#Mack and Soph

[machineofreality]

The best overview we've got

231108 ‘Oh, so you’re not looking for somewhere to make out like all the other teenagers who come down here? Good, good.’ The woman’s glare turned to a smile. Mack looked at Soph, who shrugged. Mack shrugged back. ‘We could do that, if it would help,’ Soph said. Mack shrugged again. ‘But that’s not why we’re here.’ Andrekara stood up. ‘No, no, it would not help. You can call me Ann, by the…

[cainache]

how does one recover from something like this… 🙂‍↕️

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 7 - [Mack x David]

A/N: In the spirt of American Thanksgiving... and family... I give you David Carlson in Switzerland. I'm giggling. You'll know why when you get through this one 😁

Word Count: 6.0k

“Okay, so David, anyone who is anyone is going to be at this dinner. AND there is a quiz after.” Sophie Hischier teases her sister’s boyfriend. Tonight is their first family dinner since they arrived in Switzerland a couple days ago. The Meiers and Hischiers rented out a private room to celebrate everyone returning to their homeland. 

“Shit, I didn’t bring my flashcards.” 

Sophie giggles like its the funniest thing in the entire world, then looks over at her sister.

“He is so funny.” She hums in Swiss German. “I love him. We’re keeping him.”

“Soph, English.” Mack chuckles, rolling her eyes. Sophie looks back at David. 

“I said, you’re funny. I love you and we keep you.” She reiterates. She squeezes his waist in a quick hug, then floats up to where her parents are walking towards the restaurant. Sophie laces her arm through her dad’s and the three of them take the stairs together. Behind them, Lucie and Connor walk with their daughter. Stella skips with her mom to a beat only the two of them know. 

“Twirl!” Lucie exclaims, cheering when Stella’s gorgeous rainbow skirt flares out in a circle. “So beautiful, baby!” 

“Woo!!!” Mack hears a cheer from behind her. She turns around, seeing her aunt and uncle strutting across the parking lot looking as posh as ever. 

“Expensive.” David gapes at the fancy sports car Timo clicks the remote to lock.

“Oh you don’t even know.” Mack chuckles. “Actually, he probably didn’t even have to pay for that. He’s all sorts of famous in this country.”

“Your dad?”

“Uh huh. Him too. My first car was a Mercedes. Mom tried to talk him out of it. Dad said I was the only one responsible enough to get one. Lucie had to have a BMW.”

“Say that sentence back.” David teases.

“They’re not the same.” Mack holds her hands up. “Like Chevy and Ford.” David snorts.

“Also not the same. Your family is like.. royalty in one of the world’s most expensive countries.” Mack looks at him, contemplating. Then turns away without acknowledging that. What is she supposed to say? He isn’t wrong, but it’s weird to admit to.

Instead, she smiles at her aunt and uncle’s approach.

“This is my Auntie Em.” Mack introduces David to her aunt. 

“Oh! Hi! It’s so nice finally meeting Mackie’s boyfriend. You look better like this. You know, when you’re not hurting my kid.” David pauses, mouth dropped open preparing to greet her. He laughs sheepishly.

“It was an accident. I…” He laughs again nervously, looking over at Mack.

“Honey, I’m kidding.” Emma teases. Her lips tilt up in a sly smile, then she pats his chest. 

“Oh good.” David sighs in relief as she continues striding past him to greet Lucie and Connor. Timo continues on with his wife after giving David a firm handshake.

“Isn’t she something?” Mack smirks. Behind her parents, Liv Meier hustles forward with Luca Fiala on her arm.

“Yeah. We all want to be her when we grow up.” Liv chuckles as she comes up to the two of them, wrapping her arms around Mack. 

“Oh, Hi, Livia.” Mack drawls. “Look at you. You’re stunning. And sooooo blonde!? I love it!” 

“Thank you! I just got a touch up from Auntie.” She shakes the long, blonde waves that are cascading down her back. “I feel like we got the exact blonde I wanted.”

“It looks great. You look so much like Auntie Em. Wow.”

“The best compliment!” Liv giggles. “Hi David, it’s so good to finally see you!” She goes to hug him.

“Oh my god, I forgot you two haven’t actually met in person.” Mack and Liv have done plenty of FaceTimes that David has participated in. But the schedules of Liv being in New York and David or Mack too have not lined up at all.

“I feel like we have though.” David smiles, hugging Liv as Mack greets Luca.

“Hey, good to see you, man.” Luca extends his hand to David. “For the record, loved the hit.” 

“Shhhhhh.” David shushes Luca. “I do not wanna upset Mama Meier.”

“Lio should be thanking you for that hit. Fixed his whole damn life after that.” Mack insists. David places a hand on Mack’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. He loves when she stands up for him. 

“Shall we?” Luca asks, extending his hand forward. The four of them walk up into the restaurant, finding their large family chatting in a private room. Stella is in Nico’s arms, pointing at all the pictures on the wall, making up names for the Swiss Alps peaks together. Lexi and Emma are catching up. Lio and Timo drink whiskeys together, listening to Savannah tell an animated story. Lucie and Connor are whispering to each other, lost in their own word as per usual. The twins are out on the balcony with glasses of wine, checking out their options for the night, Mack is sure.

Liv and Luca head towards the bar with Mack and David. The boys grab beers while Liv and Mack decide on martinis. 

“So how are you doing?” Mack asks Liv as they wait for their drinks. Luca and David dove immediately into shop talk about the latest trade rumors and free agency rumblings. 

“Good. Ready to be done with Grad school and this book.”

“Our little overachiever.”

“You should talk. Ms. youngest ever to be nominated for Travel Writer of the Year.”

“I didn’t win.” Mack shrugs.

“Yeah, but you were in the conversation. That’s huge, Mackie.”

“Yuck, I don’t want to talk about me. What about your new book? When can I read it?”

“Oh! Speaking of, I was going to ask, will you be one of my reviewers?!” 

“Yes! Oh my god, yes!” Mack grabs Liv’s forearm, squeezing and grinning excitedly. 

“Okay, perfect! I thought, since I get to do whatever I want without a dumb team telling me what to do… it would be so fun to have you on the back cover with a review.”

“I am so excited. Yes. Absolutely.” 

“Okay but it is a romance. You have to like.. try to like it.”

“Stop.” Mack snorts. “I have a man now. I’m not jaded.” Mack strokes her hand down David’s chest. He looks at her, then smiles, running his hand along her lower back to hold her while him and Luca continue discussing.

“Careful… You look too happy.” Liv winks at her cousin. “I’m thrilled for you.” She whispers quietly. “Love looks good on you.” Mack sighs happily, dragging her cousin into a big hug.

“Learning from the best.” Mack bats her lashes dramatically. “Your parents.” Mack finishes, when she sees her aunt and uncle smooching like teenagers outside. “Look at them.”

“No, they are disgustingly in love. Just be like.. demure instead.”

“Big word!” Mack exclaims. “Okay, I am going to grab this drink and my man and take him outside so he can see the view while the sun is still kind of out.”

“Yes, go.” Liv grabs her drink too.

“Come with me?” Mack asks David, sliding her hand into his free one. They both step outside onto the terrace. Mack sighs immediately at how gorgeous the view is. The sunsets here are so unique and breathtaking. It’s like nothing else has been able to compare and she has seen sunsets all over the world. But this is still her favorite one. 

“Wow.” David whispers. He grabs her hips, pinning her between him and the railing so they can hold each other while taking it all in. The cold glass of David’s beer rests on her forearm. Mack’s eyes scan along the horizon, drinking in the jagged peaks of the Alps. Sometimes, its hard for her to believe this is real, that she got to live and grow up in such a magical place. “How did you leave this place?” He asks her. 

“Sometimes you have to leave to appreciate where you come from. I was at that point.” Mack murmurs back to him. She takes another sip of her drink. “As you’ve probably noticed, everyone in this town knows me.”

“Mhm.”

“I wanted to be anonymous for once in my life. What better place to do that than in New York.”

“Would you move back here?”

“I might. When I’m older and feel like I want a slower life. Would you come with me?”

“Hell yeah. I’d sell the farm and we could buy some land here. Figure out how to make stuff grow…” He trails off dreamily. 

“Always a farmer.”

“Yeah, honey. It’s how I grew up. How I made the farm work too. I knew enough to get by, but when my dad died, that responsibility pushed me to figure out how to make it all successful, not just get by.”

“You’ve done a great job.”

“I’m not fishing for compliments. Just saying.” He shrugs. He takes a long sip of his beer, then rests it back against her arm. “Figuring out alpine farming would be fun. Good retirement plan.” He smirks against her temple, then kisses her there.

Mack has no plans to move back to Switzerland, but knowing David would live here after only a two day taste has her feeling content.

When the lighting of the sunset dims, Mack and David walk back into the restaurant with linked fingers. The warm summer breeze swirls Mack’s hair around as she takes in her family. She loves them. They’re a loud, crazy, hilarious bunch, but they are hers. She loves how David already fits in like a missing piece of them that found it’s way back home. Dinner is served, wine is poured, and laughs are shared all around. The usual suspects are made fun of- Lio and the twins. Everyone swoons when Sophie talks and then grows quiet when Nico speaks.

The dynamics are there, even with Lucie and Connor who disappear during dinner for awhile. Lucie comes back looking way too put together, almost purposefully. Mack catches her eye and shakes her head. David squeezes her thigh under the table. Dessert is decadent chocolate mousse that has David’s eyes rolling back into his head.

“The best.” Mack tells him. He nods.

“Yeah. American chocolate sucks.”

The Swiss at the table cheer proudly. “Okay, he can stay in the family!” Sophie yells.

“Thanks, Soph.” David smiles at Mack when he says it. Mack threads her fingers over his hair then pulls him in for a kiss while everyone watches. David cups her cheek, moving his lips against hers as everyone cheers. 

“To family.” Nico raises his glass. “Proscht!”

The room fills with clinking glasses. Mack and David clinks theirs together too. 

Proscht, indeed.

- - - & - - -

Two weeks into being home with David and Mack is more relaxed than she has ever been in recent memory. There is nowhere to go, nowhere to run off to. Everyone she wants to see is here and everything else can wait. 

Beneath the mountain sun, she lays out in a chaise, quietly reading a book while the boys are bopping around in the lake. Stella is learning how to swim with her dad while Lio and David cheer her on from beside him.

“That’s it Stell!” Connor cheers as she rushes towards him. Mack glances up, seeing the flailing arms and legs of her niece. It looks less like swimming and more like drowning to her. But Connor’s arms wrap around the little girl’s body, pulling her up and out. Stella’s hair is slicked across her face, held over her cheeks by the pink, sparkly goggles she has on.

“Good job!” Lucie cheers from next to Mack. “I’m trying to let go of all my anxiousness, but it’s a little hard.” Lucie sighs to Mack. She scratches at her cheeks then takes another sip of the mocktail she made earlier in the day. 

“Connor has her.”

“I know. It’s just…” Lucie shakes her head. “Hard with my pre-birth anxiety.” 

“I can see that.” Mack acknowledges. Although she isn’t pregnant and doesn’t plan to be, she can certainly see how life-changing moments like pregnancy and birth can alter your brain chemistry and world outlook. Lucie waves at Connor and Stella in the lake.

“Mom! Did you see!?”

“I did, baby! Good job!” She yells down again. “Where is Soph?” Lucie asks Mack. “I thought she was supposed to be back by now?”

“I think they were boating to town for lunch, then she would be back.”

“Oh. She better not be on a boat with someone who is drinking and driving.”

“Really?” Mack purses her lips. “Like you never got into a boat with Lio after he had been drinking.”

“I was dumb. She is smarter than me.” Lucie insists.

“I don’t think anyone is smart at 19.” Mack reminds her. Lucie sighs. 

“I’m going inside. I need a break from life.”

“Okay.” Mack waves to her, then settles back into her book. 

Mack gets through several more chapters of her book before the group in the lake gets tired from swimming lessons. David comes to sit in Lucie’s vacated chair while Connor heads inside to grab Stella a well-earned snack. Lio and Savannah disappear down to the dock to join Liv and Luca there.

“That was super fun.” David sighs. “She really got the hang of it at the end.”

“She has the best coaches and hype boys down there.” Mack smiles, putting a book mark in her book then closing it. 

“Stella is such a firecracker. I love it. At one point, she sucked up some water and we were like ‘take a break!’. She refused. Just said ‘again’ and cruised right through that water to try again.” 

“She worked up an appetite too.” 

“Oh yeah. Needed a jelly sandwich.” David grabs one of Mack’s ankles, bringing her foot into his lap so he can massage it for her. “How is your book?”

“Good.” She smiles.

“Let me guess you’ve read it like 20 times?”

“Yeah and it get better every time.” She grins at him.

“My girl hates surprises.” He chuckles. 

“Yep.” She strokes her big toe down the center of his abs. She then lets it skirt over the ties of his board shorts before resting it back on his thigh. David licks his lips, slowly looking over at her. His green eyes sparkle, a slight smirk lifting a corner of his mouth up. It’s a warning. Mack purses her lips and looks away.

“I’m going to head inside.”

“Will you be back?” He asks. 

“Yeah I feel like I need a snack and a bathroom break.”

“Okay.” David releases her foot. Mack slides it from his lap then stands. She stretched her arms high into the sky, shaking her head at the way her boyfriends eyes are clearly on her boobs.

“Obvious.”

“Not trying to hide it, honey.” He says, leaning back in his chair.

Mack walks in through the sliding glass door, smiling as Stella has jelly smeared all over her face.

“Grape!” She exclaims, holding a half eaten portion out to her.

“Ooo, looks good.” Mack tickles here wet, ruffle covered belly then goes the the fridge to grab a sparkling water. She cracks the bottle open then glugs down a few sips.

“Okay, are we ready to go back out?” Connor asks his daughter. “Maybe do some back flutters this time?”

“I’ll come with babe!” Lucie calls from the living room.

Mack smiles, watching the Woods gather one another then head back out into the lake. The house is quiet, everyone out enjoying the hot summer sun. Mack leaves her water bottle on the counter, then heads upstairs to the guest bathroom. She quickly does her business, then washes her hands. After, she fixes her pony tail and double checks her sunscreen coverage still looks good on her face. She should probably grab a hat while she is inside.

The thought barely gets across her mind as she opens the door. Outside the bathroom, her boyfriend sits, bare-chested, board shorts swelling with a glint in his green eyes. Oh.

“What are you doing?” Mack asks as he steps forward. His hands on her hips push her back into the bathroom. He shuts the door, flipping the lock.

“I don’t trust Stella.” He explains. Mack closes her eyes, laughing and nodding her head. True.

“Bend over that counter.” He points to her. Mack scans his face, beginning to drip into her bikini bottoms with how damn possessed he looks. 

“That one?” She asks, jerking her hand over her shoulder. David turns her shoulders, then forces her to bend over the counter. Mack exhales in surprise. “Okay…” She laughs, then pulls her hair over one shoulder. She looks up in the mirror at him. “Now what?” David smirks at her.

“Your dad followed me into the house.” He tells her as he grabs the edges of her bottoms. Mack stills. She glances towards the door as the cloth falls to her ankles. “He thinks you’re the tamest daughter. The non-chaotic one who would never do something like beg her boyfriend to fuck her in the bathroom while he’s downstairs.”

His fingers glide over her puffy lips, gliding to her entrance to gather up her wetness then spread it across her sex. Mack swallows her moan, keeping her face neutral.

“I don’t know if I want it right now?” She tilts her head, challenging. David raises his eyebrows at her. He begins to undo the ties on his swim trunks, making Mack’s eyes lower with pleasure. 

“You don’t want this?” He asks, gathering his hard erection in his hand. He strokes her core with his swollen head. Mack sways from pleasure but shakes her head no. She breaks eye contact when she does this. David grabs her face, squeezing her cheeks for her to open her eyes. Her lashes flutter as she does, looking almost innocent in the mirror. “Say it again.” He eases just the tip of his cock into her. Mack tries to close her eyes and David squeezes her cheeks harder. “Baby. I asked you to do something for me.”

Mack sags into his body, causing her to swallow more of his shaft. David pulls out of her, letting the hardness slap against her outer lips as he waits for her answer. 

“I want it.” She moans as his fingers twirl her clit. 

“Yeah. Beg.”

“Please, I want your cock.” She whispers. She turns away from their reflection in the mirror to look at him. He leans down, kissing her lips, devouring her mouth like she is his lunch. 

Then he grips his shaft, rolling himself through her slit once, before plunging in. 

In her haze, Mack completely forgot about David’s statement.

Her dad came in with him. 

It isn’t until she is two minutes into getting fucked on the bathroom counter that it hits her. The handles of the cabinets bite into her thighs and knees. David brings her up on her tip toes to get better leverage. Then footsteps hit the stairs.

“Shit.” Mack whispers, reaching back to stop David’s thrusts into her. David looks at her in the mirror, then shakes his head. He leans more forward over her back and fucks deeper into her. The sounds fills the echoing bathroom and Mack shakes her head at him in the mirror. David stops, seeing her clear panic and discomfort.

“Trust me?” He asks her, slowly puling out then pushing back in. The elicit allure of pleasure blurs rational thought from her brain. Mack can only describe what happens next as pure insanity. She nods that he can continue. Then David puts his foot up on the toilet lid before pushes her down onto the counter again. He brings her hand to his balls to keep them from thrashing against her skin. Now his long, deep strokes hit into her without any crude clapping. Her ass nudges against his inner thigh and abdomen instead, allowing deep thrusts but eliminating the risk of being heard.

Mack clenches around him, shoving her mouth into her forearm. She bites down hard as her breasts sway into the cool marble from David’s hard fucks into her. He brings a hand to her neck, close to her shoulder, pulling her back onto his thick cock.

“Shhhh.” He mouths to her in the mirror when she looks up at him.

The closet door by the bathroom opens, they can hear rummaging around. Mack bites her lip, eyebrows squiggling together as she holds back a deep, primal moan.

“Good girl.” He mouths to her, barely audible.

The closet door shuts and the footsteps lead back towards the stairs, clomping down them. 

Once the coast is clear, David begins to fuck harder into her, long, strokes while his hands move to cup her breasts. He massages them, tweaking her nipples as he connects his chest with her back.

“Baby watch me make you cum in that mirror.” He demands. He grips her chin, forcing her gaze back in front of her.

Mack raises her brown eyes to him and watches. There, she sees every dip and curve of his hips as he fucks her pussy. She sighs, collapsing into his thrusts, letting his hands maneuver her body to get them both to their high. When she is close, he keeps that demanding pace, licking his lips, hips dipping down to get her at a better angle. His head rubs at her walls in a delicious tease that has Mack coming around him. He fucks her through her orgasm, keeping a tight grip on her hips as he takes what he needs.

He slams into her three more times, hard, unforgiving, then spills into her core. His hips smoosh her ass, forcing her stomach into the counter uncomfortably. The view of his face as he comes has Mack’s muscles fluttering around him again. She exhales a groan, holding his ass so he stays deeply buried inside of her. When he opens his soft green eyes to take her in, she clenches her walls around him again. David grins at her, then cups her ass, giving it a demanding squeeze. David presses his hips into her harder, then rolls her hips against him. Mack squeezes again, David bites his lip then hisses at the overstimulation.

“Fuck.”

David pulls out of Mack, bringing with him a glob of his cum. He grabs toilet paper, wiping it off, then goes to her used, puffy lips. He cleans her off as best he can, before pulling her bikini bottoms back into place. He tucks himself back into his shorts, then grabs Mack’s hips, holding on to her as he sighs.

“Better and better every time. I swear.”

“Yeah, cause you’re a freak in this house.” She chuckles. Her and David have had a great sex life since the beginning, but he has been almost insatiable since they’ve arrived in Switzerland. He shrugs.

“Something about you here has me hooked even more than usual.” Mack stands back up to her full height. David’s hands move to wrap around her stomach, holding her close. His big hands completely cover her abdomen, making Mack’s insides fill with butterflies. He stares at her in the mirror then turns to kiss her head. 

“I love you.” Mack tells him. “I don’t want to share you anymore. Let’s go take a nap.” Mack flips her hair back over her shoulder. “You can hold me and kiss me and love on me again when we wake up later.” David smiles.

“Sounds like Heaven.” 

Mack goes to the door, unflipping the lock then glancing both ways. When it’s clear, she pushes David out into the hallway. He laughs at how guilty she looks tiptoeing back to her room. She leans against the door, sighing in relief at not being caught.

“Now that I’m not dizzy from your dick, I will literally die if he heard us.”

“He didn’t hear anything.” David assures her. He has no idea, clearly, but Mack finds it adorable that he wants to ease her worries. “If he did, I’ll take the blame. Let him hate me so you can stay perfect in his eyes.”

“My dad definitely doesn’t think I’m perfect.” Mack crawls into bed next to him after changing into a pair of athletic shorts. David collects her to his chest immediately. 

“You’re perfect to me, honey.”

David rubs her hair.

Mack rubs his stomach.

Then they do the best thing you can on a summer vacation, fall asleep in a warm cocoon of love.

- - - & - - -

(David)

Exhausted from swimming in the lake all day, Mackenzie Hischier lays curled up into a perfect ball in her boyfriend’s lap. David strokes his hand along her back, careful to keep an even rhythm so she doesn’t wake up. She’s been fighting a nap all day after he kept her up most of the night. It wouldn’t be fair for him to wake up her again when she’s finally getting some good sleep. So slow, continuous strokes over her sweatshirt are what he does.

David has loved everything about Switzerland, but there is something sinfully sexy about fucking Mack in her childhood bedroom. He can’t get enough of it. He’s never been one to wake her up multiple nights in a row, for multiple rounds, but here he is, doing it for almost an entire month. He loves her soft moans, loves the way she bites onto the meat of his palm to stay quiet, loves knowing no one else has ever had her in that room before. Not even her dipshit college “boyfriend” who couldn’t find her clit.

What a fucking idiot. David finds himself quietly scoffing and shaking his head. He blinks away his thoughts, then adjusts Mack a bit on his thigh where her hip bone is digging into him. He tilts his head down to look at her face. Her lips are split apart and the left side of her nose squishes slightly up on his chest. He smiles down at her, loving how comfortable she is here with him. When he raises his gaze back to the room, he catches Nico Hischier studying them. David double checks his hands are in appropriate places on Nico’s daughter then gives him a nod. Nico nods back, a sign of acceptance, then turns back to the TV where a movie plays out.

David hopes to catch Nico and Lexi tonight without Mack hovering around the corner. He thinks she might finally be tired enough to go to bed first. David’s chest starts to pound a little harder in his chest at the thought of the conversation he needs to have with his girlfriend’s parents. He knows they like him, but hopes the last four weeks they’ve spent here has them completely comfortable with giving him permission to marry their daughter.

He can’t imagine life without Mack. She stormed into his life all hot and bothered, overstimulated and under appreciated. He’s gathered her up in the midst of all that and soothed those out of control parts of her by loving her so well. He knows her parents can see that, hell Nico is looking over at them again seeing it in real time. Mack finds David safe and comfortable. No one has ever been able to hold her free and kept at the same time. 

David vows to be the only one to do that. Ever.

After her parents give their blessing.

The movie ends and Sophie’s loud yawning makes Mack startle awake. She sighs, gripping David’s sweatshirt tighter. He kisses her head, then begins to work his grip around her back and under her knees.

“Ready?” He asks her. She nods. David stands with her in his arms, carrying her up the stairs to her room. He lays her on the queen sized bed, filled with a deep purple comforter adorned with ruffles. It’s so moody but girly, just like her. He can imagine her laying on this bed as a teenager, head phones in, book in front of her face as she ignored her dad’s second call for dinner.

“I’m gonna grab some water for us. I’ll be back.” He murmurs to her. Mack doesn’t even hear him. She’s already fallen back to sleep tucked into her sheets. 

David won’t wake her up tonight. It’s clear she needs the sleep.

Quietly, he tip toes out of the room. Lucie and Connor are saying their goodbyes with a sleeping Stella in her father’s arms. Nico smoothes the little girls curls down, then kisses her cheek gently.

“Goodbye, sweets. We will see you back home okay?” Nico assures the little girl. She nods sleepily in response, then yawns.

“Bye. See you for Fall break.” Sophie hugs the two adults, then skirts around everyone to go up to her room. David nods to Lucie and Connor.

“See you tomorrow at the airport.” He acknowledges them. They’re all heading back to New York on the same flight. Then Connor and Lucie will be heading to Massachusetts while Mack and David jet to Iowa.

Nico and Lexi walk the family out of the house to the car. David waits leaning against the wall in the entry way. He glances over his shoulder, listening for sounds of Mack, but hearing none. Even Sophie has gotten quiet upstairs. The two parents walk back into the big house holding hands. 

“Hey, I’m sorry to ah, pounce on you right at the end of the night, but I was hoping we could talk?”

“Sure.” Lexi nods, motioning with her hand back to the living room. David leads the way, sitting back in the chair him and Mack had been in earlier while her parents take the couch. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. 

“What’s up?” Nico asks, a slight smile on his face. David smiles back, breathing out heavily as he glances at the pictures on the wall. There are several of Mack when she was younger with varying faces. One in particular he loves because she’s sticking her tongue out while crossing her eyes. She’s carefree like children are and he brings that same looseness out in her as an adult.

“To start, I want to say thank you for letting me stay here with your family. I have really enjoyed my time here. You two have welcomed me here, and into the family, without any reservations. You knew me before as Connor’s teammate but my on-ice personality is a little different than who I am off the ice. I know with your career, you understand that.” Nico chuckles and nods. 

“Um, every time I try to get the words together to describe what Mack means to me, I fail miserably, but I’m gonna try to get this right for you two. Simply put, I love her. Unconditionally. With every fiber of who I am, I love your daughter. Every single thing about her, even the parts of herself that she desperately tries to change because she thinks they aren’t good enough for the world. She’s moody, inconsistent, always wanting to run around the world and be anywhere but home. And I love it.”

“Mack can certainly be a little complex.” Lexi acknowledges as the three of them chuckle at David’s description of her.

“I hear you, but not to me. I see her. I know her. I hear her. I heard her when she ran in January. And I heard her when she came back to me too. That doesn’t scare me. I know she needs to go sometimes. She needs to be free to feel and grow and come to terms with what she probably already knows.  I’m never gonna cage her in. She will always know freedom and space while also having a home with me.” Lexi rolls her lips together, pursing them as her eyes fill with tears.

Nico brings his clasped hands to his lips, pressing into them until they turn white from the pressure. David swallows hard. How is this going? Is it going good? He can’t fucking read them. 

“I hope that what you’ve seen of me in this last four weeks has you believing my words and intentions with her. I want Mack to be my wife. I want to come home, take care of her, love her and support her. I want to have dreams and goals with her that we make come true in our own way- a mix of my grit and her creativity. So…” He trials off, reaching into the inner pocket of his sweatpants where he zipped the ring earlier. He pulls it out between his thumb and pointer finger. “With your blessing, I would really like to marry your daughter.” 

“Wow.” Lexi practically hiccups. She looks over at Nico who nods with his eyes closed. “Yeah.” Lexi brings her hands up to her eyes. She wipes her fingers under them then reaches for the ring. “Can I?” 

“Of course.” David hands it over to her. Lexi holds it delicately in her fingers, turning it every which way as the light collects in the diamonds.

“I don’t think… we ever really saw this for Mack.” Lexi acknowledges. 

“Yeah.” Nico clears his throat. “Mack just… never wanted to be in love. I think she was that way when you first met her too.” David nods. 

“Spicy when she doesn’t like how things make her feel.”

“Mhm.” Nico nods. He scratches at his forehead, then continues. “As a parent, all you want is for your kids to be happy. We were happy if Mack was happy. When Mack came home this winter, she was not happy. She was miserable. And even in those tough moments in the cabin with her, she loved you. She loved you enough to try to decide for you that you deserved better.” David shakes his head, smiling as he does it.

“Crazy.” 

“Yeah, well you’re the one signing up for a lifetime left of that.” 

“Can’t wait.” David beams. Nico chuckles.

“I believe that. Lex and I were talking the other night how good you are at loving her. It’s been a long time since we have seen Mack so comfortable in who she is and her roller coaster. She fights it a lot. She doesn’t like the parts of her that are out of control. But those parts aren’t so scary for her when she’s with you. She embraces them, lets them show and then pass because she’s safe with you. We can’t thank you enough for that. For loving her so completely that she doesn’t want to run anymore.” Lexi hands the ring over to Nico. He looks it over for a moment, then holds it in the air towards David. “She’s going to love that.”

“Yeah, she is.” David agrees.

“I know we don’t know your parents and truthfully, Lexi and I are sad about that as I’m sure you are too. But they would be very proud of the man you have become.” David stills, feeling tightness grip his throat. “They raised a strong, caring, empathetic person who works his ass off for the people he loves. Mack is lucky to be one of those people.” 

“Thanks.” David clears his throat. “That means a lot coming from you.” 

“You’re our kid now.” Lexi nods her head along with Nico. “And we love you.” 

“Big time.” Nico acknowledges. 

The three of them stand. Hugs are shared all around, then David dismisses himself to join Mack for bed. They have an early morning tomorrow. As David climbs back up the stairs, he sneaks a look over his shoulder at Nico and Lexi hugging each other. He grins as he walks down the hall.

David is finally going to get his family after all.

Read more Mack and David here.

[lukemfhughes]

Dumbs

The sophs living with the reader

! English is not my first language !

It was exciting to live with the boys, most of the time. Some days it was rough to try to be the peace maker when Duker ate Marks piece of pie.

Duker, Mark and Eddy were prob the wildest of them. Luke and Mackie were ”calm”.

When the school year started you thought that the year is gonna be awesome. But in the back of your head you knew that you needed to enjoy this year cause some of the boys were leaving after their sophomore year.

”Dylan!” You yell when you found an plate and glass from the table. ”Yea?” He asks while walking into the room. ”Put these away.” You say and drop your school stuff to the table. ”Yes… mom.” He mumbles the end. You just stick your tongue out for him.

”Sup bitches!” Eddy yells as he enters the house.

”Who’s ready for a game dayyy!” He continues. You look at him and say ”Shut up i’m trying to study.” He then nods and skips up the stairs.

Couple hours later it’s 3:30 pm and the boys are getting ready to leave to yost. ”Goodluck! I will see you guys after the game.” You say when the boys leave the house.

After couple hours you arrive the arena by yourself. You take a seat behind Erik’s goal. Luke skates past you and waves to you.

The game starts and umich gets quick start when Mackie score after the first 3 minutes. The game goes on and goals come for both of the teams. There is 5 minutes to go on the 3rd period when the score is 3-5 to umich. The horn rings to signal that the game ended. The boys cheer and hug Erik.

You walk down to the locker room hall and wait for the boys to come out. Mark and dylan walk out first and come to talk to you. After a while the other boys come out too and you guys leave yost.

”Is there an after party?” You ask as you enter your home. ”Yea it’s at Nolan’s house.” Luke answers. ”Are you guys going?” You ask. ”Yea.” Everyone mumbles.

In an hour you guys entered Nolan’s house. ”Sup.” You mumble to Nolan as he gives you an hug.

The night goes on kinda chill, nothing special happens. Until Duker pops up in front of you looking extreamly drunk. ”How many beers have you drinken?” You ask him. ”3 beers and some other drinks.” He answers. ”I think it’s time to go home.” You say and put your arm around his waist to support him while he walks.

You guys get home and you lead duker to his room. You put some water and painkillers to his nightstand. ”Goodnight.” You say and leave his room.

You walk back downstairs where the other boys are watching tv. ”Duker was waisted.” You say and plop next to Luke. ”Yea he looked like he was a kid who had gotten too much sugar” Luke says. You just mumble back something as agreeing.

”I’m gonna head up to bed, goodnight.” You say and leave the room.

This was my first writing and i hope that no one will give me hate cause of this and if you liked reading this please like and send more ideas if you want to read more.

And remember that i do not speak english as my native language so please don’t judge cause of that.

And before someone comes to complain about that i stole the idea from @mack-samo 🐞anon yes i took idea from her and if that’s problem for @mack-samo and the 🐞anon i can delete this.

[sophs-style]

sophs-style:

Elizabeth Lail at the ‘Mack & Rita’ premiere on Wednesday (10th August 2022) in Hollywood, California.

Elizabeth wore an Adam Lippes white shirt and skirt, styled with a black A.L.C. bralette. The bralette tied in the black Alexandre Birman sandals and Roger Vivier clutch. 

[444names]

spanish, american and italian forenames

Aard Abra Abris Adalene Adeant Adonnia Adovio Adri Adrilare Adro Agara Agda Aguel Alberna Albio Alda Aldal Aleora Aleris Alfia Alfo Alia Alilo Alleancy Alliolò Alota Alote Amicia Amillie Amirobet Amon Andria Ania Anie Annioll Annya Anya Anzo Apolar Arcio Arcon Ariana Ariane Ariston Ascatina Auro Baldo Bary Bean Beancha Bela Bensimo Bephia Beraziam Berina Berri Bert Betaldo Bethy Betto Biolo Bithy Blanten Blashleo Bordon Brai Brenca Bres Briana Brie Briego Caeth Caly Cammarey Camolò Card Carda Cargaito Carge Carto Cena Chance Chela Chelia Chera Chew Chia Choa Clan Clia Cliermen Clifto Clina Cliolick Cobby Cole Conne Coredeo Crafines Cria Crie Cuna Dado Dadrizio Dalera Danice Danie Darcene Darie Darois Deandre Debastea Debriff Dela Deopatia Dessidne Diettena Dinetty Dole Domenia Dorgia Dusa Dwin Ecky Edesto Edrocle Egierto Elbeni Elens Elia Elin Elivio Elley Ellida Elorquel Emaroy Emerry Emilbia Emin Enie Enverthy Eria Erichew Erna Esto Etsy Euggy Eulia Fabary Fabrucel Fabsana Faidna Fann Fanney Fauron Fediann Fela Felor Fera Ferid Ferna Ferrane Fild Fira Fire Firenuto Flaco Flanny Flomino Fraha Freah Frelio Frenie Frenson Frestin Fretabie Fria Frikebon Frodo Fulia Fulmo Gaberet Gairi Garey Gari Garmego Gela Geller Gemise Genina Genitha Geopolia Gerantsy Gert Giever Gildo Gine Giolò Giuliel Gius Glio Graz Grel Grena Guettano Guinela Gund Guses Gusid Gwennie Hance Hanicia Hawn Hayd Helades Helierta Heran Hillyn Hormo Howancy Huano Hugley Hure Igne Inate Indretia Irah Irettaco Isaurob Jace Jacio Jamila Jamin Javia Javidne Jayn Jensusa Jertat Jescaldo Jestor Jimbetti Jimo Jimonie Joando Joano Joanto Joddia Jode Johnne Jorento Josa Juliane Juno Kata Katt Kaya Keildas Kela Kelmuna Kena Kene Kenick Kenrik Kenza Keveris Kria Kricen Krine Krino Krizana Langer Lano Laviano Layd Leristob Lerna Lexindo Liadeon Liel Lier Liffay Liliano Lippea Liziolie Lodrilla Lophila Lorgeri Lory Lothy Lotim Lucheris Lude Luderio Ludio Ludy Luin Lulca Lyde Mack Maeleo Maelis Mailla Maine Mais Mamerta Mandio Maracial Marannie Marce Mard Mardolo Mared Maricen Marlenzo Marobo Maron Marraul Marryl Martro Masces Matie Maudia Maurto Mayney Megore Melinca Mene Micandy Mick Mild Milian Mill Mina Minetto Minmarry Mirmi Monn Motta Muna Nakirie Nanie Natris Nica Nicherin Niste Nuth Ofilly Oley Orey Orgia Osephilo Pale Pamiro Paome Parry Pascatto Pasco Pataro Path Pathanzo Pathard Patsel Pauste Peanie Pelisie Penrith Perria Pett Pette Phiami Pierto Piet Pillia Pomelie Puca Pure Puro Raimario Rana Randany Rany Reart Rellio Remie Renel Renne Robenne Roisti Rolano Romi Rona Ronine Roxanie Salanny Sald Sannie Saro Scolò Selvia Seppeo Sesta Shaleo Simudon Soldo Sonicto Sonsie Soph Stan Sulietto Susando Susta Tago Taria Tena Terna Tero Tian Tianicam Tomiley Tonie Torai Trazio Trida Tria Trobonin Ulive Umbera Urtratra Vian Vicino Vidan Virk Vivia Walvalla Warina Waya Wayes Wayl Wena Whia Wilico Willyne Wine Winerria

[khalilhassan]

His jaw ached every time he thought about Nathan Crane. He'd worked hard to build the perfect cover and had worked even harder to fit into their chaos. His trip to Denver had been the biggest legal risk in the books, and yet, he'd committed to such a hefty request without batting an eye. Bruised knuckles had meant nothing by comparison to the trust he'd earned from them.

Trust that now meant nothing. They'd caught him talking to Thierry Dupont, leaving them to assume the worst. They weren't wrong and despite his attempt at a impromptu gaslighting session with Nathan, nothing had changed. They didn't trust him and because of that, he didn't have a leg left to stand on.

His morning debrief with Mack had left him frustrated. How was he to blame for any of this? It was the Bureau's impatience that had cornered him. The gentle voice of another left him shaking from the chokehold his thoughts had on him, but rather than relief, he was met with another burden of fear. Not only was Carla an employee of the very man that wanted his head on a stake, she was a good friend to woman he had wanted nothing more than to protect. "That I am. We've had some issues here at the coffee shop that I've been trying to sort through. I'm hoping to drop by the distillery soon to check in on things there. If you missed me that much, you're always welcome to drop by Soph's place. Odds are, if I'm not here or at the distillery, I'm there."

Characters: Carla Villanueva & Khalil Hassan ( @khalilhassan )

Location: Deja Brew

Closed starter

It did not take much to realize that some things were changing around her, the air at work in constant fluctuation. And whilst she was curious, she knew better than to poke a sleeping bear. Asking Nate about it was not something she'd consider to be a bright idea, and she didn't want to tempt Freddie's temper even when he was lying blissfully by her side. She'd just observed from a distance, noting the changes in her head. One of them being the sheer absence of Khalil at the distillery.

According to Sophia, he was still working there. Which was weird considering how she hadn't seen him around in weeks. He'd always be coming up to Nate's office for something or hovering about. Something she'd grown eerily aware of when Nate had asked her to keep a log of the people who came to the upper floor. But she had never given it much thought until his absence because quite obvious.

She didn't expect to run into him at the coffee shop, but Carla still kept her cool as she made her way towards the table he was seated at, the cup of warm coffee in her hands. "Khalil. I haven't seen your face in so long. The boss has been keeping you busy?"

[captainkippen]

UPDATE: CHAPTER FIVE

Summary:

Cyrus Goodman expected a lot of things from college. TJ Kippen wasn't one of them.

Tag list: @80srhapsvdy, @illbeyourreasonwhy, @theobligatedklutz, @ahhh-idk-something, @buffy-driscool, @cool-anonymous-tyrus-shipper, @tjgoodkippen, @akamela, @someplacex, @breadisticks, @marvelous-me-always, @thedampjofangirl, @ziall-paynlinson, @tea-for-one-please, @luzawithoutu, @tyrus-is-canon, @tylercamebackyes, @c-ristopher, @stars-soph

[c-j-writes]

Fictober 2019

Prompt #3 “Now? Now you listen to me?”

[Untitled Gay Mess]

Rating: T

Warnings/Tags: Will involve drug abuse in later chapters

Chapter Three

The alarm on my phone blares right next to me the next morning. My hand lifts to snooze the damn thing and I roll over to sink back into the warm bed. When I roll over though, my arm bumps into a lump in the bed beside me. I drag my eyes open just slightly enough to make out the mass of blonde hair in front of my face. I’m fully going to blame it on being close to unconsciousness at the moment, but when I realized where I was, I sunk into the pillow and wrapped my arm around Soph’s torso. 

Her breathing moved my arm up and down rhythmically and I felt myself nearing sleep again. The warmth that radiated from the blankets and Sophie made me feel more than comfortable. Not really thinking about it, I pulled closer to her and rested my head on her shoulder. I could live like this. It was so warm and cozy and comfortable and I didn’t have to worry about anything at that moment. 

Then the moment was over. My late alarm started bleeping and Soph’s regular alarm went off too. Doing my best to stay still and pretend I was asleep, I ignored them for a few seconds. Sophie stirred next to me and I cursed the universe for making today a school day. The blonde groaned and swatted at the table on her left, trying to find her phone and shut it up. With some mumbled curses and more banging, she finally turned it off and then groaned again when she found that my phone was making noise as well. 

“Ands, as touching as this show of emotion is, we’ve got to get up,” she mumbles. Something in her tone whips me right back to reality. I lean over and end the assault on our ears, shifting to stand up out of the bed. The cold aches to my bones in comparison to the warmth I’d been surrounded in. But I make myself keep moving and trudge over to the set of drawers where I know some of my clothes are hidden in. 

Soph and I had been friends since middle school. We’d had more sleepovers than I could think of counting.  Naturally, we’d both accumulated drawers and closet space in each other’s rooms. Sometimes it felt like Soph actually took over more space in my room than I did. It made these impromptu sleepovers easier to manage. 

From her bed, Soph was still fighting sleep and trying to untangle her limbs from the blanket with as little effort as possible. While she was still struggling to move, I found an outfit and slipped across the hall to the bathroom. Sure, I’ve changed in front of Soph before, but I’ve always felt the least bit of awkwardness in my gut when I did. It was just more comfortable to change in the bathroom instead. 

When I stepped back into the room, having washed the sleep out of my face, I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Sophie still dozing on the bed. 

“Soph, you’re the one who said we had to get up,” I commented, pulling at the blankets surrounding her. She groaned, covering her eyes with her arm. “Don’t make me drag you, it’s too early for that.” 

“Like you wouldn’t love it.” The comment made me drop the blanket from my hands. I stepped back, absently watching as she finally sat up and turned to get out of the bed. She moved around the room, getting ready for the day without a care in the world. But I felt like I couldn’t move. 

She’d made comments like that before. Jokes about how I was always around girls and how I acted more like a guy sometimes. She’d even cracked up when she thought about the fact that I’ve only ever had one boyfriend back in middle school and it lasted less than a month. I was used to it. I always laughed along because they were just jokes. But the way she said it, something about the tone or the setting or the timing… something. All I could think about was one of the mornings I woke up after spending the night with Mack. 

She had basically forced me into agreeing to a movie night. Her parents had been away somewhere, maybe a trip or just an evening out, I don’t remember if I even asked. Neither of us meant to fall asleep, she was supposed to drive me home before midnight. Instead, I woke up to soft snores and a hundred angry messages from my father. After he forgave me for scaring him shitless, Mack made it a mission of hers to have movie nights every week. My father never cared where I went, as long as I told him whether or not I’d be home. 

The memories of those mornings were something I’ve been trying to push as far out of my mind as I could. They were supposed to stay in the world of summer and not mix in with the world of school. The world of sports and friends and teammates and everything my normal life consists of. But here I was, thinking about the fairy lights that hang off of her windows and the posters that are tacked on her ceiling. I tried to think of how annoyingly persistent she’s been, but all I could remember was the smile that would light up the room when she opened her eyes. 

“Earth to Andy,” Sophie said, throwing a pillow from her bed at me. I shook my head, bringing myself back to the room I was in. “Now? Now you listen to me?” She rolls her eyes at me and finishes making her bed. “Where did you go?” I pulled my lips into a smile and laughed.

“Nowhere, just tired. It’s too fucking early.” 

“God, you’re not wrong.” I could tell from her voice that she was very hungover. Soph leads the way out of her room and downstairs. Her father is still asleep, as usual, but her mother smiles at us as we hit the kitchen. Her mom is one of those moms that doesn’t have a job so she takes her role as a stay at home wife way too seriously. She always has breakfast ready when Soph wakes up and keeps the pantries stocked full for whenever anyone visiting wants a snack. My mom was never like that, but I didn’t mind. 

“Good morning, girls,” Soph’s mom chirped, taking a tray of bagels out of the oven and setting them on the counter for us to take from. 

“Morning, Mrs. D,” I replied. Sophie poured herself a fresh cup of coffee as I grabbed a bagel and started spreading cream cheese on it. 

“How was your first day yesterday?” Sophie kept quiet, paying more attention to her drink and her phone.

“It was good, I’m glad to be getting back to the routine of it, you know?” Mrs. Drake hummed, continuing to smile as she rounded the kitchen and made sure all the surfaces were spotless. “I’m probably going to get the team together to practice some drills after school since it’s been a while since our last practice.” 

“Oh, are you excited for the season this year, sweetheart?” 

“Yeah, we’ve still got a few months and everything, but I’m really excited. There’s going to be a lot of recruiters around and everything, so yeah.” Soph grabbed my arm then and started dragging me to the door. 

“Alright, enough bonding, we have to get to school, Mom.” I waved to Mrs. Drake as we left the house. 

“Alright, I hope you two have a good day!” Sophie rolled her eyes, but I smiled. One of my favorite parts of being over at Soph’s house was how nice her mom was. It was hilarious how such a sarcastic and snappy human could come from someone so sweet and chipper.

Sophie chugged her coffee on our way to the car, almost finishing it by the time we climbed in. “We’re going to need to hit Starbucks on our way,” she muttered as she jammed the key in the ignition. 

It isn’t until I’m staring into my locker before the first period that I notice the absence of my bookbag. There are only a few minutes until the bell, so I shrug it off and close my locker. Sophie had already taken off to her class, wanting to sit down in hopes that her head would stop throbbing. She almost killed us multiple times on the way to school. Her driving scared me normally, but while she was hungover? We were definitely lucky to be alive.

I still had a good amount of time before class, so I walked down the hall slowly, not overly eager to get to math class. The hallways weren’t too crowded, which was surprising for it being the second day. Usually, they wouldn’t calm down until a month in or so. It was nice walking down the hall without having to worry about the congestion though. 

There was a tap on my shoulder as I was about to round the corner to the math and science hall. Before I could turn to see who it was, the brunette walked up in front of me and gave me a smile. 

“Hey, Andrea.” If I’m being honest, I debated ignoring her. After this morning, I didn’t even want to look at her. 

“It’s Andy,” I replied. She looked around the hallway and her smile faded just a bit. 

“How’s your friend?” It takes me a second to remember the exact events of the previous night. The party. Sophie being drunk off her ass. The car ride. I clear my throat.

“She’s fine, she doesn’t need you checking up on her.” Mack nodded, the smile getting the least bit brighter. 

“And how are you, Andrea?”

“Andy.” I watch her, trying to will her to stop calling me that. “Why wouldn’t I be fine?” 

“You just seemed a bit jumpy last night, wanted to make sure everything was alright.”

“Well, it’s fine,” I snapped, picking up my pace to leave her behind me. “And I don’t need you checking up on me either.” I heard her footsteps stop where I left her, but tried not to think about it. That’s not something I needed to be thinking about.  

[highhopeshq]

— ♡ unfollow

@elis-petrusic

@mack-leford

@soph-hamilton

@castelronnie

@fuckingniceboyg

@jonesishere

@cwssie

@tompero

[machineofreality]

What's in the book anyway?

230106 Part of the problem has been that I didn’t really work any of this out ahead of time. All I’ve got is a map or Arket and a vague notion about what’s happening. In particular: what’s in that book that Mack and Soph keep reading? My previous approach to this sort of thing would be to continue writing as if I’d already put this information into the story and come back to it later (not that…

[wsmith215]

Will Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley become the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB? – Baltimore Ravens Blog

Last year at this time, the question surrounding Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley was whether he would make his first Pro Bowl.

Now it’s legitimate to ask whether Stanley is going to get paid like no other non-quarterback in the NFL.

Stanley’s ascension to the top of his position comes as he enters the final year of his rookie contract and an enviable situation. The left tackle market suddenly became inflated while lacking a core of young and established blockers.

In addressing his contract situation this past week, Stanley said, “I definitely want to get paid my value and what I’m worth.”

Given that he’s a first-team All-Pro, Stanley is expected to surpass Houston’s Laremy Tunsil, who escalated the value for left tackles in April by signing a three-year contract that averages $22 million per season.

• Stefanski’s early impression on Browns • How A.J. Brown can avoid soph slump • Steelers’ D vs. division’s three Heisman QBs • How Hyde fits in Seahawks’ backfield • Inside Broncos’ biggest positional overhauls

Coming off one of the best seasons by a left tackle in recent memory, Stanley could move past Chicago pass-rusher Khalil Mack ($23.5 million per season) and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald ($22.5 million) to become the richest non-QB in the league.

In protecting the blind side of NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, Stanley allowed six pressures, the fewest by an offensive tackle in 14 years. He was named Pro Football Focus’ Pass Blocker of the Year.

In opening holes for the NFL’s all-time single-season rushing attack, Stanley helped Baltimore average 7.2 yards per rush on the left side. In the past 15 years, only the 2018 Carolina Panthers gained more yards per carry on the left side (7.4).

Stanley has been the most effective left tackle in the game, and the metrics prove it. Laremy Tunsil’s new contract upped the bar for Stanley’s asking price. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Detractors will say no left tackle is worth that money (over half of the NFL’s starting quarterbacks are making less than $22 million per season) and that Stanley���s numbers are more reflective of how teams are reluctant to full-out blitz Jackson. Others feel the Ravens can’t spend on Stanley when three Pro Bowl players (cornerback Marlon Humphrey, tight end Mark Andrews and offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr.) are scheduled to become free agents after the 2021 season and Jackson will likely be seeking a record-setting deal around that time.

Baltimore can keep Stanley at what amounts to be a bargain price for the next two years. Stanley is making $12.86 million in his fifth-year option this season, and he could receive the franchise tag at around $15 million in 2021.

Ultimately, the Ravens will have to make the tough decision: Give Stanley the biggest average-per-year deal in franchise history or search for his replacement.

Baltimore understands the challenge of finding a long-term answer at left tackle. After Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden retired in 2007, the Ravens went through seven starting left tackles in eight years: Jared Gaither, Adam Terry, Michael Oher, Bryant McKinnie, Eugene Monroe, James Hurst and Kelechi Osemele.

It wasn’t until the Ravens used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft on Stanley did they stop the turnstile. He was solid in his first three seasons before his breakout year in 2019, which moved him to the top of a position that lacks a lot of star power.

The days of Ogden, Walter Jones and Joe Thomas are gone. The current top protectors of the blind side are Stanley and Green Bay’s David Bakhtiari.

Dallas’ Tyron Smith and New Orleans’ Terron Armstead can’t stay on the field. San Francisco’s Trent Williams hasn’t played a game since 2018. Indianapolis’ Anthony Castonzo turns 32 before the season.

By protecting the blind side of the reigning league MVP, Stanley has built a rep as a shutdown blocker — he allowed zero sacks in 2019 and was flagged just four times. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Tunsil became the highest-paid left tackle because of leverage. The Texans traded two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Miami Dolphins for Tunsil, and they couldn’t afford to let him walk.

So Tunsil received $4 million more per season than any other offensive tackle in NFL history. How much more will it jump with Stanley?

Last season, Tunsil allowed three sacks and committed a league-high 17 penalties, including 14 false starts. Stanley didn’t give up a sack and was flagged just four times.

To keep Stanley, it certainly looks like the Ravens will have to give him a contract that exceeds the $22 million-per-year deal signed by quarterback Joe Flacco in 2016.

If anyone needed a reminder about how much teams covet offensive tackles, five were taken in the first round in this year’s draft. The Browns, Jets and Dolphins all selected tackles in hopes of protecting young franchise quarterbacks.

The Ravens know the price it’ll take to keep Stanley shielding pass-rushers from Jackson. It’s just unknown whether they’re willing to pay it.

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[ladylooch]

Best Thing I’ll Ever Do - Lio x Savannah (Part 3)

A/N: This chapter really encompasses a lot of what you all wanted to see with Lio and Sav in this part! I am really loving the way Lio is showing up for Savannah in these parts. I just... the way he has grown, both for her and himself... it's beautiful! Courageous! Aspirational! We love you, Lee 🥰

Word Count: 4.7k

Trigger Warnings: infertility, mentions of blood, pregnancy/birth

Part 1 | Part 2| Part 4 |

Inside a bright room atop a Manhattan skyscraper, Savannah delicately arranges the ‘Oh Baby!’ sign hanging down the gorgeous, flower wall filled with roses. The wall is fake flowers, but looks so real, Savannah didn’t believe they were fake until she ran her fingers over them. The flowers are dotted with the theme of the day which is delicate little butterflies, just like the baby they are celebrating today. 

Baby Girl Wood #2 is due in 6 short weeks. Or long depending on which one of her parents you’re talking to.

“My ankles are already swelling up.” Lucie complains from where she is sitting at the bar, sipping on a strawberry lemonade. She extends her legs out in front of her, baby pink skirt hitting just below her knees. She evaluates each ankle while sipping consistently from her straw. “Oh! She loves sugar.” Lucie chuckles, rubbing over her rounded belly where the baby presumably moves. 

Savannah glances over, throwing a sweet smile as Lexi pats her daughter’s shoulder comfortingly. Behind them, Mack, the hostess of the baby shower, is adjusting the little gift bags on the table by the door, making sure they are all aligned and in place.

“Soph did too. Would practically punch through my skin when I had lemonade.”

“I can’t relate. Lio was always fighting people in my belly, I swear.” Emma adds in her two cents. Savannah smirks, turning to call towards her.

“So his punching people started young?”

“Ha!” Emma points at her future daughter-in-law. “Yes. I’m sorry.” She cringes. “I tried. Too much of his dad in him.” Emma pauses, looking over Savannah’s work. “Wow, that looks so real. I am in love with the butterfly touch. That was a great idea!” Emma walks over, inspecting it up close as Savannah steps back to be in line with her.

“Thank you! I am satisfied.” Savannah confirms, crossing her arms over her chest while continuing to look with critical eyes.

“Perfect.” Emma murmurs, then wraps an arm around Savannah’s upper back. “How are you?” Savannah turns, meeting Emma’s eyes. She can tell Lio and his mother spoke this morning. How much of her recent struggles Lio shared with her, Savannah isn’t sure. But nothing has been easy since Connor and Lucie told them they were expecting a baby. 

The heartache and immutable circumstances Savannah thought she had come to terms with no longer felt resolved. It was easy to say this was all okay, but being thrust into a pregnancy journey with someone they are so close with has changed everything. Some days, it takes everything for Savannah to get out of bed. The mere act of existing weighs on her. Lio has been so patient and understanding. Savannah isn’t sure how she is going to get out of this funk. It’s never gripped her this hard before. But she has also never loved anyone as much as she loves Lio, or planned a life with someone to this extent. 

Every step closer they take towards forever- the wedding, the honeymoon, discussing if they are going to move- it all seems like a magnifier on this gaping hole Savanna has eating through the ventricles of her heart. She loathes herself for reverting back into old habits- retreating within, staying out of the house longer to avoid Lio, and the negative self-talk when she sees mothers with their children. It’s all so immature. She should be past this by now.

In an act of asserting willpower and taking back control, Savannah offered to help Mack plan the baby shower. Emma had been helping, but stepped aside when Savannah offered her time and creative mind. Getting immersed in the world of Pinterest and all the different options for showers had been surprisingly therapeutic as long as Savannah ignored the reason for the party. 

This morning, when she woke up and Lio mentioned it sounded like Connor and Lucie settled in on a name for their baby, everything shattered inside Savannah again. She hit the wood floor, collapsing under the crushing weight of knowing she will never have this moment. She will never be able to understand what it's like to have people celebrate her pregnancy. Though she has faced this thought before today, it reopens the wound every moment she remembers.

“I’m good.” Savannah assures Emma, leaning in to hug her soon to be mother in law. Emma squeezes her back hard, fully like a mama does, and it takes several calming breaths before Savannah is sure she won’t cry from the sweetness. She cannot wait to officially join the Meier family. She is hitting the jackpot with Lio’s family. 

Not long after the flower wall is completed, guests begin to arrive. The list consists of mostly family, a few of Lucie’s college friends, and the Rangers WAGS. They all arrive together as a group, descending into the room like gorgeous runway models. Savannah smiles when they see her, offering a wave. The group grabs various drinks, then comes over to where Savannah is standing by the table of quick shower games. 

“Hi Savannah!” One of them, Whitney, exclaims. The two women hug, then she is introduced to the other three women: Gianna, Crystal, and Kyra. Whitney and Savannah know each other from a few mutual friends, Lucie included. 

“Nice to meet you.”

“Savannah is engaged to Lucie’s cousin, Lio. He plays for the Devils.” Whitney fills in for the group. 

“Oh! I know!” Kyra giggles. “ I love your content on TikTok.”

“Oh god. Thanks!” Savannah starts to blush. While she loves creating content, she feels a little awkward when she sees someone in the wild who has seen her stuff. It feels like the other person knows so much about her and she knows nothing about them. Like a one-sided relationship Savannah never knew she entered into. 

“Congratulations on your engagement!” Gianna notes Savannah’s ring. “It was recent?”

“Thank you! Yes, not long ago.” Savannah switches her glass to the other hand so she can extend her fingers out to show off her huge, square cut engagement ring. “It’ll do.” The girls laugh.

“So, when is the wedding?”

“Next summer, we are planning on July.”

“Here?” Whitney asks. 

“Yes! We finally decided on getting married here in the U.S. We were going back and forth on different places in Europe, but with the unknowns of the hockey season, it felt safer to plan for here. You know cause the cup.” 

“One day our lives won’t revolve around a silver cup.” Whitney jokes.

“Keep dreaming. They never stop talking about it, girls. Even after they win it.” Lexi says as she walks past towards Mack by the windows. The girls laugh at the former captain’s wife.

“Well soak it up! It won’t be long before everyone transitions into baby discussions. Unless you already have them?” Crystal comments.

“Oh no, we don’t and won’t have any.” Savannah clears the air. The silence that falls over the wives is awkward immediately. Savannah chews on her bottom lip for a moment, then takes a sip of her mimosa. 

“That’s nice. Kids are… so much work.” Gianna says assuringly. “You’ll be able to travel and do so much more without them.”

“Yeah.” Savannah nods, swallowing hard. All these things she gets to do that she would trade in a heartbeat for a baby. “That will be nice.” She smiles weakly. 

“And you’ll actually get to sleep at night. No late night feedings or changes or just the non-stop screaming. Unlike this girl.” Crystal murmurs, grabbing at Lucie’s forearm as she walks up to the group.

“What about me?”

“We were just telling Savannah that not having kids is the right choice.” Lucie’s face drops in utter horror. She looks over at Savannah so apologetically.

“Some things aren’t a choice.” Lucie snaps, glaring at her shower guest.

“It’s okay, Luc.” Savannah interjects immediately. The group of girls fall into confused silence. “I actually can’t have kids. I would if I could.” Savannah nods as she speaks, waving her hands awkwardly as she explains.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry.” Crystal closes her eyes and shakes her head immediately. “I should not have assumed.”

“Probably not.” Lucie mumbles, clearly annoyed. 

“It’s okay. Seriously, I’m fine.” Savannah plays it off to the group.

But after that, the party isn’t the same. Even after Lucie walks Savannah to a private corner to check in on her. 

“This is your party. Stop worrying about me! I am fine. I’m having a great time and I am hating how much of this is feeling like it’s about me. It’s about you and this perfect butterfly who is joining us soon.”

“Sav, I love you and I know you’re struggling, even if Lio keeps trying to shield your pain from the world.” Lucie sighs. “You know you can talk to me?”

“Yes.” Savannah nods. But they both know why she won’t. Lucie is currently pushing it’s little feet out of her ribs. 

At the end of the shower, Connor and Stella Wood pop in as the guests are starting to disperse. Stella bolts in, attaching to Mack’s waist immediately. 

“I saw Uncle Davey!” She announces.

“You did!? Did you keep him in line?”

“Um, well he tried to eat my pancakes, so I stabbed him with the fork.”

“Oh…” Mack hides her hand to laugh. “How did that go?”

“Not good. I had to go to timeout.” 

“They shouldn’t be giving us another baby.” Lucie jokes.

“Who is this they?” Mack asks her sister. “Y’all know what you did.”

“And I enjoyed it. Ready for more of it this weekend.” She grins at her husband who chuckles. 

“Plenty of it.” He says into her hair. “You ready? I got the car packed, bags are in there. Got Stella’s here for her adventure.” He holds up her purple duffle bag. Lucie and Connor are heading to the coast for a baby moon while Lio and Savannah take Stella for the next few days. 

“Where is my pillow!?” She shrieks, running away from Mack to her dad.

“In here. I put it on top.” He assures her. 

“Okay. Where is Uncle Lee?”

“He is at home waiting for us.” Savannah assures her. 

“Let’s go then.”

“Stella. Patience.” Connor snips a bit at her, clearly annoyed with her attitude. Him and Lucie share a look. His wife chuckles, then wraps an around around his waist.

“Okay, Stell, we are going to go. You’re in the best of hands this weekend, so please be kind and respectful and listen to the adults, okay?”

“Okay. I love you!” She bounces up on her tip toes, puckering her small lips for a smooch from both her parents. 

“I love you.” Lucie responds.

“Love you, bug. Be good. We will see you on Tuesday.”

“Yeah.” Stella nods, then swallows hard. She grips Savannah’s hand tightly which makes Sav’s heart beat stronger in her chest. Stella and her are in a great place now. It was touch and go in the beginning but the little girl has begun to cling to her just like she does to Lio. It’s the ultimate sign of love from a five year old. 

Lucie and Connor pass around hugs and appreciation to the remaining family members, then walk hand in hand to the elevator to begin their long awaited baby moon. Savannah looks down at Stella’s hand still resting in hers. 

“Should we go see what Uncle Lee is up to?” Savannah asks. 

Stella grins up at her, ready to rush across town to see her favorite person in the world.

- - -

(Lio)

The sound of the quiet crowd clapping at the Yankees game filters to Lio’s ears as he lightly dozes on his couch. Savannah is on her way back to their apartment with Stella and he is taking the last few moments of quiet to his full advantage. He pops one eye open when the crowd cheers exceedingly loud. A double. Nice. He scratches at an itch on his nose, then crosses his arms over his chest, wiggling deeper into the couch cushions. 

A faint whine is heard from the hallway. It grows increasingly louder until he recognizes Stella’s sobs. Lio bolts up, rushing over to the door to open it. His eyebrows raise in surprise when he sees his fiancé on the other side of the door. Stella is propped on her hip as Savannah is loaded down with various different bags. 

“Whoa.” He says as he takes note of the tears streaking the makeup off her cheeks. “What is going on?”

“Help me.” Savannah snaps.

“Okay.” He reaches for Stella, taking her into his chest. The little girl presses her wet cheek into his shoulder, hot puffs of hair hitting his neck with each cry.

“Ow.” She whines to him. “Ow!” She yells harder when he doesn’t react.

“Okay, Stella is hurt. Are you hurt?” He asks Savannah. 

“No. Just.. she skinned her knees.”

“Okay.” Lio grabs the bags from her left hand, ushering her into the apartment completely. “What happened?”

“I don’t know what to do with children! That’s what happened!” She throws the remaining bags in her hands to the couch, then rushes from the room. Lio stares at her in confusion. The bedroom door shuts hard and loud, making both Stella and Lio jump. 

“Uncle Lee, she’s mad at me! I said I was sorry!”

“Let’s look at you.” Lio says, putting her on the counter. He looks down at her knees, seeing both of them have been skinned down a bit. The left one has dots of blood in it while the other one has red dribbling down her calf. Stella looks down at them with him.

“Look at it.”

“Yeah. That’s not fun. But I think you’ll live.” He assures her. He scoops her back up, carrying her to the bathroom where he can work on cleaning them up. He sets her on the closed toilet, then kneels down at her knees. He wets a washcloth, carefully dabbing at them with the warm cloth.

“No, no, no, no!” Stella says, pushing his hands. 

“Stell, I have to clean it. Those streets are nasty.” Lio sighs, trying to reason with her.

“I want daddy to do it!” She says, bouncing anxiously and kicking her feet.

“How about I do this and we pick out a really cool BandAid from the Disney pack Auntie got you?” He suggests. Stella contemplates. “I bet Mulan is in there.” Stella grins. 

“Yessss!” She holds her legs out for him, allowing him to clean them off. 

“How did this happen?” He asks her, careful of her sensitive skin. He works the soft cloth over her scrapes, pressing through even as he hates her little whimpers. 

“Um, well…” She trails off, looking towards the sky. Lio knows a guilty Stella when he sees one.

“You didn’t listen?”

“Yeah.” She sighs, like such circumstances were beyond her control. 

“We talked about this.”

“Well, I wanted to go into the M&M store! My mama was supposed to take me this week and she didn’t because of my stupid baby sister that makes her feel icky and then Auntie Sav said we could go in after the shower! But, but, then she walked by and I wanted to go back and she said no.”

“And you did what?” Stella pauses, mashing her little lips together nervously. She doesn’t want to say. “Stella.”

“I ran away.” 

“Stella Wood.” Lio gets stern, dropping the washcloth down to his side. “That is not okay.” 

“I-”

“No. You need to listen. To your parents, to me, and to your auntie, especially when you’re out in public. She promised your mama and daddy that she would take care of you. She can’t do that if you aren’t behaving or using your listening ears.” A nasty scowl drops Stella’s eyebrows and lower lip. “You hear me?” His blue eyes pin her in place. She nods reluctantly. “When we are done here, you’re going to apologize to Auntie Sav.”

“But she said I could go and then didn’t take me! That’s not fair!”

“You are 4 years old-”

“-I’m almost five!-”

“Okay, you’re proving my point more. You are almost five years old and I know you understand the rules. You do not get to disobey adult decisions. You had no idea what was happening. Maybe she was trying to protect you from something. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. Maybe she had a better idea planned for you here at home. But it shouldn’t matter. You need to listen and be respectful of your caretakers.” Stella drops her gaze. Lio looks down at her brown curls, sighing heavily. “Stell, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now pick out your bandaids.” He encourages her, holding open the box for her. She picks an Olaf and an Elsa bandaid because there were in fact ZERO Mulan bandaids, which she was sure to point out. Then Lio got her situated on the couch with a movie and an apple juice box before he headed down to Savannah. 

“Hey.” He calls as he walks in. She is on her side, curled up on top of their comforter. Her head rests on her arm with the opposite hand palm up under her cheek.

“Hi.”

“I talked to Stell.”

“I overreacted.” Savannah sighs.

“She shouldn't have run off.” 

“Yeah. But I did tell her we could go into the M & M store and I was... struggling, so when we got there, I couldn’t stand another second of being out in public. That’s not her fault. Should she have run off? No, but it was an all around fail by me.”

“What’s wrong? Was.. did something happen at the party?”

“You mean did all the Rangers girls look at me like what’s wrong with her when I said we didn’t have kids and weren't going to?” Lio’s eyebrows furrow together angrily.

“What the fuck?”

“It wasn’t intentional, and no it wasn’t all of them, but it felt like it at that moment. Then I just wanted to leave and there was so much of the party left. I kept having to pretend everything was fine and your mom was being so sweet, but also kept coming up and checking in on me and it was all too much.” Lio encourages her to roll onto her back so he can look down in her face. She stares blankly back at him, almost unfeeling and disassociated from the moment. He runs his hand up her thigh to rest on her stomach. Savannah weaves their fingers together there. “Is she okay? I didn’t really get a good look but it looked like minor scrapes.”

“She’ll live. She’s got cool bandaids and apple juice.” Savannah tries for a small smile. She plays with his fingers while he looks her over more.

“Guess Mother Nature knew I would be a shit mom and made it so I couldn’t be.”

“Don’t say that.” Lio responds quietly. “I’m not okay with you talking about yourself like that. I don’t like it. You had an off day, babe. That’s it.”

Savannah doesn’t respond, but she tilts the corners of her mouth up at him in agreement. The worry in Lio’s gut continues to grow. He hasn’t seen her like this in a long time, not since Lucie first said she was pregnant. As the days grow closer to Lucie’s upcoming birth, he gets more and more uneasy. Now, with a sassy and defiant Stella in the house, he isn’t sure this is the best fit for his fiance's mental health. He loves Stella. He was really looking forward to this time together, but he needs to support his other girl too.

“Go back to Stell. I’ll be okay.” She whispers.

Lio doesn’t want to go, but Stella unattended in the living room isn’t a long-term solution. He gives her a kiss, cradling her head in his hands before heading back into the living room. Stella is in the same place he left her, juice box tossed onto the other couch cushion, mouth agape as she watches the scene unfold. 

“I’ll be right back.” He assures her with a gently pat on the head, 

Lio sighs as he steps onto the balcony. He leans on the railing for a minute, taking a breather from the chaos he just came out of. He contemplates what he should do next. 

When he has collected himself, he pulls his phone out to make the call.

“You called me not Lucie.” Mack answers the phone.

“Ah.. yeah I meant to call you.” Lio responds.

“... Oh. I figured it was the wrong button or something.” 

“No. I need a favor.” Lio says, shooting straight with her immediately. This is how they are. 

“Kay.”

“I need you to take over watching Stella.”

Loud silence comes over the phone line.

“David and I had plans that did not involve children.” A hint of annoyance is in her voice. He supposes he doesn’t blame her. He has bailed on commitments in the past. No one has been slower on accepting the changed version of Lio than Mackenzie Hischier. She’s not a forget and forgive kinda girl. He respects that about her.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, but Sav isn’t okay. I need to focus on her right now.”

“Okay. I’ll send David to come get her. She loves his truck.”

Lio smiles at the way Mack doesn’t press further and the annoyance has dropped completely. Lucie would be all “mama” with him and ask a million questions, already on her way over trying to fix everything. Not Mack. As long as you give her enough information to make a decision, she takes over with whatever is needed.

“Thank you.” Lio murmurs, closing his eyes in relief. “Sorry to ruin your plans.”

“No problem.” Mack pauses. “Are… you okay?”

“Ahm, yeah.” Lio clears his throat. “Yeah.” He repeats more firmly. 

“Okay. David should be back from his run soon. I’ll send him over after his shower. Are you calling Lucie or am I?”

“I’ll call her. Thank you.”

“Yep. Bye.” Mack clicks off first. Lio chuckles. Now to break the news to Stella.

Stella takes it well, especially when she hears about Uncle Davey coming to pick her up, but Lucie on the other hand is as concerned as he knew she would be.

“What’s wrong with Sav? Should we come home?” 

“No. I’m taking care of everything, but your daughter has this idea that I should entertain her at all times. I can’t do that and do what I need to for Sav.” Lio speaks to the phone while packing up Stella’s suitcase that was already strewn all about their guest room.

“Fair.” Lucie agrees then blows out a heavy sigh. “She just loves you.”

“I know. And I love her. But she has other people here who will take care of her.”

“Mack won’t do the bedtime routine though.” Lucie grumbles.

“I guess I should tell you I don’t either.”

“Lio!” Lucie yells. 

“Lu, what you do at your house is your business, but that is too many steps for me. She gets into pajamas, brushes her teeth and by the time I'm shutting the book she is out. That’s it.”

“How is Lio Meier of all people better at bedtime than me?” 

“Because you have always made things complicated.” Lio says, flipping the suitcase shut again and zipping it up. “Like this conversation.”

“Wow.” Lucie snips. “Okay, well sounds like you all have it figured out. I’ll check in with Mack tonight.”

“Alright. Have a good rest of your trip.” Lio places the small suitcase on its wheels, shoving it towards the door. 

“Lee?” Lucie pauses. 

“Yeah.”

“I asked Sav if it was okay for her to help with the shower, and for you to watch Stell. I hope I didn’t overstep somehow. I would never want something I did to hurt her.”

“No, Luc, you didn’t do anything wrong. She wanted to help with these things. But she is struggling more than I think she even realizes.”

“Okay.” Lucie responds. Her voice drips with sadness, clearly concerned for her friend. “I feel really bad.”

“It’s okay. You can’t fix this.”

“Neither can you.” She reminds him. He juts his lower jaw out in disagreement. 

That’s her opinion. He is still gonna try like hell to.

- - -

Winnie Wood came into the world in a chaotic c-section on a rainy, September morning. Stella had arrived at Lio and Savannah’s the previous night when Lucie’s contractions started picking up.  Despite being put to bed in the guest room, Stella ended up in bed with the adults and none of them slept well after that. Lio has no idea how Connor and Lucie can stand to sleep with her and her flailing limbs on a regular basis. 

Next to him, Savannah rests her temple on the steel of the elevator. They ride up to their place the same way they rode in the car home from the hospital: silent. Stella has been dropped with all her grandparents for dinner tonight and will be back at their apartment later tonight, then home tomorrow to sleep in her own bed with a new baby sister. 

Lio glances over at Savannah as the elevator pauses on their floor. 

“Babe?” He calls to her when she doesn’t move to get out. She startles, clearly lost in another world. 

“Oh sorry.” She sniffs, then walks out past him. He reaches for her shoulder from behind, wanting to pull her back into him to comfort her. Instead, she shrugs his touch off. That hurts. 

He sighs as silently as he can, then waits next to her as she unlocks the door. She walks in, heading immediately towards their bedroom. She abruptly stops before going in, a loud suffering sob coming from her lips.

“Lio, I’m not okay.” Savannah hiccups from the doorway. Lio rushes forward quickly to hold her. 

“I know, baby. It’s okay that you’re not.” He grabs her hand, gently encouraging her fully into his chest. She weakly grips his hand back, blinking her tears down her cheeks. 

“Oh fuck I’m so sad.” She wails, curling over at the waist. “I’m never gonna have that. I’m never going to know what it feels like to hold my baby in my arms.” She starts to cry so hard that no noise comes out of her. Lio wraps an arm around her waist, holding her up until he can guide her safely to the floor. The bed is less than ten feet away but he knows they won’t make it. He sits down next to her, then encourages her to crawl into his lap. Savannah shoves her face into his shirt, smearing black mascara all over the light blue fabric. 

“She already has a baby. Why can’t it be me?” Savannah sobs into Lio’s shoulder. 

“Baby it could be you.” Lio murmurs, feeling brave even as she falls apart in his hands.. “There are so many avenues we haven’t tried. We could try surrogacy. Or IVF.” Savannah pulls away, looking at him like he has grown three heads.

“Lee, you don’t want kids.” Her sadness pierces through the room.

“I want whatever you want.” A look of deep sympathy softens over his face.

“No.” Savannah pushes away from his chest, clearly withdrawing from him again. “I’m not doing kids that way. I’m not forcing you into IVF or surrogacy because I want this and you don’t. I’m not going back on our deal. It’s not in our cards.” Her teeth are gritted shut. She wipes her tears away, trying to get her shit back together.

“Babe, I’ll do it for-”

“Please stop.” Savannah whispers, then purses her lips together to stop the sob in her throat. Her eyes close, steady tears flowing down from her closed eyelids. Lio feels his heart crack open again in his chest. For her. For himself. For them and the things they’ll never get to experience together. He would do anything to give this to his wife. He would give up everything they have to give her a baby. But she won’t even let him try.

Heaviness fills the room between them. While she continues to turn inwards, struggling, Lio holds her tighter, gathering up all of her pieces and keeping them together until she can do it again herself.

Read more Lio and Savannah here

[spacesquirrel]

Super Detailed Questions #1, #12, #13 for ALL YOUR Shepards. Please?

Loved the Qs you chose - I have never really thought about food preferences before in detail, so this was super fun to flesh out!

Brooklyn Annette Shepard // Double Sole Survivor // ♡ Kaidan

>> 1. What’s their full name? Why was that chosen? Does it mean anything?

*I* chose Brooklyn because I liked the sound of it - this name actually came pretty easily to me. I decided I needed a new Shepard for a fic idea, and in about 5 minutes she was named Brooklyn.

It doesn’t really mean anything, but her brother’s name is Bear and I liked the idea of having siblings with the same first letter of their name. Annette is their mother’s first name - Brooklyn Annette after her mom, and Bear Thom after their dad. It’s a tradition in their family that the children carry their parent’s first name as a middle name. So if Brooklyn and Kaidan had kids, they would be XYZ Brooklyn or ABC Kaidan Alenko.

>> 12. What is their favourite food?

Classic breaded and double baked mac and cheese. She swears she can’t make it even close to how her Ma used to, but lord knows she tries.

>> 13. What is their least favourite food?

She can’t stand bananas. Hates the texture.

She also is not a fan of carrots - only because they remind her too much of her brother, Bear, who she used to tease for being a carrot both due to their shared red hair and also his love of pulling the damned things from the ground (it was his favourite job on the Shepard farm).

Sophie Grace Shepard // Spacer Butcher // ♡ Kaidan

>> 1. What’s their full name? Why was that chosen? Does it mean anything?

Again, I chose Sophie because I liked the sound of it. It took me FOREVER to name this Shepard - she was my first/canon Shepard. I also wanted something that could have a nickname and I liked the way “Soph” sounded when I pictured people saying it.

Her middle name is her Great Grandmother’s name - it doesn’t really mean anything, either, but Soph is far from graceful or polite or any of the things you’d think about when you hear that name so I liked it.

>> 12. What is their favourite food?

Hmmmmm good question. She can’t cook (and hates to cook) - growing up on space stations and space ships, she just never really learned. She also therefore doesn’t really get the appeal of “good” food, eating is kind of a means to an end for her (aka you eat to not die). She will, however, do just about anything for an ice cream sandwich.

>> 13. What is their least favourite food?

It’s not a food but she REALLY REALLY hates tea. She claims drinking tea is like drinking dirty dishwater and regularly calls it swamp water around the ship. (sidenote: her version of Kaidan loves the stuff). 

Mackenzie “Mack” Shepard // Earthborn Warhero // ♡ Vega

>> 1. What’s their full name? Why was that chosen? Does it mean anything?

DUN DUN DUN! You said ALL in such big letters I felt like you were in my brain, so I’m taking this opportunity to introduce the world to a very new baby Shep I am developing! 

I really wanted to give a character the name Mackenzie and I also had a need for a Shepard I could put with James for a (yet unwritten) drabble idea; and thus Mack was born. 

Her dad was an abusive deadbeat and her mom a red sand addict so she had a rough few early years before she ended up on the streets at 6/7 and eventually, with the Reds, giving herself the nickname “Mack” (her parents called her Kenzie and she hates it). 

She doesn’t remember if she had a given middle name. Shepard is also not her real last name - it’s the one she gave herself when she joined the Alliance.

>> 12. What is their favourite food?

A really big, juicy, medium-rare steak.

>> 13. What is their least favourite food?

Ramen and/or just about any kind of instant noodle - it reminds her too much of her time with the reds.

[flmingcheeto]

thanks for the tag @randomsmilingpotatoes ♡︎

🌿 Favourite comfort food: french fries, just give me fries honestly

🌼 Favourite alcohol (or hot drink!): hot apple cider or hot chocolate, hot apple cider is actually bomb

🌷Favourite relaxing activity: listening to music, i was gonna say play video games but i rage lol

🌸 Favourite fluffy/feel-good fic: i don’t really read fics but it would have to be one of @localspacelesbian cartero fics

🌻 Favourite calming scent: vanilla, japanese cherry blossom, or fresh cinnamon rolls

🌺 Favourite relaxing (or uplifting) song: i love lofi music but if a song song then get you by daniel caesar or death bed by powfu

🌵 Favourite white noise: rainfall bc it’s so soothing

🍄 Favourite book to get lost in: i don’t really read lmao

💐 Favourite chill-out TV show: diary of a future president or andi mack

🌹 The best advice you’ve ever had: honestly idk tbh, i usually give advice to people lol but probably it would be “ur perfect the way u are”

tagging: @uglyballerina @bcwen @captnswcn @localspacelesbian @stars-soph @caitlinesmewilliams + anyone else ♡︎

Share your self-care

Tagged by @samgreenstorm thank you 🤍

🌿 Favourite comfort food:  Soup!

🌼 Favourite alcohol (or hot drink!): Mint hot chocolate (specifically from Timmies, they have the best mint to chocolate ratio!)

🌷Favourite relaxing activity: Dancing to music without structure. Just feeling it flowing through me and closing my eyes and not thinking about it but just moving.

🌸 Favourite fluffy/feel-good fic: There was this one fic I LOVED from this really small fandom but it’s been taken down now :(

🌻 Favourite calming scent: Old books

🌺 Favourite relaxing (or uplifting) song: at the moment Dernière Danse by Indila lifts me up (returning to my grade 9 roots lol)

🌵 Favourite white noise: running water, like a creek or a waterfall

🍄 Favourite book to get lost in: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall. I read it when it first came out when I was 13 and it’s just got such a nostalgic, warm, calming energy that immediately soothes me anytime I reread it.

💐 Favourite chill-out TV show: Either Schitt’s Creek or Brooklyn Nine Nine, the two shows I always go back to.

🌹 The best advice you’ve ever had: Stop mind-reading; meaning don’t predict or assume you know what others are thinking because this is something I do A LOT and it has caused me so much anxiety and self-consciousness.

Tagging:

@ameliabedeliagoesonline @whatcanisayimgay @safodebuenosaires @randomsmilingpotatoes @notactuallyatreefrog @thenightthatendsatlast 💛

[josephinemarche]

agents of shield & leverage

AGENTS OF SHIELD

my all-time ultimate fave character: please don’t make me choose between Phil and Melinda because honestly I can’t like I might lean towards Melinda atm but Phil Coulson owns my ass so. I can’t choose. 

a character I didn’t used to like but now do: Probably Mack. I was a bit indifferent at first but now he’s head cheerleader on team Philinda. And he puts up with Coulson missing May and talking about her all the time so you know the guy must be a champ. Talbot also grew on me. 

a character I used to like but now don’t: I think i liked Andrew for like, five minutes in Melinda and then that was it. 

a character I’m indifferent about: Eh there’s a whole bunch of things and characters in season two/three that I’ve sort of glossed over and am indifferent to. like Cal? wtf are you doing man. 

a character who deserved better: MELINDA MAY. DAISY JOHNSON. JUST LET MOM AND HER GIRL BE HAPPY WITH DAD OKAY.

a ship I’ve never been able to get into: hm i mean i’m dreading hitting season three in my rewatch because of certain other people existing and getting in the way of my ship. 

a ship I’ve never been able to get over: phil coulson and melinda may, i mean I’ve been  shipping them since the show started when I used to watch and then I took a few years off because who even has time for television in this economy but nOW I AM BACK AND THEY HAVE DESTROYED MY LIFE AGAIN. @lemmonlyman @marcuskaen this is your fault. 

a cute, low-key ship: i mean they’re not lowkey but Fitzsimmons are adorable. 

an unpopular ship but I still enjoyed it: hmmmmmmmmmm. i don’t know if there is one?

a ship that was totally wrong and never should have happened: i just watched all of season one again and like, from a storyline pov the melinda and ward ~thing~ actually makes a lot of sense and works well but I still hate it with every fiber of my being, like the only good thing that ever came of that was lowkey jealous coulson in t.r.a.c.k.s and highkey furious melinda kicking ward’s ass for the rest of time. 

my favourite storyline/moment: t.r.a.c.k.s is beautiful and brilliant and I love it and season one has this really nice rhythm that builds towards the Hydra/Tahiti reveals SO DAMN WELL. And then season 4 has just been pure fairytale THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. SO MUCH. AND HAVE. FOREVER. 

a storyline that never should have been written: i don’t know what the hell was happening for half of season three but it was a bit of a mess. 

my first thoughts on the show: i can’t even remember tbh. I was excited because marvel and Phil Coulson has owned my soul since like, Iron Man. 

my thoughts now: THEY’VE BEEN FLIRTY IN LOVE IDIOTS FOR THIRTY YEARS JUST LET THEM GET MARRIED AND ADOPT THEIR DAUGHTER AND BE HAPPY aka I really love it and love them all. 

LEVERAGE

my all-time ultimate fave character: light of my life Sophie Devereaux

a character I didn’t used to like but now do: Sterling. At first I thought he was a bit meh but by Frame Up Job he was 

a character I used to like but now don’t: there really isn’t anyone who let me down.

a character I’m indifferent about: Probs Tara. She was cool but no Sophie. 

a character who deserved better: idk man I feel like in the end they were all treated pretty well. Soph got her theatre, Nate built something, Parker got her family, Hardison has Parker, so i guess Eliot? MORE LOVE FOR ELIOT SPENCER 2k17

a ship I’ve never been able to get into: none, I loved all the ships

a ship I’ve never been able to get over: nATE FORD AND SOPHIE DEVEREAUX THE ACTUAL BEST SHIP ON TELEVISION

a cute, low-key ship: Parker n Hardison are adorable.

an unpopular ship but I still enjoyed it: I can’t think of any so instead I’m going to tell you about the time @lemmonlyman and I decided that back when Nate was still married to Maggie and Melinda was still married to Andrew, Phil ran into Sophie on an op - she was trying to steal an O84 - and they ended up working together and having a cute ~fling~ in Monte Carlo that probably included a couple of nights in a fancy bed overlooking the water but was mostly just the two of them getting drunk in a bar downstairs and telling the other about Melinda and Nate. 

a ship that was totally wrong and never should have happened: Sophie and that random guy from season two who’s face we never even saw. 

my favourite storyline/moment: oh god. ALL OF IT? Nate and Soph trying to sort their shit out in season four. ALL OF SEASON FIVE. Soph going on her journey of discovery in season two and Nate figuring out that he literally can’t exist without her by his side and calling her in tears and thinking she’s not picking up bUT THEN SHE APPEARS TO SAVE HIS ASS AND ALL IS WELL. The Frame Up Job is just…pure fanfiction. I adore it. Also The Hot Potato Job? THE RASHOMON JOB. GIRLS NIGHT OUT. SAN LORENZO. THE OFFICE JOB. I just love this show to pieces. 

a storyline that never should have been written: I wanna say those episodes that Sophie wasn’t there but duh Gina was having a bb so that’s totally cool. Maybe….idk. nope. I loved it all. All of it. 

my first thoughts on the show: These people look pretty. 

my thoughts now: WILL THERE EVER BE A SHOW GREATER THAN LEVERAGE? NO.

send me a tv series