#How to pay off a home loan using a personal loan

[fincrif]

Should You Take a Personal Loan to Pay Off a Mortgage?

Introduction

Owning a home is a significant milestone, but mortgage repayments can sometimes become overwhelming. Homeowners who struggle with high-interest mortgage payments or financial instability often seek ways to ease their debt burden. One option that some consider is taking a personal loan to pay off their mortgage. But is this a smart financial move?

In this guide, we will analyze whether using a personal loan to pay off a mortgage is a viable option, its advantages and risks, and alternative solutions to consider.

Can You Use a Personal Loan to Pay Off a Mortgage?

Technically, you can use a personal loan for any purpose, including paying off a mortgage. However, whether it is a wise decision depends on various factors, including interest rates, repayment tenure, and financial stability.

A personal loan is an unsecured loan, meaning it doesn’t require collateral. Mortgages, on the other hand, are secured loans backed by your property. Since personal loans typically have higher interest rates than mortgages, switching from a secured loan to an unsecured loan might not always be beneficial.

Reasons Why People Consider a Personal Loan for Mortgage Payoff

Homeowners may consider using a personal loan for mortgage repayment due to:

High-Interest Rates on Existing Mortgage – If the current mortgage has a higher interest rate than available personal loans, some borrowers may consider refinancing.

Urgent Financial Need – If they struggle with their mortgage and cannot refinance, they may seek a short-term solution.

Faster Repayment Desire – Some homeowners want to clear their mortgage quickly and believe a personal loan with a shorter tenure can help.

Pros of Using a Personal Loan to Pay Off a Mortgage

1. Faster Repayment

Most personal loans come with repayment tenures of 1 to 5 years. If you can afford higher EMIs, a personal loan may help you become debt-free sooner compared to a 20–30 year mortgage tenure.

2. No Collateral Required

Unlike mortgages, which use your home as collateral, a personal loan is unsecured. This means you won’t risk losing your property in case of non-payment.

3. Fixed Interest Rates

Many mortgages have floating interest rates, leading to unpredictable EMI fluctuations. A personal loan typically has fixed interest rates, ensuring stable repayments.

4. Quick Approval and Disbursal

Unlike mortgage refinancing, which can take weeks to process, a personal loan is approved within 24-48 hours, making it a faster funding option.

Cons of Using a Personal Loan to Pay Off a Mortgage

1. Higher Interest Rates

Most personal loans carry interest rates between 10% and 24%, whereas home loans often range from 7% to 9%. Paying off a low-interest mortgage with a high-interest personal loan could increase overall costs.

2. Shorter Loan Tenure

While a shorter loan tenure helps in quicker repayment, it also results in higher EMIs, which may strain your monthly budget.

3. Impact on Credit Score

Applying for a personal loan can lead to a temporary dip in your credit score due to the hard inquiry by lenders. Additionally, if you struggle with repayments, it can negatively affect your creditworthiness.

4. Processing Fees and Prepayment Charges

Both personal loans and mortgages come with processing fees. Some lenders also charge prepayment penalties for early mortgage closure, increasing the overall expense.

Best Personal Loan Options for Mortgage Repayment

If you still wish to use a personal loan to pay off your mortgage, consider these top lenders:

1. IDFC First Bank Personal Loan

Loan Amount: ₹1 lakh to ₹40 lakhs

Interest Rate: Starts from 10.49% p.a.

Tenure: Up to 5 years

Apply Now

2. Bajaj Finserv Personal Loan

Loan Amount: Up to ₹25 lakhs

Interest Rate: 11% to 18% p.a.

Flexible tenure up to 5 years

Check Eligibility

3. Tata Capital Personal Loan

Loan Amount: ₹75,000 to ₹35 lakhs

Interest Rate: 10.99% onwards

No collateral required

Find Out More

4. Axis Finance Personal Loan

Loan Amount: ₹50,000 to ₹15 lakhs

Interest Rate: Competitive rates

Fast online application

Learn More

Alternatives to Taking a Personal Loan for Mortgage Payoff

Rather than switching to a personal loan, consider these better alternatives:

1. Home Loan Balance Transfer

Many banks allow mortgage balance transfers to lenders offering lower interest rates. This can significantly reduce your EMI burden.

2. Loan Against Property (LAP)

If you need urgent funds, taking a loan against property can offer lower interest rates than a personal loan, as it remains a secured borrowing.

3. Increase EMI Contributions

If you have extra funds, making additional payments towards your mortgage can reduce interest payments without taking a new loan.

4. Top-Up Home Loan

If you already have a mortgage, you may qualify for a top-up home loan at a lower interest rate than a personal loan, making it a cost-effective option.

Who Should Consider a Personal Loan for Mortgage Payoff?

Taking a personal loan to clear a mortgage is only advisable under specific conditions:

If your mortgage interest rate is significantly higher than the available personal loan rates.

If you have strong financial stability and can manage the higher EMI burden of a personal loan.

If you plan to repay the loan quickly and minimize interest accumulation.

Conclusion

While using a personal loan to pay off a mortgage may seem like a convenient option, it often comes with higher costs due to elevated interest rates and shorter repayment terms. Before making a decision, analyze your financial situation, compare alternatives, and opt for a solution that minimizes your debt burden efficiently.

For better personal loan options, visit Fincrif and compare different lenders to find the most suitable financial solution for your needs.

[suguann]

tags. fem!reader, boss/employee relationship, stupidly domestic, little wife kink in there somewhere, nanny reader, single dad gojo, breeding kink [18+ only]

You sometimes find yourself wistfully imagining having a family of your own—a soft and sweet little bundle to cuddle and someone strong and capable (competent) at your side. But you can’t think of the last time you’ve been on a date where that person had the same interest in something more serious than casually sleeping around. 

Nannying seemed like the natural conclusion, especially when you’re still settling in a new city and barely scraping by for rent and student loans for a degree you don’t use. 

You pick up a few jobs just to get a feel for it: parents going away for a honeymoon, a last-minute call-in, a weekend business trip. Then a friend of a friend says she makes enough to afford one of those picturesque apartments that overlook tall high-rises and iridescent lights, the very ones you’ve dog-eared in real-estate magazines.

All it takes are a few phone calls and an interview until you’re packing up your apartment and taking the freeway outside of the city to somewhere remote and expensive, your car looking almost out of place parked beside the shiny new one in the long driveway.

You rap on the front door before you lose your nerve, and a few moments later, it opens, and you’re unsure who looks more out of place: this man with a smile too big, dressed for work, immaculate suit dampened by the baby rag slung over his shoulder and what looks like drool on his crisp collar, or you in your scuffed shoes and second-hand store clothes, standing in front of the nicest house you’ve ever seen.

“The nanny?”

“Yes,” you mutter, licking your lips. “That’s me.”

“Good, Ren just woke up from his nap,” he says, opening the door a little wider with a creak. The darkness behind him is almost comforting.

You take a deep breath and pass over the threshold into his home.

The entire time, his hand stays on the small of your back to steer you toward the nursery, and a shiver threatens up the length of your spine.

Three months. That’s how long it takes before your employer poses a problem.

It’s not that he’s a terrible boss; in fact, he’s quite the opposite. He lets you take over one of the many spare rooms in his massive house, pays you double the regular rate, and gives you time off when you ask for it.

It also helps that Ren is cute, only a year old, and still so sweet and tiny. 

Perfect.

The problem lies in that you know what he sounds like first thing in the morning, that he knows how you like your coffee, that he helps you fold laundry in the living room while the baby naps, how you catch him staring anytime you hold his son—his expression shuttered, a foreign thing that you can’t read. It’s all so terribly domestic. 

Terrible in that you think it’s a horrible idea to develop a crush on your boss, that you can’t help but get flustered anytime he so much as looks your way, even if it’s fleeting. How a sleepy smile before he retires to his room for the night can turn your thoughts into a scattered, ill-defined mess of what they used to be until all that’s left are words like spun sugar melting on your tongue.

But also, it’s not normal, at least not from your experience. 

You were lucky in the past if your employer even wanted to know about their kid’s day. Barely saying hello once they walk through the front door before sending money to your bank account.

Satoru—because that’s what he asked you to call him one afternoon while you were in the middle of feeding Ren mashed banana, a lazy smile curling the edges of his lips after you say it for the first time—wants to know everything: what Ren ate, if he laughed, how your day was, if you finally got your hands on that book you’ve been meaning to buy. 

“You don’t have to ask about my day,” you tell him shyly, accepting the glass of wine he proffers you after spending the past hour trying to put a teething baby to bed. “To make me feel better, that is.”

“Would it be so bad if I said I want to? You live here, too.”

You try to separate the two: that he cares as your employer and not for any other reason, and how you sometimes catch the soft look in his eye whenever he looks at you could make you believe otherwise.

Cool fingers cup your chin gently, thumb caressing the top of your cheek, now close enough that you catch a few of the warm notes of his cologne, a move that’s probably very inappropriate between a boss and an employee.

“I never say anything I don’t mean.”

You swallow, nodding, slightly shaky, breath caught in your chest. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” He retreats to his office before witnessing how those two words knock the wind out of you.

He starts saying things like our shopping list, our car—because he gave you the keys to the SUV parked beside his car and hasn’t touched it since; for you and the baby, he said, plus it’s terrible on gas when I drive it to work—our house, our baby. You don’t think he means to do it; it's more of an easy slip in conversation.

But then, one morning, he’s rushing around the kitchen, hair still damp and smelling like his shampoo, as he grabs his coffee and briefcase from the counter, kissing Ren’s forehead first…and then yours.

You’re half convinced that you imagined it—that his lips hadn’t stayed there for a second longer than necessary—until he straightens his tie and heads out for the day with a ‘be good’ tossed over his shoulder, and you’re left wondering if he meant to say that to you or Ren.

It sets off a chain reaction of thoughts whirling away in your head, leaves you wanting and wondering—only ever allowing yourself to fantasize a little when the house is quiet and dark, the baby monitor humming on your nightstand, and images of your boss flit behind closed eyelids as you fit your hand underneath your soft sleep shorts.

In the morning, you worry he can tell what you did, his smile almost too sharp, too something—more teasing than what you’re used to—his hand resting on your lower back as he leans down to kiss Ren’s chubby cheek while you make breakfast.

“I have a meeting this afternoon, so I’ll be late. Want me to pick up some food on the way home?”

No, you think, there’s no way he knows.

You spend most of the morning cleaning and folding the array of graphic onesies Satoru has a penchant for dressing Ren in, and the later half walking around the pool because it’s warm and Ren enjoys splashing around in the water. It’s enough to tucker him out for bed early, unable to keep his eyes open while eating a plate of mashed potatoes.

It’s also the first time in weeks that you have the night to yourself, no baby keeping you busy, no Satoru to—well.

After a long shower, you step out of the bathroom, moving into the hallway. And there are many reasons why you felt confident walking the few steps it took to reach your bedroom. Most revolve around what Satoru told you that morning, so you don’t expect him to be standing there, shirtsleeves rolled up, piercing gaze sliding down the length of you wrapped in a towel and little else.

“I brought home those drunken noodles you like,” he says when his eyes focus back on your face, his whole expression softening into a smile.

A beat. “Thank you,” you whisper, unable to look away.

He tucks the wet strands of hair clinging to your cheek behind your ear. “Why don’t you get dressed, and I’ll join you downstairs?”

The noise in your brain goes static.

You’re unsure what causes it, but everything changes when he comes home early one afternoon and finds you and the baby napping in the nursery. He has this soft look on his face and something else you can’t decipher with his piercing blue eyes settled firmly on you.

Ren coos softly into your shoulder. 

When Satoru picks him up and settles him in the crib, then walks you to your room—here, let me help you—and when he hovers in your doorway, you let him in without question.

He doesn’t waste any time peeling off your clothes, eager to have you naked and splayed out underneath him. You cum on his tongue more times than you can count until you’re silently begging him to fuck you.

He laughs, large hands spread over your tummy. 

“Use your words, baby. I’m not a mind reader.”

You feel like you’re someone else watching you from somewhere else, another body rocking against the length of your boss’s cock, back arching every time you manage to find the friction you need. He’s hard against your back, thick in a way that makes you wonder if he did enough to stretch you out. 

“I-I want—”

All other thoughts are obliterated by the stretch and press of him against your cunt. 

“Think I’m going to keep you,” he rasps, lips dragging over your throat. “Keep this drippy little cunt spread open on my desk whenever I want while the baby naps. Would you like that? For me to fuck you full until you give me a baby.”

You clench, nerves shot.

“Gonna get all round with my baby, stay here forever,” he mumbles when he draws away, and you can’t tell if the words are meant for you to hear or slip out without him realizing. “Fuck—breed my little wife until it takes—”

Your eyes roll up, lost in the little promises he paints across your skin, body shivering over and over until you’re sobbing from it until he has to clamp a hand down over your mouth—shh, you’re going to wake the baby—going limp when he finally cums, pressing as deep as your body will allow, as if he can somehow imprint himself there. 

Wonders if maybe he’s been building up to this moment all along. 

It’s so easy to lay there after, blissed out while he litters kisses across your face and collarbones, letting him lift your hips up to slide a pillow underneath, even though the position is awkward when he tries to cuddle you afterward.

His fingers draw shapes on your stomach, giving you a wistful look, like he can’t believe he’s laying here with his cum still dripping between your thighs—no matter how many times he scoops it up and pushes it back inside you. “Do you think it’ll take?”

And you don’t have the heart to tell him about the little foil packet of pills tucked away in your nightstand.

[angelfishe]

|| 🂱🂱 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄. 🂱🂱 ||

<< yandere VIP Zhongli x Player!reader >>

After your mother suddenly has gotten her self into a large debt that seems it is never gonna end, someone recruited you to participate in a game to clean off that debt, but turns out it was a life and death situation as well meeting some familiar faces.

A one shot of my previous post

Warning : includes some dub-con intimacy, spoilers for the squid game series, blood, violence, as well mentions of intimacy

<< Viewers discretion is advised>>

Your mother has gotten herself into a large amount of debt for no apparent reason, she got Carried away in an illegal casino as well taking a loan from an illegal casino.

So you took odd jobs to pay off the debt to help her, but it never seems to end for you guys suffering. Everyday is tiring getting up at 4 am and going home at 11 pm, it was exhausting.

You were tired one day after a night shift, and was waiting at the train station to go home until a man in a business suit approached you, saying why don't you guys play a game for some money. You were desperate for cash so you accepted it.

After that, you receive some slaps but you eventually win. You get your cash and as well a business card about playing a game and clearing your debt.

You decided to take your chances and go with a friend to this so-called game. You and her wait for the car that was taken to you guys towards the game and when it arrives you guys suddenly fall asleep. You guys wake up in a green jump suit with different numbers on it.

After the game rules were laid out by the guards and the first game was "red light, green light", you didn't think much of it and followed the game as usual. Until one person moves during a red light and was shot, and soon all hell broke loss

People ran towards the exit and ended up getting shot left and right, you and your friend didn't know what to do and was scared to move and that's how you guys survive the first game.

During the dalgona shape game, unfortunately for you, you receive a star shape one. You were stressing about it until a guard next to you decided to drop a lighter right next to you and you unknowingly grab to use it.

During the third game it was a miracle that your team managed to win, during the night when there were lights out people left and right started to eliminate each other.

You were safe due to you hiding under the bed. Unfortunately during the 4th game, the marble game. Your friend decided to back stab you and cause you to lose the game.

She was allowed to leave and you were told to stay behind, you thought they were going to shoot you but they drag you into somewhere in the facility.

You were screaming and begging them to let you go, and you were pushed into a luxurious room inside a bed night stand and a man wearing an expensive brown suit and was wearing a deer mask facing the other way so his back was facing you.

"I'm so glad I've got to meet you again my love" he's voice sounds familiar, "it's a shame you don't recognize me have you forgotten my voice after those years being apart because the only thing that has kept me sane was your voice".

The man took off revealing it was your ex husband zhongli, you guys divorce about three years ago how possessive he was with you, unwilling for you to let you go anywhere but home saying it was dangerous.

He was a famous consultant when you guys were married and you both were living comfortably, until your divorce and you heard that he joined the army for 2 years and after leaving he managed to climb himself into the world of the elite reaching fortunes of those Unimaginable.

He seems way more taller and muscular since the last time you saw him maybe he's been working out. As well growing his hair to the point of reaching his back side.

He approach you and envelopes you into a large bear hug, saying how much he misses you and loves you. While you're there just shock contemplating why he is here in this game as well knowing where you were.

And the entire time he was also saying how he was right and the world is a dangerous place as well saying you would have been with him and not be in this game. He was about to give you a kiss until you pushed him to create some distance from him.

You ask him why he was here, and he answered that his friend "childe" tip him off about an entertainment experience that was once in a lifetime to enjoy. And that's how he became a vip to the squid game, he originally wasn't fond of these games but he was glad he came because he saw you on the list of participants. And now he's here to save you and bring you back home

He said he could clear the debt, saying that the debt of 100 million mora wouldn't make a dent in his fortune it was just a small amount as well about the dealings of the illegal casino saying his friends own it and will pay off the debt as long as he gets to have you back.

Without a choice you decided to take him back, and he enveloped you to his embrace as well kissing your lips. He walks you both towards the bed and pins you down.

He grabs the deer mask that was put on the night stand and puts it on your face and then he undresses you from the jump suit "let's get you out of these dirty clothes".

He's more muscular, more broader and much more stronger as well having some experience in the bedroom after you guys divorce, I mean he would usually imagine the ones who were underneath him was you.

As well as having more stamina since the military training, leaving you breathless and thoughtless after the deed was done. After 3 years apart he must have been pent up a lot. Admiring and memorising your figure as well singing praises about your screams of pleasure and how he misses it.

After some time you receive some high end clothing from the guards as well having your own golden mask. You and him walk arm on arm in link together as if the universe doesn't want to separate you again and you guys take a seat watching the last player fight for the Fortune.

[bluewxrld07]

love ain't so pretty (Luke Hughes)

Warning(s): angst, gold-digger accusations, self-doubt, insecurity

Summary: Y/n is a hard worker. She may not come from a family of wealth, but she doesn't let that define her. Until Luke says something inn which that something is said in a way he can never take back.

She was so overstimulated. She was tired, she was sweaty, she had stains on her shirt from a spilt coffee mishap.

Yet she still had that smile on her face as she greeted and bid farewell to regulars and other newer customers. Y/n wiped the sweat dripping from her forehead away as she finished wiping down one of her last tables for the night, pocketing the leftover generous tip she was left.

As she brought the dishes to the back and hung up her apron, she saw one of her closest coworkers, Grayson, making his way towards her.

"We're going out tonight if you want to join? Just to Don's down the street." he tells her as she helps the chefs with putting dishes in the sink.

She purses her lips. "Not tonight-" her coworker groans. "I promised Luke I'd come home tonight and watch the rest of the Frozen four game. UMich plays tonight, so he invited some of the guys over and wants us all there to watch it."

Grayson puts his hands on his hips and looks her up and down. "Girl, you are absolutely smitten by this man."

Y/n rolls her eyes, feeling her skin heat up. "He gets me what can I say. He's the first guy who likes me as a person. Not as just something with tits and ass." She jokes, earning a playful shove from him.

They laugh. "Hey those guys back then were fine as fuck and you know it." He shoots, earning a defeated sigh from her as she grabs her belongings.

"Yeah yeah, that was back then. I'm happier now," she chuckles, giving Grayson a hug. "Tell your man of the night hi for me though." she jokes, earning a snort.

"Oh you'll bet hearing about it tomorrow don't you worry." Graysons calls out to her as she walks off.

As she drove home that night, she felt more of the fatigue slipping in from her twelve hour shift, her feet beginning to slowly throb from being on them nonstop.

She knew she would regret taking another twelve hour shift for the fifth day in a row, but in all fairness she knew her paycheck was going to look super nice. Not that she minded working anyway.

Y/n has never had things come easy to her. She came from a family of the lower class, and she had done what she could to support them while also getting her education.

When it came to college, she knew that she wanted nothing more than to graduate with her Bachelor's degree in health science. That all came to an end when her mom died, and her father was struggling to pay bills. So she put her dreams and scholarship acceptance letters aside, putting her family first and working her ass off.

Now she was working as one of the partial owners of a very beautiful restaurant, making a decent amount of change and ignoring what everyone had said about her decisions of not going to college. Sure she still wishes she could have experienced the college life, but she knew that this life was better than spending the rest of her life paying off student loan debt.

She worked hard to get where she got to, and working where she does is what caused her to meet her now boyfriend of almost three years, and she would be damned if she would let Luke be the only one making the money in their relationship.

He has always made comments about how he could be their income, but it always needed with her saying she wanted to make her own money. As well as knowing she would get bored not doing something with her life, and she couldn't face the thoughts of him thinking she would become too reliant on his money.

She snapped herself out of the darker side of those thoughts, knowing she does work hard.

Y/n lets out a sigh of exhaustion as she made her way up the stairs towards her and Luke's shared apartment, the sounds of the guys voices being heard as she got closer to their place.

The girl opened the door quickly to not disturb their conversation being had in the other room, shutting it quietly as she took off her shoes.

She set her keys and purse on the rack, making her way down the hall and pulling her hair into a knot on the top of her head.

The guys chuckles and conversations dying down a bit as she cam into view, everyone giving her warm welcomes and 'hello's. She exchanged a few hugs and greetings to the Devils players in her household, soon making her way behind the couch to hug her boy from behind.

Luke lets out a chuckle as he felt Y/n bury her face in his neck and place a kiss there, his fingers caressing her wrists that were around his neck.

"How was work, baby?" he asks softly, she hums.

"Busy. Long. Grayson asked if I wanted to come out with him and the rest of the crew, but I just could not. I'm so tired."

"How many hours did you work today?"

"Close to thirteen. I covered for Miriam because her son was sick." she sighs, laying her chin on his shoulder.

Luke places a few chaste kisses on her cheek and temple. "You definitely deserve a drink or two though."

"Yeah, but I wanted to come watch the game with you and the boys. I also don't get paid till tomorrow, so I'd rather just keep the money spending to a tighter budget." she explains, earning a grin from Luke.

"I could've sent you money, love. You never go out really," he assures her, but she shakes her head and stands straight. She squeezes his shoulders.

"Not the point, baby. I don't need you spending your money on me. I make my own money, I don't want to rely on you, you know how I get with you spending money on me." she says, placing a kiss on his head.

Luke just sighs, and looks up at her. "Why don't you go shower, and I will grab you a drink and something to eat for when you get back out here?" he suggests, she grins down at him and nods.

Y/n walks off to their shared bedroom and into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her to strip down.

The warm water instantly helps sooth her muscles and pains, earning some decompressing sighs of relief from her as she washes herself clean.

Once she is done, she steps out and heads towards the mirror to do her nightly routine. She shrugs on some cropped sweats and Luke's sweatshirt that was hanging up, brushing her hair after.

As she opens the door that goes back to their shared room, she sets her towel on her desk chair and goes to place her phone on the charger.

She pauses when she hears something from one of the guys, in which it makes her frown.

"Why didn't she go out tonight?"

She hears Luke sigh. "I don't know. She said something about not getting paid till tomorrow and being tight on her budget."

One of the guys snort. "What does she do?"

"She's a partial owner and full-time manager for that nice restaurant down the street overlooking the bridge."

It's quiet for a few seconds. "That's it? Nothing special?"

"Really? I thought she did something else," one guy chuckles.

"Nope, she's just over there." Luke answers quietly.

"No wonder she is tight on money. I thought she went to college and got a real job or something."

"I didn't know you'd stoop down to lower-class type girls Lukey," a guy jokes, making Y/n's insides churn.

"I don't that's the thing," Luke laughs, Y/n instantly getting closer to the doorway to hear what else he has to say. "She could definitely use the money I make here and there. She doesn't make shit compared to what I get."

Y/n's blood runs cold.

She knows she is not professional sports player, but she does make a decent amount, so hearing Luke say that makes her heart ache. The man that was supposed to stick up for her and love her regardless was saying things like this when she wasn't in the room. Who knew what else he was saying when he wasn't around her.

"Wouldn't you be worried about her becoming a gold digger though, man?"

Luke scoffs. "I mean yeah of course, but she's got this thing where she needs to prove to whoever that she can make money. So she will never accept a dime from me. She barely pays for our rent here, she pays a good forty percent. But without me around who knows if she'd have a roof over her head."

Y/n didn't even realize she was crying until she felt the drops hitting her toes, the girl instantly wiping at her eyes.

She couldn't listen to any more of their conversation, instantly heading towards their closet and grabbing whatever she could fit into the duffel.

If he was going to say this about her, making her sound like she could be so broke and so homeless if he wasn't around. She didn't want a man like that in her life.

Y/n grabbed her phone and charger, slipping on a pair of socks and her jacket before walking out of their bedroom.

She stormed down out past the group sitting in the living room, noticing Luke in the kitchen in her side view. She beelined towards the hallway that led to their front door, putting on her shoes as she heard Luke say her name.

"Where you going? I just finished making you your favorite!" he says in an excited tone. Luke's smile falters as he sees her puffy and red splotched face.

"Baby? What's going on?" he asked, as he began to walk towards her.

She just shook her head, grabbing her purse and keys. "I can't do this." she scoffs with a sniffle.

"Do what? Hey, hey, hey," he says, grabbing her waist to turn her back towards him as she begins to open the front door. His face falls completely at the sight of her broken one.

"I won't be some fucking charity case for you," she snaps. Luke's face frowning. "What?" he asks.

"I make more than enough money to be financially stable on my own fucking feet. I don't need you feeding some fucking lies to your so called friends that I can't pay shit. You chose the rent split percentage. You chose how much you wanted me to pay because you wanted to spend more on me."

Luke's face was white. "Y/n I-"

"No. I'm done Luke. Go fuck some high-class bitch that can afford everything you can and more. We're over."

Before Luke could get another word out, the door slammed in his face.

Luke backed away from the door silently, his figure coming into view to the boys who heard the door slam.

"Luke you good?"

He ran his hands through his hair, his eyes still locked on the door in hopes she would come back. Tears threatening to spill in his eyes.

"Luke?"

He turned away and towards the kitchen, swiping the glass on the counter away and letting it shatter on the fridge.

"I fucked up. Big time."

[yelenasdiary]

would yoy do divorced and southern Wanda headcanons? If not that’s okay!!

Oh it's been too long since I've thought about her! I wasn't too sure if you meant you and Wanda are divorced or you're already divorced and you met Wanda. So, I went with the second one!

Once your divorce was finally finalised, no more lawyers, you were finally free! You decided to move to the country side of Mississippi seeking peace and quiet. A small town escape to heal and get back on your feet.

You got a transfer from the bank you worked for in the city to the small town bank of your new home.

You met Wanda when she came in to make a payment on a loan she'd taken out on her home.

"Well, aren't you as sweet as honey" she'd smile when you shook her hand.

She had a genuine charm to her, always throwing pet names at you. It was something you had to get used to in this small town, 'Darling' was thrown around A LOT.

The only time you really spoke to Wanda was when she came in to make a payment but eventually, you'd run into her at the small store or in passing in the street.

She offers you friendship, inviting you over for dinner one night. You learn a lot about her, while she learnt a lot about you. There was no denying there was a spark between you both.

You swept Wanda off her feet.

She's incredibly patient and understanding with you. She doesn't push you to open up but she always assures you that you can talk to her if you ever need.

It's a slow but gentle build up. Wanda doesn't rush things with you. She always bakes you treats, she'll do any handy work around your home, not wanting you to pay for a repair person to come. She invites you to events around the town, like, the farmers market.

Over time, your bond with her grows stronger and you find yourself building trust within her.

She loves taking you out of town to show you things, hidden caves, waterfalls and swimming holes.

Her favourite pet name for you is 'honeybee'.

When you both take the jump, making your relationship offical, all her kind gestures and spontaneous trips never stop. She's always making sure to show you how much she loves and adores you.

Towns people are ALWAYS making jokes about marriage which at first you didn't like, given how your divorce ended you lowkey swore to yourself never to marry again. But you grew to just laugh along with the people.

Wanda never leaves the house or town without telling you where she's going and rough time she'll be home, this comes from her own trauma of her brother passing away.

You cook meals together!

The more you got comfortable around her, the more you opened up and would eventually start to really show her how much you love and adored her. Making sure she always had a packed lunch if she was going out of town. You even brought her a brand new saddle that she'd been eyeing off in secret.

Your relationship isn't dramatic or flashy but it's powerful, soft and full of a love you've never felt, even with your ex.

Taglist: @noturlondonboy | @deathbylesbianwitches | @yelenaslyubov | @sunshine-makes-flowers-grow | @jsonebraincell | @boredandneedfanfics | @red1culous | @jooseboxxe | 

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[bitchesgetriches]

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Starting from nothing

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How to Save for Retirement When You Make Less Than $30,000 a Year

Ask the Bitches: “Is It Too Late to Get My Financial Shit Together?“

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Why Are Poor People Poor and Rich People Rich?

On Financial Discipline, Generational Poverty, and Marshmallows

Bitchtastic Book Review: Hand to Mouth by Linda Tirado

Is Gentrification Just Artisanal, Small-Batch Displacement of the Poor?

Coronavirus Reveals America’s Pre-existing Conditions, Part 1: Healthcare, Housing, and Labor Rights

Developing compassion for poor people

The Latte Factor, Poor Shaming, and Economic Compassion

Ask the Bitches: “How Do I Stop Myself from Judging Homeless People?“

The Subjectivity of Wealth, Or: Don’t Tell Me What’s Expensive

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If You Can’t Afford to Tip 20%, You Can’t Afford to Dine Out

Correcting income inequality

1 Easy Way All Allies Can Help Close the Gender and Racial Pay Gap

One Reason Women Make Less Money? They’re Afraid of Being Raped and Killed.

Raising the Minimum Wage Would Make All Our Lives Better

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On Pulling Weeds and Fighting Back: How (and Why) to Protect Abortion Rights

How To Get an Abortion 

Blood Money: Menstrual Products for Surviving Your Period While Poor

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Gender equality

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Queer issues

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Leaving Home before 18: A Practical Guide for Cast-Offs, Runaways, and Everybody in Between

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Woke at Work: How to Inject Your Values into Your Boring, Lame-Ass Job

The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander: A Bitchtastic Book Review

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The Biggest Threat to Black Wealth Is White Terrorism

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[mozzaicynth]

one thought everyday and its just the amazing world of gumball especially these three freaks (doodles + some headcanons below :3)

mr small -

my interpretation of small becoming more mellowed out in the future seasons as opposed to season 1 is him managing his anger in a more healthier way (meditation, etc) (plus i think all those herbal infusions are incredibly effective on the nerves) . that being said i think he still has underlying anger issues and lashes out if prompted too much . another reason hes nicer and more of a pushover in the later seasons is because i like to think hes guilty of his plethora of outbursts earlier on, especially towards students (unwarranted shouting which as a school counsellor he should know is pretty harmful on younger kids) . the fact that he tries to offer his help when its absolutely not needed so many times later on in the show further makes me like to think he’s making up for it all

hes also so autistic to me hes on the spectrum you cant tell me otherwise and i think hes pretty awkward and considered strange by the whole town (which is saying a lot for elmore standards) . still super friendly and approachable but he also cant take hints and he definitely stims (and has special interests, alternative medicine are you kidding)

his music taste i love to think is all over the place … i get the general consensus is he listens to mystic chants and sitar music but he definitely listens to more, ranging from pop to indie to rock to metal (this may or may not have become an idea when i was listening to ‘darts by soad and associated it with him,) . also what with his stupid little self funded album that is such a jarring listen ‘cause of all the ridiculous genre changes

i think he crochets/macrames as a hobby along with other diy stuff (most of the decorative items in his home crafted by him) making him, surprisingly considering how incompetent he is sometimes, super crafty/handy .

larry -

larry is a great person: incredibly intelligent, he’s very knowledgable on a plethora of subjects and he has a big heart, holding little to no virtriol against the people of elmore (except the wattersons but that is SO warranted) . thus i like to imagine he did great in school, moved on to do so wonderfully in uni whilst juggling jobs and his studies but after graduation was left stuck (alike so many people nowadays) . neither small or larry came from well off families but i think for larry he didn’t have much of a support system anyway so currently he overworks and works and works just to catch up on the student debt whilst simultaneously paying his taxes (i still think about that episode all the time fuck the police . big pink son of a bitch), loans and not to mention the bare minimum to keep himself alive

he’s a very sweet and kind person but anyone under the immense stress that he’s under would be irritable and temperate (he deserves to be more angry imo) and i whilst he has so many jobs he always aims to excel at all of them, having an incredibly particular way that tasks must be done and having them organised . because of this, he can be a lot more temperate when interacting with coworkers, especially those who don’t do their job as well, having to take matters into his own hands . as he and karen (his girlfriend throughout the series) share some jobs it puts a strain on their relationship (which was built off of the mutual ‘having several jobs’) and they break up .

even so, though larry consistently tries to propose to her in the show, in “the laziest” he doesn’t seem to be happy nor comfortable at all with the prospects of marrying her . in fact, even when he’s achieved the ‘american dream’ (properties like a house and car and a family (his girlfriend soon to be wife)) he’s unhappy . personally i don’t think he knows what he wants to do with himself ; he works all day and night and has little to no time for himself to even think in peace that the only purpose he knows is work .

i like to think he used to be an artist; self taught, it was a hobby and an enjoyment but his studies and his work took over so his one form of self expression was squeezed out of his life .. (i like making their lives as bleak as possible soz ! 🙏) he still admires the arts and i think that’s another reason he likes steve so much; his handcrafts and mini projects .

steve and larry are two opposites that are similar in ways .. but i love their dynamic so much . my interpretation of them is that steve will help larry balance out his life slightly better to leave room for himself instead of working 24/7 . steve has his head in the clouds and larry grounds him, and larry is so stuck in his ways with work that steve pulls him out of it slightly, lifting him up a little higher (AUGHHHGHH I HATE THEM I HATE THEM

as for their relationship with rob, im very much a stevelmeyer adoption truther !! both larry and steve coming from dysfunctional families, they aim to help rob and take care of him to the best of their abilities . further, larry taking on taking care of rob gives him direction in his life again . 😁😁😁😁😁😁

this isnt gonna be the last post headcanon/idea wise i still think of them 24/7 but heres jus SOME things .. (im such a yapper sprry not sorry !) :3c

[jennifer-jeong]

haiii!! could I put in a request for boothill x an alcoholic engineer reader who’s personality takes a complete 180 when drunk? Like when sober they’re really quiet and a total introvert but when drunk they’re basically a party animal/super hype(the reason why they drink so much is because it helps them forget about their life problems like taxes and student loan debt, if I had to compare the reader’s personality to a character I’d say hiroi kikuri from bocchi the rock) but they’re like crazy smart when it comes to machines and stuff and even fixes up boothill from time to time

headcanons or a small fic is fine^^

HII I’M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG I’ve just been out of the groove of writing for a bit but your request is so cute and I wanted to take a shot at it. Thank you for your request and I hope you like it!

Fluff + Suggestive | Boothill x GN!Reader A Few Drinks

CONTENT Fluff, suggestive, him flirting with you, you flirting with him, getting handsy, alcohol consumption, pet name usage, no reader pronouns used, CHARACTERS ARE 18+

WORD COUNT: 1227

It was a regular Friday afternoon in your personal workshop situated in your home on a planet not far off from Penacony and easily accessible via space anchors. The planet was mostly made up of plains, your house sat near a pond and was surrounded by grass and your tiny gardens that you filled with flowers and succulents. You were an excellent engineer working both for corporations as well as taking on smaller private contracts/projects occasionally. You were currently working on a specific cyborg’s finger joint, putting the finishing touches on the cybernetics before he came to have it attached to his robotic body.

You heard a familiar clicking of boots against the sidewalk to your open workshop door before an equally familiar greeting from the cyborg cowboy.

“Heya sweetheart, how ya been? Hows my dumb fudging finger treatin ya?” he chirped, his voice slightly grainy and robotic due to a lack of organic vocal chords.

You swivel around in your chair, giving him a small smile. “Your pinky was pretty messed up but I managed,” you replied quietly, a little anxious talking to the -handsome- man you knew killed people on the daily.

“Ah, ya always fix me up fine and dandy, I knew you’d be able to help,” he said as he walked towards your workbench.

You gave him a small chuckle at the praise and turned around to grab the fixed finger. “Thanks… now just have a seat on the-” you were cut off by turning slightly and being met with his face awfully close to yours. He had leaned over your shoulder to take a closer look at your work, his hands held behind his back.

Your eyes widened as you froze for a moment, unintentionally staring at him before looking away. He was looking at your work but when you turned away he took the opportunity to scan over your flustered self, grinning slightly at how cute you were.

You always treated him so sweetly, disregarding what he did for work because you knew about his past. How could he not find you adorable?

He pulled away to walk towards the table that doubled as an operating table when he or your other clients needed bigger fixes.

“Here?” he says knowingly.

You nod quickly before grabbing a few tools and setting up to attach the part back to his synthetic nervous system.

It was a painful few minutes of him watching you intently as you worked. He was sitting up, leaning back on his right hand, legs spread as he got comfy. His left hand was propped up into a sleeve to keep it still as you worked on it. You tried hard to not look up at him despite knowing he was staring down at you the entire time, probably with that teasing grin he always wore around you.

Once you were done and he finished paying you (with a generous tip no less), he suddenly wondered what you’d be doing since the work week just ended.

“So, whadda ya doin after closin’ up shop today? Ya ever go out for Friday happy hour?”

You whipped your head around to him at the mention of drinking before looking down at the ground, hoping you didn’t seem too eager to talk about alcohol.

“Y-yeah, I go every weekend,” you replied.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “really? Ya didn’t really strike me as the drinkin’ type darlin’.”

You swallowed at his use of pet name.

“Yeah… it helps me get my mind off work and shit,” you shared with him, figuring it was fine to tell him about it since you already started to get to know each other pretty well during his visits. It was hard to explain, but you trusted him.

“Huh… Well, let’s fudgin’ go then!” He says, jumping off the table. “Lemme know when ya ready darlin”.”

“W-whoa there darlin’” Boothill says for the nth time after you two got to a vintage looking club in the city. You were stumbling a bit as he tried to prevent you from knocking anything over or getting yourself hurt. You kept bumping into him, grabbing onto his arms or his chest to stabilize yourself.

It was your turn to fluster the man.

After all the times he’d made you shy and bashful, him feeling your hands all over him in this context and not during some sort of repair procedure was really setting off his sensors.

You giggled in your drunken state and dragged him by his hand to the crowded dance floor. The current song was just ending and you heard the first few beats of one of your favorite songs. The crowd clearly also liked the song as you all started getting hyped. You started jumping and dancing in front of him as you held his shoulders. You even grabbed the attention of some nearby girls as they encouraged you and you did the same to them.

Boothill’s expression slowly morphed from curious shock to an endearing smirk as he laughed at your total 180 shift in personality as soon as you had a few drinks. His hands found your hips as you continued to dance all over him while he moved with the rhythm.

It was also in this moment that he realized exactly what you were wearing too, it was a pretty, skin tight top and ripped shorts, completely different from the baggy overalls and t-shirt you usually wore in the workshop.

He felt his body’s cooling system kick in a bit harder.

You noticed his eyes on you as you always did, but this time, with alcohol in your system, you decided to do something about it.

You pushed him into a nearby bar stool, forcing him to sit down and lean against the bar counter. You stood between his legs, hands on his chest as you leaned towards his face.

“Thanks for coming out with me Bootie~” you said with your eyes lidded, batting your eyelashes at him. His breath hitched at the sudden nickname usage that you’ve call him by before.

“I’ve been stressed about shit recently but this is fun” you giggle, “we should do it more often,” you add, looking him up and down, something he doesn’t miss.

He relaxes slightly, hands finding their place on your waist again as his signature grin comes out. You could tell he was still pretty flustered though, he was into it, but still a bit shy.

“You’re always looking at me like that, Bootie,” you say as you trace a finger on the underside of his jaw, making him look at you. “I don’t say it when I’m not drunk… but I hope y’know I don’t mind it,” you say with a smile and lidded eyes. Your finger trails off the bottom of his chin as he ever so slightly chases your touch.

You giggle again at his reactions to you, feeling a bit giddy knowing that he was as into you as you were into him.

You push off him to run back to the dance floor, calling out to him with the nickname you just gave him.

The cowboy adjusts his hat before blinking a few times, smiling, and exhaling the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

He follows you back to the dance floor as he thinks “I’m fudged.”

|| MASTERLIST ♡ || Thank you for reading! ||

[ohisms]

↪   ᵀᴴᴱ 𝑀𝐼𝐶𝐾 .    (  a  series  of  sentence  starters  from  season  1  of fox's sitcom ,  “ the mick ” .   adjust  phrasing  as  necessary . will be updated !  )

oh my god , why do you have gasoline ?!

we're fine , not that it's any of your concern .

stay out of trouble .

no , you're not coming in with me .

you're embarrassing . you embarrass me . i'm embarrassed of you .

can i bum a smoke , please ?

it's okay , i already have a dollar .

i get the sense that you're in need a lot .

i don't have a problem . you do , otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation .

what do you mean ? you invited me .

i got into yale , that doesn't mean i'm going .

the scales of justice tip in favor of the wealthy .

if we throw enough money at this thing , i'm sure it'll go away .

let's catch up in ten years when you need another loan .

i feel like we got off on the wrong foot .

i want you to come to me with boy problems . or girl problems , i don't assume .

i know you think you're pretty clever with this plan to drink me under the table , but there's two problems ... you're not , .. & you can't .

she's not dead , i can see her breathing .

i cannot count the number of times i've been ripped off a barstool & thrown in a cage .

i should probably get out of the house , yesterday kinda got away from me .

i don't like these people . but i like you .

why are we at a poor person's restaurant ?

don't touch my stuff , psycho .

no , i don't believe you . you're lying .

uh , i don't know , maybe because you're a lying bitch .

okay , look , i understand this stuff is really hard to hear .

let's just keep our voices down , okay ?

you think i care about these idiots ?

what is wrong with you ? you're making a scene .

how's that for a scene ?! dinner & a show !

i know what you're up to , & you're not gonna get away with it .

i'm sorry , you think you're in charge ?

once all this is gone , all that's left is this . & nobody wants just this .

wait , wait , wait ! i'm coming with you !

i will only go if i have your blessing .

if you need anything at all , do not hesitate to call 911 .

[ name ] , my beautiful angel !

i heard about that little accident you had .

so , this is it ! home sweet home .

holy crap , you're alive ...

what are you doing here ? are you living at my place ?

okay , i'm sensing some major hostility here .

i thought you were dead !

don't pay attention to him , he's no one .

— i'm just kidding ! oh , i'm so sorry , your face ...

no ... you're joking — this is a joke , right ?

i'm gonna go freshen up , this'll be fun !

my legs are heavy , but my mind is light ...

wait , why is my window open ?

do i look like i'm playing games ?

we both burnt that bridge , it doesn't matter who lit the match .

i need you to do me a favor , i did you a favor .

oh , thank god you're here . you've gotta help us .

oh , i'm not going anywhere .

what do you want me to do about it ?

knock - knock ... can i come in ?

oh ... i get it . you're jealous .

enough with the guessing games , i'm freaking out over here .

fine . i'll fix this myself .

i thought we agreed i'm the boss ?!

if you saw my silence as agreeing with you , that's on you .

don't take it personally , his heart just isn't for sale .

not now , [ name ] , i'm gloating .

[ name ] ?! since when do you smoke ?

HEY .. !! [ name ] . just the person i wanted to see .

i haven't gone this long without a smoke in years .

either be part of the solution or get the hell out .

well , now i feel like you're lying .

regardless of how we got here , i'm having a really good time .

is it ? is it creepy to be ahead of everybody at all times ?

i want to squeeze you around your neck until you can't breathe .

i said that forever ago when i was young and dumb .

if i were you , i would take this opportunity to lay low .

that's the opposite of what i just suggested .

[ name ] , you've been overruled .

i don't mean to offend you , you don't fit the [ surname ] brand .

it's already happening , we're becoming socially radioactive .

i'm sorry , that night is a blur of bad pinot and intolerable conversation .

oh , so you're a liar too ?

i was sitting at home , and then i remembered you're not my boss .

what's the matter ? little plan didn't work ?

[carlottawllms]

As It Was

Mason Mount x Reader Angst-ish / Fluff (Exes/Friends to Lovers) Word Count: 8.1K

I absolutely love the friends to lovers trope so here’s to that :) I hope you enjoy it! <3 As always, feedback is very much appreciated.

There are several types of break-ups. The messy ones where person a keeps talking bad about person b. The painful ones where only one person wants to end the relationship whilst the other still has deep feelings. The sad ones where both say they’ll stay friends only to end up becoming strangers.

And then there’s the very rare ones, where the break-up is mutual, amicable and both stay friends. The right-person-wrong-time kind of relationship. The one, where losing the other person for good hurts too much so the friendship is kept alive.

You and Mason were the perfect example for the latter.

As the daughter of Mason’s very first manager at Chelsea, you’d met him very early on and since you’d loved to spend the time after school watching your dad teach kids how to play football, the two of you’d spent a lot of time together. You’d been attached by the hip, a duo that never showed up without the other and throughout the years, something deeper had developed.

At the age of 16 you’d eventually got together and spent the next two years loving each other, but with his loan spells coming up, him – reluctantly – spending more and more time away from you and you starting to think of university, you realised that neither of you were in the right place to keep your relationship alive, so you’d ended it. Mutually. Amicably.

Throughout the years of friendship and dating, you’d been through a lot together; fought battles side by side; been each other’s firsts and biggest supporters. You’d left your footprints on each other’s soul and there was no way either of you would leave your safe haven behind for good.

So, you’d stayed friends. Best friends.

Mason had managed to get himself into the first team, win the Champions League along several other trophies; he’d become POTY in two consecutive seasons and an England international. He’d grown up and turned into a handsome man who despite his success had always stuck to his genuinely kind-hearted and humble personality.

And just like Mason, you’d chosen the perfect career path for yourself as well. You’d become a primary school teacher in London, and you absolutely loved it. The only thing you found a little annoying was the fact that contrary to a regular 9 to 5 job you couldn’t just take a day off whenever you felt like it. Hence why supporting Mason in person had become a little too difficult for your liking.  

Especially now, that Mason had moved to Manchester.

“Hi Debbie.”, you smiled the moment Mason’s mum answered the phone.

“y/n darling, long time no speak. How’ve you been?”

Just like your friendship with Mason, your relationship to his parents had never changed. You didn’t talk as much to Debbie and Tony as you used to, but whenever they were in London they made sure to pay you a visit.

The two of you made a bit of small talk until you eventually grew a pair to ask the question that had been haunting you for days now.

“Debbie, I was wondering if I could join you for Mase’s first home game?”

Nervously, you nibbled on the skin around your finger. There was no reason to be worried she could say no, but for some reason you still feared she would.

“y/n, my dear, of course you can. In fact, we’d love to have you with us and Mase would be over the moon. Its just…it’s a Monday, you know?”

“Yeah.”, you smiled. “I know how nervous Mase is and after missing out on so many games last season, I really wanted to be there for him again and I’ve bribed a colleague of mine so I can skip Monday and Tuesday, but I wanted to check with you first. With Megan there I know it can be a bit…tense.”

You heard Debbie sigh and immediately felt bad for even saying something.

Megan was Mason’s girlfriend of about 9 months now and although you hadn’t met her often so far, you could tell she didn’t like you. At all.

She kept making low digs at you whenever Mason wasn’t around, tried to keep him all to himself and – in your humble opinion – liked to use him for her social media activities. You doubted that her intentions with your best friend were good ones, but you kept quiet, as Mason seemed to be happy with her.

You’d simply keep a close eye on her and step in, in case he actually needed protection.

“Actually, you don’t have to worry about that. Megan won’t be there anyway.” The defeated sound of Debbie’s voice didn’t go unnoticed, and you furrowed your brows. She won’t?

“What do you mean she won’t be there?”

To say you were confused would be an understatement. She was his girlfriend, surely, she’d be there for his first real game with his new team? A game he was incredibly nervous about. It would be his first game ever since February and then on top of that in a new stadium with new fans who – at least some of them – still had their reservations when it came to him.

“She’ll be on some sort of holidays by then, y/n.”, Debbie mumbled, and you could easily make out how hurt she sounded. “Apparently, it’s the only time her and her girls can all leave together or something and she said she could probably watch the game on her phone and call him afterwards.”

Your heart dropped into your stomach. She would actually ditch him for a bloody holiday? Anger and disappointment bubbled up in your tummy and you had to take a deep breath to keep your composure.

“What the fuck.”, you whispered. Apparently, Debbie had you on speaker as you could hear Tony scoff in the background. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it, y/n.” He said something else, but you couldn’t quite make out what.

“How did he take it?”

“I don’t know much, but I think he was pretty disappointed. He sounded deflated, a little like when he told us that Chelsea wasn’t planning on keeping him.”

“I can imagine.”, you sighed as the image of his big sad eyes came to mind, breaking your heart a little. You’d hoped to never see him like that ever again.

“He called me yesterday and we spoke about it. Well, he asked me if we wanted to come and that he’d ask Jaz today. I think he knew we’d be there anyway, to be fair, but you know what he’s like.”, she chuckled. “And then he told me in like a half-sentence, that Megan won’t come because of the holiday. I think she told him yesterday.”

You dropped your forehead into your hand, your heart hurting for Mase. He was the sweetest soul you knew, always thoughtful and caring, putting people he loved first. He was just incredibly gentle and loving, never holding back from showing what people meant to him and you hated that the one time he needed someone, that person he’d turned to rejected him.

“You being there would mean the world to him, y/n.”, Tony said suddenly, pulling you from your deep thoughts. “He doesn’t expect you to be there and he said he won’t ask you to come because he doesn’t want to put you in the situation where you feel bad for saying no, you now? He knows you can’t just take a day off in your job and he’s saved you a ticket for the next home game that’s on the weekend.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his thoughtfulness. Despite giving a lot, he never expected anything back and the thought of surprising him on one of the most stressful days of his life, made you feel all warm inside.

“Can you still get me a ticket? Without him knowing?”

“Don’t worry about that, y/n. I’ll take care of that. We will be up there the whole week already. Just let me know when you want to arrive and I’ll sort everything for you, yeah?”

“Thanks Tony.”, you smiled, already feeling giddy at the prospect of seeing Mason soon.

“No, thank you, y/n.”, Debbie chimed in. “Thank you for coming and everything. It means a lot.”

*

Two weeks later you got off the train in Manchester at just shortly after 6pm. Initially, you’d planned to arrive on Monday morning and surprise Mason after the game, but you’d missed him a lot over the last few weeks – especially as the time difference whilst he’d been in America, had been too big to facetime or speak on the phone – so you’d eventually decided to meet him before the game.

Tony waited for you with a big smile on his face and the moment you reached him, he pulled you into a hug. “It’s so good to see you, y/n. You okay?”

“Bit nervous, to be honest.”, you laughed. “But I’m good, can’t wait to see him and then watch him play again.”

“I get that. We’re all very excited.”, he grinned, taking your suitcase from you as you walked to his car.

The drive to the restaurant wasn’t that far and although you would’ve loved to maybe freshen up in the hotel, the longing to hug Mason and see his pretty face again was too strong. Tony had booked a table in a secluded corner of the restaurant so the family could be together without prying eyes. He’d explained during the drive how apparently half of Manchester was on the hunt to get a photo of their newly added star player, suffocating Mason a little, so he’d tried his best to get him out of the public eye for a while.

Your knees were a little wobbly as you made your way over to the table. Mason was sat with his back towards you and although Lewis had most likely known you’d come, you could see how hard he was trying to keep his facial expression neutral.

“Found this one on platform 3. Looked a bit lonely and figured we’d be good company.”, Tony joked, causing Lewis and Jaz to chuckle, but your attention was solely on Mason who turned his head, glanced at you and looked back down at the menu, only to whip his head around again when realisation hit him.

“What the fuck.” He basically jumped up, the chair nearly tipping over and with two, three big strides, he’d reached you and wrapped his arms around you. “Oh my god.” Mason dropped his face into the crook of your neck, breathing in your familiar scent he’d missed so much and from the way he embraced you so tightly you could tell how much he’d needed this hug.

“I’ve missed you, Masey.”, you whispered quiet enough for only him to hear and in response, Mason just squeezed you gently.

After a very long while – his family had discreetly stuck their noses into the menu – he pulled away, only an armlength though and simply looked at you. His gaze danced over your features, unsure of what to look at first, but eventually he locked his eyes on yours.

“What are you doing here?”, he laughed quietly, a hint of incredulity in his voice.

“Making sure Manchester treats my best friend the way he deserves.”, you winked. “Also I missed you, so I thought I’d come see you for a couple of days.”

“You’re insane, y/n.” Mason shook his head, a bright smile still pulling at his lips. “How long are you staying?”

“Tuesday afternoon. My train’s at 6pm.”

Mason’s jaw dropped in a mixture of shock and surprise. “Wait, what?” The innocently confused expression on his face made him look like a little cutie-pie and you couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You didn't really think I'd watch your first game in red in front of the tv, did you?”

Mason felt like his heart was about to burst his chest. He’d always hoped to have you there at Old Trafford for his very first game, but the moment the schedule had been released and he’d seen it was a Monday, his hopes to have you by his side for some moral support had basically vanished. So you being in front of him now after thinking of it as an impossibility felt even sweeter.

“I can’t believe this.”, he laughed. “This is some sort of dream or something. Are you really staying for the game?”

“Yes, Mase.”, you smiled. “I’ll be there, wearing your shirt and cheering you on. It’s your first game for United, it’s special and exciting and just as nerve-wracking. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

-

Later that night, you were all gathered at Mason’s. You’d thought Tony had organised a hotel room for you, but it’d turned out that he’d simply – how he’d put it – booked one of Mason’s guestrooms for you.

Initially, you’d been a bit worried that Mase wouldn’t want that much company, as his parents would stay with him as well, but the second you’d mentioned a hotel, he’d only given you a very definite look and the hotel had been off the table.

“I’ll grab myself a water. Do you want something too?”, you asked as you got up from where you’d sat next to Debbie, but both of them shook their heads.

Being in his new house for the very first time, it felt a bit like a maze, but after like three attempts, you eventually found the right door and stepped into the kitchen. A beautiful kitchen.

Matt black cabinets with a lightly bevelled wooden worktop and matching cooking island. On the windowsill behind the sink, he had placed three small herb pots and the small, colour-matching storage jars rounded off the overall picture. You loved it – very much.

“I’m not offended, for Christ’s sake! I’m fucking disappointed, Megan.” Mason’s booming voice made you jump and drop the bottle-opener on the counter. Your shocked gaze found his the second he stepped into the kitchen from some other room – probably the pantry – with his phone pressed to his ear.

His cheeks were flushed, the bridge of his nose bright red and the furrowed brows made his usually so warm eyes appear all angry.

“Sorry.”, you mouthed, holding your hands up apologisingly as you hadn’t meant to accidentally eavesdrop on his discussion with his girlfriend, but Mason just shook his head and sent you a small smile.

“It’s okay, you can stay.”, he mumbled to you before concentration back on his phone call. “It’s y/n. She-“ Mason rolled his eyes and sighed as she’d obviously interrupted him.

You turned away from him, focussing back on the bottle of Desperados as you tried to ignore the fight, but when Mason was in a bad mood, he was difficult to miss.

“Don’t you dare go down that road now, Megan.”, he hissed, hands balling to fists by his side. “Unlike you, she dropped everything, went through the faff of getting a couple of days off to surprise me because she knows how important this game is. She fucking cares about me, whilst you didn’t even think about saying no to a fucking holiday to be there for me this one time.”

Obviously, Debbie had told you how disappointed he’d been, but hearing it from Mason himself made your heart hurt. You knew how much he’d done for Megan and how much he’d given and this one time he’d asked something from her, she’d rejected him.

Mason was a person who deserved the absolute world. He had a soul made of gold, a genuinely kind heart and a bubbly, sparkling personality. He was caring and loving, empathic, supportive and someone to laugh and cry with.

He was one of the best people anyone could ever find on this planet and you hated how she didn’t value or appreciate him even the tiniest bit. It made you incredibly angry and you wanted to take the phone off of him to shout at her, but as it would probably make it all worse you just took a deep breath and opened the bottle Desperados.

“You know what? I’m tired of this shit, I’m tired of you and I really don’t want to discuss this anymore. It’s fucking pathetic and I refuse to let you ruin this for me. Go and have fun with your friends, I couldn’t give less of a shit right now.”

And with that, silence filled the kitchen. You didn’t dare to move a muscle, simply opting for observing Mason out of the corner of your eye and giving him a moment to breathe. Your heart hurt for him and you wanted nothing more than to be there for him and tell him everything would be okay, but you didn’t know if it would be, so you waited for him to take the first step.

Mason ran his hand through his hair and over his face before walking over to where you were leaning against the countertop, fingers nibbling on the label of the bottle you’d fetched yourself. He grabbed the bottle and placed it to the side before pulling you tightly against his chest, head falling into the crook of your neck and he sighed deeply the moment you wrapped your arms around his waist, squeezing him just as tightly.

The last weeks had been a lot, mentally and physically. Coming back from an injury and playing his first minutes after February and on top of that for a new club with new expectations had been draining and all he’d wanted was a bit of support. And a hug.

Mason hadn’t felt either for ages so when you kissed the side of his head softly, nose nuzzling against his cheek, he realised how much he’d truly missed you. Missed holding you and feeling you and your undying support.

“I’m so proud of you, Mase.”, you whispered. “You’ve been through so much and I know how hard and painful it’s been, but you’ve been so strong and stayed true to who you are and I am so so proud of you.”

Mason felt the tears burning behind his eyes and held you a little tighter as his own words failed him. He was thankful you didn’t bring up the phone call and instead did what you did best: Being there for him, holding him and keeping him together.

“I can’t wait to see you play on Monday, wear your shirt with pride and scream for the whole world to hear that you are just the best and strongest person I know.” You kissed the side of his head again, hands brushing up and down his spine in an attempt to calm him as you could feel his slightly erratic breathing.

You could only assume how much everything had weighed him down and how heavy the weight on his shoulders truly was, but you’d do everything to help him carry it.

For a while, the two of you only stood there, wrapped up in each other’s embrace and enjoying a moment you hadn’t been able to in what felt like forever and even when Mason pulled back slightly, he still stayed close.

Gently, he cupped your cheeks with his warm palms, thumbs brushing the soft skin right beneath your eyes as he smiled at you.

“Thank you, y/n. For dropping everything and coming here because I can imagine how much of a faff it must’ve been and I hope you know how much I appreciate that.”, he whispered. “Thank you for being by my side the whole time and holding my hand. For our weekly, if not daily facetime calls and the way you never gave up on me, no matter how annoying and whiny I’ve been. You mean so much to me and seeing you here has made it all so much easier already.”  

“I would do it all over again, Mase. Anytime.”

Instead of saying something, Mason just leaned in and pressed his lips to your forehead in a fond kiss, lips lingering a little longer than considered normal, but he didn’t care.

It was you. He could be himself around you, the touchy and silly guy you’d grown up with and he knew you’d never question any of his antics or behaviour and you’d never judge him for any of it either.

And he knew it shouldn’t be that way, but having you back in his arms, knowing that you’d always have his back, no matter what, made him realise how much better he felt whenever you were around.

It made him realise that you were the person he wanted to have in his life. That you were his person. Had always been and would always be.

-

The game hadn’t turned out the way you’d all hoped it would and Mason had been a bit down, but still it had made you immensely happy to see him play for his new club. As always, he’d given his all and fought til the end, left his soul on the pitch and you couldn’t have been prouder to wear his name on your back – especially with this constant memory of him as a small boy starting his career playing on your mind.

He'd come so far and you found yourself being the lucky one to have witnessed it all first hand. And the bright smile on his face as you’d told him, had more than made up for the result.

As it was your last evening together, you’d all gone out for dinner and had a nice evening together, but as Tony, Debbie, Lewis, Mason and you now sat on the terrace wrapped in thick blankets, you noticed how Mason, who willingly shared a lounger with you kept looking at his phone.

So far, she hadn’t called. Nor had she sent a message. And even if you hoped you were wrong, you couldn’t help but feel that she hadn’t even bothered to watch the game. It made you feel sick to your stomach, knowing that she cared so little about him and his feelings. That she couldn’t even be bothered to at least check the result and send him a little pick-me-up.

She didn’t deserve him and his love. At all.

“C’mon, give it to me.”, you whispered, nodding towards where he’d placed his phone. Mason hesitated for a second before giving in, handing it to you in defeat and once you’d turned it off, you shuffled closer to him and cuddled into his side as he held his arm out for you. “I’m so sorry, Mase.”

“It’s okay.”, he mumbled, burying his nose in your hair. “You’re here, that’s more than I could’ve ever asked for.”

You barely noticed him kissing the top of your head before pulling you into his chest and tightening his hold around you, but the meaning of his words weighed heavy on your shoulders and made your heart speed up.

Did he just imply that you being here was more important to him than his own girlfriend? Surely, you’d just misinterpreted that?

You knew you shouldn’t overthink it too much, but situations like this had the hope you’d buried six feet under, bubble back up. The hope that you and him and your old love had a second chance. That you and him were actually meant to be together.

“I’m gonna miss you, y/n.”

“I’m gonna miss you too, Mase.”

Tuesday passed quicker than either of you wanted and soon enough you found yourself back home in London, with your thoughts still back in Manchester.

From what you’d understood, Megan hadn’t messaged him about the game at all, only calling him on Tuesday morning to check if he was to pick her up from the airport, and whilst you’d expected him to agree, he’d said he had plans already and she should get herself an uber.

You and Debbie had shared a glance, both of you silently hoping Mason was catching on how she wasn’t doing him any good and that he deserved so much better.

He deserved a girlfriend who gave as much as he did, who loved him the same way he loved her and who would go with him through thick and thin, held his hand, fought his corner and defended him when he wasn’t there to do it himself. He deserved someone who loved him unconditionally; who loved him as much for being silly and goofy as for being gentle, caring and loving.

Mason deserved someone who loved and appreciated every single side of him.

Little did you know that Mason felt all of that – with you.

*

For a week, nothing really changed. You were back at work, facing several questions of the kids in your class about why you’d missed two days of school – you had to promise them to try and get Mason to come to class one day for them to stop pestering you – and as before your visit in Manchester, your daily chats and several facetime calls with Mason weren’t skipped either.

He told you about how training was going, how he was settling in and how Luke had managed to get him out of his house a little more often now. You knew Mason was a bit of a homebody at the best of times, but although he got along well with people very quickly, he loved to stay home even more when he was met with new surroundings, so you were kinda proud of him for getting his bum up and mingle with his new friends.

One thing he never spoke about however was Megan. He didn’t even as much as mention her in a half-sentence and although you were wondering how things were going, you never asked. You’d been by his side for long enough to know that if he wanted to speak about her, he would, so you didn’t push the topic.

Until today.

You’d just got yourself ready for bed and jumped into your warm sheets when the special ringtone you’d set for Mason pulled your concentration away from finding a series to watch before bed.

“Hi Ma-“

“We’ve broken up.”, he blurted out before you could even greet him properly. “Megan and I, we’re over.”

“Oh erm…” You cleared your throat in an attempt to buy yourself some time for coming up with an adequate reaction, but you were too shocked to think properly. You’d obviously always kinda hoped for this outcome as she’d never deserved him, but you also felt bad for him. A breakup was never easy and you knew he’d hoped for her to be it. “I’m sorry, Mase.”

“You’re not.”, he laughed quietly. “You never liked her.”

“No, I didn’t, but I’m sorry for you, you know? How it ended and how she treated you when you gave so much. A breakup is never easy and I’m sorry you had to go through all of that.”

You watched him taking a deep breath before he shook his head. “I know this will sound so bad, but I’m actually relieved it’s over.”, Mason admitted with blushed cheeks. “I’ve been thinking about ending it for a while already and when she went on that bloody holiday instead of staying and supporting me, I realised that she wasn’t someone I wanted around anymore, you know?”

Mason locked his eyes on yours and whilst you expected to find sadness or stress, all you could see was relief and that little twinkle you’d missed.

“I realised that she was more of a burden than someone who fought my corner and although I’d sort of felt it before, you going through the hassle of getting a couple of days off and coming up to Manchester for me really was the final nail in the coffin. It was a bit of this if-she-wanted-she-would-moment, you know? Like whilst she couldn’t do that easy thing of saying no to a holiday, you somehow managed to get a couple of days off during the regular school year.”

“Mase, it really wasn’t that diffic-“

“Don’t, y/n.”, he interrupted you gently. “I know taking days off is nothing you can just do, so don’t make it look like it’s nothing. Because to me it meant the world.”

You blushed at his words, knowing he was right, but it still felt weird that he made it out to be such a bit thing. You hated how your tummy flipped whenever he said things like this, whenever he made you feel like you were more than his best friend.

It gave you hope and you despised that. Because there was no guarantee that he still felt like that about you, that those butterflies in his tummy were still going wild at the mere thought of you like yours were. That you were the only thing on his mind as he was on yours.

*

A couple of weeks passed after that conversation and soon enough, you found yourself back in Manchester. It was the weekend game Mason had saved you a ticket for, but whilst initially you’d planned on just staying for the game to avoid any weird tensions with Megan, now that she was out of the picture, you’d decided to arrive on Friday and stay til Sunday.

Mason had picked you up from the train station before taking you to Carrington where he would show you around after training. You’d protested first and said it was too much and you would wait at his, but he hadn’t taken no for an answer and practically dragged you along.

And that was why you were currently sat next to Luke on a bench watching the United players go about their training. It was nice to see Mason not only working hard, but also getting along so well with his teammates as in between the small sessions he was constantly joking around with Rashy and Rasmus.

When he’d told you he’d leave for Manchester, you’d known already that making friends and settling into the team wouldn’t be a problem for him at all, but actually seeing how everyone really liked him made you feel all happy and relieved.

“It was very nice of you to come for that first game, you know?” Luke nudged your shoulder with his. “He’d been pretty down before for some reason and proper nervous, but then all of sudden for that last training before the game he’d turned up with like the biggest smile ever on his face. The guys were teasing him for getting some or whatever, but he simply shook his head and when I asked him, he told me that you were here and would stay for the game.”

You could feel your cheeks heating up at his words, thinking back to the moment where Mason had seen you in that restaurant, not believing his eyes for a second and you could imagine the good mood he must’ve been in the next morning.

“You’re all making it out to be something so big. It was his first game for United and I’m his best friend, obviously I wasn’t going to miss such a big day.”, you mumbled as you absentmindedly played with the hem of your hoodie – well, Mason’s hoodie actually. He’d left it with you the last night he’d stayed over before making the drive up to his new home and it had been your comfort piece of clothing ever since.

“y/n, I don’t know if you don’t want to admit it or if you’re actually dumb, but you two? You’re not just best friends.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”, you mumbled. “Yeah, he might be my ex too, but he’s my best friend, Luke. Has been forever and will always be.”

“Oh, c’mon.”, he laughed. “I see the way you look at him, y/n. That’s not even close to how someone would look at their best friend and I think you know that, hm?”

When you stayed quiet, your gaze locked on your shoes, Luke wrapped his arm around your shoulders and pulled you into his side a little.

Ever since you’d met him years ago, he’d been like an older brother to you and you appreciated how he’d taken Mason under his wing and helped him settling in, but right now you hated what he was doing. You didn’t want to admit to yourself, let alone to him, that you still had deep feelings for Mason. Feelings that you shouldn’t have as his best friend. You knew that he still cared a lot about you, but you weren’t convinced he still loved you in the way you loved him.

“Those feelings will never go away, y/n. You didn't break up because the feelings were missing, but because it just wasn't the right time for the two of you. It’s only natural that you’re not over each other and if you ask me, you should really give yourselves a second chance. Not many have what you have, you know?”

“I don’t know Luke.”, you sighed. “He’s fresh out of a relationship and I know he really liked her and hoped for her to be the one who’d stay with him.”

“No, he didn’t. Well, at least not really. Look, I’m not in the place to tell you much about this, but y/n, don’t push him away. He worships the ground you’re walking on and would give his life to make sure you’re okay. Trust your own feelings and maybe take a little risk. Sometimes it’s worth it, you know?” Luke sent you a wink and patted your back in a reassuring manner, whilst his words were slowly sinking in.

A little while later the training session was over and after a shower, Mason was ready to show you around Carrington. A smile graced his face as he showed you his little cubby in the dressing room and although it still felt a little weird seeing that Manchester United badge next to his name, you couldn’t help the pride rushing through you at the sight.

“You’re really happy here, aren’t you?”, you asked as Mason pulled you along to the cafeteria where he’d promised you a coffee.

“Yeah.”, he nodded, squeezing your shoulder a little. “I won’t lie, it’s still a little weird after having spent my whole life at Chelsea, but I’m happy here. Like everyone is nice, they welcomed me straight away and working with the team feels really good.”

“That’s really good to hear. You know I-“

“Oi, Mase, don’t you want to introduce us to your girlfriend?”, Rasmus, one of the teammates Mason seemed to be closest to, interrupted him as he jogged over with a bright grin on his face.

“Rasmus, this is y/n.”, Mason nodded, and your cheeks flushed when he didn’t bother to correct his teammate and tell him that you were his best friend. “y/n, this is Rasmus.”

“We’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh have you?”, you asked, raising an eyebrow as you fixed your gaze back on Mason, who nervously dropped his head with blushed cheeks.

“Well, this one never shuts up when it comes to you.”, the young man teased before pulling you into a hug. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Højlund, hands off! I told you I want a shot with her.” Diogo, someone you’d met after Mason’s first game, came over and jokingly pushed Rasmus out of the way before hugging you as well. “It’s good to see you again. How have you been?”

You made a bit of small talk with Diogo, not realising how Mason grew more irritated by the second as his teammate kept laughing at things you said and touching your arm, but when Mason cleared his throat for the second time, you turned to look at him.

“I thought we came here for coffee?”, he asked, clearly annoyed by something and whilst trying to figure out what was wrong, you missed the meaningful glance Diogo and Rasmus shared.

“Yeah, sorry. Got carried away a little.”, you smiled sweetly, squeezing his arm before saying goodbye to the two men. “Do you want to grab one here or on the way home? I can imagine you’d like to flop down on the sofa.”

Mason just shrugged. He still felt too irritated by his friends’ behaviour to give it a proper thought, so he simply followed along when you made the decision to stop at the local bakery and go home for a relaxed afternoon on the sofa.

The drive back home was unusually quiet, but you figured that he was probably tired from the training session and needed a moment to himself.

But he wasn’t tired – at least not only. He was bloody furious. Countless of times he’d told Diogo that you were off limits, and he shouldn’t even try something and instead of listening, he’d decided to go all flirty on you. What if you actually liked him?

Once back home, the situation didn’t necessarily improve. As the both of you had flopped down on his sofa, with your legs draped across his, Mason had started to absentmindedly caress your calf like he always did, but the deep crease between his brows didn’t seem to want to disappear anytime soon and since he still didn’t want to talk, you gabbed your phone and messaged your sister.

He glanced at how you were typing away on your phone and whilst he knew it could be anyone, the pathetic fear of it being his teammate ate him alive. He noticed the way you smiled at the text you’d received and the longer he stared at you, the more he felt the anger bubbling up inside of him.

“So, you’re saying you came here for me but instead of talking to me you decide to message my teammate?” Mason cringed internally. He’d not intended for it to sound that accusatory and when you raised your eyes, a hint of hurt in them, guilt spread through him.

“You’re the one who doesn’t talk to me, Mase. Ever since we got home, you’re being weird and mulling about whatever it is.”, you replied, an annoyed tinge in your voice, but your best friend stayed quiet. “I am here for you, you know that very well. And for the record, I texted my sister, asking if she’s okay cause she’s been struggling with morning sickness those last few days.”

Mason dropped his head against the back of the sofa, a deep sigh leaving his lips as he closed his eyes, and you knew something was up. You pulled your legs back and shuffled over to him.

“Mase, talk to me. What’s up?”

Softly, you gripped his chin between your fingers and turned his head and when he eventually opened his eyes, you could see the conflicted look in his chocolate ones. You returned his intense gaze for a moment, taking in the warmth and softness and when those butterflies started to go wild in your tummy, you thought back to Luke’s words.

Trust your own feelings and maybe take a little risk. Sometimes it’s worth it.   

“Why would Diogo messaging me be a bad thing, Mase?”, you asked, hoping for him to give you the answer you so desperately wanted to hear. The answer that could pave the way back to the relationship you were missing so much, but again your best friend decided to stay quiet.

“Jesus, Mase.” You rolled your eyes, getting a little annoyed at his attitude when all you wanted was to spend a couple nice days with him. Well and because he wasn’t giving you the answer you wanted to hear. “You’re being childish, you know? Just answer that bloody question. What’s up? He’s your friend and you said he’s nice so why would it be a bad thing?”

“Because I asked him not to!”, Mason growled. “He asked about you once you’d left last time and I told him you are off limits and not his to try something with. And now you’re back and all he does is being all over you and flirting with you whilst I’m right fucking next to him.”

Mason’s gaze flickered over your whole face before dropping to his hands shyly as he was suddenly aware of what he’d hinted at in his outburst. His cheeks burned and he wished he could pretend he hadn’t meant anything by it, but this was you…there was no pretending when it came to you.

“Are we jealous, Masey?” You raised an eyebrow, trying to downplay how his words and their meaning had affected you, but your thundering heart made it difficult to sound all cool and kept-together.

“Yes.”

It was a simple answer. A straight-forward one as he looked you dead in the eyes without as much as a hint of a smile on his face.

For a moment, your heart stopped beating and your breath caught in the back of your throat as you hadn’t expected him to admit it just like that. And being honest with yourself, you didn’t really know what to do with that information now, but Mason beat you to it anyway as he suddenly shot up from the sofa, running his hands through his hair before turning to look at you with a wild expression in his eyes.

“Do you really think I want to see you with one of my teammates or friends? Fuck me, y/n, I don’t want to see you with anyone who isn’t me and it’s making me fucking mad.”, he exploded as he ran his hand down his neck in despair. “You’re my best friend, the very best person in the world and instead of being happy with having you like that, I can’t help but still be fucking in love with you.”

“Mase, I-“

“Whenever I was with a woman, all I could think of was you and yes I know how fucked up that sounds!”, he hissed, completely ignoring your attempt at speaking. “And then came Megan…in the beginning it was okay, but then after a month or so I started comparing her to you and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that it could work, with each day I discovered more things I missed about you. After all those years, after trying to get over you several times, I still keep thinking about you in a way I shouldn’t and I hate myself for it, y/n.”

Somewhere in the middle of his rambling, he’d stopped pacing and now that he leaned against the dinner table, you got up, wiped the tears from your cheeks and slowly walked over to where he’d dropped his face into his hands.

“Mase.”, you whispered as you gently peeled his hands away, trying to catch his eyes, but Mason dropped his gaze to the floor. “Hey, look at me please.”

“This is all so very fucked up and I’m so fucking sorry, but I can’t help myself. I understand if you need space or want to go home and I’m sorry I’ve ruined things…I just…I’m sorry.”

When he raised his head and his glassy eyes locked on yours, you gulped heavily. It wasn’t difficult to spot the fear of losing you and the desperation years of pent-up emotions had brought to the surface.

Mason had buried his teeth in his bottom lip, a nervous habit he’d developed over the years and before you even knew it, you’d brought your hand up, cupped his jaw and gently freed his lip.

“You haven’t ruined anything, Mase.”, you mumbled as you took in his adorably flushed cheeks and bridge of his nose. Mason was pretty at the best of times, but whenever his soft skin was all rosy and made his freckles pop a little more, he looked like god’s gift to earth.

“There’s no need to be jealous. I’ve always been yours and will always be because just like you I’m still so madly in love with you it makes me go insane and I couldn’t get over you even if I tried.”, you explained as fresh tears made it past the last line of defence. “I miss you so much and I know I still have you, but I miss being with you all the time, holding your hand and being in your arms, falling asleep with you and waking up with you and-“

“Kissing you.”, he interrupted you quietly, gently catching the tears with his thumb. “I miss everything about you, y/n. Every little thing, but most of all, I miss kissing you. Just being able to kiss you and feel that love is what I miss every single day.”

Now it was you who pulled her bottom lip between her teeth to stop the sobs from escaping, but Mason was quick in removing it from its trap and when he didn’t move his thumb away, you pressed a soft kiss against its pad.

Both of you froze for a moment, aware of the heavy tension the conversation had brought and you simply stared into each other’s eyes, very unsure of how to proceed.

Your tummy churned in anticipation as your hands slowly moved up his chest, one settling on his toned shoulder, whilst the other grabbed the back of his neck, fingertips just about burying themselves in the soft hair on the back of his head.

Mason must’ve felt the way your legs slightly wobbled, as he softly gripped your waist with one hand. An action that caused your shirt to ride up a little and when his warm hand cupped the naked skin of your waist, a shiver ran down your spine.

Smiling, he shook his head when he noticed how you still reacted to his touch. “I’ve missed you so much, y/n.”

It was an ordinary thing for him to say, but the meaning behind this one wasn’t ordinary at all. He’d missed you the same way you’d missed him throughout the last years.

“I’ve missed you, too Mase.”

When you stared into his gentle eyes, reading all those emotions in them, your tummy filled with giddiness and warmth, but it wasn’t long before your gaze dropped to his slightly parted lips. And so did Mason’s.

With his free hand softly cupping your cheek, he tilted your head back a little and when his thumb rubbed right beneath your eye, he leaned in and brushed his lips against yours in the softest of kisses you’d ever received.

Your fingers tightened slightly on his shoulder as your knees threatened to give way and although it wasn’t even close to being enough, this one soft kiss alone had mended all the broken and hurting pieces inside of you.

Mason pulled back rather quickly, searching in your eyes for discomfort or hesitation, but when he didn’t find any of it, he leaned back in and kissed you again. Properly this time. His lips moved against yours as if you’d never been apart for years and the feeling of finally being home had you melting further into his body.

When he playfully bit your bottom lip and a small gasp escaped you, Mason used his chance to push his tongue past your lips and glide it against yours. Both of your tiny moans got lost in each other’s mouths and when you eventually parted to catch your breaths, it was way too early for both of your likings.

With his hand still cupping your cheek, he kept you close, foreheads touching each other’s and hot breaths mingling as neither of you were ready for more distance yet.

“I love you, y/n. I’m in love with you and I promise I won’t let you go again.”, Mason murmured quietly before pecking your lips again. “We’ll make this work because I need you as much as you need me. Best friends isn’t what we’re meant to be. Okay?”

“Okay.” Lost for words, you nodded quickly. “I love you, Mase. So much more than you could ever imagine. This is all I want in life, okay? You are all I want.”

And with an incredulous chuckle, Mason pulled you back in for another heavy kiss.

—————

I genuinely hope you enjoyed reading this. You would make my day if you left a little feedback so I can see what you liked and what I can improve on 🩷

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Was I the asshole for not paying an ex-roommate money I supposedly owed them?

this happened several years ago and i have had 0 contact with this person. they tried to take me to court over this a while ago and i just started thinking about it again. i wont be reaching out to pay them this money at all.

my ex roommate and i (early 20s) were a very sudden living situation, their old roommate left suddenly (wasnt on the lease) and i moved several states to live with them after a weekend of conversation about it and a month or two of knowing them. i was not on the lease. i know this was dumb please dont comment just that.

we shared a one bedroom apartment with rent being about $1200, but i ended up sleeping in the living room most of the time. i was having severe mental health issues and struggled holding a job at the time, so i paid what i could towards rent each month but it was usually not half.

our third month together, roommate came into the apartment the day after paying rent. i had already sent them my portion. roommate said that rent had not been taken out of their bank account but they were certain they paid. i asked them to go to the office to check that it had been paid. they said they would not and hoped it would be a free month of rent.

turns out they had put the wrong account information on the electronic payment, and two days later we got an eviction notice on our door telling us we had to pay rent x2 due to the late payment. roommate starts freaking out, but at this point i was already making plans to move back in with my family. roommate gets a loan of $2400 from their mother with no input from me, and then demanded that i pay half of it.

i kinda brushed it off and when i left back to my families home they continued to email me, even sent me one saying they would press charges on me. i ended up blocking them on everything and ghosting them hardcore, so i dont know what/how they’re doing now.

i did a lot of other things at the time that were certainly assholish behaviors, and on the off chance anyone who recognizes this situation sees this: i know i did a lot of shitty stuff. however, im not asking about any of that, im only asking about this.

reasons i could be YTA: i already wasnt paying solid half of rent every month, i was doing a lot of other shitty stuff at the time, we were both struggling and i kinda left them out to dry so to speak.

reasons i could be NTA: they made the loan agreement from their mother with no input from me, i actively told them to make sure rent was paid with the office out of fear of this happening and they ignored it.

so yeah. was i the asshole for this?

[so-much-for-subtlety]

The thing that gets me so worked up about universal healthcare is how people say that it will be so expensive for the tax payer.

This is long rant warning so I added a break lol.

The TLDR is that even in a low tax state like Florida, someone making 50k a year will have an effective rate of of 32% (for taxes, healthcare, costs for an undergraduate degree).

Someone making 50k a year in a 'high tax' country like New Zealand has an effective rate of 21% (for taxes, healthcare, costs for an undergraduate degree).

For an American and a Kiwi with the same salary of $50k, if they have the same disposable income, the Kiwi will be able to save an extra $75,000 over 10 years that they can use for a downpayment on a home to further build wealth.

Low tax states just have the costs shuffled to other places, you end up paying a LOT more for the same services.

Here's a comparison of someone who makes $50,000 a year in New Zealand and Florida (I chose Florida as an extreme example because they have 0% state tax rate) and each person makes $15,000 worth of purchases that are taxable.

New Zealand

$7,658 in combined income taxes and levies

$2,250 in taxes on $15k of purchases (15% sales tax)

Total of $9,908 - an effective total rate of 19.8% paid to taxes and purchases and healthcare

Florida

$7,945 in combined taxes (federal taxes, social security, medicaid etc)

$1,050 in taxes on $15k of purchases (7% sales tax)

$1,700 average annual health insurance premium for Florida

$2,060 average annual health insurance deductible for Florida

Total of $12,755 - an effective total rate of 25.5% paid to taxes and purchases and healthcare

Even in a low tax state, you're already have less take-home income than someone with the same salary in New Zealand.

But

... in New Zealand with your taxes you're also getting public education. It's not completely free, but costs are fixed, and you get one year of your undergraduate free, so for example a Bachelor of Arts would cost a total of $13,548 (USD $8,347)

If you can't pay that upfront, you can get a 0% loan from the government, which you don't need to start paying off until you earn at least $23k per year. For someone making $50k that would be an extra 6.5% deducted from your income ($270/month) until the loan is paid off (which would be 2 years and 8 months).

In Florida the average student loan debt is 25k and if you're making the same payments as someone in NZ ($270/month) then you'll be paying that off for 11 years. [Note: I believe that some private loan interest rates go as high as 15%].

Bachelor of Arts in NZ $13,548, paid off over ~2.7 years.

Bachelor of Arts in Florida $35,539, paid off over ~11 years.

So lets look at effective payments over 11 years (for simplicity salary stays at 50k).

New Zealand works out to be 21% effective rate over 11 years (including taxes, healthcare, and undergraduate degree).

Florida works out to be 32% effective rate over 11 years (including taxes, healthcare, and an undergraduate degree) - you're paying 52% more!

That means someone with the same income will effectively be able to save an additional $5,000 per year over 11 years, if they invest that extra amount and get a 5% return, the New Zealander will have savings of about $75k which they can use for downpayment for a home etc.

In conclusion, even though it may seem like you're getting a good deal in a low tax state like Florida, you end up paying soooo much more in healthcare and education costs compared to a country where taxes are a little higher, but you get public healthcare and education.

Why is the U.S. so expensive? Well once place to look is defense, intelligence, and police. In the United States this costs on average $3,700 per person. New Zealand spends $1,600 per person (USD ~1,000).

[snickerdoodlles]

headcanons behind fic: Chay's allowance and KimChay zero baht dates mentioned in long & short

Kim chokes trying not to laugh. “Seriously Angel?” Chay looks at him, lips pulled into a pouty moue like what? “You only take me out on zero baht dates, but you’ll pay people to draw us as cats?” Chay sniffs primly. “I only use my allowance for education and fine art,” he says, haughty.

Korn giving Porsche and Chay a large allowance comes up in a lot of my fics I think, because I see him giving all of his sons and his wards a large allowance. And for once, it's not actually a part of his usual manipulation and control tactics.

(Well. It's not not about manipulation and control, because everything Korn does involves manipulation and control. Korn absolutely monitors their accounts and purchases, not to mention he's absolutely the sort of person to always have a mental ledger of favors given and owed for everyone, especially family.)

However, he doesn't need to control any of the boys' finances to have control over them and he's so present over all of them that giving them access to their own money (vs having them request it from him directly) doesn't give him any more advantage over them or could even run counter to it.

No, I see Korn giving all the boys a hefty allowance as a personal push back against the ghost of his father.

We don't know anything about grandpa Theerapanyakul beyond the fact that Gun invoked his name while yelling at Korn and the mere comparison of them rattled Korn more than the literal gun war happening in his own home. Of all the terrible fathers in this series, the grandpa takes the cake apparently!

Alongside Korn's deep-seated control issues, he also has this weird...thing where he really, really wants to be seen as a caretaker and good provider. He never outright denies his sons and is seemingly very supportive of them-- Khun was allowed to fall back and be taken care of, Kim was allowed to live separately to become a musician, he paid off judges in the name of Kinn's childhood dream, later he supports Kinn and Porsche's relationship-- and the whole fucked thing with Nampheung and the narrative he's constructed around him taking care of her. Even Korn's relationship with Gun is a little bit weird given how much he talks about competition. Like, he desperately wants to be seen as a good provider and caretaker, he just also can't stop being Korn and has that stupid-ass metaphor with the knife and the apple. It's a very crunchy contradiction.

Anyways, Korn's issues aside, I see Korn giving his sons and later wards personal allowances as a part of his personal image of himself as a good provider.

And Porsche and Chay hate it.

(Porsche reminds Chay they're very grateful. Chay mutters where was this help when Porsche took out an informal loan too young. Porsche hisses and whips his head around for any walls that are listening.)

Chay mostly just tries to ignore the supposed pile of money apparently just...sitting there, for him, and spend no differently than how he usually would (it doesn't feel real, digital money is never real to him). However, after so many years of Porsche sacrificing to save money for his needs and future, Chay can't bring himself to ignore the account completely when it comes to things like school or food. He never actually looks at his account, he mostly just squeezes his eyes shut whenever he uses his card for essentials and waits for the system to deny him, except it never does. That does not make Chay feel any better about the situation.

The only time Chay's close to breaking his "no treats" stance is shortly after he and Kim get together. Chay wants so badly to treat Kim to something really special, but. Money. He frets. He makes a pros and cons list. He paces. He has an entire argument with himself in the mirror. He angsts. He takes one look at Kim's happy face over a candlelight dinner and decides fuck it, that's a guy he's going to spoil to the moon and back, stupid blood money allowance be damned.

Except, as established, Chay's never looked at his actual account, so he goes to Cash the accountant to see what his options are for spoiling dates. Like, he's been paying his tuition and the card always goes through at the grocer or noodle house, and Korn does keep telling him his school allowance includes some extra spending money, but Chay wants to spoil Kim. A band they like will be on tour in Bangkok around Kim's birthday, Chay's gunning for special VIP tickets and some extra money for merch and dinner. Surely stupid rich mafia has plenty of money to spare for that.

Chay: would I, uh, be able to get a little extra money? tickets are 3000 but they're for a really special occasion and-

Cash, thinking about Kinn's 3000 dollar helicopter tickets: I don't care, let me just pull up your account details

Chay: thank you so much 🥺

Then Cash turns his screen around to ask Chay how much money he needs and. That is. A lot of money. So many digits. The decimal certainly in the wrong spot. Then Chay looks to the top of the corner and nearly screams because that's his name on the account, what the fuck?

Cash: Khun Korn said to have enough money to cover your tuition

Chay: [does not point out the initial balance was 3x his four year tuition]

Chay...leaves. He thinks. He doesn't know how he got from Cash's office to his room but his next stop is his bed to scream into his pillow until his throat hurts. Fucking rich people.

In protest, Chay takes Kim out the next evening on a zero baht date. They walk along whatever part of the river's nearest to their university to watch the sunset, have to jump a fence and duck two railings to even find a private sitting space away from any other river goers. The view's passable at best, at least free of most industry stuff thanks to the proximity to school but hardly the most inspiring. Chay spreads out his flannel for them to sit on, and feeds Kim dry packet ramen and stale shrimp chips he got free from a university event. He didn't even buy a drink, they survive off a mostly full bottle of grape soda Chay stole off a friend.

(It's a magical evening for Kim, obviously. Ferreting out little hidden spaces hand-in-hand with Chay, enjoying the nighttime air curled together, eating terrible cheap food that somehow tastes good? This is DOING things to him. He will be bringing a guitar and minimum two water bottles with him next time tho.)

[one-lucky-day]

Excerpt from Reddit Post: r/SouthKoreaMysteries Posted by u/ReallyGrateful • 8 hours ago "something crazy just happened to my dads boss…" Throw away account because I don't want to get my dad in trouble. ok!!! like what. the.fuck. idk whats going on lately but something insane just happened my dads boss has been refusing to pay him for months always got some excuse. the guy owns like three cars n a vacation home but somehow he 'cant afford' to pay his workers?? my dad was desperate. he was always looking for extra jobs even tho he was already exhausted. he and my mom used up all of their savings to feed me and brother and then we were left with almost nothing. it got so bad he even considered borrowing from loan sharks… then last night my dad calls me freaking out. his boss was found in some alley beaten half to death. then this morning, all his bank records, contracts, messages leaked online proving he was scamming his employees the whole time. and now?? the fucker is in jail!! they say that my dad will be conpensated for all the salaries he missed. he just got the first pay out last night! idk who did this but… i cant even lie. im relieved. whoever u are, if ur reading this. thank you. -- u/heygirlhey • 7 hours ago dude my brother was getting harassed by loan sharks for years. theyd show up at our house all the time threatening. then suddenly the loan sharks got taken out. they were beaten so bad they stopped collecting altogether thought it was a coincidence but now?? idk anymore man -- u/KDfriend99 • 6 hours ago i have a friend whos a nk defector. she saved up for years to bring her brother. she paid this so-called broker to help… and he stole everything. took her money and ghosted her last week? he got jumped outside his office. and the next day? bank records leaked proving he was scamming defectors for years -- u/casshoncasshoff • 5 hours ago ok so i work at a finance company n last year a coworker tricked me into a garbage investment. promised guaranteed returns but it was a scam. i lost everything. two weeks ago? he got the absolute shit kicked out of him. his whole network got exposed too. names, bank accounts, proof of all their fraud this isnt just revenge. someones out there going after the worst ppl in this country -- u/smellmyfinger • 4 hours ago whoever’s doing this is probably the same person donating to gambling recovery programs too. -- u/pumpkinsp1ce • 3 hours ago hey man. whats up with the user name?? -- u/AlwaysWondering • 2 hours ago if this is the same guy who's been donating all that money to aninmal shelters then they're definately husband material! (or wife material!) -- u/onasoapbox • 1 hour ago this dude is beating up innocent people and leaving them for dead we shoudnt be praising him or fantasaizing about him -- u/shrekismyhusbando • 45 min ago lol i don't how you can call people exploiting the poor innocent but go off i guess -- u/u/ReallyGrateful • 30 min ago wow I didn't know that this was gonna blow up but its not really surprising. i'm so happy to read the experiences everyone shared as for an update to what happened to my dad he has a new job now! he is working at this small motel. the owner is really great. my dad invited him over for dinner. the dude talked a lot and he said he reminded me of his daughter. dad said that the dude was really generous with the salary. i honestly cant believe how much our lives have turned around. this is the only update i'll be giving but i'm sure things will continue to be better for us.

SQUID GAME SEASON 2 AU | VIGILANTE! GIHUN After the trauma he went through with the games, Gi-hun made sure no one is pushed to make a choice that will lead them to a fate like his and the people he lost.

more aus and edits

[conscbgb]

From Chris Chiu IG (translated from chinese)

"Last year I went through a dark period, no one

could tell because I hid it very well...when I saw

my friends I was still able to chat with them, joke around, and have a good time.

During that period I would often go to the gym alone and push myself till I was exhausted, so that I'd get a dopamine boost which would make me feel better and help me sleep better.

Since I didn't have anything else to do, I thought that I might as well get in shape and be prepared, and perhaps when the time comes a suitable role might come my way...This went on for two/three months...One afternoon 君君 messaged me and said: there's this bl drama, would you be interested? They'd like to chat with you...there are going to be some shirtless scenes and fight scenes,it's the character "Wei Qian" in the drama adaptation of the novel "Da Ge".

This was my first time hearing this name, I had not yet read the novel and I had no idea what this character's personality was like, or what type of story it would be... I just felt this jolt in my heart, a wonderful feeling that I couldn't explain, I said: Okay! I can do this! I think I'm ready!

Then, I finished the novel "Da Ge" in three days

and that was when I finally understood, why I felt that in my heart upon hearing this name: it's because Wei Qian's life is full of darkness and melancholy… and in some ways I'm living some aspects of his life, feeling uncertain and lost about the future. Reading the novel, I felt like I was being comforted and saved, it was like looking into a mirror… seeing all these images in my head…

Wei Qian, it's you who has come to me, isn't that right?

Actors have this saying, which I wholeheartedly believe, "Characters/roles have souls, and it's the role that comes to you, not the other way around. They have something to say through you! If it's meant to be then there's no escaping it." And I believe that Wei Qian has come (to me)! Perhaps you could sense this dark period? Through cosmic resonance, you found your way to me! Is there something that you want to say through me?

To all the people who are feeling lost and stuck in the darkness, please believe that someone's going to be by your side that's just like the sun. Wei Qian: thank you for coming to me! For letting me become you!

And I'd like to thank myself, for being able to take on most of the dark and melancholic parts of your life, during that period of darkness.

We've made it through that period of darkness together…

Regardless of how this show does, you are the most important present that I received last year! One that I'll remember for the rest of my life!

Unknown is more than just a BL : it's about all of our lives!

Everyone is working hard to get by: work, family, providing for one's family, paying bills, and paying off student loans.

You might feel as if you're suffocating under it all, but you're still persevering because you have something important to protect, something to live for!

We all have our hardships that no one else knows of, that we don't want others to know about but as long as you're alive, you'll be able to find your way back home!

The unknown stories continue on...

Let us walk on together ...

Chris Chiu

[anon-sect]

PART TWO

Zane went home, thinking about his wild weekend at his coworker Eric's house. He was on all fours nearly the whole weekend. At night, he had to sleep on the floor next to Eric's bed with the leash tied to the bed post. He was literally being treated like a foot pet, Eric's foot pet. In the morning, he would have to kiss his coworkers feet when he woke up. And kiss them at night when he went to sleep. Eric would be on the phone during the day, while he was in the floor licking his feet, or even if Eric was watching tv. Many times his coworker would simply ignore him at his feet. It was quite a humiliating experience, but he was loving every moment. He started seeing his coworker as his hot owner and wanted to serve even more. Before this weekend, he would never have thought of Eric in this way. He was told that would be coming over on some nights and almost every weekend till the loan was paid off. He slightly pretended to hate it, but was oddly looking forward to it.

It was a couple of days later, when Eric told him to be at his house tonight. He wanted to try something different. Zane wondered what he would make him do this time.

Eric was enjoying the control he had over Zane. As long as the loan wasn't paid in full, he could make Zane do anything he just about wanted. He almost was hoping his coworker couldn't pay him back. Having Zane under his control was a power trip he never thought he would actually enjoy. He was looking forward to tonight's fun with his personal foot toy, as he thought of Zane.

Zane was met at the door by Eric the moment he knocked on his front door. He saw the he had the collar and leash in hand, ready to start the fun. Once the door was closed, Zane got to his hand and knees without being told to do so. He felt Eric put the collar around his neck and attach the leash. "Kiss, boy." He heard one simple command. He began kissing Eric's feet several times, worshipping his coworker. As Eric began to walk toward his den, he followed crawling on hands and knees.

Once in the den, he saw the coffee table was pushed further away from the couch. "Tonight, you will serve as my foot rest." Eric spoke to Zane. "Stay on all fours and straighten your back." Eric spoke as he maneuvered Zane into the right position in front of the couch. Once in place, Eric propped his feet on Zane's back. He tried to keep his back as straight as possible. "How long do I stay this way, Sir?" He asked him. Eric removed one laeg and rubbed his socked feet into his face. "For as long as I want, foot rest. Also, no speaking unless I say otherwise. Furniture don't have mouths to speak to their owners." Eric paused as a thought entered his mind. He removed both socks. "Open up." He commanded as stuffed one foul sock into Zane's mouth. The other sock he used to tie it around his mouth and face, keeping the sock in his mouth. "Now you are a quiet foot rest." He laughed as he snapped a quick picture with his phone.

Zane thought the weekend domination was bad. Tonight definitely stepped it up a notch. He was literally being used as furniture in Eric's house. The sock was a bit disgusting to suck on in his mouth. He initially wanted to take it out, but his owner would not approve. He kept quiet while Eric ignored him and watch television. A few times he would rub his bare foot in his face and laugh at him for letting him do it.

After about two and a half hours, Zane's arms and legs were getting tired. He was struggling to hold his back straight for Eric. He saw that he was getting annoyed by it. The entire time, Eric never bothered to remove the sock from his mouth. "Since you can hold my legs and feet up anymore, get on the floor on your back." Zane found himself maneuvered again in front of the couch. He watched as two soft soles pressed on his face. With the sock still in his mouth, the only way was to breathe out of his nose. Each breath he intake a slightly foul foot odor of Eric's feet. As much as he thought he should hate this, he was enjoying being dominated by his hot coworker.

Eric really didn't care how much Zane was either liking or hating what he did to him. As long as he owed him, Zane was his to do with as he pleased. But secretly, he was also enjoying the power he had over him. He kept Zane sniffing his feet till late in the night when he finally took out the socks and let him go back home.

This was Zane's life for months as he continued to pay back Eric on the loan. At least three nights of the week, he was over at his house being dominated at his feet or in bed on some occasions. He had paid back $2,000.00, so far. He wondered how much longer Eric would own him at this rate, even though he secretly didn't want it to end.

Eric knew Zane would pay him off eventually, and the fun would be over. He really didn't want that result, but what possible solution could there be where Zane was his forever. He saw an advertisement on Formula X and Formula Z. He knew his solution was that. With Formula X, he could turn Zane into anything he wanted and keep him forever being dominated. With Formula Z, he could transform him back and use the other Formula to make him into something else. He now had the perfect idea and plan.

Zane was at his desk when Eric approached him. "Be at my place tonight. I have good news for you concerning the loan." He told him and walked off. He hypothesize what the good news could be. Maybe he canceled the loan or reduced it even further. At any rate, he would find out tonight.

Zane arrived that evening at Eric's house as directed. He expected him to have collar and leash ready as usual, but there was no collar or leash in his hands. In fact, he instructed him not to crawl behind him but walk normal. He was a little confused about what was going on. As he went to sit on the couch beside him, he saw two glasses on the coffee table. Were they about to celebrate something, he thought to himself.

Eric handed Zane the tainted drink with Formula X in it. "I decided you paid it in full. We are drinking to the end of you owing me." Eric spoke as he drink what was in the other glass. He watched as Zane continued to drink the tainted liquid. He waited till Zane finished it off and placed the glass on the coffee table. "Massage my feet one last time, would you?" He asked.

Zane loved whatever that drink was. He was relieved that he no longer needed to pay Eric, but was sad to see the domination end. When Eric asked him that, he gladly got to his knees to massage those feet one last time. As he rub them, he began to feel weird. He saw a devious smile on Eric's face. What was he up to, he thought. The room seemed to get larger, including Eric. The realization of what was going on scared him. He was shrinking. "What did you do to me?" He quickly questioned.

"Instead of you continuing to pay me, I decided to take you as the payment. You love Mt feet and socks so well. I thought, why not be my socks for a while. You really will get to smell like my feet for real then," Eric spoke and laughed at the rapidly shrinking Zane. Soon Zane was so small that he began to morph into a pair of white cotton socks. He picked them up off the floor and put them on his feet. "Wow, you really do make a good pair of socks, Zane. I will keep you like this for a good three months and not wash you. That way you get to really feel my foot stench." He spoke as he relaxed and turned the TV up. Zane was socks now, or at least for the next three months or so. If anyone asks about him at work, he would just simply tell them he didn't know where he was. As far as he was concerned, he got something special in exchange of the money.

Zane found himself wrapped around Eric's feet. He could tell that he hadn't showered since the morning by the smell of his feet. As socks, the stench was even stronger. The taste of his feet is even foul than before. The wiggling of the toes truly made him see how his fate was. He was just an object on Eric's feet totally against his will. This level of domination he was prepared for. He mentally begged him to let him go but could tell Eric couldn't hear his thoughts or pleas. After about an hour later, upon which he was also walked on without a single care from Eric, he decided to settle for his fate. He wanted him to continue to dominate him, but not like this. Soon, he would smell like the foul socks he worshipped for months, and no one would know of it. Only Eric would know his whereabouts and fate, totally placing him at Eric's mercy forever.

Collaboration with @jkob85