#I went to the marina with is and it was so pretty and it made me more homesick lol

[rachiller]

I’ve been away from the sea for too long & it’s making me twitchy

[bunny-norris]

MONACO

LN4 x Reader

Summary: Y/N suffers a horrid date, luckily a knight in shining armour seems to be there to save the day.

Warnings: dickhead man, inappropriate touching (not detailed)

Can be made into a part two if requested - not proofread

Monaco glittered under the afternoon sun, a perfect day for lunch by the marina. Y/N smoothed out her dress and sighed, looking over at her date, Adam. She had hoped for a pleasant afternoon, but he had been insufferably rude from the start.

Y/N had been hesitant to go on this date from the very beginning. She was working in Monaco at the time, and she hadn’t been there for long. Even though she was dating, she had met someone who seemed to be interested in her, and so she went for it. But it was not going in the way she wanted.

Unwanted touches on the leg, which Y/N quickly pushed away, caused her chair to move a little bit away from him. Remarks on her looks included the following: he didn't think highly of the things she was wearing, she wasn't grinning enough for him, and her hair could have been styled a little more well. Y/N was raised to be a strong woman who ignored the opinions of others and always looked out for herself, so she knew she should speak out, but this was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was emotionally draining, and all Y/N wanted to do was run out of there and go home. She had sat there nicely, not wanting to cause a scene, wanting to get it over with.

"Excuse me," Y/N said softly, standing up to leave, clearly at her breaking point. Adam grabbed her arm roughly, yanking her back into her seat. "Don't just walk out on me," he snapped.

Y/N flinched, the grip Adam had on her arm hardening as he glared at her, clearly realizing that she was no longer wanting his company. Y/N looked around, seeing that people were beginning to stare. “Please stop, I don’t think this is going to work out, so I’m just going to go home now. Thank you for asking me on a date, but you’re not for me.” Y/N whispered, trying to jerk her arm out of his grasp.

“Excuse me,” a voice said behind Y/N. “I think the lady asked you to let her go, so I’d appreciate it if you did so.”

Adam just rolled his eyes at the man. The man was young, Y/N guessed around 23 or 24 years old, well-dressed in a white buttoned-down shirt and smart pants. He was nice-looking, and he smiled sweetly at Y/N when she turned her head to see who was talking. She smiled back, her heart rate slightly speeding up at the sight of him.

“What a waste of time,” Adam muttered, rolling his eyes and letting go of Y/N’s arm. Pushing past her, Adam stormed out, leaving Y/N looking at the man who seemed to save her. “Thank you for that,” she said, smiling slightly and looking down, playing with her nails.

"Are you alright?" the man asked, his voice gentle. "That looked pretty intense."

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Y/N replied, though her arm still throbbed slightly. "I’m just going to go home, I’m sorry for interrupting your lunch," she said, looking slightly behind the man to the table that he had come from, a round table full of people who Y/N believed to be his friends, all chatting away to one another, every so often looking in the man’s direction.

"Let me drive you home, it’ll be quicker, maybe get some ice on your arm," he offered, concern etched on his face.

"You don't have to. I'll be fine, I’m really sorry for interrupting your lunch, but I really appreciate what you did, you seem like a good man," she insisted, though part of her felt grateful for his offer. She turned, beginning to walk away, towards the restaurant door.

“Miss, excuse me! Miss!” the man shouted after her. Y/N turned around to face him. “Look, I know you’ve just been through a really shitty date, and the last thing you wanna do is talk to a man since I know we as a species probably seem really shit right now. But I promise, I’ll drop you off home safely and leave you be. I think you’re really pretty, and you definitely didn’t deserve to be treated like that, so I just want to make sure you’re going to be okay.” The man rambled, almost out of breath, and Y/N just slightly giggled, not quite sure what to make of the man, but he seemed sweet.

“I’m still walking home,” she said, as the man looked slightly defeated. “But, if you want to walk with me, you’re welcome to join me.” She smiled and began walking, with the man quickly catching up to walk with her.

They walked together through the narrow streets of Monaco, the city bustling with life around them. Y/N glanced at her unexpected knight in shining armor. "Thank you again," she said. "I don't even know your name."

He chuckled, a bit surprised. "I'm Lando. Lando Norris."

She tilted her head, not recognizing the name. "Nice to meet you, Lando. I'm Y/N."

"Nice to meet you too, Y/N. So, what brings you to Monaco? Other than going on terrible dates."

"I'm here for work," she explained. "I’ve been here for about a week, but I go home in a few days, so I thought, why not just ruin it by talking to shitty men.”

Lando faked a shocked face and wounded heart. “I do hope I am not in that category.”

Y/N laughed at his expression. “I guess I’ll have to decide by the time you walk me to my door. I’d rate it currently a 5 out of 10.”

“I guess I’ll have to try harder then,” Lando laughed.

As they continued to walk, they chatted about everything and nothing. Lando shared stories about his travels and racing, though he didn't mention the specifics of his career, and Y/N talked about her work and the quaint village she called home.

"I have to admit," Y/N said after a while, "Monaco is beautiful, but it can be a bit overwhelming."

"I can imagine," Lando replied. "It's a different world here. But it does have its charm."

"It does," she agreed. "Especially today."

They reached her hotel much too quickly for Y/N's liking. She turned to face Lando, feeling an unexpected pang of sadness at the thought of their walk ending. "Thank you for walking me back," she said sincerely. "And for standing up for me. It means a lot."

"Anytime," Lando replied, his eyes meeting hers. There was a spark there, an unspoken connection that neither wanted to break just yet.

Impulsively, Y/N stood on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to Lando's cheek. "Thank you," she whispered against his skin before pulling back.

Lando blinked in surprise, his hand touching the spot where her lips had been. "You're welcome," he said softly, his voice slightly hoarse.

Y/N smiled, feeling a flutter of excitement. "Maybe we'll see each other again before I leave?"

"I'd like that," Lando replied, his eyes shining with hope.

With a final wave, she disappeared into the hotel, leaving Lando standing on the steps, a smile playing on his lips. There was something about Y/N that he couldn't quite forget. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time their paths would cross.

[maemelany]

RACING HEARTS - Part 2: MONACO I

Pairings: Lewis Hamilton x reader 

Summary: You and Lewis have been talking for a few weeks now, and he invited you to the Monaco GP. You can’t deny the attraction anymore. 

Warnings: smut – light but still smut 

Word count: 1.5k 

Series masterlist here

part 3 here

A/N: Part 1 of part 2 (I know it’s a mouthful) is here. It’s shorter, but since it’s divided into two parts, I thought it was okay to share it. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Let me know how you feel about it and if you want to be added to the tag list. 

Love, Mae. 

You were invited to the Cannes Festival. It was your third year attending, but this time, it felt different. 

The first time, you were scared to make a mistake or fail off the steps. The second time around, you were shocked to still be invited. You had more fun, but that feeling of not belonging was still present. This year, you were just having fun. You felt more confident, and you finally accepted that you deserved it. That your hard work was appreciated and that you belonged. 

It was also exciting because Cannes was not your final destination. You spent the first week there, climbing the stairs and attending a few parties for some sponsors, and then you were off to Monte-Carlo. 

You had not stopped talking to Lewis since the Miami race. It happened naturally, and you talked almost every day about anything and everything. 

You mentioned travelling to France for the Cannes Festival, and Lewis did not hesitate to ask if you would have time to come to his race. 

Of course, you said yes. You had to tweak some things in your schedule, but you could not deny to yourself that you were happy to see him again. 

You went from denying that something could happen to hoping something was indeed happening. 

You’d never been to Monte Carlo, so you enjoyed the view from the back of the car. It was night, so the city was shining, and the view did not disappoint. 

Monaco’s nightlife was known all over the world, but witnessing it was something else. It felt like everybody was out, having fun and wearing incredible outfits.  

Suddenly, you did not feel as overdressed as you first thought when you left your last event in Nice without changing to catch a helicopter to Monte-Carlo. 

When the car left you in front of the marina, you weren’t sure where to go. It was just a line of yachts, and you never asked Lewis where you were supposed to meet exactly. 

“Y/n!” 

You turned around, and there he was. You couldn’t help but smile as he approached you. He hugged you, and you embraced it without hesitation. He smelled so good. 

“I’m so glad you came. You look fantastic,” he said when he moved back 

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.” 

You weren’t lying. Lewis’s style was implacable and today was no exception. He smiled and extended his hand for you to hold it. You took it, your heart skipping another bit. 

“So, you said it was your first time in Monaco, right?” he asked you 

You nodded. “Yep. I never got the chance or the time to stop here. Plus, I don’t know anyone that lives here, and I don’t speak French.” 

“Now you do. I mean, my French is pretty bad, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll show you around.” 

You simply smiled, not sure what to say. Lewis then stopped in front of a beautiful, greyish yacht.

“I don’t know if you have a hotel room reserved, but we have rooms here if you want. I thought we could anchor out at sea for the night, and I’ll show you around the city tomorrow?” 

You thought about it for a few seconds. You did not have a room reserved, and you felt ashamed to admit it. You left Nice in a rush, and you were too busy during the past week to make arrangements. 

Lewis could see that you were spinning your wheels, so he guided you inside. 

“Let me show you around,” he said 

He showed you the yacht's common spaces. You could tell that he was passionate about it as he talked about how fast it could go and the updates they made to improve the boat.

You did not know much about boats, but his enthusiasm was contagious, and you found yourself asking questions. 

As the evening passed, you became more relaxed and even told him a few jokes about weird situations you found yourself in Cannes. 

There were also subtle touches. Lewis’s love language seemed to be physical touch, as he started to touch your arm distractedly as you two talked. 

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked you again after a peaceful blank in the conversation. 

You could feel your cheeks getting warm despite the fresh breeze on the upper deck. 

“You did, but I don’t mind you repeating yourself.” 

Lewis smiled.“Well, you look beautiful. And you smell amazing; what is it?” 

You opened your mouth, ready to share your perfume’s name, but he stopped you. “Let me try and guess it.” 

Before you could add something, he got closer. You could hear him breathe as his face got closer to your neck. 

“I’m going to say… there’s bergamot in it?” 

“Nope… try again” you whispered 

He got closer, his lips almost touching your neck now. 

“Vanilla?” 

You chuckled. “How do you go from bergamot to vanilla? They’re like, totally opposite.” 

“Hmm…” he said, now leaving tiny kisses on your neck 

You closed your eyes. It felt good. “Try one more time.” 

You could feel him grinning. You knew he would not guess it, but you didn’t want him to pull away.

“What do I get if I guess it?” he asked. 

Your smile broadened. There was no way he was going to guess it. “Anything you want” 

Lewis froze for a second but did not pull away. “Anything? That’s a big bet.” 

“Something’s telling me I’ll win anyway,” you said, your heart beating faster. 

He kissed your neck one more time; this time, you couldn’t help a small moan to escape your mouth.

“It’s musk. And there’s also a bit of Amber. Spices too” 

It was your turn to freeze. You opened your eyes and pulled away from him. The shock must have been plastered on your face because Lewis burst out laughing. 

“I guess I won,” he said when he calmed down 

 “How did you… you said bergamot first!” you asked, still in shock 

His mischievous smile you were growing to love was on. “How about I get my prize, and then I tell you my secret?” 

You almost forgot about that. You did say he could have anything he wanted if he guessed it right. 

“Okay, what do you want?” 

“How about I show you?” he said. “Come here.” 

The tone of his voice left no room for hesitation. You found yourself getting closer until your knees were touching. He was looking at you; everything you needed to know about how he felt or what he wanted was pretty clear. 

“Stop me if you don’t want it, but I’m about to kiss you. And I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.” 

You opened your mouth and then closed it. Nobody had ever been so direct to you. 

��I want it,” you whispered. 

He softly touched your face, and you closed your eyes. You could feel his soft touch on your cheek, and then he stopped at your mouth, opening it with two fingers. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. 

You smiled, but it didn’t last, as you gasped right after. Lewis was kissing your neck again, but this time, it wasn’t soft kisses. You could feel the butterfly migrating to your stomach and then even lower.

“Lewis…” you whispered 

“Hmm?” he said, still giving attention to your neck.

“I…” you wanted more, but you couldn’t say it. Instead, you pushed your hands in his hair, pressing him closer. 

“I won, remember? I’m doing whatever I want, y/n.” 

His hands were everywhere. In your hair, on your face, your breasts. He was teasing you. You wanted him to kiss you. If you were honest with yourself, you wanted more than that. But he was taking his sweet time, working you until you couldn’t stop the moans from escaping your mouth. 

When he pressed your nipples harder, the thin fabric of your dress not posing any blockage, you lost it. You grabbed him closer as you could feel yourself getting closer. 

“Fuck…” he whispered and then made you climb his lap. 

You were still catching your breath when he pulled you up. You were now on his lap, feeling his erection between you. 

“Kiss me,” he said, looking at you. 

You did not hesitate and kissed him. It felt like home. Like you’ve been kissing for ages. It was soft at first but then got more intense as he pressed you closer to him. 

You started to move, straddling his lap as the kiss got deeper. You gasped when he pushed his hand between your thighs, under your dress. Without hesitating, Lewis parted your panties and plunged a finger into you. 

“Oh my god,” you whispered 

“Not him, all me,” he chuckled. “Say it, love.” 

“Lewis,” you moaned his name, gasping against his mouth when he added another finger. 

“That’s it, love, come for me.” 

It felt like it was all you were waiting for, him asking you to come. You curled your toes inside your high heels, squeezed your legs as much as you could and came. 

“Oh my god,” you managed to say in a shaky breath. 

Lewis smiled, softly kissing your temple. You stayed like that for what felt like forever, enjoying the breeze and Lewis caressing your back. 

“I’m taking it you’re staying the night,” he finally said 

You chuckled. You were staying. In fact, you didn’t just stay that night; you stayed the entire week. 

Tag list:

@carelessreadersstuff

[loolilyumm]

I am screaming. Sobbing. Girlboss and fail-wife is my favorite dynamic. The way you draw is so pretty and your colors are so good plus people who draw 3 with sanitization scars are literally so cool I mean look at acht, there’s canonical examples of it. But literally going aaaa rn because I love your ocs.

We got Reese and Margot, how about 4 and 8?

OMG AHH IM SO SOSOSO HAPPY YOU LIKE THEM..AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASKS I LOVE ANSWERING THEM!! 🫶🫶🫶

I want to yap about my agents in separate posts so this one will be all about 8!

THIS IS OLIVE! She became agent 8 in the deepsea metro and has been a super active agent in the NSS ever since! They are like family to her - she lived with Pearl and Marina for almost 3 years before moving in with Reese! (Captain/Agent 3)

She was 14 during splatoon 1, and 16 during the events of octo expansion. Now in splat 3 she is 19!

She mains the dark tetra dualies but can use any weapon. She's super fast and agile so she likes weapons that work well with her speed.

She was an elite solider in the octoling army - she had just become one before she was ambushed by Cuttlefish and agent 3 (Reese) and they all fell into the metro.

None of them ended up falling in the same area of the metro, and Olive ended up being found by Tartar’s sanitized octolings and taken to the sanitation chambers to have her memory erased.

Side tangent - I have a specific idea in mind about how octolings are sanitized. If you want to watch this video, it explains it really well - https://youtu.be/zu4czvg5ClI?si=wFz1lABgkv7hz8Wk

But TLDR, there are 2 stages of sanitization. Stage one includes being wiped of all memories. The subject then has to go through a series of tests and trials before Tartar decides what to do with them based on how well they did. Then they get either blended or brainwashed into oblivion! 😆😆 woohoo yay! J think based on the side order diaries it kind of confirmed that 8 went through that first process…it just never said how so I made that part up. Lol

ANYWAY..!!! At the same time Olive is taken, Reese wakes up and begins searching for captain Cuttlefish. He doesn’t find him, but you know what he does find??!!?!?

WHOAAA WOWWW HE FINDS OLIVE

He’s like holy cow..! That’s the girl that was just attacking me…😦 and he’s like ahhh! I gotta help her!

But by the time the two of them make it out, he realizes that it’s too late. Her memory was completely wiped. The sanitization doesn’t leave any physical effects on her except for her eyes - they turned turquoise. The same color as the sanitized ink.

The two of them needed to find a way to find cuttlefish and get out of this creepy place, so they kept moving. Pretty soon they made their way into a train station and found cuttlefish waiting for them there!! And there was also a weird telephone that told Olive she was the newest test subject - and that passing all these trials was the key to getting her memories back and getting to the “promised land.”

Reese just went along with it because he assumed that was what octolings called the surface. He wanted to be a test subject too so he could help Olive, but the phone rejected him. No inklings allowed!

She was forced to go through hundreds of rigorous tests. She wanted more than anything to get back her memories and reach paradise. As she regained more memories, she realizes how different her old life was from the kindness these inklings were showing her now (and the two people on the radio called Pearl and Marina!). It just propels her toward finishing the tests, pushing herself to her limit, doing it not just for herself but for all of them.

She forms a really deep bond with these inklings. Cuttlefish is like a grandfather to her. Reese makes her heart flutter in ways she doesn’t even understand.

As the tests go on, she regains muscle memories from her days as an elite solider. She’s good at fighting. Really good. But these tests are really hard. 8 knows she can do it, but they’re really, really hard. And all these bad memories aren’t helping.

Through blood, sweat, and tears, Olive finally collects the 4 thangs and they can finally go to the surface! She is so proud of herself and feels on top of the world. Cuttlefish and Olive take the thangs to the telephone and wait for Reese, who’s out exploring the metro (one of the things he does to take up time and secure their safety). But the telephone is telling them they gotta go NOW and they can’t wait for Reese!

Cuttlefish and Olive say nope, nope, not happening. So they are forced into the blender and AHH!! OH NO VERY BAD!! EVERYONE FLIPS OUT AND…!!!

Reese appears and THROWS HIMSELF at the blender. Surprisingly, it works. The three of them leave the telephone and super jump through the hole Reese made in the ceiling. They’re going to get to the surface themselves.

Somewhere around the 4th phase, they are ambushed by a group of sanitized octolings. Olive gets separated from Reese and Cuttlefish. She is forced to keep moving and hope that they have made it to the elevator before her.

They have, but not in the way she thought! When she sees Reese’s partial sanitation, she doesn’t want to hurt him and holds back, resulting in herself getting injured very badly. She realizes this isn’t the friend she knows, and manages to defeat three and rescue him from brainwashing.

Soon after that she also saves the whole world and defeats Tartar. PERRIOODDD!! #slaythehousedown #girlboss

Reese and Olive got into a relationship soon after the events of octo expansion. They help each other through all the trauma of what happened down there and are the bestest friends and love each other so so much! Yay!!

And Olive got a new family that she loves so so much. YAYYY!!

AS OF SPLATOON 3…EBERYONE IS DOING AMAZING!! YAY!! Agent 4 is Olive’s new bestie. Margot (New agent 3) is like the little sister she never had. She and Reese have moved in together. She still does regular missions for the NSS and treats it as a full time job. She’s so proud of Reese for becoming captain. She couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.

I still haven’t decided what really goes down during the events of side order - I didn’t love that it was all a simulation, so idk how I’d write around that. I’ll figure it out! But for now, Let’s just say it’s not very fun for Olive.

BUTTTTT after the events of side order, she regains all of her lost memories (she left a few behind in Kamabo) and rediscovers herself.

HOLY CANNOLI I wrote a lot. I think about Olive so much and I hope you guys love her as much as I do.

If you guys have any questions about them whatsoever, please PLEASE feel free to send over an ask! I love answering them!!

IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR…I love u. Mwah!

[festivalsofmargot]

Pretty Thoughts {Sebastian Sallow x GN!Reader}

Introduction: Sebastian is down bad for you, my dear reader. But a lot of overthinking on your part makes you blind to it. So, his only option is to keep chasing after you. Takes place after MC meets Anne and before Seb’s final mission. Your Hogwarts house is up to you.

Word Count: ~2700

Warnings: Kissing, Teen Angst

Author’s Note: This is an (un)official Part 2 to Pining in Potions Class. I like writing one shots that could go together if you’d like, but you definitely don’t need to read any other stories to know what’s going on. I love the idea of a clingy Sebastian. Teens finding their first love can feel amazing but they also don’t know how to act. All they know is they want to be with that person at all times.

Songs (if interested):

Kill the Director - The Wombats

Whatever You Like - Single Version - Anya Marina Cover

Wallpaper - Matt Watson

How Long - TALK

You had found Sebastian around you a lot more lately, not that you minded. You enjoyed it, actually. But at the same time, it kept you on edge. Though you hadn’t known the Slytherin for long, this behavior seemed very out of the ordinary for him. When you were first getting to know him, he would be brief and to the point with you, then he was off. He was always prioritizing practicing new spells in the undercroft or going over every book he could get his hands on from the restricted section. 

At first, you thought maybe he had a falling out with Ominis, but then you saw them walking into the dining hall seemingly fine with each other. And then, you made yourself paranoid it had something to do with Anne’s health. But to your relief, he updated you on something funny she wrote in her latest letter to him.

Your early conversations mainly consisted of discussing the things he had found in Salazar Slytherin’s spell book, but that was only a small portion of the time these days. More often than not, the two of you weren’t saying anything at all. He was just there with you. Whether it be studying, laying in the grass and basking in the sun, or sitting with you at breakfast going over some last minute homework. 

He was getting dangerously close to you lately too. He might not have thought anything of it. But you on the other hand? Your mind went reeling. Every time you were together, he would do something simple that made your stomach dance with butterflies. He’d brush your fingers with his, lay his head on your lap while you laid in the grass, and touch his shoulder against yours whenever you sat together in the dining hall.

It was your final class of the day, and you were barely paying attention, your mind thinking back on those light touches you and Sebastian shared. Looking up from your notes to sneak a glance at him, you found he was already staring back at you. The both of you quickly averted your eyes.

With Professor Hecat’s dismissal, all the students made their way out of the classroom. Sebastian caught up to your side.

“Have to cancel our library session. I need to meet with Ominis. Can I still try to see you later?” He looked at you with hopeful eyes, as if he needed you to confirm he could, in fact, see you later.

“O-Of course, Sebastian. I’ll probably be in the library for the rest of the night if you need me.”

He gave you a small smile and nod of his head. He took a few steps backwards to leave, keeping his eyes on you a moment longer, then he turned and went on his way.

- 

Rubbing at your eyes, you were relieved to be nearly done with all of your homework. It was the weekend now, you didn’t need to worry about finishing it all that night, but Sebastian hadn’t come to see you yet. So you stayed a bit longer than anticipated. It was getting late and everyone was gone except for you and Madam Scribner at her desk at the library entrance. 

You’d feel bad if Sebastian showed up and you weren’t there to at least tell him you were done and heading to bed. But if you were too tired, you were too tired. Sebastian wouldn’t be crushed if he turned up and you were gone... right?

You shook the thought from your head and rubbed at your blushing cheeks with the back of your hand. Sebastian doesn’t feel that way about you, he needs to focus on helping his sister. If he wants anything more, he’ll tell you. But then you began thinking about all his small touches again, pulling yourself back into the fantasy.

Shaking the thoughts from your head, you knew you needed a distraction. You decided to get up from your table and explore the shelves for another book. Nothing education related, there had to be something in this humungous library that was just meant for enjoyment. Some fictional story to take your mind off of everything.

Aha! You believed you found just the book. You couldn’t quite tell from the cover, but the title was “My Beloved”. That sounded like a romance novel, right? Plucking the book from the shelf and running your hands across its bindings, you made your way back to your table. Not wanting to sit thanks to the lingering nerves, you opened up the book to a random page and read it over to see if your prediction on the content was correct.

You found it was a romance that took place in a small village. Before you knew it, you were engrossed in the story, picturing yourself and Sebastian as the main characters who were in love. You slowly placed both of your hands on the table, leaning on them as you kept reading, forgetting you could sit back down. It’d really come to this, you were so head over heels for him you were picturing the two of you in a romance novel. A dreamy sigh escaped your lips.

“What are you reading?” Sebastian asked, coming up to your side. Your attention snapped to him. He chuckled at your startled expression and very red complexion. “Uh oh, catch you reading something interesting, did I?” 

"Um...”, You started, but couldn’t think of anything to say. Your mind was still recovering from the romantic scenarios you were just picturing the two of you in. 

Shaking your head and avoiding his gaze, Sebastian took this to mean you were upset with him. His heart sank. “I’m sorry it took me so long. Ominis and I decided to try a new spell and it took us forever to figure out. I was so focused on getting it right, I lost track of time. You’re not leaving soon, are you?”

You gave a small wave of your hand, dismissing his apology. “It’s alright, Sebastian. I got caught up here and... well, lost track of time myself.” You slid the book away from him, slowly closing it, hoping you didn’t look suspicious.

But, of course, Sebastian thought you looked suspicious. He raised a questioning brow at you and glanced at the book.

“What?” You asked innocently, turning away from him and looking down at the romance novel, firing off ideas in your head of how you’d put it away without him figuring out what it was.

“That book you got there. Why are you acting so secretive? Did I catch you reading something interesting after all?” Sebastian got closer, leaning one hand on the table next to the book and peering at it over your shoulder. His chest pressing up against your back. There he went again, giving you the slightest touch and driving you mad. The scent of his cologne filled your nostrils, intoxicating you. In that moment, you were tempted to yank him close and bury your face in his neck.

He turned his head to look at you for an answer, but you couldn’t get yourself to look back. He was so close, his lips were so close. You could make out his freckles out of the corner of your eye, feel his breath against your skin. Did he know what kind of effect he had on you? Was he teasing you? Your lips were moving to speak but no words would come out.

He gave you a playful nudge with his shoulder, prodding you to answer him. “Come on, it can’t be that bad, can it?”

And it wasn’t that bad, at most he would tease you for reading a romance novel. What was holding you back at this point was how nervous Sebastian was making you. As if you weren’t tense enough, he took it a step further and placed both of his hands on either side of you on the table, trapping you in. He rested his chin on your shoulder, taking another peek at the book.

“I never realized how much taller I am than you.” He chuckled, chest humming against your back. Keeping you in place, his callused hands grabbed yours to remove them from covering the title of the book. He held your hands in his while he read it over, then he gave a quiet, amused hum.

You turned in his arms and he lifted his head off your shoulder to meet your gaze. He smiled at you, but it faded when he saw your face. 

“What’s wrong?”

Finally facing him, even with how close he was, your desire took over your reason. And, just for a moment, you allowed yourself to be selfish. “You make me nervous, Sebastian.” You told him in a low tone.

He didn’t think you looked nervous at all. Something was written on your features but he certainly wouldn’t call it ‘nervous’. Your eyes were dark and you licked at your lips. It was brief but it caught his eye, seeing a quick glimpse of your tongue made his head race with all sorts of thoughts.

You too glanced at his lips, not caring if it was obvious what was on your mind.

Seeing your eyes shamelessly stare at his mouth, he froze. He was afraid if he made one wrong move, you’d run. He had wanted to kiss you for a while now, and right then it looked like you wanted to kiss him too. 

Then you did, and his heart went rapid. He had been convinced you could feel it when your hands moved up along his chest until one snaked around his shoulders and the other rested on his neck. His hands left their place on the table to grab your waist, pulling you closer, holding you in place. His warmth enveloped you.

You pulled away to kiss at Sebastian’s neck and his knees went weak. You kissed around the area you pictured he sprayed his cologne. You took an inhale and breathed out, “I always loved this scent on you.” You kissed at the area one more time, sending a pleasant tickling sensation up the back of his neck. His fingers dug deeper into your waist.

You go back to kissing his lips, which were softer than you had imagined. The way he earnestly moved his mouth against yours ignited sparks in your chest. You had wanted him so badly, and you finally had him there in your arms, on the tip of your tongue, for the taking. One of your hands moved to his hair and you reveled in the feeling of his locks between your fingers. 

But the abrupt sound of heels walking along a marble floor slowed your kiss to a halt. Madam Scribner. The two of you were so swept up in the moment you completely forgot other people existed (faculty that Sebastian does not have a good reputation with included).

The two of you left each other’s embrace just as Scribner came into view. Sebastian, hair slightly askew, gave a cough and acted like he was looking over some important papers which were actually your homework pages for a class he didn’t have. All the while, you had managed to open up the romance novel, nodding your head as if you were learning some new herbology methods.

Madam Scribner eyed the two of you while she put away a few books. “Getting late, best finish up before curfew.” And then she was gone, returning to her desk.

You and Sebastian looked at each other, cheeks flushed, and grinning from ear to ear. You bit at your lip and he rubbed the back of his neck. Clearing your throat, you started gathering up your homework and books.

Sebastian watched with an ache to pull you back in and keep kissing you senseless.

“I-I’m sorry I did that. That was selfish of me.” You stammered, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“What do you mean?” He asked, returning to your side, thinking through anything he could have done to make you feel this way. You had helped him through so much, if anything he thought he was the selfish one. You came in as a new fifth year with seemingly endless catching up to do and you had to learn how to wield ancient magic on top of that. Yet, he was unabashed in asking for your help countless times, anything to steal you away for himself.

“Well I-I know how busy you are with your research for Anne and I’d hate to be the one who slowed you down just because I-.” You went quiet, unable to finish the sentence, fingers fumbling to organize the papers in your hands.

“Just because you... what?” He urged on.

“Merlin, Sebastian. Do I need to spell it out for you?” You exhaled, leaving to go put away the books you borrowed, him following close in pursuit.

“Please do.”

“As I said,” You sighed. “You make me... nervous.”

“In a good way or bad way?”

Putting the last of the books away, you turned to face him again. “Good, I suppose.” You confessed, barely above a whisper, unable to meet his gaze.

He tried to bite back the giddy smile forming on his lips. “I make you nervous in a good way.” He repeated back, almost sounding proud.

You nodded your head, looking down at your twiddling thumbs, listening out if he would say how he felt about you.

Sebastian glanced over to Madam Scribner, who made it not so subtle she was keeping an eye on the two of you. “We should start heading to our rooms now, I suppose. Curfew and all.”

Your heart dropped, he didn’t say a thing about reciprocating your feelings. Not even a simple “I feel the same.” He must have only been swept up in the moment, enjoying the attention. Perhaps teenage hormones could make kissing enticing no matter who you were with? Embarrassment filled your every limb and you wanted to run and hide. You gathered your things to go.

“Um, yes. You’re right. We should be going.”

“I’ll walk you.”

“No, that’s alright. At this point, I’m asleep on my feet and you must be exhausted too. I’ll just floo and go straight to bed.”

Your rejection took him aback. “Oh. Well, alright then. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“Maybe. I’ve got some assignments outside of the castle, might not have time.”

“Well, let me come along to help.” He offered eagerly.

“Don’t worry yourself, just send me an owl if something comes up for Anne. Sleep well, Sebastian.” 

Before he could say anything more, you sped off to the library floo, and then you were gone. He was baffled at your sudden shift, everything was going so well. The two of you kissed and you had confirmed you felt the same as he did. He couldn’t believe he could make someone like you nervous. Hearing you say how you felt about him made him so happy he could burst. But then you were rushing to leave, rejecting his offer to help again. He didn’t think he said anything wrong, he barely said anything at all. Yet off you went, like you couldn’t get away fast enough.

He groaned in frustration as he made his way to his room. He had managed to kiss you and he still felt as distant as ever from you. He had never had the courage to outright tell you how he felt, so he would constantly toe the line with his touches. The brushing fingers, laying his head on your lap, sitting as close as he could to you in the dining hall, and now a kiss, all of which you seemed to welcome.

Sebastian laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, going back and forth in his head what your actions tonight meant. You had waited in the library for him all that time, you initiated the kiss, said you liked - no - loved his cologne, told him he made you nervous in a good way, and then you wanted nothing more to do with him. He replayed the whole night and he couldn’t pin down where he went wrong. 

He’d have to find you first thing in the morning, before you could leave.

[mara-xx217]

can you write something with Levi and affectionate reader? I feel really bad for him ngl

I think Levi is one of my favourite contestants in Termina, so I'm happy to give the boy some much needed gentle attention.

Warnings: Withdrawal Symptoms, References to Typical Canon Violence, there is some Fluff in spite of all the bad shit I promise

Enjoy!~

It was no different from the cold he experienced on the battlefield, but Levi never got used to it, even then. A bone chilling ache had set into his joints, making them stiff and pop audibly every time he took a step or raised his rifle or stooped down to the ground whenever a nauseating headache blinded him as he went longer and longer without his fix.

By the time the two of you reached the Bop, he was pale and visibly sweating, having soaked through his coveralls to the point that his clothing was a shade darker and small rolls of steam rose off his shoulders and rattled not from the wind, but from the intensity that Levi was shaking.

"Levi... you need to take a break. You're... You look really, really bad..." You raise your hand in his direction and he flinches, which had you stepping back and lowering your hand.

"W-What...? What? U-Uh... Sorry..." His eyes were wide and wild for a moment but they quickly calmed once he recognized it was you that was moving out of the corner of his eye. Levi turns to face you, needing your lips in order to aid his hearing of your speech. The few years he spent fighting in the second Great War has left him partially deaf and generally hard of hearing. It was yet another thing that made him nervous and jumpy and it made you a little sad to see...

Even in the warm light of the Bop, Levi was on edge and unable to sit down. You had to guide him inside and you had to gently beg him to take a seat. A part of you thought that Marina, who was seated at the bar, would poke fun at you and Levi but to her credit, she only looked up from her book in passing and then focused back down onto it.

"This place is pretty safe, even from Rher's influences. You can take it easy, soldier boy." Marina sighed and closed her book.

"That redhead, Abella, is downstairs. Need anything?" Marina was looking more at you than Levi, as he looked positively green and out of sorts.

"Y-Yeah... A blanket if you can, maybe two, but that might be asking too much..." You gently guide Levi to place his rifle down on one of the tables and all it takes for him to collapse onto the bench is the pressure of your palm pressing down on his shoulder from above.

"Yeah. How's about some food and water, too? I don't think it will be warm, but it's something." You nod and tell her your and Levi's thanks. Marina's offer could be seen as sarcastic, but she didn't really seem like the type to offer help without the intention to give it when accepted.

"Please, Marina? Thank you..."

You sat beside of your friend, stomach churning as you watch him writhe in place. He can't sit still, from discomfort, from the pins and needles that prickled the underneath of his legs and the overwhelming need to just-

To fucking just-!

Levi hissed in pain as a strange texture scrapped against his bare arms. His withdrawal symptoms had left him hypersensitive to all tangible stimuli, so the simple act of having a coat placed over his shoulders was a nearly unbearable sensation. It wasn't... an unwelcomed one, though, especially since it was your jacket that you had draped over him.

As much as he wanted to thank you, he quite literally didn't have the energy to say or even do anything. The simple act of keeping his body upright was a trial from hell and it was a struggle that he was losing. The thought of putting his arms and head on the smooth, cold table made him want to vomit but leaning back against the wall was just as bad. Levi rocked in place, a few strangled, choked groans and hisses of pain escaping his mouth as he screwed his eyes shut.

It hurts... It hurts to just exist... It feels like- like...

It feels like he's going to fucking explode-

It was likely foolish on your part, but you gingerly wrapped your arm around his thin shoulder and encouraged him to lean over onto you. At first, Levi was hesitant. Not because he was annoyed or because he didn't want to, but merely because he doesn't know if he could even stand it... But he couldn't keep himself upright any longer, and instead of resting his head against against your shoulder, he slipped down further and ended up resting his head against your lap.

It was... unexpected. For both of you. If it were another time, another place, under different skies, it would have been different. It could have been nice... It could have made you both blush and your hearts pound sheepishly in your chests as you both shyly avoid each other's gazes... But here and now?

You tried to hold Levi as he shivered and moaned in pain. Every touch was agony but he didn't beg you to stop, even though his body screamed for him to do so. He needed to know that you were there... that you were watching over him and making sure that he was safe... Levi should have been doing this for himself, for you, but he just couldn't. He was too sick, too tired, to weak...

For once, he needed to be the one that was protected and sheltered, just like how he wanted for the majority of his life. The festival wasn't a safe place, but you did help make it better, even if marginally and through your presence and care alone.

@prettycutebunny, @infinitewhore, @kennbb, @cherrysodalite, @thanksatt, @pink-soft-shadow, @sinlessdesire, @hoemine, @memoryofheather @horny-3

[separatedleoau]

One's favorite food and animal? Does he know...Lou Jitsu? (I don't know if I wrote it right)

Will your Usagi be Miyamoto or Yuichi?

Any recommendations of songs that you like?

What inspired you to create One?

How do you rate the level of idiocy that One can do?

Does he like flowers?

If One had to choose between his brothers who would it be?

Sorry for the questions...I love your Au!

Take care!

1) Favorite food is homemade shio ramen (made by Draxum), I don't think he's got a favorite animal? there is an animal/creature related thing that's gonna happen in the comic at some point but I don't wanna spoil that part, but is probably that one lmao

1.2) He does know Lou Jitsu! thought his knowledge of him comes from being a nexus champion, not a movie star. He likes Lou but he cant even admit that to even himself because there is a lot of hatred towards humans on his heart, he has a certain level of respect but thats pretty much it.

altough... he started doing martial arts because Draxum showed him a recording of Lou's fights on the nexus and he fell in love with the fighting style, immediately wanted to learn martial arts and be a ninja afterwards

also the golden marks on his mask reminds him of his yellow glasses and is the reason he likes that detail of his uniform so much, even when it was actually made to match Draxum

(old art jumpscare)

2) One's little rival is gonna be Usagi Yuichi

3) my music taste is very meh and I always forget what I like when asked about it and end up just saying Imagine Dragons lmao. but since we're talking slau give Oh No! by Marina a listen, it fits One so much and I'm doing an animatic with it

4) When I start an AU is pretty much because I suddenly have a scene stuck in my head and end up building everything around it (something something, plaged by visions) for SLAU and One it was One's introduction what got me to start this AU.

I was reading some separated aus on ao3 (dont ask which because I dont remmeber and haven't kept up with any of them since I started my own) and that image of One dropping in in the middle of the fight got stuck in my brain and I was shooked that no one thought of making that the introduction of any of the sep turtles, that mixed with there was one of those aus that was a separated leo that I felt like they weren't using "leo raised by draxum" at its full potential and it was frustraiting me so I just went "fine, I'll do it myself"

5) idk, it depends I guess? One is very smart and clever, he's highly skilled and succedes at pretty much everything (the being Number One has gotten into his head for a reason) but! he's also a dumb 14yo teenage boy

6) I don't think One is a flower guy, he likes plants and helps Draxum take care of the ones they got on a greenhouse, but I don't think he particularly likes any flower

7) right now? none of them<3

[strniohoeee]

Matt with a GIRLY ASS GF, I’m talking feminine energy coquette, bows, pink, I want it ALL😫😫 I can’t the thought of Matt having masculine energy being protective over his gf, I know it’s not a request request more like an idea, you can go about however you’d like, but plssss

Dally

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: A short little imagine about Matt with a girly girl for a girlfriend🎀💞

Warning⚠️: None, honestly I’m not 100% what tf coquette is LOLL, or like being a girly girl, so I tried my best. It’s also super short because it was more of like a blur idea I had, but I hope you enjoy🥹

Song for the imagine: Primadonna- MARINA

Primadonna girl, yeah

All I ever wanted was the world

I can’t help that I need it all

Pink, bows, teddy bears, sparkles, more pink, more bows. I mean that was my whole lifestyle. I loved everything girly ever since I was a little girl.

Most of the time boys ran away when they would see my room. Scared at how girly and dainty it was. However when I showed Matt my room his eyes lit up.

To see this tattooed, rugid, dark person in my bright pink filled room made my heart flutter. I mean totally not his aesthetic, but somehow we worked together?

My room was full of pink and white, teddy bears, there were bows on everything, sparkles, dainty white curtains, light pink carpets. I mean it was like Paris Hilton threw up everywhere. To see Matt look at everything with a smile on his face. To watch him sit on my bed, his black outfit clashing against my bright room.

Matt was so adorable. I mean he’d let me do whatever I wanted with him, but would also turn around and snap someone’s neck for me. He was so overprotective of me, often giving men looks and comments if they ever tried to say anything to me.

But then that same night we’d be laying in my bed as I mindlessly tied bows in his hair to make us laugh. Laughing at how silly he looked as I laid a kiss on his lips while we giggled. And snapping pictures for instagram.

Matt loved buying me gifts, and making sure I sat at home looking pretty for him. I’d wake up to a new package almost everyday. Pink boots, a white shirt with bows, more bows for my hair, a new teddy bear for my collection, cardigans, makeup….I mean everything I ever wanted Matt got for me.

I sat at home primping myself for him as he was out there working to bring home money. I always felt bad, but it was something Matt insisted I do. He wanted me to sit still and look pretty for him.

He used to take me shopping, but the last time we went to the mall he almost got into a fight with some guy hitting on me. Honestly I was ignoring the guy, so I didn’t even know he was saying things to me.

Up until Matt moved me out the way and got in the guys face. I mean security had to step in. That was the last time we went out. Matt said “I can’t have my precious baby getting disrespected by random creeps”. I mean agree, but also I missed shopping

Because of this Matt gave me his card information, so anything I wanted I could just buy. I bought one thing, and I just didn’t like to buy stuff without asking.

However recently I’ve been very into coquette style, and Matt has no idea what that means, so he just tells me to swipe his cards and do as I please. I haven’t because I like to ask permission first.

I’ve been eyeing these shoes for a few weeks now, and they’re $250. Something Matt would say is nothing, but to me that’s so expensive. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of them though. I had a tab open on them and stared at them for hours on end.

Finally one day I decided to text Matt

Matt🧸

-Hi babyyyyy :)

-Hi my precious baby!

-I have a question….

-what’s up?

-sooo there’s these coquette shoes I want, and I’ve been eyeing them for sooo long

-what is it with this coquette shit??

-IDKKK, but I love them. They’re the perfect coquette aesthetic

-Coquette this….coquette that…how about you coquette a job😀

-Matt…. That’s not funny😐

-I’m kidding, baby! Charge the Amex. How many times do I have to tell you? Get whatever you want!!

-Nooo I hate doing that. I like to ask permission before buying anything with your money😔

-baby I earn this money for you! I love seeing you in your outfits with your shoes. I love seeing you happy. So please get whatever you want!❤️

-okay baby. Thank you 🥹

-Of course my love💞🎀

Matt was the best thing to ever happen to me. I was able to be me because he loved me for me. And I’m sure he loved me for my pink lingerie sets I always had on deck for him….

The End

Y’all…..IDFK WHAT THIS IS OK😭😭 idk anything about a girly girl aesthetic or coquette, so I did what I could😔. However I hope you enjoyed🥹🖤🖤

-J💅🏽

[basalamander-corner]

When you stop to actually think about it, the situation the octolings go through in pretty horrifying. Not just living in a home where the sky could collapse on them at any moment, but the futility of everything they're doing.

We learn in Splatoon 3 that some octolings clans (like Shiver's) lived above ground. They never went down into the Octo Domes, and became well-established to the point of being almost ruler-like? I don't think it's made clear if the great clans that Deep Cut hail from are seen as lords over the Splatlands or what, but they're clearly influential and powerful. So the octolings... really didn't need to spend all that time suffering.

Every one of them could have waltzed onto the surface and easily integrated into inkling society, and no one would bat an eye because as we all know: inklings are stupid as shit! They didn't care when Marina ended up there! So they wouldn't care about others.

So what was stopping them?

Could it be that the higher ups of the Octarian army, those closest to Octavio, were so blinded by their loss, by their sense of pride and their own selfishness, they felt the need to prove they were better than the inklings? To prove they didn't need their "blessed surface", and that they could survive just fine on their own? Their loss was humiliating, and for their superior weapons to lose to such a weak enemy, clearly they need to show their strength to persevere through even the most horrifying of situations.

Clouded by their arrogance, the Octarian army could only imagine that the inklings were keeping the zapfish (and other energy sources) away from them in order to punish them for daring to fight in the Great Turf War in the first place. They were so caught up in this loss they didn't realize inklings had forgotten all about the war within two generations! That sure, the inklings might have learned about it in school (as we hear from Pearl), but they don't know much else other than the basic facts.

And so, the younger generation of octolings suffered the most.

While the generation who lived through the war were trying to return to their glory days, desperate to show off their power and abilities, the newer generation of octolings are forced into fighting for a war they never wanted from a young age. We don't know if all octoling training starts at age 6, but Marina is certainly a case of it. Regardless of when they started fighting, they are fed propaganda and lies from birth.

Inklings are dangerous. Inklings are evil. Inklings will destroy you if they see you. You must avoid them. They hate you because you are an Octarian. That is why you must train.

And they have no choice but to believe it, because they've never seen anything to the contrary. They live in these crumbling domes, they know the inklings live on the surface with unlimited power, so of course they have to believe what their higher ups are saying, and what their own eyes are telling them. The new generation of octolings embody the teachings of their predecessors. As much as it might hurt to fight, as much as they are run ragged and used and abused, it's all for the best. It's for their protection. For their safety. If they step back, if they refuse service, then they're letting everyone down. The Octo Domes would lose power forever. How can you leave your own people to die? Are you selfish? Do you think the innocent must suffer? No. You'll be a good little soldier, and you'll follow orders.

But in the end—as the octolings find their way to the surface after Octavio is defeated and the Zapfish is recovered for the first time—they find out that everything they had done was for nothing. They lived through horrible conditions, believing that inklings were punishing them, only to come to the surface and find that none of it was true.

Are any of them resentful? Do some think of their time underground fondly (like Marina is implied to)? Do they see it for what it was: a futile attempt at holding onto some semblance of dignity after their humiliating defeat to an enemy who couldn't even wake up on time?

Or are they left deeply scarred by it all? Hurt that the older generation—the ones who were supposed to know best for them—would turn their backs on them and let them suffer for a so-called "greater good" that didn't even exist!

Some ramblings about how my own OCs fit into these thoughts are down below. Feel free to skip if you don't want to read something less canon!

Sashi was long trained into being the perfect soldier. He was bio-engineered for it, spliced together using the genes of other soldiers that came before him. He is mistreated by those above him... and it's deserved, isn't it? After all, he isn't an actual octoling. He was created, he wasn't born naturally. So he isn't really sentient, is he? He's just a thing. A useful tool for what the Octarian army wants to accomplish.

And so as he's mistreated, he starts to embody that too. It takes finally escaping to the surface for him to realize and come to terms with the fact that what happened to him wasn't deserved. And I think that, while he isn't resentful, he is angry at Octavio. Sashi looked up to him when he was younger: the brightly shining king who clearly wanted what was best for his people. But when Sashi learns that every was for nothing, well... he certainly won't be happy about it.

Except... we find out that Octavio (and some of the other higher ups) would have never dreamed about treating Sashi the way he was, or any other experiments for that matter.

Yes, Octavio was blinded by his own pride and dignity, but he genuinely wished the best. And to him, creating an army of super-soldiers that could fight to protect them in battle was the best decision to make. So then why? If Octavio never ordered the cruel treatment, why did it happen?

Let's go back to the propaganda and lies: many octolings would believe it. They would grow up hearing about the glory days, the stories of war... and they want a piece of that pie. They want to be a celebrated war hero, they want to rush into battle and defeat the inklings that keep them oppressed in the dark for so long. And with that desire to fight comes a penchant for cruelty. So they treat the experiments—and other lesser soldiers—poorly. Because their job as soldiers is to fight fight fight and keep fighting, so it won't hurt to push them far beyond the limits of what is humanly possible, right?

And Octavio is blind to all of this. He is blind, and it seems like he doesn't care.

So they are left to suffer in silence.

@sharliexth here's a more concise version of my thoughts I shared with you the other day lol

[lefarte]

Hi!! Can I request something for Daan with a gender neutral (or trans guy dealers choice I guess?) reader who’s Elise’s doppelganger….as much as I want the poor doctor to be happy…. angst is so much better ya know?

Do I look like your girlfriend?

GN (but mentions of gender dysphoria)

“Do you have a light, doc?”

Daan watched you hawkishly through the dim candlelight. He was always so bitterly silent around you. Even more so, still like a mannequin. It was unnerving. The air would go colder, quieter, icy. But he would not leave you alone. He was helplessly clingy. You had no doubt in your mind; he would tear his own throat out if you asked. But he didn’t like you. He didn’t trust you.

He tilted his head. “Yes… Yes I do.”

The others did not like it when you two were in the room together. Abella always tried to be tactful, she gritted her teeth and look away. Karin quietly stood up and left. Marina, who was sitting at the counter, had once said you made a cute couple. You thought it was pretty funny. Daan did not.

He slid the lighter across the countertop. His hands were pallid. You gently brushed your own fingers against his.

Instinctually, he grabbed your hand. It was like he thought nothing of it. Like it had happened so many times before, it came easily and you didn’t pull away. Something strange came over you. It felt warm. There was something young and sweet in his hands that had gone.

“…doctor…?”

His shoulders slumped. He wanted you to call him Daan. “Yes?”

“What is this about?”

“Nothing.” He withdrew his hand, leaving the lighter. It was a pretty steel lighter, with a heart carved into the silver. Expensive.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Enjoy your smoke.”

“Oh.” Your brow furrowed. “It’s cold outside. I don’t feel like it anymore.”

He shrugged petulantly.

“I’m going to go now,” Marina stood up, taking her glass of milk with her. “Come on, Levi.”

“Oh, me too,” Abella nodded. “I have to… run some errands.”

Silence.

“Great. Now look what you did, Doctor.”

“I did nothing.” He frowned. “…And give me my lighter back.”

“I don’t want to. It’s cute.” You traced the heart tenderly with your finger. “Very fancy.”

“Not funny.”

You stood up and held it over his head teasingly. He remained sitting, glaring at you with his arms crossed. You quickly gave up.

“Whatever.” You traced your finger over the heart curiously. “What’s this?”

The heart popped open on a hinge, revealing a small, blurry photo underneath.

You felt a sudden cold jolt in your hands, something like an electric current crawling up your bones. The photo was worn, yellowed and blurry. The more you looked at it, the more your skin crawled.

When you looked up, for a very brief moment, he was scowling. Hatefully. His nose was scrunched as if he was disgusted. All of the playfullness had drained from his face.

So quickly you could think you imagined it, his face turned apologetic. His eyes looked down at his feet. His brow softened. There was a soft light in his eye. And then, like it had never happened, he returned to a tense, neutral face.

“Is this some kind of… joke?”

Your shoulders tensed. You wanted to believe it was a coincidence, but everything in your body was screaming that it wasn’t. It ached. It felt familiar. Your body wanted to be back there. You wanted to be the woman in the yellowed picture. You could even feel the moment the camera went off, the sound of the shutter. You could remember that you were laughing.

“That’s me. Why the fuck do you have a picture of me?!”

“I don’t,” His voice cracked. “That’s not you. It’s a coincidence….”

You held the lighter tightly, not letting him take it from you. You were not that woman. You would never be that woman. You didn’t want to be that woman. You felt sick looking at her smiling face. That was your smile. Not hers.

“Just give it back.” He begged. “I need it. Don’t look at me like that. Please. Give me my lighter...”

“No!” You gripped it harshly. “No, no, no! Where did you get this picture?!”

“That’s my wife.” He admitted.

“Your wife?” You gawked. Your fist clenched. Adrenaline overtook you. “I’m nobody’s wife.”

“Just forget it. It’s a coincidence. I need it back. Give it back.”

You wanted to yell at him, but nothing came out. Your mind was swimming with the image of that woman, laughing at you. When you looked at his desperate face, you couldn’t do it. You had never seen his face so… genuine. He was honest. He couldn’t be without the picture of his wife. So you gave it back.

“Is that why you hate me? I look like… her?”

He looked away. “I don’t entirely hate you.”

You rubbed your forehead. “Can we forget this happened? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have looked.”

Daan looked back at you with his sad, pitiable expression. He paused, and then he nodded quietly. “It’s for the best.”

You stood up.

“Go to sleep. They’ll be back soon.”

You nodded. “You go too.”

“No. I won’t be joining you. I’m staying up.”

You turned your back, and shrugged. You wiped your hands on your pants, as if trying to wipe her image off of your body. “…suit yourself. Night.”

“Goodnight.”

[spaceorphan18]

The Lady Whistledown Papers : 2x04 Victory (Part 2)

Welcome back, Gentle Readers, to The Lady Whistledown Papers, where I’m taking an in-depth look at Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s character arcs and romance within the show Bridgerton!

For previous issues, follow tag : The Lady Whistledown Papers

Alright, guys, we're getting into the return of Marina. For better or worse, let's do this!

Lady Crane

Colin is very serious in his carriage ride over to see Marina again. Is he nervous, anxious, unsure of what he's going to get once he's there? All of that - yes?

I love his tophat, though, notice in Season 3 they don't bring that back? Because they didn't want to ruin Colin's hair ;)

Also, is it just me or does the carriage almost look like the backseat of a car here?

I have no deep meta for this. I just wanted to get a better look at his outfit. Just going to throw out there that there was a recent-ish interview with the costume designer that stated the pastels were for a younger version of Colin, and that Season 3 he gets darker, solid colors to signify that he's grown up. Interesting, right?

It's always amusing to me when the level of detail put into things like costumes, props, acting choices, etc, etc, are more thought out than the writing. Because, I may adore this show, but I can't claim the writing is blowing anyone away.

Anyway, Colin does do a little tug on his coat and takes in a deep breath before heading inside - he's ready to face whatever is waiting for him. (And technically, nothing is waiting, since he's arriving unannounced.) Just another instance of how chaotic Colin can be.

Okay, I kind of love the Crane house. It's nice and bright and open and rather inviting. It also looks like the nicest warm day there.

Anyway, so Colin is a bit restless as he waits. When Marina finally arrives, he immediately forgets himself - and calls her Marina, and then Miss Thompson, and then finally Lady Crane before remembering to bow. (Now, the whole bowing thing is going to be phased out, but it's a nice touch here to show he's forgotten himself a bit.

And this is what I think is interesting -- Marina doesn't look unhappy to see him. In fact, she seems amused if nothing else. I don't think a visit from Colin is necessarily a problem. It's when he starts to get too clingy to a romanticized idea of what could have been that she gets annoyed. But I also think -- she and Colin wouldn't have made a good match, and she knows this. Colin's brand of uniqueness just isn't her cup of tea, and that's fine, but Colin has to recognize this.

I will say, he is enamored with her baby. So, it's the second time in two episodes that he's going to be cooing over a small child. I think he's going to be be just fine becoming a father at a young age.

He's also taken aback by the fact that she has twins, though not necessarily in a bad way. And he comes over to say hello to Oliver and comment on his -- wigglyness. Which is a kind of funny delivery. This whole sequence starts out in such a light manner. I can only imagine that Colin, himself, was probably a pretty wiggly child.

Interestingly, Marina is pretty chill about the whole thing. Colin is still acting rather nervous, but I have to hand it to Marina that she's handling all of it in stride. She informs Colin that Sir Philip is not around at the moment, since he is out studying flowers. Colin stumbles over an apology for not extending an invitation.

(Like, my dude - how scandalous would this have been? A young bachelor showing up at someone's house while the husband was away. Colin does what he wants and answers to no one, truly.)

Colin states that he just wanted to check in on her after everything that went down the previous year (season? time makes zero sense in this world). Marina does seem happy with her life (and her wiggly baby - she looks like she's about to break, if I'm being honest, but that's not a bad thing - I'm glad Marina looks happy). And she says she's happy to see Colin. He's delighted by this and joins her for tea.

I honestly love the moment he sits down and just says 'hello' to the baby. Idk why, it cracks me up every time. He may still be on his journey to discovering it, but one of Colin's purposes in life is fatherhood. It really is.

Tea Time

We cut away for some time, and come back to Colin and Marina enjoying some tea. And I kind of love some of the subtleties in this little moment. Colin is telling Marina about all the things he experienced in Greece. He's excited to tell her - because she's someone new who will listen, and not his family, who seems to be over his stories.

When Marina states that it sounds like a 'remarkable' journey, Colin makes the pun that it's remarkable in that he has plenty of 'remarks' about it. Which is... such a dad joke. (I mean, we're gonna get that olive pun in a moment, I didn't realize just how much they were pushing in on the geeky!dad vibes they're giving to Colin this season).

But then there's a very - youthful - moment, in which, Colin pulls himself back in, feeling like his excitement is too outlandish, and he plays with his teacup awkwardly. It's such a small moment, but a nice acting choice, as it shows Colin's discomfort for the situation he's in, and how young and inexperienced he is dealing with emotions and relationships. I mean, Colin is a very empathetic character, but not an experienced one, and the crossroads of the two is on display right here.

And then Marina assuages his discomfort by stating, soundly, that she likes his 'remarks'. And I do think she's sincere, that she probably did enjoy the moment away from being strictly a mother and a wife. But she is quick to thank him for stopping by and is kind of ready for him to go. She can entertain him for a few hours, but that's about all she can handle -- for whatever her reasons are.

When Colin stands - he does ask about Sir Philip. Colin hasn't really made his actual intentions for being there clear. I mean, he says he wants to check in on her. But what he's really looking for (in my opinion) is a sense of purpose. If Sir Philip is a dick, then maybe he can rescue her again -- and that romantic fantasy he's been entertaining since he met her can come into play. It's one part -- his hero complex, if he isn't saving someone, well than what use is he? And one part being caught up in romantic fantasy, which Colin has a tendency to do.

At that moment, however, Sir Philip does show up. And you know what? He's actually a delight. He's all smiles, and seems totally fine that his wife has a male suitor, and the minute Colin says 'Greece' he is all in wanting to hear more.

And of course -- we get one of Colin's most famous lines... 'I oiled my way in... that was an olive joke.' I love this ridiculous pun. I love the look Marina gives him like... dude, you are an awkward little bean, aren't you? And I love that not but a few episodes earlier, Penelope was grumpy because no one was appreciating her ridiculous plant puns.

Cause here's my thing... so many of these love stories happen, and I don't know that I fully understand them -- other than, two people are hot and want to bang. And when they actually show two people who are cut from the same cloth, that match each other's freaks, that make sense being in a relationship based on commonalities -- then I really appreciate that. Colin and Penelope don't need to be in the same scenes to get an understanding that the two of them very much have things in common, and undoubtedly appreciate, enjoy, and understand each other's personalities. It's one of the things that endears me to them so much.

Sir Philip doesn't seem to care about Colin's terrible taste in jokes, he's too busy geeking out over plants. Marina rolls her eyes, because my god, she does not care one bit about plants. But Colin definitely seems interested in hearing about the history of said plants in relation to Greece. He jumps on the chance to hang out with Sir Philip.

And this is where I say -- this universe does not have enough friendships. Like, Colin needs a friend. He's got Penelope - who is clearly his bff, but she's going to fill other roles, too. Sir Phillip seems like he could use a friend, as well. Both of them seem a little starved or actual attention and genuine interest. And I do find it kind of hilarious that Marina entertains him for, like, ten minutes but Sir Philip is going to have him over for hours.

How Colin doesn't wise up to the fact clearly, one of these two people he'd rather spend more time with, I don't know. I love him to death, but sometimes he's kinda dumb.

And... that's where I'm stopping for now! More with Penelope attempting society, as well as the end wrap up of Marina :)

[nephilimbrute]

Yo, how you doin' ? Did you play Side Order ? What are your (gay) though ?

i'm doin alriighhtt :3 i didn't play side order actually (I don't have a switch.) but i went through a gameplay with my friend and i'm scrounging up more lore >w< we were freaking tf out the whole time. especially me. i was screaming at every cutscene

like when marina showed us her computer background i goofy-screamed Out Loud (i probably did that like 8 times in total). there's literally No straight explanation for that, pearl's literally holding marina's zipper in that and he's laying down. nonone has a pic of their Best Friend (heavy quotes) laying down smiling all pretty and handsome like that

OHHHHH THIS ONEEE😭😭😭my girl is literally tearing up she's so happy😭😭😭😭😭 all the dev diaries were sooooo fwjgwgkxkgwkhcjcxjg😭😭😭😭

AND ALL THE PEARLINA???????? my GOD this girl is crazy i hate them so much!!!! /affectionate

jesus CHRIST girl pull yourself toGETHER... "aw pearlie! you say the coolest things" "she's sooooo coool" "pearl, don't drool over my diaries. i'm right here!" "i can't help it! pearl's just too precious. she's fearless at the core and adorable on top!" among many other marina quotes. i'm speechless

and ohhhhhh dedf1sh's letters😭😭😭😭 little marina i can't do this. i get so emotional when i see her, she was just a kid😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭AHHHHHJJJJJJJ😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

marina's hyperfixation on excavators persists. she's such a nerdddddd!!!!!!!

and ughhhghhghjf marina agitando. i was freaking out so bad when i saw her AND PARALLEL CANON. the lore implications THE LORE IMPLICATIONS×@!!!!! this also gives me some new content to use in my AU.....devilish

i said this before but the Order you see in the dlc is in my AU as a type of malware that marina created for herself. she encrypts it into the personal software she uses as an attempt to. self destruct (off) herself. but (Un)fortunately it didn't work. she's just stuck forever wallowing in her own grief

the memverse in my AU is where marina puts everyone she has under her mind control thingy. they're all hooked into the same memverse, marina has her own that she messes with to see the possible consequences of every action she does and. stuff.

and i also said this on my alt twt acc but in the Normal Side Order(...??) my agent 4 turns into parallel canon either voluntarily or unvoluntarily. and since there's others with him i decided to make them robotic clones of 8 and cap3. and they only serve to mock agent 8 and what little they remember of their lovers and themself, a materialized deteriorating memory

tbh i was more focused on the theme of side order instead of dedf1sh stuck in the elevator with two lesbians that would do the unthinkable if they weren't there

here's how i see it. so much for your memories fading away while you are actively trying to get them back

i also kept freaking out At dedf1sh. i shouted them for to get off the screen each time they popped up (also affectionate). creepy zombie GET OUT. dedf1sh and their dumb puppy eyes

unconscience is sooooo good i only listened to it twice and if i did any more times i would be gone and in the woods somewhere

i loved all the bosses.........marina and parallel are my favs....also rondo. That thing's so horrifying i love it. when i saw it i was like "what kind of panopticon shit is this....." and was absolutely THRILLED! to see that it was actually based on a panopticon as well as the floor level (0ct0ptic0n)

and these album covers??????they're so fucking AWESOMEEEEeee i love the album art of splatoon. when i saw all the stuff in alterna i was so amazed. the gear is so awesome too i wish i played splatoon. i'd grind the shit out of side order tbh......smollusk is so cute the. Awwww awww

also this dlc made me realize i'm a big machine but make it girly

as Side Order C.E.O i feasted GOOD this was a bountiful harvest

[dnpanimationstudioclone]

Verosika Redesign💔

Made my own take of Verosika Mayday for fun!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed a lot of things with her look such as the fur coat, heels, her heart shaped beauty mark, the black & white with the pinks, tattoo, etc.!!!! It’s def very cute and fitting for a pop star ⭐️💖

Instead of the X’s & O’s, I went more for the heart motif, especially with broken hearts to show how shes still hurt by how things ended with her and Blitz💔❤️ added that for her tail, clean line across the heart marks as to keep it similar but still different from my Blitz’s tail that’s more of a broken heart💔 I can TOTALLY see her sing “How To Be a Heartbreaker” by Marina & the Diamonds 💎

Instead of the dress, put her in a bodysuit with sparkly mesh!✨ as I’ve seen many pop stars in that kind of outfit!!!!

Turned her stiletto boots into heeled platforms ✨⭐️🌟 Don’t get me wrong, the OG’s are cute but I think Platforms are also pretty awesome and also fit the POP star aesthatic🎤🌟

Got rid of the gloves and gave her long black & white nails with rings💅 💍

pushed the asymmetry colors more with the coat, boots and even makeup! I love asymmetry aesthetic!

Made her fur coat black and white instead of pink to keep it from blending into her hair and to go with the outfit’s asymmetry.

Made her hair more bouncy and wavy and put it up in a high ponytail like it was in Ozzie’s!

Instead of an X, added a slash mark over her tattoo and made the I’s dot a heart❤️

Added more gold with rings for her hands, horns, tail aswell as piercings for her ears 👂. Show off some pop star bling 💍🌟✨

She’s also wearing a gold coloured heart half necklace that’s actually a gift she got from Blitz back when they were still together. She says she only keeps it because it matches her aesthetic….💔

Gave her ears as it’s been shown other Succubus having them and even added a nose, to show how Succubus share more human characteristics compared to imps and other Hellborns, hence how they’re able to disguise themselves so easily. I also added more structure for her cheeks & chin, making it more heart curved💖

Made her eyes light pink with darker pink lining, similar to Lilith’s eyes 👀.

Made her wings a bit bigger, more traditional style and added heart like curves❤️

Pointed her horns to be more heart shaped with heart tips!💖

What do u think? I’d love to know💖

I’ve also made redesigns of I.M.P and even Stella!

[miltonbarbie]

"Oh god, have you seen the new girl ?" South park headcanons with a really pretty+feminine Y/n <//3 (Requested)

(All characters are in highschool +aged up, about 14-15)

!! GIRLBOSS Y/N AU 😍🔊🔊

You always knew you were pretty, if beauty was a weapon, you would be locked and loaded. (Ginny and Georgia reference LMAO)

Your parents weren't the best, but they were filthy rich. So you had all the freedom you got, especially since being the only child can have its MANY perks. You would always go out with your friends to shopping malls, thrifts stores, salons, and allll thatt gooddd stufff

When you moved, you and your parents moved into this really big house. It costed an ass load of money but you could afford it, y'know, cause your rich n' shii.

When you knew it would be your first day at south park high, you got up at 5AM, curled your hair, did your makeup and put on your cutest outfit. Your pretty smile was the cherry on top. Of course, you missed your friends. But you were still excited to be going to a new school. Maybe your life could be better here. Without all the drama, and rumors spreading about you.

Once those doors opened, all eyes were on you. People were whispering and a few people even FAINTED. F A I N T E D. But you just laughed and brushed it off, you would always get these reactions from everyone. For you, this was normal. You already had all your classes set, and your locker was decorated to your liking. You owned the school now, and even the teachers accepted their fate.

Entering your classroom, you were most intrigued by four boys. A boy with black hair, a boy in an orange hoodie with blonde hair, a red head, and a very degrading boy with brown hair who seemed to really get on everyone's nerves.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, and for the first time in years, the classroom went silent. The same classroom those annoying boys (from what you heard) were in. You walked up to the front, and with a sickingly sweet smile and a pretty voice, you introduced yourself.

You twirled your hair, made eye contact, and spoke with perfect confidence. And the whole class, was instantly flustered by your beauty. Cartman decided what would happen if he tried messing with you. He pulled your chair, which Kyle pushed back before you could sit down. And he even tried spitting gum in your hair, but missed when you bent down to grab your pencil. He was getting pretty annoyed since he couldn't do anything, but he wanted to try one last thing.

Insulting you infront of the whole school.

You were sitting in the cafeteria. With Wendy, Bebe, Clyde, Tweek and Craig. You all were giggling and having fun until Cartman screamed your name across the room, making everyone turn heads.

"Hey Wh0re! What's it like being the center of attention?" | "Excuse me? Would you care to say that again?" | "You heard me, bitch." | "Sorry, Eric. But I dont really think I wanna be wasting my time listening to bullshit from a cocky fatass."

The room started laughing so hard, Cartman's face was turning red. He got played by his own game. Gave him a slap in the face with that one. Kyle's drink was literally about to explode out his nose and you just sat there, face to face, smiling at Cartman.

God you were such a Girlboss, and a total hottie.

The girls (Wendy's girlgroup) Invited you for a sleepover at Bebe's house, and you accepted right away! You had made friends with the entire school in just one day, I think it's pretty obvious that your the most popular girl in school now.

♡

At the sleepover, you and the girls shared your music tastes. After you shared your playlist with everyone, they blasted your music on Wendy's radio. <//3 Melanie martinez -> Taylor swift -> Lana del rey -> MARINA -> Nessa Barret, and all the latest pop songs!

(Until the guys decided to break into the sleepover, and they had to stay over as well.)

[olicitymckono]

I STILL LOVE YOU

AN: Hey guys, how is everyone? This is something I whipped up and if you enjoyed it then send me a like or a request.

Any mistakes are my own. I'm still learning french so forgive me if it's wrong.

Warnings: My feeble attempt at smut so pls be gentle.

Yn DuPont always wondered how she had become friends with the Leclerc siblings. Yes, her mother and Pascale had been friends and co-owners of the salon before she had passed away a few years ago but Yn just didn’t get how Arthur could be friends with her. She was smart but that was all she had going for her. No one besides Arthur ever spent time talking to her when they were at school. She had even heard once how some of his guy friends had been asking him how she and him could be friends. He had stood up for her making her smile but that was who he was. Her protector. A few weeks ago, though Dante Gabriel one of her fellow classmates asked her to be his date for some dance. At first, she had said no but over the course of the next few days he had worn her down until she agreed. Arthur was happy for her. It was time she let herself have some fun instead of just studying all the time. The day of the dance arrived, and Pascale had done her makeup and hair. As she smoothed down the black knee length dress she had chosen, for the first time in her life she felt pretty. She was excited and could feel the butterflies. She went downstairs and sat down on the sofa in the empty house as her father was away on business and waited for her date. And waited she did. 45 minutes passed before she realised, he wasn’t coming. She got up, grabbing keys as she passed the hallway table and slammed the front door closed behind her.

Charles Leclerc was the dreamboat of Monaco. He was a popular Formula 1 driver, and the girls loved him. Boy did he know it. But as fun as it was spending time with his friends and having the fan girls throwing themselves at him, sometimes he enjoyed just being by himself. Currently he was sitting on the deck of his yacht in the marina, enjoying the night sky and the quiet. It wasn’t always that he had time like this, but he was between races and need some much tlc. It was while he was sitting there enjoying the view when something else caught his eye. A young girl who looked oddly familiar was walking across the dock towards one of the other boats. He shook his head though, because it couldn’t be her. She never dressed up and if he remembered correctly, they were all at some dance. He leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes only for a few minutes before his phone started to ring. He picked it up and saw his little brother’s name.

“Aren’t you supposed to be dancing?” he teased his brother.

“Charles, I need your help.”

Charles sat forward, alert. “What’s wrong?”

“It's Yn.”

“Is she ok?”

“I don’t know. She’s not here and she’s not picking up her phone. That dickhead of a date dropped her.”

“What do you mean?”

Charles heard his brother sigh. “Dante asked her to the dance, but he is here with another girl. When I asked him where she was, he said she cancelled. But his date said he lied. It had been some sort of prank.”

“Merde.” Charles realised that it had been her he had seen.

“Charles, I need to find her. We’re leaving the dance now. Can you help?”

“Art, stay. She would want you to have a good time.”

“How can I?”

“I have an idea where she might be. I’ll take care of her. She’ll be pissed if you left because of her. I promise I’ll call you if I can’t find her, ok?”

“I don’t know. “

“I got her.”

After much convincing Arthur agreed and Charles made his way over to a yacht near the end of the jetty. He saw her sitting there. “Permission to come aboard?” he asked loud enough for her to hear.

She turned her head in his direction. “You’re going to whether I say yes or no,” she shrugged.

He could hear that she had been crying and he felt anger surge. She was his friend too and he cared about her. Anyone who could hurt her didn’t deserve to know her. He climbed aboard and made his way up to her. He could see she was wearing a dress and had pulled her hair into a messy bun. But it was her face that hurt him. She had gotten all made up and now her face was stained with tears and smudge makeup, and she was shivering. He took off his hoodie and held it out to her. She tried to smile as she took it before pulling it over her dress. He sat down next to her. “Are you ok?”

“Don’t know why I’m surprised really.”

“What do you mean?”

She tugged her legs up under her and wiped her tears before leaning on her elbows. “I’m not good enough.”

He twisted so that he was looking at her and his was pissed. “What? How can you even think something like that?”

“Because it’s true,” she shrugged.

“Look at me. Hey,” he reached out and lifted her chin, so she was looking at him. “You are so much more than you think.”

“So then why does nobody care about me? No body want me? Even my own father would rather be travelling the world than spend time with me.”

“Cherie, there are people that love you. My mother loves you, my brothers, me.”

“I just.... feel like I’m not enough.”

He pulled her against him and allowed her to cry into his shirt.

Hours had passed in which both of them had fallen asleep. It was only the sound of his phone ringing that woke him up. “Hello?”

“Did you find her?” Arthur’s panicked voice sounded through his phone.

Charles looked down at the still sleeping girl in his arms. “I got her. She’s sleeping at the moment.”

Arthur sighed in relief. “So, she’s, okay?”

“She is. But that guy won’t be if I see him.”

“We took care of that.”

“Art, what did you do?”

“Nothing illegal or that will get us into trouble. Don’t worry. Where did you find her?”

“Pop’s boat.”

“Of course. I’m an idiot.”

Charles chuckled. “I’m gonna let her sleep a bit more. Will bring her home later. Don’t think she should be alone.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Ok. Hey Art, bring some supplies.”

“You got it.”

Several hours later Y/n, Charles and Arthur were all stretch out on her large sofa watching horror movies. Arthur had come through with all her favourite snacks and after the day she had Y/n was feeling loads better. She was conscious of the fact that Charles was sitting rather close to her while Arthur was on the other side of them, in actual fact the younger Leclerc boy had fallen asleep a little while ago. Something jumped out in the movie startling Y/n, and she grabbed hold of Charles’ hand. He chuckled as she realised what she had done and quickly tried to withdraw her hand, but he held tighter. “It's ok Cherie.” He whispered. He took their joined hands and placed it down on her thigh making her feel something she hadn’t felt before.

Arthur shifted making her quickly pull away from Charles letting his hand fall on her thigh, when she tried to shift away from him, he increased the pressure making her stop. She gulped. She felt her face begin to heat up as his hand slowly began rubbing circles up and down her leg. Her breath got caught in her throat as she felt his hand slide higher and higher. He turned to her a look in his eyes, “Can I?” She licked her lips hesitantly before nodding. He leaned closer to her till she felt his breath against her skin leaving goose bumps. “Tell me when to stop.” She nodded not sure her brain could form sentences. Her head fall back against the sofa as his hand reached the top of her leg and continued till, he touched her most intimate spot. He kept his eyes on her to make sure she was ok before moving his hand to the top of her shorts. “Open,” he gently instructed. She moved slightly so that her legs were more apart and moaned softly as he slipped his hand down her underwear and touched her bare clit. His hand was warm, but she still shivered as he moved his fingers up and down. She bit down on her own hand as he slipped a finger inside of her. He pressed his lips against her neck before whispering, “Do you like that, Belle?”

“Yes.” She whimpered in pleasure.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No, please.”

He increased the speed and inserted another finger, stretching her out causing her to moan a little louder. “Shhh Belle. Don’t want to wake Arthur.” She closed her eyes and bit down on her lips, but Charles quickly reacted. “Take your lip out your mouth.” She complied. He could feel her reaching her climax and just before she could make a noise as she reached her high, he kissed her swallowing her moan. She was so high in that moment that she didn’t even think about the kiss or what any of this meant. As soon as her breathing had returned to normal, Charles withdrew his fingers and popped them in his mouth all the while watching her. He liked how flushed she looked. He pecked her lips one more time before getting up and headed for the bathroom.

A few days later Charles was due to leave for Maranello but every time she was alone with him, he had touched her in some way. She was a little confused by it because whenever someone else was around it was like she didn’t exist. She was currently at home studying, alone yet again when there was a knock at the door. At the door stood Charles with a single red orchid in his hand. “Hey,” she smiled.

“Hey Cherie. Can I come in?”

“Of course.” She stepped aside to let him in. “Who’s that for?” she asked indicating to the flower.

“You.”

She took it from him and smelled it. “I love orchids.”

“I know,” he chuckled.

She walked to the kitchen and quickly found a small vase to put the flower in. As she was pouring water in, she felt his hands on her waist. He had followed her into the kitchen. She felt his lips against her neck as he gently began to pepper kisses on her skin as his hands roamed over her body. She couldn’t help but lean back into him.

He turned her around to face him pulling her into a deep kiss that left her breathless. Shifting them slightly he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her on to the counter causing her to let out a squeak of surprise. He pushed her legs apart and stood between them hands on either leg. Almost on instinct she wrapped her arms around his neck as he began to kiss her once more. After a while he wrapped her legs around his waist and picked her up, carrying her to the sofa. He laid her down, “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Remember to tell me to stop if you want.”

“Ok.”

He went back to kissing her neck as she felt his hands slide under her top fingers brushing against her nipples. As one of his hands took a nipple between his fingers the other slowly trailer down her body to the band of her skirt, leaving her skin burning at the contact. He detached his lips from her neck where he had left a dark mark and looked into her eyes. “I’m gonna take them off.” She nodded. He sat up and grabbed the band of her skirt with both hands as she lifted her legs slightly allowing him to pull down her skirt. “I think red would suit you better Cherie.” He remarked seeing the black panties she had on. She squirmed slightly as he pressed his lips to her inner thigh just inches away from where she was beginning to ache. “Charlie?”

“Yes Cherie?” he felt his cock twitch when she called him Charlie.

“Can you......”

“What?” he asked. “Tell me.”

“Touch me here.” She pointed to her clothed pussy.

“How? Like this?” he asked rubbing his finger against the garment. “Or how about like this?” he leaned down and placed a kiss against her sex. Both actions had made the ache even more but something about the kiss had her begging for more.

“Like that Charlie.”

“Then I think we should get rid of these,” he pulled on her panties. He felt himself twitch again at the sight of her bare pussy underneath him. “Si belle ma Cherie.”

He couldn’t wait any long before lowering his face and taking a long swipe of his tongue along her pussy. He had to taste, and it was better than anything he had ever tasted. It was like he was starving, and he hadn’t realized it until now. The faster he licked and longer he sucked, the wetter she got, and the louder her moans. He sure as hell wasn’t going to silence her, the sounds coming out of her mouth was driving him crazy. But his turn would come. He was going to drive her off the edge and then do it again.

“Faster, please Charlie,” she begged as she thread her fingers through his hair. She was close.

He added a finger into her pussy causing her to buck her hips, but he pushed them down with his free hand and held them there as he slid another finger inside her. Her breath quickened and her grip on his hair tightened but he barely felt it as all he could think about was how good she tasted.

“I’m cumming,” she gasped seconds before she felt her release. He kept going till she begged him to stop because of how sensitive she was. He pressed one last kiss on her sensitive nub before moving closer and kissing her lips, letting her taste herself.

“Think you have one more for me? I want to be inside you.”

She reached down and rubbed her hand against his cock, feeling how hard he was. “I want you.” She reached up and undid his belt almost impatient to release him. He stood up making it easier for her to get his pants off. She needed a minute to appreciate the view before she pulled him closer. “I’ve never done this before.”

“We can stop.”

“No, I don’t want to. Just maybe be patient and tell me what you like.”

“Ok.”

She started placing little kitten kisses along the length of his cock on either side but when she placed her mouth around it holding onto him with a hand, that was when he groaned. She wanted to pull away thinking she was doing it wrong, but he held her head exactly where it was. “Don’t stop Cherie. Feels so good.”

She slowly moved her head up and down. His groans were now doing things to her down there. She began moving her hand as well making him groan louder when suddenly he pulled away. “Cha....”

“Need to be inside you right now,” he said before making her lay back. He positioned himself above her entrance before asking her one more time, “Do you want to stop?” As soon as she shook her head no, he was pushing himself inside. Man did it feel amazing how her walls gripped his cock. He tried to go as slow and gentle as possible to allow her time to adjust but she had other things on her mind. She wanted, no she needed him to go faster, harder. She was close to the edge again and so was he, so he picked up the pace. Faster he moved, groaning as he began to feel that pressure increase.

“Right there, I feel it cumming,” she cried.

Right at that moment she climaxed once more, and he pulled out just as he released all over her stomach. Once their breathing was back to normal, Charles got up and went to the bathroom. When he came back, he had a warm wet face cloth and sat down beside her, before gently cleaning her up.

“What is happening Charles?” she asked.

“I thought that was obvious Cherie?”

“You know what I mean?”

He sat back and pulled her legs onto his lap. “I like you Y/n.”

“But?”

“I have really amazing fans, but also some pretty toxic ones as well. And I’m in the spotlight.... a lot. I don’t want you to get hurt. Or lose you. I’ve seen it happen before. I don’t have a normal life.”

She moved her legs away and stood up,” Okay, I get it.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m gonna take a shower.”

Charles sighed watching her close the bathroom door behind her. He sat there for a few minutes hearing the shower running before standing up, “Fuck it.” He pulled his shirt over his head and went in after her.

That night as she lay in her bed, she thought about the conversation they had after he had made her come again in the shower. They both cared a lot about each other and wanted to keep doing what they were doing so he had suggested that they kept it a secret from everyone even their families, at least for the time being. And she had agreed.

And that’s how it started. Every chance they got to sneak away together they took. Y/n would travel to certain races under the pretence that she was going to support Arthur at his races, or she would suggest to her friends to go on mini trips to get a break from school. Charles would constantly send her little gifts of her favourite things to remind her how much he missed her. Weekends away just the two of them. It had been hard keeping the secret from Arthur and the family, but they made it work and even when y/n started getting acceptance letters to medical schools across the globe, Charles had promised things wouldn’t change no matter where in the world they were. And everything was great for over a year......until she showed up.

Charlotte Tilbury was a beautiful, smart leggy blonde who had joined the Ferrari team for the new season. She was their media liaison and the longer they spent together the closer she and Charles became. Night-time calls became shorter and quick weekends away became less but when they were together, Charles reminded y/n how much he loved her. But the weekend of the Italian grand Prix things changed. Charles was spotted out with Charlotte and speculation was rife amongst the media of the new “couple” in the paddock. When she and Arthur had met her for the first time , Arthur had commented on how beautiful and smart Charlotte seemed which was exactly Charles’ type. The media and fans alike couldn’t get enough of the driver and his media liaison.

Y/n stopped answering his calls and responding to his messages. When the time came for Formula 1to hit Monaco he was standing at her door with an explanation. It was a PR stunt that management was forcing him to do. Ferrari were controlling his life and if he wanted to renew his contract, he had to go with it. Apparently, the fans had seen a connection between the driver and his media officer and had run with it. But he was adamant that he loved only her. He asked her to trust him and let it run its course and like a fool she had believed him. She endured the family get together which she had been politely ordered to attend and she had never been one to deny Pascale of anything. Charlotte had joined them and slowly she had to watch as the man she loved was photographed with the other woman. She didn’t attend many races anymore, but she answered his calls and messages pretending she was ok. It wasn’t till he was home for two weeks between races that she reached her braking point. One day he had been helping her study concerned that she was over doing it. But she assured him that she was okay. He had left an hour or so before everyone was due to head over to Pascale’s house for dinner. Y/n finished up her paper before quickly hopping in the shower.

 

She had been catching up with Carla, Arthur’s girlfriend ever since she had gotten to the house unaware that Charles was even there. It was only when she excused herself to use the rest room did she find out. He was sitting in his old bedroom sitting on the sofa phone in his hand. He was talking to someone who she recognised as Charlotte. She wasn’t one to listen in to other conversations but when she heard her name she stopped.

“Charlotte she’s my friend that’s all.”

“Come on Charlie.” y/n felt her heart crack. As far as she knew she was the only one he let call him that. “It’s painfully obvious that she has a thing for you.”

“She can feel what she wants but she’s not my type.”

“Which is why I’m perfect to fit the role. I’m exactly your type.”

“I guess.”

“I can tell you want more Charles. Maybe when we spend the summer together in Corsica, we can explore our relationship more.”

Summer together? Y/n was confused, he had made plans to go with her and Arthur to Los Angeles for her birthday. Guess that wasn’t going to happen anymore.

“Ok. I can’t promise anything, but you are beautiful and smart, so maybe we can see what happens.” Charles replied. “I need to go. Family dinner and all.”

“Would have been nice to be there.”

“Yep. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Good night, Charlie, Boy.”

Y/n knew it was over. Charles wanted a woman like Charlotte not her. Suddenly everything just made perfect sense and she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t seen it before now. She quickly rushed downstairs and collided with her best friend.

“Hey Petal, where’s the fire?”

“Art, can you tell your mom I’m really sorry, but I have to go.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just feel really sick. Think I ate something bad at lunch. I need to go.”

“Go where?” Charles had joined them.

“y/n isn’t feeling good. Thinks it was something she ate.”

“y/n?” Charles was concerned. He knew she hadn’t eaten anything all day so it couldn’t be that. “Maybe you need to sit down, Art, can you get some water?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.”

“Y/n come sit,” he took her arm, but she quickly withdrew it. “Cherie, what’s wrong?”

“I just need to go home. I really don’t feel good.”

“You haven’t eaten today. That’s probably why you feel ill. Eat something then I’ll take you home.”

She mustered up a small smile before looking at him. “I’ll be ok. Just need to go lay down a bit.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “Ok, let me get my keys.”

“I can walk. Fresh air might do me some good.”

“No way in hell I’m letting you walk home. Wait here.”

Arthur returned with a glass of water which she quickly drank down. “Woo slow down there.”

Charles quickly returned, keys in hand. “I’m gonna take her home. Tell Maman not to wait.”

The car ride was quiet as she rested her head against the window, her mind going over her whole relationship with Charles. Had anything been real at all? She had thought he was different, that he actually loved her, but she had been deluding herself all this time. She quickly opened the door as soon as he pulled to a stop and raced inside. He followed after her calling her name, but she didn’t stop till she had locked herself in the bathroom. If she was using that excuse, she may as well make it believable. She heard him call her name from the other side of the door, but she just sank against it. After a couple breaths she called out, “Go to dinner Charles. I’m just gonna clean up and go to bed.”

“I’m worried about you Cherie.”

She forced down a sob slowly breathing in and out before she responded. “I just feel so nauseous. But I’ll be ok. Your mom is waiting for you.”

“Ok Cherie. If that’s what you want.”

She waited till she heard the front door close before getting up and slowly made her way to her room.

She woke up around 3am and felt a strong pair of arms around her. She shifted slightly to see Charles laying next to her asleep. She gently removed his arm so she could get up and tip toed to the kitchen before putting on the kettle. She sat down at the table pulling a bunch of papers closer.

“Bébé?” Charles walked into the kitchen topless and hair a mess. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Got thirsty. Making some tea, you want?” she had decided last night that she wasn’t going to cry over anything anymore. She was tired of feeling like she wasn’t good enough. She was going to start over and knowing the man in front of her, he would try to stop her, she had to do what was best for her. He could have Charlotte; she would not make him chose. Besides what’s that saying? “If there’s a choice between two women, pick the second. Cause if you really loved the first you wouldn’t have found something in the second.”

He pulled out the chair next to her. Sitting down he took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb against her skin. “I want to know what’s wrong.”

“You were right. I was pushing myself too hard and it just hit me.”

“You need to take better care of yourself Cherie. I need my bubbly girl.” The kettle began to whistle, she began to stand but he made her sit. He got up and made the two of them some chai tea with honey. After placing the cups down, he got a container out of the fridge and popped it into the microwave. “You still haven’t eaten, have you?”

She shook her head, “Haven’t really had an appetite.”

“I brought some food.”

“Thanks. I didn’t even hear you come in.”

“You were sleeping so I didn’t want to wake you.” The microwave dinged and he pulled out the food which y/n had to admit smelled amazing. Pascale was an amazing cook. He placed the steaming bowl on front of her with some hot sauce, knowing how much she loved it. He grabbed a fork out the draw. “Eat, please?”

She smiled softly before placing some food in her mouth. It tasted so good, and she heard her stomach grumble. Causing Charles to chuckle. She grabbed another fork full and held it out to him. He shook his head. “Please?”

He leaned forward and she popped the fork in his mouth. He looked at her the whole time and it made her stomach flip, not from hunger. He loved holding eye contact with her especially when they were having sex, and it always made her excited and loved. But now that she knew the truth it felt different. She looked back down at the food. He knew something was off, but he knew he couldn’t pressure her. He turned to the papers. “Have you thought about where you want to go?”

She shrugged, “There’s John Hopkins and Oxford. Harvard has offered as well. All three have amazing med programs.”

“Oxford is closer though. You wouldn’t be so far from me.”

“I still have to figure somethings out before I make a decision.”

“We can talk about it, if you want.”

“It’s late. Maybe later.”

“Ok just promise me that you won’t make one without talking to me first.”

“I won’t.” But that would turn out to be the biggest lie she would ever tell him.

 

7 Years Later

“Dr DuPont? Dr Adams needs you in treatment 4 please.” y/n looked up from the chart in front of her towards the nurse.

“Did he say what he needed Sarah?”

“He had a little boy on there and you know how he is with children.”

“Yep, okay I got it. Can you make sure Mrs Leire gets to x-ray please. I think she has a fractured fibula.”

“Will do Doc. Hopefully it stays like this today.”

“As long as no one says the word,” she pressed her finger to her lip with a small chuckle.

As a resident at North-western Memorial Hospital y/n was used to how chaotic the ER could get so it was kind of nice that it wasn’t as busy as it usually is. She had managed to help Dr Damian Adams with his “small” problem before she was drawn back into the ER by the nurses. She was handed an iPad and made her way into the next treatment room to find a young woman sitting on the bed holding her left arm tightly to her chest. Y/n looked over the chart. “Hi Alexandra, I’m Dr DuPont. How are you doing this evening aside from the obvious?”

The brunette woman smiled softly at her clearly in a significant amount of pain. “I’ve felt better.”

Y/n noticed her accent and mentioned as much. “Is that a French accent I detect?”

“It is. I’m from France.”

“Enchante.” (Nice to meet you.)

“Tu parle français?” (You speak French?)

Y/n nodded. “I grew up in Monaco.”

“Oh, wow that’s great. My boyfriend is actually from there.” She grimaced as her arm shifted. “He’s on his way.”

“Let’s have a look.” She began gently taking Alexandra’s arm and trying not to cause any more pain she proceeded to examine it. “What exactly happened?”

“Some of us went ice skating and I’m not really good at it. Took a tumble and landed on my arm.”

“Does it hurt anywhere else?”

“No, just my arm.”

“I’m going to send you for an x-ray but I think at the very least you have a fracture and the worst a broken arm.”

“I hope it’s not broken.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you up to x-ray and have you sorted out in no time. Everything else seems great.” She got up and stuck her head out of the room, “Nikki?” she called to one of the nurses at the charge desk.

“Dr DuPont?”

“Can you please take Miss Marlowe up to x-ray please?”

“No problem.” the young girl got up and came over. “Miss Marlowe, you ready?”

Alexandra nodded and got up off the bed. “Thank you, Dr DuPont.”

“We’ll see you in a little bit.”

Y/n was helping another patient when Alexandra’s boyfriend and another friend walked into the hospital. Alexandra was still currently getting her x-ray, but Sarah allowed the two men to wait in the consultation room for her. Y/n had just handed over care of her other patient for admission when she headed over to the nurses' station to find them huddled together whispering among themselves. “Ladies, is everything okay?”

“Oh, that girl with the broken arm?” Nikki asked.

“What about her?” Y/n asked.

“Well, her boyfriend just arrived and all I can say is Wow.”

“Has her x-ray come through yet?”

“Yep,” Sarah handed her the iPad.

“Great, now can you act like the professionals you are and get back to work?” she narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Sorry Dr.” they mumbled half-heartedly together.

“You can see for yourself Y/n,” Sarah said to her softly as she passed.

Y/n rolled her eyes, “Have Andy come down to put a cast on her, I’ll speak to the boyfriend and write up a prescription for meds,” she said before heading into the consultation room.

She felt her heart stop for a second when she saw the two men standing in there. He looked even better then when she had last seen him all those years ago. He was just staring back at her in shock.

“Y/n?” Joris, Charles’ best friend was the first to break the silence. “Wow.” He walked over and pulled her into a hug which she returned still looking at Charles.

“Hi.”

“Alexandra is your girlfriend?” she asked them both unsure.

“She’s his girlfriend,” Joris pointed at his friend who had evidently last his ability to talk. Joris looked between the two noticing how awkward it was. “I’m gonna go.... somewhere not here.” Neither of them seemed to take note.

After what felt like an eternity Charles stepped closer to her and pulled her close, placing his face in the crook of her neck, “Cherie.”

She didn’t want to, but her body reacted of its own accord, and she returned the hug. An announcement sounded outside and broke the spell causing her to pull away. “Its good to see you Charles.”

He didn’t want to let her go. He tried taking her hand but she moved away from him. “You look good.”

“Thanks. Alexandra has broken her arm and will have to wear a cast for about 6 weeks. She can go to her local doctor to have it removed after that. I have a prescription for some pain medication which will help. She’s getting the cast now but as soon as she’s done I’ll discharge her but she might be a bit drowsy from the medicine.”

“Thank you. I miss you.” He again tried to move closer to her but just as he did Alexandra returned.

“Hey Babe, I see you met my doctor.”

“Yeah we’ve met.”

Joris choose that moment to return. “You okay Alex?”

“Yep. They gave me the good stuff.”

“Yeah about that, no driving or anything too strenuous at least for a few days. Need to let that bone heal. Doctors orders.”

“Thank you Dr DuPont.” She smiled.

“Hey, y/n you coming to the wedding?”

 Everyone turned to Joris, Alexandra surprised. “Art will kill me if I don’t. Besides Carla asked me to be maid of honour.”

Alexandra looked at them before asking, “Am I missing something? You all know each other?”

Y/n smiled lightly at the girl, “Monaco is a small country. I’ll go get your discharge papers ready.” She left the group in the room and found Sarah.

“Are you okay Doc?” the older nurse asked her. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Been a long night. Can you please get everything sort for Alexandra? She’s good to go.”

“Sure no problem.”

“Thanks. I’m gonna go get some air. I’ll be back in a few.”

Sarah was busy finishing up the paperwork when Charles came out of the room looking for someone. She smiled at him as he approached her. “Hi there. I’m looking for Dr DuPont?”

“She stepped out for a minute. Maybe I can help?”

“Thank you, but I really need to talk to her.”

Sarah nodded knowingly. “Coffee truck outside. But you didn’t hear from me.”

He smiled in thanks before making his way outside. He saw her standing talking to a man inside a small caravan. He made his way over.

The older man looked away from the young doctor and smiled. “Hi there, what can I get you?”

“Actually, I’m here for her,” Charles replied looking at y/n. “Pouvons-nous parler?” (Can we talk?)

“Je dois retourner au travail.” (I have to get back to work.)

“Please?” he looked at her, eyes pleading.

“Ok.” She walked over to a bench in front of the hospital and sat down. He joined her.

“I’m proud of you Cherie.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Why did you leave? You didn’t even say goodbye.”

She sighed, “I had to make a choice.”

“I thought we were going to make it together. You promised you wouldn’t decide without talking to me.”

“What would it have matter?”

“I loved you Cherie.”

“I asked you not to call me that.”

“Why? Last I remember, you loved when I called you Cherie, or Mon Amour. But especially Belle when I was inside you.”

She stood up. “I need to get back.”

He got up and grabbed her hand stopping her. “Did I do something wrong? Did you not love me?”

She pulled her hand from him. “Are you kidding me? You had my heart Charles. I would have done anything for you. But I was just your little secret.”

“What are you talking about?”

Y/n felt her pager go off and quickly grabbed it. “I have to go.”

“Y/n?”

“I’m sorry,” she threw her cup on the trash and raced inside.

 

Several weeks later.

Being back home in Monaco after all these years felt like nothing she could describe. The familiar sights and smells made her realise just how home sick she was. And that didn’t even include seeing her friends and family again. Sure she had met up with a few over the years here and there but to be sitting across the table from her second mom Pascale was beat by nothing. She had only arrived at the airport a few days ago and they had been waiting for her. Pascale, Carla and Charlotte, Lorenzo’s girlfriend. The three women had engulfed her and she knew she needed to come back more often. But it was when she saw Arthur and Lorenzo that she really felt back. She hadn’t seen Charles yet but she wasn’t surprised. They hadn’t spoken again since Alexandra had been discharged but she had noticed that he had followed her on Instagram. They were busy discussing some wedding plans when Charles and Alexandra arrived. The feel of his lips against her skin when he had kissed her cheeks lightly burned. How was it possible that after all these years he still made her feel things. After everyone had settled and enjoyed lunch, y/n had excused herself under the pretence of seeing some other old friends. She had just reached Pascale’s car which she was borrowing when Charles stopped her. “My car.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m driving.”

“Okay, well have fun,” she said opening the door. But he pushed it closed making her realise how close he was.

“Cherie, don’t argue with me please. Get in my car.”

“Why?”

“Because we need to talk. I’m not above dragging you,” he smirked.

“Sure, but what would your people think?”

“Our people, and I don’t care.” She bit her lip thinking about it. He reached out and pulled her lip out. “Don’t do that. Am I dragging you?”

She shook her head. “Fine.”

He went around the side and opened the door for her waiting for her to get in before closing it. He walked over to the drivers side and climbed in. “Where to?”

“You tell me, seeing as how I’m here against my will.”

“And I thought you wanted to go somewhere?”

“I wanted air.”

He nodded in understanding. “Ok I know where to go.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.”

They drove around for a while before he pulled into the marina. He got out and was by her side before she had a chance to unbuckle her seat belt. “The marina?”

“Yep, I know how much you love the open water.”

“Last I checked,” she waved an arm around, “this is the marina not open water.”

“Technicalities Mon Amour. Come on.” He grabbed her hand and practically dragged her along the jetty towards his boat. “After you.”

She climbed aboard the boat and made herself comfortable while Charles got them out into open water. He watched her as he drove, she was more beautiful then ever and he had missed her when she left. Hell he still missed her everyday. “Cherie?”

She looked towards him. “Why do you still call me those nicknames?”

“Because they are yours.”

“What about Alex?” she asked looking back over the water.

“What about her?”

“I’m sure she can’t be happy that you out here with me. Besides don’t you call her those things?”

“No. And we are free to do what we want.” He stopped the boat and went to sit down beside her. “What did you mean? Back in Chicago.”

“Charles I really don’t want to talk about this.”

“You owe me an explanation.” She looked at him. “You left. You basically cut me out of your life, no goodbye, no reason. You ignored my calls, my messages. Why?”

“Charlotte.”

“What does this have to do with my brother’s girlfriend?”

“Your girlfriend Charlotte. She was your type, beautiful and smart.”

He sat back, “I know I have a type. What I don’t understand is your point.”

“She’s not my type.”

“Excuse me?”

“I heard you talking to her, the night of your mom’s dinner. You told her I wasn’t your type.”

“Yn I said what I had to say to keep the powers that be happy. You’re more my type then any other girl. You’re the smartest person I’ve every met. And why do you think I call you Belle?” he took her hand and pulled her close. “Every inch of you is perfect and beautiful.”

He ran his fingers down across her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch and bit down on her lip. He groaned. “What?”

“The only one who gets to bit those lips is me.” He took hold of her chin and pulled her in for a kiss.

She knew it was wrong and she felt like she couldn’t trust him but her body reacted of its own accord and she responded. It was only when he pulled her into his lap that she came to her senses. She pushed off him and began to pace. “No. You can’t do that.”

“Cherie.”

“Charles no. You treated us like a secret. For over a year, we had to sneak around and when others were around it was like I was invisible.”

“We agreed that it was for the best. You know how the media and the fans can be.”

“No you decided that and I went along with it because I love you. Yet Charlotte and Alexandra get hate. I’ve seen it and you don’t bat an eye.”

“I thought I was protecting you. I knew how hard it was for you, how you felt like you weren’t enough. But Bebe you have always been enough for me. More than.”

“What about our families?”

“I admit that was for my own selfish gain.”

“What do you mean?”

“I liked having you all to myself. Just us and no one else. Arthur already has you as his best friend. Maman sees you as her daughter. I just wanted you for me.”

“Charles,”

“No, I was a selfish bastard.” He got up and walked over to her needing to touch her. “It was so hard watching other guys talk to you especially the drivers. But knowing you were mine made it easier.” He pulled her flush against him. “Cherie, I’m sorry for all of it. If I can go back and change things I would. I just wish you would have talked to me.”

“Would it have changed anything? I was always going to go to med school.”

“I know, but I would have been by your side. Supporting you just like you did for me.”

She tried to pull away from him, knowing that if she didn’t she was going to give in to need for him. “Charles please let me go.”

“If you can tell me you don’t still love me.”

“What?” she choked.

“You said you went along with me because you love me. Present tense. So Cherie look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t and I’ll let you go.”

“I.....”

“Why are you crying Cherie?” he asked brushing her tears.

“I can’t.”

“Can’t what?”

‘Say I don’t love you.” He pulled her in for a searing kiss but before things got out of hand, she pulled away. “I’m getting married Charles.”

He stepped back in surprise. “You’re getting married?”

“Yes.”

Sitting back down he patter the seat next to him. She sat down. “Who is he?”

“His name is Ryan and he is a detective back in Chicago.”

“Why isn’t he here and where is your ring?”

“He is testifying on a case but he’ll be here for the wedding. As for the ring, it was too big so it’s getting resized.”

Charles couldn’t believe it. He had thought it would the two of them together forever but now she was telling him that some other guy was going to get to make her his wife. “When?”

“When?”

“Are you getting married?”

“We haven’t got a date yet.”

“Why not?”

“Just been busy and we just got engaged a month ago.”

“Ok.”

“Okay?”

“I have time.” Charles got up and went to start the boat

“Time for what?”

He just winked at her and turned the boat back towards the marina.

As soon as he had dropped her at his mom’s house, Charles made his way to his brother’s place. “Arthur, I need you to help me get Yn back.”

“Back?”

“You have beer? We need to talk.”

 

Over the next few days Y/n found herself been teamed up with Charles at almost every event. Not to mention she received a lot of little gifts here and there, she knew it was Charles. Ryan arrived just five days before the wedding and Yn was happy to see him but she didn’t miss the way Charles would watch them or the fact that Alexandra wasn’t around. The night of the rehearsal dinner Arthur dropped the bomb that y/n and Charles would be walking down the aisle together and as party of the wedding party they would be sharing a dance. She pulled Arthur away just before dessert. “What are you doing?”

“No idea what you mean?”

“I’m supposed to be walking with Enzo.”

“Change of plans, Carla wanted Charlotte and Lorenzo and you and Charles.”

“Why are you both pushing me and Charles together?”

He shrugged, “We’re not. It’s just how it’s worked out. Come on y/n it’s one day. Look I know things with you and Charles is complicated...”

“You have no idea,” she mumbles.

“Actually, I do.”

“What?”

Arthur looked towards the door, making sure they were alone. “Charles told me.”

“How much?”

“All of it. I wished you would have told me. I kinda sensed that something was different, the fact that he was always worried about you and how he’d get irritated when some guy was talking to you. I should have seen it.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. You’re my best friend.”

“It’s okay. He explained it all. Even the part of Charlotte. She never made him happy. Now I know why.”

She walked over to a little bench and sat down. “It doesn’t matter now anyway. He’s with Alex and I’m with Ryan.”

Arthur joined her, “They broke up “

“Who?”

“Charles and Alex. That day when you two disappeared, that night after he told me everything he broke up with her.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s in love with you.”

“Arthur...”

“Y/n hear me out.” She nodded for him to continue. “Do you know he went after you?”

“He did?”

He nodded. “It was a few months after you left for America. He had to wait for summer as he had back to back races but I remembered he would pester me with information about where you were. Apparently you blocked him. But he found a picture of you with some of your class mates and he was able to track you down to Baltimore but by the time he got there you had gone on summer vacation with some of your friends.”

“He never told me.”

“He never told me why he was going there. He just said he was taking a trip to the US. He knows he screwed up big time and I know that he is in love with you. The question is how do you feel?”

“He knows how I feel but I love Ryan. We’re getting married. I can’t just throw the last 4 years of my life away. Besides I live in Chicago my home, my job it’s there.”

He took her hand, “Petal you are my best friend and you know I love you and want only the best for you. Whether that’s Charles or Ryan, only you can decide. But I want you to promise me that you well think about things before you actually marry Ryan. Before you commit yourself to anything.”

She nodded. He pulled her close and kissed her upon her head. Before getting up and re-joining the party. She sat there for a few more minutes before Ryan came out looking for her. She got up took his hand and kissed him before they too re-joined the party.

 

The day of the wedding arrived and even though Carla was supposed to be the show stopper, Charles could not take his eyes off of y/n. The dark purple dress that Carla had picked for her bridesmaids looked amazing on her. It flowed down her body in soft silk, hair up exposing her beautiful cream neck. That neck that he loved to suck on, leaving his mark on her. He had sent her little gifts, everything she loved. But he knew his time was running out of he was going to get her back, He hated seeing her with Ryan, he just hoped that his plan would work.

“You look gorgeous Mon Amour.” Charles finally had the opportunity to talk to her and have her on his arms as the bridal party took to the dance floor. Arthur had made sure to pick a good song which allowed him to hold her close to his body without suspicion.

“You can’t call me that anymore Charles. You know that.”

“I’ll never stop call you that, or Cherie or Belle. Because that’s who you are. I don’t care about Ryan.”

“He’s my fiancé.”

“For now.”

“Just what does that mean?”

“You haven’t set a date.”

“So?”

“So are you sure you want to marry him?”

She tried to pull away but he held her tighter, tight enough to make her gulp. “Charles,”

“Song is still playing. Might raise some questions Cherie.”

“Well maybe I don’t care.”

“Oh you care because your fiancé is watching and if you rush away now, he’ll have questions. How are you gonna explain to him that you have feelings for someone else?”

“Don’t do this Charles.”

“I love you and you love me.”

“It’s not that simple. You know that.”

With that the song ended and she was finally able to move away from him. He did not get the chance to be alone with her again that night.

Two days after the wedding Ryan had to return home and Yn was staying behind a few more days. She and Pascale were spending some time together when she got a phone call.

“Hello?”

“Good Afternoon is this Dr Yn DuPont?”

“That is correct. Who may I ask is this?”

“My name is Giovanni Merlenti I worked for the FIA. We’re the....”

“I know who the FIA is, I grow up around Formula 1.”

“That’s right, I read that in your resume.”

“My resume? I apologise for being blunt but why are you calling me?”

“Its about the job. We would very much like for you to join our team. Your resume speaks for its self and added to that the recommendations we’re received, well you’re perfect for the position.”

“What position?”

“Head of our medical staff. You’ll be travelling the world with the formula one teams making sure that everyone, especially the drivers are healthy and should the need arise make sure they are taken care of should anything happen.”

“I’m sorry Mr Merlenti but I didn’t send in my resume. I wasn’t even aware of the position.”

“Of course, we received it from a team principal, you come highly recommended.”

“Which team principal?” she asked bit having the feeling she already knew the answer.

“It doesn’t matter Dr DuPont. I can sense that this has come as a surprise but I would really like you to think about it. You will of course be well paid and get to see the world. I have your email address, so I will send you a contract to go through and give you a few days to think about it. You can respond to that email. Have a good day further.”

“Thank you. Good bye.” She put down the phone, fuming. Just what the hell was Charles doing?

 

Charles had just sat down to watch a movie when someone started banging on his door. He put down his cup of coffee. “I’m coming, just relax.” When he opened the door he came face to face with a very pissed of Yn. “Hey Cherie.”

“Don’t ‘Hey Cherie;’ me. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she slammed her purse on the kitchen counter. He walked over to her and reached out his hand which she slapped away. “Don’t touch me.”

“Calm down Yn and tell me what’s wrong.”

“What’s wrong? You applied for a position with the FIA for me?”

“Oh that.”

She hit him in the arm, quite hard. “That’s all you have to say? Why would you do that? I have a job.”

“Yeah, in Chicago.”

“It’s my home.”

“No, you’re home is here in Monaco. Actually technically it’s with me.”

She sighed, “I’m not having this discussion with you again. I’m getting married Charles. You need to accept that.”

“I can’t,” he said moving closer and trapping her between his body and the counter. He placed his hands on either side of her.

“Move.”

He shook his head, “Why haven’t you set a date yet?”

“I told you, we’ve been busy. We both have hectic jobs.”

“The truth Yn. Are you in love with him?”

“Stop.”

“Answer the question first.”

“I love him ok?”

He shook his head and lifted a hand to run his thumb across her lips. “That’s not what I asked.”

“Please.”

“Does his touch make you ache like mine does?” he ran his finger down her neck towards her chest. “Does he make you wet just thinking about his fingers, like I do? Does he touch you in just the right places? Does he even know the right places?” She felt her eyes close as his hand continued to travel down her body to the hem of her dress. While he leaned in and started trailing little kisses on her neck. She instinctual moved her head to the side to give him better access. She let out a moan as she felt his hand slip under the dress and into her panties. “Your already dripping Belle. Can he make you do that?”

“Charlie,” she gasped as he easily slid a finger into her wet pussy.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he looked her in the eye finger still inside her but not moving. “Tell me now.”

Without a word she crashed her lips onto his. He pulled his hand out and grabbed her making her jump into his arms. He wrapped her legs around his waist and carried her to his room never detaching his lips from hers.

He made her stand as he removed her dress and underwear before pushing her onto the bed. He made quick work of his own clothes and joined her on the bed, his lips leaving searing kisses along her body. He grabbed her hands and held them above her head as he gently slipped his cock inside her warm, wet walls.

“Charlie,” she moaned as he filled her up, reaching the deepest parts.

“Tell me what you want, what you need Cherie.”

“You.”

He began moving faster and harder, the sounds of skin slapping on skin, heavy breathing and moans that were like music to his ears. He let go of her hands so that he could touch her clit while he moved his cock in and out.

“Please go faster,” she cried as she grabbed onto the bed sheets, the pleasure building inside her. She didn’t know if she could last much longer.

He knew it, he knew her body, just how to make her squirm and thrive. “You look so beautiful. You were made for me Mon Amour. And I was made for you. Cum for me,”

“I’m close. Don’t stop, please.”

He felt her tightening around him, and he could feel his own ache coming, “Let go Amour.” He felt her body begin to shake as she reached ecstasy crying out the name he loved to hear caused him to explode inside her , coating he walls with his cum. He flopped down next to her pull her with him so that he was still inside her. Just the fucked out look on her face made his cock twitch again. He kissed her, before pulling her into him.

“Why didn’t you tell me you and Alex broke up?”

“I didn’t want you to blame yourself.”

“But you broke up with her because of me?”

“I broke up with her because I didn’t love her. It would have ended soon anyway. No one lasts because their not you.”

“Charles.”

He kissed her again to silence her. “ No, lets just enjoy this. Tomorrows problems are tomorrows. Right now all I want to do is hear you scream my name again.” He pulled out of her causing her to whine. “Oh Cherie, just you wait. I’m not done with you.” Sliding down the bed he grabbed her legs and pulled her down placing each leg on either side of his head he dipped down ready to taste.

The sunshine work him up and he turned with a smile which quickly fell away as he saw the empty bed beside him except for a piece of paper with two simple words, “Goodbye Charlie.”

It had been several weeks since she left and Charles had not heard from her at all. He had thought about calling her but he had realised that this was her answer. He missed her, it was almost eating him up in side and he knew it was effecting his driving. He was struggling out there and today’s qualifying was the tip of the ice berg. He had just barely made it through to Q2 of the English Grand Prix when he lost control of his car and ended up in the barrier. It wasn’t a bad crash but he had some how managed to cut his arm while getting out the car and was currently waiting in the med bay to see the doctor. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear someone come in until they spoke.

“You miss me that much?”

His head shot up at the sound of her voice, “Cherie?”

“Hey Charlie. I’m sorry I left. I had to go back and sort some things out. I mean if I’m going to be travelling the world with f1 I had to pack up in Chicago.”

“You took the job?” he replied getting up.

She nodded.

“What about Ryan?”

“I ended it. You were right, I never picked a date because even though I loved him, I wasn’t on love with him.”

“Really?” he smirked.

“Yeah, turns out there’s the Monegasque guy who kinda stole my heart along time ago. And I can’t seem to find anyone who makes me feel the way he does.”

“Do you want someone else to do that?”

“No, I want him. But I’m not sure he is available.”

“Oh I know for a fact his available.” He pulled her into his arms.

“Careful, we need to fix that arm.”

“It can wait. I need my girl more.”

“Charlie,”

“Don’t call me that here Cherie.”

“Why?”

“While I don’t think you’ll want me to take you right here do you?”

“I love you but nope.”

“I love you too Cherie. And as soon as I get this arm fixed up and do my media duties I’m taking you out on a date.”

“Really? Where we going?”

“Somewhere extremely public. I want the world to know who is the love of my life and who is going to be my future wife and mother of my children.”

“Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself there?”

“I lost you once Cherie. I have no intention of ever making that mistake again. You stuck with me for life.”

“I like the sound of that.”

[dollypopup]

i don't talk nearly enough about how great Colin is

-excellent fencer, clearly dedicated to it. great taste in puffy shirts 10/10

-brave af!!!! idk about you, but the very idea of being out at sea for several months pretty much w/ no one who knows me scares the soul out of me. bruh is out here on a ship headed to a completely unfamiliar place w/ not one shred of fear

-he's such a good brother? the way he supported Benny was so sweet? and all his little quips with Eloise? they are the sarcastic siblings for SURE. boxing with Greg? playing hoops w/ Hyacinthe? his 'I'm clearly Daphne's favorite'? i adore him

-calling Anthony an ass in defense of Marina was ICONIC

-let's be honest, he was a real one w/ Marina all around. boi was out here defending her left right and center. and that scene where they go 'That's a. . .rather long engagement. . .' 'Or simply romantic! :D ' was adorable. then his 'Why does anyone, marry, Brother? For love.' line? so earnest! heart in his hands!!! and even after it all went kaboom he didn't say a bad word about her. told her he would still have married her if she just told him and he meant it. said that with his whole chest, too. got a reality check from her when he visited and then when asked STILL said 'we could have done more for her' KING 👏 SHIT. may we all have an ex that respects us this much

-canonically the best dancer out of the Bridgerbunch

-loves his mum with all his heart and soul. that scene where he's walking her up the stairs and they're joking around is so wholesome. that scene where Violet is looking for someone to escort her and A and B all flee the scene but Colin steps up? our boy is so sweet

-his scene w/ Jack where he's all puffed up and imposing and tall af going 'how dare you take advantage of them??? fix this shit, NOW' and then turning around and bashfully going 'i rehearsed that speech for hours' when he and Pen could talk privately again WAS ADORABLE, don't even TRY to deny it

-multitalented! our boy can do it all: he sings! he dances! he writes! he drinks his respect women juice on the daily! he fences! he's fluent in sarcasm! he rides horseback! he has anxiety! he's a flirt! he can't stop snacking! are you not entertained?

-also his scene w/ Will where he's like 'no, i fucked up, i insulted you and i messed with your business. i'm sorry and i'm making it right' was sexy as hell. he didn't have to, he could have totally just let it slide under the rug, but he took accountability and made amends

-speaking of sexy: our little rule breaker! holds Penelope's hands in front of everybodyyyy! no glove no love, who? writes her (love) letters while he travels! doesn't give a fuck about propriety! does drugs! I LOVE HIM

-so much integrity. when he messes up he takes full responsibility for it. he's nice as hell to Phillip, encourages his interests, nerds out with him. Stuck his whole neck out for Pen the Featheringtons. 'Do you think I would care that she loved someone else before? That would make me a hypocrite' apologizing to Pen before leaving for his tour. telling her she inspires him. is always there to escort his mum. everything good.

-lost and aimless, my beloved. he's just a dweeb putting on a front and it's so wonderfully relatable

-i love his hero complex. yeah, i said it!!! Dancing with Pen after Cressida spills the drink? HOT. Getting Marina away from the old dude clearly making her uncomfortable? HOT. Standing up to Jack? HOT. Getting Kate and Anthony to trudge along after that Pal Mall game? HOT. Daphne coming to him in the middle of the night demanding to know about the duel and him getting on a horse and heading out with her? HOT.

-he's sarcastic as hell. 'She likes me MUCH better than you, Benedict' 'Maybe he's still at the altar waiting for Miss Edwina' 'Of course not, you are *clearly* sober', Anthony: 'I wish to apologize' 'Are there locusts in the streets??? Blood in the Thames? Is the end of days upon us already?????' 'our host looks a bit fussy. do you think if he goes to bed we all have to leave?' and, of course 'Have you ever visited a farm?'

-he's just a lil shit w/ a heart of gold, how can you not love him?