#Miss International 2018

[white-cat-of-doom]

Naoimh Morgan recently shared more memories of her time as Rumpleteazer (and cover Demeter) in the 2018 International Tour.

[antiquery]

one thing that drives me crazy about the left wing of the Dems is that absolutely everybody lumps Joe Manchin (Blue Dog who by some unholy electoral witchcraft represents a Trump +40 state, and is therefore super conservative so as not to squander this fragile miracle and perhaps even preserve the goodwill to repeat it) in with Kyrsten Sinema (has absolutely no reason to be that way). Manchin is probably the single highest value member of the Senate Dems right now. Sinema is literally just some guy

[gasstationlady]

right person, right timing, right? | a charles leclerc social media au | pt. 1

pairing: charles leclerc x figureskater!reader (fc: jennie kim and some yuna kim)

after almost a decade, monaco's two-time olympic women's figure skating champion, y/n l/n, moves back home for her retirement.

notes: y/n's career is inspired by kim yuna's career! hopefully it’s not too confusing to read and follow 😭

disclaimer: typos. swearing. chatgpt french. i'm not the most educated in figure skating, so pls excuse any mistakes! photos aren't mine, nothing here is factual.

masterlist ⋆ next

nbcsports

92,932 likes

nbcsports Y/N L/N announces retirement after 2024 World Championships

The Queen of Figure Skating has taken her last bow.

NBCSports writer Kyle Smith tweets word that Y/N L/N, whose bid to become a fourth-consecutive World champion was narrowly denied today by the United States's Carolyn Rivers, has confirmed that she will retire at the age of 25.

The Monegasque superstar will end her stellar career with the 2018 and 2022 Olympic gold, three world championships, and the distinction of never finishing off the podium in her senior-level international career.

Read the rest of the article now on our website.

View all 508 comments

user no. fucking. way. please say sike rn

user God I don't blame her, figure skating is turning into math these days. She deserved that gold.

user ik monaco is depressed as hell rn LOL bc same

↳ user The way that's so accurate because imagine the #1 athlete representing your country is all of a sudden retiring. 😭😭 Monaco literally only has 2 Olympic medals EVER and they were both won by Y/N, if that doesn't say how significant she is to the country then idk.

↳ user i heard they even nicknamed her "Ice Queen Y/N" 😭😭

↳ user Yes, she is called "La Reine des Glaces" in Monaco!

user no hate to carolyn at all but she isn't rlly a complete skater. i'm extremely disappointed with the judging today

user wow i suddenly can't read

user Nooooo not my favorite skater ☹️

user i can't imagine watching a competition without y/n present :( such a major loss for the fs community, but i wish her the best in her retirement! 🥺🥺

user she just did one of the best performances i've ever seen, just to end up winning silver?? make it make sense fr

yourusername

liked by _kagavovskay_14, mlnmarta and 140,861 others

yourusername chez moi est là où est mon cœur, je t'aime monaco 🇲🇨 SEE TRANSLATION home is where my heart is, i love you monaco 🇲🇨

View all 1,816 comments

graciegold95 Beautiful 💞

↳ yourusername 💞💞

user are you quiting skating forever? :(

↳ yourusername i’ll be taking a break for a while but i will always skate, just not competitively! ❤️

user Nous regretterons de vous voir compétitionner, mais nous espérons que vous passerez une retraite incroyable, notre reine des glaces. SEE TRANSLATION We will miss watching you compete, but we hope you have an amazing retirement, our ice queen.

↳ yourusername Merci beaucoup ❤️ SEE TRANSLATION Thank you so much ❤️

isabeau.levito 🥹❤️❤️

mae_meite Je te souhaite tout le meilleur, jolie 💞 SEE TRANSLATION Wishing the best for you, pretty 💞

user so beautiful

user Bienvenue chez toi ! SEE TRANSLATION Welcome back home !

user i can’t be the only one wishing for charles and y/n to reunite (and get back together) now that she moved back to Monaco 😅

↳ user STOP BC LITERALLY ME TOOO 😭😭😭

↳ user omg i thought i was the only one who remembered they dated

y/nupdates

5,211 likes

y/nupdates Y/N attending a fundraising event in Paris! This is her first appearance since announcing her retirement three weeks ago 🥹

View all 55 comments

user I already miss seeing her on the ice 🥲

user omgg her wearing chanel is everything

user aww she looks so happy!!

user How did charles fumble her

↳ user i'm pretty sure that it was just the wrong time for them :(

↳ user Ik that they broke up bc she moved to Canada for skating but why couldn't they just do long distance 😩😩

user y/n will forever be my celebrity crush 😍😍

leclerc16

2,332 likes

leclerc16 Charles in Paris with fans today!

View all 30 comments

user seeing everyone surrounding him overwhelms me and i’m not even there 😩

user am i delusional for thinking he’ll somehow see y/n in Paris 😭😭

↳ user I mean they also both have been in Monaco the past two months and so far no interactions between them 😐

↳ user well no interactions that we know of 😁🤔

user charles looks so bf here

yourusername

liked by chanelofficial, lorenzotl, arthur_leclerc and 160,323 others

yourusername merci @/chanelofficial de m'avoir invitée 💞 SEE TRANSLATION thank you for inviting me 💞

View all 433 comments

chanelofficial 💞💞

user face card never declines

user so pretty 😍😍

user omg not arthur AND lorenzo liking this pic?? 👀

↳ user the logical side of me thinks it’s normal bc they all grew up together but at the same time it’s kind of sus since it’s usually just Arthur liking and not both🤔

↳ user 😭😭😭

user wait i’m confused why did she retire at such a young age?

↳ user It’s actually quite common for competitive figure skaters to retire “early.” Y/N hasn’t stated an official reason but I’m assuming the physical and mental exhaustion just got to her, especially because the sport has been favoring difficulty over artistry lately 🤷‍♀️

mlnmarta

liked by yourusername, charles_leclerc and 33,522 others

mlnmarta Les aventures avec sa tante Y/N sont ses préférées ❤️ SEE TRANSLATION Adventures with her Aunt Y/N are her favorite ❤️

View all 193 comments

yourusername le temps avec Chiara est mon préféré 🥰 SEE TRANSLATION Time with Chiara is my favorite 🥰

user the cutest duo 🥹

user Why is this y/n girl suddenly everywhere

↳ user umm y/n and marta are childhood friends lmao they’ve always posted each other! i think the internet has just amplified everything recently

user so does y/n have no job now lmfao

↳ user I'm like 98% sure she's gonna end up being a figure skating coach or an influencer or both

↳ user guys she's literally still working with her sponsors and i don't think they're dropping her any time soon

↳ user Chilllll she deadass just retired

user NO WAY CHARLES LIKED

yourusername

liked by charles_leclerc, lorenzotl and 597,390 others

yourusername Je voulais juste remercier tous ceux qui sont venus me soutenir lors de ma dernière présentation à Monaco. Je suis infiniment reconnaissante. Ce n'est pas la fin, mais plutôt le début d'un nouveau chapitre. ❤️

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to support me at my final showcase in Monaco. I’m endlessly grateful. This is not the end, instead it’s the start of a new chapter. ❤️

View all 2,104 comments

yourbestie À couper le souffle. Je t'aime ❤️ SEE TRANSLATION Breathtaking. I love you ❤️

user je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de pleurer en regardant 😭😭 SEE TRANSLATION i couldn’t help the tears from falling while watching 😭😭

user you’re amazing 🫶🏼

chanelofficial 💞💞

adidas A true queen 👑

user WAITTTTT CHARLES LIKED

↳ user It’s aggravating to see Charles constantly being mentioned in Y/N’s comments. Other than that, this is a reach. I think everyone is forgetting that Y/N is highly respected in Monaco so it’s not unusual for Charles to like her photos. You can even check; all of Charles friends and other well known individuals from Monaco are also in her likes.

↳ user lmfaoooo it’s truly not that deep girl, it’s okay to smile

user her adding in her own translation is so real of her 😭

user There will never be another skater as graceful and talented as you 🥺🥺

f1gossip

12,388 likes

f1gossip Charles Leclerc seen with ex-girlfriend Camille Dubois driving around Monaco. Many fans were convinced he was back with a different ex, Y/N L/N, after Charles and his family were spotted at Y/N’s retirement showcase last week. Always Mr. Indecisive 👀👀

View all 116 comments

user bruh 😐

user This is crazy wtf i’d be pissed if i were y/n

user CAMILLE AND NOT Y/N BYEE i’m sliding down the wall punching the air sobbing bc what the hell

user i’m going insane contemplating the possibility that y/n and charles were always just friends and never had any intentions to get back together

user not what i wanted to see first thing in the morning 👎

user guys was it all in our heads

[sebscore]

rubyyy i have an idea for your gen-z driver series! when you are free, maybe you can write about when lil miss just got into f1 and had many people doubted her just for her to nail her rookie season like the goat sir Lewis Hamilton did in his. feel free to tweak it however you want. I just thought it would be cool to see more off the racing side of gen-z driver. :))))

and i really enjoy your writings, keep them coming but also don't stress out too much about them as well :)

WELCOME TO THE STRANGE WORLD

pairings: f1 grid x driver!reader 

warnings: sexism. swearing. based this one on the 2018 grid, cause I imagine her joining the grid that year. christian horner & helmut marko. 

author's note: this got me immediately inspired!! It's also the first time I tackle the racing aspect of the series so I hope it's a bit accurate and that it is enjoyable x

• • • • • • •

''Do you feel the pressure going into this week's race?'' The reporter asked her, a polite smile on his face. 

Y/N carefully adjusted the mic attached to her cheek. ''Uh, definitely,'' she nervously chuckled as it was her first F1 press conference, ''there have been a lot of reactions, both negative and positive, so I do feel a lot of eyes on me at the moment.'' 

To say that there had been a lot of reactions was an understatement. The announcement of the female race car driver joining the F1 grid had become the #1 topic on several social media platforms and even international news channels had broadcasted about the ''controversial'' arrival of the young woman. 

Various notable figures in the motorsport world had also voiced their opinion on the new face on the grid. There were many positive reactions, for example, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff saying: ''It's a step in the right direction. Many young girls will see her race and get more interested in the sport, which will hopefully motivate them to start karting.'' 

Susie Wolff, former development driver for Williams, also showed her enthusiasm. ''I think Y/N is the perfect role model for all the young girls who watch F1 at home. We've been following her closely the last few years and she's proved that she can compete with the big guys, I'm very proud and I can't wait for her performances this season.'' 

Unfortunately, there had also been less positive feedback. Red Bull Motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, had questioned whether she would be able to handle the ''physicalities'' the sport asked of a driver. ''I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if she would be replaced by the second race.'' 

His Red Bull colleague, Christian Horner, had also made some sensitive comments about the young woman. He recalled his first meeting with her, stating he thought she was one of the grid girls and that it would be tough as she's ''entering a man's sport''. 

Y/N had been upset with key figures of the sport making such statements about her, but she had heard worse throughout her racing career. Men like Horner were stuck in old times. 

''Sebastian, how do you feel about a female joining F1?'' Both Y/N and Sebastian internally cringed at the rookie being referred to as a 'female', trying to not let it show on their faces. 

The German collected the right words before answering. ''I'm very happy that Y/N is sitting here next to us,'' he smiled at her, ''I think her being on the grid and competing alongside us, is going to bring a lot of positive changes that should've been happening a long time ago. I've known her for some years now, so maybe I'm biased, but I couldn't think of a better person joining the line-up.'' 

''Thank you.'' Y/N mumbled, grown shy by Sebastian's praises. He had been involved in her career since her humble karting beginnings, wanting to guide her as he knew a lot of people would try to stop her from flourishing in the sport. 

The journalist then put his focus on the other world champion sitting at the panel. ''Lewis, you share the same opinion as Sebastian?'' 

''I agree with Seb, it's nice to see that progress is being made in diversing the sport and she's here, because she deserves to be here.'' Lewis' answer showed his disagreement with the people who were convinced that the woman's arrival to F1 was nothing more than a statement to the FIA. 

Y/N wasn't ignorant and knew her claiming an F1 seat would bring a lot of publicity, not only to her, but her team as well. However, they wouldn't risk losing millions of euros, because they simply wanted to make a point that women can competitively drive as well. 

''I've seen her drive, we've all seen her drive and you can't deny that she has a huge talent.'' Lewis concluded his answer, sending a soft smile her way. 

The reporter who asked the question directed his attention back to the young woman. ''Y/N, it must be great to hear those positive words from such seasoned drivers.'' He said to her, his hands pointing towards the two World Champions. 

She shyly nodded her head, feeling the gazes of everyone in the room on her. ''Yeah, it's, uh,  very nice of them.'' 

''It's the truth.'' Sebastian chuckled. 

''That's P11 tomorrow, Y/N! Good job, we're proud of you over here.'' Her engineer announced over the radio, letting the driver know her qualifying session was over. 

She pressed her radio button. ''Thank you so much, guys! A good start!'' She enthusiastically exclaimed, delighted about her team being happy with quali. 

They had greeted her back into the garage with an applause and many headpats, congratulating her on her first ever F1 qualifier. ''Let's discuss now.'' Her coach put his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the team's briefing room. 

It hadn't lasted long. The team was overall very satisfied with how the qualifying session had gone and didn't have much feedback for the rookie. 

''Of course it would be great to score points, but finishing P11 is the realistic standing tomorrow.'' Her team principal's words had taken her by surprise, expecting them to want to score as many points as possible at the race tomorrow. 

Y/N wasn't too sure if that was the genuine opinion her team had about the next day or if they thought that she wouldn't be able to make any overtakes. Whatever it was, the dilemma clouded her mind as she walked through the paddock, ready to go back to her hotel and unwind. 

However, an arm pulled her out of her thoughts, making the rookie flinch at the sudden touch. ''What the heck,'' she hastily turned towards the person, ''Seb, don't scare me like that.'' Y/N calmed down seeing the German man grinning at her, Britta standing next to him. 

''You looked like you were overthinking.'' He had seen the frown on her face as she passed the Ferrari hospitality, immediately knowing something was on her mind. ''Starting P11 is good for your first race, the best of the rookies.'' Sebastian figured it was related to the qualifying session. 

''No, I'm happy with my starting position.'' She assured him, shaking her head. 

The Ferrari driver furrowed his eyebrows, being confused. ''Then what is it? Did someone say something to you?'' 

Y/N glanced around the paddock, making sure no one of her team or a reporter was standing near them. ''I just, uh, well- during the briefing, they basically said that they don't expect me to make any overtakes and that I just need to try to keep my position.'' She explained to the duo, both listening attentively. 

''They're already underestimating you?'' Britta commented, shocked they wouldn't encourage her to at least try to overtake as many cars as she can. 

Sebastian agreed with his friend. ''A team telling their driver to not score points is the weirdest thing I've heard in years.'' He said to Britta, a frown gracing his face. 

He turned towards the young woman. ''Don't listen to them, okay? You pass as many fucking cars as you can, alright?'' It almost looked like he was scolding her. 

The girl nodded her head, an appreciative smile on her face. ''You know I will.'' 

''I love the confidence.'' Britta laughed, patting her back. 

''Don't think about it too much, Y/N. You're gonna do great tomorrow, I'm sure of it.'' Sebastian ruffled her hair, a sincere tone in his voice. 

Y/N simply smiled at both of them, and thanked them for their support. ''I'm gonna go back to my hotel now, but I'll see you tomorrow then.'' She bid them goodbye, waving as she walked through the exit gates. 

She could see and feel the condescending stares as she waited on the grid before the start of the race, some people didn't know how to be subtle. She had her headphones on, blasting music through them so she could drown out all of the negative thoughts. 

A tap on her shoulder brought her eyes from the ground to the face of a semi-looking concerned Kimi. She paused her song and took the headphones off, ready to listen to what the older man had to say. ''Yeah?'' 

''I can hear your song.'' Kimi pointed at his own ears, visualizing his words. 

Y/N's eyes widened, her worried expression altering into one of embarrassment. ''Oh, sorry, I'll turn it down.'' She apologized, immediately grabbing her phone to change the volume. 

''No, uh, is okay,'' he told her, ''you good?'' 

She was stunned by his question, awkwardly staring at him for a few seconds before answering. ''Yes, I'm good.'' Kimi always kept it short, she figured she should do the same. 

''Don't be nervous,'' the Finnish driver continued, looking into her eyes, ''people want to see you do bad, prove them wrong.'' 

She had met the man a handful of times before, but they had never talked this much with each other. Kimi kept to himself and she wanted to be respectful of that, not wanting to accidentally cross one of his boundaries. 

He wasn't a man of many words (at least sober) so she appreciated his advice very much, knowing he wouldn't tell her this if he didn't think she could actually prove them wrong. 

''Thanks.'' 

''No worry.'' A small assuring smile was found on his face, making the grimaces of her critics seem like nothing. 

''Y/L easily passes the Renault, moving up to P10.'' The commentary of David Croft sounded as she overtook Sainz, going from P11 to P10. 

Her team's pit crew cheered in the garage, watching the spectacle on the screen. ''Keep pushing, Y/N! We're in the points.'' Her engineer told her over the radio. 

''Hehe, understood.'' She chuckled, proud of her smooth overtake. 

She managed to pass the Mclaren of Vandoorne in the same lap, falling behind the Mercedes of Bottas and the Renault of Hulkenberg who was doing his best to keep his seventh position in the race. 

The pair was too busy challenging each other that they didn't see the car of the female driver coming through, passing both of them when they left a gap. ''Y/L jumps ahead of both of them! She jumped Bottas and Hulkenberg, moving up to P7! What a stellar performance of the rookie driver!'' 

People couldn't believe their eyes as she passed the Mercedes, undoubtedly one of the fastest cars on the grid compared to her team's midfield one. 

''Bloody amazing, Y/N! The Red Bull is too far up to catch, but defend for your life now!'' P6 wasn't possible anymore as she went into the last lap, Max's car being quicker and having fresher tyres than her. 

The last lap almost went by in a haze, the young woman scared something would ruin the beautiful moment for her, but that never came. ''Y/N Y/L comes across the line to celebrate her dream debut and she becomes the first woman in over 40 years to score points in a Grand Prix!'' 

She parked her car behind Max's, her hands on her helmet as if it were her head. Y/N sat in disbelief as reality dawned on her. You scored points in your first F1 race, the sentence played on a loop in her head. 

''Oi! Little Miss scoring points on her debut!'' An Australian accent pulled her out of her thoughts, several pats on her helmet making her look up. ''You passed the Mercedes? Fucking amazing!'' He exclaimed as he saw the silver car parked behind her. 

''Daniel, can you help me get out? My body is in shock, I think.'' Y/N awkwardly chuckled, a bit embarrassed about not being able to get out of her car on her own at the moment. 

Fortunately, the Red Bull driver didn't see the big problem and helped her stand up, supporting her underarms. 

The support turned into a congratulating hug, the Australian swaying her side-to-side. ''Welcome to Formula One, baby!'' He loudly exclaimed. 

Y/N laughed at his antics, touched by his excitement for her good result. ''Thanks, Ricciardo.'' 

''Good overtake there.'' Valtteri patted her helmet with his hand, complimenting her. She bowed her head in appreciation. ''Thank you.'' 

Her and Daniel followed the Mercedes driver into the cooldown room, the latter handing her an ice-cold water bottle from the table. ''What place did you get?'' Y/N asked Daniel, turning to him. 

''P4,'' he sighed, ''but I got fastest lap, so a little redemption.'' The Red Bull driver laughed it off, at least happy he got an extra point for the championship standings. 

A pat on her back made her look back, being met with a sweaty Charles. ''Hey, man.'' She greeted him with a side-hug.

''Saw you got P7, congrats.'' The pair had been teammates the year before at Prema Racing so they have a good friendship with each other. ''Thanks, how did it go for you?'' Y/N was curious about her fellow rookie's debut race. 

He shrugged his shoulders. ''P13, but only because 5 people retired.'' Charles downplayed it, glimpsing at the ground. 

''Cheer up, Charlito! It's only the first one of the season.'' She tried comforting him, not wanting him to be down about his result. 

Charles just smiled and moved on, ready to go back to his team and discuss everything. The rest of the drivers, except the top 3, followed swiftly. Y/N received a grand welcome back in her garage, it almost seemed like she had won the World Championship. She had a brief discussion about the race and her team prepared her for the post-race interviews. 

Surprisingly, the interviews had gone well and not one discriminating question was asked. She mainly received a lot of congratulations and one female reporter even thanked her for her race performance as it would inspire many young girls watching it. Y/N had almost teared up during the specific interview, not expecting anyone to do that. 

The rookie was walking to her driver's room when a call of her name stopped her in her tracks. Lewis jogged up to her, greeting her with a big embrace. ''Good job, you did so well!'' He told her with a huge smile on his face. 

''Thank you, Lewis.'' Her head felt warm, the older man making her a little flustered. 

''And this is only the beginning, you know? You showed everyone today that you deserve to be here, truly amazing!'' He continued praising her. 

Y/N grinned at him. ''Thank you so much, that means a lot to me.'' 

''The three of us were watching it back in the cooldown room, like waiting to see in which position you came in.'' Him, Sebastian and Kimi had attentively observed the screen that replayed the race, interested in knowing how the young woman had performed. 

She was touched by Lewis' words, honored that three World Champions had looked out for her and wanted to know her result. ''Oh my god, that's- wow, that's really cool.'' Y/N awkwardly laughed, not knowing how to give a proper response all of a sudden. 

''Anyway, congrats and celebrate it well,'' he made a move to leave before visibly remembering something, ''oh, yeah, Seb asked me to tell you that he'd come by your driver's room.'' Lewis conveyed Sebastian's message. 

''Oh, great, I'll, uh, see you in two weeks then.'' She bid him goodbye and she was on her way again, hoping the German wasn't already waiting for her there. 

Fortunately for her, Sebastian wasn't there yet and she had the time to change into her casual wear so she could leave the circuit and go straight to the airport afterwards to go back home. 

Three knocks on her door stopped her scroll through social media and she called for her guest to come in, not having the energy to get up from her couch. 

She watched an energetic Sebastian walk into her driver's room, practically running to give her a hug. ''I told you that you could do it! P fucking 7!'' He exclaimed, excitedly. 

''Congrats to you for winning!'' She retorted back, not having had the chance yet to congratulate him on his GP win. 

''Thank you, honey.'' He sat down next to her on the couch. 

''I would have loved to see the faces of everyone on your team the moment you passed Carlos, it must have been priceless.'' Sebastian smirked, thinking of what she had told him the day before. ''And the double overtake? You couldn't have had a better race.'' 

''Oh my god, I couldn't believe it, Seb! Like I finished in front of a Mercedes? Wow, just wow!'' Sebastian laughed at her enthusiasm, imagining how great she must feel now. 

The winner of the day scratched his voice. ''Kimi said how nervous you looked before the race and I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit worried about you,'' he had lowered his voice, different from his loudness of before, ''but you dealt with the pressure perfectly and you didn't let it affect your race. I'm very proud of you.'' His sincerity and expression of pride almost brought tears to her eyes, the words of her idol and mentor meaning a lot to her. 

''Thank you, Seb,'' a shy smile graced her face, ''that means a lot to me, I couldn't have done it without you.'' She thanked him. 

''No, it was your hard work that got you here.'' He argued, not wanting to take any sort of credit for her accomplishments. ''And maybe a little of my money, but you know.'' Sebastian jokingly added, not able to help himself from teasing the younger one. 

Y/N rolled her eyes at the comment. ''Always so humble! Red Bull Seb made an appearance for a second there.'' 

''He's still in here, I just need to keep him in check.'' 

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[ipso-faculty]

Proposing new meanings for the Disability Pride Flag stripes

I love the design of the disability pride flag made by @capricorn-0mnikorn (in consultation with many disabled people!). It’s beautiful, elegant, and distinct. I love the symbolism of the diagonal stripes.

But the more I think about the meanings of the five diagonal stripes, the more uncomfortable I am with them. So I'll explain my discomfort and then give proposed alternative meanings.

For those unfamiliar, these are the meanings that capricorn-0mnikorn gives:

The White Stripe: Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities

The Red Stripe: Physical Disabilities

The Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence

The Blue Stripe: Psychiatric Disabilities

The Green Stripe: Sensory Disabilities

With additional and helpful context here! 💙 Like a lot of disabled people my disabilities don't all fit neatly into these boxes, but I recognize some disabled people see themselves in these categories. I do appreciate the symbolism of it being the most common flag colours / internationalism plus the intent of representing diversity amongst the disability community.

Here’s what doesn’t sit well with me:

The yellow was chosen for the neurodiversity stripe because gold = Au = autism (and also as a fuck you to autism speaks, a sentiment I agree with 💯). 

So autism is used to represent all of neurodiversity. Even though the 2018 AutisticsUK campaign to associate gold with autism was explicitly motivated by the idea that neurodiversity is larger than just autism and autistic people should have our own colour/symbol distinct from the rainbow infinity used for general neurodiversity.

One specific disability is effectively being given a whole stripe (autism) while the other four stripes are based on abstract ideas: red is associated with body -> physical disability, blue is associated with the mind (and is “opposite” to red) so -> mental disability. This is reasonable but it’s inconsistent. (And I am very much the kind of autistic who gets bothered by internal inconsistency 😅)

The Deaf community has been using cyan blue for ages (since at least 1999, probably older) and they have been so vital in disability rights history. I feel if any single disability deserves to get an entire stripe to themselves it should be them.

I appreciate the honestly that assigning green to sensory disabilities was because “that was the color that was left over” but it still feels wrong given how vital blind & deaf people have been to disability history. 

Blue for mental/emotional disabilities also misses that the Mad Pride movement has been using purple as their colour since at least 2013. 

If all five stripes were disconnected from actual disability-specific pride flags I think I’d be okay with it. What sets me off is the inconsistency: autism gets the privilege of its own chosen colour but not other disabilities? (Also: autism isn’t the only disability that uses yellow!)

My proposal for new meanings

I propose each stripe represent a different cause of disability, and the associated model(s) of disability that go with that cause:

Red: disability due to injury / the debility model of disability - e.g. injury due to armed conflicts caused by colonialism, injury due to gun violence in a country which fails to regulate gun safety, preventable illness due to sociopolitical neglect 😡🩸

Yellow: disability due to natural differences / affirmative models of disability - e.g. autistic people who lead lives that take advantage of their autistic traits, DSPS folks who are able to work night shifts and take pride in doing so 😄🌟

Blue: situational disabilities / critical models like the social model, social construction model, political/relational model, and radical model - e.g. a Deaf person who feels their only disability is that people don’t speak their signed language and don’t provide captions/etc 🗣️♿️

Green: disability due to illness / biomedical models of disability - e.g. people with conditions like ME/CFS and Long Covid who actually do want to be treated/cured 🤢🦠

White: disability caused by unknown or other factors / other models such as the human rights model - e.g. somebody with a poorly-understood and/or undiagnosed illness who is fighting for access for accommodations and medical care 👀🤍

People may relate to multiple stripes! Whether it’s for the same disability or for having multiple disabilities. Like the old meanings, the intent is to showcase our internal diversity. 🌈

It’s been my experience of disability community that attitudes about disability tend (in general) to be linked more to when/how we were disabled rather than mental/physical/sensory/etc. For example, people like me who were disabled from a young age tend to understand our disabilities differently than people who acquire disability later in life.

Colour choice justifications:

Red as disabilities caused by injury: keeping with capricorn-0mnikorn’s association of red with the body plus the common associations of red with blood, violence, and anger. I want to explicitly include the debility model of disability because a lot of white disabled people tend to forget or gloss over how disability is used as a weapon against racialized & Global South folks.

Yellow is associated with optimism and pleasure as well as enlightenment (such as in the Deaf flag) and so I connect it to the affirmation model of disability (which is the opposite of the charity/tragedy model). From there I associated it to disability due to natural differences, such as congenital neurodivergence. I want yellow to still be something that fellow autistics could still see themselves in the flag for! 💛 And I want intersex people who see their intersex variation as a disability to be able to see themselves here too because being intersex is natural 💛 

Blue as disabilities that are social/situational in nature, like Deafness being a disability in situations where signed languages are unavailable. I wanted Deafness to actually be under blue this time. 💙 

Blue has also been used for disability writ large for a long time now and so this one being the one associated with the Social Model feels most historically connected to me. I’m also including newer critical/postmodern models like the social construction model and radical model which also posit that disability is a social category rather than a deficiency of individuals’ bodyminds.

The social model is generally contrasted with the medical model - viewing disability as a medical problem. A lot of disability activism is focused on de-medicalizing our bodyminds and challenging the idea that we want to be cured. 

But there are chronic illnesses like ME/CFS, long covid, and cancer where the people who are disabled by them do actively (and vocally) want to be cured! And they belong to the disability community too.  Green was picked for illness because green has been used to symbolize sickness (e.g. the 🤮 emoji). And biomedical models like the traditional medical model and the more recent biopsychosocal model are thematically connected to disability being due to illness.

For white, I want people who are undiagnosed and/or who feel the invisibility of their disability as important to again be able to see themselves in this stripe. 🩶White is also the catch-all “other models” because of white being the sum of all colours in an additive colour model. Models like the human rights model I see as being appealing to disabled people who are feeling invisibilized by society.

For each stripe I've included both a cause of disability and a model of disability. The causes are concrete, and easy to understand. The models of disability are more abstract and not everybody will know them (especially ableds). But a flag gives us an opportunity to teach others about us and I think it's a great opportunity to increase awareness of the different views/models of disability. 🖤

Overall, I tried to keep as much of capricorn-0mnikorn’s reasoning/associations alive in my new proposed meanings as I could. 💜 I hope people who see themselves in a given stripe of the original flag will see themselves in this scheme as well. I hope people who didn’t see themselves in the original scheme find these options more inclusive. ☮️

[meazalykov]

Could I make a request for Obi please?

They already have a established relationship.

With her recently getting injured, could it be something along the lines of Reader got injured a few months before the World Cup and had to miss it, but Obi mostly was there for Reader. Now with it being the other way around this time, Reader feels conflicted about going to the Olympics as see knows those first few weeks are the hard but she won’t be there to support Obi.

my home is with you

lena oberdorf x uswnt!reader (requested)

authors note: i'm sad about her injury :( I wanted to see her at the olympics and start with bayern soon.. I know she will come back stronger ❤️ here's your request! normally i wouldn’t decide to write about this because it’s so soon, but i do requests (unless it’s too dark & much) so i hope you like :)

warnings: many injury mentions, very long chapter.

being back in your hometown gave you a sense of peace and warmth.

you haven't stepped foot in washington dc since 2018. you left your childhood club to go play at gotham for a year-- before moving to lyon (2020-2022) and then bayern afterwards.

waking up in the morning, you wished obi the best of luck against her game against austria. yes, she will be your competitor in the group stages against germany, but she is still your girlfriend of 2 years.

afterwards, you put your phone on dnd and put it in your adidas bag that you will take to the audi stadium. on game days, the captain (lindsey) highly discourages the players being on social media before games.

as the second captain after her, you agreed to follow that rule. social media can be toxic.

if someone really wanted to reach out to you for an emergency, they can do it through lindsey, emma, or your sisters who came to the game to support your send off to paris.

that's exactly what happened. while you were getting ready in your hotel room-- lindsey got an emergency call from sara dabritz, her lyon teammate who played for the german national team.

sara isn't on the german roster for the olympics, but alex popp asked her to call lindsey-- since she needed you to know of the news as soon as possible.

"sara?" lindsey's eyebrows knitted together. sara calling her during international break and the off-season has never happened before.

"where's y/n?" sara asked, ignoring lindsey's confused tone.

"I haven't seen her since this morning, she might be getting ready now. what's going on?"

"the entire german team is trying to get ahold of y/n. lena went down pretty badly during todays game-- it was her knee." sara swallowed.

lindsey was sad to her about the news. nobody likes when another player goes down with a *possible* acl injury.

however, she was scared on how she was going to tell you the news.

hours later at audi stadium, you walked into the stadium alongside trinity and hal. both of them play on this field for washington spirit, and the three of you bonded over the last few days-- knowing washington dc so well.

trinity and hal stopped at a water fountain to fill up their empty stanley bottles with water. your owala bottle was filled with cold ice water already, so you continued on with walking into the dressing room.

as you turned the corner into the room, you hear your coach Emma, say something along the lines of "well we can't tell her until-" before lindsey stopped her with her finger pointing at your entrance.

you were the first to arrive before the rest of the team, surprising to the captain and coach talking in the room.

"hey!" you smiled, unaware of what they know.

"hey y/n, ready for the game!?" lindsey casually says with a smirk on her face.

the poker face of the lyon player is perfection. something could be wrong but as the main captain, she can't let her emotions take over her logic.

as the second captain of the team, you had every right to question what emma and lindsey were just talking about.

however, you didn't. you were too excited to play in your hometown again. many uswnt fans came just to see you play on your turf again.

"I'm so pumped! my family came just for the send off to paris. some of them talk about "oh we can't never see you play since you're in germany." but now they're here so-" you rambled as you giggled.

for a moment, emma frowned at your happy sight. lindsey turned around to look at the coach with a guilty look, hating that they both agreed to not tell you *that news* until the end of the send-off.

"that's exciting. I'm positive we have a great game ahead." emma says.

your happy mood became a miserable one at halftime. being nil-nil against costa rica was not motivating since you wanted to impress your hometown community.

in the 70th minute, you scored off of a set piece shot by mallory swanson. the crowd screamed as they've realized that it was you, their fellow dc native, that scored the goal.

the game ended with a 1-0. you knew that the team needed tons of things to work on if you wanted a chance at winning gold in the olympics, but that will come with time.

after the send off ceremony, lindsey asked if she could personally talk to you in one of the empty conference rooms.

you agreed. at first, you thought that she was going to discuss olympic matters and what will drive the team to win gold once you reach france. since she is the first captain and you're captain whenever she isn't-- along with alyssa naeher.

however, lindsey was very tense as you sat down beside her in one of the wheel chairs. she made sure to close and lock the door as well-- this is when your heart started racing.

she is your friend and hates to give you the bad news.

"I need to tell you this before you go on your phone and see it in the locker room in front of the other girls." lindsey speaks.

your eyes widened, confused.

"what's wrong?" you start to panic.

"alex-- alex popp-- said that lena went down during the game against austria. it's her knee, y/n."

your heart shattered into a million pieces. you looked away from lindsey as you took a few deep breaths.

the blonde understood why you couldn't say anything after that moment. you thought about lena having a possible acl injury.

you panicked knowing that you weren't there to help her.

"I need my phone!'" you jump up from the wheel chair.

"here." lindsey said, pulling your phone out of her jacket pocket. she made sure that she had your phone on hand-- in private-- so none of the other girls were alarmed about seeing you so upset.

after you switched your iphone off from dnd, you had nearly 200 notifications.

the first is lena's parents-- asking you to call them whenever you had time before or after your game.

others came from lea-- updating you on what's going on with obi. she understands you were playing a game and couldn't answer right away.

some messages were from other footballers in the community that you're friends with, asking you to send well wishes to lena on their behalf.

is this how lena felt back in 2023?

back in april 2023, you were a starter in the second game against Ireland.

you weren't feeling the greatest, your friend mallory suffered a bad injury in the first game and you knew she wouldn't see the pitch for a very long time.

in the second half as the ball was coming from the air, you jumped up to head the ball. at the same time, an Irish player's foot went up in the air to get the ball.

the sharp part of the boots kicked at your ribs extremely hard. your breath was caught in your throat and you landed on the ground-- injuring your ankle by landing awkwardly.

the irish player received a red card, but you were struggling to breath as you needed medic immediately. alex and kelley stayed with you as you couldn't even sit up without squealing in pain.

your ankle was on fire and your lung felt like it was beaten in. torture would've been an understatement.

lena finished playing the game against brazil when jule pulled her-- harshly-- to look at the tv in the dressing room.

the german girl watched in horror as she seen her lover on the grass, you were crying your eyes out as you balled yourself together.

she noticed your hands going back and forth between your torso by your right lung, and your left ankle, as the medics tried their best to figure out what's wrong.

"what the fuck happened?" lena said angrily, in english-- confused as she rushed to grab the remote and turn the tv up.

"this isn't good for the united states before the world cup-- mallory went down on the first game against ireland and now *reader's last name* can barely move without a reaction." a german commentator speaks.

the entire german dressing room looks in horror.

your bayern teammates looked horrified as jule tried her best to comfort a stressed lena.

a replay of the injury happened on the tv a second later. everyone could see quinn's cleat harshly kick your ribs-- the landing on your ankle afterwards made some of the dressing room cringe as if they could've felt it themselves.

"yeah, I don't think we will see her in the world cup after this one." the woman commentator on the tv speaks when a stretcher takes you off the pitch moments later.

lena was quick to immediately call your mom and sisters, since they were there and she wasn't.

she knew how excited you were to play in your second world cup after winning the first one at age 17.

when you got back home to germany, lena was there for you. you suffered with a broken rib and grade 2 ankle sprain.

obi helped you stand up most days and picked up heavy things, since you couldn't even breathe without feeling pain for the first three weeks. lena did your chores at home, helped you with showering (your ankle made that hard to do), she did your hair. she did everything to make sure that you were okay.

you couldn't go to the world cup and watch her play, but you were still so proud of her-- even if she got eliminated in the group stage.

the injury that happened to you made lena fully committed to wanting to marry you. even through your bad injury-- you were there to comfort her once she was back from australia after a failed world cup campaign.

back in the conference room in dc, you rushed to call lea.

she answered in a heartbeat, you were surprised since it had to have been 5:30am in germany while 11:30pm back in washington dc for you.

"lea?" your voice cracked. you hated this for lena, more than your own injury from a year prior.

"how was your game?" lea tried to calm you down.

"it was fine, now what happened?" you ask.

lea didn't take offense to you wanting to know what happened. this reminded her on how lena was with you.

being her closest friend at bayern, and the one that put lena onto you, she understands the bond you have with your girlfriend better than anyone else.

"lena tried to tackle and get the ball away from a player but her knee popped. I think you need to watch this for a better understanding." lea speaks.

on the FaceTime you can see lea typing on a few things on the phone.

you looked up at a confused, yet guilty lindsey. she felt bad for you since you were far from your home in germany.

the notification on your phone showed that lea sent a link to a twitter video. you clicked on it and watch the whole thing play out.

its hard to tell at first, but slowly you could see obi's knee pop out.

this made you sick to your stomach.

after talking to lea for a few more minutes, then waking up lena's parents to talk to them (they didn't mind, they really wanted to hear from you), then laura, then klara-- you were exhausted.

you were allowed to go on the bus early and choose if you wanted to sit alone on the way back to the hotel.

lindsey told all of the girls that something happened- she explained the situation which caused the girls to feel bad for lena and your situation.

you called lena, in private, once you were back in your hotel. she sounded so hurt which caused your eyes to let out tears (quietly) as she talked about her medical scanning tommorow.

many people would do anything to participate in the olympics. you were grateful to be a bronze-medal olympian already heading to seek gold-- but you wanted to go home to lena in munich.

the best player on the uswnt was you, no debate. after scoring in the 2019 world cup final at 17, winning two champions leagues with lyon, being the second best-player now in the bundesliga with bayern, and carrying the national team to bronze in the last olympics-- the team looked up to you.

the girls let you have your space for a while. even on the plane on the way to france.

tierna, your closest friend on the national team, sat beside you. she was quiet as she watched movies while you anxiously looked at your phone to receive some kind of news.

after the plane landed, the girls were quiet as they headed out. you realized that you couldn't sit in pain waiting for the day that you will get home to munich-- that will affect the team chemistry.

as you were in your hotel room, lena called you.

"hallo liebe." you spoke softly.

you heard lena cough before a few seconds of silence started.

the fact that lena called you instead of facetiming you, you knew it was bad. the three letter injury is something u feared for lena as your eyes widened.

"its both." lena mumbles.

"its both?" you question softly as you request to switch the call to FaceTime.

lena accepts and you see her in the hospital room, tears dried down her cheeks as her red face is covered by her hands.

"acl and mcl." she breathed out as she looked at you through the camera.

you frowned as reality hit.

lena couldn't start a bayern next month.

lena won't go to the olympics.

she will have to sit out for at least eight months.

you know she will be okay, since she has the team and medical doctors to help her heal.

however, you were sad that you couldn't drop everything to go back to munich.

"obi." is all you could say.

"I already know what you're thinking-- and don't." lena randomly says.

your eyebrows knit together in confusion as she looks at you with a unreadable look.

"don't leave your team just to come here. they need you-"

"but you need me a lot more." you cut lena off.

she knows you're right, but she can't be selfish-- even with her injury.

"you will be home soon liebe, I know you love me and will care for me as soon as you can." lena says.

"once I'm back in munich, I will be there for you. you aren't going through this alone-- we will fight through this together and you will be stronger." you gave a sad smile as lena smiles for the first time since she went down on that grass.

"Ich liebe dich" she whispers.

"Ich liebe dich auch" you say back.

"when is your surgery scheduled?" you ask.

"we don't have an exact date yet, but they said it might be the week of the 29th." lena says as she lays back in the hospital bed in her black shirt and black shorts.

you didn't respond as lena flipped the camera, showing you a closer look at her knee.

"I am so sorry." you say.

"its not your fault." lena says.

"I know- but again-- I just want to be there for you."

"and you will soon, don't abandon your team." lena made it clear.

"okay, I won't" you sigh.

of course you felt bad that you didn't want to be in france, but in germany instead helping lena. however, you were sad about the group stage match against germany.

lena and you talked about that match as being one of the last moments where you will be "rivals" before she joins you in the season for bayern. now, neither will happen.

days later, the united states plays germany in the group stage after beating zambia 3-2.

you were in the starting lineup. emma needed you for this match, making sure that you talked to a sports psychologist before this match-- just so you were mentally prepared.

you knew how the germans played, so you would be a key to winning the group stage match.

as the teams were going to take their starting eleven picture, you see the germans hold up a shirt in honor of sydney and lena-- who were injured and couldn't be in the olympics.

you sadly smiled at this, happy that they're remembering them.

however, you got your act together fast. lindsey wasn't in the lineup so you were the captain of the match.

at halftime, it was 1-1. trinity rodman scored a goal in the 10th minute but klara equalized in the 34th after an error from #3 on the USWNT.

in the second half, you scored a golazo in the 55th minute after dribbling around sara doorsoun and alex popp.

unfortunately, lea equalized in the 88th minute.

the game ended 2-2 and you weren't happy or sad about it.

all of the german girls greeted you immediately with hugs and kisses on the head. you accepted them. you missed them dearly and they were the closest thing you had to lena right now.

"lea love!" you sigh in relief when you hug her tightly for thirty seconds. the cameras capture the beautiful sight as most know the significance.

"I wish obi was here right now." you lean your head on lea's shoulder as she kissed the side of your head, above your left ear.

"I do too. I hate how fate works." lea speaks through her german accent.

"same." you roll your eyes. not in anger, but in disappointment for the situation and how things can play out for the worst.

"how are you?" lea asks.

"can I be honest?" you ask. lea nods her head.

"I want to be with her. I am so grateful to be here for a second time but I can't imagine her being alone without us." you whisper into her ear.

you didn't want any of your teammates to hear you. lea is your closest friend so you know she won't tell on you.

"she's not alone, she has her parents-- but I totally understand. she will be okay." lea smiles lightly as she pulls a piece of hair of yours behind your ear, a piece of hair that fell out of your ponytail during the match.

lea is right, lena's parents are staying with her at the new house you both own until you can go back to munich-- which could happen in a few days or weeks depending on the outcome of the olympics.

"I know. she's a fighter.' you smirk.

"and a lover." lea winked at you.

lea loves the way that you and lena respect and are in-love with each other. being the third wheel is annoying sometimes (when she has to hang out with y'all instead of her own girlfriend) but she is happy for the both of you.

after multiple matches of the olympics, the united states is awarded silver after losing against france 2-1 in the final.

you were the one that scored against france.

if you said that you weren't in a rush to get home to munich, you'd be lying.

lena's surgery was pushed back to this morning. so you took the uber straight to the hospital from the airport.

the taller german was asleep as you quietly walked into the hospital room. obi's parents hugged you and congratulated you on silver.

knowing that they've been with their daughter for many days, you offer them a break.

"you guys should go down to the cafe and grab lunch for yourselves, please don't take offense to this but ihr seht beide sehr müde aus." (you both look very tired) you whisper since you didn't want to wake lena.

they loved you like their own daughter, so it didn't take them much convincing for them to get a break-- knowing their daughter was in safe hands with you.

when they shut the hospital doors behind them, lena woke up from the noise.

you took out a blanket from your carry on luggage, your back faced towards lena so you didn't see or hear her wake up.

"liebe?" you turned around quickly when you saw lena awake.

she had the same tired look that you're used to seeing when you wake up beside her, but she was smiling at your sight.

you pout in happiness as you walked up to hug her upper body.

"my sunshine, I'm so happy to see you awake." you kissed the top of her forehead as her head pressed against your chest.

lena closed her eyes in comfort, she missed you the most.

"to see me awake? omg I didn't die." lena laughed.

"oh lena shut it, you know what I meant." you giggled back, happy to see lena cracking a joke through her pain.

you look down her body to see the scar on her knee peak out from her hospital gown.

on the inside, you felt terrible. you hated seeing lena in pain. you'd rather it be yourself than her.

on the outside, you looked at lena as she gave you a peak on the lips.

after that, you saw the ponytail of her hair tangled.

"hold on lena." you pull yourself away from her arms and reach into your tote bag.

"no don't leaveeee!" lena says

"I'm not I'm just going to help you with your hair-- it will help you relax."

you pulled out a soft brush from your bag, refusing to use a comb and risk pulling on her hair after she had surgery.

"you're so sweet" lena looks at the brush in your hand and turns her head to the side, so you have better access.

"anything for my baby." you tell her as you kiss the right side of her temple.

"i'm just glad to be back home." you mumble as you start brushing through obi's hair, getting the tangles out slowly and softly.

"isn't washington dc your home?" lena giggled, joking and teasing about the game you played in dc almost a month ago.

"nope, my home is with you."

I hope you're happy with what I wrote from this request! #comebackstrongerlenaoberdorf ❤️🙌

[laurenairay]

Halloween pranks - S. Jarvis

Summary: helping Seth Jarvis pull off a jump scare prank on the team was worth more than you could ever imagine.

The first of my Autumn & Halloween blurbs! There was no-one else I wanted to write this one for either – Jarvy was perfect. Inspired by the Justin Williams scare prank of 2018.

Word Count: 1.1k words

Tagging: @starshine-hockey-girl, @misshoneyimhome, @lam-ila, @kurlyteuvo, @tonyspep

@cixrosie

~

“Are the cameras all set up?”

“Yes Jarvy.”

“And no-one’s let anything slip?”

“No Jarvy.”

“This isn’t going to be a stupid failure?”

You smiled fondly at the man standing next to you, and shook your head. “No, it’s going to go well, I promise.”

“Are you sure?”

The hesitance in his voice made you look at him properly, and your heart broke a little at the uncertainty in his face. It felt so unnatural on someone like Seth, who was usually so full of confidence and charisma, and the last thing you wanted was for him to feel this way when he’d put in so much effort.

Right at the beginning of the season, on media day, Seth had asked the social media team if he could do a jump scare prank on the team for Halloween. As the new intern, it had fallen to you to help him plan and co-ordinate, and you’d felt yourself growing inexplicably fond of the cheerful ball of energy. Today was going to be a hit, not just for the team but also for your place on it, but the most important thing was that Seth had fun. That’s all your truly wanted.

So for him to be doubting himself like this? You couldn’t stand it.

“I feel it in my bones, Jarvy. Really. This is going to be so much fun,” you said, as reassuring as you could.

He let out a shaky breath but nodded, your words seeming to steel him.

“Yeah, you’re right. We’ve put in way too much hard work planning this for it not to go well. Right? Yeah, it will. I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces.”

“That’s the spirit,” you grinned.

The way he grinned back at you made your stomach fill with traitorous butterflies, and it was all you could do to look away to compose yourself. You missed the way he grinned widened ever so slightly.

“Heads up, Aho and Teräväinen have just pulled in!”

Oh damn, go time.

“Ready?” you asked.

“Let’s do this,” Seth nodded, eyes glittering with mischief.

You walked over to your hiding spot behind a 7ft banner tucked into a corner, ipad open to the feeds from all the cameras you’d set up and clicked record. Seth looked over to you for confirmation and you gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up. He just cackled and picked up the rubber clown mask he’d chosen to wear, pulling it over his head, and grabbed the fake chainsaw he’d somehow procured, and carefully climbed into the laundry basket you’d placed in the players entrance lobby.

The cameras would capture three different angles, and you could only hope for the golden content that this would hopefully produce for your first big assignment on the team. You tried to control your smile at the sound of footsteps, taking a quick glance down at the ipad for confirmation before looking back up properly to watch the prank unfold.

It was go time.

Sebastian and Teuvo came strolling in, calm as anything, and it wasn’t until they were right next to the laundry basket that Seth jumped up with an unholy roar, waving the plastic chainsaw in the air. Both of his teammates shrieked louder than you ever thought possible, Seth immediately cracking up and leaning backwards against the wall.

“You’re a dead man Jarvy!”

Of course they knew it was him. Who else would it be?

“That was so good right? Did we get everything?”

You popped your head out from behind the banner hiding you, waving at Sebastian and Teuvo, who just groaned as you nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah it was perfect, Jarvy. You were great.”

“Fuck yeah!”

You just giggled as his enthusiasm, glancing down at your ipad to wait for more cars to pull in.

KK and Neci were next – both Jesperi and Martin jumped, Martin almost losing his coffee and Jesperi dropping his phone.

After that came Svech and Pyotr – Andrei shouted and stumbled right into Pyotr, nearly knocking him over, a chorus of curse words coming from both of them.

Staalsy was next – you almost felt bad when Jordan tripped over his own feet and had to brace himself on the wall, but Seth’s delighted laughter was worth it.

Finally, with just enough time before Seth needed to head to practice himself, Freddie walked in. And as Seth jumped up with the loudest roar of all, the goalie didn’t even flinch. He just kept walking in a straight line past Seth like he wasn’t even there, making Seth burst out in laughter as he took his mask off.

“Goalies, man. Can’t get them all,” he grinned.

What a perfect ending. You stopped the recording on your ipad, making sure the video files were stored, before walking out from your hiding place. The grin on Seth’s face was worth the ache in your feet from standing still in one spot for so long, and he eagerly jogged over to your side.

“That was so much fun! Thank you!”

He threw his arms around you in a hug before you could respond, making you squeal with laughter as he spun you round in a circle.

“You’re welcome, you mad man,” you giggled when he set you back on your feet.

“How long will it take you to edit all the footage, do you think?” he asked, grinning.

“Hm, maybe a week? And then I have to get my boss to approve it all, make sure I’ve got all the stuff in it that I need to, including that little intro clip we filmed the other day, and then it’s just got to wait until Halloween week to go out on socials,” you explained.

“Can you send me the links as soon as they go out?”

“What?”

“Like, if I give you my phone number, can you send them to me?” he asked hopefully.

He wanted your phone number?

No, it was for work, purely professional.

“Of course, here, let me…”

You dug your phone out of your back pocket and opened up the new contact page, passing it over to Seth. He quickly typed in his number before handing the phone back, and you couldn’t help but smile at the hockey stick emoji and clown emoji he put next to his name. As if you wouldn’t know who he was in your phone.

“And, you know, if you have anything else you need my help with then you can text me too. For socials,” he said, rushing the last two words.

There was a shyness in his tone that took you by surprise.

Oh.

Oh.

“If you have any other ideas you want to run past me, then you can text me too. You know, for socials,” you said, smiling innocently.

He looked a little stunned for a second before his hopeful smile slid into something a little sharper.

“I’m sure I can work something out.”

Be still your beating heart.

“Talk to you later?” you grinned.

“Count on it.”

[eobe]

New year – fresh PFP 🤩✨

I love my old pfp ☺️ It‘s about 7 years old now and I was doing my first steps in digital drawing on Adobe Sketch (I miss that app, it had such a fine watercolour brush!) and then life happened and for a long time I only drew for work, stopped to draw and paint for myself and my internal art dragon went into a long wintersleep as my survival mode overtook for many years.

This art block was until last September when I popped up here with Captain Keeli ☺️ Since then my skills grew rapidly and now I learned more than I ever thought I could reach and I met people I don‘t want to miss anymore ♥️🙏

Thank you all so much for being here with me, I‘m actually healing now 🙏🤩✨

In 2025 I‘m planning to do some more underrated clones and tcw and tbb scenes of my list, indulging my crosshatching artstyle ✨ I want to do some fun chaos drawing timelapses à la Eobe showing how I struggle and lose my mind concept and try out new things 👀 and I want to get better and more secure with my comic style – mostly in some art escalations collabs 🫶 I’m also working on a new masterlist with a better concept, to not get tired browsing through 😂 And just let‘s look what the year brings of course! 🤩✨

Have a last look at the friendly sunflower from 2018 and have a fresh look at my OC Padawan Eo 2025:

Taglist, new sight for notifs: @eclec-tech @lonewolflupe @bixlasagna @returnofthepineapple @sunshinesdaydream @covert1ntrovert @general-ida-raven @vrycurious @dystopicjumpsuit @chaicilatte @groguandthebadbatch @ladylucksrogue @spaceyjessa @morerandombullshit @freesia-writes

[meret118]

As Donald Trump campaigns to be a dictator for one day, he’s asking: “Are you better off now than you were when I was president?” Great question! To help answer it, our Trump Files series is delving into consequential events from the 45th president’s time in office that Americans might have forgotten—or wish they had.

Six years on, families remain separated. The Trump administration’s so-called “zero tolerance” policy of splitting families at the border to deter migration is not just a shameful chapter of US history but an ongoing disaster. To this day, the Biden White House is still scrambling to clean up the mess. Some families may never reunite.

The cruelty of that policy defined the first Trump term. Images of separated children held in Walmarts converted into shelters sparked comparisons to the detention of Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II. Audio obtained by ProPublica and released in June 2018 underscored the brutality: Guards joked, over the sounds of children wailing and calling for their moms and dads while in custody of Customs and Border Protection, “Well, we have an orchestra here, right? What we’re missing is a conductor.”

. . .

Ultimately, around 5,000 children were separated and, as of earlier this year, 1,360 hadn’t been reunited with their parents or legal guardians, according to a progress report by the Family Reunification Task Force launched by the Biden administration.

. . .

Even in face of the irreparable harm done to thousands of children and their parents, the Trump campaign won’t rule out bringing back family separation in a potential second term.

“Well, when you have that policy, people don’t come,” Trump said during a CNN town hall last year. “If a family hears they’re going to be separated, they love their family, they don’t come.” When pressed further about whether he would reinstate the policy, Trump added: “We have to save our country, all right?”

[tributary]

What is with you and all your lil pals demanding that the only proper way for 'the Palestinian cause' to do things is to lay down and fucking die? They did what you wanted! They had the peace march in 2018, exactly the way you wanted it- and Israel STILL killed them! What the fuck else is left BUT violence? Why are their lives worth so little that suffer and die so you don't get the uncomfies are their only options??? Do you not realize how much their dehumanization has infected you????

“the uncomfies”? how old are you?

for the absolute last fucking time, i am not saying that all violence is always bad. violence in self-defense, or against combatants, is very different from violence against civilians. yes, civilians; there are israeli civilian noncombatants, who make up the majority of the missing and dead. rape, mass murder, kidnapping, and desecration of the dead is unacceptable no matter who does it. in what moral universe is that something you can ever defend?

so we’re talking past each other. you think i’m decrying violent resistance point blank (i’m not) and i think you think that rape, mass murder, kidnapping, and desecration of the dead are acceptable against an enemy (do you?)

do you think sexual violence is liberation?

i hear non-palestinians crowing about liberatory violence and all i can think is that they really, truly believe that hamas is synonymous with palestinians. they are doing the work of the bibists, the kahanists, the israeli right they claim to despise. they do not care about palestinians.

palestinians deserve better than having their cause besmirched by the people who claim to champion them. they deserve better than to be used as smokescreens for radical westerners’ bloodlust.

international sympathy is palestine’s greatest strategic asset, and hamas has gone and shot that in the foot, the head, and the neck. aid is being cut; the idf is retaliating against gaza, and already the death tolls are terrible. anyone cheering this on was cheering on palestine’s suffering in the fallout.

are you ready to speak to me as an adult?

[bobbinalong]

I'm not even gonna say anything to refute this, I'm just gonna show you what actually happened:

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1

Look at him! Grrr! So mad! Jokes aside, off the top of my head, Jay has only experessed annoyance or anger towards Jon twice. Once when Jon tries to bench him before confronting Bendix/taking back Gamorra and once when Jon puts his foot in his mouth after they've both gone through something very traumatic.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #13 & Absolute Power: Super Son

In both of these situations, he's, in my opinion, more than justified to be annoyed and/or angry. In the first, Jon's about to blunder into an international conflict and possibly make things worse for Jay's people. In the second, he's just lost his mother and Jon is suggesting he forgive one of the people he holds most responsible for her death, which, no matter how Nia helped Jon get through the rough parts of his most recent nightmare (haha), is incredibly insensitive.

In both situations, they (seem to) make up quickly. The next time we see Jay and Jon together in SOKE, they're doing this, so there's obviously no hard feelings:

Superman: Son of Kal-El #14

And in AP: SS, he specifically holds Jon back a second longer to make sure he knows they're still in this together, that he's willing to do the work their relationship needs:

Absolute Power: Super Son

Now, "boring" is subjective, so while I obviously disagree, I won't be arguing that point, but I hope I've already demonstrated thatJay is neither toxic or emotionally neglectful. He's a very attentive and supportive boyfriend and often knows just what Jon needs. Here's some more examples:

Superman: Son of Kal-El #3

Superman: Son of Kal-El #4

Superman: Son of Kal-El #5

Superman: Son of Kal-El #7

Superman: Son of Kal-El #8

Superman: Son of Kal-El #10

Superman: Son of Kal-El #15

Onto the "love triangle":

Here's what we have, textually.

Tension, and not the romantic kind, between Nia and Jay:

Absolute Power: Ground Zero

Jay and Jon firmly in one corner:

Absolute Power: Super Son

Nia pining for Jon:

Absolute Power: Super Son

and ... this:

Absolute Power: Super Son

which, if you wanted to, you very well could interpret as Jon expressing romantic attraction towards Nia, I think that's a valid interpretation of the text, but to me, personally, it reads much more as him mourning a person he's barely gotten to know.

They're not "childhood friends" and nobody is pretending they are; in fact, I'd argue that he's keenly aware of that in this moment and that's what makes it hurt all the more.

He doesn't have a lot of friends but he likes Nia. They're similar people, and maybe, if they'd stayed up, if he hadn't left, she wouldn't be dead and there'd still be a chance to grow closer.

He's sad because he thinks they missed their moment.

And even with Nia back now, there's no indication that there'll be any cheating. Not when the same comic the above page is from has him saying "I love you" to Jay for the first time on panel and tell him that his worst fear is not having a home with him in it. He loves Jay so, so deeply and no matter what feelings he may or may not have for Nia, he'd never intentionally hurt him.

Absolute Power: Super Son

Uh ... this one I think I've already "debunked" with the rest of this post. Jay loves Jon, he's demonstrated it time and time again, and if you truly believe he's with Jon just for Superman, then someone's been feeding you bad information. Because I don't think you can read any of the comics he's in with an open mind and come to that conclusion.

(Also, end note because otherwise it'd bug me, Jon's civilian identity wasn't "stolen" so much as Clark revealed his own, out of his own free will. So weird phrasing there.)

Superman (2018) #18

[beardedmrbean]

Adair, Iowa, had a population of 794. So, it seemed suspicious when its three-person police department asked regulators to buy 90 machine guns, including an M134 Gatling-style minigun capable of shooting up to 6,000 rounds of ammunition every minute. 

Federal agents later discovered Adair's police chief, Bradley Wendt, was using his position to acquire weapons and sell them for personal profit. A jury convicted Wendt earlier this year of conspiracy to defraud the United States, lying to federal law enforcement and illegal possession of a machine gun. Wendt is unapologetic and has appealed his conviction. 

"If I'm guilty of this, every cop in the nation's going to jail," Wendt told CBS News just days before a federal judge sentenced him to a 5-year prison term. Wendt's crimes appear to be part of a nationwide pattern.

A CBS News investigation found dozens of law enforcement leaders — sheriffs, captains, lieutenants, chiefs of police — buying and illegally selling firearms, even weapons of war, across 23 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., from the Deep South to the Midwest, Northeast and California coast. 

A nationwide review of government audits and court records over the last 20 years uncovered at least 50 cases of police illegally selling their weapons online, through dealers, out of their homes or the back of their cars. In many cases, the weapons were sold to gun enthusiasts, often at steep markups as high as 10 times what they were bought for. 

In several cases, the guns wound up in the hands of violent felons and were used to commit crimes including drug trafficking, international arms dealing and, in one case, the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy attending a high school football game. 

In 2011, federal agents busted a smuggling ring out of New Mexico involving a police chief, mayor and village trustee who delivered automatic firepower and tactical gear to a Mexican cartel.  

A decade later, prosecutors uncovered a multistate conspiracy linking a sanctioned Russian arms dealer with three police chiefs, one sheriff and a Delta Force veteran who sold machine guns directly to a criminal trafficker. All of them pleaded guilty. An additional alleged co-conspirator, who worked as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, denied wrongdoing and his case is proceeding to trial. 

Nearly 26,000 guns were traced from American crime scenes back to a government agency, law enforcement or the military between 2017 and 2021, the most recently available data, according to a report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It isn't known how many of those were lost, stolen or sold. However, when government auditors investigated firearms that law enforcement agencies reported missing over a 15-year period, the General Services Administration Inspector General found that more than two-thirds had not gone missing at all but, rather, were inappropriately sold or traded —including Uzis and grenade launchers that were never recovered.  

Meanwhile, a separate Government Accountability Office audit in 2018 found $100 million worth of guns and ammunition bought by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was unaccounted for. In response, ICE said that it improved how it would keep track of its inventory going forward; there was no follow-up about the weapons that were already missing. ICE did not respond to CBS News' request for comment. 

Of the 58 cases CBS News identified where law enforcement officers were criminally charged with illegally selling their weapons, 56 of them either admitted guilt or were convicted; two have denied wrongdoing in ongoing cases. 

Those cases are just the tip of the iceberg, according to interviews with half a dozen former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents who worked directly on these investigations. Several career agents shared anecdotes about letting police departments off with warnings after repeatedly finding their service weapons in the hands of private citizens. The agents explained that prosecutors have been generally reluctant to charge these cases, and the bureau stated that "it is our goal to educate, not investigate," according to a 2017 law enforcement memo obtained by CBS News. 

"We're not looking to prosecute fellow law enforcement officers," said Eric Harden, former special agent in charge of the ATF's Los Angeles field division.  

Harden authored the 2017 memo, which flagged a "growing trend" of "officers purchasing and then selling [restricted] firearms...for profit." The memo warned that anyone doing this was functionally acting as a straw purchaser in violation of at least two federal laws.  

Harden told CBS News that if officers persisted after being warned, or if their weapons were traced to a crime, they should be held accountable. "If we don't do this, then it'll be turning a blind eye and saying officers are above the law."  _______________________

Harden wrote the memo after his intelligence unit traced an outlawed pistol seized in a narcotics bust to a recent purchase by a beat cop in Pasadena, California. Now retired, Harden still remembers that officer crying on his shoulder when federal agents showed up to arrest him for illegally selling more than 100 weapons out of his home. The officer argued at the time that he didn't know he was breaking the law, but he later pleaded guilty. He served less than a year in federal prison and paid a $10,000 fine but was allowed to keep his Porsche and Alfa Romeo. 

On the other side of LA County, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, with secret-level security clearance, was operating an even more egregious gun-running scheme that went on for 20 years. He too eventually pleaded guilty, in 2019, after an undercover agent busted him selling weapons out of the trunk of his car. His stockpile at the time totaled more than 250 firearms, including 41 machine guns and two short-barreled rifles. 

The officer "betrayed his oath to uphold the laws of the United States solely to put more money in his pocket," the U.S. Attorney said in announcing the news of the officer's prison sentence. 

Several cases involved sheriffs and police leadership who used their positions in law enforcement to gain access to military-grade machine guns, short-barreled rifles and explosive devices like grenades, and then sold them in violation of federal law. 

Although the Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, there are limits to the kinds of weapons people are allowed to possess. Post-1986, these weapons — known to the ATF as Class 3/Title II and to the gun industry as "posties"— have been restricted for official government use because of their deadly firepower. Many of them are battlefield weapons used by U.S. and NATO forces in conflict zones. Some ammunition can take out a helicopter or blow straight through an armored tank followed by a concrete building, out the other side, then explode, hitting targets 18 football fields away. These guns can spew hundreds of rounds each minute, faster than the speed of sound. 

"Congress knew almost 100 years ago, in the days of Al Capone, that fully automatic weapons were unusually dangerous," ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said a public address on Feb. 28, 2023. "They have no place in our communities." 

The government loophole, however, has been exploited by opportunists who recruit law enforcement conspirators to help them bypass the American machine gun prohibition, according to law enforcement records and court filings obtained by CBS News that include text messages, videos and wiretapped audio conversations between people who were either convicted of or admitted participation in these schemes. 

CBS News found a trail of activity in social media videos and online web forums frequented by firearm aficionados discussing how to entice law enforcement allies into this illicit trade, which can be highly lucrative. Amid a series of online conversations reviewed by CBS News, one poster suggested that after law enforcement acquired a $10,000 machine gun through the federal approval process, it could be worth $75,000 because it would be free of red tape. Wendt, the Iowa police chief, for example, at times earned more than a 90% profit margin, according to court records. 

"Here is a breakdown of who signs for me," advised another online user, identifying one police chief, one sheriff, one SWAT officer and one deputy sheriff with whom he said he attended high school. 

For police departments to get ahold of such high-powered weaponry, each one needs permission from the ATF. Even though it has been the law for more than three decades, the ATF only started vetting every machine gun application for the first time in January 2023 to confirm that a legitimate government agency was making the request.  

According to interviews with half a dozen longtime ATF officials who worked directly on these cases, the bureau typically does not assess the appropriateness of the weapons for a department or track where they end up. 

"There's no audits," said former Supervisory Special Agent Tim Graden, who worked at the ATF for more than two decades before retiring in 2022. "There was no second-guessing whatsoever. They weren't really — I don't want to use the word concerned, but I can't think of a better one." 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declined requests to comment.  

It's unclear how pervasive this is nationwide, but in Iowa alone over the past five years, the ATF did not deny a single law enforcement request for machine guns "based on suitability (or lack thereof)," according to court filings. By 2023, there were more than 1,200 machine guns registered to law enforcement across the state.  

To find out how that compares to other places, CBS News filed a series of Freedom of Information Act requests with the ATF for details about the high-powered arsenal it's granted to public law enforcement over the past decade. However, the bureau denied those requests, stating that it considers that private tax information exempt from public disclosure. Last week, CBS News filed a lawsuit for the information. 

The proliferation of this high-powered weaponry is likely to become increasingly more relevant when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. During his first administration, Trump revoked an Obama-era executive order restricting the transfer of military equipment from the Defense Department to law enforcement nationwide. The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment.

[mariacallous]

A well-known Georgian transgender model has been murdered, local officials said, a day after the government passed legislation that will impose sweeping curbs on LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

Georgia’s interior ministry said Kesaria Abramidze, 37, was believed to have been stabbed to death in her apartment in suburban Tbilisi on Wednesday.

Georgian media later reported that a man had been arrested in connection with the crime.

Abramidze was one of the country’s first openly trans public figures. Her death follows controversial legislation on “family values and the protection of minors” that will allow officials to outlaw Pride events and censor films and books.

The law, which was approved by the Georgian parliament on Tuesday in its third and final reading, includes bans on same-sex marriages and gender-affirming treatments. It is expected to be another point of contention between Georgia and the EU as the country seeks to join the bloc.

Critics argue that the bill, initially introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party in the summer, mirrors laws enacted in neighbouring Russia, where authorities have implemented a series of repressive anti-LGBTQ+ measures over the past decade.

Although the motive behind Abramidze’s murder remains unclear, her death was swiftly cast by Georgian civil society as part of a state campaign against minorities in the country.

Under the Georgian Dream party, which has taken an increasingly anti-liberal stance, the country has seen a rise in violence against LGBTQ+ people.

Last year, hundreds of opponents of gay rights stormed an LGBTQ+ festival in Tbilisi, forcing the event to be cancelled. This year, tens of thousands of people marched in the capital to promote “traditional family values” at an event attended by the ruling party amd the deeply conservative and influential Orthodox church.

“There is a direct correlation between the use of hate speech in politics and hate crimes,” the Social Justice Center, a Tbilisi-based human rights group, said in its statement reacting to the murder.

“It has been almost a year that the Georgian Dream government has been aggressively using homo/bi/transphobic language and cultivating it with mass propaganda means,” it added.

On Wednesday, Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, called on the Georgian government to withdraw the “family values” law, warning it would harm Georgia’s chances of joining the bloc. The legislation would “increase discrimination & stigmatisation”, he said on X.

After Abramidze’s death, Michael Roth, the Social Democratic party chair of the Bundestag foreign affairs committee in Germany, echoed that call. “Those who sow hatred will reap violence. Kesaria Abramidze was killed just one day after the Georgian parliament passed the anti-LGBTI law,” Roth wrote on X.

The introduction of the law comes just five weeks before parliamentary elections that many see as a litmus test of whether Georgia, once one of the most pro-western former Soviet states, will now drift towards Russia.

The country’s pro-western president, Salome Zourabichvili, whose functions are mostly ceremonial, is expected to veto the law before it comes into effect. However, Georgian Dream and its allies have enough seats in parliament to override her veto.

Earlier this year, the Georgian Dream also pushed through the divisive “foreign influence” law, which western critics argue is authoritarian and Russian-inspired, and has derailed the country’s EU aspirations.

Meanwhile, tributes have started to pour in for Abramidze, who represented Georgia at Miss Trans Star International in 2018 and had more than 500,000 followers on Instagram.

“Kesaria was iconic! Provocative, wise, incredibly brave! A trailblazer for Georgia’s trans rights,” Maia Otarashvili, a Georgian political scientist, wrote on X.

Zourabichvili said the murder should be a “wake-up call” for Georgian society.

“A terrible murder! The death of this beautiful young woman … should not be in vain!” the president wrote on Facebook.

[porkcutletbowl44]

Angst, grief, loss of loved one, comfort

First time full on writing Gaz sorry if this sucks? (If he's wildly out of character please please please tell me)

Bound in a Phantoms Wish

❄️💕❄️

Christmas time used to be beautiful.

A warm fireplace, decorations, fresh homemade cinnamon rolls and delicious Christmas cookies (family recipe, of course), and the yearly tradition of putting up the tree at Nan's.

Kyle used to look forward to the holidays.

The delicious food, the gifts, the warmth and love from his family. Now all it does is remind him of what he no longer has. All it leaves in him is a stinging hole in his chest, a reminder every year that Nan is gone.

With a heavy exhale, Kyle watched his breath rise and dissipate in the air.

He leaned down, scooping up a handful of snow, squeezing lightly, watching the tiny frozen crystals stick together in a rough ball. He took a deep breath, watching steam escape his nose again. Breathe in, breathe out.

He was freezing. His thin, thermal black sweater could only keep him warm for so long.

"Remind me again why I agreed to this?"

Of course, he would return, year after year, visiting the grave.

It was a new tradition, after all.

Kyle's gloveless hands, now stiff and cold, chucked the ball of snow off to the side and stuffed his hand in the front jacket pocket as he treaded along.

Nancy Olivia Spencer

1930-2018

Loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Rest in eternal peace.

He recites in his mind.

The thought of his grandmother always made him feel somber. She was the closest thing to a mother figure after losing his mum at a young age. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, before opening them again. He looked over, glancing down as his gaze landed on the bouquet of tulips he brought, fresh and new.

"She would've loved these," his voice was barely above a whisper, feeling a lump burn up his esophagus.

Kyle heard footsteps, treading over the snow.

His head snapped upwards, gaze locking onto a black figure. His hand reflexively reached down under his sweater, fingers wrapping around the butt of a pistol he had concealed, hidden in an internal waist belt. His muscles tensed, eyes narrowing as he got a better look at the mysterious person crouching and shuffling through the snow.

...Right at Nan's grave.

He sucks in the cold air, overfilling his lungs with an icy bite. He watches the figure's movements with a steady dose of anger rising up, as they walked over to the headstone— arms seeming to sweep over the granite?— back facing Kyle.

He cautiously steps out into the yard, his boots immediately sinking into the snow, leaving behind a trail of imprints.

His hand remain where it is, hidden in his pocket and clutching the butt of his pistol. He watches the figure as silently as possible, feeling the numbness of his toes and fingers float off as unimportant.

He's greatly on edge. Being a member of an elite military unit will do that to you, always being paranoid and careful of your surroundings, even when he was on holiday. His heart was thudding in his chest, adrenaline rising quickly as he gripped his pistol tighter.

Whoever this was, they had the same idea to pay a visit and he had no fucking clue this person was or how they knew his Nan.

"Oi," he barks harshly, "Can I help you?"

You turn on the tips of your boots in a spooked manner, falling into the deep snow side first.

"O-Oh, hello! I'm so sorry I thought—" you bleat at the contact of cold snow, half your body getting covered in icy flakes.

Kyle's jaw slacks, a woman?

He stood in silence for a moment, before slowly making his way over, kicking small clouds of snow as he walked. He didn't expect whoever it was to be so... Cute.

Seeing your arms pop out from the snow, he lets a chuckle loose just a little to ease the tension.

"Bloody hell," he knelt down to his knees in the snow, lifting you out of the icy blanket on the earth, "Are you alright, miss?"

He helps lift you out, brushing the snow and ice off the best he could, his hands briskly sweeping over your shoulders. His gaze is still studying you, taking in your face and your features, you shiver almost violently from the cold, taking a moment to look at your features, unable to deny that you're quite beautiful. Even if you're dressed quite... Peculiarly.

He lets go of you, making sure you were balanced as he stood, tulips dangling in his grasp. Your cheeks and nose were red from the cold with your teeth chattering softly in your mouth.

"What are you doing out here?" He questioned, watching you with a wary gaze.

You huff out a dry laugh, presumably from the cold or because you are still spooked, pointing with a shaking finger to the tombstone.

"I'm so sorry, I had called a lady— uhm, a Mrs. Evelyn for permission to clean this headstone,"

Definitely skittish.

The corner of his lip twitched, his eyebrows crinkling in confusion. Your stuttering, shivering form gave him the impression that you were definitely cold, definitely scared. He had to admit, this was strange, why would you want to clean a stranger's headstone in -12°C weather?

'Auntie Eve' was the last person he expected.

"You called my aunt to clean my Nan's grave."

It came out sounding more like a statement, than a question. Kyle stares for a moment, his mind replaying your words once. Then twice.

Auntie Evelyn?

Of everything he expected, that was not it. He glanced to the grave, then back at you, taking a moment to process a simple response instead of looking around like a poorly programmed NPC. 

The thought of it alone warmed his heart, but the fact that you had called his Aunt for permission... Auntie Evelyn was a sweet, sweet lady, but also a tad too strict. He silently wonders what she had said to you?

"You called my Aunt," he repeated back to you, blinking several times, as if this were some dream—

A lady, dressed in all black and leather chains, dangling necklaces and bangles, cleaning graves on the week of Christmas?

"Ah," he finally manages to get out, clearing his throat in the process as he glances away, gaze at the headstone instead of you.

"You're here to... Clean?"

A sudden flush of embarrassment washes over his features, and the adrenaline in his system slowly starts to dissipate. Of course you were here to clean, he's just not believing it. It was just that the gesture was such a shock to him. He hadn't expected anyone to want to clean his Nan's grave, especially at this time of year.

He clears his throat, trying to regain his composure as he looks back to you. He takes a closer look now, noticing more of your attire— leather boots, multiple piercings, black pointed nails, rings, and there's a few notebooks next to you with various pendants hanging from the top of the spine.

Interesting attire.

"Yes! That is correct, I didn't know anyone was going to be here to visit... Nobody usually does come here often— I'm so sorry,"

He couldn't deny that he was rather impressed that you had the guts to call his Auntie for permission, especially considering how strict she usually is with her family and property.

Kyle's surprise slowly turned into a small smile as he watched you. Your sheepish demeanor was rather endearing, he couldn't deny that either. Though he could tell that you were genuinely sorry from your tone.

"No, no— you don't have to apologize," he shook his head, a small chuckle slipping through his lips, "You just startled me a bit, is all."

He glanced back at the grave, then back to you like you might take off, taking note of the supplies you brought with you.

"Where did you even find a shovel in this weather?"

As if you didn't even know you had a shovel, you look down and then grin.

"It's actually mine! I use it for gardening, but for the snow in the winter..." You look back, the white snow matches your makeup, it makes it really pop; blinding. "...To, uhm, clean the headstones and stuff."

You use a shovel— your shovel— for gardening, or to clean snow and headstones? That was certainly... Unique.

"You... garden?" He repeated, surprise lacing his voice, "In this weather?"

His eyes scanned your body once again, taking in your attire and jewelry, realizing he's now making a lot of snap assumptions about you.

"That's not to say you don't look the type to go out and... I don't know, till dirt?" He added quickly, hoping he hasn't offended you.

Kyle is amused, but carefully so.

"I have a greenhouse!" You informed kindly, lips parting wide with a toothy grin.

You seemed passionate about it. It was almost adorable how excited you looked telling him this with such compassion with a stranger. It made him wonder just how many more surprises you could possibly have in store. Was there anything else about you that would surprise him?

"Yeah?" He smiles genuinely now.

He holds out one of his hands, "I'm Kyle, sorry for givin' you a scare,"

You take it, your painted nails grazing his skin while giving him your name.

"It's fine, I'm sorry for just being here... God, you must think I'm some kind of weirdo,"

He feels heat rising up in his face, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly, and his heart rate picks up tempo again.

Weirdo? No, on the contrary.

His mind starts to go a bit haywire. Not a weirdo, you're bloody gorgeous.

Kyle's skin tingled at your touch, the coolness of your hand and fingers sending a shiver up his spine, and definitely not in a bad way. He shook his head as you spoke.

"No, not at all," he chuckled again, "You are the first person who's cared so much about this grave."

He paused, taking a moment to look out at the surroundings, snowflakes flurrying down every so often. A silence fell between the two of you, the only sound being the slight crunch of the snow beneath your boots as it shifted and melted. As the air between you two grew quiet, Kyle glanced back at you, studying you once again.

His gaze went from your eyes, down to your lips, taking in your smile once again. His eyes flicked to your earrings, then down to your necklaces, and then down to your hands still entwined with his. He realized that he was practically staring at you, but he couldn't help it.

You looked so... Different.

You were different. From anyone he's ever met.

"If you don't me asking," Kyle starts cautiously, "What brought you to start... Uh, cleaning graves?"

He held your hand gently as he spoke, his gaze flickering back up to meet yours, his dark brown eyes studying your face in an attempt to understand you. He was never one for beating around the bush, preferring to get straight to the point. You seem to snap back to reality, your eyes going wide in panic.

"Oh God! I'm sorry—" you glance at the forgotten tulips on his hand, your own retracting quickly. "I'll let you pay your respects to..."

"She's my Nan," he chuckles, smile dimming as the headstone unblurs, bleeding into his peripheral vision.

He followed your gaze, flitting to the tulips clutched in his hand.

"It's... It's fine, y'know," he reassured, his voice soft and gentle.

He raised the tulips, gesturing to the grave.

"I was just about to put these down," he smiled faintly.

"Those are beautiful..." You remark, recognizing his grief with a soft tone. "I'm very sorry for your loss—"

Just listening to you speak was enough to soothe him. You were so gentle about it, there was a certain... Warmth to your voice. The snowy landscape around him fell to the background, focusing solely on your voice—

".... Dining....... Sunlight!....."

Loud, cracking white noise cuts in the air in choppy, whooshing waves. His head jerks in the direction of the noise, confusion written across his features.

"What the bloody hell is that?" He breathes. 

"Sorry!" Your nails clack on plastic in a hurried attempt to silence the speaker, the sound cutting off with a loud staticy blare, "Damn walkman..." You chuckle.

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of a 'walkman.' Those things were old. But he supposed that was the least of his concerns.

"That some old vintage thing?" He asked, a smirk pulling at his lips, "Didn't realize they still made those."

"It was a gift... I have a thing for old-timey stuff," you smile prettily, tucking the device behind your back.

He exhaled loudly through his nostrils, thinking that was also odd. It was far too loud to be a walkman, and it didn't sound like singing.

"Your walkman?" He tilted his head towards the device, "What were you listening to that sounded like... That?"

"It's old, it... Messes up with the frequencies and stuff," you managed.

Kyle nodded in understanding, his confusion slowly fading away as you explained.

"Ah, I get it. Probably needs some new batteries, yeah?"

You fidget with the device, trying to get it working properly again. It was an interesting thing, how outdated it was. Old or not, he was intrigued by the fact that you carried a walkman of all things.

"Old music player, huh?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.

You shoot him a cheeky grin, "Fitting, isn't it?"

Goth.

Yeah, the black leather and chains, the jewelry, the earrings, the walkman.

Everything about you screamed Goth.

It was indeed fitting, even if the device seemed ancient compared to today's smartphones and Bluetooth headphones.

"Well, I have to say," he begins, trying to sound nonchalant, "You certainly match that look you got going on. Goth, right?"

"Guilty," you outstretch your arms, the lovely bat sleeve dress you wear fanning out.

His gaze lingered on the patterns and shades, then drifts back to your face, taking in your makeup again before meeting your eyes. A smile tugged at his lips once more as he observed you. He quickly clears his throat, taking a step back to create some distance between the two of you, trying to ignore the subtle heat in his cheeks.

"It uh," he fumbles, "It suits you." he comments, noting how the dark colors contrasted nicely with your eyes and hair.

He never had this issue before, especially not with a stranger. Sure, he's had his fair share of partners and relationships in the past, but this was different.

You were different.

Something about you—your look, your attitude—was intriguing to him.

A moment of silence passes between the two, the only sound being the faint hiss coming from the old walkman. He didn't understand what you were doing to him. His heart beat a little faster when you smiled, and he found himself becoming acutely aware of your every move— the way you held yourself, how your dress swayed with your every movement, the sound of your voice, and the way your lips moved when you spoke.

It was absurd really, how someone he had just met could affect him this much. He gives you a wry smile, gingerly laying the flowers on the headstone.

Despite his attempt at regaining his composure, Kyle's hand trembles ever so slightly as he carefully places the tulips on the headstone. He stood silently for a moment, paying his respects to his Nan, taking in a deep breath to clear his head.

His mind, however, could not be clearer and he found his thoughts were solely focused on you.

"I uh," he began after a beat, cutting through the silence between the two of you, "I'm grateful. Thank you for tidying up her headstone."

Kyle's eyes flicker over you, taking in the way you seem to preen a little from his gratitude. He couldn't help but find the sight endearing—you were almost like a kitten preening after getting a pat on the head. Yet, you felt good for doing a good deed to a stranger you've never met.

He let out a small laugh, "You like doing this kinda stuff, don't you?" He asks, his voice laced with amusement.

"Of course... There's just something peaceful about graveyards."

Peaceful was the right word for graveyards and the overall atmosphere of the place.

It was quiet, still. You couldn't hear the sounds of blaring car horns and honking cars like you could in the city. The only sounds to be heard were the occasional birdsong and the gentle shhhh of a light breeze passing by.

Yet... Who would be comfortable being surrounded by death and grief?

"Yeah, I get it," he mutters quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets, "It's quiet, y'know."

He glanced back at the headstone, his Nan's name etched into the granite.

"I always thought it was... Strange," he began, his voice quiet. "How there's just rows and rows of stones, all lined in uniform."

His gaze flickers to the many grave sites surrounding his Nan's, a small lump forming in his throat.

"Every single one of 'em is a person. Someone who lived, and someone who had loved ones. It's hard not to think of—"

He cuts himself short, his throat tightening.

"Are you okay?" You murmur delicately.

His mind drifts to his job; to Soap, Price, Ghost, all his teammates.

It was a dangerous line of work they did—the fact that every time he walked away from base, he'd could be walking to his possible demise. Of all the things that could get him killed, he never thought of dying in a graveyard before. He nods faintly, addressing you lightly.

"How come you aren't creeped out by it? The... dead folk around us?"

Your nonchalance piqued his interest. Here you were, at a graveyard, surrounded by death, and you somehow seemed completely unfazed by it. The fact that he was creeped out baffled him. He'd been in far more dangerous situations before, life-threatening ones even, but yet, a cemetery got to him.

He'd never met someone who felt comfortable in a graveyard. Sure, you got the odd group of teens here and there, trying to make some sort of video or take pictures; but most people avoided visiting them unless necessary.

Yet, here you seemed to be—standing right in the middle of a graveyard as if it were an everyday thing. As if it were normal.

"Well... Nobody is here to say anything. I don't get weird looks or questioned for who I am." You supply, and you're not in any way being rude or snarky.

You're just... So passionate about what you do. So into it.

Enigmatic.

Nobody was judging you here, nobody was there to criticize you—just you, and the dead.

He could only guess what you meant by who you are.

But the fact that nobody had anything to say here, no one would question you nor give you weird looks... That was something he could understand. After all, he too, had felt similar.

"I suppose you're right," he said slowly, a frown now forming on his lips.

He glanced around the graveyard, noting the fact that the two of you were the only ones there. It was still quiet, peaceful even as the soft breeze passed through, gently pushing away the clouds of his thoughts. But there was something about you that made him want to ask. To delve deeper into your mind.

"But—that can't be the only reason, right?" He asked quickly. 

He glanced around the graveyard, his eyes roaming over the headstones and markers surrounding them.

"You said it yourself—" he began, turning his gaze back to you. He took a small step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, "—that it's peaceful. You prefer dead people's company over the living?"

You keep your smile, shaking your head with a patient look.

"I meant that this is relaxing... To be alone on the living side while spending time with them. How many of their families actually visit them?"

He knew all too well of friends and family who never bothered visiting those who had passed.

They just... Left them there.

Left them to rot.

He glanced back at his Nan's headstone, the sharp, hot stab of grief returning. He missed her. His gaze flickered to you, still watching him with that kind, warming sight.

"Not many," he mutters bitterly, "If any."

Many of the graves here seem to be abandoned, with weeds poking through the cracks of their stones, signs of age and deterioration noticeable on most of them. You peer around him, the pink and yellow tulips standing out against the snow.

"...No gift?" You tease lightly.

"Gift..." he repeated, the word sounded foreign on his tongue as his mind scrambled for meaning.

After a moment, his expression softened into a warm smile as he realized what you meant. In his not so excitement of eagerness to visit his Nan's grave this year, he had completely forgotten a gift. He usually didn't, just the flowers and some loving words.

"Ah, no—no gift." he admitted sheepishly, "Bit of a rookie mistake, wasn't it?"

You reach into your purse— it's an Ouija board design— pulling out a tiny plushie made out of soft yarn.

It's a bee. Nan loved the bees. She had a fascination with insects, always pointing out different types and saying their names as if they were her babies. His Nan would have loved the gift.

"A little gift, for Christmas... If you want,"

His Nan adored those creatures. She loved to watch them buzz about in the garden when summer rolled around every year. Her entire kitchen was bee themed, throw blankets on the couches were yellow— Sunflowers. Bees. Wind. Honey. The China cabinet has multiple bee tea cups with matching plates and spoons.

But... How did you know?

"I—" he began, his words cut off as the sight of the toy bee registered in his mind.

For a moment, he wished to see her smile one more time.

"Are you sure...?"

Your face drops in minor, frantic panic.

"I mean, I have others if that's not good... Let's see; sheep, bats, octopus, a spider—"

Despite the anxiety on your face, Kyle found himself unable to hold in the chuckle raddles around his throat.

"It's perfect," he reassured, holding out his hand to stop you from pulling out the entire pocket full of plush toys. "She'd—she'd love it, really." He reassured, quiet and thoughtful.

Kyle reached out his hand, gingerly taking the plushie from your grasp. He held it carefully, studying the little creature in the palm of his hand. It was small— adorable, even— with its cute smile, heart-shaped blushing cheeks and the soft, hand-crocheted yarn it was made of.

He smiles as he imagines his Nan's reaction to the toy.

She would've loved it.

He turns, clutching it close to his chest for just a moment, imagining receiving just one more of her hugs smelling of butterscotch and freshly baked bread— and putting the bee on the headstone. The plushie finds its place beside the tulips, its cheerful smile seeming to almost match the cheerful colors of the tulips.

He found comfort in knowing that he now left something that he knew his Nan would love, and for once, he didn't feel the gnawing guilt of leaving her lonely and abandoned.

"Thank you..." he began, strained and almost choked "You—uh, didn't have to. I know we barely know each other and—"

He stopped himself; realizing he was about to ramble on awkwardly. Usually, he wasn't so inept when it came to talking to people, let alone attractive women. Yet, here he stood, feeling like a teen who had just discovered girls for the first time.

He was thankful—so, so thankful for the gift and your kindness. But the fact that he now associated your sweet, caring attitude with his grandmother's didn't help the growing feelings stirring within him.

"It's nothing," you wave off, "I have tons of them. I like to make things,"

The idea of you sitting there just knitting, crocheting away was cute. He could almost imagine your determined expression, your hand creating something out of nothing, creating life from nothing but some fabric and thread.

He glances at the bee, "You made that?"

He took a good look at the plushie, noting the soft, hand crocheted yarn, the careful and precise stitches that made the little bee look so perfect.

"Damn," he continued, his tone a mix of admiration and disbelief, "It looks... Professional."

The craft was far more advanced than his own skill sets, he could only make a measly blanket or a beanie. On a good day.

Just how much time and effort had you put into making it?

How long have you been practicing crocheting?

And for some reason, how did your hands look working away at the yarn? Was it as beautiful as the rest of you?

He didn't want to question too much and sound like an ignorant pillock.

He couldn't even imagine the amount of time and patience it would take to master something like that, let alone have the talent of producing those little creations.

"Thanks! The stitch pattern is easy once you understand and memorize it,"

Your knowledge on the craft was impressive to say the least.

He couldn't muster the amount of patience it would've taken to do this kind of thing, and to put so much effort into a simple, hand-made gift. And not only that, but to do it without asking for much in return.

"It must take days to make somethin' like that, right?" He asked with curious wonder, "The yarn looks pretty small and tricky,"

"Half an hour," you corrected, your arms now hugging yourself as a gust of wind blew at your dress.

Only half an hour?

For something like that?

Impressive was an understatement.

"It's for my side business. I hope to make it a priority one day—" You rub your hands together with a soft sniffle.

You were shivering from the cold, and yet, you continued talking like nothing was happening. Didn't you know you could get ill?

You had also chosen to wear the thin dress with... Stockings.

Were you trying to freeze to death?

With how cold it was outside, and with you only in a long sleeve dress and very light clothing, you were far more cold than him. Kyle tried to reason with himself. He wasn't your parent for Christ's sake, it wasn't his business if you froze yourself.

Yet he found that the need to protect you was starting to overpower his better judgment. He wasn't sure what you were trying to do— freeze? Impress him?

But he was certain that you'd get ill if you remained outside much longer like this. He doesn't even think of his next move.

"Here—"

There's plenty of warmth in his jacket. Thankfully he's got a spare in his car. Kyle shrugged off his jacket before you could even consider protesting. He moved closer, gently draping the extra layer of heavy fabric around your shoulders. His hands lingered on the material, adjusting it so it covered you properly.

As the heavy weight settled on your frame, he took a small step back to admire you.

You... You looked damn good.

He's smug; getting you some warmth before you could even deny it for his sake.

"What were you thinking comin' out to clean a gravesite in snow without proper attire?"

"Doesn't match my style. Pain is temporary, beauty is forever," you giggled.

Kyle raised an eyebrow at your words, his lips twitching slightly in amusement.

"A fashion diva, ay?" He teased, taking a small step closer to you.

"Style over warmth? You sure you're not about to freeze somethin' off, love?"

"I'd say it's worth it," you quip back.

He takes in the way the jacket swallows your frame, how the material falls over your curves, the way his own body heat still lingered within the fabric, and you still shivering slightly from the cold. He let his gaze linger on how his jacket looked in its new form, and how it seemed to make you look so— small.

You did like looking good, didn't you?

From the dress that showed off your figure and tattoos, to the stockings that looked far too good on your legs, to his oversized jacket draped over your arms. You looked stunning, yet it was a damn shame you'd get ill because you couldn’t keep warm in the elements.

He hums, the corner of his lips twitching up slightly.

"Would you fancy a break from the cold? There's..." He clears his throat, smoothing off snow from his short hair.

There's been enough grief for today. He wouldn't want his Nan to witness him being a bumbling fool over a beautiful woman any longer.

"...—There's a café a few blocks down. Some tea? Hot chocolate?"

The café had a reputation for its decent service, a comfortable atmosphere, and most importantly; delicious hot beverages and baked goods. He wasn't ready to part with you yet, he wanted to spend more time with you. A hot cup of tea or hot chocolate was the perfect excuse.

If you accepted, that is.

He watched intently as you seemed to consider his offer, your mind swirling on whether to stay within the cold to keep working or join him in the warmth. He would have preferred the latter, especially with how you were still shivering as the wind picked up, your body starting to shake more obviously.

"Unless you're up for losin' a limb to frostbite, love?" He teased, hoping to sway you to agree.

A shared chuckle between you, and then you nod.

"Yeah, I would love to." Your eyes wander behind him, "But don't you want some extra time?"

He had already spent a reasonable amount of time. He had said his goodbyes, left his gift, and taken in the sight of her grave one last time. He never did stay long. It was too painful.

"No..." he said finally, shaking his head slightly, "I-I think I've spent enough time for today."

Stay here longer and be alone with his thoughts, wallow in more grief and guilt? Or leave and spend time with you?

The decision is obvious.

"Some company would be nice," he murmurs, turning his gaze back on you with a gentle smile.

With the decision agreed upon, Kyle took the lead, guiding you away from the grave site as the sun continued to climb up the sky. His eyes didn't wander often, keeping his gaze straight ahead, but occasionally, he would glance over at you to see if you were keeping up.

His jacket looked even better on you than he had imagined. It was baggy on you, the hem of the material falling down to your mid-thigh, which was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

"So... A knitting business?"

"Mhm, it's a little hobby I decided to pursue as a side career. It's very relaxing to knit or crochet in my greenhouse."

Kyle nodded, listening intently as you explained further. He could picture you working away on something, sitting in your little greenhouse, surrounded by rows and rows of yarn with a cup of tea or coffee in your hand, completely immersed in the project, the sunlight pouring in and warming your skin along with the warm climate of the greenhouse itself.

It sounded... Cozy.

He could imagine you completely in your realm; in your own space.

"Sounds like you're living in paradise," he remarked warmly, "Specially when it's freezin' outside. What do you grow in it? Vegetables, or..."

"Anything I get get a hold of... How about your profession?"

"Me?" He asked, his voice going surprisingly hoarse all of a sudden.

He coughs to clear his throat, running a hand through his hair as he tries to find the right words. How exactly was he supposed to explain his job to you? How could he even describe it? His job was a lot more rough and intense than yours. He was a killer. A trained killer who took people's lives.

Not something a normal girl would want to hear.

You just remain silent as he fumbles to himself, treading through snow carefully.

Luckily, the 'walkman' decides it's the perfect opportunity.

".... War! Danger!..... Home?....."

For a moment or two, Kyle floundered, lost in a mixture of surprise and frustration. He'd already forgotten about the strange relic, and was not prepared to have it go off in the middle of his moment of panic.

It almost sounds disoriented— broken. Like a radio signal that's been scrambled and garbled.

There's a warning in the tone, a sense of urgency that had his heart nearly stopping. The thing was loud, in such poor condition... The sound of the voice; the warning in the tone, the sense of urgency— were you in trouble?

It was strange... Like it answered his question for him.

"Sorry about that," you chuckled.

His eyes dart over your form. You seemed undisturbed by the garbled noise, like this was a normal occurrence for you.

"No, it's... It's alright," he mutters with caution, "Mind telling me what it is though? Where did you get it?"

"It was a gift from... An old shop, super old, I'm shocked it still works when it does,"

A gift... Super old shop... Something that managed to just, well, work?

That sounds impossible.

But here you were, holding the device in your hands, which clearly managed to produce a strange, disorientated voice.

Weird.

Kyle still seems a little off, like he's seen a ghost, but the smile on your face was reassuring enough to calm him slightly. Perhaps the device was normal. He was just overreacting.

He keeps pace next to you, clearing his throat once again. He finds himself smiling back at you, a soft hum of acknowledgment leaving his throat as he continues to follow along beside you.

Yet... He just can't fully forget that the voice was distinctly female. What a strange radio station...

He's doing it almost instinctively, moving himself closer to the road while you're by the inner sidewalk, closest to the shop windows. He gets you away from the snow and any potential slush, and keep you safe from any car accidents, or reckless drivers. He doesn't think anything of the gesture as he walks alongside you, but you have the sweetest smile and the softest eyes he's ever seen on a woman.

[sebscore]

THE GRID'S DELIGHT | SERIES MASTERLIST

summary: the shenanigans of female gen z driver and the formula one grid.

author’s note: I started this series, because I'd like to imagine what it would be like to be part of the group of drivers and how it would be like to interact with them on a regular basis. It's all fun and games, and I don't know these people in real life. everything is fiction! the stories aren't written in chronological order, but I try to put them in the right order below! 

Requests are always welcome in my inbox! Opinions, thoughts and feedback are also greatly appreciated.

— ABOUT THE OC

HEADCANONS || MORE HEADCANONS

:: Things about being the only female driver on the ‘22 grid.

DRIVER X TGD HEADCANONS

:: The dynamics between driver!reader and the formula 1 drivers. in the link you can find the masterlist.

EXTRAS

:: this includes thoughts, opinions, etc about the series. it doesn’t include requests.

— 2018

WELCOME TO THE STRANGE WORLD 

:: Y/N makes her F1 debut at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix. 

THE PRIZE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

:: Y/N accepts the 'Rookie of the Year' award and receives a suprise from a special someone on stage.

— 2020 

TWITCH WAR

:: lando insults Y/N’s gaming skills and the events that followed.

PLEASE RISE FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

:: An error in the sound system causes for the wrong song to play instead of Y/N’s national anthem.

— 2021 

THE MORE YOU KNOW

:: Y/N teaches Sebastian and Fernando what ‘bop’ means.

NO ONE LIKES A MAD WOMAN

:: Y/N receives a complaint from the FIA during the driver's briefing and no one is happy about it.

BREAK UP WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND, I'M BORED 

:: Y/N flirts with a stranger not knowing she's the girlfriend of another F1 driver on the grid. 

THIS IS ALL I NEVER WANTED

:: Y/N goes through a rough patch and the drivers notice.

LET IT SPIRAL

:: Y/N gets into a crash and Seb & George come to the rescue.

SLOW DOWN, RED FLAG

:: The commentators are shocked by Y/N’s red flag habit.

BE YOUR WINGMAN

:: Y/N tries to get through an interview with Jenson, Daniel and Sebastian. 

GIDDY GOODBYES

:: Y/N and Kimi bid each other goodbye at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

— 2022

A MAN’S WORLD

:: Y/N is asked about Christian Horner’s sexist comments.

THE ORIGIN OF RUSSY BUSSY

:: the title is pretty self-explanatory.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MONACO, STAYS IN MONACO

:: Y/N goes on a blind date and returns with a hickey the next day.

THE HELMET BET

:: Y/N and Zhou decide who the second best dressed driver on the grid is through a bet that involves holding the other drivers hostage at the driver's briefing.

GOSSIP GRID

:: Charles and Pierre don't trust Y/N when it comes to rumors around Oscar Piastri's move to McLaren.

RUMOUR HAS IT

:: Y/N and her fellow younger drivers react to certain rumours that have been going around about her love life, and it might include two colleagues of hers.

MONZA MANICURE

:: Daniel makes it up to Y/N for breaking her nail during a race.

LITTLE MISS BLACK DRESS

:: f1 drivers and their reactions to Y/N looking gorgeous in a dress.

KEEPING UP WITH THE GRID

:: What happens when Y/N takes over Martin's grid walk? 

THE LAST SUPPER

:: The drivers celebrate the life and career of Sebastian Vettel at Abu Dhabi and Y/N has a great story to tell.

— 2023 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 

:: Daniel, Lewis and Sebastian show their appreciation for Y/N on International Women's Day. 

GLASS HALF FULL KINDA GAL

:: Y/N goes on Instagram live to try out Daniel’s new wine, and the drivers react to it in the comments.

MONTE-CARLO MADNESS

:: Y/N meets her old mentor after months and experiences a chaotic qualifying in Monaco.

PUT IT INTO SPEED DRIVE

:: Y/N and the Twitch Quartet go on a small adventure in the streets of Monaco.

SNITCHES GET STITCHES

:: A collection of moments at the 2023 Austria Grand Prix.

LATE NIGHT TALKING

:: Pierre asks the question: “Out of all the drivers, who would you date?”

— 2024

EXCUSE ME

:: Y/N finds out about Lewis’ Ferrari move before the official announcement.

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS

:: Lando ends Y/N’s race, and they have different perspectives on how it transpired.

[soon-palestine]

Conversation with a Hamas leader: P: All this killing & destruction… for what?

H: In Vietnam, there's a General called Võ Giáp who got half a million of his men killed. Today his huge sacrifice is looked back at as essential for Vietnam's liberation…

P: We're not Vietnam, every liberation struggle is unique to its context.

H: Oppressed people always win against colonizers…

P: Not everywhere. Native Americans, Aboriginals, and Maoris never managed to drive the colonizers out!

H: We're not native Americans, every case is different…

P: But you weren't you just comparing us to Vietnam?

[Long argument]

H: So what is your alternative? Nothing else works with Israel, not Mahmoud Abbas' diplomacy, not non-violence, not the international community, not the UN…

In domestic Palestinian politics, Hamas always wins every argument not by the appeal of its ideology, but by the long foiling & betrayal of every single alternative Palestinians ever tried.

Palestinians tried the biggest non-violent protest in Gaza's modern history, the 2018-19 Great March of Return, tens of thousands marching to the fence every Friday bare-chested raising the Palestinian flag (never Hamas')… The IDF took potshots at over 30,000 protesters for sport & bragged about the joy of hunting down people's kneecaps!

Palestinians tried international advocacy, only to be smeared, shut down, labelled "antisemties", detained, harassed, made into cautionary tales…

Palestinians tried negotiations, accepted 22% of their historic homeland & called for international law to be respected, only to be called rejectionists, maximalists, uncompromising & "never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity" (although Israel's Knesset officially rejects the two-state solution in absolute terms).

Palestinians tried to knock on the doors of every UN agency and international court, only to be called "diplomatic terrorists" & for whatever historic decision we got to remain mere ink on paper; never to be implemented…

Palestinians tried collaborating with Israel & providing it with ultimate security (the Palestinian authority), only to be weakened, humiliated, smeared, abandoned, defunded & called "terror supporters"…

Some Palestinians tried even converting to Judaism, only to be automatically rejected out of hand by Israel. One, who changed his name to Davidi ben Abraham & studied the Torah in depth, was literally shot at a checkpoint by an Israeli soldier who got mad at "Davidi" for daring to call himself "Jewish". How dare he?

These failures upon failures have only ever lent credence to Hamas & strengthened it.

As always: Palestinian nonviolence requires global non-silence!