#I might get to Sweden first or I might just wait for the final there

[wileys-russo]

pretty little mornings II f.rolfö (18+)

part of the colourblind universe pretty little mornings II f.rolfö (18+)

your eyes fluttered awake as you felt a body settle down on top of you, warm and soft with a mess of blonde hair obstructing your vision, the smell of roses invading your senses from her shampoo. 

with a small chuckle your hand snuck its way up her shirt to rub her back, the other entangling itself in her golden locks, nails scratching softly against her scalp as you felt her weight bare even more into you as she settled with a content sigh and a lazy kiss to your shoulder blade.

"good morning solsken." you mumbled with an amused smile, closing your eyes again and feeling her exhale tiredly into your neck with only a small grunt sounding in response to your greeting.

the defender had stumbled through your front door not long before midnight last night, having been away in the states for barcelonas pre season tour for the week and insisting you wait for her at home rather than meet her at the airport given their late flight time.

knowing she was jet lagged you did your best to stay up with her, but fingers carding fondly through your hair as she rambled on about everything she'd been up to (that you already knew given whenever she wasn't busy she was on the phone to you) it didn't take long before you were out like a light and fridolina was carrying you to bed.

"and here i was thinking you were the early riser in this relationship min kärlek." you teased, feeling her fingers pinch your hip in a silent warning before she slowly lifted her head a little more and you cracked one eye open.

"this marriage." your wife corrected and you melted at the tired rasp to her voice, the girl poking your nose with a sleepy smile and flopping right back down on top of you making you let out a laugh.

after what felt like years being engaged, you and your long time lover had finally said i do and tied the knot during the off season.

you'd gotten married in sweden at the same little vineyard that the two of you had met at, ironically also at a wedding, surrounded by your closest friends and families.

and not long after you disappeared off the grid to bali for a two week honeymoon where not a single second seemed to pass that you and your wife couldn't keep your hands off of each other.

"mm now i get to tell people my wife is finally home." you hummed happily, wincing a little as her cold hands sought out the warmth of your bare sides.

"if i had to wake up alone in bed one more day i might have retired." fridolina grumbled, words muffled against the skin of your neck where her head was tucked away.

"baby you were gone for a week! we used to do months apart when you were first playing in germany." you laughed again, moving your hand from where it sat tracing circles up and down her back for all of a millisecond before you heard her huff indignantly and wiggle herself in a silent demand you continue.

"i was scratching my nose fånig." you chuckled, short nails again soothing up and down her bare back as the taller girl settled.

"well vacker you weren't mrs rolfö then, and i still used to miss you like crazy. i miss you when you're just in another room." your wife confessed and you melted significantly at the tired but soft admission, the blonde always at her most mushy at the start of the day.

"fridolina!" you whined as suddenly a finger invaded your nostril, craning your head back and smacking her hand away, spoke too soon.

"you are such a child sometimes." you huffed, pulling both your hands away from her body as she was quick to catch them in her own, wrapping them back around her as your eyes rolled.

"did you just roll your eyes at me?" of course she'd know without even having to be looking at you, it was as if she had a sixth sense when it came to you, especially when you weren't doing what you knew was expected of you.

"...no." you lied, smiling innocently as her head popped up, golden blonde hair falling around you like a curtain and water colour eyes bore down into your own, puffy from the lack of sleep but still narrowing.

"jag älskar dig." you puckered your lips expectantly, flashing the cutest look you could muster this early in the morning, watching as the older girl faltered for just a moment, and you could almost hear the cogs turning in her head about where she wanted to go with this next.

"don't do it again." with that she dropped back down on top of you, and foolishly you thought you'd gotten away with it.

but then you felt her shift a little, left arm sneaking up her jersey which covered your top half, and you smiled turning your head to kiss her.

but your lips never touched, a gasp instead leaving your mouth as her thumb and forefinger tweaked your nipple, large hand palming your breast as your head pushed back into the pillows.

you blinked and suddenly she was on top of you properly this time, strong toned legs caging your smaller body beneath hers as they squeezed your hips, her hair pushed to one side of her head as pearly white teeth grinned down at you knowingly.

you tried to speak but the words died in your mouth as her assault on your chest continued, the jersey quickly pushed up to pool in the column of your throat as you saw a flash of blonde hair and felt her tongue flatten against your sternum.

any attempt to protest was shut down in an instant at the intoxicating feeling of her tongue circling your nipple, sucking your breast into her hot mouth had your hips bucking up and a moan ripped from you instead.

one hand fisted the soft silk sheets of your shared bed, knuckles white and a guttural groan dropping from your lips, while the other entangled itself into her mane of golden blonde hair, the short sharp tug against her roots only spurring your wife on further.

"oh!" you managed out as her mouth remained switching between both of your breasts, hot and sensual as she sucked marks into your chest reveling in the fact that she would be the only one to see when they no doubt turned varying shades of red and purple.

you felt three long fingers drag slowly down your stomach, touch feather light but leaving goosebumps scattered across your skin in their wake.

your eyes fluttered closed when she reached her final destination, teasingly pressing against your covered sex, tracing circles atop your panties and you heard her groan feeling just how wet you were already.

it was almost embarrassing how desperate you were for her to touch you now she’d started, an entire week without her having been a cruel torture after you’d both just spent the last two weeks fucking like rabbits.

"more!" you just managed to demand quietly, eyes flying wide open as everything came grinding to an abrupt halt, every trace of her touch stilling bar from the feel of her thighs pressing against yours where she sat on top of you.

your wife never found you looked more gorgeous than when pink with a needy flush, squirming and writhing and making the most pretty little noises beneath her, ready and willing to do whatever she wanted.

"oh baby." the blonde chuckled cruely, mouth inches from your own as she leaned down, lips ghosting yours as her bright green eyes drunk you in, sharp as a hawk.

fridolina refused to remove the now soaked material of your panties, only tugging on the waistband a little to hoick them up as the way they rubbed made you whine.

it allowed her to stroke up and down the swollen lips of your pussy, but stopped you from actually feeling the pleasure you craved from the slender fingers of your blonde lover.

"i know i indulged you on our honeymoon älskling, but i thought i'd trained you to be patient above all else." the older girl tutted with a mocking pout, hand still continuing its torturous ministrations against your clothed clit.

"oh i missed waking up like this more than you know sötsaker. hearing your pretty little moans and whines, watching your body squirm and jolt at every little touch." sure enough your hips bucked as she slipped one single finger under your panties, pushing it in and pulling it out as you whined at the loss.

"mm i had to touch myself instead, but always thinking about you. about taking you apart piece by piece like a little puzzle, watching you wait oh so patiently for me to put you back together, to give you what you need. because who knows best what you need älskling?" you knew the question was rhetorical but she expected an answer anyway, lips curled into a cruel smirk you'd grown to be infatuated with.

"you. only you, always you." "exactly."

"did you touch yourself while i was gone? våga inte ljuga för mig." she warned sharply, and as always the way she switched so quickly from soft to stern had your head melting, and putting you right where she wanted you.

"no! jag lovar." you barely managed out, her lips attaching to your neck with a satisfied hum, immediately seeking out every little spot she knew drove you wild.

"oh such a good girl. min duktiga flicka." your cheeks somehow grew even redder at the praise, breathless and scrambling to cling onto anything as your wife nipped at your neck, skilful fingers still rubbing circles over your panties which were practically ruined with your need for her.

foolishly again you thought with the promise that you’d not touched yourself in over a week that she might properly fuck you now, giving you the release that your body was begging her for without you even needing to open your mouth.

this thought was helped by the fact you knew your wife had been waiting to, proven by the countless detailed and downright pornagraphic texts she’d send near daily while away, about where her filthy mind often wandered to when not occupied with football.

but no, again, you were dumb to think you’d get off that easily with how much pleasure she gave herself in making you wait.

after all your wife adored nothing more than the control she had over you, and your orgasms. seeing just how far you’d let her bend you without breaking, touching you and toying with your body like she owned it, with false pouts and insincere coo’s as you’d call out her name dripping with need.

and evilly you knew she got the most pleasure from prolonging your eventual release.

making you hold eye contact with her as she ruined you, one little glance away all it would take for her hand to wrap around your throat and have you seeing stars.

despite knowing the answer until fridolina was ready would be no you’d beg for it anyway, your wife drunk with power that the only person who could give you what you needed was her, and she was in full control of when and how and if that happened.

you withheld the urge to scream as once more her touch disappeared all together, whatever discontent noise you did make swallowed by her lips engulfing yours.

her hands then fell to your cheeks, deepening the kiss as her tongue returned home shoving its way into your mouth, tracing ever little bump and dip as if mapping it out in her own head.

you exhaled shakily as her teeth clamped down on your bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth and pulling back causing it to stretch and snap back toward you with a pop.

“don’t forget to breathe sötnos.” her tone was teasing and light as her lust filled eyes raked over you, lips curling into a smile of utter satisfaction at the fresh love bites and bruises littering your tanned skin.

“good girl.” the blonde praised as you took a deep breath, near floating as her thumbs stroked the curve of your jaw and a few much sweeter kisses were dusted along your now swollen and plump lips.

“would you like a coffee?” and there it was, the dismissal of your current state as if you weren’t laying beneath her bright red, clammy and panting, body burning with a desire for a release that felt as if it may never come.

all you could manage was a nod but the slight raise of her eyebrows was all the reminder you needed that she expected verbal responses, forever warning you to use your words especially when she was midway through stealing the very breath from your lungs.

“yes please.” you sighed as she nodded with a much softer smile, thumb tugging down your bottom lip and eyes glimmering at the way they parted for her, expecting her fingers to slip past them and into your mouth.

but to your surprise her digits never came, instead you watched as she sucked the remenets of you off of her own fingers, even daring to give you a wink at the way your chest deflated beneath her.

“du ser så vacker ut på morgonen.” the blonde smiled, a more tender look across her face as she shuffled off of you, allowing you to pull yourself into a slightly more seated position with a wince, the uncomfortable but undeniable wetness coating your panties dripping down your inner thigh.

something which of course did not go unnoticed by your eagle eyed lover. “stackaren. let me take care of that for you.” she cooed, leaning down to kiss you and you felt her smile against her lips as her hand trailed downward again, hips bucking but this time her touch was gone as quick as it came.

your soaked thong hanging off of her pointer finger she was up and off of you in a blink, feet hitting the floorboards she was half naked and stretching out with a grunt as you heard her back click.

“you should take a shower älska, maybe a cold one?” she grinned wickedly and it took all of the self control she’d drilled into you over the years not to roll your eyes at the cockiness which radiated off of her at your dishevelled and dissatisfied state.

“i will go make breakfast and coffee, but neither will taste even half as sweet as you min ängel. now go clean yourself up, snälla.” and with your jaw hanging open and a tender kiss to your forehead she was gone, footsteps thumping down the landing.

you groaned and flopped back down in bed, tugging down her jersey which was still sitting against your neck with a huff.

when you were wed and both agreed until death do you part, you should have known that each day your wife would test just how much she could be the eventual death of you.

[totaly-obsessed]

hiii! i love ur work so much!!!! i was wondering if i can request a kcc fic where she gets jealous hehehehehehe

Favorites

Kyra Cooney-Cross x reader request

-> Kyra finds out that she is not the favorite aunt or girlfriend

-> Hope you like it Anon, even though you probably meant a different jealousy haha

➳ Masterlist

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The national break was always a welcome break from the daily club life, even if the World Cup was not that long ago. You had arrived together with the other Matilda’s that played in England. The plane journey was a long one, but one most of you were accustomed to by now.

Your plan for it? Sleeping. As much as you could. Trainers and mostly everybody you knew tried to tell you that it was bad, but you didn’t really listen – the want to sleep much too big.

Sam, your club teammate sat next to you, anxiously chewing her nails for most of the trip as she was one of the worst fliers you knew. Your captain was always thankful to sit next to you, as you calmed her down with your deep sleep and not a care in the world.

The two seats across from you were occupied by Mary and Kyra who were playing cards, bored out of their minds. Eventually, it was the new Arsenal signing who kicked your feet to wake you. “Huh? Are we there yet?” The two started laughing at your startled face and at how fast you had sat up in your seat. “No, still a while out. You’re playing cards with us.”

It wasn’t a question, Kyra knew that you would just roll your eyes and close them again, desperate for sleep. But she also knew that even you couldn’t resist her puppy eyes, so she batted her lashes at you, knowing that you would cave in.

The two of you had been dating for over a year now. Her joining Arsenal had been the best thing ever – you finally moved in together, which was quite hard with the midfielder playing in Sweden before. Even with the both of you on rival London teams, it was the best thing ever.

When in public Kyra might seem like the excited, touchy one when in private it was you who would simply refuse to let the brunette go, cuddling as close to her as you could. So whipped as you are, you played cards with them and even managed to get Sam to play as well.

“Man, I can’t wait to see Harps again. She grows so quickly.” This has been Kyra’s first time being away for such a long time from the toddler since meeting her. The two-year-old quickly found her way into all the Matilda’s hearts, helping the team relax after a long day, her gleeful giggles sounding through the halls of the facility. “Me neither, maybe she finally decides to be a striker.” Sam was back to consciousness, always happy to talk about the youngest team member – also distracting herself from flying. None of you could help but laugh, knowing that if little Harper decided to be a footballer one day, she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a midfielder.

The rest of the journey was long and hard, you were just happy to have Kyra at your side, knowing that you didn’t need to talk, the brunette filling the silence all by herself.

When the group of you arrived at the team hotel it was already late in the day but most of the Tillies that roamed the halls were excited to see each other again after a very successful World Cup. “Auntie Y/N!” A small body made its way through the sea of players, crashing into your open arms as you couched down, ready to hug her. “Harps!” Giggles filled the room as you threw her up in the air and caught her again.

You could feel Katrina’s watchful eyes on you but the short midfielder was never worried when Harper was with you. With Charlie and Kyra? Panic. But once you joined them? Everything was alright. It wasn’t like you were more mature, but the way you carried yourself; serious and careful when needed but you also knew how to have fun – the perfect combination.

“Harper look, Kyra’s here too!” Your girlfriend tried to get the girl's attention but she was much too busy playing with your hair, telling you the story of how her favorite stuffy had found its way to Australia. “Babe, I’ll go make out with Charls, yeah?” When you didn’t even react, the midfielder scoffed offended.

She just got replaced by a two-year-old.

Kyra didn’t know who she envied more. You for being Harper's favorite auntie, or Harper for having all your attention when in the same room.

Once back on the ground, the toddler grabbed your hand, swiftly pulling you out to a field, commanding you to grab a ball. The rest of the Matildas watched in awe as their very stoic teammate turned to mush once the tiny blonde shouted “Again!” signaling you to roll the ball to her so that she could kick it back.

“My girlfriend just got stolen.” The young Arsenal player’s mouth was wide open as Harper took you from her, in broad daylight. Harper kept pulling you out on the field further and further until you couldn’t hear the teasing anymore – not that you paid it any mind.

“Kyra just got replaced!” It was Mackenzie who started joking at their young teammate's expanse. “I still have an open room, should harper take your bed as well!” But it was Caitlin who caused the brunette to whine in defeat.

Katrina knew that you were up to no good when she saw you crouched on the floor, telling Harper something while pointing at the rest of the Matilda’s at the side of the pitch – a devious smile on your face.

Just a few short moments her daughter ran towards them, as fast as she could, arms wide open an excited smile on her face. “Auntie!” Kyra had now crouched down as well, copying your previous action, opening her arms as the small blonde raced directly toward her.

“C’mere Harps!” But Harper had a different plan, throwing herself on the ground as she army-crawled through the midfielder's legs – jumping into Alanna’s strong arms, who stood directly behind Kyra. The crowd erupted in laughter, as you made your way back to them, a sly smirk still on your lips, seeing your girlfriend's very prominent pout as Sam patted her back. “Not the favorite girlfriend, not the favorite aunt – Man, that’s gotta hurt."

[tpwk-formula1]

Hiii! Could I order a Sicilian crust pizza with alfredo sauce, broccoli, ricotta, buratta, shrimp and oregano with a Mountain Dew (dom reader and Dino, sub Paul), White Claw (Paul) and a slushie (Paul) with dessert served by Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron

My idea was Dino and reader are switches, it's Paul's first time being a sub and he's a bit nervous

Lee-Lee's Pizzeria Menu

TW - Crying, threesome, MxM, multiple orgasm, unprotected sex

WC 3100+

Sicillian crust dating Alfredo sweet sex broccoli "Made just for me huh?" ricotta "I love your voice but it's always my favorite when you're moaning my name" buratta "How many was that? three... I think you can give me another" shrimp "I'll be gentle" oregano "Please, let me cum in you" mountain dew dom/sub white claw crying slushie sir kink dessert yes served by Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron

Y/N POV

"Armastus, can I speak to you for a second," I hear my blond boyfriend call out from another room in our shared apartment.

"How can I help you," I find Paul in our shared bedroom sitting on the bed with a perplexed look on his face.

"I want to try something but I'm worried Dino might not be into the idea," he says softly making me walk towards him and climbing into his lap and feeling his hands circle around my waist and pull me in closer something he tends to do when he gets anxious.

"Love, you know Dino is always open to new ideas, but what did you have in mind?" I ask softly while running my fingers up and down his covered chest.

"Well, you and Dino always get to be switches and I'm always dom and I love it don't get me wrong! I love seeing you guys submit to me but I wanna try being sub for once," Paul says softly making a smile spread across my face before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Oh! Dino is gonna be so excited! He's been rambling lately about wanting to dom you but too scared to ask because you've always loved having us submit to you," I admit softly making a small smile spread across his face before moving his hands from my hips to my face and pulling me down for a few quick kisses.

"We'll talk as a couple later but we should probably work on our communication a bit better," I laugh softly making Paul grow slightly red and nod his head.

It's been a few days since Paul and I had talked and Dino was finally home from Sweden which meant we could all sit down and talk finally.

"Dino, can you come to the entry room," I call out softly from the kitchen where I had grabbed a few waters for each of us. I find Paul already sitting on the couch looking rather nervous while I see Dino coming down the hall with a confused look.

"Paul wants to talk to you," I tell him softly when he reaches where I'm standing and placing a softly kiss on my lips.

"How can I help you," Dino says with a joking sing song while plopping down on the couch where he placing a kiss on the side of Paul's face still not picking up on the anxiety coursing through his body.

"Kärlek, what's wrong," Dino finally asks picking up on Paul's nervous tendencies.

"I- um- please don't hate me but I want you and y/n to dom me tonight," Paul rushes out making me even struggling to know what he said but based on the happy look spreading across Dino's face I can tell he knows exactly what he said.

"Go to the bedroom, strip down and be waiting exactly how you have us wait for you," Dino tells him softly before placing a kiss on his lips and watching Paul disappear down the hall where our bedroom is.

"Who's idea? Did you talk to him while I was away?" Dino turns his attention onto me where I was sitting on the coffee table just across from the Swed.

"We talked but it was his idea," I tell him softly making him smile and nod his head.

"Are you gonna join him or me tonight?" Dino asks softly making me smile.

"You, I want all the attention on him," I answer softly making a smile spread across Dino's face before nodding and standing up.

"Strip down thought," Dino says making me laugh softly and strip down into just my matching bra and thong.

"You too than," I say while point to him being fully clothes. Dino strips down into just his briefs before we both make our way into the bedroom where we find Paul completely stripped down on his knees near the end of the bed. I instantly noticed how hard his is making me smirk slightly.

"Get in the middle of the bed and lay on your back," I tell him sternly while gesturing towards the bed and walking towards the closet where he kept all of our toys.

I grab out several different things, but I toss the rope to Dino where he instantly starts typing up Paul while giving him plenty of reassurances and soft kisses along his body only fueling his horniness.

"Paul, love do you have absolutely any limits, things that are a definate no?" I ask soft while walking towards him with a blindfold, cock ring, and vibrator in my hands making Paul's eyes grow slightly wide at the sight,

"No blindfold please, not this time at least," he says softly staring directly at the long silk ribbon making me nod and softly smile dropping it on the ground before I hold up the cock ring making Paul blush bright red but softly nod before eyeing the vibrator and nodding a soft yes at it as well.

I smile softly before nodding and placing them on the bed making my way back to Dino where he is observing his handy work. Paul was tied down in a star position making me smile at how vaulnerable he looked.

"Are you okay?" Dino asks softly seeing the pure anxiety flickering through Paul's eyes.

"I think so, just a bit nervous," Paul admits softly.

"We'll go slow, it's all about your pleasure tonight. You know the safe word. Use it if you need to and yellow out if you don't like something but don't want to stop overall," Dino answers softly before approaching the bed and climbing up between his spread legs and grabbing the cock ring laying next to Paul's body.

"Kurat" I hear Paul hiss when Dino gripped onto his cock and pump it softly.

I climb on the bed next to Paul's body and start trailing my nails along his torso watching his abs flex under my touch before making it to his nipples and giving them a quick pinch making his eyes roll into the back of his head while his back attempts to arch but Dino had tied him down too good.

"Oh kurat, sir please," Paul begs making me look down to see Dino oh so slowly rolling the cock ring down Paul's large angry cock.

"Breath, you look so pretty like this," I whisper against his lips making him whimper softly before I quiet him down by placing my lips on his.

I grab the vibrator next to us and turn it on the lowest setting before softly placing it on one of his nipples making him whimper as the vibrations shoot straight to his already aching and leaking cock.

"Kurat, Y/N," Paul whimpers when I start slowly bringing the vibrator down to where he needs it the most.

"I love your voice but it's always my favorite when you're moaning my name" I tell him while I place the vibrator right on the tip of his cock making him loudly moan out at the intense pleasure.

I watch as Dino starts to play with Paul's balls making me smirk when I see Paul start to shake from his impending orgasm.

"Please, please, I need to cum," Paul whines out making me smirk slightly at his desperation.

"I think you should make Dino cum first," I tell him while removing the vibrator from his cock and softly slapping Dino's hand away making him get up and pull his briefs off before climbing back onto the bed but this time near Paul's face where he turns his head as best he can and opens his mouth and starts sucking Dino's large cock.

"God, you're so good at this," Dino groans outs making me smirk while I lean down and pull Paul's cock into my mouth making Paul hiss around Dino's cock which resulted in Dino whimpering at the sudden vibration.

"Fuck, made just for me huh?" Dino smirks while pushing his cock all the way down Paul's throat making him gag slightly. I can hear Paul softly hum in confirmation sending the vibrations straight to Dino's cock making him shudder and fuck Paul's face a bit harder before pulling out and cumming all over Paul's face making him look like a proper sub for us.

"Please, I need to cum," Paul begs not ever caring about the cum leaking all over his face.

"Cum for us," Dino leans down and whispers in Paul's ear making me speed up the actions with my mouth making Paul whimper before his whole body tenses slightly before relaxing and unleashing a massive load of cum filling my mouth up. I swallow whatever he gives me before sitting up and crawling towards his cum covered face before leaning down and licking a large strip of cum off his cheek before hovering over his open mouth and letting the cum slide down my tongue and into his mouth where he closes his mouth and swallows with a groan.

"Look so pretty covered in his cum," I whisper against his ear before placing a few soft kisses on his lips.

"Please I need more," Paul begs making my eyes find Dino's to see him already at the foot of the bed with the vibrator ready to make Paul cum again.

"You better make Y/N cum twice before you even think about begging to cum," Dino tells Paul sternly making me clench my thighs together loving when the Swed gets like this. I quickly pull my thong off before climbing over Paul's face and centering my core with his mouth.

"Please, I need to taste you," Paul whines not quite being able to reach given I was still hovering over his mouth. I finally lower myself down onto his face while watching DIno flip the vibrator on full blast making my eyes go wide knowing just how hard he's about to make this for Paul.

"Fuck," I moan when Paul starts sucking on my clit. One thing about Paul was he was a munch and knew how to bring me over the edge with just his mouth in a matter of minutes but with Dino distracting him with the vibrator I knew Paul was gonna struggle with the task at hand.

"Dino! I'm gonna fucking cum if you keep doing that shit," Paul snaps getting frustrated, his dominant side coming out slightly. He's quickly shut up though when Dino slaps his inner thigh making Paul whimper at the sudden sting.

Paul instantly attached his mouth back onto my clit using his cool down to his advantage and bringing me over the edge through my first orgasm rather quickly.

"Fuck, Paul," I whine out when I feel my orgasm hit soaking Paul's face with my essence.

"Kurat, taste so good," Paul whimpers into my pussy sending slightly overstimulating vibrations through me.

"Don't you fucking move, you better cum in the next 3 minutes, our boy won't last long," Dino tells me sternly.

"Yes sir," I moan out when I feel Paul start licking at my sensitive clit again. I'm already shaking from overstimulation and with the added pleasure of Paul's tongue I know I won't last long this time either.

"No, too much," I hear Paul start to whimper letting me know how close he was getting.

"Shit, I'm gonna cum," Paul breaths out into my pussy making me grind down on his face a bit harder.

"Cum with me," I moan while falling over the edge and watching Dino stroking Paul's cock while keeping the vibrator pressed firmly against his tip.

I watch Paul fall over the edge with a loud shout before he's moans quickly turn into whimpering when Dino keeps the vibrator firmly pressed against his tip clearly wanting to throw him over the edge against.

I slowly climb off of Paul's face to find it soaked with my juices but I can tell some of it is from his tears he was freely letting fall due to the overstimulation he was feeling.

"Please! Sir, it's too much," Paul whimpers making both Dino and I look down at him with a smirk.

"I don't think I can cum again, please," Paul continues to beg making me look down at him with slight worry in my eyes.

"Paul, color?" I ask softly while pushing Dino's brutal hand away from the angry red cock.

Green! Fucking green," Paul shouts when he quickly feels the vibrator press down on his sensitive cock again.

"Please! So close," Paul whimpers making Dino remove the intense vibrator and quickly take all of Paul's length down his throat before pulling a third orgasm out of him.

"Fuck, fuck fuck," Paul chants in English cumming down Dino's throat. Dino and I could tell Paul was getting close to his limit but he could still go again.

"How many was that? three... I think you can give me another" Dino says while looking straight into Paul's eyes. Paul just nods his head still too blissed out to talk. I see him tug gently on the rope around his wrists before looking at them and them me, a silent plea to untie him.

"Please, armastus," Paul begs making me nod my head and slowly start untying his wrists while Dino worked on untying his ankles. Once he was completely untied he slowlyy starts moving his wrists around trying to losen his muscles before he softly reaches for me and pulls me into him where he starts placing kisses all over my face clearly still deep into subspace.

"I wanna ride him," I softly say looking right at Dino who nods his head and helps me climb into Paul's lap who hisses when my wet pussy slightly touches his overworked tip.

"I'll be gentle," I tell him softly while sitting up slightly and aligning his cock with my pussy before slowly sinking down onto his cock making him hiss and moan at the sensations.

I could feel Dino lining his cock up to my ass making me whimper slightly when I could feel his lube covered cock start pushing into me.

"Dino," I whine getting louder and louder the more he pushed into me.

"Knulla," Dino moans the more he pushed into me.

Once he has fully pushed his cock fulling into me I took a few deep breaths and allowed myself to adjust to their sizes before I slowly start moving my hips making all three of us moan out instanly.

"I can feel him moving," Paul cries out letting more tears streak down his face. I lean down kissing a few of his tears away before I feel DIno instantly start fucking my ass making both Paul and I scream out at the sudden overwhelming pleasure.

"Fuck, fuck fuck," I chant out struggling to catch my breath with how fast I can feel my orgasm approaching.

"Cum, both of you," Dino grits out making Paul start fucking his hips into mine bringing me over the edge with a shout.

"Oh my God," I cry out when I feel myself start squirting my orgasm all over Paul's tummy making him groan while gripping my hips tighter.

"Please let me cum in you," Paul begs making me nod my head in approval before he falls over the edge triggering Dino to thrust deep into my ass and unleash a massive load.

Once Dino had come down from his orgasm he slowly pulls out of my ass making me whimper at the feeling before he softly hushes me with a soft kiss before placing another one on Paul's lips.

I can hear Dino starting a bath which has me sitting up and slowly pulling Paul's cock out of me before getting up and heading into the bathroom on Shakey legs.

"What the hell! I was coming back to get you," Dino says with wide eyes as I sit on the toilet and start doing my business with a shrug of my shoulders.

"I dommed tonight too, it's my duty to help him out of subspace," I reply back softly.

"Ya and we also both just split you in half, it wouldn't kill you to be taken care of a little," Dino tells me with a smile on his face. I just laugh softly back before standing up and placing a soft kiss in his lips.

"I love you," I tell him softly while wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I love you too, but I gotta go get our man. Get in that tub and be ready to cuddle him," Dino tells me making me smile and climb into the extra warm bath water. When I sink down I wait for my boyfriends to return and when they do I can't help but let out a laugh.

"Dino! Fucking hell put me down!" Paul shouts with a laugh as the slightly taller boy carries him.

"See! I told you it only works when we carry her! I never want to be carried again!" Dino laughs back referring to all the times Paul had dommed Dino and instisted on carrying him which he complained about everytime.

"Fine! I won't to it again if you put me down," Paul laughs making Dino softly place him into the bathtub before I instantly crawl into his lap. I'm sort of curled into a ball sitting sideways so I can still look at Dino while I rest my head on Paul's shoulder.

"I love you," I whisper into his neck softly while I watch a wide smile spread across his face.

"I love you too," Paul says back with the same bright smile while pulling back slightly and placing a soft kiss on my lips making me smile.

"Will you want to try it again some time?" I ask softly playing with Dino's hand that I had reached for when he sat next to the tub.

"Fuck yes," Paul breaths a laugh making me smile and squeeze Dino's hand in excitement.

"I wanna watch you dom both Dino and I together soon," Paul says making me laugh and nod.

"It's one of my favorite fantasies," I say with a smirk.

"I also want for both of us to be subs together soon too," Paul tells me softly making me nod.

"I like that we get to be this versatile," Dino says with a laugh falling from his lips.

"Keeps it interesting. Just a couple feels boring now," I say with a laugh referring to a standard 2 person relationship.

Both of the boys laugh along with me before the room fell into a comfortable conversation while we all relaxed. Once the water had ran cold Dino helped both of us out of the bath and helped us into our room turning on a moving and taking a quick shower himself.

"He left us here with a movie on like a pair of Ipad kids," Paul says making both of us bust out laughing.

[peachhcs]

because will surprised sam i think sam should tell will that her parents said she couldn’t go to Sweden but she actually is going with like ruts girlfriend and surprises him

a surprise in sweden

hughes!sister x will smith au (samy + will)

samy surprises will in sweden for the world juniors!

1.4k words

warnings: like the smallest tiniest illusion to sex, two kisses, mostly fluff though

this was so cutie to write. woo i'm posting again to make up for my lack of posts. i know kayleigh didn't actually go to world juniors, but let's pretend she did for this haha. pls keep requesting i enjoy writing these :)

au masterlist

“did you hear? did you hear?” will's excitement made samy smile from her end of the phone. the girl giggled while nodding her head even though her boyfriend couldn’t see. 

“i did hear. i’m so excited for you. sweden sounds awesome,” the u.s. team picks for world juniors came out only minutes ago and in two seconds, the blonde eagerly called his girlfriend to tell her the happy news. 

“god, i can’t believe i get to play for my country for what might be the last time. leno, perreault, fort, minnetian, and cut are all coming along to,” will was most definitely rambling, but samy didn’t care. she loved hearing him so excited about something to the point where he couldn’t stop talking about it. 

“you guys are gonna dominate. rut, sean, gav, and nazar got picked too. i'm excited for you guys to play on the same team together,” the brunette chuckled a little. It was almost ironic how her two worlds of hockey were colliding on the same team in a few weeks. 

“oh god, mcgroarty’s gonna pick me apart isn’t he?” will groaned, but samy giggled again.

“he won’t, trust me. i’ll make sure they lay off you and won’t ask embarrassing questions.” 

the umich guys knew all about will and were definitely eager to meet the guy that stole their little sister’s heart. they only had ethan and mark’s words to go off and you could guess the things they said only playfully poked fun at the blonde, so will was determined to prove himself so the other guys could properly get to know him. 

“i’m sorry i won’t be in the states for break. i know how excited we were to finally see each other for more than two days,” will changed the subject, his tone laced with a hint of disappointment. 

samy smiled, “it’s okay. this is a big deal for you and i’m so proud of you. i’ll just watch you from the comfort of my living room.” 

her words had a grin spreading across the boy’s lips along with a small chuckle. “you’re sure you can’t convince your parents to let you come with me?” it was worth a shot to ask even though will knew how much samy loved spending the holidays with her family. he didn’t even wanna ask if she could come along knowing how much the holidays meant to her. 

“i doubt it. i know they trust me, but an entire like three weeks in a different country with my boyfriend..i don’t know if they’d be so keen on that idea,” the girl laughed, a slight blush coating her cheeks. 

a similar pink color spread across will’s face as well, “okay, just thought i’d ask. i’ll miss you. i’ll send your gift in the mail so you’ll hopefully have it.” 

“i’ll see if i can get yours to boston before you leave. i’m still waiting on something in the mail.” 

“i hope you didn’t go overboard. we said not to,” will said despite the smile on his lips. 

“even if i did, it’s the first christmas that we’re together and not getting each other gag gifts,” samy stated. 

“when have i ever gotten you a gag gift? i think my gifts have been very thoughtful no matter what our relationship is,” the boy quickly defended himself. 

“well whatever. i think you’ll really like my gift,” samy chuckled. 

“i think you’ll like mine too,” will eyed the unwrapped gifts sitting on his desk and he couldn’t help but smile thinking about samy opening them in a few weeks. 

the two stayed on the phone for the rest of the night just mindlessly talking and getting to hear one another’s voices. there was one thing will didn’t know though and that was samy texting with kayleigh as they bought plane tickets for sweden—their trip already thoroughly planned out because the two predicted very early on that their boyfriends would make the US team, they just needed the confirmation before they bought their tickets. they couldn’t be more excited to fly out and surprise everyone with the hope that ryan and gabe knew how to keep their mouths shut. 

—

will sat in his hotel room making an attempt to get some of his school work done, but the tv playing as background noise was taking more of his attention than he thought it would. his eyes were glued to the show, computer open because if it was open, then at least it seemed like he was being productive. 

samy followed gabe and ryan to the 5th floor, unbeknownst to will. her and kayleigh landed about an hour ago and the girl was trying to shush the boys before the surprise was ruined. Her and ryan shoved themselves against the wall while gabe knocked on his friend’s room—their surprise plan setting into action. 

will lifted his head when he heard the knock. he walked towards the door, eyes still flicking back to the tv as he pulled the wooden frame open. “what?” the boy asked gabe on the other side. 

“can you come to my room real quick? I think i broke something,” the dark-haired boy muttered. 

will raised his eyebrow, “what do you mean you think you broke something?”

“like, i was trying to open up the cabinet under the tv and the handle like snapped off in my hand.” 

ryan and samy struggled keeping their laughter from slipping out as they stood a few feet away from will’s door. the blonde crinkled his nose, “dude, i’m not getting involved if you broke something. you’re gonna have to pay for that shit.” 

“can you just please come look? i don’t know if it’s actually broken,” gabe tried. 

“how do you not know if something is broken? it’s either broken or not broken,” will argued a bit, not knowing gabe was only trying to get him into the hallway where he’d see samy. 

“please just come look? for like two seconds.” 

a sigh escaped the blonde’s lips along with a shake of his head thinking how stupid his friend was. he shuffled into the hallway ready to head down to gabe’s room when samy suddenly popped out from behind ryan, “surprise!!” 

will jumped back, a small screech falling from his mouth. it took him all of ten seconds to take in his girlfriend standing two feet away from him, ryan with his camera out, and gabe snickering to himself to realize what was happening. when it did finally click samy was swept into the boy’s arms. 

“what are you doing here? i-i thought you weren’t coming?” will could hardly form any coherent thoughts. it felt like he was dreaming or something. 

“i was coming all along. i said i wasn’t because i wanted to surprise you,” samy explained, giggling into the blonde’s shoulder. 

“what about your parents? Your brothers..” 

“they were cool with it. kayleigh and i have been planning this for like weeks,” the brunette pulled back so she could properly see his face. she brushed his little curls away, a blush spreading across his cheeks at her gentleness. 

his eyes slid towards gabe and ryan who nodded. “we knew all along,” gabe snickered. 

"i’m surprised you two could keep a secret as big as this,” will teased them knowing how bad they both were at keeping things from other people. 

“oh shut up. we got your girl here so now you can stop moping around,” ryan rolled his eyes which earned the middle finger from will. 

another giggle escaped samy’s lips as she squeezed her boyfriend’s waist, putting his attention back on her. “It’s good to see you,” she hummed. 

“you too. I’m glad we get to spend a few weeks together,” not caring that ryan and gabe were still watching, the hockey player connected their lips into a sweet kiss. 

“yooo, save that for the room. Iim out of here. don’t be too loud,” gabe mumbled before retreating back into his own room. 

samy and will shared a laugh. ryan quickly escaped as well, promising he’d send the surprise video. that left the couple standing in the hallway together, loving smiles on each of their lips. 

“you’re sure you’re okay with not spending the holidays with your family?” will wondered because he didn’t want to be pulling her away. 

the girl cupped his face, “i’m sure. mom and dad were cool with it and my brothers are hardly home anymore anyways. plus, how could i miss something like this?” 

her words convinced the boy for now. he planted one last kiss on her lips before pulling her inside his hotel room—a very long night ahead of them.

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Already Gone || MV1 {4}

Pairing: Max Verstappen x spy!fem!reader Summary: Try as you might, you can’t stay away from Max for too long. Warnings: criminal activities, implied smut WC: 2.8k

F1 Masterlist || One || Two || Three || Four || Five

It was official, you were insane. That had to be the reason why you found your way back to Monaco. 

The last month had seemed more like a year and every single day had dragged out as you tried to keep yourself distracted by moving from place to place. But nothing worked. Max consumed your waking thoughts and invaded your dreams. 

Your freefall through Europe had started in Norway since it had been the first flight leaving the country after you finally retrieved your go bag from the safe house in Camden Town. You tried not to look back as you searched for a place to start over, forcing yourself to move forward even though your legs felt like lead. 

Sweden came next, then Denmark, but neither country had what you were looking for either so you crossed into Germany. The luxury apartment in Cologne had everything you needed to have a fresh start as a nobody and you should have been comfortable, but it too didn’t feel like home. So you had locked it up and got back in your car, hitting the highway and letting fate decide where you ended up.

You mindlessly walked with your head down to shelter your phone from the rain that drizzled upon the cobbled streets, your thumb swiping through the hundred of pictures you had taken with Max. You had only stopped in the random city because you could no longer ignore your rumbling stomach but when you saw the country flag hanging from a war memorial statue you froze.

You looked around, paying more attention to your surroundings and not the memories the photos held, as you struggled to remember even passing through the Netherlands before reaching Belgium. Everywhere you turned you saw signs you had missed, the city name surrounding you: Hasselt.

 How did you end up here?

Max was the answer. You were a victim of your own mind and it had been leading you back to him this entire time. But this still wouldn’t be enough. You didn’t want to be where he was born, you wanted to be where he was. 

You wanted to make things right. You needed to make things right.

So there you were, walking along the private street lined with perfectly trimmed hedges towards a wrought iron gate that would never stop you from reaching his door. But the man stationed in front of it might.

“Shit,” you cursed as you turned down the driveway of his neighbour. You hadn’t factored in that he may have been given a protective detail as a result of your actions. It didn’t change your end goal though, merely the plans of getting there.

It had been a few years since you last scaled a fence but you managed to pull yourself up the one on the back boundary and not break a leg when you jumped down the other side. It would have been much easier to sneak around at night but you weren’t patient enough to wait that long but you did keep to the shadows as you reached the house and tested the backdoor. 

You hardly breathed when the latch clicked and the handle turned. The sound seemed too loud in the quiet suburb and you froze as you waited to hear the shouts of alarm, but they never came. All you heard was the loud purring of Achilles as he padded across the kitchen floor to brush against your legs.

“Look at you, you’ve gotten so big,” you whispered as you picked him up and snuggled him to your chest, a weight lifting from your conscience knowing Max had kept his promise. “I missed you too.”

You placed him back on the floor with one last scratch behind his ears before silently rounding the corner and ducking past the front window and tiptoeing up the stairs. You had spent too many nights in this house to count, made too many memories, to just walk through it without feeling the ache that came from missing it.

You skipped the stair that always creaked and stepped to straighten the picture of him and his mom on the wall. It was your fault it was on a lean, your shoulder had knocked it one night when you fell asleep on the couch and Max had carried you up to bed.

The only thing that had changed in the house was the door to the storage room that now had a gaping hole in it. Questions flooded your head at the possibilities ranging from Max lashing out in a fit of rage and putting his fist through it to a more worrying thought of someone else doing the damage. Was that why he had security? Did someone attack him?

Your hands shook at the thought and you clenched them into fists as you swore you would find out what happened, and make sure they paid.

The anger that had quickly filled you evaporated the instant you heard his voice and your feet carried you towards the sound you had missed dearly.

You watched him for a minute from the side door to the corner office, taking in the exhaustion that saturated him from his wild hair and dark bags under his eyes to the unkempt beard he was sporting.

“I’m fine,” he grumbled to one of the Red Line racers and the lifeless tone cut through the excitement you had felt when you spotted him in his simulator, his eyes focused on the screens in front of him.

“When did you become the liar?”

Max’s hands tore his headset off as he spun to find you, an apparition he could hardly believe was standing in his home. Time slowed as you stared at each other and the very air seemed to freeze as you connected with those blue eyes that had haunted your nights. No photo could ever quite capture the true shade of azure they were, you had relied upon your memory but even that did not do them justice.

“Hi.” You broke the silence and the moment in time was shattered, sense coming back to Max as he pulled the power plug from his simulator to cut the live stream before jumping to his feet.

“How did you get in here, Y/N?” he asked, looking out the window that overlooked the front yard to see the security guard still stationed at the gate.

You shrugged and looked down at your feet. “The backdoor was unlocked.”

“I have so many questions.”

You had expected as much as you went to the adjoining room and took a seat on the edge of his bed while he leaned against the set of drawers. 

“I can’t promise answers to everything, but I won’t lie to you, Max,” you swore as you buried your hands in your pockets. 

“That’s more than I thought I would get,” he muttered before taking a deep breath and crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Fine, an easy one to start with. Would a locked door have stopped you?”

Your shoulders bounced with a laugh. Reaching the back of your head, you pulled a long hair pin out and eyed the curved hook that you held out to him. “Not a standard one at least.”

He shook his head but didn’t seem surprised by the answer. “How did you learn that? How did you become…whatever you are?”

“That’s not as easy to answer,” you admitted as you pushed the pin back into your hair. “There was this foster mum, a particularly nasty woman. She liked the money the state gave her but not so much the kids. She would lock us in the attic and as the oldest it was up to me to sneak out and steal food, clothes, money. Turns out I was pretty good at it.”

“Fucking hell,” Max said quietly as his hands fell at his sides and you saw the pity in his eyes. You didn’t want pity.

“It is what it is. My turn for a question,” you said as you pointed to the hallway. “What the fuck happened to the door?”

“What? Oh, that,” he said as a small smile appeared on his face, instantly making your heart feel lighter. “Achilles got trapped in there and I had to break him out, poor little guy must have been terrified.” The smile disappeared as he realised that had probably been how you felt as a child and he swallowed deeply before crossing the room and sitting beside you on the bed. 

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he confessed as he rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head in his hands. “Why did you come back?”

“Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you too.” You reached into your pocket and pulled out the small thumb drive you had prepared on your journey to Monaco. “This is everything you need to destroy Ferrari,” you said as you placed it into his hand and closed his fingers around it.

“What is this?” he asked as you spotted a dress between the almost closed doors to the wardrobe. You rose to your feet and opened it wider to see your clothes that had been left at his place on numerous occasions hung neatly beside his. “Y/N, what is this?”

You trailed your fingers over the thick motorcycle jacket he would wear, the one you would rest our helmet on as you tucked in behind him to shelter from the wind on a ride. “Correspondence, payments, data reports, everything to prove what they hired me for,” your voice almost failed as emotion thickened your throat, “and my testimony.”

The air shifter as Max stood up and you turned to see his brows pinched together. “But that would mean…”

“I’m done running, Max.”

“So that’s it? You’re done?” he shouted as he raked his hands through his hair. “You’re giving up and happy to spend the rest of your life in prison?”

“I’m not happy about any of this,” you shot back as you took a step closer and tipped your head back to look him in the eyes. “But I can’t live with the guilt of knowing I ruined your dream.”

“My dream was to be world champion, and I already won that twice,” he stated as he opened his hand, letting the thumb drive clatter on the floor. “I don’t care if I lose every race this year, liefje, I’m not going to lose you again.”

The drive crunched under his heel as he destroyed the evidence his team needed before he pulled you into his arms. Your head fell forward as relief crashed into you and your fingers desperately clung to the back of his shirt as you held him close.

“I thought you would hate me,” you whispered as your tears wet his shirt.

“I wanted to. I tried to, but,” he breathed into your hair as his arms encircled your wait. “Ik hou van jou.”

You had lost all hope of hearing those words on his lips again so it took a moment to process that had really said them to you, but the instant your brain caught up so did your body. You were already rising on your toes as you threw your arms around his neck and crashed your lips with a sound of delight. 

“I love you too,” you promised between the gasping breaths you took as his kiss trailed down your neck and he guided you backwards. 

Your legs hit the bed as he pulled your shirt off and it fell from his hands as his eyes darkened while they drank in the sight before him. The dutch you had learned from him was limited but you recognised the word for beautiful before his lips were on your skin where they belonged once again.

“What happens now?” 

Your head was resting on Max’s chest, one leg draped over his as you listened to his heartbeat. You had been lost to the sensation of his fingers running up and down your spine that you didn’t comprehend the question until his touch disappeared. 

“I suppose I should have a chat with your boss.” His eyebrows lifted at your suggestion and you chuckled as you trailed your fingertips over the soft curls below his navel, the blond hair catching the afternoon sun that spilled into the room. “I’m out of a job and a girl needs to eat, maybe I can put my skills to some good use?”

“No,” he shook his head adamantly. “No more secret agent spy shit. You don’t have to do that anymore, I’ll take care of you.”

You smiled against his warm skin as you pressed a kiss to the centre of his chest and peered up at him. “I was thinking more along the lines of security work, keeping the secrets safe instead of stealing them. Atonement for my sins.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure Christian will want you in a mile radius of the factory, or England,” he laughed and the sound only fed your smile.

“I can be pretty convincing.” You slipped out of his embrace and grabbed your clothes from the floor as he sat up and made to follow. “Wait here, I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?” He frowned as you pulled your jeans on and threw your shirt on next as you left the room.

“To talk to the moron at the gate!”

“Woah, hold on,” Max called as he rushed out of the bed, a heavy thud and a curse telling you he caught himself up in the tangle of bedsheets. “Y/N!”

“He had one job, Max, one job.” You skipped down the stairs and his feet hit the landing at the top. “Anyone bastard could have snuck past and gotten into your house.”

You threw the door open and broke into a sprint as Max raced to catch up, his shout alerting the guard to your presence.

“You!” you growled as you pointed a finger at the man.

“You!” he shouted in alarm at the same time, his hand reaching for the phone on his hip.

“Stop, both of you!” Max demanded as he caught you around the waist and planted you behind at his still shirtless back. “Paolo, she’s not a threat.”

“Debatable,” you muttered as you crossed your arms. “I’m not a threat to you, but he clearly isn’t doing a great job at protecting you. Here, give me that,” you didn’t wait for an answer as you swiped the phone off Paolo, Christian’s number already on speed dial and connecting.

“Paolo, everything alright?” Christian answered.

“I’ve gone by many names, but Paolo isn’t one,” you said with a smile before you heard a door shut loudly in the background and the sound of leather creaking as he sat down on his office chair.

“What is it you want?”

“This isn’t just about me, the question is what do we both want?” You looked at Max as he stood stoically between you and the angry security guard, the dominance in his stance making you hot and bothered all over again. “I’m looking right at him, Mr Horner. So I suggest you pick up the beautiful fountain pen your lovely wife gave you for your anniversary, walk over to the planner on the wall behind you and find the time to meet with me.”

“Put Max on the phone,” Christian demanded quietly.

An offended scoff escaped your throat at the request. “I haven’t hurt him, I’m trying to help you keep him safe. I’ve already proven that the people you hire to protect him aren’t up to par.”

“Put him on the phone.”

“Fine. Tell him when and where you want to meet.”

You tossed the phone to Max and walked back inside the house, climbing straight back into the sheets that were still warm and smelled like him. It was the feeling of being wrapped in a cocoon of safety and the sense of home you had been searching for since you were a child. It had been right here.

It was the soft sigh that had you blinking your sleepy eyes open to see him leaning in the doorway, a playful smile on his lips. “You’re insane.” He pushed off the door jamb and pulled back the sheets to join you under the blankets, your bodies moulding together like two puzzle pieces.

“Says the man that goes 200 mph in a tin can.”

“We must both be insane,” he chuckled as he kissed your temple, “because we’re heading to the UK in the morning.”

You smiled and looked up at him, seeing your reflection in his eyes like glancing into a perfectly serene lake, endless depths hidden within them. You took his hand and traced the life line that slashed across his palm before following the love line that branched off it. You had danced your way over moral lines your entire life but now you had found the lines you wouldn’t cross.

“I told you I could be convincing.”

Click here for post five.

Tagging: @octaviareina @omgsuperstarg @mvclff1 @alwaysclassyeagle @icantcomeupwithamusicalname-blog @laneyspaulding19

[jokeroutsubs]

[ENG SUB] Bojan Cvjetićanin: I know that we will cry our eyes out. And I'm really looking forward to those tears

Original article from Slovenske Novice Si

Translation credit: @moonlvster

Bojan Cvjetićanin: I know that we will cry our eyes out. And I'm really looking forward to those tears

Just before the highly anticipated concert in Ljubljana's Stožice Arena, we talked to Joker Out's singer, who told us about the band's plans for the future. First, they're going on vacation, and they're even all going together.

At the time of our chat, there are two days separating you from the concert in Stožice, how are you feeling?

We announced the Stožice concert quite a while ago, everyone was asking us if we were a little crazy, even we sometimes asked ourselves if we were completely sane in the meantime. But after a year, we are now in the final stretch, and we can't wait, because we don't have the nerves to wait anymore. If it dragged on for another week or so, one of us would explode. We can't wait to get on stage, we really need it by now.

What do you expect to feel after such a big concert? It can probably kind of drain a person?

When the concert was announced, we didn't imagine that in one year we'd be at the point where we are today. A lot of things happened in this year, and for us, this concert marks the end of one era and the official start of a new, even more important one. Based on the experience from Cvetličarna and Križanke, I know that we will cry our eyes out as soon as we get to the changing room. I really look forward to these tears because I haven't cried in a while. The crying will probably last a while and we'll let a lot of things out. I wouldn't say that we'll feel empty. Two days after the concert, we're going on holiday together, and that's where we'll be able to talk and air out everything that has happened to us. After our holiday, we're immediately going on tour again, there won't be a lot of time to think.

It's interesting that you're going on holiday together, do you not need time to have a break from each other?

Everyone we tell reacts the same way you did, they ask us if we're normal. But we have a good time together, we enjoy it, we get on well. Going on holiday togather is natural. We're constantly building a relationship that gets deeper every day, even though it seems like it couldn't be any deeper.

How do you resolve any conflicts that might happen in the band?

Luckily we haven't had any big conflicts so far. We have daily friction, which tends to happen in a group of five creative people, but it probably happens in all teams. Our rule is to speak honestly about all feelings, to prevent any grudges from developing. That way, we resolve everything quickly.

On your website, I looked up the concerts you've announced until the end of the year, a lot of them are abroad. How did you pick the places where you'll play? I understand that venues in the capital cities of former Yugoslavian countries are a natural choice, but how to choose the right venue in, for example, Barcelona?

After the Eurovision Song Contest, we had to really quickly draw up a tour. When we started doing that in June, it was already really late, generally you book venues for the year at the end of the previous year or the start of that year. We responded to invites from all foreign promoters who invited us to have a gig in their cities. Venue availability dictated where we went, we grabbed everything they offered us.

I know that the audience response abroad has been excellent so far, did that surprise you?

We have two tours behind us, UK and Nordic, we were in Great Britain and Scotland, in Norway, Sweden and Finland. We weren't surprised by the good response, but we were surprised by how many people sang in Slovenian. That's pretty hard to get used to.

When we talk about Slovenian musicians breaking out internationally, we quickly come up against language barriers - well, now you're saying that you don't feel that. But still, global success isn't just a question of talent, there's only one Rihanna, but there are plenty of girls who are like her at the start of her career. So what is the key? Luck? Connecting with the right people?

Any kind of success is an accumulation of many links that have to connect into a chain. Hard work, knowledge, talent, a huge amount of luck, being in the right place. I'm not really someone who believes in coincidences, but we can say that, as well. And connecting with the right people. From the start of our journey, we've tried to connect with people who wanted to be with us from the beginning because they liked this story, and not because they thought they could get money from it. Well, at the beginning, it was clear to them that there wouldn't be any money for a while. Love within the team and hard work are the key things.

How much of an influence did performing at the Eurovision Song Contest have on your international success? Some might say that young people don't watch the contest, but your performances prove otherwise…

It's true, the Eurovision Song Contest was our catapult. Just the final night was watched live by 62 million people. We're very glad that before the Eurovision Song Contest, we had built a strong enough base in Slovenia and made enough music that a certain percentage of those 62 million who looked up our music online could actually find it there.

I think that it was in 2020 when the songs Vem da greš and Gola were being played. Back then, I said that Joker Out would definitely be the next biggest band here, and I like to brag about that now. Would you say that there was a certain moment when you looked at each other and said: this is it, we've made it?

Right from the beginning, we've considered what we do to be the best thing. Success is a completely subjective thing, but we've truly believed in what we do. We trusted that if the five of us, our producer, and the people closest to us liked something, that meant it worked. We didn't let any outsiders challenge that. As for a specific moment... for me personally, it was our two concerts in Cvetličarna when we released our first album, that was when I saw how big everything that was happening around us was, when you put it all together in one place.

But it's probably not easy if so many people want a piece of you? You've spoken about panic attacks before…

We have a specific profession, the working hours, workplace and working relationships aren't defined. Us performers also constantly feel like we have to be available 24 hours per day. It's important, when the time comes, to learn how to say no as well, and to understand that nothing is more important than your health and well-being. If you don't have that, you can't create either. All professions have their dark sides, that is ours.

Earlier you spoke about entering a new era for Joker Out, what's coming up for you?

I can talk about short-term plans, about next year. We will spend the first half of the year in London, in March we will also have a European tour, we'll spend the summer at festivals, we already know that we will perform at festivals we've been dreaming about all our lives, and we will finish the year with two more tours around countries that we won't have visited in March. So, our new era will be marked by conquering new territories, as well as moving our brains there.

Siddharta is currently celebrating 20 years since the concert at the Bežigrad stadium, where do you think you will celebrate the Stožice concert anniversary in 20 years?

I have no idea, but I certainly hope that we will be as close then as we are now.

I know that most of the Joker Out boys are from Bežigrad, but twenty years ago you were still far from going to concerts, but perhaps you were kicking a ball somewhere around there on the day of the concert?

I was four years old, I know the other guys also weren't old enough to remember that concert. But we have watched it many times on CD.

[luke-hughes43]

chicklets interview | will and dani

i ended up down a rabbit hole, especially with the idea of maybe having dani and will start dating a couple months earlier. like the night he gets back from world juniors is when i'm thinking. which is a few days before his interview with spittin chicklets.

i'm including some parts of it, but also adding my own thing with it!

~

will's pov

i'm meeting up with biz and whit over zoom for their podcast. we were supposed to meet in nashville at the draft but the plan changed. after winning the world juniors, it made sense to finally get it going.

i finally made it official with dani, the night i got back. only took me two years. she came home with me for the weekend, just to get some us time before school, and she's currently napping.

one thing i've learned about dani, is that she struggles sleeping so when she gets the chance to sleep, she'll take it. so she's sleeping in my bed while i'm doing this.

i jump on and start talking with the guys. a little way into us talking, biz asks about school, "so with leonard blowing kisses to the sweden fans, did he ever do something like at school? like who had the nastiest student section?"

"maine was tough. they were saying whatever they wanted up there. they said some absurd stuff to our goalie."

whit chimes in, "that's because they don't have any teeth."

i laugh and then add, "well so they were like throwing condoms and they were landing on my mom underneath."

"she was probably saying 'grab one will please!' the whole time." whit says. i'm laughing but i'm also extremely glad that dani is asleep and can't hear this. she'd kill me, would not be a good start to our relationship.

"wait, used ones? or were they new?" biz asks. whit dies and i cannot believe he just said that. i shake my head, "i hope they were new."

"well i don't know i never went to college." biz tries defending himself. i'm still laughing about it. RA ends up asking, "outside of hockey, how was your first semester of college?"

"it was I mean coming from the program. so it was obviously online now so it's completely different from uh when whit was there when you guys were at school, but um so it's we do school at the rink. so now going to class it was a little bit different of making sure you get there on time."

"so you're saying that you didn't have to go class and now your having to attend the classes?" biz clarifies. i nod, "yeah."

biz asks again, "how much sleeping is going on in class? because when i was taking classes during my time in the ohl, within 5 minutes of being there i was asleep."

"some days are tougher than others. to get to class." i explain without going into detail. i know they know what i'm talking about. we go on talking about my major and theater class with the boys.

we go on into my birthday with st. patrick's day being in boston and then playing for junior eagles and then knowing lenny for a while. we also talked a little bit of taking summers off and not skating year round. biz says, "i wanna go back to the classes, did you have any funny interactions with students? like have has anyone maybe sent over a note to you like I don't know?"

"um, sometimes. I mean sometimes we'll like be walking from class to class in the hallways and then a kid for his one other class would ask to interview the line we do an interview in between classes with another student for his class" i explain a little bit. it has happened and it was weird. me, lenny, and gabe agreed immediately that it was weird. biz comments, "ok that's kinda silly."

i'm thinking of a few times where i'm just running into dani in the halls as i explain it and whit catches me. he says, "he was blushing a little at the beginning biz. I think he's leaving out some certain females that might have reached out these guys."

"that's what i mean though. bc hockey is more well known than bc football am i wrong?" biz asks. whit, RA, and grinnell agree and say that he's right. he continues, "so like bc hockey is like the thing you must be just getting hounded in the halls here."

i chose my words carefully, "well we have some friends that help us out with work if we need to or study groups and stuff like that."

"the fuck does that mean? am i missing something here?" biz says.

whit stars laughing and trolls me, "he's got a tutor. he's got a few different tutors." biz interrupts, "you have a tutor?"

i more or less don't respond and whit starts listing of girls names, "ashley and jasmine and maggie." RA adds laughing, "charity."

the boys are laughing. i chuckle and say, "ok, i have a girlfriend."

"oh shit. smitty is locked down huh?" biz comments. whit adds, "you must be mr romantic huh? i'm sure your mom is begging for you to grab those condoms now."

i laugh and say, "it's new so relax. but yea, i'm dating someone, so no study groups. actually, she is my tutor. she helps me out when i ask for it." which is true, dani does tutor me and is helping me with my classes when i ask her.

whit laughs, "is that how you met her and locked it down?"

"no. i've known her for almost 3 years. and that's all i'm saying." i say and shut it down. i'm not telling people who my girlfriend is. me and dani haven't even been on campus as a couple yet so the chicklets boys don't get to know about it yet.

we go back to talking about the program. and then whit starts asking about sebs and the jump to the program and making the teams. biz starts talking about me being a morgan wallen guy and i'm nodding along. him and whit sing the chorus of last night and then whit says, "i saw him at fenway last summer. did you go to one of those?"

"yea i went friday night." i say. whit says how he was there that night too. we start talking about music and country music and then who in the room at world juniors had the aux cord. i say, "brindley has the aux cord."

"that's a big job." biz says.

"he brought the michigan music to our team which was good." i say. biz pipes up, "grinnell always talks about this big booty mix is that what's going on pregame or does he actually shuffle up his own thing?" i start laughing because i do jam to a good big booty mix every now and then. and brindley did throw one on in the room. he asks, "why are you laughing? you a big big booty mix guy?"

"i mean sometimes." i start to answer but whit cuts me off, "that's his tutor. i'm sorry girlfriend."

i toss my head back to laugh. i'm so glad that she's asleep right now. biz says, "what else besides morgan wallen? i know we're digging deep on the music stuff here."

"what about tate mcrae? heard your a big tate mcrae fan." grinnell asks. that asshole. he's tryna get me in trouble with dani. biz gets excited talking about her album. i stay quiet while he talks. grinnell asks again, 'you ever send her a dm?"

"no, he wouldn't do that. cut another players grass like that." biz defends me. i say, "i might've."

"no way."

i immediately say, "ok, lets set a few things straight here. when i sent her the dm, i didn't know she got cheated on by another hockey player, and i was not dating my girlfriend at the time. this was before school, so me and my girlfriend were not anywhere close to dating."

"look at you tryna cover your tracks." whit says and laughs. i say, "she's gonna kill me. i mean she knows i sent it. ryan told her as a joke so she knows but still. i'm not tryna get in trouble."

"good man." RA says with a laugh.

we talk about sydney sweeney and her movie a little bit. and about will smith the rapper. i'm getting fidgety, i don't normally sit still like this for long so i'm moving around in my chair. and i guess i moved too far and dani sleeping got in the shot. whit asks, "is that your girlfriend sleeping in the background?"

i smile, "yeah. it's her nap time. she doesn't sleep much at night so she normally naps in the afternoon when she has the time. since we're on break still, she's taking her nap and it just so happened that i'm doing this at the same time as her nap."

"well that's nice. how new are we talking?"

"i finally made things like official with her when i landed after world juniors, but i've been working on it for months. she's here for the weekend with me before we're heading back to school. funny enough, she was in the same theater class as me, lenny, and gabe." i say. i'm trying not to give away too much.

"oh so she really was your tutor?" whit jokes.

i shake my head, "not really. she's a political science major but needed to take theater to fill a credit and it just so happened that she sat in front of us. but we've known her for a few years. i've been trying for months to take her out and she let me take her out, two days before we left for world juniors and i knew i had to make it official when i got back. but again, i've known her for a while."

"good man. but political science major, she must have a brain on her?" whit says. i nod with a smile, "yea, she's wicked smart. she has her eyes set on law school, but she's also an athlete here so she understands the grind of everything. she's honestly amazing though and one of the best people i know."

"aw smitty's in love." biz comments. everyone laughs and i blush. whit says, "now that you told us about your girlfriend, we're gonna grill you on her now."

"i'm not giving everything away." i say.

they nod and then whit asks, "so how does a political science pre law student take theatre class with 3 top NHL prospects?"

"well you have to take a certain amount of non major credits. like your gen eds, and she needed like an art one or something like that and she wanted something lowkey to off set her poly sci classes and be relaxed and she settled on theatre i guess. i think if she knew that me, gabe, and ryan were in that class and would be sitting behind her all semester, she would've picked a different class." i explain joking.

"i don't blame her. is she close with them too?" whit asks. i nod, "oh yeah. i mean she's known us since the program, so she knows gabe and ryan well. and her best friend is cutter's girlfriend, so she's close with some of the boys."

"that's good i guess. what about ryan and gabe, they locked down?" whit continues hounding me on my dating life. i nod, "they have girlfriends too. my girlfriend is pretty close with both of their girls so we have a good group going right now. i'm not telling you her name, i don't need your crazy fans finding her and hounding her dms."

"fair enough. you telling us off the record?" biz asks. i shrug, "maybe. both of her brothers play hockey so if i say her name, she's gonna get found. and i'm not doing that to her. she's got enough going on. her pre season starts next week."

"what sport does she play?"

"lacrosse. she's like amazing. i would watch her play last year and she is so good. i'm excited to get to see her play in person this year. she's an outstanding athlete, probably better than me." i say smiling.

"look at this geeking out over his girlfriend. such a good guy. and your even giving her that after dusting me at the locker room tour." grinnell says. i chuckle and say, "hey, be glad she wasn't there. she'd dust both of us. it takes a different kind of athleticism to play lacrosse compared to hockey. i've worked out with her in the summer before having mutual friends and stuff and she kills some us in the weight room. she's just so good."

"and good looking i'm assuming?" biz comments. whit says, "relax biz. these kids are 18, chill out."

"she's 19 but yea, she's beautiful. maybe i'm a little biased because she's my girl but probably one of if not the most beautiful girl i've ever seen. she's so pretty." i say smiling. i love dani and there's no doubt about it. i have no issue saying that to someone. RA says, "what a good boyfriend you are. pumping her tires."

i shrug and whit asks, "can you like text me her name? i promise i won't say it but i wanna see what she looks like and who she is. i promise not to announce it on the pod."

i nod and quickly send him her name and instagram. he pulls his phone out and looks her up. he says, "holy shit dude, she's beautiful. and now seeing who her brothers are, that makes sense keeping her name private. and with where he brothers play, that could go crazy real fast."

"yea. i think besides like our friends, her sister, my sister, and my mom are the only ones who actually know we're together. like her brothers don't even know yet. i've been working on this for years guys. and she knows that but it's been 2 years in the making. it's finally happened and i couldn't be happier."

"so if i shot ryan leonard a text right now, he'll confirm that you've been trying for years to get your girl?" whit asks. i nod and i see him typing on his phone. about a minute later he says, "no shit you weren't lying. i guess you really were playing the long game."

i shrug with a smirk and then say, "no more about my girlfriend. i've said enough. anything you guys got for me?"

"nope. you got anything for us smitty?" whit asks. biz says, "nothing for the ladies man RA?"

"i'm good." i say. we've been at this for like 45 minutes so dani will be awake soon. biz says, "have we talked about us blowing you off in nashville?

"grinnell and i talked about during the locker room tour." i explain. RA says, "not publicly so let's talk about it."

biz says,

"it's my fault because I'd gone four and a half months sober and then they they kind of put all this work on me at the draft where I had to do something at the awards and I hadn't had a drink and then Merles put this fucking margarita in front of me right before we were supposed to go back and you know 10 a.m margs at at this restaurant Nashville and I said you know what I don't give a flying fuck about any more work it's time to crank it so my apologies but there was a reason it got backed up it's because we knew we were going to win a gold medal and come on and get to talk about that in the bean pot brother so congrats on all your success your first half at college and keep kicking ass man keep kicking it.

i smile, "thank you guys for having me."

RA asks, "well what time did they did they call you and bail out at what time did they did they let you know they were bailing out at?"

"I think it was in the morning. because we were supposed to meet at like 1." i say and grinnell says, "yeah Biz gave me the whole grenell cancel everything today."

whit comments, "then didn't go to sleep for like three days after" biz adds, "then I went on then I went on a bender. then I went on my college visit as they call them I'll be all right. well thanks so much buddy. have a great rest of the season pal you're a legend"

"thanks guys." i say and log off. i shut my computer and put my headphones away. i climb into bed with dani and she cuddles right into me and wakes up. she mumbles, "hi will."

"hey baby. have a good nap?" i ask and kiss the top of her head. she nods, 'yea. how was the podcast with chicklets?"

"good. i didn't wake you did i?" i ask while rubbing her back. she says quietly, "no. what'd you guys talk about?"

"little bit of everything. school, world juniors, the program. i talked abotu a little bit."

"me?"

"yea. nothing crazy and i didn't name drop but it got mentioned about dating and girls and stuff in college so i said i have a girlfriend and they asked a bunch of questions but i didn't say too much. is that ok? i can have them take it out."

"no it's ok. as long as my name wasn't said."

"it wasn't, i made sure not to. we're not there yet." i say. she nods in agreement and we just stay like that for a bit. she's not big into being touched so i'm surprised she's cuddling with me right now but i'm not gonna say anything. i love having her in my arms.

[butterflyintochains]

Too Close For Comfort

When Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson met in 2011 and became official in 2012, they made each other one promise. To keep their relationship a secret, to only tell everyone once they were teammates, or when they were both comfortable with it, whichever came first. It's not been easy, but they've somehow made it work for them. At least the media don't ask them any more stupid questions than they already do get, right? Sure, they've wanted to scream it from the rooftops, but it's better this way.

But, there have been some close calls over the years.

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

I. The Game After The Weekend Before

Touching down in Ottawa after that three game homestay set Kris' heart racing, not yet two months have passed since that wild and wonderful weekend in Raleigh. That weekend that has turned his life upside down in all the best possible ways. He has no idea what this is that Erik awoke in him back in January, he can't put a name to it. All he knows is that it feels really good, and he never wants to stop feeling it. This will be the first game they play against each other since those three beautiful days. They get bussed to the hotel, Kris gets up to his room, and on cue his phone rings. ''Wondered when you'd call me.'' He says.

Erik laughs, he'll be in his apartment or at the gym. ''Tried to time it so you'd be alone. Excited for tonight, Kris?'' Kris smirks, joking with Erik. ''Like you'd not believe, can't wait to win tonight.''

Erik says, voice cocky but light. ''We'll see about that, I like our odds.'' Was it like this in private between Sid and Geno at the beginning? Did Flower and Max ever have this easy way with each other? Is this what that felt like for them? ''Kris? You still with me?''

Kris gives his head a shake, no time for zoning out today. ''Yeah... yeah, shit... just got zoned out for a second.'' Erik says, sounding relieved that he wasn't hung up on. ''That's fine, it's been happening to me a lot too. I'll see you tonight.''

Kris nods, running his free hand through his hair. ''See you tonight.''

That night, they get suited up apart, mere yards from each other, sitting on one hell of a story. One no one is getting quite yet, they barely even know what they are to each other. Friends doesn't quite fit, lovers is a bit much for now. They hit the ice for warmups, Erik spots Kris from across the ice, and allows himself a smile. Kris sees Erik warming up for the game, he also feels the glance from Flower. No time for that. The game is going well for the Penguins, both young defencemen seeming a bit distracted by something. But, the Penguins win 5-1. Somehow, in all the post-game chaos, Kris finds some time outside with Erik. ''We'll win the next one.'' Erik insists, brown eyes glistening. Kris just kisses him, and says. ''I like our odds, but okay.'' They kiss again, but the distant sound of Kris' name being shouted breaks them up. ''Fuck, that's Brooks. I should go.'' Erik nods, and says. ''I understand, go.'' Kris squeezes his hands, and heads for the bus. Brooks asks him. ''Where the hell have you been?''

Kris just says. ''Seeing a friend.'' The word feels weird, friends don't do what they were just doing, friends don't do what they did in Raleigh.

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

II. The French Connection

Alright, this isn't so bad, is it? He learned English as a kid, as every school kid in Sweden does, he can - and will - learn French. Kris is down south, no doubt getting started on learning Swedish. The books are spread out on the table Erik is using, he's taking notes diligently, trying out phrases. French sounds so pretty when Kris speaks it. This might just be one of the most important things he ever does, and he knows Kris will be taking his own studying seriously. This is huge, and terrifying, but holy shit does it feel good. He finds one word, a simple one, five letters long: 'Amour', and something finally clicks into place. Kris called him that on the phone last night. ''Love, helvete.'' He takes his phone out, and calls Kris right away. ''Bonjour, Erik, ca va?'' Kris asks in French.

Erik clears his throat. ''Je suis bien, Kris, l'anglais sil vous plait?'' Kris laughs, and says. ''Sure, what's up?''

Erik swallows, hoping no one else is using the training rink today. ''That word you called me last night, 'amour', did you mean it?'' Kris sounds confused. ''Erik, mon amour, you know me, I never say anything unless I mean it.''

It's been just over a year since Raleigh, they became official right here last month. ''Okay... if you meant that. Then, I mean it too, hjartat mitt.''

Kris asks, after a moment of silence. ''What's that mean?'' Erik just says. ''That's for me to know, and you to figure out.'' They hang up, and Erik gets on with his studying, something beautiful in his chest. Jakob and Mika come in together for a gym session, and venture over to Erik's table, seeing the French books spread out. ''Learning French, Karl? What for?'' For someone he now knows he loves, and loves him. ''Just... felt like learning a language, Jakob.''

Mika asks. ''But, French? Wouldn't German be easier?'' It would, but Kris doesn't speak German, Erik says. ''We're in Canada, Zibby. Helps to have both.'' He prays to God that his friends believe him, those are equations he doesn't want anyone putting together yet. Sure, he spent all of that weekend with Kris, but no one can know why. ''If I didn't know any better, I'd say you like someone.'' Jakob says. Erik tries to contain the blush rising to his ears, this went past like months ago, and they both know it. ''You do, we can tell! Who is it, Erik?''

Erik just says. ''Someone who speaks French.'' That's all they're getting. Maybe he should keep this for when he's at home next time.

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

III. The New Letter

God almighty, he looks gorgeous as captain, almost too gorgeous. Kris thinks to himself as the team watch some highlights from the most recent Senators game. Kris' gaze flits between Erik and the new letter on his jersey, the red still looks weird to him, but that's a dream that seems far off now. Teams don't trade captains willingly. He is so lucky, he truly is, and he'll never forget it. The feed pans to the team bench for a bit, and Stone must be either very brave, very stupid, or both. Kris doesn't need to be a genius to see that Stone is flirting with Erik for all to see, who wouldn't? Is the first thought in his head, then is replaced by: that's my job, fuck off. Stone is lucky Kris is a Penguin, and Kris is lucky Sid can't read his mind. ''God, Stone is brave, rumour has it Karlsson is spoken for.'' Kuny says.

Horny seems surprised, Team Sweden never keep secrets from each other. ''Is he? Who's the lucky one?'' Kris can feel his heart pounding, ever aware of the defect, he takes a deep breath. ''Oh, they've gotta be hot, Karlsson wouldn't settle for someone with no teeth and a fucked up nose.'' Dumo posits.

Sid laughs, petting Sam's ears. ''I dunno, he might, we don't know what he's into.'' Me, Kris thinks, he's into me. That petty part of him from two seasons ago threatens to come back out. But, he has Olli to set an example for now. ''Nah, Cap, Dumo's right, Karlsson could only date someone who matches his energy.'' Brandon says.

Geno just has to ask for a timeline. ''How long has Karlsson been taken for, then?''

Duper says. ''Almost four years. That's what some friends up north said anyway.'' Kris risks sharing a glance with Flower, one of just six who know about them. Flower casually sips his coffee, and turns back to his book. ''Kris, you've been quiet this evening.'' Flower says, the asshole.

Ever ready to cover their tracks, used to it by now, Kris adjusts his blanket around himself, and says. ''My doctors said I'm not to get agitated, might fuck up my recovery.'' Which is partially true, and mollifies the peanut gallery enough. Still, the gossip goes on. ''Four years, Duper? He won't say anything after four years?'' Rusty says. Duper shakes his head, and says. ''Nope, says he met someone at a league thing, and that's it.''

Dumo is awestruck. ''He must love that person a lot to keep it a secret for so long.'' He does, Kris knows Erik loves him, he feels it every day, it was once a rush to the head, now it's just a comforting presence. ''Yeah, he looked so disgusted at Stone just then.'' Rusty agrees. Kris looks at the TV again, and thanks God for the wonderful man who is now the Senators captain. He hopes no one else notices the smile on his face, because it's the one reserved for Erik. ''Anyway, Ottawa chose the right guy at least.'' Sid says, stepping back into captain-mode.

Kris says, hoping they don't hear the wistful air in his voice. ''Yeah, they did.'' He knew about this well before anyone else did, that was one hell of a night trying to calm Erik down, but Kris has never been prouder of his partner.

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

IV. Cup Winning Goal

Logically Erik knows he should be supporting the western team in this final, playing against Penguins with a point to prove usually ends in disaster for his Senators. San Jose are a great team, they even won the President's Trophy. But, as ever, there's the small matter of a certain someone on the Penguins. The love of Erik's life, his partner of five and a half years. He so longs to be on that ice with Kris right now, this has been a dream of theirs for years now, winning that cup together somehow. But, he's at home with the team, watching game six over lunch, wearing one of Kris' Val D'Or hoodies, a safer alternative to his jersey. At least the colours are similar, if you look past the green. ''Allez, allez.'' He mutters to himself, tracking Kris' every movement with his eyes.

Mike Hoffman says. ''I take it you're gunning for the Pens, yeah?'' Erik nods, and says. ''Yeah, they've done so well this playoffs, they deserve it.'' Kris deserves it, after being cheated out of a Masterton and half a season with that stroke. Kris deserves this cup. And, he'll hear no one say he doesn't. ''I agree.'' Alex Chiasson says, joining them from the kitchen. ''Like, the Sharks are whatever, but the Penguins have had to fight for this.''

Erik heard from Kris last night about some plot he and Sid cooked up for this game, apparently they've planned to score the winning goal together. How that works Erik has no idea, you can't just plan a goal, right? Well, all he can do is sit back and watch. Sid and Kris take to the ice together, Mika says. ''Oh, here it comes, the most annoying duo in the east.''

There's a battle in the corner, Sid stealing the puck, and breaking the Sharks' ankles. He passes to Kris, who takes the shot, and the Stanley Cup. The team mob him in celebration, even if the job isn't quite done yet. The gathered Senators are too busy gushing over the goal to notice Erik crying, two years ago, Kris had a stroke, now he's scored a cup winning goal. ''You good, Karl?'' Stone asks.

Erik regains composure, a herculean effort right now. ''Yeah, that was just... so fucking good.'' He'd give anything to have been on ice with Kris today. But, they'll be together again soon enough, in Montreal then in Sweden. Craig asks his captain. ''What's got you all emotional on us, Erik?''

Drying his eyes on the white hoodie, Erik says. ''You'd never believe me if I told you, Craig.'' He'd not know where to begin right now anyway, he'd probably need to take a nap first. But, they promised to do that together, so he'll honour that promise.

That night, he leaves Kris a voicemail. ''Hej, hjartat, I'm so proud of you, and so proud to be yours. Sleep off the hangover before you call me back. I saw the goal, you are the best. I love you, and hope you always know that.'' The team no doubt sense something is up by now, he loves Kris, and if he's to be punished for that, it'll be years too late.

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

V. A Dream Turned Nightmare

The Penguins are en route to California right now, it's late January, and will be warmer out west. One good thing about the depression Kris has had lately is that it's never difficult to get to sleep anymore. He's out like a light as soon as they're in the air, too heartsick to be awake for this flight. It's been a shit week, it also would've been his and Erik's seventh anniversary in a few days. Seven years, not quite as impressive as Sid and Geno's decade together come May, but it would've been nice to get there. For some reason, his mind takes him to Cranberry.

The first thing he feels as he heads inside is warmth, that same warmth he gets with Erik. He goes to the dressing room, seeing a stall with the number 65 on it. He'd know if that happened, right? They'd have spoken first, right? He heads out onto the ice, hearing that familiar laugh, the one he'd do anything to win back. He sees the name, and the number, in gold and white. 65, Karlsson. Erik turns to face him, that same furious look on his face from that terrible night. And, Kris bursts into tears.

He vaguely registers Geno waking him up, somewhere far away. ''Kris, wake up for us, Legend.'' Kris wakes up like he's drowning, forcing air into his lungs. ''You were crying in your sleep.'' Sid informs him. Kris says, panting like he's skated a whole game twice. ''Sorry, bad dream.''

Geno asks, gently so as not to wake the rest. ''Do you wanna talk about it?''

How does he begin to talk about it? He's been having that dream since 2013, and it's never made him cry like this. ''No, not yet, it never goes like that normally.''

Sid asks, curious, but not prying. ''You've had it before?'' Kris nods, and dries his eyes again. ''For four years, yeah. It's usually happy, but now it's not.'' All that came down around his ears that night last May. Someday, he hopes, this will stop hurting, he can win Erik back somehow. He has no idea how he's going to do that, he can't just hand back the ring and ask for his name to be removed from the cup. He'll figure it out, though, he has to. ''Can I ask you two something?'' Kris says.

Geno nods, and affirms. ''Always, Legend.''

Kris asks them both. ''Do you believe in destiny?'' Sid and Geno share that look, the look that makes him want to jump out of the plane window. ''Yeah, I do at least.'' Sid says. Geno nods, clearly on the same frequency. ''So do I. Do you?'' Kris sniffles, and admits to the two most important people in his life. ''I don't know anymore. I wish I did.''

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

VI. Point Of No Return

PPG Paints Arena feels less hostile now, it's been about a month since the sun started shining again, and Pittsburgh is as beautiful as ever at this time of year. Erik has his Kris back, forever now, who knew all it'd take was another All Star Game? They got back together right on their eighth anniversary. This game is their first as a reunited couple. Erik knows he shouldn't blow this for them, things are still so fragile, they are still so fragile, but he really wants to see Kris right now. They take to the ice for warmups, Erik finding those gorgeous dark eyes in the chaos of black jerseys. Kris beams at him, eyes watery. God, this feels good. ''You good, Karl?'' Joe asks him. For the first time in forever, Erik says. ''On top of the world, Jumbo.'' Nothing is going to piss him off tonight, judging by Kris' face, his beloved feels much the same way.

They get going for faceoff, the captain centers taking this very seriously as always, not knowing quite how much this game means. Erik winks across the blueline at Kris, who winks back. They risk some flirting during a play. ''Dejtar du någon just nu?'' Erik asks in Swedish.

Kris responds. ''Ja, ses ikväll?'' They're back, and it feels so much better already, Erik says. ''Ja, alltid for dig.'' They split off to their benches, Erik's head spinning in all the best ways again. As the game goes on, he loses track of the score, but they do end up winning 4-0. Erik risks skating up to Kris, and utters something into his ear, Kris puts a hand on his shoulder, and nods. Erik soaks in the looks from his team as they get ready to leave. ''So, we gonna talk about that thing earlier?'' Timo asks.

Erik puts his watch on, and asks. ''What thing earlier, Timo?'' Timo blinks a few times. ''Uhh, you and Letang?''

Erik smirks, and heads for the doors to grab his stuff from the bus, a celebration is in order for tonight. ''What about me and Letang?'' He asks, Kris' last name feeling weird in his mouth, it's been eight years since they were on last name basis. They aren't Letang and Karlsson to each other, they're Kris and Erik. He grabs his bag, and meets Kris at his car, they finally kiss after hours of waiting. ''I've missed you, hjartat mitt.''

Kris runs his fingers through Erik's hair, sending chills up his spine. ''I've missed you too, mon amour.'' They jump in the car, and get going to Kris' house. ''I think my guys noticed our little chat at the end of the game.'' Erik says.

Kris laughs, rapping his fingers on the steering wheel. ''That wouldn't surprise me, I'm sure mine have found me insufferable today.'' Erik can bet, when they're in the same city, it's like a fire is lit, one only they can control. ''Do they ever ask you why you like playing us? Or why you got so excited for your games against the Senators?'' Erik asks.

Turning down the road, Kris says. ''Sometimes, yeah. How about you? Have your teams ever wondered why you love playing the Penguins so much?''

Erik puts his hand on Kris' thigh. ''I'm sure they have, but that's for us to know, and them to find out.'' The fact that they'll likely not meet again on ice until a possible cup final hangs in the air, but at least they've got summer back.

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

VII. Stuck In The Bubble

This is bullshit, this is bullshit, and he fucking hates it. Kris has barely been in Hotel X for two days before he gets bored senseless. He's rooming with Dumo at least, the best defence partner he's ever had, but that doesn't make this any less bullshit. He's never been a jealous person, everyone's lives are different. But, this is bullshit. And, yeah, he helped put this thing together, fine, whatever. But, Erik is at home in Montreal, and he's so achingly close in Toronto. And, for some stupid reason, Sid and Geno have chosen now to flaunt their marriage in front of the Metro division. Some contest with Ovechkin and Backstrom probably. He'd normally encourage their nonsense, but it's hard when his future husband is somewhere fucking else, probably walking Buddha and Freya now he thinks about it. ''Mon dieu, mon amour, this fucking sucks.''

Erik laughs down the line at him, because of course he does. ''What's happened now, sweetheart?''

Kris leans against the balcony wall. ''Well, Sid and Geno are in some weird contest with Ovechkin and Backstrom for best married couple in Hotel X. Meanwhile I'm handling PA stuff with Turbo to keep this from collapsing around us.'' Erik listens intently, as always, they can always vent to each other. ''You are doing an amazing job with the bubble, sweetheart. As for Sid and Geno... helvete.''

Kris leans over to close the balcony door. ''It'd not be so insufferable if I hadn't spent this spring being domestic with you, but you'd think we'd become the Pittsburgh Peacocks.'' Erik laughs again, what he wouldn't give to see his smile right now. ''Is it that bad?'' Kris sighs, pinching his nose. ''Yes, darling, it is.''

Erik muses, voice cocky for some reason. ''Could be worse, I suppose.''

Kris knits his brows together. ''How could it be worse?'' Erik chuckles, and says. ''Come on, hjartat, if I was a Penguin it'd be a three way contest, and we both know it. I think we'd win too.'' Kris smirks to himself, when Erik is right, God is he ever right. ''Yeah, amour, we would.''

The next day, Kris is in the hotel restaurant on his laptop, looking over some stuff from Edmonton, texting back and forth with the reps from the Western teams. Bo Horvat is reporting boredom from his Canucks, but so is everyone else. Seems like the Knights set up a movie night in their hotel theater, probably Flower's idea. Ovechkin walks in to grab something to eat. ''You good, Letang?'' He asks. Kris nods, checking some regional Covid statistics. ''Yeah, just PA stuff. Not much else to do today. How's your little contest with my brothers going?''

Ovechkin laughs. ''It keeps us entertained, why don't you and Dumo join in?'' Kris almost spits his tea out, he's been linked to Flower more times than he cares to count, but Dumo? ''Dumo and I aren't a thing, Ovi. My partner doesn't even play for us, his team didn't even make it to the bubble.''

Ovechkin looks intrigued, this whole conversation is the weirdest thing he's experienced this year. ''Yeah? He at home in Montreal, then?''

Kris nods, and says. ''Yeah, and between us - as two people who love annoying my brothers - if he was a Penguin, Sid and Geno would freak out.''

Ovechkin laughs, he doesn't ask further, but he does ask Kris. ''Any pointers?''

Kris just says. ''If you know any Swedish, whip it out with Nicky. It's what I'd do, y'know, if I was in your position. Tell Nicky to try some Russian while you're at it.'' As though he was a bad game strategy, Ovechkin immediately reads him. ''Speaking from experience?'' Kris nods, and says. ''Perhaps.'' This can't possibly come back to bite him, right?

Well, turns out it can. During training, Sid corners Kris, and asks him. ''Why did you tell Ovi to speak Swedish with Backstrom? You know I don't speak Russian, right?'' Ah, so it did work, then. Good to see he can still have fun while pissed off at being parted from Erik. ''Well, as a Swedish speaker myself, I just thought it'd be a nice gesture.'' Kris says, trying to contain his energy.

Geno says. ''You won't even tell us why you speak Swedish, though.'' If he did, they'd faint, that's why. ''Yeah, what's with that?'' Kris skates off to talk to Johnny. ''Take a lucky guess.''

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

VIII. The Wedding Ring

The gold band on Erik's finger only took days to get used to, a symbol of his eternal bond with the only man he's ever loved. He's married now, and he never knew he was capable of being this happy. However, this is going to be a bitch to explain away, a golden ring on his left hand. He'd not give this or his husband up for anything, though. He is lucky their first game as a married couple is after New Year, maybe the rush of their wedding will have worn off by then? Probably not, but that's fine. He gets in for training, and heads into the locker room to get changed. Feeling eyes on him right away. ''Holy shit.'' Logan says.

Jonah remarks, laughing. ''Looks like someone had an interesting summer.''

Middleton says. ''Our boy is off the market!'' Little does he know, Erik's been off the market for the best part of eleven years. Kris had him at 'hello', and it's been full steam ahead ever since. Not that it's any of their business yet. ''Oh, who is it, Karl? Come on!'' Nick Bonino says, as if he didn't win two cups with Erik's husband in 2016 and 2017.

Burns joins in on the fun, asking Erik. ''Yeah, who's the lucky guy, Karl?'' Erik says nothing, sliding his jersey on, and placing his wedding ring on a chain. ''Tell us, Karl.'' Timo says.

And, because he's still swept up in his own happiness, Erik says. ''You really wanna know who my husband is, don't you?'' Logan, dropping the captain mask for a bit, says. ''Uh, no shit, Karl! Not everyday one of my alts comes back from summer with a wedding ring on, is it?'' Erik playfully says, holding up three fingers. ''Okay, you get three hints, you put them together, cool?''

Matt Nieto says, buzzing with excitement. ''Go on, give them to us!'' Erik says, sitting down at his stall again. ''Okay, one: He's a cup winner. Two: He's also a defenceman. And, three: He plays out east.'' Picking his sticks up, he says. ''Good luck, boys.'' And swans out onto the ice. That doesn't narrow it down too much... hopefully. He could go on for hours about Kris, and probably has to Danny numerous times. Just as Flower says Kris used to ramble for ages about Erik. But, it does hit him as he practices shots... he also described his best friend, Victor is going to hate him. So is Steven now he thinks of it.

The days crawl along, and so do the games. The team mostly leave Erik alone about his wedding and mystery husband, he gave them their hints, and they're doing their best to put them together. He does hear from Kris one night that things are going the exact same way on his end. At least they're facing this now, and not earlier, they've come so far even since 2019. Long dead are the young and dumb versions of them from back in the day. Hallelujah. The team have a very long shortlist put together by about December. ''Alright, Karl, here's the list.'' Logan says, handing it over.

Erik reads the mixture of handwriting, his thumb does briefly linger on Kris' name, so do his eyes. He prays they don't notice. ''This is quite extensive, boys, I'm impressed.'' He says, ready to keep the game up. ''Want two more hints?''

Jonah exclaims. ''Yes! Oh, my God, go on!''

Erik hands the list back, and says. ''Okay, one: he plays in New England. And, two: We're different nationalities.'' Instantly, the list is getting updated, Erik sits back with his book, and grins to himself. Wouldn't be them without some chaos, long may that continue.

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

IX. First Training Camp

This is actually happening, after twelve years of waiting for this, it's actually happening. Here they are, arriving for training, together at long last. No one seems to question why they walk into Cranberry together. Or why they look so blissfully happy to do so. No one knows why they're talking in hushed French to each other. That's fine, they will know why eventually. Once things are more settled. Once they're used to being teammates themselves. They suit up for practice together, Kris is in awe of the golden 65 on Erik's back. ''Well, how do I look?'' Erik asks, a cheeky glint in his dark eyes.

Kris bites his lip, not caring one single iota that Sid and Geno are across the room from them. ''Like a Penguin. Like how you should've always looked. Ready, mon amour?''

Erik nods, also not caring that they're not at home, life's too short, they know that better than most. ''Always, hjartat mitt.'' With that, they leave for the rink. Leaving a very confused team behind them. Do friends call each other that? What the hell have they all missed? Jake says, after a few moments to think it over. ''They're definitely a thing, right?''

Rusty says to his brother. ''Oh, them? Oh, totally. No idea what they called each other, but the looks are enough.''

PO looks like something has clicked in his head, he recently moved in with Drew from Kris' place. ''Oh... oh, my God! Kris?'' He bolts out of the room. ''What? What's going on?'' Lars asks, looking lost.

Tristan says, picking at his nails. ''Well... looks like someone has kept a big secret from us for a while.''

Sully calls the rest onto the ice, no time for gossiping, there's work to do. Joining the two best defencemen of the generation on the ice doesn't help matters any. Anyone with eyes can see that they were born to play together, just as Sid and Geno were. The way they speak without words, but always find each other. The way they know how each other skates down to the last motion. Two halves of a whole. ''I'm impressed with you two, only a day as teammates, and you're already so good together.'' Sully tells them after training.

Erik chuckles, sliding his ring back on. ''Thank you, coach. There's kind of a reason for that, actually.''

Sully looks intrigued by that, he's known Kris was spoken for for a while, and that wedding ring threw even him off in 2021. ''Oh? Go on.'' Kris gives his coach a sheepish smile. ''So, Sully, remember that season I came home married?''

Sully nods, and says. ''Yeah, of course I do, I also remember the chaos it caused in here.'' Kris and Erik share a look, one which clearly holds something that predates his job here. ''Oh... oh, really? Wow.'' Erik says, smiling. ''Surprise?''

Kris adds. ''We're kinda letting the boys put it together on their own.'' Sully grins, already picturing Sid and Geno's faces when the ball drops for them. ''Good luck with that.'' He says.

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

X. A Record Breaking Night

That was generational, first game back from Christmas, and Kris goes and gets six points in one game. Sometimes, these achievements feel unreal, like someone else should've earned them, but this is something special. Erik is in awe of the man he's married to, that stack of pucks will look very nice in the house once they're back home. Sully gets done with his speeches to the team, and Kris sits back with the pucks in his hands. Not really saying anything, just soaking in the thing he's just achieved. Normally it's his brothers doing this kind of stuff, but this is his. ''Kris, sweetheart, you okay?'' Erik asks. The hum in the room going silent really quickly. Kris nods, and takes Erik's hand. ''Yeah, darling, just... letting this all sink in.''

It's now that the stares register, surely everyone knew by now, right? They look up at their teammates, all slack jawed at the pet names. Sid and Geno look ecstatic for them, Jeff Carter asks. ''Well, how long has this been going on?''

Erik says. ''Thirteen years in three weeks' time. Why?'' Jake says to the team's oldest player. ''Carts, you're a bit late to the party here. Rusty, Drew, Jars, Ned, PO, and I had them figured out during preseason.''

Kris asks his family. ''Were we that obvious?''

Sid nods, standing up from his stall. ''Yeah, kinda. Worst kept secret since me and Geno, actually.''

Geno remarks, a wry smile on his face. ''Best kept secret in the league, though.'' One of the weirdest stories too, no doubt. 2011 feels so recent and so long ago all at once. They've had so many close calls with this secret, and they're glad they made it here without the media getting their noses in. But, the time for secrecy is clearly over. ''So... the wedding rings, then?'' Marcus asks them.

Kris says, quoting a part of their vows. ''We are one when together, we are one when parted.''

Erik adds. ''We hold in our hands the making of this union.'' With that, they go for showers, and get back into their suits for the bus. Certain that they'll need to regale the team with this story on the plane ride home, at least they can do that together now. It's a damn lot better than the alternative, they know that for sure.

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

Been working on this for a couple of days now, and I'm finally over this month long cold I had (hopefully), on a course of vitamins to build my system up. This started as close calls with people almost finding out about Kris and Erik's relationship, but morphed into them dropping hints to people. But, that's fine. I'd imagine after they got back together, they were more just focused on being happy together than keeping up the secret. As I said, they were just waiting until they were teammates before telling everyone outright.

Very happy to have this finished at last! I think it could've been longer, but I'm satisfied, so that's all I care about.

Enjoy!

[avalanchesumich]

mastermind!au

this is the first time i’ve felt the need to confess

january 8

gabe was exhausted. he felt like he hadn’t gotten much of a break since coming back to boston from sweden. he was trying to read a book cam had said she loved months ago when a knock was sounded.

he shared a confused look with will. no one was really on campus yet, it was still technically break with mostly athletes on campus, or people who decided to pay the fee to stay for break.

will gestured for gabe to get the door, knowing exactly who was there. gabe rolled his eyes, dog earring the page, and getting the door after someone knocked again.

gabe opened the door, stepping back in surprise when he was face to face with cameron makar.

“cam?” gabe’s voice was hoarse from not talking for a while. “what are you doing here?”

“i wanted to talk,” cam said quietly. her tongue ran over her lips. “if you don’t want to, i’ll understand.”

“no, no we can talk,” gabe assured. “let me just get my shoes and we can go for a walk?”

cam only nodded. she waited patiently in the hallway until he came out of his room again a moment later.

they walked out of the building in a tense silence until gabe broke it when they were outside.

“how was your break?”

“it was good,” cam nodded. “good to see everyone again. how was yours?”

“same,” gabe nodded in agreement. “and how are you?”

“can we skip the small talk?” she shook her head. “i just, i keep thinking about how i handled everything,” she explained. “and i’m really sorry about it. i shouldn’t have left without letting you say anything. it wasn’t fair to you and i am so sorry.”

gabe inhaled sharply but nodded. he didn’t think they’d ever have this conversation. he wasn’t even sure how to have it.

“thanks,” his voice was barely above a whisper. “cam you have to know that i never used you. and i never would,” he explained. “i don’t know how bad it was with your ex, i know that it’s something you don’t like talking about, so i won’t push you to, but i am not him. i loved you,” his voice cracked. “i still love you, cameron. i loved you a month ago, and i love you now. and it fucking terrifies me because this is the first time i’ve ever felt this way. and whether or not you believe that, whether or not we can go on from this, i have to tell you now, because i don’t know if i’ll ever get the chance to say it again.”

cam’s eyes welled up at his confession. “i’m so sorry, gabe,” she said. “i’m so sorry. i should have never accused you like that. i had no reason to believe you would even do that. i should have let you speak that day and if i could go back and change everything that happened, i would,” she said, blinking back tears. “please believe me when i say i would.”

by now, the two of them stopped walking. gabe cupped her face in his hand, using his thumbs to lightly brush away her tears.

“i believe you baby,” he nodded. “i believe you, i promise. but if we want to get back to where we were, it might take time. you didn’t trust me and that hurts.”

“if we get back to where we were?” cam whispered out. “you’re willing to take another chance on me?”

“i would take a million chances on you, cameron,” he nodded. “but you need to trust me. can you do that?”

cam swallowed but nodded, not having a doubt in her mind. “yes,” she said. “yes, i can trust you.”

gabe let out a disbelieving laugh as his dropped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her in for a tight hug.

abruptly, she pulled away.

“oh! congratulations on world juniors by the way,” cam praised. “i’m so proud of you.”

“you watched?” gabe asked quietly, shocked.

“of course i did,” cam frowned. “i was cheering you on the whole time.”

gabe grinned and shook his head, saying a quiet thank you as he pulled her back into his embrace, kissing the side of her head.

cam smiled against his shoulder, holding him tighter. she finally got him back.

[bedbellyandbeyond]

No Way Home

(Story Post)

Tand and the kids were escorted at sword point by elf guards. Their hands were bound, and mouths muzzled to prevent them from biting. They huddled together, Bita in the middle, sandwiched by their older siblings. Tand gave anyone and everyone nasty looks as they passed through the elf city towards the gates. Onlookers watched in fear, curiosity, and disgust. Korsy and Dusty were waiting by the gates. The demon had reinitiated his flirting with the guards Bjarne and Marbjörn again, but he brushed them off now and a look of concern returned as he saw how uncomfortably the little group approaching looked, gagged like animals. He wanted to run up and hug the kids, but he knew they might take it as aggression so he stayed still in his place. “Is that finally it?” Dusty asked. “We can just go with them?” “One more,” Korsy said, looking past the group.

A moment later, Asger marched up, not bound or anything, but still led at sword point. He kept his head held high, unconcerned by his criminal handling, but when he saw Tand and Co., he couldn’t help breaking form a little to smile. “You’re alright!” he said, looking between the kids then looking Tand in the face. “By the gods, I thought they might… I’m so sorry.” “You lied,” Tand growled through their muzzle, their tail thrashing behind them. “I should’ve known this would happen, that is true. But I never meant to deceive you,” Asger said. “But now, I can be sure you will be safe and get the care you need. My cousin knows how to handle these things.” Tand just turned away and ignored him, choosing to fix their gaze on a rock by their feet. “You really give me too much credit…” Korsy sighed, before inquiring: “Uncle Folke’s not going to see us out?” Asger shook his head. “No, my father would rather anything else but to look upon me now…” Korsy exhaled and gave him a couple slaps on the back. “You’re doing a good thing. I’m sorry it had to go this way.” Asger shook his head. “It’s fine. If being exiled from my home is the only way to ensure the safety of these folks, then it is a small price to pay.” “At least you have your mother’s place to live, eh?” Korsy said. Asger shook his head. “No, the dark elves claim all of Scandinavia as under their watch. I cannot return to Sweden.” Korsy blinked a few times, then rubbed his neck. “Shit. I didn’t know it was that extreme… I guess you’re coming with us, then. Do you have your passport up to date?” Asger shrugged. “I assume not.” “Ah, okay… Uh, APID can handle that, no worries,” Korsy assured. “Come on, let’s get the fuck out of here.” Dusty turned to his guard friends. “Marbjörn, if you will…” “You're going now?” the guard answered looking distraught. “You'll text us, ja?” Bjarne insisted, equally distraught. Dusty gave them a smile and a pat on the cheeks. “Of course. But I have to get back to work, boys. I'll speak to you soon.” Bjarne nodded, dragging his companion back to the guard house where they could activate the gates. They opened a crack for them and Korsy waved Tand and kids through first then Dusty and Asger. As soon as they were all on the other side, the gates were closed behind them, and they were left to themselves at the docks. “Let’s get these off first, yeah?” Korsy went behind Tand and undid the muzzle. Asger quickly followed suit, removing the children’s muzzles, and then removing their wrist bindings. Unbound, Tand quickly moved to hide the children behind them and bared their teeth again. “Why release us?” “Because that was the whole plan?” Korsy crossed his arms. “You folks are free now; however, we recommend you come with us. You need food, shelter, and medical attention. We can provide that to you.” “No. Send us back to our home,” Tand demanded. “This was a mistake. A lie!” “There’s no back,” Korsy said. He pointed to the gates. “‘Back’ is through the rift in there and you’re definitely not allowed back in there.” “But as we are now, I can fulfil my promise to you,” Asger said, stepping in front of Korsy to speak to Tand. “I offered you my home and protection. You can be safe with me.” “You do not have a home,” Tand said. “You just said.” Asger sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Ah, right… Well, in broader terms, this realm is my home. If you stay with me, I will protect you.” “You do not have a home. You did not protect us from that…that terrible place!” Tand said pointing back to the city. “I cannot trust you!” “But you can trust me, can’t you?” Korsy said. “I said we’d get you out and I followed through. That must be worth something.” Tand just looked at him, a wrinkle to their nose. Just then, Soppa stepped forward. “You said I can get soup.” Dusty lit up. “Yes! If you come with us, we can get you soup, and any other food you like.” “Crackers,” Sten piped in. “We can certainly find crackers too,” Dusty assured. “Please, I know you're all hungry. And we can get you some new clothes and somewhere to sleep. Just come with us.” Tand shook their head. “No.” Soppa pouted, pulling at Tand's arm. “Please? I like Asger.” Tand whirled around, flashing Soppa a stern look. “If you want to go, then go! I want to go home!” “Tand, hold on a minute,” Asger said. “The last thing we want is division.” Regardless, Tand said nothing as Soppa picked up Bita and carried them over by Asger, Sten following behind. The kids all kept their eyes down, feeling the anger radiating towards them from Tand. “Kids, I...” Asger faltered, looking down at the little group by him. “I'm not going to take you away from your parent. This isn't how this is meant to go.” “Hungry,” Bita said, looking up at Asger. Dusty and Korsy stood by, not really sure what to do. Technically, the whole group was released to their custody, but based on their treatment already, they didn't want to force anyone into anything. “Listen, this is a small island, all of which is owned by the dark elves,” Korsy said. “We have a boat to take you to the mainland. From there, you can do whatever you want. I'm not going to stop you.” “You would have us free in your world?” Tand said. “I mean, it would be grossly irresponsible on my part and likely put you in danger because you don't know this world, but if you absolutely refuse to come with us, I am not going to stop you,” Korsy said. Tand looked at the children, hesitated a moment, but nodded. “Your boat.” Korsy perked up and motioned to a medium sized craft tied at the docks. “This way.” Tand just started walking towards the boat. Asger tapped Soppa's shoulder and pointed, motioning the kids to follow along. They shuffled after them, mindful not to get underfoot. Korsy jogged up ahead so he could help everyone get on safely while Dusty and Asger climbed in last. The kids and Tand were startled by the swaying of the craft beneath their feet, but Asger helped them sit and get comfortable. Dusty handed out life vests which Asger also helped put on their guests. Once everyone was secure, Korsy undid the line, started up the engine and left the dock.

On the ride, Dusty remembered some snacks Karla had giving them for the trip which he'd stashed away on the boat. Retrieving them, he gave each of the kids a cookie, and offered one to Tand, but they refused it. Soppa took all the kids’ cookies first, sniffed them, and then handed them back once they were sure they were safe to eat. The kids started a round of ‘thank you’s and ‘you’re welcome’s like they had when Asger had given them crackers. Tand continued to ignore them. It was still dark out, just before dawn, so despite the summer, a cold breeze was made worse by the speed of the boat. Tand and family wore almost nothing, save for some shorts and shirts made from an unknown fibre. Dusty was worried they'd catch a cold, so he found two blankets in the boat storage and handed them out. The kids all huddled up under one, but Tand refused the other. “Come on, it's really cold,” Dusty insisted. “I'm just giving you a blanket to warm up. I don't want you to get sick.” Tand still didn't move to take it, and just shut their eyes, attempting to shut everyone out. They already looked a bit pale, and after a moment, they pursed their lips, a sound like a hiccup escaping them. Dusty blinked and then patted Korsy's shoulder while he drove the boat. “Can you slow down a bit?” “Hm? Why?” “I think they're a bit seasick,” Dusty said. At that very moment, Tand could hold it, and a little bit of sick dribbled from their mouth. Korsy saw this and slowed down. “Whoa, okay. Over the edge, over edge, please. This is a rental!” Asger rushed over to their side in aid, helping them turn around and lean their head over the edge. They didn't have much to bring up however and just retched dryly. “Were there any water bottles with those snacks?” Korsy asked. “They need something for their stomach.” While Dusty got the water, Asger had Tand close their eyes and breathe deeply. “Just relax,” he said. “Concentrate on your breathing. It'll help steady you.” “Sit them in the middle,” Korsy said. “Less motion there.” Tand let Asger sit them in the centre of the boat and even let him wrap the blanket Dusty offered around his shoulders. Their stomach seemed to have already settled, though they were still pale. Tand spoke suddenly. “Why do you call me that?” “Call you what?” Asger asked. “You call me Tand. But you also call me ‘Them’. And ‘They’.” “Oh, uh. Well, I gave you a name since you don't seem to have one. Of course, if you don't like it, we can change it,” Asger explained. Tand just shrugged at that. “And we call you them because, well, we don't know your gender and it's just polite,” Asger said. Tand looked at him. “My gender?” “Yes. I am a male elf, so my pronouns are he/him,” Asger said. “Oh, are we sharing gender identity and pronouns?” Dusty said excitedly. “Succubus. He/him. Mostly...” “Man. He/him,” Korsy added. Asger looked worriedly at Korsy for that but didn't say anything. Tand knit their brow. “You are all he/him. Then I am too, no?” “I mean, if you want to be, we can do that. You don't have to,” Asger said. “There are other pronouns like she/her, or they/them, or a combination.” “Or neo pronouns,” Dusty added. “Like ze/zir.” Tand frowned, not fully understanding. “I am like you. He and him.” “He and him it is then,” Asger said. “We'll make sure to pay attention to that.” “Do we get those too?” Soppa asked. “Of course,” Asger said. “Did you hear something you like?” Soppa thought about it. “I like he/him too. Like Asger.” “Alright.” Asger smiled. “And the others?” Sten titled their head. “What were the other choices?” “I think we've listed he/him, she/her, they/them, and ze/zir?” Asger retold. “What’s the difference?” Soppa asked. “Well, to be very general,” Dusty started to explain, “Usually, but not always, he/him is used for boys, while she/her is for girls. They/them is often used by people who aren't a boy or a girl, or are both, or sometimes one and sometimes the other... Sometimes they use a combination of the other ones. Or something else entirely, like ze/zir.” Sten just said. “Oh... I don't know.” “How about they/them, then?” Dusty asked. “For now.” Sten just nodded. “She,” Bita piped up. “Is that what you like?” Dusty asked. Bita nodded. “Alright, I think we figured it out then,” Asger said. “In that case, Tand if you want he/him, then you would be the kids' father,” Asger said. “Only if you like that term,” Dusty said. “I know a he/him who goes by mom.” “I don't care,” Tand said. “Whatever's usual is fine. Talking is too much...” “Well, if we go by the norms, then that would make Soppa a son and brother, Sten still a child and sibling, and Bita a daughter and sister,” Dusty said. “Sister!” Bita sounded excited saying it back. “That’s right, you’re Soppa and Sten’s little sister.” Dusty smiled. “Glad we’re in a better mood. A cookie can go a long way.” “An identity can go a long way too,” Korsy said. “A sense of self is very inspiring.” Tand still didn’t seem to be doing so hot and had his head down between his knees, trying to keep from getting sick again. Asger offered him a bottle of water, but he passed on it. Instead, Asger turned back to see the island he’d called home drift further and further away. It wasn’t long before a thick mist obscured his view and the island appeared to vanish. He let out a deep sigh and turned back. Soppa was watching him, so he smiled to the child and leaned back. He wanted to be brave for them. It was all he could do for now.

[str1v1ng4z3r0]

Tw: b/p rant

B1nged so bad today I hate myself and this stupid brain of mine 😭😭😭 I finally had a day where my bf had an evening shift and I had nothing to stop me from a whole day of f4sting. And then I got to work and someone had put out a ginormous bowl of candy… and Fridays at primary schools… well let me just say it sometimes feels as if I’m a veterinarian at a zoo where the animals have gotten some sort of crazy virus. And after my first class it was like my brain checked out when I sat down in the staff room and suddenly was stuffing my face in that bowl of hell. After that I felt like a total loser and that all day was ruined and all of that…

Also, due to the situation with my coworker yesterday I got no lesson planning done yesterday as I had planned for, so I had to work over today to plan next week. What does this stupid girl decide to do? Eat like 6(??!!) crisp bread with BUTTER!!!

And apparently that wasn’t enough, she also stopped to get a salad for dinner (no the point of this day was not having to eat any meal at all you stupid ašš)… but yeah no apparently I couldn’t even do that right. Not only did I buy the salad (which might had been at least a little bit okay) but I also got a whole box of raspberries (which is absolutely low c4l and better than most stuff on a low c4l day but as I said before - this was supposed to be a f4sting day which means everything over 5 c4ls is forbidden in my book), and also I was craving salty black licorice and it was a hot day so I wanted ice cream, I looked for a low c4l licorice ice cream but they were all high c4l so I decided to go with a low c4l mango passion. Oh yeah I now remember, I had also already picked up some lentil cakes (like rice cakes but lentil version) to ease my salt craving so I really didn’t even need anything more with salt??? When I finally got to the register they had licorice pastilles right in front of me and I just see my hand reaching for it and putting it on the line. I finished all of these except for the lentil cake where I had like 4(?)

Wait wait wait… it doesn’t end here. I then get home to see I have a lot of cans to recycle and in Sweden you get 1SEK store value card for each can. And since I was on such a loser-roll I was almost obligated to go recycle and get something from the store. Wow when I write it down I actually get nauseated. But yes, this happened and no I didn’t buy just one thing. I got chips AND a chocolate bar AND sweet&salty nuts. I only had like a handful of chips and then threw it away.

So yeah this day was a disaster. I’m now on a long walk and know that I’m in no way going to be able to undo any of this bullshit or even get close to my regular net limit. About half an hour ago I had to stop in the bushes behind a playground and p*rge because I felt like my whole body was about to burst. It was awful and I felt so dirty doing it next to a place where children go to play… thank god it was in the evening so no kids were outside to play. Also I haven’t p*rged on purpose in such a long time and it brought back bad memories from 10ish years ago. Also… when you don’t to it on a regular basis you’re not prepared for it so all I had was 2 Kleenex, half a bottle of water and thankfully some gum. But I seriously had to blow my nose in pads in the end because the Kleenex weren’t enough.

I wish today didn’t exist. I’m such a failure 😭🤯

[wileys-russo]

KCC, “if you think I’m cute when I’m mad I’m about to be gorgeous”, at home or training🫶🫶

forgotten coffee II k.cooney-cross

today was not a good day.

normally you were someone who let issues run away from you like water off a ducks back, who brushed hardships off and continued forward with a smile on your face and optimism on your tongue.

you had to in order to have dated kyra for as long as you had, as everyone loved to remind you had the patience of a saint and you had years of experience in calming down and dealing with the sporadic and often juvenile behaviours she displayed.

the two of you growing up in the youth teams and progressing through the a-league together you'd realised on a team night out you were harboring more than just friendly feelings for her.

never one to shy away from what you want you were the one who made the first move though fearful of rejection. but luckily that rejection never came, and years later you were still going strong.

but today, today was not a good day.

you'd had one of the worst night sleeps you thought possible, waking up what felt like every half an hour with a groan and a huff tossing and turning until finally you'd drift off again only to wake up a few moments later and start the routine over again.

normally kyra would be there to try and help you but she'd spent the last few days helping charli move in and you'd encouraged she spend the night there to really help your friend feel settled and at home.

plus you knew better than anyone how much kyra truly missed her best friend now they weren't both playing in sweden and able to see one another whenever they pleased.

you contemplated calling the girl around three thirty wondering if even the sound of her voice might help but you decided against it, not wanting the interrupt the night you insisted they both have despite how much both girls tried to invite you to come along.

so when your alarm finally went at seven thirty indicating you needed to get up and ready for training you were positively exhausted, miserable and grumpy.

which was obvious to your girlfriend the very moment you stepped outside, the brunette having taken her training things to charli's but offering you a lift she sat in her car in your shared driveway not bothered to go inside as she waited you to come out.

"for fuck sakes!" you threw your head back with a groan as the keys slipped from your hand as you tried to lock up, kicking the door with a grunt as kyra watched on cautiously.

you slung your gym bag over your shoulder grumbling obscenities under your breath as of course because you were already in a foul mood you caught your foot on the edge of the steps and went tumbling down to the ground.

kyra went to unbuckle herself and help you but you were already to your feet, snatching your bag and storming off to the car with a scowl plastered into your features.

"good morning sunshine." the midfielder greeted as you slid into the passenger seat after tossing your bag in the boot. "fuck off." you mumbled with a frown, catching yourself and sighing. "sorry, had the worst night sleep." you apologised, leaning over the console to peck her lips.

"babe why didn't you call me? i can sleepover at char's anytime i would have come home." kyra grabbed your hand, rubbing a thumb over your knuckles with a frown as you buckled in.

"because you deserved a nice night with char i know you missed your little sleepovers. but its fine i just need a fucking coffee!" you exhaled deeply as kyra's eyes widened and she bit her bottom lip as suddenly you noticed the coffee you assumed was yours in the cup holder was not.

"you didn't get me a coffee?" you asked in disbelief as kyra winced. "i assumed you'd make one at home! we can get one on the way?" kyra tried, starting up the engine as you sank deeper into the seat. "we don't have time for that because you're late because you stopped to get a coffee and didn't get me one." you mumbled grumpily, scowl returning as kyra grimaced.

"i'm sorry!" your girlfriend apologized again as you hummed, refusing to look at her. "baby, please i'm really really sorry." her eyes burned into the side of your head as you continued to ignore her.

"babe!" the girl whined, reaching out for you as you pushed her hand away and huffed. "i have never ever gotten a coffee and not at least offered you one, we always get one another a coffee." you finally looked at her though the look in your eyes had kyra breaking it and glancing away.

"babe i really am sorry. i love you?" kyra tried as you hummed, pulling out your phone. "i love you so much?" she tried again with a charming smile, met with even more silence. "you look really cute when you're mad?" kyra poked at you, still met with silence as she gave in and started up the car backing out of the driveway.

"hi lessi." kyra's head whipped toward you at a red light as you held your phone to your ear. "have you grabbed coffee yet?" you questioned hopefully, knowing the blonde lived a lot closer to colney than you and kyra did.

"oh my god yes please, kyra doesn't care about me and my needs anymore." you shot her a pointed look as she gasped. "less she's lying!" the midfielder yelled as you rolled your eyes. "i love you! and i owe you, thanks less." you blew her a kiss and hung up the phone.

"so you'll tell less you love her but not me!" kyra scoffed as you shrugged, head buried in your phone still grumpy, ignoring all of her attempts at conversation as she gave up with a groan and turned the music up louder instead.

you sighed in relief seeing alessia, vic and emily waiting around for you, a coffee held securely in alessia's hand which you knew had your name on it, the three girls hovering near where kyra always parked in waiting.

barely putting the car in park kyra had hopped out and darted around to the side opening the door for you with a wide eager smile. laughter rung out as kyra tried to kiss you but you ducked under her arm leaving her behind with a frown as you popped her boot and grabbed your bag out.

"trouble in paradise cooney cross?" vic teased with a smirk as your girlfriend shot her a glare, slamming your door and grabbing her own bag with a huff. "you alright?" alessia murmured with a concerned gaze as she handed you the coffee.

"i am in a terrible mood." you muttered, sighing in relief at the first sip of your coffee, melting into a hug from the taller girl who patted your back. "oh kyra! get off." you heard steph groan as you pulled away from the hug seeing your girlfriend latched onto your national teammate.

"call her off! please." steph caught your eye and begged as you sipped on your coffee and walked off without a word, kyra clambering off steph and chasing after you.

"that was frosty, ouch." steph winced as the four girls followed after the pair of you, watching in amusement as your girlfriend tried routinely to grab your free hand or sling an arm over your shoulder as you pushed her off time after time.

you continued to ignore kyra's attempts to charm, flirt and schmooze with you as you entered the locker room. "oo ouch. now what did you do?" caitlin caught on instantly, steering kyra away from hovering after you as you dropped down into your cubby to change shoes.

"didn't get her a coffee and she's extra grumpy today because she didn't sleep and i slept over at charli's." kyra mumbled with a huff, fighting to wrench off caitlins arm which only tightened around her neck.

"oh girlfriend of the year!" caitlin whistled as kyra broke free and jumped onto her back wrapping her arm around the older girls neck now. "get off ya leech!" caitlin groaned trying to shake her off with no real luck as you laced up your boots and grabbed your coffee ready to head off for the team briefing.

but what kyra failed to see as she was clinging on tightly to caitlin was you try to shuffle past, accidentally kicking your coffee right from your hand as it clattered to the floor and kyra dropped away from caitlin who winced and hurried away.

"baby-" kyra started as you held up a hand, silencing her.

"if you think i'm cute when i'm mad i'm about to be gorgeous." you warned calmly, eyes narrowing as you let out a war cry and charged at your girlfriend who sprinted off away from you.

"come here babe i'm gonna kill you!"

[eurovision-del]

So that was the first semi final! No big surprises with the qualifiers, and overall I thought it was a decent show!

Qualifiers:

Croatia: Very glad to see this get through! I worried it might be too off-putting for a lot of televoters – thankfully that wasn’t the case! If anything I felt the performance was slightly tamer than I was expecting – no sheer outfits or rosebuds! But that might also be because I’ve grown used to Let 3 over the past few months. Still, so glad they’ll be in the final!  

Moldova: I was certain this was going to qualify with ease and I’m happy to be right! The performance was brilliant, the most atmospheric show of the night, I loved every part of it.

Switzerland: The only real ‘surprise’ – with nine entries in this semi the fandom seemed in agreement was going through, Switzerland was the one to take the coveted tenth spot! I did have a feeling one of the ballads might qualify, since they do have their audience and there aren’t that many this year, but I was also in denial because I really wanted this spot to go to another country. Ah well, Remo definitely earned it with his vocal performance, and the staging was also eye-catching.

Finland: Never in doubt! I knew pretty much everything about how this performance would go down from following the national final through to all the published rehearsal footage, yet it still managed to exceed my expectations! Käärijä popping out of the crate like that was perfect and I loved the transition to rainbow colours in the second half of the song. Fantastic song, fantastic show, now to see how far it can go on Saturday!!

Czechia: This one had cooled on me a little and I thought it might be borderline, but seeing it performed tonight I was sure it was going through. The performance was very cohesive, and the pink outfits really stood out against everything else in this semi. Not the strongest vocal performance but the overall energy made up for it.

Israel: I wasn’t impressed by her vocal. Noa kept us waiting by avoiding pre-parties, but she sounded fine to me in rehearsal footage so I’m not sure what happened tonight. It didn’t matter though, the spectacle was enough to see her through, even though honestly I could have done without this one making it.

Portugal: I’m so happy for Mimicat! People seemed worried that her staging was too sparse after the rehearsal footage, but she filled the stage tonight, and smashed that high note once again! I thought she was great! (although it was at this point when they were announcing qualifiers I realised I was going to lose my underdog faves)

Sweden: The other entry whose qualification was never in doubt. The only time I noticed the box was small was in the moment right after she first stood up, it looked as stunning as in MelFest for the rest of the performance – and of course that wouldn’t be noticed by a first-time viewer. Loreen knocked it out of the park, she’s deservingly very much in contention for the crown.

Serbia: My third place this year so I’m glad he got through! I did start to question Luke’s chances since he was announced so late, but thankfully he made it! The performance was what I expected, sharp and enticing – it was the exact vibe I was after!

Norway: Announcing her last took all the suspense out of the results honestly – no way she wasn’t going to qualify, the song is too memorable. The staging felt a little empty, as did Alessandra’s outfit actually, although I did like her cape in the first part. Her energy was decent though, and the song strong enough by itself to carry Norway right through to the final.

Non-Qualifiers:

Malta: I loved their show! The concept was the same as in MESC but elevated. The only thing I would have changed is I would have actually liked to see the jumper change onscreen – it was a little odd just seeing the saxophone and drummer and hearing a huge cheer – then the camera pans around and we saw the sparkly jumper. I loved every thing else though, and I’m sad it wasn’t enough. This semi was just too strong.

Latvia: Another huge heartbreak, probably my biggest of the night, though I knew their chances were always slim. The staging and performance was everything I could have asked for, I really hope Sudden Lights feel proud of the show they put on – they should! I’m so sad for Latvia failing to get through again, but I hope they stick to their guns and continue to send alternative and unique acts.

Ireland: A little sad that Ireland still haven’t cracked it yet, but based on the song this result was definitely fair. I vibed with the song more than I ever have this entire season, it was definitely tailor-made to be played in an arena like this and it helped it out having the crowd there, but it’s still not a very strong entry, so personally I’m glad it’s staying here.

Azerbaijan: I actually really enjoyed this one live. The split-screen effects might have been overused, it felt they were throwing everything at it, but the colour scheme was beautiful with the two-tone lights behind them switching colours throughout. In my live reactions I described it as ‘pleasant’ – unfortunately pleasant isn’t enough to qualify.

The Netherlands: Once Switzerland got through I knew this had no hope of making it. I still like it a lot as a song, but I think I prefer it in the studio cut. I didn’t enjoy when Dion sang up the octave – I can’t remember him doing that before, but I don’t think it worked. I really hope that they’re not given too much hassle by the media, they still put on a decent show.

I could have been more confident with my predictions actually – despite all my hopes this semi final went exactly according to the betting odds, which made for a not very exciting set of results, though in the end a reasonably deserved set. With Malta and Latvia both failing to make it, there’s no way Romania and San Marino, my underdog faves in semi 2, will qualify, but hopefully Austria and Australia should sail through, and I’m looking forward to what should be a great show no matter what!!

[zahri-melitor]

New(ish) Comics Day:

Superboy: Man of Tomorrow #4: back on the Clones Are People narrative, which, way to hit Kon over the head with the fact he’s a Real Boy, again. Kon! Sweetie! You ARE enough and also ouch if that hurt as much as a Superboy Prime punch. (Also Clark finally, FINALLY notices Kon’s disappeared off into space)

Also oh no. I’m really glad Kon won the Round Robin, but…DC you have a whole Constantine and Etrigan story sitting there that’s this good? HELLO JASON BLOOD I LOVE YOU. Stop making us vote on these things and just give us the goodies.

The New Champion of Shazam #1-3: this was entirely due to reading the Shazam trade last night. It was helpful in providing more context about who these characters are. Mary! This is a very relatable young adult “I’m going to university…oh wait my dreams have to be put on hold because of family commitments” storytelling. It also is clearly, CLEARLY written by someone who loves the whole Shazam family (Hoppy! The way Hoppy is used is hilarious and I’m glad I had the context to enjoy it). I am hoping that after Mary learns about responsible power and the importance of family she DOES get to go back to Vassar though. She was really enjoying it for the 30 seconds she was there before magic intervened and she had to transfer to the local college with the biology professor who is clearly ignoring ethics requirements in her experiments.

The Flash #790: it’s the first issue of One-Minute War! Look! Everyone’s here! Doing their thing! And oh no, OH NO, I adore this Bart and Ace dynamic and I’m now afraid this is the only place it exists.

Warlord #6: truly, reading this comic is like getting a tour of Mike Grell’s brain. Today, Travis Morgan is no longer in Skartaris! He’s visiting a group of very very white archaeologists (from the US, UK, Sweden and the USSR) at Machu Picchu. The one from the USSR is the only woman (Mariah Romanova) and she has red hair and talks about capitalist tricks and oh look we might have a femme fatale/black widow here.

Mariah and Travis get into a shouting match over the fact Travis is from the US military and he admits he flew a spy plane (to spy on USSR treaty violations! he insists) and Mariah calls him “Capitalist Warmonger” and look do I really need to draw the parallels to Grell’s work with Travis’ identical twin who wears green? It’s funny seeing the bearded one on the other side of this dynamic. (Mariah totally goes off to Skartaris with Trevor). Also there’s a cat demon statue that comes to life.

[skullzwastaken]

HIII TUMBLR!! SORRY FOR THE LONG TIME I NEVER SPOKE :[ I just got these things finally and i wanted to talk about it!! I hope after this ill be able to become more active, i wanna start using tumblr now! :]

Also i wanna show my GDT collection one day, its mostly just Pinocchio but i got this Fake leather Guillermo Sketchbook i draw in from a few months back and recently got the art book for Shape Of Water!! [My favorite live action people movie ive seen him make so far!]

Anyways have this very long story because the only thing i can talk about is myself😭😭

ALSO MY GUILLERMO DEL TOROS PINOCCHIO ART IS ON THE WAY!!

I have really old art ive never shown past the eyes of Discord😭😭😭

I CANT WAIT FOR THESE TO COME!! Ill give an extensive review of these and post it on here! Also another very big reason on why i also got them is to repaint them!! :] they need a repaint so badly😭😭

So the lore...

A very long time ago, at the movies official release like 5 months ago.. a few days after that i went looking for cool stuff because i needed to know if there was any news🥺🥺🥺

And i did! The first line of toys they produced was the Mego Corp GDTPinocchio toy line, which i was very excited to get since i had the money, albeit i wasted all of it before on the books and the pop figures that just came out, then along came the limited edition Pinocchio Maquette replica one month after..

(Also i might get the timeline wrong, i have a problem with remembering and the understanding of time)

[which costed 10 times less than the actual handcarved limited edition WOODEN PUPPET😭😭 Id have to be a millionaire to get THAT ONE! Ill work hard to get that once i start my summer job]

Sooo i decided to save for that instead, pushing away the one thing that i was able to get in favour of the Maquette, each month i kinda got forced to waste alot of my money on things i never wanted to get, so it was a very slow rise, i never got to my goal before they already got sold out, i was 100 dollars away because of the SHIPPING, THE SHIPPING COST 100 DOLLARS TO GET TO SWEDEN, I ACTUALLY ALMOST HAD ENOUTH😭

This gave me a money complex that lasted for about a few months, i used to be a compulsive buyer but i completely shifted because of that, i mean im still very compulsive but now i get so shameful every time i get anything and i avoid the shops like the plague.. because i dont need it!! [Also to get the maquette replica]

Okay thats my story, Ofcourse ill only talk about GDTP and every other single Pinocchio adaption, and Guillermo Del toros every other movie and series, this is why i got tumblr LOL

[and maybe some other things!! I have other interests as well, but not as intense as this one]

GET A SNEAK PEAK OF A FEW OF MY MANY PINOCCHIO

[i like all adaptions lol]

ART PIECES IM MAKING U GOOBERS🥺🥺🥺✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[chloemew]

I never actually posted about my Airport Adventure here did I...

Basically, I was supposed to be going to Sweden to see friends and help out with the TFConnect 2022 Winter TF2 Charity Stream. Only I made the mistake of going with Ryanair, so what should have been a painless “fly directly to Sweden from the UK late on Friday, go back home midday Monday” turned into:

- Sit in airport for 8 hours as the flight gets delayed and delayed and delayed and then cancelled at midnight

- Sit in airport for further 1-2ish hours as we join the crowd of disgruntled passengers flooding the Ryainair help desk to figure out wtf to do

- Have to pay out of pocket for another flight the next day with a different airline because Ryanair didn’t have any flights we could take that would get us there on the right day

- Get put up in an admittedly VERY nice hotel free of charge, but only get to enjoy it for an hour before having to go back to the airport for a 6 am flight

- Have said flight take off late due to having to de-ice the plane, meaning we land in Brussels with 15 minutes to catch the connecting flight, which we of course miss

- Manage to get ANOTHER flight for later on that we don’t have to pay for this time, but that also involves a connecting flight in Frankfurt (also we have to sit in the airport for several more hours on zero sleep and minimal food)

- Catch that plane no problem, power walk probably a full mile with the help of airport travellators to get to the gate for our connecting flight... only for it to turn out the connecting flight is delayed

- Get into Sweden late and miss the last coach into the town where the venue is because for SOME REASON they stop at 6 pm

- Have to sit in the airport for another 5 hours to wait for the midnight coach

We didn’t get in until 2 am and missed the ENTIRETY of the first day of the stream. The second day was fun and just getting to see my friends again was worth it honestly, but the travel woes didn’t stop there, because come Monday:

- Flight back was cancelled! Only available Ryanair flight we could swap to was for Friday!

- Pay out of pocket AGAIN for another flight for tomorrow that might not even run because of all the cold weather chaos going on in the UK caused by a cold snap

- Pay out of pocket to extend the hotel stay another night

- Get into airport fine, get to gate fine, flight is delayed but this one is direct to the UK so ~whatever~

- Get into the UK, have to sit on the plane for like half an hour after landing because the stairs to get off the plane haven’t even arrived yet and neither have the buses to take us into the airport (the pilots were lovely and very apologetic, they admitted the airport was in shambles and it was as frustrating for them as it was for the passengers)

- FINALLY get off the plane and thankfully am able to catch a lift home with my friend’s brother, the journey time of which is still several hours because we had to land in London and we are filthy Northerners

And then to top it all off, I’m like 95% sure that the reason I now have covid is because of that whole fiasco. I should’ve known I would’ve been one out of like, three people tops actually wearing a mask while travelling 🙃