#I travelled 4 hours on pt

[tazzakazza]

worlds laziest colour job

[malereadermaniac]

Barack bunny pt 2 - Male Reader x Pro-hero's as generals (+bonuses)

This was requested by @jojorefrence23 ! Thought it was such a good sequel idea! word count: 4.6k (loooooong) Nsfw / MDNI ~ amab m!reader / FDNI Characters: Enji, Fatgum, Aizawa, Dabi, Shigi, Shinso + Tamaki, Mirio, Shindo Top!Characters x Bottom!Reader

Inevitably, your reputation as your division's barrack bunny had reached other divisions which weren't lucky enough to be blessed by your presence

Most lieutenants had also heard of you, and news of you had travelled to even some generals

Some were more interested than others, surprisingly few were concerned about your more energetic hobbies - especially as you were a man getting it on with other guys in your devision and not a female cadet; their rules weren't exactly updated to ban gay relationships too!

And so, other people began to talk to you, your presence more known than ever before - most of the guys who were already trying to get with you livid at this

General Aizawa (EraserHead)

Even the most reserved of the generals had become interested in you, the man being called 'eraserhead' behind his back due to the blank expression on his face at all times

To be fair, the man has to manage a bunch of knucklehead young men without getting any ass - so when you basically show up on a platter, it's hard for him not to test the waters

Aizawa already had a softspot for you, as you were one of the less rowdy ones in the bunch - always chipper but never annoying, and always happy to help whenever the overworked general needed it

So once the two of you were all alone in his office as you helped him out with whatever he needed, your trusted general decided to get a little more personal with you

Conversation swept you both up and you two ended up talking until late into the night - Aizawa even comfortable enough to talk about his daughter with you; DILF? Smash.

One thing led to another and the man was holding your waist and your cheek with his slender, rough hands as he kissed you - his tongue completely dominating yours

A few moments later, you were bent over his desk, getting fucked like a cheap slut. Aizawa holding both of your arms back only with one of his hands, the other on the small of your back as his cock fills you up

Your General's whole office had been christened with your moans that night - the muscular man standing naked above you as he came on your face with a horny look in his eyes, holding you in his strong arms as he fucks you against all 4 walls of his office

It's easier to just say that you were very tired the next morning at attention

But ever since then, you were even more Aizawa's favourite

The man did everything in his power (which he had quite a bit of) to keep you away from your other escapades - bakugou being one of the many which would cuss out the general behind his back foe this

The fucking didn't stop either

I mean, the man was constantly stressed and sexually frustrated, and you were young and horny as fuck 24/7

Aizawa's favourite thing to do was call you into his office a few hours after training, watching you walk into his office with a smile and pep in your step always made him feel at ease

The sexy general would then gesture towards his crotch with his head and eyes, those sunken, sexy eyes of his

Within the next minuet, you're under Aizawa's desk, his cock slipped out out of his cammo cargoes, half of his veiny, thick dick down your throat and your hand wrapped around whatever you couldn't get in

And while the situation only really pleasured your general, you couldn't help but feel incredibly turned on by the sight above you - Aizawa moaning and grunnting, his long, muscular arms hanging down his sides as his chin is tilted up to show his sexy stubble, his sexy eyes looking down at you with a look than sends shivers down your spine

The man also always sports a black, tight tanktop every time he's in his office - a comfort thing - and fucking hell does he look delicious with his muscles popping out of that top, sweat clearly dampening the material as he pants and moans from your mouth

But don't think the man stops there, Aizawa is more than happy to return the favour after you'd pleasure him so, so nicely - so for another hour or two you're usually stuck in his office; his veiny fingers inside of you as your usually reserved general laps at your twitching cock, you cumming on his face and hair everytime as if on a schedule, the action followed up by a couple rounds of his cock re-arranging your guts

Late Night talking is very common with you two - like with most of your other partners, they feel comfortable around you - you two chat about life and other things, Aizawa feels at home with you

The man knew he was in deep shit when he caught himself fantasising about you meeting Eri back home...

General Taishiro (Fatgum)

Easily the most popular and well liked general in your entire unit - earning a nickname from the troops to show how friendly he was with you guys

Fatgum - as the blonde, muscular man was still somehow in shape despite eating like he'd been starved for days at every single meal time

Taishiro is a very attractive man, and so he was very used to women and men pouncing on him and offering themselves to him whenever they built up the courage - and that's exactly what he expected you to do

You may as well be walking around with a scarlet letter on you, because litterally everyone you talked to knew about how you get down and dirty - so of fucking course your favourite general had to know too!

However, when you didn't pounce on General Taishiro, and instead barely gave him a second look, that's when the man became interested - predicable really

All of the troops in your unit loved this man, and you did too, and that's exactly why you barely gave your general a second look

You didn't want to ruin your friendship with him or his view of you, or even his relationship with your fellow troops (some of whom would threaten to fight the man)

But your views on the matter definitely changed one night, when Taishiro 'accidentally' bumped into you

It was just after training, you had just showered after having a little fun with Kirishima and weren't looking when you turned the corner to leave the shower room

That's when your face smashed into not a hard, cold wall, but instead the warm, soft, bare chest of your general

You apologised but the general took the opportunity to strike up conversation - knowing very well that he was fully nude except for a very small towel around his hips, his muscular body on full display

But the blonde actually couldn't believe it when your eyes didn't stray from his even once the whole conversation - he couldn't say the same about his, your nude body looked like it was made for him

The man even thought he'd heard wrong, that you weren't the barrack bunny everyone claimed you were

However the hickeys covering your neck and the lovebites on your shoulders and nipples blew that thought away

It took you by surprise when Taishiro's attitude slightly changed, his tone more dominant - but what the general actually said was what caught you by surprise

"Come take a shower with me"

No question mark at the end or anything, it was more like an order

The next thing led to another and the two of you were passionately making out in a shower stall, your general much taller than you as he held his huge, manly hand around your waist and gently caressing your cheek with his thumb

Taishiro was literally taking your breath away, all that could be heard in the shower room was a small stream of water from the shower and you sexy, breathy pants as the general you viewed as a friendly guy was holding you up in his massive arms with ease and eating you out in his arms!

Fuck the man knew what to do to turn you on!

The poor water bill that night must of been through the roof because you and your sexy, manly general didn't stop fucking until the sun came up - amd for most of the night he held you up in his arms! Strong ass man I tell you!

His loads filled you up to brim after just a 3 rounds - those rounds having lasted an hour each!!!

So to call it a night, Taishiro decided to gently finger his thick cum out of you- making you cum in the process and giving the blonde general an incredible image to think about whenever he has some alone time...

'Wait... why was General Taishiro showering in the common showers when he has his own??'

Your relationship didn't stop there either! Your friendly general joining the group of men that were wrapped around your finger

But man were the others livid, because the blonde made sure everyone knew he was now also up in your guts at least twice a week by making sure to sit next to you every meal time

The blonde would eat his food with the generals even quicker than normal, pop some gum in and come and wiggle hid way right next to you, his muscular arms dropped around you as he gives smug looks to the other troops

His office had become the usual place for you two as well - the snacks in his mini-fridge coming in handy when you're exhausted and hungry from fucking like animals

His favourite thing to do is to eat you out on his desk, his long, warm tongue doing things to you you'd never experienced - his favourite part being you grabbing his sexy blonde hair once you get oh so close to cumming

But Taishiro wasn't opposed to 'quietly' (loud as fuck) have sex in your bed with the others

You really woke up a smug part of him, one that wants to show you off, show off how only his big, veiny, uncut cock makes you moan like a bitch in heat

General Todoroki (Enji)

The highest ranking general which all of the troops barely ever saw - even his sons rarely saw him unless they were reporting their weekly tasks

Strict and no-bullshit is how most people described General Todoroki - and definitely unopposed to nepotism; his sons were both in higher ranks just cause!

But another way his underlings would describe him is sexually frustrated

The man was divorced and hadn't gotten a piece of ANYTHING in at least a year - so when your activities were reported to him by a worried little troop, his ears perked up

You were scared shitless the whole day after being called to his office for 8pm - but your guys and even Shoto assured you it was going to be nothing bad

But your heart certainly sank when you walked into that office and saw the chief general sitting in his chair with his huge arms crossed across his beefy chest and a look on his face that could only be described as a scowl

When General Enji started with "I've heard of you and your... relations" my god were you actually shaking

But you didn't expect him to cut you a deal

"I won't pass the concern on... as long as you can please me well enough"

And the rest was history

As you'd expect, after having earth-shattering sex on both behalf - Enji becoming addicted to your tight body and sexy features after being celibate for so long - you two continued having 'meetings' every few weeks whenever the chief called you to his office

And the man is just as anyone would think he is in bed - a fucking sadistic dom!

Enji loved having you service him below his desk, chocking on his thick cock and trying to stifle your sounds, gripping his thick, muscular thighs when someone walks into his office to talk about something

If you even make a sound which Enji has to make an excuse for, as soon whoever was bothering Enji leaves, you get pulled up into the huge General's lap and get spanked so, so much

The sadist makes you count his slaps out loud, his massive, rough hands leaving bright red marks on your ass to adorn his love bites from previously eating you out

Enji likes to see you cry - not in a horrible way, but either due to your gag reflex, his spanking, or from the sheer amount of pleasure you were being subjected to

Unlike the other guys who have fallen for you, Enji doesn't get jealous of the others - the General knows that he's at the top of the hierarchy and that you are pretty much at his beck and call, the others don't have that power over you

Oh and the man really eats up the whole power synamic - practically ripping his cargoes at the seam with his boner whenever you calm him 'sir'or 'general'

If there's one thing the man doesn't like, it's that his sons are getting a piece of you too - he feels a little weird about it, but he mainly feels a carnal need to posses you in that respect; if he sees Shoto talking to you woth that lovestruck look in his eyes, expect a 'meeting' later that day

Oh and another thing General Enji fucking loves is after he cums inside of you; you on his lap lazily leaning against his desk, regaining your composure, his huge dick still stretching you as his cum leaks from your hole, and my god your much smaller, fucking spent cock, semi-flaccid just resting on your stomach.... it makes the man want another round instantly

Lieutenant Shigiraki (Defo OOC)

Another kinda reserved guy in your course - but once you break down his walls, Shigi is really just a sweet guy

The two of you became quite friendly after you managed to get him to talk - and you kinda gathered that he's never really had any friends (other than Lieutenant Todoroki)

And you can tell this because after only a few conversations with the Lieutenant, he was oversharing so, so much about his life

How he's never really had friends, how he's never even kissed anyone because he's insecure about his dry skin and because he thinks he's ugly

And when you comfort him and assure him that he's quite attractive, you realised that Shigi hasn't ever even experienced a compliment before - HOW SAD WAS THID GUYS LIFE??

And again, you could tell this because the man got a VERY obvious boner when you complimented him.....

It became very obvious that Shigiraki had developed a crush on you very quickly, the man looking for you every second of the day and spending time around you - not even talking! Just hanging

And my lord when he found out from Dabi about your reputation. Shigiraki literally went full on emo, he got mad at you whenever you tried to talk to you and all!

It was only when you waited for him outside of his room that he HAD to talk to you

And even then, he didn't talk! He listened to your demands of asking what was wrong, but halfway through, your words were falling on dead ears as he became captivated by your looks - your body looking incredible in your unit's pyjamas

Shigiraki then cutting you off after not being able to deal with his achingly hard cock anymore, his rough yet warm hands grabbing your face and his lips crashing against yours

For an inexperienced guy, Shigiraki was a fucking good kisser

The cliche struggling to open the door and get inside the room while stripping occurred as the two of you didn't break the kiss - and again, for a fucking virgin Shigiraki was incredible

People had been missing out! The man was well endowed with a horse cock on him! Long but not too thick as to break you, veiny and white with a cute pink, uncut tip - guessing he'd learnt how to expertly use it and his hands for a matter of fact from all the porn he told you he watches (romantic gay porn mind you)

Guess Internet access after 9pm was a bonus from being a lieutenant

Anyways, after your first sexual affair with the stereotypical 'I like my white boys malnourished' lieutenant, the two of you continued what you had going on

Shigiraki fucking loved the way you looked in any of the provided uniform - the pyjamas, the cargoes, the tank tops; all of it just made you look so hot to him

Also, for a lieutenant, the man surely liked to be dominated a little (guess that's why he's in the army!)

Shigiraki fucking loved it when you held his hands above his head and rode him to high-heaven, moving down to kiss him and his neck as you listen to his slutty moans

His hands just felt right around your hips, their dry exterior a nice contrast to your sweaty and hot skin

And my god does this masochist fucking LOVE IT when you tug so harshly on his hair when he's fucking tou missonary and you're about to cum hard - the man spending at least an hour a day looking at the sexy scratch marks adorning his surprisingly muscular back

Like everyone else smitten with you, Shigi also fucking hated that any other man was blessed with your touch and your taste or even just your pressance and breath - but Shigiraki was like actually going crazy over it, visibly jealous and possessive over you whenever another guys tried to talk to you when he was with you

Many guys have talked about it and even put the fact that their all fucking you aside to try and deal with the way Shigi was behaving - 6 of them having a 'chat' with him, which you had to deal with the consequences of and scold them all

But you can't get mad at your lieutenants possessiveness, he's just too cute and smitten for you!

Lieutenant Todoroki (Dabi)

By far one of the sexiest men in your unit, a man who came to the army straight after college and never left - his literal battle scars as proof of that

Dabi was one of the first few that you had caught the eye of - and since his literal father was in charge, he'd had quite a few partners in his time in the army, so the rugged man decided to try his luck with you

And boy oh boy! Did he manage to rizz you the fuck up! The taller man having you up against a wall within seconds of chatting with you, his knee rubbing your crotch gently doing 'the thing'

Basically, you were making out with one of your lieutenant only a week or two into your service - the muscular, dominant man roaming his hands all over your body in order to feel you and get to know you even better

Dabi was instantly addicted to your taste, your warmth, the sounds you would make as he hugs your waist and kisses you deeper turning the man on even more

And wow, history was made when the two of you managed to break off of each other enough to get to Dabi's private room

That man fucked you to heaven and back TWICE - you're pretty sure your whole unit somehow heard you from across the dorms!

And ever since then, the two of you have kept each other entertained when in need of it - you visit Dabi's room very frequently

The lieutenant just can't get enough of you, he's fucked so many people before but the way your tight ass just sucks his veiny cock in gets him going!

Dabi's also very confident in his relationship with you (whatever that relationship may be) cause he doesn't not give a fuck if other guys try to assert their dominance around you and him, Dabi just chuckles when other guys flirt or talk to you cause he knows that you and him are like a puzzle - the way his hips lock against the smooth of your ass in Doggy, the was his dick fills you up just right, the way his rough, scarred hands spank you and grip your skin; all of him just fits with all of you.

The thing that gets under Dabi's skin is that his younger brother gets to see and feel you in the way he does - he teases Todoroki endlessly about how much better of a time you have with Dabi rather than with him, or that he's sorry to his little bro but you're just insatiable around Dabi!

You inly intervene when you see it happen (but you can't really complain, it gets Todoroki really fired up the next time you two fuck)

Dabi's biggest thing is showing off his power/status by doing shit with you in front of other troops - it just turns the lieutenant on so, so much to know: a) how embarrassed yet very turned on you're getting and, b) how the others can't really say or do much about it unless they want to get written up by Dabi! They're just sentenced to the punishment of watching your body get fondled, your neck kissed and your dick and ass played with right in front of them

Fingering you is another huge thing for Dabi - 69-ing is literally his favourite foreplay with you because he gets to feel your wet, warm, tight throat around his big dick and to also see your tight hole clench around his fingers as he laps at it from time to time~

Dabi is surprisingly good at aftercare too! If you'd ask him if he was your boyfriend, he'd laugh in your face - but Dabi takes care of you and keeps you close as if you're a married couple!

The man likes to hold you close, the two of you bare-chested in some oversized sweats just breathing in each other's scents in a comfortable silence - a few sweet nothings being whispered from time to time

Shinso Hitoshi

This poor man joined the army as an escape - a place where he could make some friends and chill, a daily routine but with no life struggles

That was until he got roped into your whirlwind of a life!

It wasn't your fault that it happened, Shinso was to blame for letting himself into temptation and kissing you after months of sexual and romantic tension building up within your friendship

The two of you were close, Shinso a little more closed off, but happy to listen to your hyperactive rambling - but once the sunken eyed man kissed you one night, shit really changed

Shinso wasn't a virgin, but he'd never had actually good sex, so his mind was fucking blown when he came within minuets - feeling like an orgasm from his hand x10!

After you two fucked, Shinso was on you like a bee to a flower, literally inseparable

The man was either always touching you or near you and whenever the two of you could get it on, he would make SURE that you did

And because you were Shinso's first real partner, the man did start to confuse sex for romance - but he of course knew of your free-spirited nature and never ask you out...

The sex was great though, and he would stay haply with that, hearing your sexy moans in his ear along with his name in your whiny voice was enough for now

You had to show Shinso quite a few things, like how to finger you and how to pump his hips just right to make you weak, he was so cute, playing attention for how to make you feel amazing

And holy shit was this man's mind BLOWN when you sucked him off - his dick n balls hanging out of his unzipped camo cargoes, his muscles sweating against his white tank top just moaning as he looked down on you slobbering on his dick

He's also pretty good around others, well at least he seems to be

Shinso is too reserved to try to be possessive over you around other guys, but man, does he freak out on the inside!

Shinso will be internally screaming and thinking of beating whoever is touching you so sexually tf up! But he'd feel too embarrassed to ever mention it to you! Settling on covering you in more of his lovebites than usual...

Shinso is another man who just looks fucking stunning in army uniform, he used to work out a lot as he wouldn't hang out with people that much - and it fucking shows!

His muscular arms and fucking TONED abs look so good in his white tank, his stature just oozing SEX

And those combat boots.... Once Shinso starts to get more comfortable when having sex with you - he uses them boots real good.

His arms crossed against his chest ad he sits on a chair in an empty room, you on your knees below him as he rubs your dick harshly with his boots, cooing at you as a wet stain forms on your crotch from your pre~

Short bonuses!:

Tamaki Amajiki

Another super shy and reclusive guy, he only really joined the army for Mirio but meeting you was an added bonus!

You two don't fuck as much as Tamaki insist on hanging out - his face always dusted with a faint blush whenever he's around you

But when you two fuck, my god is it incredible - the man is shockingly good with his hands but he gets tired after only one round! But you can't complain, he's just so cute, snuggling into your naked body

And good lord, the way that his uniform is so oversized on him... it just makes you want to mentally undress him every time you see him

Mirio Togata

Another man who was built for the army - holy fuck does Mirio look so GOOD in an army uniform

The man works out constantly, his body like that of a god - his back and arms fucking huge, his abs like a washing board and his thighs deliciously suffocating (the uniform just extenuating his sexy features)

The two of you started fucking as a way to release stress, offering your help to a stressed looking Mirio led to your throat being stuffed with his cock and your nose with his pubes - and then later on your poor back arching to its limits as he wraps his huge hands around your waist and pushes you down to his bed as he drills his huge cock inside of you

Yes the man is a gentle giant when you two aren't shagging, but call an ambulance for yourself when you are - this man likes to rough you tf up

Yo Shindo

This man joined the army to try and feel powerful - he's so clearly insecure, so he tries to be the tough guy in your troop, always working out and always a dick to everyone

The two of you had your first encounter in the communal showers, the man had you on your knees real quick, his cum covering your face, your tongue cleaning his dick off

Shindo also really likes to flex while fucking your throat or ass, showing off his buldging muscles and hairy pits in his army tanktop feeds his ego and turns you on...

[wosofutbolfan]

If You Need Me, Call Me

Alexia Putellas x Explorer!R Pt.2 in the 'I Would Climb Every Mountain With You' Universe.

Hi Guys, Thank you for all the love on the first part in this series. This is part 2 that I didn't expect to write. I have an inability to not write angst. TW: Claustrophobia. Injury. Events are not based on any real life events. Part two of I Would Climb Every Mountain With You. I would recommend you read that first, for some context. But you can do what you want really ;-)

You and Alexia had been together, happily, for a year. And it was happily. Though. ‘Together’ is probably being quite liberal with the word. And. You suppose. ‘Happily’ is also being quite liberal with the word. You loved Alexia. 

And Alexia loved you. 

That was clear to both of you. You admitted it early, before she’d even left UK soil after she’d come back with you from your first meeting. She’d rolled her eyes at you and the nerves on your face as you lay in bed together in your pokey Cumbrian flat, and kissed the words from your lips; ‘well duh, of course you do. And I love you.’ which made you laugh and fall into her lips again. But it wasn’t even 12 hours later that you’d had to separate with her season starting again and her need to be in Spain. Her teammates had teased her relentlessly on her return. How she’d U-Hauled with the Jefa de montaña and ran away to the rainey island she so famously disliked just to spend another day together. She'd rolled her eyes and slapped the back of a few heads but it was true. That is what she had done. She’d been overjoyed when she spotted you in the crowd on the first home game of the season. You’d made the surprise trip to Barcelona at the last minute, employing Ingrid to get a ticket in the friends and family section for you. The smile on the Captain's face as she spotted you could be seen from space. You had winked at her and proudly gestured to your brand new Barcelona jersey, Alexias number proudly splayed across your back. As the game ended, with a convincing win for the home team, she’d made a beeline for you in the stands. Jumping over the barrier and embracing you like you hadn’t seen each other for months (oh how used to that feeling you would become), rather than a couple of weeks. “I thought that you preferred rugby?” she had teased you. “Ah, I do, but no one told me how hot the captain in blue and red was” you’d replied, with a wink. Enjoying the blush you’d created on her face, before it was your turn to blush as Alexias eyes darted to your right and greeted, “Mami! Hola!” and embraced a small women in a shirt matching yours who was definitely standing within hearing distance. Just over her shoulder a carbon-copy of Alexia was lurking, a childlike grin on her face and twinkle in her eyes. “Ah, and this is mi hermana Alba!” she had introduced you. ‘Well, nothing like diving in headfirst’ you thought to yourself, as you were introduced to your apparently-new girlfriend's family, as that's what you had just been introduced as, with a squeeze of your hand and a kiss to the side of your head. The Putellas family embraced you with all the enthusiasm in the world. Alba kept you entertained and asked you a million and one questions as you waited for Alexia to be finished with her media and captain duties. Before you knew it you were at an impromptu meet-the-new-english-girlfriend party at the Putellas residence, sharing food with seemingly everyone who had ever been related to Alexia as well as their next door neighbours. Sharing wine, food, and lots of baby Alexia pictures. So yes. You had both moved fast. Maybe it was the speed which you were going that would soon become your downfall. You were moving a million miles an hour and the warning signs were a blur that you couldn’t quite make out. Of those first 6 months, you were on an exhibition for 4. You had travelled to Patagonia to climb some of the last unclaimed peaks on the planet with the National Geographic Society. They were unreachable by road or even yak. You had to sail to the bottom of South America and then move your way up on foot.  It was arduous, it was treacherous, but you found satisfaction and joy in the difficulty.

You become the first person and only woman to ever summit Orjos del Salado and, as you snapped a picture at the top, all you thought was how excited you were to share your achievement with Alexia. As you’d called her a week later from a dive-bar in a shanty town in central Argentina you could hear the pride and relief in her voice, even through the terrible connection. It was the first time you had been able to contact her in a month.

But you’d gone straight from there to leading some American businessmen through the Amazon on a 3 week river and hiking exploration. It paid handsomely, you’d explained to the disappointed blonde, you couldn’t turn it down.

You returned to Barcelona in time to spend a week together before Alexia left for a two week international camp.  Which was then followed by a week long trip for her to Norway, as part of their group stage champions league campaign.

You’d joined her there, soaking as much time together as possible between her matches and training sessions. Maybe it was then that the cracks had begun to show. As you had woken early to pick her up from her hotel to go for an early morning walk and grab some coffee before her media duties. You had been walking hand in hand in the early morning sunshine. You had been half-way through a story from the day before, where you and Ingrid's mum had gone together to a lake outside of Oslo, when you felt her drop your hand suddenly and took a half step away from you. “Huh?” you looked at her and a look you hadn’t seen before took over her features, “What’s going on Ale?”. “Trust me” was all she’d replied, and then it had become apparent her problem as a swarm of fans suddenly engulfed her, asking for selfies and autographs, which she gave out, graciously. She skillfully extracted herself from the situation before you both continued on your way, but now, you noticed, you were at least a foot further apart and a weird atmosphere had taken over you both. It had been when you were both safely in the cafe that you’d addressed it, “are you ashamed of me?” you asked, unable to mask the hurt in your voice. Hands safely wrapped around your Tea. “No!” she’d replied, aghast, as she pulled your hands from your mug into her own. “mírame cariño” you did, and saw the heartbreaking look in her eyes. “I would never be ashamed of you. Do not think that for one moment.” she said it with such conviction that you couldn’t help but nod. “I am sorry, but it is easier. For you. The media. They will pry into your life. It’s happened before with… partners and… I don’t want that for you. For your family. I love you.” “I won’t hide Ale.” you replied. Firmly. You were a free spirit. It was not in your nature to hide yourself, any part of yourself, for anything or anyone. The thought of it made you claustrophobic. “I know you won’t.” she huffed out a laugh, “I do not want us to hide. I promise. But, maybe, if we do not make their job easy for them? Can we do that?”. The look of desperation on her face broke your heart. “Bueno Ale. Para ti. Yo también te amo.” You’d gone your separate ways from there, you had explorations to complete, she was busy with the team. She’d managed to visit England for a few days when her UCWL matches lined up, and you started to return to Barcelona, rather than Cumbria, as a home base between trips. And that's how it had gone for some time. Your birthday had passed, you’d spent it together in Barcelona, Ale having stolen your trusty-old boots and had them professionally repaired and re-waxed. As she presented them to you, on her balcony with a cute bow on top, your heart expanded in joy. She got you. She knew you didn’t want new-top of the range boots that she definitely could afford. This actually was harder, she’d had to research the dying-art of cobblers in the area. She had to sneak them out of your duffell bag, she must have distracted you every time you went for them as your go-to walking shoes in the week. With all her money and fame. She understood that wasn’t you. You loved what you had. And she got that. As you had turned the boots in your hands, taking in all of the familiarity in all their glory and feeling the waxy leather beneath your fingers she couldn’t read your face. “I hope you don’t mind” she’d taken them gently from your hands and she pulled back the tongue, which showed a piece of jersey sewn into the backing-fabric. Blue and red, with a white AP11 embroidered into it. “It's from my first champions league shirt. I cut a swatch off, and had them sew it in…” she whispered. The moment had been heavy. “I know we don’t get to spend time together like most couples, but this way, I’ll always be with you.” Your throat had burned with the effort to keep your tears at bay, you were unsuccessful when you felt her warm hand cup your face and wipe a tear away,

“I’m sorry, It’s probably way too intrusive and I shouldn’t have taken your stuff, I can ta…” You’d silenced her with a kiss. Intense and hungry. “This is the most thoughtful gift I have ever had. I love you Ale. I love you so much.”  “Good.”... you both take a moment to look into each other's eyes, then you feel a movement as she reaches into her pocket and presents proudly what she’s pulled out, eyes shining with mirth “Then maybe you will consider these laces too, no?” and you burst out laughing whilst you take in the Blaugrana coloured hiking laces. You’ve not got it in you to not agree. But love sometimes isn’t enough. Time passed. You continued your work and she continued hers. Valentines days spent on opposite sides of the globe. You weren’t there when she won the Champions League, instead spending it watching it in a bar in Jordan. She wasn’t there as you returned from reaching an undiscovered island as part of a research crew in the South Pacific, instead being in Munich to film a new Nike ad. When you were together you couldn’t walk the streets of Barcelona hand in hand. You’d kept your promise and she kept hers. You weren’t hidden, but you weren’t showcasing your relationship. When she came to England you had more freedom, the people of Cumbia didn’t know who the Spanish superstar was, they just knew her as your girlfriend. Your fit girlfriend according to the teenage boy who lived next door to your mum. You made it work though, between you. You would send her snaps every time you saw children playing football. Pictures from south pacific islands to the mountain villages of the Himalayas, and every time you would receive the same response; “See, el deporte del mundo, I told you <3” It was a perfect storm. What happened. You’d spent a month in Barcelona, more time that you had been able to spend together in the year you’d been a couple. You’d fallen into a domesticity that you hadn’t experienced before. 

Alexia would train, you would have dinner ready for her. She would wake you up with a cup of Tea from her new kettle she's bought especially for you. You would plan routes and give advice to your online contacts about expeditions they had planned. You would sleep wrapped in each other's arms, Alexia would even let you be the big spoon, very occasionally. 

It felt perfect.  Until one, simple comment.

“Ay, look at you, wifey!” Mapi had exclaimed from her place at the table as you brought in the dinner you had prepared for the group,  you had invited her and Ingrid for a couples night, “who would have thought, “La jefa de la montaña. Tamed!” “Shut up Maria.” Ingrid nudged her girlfriend, with a kind smile she turned to you, “This looks delicious! Thank you” As the group tucked in though, you were distracted. Suddenly, the weight of Alexia's hand on your thigh felt heavy. The walls, too constricting. For you, the heat of Barcelona started to become oppressive. Too predictable. You missed England, you missed not knowing what the weather would be hour by hour. The contact blue skies felt like a false--happiness was being forced on you. The ground at your feet, sun dried, felt harsh compared to the muddy grass you had grown up stomping on. Soft, flexible. The routine started to bore you. You missed the weight of your backpack and the freedom of slinging up your hammock. Alexia hadn’t missed the way you had clammed up, the tenseness in your posture, the way your laugh did not reach your eyes for the rest of that evening. For the weeks following she felt like keeping you was like trying to catch smoke. Like trying to hold sand in her bare hands. She could feel you escape through her fingers for the next few weeks.

Which is why she wasn’t surprised when she returned from an away trip to Mallorca to see you on the couch. Hands nervously twisting and unable to meet her eye.

“You’re going again, aren't you?” she asked, as she dropped her bag at the door and settled next to you, taking your hands in hers. You nodded.

“I’m sorry Ale. It's just. It's not me.” you’d explained then, how you had been feeling. And she listened. Even though she knew. Of course she already knew.

“It’s okay, carino.” you’d assured you. You’d look up then, “it is?”

“Si, Mi Vida. I would never ask you to change. And only you would be bored of the life of a professional footballer, and you must be the only English person to ever complain about the weather in Barcelona” she’d lightened the mood with her joke, and rolled her eyes good naturedly.

“Where are you going this time?” she’d continued, and she should have known from your pause that this wasn’t the usual goodbye.

“Everest.”

“Everest.”  She’d reperated. Joy in her voice, she knew it was your life’s ambition to climb the world's highest summit. “...and Denali, and Elbrus...” you had continued to name the 7 highest summits on each continent that you would spend the next 18 months climbing, without oxygen, as part of an international exploration. Silence filled the apartment. “I….” “No.” “No?” you asked, shock in your voice. “No, what?” “No, you can’t do that. It's too dangerous.” “But Ale…” “No. No ‘but Ale’. I get it. I have been your partner now for long enough. I understand. But this is too much. No oxygen, so many climbs… there is too much danger. No.” her tone firm. Final. Her Captain's voice. And that had made the walls feel like they were closing in for you. And you responded like a wild animal, backed into a corner, defensive. “I wasn’t asking.” She let out a frustrated groan, hands covering her face. “Carino, please no. Listen to me. Being with you…” a huff again… “it is hard.” “Oh well, I am sorry Alexia, if being with me is such a chore…” you started. “No, stop, you are not letting me speak…” but you had started at that point. “You are not the one who is hidden away, you aren’t one who has had to move countries, to miss her family, your life hasn’t changed! You’ve given up nothing for this relationship.” you hiss out at her, hardly recognising your own voice. You're speaking just to hurt her. To make this easier for both of you. And that final sentence, seems to be what breaks the usually cool and calm exterior of your girlfriend and she stands and points her finger at you. “Nothing! ¡nada! ¿Cómo te atreves?” she spits out at you, the anger in her tone surprises you, you have never heard her speak like this, “I have sat here and waited. For months I have waited. For anything from you. Being with you is not like a long-distance relationship. You go, for months at a time, you go. And you expect me to sit here and wait. And I do. You do not text, you do not call. I understand that you cannot but do not say I have made no sacrifice for this relationship. When you got lost in the Gobi desert for weeks, what do you think I was doing? Sitting here! Jumping out of my skin every time the phone rang in case it was your Mami telling me you had been found dead. I did not play in The Copa De La Reinga final because I was so sick with worry. He hecho sacrificio. mi equipo, mi familia ha hecho sacrificio and I will not let you disrespect me or them and let you say otherwise.” 

Alexia doesn’t lose any of her anger in her tirade. And the silence that settles over the apartment is heavy. She seems to have surprised herself, as her eyes go wide and she opens her mouth again… but you interrupt her. “No Ale. Do not apologise.” you hold your hand up. “I didn’t think. I'm sorry. You are right. I am not good for you.” This is why you didn’t do relationships. You were a bad partner. You needed to be free, outside, exploring. You lived for adventure. It wasn’t fair.

“No! No Carino, that is not what I said!” tears are in her eyes now, and you knew this would be hard, but you didn’t know it would be this hard. “I love you...” “I love you too,” she quickly replies. Neither of you had even been shy with your affirmations to each other. “I love you so much Ale. But I have to go and do this. I have too. It is who I am. It is my dream. It.. It is my world cup.” She huffs out a laugh as she gently nudges herself into your arms, your attempt at speaking in a way she would understand humouring her. “I know.” she replies, sadly, “but I cannot go through that for 18 months mi amor. I cannot.” “And I won’t ask you to, love.” You move a strand of hair from her face as you kiss her lips, gently, there's a finality in it, you open your mouth again but she cuts in. “I can’t say anything that will stop you, can i?” she asks, as you shake your head, sadly. “When do you leave?” You cringe as you confirm her worst thoughts, “tomorrow.” She takes a deep breath and presses her face into your neck. “Can we do one thing before you go?” she asks you. 

Anything. You would give this woman in your arms anything she asked for at that moment. Apart from stay. And that's how you found yourself swinging on your old lightweight hammock. 

Strung up securely in the Putellas back yard. As you lay on your (ex?) girlfriend's chest, as you both looked up at the stars. You chatted into the night, you laughed and you cried. You fumbled under the blankets like horny teenagers. She asked you to promise to contact when you could. And you asked her to not worry, to concentrate on the Olympics and move on from you. You kept it to yourself that there was no way you were moving on from her.  You didn't know she was keeping the same thing to herself as she promised you she would try.

It was the weirdest break up anyone had ever had.

And, 17 months later, as you lay, trapped, entombed in your own coffin of ice,  you were sure that you could still feel the sway of that hammock, feel the heat of that Barcelona evening and hear the cicadas chirping. As the ice pressed all around you, all you could dream of was being back in that back yard in Barcelona, in the arms of Alexia.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Denali. Done. Vinson. Done.

Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Puncak Jaya . Done, Done, Done and Done. You’d faced the heat of Africa, the remoteness of Antarctica, the desolation of Russia. And here you were, finally, on your final summit. Everest. It was somewhat of a dichotomy between the mountaineering community. Everest had become a commercial hub. Have-a-go mountaineers paying big bucks to get a free ride to the highest mountain in the world. But to you, it had always been sacred. You had imagined it, as you climbed hills in the English lakes as a teenager, of one day scaling the iconic mountain. So, why? As you stood on the highest point of earth. After 3 months of acclimatisation. Were you thinking of your ex-girlfriend? Who were you kidding? You knew why. 

Alexia hadn’t been far from your thoughts on any of your summits. Her face popping into your mind at each peak. As you pocketed some rock as had become your tradition you would imagine her face as your hand touched the earth. The same earth she was on, thousands of miles away, probably in lush, manicured grass, kicking a ball around and entertaining thousands. Your group had become your family, and you had grown as close as one. Arguing when tensions got high but snuggling together to share warmth when in survival mode. Joking in bars across the globe and playing so many games of gin rummy that you sure a record had been broken. They teased you relentlessly for the old boots with silly laces you wore on the lower reaches of each summit, before you reached heights that you all had to wear mountaineering boots. Alexia, unknowingly, with you every step of the way. They had even made a game in each country you entered, to help you pick the rudest or funniest postcard to send to Barcelona, snippets of your time you sent to Alexia, keeping the promise you made over a year ago. You could have rang, you know you could. But you didn’t know if you heard her voice you wouldn’t high-tail it to Barcelona. So you sent postcards. It felt old-fashioned. It felt romantic. And you think that really, you liked that she couldn’t reply. It felt anonymous. You took off your snow goggles as you stood at the peak. You had 3 minutes on the highest point on earth without your goggles before you would become snow blind. The sun being about 60% stronger at this elevation. You could see the curvature of the earth.  It reminded you of the curvature of Alexia's shoulders as you held her from behind.

You took in a deep breath of thin air.

Your lung capacity feels like it has doubled since you left Europe.

You have done it. Without oxygen. 7 summits. Your life goal. Complete.

And now. You wanted to go home. 

“Congratulations English Sherpa! You have done it!” Arjan, clamps a heavily gloved hand on your shoulder, his wide smile visible even beneath his snood. Ice hanging from his moustache. He had to shout for you to hear him over the wind. He was a sherpa, he had travelled all around the world with you being one of the experts in the group, he’d affectionately nicknamed you the English Sherpa after he had seen your climbing prowess on your first summit. “We have done nothing yet, my friend. You know you’ve only climbed Everest once you get back down safely” you reply, glee in your voice, fixing your goggles back to your face. “Spoken like a true Sherpa.” he replied, and you both embraced at the top of the world. You didn’t hang around for long. Your entire expedition made it to the top of your final summit and you quickly pictured the moment before making your way down. The biggest risk on Everest is getting stuck in a crowd. It is not as technically difficult as other summits you have done. But without oxygen, a minute can feel like an hour on the highest point on earth. You heard once, it is easier to be saved from the surface of the moon than it is to be saved from the surface of Everest. Luck, however, seemed to be on your side. You had made good progress up, and were making even better progress down. With each step you became more and more gleeful, past 8,000 metres you started to finally feel safer. 7,000 metres, you let the excitement of your achievement settle into your bones. 6,000 metres you let your mind wander to finally going home but why was home seeming more like a sundrenched balcony in Barcelona rather than a green field of England? 5,000 metres, you promised yourself that you would use the satellite phone in your pocket to ring Alexia once you got back to base camp. Tell her you’d done it. Maybe even beg her forgiveness. You were alone on the mountain, ahead of most of your group and low enough now to be unattached to any guidelines, it was a usual affair.  Until it wasn’t.

You felt the ground rumble beneath you. It was barely noticeable. It felt more like the feeling you get when you’re lying in bed and a large truck drives past your house.

But it was enough to instil fear in you as you looked up and saw a wall of moving snow hurtling towards you. It was a slab avalanche, probably caused by the movement of the climbers above, and paired with the lateness of the day, the snow that had fallen and compacted overnight had melted enough to loosen into a wall of ice that was directed your way.

You had about 30 seconds.

You knew to go sideways, do not outrun an avalanche. It's like trying to outrun a cheetah. But this wall of ice looked wide, you ran to your side, moving slowly in the deep snow. As you ran you pulled your goggles back onto your face.

You could feel the earth beneath you falling away as the snow you trod on was unearthed by the vibrations of the snow above.

You ran. You ran for your life, but you knew this wasn’t good. Your training kicked in.

You saw a boulder in front of you and you threw yourself behind it, you created a ball with your body, making sure that you created a hole around your face you would be able to use to breathe. You pulled your ice pole from your back and stuck it into the ground next to you, that would help when you were covered by snow and you didn't know which way was up. Which way you would need to dig. You put one hand in your pocket and pulled the satellite phone in front of your face.

A thunderous rumble. 

And then. 

Silence. Darkness.  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexia didn’t have her phone on at half time. She never paid it any attention - playing or not she was too focussed on the game.

Today, though, she didn’t know why. But she did.

She felt her phone vibrate in the bag at her feet.

And something compelled her to actually make the effort to dig into her bag and pull it out.

The number looked weird. Not a Spanish number, or an English one, she had gotten used to all the +44’s that had rang her over the year spent with you.

She stepped out of the unfamiliar changing room into the impressive corridors of Old Trafford. A post-season friendly. Barcelona Vs Manchester United. The game didn’t mean anything but it was always exciting to check another famous stadium off the list. A sold out crowd and an evening game. Can’t get much better.

She found a disused office room and managed to press accept on the call.

“Hola?”

At first she thought she’d missed it. Nothing on the line responded to her, as she pulled the phone away to check she saw the call had connected… ‘Scammers’ she cursed in her mind, moving to hang up. But just before she did…

“Hola, Ale.” She couldn’t believe it. Your voice. She dropped her weight onto the table behind her and held a hand to her chest that suddenly felt like it was torn in two. Heart beating faster than any 45 minutes of running could cause.

“¿eres realmente tú?”

“Yes, It’s me Ale.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes and even after everything she felt just the same as she did when she stepped out of that minibus nearly 3 years ago and first set eyes on you.

“Are you okay carino? Did you do it?”  she asked, breathlessly. “I did it, love.” was the response. In her pride at your accomplishment she missed how you hadn’t addressed her first question.

“Nunca tuve ninguna duda, I am so relieved to hear from you. The line is so quiet, are you still there?”

“Si…” a pause which Alexia attributes to the poor connection, “It must be the signal.” she notices you move on, quickly, “Can… can you just talk to me?”. Alexia smiles despite herself, you used to always ask her to talk you to sleep when your mind was whirring, completing your greatest accomplishment must be in that category and she can imagine you fidgeting in pent up adrenaline.

“I can amor, I have a few minutes. I am in Manchester. We are at half time at Old Trafford.”

“Old Trafford, hey?” she hears you laugh, “Finally, a football ground I’ve heard of.” She's missed your teasing lilt.

“Si, even you. It is raining. Why is it always raining here? I imagine you have better weather even at your camp.” Alexia jokes, innocently. The laugh you let out feels a little… forced? But she lets it go.

“I had lunch with your Mami today. We are only an hour or so away from yours, why did you never tell me we were so close?” Again, that laugh that she loves so much, but it felt more tired that she’d heard it before, more muffled. Though. She supposed, you must be exhausted.

“Because then, my love, you would have made us go and watch football matches and I much preferred to spend our time together in my bed.”

“Ah, Si, I remember, you did.” she responds, blushing and not missing a beat. 

“Your Mami is doing well. She is in the stands….” “Tell her I love her, Ale.” you cut in. There's a desperate edge to your voice that sends shivers down Alexia's spine. She stands, “I will. Of course I will. Carino, are you okay?” she realises now, you never answered her first question. “I stood on the top of Everest today, Ale.” you reply. You haven’t answered her question. She opens her mouth to ask it again but you continue, “I stood on the top of Everest and all I could think of was you.” Your words force her to sit again, her spare hand to her mouth, keeping in a muffled sob. “Don’t you think that's insane? That today, Ale. You were in Manchester and someone. On top of the world. The highest point on this Earth. The highest person on this planet. Only about 4 spacemen floating around above me. Had only you in their mind? I think that means you’ve been to the top of the world, Ale. En la cima del mundo conmigo. You were there with me, every step.” You sound drunk, she wouldn’t blame you, thin air for months it wouldn’t take more than half a pint to see you off, the thought of your ramblings makes her smile despite herself, she knows she shouldn’t, but she leans into it. “Everyone here talks like you….” she pauses, “In Manchester. Only me and Ona can understand them. With your flat vowels. It made me think of you more today. Miss you more than normal today. And now you call.” There's a knock on the office door, “Ale, Vamos!” half time has ended. She has never wanted to play football less than right now. “Because we’re soulmates” your voice definitely had a slur to it now, “and I miss you too. I’ll always miss you, my Ale.” you always got soppier when you drank. “You won’t miss me for long, Carino. You will be home soon. I don’t care if you decide that it's England or Spain. Whichever. I will be there. Si?... We will be together soon. We can sort all this out.” “Hopefully, n..to..oo soon.” she struggles to hear you, the connection starting to fail. “Pardon? Amor?” another knock at the door. She feels like she's being pulled in half as she presses the phone closer to her ear. “Amor. I have to go. Well done, Estoy tan orgullosa de ti. Call me when you can.” “I love you, Ale…” “I lo…” beep beep beep. The call drops before she has a chance to respond. —-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You feel pain all over your body. You had never felt pain like it. It was like every sinew in your body was screaming out in pain. You opened your eyes and immediately closed them again. Blinding white. You heard voices. Alarmed voices. 

Shouting voices. “HERE, HERE!!!” You felt yourself being moved. It made the pain worse. You tried to tell them to stop. 

Your throat couldn't make a sound. And then all you knew was black. 

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More darkness. You felt something covering your face. Your body being stripped. Water. Boiling water. It burned. You were submerged. “No no no no no no…” was all you could try to vocalise. A calming hand in your hair. “It is lukewarm water, we are trying to bring your body temperature up…” 

No, no. They were lying. The voice was lying. You thrashed. A pain in your arm. A needle? Darkness took you again. —--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “There is no chance, Arjan.” “Bu….” “No. You are an experienced Sherpa. You are letting yourself get lost. There is no chance. She is too far gone. Air evac is the only way. No Nepalese pilot will fly at this altitude. We need to make her comfortable…” —--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You felt yourself being moved.

Less painful this time.

You felt wind on your face.

This wasn’t natural wind.

The sound of blades. Air moving unnaturally. Choppily.

Your face is covered again. 

The wind gets louder. More mechanical. You feel yourself being lifted up. “You’ve some friends in high places, English Sherpa.” you hear whispered to you, a hand on your forehead. Arjan? Your friend is speaking to you. You feel less alone. You try to open your eyes but the effort feels herculean. And then nothingness. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This time, when you wake up. You stay awake. You’re in an unfamiliar room. It’s obvious it's a hospital room. But you’re alone. You look around and see yourself wired up to all sorts of machines. But that's it. You try to move to sit up but your shoulder screams in protest. You take stock of your body. You feel a bandage wrapped around your head. Your head is banging now you think about it. Your right arm is completely immobile. Your arm wrapped across your chest and hand completely covered by bandages. You try to wiggle your fingers but. Nothing. God. You hope they’re still there. Before you had too long to spiral the door burst open and you were faced with a smiling, familiar face. “Arjan!” you try to exclaim, voice rough from underuse. “She’s awake. My friend!” his sun-soaked face suits his smile. His bushy eyebrows make his eyes almost invisible as he crinkles them in joy. Arjan settles next to you and fills you in on everything you were present for, but missed out on account of being buried alive or completely unconscious. Your choice to hide behind the boulder had been the first thing to save your life. It had protected you from being swept away by the avalanche and was easier to locate. Before you had called Alexia you had contacted base camp. But your GPS had been knocked off so all they knew was that you were alive. And where you told them you had last been. You’d lost consciousness fairley quickly. Brain starved of oxygen in the small air pocket you had created. Hypothermia had set in slowly.

Your hand had been left exposed after using the phone, and you remember wiggling your fingers, seeing them slowly turn black as they succumbed to frostbite. It had taken 3 days to find you. Luckily, you had been the only person caught up in the snow. You remember, now, coming in and out of consciousness. You even recall a bad spell of seeing Alexias face in the boulder your head rested against and talking to it. Maybe you’d keep that you yourself. Bit embarrassing really. Your legs were pinned down by snow. You had used your last piece of strength to thrust your ice pole upwards. You'd chosen the direction based on the way your tears fell. That was the second thing that had saved your life. Arjan had spotted the pole in the ice field. Days after everyone else had given up on ever finding you. You’d been dragged to base camp and they started to treat hypothermia. You were more than halfway to dead. You resembled a corpse. Arjan had told you he'd never seen anyone literally blue. “Pulled it off tho, my friend” he’d tried to joke. “Of course, always” you’d winked back in reply. You'd have no chance of survival whilst still on the mountain. The air was still too thin and your were suffering from hypoxia. Problem was, the air was too thin for an air evacuation and. Well. As you knew. It was easier to be saved from the surface of the moon than it was to be saved from the surface of Everest. The third thing that had saved you. Was Alexia. “You have someone who’s gone to the moon and back for you, my friend.” Once she’d found out you had gone missing she had gone to the UK embassy in London to start a search and rescue campaign. When they hadn’t moved quickly enough she had involved the Spanish government. She’d used her resources and status to launch a media campaign which had pressured both governments. She’d flown to Kathmandu herself and was trying to hire a plane to Lukla when you’d been found. Then her attention turned to locating a pilot crazy enough to fly at such an altitude. Turns out anyone was crazy enough for the right price. And many, many euros later, the highest ever search flight took off from the surface of Everest, with you on board. “She’s a force to be reckoned with, your girl.”

He told you, as he reached to the ground below you, “...and you’ll be happy to hear, I saved your precious boots” he dumped your familiar old tattered boots at the bottom of your bed.

“And some stuff from your tent. But I had to hike it out so I left some of the smellier clothes.” he joked, as you thanked him, he really was a good man. “... Wait… hike it out? How long have I been here?” “You’ve been unconscious for a week my friend. I always told you you were lazy.” You took a moment to take stock. A week. Well. That meant that even if Alexia had been in Kathmandu, she was a million miles away now. The door opens again and you’re too lost in your own thoughts to give any care to the nurse whos been coming in every now and again checking charts whilst you and Arjan chatted. “Ah here she is. La Reina herself!” You turned your head quickly and took in the face that had been the last image in your mind every night, and the first every morning, since the day you had parted. “Ale…” you breathed. Here. She was here. In Kathmandu. In the same room as you. 

She looked as beautiful as ever, hair flowing over her shoulders, blonder than the last time you had seen her. She had gained muscle and her features had sharpened. But everything else was the same. Her smell invaded your senses. That smell that mosquitoes loved so much. You got it. Her eyes were sharp, and directed firmly at you. They looked tired. She held a sense of exhaustion. You wanted her to fall into your arms, but she stood at the door, and you couldn't open them to welcome her in. The moment was heavy and Arjan broke the silence and stood… “I’ll leave you both to it. See you around English Sherpa.” and with a squeeze of your foot he was gone. Leaving you both in a heavy silence. “Thank You Ale.” you said, breaking the silence.

After all Arjan told you, you owed her your life. She didn't respond. But her eyes had moved from your face and were now directed at the boots still on your bed. As battered as ever, Blaugrana laces snapped and re-tied in several places, swatch still visible on the tongue. Maybe you thought that your meeting would be a bit more romantic, not as…tense? She stroked one of the boots gently with her finger, seemingly lost in a trance. “Ale…?” “You have a habit of not telling me important things.” Whatever you expected it wasnt that. “Qué?” “That you speak Spanish, how you feel, I don’t know… that your trapped in a fucking avalanche.” you’d seen her angry before, you’d seen that anger directed at you, but this felt worse. It was directed through you. She kept her distance when all you wanted to do was hold her close. “How could you do that? How could you let us speak knowing that you were about to freeze to death and just chat to me, like it was a normal Sunday afternoon?” “I…I didn’t want to worry you…” you croaked out, you felt like a school child who was being told off by the head teacher. And you deserved it, you supposed. “I will always worry about you, por el amor de dios!!” She started to pace around the bottom of your bed, your eyes moving like they were taking in a tennis match watching her wear the ground down. “...and to think I finished that game. I slept that night at your flat. Happy, finally feeling like I almost had you back. Your mami took me home. And then, the next morning, I walked into the kitchen. And there she was, crying at the table. She could hardly tell me what had happened. And then it all fell into place. You’d called me when you thought you were already in your grave, didn’t you?” All you could do was nod, arms desperate to dry the tears tracking down her face. “I’m glad to see you.” you let out. Unsure of what else to say. “You won’t be. I am so, so angry at you.” “I know you are bu…” 

“No, you did your speaking on that Mountain. Now you listen” Her tears are dry now and the anger is back in her face. “I have sorted a medical flight. We leave tonight. We’re going back to Barcelona. I don’t care if you want to go back to that rainey island or not. It’s not your choice, it's mine. You almost froze to death, you need the sun. The warm. You will come with me every day to the doctors at the club. They will monitor you. Your family will come to visit. You will go to a therapist. You will take your medication. You will not ignore your medication because you think its better to treat yourself with whatever crushed bug or mashed-up leaves you think is better….” She stops for breath. “That was one time…” you mumbled, referring back to the time you insisted that a crushed cucumber was better than antiseptic cream to treat a bee sting. “Nope. You are still listening.” She stopped you, firmly again, but you felt her eyes softening as she took you in, “... and when we get home and you get better, we will talk. We will decide where we are building our life together, but that is one non-negotiable. It will be together. Okay?” She seems to be finished. And she's moved closer to you, close enough for you to reach out and grab her hand with your good one. You nod, and pull her hand to cup your face. “I just have one question.” you ask, seeking permission to speak. She nods as she strokes your face, tired and burnt from over-exposure. “Are these fingers still attached?” you ask, shaking your injured arm at her, “they’re kind of important for my plans, if you know what I mean” you wiggle your eyebrows suggestively. Her laugh makes you think maybe you did die on that mountain, because surely, here, with her, you’re in heaven. “Te amo, idiota” —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You awoke surrounded by soft sheets and sleep-warm pillows. Your once-injured arm tweaked in pain slightly as you stretched out. You had physio later this afternoon, you thought to yourself, you had better mention it. You rolled out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen, still covered in blankets, bed hair resembling a yeti. You almost tripped up over your rucksack which was laying in the hall. Where it had been since your return to Barcelona, months ago. You hadn’t been ready to unpack it quite yet. You could hear Alexia on the phone out on the balcony, and you gestured the international, ‘want a drink’ sign to her, which she shook her head at. You shrugged. God, sometimes she was so Spanish. A good Brit would never let a hot kettle go to waste. It had been months of reconnection, Alexia finally letting go of her anger as soon as you entered the flat. She broke down in your arms that first night, simultaneously telling you how angry she was at you and how much she loved you at the same time. How she had never been as scared in her life. You just dealt with it by pressing kisses into her hairline.

She'd made you sit in the sun of the balcony every chance she got. Morning, Noon and Night. Moving you around to chase the rays. Insisting that you needed the warmth and vitamins of the sun to recover. The image of you pale, cold and frozen in the hospital in Nepal seared into her mind. When Mapi and Ingrid visited Mapi teased you, and had taken to calling you Bagheera. She said you resembled her cat, chasing the sun to lounge in at every occasion. She quickly stopped when Alexia slapped the back of her head. You no longer had to hide your relationship. Alexia had blown the doors off that as she went to the media in order to get the resources to save you. The feeling of claustrophobia that had made you flee from Barcelona had gone. You knew what being trapped really felt like now. And how you ever thought the love of your life and a shared life in this sun-drenched city was suffocating. Well. That was a different person to who you were now. Yeah, you would always love the outdoors. But you had an anchor now. Something that made you maybe not scale that next peak, and instead be excited to share a recipe with. Maybe not stay on the trail for an extra week, and instead pick out a good film to settle down to. Your mum was over the moon. She’d been a regular visitor. You thought she’d be upset, when you decided to stay in Spain instead of going back to England but she seemed offended by the idea. “That girl saved your life you stupid woman, of course will stay here with her.” Alexia didn’t accept it so easily. She was worried you would feel trapped again, that she wasn’t compromising. She would rather move with you than lose you. “Ale. Barna is your life.” you had replied, simply, “...and you are mine.” “It is not!” she had refused, aghast at the suggestion until you said, “United will have me, so will City, my agent has checked, I would even go to the Championship and play for Newcastle, I look great in black!” “Ale, you literally have a floor tile tattooed on your back. We’re staying here.” you said, deadpan. And she couldn’t say much to that. So, much to the despair of every football fan in England. She signed a new contract with Barcelona not two weeks ago. Maybe it was how settled you felt this morning, as the kettle boiled. The soreness in your muscles after the night you spent together in bed, which must be why your shoulder was straining now. Maybe you'd keep that away from the physio. Though, maybe he’d be happy to hear that your fingers were definitely fully recovered. Not as happy as Alexia was though, you'd bet. But something about this morning made you brave enough to finally open that rucksack in the hallway. As you zipped it open your fingers caught on a single piece of cardboard. A postcard. You flipped it over as arms encircled your waist and gentle lips kissed your shoulder. “Carino?” she asked, looking at the postcard in your hands. “I never got to give you this.” you whispered, as you held the postcard over your shoulder, she let you go as she turned it in her hands. She let out a barking laugh as she moved towards the fridge where 6 other postcards sat proudly, waiting for their 7th to complete the set. A woman in a bikini, sat on a yak wearing a cowboy hat, the imposing structure of Everest in the background. A speech bubble coming out of her mouth ‘I’ve seen bigger’. Alexia rolled her eyes at you as she stuck it to the fridge with a magnet showing the message you wrote all those months ago.

“Ale, I’m here. 

One more summit and I’ll be on my way back to you. For good. How can I say it in your language? ‘It’s coming home’. 

fin. 

[sscieloz]

Live my life

band!aespa x groupie!reader

Synopsis: It’s been less than a year since the band Aespa was created. Karina, Minjeong, Giselle and Ningning travel all over the country with nothing but a few gigs, little money and much love for the music. They’re far from superstars, and they still don’t have a lot to offer, and there’s something they can’t quite grasp: why you, the band’s most faithful fan, follows them blindly.

Warnings: smut. lowk confusing… but it’s the aesthetic

Word count: 9.9k

Notes: I HAVE RETURNED FROM THE DEAD 😤😤 I was obsessed w the MV as soon as it was out so I wrote this work!! it ended up being too long (lol) so i decided to split it in 2. I SHALL NAWT VANISH ANYMORE PINKY PROMISE.

pt.1 | pt.2 | pt.3 | pt.4

—

“Do you think it’ll fit?” Ningning’s hesitation is easily explained by the amount of suitcases hanging from the small hood of the car. The four girls agreed to bring each a single backpack of clothes for themselves, so the instruments and sound equipment could also be transported.

Clearly, it was still too much.

“It has to.” Winter answers, her tiny frame reaching up as she tries to grab one of the big suitcases herself. With Ningning’s help, she manages to do it, and they both stare at the car, wondering about an adjustment that would work.

Just as both girls imagined how to rearrange the space, Giselle and Karina stepped down the house's stairs, frowning.

Karina, is, as always, not amused by the struggle placed in front of her, but Giselle scoffs, judging her bandmates for not having things ready yet. They were supposed to pack their stuff in the car while she and Karina prepared their snacks and made sure all the windows and doors were closed, so they’d find no surprises once they got back home from their trip. Now, they’d leave later than expected, which would result in them facing the road at night— which was exactly what they were avoiding.

This day was starting to piss her off.

“What are you doing?” Giselle crossed her arms against her chest, trying her best to not sound as irritated as she was. They all knew, though. The girls know each other too well.

“Playing Tetris.” Minjeong stared back at her, with a tone that was just as presumptuous. “What does it look like we’re doing, Gigi? The space is obviously too fucking small for all of our stuff.”

Karina takes a step further before Giselle is able to open her mouth and give her friend a petty response. Her clumsy hands rearranged the suitcases so fast the three girls barely registered her actions, closing the hood of the car in a quick motion so everything wouldn’t fall off.

“Mhm, you won’t be able to see much of what’s behind the car, Gigi, but I don’t think it can get any better than that.”

The girls simply stare, impressed by Karina’s skills.

“So… problem solved?” Ningning asks, and they all nod.

Without a word, the four girls enter the small car, squeezing themselves as they prepare for their small trip. It wasn’t uncommon for the band to spend hours stuck in Giselle’s stepfather’s old 2000 Civic, but the lack of space was always annoying, making them all feel packed in like sardines. However, the vehicle was the only option they had to make their way to nearby cities to perform, so they avoided making any complaints.

The band was just about an hour into their 4-hour drive when Giselle pulled over, cursing under her breath.

“Fuck.” She mutters, biting her nails as she looks at the line of cars being stopped by the police, just a few miles ahead. Her face was even paler than usual, which set the girls on alert mode immediately— out of the four of them, Giselle was the least likely to panic at any unusual situation.

As soon as her body tensed, the Uchinaga felt long, lithe hands on her neck, applying just the right amount of pressure to soothe her, filling her with reassurance. Karina’s, naturally. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Yeah, why did we stop?” Ningning adds to Karina’s question, just as curious.

Minjeong’s brows furrow and she adjusts her posture, trying to stare at the horizon in the same position Giselle was, from the passenger’s seat instead. As always, she’s quick to understand the situation. “They’re stopping the cars ahead, but it’s just their normal procedure. They’ll stop us, of course, since we’re young girls traveling by ourselves with a bunch of luggage, but we’ve got nothing to hide, so… keep going, unnie. It’s fine.”

Seconds went by before Giselle grunted, a tense atmosphere hanging in the air while she fidgeted her fingers. Only then, her answer came, barely in a murmur. “I don’t have a license.” She could only hope they hadn’t heard her.

Judging from the way her bandmates’ mouths opened in shock they all started to speak together, though, they did.

Such a selective hearing, huh. She always had to yell at them at least three times for someone to get up from the living room and do the dishes, whenever they were home.

“What the fuck, unnie?”

“Do you really drive us illegally? Girl, we go everywhere by car!”

“I can’t believe you’re so damn irresponsible, I fucking swe—“

Karina stops their banter by out-screaming the two younger girls, a few minutes after Giselle had shrieked down on her seat so much she could merge with it anytime. “Wait! Wait.” Three pairs of eyes stare at her, inquiring. The quietness was odd, but it didn’t last much anyway. “I thought you had your permit taken last month?”

It’s Giselle’s turn to roll her eyes, then. “I literally told you I failed. Do you pay attention to anything I say?”

Despite the situation they found themselves in, Minjeong and Ningning couldn’t help but giggle. It wasn’t news that Karina’s got her head up in the clouds, but her innocence was always funny to the girls. Despite being the oldest, she’s just a big puppy, after all.

And she looks outraged, ears red at the thought of being fooled by Aeri.

“What? we even celebrated!” Her face comes to the realization, as Minjeong tries to hide her laughter with a fake coughing fit. Winter’s blonde hair blows effortlessly when she turns her head to the window, in an obvious attempt to escape Giselle’s piercing stare. “Oh! Was that why you were being such a jerk the entire night, at the club?”

Giselle ruffles her hair in frustration but nods anyway. “Yes, that was the reason. Thanks for reminding us of that wonderful day, Jiminnie.”

Ningning taps on Karina’s shoulder, in hopes of offering some comfort to the desolated girl. She whistles, then looks from Aeri to Minjeong as if hoping they’d pull a permit out of nowhere and start driving again. Once it’s clear none of them would provide any solution, she does so herself, lifting her hips to grab her phone from the back pocket of her jeans.

“I’ll call Y/n.” Is all she says, clicking on the red number with 13 missed calls on the screen. “She’ll do something about it.”

Karina’s even more outraged, then, staring at Ningning in disbelief. She tries to reach out for her friend’s phone, but the maknae pulls her hand away with a huff. “Why do you even have her number, anyway?”

Sure, you’d be at their presentation, even if it were at a nearby town, hours away from where they lived. Somehow, you always show up. The girls couldn’t even remember when it happened; all they know is that they played at Ningning’s cousin’s club once, and from then on there you were, accompanying them in every step. You took pictures, edited videos to upload on their YouTube channel, and even helped them get some gigs every once in a while. It’s difficult for the girls to understand the reason you spend so much time and effort with them— a broke, nugu band who’s been doing this for a little over a year, yet there you were. Their first and most faithful fan, ready to drop everything and help them with any situation, at any given time.

Just like now.

Nonetheless, they had agreed to keep you at an arm's distance, only so the lines wouldn’t get too blurry. With time, they got to know you better, and it was noticeable you were as spoiled, obsessive, and explosive as you were sweet and passionate about the things you liked.

Truth be told, you scared them a little.

“I thought we had agreed on not talking to the psycho anymore,” Minjeong commented, resting her head on the window.

Ningning pauses at that, muting herself on the phone for a moment before answering, straightforwardly. “Well, do you want to get there or not?”

Her honesty is harsh enough that Minjeong lifts her palms in surrender, while Karina and Giselle share a knowing look. Ning’s right, naturally —what matters is that they get to the club on time.

“Fine,” The blonde sighs, turning to point at Karina. “But you’ll have to handle that nightmare of a weirdo. Don’t let her freak out or anything, like she did last time.”

“Why do I always have to do it?” Karina pouts, rolling her eyes. “Come on! What the fuck.”

Giselle giggles, grateful that Karina can’t reach out to punch her as she nods. “I agree… it’s a leader’s duty.”

With her brows furrowed and her rosy lips, the oldest member of the band looks much like a doll, adorable in all of her mannerisms. Even when she scoffs, it doesn’t come out nearly as rude and intimidating as she intends it to be. She still looks like a painting, so pretty Ningning pokes her playfully, brushing the irritation out of Karina with her ticklish fingers. Once she’s left ticklish in her seat, Ningning drops her phone, done with her call.

“Y/n said she’ll be here soon.” She announces, and the girls hum faintly in response. It’s enough for her to giggle, reaching out for her bag in hopes of finding a snack. “Don’t be too excited, damn...”

“I just hope she doesn’t take long,” Giselle mutters, ignoring the glares she gets by being to blame for their current situation.

“Well, if someone had just passed their driving test, we wouldn’t—”

The Uchinaga turns to Winter so fast her neck makes a weird noise. “Shut the fuck up, Minjeong.” Her tone is full of mockery, which is dangerous. Giselle gets irritated easily, but it’s hard to get her mad. Whenever she does, though… None of the girls like that. “I don’t see you driving around either.”

Minjeong, who’d rather die than recognize she doesn’t excel at something, puts a hand on her chest with the comment. Her face is quickly filled with red and, in a minute, she’s defending herself as if she’s just received a 5-year sentence.

As much as their banter is entertaining, Ningning still clings onto Karina on the backseat, resting her head on her unnie’s shoulders.

“I do hope Y/n arrives soon.” She tells her friend, closing her eyes despite the noisy background.

Karina smiles, ruffling the maknae’s hair with tenderness as she relaxes beside the oldest. “Don’t worry, Ning. She will.”

If there’s something she’s sure of, is that you don’t play when it comes to their band. Be it for good or for worse.

—

“Hello, cuties.” You say, tapping your knuckles on the driver’s window to gather attention. It works: the girls all jump in their seats, cursing under their breaths as they try to gather themselves from the scare. “Your knight in shining armor has come! Hurry, hurry! You’re running late.”

It had been less than an hour since Ningning’s call, so there’s no way you could’ve reached them so quickly. None of them say those words out loud, of course— some questions are better left unanswered.

“Here comes the devil.” Minjeong mumbles. The smile she gives you is drenched in feigned politeness, yet yours is sincere, bluntly ignoring her grumpiness with a wave of your hand.

“Hi, Y/n.” Karina greets you as the four girls get out of the car. You hug each one of them energetically, clearly pleased to be urged to help.

It doesn’t even bother you that Giselle, Winter, and Ningning only mumble, not paying you much attention. If only, your happiness would take long to wear off.

Still swooning, you gesture to the van that’s parked beside their car where a handsome, baby-faced boy waves at the girls with ease.

“My brother won this van at a bet a few days ago, and fortunately, he lent it to us. It’s more fitting for a band anyway.” You gesture at their car, still explaining. “Gyu can take your stepdad’s car back to your house, Gigi. Don’t worry.”

They already know Beomgyu from the previous times he’s dropped you off at their rehearsals and shows, so it’s nothing new. Although Giselle doesn’t seem convinced about your idea, she reluctantly gives him the car keys anyway. There’s no other option; she can’t just leave the car on the road, even though giving it to a stranger makes her uneasy.

“Thank you, Beomgyu-ssi.” The girls bow at him, thankful for the extra space, to which he simply nods.

The girls are quick to transport the suitcases to the van, stretching their legs out as they sigh with contentment. It’s like they can finally breathe, now that they’re not cramped in a tiny space. Even Minjeong is smiling, her little banter with Giselle being long forgotten by now.

Giselle is in the passenger’s seat, this time, and she’s surprised to see how easy it is to talk to a happy Y/n. You laugh and gossip over other bands the girls come across sometimes, and you tell them the entire story of how Beomgyu actually got the van. Time flies by while you’re on the wheel, and soon enough the four girls find themselves at the back door of the club, fixing their instruments for the time they go on stage.

—

“Do you get all those insane takes with this old-ass camera?” Ning asks curiously, holding the straightener against her hair as she watches you record Winter, who’s busy tuning her bass and pretending you don’t exist.

“It’s vintage, unnie.” You correct her, zooming in on the blonde girl’s delicate hands and her precise movements against the cords. “It has amazing quality, still.” Because Ningning is still staring, clearly waiting for a more direct answer, you add, “Yes. Pretty Much. Hey Minjeongie, look at the camera so I can get a better shot of you.”

All Winter gives you is an irritated look as she scrunches her nose and shakes her head. The girls enjoy arriving early at their events so they’re able to gather a few minutes of quietude, strictly to relax and focus on not letting the nerves overcome their abilities to shine on stage. You know that— it’s something you’ve seen them do countless times before. You find it adorable how they’d just close their eyes and try to control their breaths, fingers tapping their thighs to ease the anxiety that always comes with the wait of going on stage. No matter how many times they perform, the thrill will always be the same.

Although you don’t mind interrupting Winter’s time of focusing at all. Seeing you won’t give in, Winter scoffs, dropping the bass onto her lap. “Be polite, Y/n. Say please.”

Her intentions are as obvious as daylight. She’s mocking you, defiant like the insufferable being she is. Out of the four girls, Minjeong is the most stubborn, and you’re much alike. She was the one you got into most arguments with, none of you backing down from the opportunity of being right.

Said banter is the reason you turn and adjust the camera focus to Ningning, instead of giving in to the blonde girl. Yizhuo looks pretty as always, smiling at you as you kneel to get a take of her from a better angle.

You’re immediately interrupted by the same girl who was irritated by your presence just seconds ago. In a blink, Winter’s hands go to your chin, forcing you to face her with an assertive grip. “No. Film me.” Her porcelain skin shines against her dark eyes, who pop out even more, making her intimidating aura stand out in the small room as she adds with an icy, commanding tone, “And have manners.”

God, you’d gladly take her down just to get rid of that cocky tone.

“Stare at the fucking camera so you can have some decent solo shots, Winter unnie.” Your reply comes immediately, tone dripping with venom, “Please.”

Winter’s face is so red you’re afraid she’s going to combust at any second. She never spares hurtful words during arguments, and you’re ready for her to give it all. Disaster is set to happen until Giselle pops her head backstage, looking for you. Her eyes disappear and her cheeks flare up as soon as she meets your face, breaking the tension with a smile once her presence unintentionally ends the small battle you were having with Winter.

“Y/n!” She calls, handing out her hand to help you stand up. “Could you come help us with the drums, please? The guys from the bar are trying, but they’re so damn useless… We need you.”

You look away and Winter’s grip on you fades, although her trimmed nails still scratch your jaw as she lets her hand fall to her sides and returns to the couch, tuning her bass as if she had never been interrupted.

“Sure, Gigi. Let’s go.” It’s impossible to not smile back, allowing yourself to be guided through the narrow stairs of the place until you arrive at the stage. You don’t bother saying goodbye to either Ningning or Winter, knowing you’re going back to them as soon as you’re done.

The two younger girls are left by themselves, in silence for the first time since you arrived to pick them up, hours ago. It’s unsettling yet peaceful; not uncomfortable by any means. They’ve known each other for too long by now, so being with each other is more than natural— it’s one’s absence that is unsettling.

After giving her hair a few finishing touches, Ningning turns to her bandmate, pulling the chair beside her as she gestures for Minjeong to sit. Its leather cover is torn and the comfort is long gone, but they don’t mind. They’ve performed in far more awful places anyway.

“Okay, I’m done! Be still while I do your makeup, now, unnie.” Minjeong does as told, closing her eyes while the maknae starts moisturizing her skin.

The silence has Winter’s mind replaying the previous banter nonstop. She tries to stay silent, but the memory of your petty smirk is enough to leave her fuming, pumping with rage.

“Can you believe her, Ning? That fucking bitch, ugh. She’s so insufferable.”

“Oh, definitely.” Ningning smiles, thankful Minjeong has her eyes closed. She lets out a small giggle, still focused on brushing the concealer through her friend’s face. “God forbid someone puts you in your place, right unnie?”

She nearly doesn’t escape the highlighter Minjeong throws in her direction, now laughing freely as she continues with her task.

—

Aespa is a band of many talents.

The girls all met during sophomore year of high school, all trapped in detention for the day (as much as Minjeong would rather die than admit she’s ever gotten detention in her life). Even though they differ in personalities, in a clear contrast of cultures, manners, and experiences — their differences somehow added to each other until there wasn’t something missing anymore. The feeling of longing and loneliness that had accompanied them for so many years had finally ceased. After that, the girls found themselves at peace: the world was finally silent, as long as they were together. No matter how chaotic it was, Karina, Minjeong, Giselle, and Ningning knew they’d like nothing else but to be together.

Luckily, they all shared two main passions: the love for music and the desire for attention, so being in a band together was something that happened rather naturally. The members all agreed, then, that Karina should be the leader. She was soft-spoken, calm, and had the experience in the industry the others lacked, from being a child model. It was the right decision: the oldest would do anything to protect her girls, and knew just the right people to ask for opportunities. They weren’t famous, nor did they make enough money to live off exclusively from the music, but it was enough, for now.

They had trouble understanding you, though. It was hard to grasp why on earth would they have someone so faithful, so committed to following their every move when they weren’t even famous? They didn’t have money, influence, or anything to offer you whatsoever. Yet you were always there, giving them your endless support without asking for anything in exchange. You could be a handful sometimes, sure, but still… your commitment was something that left the girls constantly wondering.

Because you’re special. The world will see this too, someday. is what you’d always answer, followed by a giggle and a wave of your hand, muttering about how it all wasn’t that big of a deal.

But as Giselle watches you help them relocate their instruments and set the tripods and cameras straight, she wonders if that’s truly it.

“Hey, Gigi.” You smile at her, looking down at the ground once you realize you’re the object of her piercing, focused gaze. “Are you and the other girls ready to go? Everything’s in order here.”

Now isn’t the time for that, though, Aeri reminds herself. As of now, the only thing she should focus on is her upcoming stage. Music is one of the many things she was strict with: she pushed herself to nothing but perfection, no matter where she was performing.

The other girls are quick to follow your call, grabbing their instruments and getting into their starter positions as they’ve done countless times before. They all adjust their mics to the perfect height until Karina is the only one left in the center, tapping hers to make sure she sounds loud and clear. Ningning’s hands fiddle with her drumsticks nervously, paddling along with her whole body— surely from the energy drinks she’s had minutes before, while Minjeong and Giselle stay each on one side of the stage, waiting for their leader’s cue.

Offering free tickets for those who arrived before 11 PM was a great strategy that many clubs implemented to fill up their spaces. And even though you’re well aware the girls are known enough to gather such a crowd without that stunt, you’re glad to have a full house staring at the small stage with expectation.

Karina waits until you’re done with your camera’s finishing touches up to speak, her voice echoing through the noise so easily that your hands stop adjusting the device’s focus to pay attention to her. With a smile so big her eyes grow small, her face is like a beacon, gathering all the focus to herself without the need for a spotlight.

“Goodnight! I’m Karina, and those are my bandmates: Minjeong, Giselle, and Ningning.” She points to each of her friends, who bow and wave excitedly, still waiting for her cue. “And we’re AESPA! We hope you like our music, we’ve worked hard on our songs! Please enjoy.”

With that, Ningning taps on her drumsticks, as they’ve done countless times before. Minjeong’s bass and Giselle’s guitar sync with Karina’s voice as soon as they start playing, the melody echoing through the place like physical particles. Music is more than just a part of their lives: it’s who they are, how they express themselves, what they breathe, and it’s easy to forget they’re at a shitty pub and not at a fancy festival. As long as their voices and instruments are harmonizing together, the girls get lost in their passion and nothing else matters.

Even though they’re a new group— barely a year into the industry, original songs are not something that lack from their setlist. The public is screaming, the girls are jumping as they sing and dance along the rhythm and you try your best to capture their best angles, but the distraction in the form of a sin that is Karina prevents you from doing a good job. Her dark eyes glow in the dark, giving her an angelic aura as her strong voice reverberates through the place with ease, despite her shitty mic. It’s an impressive crowd they’re performing for, but she’s only staring at you. Preventing you to breathe or even move, afraid she’d lose her interest and look elsewhere.

No, you’d have none of that. Like all the girls, Karina was yours: you’d share her utter attention with no one.

So you stay at the front line, with your hands holding onto the camera as your head is held up in a frozen frame, looking at her.

You’d always look at her.

—

The afterparties are always one of the girls’ favorite events. The adrenaline rush is still present, giving them tons of energy to drink and party with strangers. They are constantly showered with compliments, being pampered, and indulged with all the attention they crave. It’s part of the reasons why they deal with music, obviously: Minjeong, Giselle, Ningning, and Karina. Because the desire to be seen and recognized for their music is a feeling they’ve been looking for ever since they can remember.

And that’s exactly what they were indulging in before hearing a loud crack from outside of the backstage room. The noise, followed by a bunch of ugly screams, startles the four girls, who exchange a quick, worried glance before storming down straight into the sideway alley.

“Damn.” Ningning whistles, covering her mouth with her hand to hide the smile coming from her lips. At her side, Minjeong and Karina are equally shocked and frozen at the scene unraveling in front of them.

People usually use the dark alley to smoke and get a break from the noisy, heated space of the club. Instead, the four girls find a huddle of girls so entwined with one another it’s hard to tell how many there are. Four, maybe five? Of them are vividly screaming, kicking, tugging, and pulling hairs. Despite the mess, the girls realize there’s one that keeps beating the shit out of them, which is impressive due to being gravely outnumbered.

As the commotion stops for seconds once the strangers become aware of the newer company, it’s easier to tell a specific head of honey hair apart from the others.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Minjeong’s murmur doesn’t come off nearly as disappointed as she intends to. If anything, she’s also holding back her laughter while you prove that one does not need that many muscles to win off a fight.

“Go Y/n!” Karina claps, cheering. None of the three girls make any move towards the scene, so Giselle turns her head towards them in disbelief.

The Japanese girl shrugs, quickly making her way onto the ground to break off the fight. She’s always been strong, and her time spent at the gym pays off as she grabs you by the waist and throws you over her shoulder, heading back to the backstage room as if you weigh nothing. Any attempts of resisting are useless, yet you don’t make Giselle’s job any easier— your kicking and screaming are now directed at her, hands curling into fists while you use your entire strength to hit her muscled back.

“Put me DOWN! I’m not done with those whores.” Your feverish voice is ignored by the four girls, who are used to your tantrums by now.

They know you’re naturally provocative, and never one to back down from a fight, even if you were in the wrong. And, somehow, you were good at it too: even if you left bruised and scratched, your opponents would somehow always turn out worse.

“Sorry ladies, we have some issues to deal with. If you excuse us.” As the group goes back inside, Ningning offers the poor beaten-up girls a calculated smile before closing the door on their faces. She doesn’t bother to check in on them— they’re strangers, after all.

You’re thrown onto the worn-out sofa with little care, suddenly staring at four serious faces. The funny atmosphere of the fight is long gone, so you cross your arms under your chest and grunt, face held high to put up with their judgmental looks.

This is their job, and they can’t have you causing trouble over anything. You’re associated with them by now, whether they like it or not. It’d be an awful occurrence.

“So, troublemaker, tell us.” Giselle is the first to speak, brushing the bangs out of her face. Even after carrying you for solid minutes, she still looks flawless, much different from your disheveled self. “What had you beating their asses out there?”

There’s a pout on your lips, and the defiant air in the room stirs up their nerves. It’s an annoying interruption of the fun they were having just now, and the alcohol makes it hard for them to stay patient.

Minjeong takes half a step forward, her hands messing up your hair even more. “Speak, Y/n. We have better things to do.”

She doesn’t coddle you, tone cold as it always was when directed towards you, but you don’t mind. If anything, you take pride in making her life a bit more difficult every time. You know they won’t give you their attention for much longer, though, which is why you take a deep sigh.

“I was defending your honor, you idiots!” You gesticulate towards the door, huffing. “Those whores were out there, talking about you, speaking the most vile things… I had to do something. You should be thanking me, and not look so pissed.” You roll your eyes, muttering the rest to yourself as you sink on the dirty couch. “You never acknowledge anything I do anyway.”

It had felt too hot inside, so you passed the backstage area to gather some fresh air at the alley when you encountered the group of girls. They were in love with the band, obviously, and were very vocal about the things they’d let the girls do to them: how their leather clothes were so tight and how hot they were… Hearing such things being said about your girls made your blood boil. They were yours, and no one else had the right to desire them like that. So you were quick to take action and make sure everyone knew who Giselle, Winter, Karina, and Ningning belonged to. As a matter of fact, It was a successful attempt: after the lesson you taught them, those girls would think twice before saying anything again.

Your gaslighting does little to the band; it’s easy to look further into your façade now that they know you. They don’t pity you in the slightest, well aware you’re one to be cautious around.

Karina smiles at your act. She can’t help it if the pout on your lips makes you so adorable, and your crossed arms are the reason your send nudes crop top rides up so your boobs are even more evident. “Which things, Y/n? What were they saying, exactly?”

“What they said doesn’t matter.” You huff, dismissing Karina’s question with a wave of your hand. “The important thing is that they’ve been dealt with, and your honor is intact. You’re welcome.”

The electronic music is loud, and it’s easy to feel the rhythm reverberating through the furniture, sending electric waves to your bones that rile you up even more. You’re energized, ready to go back to the crowd, drink, smoke, and stir up some trouble again.

Aeri must’ve been thinking the same thing since she merely shakes her head and leaves without a word. Ning is the next one to follow, proceeded by Minjeong, who rolls her eyes and points her finger right at your face.

“You’re such a menace, Y/n. Acting like an animal… you can’t behave at all.” You’re used to the disdain in her voice, so the only thing you do is mirror her snobbish stare as you watch her leave.

Unlike her bandmate, Karina’s eyes are kind— even though you’ve just messed up hard. You’re the only ones left in the room, you realize, as she holds out her hand to you. With her presence, the music ceases, and the only thing you can focus on is the sound of her heartbeat, and how her little chin mole goes up to match her smile, which is equally sweet.

Sweet, patient, and definitely too good for you: that’s Karina, a soul that should stay untouched, not yet ruined by the world and by other people.

Too bad that you’ve never been one to do the right thing.

You navigate towards her in a magnetic motion, taking her help so fast your bodies nearly crash once you get up from the couch. Instead of complaining or making fun of you for being so abrupt, Karina takes her free hand to your face, cupping your cheek before carefully wiping the dirt from your skin.

“Troublemaker.” She repeats Giselle’s words from earlier, although they sound almost reverent when said in her raspy voice, tired from the crazy routine they live with. “She’s a bit right, don’t you think?” The smirk on her lips is playful, and she toys with you. “You keep us on our toes, for sure. I guess someone has to.”

She doesn’t mind. If anything, Karina misses your presence when you’re gone— which is thankfully, a rare occasion. Sure, you’re stubborn, spoiled, and very annoying, but the band somehow needs you to keep their engines running. She knows the other girls feel the same way about you too, even if they’re good at not making it known.

Being with Karina feels right. She’s Aespa’s peace, their leader, and their oldest member. And, just like everybody that has ever met her, you long to be around the older girl.

“Let’s go back to the party, Jimin unnie.” You tell her, crossing your arms behind her neck. If there’s anything she’d want you to do, you would. Gladly. “I want to dance.”

She smiles back at you, looking at the half-open door before nodding. “As you wish, Y/n.”

—

Aespa’s hotel room for the night is precarious, to say the least. The wallpaper is peeling from the walls, the furniture is dusty— and the small dining table seems to barely handle your laptop and media equipment. The bed makes too many weird noises at the slightest movement, and the smell of mold is a bit unsettling for those with a decent sense of smell.

It’s Minjeong’s job to deal with their spending and to book their stays, whenever the band wanders off their hometown. Her father works as a treasurer at a well-established company and has taught her how to handle her own money from a young age. Sometimes, though, she tends to spend too little, given the fact that they still did not earn much with their performances, and the five girls would end up in situations like the current one. Not that they truly minded: they had two rooms to sleep in and breakfast by the morning, which was more than enough. They would handle the rest.

Karina, Giselle, Ningning, and Minjeong are all rockstars, it’s natural for them to thrive under attention. They live for it, and you love to record their pretty faces. Out of all the experiences of being with the girls, getting to take pictures and videos of their performances and looks— be it before, during, or after their shows. Editing might also be a pain and sometimes feel like a chore, but it was also something you enjoyed doing.

Besides, the praises and the proud, enamored look Giselle, Ningning, Karina, and Minjeong gave you whenever you updated something new to their channel and social media was something you looked forward to, naturally. In fact, you’re so focused on your task that you barely notice a sudden wave of hot breath on your shoulder.

“How far are you, yet?” Karina’s wet hair clings to your neck as you breathe in her post-bath scent, so refreshing. You’re unable to see her sulk behind you, but her whiny tone is enough for you to figure her feelings out before she adds, “Also, why am I the one with the least videos, Y/n?”

You don’t even stop your work to look at the vocalist, who stares at your laptop’s screen with expectation: the answer is obvious to anyone who has ever had the privilege of getting to know Aespa's leader."

“Because I’m always too busy looking at you to focus on anything else.” The words leave your mouth immediately, exposing facts. “But I’ll improve for next time if that’s what you wish.”

Doing anything after Karina opens her mouth is impossible. Her angelic voice and sharp moves draw all the attention to her immediately; one would be completely insane to not be mesmerized by her. By all of her.

“It is.” She nods, still so close you’re able to feel her body pressed against you through the chair’s cracks. Like a kitten, Karina purrs, finally breaking the tension between you by pressing small, wet kisses to your neck. “Y/n…”

You’re doomed. You’ve known that ever since she left the bathroom, with wet hair and red, swollen lips that did little to hide what she was up to while the shower was running.

Karina’s long, purple-painted nails scratch your neck, forcing you to pay attention to her— as if you’d do anything else. You’re quick to comply, closing your laptop as you stand up and walk away from the oldest member, onto your backpack. Her confused brows are adorable, but the realization comes soon once she reckons the camera on your hands. By then, there’s a dirty smirk on both of your lips; you know she loves this as much as you do.

“Are you up for another show, doll?”

Karina nods, suddenly shy from all the dirty thoughts going through her head. Her skin throbs, and there’s a familiar sensation building up in her core from the anticipation.

After waiting for the camera to be well adjusted and centered in front of the bed, with the familiar red dot announcing the recording, she turns around, removing her robe with practiced ease. The silk fabric of her robe cascades from her back, exposing her milky skin in its most perfect form. She’s indeed like a doll; body still untouched, announcing it’s been a while since she’s had any fun, and her Venus dimples flare up with every step she takes towards the bed. Her curves are perfectly enhanced by her sensual walk— she knows so, grabbing her hair out of the way so you’re able to get a clear shot of her body.

You’re so lucky to even have the privilege of looking at her. Karina seems to think the same thing; her knowing smile turns malicious just as she sits on the bed, spreading her legs out for your delight. Playing around with her is almost a routine, by now: Karina needs something, someone to be her stress-relief, and you’re more than eager to help.

However, seeing her bare and so eager to welcome your touch was something you’d crave forever. No matter how many times it happened: you’d always be hungry for the slightest glimpse of her pretty pussy.

And it was no secret that Karina loved to show off, so you drink on her like you haven’t had a single drop of liquor in ages.

It had indeed been too long.

“How do I look, baby?” Her voice is soft, calm as she looks deep inside your eyes and taps on her pussy with two of her fingers. A small strand of wetness lingers between her fingers and her slit, and she takes her fingers forward to make a show for seconds longer. It’s only when the strand dissipates that Karina brings her fingers into her mouth, taking them in ever so naturally. You don’t even register the whine that comes from your lips once she releases them with a ‘bop’, right after licking them clean.

“Absolutely stunning.” Your answer comes in a heartbeat, which pleases her deeply. In a blink, you’re in front of her on the bed, although still careful to not cover up her frame for the camera. Not that you have to worry about that; Karina is well aware of her best angles. “As always.” You lick your lips, eager to have your mouth on her, licking every part of her body until she’s more than satisfied, coated with your saliva.

But you know better than to touch her without permission, so you simply wait, aware she needs more indulgence than merely a few words. You run your hands up and down her legs, ever so obedient, hoping she’ll allow you to touch her.

Instead, her fingers go up to her chest, groping her big, voluptuous breasts. She’s so evil— Karina knows how obsessed you are with her boobs, “You caused so much trouble today, Y/n… I shouldn’t let you touch me at all.”

Her feigned innocence only adds to your desire, dampening your pussy even more. Even though you’re burning up, you can’t help but be in awe by how much of a goddess she looks, and it takes everything in you to not just grab her by the ankles and suck on her clit until she was screaming and leaking white from her pussy. Still staring at you, Karina twists her nipples and moans, biting her lip as she breathes in deeply.

You’re already throbbing yourself, and she’s done nothing. That’s the amount of power she has over you.

“I’ve been bad.” You nod almost eagerly, ready to do whatever she commands you to if it means you’ll get to pleasure her. “Can I still have you, though? Promise to make you feel super good.”

At first look, Karina might be the most inviting one out of all of the girls, but you know better than to fall into her trap: just like her bandmates, the leader thrives on playing games, manipulating people, and fooling around. Thankfully to both you and her, you’re happy to indulge in all of her wishes. So you add, battling your lashes at her as you take off your clothes yourself, not bothering for a command on this matter. “I’ll do my best for unnie…”

Karina’s eyes darken at the sight of your naked body; it’s so empowering to know she’s just as affected by you, and she runs her fingers through your hair with practiced ease. Taking her silence as an encouragement, you lie down until your face is lined up with her soaked cunt, blowing warm, rapid breaths onto her sex.

She smiles, then, caressing your cheek before giving it a light tap. “Go get the strap, baby.” Your smile fades immediately, and you contemplate ignoring her words until she’s changed your mind before your cheek is met with more of Karina’s fingers, her touch stronger this time. “Now.”

You huff, muttering incoherences because she’s such a bitch, ruining all of your plans, but still do as told, grabbing the strap without much further fussing. With the toy in hands, you return to the edge of the bed, staring at her with a puzzled look on your face.

“Are you going to use it?” You ask, curious. Taking Karina’s cock was something you always looked forward to, and the sight of her pounding onto you was enough for your walls to clench, eager to welcome her.

Karina launches forward before you even finish your question, grabbing your thighs with practiced ease as her fingers brush your pussy. The surprise touch makes you let out a loud moan, which stirs up a laugh on the older girl.

“If only you’d behaved today… I had so many things planned for us to do.” Karina’s voice sounds almost regretful, making you kneel once again, “No, baby. Tonight’s only about me. Now suck.”

There’s little time for you to think her thoughts through. Your mind goes blank, and you open your mouth to give her a show this time, reversing the roles. Always eager to please, you gag on her cock. Saliva drips onto the sheets as she shoves it down your throat, but you don’t seem to care, emptying your mind to give her will over you to use you like a toy. She’s not sweet or slow by any means— Karina’s innocent smile, welcoming posture, and puppy-like personality make a good disguise for hiding how dirty she is. Part of her tells herself it’s wrong, and that’s why she tries to reject how much her body craves rougher actions, but the truth is that the hiding and the expectation also turn her on.

Those thoughts hover in your mind as you bob on her strap, looking at the leader through your lashes while you gather all your focus on giving your best for her. You try to look your best, and give your best for Aespa’s leader: she deserves nothing less, after all. It seems to be enough for Karina, who sighs at the sight of you staring from behind your lashes with your hair all over the place ever since her tangling hands went to your scalp, encouraging you to keep going for so long you’ve lost track of time.

“Beautiful. You look so beautiful like this, baby.” She murmurs with a low, sultry tone as she takes the strap from your mouth and seals your lips in a slow kiss. You’re starved for her; your boobs press together when you deepen the kiss, desperate for more. At this point you’re already soaked, leaving a deep, wet spot on the sheets— and your skin burns. “Don’t be rude. Say thank you.”

Such a tease, she is. You roll your eyes at her trying to rile you up, and she laughs. “Don’t even.” You mutter, rolling your eyes at her.

Karina’s hands go to your thighs, caressing your skin as she motions for you to get up once again. “You’re so stubborn.” She chants, adjusting the strap on you. Per her request, you lay back on the bed as soon as you’re done, somehow managing to sink under the shallow pillows.

There’s such a mean smirk dancing around her lips. Your cunt aches and it’s borderline painful; sweat covers your body and you’re nearly sure you’ll go insane if you don’t give her all the pleasure she’s worthy of very soon. All you want is to eat her out until she’s breathless, porcelain skin all marked begging for you to stop. Then, you’d lick her clean, making her cum so many times there’d be plenty of milk dripping from her hole for you to drink on. All yours. She’s all yours to tend to.

“Why don’t you just let me do it already…” You whine, drawing your head back when she grabs one of your nipples and twists— the friction feels so good it sends a hit of pleasure straight to your pussy.

Instead of indulging your needs, Karina laughs, and there’s a hidden mockery in her tone that only adds to your frustration. She comes close until her hips rest on your thighs, with the strap being the only thing that keeps a distance between you. Before you’re able to test her patience even more, she positions the dick on her entrance, slightly rocking back and forth so it hits deliciously against her clit.

“You can look.” She says, grabbing your shoulders to steady herself. “But you can’t touch. Understood, baby?”

Karina’s eyes, big and expressive, stare at you with feigned innocence as one of her hands caresses your jaw, lifting your face so you’d stare at her. Having her making such luscious sounds so close to you is like a death penalty. Karina’s mouth hangs slightly open, and you gulp whenever she aligns the fake dick with her entrance, giving you a serious look that makes it clear that she expects an answer to her command.

A huge bitch, she is. A hot, sexy, and huge bitch. It’s nearly impossible to stay still, but you can see the challenge in her eyes as soon as she cocks her head at you. Although her little act of defiance is silent, her intentions are as clear as day: she wants you to humiliate yourself: to beg for forgiveness so you’ll maybe get granted the privilege of touching her.

So you smile back, placing your hands on your hips and doing nothing else, even if you’re itching to run your tongue all over her body. “As you wish, unnie.”

Karina is so wet, of course she is— it’s not hard to leave her drenched. The dick slides in easily, and she takes her time with taking down its inches. Your grip on her hips turns slightly stronger at the sight of her looking so angelical, as her big, soft boobs are all in display to your face. That earns you a censoring look, and you move your hands with another eye-roll. There's nothing more you want but to touch her.

After a few breaths, Karina finds a steady pace, bouncing on your lap. The gushing sounds of her pussy that echo through the room are nearly pornographic, and you find yourself letting out desperate whimpers, too.

“So good.” She murmurs, lost in pleasure. Her grip on your shoulders tightens, and you feel her muscles tensing up.

You can’t help it— watching her pleasure herself is almost too much. Without much thinking, your fingers make their way to her clit, circling her hardened as you study her, testing out the waters. She lets out a gasp at the sensation, closing her eyes to enjoy the way her lower abdomen kept building up the tension. The tingling sensation increases with the rhythm of your strokes, along with her moves, and it doesn’t take much further for Karina to cum.

Just as always, Karina’s strong voice fills the room as she takes her head back, clenching her pussy once the waves of pleasure hit her with strong motions. Her entire body trembles, and she relies on you to keep her steady.

“You look the prettiest when you cum.” You tell her, after a few moments of silence.

The laugh she lets out is weak, more like a giggle as Karina sighs deeply, carelessly throwing herself on your side of the bed. She turns to you, then, so close your noses are nearly touching, disregarding your words as if you hadn’t said anything at all. “And you can’t ever behave, can you?”

You mirror her smirk, pecking her lips before shaking your head. “You like it that way, though.”

The two of you stay in a comfortable silence, one you don’t mind at all. The girls have had some busy, tiring weeks, and you know Karina needs rest. She’s tired—they all are, so the tension relief was well welcomed by the oldest girl. Despite being all sweaty and breathless, Karina is much less anxious now that you’ve helped her relax. She runs her fingers through your body, taking her time until she reaches your pussy. It delights her to feel how soaked you are: she’s aware of the amount of power she holds over you, and the fact that you’re gulping, still throbbing yourself, is something so empowering to her.

It makes her insides tingle all over again, asking for more.

“Jimin…” You whine again, opening your legs to give the girl better access to your entrance. You need her to touch you or else you’ll explode.

Two of her fingers enter your cunt before you can cry any further, hitting a fast pace without warning. The action is well welcomed, and you hold her wrist, motioning to go further. But Karina loves to make you frustrated; it’s almost as if she thrives on it: just like they made their way inside, her fingers are gone, and her mean smirk is back.

“You haven’t behaved at all today.” She repeats herself, laughing as she kisses your pout away. You bite her lip in response, which makes her pull your face away, although she’s still giggling. “You’ll get nothing tonight, baby. I’m sorry.”

You narrow your eyes at her, “You’re such a fucking liar! You’re not sorry at all!”

Karina turns her back to you, making a show of ignoring you as she grabs the covers just as a big yawn hits her. “Goodnight to you too, pretty. Sleep tight,” You roll your eyes, ready to give her a sneaky remark when she adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to turn off the camera. We don’t want you running out of battery or anything, do we?”

“You’re such a bitch.” Although you still get up and do as told, knowing she’s partially right.

Karina waits patiently for you to return to bed, with her small eyes and big smile. The sensuality and roughness from earlier have been replaced by her usual bubbly self, which you adore just as much. It has always been amusing to you how easily it is for her to just switch back and forth from the luscious, gorgeous woman she is to her puppy personality, and you adore her either way.

You hop into her arms, humming when she fills your neck with small, wet kisses.

“You have to behave, silly.” Is what she tells you, biting your skin gently. You’re one to bruise easily, you both know it as much. However, you say nothing, allowing her to do as she pleases. “Otherwise you won’t get a reward.”

“We’ll see about that.” You murmur, happy to get lost in her cuddles. “I sure need something after that torture session.”

Your words cause you to be pushed back, although you know Karina’s only joking.“Oh my God! Go to sleep, Y/n. Goodnight.”

“Ugh.” Is all you answer, closing your arms around her waist.

“Y/n.”

“Right, right.” You sigh, “Goodnight, cutie. Can I get a kiss?”

The hand that goes through your face is enough of an answer.

“Sleep. We’ll have a busy day tomorrow.” She commands.

And because it’s Karina, you obey. You’d always hail the band’s leader.

Your personal camgirl.

—

Breakfast has always been something you’d skip if you could. It’s a pain to wake up so early, and you need at least an hour to be somewhat presentable and another two until you can properly talk to anyone. However, the soon you leave this shitty hotel the better, so you resume sitting beside Giselle and Ningning while they talk excitedly. You chew on your bread with scrambled eggs with perhaps too much patience, still marveling at how composed they look despite running on 5 hours of sleep.

“So, we’ve got good news. Amazing news, actually. Like, the greatest news ever.” Ningning’s nearly jumping in her seat, her eyes darting from you, then Giselle, Minjeong, and finally to Karina multiple times in seconds. Yizhuo plays with her hands, nudging Karina while nearly dying of anxiety. “Unnie, would you please tell them? Go, go.”

The excitement in her tone captures enough of your attention; you, Giselle, and Minejong collectively sit up straighter, exchanging a confused look. The fact that they know as little as you do is comforting, and stirs up a nice, warm feeling of being included within your heart. The girls could be harsh and a little mean sometimes, naturally, but there are times when they’re also very sweet.

Karina laughs, pinching Ning’s cheeks. Even though Ningning pretends she despises it, you love to baby her and spoil her rotten.

“You can do it, Ning.” She encourages her baby girl to speak up, loving the smile that brightens up the maknae’s lips after the command. “Go ahead, tell them what we’re doing next.”

With her leader’s blessing, Ningning lets out a happy squeal and launches herself upwards. The upper half of her body hangs on the breakfast table as she looks around before whispering as if the topic is top-secret.

“So, this guy approached me after our show.” She stops abruptly at your reactions, waving her hands, “Hey, don’t make such faces! He wasn’t a weirdo or anything, I promise. Anyway, he came up and said he worked for AKT Music Ent. and that he liked our music and thought we had potential.” Ningning pauses, looking up to her leader for reassurance. Once Karina nods, giving her a knowing smile, she adds, “And then I told him to talk to Karina, of course, because she’s our leader and all… but basically, he invited us to compete at The Box, next month. Can you believe it?”

“You’re fucking with us.” Minjeong answers, in awe. She looks at Karina, with her mouth still slightly open in shock. “Please tell me you’re serious. That this isn’t a joke or anything.”

Karina has a proud look on her face as she nods. “It’s a thing. We’re doing it.”

“HELL YES!” Giselle screams, laughing loudly. She reaches out her arms and squeezes you and Ningning in a tight hug, her embrace so strong it’s borderline suffocating. Not that you mind— if anything, it fills you with warmth to be with them in their first big accomplishment. “WE’RE PLAYING IN THE BOX! OH MY FUCKING GOD. WE ARE AMAZING!”

Minjeong and Karina laugh at her reaction, just as happy from the news. Taking part in the event is an amazing opportunity for them: the mere thought of performing at the stage is enough to give them goosebumps, both of fear and excitement.

The Box is a week-long competition where the top 3 winners get a 2-year long contract, each signed with one of the Big 3 music companies of the country: SM, JYP or YG. It’s an elite program where successful bands have gained popularity and recognition, like SNSD. It’s set at a big, open area at the countryside and held much like a festival: the event has become more and more capitalized with every passing year. The companies make sure to hold a big show out of the entire thing, broadcasting the events that happen simultaneously 24/7— numerous interviews, commercials are shot by the participants to support the sponsors of the competition, which helps them to make their debut on national television. There are various foods, restaurants and parties being held at all times. It’s also a great opportunity for fans of nugu bands to personally interact with them, and actually super nice to meet other bands and artists. Besides the main goal, being at the event alone is a huge honor and opportunity for the band to grow as artists. They certainly won’t take for granted.

Minjeong claps excitedly. “We need to celebrate!”

“Absolutely.” Giselle agrees, looking with disgust at the men who kept sitting at the nearby tables even though it was still fairly early, and the Diner was still empty. “At home, though. Let’s get out of here, please.”

The five of you exchange a knowing look, collectively getting up at the same time as you grab your belongings and hurry to leave the shitty hotel. Your hearts are filled with pride, and you couldn’t be happier for them.

“You deserve this.” Is what you tell them, breaking the steady silence that reigned in the car. The girls look at you, all returning from dreamland.

Even though their only response is a faint hum, the satisfaction on their faces tells you they needed to hear that. “This is only a result of your hard work. All the hours of practice, the shitty-ass places you played at before, the No’s you’ve gotten… It’s going to work out, trust me.”

Karina’s arms go to your neck, in a gentle caress as she adds, looking at her bandmates. Her best friends. “Y/n is right. We got this.”

There’s nothing they can’t do, as long as they’re together.

[lou-struck]

Made With Love Part 4

OM Brothers & Datables x reader pt.4

Featuring: Diavolo, Barabatos, and Solomon.

MASTERLIST !

Warnings: Love Potion based personality changes, obsessive behaviors, mention of suggestive behavior, lots of teasing, kissing, touching, etc.

A/n: I know it has taken me wayyy too long to post this, but thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to continue this series. I really hope you enjoy this part and chose to come back to read the finale!

The Banquet Hall has exploded into quite the mess. Books and pillows are strewn about the room as Mammon and a still-drying Levi tear through its nooks and crannies with fearful urgency. 

"Keep searching," Lucifer orders his younger brothers from his seat. His symptoms have somewhat subsided, but even in this urgent situation, his Pride would never allow him to be seen recklessly tearing through the castle's cupboards like an idiot. "Beel hasn't eaten anything in hours. Once he recovers, he will devour anything he comes across. If he ends up eating another one of those cookies accidentally, Mc will have even more of a mess to clean up than they currently do. 

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Mammon groans. "This would be a lot easier if I had some help." He mutters the second part under his breath while shooting daggers at Satan and Asmodeus. 

From the loveseat in the corner, The Avatar of Wrath flinches in pain at the slightest noise as he recovers from the Potion's hangover-esque after-effects. A large pillow rests in front of his face, shielding his eyes from the glare of the moonlight that shines through the windows. 

Asmodeus on the other hand, is faring much better than his brother and is just boredly twirling a lock of his champagne colored hair in his fingers. His ability to rally after years of partying has prepared him for this. 

Feeling the three pairs of eyes now resting on him, the Avatar of Lust hides a grin and sinks deeper into his cushion with a dramatic groan. "Oh nooo, I feel soooo sick." He lifts an arm and places the back of his hand on his head in a distressed manner. 

Not caring for his brother's theatrics, Lucifer rolls his eyes and lets out a deep sigh of disappointment. "Stop complaining, Mammon; we have had time to recuperate, and so shall they. "

Before Mammon can complain further about the other's work ethic, Satan mutters something incomprehensible from under his pillow. 

"What was that, Satan?" Lucifer asks, lowering his voice as an act of mercy towards his brother; the Potion affected his head far more than the others, so he cannot help but pity the fourth born for the headache he is feeling.

He removes the pillow to reveal his pained and pale features. "I said Beel is close, and so is Belphie; it seems they are traveling together, so it is safe to say they have both been freed from the love potion."

"Then there is no time to waste," Lucifer declares, crossing his arms. "Double time Mammon. And Leviathan, please stay off the furniture; I'd hate to cause any more damage due to your carelessness."

The Avatar of Envy covers his face in embarrassment as he recalls his earlier interaction with you. And he understands pulling you into the pool with him could've been dangerous, even deadly. His head spins as he tries to think of all the ways he will try and make it up to you.

Mammon drops to a crouch and tears open the cabinet drawers with a start. His worried features brighten into a look of elation as he lunges forward suddenly. "Ah ha, I found 'em." he slides the little plate of sugar cookies out victoriously." That damn Chihuahua must've stashed ‘em here when we were going all crazy for Mc."

"What should we do with them?" Levi asks, "If we throw them away, Beel will just eat them out of the trash."

"We could burn 'em? Ya know? Toss 'em in the fireplace?" Mammon offers, turning his head to the grand fireplace. Enchanted flames dance eagerly within the confines of their stone hearth.

"And make the potion airborne?" Satan questions, narrowing his eyes at the second, and pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Absolutely not. You are such an Idiot."

"Seriously Mammon, you do know that you don't have to choose between being pretty and being smart." Asmo quips, "But it would be a good idea to do at least one of them."

Mammon opens his mouth to make some kind of comeback but is interrupted as Lucifer snatches the plate of tainted sugar cookies from him. 

"I will create a temporary solution for these cookies until we have a safe method for disposing of them." He flicks his wrist, and a dark sphere of energy encases the plate as it disappears from view. Mammon lets out an involuntary shudder when he realizes that Lucifer could very well make him disappear like that whenever he feels like it. Maybe he should try and return those records of his he was going to pawn off.

Just as the last of the plate fades away, the Banquet door bursts open, and Beel steps into the room urgently, a napping Belpheghor clinging to his back like a koala.

The Avatar of Gluttony looks famished, there is a ferocious hunger in his eyes that seems to only be searching for sustenance. He doesn't even seem to notice his other brothers are in the room.

"I. Need. Food." he breathes, zeroing in on the full banquet table of treats. The mahogany legs seem to tremble under his hungry gaze as he grabs the nearest platter of sandwiches and begins shoveling them into his mouth. 

The room is silent as they watch Beel chow down on a second try of sandwiches. He even eats the little heart-shaped toothpicks that stick out of the top of the mini brioche rolls.

As the sixth-born reaches for another try, his features look much more pleasant. Lucifer clears his throat to get his attention.

"Glad to see you both have  returned to your usual selves." He says, "Hopefully, you didn't cause Mc too much trouble."

Beel's face takes on an expression of guilt as he lowers the barely conscious Belphegor onto an open chair. 

"I broke a wine bottle, but it's fine. Mc found me and convinced me not to go on a hike." The youngest brother from his seat. He hasn't opened his eyes yet. The pure exhaustion of ignoring his sin and running about the castle has hit him far worse than any symptom would've.

"And why do you look so guilty, Beelzebub?" Satan asks, sitting up a bit straighter in his seat.

"I didn't mean to, but they gave me a piggyback, and I think they overdid it." He says, casting his eyes to the floor. "I'm a lot stronger than they are; I could've really hurt them."

No one has it in them to give Beel a scolding. The kicked-puppy expression on his face says it all. 

"So all Mc has to do is find Diavolo, Barbatos, Solomon, and Simeon?" Mammon says, letting out a sigh of relief. "That means this nightmare is almost over."

"While it is true Mc has done a great job finding everyone so far, the others are unpredictable," Lucifer says, crossing his arms. "I hope that they take their time and make sure they are not putting themselves at risk."

"Especially with Simeon," Levi adds with a shiver, "He’s final boss status for sure."

"He was super hot, not gonna lie." Asmo giggles, kicking his feet and tucking his hair behind his ear.

~

"Oh, come on, it's gotta be in here somewhere." Luke cries as he finishes searching through another stack of books with no luck. It's like the potion book that Solomon used earlier has vanished into thin air.

His little cherub cheeks are red, his hair is disheveled, and he thinks he has caught a head cold from breathing in all this dust.

"I need water." He murmurs weakly. His knees buckle as he drags himself over to the faucet so he can pour himself a quick drink.

He drinks greedily from his little paper cup, downing the cold water in one gulp and immediately reaching to refill it. This little water break does wonders for the Angel, and he takes a deep breath, ready to continue his quest to find the book and make an antidote for his friends. 

He sets his little cup down on the countertop to use later, and his eyes rest upon something that makes his heart want to break. 

An open recipe book

This cannot be happening…

Luke winces as he timidly lifts the corner of the book to read the cover. Ensure enough, it is the same book he has been searching for for hours.

Instead of being tucked away on some shelf or miscellaneous pile of books, Solomon never actually put this book away, it has been out on the counter in plain sight.

How is it possible that he didn't check here first?

The Angel can feel hot tears of humiliation pulling in his big eyes and he clenches his little fits together so hard he feels like he's about to break the skin.

But he can't cry. How could he?

Back at the castle, you must be subjected to some terrible horrors; he imagines you running through the dark halls of that spooky castle, getting chased until you are out of breath, and then captured by those demons with those creepy heart-shaped eyes. 

He flips through the book, reading with a speed that would make even Satan proud as he looks for an antidote. 

He finds a recipe and wastes no time pulling each ingredient out of Solomon's storage room. He may not know what half of this stuff does, but what he does know is that when all of the stuff comes together, it will create exactly what he needs to break the spell.

Luke begins mashing some herbs with a mortar and pestle, just the way Solomon taught him to do so. He cannot tell if it is the bitter scent of the herbs upsetting his stomach or his own worries.

If he manages to successfully make the antidote, will the others be mad at him for ruining the day?

What if Mc gets hurt? It would be all his fault.

He pours a bit of devil pine sap into the foggy mixture with a sigh. Whatever punishment he is given, he will accept with open arms.

He will do whatever it takes to make it up to you.

Barbatos~

Now you understand how Theseus felt inside of King Minos's labyrinth. All these dark, winding hallways and flickering shadows that just love to play tricks on you have your poor heart beating anxiously in your chest.

Technically, in Greek mythology terms, you have a one-up on Theseus since you have four Minotaurs to "defeat." 

A large cloud covers the moon, sending a shiver down your weary spine as you wonder who you will find next.

The Prince of Hell?

His Trusty Butler, who controls time itself?

The Cunning Human Sorcerer?

Or the Angel the others seem to be very afraid of?

Although you should be scared out of your wits, you are brimming with curiosity as you wonder how your loved ones have changed due to the Love Potions effects. 

Your tired feet drag you down another hallway. Like all the others, it is spotless, and every door is darkened and shut. You scan each one carefully, trying to find any sign someone has wandered through them today with little luck. 

The next thing you know, your steps are interrupted when you kick into something awkwardly and stumble forward, lurching toward the wall and grabbing onto it for support. 

Taking a deep breath, you steady yourself and wearily glance back at whatever it was that you just tripped over.

There, in the middle of the pristine carpet, lies a lone leather shoe. The tense muscles in your back stretch uncomfortably as you crouch down and pick up the obstacle. As you hold it in your hand, you cannot help but notice its style. It's nothing like the shoes you and Asmo see when window shopping down Majolish. It's clearly older but remarkably well-maintained. 

Its old leather is polished with an expert hand, and its dark untied laces sit unmarred by a single fray. These can only belong to Barbatos.

Come to think of it, his chambers are fairly close by. Is it possible that he lost his shoe on the way there?

In a castle as ginormous as this, leads are hard to find, so you and the shoe head off in search of its owner as you play out this little Demonic Cinderella Story.

Barbatos' room contains many dangers, so the fact that his door sits ajar makes your skin crawl. You push the door open gently with one hand and spot the demon resting atop his quilt. 

His legs hang off the mattress, and aside from the shoe currently in your hand, he is completely dressed. Seeing the usually pristine-looking Butler so out of sorts is unfamiliar. You know he often works himself past the point of exhaustion, but you have never seen him look so open, so unguarded.

Love Potion aside, you know he needs a little bit more rest. A gentle smile tugs at your lips as you start across the room and sit on the edge of the bed. Setting his shoe on the nightstand next to you. The mattress dips slightly, but he continues to sleep. His chest rises and falls steadily, and cute little puffs of air escape his open lips.

His cheeks are flushed a soft baby pink color as his body seems to shift magnetically closer to you. He may not be conscious, but he definitely is aware of your presence.

"Mmnnnm Mc," his sleep-addled voice murmurs as his hand stretches blindly across the mattress to brush yours. The minimal contact is just enough to stir him. His Green eyes blink open sleepily; you see your reflection in his heart-shaped pupils as he intertwines his fingers with yours.

In an instant, he gently tugs you into his chest. It's far warmer than it normally is as he settles you both deeper into the mattress. "Mc," he yawns fondly. "I was just dreaming about you. I knew you would come to see me." 

"I hope you don't mind me letting myself in," you say softly, using your unoccupied fingers to busy themselves with fixing his bedhead. "But I believe I found something of yours." You jerk your head toward the shoe you found earlier with a smile. 

"Oh, that troublesome thing," he chuckles, his lids growing heavier by the second. "Earlier, I just felt so fatigued I chose to simply kick it off."

"In the middle of the Hallway? That's unlike you."

"It's silly, but~" he yawns and leans into your touch. "I simply do not care for trivial things such as messes and responsibilities. All I need is you. Please come rest with me."

His words seem to form a lasso around your heart; it pulls you towards him instantly. "I suppose a few moments of rest wouldn't hurt." You chuckle, leaning back onto the mattress. Barbatos clings to you eagerly, snuggling into you for warmth. A look of pure contention lies on his face.

Butler's bed is remarkably comfortable. The mattress and quilt are stuffed with some kind of otherworldly feather. Simply laying down upon them is a decadence. You imagine that if you knew you had a bed as heavenly as this to return to at the end of the night, you would work as hard as he does to earn the pleasure.

All of your aches and pains seem to melt away in the butler's arms. With each breath he takes, he seems to bring you closer to him.

He can barely keep his eyes open. Seeing him in a state of exhaustion is fascinating. "You must've been exhausted," you say aloud. "You work way too hard, Barbatos."

"I'm a fool." he yawns. "I have wasted so much of my existence doing chores when all I should've been doing is laying here with you. This blissful feeling is incomparable. We should stay here forever."

"Forever is a long time," you murmur, toying with his gloved fingertips. "You may get tired of laying around all the time."

"Not if I'm with you," he yawns again. The dreamy lift in his voice kinda creeps you out, but the Butler is too enthralled by the spell to notice the shiver that crawls down your spine.

"Let's just lay here and watch the dust float around us as we bask in the pleasure of each other's warmth."

Okay…. That's it.

Although these uncharacteristic words may have escaped his drowsy mouth, that is not the real Barbatos speaking. He may need to rest more, but you know that you have to break this spell on him as soon as possible.

"That sounds amazing," you lie in a soft voice. "If we are to spend forever like this, can I at least have a kiss goodnight?"

The offer of a kiss is enough to get him to pry open his eyes. "Of course, you may. I apologize for not doing so earlier." His movements are slow and perhaps the most uncoordinated yet as he tries to scoot closer to you. Sitting up is a challenge for him, but when he finally succeeds in doing so, he can barely keep his head up. A silly smile rests on his face as he leans in to try and place a kiss on your lips, but thanks to the effects of the Potion, he almost completely misses your mouth, only managing to kiss the corner of your lips. 

Like Lucifer, it only takes a few seconds and the briefest contact of lips on the skin to break the spell. His eyes go wide, and his posture returns to perfect as he springs from his bed in alarm. 

"My goodness, Mc, what time is it?" he breathes, smoothing out a wrinkle from his quilt and fluffing the pillow anxiously. "I fear I have failed in my duties as a butler, how fares the celebration?"

You look at him nervously, worried that if you say the wrong thing, you'll send him into a heap of distress. He works too hard to plan these parties for them to end up the way they do. "Lucifer and his brothers are back in the banquet hall, recovering from the effects of the spell you were under. Apparently, only I can lift the effects, so I need to find Solomon, Simeon, and Diavolo." 

He nods solemnly, "I see, so the young master is still entranced. There is no time to waste if the Devildom were to see him in this…well…. State, It could cause quite the uproar." His cheeks flush a barely noticeable pink color as he recalls his earlier actions before clearing his throat. "The crown should not have to shoulder this sort of embarrassment; allow me to accompany you in retrieving him and the others."

"While I appreciate the offer, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse. Everyone is acting so unpredictably that I'd hate for anything to happen. I promise I have this handled."

His eyes flash with disappointment, but it quickly fades and a smile more genuine than his usual polite one shines at you reassuringly. He takes your hand and gently presses his lips to the back of it. "I understand, if that is your wish, I will do as you say. Please know that I believe in you wholeheartedly."

"Thank you, Barbatos," you say, taking in his slightly paler skin. The after-effects of the Potion must be hitting him about now. "I do have a favor I would like to ask you."

His eyes are full of wisdom and adoration as he looks at you with his usual round pupils. "Of course, what is your request? I would gladly do anything you ask of me."

You smile devilishly, "it would mean a lot to me if you would take some time and rest. You work far too hard, and I can tell that you aren't feeling your best."

He looks shocked, "but the mess."

"Can be taken care of later. But for now, please return to the banquet hall and do something good for yourself."

He takes a deep breath and relents. "If that is what you wish, I suppose I could partake in a little bit of what Asmodeus calls 'self-care.'"

"That's what I like to hear." You grin as he escorts you to the door. Just before you exit, you feel his presence behind you. The gesture is tender. He places a Soft kiss on the top of your head.

"Thank you for always caring about my well-being." He murmurs, "I pride myself in being good at many things, But tending to my own needs has never been one of them. It touches my heart that you continuously take the time to worry about me."

"And it makes me feel good to know that you allow me to care for you," you respond, wrapping your arms around the Butler; you feel him relax in your hold as he lets out a soft chuckle, wondering what this demon did to deserve your love.

Diavolo~

You may not be a world-class detective, but you have a hunch…

If Barbatos ended up returning to his bedroom after getting spelled, maybe someone found their way into Diavolo's quarters. 

Surely, someone would want to enjoy the amenities the Prince of Hell's bedroom has to offer, especially if they aren't thinking the clearest at the moment. 

You haven't even reached his massive double doors when your suspicions are confirmed. The shuffles of heavy footsteps seem to pace back and forth anxiously. You can tell from the light flickering under the door frame that someone is standing just on the other side of the darkened oak doors. 

You hold your breath and curiously press your ear against the wood to try and make out who is waiting for you. But your cheek had barely brushed the surface of the wood when the doors (that may not have been completely shut) swings open, and you tumble forward into the Prince's bedroom, letting loose a surprised screech that surely would put a banshee to shame. 

Your limbs are sprawled across the deep red carpet when you make eye contact with the heart-shaped pupils of none other than Lord Diavolo himself. Upon seeing you on the ground, his features twist and worry, and in an instant, he strives over to you.

"MC, you poor thing." he looks so concerned for your well-being that the mighty demon trembles as he looks you over. "Are you hurt?"

"Not at all," you laugh, placing your hands on either side of your body to try and hoist yourself up to a less humiliating seated position but he stops you hurriedly.

"Please, don't move." he pleads, lowering his hand as if he were speaking to an injured animal. "I need to check you for injuries. I once read that humans who are injured can enter a state of shock." His golden gaze scans you worriedly, and you feel your skin growing warm from the attention.

"Dia, it was just a little fall," you say, trying your best to comfort the Prince. "I promise I'm unharmed."

"Are you sure?" he breathes. You may have been the one to take a tumble, but he is the one who looks in pain. His arms are painfully tense at his sides, as if he needs to hold you close, but the potions hold on him is quite different. Instead of smothering you with affection like the others, it seems that he is lovingly devoted to your well-being.

"I promise everything is fine," you say, once again, reassuring the frazzled noble and allow him to help you to your feet. His touch is much warmer than normal, but he handles you as if you are made of glass. 

"I see, I am relieved you were not injured." he says seriously, "now tell me, what can I do to assist you?"

"Assist me?" You parrot, unsure of what he means by those words.

"Yes, I wish to assist you in whatever it is you ask of me." He says seriously. His posture is rigid, almost as if he is waiting for something to do. "What have you been doing?"

"Oh, I've just been walking around, you know, trying to find everybody. That's pretty much been my day so far." You chuckle.

When his eyes widen an alarm, you realize that maybe you shouldn't have told him that. in an instant, he scoops you into his arms. "you have been walking for hours? Please, you have been doing too much lately, allow me to take care of you so you can relieve your body of any stress it may be feeling."

He carries you over to his bed and text you gingerly underneath the covers. His brow is furrowed as he fusses over the wrinkles. his voice is too soft for you to make out what he is saying, but you think it's something about how he needs to care for you.

"Diavolo, please, I promise I'm fine. Could you please just sit down with me for a moment." You say, giving him a little pout. "I feel like I haven't gotten to see you all day."

"I'll be just a moment My Love; your voice sounds a little weak; have you had water today? Humans don't drink nearly enough water as they should, and that includes you."

Shit…

Potion or not he's got you there. 

You sit back and watch as he stumbles across the room to pour you a cool glass of water. His uncoordinated movements must be due to the potion's effects. As he walks back, he splashes a few drops of water onto the ground but is too focused on you to care about the mess he made.

"Here, drink Love." he says, holding the edge of the half-filled glass to your lips. As you drink, he smiles, feeling accomplished. The water is magically cool and you taste its slight citrus flavor as you gulp it down.

When you finish your glass, he takes it from you and sets it down on the nightstand, you could've done that yourself, but he seems to be enjoying waiting on you like your own personal butler. But as nice as it is to be fussed over sometimes, you hate how worried he is over the smallest things. 

You miss the real him.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" he asks, his little heart eyes shining in admiration as he sits on the edge of the bed. 

"Actually, there is something…" you say in the most innocent voice you can muster.

"Of course, whatever it is you want, I will get it to you." he says instantly; there is a hunger in his expression that yearns for a request to leave your cute little mouth.

"Could I please have a kiss?"

"Oh, of course." he says quickly, his eagerness betrays him as he cups your face tenderly "I apologize for my neglectful behavior. It would be my pleasure to steal away your breath."

And that he does. He goes in softly as if he is afraid of his own strength, but his fear leaves him quickly as he comes to his senses, allowing you to drown in the slight honey taste of his lips. The real him knows that you can handle a steamy make-out session or two.

He pulls away and looks remarkably well. His loud laughter fills the room as he pulls you to his chest in a firm hug. "Well, that was certainly an interesting feeling, I apologize if my behavior unsettled you earlier."

Now that he is back to his usual self, you find yourself relaxing immensely. "I am glad you're back to normal, although I did appreciate you taking care of me."

Although his skin doesn't flush in embarrassment you can tell from the way he clears his throat you have flustered him. "Well, if I am being honest, my behavior wasn't completely due to the." he pauses and looks at you questioningly. "spell? 

"Love Potion."

"Ahh I see." he smiles knowingly. "I thought so. Anyways there has always been a part of me that has wanted to be seen by you as someone who can take care of you."

"But you do take care of me," you say, placing your hand on top of his. "You do so much for me and make me feel so loved."

"I just feel that I only express my Love for you with grandiose gestures. It's wonderful to show everyone just how much I care for you, but I wish that I could do more of the little things the others do." he frowns "There has always been a part of me that envy's the way the others get to do the little things for you. Such as cooking you your favorite meal from the human world or stopping by the market to pick you up something you forgot to cross from your shopping list. I think that this little desire of mine was twisted beyond recognition when I consumed that love potion earlier. And I apologize If I caused you any trouble."

"It is no trouble at all. "You say suddenly, your heart swelling with admiration and a newfound perspective into the mind and heart of the Prince.  "Dia, I love you, and I think you express yourself wonderfully. We may not get to spend as much time together as we wish, but you do plenty for me in those little moments too. The grass isn't always greener on the other side and I'm sure the others envy you as well. After all, you are pretty darn wonderful."

His eyes light up as he absorbs your words; neither of you was anticipating a heart-to-heart today, but there it was. Looking much recovered, he smiles and has a devilish look in his eyes. "Speaking of the others, how many of us have you broken the spell on so far?"

"all except Solomon and Simeon," you reply. "the others are waiting in the banquet hall and recovering from some negative side effects. Are you feeling alright?"

"I am perfectly well. It's strange, but I don't feel fatigued at all. Perhaps this will be the perfect opportunity to observe the others. I recall how Lucifer, in particular, was acting earlier, and I would very much love to tease him about it. Barbatos too."

Laughter spills from your lips until it brings tears to your eyes. "That is all on you, if you wish to tease them I won't stop you but you should know that my lips are sealed. Barbatos and Lucifer can be scary when they are mad, they may decide to get revenge."

In response to your lack of gossip, Diavolo gives you a rather un-princely pout. "I suppose you're right, I must do this part myself. But before I go, will you please indulge me and allow me to kiss you once more?"

His request makes you giggle as your heart flutters. Although you still have a job to do, you find yourself nodding eagerly. A pleased smirk appears on his honey-tasting lips as he strides closer and closer to you. After all, you could never say no to the Prince?

Solomon~

'Two to go! Two to go!  Two to go! Let's go!'

You chant this cheerful little mantra softly under your breath as you walk through the halls with a pep in your step. Soon, you will be able to go to the banquet hall, play some party games, and eat some of Barbatos' amazing cooking.

Although today isn't exactly what you hoped it would be, this twisted little scavenger hunt is one you will never forget.

You find yourself down one of the narrower hallways the servants use. Unlike the room meant for entertaining noble demons of all shapes and sizes, these doors are much smaller and closer together. Each one houses items like extra china, party decorations, and cleaning supplies. You recall coming down here with Barbados a few times to grab supplies for one of Diavolo's spur-of-the-moment celebrations.

Although it's faint, you hear a sound that seems to come from somewhere behind you. You spin on a dime and squint your eyes to try and see better, but no one is there.

Curiously you keep your steps light so as to not make a sound and walk past a lonely looking supply closet. You hear the unstable sound of wood against stone and lightly grab the handle. taking a deep breath for courage, you twist the cold metal handle and throw it open. 

Solomon sits cross-legged on the ground next to some fallen broom handles. His snow-white hair is unruly, as if he had worriedly ran his hands through it over and over again. Beneath his heavy red blush, his fair skin seems paler than normal as he looks at you, but quickly becomes too shy and covers his eyes before you can see the hearts. 

"Sol, what are you doing in here all by yourself?" You ask gently, sweeping aside the hand the wooden handles that had fallen on top of him. 

"H-hiding," he murmurs, tucking his knees to his chest. 

"Who are you hiding from Sol?"

His response is so soft that if you didn't have all of your attention focused on the man cowering in front of you, you would've missed it. "I'm hiding from you…"

Your heart sinks at his words, and your weary head begins to spin with doubt. What if the feelings you have for him are not reciprocated to the degree required to break the spell? What if he is not truly in love with you? Is there someone else whose image spills from his heart and floods his mind?

All these questions that dizzy your mind compel you to your eloquent response. "Oh. I see." You try your best to hide your emotional turmoil, but you can't help it. You frown and can't bring yourself to look at him. "Is there someone else you want to see instead?"

His eyes go wide, and he leans toward you frantically. If anything, he looks offended that you would even ask that. "No, no, no. I don't want to see anyone else."

"Then why were you hiding from me then?" you ask, crossing your arms. 

He casts his eyes to the ground, "I-I just don't deserve to see you right now, not after what I have done." 

This is not the Solomon you are used to. The handsome and cunning sorcerer who loves to make your heart race has been tucked away. The man in front of you seems to be aware that he is partially responsible for the current predicament you are in. But the Potion seems to be making him more than a bit timid. You want to make him feel at least a little bit better about himself before you break the spell, but you have to do it carefully. 

"Sol, I could never hate you," you say, reaching your hand out to help your fellow human to their feet, but he stubbornly shakes his head and cowers away from you.

"C-can't," he whispers, shaking his head. "I can't do it."

"Sol? What can't you do?" you ask gently. You feel your face scrunching up in confusion as you couch down to his eye level and try to make him look at you. 

"I-if I touch you or say your name, I'll go all blank and embarrass myself in front of you, and you'll hate me forever."

"Hate you?" you repeat those words softly. "Solomon, why would I ever hate you? I love you."

Those three little words are tempting enough to compel the human to look at you. Finally, you get a glimpse of those heart shaped pupils that have adjourned everyone else so far, but it breaks your heart to see that his eyes are full of tears. 

"B-because I ruined your day…again. I swear it was an accident. I never thought Luke would use a bowl from my lab, but he did, and now all I know is that you're gonna hate me forever, and it breaks my heart because I love you so so so so much," his wails despair bounce off the walls of the tiny closet.

It's strange to see the usually wise and confident sorcerer reduce to an ashamed, blubbering mess, but you can't take it anymore. You launch yourself into his arms and hold him as tight as you can.

He leans into your touch and tightens his grip as if you're about to turn into smoke and disappear. "It's not your fault." you murmur pulling one of your hands free from his hold to gently rub comforting circles into his back. "It's actually not that bad."

"It's not?" he sniffles, meeting your gaze.

"Not at all," you say brightly. "I have found almost everyone and was able to break the spell that was on them. Almost everyone is back in the banquet hall resting up. If anything, you made today unintentionally more memorable. I got to explore more of the castle, spend some time with everyone one-on-one, and got to see some sides of everyone I didn't know existed."

"Is that true?" he asks, visibly relaxing amongst the brooms and buckets. When you nod, he looks like he's about to go over the moon. For the first time since you've seen him, he gives you a little lovesick grin.

His smile warms your heart and eases your conscience, which means it's time to get down to business. "Hey Sol, would it be all right if I gave you a kiss?"

The human opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out; as his brain tries to spill out a response, you wait patiently, enjoying the fact that, for once, you are the one who renders him speechless and not the other way around. Eventually, he decides that nodding would suffice as an appropriate answer, and you give him a little peck. He's already so overwhelmed you wouldn't want to do too much.

Pulling back, you watch his handsome features as he regains his sense of self. After a moment, he blinks away the heart in his eyes and is a bit confused as to why he has tracks running down his face.

"Oh my. Was I crying?" he asks; the look on your face tells all, and he looks a bit embarrassed. "I apologize Mc, I never would want you to see me in such a state of vulnerability, but I fear that this is my punishment for the current predicament we find ourselves in."

He is taking far too much blame, and being one who often finds themselves in an overly apologetic position, you feel for him. "I know you Solomon." You say, "This wasn't your fault, but I know that you want to take more than your fair share of the blame out of guilt. At this point, the only thing we can do is not let this little accident ruin our day and move on."

He smiles, spurred by your kind words. "Once again, you're right. Sometimes, I feel that you are the teacher and I am your student. I find myself learning much about myself in your presence."

"Hmmm, is that all you think of our relationship?" you ask, looking at him coyly. "Student and Teacher?"

Your question brings a smirk to the cunning sorcerer's lips as he grabs your chin, tilting it upwards and leaning in close. His breath fans your skin as his lips ghost over yours. You pout, waiting for his kiss to consume you, but it never comes. "As much as I wish to have you all to myself, there is more work to be done. Isn't there Mc?"

"Work?" you ask, too entranced by the Sorcerer's proximity to think clearly, and you can tell by his wicked smirk that he is loving it. "Oh, right. I have to find Simeon."

At the mention of the lone cursed party guest, you see his posture go rigid. "Is Simeon all you have left?"

"That's right," you should feel proud of yourself, but it's hard to do so when you see the worry in the man's eyes. 

"Please be careful, Mc," he warns. "The Potion that I created has never been tested on Angel's before. Although the details are foggy, I recall the drastic change in Simeon's behavior. It could be possible that the Potion had a stronger effect on him than the others."

Your stomach lurches as you take in his grave expression. "So what are you saying?"

"What I am saying is that a kiss may not be enough to cancel out the effects of the potion on Simeon."

Tagging: In the comments because there were wayyy to many of you! Thank you so much!!!

[prettyfilmz]

CHAIN REACTION PT. 2 • JEY USO

author's note: now that the coast (iykyk) is clear, let's get into this part two😌. shoutout to jey uso's fine ass for spoiling me with content of him wearing my chain 3-4 times this past week, the reunion is about to go craaazy. enjoy reading, my loves💗

synopsis: in which jey makes it clear to nyx that he don't play when it comes to her. period.

tags: 18+ (MDNI), jey uso x black fem oc, fluff overload, soft and sensual sex, oral (fem receiving), love bites, drinking, unprotected sex, dirty talk, praise kink, slight dacryphilia, pet names (baby girl, mama, baby.), they're sooo in loveeeee, body worship, established relationship at the end, this is super cute y'all trust me.

word count: 4.2k words (she's a big oneeee)

The soft hum of the private car made for a relaxing ride, but Nyx couldn’t stop fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She was nervous.  Not just the kind of nervous you get before meeting someone. You don’t get this nervous after you’ve already had them inside you, after you’ve had your body intimately ruined for future partners and spent hours discovering every hidden trick they had to make you see stars. This was different.

It had been five months since that night in the hotel. The night she found herself under Jey, wrapped up in his passion, losing herself to the slow grind of his hips and the possessive rasp of his voice calling her ‘baby girl’ like it was her name. They’d kept in touch—texting, FaceTiming, occasionally talking late into the night when he wasn’t traveling for shows. Their conversations had grown deeper, more personal, more intimate, until Nyx realized she had gone and done the one thing she promised herself she wouldn’t: caught feelings.

And now, sitting in the back of a blacked-out SUV, dressed to the nines in a black satin slip dress that hugged her thick, curvy frame in all the right ways, she was on her way to meet him again. In California. For the Netflix premiere of RAW.

Her phone buzzed in her lap, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Jey.

Jey: Almost there?  Can’t wait to see you, baby girl. I know you lookin’ fine as hell right now.

Nyx felt a wave of heat rush to her chest. He had such a way with words, making her feel like the most important person in the world with just a few taps on his phone.

Nyx: Almost there. You sure you’re ready to deal with me at a premiere?

The reply came instantly.

Jey: Been ready since the second I met you.

Her stomach flipped. The car pulled to a stop in front of the hotel, a luxurious high-rise that towered over the city with its sleek architecture and golden-lit windows. Nyx gathered her small clutch, smoothed out her dress, and stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement.

As soon as she walked into the lobby, she spotted him.

Jey was leaning against the concierge desk, looking like sin wrapped in caramel skin and tattoos. He was dressed sharp in a black jacket accompanied with an unzipped hoodie underneath which showcased the skin of his torso he decided to not put a shirt over.  The "YEET" chain she’d made him sparkled under the crystal chandelier lights.  When his brown eyes found on hers, his smirk grew slow and lazy, like he had just found exactly what he’d been waiting for.

“Damn,” he muttered under his breath as she approached, his gaze dragging over her like a caress.  “You tryin’ to get me in trouble tonight, mama?”

Nyx laughed, a little shy under his flirtatious gaze.  “Me? You’re the one standing here shirtless.”

He grinned, closing the distance between them to pull her into a hug.  His cologne, woody with a hint of vanilla, invaded her senses, and she melted into him.  His hands settled on her waist, giving her a squeeze as he pulled back to look at her.

“You good?” he asked, voice softer now.  “Nervous?”

“A little,” she admitted, biting her lip.  “It’s just… a lot. You didn’t have to fly me out and do all this.”

He tilted her chin up, making her meet his eyes.  “I wanted to. I told you—this ain’t just a hookup, Nyx.  You’re more than that.  And tonight? You’re with me. Don’t ever doubt that, ‘aight?”

Her heart swelled at his words, and she nodded, smiling shyly.

“Good,” he said, his grin widening.  “Now let’s go before Paul gets on my ass about being late.”

♡

The premiere was a whirlwind of cameras, interviews, and flashing lights, but the entire night, Jey had never let Nyx out of his sight.  Once his match finished and his post-match interview was underway, he immediately came and found her. His hand stayed on the small of her back, his thumb brushing lazy circles against her skin through the fabric of her dress.  

When fellow wrestlers including his brother Jimmy and his wife Trinity, he didn’t hesitate to introduce her as “This is my girl, Nyx,” with a pride that left her both flustered and giddy. Jimmy didn’t hesitate to make her feel welcome and got a few laughs out of her, and Trinity greeted her with a hug and exchanged numbers which marks the start of a blossoming friendship.

Now, hours later, they were back in his suite, Nyx stood by the window, sipping the last of her champagne.

He was watching her.  She could feel it in the way the heat of his gaze swept over her curves, lingering on the slit of her dress that revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her thick thighs.

“Why you all the way over there, baby girl?” Jey asked, his voice low but had a rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

Nyx turned to face him, the champagne in her system gave her a warmth that spread through her chest, but it didn’t stop the butterflies that had been fluttering in her stomach since the moment she saw him tonight.

“Maybe I like the view from over here,” she teased, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Jey smirked, setting his glass down on the counter.  “Yeah?  I think I like this view a little better, mama.”

He began closing the space between them, his slow, deliberate strides making her heart race. The way his eyes locked onto hers had her forgetting how to breathe. It was the kind of gaze that saw right through every wall she tried to put up, that made her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

“Damn,” he muttered, shaking his head. “You don’t even know what you do to me, Nyx.”

Her breath hitched at the way he said her name, low and raspy, like a sacred prayer. She bit her lip, looking up at him through her lashes.  “What am I doing to you?”

He chuckled softly, his hand finally coming up to cup her cheek.  His thumb brushed along her jawline, sending sparks shooting through her body.  “Makin’ it real hard for me to behave.”

Nyx leaned into his touch, her voice barely above a whisper.  “Who said I want you to behave?”

That was all it took. Jey closed the remaining distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was soft but full of meaning. He kissed her like she was something to be savored, his hand sliding down to rest on her waist, pulling her closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between them.

She melted into him, her hands finding their way to his chest.  The feel of his warmth beneath her palms, the steady beat of his heart, sent a thrill through her.  His lips moved against hers with a slow, deliberate rhythm, teasing and coaxing her until she was breathless.

“You taste so damn sweet,” he murmured against her lips. Nyx giggled softly, “It’s probably the champagne.”

“Nah,” he said, shaking his head as he kissed the corner of her mouth.  “That’s all you, baby girl.”

His lips trailed down her jaw to her neck, pressing soft kisses to her skin. He nipped gently at the spot just below her ear, earning a soft gasp from her that made him grin.

“You like that?” he asked, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.

“Yes,” she breathed, tilting her head to give him better access.

“Good,” he murmured, his hands sliding down to her hips.  He tugged her closer, his thigh pressing between hers, and the friction sent a jolt of heat through her body.

“Jey,” she whimpered, her hands clutching at his shirt.

“I got you, mama,” he said, his lips brushing against her ear.  “You know I’m gonna take care of you tonight, right?”

She nodded, her heart racing.  “I know.”

His grin widened, and he leaned in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “Good. ‘Cause I’m gon’ take my time with you this time.”

Jey laid her down on the plush hotel bed like she was something fragile, something to be handled with care. He knelt over her, his hands braced on either side of her, and took a moment to just look at her.

“Can’t get over how beautiful you are,” he said softly.

Nyx’s cheeks flushed, and she turned her head shyly, but Jey wasn’t having it.  “Uh-uh, baby girl.  Don’t hide from me.”

He cupped her cheek, turning her face back to his.  “You hear me?  You’re beautiful. All of you.”

Her heart swelled at his words, and she reached up to brush her fingers through his hair.  “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jey leaned down, pressing his lips to hers once again. His hands roamed her body, sliding over her curves like he couldn’t get enough of her. When he pulled back, he grinned down at her, his fingers playing with the strap of her dress.

“This gotta go,” he said, his voice teasing.

Nyx giggled, the sound soft and bubbly as she nodded.  “Okay.”

He slid the straps down her shoulders, taking his time peeling the satin from her body.  His eyes darkened as he revealed more of her, his hands brushing over her soft skin.

He kissed her again, deeper this time, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that left her moaning softly into his mouth.  His hands roamed her body like he couldn’t get enough of her tracing the curve of her waist, gripping her hips, sliding down to cup her thick thighs.

“You’re so soft, mama,” he murmured against her lips. “I could touch you all night.”

Nyx’s cheeks flushed, her shyness creeping in again despite how exposed she already was.  She felt like she was being seen in a way she never had before, like Jey wasn’t just looking at her body but at her and all the emotions that she tried to hide.

“You’re just sayin’ that,” she whispered, trying to deflect the intensity of his gaze.

Jey shook his head, his hand sliding up to cradle her cheek.  “Nah, baby girl. I mean every word. You’re so damn beautiful.”

Her heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice, and before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her again, his lips moving against hers with a slowness that felt deliberate, almost teasing.

He kissed down her neck, his teeth grazing her skin as he left love bites in his wake. Red, purplish marks she knew she’d have to conceal with makeup tomorrow.  When he reached her breasts, he took his time, his lips and tongue exploring her soft skin until her back arched off the bed and her fingers tangled in his hair.

“Jey,” she whimpered, her voice trembling with need.

“Yeah, baby?” he asked, his voice low and teasing as he kissed the underside of her breast.

“I need you,” she breathed, her hands tightening in his hair.

He chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin.  “You got me, mama. I’m right here…ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

But still, he didn’t rush. His hands slid down her body, gripping her thighs and spreading them gently. The way he looked at her like she was something precious, something he wanted to take his time with made her heart race.

“I almost forgot how pretty your pussy is,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over her slick folds.  “Look at you, baby girl. Already so wet for me.”

Nyx whimpered, her thighs trembling as he slid a finger inside her, his touch slow and deliberate. “Jey,” she gasped, her hips bucking against his hand.

“I know, mama,” he said softly, his lips brushing against her inner thigh. “I got you.”

He took his time, building her up slowly, his fingers curling inside her just right while his thumb worked lazy circles over her clit.  When he finally leaned in and pressed his tongue against her, she cried out, her back arching off the bed.

“Shit,” she whimpered, her hands clutching at the sheets.

“That’s it, baby,” he murmured against her, his voice vibrating through her.  “Let it out. Lemme hear you.”

Jey worked her like it was second nature, his tongue and fingers driving her higher and higher until the pleasure was almost unbearable. When she came, it was with a broken cry, her body trembling as the waves of her orgasm crashed over her.

But he wasn’t done.

“Shhh,” he murmured, kissing his way back up her body as she tried to catch her breath. “I got you, baby girl.  You want more?”

She whimpered softly, her body still trembling from her release, but Jey didn’t stop. His lips found hers again, kissing her softly as he slid his fingers inside her once more. The overstimulation made her squirm, but he held her steady, his free hand gripping her thigh.

“You’re so fuckin’ good for me,” he murmured against her lips.  “So perfect, baby girl.  That’s my good girl.”

The praise sent a fresh wave of heat through her, and she whimpered, her hips grinding against his hand as he brought her to the edge again.

Jey helped her ride out the aftershocks of her second orgasm, his lips soft and tender against the skin of her shoulder blade.  

Nyx laid there, her body trembling with the remnants of her earlier releases. Her lips parted as she caught her breath, her thighs still slightly trembling from the way his mouth had just worshiped her.

Jey hovered above her, taking his time, his dark, hungry eyes scanning every inch of her like she was a piece of art carefully crafted just for him. His lips curved into a lopsided, boyish grin, but his voice was thick and raspy when he spoke.

"You got no idea what you do to me, baby girl," he murmured. "I’ve been dreamin’ about this for months. About you. Feelin’ you, hearin’ you, bein’ inside you again. And now that you’re here…" He let the sentence trail off, his hands sliding up her sides, his thumbs grazing the undersides of her breasts. "Now that you’re here, I’m gonna take my fuckin’ time with you."

Her breath hitched as his lips found her neck, leaving slow, open-mouthed kisses along the column of her throat.  He lingered there, sucking gently at her pulse point until she whimpered, body shifting slightly against the bed. Her hands found their way to his broad shoulders, fingers curling into the soft fabric of his shirt.

Jey’s kisses moved lower, his lips and tongue exploring every inch of her chest, her stomach, the soft dips and curves of her body.  He stopped at her breasts, his large hands cupped them, thumbs brushing over her sensitive nipples, drawing a soft gasp from her lips.

“So fuckin’ perfect," he murmured, leaning down to take one in his mouth. His tongue swirled slowly, his lips tugging gently at her nipple, while his other hand kneaded her opposite breast.

Nyx gasped, her hands tangling in his curls as she arched into his touch. Her body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending alive under his attention.

"Jey, please," she whimpered, her voice trembling.

He released her breast with a wet pop, grinning up at her.  "Please what, baby girl?  Tell me what you need."

"I need you," she breathed, her thighs pressing together as her arousal grew.

He chuckled softly, kissing his way back up to her lips.  "I know, mama. I know what you need. And I’m gonna give it to you. Just let me take my time."

He kissed her deeply, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that made her toes curl.  His hands gripped her hips, tugging her closer until she could feel the hard length of him pressing against her thigh through his pants. 

As if sensing her anticipation, Jey pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. "Don’t worry, baby girl. I got you. I’ll take care of you."

Jey shifted, sitting back on his heels as he pulled his pants down his hips. Nyx’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of him thick, hard, and already leaking at the tip. She bit her lip, her thighs squeezing together instinctively.

“Don’t act like you ain’t seen it before, girl,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he leaned back down to kiss her neck.

“Not acting.” she huffs playfully annoyed, her cheeks flushing.

He chuckled softly, his lips brushing against her ear.  "Don’t be nervous, baby. You’ve already taken me before. You can handle it.  You’re my good girl, remember?"

The praise made her shiver, and she nodded, her hands gripping his shoulders as he lined himself up with her entrance. He slid the tip against her folds, teasing her, gathering her wetness before slowly, slowly easing himself inside.

"Shit," he muttered, his jaw tightening as he sank into her inch by inch.  "You’re so fuckin’ tight, baby girl. Grippin’ me good…goddamn.”

Nyx gasped, her nails digging into his back as he stretched her.  He was big, and the slow pace only made her hyperaware of how deeply he filled her.

"Jey," she whimpered, her voice trembling.

"I know, mama," he groaned, his forehead pressing against hers as he bottomed out.  "I know. You feel so damn good."

He stayed still for a moment, letting her adjust, his hands rubbing soothing circles into her hips.  He kissed her softly, murmuring praises against her lips.

"You’re takin’ me so good, baby. Kept that pussy tight for me huh?”

His words made her moan, her walls fluttering around him as her body relaxed. Slowly, he began to move, his thrusts deep and measured, each one dragging a soft whimper from her lips.

"That’s it," he murmured, his voice low and wrecked. "Just like that, baby girl. Let me take care of you."

The pace was slow but devastating, every roll of his hips sending waves of pleasure crashing through her. Nyx clung to him, her legs wrapping around his waist as he thrust into her, the wet sound of their bodies meeting filling the room.

"You’re so fuckin’ perfect," he rasped, his lips brushing against her neck. "So good for me, baby.."

The praise pushed her closer to the edge, her thighs trembling as the tension in her belly built higher and higher.  Tears pricked at her eyes, and she whimpered, her nails raking down his back.

"I’m gonna…" she gasped, her voice breaking.  “Jey, I’m gonna—"

"I got you, baby," Jey said, his voice soft but commanding.  “Give it to me. Cum for me, mama."

With a broken cry, she shattered around him, her walls clenching tightly as her orgasm ripped through her.  Tears streamed down her cheeks as her body shook with the force of it, her nails digging into his shoulders as she held onto him like a lifeline.

Jey groaned, his hips stuttering as he followed her over the edge, spilling into her with a low, guttural moan. He held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her as they rode out their highs together, their breaths mingling in the quiet aftermath.

He collapsed beside her, pulling her into his chest as they caught their breath. He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there as his hand rubbed slow, lazy circles into her back.

The room was quiet now, the faint buzz of the nightlife outside leaking into the room.  The amber light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the hotel suite, highlighting the sheen of sweat glistening on their bodies as they lay tangled together in the aftermath of their passion.

Nyx rested against Jey’s chest, her head tucked just beneath his chin, her bare body pressed against his.  His strong arms were wrapped around her, holding her close like she might disappear if he let go.  The steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her ear was grounding, a reminder that this was real, that this was them.

Jey let out a deep, satisfied sigh, his large hand sliding lazily up and down her back, the weight of it soothing and protective.  His fingers traced soft patterns into her skin, sending shivers down her spine despite the heat radiating off their bodies.

“You good, baby girl?” he asked softly. .

Nyx nodded, her lips curving into a soft smile against his chest.  “Yeah… I’m good,” she murmured, her voice light and content.

He tilted his head down to look at her, smiling lazily.  “Yeah? I didn’t go too hard on you, did I?”

She laughed softly, the sound warm and intimate, as her fingers traced absentminded circles on his chest.  “No, Jey. You were… perfect.”

He smirked, his hand moving to cup her chin, tilting her face up so he could meet her eyes.  “Perfect, huh?” he teased, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.  “Good to know I still got it.”

Nyx rolled her eyes playfully, her fingers sliding up to toy with her chain that rested against his chest.  “Don’t get cocky now,” she said, though the fondness in her voice betrayed her words.

Jey chuckled, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he studied her face. There was a softness in his gaze, something deeper than lust, something that made Nyx’s chest tighten in the best way.

“I meant what I said, you know,” he said, his tone quieter now, more serious.

Nyx blinked up at him, her brows furrowing slightly.  “What do you mean?”

Jey shifted, propping himself up on one elbow so he could look at her fully.  His free hand slid down to rest on her hip, his fingers curling around the soft curve there.

“About this,” he said, his gaze locking onto hers.  “About you. This ain’t just a hookup for me, Nyx. I don’t want you thinkin’ that.”

Her breath hitched slightly at his words, her heart pounding in her chest.  She had known, deep down, that this wasn’t just casual fling for him. He’d flown her out to California, brought her to the premiere, held her hand in public like she was someone he was proud to be with. But hearing him say it out loud made it feel more real, made it settle deep into her bones.

“I don’t think it’s just a hookup,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling in her chest.

Jey’s lips curved into a small smile, and he leaned down to press another kiss to her lips, this one softer, sweeter, as if sealing his promise to her.

“Good,” he murmured against her lips.  “Because you’re mine now, baby girl. I told you, I don’t play about you.”

Nyx couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face, her fingers sliding up to ruffle his hair.  “Yours, huh?”

“Damn right,” he said, his voice full of confidence.  He kissed her again, slower this time, taking his time to savor the feel of her lips against his.  When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, his soft brown eyes holding hers.

“And just so we’re clear,” he continued, his tone softer now, almost shy.  “I’m takin’ you out on a real date. No cameras, no press, no crazy crowds. Jus’ me and you.”

Nyx’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.  “Really?”

Jey nodded, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.  “Really, mama.  I’ve been waitin’ to do this right. And after tonight, I couldn’t wait no more.”

Her heart swelled at his words, and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.  “So what kind of date are we talkin’ about?” she teased, her voice light.

Jey grinned, his dimples showing as he leaned back slightly to rest on his elbow, still hovering over her.  “Whatever you want, baby girl.  Fancy restaurant?  Done. Beach?  Say less.  Hell, I’ll take your pretty ass to Waffle House if they got one here.”

Nyx laughed, the sound warm and full, as she reached up to cup his cheek.  “You’re too much, you know that?”

“Maybe,” he said, his grin widening.  “But you like me anyway.”

She rolled her eyes, though her smile didn’t waver. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

Jey’s hand slid up to rest over hers, his eyes softening as he looked down at her.  “You deserve to be treated right, Nyx.  And I wanna be the one to do it.”

Her chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice, and she leaned up to kiss him again, her arms wrapped around his neck as she poured every unspoken feeling into the kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, Jey smirked down at her, his dimples deepening.  “So, what do you say, baby girl?  You gon’ let me take you out and do this thing right?”

Nyx pretended to think for a moment, her lips twitching into a teasing smile. “Hmm… I guess I could clear my schedule.”

Jey chuckled, leaning down to nip playfully at her bottom lip.  “Keep playin’, mama. You know you’re already mine.”

She laughed, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer.  “Yeah,” she said softly, her voice full of affection.  “I am.”

And for the first time in a long time, Nyx felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be: right there in Jey’s arms.

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[ham-st4r]

𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒑 - 𝑳. 𝑯𝒆𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒏𝒈

✿Pairing: heeseung + female reader!

✿Warnings: smut, pure filth, car sex, dirty talk, unprotected sex, cream pie, cum eating, breeding kink, daddy kink, male masturbation, cursing, implied round 2. (Since the daddy kink won on votes, I added it 🤭)

✿Genre: smut, 18+, read at your own discretion.

✿Summary: in which a road trip leads to you riding your friend in the back seat of a minivan, that’s literally it lol I didn’t add Niki for obvious reasons, and just to save any controversy, the last thing I need is drama in here.

✿Number of words: 3,184k

Pt.2 pt.3 pt.4

Find your way around!

You’re not sure whose idea it was to invite you and your best friend on the road trip or who thought it would be a great idea to travel in a minivan given the fact it only held seven people and there were eight people, including you and you’re also not sure why you agreed, but here you sat on one of your guy friends lap on a whole 4-hour road trip and halfway into the drive it was getting really uncomfortable more than uncomfortable.

Not only that but why the hell did you have to sit on heeseung’s lap? Couldn’t someone else sit there?

You didn’t even ask cause you knew they’d give you a bullshit excuse about you being smaller and weighing less.

You wouldn’t mind sitting on him in any other circumstance cause he was undoubtedly a hottie, but right now, your mind couldn’t even travel there as the pain in your body increased.

And on top of that, Jake and his girlfriend were practically sharing a seat, so why on earth were you crammed in the back with heeseung while Sunghoon told a series of terrible jokes?

You couldn’t believe how Jake and his girlfriend seemed to be having the time of their lives while in the seat in front of you in your same position, except your best friend was only halfway on jakes lap.

You wished you were having that much fun, but your back ached, and there was still a whole hour left. “Umm, can we stop? I have to use the bathroom,” heeseung spoke up. He had been quiet for most of the ride, only laughing awkwardly when you sat on his lap after muttering a small “hey,” which you returned just as awkwardly.

And little did you know heeseung was just as uncomfortable, if not more uncomfortable than you.

“Really, heeseung, can you just hold it? We’re almost there,” Jay piped up from the driver's seat.

No.

In fact, heeseung couldn’t hold it well. There was nothing to really hold other than the erection that was about to become very evident to you if he didn’t get a break real soon. “We’re not even almost there yet!” he shouted to the front seat, nearly blowing out your eardrum in the process.

“Be a man and use a bottle 'cause we’re not stopping,” Jay dismissed, and heeseung only groaned behind you.

Heeseung was doing alright for the next ten minutes, but once Jay ran over a bump and your ass brushed against his bulge, he couldn’t help but whimper. “Fuck” he whispered and clutched tightly onto the leather seats.

You were now fully aware of why heeseung wanted to stop and even more aware of what you were feeling under you, and you didn’t know if you should feel disgusted or flattered.

You supposed you were indifferent to the situation, and you tried shifting so you’d be sitting more on his thigh, but that seemed to make it worse as he squeezed your waist to hold you in place. “Please just stop moving,” he breathed out and rested his forehead on your back. “Shit, y/n, I’m sorry” He lowered his head in embarrassment. “Can we please take a break?” He spoke up, and Jay mumbled out a curse, finally pulling off at a gas station a few minutes out, although it was too late now that heeseung had already humiliated himself in front of you.

Heeseung practically threw you off his lap and hurried off to the restroom.

It was one outside the gas station around the back, and it was more than janky, but it’d have to do.

At first, he tried to make his erection go down by rinsing his face with cold water and taking deep breaths, even going as far to try and flex certain muscles in his body to make the blood go somewhere else, but no matter what, he could not stop imagining you sitting on top of him and it didn’t help that you had to wear shorts he knew it was like ninety degrees outside so he couldn’t blame you but still.

“Fuck” he moaned when he rubbed over the tent in his basketball shorts.

He quickly dropped them and his underwear on the ground fisting his cock at a fast pace. He had to hurry if he didn’t want anyone getting suspicious of him.

He bit his lip as he swirled his palm over his wet tip. “So fucking good, y/n” He closed his eyes, picturing you without those shorts on, wondering how good it’d feel for you to sit on his lap with nothing on. He’d love watching your perfect ass jiggle while you bounce on his big dick.

He had dreamed about it so many times he couldn’t even count. He knew it was wrong to like you cause you were only friends, but you made that extremely difficult for him, especially today.

He tugged at his balls, squeezing his sack softly while stroking his warm length. “Y/n, please don’t fucking stop” He was full-on fantasizing about you jerking his cock instead, wondering how you’d do it. Would you tease him? Would you do it nice and slow or rough and fast? Just the thought was getting him close. “Feels so good, baby,” he whispered.

Frankly, he wouldn’t care how you did it just as long as you were touching him.

“Hurry up, will you! I gotta go next,” he heard jakes voice outside the door and panicked.

“Shit” He knew if the guys knew what he was doing in here, they’d never let him live it down ever.

He quickly pulled up his shorts, tucking his erection in his waistband and hoping for the best.

“Sorry about that, it’s all yours” heeseung smiled awkwardly at Jake, hoping he wouldn’t notice anything, and to heeseung’s luck, he didn’t.

Now you, on the other hand, that’s a different story.

He avoided all eye contact with you and hopped in the back of the van while you left to buy something, he assumed, but just then, he got an idea. “Can I sit up front? I can give directions.”

“No!” They all said in unison, and he couldn’t help but wonder why all the guys were being such ass hats today. Just his luck.

But he did also get them lost when he was in control of the navigation on their road trip last year, so he supposed they had a right to respond that way.

Once you came out of the gas station, you made your way to the back, and heeseung peered out the window as if the scenery was just that beautiful, which it wasn’t. It was literally a dead-end gas station with flickering lights. You figured he must have just been embarrassed, but you understood it wasn’t intentional, and that just happens sometimes, and you didn’t judge him for it.

You sat on his lap once more, and Jay hit the road again. “Would you like some?” You offered him a drink of your ice-cold water, and if he’s being truthful, his body felt like it was on fire right now, partly cause you were sitting on his lap and the burning weather outside, so he accepted your offer.

“Thanks,” he whispers and drinks at least half the bottle in one go.

“I’m not disgusted by you or anything if that makes you feel any better,” you whisper to him, and you feel him tense up.

That definitely made him feel better, but it was still embarrassing for him.

You leaned back slightly, and you’re not sure if he had gotten hard again or he was still hard from earlier. You thought that’s why he went to the restroom to relieve himself. “Are you feeling any better?” you could only hope it didn’t make him more uncomfortable, but you just didn’t want him suffering for the next fifty minutes.

“Do you actually want to know the answer to that?” He whispers close to your ear so no one else would hear as his warm breath fans lightly across your face making you feel a shiver run up your spine.

“Yes,” you reply back in a whisper.

“No,” he replied honestly, and at this point, he’s been so hard for so long that it almost felt painful.

“I can help if you want?” You said boldly and pushed up against him a little, giving him a hint in case he didn’t know what you meant already.

You and heeseung were friends, yes, but that never once stopped you from thinking he was an attractive guy, and who cares? You were all on vacation to act crazy, party, and have fun, so why not start the fun right now?

Heeseung could have sworn he misheard, but he definitely saw the way you backed your ass up and pressed it on his aching length. “N-no, we’re almost there. I can take care of it later,” he politely declines.

You knew he was just being nice, but you really didn’t mind, and you can’t lie feeling his thick cock beneath your ass was turning you on, and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t soaking wet right now. “Sure?” You gripped his knee and rotated your hips on his crotch teasingly, and he said fuck it and gave in.

He squeezed your hip with his right hand guiding you back and forth on his lap, groaning softly in your ear when your clothed ass brushed over his tip.

He grabbed your waist with his other hand pushing you down on his cock. You put your hands over his stopping his movement, and he was hesitant to do anything further in case he was making you uncomfortable. “Sorry, did I do something wrong?” You didn’t say anything. You lifted your hips and shimmied out of your shorts and underwear, and he gasped at the sight, watching a thick string of your arousal sticking to your thigh. though the sight was extremely hot to him, he didn’t want his friends to see you naked. “Are you crazy?” He whisper, yelled, and tried to cover your body with his hands. He looked around and thanked the stars that Sunghoon had fallen asleep beside him. Jake, his girlfriend, and Jungwon were too immersed in their game to care, and Jay was focused on driving while Sunoo was in the front seat giving directions which gave you and heeseung the green light.

“Relax,” you giggled and tugged at his shorts.

“Fuck okay,” he breathed out once he deemed it to be safe plus, nightfall had come already, so even if anyone did wake up, he could discreetly cover you and himself before anyone saw anything.

He pulled down his shorts, and you looked behind you while biting on your lip, looking at his huge dick resting on his abdomen.

You sat back down on his lap, dragging your pussy over his cock getting it nice and slippery so he could enter you with ease. “God baby, you’re so wet,” he mumbled in your ear groggily, already in a daze-like state from feeling your warm pussy gliding on his length. Evidently, he wasn’t the only one turned on.

He pushed his cock down at the base, sticking it between your legs, making it easier for you to grind on it. “So fucking big.”

“Yeah? You like that, huh?” He gripped your waist, now controlling the movement of your hips. “You gonna let me stick it in that pussy, baby? Wanna feel this big dick inside you? Hmm?” He kissed your neck sloppily while squeezing your hips.

“Yes, please,” you whined out, nearly moaning when you felt his tip poking at your quivering hole.

“Ooh, so polite” You could tell he was smirking by the tone of his voice. “You know just how to get what you want, huh, baby?” He nibbled your ear and bucked his hips up, pushing his cock past your tight entrance.

You had to cover your mouth to muffle your moan as you felt him stretching out your tight walls. You were thankful that he started out slow and let you adjust first cause he was huge. He slowly thrust in and out inch by inch until you could take all of it. He bit down on your shoulder softly and took a deep breath while he bottomed out. “You feel so good,” he moaned out after finally getting the relief he’s been needing for the past hour.

“You do, too” You swirled your hips while placing your hands on his knees to get a good angle to ride him. “Mmph,” you moaned.

“There you go,” he whispered, mesmerized by how you were swaying your hips in such a small space so effortlessly. “Just like that” He pulled his shirt up so he could watch his cock getting buried in your little cunt each time you moved back and forth on him.

He reached around you slipping his hands underneath your shirt to massage your tits, cupping them in his large warm hands and squeezing on them occasionally, not too rough but just right.

“Fuck heeseung,” he chuckled lowly in your ear.

“Like that? Having your tight little pussy filled with daddy’s dick?” Heeseung definitely made his dirty jokes here and there, but this was a whole new side of him you had never seen before. The filthy words coming from his mouth just made you wetter by the second.

“Mmh yes, Daddy,” he snuck a hand inside your bra, rolling your hard nipple between his fingers while he kissed on your neck.

“Shit, baby, you’re taking my dick so well” His comment made you clench down on his dick, squeezing your walls involuntarily. “Bounce on it,” he commands in a hushed voice, and you immediately obey, bouncing up and down on his cock just the way he ordered you to.

He breathily moaned in your ear, making you tighten your walls around him yet again. “S-so full” You could literally feel his dick everywhere inside you. The thickness brushing against your wet aching walls was absolute heaven.

“All for daddy’s girl” He dropped his right hand from your chest, cupping your mound with his palm before using his two fingers to massage your little swollen clit.

You threw your head back on his shoulder as he tugged at your sensitive nub.

“Gonna be good and let daddy breed his girl? Come on, baby, let Daddy fill you up. I know your little pussy wants it” He matched your pace when he felt your legs giving out, and he started bucking his hips into you, helping you ride him.

Luckily Jay had the radio on, and the quiet sounds of your guys' sweaty skin clapping against each other were drowned out.

“Yes, Daddy cum in me, please” You chewed on your lip, quieting your moans in the stifling van.

“Cum with Daddy, okay?” He said hurriedly, feeling high coming up on him.

“Hee- heeseung, I’m coming,” you breathed out.

“Oh god,” he grunted out. “Me too, y/n me t-too,” He spoke softly in your ear, and you felt his cock stiffen even more while he fucked into you and eventually spilled his seed inside you.

“Shit,” your squeak of a moan fell from your lips as he rubbed your clit in fast circles tipping you over the edge at the same time as him while his cock continued to ruin your spent pussy.

“Fuckkkkkkkk,” heeseung panted heavily in your ear as you felt his cock throbbing inside you and his warm ropes of cum staining your walls.

He didn’t think it was possible for an orgasm to feel so good, and to make it even better, your pussy just kept clenching on him nonstop, milking his dick for everything he had to give, which was a lot given the fact he hadn’t came in awhile.

“Fuck your cum into me, Daddy. Please, I’ve been a good girl for you,” you begged. Even though you were sensitive, you still needed to feel more of him.

“Fuck my girl is so dirty, such a naughty baby” He fulfilled your downright filthy wish, bucking his hip and fucking his cum back inside your used hole. He swiped his fingers over his length, collecting his release before holding it up to your mouth for you to suck on as he created a creamy mess between your sweaty bodies. “Does Daddy taste good?” You hummed around his fingers, and the lewd sticky sounds in the quietness of the van just made it ten times hotter you felt so dirty but so good at the same time.

Heeseung dared to look down and saw your pussy was nothing but a mess of his and your cum the creamy white ring around his base made him groan in pleasure as your pussy lips stretched around his length, taking everything he was giving to you.

After a few minutes, his cock had begun to soften, and he pulled out of you. You could feel his cum drip from your hole, and you put your hand under the small stream catching it in your palm once it leaked out of you.

You held your hand up to your mouth, licking it clean, refusing to let even a drop of him go to waste. “Such a good fucking girl for Daddy,” he breathed in your ear.

You looked back, smirking at him and showing him the creamy white on your tongue. “Let Daddy have a taste. Wanna have you on my tongue, baby” He gripped your jaw lightly, turning your face to the side so he could kiss you. You both kissed messily, playing with the liquid and passing it back and forth on each other’s tongues until it got lost in your guys' saliva and trickled down your throats. You both gulped each other's fluids down, humming in satisfaction before eventually pulling away.

You both pulled up your shorts and underwear once the post-orgasm clarity had kicked in, and the air was now quiet and peaceful heeseung’s hands fell on your waist. He then offered you some water, and you quietly accepted, swallowing the now room-temperature water.

He traced his hands over your belly, lifting up your crop top just a little to feel more of your skin on his fingertips as he kissed your neck occasionally.

You reached your hand back, tugging him forward by his neck, allowing him to press more wet kisses all over your exposed skin.

You’re not sure who rolled the windows down, but you were both so thankful when the cool breeze hit your warm skin. Both of you released a breath from the relaxing feeling of the chilly night air.

You cupped your other hand over his and ran your fingers through his dusty blonde hair. “We should do this again when we get to the hotel,” he hums against your neck. “Want to?”

“I’d love to,” you whisper, and you can feel him smiling on your skin.

So maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea, after all, to accompany the boys on their road trip.

FIN.

Thank you for reading. Please reblog and leave feedback! - 🐹

[ghoulsbounty]

From a Previous Life (Pt 2)

Cooper Howard (The Ghoul) x Preg!Reader

Summary: You find comfort in your routine with the Ghoul, but an evening of bonding turns into harsh realizations.

Warnings: Emotional hurt/comfort, pregnancy, non-detailed talk about experimentations, angst, grief, more flirting (less squinting),

Word Count: 3.5K

A/N: The second part to what was a one-shot but the responses were so overwhelmingly lovely about it that I just had to write more! I have more ideas for these two because they break my heart, so part 3 will be happening next week :) I'd love to know what you think 💌

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

A routine had solidified between you both, born out of necessity in this unforgiving landscape. Each day, you travelled further through the barren wasteland, seeking refuge in abandoned structures come evening. As the sun dipped below the horizon, you gathered around the crude fire, its flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the worn walls of whatever shelter you'd found. It was a skill your companion had imparted through countless arduous nights, a beacon of warmth and security in the darkness.

With the day's journey behind you, you would compare your spoils. Tins of pork and beans, salvaged copper, and screws—valuable commodities in the market of survival. Occasionally, luck would smile upon you, offering a giant mole rat to add to the evening stew. It wasn't gourmet by any means, but a welcomed reprieve from the Ghoul's ever-present jerky stowed away in his saddlebag like a grim reminder of the world you now inhabited.

Few words had been exchanged between you. You'd come to understand that the Ghoul valued silence, speaking only when necessary, and expected the same from his companion. He had provided a brief summary of the world's changes over the past two centuries, yet remained guarded when pressed for further details about his own involvement. Despite your efforts, he remained as enigmatic as when he first found you.

Despite the grim reality surrounding you, you found comfort in the routine. Far removed from the life you once knew before the war, you still managed to extract a glimmer of joy from the simple act of preparing the evening meal. With meagre resources at your disposal—a small iron pot, a battered ladle, and two cracked but serviceable dishes—you endeavoured to create sustenance that mimicked the warmth of a homecooked meal, even in these bleak times.

The Ghoul stood as your protector, his watchful presence having undoubtedly spared you from peril on numerous occasions during your brief time together. Cooking was a way to prove your  significance in your partnership, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may appear.

The heavy thud of boots and clink of spurs against wood jolted you from your thoughts, the ladle in your hand halting its rhythmic stirring of the broth as you cast a wary glance towards the doorway. It wasn't the first time he had left you alone, deeming it safer to venture into the bustling towns without the added complication of a young woman in tow. He had armed you with a revolver and a combat knife, imparting what little training he could in their use, but you couldn't shake the feeling that his trust in your abilities extended only as far as your loyalty not to run in his absence.

"Well, that smell's delicious," drawled the Ghoul, his figure framed in the doorway, hat tipped low over his scarred features. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and you couldn't help but return it, the warmth of his presence a rare comfort after just an hour alone.

"Did you get them?"

"You doubted me?" He teased, stepping towards you and offering out a small cloth bag. You accepted it eagerly, peeking inside at the plump, juicy tomatoes nestled within.

You wasted no time in incorporating the fresh produce into your cooking, the aroma of the simmering fruit mingling with the savoury scent of the meat in the broth. Seated together by the fire, the weathered dining chairs offering a semblance of normalcy, you couldn't help but inquire about his expedition.

"Did everything go alright?" you asked, eyeing him cautiously as he slumped back in his chair, a groan escaping his cracked lips as he stretched out.

"Hunky dory," he sighed, his voice tinged with sarcasm, head back and fingers entwined over his stomach. You could tell he was lying, noticing the slight clench of his jaw and his reluctance to meet your gaze. 

It was a tell that you had picked up on in your short time together, one that betrayed his otherwise stoic resolve. For some reason, the Ghoul had taken to concealing parts of the truth from you. Maybe he thought you were too weak, too naïve, or perhaps he simply didn't want to subject himself to further questioning. Regardless, it had begun to grate on your nerves. While you appreciated his protection, you couldn't afford to remain in the dark about so much in this dangerous world.

"I'm coming with you next time," you declared, your gaze unwavering as you stirred the pot, the clinks of metal against metal punctuating your determination. "Two guns are better than one."

A playful glint danced in his eyes as he countered, "Not when you're the one holding it." Yet, the lightness in his tone ebbed away, leaving a hard undercurrent. "Already told you no."

There was a flicker of frustration that passed across your features, but you held his gaze firmly, refusing to back down. "And I've already told you not to underestimate me," you retorted, the fire of conviction burning in your words.

His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees, bringing his face closer to yours. A furrow creased his brow, his gaze intense as he pointed a finger towards your growing belly.

"And you underestimate everyone else," he admonished, his voice edged with concern. "You think those vultures would take one look at you, at that cargo you're carryin', and let you walk on by? It's every man for himself out here, sweetheart, and the wasteland makes a man do terrible things. You're a commodity, and it's best you not forget it."

His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of the truth settling upon you like a leaden cloak. Despite your defiance, his words struck a chord of fear within you, a reminder of the harsh realities of the world beyond the safety of the little sanctuary you have cultivated together.

The ladle slipped from your grasp, forgotten, as your trembling hands instinctively hugged your pregnant belly. Tears welled in your eyes, threatening to spill over, as the weight of his words settled heavily upon your shoulders. A commodity. That's what you and your unborn child had been reduced to in this unforgiving world, one that felt alien and hostile, yet one you were forced to confront day in and day out.

Anger simmered within you, a fierce blaze fuelled by resentment towards those who had stripped you of your former life, of the safety and belonging you had once taken for granted. And though you knew it was irrational, a pang of ungratefulness gnawed at your conscience, directed towards your reluctant protector for the loss of the freedom you so desperately yearned for.

In that moment, amidst the swirling emotions and the harsh reality of your circumstances, you felt an overwhelming sense of isolation, as if you were adrift in a sea of uncertainty with no safe harbour in sight. Perhaps even the promised haven would prove to be a deception, like the vault you had been a prisoner in for so many years. Yet, for the sake of your child, you couldn't afford to surrender to despair. Hope would become your anchor, however fragile.

With a firm resolve, you brushed away the tears before they could show your vulnerability, steeling yourself against the torrent of emotions threatening to engulf you. Turning your attention back to the bubbling broth, you scooped two large servings into the worn bowls, the aroma of simmering spices mingling with the heaviness in the air.

Handing one bowl to your companion, you found him slumped back in his chair, his weathered face illuminated by the flickering glow of the fire. His fingers traced the jagged contours of scars etched deep into his weathered face. A palpable aura of silent desperation hung around him like a shroud, casting a shadow over the dimly lit room.

Tucking into your meals in silence, the rhythmic clinking of spoons against bowls filled the room, a familiar melody that spoke volumes without the need for words. Each bite was a small reprieve from the harsh reality that surrounded you, a momentary escape from the relentless cruelty that had become all too familiar.

His voice, barely a whisper, cut through the quietude of the room, laden with a heavy weight of remorse. "I've upset you," he confessed, the words hanging in the air.

You looked up from your meal, meeting his gaze with a mixture of exhaustion and resignation. Despite the turmoil within you, there was a flicker of understanding in your eyes as you acknowledged his veiled apology. 

"It's not just you," you replied, your voice tinged with weariness. 'I just feel so useless. I can't protect myself or my baby, can't help you without being a burden. I feel like I have no control.'

He nodded, his expression grave as he processed your raw admission of vulnerability and contemplated what to do next. Setting both bowls aside, he reached into a sack he had brought back from the town, his movements deliberate and methodical. From within the depths of the bag, he withdrew a familiar metal gadget, its sleek design reminiscent of the cuffs you had seen the scientists wear during your captivity.

Your breath caught in your throat as memories of your ordeal flooded back, the sensation of cold surgical equipment against your skin sending shivers down your spine. They had treated you like nothing more than a lab rat, subjecting you to experiments and tests that had left scars, both physical and emotional, that may never fully heal.

As he held the device in his hands, his gaze softened, a silent acknowledgment of the pain and trauma you had endured. "I know what this represents," he murmured, his voice heavy with remorse and a tinge of anger. "But it can give you the control you've been denied for so long."

His words hung in the air, laden with the weight of possibility and hope. And as he extended the cuff towards you, offering you a chance to reclaim a measure of agency in a world that had sought to strip it away, you knew that this was more than just a piece of technology—it was a gift, a symbol of resilience. With trembling hands, you reached out to accept it, a silent vow echoing in the depths of your soul: never again would you allow yourself to be reduced to nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game.

As the cuff clicked shut around your wrist, its surprisingly light weight belied the bulk of its appearance. You found yourself staring down at the blank screen, uncertainty knotting your stomach as you grappled with the unfamiliarity of the device. The Ghoul, ever the steady presence beside you, reached over and deftly twisted a knob at the side of the device.

In an instant, the screen came alive with vibrant green text, welcoming you to Vault Tec. An animated image of the grinning mascot of the vaults, a sight you had come to loathe, greeted you with a cheery thumbs-up. You couldn't help but sneer at the sight, the irony not lost on you as the Ghoul swiftly navigated through the interface, replacing the obnoxious Vault Boy with a menu that offered a dizzying array of options.

"It'll take some understanding, but you'll get it in time," the Ghoul reassured you, his voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos of information overload. "The important part is the Geiger counter—it'll keep you out of trouble you didn't even know was there."

Your attention was drawn to the right of the device where a dosimeter's needle bobbed with the steady wave of radiation through the air. Another twist of the knob and on the screen appeared a walking depiction of Vault Boy, displayed percentages accompanying each limb. Below him, a nearly empty bar filled only with a small green block indicated the radiation count of the user. After weeks spent on the unforgiving surface, it came as no surprise that you had been touched by the poison that tainted it.

"Thank you," you whispered, your voice barely audible above the hum of the device on your wrist. Looking up, you met the Ghoul's gaze, gratitude shining in your eyes.

Those words didn't do justice to the gift that he'd given you — it was a lifeline, a tool that held the power to protect not only yourself but also your unborn child. It wasn't a weapon meant for moments of attack, as the revolver he demanded you carry on your hip was, but it was equally essential in its own right. The significance of being able to monitor and mitigate the dangers that lurked in the new world was not lost on you. It wasn't just about surviving anymore; it was about thriving, about carving out a future for your child in a world that had become a battleground for survival. One day, the Ghoul would not be there to protect either of you.

"It must have cost so much," you continued, a note of wonder in your voice, and he simply shrugged in response.

"Always something to be bartered in the wasteland," he replied nonchalantly, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he cleared his throat. "Don't go crying again, now. You'll give me a bad name."

You chuckled softly. Wiping at your wet eyes with the back of your hand, you couldn't help but shake your head in amusement. "It's the hormones, I swear," you joked, a smile playing at the corners of your lips.

He seemed amused by your explanation, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he gave you a knowing look. Instead of arguing, he simply winked at you, and you felt a flutter in your belly—you brushed it off as a small, subtle reminder of the life growing within you.

"Got any more of that stew?" he asked, his tone light and teasing as he reached for his bowl, a twinkle of mischief dancing in his blue eyes.

You couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the moment dissipating like smoke in the wind. "Of course," you replied, ladling some more stew into his bowl. "I'm glad you like it."

"Oh, it's been many years since I've had a homecooked meal," he told you, his tone tinged with nostalgia as he tucked into his food with relish.

You smiled warmly at his words, a sense of pride swelling within you despite the simplicity of the meal you had managed to put together. It may not have been a lavish feast, but the fact that you could provide him with a taste of home filled you with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

"Maybe we could get some vegetables next time. Carrots maybe," you suggested, a hint of excitement in your voice.

He hummed approvingly through his mouthful, nodding in agreement. "Saw some fine-lookin' turnips on my way out of town too. Reckon you can do anything with those?"

Your eyes lit up with inspiration. "Turnip and carrot mash. We could get some milk from a Brahmin, make it nice and creamy."

He licked his lips, a spark of anticipation igniting in his eyes as he set down his empty bowl. "Well now, that's just given me something to look forward to."

The two of you talked well into the night, the crackling of the fire providing a comforting backdrop to your conversation. You noticed a shift in the Ghoul's demeanour as the topic veered towards plans for future meals and the road ahead, his tense posture easing as time went on.

Determined to keep his attention and the mood still light, you regaled him with tales of your life before, weaving together anecdotes from your childhood and high school years with a touch of self-deprecating humour. He listened with genuine interest, his deep laughter ringing out like a balm to soothe the ache of your weary soul.

You found yourself deliberately steering the conversation away from his own past, choosing to focus instead on the light hearted memories of your own. You spoke of your best friend Patti, with whom you had been inseparable, recounting the antics and adventures that had filled your days. You mentioned how close you had become, so much so that you had even moved into houses next door to each other and planned out each meticulous part of your lives..

However, you made a conscious decision not to mention your husband, feeling a pang of uncertainty as to why. Perhaps it was a desire to keep Glenn and your companion separate in your mind, two distinct chapters of your life that you were reluctant to intertwine for some unbeknownst reason. Or maybe it was a subconscious attempt to shield yourself from the painful memories that lingered just beneath the surface. 

Regardless of the reason, you found solace in the simplicity of the moment, in the shared laughter and camaraderie that felt like a bond forging between you both. This was the most that the Ghoul had spoken to you in the weeks since you'd started traveling with him, and you relished the comfort that it brought you. Despite the superficial nature of the conversation, there was a sense of intimacy in the shared laughter and you felt giddy at the prospect of you both becoming more than strangers to each other.

When a yawn escaped you, the Ghoul smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he nodded towards the makeshift beds you had prepared earlier that afternoon. Two tattered twin mattresses salvaged from the wreckage of a long-forgotten room, a decent width apart and covered with old, vermin-chewed sheets. It wasn't glamorous by any means, but it was a far cry better than some of the makeshift sleeping arrangements you had been resigned to during your journey through the wasteland.

"Go get. That's enough jaw flappin' for one night," he teased, a playful glint in his eye. Despite his jest, there was affection in his smile, a silent reassurance that you were safe and perhaps even cared for in his company.

With a chuckle, you nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over you like a heavy blanket. Rising from your seat by the fire, you made your way towards the makeshift beds, the promise of a few hours of rest beckoning you like a siren's call.

The unwelcome pest of a thought nagged at you, persistent until you found yourself unable to ignore it any longer. With a determined resolve, you moved back towards the Ghoul, your steps fuelled by a sense of urgency you couldn't quite explain. Ignoring the look of alarm that flickered across his face, you leaned over awkwardly as he sat in his chair, and wrapped your arms around him in a brief but heartfelt embrace.

For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to stand still as you felt the surprising warmth of his strong arms around you, the comforting weight of your pregnant belly nestled between you serving as a tangible reminder of the life growing within you. You wanted to thank him, to tell him that this simple gesture meant more to you than words could express—that it was the most human you had felt since thawing from that cryo-chamber all those weeks ago.

But before you could find the words, your thoughts were shattered by the rapid clicking of the dosimeter. Startled, you pulled back, confusion clouding your features as you looked down at the device on your wrist, its needle flitting erratically with each click.

As you glanced between the dosimeter and the Ghoul, a sense of realization began to dawn on you. His eyes remained downcast, his expression unreadable, but the sudden silence of the dosimeter spoke volumes.

In that moment, the pieces began to click into place, like a puzzle slowly revealing its hidden picture. You knew that everything on the surface was a danger, that radiation flooded every inch of land and contaminated everything it touched. Every mouthful of food you took, every swig of water, every wash of your body—each was a necessary risk in the struggle for survival.

But naively, you hadn't stopped to consider the threat that the Ghoul posed—not beyond the immediate danger of him putting a gun to your head or the possibility of him selling you to the highest bidder.

As the suffocating realization settled over you, you felt the overwhelming sense of isolation creep back in, wrapping around you like a vice. Your protector was also your potential killer, and he had wanted to ensure you had a Pip-Boy—to keep you out of trouble you didn't even know existed.

He had given you the knowledge, the control, to make your own findings and decisions, all for the sake of your unborn child. And yet, despite his intentions, you couldn't help but feel a hint of betrayal. You almost wished you could have remained blissfully ignorant about this particular aspect of life on the surface. It was as if you had lost a friend you hadn't really ever had.

"You keep that thing on," he said with a hint of sadness, pointing to your wrist. The only acknowledgement of what just happened. You nodded silently, your hand instinctively running over the cool metal of the Pip-Boy before you turned away.

"Goodnight," you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper as you retreated to your bed. With each step, the weight of the truth bore down on you, a heavy burden you would carry with you as you drifted into a troubled sleep, haunted by the knowledge that even in this new world, friendship was a luxury you could ill afford.

Taglist: @cheshirecat484

[theonottsbxtch]

THE PRINCESS AND THE DRIVER PT.4 | MV1

an: and here we have the final part of this series! i hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think!!

wc: 9.8k

warnings: mentions of death

part one | part two | part three |

Eight months had passed, and in that time, the princess had learned to hide the cracks in her carefully curated life. The early days of her relationship with Max had been a whirlwind of stolen moments, secret meetings, and late-night calls that left her breathless with excitement. But as time wore on, the reality of their worlds—their vastly different lives—began to close in on them.

Tonight, the palace was eerily still, its grand halls and corridors cloaked in shadows. The heavy curtains had been drawn tight, muting the vibrant light that usually flooded the rooms, as if the building itself sensed the growing tension. Every footstep echoed more loudly than usual, the soft rustle of servants moving with a palpable caution, their faces marked by an unspoken understanding of what was to come.

She sat in her private sitting room, staring blankly at the letter in her lap, her mind swirling with worry. The royal physician’s words felt like a punch in the chest: The king’s condition has worsened. We must prepare for all eventualities.

Her father was a shadow of the man he had once been. The strong, commanding presence that had filled every room now lay weak and frail, confined to his chambers, his illness advancing faster than any of them had anticipated. The doctors tried to remain optimistic, but she knew what was coming. Her future, once distant, was now closing in rapidly, and with it, the weight of the crown.

She placed the letter down on the table beside her and leaned back in her chair, pressing her fingers to her temples to stave off the headache building behind her eyes. The room around her felt cold, impersonal, despite its opulence. The delicate tapestries and gilded furniture, once a source of comfort, now felt suffocating.

Her gaze flicked to the phone lying on the table. She hadn’t spoken to Max in days. The silence between them had grown heavier with each passing hour. He was deep into the racing season, travelling across the Americas, and while they texted when they could, it wasn’t enough—not anymore.

A knock at the door broke through her thoughts.

“Come in,” she called, her voice quieter than she intended.

Lukas stepped into the room, his expression unreadable, though there was a softness in his eyes that spoke of his concern. He bowed slightly, always formal, even when they were alone. “Your Highness,” he said, his voice low. “The advisors are requesting your presence in an hour to discuss the transition of duties.”

Her stomach twisted at his words. The transition of duties. A polite way of saying they needed to prepare for her father’s death—and her ascension to the throne. She had always known this day would come, but she had imagined it years in the future. Now, it was looming over her, closer than ever.

She nodded, swallowing hard. “Thank you, Lukas. I’ll be there.”

Lukas lingered in the doorway, his eyes scanning her face as if weighing whether to say more. “Is there anything you need before the meeting? Anything I can do for you?”

She shook her head, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “No, thank you, Lukas.”

He gave a respectful nod, though the worry in his gaze remained. He stepped back and closed the door behind him, leaving her alone once again.

The silence that followed was thick, oppressive. She stood and moved to the window, pushing aside the heavy curtain to look out at the gardens below. The once vibrant flowers seemed dull under the pale moonlight, the neatly trimmed hedges casting long shadows that stretched across the lawn like dark fingers.

Her eyes drifted toward the phone again, and this time, it buzzed softly. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Max’s name flash across the screen. She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering above it, before finally picking it up.

“Hey,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Hey,” came Max’s familiar voice, though there was an edge to it she hadn’t heard in a while. “I’ve been trying to call you all day. Are you okay? I just got out of practice.”

She closed her eyes, the sound of his voice bringing a small wave of comfort, though it was laced with the frustration of their current situation. “I’m sorry. Things have been… difficult here.”

Max sighed on the other end. “Yeah, I figured. I’ve been keeping up with the news. How’s your dad?”

She felt her throat tighten at the mention of her father. “It’s not good, Max. The doctors aren’t hopeful.” Her voice cracked despite her best efforts to keep it steady.

There was a long pause, and she could hear the faint hum of background noise from wherever Max was—likely a bustling racetrack, filled with the noise of mechanics and engines. “I wish I could be there with you,” he said finally, his voice softening. “But I’m stuck in Austin this week and Mexico then Brazil.”

“I know,” she replied, though the words tasted bitter. “I don’t want to pull you away from your career. I just… wish things weren’t so hard right now.”

Max let out another sigh, one filled with frustration. “I hate this. I hate that we’re both so busy, that I can’t just drop everything and be there for you when you need me.”

Her heart ached at his words. She missed him terribly—the easy way they used to be before everything became so complicated. “I know,” she whispered. “But this is what my life is now. I can’t escape it.”

“I get that,” Max said, though his tone suggested otherwise. “But it feels like I’m constantly competing with your royal duties, and I’m always coming up short.”

His words stung, not because they weren’t true, but because they were too true. She was always rushing from one responsibility to the next, with barely enough time for herself, let alone a relationship. “I don’t want you to feel like that,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But this is my reality, Max. I’m not just a princess anymore. I’m about to be a queen.”

Another silence fell between them, heavier than before.

“And where does that leave us?” Max asked finally, his voice soft, yet edged with uncertainty.

She closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. She had been asking herself that very question for weeks now, afraid of the answer. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “I don’t want to lose you, but I don’t know how to make this work. My life… it’s not just mine anymore.”

Max was quiet for a long moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer, more understanding. “I miss you, liefje. I miss us.”

“I miss you too,” she whispered, her chest tightening painfully.

They stayed on the line, the silence between them filled with all the things they couldn’t say. The distance, the obligations, the roles they couldn’t abandon—it all loomed over them like a shadow.

Max sighed again, though this time it was more resigned. “Look, let’s not make any decisions right now. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, and we can figure it out then. We always do.”

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay,” she said quietly. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Talk soon?” Max’s voice had a hopeful lilt, but she could hear the uncertainty underneath it.

“Talk soon,” she echoed, though the words felt hollow.

When the call ended, she set the phone down and stared out into the dark garden, her heart heavy. She wanted to believe Max’s optimism, but deep down, she wasn’t sure if love alone was enough to bridge the gap between their worlds.

With a deep breath, she pushed the thoughts aside. Duty called. It always did.

She walked into the meeting room, her footsteps quiet on the marble floor, but the weight of her thoughts echoed loudly in her mind. The council was already seated, their serious faces reflecting the gravity of the conversation that was about to take place. The grand room felt cold and imposing, with its high, vaulted ceilings and walls lined with portraits of previous rulers, all of them watching her with what felt like judgmental eyes.

She took her seat at the long mahogany table, her heart heavy. The chair creaked slightly as she sat down, but no one flinched. They were all waiting for her, waiting to begin discussing the future of the kingdom—her future, their future. The advisors spoke in low voices, the conversation flowing around her in a tide of words she couldn’t fully absorb. Something about succession, transitioning responsibilities, securing alliances.

But her mind was somewhere else. It was with Max, thousands of miles away, racing under the sun of some foreign country, oblivious to the turmoil in her heart. She could almost picture him—helmet in hand, his face lit with the easy smile that had first drawn her in. The image of him felt like a lifeline, a reminder of the simple joy she had found with him, of the version of herself that wasn’t weighed down by duty and expectation.

What if I just left? The thought crept in, unbidden. She imagined it—the two of them, disappearing from the public eye. No more council meetings, no more royal obligations. Just her and Max, living a life where she could breathe, where her decisions didn’t affect an entire kingdom. She pictured herself at the karting track again, the wind in her hair, the sound of engines roaring in the background, Max’s laughter filling the air. The world felt so much lighter there.

A voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. “Your Highness, do you have any thoughts on the matter of the transition ceremony?”

She blinked, her focus snapping back to the meeting. She glanced around the table, the faces of her advisors all turned expectantly toward her. Her throat felt tight, and she could feel the weight of their expectations bearing down on her again.

“I... I think we need to consider all possibilities,” she managed, her voice steady, though her mind was still reeling from the clash of her desires.

She wasn’t lying. She had considered all possibilities. Including the one where she didn’t go through with this. Including the one where she abdicated the throne, passed the crown to someone else, and lived the life she dreamed of—free of these suffocating walls, free of the expectations that had been draped over her shoulders since birth. It would be so easy. So tempting.

But she knew, deep down, that it wasn’t right. She couldn’t just walk away. Her father, as ill as he was, had been a devoted king, sacrificing so much of his own life for the sake of the country. How could she abandon that legacy? And what about the people who relied on her? The citizens who saw her as their future? The weight of those thoughts pressed down on her like a stone.

Even Max had told her once, half-joking, that he admired how seriously she took her role. “I couldn’t do what you do,” he had said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of pressure in racing, but nothing compared to running an entire country.”

He was right. Her role wasn’t just a title. It was a responsibility. One she couldn’t turn her back on, no matter how much she wanted to, no matter how much the idea of escaping with Max tempted her in moments of weakness.

The conversation around the table continued, moving into details about diplomatic visits and the logistics of transitioning royal power. Her hands rested on the surface of the table, her fingers tracing the delicate wood grain as her mind wandered again, just for a moment.

She knew Max didn’t fully understand. How could he? He came from a world of adrenaline, where decisions were made in split seconds and victories or losses were determined in the blink of an eye. But her world was one of tradition, of slow, deliberate choices, where every move had consequences that rippled through generations. She had tried to explain it to him once, but the look in his eyes told her that he couldn’t grasp the magnitude of what she was saying. Not really.

And yet, she loved him. Loved him with an intensity that scared her at times, because it made her want things she knew she couldn’t have. Things that weren’t hers to take. She wanted to run to him, to leave all of this behind and lose herself in a life where they could be together, free from the constraints of their separate worlds.

But she couldn’t. She knew she couldn’t.

Her gaze drifted to the window at the far end of the room, where the palace grounds stretched out before her. Beyond the manicured gardens, beyond the walls of the palace, was the kingdom she would one day rule. A kingdom that needed stability, that needed someone strong to guide it through the uncertain times ahead.

And that someone was her.

“Your Highness?”

The voice of one of the advisors pulled her back to the present again. She turned her head, realising that they were waiting for her input once more. The room felt stifling now, the tension of their expectations thick in the air.

“I think we need to approach this with care,” she said finally, her voice firm, but her heart heavy with the weight of what she was saying. “The transition needs to be seamless. For the sake of the kingdom.”

The advisors nodded, satisfied with her response. They continued their discussions, but her thoughts were no longer with them. They were with Max, with the life she had glimpsed but knew she couldn’t fully embrace.

Maybe there would be a way to reconcile the two worlds one day. But for now, she knew she had to stay. The crown, heavy as it was, wasn’t something she could just set down.

Her heart would have to wait.

The morning was unnervingly quiet when she awoke. There was no chatter from the staff outside her chambers, no clinking of trays or muffled footsteps through the grand hallways. Instead, there was a thick stillness in the air, like the palace itself was holding its breath.

She blinked slowly, the heavy velvet curtains blocking the early morning light from creeping into her room. Something was off. The kind of wrongness that sits at the pit of your stomach before you even know why. She sat up, her silk nightgown brushing against the cool sheets, and glanced around the room. Everything looked the same, but the silence… the silence wasn’t right.

A soft knock at the door made her heart skip. It was gentle, too gentle, as though whoever stood on the other side didn’t want to disturb the stillness.

“Come in,” she called, her voice quiet but steady.

The door opened slowly, and Lukas stepped into the room. His usual composed expression was strained, his eyes heavy with something that made her heart sink instantly. He closed the door behind him, moving with a kind of deliberate calm, as if he were trying to soften the blow of whatever news he had brought with him.

"Lukas?" Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the rising fear inside her.

He didn’t speak at first. He simply stood there, his hands clasped in front of him, his eyes soft but filled with an unmistakable sadness. For a moment, she thought she might still be dreaming—trapped in some half-awake nightmare that didn’t feel real. But the look in Lukas’s eyes grounded her in reality.

She didn’t need him to say it. She knew.

Her heart stilled. “Is it… is it my father?”

Lukas lowered his head, exhaling slowly before lifting his gaze to meet hers again. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. The king passed during the night.”

The world seemed to shift beneath her feet. Her breath hitched in her throat, her hands tightening in the fabric of her blanket as if trying to anchor herself in place. She had known this was coming. The doctors had warned them that it was only a matter of time. But no amount of warnings, no gentle words of preparation, could have braced her for this moment.

She felt hollow. Empty. Her father—the man who had been her rock, her guide, the unshakable force behind the kingdom—was gone.

“When?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lukas stepped closer, his expression never wavering from that quiet empathy. “Early this morning. Just before dawn. He passed peacefully, in his sleep.”

Her chest tightened. Peacefully. That was supposed to be some kind of comfort, wasn’t it? But it wasn’t. Not to her. Her father was gone, and all the peacefulness in the world couldn’t bring him back.

For a long moment, she didn’t move. She couldn’t. Her mind was racing, but her body felt paralyzed, like she was stuck between the need to scream and the need to collapse.

Lukas knelt by her side, his hand resting gently by her side. “Your Highness…”

She didn’t respond at first, her gaze fixed on the far wall as if trying to process what she had just heard. Her throat felt tight, and a wave of dizziness swept over her. The words Lukas had said—the king passed—rang in her ears like a bell, over and over again.

“I thought I’d have more time,” she murmured, more to herself than to Lukas. “I thought…” Her voice broke. “I thought he’d stay longer.”

Lukas’s face softened further, and for the first time in their years of knowing each other, he didn’t maintain his formal distance. He reached out and took her hand, offering the only comfort he could in this moment of unimaginable grief. “No one is ever ready to lose someone they love.”

She looked down at their joined hands, her vision blurring with unshed tears. The weight of everything—the crown, the kingdom, her father’s legacy—began to settle onto her shoulders, heavier than ever before. She had always known she would take on this role, but she never imagined it would feel like this.

“I… I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain. “Without him, I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“You are,” Lukas said softly but with conviction. “You are stronger than you know. The king believed in you, and so do I.”

She swallowed hard, tears spilling over her cheeks, her hand gripping his like a lifeline. Lukas had always been there—her protector, her confidant—but in this moment, he felt more like a brother, someone who understood the depths of her pain without needing to say a word.

She took a shaky breath, trying to collect herself. She had to be strong. That’s what her father had always taught her. The kingdom needed her now more than ever, and there was no room for weakness. No room for hesitation. But the idea of facing it all—without her father by her side—felt unbearable.

“I don’t know how to say goodbye to him,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lukas’s eyes shimmered with his own emotion, though he kept his composure. “You don’t have to say goodbye just yet,” he said gently. “You’ll have time. But right now, the kingdom needs you, angel.”

Her breath hitched at the sound of her family nickname. He never called her that—never. It was always “Your Highness,” always formal. But in that moment, hearing that name spoken with such care, she felt a flicker of strength deep inside her. A reminder of who she was. Of who she had to be now.

She nodded slowly, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. She had to face this. She had to step into the role that was now hers, even though it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on her chest.

“When do they expect me?” she asked, her voice steadier, though still fragile.

“They’ll be gathering soon,” Lukas replied. “The council will want to discuss the next steps. But you don’t need to rush, angel. Take the time you need.”

She shook her head, already pushing the blankets off her lap and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “No. I can’t delay this. They’re waiting for me.”

Lukas stood, watching her with quiet respect as she moved across the room, her steps slow but determined. He knew better than to argue. She was the queen now, and he would follow her lead, even in her grief.

As she reached for her dressing robe, her hand trembled, but she forced herself to keep moving. Her father’s death felt like the end of everything she had known, but she couldn’t let herself fall apart. Not now. Not with so much at stake.

But as Lukas turned to leave, giving her privacy to get ready, her voice stopped him.

“Lukas?” she called softly, her throat tight.

He paused at the door, looking back at her with patient eyes.

She swallowed hard, tears filling her eyes once more. “Thank you. For being here.”

Lukas’s expression softened, and he gave a small nod. “Always.”

With that, he left her alone in the quiet room, the weight of her new reality settling heavily around her. She stood there for a moment, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She looked the same—dishevelled hair, tear-streaked cheeks, red-rimmed eyes. But she wasn’t the same.

She wasn’t just a princess anymore.

She was the queen.

And no matter how much she wished she could run to Max, to disappear into a life where this kind of pain didn’t exist, she knew she couldn’t. Her place was here, with her people. It always had been.

With a deep breath, she wiped her tears once more and began preparing herself for the hardest day of her life. She sat herself in front of her mirror, her hands trembling slightly as she fastened the last button on her mourning dress. The black fabric clung to her skin, a stark reminder of the weight she now carried. She could hear the faint murmur of voices from the hallway—preparations for the day ahead—but it all felt distant, like she was floating in a fog of disbelief.

She couldn’t believe he was gone. Her father—the man who had always been larger than life, even in his sickness—was gone. The reality of it still hadn’t fully settled in, and every breath she took felt shallow, tight, as if the grief itself had taken residence in her lungs.

A soft knock on her door broke through her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and her mother stepped quietly into the room. The Queen —or rather, soon to be Dowager Queen —was the picture of regal composure, dressed in black silk, her hair neatly swept back. But there was a fragility in her eyes, a sadness that she wore beneath the surface.

She stood slowly, feeling the familiar ache of tears she had forced back all morning. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was filled with the unsaid, the emotions too heavy to name. But then, without a word, her mother crossed the space between them and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

She didn’t realise how much she needed it until the warmth of her mother’s arms was around her. She collapsed into the embrace, burying her face in her mother’s shoulder as the tears finally came. Quiet, stifled sobs, muffled against the fabric of her mother’s dress. Her mother held her tightly, her hand smoothing her hair in a soothing gesture she hadn’t felt since she was a child.

“I’m so sorry, Mama,” she choked out between breaths, feeling the guilt welling up with her grief. Guilt for not being able to save him, for not being ready to take his place. “I—I don’t know if I can do this.”

Her mother pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her tear-streaked face in her hands. Her mother’s eyes were red, but there was a strength in them, a deep well of faith that steadied her trembling heart.

“You can, my love,” her mother said softly, her voice unwavering despite the sadness etched in every word. “I know this feels unbearable now. But you are ready. More ready than you think.”

She shook her head, blinking back more tears. “But what if I fail? What if I can’t live up to—”

Her mother cut her off, her voice gentle but firm. “You won’t fail. Your father believed in you. He knew you were destined for this, and I believe it too. You have his heart, his strength, and more than that, you have your own wisdom. The wisdom of someone who understands the world in a way he couldn’t.”

Her breath hitched as she stared into her mother’s eyes. She wanted to believe her, wanted to hold onto that certainty, but doubt clawed at the edges of her mind. “But I’m not like him. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to rule this country.”

Her mother’s lips curved into a faint, sad smile as she gently wiped away her tears with her thumb. “No one is like him. Your father was unique. But the strength you need doesn’t have to look the same as his. You have your own kind of strength, darling, and that’s what this country needs now.”

The room seemed to fall silent again, save for the sound of their breathing, the tension of the day settling around them both. She stared at her mother, searching for any crack in her confidence, but she found none. The Queen had been through this before. She had watched her own husband rise to the throne, and now she was passing that same responsibility to her daughter.

Her mother’s hands moved to clasp her own, squeezing them tightly. “I’m ready to become the Dowager Queen, angel,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “I’m ready to step aside because I have complete faith in you. The only person who can lead this kingdom as well as your father did... is you.”

Her breath hitched. The words hit her harder than she expected. She had spent so long doubting her readiness, questioning whether she could ever be the leader her father was, that she hadn’t allowed herself to see that others believed in her. That her mother—who had stood beside her father through every challenge—believed in her.

“I can’t do it without you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her mother smiled gently. “You won’t have to. I’ll always be here, by your side. But this is your time now, darling. The country needs you.”

She swallowed, her throat thick with emotion. Her mother's unwavering belief in her felt like a lifeline, pulling her up from the depths of her fear. Slowly, she nodded, more to herself than to her mother. She had no choice but to be strong now—for the country, for her father’s legacy, and for the people who were looking to her for guidance.

Her mother leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “You are more than capable, my love. You were born for this. And when you step into that room today, they’ll see it too.”

For a long moment, they stayed like that, holding each other, sharing their grief in the stillness of the morning. She felt the warmth of her mother’s strength seep into her, and she let herself draw from it, her resolve beginning to harden beneath the surface of her sadness.

When her mother finally pulled away, she felt steadier. The grief hadn’t left her, and she knew it never fully would, but the weight of it felt more bearable. She had to carry it now, along with everything else. But she wouldn’t be alone.

As she turned to leave the room, she paused at the door, her hand resting on the frame. “Darling?” she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet wisdom.

She looked up, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. “Yes?”

“Remember this,” her mother said, her gaze filled with love and pride. “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to lead with your heart. That’s what your father did, and it’s what will make you a great queen.”

She wasn’t just a daughter anymore. She wasn’t just a princess. She was the future of the kingdom.

“There’s one more thing,” her mother said softly, before stepping out of the room.

She tilted her head, waiting.

“You need to tell him,” her mother said gently.

Her heart skipped. “Max?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Her mother nodded. “Yes. He’s been in your life long enough to deserve to know the truth about what you’re going through.”

She looked away, chewing her lip. “I don’t know, Mama. He... he has his own life. He’s busy with Formula One. I don’t want to burden him with all of this. It’s too much.” Her voice faltered as she spoke, the idea of leaning on him feeling both comforting and terrifying.

Her mother stepped closer, her presence warm and grounding. “Darling,” she said softly, placing a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder, “you need someone in your corner who isn’t Lukas, and who isn’t me. You need someone who can be there for you, not just as the future queen, but as the woman you are. Max could be that person.”

She felt her throat tighten at her mother’s words. She knew, deep down, her mother was right. But admitting that she needed Max meant admitting her own vulnerability—and that was something she hadn’t done in a long time.

“What if he... doesn’t understand?” She asked quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

Her mother’s expression softened even more, a small smile pulling at her lips. “From what I’ve seen, he already understands more than you give him credit for. And if he truly cares for you, he’ll be there. You just need to give him the chance.”

She nodded, but the hesitation remained. She felt torn between the duties of her crown and the need for something that felt real, something that wasn’t bound by the weight of royal expectations.

Her mother brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes filled with quiet understanding. “It’s okay to let someone in, sweetheart. You don’t have to carry all of this alone.”

For a long moment, she didn’t respond. Her mother’s words settled over her, both soothing and unsettling, as if she were being asked to make a leap she wasn’t sure she was ready for. But beneath the uncertainty, a small part of her yearned to reach out to him, to let him in—if only because the thought of facing this without him felt lonelier than she could bear.

Her mother gave her one last look, one filled with love and confidence. “Think about it,” she said softly. “But whatever you choose, remember—you’re not alone.”

With that, her mother kissed her forehead and quietly left the room.

She stood there, frozen in place, her mind swirling. She knew what she had to do, but the fear still gripped her. She crossed the room to her bedside table, where her phone lay charging. She picked it up, her fingers brushing the screen, and instinctively unlocked it.

Max’s name stared back at her in the text thread. There were a few unread messages, one from earlier in the week, asking how she was. Another a few days before that, checking in on her. She hadn’t responded to either.

Her thumb hovered over his name, the familiar flutter in her chest both comforting and suffocating. She wanted to tell him, wanted to lean on him like her mother had said, but a part of her still hesitated. What if this was too much? What if the weight of the crown pushed them apart even further?

She sighed and locked her phone again, placing it gently back on the table. Not yet. She wasn’t ready.

As she sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the darkened screen, she let out a long, shaky breath. Her heart felt heavy with the decision she knew was coming.

But for now, she couldn’t do it. Not yet.

It was time to face the council. It was time to step into her role as queen.

The next few days blurred together in a whirlwind of meetings, press conferences, and preparations for the coronation. The throne room, once a place of regal splendour, felt like a cage, the high ceilings looming over her as if they were pressing down on her spirit. Each morning, she found herself sitting at the long, polished table in the council chamber, flanked by advisors and ministers, their discussions echoing around her like the distant tolling of a bell.

The council members had officially announced her ascension to the throne to the country the day before, and the press had been relentless, covering every angle of her impending coronation. “A new era,” they called it, but all she could feel was the weight of expectation pressing heavily on her shoulders. She had always known this moment would come, but the reality of it settled over her like a storm cloud, darkening the sunniest of days.

As she sat in the meetings, she tried to focus on the conversations swirling around her—the budget reports, the upcoming legislation, the various projects and initiatives they wanted her to endorse. But her mind often drifted, the words fading into a dull hum as she stared blankly at the documents in front of her. She could hear snippets of conversation, the concerns about the economy, discussions about trade relations, and plans for the upcoming public addresses, but her heart wasn’t in it.

What pulled her focus away was the nagging thought of Max. She had kept her distance, thinking it would be easier for him. But each time her phone buzzed, every time she saw a glimpse of Formula One on television or the news, she felt the ache of wanting to reach out to him. He’d won his first race and as much as she wanted to congratulate him, she couldn’t. They had shared something special—a connection that felt genuine and freeing, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was losing that by hiding.

In the afternoon meetings, as the minister of agriculture outlined his proposals, she caught herself staring at the ornate clock on the wall, its hands ticking relentlessly forward. Time was slipping away, and she was losing the grip on everything that had felt so real only a week ago.

“Your Highness?” The sound of her name broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to find Lord Harrington, the lead advisor, peering at her with concern. “We need your input on this initiative. It’s vital to our agricultural sustainability moving forward.”

She nodded, forcing her mind to clear. “Of course,” she replied, trying to summon the confidence she was known for. She scanned the proposal quickly, her eyes catching on various points, but nothing resonated with her. “I think we should explore more sustainable options, perhaps partner with local farms to promote organic practices.”

The room buzzed with murmurs of approval, and she felt a flicker of relief that she hadn’t completely lost herself in the weight of her responsibilities. She had to remember that there was a reason she was chosen for this role; she had the ability to lead, to inspire change. But with every discussion, she felt more like a pawn than a queen.

As the week progressed, the relentless pace of preparations for her coronation only intensified. Staff members rushed around the palace, organising floral arrangements, selecting ceremonial attire, and finalising the guest list for the grand event. Each detail was scrutinised, each decision weighed against the legacy her father had left behind.

She spent late nights poring over documents, trying to prepare herself for the monumental shift that was about to happen. It felt surreal, as though she were watching someone else’s life play out on a screen. The days bled into one another, and the excitement of the upcoming ceremony was overshadowed by the persistent thrum of anxiety that buzzed beneath her skin.

Amidst the chaos, she sought solace in her mother’s company. Her mother seemed to understand her unspoken fears, providing a calming presence in the midst of the preparations. They spent hours going over the details, discussing speeches and strategies, and every time they stood together in the mirror, she felt her resolve strengthen just a little bit.

“Remember, this isn’t just a ceremony,” her mother reminded her gently one evening as they were fitting her coronation gown. “It’s a declaration of your strength and your commitment to the people. You’re not just stepping into your father’s shoes; you’re creating your own path.”

She nodded, though a small part of her still felt like she was stumbling in the dark. But every time her mother spoke, she felt a flicker of hope—a reminder that she didn’t have to carry this burden alone.

On the day before the coronation, she sat at her desk in the late afternoon, glancing out the window at the sprawling gardens below. The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting golden rays that danced over the manicured lawns. She could hear the distant sounds of celebration and preparation from the town below, where the citizens were already gathering for the festivities. Yet, in the heart of the palace, she felt completely isolated.

She picked up her phone, her heart racing as she scrolled through her contacts. Max’s name was there, tantalisingly close, but still she hesitated. The fear of pulling him into her world, of exposing him to the chaos that now filled her life, held her back.

“What if he doesn’t want this?” she murmured to herself, feeling the weight of the decision hang in the air. “What if he thinks I’m just a royal duty?”

But then she remembered her mother’s words. She needed someone in her corner, someone who understood the real her, not just the princess or the future queen.

With a deep breath, she pressed his name and hovered over the screen, fingers poised to type. Before she could talk herself out of it again, she began typing a message.

I miss you x

The morning of the coronation was uncharacteristically quiet in the grand palace, with only the soft rustle of silk and the gentle chirping of birds filtering through the open window. She lay in bed, her heart racing, thoughts swirling like the delicate clouds above. Today was monumental, yet a profound emptiness echoed in her chest, overshadowed by the grief of her father’s recent passing. She hadn’t slept well, the weight of expectation pressing down on her as the sun rose, illuminating the ornate details of her chamber.

Just as she was about to pull herself from the tangled sheets, a soft knock sounded at her door, breaking the silence. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, revealing Lukas, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” he said, his voice playful. “You might want to hurry up; the world is waiting.”

“Lukas,” she replied with a weary smile, “I’m not in the mood for your antics today.”

But he stepped into the room, a conspiratorial smile spreading across his face. “I have a surprise for you.”

Her curiosity piqued as she raised an eyebrow. “What sort of surprise?”

“Just wait here,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. With a swift movement, he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Moments later, the door swung open again, and her breath caught in her throat. There, standing in the threshold, was Max, his familiar silhouette framed by the soft morning light.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted out, her heart leaping into her throat. “You have a race tomorrow!”

Max stepped closer, an easy confidence radiating from him, but there was a serious glint in his eyes. “I told them I sprained my wrist,” he said, his voice low, almost intimate. “I needed to be here for you.”

A rush of emotions washed over her—relief, joy, and a deep longing she hadn’t realised had grown so potent in his absence. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, caught between astonishment and gratitude. “You have responsibilities, Max.”

“I know,” he replied, his gaze steady and unwavering, “but I couldn’t bear the thought of you facing this day without me. You’re about to become queen, and I want to be here to support you, to remind you that you’re not alone.”

Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them, his hands finding her waist, pulling her closer. Time seemed to pause as he leaned in, and the world outside faded away. The moment their lips met, it ignited a spark that surged through her body, overwhelming and electric. It was as if the tension of all their missed moments collided in that kiss, filling the space between them with heat and urgency.

She melted into him, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as she deepened the kiss, losing herself in the warmth and familiarity of his embrace. Every worry about her duties, the impending coronation, and the expectations of the kingdom faded into oblivion. All that mattered was Max, his presence igniting something within her that felt undeniably right.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, she searched his eyes, both exhilarated and terrified by the intensity of the moment. “What if they find out?” she whispered, her heart still racing.

Max’s expression softened, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Let them. I’m not afraid. I’d rather face the world with you than race without you in my thoughts.”

She shook her head, unable to suppress a smile of her own. “You’re reckless, you know that?”

“Only for you,” he replied, his tone sincere, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her heart flutter.

“But what if they fire you?” she asked, her voice a mixture of concern and disbelief. “You’ve worked so hard to get where you are. You can’t just throw it all away.”

Max’s expression softened, his hands still cradling her face, grounding her. “Liefje,” he said earnestly, “I want to leave Formula One. I want to be by your side.” His tone was steady, unwavering. “I’ve never felt as happy as I’ve been around you. Racing doesn’t compare to what we have. I can’t remember a day when racing made me feel what you make me feel. I’ve won championships. Someone like you doesn’t come around more than once.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken promises and dreams. She felt her heart flutter, caught between disbelief and overwhelming emotion. “But Max, this is your passion. You’ve dedicated so much of your life to it,” she insisted, a part of her unwilling to let him walk away from his dreams.

“It was my passion,” he replied, his voice low and sincere. “But now… now it feels different. Being with you, knowing you’re stepping into your role as queen, that makes me want to change everything. I want to support you, not just as a driver but as someone who stands by your side through everything.”

Her heart swelled at his words, the tenderness in his gaze making her momentarily forget the looming challenges of her new position. “I don’t want to hold you back, though,” she whispered, biting her lip, torn between the thrill of their connection and the reality of their worlds.

Max stepped back slightly, his hands dropping to her shoulders. “You’re not holding me back. You’re the reason I want to be more than just a racer. I’ve been racing for trophies, for accolades, but they all feel hollow compared to what we have.” He took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to lay his heart bare. “I want a life that includes you, and I’m willing to fight for that. I can’t do this without you, schatje.”

The sincerity in his voice tugged at her heartstrings, and she felt a rush of warmth at his willingness to sacrifice so much for her. “You really mean that?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

“More than anything,” he replied, stepping closer again, their bodies almost touching. “I’m not asking you to choose between your duty and me. I just want you to know that I’ll always be here, whatever you decide.”

A lump formed in her throat as she considered his words, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. The thought of him giving up his career was both beautiful and terrifying, and she couldn’t shake the fear of how their worlds might collide. “But… what will people say?” she murmured, looking down at their intertwined hands.

Max lifted her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Let them talk. This is our lives, engeltje. You’re stepping into a new role, and I want to be a part of that. I want to support you in every way I can. Together, we can figure it out.”

Tears pricked at her eyes as the enormity of his offer washed over her. “It’s just… so much,” she confessed, feeling vulnerable yet uplifted by his presence. “What if I’m not ready for this? What if I fail?”

Max’s thumb brushed gently across her cheek, wiping away a single tear that had escaped. “You’re stronger than you realise,” he said softly. “I’ve seen it in you. You’re going to be an incredible queen, and I want to be there, cheering you on, not from a racetrack, but right by your side.”

In that moment, she felt a shift within herself. The weight of her father’s legacy and the impending coronation felt a little less daunting with Max’s support. The uncertainty remained, but so did the flicker of hope. She could see a future where they navigated the complexities of her role together, rather than apart.

As they stood wrapped in each other’s embrace, a sudden playful thought crossed her mind, lightening the moment’s intensity. She pulled back slightly, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “You know there is a protocol for this. You’re meant to propose before you quit everything in your life just to sit beside me.”

Max’s eyes widened with a mix of surprise and amusement, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Oh, is that how it works?” he said, feigning innocence. Then, with a determined glint in his eyes, he let go of her waist, dropping to one knee on the plush carpet of her chamber.

She gasped, her heart racing as he put his hands back on her waist, anchoring himself in place. “Marry me then, princess,” he said, his voice low and sincere, though the absence of a ring hung in the air between them like an unfinished sentence.

A rush of emotions flooded through her—joy, disbelief, and an overwhelming sense of love. Her heart swelled as she looked down at him, the man who had come into her life unexpectedly and changed everything. This was a moment she had never anticipated, yet it felt so profoundly right.

“Max,” she said softly, her voice a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “You don’t have a ring.”

“Who needs a ring?” he countered with a smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m pretty sure I can make do without one for now.” He looked up at her, sincerity radiating from him. “What matters is that I want to spend my life with you, however we make that happen.”

She felt her heart flutter at his words, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten. “This is… wow, unexpected,” she said, her smile growing wider as she tried to process the enormity of what was happening. “Are you really sure?”

Max nodded earnestly, his gaze unwavering. “Absolutely. You’re it for me, schatje. There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side. I want to build a future with you, no matter what it looks like.”

His sincerity warmed her heart, and she felt a rush of affection surge through her. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” she said, her voice breathy and filled with awe. “You’d give it all up for me?”

“Without hesitation,” he replied, the weight of his promise hanging in the air like a soft echo. “You’re the reason I want to redefine everything. I’d rather face the challenges that come with being with you than chase trophies that won’t matter in the end. I’ve already made a name for myself.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she knelt beside him, her heart pounding in her chest. “Max, you know this isn’t an easy life. There are protocols, expectations… responsibilities that come with the crown.”

“Then let’s face them together,” he said, his hands slipping to her palms as he held her gaze, his expression earnest and filled with warmth. “I’m not afraid of the challenges. I want to be your partner in all of this, in the crown and beyond.”

His words resonated within her, echoing through the quiet of the chamber. This was what she had longed for—the freedom to be herself, to love without the constraints of her title. “You’re incredible,” she breathed, a smile breaking across her face. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

“Because we found each other,” he said simply, still kneeling before her, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still.

As she took in the sight of him—his casual yet earnest demeanour, the way his eyes shone with love—she realised how much she wanted to embrace this possibility. With Max, she could build a life that transcended royal duties and expectations. “Okay,” she said finally, her heart racing with excitement. “Let’s do this. I want to marry you.”

A wide grin broke out across Max’s face as he rose to his feet, pulling her up with him and into a tight embrace that felt like home. “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” he whispered, burying his face in her hair, his arms wrapping securely around her.

“And while you don’t have a ring, I suppose we’ll have to go shopping for one in the family safe,” she said, laughter bubbling up as she stepped back to look at him. “But in the meantime, I guess I’ll just have to get used to being your fiancée without any bling.”

Max chuckled, a sound that filled the room with warmth. “I’ll get you the prettiest ring I can find. One that suits a princess, even if I’m just a guy from the karting track.”

“Not just any guy,” she said, her heart swelling with affection. “You’re my guy.”

Just as she and Max shared another lingering kiss, the moment was interrupted by a gentle but firm knock on the door. Before either of them could react, Lukas opened the door and stepped inside, a playful smirk on his face.

“While it was cute to eavesdrop on this conversation,” he said, crossing his arms with a teasing glint in his eyes, “Your Highness, you have a coronation to get to. Oh and, congratulations.”

She pulled away from Max, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight. “Lukas! You could’ve knocked a little louder!” she exclaimed, trying to regain her composure.

Max chuckled, slipping his arm around her waist, clearly unfazed by Lukas’s entrance. “What can I say? The excitement was too much for me to contain,” he replied, winking at her.

Lukas raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting from playful to serious. “As much as I’m thrilled to see you both in such high spirits, we need to focus. There’s a schedule to follow, and the country is expecting you to step into your role as queen today.”

She nodded, her heart racing again as the reality of her responsibilities settled in. “Right, the coronation,” she murmured, glancing at Max, who remained close beside her. The moment felt electric, as if their conversation about love and commitment had wrapped them in a protective bubble against the outside world.

“Do you need a moment?” Lukas asked, breaking her reverie as he gestured between the two of them. “I can come back.”

“No, no. We’re fine,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “But I do need to get ready.”

Lukas’s expression softened slightly, and he offered a genuine smile. “Good. I’d hate to keep the kingdom waiting for too long. And, Mr. Verstappen,” he added, turning to him with a knowing look, “make sure she remembers that this is a huge day for her. No distractions.”

Max nodded, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her on track,” he said, giving her a mock-serious look. “I promise not to distract her too much.”

She laughed, feeling a rush of warmth and gratitude for the way they interacted—Max, with his playful charm, and Lukas, with his unwavering dedication. “I appreciate that,” she said, smiling at both of them. “I don’t want to keep anyone waiting.”

“Good. Then I’ll let you get ready,” Lukas said, stepping back toward the door but pausing for a moment to meet Max’s gaze. “And you,” he added, “keep it together until the coronation is over. There will be plenty of time for celebrating afterward.”

Max raised his hands in mock surrender. “Understood, Captain Lukas.”

With a final nod, Lukas stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving her and Max alone once again. The air felt different now—charged with anticipation and purpose.

“So…” Max began, leaning against the foot of her bed with a playful grin, “are you ready to take on the world? Or at least the country?”

She took a deep breath, letting the weight of her new reality wash over her. “I guess I have to be,” she replied, her voice steady. “Today is about more than just me. It’s about the people I’ll serve and lead.”

Max stepped closer, his expression turning earnest. “And you’ll do an amazing job. You’re already a queen in my eyes, and this coronation is just the official part. You have all the qualities that make a great leader—compassion, strength, and a heart full of love.”

Her heart swelled at his words, and she felt a renewed sense of determination. “Thank you, Max. Your support means everything to me, especially today.”

He reached for her hands, intertwining their fingers. “I’m with you every step of the way, princess,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “No matter what challenges come, you’ll never have to face them alone.”

Taking a look at Max, a thought crossed her mind, walking across the room to a small, ornate bell nestled on a table by the window. She picked it up, her heart racing as she prepared to summon the attendants. With a quick glance back at Max, who was still leaning casually against her bed, she rang the bell, the clear chime echoing through the elegant chamber.

Max raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched on his face. “What are you doing?” he asked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“I need you to get fitted for a suit,” she replied, her tone light but filled with purpose. She turned back to face him, crossing her arms. “You’ll be by my side during the coronation, and that means you can’t just wear what you’re wearing.”

Max chuckled, glancing down at his casual attire—comfortable jeans and a fitted T-shirt. “You don’t think this is enough?” he asked, a teasing glimmer in his eyes.

She stepped closer, her expression turning serious. “No, Max. You need a royal suit. Something that reflects who you are now,” she emphasised, her heart swelling at the thought of him standing beside her during such a pivotal moment. “Oh, and you should probably meet my mother, the Queen Dowager. I’m sure she’d love to see you before the ceremony.”

Max’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of her mother, but a determined smile spread across his face. “Queen Dowager, huh? No pressure there,” he said, chuckling nervously. “What do I say to her? ‘Hi, I’m the guy who’s been dating your daughter while you were busy preparing for a royal coronation’?”

“Pretty much,” she teased, her laughter ringing through the room. “But just be yourself. She’ll appreciate your honesty. And besides, I think she’ll like you.”

A soft knock sounded at the door, and before she could respond, it swung open to reveal one of her attendants, a young woman with a friendly smile. “Your Highness, you summoned?”

“Yes, please arrange for Mr. Verstappen to be fitted for a suit,” she instructed, her tone firm but friendly. “We need to make sure he looks regal today.”

The attendant nodded, her eyes darting between her and Max, clearly wondering who he was. “Of course, Your Highness. Right away.”

As the attendant exited, Max gave her a mock-serious look. “So, do I get to pick my own colours? I’m not sure what would look good on me in royal attire.”

She shrugged, unable to contain her laughter. “I think you’d look good in anything, but maybe we can avoid neon colours,” she suggested, winking playfully. “How about something classic? Navy, perhaps? It’ll suit you and look great next to my gown.”

“Alright, I can work with navy,” Max said, his smile widening. “And what about my tie? Should I go for a bow tie or a regular one?”

“Regular, please,” she replied, trying to keep a straight face. “Just remember, you’re not going to a cocktail party. This is a coronation.”

“Got it. Regular tie, no neon, and navy it is,” he said, nodding seriously. “I’ll do my best to not embarrass you in front of the entire kingdom.”

“You’ll do great. Just remember to breathe,” she reassured him, stepping closer again. “And I’ll be right there beside you the entire time.”

Max took a deep breath, looking her up and down with a smile on his face. “Isn’t it my job to comfort you right now?”

The same attendant returned moments later, followed by another staff member carrying a measuring tape and a selection of fabric swatches. “Mr. Verstappen, if you’d follow us to the fitting room?” the attendant said with a professional smile.

“Time to be royal,” Max said, winking at her as he stepped away. “I’ll see you soon, Your Highness.”

In a whirlwind of emotions, she turned her focus back to the preparations ahead. She had a kingdom to unite and a new chapter to embrace—one that she would navigate with Max’s love and support by her side. It felt right, and for the first time in a long while, the heaviness in her chest began to lighten. Today was the beginning of her reign, and she was ready.

And for the first time since she found out she was going to be queen, she felt free.

the end.

taglist: @iimplicitt @bookishnerd1132 @bratstappen @mastermindbaby @abbyandersonstargirl @itsmathilda

[russellbby]

Sometimes you just need your brother || Pt.1

Summary: in which max's little sister finally feels free from her home life and max is there to support her straight away.

Makayla Verstappen (OC) x f1 grid

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

makaylaverstappen

Liked by maxverstappen1, danielricciardo and 123,828 others

makaylaverstappen: study & new friends🦈💗

view all 1,183 comments

user12 Prettyyy😍

user61 Sharks are your new friends ?!

user81 Future marine biologist here !!

user62 The aesthetic✨

maxverstappen1 If u die, it’s your own fault!

makaylaverstappen wow, thanks bro

maxverstappen1 welcome Mack :)

user15 I love their relationship🥰

user61 Max and Kayla >>

user29 🥰🥰

user33 Max💀😭

landonorris How are you not scared ??

makaylaverstappen Nothing to be scared about!

landonorris It’s sharks!!

user19 Lando😭

user44 The fact that she’s 16 and so many people wouldn’t want to do what she’s doing🤣

//

Everyone knows what Jos Verstappen was like treating Max Verstappen growing up. Everyone saw that Max didn’t see his mother Sophie and his sister Victoria much due to him always travelling around the world.

When they got divorce, Jos went off and got married again and had more children who became Max and Victoria’s step siblings.

Max couldn’t say he had a favourite siblings, but when it came to Makayla Verstappen, her and Max got very close despite the big age gap.

Makayla Verstappen is a 16 year old, she has all her focus on her studies to hopefully achieve her dream of becoming a marine biologist.

If her father let her, that is..

Jos’s relationship with Makayla wasn’t good, they both argued all the time just because of the career Makayla wanted to have wasn’t good enough according to him.

They were always having an argument, like right now.

“Why can’t you just accept it’s the career I want to have!” Makayla said. “It’s not good enough Makayla, what good in the world does a marine biologist do?” Jos shouted.

“Mhm I don’t know! Making fucking looking after the animals and the planet?” Makayla shouted at him, something that she never had to courage to ever do until now.

“Don’t you dare shout at me, you know what will happen if you do that again? You’ll be out of this house” Jos spat has her. “I don’t wanna be there anyways!” Makayla said.

“Go then, I won’t care you are always in your bedroom all day everyday anyways!” Jos replied. “So, this is what you are doing? Kicking out a 16 year old!” Makayla exclaimed.

“Yes” Jos replied as Makayla just stared at him as he walked into the kitchen. She slowly made her way up to her bedroom to start packing a suitcase. After a few hours she had everything packed.

She was finally free.

//

Something that Max Verstappen wasn’t expected was to see his 16 year old sister the other side of this door, with a suitcase and a sad look on her face.

“Mack, how’d you get here?” Max asked her softly as helped her into his apartment and pulled her into a hug. The girl could see quite a few drivers there so she buried her head into his chest.

“C’mon, talk to us we won’t be able to help you otherwise” Daniel said as he walked over to the two siblings. “He kicked me out..” Makayla mumbled and all the drivers faces fell.

All that Max felt was anger, why in the world would his father kick out his daughter who is only 16 years old? He pulled out of the hug and went to go find his phone.

“Max! Don’t do anything please!” Makayla said as he tried to go after him but she was pulled into a hug by Lando. “Let him calm down,” Lando whispered.

Daniel went after Max to try to calm him down, Makayla had been led towards to couch and started to have a small chat with the drivers.

“Wait! What happens if I get put into care?! I’m not a legal adult!” Makayla exclaimed as Max appeared back into the room and wrapped his arms around his sister.

“Everything is going to be alright, I’ll get it all sorted out I promise you..” Max told her as he left a kiss on her forehead.

[willowsnook]

Right Place, Right Time pt. 4 (LN)

pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3, pt. 4, pt. 5

@seasonswinter @drdbnkl2008 @jaematthews15

angst at the end i apologize 🥵

Y/N: so what's the dress code for tonight?

Lily: I would say cocktail attire but not super fancy, they usually pick somewhere nice?

Y/n: how many people are going to be there? i'm stressed

Lily: honestly a lot lol, it's like everyone with McLaren plus friends. but on the plus side it means we fly under the radar.

Y/n: yeah but we will be with the most important people

Lily: true

You sighed throwing your phone across your bed. You still had a couple of hours before Lando was coming to pick you up but you felt a strong urge to start getting ready now.

You headed into your bathroom to take an everything shower singing along to your karaoke playlist. You threw your hair up into a towel and started the painful process of picking something out to wear.

Y/n: what are you wearing? Lando: nothing, want to see?

y/n: 🙄 my eyes would bleed

Lando: you wound me. but i'm just wearing a button down and slacks. nothing crazy

After looking through a couple of options, you settled for a fitted green knitted dress you hadn't yet worn.

Twirling in the mirror, you liked the way it hit your curves. You spent the next hour curling your hair and applying a sort of natural glam look. The next thing you knew Lando was texting you that he was here. You grabbed your purse and touched up your hair one last time before heading down to your apartment lobby.

You reached the lobby and saw Lando standing by the front doors, hands in his pockets looking around. His attention fell on you as you walked closer and you smirked as he shamelessly checked you out. You did the same to him, appreciating the way his light blue botton down was tight on his biceps and across his chest.

"Hi," you said stopping in front of him. "Hi," he replied softly. He moved closer to you, kissing your cheek lightly while resting his hands on your waist. "You look gorgeous."

You smiled, pulling back but intertwining your fingers through his.

"Ready?" You asked and he nodded, pulling you out the door and towards his car. He opened the door for you before sliding in the drivers seat. The car ride was silent and half way through you felt Lando's hand rest gently on your thigh, his thumb caressing your skin gently. The ride was short and you soon were pulling up to the restaurant, Lando tossing the keys to the valet. He rested his hand on your lower back as he guided you out to the patio that was rented for the team.

You spotted Lily and Oscar as you came in and made your way over to them, ditching Lando to talk with some other people who had stopped him. Lily scooted over on the bench and you sunk down next to her.

"You look great," she said and you smiled.

"You do too," you replied. You flagged down the waiter to order a glass of wine and watched as Lando mingled.

"You're staring," Lily teased and you blushed.

"just observing," you hummed.

"So y/n, what is it that you do for Monster again?" Oscar asked.

"I sit on the marketing team but specifically I work with partners," you said.

"So you work with McLaren?" He asked and you shook your head.

"We all have different territories that we are in charge of," you explained. I have the west coast so all I work with anyone partnered with Monster there. It's a lot of planning partner events and campaigns."

He asked you a little more about your job and you were happy to indulge him. You loved what you did, getting to work for a cool brand had been something you had always wanted to do. Someone had overheard you talking to Oscar and introduced themselves as one of the PR managers so you soon found yourself mingling with the McLaren marketing team.

"You know, we've been trying to get someone from Monster at more races," one of the marketing managers told you.

"Yeah, it's hard because our team is based here and travel is expensive," you said. "I know the girls who have most of Europe as their territory but they don't get to travel much."

"You guys need to just have someone living overseas," she replied and you nodded.

"Probably," you agreed. "Just need the budget."

A little later you were back next to Lily, the two of you hiding in the corner done talking with people.

"Can we sneak out of here," you begged and Lily sighed.

"Oscar will kill me," she said and you gave her a look. "Okay let's go."

You briefly scanned the patio, seeing Oscar and Lando caught up in a conversation and made your way back through the front and onto the street.

"Where should we go?" Lily asked and you started pulling her along the sidewalk.

"There's actually a great rooftop bar on the hotel you guys are staying at," you said knowing the hotel was only a couple of blocks away. Lily used her key to get you in and you made your way up to the bar. It wasn't too crowded and you saw some familiar faces.

"What's up McLaren ladies?" Daniel yelled causing the people with him to turn and look at you. You greeted him and Max before ordering a drink from the bar.

"I don't think we've met yet, Lando is hiding you," a strong Spanish accent said from next to you. "I'm Carlos."

"Y/n," you introduced. You could see why Lando wouldn't introduce the two of you. This man was very easy on the eyes. "Want to make Lando mad?" His eyes lit up mischievously.

"Always," he said and you held up your phone to take a selfie. He wrapped his arm around you and you were pleased with how intimate the picture turned out and put it on your Instagram story.

You chatted with Carlos for about ten minutes before you heard Daniel loudly greeting someone else. You turned to see that Lando and Oscar had just gotten here. Oscar looked amused while Lando did not look happy. His eyes met yours and you smirked turning back to Carlos.

Within 30 seconds you felt two arms encircle your waist and were pulled back against a hard chest.

"I see you've met Carlos," Lando said tightly which made Carlos laugh out loud.

"Yeah I was just telling y/n how pretty she is and that we should run off into the sunset together," Carlos deadpanned. You felt Lando's arms tighten around you and you sighed shifting to turn to him, bringing your arms around his neck.

"You are being so dramatic," you said and he pouted.

"You left me," he whined and you shrugged.

"We were bored, plus I knew you'd find us," you told him. "Can we sit?"

You found a couch by a firepit and sat down, leaning down to take your shoes off. Lando sat next to you, resting his arm on the back of the couch behind you. You were soon joined by Lily, Oscar, and Max.

You all talked for a while and by the end of the night you had your head rested on Lando's shoulder and legs thrown over his.

"Are you tired?" He mumbled in your ear and you nodded sleepily. "Why don't you just stay with me tonight?"

"Lando..." you said and he moved your chin to look up at him.

"Just to sleep, nothing else," he said.

"No funny business," you said and he smiled triumphantly. You bid goodnight to everyone before following him out of the bar.

"Are you coming to the track tomorrow for quali?" He asked while you were waiting in the elevator and you shook your head.

"No, I have a ton of things to do and errands to run," you replied and his face fell. "I'll be there Sunday though, I promise."

He nodded and the rest of the ride was silent. He grabbed your hand to pull you off on his floor and you made your way to his room.

"Need something to wear?" He asked and you nodded. He pulled out one of his long sleeve McLaren shirts for you and you headed into the bathroom to change.

You stared at yourself in the mirror for a while wondering what the fuck you were doing. You had told yourself to not get swept up in this fake reality but here you were. When you stepped back in the room you saw Lando laying on the bed, head propped up watching tv. He patted the spot next to him and you slid into the bed, resting your head on his chest. His arm tightened around you and it was a while before you spoke.

"I shouldn't be here," you said and he looked down at you.

"Why's that?" He asked and you looked away.

"You're going to leave after Sunday," you said and he sighed.

"That's two days away," he said ending the conversation. You sighed into his chest and started to feel your eyes droop. The last thing you remember was him kissing your head and mumbling "sweet dreams baby."

-------------------------

Two days later you were still reeling from waking up next to Lando on Saturday morning. The two of you didn't really say much and he drove you back to your apartment, squeezing your thigh as a goodbye before you got out of the car.

Today you were headed back to the track for the race wearing a casual short black dress paired with a McLaren hat. You were happy to see Lily standing in the garage waiting for you.

"Hi friend," you greeted pulling her into a hug which she returned.

'Hi, ready for the race?" She asked and you nodded. You had arrived a little later so didn't get to see Lando before the race which was what you were hoping for. The two of you walked over to sit down.

"I'm so sad you're leaving tomorrow," you told Lily and she squeezed your hand.

"Me too, but we must facetime weekly and you're coming to Vegas, no excuses," she said.

The race went by quickly with Lando ending in second and you celebrated with the team while he was on podium. He had texted you to wait up so you lingered in the garage chatting with some of the marketing girlies. You said goodbye to them as you saw Lando coming out of his driver's room and jogged over throwing your arms over him.

"You did great," you whispered in his ear and his arms tightened around you.

"Well I had my good luck charm with me," he said and you laughed. "Can we get dinner before heading out tonight?"

"I didn't know I was going out tonight," you said and he gave you a look. "Yeah, I just need to change first, is that what you're wearing?" He had changed into a plain white tshirt and black jeans.

"Yeah," he said giving you a twirl. "Is it up to your standards?"

You laughed and grabbed his hand, pulling him out towards where you parked. You drove back to your apartment, letting Lando hang on the couch while you got ready. Lando had said you guys were going to a more casual bar after so you decided on one of your signature going out outfits.

"Where do you want to eat?" You asked and Lando looked up from his phone.

"I'm up for anything," he said and you laughed.

"Anything besides x, y, and z," you joked and he rolled his eyes getting off the couch and coming towards you.

"As long as you're on the menu i'm down," he said cheekily and you gagged.

"I just threw up in my mouth," you complained. "Let's go Romeo."

He laughed following you out of the apartment and back downstairs. You called an Uber and the two of you ended up at a little diner you knew of that wasn't too busy. You ordered a burger and fries, Lando opting for chicken tenders.

"So which race will you be at next?" He asked casually.

"Probably Vegas," you replied, taking a sip of your coke. He frowned.

"Not Mexico?" He asked and you shook your head.

"I have a job ya know," you said and he looked at you not saying anything. "What?"

"I just figured that we've been spending enough time together that you'd maybe want to start coming to more," he said and you looked at him with wide eyes.

"I mean yes, I love spending time with you but I have a life here," you said. "We've only known each other for a couple of months and been together a handful of times."

Lando didn't say anything, looking down and picking at his food and you sighed.

"It would be a lot different if you lived here or I lived over there, but that's not the reality of the situation," you said sadly.

The rest of the meal was quiet, the tension between the two of you high. Lando paid for your food and you headed towards the bar, texting Lily that you needed to talk asap.

It looked like F1 had taken over the bar as you got there and Lando peeled off from you immediately. You found Lily ordering a drink and you joined her.

"What's up?" She said taking in your dejected appearance.

"We talked," you sighed. "And it didn't go well." She frowned.

"What did he say?" She asked and you turned back to the bar fiddling with your drink.

"It was more the vibe I got, like he was under this assumption that I was going to follow him around the world just because we've had one good week together," you said annoyed.

"I told him not to do this," Lily sighed and rubbed your arm sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," you reassured her. "I shouldn't have let it get this far, I just wanted to be happy."

"Let's get drunk then and pretend your dinner never happened," she suggested and you grinned.

"I'll drink to that," you said lifting your cup to hers.

You ended up a little drunk later on but not trashed, which is exactly the sweet spot you wanted to be in. Lando was also a little drunk, you could tell because he had decided to stop ignoring you.

Currently the two of you were engaged in deep conversation, him listening to you ramble on about how your favorite football team was doing.

"It's just like what is the offense doing ya know?" You went on. "No blocking, a five star qb that doesn't have his shit together, and horrible play calling."

You started to go on again but felt someone bump into you, pushing you into Lando whose arms shot out to catch you. You face was inches apart from his and your breath hitched as you watched him flick his eyes down to your lips. You start to warn him but he cuts you off, bringing his lips to yours. You kiss him back hungrily before you realized what's happening and push him off and bolt out of the bar.

"Y/n," he calls out following you outside and you can already feel tears forming in your eyes. "Y/n wait."

He grabs your arm pulling you around to face him.

"I can't fucking do this Lando," you yelled and he pursed his lips. "You know I can't do this."

Now you were pissed and you could tell he was starting to get angry.

"I just don't understand," he said. "I know you feel this between us."

"Of course I fucking do," you exclaimed. "But my life is here! I live here! My job is here! My friends are here! I'm not one of your influencer flings who can just jet off and follow you around the world while you live your dream. That's not mine."

He stalked towards you, getting closer before you reached your hand out to stop him.

"You think this is just a fling for me," he bit out. "I want you next to me for more than a couple of races." You scoffed throwing your hands up.

"You don't even know me," you yelled, tears starting to leak from your eyes and hurt flashed across his face before his expression hardened.

"You're right, I guess I don't." He said. "I can get any girl in the world to follow me around so I don't need someone like you."

You felt like your heart had been stabbed and before you could stop yourself your hand flew across his face making contact with his cheek. You felt two arms pull you back and you turned sobbing into Max's chest.

"Hey hey, it's okay, let's go," he whispered rubbing your back. They must have ventured outside seeing you guys argue because when you turned to look back you saw Lily screaming at Lando and Oscar trying to hold her back. This made you cry worse and you were hiccuping as Max lead you towards his car. He settled you into the passenger seat and you rested your head against the window trying to calm down.

"I know you won't believe it now, but he didn't mean it," Max said and you didn't reply. "He's just scared of what he's feeling and doesn't want to lose you.

"Well it might be too late for that," you whispered and Max gave you a sad smile. He walked you up to your apartment, hugging you goodbye and making you promise that you'd still come to Vegas.

You texted Lily that you loved her and were sorry you didn't get to say goodbye but were taking a break from social media and your phone for a little bit so to not worry. She replied that she loved you too and to text if you needed anything.

At least one good thing had come out of that first race.

[thecordelialetters]

I’ll love you in every multiverse Pt. 2 I Five Hargreeves x Reader

Post Apocalypse Au! WC: 1.8k Pt. 1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4

Summary: The Umbrella’s can understand jumping through time and all its rules, yeah fuck with the timeline and it’ll fuck you right back. But what happens when a portal opens up in the middle of the academy and outfalls a girl who claims to be Five’s wife from a different universe.

It had been four hours since you and Five arrived at the library. Piles and piles of books surrounded the two of you, none of which seemed to have the answers you needed. Equations were littered across the table and papers were strewn about. Five spoke up a few feet away from where you were sitting. "Im getting nowhere. I think we need to start from square one with my formula for time travel and superimpose that on the multiversal possibility." You looked at him ready to ask for a simpler explanation but when you saw his eyes focused on the paper ahead of him, you couldn't help but feel a throb in your chest. You missed your Five. The feel of his skin, the look of love in his eyes, the tone of his voice when he said he loved you. Five noticed your silence and looked up. "Are you okay?" You looked away blinking back tears. "Yeah I'm fine, let's just keep looking." But Five sensed you were no longer in the mood to research, so he got up and held his hand to you.

"Come on, staring at these pages too long will fry your brain, let's get some food." You grabbed his hand and savored the warmth it held. Each callous represented the number of missions he went through, though it was clean of the blood he shed it felt like home. If this was home, if this was before the fight, you and Five might be sitting together, not 5 feet apart, reading books. Perhaps the two of you would be in comfortable silence, your feet in his lap and his hand massaging your ankle every once in a while. Maybe he would look over, and you would glance back, peaking over the words of little women, one of your faves. Possibly he would put his book down and climb over to you . He would kiss your cheek, then your neck, and then settle in a comfortable spot beside you.

A cough from this universe's Five pulled you out of your reverie. The two of you ended up in a small Chinese takeout place that was decorated to the brim with gaudy oriental lanterns and curtains. It wasn't too busy, the noise mostly consisted of the cooking in the back and the occasional ring of the phone. Five brought over two containers, pork and white rice with steamed vegetables for himself and beef broccoli lo main for you. Surprisingly even this Five subconsciously knew what you wanted.

“How,” he looked uncomfortable, as if he didn’t know how to talk anymore. “How have you uh been so far?” He put a big spoonful of rice in his mouth as if it were to stop him from asking another bland question.

Awkwardly you looked to the side, “I’ve been fine, missing home, worried about how my husbands doing, worried how I'll be able to get back, if I could get back.” You paused for a second, pursing your lips at the thought. “Wondering what I’ll do if I can’t get back.”

The sentence brought tears to your eyes, as if saying it out loud only solidified the possibility of it.

Despite thinking you’d flinch back, Five hesitantly reached over to touch your hand. But you didn’t, it was an action he had done a million times over. "I will do everything I can to help you." His eyes held so much sincerity at that moment. Behind the relief you felt at that statement, you felt a question poke your subconscious. Maybe it was the fact that he was another version of your husband, but he looked so handsome and sweet in that moment, that you actually thought about leaning over to kiss him. Five looked at you deeply after promising to help you get home, but he wasn't sure if he even meant what he said. Some part of him enjoyed having you around. You already knew him and he was still shocked that in another world he was able to have you. The two of you finished up your food while making some small talk about your old life, and what his previous plans were. Walking back home was a comfortable silence, two hands occasionally brushed up against one another without the confidence to fully connect.

It was late when you arrived at the academy, a tired look adorning your face with sleepy yawns escaping your mouth. Five gingerly led you through the entrance to his room. He left you sitting on the bed and brought back an assortment of things. "I grabbed you a towel, toothbrush, and an extra set of pajamas. There is a bathroom right outside to your left and if you need anything I'll be sleeping in Vanya's old room." You peeked up at him through thick lashes, "Thanks Five." He closed the door and left the room to clean up for bed. As he was changing he imagined yourself helping him get ready, maybe playfully joking while the two of you brushed your teeth. What were you like in bed, not in that way, but how did you sleep? Did you cuddle him? Did you prefer to be big spoon or little spoon, did you snore? It was 2 hours and he was still imagining the life the two of you would have, did have. His wife. He had Delores and his family, but settling down with a real woman and being able to live a peaceful domestic life was something he thought was a farfetched dream in this world.

Meanwhile, as you got ready for bed you started to look around Five’s room. Everything from his childhood was here. He definitely had a knack for math seeing the equations everywhere and the toy trains on his dresser. You couldn’t imagine young Five being too different from older Five, probably a smart ass. Lifting the covers you slid into the bed engulfed by his scent. Closing your eyes you swore you felt a ghost of an arm reaching around you.

The lights from the window hitting your eyes woke you up. You laid under the covers relishing the warmth, your hand moved over to your left, a cold spot where Five would have been. Your heart yearned for him like crazy, and wondered what he was doing right now and if he was okay. Getting up you got ready for the day, brushed your teeth washed your face before digging through Allison's closet for more normal clothes. Deciding on a pair of jeans and a tank top you made your way down the stairs where you were greeted by Five accompanied by an all-American breakfast, bacon eggs, and toast. "There's some coffee in the pot, creamer in the fridge, and sugar here." He gestured to the counter with a cup in his hand. "Thank you Five, this smells delicious." You let your hair fall over your face to hide your smile. Sweet. That was sweet of him. "Where uh is everyone else?" You hadn't seen anyone at the estate since you arrived. "Im not sure they usually like to go off on their own." Short and sweet, Okay probably wouldn't be getting much help from them. You made yourself a cup and sat down at the counter across from him. He stood there staring at his notebook and occasionally sipped his drink. You probably stared at him longer than necessary because he looked up at you. Green eyes met brown until yours flickered away. "Sorry It's just, you," you paused to think of the right words. "You're him, I can't stop thinking about him."

It looked like Five was having an inner conflict before one side eventually won. He swiftly rounded the corner, face hovering just above your head. "I'm not him...but I hope this helps." He wrapped his arms around your body. Your nose buried in his shirt, the feel, the smell it was all so overwhelming. You brought your hands around him and clung back, eyes clenched so tight as if he would disappear the minute they opened. "Please don't go" you whispered. "I would never." He replied. An outsider, upon looking at the two, would never guess they were strangers. This was a lover's embrace. Surprisingly you were the first to let go while Five continued to squish you. Slowly he loosened his grip, but not before pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. "Do... Do you think I'll find her? My (y/n)?" He pulled away to look at you. You bite your lip, you didn't want to give him false hope nor want to crush him. "I don't know, there's no way to tell for sure. Maybe one day you'll cross paths. But know this." You grabbed his hand and put it over your wedding ring. "You'll make her the happiest girl in the world. And she will love you, all of you, for everything you are." It took everything in him to not kiss you, you weren't really his. The walk back to the library was quiet. Not a comfortable silence like before but there felt like there was an elephant in the room. The tension between the two of you was like a thick block of concrete. You pulled out 4 books from across the library and brought it over to the table the two of you sat at. "Here this one deals with multiversal theories, this one deals with the quantum realm, and this one is about space-time and math." The last book unbeknownst to Five was actually Viktor's memoir. You had seen it discarded in a "free book!" bin and was curious about what information it contained. While your study partner was busy with equations, you silently skimmed the book under the table. You read about the pain Reginald Hargreeves inflicted on the children, how Viktor felt like an outsider in his own home, how the children struggled with the lack of love at home, and the day Five jumped. There wasn't much about the actual day but what happened after, and Viktor's grief coming to terms with it. It was heartbreaking to read, even more so when you read about Ben's death.

Before you could read any further a cough snapped you out of your concentration. "So from what I gathered...we are going to need a lot of equipment. Now there's a lot of inheritance money left from my father but it's going to take a while." He grimaced, Five felt bad. He felt bad that you were probably suffering. “Don’t worry I’m going to help you, we’ll work day and night to get this thing going. It'll take having to use our powers and though, are you okay with that?” He knew that using your powers siphoned your life force and he didn’t want to risk that. “If that's what it'll take for me to get home then so be it.” You nodded comfortably. “I’ll try as much as I can to make sure you don’t use too much, but nothing's certain.”

He would make it certain. In the few days he'd spent with you, it wasn't hard to imagine eternity. No matter what he would make sure you could get home safely.

⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚

Author's note: I know I haven't posted in forever but I have like so many chapters in my draft sooooo... be on the look out for She's my angel as well ! She's my Angel Pt1. Shes my Angel Pt2.

Taglist : @cialovesklopp , @lovehatekill

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 134 (Still Dodging Danger in the Jungle)

Spencer Pancakes awoke to the furious buzzing of a swarm of killer bees inside their rental. With holes in the walls for windows in the sweltering jungle it wasn't surprising, but still unwelcome. Luckily, Spencer had a stick of guzmania pollenis to ward them off.

Heather slept heavily through the attack, still fatigued and woozy from the spider bite and subsequent antidote. But her body was healing, and though Spencer was wide awake thanks to the adrenaline rush of dodging bees, she let Heather sleep and moved to her workbench.

Spencer's dedication to preserving the treasures of Selvadorada had become a lifelong endeavour. She was well aware of the threat to ancient artifacts posed by local cartels who unofficially ran the territory, but she was smart about who she spoke to in the jungle, and always carried the proper permits for her digs.

She never felt more like herself than when her hands were callused, using her tools to shift the earth around priceless icons of a lost society. Spencer was determined not to let Omiscan culture be lost to famine, war, or the sands of time along with most of their structures.

Today's adventure involved exploring the Omiscan pyramid, looking for artifacts and attempting to disable modern traps set by tomb raiders desiring their own personal treasure vaults.

Heather and Spencer thought it fortuitous they'd decided to explore the underground temple complex today of all days, because when daylight broke through the jungle on their last morning of vacation, it was pouring rain outside.

Heather called Conrad to check in, and Spencer called her family, before the women packed their gear and headed into the jungle.

"He's worried about me after the spider bite, but I'll be fine as soon as the antidote runs through my system," said Heather, approaching a vine-covered gateway to the temple complex. She pulled out her machete and took a swing. "See? I'm alright. I'm sure the fatigue is down to jet lag, too."

But Spencer was distracted following her conversation with her family. "Apparently, Jett had a nightmare last night about Elsa Bjerg-Watson's death."

"Spence, I'm so sorry." Heather said. "I thought he was doing alright the morning after it happened."

"Everett's talking to him, and he set up an appointment with a counselor as soon as I'm back. I'm never excited to leave this place, but I'm glad we're going home tomorrow morning."

These adventurous moms were starting to miss their families, but they made the most of their last 24 hours in Selvadorada exploring the temple.

They set up excavation sites to dig through various mounds of dirt. They studied bowls, totems, and painted heads to disable traps and search for artifacts, travelling deeper underground while the rain poured heavily outside.

While the girls were exploring and digging, I got two separate notifications that 'Yoltic Xicoténcatl used a condom.' Clicked his face and flew to a woohoo bush at the temple complex. Twice! And I hung around like a creeper because I wanted to see who he was woohooing, and I think it glitched because they never came out.

I haven't played enough in Ciudad Enamorada, where Yoltic is from, but I'm familiar with him in @matchalovertrait's Alegria Legacy and I just wanted to know if he and Dani have been travelling in Selvadorada lately. 👀

After almost a full day underground, Heather and Spencer had lost sense of time and missed the sunset. But their digs were successful and they were both enjoying themselves. Heather felt better than she had in days, and before they finally realized how late it was, Spencer built a death totem with pieces of artifacts she found and put back together.

She was well on her way to becoming a bona fide Jungle Explorer. (Level 3 of 4.) She hadn't achieved her life's goal just yet, but she'd be back.

The beauty and mystery of the jungle would always hold a piece of Spencer's heart, but she and Heather were both ready to return to their families. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

NOTE: If killer bees indoors at 3am is a new bug, I didn't even realize it because the windows don't have glass in their rental!

BONUS! Spencer returned home to rainy Henford to find Pawbin Hood, still dressed in the Sherwood Forest getup Heather bought him when she was 14 (she's about 34 now), outside her family home looking for treats. Pawbin Hood was alive when the game started and I'm wondering if putting him in the outfit really did make him immortal. 🤔

[happilychee]

how good I think fairy tail characters are at traveling pt. 1

♡ gray fullbuster -> he's calm and reliable; he'll check the route before the trip and always have a map on hand to make sure you're going the right way. overall a 9/10 experience. -1 point because he doesn't make time to stop and look at trinkets >:(

*this is if you're traveling just with him though. if you add basically anyone else, including natsu, cana, loke, or lucy, gray will become completely distracted and you might never get to your destination.

♡ erza scarlet -> she'll get you to your destination. you might obtain life-altering trauma, bury a body, and become a local eldtritch legend, but you will get to your destination. 8/10 if you don't mind coming out of the experience Changed.

♡ mirajane strauss -> this can go one of two ways. if you're with other people, mira goes into Big Sister Mode, and you will get to your destination with minimal shenanigans. she does factor in Trinket Time, so overall a 10/10 experience. if it's just mira, though, prepare to go on a spiritual rollercoaster. no plans, no tickets, no maps, just vibes. mira likes to explore new towns and cities without worrying about a schedule or keeping track of other people. she has disappeared for a week straight to just wander around fiore. it's about the journey, not the destination, y'know?

♡ lucy heartfilia -> this poor girl isn't directionally challenged but she is financially challenged. will accidentally spend your train money on a cute necklace in whatever town you're stopping in. she's a good travel companion, willing to socialize with the locals and find out the best sight-seeing and restaurant spots. allocates a bit too much time for Trinkets. you'll probably arrive at your destination with empty pockets but full hearts (and shopping bags.) a 7.5/10, could be higher or lower depending on how much you value your wallet.

♡ natsu dragneel -> just give up. if he doesn't scoop you up in his arms as happy flies the two of you in the completely wrong direction, natsu's probably wandering off without you. gets distracted by everything: food, shiny objects, bickering people. you're working double time to get to your destination in one piece AND not lose natsu in the process. a 4/10 that can be upgraded to a 6 or 7 if you buy him a fire-resistant leash backpack.

♡ sting eucliffe -> surprisingly, he's the one coordinating your trip. all cheery smiles and lighthearted jokes, he makes it look easy. you don't even know what train you're getting on or how long the ride is, you just trust sting. he's charming everyone: the train conductor, the old ladies at the market stalls, the young ticket seller at the station. all of that completely disappears once you get on the train and sting is reduced to a nauseous puddle of dragon slayer. 10/10 experience as long as he doesn't throw up on you <2

♡ gajeel levy and pantherlily -> where's gajeel? you don't know. he was supposed to be at the station half an hour ago, he won't answer his lacrima, he's gone off the map. don't worry, though, levy and pantherlily will keep you company. 2/10 for gajeel. the worst part is, he shows up at your destination before you! he didn't even take the train or fly with lily! he's just... there somehow.

[jsprnt]

Americano PT. 4 | Jude Bellingham x Reader

What happens if two individuals who absolutely despise each other are forced to interact after unforeseen events occur?

A/N: thank u guys for waiting and having patience! enjoy reading <3

W/C: 4.092

part three

"I'm craving a late-night dessert."

I lazily text Luis, shifting on my hotel room bed in Girona. The minimalist interior helping my mind rest after the very hectic and stressful day.

The match against Girona FC was a blazing success with a 3-0 win for us, and what better way to celebrate than having good food?

My eyes widen slightly at the message popping up on the screen, reading Luis' response quickly.

"Meet me at the restaurant in twenty."

I immediately plant my feet down on the floor, sliding the hotel slippers on. Hurriedly having to put on something appropriate since my pyj wouldn't cut it. Rummaging through my small suitcase, I grab my just-in-case slip dress. I would always pack a dress for situations exactly like these. Thankfully, it hadn't wrinkled that much, still looking acceptable enough to be worn out.

I pull the dress over my frame, checking it out in the mirror. Fixing my appearance a bit, for once glad I was too lazy to remove my makeup.

I grab my phone and keycard, walking out of my hotel room. My sandals clicking against the marble floor and echoing throughout the spacious hallway.

I press the elevator button, scrolling through my phone as I wait for the elevator to travel up to my floor. The doors open a moment later with a small noise. I raise my head, ready to step forward, watching the doors slide open patiently, but freeze when I see Vinicius and Jude stand in the elevator.

Both men are dressed up to some extent. Vini just wearing a white T-shirt, while Jude is dressed in a gray cardigan.

It wasn't even that cold..

"Hi?" I greet, trying to keep my facial expression neutral, stepping inside reluctantly. My eyes darting over to the panel of buttons.

"Hey, where are you going?" Vini asks, and at that moment I see the restaurant button already lit up.

"The restaurant- like you guys?"

"Celebrating tonight's win, some others are joining us as well."

"Really? No curfew tonight?"

"We got an exception." He winks, making me chuckle.

"Oh, that's nice!" I comment, leaning against the elevator wall. The conversation quieting down and becoming slightly more awkward. Jude's annoying and negative energy pissing me off a bit.

"You're going alone?" I hear a moment later, my eyes darting back to Vini.

"No, I'm meeting Luis there. He's on a different floor."

The elevator suddenly stops at a different level, the doors sliding open to reveal a family of four. A mother and father, guiding their very tired-looking children into the small space.

I exchange a smile with the mom, stepping aside to make room for them. Cringing when my hand makes accidental contact with Jude's leg. I immediately fold my arms up in disgust, trying to shuffle a couple centimeters away from him.

An awkward silence surrounds us again, the minute or two it takes for the elevator to arrive feeling like hours at this point.

We finally arrive at our floor after the family gets off to their level. The restaurant has beautiful outside seating. Pretty green trees and plants decorating the area nicely. I can hear Vini and Jude walking right behind me as I walk closer towards the seating area.

My eyes catch Luis sitting with some players. Watching carefully, I realize they had already combined multiple tables. Making it a table for ten.

So, now I have to sit with all of these men, as the only woman?

I enjoyed the company of all of these men except one, but still- I just wanted my little dessert and go to bed.

I notice only three chairs being available, all across from Luis.

"Hi guys." I greet, looking at them. I slide my chair back to sit right across from Luis, both of us sitting at the end of our table. The other players greeting and welcoming us nicely.

I adjust my dress as I sit down, hearing the scrape of the chair next to me. I look up, staring right at Jude's side profile.

I bite back a sigh and look away, my eyes skimming the table.

"Is everyone going to enjoy their orange juice?" I joke, knowing they weren't allowed to drink tonight, nor was it encouraged.

I hear a couple grumbles and laugh, looking over at Luis.

"What are you getting?" I ask as he hands me the menu. I flip all the way to the back, finding the dessert category.

"Crema catalana, and I'm still thinking about my drink."

I hum, continuing to mentally debate on what I should get, eyes roaming over all of the delicious-sounding desserts.

After much overthinking, I decide to order a classic cheesecake, along with a virgin mojito. I look around to find a waiter, one finally catching my eye. I raise my hand to call him over, allowing the others to order first, fidgeting with my necklace while I wait for my turn.

I look up at the waiter when he starts speaking in English, realizing Jude is ordering and it’s my turn next.

"What would the beautiful lady like?" He says, not switching back to Spanish for some reason. I give him an awkward smile, quickly giving my order.

The waiter isn't necessarily bad-looking or anything, he's alright, just visibly not my age.

Way older for sure.

He repeats my order to me, and I try to listen intently, noticing his eyes flicker to my chest. I nod in confirmation when he's done, reluctantly handing him the menu when his ogling of my chest intensifies. I don’t miss the creepy spine chilling smirk he gives me, but I give him a blank face, not entertaining his bullshit.

I exhale when he finally leaves, shifting in my chair. Trying to calm my annoyance.

"You okay?" Luis asks, glancing at me concerned. His shoe making contact with mine.

"I'm okay. I'll go to the restroom for a moment." I whisper, grabbing my phone off the table and getting up.

I walk into the restroom. The beige and dark gray decorated space looking gorgeous, especially with the nice lighting.

I get to the sink and wash my hands to refresh myself. Deciding to take a couple pictures. I had noticed that I barely had good pictures of myself on these short trips. I definitely had to remember to capture these moments more often.

After spending a good five minutes snapping tens, or maybe even hundreds, of pictures, I realize I had to head back to our table.

I mentally prepare myself, trying to suppress the feeling of wanting to punch the waiter square in the jaw.

Can a woman wear a pretty dress and not be made uncomfortable by a man for once?

The guys I was with did not say one thing or did not look at me in a weird way at all. So, why did the stupid waiter have to ruin my mood?

I take a deep breath, open the restroom door, and walk back to our table. Conversations and jokes being made in full motion put me in a better mood, and I get an idea.

"Guys, let me take a picture of you all." I suggest, seeing some of them look up. Voices of agreement being spoken.

"Whose phone should I use?" I ask, going to stand at the head of the table. Jude handing his phone to me. Realizing he must've understood my question.

I decide to not say anything and just take the phone, snapping some very nice, memorable photos.

"Take a selfie! You need to be in it as well." I hear Brahim urge, his arm wrapped around Antonio's.

I nod, flipping to the front camera, positioning the phone so everyone can be seen properly, and take a few more pictures. Finishing up, I hand the phone back to Jude, going to sit down again.

After indulging in numerous conversations, our orders finally arrive, brought by the same waiter as before. I'm aware he can't bring all orders at once, so I wait patiently, watching him hand out a couple orders at a time.

As expected, my order comes last. The waiter places my cheesecake in front of me, my eyes follow the delicious, creamy dessert-

SPLASH!

I feel ice cubes and cold liquid spill all over me.

There is no fucking way this just happened to me...

This had to be on purpose, because there is no way.

My eyes and mouth go as wide as dishes. I look down at my wet dress, drenched in my mojito. Broken shards of glass now on the floor, next to my feet.

The entire table goes quiet, and I suddenly want to be buried alive.

Is this real life right now?

I look up at the waiter, watching him scramble for the handkerchief in his back pocket. I'm still frozen, in shock as his hand inches closer to me. To my horror, he starts dabbing and rubbing the damn cloth on my drenched chest.

Absolutely not, this couldn't be real...

I snap out of it, realizing this man was touching my body, and open my mouth to curse him out until a hand grips at the waiter's wrist. I can practically see it turn white until it's pushed away from my proximity with a scary strength.

"Don't touch her."

I hear an unusually deep, calm voice say and immediately know who it belongs to.

I don't even dare to look his way, whether it's because I'm so fucking embarrassed or- no I was absolutely horrified.

I watch the waiter clutch his wrist, trying to look as unbothered by the pain as possible, as he starts spewing millions of apologies to an enraged Jude.

"Don't apologize to me! You touched her!" He says loudly, gesturing to me. Frustration painted all over his face.

Oh shit

No way, he just defended me

I finally gather the courage to look at him, forgetting all of my words completely as I watch the situation unfold. Along with Jude, the entire table erupts in voices of disagreement. All of them practically ganging up on the waiter.

The waiter’s expression falters again as a string of more apologies leave his mouth. I can't help but just stare at him, unable to say or do anything.

"Can we see the manager?" I hear Antonio say, beginning to usher the waiter away.

The waiter finally leaves to collect the manager, and I look down at my body, uncomfortably starting to wipe away at the sticky residue of the sweet beverage left on my skin.

Talk about a mess.

Luis stands up from his chair, coming to help me as I can hear soft murmurs coming from the rest of the table. Hearing curse words in multiple languages mumbled underneath their breath.

I do hear a couple reassuring words, female staff members coming to help me out. After a couple of minutes of trying to clean myself off in the restroom, I finally walk back. Feeling much better and cleaner, though still in shock.

A damn late-night snack suddenly turned into whatever this mess was...

When I sit down, I notice three empty chairs, realizing both Jude, Brahim, and Antonio are gone. I look at Luis, shooting him a questioning look.

"They went to the manager, to you know what.."

I didn't know what 'you know what' meant, but I imagine it wouldn't be good for the creepy waiter.

It doesn't take long before they return to their seats, along with a nicely dressed older man. He makes instant eye contact with me, introducing himself as the manager before apologizing for the incident and offering for the table’s bill to be dropped.

That was the least of my worries. I was sitting at a table full of men earning millions every year, the bill wasn't an issue.

"I understand mistakes happen, your staff should be more careful next time." I begin, using elaborate hand gestures as I speak to him, trying to convey my frustration.

At this point, I had given up on my anger, just wanting it to be over with so I could finish my dessert and go back to my room.

"I'm just glad it wasn't anything hot, but really, I urge you get your staff in check. Doesn't really do well with the image of your establishment..." I state, throwing my hands up and raise a brow.

"Again, I apologize on behalf of our staff and establishment. Is there any way we could make it up to you? We already have your drink replacement on the way."

I open my mouth to speak, though I get distracted by a murmur coming from my right.

"Just fire the fuckin' creep, mate.."

I keep my facial expression neutral, pretending I didn't hear it, and continue speaking with the manager.

"No, truly, just a replacement for the drink is alright.." I wave my hand in rejection.

A couple minutes later, a waitress comes up to our table, handing me another drink. I thank her quickly, informing her of my appreciation.

We all return to our fun conversations after I reassure everyone that I'm a hundred percent alright. The mood picks up quite fast when the guys started talking about something funny that had happened in the changing room today.

I finally finish my well-deserved dessert, sipping on the last bits of my drink as I continue to listen to the guys.

I suddenly feel a gust of wind passing me, making me shiver a bit. The weather had definitely gotten way colder as it became later in the night.

I hear a scoff next to me at my reaction, and look in the direction of the noise. I raise my brows, puzzled, as Jude starts shrugging his cardigan off. The rest of the table still distracted by a story being told by Vini.

I freeze at his sudden movement, seeing him inch the cardigan over my back. His arms surround me as I watch him drape the cardigan onto my shoulders. His body very close to mine. His hands go up to close the cardigan, buttoning up the first two buttons.

My eyes travel from his hands to his face, not uttering a single word to him. Eyes widening when he leans to whisper in my ear.

"You're insufferable." He whispers to me, pulling back and looking away, his attention going back to Vinicius.

I smirk at the comment, somehow being glad he was being snarky. I adjust the cardigan a bit, looking at the back of his head.

"That's all you." I murmur quietly.

"Shut up." He mutters, finishing his drink, not glancing at me any further.

I stifle back a chuckle, returning my attention to the banter as well.

I felt insanely grateful for the normalcy for a moment, which with Jude was rare- if not never happened.

"What the fuck is this man even talking about?"

I groan, fighting the urge to bash my head against my keyboard. I was fifteen minutes into my lecture, not understanding a single word my professor had said. I was really impatient, and two times speed wasn't helping either.

I had finally sent in my stress-inducing essay. Now having to catch up on two 45-minute lectures. I found the plane ride to be a very good place to catch up, since it was almost three hours long from Girona back to Madrid. Though, I had forgotten to consider that I was running on minimal hours of sleep after last night’s turn of events.

"What are you whining about now? I'm trying to sleep here." I hear Luis mumble, turning my head to watch him pull his blanket down to reveal his face.

"Sorry, it's just this lecture I need to catch up on." I mumble, returning my attention back to my laptop screen and restarting the lecture. I adjust my grip on my pen and begin taking notes. Hoping I could understand my professor the second time around.

I hear some commotion and laughter in the back of the plane. Not wanting to get distracted, I raise the volume of my lecture, trying to focus completely.

My efforts are finally rewarded when I understand most of the information this time, sighing in relief as the first lecture ends.

"I am a genius." I mutter to myself. My ego was completely boosted now, and no one could tell me otherwise.

Or so I thought…

I instantly hear a loud laugh and look up, confused. I take out my earbuds and look to my right, Jude standing next to me.

Yeah, forget whatever happened yesterday, normal Jude had returned.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have a restroom in the back of the plane?" I ask, fake-smiling at him.

"It's occupied, so I went to this one here." He states, arms crossed against his chest.

"Why are you bothering me then?"

"I heard the most outrageous words leave your mouth, couldn't help myself."

"Can you just let me listen to my lecture now if you're done?"

"What lecture?"

"Law lecture.."

"You study law?" He asks, bewildered. His hand inching closer as he snatches my precious notebook from my table and starts inspecting it.

"I do." I reply, scowling and reaching to get my notebook back.

"Because of your dad?"

"Maybe..." I respond, confused by the number of questions he's asking.

"Think you'd put me in jail rather than saving me from it."

"Well, fuck around and find out." I retort, getting even more annoyed. Our conversation gets interrupted by Eduardo before it gets too heated.

"What are you guys fighting about?" He asks, looking at us, way too amused for my liking.

"Her lecture." He says, pointing at my screen.

"Do you know she studies law?"

I watch Eduardo nod, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

"She’s our club’s future lawyer." He jokes, winking at me and patting my shoulder as I crack a smile at his words.

I hear Jude scoff, mumbling an annoyed 'whatever' as he goes to sit back in his seat.

"Is he okay?" I ask, wondering why he looked so pissed.

"He's fine. Just in a bad mood, I think." He replies, telling me he'll go back to his seat.

I nod, giving him a small wave before starting my second lecture.

"Right, but I don't think this could work. We have had great engagement since the beginning of the season, switching up our posting schedule would not have a positive impact- in my opinion."

We'd been in our monthly meeting with the marketing and PR team, and it was practically sucking the life out of me. Especially, with Valeria's stupid idea. I had no choice but to say something about it, because no one else looked like they dared to.

"Then- let's take the democratic approach. Who's in favor of changing the schedule?" Hugo suggests, looking around the room.

My eyes dart around the room, seeing some of Valeria's minions raise their hands. Thankfully, they aren't the majority.

"Okay, well, that tells us enough. Sorry, Valeria." Hugo chirps up, resting his forearms on the table.

I watch her face crumple up into a fake smile, and her gaze averts to me.

"Well, if that's what everyone thinks, It's fine."

"Then that concludes the meeting. Let's keep this up until the end of the year!"

I hold back a sigh of relief, glancing at Lina and Luis as they give me the exact same bored look.

"Come on." I urge, grabbing my laptop and folders. The three of us walking out of the meeting room and back to our desks.

"What are you guys going to do tonight?" I ask, grabbing a piece of gum from my desk and throwing the pack at Luis.

"Thanks! I think I'll just go to bed early. My sleeping schedule is messed up." He says, handing the pack to Lina.

"I'm celebrating my boyfriend's birthday. Fancy dinner, all of that stuff." She says, finally handing the pack to me, prompting me to put it away in my drawer.

"Really? How nice!” I comment, turning to Luis.

“Where’s your bird, old man-”

I begin, but I am rudely stopped by Luis' hand clamping over my mouth.

"We don’t talk about that." He says, his palm still on my face. I grab his wrist to take his hand off me, scoffing.

"I don't have any siblings, so you should step up and make me the bougie aunt-"

His hand clamps over my mouth again, making me sigh against it. Hearing Lina laugh at our antics.

"Don't say anything else."

I shake my head in response, grabbing his wrist again. "I won't." I mutter, having difficulty hiding the smile on my face due to how annoyed he looks.

"I have to leave, only way I can get ready on time." I hear Lina say, watching her collect her handbag.

"I'll leave with you- are you staying longer?" Luis asks, glancing at me, also beginning to pack his items.

"Yeah, I have something to do." I say, my eyes darting to the gray cardigan that is draped over the back of my chair.

They both leave the office minutes later, leaving me to tidy up my desk. I pack up my bag and don't forget to grab the cardigan as I make my way down.

I glance around when I walk down the flight of stairs, trying to find someone who would know Jude’s whereabouts. Finally, may I catch Brahim walking out of the restroom.

"Have you seen Jude?" I ask, walking up to him. My heavy bag resting on my shoulder as the cardigan is draped over my arm.

"He's in break-room three. Why are you asking?" He asks, raising a questioning brow at me and reaching up to fix his hair.

"I have to give him something."

I notice a slight change in his expression at my words, a small smile forming on his lips.

"What's with that look?" I ask, raising my own brow.

"Nothing, you should go. Don't want to miss him, do you?" He replies, his eyes going down to the cardigan in my hand.

I stare at him for a second, puzzled by his reply, but decide to ignore it.

"See you tomorrow, then." I say, waving to him as I walk up to the break room.

I reach over to the door handle, but retract my hand as the door is already opened by a familiar man, a huge suitcase behind him.

Wasn't this that one famous Instagram barber?

"Oh, sorry, is Jude in here?"

The man immediately steps aside, revealing Jude, sitting there in the chair, his hair definitely freshly cut.

The man leaves without speaking a word, leaving me standing there in the doorway.

"Didn't you already get your hair cut last week?" I ask, my voice loud, as I walk into the room instead of standing in the doorway.

I watch him stand up from his chair, his phone in his hand. It looked like I interrupted his photo shoot.

"I need to look good, obviously." He mutters, finally looking at me. His face crumpling with irritation.

"For what? The girls that run away when they find out how annoying you are?" I say, looking displeased.

Jude rolls his eyes, huffing, before looking away.

"Why are you even here?" He breathes out, voice thick with an unwelcoming tone.

"Oh- here." I mutter, remembering why I was there. I extend the cardigan to him, seeing his eyes soften for a moment.

"I washed it as well. Checked the label and everything." I add, my tone relaxed.

"Thank you." He finally says, folding the cardigan and throwing it over his shoulder.

A thank you? That was new.

We both stare at each other for a while, not knowing what to say next to one another.

I wanted to thank him for what happened back in Girona, but my ego and pride were holding me back like a dam holding back water.

A civilized conversation was something that never happened between us. Causing our silence to be even more awkward.

"Okay, that's all. I'm leaving." I finally say, shoving my hand in my pocket as I begin marching up to the door. Not looking back when I hear his phone ring loudly.

He answers the call quickly, and I sigh in relief, finally walking out of the break room, excited to go home.

[adragonthatwrites]

Dr. Shen's Log, Pt. 8

Dr. Shen Jiu, Head of Research at Cang Qiong Facilities. Date 3, 6, 2024

Over the course of the week following our initial examination of ‘Yue Qingyuan’, we’ve tracked him along his usual migration route and periodically dispatched pods to observe his behaviors. For the most-part he travels at a steady, straight path at a depth just above 200 meters, though occasionally we have observed him diving to a depth of up to 700 meters. We have yet to directly observe hunting behaviors, though he was sighted with a half-eaten tuna. Most likely this is one of his preferred prey items, and the reason he travels whilst in the euphotic zone, despite obvious signs he’s capable of diving as low as the bathypelagic zone, or possibly even the abyssopelagic zone.

Yesterday, he surfaced near our vessel again, swimming alongside it and occasionally breaching to observe the deck. He’s remained beside our vessel for nearly an entire day, diving occasionally to swim at lower depths, but staying near them as he does so. In light of the… incident, it was decided ‘Yue Qingyuan’ was an individual researchers could comfortably enter the water with.

Before an in-person examination could be conducted, it was decided that a team of professional divers would enter the water with him and swim alongside and around him, similar to how divers would interact with a whale. One of the divers; Gongyi Xiao from Huan Hua Palace tours and rentals, was directed to attempt to make direct contact via touch, though to move back immediately if the mer showed any signs of irritation or hostility towards his approach. All the divers have been briefed on basic mer bioluminescent signals; including greetings, curiosity, irritation and threat displays.

Dr. Shang seems extremely optimistic about the project moving forward.

I have attempted to request he be removed from the project, however as he is currently the only available resource regarding mer language, it was decided he would remain.

The divers are scheduled to enter the water with Yue Qingyuan in approximately 4 hours. Assuming all goes well, a full-bodied examination will be scheduled shortly after.

End Log.

(Bonus Note: euphotic zone = sunlight zone. Up to 200 meters deep in the ocean. bathypelagic zone = midnight zone. Between 1000-4000 meters below the surface. abyssopelagic zone = abyss zone. Between 4000-6000 meters below the surface.)

Up next, a very special episode!

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