna find me somewhere, just search for Tonitheloftwing. The main ones are going to be Bluesky, Instagram, Discord, YouTube, Ao3, Artfight, and Toyhouse, but I don’t use all of these.

I block at my own discretion so I don’t have a DNI other than plz don’t interact with me if you are in contact with or support @peppermintpillz or @punchouthottakes. These two users are the same person and all you rlly need to know is that they’re a nasty piece of work and have done a lot to hurt a lot of people, but in my case they leaked a lot of my private sexual information, including nudes, to their public Instagram where minors could find it

More about me is below the cut but that’s all the primary info you need to know!

In my old age, I like mobile games. Here are my friend codes for that.

If you want to get Finch or A Kinder World and don’t have them already, ask me for an invite code so we can both get free shit

Finch: 5JC4ANJVM6

Pokémon Sleep: 8685-4837-9553

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp:

Other things that I like a LOT but only tend to briefly get fixated on are:

Pink Floyd’s The Wall

Stardew Valley

Cattails and Cattails Wildwood Story

Animation history (mostly Disney, fuck them as a corporation ofc)

Jumanji (1995)

Pokémon

Kirby And The Forgotten Land (haven’t played the other games whoops)

Mario Party

The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken, but really I’m just interested in the character of Chubs Meriwether who I treat like my OC now

Favorite Book: Maybe A Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Favorite Animal: Guinea pigs 🥕

Favorite YouTuber: Savy Writes Books

Favorite Music That’s Not BNL or BNL related: Smash Mouth, Ken Ashcorp, Garfunkel & Oates, Danny Gonzalez/Fox Szn, Lady Gaga, Cypress Hill, late 2000s/early 2010s pop

Home state: New Hampshire

[sburbian-mechanics]

i think i have made a grave mistake. there is a few problems with our "sturb" session just to start, but what i think is the greatest one may be that our "page of doom" has "godtiered." from what i have found, this is normally a non-issue for most, but combined with the "pre-entry" death of our "breath" player, who from what i gather from froggernet sites is meant to be a natural leader of sorts, and now everything has gone to hell. the entry loop was broken (not my fault that sturb doesnt take into account structural integrity but everyone else disagrees), so now i currently have to try and make the next player enter the session and its all just broken. currently considering just telling someone else to deal with this stuff while i grind to reach a "godtier" of my own. as far as i can tell i am most likely some form of "light" player, although the class remains ambiguous to me. would this be the better strategy than trying to deal with everything going on? do keep in mind the "page of doom" is currently doing something to his planet that i can only describe as "rotting" it, and from what the others have said they intend on spreading this "rot" to the rest of the session. personally i think it could be something that could help hinder the "page," but it could also be a pointless waste of time if the class is not particularly useful. to summarize: a "page of doom" is godtiered, and the "breath" player is almost certainly dead due to failing to enter the session, and i am currently considering going to grind out my echeladder to reach my personal "godtier" of which i presume to be of "light." is the potential of having a powerful class worth the risk?

Um, wow. That sounds like a mess. Honestly, I feel really bad for you- pre-entry deaths are catastrophic and in most cases result in a doomed timeline. In thaat case then there really isn't anything I can do for you, but let's remain optimistic! If this is in fact a valid timeline here is what I suggest:

Ignore the page. Even if they are god-tier and are fucking everything up, that only means they are not fully developed. And a not fully developed page is one that has the world against them! In all likelyhood your coplayers can take care of it for now, and the page is likely to accidentally sabotage themselves right now. That's not to say they're not a threat of course, (Never Underestimate a Page,) but trusting your coplayers is an important virtue. They'll have to go through an Arc to get to full power, even if they are evil, and that takes time.

Do not God Tier. Listen, maybe this is just your war of speaking, but this sounds like a pride vs. responsibility problem. And fatal flaws are always punished unless you are powerful enough to power through them. That takes a lot of willpower and sacrifices though, and most people can't do that. Thats good! Friendship and empathy lead you to more than just power, and power won't make you happy in the end. Even if you can defy Skaia and get what you want, without it's approval you will probably still end up in some cathartic defeat or exile anyhow.

GET YOUR COPLAYER IN THE GAME!!!! Every player is important. Always. That is one of the game's rules practically. It's designed for every player to have to work together to win, which is why you need every last one of them. That's why a pre-entry death is so disastrous for your chances of being a this being A Timeline You Can Win. Still, the chances of your prototyping the body as a sprite or getting their influence through some complicated series of events is still on the table, so that's why this isn't a completely lost case. Just focus on having as many live players as possible, at least until the late game. Less likely to cause a paradox then.

Similar to the last point, focus on finding a way your breath player can still make an impact. No matter if it's prototyping, time travel, or something else, remember that if you didn't see it, it didn't happen. This gets a little more into Void Mechanics, but basically, if you don't For Sure know Exactly What Happened, it is a blank spot. So you can manipulate it to be filled in a way that conforms to the timeline without breaking anything. AJ has gone on too many rambles about this, but basically, Schrodingers Cat Quantum Physics Voidy Game Magic Shit. If you want something a bit simpler, remember that Skaia structures everything like a story. In that case, you have to make sure their death is important to that story. Muse on what they would do, stare longingly at their picture, and have their memory impact what you do. This makes their death Important, which makes this less likely to be a Doomed Timeline. Or have something imitate them to make plot-important events. Hell, you could imitate them if not everyone knows they are dead. Go have a whole Arc about grief and manipulation! Point is, make it important. You should have a knack at doing that!

Hope this helps! Always remember that getting Meta should help you in a pinch. At least, until Skaia fights back. But that's your problem! GG out!

----------<I>----------

Still, getting Meta isn't the easiest thing in the world, especially when you are trying to do it consciously. But it has been getting easier the past few years...maybe it's a god thing?

[itsaash]

unsatisfyingly satisfying part 2: shivers

Set sometime in the future when our beloved Coops are married and on vacation in Banff :))) prompt and cover art credit to @noots-fic-fests, character credit of Coops to @lumosinlove And shout out to @girlwithcurls96 for helping me and reassuring me about this whole story, and who is the type of friend when you say, "what kind of tattoos should this character have?" comes through with the perfect pinterest board of style inspo to create the OCs of my dreams

“You got the camera baby?” Remus called as he shut the trunk of the white rental car.

“Ouais, et j'ai les collations là.” 

Remus smiled as he translated in his head. Being in Banff National Park, or Parc national Banff as Sirius exclusively called it, with signs and boards and everything in French as well as English, had set Sirius into a firmly French state of mind. Remus was absolutely not complaining, the melodic sounds scratched his brain just right, even if he couldn’t replicate them. He just beeped the car, pocketed the keys, patted his pocket to feel his phone, and caught up to Sirius and took his hand as they walked across the parking lot. 

It was early in the morning, the gondola would be just starting up. They planned their visits to touristy places for the least busy time of day. A good half hour had been spent signing autographs at the Calgary airport when they arrived a few days ago. Canadians knew their hockey players, especially ones who would certainly be on the next Canadian Olympic hockey team. Neither of them minded , per se, but also if they could blend in, well they’d rather prefer that option. 

Typical outdoorsy MEC outfits like every other tourist were their outfits, with a pretty generic blue ball cap for Sirius, and Remus had chosen a fashionable flat brim hat after Sirius had gone silent and staring when Remus had tried it on in the store.  While any claim they had to disguise was low, their main hope was that most of the people who rode a gondola on a Thursday morning wouldn’t also be hockey fans. Banff had been great so far, busy streets of tourists to blend into while eating elephant ears, a hike yesterday to lakes the most fucking amazing color of turquoise where everyone nodded their head and said hello as they passed on the trail, and today they were heading up the gondola. It was a warm July day and Remus knew heat would start to gather soon, but it felt so fresh here in the mountains, always a breeze, really it was nearly idyllic. Even here, in a busy parking lot, dozens of cars already and pavement for hundreds of meters, it still somehow felt rustic. That was the influence of the towering rough mountains he supposed. They were everywhere here, he had never been in the mountains like this. He squeezed Sirius’ hand as they walked, his head turning to take it all in. 

“The view doesn’t get old, eh,” Sirius laughed as he took in Remus’ wide eyes. 

“Literally never. There’s just mountains everywhere .”

“And here we go, up another one,” Sirius said. 

“Can’t wait,” Remus said, squeezing Sirius’ hand with excitement again, taking in the grey of Sirius’ eyes and comparing it to the grey of the mountains. The mountains were undeniably majestic, but that blue grey gaze was still his overall first place favourite.

Remus scanned the tickets on his phone for the agent with the usual “bonjour, hello” passed between them and joined the small line of people waiting to board the gondolas. They wound through the roped off area, back and forth across the loading area as the line moved, reading the information placards as they went. Remus challenged himself to read the French versions and asked Sirius for help with some words, just to hear him say them, to see Sirius’ eyes smile when he heard Remus say the words back as best he could. They passed the time in the line quickly like this, passing words in French back and forth to each other quietly, almost like bubbles of love being traded between them, like emotional kisses, like whatever the sounds are that are in my mouth, they always mean I love you. 

Remus vaguely knew from the corners of his attention that the people who worked for the Park were working with the line, fitting groups together into gondolas in the most space efficient way, calling for single riders to come join groups of 3, putting two couples together, keeping kids with their parents. There was a large family ahead of them and Sirius and Remus had been half-hearing conversations about snacks and who would sit by who and where’s my water bottle and dad, what if we see a bear ?? So when the attendant called, ‘next group of two? Un groupe de deux?’ looks travelled down the family and passed like dominos to Sirius and Remus. 

“On est deux,” Sirius said, knowing everyone who worked for the Park spoke at least some French, and he was loving using it at every opportunity.

“Allez, on y va,” the attendant said, waving them over. Sirius and Remus kept their hands clasped as they snuck past the big family, Remus murmured an, “ope, sorry,” as they made their way to the front of the line. They boarded the open gondola, sitting down on one side together as the doors slid closed and the gondola started moving.

Remus was just starting to look out the floor to ceiling window, seeing the expanse of nature below them, all around them once they were past the loading area of the building, when he heard,

“Sirius Black?? ”

Oh shit. They were on a gondola with a fan. Well, hopefully a fan, god, imagine if it was someone who wanted to lecture them for the whole 8 minute ride. Sirius would give them his stony cold game face, and inevitably the person would back down, but it would be so awkward.

But Sirius hadn’t said anything. He was just staring, mouth slightly open. Time passed in frozen silence, enough time that Remus darted his eyes back and forth, from Sirius’ frozen form, to the two girls sitting across from them. One had a ball cap on with a dark ponytail floating out the back of it and her tank top showed clearly well developed biceps and deltoids, hiking shorts and shoes. She  was nearly as slack jawed as Sirius. The other girl was much more fashionable, in pants that were somehow loose but still fitted, and a cropped shirt (sports bra? what did Remus know about women’s fashion), clean white runners, long curly blond hair pulled into a messy half bun. It was still Banff and hiking appropriate except everything about her outfit and hair seemed to be on purpose in a way that none of the rest of them could claim. She seemed to be trying to read the situation as much as Remus was, and after long seconds she was the one to break the silence. 

“Rebecca? You know him?” 

The other girl, Rebecca? Almost literally shook herself out of her surprise and laughed, a smile coming over her face. 

“Oh my god, what are the fucking chances? Yeah, well, I mean, Sirius and I, well, yeah, we’ve met.”

Remus felt his eyebrows raise at her faltering tone and he looked to Sirius who didn’t seem ready to say words of any language yet. So Remus spoke first. 

“Oh, well hello. I’m Remus. It’s nice to meet you,” and he put his hand out to Rebecca to shake. She smiled more, her eyes taking him in and she took his hand. 

“Hi Remus, I’m Rebecca. Nice to meet you. This is my girlfriend Claire,” she said, gesturing at the well dressed girl. “We’re just touring the area, on vacation, I guess you must be too. It is the offseason I guess? I can’t believe we’re on the same gondola as you, what even is this.”

Remus felt himself relax, girlfriend, ok so they weren’t in for an 8 minute lecture. That was something at least. He turned to Claire and shook her hand too. His eyes travelled up and down her tattooed arms, all thin lines and curling shapes. He especially noticed a beautiful one of a star surrounded by a circle on the inside of her elbow, but the whole thing was made of flowers and vines in light colours.

“Nice to meet you too Claire. Are y’all hockey fans then?” he asked, glancing repeatedly at Sirius, who was still seemingly frozen. He pressed his palm against Sirius’ thigh, hoping to ground him with touch. Feeling more than a little bit like he needed that too.

Claire laughed, a high, bright sound. 

“No, I can’t say I am. Is that how you know him, sweetheart?” Claire asked her girlfriend. 

“I, um, well yeah, kind of. We met at a media weekend where they were doing stories on a bunch of athletes for a magazine,” Rebecca explained, her gaze bounced between Sirius, Remus, her girlfriend, back to Sirius.

Remus nodded. Well that made sense. What didn’t make sense was that Sirius hadn’t said a single fucking word. He turned toward him, angling his body towards his husband so he could mouth as much as say, ‘ça va, baby?’ 

Sirius started bobbing his head. Remus saw him take two purposeful breaths, close his eyes for a long moment, and then open them again with his media smile on.

“Désolé, sorry, sorry Rebeccca. You just surprised me,” he took off his hat, ran his hands through his hair and replaced the hat. “Wow, yeah, it’s good to see you. Like you said, what are the chances?” 

“What media thing was it that you did?” Remus asked lightly, hoping to soften whatever the fuck this atmosphere was. 

“That one in New York that Pots and I went to? During your third season with the team, I think?” Sirius said. He looked deep into Remus’ eyes and took and squeezed his hand. Remus didn’t know why Sirius needed comfort, but he clearly did. So he scooted as close to Sirius as he could on the bench, held his hand, and tried to send comfort like osmosis. It seemed Sirius may have received the offering because he seemed to relax a degree or two. 

“Rebecca was on the olympic rugby team that got a medal at that olympics a few years ago,” Sirius supplied, gesturing to her. “Or maybe you still play?”

“Yeah, I do actually!” she replied. “I’m not a starter anymore, but I still have one more Olympics in me. The team has been doing so awesome, it’s been such an sweet ride.”

“Oh wow, that's amazing!” Remus said, meaning it, and hoping to take the conversation in safer territory. “Are you on a break from training right now? Being a tourist for a bit?”

“Yeah! It’s so beautiful out here. And it’s nice to have time to take in the sights. We travel for matches all the time, but it’s never very long in one place. We played a match near here last season, and it was so beautiful I knew I needed to bring Claire back here.” She smiled at her girlfriend and took her hand. 

“So you’re a hockey player?” Claire asked Sirius. He smiled a small smile and nodded, maybe started to say more while gripping Remus’ hand, but Claire continued, “that’s nice, but you two obviously slept together, right?” she said, gesturing between Rebecca and Sirius.

Rebecca just laughed, Sirius’ mouth dropped open, and Remus startled like he’d been shocked.

“That’s what this weird vibe is?!” he asked Sirius, half laughing, half horrified. “Oh my god, well, I get it now.”

Sirius dropped his head into both his hands, shaking his head, and then his shoulders were shaking, until his whole body was quivering with laughter. 

“Mon dieu, sorry, Rebecca… Re, I’m sorry.” Laughter bubbled out of him.  “I don’t know why I locked up, I got thrown back in time there for a minute, in my head. I’m ok now, sorry. Rebecca, it really is good to see you, I just was so surprised.”

Remus just shook his head. He’d be pretty shocked in the same situation too. The air already felt clearer, Sirius’ laughter had dissipated most of the awkwardness. 

“So you’re bi too then?” Rebecca asked. “Or pan maybe? I saw you two in the news of course, oh god I didn’t mean to bring that up, I just mean, obviously you’re married now! Congratulations,” she seemed to force herself to stop talking and Remus laughed. 

“Yeah, we got married last summer, it was amazing.”

Sirius smiled at him, the smile they always had when they thought about the lake house and their friends and family and the perfect haze of happy memories that surrounded that day. Sirius took a deep breath and turned to Rebecca.

“Yeah! But, um, no. Uh, I’m actually gay. That’s probably why I froze up there for a minute. But if you’re queer too that makes me feel a lot better, I think I panicked for a second that there would be flirting? Sorry, sorry.” he said, looking back and forth between both Rebecca and Claire.

Claire laughed, “Oh there could still be flirting, I’m afraid. You’re just her type in guys. I’m gay too, but my sweetheart here had a later in life bi awakening, much to my benefit.” She got closer and closer to Rebecca’s neck as she said this, and ended with a soft kiss to her jaw. Rebecca smiled a soft smile at her girlfriend, but then turned to Sirius, more serious. 

“Wow, so, um, that night must have been hard for you then? I feel like I should apologise. I think I kissed you first that night.”

Sirius shrugged his shoulders like his shirt was too tight, and Remus studied his reaction, taking his hand in both of his now, and drew circles in Sirius’ palm with his thumb. Sirius rubbed the back of his head with his other hand before answering. 

“No, please don’t apologise. You couldn’t know, I didn’t know. Well I knew, but I didn’t know . It’s not like you were the only girl I was with. I thought I just had to meet the right girl. And actually you helped with that, because you were so amazing. Beautiful, and fun to be around, and athletic and funny. And it was still… fine.” Rebecca laughed and faked hitting her heart with her fist like a stab. “No, I don’t mean it was bad! It was fine! Shit I keep saying fine… it was…” Sirius trailed off, looking to Remus, clearly now developing an aversion to the word fine. 

“Sirius, Sirius, it’s ok. I get it. The comphet comes for us all, doesn’t it?” Rebecca said. She started off half laughing, but her voice was full of authenticity by the end of her sentence. 

Remus kept running his thumb over Sirius’ palm in soothing circles, and Claire lifted her arm up to trace the edge of the window, and then put it around Rebecca’s shoulders, hugging her close. 

In the moment of silence that followed, the gondola slowly swung to stop. They all looked around, looking down at the magnificent view really for the first time since they got on the thing. 

“Huh, they must be stopping it to help someone on or off, I guess,” Remus said. A shiver had come over him as they swung to a stop, but it passed. The others nodded in acknowledgment as they swayed gently. 

“You were my last,” Sirius said into the silence. “My last time with … with a woman.” Remus raised his eyebrows at Sirius. “Well, I kissed other girls after that, only in public, but I knew after that night with you that I wanted to be with guys. Even if I didn’t let myself actually do that for a long time yet, at least I knew.” He paused. “Sorry,” he said again.

Rebecca laughed. “Honestly Black, it really is ok, stop apologising. I’m a little surprised, for sure, because for me it was really good. Like, really good. Like I-never-found-a-guy-as-good-again good, despite giving it an honest try. Had to fully just move onto women, good. So I might be questioning my perception of reality a little bit over here, but you don’t have anything to apologise for.” 

Remus was processing, hardly believing the turn this gondola ride had taken, but had to smile at that.

“He is pretty good, isn’t he?” Remus said, gazing up at Sirius with mischief in his eyes. “From our very first time, he knew what he was doing. Fuckin knocked my socks off,” Remus laughed. Rebecca joined him and Sirius buried his head in his hands again.

“Right?! His hands –”

“God, tell me about it. And his back?”

“Divine,” Rebecca sighed, tone half teasing and half serious. “And just his size, you know, when he’s on top, fully covering you?”

Remus faked a swoon, back of his hand to his forehead. “It’s amazing. Might be my favourite place in the world to be.” Sirius sat up and smacked Remus’ shoulder. “Re! Stop it,” he laughed.

“Did you get to experience his mouth?” Remus asked, leaning forwards to Rebecca. “Or how his eyes get so intense it’s like they glow?”

“Remus!”

Rebecca sighed dramatically. “I didn’t experience his mouth unfortunately. And I think he must be the only man in history to have turned down a blow job! It was mostly hands and some lovely dirty talk and … well, you know.”

“Oh the French dirty talk,'' Remus fawned, fanning himself with his hand, smiling evilly at Sirius. “It’s so hot.”

Rebecca faked a dramatic gasp. “Is this why you wanted me on my hands and knees??” she asked, gesturing dramatically to Remus. “So you could pretend I was him!?” The words might be accusatory, but the tone was pure glee. “Did you know him then?” she asked Remus. 

Sirius moaned into his hands and ground out what might have sounded like kill me now. 

“I just knew him as the hockey obsessed, tough as nails, never an emotion to be seen hockey captain back then. And I saw him make out with multiple girls at bars after that, so he clearly wasn’t ready for me yet back then,” Remus teased. 

Claire and Rebecca both nodded. “We all have to make our journeys of self discovery in our own time, don’t we,” Claire said. 

“That we do,” Remus said, letting the last of his laughter bubble out of him. They all took in a minute of happy silence, admiring the view. Even Sirius cautiously poked an eye out of the safety of his hands and looked past Remus to see towering snow capped mountains which they were almost eye level with up this high, this ground was really quite far away. Deep green trees transitioned into bright green grass in places, the buildings of the town looked like dots from here, and the fluffy white clouds seemed much closer than he had ever experienced before. 

The peace of the mountains seemed to sweep into the softly swinging gondola and Rebecca turned back to Sirius, still snuggled into Claire’s side. 

“I am sorry though, that society or whatever made you think you had to sleep with me. I’m sorry if I played a part in that,” she said. 

Sirius wasn’t frozen like the snow tipped mountains now, he tried to let his words flow like the breeze instead.

“I appreciate that, Rebecca, I do. But I could’ve said no, and I knew that. I went upstairs with you because I thought I should want to, but I was so deep in the shoulds, that in a roundabout way I did want to. And I’m honestly so glad you thought it was good, that’s like all I cared about.” “I never would’ve known you weren’t into it Sirius, really, it was good.” Sirius rolled his head on his neck, looking sheepish but happy. 

“It’s not that I didn’t think it was good. It did feel good, you’re amazing. I just was also really busy, in my mind. My thoughts were just going in bad circles with pressure and doing the right thing and what you might tell your friends and what I’d tell my teammates … so of course it was harder for me to just enjoy it. But like I said, you were the last time I did that, so I’m also really thankful for that, and for you. If you couldn’t be the right one, I knew there was no point in trying anymore.” He switched his gaze to Remus and his grin turned dopey, “until this one told me he was gay, and that I’d be worth it.”

Remus squeezed his hand. “You are worth it. Every day.” 

“If I may,” Claire said, “it sounds to me like you’re both right. You’re right, my love, to feel a bit weird about learning the guy you slept with doesn’t actually like sleeping with women. But it’s also ok that you still enjoyed it, because you’re always allowed to have your own version of a situation, based solely on your own experience of it. And he was actively trying to have you enjoy it, for different reasons than you thought. There’s no way you could have known his every inner thought.” Rebecca smiled and rested her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder. 

“And you Sirius,” she continued, “it could be interpreted as misleading to have gone upstairs with her, but Rebecca and I, as women who love women, know the strength and seeping nature of comphet, as I’m sure you do too, as a man in a traditional masculine field. It gets into your bones and bosses you around and ties your thoughts up in knots. I’m really glad you freed yourself from expectations to let yourself live. I can tell the two of you are really good together,” she smiled. 

Remus nodded his head along with her and kept drawing calming circles with his thumb around Sirius’ palm. 

“Merci, Claire,” Sirius smiled, “and for what it’s worth, Rebecca, I’m sorry for putting you in that situation.”

“Forgiven, Sirius Black. And thank you for ruining me for other men, so that I could find this goddess,” she leaned up to kiss Claire on the lips, deep and sensual. Sirius thought that looked like a really great idea, and leaned in to Remus. 

“Ça va bien, baby?” Remus repeated, their lips close, breathing each other in and out. He had been pressed up against Sirius’ side this whole conversation, clutching his hand. And now they blocked out the mountains, the uncomfortable seat, the shining sun, and only focused in on each other. 

“Oui. Je vais bien. Etonné. But … also good. Glad to have you, like always.”

“I’ll never be anywhere else, mon mari,” Remus murmured as he leaned in to kiss Sirius. Lost in their kiss, they didn’t notice that Rebecca and Claire were watching them with soft smiles on their faces, Rebecca’s head still against Claire’s shoulder. Claire twirled her hand around and then threaded her fingers through Rebecca’s ponytail, smiling. 

The gondola started moving again, startling Sirius and Remus apart with a smile. They squeezed each other’s hands with a shiver, they both had goosebumps from a brief chill. They all rode the last few minutes how they all had thought their whole ride would go. They pointed out the tallest trees, saw shapes in the clouds, basked in the chance to be so high up and see the world from such a different perspective. Funny how that makes a difference for so many things. 

They all saw the loading area approach, and stayed quiet while they slowed to a stop and the doors opened. They filed out into the visitors center. When they rounded the corner and were away from most other people, Rebecca folded herself into Sirius for a hug, squeezing him, her cheek pressed into his chest. He rested the side of his head against her and held her for a long moment. 

“Despite the shock, it really was good to see you, Sirius. And super good to get to clear the air with you about our night together. I, selfishly, hope you don’t regret it, but it’s ok if you do. I’m still happy to know you. Maybe you can actually text me back now that there’s no big secret swirling over you, eh?” she swatted him in the stomach at the last, and he dodged with an oof and a laugh. 

“Rebecca, honestly, I’m really glad to have run into you like this. Sorry if I was weird. I don’t regret it, how can I, when it was a stop on the path to me finding my husband?”

Rebecca turned and gave Remus a hug too. “Sorry for having your husband before you,” she teased. Remus huffed a laugh, and hugged her back. 

“Good to meet you Rebecca. I’ll forgive you, I suppose .” he joked. “Since I’m the one he’s going home with, I can’t complain.”

“Nope, you have absolutely nothing to complain about, I would know,” Rebecca teased as she took Claire’s hand again. “And I have this goddess now anyways. Bye, guys, take care!” she said as they started to turn away down the boardwalk.

“Enjoy your vacation!” Claire said with a wave, and Remus and Sirius waved as well, standing with their arms around each other’s backs. When they were a good way down the boardwalk Sirius turned and collapsed into Remus’ arms. They stood there amidst the beauty of the mountains. Tourists walked past and around them, taking pictures. They stood long enough for clouds to form and reform shapes, until Sirius could huff out a laugh. “What the actual fuck are the chances.”

“Of you stepping into a 6 foot square enclosed space with the last woman you had sex with? Really, really, really low I’d imagine. Even if we changed the odds to include all the women in general who have seen you naked, the number still has to be…” Remus trailed off as Sirius stood up and pushed him away, grumbling and laughing. 

“Stop teasing me, mon loup, this was traumatising ,” Sirius pouted. 

“Oh baby, I know, I know, come here,” Remus laughed, and gathered Sirius in tight for one more hug. “Let’s look around? And then we can walk down? So we don’t accidentally get trapped with the next least likely person in the fucking world? I can’t quite imagine who that could be at this point, but we’re probably safer on a hiking trail.”

“Let’s get trapped with your college boyfriend, and I’ll make comments about your mouth, tabarnak , that was embarrassing,” Sirius laughed under his breath as he turned to take in the view. 

“I was trying to cut the tension!”

“I’ll cut your tension,” Sirius muttered back.

“Can’t wait, baby,” Remus said with a suggestive eyebrow waggle. Sirius rolled his eyes, and then they did enjoy the view, thoroughly. And they took the hiking trail back down the mountain. 

[femsolid]

Hi it’s the same anon here. I didn’t know that part about the school children which speaks to how uninformed I was. And since you mentioned it although I try to get news from both sides. Looking back these last months my news feed has been looking more conservative. I think I was too tired to do my own research and just took things at face value. Anyways I have reflected on what you said and will try to do better. I shouldn’t have spoken so reckless about other people. I didn’t mean to come off that way but your right wether or not I was paying attention the more I consumed that media subconsciously it was getting in. The avoid part was because I’ve been struggling with conflict resolution. Like instead of saying no I’ve been just been avoiding them. I’ve been having a hard time standing up for myself and setting boundaries and because of that I’ve been frustrated because I feel like they’re not picking up on my non verbal language. Which is stupid on my part because no one can read my mind. Either way your right I shouldn’t have projected my personal problems as general problems that all separatists go through. Thanks for answering my ask so quickly. I will change my watch history. Have a nice evening

Men don't need to read your mind to know when they're bothering you. The general harassment that women face for the crime of simply going out is a problem. But it doesn't stop nor start with a certain ethnicity. I take offence to your racism, not to the way you handle conflicts in your life. I hope you can take some distance and remember the real power imbalances at play. Would you leave your family, your studies, your country, your home, your pets, to go beg the streets in winter, in a country that perceives you like vermin? And if you were, would you be a problem? And would you be THE problem that deserves nationwide attention, on all news channels, the massive issue that should be talked about at every election? You?

Les chaines d'information françaises sont extrêmement racistes. Elles invitent des racistes qui déversent des mensonges continuellement et sans gêne et elles ne parlent que de ces sujets. Ce qui te donne l'impression que ces sujets sont plus communs qu'ils ne sont les réellement. Jamais tu verras un débat sur les mecs bien blancs, bien français, qui abusent de leurs filles tous les jours. Jamais tu verras un reportage sur les mecs blancs qui instrumentalisent la justice pour voler les enfants de leurs mères. Ni sur tous les managers blancs qui harcèlent sexuellement leurs collègues et subordonnées. Ni sur les docteurs et infirmiers bien blancs qui sont des serial violeurs. Et bien sûr tous les blancs qui s'adonnent au catcalling, aussi, eh oui.

Tu verras pas non plus de reportage sur la pauvreté qui met en cause les riches, puisque les riches possèdent les plateaux de télé. A la place tu verras des reportages et "débats" sur les gens au RSA, les roms qui mendient, les immigrés qui sont des assistés, les musulmans qui sont des terroristent et viennent violer "nos" femmes.

C'est de la propagande. Dès que tu t'informes avec des sources différentes, que tu regardes des choses plus variées, que tu lis, que tu t'interesses, que tu bosses avec des gens éduqués et qui viennent de partout, tu te rends compte que c'est pas l'ethnicité le problème.

Je me suis débarassée de ma télé y'a des années et, bizarrement, plus de "problème d'immigration" dans ma vie.