#He does have a hat collection; he just doesn't wear them anymore or as much

[siixkiing]

Due to the circlet, Wukong has come to not like wearing anything that encircles his entire head. He can wear headpieces and other accessories so long as they don’t enclose around his whole head; if he does wear anything that covers his entire head he tends to keep it loose or make it easy to remove.

Anything tight will make it freak out and panic too.

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

with al being in the st play and no mention of wayne, i'm going to throw out my own modified hc for the munsons and how eddie came to live with wayne:

i still like eddie coming back to hawkins in middle school, so in my head al left hawkins as soon as he graduated/on some scheme, or just good ol' wanting to get out of his hometown.

his older brother wayne had dropped out of high school to go out on the road. their own dad being absent, someone had to provide for them...so wayne has been driving cross-country in a big rig, collecting mugs, sending hats back for his nephew from all the places he visits.

anyway! al left town, meets eddie's mom, she gets sick, al gets locked up, wayne takes eddie back to hawkins after eddie's mom dies.

he takes a silent eddie home to the one-bedroom trailer (why would wayne have needed more than one? he was always on the road), with nothing but a dufflebag and a single cardboard box tucked under the kid's lanky arms.

wayne gets a job in town at the plant, gives eddie the bedroom because of course he's going to, a boy needs his space after all.

he comes home early one morning to find the lights on in the bathroom, and the unmistakable buzzing of the clippers floating down the hall.

he comes around the doorway quietly to find eddie, his head of curls shorn clean off, tears in his eyes, but a soft smile on his lips as he watches himself shove a hat onto his head in the mirror above the sink.

he takes the cap off, turning to the box wayne can now see balanced on the edge of the tub, and returning with a different one, sliding it onto his unevenly stubbled scalp.

"What've you been up to, boy?" wayne says, surprising his nephew.

he forces himself to keep the smile on his face when eddie's horrified, startled expression jumps to him.

"Way--Uncle Wayne, I'm sorry, sorr--I just. I wanted--I just wanted to--" Eddie cuts himself off when wayne steps close, picking up the clippers and standing behind the kid.

wayne slides the cap off eddie's head and puts it on his own; it's one that he sent eddie back from that weird cave/lake place he stopped at down in tennessee, "Let's get you cleaned up, hm?"

eddie nods warily up at wayne's reflection, and he gets to work, cleaning up the bits of hair eddie couldn't quite reach.

wayne gets it, he does. did somethin' similar shortly after realizing it was going to be him that'll have to step up for al and their ma. got a shitty tattoo of a star on his shoulder by a shitty friend with a shitty needle.. just to feel like he had control of one thing in his own life...before everything he did was all for someone else.

he doesn't mind it all much anymore; he wants to be the person here for eddie. he wants to do everything he is physically capable of doing--and more--for his nephew.

eddie wanted the same thing. wanted control over one thing in his life. one thing that he did cause he wanted to, and not because of everything that's been happening around him (and to him) outside his control.

once finished, wayne clicks off the clippers, brushes some of the hairs from eddie's shoulders and head (scrubbing a little too hard just to see the kid smile and try to bat him away), finally placing the 'Lost Sea' cap back on his head. "There. All cleaned up now." he says into the mirror, resting his hands on the kid's shoulders. "Glad to see you kept all'a them." he says, tilting his chin to the box balanced on the tub.

eddie glances at the box full of hats and mumbles out a "Of course I did, you got them for me."

wayne's eyes start to burn, and eddie continues, not seeming to notice. "Hats aren't really for me, and my stupid hair always got in the way of me wearing 'em anyway but--" he cuts himself off, looking down at the curls of hair still lounging around in the sink. "But, you got them for me, and..and I wanted you to know I appreciate them and..my stupid brain and stupid hair started reminding me of mom..."

a few tears slip off his cheeks

"Hey now, no worries kiddo." wayne says, soft as he can, as he comes to crouch down at eddie's side instead, turning the kid to face him. "Makes this old heart'a mine feel all warm and fuzzy knowin' you kept 'em all, but'cha don't gotta wear 'em on my account if you don't like 'em."

eddie finally looks up at him, blinking a couple more tears away.

wayne holds up a hand, "Honest truth. We'll head down to the hardware store in town and getcha some hooks instead. You can hang 'em up wherever you want."

eddie sniffs, but smiles just a bit. "You couldn't've told me before I hacked all my hair off?"

lmao this got away from me but @withacapitalp and @stevesbipanic stared saying things in the discord and i HAD to write it down 😅

[sygnasableye]

Trainer Red Headcanons

Since X Twitter is turning into a real dumpster fire of a site, I've decided to move my 'lore' threads over here so I still have access to them once I leave Elon's hellsite. First up is my interpretation of Red!

This iteration of Red is in his twenties, therefore taking place before his and Blue's trip to Alola. Teddy (OC) is briefly mentioned in this list.

Red is on the autism spectrum. Pokemon and battles are his main special interests, and playing with the brim of his hat is a stim.

He's bisexual.

He's selectively mute. As shown in Pokemas (and Smash Bros. too I guess), Red can talk -- he just typically doesn't unless he's with trusted friends & loved ones.

He's so incredibly in-sync with his main team that he no longer needs to issue commands in battle. When he was younger, he used hand signals to give commands; he still does this for mons that aren't on his main team.

Red wants to seem cool and mysterious to other people, and yes, this includes standing on an ice mountain to wait for challengers for a considerable amount of time. He probably read JJBA as a kid and thought Jotaro was the coolest dude ever.

He briefly had a crush on Green/Leaf (in my head they're the same person) back when they, including Blue, were on their Kanto journey together. He never told her and eventually lost that crush, but Green is still a very important friend to him.

Even roughly a decade later, Red still hasn't quite gotten over his loss to Ethan on Mt. Silver; it was his first real taste of defeat, after all. He does use it as motivation to train harder with his team, but although he respects Ethan, he's a bit nervous around him.

Red really, really likes bug pokemon. He doesn't battle with them often, but he likes to collect and raise them. One of his favorite bugs is Heracross, a reserve mon who he actually *does* battle with; he also particularly likes the Ledyba and Nincada lines as well!

Some time after the Sevii Islands adventure, Red caught a Mew after befriending it and earning its trust. He keeps Mew a secret from most people; only the closest of his associates (Pallet Town trainers, Prof. Oak, etc.) know about it.

If you claim to be a member of Team Rocket, even if you're kidding, Red will immediately challenge you to a battle you can't refuse. He does not take threats from TR lightly and will attempt to squash out any and all of their operations.

As gifted to him by Teddy, he has a Roaming form Gimmighoul that usually hangs out in his pocket or under his hat. It has a chest full of Gimmighoul coins in his room back in Pallet Town and will happily chill out there with his mom when it's not traveling with Red.

Red enjoys fishing because it lets him space out (until there's a bite on the line at least) and listen to the water's waves. "No thoughts, head empty" is a state of zen for him. He's not nearly as enthusiastic about fish pokemon as he is about bugs, though.

Strangled Red is canon to my interpretation of Red (and Blue). Red doesn't like to think about his former role model anymore and chooses to repress his grief into the back of his mind.

Red doesn't listen to much music outside of soundtracks from video games and shows of his youth, but he tends to enjoy most genres outside of very noisy, chaotic ones like metal and breakcore (they usually lead to sensory overloads for him).

Red's starter is Charizard, but he's closest to his Pikachu (nicknamed Pika; the only one on his main team to have a nickname) that he caught in Viridian Forest. Pika is outside of its ball more often than not and sometimes even serves as an emotional support mon for him.

Red is afraid of drowning and cannot swim. He is very envious of the Swimmer trainer class for this reason.

He hates shorts and how they feel on him. In his opinion, they are NOT comfy and easy to wear.

[kewwie-pie]

Some trans!fem pesci sketches! With some extra info/headcanon about her <3

I'm honestly really happy with her current design! I've had this silly little headcanon since 2022 (I think?) But it's been in the back of my mind for much longer considering in au's I've always had a habit of making her female, so of course I'd eventually end up with just straight up making her trans!

headcanons and extra info about pesci:

She was born to her Swedish mother and Italian father in the month of March. Her parents are very accepting of her and fully supported her transitioning.

She prefers She/Her pronouns but she doesn't really mind it when people use they/them.

Pesci gets most of her outfits from prosciutto! Prosciutto had nobody to support him when he was still young and figuring things out, so he sometimes gifts pesci stuff to make her feel better.

He gifted his old makeup and some clothes to her because it was collecting dust in his basement. The fur hat she wears was a gift from him!

Prosci did her makeup once while she was frustrated, and she sobbed right after, undoing all of the old man's hard work. (After wiping away her tears and giving her a peptalk along with his signature forehead touch, he redid her makeup.)

Pesci is a nail-biter. She had been ever since kids started bullying her for her appearance (mainly her weak chin).

Melone had suggested she get acrylics or gel nails

Now she doesn't bite her nails anymore, but only because she feels like it's a waste of money to bite them, and that would probably make her feel worse.

Pesci has two jobs, and her day job consists of helping her parents around their restaurant. The other is her job as a hit woman for la squadra.

Pesci and ghiaccio had met each other in juvie before. However, they didn't recognize each other due to their major change in appearance

Prosciutto used to (and still does) visit the restaurant pesci's parents own, he used to come there every noon for a cup of coffee and a nice hot meal. It's because of this that they met each other and why he'd eventually bail her out of jail when she murdered two men.

Prosciutto's reasons for bailing out pesci were kinda selfish. He was tired of getting accused having no heart and being an overal terrible person so he decided to do a good deed and free the waitress and take her under his wing.

(He totally didn't take her under his wing because he enjoys the ego boost it gives him and so that he can shove his dead sister issues onto her)

Oops this turned into me rambling about prosci

Depending on what mood I'm in, she's either dating Ghiaccio or Melone. Why not both? Because it makes me feel like I'm just inserting pesci into meloghia </3

[shithead-123]

Kotlc collecting habits Pt.2

Basically what I think various kotlc characters (mostly the kids) would collect. other than prattles pins bc we all know everyone collects those so.

this is inspired by my own habits of picking random shit up and stuffing it in my closet.

Tam: Again like Linh, not much of a collector. I think he's the least collect-y of the group. But of the very few things he does collect, he collects things that are useful, a lot like dex. he's hyper vigilant almost. He was Linh and his own sole caretaker (Linh took care of him too but Tams internalized this wayyy more than Linh did), and anything that can protect him and Linh is something he would collect. small knives, emergency med kits, fire proof clothing even. things like that. he's ready for the apocalypse. But maybe, far down the line, when he's starting to relax, he has a small book collection. I will die on my hill of Tam being a bookworm. he, Tiergan and Wylie can bond on their shared love of Pride 7 Prejudice. Or other equivalent elven books. Linh and Prentice are illiterate and proud (not that they're not smart, prentice is literally a keeper, they just hate reading). He also has a collection of Weird shirts Linh has made him. He doesn't throw them away. He'd rather die than wear them, but he'll look into his closet sometimes and quietly organize the shirts she made him and give a small smile.

Maruca: She seems like a bead girlie to me. Like her bead box, is gigantonourmous. She has made soooooooo many bracelets and necklaces and jewelry and honestly even beaded embroidery for her friends and herself and Wylie (Wylie is not her friend, he family, so it's diff). She still has vasttttt amount of beads left over. Literally once a month she goes on a bead hunt, bonus points if it's with someone else like Biana of Marella or something. On her reoccurring bead hunt, she will say she's only buying beads to make one(1) bracelet, and then proceeds to buy the entire store out. It's so funny. No one wants to go on her bead hunts anymore bc she makes them carry shit while she hunts for more beads. Honestly queen behavior. Literally all her clothing and jewelry and everything has beads on it. side point: she seems like she would be into making lace, and anyone who's ever watched ppl make lace, or make lace themselves, know that it's incredibly tedious. so hats off to her.

Marella: Marella does not think things through, if she likes, she takes. yes. I feel like she would have a collection specifically for like fire related things. Like fire earrings, fire decorated bandanas etc. OMFG wait. COWGIRL MARELLA. PLS SOMEONE DO THIS I WOULD DIE. anyways, after like the initial shame and fear she gets from manifesting as a pyrokinectic, I think she would feel angry. I mean I know. this is canon pretty sure. She's not ashamed anymore, and wants to prove this fact with buying fire related stuff. I also think she might be into collecting ribbon. Like for her hair. She ties little bits of ribbon in it and it makes her feel pretty. She starts doing it regularly bc her mom used to put ribbons in her hair before her accident. Nw she does by herself bc no one will do it for her. :)

(stellarlune spoilers): ik most ppl have read it by now but still

Rayni: She's again, a lot like Linh and Tam. She doesn't have a the capacity to collect things because of her living situation in the never seen. All she has is her cat statue. of course, she had a life before her parents tribunal and subsequent banishing, and from that time period, I feel like she would pull a Linh and collect stickers. Actually that could be bonding, like Her and Linh find each others sticker stashes, and start trading them like Pokemon cards. It's their bonding time. Linh can yell at Rayni and Rayni can yell at Linh art various sticker deals they're making, and at the end, they have cool new stickers and they're happy. Btw Rayni does have a very large cat sticker collection. She currently on the hunt to look for a cat sticker that looks like her cat statue. She'll find it someday. again side note: Rayni never actually uses the stickers. They're in a super secret bin underneath her bed or something.

Jensi: U guys thought I forgot him huh. Plant dad. Plant boy. Exotic plants. Native plants. Invasive plants. He has a nice little garden which is periodically harvests from. He's the gnomes favorite bc he loves plants. If anyone wants a little cottage core scene they go to his house. He has poisonous plants, and like maybe sometime in the war against the never seen sophies like looking for this super rare plant that has insane toxins in it and Jensi's like. Oh yeah I have like six of those in my backyard lol. and I also bred them to be even more potent. want some? Sophie is flabbergasted. She has new respect for the Venus fly-trap he gifted her. Fintans a plant dad? wrong. He's nothing compared to Jensi. Nothing.

Wylie: I'm going full angst with this one and saying he collects hairpins/clips. Like the ones his mother used to make. He obviously doesn't use them. maybe he gives some to Maruca and other friends/family with longer hair. (wait Wylie with long hair. hmmmmm. I like it). But mostly he just hides them away. And when he's trying to remember what his mothers smile looked like, (Bc he doesn't have photographic memory, and he was very young when she died, he's bound to forget) he opens up the hair pin box and cries. he gives one of the remaining pins he has to Tiergan bc he has long hair. And they cry together. Could also be sad times with him and Prentice too. They mourn together while looking at the hair pins.

[ben-the-hyena]

I know probably nobody is reading my latest ongoing fanfic Of Blood and Hearts, but in case some of you do and wonder why I HC and depict Dr Ironfang as being a vampire who likes "hip" and modernity and is familiar with modern technology and internet whereas most vampires in the show are much more traditional :

Most adult vampires in the show, who all are ancient, dress up vintage-style. Except his tophat, which is probably just because he loves tophats since he wore one even when he was younger, his clothes are modern. A simple suit with a jacket and a sweater beneath. And noting how his portrait of his younger self depicts him in a vintage fancy tuxedo implies he likes to style himself as fashion evolves and so adapts his looks through history and takes care of his looks

I'm pretty sure all the vampires in the show write using quills. He's the only I can think of who uses a pen

All the other vampires move from one place to another through their bat forms or through old-fashioned carriages with horses. He's the only one with a car, sure a magical one that drives itself half of the time yes but a car. It's vintage-looking, but we could attribute it to how nowadays they are expensive collection pieces one has to show off (especially with that little statues located on the front), he is a Lord after all

To everyone's surprise and contrasting with how Lady Kryptina angrily demanded them to stop this instant, him seeing the kids dance around their own fun modern ways having fun at a PE exam did surprise him but quickly delighted him to see such originality and modernity, effective and recreational (I suppose, I don't speak German)

He does seem to love modern music aimed at young people since we see him cameo in an episode at a concert where the kids are having fun in which is played the show's theme (rock/metal) among other youngsters and we see him dance eagerly to the tune ; sure he has different colors because there are chances he was meant to be a random vampire and they were too lazy to design one so they just took an existing character and changed his palette, but since it wasn't the first time his skin color looked off and he could perfectly change his clothes, I see it as him

He seems ok with dying his hair frequently. His portrait shows he used to be a brunette, and in his first appearance his hair is grey, being older. However from his next appearance, his hair is blonde. Again his change of design was probably not meant to be taken seriously in-universe but since he was chiller/smilier than in his debut episode and went from gloomy colors to bright I personally see it as him taking a turn after some mid-life crisis or post-accident depression and to start anew he changed clothes and dyed his hair to look younger and blonde because it's more "attractive". And if again we agree the guy in that concert is him, it means he had also dyed it pinkish for the sake of "headbanging" music meaning he is NOT afraid of funny hair colors unlike some old people and dedicated as well as perhaps sporting different ones depending of the event

Again like I pointed out in a post, he looks buff compared to his pre-accident younger self. Not fat, not squashed up, but it does have curves all while being broad and proportionate to be just "scrunched up". Knowing that in vampires you are naturally strong even if you're a stick so you don't need to buff up means 1) he chose to do it for aesthetic, 2) probably after his accident that shrank him up to feel better about himself and make his squashed up body look more proportionate now he wasn't tall anymore (let's be honest he HAS to know and pretend he doesn't he even wears a taller hat ever since he got short as if to compensate for God's sake) since we see his younger tall self was slender and 3) he must have had worked out with machines and other modern means

[hhjs]

rewind, revive. (all that we are.)

pairing. — kim sunwoo x reader.

genre. — angst.

alternatively. — wherein letting go is all but a reminder of why he seemed to hold on.

mystery trope!

word count. — 2.8 k

note. — inspired the nbhd's 'wdywfm' and 'reflections'. (impacting characters exactly in that order of the songs.) this is unedited so bear with me lmao

Regret is a funny thing.

One can feel it approaching light years before the realisation hits. Like squinting at dim headlights in the distance, before the vehicle picks up pace, before the tires skid against wet gravel, before it finally, finally occurs that it's too late, too late to go back and walk away, to stop oneself from facing the impact head on. From having the air knocked right out of one's lungs.

Sunwoo knows for a fact what he is doing fits that criteria.

Something about the prevailing silence that comes after heated arguments is utterly eerie; being an on and off couple for the longest time indicated that you recognised that much.

"I think we should take a break. Figure things out on our own."

He looks at the little scar you'd gotten from accidentally ramming your toe into the doorframe because you were too excited to see him. (It's healing.) No, that's not right. From this position, sat atop the sofa, when he's holding his head in his palms as your tone rises mid syllable, that's all he can see. No, he can't look at you. He can't look at himself in your eyes now, dropped way below all expectations you held to him once, silhouette of his peeved face in them leaves a rancid emotion inside his belly.

"Is that what you really want?" You ask, this time with a slight hint of surrender in your voice.

Sunwoo wants to say he doesn't exactly know what he wants, what he is feeling, perhaps it's the aftermath of working too hard, taking on too much stress, or so Changmin explained to him earlier that week, he doesn't quite perceive himself as someone who could lament his problems easily - however, it's very clear to him that he is pushing you away, sealing himself off suddenly, missing out on dates, calls and falling short in the department of being his usual affectionate self.

Or maybe, Sunwoo doesn't love you anymore.

What if he's never loved you at all? What if whatever you have is all a resultant of mere infatuation and he was too young to differentiate from the start?

Whatever it is, Sunwoo isn't too sure, but you... obviously notice. He's always finding excuses to distance himself and it's changing you, who you used to be when he fell in love with you. In fact, every day is a constant evidence of just how disconnected your relationship is from how it was in the beginning, in the 'honeymoon stage' or whatever. The way he tenses up when you throw an arm around him every night he plops down against your shared bed too late, only entertaining your comforting words with monosyllabic responses; he seems to test your patience, trying to find your breaking point.

And this is it, he thinks.

What you suggested as an innocent movie night with him, trying to get him to talk to you, about anything, anything at all, soon took a bad turn when you reached out to interlock your arms and he found himself brushing you off.

It was just the same little act that piled and piled atop all of his 'little acts' and this final blow sent everything tumbling down, all at once. The way you stared at your spread out, empty palm as you asked him why he was being like this is an image he finds difficult to forget.

Albeit he doesn't hesitate, asking you to stop nagging him, to stop overreacting. To just leave him alone.

Now, with the weight of his words absent inside, all he senses is blatant emptiness taking refuge in its place, an epiphany that he can't take back what he said.

You don't say a word when Sunwoo's reply comes in the form of an affirmative nod and what's worse, he thinks, is that you don't look surprised.

As if you saw it coming all along.

...

When he agrees to put up with one of the double dates Eric set, it's because his friends are convinced that the relationship has reached a dead end. Sunwoo ignores that idea and indulges in what he perceives as newfound freedom.

Even though the excitement of getting to know someone new is momentary, replaced by a strong underlying feeling that nauseates him. Whenever Sunwoo looks over the candlelight and watches his date smile back at him, it feels like he's doing something wrong. Something hypocritical.

Recently, every day feels the same. Every hour melding into the same old routine. This is boredom, Sunwoo tells himself, though he's positive it's anything but.

It's quite a surprise not having chanced upon you by accident, given years of dating has merged your social circles.

Really, when he thinks about it, Sunwoo's known you for the longest time.

Since he was sure he would fail a calculus pop quiz and he kicked your chair to gather correct answers, you were so shy, innocent and how that sparked a sense of adoration in him for the first time ever, since you ended up becoming best friends in spite of your essentially different personalities. Sunwoo tries to remember the exact feeling of snowflakes collecting on his cheeks, in your eyelashes, his cool fingers in his pockets, while a street light buzzed overhead - not every detail is clear - but the sight of your beaming face as he timidly confessed his feelings is unmistakable. As time passes, he tries thinking about it more and more, afraid someday he'll look back and miss out the most essential rudiments of the event. Or worse, forget altogether. It's such a distant, fleeting moment that elicits a bittersweet sensation in him. Sweet because some part of him will always be entwined with some part of you, bitter because you were no longer together.

Sunwoo shakes his head, as though the gesture ought to come in assistance in ridding himself of the aforementioned thoughts. He's the one who wanted this whole break thing, right?

He pushes his trolley around, leans on the handle like he used to as a kid and paces up through empty lanes after looking around to see that the seven eleven store is mostly empty. He successfully breezes through aisles and throws in packaged kimbap, frozen fried rice and crisps to his trolley; and then, suddenly, a juice extract shelf in the distance catches his eye.

Sunwoo focuses his vision and marks his next destination, all the while imitating low humming of a makeshift engine with his mouth.

But of course, much to his dismay, his trolley jams right into another that approached out of the aisle to his side that he hadn't kept an eye on in moving only forward.

He mutters a string of quiet apologies, bowing briefly and hoping to God that the person hadn't heard him swear under his breath. "It's alright."

Sunwoo looks up and blinks curiously recognition washing over him.

It's only been a few weeks but the sight of your face, the real thing, not instagram photos, not the ones in his money bag or photo frames in his drawer, hits him with the force of a bullet train.

Your face is bare, shadows splattered against your forehead and the tip of your nose because you're wearing his - and he only realises now - ridiculously big, pink bucket hat, a hand casually positioned into a jacket pocket, there's something so endearing about this.

"Hey." Sunwoo says.

"Hey."

You stare at him for a good second and then as if realising something, you blink rapidly, fishing out a pear extract juice to dump it in his trolley. "Here."

It is an unspoken gesture, to relay that you still remember what he likes and what he doesn't like, that you've unraveled the likes of Sunwoo, excavated all the little, measly, trivial quirks, secrets and lies buried deep inside the cavity of his chest.

"Thanks." Sunwoo just stares, entranced.

It is only when he's back home, nuzzled into the comfort of his favourite blanket that still smells a little like you, does he realise he misses you.

...

"I don't care."

Sunwoo thinks he means it, like this, when he has a hoodie pulled over his head and balances a controller with great expertise, looking perfectly unfazed by Chanhee's comment about whether or not he should invite you to his party, it almost sounds true. "I just wanna see them." He settles. Time apart only reminded him just how impatient he could be when he wanted something and wasn't getting it immediately. He is seeing clearly, you're the only constant in the overwhelming vicissitudes of his life, the only one who saw him at his worst as you did at his best and stayed. That comfort, that very familiarity, is far better than the infamous honeymoon stage or any stage, for that matter.

Sunwoo realises that now. Even if it's just a little late.

Rolling his eyes, Chanhee pushes a grocery bag containing the former's snack and tears open a packet of honey crisps.

Prior to this confession, no matter how much Sunwoo insisted that he was fine, that his stare didn't linger every time he mistook a stranger for you, that he definitely didn't pretend to do the dishes even though he refused to do the chore under any other circumstances just to overhear his friends talking about a new event in your life, or just... about you, Chanhee doesn't believe him.

In retrospect, no one does. But Chanhee is least discreet about it.

"I don't suppose that's a good idea..." He pauses, swallowing, "What if things go south?"

Beneath an act of trying to untie the grocery bag, Sunwoo contemplates that he doesn't know how to respond to this inquiry, he had pictured your next meeting many a times, prepped himself to do or say very particular things, the way you always made up, time and time again forgiving each other in spite of all obstacles in your way, to a point where you friends got tired of you going back and forth, convinced that you could never really break up... - no, he is sure nothing can change, that's a blatant impossibility, Sunwoo knows you and you know him. No matter how much he fucks up - you know he'll always come back to you.

That's how it has always been.

"Figures, huh?"

Sunwoo scoffs, noting the way his friend's expression morphes to a confused furrowing of brows. He holds the yellow classic salted packet up instead whilst wrinkling his nose more than necessary, knowing the remark would prompt Chanhee to get annoyed and forget all about his own remark. “You got the wrong flavour again.”

The older male crumples a crisp in his palm and flicks it at Sunwoo.

The answer is simple, he'll never know if he never tries. Love is not chance but a decision, love is a choice, isn't it?

Well, Sunwoo chose you, he chooses you. He'll choose you over and over again.

...

"Can we talk?"

You nod slowly, a sigh escaping your parted lips. An expression on your face that Sunwoo can't put a finger on. But he doesn't have to, not when you comply so easily, joining him out into the balcony divorced from the apartment rife with noise and evidence of inebriation.

You lean over the railing, your eyes travelling far off into the impossibly dark scenery, the silence is imbued with a vague sense of eerie, the kind that ensues before something terrible happens.

All Sunwoo can think about is how beautiful you are. Suddenly, he feels guilty - see, he can't remember the last time he appreciated you, showered you with accolades you most certainly deserve. He mimics your position, turning his head slightly to take in every detail. Committing it all to memory. Things are different now. You look different.

Last time he saw you, he could map out the swollen quality of your eyes, nails bitten and chipped, the little characteristics that gave away you weren't doing well. Now, there's an indescribable glow to your face, something under the perfectly dolled up look, the red beret on your head, matched with an utterly fabulous coat that guards you from cool autums.

It's a new outfit. The discomfort is newer.

"You look great." He finally speaks and it's not the best way to start a conversation that's dangling by its last finger, akin to an inexperienced acrobat - he doesn't know what is.

You chuckle. "Is that what you wanted to say?"

"N-no...I just.." he pauses, the words all bundling up on his tongue into one big mess of sentences that don't make any sense. When you finally look at him, leaning back on your elbows now, Sunwoo gulps, this isn't a figment of his imagination, no, this is real. It's now or never. "I'm sorry." He starts, the mere utterance of those words seem to spark no change in your appearance. As if you're waiting for him to continue. Right now, apologies just aren't good enough. "This whole thing was so stupid. Baby I-I know I fucked up but... I love you. Okay? I promise I'll do anything to make it up to you. Whatever you want."

You stare at him for a long second, just letting his words sink in but also just seemingly allowing yourself to think. Then you push yourself up, standing straighter. "You dont have to." You say simply, a hint of finality laced into your tone. All Sunwoo finds himself thinking is how you don't reciprocate, uttering the same I love you like you always did. Out of habit.

He curls his fingers into fists, knuckles whitening and whitening under the strain. His vision is a blurring film against which you look like a faint silhouette, secluded by rivulets of raindrops racing down windows. It's embarrassing, how he feels, all those bubbling emotions reduced to that of a child being denied his favourite candy.

"W-What is that supposed to mean?" He blinks, finding that you're staring at your spread out palms. Like they're evidence for something you've done.

"Sunwoo." You say. It sounds like a warning, like a don't get any closer. "I don't like who I become when I'm with you."

At this point, Sunwoo just listens. In his mind, he hadn't foreseen this. He knew it wouldn't be easy, he knew he had to try his best but...this...losing you... that was out of question. Right?

No, he tells himself, he'll fix it, he'll get it together.

"You know, I was really angry at you for breaking up with me...but it was probably for the best." You produce a garbled laugh, lifting your face skyward, looking up at the glossy layers of pollution, of purplish clouds and the barely there moon behind, like you're reading off sentences from them. Sunwoo stares at you, he wants to reach out and trace the curves of your face without thinking twice, without holding back. "We did need time to think... and it made me realise that I've always loved you more than you've ever loved me. Heck, even more than I loved myself...and... I can't be that version of me again." You sniffle, "That's not love... That's devotion."

"Hey, don't say that!" He drags his fingers up from the railing and reaches out to touch your elbow, "Come on...we-we can work it out. We always do." These words , they come out all choked up and hoarse.

You stiffen up at the sound, "You're not listening to me." You shrug him off, adamantly piloting your gaze to linger away from him, your back's turned away from him but then you pause, just slightly looking over your shoulder and your gaze softens at the sight of him using his sleeve to dab at his cheeks. The gesture makes him feel hopeful, just for a second. 

Then you sigh, shaking your head, "Don't you get it?" You say, "We can't fix this...we can't fix each other.

Inexplicably, he thinks of a perfect world, where he could go back just once, where it all started, everything before, holding his head in his hands and the little scar on your toe and is that what you really want?

This time, Sunwoo would mutter a quick no. He'd flick on the television and snuggle into your side, talking mindlessly about something that makes you laugh.  To forget all about the stupid argument.

But in reality, he lets your words ricochet off of the walls, listening to the transient beats of music pouring into the balcony when you slide the door open to let yourself out. 

It shuts.

Everything goes quiet.

And this soundlessness, this solitude, he knows this, he's heard this, he's seen this, he's felt this, this... this is final,

 this is goodbye.

[mrs-mikko-rantanen]

all of them for Avanda Nyar Jalev

Oof. Ok. Hold up.

🍷 How does your OC act when they are drunk? Are they the type of drunk that laughs and giggles about every little thing? Are you a sad drunk that cries about how your life has turned out? Or are you the sleepy drunk that falls asleep soon after drinking?

Avanda is a giggly drunk. Thinks everything everyone says is hilarious. Sings a lot but dissolves into laughter at the drop of a hat. Veeerrrry cuddly too. Snuggles up with whoever's next to her after a glass of wine.

Nyar...depends on the situation really. Loud/funny drunk at parties. Likes to have fun. Sings Johnny Cash songs and laughs really loudly. If he keeps drinking or if he started drinking on his own? Quiet. Angry. Ya know how you can feel electricity in the air before a rain/thunderstorm starts? Yeah. You get that looking at him. Low, rumbling voice and dark, smouldering eyes. Scary.

Jalev doesnt drink much really. Usually the designated driver. But when they do theyre a sad/crying drunk. Usually fall asleep.

💒 How would your OC's ideal wedding look like? If they've already been married or are already married, what was their wedding like? Was there a large gathering, or will be? Was it an indoor or outdoor venue? Will your OC act different from usual? Will they be calm and collected, or a nervous wreck?

Avanda doesnt want much. Her mom and dad, Ewan's family, the crew, and her army of brothers/siblings. Outside. Preferably in the woods. Laid back and happy. She recognizes that as a princess, she probably wont get that, so her plan is a secret wedding with the above as a reception after. Then her mother and the court can put on a more official circus, but it won't matter because she and Ewan will have already had their moment the way they wanted to. Wont be nervous at all. Will feel totally at peace because this is where she wants to be. Where she'll spend the rest of her life.

Nyar wants it small. They can always tell the crews after. Just him and Jace, maybe a witness. He doesn't care what either of them wear. When Carina makes him think about big fancy stuff, he thinks it would be fun if Jace wore a traditional tux, while he wore a lacy white suit. He thinks Jace would like that. 10/10 he will wear eyeliner, but only if jace puts it on for him. Pretends not to be nervous but c'mon? Simp like him? Hes gonna be so fucking awestruck.

Jalev honestly....hasnt thought about it? Not because they dont want to, just because they dont think Jamie would want to marry them. Cottagecore vibes, on their family's farm. 100% will wear a dress. Nervous mess.

🧥 If someone your OC cared about was found wearing their favorite jacket whilst asleep, how would your OC react? Would they find the scene adorable/cute? Would they feel annoyed that their s/o is wearing their clothes?

Avanda would smile and tuck them in more. Sit next to them and read/work quietly until they woke up and then make thousands of comments about how cute they looked in the jacket all bundled up. (And since we covered pining!ewan: pining!av walks in, sees him curled up and snoring under her flannel like its a blanket, blushes, turns on her heel and finds the nearest friend who knows about her crush and gushes about "omigod he's wearing my clothes hes so cute shit now its gonna smell like him when I get it back this isnt faiiiir")

Nyar doesn't own any of his hoodies anymore. He rolls his eyes a little and tucks Jace in if he thinks he can do it without waking em up. Counts his jacket as another lost soul.

Jalev. Giggles and tucks them in tighter. Makes a cup of tea and puts on classical music, reads in the other chair.

😱 Is your OC easily scared? Do they get jumpy at little things? Do they avoid horror movies, spiders, haunted houses, etc.? Do they need someone to be with them cause they can't stand being in the house by themselves?

Avanda doesnt like to admit it, but yeah. She spent her whole life building up this impression that she was tough and strong and fearless, but has always been a little anxious. After Sevoc? She has so many triggers that she is pretty much always on high alert, unless shes around people she trusts. Then shes on low alert.

Nyar is pretty hard to scare. Jump scares can surprise him, and depending on how they're done trigger ✨trauma responses✨ bc Lillian fucked him up pretty good. Doesn't avoid anything, usually keeps his cool.

Jalev is sorta scaredy cat? Idk. They don't like scary movies or haunted houses, but will go if their friends insist (which they usually do) Bugs are not a problem, they are a beekeeper.

⌛ If your OC had the power to change one thing from their past, what would they change, and why? Would changing their past benefit them in someway? Or would they leave things as they are now?

Avanda may try to go back to save Will. She isnt sure how much she'd be able to help, but he died for her and she carries that guilt. She would do anything to try to help him.

Nyar has an event that he would go back and not do, but only people with Best Friend Privilege™ get to know about it bc Spoilers :)

Jalev may go back to meet their biological family. They dont know anything about them, and I think theyd at least like to see them once.

✨ What is your OC's favorite holiday, and why? Do they change how they present themselves, appearance and personality-wise? Or do they stay the same? Does this holiday hold some important meaning to them? Or does it just give them an excuse to party or be different?

Avanda is a Christmas bitch. All out. Is this me projecting? Absolutely. No questions asked. Lights? Fuck yeah. She starts listening to/singing Christmas music the day after her birthday, which is in October. Not usually big on gift giving. Likes to get gifts for the people closest to her, but tries to keep it handmade. More interested in the gathering of friends and family than anything else. Secretly lives Halmark-y Christmas movies and will watch them when shes alone.

Nyar likes Christmas. He likes seeing his friends actually relax and he likes seeing them have fun. It feels like they're kids again for a while. He enjoys his homeworld's traditions too, but doesn't really celebrate them. He doesnt want to go back to his parents to celebrate with them and he doesnt want to make his friends celebrate them if they dont want to. Always visits his sister's grave. Pretty much the only thing he can remember about her is that she loved the winter holidays.

Jalev likes Christmas too, but just...? Idk they like Easter. Winter always feels a little stifling to them so they like having an excuse to celebrate the Thaw, as they call it. To them it feels like letting out a breath theyve been holding since the first snowfall.

🦸 If your OC had any superpower in the world, what would it be, and why? Would they use their powers for good, benefiting others, or would they use it for evil, benefiting only themselves?

Avanda would want the ability to heal others. Pretty self explanatory for her. She's a healer. She wants to heal. Wants to stop people from being in pain.

Nyar would probably want Super Strength. Hes kinda basic. But he wants to protect the people he loves and to him, that just seems like the best way to do it. To stop whatever is hurting them by force.

Jalev would want plant powers. They like green things. They would want to make the world a little prettier. They think it sounds silly but...yeah. Plants.

🍳 Is your OC a good cook, or do they have trouble making the simplest of dishes? Are they skilled with just one particular set of food, or can they cook any dish they set eyes on?

Avanda is a fantastic cook. Loves cooking. Not as much a part of her personality as say Thane or Jimmy, but shes a really good cook. Does most things very well. Likes to try new things.

Nyar can cook. It will be edible. It may not be good, but you can eat it. Macaroni and ramen count, right?

Jalev is a bit better than Nyar, but not by much. Would much rather let one of their friends cook for them.

😤 Does your OC get jealous easily? If someone they cared about was spending more time with someone else than with them, how would your OC react? Would they blow it all of proportion? Would they talk to their friend? Or would they just not care?

Avanda probably was early on/pining/pre reveal? But just because she was in denial about liking Ewan in the first place. But once they were actually together? Nah not so much.

Nyar....only with Devon probably. And thats less jealousy and more concern for Jace's safety and well-being. But when hes drunk and moody? Yeah. Looks like jealousy.

Jalev no. Not really. Kind of sees themself as replaceable and unimportant. Is never really surprised and just shrugs. Of course they have other friends to be with. They're their own person.

🛀 What does your OC typically smell like? Do they have a really strong scent, like perfume, cologne, or something? Do they typically smell like liquor, cigarettes, etc.? Or do they just not have a strong smell?

Avanda uses Kat Von D Saint and Sinner perfumes. She likes to smell like the woods too. When she pulls out a flannel anf it smells like rain and trees and campfire smoke? Shes very happy. But usually just the perfume.

Nyar smells like Citrus. :) (and sometimes whiskey)

Jalev smells like Honey and Lavender. And books.

👚 How would your OC react if they accidentally walked in on their s/o changing? Would they just stare at them before calmly closing the door? Would become embarrassed, and swiftly close the door, trying to calm themselves? Or would they make some flirtatious remark, and then leave, laughing to themselves?

Ok. It depends on when in the relationship. Like. Early on Ewvanda? Av os gonna be an apologetic mess blushing and looking away and scrambling to get out of the room to let him change. Then shes gonna spend a lot of time thinking about how pretty his tattoos are and how many scars he has and how badass they make him look. Later stage Ewvanda? Eh. They live together. She probably says "hey good lookin'" while grabbing whatever she came in for and winks at him before leaving.

Nyar is sorta similar? I guess? Idk. Probably raises an eyebrow and makes a flirty comment before leaving. (He will blush though. A lot.)

Jalev probably just shuts their eyes and apologizes a lot and scrambles to get out of the room.

👗 Reverse the last scenario. How would your OC react if someone walked in on them while they were changing? Would they scream, and yell at them to 'get out'? Would they shrug and continue changing?

Avanda probably yelps and tries to cover up while blushing. Probably says "get ouuuttt!"but in that kinda casual goofy girlfriend way. Will throw soft things at Ewan if he starts to tease or flirt.

Nyar has ✨body image issues!!✨ 100% will cover up as quickly as possible and glare and get very defensive. This probably wouldnt change too terribly much even after he and Jace have been together for a long time, just add guilt to the mix too. Because Jace loves him right? Ey've told him that over and over so they must mean it.....but what if ey're lying? What if ey think hes ugly and hate his body just as much as he hates it? Ey probably think every scar is just as hideous and just as much a sign of failure as he does.

Jalev gets stuttery and uncomfortable. "Oh uh...no. No, I'm sorry, I uhhh should have locked the door, I'm sorry...."

[mikkomacko]

In The Shadows

Shout out to @harryxmac for being the sweetest and helping me! 😊

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun shines brightly on the row of small houses, the clear blue sky making them appear even nicer. It's nice weather, y/n thinks with a smile, the perfect weather for moving day. As if reading her thoughts, Jess voices her gratitude for the weather.

"God it's beautiful outside."

Y/n nods, lifting one of the boxes out of the car and heading towards their little cottage. She passes her mom, who smiles a bit too emotionally, heading into the house and leaving the box on the floor. Her mama slides it into a stack with the others, just as Jess enters.

"I call the other upstairs bedroom!" She suddenly shouts, as if y/n would ever argue with her. After years of being best friends, you think she'd know her better than that. The cottage houses four girls instead of two like a regular dorm, and the girls that are living with them had requested two of the three rooms upstairs, leaving y/n downstairs. Not that she minds, she'd rather not climb stairs every day.

"Guess we can start moving this stuff into the room down here." Her mama says, lifting two stacked boxes and taking them to the room down the tiny hallway. Y/n helps her, moving all her stuff into the fairly big room while her mom brings the rest of her stuff in. Y/n can't help but giggle watching Jess and her mother carry boxes up the steps, and her mama scolds her with a swat to her arm.

Y/n and her mom settle on the couch placed randomly in the living room, snickering quietly as the three girls go up and down the stairs.

"Laughing? Without me?" A dramatic voice gasps from the open doorway, and y/n's head snaps at the familiar voice.

Harry stands in the doorway, grinning boyishly at her and her mom. Y/n saw him a couple times over the summer, but she was so busy with working and he was constantly driving back up to the school for summer soccer practices that it wasn't enough. Not even close to enough.

"Either help or move!" Jess shouts, snapping y/n out of her gaze as she pushes Harry out of the way. He scoffs, and Anne mutters an apology as she pecks Harry's cheek.

"Harry! Oh come give me a hug!" Her mom cheers, rising up from the couch. Harry immediately swoops in to hug her, cheek squishing adorably against her mom's.

"I swear you get taller every time I see you." Her mom says motherly, squeezing Harry's face. He chuckles bashfully, turning to y/n with a grin.

"You all moved in peanut?" He asks, looking around for extra boxes. She smiles nervously and nods.

"Not unpacked, but moved in." Harry chuckles at her words, and his smile grows when his sister curses as she stomps up the stairs.

"Never take the room upstairs." He advises with a shake of his head. Y/n and her mom both chuckle, and Jess curses from upstairs again.

"It's only a matter of time before they make you take over." Her mom says, patting Harry on the back. He huffs, looking at y/n pleadingly.

"Want some help unpacking? I'm great at putting beds together!"

She probably shouldn't be in a room alone with him, not when he's wearing a practically see through white tee-shirt and he's got a hat holding back his curly hair. And definitely not when he's gotten much broader over the summer, and somehow started a collection of tattoos.

But she can't help herself. He's her friend after all, even if he's undeniably attractive. So she nods, and they quickly move to her room. Harry works on putting her bed together, and y/n starts unloading her things onto the white bookshelf.

"Remember how nervous you were for high school?" Harry suddenly says with a short laugh. Y/n scowling, shakes her head.

"Thought you were gonna throw up in my car peanut."

Y/n scoffs, glaring at him. "No you didn't!"

He smirks at the rise in her tone. "Was just thinking about it because you don't look too nervous for college."

Y/n shrugs, stacking a group of books next to each other and using a candle to keep them from falling over. "Don't have to be. I've got Jess."

She almost misses the way his eyes widen with faux hurt and he pouts. Her heart shudders in her chest, and she balks for a moment because she forgot he was so cute. "And you, of course."

Immediately his smirk returns, and he nods as he lays out the frame of her bed. "Where do ya want this peanut?"

Y/n doesn't even turn to look at him. "Corner please."

Harry grunts softly as he moves the bed, and then again as he moves her box spring and mattress for her. She turns back to her box, finding Harry laying on her unmade bed. She wants to tease him for only helping for ten minutes, but she also doesn't want to disturb him so she stays silent.

After a moment, he speaks. "Think ya should come to this party next week. S'at my house, so I know it's safe, and I don't know, might be a good initiation into the school."

"You're not gonna like make us streak across campus or sell drugs because we're new right?"

Harry's laugh is loud and bubbly, and it makes her blush and grin proudly. "I would never peanut."

"You're gonna call me that forever aren't you?"

His reply is instantaneous. "Absolutely. Always gonna be peanut."

Y/n doesn't mind the nickname Harry's always called her, but it feels right to complain about it. She however, doesn't get the chance before her mom and mama are entering the room, playfully scolding Harry for not helping. He immediately helps her mom crush empty boxes, and y/n can't help but think it's sweet that Harry's helping her instead of his sister.

"Harry, you promise to take care of my baby right?" Her mom asks, and y/n doesn't have to look at her to see the pout on her mom's face.

"Of course I will," Harry says firmly. "Always looking out for peanut."

She blushes, and her mama must notice because she immediately squishes her in a hug. Y/n rolls her eyes, hoping Harry didn't notice her blushing. As long as he doesn't notice, it doesn't matter. Because it's harmless, she reminds herself, her crush on Harry is harmless.

~

Y/n knows it's not okay to be doing this. God, it's so far from okay, but she can't help herself. She's never been good at handling alcohol, especially Tequila, which is what she's been drinking all night. Well, she's on her second glass but it's still enough to make her giggle at everything and nothing, and her eyelids are feeling heavy. It must be noticeable because Harry's slowly but surely plastering himself to her side, arm slinging around her shoulder when she stumbles on the uneven grass.

"Never should've given ya that drink," Harry murmurs, words laced in amusement as y/n pouts over the tequila that sloshed to the ground.

"Should give me another one, I think." She says innocently, blinking up at Harry. She's not sure when he got so tall or so handsome, and it bothers her. He's not allowed to be this attractive, not when she can't do anything about it.

"Should give you water, I think." He mocks with a deep chuckle. Y/n doesn't know what's so funny, but she giggles because he does, and he must know she's lost because it makes him laugh even more.

"Alright peanut," Harry sighs, snatching her drink out of her hand. Before she can whine he dumps it's contents to the grass, crushing the red solo cup in his long fingers. "no more tequila for you."

Y/n whines, pouting at the crushed cup in his hand. "You're so mean!" She cries dramatically. "You're a bully Harry!"

He laughs again, leading her up the porch steps and towards the packed frat house. "M'just terrible aren't I?"

"Yes."

"The absolute worst."

"Mhm."

"Big bad wolf, yeah?"

"Yeah."

Her whiny mumbles make him laugh again, holding her tighter to his side as they push through the crowd. She doesn't really know how she got stuck under Harry's arm while he laughs and teases her. She had just wanted to watch her first game of beer pong outside, and Harry had found her, explaining the rules. Next thing she knew, she was half way through her second drink and tripping over everything with Harry having to hold her up. Maybe she's not meant to come to frat parties.

They reach the staircase where y/n had left Jess about an hour ago. She's still there, taking selfies with a couple other girls from their chemistry class.

"Gonna hate me forever?"

"Probs."

Harry laughs loudly, the sound making Jess turn to look at them. "Stop talking like you're a text from a middle schooler."

"Stop being mean." Y/n says, smacking his shoulder gently. She giggles again, for no real reason, and that's when Jess finally stands up from the stairs, looking at y/n in amusement.

"Did you get my best friend drunk?"

"I found her this way!" Harry defends, stumbling when y/n steps on his toes. Y/n giggles again, leaning towards Jess with a drunken pout on her face.

"Tell Harry to stop being mean or you're gonna make Anne ground him."

Jess holds back a snicker, pursing her lips. "Our mom can't ground him from home, ya goose."

Y/n scoffs, looking back at Harry who shrugs innocently, gripping her elbow when she sways. "Anne can do whatever she wants. She's Anne."

"Well I'm a grown boy peanut, and you're drunk." Harry says, nodding towards the front door. Jess slips her arm around y/n, helping Harry lead her out of the house. "So I think you should head to bed, and we'll see if I'm grounded in the morning."

The fresh air feels good on y/n's sticky skin and she sighs dreamily. "Head bed, bed head, bed bed." She mururms, not realizing thst Harry and Jess are practically carrying her towards Jess' car.

"You good to drive?" Harry asks, looking over the top of y/n's head at his sister. She rolls her eyes, nodding.

"I'm not stupid. I wouldn't get drunk if I knew I was driving."

"Didn't say you were stupid," Harry grumbles, "was just checking. M'allowed to make sure my baby sister gets home safe."

"I'm not a baby anymore."

"Stop whining, I'm trying to hear God." Y/n shushes them, blinking up at the night sky with big blurry eyes.

"You don't believe in God, y/n." Jess says, letting her rest on Harry as she unlocks her car.

"I could believe in God!"

Harry snorts, looking up at the sky too. "Look peanut, God's put a big bright star up for ya."

Y/n gasps at Harry's words, stumbling away from him and slowly spinning in a circle, head tilted all the way back. It's obvious she doesn't know what she's looking for, but Harry grins either way.

"Stop it Harry, you're going to make her dizzy." Jess snaps, walking over to grip y/n's arm and tug her towards the car.

"I don't see it." She mururms sadly, falling into the passenger seat with a pout. Jess helps her buckle and situate her legs in the car.

"That's because Harry lied to you."

"WTF Harry!" Y/n gasps, head snapping to look at him with hurt eyes. "You are mean!"

He crouches down by her now that Jess is out of the way, having moved to get in the driver's seat. "IDK peanut, I think m'funny."

Her eyebrows scrunch, head falling back against the seat. "What does that mean?"

He smirks. "I don't know."

Y/n nods slowly as Jess starts the car. "Oh ok. Maybe Jess knows."

Harry laughs again, eyes crinkling with it and bunny teeth coming out with how wide he smiles. "It means I don't know." He explains through his giggles.

"Oh," y/n says quietly, eyes focusing on the windshield as if stuck in deep thought. "good night Harry."

He barely has time to move before she's slamming the door shut, finger reaching up to press down the lock. Harry chuckles again, moving around the car to tell Jess goodnight. She rolls down the window, letting him kiss her cheek before they look at y/n who's laying against the center console.

"She'll be a blast in the morning." He murmurs, still chuckling at her.

"Can't be any more whiny than she already is."

Harry shrugs. "S'her first party. Give her a break." He ruffles Jess' hair, before murmuring goodnight. Jess repeats the sentiment, fixing her hair with a scowl.

He waits while she puts the car in the drive, smirking proudly when he hears y/n quietly mutter "Harry's a funny dude." Jess just scoffs, rolling up her window as she rolls her eyes. She waves at Harry through the glass before pulling away from the curb, and Harry stays watching until the car disappears around the corner. He even waits a few extra seconds, blowing out a puff of air in hopes to cool off the stirring in his stomach.

"God help me," he mutters to the sky, running a hand through his hair. "she's right. M'the worst."

~

Harry's unlacing his cleats and shoving them in his bag when Niall slides down the bench next to him. Harry nods to him as a greeting, sliding on his Nikes.

"First game of the season on Friday," Niall says, trying to play cool but Harry knows he's excited. Hell, he's excited too. "gonna be sick."

"Zoe coming to cheer you on?" Harry asks, knowing how much Niall loves when his girlfriend comes to their games.

"Of course!" Niall says proudly, the two of them rising and heading towards the parking lot. They're always the last two to leave, considering it's their job as captains to make sure the fields clean and everyone gets home safe. "How about you? Anyone special?"

Harry shrugs, heart thrumming in his chest. "Ma sister, I think." He says nonchalantly, but his brain enthusiastically adds 'and y/n!' He ignores it, glad that Niall can't read his thoughts.

"Her friend coming too? The funny one from the party?" Okay, maybe Niall can read his thoughts.

"Oh," Harry says, shrugging again, "probably. They do everything together."

Niall nods, but Harry can see the smirk on his best friend's face. "That must be cool, getting to see both of them all the time"

Harry hums, not sure what to say. Of course Niall would be able to tell that Harry has a soft spot for y/n, he knows him better than anyone.

"Anyway, you should invite them to the party after. Think the short one would be good at beer pong."

"Y/n," Harry quickly mumbles, scratching the back of his head. He always does that when he's nervous. "her name's y/n-" he clears his throat, "but yeah, I will."

Niall nods, the two of them climbing into sperate cars. Usually they drive from the frat house together, but Harry had left a little later this morning. He had a hard time sleeping last night after having a dream that left his heart racing and fingers tingling. And maybe he tried to sleep a little longer hoping he'd get to stay on that dream, and maybe that dream was about y/n. Doesn't matter, Harry reminds himself as he pulls out of the parking lot, doesn't matter because it's harmless.

~

When Y/n and Jess decided to live together in The Cottages instead of the dorms, she'd thought it'd be fun. She thought it'd be her and her best friend bonding and having fun with two roommates. They'd maybe have movie nights, and decorate the living room they share with little plants and lots of pillows, and maybe they'd even cook together. Granted, she's only lived here for a week, but it is not that way.

Y/n is sat at the counter, chin in hand as she watches the blender spin round and round. Jess is sat with her, texting on her phone with a happy smile, and y/n is a little peeved by it. How did she somehow end up so drunk? Jess was drinking too and she's 100% fine. And Harry was drinking too but he looks even better.

She looks him up and down, only able to see from his hips up because of the counter. He had said he came straight from soccer practice when Jess had questioned his messy hair and athletic clothes, and that alone let y/n know that he wasn't hungover. She frowns as he shuts off the blender, pouring the green smoothie into a glass, and she wishes she hadn't drank last night. She had fun learning about beer pong from Harry and watching all his frat brothers cheer stupidly for every little thing, but her pounding headache is making her kinda hate Harry right now.

"Drink up peanut, it'll help." Harry says, sliding the glass over to her. Y/n has seen Harry drink this same smoothie lots of times before, especially during soccer season. After he made varsity his sophmore year of high school he started to take his health really seriously. He still joined y/n and Jess for midnight snacks when she slept over, and he loved their weekly root beer float parties, but he started working out more and trading off most of his favorite junk foods for healthier options.

Y/n thinks that's what did it for her. Harry was always sweet to her when they were growing up, and even though Jess is her best friend, she's always considered Harry her second best. But it was freshman year that y/n started to see as Harry as more than just sweet. He was cute, really cute with his mop of curls and dimples. Freshman year was when y/n started feeling weird about being at their house, mostly because she knew she would eventually bump into Harry after he'd come back from a run, all sweaty and cheeks pink. She still thinks he's cute, but when she looks up from the questionable smoothie to Harry's expectant gaze, she just feels irritated.

"You shouldn't have let me have a second cup." She mutters sadly, taking a hesitant sip of the drinks. It's strong and refreshing, and she imagines this is what it would taste like to eat straight grass. It's not bad, but she doesn't like how grainy it feels on her tongue.

"I tried to stop ya," Harry chuckles, turning his back to her and Jess as he puts the leftover smoothie in the fridge. "there's only so much a white male can resist."

Y/n doesn't mean to, because she's still annoyed, but she does giggle at Harry's words. "Why do you say it like that?"

Harry chuckles too, leaning forward on his elbows so their eyes are level. "Like what?"

"Like I seduced you for alcohol or something!"

Both her and Harry bust out in giggles, his head dropping forward as his shoulders shake, and y/n brings to hands up to stifle the noise.

"Who's being so loud?" Harry and y/n both turn to the walkway between the kitchen and living room, y/n's shoulders falling when she sees it's Tia and Jo, their roommates.

"Not me!" Jess immediately says, and y/n scoffs. Usually Jess is always laughing and teasing with her and Harry, when she's not glued to her phone. She hadn't even said a word to y/n before Harry showed up and drug y/n out of bed.

"Sorry ladies," Harry says smoothly, and he somehow misses the way the two girls swoon, "that was us."

"Y/n?" Jo gasps dramatically, coming into the kitchen and perching on the counter. "You? Being loud?"

"I do talk, ya know?" Y/n defends, taking another drink of her smoothie.

"Not like this." Tia sings, sitting next to Jo on the countertop. Harry moves down, now perfectly adjacent from y/n and she can't help but grin in triumph. She hates that Tia and Jo think they can oggle Harry. That's their roommates brother for Christ's sake!

"You don't even know me that well!"

Jo and Tia both shrug, exchanging an unknown look that has y/n scowling. She hears Harry breathe out a chuckle, and she turns to find him looking at her, clearly amused. She quirks an eyebrow.

"Finish your drink peanut, you're being grumpy."

"I am not!"

"Yes you are." Jess and Harry say in unison, and Harry proudly smirks at the backup from his sister. Y/n, not feeling like arguing with them, continues to down the smoothie.

"Anyway," Harry says, drumming his fingers on the counter, "I've got my first game on Friday, and the house is having a little tailgate before so if ya want..."

Y/n looks over at Jess, finding her eyes still locked on her phone and eyebrows furrowed in that same way Harry's do. "We'll be there." She says for the both of them. Harry beams, silently thanking her with his fond eyes, before reaching over the counter to smack the top of his sister's head.

"Thanks for the support J."

Jess finally looks up, rolling her eyes at Harry. "Of course I'll be there. The fact that you think I need an invitation to go, is insulting."

Y/n giggles, quickly bringing her cup up to her mouth when Harry gives her an unimpressed look.

"We were thinking of going to the game too!" Tia pipes up, speaking at a higher pitch than normal. Y/n can't help but roll her eyes. She's always hated when girls act differently around guys to gain their favor, especially if that guy is Harry. He's the most accepting and welcoming man she's ever met, and if whoever's trying to impress him is faking it, they obviously know nothing about him and therefore should leave him alone.

"Oh, sick!" Harry smiles, "Who are you going for?"

Y/n can't help but snort, the sound echoing in her nearly empty glass. She quickly brings a hand up to her mouth, wiping away the dribble of smoothie on her chin. Tia huffs, hopping off the counter and tugging Jo with her, the two disappearing out of the kitchen.

"Wha' was that for?" Harry asks, brow furrowed in bewilderment.

"Are you kidding?" Jess asks, finally locking her phone and sliding it in her hoodie pocket. Harry looks at her with a blank look on his face, and Jess and y/n share a look of astonishment.

"They were obviously going for you!" Jess exclaims, sighing in annoyance when Harry's face immediately scrunches up in confusion. He begins to shake his head, looking at y/n for help but she has none.

"I'm with her!" Y/n quickly says, raising her hands up. "Those two have been drooling over you since you helped us move in."

"No they haven't!"

"Yes they have!" Jess practically screams. "Why do you think I'm constantly on my phone around them? I will not talk to anyone who blatantly lusts after my older brother. You are off limits to friends and roommates, and they know that."

Y/n feels her stomach twist, breath feeling heavy in her lungs. Harry's mouth opens in shock, eyes widening like a deer and y/n turns her gaze to the countertop.

"You mean to tell me, that if I met one of your friends, and we got on, we were like real fucking soulmates, they can't date me?"

Jess shrugs. "Yes."

"But she's my soulmate? You'd take me away from my bloody soulmate?"

"Duh! No one's allowed two Styles'. I should be enough." Jess says with certainty, and y/n feels Harry look at her. She ignores his gaze.

"Y/n grew up with both of us, that's two Styles." Harry says, crossing his arms over his chest. Y/n practically whines, not wanting to be drug in this. When it comes to Harry and Jess arguing, there's no reason. Jess is the baby of the family, used to always winning and she's quite the diva. And well, Harry's stubborn and clever, and he takes everything personally. And they both can hold grudges for a really long time.

"But she's my best friend, you just happened to be there too."

Harry scoffs. "Bullshit. I got personally invited to her Sweet Sixteen."

Y/n, hating that they're discussing her as if she's not in the room, silently climbs off the barstool and heads towards her bedroom. She can hear Harry and Jess talking over each other about all the sleepovers they had as kids, and it makes her head pound. She sighs, stomach feeling nauseous and she knows it's not the hangover anymore.

~

"I thought football was supposed to be the big deal, not soccer."

Y/n chuckles at Jess, tugging down the sleeves of her long sleeve. She didn't have any shirts that match the school colors, so she just wore a plain black top, knowing that that's a pretty neutral color. She doesn't know the color of whatever team Harry's playing tonight, but she didn't want to risk accidentally wearing their color.

"Why can't both be a big deal?"

"Because that's not how life works," Jess says, as if it were obvious. "one sport is always favored at a school, typically football. I guess that's not the case here."

Y/n nods, looking around the huge crowd of people. The soccer fans have taken over the baseball field, trucks and cars parked in outfield. Grills, and tents, and games have been set up, and a mini game of soccer using a child's ball has broken out. That, and the school banners and flags and posters for the team do give away the fact that soccer is a favorite here. She looks over the signs, smiling proudly when she sees that Harry doesn't have one specifically for him. Her fingers tighten on the poster she painted this morning.

"That's cool that Harry's a part of something so big then, right?"

Jess shrugs, pushing through a group of people. A table with red solo cups comes up on their left, and Jess immediately grabs a cup. "I guess. I mean, it's not like he can put this under achievements on a job application..."

Y/n eyes the beer next to her, nose scrunching at the smell. She's not a fan of beer, and she doesn't really feel like drinking tonight anyway.

"I think it's great." Y/n finally says, looking around the crowd. She's not the kind of person who goes out a lot, especially in high school, but being here makes her feel sort of giddy. She's not sure if it's because she was actually invited out, or if it's just the energy in the crowd.

"Oh, there's Tina!" Jess whispers excitedly. Y/n follows her gaze, finding a group of girls gathered around a fire pit. They're all wearing matching sorority shirts that are tied up under their chests, and a couple of them have numbers painted on their cheeks. She wonders if they're dating any of the players, and she wonders if one of those numbers is Harry's.

"Which one's Tina?"

"The tall one! With the pink hair!" Jess exclaims, lightly smacking y/n's arm. Y/n finds her, noticing that she doesn't have a number on her face. She doesn't know why, but her lips quirk up a bit.

"If I get in with Tina, I'll be set for the rest of school." Jess breathes longingly. Y/n doesn't really want to be left alone at such a big tailgate, but she supposes she could find Tia or Jo, so she nudges Jess.

"Go talk to her. I'm sure she'd be impressed with you."

Jess beams, and she sets her empty cup down before squishing y/n in a hug, cautious of the poster she's holding. "Are you sure? You'll be okay?"

Y/n forces a nod. "I'll find someone to talk to." She assures, and that's enough for Jess to spin around and head towards Tina and her group. She watches her walk, smiling sadly when Jess is easily greeted with smiles and hugs. She wishes it were that easy to talk to new people. Lucky for her, y/n isn't alone for too long.

"Y/n! You made it!" Harry's already in his uniform, white jersey stretched over his broad chest and thin waist, shorts hugging his thick thighs. Y/n is too busy trying to keep her from jaw from dropping to look at the number on his jersey.

"Told ya I would!" She smiles, and then his eyes are dropping to the poster she has pressed against her legs, and her face grows hot.

"What have ya got there?" He asks innocently-too innocently-and y/n tightens her hold on it.

"None of your business."

Harry's mouth drops in shock, and he brings a hand up to his chest like a character in a soap opera. "Who are you and what have you done with my peanut?"

"Your peanut?" She repeats, hoping he can't tell how flustered his words got her. Her palms feel sweaty against the poster, and her long sleeve suddenly feels too hot.

"M'the only one that calls you peanut, aren't I?" He takes a step closer to her as someone passes behind him, and the sudden proximity of his chest catches her attention. Without thinking, her hand comes up to rest in the middle of his abdomen, and her eyes fall on the large number 7 resting there. She traces a finger over it, smiling softly. None of those girls had a number 7 on them.

"Have I got something on it?" Harry suddenly asks, sounding a bit panicked as he tilts his head down to try and look at his jersey.

"No!" She quickly says, pulling her hand back as if she'd touched fire. "No, I just, I didn't know your number."

"Oh," Harry says, and she finally looks up from his chest. He's looking at her with a smile that purses his lips together a bit but ultimately makes his dimples sink deeper.

She clears her throat, awkwardly wiggling the poster. "Was gonna put it on your sign, but yeah."

Harry's eyes light up, and his lips part to show his little bunny teeth. "Ya made me a sign?"

Her face grows hot again. "Y-yeah. Don't usually do the sports thing but uh I saw on tv that fans make signs so..."

She almost smacks herself for admitting that she watched a couple soccer games this week so she'd know what to expect from tonight's game. She went to a couple of his games in high school, but she didn't really pay attention to the game. She was more focused on the way Harry's shorts rid up every time he'd sprint down the field.

"Come with me, I've got a surprise for ya."

~

Y/n is pretty sure she's not allowed in the soccer boys locker room, but Harry doesn't seem to care as he tugs her between rows of metal doors. She tries not to stumble on haphazardly tossed bags or shoes, holding her poster up so it doesn't get bent or torn.

Harry stops in front of a locker, pulling open the door and releasing her hand to dig through his duffle bag. She leans against the closed lockers, looking around the dim room. It's pretty similar to the girls, and it doesn't smell as bad as she thought it would. Though the smell of cologne is a bit overwhelming.

After a few seconds of just Harry rifling through his bag, he lets out a noise of triumph as he reveals a white tee-shirt. He closes his locker, smiling like a boy on Christmas as he holds it out to her.

"Here," he says, "that way you'll always know my number."

Y/n holds the poster between her thighs, taking the shirt from him. She holds it out, and even though it's a bit crumpled, she smiles. It's got the schools logo on the front, along with a little number 7. She flips it over, and the back is set up like a jersey, Styles stamped across the back.

"B-but this is yours." Y/n stutters, mentally cursing herself because she really does want the shirt but won't that bother Jess? What will she say to her if she asks? "I don't want to take your clothes, you'll run out."

Harry chuckles, tugging on his earlobe nervously. "I mean, I've got a bunch, and well you don't have any school gear so..."

It may be against the rules, but y/n is only human and she can't turn him down twice. Sighing dramatically and trying to fight a smile, she pulls the shirt over her head, hoping to God that Harry didn't hand her a dirty shirt.

It's a bit too long on her torso, and the sleeves bunch up awkwardly, but she can't help but think it looks nice. Especially when Harry reaches over, nimble fingers rolling the sleeves up until they fit nicely.

"Looks good peanut." He says quietly, eyes lingering on the number on her chest. Typically she'd blush or scold him for teasing her, but he's got a glimmer of something innocent in them that just makes her heart swell.

"A little big, but it suits me I guess."

His eyes move up to hers, that pursed smile taking over his face again. "S'not my fault you're the size of a peanut."

She rolls her eyes. "It's not my fault you're the size of a beanstalk."

Harry shrugs as if saying "yeah and?" and y/n doesn't continue their bantering. She's too busy admiring the way they match. Eventually Harry takes her hand again, this time less rushed as he leads her out of the locker room and back towards the tailgate. They don't have much time before Harry has to get back for warm ups, but they manage to find a marker and she happily scribbles a big number 7 on the bottom of the poster. She can't stop reminding herself that out of all the girls, even Tina's group of girls, she's the one that gets to wear his number.

She thinks tonight might be the best night she's ever had, and it only gets better when they run into Harry's friend Niall and his girlfriend Zoe. They all chat for a bit, and Zoe turns out to be really sweet despite her thick eyeliner and intimidating amount of tattoos. She invites y/n to watch the game with her, and Harry smiles encouragingly at her when she falters.

"I'd love to, thanks." She says grateful, clinging to her poster because she's so excited she doesn't know what to do with herself. Harry and Niall leave a little after that, Zoe kissing Niall for good luck and y/n giving Harry an awkward but warm hug.

She starts to feel a little lonely again when she can't find Jess anywhere, and then finally spots her sat higher in the stands with Tina. Zoe must notice her shift in mood, because she bumps her elbow.

"He'd never be able to see your sign up there," Zoe says comfortingly. "so it's a good thing you get to sit here."

She leads her to the very first row of the bleachers, right in front of the cheerleaders and the bench, and y/n realizes the little section is actually roped off. Confused, y/n sits between Zoe and a girl wearing a shirt similar to hers but with Tomlinson written across back.

"It's the VIP," Zoe explains, "it's saved for the players girlfriends."

Y/n can't help but blush, feeling a bit dazed and Zoe pulls her to her feet. The announcer is listing off the starting line up, and her and Zoe holler loudly when Niall is announced. And then Harry's name comes up too, and y/n waves her sign for him, cheering shamelessly. He gives her a tiny wave as he takes the field, and y/n forgets about Jess sitting all those rows above her. And she has a lot of fun. For the first time in a long time, she's undoubtedly happy sitting in the VIP section with Harry's shirt on her shoulders and his name constantly on her mind.

[thefalse9]

Euro 2020 Team Previews: Group D

England:

In their first Euros outing in 1968, England finished third, of four teams. They’re still waiting to improve on that. Only Belgium and the old Yugoslavia could claim to have performed better at European Championships without winning one. England have been international football’s big underachievers since 1966, from home-soil heroes to the failed Golden Generation. The Three Lions have won one knockout game in the history of this competition. On penalties. As hosts. I'm not even kidding, look it up. Five years ago, they crashed out to Iceland; as the song goes, we’d seen it all before. What followed, though, was new: it led to a scorched earth rejuvenation of English football, led by some of the greatest minds in the game. Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa all arrived, followed by a cast of club legends making early forays into management. Together, they’ve helped to reshape the country’s tactical make-up into something more modern. An Icelandic volcano turned English football to ash, but from the rubble, something new and exciting has risen from it. There’s hope for the class of 2021. The Three Lions’ current pride isn’t an empty collection of big names – there are still titans of elite European sides, but vitally, there’s a balance that seems to have evaded the national team for 55 years. England finally have defensive midfielders and left-footers. A good grouping of the current XI are captains of their clubs. Importantly, the country’s youth-level champions of recent years are coming of age, giving Gareth Southgate genuine selection migraines. For many, England’s talent reserves are the envy of Europe as many sitting on the bench would have started for other nations competing in Euro 2020. Since 2018, the pragmatism of Southgate’s World Cup semi-finalists has come to the fore: they are prepared to win ugly, even if a squad packed with attacking prowess suggests otherwise. If we're being honest, the 12-month postponement of Euro 2020 may have even worked in England’s favor, too, as so many young Lions have received a year’s extra education before the big tournament. Mason Mount and Phil Foden have developed into legitimate superstars, Reece James looks like one of the best fullbacks in football and this new "Golden Generation" may actually be better than the last. Could the stars align? We haven’t seen a crop quite like this for some time, and while England doesn’t quite expect to win it all, there’s plenty of serious promise.

Euro 2020 may be a bridge too far for Southgate’s squad, but their journey over the last five years shows they’re on the right track. If they can shake off the nation’s tag as perennial underachievers in football, then maybe, just maybe, this fucking thing is "coming home".

Croatia:

In the past three years, Croatia seen a generational shift occur within their national team – never an easy task for a country with so small a talent pool. The situation was hardly helped by Ivan Rakitic’s sudden international retirement last September; the midfielder following forward Mario Mandzukic and goalkeeper Danijel Subasic in saying goodbye to the national team in the aftermath of the sepia-tinged summer of 2018. Yet, still led by Luka Modric’s effortless brilliance, the perennial dark horses remain a strong outfit, albeit a little green around the edges. Some squad members have already shown great maturity in stepping up, particularly 26-year old Dinamo Zagreb keeper Dominik Livakovic, whom has between fantastic between the sticks, and 23-year-old former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic. Dinamo’s Mislav Orsic is still floating on air after his stunning hat-trick knocked Tottenham out of the Europa League. Most encouragingly? Manager Zlatko Dalic can also rely upon one player the wider European public has yet to meet: striker Bruno Petkovic. Similar to Olivier Giroud in many ways, the hulking Dinamo centre-forward offers Croatia an important tactical variant as a hulking in-the-box presence amidst a sea of pint-sized technicians. Yet more vital is that Modric, the quintessential captain, who is still playing at the highest level after yet another fine Real Madrid season, isn’t tired of wearing the famed checkered shirt. They'll go as far as his mastery, wizardy, incredible ability and undying passion for his national team will take them. This team is green, but by no means does that mean they're incapable of making a semi-finals appearance. Croatia’s group is extremely demanding because it contains two hosts (England and Scotland) and the reawakened Czech Republic, whose players increasingly recall previous generations. That being said, reaching the knockout stages should not be an issue. The fact that reaching the knockout stage is now the minimum expectation from the Croatian public is proof of just how far this team has come. The big names may lack their forebears’ name recognition, but the talent remains for them to go far.

Scotland:

Don’t let anyone tell you that international football is irrelevant and that representing your country doesn't matter anymore in the age of mega-contracts, "Super Leagues", "Champions Leagues" and endorsement deals. If they persist, point them in the direction of Ryan Christie’s post-match interview with Sky Sports on the night that Scotland finally ended their agonizing 23-year wait to appear at a major international tournament. For about two minutes, the Celtic star did his best to juggle obvious exhaustion, joy and sheer relief while the tears flowed down in his face in an abject display of patriotism that would make even the biggest skeptic struggle to watch without wondering who was cutting onions or who opened the window and let all this pollen into the room. This had been a long time coming. The night of their play-off in Serbia was about as ‘Scotland’ as it gets. Even though Steve Clarke’s side put in a confident, and composed performance against visibly shaken opposition; given the lead through a Christie goal that looked to be enough for victory, Serbian star and all-together disappointment Luka Jovic delivered a sucker-punch equalizer in stoppage time. Long-suffering Scotland supporters at home feared the worst. And, as it were, the Serbians pushed Scotland to the brink in extra time. But Scotland stood firm, then David Marshall secured legendary status among the Tartan Army with a superb save from Aleksandar Mitrovic's effort to settle the penalty shootout at 5-4. Back in Scotland, there was utter pandemonium. Football can’t do much to make up for a year of loss and sacrifice, but it has at least reaffirmed its status as the most important of the least important things. For one night, Christie & company gave their country the gift of a priceless distraction in a year when we needed it most. Scotland’s hard-fought win in Belgrade lengthened their unbeaten stretch under Clarke to nine games – their best run in 44 years. It hasn't been easy, however. Clarke and his management team have had to tweak their system along the way and injuries have forced some previously unheralded players to earn caps. Others have been forced out for resting on their old laurels (sorry Leigh Griffiths), while others have been handed opportunities based on merit and ability (hello, Lyndon Sykes). For all that qualification represented to Clarke, though, he’s too proud for his side to just make up the numbers this summer. They probably won't make it to the next round. They were handed a rough draw this time around and the Czech Republic is a tough out. That said, Scotland is going to fight until they can't anymore. It's what they know.

Czech Republic:

Back in England for another major tournament a quarter of a century after their incredible run to the Euro 96 Final, the Czechs travel to the UK with a buoyant mood and a settled squad. They’re unencumbered by expectation, and bring a team of promising young players and hungry internationals from Europe’s top five leagues, so another underdog showing is the hope for the nation's fans and for manager Jaroslav Silhavy.

Tomas Soucek – he of the granite forehead, man-mountain shoulders and elbows that can be thrown like boulders – and full-back Vladimir Coufal already delivered solid performances for Slavia Prague, but not even the most ardent Czech fan would have expected the level both have reached in West Ham’s excellent 2020-21 Premier League campaign, thus leading both players to capture the imagination and incite the excitement of a country who is beginning to believe this team may have what it takes Meanwhile, the Czechs’ best forward, Patrik Schick – on loan at RB Leipzig last year – has finally sorted out his future by leaving Roma for Bayer Leverkusen. The 25-year-old looks settled at his new club, and by mid-April he had scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for the German outfit. He'll be expected to lead the line, and from all appearances, looks prepared to do so, finally living up to the potential and expectations bestowed upon him at a young age. That being said, no Czech side has ever been about individuals, not even in Pavel Nedved’s era: even in a loaded team, with Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer, the Czechs were more than a one-man show and played united, hard-nosed football, stoked more in pragmatism and a cohesive identity than individual moments of brilliance. Team spirit, tactical preparation, defensive organization and a well-balanced squad tend to trump all when it comes to the Czech squad. Boosted psychologically by their promotion to Nations League A, Silhavy’s troops also know what to expect in this group: they’d already beaten England in qualifying when they pipped Scotland to top spot in their Nations League division. Their football is unlikely to be beautiful, but they will be tough to beat, and with their would-be stars in top-form coming into the tournament, do not be surprised to see the Czech Republic make the knockouts as one of the best Third-Place teams.