#I’ve had him over a year now and still no clue who made his head

[fallowraptor]

✨🌿🌳🦌🦖🌱🌻✨

Hiya!!!!

Welcome to my silly artblog!!

Most of my posts will be my own art or me documenting learning to make fursuits when I have the time to!

All art here will be sfw furry art! Will not be posting any nsfw content or taking commissions for it sorgy 💛

✨🌿🌳🦌🦖🌱🌻✨

Main ocs

Forest - Fursona

they/them, lesbian, Fallowraptor

Suit by chaoticreations

Zozo - secondary fursona

He/him, pan, demon wolf thing

Suit by ???

✨🌿🌳🦌🦖🌱🌻✨

More abt me!!

Not much to it! Just a 21 year old loser with a love for silly animals! I like pokemon n monster hunter and gaming in general! I love being outside too!!!

My carrd for more general info, some of it it’s outdated I’m also just lazy

Want to see more of me normally and posts I think are funny: @plesbian

Want to see my awesome sauce partner and their rlly cool loz au and their absolutely gorgeous art: @kheprriverse

I think that’s abt it?? Sorry for long post ag

🦌🦖

[yandere-writer-momo]

Yandere Short Stories:

Knight in Shining Armor

Yandere Monster Knight x Princess Reader

TW: delusional Yandere, Yandere behavior, kidnapping (mentioned), etc.

Ajax had always been princess (your name)’s confidant and source of solace… so why did he have her cornered on the bed of the inn? His large, muscular frame towered over her as his body trembled.

“I can’t do it… I can’t let you marry some other man.” Ajax whispered, his metal mask hiding his expression. There was no doubt in (your name)’s mind that he was shaken up about something. She had no clue why he’d be so upset about her getting married…

“Ajax, it was bound to happen eventually. It’s my duty as the kingdom’s princess-“ (your name) gasped when he closed the distance between them. Ajax’s large palms pulled her into a tight hug. The force of the hug caused them both to land on the small bed with a soft plop.

“Ajax-“ Ajax placed a finger on (your name)’s lips to pause her words.

“I won’t allow it… I won’t allow some other man to sully you.” Ajax’s deep voice made her body anxiously shake. “Not when I’ve wanted you for so many years…”

“Ajax-“ (your name)’s eyes widened when he finally removed the mask that’s concealed his face for over a decade. Ajax was half orc? (Your name) hadn’t a clue and she had been with him for so many years…

“I’m half monster, I thought you knew.” Ajax chuckled as his crimson eyes flitted over (Your name)’s frozen form. She was now a helpless lamb trapped in the maw of the wolf. “It’s why the other knights have been so cruel to me… why the maids avoid me like the plague and your father wanted to send me to war.”

(Your name)’s eyes can only take on his scarred and burned face in shock. Why was half the skin on his mouth missing and his tusks filed down? Who had hurt him so much that he didn’t confide in her, his best friend? What atrocities had he faced while she remained none the wiser?

(Your name) were shocked when he bent down to show you his teeth. His tusks were clumsily filed down to almost look like teeth but they were still rather sharp. “I did the tusk work, but they grow back rather quickly. The skin on my face is still healing from when there was an assassination attempt on you from your future husband’s concubines. Bastard was going to pour acid on your face.”

(Your name) reached up to trace the scars on his face while Ajax gave her a soft smile. “Ajax…”

“You’re the only one who’s never treated me like a monster… you’re so wonderful and kind.” Ajax moved his large, gloved hands to hold her hands. “That old king doesn’t deserve you. No one does!”

(Your name) blushed when Ajax brought her hands up to his lips to press tender kisses over each of her knuckles. Despite how badly Ajax wished to ravish her, he must keep his composure.

“You took this amount of damage for me?” (Your name)’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet it made Ajax melt into a puddle.

“Of course I did. I will do anything for you.” Ajax moved himself to crouch on the corner of the bed, his head in a slight bow. Yet (your name) could feel the burning obsessed behind his crimson gaze. “I am in love with you. Madly, deeply, entirely devoted to you and only you.”

Ajax grasped (your name)’s bare foot and brought it up to his mouth to press tender kisses across the top of it. “I will love you until my skin rots off my body and I am nothing but bones. Yet even death could not separate me from you for I will be in every corner of your life like a permanent shadow of protection. I will protect you with my entire being and soul. I will haunt and dismember your enemies if you so much as give them a glance of distaste.”

(Your name) felt her blood run cold when Jax gave her a bright grin that reopened a few of the stitches across his cheeks. The blood dripped down his face and onto her foot, but he merely lapped it up with his longer tongue. “Now tell me… is what I feel not love? I may not be a handsome prince but I swear I’m your knight in shining armor.”

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for putting a hit out on an ex friend’s dnd character?

A few years ago I [M 18] was the link between two different online friend circles along with my longtime friend A [M 22]. Essentially, both A and I ran two different dnd campaigns that acted as a melting pot between our two friend groups. It was really fun, super casual stuff. Enter C [M 19], who was originally one of my friends and played in both groups. Over time it became clear that C was, to put it lightly, not a great person. At the time, I was a really new DM and struggled a lot with my self confidence. C was a super disruptive player in my group, going off the rails and generally trying to undermine both me and other players. I tried to sort it out between sessions, but it didn’t end up working out. It came to a head where I ended up shutting down my campaign, claiming school got to be too much, but in reality I just couldn’t deal with C’s behaviour. It was a really big blow to my self confidence at the time.

At this point a lot of people had been cutting out C for various other things like this - generally being disrespectful and callous, not taking responsibility for harm he caused, etc. Pretty soon the only times I was interacting with C directly was during A’s campaign.

A, who wasn’t 100% aware of the situation, came and talked to me after a session one day about why I’d shut down my campaign, and I told him everything about how I was feeling. He was really understanding, and said that he got the feeling that I probably didn’t want C around anymore, and neither did he. I agreed, so A offered to ‘sort out some stuff with C’s character’ and shuffle him out of the group. I made a joke about wanting C’s character to die, in a pretty flippant way, and the conversation diverted.

This is where things get kind of weird.

So, at the time, I was expecting A to just talk with C and kick him out of the group in between sessions, but that didn’t end up happening. C was at the next session just as planned, and continued to show up for several weeks. During this time A, and I really don’t know how else to describe this, pulled some Machiavellian scheme on C’s character as the DM to ruin his life. A wove in this story where C’s character got this evil mask shard of a dead god, and played on C’s want to sabotage other players & go his own way in a very ‘lone rogue’ way to isolate him from the group and get him involved in all these evil deeds (killing minor npcs, etc). None of our characters knew about this in character, but A dropped all these hints and the context lined up to make it seem like C’s character was slowly going insane. C, unable to communicate in or out of character, backed up this idea by refusing to talk about the god IC or OOC. Eventually this god fragment lead to the death of C’s character when an overpowered assassin struck him down, in a fight that felt very ‘well this could’ve been a party boss but because you didn’t tell anyone, you died’. Immediately following this the party found out about C’s character’s evil deeds, meaning he wouldn’t be mourned by the party. The whole death felt so… hollow. It really felt like C had ended up in this situation because of their own hubris. But they hadn’t.

A had masterminded the whole thing. He’d given me live updates about his plan to essentially manufacture a situation where C’s character died a miserable death that felt totally deserved in the eyes of the other party members. And then we all just blocked C anyway???

I’ve never seen someone manipulate somebody like that in my life before and I’ve never seen anything like it again. I’ve never told anyone else in the group that the death was masterminded by A because of my petty grudge about my failed campaign. I don’t speak to either A or C now but I still feel bad about not doing something. Should I have just told A to kick C way before this?? I had no clue it would spiral into actual months of chess mastering his demise!!

What are these acronyms?

[fangirl-dot-com]

Chapter 12 - So This Is Christmas (WAR IS OVER)

Guys I finally did it! This fic is officially over 10k words and this is my Christmas gift to you all! So please, sit back - relax - and enjoy this Christmas Special!

Like always comments, questions, concerns, reblogs, and likes are appreciated! Love you all <3

TAG LIST IS CLOSED

You looked around the paddock as everyone packed away the motor homes. You had only been in this Formula 1 life for less than a month, but you wouldn’t change it for the world. A sigh escaped your lips as you peered into the Red Bull garage. Mechanics, engineers, and strategists alike were all celebrating a season well done. You guessed that after this they were all ready to head back to their homes to see their families and get ready for the winter break. 

You really wondered what that was going to be like: to go home and have someone waiting for you. Your hands gripped your backpack a little tighter as you thought about your empty and small apartment back in Nice. It would probably greet you with that damp air that seemed to cling to the walls and another drippy faucet. Your heart ached at the thought. 

You slowly walked back inside, trying to find Max so that you could say goodbye until you’d see him again at pre-season testing. Your eyes found him and Kelly quietly talking in the back. Not wanting to interrupt them, you quickly averted your gaze to someone else. Mitch’s brown eyes caught your attention and you made your way over to her. 

“Hi Mitch,” you smiled, hands still gripping your backpack straps. 

Her eyebrows raised in confusion, “I thought you left already?” 

You looked down, almost in embarrassment. “I think I just don’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” Your hand gestured to the couple in the corner, who were now joined by Christian. 

“Ah, well I would have been sad if you didn’t say goodbye to me.” 

Your face lit up at the sight of her open arms. As you stepped in, the tenseness in your body practically melted away. You sighed as Mitch squeezed you a little tighter. 

“Do you have any fun plans for the break?” she mumbled into your hair before stepping away. You grimaced at the thought of having no plans. 

“Uh, I think I’m going to finish this show I’ve been binging,” you said, cringing at your own uncertainty. Because in reality, you really had no clue what you were going to do.

Mitch’s eyebrows pinched. She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Christian, Max, and Kelly joining your little group. The corners of your mouth tilted up by their arrival. 

Christian had an amused look on his face. 

Mitch turned to the boss. “What has you so jolly?” 

He let out a laugh before speaking, “Gerri and I are taking a cruise for Christmas to get out of the colder weather that is about to hit.” He shivered dramatically, making you laugh. 

“Ah,” she turned to Max and Kelly. “Do you two have anything fun planned for the break?” 

Kelly spoke up first, “We’re going to be spending it with Max in Monaco. Penelope really likes the area and I think it would be nice to have everyone there.” 

Max followed, “My sister and mom are planning to come over for Christmas evening. Her kids are super cute.” 

“I think P is just happy to celebrate Christmas and find a tree as soon as possible. I’m glad she’s not scared of Santa like she was last year,” Kelly confessed. 

As you listened, you heart squeezed just a bit more. What you would give to decorate a tree for the first time ever or stay up late trying to catch the big man in the red suit. Kelly then turned to Mitch. 

“What do you have planned?” 

Mitch shot you a glance before responding, “I’m going up to my parents to spend it with my family. Lots of cute nieces and nephews to run around and keep me busy.” 

Christian seemed to finally take notice of you. “And what about you kid?” 

All eyes were now on you. You gulped, honestly not wanting to share your less than mediocre plans for the break. 

“Uh, there was this show I was planning to finish?” Your shoulders raised as the pitch raised in your voice as well, trying to hide your nervousness. 

Kelly’s head cocked to the side, “Anything else?” 

Your eyes widened. Oh how you wished that they would just let it go. You shifted your balance from foot to foot. 

You sighed before confessing, “Nope. That’s it.” 

If you could live in one TikTok sound at this moment, it would be the frantic lyrics from Taylor Swift, “Horrified looks from everyone in the room.” Your cheeks heated at the impending embarrassment that you had found yourself in. 

Wanting to get out of there swiftly (pun-intended), your lips poured out, “So I need to catch a flight and I think my Uber is here. I will see all of you for pre-season testing.” 

You turned to leave, but not without forgetting to also say, “And I hope you all have a good Christmas.” Your feet took you far and quickly away from the four, who were now looking at you with sad eyes. 

Max’s eyes longing gazed at your fleeing figure. He really thought that you two were getting close enough for you to share what you were thinking, and not having to lie about things. Kelly’s hand found the lower area of his back to share some comfort. 

Mitch was the first one to speak up, “I think she’s spending the break alone.” 

“Surely not. Must have private family plans with her parents,” Max quipped, not liking the thought of you being alone. 

Christian had a guilty look on his face, before his hand ran down it. “Vito didn’t want us to tell you,” he trailed off. 

Max’s face spun toward the older Brit. 

“Tell me what?” he almost demanded. 

Mitch shared a look to Christian before spilling, “Y/n’s parents disowned her in the beginning 2019. She’s been living alone since that season of F3 finished later that year.” Her eyes focused on the cold, concrete flooring of the garage. 

A long sigh escaped Max’s lips at the revelation. His fists tightened at his sides. He did the math in his head. Four years. 

You had been alone, by yourself, on your own, for four years. You hadn’t talked about your godfather, so Max didn’t even know if he was still in the picture. You could talk to him about that when you were ready. 

He whispered, “She was fifteen right? Her birthday is later in the year.” 

“Yeah,” Mitch matched his tone. 

Max found Kelly’s eyes, silently communicating all of his thoughts and emotions. He was never good about verbal communications, but eyes are the window to the soul, right? 

A slight nod of her head gave everything that Max needed. 

Mitch broke the silence once again, “I think Arthur has been asking her to join his family for Christmas evening. I’ll send him or Charles a text describing the situation so that they can really try to convince her.” 

Christian nodded and spoke, “That sounds like a good plan. Max, I’m guessing you have a plan?” 

Max nodded before stepping away from the group, heading in the direction where you took off. Kelly stayed behind, bringing out her phone with the intent of making a few calls. 

“We’ll take care of her,” she assured the strategist and team principal. 

Mitch smiled in the direction that Max had stomped towards. “I wouldn’t doubt it.” 

You, who had missed everything, were currently waiting at the entrance for your Uber. Your eyes glanced around, looking for the correct car. Your body bounced with anxiety as your knuckles hand now turned white with how hard they were gripping the straps. 

“Kid!” a familiar voice called out, causing you to whip around and bump right into the source. Big hands caught you from falling off the kerb. Your head lifted and was met with the worried face of one Max Verstappen. 

“Uh, hi?” you questioned. 

Max, probably planning for this to be said differently but didn’t want to beat around the bush, blurted out, “Spend the break and Christmas with me.” 

Your eyes looked for malice in his, but came up empty. However, you were shocked. 

“What?” you breathed out, very confused. 

Max inhaled and exhaled rather sharply. Keeping his hands on your shoulders, he positioned you back up on the sidewalk, away from the parking area. In your head, you were only thinking of how you might miss your Uber and flight if Max kept you here. 

“Y/n,” uh-oh, he used your legal name, “Kelly and I would love it if you spent the first bit of break with us and Christmas.” 

Your ears must have been deceiving you, or you needed hearing aids after being around the formula cars for the majority of your life, because there was no way that Max had just asked you to spend the first bit of break, let alone Christmas, with him and Kelly. 

You scoffed before looking away and muttering, “Very funny Max. I get that you have an amazing family to do nice things with, but some of us don’t have that luxury. Now if you’ll excuse me,” you all but ripped yourself out of his grasp, “I have an Uber to get into and a flight back to Nice.” 

You stepped away, but were stopped by someone’s hand grabbing your backpack. You sighed rather harshly, arms dropping to your sides, before speaking, “Max, let go of my backpack.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about geitje.” If you had looked behind you, you would have seen a smirk on his face. 

“You know I finally looked up that word, and I don’t think that’s the correct word for kid.” 

Max let out a playful scoff. “Yes it is. It’s my language after all.” 

You rolled your eyes, “You are literally calling me a baby goat.” Your arms crossed your chest. You were still annoyed but weren’t trying to get away as you had been. Max pulled you backward and into a hug. His hand was placed on the top of your head, lightly ruffling your hair. 

His chest vibrated as he hummed. “I know exactly what I am doing. Stubborn and cute like one.” 

You let yourself melt into his hold for just a minute as you thought over the offer. Honestly, by now it was a no-brainer. Spend the break alone and cold, or get over yourself and spend it in a warm house surrounded by people who seemed to love you regardless of your past. 

Max felt the moment that you had accepted, since your body went lax in his hold. His smile grew larger at the thought of you giving in. However, you mind was still mulling over one fact. A large sigh escaped your lips. 

“What’s wrong?” 

Your cheeks heated once again before turning to bury your face in Max’s chest as to hide from the Dutchman. 

“I don’t know how.” 

Max was getting confused. “How do to what Kleintje?”

“How to celebrate Christmas. Never done it before,” you stumbled over your words. 

Max was quick with a solution. “P turned four this year, and I think she can actually grasp what Christmas really is. You can learn right along with her, nothing to be embarrassed about.” 

“And I don’t have any presents or anything to give.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Christmas isn’t all about giving gifts.” 

You huffed. “But I want to.” Your eyes were suddenly welling up with tears, making Max panic a bit. 

He quickly spoke, “Then we can go shopping. Maybe Lando can join. If it’s important to you, then we can do whatever you’d like.” 

You looked up into blue eyes. “We can stay up for Santa?” 

Gosh, you were truly melting this man’s heart. His eyes softened as he looked back into yours. His head dipped in a small nod. 

“Yes Kid. We can stay up for Santa. Now let’s go, AirMax awaits.” 

Your Uber was long forgotten as you sat in the nice plush seat of Max’s private jet. Your eyes sparkled with a child-like wonder as you stared around. Kelly and Max just enjoyed watching you look around with wide and tired eyes. 

You may be 20, but that doesn’t mean that you’re done maturing in life. Max definitely was still trying to heal his inner-child at 26, but he had a whole support system behind him. Yes, his dad wasn’t the best, but he couldn’t image growing up without him. Jos may have been an asshole, but he helped shape Max into what he was today. 

From what he and Kelly now knew, you had had no one. You had offhandedly told Max that you rarely had friends growing up. He and Christian really thought you may have been joking. But after tonight, Max swore to never joke about that again. He knew that you were going to be good friends with some of the grid. Secretly he was hoping that Lando would be one of them. 

He was a good kid in Max’s eyes. And it was a plus that he also lived in Monaco as well. People need friends and family to thrive and flourish, and you had done your waiting. 

Max also knew that if your parents ever showed up to anything, now that you had made it to Formula 1, he would personally cuss them out and then have them banned from every single paddock for the rest of their lives. 

His eyes found you, desperately fighting off sleep. His lips curled up into a smile as you finally gave in and closed your eyes. You were all curled up in with your Dior blanket that you carried everywhere with you - the same one you had in Vegas.

Max turned his head to see that Kelly was also looking at you with a warm smile on her face, eyes full of love. 

Kelly’s head leaned near his as they both watched you cuddle your beloved blanket a bit more. 

“She looks much younger,” Kelly whispered, not wanting to wake you up. 

Max leaned over as well, “Yeah, makes you realized why everyone calls her kid.” 

A soft laugh came out of Kelly’s lips. 

Max continued, “Thank you for being fine with her coming. I know this wasn’t in our plans.” 

Kelly quickly hushed him, her eyes glancing at him before looking back on your sleeping figure, “I think it was a wonderful idea for her to join. We should have asked sooner.” A sad smile crept on her face. 

He nodded as Kelly made a small home under his arm and against his side. She hummed as she closed her own eyes, wanting to sleep a bit before landing in Monaco. 

Max, however, was preoccupied with texting a group chat that he had made a few minutes before getting on a plane. 

Tax Evaders Max has added Trophy Breaker, Emotional Support Rival, and Kid’s Leclerc to the chat

Mad Max:  I bet you all are wondering why I have gathered you here 

Trophy Breaker:  Um, yes  And what is with the chat name mate? 

Emotional Support Rival  I think he means to imply since Monaco does not make us pay taxes And yes, Max why are we here?  Miss us already? 

Kid’s Leclerc  I’m just wondering who these numbers are other than Charles? 

Mad Max: This is Max Verstappen  The other one is Lando

Trophy Breaker:  Way to give my number away to a total stranger ass-hat Who the heck is Kid’s Leclerc 

Kid’s Leclerc:  This is Arthur 

Trophy Breaker:  Oh that makes more sense 

Emotional Support Rival  Seriously  Emotional Support Rival?  Max I thought we were more than this 

Trophy Breaker:  Yeah – you said you let the whole trophy thing go 

Mad Max:  All of you be quiet 

Kid’s Leclerc:  I never said anything

Mad Max:  As I was saying… I’m guessing maybe Arthur knew  But Y/n had planned to spend Christmas alone

Trophy Breaker:  Her parents out of town or something? 

Emotional Support Rival:  About that…

Kid’s Leclerc:  Y/n’s parents aren’t in the picture anymore 

Trophy Breaker:  THEY DIED?! 

Mad Max:  NO  But I’ll make them wish they were  They disowned her when she was 15 

Trophy Breaker:  … I second your statement 

Mad Max:  Back to what I was going to say  Y/n is spending the first part of break with me, Kelly, and P  Arthur, I need you to up your begging game to get her to join you for the last half  Charles you too 

Kid’s Leclerc:  Sir yes sir 

Emotional Support Rival:  On it  If it will help any 

Trophy Breaker:  What am I supposed to do? 

Mad Max:  She really wants to get presents and other things I’m not comfortable letting her walk the outdoor shops by herself somewhere she’s never been too  I was hoping that you’d join us when we go? 

Trophy Breaker:  For sure  It’s the Monaco Center right?  Where you can drive the cars through? 

Mad Max:  That’s the one Kelly has been talking about going for a while to take P  Might as well do the shopping then 

Trophy Breaker:  Sounds good  I’ll let you know when I’m back from Italy 

Kid’s Leclerc:  I will start the begging when we get back 

Emotional Support Rival:  Same here 

Mad Max:  Thanks guys  I’m hoping she’ll have a good time  First real Christmas and all 

Trophy Breaker:  Awe, Max does have a heart 

Emotional Support Rival:  He really said  Grinch? Never heard of him  I’m Max Verstappen 

Kid’s Leclerc:  I do not group myself with them sir 

Emotional Support Rival:  Thur is just trying to get on his good side 

Trophy Breaker:  And why would that be? 

Kid’s Leclerc:  No comment 

Mad Max:  Plane is about to land and I have to wake Miss Whiny up from her nap 

Kid’s Leclerc:  Just lightly nudge her shoulder  Works wonders and she shouldn’t complain too terrible 

Trophy Breaker:  Oooohhhh I get it now  Little Leclerc is smooth 

Kid’s Leclerc:  Goodbye 

Max let out a chuckle before taking his arm from around Kelly, who had actually fallen asleep as well. He stood up and lifted his arms above his head to stretch. It only took him three steps to reach you, since the main cabin wasn’t big to begin with. 

Heeding Arthur’s advice, he gently nudged your shoulder a few times. You blinked, multiple times, trying to get the fuzziness to go away.

Like Arthur had said, there was no whining that joined your waking up. Your hands came up to rub your face and eyes, trying to rid the evidence of sleep. 

“How long was I out for?” you questioned, voice deeper and quieter. 

Max’s hand found your shoulder and gently rubbed it. “We’re actually about to land.” Your eyes widened as you quickly looked out the plane window to view the Monégasque land below. 

By now, Kelly had woken up and was now fondly looking at her boyfriend and, well, his kid. She knew that Max wanted to try to be more of a big brother to her, but he honestly couldn’t help it. Deep down, he was trying to fulfill a role that he wished he had had when he was growing up. She quietly raised her phone and took a quick picture to maybe upload later. But for now, she’d let them bask in the excitement of being home. 

Unboarding went much easier than regular flights. The private exits were your favorite since you didn’t have to be stopped by fans or anyone else. By the time the three of you got back to Max’s house, or giant mansion since it was so huge, the sun was just rising: which meant that you were in desperate need of a nap. As far as you knew, Penelope was still with the sitter and Kelly wouldn’t go get her until later that day, to give you three some time to rest and recuperate from the long racing weekend. 

Max led you to one of the apparently multiple guest bedrooms for you to put your stuff in. He explained that you could stay here for the time being unless you found one of the other rooms much better. 

You only laughed and told him that it was enough. Max, in your opinion, looked too nervous for someone who had a multi-million dollar home. 

“Max it’s fine I swear,” you reassured him. 

“I just want you to be comfortable.” He shrugged, looking around at the room, eyes glancing from one corner to the other, trying to find something to change. 

“Max, you could give me an air mattress on the floor and I’d be happy. Besides, this bed is much better than the single bed I have back in Nice,” you muttered the last bit. 

Max seemed to take that as good enough, and left you to your own devices. You quickly sent a text to Arthur, who had begged for you to let him know when you got in safely. You rolled his eyes at his mother hen antics and let out a big yawn. 

You could definitely unpack after you took a quick nap. The moment your head hit the nice pillow, you were out like a light. The sound of laughter woke you up a couple of hours later. You groggily walked out of the more than adequate room, rubbing your eyes to rid them of sleep. Max thankfully invested in a house with a large first floor so that you didn’t have to walk down any stairs. 

Max was the first one to spot you standing a bit awkwardly in the opening frame to the living room. Max stood up from where he was sitting with Kelly and Penelope. Walking over, he brought you into a side hug to lead you to the middle of the room. 

He crouched next to his almost actual kid and gestured to you. 

“P, this is Y/n. She’s going to be staying with us until Christmas.” 

You awkwardly looked at the toddler, not knowing what to do. Penelope leaned closer to Max. 

“Does she like dollies?” 

You let out a little laugh at the question. Max and Kelly smiled at the child and then glanced back at you. 

“Why don’t you ask her?” Kelly gently pushed P towards you. She was clutching a small Barbie to her chest as she got closer to you. 

Her neck bent backwards, looking up at you. She held out her doll for you to take, which you did: not wanting to offend her. 

With a shy smile, Penelope questioned, “Do you want to play dolls with me?” 

“Sure!” You tried to make your voice seem as though you were over the moon to play. “Although, I honestly don’t know how. So, why don’t you show me?” 

Penelope quickly took hold of your hand and all but dragged you down to the floor, where multiple other Barbies lay, waiting to be played with. The toddler quickly started to talk in animated gibberish, trying to explain that your Barbie was trying to take over her Barbie land. You only nodded at the very detailed and elaborate plot that she had come up with. 

Max and Kelly giggled at your wide eyes as you tried to keep up with the small doll in your hands. However, it seemed as though you finally caught on to what was happening as Penelope had gotten more excited as you continued to play. The two adults watch the both of you fondly as your Barbie was finally overtaken by one of P’s bigger dolls that she had. Giggles escaped the toddler’s lips as you dramatically fell over, laying on the ground defeated. Penelope had squirmed over, trying to get you to get back up. 

“P, I think I’m done for.” You put a hand over your eyes, laughing as P tried to tickle you “back to life.” 

“No,” she dragged out the vowel. 

You continued, “It’s a very nice rug. I think I’ll just sleep here tonight.” 

She apparently did not like that as she draped her body over yours. You let out a grunt at the unexpected weight on your chest. You retaliated by tickling her as you sat up from the ground. Her squeals echoed the room. 

Max and Kelly thought it was good to leave the two of you alone for a moment. They made their way to the kitchen to start dinner. As Kelly was getting the ingredients out, Max suddenly remembered something. 

“Hey kid?” 

“Yeah?” you perked up from around P’s head, since she was now sitting in your lap. 

Max looked down at the box of pasta in his hands. “Do you have any food allergies or any dislikes?” 

You thought for a moment before responding, “None that I know of. I’ll pretty much eat anything.” 

“All right.” 

Your attention was once again turned to the little girl that was showing you her multiple toys. You wanted to laugh when you spotted one of the scale models of Max’s car. You quickly held it in your hands to look it over. 

“You race with Maxie?” Penelope asked as she took the car out of your hand. You didn’t mind: since it was her toy to begin with. 

You softly smiled. “Yep, going to be the fastest on the track.” 

Your hands started to softly stroke her hair and part it into three strands. You felt the mini car go up and down your leg. Soft “vrooms” left P’s lips as she trailed the car over your thighs. Your hands overlapped and formed a braid in the thin strands that you held. 

An amazing smell started to waft through the air as dinner was close to being done. 

“You staying, right?” P’s big eyes locked with yours. 

“I’ll be staying until Christmas.” 

Kelly and Max were listening to your conversation while everything simmered for a bit. With drinks in their hands, they leaned against each other to watch the two of you interact. It was crazy how fit you looked together. Honestly, there was a weird resemblance between the two of you, and Max would bet that if the four of you went out and about, people would really question if you were truly just a friend and not family. 

“We wait for Santa together?” 

You looked fondly down at her as you tied the braid off. “We’ll wait for Santa and make cookies and do whatever you want.” 

P took that to heart and nodded multiple times in excitement. 

It wasn’t long until dinner was ready. The meal was truly a simple dish: some type of chicken and pasta. Something plain enough that P would eat, but flavorful enough that the other three could enjoy it as well. 

The table was filled with laughter and engaging conversation. There seemed to be an unspoken rule about not talking of Formula 1 conversation at the dinner table, and you were thankful for that. Your mind wanted to run back to memories of a time where you found yourself at your own dining table, alone. Most of the time, the food was long cold and not very good. 

But, the happiness that you found yourself in right now deterred any thoughts of those times. The conversation of the plan for the next day was brought up by Kelly. 

“I was thinking that we could take a trip to the shopping centers tomorrow,” Kelly mentioned before taking a sip from her wine glass. You, of course, had a plain water in front of you. 

Max nodded, “I think that’s a good idea.”

You stayed silent, mulling it over. You cut into your chicken to take another bite, before realizing that the two adults were waiting for an answer from you. Your cheeks heated as you put your fork down. 

“I’m good with anything honestly. It sounds fun.” 

“I feel like there’s a but coming,” Max pointed out, smirking when Penelope laughed at the second to last word. You couldn’t help but join in with the young girl. 

You shifted in your chair. “I’ve just never been before I guess.” 

Max sent you a soft smile. “I thought of that. What do you think of Lando joining to walk around with you?” 

Your eyes widened at the offer. You…go shopping…alone…with Lando Norris? 

“I think I ran him over in an elevator one time.” 

Max almost choked on his drink at your confession while Kelly could only laugh. 

“Kid, I don’t think he remembers that. It’ll be good for you so that next season, you can start off with a familiar face and friend.” 

Your heart soared at the thought of that and you quickly accepted. 

“Great, I’ll text Lando that we’ll see him in the morning. But knowing him, he’s going to want to start shopping in the afternoon.” 

And Max was correct as Lando practically whined about the idea of shopping in the morning while he was on call. Reluctantly though, the two came to a shared decision of shopping in the early afternoon around 1 pm. 

You were nervous in the car, but Penelope in her car seat was a good distraction. This time, she told you that your Barbie was secretly a mermaid and needed a prince to save her. Sadly, all the Babies she had was the one you were holding, and another female with bright pink hair. You quickly noted to maybe find a prince doll for her while you were out shopping. 

Your mind also raced with questions of what to get Max and Kelly, since they had taken you into their home and treated you as one of their own. Maybe you could ask Lando. 

But what do you get two people who seem to be happy and content with what they have? 

You were brought out of your thoughts at the lack of motion from the car. By now, you finally noticed that Max and Kelly had gotten out of the car, the latter now unbuckling P’s car seat. You quickly leaned over to unbuckle your own seat belt. 

“Almost thought I had to unbuckle you myself,” Max joked as you finally got out of the car, stretching your limbs. 

“Yeah, yeah.” You waved him off while you looked around at the shopping center. Lights, wreaths, and trees were everywhere. Your eyes really sparkled with the reflections of the all the lights. What you didn’t realize is that one Lando Norris had finally joined the group. You only noticed when he decided that it was a good idea to place both hands on your shoulders and yell really loudly. 

What he didn’t know was that you had taken a few self-defense classes in your past. And his face was met with the knuckles of your hand. At least it wasn’t a very hard hit as your hand was covered in a very soft glove. 

Your eyes widened as you let out a gasp as Lando cupped a hand to his nose. 

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to,” you frantically looked around, trying to see who had seen the altercation. Thankfully, no one had seemed to notice. However, Max could not stop laughing. You thought that any moment he would fall on the concrete from his wheezing. Kelly just held P with a look of concern. 

Lando waved his hands, “I will not be doing that again.” 

“I truly am sorry.” You grimaced at the sight of a red mark growing on his face. 

“I thought that was hilarious.” Max could only offer, still laughing. Lando only squinted his eyes at him in mock offence. 

“Lanno!” Penelope yelled from her jail of her mom’s arms. Kelly let her down and she bolted to the Brit. Lando caught her and held her. 

“Hey P,” he greeted. P’s head found sanctuary in the crease of his neck. “At least one Verstappen likes me.” 

“She’s not a Verstappen, yet.” 

“I do like you.” 

“I’m not even remotely related.” 

Lando just shook his head. “Max needs to hurry up; you laugh at my pain; you are Max’s kid, so a Verstappen by proxy.” 

You just looked confused and lost at the revelation from Lando. Max let out a nervous giggle as he glanced at Kelly. 

“Are we ready to start shopping?” Max clapped his hands. 

“Y/n, you’re coming with me?” Lando questioned as he put the toddler back down. 

Your hand scratched the back of your head nervously. “I guess so?” You had tried to make it not seem like a question, but you couldn’t help it. 

Max was the one to pick up Penelope this time. “Just text us when you’re done. We will meet up back here.” And with that, he, Kelly, and P turned to leave. Which left you with Lando, who was looking at you with waiting eyes. 

“Uh, lead the way?” 

Lando cocked his head. “You’ve never been? Surely Arthur has taken you.” 

You only shook your head as the two of you turned in the opposite direction. “I’ve only visited Monaco a few times and they were most for promotions or dinners with higher ups. Didn’t have a lot of time to go exploring.” 

“Fair enough. Well, you just tell me when you see a store that you want to visit.” 

“About that, do you have any ideas of what to maybe get Max or Kelly? I know what I want to get for P, but they’re a bit harder to think of gifts for,” you confessed as you walked down the sidewalk. 

Lando hummed as he thought. “I know Max had talked about needing a new steering wheel for his sim. Something about the buttons being sticky from spilling a drink.” 

“It was probably a Red Bull, if we’re being honest here.” That earned you a laugh from the older driver. 

“True. Now Kelly, I really don’t know. Maybe you should text Max?” 

“I’ll think of something, hopefully.” 

And think of something you did. You had barely passed a jewelry store when something caught your eye. 

“Lando, I’m going to go in here for a moment. I need to by a few things.” The Brit nodded and followed you in. You shot him a confused look. 

“Might as well find a present for my mom and sister while we’re here.” 

Thankfully, the two of you went in opposite directions of the store. Your eyes glanced over the glass cases full of valuables. You knew your bank account couldn’t quite handle some of the pieces, but you hoped that the item you were thinking of didn’t cost much. 

As you hovered over the necklaces, a sales rep had come over and asked if you had needed anything. 

“Can I see the locket, please?” 

“Why certainly.” 

The man unlocked the glass case and pulled out the beautiful chain with a heart-shaped pendent on it. The front was plain, probably because many would want to personalize it. You gently took it in your hands to give it a look over. 

“I could customize the front and give you a picture to put it in right?” 

The man quickly told you all the different things that you could do with the small item. To your surprise, the upcharges weren’t much to get it custom. 

You requested for Penelope’s and Max’s birth flowers to be etched into the front. You quickly scrolled through Pinterest and Instagram to find a nice picture each of Max and P. Satisfied with both, you sent them in to the store and was told that you could pick it up in around 2 hours. 

You thanked the man for his swiftness before requesting to look at another bracelet and a watch. You had made a mental note that you had finally accepted the offer from Arthur to join him, Charles, and their mom for Christmas night. 

You, again, asked for a special inscription to be put on the nice watch. By the time everything would be ready, you and Lando should be headed back to the car. You told the man that you’d like to pick up the second necklace at that time too, even though you didn’t need anything custom on Charles’ present. 

You found Lando waiting for you at the front of the store, hands holding two small bags. He looked up from his phone when his eyes caught you walking closer. 

“Find anything?” he asked, glancing at your empty hands. 

“I actually did. But I have to come back to get them when they’re done.” 

Lando let out a ‘ah’ before turning around to leave the nice store. 

“Are you good if we stop by the gaming place?” Lando questioned, looking over his shoulder as you tried to keep up. 

“Only if you show me what wheel to buy Max. Then I need to go to the toy shop that’s across the way.” 

Lando nodded and took your hand, almost dragging you along – which you didn’t mind, since people have said that you tend to get lost easily. As you approached the shop, you saw Lando’s eyes light up at the sight of all the gaming equipment. You wanted to laugh, but you knew you’d look the same way if you had stepped into a mechanic shop or a Porsche dealership. 

Lando quickly walked you over to the wall of wheels, pointing out which ones would be compatible with Max’s sim. Your bank account wanted to cry at the amount of zeros before the decimal point, but your heart was set on getting it for Max. He had given you what you always wanted, so you could at least get him something nice for Christmas. 

You ended up picking the one with the middle price, not the most expensive but not the “cheapest” one either. Your hands grabbed the box and held onto it tightly, not wanting to break it. The girl at the cashier register turned out to be a fan and asked for a picture. 

“As long as you don’t say what I’m buying. Gotta keep the present a surprise.” 

The girl nodded eagerly as she took a selfie with you. 

As she rang you up, she started to talk, “I know it’s not Formula 1, but I do E-Racing and you have been nothing short of an inspiration to me. It wasn’t easy being the only girl on my team, but you gave me the strength to keep going.” 

Wow. It was not on your agenda to cry today, but you couldn’t help the tears that formed in your eyes. You leaned over the counter to give her a quick hug and tell her how much those words meant to you. 

You hadn’t noticed that you were holding up the line until Lando yelled something from the back of it. Saying goodbye, you stalked back to where he was, hands full of gaming equipment. 

You raised an eyebrow. “All for you?” 

He only smirked in response. “Most of it is for my friend Max.” 

You cocked your head and heart dropped at the sight of the same steering wheel that you currently had in your bad. Did Lando plan to up-one you in gift giving. You held up the bag that held the wheel. 

“I thought I was getting the wheel for Max?” 

Lando had a look of confusion before his eyes showed an understanding. “You are not the only one with a best friend named Max.” 

You pouted. “Max is not my best friend.” 

“Oh yeah,” Lando tilted his head, “then who is?” 

The two of you stepped forward in the line. You hesitated before a deeper pout formed on your lips. 

You only grumbled, “Max.” 

Lando through his head back in laughter as you finally made it to the front of the line. Lando quickly payed for his things with a tap of his card. Your eyes nearly bulged out of your head when you saw the grand total for his purchases. Boy, oh boy, you couldn’t wait to drive for real and get that bank. 

You definitely had some money from over the years. Winnings, your godfather’s will (where everything went to you), and then the bonus you got for signing with Red Bull in the first place. But you had been planning to look into getting an apartment in Monaco and one in London along with a vehicle to be in both places so you didn’t waste money on rentals. 

Speaking of apartments, you phone buzzed with a notification from the agent that you hired to find you a suitable one. Your smile grew as you saw that she had told you that you had been approved for one about a ten minute walk from Max and that you could start moving in after Christmas. You quickly sent a text back where you profuse your thanks for her. 

“What’s got you all smiley, Bug?” Lando tried to peer over your shoulder to look at your phone. 

Your once smile turned into a scrunched face as you looked up at him. 

“Bug?” You tried out the name on your own tongue. 

Lando just shrugged. “Well, everyone calls you Kid. You’re not that much younger than me, so it doesn’t work the same. But you are shorter.” You hit his arm. “What?! It’s true. So Bug it is.” 

“I guess that’s fine.” 

“Now, do you want to tell me what message you got? Secret boyfriend? Arthur? Meme from Max?” 

You tried to bite back your grin, but you were just so happy. “I, uh, got approved for an apartment here, in Monaco. It’s about 10 minutes away from Max’s house.” 

“Well congratulations!” Lando brought you into a side hug, bags swinging. 

“Thank you, Lanno.” You were now the one dishing out nicknames. Lando’s smile only grew, but he didn’t mention anything about the name. Somehow that was good enough for you to infer that he liked it and didn’t think it was stupid. 

From there, the two of you stopped in a toy store while you quickly grabbed a few toys for Penelope: one being a prince doll, another a toy version of the RB19, and then a couple of stuffies that you hoped the girl would like. Lando also pitched in for a couple of extras. 

You also went back into the jewelry store to grab Kelly’s necklace, Arthur’s watch, and Charles’ bracelet. All had been exactly what you wanted and the engravings were beautiful. The McLaren driver also had good things to say about them as well. 

You asked for them to also be all packaged up, ready to go right under the tree that Kelly and Max had already put out, but not decorated. He had given that task to the ladies of the house. You had giggled when Kelly told you that he had absolutely no decorating skills. 

There weren’t any stores left for you and Lando to visit, and before you knew it, goodbyes were being exchanged with the promises of hanging out another time. 

y/n.89 posted

christmas shopping with kevin mccallister tagged: landonorris

liked by oscarpiastri, maxverstappen1, and 104,284 others

landonorris the slander is just wrong - where is your christmas spirit

y/n.89 I have plenty, just not for you logansargeant any for me? y/n.89 plenty mr. american

Christa72 thank you again for the picture!

y/n.89 it was so lovely to meet you!

box_box_official love seeing y/n become friends with the drivers outside the races

y/n-lover our Christmas queen

oscarpiastri you are right, he is giving kevin

landonorris oscaaaahhhhhh y/n.89 ahahahahahah get wrecked landonorris I think I heard a bug around here

Funny enough, you and P both fell asleep in the car on the way back. You were only woken up by Max lightly shaking you, something he remembered from the plane. With sleepy eyes and hands full of bags, you walked to your “room” and flopped on the bed. As Max passed with an armful of toddler, he chuckled at your form. He’d leave you for a bit until dinner was ready. 

He carefully put Penelope in her small bed, covering her lightly with a small blanket. As he turned to get up, a small hand reached out and pulled on his. His eyes widened a tad as he looked back at the sleepy girl.

His big hand cupped her head and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Hey P, you sleepy or do you want to stay up with Maxie and Mommy?” 

Penelope rubbed her eyes as she sat up. “Is KiKi gonna be there?” 

Max cocked his head. “Who?” 

“KiKi.” 

Max thought for a moment. “Y/n?” 

The toddler just nodded holding her arms out, waiting to be picked up. Max quickly scooped her back up. Knowing that she’d want to see you, he brought her to your room, where you hadn’t moved an inch. He gently placed the toddler in your bed. To his surprise, in your sleep, you unconsciously moved to make room for P and put your arm around her bringing her closer. 

Max’s heart melted as he took out his phone to quickly text Kelly to come to your room. She was quick since she stood next to him in under a minute. He brought her close as they watch the two of you snuggle. They both heard a content hum escape your lips as your arm tightened around the girl. Tears made their way to Max’s lash line, but he managed to keep them at bay. 

“Let’s go make dinner,” Kelly whispered. 

Around an hour later, Max woke the two of you up for dinner. Once again, the meal was delicious. Your heart swelled at the soft smiles exchanged around the table. 

This is basically how the first part of the break went. Movies were watched, tears were shed (you definitely didn’t cry while watching the Polar Express), cookies were made and decorated (after many failed attempts), snow men were built, standing proudly in front of the house, and snowballs were thrown (Max apparently lost a snowball fight for the first time in 20 years). 

Before you knew it, Christmas Eve was finally here. You had woken up early, wanting to prepare for everything. Max definitely laughed when he saw you sitting by the chimney looking up at the sooty dark hole. 

“But how does he fit through there?” Your eyebrows were scrunched as you pondered over this with a bowl of cereal. 

Max sipped his coffee. “Magic.” 

“That makes zero sense.” You bit your spoon, eating the cereal that was there. Sadly, that was the last of your breakfast. Max ruffled your hair, making it messier than it was. 

All day long, you waited and waited and waited. You finally had something to do after dinner while the four of you decorated the tree. Somehow, Penelope had climbed on your back to reach the upper branches. 

“Higher Kiki! Higher!” She giggled as you hoisted her higher on your back. 

“Any higher and you’ll be in the ceiling.” You laughed along with her, Max and Kelly watching the two of you with fond smiles as well as taking pictures from time to time. Max was practically vibrating in his seat. He thought that last year with just him, Kelly, and P was the best that life could be. But seeing you with his “almost daughter” and seeing his “almost wife” look at you like you were her own: it was such a different feeling. 

He was brought out of his thoughts with your voice. 

“I think we’re done!” 

You and P held out your arms as to display your decorating jobs. The two adults clapped lightly. The toddler and you took a dramatic bow, before rushing to the kitchen. Giggles and laughs echoed through the warmly lit house. The two of you returned with a full glass of milk – carried by Penelope with two hands (like you reminded her) and you held two plates – one with cookies decorated with colorful icings and one with carrots (for the reindeer – of course). 

With a kiss on your head and one on P’s, the two of you were left to sleep by the Christmas tree. You, however, couldn’t stop wriggling: you were too excited about Santa. You had just gotten sleepy when you heard a noise, come from deeper in the house. Your once wiggly body quickly froze. If Santa was supposed to come down the chimney, which was at your feet, then why was there noise coming from the kitchen. 

You slowly sat up and grabbed the closest thing near you – funny enough it was “How to Build a Car” by Adrian Newey that Max used as a table topper. You slightly shook as you stood from the couch. You were thinking to yourself – was Santa just a home invader to come steal your things? 

Well, Max had invited you to his house and you were not about to let some fat man come rob him. You were an athlete, with real sweat – athlete sweat: you could take him. 

Gingerly you stepped around where P was sleeping and made your way farther into the house. Your eyes caught something red, and you froze once again when your eyes landed on another figure. 

What was Kelly doing with the burglar? 

Had he threatened her? Did he have a gun? Where was Max? Was he knocked unconscious and tied up in their bedroom, alone, possibly bleeding? Or even worse – dead? 

Tears welled in your eyes at the thought. Max couldn’t possibly be dead. Your sleepy mind was getting the best of you. You peered around the corner once more and your blood boiled. 

Santa was now leaning in – FOR A KISS?? That did it. 

You stepped out from behind the corner, book clenched in your hands in front of your chest. If he had a gun and shot, the book would save you – hopefully. 

Kelly finally saw you and her eyes widened at your shaking figure. She quickly tapped Santa (well, Max in a Santa suit) and gestured to you. With wide eyes, Max turned around and froze when he saw you as well. 

You were not supposed to be up. 

He stood up straighter and took his hands off his girlfriend. Trying to dissolve the situation carefully, he wanted to be the first one to talk, but you always had the upper hand. 

“Where is Max?” You voice wobbled. 

Max wanted to cry when he heard the shakiness in your tone. 

He cleared his throat before speaking with a deep tone. “He’s still asleep.” 

You glared at the fake robber-wanna-be. “Oh so you decide to come rob our house and threaten Kelly while Max is asleep?” By now, the book was slowly rising above your head. 

Max wanted to sigh, this was not going according to plan.

“Kid, Kelly just need to show me something about the, uh.” Max looked at Kelly, trying to speak with his eyes. 

“The cookies sweetie,” Kelly came up with the excuse on the spot. 

Your book was slowly coming down. “What about the cookies?” Now your voice sounded worried. Had you screwed up Santa’s cookies and was this the real Santa? And you were threatening him? 

“Nothing’s wrong with them Kid. I got a little lost in this big house,” his gloved hands gestured to the giant ceilings, “and I couldn’t find the cookies, milk, or carrots for the reindeer.” Max was able to come up with the second lie, but he could tell it was working. His eyes watched as you finally lowered the book. 

You exhaled sharply and yawned. Max and Kelly’s hearts melted at your sleepiness. Your head nodded as you tried to make sense of everything. 

Well, it would make sense for Santa to get lost in a home that he’d never visited before. And you and P didn’t put the cookies, milk, and carrots on the actual fireplace because you two were nervous he would step on them. Honestly, you were falling asleep where you were standing. 

Max cautiously stepped closer and put a hand on your back to lead you back to the couch. With eyes closed you let him guide you. He finally exhaled once you were tucked in. 

Kelly and he shared a glance at each other and disappeared around the corner and back to their room. Quiet laughs echoed through the bedroom as Max almost tripped on the red pants as he tried to get out of them. They quickly fell asleep when their heads hit their pillows. They could laugh at that for years to come. 

They felt as though they hadn’t gotten any sleep by the time Penelope came screaming through their room. 

“SANTA CAME! SANTA CAME!” The toddler’s arms were up in the air before she used to them lift herself onto the giant bed. Max groaned when she found a spot right on his stomach to park herself. 

Max picked her up as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Present time?” 

Penelope sat silent for a moment before the words really hit here before squeals left her lips. Once again, she darted out of the room to rush back to the main room. 

You had been in the kitchen making coffee. 

Honestly, you don’t even remember what happened. (And that’s probably for the best.) Before long, Max and Kelly waddled into the kitchen, barely awake. They were met with warm mugs in their hands and the smell of coffee in the kitchen. 

With smiles, they thanked you and headed into the living room where P was practically vibrating in her spot, yet was waiting for everyone. 

Max had been designated as “Santa” this year to pass and hand out the presents. He and Kelly shared a knowing look and a wink that you picked up on and flashed a confused face, but you let it go. It was probably some inside joke that didn’t involve you. Right. 

You were thankful for the first present that Max passed you, but where surprised when the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth present also made their way into your lap. You again had a confused look on your face, but the comforting smile on Kelly’s face helped you realize that these were all on purpose. 

Max and Kelly were also surprised when they also got a gift from you as well. You sheepishly smiled at them and went to speak, but the sound of paper ripping interrupted you. 

Well, there went Penelope. Laughs were shared as the young girl ripped and tore through the previously carefully wrapped present. 

When she got to yours, she stared at the prince doll and the stuffies. She felt each one and traced the dolls face. She quickly got up and wrapped her arms around your neck. 

“Thanks Kiki!” She had the largest smile on her face. 

You rubbed her back and hugged her tightly. “You’re very welcome.” 

She immediately sat back down and started to play. Possibly this time the story line would go much better as the prince could now save the princess. 

You guessed it was your turn now. You were about to open the first present, but Max stopped you. 

“Open this one first.” He gave you the smallest one first. 

You opened the small package and a gasp left your lips. 

Inside, was a small circular ornament. It was decorated with a family of four – two girls with a man and woman –  with lettering underneath them. You read the words out loud. 

“First Christmas as a Family of Four. Max, Kelly, Penelope, and Y/n.” You looked up from the ornament to the two adults who looked at you with such love. 

Max broke the silence. “Uh, we just wanted to get you something meaningful. No matter what happens you’ll always find yourself in our home and intermingled in our lives.” 

Kelly leaned in closer to Max. “We always want you here honey. You’re family now.” She intertwined her fingers with Max. 

You ducked your head with a small smile. “Can I put it on the tree?” 

With quick and eager nods, you stood up and tiptoed over the piles of papers that littered the floor. You found a nice branch right in the front of the tree and made sure it stayed. You walked back to your place and sat back down. 

“Your turn now.” 

The Dutch adults took their presents that you had bought them a few weeks ago. Kelly may have shed a tear or two when she noticed that the flowers were Max and P’s birth flowers. Yet, she promised that she’d take it to get your put there as well. That’s when you had started to cry. 

Max was shocked by how you had possibly known what steering wheel he had needed. You sheepishly said that you had received some help from Lando. 

“Kid, this is too expensive.” 

You crossed your arms. 

“I’m not poor.” 

Max rolled his eyes. “I know you aren’t but…” 

“No buts. I wanted to so you have to accept it.” 

Max finally sighed as he looked down at the wheel. “Fine.” 

You did a little wiggle dance at the small victory. 

“Yeah, yeah. Now would you please open the rest of your presents?” 

The next ones that you opened were a paddle kit (because you had once told Max that it would be good to bond over another sport), new shoes (yours were falling apart), small mini versions of Lightning McQueen and Sally (you promised to put it on your dash when you bought a car), some jewelry that Kelly picked out (she also promised that she’d help you renew your closet when you found a permanent place to stay), and then finally a Lecia Q2 camera (something Lando told Max that you might enjoy to have a separate hobby and one that he could help you out with). 

When every present had been unwrapped and played with for just a bit, you quietly stood up and cleared your voice. All three pairs of eyes were now on you. 

“I uh, just wanted to say thank you. I’ve never had something like this before, and you have definitely shown what I’ve been missing. But, I wouldn’t want to spend Christmas like this with anyone else – past or present. I’m glad that I have people like the three of you that love me and welcome me with open arms.” You took a deep breath. 

“I also wanted to say that I am happy here and really never want to call another place home like I’ve started to call this place home.” You reached for your phone. 

“Kid,” Max started to say. He wanted you to stay, but knew he would have to talk to Kelly about letting you stay here permanently. 

Except you had other plans. You sat in between them so that they could look at your screen. 

“Like I said, I would never want to leave now that I have finally found a place where I feel like I belong. So a couple of weeks ago, I hired an agent to find me a small apartment in a radius around her. And I got approved when we went shopping. It’s about a ten minute walk from here but it’s private enough where people really won’t think to look for me.” 

Max looked at you with a bright smile as he brought you into a hug. Kelly also leaned over to hug you as well. Penelope, who didn’t want to be left out, jumped into your lap. But, as your eyes glazed over the walls, you let out a gasp. 

Thinking that something was wrong, Max pulled away quickly, eyes glancing over you, trying to see what was wrong. Yet, you pointed at the window. 

“Snow.” 

Three heads whipped in that direction to also look at the white fluffy stuff that was falling from the sky. You quickly stood up and rushed to change into something warmer. Kelly, Max, and P followed suit. Once the four of you were bundled, you all walked outside to stand under the fresh snow. 

This wasn’t the first time you saw snow, but this would be your first white Christmas. You stood at the side as you watched Max and Kelly kneel near Penelope and start to build a snowman. You laughed as you watched Kelly put snow down Max’s jacket and Max desperately try to get the snow out. It looked as if he was break dancing as the snow slid down his back. Penelope just watched and laughed as Max wiggled. 

Max finally glanced at your and beckoned you over to join them. You shook your head as your own laugh started to sound in the stark white world that you were in. You stalked over and started to help them build the snowman. You could worry about other things at a later point. Here, this is where you belonged. 

With your family. 

So, this is Christmas.  

maxverstappen1 posted

my christmas girls tagged: kellypiquet and y/n.89

liked by y/n.89, landonorris, and 1,109,837 others

max-max-super the caption just destroyed me

emotional_support_rivals drivers during christmas are my favorite

y/n.89 love you maxie <3 thanks for loving me

maxverstappen1 anytime kid, anytime charles_leclerc like I said, max does have a heart maxverstappen1 watch it leclerc or I won't let her go over later arthur_leclerc Charles shut up please

iamred-iamyellow I'm not crying, you're crying

kellypiquet all my love for you, P, and y/n

y/n-updates the way he called y/n one of "his girls" - goodbye

landonorris Arthur wants to call her that as well *comment has been deleted* change_ur_f-car DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THAT?! landonorris close your eyes

y/n.89 has posted

I have everything I ever wished for right here - Merry Christmas tagged: maxverstappen1 and kellypiquet

liked by arthur_leclerc, carlossainz55, and 130,274 others

lastlaplando the verstappen household woke up and chose christmas caption VIOLENCE

maxiel-lover I know right, both had me bawlin formula1fan my favorite version of max is "soft for y/n" max

y/n's_version our christmas girl

redbullracing who won the snowball fight and snowman contest?

y/n.89 me maxverstappen1 me y/n.89 wanna think about your answer again???? maxverstappen1 y/n did

y/n.89 the last picture was pre-snow, max just got too cold to stand still for a winter family photo

landonorris typical max, always ruining lives somehow maxverstappen1 eXcUSe mE?!

emotional_support_rivals live, laugh, love y/n verstappen

y/n.89 no, we're taking Kelly's last name maxverstappen1 when did we talk about this? kellypiquet you were asleep

author MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

y/n.89 what are you doing here? author breaking the fourth wall? y/n.89 continue

For the full Christmas Day experience, read this chapter of Besties for the Resties!

Tag List : @awekbachira @lightdragonrayne @leilanixx @angsthology @topguncultleader @landosgirlxoxo @gods-menace @itsjustkhaos @thefandomswhre @alwaysboredsworld @vellicora @bintuabbas @sam-is-lost @empress-kimiko @assholeinatrenchcoat @kagatinkita @glitterquadricorn @zyonsay @tsukishimawhore @ashy-kit @agent-curt-mega @julesbabey @lydialawrence @stopeatread @claudia5912 @nichmeddar @blueberry64857959 @laura-naruto-fan1998 @leptitlu @alessioayla @badassturtle13 @kaaale @wcnorris @cool-ultra-nerd @hockeyboysarehot @agent-curt-mega @myxticmoon @cmleitora @sam-is-lost @misartymis @boiohboii @alexander-hamilhoe @jayda12 @indesicivelyconfuzzled @fangirl125reader @itscrzy @xcharlottemikaelsonx @fionaschicken @torchbearerkyle @ineedafictionalman @loaksmuntxa @classiclitfreak @sarcasm-ismy-onlydefense @luisie @jayda12 @comfortzonequeen @taylor-will-be-the-death-of-me @inejghafawifesblog @treehouse-mouse

[lovebotmo]

like the movies

chapter five - late library nights

series masterlist

pairing: theodore nott x reader

wc: 1337

author's note: hello friends!!! it has almost been a month and i would like to offer my sincerest apologies!!!! i have entered my final semester of university so things have been rather hectic. i appreciate all the love you guys have given this series this far <3 thanks for being the absolute best. kiss kiss

also if i missed you for the taglist plz let me know!!! its been a min hehe

song inspiration: bewitched by laufey

Thanks to Lavender’s rather loose lips, the entire student body of Hogwarts seemed to be buzzing about your secret, not-so-secret admirer. Three days later and you could still hear the giggles of second-year girls as they discussed just who your mystery man could be steps behind you and your friends. You even had to endure a public love confession from both Fred and George, the red-headed twins bickering and quarreling over who loved you more in their newest prank. They both claimed to have been your secret admirer and demanded that you choose the twin you cared for more. It quickly devolved into a passionate, highly embarrassing competition that had the crowd which had slowly grown howling in laughter. George had even torn his shirt open, claiming that ‘the fires of love were burning within him and that clothes could not contain his ardent affection any longer.’ The whole affair might have been more comical had you not been its victim. Suffice to say you were adequately embarrassed, as if the burning blush on your face had not been enough evidence to that fact.

However, even with all the attention now placed on you and your secret admirer, no one had sincerely come forward to claim responsibility. You could hardly blame them, given the reactions of your fellow students. Still, you couldn’t help yourself grow more and more curious as days continued to pass without any additional clues.

“So…I hear you’ve got yourself a bit of an admirer, huh?”

Rolling your eyes, you turned towards Theo to find a smirk resting smugly on his face. “Merlin, not you too, Theo. I swear it’s impossible to go ten minutes without someone mentioning it.”

Theo laughed at your response and the obvious annoyance in your expression. “Bit of a touchy subject?”

You sighed. “Sorry. It’s just—bloody hell, I’ve got loads of people coming up to me trying to chat about it and well, it’s a bit much.”

The tall Slytherin nodded as he scanned his Potions textbook, looking for the next set of directions for the Wolfsbane potion you were currently brewing. “I didn’t mean to pry, really—”

“No, no it’s all right. I’m just a bit on edge recently.” You and Theo both reached for the crushed moonstone, hands bumping clumsily into each other. “Sorry, ‘m all over the place today.”

Theo gave you a gentle smile before grasping the vial, gingerly adding it before meeting your eyes with his own. “S’all right. Besides, we both know it’s better if I handle things, considering I’m the better Potions student any—ow!” Theo rubbed his arm where you had lightly smacked him.

“Just because you beat me by one whole point on the last test doesn’t mean—”

“It means I am better than—Salazar, woman!” This time Theo rubbed his other arm which you may or may not have hit. “You’ve got to come up with a better comeback than physical assault. I could report you to Slughorn, you know.”

“Oh please, you’d never snitch on me, Theo. We’re potions partners after all—you’re stuck with me.”

A wide grin made its way onto Theo’s face, along with the faintest blush that he desperately hoped you couldn’t see in the dim lighting of the classroom. “Yeah, ‘spose I am.” Realizing he was looking at you in a bit of a daze, he cleared his throat. “I forgot to mention, Pucey’s set a last-minute quidditch practice for this afternoon. I know we’re meant to work on the project for anti-venoms, but is there any chance we could push it until later?”

“Tsk, tsk, Theodore. Choosing quidditch over Potions, eh? And you call yourself the best Potions student?” you teased. Theo let out a sharp laugh, dropping three murtlap tentacles into the cauldron bubbling before you. “That works for me, actually. Where did you want to meet?”

“I can catch up with you on the quidditch pitch. We can head over to the library from there.” Stirring the concoction clockwise, Theo looked at you from the corner of his eye, “Thanks for being flexible.”

“’Course. It’s what you would expect from the best Potions student, right?”

“Alright, pipe down.”

“You’re no fun, Theo.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now hand me the wolfsbane leaves.”

“Only if you admit I’m the better Potions student.”

“Y/n.”

“…Here you go.”

Tugging at the sleeves of your sweater, you made your way towards the quidditch pitch, just as the sun was starting to set over the mountains surrounding Hogwarts. The practice had evidently just ended as players began to descend from the sky at the sound of Captain Adrian Pucey’s dismissal. Walking over, you saw Theo dismounting from his broom alongside Enzo. Upon spotting you, the pair walked over to greet you.

“Rough practice, huh?” The boys before you were out of breath, chests heaving with obvious exhaustion.

Enzo gave you a look, “You’ve no idea.” Beside him, Theo nodded in agreement.

“Pucey’s got his tail in a twist about the game this weekend against Gryffindor,” Theo said. “We can’t catch a break.” Theo grabbed the end of his practice jersey to wipe at the sweat on his brow, revealing a lean, toned abdomen. His tongue swiped quickly at his pink lips as he continued to breathe heavily. As he let go of his jersey, one of his hands went to run through his unruly curls and you couldn’t help but stare at the more than pleasant image before you.

Fucking hell…Godric save me.

As if sensing your train of thought, Enzo smirked, mirth dancing in his eyes.

The sound of Theo’s Italian accent broke your reverie. “I’ve got to hit the showers, so I’ll be ten minutes or so. You alright with waiting?”

Clutching your Potions textbook to your chest, you nodded, giving Enzo’s look of obvious amusement a glare. “’M fine. Go ahead.”

Theo flashed that wide grin of his that you were becoming fond of before trotting off to join the other players in the locker rooms. By now, Enzo’s grin had become a full-on beam.

“Whatever you’re thinking, Enzo—well, don’t think it.”

The Slytherin raised his hands in mock confusion. “What could you possibly mean, Y/n? I was just wondering—”

“Enzo, don’t make me hit you with this book.”

“Jeez, I guess Theo wasn’t lying when he said you were violent.”

“Hey!”

Hours later in the library, you swore words were beginning to dance off the pages of the endless tomes you and Theo had been rummaging through for your upcoming project. Beside you, Theo seemed to feel the same exhaustion, groaning as his forehead dropped onto one of the thick volumes.

Grasping your quill, you gently brushed the feather by Theo’s ear to grasp his attention. Still faceplanted in a book, the tired boy simply turned his head towards you rather than sitting upright.

“I reckon we call it a night, yeah?” Theo’s curls shook as he nodded his head, eyes beginning to droop in exhaustion. “You’ve probably got to be up early for the game tomorrow too.” Your Potions partner glared at you for the reminder before finally sitting up.

You began to tidy up the sprawled-out texts before Theo broke the quiet resting over the library. “You going?”

Turning to look at him, you paused, “Going to what?”

Theo laughed softly, “The game, Y/n.”

“Oh.” You grinned sheepishly, “I don’t know. Hadn’t decided yet.”

Theo hummed at your response. Moving sluggishly, he began to help you pack up.

“Well…you should go. It’s supposed to be a good one.” You met Theo’s eyes that were already peering into yours.  

“You want me to go, huh? To show off or something?”

Theo laughed at you, gently flicking one of your hands reaching for a stray quill. “Or something.”

You smiled, “Well, if you want me there, I’m there.”

Having finished packing up, Theo stood in front of you and mirrored your grin. “Well, I do…want you there, that is.”

Walking out of the library together, you gently bumped the taller boy’s shoulder. “Then, I’m there.”

taglist: @melllinaa, @randomgurl2326, @lovelyygirl8, @abaker74, @mypolicemanharryyy, @vanevafu, @laceandsuch, @agent-tempest, @themarauderswife7, @adoraspace, @spencerreidsthings, @crimsntwlip, @readingthingsonhere, @sbrn0905, @violet2022, @aemiliazzz, & @hoeforvinniehackerrr

[vanfleeter]

Bound For Earth: Chapter 1

Summary: After being born and living on Mars for twenty-seven years, Jake longs to be normal and live on Earth; but adapting to a different atmosphere, there poses risks to being on Earth. Jake sneaks on board the next cruiser heading to Earth to try to live out what he's always dreamed of doing, when he meets a young woman who helps him live out his dreams and uncover a family secret. (A twist on The Space Between Us)

Characters: Jake Kiszka, Josh Kiszka

Warnings: 18+ || Language. Mentions of sex. Angst. (Warnings will be detailed as story unfolds)

A/N: Posting the first chapter to gauge some interest and if this will continue. Though this chapter is kind of small to start with, I do welcome feedback.

From the minute we were discovered, we were never normal humans. Our mother, Eliza Marks, was selected as the few astronauts to travel out into space to colonize and create a livable environment on Mars. She was smart for only being twenty three at that time. Explore Tech selected her at only eighteen to train at one of NASA’s facilities in Texas.

That’s where she met our father, Paul.

Dad.

We’ve never gotten to meet him in person. Not sure if we ever will.

When our mother was selected to pioneer this mission to Mars, no one had a clue that she was pregnant and neither did she until the team was two months into the mission, still traveling through space to get to the red planet. The pregnancy was a controversial topic when the information was leaked to the public. Board members back at the facility demanded that she come back to Earth but they all knew it would be dangerous, more dangerous than giving birth on a foreign planet under different conditions. Her pregnancy was labeled high risk. They monitored her every day as her pregnancy progressed.

And when the time came, she gave birth to my twin, whom they thought was the only one–until I came out next. They weren’t expecting twins. They ever saw one baby on the scans. Guess I’m just that good at hiding. Our mother survived the pregnancy and the birth but we were kept separate from her for the first couple months as they now monitored us.

My brother and I made history, so I guess that’s an achievement at only a few seconds old. We are the first human beings born on a different planet.

As we grew older, we learned fairly quickly that Mars was definitely different from Earth and therefore, we have a very low chance of ever surviving there. Gravity on Mars is lesser than the gravity on Earth. We were born in a lighter atmosphere. We may be human, having been created by two Earth born humans, but our bodies are different. Our bones grew differently due to the atmospheric pressure within the space station built on Mars and our organs are just the same. They fear that if we were ever to travel to Earth, that our bodies wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure. Our hearts are the risk factors, grown larger than the average human being.

So for twenty-seven years, we were raised on the Mars station, never having met our father who is still living on Earth. He has tried to join a mission to come to Mars and be with us, but he’s failed his tests each and every time so he’s had to stay behind. Or so that’s what we’ve been told. But that doesn’t stop him from communicating with us. He’s watched us grow up over video calls, so he hasn’t really missed a thing.

Our mother travels back and forth once a year. Except for one time when we were three years old, she hadn’t come back until we were six. For those three years, we communicated with her only the same way we had with our father. We never knew why she hadn’t come back in those years, and we still don’t.

I’ve had this nagging feeling inside of me that they have to be hiding something. Why would she not come back for three years? What happened on Earth that prevented her from coming back? That feeling started when we turned thirteen and grew curiouser about Earth and the family we never got to meet, but eventually we grew out of it by seventeen when we began to realize that no matter how many questions we ask, we won’t ever get the answers.

Over our lifetime spent on Mars, we still grew up as normal as possible. Of course we were “homeschooled” but aside from textbooks and online classes, we were taught hands-on lessons in technology, science, and agriculture. Within the station, the engineers built a garden, testing how plants could potentially grow using the soil on Mars. Though this soil is less likely to sustain plant growth, they are still determined to figure out a way for it to work.

Josh’s domain is all of agriculture. He loves to watch plants grow and produce new life. While my domain is electronics and technology.

I’ve illegally downloaded movies and music. I mean, what could they possibly do to someone on a different planet? I love music and I love watching videos of other people playing the guitar. No matter how many times I have asked, the Earth facility won’t send me one. They don't do much anyways. We live off of videos and soundwaves. So I live vicariously through people on Earth.

If I ever get the chance to go to Earth, the first thing I’m going to do is find a guitar. My fingers long to pluck the strings. Sometimes at night while I lay in bed, I’ll listen to guitar instrumentals and memorize how each note should sound. Josh thinks I’m weird whenever he catches me air playing notes with my fingers while I aimlessly work on coding classified documents.

Funny..

I’m granted access to knowing classified government documents, yet I’m still not allowed to know why our mother was gone for those three years.

“I thought you gave that up?” Josh asked me one day. “What kind of secret do you honestly think they’d be keeping from us?”

“I don’t know.. It’s just..odd.”

“Maybe she was sick..”

“For three years? Come on Josh..”

Looking out of my window as I do nearly every night, I stare out at the same old horizon of Mars, longing to just get off this planet. I spent my entire life here and I want to go somewhere new. I want to go to Earth. For no specific reason other than to experience Earth in person and not through a screen or a hologram.

Off in the distance is a bright light, burning against the darkness of space. It grows closer and closer and suddenly a voice comes over the intercom announcing the arrival of the shuttle making its descent to the station.

Mom.

Climbing down from the window, I leave my cabin and make my way through the cabins to loading docks. Josh catches up to me and we stop once we meet up with the group already awaiting the arrival of the onboarders. Being two of the shorter people at this station, we have to stand somewhat on our tiptoes to see over the heads of the other colleagues.

“Do you see her?” Josh asks as he struggles to see over the sea of heads.

“No, not yet. There’s so many of them this time.” I say. “Maybe she’s in the back of the group.”

As the group dissipates to start mingling with the current members, I finally spot Mom and a smile breaks out on my face. “Mom!” I shout out over the ongoing conversations. When she catches my eyes, she matches my smile and weaves through the small crowd until she’s standing in front of the two of us.

“My boys!” She exclaims. “Gosh I’ve missed you!” She envelopes us in a hug and kisses both of our foreheads. “Come, come. It’s nearly dinner time and I am starving.”

–

“Give me any and all updates from this past year,” Mom says as we sit down at the table with our trays of food. “Anything interesting happen while I was gone?”

“Josh took the ATV out again and flipped it.”

Josh swings his legs beneath the table, kicking my shin with the toe of his boot. “Shut up..”

Mom sighs, shaking her head. “Joshua, I thought we said you couldn’t drive that thing anymore?”

Josh huffs, rolling his eyes before shooting me a glare. “Mom, it was an accident.”

“Just like the last three times?” She inquires. “No more driving the ATV.”

“And you, Jacob? What were you up to while I was gone?” She now asks me.

I shrug my shoulders. “Same old, same old.” I say as I stab my fork into a green bean. “Coding, research, looking at stupid classified files.”

Mom lays her hand over top of mine and gives me a sympathetic smile. “I think it’s time you try something new.”

“Like what?” I say. “There isn’t anything for me to do. Josh is all over agriculture, and I have no green thumb.”

“That I can attest to,” Josh says as he chumps on a green bean. “I gave him a seed to grow. He got a bud and then it died after two weeks.”

I kicked him once more beneath the table and dropped my fork back down on the tray. “I’m not hungry..” I mutter as I stand from my spot at the table. Against my mother’s protests, I grab my tray and walk over to the trash bin along the wall and dump it in before leaving the common area and heading back to my cabin.

So what if I don’t have a green thumb? Does everyone have to have one?

I had only been lying on my bed for a little while before I heard a knock at the door. Sighing, I call out for the door open and glides effortlessly apart revealing my mother. A concerned look graces her face and I huff a breath before turning over.

“Jake, honey, what’s bothering you?” She asks as she sits at the edge of my bed.

“Nothing..”

“Jacob..” I feel her hand rest on my shoulder before she’s gently pushing down to me back over. “You may be a grown man, but you are still my baby boy..” She says. “I know when something’s bothering you, so talk to me. What is it?”

“It’s stupid,” I say. “Because I know as soon as I mention it, you’ll say ‘no’ like you have been my entire life.”

Her eyes close as she sighs. Here we go. “Jake, you know how dangerous it can be if you go down to Earth. Honey, your body won’t be able to handle it.”

“Don’t you realize how much it sucks to live up here?” I say as I sit up. “We have no real connections to other humans besides the same old colleagues of yours for the last twenty years. There’s never been any other kids up here our whole lives.”

“I know..”

“Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like had you been back on Earth instead when you had us.. We have family, Mom. Family that we’ve never met because we’re stuck up here. I want to be normal, I want to see something different other than the red barrenness of this damn planet.”

“If there was a way that we could help the two of you survive on Earth, we would do it–I would do it in a heartbeat. I want nothing more than to have my family together but there’s nothing I can do. If you go down there, you will die. Maybe not right away but after a while you will. The conditions will be much too great for your heart.”

“My heart is fine, Mom..”

“Maybe up here it is because your body grew in a way it needed to to adapt to the environment on this planet, but on Earth? Jake, the atmospheric pressure would be too hard on you. We can’t risk that.”

I huff and roll off the bed to stand to my feet. “I’m twenty-seven, almost twenty-eight, and I haven't even had sex yet.”

“I feel that would be a conversation with your father.”

“Oh Mom.. Don’t you get it? I want to be someone. I want to be a normal human with a normal life. I want to meet a beautiful woman a-and experience love, Mom. I want what you and Dad have. I want what’s in the movies. How can I experience that when I’m stuck on this planet with a bunch of old geezers?”

“Hey now, not all of us are old.”

“You know what I mean..” I lean against the wall and stare out the window from across the room. “I want to feel the sun on my skin. I want to swim in the ocean. I want to learn how to play the guitar. I want to fall in love, I want to have sex like a normal human being. I want those things but that can't happen when I’m here.”

“Jake, eventually we’ll be sending more people up here to grow the community. Maybe there’ll be a beautiful woman for you to fall in love with.”

“When will that ever happen though?” I scoff, shaking my head. “We’ve been told that over and over again for the last decade. ‘Oh we’re sending more people’, ‘Soon we’ll have a whole colony on Mars’. How soon is ‘soon’?”

“It’s getting closer, trust me.” Mom gets off the bed and walks over to me, gently placing her hand on my cheek. “I promise, everything will work out and you will get to experience love. I want that for my boys. You deserve it. But for now, just keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing wonderful things.” She gives me a kiss on my cheek before opening the cabin door and leaving.

______________________________________________________________

If you are not already on my general tag list and would like to be added, please let me know!! ♡ (apologies if your user is not highlighted, tumblr doesn't like to highlight all of them for some reason)

@watchingover-hypegirl @losfacedevil @ignite-my-fire @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @writingcold @jaketlove @mackalah @lexii-nv-c @em-gvf01 @katiegvf @joshkiszkaenthusiast @takenbythemadness @jakekiszkasmommy @objectsinspvce @gvfmarge @heckingfrick @bluemeadows77 @laneygvf @sacredmachine @gvfpal @killerqueengvf @jaketlover @jordinlkiszka @alwaysonthemend @hellowgoodbye @anythingforjtk @hi-hi-hello11 @anthemofgvf @gretasfallingsky @songbirds-sweet @wildbluesorbit @klarxtr @stardustsecret @sunandthemoontwinflames @everyglowinthetwilightknows @devilat-thedoor @sparrowofthedawnsworld @josh-iamyour-mama @dannys-dream @peaceloveunitygvf @dayumclarizzel @thetroublegetssoloud71 @jakebrainrot @gretavanfleetmichelle @hollyco @its-interesting-van-kleep @tinydancer40 @edgingthedarkness @i-love-gvf @thewritingbeforesunrise @katuschka @sammysstolenbirks @asendingtothestarsasone @fleetingjake @emojakekiszka @literal-dead-leaf @klarxtr @musicislove3389

[desafinado]

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ confessing to them...

i know i sound stupid, i do. that's what love will do to you...

°｡⋆ diluc, zhongli, kaveh x reader (separately)

°｡⋆ tiniest teaspoon of angst, mostly fluff, reader is mostly bad at feelings, ngl i got most flustered writing zhongli’s part

note: yes the title was inspired by a laufey song, i love her music sm. i’ve been listening to a lot of “yearning” music (bossa nova, jazz, etc.) while writing recently… and i think it’s been helpful? also… i wanna do this with more characters but idk who yet, pls send suggestions!!

(diluc, zhongli, kaveh,) | (alhaitham, kazuha, kaeya)

diluc ♡

you had been childhood friends, and had seen everything he had gone through. the good, the bad, the ugly, you were always there with open arms. it only made sense that he trusted you with his most complex secrets (feelings included).

over the years, you only stuck closer to one another. there were never any big gestures or dramatic moments between you both, you simply kept each other company through it all.

honestly, it already felt like you were already in a long term domestic relationship. you, especially, were always one to indulge him.

you don’t know why you acted that way towards him. why you’d disapprove of his nightly endeavours, but leave your window open when you knew he was out…

or why you’d send over a basket of his favourite biscuits when you hadn’t met up in a while.

it was a rainy day when you realised why. you were watching the rain drops smash onto the concrete, when you felt particularly cold.

you lit up the fireplace, made some hot cocoa, but something still felt sorely off.

that was when the darknight hero made his entrance, thankfully not too bruised and battered, but absolutely drenched from the rain.

“you’re here?” he could only nod slowly, looking like he could fall at any moment. once you realised this, you quickly ran up to support him.

once you led him to your couch, he fell into a deep sleep. you slightly struggled to put him into a comfortable position, before giving up and letting him embrace you.

though you had also gotten drenched in the cold wet rain, you felt a warmth creep onto your face, your hands, and your heart. it filled that gap from earlier, the warmth that you had been so desperately searching for.

that was when you realised why you act the way you act the way you do; however, now you had an even greater question.

were you more stupid for letting yourself fall in love or not realising it sooner?

you were way past the point of no return, and realising your feelings and what they meant only encouraged it further.

you couldn’t picture a life without him, days without nonsensical discussions he’d only ever have without you, seeing him stop by your apartment with a new batch of grape juice.

you were clinging onto the hope that it wouldn’t destroy the friendship that took a lifetime (thus far) to build.

“the air feels tense.”

he speaks plainly, his brows furrowed into a concerned look. he sets the bottle of grape juice onto your kitchen counter and slowly approaches your sitting form on the living room couch. he sits down next to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder, guiding your head to rest on his shoulder.

“is this about the wounds from last night? you very well know i’ve handled worse… or… have i angered?”

“no, diluc.”

his frown only grows more weary as you say his name. he loved hearing you say his name, of course, but you said it with such a tone of misery; as if you were begging him not to hurt you.

“then… could you please tell me? i don’t like seeing you like this.”

“then what? how would you like to see me?”

you almost snap at him, sitting back up and facing him fully. your words were laced with venom, and diluc was absolutely feeling the sting. his eyes widened, not having a clue as to why you were acting the way you did. seeing the shock in his face, your own expression softened. you weren’t fair to him at all.

“i’m sorry. i don’t know–”

“it’s fine, i’m sure you have your reasons, whether or not you’d like to talk about it.” he sighs, laying his hands onto his lap; trying to give you the space you need. he’s known you for all these years, of course he’s seen you get angry, as you have seen him in the same predicament.

“i want to talk about it.”

“then speak freely, i’ve never judged you.”

“i want you to judge.”

“so… you need advice?”

you nod slowly staring into his eyes, the next few words stuck in your throat. his eyes are far too sincere, and you have to close your own in order to get through it.

“what am i to do if i love you?”

a thick silence fills the air, there’s nothing but the sound of raindrops starting to drizzle outside. he thinks for a moment, before holding your hands in his. “is that so bad?”. he speaks a bit louder, hoping you open your eyes; your eyes stay shut, clenched harder even.

“it’s not bad… i just don’t know what to do. i don’t want to make the wrong move. i don’t want to lose you as a friend. i’m scared.” you let out a breath, the air feeling a bit less dense. you’ve made your peace and you could find solace in that, at the very least.

you suddenly feel a touch against your cheek, his hands rough, but his movements are oh so soft. you open your eyes in surprise to find him gazing longingly right back at you; the look he gave you was familiar, it was that same look of concern he’d give you when you were crying. this time, however, there was a sparkle to it. his face moved dangerously close to yours, lips faintly grazing one another.

“you’re not gonna lose me, love. i’m right here.”

zhongli ♡

a small little crush, that’s what you’ve always told yourself, but what kind of crush makes you so lovesick for almost a year and a half?

initially, you would just watch him from afar; i mean how could you not notice his handsome silhouette walking through the market.

later on, your stubborn (but well-intentioned) ginger friend decided to introduce you to each other. he hoped that introducing you would stop you from ogling at him, and maybe even become friends!

oh how wrong he was, because the more you found out about zhongli, the harder you fell.

sure, you were friendly now, but you’d never be able cease the wild blush that appears whenever he comes into your sights.

zhongli doesn’t think much of it though, in fact he finds it cute.

“you have a fever?” “n-no!” “is it a bit too hot then? i could fan you…” “yes, t-thank you…”

initially, you’d hangout with mutual friends. you think you’d faint if you’d have to spend an afternoon alone with him, but eventually you do (and you don’t faint).

friendly lunch dates turn into games of checkers at his house. you just let things escalate, letting him take the lead in your “friendship”.

he doesn’t take the trust you put in him for granted, and he holds your heart gently. if only he knew that even the smallest touch already lit your heart aflame.

everybody talks about his voice, yes, and your pupils would shape into hearts if they could, but what you love most about the way he talks is how much weight and feelings he hides behind his words. to see him talk about the world in such a beautiful way, he makes the human experience sound just a bit less painful than what it truly is.

eventually, he’ll tell you who he truly is. what he’s done, what he's experienced, and why he’s telling you. he trusts you now, and it’d feel unfair for him to keep such a big thing from you.

to be quite honest, it doesn’t change how you see him or how much you love him. it gives a perspective, sure, but you’re more happy that he trusts you in such a way.

your friendship only grows stronger after that, and you find yourself boldly lingering around him closer than you’d like to admit. making excuses to hangout alone, holding his hand a bit tighter as you walk through a crowd.

it’s too obvious now, and everybody knows it; you’re the only one he’s waiting for.

“childe told me a silly piece of information the other day.”

you’re fixing up two cups of osmanthus wine, as zhongli sits on the other side of the kitchen island. you’re too focused on getting the perfect amount into the cups that you don’t even register what he’s saying, only giving a small hum of approval.

“you had a crush on me before we had even met?”

you almost drop the bottle in shock, eyes wide and lips almost quivering. you’d get back at childe for this, but right now you were in flight mode. you set the bottle down and take a deep breath.

“m-maybe? um… why bring it up?”

he laughs softly at your reaction, flushed cheeks and bewildered eyes. he gets up from his seat and meets you behind the kitchen island. “just curious, the notion of such intrigues me.” he stands behind you and wraps his arms around you, taking the bottle of osmanthus wine and pouring the remaining into the two cups you’ve prepared.

“so, will you entertain my curiosity?”

his voice sends a chill down your spine, more so because of the position you’re both in. you’d melt into the floor right now if you could, but the confidence you’d recently gained was still standing strong.

“yes. i did.”

you sigh in defeat, turning around to look up at him. “i very much did…”

this time, he hums in approval as his puts down the bottle and his arms move up to hug your waist; while hugging him wasn’t anything too outrageous or new, this hug felt a lot more different.

“i see, would you give me a sip of the wine, dear?”

you nod almost too quickly, his chin lying on your shoulder. you bring the cup to his lips and let him have his drink. after a moment, he stops and you take it as a sign to softly pull the cup away and back onto the wooden surface. he lets go of you and steps back, giving you some space.

there’s a tinge of disappointment as he pulls away, and you turn around to face him.

“thank you. i must admit, i found you pretty cute as well. even now, with your flushed face… and you haven’t even had a sip.” his breath hitches, picking his next words very carefully. he doesn’t want to make you too uncomfortable, but now truly would be the best time. once he’s found them, his lips curves into a modest smirk.

“i wonder if your feelings for me have persisted all this time?”

you hang your head in defeat, avoiding to look at his form altogether. his smirk quickly turns into a reassuring smile; again, he moves one step closer to you, deciding to put an end to this game.

“y-yes, t-they have…”

he’s gentle in guiding your chin up to look at him. you’re forced to stare deep into his amber eyes, and you surely wouldn’t mind under any other circumstance.

“you love me, still?”

“yes… it’s only ever grown.”

“as did mine.”

“a-as did yours? what ar–”

he silences you with a gentle kiss, one you did not even realise was happening until he pulled away. your heartbeat was driving off into the sunset as he stroked your cheek.

“i suppose i did not make myself clear. i love you too, dear.” his lips meet yours again, much more desperately, affirming him as yours.

kaveh ♡

you wondered how kaveh, a man so uniquely brilliant and acclaimed in the field of architecture, would often spend nights asleep on your sofa.

you blame your older brother, alhaitham, for annoying kaveh to such a point, but you’re not really complaining either. you had grown so fond of his presence that you’ve gifted him with an extra key.

something about the way he carries himself, it charms you to no end. you also share a lot of interests, anyways, so you might find yourselves talking and/or drinking until the sun rises.

he’ll also work on some drawings, and you’ll just watch in awe of his process.

whenever he stays over, he makes an effort to bring some takeout, flowers, or some scented candles.

he insists you take it as thanks for putting up with him, and you do so humbly. if they’re some food, you definitely insist he eat some with you.

“ah, but this is for you! you can’t just—” “yes i can, since it’s mine… can i not choose to share it with you?”

you’re both quite stubborn when it comes to being polite, actually. he tries to cook you dinner, but you go one step further and buy some dessert. you try to offer him some of your pillows as well as a blanket, but he just teases you, saying he might as well sleep in your bed.

honestly, after all the time you’ve spent with him, you wouldn’t be opposed to that.

you wouldn’t mind hearing his soft snores in the morning, his arms around you as you both are too lazy to get out of bed.

you really shouldn’t be having such thoughts about him, especially when he’s so “well” acquainted with your brother.

but the other voices in your head do remind you of your autonomy.

you actually get a little bit disappointed when they seem to be getting alone, because that means less time between you and kaveh; moreso when kaveh has to go and travel for business reasons.

those times when he’s gone are when you realise just how head over heels you are for him. it seems like some of his romantic-ness rubbed right onto you; it's just that he wasn’t here to see it.

after he hadn’t visited you, let alone seen you, for a month, you came to a sickening reminder that he only meant to stay over when he needed a break from alhaitham. when he needed respite from the general chaos surrounding him.

your home was not his, he was only ever a guest who you’d let in time and time again.

your apartment was silent, no creaking of wood floorboards, no ringing of the oven timer; you left that way and expected it to be so when you returned. the blonde man setting up your dinner table, however, subverted those expectations.

“kaveh?”

he looks up from his work to see you at the door. his face lights up as approaches you, closing the door behind and guiding you to the table. you’re not completely sure what to feel as he pulls out a chair for you, and you sit down. it’s quite surreal being welcomed into your home by someone you were sure had forgotten about you.

“i’m so terribly sorry i haven’t stopped by in a while.”

you sharply inhale at the sound of his words. you were genuinely just baffled, you didn’t understand what had been going on. he takes your silence as a sign to continue.

“i’ve just been really stressed. they had laughed off all my previous proposals, they were pushing a deadline on me. i couldn’t even get a wink of sleep, it was just so…”

he lets out a long sigh, closing his eyes. you continue watching his movements closely, trying to decipher what exactly he was up to. he pauses for a second more, opening his eyes with a sudden brightness.

“but! it’s over now, so i’m all yours.”

he smiles at you cheerfully, awaiting a response, but your lips are still pressed. it looks as though there’s lingering fire in your eyes, and it almost makes him want to turn away. the keyword being almost.

“you… you don’t owe me anything, kaveh. it’s fine.”

you stand up, a plan to go into your bedroom and just cry into your pillow already swirling in your head, but before you can walk away, kaveh grabs your wrist.

“wait. are you that mad at me? i understand if you need some time, but—”

“i’m not mad at you, kaveh. i told you it’s fine”

“if it’s all fine, why are your eyes red?”

you blink, noticing the way your hand was shaking against his grip, the tears slowly threatening to spill. you finally give in and circle you arms around his neck, your face buried into his chest. he was more than happy to accommodate you and give you the comfort you needed. he brought you both to the sofa, he sat with you still in his arms, falling softly onto his lap.

“i’m… mad at myself.”

your voice is muffled against his chest, but just enough for him to hear. tears threaten to spill from his own eyes as paint flutters through his chest, having to see you like this.

“darling, why? be mad at me, please. i’m the one who deserves it.”

“n-no. i’m the one who fell in love with you, expecting you to come back, feeling like you owe me your time.” you only cry harder at your own agonising admissions. “don’t pity my love for you, just… leave me to live with it.”

“w-wait a minute, i thought you knew i loved you too.”

you pull away, looking up at him. his eyes are glassy as he stutters to get his words out.

“you loved me?”

“i do, i-i still do! t-that’s why i felt guilty. if i had known, i would’ve shown you better.”

“then please… show me, right now.”

you press your lips against his, your breath starting to even out. he graciously kisses you back, matching your pace. you both just stay like that, content to finally be at home.

requests are open!! please do not reposts on other sites.

also, small commercial, but im holding a 50 followers celebration event if any of you guys want to join ^^

[bananaactivity]

I finally finished good old Harry Hook, Now he’s Harry Killian Hook after his dad.

The reason I designed his father first was mostly so I could make them look similar. I suppose I still could have done that with Harry first but shut up I do what I want.

You’ll take notice that Harry looks WILDLY different from his usual self. His nose is slightly hooked and he has curly hair with an eyebrow slit like his father. He also has his dads random ass moles sunken eyes with long lower lashes and a little stubble. He has cuts on his face from training crocodiles. There are some way worse ones when he’s shirtless (he loves it tho, mans is a glutton for pain and suffering even his own💀🙏) I’m gonna withhold what he trained them for at this point in time💀💀💀. I also wanted him to look a little less goofy, he’s a pretty destructive dude and OG Harry is too Camp for me to see his exact likeness doing all I plan for him to do.

He and his dad look very similar which adds another reasoning for people fearing him. His fit is also very different from his usual punk leather, capri pants for some reason??? And absolutely disgusting white hoody shirt thing with fingerless leather hand things.

This is because Carlos refuses to style him any other way 💀. As a part of my au Carlos is now a fashion designer like his mother. His mother used to style Killian before he left for Neverland and in this Au Carlos loves and is obsessed with his mom 💀. So from a young age he’s always told Harry he’d be his stylist in the future when Harry was in power. Harry pays Carlos well and they are actually friends. ( Mal hates how close they are because she believes Harry could use Carlos to take over her turf, and Jay is jealous because Harry is HIS arch enemy or something, he doesn’t know what his problem is)

This Harry is a really rough person to handle, there are a lot of gangs on the isle but there is a separation. The sea gangs and the land gangs rarely get into it and mostly scuffle within each other. Mal and the rest of the core four rule over the most expansive land gang and Harry takes over his father’s old turf and expands it rather quickly. His dad’s gig was illegally giving transport to Auradonians who want a night of fun on the isle, it’s very profitable. He actually mirrors his father a lot, Killian would take down entire ships all alone so that his crew would know that mutiny would lead to so much destruction that there would barely be a crew to lead. Harry follows suit but received so much letal training from so many different people ,as his dad let him come on every trip he took to pick up his “imports”, that he’s much deadlier then his father.

Mal in my au is more like the dark fae/ Demi god that she was implied to be and is therefore heavily reliant on her powers. Harry scares her a little as she can’t understand how someone seemingly so powerless could strike so much fear. Carlos tries to tell her that Harry doesn’t gaf about physical land and his passion is the vast expanse of the sea but she becomes paranoid and shit happens 💀💀💀. Here’s a little scene of that real quick:

Carlos was exasperated. Harry was particularly interested in leathers and tight pants now and it was just awful. The poor dear had no clue it made him look like a disfigured hooligan. Not that Carlos was adverse to furs of course, Harry had given him so many exotic samples over the years… BUT GOD DAMMIT. The way Hook intertwined the two styles made him want to chuck up his lunch. He headed towards his room hoping to settle into a peaceful use of the remainder of the night, testing out some of the fabric and fur samples the Captain had gifted him. Mal made it quite clear it wouldn’t be so easy for him. “We need to talk Carlos.” He knew of only one topic that made her face contort that way. Better to feign ignorance, Mal didn’t like for him to be more clever than her typically . “ What of Darling… and do make it snappy, I’m so dead tired… I’ve been with my dearest client all day. Bless his heart he’s just so very awful with dressing him self the poor dear.” With a huff of her nose she began her rambling. “ About that, “dear client” of yours Carlos, Harry?. You need to stop seeing him.” “ HA!” Carlos couldn’t believe she was back on this tryst of hers with full force so soon, normally she would back off this hard for at least a month or two. “ Surley darling you must mean another dear client! Why Mal I almost believed you meant HARRY HOOK. My closest and most oldest clientele, my dear friend, my most generous patron! No, No darling you just can’t mean Captain Harry Hook, it’d almost sound as tho you meant to take away my most profitable source of revenue and resources~.” Mal was shifting on her feet, sometimes Carlos longed for others to see how vulnerable this king pin was, how nervous and unsure… but then he’d have no where to go and he refused to travel the seas with Harry on the daily day to day. He was much too expensive to upkeep and he wasn’t sure if Harry could stop his crew from murdering him eventually. “ You rely too much on hi-“ “RELY” Carlos scoffed, “ I said Harry was my MOST profitable, NOT my ONLY, anyone would be a fool to drop him as a client.” Mal was glowing with her “anger” now it wasn’t very frightening anymore. “ HES USING YOU TO GET TO ME AND ALL IVE WORKED FOR. Don’t you remember Jake? IZZY?? CHUBBS???? He’s cold and heartless. He’ll take over my turf… and then the whole Isle of the Lost! He’s a danger to our existence and YOU are always consorting with him!! Has he brainwashed you!! What have you told him about us?! HE COULD DESTROY US AT ANY MOMENT!!!” Carlos was exhausted, Mal was falling further into the pit of anxiety that comes with power. Harry avoided that pit rather admirably in Carlos’s eyes. He was so sure of what he wanted as far as power goes and Carlos just PRAYED that Mal would understand that. “ Mal… Harry is a PIRATE he doesn’t care about you beyond you leaving the Shrimp alone and never invading him. Something I disadvise HEAVILY for you to do. He WILL wipe you out if you don’t get ahold of yourself and THINK critically for once!” He breathed out once to calm himself before continuing. “ Mal- Darling, you’ve had me run the analytics of many a situation… I have personal experience with Harry and his behaviors and desires. He is a… very calculating pirate. The Sand Weaver incident occurred at a very strenuous time in Hooks life, he was VERY intentional during that time. All that he wanted ,truly, was planned for over those four years. Harry loves the sea, if he wanted to he would have infiltrated Villanend back then. He didn’t.” He could see the cracks in Mals resolve. It was looking as though he could get to those fabrics after all. “ I don’t like that he has such easy access to a member of my crew- my family…” This development was new to the norm of these conversations with Mal “Darling, I’m all he has left. Ive always wanted to style and now we’re both fulfilling what we wanted as children. Hook is no threat unless you MAKE him one.”-

END ( I’m running outta time lemme know what you think)

[bagofburntcreampuffs]

ʀʜʏᴛʜᴍ ɪɴ ᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛꜱ

realization in a dressing room★

« previous · masterpost · performance »

➼ now playing...must be love

To break the silence you try to start a light conversation with Vil, but his lips form a line. You weren't sure whether he was trying to concentrate or he was tired of you yapping. So, you instead opted for just staying silent until he talked to you first. This was the first in a while, talking to Vil. 

Azul made you run errands for him, even with your clumsiness he found some use of you. Sometimes these errands led you to talk to dorm heads, such as Vil. But, even with those small encounters, it’s still so awkward that it makes you want to scream in your head. The silence was itching at every part of your fiber.

“I’ve noticed something about you.” Vil’s voice cuts the thick air.

You tilt your head at him. Was there something different about you? “What do you mean?”

Vil tilts your head back to look straight so he can continue to do your makeup.

“When you used to run errands for Azul earlier in the year, you were so scared. You tripped over nothing and you had no confidence,” Vil’s words shot arrows into your chest, “But recently it seems you found something that has your confidence shot upwards.”

Vil’s eyes always seem to bore into your soul. You knew that since orientation he observed things. He saw everything, and all the other dorm leaders were similar in their perception skills. Vil didn’t just observe who would be a problem for him, he also saw the potential hidden deep inside a person. It was terrifying to be viewed by Azul who had almost a similar eye, but Vil was even scarier. He saw something in you that you still couldn’t see in yourself.

“I did find something.” You smiled at Vil. You think of all the friends you made, Yuu and the other freshmen. You think of your band and how lucky you are to work with them. You think of Azul, Jade, and Floyd. Your family. 

“Also, you seem to have gone closer to Jamil.” Vil smiled at you, but it wasn’t sweet. It was almost teasing.

Huh? WHAT?

“What do you mean?” Your face is flushed and you’re hoping the foundation was thick enough to not show your reddening face.

“I mean, he just seems to like your presence. And you share the same sentiment about his presence as well.”

“Why wouldn’t I like his presence? He’s just great, like more than great. He’s nice, walks me to class sometimes, and back home after practice. He’s thoughtful and overall a charming person.” You start to rant, very flustered.

“So you like him?” 

It’s so silent that Vil was worried you passed out from the realization. But instead, your jaw drops and you turn slowly to face Vil.

“Is that what this is.?” Your voice is barely above a whisper.

“It seems so, but don’t-” Vil is cut off by the door slamming open.

“AHAH. I KNEW IT.” Cater points at you with a wide smile and both you and Vil just watch in shock. Cater slams the door shut and walks towards you with the biggest grin. He’s shaking you back and forth, but you slowly lose a bit of your soul after each shake. Vil could see it fly out.

“Okay, I think y/n gets it. And stop shaking them I just finished their makeup!”

“Sorry!”

“I think I’m going to throw up,” You say as you slowly gather yourself from being shaken around and getting a slap of realization.

“It’s not a bad thing n/n! Having a little crush on Jamil Lilia and Kalim caught on too. You guys are so cute!”

You swear your soul almost went up a second time. Lilia and Kalim knew too? Before you did? You start to shake in your seat, this is so embarrassing. 

“You okay n/n? You seem nervous.”

Vil sighs and shakes his head as he reaches for a glass of water, he hands it to you and watches you down the whole thing in one gulp.

“Is it that obvious? I mean even I didn’t know.” 

Cater starts to sweat, I mean it was obvious to your small group. He’s sure Jamil doesn’t even realize either, he can be dense too. He’s also sure that your group has no clue, considering they don’t see Jamil with you often. Vil probably only noticed because he’s been with your group for the past week helping out. So, he can confidently say, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure no one else has noticed besides us!”

“Y/n.”

You look up at Vil, your eyes are filled with fear and awkwardness. Maybe, he shouldn’t have mentioned your little crush. All the confidence he saw you carry just vanished, he’s a little upset that all it took to break your newfound spirit. But he does realize it may have been his fault considering it’s your first big performance to make you nervous like this. So, he’ll take responsibility. Just this once.

“You’ll be fine. Take things one step at a time, overcome your first performance, and then deal with this crush of yours afterward. Focus on the priorities, because if you stress too much everything around you will shatter. So take a deep breath, think one at a time, and then do your best.”

“Right. Thank you, Vil.” You smile up at him, feeling much better.

Vil sends you off to tell Lilia it’s his turn, and you sit in the comfy chair next to Kalim. He’s trying to teach you a game on his phone, his legs are on top of yours. The pressure from Kalim’s legs reminds you of the water pressure in the sea, although it isn’t nearly the same it is enough to give you comfort.

30 minutes later, Lilia and Cater walk in. You are all playing around and wasting time to lower your nerves. Your phone pings from across the room with 10 minutes left till you perform. Yet, you couldn’t hear it as Cater rushes everyone out to get ready backstage. 

Taglist: @ars-tral @bookworm666 @cecil-garlicbread @mysme-stuff @doughnuts-eater @kirexa @s7-evermore @jub1l1fe-c1ty  

[natashaslesbian]

Christmas Lies

Summary: your school friend tells you a devastating secret

Word Count: 1.1k

Parings: (Mom!Natasha x Daughter!Reader) (PeterParker x Reader)

Warnings: none :))

————

The snow hadn’t quite settled on the grass yet, but a faint white blanket still laid atop the field carrying your favourite playground. Everyday on the way home from school you would beg your mom to take you, just for five minuets. This was Natasha’s next clue that something was wrong. The city had long ago passed and the car was now scraping along the icy cobbled road up to the Avengers compound. After mothering you as mothers do about your coat, even for a 20 second walk, you had finally made it home. Peter, in record time, had also just made it back and was preparing you your afterschool snack. “Hey little spider” he called “look what I’ve got, chocolate pop tarts with extra sprinkles” if not only for the pop tarts, you would usually be ecstatic to see Peter. He was your favourite person, after mama of course. “y/n?” Natasha said “what do you say?” You looked between both avengers, a silent conversation took place “I think someone’s a little tired” your mommy said “well we can’t have a tired y/n now can we, why don’t you go take a nap with mr webs and I’ll save your pop tarts for later?” Peter said. You nodded and reached for him, asking spider man to take you for your nap. It was no surprise to Nat, she knew how much you loved him, and she trusted that Peter would take care of you. “Have a good nap sweetheart” the red head said as Peter lent over with you in his hold, allowing Natasha to peck your cheek “I’ll come and wake you up soon ok”

You didn’t take a nap. Once Peter left you pulled back the duvet and headed to your small desk, pulling gently on the bottom draw. Silently you pulled out a small stack of letters, each one addressed to Santa. The tears started to fall once more as you returned to your plush bed. Downstairs, Natasha was confiding in her best friend. “Something’s wrong with her I know it, ever since she came out of school today I could tell something was off” the assassin said “you just have to ask her Nat” Clint said as he passed over a steaming cup of coffee “she might just have been tired” he said “I know” Natasha continued “but after last time” “this isn’t like last time” the agent cut in “it wasn’t your fault she got sick” the pair sunk into the couch “I should’ve seen the signs, what if something is really wrong again” Clint retook the coffee before Nat even had the chance to sip the hot liquid “go check on your girl” he said.

“Y/n?” Your mom quietly said as she opened your bedroom door “are you awake?” You rolled to face your pink walls, you didn’t want to see her right now. A small crumble under her foot caused Natasha to look down. She saw the remains of scattered letters across the floor “y/n? What are these?” The redhead said as she crouched down to pick a piece up “baby are these your letters to Santa? Why are they all ripped up?” your mama took her uninvited seat on your bed, the wet patch next to your face causing a crack in her heart “y/n, can you look at mommy please?” She begged. You pulled the duvet up above your head, causing Natasha to try a different tactic “ohh y/n” she cooed “I think the… tickle monster is here!” She went straight for your tummy, your weak spot, the spot that would usually have you laughing hysterically. But not today. “Mama stop it” you said beneath the covers “it’s the tickle monster y/n oh no!” Her playful voice had you itching to climb into her arms “No mama! You lie to me!” You yelled as you reappeared with a giant frown, Natasha froze “what do you mean baby?” She asked “you lied to me” you said as you began to cry again “you told me Santa was real but he’s not” you howled. The widow wasn’t prepared for this conversation yet, she thought she still had a few more years to play pretend “who- who told you that?” You wiped your runny nose “Tommy. At school” you said “why did you lie mommy?” You completely broke down and Natasha scooped you into her arms with no hesitation, and with no push back from you.

“I’m sorry I lied to you y/n” your mama said “it was wrong of me and mommy shouldn’t have done it” you grizzled quietly in her arms “I forgive you mama” you whimpered “thank you darling, but hey you listen to me” Natasha said as she shifted you to meet her gaze “just because Santa isn’t real doesn’t mean you can’t believe in him, and it doesn’t mean the magic isn’t real” her soft fingered wiped your tears “the magic is real?” You said “of course it is!” Your mommy beamed “it’s in the snow and the presents and the food, it’s in the music and the lights, and most of all it’s in here” Nat said as she laid her hand across your chest. “I just wanted you to feel it too” you moved your head towards your moms chest and listened to her heartbeat “I feel it mama” you said “you know when I was little, I didn’t have any of the magic, but for a few years I had Santa” Natasha said as she swaddled you up “I waited up for him every Christmas. After the 5th time, I gave up. I stopped believing. I shouldn’t have lied baby girl, but I just wanted you to have the magic that I never did” you returned the favour and wiped one of mamas fallen tears “mommy don’t cry” you said “I believe in the magic” Natasha smiled again “good” she said “because I promise you, there is magic in Christmas”

A little while passed before Natasha spoke again “if you want to sweetheart, we can still believe in Santa, we can be Santa” your little eyes lit up “we can?” Your mama nodded “can Fanny be our Rudolph?” You asked “I’m sure if you ask auntie Yelena she’ll say yes!” You giggled “and we can get everyone stockings and fill them up on Christmas Eve after everyone has gone to sleep!” You beamed “that sounds amazing darling” Natasha said “I guess we’ll even have to eat the cookies won’t we” she whispered, sending you into a fit of laughter. The two of you stayed wrapped up in your room for the rest of the night, and it was safe to say you couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve, you couldn’t wait to bring santas magic to life.

————

[issdisgrace]

Short clone wars era fic idea:

Ftm passes out bc he wore his binder during battle. Anakin, not knowing what happened, panics and takes Y/n to Obi-Wan bc he always knows what to do. Obi-Wan uses his lightsaber to cut his shirt and binder to breathe.

Obi-wan, holding y/n's head in his lap: are you okey, darling?

Y/N: yeah, now that I can breathe and see you ;)

Anakin in the corner of the tent: WHAT THE FU-

UNCONSCIOUS​

WARNINGS: Unsafe binding practices, nothing more else to warn about​

A/N: Hope you like it :)​

The war was raging on and it looked like there was no stop or pause insight. There was no time for break and I made the unfortunate mistake of putting on my binder to help ease my dysphoria, but before I had time to take it off, I was whisked off to battle. I know I would pay for my mistake, but I swore an oath to protect my planet from evil and I was going to protect them from it even if it meant my death. Speaking of death, I felt like, but I still pushed on. It was

13:00, and I started feeling worse. I knew something was wrong, so I started to retreat, but before I could get back across to my territory, my head started pounding and the outside of my vision was going black. Then everything went black.

I was fighting alongside my old friend Y/n when I notice them to start retreat from enemy territory. I kept fighting, but kept an eye on them. They seemed off the last day and I was worried. As I finished off my enemy, I notice Y/n collapsed in the grass. Running over to them, I try to get their attention but there was no response. I get over to them and realise he’s unconscious. I quickly pick him up and retreat as I retreat, not knowing who to take him to. I take him to Obi Wan. He always knows what to do, and he had plenty good at treating ailment and wounds. I made it back to camp and went straight to Obi’s tent. Thank god he was in there. 

“Obi, help.” 

“What happened?” He asks, taking in everything. 

“I don’t know. We were fighting, and I saw him retreat and next thing I know, he’s unconscious in the grass.” I say as I place Y/n down on the cot. I move out of the way and let Obi examine him.

“It doesn’t like he has any wounds.” I nod and continue watching him. He life Y/n shirt and I see a cropped black top of sort.

“Theirs the problem, god y/n how could you be so stupid?” 

“Whats going on?”

“Anakin, give me your knife.” I take my knife from the sheath and hand it to him. He cuts his shirt and the top underneath it.

“Anakin, I need you to get a new shirt for y/n. I got it from here.”

“Ok.” I say before quickly taking my leave.

I pick up Y/n’s head and laying his head in my lap. I can’t believe he wore his binder during battle. We talked about this. We both knew it was dangerous. I don’t know why he would wear it when he knew it was dangerous. I sigh and run my hands through his hair. I sit with his head in my lap, thinking for a couple of minutes before I say,

“Y/n, what am i gonna do with you?” Not expecting a response. 

“Beat my ass.”

“Oh thank god, you’re awake. Are you okay? How do you feel?”

“I feel better now that I can breathe and see your handsome face?” 

“What the fuck?” We look up to see Anakin holding the shirt he was sent to get in his hand. 

“Since when have you guys been a thing?” He asks, not waiting for us to react to his previous comment.

“For a while.” I say.

“Why wasn’t I told?”

“We thought you knew.” Y/n days.

“No, I didn’t. I didn’t have a clue,” “

“Now you know, Ani.” I say.  

“I’ve been wanting you guys to get together for years.”

Y/n laughs at his comment, but quickly stops and groans in pain.

“That hurts.”

“Thats what you get for wearing your binder during a battle.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know don’t need to remind me off my bad decisions.”

“Ooh, so that’s what that was.”

“Also guess you know that now, too.” Y/n says.

“Yeah, I do. But I assure you have no problem with either things. Also, here’s a new shirt.”

“Glad to hear.” Y/n replies. I let out a quiet hum as I listen to the exchange.

“I think Y/n needs to get some more rest and I’m sure you need to rest too, so why don’t you head back to your tent for a bit before heading back out?”

“I’ll get going. I could use the rest. Alright, bye Obi, bye Y/n. See you guys later.”

[maddogofshimano]

The Tiger’s Repayment of a Favor: Saejima Boss Rush

Spoilers for Y4

Hell yes a new Saejima event! I’m always so excited for these, even if things are almost always going VERY poorly for Saejima in one way or another. He’s just a trouble magnet

Given the glut of resources I’ve accumulated over the years I blew nearly all of them on this event so that I could finally have a top 500 placement and get a fancy title plate 😎😎😎

Anyways, on to the event!

Summary: Shortly after the events of Y4, Saejima gets lost and is helped out by a kind stranger. When he finds that same stranger in trouble, he will go to any lengths to return the favor.

[On a certain day in 2010] [Almost immediately after Saejima Taiga, on the recommendation of Kiryu Kazuma and Majima Goro, launched the Tojo Clan Direct Line Saejima Family...] [Saejima was visiting the grave of his sister, Saejima Yasuko, and arrived in a town outside of Kamurocho.]

Saejima: ...Shit. I ended up gettin' lost. I ain't got a clue about places like this...

Saejima: I figured I'd stop by that restaurant Majima was talkin' up... Saejima: ...Oh. Now that I think about it, I got that smartphone Majima gave me. Is there a way to see a map on it?

<phone beeps> Saejima: Now where... is the map... supposed to be on this thing? This it? <phone beeps> Saejima: Nope, it ain't here. Is this it? No... maybe this? <phone beeps multiple times> Saejima: Oh, looks like this is it. Then, to search for a store... ya do this? Nah... is it this one? <phone beeps even more times, followed by thuds(?)> Saejima: Woah! The screen ain't workin' all the sudden!? I-Is it broken!!??

Glasses Wearing Man: Ladidadida~  ...Hm? Is something the matter?

Saejima: Ah, nah, I just went 'n' busted this smart phone... Man: Busted? ...Ah, it's actually just frozen. I could fix it for you if you'd like? Saejima: ...Is that alright? Man: Sure. I'm in a good mood because my work is going well, you know? Well, I suppose I don't actually do that much. Man: Hmm, just force-close the app... Huzzah, you're all good to go! Saejima: Oh! Ya really did it! Ya made it work! Saejima: I'm in your debt! What's your name?

Man: Oh no, I didn't do anything worth remembering my name for! See ya! Ladida~ 🎵 (tl note: I have no idea if this is less of a bizarre thing to say in Japan) <he leaves> Saejima: ...Heh, I had no clue how that was gonna go. Well then, let's check out that restaurant Majima mentioned... <Saejima finally gets his meal in Definitely Not Kamurocho> Saejima: Whew~! That was good food! Wouldn't expect anythin' less from a place my kyoudai recommended.

Saejima: Now then... I oughta get headin' home. ...Hm? Chinpira: Raaah!!!!

<the punk punches the man> Man: Guh... <he drops to the floor> Beefy Yakuza: ......

Chinpira: Oi! Don't fall over already Kosakai! We're not done here... (tl note: the name is 小酒井 with other readings being Osakai and Kozakai. Kosakai seems the most common) Saejima: Stop.

Chinpira: Ah, who the fuck are you? Saejima: I got no clue what this is about, but if ya wanna take it any further you'll be facin' me. Kosakai: U-.... Ughh... Y-You're... Saejima: It's alright. Stay back. Chinpira: ...So you're protecting that thief? Saejima: ...Thief? Chinpira: Don't ya know? This here Kosakai's made a killing off of petty thefts and swindling. Chinpira: He got carried away though and swiped our aniki's wallet, so we gotta teach him a lesson. Saejima: The hell? Is that true? Kosakai: ............ Saejima: Sure looks like he's tellin' the truth. Saejima: Don't tell me that when ya said work was goin' good... ya meant ya pulled a scummy job like that? (tl note: extremely funny for Saejima to get offended about stealing wallets. you are a crime boss) Kosakai: ...Yes. Chinpira: Now you get that he's not worth sticking your neck out for, right? So hurry up and move. Saejima: ...Nope, ain't movin'. Kosakai: !? Chinpira: What was that? Saejima: I'll take the punishment in his place. Leave him be. Kosakai: Umm... What are you... Chinpira: This isn't a fucking joke!!!! <Saejima gets punched> Chinpira: ...How's that? Still feeling the same?

Saejima: ...I ain't gonna hit back, so you're free to hit me as much as ya like. Teach me a lesson to your heart's content. (tl note: holding my head and trying to cobble together a wording that is accurate but doesn't just read as totally obscene in a masochistic kind of way but Saejima is making this so difficult) Chinpira: Tch... Fine, have it your way!!!! <a whole lot of beating sounds> Chinpira: Haa... Haa...

Saejima: ...Haa ...Haa... Are ya... satisfied now...? Chinpira: There's still more! <another punch> Saejima: ....Gh! Chinpira: Haa... Haa.... Saejima: If you're determined to do this, ya gotta do more. This ain't gonna take me down.  Kosakai: Wh-Why are you letting yourself get this badly hurt... Kosakai: All because of one little chat on the street? Doing this for my sake... when you're a total stranger to me... why on earth... Saejima: Well, why did ya help me out earlier? Kosakai: Eh? With your smart phone, you mean...? That was... I mean, I was in a good mood and just sort of felt like it. Saejima: Y'see... I also "just sort of felt like it". Kosakai: M-Mister... Chinpira: Haa... Haa... You just sort of felt like it? Stop fucking around... I'm gonna kill you... Beefy Yakuza: ...Wait. Chinpira: Eh... a-aniki... Beefy Yakuza: ...You're a stand-up guy, aren't you? I like you.

Saejima: ...You the boss? Kasagi: Yeah, Kasagi's the name. The owner of the wallet Kosakai tried to make off with. (tl note: name is 笠木 which can also be Kasaki but I went with Kasagi so it was a little more different from Kosakai) Kasagi: But after witnessing your manly spirit, I'm willing to forgive him. Saejima: Really? Kasagi: Yep. But, I'd lose face if I just let ya go back home like this. Kasagi: You know a lot about fighting, don't you? I'm actually one of those kinds of guys... Seeing someone strong gets me aching. (tl note: jesus fucking christ this really is just a BDSM scene) Kasagi: What do you say, will you fight me? Saejima: A fight, huh? Kasagi: A one-on-one fight, and if you win I'll let him walk free. If I win, then you'll hand that guy over like a good boy.  Kasagi: ...So how about it? Saejima: ...I'll do it. Since it'll make ya feel better. (tl note: the verb here is 気がすむ which is "to be satisfied" or "to feel good" which. look I'm trying really hard here to not make this all sound like dialogue from a porno but they're not helping me out!!) Kasagi: Good. And sorry about the damage, I'm not very good at holding back. You'll have to forgive me. Saejima: Ya better not go easy. Now hurry up 'n' come at me...! Kasagi: Heh, I thought you'd say that. Let's go all out then!

<the event happened, and I got way too many points>

Kasagi: S-... Strong...

<he hits the floor> Chinpira: A-Aniki!?

Saejima: ...Whew... Well then, I'll be takin' this guy.

<they start to leave, Kasagi pulls himself off the ground> Kasagi: Guh... W... Wait a minute.... Saejima: What d'ya want now? Kasagi: ...Who are you? Don't tell me... you're yakuza too? Saejima: ...I'm simply someone who got in a fight with ya. Who I am's got nothin' to do with that. Kasagi: I'm not trying to start shit again. I just... want to know who you are. Saejima: ...Saejima Taiga. Of the Tojo Clan. Kasagi: Saejima Taiga... You mean from the Saejima Family...? Saejima: ...We're leavin'. Kosakai: Y-Yes sir. <they leave> Kasagi: ...No wonder I wasn't a match for him.

Kosakai: ...U-Um... Thank you very much. If there's anything I can do to repay you...

Saejima: I was just returnin' the favor. No need to repay me. Kosakai: No way! But that's... but you... you didn't just help me out there. Kosakai: Thanks to you, Saejima-san... I've decided to stop with the petty theft and swindling... Saejima: Huh? What d'ya mean? Kosakai: Having seen you trying to return a tiny favor with no thought as to the risk you were putting yourself in... I realized how pathetic I was, preying on the good intentions of others. Kosakai: So... I'm going to live a respectable life, so that I can become the kind of man you are, Saejima-san. Saejima: ...That's just swell. If that's what ya want, then go for it. Kosakai: Yes sir! So, I want to repay the favor of you teaching me that! Saejima: I see... But don't worry about payin' me back. I've got an awful lotta favors I never managed to return. Kosakai: Eh... but... Saejima: If you're really determined to repay it, then pass the kindness on to someone else. Saejima: ...Just like ya did for me, back then.

Kosakai: ........Gotcha. I understand. Saejima: Well then, see ya. <Saejima leaves> Kosakai: Thank you so much! Saejima: Favors, huh... I've got a debt to Boss Sasai... I really wonder if I can pay it back.

<EVENT END>

Bonus stuff!

we do get the fun bits of lore that Kiryu recommended Saejima for a patriarch position, Majima is the one who gave Saejima a phone between games, and Saejima considers Majima a trustworthy foodie. along with one more thing...

I think we might have to consider if having dudes wail on him is some sort of fetish for Saejima and he’s just not quite aware of it. how many times has he just let someone beat on him when he really did not need to. really shines a new light on that whole thing with Kugihara

so just a few weeks ago they added a new rarity to the game beyond KSR, we now have UR. please take a look at the stat disparity going on here. it’s hurting me

the banner for the event had UR Majima and UR Saejima, so obviously I blew all my diamonds on it. I ended up with............ 4 Majimas!!!! the odds were 50/50!!!!!!!

in other news this blog is getting real close to 1,000 followers(!!!!) so I will have to update my event list in preparation for another translation give away. look forward to it!

[blueshistorysims]

July 1923, London, England

Jack Porter’s birthday party was very large and very loud. People crammed every part of their house, from the first floor to the third, and it was amusing to watch as Wilhelmina and her husband scrambled around their house, trying to speak to all the people they invited. 

“Byron! You’re just standing there looking like a wallflower when I know you’re not,” Wilhelmina exclaimed, moseying her way over to him. 

“I’m just observing the crowd. He nodded his head toward the tall red-haired man. “I’ve not seen that man at any of the parties you’ve hosted or any I’ve attended recently. Who is he?”

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to introduce you, he and Jack were flatmates back before he made it as a poet, and he was still in medical school. They’ve been friends longer than I’ve known Jack. Dr. MacGregor has been traveling the world since his wife died, and he’s only recently returned to London. You two would get along greatly—you’re both arguers.”

Byron froze. “I’m sorry, did you say his name was MacGregor? Montgomery MacGregor? From Perthshire, Scotland? The Scottish communist Montgomery MacGregor?”

“You know him?”

He gulped, nodding slowly. “He… he was… he’s my late sister’s husband.”

Wilhelmina looked equally shocked. “...Edeline was your sister?”

“Yes. You knew her?”

“We were friends, my god, I had no idea you were related. I’m so sorry.”

“You weren’t at their wedding or her funeral.”

She frowned. “Jack couldn’t get leave, and Joel had just returned home when they were married.” She bit her lip. “And Jack was still getting over the flu when she passed.”

“I… I think I am going to speak to him.”

Byron swallowed as he made his way over to the bar. It had been over four years since he last saw Montgomery, not since his father’s and sister’s funeral. He was clean-shaven, his hair was shorter, his glasses different, and if Wilhelmina hadn’t pointed him out, he doubted he would have recognized him.

“You look very different without a mustache.”

He turned around, and his eyes widened behind his frames. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ! Byr—no, it would be yer grace now, wouldn’t it?”

“Don’t fucking call me that. My god, it is you.”

He set his drink down. “Jesus. Ho-how are ya? How do ya know the Porters?”

“Divorced. Wilhelmina’s late brother and I were roommates in boarding school, and… we were sweethearts for a summer when I was younger.”

“...Ya look well. Better than the last time I saw ya.”

Byron looked at his feet. “You as well. Where have you been? It’s been four fucking years.”

Montgomery shrugged, pushing up his glasses. “Everywhere.”

They spent hours talking (and drinking). Byron told him everything he’d done in the last four years, excluding his sexual escapades with men while Montgomery described the last four years of his life. He had traveled all over the world as a way to grieve. He’d been from everywhere from Tibet to the northernmost point of Alaska, which impressed Byron greatly. He’d helped organize the British Communist Party but had only recently left it after a spat with the general secretary and a trip to Russia, and how he’d become disillusioned with the political ideology he once held to heart, and its lack of choice and democracy.

“Democratic socialist I suppose I am now, but I dinna ken.”

He’d only returned to Britain from his travels a month ago, and had moved into an old house that had been converted into three townhouses, smaller than his old one. It was difficult to be in Edinburgh, so he’d returned to London, working as both a private physician and part-time instructor at a teaching hospital.

“I have an old whiskey me mother gave me when I turned 30. Never opened. Fancy it? Me place is only a block away, straight down the road.” His accent had grown nearly twice as thick.

Byron looked around at the dwindling party. “Sure, I’d rather not be a straggler.”

It was well decorated, which immediately gave a clue that Elspeth had been the one to do his house. He watched as Montgomery disappeared into the kitchen, and he sat on the sofa, staring at the photographs of his late sister, who stared right back. It was uncomfortable, though he couldn’t place why. 

It wasn’t until half the bottle was gone, and Byron and Montgomery were both properly drunk, when he glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was past one in the morning. 

“Oh fuck, it’s late.”

Montgomery blinked, slowly turning his toward the clock. “Aye, yer right.”

Slowly, Byron stood up, looking around for his overcoat. “Thank you for the whiskey. Do you think taxis operate this late?”

“Where are ya stayin’?”

“The Ritz.”

“Shite, that’s the other side of town. No taxi is available now.” He waved upstairs. “Take me bed, I dinna care. I can sleep on the sofa.”

“No, I can take the sofa, I don’t want to impose on your hospitality.”

“A duke on me fuckin’ sofa?”

“I’ve slept in worse places.”

The older man shook his head firmly. “I insist. Me bed feels like heaven.”

Byron shrugged, deciding he’d rather not argue with the Scotsman.

When Byron stepped inside the bedroom, a pang of sadness hit him. The way the room was decorated, shades of green and florals reminded him of Edeline, who adored green and decorated any space with it when she was able to. He wondered if Elspeth had done this for her brother on purpose. 

He sat on the bed, feeling the mattress sink. He felt awkward, and things around him had begun to blur. Byron looked up to Montgomery had gotten closer, to the point where their feet were almost touching. There was a glossy look in his eyes as they made eye contact and all of a sudden, the room grew very quiet. 

“Byron?” Montgomery whispered after minutes.

He licked his lips. “...You’re quite attractive, you know that?”

The Scot bent down and grabbed his face, and not much was said after their lips touched. 

[drewsbuzzcut]

Something For The Pain And Something So I Sleep

mat barzal x model!fem!reader

a visceral in doses blurb

warnings: slight angst, tito getting traded

You were barely finishing washing your face when you heard the rapid, loud knocks on your front door. You weren’t expecting anyone over and it was late at night, so you really had no clue who it could be. Quickly drying your face, you hurry to the door and when you open it, you’re surprised to see a distressed mat. He immediately walks in once the door is opened and starts pacing. His hands are buried in his hair, his face is flushed, and his bottom lip is tucked between his teeth. You see him shut his eyes tightly while his mouth keeps opening and closing, but before you could ask what was wrong, he was already ranting, “tito is leaving!”

You can tell that his breathing is heavy just by the way his chest is rapidly rising and falling. His eyes are watery; he was about to start crying. You were extremely confused because he hadn’t called you before he made his way over- not that it mattered, and when you talked to him earlier today, he seemed perfectly fine. You walk up to him and place your hands on his cheeks, trying to get him to calm down by having him focus on your face.

“Tito is gone! I don’t even know how to process this! I- I- I don’t know what to do,” he keeps blurting out.

“Barzy,” you try to get his attention.

“I can’t believe he’s gone,” he says.

“Barzy!” You try again.

“He’s my best friend! It’s going to feel so weird now,” he continues.

“Maty!” You finally get him attention.

His breathing is erratic and his face is even more red. The tears that were once filling his eyes are now flowing down his cheeks. The tear tracks left behind are enough to break your heart. You have never seen mat so upset, and you have never even seen him cry. This was new to you. Hell, all of this was new. You had only been dating for a little over a month, so you really didn’t know how to handle this situation. All you knew you needed to do was give him a hug. A hug that hopefully dulled out any of the pain he was feeling. When you pull back from the hug, he has his eyes closed like he’s afraid of you seeing him cry.

“Babe,” you say while guiding his head to lean on your chest, holding onto him for dear life.

“I’m sorry for just showing up,” he apologizes.

“No need to be sorry. You know you can come over at anytime.”

You can still tell that he has a lot more that he needs to get off his chest, so you drag him to your restroom and sit him on the closed toilet, letting him have the chance to rant while you finished up your nighttime skincare routine.

“Start from the beginning and tell me everything because I’m really confused,” you tell him as you start applying your serums and moisturizers.

“Beau got traded,” he mumble dejectedly.

You freeze. You were not expecting that, but mat’s mumbles from your entry way make a lot more sense now. You turn to face mat and he looks so sad. You let your hand rub his head, hoping to soothe him.

“He’s going to Vancouver, and I don’t know this just doesn’t feel real,” he adds.

“Oh my god. I can’t believe that. That’s insane,” you give your thoughts.

“Yeah. He still had like a year left in his contract with the isles. I don’t know how they could just trade him,” he’s starting to get bothered rather than sad.

“I’m sorry, babe. I know it sucks, but it’s business and I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I need you to know that these things happen,” you say as coherent as possible as you’re brushing your teeth.

“It’s a shit business. He has to pick up his whole life in one day. It’s not fair.” He blurts.

“I’ve spent so much time with him. We’ve gone through so many milestones and lessons together; I don’t know how to adjust to him not being here. It sounds silly, but it’s how I feel,” he finishes.

You nod your head, silently agreeing with how he feels. You know there’s not much you can say, so you just reassure him.

“It’s not silly. Your feelings are valid, and I’m thankful that you’re comfortable enough to share them with me,” you state as you finish off your routine with some lip balm. You then move to stand in front of mat; his hands going straight to rub the backs of your thighs while yours caress his cheeks.

“Thank you for listening. I hope I didn’t ruin your night,” mat says with his head down, feeling bad that he just barged in without warning.

“I already told you, I don’t care that you’re here. I’m glad, actually,” you let him know before you start applying lip balm to his own lips. He sometimes forgets to use lip balm, and the way he was biting his lips in nervousness was even more of a reason for him to be wearing some.

“How about… you stay with me tonight,” you offer hesitantly. Like you said, everything was still fresh in this relationship. You didn’t want to push any boundaries and make him uncomfortable. If he did end up spending the night, this would be the first time you slept together.

“Are you sure? Don’t feel like you have to because I came over in a bad state,” he says.

You shake your head and lean down to kiss his lips.

“Stay the night, please,” you beg. You want him to know that you’re there for him, always.

He nods his head and stands up, waiting for you to guide him into your room.

“Is it okay if I sleep in my underwear since… I don’t have any clothes?” He questions, cheeks blushing.

You let out a small giggle at his bashfulness and tell him that it was fine.

You go around your apartment making sure everything was shut down and that your cat had food and water for the night. When you got back to your room, mat was already tucked under the sheets, blanket all the way up to his chin. He looked childlike. The moment your body hit the bed, he was reaching for your hand to leave kisses on your knuckles. You both laid side by side, letting the dark and silent space bring you down from the long day you’ve both had.

“Did you get to say goodbye?” You ask the question that you had been wondering about the answer to.

“Yeah. Briefly,” he mumbles. You just nod in response.

You let a few minutes pass and then you tell him to turn on his side so that his back is facing you, and you spoon him. You feel his body melt like all his worries and fears evaporated into the air. You press kiss after kiss onto the back of his neck. You just wanted to be close to him. Your hand strokes up and down his chest, and when you feel his breath even out, you’re finally at peace. It doesn’t take you long for your body to get heavy and for sleep to pull you under. One last peck to mat’s bare shoulder blade, and you’re out for the night. 

[dopenightmaretyphoon]

He’s no Romeo

It’s short, just a little something that came into my brain and wouldn’t leave

“He’s not the one for you Barb!”

“What and you are?!”

The silence that filled the room was deafening, it’s crazy how when you have known someone for so long and yet still not have a clue what to say to them. Melissa starts to pace, she did it when she felt unhelpful, unhappy, uncomfortable. Barbra sat down and watches as Melissa kept walking.

Tick tock

Tick tock

The clock wouldn’t shut up and the older woman sat on the couch wishes she could break it, hoping time would stop. She shouldn’t be looking at the red head like this, not right now, not when Barb had just found a confess letter.

She hadn’t meant to see it, Mel had told her to go and get the necklace back that the younger woman asked to borrow, Barbra said yes without thinking about it, as she often did when it came to Melissa.

After grabbing the necklace, she saw the folded piece of paper. Her name in the red head’s beautiful writing, slowly unfolding it, she sat down and started to read

“To My Love,

You have always been the one thing that never changed in my life, I couldn’t live without you. You were always there, through the divorce, through Gary, through everything else. You have seen every side of me apart from the one that loves you more than I ever thought I could. 20 years I’ve sat and watched as he brought you lunch and made you smile. That’s all I ever wanted for you which is why I hide, being your friend is better than nothing.

I love you Barbra Howard”

Barbra had to stop the tears and quickly, she folded the paper back up making sure it was perfect. Shoving it back into the drawer she wipes her face and walks downstairs, that’s when she saw the message

Gerald: “we need to talk”

The brunette couldn’t figure out what her husband would need at 6pm on Thursday, he knew that she would be at Melissa’s house eating the amazing food she cooked and watching a shitty show that Mel loved and Barb thought was stupid

Barbra: “can this wait?”

Gerald: “no, we need to talk”

Sighing she looked at Melissa who was stood over the stove mixing whatever sauce she needed for dinner

“I’m sorry Mel, Gerald wants to talk but won’t let it wait”

Trying to hide the fear in her stomach, Melissa nods

“Ok, text me?”

Nodding, Barbra grabbed her stuff and left. Pulling up outside her home, no her house, she pulled her keys out of her pocket and heads inside.

Gerald sat on the couch watching the wall, Barbara out in her mask and walks over to him

“Hi, is everything ok?”

“I know, you and Mel, you’re together aren’t you?”

The blood left Barbra’s face, she had only found out half an hour earlier that Melissa felt the same as her and yet he was her husband sat on their couch asking her about a relationship that was only real in her head

“No, we are friends and that’s all”

Gerald tried not to laugh “I’m sorry Bee but that isn’t true, she can’t take her eyes off you. I’m not going to accuse you of cheating but I need the truth. Do you have feelings for her”

Barbra started to pace, it was a bad habit she had picked up from Melissa. Sweet Melissa who had spent ages cooking a dinner for them that her husband had stopped, deciding that she couldn’t live a lie anymore, her head started nodding before she noticed

“Then go and get your girl”

“But Ger, we’ve been together for years”

“We are a habit at this point Bee, we both know you want Mel and everyone knows Mel wants you”

“I’m sorry”

“Don’t be, I’m setting you free”

Gerald grabbed his things and headed to the door, he turns and looks at his wife was 23 years

“I knew the day would come at some point, I thank you for the years you have given me and the family we have had together but you deserve happiness and we both know that’s with Melissa”

Barbra nodded and grabs her phone, she wasn’t going to stay there anyway so what’s the point in waiting for him to leave. They left the house for the last time as a marriage couple

Barbra walked into the Melissa house and sits on the couch

“Sweetheart? Can you come in here please”

The red head was all too happy to agree to the question and walked into the living room, she looks at Barbra confused. She never texted the red head saying she was coming back, of course the older woman had a key. Shaking her head at the thoughts, Melissa looked at Barbra waiting for anything

“He wants a divorce”

Trying to figure out a reaction, cheering would be heartless so Melissa settled on

“I’m sorry, he never deserved you”

“He gave me two beautiful girls Melissa, I’m not going to treat him like a villain”

Shrugging Melissa thinks of a reply, her mouth worked quicker than her brain though leading her to say something stupid

“He’s not exactly Romeo”

“He looked after me for years”

“Yet he still wants a divorce. He’s not the one for you Barb!”

“What and you are?!”

The silence that filled the room was deafening, it’s crazy how when you have known someone for so long and yet still not have a clue what to say to them. Melissa starts to pace, she did it when she felt unhelpful, unhappy, uncomfortable. Barbra sat down and watches as Melissa kept walking.

Tick tock

Tick tock

The clock wouldn’t shut up and the older woman sat on the couch wishes she could break it, hoping time would stop. She shouldn’t be looking at the red head like this, not right now, not when Barb had found the confess letter.

“I saw the letter, Gerald knows of my feelings for you”

Melissa stopped dead in her tracks, she didn’t know what to address first. The fact that Barbra had seen her letter or that she felt the same. Choosing not to say anything, Melissa walks over to the couch and kisses Barbra. Passionately and needy, Barbra grabbed her waist and kissed back.

The was 2 years ago, now sat on the same stop Barbra watched as Melissa paced again . Melissa had asked Barbra to marry her and the brunette didn’t get a change to answer before Melissa was up on her feet and pacing again

“Mel, sweetheart, please stand still and I can give you my answer”

Preparing for a no, Melissa stood still and watched Barbs face for any indication of what she was about to say

“Yes, I’d love to marry you. It caught me off guard”

As if repeating what happened two years ago, Melissa leaned forward and kissed Barbra who was happy to kiss back

[piillow]

perfect chemistry ... literally. - k.jsk

(gaon x fem!reader)

wc : 1041 | genre : highschool au, silly fluff | cws : i suck at science sorry if anything is wrong i also didnt proofread IJBOL

(o゜▽゜)o☆

“now class, you’re all seniors this year. this means i’ll be the one choosing lab partners for both semesters. i know you’re all disappointed, and i am too, but it’s what i’ve told been to do.” your teacher announced to the class.

“it’s our first day.. i would’ve preferred to know this like.. next week, or something.” a student whispered to their friend, to which they nodded back.

“ooh, y/n, who do you think your partner will be?” y/f/n asked you. “no clue, but i’d be fine with most people here, we’ve known most of them since freshman year anyway.” you replied back, earning an amused hum from your friend.

“once i say your names, please move to a table.” your teacher said before starting to list out names. 

“y/n, jiseok,” your teacher spoke. as you walked over to his table, seungmin had gotten up to let you sit down.

after all the names were called, you turned to your new lab partner. “so, partner, you’re not gonna ruin this for the both of us, will you?” you jokingly asked him. ever since being in the same science, biology, and chemistry classes as gaon since middle school, it wasn’t hard to notice that he definitely took a liking to science.

“aah, you know me. of course i won’t, promise.” he said back to you with a smile. “i think you’d assumed that already though.” he continued.

“oh, yeah, definitely. gee.. now i’m realizing how little we talk to each other… we’ve known each other since, what, middle school?” you sigh, taking a moment to ponder about the moment you two first met.

— — — — — 

it was the first day of middle school, and you walked into the science lab. while you tried to find a seat, you came to the realization that none of your friends were with you. so, you sat at an empty bench near a boy and his friends. as you sat down, the boy you sat next to gave you a nice wave.

“oh, hi! i’m gaon, or jiseok, either one works. what’s your name?” he asked you with an irresistible smile.

“y/n! uh, nice to meet you.” you replied, slightly tilting your head to bow at him.

he waved his hand, “ah.. no need, no need. i’m born in 2002, it’s not an issue, really.” he said, shrugging it off.

“oh, you are? i’m 2001.” you blankly said, waiting for a reaction out of him. “...oh. i’m.. i’m sorry noona…” he said while tilting his head to you. 

“no no no, it’s fine, really.” you said, slightly laughing at his reaction.

later that day, you had seen him laughing with his friends at lunch, occasionally looking and pointing at you (well, according to your friends, at least).

“oh~! y/n, some of the boys keep looking over here.” “seems like one of them has got a little crush on you!” they giggled. 

you sighed. “guys, come on. it’s our first day, there’s no way. and who even is it anyway?” you ask.

right when you turn around to where your friends are pointing, you and gaon make eye contact for a brief moment before he turns around to shush his laughing friends.

“hey! guys.. c’mon..! now she’s really gonna think i like her!” he sighed. “oh, c’mon, ji. just admit it though, you do have at least a little thing for her, don’t you?” jooyeon teased, seeing his ears turning slightly pink.

“oh, he definitely does,” jungsu said. “ah, hey, she’s still looking over here.” he continued, waving to you while you and your friends waved back before turning around. still, even his seemingly small and polite interaction just made jiseok even more embarrassed.

“hyung! What are you doing?! gosh.. you guys are going to be the death of me…” he whined, just to receive some very reassuring words from everyone else.

— — — — —

the two of you laughed at the memory, almost remembering it like it was yesterday.

“ah, but seriously, did you have a little something for me back then?” you suddenly asked, making him freeze up.

“ha.. what? me? oh, no… they were just, uh.. just j-joking!” he sputtered out, forcing an awkward laugh while he adjusted his hair to cover his reddening ears, just like he did back then.

“hm, you sure about that? i suppose i’ll have to ask another time, maybe that’ll change.” you tease. though, you really do mean your words, already planning on asking him in a month or two from now.

“yah.. give me a break, noona.” he sighed. “a break? dude, it’s been like, years! i think your break has been done for a good amount of time, don’t you think?” you joked, making the both of you laugh.

just as the bell rang, and you two got up to leave the room, your teacher called both of you over to their desk.

“so, i know it's your guys’ first day, but i was talking with mrs. park. you both know her, yes?” your teacher asked. “the.. psychology teacher, right?” jiseok asked. “yeah, i had her last year.” you add, turning to him.

your teacher continued telling you two about their plans, saying some things about chemistry… psychology… surveying people in public… and…  love.

while you two walked out of the classroom, you turned to jiseok. “what were they talking about? i kind of… zoned out a little bit.” you sheepishly admitted, scratching your neck.

“typical, typical. you do that a lot, don’t you?” he teased, slightly chuckling at you. “still, we’re working together for the science fair this year. they want us to go out and kind of just.. survey couples? i’m not really sure why, but we have to talk to mrs. park after school today.” he explained, making sure you were listening.

“you are listening to me, right?” he asked, to which you nodded. “yeah, yeah. i’m just a bit confused on why they want us to do it, and not some other people.” you both shrugged. getting this dumped on the two of you on the first day of school was unexpected, so it’d only be normal if neither of you knew what to think of it.

part 2 soon... 👀